Burton Barr Central Library

Will Bruder designed this copper-toned building, which looks, from the west, like something from the first Alien flick and, from the north, like a cross between a blimp hangar and a Land of the Giants-scale hothouse. It is a torrid spot for local lovers of the word — one of the few Valley cultural institutions […]

Butt Out

Butt Out is a one-stop shop for electronic cigarette starter kits and supplies with juices from a variety of different makers. Sampling is encouraged and the staff are knowledgeable and eager to help vapers of all experience levels. The atmosphere is cozy industrial with local artists’ works displayed on the walls and local musicians playing […]

Cafe Tranquilo

Chef Dan Maldonado’s pork enmoladas are sublime. Similar to pork enchiladas, these enmoladas wrap braised pork in soft tortillas smothered in a rich, lightly sweet and neatly spicy red mole sauce. Also popular here are the seven different taco options offered, each made with fresh, warm corn tortillas. The grilled vegetable version, stuffed with squash, […]

Captain’s Cabin

Next to the entrance of the uptown location of Hula’s Modern Tiki, there’s a second door hiding in plain sight. It looks to be an employee entrance or maybe a storage room. But inside, you’ll find a dark space serving bright cocktails. Tiki drinks in shades of pink and blue come adorned with purple orchids […]

Carly’s Bistro

For 15 years, diners have been lining up to order salads and sandwiches at Carla Wade Logan’s café on Roosevelt Street. But the cocktails here are first-rate, too. The Prickly Pear Margarita is hot pink and ice-cold, a must-try for visitors to the desert or those just bar-hopping on a hot day. The Whiskey Sangria […]

Carolina’s Mexican Food

This south Phoenix staple is a true come-as-you-are restaurant. It is almost shockingly bare-bones. There’s no decor on the paint-chipped walls, no music. The stark white building’s entrance leads straight to the ordering counter just above a scuffed wall. But those shoe-marked baseboards speak to the many overeager diners running up to place their order. […]

Cartel Coffee Lab

If you live in Phoenix and haven’t heard of Cartel Coffee Lab, you’ve probably been living under a Starbucks-shaped rock. Or maybe you just don’t drink java. This local coffee roaster is the best known in the caf