Local restaurant that is easy to overlook if you're only chasing the biggest names in town.
Scottsdale has no shortage of restaurants that seem determined to make sure you know they're there. Big signs, packed patios, celebrity chefs, massive social-media followings, and dining rooms that become part of the Scottsdale "scene."
But sometimes the better experience is somewhere a little quieter.
That's what makes The Canal Club worth a closer look.
Tucked inside The Scott Resort & Spa at 4925 N. Scottsdale Road, The Canal Club isn't exactly a secret. It's been part of the Scottsdale dining landscape for years. But compared with the restaurants that dominate the conversation, it can still feel surprisingly under the radar - particularly if you're looking for a polished dinner or cocktails without feeling like you've walked into the middle of the latest Scottsdale spectacle. (Canal Club)
And the setting is a big part of the appeal.
A Little Taste of Havana
The Canal Club takes its design inspiration from 1930s Havana, blending colorful tropical touches and lush greenery with elements of New Orleans and Bauhaus design. The result is a restaurant that feels distinctly different from the typical Scottsdale steakhouse or modern American dining room.
The indoor-outdoor flow, comfortable banquette seating, and lounge atmosphere make it equally suited to brunch, an afternoon cocktail, or dinner. The restaurant describes the experience as a little taste of Havana without having to leave Scottsdale.
And that's really where The Canal Club succeeds.
You don't necessarily come here just to eat.
You come here for the experience.
The Food Takes a Caribbean-Inspired Detour
The menu isn't strictly Cuban, either.
The Canal Club describes its food as American classics with Caribbean-inspired flavors, and the menu moves comfortably between Cuban, Latin, and broader Caribbean influences. (The Scott Resort & Spa)
Some dishes are familiar, but with enough personality to keep them interesting.
The Cubano combines braised pork, ham, baby Swiss, pickled onions, sweet-and-spicy pickles, and chipotle aioli.
The Ceviche comes with shrimp, lime, cucumber pico de gallo, and fried plantains, while the Tostones pair crispy plantains with smoked-bacon black bean purée, pico de gallo, and Cotija cheese.
For dinner, there's Gaucho Steak with poblano chimichurri and masa potato cakes, Crispy Skin Salmon with purple potato hash and chipotle butter, and a Vegetable Paella for those looking for something without meat.
And then there are the desserts.
The Rum Cake with coconut gelato and candied pineapple sounds like exactly the kind of ending this restaurant calls for, while the Churro Doughnut Holes with white chocolate and guava jam have become one of the more frequently mentioned favorites among diners.
Don't Ignore the Cocktail Program
If you're meeting someone for drinks, The Canal Club may actually make even more sense.
The cocktail list leans heavily into rum, tropical flavors, and creative combinations. The Maté Mojito, Mai Tai, and Caribbean Frosé fit naturally with the Havana-inspired surroundings.
More adventurous options include the Salt River Society, made with mezcal, amaro, lemon, ají amarillo, and pineapple, and the French Quarter, which combines rye whiskey, cognac, Bénédictine, and bitters.
The menu encourages you to slow down.
Order a drink. Find a comfortable seat. Stay awhile.
And Then There's Brunch
While we're calling The Canal Club an under-the-radar dinner destination, we'd do it a disservice not to mention brunch.
The restaurant serves brunch daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dishes including Creole French Toast, Peruvian Hash, Huevos al Gusto, and its Cubano.
The restaurant also hosts The Canal Club Live on Sundays, pairing brunch with live music on the patio.
So this isn't necessarily a restaurant you have to save for a special night out.
It can be a lazy Sunday brunch.
A cocktail after work.
A date.
Or a dinner where you want the surroundings to be as much a part of the experience as what's on the plate.
Why We Think It's Worth Finding
One thing that stood out while researching The Canal Club is how often diners talk about the atmosphere.
Recent reviews describe the restaurant as relaxing, inviting, and visually appealing, with particular praise for the décor, patio, and overall vibe. Other diners specifically mention enjoying the Cubano, chicken torta, cocktails, and brunch. (Restaurantji)
And that's important.
Not every restaurant needs to be the hottest reservation in Scottsdale.
Sometimes the best discovery is a place where you can actually enjoy the room, have a conversation, order another cocktail, and not feel like you're racing through dinner.
The Canal Club occupies that space nicely.
It's polished without feeling overly formal. It's resort dining without requiring you to be a hotel guest. And while its Havana-inspired design gives it a strong identity, the food and cocktail programs keep it from feeling like a theme restaurant.
FORKING SCOTTSDALE TAKE
The Canal Club is exactly the kind of restaurant we like highlighting in First Look.
It's not necessarily the restaurant everyone is talking about this week.
And that's the point.
If you're tired of the same Scottsdale dining circuit and want somewhere that feels like a bit of an escape, The Canal Club is worth putting on your list.
Come for the Havana-inspired atmosphere.
Stay for the Caribbean-influenced food.
Order a craft cocktail.
And if you're looking for a weekend plan, try the Sunday brunch and live music.
Sometimes getting away from the crowds doesn't mean leaving Scottsdale.
It just means knowing where to look.
THE CANAL CLUB
The Scott Resort & Spa
4925 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Brunch: Daily, 7 AM–3 PM
Dinner: Daily, 3 PM–10 PM
Lounge: Daily, 7 AM–midnight
480-424-6095
Reservations recommended. (Click for Reservations for the Canal Club)
