# 12 Best Restaurants in Scottsdale, AZ (2026) | Scottsdale Scoop > The best restaurants in Scottsdale, hand-picked from local recommendations, Reddit threads, and our newsletter coverage. These are the spots Scottsdale locals keep going back to. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/best-restaurants-scottsdale --- ![Best Restaurants in Scottsdale](/images/restaurants-hero.webp) Dining & Drinks # Best Restaurants in Scottsdale The restaurants Scottsdale locals keep going back to Guides › Best Restaurants in Scottsdale Scottsdale's restaurant scene has leveled up in a serious way. Between James Beard semifinalists, Phoenix New Times award winners, and the constant wave of exciting new openings, there's never been a better time to eat here. We've pulled from Reddit recommendations, local food community feedback, and restaurants we've covered in the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter to put together this list. These aren't the spots that pay for placement. These are the ones people actually talk about. Updated July 3, 2026 12 spots ### In This Guide 1 Hush Public House 2 Pinyon 3 Buck & Rider 4 Vic & Ola's 5 Heritage Kitchen + Cocktails 6 Chula Seafood 7 Cafe Monarch 8 Course 9 Uchi Scottsdale 10 El Chorro 11 Roka Akor 12 Elements at Sanctuary ![Hush Public House in Scottsdale](/images/hush-public-house.webp) 1 ## [Hush Public House](https://www.hushpublichouse.com) Chef-driven upscale gastropub with a loyal following North Scottsdale (Scottsdale Rd & Shea) Hush Public House is one of those North Scottsdale spots that locals guard closely. Chef and restaurateur Dom Ruggiero uses fresh, local ingredients to put his spin on classic dishes alongside original specialties you won't find anywhere else. The menu changes enough to keep regulars coming back, and the atmosphere hits the sweet spot between upscale and inviting. Whether you're at the bar for cocktails or settling in for a full dinner, Hush delivers every time. Chef Dom Ruggiero's original dishes Fresh local ingredients Upscale yet inviting atmosphere Visit Website View in Directory ![Pinyon in Scottsdale](/images/pinyon.webp) 2 ## [Pinyon](https://www.pinyonrestaurant.com) New American with a Southwest soul Old Town Scottsdale Pinyon made waves when it opened and has maintained that momentum. The New American menu draws on Southwest flavors in creative ways, and the space itself is beautifully designed. We covered their opening in the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter and the response from readers was immediate. It's the kind of restaurant that feels distinctly Scottsdale while still pushing the culinary envelope. The cocktail program is equally impressive. Southwest-inspired New American Beautifully designed space Scottsdale Scoop featured Visit Website View in Directory ![Buck & Rider in Scottsdale](/images/buck-and-rider.webp) 3 ## [Buck & Rider](https://buckandrider.com) Daily fresh seafood flown in from both coasts North Scottsdale Buck & Rider is proof that you can get incredible seafood in the middle of the desert. They fly in fresh catches daily from both coasts and the quality shows. The oyster bar is excellent, the whole fish preparations are beautiful, and they were voted one of the top 3 overall restaurants by Scottsdale Living readers. The happy hour is also one of the best in town. If you think you can't get good seafood in Arizona, Buck & Rider will change your mind. Daily fresh catches from both coasts Top 3 voted by locals Outstanding oyster bar Visit Website View in Directory ![Vic & Ola's in Scottsdale](/images/vic-and-olas.webp) 4 ## [Vic & Ola's](https://www.vicandolas.com) Neighborhood Italian with serious homemade pasta DC Ranch (Market Street) Vic & Ola's has quietly become one of the most beloved Italian restaurants in North Scottsdale. Tucked into Market Street at DC Ranch, owner Sheila Bryson created a Calabrian and Sicilian concept where everything revolves around handmade pastas and an exclusively Italian wine list. The butter cake is legendary (ask any regular), the eggplant meatballs convert skeptics, and the veal osso buco is exactly what you want on a cooler evening. With 574 reviews on Yelp and a fiercely loyal following, this is the kind of neighborhood gem that feels like a secret even though everybody already knows about it. All handmade pastas Legendary butter cake Exclusively Italian wines Visit Website View in Directory ![Heritage Kitchen + Cocktails in Scottsdale](/images/heritage-kitchen.webp) 5 ## [Heritage Kitchen + Cocktails](https://heritagescottsdale.com) Coastal Mediterranean meets modern American North Scottsdale (Bell Road) Heritage Kitchen opened at 10121 E. Bell Road and immediately caught our attention. Executive Chef Christopher Brugman (Food & Wine Magazine featured, Food Network's Chopped finalist) created a menu that's both familiar and exciting. His signature Piatta bread is made with artisanal flour from Italy, fermented for 3 days, and baked in an eight-foot hearth. The menu ranges from aged beef tartare and Spanish octopus to lobster paella and Dungeness crab tortelloni. Plus over 1,500 sq ft of patio dining. Chopped finalist chef 3-day fermented Piatta bread 1,500 sq ft patio Visit Website View in Directory ![Chula Seafood in Scottsdale](/images/chula-seafood.webp) 6 ## [Chula Seafood](https://www.chulaseafood.com) No-frills sustainable seafood that punches way above its weight South Scottsdale (Roosevelt & Hayden) Chula Seafood is the antidote to every overpriced, overhyped seafood spot in the Valley. Located at 8015 E Roosevelt