40 Love
Chef Ryan Pitt oversees the kitchen of Old Town Scottsdale’s newest celebrity-endorsed, upscale lounge and restaurant in the former Kelly’s at Southbridge space. Look for modern American cuisine with French technique and Japanese ingredients. 7117 E. Sixth Ave., Scottsdale, 40lovegroup.com
Aristocrat Coffee Roasters
Downtown Chandler now has a roastery that serves coffee drinks and pastries. The shop gained fame last summer (while under construction) when it hosted a pop-up wedding for newlyweds whose ceremony was upended by a haboob. 201 S. Washington St., Chandler, @aristocratcoffee
Brasserie Melrose
The former Belly Kitchen & Bar space now houses a quaint French restaurant offering breakfast pastries and lunch that includes everything from escargots and French onion soup to quiche and steak frites. Dinner to come. 4971 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix, brasseriemelrose.com
Dillinger’s Bar & Grill
A mobster-themed bar and grill opened in late November “offering speakeasy vibes.” Look for burgers, tacos, pasta and more. 15615 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, dillingersbarandgrill.com
Durant’s Steakhouse
This iconic steakhouse closed in February 2025 after 75 years and has been refurbished by the Mastro family and biz partner Scott Troilo. Look for an updated menu of stellar steaks, sumptuous sides and signature martinis. 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, durantsaz.com
Estelle
Jocque Concepts (The Montauk, Diego Pops) has opened a two-story, open-air bar and restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale with a “beach house meets nightlife aesthetic.” Signature dishes include ahi tostadas, dirty martini dip and shrimp aguachile. 4439 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale, estellescottsdale.com
Hecho Libre
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort is now the Kimpton Miralina Resort, and everything has been revamped, including the all-day dining restaurant now called Hecho Libre, featuring a “bold take on Sonoran Desert dishes.” 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, miralinaresort.com
HuDa Pho
Gilbert restaurant HuDa Pho has a new location in Phoenix, serving a tidy menu of Vietnamese appetizers, six varieties of pho and a handful of rice and noodles dishes. 1335 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, hudapho.square.site
LeDu Thai
A second location of this popular Roosevelt Row Southern Thai restaurant has opened at The Crown, specializing in Thai homestyle dishes. 5813 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, leduthai.com
Noor
A new PV-area spot has opened where “Mediterranean tradition meets modern elegance,” featuring a large selection of shareable plates and main dishes, including lamb chops and za’atar salmon. 10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, noorpv.com
Over Easy
Local breakfast favorite opens its 19th location, this time in North Phoenix. 2965 W. Dove Valley Rd., Phoenix, eatatovereasy.com
Rice Table
A new locally owned Thai restaurant has debuted in Tempe, dishing up Thai peanut curry, Phuket pork and salt-and-pepper chicken wings. 825 W. University Dr., Tempe, thairicetable.com
Sogno Toscano
Italian espresso bar, market and wine bar with outlets in New York and California makes its Arizona debut in Arcadia with a full menu of Italian breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options. 3950 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, sognotoscano.com
SALT Sea and Land Tacos
Popular food truck pumps the brakes in Mesa and opens a brick-and-mortar restaurant, serving tacos, tostadas, burritos, bowls, quesadillas, Mexican-style burgers and shrimp cocktails. 2853 S. Sossaman Rd., Mesa, salttacosaz.com
Syrup & Salt
An all-day halal restaurant featuring American comfort food favorites has popped up in Gilbert with a large selection of menu items, including egg dishes, waffles, burgers, sandwiches, salads and entrées. 1221 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, syrupnsalt.com
Sneakybird
Local family-owned chicken chain has opened an Arcadia location where diners can grab crispy and tender chicken that’s oven-grilled and “Never Ever Fried.” 4340 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, sneakybird.com
Sophia’s Brunch Counter
Brothers Dave and Aaron Chamberlin (Ghost Ranch, Taco Chelo) have opened a brunch restaurant in Midtown Phoenix serving an array of breakfast and lunch items, from golden corn waffles to burgers to chicken schnitzel. 336 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, sophiasbrunch.com
Streets of New York
Family-owned Streets of New York has opened in Fountain Hills, marking its 14th Valley location. Look for pizza, pasta, sandwiches and a full bar. 12645 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, streetsofnewyork.com
Tandy’s
Tandy Peterson (Embers Chocolate) has opened a café in the former Binkley’s space offering a small breakfast menu with dishes like shakshuka and avocado toast; a lunch menu of salads and sandwiches with tallow fries; and a beverage program with coffee drinks, cocktails and wines by the glass. 2320 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, tandyscafe.com
Tipsy Scoop
This national boozy ice cream shop has opened a franchise in Phoenix, featuring Southwest flavors along with scoops inspired by classic and specialty cocktails. 355 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, tipsyscoop.com
Tomu-San Sushi
Tom Kaufman (The Living Room, Elvira’s) has opened a new sushi spot in DC Ranch’s Market Street in the former Liberty Station location, serving up rolls, nigiri, sashimi, a variety of appetizers and a handful of entrées, including miso-lacquered black cod and Wagyu short ribs. 20825 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, tomusansushi.com
Window Coffee Bar
Local coffee company opens a third location, serving up coffee and tea drinks along with pastries, toasts and bagels. 433 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, windowcoffeebar.com
Wolf by Vanderpump
Reality TV celebrity Lisa Vanderpump has opened Wolf by Vanderpump at Caesars Republic Scottsdale in the former Seven space. Guests can enjoy elevated global cuisine and cocktails along with live entertainment and a fabulous view of Camelback Mountain. 4747 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, caesarsrepublicscottsdale.com
Closed
Ahwatukee’s Gordo’s Tacos has shut down after two years. The Scottsdale and Chandler outlets remain open.
Sakura Sushi has closed its East Valley locations following a raid by federal agents for allegations of human trafficking. The Surprise outlet, Sakura Sushi Teppan, remains open.
Sprinkles, the popular cupcake store that opened adjacent to Scottsdale Fashion Square in 2008, closed all its outlets on December 31.
