Follow restaurant and coffee-shop opening news across our cities. Start with Phoenix for location profiles that separate planned openings from confirmed service.
Verrado Marketplace keeps filling in, AZ Big Media reports. After SALT, Handel's and Shake Shack open with The District on Oct. 15, November brings Emersa, a speakeasy inspired by observatories with 4K VR displays and projection mapping, plus a 63,500-square-foot Safeway. Harkins Verrado Theatres and BackLot, OHSO Brewery & Distillery, BJ's and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are slated for the end of 2026.
Source: AZ Big MediaThe existing mobile coffee business; the planned Uptown cafe is not pictured. Photo: Gathered Grounds
Family-run mobile coffee business Gathered Grounds is opening its first permanent cafe at 4 W. Camelback Road, in the former Dutch Bros at Central Avenue, What Now Phoenix reports. Plans call for a two-week soft opening in January 2027 before a grand opening date is announced. Expect local coffee, ceremonial matcha, house-made syrups, breakfast burritos, soft serve and affogatos, with a 1,000-square-foot covered patio.
Source: What Now PhoenixThe Royale in Melrose, where Brick Road Coffee is preparing to open. Photo: Brick Road Coffee
Brick Road Coffee, which opened on Rural Road in Tempe in 2021 and later added a Mesa cafe and its own roastery, is opening its third Valley shop in the Melrose District, Phoenix New Times reports. The 600-square-foot cafe takes over the former Window Coffee Bar space inside The Royale, the mid-century modern plaza, and is set to open in mid-October.
Source: Phoenix New TimesBookstore photograph supplied with the Queen Creek Marketplace announcement. Image source: AZ Big Media
Barnes & Noble is opening a 15,000-square-foot store at Queen Creek Marketplace with a grand opening Nov. 11, AZ Big Media reports. It's one of five new tenants that center owner Vestar announced for the Ellsworth Loop Road center. Aubergine Kitchen, JINYA Ramen Bar and LaserAway are due in early 2027, and a 5,800-square-foot LongHorn Steakhouse follows in spring 2027.
The Cave Creek Museum has named Local Jonny's Tavern & Cafe, 6033 E. Cave Creek Road, a Local Landmark, and presents the bronze plaque Oct. 8 at 10 a.m., AZ Big Media reports. The building has housed a variety store, a hardware shop, a barber and Cave Creek Coffee Company since the 1950s. Co-owners Lauren Van Winkle and Jon Oughterson took over in 2014 and grew a small coffee counter into a full tavern with live music.
Source: AZ Big MediaThe Scottsdale Waterfront. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Joseph Plotz · CC BY 3.0
Sam Fox's American brasserie Society Swan landed at No. 14 on Yelp's national list of the 25 best new restaurants, one of just two Arizona spots on it, Phoenix New Times reports. Yelp said it "feels more like a tucked-away supper club than a mall restaurant," and shouted out the oysters, French Quarter salmon, steak fries and lobster carbonara.
Source: Phoenix New TimesDrinks pictured in Phoenix New Times' restaurant coverage; not a photograph of an awards ceremony. Image source: Phoenix New Times
Yelp's annual ranking of the 25 best new restaurants in the country put Filthy Animal on Mill Avenue at No. 1, Phoenix New Times reports. The jungle-themed restaurant from Pretty Decent Concepts took over the former P.F. Chang's space at the bottom of the Mill Avenue district and cooks over an open fire, with a menu that pulls from Asian, Mexican and tropical flavors. Yelp called it a "serious dining destination."
Source: Phoenix New TimesWood Ranch brand food photography; the proposed Gilbert location is not pictured. Image source: What Now Phoenix
California's Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is bringing its first Arizona location to 2218 E. Williams Field Road at SanTan Village, What Now Phoenix reports. Co-owner Eric Anders says it is expected to open in early fall 2027. The chain is known for smoked brisket, ribs and oak-grilled steaks.
Source: What Now PhoenixV Modern Italian brand photograph; not a completed view of The Lakefront project. Image source: AZ Big Media
Diversified Partners broke ground Sept. 29 on The Lakefront at Scottsdale, a roughly 100,000-square-foot redo of the 1978 lakeside center off McCormick Parkway, east of Scottsdale Road, AZ Big Media reports. SUSHISAMBA, V Modern Italian (opening 2027) and La La Land are signed, and plans include a small marina with Duffy boat rentals, waterfront dining and public gathering areas. Demolition starts in early October, with major construction in early 2027.
Los Milics Vineyards, the Arizona winery led by winemaker and FnB co-owner Pavle Milic, has opened its expanded tasting room on the southwest corner of Marshall Way and Third Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale, Phoenix New Times reports. The 2,800-square-foot space adds two street-facing patios, a private dining area and triple the seating of the original, plus a kitchen, so the wines now come with food such as hand-pulled mozzarella.
