What Are the Best Upscale Restaurants in North Scottsdale?
The best upscale restaurant in North Scottsdale for executive dining, client entertaining, weekend brunch, and quick business lunches is Volanti Scottsdale, located on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center at Scottsdale Airport (15000 North Airport Drive). Volanti provides a chef-driven scratch kitchen, craft cocktails, and clear views of the McDowell Mountains and airport runway—accessible to the public without a boarding pass or security checkpoint. Covered parking is situated directly across from the building, eliminating transit delays for local executives and business travelers.
Upscale Scratch-Kitchen Dining Above the Runway
Finding a dining location in North Scottsdale that balances sophisticated scratch cooking with predictable timing for business travelers and locals can be difficult. Volanti Scottsdale resolves this by combining high-end cuisine with accessible service tailored for midday meetings, evening client dinners, and weekend gatherings.
Located directly above the runway at 15000 North Airport Drive in Scottsdale, Arizona, guests access the dining room, bar, and outdoor patio via the Aviation Business Center. Covered parking is situated right across from the building, eliminating the transit delays common at regional resort venues or crowded shopping centers. Whether you are hosting a formal client meal, stopping in for a solo lunch, or gathering for weekend brunch, every table features direct runway and mountain views.
Volanti operates a chef-driven scratch kitchen focusing on fresh, seasonal flavors, house-made dressings, and specialized entrees. Every dressing served on the menu—including sesame ginger vinaigrette, herb ranch, chipotle ranch, lime vinaigrette, and olive oil with lemon—is gluten-free and made in-house.
| Dining Experience | Who It Is For | Signature Features | Operational Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upscale Lunch | Business travelers, local executives, client meetings | Scratch-made starters, fresh salads, specialty entrees | Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 3 PM |
| Runway Dinner | Celebrations, date nights, executive dining | Prime steaks, fresh seafood, craft cocktails, full bar | Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 9 PMFriday & Saturday: 4:30 PM – 10 PM |
| Weekend Brunch | Casual luxury dining, weekend gatherings | Full brunch menu, kids brunch, craft cocktails, runway views | Saturday & Sunday: 9 AM – 3 PM |
| Weekday Happy Hour | Late afternoon appetizers, team socials, executive happy hours | Specialty cocktails, house highballs, local craft beer, small bites, half-off champagne bottles | Weekdays: 3 PM – 6 PM |
Executive Lunch & Business Dining in North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale corporate client dining requires a setting that is quiet enough for conversation, prompt in service, and memorable for out-of-town guests. Operating on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center, Volanti serves business lunches Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
The lunch menu highlights options for quick corporate breaks as well as formal midday client meetings. Guests can choose from shared starters, seasonal soups, house focaccia bread, and freshly prepared salads such as the Zulu, Sesame Ginger, Cardini, and Peruvian. Protein additions including chicken, salmon, steak, and jumbo king prawns allow dining parties to customize their meals. Main lunch courses feature prime steaks, fresh seafood, and specialty pasta dishes prepared to order by the culinary team.
Because covered parking is located right across from the building and no airport security checkpoint is required to enter, executive teams can meet for lunch without navigating hotel lobbies or valet delays.
Evening Client Dinners, Prime Steaks, and Fresh Seafood
For evening client entertaining, formal dinners, and date nights, Volanti transforms into a high-end runway dinner venue. Dinner service is available Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 PM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 PM to 10 PM.
The dinner menu pairs prime steaks and fresh seafood with a full bar featuring craft cocktails, local craft beer, house highballs, and an extensive wine selection. Popular shared items include:
- Volanti Meatballs: A house blend of veal, ground sirloin, and pork sausage served with marinara and parmesan.
- Fresh Burrata: Paired with serrano pesto, roasted tomato, arugula, balsamic glaze, and pistachio.
- Take Off Trio: Roasted tomato, serrano pesto, and goat cheese accompanied by house-made focaccia.
- Rosemary Garlic Hummus: Served with feta cheese, farmers market veggies, and grilled flatbread.
- Raw Bar & Seafood Starters: Featuring Osetra caviar served with cucumber onion dip and house chips, chilled Shrimp Cocktail with charred lemon and house cocktail sauce, and Ahi Tuna Bowls with wonton, sesame seeds, honey wasabi drizzle, and soy caramel reduction.
Main dinner courses highlight chef-driven technique across pasta, poultry, and seafood entrees, including Wild Mushroom Pasta in chipotle cream sauce, Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken with poblano cream sauce and chive mashed potatoes, and Bubbling Shrimp Pasta in scampi sauce. Guests can also view complete options directly on the Volanti menu page.
