Metro Phoenix's 60 New Restaurant Openings, and Nearly a Dozen Closings, of 2017 So Far

The year is off to a busy start, with something in the neighborhood of 60 new restaurants opening and at least 10 closing their doors for good. Though a few of the shuttered spots will be sorely missed, the five-dozen newbies that have opened in their places include some hot additions to the Phoenix dining scene. The top 10 have already been chosen, but there's plenty more on the list to check out.

Openings

January

The Whining Pig, Arcadia
The third location in this chain of wine and beer bars, the new Arcadia spot is on East Indian School Road. Food offerings include a pretty impressive selection of grilled cheeses.

Halal Guys, Tempe
New York City transplants, rejoice. You don't have to hop on a plane to grab the city's ubiquitous chicken and rice, served from carts on corners across the city. Instead, just head to the standalone location in Tempe, which just opened on Rural Road.

Original Carolina's Mexican Food, Avondale
Carolina's is expanding into Avondale and will be offering all the same classics — homemade tortillas, enchiladas, menudo, and more — at the newest outpost.

Ladera Taverna y Cocina, Phoenix
Taking the space where Corbin's Bar and Grill once stood, this Mexican bar and restaurant is from the same people behind the Vig, Cobra Arcade Bar, and the Little Woody.

The Dressing Room, Phoenix
The new spot offers a mix of different dishes, according to its menu, including Korean yakatori, a fish taco, and a dish called "shrimp and fish."

MJ's BBQ — Chicken & Fish, Phoenix
There's a new barbecue joint to try in central Phoenix. MJ's is on the southeastern corner of Washington and 24th streets.

Jobot Coffee & Diner, Phoenix
That's showbiz, folks. One month you're on our closings list and the next you have a shiny new location right on Roosevelt Row, replacing Oliver's Sophisticated Bean.

Even Stevens, Tempe
The sandwich place with a philanthropic philosophy continues its expansion into Tempe, after recently opening a location in east Phoenix.

Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, Phoenix
Picky about how you top your pizza? Blaze is a part of the customizable pizza trend sweeping Metro Phoenix, now on the northeastern corner of Bell Road and Ninth Street.

Rehab Burger Therapy, Tempe
In a move that will definitely appeal to the "hungry college student" demographic, Rehab Burger Therapy now is  serving up burgers on Sixth Street, right off Mill Avenue.

Hachi Ramen, Tempe
This place offers "traditional authentic Japanese ramen" with homemade and natural ingredients.

Nonna Urban Eatery, Scottsdale
The menu at Nonna is a mix of pasta dishes, such as homemade fusilli with pesto genovese, and small plates, including yellowtail sashimi.

Breakfast Kitchen Bar, Scottsdale
Scottsdale does not seem to be in short supply of breakfast places: joining chains like First Watch and the Breakfast Club, Breakfast Kitchen Bar offers a smorgasbord of options, including all the classics.

February

Restaurant Progress, Phoenix
This new spot in the Melrose District of central Phoenix is led by 25-year-old Chef TJ Culp — it's a colorful restaurant with a full bar. Dishes include hamachi crudo and New York strip steak.

Thai Delight, Phoenix
The Ahwatukee restaurant offers Thai cuisine on Chandler Boulevard, with vast lunch and dinner menus.

Taste of Thai, Phoenix
Thai food must be a theme for Phoenix-area restaurants this month. Taste of Thai offers a lunch special for $7.95 on its menu.

Pokedon, Tempe
The poke trend continues its expansion, now with this restaurant in Tempe.

The 5-Spot, Phoenix
We're intrigued by the concept of the 5-Spot, which promises $5 food and drinks every day from open until closing time.

Outta Bronx, Phoenix
Outta Bronx, now open on the southeastern corner of McDowell Road and 40th Street, promises "New York style street food" like pastrami and other gooey, meaty sandwiches.

The Rooster Tavern, Scottsdale
This rooster-themed bar in north Scottsdale near the Scottsdale Airport serves meatball sliders, wings, and other American bar fare.

Dolce Vino Wine Bar Italian Cuisine, Glendale
Dolce Vino promises live music on its website — that plus a varied wine list could make for a decent night out for those seeking Italian cuisine.

Modern Market Eatery, Scottsdale
This sit-down eatery in Scottsdale offers food to those following strict diets, including paleo, celiac, and vegan-friendly fare.

