Here, we present a running list (which we will keep updated) of Valley-based food and drink spots that have closed since March 2020.
5th Avenue Café
After 14 years, the jazzed-themed 5th Avenue Café has closed in the Coronado District.Americana Burgers & Beer
The bar, grill, and popular patio area has closed on Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. It had been around since 2018.Amuse Bouche
This French-inspired restaurant in Surprise has shuttered. “Due to economic downturn related to the pandemic, Amuse Bouche has closed permanently,” reads a post on social media.Bamboo Sushi
Bamboo Sushi, the Portland-based but world's first certified sustainable sushi restaurant, closed at the Biltmore Fashion Park after opening in early 2020.Barrio Café Gran Reserva
Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s second restaurant, the art-filled, vegan-focused, Mexican-wine-serving mole palace Barrio Café Gran Reserva closed for good. “With a broken heart I am sorry to inform you that due to zero funding and coronavirus, we are closing,” Esparza announced via social media. “In order to save the Barrio Cafe, we have to shut down Gran Reserva,” she stated in another post. Barrio Café has remained open.Be Coffee Food Stuffs
Be Coffee, which was located inside the monOrchid building, closed in March 2020. According to a March 24 Facebook post, the coffee shop was closing temporarily because of COVID-19, but it did not reopen. Now, a new coffee spot, Kahvi Coffee, is going into the space.Bicycle Nomad Café
The coffee and bike-themed café owned by Erick Cedeño has closed in downtown Phoenix. The Velo Bike Shop, the cafe's adjoining business, is relocating to Seventh Street in the Coronado District.Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille
The Gilbert location of Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille closed in March in the initial COVID-19 shutdown. The owners, also behind the Scottsdale location of Blue Adobe, decided not to reopen. The New Mexican eatery had been in Gilbert since early 2018.
Bonus Round
Game over for Bonus Round in central Phoenix: The geek hangout and arcade bar on Camelback Road has closed after four years of serving nerd-themed cocktails, cosplay events, and arcade action. Bonus Round was opened in May 2016 by locals James Goshow and Jacob Rendel.The Brass Tap
Downtown Gilbert’s Brass Tap, open since 2018, announced its June 15 closure via social media. However, the sports bar-looking spot had reopened this summer as a Cajun-style restaurant called Da’ Bayou Creole Kitchen.Bri
The small-plates restaurant Bri, located along Seventh Street in the Coronado District, announced its closure via social media on March 19. Chef Vince Mellody opened Bri — the phonetic spelling of its namesake, the braai, a South African-style grill at which the food was prepared — in spring 2018. The restaurant offered unforgettable cocktails and tapas in a hip, homestyle setting.Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria
The Gilbert pizza spot Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria has closed. However, the Scarnato family and owners will be opening a new franchise concept called Vero Chicago Pizza in early 2021.Byblos Restaurant
The family-owned, old-school Lebanese eatery Byblos Restaurant on lower Mill Avenue has closed. Byblos had been in business for more than 30 years, serving Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. COVID was not cited as the main culprit; rather, it was the death of co-owner Samir Mirza in August.Cafe Roma Pizzeria
Cafe Roma Pizzeria was a breakfast-and-lunch spot in Tempe a few miles from the airport.Carlos O'Brien's Mexican Restaurant
The Carlos O’Brien’s location at 12th Street and Northern Avenue, which had operated at that spot since 1985, has permanently closed. Additional locations remain on Happy Valley Road and in Scottsdale. Be sure to read our farewell piece to the 42-year-old local chain.CaskWerks Distilling Co.
CaskWerks Distilling Co., in operation for more than five years and known as Tempe’s first craft distillery, has closed. A lease dispute was cited as the cause. However, the distillery may be opening in the future at a new location.Caveman Burgers
This build-your-own burger shop in north-central Phoenix closed on April 23. Set on the northwest corner of Seventh Street and Bell Road, Caveman Burgers was opened in 2016 by owner Jeff Bobby. It was known for Arizona-raised, grass-fed beef, locally baked bread, wild toppings like fried duck eggs, and local beer including offerings from SanTan Brewing Co. The space is now a new location of Aioli Gourmet Burgers.Charr
The burger restaurant and sister eatery to north Valley restaurants Aiello's and Isa's Pizza, has closed.
