Guidebook for NW Tempe

Larry
Guidebook for NW Tempe

Food Scene

My house is 15 minutes walking distance to Starbucks.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Starbucks
871 W University Dr
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
My house is 15 minutes walking distance to Starbucks.
Sacks is a great place to go for lunch if you’re craving sandwiches and is only a short 15 minute walk from my house. This gourmet sandwich shop are delicious and as an added bonus, it comes with a cookie!
Sacks Hardy
839 W University Dr
Sacks is a great place to go for lunch if you’re craving sandwiches and is only a short 15 minute walk from my house. This gourmet sandwich shop are delicious and as an added bonus, it comes with a cookie!
This local pizzeria and wine bar featuring a contemporary yet comfortable decor complete with a small bar, large patio area, wooden dining tables and comfortable couches.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar
699 S Mill Ave
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This local pizzeria and wine bar featuring a contemporary yet comfortable decor complete with a small bar, large patio area, wooden dining tables and comfortable couches.
Great place to stop by for a quick bite to eat. This Mediterranean-style fast casual restaurant offers a great variety of pita sandwiches or bowls with hummus, gyros, flavorful meats and veggies.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hummus Xpress
930 W Broadway Rd
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great place to stop by for a quick bite to eat. This Mediterranean-style fast casual restaurant offers a great variety of pita sandwiches or bowls with hummus, gyros, flavorful meats and veggies.
This is a local fan favorite and certainly the best Ethiopian food in Arizona! If you like spicy food then you will like this place. Served traditionally, you eat with your hands (server can provide utensils, if needed).
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine
849 W University Dr
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is a local fan favorite and certainly the best Ethiopian food in Arizona! If you like spicy food then you will like this place. Served traditionally, you eat with your hands (server can provide utensils, if needed).
This place is known for their excellent British-themed pasty sandwiches. Very unique atmosphere (it feels as if you’re in a British pub). Also has a great selection of unique beers on tap. There’s also a second smaller location along Mill Ave in Downtown Tempe (425 S Mill Ave #111).
209 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cornish Pasty Co
3800 N Goldwater Blvd
209 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This place is known for their excellent British-themed pasty sandwiches. Very unique atmosphere (it feels as if you’re in a British pub). Also has a great selection of unique beers on tap. There’s also a second smaller location along Mill Ave in Downtown Tempe (425 S Mill Ave #111).
Really great Thai restaurant with great lunch specials.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Thai Basil
403 W University Dr
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Really great Thai restaurant with great lunch specials.
A Tempe Staple, very popular neighborhood patio bar. This converted historic home/restaurant has great oysters. Great atmosphere for happy hour.
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 S Ash Ave
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A Tempe Staple, very popular neighborhood patio bar. This converted historic home/restaurant has great oysters. Great atmosphere for happy hour.
Award-Winning: Ranked the best coffee place in Arizona! This is a very hip place to get local coffee. Students frequent there being so close to ASU campus. Cartel also serves craft beer and food.
158 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cartel Coffee Lab
7124 E 5th Ave
158 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Award-Winning: Ranked the best coffee place in Arizona! This is a very hip place to get local coffee. Students frequent there being so close to ASU campus. Cartel also serves craft beer and food.
Nice place to go for brunch. Quick service, you place your order at the cashier and they bring your food out to you. Lots of seating both indoors and outdoors and the large open windows boast excellent views of “A” Mountain and Mill Ave (the main street going through downtown Tempe).
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Daily Jam
310 S Mill Ave
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nice place to go for brunch. Quick service, you place your order at the cashier and they bring your food out to you. Lots of seating both indoors and outdoors and the large open windows boast excellent views of “A” Mountain and Mill Ave (the main street going through downtown Tempe).
Great hamburger place. I highly recommend the "Big One". Heads up, they only accept cash so make sure to stop by the ATM first.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Chuckbox
202 E University Dr
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great hamburger place. I highly recommend the "Big One". Heads up, they only accept cash so make sure to stop by the ATM first.
Recently ranked #30 among Yelp's "Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2015." This is a great place to get a burger, hot dog, or fries.
Detroit Coney Grill
16 W Adams St
Recently ranked #30 among Yelp's "Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2015." This is a great place to get a burger, hot dog, or fries.
Open 24 hours. Great place to get coffee and donuts, or breakfast sandwiches. Also offers excellent Smoothies and tea. This restaurant is just a 10 minute walk from my listing.
ARIZONA DONUT CO.
1030 W Broadway Rd
Open 24 hours. Great place to get coffee and donuts, or breakfast sandwiches. Also offers excellent Smoothies and tea. This restaurant is just a 10 minute walk from my listing.
This is my favorite place to get breakfast in Tempe. Located right across the street from ASU. Fun atmosphere and great people watching opportunity if you sit within the outdoor patio area along College Ave. I recommend the blueberry danish pancakes. Be prepared to wait for a table if you go there on the weekends (unless you get there really early before the college students wake up).
