These 2 trendy Roosevelt Row spots are coming to Gilbert. What to know

A trendy, pink-hued agaveria, an oasis-inspired fusion restaurant and a sushi-and-sake spot are coming to Gilbert.

These drinking and dining options will be part of a new development that broke ground on Thursday at the northwest corner of downtown Gilbert’s Heritage District.

Ghost Donkey, Palma and Blue Sushi Sake Grill are the first three restaurants announced to join Heritage Park, a 10-acre dining, shopping and residential area in the works at Gilbert Road and Juniper Avenue.

“Heritage Park will be a signature piece of the Heritage District, offering a unique blend of dining, retail and residential spaces that will further enrich the area's vibrant atmosphere,” Gilbert Mayor Scott Anderson said in a news release. “As our northern anchor for now, it sets the stage for future expansion and new possibilities within the district."
Ghost Donkey originated in New York and has eight locations globally, including bars in Las Vegas, Chicago and Melbourne, Australia. It brought its glowing pink string lights to Roosevelt Row in 2022. The bar focuses on cocktails made with agave spirits, such as a mushroom margarita, and shareable snacks like queso and guacamole, all served in the glow of vibrant pink neon.

Palma, which resides next door to Ghost Donkey downtown, has one other location in Dallas. The all-day lounge features a lush plant-filled patio where customers can relax in resort-like plush seating areas and sip frozen cocktails and sake. Its eclectic menu includes Caesar salads and sushi alongside Korean fried chicken sandwiches and birria beef tacos.

Blue Sushi has locations in 13 states, including two Valley restaurants in Tempe and Surprise. The restaurant serves a robust array of sushi, including a sizable vegan menu, which can be paired with a Japanese whiskey highball or sake flight.

Nebraska-based Flagship Restaurant Group owns all of these concepts plus Pyro, the Japanese-inspired live-fire restaurant in Arcadia. The group was the first dining tenant to sign on to the project, which is being developed by Crescent Communities and Creation. The former real estate group recently also recently broke ground on The Switchyard, a dining, shopping, office and residential hub in Queen Creek.

The forthcoming downtown Gilbert block will include 47,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, along with 288 residences, public art and bike paths. A 125-room hotel and office space are also part of plans, according to the release.

“Together, we are committed to creating an iconic gateway into Gilbert’s Heritage District – one that enhances quality of life, celebrates local culture and offers an exceptional experience for both residents and visitors,” David Sellers, a co-founder of Creation, said in the release.

Heritage Park will open in stages. The first phase of openings, which includes Ghost Donkey, Palma and Blue Sushi, is anticipated for 2026.