Phoenix restaurant scene set to expand with highly anticipated concepts opening in 2026 Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on December 30, 2025 There are already so many great places to eat in Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for new restaurants to add to the Valley’s roster. Fueled by the Maricopa County’s growing population, several new retail and mixed-use developments that need tenants, and Valley diners’ growing tastes, Phoenix appears to be one of the country’s most desirable markets for local and out-of-state chefs and restaurateurs to expand and open new concepts in 2026. Over the next 12 months, plenty of new restaurants are on track to open in the Valley that have already generated buzz – some that have been years in the making. Many will be new to the market; some are expansions of brands to new parts of town; and others are new concepts from proven operators. In no particular order, here are a few of the key new additions that I’ve been hearing a lot of people talking about – both from inside the food and beverage industry and just foodies around town: Glai Baan sister concept Whether I’m interviewing chefs or restaurant owners or just watching the latest foodie chatter on social media, everyone seems to be very excited about the new concept coming from Cat Bunnag and Dan Robinson, the owners of much-acclaimed Phoenix Thai restaurant Glai Baan. Not too much has been made public about the new concept except that it will be going into the Tempe’s historic Gov. Benjamin B. Moeur House at 7th Street and Myrtle Avenue. It will feature a Thai menu, but will not be a direct Glai Baan replica. Find Complete Article Here: https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2025/12/29/phoenix-most-anticipated-restaurants-2026.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_9&cx_artPos=2