Scottsdale is a chic and trendy suburb of Phoenix and a foodie’s paradise! You’ll find everything from upscale restaurants to local dives, and everything in between.
I’ve rounded up 11 of the best places to eat in Scottsdale, Arizona that are known for both their delicious food and unique ambiance!
*Updated June 2023
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11 Best Places to Eat in Scottsdale Arizona
Table of Contents
- 1. Hash Kitchen
- 2. Diego Pops
- 3. Canal Club
- 4. The Herb Box
- 5. AZ/88
- 6. New Wave Market
- 7. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
- 8. Breakfast Club
- 9. Geisha A Go Go
- 10. Luci’s at The Grove
- 11. ZuZu
1. Hash Kitchen
Hash Kitchen is one of the best brunch spots in Scottsdale and the entire Valley!
The innovative menu gives way to culinary masterpieces that are almost too pretty to eat.
Some of the more popular dishes include Cannoli Pancakes, Banana Split Brioche French Toast, Hash Style Avocado Toast, S’mores Pancakes, and Cannoli Donuts.
The portions are very generous so you can easily share a dish if you want to sample different ones.
Hash Kitchen is also known for their signature Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar.
There are 5 locations around the valley, each with its own vibrant energy.
You’ll find chic decor, a live DJ, and selfie stations. It’s guaranteed to be the most fun you’ll ever have at brunch!
2. Diego Pops
Diego Pops is from the same creators behind the trendy ‘Original Chop Shop’, so you know the menu will be fresh and tasty!
From the outside, Diego Pops looks like a humble mid-century adobe brick home.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted with retro-chic decor featuring Instagram-worthy pineapple wallpaper, neon lights on exposed brick, and even an adorable bright green Smeg fridge.
Their modern Mexican-inspired menu offers a variety of dishes like the unique but tasty Brussels Sprout Nachos drizzled with a beet crema and fried egg on top.
The more traditional Braised Green Chili Chicken Tacos are also amazing, especially when coupled with the Street Corn Queso and Chips.
You’ll also love the treat bar where you can order traditional soft-serve ice cream cones and sundaes, or try a Choco Taco or Churro Fries.
3. Canal Club
The Canal Club is a swanky mid-century modern restaurant and bar located at The Scott Resort, one of the best places to stay in Phoenix.
The Cuban-inspired dishes and trendy decor are infused with a taste of Havana.
This restaurant opened in 2017 and has created quite the buzz as one of the hottest spots in Scottsdale.
The restaurant features an elegant dining area, casual lounge and bar, and an outdoor seating area with a cozy ambiance.
*Related post: Check out these 10 Secret Spots and Hidden Gems in Phoenix!
Try the Cubano Sandwich with a side of Tostones (plantains, smoked bacon black bean puree, pico, and cotija).
And be sure to order the Banana Fritters or the Churro Doughnut Holes served with white chocolate anglaise and guava jam for dessert!
4. The Herb Box
The Herb Box is one of our favorites for both breakfast and lunch. This sophisticated cafe serves traditional dishes with a fresh twist.
Their innovative menu uses fresh seasonal organic ingredients infused with local flavors. You are sure to love each and every dish!
You’ll find delicious twists on classic dishes, such as Red Velvet Pancakes or Peach Brioche French Toast.
If you’re craving something savory, try their Herb Box BLT or Turkey Avocado Wrap with House Sweet Potato Chips.
The Korean Fried Cauliflower is a great starter and I would also recommend the Pear and Gorgonzola Flatbread.
Just be sure to save room for their homemade Whoopie Pie for dessert!
Enjoy your meal on the sun-dappled patio then grab some fresh pastries to-go from their Marketplace!
5. AZ/88
AZ/88 is a posh bar and restaurant that opened in 1988.
Its modern decor was inspired by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art located next door.
The restaurant is like a mini art museum of sorts.
You’ll find a constant rotation of artwork and sculptures adding splashes of color to the classic minimalist black and white interior with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The bar at AZ/88 is known for serving up award-winning cocktails, and their burgers are some of the best in the Valley.
For over 30 years, a local butcher has been delivering fresh ground beef daily for their artisan burgers.
Try the Burger Las Brisas with melted Monterey jack cheese, avocado, jalapenos, lettuce, onions, and salsa with a side of waffle fries. Their ceviche also comes highly recommended and you have to try the Hell’s Fire Chips.
Round out your meal with their homemade Strawberry Shortcake, you won’t regret it!
They have an outdoor seating area, or you can take your order to-go and enjoy a picnic lunch on the adjacent sprawling lawn.
For more ideas, click the link for Different Types of Restaurants in Scottsdale.
6. New Wave Market
New Wave Market is a boutique American eatery located in Old Town Scottsdale.
It started out as Super Chunk Bakery and has since expanded into a full-service restaurant, now called New Wave Market.
They are open for breakfast and lunch and serve the most delectable sandwiches that are served on bread that is made from scratch daily.
They take pride in using only the freshest local produce and meats. Try a classic BLT served on homemade Hawaiian bread with a Stetson Chopped salad on the side.
Be sure to also grab some bagels to-go. They are boiled and baked fresh every morning and have even been featured in the New York Times.
You’ll also want to try one of their award-winning Mesquite Chocolate Chip Cookies. Their cookies have been featured in National Geographic, Phoenix New Times, and Mental Floss.
