We’re sad to report that at least 11 Valley restaurants and bars closed their doors in September, but there’s some good news, too: 18 new restaurants opened in Greater Phoenix last month. It’s a tough time for local restaurants and they need our support more than ever.
Opening
Baan Thai Bistro
This new eatery promises authentic Thai dishes, including panang curry, Thai BBQ chicken, tom yum fried rice, pad Thai and crispy whole pompano with tamarind and ginger sauce. 7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, baanthaiaz.com
The Breakfast Table
The former OEB Breakfast Co. spot has been filled by a new breakfast and lunch eatery with a good-looking menu of waffles, pancakes, burritos, omelets, skillets, burgers and wraps. 17757 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, thebreakfast-table.com
Cozy Chinese Kitchen
For Szechuan-style fare, check out this new Chinese eatery that opened in the vacated Szechuan Garden space in west Chandler. Look for house-made dumplings clay pot and stir-fried noodle dishes.
5055 W. Ray Road, Chandler, cozychinesechicken.com
The Crowned Egg
A local brunch café has opened a second location in Gilbert, featuring benedicts, skillets, omelets, burritos, crepes, waffles and pancakes, along with burgers, salads and sandwiches.
1520 W. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, thecrownedegg.com
Culinary Gangster
This family-owned, chef-driven restaurant has opened a third location in Tempe, serving burgers, salads, wraps, sandwiches and killer fries. 501 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, culinarygangsterusa.com
De Babel
A second Scottsdale location of De Babel has opened at The Edge with a strictly halal kitchen and elevated Middle Eastern market experience. The restaurant serves shawarma, falafel, gyro, Fattoush salads, lamb tikka and more. 8980 N. 90th St., Scottsdale, de-babel.com
EggBred
A California-based breakfast and brunch, fast-casual restaurant has opened its first outlet in Arizona, specializing in sandwiches on milk buns. They also serve a full line of burritos. 544 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, eggbred.com
Grandioso
Justin Piazza, who formerly owned VPN-style legend La Piazza al Forno in Glendale, has opened a new pizza spot on Grand Avenue. The menu is excitingly compact – five 18-inch pizzas, two kinds of wings and a mixed green salad. 1229 Grand Ave., Phoenix, grandiosophoenix.com
Holla Brunch Girl
A new “singalong brunch bar” has debuted in Old Town’s nightclub district that’s only open on Saturdays. Expect high-energy music, hand-crafted cocktails and espresso martini soft serve at this rooftop affair. From the folks at Evening Entertainment. 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, hollabrunchgirl.com
Il Segreto
White tablecloth dining in a beautiful setting with a focused menu of seasonal Italian standards – including antipasto and pasta dishes, alongside entrees and desserts – awaits at this North Scottsdale fine-dining newcomer. The restaurant also has an aperitivo menu and lovely patio. 8900 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, ilsegretoaz.com
Iro Shoten
Look for Fukuoka-style ramen and sushi at this eatery inside Ranch Market. Chef Hirohata Norihiro, the owner of Mendo Hanamokoshi (a Tabelog Top 100 ramen shop in Fukuoka, Japan), is at the helm. 1940 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, iroshoten.com
Kuza
The Clive Collection (Cala, The Americano) has debuted a robata (open-flame grilling) and raw bar concept helmed by executive chef Erik Davila. The globally-inspired menu includes chicken negima (caramelized chicken skewer), interesting sushi flights and Spanish grilled octopus along with a robust cocktail program. 17767 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, kuzarestaurant.com
Pho Sedona
A new Vietnamese spot opened in August serving up banh mi, crispy salmon, grilled pork salad, stir-fried shrimp and 20 kinds of pho. 1609 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix, phosedonaaz.com
Red Brick Eatery
Billed as a “Southwest American” restaurant, Red Brick dishes out egg dishes, waffles, chicken-fried steak, chilaquiles, avocado toast and other scratch-made fare. 2095 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler, redbrickeatery.com
SoLuna Eats
Vecina
Arcadia favorite Vecina has opened a second, much larger location in McCormick Ranch with a lakeside patio serving Modern-Latin fare by acclaimed chef James Fox. It’s located in the former Z’ Tejas space. 8300 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, vecinaphx.com
Wagyu Master Shabu
This Japanese pop-up in Peoria offers unlimited A5 wagyu shabu (sort of the Japanese answer to hot pot) and all-you-can-eat handrolls. Open through May 2027. 16049 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Dr., Peoria, wagyumastershabu.com
Zane’s Pizza & Ice Cream
New York-style pizza meets ice cream at this new pizzeria in Phoenix. The family-owned restaurant serves 18 flavors of the nostalgic Thrifty Ice Cream. 3550 W. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, zanespizzaicecream.com
Closing
Brio Italian Grille in Gilbert’s SanTan Village has called it quits after eight years.
After 30 years, Café Lalibela, a beloved Ethiopian restaurant in Tempe, has closed. No explanation was given for the closure.
Nobuo Fukuda’s Hai Noon has closed its current location. According to his Instagram page: “Please stay tuned for future updates, events and collaborations.”
Jarrod’s Coffee, Tea and Gallery in historic downtown Mesa has closed its doors after 14 years.
After 26 years, The Melting Pot in Ahwatukee has shut down after the death of the owner, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Canada-based OEB Breakfast Co., a chef-driven breakfast/brunch spot in North Scottsdale has shut its doors after six years.
After less than a year, Pickleman’s Gourmet Café has closed its only Arizona location located at Arrowhead Mall.
Pubblico Italian Eatery in Central Scottsdale has closed after six years due to “unforeseen circumstances,” as reported by Open Table. The owners urged customers to visit them at Al Carbon Mexican Eatery in Scottsdale.
Chef Christopher Collins has closed Saint Urban, his McCormick Ranch wine bar, after less than two years. The restaurant will become the Saint Urban Private Dining Room and will be available as an event space.
Tempe Tavern abruptly closed after a second deadly DUI crash was linked to the bar.
Tres Leches Café, a Mexican coffee shop in South Phoenix has shuttered due to a slow summer season. The Coronado location is still open, according to the café’s Instagram page.
