When it comes to brunch, maybe you’re a breakfast traditionalist, here for eggs and a bubbly mimosa. Perhaps you love a see-and-be-seen vibe. Or you’re dining with the kids and need a palate-pleasing menu. Don’t fret. We lined up our list of Scottsdale’s best brunches, neatly categorized by style. So – how do you brunch?
Elegant Brunch
Elements at Sanctuary (pictured) is the go-to destination for a luxe brunch sided by views of Camelback Mountain. The restaurant’s name evokes the natural elements, a nod to seasonal menus that highlight organic produce and sustainable meats and seafood. Start with roasted beets dressed in pistachio brittle, caramelized yogurt and Point Reyes blue cheese, then savor quiche layered with leeks, potato, kale and sunflower seed pesto.
Whereas Elements gazes upon Camelback’s north side, T. Cook’s nestles on the mountain’s south side. It’s the signature restaurant at the historic Royal Palms Resort and Spa, where saltillo-tiled walkways wend through gardens and burst upon charming courtyards. Every dish on the menu is perfection, but standouts include the egg white frittata with artichokes, burrata, gruyere and marinated tomatoes. But first: Bellinis!
Kid-approved Brunch
There’s plenty to please the littles at Farm & Craft. The children’s menu sports the favorites, from pancakes to cheese pizza, but it also manages to feature healthy, good-for-you options, too. That goes for the regular menu, which showcases delicious breakfast fare like avocado toast, veggie-packed scrambles and build-your-own-bowls. Plus, the atmosphere is casual and service is fast – a relief for parents who sense a toddler’s impending meltdown.
Foodie Favorite Brunch
Adventurous diners will enjoy the offerings at Maple & Ash, which run the gamut from Wagyu beef carpaccio with caviar to soufflé pancakes and a fried chicken tower complete with serrano honey and whipped mascarpone. Dining with friends? Order the espresso martini tree – it serves eight to 12.
The Mission (pictured) is one of the best brunch spots in Scottsdale, and for good reason. Chef Matt Carter innovates Latin fare by drawing on culinary influences from around the world for a feast bursting with flavor. At brunch, this is embodied by the Whole Roasted Pig Out – a dozen salsas, cremas and toppings garnish pineapple roasted pork shoulder and pork belly carnitas, which are then wrapped in handmade tortillas. Other flavors to savor include the Chroizo Scramble, made with local Schreiner’s chorizo, and the must-have Mission guacamole.
Classic Brunch
The French-Mediterranean cuisine at Francine is everything you want in a traditional brunch experience. Almond brioche and maple butter elevate the French toast while an expertly cooked pork loin transforms eggs Benedict. Bloody Marys and mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice complete the meal.
Fun Brunch
The festive energy runs high at CALA (pictured) thanks to a live DJ, tableside cocktails and stylish guests outfitted in their best party dresses. Come for the celebratory scene, stay for tasty fare like the breakfast burrito with barbacoa or an excellent cheeseburger with smoked bacon jam. If you’d like to pair your brunch with an adult bevvie, the options are plentiful and creative. The Mez-Cala, with green chile vodka, mezcal and prickly pear, is a nod to the Southwest, while the Caribbean Cask Paloma offers a Mediterranean twist on the classic Paloma (think sun ripened citrus, elderflower and lime). Other refreshing options include the Pomegranate Pina Colada and Plum Spritz.
At Mexican-inspired steakhouse Toca Madera, everything is bold. The vibrant décor, the upbeat music, the lively atmosphere and, of course, the menu. Order dishes to share, like the truffle quesadilla and calamari with jalapeños and avocado tomatillo salsa, then dig into carne asada served over hot lava stones.
