Atlas Bistro
New American
2515 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-2433, atlasbistrobyob.com
This tiny BYOB feels cozy and a little quirky, thanks to an eclectic menu and wine-geek servers with personality. The Southwestern-edged menu changes frequently, but always includes red meat, seafood and vegetarian options. $$$
Barrio Queen
Mexican
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-656-4197, barrioqueen.com
Gourmet Mexican food is on la mesa at this Old Town Scottsdale hot spot. Don’t miss the elote, lime-tinged sweet corn swathed in spicy mayo, or fresh guacamole sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Multiple locations. $-$$$
Casa Mia
Italian
11675 N. 136th St.
480-314-0365, casamiascottsdale.com
This family-run neighborhood restaurant has been in the Valley for many years serving authentic, modern Italian dishes. Try the excellent pasta, from fusilli and linguine to paccheri and trofie. Great antipasti and meat dishes, too, and don’t forget the decadent dessert of the day. $$-$$$
Dominick’s
Steak
15169 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Scottsdale Quarter)
480-272-7271, dominickssteakhouse.com
The Mastro family, who created Mastro’s steakhouses and Mastro’s Ocean Club, spent millions constructing this lavish temple to beef at Scottsdale Quarter. Try the succulent bone-in veal chop. $$$$
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Seafood/Steak
15323 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Scottsdale Quarter)
480-730-4800, eddiev.com
Inspired by classic seafood restaurants in New Orleans, San Francisco and Boston, Eddie’s has the masculine good looks of a steakhouse but concentrates on seafood, which is flown in from around the world. $$$
Fire at Will
Modern American
4912 E. Shea Blvd.
480-207-1819, eatfireatwill.com
Dom and Holly Ruggiero bring sex appeal to this classy neighborhood restaurant, offering great cocktails to go with elevated comfort food dishes such as lamb tartare, Scotch egg and one of the city’s best burgers. $$
Hearth ’61
Modern American
5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley (Mountain Shadows Resort)
480-624-5400, mountainshadows.com
Housed in the resurrected Mountain Shadows Resort, casual but elegant Hearth does a splendid job of turning out modern American classics with surprising little twists. Try the ahi tartare, artisanal flatbreads, sweet potato agnolotti, mustard-crusted salmon or a seasonal dessert. $$-$$$$
June House
Chinese
6245 E. Bell Rd.
480-219-9848, junehousekitchen.com
This to-go-oriented spot offers a mash-up of Asian favorites, from Americanized orange chicken to pad Thai. The wrinkle is a winning emphasis on Cantonese dim sum dishes, like shumai: plump orbs of umami, the sausage-like pork insides snapping your senses to attention with green onion and ginger. $$
Los Sombreros
Mexican
2534 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-994-1799, lossombreros.com
Small on space but big on charm, this crowd-pleaser specializes in regional Mexican food, offering mole poblano, gorditas, chilaquiles, lamb adobo and other specialties. Other location: Mesa (480-534-6742). $-$$
Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse
Steak
6991 E. Camelback Rd.
480-941-4700, mastrosrestaurants.com
Steaks and chops are the stars at this swanky eatery, from a zippy 16-ounce New York pepper steak to succulent rack of lamb to juicy herb-roasted chicken. An extensive drink and dessert list includes an abundant wine selection and Mastro’s signature warm butter cake. $$$-$$$$
North Italia
Italian
15024 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Kierland Commons)
480-948-2055, northitaliarestaurant.com
Hungry for a snug New York loft setting, rustic Italian food given a modern spin and a great glass of wine? Go North. And when you get there, try the prosciutto and fig pizza. Other locations: Phoenix (602-324-5600), Gilbert (480-256-8978). $$
Original Pancake House
American
6840 E. Camelback Rd.
480-946-4902, originalpancakehouse.com
Most people come for the pancakes, prepared in every possible permutation. But waffles, crêpes and egg dishes are worth getting up for, too. No credit cards. $
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen
Italian
7325 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
480-990-2212, picazzos.com
A 100 percent gluten-free menu makes this local Italian chain special. Feast on scratch-made focaccia, lasagna Bolognese, stone-oven-baked pizzas and tiramisu. A large vegan menu provides even more accessibility. Multiple locations. $-$$
Roka Akor
STEAK/SUSHI
7299 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-306-8800, rokaakor.com
The open charcoal-fire robata grill anchors this chic international superstar of Asian fine dining. Robatayaki (a grilling technique of Japanese fishermen) inspires a menu featuring sushi, salads and grilled entrées. $$$
Salt Cellar Restaurant
Seafood
550 N. Hayden Rd.
480-947-1963, saltcellarrestaurant.com
Nobody’s put off by the dated decor of this perennially popular underground seafood joint. Lots of excellent fresh catches and great happy-hour bargins on seafood appetizers. $$-$$$
Tottie’s Asian Fusion 2
Pan-Asian
6204 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-998-8220, tottiesasianfusion.com
Elegantly decorated with treasures from the owner’s country of origin, Laos, and other Asian nations, Tottie’s serves the best of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Owner Tottie Kaya ensures that everything is fresh and delicious by personally grocery shopping and assisting in the kitchen. Other location: Scottsdale (480-970-0633). $$
Virtù Honest Craft
Mediterranean
3701 N. Marshall Way
480-946-3477, virtuscottsdale.com
Virtù offers an ever-evolving Mediterranean menu at the charming Bespoke Inn in Old Town Scottsdale. Head straight for the signature charred octopus and wash it down with one of the restaurant’s handcrafted cocktails. $$-$$$
Zinqué
FRENCH/CALIFORNIA
4712 N Goldwater Blvd.
623-745-9616, lezinque.com
Paris meets SoCal at this upscale bistro, café and wine bar located in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s ever-evolving luxury wing. Find French fare such as tartines, charcuterie and ratatouille, and consider a splurge on the grilled whole branzino with chimichurri. $-$$
Cornish Pasty Co.
British/Cornish
3800 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale
480-945-1220, cornishpastyco.com
Everything is better when it’s encased in flaky pastry dough, right? That’s the prevailing philosophy behind Cornish Pasty Co., which churns out tender, buttery pasties (pronounced pass-tees), aka gourmet Hot Pockets, stuffed with everything imaginable, from the traditional (meat and cheese, bangers and mash, lamb and mint) to the unorthodox (chicken tikka masala, spicy asiago chicken, Mexican steak with Hatch green chile). There are also vegan and gluten-free versions.
Multiple locations. $-$$
Arboleda
Mediterranean
15345 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
480-701-1007, arboledaaz.com
A wholly original concept launched by the hospitality group behind San Francisco-based Southern cuisine legend Town Hall, Arboleda boasts a delectable assortment of jamón plates, pop-‘em-until-you-die Iberian ham croquettes and a shockingly tender orange-and-thyme-candied pork shoulder steak. Fine swine isn’t the only magic conjured at Arboleda – you’ll also find pleasant wisps of molecular gastronomy and a filet mignon trio done in scrumptious roulades with truffled potato. $$$
