Guidebook for Phoenix
Food Scene
This place is fantastic if you're looking for a hip scene that appreciates the arts and culture. There are a host of rooms where you can work, chat or relax--rooms with music playing, quiet rooms and nice outdoor spaces as well.
259 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lux Central
4402 N Central AveThis place is fantastic if you're looking for a hip scene that appreciates the arts and culture. There are a host of rooms where you can work, chat or relax--rooms with music playing, quiet rooms and nice outdoor spaces as well.
Giant Coffee
1437 N 1st StChill place to have a morning cup of coffee or tea!
This is a throwback in time. You'll be looking around for Al Capone and his gang. A terrific, old world steak house. Don't worry, if you find yourself walking through the kitchen to enter, you're in the right place!
137 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Durant's
2611 N Central AveThis is a throwback in time. You'll be looking around for Al Capone and his gang. A terrific, old world steak house. Don't worry, if you find yourself walking through the kitchen to enter, you're in the right place!
Cool space, good Asian fusion dishes. The menu changes seasonally.
83 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Clever Koi
4236 N Central AveCool space, good Asian fusion dishes. The menu changes seasonally.
St. Francis
111 E Camelback RdBrunch is quite lovely here.
Our favorite Sunday brunch spot. The staff is always terrific and the owners are simply wonderful. They know how to run a business and see to it that their guests remain happy. The food is locally procured--as much as possible, and healthy to boot.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
fàme caffe
4700 N Central AveOur favorite Sunday brunch spot. The staff is always terrific and the owners are simply wonderful. They know how to run a business and see to it that their guests remain happy. The food is locally procured--as much as possible, and healthy to boot.
Olive + Vine is a local hideaway with terrific food. There is indoor and outdoor space to eat, drink and play. Dylan and Michelle own the place and they see to it that you're having an enjoyable time.
14 W Vernon Ave
14 West Vernon AvenueOlive + Vine is a local hideaway with terrific food. There is indoor and outdoor space to eat, drink and play. Dylan and Michelle own the place and they see to it that you're having an enjoyable time.
An authentic experience. It took us some time to find a place we trust--this is it.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Harumi Sushi
101 W Adams StAn authentic experience. It took us some time to find a place we trust--this is it.
Enjoy a great lunch in this unique space. The mozzarella tomato sandwich on oven fired bread made there each day is the favorite.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pane Bianco
4404 N Central AveEnjoy a great lunch in this unique space. The mozzarella tomato sandwich on oven fired bread made there each day is the favorite.
No frills, just food--good Italian pizzeria that reminds me of the food I used to get when I lived in NJ.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pinos Pizza Al Centro
139 W Thomas RdNo frills, just food--good Italian pizzeria that reminds me of the food I used to get when I lived in NJ.
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
3313 N 7th StYUM!
Great wine bar. If you're here on Tuesday night, enjoy a board of bruschetta and a bottle of wine for $20. If you don't like what you see, there are a dozen other restaurants within walking distance.
215 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Postino Central
5144 N Central AveGreat wine bar. If you're here on Tuesday night, enjoy a board of bruschetta and a bottle of wine for $20. If you don't like what you see, there are a dozen other restaurants within walking distance.
A buzzing spot morning and afternoon, this is a great place to work, or meet for a conversation. They also offer a limited menu for breakfast and lunch if you're in need of something more than coffee.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Press Coffee
200 East Van Buren StreetA buzzing spot morning and afternoon, this is a great place to work, or meet for a conversation. They also offer a limited menu for breakfast and lunch if you're in need of something more than coffee.
It doesn't get more local and basic as this nearly hidden spot. Seating is outdoors only, and it's walk-up service. Don't let that stop you however. This little old house has good coffee and for about $5 you can enjoy a laté and waffle with syrup or nutella. Check their hours online as the spot closes early and typically not open on Sunday.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Birdhaus Coffeebar
10 W Vernon AveIt doesn't get more local and basic as this nearly hidden spot. Seating is outdoors only, and it's walk-up service. Don't let that stop you however. This little old house has good coffee and for about $5 you can enjoy a laté and waffle with syrup or nutella. Check their hours online as the spot closes early and typically not open on Sunday.
Great brunch, if you're okay with a bit of a noisy spot. This place is fun, and has been here for decades. There is a nice bar, good coffee, and casual dining spaces indoors and out. It is walk-up ordering service. Their pastry's are quite yummy too! If you visit on a Saturday morning, the parking lot and adjacent spaces are occupied by a relatively large farmers market (mid-summer months excluded) where you're bound to find something to enjoy.
