Instead of asking “What’s happening in October in Phoenix?” we’re really asking ourselves, “What’s not happening in October?”
It’s full steam ahead into our busy season, and this means snazzy restaurant openings, seafood celebrations, and a calendar crammed with fall festivities. Plus, we’ve been making the rounds ourselves to see what else is cooking. Have a tip? Send us a note via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
National Seafood Month and Filipino American History Month
Speaking of seafood, October is National Seafood Month, and Phoenix-headquartered Lin’s Grand Buffet is right on time with all-you-can-eat seafood. Adult buffet pricing is under $20, with children’s meals around $12, although prices vary by location.
Meanwhile, Seafood City in Chandler is trading its usual grocery-store atmosphere for DJs, dance battles, street food, and more during the event Late Night Madness, hosted this Saturday, October 17, from 9 p.m. to midnight. Bonus, the free event celebrates Filipino American History Month.
Patio Season Comes to Piñyon (and the Valley)
Temperatures are falling, which means patio season is back. We’ve fallen in love with the outdoor space at Piñyon thanks to the upscale setting and relaxed vibes. The patio’s fountain, views of Scottsdale Civic Center, happy striped upholstery, and greenery make this a delightful choice when in the mood for fresh hummus with warm pita, oysters, yellowtail crudo with pistachio salsa macha, or filet mignon skewers hot off the charcoal grill.
Try Zany Carnival Food at Arizona State Fair
The Arizona State Fair is back, and of course, it has its staples: turkey legs, funnel cakes, and corn dogs. But, what keeps fair food interesting is its descent into the eccentric, including this year’s food lineup.
Try a Chamoy Pickle, a jumbo dill pickle stuffed with spaghetti chamoy candy, wrapped in a Fruit Roll-Up and drenched in chamoy. Sample the Birthday Cake Shake, with a cake batter base and topped with a Funfetti cupcake. Then there’s a Double Trouble Cone, two ice cream cones dipped in chocolate and caramel and crowned with caramel kettle corn.
Some of the food vendors have been around for generations, including Navajo Taco Stand, which has a history spanning more than 60 years and five generations of family members at the fair. Visit the fair now through Sunday, November 1.
Cowboy Seafood Opening in Phoenix
There’s a new sheriff in town, and we were invited last week to get an early look. Cowboy Seafood gives off polished but fun vibes, with good food to boot (pun intended). Located in uptown Phoenix, where parking is plentiful, the restaurant ropes seafood and traditional comfort food together, all with a Southwestern kick.
We tried a satisfying basket of smoked ribs resting on a bed of golden french fries, a smoked brisket sandwich featuring low-and-slow-cooked brisket served with a side of thick, creamy mac and cheese, and the crab cake and greens.
Tempe’s Filthy Animal Named Yelp’s Best New Restaurant
Tempe’s Filthy Animal just claimed the number one spot on Yelp’s list of the best new restaurants in the country. The East Valley eatery beat out newcomers nationwide for the top honor, giving the Phoenix-area dining scene yet another reason to celebrate.
JING Scottsdale’s Weekend Brunch With Live DJs
It’s time for a new weekend brunch at JING Scottsdale. The DJ-enhanced meal gets served Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch here means Ube Buttermilk Pancakes with whipped vanilla butter, Pumpkin Spiced Croissant Doughnuts, and Whipped Burrata Toast with chili crunch. Guests can also order the two-hour long bottomless mimosas, a fully-loaded Bloody Mary and other brunchy cocktails.
North Phoenix Coffee Shop’s New October Menu
A coffee shop inside a private children’s club might seem like an unlikely place to grab your morning caffeine fix, but The Little Play Avenue, located near State Route 51 and Thunderbird Road, welcomes guests, kids or no kids, to come for the coffee.
Bonus, the October menu just released. That means now you can score a prickly pear cold brew topped with pink cold foam, a pumpkin latte, and hot chocolate sprinkled with pistachios.
The space itself is divided between a children’s play area and a separate room with seating for coffee drinkers. Parents can bring drinks into the play area for an additional fee (reservations suggested), while anyone looking for a quieter place to sip or get some work done can settle into the back room for no extra charge.
Light Heart Coffee and Elvira’s at DC Ranch Collab
Light Heart Coffee is known as one of the Valley’s most instagrammable coffee shops. Now the hot spot is partnering with Elvira’s at DC Ranch on a limited-time fall cocktail collaboration. The menu will feature three fun cocktails including the Wildberry Mule with fresh mint and blackberries, an Espresso Martini, and the Berry Cobbler Martini.
