A Local's Guide to Phoenix By Local Nomad

Hey there, we're Local Nomad! As a locally-owned shop here in Phoenix, Arizona we are honored to be part of such a beautifully diverse & inclusive community. Throughout our years in business we've come to find a deep appreciation for this truly unique desert city. Since we're always gushing to customers about our favorite spots around town, we created this guide to highlight the best eats, shops, sunny day activities and more! With new small businesses opening every month we will be updating this list regularly as we discover more places we love. Happy exploring!

Shop

**Local Nomad: We may be biased but we're a pretty cool shop with independently designed, handcrafted, small batch gifts + clothing. 

Antique Sugar: An ever-revolving selection of curated, authentic vintage clothing.

Big Sun: An earth-centered retail space with a focus on wellness products created by Mount Sunny.

Buena Vida Bodega: Offering modern mystic provisions!

Bunky Boutique: A Phoenix gem; apparel, jewelry, home + gifts since ‘07.

Camelback Flowershop: Gorgeously curated flowers, plants, and objects.

Changing Hands: Our favorite local bookstore in Phoenix.

Desert Crafted: Fine art & beautiful, unique handcrafted goods sourced locally and from other desert cultures.

Dialog: Curated home goods/gifts + a coffee bar and market all within this light filled space on Roosevelt. 

Dig it Gardens: Neighborhood destination for diverse plants, unique pottery and good vibes.

Framed Ewe: Serving up the *coolest* independent eyewear.

Frances Boutique: A Phoenix staple! Everything Arizona/desert inspired & more can be found in this charming shop, right across the street from Uptown Plaza!

MADE Art Boutique: Locally owned boutique specializing in handmade wares, ceramics and jewelry.

Manor: For all the sneaker lovers of all ages!

Modern Manor: A showroom that specializes in mid century modern furniture, art, and decor. As this gem is located in the same building as Valentine, we love grabbing a coffee shopping around!

Monsoon Market: the *coolest* shop for snacks and natty wines.

Muse: Effortlessly feminine apparel & fun gifts for desert babes. Our neighbors, who have been around since 2005!

*Neighbor Market: Gourmet pantry & bottle shop located in The Churchill. Our go-to spot for finding the hippest snacks, sauces, and more!

Now or Never: A modern, eclectic collection of coveted cult brands and emerging indie designers from around the globe. 

Phoenix General: Apparel, home, gifts, and art for life in the desert.

Practical Art: A beloved retail + gallery space featuring the work of 100% local Arizona artisans.

Pueblo: A curated nursery and houseplant shop on Grand Ave with a great selection of pots & gifts!

The Frederick: Locally focused retail + (soon!) dining. Home to Vida Moulin, Wicker Goddess, and many more!

Urbana: A curated collection of everything you need for the home & celebrations.

Eats + Drinks

*Bacanora: The bootlegged spirit of bringing Sonoran cuisine to Downtown Phoenix. 

Bad Jimmy's: Classic burger joing featuring smashburgers and possibly the best veggie burger we've ever had?? Save room for dessert, the soft serve is delish!

Belly: Southeast Asian cuisine. Cocktails. Natural Wine.

Chantico: Sister restaurant to Ocotillo; a dreamy desert-modern space hidden on busy Camelback road, just down the street from our shop! Local, healthy & organic Mexican fare with plenty of vegan & GF options.

Chula Seafood: Fish Market + Restaurant next door to our shop. We go for the poké bowl on hot summer days and order a bowl of clam chowder when it's chilly! 

Clever Koi/Across the Pond: Two separate spots but same owners & right next door to each other! Clever Koi is best for the perfect bowl of ramen or classic steamed buns. Across the Pond has some of the best sushi in Phoenix! Both have a great cocktail selection.

First & Last: A stunning space featuring an ingredient-driven menu that rotates and changes with the best of what’s in season!

*Glai Baan: probably the best Thai food we've ever had + a unique drink selection. The cozy dining room and patio are equally charming!

*Greenwood Brewing: Woman-owned brewery in Downtown PHX! We love ordering a flight of beers and people watching from their courtyard on Roosevelt.

*Huarachis Taqueria: The newest concept from James Beard award-winning chef, Rene Andrade, features Bacanora classics (Bacanora beans, anyone?) and more. This upbeat spot has been our new go-to for a-la-carte tacos!

