7 Local Restaurants in Scottsdale You’ll Want to Try
Best Local Scottsdale Restaurants | Where Residents Love to Eat
Scottsdale isn’t just known for its luxury lifestyle, golf courses, and desert sunsets — it’s also home to an incredible dining scene that locals are proud to call their own. Beyond the high-profile resorts and celebrity-chef spots, you’ll find neighborhood gems dishing out everything from creative tasting menus to mouthwatering comfort food.
Here are nine local restaurants in Scottsdale that residents absolutely love. Whether you’re in the mood for barbecue, authentic Indigenous flavors, or elevated fine dining, these spots showcase the diversity and heart of Scottsdale’s food culture.
1. Beginner’s Luck – Modern All-Day Diner in Old Town
This newcomer has quickly become a go-to for locals. Helmed by acclaimed Scottsdale duo Bernie Kantak and Andrew Fritz, Beginner’s Luck blends diner classics with bold twists. Don’t miss the Lucky Burger stacked with chili sauce, grilled onions, and white cheddar, or the famous Original Chopped Salad featuring smoked salmon and buttermilk dressing. Even the grits and burrata are next-level.
2. Course – A Scottsdale Tasting Menu Experience
Chef Cory Oppold transforms dining into art at Course, offering 5- and 10-course tasting menus driven by seasonal ingredients. Expect inventive surprises — from frozen yogurt with caviar to playful spins on classics like PB&J reimagined as ice cream. Each plate is a visual and culinary masterpiece.
3. The Thumb – Barbecue at an Unlikely Spot
Yes, it’s a gas station. But it’s also home to some of Scottsdale’s best barbecue. The Thumb, run by former surgeon Kip Lassetter, is famous for St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, and smoked sausage. Come for the BBQ and stay for the bakery case — the cinnamon rolls are legendary.
4. Virtu Honest Craft – Italian and Mediterranean Excellence
Inside Old Town’s Bespoke Inn, Chef Gio Osso creates vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dishes that locals can’t stop raving about. From delicate crudo and reimagined carbonara to miso-glazed duck and porchetta with porcini, Virtu offers bold, elevated flavors with an unforgettable wine and cocktail program.
5. Sel – A Hidden Gem in the Arts District
Run by husband-and-wife duo Brandon and May Levine, Sel is an intimate fine dining spot blending global flavors with seasonal produce. Diners can enjoy à la carte options or a multi-course tasting menu. Dishes like scallop crudo, halibut with squash purée, and lamb ravioli with truffle keep locals coming back.
6. The Frybread Lounge – Indigenous Cuisine with a Twist
Chef Darryl Montana brings Indigenous flavors to life in creative, modern ways. Expect bison burgers on frybread, cactus fruit jams, and inventive uses of New World ingredients like squash caramel and pesto from desert plants. It’s a must-visit for authentic Southwestern dining.
7. SugarJam the Southern Kitchen – Brunch With Soul
Owner Dana Dumas serves Southern comfort food with flair. Locals flock here for weekend brunch — think jerk chicken with sweet potato waffles, seafood-stacked shrimp and grits, and challah French toast with apple pie toppings. The vibe is lively, fun, and full of flavor.
Scottsdale’s dining scene is a reflection of the city itself — stylish, diverse, and full of character. Whether you’re enjoying fine dining in Old Town or grabbing frybread on the reservation, these restaurants showcase why locals love calling Scottsdale home.
