Phoenix's Downtown Dining Scene
- Jun 17, 2025
- 2 min read
Phoenix’s downtown dining scene has exploded lately—infusing desert grit with global flavors, theatrical flair, and stellar cocktail craftsmanship. Here’s your mouth-watering, drink-filled guide to the coolest places to eat and sip in the heart of the city.
James Beard–Nominated Restaurants
Lom Wong
One of Phoenix’s premier Thai kitchens, chef Yotaka Martin is a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest thanks to his deeply authentic regional plates. Vibrant and unfiltered, Lom Wong is a must-visit for adventurous palates.
Valentine
Desert-inspired fine dining with a sweet twist—pastry chef Crystal Kass score a Beard nod for Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker (2025). Her desserts spotlight indigenous Sonoran flavors in creative and delicious presentations.
Bacanora
Backed by chef René Andrade’s 2024 Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest, Bacanora serves Sonoran favorites elevated into artful dining. This spot puts regional soul on the national stage.
Immersive Cocktail Experiences
Platform 18 (Century Grand)
Ever wanted to sip cocktails aboard an old-timey train? This“El Platform 18” combines rigorous craft cocktails, a rumbling Pullman-style car, ambient bayou or NYC-skyline visuals, and even digital moving windows. Voted as one of North America’s Best Bars, it’s a full theatrical experience.
Century Grand
This Pigtails-meets-speakeasy lounge is part of the train-themed Century Grand complex and made North America’s 50 Best Bars list (#36). It’s cinematic, historic, and unforgettable.
UnderTow & 36 Below
Part of the same craft-bar empire, UnderTow takes you to a clipper‑ship–style speakeasy, while 36 Below plunges underground into a lush botanical/scuba‑vibe cocktail lounge—complete with waxed wood, digital fish tanks, and aromatic surprise.
Rooftop & Underground Gems
Hyatt Regency’s Compass Restaurant
Atop the Hyatt Regency, the revolving Compass Restaurant offers an elegant dining experience with a sweeping 360° skyline view—great for date nights or celebratory dinners.
Bar Bianco & Pizzeria Bianco (Heritage Square)
Chris Bianco’s award-winning wood-fired pizzeria, Pizzeria Bianco, and its next-door sibling Bar Bianco remain downtown classics. Expect artisanal pizzas and cocktails in a historic setting.
Other Standouts
Chilte
Bold Mexican flavors from Emerging Chef Lawrence “LT” Smith, a 2025 Beard semifinalist.
Kid Sister
A hip cocktail bar in Phoenix’s Best New Bar category at the 2025 Beard Awards.
Time | Suggested Stop |
4PM | Start with Pizzeria Bianco in Heritage Square |
6PM | Head up to Compass Restaurant for revolving sunset views |
8PM | Choose your evening: immersive drinks at Platform18, UnderTow, or the spirited Century Grand |
Late PM | Grab a late snack or nightcap at Kid Sister or Chilte |
Downtown Phoenix is now a top-tier food & drink destination, blending regional heritage with global flair and inventive storytelling. Raise a glass (or two)—it’s a flavor journey you won’t forget.
