Our city center is also our ground zero for culinary craft.
Alexi’s Grill
Italian/Continental
3550 N. Central Ave. 602-279-0982, alexisgrillphx.com
At noon, Alexi’s is filled with businesspeople who appreciate dependable, reasonably priced food and speedy service. Evening draws an older crowd that comes for the duck à l’orange, tasty pastas and seafood entrees. $$
Avanti
Italian/Continental
2728 E. Thomas Rd. 602-956-0900, avanti-az.com
This Italian stalwart retains a loyal following that loves the house-made pastas, pappardelle with oxtail sauce and jumbo shrimp stuffed with king crab in lobster-vodka sauce. $$-$$$
The Arrogant Butcher
American
2 E. Jefferson St. (CityScape) 602-324-8502, foxrc.com
This Fox Restaurant Concept in Downtown’s CityScape delivers a laid-back approach to upscale comfort food. Meat lovers will delight in much of the menu, which features barbecue pork loin sandwiches and beef short rib stew. $-$$
Azlin at The Clarendon
Global Fusion
401 W. Clarendon Ave. 602-252-7363, azlinattheclarendon.com
In the lobby-adjacent Clarendon Hotel spot where Gallo Blanco trailblazer Doug Robson first proved his Modern-Mexican mettle, chef Pierce Azlin massively outperforms expectations with dish after terrific dish. Hamachi crudo arrives in a fragrant bath of chipotle-infused yuzu aguachile, while confit tomatoes drizzled with pesto on a cloud of stracciatella cheese are liable to excite feelings of competition at the table. Short rib barbacoa and chicken fried rice also shine. $$-$$$
Across The Pond
Cocktail bar
4236 N. Central Ave. 602-296-5629, acrossthepondphx.com
Adjacent to sister restaurant Clever Koi in Midtown Phoenix, this micro sushi spot boasts a delectable and meticulous menu of Asian-inflected cocktails, including the Ume Highball: Suntory whiskey with plum wine, yuzu, grapefruit and lemongrass syrup.
Bacanora
Latin
1301 N.W. Grand Ave. 602-612-4018, bacanoraphx.com
Rene Andrade does for Sonoran cuisine what Chris Bianco did for Neapolitan-style pizza at this classic, flatiron-shaped dining space on Grand Avenue, stripping away culinary pretense and revealing breathtaking essence. His pollo asado is the Valley’s best chicken. $$
Buck & Rider
Seafood
4225 E. Camelback Rd. 602-346-0110, buckandrider.com
Crab and fish dominate the menu with options including blue crabcakes and shrimp-studded pasta. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends. $$-$$$
Butler’s Easy
Cocktail lounge
8375 N. Seventh St. 602-314-4484, butlerseasy.com
Housemade infusions, interesting tequilas and mezcals, and a beefy craft beer list set this Sunnyslope bar apart. $-$$
Casa Corazon
Mexican
2637 N. 16th St. 602-334-1917, casacorazonrestaurant.com
With its vaulted ceilings, pretty tiled floors and frescos, this classy Mexican restaurant transcends its “barrio” neighborhood, offering Mexican classics as well as specialties of Southern Mexico. $-$$
Charlie’s Tacos
Mexican food truck
727 W. Camelback Rd. 480-911-6333, charliestacotruck.com
This mobile taco kitchen has a permanent setup outside Charlie’s, a popular gay bar on the edge of the Melrose District. $
Cielo Rojo
Mexican
727 W. Camelback Rd. 480-911-6333, charliestacotruck.com
Expect lots of pork – carnitas, cochinita pibil, pork ribs and pork shank – as well as largas de salvatierra, fried masa topped with meat and vegetables. $$
Chelsea’s Kitchen
American
5040 N. 40th St. 602-957-2555, chelseaskitchenaz.com
With a lovely patio overlooking the Arizona Canal, Chelsea’s is a hip yet casual neighborhood restaurant, with stylish renditions of ceviche, fried chicken and duck tacos. $$-$$$
Cherryblossom Noodle Cafe
Japanese/Italian
