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    Lux Central

    4.2 (2.9k reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Lux Central Photos

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    LUX CENTRAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
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    Recommended Reviews - Lux Central

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dutch Pancake
    Nate T.

    Honestly, this place definitely deserves a higher overall rating. I found this place cause of the trusted Yelp app and wow! A true diamond in the rough. From the outside you wouldn't know there was a full on niche coffee shop, restaurant, bakery, and bar. Service was really good as we explained it was our first time and wasn't sure of the process. The food was very original. I got the biscuits and gravy and my dad got the Dutch pancake. Everything was so delicious. My dad lives here in Phoenix and never heard of this place but he will become a regular now, it's that good.

    Ursula D.

    If I could give a place 10*s, Lux has more than earned the title. Cool space coffee shops are definitely a thing in Phoenix lately--but Lux was the "design-genius-with-a-latte-machine" long before coffee shops were even a thing here. I've been frequenting this architectural marvel for over 10 years. While so many new shops try to mimic this vibe, none of them are Lux. Lux is King! The 11-Year Flashback: I looked back at my review from 11 years ago when I docked them a star for the "nightmare parking." Back then, I was a "to-go" only person who never envisioned myself as a laptop-hipster hanging out. Well, times change! I'm bumping them up to 5 stars now. Maybe it's the new competition nearby or my better timing, but the parking is a breeze, and I've officially embraced the "comfy chair" lifestyle. The "Cheers" Factor: What really sets this place apart is the people. After a decade of visits, it truly feels like Cheers--where everybody knows my name! Getting to know the folks behind the counter makes every visit feel like coming home. The Sip of the Night: I shifted from my usual plain Cappuccino as my target drink to include in a review to feature their Espresso Martini. I went with a Reposado base instead of the typical vodka, and it was stellar. With two full bars in addition to the coffee and pastry bar, craft drinks truly abound here! (Note: they have an amazing cappuccino too) The Comfort Classics: You cannot leave without the food. My go-to favorites? The Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese and the legendary Chocolate Chip or Red Velvet cookies. Return Factor: 100% I've been coming here for a decade, and it's still the gold standard. As I said in my review 11 years ago: "I see a book, comfy chair and cocktail in my future! Stumble home... Repeat." Still true today! #PHXCoffeeShopTour #1CupAtATime #LuxCentral #PhoenixOriginal #EspressoMartini #FlashbackReview

    JP P.

    Okay Lux Central is not just a coffee shop -- it's an experience. From the outside you'd never know what's happening inside. No obvious signage, just this understated entrance that leads you into what feels like a creative maze. Every time I thought I'd reached the end, there was another room, another vibe, another cozy corner. And yes -- there's even a tucked-away speakeasy-style bar hidden deep in the back that you'd completely miss if you were just grabbing coffee to-go. The aesthetic is effortlessly cool: exposed wood beams, oversized glass pendant lights, open kitchen energy, eclectic art, sticker-covered doors, even a vintage red typewriter casually part of the décor. I loved that they had free postcards scattered around (super cute touch) and these giant bowls of fresh produce -- avocados, jalapeños, pears, bananas -- almost like edible art pieces that add to the whole vibe. The pastry case was stacked, including solid vegan options, my latte had beautiful foam art, and the matcha was smooth without being overly sweet. The crowd was such a mix -- students on laptops, creatives, business folks, locals hanging out -- packed but still relaxed. Indoor, outdoor, open late, food all day... definitely one of those places you stop in for coffee and end up staying way longer than planned.

    Caramel macchiato
    Bella T.

    This was my first time trying Lux, and it gives classic Phoenix vibes. It's rustic, a little alternative, and busy. The inside of the cafe has lots of seating but does feel tight. There are a lot of drink and food options, and several people doing work on their laptops. It wasn't the quietest, but could be a good place to work with others or alone.

    Lounge
    Quinton D.

    What an mazing find. Food, liquor, coffee, and baked goods in one spot. I wish I found this place way before now. Awesome eclectic aesthetic and great service to match. The mocha latte I ordered had outstanding flavor.

    Courtney R.

