My Favorite Local Food, Places & Experiences
Hungry?
Phoenix has a surprisingly good food scene. There are amazing places all across the valley, but here are some of my favorites that are nearby.
Don't judge me, but this is my favorite place to eat on the planet. I have probably had more Barro's than anyone. And AZ staple for decades, and it's right across the street!
Barro's Pizza
Don't judge me, but this is my favorite place to eat on the planet. I have probably had more Barro's than anyone. And AZ staple for decades, and it's right across the street!
My second favorite pizza. I go here for the Italian Stallion and wings. Also as a ranch dressing lover, I buy their house-made ranch dressing by the bottle.... If you're feeling really hungry, you and a partner can do the Party Pizza Challenge and try to eat their 24" pizza in under 60 mins... Don't ask me if I've done it by myself. 🤦🏼♂️
Venezia's New York Style Pizzeria
My second favorite pizza. I go here for the Italian Stallion and wings. Also as a ranch dressing lover, I buy their house-made ranch dressing by the bottle.... If you're feeling really hungry, you and a partner can do the Party Pizza Challenge and try to eat their 24" pizza in under 60 mins... Don't ask me if I've done it by myself. 🤦🏼♂️
Sister restaurant to PV Burger (and right next door) that makes wild pizzas. They have an ever changing menu with all sorts of unique (and yummy) pizza creations.
Paradise Valley Pizza
Sister restaurant to PV Burger (and right next door) that makes wild pizzas. They have an ever changing menu with all sorts of unique (and yummy) pizza creations.
Great (americanized) Italian food. Probably most known for their Pizza Cookie, huge salads, and The Big Rig Pasta (it's tasty).
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Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University DriveGreat (americanized) Italian food. Probably most known for their Pizza Cookie, huge salads, and The Big Rig Pasta (it's tasty).
A legit hole-in-the-wall authentic Italian deli. One of those places you wouldn't expect to find in the dessert. Great place for lunch!
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Guido's Chicago Meats & Deli
10893 N Scottsdale RdA legit hole-in-the-wall authentic Italian deli. One of those places you wouldn't expect to find in the dessert. Great place for lunch!
A hole-in-the-wall burger place that has been featured on Man Vs Food because of their crazy burger creations. Like a burger with ravioli on it... Don't knock it till you try it! Their menu is always changing but they are right down the street and worth a try.
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Paradise Valley Burger Company
4001 E Bell RdA hole-in-the-wall burger place that has been featured on Man Vs Food because of their crazy burger creations. Like a burger with ravioli on it... Don't knock it till you try it! Their menu is always changing but they are right down the street and worth a try.
Another great hamburger place about 10 minutes away.
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Hopdoddy Burger Bar
11055 N Scottsdale RdAnother great hamburger place about 10 minutes away.
The Mexicano
A fun modern Mexican food restaurant with unique dishes and live music.
Right down the street and very legit (and fast) Mexican food. Be warned, their hot salsa is HOT... Try the breakfast burrito (especially if you're hungover!) and the Jalapeno cream cheese is very tasy.
Maskadores Taco Shop
Right down the street and very legit (and fast) Mexican food. Be warned, their hot salsa is HOT... Try the breakfast burrito (especially if you're hungover!) and the Jalapeno cream cheese is very tasy.
Yes, it's a gas station that serves BBQ... Trust me, it's amazing.
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The Thumb
9393 E Bell RdYes, it's a gas station that serves BBQ... Trust me, it's amazing.
Best tortillas in town! They sell them by the pack so you can take some home- I always do!
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Carolina's Mexican Food - Cactus
2126 E Cactus RdBest tortillas in town! They sell them by the pack so you can take some home- I always do!
There are closer Thai food restaurants, but this is my favorite and it's very affordable. Try the Green Curry or Pad Thai!
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Thai House On Shea
6949 E Shea BlvdThere are closer Thai food restaurants, but this is my favorite and it's very affordable. Try the Green Curry or Pad Thai!
Feeling Fancy? In my humble opinion, Mastro's makes the best steak in town. It's not cheap, but it's mind-blowing. Oh, and be sure to get the lobster mashed potatoes. You're welcome.
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Mastro's Steakhouse
8852 E Pinnacle Peak RdFeeling Fancy? In my humble opinion, Mastro's makes the best steak in town. It's not cheap, but it's mind-blowing. Oh, and be sure to get the lobster mashed potatoes. You're welcome.
If you're looking for that legitimate mobster-dinner-experience, Durant's is the place to go. When you enter through the kitchen, you'll understand why I say that. Great food, great experience. Get the shrimp cocktail! I still don't understand where they get shrimp that big.
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Durant's
2611 N Central AveIf you're looking for that legitimate mobster-dinner-experience, Durant's is the place to go. When you enter through the kitchen, you'll understand why I say that. Great food, great experience. Get the shrimp cocktail! I still don't understand where they get shrimp that big.
Awesome Jewish bakery that serves the best bagels as well as breakfast, lunch and deserts. And it's all amazing! Make sure you're hungry, because the portions are big!
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Chompie's Restaurant, Deli, and Bakery
3212 East Cactus RoadAwesome Jewish bakery that serves the best bagels as well as breakfast, lunch and deserts. And it's all amazing! Make sure you're hungry, because the portions are big!
Snooze
15054 North Scottsdale RoadKnown for their wild pancake creations, but everything there is good!
BoSa is a local favorite, and there's a location right down the street. Not much to say, just great fresh-made donuts!
BoSa Donuts
BoSa is a local favorite, and there's a location right down the street. Not much to say, just great fresh-made donuts!
