Moving to Scottsdale at the beginning of last year was by far one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. I could go on and on about all of the things I love about living here, but I’ll cut to the chase with this blog post and get right to the good stuff. A few of you have reached out to me asking for recommendations on where to eat, and I’ve spoken to some of you who are having your bachelorette parties here, so I thought it would be best to write this blog post so that everything is in one place and easy to refer back to. I also plan on periodically updating this post as Jon and I visit more places since there are endless bars, restaurants, and things to do in Scottsdale.
We live in North Scottsdale so that’s where we’ve explored the most. If you’re coming here for a bachelorette party you’re probably going to be mostly in and around Old Town because it has a younger crowd and more bars.
I’ll list places we’ve been to and love first, and then I’ll add a few more that are at the top of our list to try next. There are plenty more places to try, but these are the ones that we’ve been to and can honestly recommend!
Fat Ox – Always a top choice for Jon and I for its upscale italian dining. Their pasta is homemade and they have a great selection of meats and fishes. The last time we went I had their branzino and it was divine!
Marcellino Ristorante – Another classy, high-end italian restaurant. Great location in Old Town and excellent food.
SumoMaya – Very trendy spot with Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine. Their pomegranate guacamole is a must, and I love their sushi. The decor inside is such a vibe and it gets really loud so definitely a fun spot to get brunch or dinner.
Francine – This one is fairly new and located in the luxury wing of the Fashion Square Mall. It’s an elegant french restaurant with mediterranean inspired dishes. The bar inside is gorgeous and their menu is impressive, which includes olive oil mashed potatoes as a side (so delicious)!
Olive and Ivy – Another mediterranean restaurant that has large outdoor patio dining on the waterfront. They also have a Marketplace with pastries and coffee.
Parma Italian Roots – As you’ll quickly notice, we love italian cuisine 🙂 This is another great option and their decor is beautiful and airy.
Ra Sushi – There are trendier spots to get sushi (like Nobu or SumoMaya), but Ra has the best sushi in the area that we’ve tried so far. So if you’re just looking for really good sushi, this is the spot. Another good spot for sushi that’s in a better location is OBON.
North Italia – Yet another Italian restaurant and this one has been a long time favorite of ours. It’s located right in Kierland Commons which is a great area to walk around and shop. We love it for lunch, Jon usually gets the Margherita Pizza and I love the Seasonal Vegetable salad. If you have a sweet tooth like me, get their Italian Butter Cake for dessert!
The Canal Club – Located in The Scott Resort, this is definitely one of my top recommendations for a place to relax and have cocktails. The atmosphere is so elegant and trendy, and the decor will make you feel like you’re in a tropical oasis. When we had lunch here the shrimp tacos were my favorite.
SOL Mexican Cocina – Great spot for Mexican food located right in Scottsdale Quarter with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
Culinary Dropout – There are two locations and although the food and drinks are the same, I personally think the one in Scottsdale Quarter is better in terms of location and ambiance. It’s a really fun spot for day drinking and snacks (get the soft pretzels & provolone fondue), but I wouldn’t recommend it as much for dinner.
Wine Girl – This bar is a MUST, especially if you’re in town for a bachelorette or girls trip! It has the best photo op, the interior is a whole vibe with swings and the cutest decor including a neon sign. They even have wines on tap! Just trust me, you have to check this place out.
The Living Room – Another great spot to hangout and have a drink. They have plenty of outdoor seating with comfy couches and chairs. It’s a laid back spot with some really good food (definitely recommend trying the injectable donut holes!).
Postino – One of my favorite spots for happy hour because they do $5 glasses of wine! They also have great small bites to share. I prefer it for happy hours and lunch.
For more fine dining, our favorites are: Dominick’s Steakhouse, Mastro’s Ocean Club (if you go here, you have to get the Butter Cake!), and Ocean Prime.
For breakfast/brunch spots, we love: Eggstasy, Soul, Butters, Prep & Pastry, and First Watch.
For coffee, Press Coffee is the best! We buy their espresso beans too to make our own coffee at home. We love their coffee so much that we don’t really go anywhere else, but I’ve heard that FourTillFour is a great spot too.
For grab-n-go or a quick lunch, we recommend: Rinaldi’s (NY style Italian deli), Original ChopShop (great variety of healthy meals including protein bowls and shakes), and Flower Child (another great healthy spot for yummy salads).
For pizza we always go to Grimaldi’s, but we’ve heard that LAMP is really good too so we plan on trying that next.
Some places that are at the top of our list to try next are: Bourbon and Bones, Maple & Ash, Toca Madera, and Sorso.