Scottsdale has quietly turned into one of the most expensive steak-and-seafood playgrounds in the Southwest. To see just how high the checks can climb, Chef’s Pencil analyzed menus across the city and calculated the cost of the priciest three-course experience available at each restaurant (or the most expensive tasting menu where applicable).
Prices are per person, based on food only, and exclude drinks, tax, and gratuity. In several cases, the top price comes from oversized steaks that can easily be shared by two or even three people—though they can, of course, be ordered by very hungry steak lovers. Caviar supplements were not included, as they can add hundreds of dollars on top.
Note: This ranking is based on each restaurant’s highest-priced tasting menu or the cost of a three-course meal (starter, main, and dessert) from the à la carte menu. Most of these establishments also offer more moderately priced menus or à la carte options, making them accessible to a wider range of diners.
Prices listed are generally per person. However, in the case of very large cuts—such as oversized rib-eyes or tomahawks—these steaks are often intended to be shared by two or even three diners, though they can certainly be ordered by a very hungry, steak-loving individual.
What emerges is clear: in Scottsdale, the very top of the price ladder is dominated by steakhouses built around prime beef, Wagyu, and luxe seafood.
1. Orange Sky – up to $490
Address: 9800 East E Talking Stick Wy, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Sitting atop the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort, Orange Sky is Scottsdale’s most expensive restaurant by a wide margin, thanks to a menu built around seafood towers, premium steaks, and showpiece tableside service. A splurge-worthy three-course experience begins with the Orange Sky Coastal Market ($220), an extravagant spread of lobster tail, shrimp, Jonah crab claws, half-shell scallops, seasonal oysters, and hamachi paired with prickly pear dressing and the restaurant’s signature hot pepper sauce.
For the main course, diners can opt for the Cowboy Cut 42-oz rib-eye ($240), carved tableside. Though large enough to be shared by two or even three people, the steak can also be ordered by a particularly hungry guest. Add a side such as the marinated roasted mushrooms ($14), and finish with one of the many $16 desserts—from dark chocolate mousse cake to blueberry bundt cake or vanilla flan—and the total reaches an astonishing $490 per person before drinks, tax, and gratuity.
With its panoramic views and over-the-top luxury ingredients, Orange Sky delivers a true high-roller dining experience unlike anything else in Scottsdale.
2. Dominick’s Steakhouse – $487 (or higher with caviar)
Address: 15169 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
A paradise for steak purists and luxury-ingredient enthusiasts, Dominick’s Steakhouse delivers one of Scottsdale’s most extravagant carnivorous and seafood experiences. The indulgence begins with the A5 Kobe “Wine Fed” New York Strip ($135 for a seared 3-oz portion), a rare and intensely marbled cut that sets the tone for a high-roller meal.
As the name implies, the “wine fed” wagyu cut is a very rare, graded A5, where the cattle are fed byproducts of wine production, such as grape skins and lees, in addition to their regular diet. It easily counts among the most expensive steak cuts in the world.
The star of the night is the restaurant’s massive Bone-In Wagyu Tomahawk from Snake River Farms ($295). Weighing in at 46 oz, it’s large enough for two or three diners to share—though the kitchen will gladly present it to a determined solo steak lover. To round out the entrée, diners can add a luxe side such as the Double Baked Truffle Potato ($35), enriched with shaved black truffle, fontina, gouda, and Boursin cheeses. Dominick’s offers an entire menu of decadent sides—from Boursin Cheese Whipped Potatoes ($16) to Corn Crème Brûlée ($21) and many more.
For dessert, the Ultimate Warm Vanilla Caramel Cake ($22) delivers a rich finale, served with vanilla gelato, sweet whipped cream, and toasted brown-sugar cinnamon pecans. Guests seeking an even more lavish experience can add caviar, such as the Sasanian Royal Osetra ($250) or the Imperial Osetra ($350), which can push the tab well beyond the standard ranking.
As calculated, the costliest three-course combination reaches $497 per person, firmly establishing Dominick’s as one of Scottsdale’s most indulgent destinations—perfect for meat lovers who believe a great steak should be nothing short of unforgettable.
3. Ocean 44 – $474 (or higher with caviar)
Address: 4748 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
From the same hospitality group behind Dominick’s and Steak 44, Ocean 44 blends high-end seafood with steakhouse indulgence—and at the very top of the menu, it becomes one of Scottsdale’s priciest dining experiences. Just like its sister restaurants, the splurge begins with the A5 Kobe “Wine Fed” New York Strip ($135 for a seared 3-oz portion), a rare and intensely marbled cut usually seen only in elite steak and sushi bars.
