The Top 100 Places to Eat and Drink Near VNSA Used Book Sale

Updated June 17, 2026

Categories

  1. Rank 1. Highball

    Awards
    Address
    1514 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  2. Rank 2. Bikini Lounge

    Tiki Dive Bar

    A wood-paneled relic from 1947, Bikini Lounge still pulls you in with drafts poured into frozen glasses and a bar dressed in kitschy tiki tchotchkes, pool tables, and a patio for smoking. Tuesday nights transform the place into a dance floor when a DJ spins vinyl, though come prepared with cash and patience for a crowd that won't let you leave early.

    Awards
    Address
    1502 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  3. Rank 3. Bacanora

    Sonoran Mexican

    Rene Andrade mans the grill alone at this bare-bones Sonoran spot, rotating a tight menu of mesquite-charred beef, grilled octopus, and shrimp aguachiles that nod to his childhood street food while reflecting years in fine dining kitchens. His caramelo—a crisp flour tortilla layered with melted cheese and impossibly rich carne asada—is the kind of plate that lingers in your head long after.

    Awards
    Address
    1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  4. Rank 4. Chilte

    Modern Mexican

    LT Smith and Aseret Arroyo run this modern Mexican restaurant in a converted motor lodge on Grand Avenue with a swagger that matches the food—birria stuffed into hand-pressed squid ink tortillas, mole de la casa, grasshopper quesadillas. The seasonal menu and frequent chef collaborations reward repeat visits from people who take their eating seriously but refuse to take themselves too seriously.

    Awards
    Address
    765 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  5. Rank 5. Testal Mexican Kitchen

    Chihuahuan Mexican

    A small counter-service spot on Grand Avenue where Chihuahuan cooking gets intense and soulful, Testal makes unusual burritos that arrive open at both ends like overstuffed rolled tacos—small enough that you'll want two, big enough to justify trying the bright birria and the creamy rajas with their crisp poblano slices. The burritos are the essential order, though bowls, tacos, and breakfast round out a menu built on flavors that linger.

    Awards
    Address
    1325 Grand Ave, Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  6. Rank 6. Estero Beach

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    2002 West Cypress Street, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  7. Rank 7. aftermarket

    Awards
    Address
    1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 6, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  8. Rank 8. Gracie's Tax Bar

    Beer Bar

    A faded pink building tucked off Seventh Avenue conceals a dive bar that's part neighborhood living room, part rotating nightclub, where cheap beer and a jukebox set the tone for games of Scrabble and late-night DJ sets on the patio. Gracie's Tax Bar, housed in a former tax office since 2017, keeps things loose with themed watch parties and tournaments, the kind of place where strangers become drinking buddies by closing time.

    Awards
    Address
    711 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  9. Rank 9. Olla Olla Crepes

    Awards
    Address
    1748 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  10. Rank 10. Sauvage

    Natural Wine Bar

    Sauvage is a natural wine bar tucked into a historic cottage on McDowell Road, where owner Chris Lingua pours only wines from lesser-known producers and chats up customers about fermentation and terroir over charcuterie and tinned fish. Occasional pop-up dinners from local chefs turn the space into something more ambitious, but the everyday draw is the chance to taste wines that taste like nothing else on a mainstream wine list.

    Awards
    Address
    149 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  11. Rank 11. Vovomeena

    Awards
    Address
    1515 N 7th Ave UNIT 170, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  12. Rank 12. Mis Raices Café

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    1325 Grand Ave, Unit 3, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  13. Rank 13. Novel Ice Cream

    Awards
    Address
    1028 Grand Ave, Unit 6, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  14. Rank 14. First & Last

    New American

    The Gold Spot building's soaring ceilings and candlelit booths make this a date-night spot where the Hammonds' rotating menu swings from buttery clams to inventive sourdough bolognese, anchored by craft cocktails with real backbone. By day it's a counter operation slinging focaccia sandwiches and grandma pizza slices that draw lines, though dinner is when the romance kicks in.

