We recently checked out the brand new Caesars Republic Scottsdale and knew we had to try Luna by Giada, the highly anticipated Italian restaurant from celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Yelp reviews were a bit mixed but Google was high, so we wanted to see for ourselves.
We were absolutely blown away. The prices are on the higher end β it is a resort restaurant β but the flavors are unique and memorable in a way that makes it worth it. Here is our honest take.
Luna by Giada sits inside the Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel on Scottsdale Road, which opened in 2024 as one of the most buzzed-about hotel openings in Arizona. Celebrity chef restaurants at resorts can be a bit of a gamble. Sometimes the name is the whole draw and the food feels like an afterthought. That is absolutely not the case here. What Giada De Laurentiis has created at this Scottsdale location feels personal and specific in a way that you do not always get from a celebrity-branded concept. The Italian food is genuinely distinct from the Italian-American standard, and it shows in every dish.
The Atmosphere & Cocktails
The restaurant is massive and gorgeous β open pizza oven, a huge wine selection, chic red and white decor. Upscale but still approachable.
When you walk in, the room has this warm, dramatic energy. The open kitchen with the wood-fired pizza oven is the focal point, and you can smell the char on the crusts from across the restaurant. The decor leans into an elevated Italian aesthetic without going overboard with clichΓ©s. It feels current and polished, the kind of space that is equally good for a date night, a celebration dinner, or a business meal. Despite being inside a resort, the energy was lively and social rather than stuffy or overly quiet.
"Noto Parete" Espresso Martini: Made with vanilla vodka, Borghetti espresso liqueur, and Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur), served in an incredibly tall glass. Not creamy like a traditional espresso martini β the strong coffee and hazelnut combination is something different and fantastic.
I am someone who typically orders espresso martinis everywhere I go, and this one stood out. The Frangelico gives it this nutty warmth that plays really well against the espresso bitterness. The tall glass presentation made it feel special, not just like a drink but like the start of an experience.
Cucumber Lemon Cocktail: Vincent's pick β very light, refreshing, and cucumber-heavy. The perfect contrast to the rich Italian food ahead.
Having one lighter, brighter cocktail next to a richer one was a smart call. The cucumber lemon drink acted almost like a palate cleanser between bites, keeping everything feeling fresh even as we got deeper into heavier food.
The Appetizers: Frito Misto & Focaccia
I am usually not the biggest fan of seafood and typically avoid calamari and shrimp β but these completely changed my mind.
Frito Misto: The best calamari and fried shrimp we have ever eaten. The breading is so perfectly crunchy and flavorful that we actually preferred it without the dipping sauce.
This is a bold claim, and I stand by it. I have avoided calamari at Italian restaurants for years because the texture usually puts me off. The Frito Misto at Luna by Giada has a breading that is thin, extremely crispy, and seasoned in a way that carries the whole dish. The sauce came on the side, but we mostly ignored it because every bite was already complete on its own. If this appetizer is on the table, do not skip it even if fried seafood is not usually your thing.
Sicilian Focaccia: Served warm with lemon mascarpone butter and basil pesto. The lemon butter is incredibly unique β don't skip it.
The focaccia itself has that soft, deeply oily interior with a slightly crispy exterior that good Sicilian-style bread should have. But the lemon mascarpone butter is the real story. It is bright, creamy, and just acidic enough to keep it interesting. We spread it on every single piece and considered ordering a second round of bread before the mains arrived.
The Mains: Giada's Signature Dishes
Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp: One of Giada's signatures, and it earns it. The heavy, real cheese is perfectly balanced by a strong, refreshing lemon punch β it works the same way Kimchi balances a heavy Korean meal. The lemon cuts right through the richness. Pasta was perfectly al dente, and the shrimp were massive and full of flavor.
This is the dish that really made us understand what makes this restaurant different. The lemon spaghetti sounds simple, but the execution is precise. Getting that balance between rich cheese and bright lemon right requires restraint, and the kitchen nails it. The shrimp were the size of small fists, perfectly cooked, not rubbery. We ate every last strand of pasta.
Spicy Sausage Pizza: Incredibly soft crust that almost blends into the cheese, with a fantastic smoky flavor. Not overly spicy at all despite the name.
The pizza comes out of that wood-fired oven with a crust that has just the right amount of char on the bottom and a softness through the middle that you cannot replicate in a standard oven. The smoky flavor from the oven permeates everything. The sausage is savory and well-seasoned. The name says "spicy" but it is very approachable heat-wise, so do not let that deter you if you are spice-sensitive.
The Vibe: Who Is Luna by Giada Good For?
Luna by Giada is excellent for a date night, a celebration dinner, or any occasion where you want to feel like you are eating somewhere genuinely special. The restaurant is inside a resort but does not require you to be a hotel guest, so it is open to anyone in Scottsdale looking for a memorable Italian dinner. The atmosphere is romantic without being overly formal, meaning you can dress up or keep it smart-casual and feel comfortable either way.
For groups, the menu has enough variety that everyone can find something they love, from lighter appetizers and seafood to heartier pasta and pizza. The cocktail list is strong enough to sustain the whole evening.
Practical Info
Luna by Giada is located inside Caesars Republic Scottsdale on Scottsdale Road. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant fills up quickly given the hotel's popularity. OpenTable is the easiest booking method. Parking is available through the hotel structure. The restaurant validates for hotel guests, but check with the front desk about parking validation for dining-only visitors.
Price range: on the higher end for Scottsdale restaurant dining, in line with other resort Italian restaurants. Expect to spend around $60 to $100 per person before drinks, depending on what you order.
Final Thoughts & Budget Tips
Our subtotal came to about $150, though we had a $50 food and beverage credit from a summer hotel promotion which helped. If you're planning a visit, it's worth checking whether any resort promotions are running.
Luna by Giada completely exceeded our expectations. The recipes feel fresh and distinct from standard Italian-American fare. If you are in Scottsdale β even if you are not staying at the resort β we highly recommend making a reservation.
The food here is the kind of meal you talk about afterward. Not just "that was good," but "that specific dish was unlike anything I've had before." That is a harder standard to meet than it sounds, and Luna by Giada clears it comfortably. We will absolutely be back.
