To help you fuel your self-guided adventures, we have curated a local’s list of the six best places to eat and drink in Scottsdale. These aren’t the obvious, flashy spots you’ll find on every mass-market brochure. These are the award-winning, chef-driven, uniquely local establishments that define Scottsdale’s true culinary identity.

Scottsdale, Arizona, is practically built for the independent traveler. From its rugged mountain preserves to its sophisticated arts districts, this city rewards those who wander at their own pace.

Scottsdale is a sophisticated desert metropolis with a thriving culinary and arts scene that somehow still feels like a small town if you know exactly which corners to turn.