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Guide to Phoenix's Desert Ridge Neighborhood

Tia Carmen

Located inside the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Tia Carmen is led by “Top Chef” alum Angelo Sosa and inspired by his aunt’s approach to cooking. The award-winning restaurant pairs locally sourced ingredients with flavors rooted in the Sonoran Desert and is open for breakfast, dinner and happy hour.

Don’t miss: beginning the day with breakfast or returning to the resort for dinner after an afternoon by the pool.
 

Kembara

Also from Chef Angelo Sosa, Kembara reflects his culinary travels across Asia. The menu offers fresh interpretations of dishes and street-food traditions from across the continent while honoring the cultures and generations behind them.

Don’t miss: ordering several plates for the table to experience a broader range of flavors.
 

Jin Jia

Located at the west end of The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, Jin Jia serves authentic Chinese cuisine with a modern approach. Its shareable menu invites the table to sample several dishes, from handmade dumplings and noodles to wok-prepared entrées.

Don’t miss: ordering a selection of dishes for the table to share.
 

Sizzle Korean

Barbecue At Sizzle Korean Barbecue, dinner comes with a little entertainment. Guests select from high-quality cuts of beef and pork, which are prepared tableside and served alongside traditional accompaniments. The interactive format makes it an especially fun choice for groups, celebrations or anyone looking to try something beyond the usual dinner routine.

Don’t miss: arriving hungry and ordering a few different cuts for the table.
 

Foley Ranch

Foley Ranch combines Arizona barbecue with live country music and dancing. Meats smoked over pecan wood anchor the menu, while the energetic setting turns dinner into a full night out. The restaurant welcomes guests of all ages earlier in the evening before becoming a 21-and-older venue at 10 p.m.

Don’t miss: checking the entertainment schedule before visiting for live music and dancing.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Considered one of Arizona’s premier resorts, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa anchors the neighborhood with more than 300 acres of amenities and plenty of ways to play or unwind. AquaRidge WaterPark features a lazy river, multistory water slides and multiple pools, while the resort also offers an arcade, 17 pickleball courts and two 18-hole golf courses at Wildfire Golf Club. Guests looking to slow down can book a treatment at Revive Spa or reserve a cabana for an afternoon beside the pool.

Dining is another reason to stay on property. Chef Angelo Sosa’s Tia Carmen draws inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of the region, while Kembara reflects his travels across Asia. Additional restaurants and lounges offer everything from poolside snacks and smoothies to pizza, craft beer and cocktails.

Don’t miss: setting aside a full resort day for the water park, spa or golf before dinner on property.

Desert Ridge Marketplace

More than a shopping center, Desert Ridge Marketplace serves as one of the neighborhood’s main gathering places. The open-air destination features more than 100 shopping, dining, entertainment, health and fitness brands, giving visitors plenty of ways to fill an afternoon or evening.

Browse the shops, catch a movie, stop for a drink or enjoy the outdoor gathering spaces. The District, the marketplace’s pedestrian-friendly central area, regularly hosts live music, holiday celebrations and community programming throughout the year.

Don’t miss: checking the marketplace’s event calendar for live music, seasonal celebrations and special events.

Musical Instrument Museum

Travel around the world through music at the Musical Instrument Museum, also known as MIM. The museum’s expansive galleries display thousands of instruments and musical objects, with video and audio technology allowing visitors to hear the music as they explore. Exhibits span countries, cultures, genres and influential artists, offering an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

In the Experience Gallery, guests can make music themselves by playing instruments from around the globe. MIM also hosts signature events celebrating musical genres and cultures from around the world. These lively weekend programs feature performances, hands-on activities, workshops, curator talks and other experiences that bring global traditions to life.

Don’t miss: checking the events calendar for a signature cultural celebration during your visit.

Concerts at MIM

MIM’s unique 300-seat Music Theater brings audiences remarkably close to acclaimed musicians and emerging artists from around the world. Its concerts extend the museum experience to the stage, with performances spanning global music, jazz, classical, folk, bluegrass, rock and more. The intimate setting creates a memorable connection between performers and audiences.

Don’t miss: reviewing the concert calendar in advance and pairing a day in the galleries with an evening performance.
 

Desert Ridge Improv

For an evening built around laughs, check the calendar at Desert Ridge Improv. Located at Desert Ridge Marketplace, the comedy club welcomes nationally touring comedians alongside rising performers, with a rotating lineup that gives visitors something new to see throughout the year. Food and drinks are available during performances, making it an easy choice for date night or a group outing.

Don’t miss: purchasing tickets in advance for popular weekend performances.

Dave & Buster’s

Combine arcade games, bowling, billiards and sports viewing at Dave & Buster’s. The Desert Ridge Marketplace location includes 12 bowling lanes, six pool tables and a large selection of games, making it a flexible option for groups and visitors of different ages.

Don’t miss: making time for a round of bowling after exploring the arcade.
 

As You Wish

Create a personalized souvenir at As You Wish, a paint-your-own pottery studio at Desert Ridge Marketplace. Guests can choose a ceramic piece, select their colors and paint at their own pace, with staff available to offer supplies and guidance. The studio also hosts classes, parties and seasonal painting events.

Don’t miss: checking the calendar for themed workshops and step-by-step classes.
 

AMC Dine-In Desert Ridge 18

Catch a new release at AMC Desert Ridge 18 after shopping or dinner at the marketplace. With multiple screens and concessions beyond the traditional movie-theater staples, it offers an easy way to add a film to an afternoon or evening in the neighborhood. This dine-in theater lets guests order food and drinks to enjoy during the movie, making it easy to combine dinner and entertainment in one stop.

Don’t miss: checking showtimes before dinner to plan the evening around a movie.

Reach 11 Recreation Area

For a quieter side of Desert Ridge, head to Reach 11 Recreation Area. The 1,500-acre park extends along the north side of the Central Arizona Project canal and includes 18 miles of multiuse trails. Its relatively flat terrain makes it an approachable place to walk, run, bike or experience the open desert landscape.

The adjacent Reach 11 Sports Complex includes fields for soccer, rugby, field hockey and baseball and regularly welcomes practices, games and tournaments.

Don’t miss: exploring the trails early in the morning or near sunset, particularly during the warmer months.
 

Wildfire Golf Club

Located at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Wildfire Golf Club features two 18-hole courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Nick Faldo. Both offer mountain and Sonoran Desert views, giving golfers two distinct ways to experience the landscape.

Don’t miss: choosing between the Palmer and Faldo courses—or making time to play both.
 

Pickleball at JW Marriott Desert Ridge

The JW Marriott’s Pickleball Center features 17 lighted courts for beginners and experienced players. Visitors can reserve court time, schedule individual or group instruction and pick up gear at the full-service pro shop.

Don’t miss: reserving court time in advance and playing during the cooler morning or evening hours.