As professional diners, these are the 5 restaurants in metro Phoenix we're most excited to try this year
Between new restaurant openings, the best new restaurants of 2023, the most anticipated new restaurants of 2024 and a bucket list of dining options rolling out each week in our 100 essential metro Phoenix restaurants list, figuring out where to eat next can be a challenge.
The dining team covers restaurants day in and day out. It's our job to care about what chefs in metro Phoenix are up to and what they have in the works, to spot trends and celebrate local wins on national stages. And from among all the restaurants we cover, there are a few we're personally super excited to try.
When it comes to eating, I believe in choosing your own adventure based on what speaks to you. But if you're interested in the places we plan to try first this year, here's our hit list.
Flour and Thyme
Opening soon (they estimated "early in the year," so here's hoping), Flour and Thyme is a new Tempe cafe from Ivan Jacobo, the executive chef of fine dining restaurant Anhelo in Phoenix. The casual-ish spot will serve Mediterranean-inspired dishes like whole grilled fish with blistered tomatoes and capers, braised wagyu lasagna and little composed vegetable tapas that harken to the tweezer-forward menu at the downtown restaurant.
I'm excited to see how Jacobo translates his fine dining skills into Anhelo's more affordable little sister restaurant. Also, did he say he'll have pastries? There's a surefire way to lure me in.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Details: 944 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. @flourandthymerestaurant on Instagram.
Avec Amoore
Avec Amoore opened in fall 2023 in Gilbert and it's one of the only gluten-free bakeries in metro Phoenix that I haven't tried. So naturally, it's pretty high on my must-visit list for 2024. I’m especially curious about the carrot cake.
— Endia Fontanez
Details: 2556 S. Val Vista Drive, #101, Gilbert. 480-937-8280, avecamoore.com.
Huarachis
Bacanora chef Rene Andrade's new taco shop opened in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 12, but I still haven't managed to get there to check it out, which yes, I'm ashamed to admit. However, I already know what I want to order: carne asada, fried hongos and pescado tacos, a side of papas al disco topped with fiery chiletepin peppers and crema, and whatever daily special sounds most interesting. The drinks are just as exciting. I think I'll start with the El Valle made with cilantro-infused mezcal (yes, please), tomatillo, lime, salt and Jarritos lime soda.
— Felicia Campbell
Details: 814 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. @huarachis.phx on Instagram.
Carry On
As a nightlife reporter, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about at least one bar. I'm intrigued by the concept of Carry On, a new cocktail bar from the owners of Wren and Wolf and Trophy Room that's inspired by vintage luxury transportation during the 1950s to 1970s, the so-called "golden age of travel." A timed 90-minute experience takes guests on a trip with different cocktails representing the departure and arrival cities. The bar was supposed to open in November, and there have been no updates on when they may actually start welcoming guests, but I'm eagerly awaiting take-off.
— Bahar Anooshahr
Details: 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. carryonphx.com.
Santo
Two of us were duking it out over who wanted to visit Santo more.
Santo | Pecado is the newest collaboration between James Beard semifinalist Roberto Centeno of Espiritu Mesa, who rose to prominence while working at Bacanora, and Armando Hernandez, the co-owner of Cocina Chiwas and Tacos Chiwas.
The pair soft-opened on Jan. 9 with an initial menu of charcoal and woodfire-grilled dishes like lobster tostadas, birria dumplings, seafood skewers and more substantial plates like short ribs with "Bacanora pinto beans," chicken quarters with rice, salsa and tortillas and a few different steaks, all served with crispy papas al disco, beans, salsa and tortillas.
We are big fans of these chefs, from their work at Cocina Chiwas, Bacanora and Espiritu, some of the most exciting new restaurants to open in the last few years. And we can't wait to try the newest addition to their impressive lineup.
— Felicia Campbell & Bahar Anooshahr
Details: 4418 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. santoarcadia.com.
100 great restaurants to try in 2024: 25 more essential restaurants in metro Phoenix
Reach the food, dining and nightlife editor at felicia.campbell@azcentral.com. Follow her @hungryfi on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix restaurants we can't wait to try in 2024: Tapas to tacos
