A popular East Coast bagel shop, an optimistic coffee bar, a seafood spot and the newest location of a growing ice cream chain have joined the roster of restaurants coming to a new development in Gilbert’s downtown Heritage District.
The newcomers highlight a shuffle in the dining lineup at Heritage Park, a 10-acre dining, shopping and residential area in the works at Gilbert Road and Juniper Avenue.
Ghost Donkey, Palma and Blue Sushi Sake Grill were originally anticipated to open within the development. Instead, PopUp Bagels, La La Land Kind Cafe, Hudson House and Salt & Straw will join the mix.
These new arrivals include a few firsts, with the debut Arizona location of PopUp Bagels and the first East Valley outpost of La La Land. All four eateries are anticipated to open in the second quarter of 2027.
“Downtown Gilbert already has a strong base of great restaurants and retail, and this lineup is about layering in something the East Valley hasn’t seen yet,” Alex Bez, COO of the development group Creation, said in a news announcement. “The interest we’re getting from groups making their first move into this market speaks to Heritage Park’s ability to weave new, sought-after concepts into the fabric of this community.”
Here’s what to know about each of these new eateries.
What’s coming to Heritage Park?
PopUp Bagels opened in Westport, Connecticut, in 2020. Since then, the shop has gone viral for its simple menu of five bagels and a rotating selection of cream cheeses. Customers line up to buy bagels and schmears, which staff doesn’t slice and spread. Instead, diners “grip, rip and dip” their bagel into cream cheese.
Coffee lovers buzzed with the arrival of La La Land in Scottsdale in January. In less than a year, the cafe known for its celebrity-collab drinks and cheerful staff has grown to two locations in the Valley, with a third in the works in Phoenix. Next year, East Valley residents won’t have to trek far to try the social media-famous shop.
Hudson House is an East Coast-inspired neighborhood restaurant from the group behind the forthcoming Drake’s Hollywood in Scottsdale. The Gilbert opening will be Hudson House’s second Valley location, with an inaugural outpost coming soon to north Phoenix’s PV development. The Gilbert eatery will span 7,882 square feet and include a large wraparound bar. The restaurant offers a raw bar, a selection of familiar bites that include a cheeseburger and chicken parmesan and a deep list of ice-cold martinis.
Salt & Straw already scoops ice cream in Phoenix, Tempe and Gilbert’s Agritopia neighborhood. Soon, downtown Gilbert diners will be able to cap their evening with classic and chef-driven ice creams from the Portland, Oregon-born concept. Salt & Straw’s inventive treats include strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper, pear and blue cheese and a rotation of seasonal flavors.
The gym [solidcore] will also join Heritage Park, which will also feature shopping and 288 luxury apartments. Plans for Heritage Park include about 47,000 square feet of dining and shopping.