Guidebook for Phoenix
Food Scene
Ah-maaaazing specialty donuts and Korean-style chicken. Ramen on Sundays.
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Welcome Chicken and Donuts
1535 E Buckeye RdAh-maaaazing specialty donuts and Korean-style chicken. Ramen on Sundays.
On all the latest lists of the best BBQ in the USA. SO. GOOD. Give me enough notice and I can pre-order for you, save us both the two hour wait in line. Happy to.
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Little Miss BBQ-University
4301 E University DrOn all the latest lists of the best BBQ in the USA. SO. GOOD. Give me enough notice and I can pre-order for you, save us both the two hour wait in line. Happy to.
Morning Glory Cafe
6106 S 32nd StOutdoor brunch at its absolute best. Closed summers.
Farm to Table is pretty good when the farm is right at the front door. Dustin Cristofolo trained in Italy and has cooked at the James Beard house. For a special occasion, won't disappoint, and the setting is a warm , elegant farmhouse surrounded by 200 year old pecan trees. You will never believe you are six miles from downtown.
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Quiessence
6106 S 32nd StFarm to Table is pretty good when the farm is right at the front door. Dustin Cristofolo trained in Italy and has cooked at the James Beard house. For a special occasion, won't disappoint, and the setting is a warm , elegant farmhouse surrounded by 200 year old pecan trees. You will never believe you are six miles from downtown.
It's in a tough neighborhood but everyone is all smiles when they get a Carolina's burrito or tortillas to go. Best way: order your burrito of choice foot long, enchilada style, with a butter tortilla on the side. Long lines at lunch because it is that good. Closes at 7.
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Carolina's
1202 E Mohave StIt's in a tough neighborhood but everyone is all smiles when they get a Carolina's burrito or tortillas to go. Best way: order your burrito of choice foot long, enchilada style, with a butter tortilla on the side. Long lines at lunch because it is that good. Closes at 7.
Scooptacular
5150 W Baseline RdLocal family doing ice cream right. I love the "Laveen Concrete Mix."
Best Chef Southwest nominee Charleen Badman isn't called "The Veggie Whisperer" for nothing. A bodega-style market of local products, produce, and wine is right next door.
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FnB Restaurant
7125 E 5th AveBest Chef Southwest nominee Charleen Badman isn't called "The Veggie Whisperer" for nothing. A bodega-style market of local products, produce, and wine is right next door.
Bar Pesce
3603 E Indian School RdThe only thing better than the food here is the cocktail list.
You would never guess that the menu is about half vegetarian or gluten-free, because the varied menu is packed with smokey flavor. I like to think of it a comfort food done healthy - but not so as you'd notice, you know? Will please both the picky eaters and the foodies in your group.
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Beckett's Table
3717 E Indian School RdYou would never guess that the menu is about half vegetarian or gluten-free, because the varied menu is packed with smokey flavor. I like to think of it a comfort food done healthy - but not so as you'd notice, you know? Will please both the picky eaters and the foodies in your group.
Chou's Kitchen
910 N Alma School RdDongbei style noodles and dumplings made while you watch.
This is a BYO neighborhood sushi joint with flawlessly fresh fish and inventive execution. I ignore the menu and order off the specials board or ask for omakase. Popular with local chefs and foodies.
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Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th AveThis is a BYO neighborhood sushi joint with flawlessly fresh fish and inventive execution. I ignore the menu and order off the specials board or ask for omakase. Popular with local chefs and foodies.
A modern izakaya in a historic bungalow set in the middle of eveything going on downtown. Chef Nobuo Fukuda is one of the great talents in Phoenix. Call ahead and put yourself in his hands for his tasting menu or just show up and enjoy yourself a la carte.
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Nobuo at Teeter House
622 E Adams StA modern izakaya in a historic bungalow set in the middle of eveything going on downtown. Chef Nobuo Fukuda is one of the great talents in Phoenix. Call ahead and put yourself in his hands for his tasting menu or just show up and enjoy yourself a la carte.
