I’ll be 100% honest, Phoenix was never a place where I expected to find good food. Call me crazy, but my culinary mind doesn’t exactly thrive in 115-degree heat. But against all odds, chefs always find a way. And amidst the sprawling suburban landscape, beautiful food culture is full of complexity and surprise. Phoenix can deliver whether you want a seasonal farm-to-table dinner experience or some of the best tacos you’ve ever eaten. So if you find yourself in the city, I insist you step away from the comfort of your Airbnb’s A/C and check some of these places out. It’s well worth the back sweat.
Ingo’s Tasty Food
I must confess that I did not expect Ingo’s to be as tasty as they proclaim. Located in the lobby of a live/work skyscraper about a block from Phoenix Sun’s Arena, the space is not typical of where you’d expect to find a genuinely quality meal. But I was wrong. While the sleek and minimalistic design of the restaurant is reminiscent of a fast-casual chain, don’t be fooled. This is some of Phoenix’s best breakfast and lunch food, hands down. The menu is focused on sustainable, organic ingredients. And while I’m sure whatever you order will be great, I urge you to get the Troubador egg sandwich. A pillowy homemade English muffin topped with eggs, Swiss cheese, hot sauce, and avocado. It’s as if the classic McMuffin had an heirloom variety. I didn’t think the classic could be improved upon, but the second I sank my teeth into that soft muffin, I knew I was home.
Ingo’s has two locations, one in Arcadia and one downtown. You order at the counter and choose a seat. Order a latte or cappuccino because the staff is also very talented baristas. It wasn’t crowded when I visited, but I’d imagine it gets pretty busy, and there is limited seating. If it’s packed, take it to-go and eat it under the A/C or enjoy it poolside.
2. Via Della Pizza
You should expect at least one pizza recommendation for every city I visit. I’m not going to give some profound reason for this. I just like pizza, and if you don’t, I think you probably hate fun. Via Della has entered the chat if you’re in Phoenix and on the hunt for a perfect slice. The small shop offers all the classics and a rotating variety of exciting combinations and toppings. But the grandma slice immediately caught my eye. A well-done rectangle with deeply caramelized edges and the perfect balance of sauce and cheese. Imagine all of the delights of an excellent piece of pizza with a slightly thicker crust. Each bite hugs your taste buds with nostalgia and familiarity. And as you finish the slice, you are rewarded with the pan crisped edges of the crust. It is heavenly
There were a bunch of great-looking slices, and I only got one. So do me a favor and make your way to Via Della to pick up where I left off. I recommend the grandma, but I think you’ll be happy with whatever you order.
It’s quick service. When I visited, it wasn’t crowded at all. The staff was super friendly, and the prices were pretty affordable. Sit there, eat it, and enjoy some slice joint vibes with a side of desert people watching.
3. Arizona Wilderness
It’s hard to pick a spot in the Roosevelt neighborhood to stop for a cocktail. And I’m going to level with you; I chose Arizona Wilderness because it was hot and they had water misters. The brightly colored beer hall is not where I’d usually gravitate toward. But the friendly staff and plethora of cocktail and ale options made the decision to sit and enjoy a drink pretty easy. Arizona Wilderness has a really hip but very unpretentious vibe. Everything is brightly colored and clean. There are two massive bars with countless taps for whatever beer you could want. And they also offer several craft cocktails and boozy slushies with really unique ingredients. I ordered the valley-oop. It’s brightly colored and sweet with mezcal, and that’s about all the detail I can provide. It was $14 for one drink, but it felt like I had had two. So I’d say it was well worth the price. There are also food options for both vegans and meat-eaters. This was a completely unplanned stop, but it turned out to highlight the trip. If you’re weary from the day’s adventures, stop and grab a chicken sandwich and a tequila slushie.
This place is vast. It was relatively crowded when we arrived, and I’d imagine it gets packed out when there’s a game or a fight on the TVs. It looks fit for any size party or occasion. But I’d advise you to go for a mid-day cocktail and chicken sandwich to recharge your battery before continuing to explore.
4. Valentine
I love when a restaurant not only lives up to but exceeds the hype that surrounds it. Valentine perfectly represents Phoenix as a culinary destination worthy of respect. Its menu is ever-changing, with a focus on products found in Arizona. And the dishes are all creative and incredibly well executed with great flavors and beautiful presentation. The restaurant is housed in what looks to be an old furniture store. It resembles a mid-century modern living room. And the design only adds to the excitement of the meal.
Our first course was the AZ citrus salad. Beautiful slices of orange and grapefruit are paired with cacao nibs, celery, avocado, and punchy vinegar. The combination of the simple ingredients creates a beautifully flavorful experience with a genuinely unique mouthfeel. The cacao nibs add a crunch and boldness, almost like burnt walnuts. The tangy sweetness from the citrus and vinegar is perfectly rounded out by the mildness of the avocado.
The elote pasta was next. Forgive me if I sound dramatic, but this dish was truly important. A twist on the classic Mexican street corn, the house-made pasta is spun to visually resemble its namesake. The flavor profile is similar to a traditional elote. But the addition of Asiago and crispy corn adds a whole new texture and depth level.
For the final dish, we opted for the two-wash chicken. A simple play on a quarter roast bird is displayed in a beautiful broth with wheat berries, herb yogurt, and greens. I feel like I know what chicken tastes like. It’s hard to make it impressive. But whatever they did to this bird, I want it done to every bird I eat forevermore. The skin is crispy and salty, with a slightly smoky aftertaste. The wheat berries provide a gorgeous texture when combined with tender meat. And when you incorporate the tangy, rich yogurt, it is akin to adding butter to a pancake. It rounds the entire thing out with a smooth and soft finish. The dish is simple and yet so complex. And I’m upset that all chicken can’t taste like that. But I’m so grateful to have had it. And if you get a chance to order it, do me a favor and tell that chicken that Pete says, “I love you.”
Make a reservation. The chef was nominated for a James Beard award, so it’s a hot table. I’m positive everything on the menu would be great. I wasn’t in a drinking mood, but the cocktails looked fun. Set aside a couple hours and spend some time there because the restaurant is really cool.
So that’s it! You have some time to kill in Phoenix, and you want quality food and libations. This guide should be a decent jumping-off point for a great time. There are so many other restaurants to explore as well. So make sure you look around before your trip and drink plenty of water, so you don’t die. Also, I just want to know how people survive in that heat? Oh. Other places worth checking out are also as follows:
- Glai Baan – Traditional Thai food served in a fantastic little cottage-style house. Great classic dishes and unique flavors. Very popular, so get a reservation.
- Vecina – A Latin-inspired restaurant with some Asian fusion plates. Incredible food with a really excellent dining room and bar. The ribeye single-handedly made me fall in love with steak.
- Bosa Donuts – A ubiquitous Phoenix staple for classic donuts. Nothing fancy. But the cinnamon crumb donut and traditional chocolate cake are the perfect pick me up for a long day of adventure.
- Lola Coffee – Trendy downtown coffee shop. Great selection of pastries and really great coffee. Cookies and danishes are the moves
