Spring Food and Beverage Festivals in Phoenix
Pick your own peaches at the Schnepf Farms Peach Festival in May.
Spring in Phoenix not only brings Cactus League Spring Training, but it brings out the most delicious events of the year. Here are some of the food and beverage festivals happening around Phoenix this spring. Bon Appétit!
March Events
March 2
The Great Arizona Beer Festival
This craft beer tasting extravaganza will showcase more than 200 brews from more than 60 breweries from across the state, country and around the globe each providing samples of their proudest brewing achievement.
March 9 – 10
The Devoured Culinary Classic is Arizona's premier food festival. Held in the sculpture garden of Phoenix Art Museum, this annual must-do event features chefs and culinary creations from more than 70 of metropolitan Phoenix's best restaurants. Guests enjoy a panorama of inspired edibles and cooking demonstrations, coupled with delicious fare from local artisans, brewers and vintners.
March 9 – 10
Festivities include a marketplace, an island-food court and themed-activity centers. Performances include storytellers, Tahitian drummers, ukulele players and hula dancers. Make sure to bring cash for the food and trinkets at Island Marketplace, where vendors sell woven baskets, carved-bone necklaces and Hawaiian coffee.
March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
The parade will kick off at Sheridan and Third streets in midtown Phoenix, featuring Irish step dancers, bagpipers, marching bands and more.The faire begins immediately after the parade, with two stages of entertainment including Celtic rock bands and Irish dancers. The kids area will feature a petting zoo, pony rides and face painters. A vendor specializing in genealogy will be on site, working with Irish names and family coats of arms. Fair attendees also will get a sneak peek at the construction progress of the Irish Cultural Center's 15,000-square-foot library, which will focus on genealogy.
March 21 – 24
A celebration of all things Western, Festival of the West is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation, attracting visitors from around the world anxious to immerse themselves in the culture, lore and romance of the American West.
March 22
Rock the Zoo features live music from local bands, beverage sampling, food tasting in the VIP Lounge, and food for sale from Valley food trucks, the Rockin' Raffle and other exciting activities all in the picturesque setting of the Phoenix Zoo.
March 23
The Great American Barbecue & Beer Festival
This event is for the whole family to enjoy. Throw out the lawn chairs and picnic blankets and prepare to witness Chandler’s largest and best BBQ event. There will be live entertainment, an all ages Kid’s Zone, and Bike Show with the traditional backyard BBQ atmosphere. It's sure to be a finger licking good time.
March 24
Guests will again enjoy incredible food and wine selections from the Valley's hottest restaurants, resorts and caterers plus more than 700 great wines, beers, liquors and non-alcoholic drinks from presenting sponsor Bashas’. Bon Vivant will also feature live music, dancing, and a silent auction with golf, dining, and resort packages.
April Events
April 4
This 21-or-older party features food samplings from top Valley restaurants and resorts, along with tastes from boutique wineries and craft breweries. Last year, participating businesses included Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Westin Kierland and Different Pointe of View. Live music and a silent auction will be included.
April 9 – 14
As the longest running festival of its kind in the United States, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival draws more than 40,000 visitors looking to enjoy fabulous food, fun and festivities. This year's festival will feature a host of events from cooking demonstrations by some of the nation's top chefs to a one of a kind James Beard out of the house dinner.
April 13 – 14
Get a taste of Polish dishes, such as golabki (cabbage rolls), kielbasa sausage with sauerkraut and pierogi, a dumpling with cheese and potatoes. The free festival, among the largest Polish celebrations in the Valley, includes folk dance and musical performances, an art marketplace, kid's area, informational booths and food court with traditional cuisine and imported beer.
April 20
Between 40 and 60 BBQ teams will be cooking and competing at The Arizona Barbecue Festival. It's a day sure to be filled with food, fun and hot competition. The highlight of the Arizona Barbecue Festival is Pit Row, where the cooking teams will be grilling, smoking and braising in their best effort to be named the champion in their BBQ category.
April 27
My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge
The My Nana's Best Tasting Salsa Challenge is a culinary event featuring restaurants, businesses and individuals competing to make the best salsa in their category. Over 80 competitors prepare fresh salsa on-site in either the mild or hot category. The grand champion will win $1,000 cash prize and attendees can vote for their favorite with dollars through the People's Choice Award.
April 28
Eight's Check, Please! Arizona Festival
Highlighting Arizona's independent culinary scene, the event will showcase eats from over 35 restaurants previously featured on Check, Please! Arizona in addition to craft beer and wine, cooking demonstrations, a James Beard Award winners' panel hosted by Robert McGrath, and a chance for fans to audition for a spot on the show.
May Events
May 18 - 27
For two weekends a year Schnepf Farms opens it's peach orchards for public picking in Queen Creek for its annual Peach Festival. In addition to picking your own peaches, there are plenty of other activities to entertain the whole family include train rides, hay and carnival rides, a peach food-sampling tent, chef demonstrations and of course peach pies, peach cinnamon rolls and their famous peach pancakes complete this peachy festival.