914 E. Camelback Rd. 602-248-9090, cherryblossom-az.com
This noodle house makes a chile squid pasta that will change your life. Also great: Japanese selctions like the udon, yakisoba and coffee jelly (a Jell-O-like dessert). $
Chico Malo
Modern Mexican
50 W. Jefferson St. 602-603-9363, chicomalo.com
Feisty and irreverent describes everything about this funky but chic restaurant and lounge, including the décor, the youthful servers and the modern Mexican menu. Don’t miss tabeside guac and the carne asada torta. $$
Chilte
Modern Mexican
765 Grand Ave. 602-807-5226, chiltephx.com
Chef-owner Lawrence Smith turns out some of the city’s most exciting Mexican food, modern but grounded in tradition. You can’t really go wrong here, but the tacos that made him famous are a good place to start. $$-$$$
Cocina Madrigal
Mexican
4044 S. 16th St. 602-243-9000, cocinamadrigal.com
Chef Leo Madrigal toiled in the kitchens of Z’Tejas for 20 years, honing the fine art of gringo-pleasing Mex-fusion cuisine. $$
Copper Blues
Contemporary American
50 W. Jefferson St. (CityScape) 480-719-5005, copperblueslive.com
This “rock pub and kitchen” serves heavy mettle dishes like lamb meatballs, jumbo chipotle shrimp and a half-pound of bacon with maple syrup. $-$$
CRUjiente Tacos
Modern tacos
3961 E. Camelback Rd. 602-687-7777, crutacos.com
Be forewarned: These aren’t traditional street tacos. Think culinary works of art. Winners include seared shrimp with Thai coconut green curry sauce and pork belly with house-pickled kimchi. $-$$
Central Records
Mediterranean
824 N. Central Ave. 602-638-0433, centralrecords824.com
Breakfast is served daily until 3 p.m. and a selection of Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches, salads and small plates are available all day. Many are built around exceptional breads from Nice Buns, including a crusty yet tender baguette drizzled with rosemary oil, smeared with soft mushroom pâté and garnished with watermelon radish, cornichon and fresh dill.
Duck & Decanter
American
1651 E. Camelback Rd. 602-274-5429, duckanddecanter.com
In the ’70s, this crowded gourmet shop turned the brown-bag lunch into something special. People are still lining up for that same little sack, offered with a pickle and a candy. $-$$
El Chullo
Peruvian
2605 N. Seventh St. 602-225-2925, elchulloperu.com
Chef Omar Velarde takes pride in his Peruvian heritage. Tangy lomo saltado, papas a la huancaína and Peruvian fish and chips go down as easy as the educational tidbits provided with each meal. $$
Farish House
French-American
816 N. Third St. 602-281-6659, farishhouse.com
Looking for a quiet, romantic restaurant before hitting a Downtown show? Here’s your sweet spot, a refurbished 120-year-old house, brimming with antiques. $$
Federal Pizza
Pizza
5210 N. Central Ave. 602-795-2520, federalpizzaphx.com
The food is good, the drinks are better and we dig the vibe of the redeveloped 1960s building.The porchetta sandwich is a knockout, with roasted pork loin and belly tucked into crusty bread. $$
Feeney’s
American
6314 N. 12th St. 602-274-9700, feeneys.family
A cave-like but friendly neighborhood restaurant specializing in great steaks, good homemade soup and a dandy salad bar. One of the Valley’s great respectable dive bars. $$
Fez
New American
105 W. Portland St. 602-287-8700, fezoncentral.com
Quirky decor and far-fetched drinks appeal to hip crowds. $$
The Gladly
New American
2201 E. Camelback Rd. 602-759-8132, thegladly.com
The Gladly’s inspired pub fare, crazy-good revivalist cocktails and stylish period digs encourage lingering. Nibble on the burrata caprese, adorned with seasonal fruit, veggies and herbs, or go for the gusto with the Wagyu burger, Pigstrami sandwich and coffee-charred short ribs. $$-$$$$
