10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (2024)

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (1)

Taste a diverse mix of dishes at the top restaurants in Tempe, from gastropubs to curry joints and torta havens

Written by

Jackie Dishner

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Tempe restaurants have long been defined by thestudent town’s population; Arizona State University’s local, regional, national and international students and young professionals call the shots. They like eclectic, ethnic and modern. You’ll find gastropubs with locally crafted brews and intimate cafés on side streets that can feed no more than two dozen customers at a time. There are casual restaurants in strip centers that serve casual food made from only the finest ingredients, and places on Mill Avenue—the main drag—that cater to a younger, rowdier crowd. The restaurant industry here represents a multitude of cultural tastes, including American, Mediterranean, Mexican, Ethiopian, Asian, Middle Eastern and so many more. Ready for a sample? Try theseten best Tempe venuesfirst.

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Best restaurants in Tempe

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (3)

1.House of Tricks

What is it? Housed in a charming historic bungalow near ASU, this is an authentic American-style restaurant.
Why go? Go here to impress. They serve spectacular salads and wonderfully romantic dinners for two, with an extensive wine list. Order the blackened ahi tuna, keeping in mind the menu changes seasonally. The garden-setting patio, with shade trees, brick work and water features, is the best in town.
Price? Pricey

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (4)

2.Caffe Boa

What is it? For more than 20 years, this downtown Tempe favorite has featured Italian dishes made of organic, natural and local ingredients.
Why go? They serve free-range poultry, wild caught salmon and local produce and bread; they’re also known for pasta made daily by hand. Seasonal dishes include osso bucco in the spring, sparkling co*cktails for summer and polenta bowls in winter. Feel at home with exposed brick walls inside and a lattice-topped patio outside.
Price? Pricey

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (5)

3.Tempe Public Market Café

What is it? This is Chef Aaron Chamberlin’s latest concept in south Tempe (he’s well-known in Phoenix for Phoenix Public Market Café, St. Francis and Taco Chelo).
Why go? Enjoy fresh and local market cuisine inside a light and airy space that used to house a Circle K convenience mart. A house specialty is the Pork Chile Verde Pot Pie, the spicy flavor buffered by a flaky crust. The gluten-free diner can order blue corn pancakes.
Price? Average

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (6)

4.TRES Tempe

What is it? Brand new and modern, the cuisine at TRES inserts a little Southwest into Mediterranean-style traditions and flavors.
Why go? The menu includes a delightful cheesecake with molé spiced pecans and bacon-wrapped dates made with locally grown Medjools, drizzled with a housemade ancho chile and honey sauce. Specials of the day might be taco or flatbread interpretations, but the Cheese Torte–Lasagna, meet chilaquiles!–is a customer favorite.
Price? Average

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10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (7)

5.Crêpe Bar

What is it? This is where you go for made-to-order crêpes. A former coffee shop in south Tempe, the four-year-old restaurant serves specialty coffees and is open for breakfast and lunch.
Why go? It features ingredients from top local and regional farms and is owned by Chef Jeff Kraus, who recently appeared on Food Network’s “Chopped.” One crêpe to try: Papa K (Hassayampa ham, eggs, chile jack cheese and roasted mushrooms).
Price? Average

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (8)

6.The Dhaba

What is it? From the dishes they serve meals in to the spices and sauces used, it’s like taking a trip to India when dining at this café that serves Punjabi-style cuisine.
Why go? Helpful staff take time to explain each dish. Try the Kashmiri Chicken Tikka Masala, which comes marinated in spices and yogurt, served with naan and basmati rice. Meals here are large and best shared. Interesting piece of trivia: Owner Raveen Arora is an award-winning humanitarian.
Price? Bargain

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10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (9)

7.Los Reyes de la Torta

What is it? Traditional recipes, amazing tortas and homemade, thick tortillas make this restaurant the go-to for authentic Mexican cuisine.
Why go?A must-try: the non-alcoholic frescas (fresh fruit drinks). The mucho meaty Del Rey appeared on Food Network’s “Man v. Food,” but try one of the Huaraches–a 12-inch round tortilla topped with refried beans, green salsa, fresh Mexican cheese, chopped onions and different choices of protein. They even have one made with grilled cactus.
Price? Bargain

