18 Best Diners in Scottsdale, AZ in 2025
Ever wondered where to find the best places to eat in Scottsdale? Try to imagine what you might find in a sunny desert city on historic Route 66 and it won’t be long before a roadside Scottsdale diner comes to mind.
Unsurprisingly, there are lots of Scottsdale diners to choose from, whether you're on the road or visiting the city. But which ones stand out, and which should you try first? These 18 diners in and around Scottsdale have the retro aesthetic and happy customer base to ensure you find precisely the kind of diner experience you're looking for.
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The 18 Best Scottsdale Diners
1. The Eleanor
At once a classic diner and modern brunch spot, The Eleanor seamlessly unites the retro feel of an old-fashioned diner with streamlined elegance. This diner in Scottsdale is focused on breakfast and serves up fresh, high-quality takes on the classics, from French toast and flapjacks to eggs Benedict and country potatoes.
The Vibe
This diner in Scottsdale adopts an elevated take on the classic diner aesthetic. You’ll still find cozy booths, swiveling leather counter chairs and tile floors, but with a muted palette and a sleek, stylish sensibility. The Eleanor is a Scottsdale restaurant that’s as good for Mother’s Day brunch as it is for a casual breakfast.
What to Order
If you have a sweet tooth, the churro French toast is an absolute must. If not, The Eleanor makes a mean biscuit. Pair it with some gravy and you have a diner classic that's sure to hit the spot.
The Eleanor | 3207 Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251| $$
2. Randy's Restaurant & Ice Cream
Since 1981, Randy’s Restaurant and Ice Cream has been serving all the comfort food you’d expect for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a smash-hit homemade pie and, as its name suggests, ice cream sundaes. One caveat, though: while the prices are fantastic, this diner in Scottsdale is cash-only, so remember to stop at the ATM before you visit.
The Vibe
Randy’s is a truly casual diner in Scottsdale: no frills, just delicious, affordable and high-quality comfort food in a friendly setting. The affable staff creates a welcoming environment that’ll encourage you to linger. This is great because you’re definitely going to want to stick around a little longer for dessert.
What to Order
Start with a hearty open-faced turkey sandwich and follow up with either a banana split or a slice of warm apple pie. Since patrons of this diner in Scottsdale say it’s a nearly impossible choice between the two, we’ll leave that up to you.
Randy’s Restaurant & Ice Cream | 7904 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 | $
3. Jim’s Coney Island Café
What makes Jim’s Coney Island Café stand out from other diners in Scottsdale? Hint: it's hinted in the name. That's right, as well as the usual fare you'd expect at your favorite diner, Jim's Coney Island Café brings a taste of New York City to the Southwest, including delicious NYC-style hot dogs.
The Vibe
A long-established local breakfast joint, Jim’s Coney Island Café has a relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking for an easygoing place to unwind while you tuck into huge portions, this diner in Scottsdale is for you.
What to Order
Since it’s their specialty, you’ve got to try the New York-style hot dogs. But if you’re after more classic diner fare, the club sandwich is huge, flavorful and just what you’d hope it would be.
Jim’s Coney Island Café | 1750 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, AZ 85288 | $
4. Perk Eatery
It’s not every diner that has the distinction of an appearance on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” but Southwestern-inspired Perk Eatery does. Though its founders came from the Midwest, they’ve embraced the flavors of the Southwest, using locally-produced ingredients when possible to give their menu of diner classics an Arizona twist.
The Vibe
As casual and homey as you’d expect from a Food-Network-featured eatery. The dining room in this popular Scottsdale diner is always bustling with activity, yet it remains a relaxing spot to enjoy your food.
What to Order
For something a little upscale, the Wine Country French toast takes a diner staple and pulls out all the stops. It’s stuffed with brie and topped with grapes and a wine-based sauce. Alternatively, for a taste of the Southwest, you can’t go wrong with the huevos rancheros.