Afghan/Pakistani style deliciousness. Lamb mantoo, pilafs, kebabs all served family-style. No liquor license.
Khyber Halal Restaurant & Catering
4030 N 24th StAfghan/Pakistani style deliciousness. Lamb mantoo, pilafs, kebabs all served family-style. No liquor license.
Chef Stephen does elevated low country food; tasty Southern cuisine with sharp, dialed-in flavors paired with surprising cocktails. Want a Bloody made with vodka infused with Nashville Hot fried chicken skins? They can do that for you here.
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the larder and the delta
200 West Portland StreetChef Stephen does elevated low country food; tasty Southern cuisine with sharp, dialed-in flavors paired with surprising cocktails. Want a Bloody made with vodka infused with Nashville Hot fried chicken skins? They can do that for you here.
Northern Chinese food including toothsome hand-pulled noodles of many kinds, cumin lamb, short ribs so glazed and tender they're practically meat candy, whole Szechuan fish. Bring a crowd so you can order more.
Shaanxi Garden
67 North Dobson RoadNorthern Chinese food including toothsome hand-pulled noodles of many kinds, cumin lamb, short ribs so glazed and tender they're practically meat candy, whole Szechuan fish. Bring a crowd so you can order more.
Used to be Crudo, but the chef and mixologist's stylings haven't changed. Hidden, warm, stylish room where you won't be sorry for trying anything on the menu. It's all good.
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Bar Pesce
3603 E Indian School RdUsed to be Crudo, but the chef and mixologist's stylings haven't changed. Hidden, warm, stylish room where you won't be sorry for trying anything on the menu. It's all good.
Chef Leo and his team are doing wonderful things with their omakase here - you may place yourself in their hands without fear. Or, order one of the savory don nabe stews. Tiny spot that gets busy, and rightfully so.
Sushi Nakano
4025 E Chandler BlvdChef Leo and his team are doing wonderful things with their omakase here - you may place yourself in their hands without fear. Or, order one of the savory don nabe stews. Tiny spot that gets busy, and rightfully so.
Oprah loves Chris Bianco and she's never wrong, right? You would think that such a famous spot would be more assuming, but this is a lovely spot to sit at the bar and nosh.
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Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StOprah loves Chris Bianco and she's never wrong, right? You would think that such a famous spot would be more assuming, but this is a lovely spot to sit at the bar and nosh.
This is my favorite restaurant in Phoenix and that's all I can say about that. Chris Bianco's food in a very cozy room, it's a perfect evening.
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Tratto
1505 East Van Buren StreetThis is my favorite restaurant in Phoenix and that's all I can say about that. Chris Bianco's food in a very cozy room, it's a perfect evening.
The cafe on University closed and moved to Arcadia. Pretty room worth lingering a few hours with the ladies, enjoying fine French patisserie, macarons, and coffee.
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Essence Bakery Cafe
3830 E Indian School RdThe cafe on University closed and moved to Arcadia. Pretty room worth lingering a few hours with the ladies, enjoying fine French patisserie, macarons, and coffee.
This tap room and all-purpose funkified coffee shop used to be a JiffyLube. Bonus, there is a secret speakeasy Tiki bar down below the converted oil-change bay; it's called Undertow. Need to call ahead to get down there.
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Sip Coffee & Beer
3617 N Goldwater BlvdThis tap room and all-purpose funkified coffee shop used to be a JiffyLube. Bonus, there is a secret speakeasy Tiki bar down below the converted oil-change bay; it's called Undertow. Need to call ahead to get down there.
Chef Claudio Urcioli doing his best casual, seasonal menu with the finest ingredients. Very healthy stuff. He always looks a little grouchy and his flavors pull no punches, but if food is love, this guy is overflowing with it.
