Every new restaurant at Uptown Plaza, and what’s coming next

When Uptown Plaza opened in 1955, it was Phoenix’s first suburban shopping center. The once unique format, with ample parking and many places to eat and shop, is now ubiquitous – and drawing modern homage.

The plaza, located on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road, was designed by developer Del Webb. Its midcentury charm and signage has endured over the decades, while its restaurants and shops have changed with the times. Among some of its most iconic residents of yore were Helsing’s Coffee Shop, Bostrom’s department store and the grocery store Piggly Wiggly.
Today, Uptown Plaza is home to 11 eateries that range from popular fast-casual chains like Shake Shack and Chipotle to local favorite Chula Seafood and homegrown grocer AJ’s Fine Foods.

“Uptown Plaza is a generational asset that will be cherished for years to come,” Andrew Cohn, a principal at Levine Investments, said in a statement. “Along with bringing new tenants to the Uptown Plaza family, redevelopment efforts have rendered a highly curated neighborhood shopping center that we, and the neighborhoods, are proud of.”

In the past year, the Uptown shopping center has seen restaurants leave and new eateries open, with a notable arrival slated for next month. Here’s a breakdown of those changes and the newest additions to the dining options at Uptown Plaza.

Horse & Hyde

100 E. Camelback Road, #150

Horse & Hyde, an elevated honkeytonk and restaurant, turned on the amps and taps in Uptown in September. This is the second location of the eatery and venue, which originally opened in the Arcadia neighborhood in 2023. Horse & Hyde is inspired by the iconic haunts on Nashville’s Broadway Street, and serves barbecue and margaritas with a side of local live music. This “neighborhood hitching post” replaced Dapper & Stout Coffee Co.

Dynamite Beer Co.

100 E. Camelback Road, #160

The Cave Creek beer and wine bar Dynamite Beer Co. opened a second location at Uptown Plaza in February. The taproom and eatery replaced Huss Brewing Co., which closed in January. Dynamite is helmed by a former Huss manager, Mike Chapman. He and his wife Laura opened their first beer and wine bar in Cave Creek in 2022. Dynamite serves a mix of local and national drafts and a global list of wines. The kitchen offers pub grub, including flatbread pizzas, sandwiches and pretzels.

The Henry

2 E. Camelback Road

This all-day New American eatery from the prolific local restaurateur Sam Fox is on deck. The Henry Uptown will open on April 2, anchoring the corner of the plaza. The new structure was built on the former site of Applebee’s (and prior to that, home to Helsing’s). This is the second Phoenix location of the popular restaurant, which opened in Arcadia in 2013. Diners can expect menu staples from the Arcadia location of The Henry – including its quinoa breakfast bowl, hot honey crispy chicken sandwich and dinner entrees such as its classic roasted chicken and seared ahi tuna – served in Gatsby-era-inspired interiors. This outpost will also have a coffee window and an expansive bar featuring a wider selection of cocktails and wine than its Arcadia sibling.
There’s one restaurant space currently vacant in the shopping center. Lou Malnati’s closed its Uptown location, along with a Mesa outpost, in February. When asked for updates on the status of that space, the plaza’s ownership group reiterated a previous statement.

“While we’re sad to see Lou Malnati’s leave Uptown Plaza, great things are currently in the works so stay tuned,” Cohn said.