If you’ve never been to Phoenix… what are you waiting for!? This place will always have a piece of my heart. But for visitors, it can be really overwhelming since it’s so large & spread out. Here’s a breakdown of my favorite spots categorized by area of town. For a quick tip, all of the Fox Restaurant Concepts sprinkled throughout the Valley are DELICIOUS and highly recommended.
I decided to create a separate blog post for hiking in Phoenix since there are so many options. You can check that out here!
Old Town Scottsdale
You’ve inevitably heard of Old Town Scottsdale – whether it be for the nightlife or the history. It’s a great area to stay nearby because of all the shops, restaurants, and bars. Plus, it’s not too far from Tempe and the airport so you can still check out nearby areas.
Morning Squeeze – my preferred brunch spot in Old Town. It’s small but mighty with cute mimosa flights!
The Montauk – such great vibes and a nice spot for any time of day, but I personally prefer their brunch menu over other meals. They do offer Happy Hour all day Monday and 3pm-6pm Tuesday-Friday.
Diego Pops – super cute interior and yum tacos. Happy Hour daily from 3pm-6pm! They also have Taco Monday specials (rather than Taco Tuesday lol)
Blanco Tacos & Tequila – my FAVORITE Mexican restaurant. Their chips are devine and Sweet Potato Kale Enchiladas make my dreams come true. This location is just slightly north of Old Town on Scottsdale Road but they have other locations throughout the Valley.
The Scott Resort & Spa – possibly the most Instagrammable spot in Scottsdale, the Scott Resort & Spa greets you with an adorable, tropical lobby that leads directly into their bar, The Canal Club. They also have a restaurant which I haven’t tried yet.
Toca Madera – total Scottsdale vibes, this trendy Mexican spot is fun for special occasions. I truthfully think there’s better Mexican food for the price, but still would recommend for the experience (we saw a firebreather, but not really sure if that’s a nightly occurrence).
On my list but admittedly haven’t tried yet:
Nightlife
You’ve probably heard of Old Town Scottsdale for their nightlife scene as it’s a popular destination for Bachelor/Bachelorette trips. If you want to check them all out, I recommend starting at Bevvy Old Town (I like it here because it’s more bar than club), then making your way on Saddlebag Trail from there. You’ll see all of the clubs/bars right away.
North Scottsdale
We lived in North Scottsdale for a year and a half and absolutely loved our time here. It’s not as busy as Old Town and is close to the McDowell Mountains + other hikes and trails.
Kierland Commons + Scottsdale Quarter – two outdoor shopping malls across the street from one another and divided by Scottsdale Road. Both have their own great shops and restaurants, and we were here almost every weekend! Kierland offers plenty of parking lot space while Scottsdale Quarter has free parking garages. You can easily park at one and walk to the other!
Some of our favorite restaurants in Kierland/Scottsdale Quarter:
- Postino Wine Bar – guilty of coming here every single week for $6 pitchers/glasses before 5pm daily + their bomb bruschetta boards (our usual order includes the brie, apple, fig + warm artichoke spread + smoke salmon and pesto + sweet n’ spicy pepper jam and goat cheese).
- North Italia – fun cocktails and delicious pizza + pasta options. Enjoy their Happy Hour Tues-Fri from 3pm-6pm and all day Monday.
- The Greene House – love this as a date night spot. Go for Wine Wednesday and enjoy 1/2 off wine bottles!
- Snooze A.M. Eatery – their benedict options and pancake flights are everything.
- Dominick’s Steakhouse – get a reservation upstairs next to the reflection pool for a unique experience. We prefer going a bit earlier to enjoy the natural light from the ceiling. Their dessert beignet tree and martinis are to die for.
- Culinary Dropout – although there are several locations in the valley, this is the newest and my personal favorite. Prefer this for drinks and fun rather than dinner.
- True Food Kitchen – for a healthier option (lunch or dinner!) Big fan of their Korean Noodle Bowl.
- Zinburger – their onion rings! Lots of good burger options but prefer to build my own Bacon & Bleu burger.
- Tommy Bahama – great outdoor bar to pop in for a post-shopping drink or stay for a yummy meal!
