Tacos, gelato and sushi: 43 new restaurants are now open in metro Phoenix

Over 40 new restaurants, bars and cafes opened in metro Phoenix over the last month, including a classy sports bar, a bachelorette party-ready European restaurant and a Chinese buffet.

Some of the biggest openings include Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis' Arizona debut at the new Caesars Republic hotel in Scottsdale and a futuristic new bar that took over the Mill Avenue space previously occupied by Rula Bula.

Other exciting new restaurants include the premier of Cielo Rojo, a new Mexican restaurant from the family behind Mariscos Playa Hermosa, and Backyard, a dog-friendly sports bar at Desert Ridge Marketplace.

Here are 43 new restaurants that opened in metro Phoenix in March.

Akshus Kitchen

Akshus Kitchen is a new restaurant in Tempe that combines Mexican and Indian cuisines, from biryanis to tacos. A grand opening celebration was held on March 20.

Details: 119 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-967-8226, @akshuskitchentempe on Instagram.

A Ma's Kitchen & Pho

A Ma's Kitchen & Pho opened in Chandler in March, serving Vietnamese dishes from recipes that have been passed down through generations. "A Ma's Favorite Pho" is made with noodle soup with rare steak, brisket and beef balls in broth with herbs and sprouts.

Details: 1900 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 15, Chandler. 480-275-8450, amasphokitchen.com.

Angie's Prime Grill

Angie's Prime Grill is a new local concept that opened its first location in October 2023, serving high-quality steak, chicken and lobster at fast-food prices. The newest location is now open in central Phoenix.

Details: 53 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. angiesprimegrill.com.

Backyard

Backyard is a lively new bar and grill at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix, featuring a dog-friendly patio, bar games and giant TV screens to watch sports games. The menu includes bar snacks like nachos, flatbreads, burgers and craft cocktails.

Details:  21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. backyardusa.com/desert-ridge.

Barrio Brewing Co.

Barrio Brewing Co. is now open inside the Deer Valley airport. In addition to the iconic beers, the Deer Valley location serves brats, sliders, burgers and paninis.

Details: 702 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix. 602-858-0232, barriobrewingphoenix.com.

Bloomy Kitchen

Bloomy Kitchen is a new restaurant in Mesa offering pan-Asian favorites like orange chicken, shoyu or tonkotsu ramen, fried rice, gyoza and teriyaki chicken.

Details: 2028 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa. 480-491-8888, bloomykitchenaz.com.

The Buzzed Goat

The long-awaited second location of The Buzzed Goat coffee shop is now open in Tempe. In addition to coffee and energy drinks, the food menu includes bagels and cream cheese, English muffin sandwiches, avocado toast, ham and Swiss croissants, breakfast burritos and rotating pastries.

Details: 3415 S. McClintock Dr., Suite 114, Tempe. 480-347-5511, thebuzzedgoat.com.

Cafe Zupas

Cafe Zupas, a popular Utah-based soup and salad chain, opened an 11th Valley location in west Phoenix.

Details: 3225 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix. 480-500-2969, cafezupas.com.

C&C Fresh-N-Tasty Pizza, Wings & Subs

A new restaurant serving hot and cold subs, chicken wings and pizza by the slice has opened in east Mesa.

Details: 2706 E. University Dr., Suite 10, Mesa. 480-588-8643, facebook.com/candcfreshntasty.

Cielo Rojo

The family behind Mariscos Playa Hermosa has opened a new restaurant in Phoenix. Cielo Rojo focuses on the cuisines of Guanajuato, Mexico with dishes including a 21-ingredient mole negro, cochinita pibil and a whole carne asada.

Details: 1919 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-358-7882, cielorojo.restaurant.

Corazon de Agave

Corazon de Agave is a new family-owned Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. Menu highlights include chile rellenos, enchiladas and a 14-ounce ribeye.

Details: 4010 E. Bell Road, Suite 102, Phoenix. 480-597-7475, facebook.com/corazondeagavemex.

Devil's Hideaway

A "futuristic" new cocktail bar from the owner of Lucky's Indoor Outdoor and Pedal Haus Brewery has opened in the former Rula Bula space on Mill Avenue in Tempe. The bar offers house cocktails plus Jell-O shots, cider and hard kombucha, wines by the glass and American and European beers.

Details: 401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-698-6646. drinkatdevils.com.

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Echo Coffee

Scottsdale-based Echo Coffee opened its second location in March inside the brand new Arizona Humane Society Papago Park Campus. They sell coffee and pastries plus baked dog treats for your furry companions.

Details: 5501 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix. 480-422-4081, echocoffee.shop.

