The Latest Restaurant Openings to Know in Phoenix, February 2025

Brand new restaurants open every day across Phoenix, usually without too much fanfare. This periodic compilation spotlights some of the most notable and under-the-radar places that have popped up recently. For the biggest restaurant openings in town, check out this companion list.

Main Burger

161 West Main Street

The latest from the Chiwas restaurant group — led by James Beard semi-finalists Roberto Centeno, Nadia Holguin, and Armando Hernandez — turns a long-running Mesa Subway into a retro burger joint. The black, white, and pink space is more family-friendly than their other spots, serving a small menu of burgers, fries, and desserts. The Chiwas Burger stacks queso asadero, roasted green chile, caramelized onions, and ham, while the Sonora Burger brings chiltepín heat and a crispy cheese costra.

Mensho

5813 North 7th Street #140

Mensho

The Tokyo-based ramen chain, known for attracting lines wherever it lands, has opened its second Valley location inside the Crown on 7th strip mall in Midtown. Following the success of its Mesa debut in mid-2024, the new spot expands on the menu with three new bowls: A5 Wagyu Truffle Cheese Shoyu, A5 Wagyu Lobster Miso Butter, and Vegan Tantanmen. Founded in 2005 by ramen master Tomoharu Shono, Mensho is all about “farm-to-bowl” ramen with seasonal ingredients and house-made wheat noodles. Expect a wait — it’s worth it.

Authentic EthioAfrican

6989 Hayden Road Suite A12

Phoenix’s longtime Ethiopian staple, Authentic EthioAfrican, has expanded with a second location in Scottsdale at Hayden and Indian Bend. Since 2013, the restaurant has served slow-cooked wots, spiced stews paired with tangy injera, alongside platters designed for sharing. Options include sega wot alecha (beef with potatoes), doro wot key (chicken with a hard-boiled egg), and meser wot (red lentils), with combo plates making it easy to sample multiple dishes. It’s a welcome addition to Scottsdale’s dining scene, where Ethiopian cuisine has been scarce.

Steadfast Diner

5149 Inspirian Parkway

Steadfast Diner

Way out in East Mesa, Steadfast Diner keeps things straightforward with a seasonal menu built around produce from its neighboring farm. Owners Erich and Yvonne Schultz tapped former farmhand-turned-James Beard nominee Derek Christensen to run the kitchen, turning out unfussy, well-executed dishes in a retro diner setting. One of the rare times farm-to-table actually means just that.

Industry Standard

128 East Roosevelt Street

After nearly 20 years, Roosevelt Row staple Carly’s Bistro has passed the torch to Industry Standard, a new restaurant handpicked by the former owners. Chef Edward McLachlan’s 12-item menu pulls inspiration from around the world, with dishes like crispy pork belly over potlikker greens, pappardelle with lamb shoulder, and chilled street corn with Peruvian aji amarillo butter. The restaurant leans into its name, hosting a Monday “industry night” with live DJs and 25% off for food service workers from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Saint Urban

8260 Hayden Road

Saint Urban

Local chef Chris Collins expands his Scottsdale footprint with Saint Urban, a laid-back neighborhood wine bar in McCormick Ranch. The menu focuses on shareable plates, with happy hour deals that are tough to beat — $2 oysters, $14 tartare, and a “Mini-Tini” lineup featuring $5 lemon drops, espresso martinis, and cosmos from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. On Sundays, happy hour lasts until sunset, making it a solid spot to sip and snack while the desert light fades.

Condesa

130 North Central Avenue

After 13 years serving food inside Crescent Ballroom as Cocina 10, the team has rebranded and moved just five minutes away, now perched above Valley Bar at Central and Monroe. The name — Spanish for “countess” — nods to the restaurant’s female leadership. The menu sticks to familiar taco and burrito fillings while adding additions like jackfruit al pastor, a Sonoran dog, and an asado platter, alongside staples like elote and molletes. A fresh start for a longtime downtown favorite, now with a space of its own.

Novus Place

777 South Novus Place Suite 100

ASU’s Novus Place development in Tempe saw a wave of chain expansions in early February. Local powerhouse Fox Restaurant Concepts added its sixth Arizona North Italia, along with Flower Child and Blanco Taco Cocina + Cantina. Joining the lineup is Omaha-based Blue Sushi Sake Grill which offers an extensive sushi menu, including a sizable vegan selection.

Hearsay and Perks

2501 East Camelback Road

Hearsay and Perks

Hearsay and Perks have joined the revamped Esplanade in Biltmore, splitting one space into two distinct spots. Perks Cafe keeps things simple with coffee, tea, and pastries to-go, while Hearsay offers a sit-down menu of salads, sandwiches, and larger plates like pan-seared salmon with parsnip purée and cavatelli bolognese. The weekday-only schedule covers breakfast through dinner. Both come from Chicago restaurateur David Morton (of Morton’s Steakhouse fame) and his restaurant group, Episcope.