The Insider’s Guide: 6 Standout Places to Eat and Drink in Scottsdale
Trade the Tourist Traps for Award-Winning Local Flavor. Here Is Your Trusty Guide to Eating and Drinking Through Scottsdale, Entirely at Your Own Pace
Scottsdale is full of excellent places to eat and drink if you know how to find them — Carol Highsmith’s America / Unsplash
Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona—a sun-drenched desert oasis famous for its stunning mid-century architecture, vibrant arts district, and sprawling saguaro landscapes. But let’s be honest: like any beautiful destination, it’s also teeming with generic national chains and overcrowded tourist traps designed to cycle people in and out as quickly as possible.
If you are traveling with Drives & Detours, we know that’s not your style. You aren’t here to be herded onto a crowded bus or rushed through a meal by a frantic tour guide holding a brightly colored umbrella. You are an independent traveler. You want to explore on your own terms, linger when a place captures your imagination, and discover the authentic, beating heart of the city.
That philosophy doesn’t just apply to how you see the sights; it applies to how you taste them, too.
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.
Pop in your earbuds, hit pause on your exploring for a moment, and let’s dive into the local flavor.
1. FnB: The Vegetable Whisperer’s Desert Oasis
If you only have time for one sit-down dinner in Scottsdale, let it be FnB. Tucked away in the charming Craftsman Court, FnB is the antithesis of the stuffy, velvet-roped fine dining establishments that often dominate resort towns. It’s a cozy, unpretentious, and vibrant space that feels like you’ve been invited to a wildly talented friend's dinner party.
The kitchen is helmed by Chef Charleen Badman, a James Beard Award winner affectionately known locally as the "vegetable whisperer." She takes locally sourced, seasonal Arizona produce and elevates it to mind-bending heights. The menu changes constantly, but you can always expect an array of farm-fresh, veggie-forward dishes that pack a serious punch of flavor.
The Drives & Detours Tip: FnB is also famous for championing Arizona’s surprisingly robust regional wine scene. Ask the staff to pair your meal with a local vintage. It’s the perfect, relaxed environment for an independent traveler to unwind, reflect on the day, and literally taste the local terroir.
2. Andreoli Italian Grocer: An Uncompromising Hidden Gem
Sometimes, the best travel moments happen when you decide to take a detour off the main avenue. Andreoli Italian Grocer is precisely that kind of detour. Located in a wildly unassuming strip mall, stepping through the doors of Andreoli feels like stepping through a portal straight to a neighborhood deli in Florence.
Chef Giovanni Scorzo, a James Beard Award nominee, refuses to cater to Americanized Italian expectations. Everything here is made from scratch, from the crusty, perfect bread to the cured meats and delicate pastries. There is no pomp and circumstance, no white tablecloths, and absolutely no rush.
The Drives & Detours Tip: This is the ultimate if-you-know-you-know destination. It’s absolutely perfect for the traveler who likes to eat on their own schedule. Grab a spectacular prosciutto sandwich on freshly baked focaccia, order an espresso, and sit out on the modest patio. You won't find a more authentic lunch anywhere in the Valley.
3. The Mission Old Town: Modern Latin Cuisine with a Glow
Right in the bustling heart of Old Town Scottsdale sits The Mission, a restaurant that manages to be incredibly popular without ever feeling like a compromised tourist trap. The ambiance here is unforgettable. The dim, sophisticated dining room is anchored by a massive, glowing wall made entirely of hand-cut Himalayan salt blocks, casting a warm, amber light over the space.
The menu is an upscale, modern homage to Latin cuisine. You’ll find influences from Spain, Mexico, Central America, and South America expertly blended together. The tableside guacamole is legendary, and the roasted pork shoulder—served with hand-pressed corn tortillas and a vibrant pineapple habanero glaze—is practically mandatory.
The Drives & Detours Tip: The Mission is geographically perfectly situated for anyone taking the Scottsdale on Foot Audio Tour. When you hit the historic center of Old Town, just pause your audio guide, slip into The Mission for an unforgettable lunch or dinner, and seamlessly resume your walk right where you left off.
4. Citizen Public House: Elevated Comfort in a Speakeasy Setting
After a long day of navigating the sun-drenched streets of Scottsdale at your own pace, you might find yourself craving a place that is dark, cool, and undeniably cool. Enter Citizen Public House. With its rich leather booths, mahogany accents, and sly speakeasy undertones, this contemporary gastropub is a beloved local institution.
While the craft cocktail program here is second to none, the food is the real draw. They are famous for their Original Chopped Salad—a dish so beloved by locals that it literally has its own dedicated social media following. But don't stop there; their elevated takes on comfort food, like the pan-seared scallops and the wildly decadent Bernie's Mac & Cheese, are exceptional.
The Drives & Detours Tip: For the solo traveler or the couple who loves a good conversation, try grabbing a seat at the bar. The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable about the city and are always happy to share a hidden local secret with someone who genuinely wants to know the area.
5. Chula Seafood: Ocean-Fresh Catch in the Sonoran Desert
Finding spectacular, ocean-fresh seafood in the middle of the arid Sonoran Desert sounds like a geographical impossibility. Chula Seafood proves it isn't. This breezy, family-owned fish market and casual eatery is a massive local favorite and offers one of the most unique dining concepts in the state.
Here is why it works: the family owns their own commercial fishing boat in San Diego, California. They sustainably catch their fish, pack it on ice, and drive it straight across the desert to Scottsdale. The result is impossibly fresh Hawaiian-style poke, grilled swordfish tacos, and arguably the best fish and chips in Arizona.
The Drives & Detours Tip: Because Chula operates as a casual counter-service spot, it is the ultimate high-quality meal for a traveler on the go. You don't need a two-hour dining window or a reservation made weeks in advance. Just walk in, order at the counter, and enjoy Michelin-level freshness in a t-shirt and shorts.
6. AZ88: The Iconic Watering Hole
Every good walking tour deserves an epic finale, and AZ88 is our singular, highly-recommended bar for Scottsdale. Located right on the civic mall, surrounded by green spaces and public art, AZ88 is a chic, modern saloon that has been a cultural staple in the city for decades.
The interior is famously avant-garde, featuring massive, rotating art installations that change throughout the year. But the real reason locals flock here is for the drinks. The martinis at AZ88 are legendary—filled to the absolute, surface-tension-defying brim of the glass.
The Drives & Detours Tip: Grab a spot on the expansive outdoor patio. It’s the best people-watching spot in all of Scottsdale. Order a classic martini, rest your feet after a long day of exploring, and soak in the vibrant energy of the city.
Explore Scottsdale at Your Own Pace
Discover Scottsdale like a local with Drives & Detours — VC / Unsplash
Finding a great meal is just like finding a great travel experience—it requires skipping the obvious, seeking out the authentic, and refusing to be rushed.
If you are ready to explore the rich history, hidden public art, and fascinating lore of this city without the hassle of a crowded tour group, download the Scottsdale on Foot Audio Tour from Drives & Detours.
We act as your guide right in your pocket. You can start when you want, stop when you want, and take all the time you need to grab a martini at AZ88 or a chopped salad at Citizen Public House. The city is yours to discover—at your own pace.
