Scottsdale isn’t short on sleek steakhouses, buzzy patio brunches or award-winning dining options by celebrity chefs. But it’s also a city where BBQ is found in a gas station smoker, where a single salad can launch a thousand Instagram posts, and where sticky buns make a historic statement. Get ready to eat your way through the desert's greatest hits with these ten iconic foodie favorites.
BBQ at The Thumb
Yes, that Thumb – the one on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” with a car wash. But don't be fooled by the gas station setting, this is no pit-stop snack bar. Two smokers fueled with pecan and hickory wood turn out serious barbecue like brisket, ribs, chicken, and pulled pork that keeps fans lining up.
Brats & Pretzels Bites at Brat Haus
Visit this dog-friendly beer garden for artisan bratwurst from original recipes, with toppings ranging from sauerkraut to sweet onion jam. Start with warm Bavarian pretzel bites dunked in beer cheese, then go for the sweet heat of a jalapeño-peach brat for German comfort food with a Southwest twist.
Original Chopped Salad at Beginner’s Luck
Move over Caesar, this salad by Chef Bernie Kantak is a true celebrity (it’s even been officially recognized by the state as part of Arizona’s culinary identity). A colorful medley of Israeli couscous, arugula, pepitas, currants, dried corn, smoked salmon and tomatoes is tossed with a zippy basil-laced buttermilk dressing that somehow tastes nostalgic and innovative at the same time.
Sticky Buns at El Chorro Lodge
These legendary buns don't wait for an invitation because they’re complimentary at dinner. Dating back to the 1930s, they've enticed everyone from Clark Gable to Zsa Zsa Gabor with their brown sugar glaze. And when celebrity chef Beau MacMillan dubbed them the "Best Thing I Ever Ate" on the Food Network, he was sharing what locals have known for decades.
Roasted Pork Shoulder Tacos at The Mission
Smoked low and slow for 12 hours over pecan and mesquite, fork-tender pork is finished with a glossy pineapple-habanero glaze. Delivered in a cast-iron skillet with handmade tortillas warming on a Himalayan salt brick and a trio of cotija, onion and cilantro, it’s a build-your-own ritual for two that’s been a mainstay at The Mission since day one.
Fry Bread at The Fry Bread Lounge
A James Beard America’s Classics winner, this family-run restaurant pays homage to Native American culinary traditions with puffy golden rounds of fry bread. While guests can choose between sweet and savory renditions, go for the Ultimate Taco with your choice of red or green chili beef, refried beans, and all the fixings for a handheld feast.
Filet Mignon-Stuffed Tortelloni at Marcellino Ristorante
Chef Marcellino Verzino’s pasta pillows are a six-hour labor of love, stuffed with filet mignon purée, sautéed vegetables and Parmigiano-Reggiano, and bathed in tomato sauce. If your visit coincides with truffle season, splurge for the upgraded version draped in a butter emulsion and showered with shaved truffles.
Honey Bee Pizza at Craft 64
There’s a reason this is the best-selling wood-fired pie at a place that landed in the “50 Top Pizza USA 2025” guide. Hand-pulled mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano get topped with pepperoni and sliced jalapeños, then drizzled with Arizona honey before and after its trip through the flames for sweet and spicy caramelization.
Grilled Octopus at Virtù Honest Craft
Chef Gio Osso’s Mediterranean hideaway at Old Town’s Bespoke Inn might be cozy, but this signature dish is bold. An award-winner that's been racking up accolades since its debut over a decade ago, it features tender tentacles emerging from the grill smoky and charred with a scatter of marinated chickpeas, lashings of Calabrian chile butter and a peppery arugula and fennel salad.
Dessert Room at Shiv Supper Club
After 9 p.m. on weekends, this luxe supper club unveils its Dessert Room with pastry chef Nundi Harris’ bespoke creations. Choose from treats like Dessert Caviar Service with whipped crème fraiche, shortbread in lieu of blinis and tins of basil panna cotta topped with fruit pearls, or The Nest presenting as white chocolate-shelled tiramisu "eggs" and sponge cake cradled in a delicate phyllo nest. It’s indulgence worth saving room for (or skipping dinner entirely).
