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. $$$
Bourbon & Bones
Steakhouse
4200 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
480-629-4922, bourbonandbonesaz.com
This hip, good-looking chophouse specializing in premium bourbons and wet- and dry-aged steaks is anything but buttoned-up, but don’t let the cool music, creative cocktails and lively vibe fool you – you’ll pay top-dollar for the bone-in filets and center-cut rib-eyes. Then again, if you’re a scenester, you may love every minute of it – the bar at happy hour is a very good place to be. Other location: San Tan (480-597-9459). $$$-$$$$
Fellow Osteria
Modern Italian
1455 N. Scottsdale Rd. (SkySong), Scottsdale
480-207-1864, fellowosteria.com
Brought to you by Nick Campisano and Josh James of Clever Koi and Across the Pond, this airy, light-filled osteria specializes in Americanized modern Italian cuisine, including pasta and pizza, but excels in a handful of random dishes such as a kale salad, a chicken Milanese sandwich and knock-your-calzini-off calamari fritti. $$-$$$
Atlas Bistro
New American
2515 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-2433, atlasbistrobyob.com
This tiny BYOB feels cozy and a little quirky, thanks to an eclectic menu and wine-geek servers with personality. The Southwestern-edged menu changes frequently, but always includes red meat, seafood and vegetarian options. $$$
Blue Agave Mexican Cantina
Mexican
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
480-419-6375, blueagavemexicancantina.com
The best reason to visit this contemporary Mexican eatery is for specialties such as the chile relleno, the ultimate chimichanga and carne asada – served as a plate with rice, beans and tortillas, or on top of a Mexican pizza. $$
Call Her Martina
Modern mexican
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-687-8592, callhermartina.com
This Modern Mexican restaurant serves contemporary cuisine with an interesting twist. The Ceviche in the Dark is a smoky, savory rendition of the dish; scoop it all up with blue corn tortilla chips. During daily brunch service, try chilaquiles or pan de elote for a change of brunch-pace. Be wary of their Paloma cocktail, made so sweet sugar-averse palates would turn away from this. $$$
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. $$$$
El Chorro
American
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
480-948-5170, elchorro.com
A Valley touchstone for generations, El Chorro offers a peerless patio and welcoming dining room. The core of the old menu remains, with an emphasis on such mid-20th-century favorites as shrimp cocktail, beef Stroganoff, trout almondine, wine-braised short ribs and delicious sticky buns. $$$$
Farm & Craft
Healthy
4302 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-568-8980, ilovefarmandcraft.com
No matter your special diet – gluten-free, keto, Paleo, vegan – you’ll find something at this bright and bubbly eatery. Kombucha cocktails and grain bowls are a microcosm of its offerings. $-$$
Hai Noon
Japanese
7017 E. McDowell Rd.
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. $$
J.T. Prime
Steakhouse
4216 N. Brown Ave.
480-597-5864, jtprimekitchen.com
This dark, moody Old Town hideaway is – surprise! – a steakhouse. Don’t be deceived by the branding: the beef carpaccio, dressed with truffle oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano and capers, holds a symphony of salt and umami and the rich Caesar salad can be served as half or full with sun-dried tomatoes. $$$-$$$$
Nick’s
Italian
13910 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
480-314-9445, nicks-italian.com
A longtime neighborhood favorite, this friendly north Scottsdale Italian spot serves more than 28 homemade pasta dishes and pizzas, as well as an extensive selection of chicken, veal and seafood. Finish with the tiramisu or chocolate chip cannoli. Other locations: Pinnacle Peak (480-515-0096), Paradise Valley (602-953-1110). $$
Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
Pizza
3102 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-970-1860, oreganos.com
At these insanely popular Italian dining spots, people come for the wings, a wide selection of unusual, palate-pleasing pastas and superlatively tasty Chicago-style pizzas – both thin-crust and stuffed. Multiple Valleywide locations. $$
Pitch
Modern American
6350 E. Thomas Rd.
480-272-7500, pitchpizzeria.com
Those who wish to partake of the locally fleeting pleasure of dining al fresco should appreciate this pizza-centric gastropub, which has an expansive courtyard patio with a commanding view of the Papago Buttes beyond. The food is even better than the view. Try the short ribs, with braised carrots, Brussels sprouts and veal. $-$$
Rockefeller
American/Seafood
8260 N. Hayden Rd.
480-687-3757, rockefellerscottsdale.com
This seafood-focused Scottsdale restaurant cashes in with great oysters and a mystifying Roaring ’20s vibe. Caged gold bars and mirrored ceilings reflect the fancy cocktails while oysters Rockefeller and other mouthwatering meals hit the table. Menu highlights include mussels with chorizo, and prime filet. $$$
Sel
Modern fine dining
7044 E. Main St.
480-949-6296, selrestaurant.com
Within the framework of a four-course prix fixe meal, Food Network veteran Branden Levine offers a repertory company of ingredients and styles, shifting into different roles every couple of weeks in this small, quietly chic Old Town Scottsdale restaurant. Outstanding regular entrées include filet and halibut, but the purées and reductions with which Levine presents them are recombined with seemingly infinite variety. $$-$$$
Talavera
Spanish steakhouse
10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr. (Four Seasons Scottsdale)
480-513-5085, talaverarestaurant.com
With its covered, second-story patio overlooking the desert and recently refreshed dining room, this beautiful hotel restaurant transcends the genre, offering spectacularly good Spanish cuisine, including crudo, tapas, steaks and dreamy, Latin-inspired desserts. $$$$
Veneto Trattoria
Italian
6137 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-948-9928, venetotrattoria.com
A charming restaurant featuring the specialties of Venice. Try the baccala Mantecato (mousse-like cod served with grilled polenta), the veal and the risotto with seafood. $$-$$$
Zinqué
French/California
4712 N Goldwater Blvd.
623-745-9616, lezinque.com
Paris meets SoCal at this upscale bistro, café and wine bar located in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s ever-evolving luxury wing. Find French fare such as tartines, charcuterie and ratatouille, and consider a splurge on the grilled whole branzino with chimichurri. $-$$
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
