North Scottsdale
Shea Blvd. north, including Scottsdale Road
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Okay… it’s a sports bar in the Ice Den complex. But, it’s a good sports bar recently updated and lots of TVs. The bartenders are friendly which accounts for the number of local regulars.
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Nothing fancy. Totally a local bar with good food, good drinks, and good service. On selected nights, enjoy Karaoke, and Bar Bingo!
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Authentic Italian food from Chef Giovanni Scorzo. Pick up some grocery items too.
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Seafood and more. Happy hour oysters flown in daily.
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The Chilly Bean Cafe is a snack bar inside the Ice Den. So when it is 120 outside, grab a hot Cartel coffee, coco, hotdog, or popcorn and watch the skaters in cool comfort. This only sounds weird if you don’t live in the desert in the summer.
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Okay… Chipotle is all over the place. I wish I’d gotten stock when it was way down. Order at the counter, get your food, and head on. Quick pretty healthy Mexican fare.
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There are several Cook & Crafts around and they are all good. This one on Shea has a small patio. Good food and easy to find. Craft beers on tap too.
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Eh. There are better places.
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Several locations. Unique healthy eating. Vegetarian, vegan, or not, you’ll find something delish.
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Go to Kerland, watch beautiful people, and grab a gelato, sorbet, or coffee from Frost’s large selection.
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Breakfast, lunch, bruch… build your Bloody Mary or grab a Mimosa flight. A bit noisy for my tastes but nice patio in Scottsdale.
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Classic deli with a large menu. Order, sit, and get.
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Get a reservation for a teppanyaki table with sushi as an option. Maybe you’ll catch that shrimp in your mouth this time! Kasai is all high energy with a friendly bar area.
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Local Bistro is a fun, upscale dining establishment.
Pasta, pizza, steak, chicken, and a nice selection of cocktails and wine. Small beer selection.
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The first location is on Frank Lloyd Wright and 100 Street and is the most casual. Another location is on Pinnacle Peak and another on Tatum/Shea. Whichever one you pick, the food is delicious. I recommend the Chicken Marsala.
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Upscale space. Good food. Pretty much sushi only… limited other options.
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National chain came local. Lots of desserts and some salads and sandwiches. But the desserts…
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The fun, healthy fast food child of PF Chang’s originators. Around the valley. Always good to go or eat in.
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Ornate ambiance and authentic menu. Fresh pita made before your eyes. Lovely restaurant for a unique dining experience.
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Love Kierland. Love this place for lunch or dinner. Dim sum, sushi, and a variety of dishes. The mandarin crunch salad is my go-to. Add some salmon.
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Please the vegans and carnivores in your gang. Shea is the original location and others are tucked around the valley. Mediterranean and more.
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My personal favorite sushi spot. Always fresh.
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Italian and the very best salads. Small and homey with a lovely large patio space. A little hard to find but worth the trip.
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There are several Vigs around the valley and this is a great one. The patio is large and the staff won’t hurry you out. Nice selection of food and drinks. Nothing special. Also a good place to catch a game on TV.
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Sugar Jam’s brunch is a MUST DO. Check for a reservation for a few to be guaranteed a table. I recommend the shrimp and grits. DJ on the weekends. Mimosas… and a bakery. YUM
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A hidden North Scottsdale gem with a beautiful view of the McDowell Mountains. Excellent food, service, and craft cocktails. Reservations suggested.
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Coconut shrimp and more. Upstairs dining has a nice sunset view. Fun ground foor bar, often featuring a steelpan musician for that island vibe.
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Trevors in North Scottsdale is a distant cousin of the Trevors in South Scottsdale. In the north, a large cocktail menu is available and pizza where as in the south it is all about beer and an excellent food truck. Bring your clubs to take some swings. Oh and the cigar area.
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I have sons and brothers so I go there. lol The waitresses are young and are more covered up than if you are poolside somewhere.
Mom’s Pot Roast is good.
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Upscale location for delicious food and cocktails. Airplane action with a backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. Great patio. A real hidden gem.
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Excellent breakfast and brunch spot started in Scottsdale and spread around the state. Love the soup options. Vegans can find something here.
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Grab a bowl, fill ‘er up, add some sauce, and get it grilled. Multiple locations. Nutrition info on their website to keep yours healthy. Don’t miss the ice cream machine!
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Multiple screens, okay bar food, multiple locations.
South Scottsdale
South of Shea Blvd. including Old Town
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Great cocktail selection and good food. Live music and trivia some days.
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Unique Caribbean inspired menu. Sorta fancy/not fancy. Different vibe.
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If you are cycling the greenbelt, stop in for a cold one and a game. A local hangout since 1998.
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Besides great beer, ya got pizza, sandwiches, and more. Sunday brunch.
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Woodfired pizza. Use the drive through window for easy take out. Mangiare Italiano!
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When in Old Town, stop in. Small space but mighty fare and great staff. Fun, upscale pub.
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Often overlooked and three locations. Nice fare and intimate dining. Quite get away.
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Breakfast, lunch, and gifts. You cannot help but love this place. Patio with a fireplace. Click the website below to learn about their other unique locations.
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Step in and take a deep breath. It’s all about delish fish. Great happy hour. Lots of energy.
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My favorite place for breakfast. Actually, the lavender latte and (best in the valley) croissants is a swoon. Ask who took all the pictures on the walls.
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Great pizza, fun patio, just all around good place. The skateboards were the owners but are now a room divider. Classic pinball and arcade games will take you back.
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Old Town Tavern is always hopping with music every day. Plenty of drink choices but no food. You can order food from The Back Door which is next door and owned by the same host. Nice patio.
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Friendly bartenders and nice atmosphere. Tip: Get the happy hour salmon and cocktail. Skip the bun. Yummy.
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Okay, they are technically in North and South Tempe, but I love them sooo much. Healthy fare. Quaint locations.
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First location but there are others. Really good pizza that you can get by the generous slice or more. Good drink selection. Large patio for a fun time.
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Good place to drink in Old Town.
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Nice local group. They started out with music… hope that returns!
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Pretty big pub with TVs, food, and beverages. Sorta uneven but worth checking out.
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Large patio area. In addition to a pretty fair fare and booze, do a little off track betting, or, on some nights, check out DJs and trivia. BYO ball for the sand volleyball courts.
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Yummy ice cream and other sweets.
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Down home good breakfast and lunch. Nothing fancy. Friendly staff.
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On the Scottsdale Civic Center mall entertainment venue you’ll find this upscale martini and wine spot complete with sliders, salads, and more.
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Sort of an eclectic mix of tacos, sushi, street corn, and salads. Funky and fun.
Party People cocktails to share with 2 to 4 friends.
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Fresh, healthy food with an elegant twists. Great for vegan pals. They are so good, there are other locations in the Valley.
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Foie Gras Mousse Parfait, Steak Tartare, Escargot, Caviar Bump, Champagne… get the picture? Delish.
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Family owned and friendly. Generous portions of very tasty food. Nice bar selection.
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Good coffee, baked goods, and gelato. Right in the heart of Old Town. In the winter, enjoy the Farmer’s Market across the street.
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Dive bar with consistent music offerings. Good place to hang with locals.
Phoenix
Desert Ridge shopping area to downtown
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Restaurant vibe with excellent locally brewed beer on tap. Leave room for the Pizookie.
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If ya gotta do fast food, do this one. Get the burger Animal Style. Good shakes too.
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Upscale decor, beautiful large patio, and unique menu items. Will never disappoint. Worth the drive.
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Funky fun spot along the canal, so cycle by. Good food and drinks keeps the brewery and the companion breakfast spot, Little Os, busy.
Sign up with your tribe for Brew With Us to brew and name your own beer!Dog friendly patio..
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Born as a Methodist church in 1893, Taco Guild not only has delicious food but a very unique ambiance with beautiful stained glass and a lofty ceiling. Don’t miss Confession Hour. ; )
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Dive bar with a ton of interesting rooms and decor. Skee ball and other classic games. Same owner as Night Owl, which explains where all the owls came from.
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The Tiny Kitchen is in an odd neighborhood… mostly office buildings.