2019 Local Guide

Local Phoenix Coffee & Breakfast Stops

  • Cartel – Favorite with coffee lovers down near hotels and stadiums.
  • Kaleidoscope Juice – Juice and light breakfast bar.
  • Serafina Coffee Bar – In historic Luhrs Tower, this urban coffeeshop is local-owned, roasted and brewed with sustainable practices and in partnership with small producers.
  • Lola Coffee Bar – Favorite with coffee lovers and locals on Roosevelt Row on the north side of Downtown.
  • Palabra – Snow-white modern spaceship that landed in the desert. Also serves coffee (and haircuts).
  • Matts Big Breakfast – Farm-to-table brunch and lunch.
  • Phoenix Public Market Café – Farm-to-table meals and the location of the last three WordCamp Phoenix afterparties.
  • Ncounter Roosevelt – Local brunch chain with scratch pastries and a build-your-own breakfast sandwich.
  • The Grand (24hr + bar) – Study, cowork and late-night spot for caffeinated and adult beverages.
  • Roland’s Cafe Market Bar – Collaboration between glorious local Mexican owners and Phoenix Pizza Wizard Chris Bianco serving homestyle dishes.
  • Cookie Brokers – Open at 7 AM this local cookie shop serving divine cookies and local milk may not be traditional breakfast, but no judgement here.

Local Phoenix Restaurants & Bars

  • Valley Bar – Neat, underground bar with board games, music venue and Arizona politics theme.
  • Hannys – Eclectic, late-night bar in renovated men’s warehouse.
  • Trapp Haus BBQ – Championship BBQ with delectable smoked meats, soul food and fire Instagram.
  • Little Miss BBQ – Astonishing, life-changing BBQ. The line wraps around the building every day and when they sell out of everything, they close early.
  • Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles – Expect to wait. It’s a meal you’ll talk about for years. Minority-owned business.
  • The Larry – The new anchor restaurant at Galvanize brings scratch-made pizzas, sandwiches, salads and sides from the team that catered WordCamp Phoenix 2018.
  • Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – High-class cocktails served in the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters.
  • Taco Chelo – Handmade tortillas, exquisite murals, dishes and a small menu of perfected tacos at this new Roosevelt Row staple from local Mexican artist Gennaro Garcia and chefs Suny Santana and Aaron Chamberlin (owner of Phoenix Public Market). Minority-owned business.
  • Cobra Arcade Bar – The retro arcade of your youth — with a bar (total gamer heaven).
  • Cornish Pasty Co – Good luck finding a seat in this popular English restaurant and bar serving hearty meals wrapped in flaky, buttery pastry.
  • Angels Trumpet Ale House – A local lawyers office converted to a tap house, Angels keeps over two dozen local and regional beers, sours and ciders on tap.
  • Welcome Diner – Favorite in the Garfield neighborhood serving late-night cocktails and the food of dreams.
  • The Vig Fillmore – Equal parts indoor and outdoor bar, Vig Fillmore makes an artful drink and features a kitchen of rivaling interest and variety.
  • FEZ – Modern mediterranean restaurant with fabulous sandwiches, salads, burgers, platters and drinks. 🏳️‍🌈-friendly.
  • Pizzaria Bianco – World-renowned upscale pizza parlor popular with locals, celebrities, food critics and visitors.
  • Crescent Ballroom – Midsize music venue with live music 7 days / week, bonkers burritos, terrific appetizers and burgers.
  • The Dressing Room – Pint-sized restaurant on Roosevelt Row with outsized flavor and a delightful patio.
  • Barrio Café GRAN RESERVA – Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s Mexican Cuisine is near unrivaled. Tasty plates and beautiful ambiance in Grand. Minority-owned business.

Phoenix Local Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants

  • Green New American Vegetarian – Favorites like wings, burritos, burgers, cheesesteaks and po-boys from this 100% vegetarian restaurant using vegan cheeses.
  • Vegan House – This Asian restaurant in the heart of DTPHX serves up craveable staples like potstickers, lettuce wraps, kung pao soy chicken and pad thai.
  • Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine – A mix of Asian & American comfort food in Central Phoenix.
  • Udupi Indian Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine – Twenty minutes outside Downtown, this is the only South Indian cafe in Greater Phoenix serving a fully vegetarian menu with spectacular samosas.