Food Scene
Phoenix has become a true foodie town. There is a wide array of creative chef-owned restaurants alongside truly authentic ethnic cuisine. These are some of our favorites but the list keeps growing so check the local paper for the most recent reviews.
Federal Pizza
5210 N Central AveGreat gourmet pizza and craft-brews walking distance
Windsor
5223 N Central AveGreat gastro-pub with a wonderful patio
Ice Cream and coffee next to Windsor. Known best for their cookie/ice cream sandwiches.
67 locals recommend
Churn
5223 N Central AveIce Cream and coffee next to Windsor. Known best for their cookie/ice cream sandwiches.
Gourmet tacos have become all the rage in Phoenix. This is one of the best and walking distance from the house.
102 locals recommend
Joyride Taco House | Central
5202 N Central AveGourmet tacos have become all the rage in Phoenix. This is one of the best and walking distance from the house.
One of the best wine-bars in Phoenix next to Joy-Ride Taco. Great spot to sit on the patio and enjoy a glass of vino.
215 locals recommend
Postino Central
5144 N Central AveOne of the best wine-bars in Phoenix next to Joy-Ride Taco. Great spot to sit on the patio and enjoy a glass of vino.
Dutch Bros
4433 W Camelback RdA must stop for anyone from the Pacific NW
Starbucks
2360 W Northern AveStarbucks walking distance for those in need
A low key gourmet taco shop. The founder/chef has created some amazing flavor combinations.
Mucho Macho Taco
5341 N 7th AveA low key gourmet taco shop. The founder/chef has created some amazing flavor combinations.
One of the best sushi restaurants in Phoenix right around the corner.
38 locals recommend
Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th AveOne of the best sushi restaurants in Phoenix right around the corner.
Southern comfort food themed restaurant founded by chef Jason Beckett
28 locals recommend
Southern Rail Restaurant
300 W Camelback RdSouthern comfort food themed restaurant founded by chef Jason Beckett
One of the coolest coffee shops that has expanded to serve a limited food menu and full bar. Great spot to take in the energy of the crowd that likes to hang here.
259 locals recommend
Lux Central
4402 N Central AveOne of the coolest coffee shops that has expanded to serve a limited food menu and full bar. Great spot to take in the energy of the crowd that likes to hang here.
Great Asian-Fusion food and bar. One of the best patios in North Central Phoenix.
83 locals recommend
Hula's Modern Tiki
5114 N 7th StGreat Asian-Fusion food and bar. One of the best patios in North Central Phoenix.
Another Sam Fox concept at The Yard. Great fun playing ping pong and other games waiting for your table.
561 locals recommend
Culinary Dropout
7135 E Camelback RdAnother Sam Fox concept at The Yard. Great fun playing ping pong and other games waiting for your table.
Great asian fusion menu from staff that opened The Parlor. Very cool retro building with a nice patio.
83 locals recommend
Clever Koi
4236 N Central AveGreat asian fusion menu from staff that opened The Parlor. Very cool retro building with a nice patio.
Great latin fusion themed spot from the same team that offers FEZ and Switch. Great happy hour at the bar.
11 locals recommend
Ticoz Latin Kitchen
5114 North 7th StreetGreat latin fusion themed spot from the same team that offers FEZ and Switch. Great happy hour at the bar.
Gourmet street tacos have become all the rage in Phoenix. This is a great location to share in the excitement.
61 locals recommend
Otro Cafe
6035 N 7th StGourmet street tacos have become all the rage in Phoenix. This is a great location to share in the excitement.
One of the few authentic NY style deli/restaurants in Phoenix. Great spot for bagels/lox and breakfast/lunch.
6 locals recommend
Scott's Generations
742 E Glendale AveOne of the few authentic NY style deli/restaurants in Phoenix. Great spot for bagels/lox and breakfast/lunch.
James Beard nominated Chris Bianco is best know for Pizzeria Bianco. Pane Bianco serves great cuisine. Go early for the bread for sale at the counter.
42 locals recommend
Pane Bianco
4404 N Central AveJames Beard nominated Chris Bianco is best know for Pizzeria Bianco. Pane Bianco serves great cuisine. Go early for the bread for sale at the counter.
Award winning gourmet pizza from Chris Bianco. Much shorter wait here than at the downtown Phoenix location.
237 locals recommend
Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StAward winning gourmet pizza from Chris Bianco. Much shorter wait here than at the downtown Phoenix location.
Gourmet pizza from the son of the founder of Nello's Pizza. This is one of our all-time favorites.
71 locals recommend
The Parlor Pizzeria
1916 E Camelback RdGourmet pizza from the son of the founder of Nello's Pizza. This is one of our all-time favorites.
Classic Chicago style pizza. Our Chicago friends say this is as good as it gets.
