Dining · Phoenix

Barrio Café

Barrio Café is chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's love letter to regional Mexican cooking — a colorful, lively Phoenix favorite that goes well beyond the usual. The kitchen draws on the cuisines of southern Mexico, with dishes you won't find at a standard taqueria.

The guacamole made tableside is a signature, and the slow-cooked cochinita pibil is the dish regulars steer newcomers toward. It's a spirited, welcoming room, and the kind of place that feels unmistakably Phoenix.

We recommend it to guests who want a memorable dinner with real character. It can get busy, so plan for a wait or go a little early, and don't skip the mezcal and tequila list.