Latin American in Phoenix

6902 E. Greenway Parkway North Scottsdale

480-624-1202

Contemporary, Latin American, South American, Spanish, Recommended, Best Of

Star chef Douglas Rodriguez has made an international name for himself with his Nuevo Latin American cuisine, and now he's in our humble town. Everything is stunning here, such as ceviche with Spanish and Asian influences, arepas (griddled corn cakes) with caviar and quail egg, and plantain-crusted halibut with sliced banana, sautéed spinach, bacon and cherry tomato. Read our review.

7 articles

Fe La Cubana

5821 N. 67th Ave., #110 Glendale

623-533-6912

Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean, Best Of, Slideshow

Fe La Cubana is a classic Cuban American-style cafeteria that deviates little from many of the best-known dishes of the island just south of Florida. Though there are Cuban sandwiches and fried foods, Fe La Cubana is all about the steam table offerings. These are soupy, stewy, and beautiful — ageless preparations like ropa vieja and stewed oxtail made with great skill. The dining room is plain. There is a language barrier for those who speak only English. But make no mistake, this tiny cafeteria in Glendale is one of the great enclaves of Cuban food in the Valley.

5 articles

Havana Cafe

4225 E. Camelback Rd. East Phoenix

602-952-1991

Caribbean, Central American, Cuban, Latin American, Spanish, Recommended, Menu

Even Castro would endorse capitalism like this. Authentic comidas Cubanas like tostones, paella and arroz con pollo served in an attractive, intimate environment. The black bean soup is revolutionary. After 5 p.m., sip sherry and sample tapas upstairs in Arriba.

7 articles

Havana Patio Cafe

6245 E. Bell Rd. North Scottsdale

480-991-1496

Caribbean, Central American, Cuban, Latin American, Spanish, Recommended, Menu

Even Castro would endorse capitalism like this. Authentic comidas Cubanas like tostones, paella and arroz con pollo served in an attractive, intimate environment. The black bean soup is revolutionary. After 5 p.m., sip sherry and sample tapas upstairs in Arriba.

10 articles

Little Cay – Latin Caribbean Kitchen

Little Cay – Latin Caribbean Kitchen, 4912 E. Shea Blvd., #108, Scottsdale North Scottsdale

480-534-4110

Latin American, Caribbean

Little Cay – Latin Caribbean Kitchen unites many far-flung flavors of the Caribbean, with mixed results. A vibrant design theme runs through the high-ceilinged dining room. People clench churrasco steak sandwiches, fork into vaca frita, sip Cuban coffee at a long, bright bar. Service is nice, warm. Some of the classics could use more zap, like that vaca frita and simply fried plantains. The move here is to embrace the riffs, such as a ropa vieja French dip sandwich and “tostonadas” — which are like open-faced sandwiches but on plaintains and mounded with toppings like lechon (slow-roast pork).

1 article

Mi Cocina Mi Pais

4221 W. Bell Rd. North Phoenix

602-548-7900

Latin American, Restaurants, Best Of, Menu

3 articles

Millie's Cafe

1616 E Main St Mesa

480-223-8217

Caribbean, Cuban, Latin American, Puerto Rican

1 article

The Mission

3815 N. Brown Ave. Central Scottsdale

480-636-5005

Latin American, Contemporary, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice

While there are a few Mexican eateries in the vicinity of Old Town, you'd have a much better chance of tracking down a gourmet burger or a plate of sushi. So for that reason alone, The Mission fills a welcome niche in this 'hood. While the menu is a broader, more modern take on Latin cuisine, the real highlights are simple pleasures like street tacos and bacon-wrapped hot dogs. And even if you're only going to knock back $15 cocktails, the atmosphere here is certainly dark and sexy enough to encourage lingering.

50 articles

Puerto Rico Latin Grill

2714 W. Thomas Rd. West Phoenix

602-278-9607

Latin, Latin American, Best Of

This west Phoenix restaurant featuring casual, wallet-friendly Puerto Rican cuisine offers dishes served up in the style of Créole cooking, or what the locals call cocina criolla. Start with the sweet plantains, then try the fried chicken rubbed with adobo, the classic Puerto Rican pork roast pernil, or a softball-size lump of garlic-heavy mofongo. Wash it down with a bottle of Malta, and you’ll be swaying to a Puerto Rican salsa in no time.

9 articles

Restaurante Salvadoreno

303 E. Southern Ave. #113 Mesa

480-835-1038

Salvadoran, Latin American, Best Of

This family-owned place is doing more to bring Salvadoran treats to the Valley than anyone else. Pupusas -- stuffed griddled tortillas -- are a must-have, especially revueltas con frijoles, chicharron y queso, with ground pork, beans, and cheese. The all-day menu runs the gamut from traditional Salvadoran breakfasts like scrambled eggs with chorizo, to seafood dishes and carne asada. Even the aguas frescas are delicious, from homemade tamarindo to horchata made with ground morro seed.

5 articles

Sazon Bachata Restaurant

906 N 15th Ave Central Phoenix

480-842-9262

Caribbean, Cuban, Dominican, Latin American

Family-owned and -operated, the eatery is one of a handful of Caribbean restaurants in the Valley. It's inviting and informal, with the menu -- which changes depending on availability of ingredients -- written in chalk on the wall. If the writing is illegible, the staff will be more than happy to recite the day's available dishes. The little place seats a total of 17, with five tables. Art, Caribbean instruments, a Dominican flag, and quirky antiques -- like a Saved By the Bell-era cell phone -- decorate the restaurant, while Dominican news plays on a flat-screen TV.

3 articles

Ticoz Resto-Bar

5114 N. Seventh St. Central Phoenix

602-200-0160

American, Eclectic, Latin American, Mexican, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

At this self-described "resto-bar," there's outdoor seating on the patio, a cozy bar area with stylish mood lighting, and a sleek dining room outfitted with red leather chairs. It's an appealing atmosphere on weekend nights, when the place is abuzz with customers. While the Latin-themed menu tries too hard, a few offerings are truly solid. Guacammus (a creamy blend of lime-tinged guacamole and garlicky hummus) is a tasty novelty, and the chicken flautas are crisp, with moist filling seasoned with chipotle and cinnamon. If you're in the mood for something sweet, skip dessert and save room for fruit-flavored mojitos, margaritas, and martinis.

11 articles

Latin American in Phoenix

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