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    Desert Pony Tavern

    4.4 (58 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Desert Pony Tavern Photos

    DESERT PONY TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Desert Pony Tavern

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    Michael M.

    Had Caroline as our server, great conversation and energy! So helpful with options on what to eat and drink! When I stay here again hopefully Caroline will be serving us again!!!

    Soup of the day: clam chowder ($8). On the thinner side, a lot of bacon, not so much clams.
    Tash M.

    Located inside of the Hilton Cavasson hotel is Desert Pony Tavern. We ate here a couple of times to take advantage of an employee rate, so I think it's safe to say I got a good estimation of how most of their food is. Interior: open-air restaurant. The layout is a bit weird: you walk in and the middle is just space, while the bar (with a tv) flanks the left side and tables to the right; there are some outdoor (like by the pool) tables as well. Decor is definitely a Desert Pony, with their 80's stained mirrors, horsey paintings, and use of wood, but with a modern flair. Most of our time here, the service was good. Nothing exceptional and nothing terrible (we had different servers each time we went). As far as food, here are our ratings: Get it: - Buffalo wings. Nicely cooked, crispy skin and fairly juicy interior. Comes with different sauces (Buffalo which tastes like Franks, bbq, and chipotle). Came with celery and huge, awkwardly cut carrots. Always awkward and large. lol. - Poblano hummus: omg. This was amazing. It may be a little too "bright" for some, but I loved it. Sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and served with (sometimes bitter) watermelon radishes, naan, cucumber, celery, and more awkward carrots. It was so good I forgot to take photos, not once, but twice. - fish and chips: these were really large, moist, flaky, and breaded pieces, and done so well! Fries were meh. Comme ci comme ca: - Grilled vegetable board. It is served antipasto. That was not stated in the menu description. It was good though, with some balsamic glaze and fresh cheese (forgot what kind...parm?) - Onion rings. Nicely breaded and most were not oily. Some were a little overcooked, but I like the burnt parts. - Crimson salad: seared salmon was nice (add on). The salad was ok. Too much blue cheese. Lettuce was a little wilty. Don't waste your money: - Enchiladas breakfast casserole (?). Not noteworthy. - Clam chowder. Very basic. On the watery side. All I could taste was thyme and bacon. - Breakfast coffee: think airplane coffee We are not alcohol drinkers, so we cannot comment on that, though they had a nice looking shelf and some mocktails too. Overall, even without the discount, it was a good experience and I would be come back for specific things. A lot of hotel restaurants don't always make the mark, but for the most part, Desert Pony Tavern has.

    Fish and chips
    Nina T.

    Didn't realize this restaurant is part of the Hilton hotel. Pleasantly surprised by the food. Fish and chips were cooked to perfection. Fried chicken wrap tasted fresh (lettuce wasn't wilted). Hubby ordered the fish and chips and said the cod was cooked perfectly (not too much breading) served with a smoky remoulde sauce. Fries were seasoned perfectly! Service was good, was very chill, relaxing atmosphere

    Popcorn
    Matt G.

    I had high hopes for this place since it had good reviews on Yelp, google, and open table, however I don't know why. This is getting a 1 star... know that it's NOT due to the food.... It's due to the service and incorrect advertisement. To start, the hostess should have called in sick this day. We had a reservation at 11 and she acted like we were just a bunch of drunk colleges spring breakers coming in. The website said they had all day brunch. This was not the case! It ended at 11 am... and we were very disappointed. The waiter sat two parts of our party at separate times, 10 minutes apart. When the second half of the table sat down he immediately asked for a drinks. We hadn't even looked at the menu or drink menu yet! He was just trying to rush us through the service . Also he brought out two of the same appetizers. When we told him we only ordered one he said that they just split one onto two plates. After viewing pics we think he was just trying to charge us for two... I will say the food was good! But overall I would only go here if staying at this hotel as a last resort. I'd recommend going across the street to Pitch!

    Wings with 5 sauces to dip
    Zabrina W.

