We stepped completely outside our usual dining routine to try Pan-African food for the first time at Latha in central Phoenix. "Latha" means "taste" in Swahili, and the experience delivered on that name completely.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The card we used to pay for this meal. Get $300/year in dining credits β sign up with our referral link.
The Vibe
Latha is tucked into Heritage Square, inside the historic 1900s Silva House bungalow. It does not feel like a formal restaurant. It feels like walking into a friend's home for an elegant dinner party. Warm, inviting, genuinely comfortable.
They have live music on weekends, and a "Shop Talk" area near the entrance where you can browse Pan-African merchandise and pantry items while you wait for a table.
Drinks
Sorrel Tea (Mocktail)
A warm tea made with hibiscus, pineapple, ginger, lemon, lime zest, and warm spices. Heavy on the hibiscus, incredibly soothing.
Pandan Caipirinha
Vincent ordered this. It is a twist on Brazil's national cocktail using cachaça, elderflower, lime, sugar, and pandan liquor. Vincent grew up in Malaysia, so pandan is a familiar flavor for him. The drink had a strong, citrusy, mojito-like kick that hit immediately on the nose.
Drink Menu
The Menu
Dinner Menu
Appetizer: Tamarind Barbacoa Grilled Wings
The wings are coated in a Suya spice dry rub. Our server recommended squeezing fresh lemon zest over the top before eating, which transformed the flavor layering entirely. Perfectly seasoned inside, a serious spicy kick on the outside. The meat was soft and dripping with juice.
Excluding my love for Jollibee, this might be the best restaurant chicken I have ever had.
Main Courses
Oxtail Barbacoa
One of their most popular dishes, and it deserves to be. Instead of rice or tortillas, Latha serves it over their own version of mac and cheese. The oxtail is massive, fatty, and so rich in collagen that it melts in your mouth. The combination with the mac and cheese was unexpected and completely worked.
Adobo Rub Pork Chop
Vincent's order, served over sweet potato puree. Pork chops are easy to overcook and dry out. This one was cooked perfectly: soft, juicy, holding all its moisture. A standout dish.
Dessert
We were completely full, but the staff sent us home with a complimentary dessert: a Chocolate Brigadeiro made with avocado mousse, sorrel, and date jam. Rich, smooth, and perfectly semi-sweet. A great ending.
How We Paid $10 for a $130 Meal
Our total before tip was $130.92. We only paid $10 out of pocket, and that was the tip.
Here is how: the Chase Sapphire Reserve gives $150 in dining statement credits every 6 months, which is $300 a year in free dining. Latha is part of the Chase dining network, and that is exactly the kind of restaurant where these credits shine. The credit covered the entire bill, and we just tipped on top.
If you eat out at nice restaurants even occasionally, the Chase dining credit essentially pays for the card's annual fee on its own. It is a card we genuinely use and recommend.
Save on Your Next Visit
If you are looking to expand your palate and try something genuinely new in Arizona, Latha is one of the best recommendations I can make. Let me know in the comments what other cultural cuisines we should try next.
