Heading toward the end of summer, we’ve seen a fresh round of restaurants open in the Valley, including a Phoenix café where you can drink coffee and schmooze with adoptable dogs. But we’re sad to report that more than 10 restaurants and bars closed in August – including one that managed to stay in business 62 years.
Openings
Cien Agaves
This popular Old Town Scottsdale Mexican eatery has opened a branch in Chandler, serving tacos, fajitas, burritos, bowls and a nice selection of margaritas. 900 N. 54th St., Chandler, cienagaves.com
French Toast Café
A second location of this breakfast and lunch spot – which serves up French toast, omelets, corned beef hash, burgers, chicken tenders and more – has opened in Tempe, joining the original in Mesa. 1245 W. Elliot Rd., Tempe, thefrenchtoastcafe.com
Harry & Izzy’s
The reimagined PV Mall now has Harry & Izzy’s, an Indianapolis-based steakhouse open for lunch and dinner with a big menu of steaks and seafood, salads and sandwiches. House specialties include Berkshire pork chop and sweet tea fried chicken. 12770 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, harryandizzys.com
Lomas Cocina de Mexico
Located inside Padeland (a padel and pickleball venue), the Modern-Mexican concept offers a full raw bar plus tacos, fresh aguachile, and a mezcal- and tequila-heavy cocktail program. Ambiance inspired by Mexican social clubs of the 1980s. 1 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, @lomascucinademexico
Motherboard
Specializing in “analog” deli meats (read: 100-percent vegan), Motherboard whips up deli-style subs as a concept-within-a-concept inside Green New American. 2240 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, motherboardvegan.com
Paquimex
From the folks at Tortas Paquime comes this fast-casual west-side eatery with an all-day menu, featuring everything from breakfast plates and torta sandwiches to tacos and house-made tortillas. 5149 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, @eatpaquimex
Pregame Sports Grill
You’ll find sports, food, community and entertainment, including karaoke and music trivia, at Chandler’s newest sports grill, which has taken over the former CK Tavern space. 4142 E. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, pregameaz.com
Press Coffee
Sprouts’ new corporate headquarters at City North in Phoenix includes a Press Coffee, marking the local coffee chain’s 20th location. 20700 N. 56th St., Phoenix, presscoffee.com
Roman God of Fire
Pretty Decent Concepts (Filthy Animal, Wren & Wolf, Carry On) has opened an opulent wood-fired Italian restaurant with James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Conant at the helm. Look for small plates, pasta dishes and flame-kissed main courses. The eatery also features Mea Culpa, a cocktail bar hidden behind a confessional. 52 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, romangodoffire.com
Rosewood
From the folks at Aftermath and Born and Bred comes this dinner and weekend brunch spot in Gilbert, serving a tidy menu of snacks, apps and entrees and craft cocktails. 366 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, rosewoodaz.com
Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill
NBA player and ASU alum James Harden, along with other ASU alums, have opened the first Arizona franchise of this Colorado-based sandwich chain, offering all-day breakfast, made-to-order sandwiches, burgers and salads. 2765 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, smilingmoosedeli.com
SoLuna Eats
You’ll find a jackpot of vegan dishes at this Afro-Caribbean fusion restaurant with a fresh, plant-forward menu, which debuted in August near Bacanora in the Grand Avenue district. 1325 Grand Ave., Phoenix, @solunaeatsaz
Stray Café
Following in the paw-steps of Pizza to the Rescue, this new dog-lounge experience invites you to have coffee and while meeting adoptable rescue dogs. 710 E. Virginia Ave., Phoenix, @straycafeaz
Thai Chili 2Go
Buckeye welcomes the 20th location of this Valley-grown Thai eatery, offering lickety-split pad Thai and other favorite dishes. 4475 S. Miller Rd., Buckeye, tc2go.com
Transfer Station
The folks at Wandering Tortoise beer shop and taproom have opened Transfer Station (formerly a food truck) in the bar’s parking lot, featuring a scratch-made kitchen with a walk-up window. There’s no seating but you’re welcome to take the food into the bar. They also offer private events and cooking classes. 2417 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, @2322phx
Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen
Mill Avenue welcomes this health-focused eatery with a large menu that includes salads, gyros, protein bowls, ramen, pasta dishes, flatbreads and more. They also have a nice selection of desserts, including key lime pie and baklava. 950 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, urbanhip-e.com
Wildflower Bakery
This well-known sandwich and salad restaurant chain with a bread bakery has opened a location at Tatum Boulevard and Thunderbird Road. 13637 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, wildflowerbread.com
Zeitouna
A new Middle Eastern dining experience has come to Mesa with cold and hot mezze (appetizers), soups, salads, grilled meats and craft cocktails. 3515 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, zeitouna.net
Closings
Ahipoki Bowl in Chandler has closed down after 10 years.
Craft Kitchen Café in north Scottsdale has shuttered after six months.
D’Lite Healthy On The Go has shut down its Scottsdale location on Shea Boulevard.
After less than a year, Funky Frida’s, a Frida Kahlo-inspired Mexican cantina from the O.H.S.O. Brewery braintrust, has called it quits. The space will be used as a private event venue.
Low Key Piano Bar on Mill Avenue, a dueling piano spot, has shuttered citing rising costs and declining sales.
Tempe dive bar Palo Verde Lounge has closed after 62 years in business – one week after owner Chuck Marthaler passed away.
Three downtown Chandler restaurants, Recreo, Tipsy Egg and The Uncommon, simultaneously closed, with no reason given. According to Jess Harter at mouthbysouthwest.com, all three restaurants were owned by Niels Kreipke of Desert Viking Development.
Arizona-born Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 on Aug. 4; Valley-based Dutch Bros bought the real estate and leases and then was challenged in court by 7 Brew, a coffee company based in Arkansas. Evidently, 7 Brew outbid Dutch Bros to win the locations.
Seasons 52 at Biltmore Fashion Park closed its doors at the end of May 2026, ending a multi-decade residency in Arizona for the Florida-based healthy-eating chain.
Branden Levine’s Sel Bistro, a celebrated fine dining restaurant, has closed after 10 years in Old Town Scottsdale. No reason given.
Mesa’s Spice Spirit Chinese restaurant has closed up shop after nine years.