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N 3rd Ave, Ste 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  15. Rank 15. Original Hamburger Works

    Awards
    Address
    2801 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  16. Rank 16. Malegria Latin Cafe

    Awards
    Address
    1031 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  17. Rank 17. Malegria Cafe

    Awards
    Address
    1031 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  18. Rank 18. Luana's Coffee And Beer

    Awards
    Address
    1502 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  19. Rank 19. Saint Pasta

    Italian

    Chef Racan Alhoch runs a boisterous downtown pasta spot that channels East Coast red-sauce nostalgia through a neon-lit open kitchen playing Frank Ocean and the Sopranos on loop. The rigatoni in vodka sauce and Caesar salad are worth the wait at this no-reservations room where the food stays composed even as the energy around you doesn't.

    Awards
    Address
    100 W Portland St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  20. Rank 20. The Vig

    Beer Bar

    The Vig is a neighborhood bar with an ambitious drinks list and gastro-pub food that doesn't take itself too seriously, anchored by a sprawling patio that has its own bar and a bocce court. Local bands and DJs keep things lively, and the kitchen stocks plenty of vegetarian options alongside its more indulgent fare.

    Awards
    Address
    606 N 4th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  21. Rank 21. Cibo Pizzeria

    Wood-fired Pizza

    Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta arrive in a twinkling garden patio and 1913 bungalow that feels like dining in a friend's lush, candlelit home. Chef Guido Saccone's kitchen also turns out killer burrata and fresh limoncello from a family recipe, making this downtown spot worth the reservation scramble.

    Awards
    Address
    603 N Fifth Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  22. Rank 22. Vayals Indian Kitchen

    Indian

    Vayals Indian Kitchen moved from a food truck into a strip-mall brick-and-mortar where servers steer you right and booths fill up fast with neighborhood regulars seeking rich curries and tender flatbreads. The dal makhani is chunky with whole black lentils, and the kothu parotta—a pan-grilled flatbread chopped up with spicy vegetables and your protein of choice—hits hard.

    Awards
    Address
    507 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  23. Rank 23. Barcoa Agaveria

    Mexican

    A converted warehouse on First Avenue houses two agave-focused bars run by the Phoenix food-festival producer David Tyda: the energetic main-level cantina opens onto a patio where you can sip mezcal cocktails among local artists' work, while the basement bar downstairs trades volume for intimacy and an encyclopedic selection of spirits. Provecho food truck camps outside if you want tacos with your tequila.

    Awards
    Address
    829 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  24. Rank 24. The Original Huarachis Taqueria

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  25. Rank 25. Huarachis Taqueria

    Sonoran Mexican

    Under the electric pink glow of its neon sign, this casual Sonoran spot serves family-style platters of charred meats—ribeye, roasted chicken, carnitas—with an abundance of sides meant for sharing and tucking into soft tortillas. Chef René Andrade's approach balances earnest technique with playfulness, backed by shareable snacks like loaded asada fries and one of Phoenix's more inventive cocktail programs.

    Awards
    Address
    814 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  26. Rank 26. Harlem Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    149 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  27. Rank 27. Lom Wong

    Regional Thai

    In a black bungalow downtown, Lom Wong serves northern Thai food rooted in owner Yotaka Martin's childhood in Chiang Rai—hand-pounded curry pastes, charcoal-grilled sausage, and dishes meant for sharing. Boozy cocktails spiked with fish sauce and rose water pair beautifully with the bold, layered flavors.

    Awards
    Address
    218 E Portland St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  28. Rank 28. Carry On

    Cocktail Bar

    Step into a meticulously designed 1970s first-class cabin where flight attendants in vintage uniforms serve martinis and roving beverage carts dispense cocktails crafted by award-winning bartender Jax Donahue, all while the city vanishes from the cabin windows. It's an immersive splurge that requires advance reservations and a willingness to suspend disbelief—think Mad Men luxury without the turbulence.

    Awards
    Address
    2 N Central Ave, Ste 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  29. Rank 29. Stardust Pinbar

    Cocktail Bar

    You yank open a freezer door at Ziggy's Magic Pizza and slip into Stardust, where a glowing dance floor, pinball machines, and disco ball await behind the speakeasy's barely-concealed entrance. It's the kind of place where goths, Disney adults, and whatever just-released concert crowd is nearby converge most nights to sing in English and Spanish until the small hours.

