Scottsdale’s dining scene has welcomed an elevated new addition with the opening of Cielito, an intimate restaurant perched atop AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town. With seating for about 50 guests, the rooftop eatery offers panoramic views of Camelback and the Old Town skyline, creating a setting that feels both sophisticated and relaxed. Fittingly, Cielito translates to “little sky” or “little heaven” in Spanish.
The restaurant’s menu is centered around shareable plates that showcase regional flavors and inventive ingredients. Guests can expect dishes like aguachile with tataki scallops, duck milanese torta, lamb with foraged mushrooms and mezcal, rabbit and rattlesnake in mezcal cream, and an arrachera dish built around huitlacoche papas. The cocktail program follows a similarly adventurous path, leaning heavily into agave spirits such as mezcal, sotol, and bacanora, while also offering zero-proof options for non-drinkers.
Cielito is the debut concept from The Wayfaring Group, a hospitality consultancy that takes a unique approach to restaurant development through ethnographic research. Rather than beginning with trends or aesthetics, the team studies the communities, ingredients, and cultural traditions before shaping the menu and experience.
Award-winning Chef Shon Foster and anthropologist Alex Webb drew inspiration from the coastal and desert regions of Northwest Mexico, allowing those influences to guide both the cuisine and the agave-forward beverage program. The result is a concept that feels intentional, blending storytelling, culinary artistry, and a strong sense of place.
Chef Foster is perhaps best known for his work at Amangiri, the luxury desert resort celebrated for its immersive dining experiences. Originally from Tempe and now based in Kanab, Foster’s involvement with Cielito marks his first restaurant project in Arizona, making the opening especially meaningful for local diners eager to experience his acclaimed style closer to home. Learn more at cielitoscottsdale.com.
