With over 800 downtown Scottsdale eating places, you may pattern completely different choices for years and never get to all of them. While Mexican/Southwestern delicacies dominates, you can see cuisines of all kinds and flavors and the town has earned accolades from meals critics and diners alike. In reality, in 2019, Scottsdale was named one of many “Best Small Cities for Foodies” by Travel + Leisure.
Whether you’re within the temper for an off-the-cuff brunch, a flowery dinner, or a fast snack on the go, the downtown Scottsdale meals scene has one thing to fulfill each craving. What I like is the vary of recent, “cool” eating places — the sort that make you fall in love with a vacation spot. While Scottsdale could enchantment to the snowbirds, its vibe bridges the generations.
Since I like exploring a vacation spot by its meals, on my current visits I’ve began off by sampling a number of the greatest Old Town Scottsdale eating places earlier than branching out and benefiting from Scottsdale’s red-hot brunch scene and considerable choices for outside eating to take in all these days of sunshine.
I’ve rounded up my favorites, from informal eating places and occasional retailers to fantastic eating and tiki bars. If you’re planning a Scottsdale weekend getaway and questioning the place to eat in Scottsdale, I’ve acquired you lined.
Best Downtown Scottsdale Restaurants
Note: My visits to Scottsdale had been hosted by Experience Scottsdale. Many of my meals, however not all, had been supplied as a part of my keep. All opinions are my very own.
Best Brunch Restaurants in Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, brunch isn’t restricted to Sunday or mid-day. Brunch is greater as a result of so many individuals can make the most of weeklong brunch eating from breakfast by lunch. Here are some picks for one of the best brunch, breakfast, and occasional in Scottsdale.
Hash Kitchen
Hash Kitchen has a number of areas throughout the Scottsdale and Phoenix metro space and its sole operate is brunch so who might do brunch higher? From the Instagrammable inside to the spacious patio, Hash Kitchen is ideal for a brunch date. It is house to the “Build Your Own” Bloody Mary bar and presents a really sturdy menu of candy and savory dishes from the hangover hash to cannoli pancakes.
For a novel begin to your day, order a slice of the Billionaire’s Bacon that includes thick-cut applewood smoked bacon with a yuzu and honey glaze over a brown-sugar chili rub and topped with 24K gold flakes. Talk about wealthy!
Hash Kitchen Gainey Ranch is situated at 8777 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Breakfast Club
Located proper in Old Town Scottsdale, Breakfast Club presents all the standard suspects — espresso, eggs benedict, yogurt parfaits, omelettes, and southwestern favorites. But the locals go for the well-known french toast!
Breakfast Club is situated at 4400 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Snooze A.M. Eatery
Sure Snooze is a little bit of a sequence, however it’s so fashionable as a result of it’s so good. I’ve additionally visited its areas in Tempe and Tucson, and I like the range and creativity of the menu, particularly all of the southwestern choices that I don’t see at house. Plus the cool, retro vibe is simply plain enjoyable for brunch. Pro tip: be part of the waitlist on-line earlier than you arrive!
Snooze Kierland Commons is situated at 15054 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Comoncy Cafe
For one thing extra informal, pop into the Comoncy Cafe. They have drip and cold-brew espresso, recent pressed juices, smoothies, and breakfast sandwiches.
Commonly Cafe AZ Galleria is situated at 4343 N. Scottsdale Road, #135, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Cartel Coffee Lab
I like the vibe of the Cartel Coffee Lab. Not solely is it a enjoyable workspace, however the aroma hits you as quickly as you stroll by the door. Plus, what may be incorrect with a espresso store that additionally sells beer? While they provide drip espresso in addition to pour over, they have a tendency to deal with a lighter roast so in the event you want darkish roast, it’s possible you’ll wish to look elsewhere.
7124 E fifth Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Scottsdale Restaurants for Lunch
If you suppose brunch in Scottsdale is sweet, lunch is even higher with so many choices to have an al fresco lunch or head inside to beat the warmth.
Diego Pops
This Mexican restaurant is strictly what I might anticipate finding in Arizona. A cool design with inside and outdoors seating. An important menu that goes approach past typical Mexican fare. Plus Diego Pops has its personal parking! You should attempt the grilled streetcorn with spicy “Cheeto dust”! The grilled shrimp and pineapple pork tacos are additionally scrumptious.
Diego Pops additionally serves up some nice completely satisfied hour specials together with 1/2 off appetizers,
$2 off beers, $6 Diego Margaritas, and $6 wine + sangria. Plus, they provide $3 tacos on Mondays (transfer over Taco Tuesday!)
4338 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Farm & Craft
Farm & Craft is targeted on wholesome and sustainable meals. In a metropolis the place warmth dominates, it’s so refreshing to search out mild and wholesome choices. The menu options 4 paths to well being: anti-inflammatory food regimen, rising probiotic ranges, antioxidants, and decreasing stress by offering sustainable, gluten-free, natural and hormone-free substances.
You order on the counter after which your meal is delivered to your desk. Note: in the event you order a flatbread, ensure you are hungry or plan to share!
Farm & Craft is situated at 4302 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, A 85251
The Mission
The Mission is situated in Old Town Scottsdale and presents up a mixture of conventional and fashionable Latin flavors. While situated subsequent to the previous Mission, the within is definitely fairly fashionable and complicated. You may also get pleasure from a meal within the outside courtyard when the climate cooperates. The brisket torta is wonderful, as is the shaved kale salad. Also make sure to get a aspect of the grilled avenue corn (don’t fear, it’s really off the cob and gained’t get caught in your tooth!)
