Admit it, one of the best things about the Arizona Sun Circuit is the unbelievable selection of restaurants available in the greater Scottsdale area. For sure, the Sun Circuit is one of the best shows in the country and offers the most points you can get at any circuit all year. It’s also the one top-level horse show where you can eat like a king or queen every night. With so many choices, it can be pretty overwhelming. No worries, GoHorseShow.com has taken the guess work out of it thanks to our many loyal readers and advertisers from the area who we consider to be experts. That being said, we offer you 26 don’t-miss restaurant choices from five star to fast food.
The restaurants are listed by drive time and distance from West World (16601 North Pima Road). Obviously, they will be closer or farther depending on where you are driving from, but it should give you a general guide.
Please let us know what your favorites are and if you try one of these retaurants, give us your feedback by leaving a comment at the bottom of this story. Reader registration is not necessary.
Flo’s Unique Chinese
5 minutes / 2.45 miles
15027 N Thompson Peak Pkwy
(480) 661-8883
Flo’s is so close and so good. Just a quick five minute drive from the show grounds you will find high-quality Chinese food. Flo’s is definitely a horse show crowd favorite whether you eat-in or take-out. They have all of the traditional standards but if you want to expand your horizons, our favorites are the Honey Beef, Pad Thai, Spicy Cinnamon Shrimp and Soy Ginger Sea Bass.
AJ’s Fine Foods
5 minutes / 2.45 miles
15031 N Thompson Peak Pkwy
(480) 314-6500
Located on the northwest corner of Frank Lloyd Wright and Thompson Peak, AJ’s is found in the same shopping center as Flo’s and Starbucks. This is an upscale gourmet market that is definitely worth the short trip from West World. It is perfect for the motor home crowd to stock their refrigerators plus it offers made to order sandwiches and salads and has everything you need to survive a long day at the horse show…including a great selection of wines.
Starbucks
5 minutes / 2.45 miles
15029 N. Thompson Peak Parkway
(480) 767-0902
A true Starbucks junkie can sniff out a store miles away – lucky for you this one
is just over 2 miles from the show grounds. Early risers you too are in luck! This Starbucks opens at 4:30am during the week and 5am on the weekends so you can
probably grab one (or two) on your way in even if you have the first
class of the day! The GoHorseShow.com drink of choice? A grande, non-fat, no whip, zebra mocha, extra hot, double cup…but we’re not picky!
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
5 minutes / 3.11 miles
20715 North Pima Rd.
(480) 538-8468
If you’re looking for great seafood and a warm atmosphere, Eddie V’s is the answer. Eddie V’s offers the freshest seafood, right off the docks and USDA prime, center-cut, steaks – aged 28 days and broiled to perfection. Conveniently located at DC Ranch, we trust Susie Johns’ recommendation that this is “The best seafood in town, much better than the over-hyped and over-priced Ocean Club.” Their focus is on the freshest, high quality ingredients with a dedicated staff.
Flemings Steakhouse
5 minutes / 3.09 miles
20753 North Pima Road
480-538-8000
There are a handful of high-end chain steakhouses in the greater Scottsdale area (Ruth’s Chris, Capital Grille and Morton’s to name a few), but Flemings seems to be the most popular with the horse show set. Its close DC Ranch location certainly does not hurt. Best known for its classic steaks and sides in a relaxed, clubby atmosphere, you can take in the majestic views of the Valley of the Sun from their patio and select from their award-wining list of 100 wines by the glass.
Nicks
6 minutes / 3.36 miles
13910 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.
(480) 314-9445
Pressed for time and want good, casual Italian? Nick’s is your answer. A favorite of North Scottsdale residents for more than 10 years, Nick’s serves homemade pasta, pizza, seafood and much more. Walk up to the counter, order your food and they will bring it to you. Nick’s is great to-go as well. There are multiple locations throughout the valley.
Quill Creek Café at Grayhawk Golf Club
6 minutes / 3.59 mile
Grayhawk Golf Club
8620 East Thompson Peak Parkway
(480) 502-1700
One of the best places to take in a view as well as a great meal, the Quill Creek Café gets our reader’s choice for great ambiance. The Southwestern influenced restaurant features stunning views of the majestic McDowell Mountains and the sparkling lake adjacent to the 18th hole of the Raptor Course. The outdoor patio features two fire places and space heaters which should be enough to keep you warm if mother nature is feeling a little naughty.
