Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, Uchi offers signature tastings, sushi and a seasonal omakase tasting menu. After finding success in seven cities across the country, Uchi opened its newest location in Scottsdale. Open for dinner, local menu favorites include kinoko nabe, a dish of seasonal mushrooms, rice, tentsuyu, and egg yolk; wagyu carpaccio; masu crudo of ocean trout, oat tom kha, and Japanese sweet potato; and the shiso mojito. Specials are updated daily. Happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. 3821 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.916.0916; www.uchi.uchirestaurants.com.
Hai Noon
In keeping with the Japanese tradition of omakase, guests enjoy a six-course meal designed and prepared by Chef Nobuo Fukuda. Each evening is unique, with courses of vegetables, sashimi, seafood, poultry, meat, and dessert that change seasonally. Ingredients are sourced locally and from abroad and sequenced for the ultimate enjoyment. Alternately, try the dinner or late-night menus, highlighted by the pork belly bun, sunomono, softshell crab and rice noodle, and ceviche tostada. 7017 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale; 480.306.4023; www.hainoonaz.com; $$-$$$$
Ling’s Wok Shop
Ling’s Wok Shop is the latest concept from the team behind Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, combining counter service and full-service dining. By day, it’s a fast-casual lunch spot. For happy hour and dinner, it transforms into a full-service restaurant with beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. The lunch menu focuses on salads, bowls, and noodle and rice dishes. For dinner, try the seafood hot pot, kung pao, spicy basil, pad thai, or other full entrees. The most unique feature is the build your own bao menu with your choice of szechwan duck, char sui pork, sesame cauliflower, or firecracker shrimp, served with steamed bao buns, cucumber salad, green onions, cilantro, and assorted sauces. 20511 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.801.6524; www.lingswokshop.com. $$
Thai Chili 2 Go
Thai Chili 2 Go is a locally owned quick-service restaurant with a focus on fresh ingredients, colorful Thai flavors, and convenience. It is the destination for authentic fast-casual Thai cuisine, featuring familiar curries, stir-fry dishes, and noodles. Don’t forget to order a Thai iced tea. At The Promenade: 16203 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.653.9158; www.tc2go.com; $
Tottie’s Asian Fusion 2
Chef Tottie Kaya’s namesake restaurant is her vision of bringing together Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisine under one roof. Guest favorites include pad thai, Vietnamese egg rolls, dumplings, and pan-fried noodles. You’ll also find a variety of fried rice, seafood, pho, salads, and soups, as well as chicken wings in both Korean gochujang and Thai red curry varieties. 6204 N. Scottsdale Road.; 480.998.8220; www.tottiesasianfusion2.com; $$
Arizona BBQ Shack
The meats here are dry-rubbed with a special house blend of spices and then smoked for up to 14 hours, a process that gives each meat style and character. The prime beef brisket and pulled pork are standouts and can be ordered by the pound with beef tri-tip, pulled chicken, bratwurst, and hot-link sausage. Baby back and beef ribs are also available and can be topped with house-made barbecue sauces in Roadrunner Sweet & Mild, Coyote House Bold Bourbon, and Javelina Spicy Habanero flavors. Sandwiches, hearty Southern sides, burgers, and even some vegetarian options round out the menu. 8471 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale; 480.948.4227; www.azbbqshackscottsdale.com; $$
Handlebar J
Known as “Scottsdale’s Original Rib House,” Handlebar J is a one-of-a-kind saloon that first opened in 1966 and has been owned and operated by the Herndon family since 1975. This Western-themed establishment is famous for its slow-cooked pork ribs glazed with homemade smoky chipotle barbecue sauce. Check out the monthly calendar for live music by The Herndon Brothers and other national acts. Don’t miss the line dancing classes every Tuesday evening. 7116 E. Becker Ln., Scottsdale; 480.948.0110; www.handlebarj.com; $$
Liberty Station American Tavern & Smokehouse
Liberty Station serves smoked meats, comfort food, vintage cocktails and craft beer. It is the place to go for American comfort food with a regional flair. Some menu items, like the New England clam chowder and Boston cod fish and chips, harken to the founders’ New England roots. Others, like the Arizona pulled pork and the green chili pork stew, cater to Southwestern tastes. The menu offers shareable plates including brisket loaded fries, as well as soups, burgers, sandwiches, seafood entrees and barbecue meat platters featuring brisket, ribs and pork. Happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. Two locations: Terravita and DC Ranch; www.libertystationtavern.com; $$
