The 16 Best Scottsdale Restaurants (2024)

Scottsdale is a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike, known for having some of the best resorts, shopping, and, of course, the best food.

With hundreds of restaurants, there’s something for everyone. Keep in mind, however, that Scottsdale restaurants tend to have a higher price point than neighboring cities. So, for a great high-end meal, read on for the best restaurants in Scottsdale. Or, for more restaurants which are easier on the wallet, check out our comprehensive guide to Phoenix. Plus, make sure you read to the end for our favorite Scottsdale desserts.

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16. Ingo’s Tasty Food

Scottsdale residents rejoice because Ingo’s Tasty Foods has finally opened up shop here, filling a much-needed hole for a fast-casual spot in the sea of high-end restaurants. We love the crispy chicken sammy featuring moist fried chicken, housemade pickles, spicy aioli, and freshly sliced green apple, a brilliant addition to the classic chicken sandwich. And please do get a side of fresh thick-cut potato chips served with a duo of mouthwatering sauces: a hot sauce made in-house and a yogurt-based lebni sauce to cool the heat. Pro tip: dip your chips into the white sauce, then the green sauce, and enjoy.

15. Andreoli Italian Grocer

Andreoli Italian Grocer imports authentic Italian goods, sells them as ingredients in the grocery section, and also crafts them into authentic Italian sandwiches, salads, and pastas served from their deli counter. Andreoli makes as much as possible from scratch. In fact, some sandwiches feature exclusively made-in-house ingredients, like the Sempronio sandwich with salty prosciutto, creamy, fresh mozzarella, and a freshly baked baguette, all made from scratch. Or the Tizio with warm, house-made sausage with a subtle kick paired with smokey peppers and onions on a fresh baguette that’s perfectly crispy on the edges and chewy in the center. A Scottsdale restaurant perfect for a grab-and-go lunch.

14. Hai Noon

Tucked inside the Papago Motor Hotel in South Scottsdale, don’t let the unassuming location of Hai Noon fool you. Among the kitschy motel decorations, a James Beard award-winning chef serves up delicious, Japanese-fusion small plates. You’ll want to order at least 2-3 items per person–all of the dishes are small and are meant to be sampled and shared. Start with the fatty pork belly on a soft steamed bun paired with crisp pickled mustard greens. Follow it with the tender and subtle coconut curry marinated lamb paired with a fresh mango and fennel salad, a surprisingly perfect combination.    

13. Soi 4

Upon entering Soi 4, you will be overwhelmed with the smells of Thai flavors. Their Panang Neur, a braised beef short rib curry, is outstanding. After being braised for 10 hours, this beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the accompanying curry is laced with just the right amount of spice to contrast its subtle coconut base. We won’t judge if you lick the bowl clean. 

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12. Pomo Pizzeria

Serving pizzas and pasta, Pomo is a carb lover’s dream come true. This family-friendly Italian joint makes everything in-house and nothing here disappoints. Our go-to is the Gramigna Boscaiola, consisting of handmade al dente pasta topped with a rich and creamy sausage and mushroom sauce. In the mood for pizza? Go for the Bufala Verace, an authentic Neapolitan pizza topped with imported bufala mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil. And when they ask if you want dessert, the answer should be a resounding yes, because their sister company Luna Gelateria offers fresh gelato in-house. Order it to your table or walk over to the counter to sample a few flavors. When you cool off with fresh gelato after authentic pizza and pasta, that’s amore.

11. Francine

Francine is one of the newer Scottsdale restaurants, but it has already made a name for itself with its distinctive and delicious French Mediterranean cuisine. Expect attentive service, beautifully plated meals, and a restaurant so well decorated you’ll want to move in. You will quickly be swept away with one bite of their complimentary warm focaccia bread served with olive oil and fresh chopped herbs. The menu changes seasonally, but you can usually start with burrata, and if the bone marrow fettuccine is on the menu, you’ll want to order that as well. Not your typical fettuccine dish, it features a peppery cacio e pepe sauce which, combined with the richness of the bone marrow, is just divine.

