About this guide
The restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest that you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. We also ask readers to send us complaints in writing when one of the listed restaurants fails to meet expectations. Please note that, unless otherwise indicated, the listed restaurants offer free parking and recommend reservations for peak hours and large groups. Price categories reflect average dinner entrée prices; drinks, tax and tip are extra.
$=under $10
$$=$11-$15
$$$=$16-$25
$$$$=$26 and over
Arboleda
Mediterranean
15345 N Scottsdale Rd.,
480-701-1007, arboledaaz.com
Launched by the hospitality group behind San Francisco-based Town Hall, Arboleda boasts a delectable assortment of jamon plates, pop ’em-until-you-die Iberian ham croquettes and a shockingly tender orange-and-thyme-candied pork shoulder steak. $$$
The Breakfast Club
American
4400 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-222-2582, breakfastclub.us
Wake up and smell the coffee. This sunny, upscale spot serves breakfast all day, and the choices are awesome. Try the huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict (in all of its delicious versions) and the bananas Foster pancakes. Other locations: Downtown Phoenix (602-354-7284), Biltmore (602-661-3443). $-$$
Café Monarch
New American
6939 E. First Ave.
480-970-7682, cafemonarch.com
Feeling flush? You’ll need to be to partake of a scrumptious four-course prix fixe dinner at this elegant fine dining restaurant, where the atmosphere is quiet, the wine list is deep and every server and sommelier is ultra-attentive. Meal prices range from $80-$140-plus. Opt for the $90-per-person wine pairings to make any occasion extra special. $$$-$$$$
Call Her Martina
Modern Mexican
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-687-8592, callhermartina.com
This wedding-day-white restaurant serves contemporary Mexican cuisine with an interesting twist. The Ceviche in the Dark is a smoky, savory rendition of the dish; scoop it all up with blue corn tortilla chips. During daily brunch service, try chilaquiles or pan de elote for a change of pace. Be wary of the paloma cocktail, made so sweet sugar-averse palates might turn away. $$$
Chula Seafood
Seafood
8015 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
480-621-5121, chulaseafood.com
Don’t be turned off by the run-down strip mall that houses this cute, clean-as-a-whistle seafood market and restaurant specializing in fish caught off the Southern California coast. The Heflin family own and operate the restaurant as well as a commercial fishing boat in San Diego, offering fresh, never-frozen “boat-to-table” seafood in a variety of delicious permutations. The poke bowls and smoked fish sandwiches are crazy-good. Other locations: North Scottsdale & Phoenix (602-354-3599). $$
Daily Dose Kitchen & Bar
American
4020 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-994-3673, dailydosegrill.com
Lunch and dinner sing, but it’s the decadent breakfasts you’ll crave here. Highlights include eggs Benedict; top sirloin and crimini omelet; and the Hangover breakfast sandwich. Other locations: Midtown Phoenix (602-274-0334), Tempe (480-590-6937). $-$$
El Chorro
American
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
480-948-5170, elchorro.com
A Valley touchstone for generations, El Chorro offers a peerless patio and welcoming dining room. The core of the old menu remains, with an emphasis on such mid-20th-century favorites as shrimp cocktail, beef Stroganoff, trout almondine and sticky buns. $$$$
Fratelli la Bufala
Italian
7300 N. Via Paseo Del Sur
480-687-7784. flbofarizona.com
This Naples-based chain of pizzerias is the second location in the U.S. Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza and mozzarella are the menu’s mainstays. But there’s a richer, tangier version made from water buffalo milk. $$-$$$
Hai Noon
Japanese
7017 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale
480-306-4023, hainoonaz.com
The man in charge of this laid-back, dimly lit bar-cum-restaurant is none other than 2007 James Beard Award winner Nobuo Fukuda, back on the scene with his celebrated brand of modernistic Japanese cuisine after a two-year hiatus. Embedded in Old Town’s Sonder the Monarch Hotel, he’s conjured a tapas-style menu that’s effortlessly modern and remarkably affordable. Graze on baked eggplant with bacon miso or a softshell crab sandwich on stellar house-made focaccia while drinking premium sake, fine wine or Japanese-inspired cocktails. $$