60 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
100 E Camelback RdClassic Chicago style pizza. Our Chicago friends say this is as good as it gets.
Famous for their burgers and of course the milk shakes. Easy walk from the Casita when you just have to have a burger.
34 locals recommend
Shake Shack
100 E Camelback RdFamous for their burgers and of course the milk shakes. Easy walk from the Casita when you just have to have a burger.
fàme caffe
4700 N Central AveA great breakfast/lunch spot just south of us.
Great local coffee cafe built into a former transmission repair shop. Great spot to relax after checking out the great vintage shopping nearby.
65 locals recommend
Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th AveGreat local coffee cafe built into a former transmission repair shop. Great spot to relax after checking out the great vintage shopping nearby.
Excellent farm to table gourmet restaurant. Great for couples looking for a more romantic spot.
93 locals recommend
St. Francis
111 E Camelback RdExcellent farm to table gourmet restaurant. Great for couples looking for a more romantic spot.
One of the best wine bars also known for their bruscetta. Wonderful patio with an outdoor fireplace only a short walk from the Casita.
215 locals recommend
Postino Central
5144 N Central AveOne of the best wine bars also known for their bruscetta. Wonderful patio with an outdoor fireplace only a short walk from the Casita.
Shopping
One of the most respected independent book stores in the USA just a few blocks away. Also has a bar/coffee shop inside.
38 locals recommend
Changing Hands Bookstore & First Draft Book Bar
300 W Camelback RdOne of the most respected independent book stores in the USA just a few blocks away. Also has a bar/coffee shop inside.
Arts & Culture
Great space used by a local improv group. Lots of fun since you never know what might happen...
The Torch Theatre
4721 N Central AveGreat space used by a local improv group. Lots of fun since you never know what might happen...
Amazing collection of Native American art. The museum continues the work of the Heard family in supporting Native American artists all over the Southwest.
652 locals recommend
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveAmazing collection of Native American art. The museum continues the work of the Heard family in supporting Native American artists all over the Southwest.
Primary art museum for the region. Great exhibitions and events throughout the year.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AvePrimary art museum for the region. Great exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Another amazing collection in kind of an odd spot but totally worth the drive. Vast colloection of musical instruments from all over the world. Also known for their concert series in a wonderfully intimate theater.
652 locals recommend
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo BlvdAnother amazing collection in kind of an odd spot but totally worth the drive. Vast colloection of musical instruments from all over the world. Also known for their concert series in a wonderfully intimate theater.
Wonderful art gallery/shop that supports local artists a short walk from the Casita.
6 locals recommend
Practical Art LLC
5070 N Central AveWonderful art gallery/shop that supports local artists a short walk from the Casita.
Essentials
Gourmet grocery with fresh produce, prepared foods and a fantastic bakery
114 locals recommend
AJ's Fine Foods
5017 North Central AvenueGourmet grocery with fresh produce, prepared foods and a fantastic bakery
Fry's Food And Drug
744 W Camelback RdClosest supermarket for all your provisions
Our local outpost for this AZ based supermarket chain if you want to buy local.
29 locals recommend
Bashas'
5555 N 7th StOur local outpost for this AZ based supermarket chain if you want to buy local.
Great selection of healthy foods with large produce and bulk foods sections
260 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
2824 E Indian School RdGreat selection of healthy foods with large produce and bulk foods sections
Trader Joe's
7720 W Bell RdTJs is only a few miles away
Here's the closest Whole Foods location for those in need. They have a great prepared foods section and a bar that serves wine and micro-brew beers.
218 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
4701 N 20th StHere's the closest Whole Foods location for those in need. They have a great prepared foods section and a bar that serves wine and micro-brew beers.
Drinks & Nightlife
Sun Up Brewing Company
330 E Camelback RdGreat micro-brew pub with a rotation of seasonal brews
Great local brew-pub. Excellent late afternoon happy hour specials.
20 locals recommend
Huss Brewing Co.Taproom at Uptown Plaza
100 E Camelback RdGreat local brew-pub. Excellent late afternoon happy hour specials.
Sports
Baseball home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Great place to see a game and one of the few domed stadiums with a natural grass field (A/C in the summer!)
413 locals recommend
Chase Field
401 E Jefferson StBaseball home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Great place to see a game and one of the few domed stadiums with a natural grass field (A/C in the summer!)
Arizona has some fantastic golf. This is my favorite set on the Ft McDowell Indian Reservation. Every hole has majestic views of the nearby mountains. The best example of desert golf I know.
55 locals recommend
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
18200 Wekopa WayArizona has some fantastic golf. This is my favorite set on the Ft McDowell Indian Reservation. Every hole has majestic views of the nearby mountains. The best example of desert golf I know.