The 6 most exciting new restaurants and bars that opened in July

While the summer is a tough time for local restaurants, multiple new spots took the gamble and swung open their doors in July.

Some well-known spots expanded with new locations, bringing their burgers, Hawaiian food and wine to new neighborhoods. One fine dining destination moved across town and opened in a new home. And a well-known chef and restaurateur debuted a brand new concept.

These are the July restaurant openings we’re most excited about.

Malegria Cafe

1031 Grand Ave.On July 3, Malegria Cafe soft opened on Grand Avenue. This new spot has taken over the tiny space previously home to SnapBack Pizzeria and Grand Avenue Pizza Co. before that. Now, owner Melina Ruan Serrano is serving up dishes that pull inspiration from her Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadoran heritage. The cafe offers coffee drinks and horchatas, breakfast sandwiches, tacos, enchiladas and a rotating selection of pastries.

Minnow

4501 N. 32nd St.The modern, architectural building that was home to Provision Coffee for years, has a new tenant. Minnow, an all-day matcha bar and sushi restaurant, opened on July 8. The new concept comes from In Good Spirits Hospitality, the company led by Bernie Kantak. The chef and restaurateur is known for his other Valley concepts, Citizen Public House, Beginner’s Luck and The Gladly. At Minnow, customers order through touchpads at the counter, choosing between matcha and pastries in the morning, and sushi and cocktails later in the day.

Hapa Food Co.

3375 E. Shea Blvd., Suite C1In Mesa, a tiny restaurant buzzes with life. Fans line up to get their poke and malasadas from Hapa Food Co. Now, customers have another spot to find the popular restaurant’s Hawaiian fare. Hapa’s owners, Michael and Leslie Zander, opened their new eatery on Shea Boulevard just east of State Route 51 on July 8. Double the size of the original, it serves a similar menu of Island eats with more seats to stay and enjoy plates of chicken katsu or kalua pig with rice and mac salad.

Bad Jimmy’s

6101 N. Seventh St.The downtown Phoenix smashburger spot Bad Jimmy’s is rapidly expanding. On July 10, its latest location opened uptown, on Seventh Street just north of Bethany Home Road. The restaurant shares the same menu as the original and Scottsdale locations, serving lacy burgers, waffle fries and soft serve sprinkled with sea salt. But the new spot has also allowed for an upgrade. With a larger space, Bad Jimmy’s now serves its previously once-a-week wings every day.

Anhelo

7007 E. First Ave., ScottsdaleFine-dining destination Anhelo previously served customers in downtown Phoenix. But after closing that Orpheum Lofts space last fall, the restaurant set its sights on Scottsdale. On July 25, chef and owner Ivan Jacobo relaunched his “dream restaurant” in a luxe, newly built space in Old Town. The high-end eatery offers three levels of tasting menus, ranging from five courses for $100 to 11 courses for $350 per person, along with Á  la carte service at the bar. The elegant restaurant specializes in exceptional service to complete the experience.

Turquoise Wine Bar

504 E. Roosevelt St. Roosevelt Row has a new destination for sipping wine. On July 31, Turquoise Wine Bar opened on the northeast corner of Fifth and Roosevelt streets, bringing wine flights, shareable snacks and elegant ambiance to downtown Phoenix. It’s the second Valley location of Turquoise, and the first franchised location. After visiting the original Glendale spot as a customer, Oly Salgado was inspired to open a location of her own. The new space includes a patio, bar seating, a dining room with tables flanked by velvet chairs and a private Champagne lounge.