Hundreds of new restaurants opened around metro Phoenix in 2024, offering a variety of cuisines. A European-style wine bar transports diners with unusual pours and aesthetics. A lauded Phoenix chef re-opened his casual eatery as a tasting-menu restaurant that tells a personal story. An Indigenous chef is using Indigenous produced and locally grown ingredients in exciting new ways in Old Town Scottsdale. Three James Beard semifinalists opened new restaurants, along with dozens of newcomers to the dining scene.

Of all the openings, there are a few new restaurants we're most hype about thanks to inventive concepts, outstanding service or unique cuisines. From casual to fancy, celebrity chef to rising star, here's a look at the most exciting new metro Phoenix restaurants that opened this year.

The Larder & The Delta

We couldn't wait for chef Stephen Jones ' fine dining restaurant to open. The longtime Phoenix chef created a 12-course tasting menu highlighting Southern food culture and presenting it as part of an elevated tasting menu. Recently, he added brunch and a new bar, which offers drinks and bar bites. Jones has always been a force, and this restaurant feels like the culmination of his vision.

Details: 2320 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. 602-388-4874, thelarderthedelta.com .

Barley & Smoke

This hidden gem inside Peoria Artisan Brewery was one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. Patrons walk through the back of the brewery into a sultry space where chef Michael Mahalick presents a menu inspired by his travels in San Sebastian, Spain with dishes like a tallow candle served with grilled Dutch bread, ribeye sliced and served with horseradish mashed potatoes, mushrooms and a smoked demi glaze and beignets accompanied by caramel butter and a berry and apple coulis. The tight drinks menu of wines, local beers and a few inventive cocktails make for a delightful, sophisticated night out in a Phoenix suburb that is often overlooked.

Details: Inside Peoria Artisan Brewery at 10144 W. Lake Pleasant Pkwy, #1130, Peoria. 623-572-2816, peoriaartisanbrewing.com/barleyandsmokevip .

The Frybread Lounge

Chef Darryl Montana, a member of the O'odham community, worked at award-winning Owamni restaurant in Minneapolis before returning home to Arizona to open The Frybread Lounge in Old Town Scottsdale. The Indigenous-owned restaurant prioritizes using products made and grown by Native Americans for dishes like bison birria tacos, mesquite maple tepary beans and fry bread tacos. We can't wait to see how Montana transforms other Native ingredients as he continues to expand the menu.

Details: 7211 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-881-8245, thefrybreadlounge.com .

Santo Arcadia

James Beard Award semifinalists co-owners Roberto Centeno, Nadia Holguin and Armando Hernandez opened Santo at the corner of 44th Street and Osborn Road with the goal of making upscale, northern Sonoran food more accessible. The casual fine-dining restaurant is a hybrid between Cocina Chiwas and Espiritu and as such features a few favorite dishes from both, along with a lineup of dishes unique to Santo. The grill takes center stage, with both woodfire and charcoal. The starter section wows with birria dumpling and a soul-satisfying frijoles con tomate. Steaks, served with tortillas, beans and grilled veggies shine at dinnertime and brunch. Reservations are recommended for the dining room, but Pecado, the moody speakeasy bar with boozy and dramatic cocktails in the back of the restaurant, is first-come, first-serve.

Details: 4418 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. 480-272-6799, santoarcadia.com .

Humble Oysters and Bubbles

From the chef and owners of Humble Bistro, Humble Oysters and Bubbles opened in late 2024 on High Street in north Phoenix. As advertised, the restaurant offers oysters from the East Coast, West Coast and Canada along with glasses of bubblies including Champagne, Cava, Cremant and Sparkling Roses. The bar also offers cocktails, mocktails, red and white wines and beer. The sleeper hits are on the hot food menu, which features seafood, surf and turf and a short rib French dip that alone is worth a visit.

Details: 5415 E. High St., Phoenix. 602-755-7755, humbleoysterbar.com .

Beginner's Luck

From the owners of The Gladly and Citizen Public House, chef and co-owner Bernie Kantak opened Beginner's Luck as an homage to his family's recipes, though he also serves a few favorites from his other restaurants. The food is excellent and the vibe is laid-back at brunch, "lucky hour" and dinner. Pro tip: Order the Lucky Seven Cereal Bowl for brunch or a 12-hour Pork Bowl for lunch and pair with a chile margarita or glass of blanc de blancs.

Details: 7240 E. Main St., Scottsdale. beginnersluckaz.com .

Kid Sister

Kid Sister is a European-inspired wine bar owned by sisters Casey and Courtney Lewandrowski and their best friend Dej Lambert and they opened it with friends Zac Adcox, an advance sommelier, and chef Isaac Mendoza. A rotating menu of French, Spanish and Portuguese dishes allow the unique, affordable wines to shine. Every visit offers something different as Adcox curates the wine menu, adding a weekly special along with a few cocktails and beers, and Mendoza continues to switch up the dishes. It's a fun, casual place for a drink, a snack and the chance to discover something new.

Details: 4810 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. kidsisterphx.com .

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