    Awards
    Address
    401 W Van Buren St, Unit B, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  30. Rank 30. Rough Rider

    Cocktail Bar

    A hidden basement speakeasy in downtown Phoenix where you take the elevator down to a moody, wood-lined room that feels plucked from another century, all dark corners and cozy nooks. Cocktails carry cheeky Victorian names and the kitchen matches the mood with chicory-rubbed duck, black garlic pork chops, and fried cauliflower that tastes like upscale fish and chips.

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  31. Rank 31. Little Rituals

    Cocktail Bar

    Ascend to this fourth-floor hotel bar where a metal beaded curtain announces your arrival at a glittering den of upholstered luxury, and order a cocktail from a menu illustrated like a picture book with drinks you won't find elsewhere. The sophisticated crowd here ranges from hotel guests to locals making a night of it, and the bar snacks run from small bites to proper meals.

    Awards
    Address
    132 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  32. Rank 32. Little Debbie’s

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    On the Way What's Around

  33. Rank 33. El Norteño

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    1002 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  34. Rank 34. Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    1 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  35. Rank 35. Bang Bang Coffee

    Awards
    Address
    10 W Vernon Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  36. Rank 36. dialog

    Awards
    Address
    1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  37. Rank 37. Bad Jimmy's

    American

    Bad Jimmy's is a casual downtown burger joint with a cocktail bar tucked in, where a pop-up concept has solidified into a breezy hangout slinging smash burgers and rotating specials. The waffle fries are properly crisp, the wings move fast, and the vanilla soft serve finished with olive oil is the kind of small flourish that keeps people coming back.

    Awards
    Address
    108 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  38. Rank 38. Lovebite Dumpling

    Chinese

    Awards
    Address
    116 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  39. Rank 39. Sottise

    French

    A converted white bungalow on Second Street draws crowds who settle into marble-topped tables under exposed brick to work through the wine list and oysters on the porch. The French bistro moves easily from casual (baked brie with pear and sage) to splurge-worthy (caviar by the gram), backed by a soundtrack of vinyl records and the warm hum of people having a genuinely good time.

    Awards
    Address
    1025 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  40. Rank 40. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co

    Arizonan

    A brewpub in a converted warehouse on Roosevelt Row with an outdoor bar built into a shipping container, where the rotating seasonal beers are matched by serious bar food—massive burgers that change monthly, duck fat fries, and a hot fried chicken sandwich. The vibe is relaxed and social, with long communal tables perfect for an evening of drinks and eating well under the Phoenix sky.

    Awards
    Address
    721 N. Arizona Ave Gilbert, AZ · Gilbert
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  41. Rank 41. Stoop Kid

    American

    Awards
    Address
    901 North 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  42. Rank 42. Valentine

    Southwestern

    A cozy Melrose spot in a midcentury furniture store where chef Nico Zades builds the entire menu around Arizona ingredients—Sonoran wheat pretzels with guinea hen butter, elote pasta with local cheese, grass-fed beef at brunch. The adjacent Bar 1912 speakeasy leans into the same hyperlocal obsession with cocktails built on foraged pine liqueur and Arizona-sourced spirits, all served in a sophisticated but entirely unsnobby room.

    Awards
    Address
    4130 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  43. Rank 43. Pretty Penny

    International

    A sleek Roosevelt Row dining room draped in forest green where two bartenders known for rowdy nightlife pivoted to cooking serious food—think hamachi al pastor and orecchiette with charred-tomato bolognese, plus caviar service if you're splurging. The cocktails (charred tomato martini, passionfruit negroni) are built to match the boldness on the plate, making this an upscale celebration of a meal.

    Awards
    Address
    509 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  44. Rank 44. Arizona Wilderness DTPHX

    Arizonan

    Awards
    Address
    201 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  45. Rank 45. CC's On Central

    Cajun & Creole

    Sharon and Devan Cunningham run this cozy neighborhood spot where Louisiana and Mississippi roots show up in a shrimp étouffée that's light and bright, and beef debris so tender and rich it demands grits underneath. The menu moves restlessly between Southern breakfast classics and creative left turns—cardamom-spiced French toast, Hong Kong-style pralines, whatever they feel like cooking that day—and it all lands.

