Looking for things to do in Phoenix during QuiltCon? If you’re in the mood for exploring, the Phoenix MQG has compiled a list of their favorite restaurants, shops, parks, museums, and music venues to check out while you’re in town.
Photo credit: Laura Flagler and Kristi Wimmer
DOWNTOWN
Coffee Shops/Tea
Royal Coffee Bar Cartel Coffee
Restaurants
Welcome Diner- Hip diner-style food
Cornish Pasty- English Pasties, pub
Breakfast Club- Breakfast/Brunch
Hanny’s- Upscale pizza in what was once a department store from the 60’s.
Taco Chelo- This taqueria combines both culinary and visual arts.
Mrs Whites’s Golden Rule Cafe- Authentic soul food. “An old Phoenix institution”
Killer Whale Sex Club- Filipino, Korean, Cocktail bar
Bliss Rebar- New American, burgers, bar
Breakfast Bitch- “The party is at Breakfast Bitch”
Arizona Wilderness DTPHX- Burgers, beer garden
Trapp Haus BBQ- Pit master is known as the “Jay Z of Barbecue”
Tap That Downtown -Breakfast Brunch, American Traditional, Bar
Gallo Blanco- Modern Mexican fare
Crown Public House- Sports bar, American, pub
Cibo- Wood-fired pizza served in a historic home.
The Vig Filmore- American new, American Traditional, Breakfast/Brunch, Bar
Azteca Bakeries & restaurant- Authentic Mexican sweetbread and other Mexican Pastries
the larder + the delta- Voted Arizona’s “Best farm to table restaurant” by Travel and Leisure Magazine
Rough Rider- New American, seafood
Carly’s Bistro- Soups, salads, and sandwiches - decorated with local art
Angels Trumpet Ale House- Gastropub, Beer Garden
Matt’s Big Breakfast- Classic American breakfast using locally sourced ingredients
Foxy Fruit Acai Bowls & Smoothies- Healing food and edible art
Pizzaria Bianco- Consistently voted “Best Pizza in America”
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles- The name says it all. Locally owned and operated.
Bars/Music Venues
Gracie’s Tax Bar- Hipster lounge bar with patio
Bikini Lounge- Artist/hipster dive bar
The Churchill- Collaboration of 10 local businesses around a courtyard
Crescent Ballroom- Music venue, Mexican food, lounge
The Van Buren- Music venue, converted historic auto dealership
The Nash Jazz Club- Showcase of Arizona’s jazz talent
Cobra Arcade Bar- Vintage video games and pinball
The Lost Leaf- Big beer selection, an art gallery with live music housed in a historic home.
Bitter & Twisted- Cocktail Parlor
Bar Bianco- Wine bar with snacks.
Valley Bar- Music venue, lounge
Photo credit: Laura Flagler and Kristi Wimmer
MIDTOWN
Midtown Restaurants
Restaurant Progress- New American cuisine
Short Leash Hotdogs and Rollover Doughnuts- Unique twist on classic favorites.
PHX burrito House- Homemade, Authentic
The Clever Koi- Asian fusion, Ramen, Cocktail bar
Ocotillo- Casual, contemporary American
Switch- Casual yet sophisticated, American traditional, Bar
Mi Patio- Local authentic Mexican food
Presidio Cocina Mexicana- Local fresh Mexican cuisine
Durant’s- Historic Steak house. A favorite of the “Rat Pack”….Yes, you enter through the kitchen!!
The Main Ingredient- Known by locals as T.M.I., a High-end sandwich and alehouse located in a 100-year-old home. Great neighborhood patio.
Rice Paper on 7th- Vietnamese street food
Green New American- Vegan/Vegetarian, “Make sure to try the Big Wac.”
Fàme Caffe- Breakfast/Brunch
Persepshen- Tapas/Small plates, cocktails
Fez- American and Moroccan fare
Valentine- Coffee, cocktails, brunch, and dinner. Located inside a lovely mid-century furniture store.
Coffee
Dark Hall Coffee- Vegan/delicious in house-made pastries
Lux Central- Coffee/ cocktails house-made pastries and quiche
JL Patisserie Phoenix- High-end French pastries
Copper Star Coffee- Locally roasted coffee and sandwiches in a renovated gas station
Moxie Coffee- Artisan Coffee
Window Coffee Bar- Quality coffee and espresso
Bar/Lounges
Thunderbird Lounge- Neighborhood bar with HUGE outdoor patio. Grab a drink, enjoy the weather.
The Womack Cocktail Lounge- Speakeasy vibes.
McKenzie’s Midtown Tavern- Sports bar
George & Dragon- English pub
Stacy’s at Melrose- If you are looking for a place to dance or a great show, this is it.
Kolbalt Bar- Karaoke
Photo credit: Laura Flagler and Kristi Wimmer
UPTOWN
Restaurants
Joyride Taco House- Elevated Mexican street eats
Postinos- Light Italian food and wine cafe. Their Bruschetta is the best!
Federal Pizza- Wood fired pizza and bar
La Piñata- Making Sonora-style Mexican food in Arizona for over 50 years.
Belly Kitchen- Asian, Italian, American fusion
Pubblico Italian Eatery- Homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas
Otro Cafe- New Age American, Mexican cuisine
Pomelo- Upscale, classic American food located on a historic citrus farm.
Hulas Modern Tiki- Modern Hawaiian fare with a 50’s and 60’s vibe.
St Francis- Handcrafted American contemporary
Rokerij- Cuisine of New Mexico. Make sure to check out the bar in the basement.
Bar/Lounges
Hess Brewery- A craft brewery
Linger Longer Lounge- Games, cocktail bar
Swizzle Inn- Voted “Best Dive Bar”
Whining Pig Uptown- Smallest beer and wine bar. Where everybody will know your name.
Quilt Shops and Fabric Stores
Hummingbird Lane Fabrics - A new Quilt shop in Downtown Gilbert.
35th Ave Sew & Vac- Make sure to go to the location on Northern. This space was originally a grocery store. It’s huge!
Modern Quilting- A great selection of solids.
The Bernina Connection- All the quilting goodies, plus garment patterns and fabrics.
Mulqueen Sewing & Fabric Centers- Lots of notions.
SAS Fabric Superstore- All fabrics. Not just quilting.
A Quilter’s Oasis- A cute little shop in Mesa, AZ.
Mad B’s Quilt and Sew Store- Fun patterns and bundles.
Photo credit: Laura Flagler and Kristi Wimmer
Museums/Public Spaces
Japanese Friendship Garden- RoHoEn
Heard Museum- A must-see.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of The West
Phoenix Botanical Gardens- A wonderful look at our desert with rotating artist installations.
SMoCA- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
MIM: Musical Instrument Museum- One of the top 15 museums in the United States.
LOVE Sculpture- Robert Indiana