Over 30 new restaurants and bars opened in metro Phoenix in February, from Indian cuisine to take-out dumplings to a shrimp taco truck. The far East Valley saw a particularly large restaurant boom, with eight new eateries opening their doors in Gilbert and Queen Creek, including an American-style tavern, a boba tea shop and the expansion of a beloved family barbecue restaurant. Some of the most anticipated new openings included a Mexican restaurant from three James Beard Award semifinalists in Arcadia and a cozy new Old Town Scottsdale brunch spot from a beloved Valley chef.
Here's a look at three dozen new restaurants and bars that opened recently in metro Phoenix.
Acai Republic
Acai Republic opened its second Arizona location in Chandler. The restaurant serves acai bowls, smoothies, fresh juices and pastries.
Details: 4991 S. Alma School Road, Suite 11, Chandler. 602-805-7821, acairepublic.com.
Ambrogio15
San Diego-based Ambrogio15, which announced a plannedexpansion to Phoenix in 2022, finally opened at Biltmore Fashion Park. The menu was co-designed by a Michelin-starred chef and includes classic and bone marrow focaccia, Hamachi crudo and lobster paccheri in addition to the Milanese pizzas that the restaurant is known for.
Details: 2400 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. ambrogio15az.com.
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Andiamo Pizzeria
A new pizza restaurant is now open in Scottsdale. Andiamo Pizza serves 20-inch pizzas with cheeses and meats imported from Italy. Other menu items include paninis, calzones, stromboli and salads.
Details: 7132 E. Becker Lane, Scottsdale. 480-426-1014, andiamopizzeriaaz.com.
Beginner's Luck
A new restaurant from Bernie Kantak, the chef and owner of The Gladly and Citizen Public House, is now open in Old Town Scottsdale in the former Piccolo Virtu space. Beginner’s Luck is open for breakfast and lunch and dinner service is coming soon. Menu highlights include gypsy toast made with French toast-style challah, coconut-pecan streusel, salted butterscotch syrup and stiffened cream and savory options like 12-hour Niman Ranch pork served over blue corn grits with crushed cucumber, pickled onion, jalapeno, avocado, lime, cilantro, chicharron and queso fresco.
Details: 7240 E. Main St., Scottsdale. beginnersluckaz.com.
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Better Buzz Coffee
Popular San Diego-based coffee chainBetter Buzzopened its first location outside California in Phoenix in February. The new coffee shop serves fan-favorites like the Best Drink Ever, which is a classic Americano with Better Buzz's signature vanilla powder, plus a brand-new line of energy drinks only available at the Phoenix location.
Details:717 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. 623-267-1797,betterbuzzcoffee.com.
Cairo's Gyros
Cairo’s Gyros is now open in Gilbert, serving Mediterranean favorites like gyros, falafel, shawarma and Greek burgers and salads.
Details: 1566 N. Cooper Road, Gilbert. 480-572-1334, cairosgyrosllc.com.
Caldwell County BBQ
Popular Gilbert restaurant Caldwell County BBQ has opened a location at the newly opened Pecan Lake entertainment district in Queen Creek. The restaurant is known for its smoked meats including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage links and turkey breast.
Details: 25000 S. 206th St., Queen Creek. 480-659-5428, caldwellcountybbq.com.
Carbon & Salt Taco Shop
Carbon & Salt Taco Shop is now open in west Phoenix. The menu is small, featuring just 10 tacos and five quesadillas. Drinks include horchata with Mazapan, Jamaica and limon with cucumber.
Details: 15414 N. 19th Ave., Suite K, Phoenix. 602-281-2755, carbonandsalttacoshop.com.
The Counter by Morning Squeeze
The team behind Morning Squeeze opened a small diner called The Counter inside the brunch restaurant’s catering hub in Tempe. The Counter serves breakfast plates and sandwiches.
Details: 1725 W. University Dr., Tempe. 480-967-6610, morningsqueeze.com/catering.
DaBoba
DaBoba is a new boba tea shop at SanTan Village in Gilbert. The whole store is bear-themed, with both the plastic cups and the baristas wearing bear ears.
Details: 2743 S. Market St., Suite 104, Gilbert. @daboba.arizona on Instagram.
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Duck Donuts
Pennsylvania-based Duck Donuts opened its third Arizona location in Queen Creek. Their cake donuts include flavors like chocolate-covered strawberry, coconut island bliss, chocolate caramel crunch and maple bacon. They also serve ice cream, coffee and breakfast sandwiches.
