Food · Sedona · United States
What to eat in Sedona
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Sedona, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Terrydarc, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Prickly pear margarita, Navajo taco and Elote. Several restaurants in Uptown and on the Airport Mesa road have terraces facing the buttes; book a table timed for sunset. Book dinner ahead at popular restaurants, especially at weekends and in spring and autumn; Sedona has fewer tables than visitors.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Prickly pear margarita
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 5
- Tipping
- Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, 15–20% for jeep-tour and hiking guides, and…
- Food experiences
- 3
7 foods to try
Drink · Vegetarian
1.Prickly pear margarita
A margarita sweetened with the magenta syrup of the prickly pear cactus fruit, giving it a bright colour and a mild, melon-like flavour. It is the classic sunset drink in Sedona.
Where: Bars and restaurants across Uptown and the Gallery District, many with red-rock views from their terraces.
Dish
2.Navajo taco
A round of puffy fry bread topped with beans, ground beef or chile, lettuce, tomato and cheese. It reflects the Navajo and other Native communities of northern Arizona.
Where: Native-owned stands and casual restaurants in the region, including on the road to the Grand Canyon.
Snack · Vegetarian
3.Elote
Mexican-style roasted corn with mayonnaise, chile, lime and crumbled cotija cheese. In Sedona it is famously served in a skillet as a dip at Elote Cafe, the chef-owned restaurant named after it.
Where: Elote Cafe and Mexican restaurants around town; expect a queue at Elote Cafe.
Dish
4.Green chile
Roasted green chiles are a Southwestern staple, cooked into pork stews, smothered over burritos and piled onto burgers. Ask whether the chile is mild or hot before ordering.
Where: Southwestern and Mexican restaurants in West Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.
Drink · Vegetarian
5.Verde Valley wine
Vineyards in the Verde Valley below Sedona grow grapes at high elevation, producing reds and whites that suit the hot days and cool nights. Many wineries have tasting rooms in Cottonwood, Cornville and Jerome.
Where: Tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood, Page Springs Road near Cornville and Jerome, plus wine bars in Sedona.
Breakfast · Vegetarian
6.Huevos rancheros
Fried eggs on corn tortillas with red or green chile sauce, beans and potatoes — a filling breakfast before a long hike.
Where: Breakfast cafés in West Sedona and Uptown, many of which open early for hikers.
Dessert · Vegetarian
7.Prickly pear sweets
Prickly pear fruit also goes into candy, jelly, sorbet and lemonade, giving many desserts and drinks a vivid pink colour.
Where: Gift shops in Uptown and Tlaquepaque, and dessert menus around town.
Food experiences
Sunset dinner with a view
Several restaurants in Uptown and on the Airport Mesa road have terraces facing the buttes; book a table timed for sunset.
Verde Valley wine trail
Taste local wines at tasting rooms in Old Town Cottonwood and along Page Springs Road, with a designated driver or a tour.
Trailhead picnic
Pick up sandwiches and snacks from West Sedona's supermarkets and delis for a picnic at Crescent Moon or Red Rock State Park.
Quick bites and street food
- Elote — Elote Cafe and Mexican restaurants around town; expect a queue at Elote Cafe.
- Huevos rancheros — Breakfast cafés in West Sedona and Uptown, many of which open early for hikers.
Vegetarian options
Of the 7 foods in this guide, 5 are usually vegetarian: Prickly pear margarita, Elote, Verde Valley wine, Huevos rancheros and Prickly pear sweets. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Book dinner ahead at popular restaurants, especially at weekends and in spring and autumn; Sedona has fewer tables than visitors.
- Many restaurants close relatively early compared with big cities; plan dinner soon after sunset.
- Eat a solid breakfast and carry snacks for hikes; there is no food at trailheads.
- Prices in Uptown are higher than in West Sedona and Cottonwood.
- Sales tax is added at the register and an 18–20% tip is expected at sit-down restaurants.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, 15–20% for jeep-tour and hiking guides, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vortex | A site believed by some to concentrate spiritual energy |
| Red Rock Pass | Parking permit needed at many national forest trailheads |
| Slickrock | Smooth, wind-worn sandstone you often hike on |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Sedona famous for?
Prickly pear margarita, Navajo taco, Elote and Green chile. A margarita sweetened with the magenta syrup of the prickly pear cactus fruit, giving it a bright colour and a mild, melon-like flavour.
+Is Sedona good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Prickly pear margarita, Elote and Verde Valley wine.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Sedona?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, 15–20% for jeep-tour and hiking guides, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.