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There are plenty of restaurants to choose from when you visit Scottsdale, Arizona ranging from budget-friendly to super luxe! Whether you’re looking for fresh, top-shelf margaritas paired with tableside prepared guacamole or bloody Mary creations paired with brunch favorites, you’ll love these top restaurants in Scottsdale.
Coffee
Jojo Coffeehouse - $
They offer live music on Saturday and Sunday. Food menu favorites include the breakfast burrito and the cinnamon roll pancake breakfast.
The flights here are pretty epic in both presentation and taste. Not only can you try a mimosa flight, but you can also try a coffee flight! When you order the mimosa flight, you can try 5 flavors - orange, cranberry-lime, peach Bellini, pineapple, and apple-cinnamon.
I tried the iced coffee flight. The coffee flight comes with JOJO Cold Brew Coffee, Mocha, Latte, Caramel Macchiato, and White Mocha flavors - my favorite was the White Mocha.
Berdena’s - $
Image courtesy of Fabulous Arizona.
Décor is characterized by black and white tiles and natural elements like wood accents and green plants. The inside of the shop is relatively small but they offer outdoor seating with bright orange metal mesh seating.
While here, try the Cardamom Latte or Honey Lavender Latte and be sure to grab a sweet pastry!
Breakfast
Hash Kitchen - $$
Image courtesy of abc15.com.
Known as the “Home of the Original Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar”, you can expect quite the cocktail spread at Hash Kitchen with over 50 craft toppings to create the ultimate breakfast drink.
There are two Hash Kitchen locations in Scottsdale to choose from - one in Gainey Village and the other in North Scottsdale, in the perfect location for having breakfast after a hike around McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
ARcadia Farms Café - $$
Image courtesy of Arcadia Farms Cafe.
Weekend brunch is served on Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and on Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
There’s patio and garden seating in a serene setting in addition to inside seating with French countryside décor. Acadia Farms is a popular local spot for showers and birthdays, so reservations are recommended.
Lunch
Diego Pops - $$
Happy hour is 7 days a week from 3 - 6 pm. I tried the F&F it had strawberries, tequila, and jalapenos and it had a really delicious, spicy kick to it! Don’t miss the Street corn on or off the cob - it’s dusted with flamin’ hot Cheeto dust and it was amazing!
Postino - $$$
Image courtesy of Postino.
Postino is a community-oriented Italian café that specializes in wine and a wide selection of bruschetta, such as Sweet N’ Spicy Pepper Jam & Goat Cheese and Brie, Apple, & Fig. They also serve appetizers, boards, soups, salads, paninis, and desserts.
There are two locations in Scottsdale - one in the Highland area and the other in Kierland. Postino is a great option for groups that want more of a shared plate experience, but is also suitable for solo diners and couples. If it’s nice weather, try to get patio seating for a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.
Happy Hour
The Beverly on Main - $$
Image courtesy of Arizona Foothills Magazine.
Though there is a food menu with shareables, skewers, burgers, and more, the main draw of this place are the craft cocktails, like a classic old fashioned or lemon drop martini. A decent number of the food items can be prepared vegan and/or are gluten-free.
Happy hour pricing on select beverages and bites is every day from open to 8 pm. If money is no object, order a cocktail from the Flexin’ Menu where specialty drinks go for $50 to $500.
Platform 18 - $$
There’s no actual trembling or vibrations that a real train would give but the “windows” each have synchronized screens on them which show scenic landscapes to make you feel like you’re passing through the Canadian countryside.
Reservations are required, and there is a fee to reserve your seat - either at the bar or in a booth. The fee includes entry, a glass of champagne, and a Buffalo Trace bourbon-infused chocolate bonbon. Once inside, you can order from an extensive cocktail menu or get recommendations from the expert bartenders. The 90-minute experience was enough for me to try 2 different cocktails. You can also try an alcohol-infused sorbet if you’ve got a sweet tooth.
The setting is rather long and narrow as you actually feel as though you’re in a train. If I tried this experience again, I would choose booth seating for a more comfortable experience.
Undertow is a nautical-inspired bar and Grey Hen RX is a mid-1800s New Orleans-inspired pharmacy bar.
Dinner
The Mission - $$$
The Mission is a restaurant and lounge serving modern Latin cuisine. There’s a location in Kierland but I went to the Old Town spot.
The Mission is designed to be sophisticated yet casual. It’s dimly lit and is surrounded by the glow of a large Himalayan salt block wall. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling. I found the atmosphere to be more on the romantic side, however there were also families, groups, etc.
The Duck Carnitas Empanadas were delicious and I highly recommend them.
T. Cook’s - $$$$
Named after the son of the original owner of the historic Royal Palms property, T. Cooks features creative Mediterranean dishes. The two outdoor patios make for a stunning setting with views of lush landscape and Camelback Mountain.
The Burrata melted in your mouth and the pesto and focaccia were fresh and herbaceous. But I was most impressed by the Bolognese dish. For such a common and simple recipe (house spaghetti, herbed ricotta, parmesan, basil), I wasn’t expecting much, but it was done perfectly. I truly wanted to eat the entire thing but was too full to finish.
BONUS! Virtù Honest Craft - $$$
It’s an intimate, upscale restaurant serving a Mediterranean-inspired prix fixe menu that changes frequently (often daily).
The award-winning menu, created by Chef Gio Osso, changes frequently (often daily) but it typically features seafood, prime meats, fresh handmade pastas, and regional produce prepared with a Mediterranean influence. The standard prix fixe menu comes with 3 courses - a small bite (starter), an entrée, and a dessert. Wine pairings are optional as well as a second course of pasta and/or a fourth course of cheeses.
>>> Read more about my incredible culinary experience at Virtù Honest Craft! <<<
Dessert
Sugar Bowl - $
Image courtesy of Phoenix New Times.
Sugar Bowl is easy to spot with bubble gum pink walls, heart-shaped tables, and pink booths. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time at this historic parlor/diner, which also features an original soda fountain. Try classics like a banana split or a good ole PB&J.
Unbaked - $
Image courtesy of Phoenix New Times.
Aside from edible cookie dough and ice cream, you can also try milkshakes, floats, baked items, and even boozy shakes. Desserts are aesthetically pleasing with artfully drizzled syrups and toppings like sprinkles and cotton candy. If you go here, take an obligatory pic in front of the pink neon sign reading “I got UnBaked”.
Are you ready to try some delicious meals yet?! What would you add to this list of “top restaurants in Scottsdale”? I’d love to know! Drop them in the comments below!
Author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
