Where to eat in downtown Phoenix: 16 essential restaurants (2024)

In January, the features team at The Republic shared a list of the 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix. Reporters and editors weighed in on the restaurants and bars they couldn't live without. Even readers got in on the action with their own list of favorites.

The 100 includes restaurants from Andreoli Italian Grocerin Scottsdale to Ta'Carbon in Glendale. And there were so many restaurant picks in downtown Phoenix, we had to make it a separate list. So whether you're heading to the city for a Suns game, to visit a museum or to enjoy First Friday, make sure dinner is part of the plan.

Here's your guide to 16 essential restaurants in downtown Phoenix.

Asadero Norte de Sonora

Asadero Norte de Sonora is a standby on 16^th Street, known for dishes that come off their mesquite grill, from chicken to parillada mixed platters of carne asada, cabeza and barbacoa, all served with fresh tortillas and housemade salsa. It’s simple and it’s perfect.

Details:122 N. 16th St., Phoenix,602-253-4010asaderonortesonora.weebly.com/menu.html.

—Felicia Campbell

Bacanora

Bacanora burst onto the dining scene in 2021 and no one has shut up about it since. Myself included. The Republic gave it a five-star review. Chef Rene Andrade showcases Sonoran foods cooked exclusively over his mesquite grill. He elevates classics with what some may call technical skill honed over years, but what I call utter witchcraft. A cucumber salad has no business being as delicious and memorable as he makes it, with nutty sesame seeds, the heat of chiltepin peppers and a dash of salsa negro or soy, if he's in the mood to add it that night. Brunch, which is walk-in only, is just as memorable with dishes like oxtail chilaquiles and a fierce michelada. And on Monday, June 10, Andrade was awarded Best Chef-Southwest at the James Beard Awards for his singular take on Sonoran cooking.

Details:1301 NW Grand Ave., Unit 1, Phoenix.602-612-4018,bacanoraphx.com.

—Felicia Campbell

Bad Jimmy's

James Piazza, the owner ofBad Jimmy's food truck, opened a brick-and-mortar in the downtown Phoenix restaurant space that formerly housed Breadfruit and Rum Bar on Nov. 30. Some might say it’s too soon to call it an essential restaurant, but with the simple menu of perfectly cooked cheeseburgers made using local beef, solid fries and an excellent full bar, I say it’s exactly what downtown needed and has quickly become a go-to spot for seriously great food and drinks that won’t break the bank.

Details:108 E. Pierce St., Phoenix.@badjimmyson Instagram.

—Felicia Campbell

Churchill

This 9,000-square-foot courtyard surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops is a great place to try new concepts, many of which graduate to their own digs later. The pro move is to order a co*cktail or two from Brill Line and get a pie to share from Freak Brothers Pizza.

Details: 901 N. First St., Phoenix.thechurchillphx.com.

— Bahar Anooshahr

Gallo Blanco

Gallo margaritas forever — plus the elote, the cortado, the tacos and the chilaquiles. Well, and obviously the salsas. Doug Robson's downtown Mexican joint remains a standby.

Details: 928 E. Pierce St., Phoenix. 602-327-0880, galloblancocafe.com.

— Becky Bartkowski

Garden Bar

Update: In May 2024, Garden Bar was listed for sale.

Housed in a 1940s bungalow tucked off a side street in downtown Phoenix, I can’t count the times I’ve started, ended or spent my entire evening at Garden Bar. The largely female mixology team is award-winning, and for good reason. The drinks are incredibly complex, totally delicious and incorporate many local ingredients, including honey that owner Kim Haasarud sources locally based on terroir. The food is just as thoughtful, with perhaps one of the largest and most generous charcuterie boards around and a bread board perfect for soaking up the second (or third) drink you’ll undoubtedly order.

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

I fell in love with slice joints when I lived in New York City. In what other scenario can you enjoy a red slice, a white slice and a curveball in one meal? At Hot Daisy, the offerings range from classic pepperoni, which can be ordered firefighter style with hot peppers, to an elote slice — a surprise favorite for a purist like me. They're all good. Order more than you think you can eat, because there's nothing better than leftover pizza.

Details: 610 E. Roosevelt St., Ste 145, Phoenix. 602-840-3644, hotdaisypizza.com.

