Phoenicia Cafe
Longtime Tempe restaurant Phoenicia Cafe closed in December after nearly two decades. The restaurant was a favorite among Arizona State University students and served a Mediterranean menu, including gyro sandwiches, falafel, kabobs and more. Its sister restaurant Phoenicia Pita Kitchen remains open in Gilbert.
Ground Control
Ground Control, a gastropub and coffee and craft beer destination in Litchfield Park, has closed. The restaurant served coffee from a counter in the morning, followed by wood-fired pizzas and craft beer later in the day. It was a community hub and hosted events such as trivia. It opened in 2007 and moved to its most recent home in 2012. It permanently closed in mid-December.
Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles
The downtown Gilbert location of Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles closed at the start of December after nearly 10 years. The restaurant, known for its Southern staples, was located on Gilbert Road just north of Vaughn Avenue in the town's Heritage District. It opened in February 2015, and the owners explained that the 10-year lease was up and they chose not to renew.
AZ International Marketplace
After more than eight years, Mesa supermarket AZ International Marketplace closed in early December. As the store closed, so did the eateries inside including Fatboy Sandos and WokOn. The large space is set to be divided and become a new market and a trampoline park.
Hugo's Cantina served cocktails with cheeky names, like Can Bears Even Swim? The bar closed after less than a year in business.
Sara Crocker
Hugo's Cantina opened in downtown Phoenix, in the former home of vegetarian restaurant Sin Muerte, less than a year ago. The concept was brought to life by the brothers behind Gadzook's Enchiladas and Soup. It served colorful cocktails and casual Mexican fare in a funky bar space filled with disco balls and floral wallpaper. It permanently closed and signage was removed from the building before it hit 12 months in business.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Fuzzy's Taco Shop, a Tempe spot for Mexican food and giant margaritas, served its last Baja-style eats on Dec. 8. The Mill Avenue staple served all-day breakfast, quesadillas, tacos and beer just south of Third Avenue. It was part of a national chain that started in Texas.
Bang Bang
Originally from San Diego, Bang Bang opened on Mill Avenue in Tempe in December 2023. A year later, it closed when "the landlord retook possession of the premises," according to a notice posted to the building. The action was taken "as a result of a default by tenant under the terms of the lease." The dual concept functioned as a sushi bar by day and a dance club at night.
The Vine Tavern & Eatery
The Vine Tavern & Eatery was relatively new to Ahwatukee, but a very familiar name in the Valley. It operated in Tempe near Arizona State University for 36 years before relocating to Ahwatukee two years ago. But now, the new spot has closed as well. The chain has one remaining location in the Valley, on Rural and Elliott roads in Tempe.
Devil's Advocate was a Tempe staple. The bar served ASU students and fans for 15 years.
Phoenix New Times
Longtime Tempe bar Devil's Advocate announced its closure in mid-December, explaining on social media that the land underneath the bar has been sold. The bar was a favorite among Arizona State University students and fans for 15 years. The land is slated to become home to a luxury apartment complex.
Hamburguesas y Cervezas
Downtown Phoenix restaurant Hamburguesas y Cervezas has closed. The fusion spot served a blend of American classics and Mexican dishes, such as loaded burgers and al pastor chicken wings. Its bar menu offered a range of flavored margaritas and craft beer. Ongoing construction just outside the front door plagued the restaurant and played a part in its closure, the owners shared on social media.
Short Leash Hotdogs & Taproom
Short Leash Hotdogs & Taproom, formerly known as Short Leash Hotdogs and Rollover Doughnuts, closed after 15 years in late December. The concept had multiple homes over the years, starting as a food truck, but was most recently located in the Melrose District on Seventh Avenue. The space is set to become Phoenix's first women's sports bar early in the new year.
Krua Thai Cuisine
North Phoenix restaurant Krua Thai Cuisine has permanently closed. The modern, casual eatery was located on Bell Road just west of 16th Street. It served traditional Thai noodle dishes, curries and soups along with some pan-Asian dishes.
Bar Cena, the dark, sleek cocktail lounge and restaurant from chef Dom Ruggiero, closed at the end of December.
Natasha Yee
Chef Dom Ruggiero opened Bar Cena next to his lauded restaurant Hush Public House in October 2023. The moody bar served as a spot for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap and served small bites and desserts. But after just over a year in business, the bar and restaurant has closed. It's the second concept Ruggiero has tested in the space, following Vanilla Gorilla Tap Room & Bottle Shop.
Giving Tree Cafe
Vegan restaurant the Giving Tree Cafe closed after service on Dec. 28. It served plant-based, gluten-free fare on Seventh Street for five years. Along with its vegan menu, the restaurant also hosted cooking classes, sold detox juices and offered meal planning.
Holiday Toast & Tap
Gilbert restaurant and craft beer destination Holiday Toast & Tap has closed. Located on Greenfield Road, it served wood-fired pizzas, small plates, burgers and brews in a colorful space. According to the owners' announcement on social media, Holiday's closure was "driven by the overall cost of operations and increasing property expenses."
Belly served a menu packed with creative dishes and cocktails. It is now closed in Phoenix and Gilbert.
AWE Collective
Belly's original uptown Phoenix restaurant closed in late October. Two months later, its Gilbert location shut its doors. The duo of restaurants served an Asian-influenced menu that highlighted dishes and flavors from Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. The Gilbert restaurant was located inside Epicenter, and will be replaced with The Mission, moving in soon.
Uncle Bear's Brewery
Uncle Bear's Brewery & Taproom formerly had restaurants around the Valley, with a brewery in Gilbert crafting and supplying the beer. Two of the restaurant locations closed in 2024, and now, the Gilbert brewing facility has closed as well. It was located on the northwest corner of Germann and Lindsay roads. Uncle Bear's Restaurant locations in Mesa and Queen Creek remain open.