For the main course, Ocean 44’s most extravagant option is the 46-oz Bone-In Wagyu Tomahawk ($295), sourced from Snake River Farms. It’s a dramatic, oversized cut that can comfortably feed two or three diners, though nothing stops a dedicated steak lover from tackling it alone. To complete the entrée, diners can add the restaurant’s signature Chef Siegfried’s Au Gratin Potatoes ($24), a rich, indulgent side layered with cream, cheese, and butter—classic steakhouse comfort elevated with meticulous technique.
Dessert at Ocean 44 leans warm and decadent, with the Ultimate Warm Vanilla Caramel Cake ($20) providing the perfect sweet finish. As with Dominick’s, high-end caviar upgrades such as Sasanian Royal Osetra and Imperial Osetra are available for those looking to turn an already lavish meal into a true luxury blowout.
Altogether, the most extravagant three-course combination totals $474 per person, securing Ocean 44’s position as one of Scottsdale’s premier destinations for guests who want premium seafood, elite beef, and big-night-out energy all under one dramatically lit roof.
4. Mastro’s City Hall – Up to $379
Address: 6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
A longtime anchor of Scottsdale’s upscale dining scene, Mastro’s City Hall delivers a sleek, high-energy steakhouse experience built around prime beef, seafood towers, and its signature live-music bar. At the very top of the menu, the most decadent three-course combination pushes the bill well beyond the typical steakhouse splurge. Diners can begin with the A5 Wagyu Beef Carpaccio ($56), an ultra-luxe starter showcasing silky, melt-in-your-mouth slices of Japanese Wagyu served in Mastro’s dramatic style.
For the main course, guests can select the 40-oz Tomahawk Chop ($275), seared and served on a blazing hot stone for tableside sizzle. Alternatively, those seeking the rarest beef experience can opt for True A5 Kobe Beef from Hyōgo Prefecture—the most exclusive beef in the world—priced at $240 for a mandatory 4-oz minimum. Either choice delivers the full Mastro’s effect: bold, rich, and unapologetically indulgent. As a side, the restaurant’s signature Lobster Mashed Potatoes ($48)—made with Wagyu beef tallow—add a final layer of decadence.
Altogether, the costliest three-course experience at Mastro’s City Hall reaches $379 per person, before tax, drinks, or gratuity. It’s a classic Scottsdale splurge: sizzling steaks, high-gloss service, and the kind of big-night-out atmosphere the Valley has come to expect from the Mastro’s name.
5. Reserve – $290
Address: 6934 E 1st Ave #102, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
An intimate, reservations-only fine-dining experience from the team behind Café Monarch, Reserve offers Scottsdale’s most elaborate tasting menu—and one of the most refined prix-fixe meals in the Valley. The restaurant’s top-tier menu, priced at $290 per person, unfolds over multiple courses and highlights globally inspired techniques, seasonal ingredients, and polished, white-glove service.
The experience begins with a Parade of Canapés, followed by elegant dishes such as Prosciutto & Pear with persimmon and white balsamic, and a Chilled Butternut Soup enriched with poached scallop, coconut, cashew, and pepitas. Luxurious touches continue with Corn Pudding with Lobster, a Duo of Salmon featuring both cedar-roasted filet and smoked rillette, and a delicate Elderflower Tea Granita intermezzo.
The menu crescendos with rich, technique-driven entrées: Quail stuffed with foie gras and chorizo alongside dates and endive, and a striking Surf & Turf pairing of Australian Wagyu and red shrimp with pineapple kimchi and shiso. Dessert arrives as a refined Pumpkin Entremet layered with pumpkin ice cream, caramel, and hazelnuts.
With limited seating and a level of culinary precision rarely seen in the region, Reserve stands apart as Scottsdale’s most exclusive tasting-menu destination—and the only restaurant in the city where the highest price comes not from a giant steak, but from a meticulously crafted multi-course journey.
6. Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar – $254
Address: 6934 E 1st Ave #102, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Overlooking the TPC Scottsdale golf course, Toro (often shortened from Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar) brings a Latin-influenced menu, sushi, and steaks to a resort crowd. At the upper end of the menu—combining the priciest shareable starters, premium steaks, and rich desserts—a three-course dinner reaches $254 per guest. With its patio views and broad rum selection, Toro is as much about the setting and spirit program as the steak on the plate.
7. Fat Ox – $227
Address: 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Fat Ox channels modern Italian cooking through a Scottsdale lens—house-made pastas, wood-grilled steaks, and a polished, design-driven dining room. A top-tier three-course experience here, built around the most premium antipasti, a large-format steak or chop, and dessert, reaches $227 per person. It’s one of the few non-steakhouse entries on the list, but the highest checks still tend to come from guests splurging on beef.
