Epicurean Journey to Enjoy the Best Dining in Scottsdale

Scottsdale loves to eat, drink, and socialize. The number of fine Scottsdale dining venues in this desert city continues to increase, and the bar on award-winning cuisine keeps getting higher. Here are a few highlights to start you on your epicurean journey of fine dining in Scottsdale.

Day 1 – Café Monarch

Start your tour off with a Scottsdale tradition, Café Monarch, perfect for a romantic dinner, special occasion, or just an extravagant night out. Their four-course prix fixe menu varies weekly to reflect local, organic, and sustainable premium ingredients. For the ultimate romantic dinner, ask to be seated on the tree-filled outdoor patio. Café Monarch is consistently voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the country; come see if you agree.

Café Monarch
6939 E 1st Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 970-7682

Day 2 – Fat Ox

For a modern twist on Italian classics, head to the Fat Ox. With seasonal ingredients and fresh house-made pasta, you can indulge in both classic Italian dishes and more adventurous, creative Scottsdale dining. Pair your dinner selections with a wine from their extensive wine list. Their slow-roasted meats and seafood are cooked over a pecan wood-fired grill for amazing flavor.

Fat Ox
6316 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 307-6900

Day 3 – Dominick’s Steakhouse

Dominick’s Steakhouse has two floors of dining experiences just waiting for you. Dine in the elegant first floor dining space, or head up to the second floor for a more modern Scottsdale dining experience at the tables surrounding the rooftop pool. The featured menu item is steak—all cuts and sizes and toppings. There is a raw bar, too, with oysters on the half-shell and iced Alaskan king crab, but this place is all about great steaks.

Dominick’s Steakhouse
15169 N Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 272-7271

Day 4 – Sel

Chef Branden Levine is at the helm of Sel, a small, chic restaurant nestled in between the art galleries and boutiques of Old Town. Sel offers a four-course prix fixe menu of contemporary American cuisine (also available a la carte) that is constantly changing to reflect the seasonal ingredients available. Chef Levine has appeared on Food Network cooking competitions and brings all his skill and flair to this Scottsdale dining establishment.

Sel
7044 E Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 949-6296

Day 5 – Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain

A short drive from Scottsdale, elements’ Food Network star Chef Beau MacMillan offers innovative seasonal menus using local, organic produce and hormone-free meat. Sit on the patio overlooking the pool and watch the sunset behind the surrounding mountains as you enjoy an award-winning meal at elements.

elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
5700 East McDonald Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ

Day 6 – Roka Akor

At Roka Akor, the center of the contemporary-style dining room is the robata grill, the heart of the restaurant. Voted one of the top ten sushi spots in the US by Bon Appetite, Roka Akor also is known for its steaks. The menu varies according to season but will always offer prime cut steaks and seafood with a Japanese twist, and of course, sushi and sashimi. Try the Chef’s Tasting Menu for an amazing Scottsdale dining experience.

Roka Akor Scottsdale
7299 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(480) 582-4552
Scottsdale@RokaAkor.com

Day 7 – FnB

Award-winning FnB’s vegetable-forward menu changes frequently to reflect local seasonal ingredients, and their wine program highlights Arizona’s local wineries. Locally known as the “veggie whisperer,” Chef (and co-owner) Charleen Badman has been a “Best Chef Southwest Nominee” by the James Beard Foundation every year since 2014. Located in the historic Craftsman Court in downtown Scottsdale, FnB offers farm-fresh flavors and creative, unexpected flavor combinations.

FnB
7125 East 5th Avenue, Suite 31
Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 425-9463

Day 8 – Franco’s Italian Café

Consistently named one of the top ten restaurants in Scottsdale, Franco’s offers its guests authentic Italian cuisine. This casual, small establishment features all your favorite Italian dishes like Baked Asparagus & Prosciutto, Ravioli, Linguine & Clams, and Fettuccine Tartufo. The pastas are all made in-house and you really can taste the difference. If you have room, the Mascarpone Cheesecake and the Tiramisu are always popular desert choices, but the Mernghata is amazing.

Franco’s Italian Café
4327 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Day 9 – Roaring Fork

Conveniently located in Old Town Scottsdale, Roaring Fork offers “Bold American cuisine and contemporary Western ambiance.”All of their entrees are prepared by wood fire rotisserie, open flame grill or wood oven roasting, adding an amazing extra layer of flavor. If you or someone in your group is a steak lover, the Roaring Fork is heaven. Steaks are wood-grilled, hand-cut in house and specially aged. But you may want to try customer favorites like their Sugar-Cured Duck Breast, “Big Ass Burger,” or Rainbow Trout. The antler chandelier and rustic wood and stone décor reinforce the western flair.

The Roaring Fork
4800 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-947-0795

Day 10 – Citizen Public House

This contemporary “public house” has clean, classic décor with the vintage black & white photos of family lining the walls that add a nice touch. Order classic house cocktails or barrel-aged cocktails (try the Instant Gratification made with Cognac, Scotch, Orange-Infused Brandy, Amaro, and Mole Bitters), while you wait for your meal. Start your dining experience off with the customer favorites Bacon Fat Popcorn, Fondue Board (3-cheese fondue, pear slices, pretzel rolls and sausage), Pork BellyPastrami, or Crab Cakes. Delicious main dish options include Amaro Meatloaf, Fair Trade Coffee Short Ribs (another customer favorite), Seared Sea Scallops, Togarashi Spiced Filet Mignon, and a Pan Roasted Salmon.A Whiskey Bread Pudding, Cookie Bag or Chocolate Pot de Crèmedesert will finish the night nicely.

Citizen Public House
7111 East 5th Ave, Suite E
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-398-4208

Day 11 – Vine & Hops

If you’re looking for a casual wine or craft beer bar that also has good food (sometimes it seems like it’s only one or the other), try Vine & Hops. With over 20 craft beers and 70 different wines from around the world, you can sample new choices all night long. Try their Burrata and Charcuterie Board; it’s a customer favorite!

Vine & Hops
4216 North Brown Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-748-4460

A Place to Return To After Enjoying the Best Dining in Scottsdale

Once you have indulged yourself with the best dining in Scottsdale, return to a luxury villa from Parsons Villas to spoil yourself even further! Browse our available rentals, and book your favorite by contacting us today!