Top 6 restaurants in Arizona for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding Arizona's dynamic restaurant landscape requires a data-driven approach that goes beyond anecdotal reviews. With 41 million annual tourists contributing billions to the local economy and a rapidly growing population of 7.58 million residents, the state's dining scene reflects both sophisticated business needs and evolving culinary trends that shape where companies choose to conduct their most important meetings.

Understanding Arizona restaurant industry

Arizona's restaurant sector represents a formidable economic force with $23 billion in projected 2024 sales, supported by 12,321 food establishments statewide. The industry employs nearly 300,000 food service workers, marking an 11% increase above pre-pandemic levels. Tourism significantly amplifies demand, with visitors contributing $29.3 billion in annual spending. Mexican cuisine maintains dominance across the state, while emerging trends include smashburgers, high-end tacos, and regional Thai cuisine. Arizona's unique Southwestern identity stems from Sonoran Desert agricultural influences and diverse immigrant culinary traditions, creating a distinctive dining environment that balances casual comfort with upscale sophistication in major business centers like Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Top 6 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on aggregated business expense data from thousands of companies using Ramp, these restaurants consistently rank as Arizona's premier destinations for corporate dining. Crown Public House, Steak 44, and Mastro's Ocean Club lead the pack, demonstrating strong appeal across industries for their combination of atmosphere, location, and menu offerings suited to business entertainment. This ranking reflects actual corporate spending patterns rather than individual dining preferences, providing unique insights into where Arizona businesses invest their dining dollars.

Crown Public House

Crown Public House stands as downtown Phoenix's premier British-inspired gastropub, strategically positioned between Chase Field and Footprint Center. Since opening in 2019, this 5,000-square-foot venue has cultivated a reputation as the go-to destination for sports-focused business gatherings, featuring 12 HD screens and recreational amenities including dartboards and billiards. The establishment maintains a 4.6/5 Tripadvisor rating while serving locally sourced fare until 2 AM on weekends.

Notable facts: Crown Public House distinguishes itself through its soccer-centric atmosphere rare in Arizona's sports bar landscape. The venue accommodates 150 guests across multiple seating areas including a covered patio, while sourcing 40% of produce from Arizona farms. Its proximity to major sports venues makes it a natural pre-event gathering spot for corporate groups, with 32 rotating craft beer taps and an extensive cocktail program designed for extended business entertainment.

Signature dishes:

• Guinness-braised bangers with caramelized onion mash
• Playa Wrap with chipotle chicken and avocado crema
• Scotch eggs with house-made mustard
• Stout-braised short rib poutine
• Brick-oven margherita pizza with local heirloom tomatoes

Best for: Crown Public House excels for casual business meetings that benefit from a relaxed pub atmosphere, particularly those involving sports industry professionals or international clients who appreciate British cuisine. The venue's game-day energy and late hours make it ideal for entertaining clients during major sporting events, while the diverse menu accommodates various dietary preferences without the formality of traditional steakhouses.

Amara Resort and Spa

Tom's Watch Bar at Amara Resort and Spa represents luxury sports dining in downtown Phoenix, featuring an 8,000-square-foot space dominated by a 40-foot LED video wall and 120 additional screens. Opened in 2022, this upscale venue has quickly established itself as a preferred destination for high-level business entertainment, particularly among sports industry executives who appreciate the exclusive watch parties with Phoenix Suns players.

Notable facts: The restaurant's partnership with professional athletes elevates it beyond typical sports bars, creating networking opportunities unique in Arizona's dining scene. Its convertible retractable walls transform the space from intimate dining rooms to a 500-guest event venue, while sourcing 90% of beef from Arizona ranches demonstrates commitment to local partnerships. The extensive whiskey collection featuring over 200 labels and dedicated mezcal bar with Oaxacan imports provides sophisticated beverage options for discerning business guests.

Signature dishes:

• Dry-aged prime rib burger with black garlic aioli
• Truffle lobster roll with lemon herb butter
• Smoked brisket nachos with hatch chile queso
• A5 Wagyu sliders with foie gras mousse
• Charcuterie boards featuring local artisan meats

Best for: Tom's Watch Bar suits executives seeking to impress clients with premium sports entertainment experiences, particularly during NBA and MLB seasons when extended hours accommodate game schedules. The venue's proximity to Footprint Center makes it perfect for pre-game business dinners, while the upscale menu and presentation elevate it above typical sports bars for more formal corporate entertainment needs.

Steak 44

Steak 44 occupies a coveted waterfront position in Old Town Scottsdale, operating since 2018 as part of the prestigious Mastro's restaurant group. This upscale steakhouse showcases a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and visible dry-aging room where prime cuts mature for 45-60 days, earning Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence annually since 2020.

Notable facts: With only 12 tables in the main dining room, Steak 44 maintains an exclusive atmosphere that requires reservations six weeks in advance. The restaurant's appearance on Food Network's "Steakout" and commitment to Snake River Farms beef establishes its reputation among serious carnivores. The canal-side patio with fire pits offers a uniquely Arizona setting for business dinners, while tableside Caesar preparation and dedicated seafood tower station provide theatrical elements that enhance client entertainment.

Signature dishes:

• 44-ounce dry-aged bone-in ribeye with marrow butter
• Seafood tower with oysters, shrimp, and lobster
• Truffle macaroni and cheese with pancetta
• Bananas Foster prepared tableside
• Wagyu meatballs with smoked tomato sauce

Best for: Steak 44 serves as the ultimate destination for closing major deals or celebrating significant business milestones where expense is secondary to impression. The intimate setting and advance reservation requirements make it ideal for planned executive dinners rather than spontaneous meetings, while the extensive wine program supports lengthy negotiations over multiple courses.