236 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College Ave
236 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is my favorite place to get breakfast in Tempe. Located right across the street from ASU. Fun atmosphere and great people watching opportunity if you sit within the outdoor patio area along College Ave. I recommend the blueberry danish pancakes. Be prepared to wait for a table if you go there on the weekends (unless you get there really early before the college students wake up).
A very popular local family-owned diner with a classic movie theme. Everything is homemade, w/ constant rotating specials. Very good comfort food or breakfast diner.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Harlow's Cafe
1021 W University Dr
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A very popular local family-owned diner with a classic movie theme. Everything is homemade, w/ constant rotating specials. Very good comfort food or breakfast diner.
One of the most enchanting places to have a dinner date in Tempe, and with exceptional food. Set at a historic house converted into a restaurant with mostly outdoor seating & lush landscaping.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
House of Tricks
114 E 7th St
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
One of the most enchanting places to have a dinner date in Tempe, and with exceptional food. Set at a historic house converted into a restaurant with mostly outdoor seating & lush landscaping.
Cozy restaurant houses in a converted bungalow offers healthy foods such as protein bowls, kale sales, low-carb sandwiches and several made-to-order juices. Located across the street from ASU. Many students frequent here.
218 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Original ChopShop
7158 E 5th Ave
218 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cozy restaurant houses in a converted bungalow offers healthy foods such as protein bowls, kale sales, low-carb sandwiches and several made-to-order juices. Located across the street from ASU. Many students frequent here.
Extremely popular dining hub housed in a renovated warehouse. Has very large patio area with adirondack chairs, couches, beanbag-toss boards, pingpong, and foosball tables. Great food, and fun atmosphere if you are going with a large group.
561 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Culinary Dropout
7135 E Camelback Rd
561 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Extremely popular dining hub housed in a renovated warehouse. Has very large patio area with adirondack chairs, couches, beanbag-toss boards, pingpong, and foosball tables. Great food, and fun atmosphere if you are going with a large group.
This a great neighborhood Pizza and Bistro with a large outdoor seating area that offers a nice atmosphere. Get there early for dinner time, as there can be a long waiting period to get a table. Get the cookie dessert. It’s really amazing!
167 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University Drive
167 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This a great neighborhood Pizza and Bistro with a large outdoor seating area that offers a nice atmosphere. Get there early for dinner time, as there can be a long waiting period to get a table. Get the cookie dessert. It’s really amazing!
This is an iconic and legendary Tempe hot spot—voted America’s Favorite Craft Brewery from the Travel Channel. Really cool atmosphere, the Brewery is inside an historic brick mission-style building that was built in 1892. Excellent food. This is an extremely popular place so be prepared to wait if you have a large party or if you are going there on a Friday or Saturday night. Parking can be scarce. Recommend taking an Uber or Lyft there.
187 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th St
187 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is an iconic and legendary Tempe hot spot—voted America’s Favorite Craft Brewery from the Travel Channel. Really cool atmosphere, the Brewery is inside an historic brick mission-style building that was built in 1892. Excellent food. This is an extremely popular place so be prepared to wait if you have a large party or if you are going there on a Friday or Saturday night. Parking can be scarce. Recommend taking an Uber or Lyft there.
Featured on the Food Network, this Pakistani restaurant offers great spicy food and tender flavorful meats such as the Tandoori chicken tikka. The hummus is excellent as well.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Curry Corner
1212 E Apache Blvd
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Featured on the Food Network, this Pakistani restaurant offers great spicy food and tender flavorful meats such as the Tandoori chicken tikka. The hummus is excellent as well.
Very elegant atmosphere and nice ambiance. Excellent pasta dishes and great wine selection.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Caffe Boa
398 S Mill Ave
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very elegant atmosphere and nice ambiance. Excellent pasta dishes and great wine selection.
Very enchanting place to have dinner or even lunch. Their drink selection has plenty of local favorites and nice list of custom cocktails. Great outdoor patio/courtyard, wonderful intimate indoor seating and with a nice bar to cozy up to. Mostly American food with a flexible menu that offers Mediterranean or even Mexican cuisine as well.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Perfect Pear Bistro
603 W University Dr
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very enchanting place to have dinner or even lunch. Their drink selection has plenty of local favorites and nice list of custom cocktails. Great outdoor patio/courtyard, wonderful intimate indoor seating and with a nice bar to cozy up to. Mostly American food with a flexible menu that offers Mediterranean or even Mexican cuisine as well.
Originally started in Phoenix—everything is made from scratch with fresh locally grown ingredients: thick cut bacon, fluffy pancakes, and incredible omelets. I highly recommend their Belgian Waffle! If you go on a Tuesday—order the biscuits & sausage gravy special, you won’t regret it!
