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 | $$$$=$26 and over
The Americano
Italian steakhouse
17797 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-573-0001, theamericanorestaurant.com
This sexy steakhouse speaks with an Italian accent, so imagine tagliatelle Bolognese as well as prime beef and a terrific roasted half chicken. It wouldn’t be a hardship to hang out at the modern bar sipping excellent cocktails either. $$-$$$
Beginner’s Luck
Modern American
7240 E. Main St.
480-571-0416, beginnersluckaz.com
Chef Bernie Kantak and his partner Andrew Fritz (founders of Citizen Public House and The Gladly) have opened this small, infinitely charming all-day restaurant in Old Town, and it’s quickly become a neighborhood go-to as well as a lucky stop for tourists. You can’t go wrong with anything here, but breakfast is strong (don’t miss the kolache, the French toast, the mesquite date nut bread or the Lucky 7 cereal bowl).$$
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, based on the entrée chosen, range from $80-$140+. If you’re really going all out, opt for the $90-per-person wine pairings, which can make a special occasion really special. $$$-$$$$
DeFalco’s Italian Grocery
Italian
2334 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-990-8660, defalcosdeli.com
A great place to grab a fat Italian sandwich or the fixings to make Italian specialties at home. Sturdy takeout entrées include lasagna and eggplant Parmesan. $
El Chorro
American
5550 E. Lincoln Dr.
480-948-5170, elchorro.com
A Valley touchstone for generations, El Chorro offers a peerless patio and welcoming dining room. The core of the old menu remains, with an emphasis on such mid-20th-century favorites as shrimp cocktail, beef Stroganoff, trout almondine, wine-braised short ribs and delicious sticky buns. $$$$
The House Brasserie
new American
6936 E. Main St.
480-634-1600, thehousebrasserie.com
Start your culinary world tour with beef tartare or shishito peppers paired with hand-crafted cocktails, then dig into a jerk Berkshire pork chop or an heirloom cauliflower steak. $$$
Maple & Ash
steakhouse
7135 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale
480-400-8888, mapleandash.com
Scottsdale scenesters love this gorgeous steakhouse, a stylish Chicago transplant offering caviar, an oven-roasted seafood tower and tons (literally) 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. $$$$
Jade Palace
chinese
9160 E. Shea Blvd.
480-391-0607, jadepalacescottsdale.com
This upscale, classily under-lit restaurant offers a wide variety of Cantonese dishes ranging from duck to pork to vegetarian. With popular entrées such as crispy orange beef and Double Dragon, a specialty shrimp dish, it makes for one of the Valley’s few Chinese cuisine destinations. Other location: North Scottsdale (480-585-6630). $$-$$$
Kyoto Scottsdale
Japanese
7170 E. Stetson Dr.,
480-990-9374, kyotoscottsdale.com
By 6 p.m. most nights, this sushi bar and teppanyaki restaurant is slammed with 20-somethings, who party their way through dinner before hitting the clubs. High turnover equals fresh fish. $$
Los Olivos Mexican Patio
Mexican
7328 E. Second St.
480-946-2256, losolivosrestaurants.com
This local landmark has been serving up good old-fashioned Mexican food for years. Great enchiladas, green corn tamales and steak picado, as well as fabulous house-made tortillas and the best cheese crisp in town. $-$$
Mastro’s City Hall Steakhouse
Steak
6991 E. Camelback Rd.
480-941-4700, mastrosrestaurants.com
Steaks and chops are the stars at this swanky eatery, from a zippy 16-ounce New York pepper steak to succulent rack of lamb to juicy herb-roasted chicken. An extensive drink and dessert list includes an abundant wine selection and Mastro’s signature warm butter cake. $$$-$$$$
Night Owl
American
1645 N Hayden Rd.
480-687-1827, nightowlaz.com
This Midwestern basement-inspired pizza bar seems destined for success, with pinball machines, mid-century lamps and family portraits on the walls. The wings are on-point, each with a perfect combination of crispness, meat and salt. You can score here with a $10 lunch special with pairings of baked chicken wings and a slice of pizza as well as $6 “bell-ringers,” known to everyone else as shooters. $$
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. $
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. Try house-made focaccia with a creamy cod pâté, truffle butter and mixed olives. $$$
Roaring Fork
Contemporary American
4800 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-947-0795, roaringfork.com
Owned by Guy Villavoso and Larry Foles (of Eddie V’s and Wildfish), this chic but comfortable restaurant caters to urban cowboys and gals, featuring hearty but sophisticated dishes inspired by the American West. $$$
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 shaken beef goes upscale with soy-marinated filet mignon. $-$$
Tapas Papa Frita
Spanish
7114 E. Stetson Dr.
480-699-5004, tapaspapafrita.com
Sitting on the patio along the bank of the Arizona canal sipping a Spanish red is a lovely way to spend an evening. Order marinated Manchego cheese tapas, share hearty paella or cut into a Basque-style sausage. Finish strong with burnt sugar-topped crema Catalana.
$$-$$$.
Chula Seafood
Seafood
8015 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
480-621-5121, chulaseafood.com
Don’t be turned off by the run-down strip mall that houses this cute, clean-as-a-whistle seafood market and restaurant specializing in fish caught off the Southern California coast. The Heflin family own and operate the restaurant as well as a commercial fishing boat in San Diego, offering fresh, never-frozen “boat-to-table” seafood in a variety of delicious permutations. The poke bowls and smoked fish sandwiches are crazy-good. Other locations: North Scottsdale & Phoenix (602-354-3599). $$
Uchi
Japanese
3821 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-916-0916, uchi.uchirestaurants.com
James Beard Award winner Tyson Cole brings his famous Austin-based Japanese restaurant to Old Town Scottsdale, and it’s one of the best restaurants in Metro Phoenix – “chain” or no. The menu is vast, and it’s hard to go wrong here, but consider kabocha tempura and crispy rice cake when you’re on a budget; and gyutoro, Santa Barbara uni and hiramasa sashimi when you’re not. $-$$$
Village Tavern
American
8787 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-951-6445, villagetavern.com
Recognized year after year, the charming Village Tavern features certified Angus beef burgers, steaks grilled to perfection, market-fresh fish, wood-fired pizzas, a dozen fresh salads and a reputation as one of the best happy hours in town. $$
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. $-$$
Little Snitch
Brunch
8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale
480-590-2463, littlesnitchscottsdale.com
Little Snitch is an ultra-feminine haven specializing in elaborate coffee drinks, pretty cocktails, baked goods and brunch. Everything on the straightforward menu is fresh, tasty and nicely presented, including a light Caprese omelet and a man-size turkey sandwich. salty. $$
