Chef Rene Andrade’s Guide to Phoenix
Rene Andrade came to the US from Sonora, Mexico, when he was 17 years old. He arrived with two pairs of shoes, one pair of Levis, and $275 in his backpack. Then, at age 33, he won the 2024 James Beard Award for “Best Chef, Southwest.” He considers his grandmother, Mamá Lupa, to be his greatest influence.
As a young boy, Andrade watched her make stew for his large family. “They were all ranting about their lives—school, car repairs, kids—but she was peaceful,” he says. “She got their attention: ‘Hey, everyone, enjoy your meal. Right now, it’s about the plate in front of you.’” For a full minute or so, no one spoke, too busy savoring their food. Then someone leaned back with an appreciative “Ahh.” That’s when Andrade understood it’s possible to bring people to a reflective silence for the energy poured into a good meal.
He calls it magic—and it’s something he lives for. “I’m happy to be Mexican,” he says. “I want to show that our food can be elite too.”
And Andrade is doing just that. The Phoenix New Times named his high-concept restaurant, Bacanora, the best of 2023, and reservations famously sell out in minutes. But whether he’s cooking high-end cuisine or an everyday meal, Andrade puts love into it, so people can experience the best of Arizona's food.
It’s not just about preparing his own Sonoran dishes either, for he supports and explores the local restaurant scene, too. And when he’s not eating or cooking, he can be found enjoying the local culture. Here’s Chef Rene Andrade’s guide to Phoenix.
How to explore the evolving food scene in Phoenix
A fresh crop of young, talented chefs like Andrade are bringing a unique vibe focused on excellence and experimentation to the city. Vegetables, pork, and beef can be directly sourced from across the border in Sonora, which he says makes a big difference in freshness and familiarity for those distinctly Mexican dishes.
Everything, he says, “should be cooked on an open wood-fire. Flour tortillas, carne asada, beans in the flame … that way, you’re schooling people on what Sonoran food is.”
While Andrade’s own restaurant concepts serve Sonoran food with soul, he also praises Taco Boys, especially their taco de barbacoa or vampiro (grilled, corn tortilla taco with melted cheese and other toppings). Not to be missed is the longtime staple, Carolinas, for homemade burritos. Flour gorditas (stuffed corn cakes) filled with picadillo (seasoned ground beef and potatoes), carne deshebrada (shredded beef) and rajas poblanas (strips of roasted poblano peppers), reminiscent of Chihuahua, can be had at Tacos Chiwas.
But Mexican food isn’t the only cuisine here. For one of the best hamburgers (crispy edges; super-soft bun), there’s Bad Jimmy’s. For soul food, like jambalaya and meaty wings, it’s CC’s on Central. Andrade also gushes about the lobster roll at Nelson’s Meat + Fish, which serves high-quality, fresh seafood.
If you want Thai cuisine, eat at Glai Baan. Meanwhile, the place for Vietnamese food in the Valley is 43rd Express (aka Pho 43). Andrade dares to call it his favorite restaurant in the whole world, explaining how this family-run business serves “crystal-clear pho that feeds the soul.”
Andrade also can’t help but give a nod to his longtime mentor, Chris Bianco, another James Beard Award–winning chef. When it comes to Italian food, Phoenicians trust Tratto and Pizzeria Bianco for quality. “It’s food made out of love,” Andrade says. “You’re going to be stoked from the moment you sit down to the moment you leave.”
Where to enjoy drinks in Phoenix
Futuro is a coffee bar run by Andrade’s good friend, Jorge Ignacio Torres, which serves specialty foods on weekends. “It’s a middle point where all kinds of people get to meet,” Andrade says of the venue. For the best matcha in town, he calls out First Place Coffee. If you’re in the mood for chai, head to Berdena’s (two locations). And for a feel-good tea experience, he suggests Crete Tea Room.
After hours, head over to Bar 1912, a “chic bar inside another great restaurant called Valentine—kind of like a speakeasy because you come through the back door, and there’s a neon sign in front that says ‘cocktails.’ They have records playing different music, and some of the best drinks I’ve ever seen.”
If you want a neighborhood bar with a down-to-earth feel, try Gracie’s Tax Bar. Or stop in at Bar Bianco for “classic good food, classic good drinks. It’s more than just a bar—it’s for the community. I love that. [Chris] Bianco just does it right.”
Where to stay in Phoenix
For expansive views of the Sonoran Desert, Andrade recommends staying in the North Scottsdale or Cave Creek area, such as the Four Seasons at Troon North. Resorts closer to the city center are Royal Palms, a Spanish Mediterranean mansion from 1929, or Mountain Shadows Resort, which sits at the base of Camelback Mountain, backlit at night by city lights.
If resorts aren’t in your budget, plenty of other great stays in the Valley exist. One of Andrade’s favorites is Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale’s entertainment district. “It’s an old classic,” he says, “and Chef Russell LaCasce has one of the best palates.” Andrade also likes Senna House, a lifestyle boutique hotel also located in Old Town Scottsdale.
Global Ambassador, curated for the jet-setting traveler, also boasts the stunning backdrop of Camelback Mountain. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful place,” Andrade says. “On the weekend, it has the vibe of a club.”
How to explore the outdoors in Phoenix
For outdoor activities, Andrade recommends the Echo Canyon Trail. Other well-known hikes in the Valley include the challenging Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and Tom’s Thumb.
For a more leisurely time, embark on a hot-air balloon flight over Phoenix, or take a guided day trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Regardless of where you roam, pause to watch the Sonoran sunrise and sunsets.
Related: This Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride Over Phoenix Was Worth Waking Up For
Uncover Phoenix’s diverse cultural offerings
Phoenix boasts a thriving arts scene on display during First Fridays, which celebrates local food trucks, musicians, and street artists. Monthly evening crowds as large as 20,000 people stroll Roosevelt Row to admire art, eat, shop, and listen to music. Alternatively, Andrade says, attend an Afro piano pop-up event, where DJs mix genres for crowds eager to dance and have a good time. They take place at the Crescent Ballroom and other nearby venues.
For a daytime activity, go on a walking tour of Roosevelt Row, where you’ll find art shops, local boutiques, and murals inspired by the city’s desert landscapes and history. And, of course, you can’t miss the Phoenix Art Museum, which Andrade says provides “both international artists and local, up-and-coming artists an opportunity.”
Music lovers should head to the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Scottsdale for its impressive collection of instruments from every country in the world. Via technology, visitors can see and hear these instruments in their original cultural settings. Throughout the year, MIM hosts special concerts and other events.
September in Phoenix brings Mexico in a Bottle, North America’s biggest mezcal tasting event, hosted in the Walters Studios in downtown Phoenix. More than 40 brands share 150+ expressions of agave and Mexican craft spirits. On-site restaurants provide bites and sips, while art and music bring the ambience. In October the Desert Botanical Gardens hosts Guelaguetza, a nod to the lively festivities of the traditional Oaxacan celebration through music, dance, art, food, and more.
More ways to explore Phoenix
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