The 10 best new Phoenix restaurants of 2025

2025 has been a delicious year. Some longtime Phoenix favorites have served exceptional dishes and drinks. And many new restaurants have joined the Valley’s dining scene.

As we look back on the year (and December 2024, after last year’s list was published), standout spots spring to mind. A local powerhouse trio debuted a casual burger joint that’s anything but basic. Some flashy out of town spots moved in, and proved that they are actually worth the hype. A couple of bars with extensive food menus proved they are destinations for a delectable dinner. And in November, a stellar new spot slid into 2025, opening its doors to diners in Gilbert.

Here are the 10 best new metro Phoenix restaurants of 2025.

Saint Pasta

100 W. Portland St.
Some restaurants are guilty of trying to be everything to everyone. Saint Pasta is not that restaurant, and Phoenix diners (excluding those with a lactose intolerance) are better for it. Chef and owner Racan Alhoch, who has a take-no-prisoners social media persona, graduated his beloved food truck to a cozy brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Phoenix in December 2024. The hip space often bumps hip hop while reruns of “The Sopranos” are projected on the wall. Arrive early, because Saint Pasta is walk-in only. If you snag a seat at the bar, you’ll be treated to watching Alhoch’s team crank out creative, colorful cocktails and plate after plate of craveable pasta bathed in creamy, zesty vodka sauce or herbaceous, citrusy pesto. Saint Pasta’s menu is small, but each item is painstakingly scratch-made. The restaurant’s Caesar transforms simple iceberg lettuce into one of the city’s best salads with a creamy dressing, peppery arugula and a garlicky breadcrumb crumble. Saint Pasta’s Rigatoni Vodka and crispy chicken parm are canon, but its bouncy, light-as-air gnocchi are becoming a favorite. It can be easy to get scared off by the online snark or the no-substitutions menu. Don’t let those things influence your decision to go. Once you sit down over a plate of steaming pasta, it becomes evident why this Saint has such an evangelical following.

Main Burger

161 W. Main St., Mesa
Main Burger is the answer to what happens when three James Beard Award semifinalists open up a casual burger joint. The downtown Mesa spot, from Roberto Centeno, Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, opened in January. The simple space has a retro feel, courtesy of a stainless steel counter, clean white tile and a cute anthropomorphized burger painted on the wall. The menu, meanwhile, takes a nod from bigger burger chains, offering just five main items. Three of those are burgers stacked with one or two patties and served in pink baskets. After one bite, it’s clear why the owners, who are partners in the nearby, upscale Mexican restaurant Espiritu, didn’t need to fill the menu further. There’s a classic, all-American cheeseburger, but it’s the Sonora and Chiwas burgers that should not be missed. The Sonora burger is packed with texture and heat from a caramelized cheese costra with chiltepin. For a savory bite, opt for the Chiwas burger, which nods to Hernandez and Holguin’s nearby Tacos Chiwas. It gets layers of flavor from ham, queso asadero, umami-laden caramelized onions and roasted green chiles. No matter what you choose, house-cut, double-fried French fries and an agua fresca are a must to create a uniquely Arizonan happy meal.

Bar Capri

1730 E. Warner Road, #10, Tempe
When driving up to Bar Capri, you may notice that it’s hard to park. The shopping center has the usual suspects. There’s a nail salon. A chain pizzeria. A Verizon store. So why are almost all of the parking spots full? Bar Capri is the culprit, and this little spot is popular for a reason. The bar and restaurant opened in March next door to Freely Taproom & Kitchen, a casual beer bar by the same owners. Walk through the curved brick entryway and chat to the host. Hopefully, you have a reservation; if not, pick a seat at the small bar and peruse the drinks list. There’s a tight, but impressively varied selection of wines along with creative cocktails that span tiki tipples to refreshing sips made with Japanese gin and plum sake. The appetizers are perfect for sharing, whether you and your group dig into creamy burrata with plenty of toasted bread or crisp, cheesy arancini. A hint of the Mediterranean comes into play with the skewers, which come loaded with shrimp, chicken, steak or ground, spiced lamb with yogurt and mint sauce. The pastas skew old-school Italian, such as the Nonna’s Lasagna with beef and sausage bolognese topped with plenty of parmesan cheese and fresh basil. These dishes and drinks are delightful, and even better enjoyed in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant, decorated with forest green walls, gold candelabras and carved wooden chairs. Make sure to find a spot at this Tempe neighborhood gem, even if you have to park across the street.