The White Chocolate Grill
6 minutes / 3.59 miles
7000 E Mayo Blvd. (Phoenix)
(480) 563-3377
Don’t let the name fool ya, the White Chocolate Grill is the real deal and has been one of the most popular restaurants for Sun Circuit goers since it opened a few years ago. Sure, it has a great desert menu but some of its best offerings are their “honest” American burgers, fresh seafood and chicken and wood grilled steaks and ribs. The restaurant is designed with rich wood and real stone creating an upscale, Frank Lloyd Wright inspired atmosphere. It’s a very classic yet sophisticated setting to have a really wonderful meal.
In-N-Out Burger
6 minutes / 3.70 miles
7467 E. Frank Loyd Wright Blvd.
Many people traveling to the Sun Circuit don’t have an In-N-Out Burger in their area and this is a must eat for anyone who still hasn’t indulged at least once. The locals know that In-N-Out is a true burger eater’s dream. That’s all they have – burgers, so they’ve got to do them right to be this famous. Well, they actually have fries and shakes too. But that’s it. Don’t let the limited menu deter you. Everything is made fresh to order and there are no microwaves or freezers. You may even see the french fries being made from hand-diced, fresh, whole potatoes. And the shakes are made from real ice cream. They are open until 1am which is nice if you have to stay late at the horse show. (There’s also one at the Desert Ridge shopping center.)
Mastro’s Steakhouse
8 minutes / 4.87 miles
8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
(480) 585-9500
The original Mastro’s Steakhouse on Pinnacle Peak wins the “biggest splurge” category by a landslide. There are half of a dozen Mastro’s Steakhouses including Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, but the Scottsdale location is the original. Luxurious ambiance and legendary quality and service have won Mastro’s countless fine dining awards.This is one of the few restaurants on this list where you absolutely cannot show up in jeans and spurs.
Sapporo Teppan Yaki and Sushi
8 minutes / 4.86 miles
14344 N Scottsdale Rd
(480) 607-1114
Sapporo is a fun and lively Japanese restaurant best known for the big fire torches that dramatically light the Scottsdale Road eatery. The restaurant’s menu includes a variety of premium sushi and Teppanyaki (cook in front of you) as well as classic and contemporary Asian specialties, such as Grilled Black Cod glazed in Miso. A must for the serious sushi lover.
Kierland Commons
8 minutes / 5.02 miles
15205 N Kierland Blvd
Kierland Commons is not a restaurant but a high end shopping district that has a lot of great restaurants. There is something for everyone to eat at the fabulous Kierland Commons shopping center, just five miles from the horse show. Hands down, one of the best areas of town to shop and eat, there are at least eight restaurants worth giving a try.
Cheesecake Factory
This chain seems to do it right no matter which location across the country you choose. It features an extensive, innovative menu of more than 200 freshly prepared items and more than 40 cheesecake varieties to create an overall dining experience of unparalleled value.
Morton’s, The Steakhouse
This high-end steakhouse is known for great steaks, wonderful seafood and they often serve the best martinis in town. However, we think the best thing on their menu is “Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake” which is worthy of a trip just for it.
NoRTH
An Italian trattoria with sleek interiors a sexy atmosphere, and a menu offering unique antipasti, gourmet pizzas, inventive pasta dishes and many wood roasted and grilled dishes. NoRTH appeals to a variety of guests seeking a casual, hip and upbeat venue with deliciously affordable fare.
P.F. Changs
This is the restaurant chain that proved people will pay just a little bit more for really great Chinese food in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Must haves are the Mongolian Beef, Chicken with Eggplant and the Dan Dan Noodles. Finish the night with a glass of red wine and a slice of their Great Wall of Chocolate and just try to get your chaps on the next morning!
RA Sushi
RA is the place to see and be seen in Kierland Commons. It serves excellent sushi in a hip and trendy atmosphere with a great bar.
The Greene House
California fresh, inspired-by-nature dishes are served at this highly acclaimed restaurant which changes its menu monthly. The menu features a large sandwich and salad selection as well as quite a few yummy seafood options. Entrees range between $15 and $25 and it offers over 35 boutique California wines in either the glass, half carafe or by the bottle.
Tommy Bahamas Restaurant & Bar
“This is the place to go if the weather is bad and you want to escape to a tropical island,” insists Susie Johns. This plantation inspired restaurant offers a relaxed island escape with pretty darn good food to boot.
Zinc Bistro
Zinc Bistro is a taste of Paris in the Arizona desert. Winner of the Best French Restaurant in Phoenix by the Arizona Republic, it offers a sophisticated lunch and dinner menu which features traditional French food with a contemporary twist.
