Mark your calendars, food lovers—Arizona Restaurant Week is back and bigger than ever. The Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA) has officially announced that the 2025 Fall Arizona Restaurant Week (ARW) will take place September 19–28, offering diners a 10-day celebration of flavors, creativity, and incredible value across the Valley and beyond.
“Fall Arizona Restaurant Week is one of the best times of year to enjoy an incredible meal at an incredible value,” said ARA President and CEO Steve Chucri. “We couldn’t be as successful in championing our hospitality industry without the loyalty and dedication of enthusiastic diners. We thank you all for continuing to give local restaurants some much-needed love and support.”
A Culinary Tradition Worth Savoring
Arizona Restaurant Week has become one of the most anticipated events on the state’s dining calendar, held each spring and fall to showcase the best of what Arizona kitchens have to offer. For many diners, it’s a twice-yearly tradition—a chance to step into restaurants they’ve always wanted to try or return to a longtime favorite with a fresh perspective.
Participating establishments design special prix fixe menus—typically three courses featuring a starter, entrée, and dessert—at set price points of $33, $44, or $55 per person. The variety and flexibility mean that food lovers can indulge at fine dining landmarks or discover new casual favorites without breaking the bank. Some restaurants include cocktail or wine pairings, while others even extend the experience with to-go options, making it easier for everyone to join in.
This fall, more than 150 restaurants have already committed, with the Arizona Restaurant Association projecting that number will approach 300 before the event begins. That’s hundreds of menus across the state, representing an extraordinary cross-section of Arizona’s culinary identity.
Creativity on Display in Every Bite
One of the hallmarks of Arizona Restaurant Week is that it allows chefs to break out of routine and get bold. While many menus highlight popular dishes that define a restaurant’s reputation, others feature creations designed exclusively for ARW. These can range from experimental small plates to indulgent desserts that won’t appear again once the week is over.
Diners might find a chef putting a modern spin on a Southwest classic, incorporating hyper-local produce from Arizona farms, or highlighting seasonal flavors that reflect the transition into fall. It’s a playground for creativity, and for diners, it’s like buying a front-row seat to watch Arizona’s culinary talent in action.
As Chucri puts it, “It’s a unique opportunity for restaurants to show off their creativity and for diners to experience something out of the box.”
Why We Think It Matters
Here at the AZ Courier News, we believe Fall Arizona Restaurant Week is more than just a dining promotion. It’s an invitation. An invitation to leave behind your usual routine, step into a new neighborhood, and see what the Valley has to offer.
With so many restaurants participating, there has never been a better excuse to branch out. This could mean driving from Gilbert to downtown Phoenix for a buzz-worthy tasting menu, trying a neighborhood gem in Chandler you’ve passed by a dozen times but never entered, or booking that Scottsdale spot that’s been on your wish list for months.
For us, dining out is about more than food—it’s about community. It’s about supporting the small-business owners and hospitality professionals who pour their energy into making Arizona’s restaurant scene one of the most exciting in the country. It’s about celebrating the artistry of local chefs while also gathering with family and friends around the table.
Restaurant Week reminds us that the Valley is not just a collection of neighborhoods—it’s a true culinary destination. And every time you try a new restaurant, you’re contributing to that growing reputation.
A Food-Focused September Issue
It’s no coincidence that our September issue is heavy on food. In addition to this centerpiece story on Restaurant Week, we’ve packed these pages with local features on cafés, bakeries, and specialty eateries that make our communities unique. It wasn’t intentional, but perhaps it’s fitting—September has become something of a celebration of dining here at the AZ Courier.
Think of it as your guide to exploring the flavors of the season. Use Restaurant Week to venture out across the Valley, and then turn to our pages for closer-to-home recommendations that might become your new go-to spots. Together, they create the perfect roadmap for making this month a true culinary adventure.
So whether you use Restaurant Week as an excuse for a night out on the town or flip through our features for inspiration, consider this your official nudge to make September a month of discovery.
How to Participate
A complete list of participating restaurants and their menus will be posted on ArizonaRestaurantWeek.com by September 1, with updates added right up to the start of the event. Diners are encouraged to browse the lineup, plan nights out, and book reservations early—because some of the most popular spots fill up fast.
With nearly 300 restaurants expected to open their doors for this fall’s event, Arizona Restaurant Week promises to once again showcase why our state is earning recognition nationwide as a serious culinary destination.
So whether you’re craving fine dining, something casual, or simply the thrill of discovering a new favorite, September 19–28 is your chance to taste the best of Arizona’s dining scene.
Editor’s Note
Portions of this story are adapted from a press release provided by Susie Timm, President & CEO of Knife and Fork Media Group, on behalf of the Arizona Restaurant Association.
