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    Elote Cafe

    4.5 (3.4k reviews)
    PriceyBars, Mexican
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Elote Cafe Photos

    ELOTE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Elote Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Elote Dip
    Kim M.

    Long overdue review... I have been wanting to come here forever! I have their Cookbook, so yeah! And truly did not disappoint! We were in Sedona end of March (Spring Break!). Definitely make reservations. We had the Elote Appetizer, my Husband had the Duck Carnitas and I had the Calabacitas Chile Relleno. So so amazing! If you're in Sedona, this Restaurant is a can't miss!

    Karen A.

    The corn bisque was next-level--rich, creamy, and layered with flavor. The natural sweetness of the corn paired beautifully with the earthy depth of huîtlacoche, while the white truffle crema added a subtle, luxurious finish. It struck that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory that made it hard to stop eating. The elote appetizer was just as memorable. The fire-roasted corn brought a nice char, while the spicy mayo gave it a gentle kick. The squeeze of lime added brightness, and the cotija cheese tied everything together with a salty finish. Every bite was creamy, tangy, and full of bold flavor. For entrées, we tried both the brisket and chicken enchiladas. The brisket enchiladas were standout--made with 14-hour smoked prime Niman Ranch brisket, they were rich, tender, and deeply flavorful. The roasted tomato chipotle sauce and cream added a smoky depth that complemented the meat perfectly. The chicken enchiladas were also delicious, featuring house-smoked organic free-range chicken with salsa verde and a chipotle crema. They had a lighter, slightly tangier profile but were still packed with flavor and very satisfying. Both dishes came with black refried beans, and rice. Unfortunately, those sides didn't quite match the quality of the main dishes and were the only part of the meal that fell a bit short. One thing to definitely plan for--this place stays packed. Reservations are a must, and honestly, you should try to book a month or two in advance. Even the bar seating requires a reservation. We arrived right before they opened at 5:00, and by 5:20 the restaurant was already completely full. Overall, the main dishes were incredibly well-executed and full of flavor--absolutely worth the effort to get a reservation.

    Buffalo mole poblano
    Mike L.

    The stories and reviews are true. If you're in the Sedona area, you need to eat here. We got lucky when someone canceled and we were able to grab their 5:00 reservation. If you're planning to visit, make a reservation so you don't miss out. The service, atmosphere, and food are all top-notch. When you walk in, you're greeted by the hostess and shown to your table. The décor feels like a blend of Southwest and Mexican styles. Shortly after being seated, they bring out chips and salsa. Our server, Eric, was very knowledgeable about both the food and the tequila (I got the El Tesoro flight, which he and I had a nice conversation about). For food, we had the elote, pork belly tacos, corn-crusted scallops, and the buffalo mole poblano. The elote had a slight sweetness from the corn, the pork belly in the tacos literally melted in your mouth, and while the scallops were slightly overcooked, they were still very good. The buffalo mole poblano was also excellent, and that's coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of mole.

    Short rib enchiladas
    Larry D.

    Sat at the bar. Service was great. Very nice selection of spirits. Elote was delicious. Short rib enchiladas were very flavorful. Halibut dish was the star of the evening. Highly recommend this place

    Elote
    Niki R.

    The biggest tip I can give you is if you want to eat here and can't get a reservation - ask to be put on their cancellation list. We showed up without a reservation- couldn't get in - but then the next day they called and gave us 3 different time options. This place is absolutely worth the hype! Their cocktail program is on point! If you like tequila or mezcal- give their sotol based cocktail a go. It's a different more earthy flavor. I believe that the mark of a good Mexican restaurant is its salsa -- and this one had a smoky flavor that kept us going back for more. I had to force myself to stop eating it so as not to ruin my appetite for dinner. No matter what you order -- their namesake dish is an absolute must! The elote is incredibly well made. Great kick to it. We licked the bowl clean. Even my picky teenager devoured it. The lamb adobo was epic! A gorgeous lamb shank perfectly cooked in a sauce that I ate with a spoon! Kids ordered pork belly tacos and seafood tacos and ate every last bite. The flan was delicious. I don't like it's very goopy. This was firm and custardy all at once. The Goldilocks texture!