8. Maple & Ash – up to $225
Address: 7135 E Camelback Rd #130, Scottsdale
Imported from Chicago’s Gold Coast, Maple & Ash is a high-energy, wood-fired steakhouse known for its “celebrate everything” philosophy, a menu by two-Michelin-starred chef Danny Grant, and a Wine Spectator–lauded cellar. Piling on the luxe options—seafood starters, dry-aged or Wagyu steaks, and decadent desserts—pushes the cost of a three-course dinner to around $225 per person. Expect a party atmosphere more than hushed fine dining: this is where big nights out and big bills go hand in hand.
9. Bourbon Steak – up to $220
Address: 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Set inside the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Bourbon Steak is Michael Mina’s love letter to the American steakhouse, complete with butter-poached meats, truffle-laced sides, and a serious whiskey program. Ordering at the very top of the menu—think premium steaks, luxe seafood, and rich starters—results in a three-course tab of about $220 per person. With its AAA Four Diamond credentials and desert-resort setting, Bourbon Steak is built for milestone dinners and expense-account celebrations.
10. Roka Akor – up to $188
Address: 7299 N Scottsdale Rd Artesisa Condominiums, AZ 85253
Roka Akor offers a Japanese-inspired twist on the steakhouse formula, built around a charcoal-fired robata grill, A5 Wagyu, and artfully plated sushi and seafood. The highest-priced three-course meal here, leaning into premium Japanese beef and top-shelf sashimi, runs around $188 per person. Compared with the more traditional chophouses above, Roka Akor delivers something different: shareable plates, a sleeker, more minimalist room, and a strong sake and cocktail list.
11. Fogo de Chão – up to $181
Address: 6300 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
At Fogo de Chão, the splurge comes not from a single steak but from the sheer abundance of Brazilian churrasco—an all-you-can-eat parade of fire-roasted meats carved tableside, backed by an extensive market table of salads and sides.
Building the most expensive three-course experience (full churrasco, premium add-ons, and dessert) totals about $181.50 per diner. It’s less about white-tablecloth minimalism and more about volume, spectacle, and carnivore joy.
12. Morton’s The Steakhouse – up to $176
Address: 15233 N Kierland Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
A national icon, Morton’s brings its familiar formula to Scottsdale: classic cuts of steak, chilled seafood starters, towering sides, and chocolate-heavy desserts. At the very top end—choosing the priciest appetizer, a large steak, and dessert—a three-course dinner lands at roughly $176 per person. In a city crowded with newer, flashier concepts, Morton’s remains a comfortingly traditional benchmark.
13. Kasai – up to $112
Address: 14344 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 8525
Kasai Japanese Steakhouse brings teppanyaki theatrics and sushi to the mix, with hibachi-grilled steaks and seafood cooked right in front of guests. A top-tier three-course order here—premium appetizers, a high-end steak or surf-and-turf hibachi combo, plus dessert—comes in at about $112 per person. It’s one of the more interactive experiences in Scottsdale’s upper price bracket, trading hushed formality for showmanship around the grill.
14. The Italiano – up to $112
Address: 9301 E Shea Blvd #137, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Rounding out the list, The Italiano represents the upper end of Scottsdale’s Italian-restaurant pricing. Building the most expensive three-course meal from the menu—luxe antipasti, a rich pasta or steak, and dessert—reaches $112 per guest. It may not compete with the steakhouses on steak size or raw luxury, but in terms of check average it firmly sits among the city’s priciest dining rooms.
Scottsdale vs. Phoenix: How Do Their Fine Dining Scenes Compare
While Phoenix has rapidly evolved into a serious fine-dining destination, Scottsdale has become an equally compelling—if not more extravagant—playground for luxury dining. But the two cities’ high-end restaurant scenes differ in both style and price.
Scottsdale leans distinctly more upscale.
Chef’s Pencil’s Scottsdale analysis found that many of the city’s top restaurants—especially its steakhouses, Japanese-inspired tasting rooms, and glitzy resort dining venues—push price ceilings even higher than Phoenix. Scottsdale’s priciest three-course dinners routinely extend well beyond $300, and the city boasts a dense concentration of big-ticket steakhouses that cater to luxury travelers, golfers, and seasonal residents.
Phoenix, by contrast, offers a wider style spectrum—at lower ultra-luxury price points. While Phoenix certainly has its own heavy hitters (Steak 44, elements, Christopher’s), the bulk of its high-end scene sits in a more approachable range: roughly $120–$275 for its most extravagant experiences. Phoenix’s offerings skew more diverse, from Indigenous fine dining at Kai to mountaintop tasting menus and French-Southwestern hybrids.
For diners pursuing the Valley’s priciest possible meal, Scottsdale typically claims the crown. But for those seeking world-class food with greater stylistic range—and occasionally better value—Phoenix remains the more balanced fine-dining landscape.
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