Rick's Picks

Rick
Rick's Picks

Food Scene

$$ Casual, popular, old-school with great lunch specials. Just 4 minutes by car. You can dine indoors or you can visit their to-go window outside. This place is packed on Friday and Saturday nights.
20 locals recommend
Red Devil Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
3102 E McDowell Rd
20 locals recommend
$$ Casual, popular, old-school with great lunch specials. Just 4 minutes by car. You can dine indoors or you can visit their to-go window outside. This place is packed on Friday and Saturday nights.
$$$$ Upscale with a romantic outdoor patio and yummy cocktails. Try the guacamole and a jalapeño margarita!
191 locals recommend
Chelsea's Kitchen
5040 N 40th St
191 locals recommend
$$$$ Upscale with a romantic outdoor patio and yummy cocktails. Try the guacamole and a jalapeño margarita!
$$$ Unique restaurant, great midtown location and a historic building. Try the spaghetti with brown butter and mizithra cheese!
20 locals recommend
The Old Spaghetti Factory
1418 N Central Ave
20 locals recommend
$$$ Unique restaurant, great midtown location and a historic building. Try the spaghetti with brown butter and mizithra cheese!
$$$ Great appetizers, fabulous cocktails, unique island cuisine plus indoor/outdoor dining. One of my favorite places. Don't miss happy hour!
83 locals recommend
Hula's Modern Tiki
5114 N 7th St
83 locals recommend
$$$ Great appetizers, fabulous cocktails, unique island cuisine plus indoor/outdoor dining. One of my favorite places. Don't miss happy hour!
$$$ Unique taco restaurant inside an old church.
139 locals recommend
Taco Guild
546 E Osborn Rd
139 locals recommend
$$$ Unique taco restaurant inside an old church.
$$$$$ For steaks and martinis, upscale and old school.
19 locals recommend
The Stockyards Steakhouse
5009 E Washington St
19 locals recommend
$$$$$ For steaks and martinis, upscale and old school.
$$$ For breakfast, lunch and dinner, southern soul favorites. They serve Kool-Aid in multiple flavors plus fried green tomatoes!
97 locals recommend
Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles
3133 N Scottsdale Rd
97 locals recommend
$$$ For breakfast, lunch and dinner, southern soul favorites. They serve Kool-Aid in multiple flavors plus fried green tomatoes!
$$ Homemade comfort food, like mom used to make. It's way across town but worth a drive. Don't miss the peanut butter chocolate pie.
My Mother's Restaurant
4130 N 19th Ave
$$ Homemade comfort food, like mom used to make. It's way across town but worth a drive. Don't miss the peanut butter chocolate pie.
$$$ Upscale Mexican cuisine. Ignore the gaudy pink exterior, because the inside is dark, romantic and beautifully decorated. On some nights you will hear live Spanish guitar. I love their fruit infused waters and vibrant salsas. The chef's "daily special" is worth asking about.
9 locals recommend
Asi Es La Vida Restaurant
3602 N 24th St
9 locals recommend
$$$ Upscale Mexican cuisine. Ignore the gaudy pink exterior, because the inside is dark, romantic and beautifully decorated. On some nights you will hear live Spanish guitar. I love their fruit infused waters and vibrant salsas. The chef's "daily special" is worth asking about.
$ This drive-through, fast-food restaurant, offers a variety of tasty salads. A good option when you're stretched for time.
11 locals recommend
Salad And Go
3233 E Indian School Rd
11 locals recommend
$ This drive-through, fast-food restaurant, offers a variety of tasty salads. A good option when you're stretched for time.
$$ Friendly neighborhood dive bar (and grill) with good food, good prices and good fun! They open early in the morning for breakfast and they stay open late into the night. This is a casual place for drinking, sports and karaoke.
