The 15 Best Restaurants In Scottsdale, Arizona

When it comes to culinary hubs across the United States, major metropolitan cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago often dominate the conversation. Unbeknownst to most, many smaller cities have become underground enclaves for some of the most inspired, creative, and delicious restaurants to flourish. Over the last decade, Scottsdale, Arizona has become home to one of the most exciting and elevated food scenes in the country.

Many of these exciting new restaurants in Scottsdale are moving away from the area's stereotypical Tex-Mex influence and have shifted focus to modern styles and seasonal flavors. Sourcing ingredients from Arizona's wealth of local produce and farmers, chefs across the city are working to highlight not only their own taste and skills but also the impressive and delicious regional flavors, creating a dynamic and exciting restaurant community for locals and visitors to enjoy. That said, we have rounded up must-try restaurants in Scottsdale!

Located at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows, Weft & Warp puts an innovative twist on Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Cocktails like the prickly pear margarita use ingredients inspired by the local desert landscape, while the specially curated wine list changes every couple of weeks, showcasing only the best vino by both the glass and the bottle. The modern exhibition kitchen gives guests a clear view of the behind-the-scenes process, allowing you to watch Chef Dushyant Singh work his magic.

When it comes to starters, the Pickled Cucumber Tabbouleh and Za'atar Pistachio Laffa with creamy hummus are both refreshing yet flavorful appetizers that you won't want to miss. All of the handmade pasta is made fresh in-house, but the Agnolotti and Bucatini are both mouthwatering winners. For the main course, the Berkshire Bone-In Pork Chop is paired perfectly with a light endive Parmesan salad. Pro-tip: Weft and Warp's pastry master, Chef Morgan, makes decadent desserts and cakes that are well-worth saving room for.

In the heart of downtown Scottsdale, FnB brings Arizona's rich farming and agricultural community to the forefront of its stellar menu. This local and nationally celebrated establishment has been recognized for its excellence in food, wine, and service. That said, it is definitely best to play it safe and make a reservation beforehand.

The ever-changing menu focuses on local ingredients and seasonal specialties, so guests are guaranteed an exciting and unique dining experience each and every time. The menu is a true masterclass in refined cuisine, featuring dishes like roasted eggplant with fermented pineapple sauce, jerk chicken with fresh dug yellow potatoes, shishitos with confit albacore tuna, Meyer lemon kosho aioli, and more. At FnB, the wine list is just as important as the dinner menu. Beverage director Pavle Milic works tirelessly with local wineries and Chef Charleen Badman to create the ultimate tasting and pairing experience for guests to enjoy.

Since its establishment in 2011, Citizen Public House has been bringing delicious American food and elevated bar bites to downtown Scottsdale. With a big open bar-top serving as a focal point for the dining space, it is no surprise that the libations available at Citizen Public House are nothing short of spectacular. From the incredible list of house cocktails to the beloved barrel-aged spirits to a solid selection of non-alcoholic specialties, there is truly a libation for every taste at Citizen Public House.

Although the selection of drinks is impressive, Citizen Public House also boasts a diverse menu of high-quality gastropub favorites, as well as fine dining quality entrees. The bacon fat heirloom popcorn is a must-order appetizer, or if you're looking to sit down and enjoy a delicate yet vibrant plate, the seared sea scallops with sweet corn grits and a cola gastrique are to die for. Citizen Public House has the perfect bite for every palate and every occasion.

For over a decade, The Roaring Fork has been serving bold American cuisine that highlights wood-fired cooking. Its rustic menu pays homage to an old Western style of cooking, allowing the smoke and high heat of the wood fire to shine through in the cookery of each and every protein. The Roaring Fork Kitchen features a wood fire rotisserie, a wood oven for roasting, and an open flame grill that allows each dish to be prepared to perfection.

Swing by The Roaring Fork for its impressive happy hour offering $7 specialty cocktails and an extensive list of some of the most popular appetizers and small bites. Standout specialties from the dinner menu include a selection of all-natural black Angus steaks served with caramelized shallot butter and a chipotle demi glaze. Try the 8-ounce filet for a more delicate cut, or dive into the impressive 22-ounce bone-in rib eye for a classic cowboy-style dinner.

Looking for an elevated dining experience? Maple & Ash offers attentive service, modern interpretations of classic wood-fired dishes, high-quality ingredients, and delicious beverage pairings in a swanky dining space. Maple & Ash goes beyond the ordinary dining experience, creating outrageous and grandiose preparations of food and drink that leave a lasting impression. Dine with a group of friends and check out the martini trees, an impressive sculptural feat serving a selection of house-special martinis. Pair with the fire-roasted seafood tower served with garlic butter and chili oil for a structurally impressive and delicious duo.