Glai Baan
Thai street food
2333 E. Osborn Rd. 602-595-5881, glaibaanaz.com
Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag offers a small menu of small plates meant to be shared, like out-of-this-world crispy chicken wings with garlic chips, and unusual daily specials like mackerel fried rice. $$
The Henry
American
4455 E. Camelback Rd. 480-429-8020, thehenryrestaurant.com
This restaurant is the kind of well-engineered hotspot that keeps loyal diners in orbit. Every ‘hood should have one. Stop by for kale and apple salad, braised short rib or Mediterranean branzino. $-$$
Hillstone
American
2650 E. Camelback Rd. 602-957-9700, hillstone.com
A stone’s throw from the former Houston’s at the Esplanade, with many of the same mouthwatering menu items. Don’t miss the Osaka-style pressed sushi or Chicago-style spinach dip. $$
Ingo’s Tasty Food
American
Three Valley locations, ingostastyfood.com
This casual Arcadia eatery features a wrap-around patio with a front-row seat to some of the best people-watching in Phoenix. Ingo’s mainstay is burgers, but the crispy chicken sandwich and fresh shattered potato chips are top-notch. Other locations: Downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale. $-$$
La Grande Orange Grocery
American
4410 N. 40th St. 602-840-7777, lagrandeorangegrocery.com
This upscale market and deli serves a few simple but elegant breakfast selections, awesome green chile burgers and fanciful desserts baked in-house. $-$$
the larder & the delta
Modern Southern
2320 E. Osborn Rd. 602-388-4874, thelarderthedelta.com
Chef-owner Stephen Jones resurrected his Downtown Southern restaurant as a Midtown prix fixe palace, featuring reimagined versions of his iconic dishes. $$$$
Lom Wong
Thai
218 E Portland St. 602-675-0522, lomwongaz.com
Enjoy a dozen signature cocktails utilizing traditional Thai flavors like fish sauce, house-made khrueng tom yum syrup, star anise and pandan leaves. $$
LON’s at The Hermosa Inn
American
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd. 602-955-7878, hermosainn.com
Chefs source locally for their Southwestern-inflected menu, from the goat cheese in the salads to the berries served with the roasted steelhead trout. $$$
Los Dos Molinos
Mexican
Two Valley locations, losdosmolinosphoenix.com
Some like it hot. But for those who like it hellish, there’s Los Dos, a beloved New Mexico-style restaurant located in cowboy star Tom Mix’s old house. $$
Mariscos Playa Hermosa
Mexican Seafood
1605 E. Garfield St. 602-462-1563, mariscosplayahermosa.com
Try anything with shrimp, including botana de camarón and camarónes fantasia, or the Veracruzian classic huanchinango: red snapper smothered in papaya sauce. $-$$$
Matt’s Big Breakfast
American
825 N. First St. 602-254-1074, mattsbigbreakfast.com
The famed breakfast haunt is as clean and cheerful as Mom’s kitchen – with better food. $
Miel de Agave
Mexican
705 N. First St. 602-466-8066, lamieldeagave.com
Half the restaurant is dark and clubby, the other half bright and family-oriented, but the modern Mexican menu, which also offers Japanese-inflected crudo, works in either environment. $$
Noble Eatery
Sandwiches/Bakery
4525 N. 24th St. 602-688-2424, nobleeatery.com
This renowned restaurant showcases organic legumes, artisanal meats and local produce in rotating daily sandwiches with seasonal ingredients. $
Neighborly Public House
Modern American
5538 N. Seventh St. 602-675-1852, neighborlypublichouse.com
This eatery may be serial restaurateur Chris Collins’s best restaurant, a casual but sophisticated spot for happy hour, dinner or date night. $-$$$
O.H.S.O.