Liquor Pig

7217 E. Fourth Ave., Scottsdale
Despite debuting in Old Town Scottsdale in March, Liquor Pig is the kind of well-oiled restaurant that feels like it’s been humming along for years. The restaurant was founded by industry veterans Scott Casey and Steve “Chops” Smith, with influence from other culinary powerhouses such as award-winning Flagstaff chef Rochelle Daniel. Liquor Pig, decked in warm woods, iron and dim lighting, has the comfort and casual feel of a tavern. Many diners may have first learned of Liquor Pig because of a cocktail gone viral. Spam Folder is garnished with titular pressed ham, served in its iconic rectangular can. Though Liquor Pig boasts an impressive bar crafting adventurous drinks, this spot is more than a place to snag a top-tier cocktail. Liquor Pig’s menu is ever-changing, eclectic and shareable. It’s the kind of place to bring a group and order rounds of ceviche, arancini and pasta, served on colorful, uniquely-shaped earthenware. The restaurant’s friendly, thoughtful team will help you craft the perfect order. During a recent visit, Liquor Pig proved burrata can still surprise. Its version is accompanied by tomatillo hummus, saba and richly savory fried maitake mushrooms. The pastas are likewise impressive, especially the squiggly mafaldine served with a rich duck bolognese and garlic crumble. Toast that satisfying bite with a velvety but briny olive oil-washed dirty martini.

Indibar

6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley
Fine Indian dining is booming around Phoenix; you just need to know where to look for it. Tucked into an unassuming strip mall off Scottsdale Road, Indibar is crafting Indian cuisine with technique and finesse in a Deco-inspired space that boasts white-glove service. Indibar replaced the venerable Rancho Pinot in March. The restaurant’s team aims to transport diners to India, or introduce them to the complexity of the cuisine, through a menu of dishes both traditional and modern. Crisp Kheema Dosa, served with richly spiced ground lamb and a roasty, sweet-and-spicy tomato condiment called thakkali thokku, is a fun, rip-and-dip dish that was among our favorite bites this year. Indibar’s kitchen effortlessly flexes on classic curry shop dishes like butter chicken. It’s ruined us for anything but Indibar’s complex, creamy sauce and chargrilled chicken. The Kerala-inspired Meen Pollichathu, a banana leaf-wrapped branzino, is fragrant with curry leaf when you unwrap this package at your table. Indibar’s pastry team and bar are likewise pushing the envelope. If you’re imbibing, consider the Kaali Peeli, a cardamom, saffron and ginger-infused riff on a bee’s knees with a whimsical tableside presentation that will leave you charmed and ready for the meal ahead.

Marisco Boys

2026 N. Seventh St.
The owners of Marisco Boys are pros at making tacos. They run the popular and ever-expanding local chain, Taco Boys. But in April, they dialed things up quite a few notches with their new, glamorous seafood restaurant, Marisco Boys. Located on Seventh Street in the former Coco’s Bakery, the modern restaurant is a destination for date night and family celebrations. Brown leather booths hug the window and bubbly chandeliers hang overhead. A shining white stone bar glows from the inside and is lined by a row of navy blue velvet stools. And sharply dressed servers, with slicked-back hair and gold chain necklaces, wait on tables. Grab one of the comfortable bar seats for a peek into the kitchen, where the chefs expertly fry whole fish, shuck oysters and prepare seafood platters to share. The menu is split into large format dishes and celebratory items, and then a selection of more affordable options designed for everyday noshing. Some of our favorites include the coctel de camaron served with a bright blend of tomato and lime and the yellowtail tostada, a refreshing, cold dish with fresh cubes of raw fish paired with a decadent black garlic aioli, all piled atop two crunchy fried tortillas. As one would expect, the tacos are also on point. And don’t forget to ask about the rotating specials. Pair your meal with a fruit-forward cocktail or opt for a large-format Modelo or Tecate, comically served in a gold chrome Champagne chiller. This restaurant is confident in the kitchen, and is ready to have a little fun.

Malegria Latin Cafe

1031 Grand Ave.
The little corner shop on Grand Avenue and Fillmore Street has been a staple for late-night eats, ordered from its window. That window closed in January when SnapBack Pizzeria shuttered. Over the summer, Melina Ruan Serrano brought the space back to life as a daytime cafe whose taut menu highlights the owner’s multicultural background through Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadoran dishes. You can take your order at Malegria Latin Cafe to-go, but you’ll find a bit of quiet tranquility on the twee restaurant’s courtyard-like shaded patio. The cafe offers a homey all-day menu that includes stellar breakfast options. Start with an iced latte made with nutty Salvadoran horchata or opt for a hot coffee drink with rich piloncillo. The Central breakfast sandwich is a fresh, comforting flavor bomb between sweet bolillo bread. The sandwich is layered with creamy mashed black beans, sweet caramelized plantains, herbaceous crema verde, avocado, queso fresco and an expertly fried egg that’s studded with tender bits of onion and jalapeno. A bright, zippy Guatemalan salsa, chirmol, is served on the side. The Central sandwich, along with a side of baby potatoes bathed in a spicy-sweet macha chile oil and chiltepin honey, is our new go-to brunch order.