NakedQ
NakedQ focuses on smoking meats so guests can customize their barbecue with a variety of homemade rubs and sweet, spicy, and mustard-based sauces. Pulled pork or chicken, chopped brisket, sliced turkey, and jalapeño hot links can be enjoyed as sandwiches or as part of a one- or two-meat platter served with cornbread and sides like Carolina slaw, mac and cheese or beans. Try the St. Louis-style ribs as a half or full slab, and order other meats by the pound. 10240 N. 90th St.; 480.912.2102; www.nakedq.com; $-$$
Starlight BBQ & Whiskey Bar
This casual neighborhood restaurant offers delicious barbecue smoked with Arizona pecan and mesquite woods. Appetizers include porky fries, crispy rock shrimp, and mesquite grilled cauliflower. The wide selection of barbecue includes beef ribs, pork, brisket, and meatloaf. Starlite supports local businesses, using Arizona beef, produce from McClendon’s Farm, and fresh bread from Arizona Bread. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. 7620 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale; 480.553.9330; www.starlitebbq.com; $$
Freshbox
Freshbox is a fast-casual restaurant that serves wholesome meals made with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Customers can embrace healthy eating with the menu’s wide selection of superfood salads, wraps and nutrient-packed smoothies. Plus, all nine dressings are made in-house to ensure the highest quality, and they can be purchased by the bottle. Paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan friendly. 10101 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; 480.245.4469; www.ilovefreshbox.com; $-$$
Nekter Juice Bar
This healthy, fast-casual juice bar serves made-to-order cold-pressed juices, smoothies and bowls. Quick, healthy bowls and smoothies for on-the-go meals are their specialty. While you’re in, try a wellness shot loaded wiht vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Everything is made fresh, or you can pick up a grab n’ go bottle or juice cleanse to kickstart a healthy eating routine. Seven Scottsdale locations and one in Cave Creek. www.nekterjuicebar.com; $
Pita Jungle
Pita Jungle has been in the Valley for more than 25 years and has more than 20 locations. The casual restaurant celebrates the art of healthy eating with something for every taste from a delectable variety of hummus and dips to fish, gyros, wraps and wood-fired lavash pizzas with a fresh Mediterranean flair. A wide variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes are available. Multiple locations; www.pitajungle.com; $$
Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade
Say “aloha” to this Hawaiian-inspired lemonade shop. Wow Wow Lemonade’s menu consists of handcrafted lemonades in over a dozen of flavors, like lavender blackberry and mango pineapple. For more filling options, the menu features superfood smoothies, acai bowls, a variety of avocado toast offerings, grain bowls, and flatbread sandwiches. Pick up one of Wow Wow’s eye-catching reusable mason jars to fill with your favorite refreshment. 6501 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale; 480.508.6036; www.wowwowhawaiianlemonade.com; $
Jewel of the Crown
India has been known as the cradle of vegetarianism. Jewel of the Crown’s sumptuous vegetarian dishes are imbued with curry and aromatic spices and include ingredients like lentils, garbanzo beans, fresh vegetables, paneer (cheese), and more in savory sauces. Meat dishes are also available prepared in the tandoor, vindaloo, karahi, or biryani style. The most common herbs and spices used in the kitchen are turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, saffron, and garam masala, giving the dishes a signature taste and aroma. 7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale; 480.949.8000; www.jewelofthecrown.com; $$
Marigold Maison
One of the Valley’s most popular Indian restaurants, Marigold Maison uses the traditional Tandoori oven in preparing many of the menu’s dishes, including several varieties of naan. Menu favorites include classics like chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, samosas, and pakora. 4720 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix; 602.795.0020; www.marigoldmaison.com; $$
The India Kitchen
The India Kitchen is an authentic Indian restaurant with a modern twist. All menu items are Halal. The traditional dishes feature delicate flavors and silky sauces, rich with aromatic spices that add subtle fragrance to the food. Favorites like butter chicken, tikka masala, curry dishes, and more grace the flavorful and complex menu. There are plenty of vegetarian entrees, along with chicken, lamb, and seafood. Biryani, samosa, Tandoor items, and South Indian specialties are also available. Complete your meal with Madras coffee, Masala chai, or Irani chai. 14884 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; 480.203.2699; www.indiakitchenaz.com; $-$$
