Skip to main content

It’s impossible to stay hungry for long when you’re visiting Arizona. While Phoenix may get all the credit, many of Arizona’s best restaurants lie just on its outskirts. Surprise, Arizona, is a town known for its excellent golf courses and aquatic center, but it’s also home to great restaurants that cater to every palate.

Choosing to stay at one of Bella Palazzo’s vacation home rentals puts you minutes away from delicious restaurants, bars, bistros, and more. So, whether you’re looking for casual dining, a sports bar, upscale cuisine, or authentic Mexican food, consider this your list of the most delish restaurants in Surprise, Arizona.

 

Vogue Bistro

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

  • Address: 15411 W Waddell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: voguebistro.com
  • Price point: $21-30

Vogue is a stylish and modern bistro serving American cuisine but with a detectable French flare. It’s the perfect spot whether you’re in the mood for raw oysters, steak tartare, escargot, or a well-made burger. The intimate atmosphere and mood lighting make it the ideal destination for a relaxing lunch or date night.

In addition to great food, they also have an extensive wine list and creative cocktails. Between happy hour, weekly drink specials, and plenty of outdoor seating, this is a perfect spot to grab a table any hour of the day.

 

Rio Mirage Cafe

  • Address: 13863 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: riomiragecafe.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Rio Mirage is a family-owned Mexican restaurant serving traditional Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine. They pride themselves on providing a friendly atmosphere along with high-quality Mexican food. Many of their star ingredients are made in-house, like their salsa and flour tortillas.

Some of their most popular dishes include their slow-roasted carnitas, burritos especial, and mahi mahi tacos. They also offer weekend brunch, where the huevos rancheros are a must-try. Rio has a full bar, though their margaritas are some of the best in Arizona.

 

Bonfire Craft Kitchen and Tap House

  • Address: 15332 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: bonfirektap.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Bonfire is a fun and lively American gastropub that focuses on classic pub foods like burgers, pizzas, wings, and craft beer but with a nod to seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The vibe is very relaxed, with TVs lining the walls and an outdoor fire pit.

They have tons of local craft beers to choose from, though if you can’t decide, you can get a flight and try them all. And if you’re still hungry after a giant plate of buffalo wings or poutine, definitely try their interactive s’mores. You won’t regret it!

 

Saigon Kitchen

Saigon Kitchen is a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant serving classic dishes like pho, banh mi, and fried rice. They also have a variety of appetizers to choose from, like potstickers, edamame, coconut shrimp, and crispy egg rolls. For the little ones, they have a great kid’s menu with tons of options. Meanwhile, for the adults, they have a full menu of creative cocktails along with Asian beers and wine.

Saigon Kitchen is also a great spot for large parties. They have a private VIP room that can be reserved for parties of up to 20, so you can easily host a get-together over delicious Vietnamese food, quality drinks, and excellent service.

 

Babbo Italian Eatery

  • Address: 16433 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: babboitalian.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Babbo is a small Italian chain specializing in Italian cuisine served in a contemporary atmosphere. They have classic Italian dishes like stuffed manicotti, pasta pomodoro, and puttanesca alongside American favorites like scratch-made french fries and quinoa bowls.

If you’re not sure of what to order, you can build your own plate by selecting a protein, salad, and preparation style. This, combined with their thorough wine list and full bar, makes it a guaranteed winner for the whole family.

 

Irish Wolfhound Pub

  • Address: 16811 N Litchfield Rd Ste 102, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: irishwolfhoundpub.com
  • Price point: $11-25

The Irish Wolfhound Pub is a fun and lively spot that’s perfect if half of your group wants to catch the game while the other half is content to play billiards or enjoy some live music. Their focus is on craft beer, whiskey, and bourbon, though they have a full bar and knowledgeable staff that are happy to make whatever your go-to drink is.

The food is a balance between traditional Irish and American. If you’re craving burgers and fries, they’ve got you covered. But, if you want to test the waters of Irish fare and try their fresh sausage rolls or shepherd’s pie, there’s no better place to do it than at the Irish Wolfhound.

 

Nick’s Diner II

  • Address: 13765 Litchfield Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: nicksdiner2az.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Nick’s Diner is a classic American diner with a Mediterranean twist. They serve breakfast all day alongside traditional Greek dishes like gyros, hummus, and dolmas. Just about everything is made in-house, down to the burgers, which are made to order and never frozen.

Some of their most popular dishes include scratch-made cinnamon rolls, skillet breakfasts, and their chicken gyro. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the coffee flows every hour of the day.

 

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

  • Address: 16914 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: oreganos.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Oregano’s is a brightly light, vivacious neighborhood pizza joint that serves both deep dish and thin crust pizzas with plenty of toppings. Even if you’re not in the pizza mood, they have tons of other options like wings, sandwiches, pasta, and salads. In addition, they also have a gluten-free menu that includes gluten-free pizzas.

