Eat Here!
These are my fave restaurants in Phoenix, most really close to Zoe and the Bitty Bungalow. My guests have enjoyed these recommendations for years now. Hope you do too.
Beautiful build-out and wonderful patio. The only true croissant you'll find in Phoenix. Best sandwich around. Owner is a neighborhood resident.
78 locals recommend
Ollie Vaughn's
1526 E McDowell RdBeautiful build-out and wonderful patio. The only true croissant you'll find in Phoenix. Best sandwich around. Owner is a neighborhood resident.
Have you ever had Peruvian food? If you have, you'll love El Chullo. If not, you need to go.
22 locals recommend
El Chullo
2605 N 7th StHave you ever had Peruvian food? If you have, you'll love El Chullo. If not, you need to go.
Vegan. Not to my taste, but it aways seems to be busy. I hear the coffee is tasty. Coffee, drinks and desserts too. Just a one-minute walk away.
86 locals recommend
The Coronado PHX
2245 N 12th StVegan. Not to my taste, but it aways seems to be busy. I hear the coffee is tasty. Coffee, drinks and desserts too. Just a one-minute walk away.
At least 25 different salsas every day. Never had pecan salsa? You need this in your life.
On my yellow cheese vs. white cheese Mexican food scale, this place is rated white cheese.
81 locals recommend
La Santisima
4117 North 16th StreetAt least 25 different salsas every day. Never had pecan salsa? You need this in your life.
On my yellow cheese vs. white cheese Mexican food scale, this place is rated white cheese.
Whenever my mom comes to town, we eat at Gadzooks at least twice. It's that good. Whether you love slow braised meat or are a vegetarian, you will have very happy tastebuds here. Locally owned.
77 locals recommend
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
3313 N 7th StWhenever my mom comes to town, we eat at Gadzooks at least twice. It's that good. Whether you love slow braised meat or are a vegetarian, you will have very happy tastebuds here. Locally owned.
Green and Nami are our two more nearby vegan/vegetarian restaurants. They have a great following, and it's well deserved. Their food - and desserts - are delicious!
163 locals recommend
Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StGreen and Nami are our two more nearby vegan/vegetarian restaurants. They have a great following, and it's well deserved. Their food - and desserts - are delicious!
You better know the address because there isn't a sign on the door. Just to the left of the hardware store. Best huevos rancheros I've ever had. Also, the most generous mimosas you'll find. You won't find many tourists here, it's strictly a local spot...but now you know.
69 locals recommend
Dick's Hideaway
6008 N 16th StYou better know the address because there isn't a sign on the door. Just to the left of the hardware store. Best huevos rancheros I've ever had. Also, the most generous mimosas you'll find. You won't find many tourists here, it's strictly a local spot...but now you know.
We have to go to Gallo Blanco on a regular basis just so I can have their veggie chilaquiles. OMG. Amazing! Fresh, warm and well-salted chips paid perfectly with the salsas. You can choose from indoor or outdoor dining on some impressive patios.
75 locals recommend
Gallo Blanco
928 E Pierce StWe have to go to Gallo Blanco on a regular basis just so I can have their veggie chilaquiles. OMG. Amazing! Fresh, warm and well-salted chips paid perfectly with the salsas. You can choose from indoor or outdoor dining on some impressive patios.
We have the best cookies and cupcakes in all of Phoenix right here in our neighborhood!
35 locals recommend
Urban Cookies Bakeshop
2325 N 7th StWe have the best cookies and cupcakes in all of Phoenix right here in our neighborhood!
The fries are cooked in duck fat. They are stupid good. My other fave menu item is the black bean burger. Perfection!!!
They have a large outdoor patio with good vibes.
84 locals recommend
Arizona Wilderness DTPHX
201 E Roosevelt StThe fries are cooked in duck fat. They are stupid good. My other fave menu item is the black bean burger. Perfection!!!
They have a large outdoor patio with good vibes.
Groceries and such
When you need to shop, these are your best bets. Sunshine Market is a 1/2 block away and Safeway is the closest large grocer.
I don't think Sunshine has ever NOT had something I needed last minute. From milk and cookies to chili powder and chili beans in the winter, Sunshine's always taking care of us. Want a six-pack? Head to Sunshine where they saw a 12-pack in two. Seriously.
45 locals recommend
Sunshine Market
2302 N 12th StI don't think Sunshine has ever NOT had something I needed last minute. From milk and cookies to chili powder and chili beans in the winter, Sunshine's always taking care of us. Want a six-pack? Head to Sunshine where they saw a 12-pack in two. Seriously.
