Opening
Asian Buffet
This all-you-can-eat buffet has everything from sushi and orange chicken to garlic bread and noodles.
1230 S. Gilbert Rd., Mesa, 480-275-4523
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Nebraska-based sushi restaurant serves responsibly sourced seafood along with vegan sushi and eco-friendly wine options. From Flagship Restaurant Group, whose local lineup includes Pyro and Palma.
690 S. Novus Place, Tempe, bluesushisakegrill.com
Daruma
A second location for Daruma, this one specializing in ramen and bowls.
2650 E. University Dr., Mesa, darumabyrie.com
Dodo Bird Kitchen & Cocktails
Elevated pub food headlines the menu here – smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, small bites and a nice selection of craft cocktails.
7901 E. Thomas Rd., Scottsdale, eatdodobird.com
Eggstasy
Queen Creek is now home to Eggstasy’s eighth Valley location. The breakfast and lunch restaurant serves up eggs Benedict, omelets, pancakes and waffles, along with a slew of specialty items.
20736 E. Maya Rd., Queen Creek, eggstasyaz.com
Electric Pickle
Sprawled across nearly 5 acres, this blockbuster entertainment complex offers nine pickleball courts and an indoor-outdoor restaurant with live music, craft cocktails and a good variety of beer and wine.
8688 S. Emerald Dr., Tempe, electricpickle.com
Elvira’s
A Tubac Mexican restaurant is expanding to D.C. Ranch. Look for moles, squash blossoms and chile rellenos craft cocktails and wine.
20825 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, elvirasdcranch.com
Hao Hao Chinese
New restaurant dishing out Cantonese and Americanized dishes, including chow fun, chow mein, fried rice, hot garlic shrimp, sizzling beef, mu shu pork and other Chinese favorites.
9210 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480-270-6278
Hearsay Social Kitchen and Perks Cafe
Episcope Hospitality, helmed by David Morton of Morton’s Steakhouse, has opened two concepts at The Esplanade: Hearsay, an all-day restaurant with signature cocktails: and Perks Café, a coffee shop offering different brands of coffee and tea, along with local pastries.
2501 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, hearsayphx.com
Industry Standard
The former Carly’s Bistro has now become Industry Standard, serving a tidy menu of craft cocktails and small plates, including chicken wings, chopped salad, roast pork sandwich and lamb pasta.
128 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, industrystandardaz.com
Kolache Café
A third location for this kolache (Czech pastries) spot that features 30 sweet and a dozen savory varieties baked fresh daily.
2748 S. Alma School Rd., Mesa, thekolachecafe.com
Main Burger
A new burger concept on Main Street in Mesa from the folks at Espiritu, who were all 2024 James Beard Award nominees: Armando Hernandez, Nadia Holguin and Roberto Centeno.
161 W. Main St., Mesa, mainburgeraz.com
Mixela
Chef Gian Franco Brugaletta (Nonna), has opened a cozy, but lively tapas bar in midtown Phoenix.
3410 N. 24th St., Phoenix, mixelaphx.com
Patricia’s Pizza
The Italian Daughter’s Melissa Maggiore Meyer has opened a North Scottsdale pizzeria named after her mother, Patricia, and for her parents’ first restaurant in New York in 1969. The menu boasts a full assortment of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads.
32607 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, patriciaspizza.com
Peacock Indian Bar & Grill
New contemporary Indian cuisine restaurant dishes out vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare, from paneer tikka masala to goat vindaloo with a range of cocktails and wine.
17025 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, peacockaz.com
Postino
Local favorite Postino has added a West Valley location by the Peoria Sports Complex to its stable of restaurants. Look for the signature bruschetta, salads, sandwiches and a thoughtfully curated wine selection.
8177 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, postinowinecafe.com
Rollin Smoke BBQ
This Nevada-based barbecue joint serves Arkansas-inspired ribs and chicken along with sandwiches, plates and a princely amount of sides.
10120 W. McDowell Rd., Avondale, rollinsmokebbqaz.com
Shish & Slices
A new eatery specializing in halal Mediterranean food and pizza has opened in Tempe.
1630 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, shishandslices.com
Sizzle Korean Barbecue
HL Concepts has opened a Glendale location of Sizzle, with table-grilled meats and other Korean delights, including kimchee fried rice, stir fried noodles, dumplings, soups and stews.
7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale, sizzlekoreanbbq.com
Steadfast Diner
The former Handlebar Diner spot features “diner classics with a modern farm to table twist,” with goods from Steadfast Farm.
5149 Inspirian Pkwy., Mesa, steadfast-diner.com
Tiki Taka
The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale welcomes a new restaurant by celebrity chef Richard Blais, featuring Japanese and Spanish small plates with a Southwestern bent.
7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, tikitakascottsdale.com
Wine Down Lounge
Fine wines, artisan brews, small bites, sandwiches, salads and charcuterie boards highlight the menu. The restaurant, located in the former Peacock Wine Bar location, features live music, wine tastings and trivia nights.
1525 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, winedownaz.com
Yod Thai
A family-owned Thai restaurant has opened at Scottsdale Road and Thunderbird Road, featuring a full menu of appetizers, soups, salads, curries, stir fried dishes and noodles.
13802 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, yodthaieatery.com
Closing
After two years in Ahwatukee, Chinese restaurant Ah-Wok-Tukee has closed.
The SanTan Village location of Fired Pie has shut down.
Jimmy & Joe’s Pizzeria has closed all three Valley locations without any explanation.
Justin Piazza will close La Piazza al Forno in Glendale after 18 years when his lease is up in July.
Level 1 Arcade Bar in Gilbert has closed after five years because the owners couldn’t reach a lease agreement with the building’s landlords. The bar will move to a yet to be disclosed location.
The owners of Oink Café, a breakfast spot near the former Paradise Valley Mall, have decided against renewing their lease after 13 years. They still have an outlet in Tucson.
SnapBack Pizzeria in Downtown Phoenix has called it quits after two years.
Tempe Eats, a food hall with multiple restaurants, has closed after 11 months.
Tres Leches, a coffeehouse on Van Buren and 17th Avenue in Phoenix, has closed after more than six years. A second location in South Phoenix remains open.
