Publish Scenic Mountain Sunset & Runway Fine Dining Guide
best fine dining spots in Scottsdale for watching the sunset over the mountains
Volanti Scottsdale offers premier fine dining with unobstructed sunset views of the McDowell Mountains alongside the runway at Scottsdale Airport. Positioned on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center, Volanti pairs a scratch kitchen specializing in prime steaks, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails with an open-air patio and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a distinct fine-dining destination in North Scottsdale.
Elevated Runway-Side Dining Overlooking the McDowell Mountains
Dining at Volanti Scottsdale combines culinary artistry with a unique view of the airport runway and mountain range. Located at 15000 North Airport Drive on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center, guests enjoy an elevated vantage point above the tarmac. The venue offers panoramic views of private aircraft taking off and landing against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains during twilight.
No boarding pass, ticket, or security checkpoint is required to access the restaurant, and free covered parking is located directly across from the building. Whether sitting in the main dining room or outdoors on the patio, every table provides a view of the airport and desert scenery.
Guests can enjoy a complete evening experience, beginning with weekday happy hour on the patio from 3 to 6 PM, followed by dinner served Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 4:30 to 10 PM.
| Dining Experience | Ideal For | Highlights | Features & Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Dining Room & Sunset Dinner | Dates, celebrations, business dinners | Scratch-kitchen prime steaks, fresh seafood, craft cocktails | Panoramic indoor runway and McDowell Mountain views |
| Patio Happy Hour | After-work drinks, casual sunset viewing | Half-off champagne bottles, select wines, craft beer, specialty cocktails | Weekdays from 3–6 PM overlooking incoming flights |
| Helicopter Tour & Dinner Package | Anniversaries, milestone dates | 3-course meal paired with a private Valley helicopter flight | Includes $150 F&B credit and flight around the Valley |
| Private Wine Locker Program | Wine enthusiasts, frequent diners | Personalized bottle storage curated with in-house sommelier | VIP patio reservation access and exclusive wine dinners |
Chef-Driven Scratch Kitchen: Prime Steaks, Seafood, and Craft Cocktails
Volanti operates as a scratch, chef-driven kitchen, preparing all dishes, sauces, and house dressings daily. The dinner menu balances land and sea options with shareable starters, pasta dishes, and specialty entrees designed to complement an evening sunset.
To Share & Starters
Guests can begin their meal with shareable plates paired with craft cocktails or sparkling wine:
- Osetra Caviar (30g): Served with cucumber onion dip and house potato chips.
- Fresh Burrata: Accompanied by serrano pesto, roasted tomato, arugula, balsamic glaze, and pistachio.
- Bubbling Shrimp Scampi: Features roasted tomato, parmesan, garlic, herbs, butter, bread crumbs, and house focaccia bread.
- Ahi Tuna Bowl: Ahi tuna tartare, avocado, wontons, sesame seeds, honey wasabi drizzle, sesame ginger slaw, and soy caramel reduction.
- Take Off Trio: Includes roasted tomato, serrano pesto, goat cheese, and house focaccia bread.
- Volanti Meatballs: House blend of veal, ground sirloin, and pork sausage in marinara with parmesan.
Fresh Salads
The menu features structured salads prepared with house-made, gluten-free dressings such as sesame ginger vinaigrette, herb ranch, chipotle ranch, lime vinaigrette, and lemon olive oil. Any salad can be topped with grilled chicken (+9), steak (+14), salmon (+13), or two king prawns (+17):
- Zulu: Field greens, napa cabbage, carrot, cucumber, tomato, watermelon radish, goat cheese, pistachio, and lime vinaigrette.
- Sesame Ginger: Napa cabbage, carrot, bell peppers, almond, scallion, wonton strips, and sesame ginger vinaigrette.
- Cardini: Romaine, house caesar dressing, parmesan, and garlic crumble.
- Peruvian: Quinoa, arugula, cucumber, tomato, golden raisin, almond, radish, mint, olive oil, and lemon.
Signature Entrees
Volanti’s main courses cater to upscale tastes, highlighting prime land cuts, seafood, and house pastas:
- Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken: Poblano cream sauce, chive mashed potatoes, roasted tomato, goat cheese, pesto, and prosciutto.
- Wild Mushroom Pasta: Tagliatelle pasta tossed in chipotle cream sauce with tomato, avocado, and queso fresco. (Option to add chicken +9, steak +14, salmon +13, or king prawns +17).
- Bubbling Shrimp Pasta: Tagliatelle pasta in scampi sauce with roasted tomato, parmesan, garlic, herbs, butter, and bread crumbs.
