Best Lunch Spots in Scottsdale

Chula is a fish market, restaurant and bar in one, and it's where I'd send anyone who wants a seafood lunch that doesn't feel fussy. You walk in and order at the counter, then pick from poke, fish tacos, fish and chips, lobster rolls and grilled fish. Grab fish by the pound or smoked fish to take home on your way out. There's a second Scottsdale shop at Grayhawk on Hayden Road if you're up north.

The short list: Order at the counterFish market on site.

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The Herb Box is my go-to when I want lunch in Old Town that won't put me to sleep by 3 PM. The fall lunch menu has crispy rice with spicy citrus tuna, short rib tacos and big salads like the grapefruit and sugar-charred salmon, and a lot of the menu is gluten-free. It opens at 11 AM on weekdays, and happy hour runs from 3 to 6 PM. There's a second Herb Box on Shea Boulevard.

The short list: Lots of gluten-free optionsWeekday happy hour 3 to 6 PM.

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Weft & Warp is the restaurant at Andaz Scottsdale, and it's the lunch I'd book when someone's visiting. The kitchen does Mediterranean food with Sonoran ingredients, so think handmade pastas, shareable plates and grilled seafood, and the sunny patio has Camelback Mountain as the backdrop. Lunch runs Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM, so plan on a weekday.

The short list: Weekday lunch 11 AM to 2 PMCamelback Mountain views.

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North Italia at Kierland Commons has a $25 Lunch Fixe that gets you a small plate and an entree, and it's the easiest good business lunch I know of up north. It's dine-in only and runs until 4 PM. Weekday lunch is 11 AM to 4 PM, and walk-ins are welcome.

The short list: $25 Lunch FixeWalk-ins welcome.

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Culinary Dropout at the Scottsdale Waterfront is where I'd go for a lunch that turns into the whole afternoon. It opens at 11 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends, with brunch Saturday and Sunday until 3 PM. Happy hour starts early, at 2 PM on weekdays. Self-parking is available at all times.

The short list: Weekday happy hour from 2 PMWeekend brunch until 3 PM.

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Olive & Ivy is the one I pick when it's nice out and I want a long lunch on a sunny patio at the Waterfront. The restaurant opens at 11 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends. If you're in a hurry, the Marketplace side opens at 7 AM and has sandwiches and flatbreads. Park in the Nordstrom garage or the Waterfront's underground garages.

The short list: Marketplace opens at 7 AMWaterfront patio.

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Craft 64 is my pick for a pizza lunch in Old Town. The wood-fired pies have landed it on the 50 Top Pizza list of the best pizzerias in the USA six years running, and there are 30 beers on tap, including 10 rotating Craft 64 brews. It opens at 11 AM every day, and the weekday happy hour runs from 3 to 6 PM.

The short list: Open from 11 AM daily30 beers on tap.

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Sugar Bowl has been in the pink building on Scottsdale Road since 1958, and it's still the lunch I'd do with kids. You get soups, sandwiches and salads, then a sundae or a float for dessert. The Family Circus comic strip featured it many times, and the gift shop sells Family Circus artwork. It opens at 11 AM.

The short list: Open since 1958Sandwiches and sundaes.

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Liz Modern Asian is a small spot at Scottsdale Quarter that I'd grab for a quick, filling lunch. Start with the steamed buns, like char siu pork or roasted pork belly, then get the shaking steak or the orange chicken with rice. It opens at 11 AM every day. Park in the northeast garage.

The short list: Steamed bunsOpen from 11 AM daily.

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