Trader Joe's
7720 W Bell RdIt's Trader Joe's. It's an icon.
Safeway
340 E McDowell RdIt's your average chain grocery store, the closest one we have.
I am completely in love with this grocery store. Think Sprouts, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. The best of all three, rolled into one.
42 locals recommend
Natural Grocers
13802 N Scottsdale RdI am completely in love with this grocery store. Think Sprouts, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. The best of all three, rolled into one.
Sprouts Farmers Market
2824 E Indian School RdThe closest Sprouts is less than two miles away :)
Parks & Nature
Our neighborhood park has a great playground, basketball hoops with games running every night, tennis courts that see quite a bit of activity and a softball field. And, it's just a few blocks away. A real neighborhood treasure.
21 locals recommend
Coronado Park
1717 N 12th StOur neighborhood park has a great playground, basketball hoops with games running every night, tennis courts that see quite a bit of activity and a softball field. And, it's just a few blocks away. A real neighborhood treasure.
From alltrails.com...Dreamy Draw Nature Trail (#220) is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Phoenix, AZ that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
68 locals recommend
Dreamy Draw Recreation Area
2421 E Northern AveFrom alltrails.com...Dreamy Draw Nature Trail (#220) is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Phoenix, AZ that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
from alltrails.com..."Camelback Mountain Trail is a 4.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Distinctive and dominant on the Phoenix landscape, Camelback Mountain is just begging to be conquered. The two different routes to the 2,680ft summit offer different challenges, and both are featured in this guide."
1751 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald Drivefrom alltrails.com..."Camelback Mountain Trail is a 4.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Phoenix, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Distinctive and dominant on the Phoenix landscape, Camelback Mountain is just begging to be conquered. The two different routes to the 2,680ft summit offer different challenges, and both are featured in this guide."
I love the DBG as we locals call it. If you think if you've seen one aloe, you've seen them all, you have no idea. And did you know they all bloom differently? See more cactus than you can imagine and have fun walking around this prized little spot smack-dab in the middle of Phoenix.
In December, they have some spectacular nighttime events.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
I love the DBG as we locals call it. If you think if you've seen one aloe, you've seen them all, you have no idea. And did you know they all bloom differently? See more cactus than you can imagine and have fun walking around this prized little spot smack-dab in the middle of Phoenix.
In December, they have some spectacular nighttime events.
Entertainment & Activities
AMC Arizona Center 24
565 N 3rd StClosest theater, just two miles away.
You can zipline, yes zipline, above all the zoo animals! We've done it before and it's pretty darn cool :)
214 locals recommend
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 Arizona 260You can zipline, yes zipline, above all the zoo animals! We've done it before and it's pretty darn cool :)
Getting Around
10 minutes from the airport to our front door.
389 locals recommend
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd10 minutes from the airport to our front door.
I highly recommend Lyft and use it when I'm headed downtown and don't want to drive or worry about parking. Great for getting anywhere and everywhere.
For $20 in ride credit, download the Lyft app using my referral link: https://www.lyft.com/ici/AMBER731248.
It's the most affordable ride in town. Terms apply.
15 locals recommend
Lyft Phoenix Driver Center
2555 E University DrI highly recommend Lyft and use it when I'm headed downtown and don't want to drive or worry about parking. Great for getting anywhere and everywhere.
For $20 in ride credit, download the Lyft app using my referral link: https://www.lyft.com/ici/AMBER731248.
It's the most affordable ride in town. Terms apply.
Shopping
Get your fancy schmancy on. My favorite is locally owned beauty store Citrine. You'll also find Sak's, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, L'Occitane, Origins, etc. You can see plenty of cuties too, puppies and kittens that is, at the AZ Humane Society adoption center at the Biltmore. Oh, and food. Wonderful restaurants.
494 locals recommend
Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E Camelback RdGet your fancy schmancy on. My favorite is locally owned beauty store Citrine. You'll also find Sak's, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, L'Occitane, Origins, etc. You can see plenty of cuties too, puppies and kittens that is, at the AZ Humane Society adoption center at the Biltmore. Oh, and food. Wonderful restaurants.
44th St and Thomas - A normal-size Target that also carries groceries. You'll find Costco in the same parking lot.
112 locals recommend
Target
995 S Cotton Ln44th St and Thomas - A normal-size Target that also carries groceries. You'll find Costco in the same parking lot.
If you want to hit up an outlet mall on your stay in Phoenix, this one's the best. Good stores, relatively new, nice and clean.
118 locals recommend
Phoenix Premium Outlets
4976 Premium Outlets WayIf you want to hit up an outlet mall on your stay in Phoenix, this one's the best. Good stores, relatively new, nice and clean.