Parma Italian Roots – serving up craft cocktails (A Tre Vie if you’re a bourbon drinker) and scratch-made Italian dishes (Campanelle is rich but to die for) . Go for social hour and enjoy $2 off wine, beer, signature cocktails, and other deals when you sit at the bar or patio.
The Vig McDowell – prefer to come here for drinks and apps. Such a beautiful outdoor space with live music on occasion.
La Hacienda at the Fairmont Princess – fun margs and delicious guac. A little pricey but perfect for a special occasion!
Lou Malnati’s – a Chicago classic, their deep dish pizza is my favorite and definitely worth trying if you’ve never had it before. Get The Lou!
JJ’s Delicatessen – O.M.G. We discovered this place after a hike one day and it changed our world. The options are endless and all fresh, filling, and delicious. Only open for breakfast & lunch – definitely recommend as a post-hike refuel.
The Thumb – ok hear me out… this is a gas station that makes the most incredible BBQ and was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. We had to get ours to-go during the height of Covid, but it seems like a really cute place to dine-in and explore!
Downtown/Uptown PHX
Downtown Phoenix continues to grow and add fun spots! Here are some of our personal favorites:
Wilderness DTPHX – a local brewery with a spacious beer garden on Roosevelt Row. Try La Cuidad if you’re into IPAs.
The Churchill – shipping container courtyard with several local vendors – drinks, food, and small shops. Plus, they provide board games!
Palma – the ultimate girlie brunch spot! The cutest decor and outdoor space.
Angels Trumpet Ale House – Happy Hour is Tuesday – Thursday 3pm – 6pm and Friday 11am – 6pm!
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – a moody & unique spot with a cocktail list 5 miles long! But have no fear, they can help you choose.
Floor 13 Rooftop Bar – as the name suggests, this bar sits on the 13th floor of the Hilton Garden Inn downtown. Since it’s only on the 13th floor, the views aren’t anything crazy, but they have unique cocktails and a fun, intimate vibe.
Hanny’s – formerly a department store, this restaurant has a very different vibe. Be sure to walk to the basement for an interesting surprise… oh, and definitely get the hot honey pepperoni pizza!
Ocotillo – perfect for a date night or nicer dinner with friends, try to get a reservation outside to dine under the market lights and whimsical trees! Their eggplant meatballs are shockingly delicious.
Joy Ride Taco House – a casual spot with Happy Hour Monday – Friday from 2pm – 6pm featuring $5 margaritas, $5 ranch waters (YUM and so refreshing!), and $2 tacos.
And then of course, the Diamondbacks Stadium (Chase Field) and Suns (Phoenix Suns Arena) are both downtown so check their schedules to catch a game!
Arcadia
This is the “up and coming” neighborhood that seems to be booming! With great views of Camelback and running in to Old Town Scottsdale, it’s easy to see why this is such a poppin’ area.
Upstairs at Flint – a rooftop with a beautiful view of Camelback and open air bar. We didn’t have reservations and just went for a drink, but would recommend looking into reservations since we had to stand.
Lon’s at Hermosa Inn – very similar vibes to El Chorro, but even better in my opinion! We came for brunch – sitting outside is a must! Plus we looooved our drinks and food. Would recommend the Spirit of the Border if you like Mezcal (even just a little).
The Parlor Pizzeria – technically not located in Arcadia, but doesn’t belong in any of the other areas! Located near the Biltmore, this has been voted #1 pizza in Arizona by the Food Network. And it absolutely does not disappoint.
Hash Kitchen – such a fun brunch experience with a build your own Bloody Mary bar, mimosa flights, and live DJ! Highly recommend for a Bach party or girls trip.
Doughbird – one of my other favorite foods… pizza! And big wine pours. Say no more.
The Henry – charming spot for drinks and/or dinner. Fox Restaurants strike again.
O.H.S.O Brewery – just one of several locations, another great brewery with a dog-friendly patio. If you go for brunch, enjoy a complimentary monster mimosa or 10oz beer with your entree!
Century Grand – things seem to be different since Covid, but we visited here for cocktails and thought it was super neat. They used to do an immersive train car meal, but it appears that’s still paused.
La Grande Orange Grocery – a cute lil “general store” with a walk-up ordering counter for pizza, breakfast, sandwiches, gelato, and more. A fun spot to spend a Sunday morning.
