2 025 has been a delicious year. Some longtime Phoenix favorites have served excep- tional dishes and drinks. And many new restaurants have joined the Valley’s dining scene. As we look back on the year (and December 2024, after last year’s list was published), standout spots spring to mind. A local powerhouse trio debuted a casual burger joint that’s anything but basic. Some flashy out-of-town spots moved in and proved that they are actually worth the hype. A couple of bars with extensive food menus demonstrated they are destinations for a delectable dinner. And in November, a stellar new spot slid into 2025, opening its doors to diners in Gilbert. Here are the 10 best new metro Phoenix restaurants of 2025. SAINT PASTA 100 W. PORTLAND ST. Some restaurants are guilty of trying to be everything to everyone. Saint Pasta is not that restaurant, and Phoenix diners (excluding those with a lactose intol- erance) are better for it. Chef and owner Racan Alhoch, who has a take-no-pris- oners social media persona, graduated his beloved food truck to a cozy brick-and- mortar restaurant in downtown Phoenix in December 2024. The hip space often bumps hip hop while reruns of “The Sopranos” are projected on the wall. Arrive early, because Saint Pasta is walk-in only. If you snag a seat at the bar, you’ll be treated to watching Alhoch’s team crank out creative, colorful cocktails and plate after plate of craveable pasta bathed in creamy, zesty vodka sauce or herbaceous, citrusy pesto. Saint Pasta’s menu is small, but each item is painstakingly scratch-made. The restaurant’s Caesar transforms simple iceberg lettuce into one of the city’s best salads with a creamy dressing, peppery arugula and a garlicky breadcrumb crumble. Saint Pasta’s Rigatoni Vodka and crispy chicken parm are canon, but its bouncy, light-as-air gnocchi are becoming a favorite. It can be easy to get scared off by the online snark or the no-substitutions menu. Don’t let those things influence your decision to go. Once you sit down over a plate of steaming pasta, it becomes evident why this Saint has such an evangelical following. MARISCO BOYS 2026 N. SEVENTH ST. The owners of Marisco Boys are pros at making tacos. They run the popular and ever-expanding local chain, Taco Boys. But in April, they dialed things up quite a few notches with their new, glamorous seafood restaurant, Marisco Boys. Located on Seventh Street in the former Coco’s Bakery, the modern restaurant is a destination for date night and family celebrations. Brown leather booths hug the window and bubbly chandeliers hang overhead. A shining white stone bar glows from the inside and is lined by a row of navy blue velvet stools. And sharply dressed servers, with slicked- back hair and gold chain necklaces, wait on tables. Grab one of the comfortable bar seats for a peek into the kitchen, where the chefs expertly fry whole fish, shuck oysters and prepare seafood platters to share. The menu is split into large-format dishes and celebratory items, and then a selection of more affordable options designed for everyday noshing. Some of our favorites include the coctel de camaron served with a bright blend of tomato and lime and the yellowtail tostada, a refreshing, cold dish with fresh cubes of raw fish paired with a decadent black garlic aioli, all piled atop two crunchy fried tortillas. As one would expect, the tacos are also on point. And don’t forget to ask about the rotating specials. Pair your meal with a fruit- forward cocktail or opt for a large-format Modelo or Tecate, comically served in a gold chrome Champagne chiller. This restaurant is confident in the kitchen, and is ready to have a little fun. BAR CAPRI 1730 E. WARNER ROAD, #10, TEMPE When driving up to Bar Capri, you may notice that it’s hard to park. The shopping center has the usual suspects. There’s a nail salon. A chain pizzeria. A Verizon store. So why are almost all of the parking spots full? Bar Capri is the culprit, and this little spot is popular for a reason. The bar and restaurant opened in March next door to Freely Taproom & Kitchen, a casual beer bar by the same owners. Walk through the curved brick entryway and chat to the host. Hopefully, you have a reservation; if not, pick a seat at the small bar and peruse the drinks list. There’s a tight, but impressively varied selection of wines along with creative cocktails that span tiki tipples to refreshing sips made with Japanese gin and plum sake. The appetizers are perfect for sharing, whether you and your group dig into creamy burrata with plenty of toasted bread or crisp, cheesy arancini. A hint of the Mediterranean comes into play with the skewers, which come loaded with shrimp, chicken, steak or ground, spiced lamb with yogurt and mint sauce. The pastas skew old- school Italian, such as the Nonna’s >> p14 Racan Alhoch is the chef and owner of Saint Pasta, a food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Phoenix. (Andrew Ruiz/RLO Agency) Hearty lasagna is a winner at Bar Capri. (Tirion Boan) Agua Chiles Rojo at Marisco Boys (Isaac Torres) Camarones Zarandeados at Marisco Boys (Isaac Torres)