— Felicia Campbell

Il Bosco Pizza

Il Bosco Pizza sits just off Roosevelt Row in a cute little bungalow, flying decidedly under the radar and serving a reliably wonderful menu of simple Italian salads, a few appetizers and a serious lineup of where-did-that-come-from flavor-packed Neapolitan-style pizzas like the Za, which comes topped with red sauce, pepperoni, spicy sausage, hatch green chile, peppadew peppers, Calabrian Chile, mozzerrella and a drizzle of honey. Bonus points for the fact you can get in on most nights without much of a wait.

Details: 918 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. ilboscopizza.com.

— Felicia Campbell

Matt's Big Breakfast

Many good mornings in Phoenix start at Matt’s Big Breakfast. I know from personal experience that I have far more energy to get through the day whenever I start it off with a Hog and Chick platter, which I order with two scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage. Other than the food, the best thing about the place is the fact you can fulfill your breakfast cravings until closing time at 2 p.m., unlike many fast-food chains where breakfast ends the moment the clock strikes 10:30 a.m.

Details: Multiple locations, but I visit the original in downtown Phoenix, 825 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-254-1074, mattsbigbreakfast.com.

— Michael Salerno

Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe

Opened by Elizabeth White in 1964, Mrs. White's is the longest-standing soul food restaurant in metro Phoenix. The original building hasn't changed much and the menu is simple, but people still come from far and wide for the signature fried chicken, smothered pork chops and homemade cornbread.

Details: 808 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-262-9256, facebook.com/mrswhites.goldenrulecafe.

— Felicia Campbell

Novel Ice Cream

This is my favorite place for ice cream and where I bring all my out-of-town guests, many of whom now require a visit to Novel every time they come to Phoenix. I'd skip a meal to save room for the Zoe Dough Melt, a glazed doughnut stuffed with honey lavender ice cream and rolled in cinnamon crunch cereal. It’s “chef’s kiss” perfection every time.

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

As a fan of Neapolitan style, wood-fired pizza, I was curious, and a little skeptical of the high praise and accolades surrounding Chris Bianco’s destination artisan pizza restaurant. I'm here to tell you that it’s absolutely worth the hype. Pizzeria Bianco boasts a number of unique specialties like the Rosa, topped with red onion, Parmesan, rosemary and Arizona pistachios; and the Biancoverde, which includes mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta and arugula. I went with a classic on my first visit, opting for the margherita with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. The quality of the ingredients set it apart dramatically from similar pizzas I've eaten in the past. Go here at least once to see what the fuss is about.

Details: 623 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300, pizzeriabianco.com.

— Michael Salerno

Rito’s Mexican Food

Family-owned Rito’s Mexican Food was voted best burrito in Phoenix by readers, and for good reason. While green chili burritos are their specialty, they also offer great chimichangas, tacos and tostadas at their four Valley locations.

Details: 907 N. 14th St., Phoenix. Other locations at ritosmexicanfood.com.

—Endia Fontanez

Sottise

The baby sister of Restaurant Progress in Melrose stands on her own, but with family resemblances where they count: exceptional service, a well-appointed wine list and dishes I can't help but reorder each visit. The French — but not stuffy-French — menu leans seafood heavy, but the horseradish-spiked beets and baked brie beckon. And if you're lucky, the somm just might (try to) teach you to sabre a bottle of bubbly.

Details: 1025 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-254-6378, sottisephx.com.

— Becky Bartkowski

Tratto

Chris Bianco is legendary for his pizza, made with local white Sonoran wheat, but his very best restaurant is this temple of pasta. The dishes are deceptively simple, but the use of incredibly fresh, seasonal ingredients in genius combinations like pasta topped with roasted cherry tomatoes, dried zucchini and hot chile or grilled peaches nestled under seared pork chops make eating at Tratto a culinary adventure. Everything is good. Better than you expect. Paired with superb service and a great bar program, this is the "special occasion" place I recommend without hesitation to anyone asking.

Details: 1505 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-296-7761, trattophx.com/restaurant.

— Felicia Campbell

Via Della Slice Shop

Did I mention I love a slice shop? We’re pretty #blessed in Phoenix to have several good ones and Via Della is among the best. I’m pretty obsessed with the white pie topped with caramelized onions on a sesame seed crust and the spicy sausage pie topped with Schreiners sausage, Calabrian chilis, ricotta and hot honey. But I recently discovered the green pie that’s topped with pesto crema, jalapeño-pineapple marmalade (what?), a pistachio crumble and reggiano cheese. It’s an assault to the senses in the best way and I don’t know how I’ll ever visit again without ordering it.

Details: 222 N. Fifth Ave., Phoenix. (602) 341-6327, viadellapizza.com.

— Felicia Campbell

Read the full list: 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix