How To Spend A Perfect Food-Filled Weekend In Scottsdale

Forbes

20-03-2025

Aerial shot of Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a city that knows how to eat. Sure, it's famous for golf, spring training, luxury resorts, and endless sunshine, but its food scene is just as much of a draw. Over the years, it has evolved into a culinary destination, where award-winning chefs, locally loved institutions and buzzy new openings all add to the mix. Mesquite-grilled meats, impeccable sushi and bold Latin flavors fuel a dining landscape that balances high-end polish with a laid-back, desert-driven ethos. This is a city built for those who travel with their appetite first. Here's where to stay and what to eat while you're there.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The city's newest luxury playground delivers on all fronts: gorgeous desert views, serious culinary firepower and enough golf to keep even the most devoted players entertained. With multiple restaurants—each bringing something different to the table—it's a full-on dining destination in itself. For exciting food options, Bourbon Steak serves prime cuts and duck fat fries, La Hacienda offers tequila pairings with upscale Mexican and Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar brings bold Latin flavors with a view of the TPC golf course. Bonus: the property is stunning, with lush grounds and a resort vibe that makes leaving feel optional.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
Spacious rooms, stunning Camelback Mountain views and a design that leans effortlessly luxe—Omni is the kind of place where you wake up, sip coffee on your balcony and feel like you're in your own private retreat. The resort boasts six dining options, but Prado is the elevated choice with its Mediterranean-inspired menu that pairs perfectly with the romantic setting. The move here? Grab a seat at the bar for dinner. The full-service experience can run long, but at the bar, you get the best of both worlds—quick access to cocktails and a front-row seat to the action.
Conveniently located in Old Town, The Scott blends Sonoran warmth with refined luxury. Warm wooden furniture and old-world bronze create an inviting desert retreat, while the lush courtyard make it feel like an escape from the city—despite being just minutes from Scottsdale's best shopping, dining and nightlife. At The Canal Club is where Hemingway's Havana comes to life. Sip craft cocktails at the bar or settle in for a multi-course meal of Caribbean-inspired classics with a modern twist.
Sip Coffee and Beer House
More than just a coffee shop, Sip is a locally owned café, tap house, cocktail bar and community hub that thrives on bringing people together. With a focus on supporting local businesses and giving back through charity causes, it's a space that feels both lively and laid-back. Mornings start with coffee and breakfast, afternoon shift to craft beer and cocktails and special gatherings—like yoga under the stars—bring even more reason to stick around. Sip is all about connection, creativity and community.
Original Chopped Salad
A casual all-day hangout in the heart of Old Town, Beginner's Luck is the latest from James Beard-nominated chef Bernie Kantak and the team behind The Gladly and Citizen Public House. Begin the day with ingredient-driven brunch and specialty coffee, or come for dinner and enjoy comfort-driven cocktails and chef-crafted plates. The famous chopped salad—a staple across Kantak's restaurants—stands out with its unexpected mix of smoked salmon, couscous and dried sweet corn, proving that even a salad can have a cult following. Beginner's Luck makes every part of the day feel like the right time to be here.
Tableside Guacamole at The Mission
With pecan- and mesquite-grilled meats, house-made tortillas, and sauces made fresh daily, The Mission is where Latin flavors get the star treatment at either the Old Town or Kierland location. Chef Matt Carter blends influences from Spain, Mexico, Central, and South America, creating a menu that's as refined as it is craveable. The tableside guacamole—mashed to order and impossibly fresh—is a must, setting the stage for smoky, slow-roasted tacos and a cocktail list stacked with premium tequilas and mezcals. The Mission makes every meal feel like an occasion.
Toro Interior
With sweeping views of the TPC Scottsdale golf course, Toro channels the energy of Latin American dining, where fire, flavor and technique come together seamlessly. Chef Richard Sandoval's menu moves seamlessly from bright ceviches and delicate tiraditos to expertly grilled steaks, all crafted with precision. The Tuna Tiradito with burrata is an unexpected standout—silky fish meets creamy cheese in a way that shouldn't work, yet absolutely does. The Argentinian steaks, raised on heirloom grasslands by generations of gaucho families, arrive flame-kissed and served with chimichurri, shishitos and marble potatoes. The drink list leans heavily into rum and Latin spirits, delivering cocktails that hold their own against the fire and finesse of the kitchen.
Tell Your Friends
Stepping into Tell Your Friends feels like time-traveling to a different era—dim lighting, vintage aesthetics and a live band that keeps the energy just right. The Blue Cheese Martini is a unique masterpiece, while the Pepperoncini Martini delivers an unexpected kick that lingers in the best way. The food menu holds its own, but for those craving something from The Americano restaurant upstairs, the team will bring it straight into the speakeasy, no questions asked. The experience feels like a secret you stumbled upon—one you won't want to leave.
Hush Public House Duck fried rice
Hush Public House may be tucked away in a strip mall, but its menu is anything but subtle—flavor-driven, creative and packed with dishes that keep you coming back. The crab hush puppies are golden and crisp, served with a sweet corn remoulade and scallions for the perfect bite of richness and freshness. The duck fried rice layers duck confit, sesame, scallion, house-made rayu and a fried egg, creating a deeply savory, umami-packed dish that demands to be devoured. Cocktails are solid, but a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley pairs beautifully with the duck fried rice, bringing just the right balance to every bite.
Uchi dishes
The name Uchi means 'house' in Japanese, and stepping inside feels exactly like that—warm, intimate and effortlessly refined. Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, this modern Japanese spot blends elevated food with impeccable service, offering non-traditional sushi, signature tastings and a seasonal omakase. With so many knockout options, if you get overwhelmed, let the chefs take the lead— go for omakase.
Local favorites include the Kinoko Nabe, a deeply savory mushroom dish with layers of umami and the Wagyu Carpaccio, where rich, marbled beef meets just the right amount of heat and acidity. The Hamachi Kama (yellowtail collar), one of the most underrated cuts of the fish, is lightly charred and served with unexpected bursts of pineapple flavor, proving that sometimes, the best bites are the ones hiding in plain sight.