Maricopa Convention  •  Downtown Chandler, Arizona

Family Dining Guide

Family-friendly restaurants within an easy walk of the Crowne Plaza San Marcos and the Hilton Garden Inn Chandler Downtown.

Downtown Chandler is a compact, flat, and very walkable historic district — and both convention hotels sit right in the middle of it. Every restaurant below is chosen for the eating experience and welcoming, family atmosphere, and each one is a short stroll from your hotel.

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Almost everything here is a 3–12 minute walk from either hotel; the farthest spots are about 15 minutes. Numbers on the map match the numbers on the list. Tap any restaurant name for its website, or “Directions” for turn-by-turn walking directions.
Buffalo St Boston St Commonwealth Ave Chandler Blvd Chicago St Detroit St Arizona Ave (AZ-87) San Marcos Pl A.J. Chandler Park N Crowne Plaza San Marcos Hilton Garden Inn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Restaurant Sweet treats / coffee Convention hotel

Orientation map — not to scale. Numbers match the list below. Use “Directions” on any restaurant for exact walking directions.

⬇  Download printable PDF

Breakfast & Brunch

1
Breakfast & BakeryBy the plaza
Family-owned scratch cafe famous for jumbo cinnamon rolls, hearty breakfasts, and a big, quiet back patio — steps from the Crowne Plaza.
40 S San Marcos PlDirections ›
2
Breakfast & BrunchHistoric core
Made-from-scratch, retro-diner breakfast and brunch. Bright, casual, and great for groups — daytime only.
140 N Arizona Ave #104Directions ›
3
American • Burgers • BrunchArizona Ave & Buffalo
Elevated comfort food, burgers, and a popular weekend brunch — a welcoming sit-down spot in the heart of downtown.
140 N Arizona AveDirections ›

Lunch & Dinner

4
Italian • PizzaAcross from the park
NY-style pizza and East Coast Italian favorites right on San Marcos Pl — a reliable crowd-pleaser for families.
10 N San Marcos PlDirections ›
5
New MexicanArizona Ave & Buffalo
Authentic Hatch-chile New Mexican cooking in a bright, modern downtown space. Generous, shareable plates.
140 N Arizona AveDirections ›
6
ThaiBoston St
A downtown favorite for curries, noodles, and Thai classics — comfortable sit-down dining in the historic core.
11 W Boston St #5Directions ›
7
Japanese • RamenOverstreet (south)
Rich tonkotsu ramen bowls, small plates, and mocktails in the Overstreet development — an easy walk from the Hilton.
130 S Arizona Ave #1Directions ›
8
Sushi • Pan-AsianBuffalo St
Conveyor-belt sushi (a big hit with kids) plus a full pan-Asian menu and a patio — fun and budget-friendly.
58 W Buffalo StDirections ›
9
Healthy • Bowls & SaladsBoston St
Order-at-the-counter bowls, salads, protein plates, and smoothies — fast, fresh, and easy for a whole group.
35 W Boston StDirections ›
10
Seafood • CasualSouth Arizona Ave
A 36-year local favorite for fried fish, shrimp, and fries — friendly, counter-service, and easy on the wallet.
200 S Arizona AveDirections ›
11
Texas BBQBoston St
Chef-driven Texas smokehouse with brisket, ribs, and homemade sides. Hearty plates the whole table can share.
111 W Boston StDirections ›
12
Steakhouse • Special occasionNew Square (south)
A polished steak-and-seafood house in “New Square,” right by the Hilton — a nice choice for a special family dinner.
180 S Arizona Ave #106Directions ›

Sweet Treats, Coffee & Juice

13
Ice CreamArizona Ave
Small-batch, handcrafted ice cream in the heart of downtown — the perfect after-dinner stop with the kids.
140 N Arizona Ave #106Directions ›
14
Pies & BakerySouth Arizona Ave
Handcrafted pies, cheesecakes, and tarts — grab a whole pie for the room or a slice to go.
250 S Arizona Ave #4Directions ›
15
Coffee & PastriesBoston St
Family-owned specialty coffeehouse with espresso, pour-overs, and local pastries — a cozy morning stop.
11 W Boston St #6Directions ›
16
Juice • SmoothiesOff Boston St
Organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go bites — a healthy pick-me-up between sessions.
25 S Arizona Pl #130Directions ›

🏨 Right in your hotel

Prefer to stay put? Both hotels have their own casual dining: AJ's Cafe inside the Crowne Plaza San Marcos (info), and the Garden Grill inside the Hilton Garden Inn (info). Please check hours, as they can be limited.

🍽️ For a special-occasion dinner

A few more upscale downtown options for a nicer evening out (better suited to adults and older children): Elliott's Steakhouse (81 W Boston St) and Acqua Di' Mare coastal Italian (106 S Oregon St).