On the move: Santo Arcadia & Desert Roots Kitchen

Santo Arcadia closing, seeks smaller space

🔥 Santo Arcadia, a grill-focused modern Mexican restaurant and bar that was a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in the country, is shutting down May 31 after 16 months in business.

Co-owner Robert Centeno said the 7,500-square-foot space on the northeast corner of 44th Street and Osborn in east Phoenix simply is too big for the concept.

He and partners Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin hope to find.a new space closer to 2,500 square feet by this fall.

The trio’s other concepts include Espiritu Mesa, Tacos Chiwas, Cocina Chiwas, Main Burgers, Aruma Cafe, and El Jardin Chiwas.

Desert Roots Kitchen closes, plans to move

After 13 years in downtown Tempe, vegan eatery Desert Roots Kitchen has closed after being hit with a huge rent increase. But fans need not worry – owner Leslie Robin has found a new home for the restaurant.

She intends to reopen this summer inside Rainbow Bliss Botanicals on the northwest corner of McClintock and Southern. The health and beauty shop has a full commercial kitchen.

Robin has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $4,000 for relocation.