Midtown PHX Amazingness
Food scene
Great neighborhood restaurant with a tremendous architectural concept. Great for lunch, dinner and drinks. Outstanding patio with a grass section for little ones to run around.
95 locals recommend
Ocotillo Restaurant
3243 N 3rd StGreat neighborhood restaurant with a tremendous architectural concept. Great for lunch, dinner and drinks. Outstanding patio with a grass section for little ones to run around.
Best Burrito in town? The House Favorite with either Carne Asada or Carnitas. You're so very welcome.
21 locals recommend
PHX Burrito House
4140 7th AveBest Burrito in town? The House Favorite with either Carne Asada or Carnitas. You're so very welcome.
Pho Noodles
3417 N 7th AveSuper close. SUPER amazing.
Our favorite Thai place in Phoenix. I could eat the eggplant dish 7 days a week.
6 locals recommend
Thai Long-An
4447 N 7th AveOur favorite Thai place in Phoenix. I could eat the eggplant dish 7 days a week.
Phoenix's best authentic Japanese restaurant. And it's not even close.
38 locals recommend
Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th AvePhoenix's best authentic Japanese restaurant. And it's not even close.
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
3313 N 7th StIf I could go here every day, I would.
Restaurant Progress
702 W Montecito AveAlways comes highly recommended.
A staple in the Phoenix ice cream scene. Old fashioned ice cream shop.
10 locals recommend
Mary Coyle Ol' Fashion Ice Cream
2302 N Central AveA staple in the Phoenix ice cream scene. Old fashioned ice cream shop.
A PHX favorite for fusion "island food." It's pretty good. Drinks are better. Also has a speakeasy bar next door, which is worth going to.
83 locals recommend
Hula's Modern Tiki
5114 N 7th StA PHX favorite for fusion "island food." It's pretty good. Drinks are better. Also has a speakeasy bar next door, which is worth going to.
THE BEST Vietnamese food and pho in town. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
29 locals recommend
Phở Thành Restaurant
1702 W Camelback RdTHE BEST Vietnamese food and pho in town. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
People will try to get you to go to other Phoenix taco shops. But this is the only place you need to know. Their quesadillas are even better than the tacos. And get the "Alambre" .... just do it.
12 locals recommend
Tacos Huicho
1941 E Oak StPeople will try to get you to go to other Phoenix taco shops. But this is the only place you need to know. Their quesadillas are even better than the tacos. And get the "Alambre" .... just do it.
La Santisima
4117 North 16th StreetIconic taco shop in Phoenix. A lot of really great salsa options.
If you like spicy Mexican food. This is SPICY MEXICAN FOOD. Original is on Central, south of Baseline near South Mountain.
26 locals recommend
Los Dos Molinos
1044 E Camelback RdIf you like spicy Mexican food. This is SPICY MEXICAN FOOD. Original is on Central, south of Baseline near South Mountain.
The Coronado PHX
2245 N 12th StProbably the best vegan place in Phoenix.
A local favorite for meatless meals. I'm not sure if anything in here is healthy, but it's vegetarian and it all tastes good! Lol.
163 locals recommend
Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StA local favorite for meatless meals. I'm not sure if anything in here is healthy, but it's vegetarian and it all tastes good! Lol.
Nami
2014 N 7th StVegan desserts owned by Green. Just go, it's good.
Ask anyone. Best hotdogs in Phoenix. Started as Phoenix's first iconic food truck. Owners are also our neighbors.
60 locals recommend
Short Leash Hotdogs & Rollover Doughnuts
4221 N 7th AveAsk anyone. Best hotdogs in Phoenix. Started as Phoenix's first iconic food truck. Owners are also our neighbors.
AMAZING food. Cambodian restaurant. Whether or not you've ever had Cambodian food, this place is a must-go.
10 locals recommend
Reathrey Sekong
1312 E Indian School RdAMAZING food. Cambodian restaurant. Whether or not you've ever had Cambodian food, this place is a must-go.