Ole Brass Rail
3738 E Thomas Rd
$$ Friendly neighborhood dive bar (and grill) with good food, good prices and good fun! They open early in the morning for breakfast and they stay open late into the night. This is a casual place for drinking, sports and karaoke.
$$ Diner dishing up American staples for breakfast, lunch & dinner in a throwback 1950s setting.
9 locals recommend
5 & Diner
3567 W Northern Ave
9 locals recommend
$$ Diner dishing up American staples for breakfast, lunch & dinner in a throwback 1950s setting.
$ Burgers, fries and milkshakes... a west coast phenomenon
18 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
4840 N 20th St
18 locals recommend
$ Burgers, fries and milkshakes... a west coast phenomenon
$$$$$ Spectacular five-star restaurant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, celebrating Native American culture and cuisine. Indulgent, expensive and memorable!
8 locals recommend
Kai Restaurant
5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd
8 locals recommend
$$$$$ Spectacular five-star restaurant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, celebrating Native American culture and cuisine. Indulgent, expensive and memorable!
$$$ Upscale chain eatery serving burgers, steaks & other American fare in stylish, spacious surrounds
84 locals recommend
Hillstone Restaurant
2650 E Camelback Rd
84 locals recommend
$$$ Upscale chain eatery serving burgers, steaks & other American fare in stylish, spacious surrounds
$$$$ Historic Phoenix landmark, old-school chophouse, serving steak, seafood & martinis in a vintage red-velvet setting
137 locals recommend
Durant's
2611 N Central Ave
137 locals recommend
$$$$ Historic Phoenix landmark, old-school chophouse, serving steak, seafood & martinis in a vintage red-velvet setting
$$$ Down-home joint serving pick-your-own-spice seafood boils, barbecue mains & po' boy sandwiches
64 locals recommend
Angry Crab Shack
2808 E Indian School Rd
64 locals recommend
$$$ Down-home joint serving pick-your-own-spice seafood boils, barbecue mains & po' boy sandwiches
$$Family-owned diner with a friendly small-town feel. Open for breakfast and lunch. Specialties include Chicken Fried Steak, Catfish and the now-famous Pork Chili Verde.
15 locals recommend
Ranch House Grille
5618 E Thomas Rd
15 locals recommend
$$Family-owned diner with a friendly small-town feel. Open for breakfast and lunch. Specialties include Chicken Fried Steak, Catfish and the now-famous Pork Chili Verde.
$$$Great sushi, teriyaki, tempura, nice atmosphere, tasty cocktails. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
21 locals recommend
Sushi Brokers Arcadia
4419 E Indian School Rd
21 locals recommend
$$$Great sushi, teriyaki, tempura, nice atmosphere, tasty cocktails. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
$$Friendly gay bar, catering to women and men, with a gothic-decor show lounge, dance floor, outdoor patio and food truck.
21 locals recommend
Stacy's @ Melrose
4343 N 7th Ave
21 locals recommend
$$Friendly gay bar, catering to women and men, with a gothic-decor show lounge, dance floor, outdoor patio and food truck.
$$Popular vegan restaurant with Mexican flavor.
86 locals recommend
The Coronado PHX
2245 N 12th St
86 locals recommend
$$Popular vegan restaurant with Mexican flavor.
$$Great Vietnamese food in a sleek setting, close to The Phoenix Art Museum and The Phoenix Theater.
Basilic Vietnamese kitchen
101 E McDowell Rd
$$Great Vietnamese food in a sleek setting, close to The Phoenix Art Museum and The Phoenix Theater.
$Hip gay-&-lesbian bar offering billiards, darts, karaoke & specialty nights, plus a spacious patio.
7 locals recommend
Bar 1
3702 N 16th St
7 locals recommend
$Hip gay-&-lesbian bar offering billiards, darts, karaoke & specialty nights, plus a spacious patio.
$$Highly recommended casual BBQ joint.