Perk Eatery | 6501 E. Greenway Parkway #159, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | $$
5. Summit Diner
While Summit Diner offers everything you'd expect from a diner in Scottsdale, it's unafraid to break out from the norm. In fact, as well as all of the trappings you'd expect to find at a Scottsdale diner, guests here can also tuck into wood-fired pizzas and even gyros!
The Vibe
Casual but with a curated feel. This diner in Scottsdale offers counter seats and booths, as well as café-style freestanding seats for a better view of the restaurant’s tasteful, no-frills interior.
What to Order
No matter what the time of day, start (or finish!) with one of Summit Diner’s massive cinnamon rolls, slathered in warm cream cheese frosting. Can’t go wrong at this diner in Scottsdale with a classic cheeseburger, fries and pickles.
Summit Diner | 32531 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85266 | $$
6. Sugar Bowl
Though this Old Town diner in Scottsdale does classic meals, the real draw of Sugar Bowl is the ice cream. Its sundaes and milkshakes are easy to customize to suit your tastes and if you like the quirky pink interior, you’re more than welcome to extend your dessert break into a whole meal. Plus, its retro vibe is well-earned — it’s been operating since 1958.
The Vibe
Think pink. Almost everything about this diner in Scottsdale is pink, a charming choice that fits its menu to a tee. If eating an ice cream sundae from vintage glassware in a pink leather booth doesn't put you in a good mood, we don’t know what will. This is undoubtedly one of the best diners in Scottsdale for vibes and ambiance.
What to Order
If you're looking for fun date ideas in Scottsdale, why not split one of Sugar Bowl's pineapple mint sundaes? Customers love the contrasting flavors, and even if one of you doesn't like it, the other is sure to enjoy clearing the glass!
Sugar Bowl | 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | $
7. Diner 50
One of the most-loved diners near Scottsdale, Diner 50 specializes in chilaquiles, sandwiches and soda fountain treats. It’s a local favorite for its 50s-inspired décor, huge menu selection and excellent service.
The Vibe
Retro, charming and inviting. Though locals praise Diner 50 as a hidden gem, this diner near Scottsdale has fans aplenty, meaning its busy and bustling at most times of the day.
What to Order
If you have a sweet tooth, the waffles come piled high with bananas or strawberries, caramel sauce and whipped cream. For something savory, the chicken fried steak and chilaquiles are hearty options that leave diners satisfied.
Diner 50 | 1002 S. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009 | $$
8. Happy’s Hamburgers
Diners in Scottsdale don’t get more no-frills than Happy’s Hamburgers, a counter-order burger joint serving up good, old-fashioned burgers and shakes. Since burgers are Happy’s thing, the menu is hardly extensive. However, if you love burgers, onion rings, sliders and milkshakes, you're in for a treat.
The Vibe
A small, intimate place with booth and table seating that fills up with its many local devotees. It may look like a dive, but this diner in Scottsdale has all the essentials, which keep regulars coming back for more.
What to Order
You only have a handful of choices at this diner in Scottsdale, so you really can’t go wrong with any of them, but the Sonoran burger with tots and a milkshake (your choice of flavor) is the classic burger-joint spread for a reason.
Happy’s Hamburgers | 10435 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 | $
9. JoJo’s Shake Bar Scottsdale
Don't let the name fool you — this diner in Scottsdale is about more than great shakes! And while its interior design, cocktail menu and elaborate milkshakes are decidedly modern, JoJo’s Shake Bar Scottsdale is a diner through and through.
The Vibe
A modern take on the 50s diner, adapting the traditional Formica tables and booth seating with an on-trend turquoise color scheme and light wood accents. When you walk in, you might briefly wonder if this diner in Scottsdale is even a diner at all, but the menu will quickly reassure you. Free arcade games will keep younger diners entertained while they wait for their food.
What to Order
You simply have to save room for an over-the-top milkshake, and if you're an adult, you can even add alcohol! For lunch or dinner, try the fried chicken with waffle fries.
JoJo’s Shake Bar | 15037 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. J150, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | $$
10. Morning Squeeze
This Old Town diner in Scottsdale aims to combine a trendy modern brunch menu with the comfortable nostalgia of a retro diner. Morning Squeeze will fulfill your cravings for diner-style eggs and brunchtime Bloody Marys alike.
