The 6 most exciting new restaurants that opened in April

While 13 metro Phoenix restaurants said their goodbyes in April, the Valley also gained some exciting new spots to eat. Well-known Arizona chefs and brewers opened new locations, a Tempe food hall got a new lease on life and new concepts made their debut. Here are the six most exciting new spots that opened around Phoenix in April.

Glenrosa

1415 N. Mill Ave., Tempe Golf course restaurants usually offer a few bites to sustain golfers throughout their game. But Glenrosa takes a decidedly different approach. This new restaurant opened at the Grass Clippings Rolling Hills Golf Course in Tempe on April 5. It focuses on wood-fired Sonoran cuisine and offers everything from chips and salsa and chicken wings to a citrus rubbed whole chicken and a 20-ounce bone-in ribeye. Customers can wash it all down with beer, wine or one of the dozen specialty cocktails at the indoor-outdoor space.

Cocina Madrigal

1523 E. Wood St.South Phoenix favorite Cocina Madrigal closed in March 2024 after a fire. Ever since, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of its award-winning enchiladas, margaritas and comfortable community vibe. The restaurant is still undergoing repairs and renovations, but the Madrigal family heard the call from its fans and launched a pop-up on April 8. Just down the block from the original spot, the team is serving around 85% of their menu from a small food truck. Customers can grab a seat on a patio with shade, string lights and plenty of plants and enjoy their favorite Cocina Madrigal dishes until the brick-and-mortar makes its return.

Don Guerra’s Barrio Bagel & Slice

689 N Arizona Ave, Gilbert Don Guerra is a household name in Tucson, known for his outstanding and award-winning bread. Over the last few years, the baker has been making his way up to Phoenix on a more regular basis. On April 10, he planted his flag in the Valley with Don Guerra’s Barrio Bagel & Slice in Gilbert. In the home of a former Sonic Drive-In, the new spot is a partnership between Guerra and restaurant veteran Oren Molovinsky. Customers can order bagels, breakfast sandwiches and focaccia pizza slices through an app, at two counters inside or via the convenient drive-thru. The shop also sells loaves of Guerra’s famous bread along with a signature blend of coffee from Flagstaff’s Matador Coffee Roasting Co.

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.

1418 E. McDowell Road Gilbert-based brewery Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. opened its third Valley location on April 11. Just north of its downtown Phoenix brewpub, the new spot opened on McDowell Road’s Miracle Mile. While it’s just more than a mile away from the Roosevelt Row spot, the new taproom and restaurant avoids the traffic of downtown and brings a walkable destination to the nearby neighborhoods. The new spot makes use of an old building, with exposed beams and red brick walls. Large murals add a pop of black and white to the space where customers sip creative craft brews at the bar or chow down on a slider trio at one of the booth tables. The food menu leans heavily into the brewery’s connections with local farmers and producers and features classic brewpub fare with a farm-to-table twist.

Cajun Breakfast Joint

85 E. Southern Ave., Tempe When Tempe Eats closed in January, the Valley lost one of its few food halls. But in April, Cajun Breakfast Joint stepped up to the plate and helped relaunch the space. The Chandler restaurant and catering company moved into the multi-concept space after hosting a Mardi Gras party there. Owner Rexford White brought Cajun Breakfast Joint to Tempe in April, and added Creole Bowls To Go and Seafood Boil AZ after that. White learned to cook from his mother, a Louisiana native. Her lessons inspired the menus, which include jambalaya, gumbo and house-made beignets.

Marisco Boys

2026 N. Seventh St. The owners of Taco Boys have steadily expanded their business, bringing their fast-casual taquerias to all corners of the Valley. In April, they took a different direction and opened the seafood-focused Marisco Boys. Located on Seventh Street near downtown Phoenix, this new spot is an upscale sibling to the taco shops, featuring sleek, Mid-Mod furniture and full-service dining. The menu includes small plates such as calamari and large, shareable platters. Cold dishes include sashimi, aguachile and oysters. There are five varietes of ceviche, multiple molcajete options and decadent dishes including a prime ribeye with a smoked paprika rub. The Taco Boys owners also added a few tacos for good measure, but here they come topped with fish or shrimp. The restaurant is currently in its soft opening phase.