These Arizona Restaurants Are The Toughest Reservation To Get In March 2026 (And Worth It)
March in Arizona means sunshine, blooming desert landscapes, and the kind of dining scene that makes food lovers weak in the knees. Getting a table at the hottest restaurants in the state is practically a competitive sport right now.
Locals know the drill, set alerts, book the second a calendar opens, and stay flexible on times because prime slots disappear fast. March is peak patio season, which means every outdoor table feels like a prize and every special-occasion dinner gets planned earlier than usual.
The most in-demand spots stay busy because the experience is consistent, the dishes feel worth dressing up for, and the dining rooms buzz with that spring-in-Arizona energy. If the goal is a meal that feels like an event, planning ahead is the only way to avoid settling for whatever is left.
Set your alarms, because these 13 Arizona restaurants are booked out faster than you can say “extra salsa.”
1. Bacanora PHX
Smoky, soulful, and unapologetically Sonoran, Bacanora PHX earns every bit of its cult-favorite status in Phoenix.
Located at 1301 NW Grand Ave Unit 1, Phoenix, AZ 85007, this intimate spot is helmed by Chef Salvatore Calisi, who draws deep inspiration from the food traditions of Sonora, Mexico.
The menu leans heavily on wood-fire cooking, giving every dish a gorgeous char and depth that is hard to replicate. Expect dishes like carne asada prepared with serious intention and mesquite-grilled vegetables that steal the spotlight.
Seating is extremely limited, which means reservations disappear within minutes of dropping online.
March is especially competitive because snowbirds and spring training crowds flood Phoenix, making an already tough table nearly impossible.
Book through their official reservations platform the moment slots open, ideally weeks in advance. Once you finally sit down, the food will make every frantic refresh completely worth it.
2. Cafe Monarch
Stepping into Cafe Monarch feels like being transported to a European manor, except the food is even better than you imagined.
Situated at 6939 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, this legendary tasting menu restaurant has been wowing diners for decades with its theatrical presentation and extraordinary flavors.
Chef Daniel Ponder crafts seasonal menus that change regularly, so no two visits are ever quite the same.
The multi-course journey typically runs several hours, making it an ideal destination for a truly special occasion. Getting a reservation here in March is notoriously difficult, as the restaurant operates with a very small number of tables by design.
The intimate atmosphere means every guest receives exceptional, personalized service throughout the evening. Reservations open on a rolling basis and tend to vanish almost immediately.
Pro tip: check multiple dates and be flexible with your timing to snag that golden booking.
3. Reserve
Just steps away from Cafe Monarch, Reserve at 6934 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 is carving out its own reputation as one of the most exciting spots in Old Town Scottsdale.
The concept focuses on thoughtfully sourced ingredients turned into bold, creative small plates that reward adventurous eaters.
The room itself is sleek and sophisticated without feeling stuffy, striking that rare balance between cool and comfortable.
March brings a surge of visitors to Scottsdale, Arizona which pushes already scarce reservations into near-mythical territory. The restaurant keeps its capacity intentionally small to maintain quality, which means competition for seats is fierce year-round.
First-timers should arrive with an open mind and a willingness to trust the kitchen’s creative direction.
Reservations are best secured through their online booking system, which updates regularly.
Signing up for email alerts from the restaurant can give you a head start when new slots become available.
4. Kai Restaurant
Kai Restaurant holds the rare distinction of being Arizona’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant, and it earned that title the hard way.
Found at 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85226, Kai sits within the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass resort on the Gila River Indian Community lands.
The menu celebrates Native American culinary traditions, featuring ingredients sourced directly from the surrounding community and surrounding land. Dishes are visually stunning and deeply layered with cultural significance, making each course feel like a story being told through food.
I once visited Kai for a birthday dinner and genuinely struggled to describe the experience to friends afterward because words felt inadequate. March reservations book up fast thanks to resort guests and destination diners planning spring getaways.
The restaurant recommends booking at least four to six weeks ahead for peak season. Valet parking is available and the dress code leans toward smart casual or better.
5. Lom Wong
Lom Wong is the kind of restaurant that quietly becomes your favorite before you even finish your first course.
Tucked at 218 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, this intimate Thai restaurant from Chef Parita Perry focuses on the lesser-known regional cuisines of Thailand with extraordinary precision.
The tasting menu format allows the kitchen to guide guests through a curated culinary journey that feels both educational and deeply delicious. Flavors are bold, complex, and built on techniques that reflect genuine respect for Thai culinary heritage.
Seating is intentionally limited to preserve the quality of service and the intimacy of the dining experience. The restaurant gained national attention quickly after opening, making reservations increasingly competitive with each passing month.
March is particularly hectic as Phoenix dining traffic surges with seasonal visitors. Check the reservations platform frequently, as cancellations do occasionally open up slots even during peak periods.
6. Anhelo
Anhelo, meaning desire in Spanish, is a restaurant that inspires exactly that feeling the moment you hear about it.
Perched at 7007 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, Anhelo offers a refined tasting menu experience rooted in Latin culinary traditions but filtered through a distinctly modern lens.
Chef Roberto Centeno brings a playful creativity to the menu that keeps regulars coming back to discover what is new each season.
The space itself is intimate and artfully designed, creating an atmosphere that feels both celebratory and relaxed. Reservations here are notoriously scarce because the restaurant prioritizes a small guest count to keep the experience personal and polished.
March is one of the most competitive months thanks to Scottsdale’s surge of visitors during spring events and festivals. Booking several weeks ahead is strongly recommended, and checking for last-minute openings midweek can sometimes yield pleasant surprises.
Dress to impress, because this meal deserves the full treatment.
