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The Greater Phoenix Area is such a fun foodie destination! From hopping brunch spots and taco joints to restaurants with Southwest flare, Phoenix is a culinary mecca waiting to be explored. After multiple trips to Phoenix and surrounding cities, I’ve put together this Phoenix Food Guide with a list of recommended restaurants that I think are worth a visit in the area!
This Phoenix Food Guide also includes recommendations in the nearby cities of Scottsdale and Mesa, which we also frequent when we are in the area. And because most of us love a good drink or two, I’ve listed out some great spots to grab a drink, including local breweries, a wine bar, a meadery, and a cidery! Enjoy!
Best Brunch Spots in Phoenix
I love hunting for brunch in different cities, and Phoenix has no shortage of great brunch restaurants! I have a whole post with more details and photos from my favorite brunch spots here, but here’s a rundown on my top picks.
Valentine
4130 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
http://www.valentinephx.com/
Located in the Melrose neighborhood of Phoenix, Valentine is an eclectic restaurant adorned in Mid-Century Modern style. Their brunch menu has a touch of Arizonan flare, sourcing ingredients unique to the American Southwest.
You cannot go wrong with their biscuit (yes, just one sadly) and gravy made with a Sonoran wheat biscuit, red chili sausage gravy, and a duck egg. The churro waffle is also divine and nearly sinful, topped with dulce de leche, mesquite chai spice, and whipped cream. A truly unique menu exists here and foodies should definitely add this to their lists!
Ocotillo
3243 N 3rd Street Ac, Phoenix, AZ 85012
https://www.ocotillophx.com/
Octotillo in Phoenix is slinging out some mouthwatering savory brunch items like the Breakfast Chimichanga, stuffed with black beans, chicken, and scrambled eggs and smothered in green chili sauce and queso fresco.
Their Smoked Brisket and Parmesan Polenta is another killer dish, which comes with a fried egg and crispy onions. Top it off with a Bloody Mary, and you’ve got yourself a satisfying brunch.
Octotillo is also open for lunch and dinner, and they have a lovely outdoor space/beer garden to enjoy your good eats!
Fàme Caffe
4700 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
https://famecaffe.com/
Fàme Caffe is tasty brunch spot located in the north end of the Midtown neighborhood serving up American breakfast favorites, Mexican-inspired dishes, and menu items with French flare.
I highly recommend both the chilaquiles with chorizo and the breakfast wrap (also with chorizo)! Their chai latte is also a winner, and they even have their own tasty house-made hot sauce.
Don’t be afraid of the line at Fàme Caffe. They move customers through rather quickly and the food comes out lightning fast once ordered!
Hash Kitchen
Multiple Locations in Greater Phoenix Area
https://www.hashkitchen.com/
Hash Kitchen is a small local chain with some really fun vibes! My favorite part about Hash Kitchen is their build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. They have over 50 toppings to choose from, including items like fried raviolis and meatballs. It’s basically a whole brunch meal on its own!
Their Carnitas Hash and Huevos Rancheros Hash are both great brunch options and be forewarned – the portion sizes are gigantic! I recommend sharing a hash dish between two people, especially if you are filling up at the Bloody Mary Bar. They are also famous for their cannoli donuts, which we didn’t try but can’t wait to next time.
Best Lunch/Dinner Spots in Phoenix
This list of lunch and dinner spots in Phoenix barely scratches the surface. There are just too many good options! Here are some of my favorites.
CRUjiente Tacos
3961 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
https://www.crutacos.com/
CRUjiente Tacos is one of my favorite foodie finds in the Greater Phoenix Area. Located in a small strip mall off busy Camelback Road, you’ll find this gem of a place churning out possibly the best crispy tacos I’ve ever had in my life!
Start your meal off with a Oaxacan Negroni – a favorite drink of ours with a Mexican twist. Next, work your way through their steaming hot queso and refreshing ceviche (which features a fresh fish of the day – we had grouper!).
You can’t go wrong with crispy or soft tacos, but I think CRUjiente excels in the crispy taco department. Get one of each to try them all! Our favorite was the beef, but each taco has incredible depth of flavor and the crunch on the tacos cannot get any more perfect. The Korean fried chicken and pork belly tacos are also really great options if you’re a soft taco fan.
Clever Koi
4236 N Central Ave #100, Phoenix, AZ 85012
https://www.thecleverkoi.com/
Clever Koi is a Pan-Asian restaurant located in the North Midtown area of Phoenix and you’ll definitely want to put this spot on your list if you are a lover of Asian cuisines! They are open early for Happy Hour with food and drink specials, and they have an excellent cocktail menu with tasty libations to choose from.
The Steam Buns are a great appetizer to start off with – our favorites being the Korean Fried Chicken and Pork Belly. Clever Koi’s dumplings are also must in my opinion. Both the Pig Face and Braised Short Rib dumplings are amazing and complex in flavor. We did slightly favor the Pig Face dumplings which come with their insanely good kimchi (so much so that we made a double order!).
I also recommend getting the XO Noodles. It’s hard to go wrong with a good noodle dish, and these are on HH special!
Green Corner
Multiple Locations in Mesa, Chandler & Scottsdale
https://greencorneraz.com/
Green Corner is an amazing Mediterranean casual restaurant with locations in Mesa, Chandler and North Scottsdale. We ate at the one in Mesa as it was close to a hotel we were staying at one year for spring training. It was some of the best Mediterranean food we’ve had!
Their lamb gyro plate is to die for and their falafels are crispy and flavorful. This is also a great budget option for when you are wanting an affordable fast-casual meal.