Carcara Hosts Five-Course Chef Series Dinner October 24
Chef Sarah Moats will present a five-course dinner with Arizona-sourced and Indigenous-inspired ingredients at Carcara on October 24 at 5 p.m. The menu includes bison tartare with quail egg, braised rabbit with mushroom ragout, and Medjool date cake with local bourbon gelato.Each course comes with a beverage pairing. Tickets are $85 per person.
Telefèric Barcelona Introduces October Specials
A taste of Spain comes to Scottsdale with Telefèric Barcelona, the family-owned Spanish restaurant at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Now through October 30, diners can try specials including crispy calamari with yuzu aioli and Basque chorizo with duck confit and pork belly.
It’s a tasty-looking menu, and one we plan to try for ourselves. In time for Halloween, guests can also enjoy The Joker cocktail made with a wasabi-infused gin, fino sherry, house-made parsley syrup, and a balanced acid solution. Finished with a skeleton-leaf garnish, this one is Halloween in a cup.
Feta Cowboy Celebrates National Shawarma Day October 15
National Shawarma Day falls on October 15, and Feta Cowboy in Tempe will be observing the holiday with a tasty special. The Mexican-Mediterranean restaurant invites diners to try one of its shawarma dishes, such as the chicken shawarma in a warm pita with harissa tahini, toom, and Aleppo pico.
Denū Hotel Presents Three Dining Concepts
Denū Hotel & Spa just opened and with it, come three new restaurants for us to try. First up, Sartén Kitchen & Bar, which brings a twist to Sonoran cuisine. The focus here is on classic local flavors, such as mesquite, chiltepín, blue corn, and agave. The fire-roasted bone marrow, cast-iron mesquite cornbread, and ceviche verde caught our eye.
Upstairs, Nidos Rooftop Bar serves up Latin-Mediterranean small plates, cocktails, and city views. Downstairs, the street-level Blend Café offers espresso, specialty teas, pastries, and grab-and-go bites.
PRESS Coffee Launches Mobile Espresso Cart
Phoenix-based PRESS Coffee is bringing the café experience on the road with a new full-service mobile espresso cart. We can’t wait to see this one in action.
Pizzicata Celebrates the Carefree Re-Opening and an Award
New is, Pizzicata’s founders will be honored in 2027 with the Tomasco Maggiore Culinary Excellence Award for their commitment to authentic Italian cooking and wonderful hospitality. The news comes as they’re preparing to re-open the Carefree location on October 22. Congratulations on both fronts!
The Living Room Hosts Season Kick Off Party
The Living Room’s DC Ranch location is hosting a patio Season Kick Off Party on Sunday, October 18 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the return of outdoor dining. Expect wine stations, beverage promotions, giveaways, and a performance by local favorite Dirty Yachtin’ Scoundrels around 7:30 p.m.
Roka Akor Partners With Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock
Rock and roll and sushi? We support that combo. Roka Akor Scottsdale teamed up with Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock teen centers to introduce the Alice Cooper Frankenstein Roll. A portion of proceeds from every Frankenstein Roll sold at Roka Akor locations nationwide will benefit Solid Rock, which provides creative opportunities for teens through music, dance, and the arts.
Ways to Celebrate Halloween in the Valley
Looking for Halloween fun around the Valley? We rounded up plenty of spooky-season offerings so you don’t have to go searching. From glowing pumpkins to glowing cocktails, it all sounds like a boo-ti-ful way to celebrate the scariest of holidays.
ADERO Scottsdale Hosts Oktoberfest, Art Dinner, and Harvest Market
ADERO Scottsdale is packing October with three events. On October 17, the resort hosts Oktoberfest on Four Peaks Lawn, with German beer, live entertainment and an all-inclusive buffet featuring chicken schnitzel, sausages, dark beer-braised pork belly and apple strudel. Tickets are $165.
On October 22, Phoenix artist Michael Padilla will finish a piece of art during a three-course wine dinner featuring selections from Mexican wineries. Tickets are $135. The resort also hosts a free Harvest Market on October 24 featuring local artisans, specialty foods, and small businesses.
Blanco Cocina + Cantina Now Offers Bachelorette Dining Packages
Blanco Cocina + Cantina is getting friendly with Scottsdale’s bachelorette-party scene by offering new group dining packages at its Borgata location.
The Tequila Made Me Do It package costs $42 per person and includes shared starters and entrées, while The Final Fiesta costs $64 per person and adds a welcome margarita and additional food selections. Groups can also order a Bachelorette Margarita Tree for $48, serving four.
