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Phoenix on a Plate: Why Phoenix is a Must-Visit for Foodies
- Some of the best tacos are in Phoenix.
- Phoenix has some terrific brunch spots.
- Phoenix offers a vibrant soul food scene.
- Phoenix’s culinary scene showcases indigenous flavors.
- Phoenix redefines drinks with innovative cocktails.
- Phoenix restaurants make great pizzas.
- Phoenix restaurants use forbidden rice in the best ways.
- Phoenix brews the best local coffees.
- Phoenix values sustainability.
Phoenix has a vibrant culinary scene, from Sonoran specialties sizzling on mesquite grills to globally-inspired gastronomy in trendy neighborhoods—no wonder it ranked 22nd among the 100 best cities for foodies in the United States in 2023.
In this article, we’re here to tell you why Phoenix is one of the best cities to go on a food trip. Read on, and let’s go on a culinary adventure in the Valley of the Sun!
1. Some of the best tacos are in Phoenix.
Some of the best tacos in the country are from Phoenix, and every day is a Taco Tuesday in this city. Sonoran-style tacos are legendary with their tortillas, carne asada, and fresh toppings like pico de gallo and crema.
The taco scene goes beyond traditional offerings like vegan tacos filled with jackfruit, kimchi, bulgogi and breakfast tacos piled high with chorizo and eggs. They’re deeply ingrained in the city’s culture, making every day a potential taco fiesta.
Here are the best places to get tacos in Phoenix.
1. Tacos Chiwas
Website: http://tacoschiwas.com/
Address: 1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Contact details: 602-358-8830
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2. Taco Chelo
Website: http://tacochelo.com/
Address: 501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-368-5316
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
3. Tacos Huicho
Website: http://www.tacoshuicho.com/
Address: 1941 E Oak St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Contact details: 480-398-6766
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
4. CRUjiente Tacos
Website: https://crutacos.com/
Address: 3961 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Contact details: 602-687-7777
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
5. La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop
Website: https://lasantisimagourmet.com/
Address: 4117 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Contact details: 602-254-6330
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
2. Phoenix has some terrific brunch spots.
Phoenix is a weekend brunch paradise where you can go on a global brunch adventure and dive into French pastries at a chic cafe, savor Japanese-inspired eggs Benedict, or fuel up with a hearty Colombian tamale and coffee.
The best way to enjoy brunch is to eat Sonoran staples like chorizo scrambled eggs, chilaquiles, and bacon wrapped in caramelized dates. These dishes are best paired with prickly pear margaritas or house-made horchata for a true Phoenix brunch experience.
Here are the best places to enjoy a weekend brunch in Phoenix
1. Matt’s Big Breakfast
Website: https://mattsbigbreakfast.com/
Address: 825 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-254-1074
Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM
2. Brunch & Sip
Website: http://brunchnsip.com/
Address: 3950 E Indian School Rd Suite #100, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Contact details: 602-675-1459
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday & Thursday – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
3. Elly’s Brunch & Cafe
Website: https://ellysrestaurants.com/ellys-brunch-cafe-phoenix-arizona/
Address: 100 E Camelback Rd SUITE 166, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM
4. The Arrogant Butcher
Website: https://www.thearrogantbutcher.com/
Address: 132 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-271-1008
Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
5. Green New American
Website: https://www.greenvegetarian.com/
Address: 2022 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Contact details: 602-258-1870
Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
3. Phoenix offers a vibrant soul food scene.
From classic comfort dishes to innovative twists on tradition, Phoenix’s soul food scene offers a warm hug for your taste buds. These soul food roots run deep, tracing back to the migration of African Americans during the Great Depression and post-war era.
These communities infused the Sonoran Desert with the rich flavors of the South. It later gave birth to classics like crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles dripping with golden syrup or modern-day twists like barbecue jackfruit tacos or vegan gumbo with okra.
Here are places to get soul food in Phoenix.
