Where to Eat Near the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ (Updated May 2023)
Whether you are in the area for a Suns game, a concert, or are just around the Footprint Center and looking for a place to snag a tasty meal, finding just the right spot can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the area. Check out our list of local favorite restaurants to try the next time you are hungry and around the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ.
1. The Arrogant Butcher
2 E Jefferson Ste 150 Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 324-8502
This upscale bar is a fantastic spot for everything from happy hour to a fancy steak or seafood dinner. With comfortable booths and an inviting bar, the Arrogant Butcher is a perfect place to meet up with friends to watch the big game or just nosh on elegant eats like their Smoked Salmon Rillette appetizer, the Slow Roasted Prime Rib or the King Crab Legs Seafood Platter.
2. Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen Bar
201 E. Jefferson St Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 462-3800
If you and your group have big appetites, swing by Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen Bar for food that is extra in every way. They are cooking up delicious food in this huge two-story restaurant next to Chase Field that is open every day, but offers gameday specials as well. Our favorites here are the Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Wings and Guy’s famous Bacon Mac-N-Cheese Burger, which was voted the best burger in Vegas as well as at New York’s Food and Wine festival.
3. Blanco Cocina & Cantina
123 E Washington St Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 899-8102
If you think you might want to sample some Sonoran-style Mexican food, make a reservation at Blanco’s to avoid a long wait. The complimentary chips and salsa start the meal off with a salty and spicy bang, but the flavor doesn’t stop there. Snag a Frozen Paloma while you peruse the menu, but choosing just one of the delicious taco plates is going to be tough. We love the Grilled Mahi and the Carne Asada, but everything is spectacular at Blanco’s.
4. Ingo’s Tasty Food
101 E Washington St Ste A Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 825-3000
Whether you are near the Footprint Center for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Ingo’s is our go-to spot for reliable and delicious food. The best bets for each meal of the day are the Chorizo Burrito at breakfast (but it’s served all day), the Bistro Steak Salad for midday meals and the tri-tip Duchess sandwich that is sliced to order and always delicious. Here they’ve got a little bit of everything and it doesn’t disappoint.
5. Coabana
1 East Washington St Phoenix, AZ 85004
This swanky bar is the perfect stop for a taste of Little Havana. Coabana turns out delicious tapas that is more than enough for a meal and that match perfectly with their Cuban-flavored cocktails. The Guava and Cheese Empanadas come with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce while the Cubano Sandwich is piled high with ham, roasted pork and pickles to create a handheld that reminds your tastebuds of the island paradise.
6. Blue Hound
2 E Jefferson St Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-0231
A gorgeous and sleek option, the Blue Hound’s restaurant and bar is nestled into the Kimpton Hotel Palomar’s lobby. Snag a coveted booth for dining or sidle up to one of the community bar tables to grab snacks and a cocktail. Brunching here is popular with the Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and the Eggs Benedict on the menu. But the Blue Hound is well known for cocktails and dinner, too with creative entrees like Tempura Portobello Mushroom and the fun Net of the Sea, a pastry puff netting filled with overflowing seafood like green tip mussels and Maine lobster.
7. Wren & Wolf
2 N Central Ave Ste 101 Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 562-3510
This stunning chef-driven restaurant is a gem that everyone who dines near the Footprint Center should try at least once. From the swanky dining room to the memorable wolf standing guard over the dining room, eating here is an event you won’t forget. Locals love Wren & Wolf’s Wagyu beef which is cooked at a table side hibachi over binchō-tan charcoal as well as the Wild Boar Bolognese.
8. Little Rituals
132 S Central Ave Fl 4 Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 704-0632
This funky spot is where you should head if you want a relaxed meal and fantastic cocktails. The limited but varied menu at Little Rituals has something for everyone. Popular choices here are the Claypot Wings, Pho French Dip sandwich, Hurricane Umami Fries and the Southwest Smashburger.
9. The Kettle Black Kitchen & Pub
1 N 1st St Ste 108 Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 651-1185
For a classic pub experience, look no further than the Kettle Black. Well-known for classics like Fish & Chips, Guinness Braised Short Ribs and Bangers and Mash, this restaurant will transport you over the pond with their traditional pub fare. And the Kettle Black also pours up excellent draft beers from their rotating chalkboard menu and even offers beer flights to sample new tastes.
10. Majerle’s Sports Grill
24 N 2nd St Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 253-0118
Local sports star, Dan Majerle’s namesake sports bar is a popular destination for the game-watching crowd, but locals love to come here for the great food and lively atmosphere. Popular options at the sports-themed celebrity-owned Majerle’s are Murph’s Mac & Cheese Burger, Proski’s Rajun Cajun sandwich and for smaller appetites, the JV Squad’s Max the Rookie’s Burger.
11. Cornish Pasty Co.
7 W Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 374-8500
If you’ve never tried a pasty, you’re in for a treat. The pasty is a well-known English favorite. It’s all about the combination of varied types of pastry merged into all sorts of stuffing such as cheese, meat and vegetables. One of the favorites that locals love so much is the Oggie. This one has lots of steak, along with potatoes and onions. It’s served with a gravy. You can also find varied vegetarian option that let you have something that is light and also delicious. This is the place to be if you want to keep things simple, and budget-friendly but you also love the chance to try something out of the ordinary.
12. Monroe’s Hot Chicken
45 W. Jefferson Street, Suite K, Luhrs Tower, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 872-7100
This restaurant follows in the footsteps of the Nashville-style hot chicken dishes that have become popular from coast to coast. You could certainly make maps of the many landscapes in each piece. All that wrinkled, distorted, brown-fried casing lacks the shatter you’d expect — yet the heat is increasing hard and fast. The key is to dig in quickly before the pepper sauce, which turns the chicken molten on the outside. Milkshakes begin to frost as they come into contact with the heat. If you order a chicken sandwich, the broccoli will temper the heat and add a wonderful snap. Whatever you eat at Monroe’s, you should expect a downtown lunch with a personality that will brighten your day.
13. Cibo
603 North Fifth Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 441-2697
Cibo is an Italian restaurant housed in a restored bungalow with a rustic look consisting of hardwood floors, exposed brick, and a fireplace. Diner options range from hot or cold saltimbocca, focaccia-style bread paired with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers to almond butter with apricot marmalade. Pork BBQ with fontina cheese is also available served with chips or fruit salad. During a communal power lunch, Cibo offers the option of four distinct handcrafted pizzas for patrons to choose from. To satisfy those with a sweet tooth, a Nutella crepe with strawberries or banana is available. Cibo also presents a variety of fresh pasta dishes that you can enjoy while watching the animated city zoom on the patio.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Phoenix page, here!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on January 13, 2023 and last updated on May 2, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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