Forno 301
1616 N Central AveYet another solid Phoenix pizzeria. Cool-looking place to boot.
From the guy who makes America's best pizza. Also makes superb sandwiches. A down-to-earth yet classy joint.
42 locals recommend
Pane Bianco
4404 N Central AveFrom the guy who makes America's best pizza. Also makes superb sandwiches. A down-to-earth yet classy joint.
One of my favorite ice cream shops. Owned by an amazing Filipino family. Can get some good Filipino desserts here, too.
Scooptopia
4700 N Central AveOne of my favorite ice cream shops. Owned by an amazing Filipino family. Can get some good Filipino desserts here, too.
Great owners. Can get some Asian-inspired desserts and your regular dessert fare, too.
6 locals recommend
Pop N Tea Bar
550 W McDowell RdGreat owners. Can get some Asian-inspired desserts and your regular dessert fare, too.
Brand new spot for coffee, beer, cocktails and food. Renovated in a unique 70s building that was once the home of a popular dry cleaning joint. A place to see and be seen.
24 locals recommend
Valentine
4130 N 7th AveBrand new spot for coffee, beer, cocktails and food. Renovated in a unique 70s building that was once the home of a popular dry cleaning joint. A place to see and be seen.
Local pizza chain. But I love it here. Everything is large and good.
167 locals recommend
Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University DriveLocal pizza chain. But I love it here. Everything is large and good.
El Chullo
2605 N 7th StUnassuming Peruvian restaurant but very good.
Amazing bakery. I have a cousin who goes here four times a week.
35 locals recommend
Urban Cookies Bakeshop
2325 N 7th StAmazing bakery. I have a cousin who goes here four times a week.
Classic steak and prime rib joint. Real-life mafia deals were made here. A Phoenix staple.
137 locals recommend
Durant's
2611 N Central AveClassic steak and prime rib joint. Real-life mafia deals were made here. A Phoenix staple.
Tru Burger
2535 N Central AveLocally owned burger joint. We go here at least once a month.
Presidio Cocina Mexicana
519 W Thomas RdThis place is legit. So good.
Fry Bread House
4545 N 7th AveWhat? You haven't had Fry Bread before? Well, now you will.
Fast but great Chinese food. Go for dinner, options are better and tastier.
21 locals recommend
China Chili
302 E Flower StFast but great Chinese food. Go for dinner, options are better and tastier.
Coffee Culture
Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th AveAmazing local coffee shop in an old 50s gas station.
Great-looking coffee shop from the same people who brought us Matt's Big Breakfast.
48 locals recommend
Giant Coffee
1437 N 1st StGreat-looking coffee shop from the same people who brought us Matt's Big Breakfast.
Super close local coffee shop. Vegan. Quickly became a local favorite. From the same folks who brought us The Coronado.
12 locals recommend
Dark Hall Coffee
2243 N 7th AveSuper close local coffee shop. Vegan. Quickly became a local favorite. From the same folks who brought us The Coronado.
Awesome cold brew and nitro cold brew. Actually also has pretty good food for breakfast and lunch.
15 locals recommend
Press Coffee
200 East Van Buren StreetAwesome cold brew and nitro cold brew. Actually also has pretty good food for breakfast and lunch.
Sip Coffee & Beer
3617 N Goldwater BlvdCoffee. Beer. Renovated from an old oil change shop.
Esso Coffeehouse
4700 N 12th StOne of the best local coffee you'll ever have.
Scooter's Coffee
4030 N 7th AveDrive-thru coffee spot when you need something quick for the road.
Breakfast/Brunch
Solid breakfast/brunch spot. You're good to go for a quick seating before 930am.
22 locals recommend
Elly’s Brunch & Cafe
100 E Camelback RdSolid breakfast/brunch spot. You're good to go for a quick seating before 930am.
Vovomeena
1515 N 7th AveThe BMOC. That is all. Just go and get it.
fàme caffe
4700 N Central AveReally cool and really good breakfast joint.
Ollie Vaughn's
1526 E McDowell RdCute little breakfast and brunch spot with a cute backyard patio.
Hands-down my favorite mom-and-pop donut shop. Also, get the #4 sandwhich. I get i at least once a week.