The Vibe
This diner in Scottsdale elegantly combines the dressy-casual touches you look for at a brunch spot with the comfy, counter-seat ambiance of your favorite diner.
What to Order
For trendy modern brunch vibes, go for some avocado toast. For a diner classic with a twist, order the carnitas Benedict. Prefer something in the middle? The pomegranate-and-marmalade-stuffed French toast is exceptional!
Morning Squeeze | 4233 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | $$
11. Temptations Café
At first glance, Temptations Café is a classic American diner. That’s what it looks like inside and most of its menu backs up that impression. But this diner in Scottsdale’s menu goes far beyond the typical, offering guests a dose of Filipino fare that sets it apart from other eateries in the city.
The Vibe
Homey, retro and all-American, with pop culture-themed décor, counter seating and all the diner trappings. This diner in Scottsdale is always popular but becomes especially crowded on Sundays.
What to Order
If you can, visit on a Sunday when you’ll be able to try the Filipino brunch. The rest of the week, reliable and raved-about diner classics to try at this diner in Scottsdale include the club sandwich, quiche and country-fried steak.
Temptations Café | 8322 E. McDowell Road, Unit 107, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 | $$
12. Mel’s Diner
This diner near Scottsdale boasts a TV credit to its name: its exterior stands in for the setting of the 1970s sitcom "Alice," which followed a Phoenix waitress at the fictional Mel’s Diner (confusing, we know). Though it’s a low-key place today, Mel’s Diner pays tribute to its sitcom fame with the menu item “Kiss My Grits,” named for a recurring character’s popular catchphrase. You’ll find references to the series in other spots if you look carefully.
The Vibe
There’s a reason, besides the name, that this diner near Scottsdale was chosen to stand in for the "Alice" version of Mel’s Diner: its interior is best described as space-age retro, the epitome of the roadside diner most people imagine. That, along with the "Alice" connection, won it Reader’s Digest’s pick for Arizona's most iconic diner in 2023.
What to Order
While the Mel’s Diner portrayed in "Alice" was known for the questionable quality of its food, this Mel’s Diner I known for the opposite. In particular, customers love the home fries, breakfast burritos and biscuits and gravy.
Mel’s Diner | 1747 Grand Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007 | $$
13. Joe’s Diner
At Joe’s Diner, customers are beckoned from the parking lot with its retro road sign and bright yellow exterior. Those who are enticed to this diner near Scottsdale will step into a good old-fashioned eatery where the food is fresh, the portions are heaping and the atmosphere takes you back to a simpler time.
The Vibe
Cozy, intimate and charmingly retro. Despite being established in 2010, Joe’s has all the fixings of an old-school diner in a clean, unfussy space that’ll invite you to linger over whatever you order. Friendly service from the crew, many of whom are family, only makes it harder to step away.
What to Order
Biscuits and gravy are the diner’s claim to fame, so if you’re around at breakfast time or just a biscuit fiend around the clock, don’t miss out on those. Later in the day, try the bacon cheeseburger. For dessert, sample the mixed berry crêpes.
Joe’s Diner | 4515 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013 | $$
14. Butterfield’s Pancake House
Though it’s open for lunch, breakfast is king at Butterfield’s Pancake House, whose motto reads, “Breakfast Is an All-Day Affair.” The owners of this diner in Scottsdale pride themselves on the fresh, quality ingredients in their fresh-made breakfasts. They even squeeze their own orange juice!
The Vibe
Butterfield’s takes a more elegant interpretation of the diner aesthetic, with a neutral palate and lots of wood paneling. With its friendly service and massive menu, this diner in Scottsdale is a place where it’s easy for any diner to get comfortable.
What to Order
Butterfield’s list of pancakes is mind-numbingly extensive. If you’re not a fan of sweet things early in the morning, the huevos rancheros is a hearty, savory option that’s equally beloved by happy Butterfield’s customers.
