Opening
Alden
The highly anticipated restaurant at Phoenix Art Museum has opened with a tidy menu of shareables, salads, handhelds and main dishes in a beautiful setting overlooking the museum’s sculpture garden.
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, aldenphx.com
The Art of Baking
You’ll find a full complement of croissants, pastries, quiches, pies, croizza (pizza meets croissant) and hand-crafted chocolates along with coffee and fruit drinks at this new bakery café. They also make custom cakes.
310 S. Fourth St., Phoenix, theartofbaking.co
Baggin’s
Tucson favorite Baggin’s has opened at the Tempe Food Court, marking its second Valley location, featuring hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and cookies.
1900 E. Fifth St., Tempe, bagginsgourmet.com
Cactus Racks
A new spot for billiards with a bar and restaurant featuring salads, pasta, burgers and Chicago hot dogs has opened in Cave Creek.
30845 N. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, cactusracks.com
Copper Cactus Kitchen
Sonoran-inspired, all-day dining at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix with chef Isaac Murray who will showcase Arizona-grown produce, mesquite and local chiles.
4000 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, @coppercactuskitchen
Diamond Don’s
Opened as a tribute to Saltmine Studio Oasis record-producer and founder Don Salter, this Mesa restaurant and music venue serves cheesesteaks, burgers, pizza, wings and other small bites using family recipes, along with craft cocktails.
42 S. MacDonald Rd., Mesa, diamond-dons.com
Fuji San Grill & Sushi
Sushi lovers: This all-you-can-eat sushi buffet also features yakitori, ramen, teriyaki dishes and poke bowls.
2100 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler, @fujisanaz
Funky Frida’s
The folks from The Starving Artist have opened a new restaurant adjacent to OHSO Brewery in Arcadia, featuring Mexican and Latin-inspired fare for lunch and dinner along with a spirited happy hour and weekend brunch.
4910 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, funky-fridas.com
Fuzzbot Brewing
Ahwatukee has a new taproom located in the former 12 West Brewing spot. Owner Scott Searles, also known as Hophead Fred, features 15 rotating beers on tap and a small selection of cans and bottles.
5030 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, fuzzbotbrewing.com
Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s
Renowned Phoenix chef Mark Tarbell has refreshed the menu at Gertrude’s at the Desert Botanical Garden. Look for approachable, ingredient-driven fare, from tacos to prawns to burgers. The restaurant also has a separate grab-and-go menu.
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, dbg.org
Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom
A full-service barbecue restaurant is opening in Downtown Phoenix that will blend “American barbecue traditions with bold Hispanic flavors.” Also on the menu: Oro Brewing Co. craft beer.
1326 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, goldenoakbbqtap.com
Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen & Bar
Terminal 4 now has a full-service Guy Fieri restaurant serving burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more. Start your vacation with one of Guy’s signature cocktails.
3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, guyfieri.com
Happy Bao’s
A second location for this family-run Northern Chinese restaurant specializing in handmade bao, dumpling and noodle dishes. They also have plenty of rice and vegetable dishes.
4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, @happy_baos
Heritage Kitchen & Cocktails
Executive chef Curtis Brugman will showcase fresh seafood, heritage meats, pasta dishes and locally sourced produce at this new North Scottsdale restaurant that also has a dynamite cocktail program.
10121 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale, heritagescottsdale.com
LaCo Smashburgers & Tacos
Look for tacos, Wagyu smash burgers, flautas, loaded fries and quesadillas in the former Leghorn’s location in a strip mall just south of Scottsdale Quarter.
14601 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, lacosmashburger.com
Narwhal Taproom & Bottleshop
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Tim and Billie McGovern have opened a taproom and bottleshop serving 30 rotating craft beer taps and a chef-driven tapas menu.
4576 S. Power Rd., Gilbert, @narwhaltaproomandbottleshop
Pinyon
Hi Noon Hospitality (Buck & Rider, Ingo’s) has opened a two-story restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale that “reflects the vibrant flavors, spices and culinary traditions from the 22 Mediterranean countries.” The restaurant features an everchanging hummus and dip menu.
7363 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, pinyonrestaurant.com
Rush Bowls
Colorado-based fast-casual concept featuring customizable bowls and smoothies using “real” fruits and vegetables has opened in Tempe.
777 S. College Ave., Tempe, rushbowls.com
Sacred Pint
Second location for this locally owned brewery and taproom with 36 beers on tap and a curated wine selection with charcuterie boards by @meets_n_cheeses.
22020 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, @thesacredpintqc
Society Swan
Fox Restaurant Concepts has opened a two-level American brasserie with French flair at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Open for lunch, dinner and happy hour, the swank eatery has everything from sushi to salads to steak frites.
7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, societyswan.com
Sunshine Breakfast Bar
Popular North Phoenix brunch spot has opened a second location in Tempe, featuring a full menu of egg dishes, pancakes, lighter selections (think avocado toast), salads, sandwiches, tacos and quesadillas.
788 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, sunshinebreakfastbar.com
Thanks a Brunch
East Mesa is the location for the second Thanks a Brunch eatery that dishes up burritos, eggs Benedict, loaded French toast, waffles, bowls, tacos, sandwiches and burgers.
1853 S. Power Rd., Mesa, thanksabrunchaz.com
Whiskey & Wings Spots Bar & Grill
You’ll find wings galore with 18 sauces ranging from mild to insanely hot along with a full food menu and large whiskey selection at this new spot in the former Fat Willy’s location.
34406 N. Black Mountain Pkwy., Cave Creek, whiskeyandwingsaz.com
Closing
Angel’s Trumpet Ale House announced on Instagram that they were closing on October 31, after 13 years in Downtown Phoenix.
Duck Donuts has closed its only remaining Arizona store in Chandler.
Day of the Dead-themed Ghett Yo Taco & Wings in Chandler has called it quits after eight years.
JoJo’s Shake Bar at Scottsdale Quarter has closed its only Arizona location after two years.
After two years, Pocha 54 on High Street has shuttered.
Revolu Modern Taqueria & Bar in Peoria has closed after eight years. No reason was given.
Connecticut-based Wayback Burgers has closed its only Arizona location in Gilbert, but Yelp says it’s a temporary closure.
Word of Mouth Grill in Ahwatukee has closed its doors after six months. The Tempe location remains open.
