Sugar Bowl

They didn’t lie with the name—my sundae was pure sugar. I ordered the Creamed Walnut Fudge Sundae and somehow tasted no chocolate, no marshmallow, no pecans, not even ice cream. Just sweet and cold. I genuinely wondered if it was my taste buds malfunctioning… until I tried my sister’s food. Her finger sandwiches (egg salad and corned beef) were delicious. The kettle chips? Perfectly crisp and salty. Her Coke float was solid too, but that’s hard to mess up—just Coke and vanilla ice cream. Meanwhile, folks around us seemed thrilled with their banana splits, so maybe I just picked the wrong item. Despite the sundae flop, our server Olivia was an absolute gem: kind, attentive, and genuinely lovely. She made the experience feel cared for, even if the dessert didn’t.

Stepping into The Sugar Bowl is like stepping back in time in the best way possible. This charming little gem in Scottsdale has been around for decades, and it's easy to see why it's still going strong. The pink aesthetic is absolutely adorable – from the striped walls to the nostalgic decor, it feels like you're dining inside a vintage postcard. The framed photos of the original soda fountain setup add a nice historical touch and give you a real sense of the place's legacy. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even sweeter. The food was great – I had some classic tea sandwiches that were fresh and tasty, and we couldn’t resist trying one of their sundaes. It was everything you'd want from an old-fashioned ice cream treat: rich, creamy, and topped with the perfect cherry. And don’t miss the arcade in the back! It’s such a fun, unexpected addition – full of retro games that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Whether you're a local or just visiting Old Town Scottsdale, The Sugar Bowl is definitely worth a stop. It's not just a meal – it's a full experience packed with nostalgia, flavor, and charm.

Stopped in last Friday for a traditional banana split. What a treat! Absolutely delicious. A little slow getting service at first, but the server was so sweet and the dessert came so quickly, we didn't mind at all. If you're new in town and love delicious ice cream in a vintage setting, don't miss this Scottsdale landmark!

This place is straight out of the 60s, pink walls, diner booths, and the kind of vibe that makes you feel like you should be wearing a leather jacket and ordering a sundae with a jukebox playing in the background. The ice cream was everything you want ice cream to be, cold, creamy, and full of flavor. I went with a double scoop because I keep it simple, and it was spot on. My partner got a parfait and it looked like something straight out of a magazine, stacked and layered perfectly. The best part is you actually sit down, order, and it comes out made fresh, none of this “stand in line, get scooped, and shuffle away” routine. Portions were generous, the flavors were dialed in, and the whole place just nails that classic throwback charm. If you have not been here yet, fix that. Seriously. It is ice cream that tastes like happiness, nostalgia, and childhood all mixed together, and it is absolutely worth the stop.

I had passed the Sugar Bowl many times. After a night out at a different restaurant I decided to stop here for a desert. Oh my... This restaurant has been here since 1958 and is in resemblance to a 1950's ice cream parlor. I loved the atmosphere. And even at 9 pm, it was still fully packed with customers. I had the "Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split. It had coffee and strawberry ice cream to die for. Covered in Whipping Cream and Carmel sauce. With a Cherry on top. Definitely coming back. Such a great happy atmosphere.

Friendly and quick service. A lot of choices and the ice cream is delicious. Don’t pass on the root beer float! It was delicious! Great way to cool down with the Arizona heat!

I had never been to this place before, and upon entering, saw only a bunch of sugar raging ( very loud ) kids inside. You have to wait to be seated by a hostess. I was still having doubts about this place while looking at the menu & the prices. I ended up ordering myself a vanilla shake. And OH BOY! I LOVED IT VERY MUCH!! This place has the absolutely best ice cream in the entire valley. Do not miss this place. You will not be sorry if you go here. Wonderful staff and location. I would even say it is a jewel of Scottsdale, and the entire Valley of the Sun.

The Sugar Bowl is a must of you are visiting Old Town Scottsdale. We went in the evening on a Friday night. I had the Tin Roof Sunday, and my wife had the Golden Nugget!! They were both delicious! The atmosphere is very much old school, and it will hit the nostalgic vibes. The staff was very kind and efficient. Don't forget to buy a coffee much for the collection in the way out.

