July 2026 Restaurant Openings and Closings

More than 20 new restaurants opened in July amid sizzling 115-degree-plus temperatures. But the month also delivered a big round of closures, including an Old Town Scottsdale institution that has been around for 30 years.  

Openings

Abuela’s Fry Bread Co. 

Ahwatukee now has its own frybread restaurant that also serves burritos. Both have a choice of beef, chicken or beans and all the toppings. 4825 N. Warner Rd., Phoenix, @abuelasfrybreadco 

Bar Ocho 

This new Tempe watering hole features street tacos, smashburgers, crispy habanero wings and handcrafted cocktails. Everything is priced at or close to $8. Happy hour features $5 cocktails and beer pitchers. 715 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, @barocho 

Best of Bengal 

A new Bangladeshi restaurant specializing in home-style cooking has opened in Glendale. Everything is scratch-made, including curries, masala dishes and vindaloo. 6002 N. 67th Ave., Glendale, bestofbengalaz.com 

Blue Donkey Greek Eats 

This family-owned and operated eatery in the East Valley rustles up Greek staples, including souvlaki pitas and bowls, spanakopita, salads and baklava has opened in Chandler. 3120 S. Gilbert Rd., Chandler, bluedonkeygreats.com 

Bojangles 

A new-to-Arizona Cajun fried chicken franchise has opened in Gilbert with plans to build more. The North Carolina-based chain is known for fried chicken sandwiches and biscuits. 3765 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, bojangles.com 

Bombay House 

A second location for this Tempe Indian restaurant has opened in Scottsdale, serving an abundant lunch and dinner buffet. 8140 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, @bombayhouse1313 

Bottles & Boards 

A new wine bar in Gilbert (pictured) is crafting wine-based cocktails and charcuterie boards. In the former Wine Down Lounge space. 1525 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, bottlesnboards.com 

Chicha SanChen 

Fresh tea drinks are brewing at this global tea company, now in Chandler.
3305 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, chichasanchenphoenix.com 

Chicko Chicken 

This Korean-fried chicken franchise has opened its first Arizona location, serving up crispy chicken with a variety of sauces in Gilbert. 1395 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert, chicko-az.com 

Crust Simply Italian 

Mesa welcomes a fifth Valley location for this local Italian spot, featuring a full menu of appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, pizzas and entrees that include chicken parm and Italian-style wild salmon. Also onsite: a speakeasy (The Nightingale) and dessert shop (Bombolino). 233 E. Main St., Mesa, crustrestaurants.com 

Curry Pizza House 

The Indian pizza trend continues at this California-based pizza shop that recently branched out to Arizona. They offer 19 varieties of curry pizza and 14 traditional pizzas, along with pasta dishes and wings. 3950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, currypizzahouse.com 

Delhi Palace 

After closing its University Drive location, Delhi Palace has reopened in the former home of The Vine Tavern. Expect curries and tandoori dishes and unlimited buffet. 801 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, @delhipalacetempe 

Gyro Kitchen 

For scratch-cooked Mediterranean flavors, including hand-stacked gyros, charbroiled kababs, freshly made hummus and house stews, check out this new West Valley spot. 4330 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, gyrokitchens.com 

Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine 

The menu  at this family-owned Asian restaurant includes fried rice and wok noodle dishes along with a full sushi menu. 29883 N. El Mirage Rd., Peoria, kawaiivistancia.com 

Maza Mediterranean Cuisine 

You’ll find scratch-made, halal Mediterranean fare at this family-owned restaurant that opened in June adjacent to Chandler Fashion Center. 3491 W. Frye Rd., Chandler, mazahalalfood.com 

Problem Restaurant & Lounge 

Chef Cleashaun Hill and NFL star Deebo Samuel have partnered to open a restaurant with “elevated cuisine and refined cocktails” in the former Barney’s Boathouse in Old Town Scottsdale. 341 E. Sixth Ave., Scottsdale, @problemscottsdale 

Queen Creek Public House 

Badlands in Queen Creek has a new name and is serving up pub grub standards, including chicken wings, nachos, burgers, chicken fried steak and more. 22002 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, queencreekpublichouse.com 

Seafood City Supermarket 

The leading Filipino supermarket in North American has opened a superstore in Chandler with an 11,000 square-foot food hall. Shop for seafood and Asian groceries galore – inside Chandler Fashion Center. 3177 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, seafoodcity.com 

Sleepy Whale 

Uptown Plaza has a new taproom and bottle shop in the former Dynamite Beer Co. space, featuring a large selection of draft beers, wine by-the-glass and bar food. 100 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, thesleepywhale.com 

Vilva’s Indian Cuisine 

Expect authentic regional Indian cuisine from chaat and tandoori chicken to lamb biryani and yellow dal at this new fine-dining eatery in Scottsdale, which opened in June. 10434 E. Jomax Rd., Scottsdale, vilvasindian.com 

Yogi’s Grill  

Get your teriyaki fix at this Mesa-born chain’s new outlet in Santan Valley. They also serve sushi, stir-fried noodle dishes and tempura. 42153 N. Ironwood Dr., Santan Valley, yogisgrill.com 

Closings 

Campo Italian Bistro & Bar in Scottsdale’s McCormick Ranch has closed after five years and the recent departure of Chef Jeremy Pacheco.  

Corso Italia in Scottsdale’s Gainey Ranch has gone dark with no explanation.  

Karen and Dennis Miller have closed Gold Bar Espresso after 24 years in Tempe.  

Chandler’s Modern Margarita has called it quits after four years. The High Street location in Phoenix remains open.  

Moe’s Southwest Grill at Lake Pleasant Crossing in Peoria has closed 

Native Grill & Wings in Mesa has shuttered not long after the Tempe location closed.  

After 30 years, Scottsdale’s Old Town Tortilla Factory has shut down. An Instagram post initially promised the famed patio restaurant would resume operations on August 3 after a month-long sabbatical, but a subsequent post announced its permanent closure.  

Downtown Mesa’s Outcast Doughnuts has closed, but look for a drive-thru location at Thomas and Hayden Roads in Scottsdale coming soon.  

Rebel Wine Lounge has served its last glass of wine in Mesa, but will reopen in Gilbert’s The Gilmore development in early 2027. 

The Whining Pig has closed its Gilbert location after 10 years.   

Zinqué at Scottsdale Fashion Square quietly closed its doors in July. It was the lone Arizona location of the California-based French restaurant, which opened in January 2020.