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Pa'la
2107 N 24th StChef Claudio Urcioli doing his best casual, seasonal menu with the finest ingredients. Very healthy stuff. He always looks a little grouchy and his flavors pull no punches, but if food is love, this guy is overflowing with it.
Watch downtown go by and get the best hipster coffee we have to offer.
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Cartel Coffee Lab
1 N 1st StWatch downtown go by and get the best hipster coffee we have to offer.
This is the third of the eateries on the historic Farm At South Mountain property. All-outdoor picnic lunches under the 200-year-old pecan trees. Soups and sandwiches made with the farm fuits, veggies, and eggs raised onsite.
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The Farm Kitchen
6106 S 32nd StThis is the third of the eateries on the historic Farm At South Mountain property. All-outdoor picnic lunches under the 200-year-old pecan trees. Soups and sandwiches made with the farm fuits, veggies, and eggs raised onsite.
Soak up the vibe of Melrose, one of Phoenix's most eclectic neighborhoods. Pies come both sweet and savory here.
Mamma Toledo's The Pie Hole
15414 N 7th StSoak up the vibe of Melrose, one of Phoenix's most eclectic neighborhoods. Pies come both sweet and savory here.
Chef Justin Beckett's other place, has a large patio overlooking the Central & Camelback light rail stop, so it's a convenient place to pop in and enjoy an afternoon. This shares a building with a fantastic Changing Hands bookstore with a wine bar in the middle of it, and an adorable garden decor shop. I mean between that and the comfort food, it's like they designed a place specifically for me. Hard not to spend several hours here.
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Southern Rail Restaurant
300 W Camelback RdChef Justin Beckett's other place, has a large patio overlooking the Central & Camelback light rail stop, so it's a convenient place to pop in and enjoy an afternoon. This shares a building with a fantastic Changing Hands bookstore with a wine bar in the middle of it, and an adorable garden decor shop. I mean between that and the comfort food, it's like they designed a place specifically for me. Hard not to spend several hours here.
Crêpe Bar
7520 S Rural RdThe best breakfast you can get in the East Valley, I promise
The freshest in town, driven off the docks in San Diego daily. Known for gorgeously composed poke bowls with garden-fresh toppings originally, the new uptown location has a wider menu and beer & wine available.
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Chula Seafood Uptown
100 E Camelback RdThe freshest in town, driven off the docks in San Diego daily. Known for gorgeously composed poke bowls with garden-fresh toppings originally, the new uptown location has a wider menu and beer & wine available.
All the same award-winning BBQ as the original but with more, and more comfortable, seating.
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Little Miss BBQ Sunnyslope
8901 N 7th StAll the same award-winning BBQ as the original but with more, and more comfortable, seating.
Thai food the way you get it in Thailand, straight north on 24th St a few miles in the neighborhood of Arcadia. Small menu in a refitted cottage, wonderful specials, and one of the best bartenders in town get your evening off to a great start. Kitty-corner from the foodiest restaurant in town, Binkley's.
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Glai Baan
2333 E Osborn RdThai food the way you get it in Thailand, straight north on 24th St a few miles in the neighborhood of Arcadia. Small menu in a refitted cottage, wonderful specials, and one of the best bartenders in town get your evening off to a great start. Kitty-corner from the foodiest restaurant in town, Binkley's.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
1 W Jefferson StJust trust me here.
The Lost Leaf
914 N 5th StYou're not a local until you've been.
24 beers on tap, wine on tap, Crowlers filled, get the sausage platter or the spam sliders and a homemade Pop Tart for dessert. I like their TV dinner specials, too.
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Angels Trumpet Ale House
810 N 2nd St24 beers on tap, wine on tap, Crowlers filled, get the sausage platter or the spam sliders and a homemade Pop Tart for dessert. I like their TV dinner specials, too.
Inventive and well-balanced cocktails, a stylish space, and lots of talent in the kitchen.
