New Restaurants in 2026!

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

This week we have a TON of news coming out from restaurants. Some re-branding, some opening now, and some that finally shared an opening date for the future.

We're throwing another in-person happy hour on January 15th and I'd love to see you there! Here’s a link if you want to register, it’s free!

Let’s dive in!

The former Etta space at Scottsdale Quarter gets a complete makeover this week with The Guest House opening Friday, January 9th. Owner Raj Kumar calls it "vibe dining," bringing late-night lounge energy into an elegant steakhouse setting.

The menu is designed for sharing, from complimentary laminated brioche bread to Prime tomahawk steaks, plus some seriously social-media-ready tableside experiences. They've got a tableside grill where you cook your own Wagyu, and something called "Tulgey Woods": a whimsical tree with cotton candy leaves surrounded by margarita shot bottles for group toasts. The cocktails take inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, including an espresso martini made with vodka steeped in their brioche bread.

Live DJs will spin seven nights a week, and they're keeping it accessible with options like buttermilk chicken tenders alongside the luxury cuts. Kumar says 70% of tables at their Austin and Vegas locations order the chicken tenders, so don't feel fancy-shamed!

Speaking of steakhouses, BOA Steakhouse, from the group who owned former Sushi Roku just announced a spring 2026 opening at Old Town Waterfront. This celebrity-loved chain brings their famous tableside Caesar salad and partnership with Four Sixes Ranch, which gained national attention from the show Yellowstone.

The 6,925-square-foot space will seat 210 guests with a waterfront patio, plus they're working on unique Scottsdale menu items and cocktails. Executive chef Brendan Collins is creating a seed-oil-free menu featuring 40-day dry-aged steaks, A5 Japanese wagyu, and even a "Beyond Steak Filet" vegan option.

I’m pumped for this one! Outside of tacos, dim sum is my favorite food!

Din Tai Fung at Scottsdale Fashion Square is officially opening in April 2026, and the renderings look awesome. The 10,000-square-foot space will seat 340 guests and feature their signature dumpling expo kitchen where you can watch the xiao long bao magic happen.

The design includes a curved façade with glowing red signage, a central tree installation, and that mesmerizing behind-the-scenes dumpling prep show. Plus, they're planning a second Valley location at Chandler Fashion Center opening in 2027!

Starfish Hospitality Group is opening their first Arizona location at Hayden Road and Via de Ventura in early 2026. This Orange County-based group specializes in Coastal Asian cuisine with over 70 shareable plates inspired by Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, China, and Japan.

The 5,200-square-foot space includes a 1,400-square-foot patio and will feature hand-folded daily dumplings, scratch-made Thai curries, and signature cocktails like the Wild Lychee Martini and Thai Me Down (a spiked Thai tea martini). Menu highlights include lobster macadamia nut sushi rolls and Chilean sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with Thai basil green curry.

Going GreenHouse is a locally owned gem that just celebrated 15 years in business, which tells you they're doing something right. Their signature move? Steam cleaning your floors with the McCulloch PowerSteam Series that literally melts away grime and sanitizes without any harsh chemicals. Here’s some benefits of their services:

If you've got little ones or furry friends running around and want floors that actually sparkle without worrying about what they're crawling on, these are your people.

Book a cleaning now

Finding authentic Mexican food in Scottsdale that doesn't come with a big price tag and white tablecloths can be tough. That's why Taco PAPI on Northsight Boulevard (near the airport) is worth highlighting.

This place skips the fancy ambiance and Instagram-worthy plating to focus on what matters most: incredibly good Mexican food made the right way. They're doing the kind of authentic cooking that's genuinely hard to find around here. I got a variety of tacos and have to say their carne asada tacos had that smokey flavor that is pretty rare IMO.

The spot has that no-frills approach where the food does all the talking. Plus, they've got a Taco Tuesday deal with 15% off tacos if you need another reason to check them out.

This issue is restaurant heavy so figured I’d keep the theme running!

Located on Market Street in DC Ranch, Pescada is a great date spot. I had a chance to check this place out recently and knew I had to share!

They have a beautiful patio as well as dining room. The grilled octopus is absolutely worth ordering, and their fresh crudo showcases exactly why they're so passionate about sourcing quality seafood. The bright citrus and bold herbs they use make everything feel fresh and vibrant.

Their wine list focuses on Old World selections from Italy, France, and Spain that pair well with the Mediterranean flavors. Plus, if you're looking for a more casual vibe, I highly recommend you check out Sheila's Oyster Bar inside Pescada where you can grab $2 oysters and $6 cava all night long. They even have a ton of canned sardines you can take home if you’re a sardine fan like myself.

Thursday, January 8

🎲 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Twenty-Sided Tavern | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

🎭 THE BOOK OF MORMON | ASU Gammage | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

Friday, January 9

🎸 My Generation Tour | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

😂 Rick Glassman | Desert Ridge Improv | 7:00 PM (multiple days)

🎵 Flute Fridays: Flute Duets Through the Ages | Musical Instrument Museum | 2:15 PM

🎤 The Yale Whiffenpoofs | ASU Kerr | 7:30 PM

Saturday, January 10

🧘 Saturday Sweat Yoga Series | Caesars Republic Scottsdale | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

🌿 New Years Workshop: Succulents & Mimosas! | The Botanist Group | 11:00 AM

Sunday, January 11

🍻 Yappy Hour | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

👩‍🦳 Swiftie Liftie Club Outdoors | The Park at PV | 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $4.3M! This is a stunning contemporary Red Moon Homes new build in Mirabel with 4-5 ensuite bedrooms, upstairs guest home with panoramic views, and resort-style pool and outdoor living.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

I keep hearing about red light therapy from friends who swear it's changed their lives, but most places are either sketchy or impossible to get to. Quantum Red in Scottsdale is different. They're legitimate, convenient, and their results speak for themselves.

Their clients (including me) report better sleep, faster muscle recovery, clearer skin, and more energy. One client said it's like that movie "Limitless" where Bradley Cooper's mind gets super sharp. Another mentioned her back strain was fixed in two days.

They offer both in-studio sessions and at-home setups, plus infrared sauna memberships. If you've been curious about red light therapy but didn't know where to start, these guys have it figured out.

Learn more about their services here.

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John

You've been asking for it, so here it is — the third Scottsdale Scoop Dinner Club is happening and we're kicking things off on 1/28.

It's time to gather around the table, meet some neighbors, and discover new food spots while having a ridiculously good time.

Here's how it works:

The Logistics: The booking fee is $16 per seat, you pay for your own meal at the end of dinner, and I'll handle everything from the quiz to the matching to the reservations and reminders. All you gotta do is show up, meet some cool people, and have fun.

Here’s a link if you want to sign up. It’ll be a blast!