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1 week ago | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Chris Malloy
The burrito is one of Arizona’s most dependable meals, always near and always soulful no matter the hour. A local respect for and way with the flour tortilla is the heart of local burrito culture, which tends to hew to a more minimal style. Style, however, doesn’t mirror size: At many eateries, burritos are called “burros,” losing the “ito,” the diminutive, lest a grand package be linked with smallness.
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1 month ago | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Chris Malloy |Nikki Buchanan
The Phoenix food scene has never been more dynamic than right now, blending long-standing institutions with exciting new openings that reflect the city’s evolving culinary identity. Iconic spots like Valentine and Glai Baan anchor the Valley’s dining culture, while a wave of fresh restaurants — from intimate mom-and-pops to destination-worthy fine dining — redefine what it means to eat, live, and travel in Phoenix.
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1 month ago | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Asonta Benetti |Bahar Anooshahr
The smell of fresh bread, the gleam of expertly prepared pastries, the abundance of sugar and decadence — everyone needs to have a reliable bakery to depend on. From warm muffins with morning coffee to an after-dinner treat worth waiting for, the best bakeries in Phoenix and its surrounding cities offer residents every baked good they could imagine. Whether French-taught or home-grown, here are the city’s best bakeries for breads, pastries, cakes, and more.
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1 month ago | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Rudri Patel
After Mexican immigrants, South Asians make up the second-largest immigrant community in the Phoenix metro — and the food scene reflects that depth. Thanks to a growing population from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond, the Valley is full of restaurants serving everything from smoky tandoori and deeply spiced nihari to Indo-Chinese noodles and flaky parathas. The settings run the gamut, from sleek dining rooms to strip mall staples and grocery store counters with just a few tables.
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2 months ago | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn
Fatboy Sandos Phoenix’s restaurants continue to face ongoing impacts from the pandemic, as well as other challenges facing restaurants nationally, like high overhead costs and staffing shortages. Here are notable restaurant closures from the last month or so. SnapbackThe late-night Grand Avenue pizza window known for its hybrid of Neapolitan and NYC-style slices closed in early January, adding to a string of recent Grand Avenue shutdowns.
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Jan 27, 2025 | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Chris Malloy |Nikki Buchanan
A conversation about exceptional pizza in Phoenix used to begin and end with Chris Bianco, the humble perfectionist who opened his first Pizzeria Bianco in 1994, won the James Beard Best Chef Southwest award in 2003, and earned more national attention in 2005 when cookbook author Ed Levine declared his pizza the best in the U.S. He set the bar for the Phoenix pizza-makers who followed, proving that pizza made with care and quality ingredients was different and infinitely better.
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Jan 14, 2025 | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn
The desert’s allure has long been tied to romance, especially in the dining scene, which, in the past, has been defined by high-end resort experiences. Though those elegant, special-occasion destinations still hold their charm, a wave of intimate neighborhood restaurants now offers a diverse, compelling array of options for a romantic evening. Date-night venues in Phoenix range from high-end tasting menu experiences to approachable neighborhood haunts.
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Dec 18, 2024 | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn
The Arizona desert might be the last place travelers and locals would expect to find afternoon tea, but here they can sip Earl Grey and nibble on scones under the sun. Afternoon tea — a British tradition born in the 1840s as a posh snack to bridge the gap between meals — may sound like a colonial-era relic, but Phoenix puts a modern spin on the ritual. From cocktail-infused gatherings to serene Japanese tea ceremonies, the city has different forms of afternoon tea to fit any taste.
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Nov 7, 2024 | 
eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Mcconnell Quinn
Sports bars are a dime a dozen in Phoenix, but it’s tough to find one that nails the essentials: enough screens, decent food, and a solid drink lineup. With football season in full swing, it’s time to check out a few places that raise the bar for watching the big games. For a little extra excitement, keep an eye out for Captain Morgan Follow the Captain icons and QR codes at these bars. Scan them and you’ll gain access to the epic scavenger hunt with opportunities to attend events and score prizes.
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Apr 11, 2024 | 
phoenix.eater.com | McConnell Quinn |Nikki Buchanan
In recent years, the bar scene in Phoenix has experienced a renaissance. Between gritty dives along six-lane streets to sophisticated cocktail lounges and trendy basement venues offering refuge from the summer heat, Phoenix is an excellent place to enjoy a drink. Whether you’re craving a glass of natural wine in a century-old cottage, a European beer in a vinyl-listening bar, or a meticulously crafted martini in a converted department store, Phoenix offers an eclectic array of options.