227 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Matt's Big Breakfast
825 N 1st St
227 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Originally started in Phoenix—everything is made from scratch with fresh locally grown ingredients: thick cut bacon, fluffy pancakes, and incredible omelets. I highly recommend their Belgian Waffle! If you go on a Tuesday—order the biscuits & sausage gravy special, you won’t regret it!
Within walking distance. Convenient neighborhood sports bar. TVs on each table. They make an decent Philly cheesesteak along with french fried potatoes. Nice place to relax with a cold beer and watch a game.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Philly's Sports Bar & Grill
1826 N Scottsdale Rd
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Within walking distance. Convenient neighborhood sports bar. TVs on each table. They make an decent Philly cheesesteak along with french fried potatoes. Nice place to relax with a cold beer and watch a game.
Create your own ice cream sandwich! Pick any two fresh baked cookies from 10 choices, and any one flavor ice cream from 10 choices. Then they create it for you right there. Sandwiches are only $2.50 each! I highly recommend checking out this place. Nice way to cool off on a hot day!
Slickables Ice Cream Sandwich
699 S Mill Ave
Create your own ice cream sandwich! Pick any two fresh baked cookies from 10 choices, and any one flavor ice cream from 10 choices. Then they create it for you right there. Sandwiches are only $2.50 each! I highly recommend checking out this place. Nice way to cool off on a hot day!
Within walking distance. Nice selection of soups, noodles, spring rolls, fried rice, and much more! I recommend the Hawaiian burger! Also—try the Iced Mumbai Chai, it’s delicious!
Loving Hut Tempe, AZ
405 W University Dr
Within walking distance. Nice selection of soups, noodles, spring rolls, fried rice, and much more! I recommend the Hawaiian burger! Also—try the Iced Mumbai Chai, it’s delicious!
Open for lunch only. This place is insanely poplar. It has won many notable accolades including being Ranked #2 among Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2018.” If you arrive around noon then be prepared to wait. If you want to avoid the crowds then try to get there early or show up later—around 3:00 p.m. or so.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Miss BBQ-University
4301 E University Dr
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Open for lunch only. This place is insanely poplar. It has won many notable accolades including being Ranked #2 among Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2018.” If you arrive around noon then be prepared to wait. If you want to avoid the crowds then try to get there early or show up later—around 3:00 p.m. or so.
Originally started in Scottsdale—this is a fun, hip place with a great indoor/outdoor set-up, bright 70s era decor and a dog-friendly patio. Great food and beverage selection with excellent drinks. Similar vibe as Snooze—this is a fun place to go for brunch.
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Morning Squeeze
4233 N Scottsdale Rd
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Originally started in Scottsdale—this is a fun, hip place with a great indoor/outdoor set-up, bright 70s era decor and a dog-friendly patio. Great food and beverage selection with excellent drinks. Similar vibe as Snooze—this is a fun place to go for brunch.
This place is new and still under the radar. If you’re looking for a more low-key coffee hang-hang-out spot that is more relaxed, then this is the place. Their cold brew coffee is very good.
Delante Coffee
960 W University Dr
This place is new and still under the radar. If you’re looking for a more low-key coffee hang-hang-out spot that is more relaxed, then this is the place. Their cold brew coffee is very good.
This is the second location. The original location is also from Tempe. The offer very delicious sandwiches with fresh bread and ingredients. Soups are also tasty.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dilly's Deli
414 W University Dr
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This is the second location. The original location is also from Tempe. The offer very delicious sandwiches with fresh bread and ingredients. Soups are also tasty.
My favorite sandwich place in Tempe. The bread is really high quality and made perfectly. I like almost everything on the menu, but my overall favorite is “The Sparky” sandwich.
Arizona Sandwich Co. & Catering
1775 W University Dr
My favorite sandwich place in Tempe. The bread is really high quality and made perfectly. I like almost everything on the menu, but my overall favorite is “The Sparky” sandwich.
Very cool spot. Award winning vegan dishes includes several options such as buffalo wings, tacos, salads, chicken nuggets, cheesesteaks, and much more! The Big Wac Burger (vegan version of the Big Mac) is delicious and my personal favorite! Also, save room for dessert. They serve delicious cookies and ice cream!
163 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th St
163 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very cool spot. Award winning vegan dishes includes several options such as buffalo wings, tacos, salads, chicken nuggets, cheesesteaks, and much more! The Big Wac Burger (vegan version of the Big Mac) is delicious and my personal favorite! Also, save room for dessert. They serve delicious cookies and ice cream!
This counter-service plant-based restaurant offers fresh and delicious vegan food. Daily rotating menu so they let you sample everything first. Check their instagram: @desertrootskitchen for their latest daily menu.
Desert Roots Kitchen
414 S Mill Ave
This counter-service plant-based restaurant offers fresh and delicious vegan food. Daily rotating menu so they let you sample everything first. Check their instagram: @desertrootskitchen for their latest daily menu.
Incredible authentic Mexican food. One the best places to get tacos in Tempe. Their salsas and home-made style guacamole are terrific, and their churros are also very tasty!
Maskadores taco shop
818 W Broadway Rd
Incredible authentic Mexican food. One the best places to get tacos in Tempe. Their salsas and home-made style guacamole are terrific, and their churros are also very tasty!