10. Sugar Jam

Craving brunch with a side of Southern hospitality? Head to Sugar Jam in North Scottsdale. This restaurant is not just welcoming but a full-blown party on the weekends with a DJ bumping nonstop throwback jams. Come hungry—there are no light breakfast options to be had here. Our favorite dish is the fried chicken and Parisian French toast. The buttermilk fried chicken is moist and well-seasoned, and the French toast is crisp on the outside and covered in cinnamon and powdered sugar. Plus, the French toast comes with their signature vanilla butter and pecan maple syrup on the side. We also love the brisket and biscuits (biscuits and gravy topped with a heaping pile of brisket) and the on-the-side herbed breakfast potatoes. Two warnings: you will need a reservation for the weekend, and you may never want to leave.

9. Fat Ox

Self-described as modern Italian, Fat Ox tends to showcase bolder flavors than more traditional Italian food, and it works so well. To start, you’ll be greeted with complimentary focaccia bread served with Calabrian chili butter and whipped ricotta drizzled with olive oil—a combination that leaves the typical bread and olive oil starter in the dust. The menu at Fat Ox is set up in true Italian style, structured around eating at least three courses. The pasta is served on a small plate, intended to be followed by meat or fish, but the pasta course is the real star of the show here. We love the rich and buttery saffron spaghetti with steamed clams and guanciale all topped with crispy bread crumbs.

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8. Chula Seafood

Chula started as a restaurant supplier, providing freshly caught seafood to some of our favorite Phoenix restaurants (re: Hush, Citizen Public House, Vecina), but after realizing how high the demand for fresh fish in Phoenix was, they opened up to the public. Stop by Chula for a fresh catch to prepare at home, or choose from a full menu featuring a wide variety of seafood prepared at their counter-service restaurant in North Scottsdale. Options include fresh poke and sashimi, incredible sandwiches (like an out-of-this-world tuna melt), and our absolute fave – the California burrito.  Choose from mahi-mahi or shrimp with crispy fries, guacamole, Oaxaca cheese, and a generous amount of Baja sauce – truly a heavenly combination. Save room for a side or two – we love the clam chowder and potato mac salad.

7. Citizen Public House

Easily one of the best Scottsdale restaurants, we’re pretty sure Citizen Public House can do no wrong. This creative American restaurant features foods we know and love and does each of them so well. While you might want one of each item on the menu, your first priority here is the original chopped salad– a salad so good that you’ll find yourself craving it! With smoked salmon, freeze-dried corn, arugula, and more, it is a brilliant combination of flavors. Other must-try items include three-cheese mac and cheese and the perfectly executed scallops and grits. 

6. Franco’s Italian Caffe

For a traditional Italian meal in a classic setting complete with pictures of Italy and white tablecloths, head to Franco’s. Franco’s family (who make up a large portion of the restaurant staff) are from Florence and pride themselves on making unique, authentic Italian food from scratch. The dishes here are quintessentially Italian: subtle and careful, with the perfection being in the simplicity of the dish. You’ll be greeted with warm bread and a complimentary antipasti small plate. Follow that with their famous Pasta Erbe Aromatiche, with strozzapreti noodles in a parmesan cream sauce with bits of prosciutto, leeks, and fresh aromatic herbs. For a lighter option, go for the handmade ravioli with a light and summery tomato basil sauce. If you can’t decide, order two half-portions. Follow it with the Merenghata, a frozen meringue-based cake served cold with fresh berries, making it the perfect dish year-round in Phoenix. You can thank Franco’s grandmother for providing her recipe for this rare, can’t miss, dish.

5. FnB

One of the most unique Scottsdale restaurants, F&B’s chef Charlene, also known as “the vegetable whisperer,” is known for using obscure ingredients and the best local produce to make flavorful, memorable dishes, like the pictured avocado shrimp Aguachile. Because the offerings are always changing, the wait staff does a phenomenal job at helping each diner navigate the different sections of their menu. Ever tried lobster mushrooms? What about wheat berries? Don’t be intimidated or surprised if you notice lesser-known ingredients and lean into the uniqueness of the menu at FnB, because you are truly in for a treat!