    Located in the North Scottsdale Hilton is this hidden gem. I stayed at the hotel for a few days and decided to try the onsite restaurant multiple times. It was not busy at all and one person seemed to host, take the order and serve the food. The food was delicious and I enjoyed everything I tried. The quesadilla with chicken yummy and was the best of all the dishes. The nacho, was huge and should be shared. The wings were also tasty too. The salad was ok but not a top choice. The hummus is a very big portion and can be shared. I visited 2 times. Once for lunch, which was very quiet, and in the evening there was a singer which changed the vibe completely, but not necessarily for the best. This is a great place and I plan to visit when in the area.

    entrance
    Laura A.

    The Desert Pony Tavern is located in the North Scottsdale Hilton in Cavasson. This is a Southwest Style Gastropub that also offers breakfast, happy hour and an all day menu but entrees are served after 5pm. We started out by sharing the Four Peaks Beer Fondue. It took a long time to prepare and we found out fast that training is a serious problem for this restaurant. Our fondue plate came out without the pears. That means that nobody is supervising or expediting, it also means that the cook didn't know how the plate should be and it also means that the server wasn't trained properly on the menu or she would have known that the pears were missing.......anyways...The cheese fondue taste mainly like melted processed American cheese so if you are good with that then you will like it. the plate also came with sausage that was over cooked and dry. We mentioned the missing pears and some pear slices were brought out and were very good. My husband tried the Tavern Stack Burger with onion rings. The burger had a few problems. It came out with an orange colored sauce on it that isn't mentioned in its description. Our server thought it might be thousand Island sauce? Other problem was that he asked for a medium-rare burger and got a medium-well dry burger.........The onion rings were heavily battered and the oil tasted very old. On the bright side the native chopped salad was excellent. Everything about it was fresh and delicious. Our server was cheerful and as helpful as possible. She even brought out a second beverage way before one was needed. You probably won't go wrong with a salad here. 2.5 stars rounded up because the server was extra nice and the salad was good.

    Hummua
    Raeann Q.

    I was not expecting a lot from a restaurant in a hotel but was pleasantly surprised. We got multiple apps and they were huge! Loves the selection of stuff and drinks. On the higher price point but you do get a lot and everything tasted amazing as well! It's hard to get 5 stars from me but the staff and food definitely deserve it. Just be cautious when charging to your room as I did have someone else's charge on my room as well as my original charge.

    Tiffany K.

    Went here after church Sunday morning and had a 10:45 reservation for brunch- their brunch ends at 11 so we almost missed it. That is very early to end a weekend brunch. We had anticipated sitting at the rooftop for the view, but when we got there, they let us know that that was for private party events only. My friend ordered a Mamosa and I told the server I just wanted water. She brought out two mimosas anyways and I corrected her and told her I did not want a Mamosa and just wanted to stick with water. I ordered an omelette, and did they build your own, and I hate mushrooms, but the server or chef took it upon themselves to add mushrooms to my omelette. It did come out in a nice presentation. When the check came, we were still charge for two mimosas. Overall very disappointing experience and I most likely will not be back. Things to fix- have much friendlier staff, extend your brunch on the weekend to 2pm so people can still enjoy brunch after church in Sundays and allow guests to sit on the rooftop for the view- waste of nice space if you don't allow anyone to go up.

    Wings and artichoke dip
    J B.

    Happy Hour! Nice selections. Great atmosphere - sat outside on the patio for happy hour. Enjoyed the wings tossed in bourbon bbq sauce. The artichoke dip was good too with the pitas.

    Chicken quesadilla and 1/4 of the pastrami sandwich
    Tarry B.

    I'll start with the positive..... the food was delicious. The decor and ambiance Is very spacious and inviting and the bartender and host were amazing. The negative- why oh why would you not put this bar/restaurant at an upper level to enjoy the view?! Instead you look at a brick wall when a mountain is on the other side!!! Our server needs trained. We had to go to the bar to get service and he had no idea what was happy hour. Which only includes 15% off the bar and no food. Someone coming in at 5, clearly is looking for a happy hour.

    Cozy fireplaces available throughout the patio.
    Elle N.

