Last Updated on January 12, 2024 by Emily Johnson
Scottsdale, Arizona stands out for its incredible dining scene spanning classic steakhouses, creative Southwestern cuisine, and ethnic eateries. With so many excellent options to choose from, narrowing down the best restaurants requires savvy.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine/Specialty |
|---|---|
| Virtù Honest Craft | Seasonal American cuisine |
| Citizen Public House | New American, global cooking techniques |
| FnB Restaurant | Seasonal American with Arizona produce |
| The Mission | Latin American cuisine |
| Virtú | Whimsical multi-course experience |
| Olive & Ivy | Mediterranean flavors, Italian ambiance |
| Craft 64 | Farm-fresh wood-fired pizza |
| The Herb Box | Healthy, locally-sourced fare |
| Shinbay Omakase | Intimate omakase, sushi and sashimi |
| TRILOGY Sanctuary | Fine dining with panoramic views |
| Malee’s on Main | Authentic Thai cuisine |
| The Mint | Farm-to-table dining, Mediterranean accents |
Here are 12 of the top restaurants in Scottsdale that foodies simply must experience.
Virtù Honest Craft
Name and Location: Virtù Honest Craft is located at 3701 N Marshall Way in Old Town Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2011, Virtù sources top seasonal ingredients to create progressive American cuisine paired with craft cocktails.
What to Expect: Creative starters, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and entrees served in a chic urban setting. Extensive wine list available.
Visitor Information: Open daily for dinner, and weekends for brunch. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
Located in Old Town Scottsdale, Virtù Honest Craft prides itself on fresh and thoughtfully sourced ingredients to create its seasonal American fare. Diners rave about menu items like the plant-based Scottsdale Salad with quinoa, elote corn salad, and heirloom tomatoes.
The Hudson Valley duck breast, Maine sea scallops, and roasted cauliflower steak also shine. Virtù emphasizes local purveyors and has an extensive wine list for pairing. With its charming courtyard ambiance and standout cooking, Virtù is a Scottsdale must-try.
Citizen Public House
Name and Location: Citizen Public House is located at 7111 E 5th Ave in Old Town Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2011 in a restored 1930s bungalow, Citizen Public House offers prohibition-era cocktails and seasonal New American cuisine.
What to Expect: Speakeasy vibe, craft cocktails, shared plates, and entrees. Award-winning bar program. Outdoor patio seating available.
Visitor Information: Open daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. Free street parking, valet available.
For an upscale-yet-cozy gastropub vibe, Citizen Public House hits the mark. Their New American menu impressively fuses cooking techniques from around the globe into each dish. Small plates like hamachi crudo and goat cheese ravioli start meals off right.
Mains span wood-fired meats, seafood, pasta and more seasonal creations. With a hip atmosphere, creative cocktails and global inspirations, Citizen Public House brings a lively energy and memorable food to Old Town.
FnB Restaurant
Name and Location: FnB Restaurant is located at 7125 E 5th Ave in Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2009, FnB pioneered the local, sustainable food movement in Scottsdale with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
What to Expect: Daily-changing menu utilizing Arizona produce. Shared plates, salads, pasta, and entrees. Award-winning wine list.
Visitor Information: Open evenings Tues-Sun. Reservations recommended. Free street parking available.
James Beard Award winning Chef Charleen Badman helms the kitchen at FnB Restaurant crafting seasonal American dishes accented with Arizona produce and global flavors. The menu changes daily but may feature standouts like the heirloom bean salad, duck breast with polenta, or Sonoran wheat pizza fresh from their wood-burning oven.
FnB’s minimalist-chic ambiance lets the artful food shine. Reservations are a must for the full experience at this nationally acclaimed, Michelin-recognized Scottsdale favorite.
The Mission
Name and Location: The Mission is located at 3815 N Brown Ave in Old Town Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012 in a historic adobe, The Mission reimagines classic Latin cuisine with bold Baja coastal flavors.
What to Expect: Shared small plates, ceviches, tacos, and Latin-inspired cocktails in a lively rustic-chic setting.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. Free onsite parking available.
