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
$$$$=$26 and over
Arboleda
Mediterranean
15345 N Scottsdale Rd.,
480-701-1007, arboledaaz.com
Arboleda boasts a delectable assortment of jamón plates, poppable Iberian ham croquettes and a shockingly tender orange- an thyme-candied pork shoulder steak. Fine swine isn’t the only magic conjured at Arboleda – you’ll also find pleasant wisps of molecular gastronomy and a filet mignon trio done in scrumptious roulades with truffled potatoes. $$$
Bourbon Steak
Steak/Seafood
7575 E. Princess Dr.
(Fairmont Scottsdale Princess)
480-513-6002, scottsdaleprincess.com/dining/bourbon-steak
Michelin-starred, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina runs this upscale resort steakhouse with sleek design elements. Expect buttery, lick-the-plate steaks like the imported Grade A5 Japanese Wagyu. Mina’s signature lobster pot pie makes for a show-stopping presentation. $$$$
Call Her Martina
Modern Mexican
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-687-8592, callhermartina.com
This Modern Mexican restaurant serves contemporary cuisine with an interesting twist. The Ceviche in the Dark is a smoky, savory rendition of the dish; scoop it all up with blue corn tortilla chips. During daily brunch service, try chilaquiles or pan de elote for a change of brunch-pace. $$$
DeFalco’s Italian Grocery
Italian
2334 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-8660, defalcosdeli.com
A great place to grab a fat Italian sandwich or the fixings to make Italian specialties at home. Takeout entrées include sturdy lasagna and eggplant Parmesan. $
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 mid-20th-century favorites like beef Stroganoff and trout almondine. $$$$
Bourbon & Bones
Steakhouse
4200 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
480-629-4922, bourbonandbonesaz.com
This hip, good-looking chophouse specializing in premium bourbons and wet- and dry-aged steaks is anything but buttoned-up, but don’t let the cool music, creative cocktails and lively vibe fool you – you’ll pay top-dollar for the bone-in filets and center-cut rib-eyes. Then again, if you’re a scenester, you may love every minute of it – the bar at happy hour is a very good place to be. Other locations: SanTan Village & Peoria. $$$-$$$$
Fat Ox
Modern Italian
6316 N. Scottsdale Rd. (Lincoln Plaza)
480-307-6900, ilovefatox.com
Named for a cattle-centric food festival in Italy, Fat Ox offers modern Italian food in an absolutely gorgeous setting. Expect an expansive, amaro-focused cocktail list and some truly exquisite pasta dishes. $$$-$$$$
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Italian
4000 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-994-1100, grimaldispizzeria.com
This New York-style pizzeria serves terrific thin-crust pies, calzones, antipasto and New York cheesecake. Thanks to the colossal charcoal-fired ovens they’re baked in, the pizzas sport crisp, blistered crusts and a slightly charred flavor. Multiple locations. $-$$
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. He’s conjured up a tapas-style menu that’s effortlessly modern and remarkably affordable. $$
Jade Palace
Chinese
9160 E. Shea Blvd.
480-391-0607, jadepalacescottsdale.com
This classily under-lit restaurant offers a wide variety of Cantonese dishes. With popular entrées such as crispy orange beef and Double Dragon, a specialty shrimp dish, it makes for one of the Valley’s best Chinese cuisine destinations. Other location: North Scottsdale (480-585-6630). $$-$$$
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse
Steak/sushi/Teppanyaki
14344 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-607-1114, kasaiteppan.com
The Asian-inspired north Scottsdale hot spot formerly known as Sapporo offers dozens of sashimi and sushi rolls, terrific teppanyaki and plenty of Pacific Rim dishes. $$-$$$ (2nd location is in Peoria)
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
Soul Food
3133 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-945-1920, loloschickenandwaffles.com
Ensconced in spacious digs in Scottsdale, Lo-Lo’s is the friendliest and hippest place for soul food in the Valley. The fried chicken and waffles (so good together) are outstanding, but so are the greens, mac and cheese, cornbread and red velvet cake. Other locations: Phoenix (602-340-1304), Gilbert (480-207-6173), Phoenix Sky Harbor (602-273-3300). $
Maple & Ash
Steakhouse
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
480-400-8888, mapleandash.com
Scottsdale scenesters love this gorgeous steakhouse, a stylish Chicago transplant offering caviar, an oven-roasted seafood tower and tons of steak, including a 40-ounce porterhouse that will set you back $225. Bring a credit card with lots of room on it; this quintessential Scottsdale experience is expensive. $$$$
Night Owl
American
1645 N Hayden Rd.
480-687-1827, nightowlaz.com
This Midwestern basement-inspired pizza bar seems destined for success, with pinball machines, mid-century lamps and family portraits on the walls. The wings are on-point, each with a perfect combination of crispness, meat and salt. $$
Ocean 44
Seafood/steaks
4748 N. Goldwater Blvd.
480-867-0044, ocean44.com
Brought to you by the Mastro family of upscale steakhouse fame, this swanky seafood restaurant is the hottest game in town for good reason: gorgeous décor, impeccable service, good booze, great steaks and lots of seafood. $$$-$$$$
Prado
Spanish
4949 E. Lincoln Dr. (Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia)
480-627-3004, omnihotels.com
The signature restaurant at the lavish Montelucia offers spins on Spanish classics like vegetarian paella, Rioja-braised short ribs and vieria del mar. $$$$
Ra Sushi
Sushi
3815 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-9256, rasushi.com
Although these sexy-looking sushi bars possess traditional Japanese design elements, their menus and outlook are strictly modern. Besides sushi, there’s a full menu of Japanese and Japanese-inspired dishes. Check online for other locations. $$$
Slanted Rice
Vietnamese
6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-696-3116, slantedrice.com
The sister restaurant to the Tran family’s Rice Paper in Phoenix, Slanted Rice also serves Vietnamese food in a chic neighborhood restaurant setting. Sweet pork and crisp veggies are encased in the Trans’ signature spring rolls, while shaking beef goes upscale with soy-marinated filet mignon. $-$$
Toca Madera
Modern Mexican
4736 N. Goldwater Blvd.
480-478-0157, tocamadera.com
Located in Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing, this dazzling Modern Mexican eatery, a West Hollywood import, offers reinvented Mexican food, much of it organic, vegetarian or vegan. Plan to spend astronomical sums for fried calamari, sashimi Mexicano and American Wagyu cooked on a hot rock. $$$-$$$$
Uncle Sal’s
Italian
3370 N. Hayden Rd.
480-990-2533, unclesalsaz.com
This family-owned resto serves East Coast Italian food with flair, pairing dishes like veal marsala, zuppa de pesce and chicken parmigiana with an award-winning wine list and custom cocktails. $$
Wildflower
Deli/Sandwiches
15640 N. Hayden Rd.
480-991-5180, wildflowerbread.com
This cheery bakery/cafe specializes in European hearth breads in a variety of sizes, shapes and flavors. The place is justifiably famous for its sandwiches, soups and baked goods as well. Multiple Valley locations. $-$$
Zinqué
French/California
4712 N Goldwater Blvd.
623-745-9616, lezinque.com
Paris meets SoCal at this upscale bistro, café and wine bar. Find French fare such as tartines, charcuterie and ratatouille, and consider a splurge on the grilled whole branzino with chimichurri. $-$$