Jalapeno Inferno Bistro Mexicano
8 minutes / 6.02 miles
23587 N Scottsdale Rd
(480) 585-6442
Wendy Habighorst of Show Me Again swears that Jalapeno Inferno is the best Mexican restaurant in the valley! There are certainly many to choose from but we’ll definitely take her word for it. They feature made-from-scratch authentic Sonoran Mexican cuisine with a creek side outdoor patio that is great when the weather is nice. Wendy recommends the green corn tamales at this “hole in the wall.” The swordfish tacos and prickly pear margaritas are reader’s favorites as well.
The Keg Steakhouse at Desert Ridge
8 minutes / 6.51 miles
21001 N. Tatum Blvd. (Phoenix)
(480) 419-7772
There are a nice selection of chain restaurants at the Desert Ridge shopping center such as Macaroni Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, Rock Bottom Brewery, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. But our favorite is The Keg Steakhouse which features tender and juicy steaks and seafood at fairly reasonable prices. Show Me Again’s Wendy Habighorst thinks that the Prime Rib and Lobster for just $30 is as good as it gets.
Tesoro Ristorante Italiano
10 minutes / 6.02 miles
11219 East Via Linda Drive
(480) 767-1990
Katherine Tobin and her sister Susie Johns love this mom and pop owned restaurant which serves authentic Italian food in a casual atmosphere. Fresh chicken, veal and seafood dishes are their specialty as well as tasty homemade pastas. They also have a nice selection of Italian wines.
Gianfrancos Ristorante
15 minutes / 9.02 miles
10434 East Jomax Road
(480) 585-6969
Gianfranco’s is next door to the Four Season’s Resort and boasts an “unpretentious, intimate and welcoming” ambiance. However, it is a more formal Italian restaurant experience than the other places reviewed here such as Tesoro, North and Nick’s. The restaurant is owned and operated by Gianfranco Motti, an authentic Italian who was formally trained at one of the most prestigious culinary schools in Italy and has made a name for himself as the top Italian chef in the Valley. A great night would be a drink on the outdoor patio at the Onyx Bar at the Four Seasons and dinner at Gianfranco’s.
Greasewood Flat
15 minutes / 9.26 miles
27375 N. Alma School Pkwy
(480) 585-9430
Changing gears completely from its Four Seasons and Gianfranco’s neighbors is Greasewood Flat, a time honored bar and restaurant that is as rustic and old cowboy as it gets. Great to go with a group of friends, all of the seating is on outdoor picnic tables on a big sandy desert lot. They call themselves “Truly America’s most beautiful natural outdoor desert dining room,” and it’s usually a really good time.
Cowboy Ciao
20 minutes / 13.54 miles
7133 East Stetson Drive (6th Avenue – Old Town)
480-946-3111
One of the things that many visitors to Scottsdale love to do is walk around Old Town Scottsdale which is home to the finest galleries, specialty retail and cultural attractions in the Valley of the Sun. Downtown Scottsdale is at the heart of the city’s art scene, with Contemporary and Western Art, and also has some wonderful restaurants. Cowboy Ciao is a favorite of many. This funky little restaurant features Modern American food with global influences. Bold flavors are balanced to pair with over 3200 wine selections offered by the glass, bottle and tasting flight. Known for unique ingredients and unpredictable combinations keep guests raving and returning time and again.
Olive & Ivy
21 minutes / 14.10 miles
7135 E. Camelback Rd.
(480) 751-2200
Across from Fashion Square Mall, home to Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and a variety of top level stores, is Olive & Ivy which is the hot place right now in Scottsdale. The restaurant gets top marks but it is almost secondary to the beautiful and trendy scene that can be found. The bar is open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on the weekend. North Valley Magazine recently said that Olive & Ivy “…offers the perfect ambience to people watch, flirt and snag a first date.” It also received “Best Patio Dining” 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards from Phoenix Magazine and Wine Spectator gave it an Award of Excellence for 2007, 2008.
J&G Steakhouse at the Phoenician
23 minutes / 14.19 miles
6000 East Camelback Road
(480) 214-8000
Located atop The Phoenician, the swankiest hotel in all of Scottsdale, lives the J&G Steakhouse. The new restaurant as of August, 2009, offers a sophisticated collection of steakhouse classics as interpreted by Michelin starred chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The food is amazing and so is the view. Diners will enjoy dramatic sunsets and sweeping views of the Valley while dining on premium meats and a global selection of fish. If in the mood for a breathtaking view but don’t want the bill to take your breath away as well, their $19 “Burger & Brew” served in the Lounge is the perfect upscale-yet-casual capper to your horse show day.