1. Stacy’s Off Da Hook BBQ and Soul Food
Website: https://stacysoffdahook.com/
Address: 1804 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021
Contact details: 602-242-1922
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
2. Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
Website: https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/mrs-whites-golden-rule-cafe-808-e-jefferson-st-phoenix/6481256
Address: 808 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Contact details: 602-262-9256
Operating hours: Thursday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
3. Momma’s Soul Fish & Chicken
Website: http://www.mommassoul.com/
Address: 15414 N 19th Ave Suite H, Phoenix, AZ 85023
Contact details: 480-435-2203
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
4. Charlie Mae’s Southern Bistro
Website: https://charliemaessouthernbistro.com/
Address: 2319 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Contact details: 602-675-2152
Operating hours: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
5. Beckett Stable
Website: https://beckettstable.com/
Address: 3717 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018
Contact details: 602-954-1700
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
4. Phoenix’s culinary scene showcases indigenous flavors.
The cornerstone of indigenous cuisine is the “Three Sisters” – corn, beans, and squash. These plants, grown in harmony with the desert’s rhythms, form the base for countless dishes in Phoenix, from stews and soups to salads and frybread.
For instance, frybread is a culinary icon with savory options like piki and nopales, which are popular, while sweet versions with honey and berries offer a delightful contrast.
Here are some must-try indigenous restaurants in Phoenix.
1. Kai Restaurant
Website: https://www.kairestaurant.com/
Address: 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85226
Contact details: 602-385-5777
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
2. The Fry Bread House
Website: https://www.frybreadhouseaz.com/
Address: 4545 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85014-4811
Contact details: 602-277-0142
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
3. Café Gozhóó
Website: https://cafegozhoo.com/
Address: 5624 N. First St., Whiteriver, AZ 85941
Contact details: 928-338-1010
Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
4. Floriana’s Cafe
Address: 1309 E 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Contact details: 602-264-3233
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
5. The Stand
Website: https://the-grande-stand.business.site/
Address: 7366 East Shea Boulevard Ste. 112, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Contact details: 480-912-3846
Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
5. Phoenix redefines drinks with innovative cocktails.
Phoenix mixologists are pushing boundaries, crafting inventive libations that put Sonoran twists on classics. For instance, the city is known for prickly pear infused into gin or even hibiscus-infused vodka, upgrading vibrant pink Paloma.
Phoenix’s diverse population influences its cocktail menus so that you might find Thai-inspired cocktails with lemongrass and galangal, Japanese sake and shochu infused with desert botanicals, or tiki drinks with prickly pear and saguaro blossoms.
Check out these places in Phoenix with the best unique cocktails.
1. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
Website: http://bitterandtwistedaz.com/
Address: 1 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Contact details: 602-340-1924
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
2. Pigtails Downtown
Website: https://www.pigtailscocktails.com/
Address: 1 E Washington St #128, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-675-4416
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday – 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday – 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday – 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM
3. The Churchill
Website: https://www.thechurchillphx.com/
Address: 901 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-369-1000
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday – 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 1:30 AM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
4. Little Rituals
Website: https://www.exploretock.com/little-rituals
Address: 132 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-603-2050
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
5. Fat Ox
Website: https://www.ilovefatox.com/
Address: 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Contact details: 480-307-6900
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 4:00 to 10:30 PM
6. Phoenix restaurants make great pizzas.
In Phoenix, you’ll discover a surprisingly diverse and delicious pizza scene. Phoenix infuses its pizzas with Sonoran flair, so expect to find toppings like carne asada, green chiles, chorizo, and even pinto beans dancing on your pie.
Most Phoenix restaurants have wood-fired ovens churning out authentic Neapolitan pizzas. From sourdough crusts with local grains to toppings of seasonal vegetables and house-made sausages, they push the boundaries of what pizza can be here in Phoenix.
Here are some of the best places to get pizza in Phoenix.
