Guidebook for Lake Montezuma
Food Scene
My personal picks for some of the best food in the Verde Valley!
A local favorite, American and southwest food. Super casual. Different specials daily, and friendly service. Try one of their local craft beers on tap! They also have a coffee bar in the morning with full breakfast and bar open 7am-11am.
12 locals recommend
Robbie's
5155 N Dave Wingfield RdA local favorite, American and southwest food. Super casual. Different specials daily, and friendly service. Try one of their local craft beers on tap! They also have a coffee bar in the morning with full breakfast and bar open 7am-11am.
It's a long wait to get in, but it is well worth it. You must try the Elote, a delicious corn dip with homemade tortillas, and some of the best specialty margaritas I have ever tasted. Its best to get there around 4, since doors open at 430 and there is always a line!
198 locals recommend
Elote Cafe
350 Jordan RoadIt's a long wait to get in, but it is well worth it. You must try the Elote, a delicious corn dip with homemade tortillas, and some of the best specialty margaritas I have ever tasted. Its best to get there around 4, since doors open at 430 and there is always a line!
The best curry I have had in a long time. Excellent prices on food and wines by the glass.
45 locals recommend
Tara Thai Restaurant
34 Bell Rock PlazaThe best curry I have had in a long time. Excellent prices on food and wines by the glass.
Who knew Arizona had a bustling wine scene? You must do a wine-tasting at Page Spring Cellars. The customer service is excellent, the food is tasty, and the wine is approachable and interesting.
198 locals recommend
Page Springs Cellars
1500 N Page Springs RdWho knew Arizona had a bustling wine scene? You must do a wine-tasting at Page Spring Cellars. The customer service is excellent, the food is tasty, and the wine is approachable and interesting.
We love to stop here for an affordable, delicious burger after a hike! They have local AZ beers on tap, and their prices are very affordable.
35 locals recommend
G's Burgers
1220 S Eastern DrWe love to stop here for an affordable, delicious burger after a hike! They have local AZ beers on tap, and their prices are very affordable.
Conveniently located about a 5 minute drive from our place. El Patio offers authentic Mexican Cuisine at a great price! Margaritas are always cold and strong and the food is delicious. This is a locals favorite.
19 locals recommend
El Patio Bar & Grill
1955 E Cornville RdConveniently located about a 5 minute drive from our place. El Patio offers authentic Mexican Cuisine at a great price! Margaritas are always cold and strong and the food is delicious. This is a locals favorite.
This is the ultimate stop for a gourmet burger. The ambience is chic and modern, the drinks are inventive, and the burgers are mouth-watering. I highly recommend ordering a side of their famous yucca fries!
50 locals recommend
Butterfly Burger
6657 AZ-179This is the ultimate stop for a gourmet burger. The ambience is chic and modern, the drinks are inventive, and the burgers are mouth-watering. I highly recommend ordering a side of their famous yucca fries!
This is a higher-end upscale place perfect for special date night, or celebration. The ambience and views are breathtakingly five-star. The food is a celebration just by itself.
273 locals recommend
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
700 AZ-89AThis is a higher-end upscale place perfect for special date night, or celebration. The ambience and views are breathtakingly five-star. The food is a celebration just by itself.
As their name states, the tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches) are absolutely fire. They have a great happy hour during the week, with 5 dollar house margaritas, and discounted appetizers.
74 locals recommend
Tortas De Fuego
1630 AZ-89AAs their name states, the tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches) are absolutely fire. They have a great happy hour during the week, with 5 dollar house margaritas, and discounted appetizers.
Incredible, authentic italian cuisine. They make everything from scratch, and you can taste the love. Very approachable wine list, which includes pairing suggestions, and the service is top-notch. Love this place!
36 locals recommend
Moscato Italian Restaurant
368 S Main StIncredible, authentic italian cuisine. They make everything from scratch, and you can taste the love. Very approachable wine list, which includes pairing suggestions, and the service is top-notch. Love this place!
A great healthy stop for a pre-hike smoothie or power bowl. they have many ala carte items for sale as well. Many paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options are here for the food sensitive traveler. The staff are incredibly helpful and ready to answer any questions. Stop in and feel the love!
93 locals recommend
Local Juicery
3150 W State Rte 89AA great healthy stop for a pre-hike smoothie or power bowl. they have many ala carte items for sale as well. Many paleo, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options are here for the food sensitive traveler. The staff are incredibly helpful and ready to answer any questions. Stop in and feel the love!
Best breakfast in town, hands down. Try their huevos rancheros, or order a cinnamon roll the size of your head. Family owned and operated, their focus on fast and friendly service. Usually a wait to get in on weekends but it’s worth it. Once you have a table the food comes out quickly.
58 locals recommend
Red Rock Cafe
100 Verde Valley School RdBest breakfast in town, hands down. Try their huevos rancheros, or order a cinnamon roll the size of your head. Family owned and operated, their focus on fast and friendly service. Usually a wait to get in on weekends but it’s worth it. Once you have a table the food comes out quickly.