    Rebecca A.

    I feel Elote is overhyped. First, there is no view. Second, the food is solid but also a tad on the bland side. The dishes were not especially inspired nor unique either. The service was also middling. Perhaps they are very busy but we received few check ins during our meal at the bar. While it is a good meal, there seems to be better choices available in the area.

    Hibiscus Margarita and Elote
    John C.

    This place was definitely all the hype and it delivered. We were able to get a reservation although they do allow walk-ins if available. We got there right as they were opening and were welcomed right inside. We were greeted with chips and we immediately ordered some margaritas. We ordered a mezcal margarita and hibiscus margarita to start the night and these were delicious. We also ordered an Elote because can't come to Elote and not order an Elote. Our waiter was on point and gave us great recommendations. We went with the Lamb Adobo and shared it as it was a massive portion. The waiter served us quick and the food came out rather quickly. We had some dessert cocktails to end the night and then made our way to explore the rest of what Sedona's night had in-store for us. Will definitely be back!

    Enchiladas sublime!
    J F.

    Wow! Really wanted to like this place. Made the reservations a long time ago. All the hype and we are ready to have the best mexican food in Arizona. We lived in Texas for 30 years and Scottsdale for 3, so we have had a little Mexican food. First the hostess was rude and very curt to us. She directed us to a booth. Atmosphere was like a chain restaurant and very plain. Server was no nonsense and you could tell he was tired of the tourists. Not very friendly. We started off with elote and a Jeff's and Luxury Margarita. Jeff's was too tart and the Luxury was way too sweet. Be nice to mix the two together. 1. Elote was a DIP. Very creamy and not a ton of taste. It was good but not great. Liked it but not near the best we have ever had. 2. Wife had the halibut over a corn cake. Halibut was slightly overcooked and had an amazing sauce. 3. I had the Chicken enchiladas. They were amazing. The sauce was sublime. Very light smoke on the chicken. Some of the best I have had. 4. Rice and beans for each of us. Rice was bland and red and was a one taste and skip. Beans were creamy black and a 8 out of 10. Could have been a little overcooked and dry. Good solid food, Very average Margaritas at best. Service is what makes or breaks a restaurant. The staff were not well trained or they just do not care. Never came back to ask about or food or clear plates away. Ambience is like Chili's, but the food is way better. The entrees are the best part and the Elote was disappointing how bland it was . I have a signed cookbook from a friend, and I may make the enchiladas. I see this service in a lot of resort towns all the time. Locals are tired and really don't want to be a server or be in service industry. I would give two stars, but the entrees were so good.

    Carne asada
    Andi S.

    A friend recommended this café in Sedona, and I'm so glad we tried it, it was amazing! It's centrally located right in downtown, which is super convenient, though parking can be a bit tricky. Totally worth it, though. We started with the elote and the nopales salad, wow. The elote was packed with flavor, and the nopales salad was incredible. I'm not even usually a big nopales fan, but this completely changed my mind. It had so much flavor and was so well balanced, such a unique and robust flavor profile, definitely try it! For our entrée, we had the carne asada, and it was phenomenal. You can really tell the owner cares deeply about the quality of the food and the flavors being served. Everything tastes intentional and thoughtfully prepared. The space itself is super cute, and the staff was amazing, friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I'm so glad I got to try this spot and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sedona!

    Red & White Sangria
    Tina A.

