Arizona’s dining scene is heading into fall with plenty of reasons to pull up a chair. New restaurants are opening, acclaimed chefs are teaming up for intimate dinners and seasonal menus have debuted throughout the state.

Looking for a new restaurant to try? Or a limited-seat chef dinner? Maybe you just want to sample the latest fall flavors. We’ve lined up some of the latest Arizona dining news to know this fall.

Editor’s note: This story will be updated throughout fall 2026 as new Arizona restaurant openings, seasonal menus, chef dinners and culinary experiences are announced.

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Need more? Read more: Step outside and explore: 11 Southwest resorts with hiking at your doorstep

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What’s on the menu for fall in Arizona?

• This fall’s dining news includes:
• New restaurant openings across Arizona
• Fresh fall menus and seasonal dishes
• Limited-seat chef dinners and culinary collaborations
• New happy hours, cocktails and late-night specials
• Whiskey and bourbon experiences
• Restaurant anniversaries and special events
• New brunch experiences worth gathering the group for
• A few surprises for four-legged diners, too

From new Northern Arizona restaurants to limited-seat chef dinners in Scottsdale, fall is bringing a mix of destination-worthy openings, special events and seasonal dining experiences across Arizona.

New Arizona restaurants opening this fall

Maynard James Keenan and Jennifer Keenan open Queen B Sushi in Cottonwood

Winemakers and entrepreneurs Maynard James Keenan and Jennifer Keenan have expanded their growing Cottonwood culinary footprint with Queen B Sushi. Now open, the new restaurant sits near sister concept Queen B Vinyl Café in Old Town Cottonwood.

The intimate, 44-seat restaurant specializes in sustainably sourced Japanese cuisine led by Culinary Director Chef Brett Vibber. Vibber is joined by Chef Chuhiro “Thomas” Kato, whose experience includes working under chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Masaharu Morimoto, and Arizona native Chef Sheridan “Sher” Chase.

The concept evolved from sushi pop-ups at Queen B Vinyl Café and incorporates sustainably sourced seafood alongside vegetables grown at Merkin Vineyards’ Northern Arizona farms and greenhouses. The beverage program highlights Queen B wines and Arizona sake.

Queen B Sushi is open Thursday through Monday for dinner.

Vecina expands to Scottsdale with new McCormick Ranch restaurant

Vecina is expanding beyond its original Arcadia home with a second, significantly larger location opening Sept. 18 in Scottsdale’s McCormick Ranch neighborhood. The new restaurant features lake views, private dining areas, a mezzanine and an airy patio.

Chef James Fox will bring Vecina favorites, including its carne asada-marinated take on Japanese karaage and popular salmon tacos with Faroe Island salmon, yuzu kosho aioli and citrus. The larger kitchen allows the team to introduce new menu items and expand into catering, while a custom mural by Phoenix artist Tato Caraveo pays homage to Vecina’s Arcadia roots.

Sartén Kitchen & Bar brings live-fire Sonoran cuisine to Denū

Opening in September, Sartén Kitchen & Bar anchors the culinary program at Denū. Its menu celebrates the ingredients and traditions of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico.

Fire is central to the experience, with dishes shaped by smoke, cast iron and embers. Menu highlights include:

• Fire-Roasted Bone Marrow with salsa macha
• Cast Iron Mesquite Cornbread with whipped mesquite honey butter
• Ceviche Verde with Sonoran citrus
• 14-ounce prime ribeye marinated for 24 hours in citrus and ancho chile.

On weekends, Sartén will also host Gather Brunch, a shareable experience designed for groups of four to six.

New menus and seasonal dining experiences

SaltRock chef Malik Von Saint unveils refreshed Southwest menu

A new executive chef is putting his stamp on SaltRock Southwest Kitchen in Sedona. Chef Malik Von Saint has introduced a refreshed menu rooted in Southwestern ingredients and flavors.

New dishes include:

• The Mesa Wellington, featuring center-cut beef tenderloin, poblano duxelles, prosciutto and adobo mustard wrapped in golden pastry
• Pan-seared whole Branzino with chimichurri and roasted corn; and Sweet Potato Gnocchi topped with slow-braised short rib and Southwest bordelaise.

Inspired by Von Saint’s love of animals and rescue efforts, SaltRock has also introduced the Amara Pup Menu for canine visitors. Options include:

• The Sedona Pup Bowl with grilled chicken, brown rice, blueberries and pumpkin purée, house-made peanut butter biscuits
• A Real Puppuccino and nonalcoholic Doggy Brew.

The latter is even available at a discounted price during daily Yappy Hour from 3 to 5 p.m.

North Italia serves up $45 three-course dinner through September

North Italia is offering a limited-time three-course prix-fixe dinner for $45 at its Arizona restaurants through Sept. 30.

Available daily from 4 p.m. to close, the menu lets diners build a three-course meal from a selection of North Italia favorites.

Entrée options include :

• Spicy Rigatoni Vodka
• House Specialty Bolognese
• Chicken Parmesan
• Roasted Salmon
• Salted Caramel Budino

Handcrafted cocktails and zero-proof drinks are available as optional additions.

Postino teams up with Grillo’s Pickles for first culinary collaboration

Postino is getting into a bit of a pickle this fall, in the best possible way. The Arizona-born wine café has teamed up with Grillo’s Pickles for its first-ever culinary brand collaboration. Available at Postino locations through Oct. 28.

