With more than 330 days of sunshine annually, dining al fresco is one of Scottsdale’s favorite pastimes. Luckily, there’s no shortage of Scottsdale restaurants with great patios here in The Valley of the Sun. Put these outdoor dining favorites on your list as you start planning your getaway.
AZ88
This long-time local favorite is nestled on the western edge of the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center in Old Town. It's a little hard to find without a street-facing storefront, but it's well worth the search. Enjoy upscale pub grub like the Burger Au Poivre II, Hell's Fire Chips and the zippy AZ88 Chicken Sandwich, which comes dressed with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing. Wash it all down with one of AZ88's filled-to-the-brim martinis.
Café Monarch
A Scottsdale dining institution, the award-winning Café Monarch delights with its five-star service, multi-course tasting menus, and gardenesque patio. This Old Town Scottsdale café undeniably checks all the boxes when it comes to fine dining.
The Canal Club
The spirit of 1930s Havana is alive and well at The Scott Resort’s Canal Club. This ultra-hip hotel restaurant and bar offers a lineup of signature sippers and noshes that run the gamut from craveable ceviche to snackable fried plantains.
CIELO
Toast to a dreamy sunset and enjoy dinner under a blanket of stars at ADERO, Scottsdale’s only resort in a certified Dark Sky Community. In addition to an expansive menu, CIELO, the resort’s on-site restaurant, dishes up panoramic Sonoran Desert views by day or night from its lofty McDowell Mountain perch, making it one of the absolute best patios in Scottsdale.
Cornish Pasty Co.
Photo Credit: Aaron Freeman
This casual, daylight to late-night joint deals in classic pub grub and pasties – flaky turnovers filled with proteins and vegetables that were popularized in Cornwall, England. The all-season patio isn’t too shabby either for a comfortable outdoor dining experience.
El Chorro
El Chorro inhabits one of the most beautiful spots in The Valley of the Sun. Positioned between Mummy and Camelback mountains, this rustic restaurant dishes out classic fare from filet mignon to fried chicken, but it’s most famous for its sugary sticky buns and breathtaking sunset views.
The House Brasserie
From its Victorian-inspired dining room to the lush outdoor patio, there’s not a bad seat in this house. The Old Town Scottsdale favorite is revered for its fancy cocktails and laidback approach to fine dining.
Olive & Ivy
Located just steps away from the scenic Arizona Canal at The Scottsdale Waterfront, this Mediterranean-influenced restaurant serves up refreshing shareable dishes like bruschetta and bacon-wrapped dates. Both are best enjoyed with a glass of sangria on Olive & Ivy’s spacious, sun-kissed patio.
Old Town Tortilla Factory
Housed in a historic adobe home, Old Town Tortilla Factory has no shortage of charm and character. The epitome of all-things Arizona, this Mexican-meets-Southwestern restaurant offers unmissable handmade tortillas, a vast selection of premium tequilas, and a shaded all-season patio that goes on for days – well, 1,400 square feet, anyway.
Virtù Honest Craft
James Beard-nominated Chef Gio Osso’s seasonally-inspired and regularly changing menu at Virtù Honest Craft is certainly impressive, there’s no doubt about that. But the restaurant’s inviting, tree-lined patio, which glows with hundreds of twinkle lights at night, is equally as memorable.
So there you have it, Scottsdale’s best patios for an unforgettable outdoor dining experience. Whether you’re in the mood for dinner or just drinks with a view, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in one of these options.