Chzburgr
Chzburgr, a burger joint near Arizona State University’s west campus, has permanently closed. The west Valley restaurant was overseen by Kelly Fletcher, the former executive chef of House of Tricks in Tempe. It opened in summer 2019. COVID was cited as the culprit.Coconut’s Fish Café
The Chandler location of the fast-casual Hawaiian eatery Coconut’s Fish Café — open since 2016 — had been temporarily closed since March. Now, it is permanently closed.Commander Hamburger
Commander Hamburger, which was located at The Churchill, shuttered in the spring, according to owner Andrew Fritz. Reduced events and traffic downtown as a result of the pandemic were to blame, Fritz said. The spot is now Stoop Kid.Concierge Bistro Bar
Known for a quick bite or a craft cocktail in a comfortable setting, the Black-owned Concierge Bistro Bar has closed at the 12th and Washington streets Valley Metro Rail station.Cotton & Copper
After two years in southern Tempe, co-owners Sean Traynor and Tamara Stanger have shut Cotton & Copper's doors. This acclaimed restaurant cited the pandemic for the closure. However, though Stanger is leaving the state, the co-owners are already in the process of opening a cafe, Shape Shifter, in the space.Cuff
Cuff has currently closed its location in Old Towne Glendale after five years. Cuff offered a menu of New American eats, often Cajun and Creole leaning, as well as craft cocktails in a modern setting (and a not-bad patio). However, the team here plans to open another location, still in downtown Glendale, in the coming months.The Cutting Board Bakery and Café
A Black-owned vegan restaurant serving soul food, The Cutting Board Bakery and Café has closed in Mesa.
Delux Grill + Sushi
Delux closed after more than 15 years. “Since the Delux lease has expired, we regret to inform you the decision was made not to renew the restaurant lease. Therefore, Delux will not reopen and is closed permanently,” read a statement on the Delux website. In addition to the “A La Cart” fries, Delux was known for its Niman Ranch-sourced meat, demi-baguette buns, Arizona craft beer offerings, and some beloved dipping sauces.Desert Cider House
Chandler’s Desert Cider House had been open since 2016, making it the oldest craft cidery in Arizona. Flavors include Desert Dragon Hard Cider and DCH Pear. “With a great deal of consideration and deliberation, and in light of the economic realities brought on by Covid 19, we have made the difficult decision to wind down our business, and close our doors,” the cidery announced via Facebook.Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row
The Tempe location of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, overseen by Riot Hospitality Group, has closed on Mill Avenue.Dos Gringos Alma
The Chandler location of Dos Gringos, a Mexican food restaurant and patio bar open since 1996, has closed. However, the Tempe and Mesa locations of Dos Gringos remain open.The Dressing Room
The Dressing Room announced via a Facebook post on March 24 that it would be closed until further notice because of COVID-19. However, it did not reopen. Another restaurant-bar, Sake Haus, will soon take over the space inside the monOrchid building.Dvina Modern Fair
The house restaurant Dvina Modern Fair on the southern shores of Roosevelt Row has closed (but the spot will soon be home to the second location of Il Bosco Pizza out of Scottsdale).El Hefe
The Tempe location of El Hefe's, overseen by Riot Hospitality Group, has closed on Mill Avenue.El Zocalo Mexican Grille
Located in downtown Chandler, El Zocalo Mexican Grille made the announcement to close on May 5 via social media. Silver lining: Owners Obed and Pam de la Cruz also have hinted at finding a new home for El Zocalo, so news of a reopening could be on the horizon. The de la Cruz family operated the Mexican restaurant for more than 20 years, and they continue to own and oversee El Sol Mexican Cafe & Bakery, Mangos Mexican Cafe in downtown Mesa, and the PHX Burrito House in the Melrose District.Ezekiel's Restaurant
Ezekiel's co-owner and chef Brad Carr announced his retirement in February 2021. The mom-and-pop soul food restaurant closed after eight years in the Ahwatukee Palms Shopping Center. We'll miss the fried chicken, barbecue ribs dinner, crab cakes, and sweet potato pie.Fajitas A Sizzlin Celebration
Fajitas, a Mexican restaurant set near Metrocenter Mall, has closed after 33 years.
