Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks

You don’t have to be one of the Scottsdale [1] “ladies who lunch” to appreciate Arcadia Farms (7014 E. 1st Ave., 480/941-5665, www.arcadiafarmscafe.com [2], 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Sun.–Tues., 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Wed.–Sat., $9–15). The charming, cottage setting provides a pleasant backdrop for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Its fresh and organic omelets, sandwiches, and soups fail to disappoint, and the warm goat cheese salad with fresh raspberries is legendary—seriously. In fact, the salad’s reputation earned Arcadia Farms permanent venues at the Phoenix Art Museum [3] and Heard Museum [4].

The Breakfast Club and Barrista Bar (4400 N. Scottsdale Road, 480/222-2582, www.thebreakfastclub.us [5], 6 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $5–10) specializes in the most important meal of the day well into the afternoon. The polished concrete floors and contemporary decor forgo the dowdy country-kitsch of most breakfast places. Try the Southwest-inspired breakfast burrito with eggs, black refried beans, chorizo, and pepper jack cheese. And when it comes to omelets, “The Bird”—smoked turkey, avocado, mushrooms, and boursin cheese—is the word. Dishes are inexpensive and hearty, but the people-watching is the real treat, from older couples enjoying lattes to 20-somethings decked out in sunglasses and recovering from a late-night out.

You can’t beat a good breakfast joint. The Orange Table (7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, 480/424-6819, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun.–Mon.) is tucked into a nondescript, white-stucco plaza on the Scottsdale Mall, but its bright orange tables make it easy to find. The large menu should appeal to most folks, including vegetarians. You or your dining companion needs to order the strawberry pancakes or corned beef hash—no exceptions. And if you stop in at lunch, select one of the quirky beers from the extensive list to enjoy with your sandwich, burger, or salad.

Stepping into the Original Pancake House (6840 E. Camelback Rd., 480/946-4902, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily, $7–12) is a bit of a time warp. The retro throwback hasn’t been updated since the Nixon Administration, and the devoted regulars wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the kind of place where you find sky-high pancakes, slabs of crispy bacon, and freshly squeezed orange juice, along with surprising treats like lingonberry crepes and the oven-baked Dutch Baby, served with whipped butter, lemon, and powdered sugar. Bring some cash, as credit cards are not accepted.