The Mission is situated at 3815 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
HULA’s Modern Tiki
HULA’s Modern Tiki is a contemporary, city twist on the traditional tiki eating places from the 50s and 60s with a restaurant that opens to a big patio at a location within the coronary heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The menu is a fusion of Polynesian and American flavors, with small plates which are nice for sharing. Definitely don’t skip the Hilo Luau pork sliders!
HULA’s Modern Tiki is situated at 7213 E. First Avenue, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Postino
Postino is one other Arizona chain that I’ve tried out in each Tempe and Tucson, and now Scottsdale. I like this wine cafe for its attention-grabbing wine record, nice completely satisfied hour specials, and bruschetta boards and small plates which are excellent for sharing. Each bruschetta board lets you choose as much as 4 toppings to be included and each bit of bread is sliced into slivers to share.
Postino Kierland Commons is situated at 7030 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Scottsdale Restaurants for Dinner
From informal to fantastic eating, conventional to experimental, Scottsdale has loads of choices for dinner.
Fat OX
After many journeys to Italy, I’m a little bit of a meals snob in relation to Italian. Still, Fax OX did greater than shock me, it delighted me with each mouthful. Named after the Italian cattle, Fat OX serves up fashionable takes on the genuine recipes of rural Italy.
The decor is fashionable and complicated, making it excellent for a date evening, with out feeling too fancy or stuffy. You actually should attempt the garganelli pasta with truffle butter, speck, and parmesan. Every chew is perfection with out being too heavy.
Fat Ox is situated at 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Piccolo Virtu
Piccolo Virtu is that is the newest restaurant from acclaimed Chef Gio Osso of Virtù Honest Craft & Pizzeria Virtù, providing elevated Italian in an intimate, tucked away location in Old Town. The focus is on smaller shareable plates, however there additionally some giant entrees excellent for a gaggle, just like the wood-grilled Branzino with crispy pores and skin and the 55 ounce prime bistecca fiorentina.
One dish you may’t miss (even in the event you don’t suppose you’ll like it), is the grilled octopus with agrodolce, pancetta, and pepperoncino. It is so tender and flavorful that it utterly modified my thoughts about octopus. Chef Osso additionally presents a wide range of crudo dishes, scrumptious salads, and artistic pastas.
Piccolo Virtu is situated at 7240 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Citizen Public House
Citizen Public House was named one of many high 10 eating places in Scottsdale by USA Today in 2016. This gastropub presents upscale American fare, in addition to craft beers and modern cocktails, together with many that are barrel aged.
For me, it’s the type of place the place I like to pattern numerous small dishes so I began with the heavenly pork-fat buttered popcorn with bacon. Because actually, how might I say no to the convergence of bacon and greasy popcorn? I completed that off with the roast hen. Roast hen is usually the gimme on the menu to fulfill choosy eaters and uninspiring. Not so at Citizen Public House. The accompaniment of mascarpone and chili pepper risotto actually set it aside. Meanwhile Glenn was in heaven over the pork stomach pastrami.
Citizen Public House is situated at 7111 E fifth Ave, Suite E, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Old Town Tortilla Factory
Built from a historic 75-year previous adobe house, Old Town Tortilla Factory presents a phenomenal patio, a world-renowned tequila bar, an award-winning margarita, and scrumptious Sonoran-influenced southwest delicacies. If you want spicy, go for the roasted jalapeño margarita and in addition attempt the purple chile pork chop.
Old Town Tortilla Factory is situated at 6910 East Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
SWB on the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
If you’re on the lookout for a foodie expertise, the Wine Me, Dine Me chef’s tasting and wine/tequila pairing at SWB within the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is the best way to go. You can sit proper in entrance of the open kitchen and find out about every dish as it’s ready and offered. The chef takes into consideration your dislikes and sensitivities after which builds out a scrumptious four-course tasting expertise that includes a contemporary tackle southwestern flavors.
SWB is situated within the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at 7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician
Mowry & Cotton serves up fashionable American delicacies in a heat and approachable restaurant with a big porch for outside seating on the stunning Phoenician resort. A big, fireplace oven is the central focus of the restaurant, which makes use of timeless cooking strategies utilizing fireplace, coal, and smoke. The buttermilk buns are to not be missed and the charred hanger steak is one other fashionable favourite.
Mowry & Cotton is situated in The Phoenician resort at 6000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Sweets In Scottsdale
Sprinkles
The cupcake ATM is one thing that I had seen on Instagram and wanted to expertise in individual. Despite the truth that the cupcakes within the ATM may be much less recent than these inside, it’s the novelty that I cherished. Like most fancy cupcake joints, Sprinkles options distinctive taste combos with an extreme quantity of candy frosting (however none stuffed in the course of the cupcake.) Frankly, the cupcake isn’t well worth the almost $5 you pay, however the novelty of the cupcake ATM is price attempting at the very least as soon as.
Sprinkles is situated at 4501 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor
Since 1958, the Sugar Bowl, Scottsdale’s first ice cream parlor, has served up spectacular ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, and malts. This pink-themed, retro-styled ice cream parlor is simply as candy because the confections it serves up. The reward store even options art work from Bill Keane, the artist behind the Family Circus sketch.
Sugar Bowl is situated at 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
I’m very a lot trying ahead to returning to Scottsdale and persevering with my meals exploration. In the meantime, don’t miss my strategies for planning a romantic getaway to Scottsdale!