Craft 64
Craft 64 is a neighborhood gathering place where you can enjoy a casual farm-to-table dining experience. The restaurant specializes in artisan, wood-fired pizza, but you can also find fresh salad, bruschetta, and a chef’s board. Mozzarella is made fresh in-house daily. Guests can choose from an extensive wine and craft beer selection, including Craft 64’s own brews. Pizza options include the Smokehouse with house-smoked sausage and onions, the Honey Bee with pepperoni, jalapeno, and honey, and a vegan pizza. 6922 E. Main St., Scottsdale; 480.946.0542; www.craft64.com; $$
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
Grimaldi’s pizza-making traditions originated in Brooklyn more than 100 years ago. In addition to its coal brick-oven pizza, calzones, and appetizers like bruschetta and antipasto, Brooklyn-based Grimaldi’s is known for its cannoli filled with sweet ricotta cheese and chocolate chips for dessert. Three Scottsdale locations: Old Town, Market Street at DC Ranch and Scottsdale Quarter; www.grimaldispizzeria.com; $$
Il Bosco PIzza
Once you step inside Il Bosco, your senses will be immediately awakened by the aroma of crusty handmade artisanal pizza cooking in the 900-degree, hand-tiled, wood-fired oven. Every pizza is hand-made and topped with a fresh assortment of imported cheeses, house-made sauces, and seasonal veggies and meats. To complete your dining experience, share a plate of roasted seasonal vegetables with burrata cheese and a glass of wine or draft beer. Gluten-free crust is available. 7120 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale; 480.335.8680; www.ilboscopizza.com; $$
Il Capo Pizza
This family-owned pizzeria offers both wood-fired Neapolitan-style and New York-style pizza, as well as handmade pasta and gelato. Il Capo prides itself on using the finest ingredients, either locally grown or imported from Italy. Happy hour daily until 6 p.m. 7366 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale; 480.951.0077; www.ilcapoaz.com; $$
Chula Seafood
A family-owned-and-operated fishery that sources sustainable seafood from the Pacific coast, Chula Seafood provides fresh seafood to several local restaurants. The restaurant’s menu can change daily, based on availability, but often features fresh Hawaiian-style poke bowls, sashimi, and the famous green chile tuna melt. Patrons can purchase never-frozen, sustainable fish by the pound, poke, smoked fish, and daily specials from Chula’s fish market. 8015 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale; 480.621.5121; www.chulaseafood.com; $$
Koi Poke
Fans of Koi Poke rave about the fresh “boat to bowl” fish and eight unique sauces used to customize poke bowls here. Meals can be simple or decadent, with eight protein options, a variety of sauces, and savory toppings and garnishes. There’s also a wide selection of beer, sake, and wine to add to any meal. Pick up a bottle of local Rad Juice or try the mochi ice cream for a sweet treat. 18221 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; 480.209.1137; www.koipoke.com; $$
Modern Oysterbar Chophouse
Modern Oysterbar Chophouse is a family-owned-and-operated restaurant with an open kitchen and a full-size seafood bar with fresh oysters and seafood brought in daily. A hot or chilled seafood platter is the perfect starter for the table, or try a sampler from the oyster bar. Order from the entree salads, Fins & Shells, or Meat & Bones menus for a main course. End the meal with bacon French toast bread pudding, salted caramel creme brulee, or a dessert cocktail. 10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.531.1400; www.modernoysterbarchophouse.com; $$$
Ocean 44
Ocean 44 is a seafood creation from the Mastro brothers, occupying 12,000 square feet near Scottsdale Fashion Square. The restaurant offers an array of upscale seafood dishes as well as premium steaks. The 18-foot raw bar features fresh selections of salmon, tuna, oysters, crab legs, and more. Look for the Maine lobster escargot and the chive and cream cheese-stuffed hash brown, and don’t miss out on the wood-roasted shellfish. 4748 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale; 480.867.0044; www.ocean44.com; $$$
Rockefeller
Locally owned and tucked away in the McCormick Ranch area, Rockefeller serves up fresh, chef-sourced seafood in a sophisticated, yet relaxed setting. You’ll find oysters on the half shell, Peruvian ceviche, and lobster risotto to be the sttandout dishes on a menu where classics sit beside elevated seafood specialties. The wine list is well thought out, and the signature cocktails are creative and pleasing to a variety of palates. Happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. Closed Monday. 8260 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.687.3757; www.rockefellerscottsdale.com; $-$$$$