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Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
2 E Jefferson StInventive and well-balanced cocktails, a stylish space, and lots of talent in the kitchen.
Every time they release a new beer, they do a $10 raclette special, with that kind of high-octane tilting brazier which blisters the cheese and then they scrape that molten, oozing wonderfulness over baby potatoes and cornichons for you. Oh, and the beer's really good, too.
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Helton Brewing Company
2144 E Indian School RdEvery time they release a new beer, they do a $10 raclette special, with that kind of high-octane tilting brazier which blisters the cheese and then they scrape that molten, oozing wonderfulness over baby potatoes and cornichons for you. Oh, and the beer's really good, too.
I feel like this is more an afternoon spot, but ABB is insisting it goes in this category. Oh well. These are the tastiest brews in Phoenix, I'm saying.
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Wren House Brewing Company
2125 N 24th StI feel like this is more an afternoon spot, but ABB is insisting it goes in this category. Oh well. These are the tastiest brews in Phoenix, I'm saying.
Parks & Nature
See what the desert has to offer, stop and have a drink or meal at Gertude's, the on-site restaurant.
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Desert Botanical Garden
See what the desert has to offer, stop and have a drink or meal at Gertude's, the on-site restaurant.
Take this 2-mile trail to the top and take the Hidden Valley spur, squeeze through the house-sized boulder known as Fat Man's Pass. So Instagrammable! Many Likes! So Cactus.
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Mormon Trailhead
8610 South 24th StreetTake this 2-mile trail to the top and take the Hidden Valley spur, squeeze through the house-sized boulder known as Fat Man's Pass. So Instagrammable! Many Likes! So Cactus.
This is my favorite hike, up to Buena Vista and back is five miles, or you can take National across the top of the mountain and come back down Mormon trail for a vigorous 8-mile morning.
Geronimo Trailhead
9201 S 20th StThis is my favorite hike, up to Buena Vista and back is five miles, or you can take National across the top of the mountain and come back down Mormon trail for a vigorous 8-mile morning.
It's a fair drive out to Gold Canyon, the other side of Mesa, but this is a very pretty trail through a shady canyon and then up for a jaw-dropping view of the back of the Flatiron in the Superstitions. Very wild west, you'll love it.
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Peralta Trailhead
Peralta RoadIt's a fair drive out to Gold Canyon, the other side of Mesa, but this is a very pretty trail through a shady canyon and then up for a jaw-dropping view of the back of the Flatiron in the Superstitions. Very wild west, you'll love it.
Arts & Culture
I-Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveTerrific exhibits, stunning building.
Young and old alike will enjoy their time here. There are interactive exhibits and many rooms to explore. The Cafe food is delicious.
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Café Allegro
4725 E Mayo BlvdYoung and old alike will enjoy their time here. There are interactive exhibits and many rooms to explore. The Cafe food is delicious.
Immerse yourself in the Southwest with a visit to this gorgeous adobe museum.
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I-Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveImmerse yourself in the Southwest with a visit to this gorgeous adobe museum.
Shopping
Just the best and most carefully curated boutique for unique gifts, accessories, local crafts, the best souvenirs.
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Frances
10 W Camelback RdJust the best and most carefully curated boutique for unique gifts, accessories, local crafts, the best souvenirs.
Elie Tahari and Kate Spade outlets! Ouch, my wallet.
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Phoenix Premium Outlets
4976 Premium Outlets WayElie Tahari and Kate Spade outlets! Ouch, my wallet.
Changing Hands Bookstore & First Draft Book Bar
300 W Camelback RdChanging Hands Bookstore
6428 S McClintock DrEssentials
Target
2140 E Baseline RdSo close. I even grocery shop here about half the time.
LA Fitness
63 E Southern AveI can get you a week guest pass, just ask.
Getting Around
24th St/Baseline PNR station
South Mountain Community Library
7050 S 24th StThis is a bus transit hub.