A hole-in-the-wall breakfast place right down Greenway with some unique dishes. I recommend the Sonoma omelette!
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Perk Eatery
6501 E Greenway PkwyA hole-in-the-wall breakfast place right down Greenway with some unique dishes. I recommend the Sonoma omelette!
If you're looking for a cool treat, Bahama Bucks is a Phoenix staple, and one of the last ones standing is right down the street. I've been eating this Hawaiian shaved ice since I was in diapers.
Bahama Buck's - Phoenix (E Greenway Road)
If you're looking for a cool treat, Bahama Bucks is a Phoenix staple, and one of the last ones standing is right down the street. I've been eating this Hawaiian shaved ice since I was in diapers.
Things To Do
One of the best aquariums in the nation- IN THE DESERT!
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OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Vía de VenturaOne of the best aquariums in the nation- IN THE DESERT!
We haven't gone yet, but heard it's great!
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Medeltida tider middag och turnering
9051 East Vía de VenturaWe haven't gone yet, but heard it's great!
Great for small children who love trains! It's my boys favorite park because they have a miniature train you can ride.
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McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend RdGreat for small children who love trains! It's my boys favorite park because they have a miniature train you can ride.
Butterfly Wonderland
9500 East Vía de VenturaWe call it Butterfly Prison, but it's cool.
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdFor the Frank Loyd Wright fans
Really cool way to experience the desert and all the beauty it has to offer.
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Öken Botaniska Trädgården station
1201 N Galvin PkwyReally cool way to experience the desert and all the beauty it has to offer.
Ok, we have lot's of museums, but supposedly this one is unexpectedly great.
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Musikinstrumentmuseet
4725 E Mayo BlvdOk, we have lot's of museums, but supposedly this one is unexpectedly great.
Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington StOne of our favorites! Fun for kids
Skiing/Snowboarding- It's probably the most popular snow destination in Az
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Arizona Snowbowl
9300 North Snow Bowl RoadSkiing/Snowboarding- It's probably the most popular snow destination in Az
Skiing/Snowboarding- We like this over Snowbowl when the snow is right
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Sunrise Park Resort
200 Highway 273Skiing/Snowboarding- We like this over Snowbowl when the snow is right
Hiking
A very popular hike that can be accessed from the Dreamy Draw site (closest), or the south side. The south side is more like a long staircase to the top, where the Dreamy Draw side has seemingly endless trails from very mellow to moderately hard.
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Piestewa Peak
A very popular hike that can be accessed from the Dreamy Draw site (closest), or the south side. The south side is more like a long staircase to the top, where the Dreamy Draw side has seemingly endless trails from very mellow to moderately hard.
A very popular hike, but I've never done this one so can't tell you how hard it is. But I'm sure it's pretty!
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Pinnacle Peak
A very popular hike, but I've never done this one so can't tell you how hard it is. But I'm sure it's pretty!
Probably my favorite hike, but it's a little bit of a drive. It's challenging but the views from the top make it worth it!
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Toms Thumb
Tom's Thumb TrailProbably my favorite hike, but it's a little bit of a drive. It's challenging but the views from the top make it worth it!
Probably the most well known hike due to it being located in the middle of Paradise Valley. You can hike it from either side- Echo Canyon Trail (closer but much harder) or Cholla Trail (farther drive but more mellow).
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA
Probably the most well known hike due to it being located in the middle of Paradise Valley. You can hike it from either side- Echo Canyon Trail (closer but much harder) or Cholla Trail (farther drive but more mellow).
A couple trail options from very mellow to moderate, but they are all beautiful!
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Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N Thompson Peak PkwyA couple trail options from very mellow to moderate, but they are all beautiful!
Shopping
Fashion Square
The FANCIEST of shopping malls. Seriously, it's crazy.
Lot's of really cool shops and art galleries during the day, and then quite the night life scene that extends for miles.
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Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale RdLot's of really cool shops and art galleries during the day, and then quite the night life scene that extends for miles.
Great outdoor shopping center with lots of food an restarants. Then you can walk across the street for even more at Kierland Commons.
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Scottsdale Quarter
15279 N Scottsdale RdGreat outdoor shopping center with lots of food an restarants. Then you can walk across the street for even more at Kierland Commons.
Lot's of great shops and food, and it's right across the street from Quarter
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Kierland Commons
Lot's of great shops and food, and it's right across the street from Quarter
Sightseeing
Sedona is my favorite day trip destination. Iconic beauty, tons of hiking and just a really unique place. I recommend checking out Tlaquepaque and Chapel of the Holy Cross.
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Sedona
Sedona is my favorite day trip destination. Iconic beauty, tons of hiking and just a really unique place. I recommend checking out Tlaquepaque and Chapel of the Holy Cross.
If you're more into the haunted town built on the side of a mountain, then Jerome is the day trip for you. This place is wild and you can even stay in the haunted hotel!
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Jerome
If you're more into the haunted town built on the side of a mountain, then Jerome is the day trip for you. This place is wild and you can even stay in the haunted hotel!
Grand Canyon
Duh.
Arcosanti is... Well... Hard to explain. But it's very cool and not many people know about it. Turns out you only only have to drive 45 minutes to get to a different planet!
Arcosanti Tours
Arcosanti is... Well... Hard to explain. But it's very cool and not many people know about it. Turns out you only only have to drive 45 minutes to get to a different planet!
Råd om din stad
Sedvänjor och kultur
Drink water!
You will hear this over and over around town, and not just in the summer. People under estimate how quickly you can dehydrate in our dry desert, and it’s not always obvious when you are. If you’re feeling sluggish, tired, achy, then chances are you aren’t drinking enough water!