Phoenix may have never been a traditional foodie town, but there’s no doubt that Downtown’s rise to food stardom has been swift. In the past few years, much of Central Phoenix has become a foodaholic’s dream come true: legit Mexican kitchens, airy New American modern spaces and more than a few trendy wine bar bistros. As Downtown Phoenix continues to grow respected in the food realm, expect more exciting places to pop up in the coming months. The rumor list is always brewing, and with so much adaptive reuse going on in the city, no wonder local celebrity chefs are making their move to the city.

While we’re no Seattle, the coffeehouse-to-human ratio has been steadily climbing for some time. From SoDo north to Uptown, Phoenix is onto something: locally roasted beans, handcrafted pastries and intelligent, unique coffee culture is on the rise. Expect a sea of glowing laptops at nearly every establishment.

And, who can forget that Downtown is home to some of the quirkiest dive bars and classiest cocktail spots around. The bar scene along Roosevelt Row, Grand, Central and throughout Downtown is alive and well. Team DPJ regularly can’t decide between a $2 PBR pitcher at Bikini Lounge or the latest concoction at SideBar. That’s nightlife in the city, just the way we like it.

Notice we’re missing your favorite haunt in our directory? Send an email to info@downtownphoenixjournal.com to right the situation.