Arizona is a state of contrasts, with sprawling metropolitan areas and stunning natural landscapes. A road trip from Phoenix to Scottsdale is the perfect way to experience both sides of this beautiful state. With Arizona Shuttle, you can relax and let the driving be taken care of, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast
Start your day with a heavy breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast. This local hotspot has been serving delicious, made-from-scratch breakfast classics since 2004. The menu features fluffy buttermilk pancakes, crispy bacon, homemade sausage, and fresh-baked bread. This no-frills diner has been featured on Food Network and Travel Channel, so you know it's good. With friendly service and a casual atmosphere, Matt's Big Breakfast is the perfect way to kick off your road trip.
Explore Downtown Phoenix
After breakfast, stroll through downtown Phoenix and explore the city's vibrant art scene. Visit the Phoenix Art Museum, home to more than 18,000 works of art, from contemporary to classic. The museum's collection includes works by masters like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Ansel Adams. Another must-visit destination is the Roosevelt Row Arts District, where you can see murals, sculptures, and galleries. This neighborhood is known for its colorful street art and eclectic mix of shops and restaurant.
Hike Camelback Mountain
Exercise and take in breathtaking views of the desert landscape by hiking Camelback Mountain. This challenging hike is only 2.t. It's steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water. The trailhead is just a short drive from downtown Phoenix, making it a convenient and rewarding outdoor activity. hiking Camelback Mountain The hike to the summit takes about two hours but the view will be worth the effort. You'll have stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains from the top.
Lunch at The Mission
After your hike, refuel with lunch at The Mission, a modern Latin restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale. lunch at The Mission The restaurant's upscale atmosphere and attentive service make it an excellent place for a leisurely lunch. You'll enjoy dishes like pork belly tacos and tableside guacamole with fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. The Mission also offers an extensive tequila menu with over 100 varieties.
Explore Old Town Scottsdale
Stroll through Old Town Scottsdale and explore the area's unique shops and galleries. Visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, which showcases cutting-edge works by local and international artists. Or browse the boutiques and art galleries along Main Street, where you'll find everything from handmade jewelry to Western art. Old Town Scottsdale also has plenty of restaurants and cafes to grab a bite or coffee while exploring.
Happy Hour at The Beverly
Wrap up your road trip with a happy hour at The Beverly, a stylish rooftop bar with sweeping views of Camelback Mountain. The Beverly has a sophisticated atmosphere, with sleek furniture and modern décor. Sip on craft cocktails and enjoy small plates like charred octopus and roasted bone marrow. It's the perfect place to unwind and take in the beauty of the desert landscape.
In conclusion, a road trip from Phoenix to Scottsdale with Arizona Shuttle is a great way to experience the best of Arizona. From delicious food to stunning art to outdoor adventures, this road trip has something for everyone. So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories.
A Taste of Arizona: Hidden Culinary Treasures Beyond the Itinerary
The Phoenix-to-Scottsdale corridor is only the beginning. If your definition of a Taste of Arizona goes deeper than landmark restaurants, the state's food media scene has been spotlighting family-run kitchens, neighborhood taquerias, and small-town smokehouses that most visitors never hear about. Publications like AZFamily's Taste of Arizona series and dedicated local directories such as atasteofaz.com regularly profile the "good places to eat in Arizona" — and many of them slot perfectly into a Phoenix or Scottsdale day trip.
Below, we round up the standout spots, upcoming food events, and practical planning answers so you can build a second (or third) culinary day around your original itinerary.
Featured Arizona Eateries Worth the Detour
These kitchens have earned recent features on local food roundups for good reason. Each offers something you simply won't find in a chain restaurant.
Sassy's Cafe and Bakery — Where Every Bite Is a Sweet Surprise!
The question locals keep asking is simple: where can you find a bakery where every bite is a sweet surprise? Sassy's Cafe and Bakery is a recurring answer. Featured as a standout spot in late October 2024 by Taste of Arizona coverage, this cafe-and-bakery combination pairs homestyle comfort plates with fresh-baked pastries, making it an ideal morning stop before you head out on the road.
Nate's BBQ — BBQ That Feels Like Home
For travelers who judge a state by its smoked meats, Nate's BBQ has been highlighted for BBQ that feels like home — slow-cooked, generously portioned, and rooted in family recipes. It's the kind of detour that turns a drive between cities into a destination in itself.
Old School Grub — Classic Comfort Food, Done Right
If your road trip crew can't agree on a cuisine, Old School Grub solves the problem with classic comfort food done right. Featured in mid-November 2024, it's a dependable pick for burgers, plates, and hearty portions after a long hike or an afternoon of gallery-hopping.
Erysian Fields — An Exceptional Journey of Taste
For a more refined experience, Erysian Fields has been described as an exceptional journey of taste. It suits travelers celebrating something special — an anniversary dinner to cap off the day described in the itinerary above.
Taste of Arizona Spotlight: How the Top Spots Compare
Use this quick comparison to match each featured eatery to your travel style, budget comfort zone, and appetite.
| Restaurant | Cuisine / Style | Best For | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sassy's Cafe and Bakery | Cafe + fresh-baked pastries | Breakfast or a sweet roadside stop | Cozy, family-friendly |
| Nate's BBQ | Homestyle barbecue | Hearty lunches, road-trip detours | Casual, welcoming |
| Old School Grub | Classic American comfort food | Groups with varied tastes | Nostalgic, no-frills |
| Erysian Fields | Elevated tasting-focused dining | Special occasions | Polished, intimate |
| Kyoto (Old Town Scottsdale) | Old-school Japanese and teppanyaki | Dinner-and-a-show evenings | Timeless institution since 1982 |
Note: Kyoto has been serving Old Town Scottsdale since 1982, making it one of the area's longest-running dining institutions. Meal costs at all featured spots vary by order — treat any per-person figures you encounter as estimates and check menus directly before you go.