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4. Lamp Pizzeria

For the hands-down best pizza in Scottsdale, head to Lamp Pizzeria. The wood-fired pizzas here simply can’t be beaten. The chef here is known for constantly tweaking and improving his recipes, and (spoiler alert) it works.  You’ll want to take your time reading over the menu; Lamp offers over 25 wood-fired pizzas, and each sounds better than the last. But if you can’t narrow it down, try the crowd-pleasing Gem with fresh sausage, pepperoni, ricotta, garlic, and oregano, or the Lilla of the Valley with a mix of mild and spicy salami, warm ricotta, garlic, and carmelized onions. Balance it out with a fresh salads: we are partial to the Grapes & Gorgonzola Salad, served over mixed greens with toasted pine nuts, a basil/balsamic vinaigrette and a drizzle of honey.

3. Uchi

We were thrilled when one of our favorite Austin restaurants opened a Scottsdale location, bringing top-quality sushi to the heart of the desert. Start with the Hama Chili (an absolute must!) featuring fresh yellowtail, tart oranges, ponzu sauce, and Thai chilis for a bit of heat. Follow it by the crispy fried chicken karaage and copious amounts of fresh nigiri. Your waiter will ask your preferences, and then give you personalized recommendations of which fresh catch to order. Trust their guidance, and be ready to branch out; you might just discover a new favorite.

2. Tia Carmen

Tia Carmen is one of those rare Scottsdale restaurants where the ambiance and the food are equally impressive. Located at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, this beautifully designed restaurant offers stunning interiors and picturesque Southwest food that tastes as good as it looks. The sweet pan frito, or fried bread, is paired with whipped honey butter for a sticky, sweet, and delicious starter. Trust us: the tuna crudo is a can’t-miss item consisting of fresh tuna in a coconut corn broth with a few drops of smoked chili oil. Your waiter may give you permission to drink the broth, which seems like a joke until you taste it. Follow it with your choice of entree–we’re partial to the striped sea bass or one of the tostadas. 

1. Hush Public House

You wouldn’t expect a tiny restaurant in a strip mall to earn the title of the best restaurant in Scottsdale, but Hush Public House is exactly that. The menu varies seasonally with an emphasis on local, fresh ingredients, and though the menu is small, the variety is always impressive with menu items from an open-faced Italian beef sandwich to the flavorful duck fried rice. Each dish is wildly different, but all are brimming with flavor and will leave you completely and totally satisfied. The staff at Hush try all of the items on their constantly evolving menu, and they’re always eager to share their favorites. Ask for a seat at the bar to watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen, and if there’s a gnocchi special on the menu, you’re going to want to order it.

Bonus: The 3 Best Desserts in Scottsdale

3. Ruze Cake House

Ruze Cake House’s primary business is wedding cakes, but you don’t need to be planning a wedding to eat cake. Stop by their adorable shop to choose from a selection of cupcakes and creative macarons, including ice cream-stuffed macarons. You might want one of everything, but if they have the banana salted caramel cupcake available, it needs to be your priority. The moist, flavorful banana cake would be enough on its own but add a salted caramel center and a generous topping of cream cheese frosting for a piece of heaven. Buy one (or four) and thank us later.

2. Local Donut

Word is out about the best local donuts and, spoiler, it’s Local Donut. The menu includes both a large selection of solid classics as well as a rotating cast of unique flavors. Of the donuts always available our usual picks are the creme brulee, the blueberry cake donut, and any of the cronuts (croissant-donut hybrids). Flavors tend to sell out, especially over the weekend, so if you have your heart set on a specific donut, go early.

1. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Ice cream is always appropriate in the desert, and Jeni’s has finally opened up shop in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The smell of freshly made waffle cones will pull you in, and the enticing list of flavors makes for a nearly impossible decision. Make use of the tasting spoons to find your favorite, and sample the Brambleberry Crisp, Milkiest Chocolate, and Gooey Butter Cake to start.