If you consider yourself to be an adventurous diner, Maple & Ash also offers a $200 tasting menu designed to showcase the very best of both the drink and dinner menu. Whether you are looking for a classically prepared steak dinner or a one-of-a-kind, outlandish dining experience, Maple & Ash delivers bold flavors and consistent service across the board.

Roka Akor brings a modern twist to classic Japanese robata cuisine. A sleek interior featuring local design elements mixed with deep wood tones and streamlined lighting reflects the clean yet flavorful style of cooking presented across the menu. Guests are invited to watch and interact with the highly-skilled chefs preparing their meals on the traditional robata grill in this one-of-a-kind dining room.

Roka Akor's chef-driven menu offers contemporary preparations of traditional Japanese food designed to be shared. Standout favorites from the impressive menu include the highest quality cuts of rare Wagyu steak from across Japan, decadent grilled seafood, and delicate yet bold sushi preparations. Pair with a drink from the extensive selection of signature cocktails, wine, sake, and a famed whiskey list for the complete Roka Akor experience. The restaurant also offers an Omakase or "to entrust the chef" tasting menu designed to bring the most special dishes and drinks for the table to taste, share, and enjoy.

Dominick's Steakhouse brings a fine dining steakhouse experience to the Scottsdale food scene. From the moment guests walk down the entryway red carpet and into the dining room boasting six-foot chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, marble floors, and leather embossed walls decorated with classically inspired artwork they enjoy a sense of luxury and all things high class.

While the prime steak cuts are the star of the show at Dominick's Steakhouse, the appetizers are perfect for sharing and pack a powerful punch. Start off your meal with the fried deviled eggs for a twist on a steakhouse classic, or try something new like the Thai-inspired braised pork belly for a sweet spicy start. Not surprisingly, the steak entrees at Dominick's are unmatched in quality. Each cut is responsibly farmed, cut in by hand by the in-house butcher, and wet-aged for 28 days to ensure ultimate decadence and superior flavor.

Owned and operated by a husband and wife duo, Sel is bringing elevated and innovative seasonal fare to Scottsdale. The globally inspired menu focuses on simple yet sophisticated flavors designed to let the high-quality ingredients shine. Spicy, bold, international influences come together to create the restaurant's signature New American menu featuring the best produce and protein Scottsdale has to offer.

In addition to the traditional menu boasting impressive steak dishes like the ultimately luxe prime tomahawk steak and the Miyazaki wagyu sirloin, Sel also offers a full vegetarian tasting menu. This impressive six-course experience with an optional wine pairing takes diners through a full meal of bright and bold meatless dishes. From a delicate ever-changing amuse bouche to a rich roasted squash and porcini mushroom risotto entree, and finishing with a beautiful interpretation of a strawberry marzipan shortcake, diners enjoy a full-tasting experience of plant-based culinary mastery right in Arizona.

The Herb Box is more than just a sit-down restaurant, it is a culinary compound comprised of a beautiful dining room, a visually and gustatorily stunning catering service, an event space, and a carefully curated market. This one-stop shop for all things delicious focuses on organic whole foods and quality ingredients in all three facets of the enterprise. The Herb Box takes pride in its ethical ingredients, using exclusively local and sustainable cheese and cage-free eggs, as well as hormone-free natural meats, nitrate-free bacon, and local ingredients whenever possible.

The Herb Box Restaurant is open daily, offering lunch, dinner, and an incredible happy hour on weekdays as well as a one-of-a-kind brunch on the weekends. With a beautiful outdoor patio and a large portion of the menu dedicated to delicious shareable dishes, The Herb Box is the perfect spot to grab a drink with a group of friends and taste a wide range of the carefully curated dishes on the health-conscious menu.

Conveniently located in the La Mirada Shopping Center in the North Scottsdale neighborhood, Lamp Pizzeria is elevating classic wood-fired pizzas with high-temperature cookery and bold Italian flavors. The rustic yet stylish interior dining space offers views of the beautiful wood oven boasting the restaurant's name in terracotta tiles. This open-concept design allows the guests to enjoy a casual sense of involvement in the fast-paced cooking process.

Start off your no-fuss, big-flavor meal with one of The Lamp Pizzeria's many different appetizers, such as the famed Mignulata, a traditional Sicilian stuffed bread dish made with the restaurant's house-made pizza dough and filled with Sicilian sausage, pecorino, and cauliflower. For the star of the meal, Lamp Pizzeria offers a wide array of red and white pizzas to choose from. Enjoy a Sicilian classic with the Red Pizza featuring homemade charred pizza dough, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Alternatively, get creative with one of the more unique pizzas for a one-of-a-kind Lamp Pizzeria experience, like The Gordon, a white pizza topped with dry cured capicola, spinach, roasted crimini mushrooms, garlic, goat cheese, and sharp provolone.

