Downtown Phoenix has emerged as a vibrant culinary destination, offering an eclectic mix of dining experiences that cater to every palate. From traditional Sonoran cuisine to innovative pizzas and everything in between, the food scene in downtown Phoenix is booming. Whether you’re a local food enthusiast or a visitor exploring the city, discovering the best Food Downtown Phoenix is a must.
Originally part of a larger list highlighting 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix, this curated guide focuses specifically on downtown, proving just how rich and diverse the culinary offerings are in this central hub. Whether you’re in town for a Phoenix Suns game, immersing yourself in the local museums, or experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of First Friday events, make sure to incorporate a memorable dining experience into your plans. Here’s your guide to 16 essential restaurants that define the food downtown Phoenix scene.
Asadero Norte de Sonora
Asadero Norte de Sonora stands as a beloved institution on 16th Street, renowned for its authentic Sonoran dishes cooked over a mesquite grill. This eatery specializes in simple, yet perfect, preparations of grilled meats, from succulent chicken to mixed parilladas featuring carne asada, cabeza, and barbacoa. Each dish is accompanied by freshly made tortillas and their signature house salsa. For a taste of genuine Sonoran grilling tradition in downtown Phoenix, Asadero Norte de Sonora is an unmissable spot.
Details: 122 N. 16th St., Phoenix, 602-253-4010, asaderonortesonora.weebly.com/menu.html.
—Felicia Campbell
Bacanora
Since its arrival on the downtown Phoenix dining scene in 2021, Bacanora has consistently garnered acclaim, and rightfully so. Awarded a five-star review by The Republic, this restaurant, led by Chef Rene Andrade, is a celebration of Sonoran cuisine, cooked exclusively over a mesquite grill. Andrade’s culinary approach elevates traditional dishes, blending technical skill with creative flair. Even a simple cucumber salad becomes an unforgettable experience, enhanced with sesame seeds, chiltepin pepper heat, and a touch of salsa negro or soy. Bacanora’s brunch, available for walk-ins only, is equally impressive, featuring dishes like oxtail chilaquiles and a robust michelada. Adding to its accolades, Chef Andrade was honored with the James Beard Award for Best Chef-Southwest in June 2024, solidifying Bacanora’s place as a cornerstone of exceptional food downtown Phoenix.
Details: 1301 NW Grand Ave., Unit 1, Phoenix. 602-612-4018, bacanoraphx.com.
—Felicia Campbell
Bad Jimmy’s
From its beginnings as a popular food truck, Bad Jimmy’s has transitioned to a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Phoenix, taking over the former Breadfruit and Rum Bar space. While relatively new to the downtown core, Bad Jimmy’s has rapidly become an essential destination for outstanding yet affordable food downtown Phoenix. Their concise menu focuses on perfectly executed cheeseburgers, crafted with locally sourced beef, accompanied by excellent fries, and a well-rounded full bar. It’s a straightforward formula that hits all the right notes, making it a go-to spot for both satisfying meals and drinks without breaking the bank.
Details: 108 E. Pierce St., Phoenix. @badjimmys on Instagram.
—Felicia Campbell
Churchill
Churchill offers a unique dining and social experience in downtown Phoenix. This expansive 9,000-square-foot courtyard is home to a collection of restaurants, bars, and shops, creating a dynamic space to explore diverse culinary concepts. It’s an ideal spot to sample innovative food downtown Phoenix, with many vendors evolving into standalone establishments. For a perfect Churchill experience, order handcrafted cocktails from Brill Line and pair them with a shareable pizza from Freak Brothers Pizza.
Details: 901 N. First St., Phoenix. thechurchillphx.com.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Gallo Blanco
Gallo Blanco is a downtown Phoenix staple that consistently delivers on flavor and atmosphere. This Mexican restaurant, helmed by Doug Robson, is a perennial favorite for its exceptional margaritas, particularly the signature Gallo margarita. Beyond drinks, the menu boasts must-try items like elote, cortado, tacos, and chilaquiles, along with an array of flavorful salsas. For reliable and delicious Mexican food downtown Phoenix, Gallo Blanco remains a top choice.
Details: 928 E. Pierce St., Phoenix. 602-327-0880, galloblancocafe.com.
— Becky Bartkowski
Garden Bar
Update: As of May 2024, Garden Bar is listed for sale.
Garden Bar, nestled in a charming 1940s bungalow tucked away on a downtown Phoenix side street, provides a unique and intimate setting for enjoying exceptional cocktails and food. This spot has become a personal favorite for countless evenings. The bar program, led by a largely female and award-winning mixology team, is a highlight. Their drinks are intricate, delicious, and feature local ingredients, including honey sourced by owner Kim Haasarud based on terroir. Complementing the drinks, the food menu is equally thoughtful, featuring generous charcuterie boards and bread boards perfect for pairing with their inventive cocktails. Despite being for sale, Garden Bar remains a noteworthy destination for sophisticated food and drinks downtown Phoenix.
Details: 822 N. Sixth Ave., Phoenix. 602-612-4438, gardenbarphx.com.
— Felicia Campbell
Garden Bar is for sale: The mastermind behind one of downtown Phoenix’s best bars is saying goodbye
Hot Daisy
Inspired by New York City slice joints, Hot Daisy brings a diverse and delicious pizza experience to downtown Phoenix. Here, you can indulge in a variety of slices in one meal, from classic pepperoni (which can be ordered “firefighter style” with hot peppers) to more inventive options like the elote slice. Even pizza purists will find something to love. The advice here is to order more than you think you can eat, as leftover Hot Daisy pizza is a treat in itself. For a casual and satisfying food downtown Phoenix experience, Hot Daisy is a great choice.
