Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is well known for sunshine and spring training. But baseball fans have done a great job guarding one of the area’s best kept secrets – its food. Utopias like Singh Farms and Agritopia turn same-day harvests into sought after dishes. Favorite dinner choices include everything from modern Mexican to gastropub cuisine. Cocktails are hip, a tequila goddess reigns over the biggest tequila library in the United States and the local craft beer scene is spilling over. So pack sunscreen and an appetite for delicious days and nights in the desert.

La Hacienda, Scottsdale

Good Margaritas and guacamole make any vacation better. Located at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval serves Mexican classics with mouthwatering twists. The tempura-fried sea bass served with cabbage slaw and mango salsa chile arbol remoulade looks almost as good as it tastes. The in-house Tequila Goddess (like a wine sommelier, but for tequila) creates artisan tasting flights from the 240 varieties she has on hand. Coffee drinkers, save room and indulge. The tableside, flaming presentation turns heads throughout the restaurant.

Citizen Public House, Scottsdale

Folks chomp at the bit to get an order of The Original Chopped Salad at Citizen Public House. The dish is so popular, it has its own Facebook page. An upscale gastropub, Citizen Public House serves great food in a fun, casual setting. From bacon-fat heirloom popcorn to a Spam Cubano sandwich and pan-seared scallops served atop roasted corn grits, you won’t go hungry here. The wine and beer list is impressive, but the house cocktails are the stars of the bar.

Brewtastic Adventure

The desert craft beer scene is buzzing these days. Maximize your time and tastings potential with Arizona Brewery Tours. In the know drivers and beer guides arrange behind-the-scenes tours of more than a dozen local breweries. You’ll learn about making beer as you taste your way from one stop to the next. Tours typically cover three breweries with plenty of samples and local food along the way. If your tour includes a stop at the Beer Research Institute, taste all you can and order the Meat Candy, also known as Sriracha-candied bacon. The limited release Beer Research Institute T-shirts make for great souvenirs.

The Thumb BBQ & Grill, Scottsdale

Finger licking BBQ at an unlikely locale. Welcome to The Thumb BBQ & Grill. Gas station, plus car wash, plus gift store and award-winning BBQ all under one Scottsdale roof. From burritos to brisket, burgers, and baked goods, The Thumb is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most folks make the most of their wait by filling their car’s tank with gas or getting it washed. Save room for sides like sweet potato fries and Mexicorn. There’s plenty of seats inside and out to relax while you fill up.

Singh Farms, Scottsdale

Don’t let preconceived notions fool you – amazing things take root in the desert. One Saturday at Singh Farms is all you’ll need to be swayed. One day a week, folks descend in droves to snap up fresh produce, bread, eggs, olive oil and honey here. Once they’ve filled their shopping bags and checked everything off their list, folks tend to linger longer at the farm, sipping fresh pressed juices and probiotic sodas. Pizzas topped with goodies like roasted sweet potatoes, chimichurri, mozzarella and Romano cheese get snapped up long before they have a chance to cool. Pastries and an assortment of other freshly made goodies are worth waiting in line for. Spots to eat and relax are scattered throughout the property, offering views of some of Singh Farms more popular residents like wild horses, baby goats, peacocks, ducks and chickens. There’s even morning yoga beneath the trees.

Agritopia, Gilbert

Day or night, good eats are waiting at Agritopia. It’s a suburban neighborhood anchored around a working farm, and fresh fruit and vegetables couldn’t be easier to grab hold of here. Stocked with the latest harvest, The Farm Stand is open 24 hours a day and operates on an honor system. Grab what you want, drop your money in the pay slot and happily away you go. If you prefer your produce pre-prepared, check out The Coffee Shop, an old tractor barn turned café that serves up omelets, sandwiches, baked goods and a long list of caffeinated favorites.

Nearby, Joe’s Farm Grill is a modern day diner serving comfort food made from the freshest ingredients from The Farm at Agritopia. Choosing between burgers, baby back ribs and friend green beans can be daunting, but sharing plates helps save room for the much-wanted milkshakes.

Where to stay in Arizona

Images: Arizona Brewery Tours; La Hacienda; Singh Farms

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