Amazing healthy, delicious food, complete with a Gluten Free menu. One of the best happy hours around. Highly recommend!
129 locals recommend
Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen Sedona
1855 AZ-89AAmazing healthy, delicious food, complete with a Gluten Free menu. One of the best happy hours around. Highly recommend!
Best breakfast and patio close by. French bistro style, Beautiful indoor and outdoor ambience. delicious farm fresh to table breakfast/lunch with full espresso bar. Dog friendly patio!
Peach Tree Cafe
Best breakfast and patio close by. French bistro style, Beautiful indoor and outdoor ambience. delicious farm fresh to table breakfast/lunch with full espresso bar. Dog friendly patio!
Amazing grab and go breakfast, coffee and pastries. Stay for their delicious lunch options! Fresh and made from scratch with local love. Limited seating.
Rimrock Coffee Company
Amazing grab and go breakfast, coffee and pastries. Stay for their delicious lunch options! Fresh and made from scratch with local love. Limited seating.
COLT Grill BBQ and Spirits Village of Oak Creek
Best BBQ around!
India Palace
1910 AZ-89ADelicious Indian food
Drinks & Nightlife
Going out on the town? Here are some ideas!
Located in scenic Tlaquepaque Shopping Center. Delicious food, and even better beer! Try their famous Oak Creek Amber Ale, or the Nut Brown Ale (my favorite).
57 locals recommend
Oak Creek Brewery and Grill
336 AZ-179Located in scenic Tlaquepaque Shopping Center. Delicious food, and even better beer! Try their famous Oak Creek Amber Ale, or the Nut Brown Ale (my favorite).
The Hudson
671 AZ-179Stunning views, great Happy Hour. 3-6. Try their Hudson Margarita!
Live music 7 nights a week with an expansive food and drink menu.
79 locals recommend
Sound Bites Grill, Sedona AZ
101 N State Rte 89ALive music 7 nights a week with an expansive food and drink menu.
Live music on weekends, an excellent local wine selection, and exquisite charcuterie board options.
6 locals recommend
Decanter Tasting Room
7000 AZ-179Live music on weekends, an excellent local wine selection, and exquisite charcuterie board options.
Redwall Lounge
Beautiful views and excellent cocktails. Live music outside on weekends!
Parks & Nature
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle RoadCathedral Rock Trailhead
500 Back O Beyond RdBear Mountain trail/Oski approach
Bear Mountain trail/Oski approachAn intense hike with spectacular views.
Slide Rock State Park
6871 AZ-89AAn iconic must-see in Sedona.
An easy to moderate hike with breathtaking views and vortex areas.
39 locals recommend
Boynton Canyon Trail
Boynton Canyon TrailAn easy to moderate hike with breathtaking views and vortex areas.
A good local spot for hiking and sight-seeing amongst red rocks that leads to a secret swimming hole.
16 locals recommend
The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek
Bell TrailA good local spot for hiking and sight-seeing amongst red rocks that leads to a secret swimming hole.
Tuzigoot National Monument
25 Tuzigoot RdGet a tour of the Douglas Mansion to learn about the history of mining in Arizona.
23 locals recommend
Jerome State Historic Park
100 Douglas RdGet a tour of the Douglas Mansion to learn about the history of mining in Arizona.
This is a must-see archeologial spot in the area. A beautiful walk through the Verde Valley's high desert takes you to the well; a desert sinkhole oasis with tons of bird watching and wildlife viewing. Did I mention there is no entrance fee?
95 locals recommend
Montezuma Well (Montezuma Castle National Monument)
Forest Service Road 618This is a must-see archeologial spot in the area. A beautiful walk through the Verde Valley's high desert takes you to the well; a desert sinkhole oasis with tons of bird watching and wildlife viewing. Did I mention there is no entrance fee?
Some of the most well-preserved petroglyphs in the entire southwest. The ranger will take you on a short walk to the site, and throughly explain the history of the area's native tribes.
30 locals recommend
V Bar V Heritage Site
6750 N Forest Ranger RdSome of the most well-preserved petroglyphs in the entire southwest. The ranger will take you on a short walk to the site, and throughly explain the history of the area's native tribes.
Shopping
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
336 AZ-179Antiques galore! If you love antiquing, this is one of the local spots to go!
6 locals recommend
Jim's Trading Post, LLC
2115 E Beaver Creek RdAntiques galore! If you love antiquing, this is one of the local spots to go!
Essentials
Bashas'
650 Finnie Flat RdDollar General
3255 E Beaver Creek RdFort Verde Laundromat
Local laundromat
Arts & Culture
Sedona Performing Arts Center
995 Upper Red Rock Loop RdSedona Heritage Museum
735 Jordan RdOld Town Center for the Arts
633 N 5th StEntertainment & Activities
Harkins Theatres Sedona 6
2081 AZ-89AOut of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 Arizona 260