Your Complete Food Guide to Scottsdale

In need of a relaxing, food-filled getaway? Scottsdale is the perfect resort destination! Scottsdale has always been known as a golf destination but the food scene has really transformed over the past few years and it’s worth checking it out now before everyone else finds out 😉

In case you don’t remember, I visited Arizona last November with foodies Ben (@stuffbeneats) and Brian (@briancantstopeating) from New York, Kim (@kimlycurry) from Minneapolis, and Seth (@chicityfoodie) from Chicago and we had such a blast that we returned to Scottsdale for a reunion (read more about that trip here)!

I’ve listed the restaurants (as well as our hotels and a few activities) out based on our itinerary to give you a starting point for when you’re planning yours!

DAY 1

Schmooze Cafe (afternoon snack) - After a delayed flight and no lunch, Schmooze was my first stop in Scottsdale. We were greeted with awesome custom printed coffees, iced teas, and I also opted for an Arugula Caprese SchmAvocado Toast. The cafe also doubles as a workspace with desks and meeting rooms that you can reserve. But if you’re not looking to do work (because why would you while you’re on vacation), their outdoor patio is the perfect spot to sit back and relax in between activities.

FnB Restaurant (happy hour) - FnB’s chef and co-owner, Charleen Badman, recently won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest and it was fully deserved. We had dinner at FnB on our last visit and could only fit in happy hour this time but if you have the opportunity to eat dinner at FnB, it is definitely worth it. FnB’s menu is veggie-centric, which is right up my alley, but even if you’re a meat lover, the menu will have something for you.

Prado (dinner) - Awarded Best New Restaurant of 2009, Prado is one of the Omni Resort’s restaurants. They offer both tapa style small plates as well as large plates that can be served family style. Not only were we wowed by their massive Prado Paella but also by their Wild Mushroom Linguine and Rioja Braised Short-Rib (for the rest of our group). However, one of my favorite dishes of the night was the Prado Kale Salad. Before you knock it, take my word and try it for yourself. Trust me, it’s not any ordinary kale salad.

DAY 2

Sumo Maya (brunch) - We originally had a 5am hike planned, but as you probably could’ve guessed, we cancelled that idea and decided to spend our energy on bottomless brunch at Sumo Maya instead. If you don’t have a reservation, make sure to get there early to beat the crowds. The bottomless brunch experience at Sumo Maya is not your usual bottomless brunch. Not only are the drinks unlimited, but so is the food. Everyone gets to pick one main entree but then you can order as many starters and sides as you’d like. By the time we left, every table was full and it felt like a day party, complete with a DJ!

Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop (afternoon snack) - Looking for some of the cutest desert desserts? Look no further! Sweet Dee’s makes all things cactus-shaped plus much more. We didn’t get to try the food since we had been eating all day, but the pastries and desserts taste just as good as they look!

Cloth & Flame (dinner) - Not your usual dinner pop-up. Cloth & Flame hosts beautiful dinners in the middle of the desert! Definitely check to see if they’re hosting any dinners during your visit and book your spot as soon as possible because they always sell out. The dinner is on a long, communal table and the food is served family style. There’s about 3-4 courses but make sure to save room for dessert because that was my favorite course hands down. Pro tip: bring a jacket because even though it’s burning hot during the day, desert nights can get pretty chilly.

DAY 3

Diego Pops (lunch) - Flamin’ Hot Cheeto elote, Brussels sprout nachos, and taco, taco, tacos? Yes, please! Diego Pops also has this bomb beet crema that I wish I could drink (jk but you get the point). Even though Diego Pops is located on the side of a main street, the outdoor patio is the place to be (you can’t even tell that you’re surrounded by a parking lot and who’s even paying attention when the food looks this good).

Mowry & Cotton (dinner) - The Phoenician’s main restaurant, Mowry & Cotton was added during the hotel’s three year long renovation. We had breakfast and dinner here and I thoroughly enjoyed both meals. All of the menus are extensive so there’s something for everyone, even down to the drinks and desserts. If you’re not staying at the hotel, I would still recommend visiting Mowry & Cotton for dinner so that you get the chance to witness how expansive the resort is and see it for yourself.