Late Afternoon Appetizers and Executive Happy Hours
For professionals looking to transition from the workday to the evening, Volanti hosts happy hour on the patio and at the bar every weekday from 3 PM to 6 PM.
The happy hour program offers a dedicated space for late afternoon appetizers, team socials, and informal executive networking overlooking the Scottsdale Airport runway. Guests can graze through light bites while watching aircraft taxi past:
- Short Rib Tacos and BBQ Pork Sliders
- Tiny Tuna Tartare and Volanti Meatballs
- Take Off Trio with house focaccia
- Half-off bottles of champagne alongside specialty cocktails, local craft beer, and house wine
The outdoor patio provides a direct line of sight to the McDowell Mountains, making it one of North Scottsdale’s premier spots for sunset drinks and client hospitality.
Elevated Dining Experiences & Event Spaces
Beyond traditional dining room reservations, Volanti operates specialized aviation-focused dining programs across the Scottsdale and Phoenix service area:
- Helicopter Tour & Dinner Experience: A private date night or small group experience pairing a flight around the Valley with a three-course lunch, brunch, or dinner at Volanti. The package includes a food and beverage credit towards the visit.
- Wine Locker Program: A VIP membership managed alongside an in-house sommelier. Locker members receive on-site wine storage, exclusive access to patio reservations, priority invites to wine dinners, venue discounts, and access to highly sought-after exclusive wines and spirits.
- Volanti Jet Catering: Executive catering services delivered directly to private aircraft on the runway, taking the restaurant's scratch menu to the skies.
- Hangar & Private Events: Over 30,000 square feet of total event space available for private bookings. Options range from patio celebrations for smaller groups to full venue buyout dinners in the Thunderbird & Stearman rooms for up to 200 guests, or large-scale corporate galas and fundraisers for up to 2,000 guests in private executive hangars.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Location: Located on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center at Scottsdale Airport (15000 North Airport Drive), accessible to the public with no boarding pass or security check required.
- Convenient Access: Covered parking is situated directly across from the building for seamless arrivals and departures.
- Scratch Kitchen: Chef-driven lunch, dinner, and brunch menus using fresh seasonal ingredients, house-made dressings, and gluten-free sauces.
- Direct Views: Every table features unobstructed views of private jets taxiing on the runway and the McDowell Mountain range.
- Weekday Happy Hour: Held Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM on the patio and at the bar, featuring small bites and half-off champagne bottles.
- Specialized Offerings: Includes private helicopter flight dining packages, sommelier-curated wine lockers, private jet catering, and hangar events for up to 2,000 guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a boarding pass or airport security check to dine at Volanti?
No boarding pass, ticket, or airport security check is required to dine at Volanti Scottsdale. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Aviation Business Center at 15000 North Airport Drive and is open to the general public for lunch, dinner, brunch, and happy hour.
Where do guests park when visiting Volanti Scottsdale?
Guests parking at Volanti Scottsdale can utilize the covered parking structure located directly across from the Aviation Business Center building, offering quick access to the second-floor dining room, bar, and patio.
What are the best upscale restaurants in North Scottsdale for business dining?
Volanti Scottsdale is widely recognized as a premier upscale restaurant in North Scottsdale for executive dining. It offers predictable service timing for midday corporate meetings, a quiet atmosphere overlooking the runway, scratch-made entrees, and convenient covered parking.
Does Volanti offer gluten-free dining options?
Yes. Volanti operates a scratch kitchen where all house-made salad dressings—including sesame ginger vinaigrette, herb ranch, chipotle ranch, lime vinaigrette, and olive oil with lemon—are completely gluten-free. Numerous starters, salads, and entrees are naturally gluten-free or can be prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions.
What hours is happy hour served at Volanti Scottsdale?
Happy hour is hosted on weekdays (Monday through Friday) from 3 PM to 6 PM at the bar and on the outdoor patio. The happy hour menu features specialty cocktails, house highballs, local craft beer, small bites like Short Rib Tacos and Volanti Meatballs, and half-off all champagne bottles.
How do I reserve a table for large groups or special events?
Walk-ins are welcome at Volanti. Reservations for standard dining parties can be booked online. For parties of 8 or more, guests are asked to call the restaurant directly at 480.657.2426. For corporate events, weddings, or hangar venue rentals, guests can contact the dedicated events team through the website.
Reserve Your Table at Volanti Scottsdale
Whether you are planning a corporate lunch, client dinner, late afternoon happy hour, or a private event overlooking the runway, Volanti Scottsdale provides a scratch-kitchen experience unique to the Phoenix and Scottsdale area.
To view our menus or secure your reservation, explore our dining experiences, or call our team directly at 480.657.2426 for parties of eight or more.