Fine dining may not be the first thing you think of when moving to Arizona. However, Scottsdale restaurants are some of the tastiest the Southwest has to offer. If you’re thinking about moving to Scottsdale, Jeff Barchi and his team can help you find the perfect home and get to know your neighborhood. Let’s get into sharing the best restaurants in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale is a luxury resort town. With that title comes a plethora of fantastic dining experiences, endless nightlife, high-end shopping, great art, and much more. While narrowing down Scottsdale’s all-time best restaurants is almost impossible, we’ve developed a list of top-tier eateries that even locals can support. Make your reservations and take a seat because these are the best restaurants in Scottsdale right now.
The Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
Chula Seafood
Located in Southeast Scottsdale
The seafood at Chula’s is always fresh and delicious, despite the fact that it is located hundreds of kilometers away from the closest ocean. You may wonder, “How can this be?” In Point Loma, having your own boat and a family-run fishery are unquestionably advantageous. The cargo is unloaded in California and promptly distributed to Arizona by the family company. Everyone is thankful for it. The original Southeast Scottsdale fish store and restaurant serve the valley with delicious, locally sourced, and never-frozen, poke bowls.
Chula Seafood’s signature sandwiches, such as the green chile tuna melt, are also available for purchase. When you arrive, make sure to look in the cold case for the most in-season catch. Waiting for you may be a sushi-quality salmon filet.
On a sunny day, the restaurant is a great place to enjoy lunch. A light and clean meal will help you beat the heat. Moreover, Chula is growing! Later this year, they aim to open a restaurant in North Scottsdale. This is their third location in the Valley.
The Citizen Public House
Old Town
Citizen Public House, praised by James Beard Foundation award winner Chef Bernie Kantak, offers a contemporary spin on gastropub dishes. The relaxed Old Town restaurant has garnered various distinctions and accolades since its launch in 2011. Guests come for the wonderful cocktails and pub-style food, which includes traditional mac and cheese, crab cakes with chile remoulade, sauced short ribs, and, of course, the original chopped salad.
If you’re feeling boozy, you’ll want to head upstairs to find a swanky, discrete speakeasy. You don’t want to miss out on Benjamin’s Upstairs on your next vacation to Scottsdale. The sleek lounge extends from the restaurant, which is artfully hidden above the main floor. You even have access to a private bar while you hang out.
The AZ88
Arts District
In the mood for a good martini? Let’s make it two. AZ88 is a sleek and trendy cocktail lounge with a delightful menu of tasty bites. The spot has a gorgeous patio, a contemporary bar decked up in glam disco lights, and the best martinis in town!
AZ88, a restaurant/social lounge in Scottsdale’s Arts District, is the perfect spot to chat with coworkers or enjoy time with your friends.
Throughout the years, this restaurant has become something of a Scottsdale institution. AZ88 has been in operation since 1988. They have a good thing going.
AZ88 ensures a nice time and a wonderful supper, from the expertly prepared sippers and fresh ground burgers to the ever-changing design and artwork. There’s never a dull moment at this hot spot.
Fat Ox
Central Scottsdale
Pasta is always a good idea here. Fat Ox is not your grandmother’s traditional spaghetti and meatballs; instead, it takes a more upscale, if not downright modern, approach to Italian food. You can expect a fine dining experience here.
Fresh pasta is made daily, steaks are cooked to perfection over wood and charcoal, and the specialty cocktail selection is out of this world. The meal is served in a sophisticated, contemporary setting that includes a magnificent marble bar top and a well-stocked bar, deep wood dining tables, elaborate gold finishes, and white table linens.
The trendy Italian eatery is the perfect setting for your next date. The sleek food, impressive menu, and romantic atmosphere are sure to bring you two closer.
Fat Ox is more than just a spot for a pasta meal. Despite the fact that it unquestionably fits within that category. Come visit during happy hour for some deals and a variety of sommelier pairings that are guaranteed to delight.
Francine
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Francine is a great place to brush up on your French and get a taste of Europe in a fine dining experience. In an Upscale cafe, you’ll be transported from the desert to the other side of the pond. Southern French classics like rack of lamb and gnocchi, Iberico pig, and Mediterranean branzino are served at this high-end, ultra-luxurious restaurant. For breakfast, there is an oyster bar and an endive-and-triple-cream-brie tartine on the menu.
The Croque Madame and the Ricotta Lemon Pancakes with blueberry compote and chantilly are also noteworthy dishes, as is the Croque Madame.
The Mission
Old Town and Kierland Commons
You can’t go wrong with either location, but we’ll break it down for you. There is a Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale’s Old Town neighborhood you have to try, The Mission. It serves food inspired by the cuisine from Mexico, Spain, Central America, and South America. Plus, it is right next to The Old Adobe Mission, built by Mexican immigrants who arrived in Scottsdale in the late 1910s.
In contrast, head on over to the Kierland Commons for another taste of authentic food. At this location there are two dining floors, a large amber-colored cross centered above the beautiful bar, lit Himalayan salt steps, and a large terrace overlooking Kierland Commons, giving it a trendier, more modern atmosphere.
With inventive tacos and classics like empanadas, tostadas, aqua chile, and plancha-kissed meats, these two Latin eateries provide a fresh spin on classics. There’s a lot to choose from, but we suggest trying the Peruvian duck fried rice.
We recommend taking your family out to the modern Latin food spots. Although, they are the perfect settings to catch up with friends as well.
Shinbay Omakase Room
Old Town
If you are a fan of raw fish, this place is a must. Shinbay Omakase Room is a must-try for adventurous eaters and fine dining fanatics. The impressive dishes enchant the senses and excite the taste buds. You’ll want to plan ahead though because it can be hard to get a table.
If you are lucky enough to acquire a reservation in the Old Town omakase room, you can look forward to a carefully crafted and precisely picked array of Japanese seafood and exotic ingredients served to you in a parade of tiny dishes directly from Chef Shinji Kurita’s hands.
With just 12 seats available, the intimate meal experience is very customized. Reservations fill up quickly and you’ll need one for this unforgettable dining experience, so book ahead. This is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine while enjoying some of the freshest fish in the valley.
Moving to Scottsdale
There is no shortage of fun in the valley and that includes Scottsdale restaurants. If you are thinking about moving to Scottsdale, buying a second home in the Valley, or want to learn more about what the neighborhoods here have to offer, give our expert team a call. The Barchi team of real estate professionals can help you relocate to Arizona.