For a high-end take on classic Latin American cuisine, book a table at The Mission. Dishes artfully fuse regional Mexican, South American and Spanish influences, like the tableside guacamole, Veracruz-style snapper, and Peruvian-inspired ceviche.
The sweeping outdoor patio provides an elegant setting in Old Town Scottsdale. Craft cocktails incorporating mezcal, tequila and other south-of-the-border spirits amp up the experience. With its standout food, drinks and ambiance, The Mission delivers a sophisticated taste of Latin America.
Virtú
Name and Location: Virtù is located at 3701 N Marshall Way in Old Town Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2010 by chef Gio Osso, Virtù highlights the finest seasonal and local ingredients in a contemporary space.
What to Expect: Mediterranean-inspired small plates, pastas, meats and seafood cooked in wood-fired ovens. Extensive Italian wine list.
Visitor Information: Dinner nightly, brunch weekends. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
Helmed by Chef Gio Osso, Virtú provides a whimsical multi-course experience perfect for special occasions or indulge nights out. The intimate dining room situated away from Old Town Scottsdale makes for a hidden gem vibe.
Menus change seasonally but may include sea scallops with truffles, Wagyu striploin, foie gras and more luxury ingredients. Wine pairings and excellent service complete Virtú’s bespoke fine dining experience. Reservations well in advance are essential for this prix fixe restaurant.
Olive & Ivy
Name and Location: Olive & Ivy is located at 7135 E Camelback Rd in Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2016, Olive & Ivy brings Mediterranean style dining to Scottsdale with regional Italian cuisine.
What to Expect: Shareable antipasti, pizzas, pasta, fresh seafood and meat dishes in a lively upscale setting. Award-winning beverage program.
Visitor Information: Serving dinner daily. Reservations recommended, especially for patio seating. Valet parking available.
Olive & Ivy blends seasonal Mediterranean flavors with the ambiance of an Italian countryside estate transplanted to Old Town Scottsdale. Dishes span fresh seafood, pasta, flatbreads fired in the woodstone oven and creative starters like elote lettuce wraps and tuna tartare.
With ingredient-driven cooking, an elegant patio, and craft cocktails, Olive & Ivy makes for a lively upscale dinner or weekend brunch. Reservations are recommended at this local hot spot.
Craft 64
Name and Location: Craft 64 is located at 6922 E Main St in Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2015, this gastropub offers 64 craft beers on tap along with scratch-made pub fare.
What to Expect: Beer-friendly snacks and entrées like wings, sandwiches, pizza and burgers in a relaxed setting. Dog-friendly patio available.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch and dinner. No reservations needed. Street parking available.
For farm-fresh wood-fired pizza in a hip, laid-back setting, Craft 64 hits the spot. Their thin crust pies bake at 750 degrees in their stone oven to achieve that perfect crisp crust and melty cheese. Try creative pies like the duck confit, Korean pork, or foraged mushroom alongside Mason jar cocktails and salads.
Craft 64’s minimalist modern ambiance lets you focus on the stellar pizza. For groups big or small, this is Scottsdale’s top pizza joint.
The Herb Box
Name and Location: The Herb Box is located at 7134 E Stetson Dr in Old Town Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2002, The Herb Box pioneered the farm-to-table movement in the Southwest with seasonal menus utilizing local ingredients.
What to Expect: Healthy fare with Mediterranean and Southwestern flavors, vegetarian options available. Known for fresh salads, sandwiches and entrees.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Reservations recommended for dinner. Validated parking.
The Herb Box brings healthy, locally-sourced fare perfect for a rejuvenating meal. Their menu emphasizes creative salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, and more showcasing Arizona produce and ingredients.
Customer favorites include the antioxidant rich Chocolate Cherry Smoothie, Mason Jar Salad with lemon vinaigrette, and Caprese Sliders made with housemade mozzarella and tomato jam. With its cheery ambiance and nourishing meals, The Herb Box is a feel-good spot.