This is a great spot for families and large groups. Between the large outdoor seating area and the vintage decor lining the walls, you’re guaranteed to have fun when you visit.

 

Big Buddha Restaurant

  • Address: 16572 W Greenway Rd Suite 115, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: bigbuddhaaz.com
  • Price point: $11-25

As far as Chinese restaurants go, Big Buddha knows what they’re doing. With classic Chinese entrees like chop suey, egg foo young, and crab puffs, there are no wrong items on the menu. The cozy space is best for small groups, but bigger parties can relax in their outdoor seating.

Big Buddha has great lunch specials along with a small list of beer, wine, and sake. If you’re looking for takeout, you can order online for pick-up.

 

Longhorn Steakhouse

Longhorn Steakhouse may be a chain restaurant, but nonetheless, it’s a popular spot in Surprise for their expertly grilled steaks, ice-cold beer, and freshly baked bread. They also offer a host of other menu items like parmesan-crusted chicken, grilled shrimp, and baby back ribs.

The atmosphere is part easygoing ranch-style, part upscale steakhouse. If you’re not in the mood for a sit-down experience, you can order online for takeout.

 

Uni Sushi

  • Address: 17191 N Litchfield Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: unisushisteak.com
  • Price point: $11-25

If you can’t make up your mind between sushi and steak, your best bet is to head to Uni Sushi. From the outside, it looks to be a modest, laidback Japanese restaurant, but one look at the menu, and you’ll notice its unique and fresh take on classic Japanese dishes.

There’s something for everyone at Uni, from the extensive list of sushi rolls to the yakisoba and teriyaki. In addition, they have a full bar and offer a variety of hot and cold sakes. Their happy hour runs daily from 3 PM to close and includes discounts on cocktails, sushi rolls, appetizers, beer, and wine.

 

Biscuits Cafe

  • Address: 13752 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: biscuitscafe.com
  • Price point: $11-25

Biscuits Cafe is a low-key breakfast chain where the coffee never stops flowing, and there’s breakfast all day. They do all the breakfast classics like biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict, and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. In addition, they’ve also got a vegan menu along with a thorough lunch menu with plenty of burgers, salads, and sandwiches to choose from.

 

Angry Crab Shack

If you thought visiting Arizona meant you couldn’t get fresh seafood and crab boils served Cajun-style, think again. Angry Crab Shack is a small seafood chain that specializes in seafood boils, po’boys and fried fish baskets served with Cajun-seasoned fries. They also have classic burgers and fried chicken, though you should definitely tack on an order of gator nuggets just to say you tried them!

Everything on the menu is as fresh and authentic to Creole cooking as possible. This means when they say something’s spicy, they mean it! As for the vibe, it’s very casual, making it a great spot for the little ones so they can have some fun eating with their hands.

 

State 48 Brewery

Photo Credit: pxfuel.com

State 48 is a local brewery that offers a huge selection of craft beers that cater to every palate. They offer everything from light lagers to stouts and IPAs, and the staff is more than happy to offer recommendations depending on your preferences.

As for the food, it’s essentially pub fare but elevated. They have all the classic players like fish ‘n chips, burgers, and pizzas, along with more upscale dishes like shrimp ceviche and grilled salmon served over risotto. In addition, State 48 also has outdoor seating, a barrel room, and several private rooms available for large parties.

 

Rito’s Mexican Food

Rito’s is a Surprise staple and has been around for over 45 years. It’s a small but mighty family-owned restaurant that serves up unpretentious Mexican food via counter service. Their menu features tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. 

Everything’s served in generous portions with rich, authentic Mexican flavors. Everything on the menu is a winner, but their green chile burrito and shredded beef tacos are a must-try.

 

The Toast Craft Kitchen & Cocktails

Photo Credit: gastronomistas.com

  • Address: 17058 W Bell Rd Suite 104, Surprise, AZ
  • Website: thetoastaz.com
  • Price point: $11-25

The Toast is an upscale modern American restaurant with outdoor seating, weekend brunch, and a creative menu of fun cocktails alongside American and Mediterranean cuisine. Their menu emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients served simply.

Some of their must-try items are oven-roasted brussels sprouts with blue cheese, steamed mussels, and green chili pork served with hot buttered tortillas. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, they also offer a menu of espressos and cappuccinos all day.

 

Stay and Eat in Sunny Surprise

One of the perks of visiting Arizona is its bustling food scene. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a big group, or with the little ones in town, there are tons of options that are sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Just remember that looks can be deceiving, and many of Arizona’s best restaurants are located in unassuming strip malls. Yet, their menu is well executed, the ingredients are high quality, and their service is top-notch.

So, now that we’ve shared the best restaurants in Surprise, check out Bella Palazzo’s luxurious vacation home rentals so you can finally kick off your adventure!

Leave a Reply

1 × 2 =