This place really gives old school vibes! Tucked in old town Scottsdale, Sugar Bowl is so unique with the pink decor and girly pop vibes of the place. We ordered milkshakes and they were incredible - they provide milkshakes, sundaes, and other dishes outside of icecream for lunch (like sandwiches etc) so there's good variety. The place had a steady flow of people coming in and out and we had come towards the late afternoon, so I can only imagine how busy it can get earlier in the day. Definitely check it out!

This is an old-fashioned diner/ice cream parlor! The ice cream was very good! The service was ok as well. The restaurant had a steady flow of customers eating at the counter and throughout the diner!

Just like stepping back in time. Absolutely loved it, very well maintained. The staff was supper friendly. Here for a family vacation and had to stop by. Everyone had ice cream. My daughter could not wait to try the coffee sundae. I had the banana split and either way you can't go wrong.

At the recommendation of my manager, I stopped into the Sugar Bowl for a sweet treat to end the day. Choosing a mint sundae was a no brainer for me and it was just what I needed. The decor of this ice cream shop is so nostalgic. It's a really fun spot to treat yourself!

Great service and variety on the menu! I had no idea they had so many options to choose from! Way more than dessert. Had a chocolate malt on a food tour but it was easy too sweet for my taste. The sandwiches and beef strogaaf sounded great!

Fun for all ages, they have great sundae options and then a small arcade. Had a good time!

Cute and quaint retro ice cream parlor. A perfect stop to end the night after walking around Old Town Scottsdale. Quick service, with great malts and shakes in a pretty pink diner.

We were seated quickly and our server was very nice. The building is a cute pink diner with vintage touches and a classic 50's vibe! We had ice creams and they were all great!

The service was great! I would say the ice cream is more old fashion and there's no innovative flavors that market towards more of the eclectic new flavor profiles of today's ice cream flavors. However, if you are looking for old fashion dinner style ice cream then this is the spot for you. The portions to me were too small but, I devour a lot of ice cream. I'm an ice cream lover and could eat three of their items by myself. So keep in mind, if your ice cream portions are larger then you may need to order two portions.

In old Scottsdale... great place to stop in for a scoop of ice cream and relax . They also have a game room for the kids or the kid on you. Enjoy yourself here

A really fun old school dessert spot that also serves food Food: we ordered a Sunday, a rootbeer float and a peanut butter shake - everything was pretty good! This is t going to be super high quality but it is very comforting! Ambience: it has this retro diner vibe which makes it very fun! Service: good service

The Sugar Bowl is the place for Ice Cream. It's an old fashion ice cream parlor. Although they have sandwiches and salads, go for the Ice Cream. They are conveniently located in Old Town Scottsdale with street parking readily available. My wife ordered the Mint Chocolate Bowl and I had the Chocolate Hot Fudge Sunday. Both were excellent. Service was prompt and friendly.

The Sugar Bowl is a Scottsdale classic for a reason. Classic ice cream treats that don't try too hard, because they don't have to.Come for a sundae, stay because you "accidentally" ordered a banana split too. No regrets.Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!

Classic diners are one of my favorite types of food establishments, and I was thrilled to discover Sugar Bowl while exploring Old Town Scottsdale! Food We tried the Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split. The banana was perfectly ripe but still had a nice bite to it, and the ice cream and sorbet were both super creamy. I especially appreciated how smooth the sorbet was -- sometimes they can be icy. I also ordered a vanilla creamy malt, and honestly, it was everything I want from a classic diner malt: thick, creamy, and delicious. Love that they offer malted options! Ambiance No frills, but comfortable -- exactly what you want from a classic spot like this. The pink furniture and vintage-style light fixtures were a fun retro touch. It's super casual, and there's even a separate arcade room, which adds to the old-school charm. Service Friendly and efficient. They bring your bill to the table, and you pay at the cashier. Everything was quick and easy. Cost $26 total for the banana split and malt, which we shared among three people. Definitely reasonable for a nostalgic treat in the middle of Old Town. Conclusion If you're craving classic ice cream treats -- and not the fancy, artisanal kind -- Sugar Bowl is the place to go.