Farmboy Market, Meats, Sandwiches
The Chandler market and superior sandwich shop has closed. It was run by owners Oren and Diana Molovinsky, who sourced their fruit, eggs, and other produce from their own 3.5-acre farm and sold it in a farmstand-style retail area. Farmboy had been open since 2018.Four Peaks Brewing Grill & Tap
Four Peaks Brewing Co. has permanently closed its Four Peaks Grill & Tap location in Scottsdale after 15 years. Although the Scottsdale pub has been closed since March 30 because of the COVID-19 shutdown, it says it is closing permanently due to other factors.From The Roots Up
In just under a year, the vegetarian restaurant From The Roots Up has closed in west Mesa.Game Seven Grill
The Chase Field adjacent sports bar in downtown Phoenix has closed permanently.The G.O.A.T. Sports Grill
Despite opening this June, The G.O.A.T. Sports Grill has closed in in northeast Mesa.Growler USA
The High Street location of Growler USA, which served more than 100 beers on tap and a menu of pub fare, has closed after four years.The Harp Irish Pub
Say goodbye to Guinness Fondue. This Mesa pub with an Irish soul has closed after more than 11 years.
A flight of six brews from Helio Basin, which is now the Phoenix location of Tombstone Brewing Company.
Chris Malloy
Helio Basin Brewing Company
Helio Basin had occupied a brewery and restaurant space at 40th Street and Thomas Road for four years. The local brewing company closed thanks to COVID, but the well-known Tombstone Brewing Company immediately took over the brewery space.Honor Amongst Thieves
The speakeasy-style cocktail lounge Honor Amongst Thieves, which neighbored Stock & Stable at food and beverage hub The Colony on Seventh Street, has closed.Hop Stop Diner
Hop Stop Diner in Old Towne Glendale, the diner-style breakfast spot across from the Velma Teague branch of the Glendale library, has permanently closed.Hot Noodles Cold Sake
Overseen by Chef Josh Hebert, Hot Noodles Cold Sake has closed its Scottsdale location. The noodle shop has been in business for nearly five years. The Scottsdale restaurant opened in 2016 as a spinoff of the Tuesday night ramen specials at the now-closed Posh Restaurant.High & Rye Southern Kitchen
Now closed, High & Rye Southern Kitchen offered Southern fare like fried chicken, in-house hickory-smoked brisket, cornbread, mac and cheese, and whiskey.Indigo Crow Restaurant & Bar
This Cave Creek eatery was highly recommended for happy hour in Stagecoach Village. The chef-owned Indigo Crow Restaurant & Bar had a comfortable environment yet a menu of fine foods. In its place is now Cave Creek Beer Company.The Ivy Mediterranean Lounge
This Chandler Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar closed thanks to COVID. It has been open since spring 2015.JC’s Steakhouse
The Gilbert-based JC’s Steakhouse, which opened in December 2014, is closed as of December 31. “We have tried our best to stay afloat, but with the COVID restrictions and people not going out as much right now, we have been drowning and there is no lifeguard on duty,” reads an announcement on social media.
Josephine
Early January brought a new restaurant concept from True North Studio Lifestyle to a 1919-built bungalow, where executive chef Ryan Pitts (formerly of Café Monarch and Citizen Public House) put a French twist on globally inspired cuisine. The restaurant shuttered in March due to COVID-19, as did the Coup de Grace speakeasy located behind it.Kavala Restaurant & Café
Serving Greek-meets-Italian comfort food, Kavala Restaurant & Café has closed in Gilbert despite its Pastichio Bechamel dish.Kimberly Ann's Tea Room & Café
Kimberly Ann's Tea Room & Café was a Victorian-style tearoom serving tea, finger foods, and lunch items in the Catlin Court Historic District of Old Towne Glendale. It closed after more than 26 years.La Bocca Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar
Another Mill Avenue casualty is La Bocca Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar. Both the original downtown location, around since 2008 and the High Street spot in northern Phoenix have closed.La Calabria Ristorante
Open since 2008 at a previous location, La Calabria Ristorante in Gilbert has permanently closed. “Due to Covid19 we are forced to close the door,” the Italian eatery announced on Facebook. “This is a hard decision to make but unfortunately right now we have no other choice.”La Marquesa
La Marquesa, a place known for Jalisco-style birria and beyond and also run by the Guzman family, closed for good over the summer. The also-owners of La Santisima Gourmet Taco Shop had opened the Jalisco-style restaurant on 19th Street and McDowell Road in May 2019.
