Arizona Official State Travel Guide - Arizona 2025-26
An Ode to the Diner
2025-08-25 13:34:34
Known for their comfort food-focused menus and welcoming atmosphere, diners are an iconic part of the American road trip. In Arizona, many diners popped up during the golden era of Route 66, when car ownership was becoming more common and people were driving westward.
For a strong dose of nostalgia, head to Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner in Kingman. Just look for the vintage sign (featuring a jukebox, Studebaker and giant root beer) atop the blue-and-pink building with a small fleet of classic cars out front. Inside, vinyl record-shaped menus offer up classic fare from stacked breakfast platters to malts and banana-split sundaes.
Part of the The Wilde Resort and Spa in Sedona, Rascal Modern American Diner & Bar elevates your dining experience with dishes crafted by award-winning Chef Mercer Mohr. Try restaurant specialties like vegan bento boxes and crème brûlée or opt for familiar standbys like carrot cake and crispy chicken fingers. With walls of wide windows, dangling globe lights and funky red-and-green neon signage across its facade, Welcome Diner in Phoenix offers classic diner vibes. However, its eclectic farm-to-table menu serves up much more than standard fare, with innovative options like jackfruit po’boys.
In Tucson, Little Anthony’s Diner beckons travelers with its sock hop-reminiscent entrance and Pink-Ladies-colored Cadillac. Step inside to discover waitstaff in vintage uniforms, cushy red-leather booths and memorabilia-covered walls. Check out their special events to be serenaded by Elvis and Marilyn Monroe or to see a classic car show.
Quirky and Western, The Roadkill Cafè in Seligman offers roadkill-themed menu items, like the Highway Hash, and walls filled with farm equipment and taxidermied critters. After eating, explore the roadside attractions next door, including the O.K. Saloon and the town’s old jail.
In Chandler, the mom-and-pop Chase’s Diner has delighted travelers since 1997 with its retro style. Get transported to the 1950s as you sit on cherry-red stools at the chrome-topped glass-brick bar, slurp thick chocolate milkshakes, or eye up the cakes and pies in the dessert display case.
Big Earl’s Greasy Eats in Cave Creek is your one-stop-spot for Americana nostalgia. Set in a converted, vintage gas station, this food joint boasts drive-in experiences on Saturday nights, an old-time candy store/gift shop and even boozy milkshakes, like the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Vodka.
Dine among the stars at the Galaxy Diner in Flagstaff, where photos of celebrities, like Princess Leia and Darth Vader to Marilyn Monroe and Freddie Mercury, cover the walls amid classic art-deco style. With 100 flavors of shakes, from Oreo brownie to lemon meringue, there’s always room for dessert.
SOFT SERVE & SHAKES
Just looking for dessert? Try these top sweet spots.
TOPO
Stop by Gilbert for this shop’s unique flavor combos, like prickly-pear soft serve dipped in chocolate, orange or lime.
DESSERT IN DESERT
In Scottsdale, elaborate ice cream cones offer up an Asian- American fusion of flavors, like matcha atop a fish-shaped or Froot-Loops-rimmed cone.
JOE’S RIDE N DINE
Choose from gravity-defying soft serve or shakes topped with Oreos, coconut flakes and walnuts at this Safford eatery.
SODA JERK CO. MILKSHAKE BAR
In Phoenix, discover Instagram-worthy shakes topped with slices of three-layer birthday cake, lollipops, ice cream sandwiches and more.
NAKED DATES FARM
Best known for their date shakes, this seasonal Wellton spot also touts live music, a brewery and a farm store selling organic Medjool dates and gifts.
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