Catch

7014 E. Camelback Road, #612, Scottsdale
When we first visited Catch at Scottsdale Fashion Square, we had an idea of what to expect. It was the latest ultra-luxe restaurant to join the luxurious mall. The food would be expensive. The clientele dressed to the nines. And all of that is true. What we didn’t expect, however, was to be blown away by almost every dish we tasted. Catch has both style and substance. Start on the raw side of the menu, with the bright and refreshing madai crudo. Small rolls of Japanese red snapper are interspersed with slices of sweet, green pickled peach and topped with pomegranate seeds. Ease your way into the steak offerings with the Wagyu surf and turf sushi roll, filled with Maine lobster and topped with flame-kissed slices of Wagyu. And absolutely don’t miss the herb-roasted branzino, a tender filet encrusted with herbs and served over creamy basmati rice. It was one of the best dishes we tasted all year. Enjoy your meal in the spacious, elegant, golden-hued dining room or opt for a quieter, more intimate setting at a table within the bar. Other than people’s shopping bags, it’s easy to forget you’re at the mall. Catch’s menu steals the show.

Sparrow

8156 W. Happy Valley Road, #A100, Peoria
The West Valley has seen an infusion of new restaurants in recent years, with long-time Valley restaurateurs finally expanding in that direction. The team behind Sparrow has been there for years, with independent restaurants like Squid Ink Sushi and the recently shuttered Urban Agave. For its latest eatery, Sky Restaurant Concepts has given Peoria diners an eclectic American restaurant with a top-shelf bar and luxe design straight out of Scottsdale or downtown Phoenix. The interiors lean into an avian theme with bird cage pendant lights wrapped in mossy foliage. Diners, some in jeans and others in sparkly gowns, sit in velvet-wrapped booths or at stone-topped tables. With low lighting and a swanky atmosphere, the restaurant brings out groups and couples craving an elevated yet intimate evening. The menu doesn’t fit into one specific genre, but the restaurant group’s current and past eateries help connect the dots. There’s a truffle-laced tuna tartar served on fat nuggets of crispy rice among Sparrow’s expansive seafood selections. A tender prime rib sandwich can be paired with warmly spiced masala potato chips. The pan-roasted half chicken, brined in buttermilk, is moist and juicy, buoyed by a vibrant wild mushroom and ancho chile sauce. With such a mix of offerings, you can choose your own adventure, be it a night of gastropub comfort or an opulent surf-and-turf splurge. An ace in Sparrow’s pocket is its bar, whose drinks were created by the owners of Sky’s sister cocktail lounge, Highball. Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons’ menu of well-executed tipples take Sparrow to new heights.

Maeva

50 W. Vaughn Ave., #107, Gilbert
Tucked into downtown Gilbert’s Heritage District, Maeva slid onto the Valley’s dining scene in November. The all-day concept took over the former home of Gypsy Cup, where it quietly churns out some truly exceptional eats. During the daytime, Maeva functions as a coffee shop and cafe serving breakfast, lunch and pastries. At night, the gorgeous, dark green-painted dining room transforms into the backdrop for a multi-course extravaganza. The menu outlines a four-course prix fixe meal available for $90 per person. In reality, the experience includes much more. The meal begins with a selection of amuse-bouches ranging from piping hot pork trotter croquettes to a delicate, honey-drizzled savory parmesan baklava of sorts. Next, pick between half a dozen first-course options and select your entree. The menus will then be cleared, and the fun begins. After we sampled refreshing, tender albacore tuna crudo and creamy grilled squash with an herb-packed goat cheese, chef Kenny Cuomo stopped by the table to deliver soup and a story. The chicken and root vegetable soup en croute was not on the menu, but it was an additional treat paying homage to the chef’s time spent studying cooking in Léon, France. The comforting stew ended up being one of our favorite bites. Next, we dug into entrees of whole shrimp scampi and coffee-crusted pork collar. Another bonus treat arrived before dessert, a palate cleanser of Campari sorbet with grapefruit zest. We ended the evening with chocolate mousse, a honey-themed dessert titled The Study of a Bee, and a couple of shots of espresso. The lead bartender is on hand, ready to suggest cocktail and wine pairings throughout the experience, which turned out to be one of our most memorable dinners of the year.