Poke Spot, Scottsdale
Just in case there weren't enough options in the area to try the new Hawaiian poke trend, Poke Spot has just opened on Scottsdale Road in north Scottsdale.

Mora Italian, Phoenix
A chic, high-energy modern osteria from celebrity chef Scott Conant and restaurateur Stefano Fabbri, Mora is set to be the highest-profile opening of the spring.

March

Pho Vn Vietnamese Cuisine, Phoenix
It looks like there's a lengthy list of different pho at this new restaurant in Phoenix on the corner of Thunderbird Road and 19th Avenue.

613 Grill, Phoenix
Get ready for a kosher grill option in Phoenix, right on Seventh Street between Glendale Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Uberrito, Phoenix
Another location for the Tex-Mex chain — this time on Indian School Road.

Haldi Indian Cuisine, Phoenix
The menu includes dosas, a Southern Indian dish that consists of a filled pancake, made with a special kind of batter.

The Smith, Phoenix
The Smith appears to be a trendy new spot on Indian School Road near 36th Street, serving breakfast with cage free eggs, plus sandwiches and salads.

Doughbird, Arcadia
Sam Fox's newest restaurant at 44th Street and Indian School Road is a crowd-pleaser, with a slightly bizarre-sounding concept of rotisserie chicken and pizza.

El Panzon y Frida, Scottsdale
Color us intrigued by a new tapas destination on Shoeman Lane in Old Town Scottsdale. The ambitious menu offers grilled octopus served with spicy aioli and pomegranate, a goat cheese mousse with red wine compote and smoked lamb pastrami on rye.

J's Kaiyo Sushi + Bar, Scottsdale
In the strip mall on Miller Road near Old Town, this restaurant is the newest in the competition to dominate Scottsdale's sushi scene.

Ahipoki Bowl, Tempe
The poke trend has made it to ASU's part of town, with Ahipoki Bowl opening up on Rural Road next to the new Halal Guys restaurant.

Teabo, Goodyear
This new spot in Goodyear is dedicated to serving "coffee and sandwiches," according to its minimalist website. The menu also offers an interesting mix of vermicelli, rice bowls, and tea.

Bush's Chicken, Glendale
The new fast-food chain hails from Texas, serving up your traditional fried-chicken meal combinations.

Smokin Fins, Chandler
With sushi, soup, and other fish dishes, a lot is offered on the modern menu at this seafood-themed Chandler eatery.

April

Handlebar Diner, Mesa
Looking for something a little kitschy in the East Valley? Handlebar might be your new favorite spot for simple diner-style fare, with a lot of appetizing comfort-food options.

Blaze Pizza, Phoenix
The customizable pizza chain's newest location is on Central Avenue. The restaurant celebrated by giving away free pie on April 14.

Doner Dudes, Tempe
European-style kebab may finally be catching on in the States. Kebab is perfect for when you're extremely hungry — a pile of slow-roasted meat, typically served on a thick wrap.

Pieology Pizzeria, Phoenix
Another customizable pizza shop opened in Phoenix in April. Pieology is on the southeastern corner of Bell Road and Ninth Street.

Berdena's, Scottsdale
Berdena's offers trendy menu items, such as avocado toast and muesli, judging from its Instagram account.

Naked BBQ, Scottsdale
This new barbecue joint near McCormick Ranch looks promising, with menu items like beef ribs and brisket.

Hurts Donut Company, Tempe
What goes better than a college town and a doughnut shop? Hurts Donuts is a great fit for Tempe, serving up candy-covered gourmet doughnuts. Plus, it's open 24/7.

Elvira's Belizean Cafe, Chandler
Cuisine from Belize in the Valley? Count us in. But check Elvira's hours before going — it looks like the restaurant closes early in the afternoon on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Aishiteru Asian Bistro, Phoenix
This new Asian fusion spot on Cactus Road offers a pretty decent sushi special, according to its Yelp page: three rolls for $11.95.

Gino's East, Phoenix
Chicago style deep dish is officially a trend in Phoenix, now available at newly opened Gino's East in Arcadia and Lou Malnati's in Phoenix's Uptown Plaza.

Aloha Poki Company, Phoenix
There are definitely more than a few options for poke, the raw-fish salad that hails from Hawaii. Aloha Poki Company's bowls are $9.95 for two scoops of fish.

