Weekend Trip & Foodie Guide
to Phoenix, AZ
Several years ago, two of our dearest friends told us they were moving ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY to Phoenix, AZ while our friend Zac pursued a PhD at Arizona State. On that side of the degree, we wanted to revolt. On this side of the degree, we have had 9 wonderful trips to the Valley…so I guess maybe it wasn’t the worst decision.
From the second I stepped foot in Phoenix (after we landed in Las Vegas instead due to a massive rain/dust storm called a haboob…yes it’s a thing and yes there can be rain in the desert), I absolutely fell in love. Phoenix is surrounded by rugged mountains on all sides, covered in amazing saguaro cacti, and somehow boasts incredible foodie haunts at every turn.
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First things first…COFFEE
At last count, I have tried 15 Phoenix-born coffee shops. At the end of the day, these are the ones that rise above the rest for me.
Moxie Coffee Co. - On my second trip to Phoenix, I made a list of all the coffee shops in the entire Valley area that I wanted to try. Moxie was on that list, but I regrettably didn’t try it right away. This was a mistake. It’s my favorite coffee shop in Phoenix! What to Order: Vanilla Mint Nitro is absolutely delicious if it is on the specials menu (it often is). They once had a drink with cashew butter that blew my mind and if you see it, SNAG IT. Their salted caramel latte is also divine!
Deseo Coffee Shack - This coffee shop is both adorable AND it has wonderful, friendly service. Plus, the coffee drinks are fantastic. What to Order: Canelita or Mazapan Lattes. They are both on the regular menu & are fantastic, though they often have drink specials with fun cold-foam flavors like rosemary and cantaloupe!
Futuro Coffee - This coffee shop is an extremly hip spot in the heart of downtown Phoenix. It’s very popular and has fun art installations inside, though seating is very limited. But, OMG…that Cajeta Latte…What to Order: Cajeta Latte. Cajeta is a delicious goat’s milk caramel that is perfect for dipping churros. This latte is sweetened with cajeta and topped with Maldon flaky sea salt.
Honorable Mentions: This was necessary, because there are so many other PHX coffee shops that I really enjoy. Provision Coffee, Berdena’s, Mythical, and Light Heart will all serve you a delicious coffee.
BREAKFAST
Valentine - This approachable brunch spot in central Phoenix is a counter-service restaurant with a great atmosphere and an even better menu. What to Order: Really anything. Everything is delicious. But, if I had to choose…the Churro Waffle or the Breakfast Sandwich with house sage sausage and raclette-pimento cheese.
Prep & Pastry - This popular spot has multiple locations across the Valley area and it’s main dishes are just as delicious as its namesake pastries. What to Order: Any French Toast on the menu. All of the originals are delicious and the specials are sometimes even better. But, the pastries & savory dishes are also excellent.
Eggstasy - Okay, Eggstasy is where you go with a pal because you can order a regular dish AND upgrade your side to a deluxe stack of incredible pancakes for a small upcharge. Come hungry. Trust me on this. What to Order: While all of the omelettes and hashes I have had have been great, the real money is on the pancakes here. The Pecan Pie Pancakes are the stuff of fever dreams. They are so good. I want to fly to Phoenix right now just because I am thinking of them.
LUNCH
Pane Bianco - Freshly baked bread topped with housemade mozzarella, and other high quality ingredients rounds out this lunchtime spot by renowned chef Chris Bianco. What to Order: The simple Housemade Mozzarella Sandwich lets the bread, cheese, tomato, and basil shine.
Salad & Go - Our friend Aimee raved about this drive-thru only salad spot and I could not for the life of me get excited about trying a salad restaurant on vacation. Here I am, putting this in writing, but I was wrong. Salad & Go has inexpensive, but delicious fresh salads that are the perfect break from high-calorie meals that I am inevitably consuming when I’m out of town. I forever wish we had a Salad & Go in KY because those salads are surprisingly that good! What to Order: The BBQ Ranch salad is dressed in a sweet, tangy ranch dressing that is delicious and topped with avocado, corn, black beans, crunchy tortilla strips, and tomato all on a crunchy bed of lettuce.
Diego Pops - Diego Pops is the only place we ate at every single time we have been in Phoenix and that is because the atmosphere is fun and the tacos and margaritas are delicious. Plus, if you go during Happy Hour (3pm-6pm) you get 1/2 off apps & $6 Diego margaritas. If you go on Mondays, all tacos are $3. If you go on Mondays at Happy Hour….magic happens. At an affordable price. What to Order: My order is Street Corn Queso & Guacamole for the table, plus a Braised Green Chile Chicken taco and a Grilled Fish taco. Plus, a Diego margarita with tajin on the rim. Pure perfection.
The Stand - This open-air restaurant on the outskirts of Scottsdale offers a delicious menu of indigenous specialties. Bring your cash (cash only) & grab a delicious fry bread taco for the road! What to Order: Any of the fry bread tacos.
This is NOT lunch, but I personally don’t think a trip to Phoenix is complete without a Prickly Pear-Vanilla soft-serve ice cream twist from Topo. It’s in Gilbert (south Phoenix) which can be a bit of a hike depending on where you are in the Valley.
