1. Indulge Your Burger Addiction At Rehab
Rehab Burger Therapy
7210 E 2nd St
(480) 621-5358
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 507 Reviews
If you love burgers, Rehab might just be your new home. The atmosphere is super fun and beachy. Wear your flip-flops because you’re going to feel as though you’re kickin’ it beachside on the west coast. Come hungry, because you’re going to need to have a burger, sweet potato tots and an adult-style milkshake with a pot brownie. Just trust me. You want to try them all.
The newest must-have on their menu is the ghost burger: two burgers, pepper jack cheese, crispy fried onion straws and a huge serving of their delicious guacamole all piled high on your choice of bun (brioche, wheat, pretzel or gluten-free). It’s radical, dude.
2. Change Your Life With Bacon Fat Popcorn At Citizen Public House
Citizen Public House
7111 E 5th Ave, Ste E (Old Town)
(480) 398-4208
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 782 Reviews
Bacon is a way of life at Citizen Public. From the pan-seared scallops with bacon to the bacon and peach hand pie, they are a testament to the idea that “Bacon makes everything better.” The real star is their bacon fat heirloom popcorn. Yes, they serve popcorn cooked in bacon fat and scattered with bacon pieces.
To be honest, this dish could very well easily be a trendy, greasy train wreck, but it is most decidedly not. It’s light, airy and perfectly executed with amazing flavor. It’s guaranteed to be the best popcorn you’ve had in your life.
3. Melt Into Heavenly Euphoria At Sweet Republic
Sweet Republic
9160 E Shea Blvd
(480) 248-6979
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 444 Reviews
If you find yourself screaming for ice cream in Scottsdale there’s really only one choice: Sweet Republic. Their handcrafted, artisanal ice creams are creative, not too sweet and run the gamut from traditional flavors to totally off the wall and wacky flavors.
Want to try something totally different? Go for the honey blue cheese ice cream. If you have a sweet tooth, go straight for the toffee banofi sundae. If you’re craving something more refreshing than sweet, opt for their delicious sorbets like watermelon and basil lime. You absolutely cannot go wrong here, no matter what you order.
4. Get Gooey, Crunchy, Green Mac & Cheese At The Roaring Fork
Roaring Fork
4800 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 1700
(480) 947-0795
Yelp: 4 Stars - 469 Reviews
The Roaring Fork has a great atmosphere and a delicious and diverse menu with . There’s many great things to say about this rustic, yet elegant restaurant… but first I must tell you about their green chili mac and cheese. Served bubbling hot in its own kettle, it’s green with chilis, gooey with cheese, a tad spicy and topped with bread crumb goodness. You’ll want to lick the inside of the kettle.
Other notable dishes are the braised beef short ribs, buttermilk fried chicken, sugar-cured duck breast and their aptly named ‘Big Ass Burger’. Wash it all down with a guava rum mojito for a feeling of deep satisfaction.
5. Even Your Italian Grandma Would Love Defalco’s
Defalco’s
2334 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste A133
(480) 990-8660
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 490 Reviews
As soon as you push the door open to Defalco’s you begin to salivate at the aromas of fresh baked garlic bread and rich tomato sauce. You’ll be torn between a deli sandwich, ordering a pizza, sitting down for a full meal or just shopping their great selection of imported Italian groceries.
Visiting Delfaco’s is like a mini trip to Italy. Most people don’t make it past their menu of deli sandwiches, understandably so. Their vast selection of cold cuts - pastrami, prosciutto, capicola and imported ham, to name of few- are incredible. This is quite possibly the best place for deli sandwiches in the entire state.
6. Brunch It Up At The Orange Table
Orange Table
7373 E Scottsdale Mall, Ste 6
(480) 424-6819
Yelp: 4 Stars - 467 Reviews
If brunch is your jam, then the Orange Table has everything you’re looking for. In fact, that have a few things you didn’t even know you were looking for, like jalapeño pecan pancakes and a brunch burger that will rock your face off. Their ‘flannel’ dishes are what they’re known for - corn beef hash, two eggs and potatoes smothered in roasted green chiles (green flannel), mushrooms and onions (white flannel) and roasted beets (red flannel).
It can be crowded, chaotic and loud, but let’s face it...the best brunch spots are. The good thing is that you can bring your pooch for the patio and wait with one of their impressive cocktails - which is the REAL reason for brunch, right? The place is getting a makeover and will be called Park Place Bar & Grill, but the same great food and drink will stay.
7. You Deserve A Daily Dose Of Deliciousness
Daily Dose
4020 N Scottsdale Rd
(480) 994-3673
Yelp: 4 Stars - 492 Reviews
Another Old Town gem is Daily Dose. The just opened up a sister restaurant in Phoenix because they are so darn delicious. You can’t go wrong with breakfast here. They have everything from peach crème brûlée pancakes made with gingerbread batter to breakfast nachos served with a side of sausage gravy.
They also have an incredible selection of eggs benedict styles: roasted red pepper, black forest ham, turkey sausage, smoked salmon, chorizo, prime rib and crab cake - of course, topped with a rich, house-made hollandaise sauce. If you’re feeling a bit Southern, order your benedict Daily Dose style: they swap out the English muffin and hollandaise for a biscuit and sausage gravy.
8. Climb A Taco Mountain At Coconut’s Fish Cafe
Coconut’s Fish Cafe
16640 N Scottsdale Rd
(480) 275-6690
Yelp: 4 Stars - 245 Reviews
Coconut’s Fish Cafe is the perfect place to dine in the Aloha spirit. Their original, critically-acclaimed location is in Maui and the same fresh Hawaiian fish can be found in Scottsdale. Who knew the best fish tacos, coconut shrimp and fish sandwiches could be found in a land-locked state?