    During our recent stay in Sedona we were fortune enough to secure two reservations at Elote fefe & it truly exceeded our expectations. Their new location is classy, warm & Inviting with a rustic Southwestern vibe. Parking was surprisingly easy to find, thanks to the numerous public lots in the uptown area. The staff at Elote are incredibly attentive and helpful, ready to make suggestions if you have any questions about the menu. The drinks at Elote are simply incredible. On our first night we indulged in the unique and creative Blackberry & Prickly Pear Margarita & the stronger, more traditional Fresco. On our second visit we tried their refreshing Red & White Sangrias. Every dish we ordered was beautifully plated & an explosion of flavor. The Elote appetizer is their signature dish and I highly recommend it to everyone! The Smoked Pork Cheek melts in your mouth and pair so well with the cascabel chile sauce & "grandma's corn cake". The Chicken Enchiladas were also amazing but it was the Beef Brisket Enchiladas that stole the show at our table. On our second visit, we opted for a combination of appetizer and larger plates. Our server recommended the goat cheese balls and they are deep fried balls of deliciousness. The Calabacitas Chile Relleno was a very tasty & creative vegetarian dish. The Seafood Tacos are a great option if you want a lighter meal. Perfect contrasting flavors with the honey marinated sea bass & shrimp, the spicy cabbage and creamy avocado. The Pork Belly Tacos were also very tasty, but it was heavier than the seafood tacos. We made sure to save room for something sweet as we remember Chef Jeff's unique spin on desserts. The Mexican Chocolate Pie is decadent - a frozen chocolate pie with a candied almond crust and strawberry drizzle. The Pastel de Elote is a unique sweet corn cake studded with sweet corn kernels & served warm in a cast iron skillet along with dulce de leche and vanilla agave ice cream. It's a flawless way to end two perfect dining experiences! Elote once again exceeded all our expectations and we can't wait to dine here when we next visit Sedona!

    Carne Asada
    Melly T.

    We sat at the bar because we didn't plan ahead and snagged a reservation a couple of hours before. But it did not disappoint! Service and food was on point. It was so good that we ended up coming back here the next night. Our fave was their sweet corn bisque and the elote ....omg they are definitely a must have! My hubby had the Carne Asada which was flavorful and tender. I had the Seafood Tacos which I thought was just so so. For desert, we tried the Mexican Chocolate Pie which was rich and decadent. As for the ambience, it's definitely more casual and loud. Lots of birthday dinners.

    Elote main entrance.
    Osvaldo V.

    Elote Cafe is an upscale Mexican restaurant with excellent food, service and drinks. Our waiter was professional, knowledgeable, friendly and very nice. Elote is a very nice restaurant and delivers an excellent meal. We started with very good drinks then the Elote appetizer and the tamale. They were both very good but we really enjoyed the Elote corn off the cob. I had the lamb shank with mole as my main course. The lamb was excellent, but the mole was a bit bitter for my taste. The restaurant really nice and has a cool vibe and is relaxing. This is my second time at this restaurant and it did not disappoint the second time.

    Scott M.

    It was okay. Needing to make reservations months out I was expecting to be blown away, however that was far from the case. If it didn't come with all the hype it would have been good. But with all of the hype I was pretty letdown. The lady to my right ate 2 of 4 scallops. Lady to my right said her local Mexican joint made a better dish. I also only ate about half of my meal. It was clean inside. Service was friendly. I guess I just didn't understand the hype.

    Beautiful ambience and view!

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    Elote Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Elote Cafe

    Is this place fancy or casual?

    Plenty of folks wear jeans, while some opt to dress up. The ambiance is on point but casual.

    If you don't have a reservation, do they take walk ups?

    Nope they are not taking when I tried in Jan 2025

    Is this place Kids friendly?

    Yes. My daughters are pre-teens, but I saw families dining with younger children.

    Solo traveler. Can you walk in for bar seating?

    I don' think so. We ate at the bar with a reservation.

    Should we try a last minute walk up?

    You mean like an uninvited guest? I wouldn't. You pay a premium for the great quality and service.

    Is your lamb halal?

    I don't think any of their meats are halal

    Do they have gluten free options?

    Yes they do my wife has a gluten allergy and enjoyed her meal at Elote.

    How can i get a reservation i've been calling for days and website is not available?

    I have found that the website is not always accurate regarding open slots for reservations. I have always called and have been successful in talking with a real person and getting a reservation. Keep trying.

