Tonto Bar & Grill

5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331, United States
+1 480-488-0698
$$$ American restaurant , Bar , Seafood restaurant , Southwestern restaurant (US) , Steak house
(1451 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Tonto Bar & Grill sits comfortably on the edge of Cave Creek, offering a dining experience that blends Southwestern boldness with classic American favorites in a setting that feels both relaxed and refined. Known primarily as a full-service restaurant with bar service, it draws a crowd that appreciates well-prepared meals with a regional twist paired with thoughtfully crafted drinks.

The patio area is a popular choice, especially on sunny Arizona afternoons when guests can take in the expansive desert views while enjoying attentive, knowledgeable service. This spot works well for anything from a casual lunch with friends to a low-key birthday celebration or evening out. The ambiance leans into its southwestern roots with Spanish-inspired rustic décor and a warm, inviting atmosphere that avoids feeling overly formal.

The menu caters to a range of tastes, with standout items including wood-grilled burgers, expertly seasoned seafood, and southwestern specialties like soft tacos and tamale rellenos. Visitors who lean toward seafood will find the tortilla-crusted crab cakes and onion-crusted walleye appealing, often paired with sides such as wood-grilled asparagus or braised vegetables. For meat lovers, options like the ancho chile-rubbed filet and coffee and port braised short ribs balance hearty flavors with elevated presentations.

Drinks at Tonto are equally considered, with inventive cocktails like the prickly pear margarita or cucumber jalapeño margarita offering something different from the usual bar menu. Non-alcoholic options are also thoughtfully paired with dishes, a detail appreciated by those seeking balanced flavors without the buzz.

The bar aspect attracts guests looking for a more casual sit-down, and the bartenders, notably known for their engaging service, elevate the experience with a mix of classic and southwestern-inspired drinks. While beer options could expand, the current taps support a relaxed spot to unwind post-work or gather before a night in Cave Creek’s downtown.

Overall, Tonto Bar & Grill suits those who want a southwestern dining experience with dependable quality, whether they’re locals heading out mid-week for a quiet meal or visitors looking to settle in with scenic views and seasonally inspired dishes. The place holds onto its favorites, ensuring patrons can revisit crowd-pleasers while also discovering new seasonal specials when they return.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

1451 Reviews
Springer Rescue

14 Dec 2025

BFF and I celebrated her birthday at Tonto Bar & Grill mid afternoon/mid week outside patio... Beautiful view, calm receptive service, and environment with Rose, named aptly, providing superior service. Recommending dishes on the menu, (which have remained patron favs for over 30 years) proved to be stellar selections. Recommending the nonalcoholic drinks paired with fish, yummy, wallaby, and more! Added to the fish plates, a light sauce, and sautéed vegies. Surprise, Birthday mini cake! Yes, we will visit again! Thank you, Rose .

John Ventre

11 Dec 2025

A group of four of us really enjoyed our evening out at Tonto Bar & Grill. The Three Sisters Salsa & Guac was a hit with us and seemed to be on many tables around us. We all enjoyed fish for our main entrees. The Sanddabs was my choice and I sautéd fillets were nicely seasoned and cooked. Sides of snap peas, roasted carrots and mashed potatoes made the plate very satisfying. Others enjoyed the Walleye, Salmon and the special, Sea Bass. Cocktails were very good. The service was friendly and helpful.

Carl Dewberry

23 Nov 2025

Absolute gem. I was a bit disappointed when my group chose to eat here instead of venturing into Cave Creek but the Spanish southwestern ambiance and delicious and elevated dishes were lovely to look at and lovelier to eat. The calamari was some of the best ive ever had due to the picked sweet pea tomatoes sprinkled on top and my perfect accompaniment; spicy aoli. The summer salad with goat cheese and strawberries was fresh, bright, and delicious. The schnitzel (apparently a 10 year favorite and menu staple) and red cabbage with neon butter caper sauce was delivious and elevated and executed very well. If there was any downside, its that their price reflects their quality.

Zene Mcmillan

11 Nov 2025

Would like to see a few more taps including some darker beers. Johnny, our barkeep, was excellent and interesting. We ate and drank in the bar so no info on the restaurant.

Charles Brandt

26 Oct 2025

Great food options and vegan / vegetarian options as well. The only complaint is they have a 4% fee added to cover taxes and employee salaries. This is just stupid. Just raise your prices to justify operating costs.

Marie Roviello

25 Oct 2025

I really enjoy the outdoor patio and the view of the golf course. The food and service are excellent…and the gluten-free crab cakes are my favorite! They’ll accommodate your food allergies. The local roadrunner came by looking for crumbs (see pics)!

Jason Alexander

24 Oct 2025

The food was great, and the view was incredible! The service wasn't amazing at first but after a few tables cleared the waitress became much friendlier! Overall a great night!

JAM

05 Oct 2025

Homey feel inside and a nice outdoors seating in back. Food is good with their own take of upscale tastes of a western flare. Sometime too much spice. I had scallops that were served with a sweet potato mash with a Chipotle drizzle. Brussel Sprouts and fingerling potatoes all in the spicy potatoes mash. Too much heat.

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