The Newest Restaurants in Phoenix Worth Checking Out

Phoenix’s restaurant scene is growing fast with plenty of new places to check out. From casual hangouts to more refined dining, there’s something for everyone. The recent openings bring fresh choices for food lovers, making Phoenix an even better place to explore new flavors and experiences.

This fall, The Camby hotel introduced a new dining spot, Yellowbell, which officially opened on October 1, replacing the former Artizen restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Alfredo Alvarez, Yellowbell’s menu highlights fresh Southwestern cuisine and locally sourced ingredients across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Morning offerings include a chia seed pudding made with acai and coconut, along with green chile cornbread topped with chorizo verde gravy. Midday selections range from salads and bowls to handhelds like shrimp fry bread and a chicken salad sandwich with ancho spices. In the evening, you can enjoy small plates, such as tepary bean hummus, tuna crudo with prickly pear ponzu, and chickpea fries made with mesquite flour and served with lemon honey aioli. Featured entrées include stacked enchiladas with beef cheek, a tomahawk pork chop, and a skirt steak seasoned with cumin. The drink menu adds a unique twist, featuring options like a green chile vodka mule, a Modelo-based Lagerita, and a tequila cocktail called Siesta, mixed with Campari, grapefruit, and lime.

Chef Stephen Jones, known for his exquisite Southern cuisine, has introduced a new restaurant experience at Larder 2.0, which opened in September 2024. Located in the former Binkley's space in downtown Phoenix, this upscale establishment offers a seasonally inspired 12-course tasting menu for $155 per person. Guests can complement their dishes with wine pairings and gourmet extras such as caviar, truffles, or foie gras, creating an elegant, elevated Southern dining experience.

Photo Credit: thelarderthedelta.com

Photo Credit: instagram.com/kembaraphx/

Kembara, a resort restaurant, captivates not with a single defining feature but with a blend of remarkable details that set it apart.. On warm evenings, dining on the lush patio feels like a quick escape, while the dimly lit, mysterious interior transports guests to distant cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Here, celebrity chef Angelo Sosa and chef de cuisine Penny Tagliarina craft an imaginative journey through Asia, presenting elevated takes on popular street foods from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan. Dishes may be unfamiliar to many, yet each one is visually stunning and nearly impossible to find elsewhere in town. Guests can enjoy specialties like rich beef rendang, spicy chili crab, crisp lamb spring rolls and sweet Vietnamese coffee doughnuts.

Photo Credit: kembaradesertridge.com

Photo Credit: kembaradesertridge.com

Tucked away behind a secret passage from Peoria Artisan Brewery, this stylish 30-seat speakeasy offers an inviting, intimate vibe with a world of drink options. B&S serves up inventive craft cocktails alongside a thoughtfully chosen wine list, featuring selections from places like Mosel and Monterey. The bar also boasts an impressive lineup of premium bourbons, scotches, whiskeys, tequilas, and mezcals, best enjoyed at the striking bar with views into the lively open kitchen. However, Barley & Smoke isn’t just about the drinks. They offer dozens of unique, globally inspired dishes, many showcasing the rich flavors imparted by a wood-burning oven. Highlights include smoky pork belly with cured watermelon and grilled oysters topped with marrow jam and a gin and tonic mignonette. And for an extra memorable touch, the house-made bread arrives with a beef tallow candle that melts as you dine, making this spot a must-visit.

Azlin arrived in March with what could best be described as a “stealth launch”. The restaurant quietly took over Doug Robson's former Gallo Blanco location at the Clarendon Hotel in Midtown, moving in without a budget for a major makeover or a flashy PR campaign. But does it really matter? Dishes like roasted confit tomatoes with pesto and airy stracciatella, along with a standout short rib barbacoa with pickled Fresno peppers, are stealing the spotlight. Another highlight is Azlin’s bold, flavor-packed chicken fried rice, which has quickly become a signature dish. Even the hamachi crudo - often an overdone menu item - feels refreshing here.