Best Gelato 2024 | Cool Gelato Italiano | Food & Drink | Phoenix
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Best Gelato

Cool Gelato Italiano

Replicate the vibe of your European summer memories at Cool Gelato Italiano. The tiny shop tucked away near Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is owned by Alberto Della Casa and Leticia de Lucia, who trained with a gelato master in Bologna, Italy, to bring dessert-loving Phoenicians the finest gelato in town. Cool Gelato Italiano serves a rotating selection of traditional and creative flavors, everything from raspberry and chocolate to tequila lime and banana caramel pecan. Many of the flavors are vegan and are clearly marked as such. Whatever you choose, you'll close your eyes in bliss as the cool creaminess and intense flavor hits your palate. The shop keeps somewhat limited hours, so check the website before you go, and prepare to be taken back to Italy by every spoonful.

Best Bonbons

Chocofin Chocolatier

There is a trend — a good one — toward chocolatiers who produce their own chocolate in-house, and this little shop run by Louis and Denise Mirabella has joined the "bean-to-bar" movement with some excellent offerings of its own. What we find ourselves trekking out to Fountain Hills for, however, is the outstanding selection of bonbons built on fresh ingredients and premier chocolates sourced from all over the world, meticulously distilled down to tiny morsels that explode with flavor. Options range from classics such as cherry cordials, gianduja and cognac to wilder concoctions like passionfruit caramel, clove-spiced rice crisps and zinfandel ganache, but what sets Chocofin apart — in addition to the quality of its chocolate — is the exceptional intensity and pure flavor the Mirabellas coax out of the bonbons' fillings. You only need one or two, but you're going to want to take home a couple dozen.

Best Coffeehouse

Dialog

Dialog is many things — a cafe, market, art gallery, Taschen bookstore and event space. Co-owner Chad Campbell told Phoenix New Times shortly after it opened in January 2023 that Dialog's purpose is to "dialog with and engage the community." The store's minimalistic aesthetic drips cool, detached and dreamy futuristic vibes. That crisp, clean interior and the store's big glass windows inviting in the wide-open, blue desert sky make the new Roosevelt Row hangout a great spot to chill or let inspiration flow. While the functions taking place at Dialog are frequently changing, its U-shaped coffee and mocktail bar remains the constant spiritual center of the shop. Its beans are sourced through and roasted by Stereoscope Coffee in Los Angeles. Whether you want time to work on a personal project or a space to sip and chat with friends, Dialog has you covered.

Best New Coffeehouse

Bang Bang Coffee

If you're looking for a new coffee joint where you want to linger outside and enjoy made-from-scratch waffles and your favorite cup of joe, Bang Bang Coffee will deliver. Coffee comes a local roaster, and patrons can choose from macchiatos, cappuccinos and lattes. Couples, families and those who just want some solo time can walk to the coffee window, chat with one of the owners and then have uninterrupted time with conversation or a good book. Ben Rushlo and Julie Higginbotham wanted to create a space where people can enjoy a casual vibe and where they can get to know the regular customers. The atmosphere at Bang Bang Coffee centers around a sense of community, offering an intimate and personal experience.

Best Coffee Roasters

Peixoto Coffee Roasters

With locations in Chandler and also Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert, Peixoto Coffee Roasters keeps the East Valley buzzing. The Peixoto family have been farming coffee beans in Brazil for more than 100 years. Their family coffees are the highest quality and burst with a variety of flavor profiles including fruity, nutty, chocolate and honey. The stores also sell a limited amount of "extended family" coffee beans which hail from nations such as Ethiopia, Peru and Colombia. The atmosphere at the coffee shop is bright and airy, with lots of open spaces for working, networking or just relaxing. But the best part is bathing in the smells of freshly brewed fair trade coffee.

Best Matcha

Driftwood Coffee Co.