37 locals recommend
Little Miss BBQ Sunnyslope
8901 N 7th St
37 locals recommend
$$Highly recommended casual BBQ joint.
$$$$Toca Madera is a modern and trendy take on traditional Mexican cuisine, featuring unique plates and specialty craft cocktails. Now Open in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Scottsdale. Featuring a live DJ in the bar on most evenings, adjacent to high-end shopping (Scottsdale Fashion Square)
156 locals recommend
Toca Madera Scottsdale
4736 N Goldwater Blvd
156 locals recommend
$$$$Toca Madera is a modern and trendy take on traditional Mexican cuisine, featuring unique plates and specialty craft cocktails. Now Open in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Scottsdale. Featuring a live DJ in the bar on most evenings, adjacent to high-end shopping (Scottsdale Fashion Square)
$$Traditional Chinese food served in an informal dining room. Great lunch specials. All tables receive a pot of hot tea.
10 locals recommend
Desert Jade Restaurant
3215 E Indian School Rd
10 locals recommend
$$Traditional Chinese food served in an informal dining room. Great lunch specials. All tables receive a pot of hot tea.
$$$One of a kind Tiki Bar built inside the hull of an old sailing ship. No food is served, but the experience is amazing and the cocktails are top-notch. Reservations suggested.
68 locals recommend
UnderTow
3626 E Indian School Rd
68 locals recommend
$$$One of a kind Tiki Bar built inside the hull of an old sailing ship. No food is served, but the experience is amazing and the cocktails are top-notch. Reservations suggested.
$$$One of a kind cocktail bar built inside a "moving" train car. No food is served, but the experience is amazing and the cocktails are top-notch. Reservations suggested. This bar is located next to the Undertow bar... another must see.
61 locals recommend
Century Grand
3626 E Indian School Rd
61 locals recommend
$$$One of a kind cocktail bar built inside a "moving" train car. No food is served, but the experience is amazing and the cocktails are top-notch. Reservations suggested. This bar is located next to the Undertow bar... another must see.
$$Gourmet taco shop with great food and art
81 locals recommend
La Santisima
4117 North 16th Street
81 locals recommend
$$Gourmet taco shop with great food and art
$$They have a "make your own enchilada bar." You choose the ingredients and then your creation goes into the oven. Fun and delicious!
77 locals recommend
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
3313 N 7th St
77 locals recommend
$$They have a "make your own enchilada bar." You choose the ingredients and then your creation goes into the oven. Fun and delicious!
$$$Authentic and upscale Thai cuisine in a cool downtown neighborhood with a great story and atmosphere. If you get the chance, go to their website and watch their documentary: https://www.lomwongaz.com/documentary
Lom Wong
218 East Portland Street
$$$Authentic and upscale Thai cuisine in a cool downtown neighborhood with a great story and atmosphere. If you get the chance, go to their website and watch their documentary: https://www.lomwongaz.com/documentary
$$Unique bar in a trendy neighborhood, dark and atmospheric. Reservations suggested.
19 locals recommend
Killer Whale Sex Club
922 N 6th St
19 locals recommend
$$Unique bar in a trendy neighborhood, dark and atmospheric. Reservations suggested.
An indoor/outdoor space with a maze of food trucks and unique retail shops. Located in a fun and trendy neighborhood.
38 locals recommend
Pemberton PHX
1121 North 2nd Street
38 locals recommend
An indoor/outdoor space with a maze of food trucks and unique retail shops. Located in a fun and trendy neighborhood.
$$Fun place for breakfast, brunch and drinks, woman-owned and black-owned business, focusing on diversity and empowerment. All bitches welcome!
22 locals recommend
Breakfast Bitch
330 East Roosevelt Street
22 locals recommend
$$Fun place for breakfast, brunch and drinks, woman-owned and black-owned business, focusing on diversity and empowerment. All bitches welcome!
$$Located in the coolest downtown neighborhood (Roosevelt Row) this trendy hotel has an awesome rooftop bar with good food/drink and spectacular views of the city.
6 locals recommend
Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center
222 E Portland St
6 locals recommend
$$Located in the coolest downtown neighborhood (Roosevelt Row) this trendy hotel has an awesome rooftop bar with good food/drink and spectacular views of the city.
The Farish House is a cozy bistro and wine haunt, a quaint escape from modern life right in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. Family owned and operated, the Farish House serves up classics such as cassoulet, Angus ribeye, mac n’ cheese and a bevy of small bites, cheeses and charcuterie in a charming turn-of-the-century home and patio setting.
13 locals recommend
The Farish House
816 N 3rd St
13 locals recommend
The Farish House is a cozy bistro and wine haunt, a quaint escape from modern life right in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. Family owned and operated, the Farish House serves up classics such as cassoulet, Angus ribeye, mac n’ cheese and a bevy of small bites, cheeses and charcuterie in a charming turn-of-the-century home and patio setting.
Sip Coffee & Beer Garage is an automotive service center turned into a cafe, featuring coffee, beer, cocktails and light fare. Fun and casual environment. A good place to hang-out, work and meet others.
172 locals recommend
Sip Coffee & Beer
3617 N Goldwater Blvd
172 locals recommend
Sip Coffee & Beer Garage is an automotive service center turned into a cafe, featuring coffee, beer, cocktails and light fare. Fun and casual environment. A good place to hang-out, work and meet others.
$$ Popular neighborhood coffee house and cafe with healthy food choices and indoor/outdoor spaces.
218 locals recommend
Original ChopShop
7158 E 5th Ave
218 locals recommend
$$ Popular neighborhood coffee house and cafe with healthy food choices and indoor/outdoor spaces.

Sightseeing

Easy hike and easy climb, only four miles away. You will actually climb up into the rock and you will get a spectacular view of Phoenix and the valley. Wear comfortable walking shoes and go at sunset if you can.
184 locals recommend
Hole in the Rock
625 N Galvin Pkwy
184 locals recommend
Easy hike and easy climb, only four miles away. You will actually climb up into the rock and you will get a spectacular view of Phoenix and the valley. Wear comfortable walking shoes and go at sunset if you can.
Only 15 minutes away by car. Spectacular desert landscape with exotic plants and trees. Make sure to bring your camera.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
1231 locals recommend
Only 15 minutes away by car. Spectacular desert landscape with exotic plants and trees. Make sure to bring your camera.
One of my favorite venues for live theater and musicals with a restaurant and beautiful green space, adjacent to the Phoenix art museum.
42 locals recommend
The Phoenix Theatre Company
1825 N Central Ave
42 locals recommend
One of my favorite venues for live theater and musicals with a restaurant and beautiful green space, adjacent to the Phoenix art museum.
This indoor/outdoor event takes place on the first Friday of each month and features local artists, street performers and street food.
129 locals recommend
First Friday Roosevelt Row
333 E Roosevelt St
129 locals recommend
This indoor/outdoor event takes place on the first Friday of each month and features local artists, street performers and street food.
Multipurpose venue that's home to Arizona Diamondbacks & host to other sporting events & concerts. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
413 locals recommend
Chase Field
401 E Jefferson St
413 locals recommend
Multipurpose venue that's home to Arizona Diamondbacks & host to other sporting events & concerts. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
About a four hour drive. Majestic and awe-inspiring! Guided tours out of Phoenix are also available.
435 locals recommend
Grand Canyon
435 locals recommend
About a four hour drive. Majestic and awe-inspiring! Guided tours out of Phoenix are also available.
This professional ballet company performs throughout the year. If you get the chance, attend one of their outdoor performances at the Desert Botanical Garden
8 locals recommend
Ballet Arizona
2835 E Washington St
8 locals recommend
This professional ballet company performs throughout the year. If you get the chance, attend one of their outdoor performances at the Desert Botanical Garden
Nestled within nine walkable neighborhoods you'll find a unique collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs, as well as contemporary public art exhibits. Day or night, it's a fun place to visit!
