Temporary Café at Phoenix Art Museum - Phoenix, Arizona

Chris C.

On vacation in Arizona, my wife and I visited the Phoenix Art Museum. After touring the impressive museum, we stopped for lunch at the museum's Cafe, called Palette. Palette is a wonderful little eating place that we would go to even if it was not attached to the Museum. It has an inside dining room, but with the perfect weather on that Wedneaday afternoon, we sat outside on their patio.
I started with a glass of Mango Iced Tea, which was frankly a little watered. My wife had a signature cocktail called a Watermelon Sangria, my wife loved it, and the mixologist who creates the drink came out and explained the drink to usit started with Watermelon puree, and ended with sparkling wine.
For lunch my wife had the Mushroom Tart. It was devine. Wild mushrooms, goat cheee, egg, sautéed kale, on the most wonderfully flakey crust.
I had the Pecan Chicken Salad. It was delicious. Pecans, grapes, raisins, and nice sized pieces of Chicken, all on a nice grain bread.
The service was very nice, and we were never left wanting for anything. One of the nicest lunches we've had in a while.

Elizabeth N.

Our waitress was fabulous, funny and on the ball! Food was delicious. I would have chosen the quesadilla in place of the mushroom tart but it was good and the side salad was great.

AJ L.

Took a break from touring the Phoenix Art Museum for lunch at Palette which is conveniently located right inside. We had reservations, which I recommend, if you intend to hit the museum at around lunch time. The seating area is large, but when you think about how many people can be at the museum on any given day, the chances that Palette will be filled at lunchtime are high. The staff was extremely impressive. The service truly felt like that you would expect to receive at an exclusive big city or resort setting restaurant. Prices are reasonable. My salmon entree was priced at $18 and was LARGE. Interestingly, the bed of bitter micro greens that my salmon was plated over was treated by the chef as part of the entree, not a garnish. The greens were seasoned nicely, were served in abundance, and added a nice taste and texture contrast to the salmon and potatoes and asparagus. The asparagus was roasted, perfectly seasoned, and the stalks were large and meaty. The fingerling potatoes were perfectly roasted, creamy in texture. Others in the group had a vegan portobello sammy, PLUMP chicken fajitas (see my pic - rare to find - too many fajitas are served crushed flat as a pancake), and a kale power salad. While we did not order any alcohol, there is a very good selection of brews, wines, cocktails and spirits. There's been a trend with placing high-end restaurants inside of venues, and it works. If you visit the Phoenix Art Museum, treat yourself to a bite at Palette.

Aimee M.

We stopped into Palette for some ice cream after viewing the Phoenix art museum. (Note, if you have any food or beverages at the end, you cannot take them into the museum and need to exit to the outside of the museum.)

We had 3 gelatos ( one was an AFFOGATO—which is Espresso over a scoop of locally made gelato), 1 sorbet, and a Portobello Melt. We enjoyed everything that we had (especially the Prickly Pear Lemonade)! We did find it a little pricey but we understand that it is in a museum restaurant.

If you do not care to go to the museum, you can enter from outside the museum.

B B.

A small cafe located conveniently inside the art museum. There are indoor and outdoor seats available. There is also a private dining room for small groups. The menu is small and somewhat overpriced especially since the pandemic.

audrey

Overpriced menu but my corn soup was good delicious. My bf got a grilled cheese with fries and i personally didn’t like it all too much by itself but dipped in the soup, it’s amazing. the fries are good but i wish they were heavier coated by the spices added to them. and if you don’t like knock offs, don’t get a cappuccino. i don’t like black coffee but my bf does and even he said it was disgustingly bitter and i agree. $5 at starbucks would get you a larger size coffee than this.

Tom S.

One of the best grilled cheeses that I have ever eaten. It’s called “Phoenix’s Best” on the menu and you need to believe 👏 the 👏 hype 👏!
The fries were also great, very nicely seasoned. The restaurant is cute and chic, great service from the staff as well. It is not just a “bottle water and a cold sandwich” type of place, take your time to enjoy this after the first floor gallery, then walk off the calories!

Ramon G.

The food was actually good! I was expecting just something to tide me over until I could actually get in the museum, but I was pleasantly surprised! I'll return to the museum, for sure! I may also visit the restaurant again....
* one conplaint: the service. Horrible.