    Stopped here twice so far... loved it both times! SO happy it's near my house so I can be a regular! Ordered the Terrace Nachos... piled a mile high and completely delicious, huge enough to share, for sure. Burgers were also served cooked to perfection, delicious, and also really filling. Fries and onion rings also came out piping hot. Cocktails.... Oh my! LOVE the variety of smoking old fashions on the menu and the presentation. Was particularly surprised with the smoothness of the tequila one. Service was very friendly and attentive. Each person working here asked our names and introduced themselves offering a handshake. Have't experienced this level of sincerity at a hotel-type venue anywhere in many years. Made me feel completely welcome, appreciated, and noticed. Who wouldn't love that?! (Devon, Jovan, and Shane...you elevate our experience here!) Also, the live music offered Thur, Fri, and Sat nights is an excellent rotation of talented artists. Another reason we will return weekly. Lastly, with wide open walls (when it is warm enough), outdoor fireplaces, and snuggly blankets for guest to use, this indoor/outdoor ambiance offers premium comfort and ambiance and (before nightfall) a beautiful, relaxing view. What a lovely upscale vibe with an epic staff!

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    21 days ago

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    10 months ago

    Nice atmosphere, good food and service. Would have given 5 stars but the music was super loud. Better to sit outside.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food and the entertainers are ALL excellent! I highly recommend this Restaurant inside of the Hilton

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Nice outdoor area. Very fresh and unusually good crudites plate. Nice smoked old fashioneds.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food, good selection of drinks/wine. Service was excellent. Would recommend to anyone.

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    3 years ago

    Food and service is excellent. Live music at night outside in the lobby. Attentive bartenders.

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    North Italia

    North Italia

    4.0
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.6 mi
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    Stopped in for a cocktail and a quick bite to eat. My first time in Scottsdale! The sangria was…read moredelicious and not overly sweet. The charcuterie was delicious and freshly made to order! Bartenders were friendly and smiling. The venue was quaint and airy. Very intimate space!

    We've always enjoyed North Italia, so we decided to go back to the Kierland location.While the food…read morewas mostly just as good, the overall atmosphere didn't quite match the Gilbert restaurant. The biggest difference was the ambiance. The music was so loud that it made conversation at our table difficult, and the tables were placed very close together, making the dining room feel a bit cramped. It lacked the relaxed, inviting vibe we've come to expect from the Gilbert location. We started with the Cacio e Pepe Arancini, and it was every bit as delicious as we remembered. Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and full of flavor, it's still one of our favorite appetizers. We also shared the Little Gem Caesar Salad, which had just the right amount of dressing and was fresh, crisp, and satisfying. For my entrée, I ordered the Shrimp Scampi, which was delicious with perfectly cooked shrimp and great flavor. Around the table we also tried the Agnolotti Pomodori, which was very enjoyable, and the Spicy Rigatoni, another solid choice with just the right amount of heat. Dessert was the only real disappointment. We finished with the Banana Caramel Butter Cake, but unfortunately it was quite dry and didn't live up to the rest of the meal. Although this location didn't have the same atmosphere as Gilbert, the kitchen still delivered several excellent dishes. I'd happily return for the arancini and pasta, but I hope they turn the music down a bit and give diners a little more breathing room between tables so the overall experience is as enjoyable as the food.

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    Tell Your Friends

    Tell Your Friends

    3.8
    (137 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    I've been here multiple times. It's my go-to happy hour spot when friends come to town to have an…read moreelegant night but also not break the bank (at least for happy hour) Stunning interior and friendly service. I haven't had a drink I haven't liked, you can't go wrong with any of them. The 50 first dates has become my favorite, however. For food, the milk bread is a delicious starter. The chicken tenders are also amazing. Can't wait to go back!