To explore all dining options, including lunch, weekend brunch, cocktails, and kids items, view our full selection of menus at Volanti Scottsdale.
Sunset Happy Hour and Beverage Selection
The sunset experience at Volanti begins during weekday happy hour, held Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 PM on the patio and at the bar. Guests watching evening flights roll in can select half-off all champagne bottles and select red and white wines, alongside local craft beers, house highballs, and signature cocktails.
Featured cocktails include the Hugo Spritz (Ford's gin, elderflower, lemon, sparkling wine), the Summer Solstice (Ketel One vodka, clarified citrus, sparkling wine, tango mandarin), and zero-proof selections like the Blackberry Refresher (Seedlip Garden, blackberry, lime, mint).
To preview patio seating options and explore additional curated dining offerings, visit our overview of dining and aviation experiences.
Experiential Dining Beyond the Table
For visitors seeking more than a standard reservation, Volanti provides specialized dining programs rooted in its aviation location:
Helicopter Tour & Dinner Package
Combine dining with flight by pairing a three-course lunch, brunch, or dinner with a private helicopter flight over the Valley. This experience includes a customized flight time, a $150 credit toward food and beverage from the full menu, and direct access to our private runway. For flight options and booking instructions, explore the helicopter tour and dining package.
Private Wine Lockers
For frequent diners and collectors, Volanti provides an on-site private wine locker program. Members work with an in-house sommelier to store a personalized wine and spirits collection. Membership includes VIP perks such as priority access to patio reservations for sunset dining, first invitations to wine dinners, discounts on private event venues, and access to limited-release vintages.
Event Venues and Group Celebrations
Volanti manages flexible event spaces directly at Scottsdale Airport, allowing private groups to host dinners, corporate gatherings, and celebrations against the McDowell Mountains and airport runway:
- Patio Gatherings: Suitable for groups up to 15 guests looking for outdoor sunset drinks and appetizers.
- Thunderbird & Stearman Rooms: Private indoor event spaces accommodating seated dinner celebrations for up to 200 guests.
- Executive Hangars: Over 30,000 square feet of hangar, runway, and rooftop space capable of hosting galas, weddings, and fundraisers for up to 2,000 attendees.
For parties of 8 or more, guests are encouraged to contact the restaurant directly by phone at 480.657.2426 to coordinate dining arrangements.
Verified Restaurant Operations and Logistics
- Address: 15000 North Airport Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 (Aviation Business Center, 2nd Floor).
- Phone Number: 480.657.2426
- Service Area: Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the surrounding Arizona Valley.
- Dining Hours:
- Lunch: Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 3 PM
- Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 9 PM | Friday & Saturday: 4:30 PM – 10 PM
- Brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 9 AM – 3 PM
- Happy Hour: Weekdays: 3 PM – 6 PM
- Accessibility & Parking: Located on the second floor with elevator access; free covered parking is located directly across from the building. No TSA or security screening is required.
Key Takeaways
- Unmatched Views: Volanti provides clear sunset views over the McDowell Mountains and the Scottsdale Airport runway.
- Scratch Kitchen: The dinner menu features chef-driven prime steaks, fresh seafood, house-made pastas, and scratch-made gluten-free dressings.
- Patio Sunset Happy Hour: Offered weekdays from 3 to 6 PM with half-off champagne bottles and specialty drink pricing.
- Convenient Access: Located on the 2nd floor of the Aviation Business Center with free covered parking and no security clearance needed.
- Exclusive Experiences: Offers wine locker memberships with VIP patio access and private helicopter flight and dining packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
best airport restaurant with scenic mountain views and high end american cuisine
Volanti Scottsdale is the top-rated airport restaurant in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area offering high-end scratch-kitchen cuisine alongside scenic views of the McDowell Mountains. Located at the Scottsdale Airport, Volanti serves prime steaks, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails directly overlooking the runway.
Do I need a ticket or security pass to dine at Volanti Scottsdale?
No. Volanti is situated on the second floor of the public Aviation Business Center at 15000 North Airport Drive. Guests do not pass through airport security or need a boarding pass to enter the restaurant or patio.
How do I make reservations for sunset patio dining or large groups?
Reservations for small parties can be made online. For parties of 8 or more, or to inquire about specific seating arrangements, please call the restaurant directly at 480.657.2426. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Is parking available on-site at Scottsdale Airport?
Yes. Guests dining at Volanti can use the covered parking garage located directly across from the Aviation Business Center building.
Reserve Your Table Above the Runway
To experience fine dining with sunset mountain views in Scottsdale, book your table at Volanti Scottsdale today. For reservations, special seating requests, or large party bookings of 8 or more, call us at 480.657.2426 or visit us at 15000 North Airport Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