1378 locals recommend
Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale Rd
1378 locals recommend
Nestled within nine walkable neighborhoods you'll find a unique collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs, as well as contemporary public art exhibits. Day or night, it's a fun place to visit!
Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school in the desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. Today it is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Open to the public for tours, Taliesin West is located on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale,
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school in the desert from 1937 until his death in 1959 at the age of 91. Today it is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Open to the public for tours, Taliesin West is located on Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale,
The Musical Instrument Museum is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Opened in April 2010, it is the largest museum of its type in the world. The collection of over 15,000 musical instruments and associated objects includes examples from nearly 200 countries and territories, representing every inhabited continent
652 locals recommend
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo Blvd
652 locals recommend
The Musical Instrument Museum is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Opened in April 2010, it is the largest museum of its type in the world. The collection of over 15,000 musical instruments and associated objects includes examples from nearly 200 countries and territories, representing every inhabited continent
A lovely place for meditation and tranquility.
183 locals recommend
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix
1125 N 3rd Ave
183 locals recommend
A lovely place for meditation and tranquility.
I have not visited personally, but previous guests rave about this place.
7 locals recommend
Metta Yoga
4041 E Thomas Rd
7 locals recommend
I have not visited personally, but previous guests rave about this place.
On Mill Avenue you will find a vibrant student village with tons of shops and restaurants. Additionally, you may want to visit Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Marketplace.
46 locals recommend
Mill Avenue Shops
414 S Mill Ave
46 locals recommend
On Mill Avenue you will find a vibrant student village with tons of shops and restaurants. Additionally, you may want to visit Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Marketplace.
If you have a car, make sure to visit this mystic and spiritual place, about 3 hours north of Phoenix. Perhaps take a hike, get a massage or experience a Pink Jeep tour. Guided tours departing from Phoenix are also available.
883 locals recommend
Sedona
883 locals recommend
If you have a car, make sure to visit this mystic and spiritual place, about 3 hours north of Phoenix. Perhaps take a hike, get a massage or experience a Pink Jeep tour. Guided tours departing from Phoenix are also available.
Upscale shopping in a huge indoor complex. Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, etc...
761 locals recommend
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E Camelback Rd
761 locals recommend
Upscale shopping in a huge indoor complex. Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, etc...
Just head 2 miles west on Roosevelt Street and you will find yourself in downtown's coolest hipster neighborhood... ROOSEVELT ROW. Here you will find a trendy collection of art galleries, boutiques, outdoor murals, bars, eateries and food trucks. Some of my favorite places include: Pemberton, Breakfast Bitch, Cambria Hotel Rooftop Bar, Killer Whale Sex Club, The Churchill, Châm Pang Lanes, Wilderness Brewing Company, Kahvi Coffee + Cafe and Lom Wong Thai Restuarant.
East Roosevelt Street
East Roosevelt Street
Just head 2 miles west on Roosevelt Street and you will find yourself in downtown's coolest hipster neighborhood... ROOSEVELT ROW. Here you will find a trendy collection of art galleries, boutiques, outdoor murals, bars, eateries and food trucks. Some of my favorite places include: Pemberton, Breakfast Bitch, Cambria Hotel Rooftop Bar, Killer Whale Sex Club, The Churchill, Châm Pang Lanes, Wilderness Brewing Company, Kahvi Coffee + Cafe and Lom Wong Thai Restuarant.
Great museum with its own cafe. A good place to escape to on a hot day. Admission is free on Wednesday nights and on the first Friday of each month. Special exhibits may cost extra, but they are are well worth the price.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central Ave
686 locals recommend
Great museum with its own cafe. A good place to escape to on a hot day. Admission is free on Wednesday nights and on the first Friday of each month. Special exhibits may cost extra, but they are are well worth the price.
This is where the advanced hikers go. Make sure to bring drinking water.
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA
This is where the advanced hikers go. Make sure to bring drinking water.