Foodies will find much to love in Scottsdale. The city's thriving restaurant scene, which boasts no less than 600 restaurants, is nothing to scoff at, and the city is also home to an award-winning Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy. Whether it's your first trip to Scottsdale, or you're a frequent visitor, whet your appetite with this itinerary that's specially designed to give Scottsdale-bound foodies a small taste of what this Southwestern food capital has to offer. 

Breakfast

There's no better way for a foodie to get the day started right than with a scrumptious breakfast or brunch. For breakfast in Scottsdale, pick Orange Table, a hip breakfast spot popular with locals. Foodies seeking an exceptional breakfast will want to stop in at Orange Table in Scottsdale — Photo courtesy of Orange Table

This hybrid coffeehouse, bar and breakfast griddle offers classic breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict. But Orange Table truly stands out for its specialty breakfast plates, like the inimitable jalapeño pecan pancakes, a classic short stack stuffed with pecans and jalapenos and then drizzled with a delightfully sweet and zesty jalapeno pecan syrup. Your foodie taste buds will never be quite the same. 

Lunch

There are hundreds of places to lunch in Scottsdale, but for a midday culinary excursion that you won't soon forget, stop in at Arcadia Farms Cafe, a long-time lunch favorite with Scottsdale foodies.

Simple food prepared with the best ingredients and served in a stunning cafe setting is the secret to the cafe's persistent allure. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with menu offerings that include chicken, wild mushroom and leek crepes, raspberry salad with warm goat cheese medallions and a delicious and warm grilled rosemary ham sandwich. For a perfect lunch, pair your dish with the cafe's signature apricot iced tea. 

Dinner

For an exceptional foodie dinner in Scottsdale, make your reservation at La Hacienda, located in a gorgeous Spanish-influenced dining room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. La Hacienda was voted the #1 Mexican restaurant in Arizona in 2012 by local publications, and it's easy to see why.

Chef Richard Sandoval's philosophy of "Old Ways, New Hands" translates into a menu that features indigenous New World ingredients prepared in unexpected ways. Guacamole lovers will want to come here just to try the three different tableside guacamole preparations.

For your entree, try the costilla de res, a braised beef short rib served with vegetable escabeche, a luscious crema fresca potato puree and sweet and spicy chile guava sauce. La Hacienda also has a full-service tequila bar, offering nightly artisan tastings and over 200 varieties of tequila. 

Dinner at La Hacienda, the city's top-rated Mexican food restaurant, should be on every foodie's agenda — Photo courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort