Phoenix Convention Center – Dining
Being a city in a western state, Phoenix has a number of steakhouses and places to eat great barbecue. Today, there are restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world, but now more than ever, Phoenix is widely known for its amazing Mexican food.
If you’re visiting the Phoenix Convention Center, of course, you’ll want to try the traditional Mexican food. However, you should also try some of the mouthwatering dishes from local restaurants that showcase food from different countries around the world. Below are some options for different places to eat in the Phoenix Convention Center and close by in Downtown Phoenix.
Phoenix Convention Center
Besides the vending machines throughout the convention center and the Starbucks located in the West building, you will find the Metro Marché in the Phoenix Convention Center. This food court features six restaurants from the catering company Aventura. Marché also offers places to sit and eat and free Wi-Fi.
For those who enjoy a bit of flare and kick, you may want to check out Bistro on 3rd or Tortillas Mexican Grill. At Bistro on 3rd, guests can try food with a Southwestern flair, like the pulled pork or tamales. The spice is meant to remind visitors of the heat of the Sonoran Desert. Bold flavors continue at Tortillas Mexican Grill. Additionally, guests who are health-conscious can opt for some healthier choices here, like substituting a whole wheat tortilla. Healthy options can also be found at Crave Box. Cuisine from Crave Box is inspired from around the world, but the ingredients are locally sourced produce and proteins.
There are places to try traditional food, like pizza from Flat Out Pizza, boasting flat out good pizzas. However, if you want to try traditional food with a twist, you should check out Urban Wok, which sells various Asian cuisines.
Sometimes visitors just need a quick pick-me-up in between sessions at the Phoenix Convention Center. For that, guests can stop by City Central Coffee for a caffeinated break. City Central Coffee brews a roast that is locally sourced and made specifically for the convention center.
Jobot Coffee & Bar
Jobot Coffee & Bar is a fun location to grab a coffee, food, and beer. While the coffee and espresso drinks are of European influence, the food has a Mexican touch. Breakfast has dishes like the Jorito Burrito and huevos rancheros. There are even crepes with a Mexican twist, such as the chorizo crepe.
If you come in for lunch, you can try quesadillas, hot wings, or various sandwiches. Vegans and vegetarians will also be able to enjoy the food here with options like avocado toast, falafel, and fruit crepes.
Songbird Coffee & Tea House
Not far from Jobot Coffee & Bar and closer to the Phoenix Convention Center is Songbird Coffee and Tea House. Songbird is a 10-minute walk from the Phoenix Convention Center and is a favorite among locals. 60% of the people who go to Songbird are returning customers, and there’s a good reason for that. The owner aims for Songbird to be like an extension of your living room: welcoming and comfortable. Low staff turnover here means that the staff gets to know the local customers. However, they also love meeting those visiting Phoenix.
At Songbird, coffee is fresh, locally sourced, and brewed-to-order. The menu consists of mainly coffee, espresso, and over 25 loose leaf teas. There are food options as well. The staff bakes fresh pastries daily. Vegan food options are available, and drinks can also be made with milk substitutes. So whether you are a carnivore, vegetarian, or vegan, you will find drinks and food that you can enjoy here.
Habaneros Mexican Grill
For Mexican food where nearly everything is house-made, come to Habaneros Mexican Grill. This restaurant was started by Arturo Diaz, and he uses recipes from his mother and father, as they used to own taco stands in Jalisco, Mexico. Now, these traditional recipes can be found within an 18-minute walk or drive from the Phoenix Convention Center.
You can stop in for a breakfast burrito or eggs and ham, but you’ll probably be more likely to grab lunch or dinner at Habaneros. For lunch or dinner, visitors can choose from nachos, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, and salads. Happy hour is weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and guests will find a few snacks and drink specials.
The Dressing Room
This restaurant has a menu that is inspired by casual dining and street food, like food trucks and food carts. The chef, Malone Deever, wants to bring good cooking and Southern hospitality to the West at The Dressing Room, located within a 13-minute walk of the Phoenix Convention Center.
The Dressing Room serves all-day breakfast with dishes like English Ham + Muenster, which is a breakfast sandwich with ham, eggs, and cheese on an English muffin, or the vegetarian version called an English Avocado + Tomato, substituting the ham for avocado.
They have their fair share of Mexican-influenced dishes as well, like Baja shrimp tacos, burritos, churro ice cream sandy, and tres leches. There’s also burgers, pad Thai salads, and Korean pork belly fried rice. Happy hour is every day 11 a.m. till 6 p.m., so you should stop by for good food and a cold brew.