These exciting new restaurants are scheduled to open in Phoenix this spring

This spring, plenty of new restaurants, bakeries, cafes and bars will join the Phoenix food scene. But a few have us on the edge of our proverbial seats. A Tucson favorite is making its way to the Valley, Phoenix restaurateurs are getting creative and bringing new ideas to life, and a local favorite is making a triumphant return. Here are the four most exciting Phoenix restaurants scheduled to open this spring.

click to enlarge

Barrio Bread's bagels will soon be available via a drive-thru in Gilbert.

Chompie's

Don Guerra's Barrio Bagel & Slice

689 N. Arizona Ave, Gilbert

James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra is known for his Tucson-based company Barrio Bread. In 2023, he started bringing his bakes to Phoenix audiences with weekly pick-ups from Hayden Flour Mills in Gilbert. But soon, Valley fans will be able to enjoy Guerra's baking on a daily basis at Don Guerra's Barrio Bagel & Slice. Located in a former Sonic drive-thru on Arizona Avenue, the new shop will serve bagels, breakfast sandwiches, focaccia sandwiches and slices of pizza on focaccia bread. With an original timeline aiming for March, the new bakery is now scheduled to open in April.

click to enlarge

The house-made pastrami at Little Pickle is a revelation, and owner Rick Phillips plans to reopen the restaurant soon.

Dominic Armato

Little Pickle

2501 E. Camelback Road

Little Pickle originally opened its doors in December 2022. But with its storefront slated for demolition the following May, it was always intended to be a temporary pop-up. Despite its short time span, the deli counter quickly gained a loyal following of customers clamoring for its pastrami sandwiches, bagels and smoked salmon. Now, it's returning to The Esplanade on Camelback Road with a permanent home. The development has been undergoing a transformation, with a number of new restaurants, bars and coffee shops springing up amid the construction. And any day now, Little Pickle will join the mix. Its social media pages have teased an April opening.

click to enlarge

Minnow is coming soon to Arcadia.

Sara Crocker

Minnow

4501 N. 32nd St.

Sushi, matcha, and an award-winning chef — that sounds like a winning trio to us. Minnow, the latest concept from chef and restaurateur Bernie Kantak, is slated to open in Arcadia this spring. The new concept will take over the former home of coffeeshops Seedhouse and Provision on 32nd Street and Campbell Avenue. Minnow plans to bring coffee and matcha back to the neighborhood during the day, and then at night, the sushi will start to roll. Minnow is the fourth concept from In Good Spirits, Kantak's company known for its popular Valley restaurants Citizen Public House, Beginner’s Luck and The Gladly.

click to enlarge

Sexy Roman, an Italian-inspired restaurant with over-the-top martini service, will debut in the former space of Sushi Roku at the W Scottsdale Hotel this spring.

Sexy Roman

Sexy Roman

7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale

What if you could order a martini at the push of a button? That's the plan at Sexy Roman, an upscale Italian restaurant slated to open in Scottsdale this spring. The new restaurant will replace Sushi Roku within the W Scottsdale hotel. Along with the martini button, a roving martini and tiramisu cart will roll around the swanky space, decked out with a black marble bar and luxurious lounge seating. The food menu will include Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes ranging from small plates to family-style pastas plus raw bites and steaks. After Sushi Roku's 15-year run, we can't wait to see how Sexy Roman steps up to the plate.