COURSE Named One of Nation’s Best Restaurants

Chef Cory Oppold’s COURSE just took home another major accolade—it was named one of USA Today’s Top 44 Restaurants in America.

COURSE was one of just two Arizona restaurants to receive the honor. The list is “a celebration of local flavors and stories, curated by reporters from across the country who know that a meal of Italian cuisine in Mamaroneck can be just as rewarding as one in Manhattan.”

“Being recognized as one of the best restaurants in America is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and discipline of our entire team,” says Oppold, who was also recently named a semifinialst for the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. “Every day, we push ourselves to be the best we can be, constantly striving to create an exceptional dining experience.”

Chef Cory Oppold. Courtesy COURSE

Adding to those honors were two awards at the Arizona Restaurant Association’s 2024 Foodist Awards—Top Chef and Emerging Restaurant of the Year—and Yelp’s Top 25 Best New Restaurants in 2024.

COURSE opened in May 2023 near Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard. The fine-dining locale offers immersive, multi-course experiences that are both elevated and approachable, created in the destination’s open-air kitchen and served in an intimate, cozy environment. There’s a five-course menu Tuesdays through Thursdays ($135) and an eight-course menu on Fridays and Saturdays ($175). The menus are designed to celebrate and reflect the seasons.

“This award is deeply meaningful to all of us at COURSE. From the very beginning, our vision has been to build something truly special, and this recognition validates the countless hours, sacrifices, and passion that have gone into making COURSE what it is today. To see our efforts acknowledged on a national level is both humbling and fulfilling,” says Oppold. “We have always believed in the potential of COURSE, and this achievement reinforces that belief. It is a reflection of our commitment to excellence, our drive to innovate, and our love for what we do. But more than anything, it’s a shared success with our guests and community, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our journey.”

7366 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260

The John Dory course on the Winter Menu is a sophisticated dish combining potato, clam, leek, and velouté, lightly kissed with smoke. Courtesy COURSE