Details: 22480 E. Ocotillo Road, Suite C101, Queen Creek. 602-497-3647, duckdonuts.com.
Eureka!
Eureka! gastropub is now open at the new Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe. Menu options include burgers, chicken sandwiches, Baja fish tacos, barbecue pork ribs and several salads. They also have a wide selection of beers, wines, craft co*cktails and whiskeys.
Details: 690 S. Novus Place, Suite 173, Tempe. 602-242-4431, eurekarestaurantgroup.com/locations/tempe.
Famous 66
Famous 66 American Tavern is now open at Gilbert town square. The restaurant serves comfort foods such as burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and steaks.
Details: 1026 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-292-8134, famous66.com.
Frosted Bakehouse
Frosted Bakehouse, a new bakery and cafe with the tagline “cupcakes and caffeine,” is open in Ahwatukee. Their standard menu includes cakes, cupcakes, cookies, frozen treats and pastries such as muffins, cinnamon rolls and pop tarts. They also offer hot, iced and frozen coffee drinks.
Details: 5033 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix. 480-219-7210, frostedbakehouseaz.com.
Honest Chandler
Honest Chandler is a new restaurant serving vegetarian Indian cuisine. The extensive menu ranges from Indian-Chinese fusion dishes to curries and classics from North and South India.
Details: 1050 W. Ray Road, Chandler. 480-306-6737, honestphoenix.com.
Izakaya Ramen
Izakaya Ramen is now open in Phoenix. The small menu includes five types of ramen: shin ramyun, goma, chicken crack korn, tantanmen and vegan noodle soup. Other menu options include edamame, gyoza and steamed bao buns.
Details: 777 E. Thunderbird Road, Suite 101, Phoenix. 480-952-8631, izakayaramen.com.
Jet's Pizza
Jet’s Pizza has opened its fifth Valley location in Gilbert. The restaurant offers hand-tossed, thin crust, New York style, cauliflower and gluten-free crust pizzas. The chain expects to open additional locations later this year in Peoria and Phoenix.
Details: 1458 N. Higley Road, Suite 101, Gilbert. 480-674-4400, jetspizza.com.
Little Snitch Brunch & co*cktails
Little Snitch Brunch & co*cktails is a new cafe and bakery in Scottsdale. Food options include bowls, toasts, wraps, omelets, sandwiches and pastries. The restaurant also includes a full bar.
Details: 8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 106, Scottsdale. 480-590-2465, littlesnitchscottsdale.com.
Los Milics Tasting Room
A new temporary tasting room from Los Milics Vineyards is now open in Scottsdale, offering wine tasting flights for $20, or $15 if you bring your own glass. Reservations are recommended.
Details: 4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale. 480-390-1668, losmilicsvineyards.com/tasting-room.
Lovesack Dumpling
Lovesack Dumpling is a new takeaway dumpling restaurant in downtown Phoenix. Guests first choose either rice, noodles or greens as a base. Then, choose either pork, chicken, shrimp or veggie dumplings. Top off the order with yuzu soy, sriracha or kewpie mayo sauce.
Details: 116 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. 602-314-4122, lovesackdumpling.com.
Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop
Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop opened its sixth Arizona location in Queen Creek. The namesake Mr. Pickle sandwich is topped with chicken breast, bacon, Monterey jack cheese, avocado and the works. A fan-favorite option is the Big Jake, made with turkey breast, cream cheese, avocado and the works.
Details: 37666 N. Gantzel Road, Suite 108, Queen Creek. 480-590-4485, mrpickles.com.
Nautical Bowls
Nautical Bowls is now open at Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe near ASU. They offer 12 acai bowl options including a store special unique to each location. Guests can also build their own bowls.
Details: 690 S. Novus Place, Suite 185, Tempe. 602-647-5146, nauticalbowls.com.
Noble Ground Coffee
Flagstaff-based Noble Ground Coffee opened a location in Mesa. Some signature coffee drinks include honeycomb, lavender haze and shaken caramel fusion.
Details: 1134 S. Stapley Dr., Suite D105, Mesa. 480-530-4734, noblegroundcoffee.com.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company opened its seventh Valley location in Phoenix in February. They offer just about every type of noodle imaginable, from spaghetti to mac and cheese to pad Thai
Details: 2131 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 480-900-7394, noodles.com.