I stopped by for a bite with the family after we went to the escape room at the AZ boardwalk- this is my first time here and the ambiance is so cute! I loved it! We were greeted very quickly and the restaurant was clean! They also have an arcade room! Super cool! I got the BLT with potato chips and my kiddo got the grilled hot dog with chips my cousin got the chili burger and my other 2 cousins got the tuna melt sandwich. Everybody loved it! We also got a few milkshakes and a sundae!

I have always wanted to visit The Sugar Bowl when I was a kid; let me tell you, it did not disappoint, now as an adult I decided to visit The Sugar Bowl and ordered a Banana Split, I'll admit I ate this slowly, just savoring its deliciousness. Our waitress was nice, she seemed a bit overwhelmed, but overall she took good care of our table. This was clean and spacious, the colors and decor fit just right.

This place is absolutely adorable. I felt like a kid again walking in and eating here. The old-school atmosphere and nostalgic vibes made it feel like something straight out of a movie. Everything about the space is magical and memorable. I have a big sweet tooth, but I will say the sundae and ice cream were nothing too special. I also asked for a side of caramel drizzle and was surprised to be charged $5 for it. I wish the waitresses had been a bit more helpful and patient, but overall, it's still a fun spot to experience.

This is the cutest dinner! All I had was ice cream but it was enjoyable to just sit and look around. Came back a 2nd time on my trip. Loved the decor. Service was good.

This place is right out of the 1950's. Has original everything from when it opened. Great old school vibes with awesome dessert options. If you are hungry for food has a very homemade style sandwich, burgers, hot dogs, and meats and fruits (for those trying to stay on the lighter side). It wasn't very busy but the service was fast and knowledgeable and customer service based. The only negative experience with this location is the parking, it sits right on a busy street with limited parking near it. If in the area, give it a try. You won't regret getting the ice cream.

The banana splits were good. Service was friendly and the ambiance was a definite 50's-60's vibe. The prices were definitely on the higher end for dessert but you're in Scottsdale so that's to be expected I guess. The specials seemed to be priced fair so check out the specials. The hubby and kiddos were with me and we needed this cools down in the Arizona heat. This establishment gets busy as we came a t great time. Just as we had finished a multitude of people were coming in so I'm sure this place gets a lot of tourist with the shops in the plaza making nice for a stroll of shopping. Overall this place won me over with their friendly and attentive service.

Our food was really good and the ice cream even better! Between us, we had several sandwiches. All of which were very good. Our server was a very nice young lady. She had several tables and did a great job making sure our drinks were full and we had everything we wanted. The ambiance was enjoyable. It was very pink and what you would know as the old 50's style ice cream shop!

Step into the cutest retro diner in Scottsdale! I had to share my experience! I have been here several times. Loved the ambiance of retro dining, glassware and vibes. You have to get yourself a delicious milkshake or food at this adorable diner. I usually come here after having a meal already, so I stick to the milkshakes or root beer float. There are sandwiches, salads and other meals available to try (typical diner food) that looked delicious so next time I come here I will be sure to try it. Employees are also always nice and friendly to speak with. Great service and smiles. I typically stick with street parking and walk over, there's a lot of nearby shopping and things to do and see.

Came here for dessert and got one scoop of chocolate chip ice cream. It was creamy and light with big chocolate chips! Yum! After we received the ice cream then we had to get in a different line to pay.

Absolutely loved our visit to Sugar Bowl and I honestly contemplated going back a second time before our vacation ended. I wish I would have. This place has such a fun vintage vibe, and I love a classic ice cream sundae! We had one with hot fudge and it was exactly the extravagant treat you'd hope for. You order at the counter and they bring you your treats to the table when they're ready. It was so charming and so yummy. I recommend this to any and everyone.

Stopped by Sugar Bowl after strolling around and shopping. I got the Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream in a cup. It was good but pricer than other ones I've had elsewhere. Not sure if it was worth the price but convenient if you're already here.