Their taco mountain, however, is a force to be reckoned with. It’s served with all the fresh taco fixings and your choice of fish, chicken or a veggie patty atop a mountain of brown rice. You can always nix the rice and ask them to put it over a mound of lettuce or veggies. However you get it, it’ll rock your world.
9. Dine In Sophisticated Elegance At Olive & Ivy
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback Rd, Ste 195
(480) 751-2200
Yelp: 4 Stars - 673 Reviews
Olive & Ivy is in a prime location of Old Town, with a dreamy elegance that makes you feel as though you’re dining in the heart of Tuscany or Southern France. Their menus are simple and delightful. Try their marketplace croissants and espresso with your morning paper, their kale salad with bacon, blue cheese, apple and candied pecan for lunch, and their sweet potato cannelloni pasta for an amazing dinner.
Everyone looks forward to the fresh bread and flavorful pesto that they bring to the table, but don’t let that hinder you from trying their amazing bruschettas. Some favorites are prosciutto and fig, funghi with roasted garlic and crescenza, or fresh mozzarella with tomato jam and basil. Mama mia!
10. Be Blown Away By SumoMaya’s Mexican-Asian Fusion
SumoMaya
6560 E Scottsdale Rd
(480) 397-9520
Yelp: 4 Stars - 106 Reviews
It’s not easy to blend Mexican and Asian cuisine and end up with something divine and sophisticated, but SumoMaya has cleverly done so. Their food is small plate and meant to be shared, which is perfect since you’ll want to try as many dishes as possible.
Their Mexican style pho, strawberry gazpacho, Korean beef tacos, mexican shrimp cocktail ceviche and tuna pizza are all to die for, as well as their pork belly ramen with roasted shiitake mushrooms, pea leaves, bonito flakes, scallions and a soft poached organic egg. Everything is so fresh and tasty, you’ll wonder why these two cuisines aren’t married everywhere. Not to mention their 85 different tequilas. Yep, that’s not a typo.
11. Fresh Mint Is A Vegetarian’s Dream Come True
13802 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 161
(480) 443-2556
Yelp: 4 Stars - 181 Reviews
If you’re trying to impress (guilt?) your carnivore friends with your vegetarian lifestyle, this is the place to take them. They’ve mastered the art of herbs and spices that excite even the most picky eater. No matter what you choose, start off with their fresh summer rolls with thin sliced carrots, red and white cabbage, fresh mint, tofu, and vermicelli, rolled in rice paper and served with their tasty house peanut sauce.
Trust me, everyone in your party is going to love this place. And with dishes like Lemongrass Soy Beef Delight, Eggplant with Basil, Soy Fish in a Clay Pot, and Vegetarian Citrus Spare Rib how could they not? Their meals are bursting with flavor and freshness, all their dishes are made to order on the spot, and they offer kosher, vegan and gluten-free options.
12. Dine In A Romantic Glow At The Mission
The Mission
3815 N Brown Ave
(480) 5636-5005
Yelp: 4 Stars – 809 Reviews
If you’re looking for a seriously cozy and romantic spot The Mission will exceed your expectations. It has an old world sophistication, yet still feels casual and modern, with a glowing Himalayan salt brick wall, candlelit walls, and a cozy fireplace on their front patio.
The main do-not-miss dish is their Mahi Mahi tacos - 3 Tecata battered street-sized tacos with green olive roast crema, cilantro & cotija cheese. They are to die for. From their amazing kale salad with blood orange, goat cheese & marcona almonds, all the way to their pumpkin bread pudding dessert with scotch, pepitas and pomegranate, you can’t go wrong.
13. Find Scottsdale’s Best Kept Sushi Secret At Hiro’s
9393 N 90th St, Ste 116
(480) 314-4215
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 289 Reviews
When most people think of sushi, they think of trendy, chic, hip places with a lot of buzz and fanfare, but the real sushi gem in Scottsdale is a hidden-in-a-strip-mall, tiny, mom-and-pop sushi spot: Hiro Sushi.
Owner and chef Hiro can be found behind the counter making sushi with his son, Leo. Everything is fresh and delicious, from the seaweed salad, octopus salad and miso soup, to their various rolls, nigiri and sashimi. Pay attention to the specials board, because that’s where the magic happens. And order the Deluxe Chirashi. It’s not on the menu, but they’ll be happy to make it upon request.
14. Impress All Your Out Of Town Guests At Virtù
3701 N Marshall Way
(480) 946-3477
Yelp: 4 Stars - 59 Reviews
Virtú is a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired café with delicately flavored food that will actually blow the taste buds out of your mouth. Their squid ink linguine, smoked duck breast and osso buco marrow bones are almost too beautiful to eat --- almost, but not quite.
You’ll eventually find yourself slowly deconstructing each work of art in a blissful state of ecstasy. Their award winning menu changes often to feature the freshest meats and the most recent farmers market harvest, so what you have today could be gone tomorrow. Not to worry, you’re sure to find a new favorite with each visit.
15. Gorge On George’s Famous Gyros
7620 E McKellips Rd, Ste 6
(480) 874-1354
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 148 Reviews
When you’re craving a gyro in Scottsdale, George’s is the only place that truly delivers. Their perfect original beef gyro starts with a warm, fluffy pita stuffed with a large heaping portion of crispy, yet juicy shaved beef with onions, tomatoes, smeared with some of the most flavorful, creamy tzatziki sauce you’ve ever had, accompanied by an impressive side salad or a side of fries.
They do serve an entire menu of wonderful Greek and Mediterranean dishes at George’s, but it’s hard to ever get past the gyro. That being said, do not leave without a sticky sweet baklava.
Feature Image Source: Rehab Burger Therapy Facebook
What’s your go-to for grub in Scottsdale? Tell us in the comments below!
