Brigette Doby
Audio By Carbonatix
November is all about food, whether that be the overflowing plates on Thanksgiving or all of the new restaurants that open at the start of the Phoenix high season. Glorious fall weather brings back the snowbirds and tourists and every year, many new restaurants open their doors to welcome their first customers.
Last month, the Valley became home to some outstanding new eateries, a few second locations and a grand return of a Valley classic. Here are the seven most exciting openings of November, plus a bonus spot that swung open its doors in late October.
Natasha Yee
LeDu Thai on Seventh
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5813 N. Seventh St., #150
A second location of the downtown Phoenix eatery LeDu Thai quietly opened on October 30. The new restaurant is located in the Crown on Seventh, a small plaza that’s home to Rito’s Mexican Food, Mensho Ramen, Wildflower and Onyx Ice Cream. The restaurant focuses on southern Thai cuisine and serves shareable small plates, soups, curries, rice, noodles and signature entrees.
Maeva
50 W. Vaughn Ave., #107, Gilbert
By day, Maeva is a coffee shop and cafe. By night, it transforms into a fine dining restaurant with a four-course tasting menu. The new transformative concept opened on Nov. 7 in downtown Gilbert. It takes over the space that formerly housed the short-lived Gypsy Cup on Vaughn Avenue.
Itzia Crespo
Salt & Straw
100 E. Camelback Road, #104
Oregon-based ice cream company Salt & Straw is rapidly expanding in the Valley, bringing its unique flavors to new neighborhoods. The first opened in Gilbert in July 2024. A second shop opened in Tempe at Novus Place in October this year and the latest location started scooping at Uptown Plaza on Nov. 7.
Trader Joe’s
14770 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear
Trader Joe’s isn’t a restaurant, but it’s a new food spot that had West Valley shoppers lining up around the block on opening day. The fan-favorite grocery store opened its first Goodyear location on Nov. 7. Let the cheap wine, great freezer foods and seasonal specials roll.
Mike Madriaga
Cheese ‘N Stuff
5042 N. Central Ave.
For longtime Phoenix residents, the name Cheese ‘N Stuff is nothing new. This little deli and sandwich shop has been serving customers since 1949. But in late April, it closed. A group of friends then teamed up to buy the space and return the neighborhood favorite to its former glory. After a months-long renovation, which included getting the classic neon sign back up and glowing, Cheese ‘N Stuff reopened on Nov. 10.
Georgann Yara
Night Owl
2700 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Night Owl Pizza & Drinks has been slinging slices in Scottsdale since opening in 2023. As of Nov. 19, Tempe residents have a location of their own. The pizzeria, bar and arcade is a concept from the masterminds behind The Little Woody, Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop and Stardust Pinbar and blends nostalgia into every bite. Used skateboards line the walls and vintage arcade games glow as customers sip cocktails, down beers and share classic and creative pies. The new location has opened in the former home of Golden Pineapple, and before that, Riazzi’s Italian Garden.
Cleaverman and Filthy
455 N Third St., #1005
Perhaps the most hotly anticipated eatery on this list, Cleaverman made its downtown Phoenix debut on Nov. 21. The swanky new spot serves steaks and seafood, perfect for enjoying before a visit to Filthy, a hidden martini lounge inside. The new duo of concepts takes over the former Hooters space at Arizona Center.