A staple of Old Town! Coming to Sugar Bowl should be on your list for a sweet treat or to enjoy while walking around. Once you're inside, it really feels like a trip back in time with the diner vibes. Loved it! The service is great and very fast. With big windows all across the front, it's a great spot to take a break and people watch, too! The ice cream is delicious! They have a big dessert menu with tons of options and ways to customize your order. Prices are nice as well! Ordered the peanut butter ice cream milkshake, and it was perfect. So creamy and fantastic! Can't wait to come back and try more flavors! If you're in Old Town, you gotta give Sugar Bowl a try - you won't be disappointed!

Cute old time ice cream parlor. I didn't seem to locate anything wow about it. They have a few arcade style games in back of the establishment but it doesn't look as if it's busy since no one was manning the counter for things. Got a brownie sundae with Rocky road ice cream. It was good but nothing that can't be found somewhere else

Step back in time at this ice cream stop. Lunch was just okay but they shine in the ice cream shop menu!

Stop by here after walking around old town Scottsdale. We wanted some sweet treats. It was on a weekend so the place was pretty busy and chaotic, which is understandable. I really liked the vibe, it's so cute. Very pink and classic diner atmosphere. My partner got cookies and cream ice cream and I got strawberry milkshake. I feel like people come here because of the vibe and convenience, the ice cream felt very store bought (I did see a half-gallon blue bell ice cream container which explains my view on their ice cream lol)

Nugget of wisdom get The Golden Nugget!! It was sooo good! This is a must stop in Old Scottsdale, the service is friendly, the ambiance is classic, and the menu is bursting with old time good flavors and the prices are solid too! The only thing that disappointed me was my straw when it stopped filling with delicious orange goodness!

I always drove or walked by it, but never had a chance to try it. It's time to give a try at this 50's diner-looking ice cream place. Everything was overly pink but it made it super cute. They had very large menu items, like 4-5 full long pages. They all looked the same, but also different. We had a hard time picking some. We got Desireme Banana Split and Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split. Our banana splits came super quick. Like she was there to take our order in a minute, and the second minute she was holding our food and walking towards us. Not a big fan of eating whipped cream. So, I tried them all except the cream. My favorite was the Turkish coffee ice cream in Gosh-Awful-Gooey Banana Split and the chocolate marshmallow sauce and strawberry ice cream from Desireme Banana Split. Can we mix and match? If so, I would like to get those only. Maybe try another split as the second order :) Clearly, they like to turn the table fast. The bill came when we were halfway through. But we had to get up and wait in the line to pay by the door. Which is kinda annoying, while there were tables by the cashier, and there is a long line for the payment. I wouldn't like to be seated at those tables, thb.

A blast from the past! The Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale opened in 1958. It looks like it hasn't changed much since. Very much an old fashioned ice cream parlor. It was often featured in the popular Family Circus cartoon strip, created by Bil Keane in 1960. On the menu, one page of salads, soups and sandwiches. Three pages of ice cream treats and other desserts. My sandwich was huge and came with chips and a pickle. The star of the show was the build your own banana split. Yum! Got there right at 11am on a Saturday. It filled up fast. Enjoy.

4.5 stars Cute little place reminiscent of a 50s diner and even busy on a weekday night. I got the sundae with chocolate chip ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and peanuts with whipped cream. So good! Service was friendly and quick and prices weren't bad either. 2024 #35

I ordered a BLT with avocado and two other people in my group ordered bacon cheeseburgers and the burgers had more bacon on them than the BLT. I would NEVER go to this place for the food. We all had shakes and ice cream and it was good.

Came here to Sugar Bowl in old town Scottsdale -- within Phoenix, AZ -- little before 10 PM when they close. I forgot to take photos, but I had the Pralines n Cream one scoop. It was good. Shared it with two others. We finished it easily. Bit too sugary and sweet, but hit the spot and sated my sweet tooth. Nice place, hope to be back and try something else if I'm ever in the Scottsdale / Phoenix area.