Microbrewery
4900 E. Indian School Rd. 602-955-0358, ohsobrewery.com
With 36 microbrews on tap and an American-Mexican-Italian-Venezuelan-influenced menu, this Arcadia nanobrewery is hopping. $
Otro Café
Mexican
6035 N. Seventh St. 602-266-0831, otrocafe.com
Standouts at Chef Doug Robson’s Central Mexican-
inspired eatery include silky serrano ham with avocado and green olives, and a refreshing mint-kissed quinoa salad. $$
Oven + Vine
American
14 W. Vernon Ave. 602-687-7632, ovenandvine.com
This cozy neighborhood gathering spot in the Willo Historic District serves oven-baked comfort food, flatbreads, salads, sandwiches, plenty of draft beers and a sizeable list of wines by the glass. The restaurant also features an outside bar and patio. $-$$
Pa’La
Global Tapas/Small Plates
Two locations, palakitchen.com
Only foodies need apply for supremely simple Spanish tapas and South American-Italian dishes at this minimalist but charming bungalow. $$-$$$
Persepshen
New American
4700 N. Central Ave. 602-935-2932, persepshenarizona.com
From their cool rustic-industrial space in Uptown Phoenix, Jason and Katherine Dwight (butcher and baker, respectively) make everything from scratch: house-cured meats, bread, pickles, wood-fired veggies, a life-altering burger and some of the best desserts in town. $$-$$$
Phoenix City Grille
New American
5816 N. 16th St. 602-266-3001, phoenixcitygrille.com
A contemporary setting with black-and-white pics of old-time Phoenix make this neighborhood restaurant and bar a cool hangout for the R&R inclined. Try the griddled corn cakes, cedar-planked salmon and chocolate torte. $$
Pomeroy’s
American
5555 N. Seventh St. 602-264-5411
Go for the jukebox, pool tables and fun dive-bar vibe, stay for the legendary patty melt – formed and seasoned to order and served on griddled rye. $
Progress
Modern American
702 W. Montecito Ave. 602-441-0553, progressphx.com
Culinary wunderkind TJ Culp is behind this charming restaurant in Melrose, where the short seasonal menu changes every four to six weeks. where the short seasonal menu changes every four to six weeks, but you might find comfort food mind-blowers like airy ricotta gnocchi with moist bits of chicken thigh and fresh peas, bathed in a rich buttery sauce deepened with chicken liver and buckwheat froth, the top strewn with crispy crumbs. $-$$$
Ramen Kagawa
Japanese
111 W. Monroe St. 602-675-0833, ramenkagawa.com
The digs are plain, but the food is the real deal, specializing in ramen and a handful of classic yoshoku dishes such as tonkatsu and potato croquette. $$
Reathrey Sekong
Cambodian
1312 E. Indian School Rd. 480-238-0238, sekongbynight.com
Introducing Phoenicians to the fresh flavors of Cambodia, this eatery serves up dishes like a spice-layered chicken curry and Amok fish, steamed in a banana leaf and smeared with kaffir coconut cream. $-$$
Restaurant Atoyac
Mexican
1830 W. Glendale Ave. 602-864-2746
Get a taste of Oaxacan cuisine at this unpretentious roadside diner with superlative fish tacos served with smoky grilled onions and jalapeños. Desserts include dreamy fruit paletas. $
Rice Paper
Vietnamese
2221 N. Seventh St. 602-252-3326, ricepapereatery.com
This bright, modern space makes a wider assortment of Vietnamese food accessible with an array of imaginative rolls, including soft-shell crab with mango and avocado. $$
Rosso Italian
Italian
2 E. Jefferson St. 602-218-6001, rossoitalian.com
Don’t wait for a Downtown event to check out this Italian café from legendary Pomo chef Stefano Fabbri, devoted to Americanized Italian classics done uncommonly well. $$
Rough Rider
American
1001 N. Central Ave. 602-675-0439, roughrideraz.com
From the Victorian décor to the lithographed drink menu, this basement speakeasy is ticklishly on point. $$-$$$
