From French toast to a caffeine fix and the best avocado toast in town, our PHOENIX mag team picks the best places to start your morning.
BEST COFFEE SHOP/HOME GOODS HYBRID
Dialog
A new coffee shop entered the Downtown Phoenix dialogue in January – and we haven’t been able to shut up about it since. Not only does Dialog sling singular iced teas, specialty coffee and artisanal snacks at its sleek coffee bar, but it’s home to a slew of state-of-the-art home goods. Stop by for minimalist lighting fixtures, mod ottomans and a library of titles from German art-book publisher Taschen while sipping your oat milk latte.
1001 N. Central Ave., 602-760-6911, dialogphx.com
BEST NEW COFFEE & PASTRY HANGOUT
Cafecito at Otro Café
Morning meeting, friend hang, tentative first date – Otro’s sweet new side business (literally – it’s a sliver of space on the side of the existing café) can do it all. Pop in for a sip from the espresso bar – we love the cajeta latte – and scrumptious sweets including conchas, morning buns and weekly dessert specials from pastry chef Amanda Hepler. There’s also a boozy bar, if you need something stronger.
6035 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-266-0831, otrocafe.com
BEST DOUGHNUT SELECTION
Arizona Donut Company
Sprinkled, glazed, powdered, sugared, toasted, raspberry, lemon, blueberry, strawberry, apple, maple, cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, white chocolate, double chocolate and the princely Boston cream. Best of all, this variety isn’t theoretical. The racks seem to be abundantly, and freshly, stocked almost any time you go in.
1030 W. Broadway Rd., Tempe, 480-968-1321, facebook.com/arizonadonutco
BEST VEGAN BREAKFAST
Early Bird Vegan
Chef Krystal Harris brought her experience cooking vegan food for NBA athletes to her native south Phoenix neighborhood, offering delicious vegan soul food breakfasts like the Dr. J sandwich (plant-based sausage patty, homemade “cheese” sauce, Southwest aioli, tofu “egg,” avocado, tomatoes and arugula) in a Valley food desert. All of the hot breakfast sandwiches are palate pleasers, and the pastries are amazing, too, from fruit-studded scones to muffins and macarons.
Two locations, earlybirdvegan.com
BEST POWER-BREAKFAST HOT SPOT
Berdena’s at The Frederick
For your next morning coffee meetup, stop by “The Fred,” a redeveloped mid-century building turned retail center just north of Camelback that’s home to Berdena’s, a cozy coffee shop featuring handcrafted coffee and tea drinks (don’t miss the lavender latte) along with the best avocado toast in town. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
1215 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, berdenas.com
BEST FRENCH TOAST
Signature French Toast at The Cracked Egg
Unlike those offered at other breakfast joints, this “signature” dish doesn’t skimp on the fruit. Every bite has fresh strawberries, banana slices, pecans, strawberry reduction, powdered sugar, cinnamon and whipped cream. Less-embellished versions may be had, but why limit yourself? After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
3422 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, 602-242-2288, thecrackedeggaz.com
BEST WEST VALLEY COFFEE SHOP
Coldwater Coffeehouse & Bakery
As you wait for your coffee and peruse shelves full of naturally leavened sourdough bread, muffins made with heritage grains, bunches of artisanal lettuce and carrots freshly pulled from the earth, you might think you’re in Berkeley, but this slice of heaven is a co-op in old town Avondale. Bay Area culinary energy in the West Valley? More, please!
127 E. Western Ave., Avondale, 480-589-1158, coldwater-coffeehouse-and-bakery-llc.square.site