1. Pomo Pizzeria
Website: https://www.pomopizzeria.com/
Address: 705 N 1st St UNIT 120, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-795-2555
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
2. Pizza Heaven Bistro
Website: https://www.phbistro.com/menu
Address: 5150 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Contact details: 602-932-2650
Operating hours: 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM
3. NY Pizza Department
Website: https://aznypdpizza.com/
Address: 556 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Contact details: 602-258-5100
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
4. Fired Pie
Website: https://firedpie.com/
Address: 3110 N Central Ave # 107, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Contact details: 602-266-1490
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
5. Pizzeria Bianco
Website: https://www.pizzeriabianco.com/
Address: 623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Contact details: 602-258-8300
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
7. Phoenix restaurants use forbidden rice in the best ways.
Forbidden rice is an unexpected gem popping up on Phoenix menus. This ancient black rice was once reserved for Chinese royalty and is now a trendsetter on Phoenix plates.
Forbidden rice boasts a nutty, earthy taste, full of antioxidants and fiber and less sugar and carbohydrates than traditional rice. Phoenix chefs use it to create innovative dishes like creamy black rice pudding and vibrant poke bowls.
Here are some places in Phoenix that serve forbidden rice dishes.
1. Rice Paddy Vietnamese Restaurant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/RICE-PADDY-100074010431269/
Address: 6219 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Contact details: 602-612-2155
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
2. Flower Child
Website: https://www.iamaflowerchild.com/locations/phoenix-az-uptown/
Address: 5013 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Contact details: 602-429-6222
Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
3. Clever Koi
Website: https://www.cleverkoi.com/
Address: 4236 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Contact details: 602-277-4555
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
4. Big Rice Kitchen
Website: https://bigricekitchen.com/
Address: 5132 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Contact details: 602-233-9197
Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
5. The Wild Thaiger
Website: https://www.wildthaiger.com/
Address: 2631 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-241-8995
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
8. Phoenix brews the best local coffees.
Phoenix’s culinary scene is booming as independent roasters are sourcing exceptional beans from around the world, roasting them to perfection in small batches, and crafting unique blends that reflect the city’s spirit.
From single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe to monsooned Malabar with a hint of spice, coffee lovers will enjoy it here. Phoenix coffee shops also push boundaries, experimenting with cold brew infusions, nitro pours, and Vietnamese phin filters.
Here are the best coffee shops in Phoenix.
1. Cafetal Coffee
Website: https://www.cafetal.coffee/
Address: 777 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
Contact details: 480-736-2233
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
2. Fourtillfour Coffee
Website: https://fourtillfour.com/
Address: 7105 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Contact details: 480-990-9922
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
3. Cartel Roasting Co.
Website: http://cartelroasting.co/
Address: 400 W Camelback Rd Bldg F, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Contact details: https://cartelroasting.co/contact-us/
Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
4. Lola Coffee
Website: https://lolacoffeebarphx.com/
Address: 1001 N 3rd Ave #6, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Contact details: 602-252-2265
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
5. Songbird Coffee & Tea House
Website: http://www.songbirdcoffeehouse.com/home
Address: 812 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-258-1714
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM
9. Phoenix values sustainability.
Phoenix has earned its “Sustainability Champs” badge as many chefs partner directly with local farmers, ranchers, and artisanal producers, sourcing the freshest seasonal ingredients that haven’t traveled far.
Several Phoenix restaurants also implement ways to minimize waste, like composting food scraps, using energy-efficient appliances, and sourcing recyclable packaging. Some gardens have drought-resistant landscaping to reduce environmental footprint.
The James Beard Foundation released a list of 100 restaurants leaving a positive impact on the food system, and these three Phoenix restaurants made the cut.
1. FnB
Address: 7125 E. Fifth Ave. Suite 31, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Contact details: 480-284-4777
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
2. Breadfruit & Rum Bar
Website: https://thebreadfruit.com/
Address: 108 E. Pierce St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
3. Snooze An A.M. Eatery
Website: https://www.snoozeeatery.com/restaurant/arizona/circles-records/
Address: 800 N Central Ave #3, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact details: 602-675-9950
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM
