Pinetop's Craft Beer & Patio Scene: Where to Drink & Dine
Belgian-style ales brewed with pure mountain water, slow-smoked Texas barbecue, historic 1938 steakhouses, and lively outdoor yard bars under the tall pines.
Nothing caps off a day of hiking pine needles or paddling cool mountain reservoirs quite like a cold craft beer and a plate of artisan food. While visitors often expect sleepy small-town fare, Pinetop-Lakeside boasts a vibrant, surprisingly sophisticated food and beverage scene characterized by expansive outdoor patios, historic mountain institutions, and passionate local brewers.
Here is your insider's tour of the top spots where locals and seasoned visitors pull up a chair, toast the mountain air, and savor the evening.
Pinetop Brewing Company
Located right on White Mountain Boulevard, Pinetop Brewing Company is the beating heart of local craft brewing. Known especially for their Belgian-style ales, their tap lineup regularly features awards-winning Dubbels, Tripels, crisp Hazy IPAs, and refreshing mountain lagers.
What to Order: Start with a flight to sample their seasonal brews alongside soft Bavarian pretzels served with house-made beer cheese. For dinner, don't miss their gourmet wood-fired pizzas or artisan burgers crafted from locally sourced beef.
The House Yard Bar & Barbecue
If you're looking for vibrant mountain energy, great music, and authentic slow-smoked barbecue, The House in Show Low / Lakeside is unmissable. Its sprawling outdoor yard features cornhole, giant Jenga, picnic tables under mature pine trees, fire pits, and glowing bistro lights.
What to Order: The 14-hour smoked beef brisket is tender with a deep smoke ring, while their pulled pork and macaroni & cheese consistently draw rave reviews. Pair with an Arizona prickly pear mule or a local draft beer.
Charlie Clark's Steakhouse & The Orchard
Welcoming visitors and ranchers since 1938, Charlie Clark's is Arizona's oldest continuously operating steakhouse in the White Mountains. Inside, you'll find rustic log walls, vintage western memorabilia, and an unmistakable historic charm. Outside, The Orchard is an expansive summer garden bar set beneath historic fruit and pine trees.
What to Order: Their slow-roasted prime rib and mesquite-grilled steaks are legendary across northern Arizona. On weekend evenings, grab a craft beer or bourbon in The Orchard and enjoy live acoustic country and bluegrass.
Moose Henri's Grille
Tucked along the highway in Lakeside, Moose Henri's blends a cozy sports tavern vibe with elevated, scratch-made pub dining. With dozens of rotating regional and national craft beers on draft, it's the top spot in town to catch a game or recap a hike.
What to Order: Start with the famous loaded macaroni and cheese—a comfort-food option after a mountain adventure. Other options include gourmet specialty burgers, spicy buffalo chicken flatbreads, and beer-battered fish and chips paired with a cold White Mountain pale ale.
🥩 Host Tip: Porch Dining at the Cabin
Want to enjoy the best patio in town without the wait? Pick up fresh steaks or barbecue in town and cook on the propane grill back at your mountain cabin. The 700+ square foot covered back porch at Terrones Hilltop Hideaway on Hilltop Lane offers private, peaceful dining with zero crowds and total forest seclusion.