Scottsdale is our favorite place to go for date night dinners or a girls’ brunch. It 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.
After living in the East Valley for over 20 years, I’m sharing our favorite places to eat in Scottsdale that are known for both their delicious food and unique ambiance.
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The Best Places to Eat in Scottsdale, Arizona
Table of Contents
- The Montauk
- Hash Kitchen
- Diego Pops
- Canal Club
- The Herb Box
- AZ/88
- Breakfast Club
- Geisha A Go Go
- Luci’s at The Grove
- ZuZu
The Montauk
Leave the Arizona desert, and escape to the New England seaside for the afternoon at The Montauk!
We love the breezy, coastal vibe at The Montauk, and the food is just as good as the ambiance.
We weren’t sure how good a lobster roll would be in a landlocked state, but it tasted just as good as the lobster rolls we had in Cape Cod!
For the appetizer, we loved the Burrata with fig jam, prosciutto, arugula, truffle oil, and grilled bread.
The Strawberry French Toast was also divine with thick slices of grilled brioche topped with strawberry cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and dusted with matcha powdered sugar.
Enjoy your brunch on the outdoor patio, or inside the cozy dining room with shiplap-lined walls and coastal decor.
Enjoy live music daily while a gentle breeze blows through the open windows when the weather is nice.
Be sure to make a reservation in advance, or expect a long wait.
Hash Kitchen
Hash Kitchen is one of the best spots for a girls’ brunch 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 its 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!
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.
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 quickly became 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!
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 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!
Butters Pancakes & Cafe
Butters is THE place to go for gourmet pancakes! Their batter is made from scratch daily, using high-quality ingredients, such as organic eggs sourced from local farmers.
Their pancakes are topped with fresh whipped butter, seasonal fruits, and homemade syrups. Be sure to order a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice to go with it!
They have so many innovative and delicious pancake creations, it’s hard to decide which one to order! Two of my favorites are the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and Banana Cream.
While pancakes are their signature dish, their extensive menu also includes omelettes, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, steel cut oatmeal, breakfast scrambles, crepes, skillets, and so much more!
They also serve lunch with burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
They don’t take reservations, so come early or expect a wait. The dining room is large, with plenty of seating, so the wait goes fairly quickly.
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. I promise 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. dd
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!
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 waitlist 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!
Geisha A Go Go
*UPDATE: Unfortunately, Geisha A Go Go is permanently closed.
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!
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 girls’ 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!
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 who 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 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, but they are definitely large enough to share. If you want something smaller, they have a selection of “Short Stopper Shakes”.
For 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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