After our critique of State Press Magazine’s Best of Downtown, we conducted our own poll to determine what our readers felt were the best of locations. Our categories differ at times because we felt they better represent the unique offerings of downtown Phoenix. More than 500 votes were cast in total, with the most in the category of “Best Coffee Shop.” Please enjoy our readers’ selections for the top downtown locations.
Best Asian Food
1. Moira and Bonjour Vietnam
Clearly, downtown has some love for Asian food. Our poll ended in a dead heat between Moira Sushi Bar and Kitchen and Bonjour Vietnam. Moira, located on the bottom floor of the 215 East McKinley condominium complex, offers a trendy, low-lit environment with an open kitchen and Asian-chic decor. Among downtowners, the restaurant is best-known for its late-night happy hour, featuring numerous sushi options for $5-$6. Bonjour Vietnam, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the neighborhood offering French-Vietnamese cuisine. On the ground floor of the historic Hotel San Carlos located right at the corner of Central Avenue and Monroe Street, it claims perhaps the best urban view of downtown. Opening less than a year ago, Bonjour Vietnam is run by the owner of acclaimed Rice Paper. In addition to featuring Rice Paper’s much-loved pho, Bonjour’s menu also offers a variety of French-inspired sandwiches.
3. Nobuo at the Teeter House
Best Coffee Shop
1. Cartel Coffee Lab
After finding enormous success in Tempe, Cartel expanded its efforts at statewide coffee domination to downtown Phoenix. Complementing rather than competing with its offerings in Tempe, the downtown location is in a newly-expanded corner location at First and Washington streets. Cartel serves a full breakfast and lunch menu — the first location to do so — along with a daily selection of pastries baked on-site, and it will soon be offering a unique array of craft beers and wine, much like its siblings in Scottsdale and Tempe.
2. Jobot Coffee
3. Fair Trade Cafe
Best Performance Space
1. Crescent Ballroom
When Crescent Ballroom opened in the fall of 2011, it appeared to be the entertainment venue for which downtown Phoenix had been waiting. Hosting live music seven days per week and nearly 365 days per year, Crescent has made the city’s central core the premier destination for musical acts of all sizes. Drawing performances as diverse as fIREHOSE, of Montreal, Iron & Wine, Billy Bragg and Quintron & Miss Pussycat, the venue has something for everyone. And if the music wasn’t enough, Crescent offers a nearly unmatched selection of beer, wine and liquor, and a choice menu of food co-created by Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco and Doug Robson of Gallo Blanco.
2. The Trunk Space
3. Orpheum Theater
Best Boutique
1. MADE Art Boutique
The grandparent of downtown boutiques, MADE and its owner Cindy Dach — also of nationally-acclaimed bookstore Changing Hands in Tempe — have put together a tight selection of books, T-shirts, magazines, art prints and accessories. With nearly all of its products produced locally, MADE showcases the work of over 100 local artisans in a clean, surprisingly open shop, making the most of its tiny, remodeled historic home location. Since opening, alone, on Roosevelt and Fifth streets in 2005, MADE has set the pace for all boutiques to follow.
2. GROWop
3. Bunky Boutique
Best Happy Hour
1. Carly’s Bistro
For many, Carly’s is a downtown institution. Occupying the corner of Second and Roosevelt streets, Carly’s is consistently busy all day and night as one of the few downtown spots offering food all the way until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends, with most menu items costing under $10. Every day from 4-7 p.m., Carly’s happy hour features $1 off draft beers and wines by the glass, $3.50 well drinks and half-price on select appetizers. Then from 10 p.m. to midnight, the bar and restaurant offers the same discounts minus appetizers.
2. Hanny’s
3. Bliss/ReBar
Best Art Gallery
1. MonOrchid
Since 2000, MonOrchid has been a multipurpose work space for creatives of all kinds, from photographers to painters, architects to graphic designers. But to the public, the converted warehouse is best known as an art gallery, now offering two separate exhibition spaces for art across all media. Since hiring curator Justin Germain last year, the space has kicked things into high-gear, culminating in a massive group exhibition titled “25 Years Downtown,” featuring artists who have shaped the past, present and future of downtown Phoenix, which ran in concurrence with Art Detour 25.
2. Modified Arts
3. eye lounge
Best Park
1. Civic Space Park
Built simultaneously with the arrival of ASU in downtown Phoenix, Civic Space is perhaps best known for the presence of Janet Echelman’s “Her Secret Is Patience,” the massive, netted sculpture created in homage to a cactus flower that floats over top of the park. Featuring such programming as weekly food truck gatherings, live music on its west-facing stage and free yoga in the park, Civic Space is Phoenix’s most prominent urban park. Adding to its appeal, Civic Space’s premises feature a second location of Fair Trade Cafe (complete with liquor license for private events), the historic A.E. England Building and access to the Post Office and ASU Student Center.
2. Margaret T. Hance Park
3. Heritage Square
Editor’s note: The results of the poll were recorded at 9:30 p.m. on April 28, but the poll will remain active on our website. Therefore, the results of the poll may change as additional votes are cast.
