Opening
Angie’s Lobster
A second Valley location of Angie’s Lobster has opened in Tempe. The menu has two items: Lobster Finger Meal; and Lobster Roll Meal, both $9.99.
835 W. Baseline Rd., Tempe, angieslobster.com
Another Broken Egg Café
Southern-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch at this Florida-based breakfast spot. Bring on the biscuits and gravy.
2484 S. Santan Village Pkwy., Gilbert, 480-306-8142, anotherbrokenegg.com
At My Place Café
This popular Filipino restaurant has officially moved from Mesa to Chandler.
3450 W. Chandler, Blvd., Chandler, 480-838-1008
BrüCo Taproom
Queen Creek is now home to a new brewery that offers craft beer with food to follow in the new year.
7529 N. Power Rd., Queen Creek @brucotaproom
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Ice cream lovers will swoon over the crunchy waffle cones, sundaes, blasts and shakes at this Pennsylvania-based franchise shop.
50 E. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-590-8191, brusters.com
By the Bucket
A second location in the East Valley for this spaghetti and meatballs to go concept.
785 W. Warner Rd., Gilbert, 480-645-9309, bythebucket.com
Calitacos
Looking for a new taco shop in Chandler? Calitacos puts out street-style tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more.
225 W. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-550-6522, calitacosrestaurant.com
CAVA
A new Mediterranean build-a-bowl restaurant has taken over the old Zoe’s Kitchen spot. Choose from lots of good-looking greens, grains, dips, proteins, toppings and dressings.
4355 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 623-887-0695, cava.com
Cinnaholic
You’ll find cinnamon rolls, including a “create-your-own” version, as well as brownies, cookies and cookie dough at this plant-based bakery. All products are vegan, dairy and egg free. A second franchise is scheduled to open in 2022 in Tempe.
9220 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480-270-5210, cinnaholic.com
Eegee’s
Tucson’s beloved sub sandwich (AKA grinders) restaurant has opened a second Valley location in East Mesa. Don’t miss the frozen drinks.
1460 S. Crimson Rd., Mesa, 480-885-0184, eegees.com
Fire+ Fury Brewing Co.
Steve Goodman and Michael Mathis have opened a brewery in the former location of Joe’s Grotto. Kitchen to follow, but until then, Goodman will set up smokers outside to provide a taste of his Arizona-style barbecue.
13825 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-358-7483, fireandfurybrewing.com
Foch Café & Bistro
Located in the Orchid House at The Brickyard, Foch Café & Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Look for crepes, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, sandwiches and salads.
21 E. Sixth St., Tempe, fochcafe.com
Garden Bar PHX
Craft cocktail mavens will want to check out James Beard-honored mixologist Kim Haasarud’s Garden Bar. She’s offering a garden-to-glass experience in a 1914 bungalow in the Roosevelt South neighborhood.
822 N. Sixth Ave., Phoenix, 602-824-2385, gardenbarphx.com
Dura Revolving Sushi Bar
You’ll find sushi galore, from nigiri to hand rolls at this new Camelback Colonnade restaurant in the old Smashburger location.
1949 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 520-479-2888, kurasushi.com
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Gilbert marks the spot for a sixth Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in the Valley. It’s your headquarters for deep dish pizza, but they also have thin crust available.
3115 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, 480-612-9700, loumalnatis.com
My Kitchen Chinese Cuisine
This Chinese restaurant has all the old school favorites from chicken chop suey to pork egg foo young.
4049 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, 480-471-8008, gilbertmykitchen.com
Oak on Camelback
St. Francis has changed its name to Oak on Camelback and has a revamped menu of locally-sourced, farm-fresh seasonal dishes.
111 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-200-8111, oakoncamelback.com
Rice Paddy
Uptown Phoenix welcomes a new Vietnamese restaurant featuring starters, pho, rice platters and banh mi.
6219 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-612-2155
Santé
High-end healthy and organic food is center stage here with a diverse menu that will accommodate a wide variety of diners’ dietary needs. Located in the old Brunch Café space.
15507 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-687-3189, lovesante.com
Shinko Sushi House
A new sushi restaurant has claimed the Perfect Pear location in Ahwatukee.
1241 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-243-7834
Slangin’ Birdz
Look to this Nashville hot chicken joint for chicken sandwiches, sliders, tenders with chicken and waffles and chopped chicken topped French fries.
414 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-805-2021, slanginbirdz.com
Sottise
TJ Culp and Esther Noh of Restaurant Progress have opened a cozy, modern French bistro in the historic Knipe House in downtown Phoenix.
1025 N. Second St., Phoenix, 602-254-6378, sottisephx.com
Teriyaki Madness
Enjoy made to order bowls at the new location of Teriyaki Madness in Ahwatukee.
4722 E. Ray Rd., Phoenix, 480-256-1093, teriyakimadness.com
Thai Chili 2 Go
Thai Chili has opened its 12th Valley location at Arrowhead Palms in Peoria.
16955 N. 75th Ave., Peoria, 480-883-3111, tc2go.com
The Mexicano
Chef Joey Maggiore pivots from Italian to Mexican food at his latest restaurant. Look for some fun dishes, including grilled octopus tacos, hot stone dishes and machetes (three-foot long quesadillas for the table).
4801 E. Cactus Rd., Scottsdale, 602-812-2100, themexicano.com
The Sugar Bar
This sweet spot has 29 beers and two wines on tap, a slew of bottled beers, kombucha and slushy drinks along with 80 different types of candy and snacks.
960 E. Warner Rd., Chandler, 480-572-0804, thesugarbar.co
Trapper’s Sushi Co.
A new sushi spot has moved into the former Squid Ink Sushi location in CityScape.
2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-281-6341, trapperssushi.com
Uncle Bear’s Brewery
The old Kovo location at Tatum and Shea now houses a fifth spot for this popular brewery and taproom.
10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 602-368-1376, unclebearsaz.com
Wren & Wolf
Phoenix has a new craft cocktail bar and chef-driven kitchen that’s close to downtown venues.
2 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-562-3510, wrenandwolf.com
Closing
Tempe mainstay House of Tricks will close in June 2022 after 34 years. Owners Bob and Robin Trick are retiring.
Tempe’s Siamese Cat Thai restaurant has shuttered after 35 years because the shopping center will be converted into apartments. The owners are looking for a new location.
Genuine Concepts restaurant group has closed The Vig Uptown and it will reopen in February as The Genuine.
Waldo’s BBQ & Catering in Gilbert will close after four years and make way for a second location of Humble Bistro.