Essentials

My house is a 25 minute walk, or 8 minute bike ride to the local Whole Foods. This Whole Foods also includes a restaurant/bar with indoor and outdoor seating, and there's Nectar Juice bar inside.
218 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Whole Foods Market
4701 N 20th St
218 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
My house is a 25 minute walk, or 8 minute bike ride to the local Whole Foods. This Whole Foods also includes a restaurant/bar with indoor and outdoor seating, and there's Nectar Juice bar inside.
I couldn’t be more excited about the new Trader Joe’s location near Downtown Tempe/ASU! Prime location along University Drive, in the Cornerstone Shopping Center. Within walking distance from the light rail station!
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trader Joe's
6460 S McClintock Dr
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
I couldn’t be more excited about the new Trader Joe’s location near Downtown Tempe/ASU! Prime location along University Drive, in the Cornerstone Shopping Center. Within walking distance from the light rail station!

Arts & Culture

ASU Gammage Auditorium is a 25 minute walk from my house or 8 minute bike ride or 10 minutes by the Orbit Shuttle.
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ASU Gammage
1200 S Forest Ave
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ASU Gammage Auditorium is a 25 minute walk from my house or 8 minute bike ride or 10 minutes by the Orbit Shuttle.

Everything Else

Enterprise is a 15 minute walk from my house and 2 minutes using the Orbit Bus. Their rates are generally 40% cheaper than renting a car from the Airport and start as low as $9.99 per day.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1131 W Broadway Rd
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Enterprise is a 15 minute walk from my house and 2 minutes using the Orbit Bus. Their rates are generally 40% cheaper than renting a car from the Airport and start as low as $9.99 per day.
You can rent a bike from The Pedal Bike Shop on a daily or weekly basis. It is conveniently located just one block from the Farmers Market so you can pick up some groceries after getting your bike.
The Pedal Bike Shop
405 W University Dr
You can rent a bike from The Pedal Bike Shop on a daily or weekly basis. It is conveniently located just one block from the Farmers Market so you can pick up some groceries after getting your bike.
The Tempe Center for the Arts is one of the coolest venues in AZ. It's the perfect place to catch a concert or view an exhibit collection and then go for a leisurely stroll along the lake afterwards.
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W Rio Salado Pkwy
92 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Tempe Center for the Arts is one of the coolest venues in AZ. It's the perfect place to catch a concert or view an exhibit collection and then go for a leisurely stroll along the lake afterwards.

Parks & Nature

Tempe Beach Park is a great waterfront park and event venue. There are many great paths for walking, jogging, biking, etc. and plenty of grass and trees for relaxing with a good book or a snack.
151 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque de la Playa de Tempe
80 W Rio Salado Pkwy
151 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tempe Beach Park is a great waterfront park and event venue. There are many great paths for walking, jogging, biking, etc. and plenty of grass and trees for relaxing with a good book or a snack.
A token experience for any Tempe tourist. A very easy, mostly paved hike up (roughly 15 mins). The top of the mountain offers spectacular views of the valley and a great photo opportunity.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A Mountain
201 S Packard Dr
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A token experience for any Tempe tourist. A very easy, mostly paved hike up (roughly 15 mins). The top of the mountain offers spectacular views of the valley and a great photo opportunity.

Drinks & Nightlife

Great happy hour hang out spot with excellent beer selection: 30 draft handles and 70+ bottles of craft beer. Their burgers and sandwiches are really good, such as the “Tatonka Burger and the Chic.” This is a favorite place among locals.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Boulders On Broadway
530 W Broadway Rd
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great happy hour hang out spot with excellent beer selection: 30 draft handles and 70+ bottles of craft beer. Their burgers and sandwiches are really good, such as the “Tatonka Burger and the Chic.” This is a favorite place among locals.
Downtown Tempe's newest hot spot is a bicycle friendly, contemporary beer garden with an expansive bike and dog-friendly city park-style patio. Draft beer selection is terrific.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S Mill Ave
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Downtown Tempe's newest hot spot is a bicycle friendly, contemporary beer garden with an expansive bike and dog-friendly city park-style patio. Draft beer selection is terrific.
Great for large groups. Very fun atmosphere!
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Yard At Farmer Arts District
149 S Farmer Ave
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great for large groups. Very fun atmosphere!