Always a treat to come to the sugar bowl for dessert! We come here for dessert every time we have family in town and sometimes when we eat at a restaurant in old town. We've never had their entrees but the ice cream never disappoints us. They even have some dairy free options. The service is always great when we go and the atmosphere is very nostalgic. I would definitely recommend coming here for the ice cream! Here are just a few that we've had

An Old Town staple! I've loved coming to the Sugar Bowl since I was a kid. The sugar bowl treat banana split is my favorite and I love the pink decor.

Quick service for a busy Saturday and Carmel sundae was kinda small but tasty Price was what you'd expect for Scottsdale on scottsdale road.

The cookie dough to ice cream ratio was great. The coffee float was also pretty good. The inside was super cute and pink and service was fast. It is a little on the expensive side,but you're paying for the vibe.

While walking it started down pouring so we ran and ended up in the sugar bowl. We were seated quickly and ordered 2 ice cream sundaes. Both were very good. Only complaint is they don't have French fries. Would have loved fries and a shake

I couldn't dream up a cuter place if I tried! I love this place so much and always take new friends and visitors here any chance I get. I've never had anything that didn't make me smile - dessert or food. The people are kind, the decor is adorable and the ice cream is classically delicious. Thanks sugar bowl!

The weather has been very hot in Scottsdale so took a break and popped into the Sugar Bowl. We had a vanilla shake and mint chocolate ice cream. Our ice cream was delicious we kept seeing the staff make banana splits and wished we would have given that a try. This restaurant is also air conditioned which was a huge win on a 110 degree day!

Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale is all about the nostalgia. We sat at the counter and ordered a sundae and a shake--classic treats, but nothing that really stood out flavor-wise. The service was friendly and the staff made us feel welcome, but the place itself is a bit run down. It's a fun stop if there's no wait and you're already nearby, but not something we'd go out of our way for.

The sugar bowl is a musty spot in Scottsdale. I bring everyone here at least once not just for great ice cream, but for the atmosphere and ambience. 50s vibe covered in Pepto-Bismol! So cute, Instagram worthy, and the gaming room was decorated for Christmas. Out of my 30 years of life, I've never actually eaten lunch/dinner dining food here, however, one of my favorite ice cream spots in Arizona. Which flavor, perfect creamy texture. The tin roof is my favorite because adding salted peanuts to the sweetness of chocolate ice cream will knock out and satisfy any cravings.

The Sugar Bowl is a long time Scottsdale business. Opening in 1958 it now has "legendary" status as a place to try when in the area. Decked out like an old-time soda fountain--it has a long counter with stools--the pink and white eatery serves as an ice cream shop and full service restaurant. We simply wanted ice cream, which was terrific. But had we wanted something more substantial the Sugar Bowl serves sandwiches, soups, and salads. It was busy when we arrived, yet service was satisfactory.

Out here for spring training and was told to take the kids here for ice cream. Since we were hungry we decided we would order some food before the ice cream. This place gets super busy so if you are in a hurry definitely don't stop at the sugar bowl. Burgers were good but they come with plain lays chips and coleslaw. I love Cole slaw but avoid it at all costs. It is terrible. Ice cream was good. Customer service is great but they are so busy it just takes a really long time.

The Best Ice cream Sundae I had wver had! The ambiance is very nice and cozy! So pinky pinky vibes:) The staff are so nice and polite:)

Love this ice cream parlour. Like stepping back in time to 1950's and the prices are so reasonable. Visited twice this week. Once for a malt after dinner and today for a light dinner of a bowl of soup (cheese and broccoli) tea sandwich and crackers along with coffee float. Sandwiches were great and just hit the spot. Floats were excellent and very flavourful. A fun place to hang. Staff are friendly and helpful.

When my family said they wanted dessert this was the place to go. I love coming to old style diners/ice cream shops. We went close to when they were closing. We were the only ones there. They seated us right away. My family has been there prior so they already had an idea of what they wanted. My husband and I shared the top hat sundae. It was good. Very chocolatey which my husband likes. I felt like it was maybe too much chocolate. They have a mini arcade which was fun to go play while we waited for the sundae. My little one was having fun. Overall, cute place with a good amount of seating inside. We wouldn't go out of our way to go but if we are in the area and looking for some ice cream we would come here.