If you are moving to (or visiting) Scottsdale and like t toca madera o dine out, the good news is, you will have plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from (and most are not national chains)! Scottsdale is a Foodie lover’s paradise, with a variety of restaurants to select from in all price points and something different for every palate. We have our favorites but are still making our way through the many recommendations we have yet to try! To be honest, it is hard to have a bad meal in Scottsdale, most are great, some are average, but few are bad. Here are some restaurants we have compiled that have great food and service and top our list of recommendations:

Nicer Restaurants

The Vig McDowell Mountain- A great place to go if you want to dress up, large patio and nice atmosphere

Culinary Dropout-Casual fun, with ping pong tables and bag toss games

Breakfast

Butters Pancakes & Café-Large portions

First Watch-Modern chic atmosphere

Pizza

Grimaldi’s-NY Style pizza

Lamp Pizzeria-Gourmet Pizzas

Barro’s Pizza-Owners are from Chicago and the pizza proves it

Italian

Sophia’s Kitchen-Favorite of locals

Vicinos Local Italian-Hidden gem

Sushi

Kodo Sushi Sake-Our out of state folks always ask to go here

The Drunk Munk-Located in Old Town and great place to sit outside and people watch

Seafood

Salt Cellar-Very pricey but you go for the experience as much as the food

Coconuts-Local favorite, very casual

Mexican

The Mission-Old Town location is attached to an old mission church and has a beautiful ambiance

Tortilla Factory-Different type of tortillas every day, beautiful patio

Barrio Queen-Several locations, all have a little different of an atmosphere, but same great food

Toca Madera-Club atmosphere with music, drinks lit on fire and a show where an acrobat and fire eater perform in the evenings

Rubio’s-Not quite fast food and lots of shrimp options, a go to quick meal for us

Brewery

Tap House Kitchen-Accommodating staff

State 48 Lager House-Great selection of beers

San Tan (Chandler, it’s a drive from Scottsdale but worth it)

BBQ

Liberty Station-Nicer restaurant with more than just amazing BBQ

NakedQ BBQ-Casual dining

The View

Top of the Rock (located in Phoenix)-Great place to watch the planes fly in and the city light up

Needle Rock Kitchen & Tap-Situated on a golf course on the very North part of Scottsdale, it has an amazing view of the mountains (great at Sunset or any time)

By: Carrie Ernst toca fire