    Awards
    Address
    2800 N Central Ave, Ste A100, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  46. Rank 46. Melindas Alley

    Cocktail Bar

    Duck into the alley beside the Renaissance Downtown and descend into a crimson cocktail lounge that swallows all other colors whole, its low velvet seating and rotating chalkboard of drink specials designed for lingering. Open just two nights a week, this moody basement spot rewards the effort to find it with glamorous coupe glasses and the sense that you've stumbled onto something truly private.

    Awards
    Address
    50 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  47. Rank 47. Killer Whale Sex Club

    Cocktail Bar

    A moody Roosevelt Row cocktail lounge decorated with beautifully smutty polaroids shot inside the bar—a cheeky visual joke that somehow feels democratic rather than sleazy. The veteran mixologists behind the counter match the playful irreverence with inventive, experimental drinks that taste like intimate treats.

    Awards
    Address
    922 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  48. Rank 48. Greenwood Brewing

    Greenwood Brewing's bright, marble-and-brass taproom on Roosevelt Row feels nothing like a typical brewery, which makes sense since it was built by a former home brewer intent on welcoming everyone to craft beer. The pale ale called Herstory anchors a rotating lineup of thoughtful brews, and you can settle into one of two courtyards with a food order from nearby restaurants.

    Awards
    Address
    425 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  49. Rank 49. Taco Chelo

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  50. Rank 50. GenuWine Arizona

    Awards
    Address
    888 N 1st Ave, Unit 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  51. Rank 51. Marisco Boys

    Seafood

    The team behind Taco Boys swapped casual for swanky with this new seafood spot on Seventh Street, where mesquite-grilled fish and ceviches get the date-night treatment. Yellowtail tostadas arrive piled with black garlic aioli and fried leeks, and the molcajetes—stacked with shrimp, octopus, and your choice of ceviche or steak—are built for sharing.

    Awards
    Address
    2026 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  52. Rank 52. Pizzeria Bianco

    Neapolitan Pizza

    Chris Bianco's compact brick room in Heritage Square has been the reason Phoenix became a pizza town—his Neapolitan pies, built on tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil, inspired a generation of American pizzaioli since 1996. Lines still wrap around the block for wood-fired pizza from a man who won two James Beard Awards and fundamentally changed how Americans think about pizza.

    Awards
    Address
    623 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  53. Rank 53. 1912

    Awards
    Address
    4130 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  54. Rank 54. Cobra Arcade Bar

    Arcade Cocktail Bar

    A rowdy arcade bar where local murals and vintage games on coin-op machines set the scene for weekend DJ sets that amp the energy to near-chaotic levels. Geeky cocktails like Garbage Pail Kids and Punch Out keep pace with the crowd, and when things get too packed, Hi-Score Club next door offers a calmer anime-themed refuge with Japanese import games and fugu-shaped mugs.

    Awards
    Address
    801 N 2nd St, Unit 100, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  55. Rank 55. Via Della Slice Shop

    Awards
    Address
    222 N Fifth Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  56. Rank 56. Harumi Sushi Bar

    Modern Sushi

    A small, buzzy sushi counter in downtown Phoenix where the rice itself becomes a signature—burgundy Forbidden black rice that gives every piece a visual and nutritional edge. The H3 roll (spicy tuna and salmon with fish roe) and the $35 omakase platter prove that good sushi doesn't need to be precious, just precisely made.

    Awards
    Address
    101 N 1st Ave Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  57. Rank 57. Wren & Wolf

    Awards
    Address
    2 N Central Ave, Unit 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  58. Rank 58. Mr. Baan’s Bar and Mookata

    Thai

    A cozy patio tucked behind a Thai restaurant where you can sip craft cocktails while grilling your own meal tableside in a bubbling soup-filled vat—that's mookata, and Mr. Baan's does it right. The bourbon-forward Village Gold Stash, infused with lapsang souchong tea, pairs perfectly with the casual, social vibe of cooking your own dinner with friends.

    Awards
    Address
    218 E Portland St, Unit B, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  59. Rank 59. Thai Recipe Bistro

    Thai

    Awards
    Address
    2234 N 7th St, Unit 105, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  60. Rank 60. Sidewinder

    Diner American

    A Garfield diner swaggering in neon and Marlboro signage, all cow skulls and dive-bar swagger, where the kitchen turns out hot chicken and five-dollar sloppy joes with equal conviction. It's the kind of place that doesn't apologize for what it is, or what it serves.

