VIVA PHX is bigger than ever. Here’s where to eat at the festival

VIVA PHX, the arts, music, culture and culinary festival, is back in downtown Phoenix and bigger than ever. The six-day local fest kicks off on Thursday, and with a mix of free and ticketed events, VIVA PHX is a choose-your-own-adventure romp through the heart of the city.

Whether you’re spending one or several days exploring all the festival has to offer, you should be well-fed and hydrated along the way. We’ve got you covered.

Your downtown Phoenix dining guide

Our annual list of the Valley’s Top 50 Restaurants features several downtown Phoenix destinations. There are casual options, such as Grand Avenue’s Malegria Cafe and Testal Mexican Kitchen or counter-service lunch at First & Last. Visit spots from award-winning chefs, such as Chris Bianco’s Pizzeria Bianco, Yotaka and Alex Martin’s Lom Wong or Rene Andrade’s Huarachis Taqueria or Bacanora. Take a load off and treat yourself to a meal at Pretty Penny, Saint Pasta or Sottise.  

Belly up to the bar at one of downtown’s excellent breweries, neighborhood bars, or cocktail lounges along the way. With New Times’ Top 100 Bars as your guide, there’s a venerable pub crawl at your fingertips. Sip a pint on the patio of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., Greenwood Brewing or Sana Sana Cervecería. Savor a well-made marg at Barcoa Agaveria, sip an ice-cold martini at Hanny’s, get an award-winning cocktail with a view at Little Rituals or dance late into the night at Club Contact.

VIVA PHX culinary events and specials

VIVA PHX’s signature food and storytelling experience, Comeal, has sold out. However, other free food-focused events only require an RSVP and a bit of planning to get you a seat with some of the city’s most notable chefs. Here’s where to nosh:

Viva Menu Specials
April 15-20
Multiple locations
The festival has teamed up with food influencer Bryan Soto, aka Senor Foodie, to create specials with local restaurants and bars during the festival week. Try tequila-battered fish tacos with nopales and chiltepin on blue corn tortillas at Chilte. Dig into a loaded Sonoran hot dog with papas fritas at Condesa. Snag a bean-and-cheese burrito from Provecho at Barcoa. Or sip a flight of Arizona-made Cactus Cru wines at Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop. See the full menu on Instagram.

United Plates of Arizona
Sunday, April 19
1505 E. Van Buren St.
A super group of Phoenix chefs will team up for this one-day-only pop-up at Roland’s Market, which was most recently home to Tratto. Chris Bianco, the James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur behind that Italian restaurant and the lauded Pizzeria Bianco, will be joined by fellow Beard Award winner Rene Andrade, of Bacanora and Huarachis Taqueria, and Bad Jimmy’s chef and owner James Piazza. United Plates of Arizona kicks off at 2 p.m., with food available until sold out. Drinks and DJ sets will flow until 7 p.m. Entry is free, with food and drinks available for purchase. RSVP online.

Shut It Down: VIVA PHX Wrap Party
Monday, April 20
924 E. Roosevelt St.
Say goodbye to VIVA PHX and hello to the rest of the week at this wrap party, hosted at the tiny dive Sidewinder. Jack Daniels will take over the Garfield bar, and chef and owner TJ Culp, who also helms Restaurant Progress and Sottise, will be on hand to serve food. The event is free to attend, with food and drinks for purchase. RSVP online.