Huss Brewing Co: AZ husband + wife owned brewery. 

Le Âme: A Parisian steakhouse that pays homage to traditional French fare with the perfect steakhouse touch. Located at The Global Ambassador Hotel!

Lom Wong: Regional Thai cuisine with sharable plates.

Más Amable: Wood fire cooking pop-up, bridging a love for community, music and food together. Make sure to check their IG for the latest pop-up date!

Middle Eastern Bakery: Homemade pitas, falafel & other Mediterranean fare served at a few tables within a small grocery.

Nelson's Meat + Fish: One of the best places to find seafood in the desert!

Ocotillo: Our go-to on warm summer nights or brunch with a group. Grab a spot on the patio and enjoy the beautiful courtyard & string lights. A robust menu focused on seasonal ingredients with a hint of Arizona influence. 

Otro Cafe: A neighborhood cafe grounded in Mexico City-style cuisine.

Pa'la: Tapas / Seafood. Wood-Fired Cooking.

Pane Bianco: Cozy Italian pizzas, sandwiches and salads - our go-to for takeout lunches at the shop. Sister eatery to Pizzeria Bianco. 

Postino: A staple here in Phoenix. Nothing better than sharing a bruschetta board and a bottle of wine on their patio any day of the week.

*Restaurant Progress: did someone say date night? romantic with a beautiful menu of delicious eats. Our favorite seat is at the bar, where we can watch the magic happen in the kitchen a few feet away.

Sidewinder: The brilliant minds behind Restaurant Progress and Sotisse bring you a “casual dive, diner & bar for the people”. Serving up casual dishes with a bit of Southwest charm and grit!

Sotisse: The sister restaurant to Restaurant Progress. A French Bistro with a beautiful menu of eats and drinks. Be sure to save room for dessert here!

The Churchill - Community gathering spot with a huge covered patio/courtyard featuring Stoop Kid bagels (our fave on weekend mornings), InFrution acai bowls, Loco Style Grindz Hawaiian food, Freak Brothers pizza, Neighbor Market, So Far So Good cocktail bar, and more!

The Gladly: Contemporary eatery serving lunch, happy hour, and dinner (you may know them for their chopped salad!)

Tratto: One mile from downtown’s Pizzeria Bianco, Tratto is a restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco.  

*Valentine: is it okay to have every meal here? Breakfast + Coffee - bomb. Dinner + Drinks - bomb. 

Via Della Slice Shop: Delicious pizza made from scratch!

Welcome Diner: Elevated diner vibes with a great drink selection.

Wilderness: Local AZ beer garden with delicious eats! Such a fun atmosphere to gather in groups on a weekend afternoon.

Windsor: Neighborhood bar and restaurant with a great patio and even better happy hour! Just a few blocks from our shop.

Breakfast

Fàme Caffe: Farm to table breakfast, lunch, and brunch. We haven't had anything that's not insanely delicious. Grab an iced latte and post up on a bistro table on their patio. 

JL Patisserie: French desserts and pastries!

*Ollie Vaughns: A Coronado neighborhood favorite for pastries + coffee. Grab a croissant and enjoy a slow morning on their cheerful, sunny back patio.

*The Coronado: Vegan eatery, coffee shop, and bar with lots of heart and love for our community- located in the historic Coronado neighborhood.  

Coffee + Tea

Aftermarket: Coffee, art, and retail can all be found in this shop on Grand Avenue.

Berdena's @ The Fred: A cozy coffee shop with good eats and great coffee!

Copper Star: Drive thru or hang on the patio. Fresh bagels and delicious coffee!

Dark Hall: Plant-based pastries + coffee; a sister shop to the Coronado.

*First Place Coffee: A cute lil' coffee truck operated by some rad people! Find their truck locations Friday-Monday. Always serving treats by @thedinersaur too.

*Futuro/Palabra: A minimalist coffee shop + art gallery + hair salon. Everything about Futuro is incredible - coffee, food, atmosphere: 10/10.

*Harlem Coffee: Mobile espresso bar owned by the sweetest husband & wife duo around. Check out their weekly residency, "Harlem Sundays" at Sauvage (another fave of ours!).

Lola Coffee Bar: Coffee's great but tbh we go for the build-your-own breakfast burritos. 