    Was excited to try this place out as it seemed super cool on social media. We were a party of 3 and…read morearrived right on time for our Sunday night reservation. We made our way down the stairs and the hostess was there ready to check us in. We didn't wait at all and got seated right away. Once seated it took a while for the server to come take our order. There was live music going on which kept us entertained for the time being. After about 15 minutes, she finally came over to greet us and take our drink orders. We ordered: 1 WILD STRAWBABY - Ocho Blanco Tequila, Bergamot, Strawberry, Pineapple, Lemon, Almond Milk $22 1 50 FIRST DATES - Bumbu Rum, Cascara, Brown Sugar Date Syrup, Coconut Milk, Cinnamon Sprinkle $22 1 BLUEBERRY MULE - Blueberry, Lime, Ginger Beer $13 The drinks didn't take too long and another bartender dropped them off. Water was never offered to us and was only given to us after we asked. All the other tables were given water once they were seated. Our drinks were good but we chose to just have one each and we left. The live music was great. The musician was playing the piano and kept it fun and upbeat. The inside is pretty cool and unique but service could've definitely been better though. *There's a $10 cover fee per person when there is live music*

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    Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar

    Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar

    4.0
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    This was not our first visit to the Tommy Bahama restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona…read more Our children gave us a gift card for Christmas, so we used it here for our Valentine's Day lunch. Just love the ambience here. You feel like you are on the island with the scented candles, music and the decor. As always, the service was amazing! The food did not disappoint either. I almost always get the lump crab and avocado salad. It is my favorite and gluten-free, yay. My husband enjoyed his fish tacos as well. I'm sure we will be back again in the future. Always fun to shop at the store downstairs afterwards.

    Tommy Bahamas was located right across the street from our hotel while on a work trip to Arizona. A…read morebunch of us decided to walk over and were seated at two different tables. That was kind of a bummer, but I totally understood having difficulty accommodating 12 people last minute. I sat down and ordered an ice tea. I believe she gave me a mango tea, but I'm not 100% sure but it definitely didn't taste like a regular unsweet tea. My husband ordered the guacamole and it came out relatively quickly. it was fresh and the chips were, too. For my main meal, I ordered a lobster bisque soup. The soup wasn't super hot, but they did give me a large serving of it. They actually charged me for two soups and one came out again later. Luckily, they took this back and removed it from my bill. I also ordered the tuna tacos from their appetizer list. The crunchiness of the taco and the fresh tuna was absolutely delicious. I want to say it was even better than my husband's mahi tacos looked. Good experience at this restaurant for us!

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    SOL Mexican Cocina

    SOL Mexican Cocina

    3.9
    (1.9k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Food was good overall and it was nice that they were open past 8:30pm given a delay on my part…read morearriving from the airport. Because I wasn't too hungry the food filled me up pretty quickly but it was a bit unfortunate that the short rib taco comes with just one single taco and not two, even though the one taco was pretty hefty! One of my friends got a tortilla soup kind of stew dish -- forgot the name-- and that definitely would be something I would recommend instead and goes well with the tortilla chips. The restaurant definitely had some Mexican influence in its interior design but I'm not sure why they put us in a corner especially since it felt hotter there especially since it seemed their A/C broke down! I think it's a worthwhile place to come back again but maybe in a larger group setting.

    Back and reinforced in so many ways why I hope to remember to never come back…read more Came for happy hour got manager approval to honor that menu at 5:50pm. Sat at a high top, was busy but our waitress was an epic failure. Ordered two margaritas as it was on special. Got sweet corn and two happy hour tacos. The corn came fast enough was great as always. Tacos came almost 45' later, had to wave the waitress down for more beans and it took two times before it came. The food was so long in coming we thought hard about just leaving... just a few more minutes - 45' for two tacos ? Manager did come by to ask how things were and felt bad for our more than 45' wait said he'd take 25 off the bill, he came around again said he'd take 50 off, that was a surprise and we declined till we saw the bill. Look at the bill!!!No discount for happy hour, two new items we never ordered, yeah a discount but ended up paying for what we ordered for happy hour and margarita day discount. What a failure of service and cluster from this waitress. Can't figure if she just added more items and charges us full price or the manager thought we were that stupid.. thinking the waitress was that stupid and she thought we wouldn't notice ?

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    Small section of this huge restaurant
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    Desert Pony Tavern - bars - Updated August 2026

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