DAY 4

Hash Kitchen (brunch) - When you’re feeling over-the-top, this is your spot. Boasting Arizona’s largest Bloody Mary bar, Hash Kitchen’s menu is full of Instagrammable food and drinks including a 32 oz. Big Hash Bloody Mary and a Cereal Shooter Flight. If you’re having a hard time deciding what to order from their extensive menu, my pick would be the Banana Split Brioche French Toast, which is dipped in vanilla cream and topped with sweet mascarpone.

The Phoenician Tavern (happy hour) - The Phoenician’s newest restaurant, The Phoenician Tavern is located in the resort’s Golf Clubhouse. However, the fare is more elevated than your usual clubhouse food (to my surprise). I opted for the crab roll and mac n’ cheese (I’m always a sucker for mac n’ cheese) and both of them exceeded my expectation. It’s a great spot to unwind, catch your breath after a long day, and grab a drink or bite.

Fat Ox (dinner) - Pasta! Pasta! Pasta! Not only does Fat Ox offer a variety of mouth watering pasta dishes (and many other types of dishes) but they have a great ambiance that can be dressed up or down. Fat Ox was probably one of the nicer restaurants we dined at during this trip but I’d definitely dine here again on my next visit. I don’t usually order Caesar Salad but the one at Fat Ox, which they prepare tableside, was so good that I couldn’t stop eating it and almost ordered a second one (until I saw all the pastas come out).

WHERE TO STAY

The Phoenician - After undergoing a three year long renovation, The Phoenician recently unveiled a completely refurbished property with updated rooms, pools, an athletic center, and restaurants. The hotel’s layout, design, and rooms reminded me a bit of Grand Velas (the resort I stayed at in Cabo) and is so big that I got lost for ten minutes while trying to locate my room. There’s also three pools, one being an adults-only pool, which is music to my ears because crying babies tend to always follow me around (LOL I’m serious). The Athletic Club is also one of the nicest I’ve seen and includes tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, as well as a fitness center (it certainly made working-out while on vacation more enjoyable).

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa - Located at the base of Camelback Mountain, Omni’s vast property spans over 35 acres (you know it’s vast when they take you to your room in a golf cart). You certainly feel like you’re in paradise as soon as you arrive to the property. No matter where you stand, your view will always look straight out of a storybook. Omni has two pools and like The Phoenician, they also have an adults-only pool with private cabanas. The rooms are not the most modern but they are spacious and I always love a nice bathroom.

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa - We didn’t stay at Andaz this trip but we did on our last visit and we had such a great time that I had to include them on this list. Check out my Arizona blog post for more about our stay at Andaz last time!

THINGS TO DO

Take a hike - Just because we didn’t do it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t 😉We were supposed to hike the Gateway Trail Loop in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which is a 4.5-mile loop. It’s in the middle of the desert so make sure to start your hike early before it gets too hot…like 5:30am early.

UTV through the desert - Want to explore the desert but don’t want to hike? Go off-roading on a UTV instead! This way you can see the cacti and rattlesnakes from the safety of your car. UTV’s are larger and safer than ATV’s, they fit up to four people, and drive like a car. Just beware, you will be covered in dust! Pro tip: bring a bandana to cover your mouth since it’s technically exposed to the dust under your helmet.

Pamper yourself at the Phoenician Spa - We could all use a spa day, am I right or am I right? The three-story Phoenician Spa recently finished renovations in spring 2018 and now features a rooftop pool and a Dry Bar. I opted for a deep tissue massage and it was heavenly. I never wanted it to end. The spa is certainly luxurious but treat yourself, you’re on vacation!

I hope this guide has either convinced you to take a trip to Scottsdale or helped you plan your itinerary! Thank you Emily Lawrence and Experience Scottsdale for making this awesome reunion possible!