    Awards
    Address
    924 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  61. Rank 61. Kid Sister

    Wine Bar

    Kid Sister is an intimate wine bar on Seventh Street where Progress alumni and friends have created a vibrant, airy neo-bistro inspired by travels across Europe and the U.S. The condensed, evolving wine list offers plenty by the glass alongside chef Isaac Mendoza's small bites, and don't sleep on their spritzes.

    Awards
    Address
    4810 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  62. Rank 62. Gallo Blanco

    Mexican

    Gallo Blanco occupies a historic brick building in Garfield with big windows and an airy feel, serving straightforward Mexican food across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start with the guacamole and chips, then move on to something like the barbacoa burrito or Taco Dorado, ideally chased with a house Paloma.

    Awards
    Address
    928 E Pierce St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  63. Rank 63. Ziggy's Magic Pizza Shop

    Awards
    Address
    401 W Van Buren St, Unit B, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  64. Rank 64. Baja Roots AZ

    Baja Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    801 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  65. Rank 65. Boycott Bar

    Cocktail Bar

    A welcoming lesbian bar in the Melrose District marked by a pink light, Boycott pours cold beers and well-made cocktails alongside drag shows and dancing. The event calendar rotates through Pride parties, Latin nights, and country dance floors, making it equally good for a casual drink or a full night out.

    Awards
    Address
    4301 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  66. Rank 66. Restaurant Progress

    European

    A corner of the historic Wagon Wheel building in Melrose has been transformed into a lush, intimate dining room where plants and twinkle lights set a quietly romantic mood. Chef-driven European cooking arrives as a five-course tasting menu or à la carte—handmade pasta and steak tartare are equally at home whether you're committing to the full experience or just dropping in with a bottle of wine.

    Awards
    Address
    702 W Montecito Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  67. Rank 67. Tacos Chiwas

    Chihuahua-style Mexican

    A husband-and-wife operation that started as a tight counter serving Chihuahua-style street food and has grown into a proper local chain without losing its edge. The barbacoa and pastor tacos are the ones to order, though the rajas quesadilla—spicy enough to make you crave horchata—proves they're equally skilled with everything else on the menu.

    Awards
    Address
    1028 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  68. Rank 68. El Rincon Poblano Mexican Grill

    Poblano Mexican

    A warm, family-run spot in a strip mall on Thomas Road where Puebla's culinary traditions come alive through Mole Poblano, herbaceous Pipian Verde, and a signature Cemita Poblana that demands both hands. The Agustin family's lesser-known specialties—including the precursor to al pastor—taste like history on a plate, with Puebla's art adorning pastel walls to match.

    Awards
    Address
    3302 W Thomas Rd, Unit 1, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  69. Rank 69. Latha

    African

    Awards
    Address
    628 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  70. Rank 70. The Fry Bread House

    Native American

    The Fry Bread House has been a Melrose institution since 1992, serving Tohono O'odham dishes in a family-run spot that predates the neighborhood's current wave of trendy arrivals. The pillowy namesake fry bread — whether stuffed with beef and beans or topped with chocolate — is why people keep coming back.

    Awards
    Address
    4545 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  71. Rank 71. Taqueria El Fundador

    Mexican

    This freshly renovated west Phoenix taqueria does the classics with serious skill—the carne asada is properly smoky and juicy, and the al pastor comes shaved hot off the spit. The menu sprawls generously across tacos, tortas crisped on the griddle, weekend menudo, and burritos stuffed with grizzled meat that actually justifies the bulk.

    Awards
    Address
    3245 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Website
    On the Way What's Around

  72. Rank 72. Ollie Vaughn's

    Bakery

    Ollie Vaughn's is a neighborhood bakery and cafe tucked into a strip mall on McDowell Road, where a decade of careful cooking with local ingredients shows in things like pork chile verde with fried egg in cast iron or lemon ricotta pancakes topped with blueberry compote. Grab a pastry from the case and a cozy table inside, or linger on the small patio while the morning light stretches across.