Details: 610 E. Roosevelt St., Ste 145, Phoenix. 602-840-3644, hotdaisypizza.com.
— Felicia Campbell
Il Bosco Pizza
Il Bosco Pizza is a hidden gem situated just off Roosevelt Row in a charming bungalow, offering a reliably excellent menu of Italian-inspired dishes. While it may fly under the radar, Il Bosco serves up flavorful Neapolitan-style pizzas, alongside simple salads and appetizers. Standout pizzas include the Za, topped with red sauce, pepperoni, spicy sausage, hatch green chile, peppadew peppers, Calabrian chile, mozzarella, and a honey drizzle. A bonus is that you can often get a table without a long wait, making it an accessible option for quality food downtown Phoenix.
Details: 918 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. ilboscopizza.com.
— Felicia Campbell
Matt’s Big Breakfast
For many in Phoenix, a good day begins at Matt’s Big Breakfast. Starting the day with a hearty meal like the Hog and Chick platter, customized with scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage, is a guaranteed energy boost. Beyond the food, Matt’s Big Breakfast stands out because it serves breakfast all day until its 2 p.m. closing time, unlike many fast-food chains. For a comforting and satisfying breakfast food downtown Phoenix, the original Matt’s Big Breakfast location is a must-visit.
Details: Multiple locations, but the original downtown Phoenix location is at 825 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-254-1074, mattsbigbreakfast.com.
— Michael Salerno
Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe
Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe, established by Elizabeth White in 1964, holds the distinction of being the longest-running soul food restaurant in metro Phoenix. The original building retains its historic charm, and the menu remains simple yet deeply satisfying. People travel from across the Valley for Mrs. White’s signature fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and homemade cornbread. For a taste of authentic soul food history in downtown Phoenix, Mrs. White’s is an essential culinary landmark.
Details: 808 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-262-9256, facebook.com/mrswhites.goldenrulecafe.
— Felicia Campbell
Novel Ice Cream
Novel Ice Cream is a top destination for ice cream lovers in downtown Phoenix. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and visitors, with many out-of-towners making it a mandatory stop whenever they are in Phoenix. The Zoe Dough Melt, a glazed doughnut filled with honey lavender ice cream and rolled in cinnamon crunch cereal, is a particularly decadent treat. For unique and memorable dessert food downtown Phoenix, Novel Ice Cream is a standout.
Details: 1028 Grand Ave., Cottage 6, Phoenix, 602-373-2235. Also at 40 N. Macdonald St., #2, Mesa. 602-784-4729, Instagram @novel_phx.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Pizzeria Bianco
Pizzeria Bianco is renowned for its Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas, earning significant praise and accolades. Despite the hype, it absolutely lives up to its reputation as a destination for artisan pizza. The menu features unique specialties like the Rosa, topped with red onion, Parmesan, rosemary, and Arizona pistachios, and the Biancoverde, with mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, and arugula. Even a classic margherita pizza here, made with quality ingredients, stands apart. Experiencing Pizzeria Bianco at least once is essential to understand the buzz around this downtown Phoenix food icon.
Details: 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300, pizzeriabianco.com.
— Michael Salerno
Rito’s Mexican Food
Family-owned Rito’s Mexican Food has been recognized as serving the “best burrito in Phoenix” by local readers. While green chili burritos are their specialty, Rito’s also offers excellent chimichangas, tacos, and tostadas across its four Valley locations. For consistently delicious and highly-rated Mexican food downtown Phoenix, Rito’s is a reliable and beloved choice.
Details: 907 N. 14th St., Phoenix. Other locations at ritosmexicanfood.com.
—Endia Fontanez
Sottise
Sottise, the sister restaurant to Restaurant Progress, distinguishes itself with exceptional service, a curated wine list, and consistently appealing dishes. The menu, French-inspired but not overly formal, emphasizes seafood, alongside standout dishes like horseradish-spiked beets and baked brie. With a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance, Sottise offers a refined food downtown Phoenix experience.
Details: 1025 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-254-6378, sottisephx.com.
— Becky Bartkowski
Tratto
Tratto, also from Chris Bianco, known for Pizzeria Bianco, is considered by many to be his finest restaurant, focusing on pasta. The dishes are deceptively simple, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients in creative combinations, such as pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, dried zucchini, and hot chile, or grilled peaches with seared pork chops. Combined with excellent service and a great bar program, Tratto is a top recommendation for a special occasion dining experience and exceptional food downtown Phoenix.
Details: 1505 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-296-7761, trattophx.com/restaurant.
— Felicia Campbell
Via Della Slice Shop
Via Della Slice Shop is another standout slice joint in the thriving downtown Phoenix pizza scene. Standout pies include the white pie with caramelized onions on a sesame seed crust and the spicy sausage pie with Schreiners sausage, Calabrian chilis, ricotta, and hot honey. The green pie, topped with pesto crema, jalapeño-pineapple marmalade, pistachio crumble, and reggiano cheese, is a uniquely flavorful and memorable option. For diverse and delicious pizza slices, Via Della is a must-try for food downtown Phoenix enthusiasts.
Details: 222 N. Fifth Ave., Phoenix. (602) 341-6327, viadellapizza.com.
— Felicia Campbell
Explore more options: 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix
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