Nestled in a cozy historic home in Old Town Scottsdale is Craft 64. This local favorite been named a top 50 pizzeria in the United States four years in a row, according to the internationally respected list 50 Top Pizza. The 2025 ranking placed it as the 26th-best in the entire U.S., and the best pizzeria in Arizona.
But awards only tell part of the story. To understand what makes Craft 64 so special, we sat down with co-owner James Swann.
Made From Scratch
Craft 64 debuted in Scottsdale in 2015 with a second location opening in Chandler in 2019. Here, everything is as fresh as possible and made from scratch.
“We’re known for wood-fired pizza,” says co-owner James Swann. “We’re known for sourcing locally and making everything from scratch. … We don’t own a microwave. There is no freezer on this property. There are no deep-fat fryers. Everything is brought in and made from scratch in-house, including the mozzarella, the dough, the sauces, and the dressings.”
Seasonal Menus and Creative Specials
Part of what keeps customers coming back is the rotating menu of seasonal pizzas. On our visit, we especially loved the Nashville Hot Chicken pizza — a spicy, craveable special available for the month. But Craft 64 fans also rave about their long-standing menu staples like the Manzo Bruschetta (marinated steak served with a red pepper reduction and a mild horseradish cream).
Other menu staples include the Honey Bee pizza, a slightly spicy creation with mozzarella, parmesan, pepperoni, sliced jalapeños, tomato sauce, and wildflower honey; the Tipsy Pig, with its mozzarella, parmesan, pecan-smoked bacon, red onions, house-made vodka sauce, and basil; and the Fico, which is made with mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, arugula, truffle oil, and fig jam.
There are also focaccia sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
Those behind Craft 64 also serve up occasional festivals. A recent one celebrated pineapple, showcasing an entire specialty menu crafted around it, from bruschetta to pizza to cocktails all made with the fruit. Another festival featured garlic.
Plus, Craft/Local Beers
Beyond what comes out of their oven, those at Craft 64 also care about what’s in your glass.
“Craft 64 is known for its local beer program,” Swann says. “We have 35 beers on tap. The first 10 are our beers. We make them in conjunction with a little brewery down in Phoenix called SunUp Brewing Co., and we’ve been doing that for 10 years now. They’re my recipes. I’m down there a lot making sure everything’s going the way I want it to go.”
The other 25 are all local Arizona beers and ciders
This commitment to supporting Arizona brewers has made Craft 64 as much a destination for craft beer enthusiasts as for pizza lovers.
Part of the Community
In addition to keeping its offerings as locally sourced and made, Craft 64 remains deeply tied to the Scottsdale community.
The restaurant’s location next to the Hotel Valley Ho draws many visitors who come looking for the award-winning pizzas and brews, but the heart of its customer base is locals.
“I just hired my first new server in years,” Swann shares. “Her first words to me were, ‘My gosh, you have a lot of regulars!’ We’re very fortunate for that.”
While they may feel fortunate, it’s truly the locale’s dedication to their craft that keeps customers coming back.
Check out the full interview below with Craft 64’s owner, James!
6922 E. Main St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 and 68 W. Buffalo St., Chandler, AZ 85225
