When dining amid the stunning scenery of Sedona, you'll want to find restaurants with a view. Nestled in Northern Arizona amid the red rocks, Sedona is a small desert town popular with hikers, nature lovers, and health-conscious travelers.
When I had the opportunity to celebrate a recent birthday in Sedona, Kel and I did our best to only eat at restaurants offering pretty views. Here are the four Sedona restaurants we experienced that weekend and are happy to recommend.
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Where To Eat in Sedona
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
Perched on a small bluff along State Route 89A, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill offers a fine dining experience with gorgeous views. Mariposa was the restaurant I chose for my birthday dinner, and it exceeded my expectations for the special occasion.
From the time we pulled into the spacious parking lot to our seating on the outdoor patio, we took in the natural beauty surrounding us. Mariposa has a lawn perfect for photo ops, wedding proposals, or stargazing after dinner. The restaurant's main dining room features 23-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to sit inside.
Chef Lisa Dahl helped introduce fine dining restaurants to Sedona in the 1990s. Mariposa is her fourth, offering an award-winning wine list. The extensive menu features tapas, including handmade empanadas, shrimp ceviche, and other fresh seafood.
Australian rack of lamb, filet mignon, and New York strip steak are some entree options cooked on a wood-fire grill. We went all out, ordering a 32-ounce bone-in ribeye with Lisa's luscious lemon and lobster mashed potatoes, one of my best dishes of 2022.
Thanks to the view, delicious meal, and friendly staff, Mariposa made for a memorable dining experience. Mariposa requires a reservation, so book as far in advance as possible; it's one of the best Sedona restaurants. 700 W Arizona 89A, Sedona, AZ, mariposasedona.com
Hideaway House
Kel chose the Hideaway House for an early lunch after we'd hiked to Devil's Bridge at sunrise. This casual Sedona restaurant, offering a panoramic view, is located on the east side of town, off State Route 179.
Hideaway House is larger than it seems, as there are two floors of seating and plenty of tables lined up along the edge of the balcony. We arrived when they opened at 11 a.m. and were promptly shown to a table overlooking Oak Creek with a view toward Snoopy Rock.
The Hideaway House is a great place for classic Italian comfort food, including the meatball sandwich (a house favorite), artisanal pizzas, chicken parm, and lasagna. Given the incredible view and weather, Kel and I each ordered a cocktail.
The drink menu offers a wide selection, ranging from Red Rock Rum Punch to Prickly Pear Margaritas. When our roasted peach and caramelized pancetta pizza with ricotta and mozzarella arrived, it was fantastic. The pizza filled me up so much that I didn't try their tiramisu, one of my favorite Italian desserts. 231 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ, sedonahideawayhouse.com
Note: Try Creekside American Bistro, located next door, for similar views at a casual restaurant offering American fare instead of Italian cuisine.
Mesa Grill
For a change of scenery, check out Mesa Grill, a Sedona restaurant with views of the city airport. The Mesa Grill is smaller than the first few restaurants I mentioned.
However, we had no trouble getting a table by the window when we dropped by for brunch at 10:15 a.m. on a Sunday. Throughout our meal, I was captivated by the small planes that took off and landed on the nearby runway.
During my years of travel, I've been on a few such planes, including one at the southern tip of Argentina in Ushuaia and another on a safari in Botswana's Okavango Delta. They're not for the faint of heart!
Mesa Grill serves Southwestern and contemporary American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a special brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
I was happy with my colorful plate of huevos rancheros, while Kel got the fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes. Mesa Grill features a full bar with Arizona craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Happy hour is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. 1185 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ, mesagrillsedona.com
The Hudson
Established in 2015, The Hudson is a neighborhood restaurant in Sedona offering American food in an open dining room and outdoor deck with scenic views. A four-sided central bar offered additional seating and was the only place Kel and I could sit since we didn't have a reservation on our first night in town.
While it was too dark for photos showing this is a Sedona restaurant with a view, the food was fabulous. I was in over my head with an order of prickly pear BBQ baby back ribs from the dinner menu; they were lip-smackingly good!
The Chocolate Chunk Skookie Avalanche dessert, featuring a triple-chocolate cookie served hot with pecans and vanilla ice cream, was the knockout punch. 671 AZ-179 Ste D, Sedona, AZ, thehudsonsedona.com
Whatever you're in the mood for, there's a Sedona restaurant with spectacular views, from Latin-inspired fine dining establishments to places offering American, Southwestern, and Italian cuisine. I hope these suggestions get you started and help you make the most of your time in beautiful Sedona, Arizona.
