5 Best Burger Spots in Scottsdale, Arizona that Locals Rave About

Scottsdale might be known for golf courses, spas, and blow‑out brunches, but locals are quietly obsessed with burgers too—from cheffy builds with foie gras to messy roadside‑style patties. These five spots come up constantly when Scottsdale folks talk about where to get a truly great burger.

1. Rehab Burger Therapy

Rehab Burger Therapy feels like a beach bar in the desert—laid‑back, colorful, and totally devoted to over‑the‑top burgers. It’s the spot people recommend when you say you want something fun and messy.

Burgers here are big, thick, and creative. Popular picks include:

• The PB&J Burger with peanut butter, grape jelly, and sriracha (way better than it sounds)
• The Mac & Cheese Burger, crowned with a scoop of creamy mac
• The Hatch Chile Burger with roasted green chiles and pepper jack

Patties are juicy, buns are soft but hold up, and sides like sweet potato tots and loaded fries make it easy to over‑order. The patio is prime people‑watching territory, especially on cooler evenings.

2. Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers (Scottsdale locations)

Yes, it’s a small chain—but in Scottsdale, locals treat it like a neighborhood staple. Sports on TV, long beer lists, and a burger section that reads like a novel.

You’ll find everything from straight‑up cheeseburgers to monster stacks with bacon, fried onions, jalapeños, and specialty sauces. The All‑American, Mushroom & Swiss, and any burger with green chiles are crowd favorites. Patties are thick, char‑grilled, and you can double up if you’re hungry.

Fries, tots, onion rings, and loaded “bar food” apps round it out, and there’s usually a good mix of families, groups, and post‑work hangouts.

3. Hopdoddy Burger Bar (Scottsdale)

Hopdoddy is technically Austin‑born, but Scottsdale locals have fully adopted it. Think: upscale fast‑casual burger joint with serious ingredients and a craft‑beer bar vibe.

Standouts include:

• Goodnight/Good Cause: cheddar, caramelized onions, jalapeños, BBQ sauce
• Magic Shroom: goat cheese, mushrooms, basil pesto
• El Diablo: pepper jack, habanero sauce, and all the heat you can handle

The patties (including grass‑fed and specialty options) are super flavorful, buns are house‑baked, and toppings feel intentional—not just piled on. Truffle fries, green chile queso, and good milkshakes seal the deal.

4. Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar

Zinburger is where you go when you want a burger that feels a bit more “Scottsdale date night” than dive bar. Sleek interior, wine list, and a menu that treats the burger like a plated entrée.

Favorites include the Zinburger with Manchego cheese and Zinfandel‑braised onions, and the Samburger (American cheese, Applewood bacon, Thousand Island). Patties are cooked pink and juicy unless you say otherwise, and toppings—avocado, roasted jalapeños, quality cheeses—are dialed in.

Hand‑cut fries, zucchini fries, and killer shakes (like salted caramel or Nutella) are basically mandatory.

5. Hand Cut Chophouse (Old Town)

Better known as a steakhouse, Hand Cut also does one of Old Town’s most underrated burgers. Think high‑quality beef, precise cooking, and a burger that eats like a steakhouse sandwich.

The house burger typically features a thick patty, melted cheese, house aioli, lettuce, tomato, and maybe bacon or caramelized onions depending on the build. The bun is toasted and sturdy, fries are crisp, and everything screams “premium.”

Locals hit this one when they want a burger that feels a little more polished—often with a cocktail or whiskey on the side.