After April’s dearth of new restaurant openings, May brings more than 20 new local eateries, featuring everything from upscale Asian to tacos to Indian pizza. May also marked the closing of six restaurants, including one that had been a Valley mainstay for 34 years.
OPENING
212° Shabu Shabu
From the folks at Three Thirty Three, an elevated dining experience showcasing shabu shabu, a design-your-own combo of broth, meats, seafood, vegetables and noodles cooked at the table. 410 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, 212shabu.com
BLU Seafood
A second location for this locally owned coastal Mexican seafood restaurant with house specialties that include green shrimp aquachile, fish tacos and tuna tartare. In the former OBON Sushi spot in McCormick Ranch. 7300 N. Via Paseo Del Sur, Scottsdale, blu-seafood.com
Eggroll Xpress
Family-run restaurant centered on global flavors wrapped in eggrolls with a variety of sauces. 1805 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, eggroll-xpress.com
Frank & Lupe’s
After closing in 2025, popular Scottsdale New Mexican restaurant Frank & Lupe’s has resurfaced in The Shops Gainey Village. The new owner will continue to use the Bernal family’s recipes. 8787 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, frankandlupesaz.com
Good Intentions Café
Grab a coffee, tea or smoothie and a healthy bowl or dessert at the Sonoran University of Health Sciences. 2152 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe, @good.intentions.cafe
Kagawa Guys
The folks from Ramen Kagawa have opened a new concept that specializes in omurice, a fluffy omelet topped with rich demi-glace. 2121 W. Guadalupe, Mesa, @kagawa.guys
Kanoki
High Street in Desert Ridge welcomes a new sushi and cocktail bar highlighting classic and specialty rolls with “authentic Japanese flavors through modern technique.” 5415 E. High St., Phoenix, kanokiphx.com
Let’s Toast
From farmers market booth to brick-and-mortar, Let’s Toast has landed at Uptown Plaza featuring gourmet Korean barbecue sandwiches. The bulgogi cheesesteak is a must-try. 100 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, letstoastofficial.com
Miel de Agave
Scottsdale’s Hilton Village is now home to a third outlet of this modern Mexican restaurant that features aguachile, green chile enchiladas, quesabirria tacos, elote and more. 6107 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, lamieldeagave.com
Off the Record
Cocktails, mocktails, singing and dancing are front and center at this new bar in Downtown Phoenix. 829 N. First Ave., Phoenix, offtherecordphx.com
Pho J&N
A new Vietnamese restaurant has opened in Chandler with a tidy menu of appetizers, pho, vermicelli bowls and rice plates. 4929 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, phojandn.com
PoNy’s Michés Michelada Bar & Grill
The space that once housed Fez on Central is now a ceviche and seafood eatery that also serves aguachiles, wings and tacos. 105 W. Portland St., Phoenix, @ponymiches_barandgrill_phx
Poolboy Taco
The Poolhouse Group (Gadzooks, The Green Woodpecker) has opened a 1950s-vibe taco spot in the Arcadia area that offers hard- and soft-shell tacos, burritos, enchiladas, margaritas and a salsa bar. 4031 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, poolboytaco.com
Princess Pita
Another branch of fast-casual Princess Pita has opened with all your favorite Mediterranean dishes, including shawarma, kebabs and falafel. 2170 E. Baseline Rd., Phoenix, princesspitaaz.com
Sablé Boulangerie
After chef/owner William Porter studied pastry in France, he returned to open a bakery in downtown Gilbert. Porter’s breads, pastries and croissants are magnifique. 228 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, maison-william-porter.com
Sergio’s Kitchen
Look for shredded red chile pork and Schreiner’s chorizo burritos and quesadillas at this new Tempe eatery. 710 W. Elliot Rd., Tempe, sergioskitchen.com
Starfish Scottsdale
Handcrafted cocktails and coastal Asian cuisine headline the menu at this California-based McCormick Ranch restaurant. Lobster macadamia roll? Yes, please. 8390 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, starfishhospitalitygroup.com
Tandoori Pizza
The Indian pizza craze continues with the Arizona debut of this California-based restaurant where you can customize toppings and heat level. 4985 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, tandooripizza.com
Ted’s Hot Dogs
Although not locally based, Valley favorite Ted’s opens a second, long-awaited location in Chandler. 2700 E. Germann Rd., Chandler, tedshotdogs.com
Thai Chili 2Go
The local fast-casual Thai eatery has opened its 19th Valley outlet, this time in Surprise. 6324 W. Pat Tillman Blvd., Surprise, tc2go.com
Top Fuel Espresso
Mesa marks the third location for this locally based, drive-thru coffee shop where you’ll find interesting drinks like banana bread and French toast lattes and breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast and energy drinks. 1520 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, tfespresso.us
Udon Shin
One of Tokyo’s top scratch-made noodle spots has opened its first Arizona location in Mesa’s Mekong Plaza. 138 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, @udonshin.az
CLOSING
Francine, a French restaurant at Scottsdale Fashion Square abruptly closed its doors with no explanation.
Myungrang Hotdog, made famous after TikTok food influencer Keith Lee visited in 2024, has closed after five years.
Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants has closed its McKellips Road location after 34 years due to rising operating costs and a decline in business. The East Mesa and Queen Creek locations of this Valley institution remain open.
Queen Creek’s Underground Burger shuttered in April after four years due to economic concerns and a landlord dispute.
Yan’s Chinese Food has called it quits after 19 years in Goodyear because the owner is retiring.
