The heart of the city is where it’s at these days, so take a break from suburbia and head downtown. Here are some of the best places to see, shop, eat and drink in six of the Valley’s liveliest downtowns (because one just isn’t enough), plus major events, activities and more!.

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PHOENIX

Arts and culture have reached critical mass in the increasingly hip heart of Phoenix, and this metropolis of 1.5 million is pulsing with newfound Downtown pride.

Urbanites live – or alight on the light rail – here for the converted bungalow boutiques, avant-garde art galleries, unpretentious indie restaurants and the sense of community that comes when nearly everything is grassroots and homegrown. In fact, this haven for locavores is so anti-chain there isn’t even a grocery store nearby, though the farmers’ market now boasts a permanent store and wine bar. Meanwhile, D-backs and Suns fans flock here for another quintessential Downtown experience: a ballgame, a beer and showing their city pride, sports-style.


LOVE their FOOD

Photo by Brian Goddard The Breadfruit Authentic Jamaican Grill

The Breadfruit Authentic Jamaican Grill
108 E. Pierce St.; 602-267-1266,
thebreadfruit.com
What’s to love: Authentic Jamaican cuisine in a small but brightly lit space

Cibo Urban Pizzeria
603 N. Fifth Ave.; 602-441-2697,
cibopoenix.com
What’s to love: Wood-fired pizzas served in a homey environment; great patio

City Bakery at AZ Science Center
600 E. Washington St.; 602-257-8860, arcadiafarmscafe.com
What’s to love: Hearty, healthy salads and sandwiches from Arcadia Farms

The Compass
122 N. Second St. (Hyatt Regency); 602-440-3166,
phoenix.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment
What’s to love: Rotating rooftop dining room with 360-degree views of Downtown

District American Kitchen
320 N. Third St. (Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel); 602-817-5400,
districtrestaurant.com
What’s to love: All of District’s food and drink is American, with a seriously local bent: Much of the produce and herbs come from the hotel’s fourth-floor garden.

Duck & Decanter
1 N. Central Ave.; 602-266-6637,
duckanddecanter.com
What’s to love: Live music, wine tastings, a gourmet shop and great sandwiches. There are two other locations in Phoenix, but we dig the Downtown locale the most.

Local Breeze
606 N. Fourth Ave.; 602-368-3612,
localbreeze.com
What’s to love: An eclectic menu and spacious patio

Photo by Brian Goddard Matt’s Big Breakfast

Matt’s Big Breakfast
801 N. First St.; 602-254-1074,
mattsbigbreakfast.com
What’s to love: This breakfast-all-day joint is the size of a biscuit and perpetually jam-packed, but lining up outside and waiting for those pillowy pancakes and slabs of bacon is oh so worth it.

Moira Sushi Bar & Kitchen
215 E. McKinley St., Ste. 102;
602-254-5085,
moirasushi.com
What’s to love: Finally, a swanky sushi spot in the heart of the city; best unagi in town.

The New El Portal Restaurant
117 W. Grant St.; 602-271-0521
What’s to love: This historic hub for authentic Mexican cuisine is also a stomping grounds for the city’s politicos.

PastaBar
705 N. First St., Ste. 110; 602-687-8704,
pastabaraz.com
What’s to love: Handmade pasta, local ingredients and sublime wine

Pizzeria Bianco
609 E. Adams St.; 602-528-3699,
pizzeriabianco.com/bar
What’s to love: World-renowned wood-fired crusts and a quaint, historic building make up for those long waits.


SCOTTSDALE

With a layer of sexiness silk-screened over a Western backdrop, Old Town Scottsdale has been dubbed the Beverly Hills of the desert. But while the flashy stereotypes take the spotlight, the reality is more laid back.

On a leisurely Saturday, there’s nothing like riding the trolley to the farmers’ market with flip-flop-clad foodies, or braving the brunch crunch at The Breakfast Club. There’s a breezy sophistication to the outdoor concerts, culinary fests and Thursday art gallery walks. And even with fancy new stores like Barneys, imitation sophistication (it’s a canal, people) is often met with grins. This city of roughly 244,250 may not be a rodeo town, but thankfully, it’ll never be Rodeo Drive.


