Some restaurants feed you a meal. Others feed you a whole sense of place. Right in the heart of Uptown Sedona, the Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits has been doing the latter since 1993 — and doing it exceptionally well. A family-owned restaurant and bar at the crossroads of uptown, it features scratch “High Desert Cuisine” showcasing the best of the Southwest. With red rock formations as your backdrop and a menu unlike anything you’d find at your average steakhouse, this is the kind of meal you’ll be talking about long after you leave Arizona.
The Cowboy Club Grille was formerly the Oak Creek Tavern, and it served as the gathering place for Sedona’s early settlers — including the founding members of the Cowboy Artists of America. In 1965, world-famous artist Joe Beeler sat at the corner table by the fireplace with George Phippen, John Hampton, and Charlie Dye, where together they founded the Cowboy Artists of America — a moment that helped surge recognition of Western Art across the country. That history hasn’t been forgotten; it’s been woven into the very walls of the place.
Menu Highlights
Award-winning Angus steaks, wild game, fresh seafood, and house specialties including rattlesnake and cactus are prepared within original wood walls adorned with authentic western memorabilia and a robust collection of prominent cowboy art. This is destination dining with a genuine sense of adventure — you truly never know what you’ll discover on the menu.
The starters alone are worth the visit. The Cactus Fries feature napolitas cactus strips dusted in seasoned flour and flash fried, served with black bean caramel gravy, and they’ve become one of the most talked-about dishes on the menu. The Rattlesnake Brochette comes as grilled skewers basted with raspberry plum BBQ sauce, served on cilantro flatbread with tomato black pepper jam — an adventurous, surprisingly delicious bite that’s an absolute must for first-timers.
For heartier appetites, the wild game entrées are where the kitchen truly shines. The elk chops are among the best you’ll find anywhere, and this is one of the only places around where you can still get them. The menu revolves around meat, with offerings including boar bolognese, bison skirt steak, and filet mignon, though there are also more traditional items such as burgers, salmon, and chicken. The kitchen crafts everything from scratch, and the quality shows through in every plate.
On the cocktail side, the prickly pear margarita has become a signature order — and for good reason. It’s a refreshing treat and a genuinely local choice that perfectly complements the Southwest-inspired menu. A long wooden bar is fully stocked and serves locally-brewed beer, making it a great spot to pull up a stool and soak in the atmosphere even if you’re just stopping in for drinks.
You can also view the second largest set of Longhorn horns in the U.S. while you’re there — just one of many quirky, memorable details that make a visit here feel like more than just dinner.
Atmosphere & Décor
When the Oak Creek Tavern was converted to the Cowboy Club in 1993, the barnyard walls, fireplace, bar, and wooden tables were painstakingly restored. Since then, a robust collection of authentic western memorabilia and prominent cowboy art has been thoughtfully added, and the space now proudly displays a fresh take on the rich history of the establishment. The result is an interior that feels genuinely storied, not manufactured.
The Arizona Room was opened in spring 2021 with new decor, furniture, floors, and a 20-foot folding glass wall highlighting Sedona’s famous scenery. The setting blends the old with gas-lit sconces, an authentic antler chandelier, and a custom slate fireplace, as well as the new with colorful Mexican blankets and rich wood tables. It’s a stunning space that bridges two eras of Sedona history beautifully.
Across the sidewalk, the Plaza with its signature red umbrellas and “Heart of the West” equine statue serves as the primary outdoor seating area, where misters or heaters keep guests comfortable while enjoying postcard views of both historic Sedona and the renowned landscape. The outdoor seating area is particularly noteworthy, offering diners a stunning backdrop featuring the iconic Snoopy Rock. Whether you sit inside or out, every seat here comes with character.
Other Considerations
Can I just walk in, or do I need a reservation? Although the majority of the restaurant is reserved for walk-ins, the Cowboy Club accepts limited reservations on a nightly basis, available for 5:00 and 6:30 PM only. The most popular meal times are 12:30–2:30 PM for lunch and 6:30–8:00 PM for dinner, so you can anticipate more timely seating by visiting outside of peak service hours.
How are the prices? Dining here is undeniably an upscale experience, and the prices reflect that. It’s a little pricey, but many guests make a point to have at least one meal here whenever they’re in Sedona — a sentiment that speaks to how worthwhile the experience truly is. Think of it as a worthy splurge rather than an everyday expense.
Is it a good spot for families or those with dietary restrictions? The menu includes diverse options including vegan and kid-friendly dishes, making it more inclusive than you might expect from a steakhouse. The menu has items clearly marked as gluten-free and vegetarian, and the kitchen is generally accommodating when it comes to substitutions. The restaurant is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
Is there anything extra going on beyond just dining? A sound system supports live music on select nights, and the energy of Uptown Sedona makes for the perfect backdrop to a special meal. It’s the kind of place where a quick lunch can easily turn into an extended evening — and you’ll be glad it did.
Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits
📍 241 N State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Website: https://cowboyclub.com