11 locals recommend
Rainbow Donuts
1347 E McDowell RdHands-down my favorite mom-and-pop donut shop. Also, get the #4 sandwhich. I get i at least once a week.
Beer/cocktails/drinks/night life
Very cool speakeasy bar with cheap beer, small vintage arcade, laidback interior and even more laidback outdoor patio.
15 locals recommend
Thunderbird Lounge
710 W Montecito AveVery cool speakeasy bar with cheap beer, small vintage arcade, laidback interior and even more laidback outdoor patio.
Some of the best selection of beer and wine in the entire Valley.
13 locals recommend
Rott n' Grapes Uptown
4750 N Central AveSome of the best selection of beer and wine in the entire Valley.
The Captain's Cabin
5114 North 7th StreetSpeakeasy right next to Hula's. As hip as you would think.
Wren House Brewing Company
2125 N 24th StNo local craft brewery wins more competitions.
Great local brewery based out of Scottsdale. This is their Phoenix taproom.
20 locals recommend
Huss Brewing Co.Taproom at Uptown Plaza
100 E Camelback RdGreat local brewery based out of Scottsdale. This is their Phoenix taproom.
Amazingly cool tiki-themed speakeasy. Below Sip Coffee, which was built in an old drive-thru car repair shop. Undertow was built in the pit of that car repair shop. Reservations recommended.
68 locals recommend
UnderTow
3626 E Indian School RdAmazingly cool tiki-themed speakeasy. Below Sip Coffee, which was built in an old drive-thru car repair shop. Undertow was built in the pit of that car repair shop. Reservations recommended.
Has some good takes on Vietnamese food, but probably best for a unique place for cocktails.
11 locals recommend
Belly Kitchen and Bar
4971 North 7th AvenueHas some good takes on Vietnamese food, but probably best for a unique place for cocktails.
Brand new hip, boutique hotel. Renovated from a few old office buildings. Bar is pretty cool.
ARRIVE Phoenix
400 W Camelback RdBrand new hip, boutique hotel. Renovated from a few old office buildings. Bar is pretty cool.
The Captain's Cabin
5114 North 7th StreetSpeakeasy right next to Hula's. As hip as you would think.
Century Grand
3626 E Indian School RdUgh. So. Freaking. Hip. Get reservations.
First Draft Book Bar
300 W Camelback RdOne of my favorite places for a beer. (Bring a book! or buy one!)
Ocotillo Restaurant
3243 N 3rd StSpeakeasy within the Ocotillo campus. Go. It's great.
A staple in the gay club scene, just at the edge of Phoenix's gayborhood.
31 locals recommend
Charlie's Phoenix
727 West Camelback RoadA staple in the gay club scene, just at the edge of Phoenix's gayborhood.
Smacked right in the middle of Phoenix's gayborhood. Stacy's is a local fave.
21 locals recommend
Stacy's @ Melrose
4343 N 7th AveSmacked right in the middle of Phoenix's gayborhood. Stacy's is a local fave.
Culture/Art/Shopping
Changing Hands is the Valley's most iconic book store. Inside this Changing Hands is First Draft Book Bar. A bar inside a bookstore. What more could you ask for.
38 locals recommend
Changing Hands Bookstore & First Draft Book Bar
300 W Camelback RdChanging Hands is the Valley's most iconic book store. Inside this Changing Hands is First Draft Book Bar. A bar inside a bookstore. What more could you ask for.
May not be as hip as the Downtown Farmers' Market (Central and McKinley), but it's huge. And has great vendors. Open every weekend morning to early afternoon.
48 locals recommend
Uptown Farmers Market
5757 N Central AveMay not be as hip as the Downtown Farmers' Market (Central and McKinley), but it's huge. And has great vendors. Open every weekend morning to early afternoon.