Favorite Places in Flagstaff, Arizona

UPDATED 1/17/20: I'm on the road over 200 days a year, so in many respects, I'm a tourist in Flagstaff too! But even with that, I know a thing or two about Flagstaff, so here are my recommendations.

Here is also my Yelp collection for Flagstaff, which gets updated more often.

Restaurants

Tinderbox Kitchen
Annex Cocktail Lounge

34 S. San Francisco
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

My (very out of date) review is here. They have three properties--Tinderbox Kitchen is a small, higher-end dining room, The Annex is a creative cocktail bar, and the Tourist Home Urban Market is a breakfast/lunch place. Owner Kevin Heinonen and his team are a very dedicated team!

Shift

107 N San Francisco St #2
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

Chefs Joe and Dara have created a lively little restaurant focusing on flavorful and beautifully plated tapas-like dishes.

Criollo

16 N San Francisco St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

A Latin American inspired menu with really good tostones (crispy, twice-fried plantains) and huevos con carne. I also like the jalapeno burger. 

Karma Sushi

6 E Route 66

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

My review is here.

This is a higher-end sushi place, kind of Scottsdale meets Flagstaff. In addition to sushi, I go for the tonkotsu ramen.

Hiro's Sushi

1312 S Plaza Way

Flagstaff AZ 86001

This is more functional sushi--not much atmosphere, but solid food and service, easier parking and a bit cheaper. This is our family night sushi.

Fat Olives

2308 E Route 66

Flagstaff AZ 86004

Neopolitan style pizza from a wood-burning oven and good pasta. John Conley, the chef-owner, is also an all-around great guy!

Satchmo's Barbecue

2320 N 4th St

Flagstaff AZ 86004

Great brisket and pulled pork, but in reality, I go for the tater tots. No, that's an exaggeration, but the tots are incredibly good.

MartAnne's Burrito Palace

112 E Route 66

Flagstaff AZ 86001

Go for the chilaquiles. Be prepared to wait in line.

And because I have space...

Attractions

Lowell Observatory

1400 W Mars Hill Rd

Flagstaff AZ 86001

Where Pluto was discovered! Check out the restored Clark Telescope. Open both day and night--I suggest doing both if you have time. I adore this place, and it's not just because I used to work there. It speaks to my nerdiness.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Lots of activities here in the summer, and a great educational place to learn about native plants.

Museum of Northern Arizona

A good way to get a sense of the indigenous cultures of the region.

Arizona Snowbowl
I'm not a skier, but I do hit the Skyride in the summer. Ride the chair lift up Mount Humphries, but make sure to watch out for the effects of the altitude. As my son, Matthew, says, "Hydrate or die-drate!"

Out of town attractions

National Parks

We have four national parks within easy driving distance: Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Wupatki and the Grand Canyon, of course. Get an Interagency Annual Pass and you'll get your money's worth right away. Instead of going to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, go east of Flagstaff and hit Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater one day, Wupatki on the next, and enter the Grand Canyon via Cameron, Arizona and the East Rim. Cameron is the home of the Cameron Trading Post, which has a lot of tchotchkes and a good Navajo Hot Beef. 

Grand Canyon Railway

Scenic railroad to the Canyon--worth doing at least once.

Sedona is also about 45 minutes away.

This post first appeared on the Alice's Restaurants blog.