Food scene
What we love most about the Willo neighborhood is its quiet, walkability and proximity to good food and to the light rail. Eating and traveling by yourself also feels comfortable. There are a few that will require taking an Uber but worth it!
Quaint, off the beaten path, neighborhood restaurant and bar. Very low key and relaxed. Within a 10-minute walk. Highly recommend the scalloped potatoes. Even on the hottest nights, the patio is cool and breezy. Closed on Sundays.
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Oven+Vine
14 W Vernon AveQuaint, off the beaten path, neighborhood restaurant and bar. Very low key and relaxed. Within a 10-minute walk. Highly recommend the scalloped potatoes. Even on the hottest nights, the patio is cool and breezy. Closed on Sundays.
One of our favorites. We go to Little O's frequently for their happy hour, hazy IPA, food and to watch sports. A safe 10 minute walk. Brunch is fun too with penny mimosas with Futball or Football Sundays!
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Little O's
521 W McDowell RdOne of our favorites. We go to Little O's frequently for their happy hour, hazy IPA, food and to watch sports. A safe 10 minute walk. Brunch is fun too with penny mimosas with Futball or Football Sundays!
A must visit neighborhood with great restaurants and events. Arizona Wilderness for cocktails and lively patio, IL Bosco for pizza, Sosoba for noodles, Châm Pang Lanes for pool/pinball bowling/food and Greenwood Taproom (women-owned) for craft beer. A pleasant 30 minute walk or 18 minutes on the light rail. Not to miss is a monthly “First Friday” event where the streets are lined with artists selling their work and live music.
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Roosevelt Row Welcome Center
918 N 2nd StA must visit neighborhood with great restaurants and events. Arizona Wilderness for cocktails and lively patio, IL Bosco for pizza, Sosoba for noodles, Châm Pang Lanes for pool/pinball bowling/food and Greenwood Taproom (women-owned) for craft beer. A pleasant 30 minute walk or 18 minutes on the light rail. Not to miss is a monthly “First Friday” event where the streets are lined with artists selling their work and live music.
Hands-down, our favorite casual vegetarian restaurant attracting diverse clientele. Their sweets venue is right next door, Nami. Leave room for their amazing milkshakes! Walking east past the Heard museum through the neighborhood is a scenic 30 minute walk.
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Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StHands-down, our favorite casual vegetarian restaurant attracting diverse clientele. Their sweets venue is right next door, Nami. Leave room for their amazing milkshakes! Walking east past the Heard museum through the neighborhood is a scenic 30 minute walk.
One of our favorites! From homemade pasta to wood fired pizza, Forno’s simple menu is solid but recommend trying their daily specials. We enjoy sitting at the bar as the bartenders are very caring and friendly. A safe 20-minute walk.
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Forno 301
1616 N Central AveOne of our favorites! From homemade pasta to wood fired pizza, Forno’s simple menu is solid but recommend trying their daily specials. We enjoy sitting at the bar as the bartenders are very caring and friendly. A safe 20-minute walk.
Best Thai food in the city. Great service and atmosphere. Reservations highly recommended and is a short drive North.
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Glai Baan
2333 E Osborn RdBest Thai food in the city. Great service and atmosphere. Reservations highly recommended and is a short drive North.
I am a pastry and bread snob with a strong preference for French versions. If you are looking for a perfect French breakfast or fresh lunch salad or sandwich, this is a short drive north on Central.
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JL Patisserie
4700 N Central AveI am a pastry and bread snob with a strong preference for French versions. If you are looking for a perfect French breakfast or fresh lunch salad or sandwich, this is a short drive north on Central.
There are many reasons why Valentine (located inside Modern Manor) is a favorite: 1) everything is beautiful from the glasses to the cocktail designs, 2) excellent food from brunch to romantic dinners, after dinner head to a separate cocktail bar, 1912 to listen to some vinyl, 3) or browse mid-century modern furniture after eating, 4) the staff is world class. A 5-minute ride north on 7th Ave. Reservations recommended for dinner.
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Valentine
4130 N 7th AveThere are many reasons why Valentine (located inside Modern Manor) is a favorite: 1) everything is beautiful from the glasses to the cocktail designs, 2) excellent food from brunch to romantic dinners, after dinner head to a separate cocktail bar, 1912 to listen to some vinyl, 3) or browse mid-century modern furniture after eating, 4) the staff is world class. A 5-minute ride north on 7th Ave. Reservations recommended for dinner.
Casual atmosphere with excellent spring roll, Bahn mi sandwiches and to-die-for crispy rice skillets. 25 minute walk due east through neighborhoods.
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Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant
2241 N 7th StCasual atmosphere with excellent spring roll, Bahn mi sandwiches and to-die-for crispy rice skillets. 25 minute walk due east through neighborhoods.
A 10 minute walk north on 5th Ave. A family-owned Michoacán-inspired homestyle cooking. The restaurant offers a menu of made-from-scratch dishes, most of them based on old family recipes refined by Nava's mother, Lucina, a native of the west-central Mexican state of Michoacán. The cocktails are also divine.
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Presidio Cocina Mexicana
519 W Thomas RdA 10 minute walk north on 5th Ave. A family-owned Michoacán-inspired homestyle cooking. The restaurant offers a menu of made-from-scratch dishes, most of them based on old family recipes refined by Nava's mother, Lucina, a native of the west-central Mexican state of Michoacán. The cocktails are also divine.
Sightseeing & Culture
A relaxing and truly unique museum experience. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art. Don't overlook the outdoor sculpture garden. Both the restaurant and coffee shop are accessible outside the museum. March brings the world class Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. A safe 15 minute walk.
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Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveA relaxing and truly unique museum experience. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art. Don't overlook the outdoor sculpture garden. Both the restaurant and coffee shop are accessible outside the museum. March brings the world class Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. A safe 15 minute walk.
Right behind the PHX Art Museum. Excellent combination of pre-show drinks and top quality shows. Within walking distance or a $7 Waymo ride on a cold night after the show.
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The Phoenix Theatre Company
1825 N Central AveRight behind the PHX Art Museum. Excellent combination of pre-show drinks and top quality shows. Within walking distance or a $7 Waymo ride on a cold night after the show.
Live Music
Phoenix offers many live music venues.
The venu is spacious and you can upgrade your ticket to a larger balcony for a very special view with plenty of space for dancing. https://www.thevanburenphx.com/
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The Van Buren
401 W Van Buren StThe venu is spacious and you can upgrade your ticket to a larger balcony for a very special view with plenty of space for dancing. https://www.thevanburenphx.com/
Breweries, Cocktails & Pubs
Some restaurants sell good drinks, but this category is about drinks and ambiance when you are looking for a place to chill.
On the edge of Willo, this hidden gem taproom feels like an elevated pub with 70+ beers on tab, it is a fun experience ordering beer flights and playing cards in a chill environment. A safe 15 minute walk. Visit their store which offers 800 varieties to take home when your night is over.
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Kings Beer & Wine
2811 N Central AveOn the edge of Willo, this hidden gem taproom feels like an elevated pub with 70+ beers on tab, it is a fun experience ordering beer flights and playing cards in a chill environment. A safe 15 minute walk. Visit their store which offers 800 varieties to take home when your night is over.