At the center of the collaboration is a limited-time:

• Hot Pickle Dip made with whipped cream cheese, labneh yogurt, garlic, dill and Grillo’s pickle brine. Topped with Hot Dill Pickles and served with house chips and fresh vegetables.
• Postino recommends pairing it with Mother Block Orange Wine or a Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA.

Postino Annex in Tempe will also host a special sampling event Oct. 3 from noon to 2 p.m.

Red, White & Brew rolls out fall flavors and new Prescott happy hour

Red, White & Brew is leaning into the flavors of the season with a limited-time fall menu available through Oct. 31 at its Mesa and Prescott locations.

New dishes include:

• Sweet Potato Fritters with Whipped Ricotta
• Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Ravioli
• Chilean Sea Bass with Sweet Potato Mash
• Pumpkin Crème Brûlée.

The Prescott restaurant has also introduced a new daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., with everything priced at $10 or less. Specials range from $7 pints and $8 wines to $10 signature cocktails and bites including Chicken Chipotle Empanadas and rotating Chef’s Eggrolls.

Miracle Mile Deli serves up September specials

Phoenix institution Miracle Mile Deli is marking September with several limited-time specials, including a $15 pastrami slider meal featuring two sliders and a side, available throughout the month.

For Rosh Hashanah, the longtime New York-style deli will also offer a special plate Sept. 11–12 featuring beef brisket, a potato pancake with applesauce and sour cream and a cup of matzo ball soup for $22.

Chef dinners and special culinary experiences

Alex Stratta launches Michelin Series at Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails

Two-Michelin-star chef Alex Stratta is giving Scottsdale diners a closer look at his culinary career with the launch of a new Michelin Series at Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails.

The series begins Sunday, Sept. 13, with a limited-seating Lunch & Learn featuring an interactive cooking demonstration, conversation and two-course lunch. Stratta will share stories from his career while demonstrating the preparation and techniques behind select dishes before guests sit down to enjoy them.

The experience runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $125 per person, with an optional $25 wine pairing. Advance reservations are required.

Erick Pineda joins Bourbon Steak for a 26-seat chef dinner

Bourbon Steak at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will welcome chef Erick Pineda of Requinto and Tololoche for an intimate guest chef collaboration dinner on Sept. 16.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with welcome bubbles and passed canapés, followed by a five-course dinner paired with cocktails featuring Mezcal Vago, Tequila Ocho, Elijah Craig and Señor Sotol.

The dinner also marks a full-circle return to the Scottsdale resort for Pineda. Years ago, his father performed at La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Now Pineda returns to the property as a chef known for his Guerrero-inspired cuisine, handmade masa and storytelling-driven approach to food.

Only 26 seats are available for the dinner, priced at $255 per person.

Fall sips and drink experiences

Westside Concepts launches Whiskey Passport for National Bourbon Heritage Month

Westside Concepts is turning National Bourbon Heritage Month into a month-long drinking adventure with its inaugural Whiskey Passport.

Throughout September, guests can visit participating Haymaker, Four Corners Taphouse and Copper & Sage locations, try featured whiskeys and collect passport stamps along the way. The program showcases selections ranging from familiar favorites to sought-after bottles, including Blanton’s, Eagle Rare 10 Year and Pappy Van Winkle.

Collecting five to 20 stamps earns guests progressively larger Westside Concepts gift cards, with those reaching the highest tier receiving a $100 gift card and Westside Concepts decanter set.

Happy hours, live music and nightlife

Horse & Hyde Uptown expands to seven days a week

Beginning Sept. 14, Horse & Hyde Uptown in Phoenix will be open seven days a week while expanding its lineup of live music, karaoke, happy hours and weekly programming.

The fall schedule includes Phoenix Music Collective performances on Sundays and Wednesdays, Karaoke Tuesdays and live bands on Thursday nights. Weekday happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m., while reverse happy hour is offered nightly from 9 p.m. to close, with specials including $5 Tito’s, $3 Coors Light and $3 well drinks.

The restaurant will also continue offering rotating performances from local and regional musicians spanning country, rock, bluegrass, swing and Americana.

Cien Agaves launches late-night reverse happy hour

Cien Agaves is giving late-night diners another reason to stick around with a new Reverse Happy Hour, available daily from 9 p.m. to close at both its Old Town Scottsdale and new Chandler locations.

The late-night lineup includes $7 Cien-A-Ritas, half-price appetizers, $3 Tinga Tacos, $5 Modelo Especial and $2 off wine by the glass.

Arizona restaurant celebrations and happenings

Rusty Spur Saloon celebrates 75 years in Old Town Scottsdale

One of Old Town Scottsdale’s longest-running watering holes is turning 75.

Rusty Spur Saloon will mark its milestone anniversary Saturday, Sept. 26, with an all-day celebration featuring live music, giveaways, Western attire and a particularly fitting throwback: 75-cent Coors Banquet beers while supplies last.

The saloon opened in 1951 inside a building constructed in 1921 as the Farmer’s State Bank of Scottsdale. A piece of that banking history remains inside today: The former bank vault now serves as Rusty Spur’s walk-in cooler.

Live music begins at 11 a.m., with performances continuing throughout the day and evening. The anniversary will also benefit the Phoenix Children’s Foundation Hope Fund through donations collected during the celebration.