    Is the patio worth sitting out at on a cold night? I know they have heat lamps but didn't know the vibe and views of the patio area.

    Not too much of a view, specially at night. We went on a cold night and the patio was completely empty. I think sitting outside might be fun during the summer but unsure of cold nights.

    I don't see any time slots on open table. Do you guys take walk-in?

    Yes. You can walk in but there may be a wait

    Is there a dress code?

    The dress code is casual.

    I'm trying to reserve a table for 3 people (05/29/2021) and the app don't let me do it. So I tried to call but not body answer the phone. Can you please give me an option to reserve a table for this date ? Thanks 😊

    Hello-- Good question! We currently accept reservations up to 31 days in advance at 12:01AZ time via our website. www.elotecafe.com At this time, your reservation date is not yet available to book. As always, if you need any further assistance feel… Read more

    Do you take phone reservations? I have open table app but it doesn't locate the restaurant. It is frustrating. I will be visiting from 4/29-5/2. Thank you so much!

    Access OpenTable reservations for Elote by linking from Elote's website. As discovered, you won't find it via OpenTable search.

    Since reservations are only for indoor dining, how does one get an outdoor table?

    In you reservation, note you want an outside table. They accommodated our request.

    Do they cater?

    Hello, at this time we do not offer any catering. Thank you for your inquiry.

    Do they have the correct number listed? I'm trying to call to make reservations and it's constantly "busy" tone. I've called (no joke) 50 times 😂 thanks in advance!

    Yes, it is possible that you have called over 50 times and there has not been an answer, they are that popular and better yet, that much tastier! Took me 45 minutes of continuous trying and finally got through. Made reservations for the three… Read more

    Is the vegetable mole VEGAN or vegetarian?

    Our vegetable mole verde dish is vegetarian however with a few modifications it can be a vegan entree as well.

    Is Elote finally open yet😭? Been waiting to return to this place ever since my last visit in spring before they closed. I want to bring my family this time so if anyone could let me know that would be awesome!

    Call the Arabell hotel because it's part of the hotel.

    Are they open Thanksgiving 2019?

    No, they beautifully allow their staff to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families.

    Are there VEGAN (not vegetarian) options beyond salad?

    Why don't you just call the restaurant and ask?

    View All 24 Questions

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    Javelina Cantina

    Javelina Cantina

    4.0(2.2k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Queso dip!!!! Oh yeah, their carne asada plate is also super delicious. I love everything that…read moreaccompanies it, too. Their chips and salsa are okay, super Americanized style salsa but tasty enough. Randomly their Caesar salad isn't too bad either! I wasn't craving any Mexican dishes one day and went with the salad and was pleasantly surprised. I do NOT recommend birria tacos; highly disappointing and lacked flavor and the authentic textures of quesabirria tacos. Boring. Good vibes inside. Lots of colors, fun upbeat music, and most importantly happy and helpful service every single time. We've even see actual Javalinas out the window while dining once. There's a couple outdoor tables too for when the weather is nice and suns not hitting. Parking can get crowded during tourist season because it's in a shopping center w multiple businesses, but any spot to park is not too far to walk. Note there is a one way exit.

    We had been to Javelina Cantina about 3 years ago, and coming back reminded me why it's still so…read morepopular. I would definitely recommend making reservations because it can be quite a wait otherwise, especially during peak times. That said, they seem well equipped to handle both small and large parties, which is nice if you're traveling with a group. They really do Tex-Mex right here. At a lot of places you can tell when things are canned or pre-made, but that was not the case here. Everything tasted fresh, from the guacamole to the sauces, and the flavors were bold without being overwhelming. I especially liked the fajitas, and the portions are generous, so you definitely get your money's worth. I'm not a big drinker, but the margaritas and other drinks seemed very popular and I saw a lot of people enjoying them. The overall vibe is lively and fun, with a great energy that fits Sedona well. If you can sit on the patio, the red rock views are an added bonus and really elevate the experience. The wait staff was incredibly attentive. They even kept us updated on when our food would be coming out, which I appreciated. They really went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and that everything came out promptly. I also liked the little details, like the javelina imagery throughout the restaurant, which gives it some personality and ties into the local feel. They bring out complimentary chips and salsa, and they're constantly refilling them, which is always a plus. A couple small things to note that others mention as well: it can get pretty loud when it's busy, and parking in the area can be a bit tight, so plan accordingly. Overall, it's a great place with a fun atmosphere, solid food, and consistently good service. I know the next time we are back in Sedona, we will definitely be coming here again.