LOVE their FOOD

Photo by Sam Nalven Arcadia Farms Café

Arcadia Farms Café
7014 E. First Ave.; 480-941-5665,
arcadiafarmscafe.com
What’s to love: For nearly two decades, Arcadia Farms’ flagship café has been dishing up fresh, organic fare in a cottage garden setting. Ladies who lunch, take note: The café now serves dinner.

Asia de Cuba
7353 E. Indian School Rd.;
480-308-1100, mondrianscottsdale.com
What’s to love: A sleek interior makes even editor types feel sexy. South Beach Fridays with live Cuban music add pizzazz to finger-licking, family-style portions of succulent meat, seafood and sides.

Bandera
3821 N. Scottsdale Rd.; 480-994-3524,
hillstone.com/#/restaurants/bandera/
What’s to love: Amazing cornbread, mind-bogglingly good rotisserie chicken and affordable martinis in a homey, rustic environment

The Breakfast Club
4400 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 100; 480-222-2582,
thebreakfastclub.us
What’s to love: The wild popularity of this buzzing all-day breakfast joint can be attributed to its recipe for success: location, location, cinnamon challah French toast.

Don & Charlie’s
7501 E. Camelback Rd.; 480-990-0900,
donandcharlies.com
What’s to love: Outstanding chicken liver appetizer; melt-in-your-mouth ribs, pork chops and other comfort foods; massive collection of sports memorabilia; landmark status in the Valley dining scene

Grazie’s
6952 E. Main St.; 480-663-9797,
grazie.us
What’s to love: Toscana pizza; great patio; solid and reasonably priced menu of Italian reds; the guts to let a former porn star exhibit her latest wines on location

Malee’s Thai Bistro
7131 E. Main St.; 480-947-6042,
maleesthaibistro.com
What’s to love: Exotic flavors, spicy dishes and a stylish setting; don’t miss Malee’s Thai Chow Mein.

Photo by Sam Nalven Rooaring Fork

The Mission
3815 N. Brown Ave.; 480-636-5005,
themissionaz.com
What’s to love: Anything pork-related on the menu; creative use of spices; ability to make taro tasty; monthly tequila tastings with a prix fixe menu

Olive & Ivy
7135 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 195; 480-751-2200,
foxrc.com
What’s to love: The indoor market, deli, gelateria and bar make this Mediterranean restaurant unique, but the real star is the tree-studded, canalside patio.

Oregano’s
3622 N. Scottsdale Rd.; 480-970-1860,
oreganos.com
What’s to love: What’s not to love about this Valley-born pizza favorite? We’re crushing on their massive salads, thick pizzas and a sinful dessert of vanilla bean ice cream piled atop a gooey chocolate chip cookie in a pizza tin (dubbed “Pizookie”).

Mastro’s City
Hall Steakhouse
6991 E. Camelback Rd.; 480-941-4700,
mastrosrestaurants.com
What’s to love: Prime USDA steak, fresh seafood and a sophisticated atmosphere make this classic Scottsdale restaurant the perfect backdrop for nursing a dirty martini.

Metro Brasserie
and Bar
7114 E. Stetson Dr.; 480-994-3663,
metrosouthbridge.com
What’s to love: The French-inspired menu; mussels in white wine sauce; people-watching from the patio on Stetson Drive; finishing strong with beignets (French doughnuts) for dessert

Roaring Fork
4800 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 1700;
480-947-0795,
eddiev.com
What’s to love: Dr. Pepper ribs; a solid happy hour; urban cowboy setting; outside patio set just below the din of Scottsdale Road; and, oh yeah, the “Big Ass Burger”

Wildfish Seafood Grille
7135 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 130;
480-994-4040,
eddiev.com
What’s to love: Part of the Eddie V’s restaurant group, this winner brings us dreamy, creamy lobster bisque, buttery seabass, a great happy hour and lots of eye candy, thanks to the Scottsdale Waterfront’s bustling see-and-be-seen crowd.