Empower Coffee Roasters

The first brick-and-mortar location of Empower Coffee Roasters just soft opened in Mesa. Empower's mission is to support women, and it does in part by sourcing coffee from women-owned farms and using a portion of profits to invest in the community.

Details: 1337 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 347-813-1733, empowercoffeeroasters.com.

Federico's Mexican Food

A new location of Federico's Mexican Food is now open in Goodyear, serving tacos, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas in a fast-casual setting.

Details: 2455 N. Pebble Creek Parkway, Goodyear. 623-218-6310, federicosmexicanfood.com.

Four 8 Fried Chicken

Maynard James Keenan, winemaker and vocalist for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, opened a new fried chicken restaurant in Old Town Cottonwood, about two hours north of downtown Phoenix. Four 8 Fried Chicken offers several chicken and wine pairings.

Details: 816 N. Main St., Cottonwood. four8wineworks.com.

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Gelato Cimmino

A second location of Scottsdale-born Gelato Cimmino is now open in downtown Gilbert. They offer several gelato flavors in either a cup or cone, with plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free options.

Details: 339 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-590-1025, gelatocimmino.com.

Hawaiian Bros

A third Valley location of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is now open. The chain offers Hawaiian plate lunches with your choice of protein served with sides of rice and macaroni salad.

Details: 7322 W. Bell Road, Glendale. 623-292-2284, hawaiianbros.com.

JA Ramen

Popular ramen restaurant JA Ramen made its Valley debut with a brand-new location in Laveen. They offer 13 types of ramen, 23 curry dishes and other Japanese specialties.

Details: 5845 W. Baseline Road, Suite 120, Laveen. thejaramen.com.

Johnnie's Java

Johnnie's Java, a mobile and catering coffee shop, opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Tempe. The cafe serves breakfast burritos, elote and sandwiches.

Details: 1101 W. Washington St., Suite 121, Tempe. 602-427-8213, @johnniesjava on Instagram.

Lola's Liquors

Lola's Liquors is a new cocktail bar in downtown Chandler with a limited food menu including "Glazed and Confused" grilled chicken skewers, spicy edamame, poke nachos and "La Bomba," a triple-chocolate brownie and chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate and caramel drizzle.

Details: 64 S. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. lolasliquors.com.

Luna by Giada and Pronto by Giada

Four years after Caesars Republic Scottsdale first broke ground in February 2020, the hotel opened to the public on Wednesday, March 6 and with it, two brand-new restaurants from popular Food Network chef Giada De Laurentiis. The vibe at Luna by Giada is sophisticated, but welcoming, with dishes like Giada's famous lemon spaghetti and a new lemon pizza that she said she's particularly excited about. Pronto by Giada is a more casual cafe where guests can either grab and go or stay and relax with a cup of coffee.

Details: 4747 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-903-4747, caesars.com.

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Lush Cafe and Lounge

Lush Cafe and Lounge is a new restaurant and nightlife destination in Tempe. Dinner entrees include "remixed" steak and potatoes, seafood mac and cheese, surf and turf sliders and salmon or lamb fried rice. Weekend brunch options include Cajun shrimp and grits, French toast and fried chicken, and red velvet waffles. Just be sure to adhere to the "chic cocktail bar" dress code.

Details: 7470 S. Priest Dr., Tempe. 480-590-5755, lushcafeandlounge.com.

Mama Linda's Italian Kitchen

A new casual Italian restaurant is now open in Mesa. Mama Linda's offers classics like chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp scampi and alfredo plus specialties like flatbread pizza and "Mama's Lasagna."

Details: 4815 E. Main St. Suite 29, Mesa. 480-636-1817, mamalindasitalian.com.

Maple & Rye

Maple & Rye, the latest venture from Westside Concepts, is now open in Surprise. Brunch is served daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes options like a 3-egg breakfast burrito, country fried New York strip steak, several benedicts and omelets, and sandwiches. Dinner highlights, served after 3 p.m., include shareable charcuterie boards, Cajun mussels, wild caught grilled salmon and filet mignon.

Details: 15955 W. Clearview Blvd., Surprise. 623-271-9400, mapleandryeaz.com.

Mon Cheri

Mon Cheri is Old Town Scottsdale's newest champagne and charcuterie bar. The theme is everything pink, from the chairs and tables to decorative flowers lining the patio archway, and even the pasta. Entree options include pink alfredo pasta, steak frites, Adana lamb kebabs and creamy mushroom risotto.

Details: 7014 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-664-0222, moncherirestaurants.com.

Nekter Juice Bar

Nekter Juice Bar's newest location is at the Gilbert and Warner Town Center. Nekter sells acai bowls, superfood smoothies and fresh juices.

Details: 35 E. Warner Road, Gilbert. 480-219-6867, nekterjuicebar.com.

