The most important things to me when traveling are: food, coffee, ice cream. I was pleasantly surprised with Downtown Phoenix’s hipster coffee houses, food hall with amazing vendors, ramen burgers, creative cocktails and on and on. Here they are…
WHERE TO EAT:
Matt’s Big Breakfast, the most popular breakfast place in Phoenix.
It was crowded but I got a seat right away at the counter.
Their bacon is the thing to get. But I really really liked the hashbrown.
Bitter & Twisted — a low-key cocktail bar/restaurant. Easily my favorite in Phoenix.
Their menu looks like a video game manual:
You choose based on how strong and how eclectic you want your drinks.
Strawberry “sundae”: zubrowka bison grass vodka with cream, strawberries, chocolate, vanilla and banana liqueurs — LOVED this!!!!!
This is where you can find the Ramen Burger.
It was a cool concept but the ramen part was too crispy for me. Great burger.
Typhoon chicken: fried chicken and 8 spice salt, bread crumbs, chilies, scallion, garlic and watermelon kimchi lettuce cups. Highly recommended.
Tiramisu — this was AMAZING (and alcoholic). I would’ve stayed for longer but I was drinking by myself and the place got really busy. Definitely highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Phoenix!!!!!
Desoto Central Market — I actually liked it so much, I came back the next day. It’s a food hall and beer garden and also art space.
The outdoor beer garden.
Plenty of space and seating.
Get oysters at Walrus & the Pearl!
Get some baos at Adobo Dragon:
The best thing there? FRIED CHICKEN SKIN PO BOY. It’s just the skin, no meat, but so crispy and tasty!!!
Pig ear “cheetos”
Cauliflower — this was my least favorite dish.
Tea & Toast — I got their black rose latte the first time and loved it! Then I got the “london fog”, which was earl grey with lavender, also really good.
The rest of the space:
FOR COFFEE:
Great iced lattes and music. Now I’m obsessed with Odesza.
The layout allows for shared space with other art companies that want to use it as a venue at night.
Really loved their lattes.
Toast with mascarpone and jam… so gooooood.
I loved this space.
The Cafe at Phoenix Public Market serves Cartel coffee.
FOR ICE CREAM:
They have flavors like Trix, banana pudding, lucky charms, etc. all served in a Chinese take-out container with a fortune cookie.