    I went here on a date with a new fella I know, I know most people don't like coffee dates, I love them when first getting to know someone, it's not a long time commitment just in case lol.anyway the place is cute and very on par for the neighborhood. If you drive by too fast you might miss it... spoiler alert I totally missed it at first lol. I do love that parking is a breeze. I did not love the seating when I first got there. We actually moved around seats a bit to find a space that would give us time to chat while we sipped. After finding a groovy little spot by the bar, the seating isn't all that bad. Pro tip they have a little lounge area also in the back behind the bathrooms, so don't forget to check it out. We had the friendliest hostess and mixologist, we started with coffee but as the conversation kept flowing we decided to grab a cocktail. Out seating was perfect as we watched her make our drinks. The afternoon was going well so we decided to order a late lunch. I had the grilled cheese and tomato soup, it was delicious, the soup was flavorful and the bread for the sandwich was toasted and had great flavor too it. My companion got the BLT and salad. He enjoyed the salad, and said the sandwich was good. Good comfort meal in my opinion. I did mention that I would return as a work from homer I love finding little coffee shops that can make shift as a change of scenery with delicious coffee, when I come back I'm definitely trying the pastries which looked delicious!!!!

    Christa M.

    Stopped by with friends on Sunday and whoa was this place super busy! We stood in line to order and thankfully it moved pretty quick. I ordered an iced vanilla chai latte and a salted chocolate chip cookie. Waited a few minutes and my names was called out when my drink was ready. There was no where available to sit inside so we went out to the patio area. The patio are had a few small tables and chairs. My iced vanilla chai was yummy and so was the cookie. The cookie was baked perfectly and it was soft. The employees we interacted with were friendly. The outside tables did have a bunch of dirty plates and cups so it seemed as if no one had come out to clean it up.

    The vibe - love the pink!
    Vivian H.

    There are days when I really miss NYC and this coffee shop comes close to the ones I like in NYC. I came in here this afternoon to get some work done and have always enjoyed my experience here. They don't have matcha on their menu, but seems like everyone was ordering matcha lol. I ordered a large iced matcha oat latte with lavender. Pretty good drink! This place has a lot of people working here, and some people are drinking alcohol while working too. I also discovered a back room past the bathroom where there is another bar and a room that has a big TV and I spied soccer on the screen! Sweet! The decor in here is fun and the music is always good in here. Great vibe and a fun place to hang out. They have lots of pastries on display but I didnt get any. They also have a full menu too, so maybe next time I'll come for some food too! This is probably one of the top 10 coffee bars in Phoenic for me! And I love that they stay open later than most coffee bars in town, no 2pm closing, thanks Lux!! I'll definitely be back again soon! The parking lot is tight but plenty of parking on the street and Pane Bianco's lot was empty and since they're closed, I'll just park over next time when I come thru.

    Espresso martini
    Isaias F.

    This place serves an amazing Espresso Martini! It's probably one of the best I've had in Phoenix. Highly recommend.

    Isaac R.

    This place is one of my favorite spots in Phoenix. I always come here when I'm around for a coffee and a pastry, and honestly anything you try here is good. Their Mac n' Cheese is one of the best but I definitely recommend dine-in, since it's prepared differently when ordered to go. This place never disappoints!

    You've arrived!
    Joy J.

    I circled the building twice in an effort to make sure I was at the right place. Lux Central is quite the unassuming spot, with the most eclectic interior, and vibe to match! I won't lie to you, I was a wee bit skeddd to even get out of my car because the area looks just a tad sketchy. Being super cautious in an area I am unfamiliar with, I quickly checked the outside pics of the establishment on the Yelp app. Once I confirmed I was at the right spot, I made my way to the front doors. WOW!! When I walked in, it was buzzing with college students whose faces were covered by their laptops, young families, and groups of friends. The seating inside is as vibrant and varied as the way you order your food and drinks here. They have tables and chairs in different areas, and a small bar top area that faces the abundance of pastries. Turn the right corner and you'll find the alcoholic beverage bar, with seating in front of it, but at a regular level (not bar height, strange, but interesting). There were more chairs and tables back there filled with people. I did not realize there was another small bar area in the back, once you walk through the skinny hallway. That was a cool spot, but every seat was taken in there, too. My friend and I had dinner here, and coincidentally, we ordered the same thing! The Pesto Mac and Cheese with Fontina and Chicken was about the only thing that sounded good to me as I perused the dinner menu. The presentation was very unique! It's served in a big cappuccino mug, and as appetizing as it looked, I barely ate half!! It was filling and the flavor was just right. I normally stray from chicken, but this dish had good size chunks of it and it wasn't dried out like I've had at other places. I had to doggy bag the leftovers because the lil piggy in me had to have one of their desserts. I ended up with the Espresso Chocolate Bundt Cake. It's a huge portion, and the frosting is to die for! I'm still currently being nice to my liver, so I opted for a mocktail. The Blueberry drink was delivered to me from the bartender himself, and it was everything I wanted since they didn't have any pineapple or mango. =/ Later, I ordered a Hazelnut Latte with Oatmilk to go with the cake. It was perfect! Ordering in here is a bit of an odd experience, but it's not rocket science. Place your food/non-alcoholic bevvie order with the cashier near the pastry case, and you can open a tab (in case you want to order any alcoholic drinks). If you want an alcohol anything, you'll need to walk over to the bar and tell the bartender what you want. When you're done eating and drinking everything, you pay at the register. Be sure to pay attention because they will call your name when your food is ready. I almost didn't hear my name because the noise level in here is high. Grab your food from the table in front of the register and you're good to go. Prices are average here, portions are generous and the service rocks! Although parking can be tight, you should not have an issue. One day I'll come back here just to try their humongous cinnamon roll!!