Shinbay Omakase
Name and Location: Shinbay Omakase is located at 8125 E Indian Bend Rd in Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 2016, Shinbay brings the intimate omakase dining experience to Scottsdale, with fresh sushi and seafood flown in daily.
What to Expect: Exquisite sushi tasting menus customized by the chef with only 8 counter seats available per seating. Reservations required.
Visitor Information: Two seatings nightly Wednesday through Saturday. $150+ per person. Located in the Hyatt Regency Resort.
For an intimate, sit-at-the-counter omakase experience in Scottsdale, book Shinbay. Their rotating tasting menu lets the chef prepare nightly selections of the freshest sushi and sashimi for guests. Options often include bluefin tuna, uni sea urchin, king salmon roe, scallops and other high-quality bites.
Shinbay’s hidden second floor perch above Old Town Scottsdale adds a speakeasy-like appeal. This progressive sushi experience encapsulates the beauty of simple, pristine ingredients.
TRILOGY Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
Name and Location: TRILOGY Sanctuary is located at 6787 E McDonald Dr in Paradise Valley.
History and Significance: Opened in 2020, this restaurant offers fine dining with panoramic views from Camelback Mountain. Part of the Sanctuary Camelback resort.
What to Expect: Seasonal new American cuisine and craft cocktails served indoors or on the mountain-view terrace. Jackets required for gentlemen.
Visitor Information: Reservations required. Open Tues-Sun for dinner. Resort guest and visitor parking available.
For fine dining with spectacular panoramic views, TRILOGY at the Sanctuary Resort is a must. Their New American dinner menu spans seafood, steaks and chops with creative preparations and flare.
Dishes like the sunchoke veloute, pan seared scallops and elk tenderloin capture the essence of Arizona’s landscape on the plate. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Paradise Valley complete the ambiance. TRILOGY provides a destination dining experience above it all.
Malee’s on Main
Name and Location: Malee’s on Main is located at 7131 E Main St in Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Opened in 1998, Malee’s has become Scottsdale’s beloved destination for authentic Thai cuisine prepared by Malee herself.
What to Expect: Signature Thai dishes like curries, noodles, stir fries, and pad thai in a casual laid-back setting. Vegetarian friendly options.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. Street parking available.
For authentic Thai cuisine made with care, locals recommend Malee’s on Main. Dishes like pad Thai, curry, noodle soups and stir fries pack big, fresh flavors. Other menu highlights include Malee’s fried rice, papaya salad, crab curry fried rice.
The cozy but simple ambiance makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem. For budget-friendly Thai that’s healthy and homemade tasting, Malee’s is a go-to.
The Mint
Name and Location: The Mint is located at 4301 N Scottsdale Rd on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation.
History and Significance: Opened in 2007, this lively gastro lounge inside Casino Arizona offers contemporary American cuisine.
What to Expect: Fresh seafood, steaks, creative starters, and craft cocktails. DJs and dancing on weekend evenings. Upscale nightlife vibe.
Visitor Information: Open daily for lunch, dinner, and late night menus. Reservations recommended. Free valet parking for restaurant guests.
The Mint offers farm-to-table dining with Mediterranean accents in a chic converted bungalow. Their seasonal menus let the availability of ingredients guide what’s served. Recent dishes include focaccia with burrata cheese, roasted delicata squash salad, and pappardelle bolognese.
Handcrafted cocktails like their Prickly Pear Margarita and extensive wine list provide ideal pairings. The Mint’s intimate vibe and ingredient-driven cuisine make it ideal for date nights or special occasions.
Conclusion
From trendy eateries in Old Town Scottsdale to scenic fine dining on Camelback Mountain, this list provides a taste of the diversity and quality of Scottsdale’s food scene. The city offers culinary experiences to satisfy everything from power lunches to family meals to romantic date nights.
Exploring Scottsdale’s restaurants provides a delicious way to experience Southwestern ingredients and global cooking techniques blended with the city’s signature style and sophistication. Bon appétit during your time in this Arizona foodie hotspot!
