The walkable core, from Heritage Square's Pizzeria Bianco to the Roosevelt Row arts district, the Garfield diners and the Grand Avenue galleries where Bacanora cooks.
Bacanora in Phoenix is Rene Andrade's wood-fired Sonoran room on Grand Avenue, the kitchen that won the 2024 James Beard Best Chef Southwest award.
OrderAnything off the open flame, finished with chiltepin Andrade hauls from his family's Sonoran ranch.
TipThe room seats about 32 and books out fast; reserve well ahead or aim for an early weeknight seating.
Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix is Chris Bianco's wood-fired pizzeria in Heritage Square, the James Beard kitchen long called the best pizza in America.
OrderThe Wiseguy, with wood-roasted onion, smoked mozzarella and fennel sausage.
TipThe Heritage Square original has stood at 623 Adams since 1997; arrive at open or expect a wait, no reservations for small parties.
Pa'La Downtown is a wood-fired Mediterranean room on Washington Street, the larger sibling of the original 24th Street bungalow, built around grill and oven.
OrderWhatever fish is on the grill and the seasonal paella when it runs.
TipThe original tiny Pa'La sits at 2107 N 24th Street; the downtown room has the full-service kitchen.
POMO Pizzeria Napoletana in downtown Phoenix is an AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizzeria, baking pies to Naples standards in a wood-fired oven.
OrderThe Margherita, judged against the AVPN's true-Neapolitan certification.
TipOn 1st Street near Roosevelt Row; the lunch pizza-and-salad combo is the value play.
Gallo Blanco in the historic Garfield district is Doug Robson's street-taco and brunch room, a Mexico City-born chef's casual spot with strong veggie options.
OrderA spread of street tacos and the savory weekend brunch.
TipOn Pierce Street in Garfield, next to Welcome Diner; the bar pours craft beer and specialty drinks.
The Original Carolina's Mexican Food on Mohave Street has stretched its thin house flour tortillas since 1968, a Valenzuela family standard in Phoenix.
OrderA bean-and-cheese burro on the tissue-thin house flour tortilla.
TipBuy a stack of the tortillas to take home; the line moves fast at lunch.
Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles on South Central is Larry White's soul-food flagship, the Phoenix room that built a small chain on fried chicken and waffles.
OrderThe fried chicken and waffles, the plate that built the whole menu.
TipThe Central Avenue flagship is the original; expect a wait at weekend breakfast.
Welcome Diner on Pierce Street is a Southern-leaning room in a vintage diner car, anchoring the Garfield corner with biscuits and a small cocktail list.
OrderThe fried chicken biscuit, the plate that anchors the menu.
TipThe patio and the original diner car both seat; weekend brunch fills early.
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in the historic Luhrs Building is Ross Simon's downtown cocktail lounge, open since 2014 with a book-length drinks menu.
OrderWhatever themed cocktail is on the current illustrated menu; the list reads like a book.
DrinkGlobally inspired cocktail menu
FoodAsian-leaning bar bites
TipThe 160-seat room fills on weekends; the upstairs lounge is the quieter perch.
Little Rituals is an award-winning cocktail bar on the fourth-floor terrace of the downtown Phoenix Marriott, pouring seasonal drinks with a city-view patio.
OrderA seasonal cocktail on the open-air fourth-floor terrace.
DrinkSeasonal craft cocktails
FoodSmall plates
TipTake the hotel elevator to the fourth floor; the terrace is the seat at sunset.
Little Rituals is an award-winning cocktail bar on the fourth-floor terrace of the downtown Phoenix Marriott, pouring seasonal craft drinks with an open-air city view.
TipTake the hotel elevator to the fourth floor; the open-air terrace is the seat at sunset.
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in the historic Luhrs Building is Ross Simon's downtown cocktail lounge, open since 2014 with a book-length drinks menu.
TipThe 160-seat room fills on weekends; the upstairs lounge is the quieter late-night perch.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Taste 7+ dishes on a guided food tour through Phoenix’s vibrant Roosevelt Row. Explore street art, local flavors, Sonoran staples, and cool indie spots in the city’s m...
Guided tour · 3 hours
A walking beer adventure through Roosevelt Row! Visit top taprooms, taste 12 local brews, and uncover Phoenix’s craft beer culture with VIP, behind the scenes access t...
Day trip · 10 - 12 hours
Discover Sedona's red rock landscapes and Verde Valley's wine country on a tour from Phoenix. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, admire Cathedral Rock, and enjoy wine...