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Phoenix Public Market
Great brunch, if you're okay with a bit of a noisy spot. This place is fun, and has been here for decades. There is a nice bar, good coffee, and casual dining spaces indoors and out. It is walk-up ordering service. Their pastry's are quite yummy too! If you visit on a Saturday morning, the parking lot and adjacent spaces are occupied by a relatively large farmers market (mid-summer months excluded) where you're bound to find something to enjoy.
Drinks & Nightlife
A must see. This isn't fancy, but not too gritty. There are old games to play, like ski-ball and table hockey, spots to lounge and friendly locals younger and older who will welcome you in.
186 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Valley Bar
130 N Central AveA must see. This isn't fancy, but not too gritty. There are old games to play, like ski-ball and table hockey, spots to lounge and friendly locals younger and older who will welcome you in.
Cool rooftop bar and lounge. Great pool scene too.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Clarendon Hotel and Spa by GreenTree
401 W Clarendon AveCool rooftop bar and lounge. Great pool scene too.
Parks & Nature
A favorite of locals and tourists alike. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. We often carry extra bottles for tourists when we go up the mountains. Dehydration is a serious deal in the desert.
1752 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveA favorite of locals and tourists alike. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. We often carry extra bottles for tourists when we go up the mountains. Dehydration is a serious deal in the desert.
There are a dozen trail heads here for the advanced to the casual hiker. All the trails offer spectacular views and will allow you to commune with the beautiful desert landscape.
126 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Piestewa Peak Trails
7232 N Squaw Peak DrThere are a dozen trail heads here for the advanced to the casual hiker. All the trails offer spectacular views and will allow you to commune with the beautiful desert landscape.
Take the 7th Ave. trail head for a more secluded, less visited side of the butte if you're looking for a quieter hike with fewer people around.
Shaw Butte
Take the 7th Ave. trail head for a more secluded, less visited side of the butte if you're looking for a quieter hike with fewer people around.
A botanical garden like none you've ever seen before. Enjoy the desert's beauty day or night in an almost surreal setting. Dine at Gertrude's.
1231 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Desert Botanical Garden
A botanical garden like none you've ever seen before. Enjoy the desert's beauty day or night in an almost surreal setting. Dine at Gertrude's.
Arts & Culture
I-Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveWorld renowned American Indian museum.
This place rocks! So glad we have our memberships...
686 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveThis place rocks! So glad we have our memberships...
Tours are offered daily. There is also a genealogical library visitors are encouraged to use.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library
1106 N Central AveTours are offered daily. There is also a genealogical library visitors are encouraged to use.
A beautiful modern, steel and glass structure that offers terrific views from the top floor. This is a community melting pot.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burton Barr Central Library
1221 N Central AveA beautiful modern, steel and glass structure that offers terrific views from the top floor. This is a community melting pot.
Symphony Hall
75 N 2nd StArizona Opera
1636 N Central AveIntimate yet sophisticated--located next to the Phoenix Art Museum.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Phoenix Theatre Company
1825 N Central AveIntimate yet sophisticated--located next to the Phoenix Art Museum.
Essentials
Safeway
340 E McDowell RdWalgreens Pharmacy
3402 N Central AveCircle K
602 N 1st AveGetting Around
Light rail trains stop a few minutes walk from the house.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Encanto/Central Ave station
Light rail trains stop a few minutes walk from the house.
Uber Phoenix
1414 W Broadway RdShopping
If you're looking for a topnotch, locally owned, and well curated, beautifully designed store with a motif for modern, look no further. The space even boasts a small cafe with master baristas. If you're into a great experience, visit For The People.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
For The People
5102 N Central AveIf you're looking for a topnotch, locally owned, and well curated, beautifully designed store with a motif for modern, look no further. The space even boasts a small cafe with master baristas. If you're into a great experience, visit For The People.
An outdoor, local shopping mall in the neighborhood, you can find a high-end grocer for all of the finest goods and unique epicurean desires. The plaza has everything from food to furniture to yoga. Checkout their list of tenants here: http://uptownplazaphx.com/the-tenants/
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Uptown Plaza
100 E Camelback RdAn outdoor, local shopping mall in the neighborhood, you can find a high-end grocer for all of the finest goods and unique epicurean desires. The plaza has everything from food to furniture to yoga. Checkout their list of tenants here: http://uptownplazaphx.com/the-tenants/