One of my favorite parts of traveling is finding new places to eat. I usually spend hours scrolling around Google Maps looking for places to try. I drained a lot of battery while looking for great restaurants and coffee shops on my recent Phoenix trip. In order to save you some time and battery power, I put together a list of my favorite places to eat in Downtown Phoenix.
1. be Coffee
be Coffee is a unique little coffee shop that serves amazing coffee and savory breakfasts in a multi business building. The coffee here was hands down the best coffee we had in all of Phoenix. I was also impressed by the freshness of their food. You can watch it being cooked while sitting under a Boba Fett mural, and they used the freshest ingredients. We ordered the English Avocado+ Tomato and boy was it yummy. In addition to the coffee shop, there are other businesses within the building. Under the staircase there was a little plant shop I longed to visit (unfortunately it was closed both times we went to get coffee), and there was a little art gallery you could wander through while enjoying your fresh brew. This place is a little bit of a walk from most Downtown Phoenix hotels, but it is totally worth it if you’re looking for a really great cup of coffee and a hot breakfast.
Located on Roosevelt between 2nd and 3rd St
For more information visit Be Coffee’s website.
2. Matt’s Big Breakfast
Matt’s Big Breakfast is a traditional breakfast joint that serves all the favorites. From bacon and eggs to fluffy pancakes, they have the breakfast basics covered. Most meals come with a side of toast (go for the sourdough, its great) and jam. I don’t know what kind of jam I got, but it was so delicious that I scrapped every last bit out of the container to put on my pancakes. Matt’s also has refreshing homemade lemonades that come in a variety of flavors. The dining area is small, so you might have to find a seat at the bar or wait a few minutes for a table, but the staff is always friendly and the food comes quick. Matt’s has been a favorite on my list since 2014, and it hasn’t disappointed me yet.
Located at the corner of 1st and Garfield
To see Matt’s locations and menu, visit Matt’s Big Breakfast’s website.
3. Cornish Pasty Co.
My mom and I were so excited to find one of our favorite meals in Phoenix. We thought pasties were a regional food, and didn’t realize they had made it all the way to the southwest. A pasty is a savory mix of meat and root vegetables folded into a flaky crust. They were traditionally eaten by miners on their lunch breaks. The crust is folded to create a handle, eliminating the need for silverware. The Cornish Pasty Co. continues to serve the traditional version of the pasty (meat, potatoes, rutabaga, onion, and gravy), but they have also created a menu that will satisfy nearly every tastebud. We were so impressed by their wide variety of flavors! We tried the Reuben Pasty and it was amazing. We also went for the chocolate bread pudding, and it was out of this world! It was the most unique bread pudding I have ever tried. It was crunchy and flaky and warm and melty and chocolaty and so rich. Take my advice and split it with the table. It is totally worth it. Stop by the Cornish Pasty Co. if you’re looking for something different than regular restaurant food. You will be happy that you did.
Located at the corner of Central and Monroe
To learn more visit the Cornish Pasty Co.’s website.
4. The Duce
This place is so cool: in ambiance, not in temperature. The first thing to note is that this place does not have air conditioning. It is very hot. BUT, the drinks are refreshing, the food is good, and the place is just all around fun. You could spend many hours here. There’s yard games, a boxing ring, vintage furniture, lots to look at, space to roam, and lots of treats to try. We sat down for a little snack while we were here. We got the mac’n’cheese muffins (so fun) and a really great salad. The drink menu is very impressive. They are known for their fresh hard lemonades that are full of fresh fruit. If you’re looking for a place to spend a few hours mingling and drinking, this is the place to go.
Located in the Warehouse District on Central and Lincoln
Side note: The Duce has a very rich history. As a history buff, I was fascinated by the whole thing. You can read the The Duce’s story on their website.
You already know it; food is one of my favorite charms of life. The opportunity to try new foods in new places is like a super bonus charm of life. Are these places a new charm for you? Let me know in the comments. Have another suggestion for a place to eat in Downtown Phoenix? Tell me about it in the comments or on Instagram!
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