    Pesto mac and cheese and fontina with chicken and a red pine.
    Vlad V.

    I stopped by Lux Central on a Wednesday for dinner at 6:00 p.m. While my GPS was accurate, when I arrived at the parking lot, I wasn't sure if I was at the right spot because the signage wasn't clear. So, if you see a gray building, you're at the right place. The parking lot was almost full, but I found a spot. They also have a secondary lot adjacent to the coffee shop/bar/restaurant. Service (2.5/5): We sat at some bar stool seating close to where all of the pastries are. And you have quite the selection of areas to sit. There is comfortable seating, table seating, and bar seating in addition to where we sat. If you're doing both food and drinks, you order food and non-alcoholic beverages at one counter and alcoholic drinks at another counter. If you order an adult beverage, they will add it to your tab. They call your name when your food or non-alcoholic beverages are ready, and they bring your cocktails to your table. A bit of a confusing system until you learn the lay of the land. Ambiance (3/5): I would describe Lux Central as a bit hipster. It's a vibe, and my favorite area is the somewhat hidden second bar area. To get there, you have to walk through most of the property to find it. The exterior of Lux isn't that great, but it's better on the inside. Drinks (4/5): Lux has a nice selection of craft cocktails. I tried two of them and they were each $12. The prices weren't listed on the menu, which is a pet peeve of mine so I had to ask the bartender. He told me the cocktails range from $12-$18 depending on what you get. The cocktails were well-made, and I appreciated the creativity of the flavor profiles. Well done. And if you're a coffee drinker, you have plenty of options there, too. Food (4/5): For a coffee shop, I was impressed that Lux has real food that goes beyond sandwiches and light fare. I went with the pesto mac & cheese and fontina with chicken. First off, A+ on the presentation. It's served in a large cappuccino cup. With the melted cheese, it looks like a beverage instead of food. To the point that I thought they got my order wrong at first. And it tasted as good as it looked. The chicken was juicy. The pesto was a nice twist to a classic dish. And the fontina was also a nice addition to the mac & cheese blend. The kind of dish I would get over and over again. I also had the strawberry pound cake. With two good-size slices of pound cake, slathered with cream and strawberries, I ate half and took the rest home. Light and fluffy as I had hoped. Whether you're trying to study, work, knock back some drinks, or have some food, all can be done at a high level here.

    Egg sandwich
    Tracy Y.

    Parking here is a bit of a hassle--it's pretty limited and the place is really popular, so finding a spot can be tough. The line is usually long, and the menu isn't visible until you get to the front, which makes it hard to decide what you want ahead of time. I ordered the egg sandwich and an iced Americano. The sandwich was $9, which felt steep considering how small and simple it was. The total came to over $15 (not including tip), which made this a pretty pricey breakfast. The food also took quite a while to come out, even though it didn't seem like many people were ordering meals.

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    7 years ago

    So unique with options galore! The baked goods are so plentiful it's hard to decide, but choose any and it'll be just FINE

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    Lux Central Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lux Central

    Do they also made chilled desserts like cream pies, mousse, trifles, etc?

    Their dessert options vary daily. Yes, they often have chilled desserts in the refrigerator across from the bakery items.

    Is it a good place to get some work done between appointments?

    There isn't a whole lot of space with a table/desk, and if there is, people are likely eating there. I think a collaborative team meeting would be fine. You definitely can work on a computer, but taking zoom meetings or calls might be a little… Read more

    Is their patio dog friendly? 🐾

    Yes!

