216 FOOD & DRINK SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 his way to Arizona. Now, he shares his talents with diners in the heart of Peoria. Stop by for a long, late lunch. Start with a glass of wine and some bruschetta made with ciabatta Pugliese, then linger over some tagliatelle alla bolognese and end with some house-made tiramisu. The restaurant itself is comfortable and homey, providing a welcoming spot to enjoy the finest Italian food in town. e e e B E S T B A L K A N R E S T A U R A N T CAFE BALKAN 21043 N. CAVE CREEK ROAD, SUITE A6 602-283-5360 CAFEBALKANAZ.COM The cuisine at Cafe Balkan is comfort food to a T. Its dishes, which hail from southeastern Europe, are warm and hearty and filling. A silky veal soup pairs well with thick, warm lepinja, a Balkan flatbread. The goulash with mashed potatoes has an incredible depth of flavor and tastes even better as leftovers the next day. Cafe Balkan is known for its bureks, savory pastries filled with meat or cheese, but be aware: Show up after early afternoon and they may be sold out. A pastry case is filled with treats to cap off your meal. This family-owned north Valley restaurant prides itself on its service and its food. We whole- heartedly agree. e e e B E S T C A R I B B E A N R E S TA U R A N T MS. MARTHA’S CARIBBEAN KITCHEN 1820 W. NORTHERN AVE., #110 602-675-2212 MSMARTHASKITCHEN.COM For a quick meal jammed with flavor, you can’t beat Ms. Martha’s Caribbean Kitchen. This small restaurant is located on the north- east corner of 19th and Northern avenues in a renovated 1940s Spanish Colonial building. Step inside and you’re transported to the islands. The aroma of jerk seasoning and warm curry hit you as you place your order at the counter. Don’t skip the many different flavors of wings, and make sure to try the oxtails, tender morsels slow-cooked and drenched in a rich, savory caramel sauce. Other options include brown stew chicken and curry goat, all best enjoyed with the tasty sides of rice and peas or plantains. The careful preparation that goes into the wide selection of dishes makes Ms. Martha’s stand out in a crowd. e e e B E S T E T H I O P I A N R E S TA U R A N T AUTHENTIC ETHIOAFRICAN 1740 E. MCDOWELL ROAD 602-252-2286 6989 N. HAYDEN ROAD, SUITE A12, SCOTTSDALE 480-292-8919 AUTHENTICETHIOAFRICAN.COM Authentic EthioAfrican dishes out a whole cultural vibe. What started in a humble space on McDowell Road has grown into one of the Valley’s most flavorful dining experiences, complete with an adjoined Ethiopian coffee bar, bakery, community center — and a new sleek Scottsdale location. Step inside either restaurant and you’re greeted with Afrobeat music, the scent of African spices and platters of injera ready to be torn and shared. The menu is stacked with hearty, spice-packed stews like doro wot, shiro and gomen, with plenty of vegetarian options that hit the spot as well. Combo platters under $20 make it easy to sample across the board without breaking the bank. Don’t skip the coffee cere- mony — the coffee is rich, earthy and comes with a side of tradition. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Ethiopian food or totally new to the scene, this place makes you feel like family, one injera at a time. e e e B E S T M I D D L E E A S T E R N R E S T A U R A N T GOLDEN BAKERY 1849 N. SCOTTSDALE ROAD, TEMPE 480-656-4405 GOLDENRESTAURANTBAKERY.COM This South Scottsdale eatery, opened by Palestine-born Mustafa Hasan, offers a sprawling list of Middle Eastern delights. Homemade hummus and baba ganoush? Of course. Baklava and kabobs? You got it. Chapati wraps and za’atar? Yup. Pizza topped with shawarma? Actually, yes, and don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. While it’s difficult to choose a best “Middle Eastern” restaurant — a label lazily applied by Ameri- cans unable to differentiate the incredibly diverse cuisine east of the Mediterranean — Golden Bakery’s broad menu and tasty dishes make it deserving of the title. Its status as a comforting home away from home for a wide array of Arizona State University’s international students has also earned it a critical spot in the north Tempe community.