    Awards
    Address
    1526 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  73. Rank 73. Chula Seafood

    Seafood

    The owners of this seafood counter in Uptown Plaza catch their own swordfish and deep-sea buoy fish off California waters aboard their harpoon boat, then sell it never-frozen by the pound or in composed dishes. Poke bowls, confit tuna sandwiches, and swordfish tacos anchor the menu, with grilled oysters and Mexican wild shrimp filling out a rotation that takes sustainability seriously without sacrificing flavor.

    Awards
    Address
    100 E Camelback Rd, Unit 172, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  74. Rank 74. Seamus McCaffrey's

    Irish British

    Tucked into the historic Hotel San Carlos downtown, this Irish pub trades polished brass for dollar bills taped to the columns and pint glasses hanging from the ceiling. The kitchen turns out proper shepherd's pie and fish and chips while the bar pours creamy Guinness and runs a brisk trade in cheap apple pie shots.

    Awards
    Address
    18 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  75. Rank 75. Mariscos Playa Hermosa

    Sinaloan seafood Mexican

    Bright pink and blue chairs face walls painted with Mexican landscapes at this Sinaloan seafood spot, where the dining room is almost as much fun as the food itself. The multipage menu spans grilled shrimp Micheladas, aguachiles, and seafood towers, best paired with a Serrano margarita on the colorful patio.

    Awards
    Address
    1605 E Garfield St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  76. Rank 76. Window Coffee Bar

    Awards
    Address
    903 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  77. Rank 77. Loco Style Grindz

    Awards
    Address
    901 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    Instagram
    On the Way What's Around

  78. Rank 78. Cornish Pasty Co

    British

    A cavernous multi-story bar in downtown Phoenix that feels like a dark corner of Southwest England, with Guinness on tap and nearly 50 savory hand pies—from tikka masala to cheeseburger—that play like elevated Hot Pockets. Grab a seat by the second-floor railing to watch the crowd below, then settle in at a pool table once you've finished your pasty.

    Awards
    Address
    7 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  79. Rank 79. JL Patisserie

    French Bakery

    A European bakery where owner Jenna Leurquin turns out exceptionally flaky croissants, kouign-amann, and pain au chocolat alongside thick slices of quiche. The seasonally rotating coffees and buttery viennoiserie justify a morning detour, and the macarons and fresh bread travel well for later.

    Awards
    Address
    4700 N Central Ave, Unit 121, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  80. Rank 80. Durant's

    Steakhouse

    A midcentury chophouse on Central Avenue where the red-leather booths, dim lighting, and Rat Pack atmosphere have barely budged since 1950, and the kitchen still turns out a serious 48-ounce porterhouse and slow-roasted prime rib. Power players and old-school types go here for the kind of martinis they still pour strong, the complimentary relish tray, and the unironic sense that you've stepped into Phoenix's golden age.

    Awards
    Address
    2611 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  81. Rank 81. Across the Pond

    Japanese

    Awards
    Address
    4236 N Central Ave, Unit 101, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  82. Rank 82. Casa Corazon Restaurant

    Southern Mexican

    Casa Corazon's salsa bar is a well-curated spread of a dozen house-made salsas with flavors ranging from creamy pineapple to bracingly fresh serrano, all paired with the restaurant's own tortillas chips. This gourmet Mexican spot in central Phoenix rewards multiple visits to the bar alone, and the smoky morita salsa is worth seeking out if you like heat.

    Awards
    Address
    2637 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  83. Rank 83. Ta'Carbon

    Sonoran Mexican

    Step up to the counter at this casual Sonoran spot and survey the overhead menu before ordering small plates of smoky carne asada, tangy al pastor, and the house Hazz blend of meat, green chile, and melted cheese. Build your own tacos or burritos from the a la carte options, then hit the salsa bar for fresh green, red, and orange varieties to dress up each bite.

    Awards
    Address
    2929 N 43rd Ave Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  84. Rank 84. LIX Uptown Ice Cream

    Awards
    Address
    3343 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  85. Rank 85. Kabob Grill N' Go

    Armenian Middle Eastern

    At Kabob Grill N' Go, Hasmik greets you warmly while her husband Tony tends the live coals in a haze of mesquite smoke, roasting marinated skewers he's perfected over years. The massive combos come loaded with over a pound of meat, basmati rice, Shirazi salad, and grilled vegetables—casual counter service that feeds two and leaves regulars genuinely evangelical.