Butterfield’s Pancake House | 7388 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260 | $$
15. MacAlpine’s Diner
This diner near Scottsdale could well be on the set of a 1950s sitcom and that’s in large part thanks to its soda fountain. There’s nothing more retro than a milkshake at the counter and that’s exactly the kind of experience you can have at MacAlpine’s Diner.
The Vibe
MacAlpine’s retains the genuine retro look of its original décor from 1928, with wooden booths, a checkered floor and wire-backed chairs. To best enjoy the vibe, sit at the wooden soda fountain counter.
What to Order
If you're visiting MacAlpine's, you have to try an egg cream — a vintage mixture seltzer water, milk and chocolate syrup that you don’t see many places these days. The Naughty pecan pie is also an excellent choice.
MacAlpine’s Diner | 2303 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85006 | $$
16. Black Bear Diner
Located in the heart of Scottsdale, Black Bear Diner brings hearty, homestyle cooking with a dash of rustic charm. Known for its oversized portions and cozy cabin-like décor, this diner offers comfort food that feels like a warm hug when you most need it.
The Vibe
Step into a charming, woodsy setting complete with bear-themed décor and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for a big breakfast or a filling dinner, Black Bear Diner delivers a cozy, relaxed environment perfect for casual dining.
What to Order
Indulge in the Bear's Choice breakfast or the famous homemade chili. For dessert, a slice of homemade pie is sure to hit the spot.
Black Bear Diner | 17030 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 | $$
17. Over Easy
Among diners in Scottsdale, Over Easy takes what’s fun about the classic 50s diner and tweaks it for a more polished look. You’ll find all of your diner favorites on the menu, but you’ll also find that some have been given a 21st-century twist.
The Vibe
Over Easy updates the diner format for a modern eatery, with bright-yellow seating, warm neon lighting and a playful stylishness that elevates its atmosphere. At this diner in Scottsdale, expect diner classics in contemporary but retro-inspired surroundings.
What to Order
Try the chicken and biscuit, featuring a fried chicken tender, cheddar jalapeño biscuit, spicy aioli and pepperjack cheese, plus your choice of potato. Whatever you order for breakfast at this diner in Scottsdale, make sure it comes with a side of sweet potato tots.
Over Easy | 11162 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Ste. 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 | $$
18. Nana Dee’s Diner
Located just 20 minutes outside Scottsdale, in nearby Mesa, Nana Dee’s Diner is the kind of place you imagine when you picture a diner, down to the red-leather booths. Proudly dishing out diner classics for 29 years, the team takes pride in efficient service and hospitality. This diner near Scottsdale is the place to be for a 50s childhood throwback.
The Vibe
"Classic retro nostalgia" sums up the vibe. Friendly staff and loyal local regulars make for a warm, fun vibe and if you’re in the mood, you can even load up the jukebox with the 50s classics.
What to Order
Anything from Nana Dee's breakfast menu will set you up right for the day, whether a Mexican breakfast burrito tickles your fancy or you're in the mood for a classic plate of biscuits and gravy. Whatever you order, don’t forget to leave room for a thick, creamy milkshake.
Nana Dee’s Diner | 6353 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85206 | $$
Learn To Cook Scottsdale Foods
Sometimes, you want the whole experience of eating at a diner in Scottsdale: the leather booths, the Formica tables and the waitstaff coming around with a pot of hot coffee to top off your mug. But when you feel like striking out on your own while enjoying the same Scottsdale specialties, cooking classes in Scottsdale might be exactly what you’re looking for.
With the help of seasoned chefs, you can learn how to make Scottsdale’s most iconic dishes in your own kitchen. We all have days that we don’t feel like going out. With just a little expert guidance, you could be whipping up your favorite diner dishes in the comfort of your own home!
In a city known for its sun-soaked desert scenery and historic charm, the diners in Scottsdale serve to keep visitors and locals properly fueled and ready to explore the local landscape. Whether you're seeking classic comfort food or just want to soak in the nostalgic atmosphere, these diners offer the perfect blend of tasty meals and vintage vibes.
For even more ways of exploring your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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