Along with unexpected 100-degree days, March also delivered more than two dozen local or new-to-Arizona restaurants, along with several notable closures. There’s something for everybody, from frozen yogurt and tacos to dumplings and high-end Italian fare.
OPENINGS
16 Handles
This New York-based frozen yogurt shop has opened its first Arizona location with fun flavors, including salted butter, black matcha, cotton candy and Dubai chocolate, with plenty of gluten-free, fat-free, dairy-free and vegan options. 4040 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 16handles.com
Ajo Al’s
The locally owned Mexican restaurant has opened a branch in Mesa, with a sizeable menu of street tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and quesadillas. 2336 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, ajoals.com
Amy Pho
This family-run Vietnamese restaurant opened a location in Glendale. Expect pho, spring rolls, vermicelli and fried rice dishes. 23425 N. 39th Dr., Glendale, amypho.square.site
Belafia
Xrewind has rebranded as Belafia, serving boba drinks, artisanal ice cream, sandwiches and Indian food. 3245 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, @belafia3245
Best Pizza & Brew
This San Diego-based pizza parlor has opened its first Arizona location in Chandler, featuring specialty pizza by the slice or pie – including pesto and goat cheese and burrata, sausage and hot honey – as well as hot sandwiches and appetizers. 290 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, bestpizzaandbrew.com
Caesars Sportsbar at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Catch game-day action on Caesars’ big-screen TVs while enjoying drinks and appetizers, pizza, salads, burgers and wings in the casual lounge. 15406 Maricopa Rd., Maricopa, caesars.com
Charbel’s Gyro & Pizza
You’ll find gyros, pizzas and hookah at this Mediterranean/halal restaurant in the former NYPD Pizza space. 10433 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-590-8507
Crust Simply Italian
The beloved local Italian chain opens a new location in Peoria that also has a speakeasy lounge, The Raven. 25201 N. Westwing Pkwy, Peoria, crustrestaurants.com
Dakshin
Desert Ridge Marketplace now has a new South Indian restaurant with vegetarian and meat dishes, from biryani to masala to curry. 21050 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, dakshinaz.com
Din Tai Fung
The long-awaited dumpling restaurant has opened an outpost in Scottsdale Fashion Square, offering hand-crafted dumplings, buns, xiao long bao and noodle dishes. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, dtf.com
Emerald Lounge at CATCH
Check out the late-night concept inside CATCH at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Open Friday and Saturday nights, with a cocktail-driven atmosphere, sushi and an A5 Wagyu sando. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, catchrestaurants.com
Hashtag 48 Modern Kitchen
An eatery featuring chef-driven American, Italian and Mediterranean fare with contemporary flair has opened in Chandler. 5965 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, hashtag48modernkitchen.com
The Henry
Fox Restaurant Concepts has opened another location of The Henry, this time in North Scottsdale, offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Scottsdale, thehenryrestaurant.com
il Bracco
Texas-based Western Addition Restaurant Group, helmed by Hillstone alumni, brings house-made, Italian-inspired cuisine to Scottsdale. Also known for its signature cocktails. 6160 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, ilbraccorestaurant.com
Il Forno Bello Pizzeria
Lacho Hernandez, who worked with Chris Bianco for many years, has opened an artisanal, wood-fired pizzeria in Mesa. 3121 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, ilfornobello.com
IX Sushi
Under the same roof as Three Thirty Three (but operating as separate restaurants), IX Sushi offers upscale sushi and cocktails along with appetizers and entrées in an elegant setting. At The Watermark. 430 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, ninesushi.com
The Original Rainbow Cone
This nearly 100-year-old Chicago ice cream store is opening its first Arizona location. Known for its five-flavor cone, Rainbow also offers shakes, ice cream sandwiches, mini doughnuts and more. 13510 N. Litchfield Rd., Surprise, rainbowcone.com
Oro Brewing
In a surprise move, Oro Brewing has reopened its original Mesa location and will continue to offer beer and bodega snacks. 210 W. Mesa St., Mesa, orobrewing.com
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen
A seventh location arrived from this locally owned chain that offers salads, pastas, pizza and entrées. The menu is gluten-free with the exception of the original pizza dough, with pizzas made in a dedicated oven. 3890 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix, picazzos.com
PIP Coffee + Clay
This popular coffee shop that offers pottery throwing and crafts classes has opened a third location, in Chandler. 44 W. Erie St., Chandler, pipcoffeeclay.com
Princess Pita
A third location of this family-run Mediterranean restaurant has opened in South Phoenix. 2170 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, princesspitaaz.com
Shiso
The former Drunk Munk space in Old Town Scottsdale is now Shiso, offering sushi, noodle dishes and appetizers, including edamame fried in beef tallow. 7133 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, @shisoscottsdale
Uppercut
Tucked inside Cleaverman steakhouse (Pretty Decent Concepts), Uppercut is a 16-seat, 14-course omakase experience devoted to exceptional beef. 455 N. Third St., Phoenix, uppercutomakase.com
UseUrNoodle
Build-your-own ramen bowl in six steps for $9 or less. Add-in vegetables, toppings and protein are available for an additional cost. 2820 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, useurnoodle.com
Zu Izakaya
Look for ramen, bento boxes, poke bowls, sushi, nigiri and sashimi at Zu Izakaya’s fourth Valley location. 1939 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert, zuizakaya.com
CLOSINGS
Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen has closed its Tempe outlet, the restaurant’s last remaining Valley location. No reason was given for the closure.
After 24 years, Giuseppe’s on 28th, has closed, due to owner Richard Bock’s retirement. Bock was also a cellist with the Phoenix Symphony for more than 20 years.
Juanderful Tacos, once given the nod from TikTok food influencer Keith Lee, has closed after five years.
Mon Cheri restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale has closed its doors due to the owner’s legal and financial issues.
The Chandler Fashion Center location of Mrs. Field’s Cookies has closed, leaving no stores in Arizona.
Tasteful Tailgates in Mesa has shuttered after less than six months.