Brat Haus
The outdoor seating area at Brat Haus
With Oktoberfest right around the corner, it seemed appropriate to try the new Brat Haus in Old Town Scottsdale before the brat and beer hungry crowds took over. The menu at Brat Haus is all about local, artisan, and carefully crafted food and drinks. Expect to find traditional items like bratwurst, fries and pretzels - but if you are out to try something exotic, you’ll find that at Brat Haus too (read rattlesnake and rabbit sausage).
Fundido
On this visit to Brat Haus we started with the Fundido – two pretzels served with warm three-cheese-beer dipping sauce and whole grain mustard. For dinner we decided on a traditional beer bratwurst which came with two house made pickle slices (which were the highlight for me), a side of Belgian fries with Siracha dipping sauce and a beet salad. We were too stuffed to try dessert, but saw several come out of the kitchen and they looked (and smelled) amazing.
We sat inside the small dining area in the “brat haus,” but there is ample outdoor seating which will be fantastic for Oktoberfest celebrations and a small bar seating area in the “bru haus” as well.
Brat Haus is located in Old Town Scottsdale at 3622 N. Scottsdale Road.
Phoenix Luxury – Forbes and AAA-rated
The Phoenician, Mark Boisclair Photography, Inc.
Looking for luxury? Pamper yourself by indulging in Greater Phoenix’s luxurious side at these Forbes and AAA-rated resorts, spas and restaurants.
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Hotels
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Restaurant
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spas
Aji Spa, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort
Alvadora Spa, Royal Palms Resort & Spa
The Centre for Well-Being, The Phoenician
The Sanctuary Spa, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Willow Stream Spa, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
AAA/CAA Five Diamond Lodgings
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Labor Day Drink Recipes
Stay cool poolside this weekend with these refreshing drink recipes. These cocktails are also available at OH Pool Bar + Cabanas at the Hotel Valley Ho if you don't feel like making them yourself.
Mint Cooler
1 ½ oz. of Grey Goose Citron Vodka
6 Leaves of Fresh Mint
1 Lime Wedge
½ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
½ oz. Simple Syrup
2 oz. Club Soda
Build in highball glass. Muddle mint, lime wedge, and simple syrup. Add vodka, lime juice, and ice. Mix well with bar spoon. Top with club soda and garnish with lime wedge.
Miami Vice
Strawberry Daiquiri:
- 2 oz. Cruzan Light Rum
- 3 oz. Daily’s Strawberry Daiquiri mix
- Splash of fresh pineapple juice
- Blend all ingredients with ice until slushy
Pina Colada
- 2 oz. Cruzan Light Rum
- 3 oz. Daily’s Pina Colada mix
- Splash of fresh pineapple juice
- Blend all ingredients with ice until slushy
Pour the Pina Colada into a 16-oz glass, then pour the Strawberry Daiquiri on top. Garnish with an orange wheel and a cherry.
Recipes Courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.
Brunch at Sol Mexican Cocina
“Wow!” That’s what my husband and I both said after trying our food at Sol Mexican Cocina. We were visiting the restaurant, which is located in the Scottsdale Quarter, to try out their new brunch menu and we left very impressed, and stuffed.
Souffle Carlotta
I ordered the Souffle Carlotta, a version of French toast made with bread pudding that they spike with Patron Citronage. It comes with mango, berries, vanilla whipped cream, almonds and powdered sugar. It was delicious, if not more like dessert, and like both of our meals, big enough to share.
Machaca Wrap Ahogado
My husband was torn between the Crab & Shrimp Cakes ‘Benedicto’ and the Machaca Wrap Ahogado. The waiter suggested the Machaca Wrap, which is basically a shredded beef burrito with eggs and beans that comes drowned in salsa roja. Now, my husband is not a big Mexican food fan, but he loved this version of a breakfast burrito.
Sol Mexican Cocina serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm, with live music beginning at noon. They also feature a custom margarita bar where you can create your own, or they offer mimosas for $7, with $1 refills. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and of note, they have great vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu options.
Sol Mexican Cocina 15323 North Scottsdale Road, Ste 195, Scottsdale (in the Scottsdale Quarter)
Miracle Mile Delicatessen
The Miracle Mile Deli has been in Phoenix since 1949.
Pastrami sandwich fans rejoice, we’ve found your new go-to spot, the Miracle Mile Delicatessen. Their most popular sandwich “The Straw” is piled high with hot Pastrami, melted Swiss cheese and steamy sauerkraut piled high on your choice of bread. This local family-owned and operated deli has been in Phoenix for over 60 years and still uses the same recipe for their Pastrami brought to Arizona from New York in 1949.
The Straw
Also known for their Corned Beef and Brisket you won’t go home hungry after a visit to the Miracle Mile Deli, as the portions are huge. You can also find a great selection of pies, cakes and sweets. We tried the carrot cake and despite our best efforts to save some for later, were unable to stop eating the delicious and moist cake and cream cheese frosting.
Yes, we'll take a slice of cherry pie, carrot cake and German chocolate to-go.
Miracle Mile Deli has two locations in Greater Phoenix, the Camelback Colonnade at 1949 East Camelback Road in Phoenix and in the Scottsdale Promenade at 7435 East Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale.
