Delicious dozen: The 12 best restaurants in Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is an epicenter of bars and restaurants. The tiny downtown cluster boasts many popular hotspots that draw tourists and locals alike. It’s home to our 2025 Best of Phoenix winner for the Valley’s best restaurant. This nook of Scottsdale, however, is really only the beginning.

Look beyond this buzzy stretch, and there are plenty of other finds from fine dining destinations to date-night spots and under-the-radar neighborhood gems.

Here are our top 12 favorite places to eat in Scottsdale.

Andreoli Italian Grocer

8880 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale
You could eat in Giovanni Scorzo’s market-meets-restaurant 50 times and still have more to discover. Up front, a glass case displays a parade of sweets, eye-catchers like cannoli, pistachio cake, torrone, brown triangles of sfogliatelle and dark chocolate shaped into tools. The bread at Andreoli Italian Grocer is sneakily good, especially when part of a panini in the classically minimal Italian style of little more than meats or vegetables and cheese. Scorzo comes from the far Italian South, and his offerings, at the edges, reflect his origins. For one, he makes burrata from scratch. But the man can also nail northern Italian specialties, like risottos and cartoon slabs of bistecca Fiorentina. His best meals often lurk on a deep board of specials. The chef and his restaurant have both been recognized by the James Beard Awards over the years, along with many other local and national spotlights. Scorzo was a finalist for best chef in the Southwest in 2022. In 2024, Andreoli was named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award in the category of Outstanding Hospitality.

Catch

7014 E. Camelback Road, #612, Scottsdale
Seafood restaurant Catch landed in Scottsdale with a splash in September 2025. The restaurant is the first Arizona location of the chain, which has spots in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Aspen, Miami and Dallas. The large dining room is filled with golden lighting and large tables packed with groups of friends. Our favorite spot to sit is at a table in the bar, just behind the dining room, which offers a much more intimate experience. The large menu spans seafood and steak, with fish options both raw and cooked. We’re partial to the bright, sweet and savory madai crudo with pickled peach and pomegranate to start. Next, blend a bite of steak and sushi with the Wagyu surf and turf roll, and then indulge in the tender herb-roasted branzino atop creamy, lemon basmati risotto. Dinner at Catch is costly, but unlike so many of the flashy Scottsdale eateries, it’s worth every penny.

Chula Seafood

20581 Hayden Road, Scottsdale
8015 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
The Heflin family has been fishing along the Pacific Coast since 2009, focused on sustainable fishing practices. They opened the first location of Chula Seafood in south Scottsdale in 2015 and the restaurant and seafood counter has been a favorite of Valley diners ever since. The menu often rotates to feature the freshest catch from the Helfin’s boat, aptly named Chula. On a chilly day, it’s hard to beat a bowl of clam chowder or the tuna melt, which gets a Southwestern makeover courtesy of Hatch green chiles and spiced Oaxacan cheese. The generally humble griddled sandwich feels luxurious thanks to confited albacore, but that richness is cut through with a side of bright, garlicky chimichurri for dunking. Chula has plenty to offer on the raw side as well, from a rotating selection of oysters and sashimi to Hawaiian-style poke. There are two great options to visit in Scottsdale – in the spot that started it all in on the south side, or in the newer Grayhawk location in north Scottsdale.

Citizen Public House

7111 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale  
Chef and owner Bernie Kantak’s white-tablecloth haven of inspired American food has whimsy and range. The beer fondue is flavored with Four Peaks Kilt Lifter, the meatloaf is spiked with amaro and the short ribs are rubbed with Moxie coffee. At Citizen Public House, you can order one of the most famous chopped salads around, so popular it has its own Facebook page. You can also chow down on a flawless burger that throws it back to Kantak’s bygone hamburger stand in The Churchill. So many of the dishes on this menu go their own way and leave a mark. Don’t miss the erudite cocktails, especially a selection of barrel-aged creations that go a few steps beyond the classics. Citizen Public House just celebrated 15 years of serving loyal fans, and this Scottsdale eatery remains a staple.

The Ends

7137 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
A relative newcomer to Old Town, The Ends made a great impression right out of the gate. Prior to opening, the owners teased that the new spot would be inspired by the late chef, world traveler and television personality Anthony Bourdain. In doing so, they set some lofty expectations for themselves. But the restaurant and its kitchen deliver. Pastas are handmade and tender, portions are generous, such as the massive eight-bone rack of lamb, and the ambiance fosters connection and conversation. There’s an element of Scottsdale’s extravagance, delivered with a heavy dose of fun. For example, the Bovine Tartare is less minced raw meat and more giant, Flintstone-style bone complete with sugar-crusted marrow. There’s a shareable plate simply called the Big Meatball, and for dessert, a play on a nostalgic banana split. The Ends is a little classy, a little fun and a lot delicious.

Fat Ox

6316 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Fat Ox, a modern, high-end restaurant that sits on the border between Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, is a destination spot that treats customers right. Servers, who don black-tie uniforms, provide little stools to put your purse on, heaven forbid it touch the floor or hang on the back of your chair. Wine is served from individual decanters. And there’s valet parking. All of this sets an expectation for excellence in the meal. A plate of fresh bread served first is an indication of what’s to come. Scallops, salmon and ribeye fill the entrees section of the menu, but be sure not to look past the handmade pastas. In the Rosso Creste di Gallo, the individual pieces of house-made pasta are a wine shade of purple and maintain a sturdy and satisfying bite. They are accompanied by duck sausage and brightened by huckleberry. The 25-layer lasagna is a showstopper. Just like the decor and drinks at this high-end restaurant, the food is fit for a special occasion.

FnB Restaurant

7125 E. Fifth Ave., #31, Scottsdale 
Though “seasonal” and “local” have become culinary buzzwords for many restaurants, Scottsdale’s FnB restaurant embodies the spirit of these movements. FnB also takes both to another level. James Beard Award-winning chef Charleen Badman turns simple, local produce into fare that’s at once comforting and novel. Drawing inspiration from international cuisine, she creates a menu that changes almost constantly but often includes dishes made with locally raised chicken and produce grown mere miles from the restaurant. The service is always friendly, and the restaurant’s wine list is filled with Arizona wines allowing diners to explore the state’s offerings.

Francine

4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale  
Travel to a beautiful, modern, French countryside mansion without leaving Scottsdale at Francine. This swanky, high-ceilinged spot, located at the luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square mall, is the perfect destination for a date night or a celebratory meal. Start with a cocktail and a plate of tuna tartare with figs and grapes or fresh hamachi crudo with cucumber and mint before diving into a tender rack of lamb or decadent lobster pasta. If a full dinner isn’t in your plans, grab a stool at the bar and watch as bartenders craft cocktails in gold shakers while you sip on a glass of wine or shot of espresso and people watch. This spot is both elegant and full of energy, making for an entertaining and delicious experience.

Hush Public House

14202 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Chef Dom Ruggiero has been busy over the past couple of years opening Fire at Will and the former Bar Cena. But his original spot stands the test of time. Hush Public House is a minimally decorated strip mall restaurant where the focus is on one thing, and one thing only: food brimming with flavor. Start your meal with Ruggiero’s most famous appetizer, an entire head of fried cauliflower. Next, move on to the Italian Beef with braised oxtail or the duck fried rice. Finish your meal with the Date Cake, a sticky toffee pudding by another name, for a decadent, bourbon-tinged treat.

Liquor Pig

7217 E. Fourth Ave., Scottsdale
There’s some debate about whether Liquor Pig is a restaurant or a bar. But the delicious food menu begs you to stay for dinner. Opened in Old Town in March 2025, the modern, warm space is filled with dark wood and leather. The extensive cocktail list offers creative tipples with illustrations and explanations, such as the “radiant, bright, crispy” Golden Hour margarita with ginger liqueur and apple and the Instagram-famous Spam Folder served in a Spam can and topped with a slice of the spiced ham. To eat, start with a bright ceviche or creamy burrata with tomatillo hummus before diving into some tender mafaldine with duck bolognese or decadent bone marrow poutine with foie gras gravy. Set just a little out of the way from the bustling Old Town streets, Liquor Pig is an in-the-know ideal for date night.

Pizzeria Virtù

6952 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Some of the best things about Old Town Scottsdale are chef Gio Osso’s pies, found at Pizzeria Virtù. More casual than its sibling restaurant Virtù Honest Craft, this small pizzeria resides inside a cozy bungalow with a patio in the yard. Start your meal with an exceptional burrata plate, before diving into the pizza. What sets these pies apart, other than outstanding toppings, is the crust. Thin and crispy in the center, with huge, fluffy walls that rise up to surround the sauce. Kisses of char from the wood-fired oven decorate the edges and beg you to dig in as soon as the plate hits the table. Bright salads complement the cheese-heavy entrees and an extensive all-Italian wine list washes it all down. Make sure to ask your server about the specials, a rotating list of excellent additional options made with seasonal ingredients.

Sizzle Korean Barbecue

3720 N. Scottsdale Road, #200, Scottsdale
You may be familiar with Korean barbecue, but it’s key to note that things are done a little differently at Sizzle. Yes, you can order assortments of raw meats, and yes, there is a little grill at the center of each table. But here, the servers do the cooking. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show as the servers expertly move around the space, simultaneously taking orders and bringing drinks while keeping an eye on which meats need to be flipped, doused in sauce or served. It is possible to order individual meats, but the best value – and the most fun option – is to order one of the sampler platters. Choose either pork or beef, and prepare for a meaty meal filled with different cuts and flavors. Each dish comes with banchan, or small veggie side dishes, along with salad and steamed egg. Pair it all with a fresh fruit-filled soju cocktail or imported Korean beer for a celebratory evening.