La Piazza PHX / La Piazza Romana
Justin Piazza has closed two of his Italian and pizza joints — La Piazza PHX in downtown Phoenix (technically closed since March) and La Piazza Romana in Avondale. COVID has been cited as the cause of the closures. However, La Piazza Al Forno in Old Towne Glendale has now become the local pizzaiolo’s main focus.Lemon Grass Thai Café
Tempe’s Lemon Grass Thai Café has permanently closed. Noted on the restaurant’s Facebook page: “To all our wonderful customers: Thank you for your loyal patronage for the last 14 years.”Lilac Bakery
The Arcadia-area pastry and coffee shop Lilac Bakery closed in late April. Opened in February 2017, the place was overseen by pastry chef and founder Lauren Paulsen and co-founder Peter Paulsen. “With a heavy heart we have come to the hard decision that due to the current economic climate we will not be re-opening Lilac Bakery and are now closed permanently,” the Lilac Bakery announced on its Facebook page.Lochiel Brewing
The 2016-established Lochiel Brewing located in east Mesa closed indefinitely on May 23 — so, technically not within the shutdown window, despite the closure being related to COVID-19. Though the taproom has closed, owner and brewer Ian Cameron announced via the website that Lochiel Brewing will continue as a bottling line operation.Mark’s Café
After more than 16 years that included frequent downs in business and ups in community support, Mark’s Café permanently closed in south Tempe on March 24. The family-owned cafe, located at Rural and Guadalupe roads, was overseen by Karen Vojtek and Executive Chef Mark Vojtek. “We hope that our presence in Tempe made a difference, and we will forever hold those memories near and dear to our hearts,” reads a statement on the Mark’s Café website.Majerle’s Sports Grill
The Chandler Fashion Center location of Majerle’s Sports Grill, which had been in operation since 2007, has closed. The spot's new occupant is the aforementioned Howler’s Restaurant & Sports Bar.McMahon’s Ice Cream
This family-owned and -operated Chandler ice cream shop has closed. McMahon’s Ice Cream had been in operation for three years but went out with a bang (record sales on its second-to-last day, according to its Facebook page).Mi Vegana Madre
The vegan Mexican restaurant in Old Towne Glendale announced on social media earlier this month that it would close July 31. The economic downturn caused by COVID-19 was blamed, but a glimmer of hope was also posted. “This is not goodbye," the post read. "Please stay tuned for the next chapter in our journey.”Mint Indian Cuisine
Mint Indian Cuisine in Scottsdale, one of our go-to spots for lassi and other Indian specialties, has permanently closed.
Nook Kitchen Downtown
Opened in April 2016 at the intersection of Monroe Street and Central Avenue in the 1932-built Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown, Nook Kitchen Downtown has now closed. However, Nook Kitchen Arcadia is still in operation.Oink Café
This bloody mary and bacon flights joint in south Tempe has closed. It had been in operation since 2016.Pane Bianco Van Buren
The second location of Chris Bianco’s beloved sandwich shop has closed. But the location itself — the former Roland’s Cafe Market Bar, at 1505 East Van Buren Street — will stay within the Bianco family of restaurants. The space will soon be home to Tratto, which is relocating from the Town and Country Shopping Center in east Phoenix. Get all the details here.Parma Italian Roots
The Phoenix location of Parma Italian Roots has closed in Arcadia.Paz Cantina
The second location of Paz Cantina, a Mexican restaurant and bar, quietly closed on the ground floor of an apartment complex at Roosevelt and Third streets and has been replaced by the aforementioned Golden Margarita.Phoenix Public Market Cafe
Open since 2013, Phoenix Public Market Cafe has closed in downtown Phoenix. The cafe was owned by chef and restauranteur Aaron Chamberlin, who says the restaurant didn't have much longer on its lease, and COVID had affected its main business draws — downtown ASU students and convention and business travelers. See more details here.The Pizza Experience
This Gilbert pizza restaurant opened and closed seemingly within the month of October 2020. The Pizza Experience had inventive specialty pizzas, as well as subs, pasta dishes, salads, wings, and calamari.