    Awards
    Address
    3050 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  86. Rank 86. Copper Star Coffee

    Coffee

    A converted gas station in Melrose churns out bagels and lattes from 6 a.m., with a drive-thru window and a shaded patio where you can linger or grab-and-go. The house-made bagels come in flavors like jalapeño cheddar and sun-dried tomato, stacked into breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and your choice of meats.

    Awards
    Address
    4220 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  87. Rank 87. Valley Bar

    Dive Bar

    Down an alley that smells questionable and past a long staircase descends Valley Bar, a basement dive where cheap beer and cocktails named after Arizona politicians flow while a mobile of the famous trunk murderess Winnie Ruth Judd hangs overhead. Weekends bring DJs to the dance floor, and the Rose Room offers skeeball, pool, and shuffleboard for those who prefer their drinking stationary.

    Awards
    Address
    130 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  88. Rank 88. Title 9 Sports Grill

    Beer Bar

    A new sports bar in Phoenix's Melrose district that fills its walls with photos of women athletes and journalists, deliberately designed as a space where girls can see themselves represented in sports. Co-founders Kat Moore and Audrey Corley have created something that draws everyone from high school coaches to female MLB agents, with interior design choices that nod subtly to queer pride.

    Awards
    Address
    4221 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  89. Rank 89. Mi Patio Mexican Food

    Mexican

    Light floods through the windows at this small neighborhood spot, where bright white furniture gives the casual dining room an actual patio feel. The kitchen moves between Mexican and Greek dishes with equal ease, turning out hard-to-find items like fry bread and fresh tomatillo sauce alongside Greek specialties.

    Awards
    Address
    3347 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  90. Rank 90. First Draft Book Bar

    Awards
    Address
    300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  91. Rank 91. Window Coffee Bar

    Awards
    Address
    635 W Glenrosa Ave, Ste 109, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  92. Rank 92. Sidecar Social Club

    Awards
    Address
    3243 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  93. Rank 93. China Chili Restaurant

    Chinese

    Awards
    Address
    302 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  94. Rank 94. Que Sazon Restaurant and Ceviche Bar

    Mexican

    Awards
    Address
    622 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  95. Rank 95. Wren House Brewing

    Beer Bar

    A 1930s house in the Green Gables neighborhood that's been converted into a taproom where strangers become regulars around a big wooden community table and plastic dinosaurs decorate the bar. The award-winning Spellbinder hazy IPA and rotating fruit beers draw a steady crowd, and food trucks reliably park out front if you didn't bring in takeout from a nearby restaurant.

    Awards
    Address
    2125 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  96. Rank 96. Kahvi Coffee + Cafe

    Awards
    Address
    214 E Roosevelt St, Unit 2, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  97. Rank 97. Great Wall

    Cantonese Chinese

    A sprawling dim sum hall in the West Valley where carts of Cantonese staples trundle past your table and weekend afternoons descend into controlled chaos, with crowds queuing for lacquered duck, chewy lo mein, and fried wontons. It's the kind of place where you point at what you want and let the noise and bustle of hungry diners around you make the meal feel like an event.

    Awards
    Address
    3446 W Camelback Rd, Unit 155, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  98. Rank 98. Lux Central

    Awards
    Address
    4402 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  99. Rank 99. Sazerac

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    821 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

  100. Rank 100. Luckys Indoor Outdoor

    Cocktail Bar

    Awards
    Address
    817 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ · Phoenix
    Online
    WebsiteInstagram
    On the Way What's Around

Browse a location

Current Location

Metros

Recents

  • No recent searches yet.

Yumscore

This score is based on the awards it's won and sometimes its proximity to where you're located (if you're doing a location-based search).

    Stayscore

    This score is based on the awards it's won and sometimes its proximity to where you're located (if you're doing a location-based search).

      Doscore

      This score is based on the awards it's won and sometimes its proximity to where you're located (if you're doing a location-based search).

        Best Place Score

        The Best Place Score is the score we give to the place you're searching from, based on how cool we think the area around it is. If it seems unreasonably low, we probably just haven't added a representative amount of awards yet.