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
Japanese
4232 N. Seventh Ave. 602-675-4020, sandfishsushiwhiskey.com
This cozy, Scandinavian-designed Japanese restaurant and sushi bar is a great place for hanging out over premium spirits, including a great selection of Japanese whiskies. The large menu leans toward sushi bar standards (nigiri, rolls and the like) but also features more exotic options such as bao buns, duck liver mousse and octopus carpaccio, much of it pricy. $$$
Sottise
French
1025 N. Second St. 602-254-6378, sottisephx.com
Sit on the deep porch and sip a carefully curated wine at this charming French bistro and wine bar, baby sis to TJ Culp’s equally charming Restaurant Progress. The grazing menu, which offers a few entrees (don’t miss the pork shank or the pesto pasta) runs to classic French – escargots, baked and melting Camembert, pâté and salmon rillettes, all of it outstanding. $$-$$$
The Stockyards
Steak/American
5009 E. Washington St. 602-273-7378, stockyardssteakhouse.com
Established in 1947, this recently spruced-up reminder of Phoenix’s cowboy roots – complete with a hand-carved bar and crystal chandeliers – turns out great steaks. $$-$$$
Taco Chelo
Mexican
501 E. Roosevelt St. 602-368-5316, tacochelo.com
Quick, cheap and delicious: All accurate descriptors for the home-style Mexican food from this beautiful Roosevelt Row space, designed by artist Gennaro Garcia and co-owned by restaurant empire builder Aaron Chamberlin. $
Tarbell’s
New American
3213 E. Camelback Rd. 602-955-8100, tarbells.com
Mark Tarbell’s American comfort food menu, great wine list, clientele of local movers and affable personality make this a Valley classic. Try the wood-fired pizzas, the organic veggie plate or the spaghetti and meatballs. $$$
TEXAZ Grill
Steak
6003 N. 16th St. 602-248-7827, texazgrill.com
This is the best example of a down-home Texas steakhouse in Arizona. The reasonably priced food is basic but delicious. Best bets are steaks, burgers and chicken-fried steak. $$
Thai E-San
Thai
616 W. Indian School Rd. 602-297-8888, thaiesanphx.com
Thai E-San specializes in delicacies from Thailand’s Isan region. Hand-picked produce, palm sugar and spices imported from co-owner Rodger Pongtratic’s hometown of Phetchaburi are used to ensure authenticity, quality and taste. $-$$
Thai Rama
Thai
1221 W. Camelback Rd. 602-285-1123, thai-rama-az.com
Check out this low-key spot for an authentic and inexpensive meal. Satay, mee krob, thohd mahn, soups, stir fries, curries… it’s all here. $-$$
Tratto
Italian
1505 E. Van Buren St. 602-296-7761, trattophx.com
Chris Bianco hits the bullseye with rustic fare dished up in farmstead digs. The seasonal menu includes starters like baby artichokes alla romano and roasted beets with gorgonzola, which pave the way for heartier dishes including meaty pastas and pork Milanese. $$-$$$
Valentine
New American
4130 N. Seventh Ave. 602-277-5561, valentinephx.com
This bar and eatery in Melrose has become the city’s hippest hangout for its classic but twisty cocktails and out-of-the-box cooking – e.g. quark-dappled blue oyster mushrooms. $$-$$$
Veggie Village
Vegan/Vegetarian/Asian
1255 E. Northern Ave. 602-944-1088, vegvillage888.com
This nouveau Asian eatery offers chicken, fish, ham and mutton… mock-meat approximations of them, anyway, crafted from vegetable proteins. $
Vincent on Camelback
Southwestern/French
3930 E. Camelback Rd. 602-224-0225, vincentsoncamelback.com
Famed for his French-inspired Southwestern Cuisine, Vincent Guerithault keeps classic favorites such as smoked-salmon quesadillas on the menu, while offering a taste of Provence with duck confit with green olive sauce. $$$