Cornish Pasty Co.
Multiple Locations
https://www.cornishpastyco.com/
I must say, I was super excited to try the Cornish Pasty Company after our visit to the English countryside in 2018. We didn’t get a chance to try the pasties there so I am glad we had the opportunity here in Arizona! They have such a huge menu of choices – everything from vegan and vegetarian, to meat lovers delights.
For meat lovers, the Carne Adovada is an excellent choice, stuffed with New Mexican style pork red chili stew, Mexican rice, hatch chilis, and cheddar cheese. Nothing short of a flavor bomb here! For veggie lovers, the Veggie Mexican is a savory winner – filled with vegetarian Quorn “beef” crumbles, eggs, cheddar cheese, potato, and hatch chilis. It was also super tasty with that flaky crust! Comfort at it’s finest.
Huss Brewing
100 E Camelback Rd #160, Phoenix, AZ 85012
https://www.hussbrewing.com/
We enjoyed visiting the Uptown location of Huss Brewing, which has a hopping spot in Uptown Plaza. I love me a good brewpub menu and their nachos are great for sharing. I also highly recommend the Belgian Countryside Flatbread – a savory and delicious flatbread pizza made with a sour cream base, muenster cheese, crispy prosciutto, red onion, and chives. Both are perfect companions to a flight of beers!
They also serve a variety of sausages, soups, and salads, as well as wine if you have any non-beer loving companions.
Huss Brewing has several locations in the Phoenix area so be sure to check their menus if you are looking for something specific as they vary by location.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Multiple Locations
https://www.loumalnatis.com/arizona-phoenix
If you’re in the mood for some deep dish pizza, you can’t go wrong with Lou Malnati’s! Yes, it’s a chain restaurant hailing from Chicago but their pizzas are delicious and they have generous wine pour options. There are several locations in the Greater Phoenix area, but we visited the Uptown Plaza location in Phoenix, which is a bustling spot to visit on any given day.
I recommend the Malnati Chicago Classic, which comes with sausage, and adding hot giardiniera as an extra topping. Mangia!
Gadzooks
Multiple Locations
https://www.gadzooksaz.com/
Gadzooks is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with a few locations in the Phoenix area. I’ve only eaten their tacos thus far but they are delicious! They have fresh house-made tortillas and their vegetarian sweet & spicy cornbread tacos with “Christmas” sauce (red and green sauce combo) are so craveable. It sounds like an odd thing for a taco filling, but let me tell you, it works!
Gadzooks also serves enchiladas, soups, and nachos, all built the way you want – sort of Chipotle style.
Chompie’s
Multiple Locations
https://chompies.com/
Chompie’s is a New York Style deli/restaurant and bakery with several locations in the area serving up delicious foods like pastrami sandwiches, Jewish sliders with brisket, and my favorite, knishes.
My introduction to Chompies came at one of the A’s spring training games where we had their famous sliders and a warm potato knish. Everything was so tasty, and I often dream about going back to Phoenix just to get a few orders of their fluffy and flavorful knishes!
Best Places to Grab a Drink
Wren House Brewing
2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
https://www.wrenhousebrewing.com/
Wren House earns the top spot on my list for best beer in the Phoenix area! Located in the Green Gables neighborhood of Phoenix, you’ll find this funky taproom pouring some delicious hazy IPAs. The Mexican Coffee Stout is also a must!
Their cozy taproom, built in a converted bungalow house, is just a nice chill spot to hang out and they have outdoor patio seating out back for when the weather is nice!
12 West Brewing
12 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
http://12westbrewing.com/
If you’re heading to an A’s or Cubs game in Mesa, be sure to check out 12 West Brewing in the Downtown area! They have a spacious, modern taproom with a full bar and kitchen. The beer is good and it’s a great place to pre-game before heading to one of the local spring training games.
If you’re a fan of sours, I recommend getting a pour of their Imaginary Penguin Kettle Sour – it was our favorite beer on our last visit there!
Huss Brewing
100 E Camelback Rd #160, Phoenix, AZ 85012
https://www.hussbrewing.com/
As mentioned above in the Where to Eat Section, Huss Brewing has a super chill location in the Uptown Plaza in the Uptown neighborhood of Phoenix. Get a flight and sample some local Arizonan beers while enjoying some tasty pub grub!
Merkin Vineyards
7133 E Stetson Dr Suite 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
https://merkinvineyards.org/
Merkin Vineyards, co-owned by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, is a cozy wine bar located in Old Town Scottsdale. This is a great spot for a dinner pre-drink or even for dinner if you want to hang around for a while. Their food menu features pasta, pizzas, salads and artisan charcuterie boards, which are all great things that pair well with a lovely glass of wine!
Cider Corps
31 S Robson Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85210
https://www.cidercorpsaz.com/
Cider Corps is a veteran-owned cidery located in Downtown Mesa, now with a secondary location in Gilbert. It’s one of our favorite spots in Mesa! Pull up a chair and grab a flight of ciders to try before or after one of the local spring training games.
We loved the the P.O.G. (passion fruit, orange & guava), Mango Foxtrot (mango and rose hip – also sold in bottles), the Sangin Sangria (a dry-hopped cider made with Arizona prickly pear).
They also now have pizza onsite from Myke’s and coffee from Pair Cupworks, making this an excellent spot to sip ciders and hang around for a bit.
I hope this Phoenix food guide gave you some good ideas and inspiration on where to eat in drink in the Greater Phoenix area! Do you have any recommendations on where we should chow down next? Drop me a note in the comments!
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