More Valley Favorites Food Writers Keep Returning To
The Taste of Arizona beat has surfaced a deep bench of neighborhood favorites across the metro area. A few worth weaving into your route:
- Tacos Chisco (Phoenix) — an authentic, homemade Mexican food experience built on recipes and ingredients that keep locals coming back, as featured by AZFamily in 2025.
- Salt and Sugar Taqueria — popular for homemade food, tasty lemonades, and signature pink tacos that flood social feeds.
- Avondale's traditional Peruvian restaurant — proof that the West Valley is home to genuine international cuisine, not just quick bites.
- Perk Eatery (Scottsdale) — a brunch institution marking 15 years of homestyle cooking, using organic ingredients where possible and supporting local, family-owned farms for produce and meat.
- Haji Baba (Tempe) — a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern staple on Apache Boulevard for roughly 40 years, serving fresh food alongside imported grocery goods from the region.
- Negranti Creamery (32nd Street and Camelback, Phoenix) — a sheep's-milk creamery whose first Arizona shop opened in the Biltmore-area corridor, a cool reward after time in the desert sun.
- The Cryin' Coyote (Cave Creek) — family-owned homemade BBQ near Cave Creek and Basin roads, open since 2023 and a perfect pairing with a day trip to the town's Western storefronts.
- The Toasted Owl — a beloved college-town favorite with two locations in Flagstaff and one in Phoenix, handy if you extend your trip north.
Sweet-tooth travelers can also plan around novelties: Cereal Killerz Kitchen blends popular breakfast cereals into ice cream, Onyx Ice Cream serves colorful soft serve in black cones, and June 16 is National Cannoli Day, when Valley restaurants roll out variations and deals of the classic dessert.
Upcoming Taste of Arizona Events
Timing your trip around a food event is one of the easiest ways to sample many kitchens in one outing. Keep an eye on local calendars — Arizona Restaurant Week, for example, invites diners to try something new with prix-fixe meals at $33, $44, or $55 per person at participating restaurants (per AZFamily's May 2025 coverage). Check current dates before booking, as lineups and pricing change each season.
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Planning Your Culinary Road Trip: Quick Tips
How do I fit extra food stops into the Phoenix-to-Scottsdale route?
Build your day around one anchor meal (Matt's Big Breakfast or The Mission) and treat the rest as flexible detours. Spots like Tacos Chisco and Negranti Creamery sit on the Phoenix side, while Perk Eatery and Kyoto anchor the Scottsdale leg. With a Arizona Shuttle handling the driving, you can relax between stops instead of navigating parking in Old Town.
What's the best way to find new openings?
Follow local food coverage on AZFamily, browse the Taste of Arizona directory, and check restaurant Instagram accounts — many of these small, family-run spots announce specials and holiday hours there first.
Do I need reservations?
Casual cafes and taquerias generally welcome walk-ins, while upscale rooms like Erysian Fields and teppanyaki houses like Kyoto are safer with a reservation, especially on weekends and during Arizona Restaurant Week.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Taste of Arizona
What does "Taste of Arizona" refer to?
It's a phrase used both for Arizona's broader culinary identity — Sonoran Mexican food, farm-to-table desert cuisine, and family-run institutions — and for specific local food coverage, including AZFamily's recurring Taste of Arizona restaurant features and dedicated directories cataloging the state's best places to eat.
Which Arizona restaurants are family-owned?
Many of the state's most loved kitchens are family operations: Perk Eatery has served homestyle Scottsdale brunch for 15 years with produce from local family-owned farms, Haji Baba has anchored Tempe's Apache Boulevard for about 40 years, Kyoto has been family-run in Old Town since 1982, and a Mesa Mexican restaurant has carried a legacy of food and family for more than 20 years.
Where can I try authentic Mexican food in the Phoenix area?
Beyond The Mission in Old Town Scottsdale, look to Tacos Chisco for homemade, authentic Mexican cooking, Salt and Sugar Taqueria for signature pink tacos and fresh lemonades, and the long-standing family Mexican kitchens in Mesa.
Is there good international food outside Phoenix and Scottsdale?
Yes. Avondale in the West Valley is home to a restaurant serving traditional Peruvian cuisine, Tempe offers Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food and groceries at Haji Baba, and Flagstaff favorites like The Toasted Owl reward travelers who head north on I-17.
When is Arizona Restaurant Week?
Dates vary by year — recent coverage placed it in late spring, with participating restaurants offering prix-fixe dinners at $33, $44, or $55 per person. Always confirm current dates and the restaurant lineup on the official event site before planning.
What dessert spots should I visit?
Sassy's Cafe and Bakery for fresh-baked sweets, Negranti Creamery at 32nd Street and Camelback for craft creamery ice cream, Onyx Ice Cream for soft serve in black cones, and Cereal Killerz Kitchen for cereal-infused creations. If your trip lands on June 16, join the Valley's National Cannoli Day celebrations.
How do I get between Phoenix and Scottsdale food stops without driving?
Shuttle service is the simplest answer. Airport Shuttle of Phoenix connects travelers across the Valley, letting you enjoy craft cocktails at The Beverly or a teppanyaki dinner at Kyoto without worrying about the drive back.
