The West is a land of bold flavors, culinary creativity and deeply rooted traditions, and our USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list highlights some of the region’s best dining destinations.
From a no-frills taco joint in Arizona serving perfectly grilled carne asada to a West African restaurant in Portland where every bite tells a story, these selections reflect the diversity and excellence of Western dining.
Whether it’s a historic Pony Express stop in Nevada dishing out legendary burgers, a farm-to-table gem in Oregon showcasing local ingredients, or a special-occasion spot in Scottsdale where every dish is a work of art, these restaurants stand out for their commitment to quality and hospitality.
Chosen by our team of food writers who live and work in the communities they cover, these restaurants capture the essence of the West’s vibrant culinary scene. Read on to discover your next must-visit destination.
What’s the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year.
Inside look at how USA TODAY chose its Restaurants of the Year for 2025
Ta’Carbon | Glendale, Arizona
Details: 5834 W. Camelback Road; 623-463-8134, tacarbon.com
Ta’Carbon restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends the mouthwatering carne asada and the hazz, a symphony of charred steak, melted cheese and green chiles.
This is not the place for glitz and glamour. Now with three locations in metro Phoenix, Ta’Carbon is a classic taco joint in every sense of the word, from the loud music playing over the speakers to the brisk counter service to the self-serve salsa bar at the center of the restaurant.
Polished businesspeople and construction workers spend their lunch breaks side by side in the small dining room, savoring the mouthwatering smell of carne asada grilling over charcoal. There’s no wrong answer on the menu, but the star is the hazz, a symphony of charred steak, melted cheese and green chiles available as a burrito, taco or plate. In the land of Sonoran food, Ta’Carbon is quintessential. — Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic
FULL REVIEW
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Course | Scottsdale, Arizona
Details: 7366 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 106; 480-687-0491, courserestaurantaz.com
Book your reservation now on Open Table.
Course restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends this special occasion restaurant where the dishes have an element of nostalgia, and most look like modern art.
The dishes at Course, award-winning chef Cory Oppold’s latest restaurant, aren’t just elegantly presented. Many have an element of nostalgia, and most look like modern art. Panna cotta arrives in a bowl with a cereal box that, naturally, contains a toy.
A stone plate is the canvas for fennel mash, braised fennel petal, parsnip crumbs, edible flowers and lobster tail, as balanced and surprising in flavor as it is in presentation. The open kitchen is a dialogue, allowing Oppold to survey the dining room, and diners to see him and his team make magic. And that’s what a night out at Course is – from service to beverage pairing, it feels special, worthy of milestones and memories. — Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
FULL REVIEW
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Rooster and the Pig | Palm Springs, California
Details: 356 S. Indian Canyon Drive; 760-832-6691, roosterandthepig.com
Rooster and the Pig restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends this fun setting for dining on shaking beef and a stuffed curry ball.
A short stroll from the touristy bustle of downtown Palm Springs, Rooster and the Pig sits in the corner of an unassuming strip mall with a small patio and makeshift-looking sign providing the only indications that there is even a restaurant here – let alone one of America’s best.
But venture within and you’ll find yourself in a slightly funky feeling space livened with faded newspapers and old coffee cans, a fun setting for dining on shaking beef, a stuffed curry ball and other dishes from chef Tai Spendley. Much of the menu is inspired by the way Spendley’s mother adapted her own native cooking after moving to the U.S. from Vietnam. — Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun
FULL REVIEW
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The Taco Stop | Fort Collins, Colorado
Details: 2601 S. Lemay Ave., Suite 30; 970-281-2313, thetacostopfoco.com
The Taco Stop restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends nachos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, a towering pepito sandwich and more – all inspired by chef Cesar Lopez’s upbringing and culinary education in Mexico City.
The Taco Stop’s buzzing Midtown Fort Collins dining room is a far cry from the restaurant’s roots, which took hold more than a decade ago after owners Cesar Lopez and Berenice Longoria tried their luck selling steak street tacos to late-night crowds out of their no-frills food cart.
Since then, the couple’s operation has ballooned to include its food cart, food truck and a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Its menu is now lined with nachos, enchiladas, chilaquiles, a towering pepito sandwich and more – all inspired by Lopez’s upbringing and culinary education in Mexico City. And, as its name implies, The Taco Stop still whips up a range of tacos – earning the crown in The Coloradoan’s taco bracket competition in 2024. — Erin Udell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
FULL REVIEW
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Middlegate Station | Fallon, Nevada
Details: 42500 Austin Highway; 775-423-7134
Middlegate Station restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends the simple, homestyle fare in this one-time Pony Express stop. Don’t miss the Monster Burger, a triple-decker beast with more than a pound of beef.
More than 40 miles outside of Fallon on Highway 50 – “the loneliest road in America” – sits Middlegate Station, a restaurant, bar, gas station and motel all in one. Once a Pony Express stop, it now serves one of the best burgers in all of Nevada.
Fredda and Russell Stevenson bought the property in 1985 and it’s now a family affair, with three generations dishing up simple homestyle fare. But the restaurant is known best for its Monster Burger, a triple-decker beast with more than a pound of beef and hot peppers. — Peggy Santoro, Reno Gazette Journal
FULL REVIEW
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Hayward | McMinnville, Oregon
Details: 1140 NE Alpine Ave.; 503-687-3605, haywardrestaurant.com
Book your reservation now on Open Table.
Hayward restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends the approachable, farm-to-table menu that’s accompanied by a mix of music and the hum of marketplace activity.
The hidden-in-plain-sight restaurant – a James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant – is easy to miss, with only a small sign indicating its location inside Mac Market. But executive chef Kari Shaughnessy’s work embodies the tenets of Oregon’s farm-to-table movement, with a focus on supporting local growers, promoting sustainability and engaging in community projects.
The menu is approachable, accompanied by a mix of music and the hum of marketplace activity. Shaughnessy initially opened it as a breakfast spot that evolved through the pandemic. Now, dishes have varied Asian, Italian and New American influences, including a don’t-miss sesame focaccia with koji butter made fresh daily. — Em Chan, Salem Statesman Journal
FULL REVIEW
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Akadi | Portland, Oregon
Details: 1001 SE Division St.; 971-271-7072, akadipdx.com
Akadi restaurant review: Our local food writer recommends immersing yourself in the West African culture and cuisine while surrounded high ceilings, dazzling lights and hanging plants.
The word “akâdi,” derived from the Bambara language, means “tasty.” The restaurant Akadi in Portland lives up to the name. High ceilings, dazzling lights and hanging plants greet customers as they are whisked to their seats inside the West African restaurant.
The decor and music reflect the cuisine that chef Fatou Ouattara serves, immersing diners in the culture for the duration of their meal. Menu staples include hearty stews that can be paired with fufu (fermented cassava dough) and fish and meat entrees. Akadi is especially well-loved for its sauces made from roasted carrots, ginger, garlic, Roma tomatoes and a savory mix of African spices. — Samantha Pierotti, Eugene Register-Guard
FULL REVIEW
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See the entire list of USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year 2025 here:
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best restaurants in the West 2025: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon
