It’s difficult to have a bad meal in North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills, which brim with foodie haunts.
About this guide
The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. Price categories reflect average dinner entrée prices; drinks, tax and tip are extra.
Iconic Arizona Restaurant – IAR
Best New Restaurant – BNR
$=under $10 $$=$11-$15
$$$=$16-$25 $$$$=$26 and over
3 Fantastic French Spots in Scottsdale
Take a culinary tour of Paree right here in the Valley with this trio of French-inspired bistros.
1 Francine BNR
Brought to us by celebrity chef Laurent Halasz (Farmhouse, Fig & Olive), this light, airy spot, specializing in dishes from the South of France, is a beautiful place for beautiful people, and they show up in droves for grilled octopus, steak tartare, salade Niçoise, steak frites and duck à la Provençale. $$$
4710 N. Goldwater Blvd., 480-690-6180, francinerestaurant.com
2 Zinc Bistro
Big mirrors and soft lighting set the tone for this lively replica of a Parisian bistro, and chef Matt Carter’s food is always terrific. Try the onion soup, the mussels with pommes frites, and don’t miss the roasted chicken. $-$$$
15034 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-603-0922, zincbistroaz.com
3 The Mick Brasserie
There’s nothing fancy about The Mick, a Mid-Century Modern watering hole with a lovely French-inspired menu that’s all over the map — literally. Graze on char-siu pork belly banh mi sliders, Moroccan duck confit pastilla, chicken liver mousse, snails or (best of all) butternut squash tartine. $-$$
9719 N. Hayden Rd., 480-210-5500, themickaz.com
Andreoli Italian Grocer
italian
8880 E. Via Linda
480-614-1980, andreoli-grocer.com
Giovanni Scorzo (of Leccabaffi fame) is large and in charge at this comfy, antique-furnished market-restaurant, where he makes the sort of Italian food Italians want to eat: house-made salumi, focaccia, pizzetta and bresaola. $-$$$
The Americano
Italian/steakhouse
17797 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-573-0001, theamericanorestaurant.com
This sexy steakhouse speaks with an Italian accent, so imagine Wagyu meatballs and pappardelle with lamb as well as prime beef and a terrific burger. It wouldn’t be a hardship to hang out at the modern bar sipping excellent cocktails either. $$
Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille
southwestern
10885 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
480-314-0550, blueadobegrille.com
Red or green enchiladas? Get the Christmas stack at this New Mexico-style favorite, mingling mild green chile tang with zippy red chile on a tower of chicken and corn tortillas. Other location: Gilbert (480-306-8050). $$
Casa Mia
italian
11485 N. 136th St.
480-314-0365, casamiascottsdale.com
This family-run neighborhood restaurant is known for its authentic, modern Italian dishes. Try the excellent pasta, like the fusilli alla siciliana and the caserecce allo speck. Great antipasti and meat dishes, too. $$-$$$
Chez Vous
french
8787 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-443-2575, chezvous.restaurant
Choose from more than a dozen savory crêpes stuffed with indulgent ingredients like ham, caramelized onions and béchamel sauce. If crêpes aren’t your thing, go for a baguette sandwich or quiche. $$
Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge
contemporary american
524 N. 92nd St. (Casino Arizona)
480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com
No matter what happens at the gambling tables, you’re sure to hit the jackpot in this small, quiet restaurant run by a chef who honed his skills at Tarbell’s. $$-$$$
Corner Cafe
contemporary american
15215 N. Kierland Blvd. (Kierland Commons)
480-998-0202, chloescorneraz.com
This updated diner dishes up homey cookies, milkshakes and a great cup of coffee, plus sandwiches and salads that bear no resemblance to the humble counter food of the old days. $
Elements
Contemporary American
5700 E. McDonald Dr.
480-607-2300, sanctuaryoncamelback.com
Sleek design, comfy patios, quaffable margaritas and sunset views draw sweethearts and singles to this sexy Camelback Mountain retreat. Chef Beau MacMillan’s seasonal American menu has an Asian spin, and the results can be really wonderful. $$$-$$$$
Fat Ox
american/contempary
6316 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-307-6900, ilovefatox.com
Modern Italian food in an absolutely gorgeous setting. Expect an amaro-focused cocktail list and some truly exquisite pasta dishes, like tortellini filled with ricotta, drizzled with honey, strewn with pea tendrils and accented with fermented cranberry. $$$-$$$$
Hearth ’61
MODERN AMERICAN
5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley
480-624-5400, mountainshadows.com
Housed in the resurrected Mountain Shadows Resort, casual but elegant Hearth does a splendid job of turning out modern American classics with surprising little twists. Try ahi tartare, shrimp gazpacho, short rib agnolotti, Moroccan-spiced lamb or bread pudding, and you’ll get the delicious drift. $$-$$$$
Humble Pie
pizza
6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-556-9900, humblepieusa.com
This urban, casual pizza place serves wood-fired pies topped with local, farm-fresh ingredients. We love the egg, prosciutto and smoked mozzarella pie and the veggie salad. Multiple locations. $$
LAMP Wood Oven Pizzeria
pizza
8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
480-292-8773, lamppizza.com
Lindsay and Matt Pilato (LAMP, get it?) turn out some of the best wood-fired pies in the Valley, and like Chris Bianco (the pizza god himself), they’ve got the crust down: light but substantial, with a little chew. Nobody in town offers more toppings or combos – 19 red, eight white – all of them inspired. $$
Local Bistro
ITALIAN
20581 N. Hayden Rd.
480-302-6050, localbistroaz.com
Seasonal, chef-driven fare sparkles at this chic Italian eatery. Wood-fired pizzas and premium steaks hold court with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. $$-$$$
Nick’s
Italian
13910 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
480-314-9445, nicks-italian.com
Nick’s serves more than 28 pasta dishes and pizzas. Other locations: Pinnacle Peak (480-515-0096), Paradise Valley (602-953-1110). $$
North Italia
ITALIAN
15024 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-948-2055, northitaliarestaurant.com
Rustic Italian food in a snug New York loft setting. Try the whole roasted bass with Tuscan kale or the prosciutto and melon pizza. Other location: Phoenix (602-324-5600). $$
Parma Italian Roots
CALIFORNIA-ITALIAN
20831 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-292-9900, parmaitalianaz.com
This pretty West Coast-inspired Italian import from San Diego serves up right-priced snacks and small plates, including oven-baked bread, crispy Brussels sprouts, wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. $$
Press Coffee Roasters Coffee – PM Coffee Shop Rec
15147 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-718-9762, presscoffee.com
The Valley’s fastest-growing coffee empire is anchored by top-quality beans, roasted to perfection and brewed into everything from cortados to cold brew. Bring home a bag of Pura Vida, a collaboration with the Phoenix Zoo and Finca Las Alturas, Costa Rica. $
Slanted Rice
vietnamese
6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-696-3116, slantedrice.com
Americanized Vietnamese food in a chic setting. Shaken beef goes upscale with filet mignon on a sizzling platter with caramelized onions and jasmine rice. $-$$
Soi 4
thai
8787 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-778-1999, soifour.com
This modern eatery serves nuanced Thai cuisine. You’ll find gourmet versions of the classics, plus ingenious vegetarian entrées and creative carniverous delights. $$-$$$
Sol Cocina
MEXICAN
15323 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-245-6708, solcocina.com
Sufferers of fajita fatigue: try this upscale Mexican restaurant in the Scottsdale Quarter, where one will find such charged-up Baja delights as crispy “canarditas” duck tacos. $$-$$$
SumoMaya
ASIAN-MEXICAN FUSION
6560 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-397-9520, sumomaya.com
SumoMaya lives up to the cultural seesaw of its name with fine fusion cuisine that deftly marries the flavors of Mexico and Asia. Favorites include jalapeño-guacamole rolls, spicy Mexican pho and crispy rock shrimp that’s more picnic salad than bento box. $$-$$$$
Twisted Grove Parlor + Bar
New AMERICAN
8220 N. Hayden Rd.
480-699-0811, twistedgrove.com
This McCormick Ranch haunt from chef Christopher Collins features elevated American fare, including primo crabcakes and Brussels sprouts. Come for Twisted Hour for bargain prime rib sliders and salmon poke. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
3 Restaurants with Terrific Views
Fantastic food with a side of sweeping Valley views are on deck at these sky-high Scottsdale haunts.
1 Cielo
“Cielo” is Spanish for “sky,” something you’ll see a lot of on the restaurant’s expansive patio, which offers views of the McDowell Mountains and Four Peaks. $$$
13225 N. Eagle Ridge Dr., 480-333-1900, aderoscottsdale.com
2 J&G Steakhouse
Swanky steakhouse vibes meet gorgeous desert views at this ritzy refuge at The Phoenician. Must-order dish: the 30-oz. Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye. $$$
6000 E. Camelback Rd., 480-214-8000, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com
3 Outrider Rooftop Lounge
Sunset is the perfect time to perch on the rooftop bar and restaurant at Scottsdale’s Canopy by Hilton for panoramic views of Camelback Mountain, light bites and seasonal cocktails. $$
7142 E. First St., 480-590-3864, outriderrooftop.com