St in South Scottsdale, they keep it simple: responsibly sourced fish, prepared really well, at fair prices. The fish tacos are some of the best in Arizona, the poke bowls are addictive, and the whole operation has this genuine, unfussy energy that makes you want to come back twice a week. Chula has locations across the Valley now, but the Scottsdale spot is where locals keep it real. Sustainably sourced seafood Best fish tacos in the Valley No-frills, honest pricing Visit Website View in Directory ![Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale](/images/cafe-monarch.webp) 7 ## [Cafe Monarch](https://www.cafemonarch.com) TripAdvisor's top-rated fine dining in the nation Old Town Scottsdale We've said it before and we'll say it again: Cafe Monarch is one of the best restaurants in the entire country, not just Scottsdale. The four-course prix fixe menu changes seasonally, the ivy-covered courtyard is magical, and every element of the experience from the Court of Master Sommeliers-trained service to the presentation of each course is executed at the highest level. This is bucket-list dining. Nationally top-rated Seasonal prix fixe menu Magical courtyard setting Visit Website View in Directory ### 🌵 Get the Scottsdale Scoop Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals who get the best events, restaurants, and hidden gems delivered every week. ![Course in Scottsdale](/images/course-restaurant.webp) 8 ## [Course](https://courserestaurantaz.com) Award-winning fine dining with world-class cocktails North Scottsdale (Shea Blvd) Course has quietly become one of the most decorated restaurants in Arizona. Chef Cory Oppold earned a James Beard semifinalist nod, USA Today named it Restaurant of the Year, and The Pinnacle Guide recognized their cocktail program among the world's best. The menu is seasonally driven and every dish feels intentional. If someone asks you for a single restaurant recommendation in Scottsdale, Course is a hard one to beat. USA Today Restaurant of the Year James Beard semifinalist Pinnacle Guide cocktails Visit Website View in Directory ![Uchi Scottsdale in Scottsdale](/images/uchi-scottsdale.webp) 9 ## [Uchi Scottsdale](https://uchi.uchirestaurants.com) Award-winning Japanese cuisine that redefines sushi Old Town Scottsdale Uchi needs no introduction if you follow the food world. The Austin-born concept from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole brought its inventive Japanese cuisine to Scottsdale and it fits perfectly. The menu goes far beyond traditional sushi with dishes like the Hama Chili (yellowtail sashimi with ponzu and Thai chili) and the Uchi Salad that's become iconic. The omakase experience is outstanding, and the daily happy hour from 4pm to 6pm is one of the best deals in Old Town. James Beard Award-winning chef Inventive Japanese beyond sushi Excellent happy hour 4-6pm Visit Website View in Directory ![El Chorro in Scottsdale](/images/el-chorro.webp) 10 ## [El Chorro](https://www.elchorro.com) Historic Arizona magic since 1937 Paradise Valley El Chorro in Paradise Valley is pure Arizona magic. This historic lodge has been welcoming guests since 1937, and sitting on their patio at sunset with the mountains in the background is one of those quintessential Scottsdale experiences everyone needs to have. The supper club atmosphere feels timeless and special, and those sticky buns they're famous for? Worth every calorie. If you have visitors in town, this is where you take them. Historic lodge since 1937 Famous sticky buns Quintessential sunset views Visit Website View in Directory ![Roka Akor in Scottsdale](/images/roka-akor.webp) 11 ## [Roka Akor](https://www.rokaakor.com/scottsdale) Japanese robata and premium wagyu in a sleek setting Old Town Scottsdale Roka Akor has been a Scottsdale fine dining anchor for years and continues to deliver at the highest level. The robata grill is the centerpiece, turning out beautifully charred wagyu beef, seafood, and vegetables with precision. Their sushi program is equally strong, and the sake list is one of the most thoughtful in the Valley. The sleek, modern interior makes it a natural choice for business dinners and special occasions. The lunch prix fixe is a smart way to experience it without the full dinner price tag. Premium wagyu robata grill Outstanding sushi and sake Sleek modern fine dining Visit Website View in Directory ![Elements at Sanctuary in Scottsdale](/images/elements-at-sanctuary.webp) 12 ## [Elements at Sanctuary](https://www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com/dining/elements) World-class dining with sweeping desert views Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley When you want to go all out, Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain delivers on every level. The patio overlooks Paradise Valley with views that genuinely take your breath away, and the seasonal menu features sustainable, locally sourced ingredients done beautifully. It's definitely a splurge, but the combination of world-class food and those sweeping desert vistas makes it worth it. Perfect for anniversaries, celebrations, or just treating yourself. Sweeping Paradise Valley views Sustainable seasonal menu Perfect for celebrations Visit Website View in Directory ## Never Miss a Scottsdale Pick Subscribe to the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter and get the best local spots, events, and inside scoop delivered to your inbox every week. It's free. Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals. 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