With so many out-of-town supporters coming to visit us in Phoenix, we wanted to put together a list of all of our faaavorite places around the city to make travel planning a breeze! FOOD: Uptown Farmers Market: open Wednesdays + Saturdays, 9am-1pm. on Bethany Road + Central Ave. Check out the Shanghai Crepe Stand and try a Jian Bing! Otro Cafe: open, contemporary kitchen serving innovative Mexican + New American fare (a lotuswei-favorite near the building). It’s next door to Healthy Habit, a local health food store if you need any teas, herbs or healthy treats. Verdura: Vinyl-themed plant-based eatery only a few blocks from our building! Hana Japanese Eatery: yummy Japanese food very close to LOTUSWEI flowerlounge Glai Baan: Classic Thai street food + dishes with an intimate vibe. Popular + busy. Restaurant Progress: super special, treat yourself intimate bar + restaurant with mood lighting, fancy wine list + outdoor patio Gallo Blanco: by same owners as Otro Cafe but a more downtown location Kaleidoscope Juice: pressed juices, superfood smoothies + healthy lunches Pane Bianco: sandwiches + salads (breads made with local heirloom wheat said to be easier to eat for gluten-sensitive folks); next door to Lux coffeehouse. Open 11a-3p. Crudo: high-end, raw fish inspired menu with innovative cocktail bar. Clever Koi: Asian-inspired kitchen + down-to-earth craft cocktail bar Famé: Farm-to-fork cafe with French + Mexican flair. Breakfast + lunch. Elly’s: A reimagined classic American pancake house. Parlor Pizza: Hair salon turned rustic pizzeria. Handmade pizza + pasta. The Dressing Room: short, delicious menu with the best french fries in town, along with a must-try non-alcoholic Peruvian drink called ‘Chicha Morada’ Taco Chelo: our favorite taco place in town! Handmade corn tortillas + simple menu Welcome Diner: Diner-style farm-to-table. American fare; of place in the Sonoran Desert, roots set with a Southern tinge. Vegan + vegetarian options. The Churchill: open air, various food stalls with GF pizza, acai bowls + other grub Juby True: bottled juices + superfood treats Takematsu: traditional Korean bbq + Japanese sushi under one roof Great Wall Cuisine: Dim Sum + Chinese food Food with a 20-25 minute drive from downtown Phoenix: Crepe Bar in Tempe: Modern cafe with creative sweet & savory crêpes Pomegranate Cafe in Ahwatukee: The best vegan restaurant in the valley Coffee / Tea Kream (tiny espresso cart inside For the People design store): Best Oat Milk Matcha Latte in town First Place Coffee: Best Coffee from a truck: location changes daily; see instagram. First Draft Book Bar: coffee bar inside our favorite local bookstore called Changing Hands LUX: coffee, pastries + food in a busy, packed, hip coffeehouse you’re sure to strike up a convo with some nice-looking stranger. Open late night. Be Coffee: yummy coffee drinks in the heart of painted murals + next door to a great restaurant ChaCha’s Tea Shop: Best selection of teas in town. Open late night. Cartel Coffee: located downtown, next to Kaleidoscope Juice Giant Coffee: located in same building as Bunky Boutique, local store Provisions Coffee: coffee + cocktail bar with delicious breakfast toasts Songbird Coffee House: they don’t always have them, but when they do … the apple turnovers and homemade pop tarts are delish (gluten splurge) Places to Stay: The Clarendon Foundre Palomar Hotel The Royal Palms Omni Montelucia Camelback Hotel + Spa We love to travel with AirBnb, but always always make sure we are staying with a Superhost + read the reviews to get a feel for the neighborhood! Things to do: Desert Botanical Garden Tucson Gem + Mineral Show: Jan 24 - February 17 Musical Instrument Museum Heard Museum Phoenix Art Museum Grocery: Natural Grocers Sprouts Whole Foods Trader Joe’s Uptown Farmers Market on Wednesday’s from 9a-1p Lam’s: our favorite Asian grocery store with tropical fruits Shops: Citrine Natural Beauty Shop at the Biltmore Frances Vintage The Local Nomad Bunky Boutique Camelback Flowershop Hikes: Dreamy Draw (difficulty: easy) South Mountain (difficulty: easy) Piewesta Peak - 2.2 miles (difficulty: hard) Camelback Mountain - 3 miles (difficulty: hard) Best Salsa Dancing in Phoenix: Mambo Exquisite: Weekly classes on Tuesdays for beginners + intermediate/advanced by Katie’s favorite local teacher Lawrence Garcia: 7pm shine class, 8pm partner class + social afterwards, $10 If you go to Sedona, our favorite spots are... FOOD: Local Juicery: juices, smoothies, treats + fun stuff Chocolate Tree: vegan + check out amazing chocolates! Indian Gardens Cafe + Market: good lunch spot Chai Spot at Tlaquepaque: homemade chai L’Auberge de Sedona - high-end-ish lunch/dinner on the creek Elote Cafe: Farm-fresh Mexican inspired cuisine overlooking the scenic red rocks of Sedona. Featuring seasonal, locally-grown ingredients! HIKES: Brins Mesa Trail {We collected the Wild Delphinium + Indian Paintbrush on this hike!} West Fork Trail at Oak Creek Canyon Waterwheel Devil’s Bridge Red Rock Cathedral Trail