7. COURSE Restaurant
COURSE Restaurant earns its name by delivering a progression of dishes that builds momentum and excitement from start to finish.
Located at 7366 E Shea Blvd, Suite 106, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, COURSE is a tasting menu destination that takes its culinary philosophy seriously without taking itself too seriously.
Chef Cory Oppold leads the kitchen with a focus on locally inspired ingredients transformed through refined technique into genuinely memorable bites.
The pacing of the meal is thoughtfully managed, allowing guests to fully appreciate each course before the next arrives. A friend of mine finally snagged a reservation after three weeks of persistent checking and described the dinner as one of the best meals of her life.
March bookings fill rapidly as the restaurant draws both local enthusiasts and out-of-state visitors. Reservations open on a rolling monthly basis, so setting a calendar reminder is a smart strategy.
The restaurant also offers a bar seating option that occasionally has more availability than the main dining room.
8. Sel Bistro
Sel Bistro brings a French soul to the heart of Old Town Scottsdale with effortless charm and serious culinary skill.
Settled at 7044 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, Sel offers a menu that honors classic French bistro traditions while weaving in seasonal Arizona ingredients.
The result is a menu that feels familiar yet refreshingly original, with dishes that range from expertly prepared duck confit to delicate seafood preparations.
The room is warm and inviting, with just enough French flair to make you feel like you have been transported without leaving the desert.
Reservations are competitive year-round but become especially scarce in March when Scottsdale’s dining scene hits peak season traffic. The restaurant is particularly popular for date nights and celebratory dinners, so weekends book out first.
Weekday reservations are slightly easier to secure and often feel more relaxed in terms of pacing. Arrive a few minutes early to enjoy the ambiance before your meal begins.
9. Virtù Honest Craft
Virtù Honest Craft is the kind of place where simplicity and excellence share the same plate, and neither one is willing to budge.
Nestled at 3701 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, this Italian-Mediterranean gem from Chef Gio Osso has been a cornerstone of Scottsdale’s dining scene for years.
The menu celebrates handmade pastas, wood-roasted proteins, and vegetables treated with genuine reverence for their natural character. Every dish carries the unmistakable honesty the restaurant promises in its name, with no unnecessary flourishes or fussy presentations.
Virtù earned a James Beard Award nomination, which explains why reservations move at warp speed as soon as they drop. March visitors planning a Scottsdale trip should prioritize booking here early, ideally four to five weeks out.
The bar area occasionally has walk-in availability on slower nights, making it worth a spontaneous visit if plans fall through. Bring a good appetite and even better company.
10. Christopher’s At Wrigley Mansion
Dining at Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion is not just a meal; it is a full-on event set inside one of Phoenix’s most iconic historic landmarks.
Perched at 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85016, the Wrigley Mansion offers sweeping views of the city skyline alongside Chef Christopher Gross’s celebrated French-inspired cuisine.
Gross is a James Beard Award winner, and his menus reflect decades of mastery blended with a genuine passion for seasonal, artful cooking. The setting is genuinely breathtaking, with the historic architecture adding a layer of grandeur that most restaurants simply cannot replicate.
March is one of the busiest months for the mansion as it hosts private events alongside regular dinner service, shrinking available reservations considerably.
Booking through their official website early in the month prior is the most reliable strategy. The tasting menu is the most immersive option and well worth the extra planning it requires.
Views alone are reason enough to visit.
11. Pizzeria Bianco Heritage Square
Chris Bianco is the chef who made the world take Arizona pizza seriously, and the line outside his original Heritage Square location proves that devotion has never wavered.
Located at 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Pizzeria Bianco Heritage Square is the mothership of a small but legendary operation that changed American pizza culture.
The pies are made with obsessive attention to detail, using house-milled flour, handmade mozzarella, and toppings sourced with the same care a fine dining chef would bring. Getting a reservation here in March feels like winning a small lottery, especially with Phoenix events drawing record crowds downtown.
The restaurant uses an online reservation system that releases slots in advance, and regulars know to check right at midnight when new dates drop. Walk-in seating at the bar is sometimes available, though patience is required.
Once you taste the Rosa pizza, you will understand why people plan trips around this place.
12. Pizzeria Bianco Town And Country
Pizzeria Bianco Town and Country at 4743 N 20th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016 gives mid-town Phoenix diners a second chance at experiencing Chris Bianco’s legendary pies without trekking downtown.
The menu mirrors the Heritage Square location in quality and spirit, featuring the same iconic pizzas that earned Bianco a James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef.
The space feels more neighborhood-friendly and slightly more relaxed, though the demand for tables is no less intense. March is a particularly challenging month here because local regulars compete with a wave of visitors who have heard about Bianco’s reputation.
I once showed up without a reservation hoping for a miracle and ended up waiting nearly two hours, which I would honestly do again. Online reservations are your best bet and should be secured well in advance for March visits.
The Sonny Boy pizza with olives and salami is a must-order for first-timers and regulars alike.
13. ShinBay Omakase Room
ShinBay Omakase Room is where Japanese culinary precision meets Arizona desert hospitality in the most unexpected and wonderful way.
Tucked at 3720 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, ShinBay is led by Chef Shinji Kurita, who trained in Japan and brings an extraordinary level of skill and dedication to every piece of nigiri.
The omakase format means the chef decides the menu based on the freshest fish and ingredients available that day, creating a unique experience each visit.
Seats at the counter are limited to a very small number of guests per seating, which is exactly what makes the experience feel so special and so hard to book. March reservations here are among the most competitive in all of Arizona, often filling within hours of becoming available.
Setting up alerts through the reservation platform is a smart move for serious diners. This is a splurge-worthy experience that delivers every single time.