New Places in Phoenix Metro - December 2023

As we head into the Holiday season, we thought that this would be a great time to share some of the new places to check out with your friends and family:

Restaurants:

Pyro is a new Japanese American bistro in Phoenix, serving skewers,sushi, noodles, caviar and meats cooked over a live fire. There is a cocktail social hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. when craft cocktails, wine by the glass and share plates are 25% off. The drinks menu includes Japanese-inspired cocktails and sake. 4300 E. Camelback Road, Suite 125, Phoenix. 602-755-0049, pyrophx.com

Hidden Gem, the second half of chef Nobuo Fukuda and Sloane McFarland's project at Sonder the Mariposa which includes Japanese-Sonoran restaurant Hai Noon, is now offering coffee service on the weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant is expected to eventually expand to serve brunch. 7017 E.McDowell Road, Scottsdale. hiddengemaz.com.

Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q, a Texas-based chain offering 13 kinds of smoked meats including brisket, sausage links and pulled pork, has opened its fourth Valley location at Loop 101 and Raintree Drive. They also offer build-your-own breakfast tacos and Southern desserts. 15257 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale.602-613-5105, rudysbbq.com.

Chestnut, the decade-old Phoenix restaurant that closed in Arcadia earlier this year, has reopened in a new space at the Biltmore. Menu highlights include a morning bibimbap bowl, huevos avocado, lemon ricotta waffles and a Phoenix chopped salad. After 3 p.m., a bar menu becomes available featuring bacon popcorn, crispy brussels sprouts and loaded chicken nachos. 2398 E.Camelback Road, Suite 150, Phoenix. 602-612-2132, chestnutaz.com.

One Handsome Bastard is a micro-distillery and grill in Old Town Scottsdale. The restaurant menu includes burgers, flatbreads and starters like pub pretzels and crispy bacon brussels. The distillery also produces Blue Clover Spirits and One Handsome Bastard Vodka. 7042 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale.480-946-1062, onehandsomebastard.com.

Coffee & Specialty Shops

Chocolate Bash, an international dessert shop specializing in crepes, waffles,pancakes and chocolate covered fruits is now open at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. 455 N. 3rd St., Suite 1200, Phoenix. 602-675-3920, chocolatebash.com.

Noble Ground Coffee opened its flagship cafe and first Phoenix location on Nov. 17.The coffee shop's profits support nonprofit organizations such as Goodwill of Northern and Central Arizona. 701 W. McDowell Road, Suite 100, Phoenix.602-698-1930, noblegroundcoffee.com.

Grounds on 2nd is a coffee shop, wine bar and urban market from the teams behind Mythic Goat Coffee and Rift Wine & Tap. They offer hand-roasted coffee, craft beer, wine, olives, cheeses, jams and grab-and-go lunch items.3703 N. 69th St., Suite 1, Scottsdale. 480-590-6489, groundson2nd.com.

Crispy Cones, a European-style ice cream shop that made its Arizona debut in Chandler earlier this year, opened a new location in downtown Tempe. Crispy Cones, ortrdelníks, are Eastern European chimney cakes made from pastry dough that's cooked rotisserie-style and sprinkled with cinnamon or sugar. 420 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 106, Tempe. thecrispycones.com.

Yonutz, A TV-famous doughnut shop made its Arizona debut at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix. Yonutz was previously featured on Dessert Wars and Shark Tank. The fantastical dessert shop specializes in smashed doughnuts filled with ice cream. 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 74-1560, Phoenix.480-454-2727, yonutz.com.

(COMING SOON) Better Buzz, The Southern California coffee hot spot is expanding to Phoenix early next year. Known for outstanding coffee, smoothies, sandwiches and bowls,it is sure to be a hit in Phoenix too. 717 E Glendale Ave., Phoenix, AZ85020.  betterbuzzcoffee.com

Pop Up Holiday Bars: 

If you’re looking for a festive atmosphere to enjoy a holiday cocktail, take a look at some of these Holiday Pop Up Bars: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/12/09/phoenix-holiday-popup-bars/69696711007/

Special thanks to Azcentral.com for much of this information!