    Photos
    Javelina Cantina - Food view

    Food view

    Javelina Cantina - Taco Tuesday!  shredded beef tacos

    Taco Tuesday! shredded beef tacos

    Javelina Cantina - Chicken Fajitas

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    Chicken Fajitas

    Tamaliza - Pork tamale

    Tamaliza

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Wow. Incredible find. Supremo Tamale was off the charts delicious…read more Personable, fast service. Authentic A+. Don't hesitate to stop in.

    Ok so I was so excited to go here. There is something really comforting about a tamale done right!…read moreThe glowing reviews and pictures seemed promising. The restaurant itself has a lot of character, it full of textures and colors, had a cute little fountain outside. It just feels homey and welcoming. The menu...is hella pricey for a tamale. I mean even with inflation these days I could get a tamale at most spots where I live for like half the price. I just told myself it's Sedona just except it lol so I went wild and got their extra special tamale with lots of topping to make it a more complete meal. I chose the chicken mole for my filling. I also got their dairy free horchata. First thing the horchata was delicious! Creamy, great texture, not to sweet, seasoned just right. Extra points for being dairy free as milk is not my bodies friend. The tamale however was a major let down. I was so close to just sending it back, but was on a time crunch and starving. The masa was so salty. The mole sauce was barely existent and had no complexity or flavor really. I didn't taste the chocolate or the Chile . Just blah. The toppings and horchata helped make it possible to consume despite the saltiness. So overpriced salty tamale gets 2 stars, ambiance 5, and horchata 5, which is why this place gets a three stars overall. I wanted to love this spot so bad, and maybe it was a bad day, or the wrong thing to get...but their name is literally tamaliza. Their tamale should have rocked my world.

    Photos
    Tamaliza
    Tamaliza - Chicken mole tamale

    Chicken mole tamale

    Tamaliza - One of the best bites in Sedona!

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    One of the best bites in Sedona!

    La Vecina

    La Vecina

    4.1(114 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Conveniently located on the main road in Sedona near shops. The upstairs outdoor area is great for…read moresome nice views and enjoying the beautiful weather. They do have heater units in case it gets cold. To be honest the only downside is the food was expensive for Mexican. Average dinner plate was $25-28 but very delicious. We got the vampiro tacos with sirloin and the al pastor tacos. The chips and salsa were good and complimentary. Our server was attentive and helpful with the menu. I also got the shuga and spice margarita. Highly recommend but a little on the expensive side.

    We went for lunch and there was no wait, which could have been a red flag. The restaurant is nice…read more I ordered the carne asada tacos and they only came with rice and beans. They didn't come with sour cream or guacamole for being $23 seems a bit pricey. The tacos were so spicy I had to stop eating them as my mouth was on fire. When the waiter suggested them he should have mentioned they were spicy. Also, the meat in the taco was luke warm and the tortilla wasn't fresh. My daughter had the cheese enchiladas that she shared with me. They were bland. The salsa looked odd and I couldn't figure out why. I ordered a side of guacamole and it was $8, and drinks $4 a piece. They nickel and dime you on everything. $65 plus tip for 2 people for mediocre food. I'd go somewhere else. Chipotle is better.

    Photos
    La Vecina - Inside waiting area

    Inside waiting area

    La Vecina - Chicken fajitas

    Chicken fajitas

    La Vecina - Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita

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    Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita

    Elote Cafe - bars - Updated May 2026

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