Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Image Above: Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria. 


Downtown Cottonwood’s Main Street is one of the liveliest streets in the entire Verde Valley. With the numerous shops, restaurants and winery tasting rooms that line this bustling corridor, it’s easy to spend hours or even an entire day strolling through town. From an olive oil shop to some of the state’s best restaurants, discover downtown Cottonwood. By Teresa K. Traverse.


Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Downtown Cottonwood


SHOPS


Paws on Main
918 N. Main Street, Ste. B
Find a variety of organic, all-natural pet food and treats, accessories, bedding, collars, leads, bedding and other pet accessories.

It’s The Cats Meow!
929 N. Main Street, Ste. B
Search for a plethora of antiques like clothing, jewelry and gifts like handmade lotions.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders & Various Shops on Main Street

Verde Valley Olive Traders
1002 N Main St.
Sample a wide swath of olive oil flavors ranging from wild rosemary to olive wood smoked olive oil here. This shop also sells balsamic vinegar.

Pink Rain Boutique
1014 N. Main Street
Pink Rain owner Christel Radke embellishes denim jackets, jeans, bags and footwear to add some flair. Anticipate plenty of bold designs here. One example? A peach, pale pink faux fur jacket.

Old Town Rocks
1019 N. Main Street
The name of this shop says it all. Shoppers can find a variety of crystals, geodes, art and sound healing tools.

Art Glitter
720 N. Balboa St.
Since 1981, the Art Glitter Institute has been devoted to selling glitter to literally make people’s crafts sparkle. Founder Barbara Trombley’s shop has more than 1,200 unique colors of glitter in stock that she sells locally and ships all over the world.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Main Street

Main Street Mercantile
1020 N. Main St.
Browse for clothing, camping gear, novelty socks, home décor and gifts at this shop that describes itself as “fun and funky.”

Bananas in Old Town
1046 N. Main St.
Housed in a former Ford dealership, Bananas in Old Town is a gift shop that primarily sells Arizona-centric gifts. Think raku pottery, tortilla coasters and cactus earrings.

Seeds Natural Fiber Clothing
1101 N. Main Street
Occupying the space that once housed Cottonwood’s jail, Seeds Natural Fiber Clothing sells clothing that is made out of natural fibers.

Queen B Vinyl Café
102 E. Pima Street
Housed in a former church, Queen B Vinyl Café is an eclectic shop that sells vinyl records, offers wine tasting, live music, coffee, ramen and also includes a barber shop.

Verde Valley Bicycle Company
743 N. Main Street, #3644
Discover plenty of bikes ranging from mountain to e-bikes at this store. This shop also offers rentals, group rides and tours.


TASTING ROOMS


Arizona Stronghold Vineyards
1023 N. Main Street
Since 2007, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards has created wines from grapes grown only in Arizona. Sample red, white and rose in the tasting room.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Rubrix Wines

Rubrix Wines
1040 N. Main Street
Opened in 2021 in the space formerly occupied by Burning Tree Cellars, Rubrix is a family-owned winery that is dedicated to making wines that “appreciate the nuances and complexities of Arizona wine.”

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Rubrix Wines

Tantrum Wines
918 N. Main Street, Ste. 3
Tantrum Wines tasting room is light-filled and has a decidedly feminine atmosphere complete with twinkling lights and pink flamingos. Tantrum’s wines are all made from grapes grown in a vineyard in Southern Arizona.

Cellar 433
909 N. Main Street, Ste. A
Cellar 433 is from viognier John McLoughlin. One of its signature offerings is the Bitter Creek Tarot Wines. An example is the white wine blend called Bitter Creek Winery: Joan of Arc that features the Joan of Art tarot card on the front of the bottle. The tasting room’s décor matches the tarot card vibe that comes complete with black walls and a plush turquoise couch.


RESTAURANTS


Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria

Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria
770 N. Verde Heights Drive
There is simply no other place like Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria in all of Arizona. Located on a hilltop overlooking Old Town Cottonwood and the Verde Valley, Merkin’s outpost features stunning views, an expansive patio and a modern restaurant with a striking bar and high ceilings. Merkin Vineyards is owned by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, and you can expect to find Merkin’s wine on the menu. Menus change with the seasons, but we’d recommend trying the signature “pink” pasta or the Merkin Mac & Cheese. The prickly pear-infused pasta with pancetta-mascarpone cream sauce, dusted with beet powder, is tasty, sweet and savory, and an only-in-Arizona dish that makes us swoon every time we order it.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria

Bing’s Burger Station
794 N. Main Street
A former gas and service station dating back to the 1940s that comes complete with a vintage car parked out front, Bing’s Burger Station is reminiscent of a classic diner. Look forward to fare that reflects this. Find burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and a variety of sides from hand-cut fries to fried pickles. Finish your meal with a real ice cream milk shake that’s served in a waffle cone. The dog-friendly patio is a perfect place to enjoy your meal as the cars drive by.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Pizzeria Bocce

Pizzeria Bocce
1060 N. Main Street
When she decided to open a pizzeria, Bocce executive chef Michelle Jurisin traveled to Naples, Italy, to become certified in how to make pizza from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, and you can taste just how fresh and crisp the pizza is in every bite. Besides the pies, you also can enjoy salads and panini here. Our favorite seat in this contemporary Italian restaurant is at the gleaming marble bar so we can watch pizzas cooking in the woodfired open at this lively spot. You also can enjoy your meal alfresco on the bustling outdoor patio. Try classic pies like Margherita or creative options like Shrimp & Hot Peppers and Pesto Chicken. Appetizer highlights include the must-try Italian Meat Stuffed Bread, featuring Italian sausage, salami, pepperoni, ham and provolone baked in Caputo pizza dough. Cap off your meal with the decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet with Vanilla Gelato.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Four 8 Fried Chicken

Four 8 Fried Chicken
1001 N. Main Street
Dig into fried chicken made with a special recipe incorporating Southwestern spices. Enjoy chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings and thighs. Pair your chicken with wines, mead and cider – all made in Arizona by Maynard James Keenan and his team.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Strada at Bocce

Strada at Bocce
1054 N. Main Street
Located next to Pizzeria Bocce, Strada at Bocce is the pizzeria’s more casual sister restaurant that serves Italian street food. The indoor and outdoor spot is constructed out of eight shipping containers where customers can order seven different pizzas, antipasti and desserts from separate counters. Antipasti is intended to be shared and includes Truffle Fries, Stuffed Breads and Bocce Balls, chicken and sausage meatballs in tomato sauce and served with garlic bread and topped with Bocce’s hand-stretch mozzarella. Pair your food with your choice of beer, wine and specialty cocktails including Tito’s Cherry Limeade, a concoction of Tito’s vodka, fresh lime, cherry syrup, simple syrup and soda. Strada also serves 12 different flavors of house-made gelato served in a cup or waffle cone.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar

Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar
917 N. Main Street
Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar is our go-to brunch spot in Northern Arizona. For starters, the setting is quaint. The centerpiece of the outdoor courtyard is a bright orange shipping container bar where you can order drinks and food. The interior features Edison light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, dark wood tables and a coffee counter. The menu is diverse. Order Griddle items like red velvet waffles and fried chicken or decadent Bread Pudding French Toast or heartier options like burritos or benedicts. We’re big fans of breakfast tacos, and the ones on this menu from the Trademarks section rule. These tasty tacos feature scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potato, cheddar, chives, pico de gallo and Sriracha aioli for a nice, spicy kick. The menu is rounded out by lighter fare like salads, oatmeal and sandwiches. Like any good brunch spot, Crema also features mimosas, beer and wine. Speaking of fresh, Crema is named after the base used to make gelato, and the house-made gelato here is always worth ordering. Flavors rotate with the seasons.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

The Belfry Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery

The Belfry Wood-Fired Grill and Brewery
791 N. Main Street
Located in the “Green Church on the Corner,” The Belfry serves up craft beer and wood-fired food in a lively setting. The white building features indoor and outdoor spaces that feature two different patios and a beer garden. Expect to hear musicians playing live tunes. Find a variety of beers ranging from light offerings like the Berliner Weisse to the hoppy Hop Knocker IPA 2.0. Look forward to hearty cuisine like Smokin’ Wings, Brewmaster’s Pretzel, Southern Fried Pickle and a plethora of Detroit-style pizzas.

Ay, Chihuahua! Mexican Food
1028 N. Main Street
Find a variety of casual Mexican staples like burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos and Chicken Mole. Pair your Mexican fare with a Prickly Pear margarita, one of the many flavored margaritas on the menu.

Downtown Cottonwood Guide

Colt 804 Grill

Colt 804 Grill
804 N. Main Street
Colt 804 Grill’s Cottonwood location is the first one of this popular barbeque chain. Enjoy burgers, steaks, pork, brisket, turkey, chicken and ribs that are all cooked to perfection in a smoker. Don’t leave here without trying one of Colt’s signature, texture-rich Cowboy Cookies that are made fresh daily.

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