Fat Ox curates a fine dining experience that brings modern Italian-inspired dishes to Scottsdale's rapidly growing food scene. Chef Matt Carter focuses on minimal ingredients with big flavor and exquisite seasoning. Most dishes on the menu only have between four and eight ingredients, highlighting the technical finesse of the chef and the brilliant flavors of the high-quality ingredients. Paired with Fat Ox's delicious signature cocktails, impressive fine wine list, exotic cheeses, and chic interiors, guests are subjected to a delightful dining experience.

The menu at Fat Ox follows a traditional Italian format, including starters like salads and other small bites designed to prepare the palette for the meal to come. Next up is Fat Ox's list of incredible pasta dishes, all handmade in-house. Standouts from this popular portion of the menu include the saffron spaghetti, a delicate yet flavorful combination of white wine steamed clams, smoked clam butter, and guanciale crumble. The menu rounds out with the entree section which features a beautiful array of protein-focused dishes ranging from bright fish preparations to elegant steak dishes.

Located in Old Town Scottsdale is the refined and critically acclaimed hotspot, Virtù Honest Craft. Operated and owned by Chef Gio Osso, Virtù Honest Craft has received some of the most prestigious recognition in the culinary world, including a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2014, as well as recognition immediately upon its establishment as one of the 20 best new restaurants in the United States by Esquire Magazine (how cool!).

Taking a look at the Virtù Honest Craft menu, it is easy to understand the overwhelming praise the restaurant continues to receive. Chef Osso describes Virtù Honest Craft's menu as "a wandering, Mediterranean-inspired menu that changes almost weekly, sometimes daily." The ever-changing menu often features a variety of handmade pastas, seasonal produce from local Arizona farmers, seafood from globally respected fish markets, and a seasonal cocktail program that offers pressed juices and rare spirits.

Situated in a quiet corner of Old Town Scottsdale, The House Brasserie is offering a cutting-edge take on modern American cuisine with French influences. The House Brasserie boasts an ornate Victorian-style dining room decorated with an elegant eye that directly reflects the quality of service and luxe dishes across the menu. The charming outdoor patio is framed by beautiful trees and twinkling lights, providing the perfect location for guests to enjoy a craft cocktail or a glass of vino.

The dinner menu at The House Brasserie offers a range of seasonally inspired dishes. Start off your meal with a classic favorite like the shrimp cocktail or experience a signature dish like the halibut cheeks and chips served with kimchi aioli, beer vinegar, and fried pickles. For the main course, standouts include creative preparations such as the Linz Filet Mignon served with Mexican-inspired elote, shishito chimichurri, and cotija. Another solid option is the Jerk Pork Chop with parsnip puree, crispy Brussels sprouts, and a bright cherry compote.

Located in the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort and Spa, elements restaurant focuses on freshness and flavor. With incredible desert views at the base of the stunning mountain landscape, guests are able to enjoy elements' farm-fresh American cuisine with touches of Asian influence in a serene and uplifting setting.

The chef-driven menu at elements focuses on seasonal, local, and organic produce as well as sustainable and fresh seafood. Its diverse menu features dishes accommodating a wide array of dietary preferences, including a selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options to ensure that all guests enjoy the same high-quality meal. Some menu standouts include the miso-glazed Chilean sea bass which is a bright and exciting dish served with cilantro avocado rice, sesame shiitake mushrooms, and bok choy. You can also enjoy a veggie-forward favorite such as the green curry hot pot which is a rich blend of tofu, coconut black rice, and an array of perfectly seasoned vegetables.

Founded by the Italian-born and raised restaurateur, chef, and namesake, Franco Fazzuoli, Franco's Italian Caffe has been serving up authentic Italian Florentine cuisine since 2003. Having owned and operated his own Italian restaurants in both Italy and New York City, Chef Franco brings his Italian pride and love for good food, wine, and service to each and every dinner at Franco's Italian Caffe.

The menu is quintessentially Italian, making its way from fresh antipasti dishes like the acidic and bright bruschetta to luxurious main-course preparations of tasty proteins. You can't go wrong with the classic ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach. This beloved dish is served with a sauce of your choosing, allowing you to experience the ultimate pillowy delight of handmade pasta. You can also pair your meal with a fine wine from the extensive collection for the full Franco's Italian experience right in the heart of Scottsdale.