Lovebite Dumplings is moving to a larger home at 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 100, according to a new liquor license application filed with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Founder Angel Gould confirmed the move to What Now Phoenix.
The new space will replace Lovebite’s current location at 116 E. Roosevelt St., where the Phoenix-born concept has operated for the past two years. Gould said the original restaurant gave the team a chance to figure out what Lovebite could become, but the business has since outgrown the space.
“From the beginning, the goal has been to rethink what fast food can look like. Fast, affordable, steamed always, locally owned, and actually fun to be around. The new space finally gives us the room to push that idea much further,” the company said in a statement.
Lovebite’s main option is the Lovebox, which lets customers choose pink rice, noodles, or greens as a base, add six dumplings, and pick a sauce. Dumpling choices include chicken, pork, shrimp, and vegetable, with yuzu soy, sriracha, Kewpie, and shuug as sauce options.
Desserts include brownies, cookies, and cheesecake.
The liquor application describes the Central Avenue location as a fast-casual restaurant serving steamed dumplings, rice and noodle bowls, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. It also lists September 1 as the estimated completion date for the renovation, though an opening date has not been announced.
Plans submitted with the application show a 2,984-square-foot space with a dining area, kitchen, and a curved beverage service counter near the center of the restaurant.
Seating is planned along the front of the space and at several tables throughout the dining room. The application says there will be no patio or drive-through.
Lovebite calls its approach “steamed fast food,” with a small menu built around ingredients that can be used across several dishes. The company is locally and women-owned and puts a strong focus on design in its restaurants.
“We’re also very excited about some luxurious new amenities, including reliable air conditioning, running water, and electricity – things we’ve learned never to take for granted.”
The concept’s signature pink rice also has a family connection. The recipe started with Gould’s mother, an Iranian refugee who later recreated a rice dish from her childhood using jasmine rice, coconut, and lemongrass. Dragon fruit was added later to give the rice its pink color.
Staying close to the original restaurant was an important part of the move.
“More than anything, it was important to us to stay in the neighborhood where Lovebite started. We love being part of this little corner of Phoenix, and we’re excited to create a space that feels bigger and better while still feeling unmistakably Lovebite.”
More details about the Central Avenue restaurant, including its opening date and operating hours, will be shared soon. Follow Lovebite Dumplings on Instagram for updates.
