Belly Is Sweaty, Chaotic, and Super Delicious
Belly is the restaurant equivalent of drinking a beer in a steamy resort spa shower. The space is nice and tidy, but the food smells and activity make things feel a little sweaty. Everything feels fairly buttoned-up, but you get the same anarchy vibes the shower beer gives off. Like you’re breaking some kind of rule, but in the silliest of ways. And like the shower beer, the overall experience can vary from person to person. When talking about Belly, I’ll hear words like “overrated” and “not authentic” from some, then “the most fun” and “so delicious” from others. All I can say is that it’s not for everyone—it has a strong young person vibe—but who it’s for, it’s really for. So don’t listen to anyone about Belly. Just go and see if those steamy shower bubbles ring true.
Where: Midtown Phoenix, Gilbert (Agritopia) | Website: bellyphx.com | Reservations: OpenTable (Phoenix), OpenTable (Gilbert)
Reviews
May 13, 2021 / Chris Malloy
Phoenix New Times: Here's Our Gut Reaction to Belly, the First Restaurant From Instrumental Hospitality Group
All in all, I am curious to see how Belly evolves moving forward. Already, the Instrumental folks are lined up to open a second Belly location in Epicenter at Agritopia, the ambitious Gilbert mixed-use project that will blend commercial and residential spaces. I hope the owners can let their research and props to the culture they borrow from shine through a bit more. The drinks are creative and well made. The food can hit the spot, too. I think the changes made on the road to Belly 2.0 will tell the full story.
Mar 18, 2021 / CRAIG OUTHIER
Phoenix Magazine: Four Corners: March and April Food Reviews
Remember Wayne Coats and Michael Babcock, the hipster hospitality pros who lifted Welcome Diner to mythic foodie status before parting ways with the restaurant in 2019? Well, here they are again, slinging banh mi and upscale Vietnamese eats in a ginchy Melrose gastropub.
Awards + Accolades
+1 Yumpoint | APR 26, 2024
2024 Foodists Awards: Best World Flavor - Winner
+1 Yumpoint | JAN 16, 2024 / Becky Bartkowski
AZ Central: 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix: The best places to dine in 2024
The menu at this Melrose destination blends Vietnamese and Mexican cuisines, among others. But if you can only choose one thing, the seared king mushrooms are an all-timer. You'll find natty wine and uber-boozy cocktails on the menu. Though the banh mi is no more, you can join us in hoping the jackfruit sando makes a comeback.
+1 Yumpoint | APR 27, 2023 / ASONTA BENETTI AND LAUREN TOPOR
Thrillist: The Best Restaurants in Phoenix Right Now
A Southeast Asian-inspired eatery that now has an additional location in Gilbert is here to preserve traditions and twist classics. Open for lunch and dinner with the word ‘funky’ dotted across the menu, Belly offers a wide range of dishes that are good to chow down solo but easy to share with a group.