Luanas Coffee and Beer: A moody spot with plenty of signature lattes to choose from!

Lux: A cozy neighborhood gathering spot with coffee, cocktails, delicious pastries and comfort food.

Moxie Coffee: Roastery and coffee shop in one with a mood-boosting atmosphere!

Provision: Full cocktail & coffee bar with very unique offerings and a lovely shaded patio - our favorite for sunny but too-hot-to-be-in-the-sun days.

*Skoden Coffee: Indigenous, femme, queer owned coffee shop with a residency inside Central Records! Try the brown sugar latte and thank us later ;)

Songbird Coffee & Tea House: Located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, this spot showcases locally roasted coffee and tea. 

Window Coffee Bar: Serving up coffee in the heart of Phoenix. We love walking up to order a coffee and a pop-tart by Süss Pastries!

Treats

Churn: Just a few blocks away from our shop; a must on hot summer nights! Be prepared to get hit hard with nostalgia when you walk in the door - you'll leave with your pockets full of fun candies from the past like candy buttons and pixy stix!

Nami: Vegan sweets! Their Tsoynamis (basically a DQ blizzard but with soy ice cream and "healthy" toppings) are our favorite for hot summer days.

*Novel Ice Cream: Handcrafted, artisan ice cream with rotating flavors. There's even an option to order your scoops sandwiched between two warm donuts!

*The Dinersaur: Their treats are a to die for!! Beautifully made in a beautiful space.

Urban Cookies: Extraordinary cookies and cupcakes. We love indulging in their treat boxes for special occasions at the shop!

Activities 

Desert Botanical Garden: One of our favorite places to take out-of-town visitors! Walk around for hours and discover the most beautiful and vast collection of desert plants. 

*Downtown or Uptown Farmers Market: Best way to start the weekend! Good people, good energy + good food!

Japanese Friendship Garden: A hidden gem in downtown Phoenix. Find beauty amongst the peace + quiet.

Lylo Swim Club: Located at the Rise hotel, just a few blocks from our shop! Vacation-like atmosphere with a Japanese/Hawaiian inspired menu and fun, tropical drinks (including a dole whip - with rum)!

Phoenix Art Museum: Expansive collection of acclaimed art spanning from the Renaissance to the present. Donation based entry on Wednesdays!

PIP coffee + clay: Part coffee shop, part ceramic studio- offering both open studio time and classes. (Plus, they serve up natural wine every Friday and Saturday evening!)

Night Out

*1912: A darling and romantic cocktail bar with a great atmosphere and gorgeous design, located in the back of Valentine, 

Central Records: Records, Books, Coffee, Food, Beer, Natural Wine all housed within this shop on Central and Roosevelt! 

Cornish Pasty: You most definitely have to try a pasty while you're there!

*Crescent Ballroom: Grab a burrito and a drink, enjoy live music on their two story patio, or get tickets to a show!

Don Woods' Say When: Rooftop bar & lounge at the Rise Hotel!

*Gracies Tax Bar: A bar staple! Low-key cheap drinks & eats. Be sure to try their tots and say hi to Bar Cat for us!

Hanny's: Stylish, trendy restaurant & bar delivering American fare & DJ beats in a former department store.

Kid Sister Wine Bar: Inspired by Parisian bistros, Kid Sister wine bar is our new favorite for some sips and snacks after closing up the shop! They’ve got a mix of wines, cocktails, and small bites. Not to mention, the vibes are impeccable!

Linger Longer Lounge: Craft cocktails & refined bar bites in a stylish space with a game room, DJ shows & dancing.

*Sauvage: Natural wine bar with a seasonal + local appetizers menu.

The Wayward Taphouse: A craft beer and wine bar on historic Grand Avenue.

Valley Bar: Venue & cocktail bar!

Wellness

*Eighty8 Yoga: A downtown boutique, music-driven, heated yoga studio.

Kinfolk Optimal Living: Vitalistic Chiros optimizing health + healing.

Melt by Melissa: The most fun place for waxing & brows in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

*Mount Sunny: The best place for acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine.

Sister Salon: A hair salon for you and your friends, owned by the greatest gals!

*Skin by Ruby: Custom facials catered to your skin's needs!

Sweatshop on Central:  Yoga, Barre, & Spin all in one boutique fitness studio.