ACTIVITIES
Hiking - The Valley is full of excellent hiking trails that are absolutely perfect in the late Fall through early Spring! If you are hiking during the summer, please note that it gets very hot during the middle of the day, often topping 100 degrees for multiple months straight. Bring lots of water & plan to hike early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Our favorite hikes are the trails at South Mountain (sweeping views of the Phoenix metro area), Saguaro Lake (gorgeous desert panoramas alongside actual water…in the desert!), Gateway Loop (beautiful trails nestled in the McDowell mountains).
Desert Botanical Gardens - I’m convinced that this is one of the most magical places on Earth. View desert fauna up close & personal in this beautiful curated garden escape right in the middle of downtown Phoenix. If you time your visit in the late afternoon, you’ll experience golden hour blanketing the cacti! We visited during a Chihuly glass exhibit and it was absolutely incredible. If there’s an exhibit open during your visit, this is a no brainer! Tickets are $24.95 per person though admission is complimentary on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Salt River Tubing - What better way to deal with the desert heat than tubing the Salt River? Float through the Tonto National Forest & take in the desert scenery while also cooling down from the 100 degree temperatures! Tube Rental is $25 and includes transportation to & from the river.
Old Town Scottsdale - Old Town Scottsdale may be the most walkable area of metro Phoenix, with loads of restaurants, shops, and bars lining the neighborhoods. Historic Old Town could double as the set of an old-time Western movie, if the movie also was studded with adorable string lights on every street (probably not John Wayne’s top priority). Most of Historic Old Town caters to tourists, so if you want to take home a magnet or send postcards to all of your friends and family, this is your spot. Alternatively, the Scottsdale Waterfront is a gorgeous area with plenty of delicious dining options, beautiful street art, and a lovely riverfront walking path. Both areas are worth the view, but the Scottsdale Waterfront draws me back each time I’m in the area.
DINNER
Cornish Pasty - The atmosphere here is very laidback and the pasties are absolutely divine. Every pasty is paired with an incredible dipping sauce that perfectly complements the flavors of the pasty. What to Order: Definitely the French Dip pasty if you happen to catch them while they have it. Other favorites include Carne Adovada, Roast Beef Sarnie, and Peppered Steak!
Crujiente - We stumbled upon this place one day looking for a place to get a margarita on National Margarita Day (yes, okay we were those people that day, but I’m not sorry because we found this place!) and the tacos were absolutely incredible! What to Order: I don’t think you can go wrong, but a Coconut Margarita with a Strip Steak taco and a Korean Fried Chicken taco are chef’s kiss!
LomWong - Our first experience at LomWong absolutely blew our minds. The menu reflects the regional cuisine of two areas of Thailand where the owners’ roots run deep. When we went, we decided on the option to let the chefs choose our meal and we were blown away by every dish! What to Order: My personal favorites were the Yam Mamuang Boran (green mango salad) and one of the hand-pounded curry paste specials (the menu rotates, but both curries we have had were exquisite).
Pizzeria Bianco - This restaurant is the older sibling of Pane Bianco that made the lunch recs. The brainchild of Chef Chris Bianco, this wood fired pizza restaurant is incredible. It has consistently received accolades for being one of the best pizza restaurants in the US…and it’s located in Phoenix. It lives up to the hype! What to Order: Wood Fired Spiedini appetizer (prosciutto-wrapped fontina skewers) and the Rosa pizza with pistachios and rosemary.
Clever Koi - If you’re looking for a swanky, but approachable spot with an Asian fusion menu, then that is oddly specific and also do I have a place for you! Tasty drinks, delicious food, and a fun atmosphere - Clever Koi has all three. What to Order: Short Rib dumplings in a lemongrass broth. These were our favorite things on the menu, but the steamed buns are also delicious!
DRINKS
Lon’s Last Drop - Located next to its fancy sister restaurant, Lon’s Last Drop is the bar menu side of the patio. Serving incredible drinks, excellent food, and a perfectly cozy desert atmosphere, this is the perfect spot to catch up with a friend over drinks, have a date night, or a going away party. I may or may not have experienced all three at Lon’s Last Drop! What to Order: My favorite Frose ever (perfectly tart & sweet) was served at Lon’s, though I haven’t seen it on the menu again. Then again, I’ve never had a drink I haven’t liked here. Also, that Churro Tower. Get it.
Jade Bar - Here’s your best opportunity to see a C-list Scottsdale celebrity! Nestled into the mountains, Jade Bar is the ultra-swanky place for folks to hang out. What to Order: A cocktail with rum. It’s delicious and it feels like it fits the vibe!
Undertow - Undertow isn’t exactly a bar. It’s an experience. Imagine you are shipwrecked on a desert island (believable with the weather; less believable with the lack of water) and you stumble upon an oasis where they serve amazing cocktails. That pretty much sums up Undertow. You do need reservations for this spot. What to Order: The menu changes, so I can’t give any recs, but just know that all four of us loved our drinks.
Garden Bar - This spot in downtown Phoenix is the perfect hideaway, featuring thoughtfully crafted cocktails and delicious charcuterie boards. What to Order: Queen Bee, a frothy pineapple and honey gin sour.