If cookies aren’t your thing, they have a variety of pastries and irresistible handmade ice cream. Be sure to try the Roasted Strawberry Sherbet!
They also feature unique flavors such as Honeycomb Semifreddo and Campfire.
7. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
If you’re looking for something quick, Capriotti’s is a legendary sandwich shop. It began in 1976 as a small family-owned shop run out of a basement apartment in Delaware’s Little Italy.
It quickly gained a reputation for having the best sandwiches around and now, 30 years later, you can find locations spread across the US. And they still boast some of the best sandwiches in the Valley!
Capriotti’s falls under the fast-food spectrum, but what sets it apart from other sandwich shops is its quality ingredients.
The bread has the perfect bite to it, a little crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The turkey is also slow-roasted each day, you won’t find any processed sliced deli meat!
The Bobbie is one of the more popular sandwiches. With turkey, cranberry, and stuffing, you can enjoy Thanksgiving all year long!
The Cole Turkey is also popular with slow-roasted turkey, provolone, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.
The Cheese Steak Sub was also voted the “Best Philly Cheese Steak” by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
The sandwiches are great to grab and take on a picnic. We did this as part of an Amazing Co Mystery Picnic and it was such a fun way to try new restaurants in Scottsdale!
*Related Post: Discover 16 of the Best Restaurants in Gilbert and the East Valley!
8. Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club has a few locations around the valley, but our favorite is the one in Old Town Scottsdale. It has a modern neighborhood coffee shop vibe with an extensive menu and locally sourced ingredients.
The Churro Waffle is to die for! It’s like eating dessert for breakfast, but the chewy liege waffle crusted in cinnamon and topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce is worth every last calorie!
The Tinga Chicken and Huevos Rancheros are also delicious, but I would skip the biscuits and gravy.
You’ll find great service, large portion sizes, and a fun atmosphere. It does get a little loud inside, so if the weather is nice you’ll want to enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio.
Breakfast Club is located in the heart of Old Town within walking distance of shops and entertainment.
It is one of the more popular brunch spots in the area, so plan to arrive before 10 am if you’re visiting on a weekend. I would also highly recommend getting on the wait list on Yelp beforehand.
Parking is also limited, there is a small lot behind the building or street parking.
Breakfast is served all day until 2 pm, and they also offer a lunch menu.
*Related post: for more foodie recommendations, check out our guide 10 of the Best Restaurants in Mesa!
9. Geisha A Go Go
Geisha A Go Go is a fun sushi and karaoke bar in Old Town Scottsdale.
The Asian-inspired menu features sushi, noodles, lettuce wraps, sliders, salads, bowls, and more.
The sushi rolls are fresh and delicious, I would also recommend the Vegetable Gyoza. However, the Yakisoba Stir Fry wasn’t very flavorful.
There are mixed reviews when it comes to this place. However, what sets them apart from other restaurants in the area is that they offer a happy hour with half-priced appetizers and drinks every day from 3-7 and all day on Sunday.
It is definitely worth stopping by during happy hour for cheap sushi and a fun vibe.
Geisha A Go Go also offers private karaoke rooms which are perfect for celebrating a birthday or hosting a bachelorette party!
10. Luci’s at The Grove
Luci’s at The Grove is part of Luci’s Urban Concepts, a collection of eateries including Luci’s Marketplace, and Luci at the Orchard.
We love the bright and cheerful ambiance at Luci’s at The Grove. The cozy booths are welcoming and the outdoor patio is inviting.
This is the sister restaurant to Luci’s at The Orchard, one of the Best Places to Eat in Phoenix!
The dishes are made fresh using locally sourced ingredients and the service is always friendly.
They offer a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu and it is our favorite spot for a weekend girl’s brunch. Be sure to order the Funky Monkey French Toast!
The seasonal Pumpkin Pancakes were also delicious, as well as the Avocado Toast.
We also love that the outdoor patio is dog-friendly. They even keep doggy treats stocked at the counter.
This location also features a marketplace where you can purchase specialty gifts to take home.
Luci’s at The Grove is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat after a shopping trip with the girls!
11. ZuZu
ZuZu is located at Hotel Valley Ho, one of the best places to stay in Phoenix.
This mid-century modern hotel and restaurant will make you feel as if you stepped back in time to the 1950s.
ZuZu restaurant was named after the beloved matriarch of the family that owns Hotel Valley Ho. Her name was Rosalyn “Rosie” Bennett Lyon, but everyone that knew her called her ZuZu.
She loved to cook and believed that “food is better when it’s shared with the people you love”.
That mindset is what fuels the restaurant today, with good food, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere where you can enjoy a meal with those you love.
All of the dishes are delicious, but you HAVE to get the garlic stuffed pretzel bomb as an appetizer and a signature Show Stopper Shake for dessert!
Each month ZuZu features a different creation and they are truly a work of art.
During monsoon season, their Show Stopper Shake was monsoon themed with prickly pear ice cream, a sugar cookie lightning bolt, lollipop cactus, graham cracker dust, and cotton candy clouds.
The shakes are quite pricey at $20 each, but they are definitely large enough to share. If you want something smaller, they have a selection of “Short Stopper Shakes” for $12.
And more of the best places to get a sweet treat, check out these 13 Best Desserts in Phoenix East Valley!
I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best places to eat in Scottsdale!
And if you’re looking for more things to do in Scottsdale, be sure to check out these guides:
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