The Sonoran’s guidebook
Beverage
Wine & beer bar with great cheese/charcuterie plates and toast boards.
141 locals recommend
Postino Arcadia
3939 E Campbell AveWine & beer bar with great cheese/charcuterie plates and toast boards.
Located in the historic Camelback Inn hotel, Rita’s has great margaritas and Mexican food, outdoor seating against the mountains with live music every weekend night at 6pm.
8 locals recommend
Rita's Kitchen
5402 East Lincoln DriveLocated in the historic Camelback Inn hotel, Rita’s has great margaritas and Mexican food, outdoor seating against the mountains with live music every weekend night at 6pm.
Located in the beautiful Royal Palms boutique hotel, the bar at T. Cook’s has an old Phoenix vibe, live music, and a cozy feel. Get the Moscow Mule, their house made ginger beer is unlike anything you’ve had before.
33 locals recommend
T. Cook's at Royal Palms
5200 East Camelback RoadLocated in the beautiful Royal Palms boutique hotel, the bar at T. Cook’s has an old Phoenix vibe, live music, and a cozy feel. Get the Moscow Mule, their house made ginger beer is unlike anything you’ve had before.
More than a dive bar. Arcade/bar games for the more economical drinker, not your spot if you’re looking for a craft cocktail.
102 locals recommend
The Little Woody
4228 E Indian School RdMore than a dive bar. Arcade/bar games for the more economical drinker, not your spot if you’re looking for a craft cocktail.
The Canal Club at The Scott Resort is a great place for cocktails in the airy, trendy hotel lounge that will take you back to the 1920s.
13 locals recommend
The Scott Resort & Spa (formerly FireSky Resort)
4925 N Scottsdale RdThe Canal Club at The Scott Resort is a great place for cocktails in the airy, trendy hotel lounge that will take you back to the 1920s.
Food
Our favorite! Great spot for happy hour or dinner, with indoor/outdoor seating. They have a raw seafood bar (flown in daily), and something for everyone on the menu. If you’re in between meals, their cocktails are also delicious! This spot gets busy, we recommend you call ahead.
120 locals recommend
Buck & Rider
4225 E Camelback RdOur favorite! Great spot for happy hour or dinner, with indoor/outdoor seating. They have a raw seafood bar (flown in daily), and something for everyone on the menu. If you’re in between meals, their cocktails are also delicious! This spot gets busy, we recommend you call ahead.
Local pizza restaurant, right down the street from the house. Indoor/outdoor seating, lively atmosphere, and great food and drinks. If you’re a fan of Moscow Mules, they have a full menu of spin-offs for you to choose from. Another favorite restaurant of ours!
28 locals recommend
Pitch
6350 E Thomas RdLocal pizza restaurant, right down the street from the house. Indoor/outdoor seating, lively atmosphere, and great food and drinks. If you’re a fan of Moscow Mules, they have a full menu of spin-offs for you to choose from. Another favorite restaurant of ours!
Trendy Mexican food restaurant in Old Town known for their taco assortment.
142 locals recommend
Diego Pops
4338 N Scottsdale RdTrendy Mexican food restaurant in Old Town known for their taco assortment.
Staple upscale Latin/Mexican fusion restaurant right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Known for their duck dishes, table-side guacamole, and extensive margarita menu - call ahead.
284 locals recommend
The Mission
3815 N Brown AveStaple upscale Latin/Mexican fusion restaurant right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Known for their duck dishes, table-side guacamole, and extensive margarita menu - call ahead.
Known for their high-end burgers (Best Burger - Eater NYC) and adjoining wine shop.
6 locals recommend
The Tavern
3209 East Camelback RoadKnown for their high-end burgers (Best Burger - Eater NYC) and adjoining wine shop.
Pizza & rotisserie chicken (an unlikely yet surprisingly delicious combination)
36 locals recommend
Doughbird
4385 E Indian School RdPizza & rotisserie chicken (an unlikely yet surprisingly delicious combination)
Famous New Mexican restaurant (spicy!). Richardson’s and Dick’s have the same owner, same menu. Richardson’s takes reservations.
63 locals recommend
Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico
6335 N 16th StFamous New Mexican restaurant (spicy!). Richardson’s and Dick’s have the same owner, same menu. Richardson’s takes reservations.
Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StArtisan pizza shop owned by famous chef Chris Bianco.
A Hillstone restaurant, great food and an even better bar. Atmosphere is one of our favorites!
69 locals recommend
Houston's
6113 N Scottsdale RdA Hillstone restaurant, great food and an even better bar. Atmosphere is one of our favorites!
Brunch
Cute old house converted into a restaurant. Amazing brunch food with endless options.
67 locals recommend
Arcadia Farms Cafe
7025 E 1st AveCute old house converted into a restaurant. Amazing brunch food with endless options.
Reliable, quick breakfast spot. The costa breakfast burrito cures any night when you were over served.
26 locals recommend
Scramble, a breakfast & lunch joint - Scottsdale
6590 N Scottsdale RdReliable, quick breakfast spot. The costa breakfast burrito cures any night when you were over served.
Located right on Scottsdale’s waterfront, good for breakfast/brunch. Big space, you can always get a seat.
314 locals recommend
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback RdLocated right on Scottsdale’s waterfront, good for breakfast/brunch. Big space, you can always get a seat.
Neighborhoods
Location, location, location - chances are you’ve heard of Old Town Scottsdale. Just 5 minutes drive east and you’ll be at the epicenter of southwestern culture -- wastern bars, mexican cuisine and turquoise vendors. If so inclined, you can even stop into Scottsdale’s entertainment district (Bottled Blonde, Whiskey Row, El Hefe etc.) But you probably haven’t heard of Scottsdale’s quieter and quainter Arcadia neighborhood. Just 5 minutes drive west, and you’ll find yourself at the base of iconic Camelback mountain for a much more Phoenix-local experience. Scattered restaurants, wine and raw bars set amongst Phoenix’s famed orange trees (see 5 C’s of AZ). We enjoy both, see below for vetted ideas to send you in the right direction!
Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale RdArcadia
Paradise Valley
Hiking
4.2 mile loop, moderately challenging, a good sweat and great views of the desert landscape.
138 locals recommend
Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy4.2 mile loop, moderately challenging, a good sweat and great views of the desert landscape.
3.8 mile out and back trail, highly trafficked because of the good views and easy pace, moderately challenging
49 locals recommend
Pinnacle Peak
3.8 mile out and back trail, highly trafficked because of the good views and easy pace, moderately challenging
4 mile out and back, very challenging climb to the top but the view is worth it!
11 locals recommend
Tom's Thumb Trailhead
4 mile out and back, very challenging climb to the top but the view is worth it!
1.42 mile out and back, don’t be fooled by the low mileage - this is a very challenging hike! You end up climbing up rocks and boulders to the top, but another trail with amazing views of the surrounding areas
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald Drive1.42 mile out and back, don’t be fooled by the low mileage - this is a very challenging hike! You end up climbing up rocks and boulders to the top, but another trail with amazing views of the surrounding areas
More of a nice walk than a hike, the park has a few trails that start from the parking lot, with beautiful views of the Papago Buttes, the Phoenix Zoo, and downtown Phoenix in the distance
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyMore of a nice walk than a hike, the park has a few trails that start from the parking lot, with beautiful views of the Papago Buttes, the Phoenix Zoo, and downtown Phoenix in the distance