Mastro's Ocean Club

Mastro's Ocean Club transforms The Yard's former motorcycle garage into Phoenix's premier seafood destination, combining industrial heritage with nautical elegance since 2021. The 360-degree central bar and retractable glass walls create a dynamic indoor-outdoor environment that accommodates 300 guests while maintaining intimate dining experiences.

Notable facts: Live jazz performances and celebrity sightings, particularly NBA players, position Mastro's as a see-and-be-seen venue for power dining. The kitchen's commitment to 95% sustainable seafood sourcing appeals to environmentally conscious corporations, while three private dining rooms with dedicated chef stations enable confidential business discussions. The caviar service featuring Russian osetra and Iranian beluga varieties provides luxury touches expected at high-stakes business dinners.

Signature dishes:

• Butter-poached Maine lobster with truffle hollandaise
• Miso-glazed Chilean sea bass with shiitake broth
• 34-ounce porterhouse steak with bone marrow
• Seafood tower with crab legs, oysters, and shrimp
• Lobster mashed potatoes with chive oil

Best for: Mastro's Ocean Club excels for entertaining coastal clients or international visitors expecting world-class seafood in a desert setting. The combination of live entertainment and sophisticated atmosphere makes it ideal for extended business dinners where relationship-building matters as much as deal-making, while private dining options accommodate sensitive negotiations.

Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout in Tempe pioneered the "industrial playground" concept when Fox Restaurant Concepts launched this flagship location in 2012. The 15,000-square-foot converted warehouse features vintage arcade games, indoor bocce courts, and live music venues that redefine casual business dining for Arizona's tech and creative industries.

Notable facts: Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for its fried chicken and donut burger, Culinary Dropout balances playful atmosphere with serious culinary execution. The venue's 500-guest capacity across multiple patios with fire pits and lawn games enables large corporate events, while sourcing 30% of ingredients from Arizona farms including heirloom vegetables from McClendon's Select demonstrates local commitment that resonates with conscious businesses.

Signature dishes:

• Fried chicken with honey hot sauce and blue cheese slaw
• Soft pretzels with provolone fondue
• Donut burger with bacon jam
• Pork belly steam buns with pickled vegetables
• Butterscotch pudding with salted caramel

Best for: Culinary Dropout thrives as the antidote to stuffy business dinners, perfect for tech startups, creative agencies, and younger executive teams seeking memorable shared experiences. The recreational elements facilitate team-building while maintaining professional service standards, making it ideal for recruiting dinners, company celebrations, or informal meetings where traditional corporate venues feel too constraining.

Atlasta Catering

Atlasta Catering operates from Gilbert as Arizona's premier full-service culinary provider, established in 2015 with expertise in Southwestern fusion cuisine. The company's partnerships with major events including the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Barrett-Jackson auctions demonstrate capacity for executing flawless service for up to 5,000 guests.

Notable facts: Atlasta's 20,000-square-foot production facility includes a test kitchen for seasonal menu development using Gilbert Farmers Market ingredients. The 2023 Arizona Culinary Excellence Award recognized their zero-waste initiatives that divert 90% of event waste from landfills, appealing to sustainability-focused corporations. Their fleet of 15 mobile kitchens enables on-site preparation at any Arizona venue, ensuring quality control for high-profile corporate events.

Signature dishes:

• Mesquite-smoked brisket with chipotle crema
• Cholla bud salad with Arizona citrus vinaigrette
• Prickly pear glazed salmon with quinoa pilaf
• Sonoran hot chocolate pot de crème
• Bison sliders with hatch chile aioli

Best for: Atlasta Catering serves corporations requiring flawless execution for large-scale events, from product launches to annual meetings. Their Southwestern fusion expertise provides authentic Arizona experiences for out-of-state visitors, while customizable menus accommodate diverse dietary requirements across global workforces. The mobile kitchen capabilities make them invaluable for off-site corporate retreats or exclusive venue buyouts.

Tips for business dining in Arizona's restaurant scene

Arizona's business dining culture reflects the state's blend of Western casualness and cosmopolitan sophistication. Schedule dinner meetings after 6 PM to avoid the early-bird retirement crowd, particularly in Scottsdale where restaurants fill quickly with resort guests. During spring training (February-March) and major golf tournaments, restaurant availability becomes scarce—book at least three weeks ahead for client dinners during these peak periods.

Consider weather when selecting venues: from May through September, prioritize restaurants with robust indoor cooling over romantic patios, as 110-degree evenings discourage outdoor dining. Conversely, October through April offers perfect patio weather that showcases Arizona's natural beauty—request sunset-facing tables at places like Steak 44 for maximum impact. Local business culture tends toward smart casual dress; full suits appear primarily in financial district meetings, while resort casual dominates Scottsdale venues.

Leverage Arizona's unique Southwestern cuisine to create memorable experiences for out-of-state clients. Order shareable dishes featuring local ingredients like prickly pear, mesquite, and hatch chiles to spark conversation. Many executives appreciate wine selections from Arizona's emerging wine regions—requesting bottles from Willcox or Verde Valley demonstrates local knowledge while supporting regional businesses. Finally, account for extended travel times during rush hour; the 101 Loop can add 45 minutes to cross-valley trips, making location selection crucial for punctual arrivals.