Audio By Carbonatix
A wide selection of new spots opened around the Valley in February. Uptown scored a new bourbon bar, downtown welcomed an all-day cafe and Scottsdale got a taste of Spain. We can’t wait to try them all.
Here are the six most exciting new restaurants and bars that opened around metro Phoenix last month.
Caldwell County BBQ
8315 W. Washington St., Peoria
Until February, the excellent smoked meats served at Caldwell County BBQ were regularly available to those in the East Valley. But as of Feb. 5, west siders now have a spot to call their own. The barbecue masters opened their third Valley restaurant in downtown Peoria on Washington Street. The new restaurant smokes on site, and offers Caldwell’s signature brisket, turkey, ribs and house-made sausages. Pair those meats with corn casserole, pinto beans and mac and cheese before finishing on a sweet note with some stellar banana pudding.
Still & Barrel
Still & Barrel
5812 N. 16th St.
16th Street has a new spot to grab a drink. The owners of Phoenix City Grille opened their new bourbon bar, Still & Barrel, on Feb. 5. The new bar offers a wide collection of American, Irish and Japanese whiskeys, Scotch and agave spirits available in flights or mixed into signature cocktails. The new bar also offers a short but packed menu of bites, ranging from tacos to a 6-ounce Mesquite wood-grilled Argentine ribeye.
The Toasted Owl Cafe
4326 E. Cactus Road
For 10 years, fans in search of The Toasted Owl’s delectable brunch offerings had to travel to Flagstaff. Then, in 2023, the first metro Phoenix location landed in uptown. In mid-February, a second Valley spot made its debut. The new restaurant opened on the northwest corner of Cactus Road and Paradise Valley Parkway, serving pancakes, burritos, omelets and its signature giant cinnamon rolls.
Telefèric Barcelona
Telefèric Barcelona
7014 E. Camelback Road, #561, Scottsdale
Get a taste of Spain at Scottsdale Fashion Square, with the mall’s new dining addition. Telefèric Barcelona opened in the middle of February, bringing the chain’s first Arizona location to life. The restaurant serves a large assortment of tapas, including crab croquetas, pan con tomate and Wagyu empanadas. There are also six versions of paella, salads, brunch options and desserts, all served in an elegant, neutral-toned dining room.
Matilda’s All Day
822 N. Sixth Ave.
Fans of the mobile vendor First Place Coffee now have a permanent spot to visit in downtown Phoenix. And fans of the former cozy cocktail destination, Garden Bar, also have reason to celebrate. Matilda’s All Day is now open, bringing First Place’s coffees to the historic former home of Garden Bar. And it’s not just coffee on the menu. The all-day cafe serves breakfast, lunch, coffee and snacks, with dinner coming soon. Grab a seat inside or score a spot on the lawn for a patio picnic.
Randyll Roberts
Soul Fire Tacos
15111 N. Hayden Road, #120, Scottsdale
On Feb. 21, Soul Fire Tacos made its Scottsdale debut. The new concept comes from Dana Dumas, the celebrated chef behind the top Valley brunch destination SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. To help run the new spot, Dumas brought in chef Johnnie Dixon. Soul Fire fuses Southern cuisine with Latin-inspired dishes, featuring items such as beer-battered catfish tacos and tequila-lime wings. The new restaurant also serves salads, bowls and burritos.