Source: Phoenix New TimesAn aerial view of Chandler. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0
La Popular Cocina Mexicana, known for Mexico City-inspired dishes like ribeye tacos, ahi tuna tostadas and chicken mole poblano, plans to open at Chandler Fashion Center in fall 2027, KTAR reports. Din Tai Fung and Wagyu House are also opening at the mall in 2027.
Source: KTAR NewsThe existing space pictured in King Coffee's expansion coverage; not a completed new cafe. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Family-owned King Coffee is moving from Tempe to 1620 W. University Drive, Suite 3, in Mesa, What Now Phoenix reports, aiming to finish the move by the end of 2026. The new cafe adds a full kitchen, house-made pastries and breads, nitro cold brew and weekend brunch, with flavors from the owners' Filipino-American and Mexican heritage. The Tempe shop stays open during construction.
Source: What Now PhoenixPhoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Square One Concepts, the group behind Bourbon & Bones, plans Bistecca & Bones, an Italian chophouse at High Street at City North near 56th Street and Deer Valley Drive, KTAR reports. The signature is a 40-ounce Bistecca Florentina served flaming and sliced tableside, alongside house-made pastas, a 700-square-foot patio and a 100-guest private dining room. Opening is planned for spring 2027.
CAVA opens Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 23350 N. 163rd Ave., Suite 120, What Now Phoenix reports, serving Mediterranean bowls, pitas, dips and dressings from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A Community Day event offers free meals, with CAVA matching donations up to $1,000 for St. Mary's Food Bank. The restaurant will employ 25 to 40 local staff.
Source: What Now PhoenixRusso's New York Pizzeria publicity photograph accompanying the opening announcement. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Russo's New York Pizzeria is now open at 521 S. College Ave., its second Arizona location, What Now Phoenix reports. Local franchisees Kristina and Christian Alvarez serve giant New York slices, a 28-inch Giant Party Pizza, fresh pasta, chicken parmesan and Italian sandwiches. The dough ferments for 24 hours and the kitchen cooks with no seed oils.
Source: What Now PhoenixStorefront and food photos accompanying The Taco Spot's opening coverage. Credit: Ryan Tafoya / The Taco Spot. Image source: InMaricopa
The Taco Spot opens softly at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at 44600 W. Smith-Enke Road, Suite 101, InMaricopa reports. Birria is the signature. Hours run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Owner Emmanuel Flores told InMaricopa he expects a grand opening in about a month with giveaways and prizes.
Source: InMaricopaPhoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Durant's, which opened in 1950, made The New York Times' 2026 Restaurant List of its 50 favorite restaurants in the United States, and it was the only Arizona restaurant on the list, KTAR reports.
Two for Joy Cafe is preparing to open at Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., in the last week of October, per What Now Phoenix, pending inspections and final approvals. Expect artisan yogurt bowls with fruit, granola, honey and pistachios, rose-pistachio and mango soft serve, chai and matcha.
Source: What Now PhoenixAn existing Roka Akor restaurant, not the proposed Gilbert location. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Roka Akor, the contemporary Japanese robata grill, plans its second Arizona restaurant in Gilbert, targeting late spring or early summer 2027, per What Now Phoenix. Expect Japanese Wagyu, seafood and vegetables off the robata, plus sushi, sashimi and shareable plates.
Source: What Now PhoenixThe existing space is shown with proposed signage in an inset; the inset is not an installed sign. Credit: Monica D. Spencer. Image source: InMaricopa
Sakura Asian Kitchen is taking over the former Copa Kitchen space at 20924 N. John Wayne Parkway and plans to open in mid-October, InMaricopa reports. The quick-serve spot will focus on sushi, teriyaki bowls, noodles and tuna poke, with a ramen bar planned later.
Source: InMaricopaMahana Fresh brand food photography; the proposed Mesa location is not pictured. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Mahana Fresh, a fast-casual spot built around customizable bowls, is opening its first Arizona restaurant at 943 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 101, beside The Shop Gym, according to What Now Phoenix. It is expected by the end of 2026; no exact date yet. The menu adds tacos, smoothies, desserts and vegan and gluten-free options.
Source: What Now PhoenixDash publicity food photograph. Photo: Chais Renao Photography. Image source: AZ Big Media
Dash, from chef Matt Carter, is coming this fall to the southeast corner of Hayden Road and Mountain View in McCormick Ranch, AZ Big Media reports. It pairs an all-day kitchen (coffee, pastries, sandwiches, Roman-style pizza, charcoal chicken, soft serve) with a neighborhood market and an evening cocktail program.
PLUNJ held its grand opening Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 1900 W. Germann Road, Suite 9, near Nando's Mexican Cafe. The Utah-based hot-and-cold spa focuses on Nordic-style steam and cold plunges and runs 16 locations, including one in Paradise Valley.
Source: Chandler IndependentThe Gilbert Heritage District. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Heritage Park at Gilbert Road and Juniper Avenue named its first five tenants: Popup Bagels with its first Arizona location, La La Land's first East Valley cafe, a second Valley Hudson House, Salt & Straw ice cream and a Solidcore studio. Buildings are now fully enclosed, and the residences are slated for spring 2027.
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