May

Original Gravity, Phoenix
We're interested in what Original Gravity is bringing to the table — wine and tapas, to be exact. The new restaurant is on the northwestern corner of 12th Street and Highland Avenue.

Casa Anejo, Phoenix
You don't have to drive far in Phoenix to find the alluring combination of tacos and agave cocktails. Casa Anejo in central Phoenix makes your search that much easier, and they have killer frozen mezcal pina coladas to boot. The restaurant is being opened by the same people behind RnR and Stock & Stable.

Tacos Tequila Whiskey, Phoenix
Like we said, it's not hard to find tacos and tequila in Phoenix, and now there's another option in the Arcadia neighborhood. The restaurant started as a Denver-based food truck and expanded from there.

Pasto di Forno, Scottsdale
Old Town has a new option for Italian, with a menu offering casual eats like bruschetta, paninis, and flatbread.

The Original Rainbow Doughnuts, Scottsdale
This spot offers traditional doughnuts, plus a few more curious variations like a s'mores doughnut topped with marshmallow icing and graham crackers.

The Grande Stand, Scottsdale
In the spot where infamous Amy's Baking Co. used to stand is now The Grande Stand, an outpost of The Stand burger joint in Arcadia.

Pho Gia Dinh, Chandler
This Vietnamese restaurant is now open, and there's more than pho at this spot, according to the eatery's Facebook page.

Sunny's Breakfast & Lunch, Chandler
The classic diner is expanding from its original Tempe location.

Joey's PSG, Mesa
Looking for soup, pizza, and sandwiches in Mesa? Joey's is gunning to be your next one-stop shop at lunchtime.

Carolina's Mexican Food, Mesa
There's nothing like Carolina's homemade tortillas. And now fans can grab them at a new location in Mesa, plus other popular menu items.

Mucha Lucha Taco Shop, Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills has a new spot for tacos — the already popular Mucha Lucha Taco Shop, which has several locations across the Valley.

Ramen Dozo, Tempe
Perfect for the college crowd, Ramen Dozo offers sushi and a few ramen combinations at competitive prices.

Poke Wave, Tempe
The poke trend may not have peaked just yet, Tempe now has at least two spots for the Hawaiian fish dish, with the addition of Poke Wave on Ray Road.

CLOSINGS

January

Oliver's Sophisticated Bean, Phoenix
It was a short stint for Oliver's Sophisticated Bean, which opened early last year, now replaced by downtown favorite Jobot Coffee & Diner.

March

Macayo's, Phoenix
The iconic Macayo's on Central Avenue is officially closed and the building is being readied for a tear-down. We hope you managed to sneak in a last-minute visit to say goodbye to an orange piece of Phoenix history.

May

Tom's Tavern, Phoenix
Tom's Tavern, one of the city's most historic restaurants, closed its doors after 87 years in early May. Chef/owner Jim Gallen said in a statement, "The complexity of operating an 88-year-old restaurant in today's restaurant environment proved to be too difficult to overcome with just good food and good service."

The Herb Box, Phoenix
The Colony location of the Herb Box on Seventh Street shuttered last month. Two other locations remain open, both in Scottsdale.

Couscous Express, Phoenix
Owner Abdul Chaara told New Times that business at the McDowell Road location of Couscous Express dropped off after the election, prompting his decision to close the restaurant's doors for good.

Rice Paper, Phoenix
The second location of an upscale Vietnamese restaurant, Rice Paper in the Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix, closed in May after the first location in the Coronado neighborhood closed last year.

Crab & Mermaid, Scottsdale
A food truck remains, but the brick-and-mortar location of the Crab & Mermaid has officially closed in Old Town. The restaurant was open for a little more than a year.

Remington's Restaurant and Lounge, Scottsdale
After three decades of fine dining, Remington's in Scottsdale at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort closed its doors — but the space will live on as an events venue starting this fall.

Moonshine Whiskey Bar and Grill, Tempe
The Mill Avenue bar closed at the very end of May, with one final celebration. Rumor has it the space may undergo a rebranding and reopen at the end of the summer.

British Open Pub, Scottsdale
After 14 years slinging pints in Scottsdale, this British football pub closed its doors for good on the last day of the month.