    Anybody else drive out here late at night thinking they still close at midnight?

    Yes. Happened to me recently. They don't stay open late since Covid. :-(

    Are they open for dine-in?

    Take out but I have seen people sitting outside eating

    Do they have new hours, if so what are their hours? Also, are their pastry's available all day or is it better to go in the morning?

    Hours I cannot speak to. Pastries are always available and rotate throughout the day!

    Is 9 and 12 too young for this place?

    Unless I am there with my youngsters, else I would not let me kids here by themselves. It's a place mostly appropriate for 18+ for coffee, mingle, and/or small bar areas.

    Are the lemons and oranges free?

    No. Unless you're former mayor of Phoenix. I saw him take a banana without paying.

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    Original Hamburger Works

    3.9
    (510 reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    A good burger and enjoyed the fries. Good prices and comfortable seating. Definitely go back!!read more

    First time here. Unfortunately, I was a bit ill when I walked in. I thought it was just because I…read morehadn't eaten much in the past 24 hours. Had nothing to do with their food. It was just me. I had the Border Burger. Thought the green chilis sounded good, but they were full chilis, and I prefer them diced up. I probably could have requested that, if I had known, or diced them myself.. No big deal, I just put them aside. The rest of the burger was very tasty. I also had the fried mushrooms. They were probably frozen and from a box... Unless you really like fried mushrooms, I wouldn't bother. I really loved stuffed mushrooms, and sometimes I hope the fried mushrooms will be close enough, but not here. This place is BUSY; cops, firefighters, and lots of tradesmen. They could really use one or two people to take the food out to the tables so you don't have a half dozen people standing around the register with their thumbs up their butts waiting for their food. They have a decent-looking condiment/toppings bar, but after standing around waiting for my order to come out and feeling very dizzy, I didn't have the energy to bother with it. There are so many great places to eat in this area, and burgers just as good with more convenient service. I would not object if someone else wants to eat here, but I don't think it will be my first choice.

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    The Chuck Box

    The Chuck Box

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    9.6 mi
    $$

    The Chuck Box is an extremely well known and popular Gem located at the heart of the ASU Tempe…read moreCampus. It has been around for DECADES and there is no question as to why it is still there. When visiting the Chuck Box know that it is cash only (ATM on-site), and super popular. There WILL be a line. The line does move extremely fast, due to the fact that the line cooks are definitely not waiting until you get to the counter to take your order. They will call out to anyone in line (regardless of where in line you are) and take your order, yelling it out if needed. It is such a unique and fun experience. The burgers are not overpriced and are phenomenal! It is self serve toppings, after you pay for your order you can go to the topping bar and add as much to your burger as your heart desires. They additionally have other food on the menu such as veggie burger, chicken sandwhiches, chicken tenders, onion rings, fries, fried zuchinni, fried mushrooms, and more. I have had both the fried zuchinni and mushrooms and I would definitely recommend both options! Since it really popular, be aware that there is limited seating and it is crowded. It is additionally extremely warm (especially during the summer) inside the building due to the grill. If you have not already checked out the Chuck Box, I would definitelly recommend that you check it out as soon as possible!!!

    After reading the glowing reviews, I had high expectations. Unfortunately they weren't met. This…read moreplace is ok, maybe even good, but not what I consider excellent or the best burgers in Arizona. For cash only, the prices seem a little high to me also. To start, my burger tasted pretty good. The cheese was good. Bun was a little dry and stale. The lettuce was yellow and chopped and looked several days old and slightly rotten. Two of my tomatoes had active mold growing on them. It was too dark inside to see it but we ate in the car and saw the moldy spot then. The fries are good but way too salty. We really liked the fried mushrooms. But we made our own dipping sauce which was better than the ranch they give you: mix 2/3 mustard and 1/3 Mayo. Tangy and delicious. We get these at "The Windmill" when we go to the jersey shore and the sauce that comes with the fried mushrooms is a horseradish sauce which is amazing (hint hint, Chuck Box). I would eat here again but bring a flashlight to inspect the produce and lower my expectations. It was good, not great. It smelled kind of off in here also. The AC and vents probably need to be cleaned.

    Photos
    Outside seating
    Outside seating
    Double large Monterey jack cheese burger
    Double large Monterey jack cheese burger
    1/13/25 FYI. Seating.

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    1/13/25 FYI. Seating.

    Lux Central - coffee - Updated June 2026

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