The House Brasserie
New American
6936 E. Main St.
480-634-1600, thehousebrasserie.com
Start your culinary world tour with beef tartare or ginger shishito peppers paired with hand-crafted cocktails, then dig into a jerk Berkshire pork chop or an heirloom cauliflower steak. $$$
J&G Steakhouse
Steak
6000 E. Camelback Rd. (The Phoenician)
480-214-8000, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com
J&G serves stellar steak and seafood in a setting with custom-made furniture, private dining areas and sweeping desert vistas viewable through floor-to-ceiling windows. $$$$
Jewel of the Crown
Indian
7373 E. Scottsdale Mall
480-949-8000, jewelofthecrown.net
Small but pretty, this jewel can really sparkle, thanks to its beautiful setting and authentic food. Try the excellent curries, vindaloos and vegetable dishes with a side order of garlic naan. $-$$
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
Soul Food
3133 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-945-1920, loloschickenandwaffles.com
Ensconced in spacious digs in Scottsdale, Lo-Lo’s is the friendliest and hippest place for soul food in the Valley. The fried chicken and waffles (so good together) are outstanding, but so are the greens, mac and cheese, cornbread and red velvet cake. Other locations: Phoenix (602-340-1304), Gilbert (480-207-6173), Phoenix Sky Harbor (602-273-3300). $
LON’s at The Hermosa Inn
American/Southwestern
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley
602-955-7878, hermosainn.com
Thanks to its territorial decor and fabulous patios, LON’s is a romantic favorite that oozes Old Arizona charm. The chefs source locally for their Southwestern-inflected menu, from Crow’s Dairy goat cheese to Noble Bread. $$$
The Mission
Latin
3815 N. Brown Ave.
480-636-5005, themissionaz.com
This swanky Latin-style lounge serves up mouth-watering meals and exotic cocktails, all in a quaint adobe-style setting. Start with the tableside guacamole. Sip on a pineapple-ginger mojito. Savor the short rib steak, but save room for the fried bananas. Other location: North Scottsdale (480-292-7800). $$-$$$
Night Owl
American
1645 N Hayden Rd.
480-687-1827, nightowlaz.com
This Midwestern basement-inspired pizza bar is destined for success, with pinball machines, mid-century lamps and family portraits on the walls. The wings are on-point, each with a perfect combination of crispness, meat and salt. $$
Original Gyros Express
Greek
7132 E. Becker Ln.
480-483-0300, originalgyrosexpress.com
It’s casual “fast-food” Greek: souvlaki, Grecian chicken and one of the best gyros around. Order from the counter for dine-in or takeout. $
Pescada
Seafood
20707 N. Pima Rd.
480-590-5735, pescadascottsdale.com
This Mediterranean seafood spot is a charmer, with wall-to-wall mirrors, glittering chandeliers and cozy table lamps. Enjoy the indoor-outdoor bar for various versions of a gin and tonic, excellent Italian wines and a plethora of ocean delicacies. $$$
Roka Akor
Steak/Sushi
7299 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-306-8800, rokaakor.com
The open charcoal-fire robata grill anchors this chic international superstar of Asian fine dining. Robatayaki (a grilling technique of Japanese fishermen) inspires a menu featuring sushi, salads and grilled entrées. $$$
Sol Cocina
Modern Mexican
15323 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Scottsdale Quarter)
480-245-6708, solcocina.com
For sufferers of fajita fatigue, we suggest this upscale Scottsdale Quarter eatery where you’ll find such charged-up Baja delights as elote tortas and deliciously crispy “cucarachas” shrimp tacos. With a California-centric wine list and accomplished bar program, it’s also a great happy hour haunt. $$-$$$
Tapas Papa Frita
Spanish
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-699-5004, tapaspapafrita.com
Sitting on the attractive patio along the bank of the Arizona canal sipping a Spanish red is a lovely way to spend an evening. Order tapas of marinated Manchego cheese, share a well-crafted paella Valenciana or cut into a Basque-style sausage, then finish strong with burnt sugar-topped crema Catalana. $$-$$$.
Zinc Bistro
French
15034 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Kierland Commons)
480-603-0922, zincbistroaz.com
Big mirrors and soft lighting set the tone for this lively replica of a Parisian bistro, and Matt Carter’s food is always terrific. Try the onion soup or mussels with pommes frites, and don’t miss the roasted chicken. $-$$$