Paris Banh Mi Cafe & Bakery
Paris Banh Mi Café & Bakery is now open in Glendale, serving Vietnamese sandwiches, Korean corn dogs and pho.
Details: 5626 W. Bell Road, Suite 103, Glendale. 480-687-2528, parisbanhmi.com.
Phoenix Sins
Phoenix Sins is a ghost kitchen operating out of the Tempe food court. The menu features seven burgers named after the seven deadly sins, which can be paired with a side of potato wedges, fried zucchini or mac and cheese.
Details: 1900 E. Fifth St., Tempe. 602-672-5699, phoenixsins.com.
Playa Bowls
Playa Bowls held a grand opening celebration for a new Chandler location in February. The New Jersey-based chain offers acai bowls, pitaya bowls, coconut bowls, chia, oatmeal, smoothies and juices.
Details: 1949 W. Ray Road, Suite 39, Chandler. 602-882-8597, playabowls.com.
Pretty Penny
Pretty Penny is a new co*cktail bar in the space that was formerly Pour Bastards in downtown Phoenix. The new bar was opened by the Pour Bastards team alongside chefs Marcelino Ramos and Ivan Herrera. Menu highlights include a $100 seafood tower, plus scallop ceviche, octopus tostadas, duck carpaccio and pork belly.
Details: 504 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. intastewetrust.com.
Sage & Barrel
Sage & Barrel Craft Eatery is now open in Queen Creek. Menu options include flatbreads, chicken sandwiches, burgers, steaks, seafood and pasta dishes.
Details: 7215 S. Power Road, Suite B-107, Queen Creek. 480-597-9096, sagebarrel.com.
Santo
James Beard Award semifinalistsRoberto Centeno of Espiritu and Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguinof Cocina Chiwas teamed up to open a new Mexican restaurant, Santo,at the corner of 44th Street and Osborn Road. The menu is broken down into primeros, soups and salads, seguno, carne and desserts, with highlights including frijol con tomate, seasonal ceviche and chorizo costra.
Details:4418 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. 480-272-6799,santoarcadia.com.
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The Starving Artist
The Starving Artist is a new concept from OHSO Brewery, described on its website as a "neighborhood dive bar meets co*cktail lounge." In addition to the wide selection of beers, wines and co*cktails, there's also a food menu with highlights such as Korean BBQ braised beef nachos, hoisin glazed pork banh mi, spring roll salad and a rotating pizza of the month.
Details: 2144 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 480-590-7065, starvingartistaz.com.
Tacos & Craft
Tacos & Craft is a new fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Tempe. They offer eight craft tacos and eight street tacos. Other menu items include queso fundido, el mar mixto and esquites.
Details: 4715 S. Rural Road, Tempe. 480-793-7262, tacosandcraft.com.
Tempe Eats
Tempe Eats is a new food hall in Tempe, featuring eight eateries and two bars under a shared roof. The goal is to allow guests to try a mix of globally-inspired dishes and drinks with options for all palates so friends and family can dine together even if they have different tastes. Options include Mexican, Italian, Southern and Asian cuisines, plus plenty of beer and wine.
Details: 85 E. Southern Ave., Tempe.tempeeats.com.
Vayal's Indian Kitchen
Vayal's Indian Kitchen, a former food truck and caterer, opened a brick-and-mortar location in Phoenix. Menu options include paneer dishes, curries, biryani, kebabs and chicken tikka masala.
Details: 507 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 480-401-2206, vayalskitchen.com.
5th Street Burgers & Fries
5th Street Burgers & Fries opened its second location in east Mesa. Menu highlights include the 5th Street Burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onions and 5th Street aioli or the Spicy Western Burger topped with cheddar cheese, thick cut bacon, onion rings, jalapeno, lettuce, tomato and BBQ aioli.
Details: 2235 S. Power Road, Suite 116, Mesa. 480-912-1621, 5thstreetburger.com.
602 Baja Shrimp Tacos
602 Baja Shrimp Tacos is a new food truck in Tolleson serving fish and shrimp tacos. The truck is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check their Instagram page for other popups.
Details: 9261 W. McDowell Road, Tolleson. 928-581-6153, @602.bajashrimptacos on Instagram.
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Reach the reporter atendia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow@EndiaFontanezon X, formerly known as Twitter.