Number 1 Buffet

Number 1 Buffet is a new Chinese buffet in Avondale with a salad bar, soup station, sushi station, hibachi station and dessert bar.

Details: 10125 W. McDowell Road, Avondale. 623-907-2111.

OHSO Brewery and Little O's

OHSO Brewery's fifth Valley location is now open in Phoenix, alongside its sister concept Little O's. Little O's opens first, offering coffee, donuts and breakfast in the mornings before OHSO opens for lunch, dinner and late-night service. Highlights include beer braised short ribs, green chile pork and shrimp, carne asada or carnitas taco boards plus plenty of OHSO's award-winning craft beers.

Details: 8525 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-844-1196, ohsobrewery.com.

Panera Bread

Laveen's first Panera opened in March. The chain is known for its sandwiches, soups and mac and cheese.

Details: 5920 W. Baseline Road, Suite 101, Phoenix. 480-757-2113, panerabread.com.

Parlor Doughnuts

National chain Parlor Doughnuts made its Arizona debut in downtown Tempe. Their unique doughnut options include maple bacon, honey glazed, bourbon caramel, lemonade and turtle cheesecake. Additional locations are planned to open soon in Phoenix, Ahwatukee and Prescott.

Details: 707 S. Farmer Ave., Suite 123, Tempe. 480-597-7373, parlordoughnuts.com.

Pho Ngoc

Vietnamese restaurant Pho Ngoc soft opened in Chandler, serving pho, stir-fry dishes, rice and grilled meat platters.

Details: 4960 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-687-4112, facebook.com/people/Pho-Ngoc-Vietnamese-Restaurant.

Pinche's Tacos Al Carbon

Pinche's Tacos Al Carbon is a new counter service taco restaurant in north Phoenix. They offer burritos, quesadillas and tacos a la carte.

Details: 520 W. Union Hills Dr., Suite 102, Phoenix. 480-656-7474, pinchestacosaz.com.

Seven

Located on the 7th floor at the new Caesars Republic hotel in Scottsdale, Seven is a restaurant and lounge offering mains such as street corn pasta, grapefruit-glazed salmon and a classic wagyu burger. Large screens along the wall display sports games, with iPads available for Caesars Sportsbook betting.

Details: 4747 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-903-4747, caesars.com.

Shimogamo

A second location of Shimogamo, the popular Chandler Japanese restaurant, is now open in Gilbert. Menu options include plenty of nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls, ramen and noodle dishes, yakitori skewers and robata grilled dishes.

Details: 2320 S. Santan Village Pkwy., Suite 104, Gilbert. 602-595-6448, shimogamoaz.com.

Silverlake Ramen

Los Angeles-based Silverlake Ramen opened its first Arizona location in Tempe in March. The restaurant serves eight types of ramen, plus dishes like a chicken karaage bowl and fried gyoza.

Details: 920 E. University Dr., Suite D103, Tempe. 480-508-0881. silverlakeramen.com.

Ta'Carbon

Ta'Carbon, a taco shop known for mouthwatering carne asada, finally opened its long-awaited third location in Peoria.

Details: 6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria. tacarbon.com.

Taco Night & Tequila

Taco Night & Tequila, a new casual, counter-service Mexican restaurant in west Phoenix, serves burritos, quesadillas and tacos. Popular items include quesabirria and asada street tacos.

Details: 3121 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 104, Phoenix. 480-531-8881, taconighttequilaaz.com.

Tastea Mesa

Tastea Mesa is the newest boba tea shop in Mesa's Asian district, near H Mart and across from Mekong Plaza. Tastea's specialty drinks include Lychee Peachee, peach black tea with diced lychee and Strawberry Ecstasy, strawberry black tea with black jelly. They also offer classic milk teas like taro and matcha.

Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Suite 108, Mesa. 602-880-1139, gotastea.com.

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Vintage XIV

Vintage XIV is a new elevated wine bar and sports lounge in Phoenix. The menu includes several sandwiches and bruschetta options, plus shareable items like flatbreads and sliders and lounge snacks such as truffle fries, cured olives and dirty martini dip.

Details: 10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 150, Phoenix. 602-368-1376, vintagexiv.toast.site.

Whataburger

A new location of Texas-based chain Whataburger is now open in Mesa.

Details: 1957 N. Country Club Dr., Mesa. 480-467-3699, whataburger.com.

Zu Izakaya

Tempe-based Zu Izakaya has opened its second location in Paradise Valley. The Asian kitchen features a raw bar with a daily selection of oysters plus an extensive sushi menu and other staples such as ramen, skewers and hot pot dishes.

Details: 12615 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 602-675-0512, zuizakaya.com.

Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 43 new Phoenix restaurants now open: Tacos, steak, Italian food