Walking Distance

Recommended restaurants and bars within walking distance of the Convention Center (if you don’t care to walk you can easily Uber or Lyft to these):

• Pizzeria Bianco
  Has been called the best pizzeria in the USA. Close by, but they don't take reservations and you’ll likely have to wait a bit. http://www.pizzeriabianco.com, 623 E Adams St at Heritage Square; 6-minute walk.
• Breadfruit and Rum Bar
  Recognized as one of the very best in Phoenix; creative Caribbean cuisine, sustainable seafood, and a cozy bar that has more than 100 different rums available! I am truly fond of this place. http://thebreadfruit.com, 108 E Pierce Street (between N 1st St and N 2nd St.); 10-minute walk.
• Cobra Arcade Bar
  This is a bar with an amazing selection of vintage arcade games to play. You can make reservations before 8 pm. https://cobraarcadebar.com, 801 N. 2nd St.; 11-minute walk.
• Matt’s Big Breakfast
  Iconic Phoenix breakfast and lunch place. Hearty food and big portions! Another one of my absolute personal favorites. http://mattsbigbreakfast.com, 825 N. 1st St.; 12-minute walk. There are other Matt’s locations around town, including one at the airport.
• Angels Trumpet Ale House
  Great brews, bar snacks, pizza, sandwiches. Large outdoor patio with shade and misters for comfort. https://angelstrumpetalehouse.com, 810 N. 2nd St; 13-minute walk.
• PAZ Cantina
  Lively taqueria with very good, creative, reasonably priced street tacos and cocktails. Students will especially enjoy this place. https://pazcantina.com, 330 E. Roosevelt Street at N 3rd St. 15-minute walk, so it’s a bit on the outer edge of walkable.
  
  

  Present your GSA badge for a 25 percent discount at PAZ Cantina

Accessible by Light Rail

Easily accessible by Valley Metro Rail (light rail) from the Convention Center:

• Pizza People Pub
  I just like this place, maybe because they do really good gluten-free pizza! https://pizzapeopleaz.com, 1326 N. Central Ave. Take the Central Avenue light rail line north (in the direction of 19th Ave/Dunlap), 11-minute ride, get off at the McDowell/Central Avenue stop, and walk 2 blocks south.
• The Wild Thaiger
  Really good Thai food. https://www.wildthaiger.com/, 2631 N. Central Ave. Take the Central Avenue light rail line north (in the direction of 19th Ave/Dunlap), 18-minute ride, get off at the Thomas/Central Avenue stop, and walk 3 blocks south.

Steve’s Latin American Food Tour

Phoenix is renowned for great Mexican food but there are many different styles, and also other Latin American restaurants around town worth checking out. ¡Me encantan todos estos lugares! These are all accessible via Uber or Lyft and they are all particular favorites of mine!

• Barrio Café
  Mexican (uniquely creative; widely considered best in Phoenix): https://www.barriocafe.com, 2814 N. 16th St., 10-minute ride. But note they are closed Mondays and don’t take reservations, and there is always a wait because they are so beloved.
• Barrio Café Gran Reserva
  https://www.barriocafe.com/blank-2, 1301 W. Grand Ave., only a 5-minute ride! Same owner and chef, and I think this place is even better than the original! And they do take reservations (602-252-2777) but are also closed Mondays.
• Los Dos Molinos
  Mexican (New Mexican style): https://losdosmolinosphoenix.com, 8646 S. Central Ave in South Phoenix, almost to South Mountain Park, 16-minute ride. This is another of Phoenix’s most iconic restaurants and I often bring out-of-town visitors here because the food is fantastic and the place is a lot of fun. Beware, though, that most dishes are quite spicy! They do take reservations (602-243-9113 and online), but unfortunately they are closed Sunday and Monday. Los Dos has another location uptown at 1044 E. Camelback Road, which is a 12-minute ride, but I have never been there. Probably just as good though! They also take reservations (602-528-3535) and again are closed on Sunday and Monday, que lastima!
• Mi Patio
  Mexican (Sonoran style): http://www.mipatioaz.com, 3347 N. 7th Ave. (at Osborn Rd), 9-minute ride. Good traditional Sonoran fare, popular with locals. Open every day, 602-277-4831.
• Tacos Chiwas
  Mexican (Chihuahuan style): http://tacoschiwas.com, 1923 E. McDowell Rd near the I-10, 8-minute ride. Totally unpretentious family-run taqueria with absolutely amazing street tacos, burros, gorditas! Open every day, 602-358-8830.
• San Carlos Bay Seafood Restaurant
  Mexican (mariscos = seafood): 1901 E. McDowell Rd (next door to Tacos Chiwas), 7-minute ride. 602-340-0892. I think they are open every day.
• El Chullo
  Peruvian: https://www.elchullorestaurant.com, 2605 N. 7th St., 7-minute ride. I love Peruvian cuisine and this cozy and comfortable place. They do take reservations (602-279-8425) and are open every day.
• Guanaquito Restaurant
  Salvadoran: https://www.restauranteelguanaquito.com, 1438 E. McDowell Road (near Tacos Chiwas), 7-minute ride. Pupusas! Pupusas! Open every day, 602-257-9053.
• Fuego Bistro
  Latin Fusion: http://fuegobistro.com, 713 E. Palo Verde Dr., 14 minute ride. Also closed Sunday and Monday. Fun and diverse menu.