Nestled into a corner in downtown Peoria, this coffee shop's drinks are as pretty as its view. The ambiance is cozy year-round, but the matcha is a bright spot, and we're not talking about its bold green hue. To begin with, baristas use organic Japanese ground unsweetened matcha, but the rest of the order is up to you. Get it big or small, hot or iced then add espresso or flavor it with options such as vanilla or caramel. We like it best with honey and lavender to add a soft botanical flavor that's just perfect. For a unique treat, try the Coronado Forest, a matcha latte with house blueberry blue agave puree and your choice of milk.

Best Brewery

Wren House Brewing Co.

Lauren Cusimano

Although Wren House Brewing Co. only celebrated its ninth anniversary this year, the Phoenix brewery is the torchbearer of outstanding craft beer in Arizona. It carries that status in part because the brew team continues to experiment, introducing drinkers to different styles, hops and flavors along the way. While Spellbinder continues to be one of our favorite hazy IPAs, with the accolades to match, we also appreciate the brewery's moxy in crafting lesser-known styles, such as a rich, smoky rauchbier. And, we have to hand it to Wren House for always knowing how to create anticipation with annual rollouts of Las Frescas, its fun fruited sours, and big IPAs with its dog and cat mascots Wally and Gravy. While you can find Wren House beers at bars and liquor stores around the Valley, it's hard to beat the comfort of its home base, a bungalow on 24th Street. And, if you're seeking a bit of European flair and fare, head south to Wren Südhalle, its Old World-inspired beer hall in Ahwatukee.

Best New Brewery

Catalyst Crafted Ales

Sara Crocker

Catalyst Crafted Ales may be new to the Valley, but its brewer's fingerprints are all over the state. Will Walthereson worked at craft havens including Wren House Brewing Co. and The Shop Beer Co. before opening up his own spot, Ad Astra, in Prescott. Luckily for local drinkers, he's brought his talents back to the Valley, opening Catalyst Crafted Ales in Tempe. The sleek taproom is comfortable and shares space with S.A.L.T. (short for Sea and Land Tacos). There's also an expansive, dog-friendly patio out front. Walthereson makes beers that are big, bold and sometimes a bit irreverent. Catalyst Crafted Ales boasts a massive tap list that includes playful fruited sours, outstanding IPAs, such as the New England-style hazy Expects in Checks, and imperial brews of all stripes, including of the higher-ABV seltzers that drink like a cocktail. You'll also find well-made pilsners among the selections. No matter what your preference, Catalyst has something for every type of craft beer drinker.

Best Bike-Friendly Brewery

O.H.S.O. on Central

Casual and friendly, O.H.S.O. on Central is a refuge for bicyclists. You can bike along the canal before you park and take a break to grab a beer and have some pub fare. Choices include burgers, sandwiches and typical bar food. Bicyclists don't have to worry about where to park their bike, since there are several racks to house your wheels. The inside of the restaurant also is a homage to bike riders, with fun bike decor accessorizing the walls. The point is you don't have to stop your bike ride to refuel — you can grab a bite to eat, enjoy the patio and then go for another ride along the canal. O.H.S.O.'s laid-back, community-focused vibe, combined with its playful nod to cycling culture, makes it a welcoming haven for active locals and visitors alike.

Best Food at a Brewery

Peoria Artisan Brewery

This West Valley brewpub takes its food as seriously as it does its craft beer. Peoria Artisan Brewery has served its beers since 2013 and has partnered with executive chef Michael Mahalick on scratch-made gastropub fare since 2015. The menu includes staple bar bites that are all made in-house with care, including crisp dry-rubbed chicken wings, fat pretzels with cheddar fondue and Kennebec fries dusted in the brewpub's spice blend. Get a side of them alongside one of Peoria Artisan's thick Arizona Angus beef burgers. The namesake PAB is a must-try, featuring bacon jam, muenster cheese, aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion. Like any great bar, the brewery offers a bustling happy hour and weekly specials, including its Burger Wednesdays that can help save a buck or two. But, if you're looking to splurge, you can see what Mahalick and his crew have up their sleeves in the brewery's new speakeasy. Tucked behind the brewpub's kitchen, the chef's table-style kitchen and bar is serving elevated eats and cocktails worthy of a special night out.

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