Poppy
Executive Chef Nate Cayer and Chef de Cuisine Steven Blackburn previously worked together at a farm-to-table restaurant in Plainfield, Illinois, before opening Poppy last November inside the Cambria Hotel. It closed due to COVID, but there's currently another restaurant, Breakfast Bitch, open in the space.Prime Chinese Restaurant
Located at Central Avenue and Camelback Road, Prime Chinese Restaurant has permanently closed.Razz's Restaurant and Bar
Chef Erasmo “Razz” Kamnitzer, a native of Venezuela and graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America, oversaw Razz's Restaurant and Bar. There was Razz’s Chicken Scaloppini, a large selection of wines, and full views of its open kitchen setup.RedThai Southeast Asian Kitchen
RedThai Southeast Asian Kitchen has closed. The north-central Phoenix restaurant offered modern Thai and Vietnamese fare.Roosevelt Diner
Roosevelt Diner, or Arturo's Diner on Roosevelt, was a petite Garfield District eatery with coffee, breakfast, and an ideal front patio. The small structure has gone by several names over the years, starting with the Hi-Way Diner, which is what it was called back in 1982, to Welcome Diner to Arturo's Diner on Roosevelt.Sherpa Kitchen
The Valley’s first Nepalese restaurant opened and closed in 2020 thanks to COVID. Fans of Sherpa Kitchen most likely know the restaurant is a physical offspring of the popular dumpling food truck. It's sticking around: The Everest Momo food truck will continue to make appearances at farmers' markets and festivals (when those are back) throughout the Valley.Sidebar
The second-story bar at McDowell Road and Seventh Avenue has sadly closed. The locally owned cocktail lounge had been in operation since 2008.Sierra Bonita Grill
At the start of the COVID-19 shutdown, Sierra Bonita Grill ceased all operations, including takeout and delivery. Then, on May 9, the restaurant at Seventh Street and Glendale Avenue announced via Facebook the grill will remain closed indefinitely. However, Sierra Bonita Catering is still in operation, and will soon be launching an online ordering form.Squid Ink Sushi Bar
The CityScape location of Squid Ink Sushi Bar in downtown Phoenix has permanently closed. Squid Ink had been in business for eight years, serving sushi, sake, and Japanese dishes. Its northwest Valley location — 9947 West Happy Valley Road, Suite 109, in Peoria — remains open.
Stock & Stable
Stock & Stable was an indoor and outdoor restaurant and happy hour destination located at The Colony, the restaurant cluster on Seventh Street north of Missouri Avenue.Touch of Thai
Touch of Thai, a colorful Thai restaurant set down Bell Road from Arrowhead Towne Center, has closed.Teakwoods Tavern and Grill
There’s one less place to get soft pretzel sticks in the Valley. Though one location in Gilbert remains, Teakwoods Tavern and Grill in Chandler closed in late April. The sports bar and eatery was shuttered by the plaza’s landlord after 25 years because of a failure to pay rent for the space.TGI Fridays Front Row Sports Grill
The second-level Chase Field eatery and bar has closed. Fridays Front Row had been part of the Arizona Diamondbacks dining options since 1998, i.e., since the Bank One Ballpark days.Tuck Shop
This neighborhood favorite shut down during the pandemic. How, Tuck Shop has now permanently closed. Popular vegan eatery The Coronado will be moving in this summer.Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap
The Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap location at the Ahwatukee Foothills Towne Center has permanently closed. However, four other locations in the Valley remain open.Yasu Sushi Bistro
The north Phoenix sushi restaurant had closed until further notice over the summer. However, Yasu Sushi Bistro has now permanently closed.YC’s Mongolian Grill
The Chandler location of YC’s Mongolian Grill, the Mongolian-inspired customizable stir-fry dish eatery, has closed. The location of YC's Mongolian Grill at Talking Stick Shopping Center in Scottsdale has also closed.Yogurt Time
Yogurt Time on High Street in City North is now closed. It offered eight varieties of yogurt, 12 gelato flavors, and more than 40 toppings.Ziggy’s II Posto
Every neighborhood has an old-school Italian restaurant, and Ziggy’s II Posto was Sunnyslope’s. The strip-mall eatery for eggplant rollatini and mussels marinara has closed.Zpizza
The well-loved Zpizza location in Midtown closed in July on account of COVID. But if you really need one more slice of signature pies like the Berkeley Vegan, you’re going to have to hoof it down to Oro Valley (now home to the sole Arizona location of Zpizza).Editor’s note: This article was updated from its original version.
