Explore The Valley’s New Wave of Openings – From Vietnamese Coffee to Milanese Gelato

Remember when Mission Valley Mall was just… there? Those days are gone. The Valley has already brought in Kura Sushi and Box Lunch this summer, and now a whole new wave of restaurants and shops is landing between now and the end of the year.

Add a few massive anchors coming in early 2027, and this property is turning into a legitimate destination. Here’s everything to know.

A Phin-Drip That Arrived Fresh From Vietnam

Start here. EM Coffee House soft-opened last week right next to Hot Topic near the AMC Theatres, and owner Nick Truong is doing something worth the detour.

Beans come directly from Vietnam, the menu leans into traditional phin-drip brews, and there’s a premium ceremonial matcha series and original house creations rounding things out.

A grand opening with exclusive giveaways is coming in September – but honestly, go now while it’s still in its soft-opening phase. That’s the sweet spot.

Açaí Bowls and Venezuelan Picnics on the Oasis Lawn

Late August brings Oakberry, the global açaí brand serving 100% organic Amazonian bowls and smoothies loaded with unlimited toppings.

Then in October, Encuentro – the homegrown San Diego company that started in Old Town – sets up a kiosk right in the Oasis with authentic Venezuelan cuisine and family-style picnic baskets made for the lawn. Order something, find a patch of grass, and stay a while. That’s the whole idea.

A 200-Seat Hangout Across From the AMC

The Stand is claiming serious real estate this September. Its 23rd location will be an expansive 200-seat indoor/outdoor venue right across from the AMC Theaters, with an indoor/outdoor bar and plenty of room for big groups.

If you’ve been to one of their Southern California spots before, you already know how easy it is to end up staying longer than you planned.

Sizzle Your Own Steak at 500 Degrees

Here’s a concept that never gets old: a 500-degree iron hot plate arrives at your table, and you cook your own steak and pepper rice exactly the way you want it. That’s Pepper Lunch, the Tokyo-born teppanyaki chain that’s been doing this since 1994 and has the global following to prove it.

It’s coming to The Valley in November, and it will absolutely become someone’s new Tuesday night ritual.

Traditional Milanese Gelato, Handcrafted Every Day

Bacio di Latte arrives mid-October with a simple, hard-to-argue-with premise: traditional Italian gelato, made fresh on-site every single day using quality local and global ingredients.

No shortcuts, no off-site production. Just the real thing, available every time you walk by. This one’s going to be a problem for your willpower.

Philz, Spencer’s, and More Before the Year’s Out

Philz Coffee is coming in September with its Oakland-roasted, handcrafted-one-cup-at-a-time blends – a solid addition to the property’s morning and afternoon rotation.

Spencer’s, a long-standing staple at The Valley, is upsizing and relocating into a bigger, redesigned space in the Target wing this fall (the original location stays open during the move, so no interruption there). And in November, European Wax Center moves into a brand-new space next to Foot Locker.

A 158,000-Square-Foot Sports Complex is Coming in 2027

The headliners are still on the way. Early 2027 brings DICK’S House of Sport – all 158,000 square feet of it, with an indoor climbing wall, golf simulators, and a multi-sport cage.

Family indoor playground Candeeland and bowling and gaming venue Round1 are also in the pipeline. At that point, you’ll need a whole day just to get through it all.