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (10)

8.Yupha’s Thai Kitchen

What is it? After retiring from a banking career, Yupha Dequenne started this Thai restaurant in south Tempe.
Why go? Fourteen years later, she’s still serving her inexpensive versions of Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles and Red Curry. Mussaman Curry is a favorite for take-out; simmered in coconut milk, onions and potatoes, it’s served with chicken, beef, pork, fresh or crispy tofu, or vegetables. Dessert changes monthly and varies from fried bananas to caramel cheesecake.
Price? Bargain

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10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (11)

9.Curry Corner

What is it? Formerly the Copper Kettle Express, the owners of the welcoming Curry Corner restaurant changed name when they moved premises to E Apache Blvd.
Why go? The dining room is sizeable, but it maintains a laidback café vibe. Here you’ll find authentic Pakistani cuisine served as whole meals or separately in traditional thali dishes. And if you fancy a more Westernized food, you can always get fries and the naan à la cheese or Nutella.
Price? Bargain

10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (12)

10.Pedal Haus Brewery

What is it?This gastropub on trendy Mill Avenue boasts fun, inventive food and award-winning brews on tap (American Light Lager and German-style Kölsch).
Why go?You must try the Cheddar Corn Fritters and the falafel sandwich on house-made pita. Large groups can hang out in the beer garden and take selfies in front of the bike rim screen. As the name might suggest, this place is pretty into cycling, and customers who ride their bikes to the pub get discounts on beer.
Price? Average


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    10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now (2024)

    FAQs

    10 Best Restaurants in Tempe to Savor Right Now? ›

    Tempeh or tempe (/ˈtɛmpeɪ/; Javanese: ꦠꦺꦩ꧀ꦥꦺ, romanized: témpé, Javanese pronunciation: [tempe]) is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form.

    What is Tempe? ›

    Tempeh or tempe (/ˈtɛmpeɪ/; Javanese: ꦠꦺꦩ꧀ꦥꦺ, romanized: témpé, Javanese pronunciation: [tempe]) is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form.

    How far is Phoenix from Tempe by car? ›

    Can I drive from Phoenix to Tempe? Yes, the driving distance between Phoenix to Tempe is 13 miles. It takes approximately 15 min to drive from Phoenix to Tempe.

    Is Tempe a fun town? ›

    Tempe has something for everyone

    No matter your age or interest, you will be sure to find something fun to explore in Tempe, AZ.

    What Tempe restaurant is closing after 34 years? ›

    After a three decade-long run, Tempe restaurant House of Tricks is closing. Owners Bob and Robin Trick announced on Facebook that they plan to retire. "Knowing what House of Tricks means to us and to so many in our community has made this decision especially difficult," the couple said in the announcement.

    Is Tempe a rich area? ›

    Tempe zip code 85284, according to Esri, tops some of the East Valley's wealthiest cities with an average net worth of more than $1.5 million.

    What is the smell of Tempe? ›

    Your tempeh should smell nutty, fermented and earthy, but not overly pungent. If the tempeh can be smelled from a distance, odds are it has likely gone bad. A smell of rot or noticeably strong notes of acetone, alcohol, or ammonium mean you need to dispose of your tempeh.

    Is Tempe more expensive than Phoenix? ›

    Per Zillow data… The median housing list price per square foot in Tempe is $190, which is 12% higher than the Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale Metro's average of $169. That data is skewed by the 85281 area code which encompasses ASU and downtown.

    Is Tempe a good place to live? ›

    Tempe is a city in Arizona with a population of 181,005. Tempe is in Maricopa County and is one of the best places to live in Arizona. Living in Tempe offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Tempe there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.

    Is Tempe AZ a big city? ›

    The city of Tempe is just east of Phoenix and neighbors Scottsdale and Mesa, and has a population of just under 200,000 people. It's home to Arizona State University, or ASU, which is one of the largest universities in the United States, so during the school year, Tempe is lively and packed with thousands of students.

    What is the famous street in Tempe Arizona? ›

    A vibrant and lively street, Mill Avenue has often been characterized as the heart of Tempe, Arizona.

    What is a nice part of Tempe? ›

    Camelot Village – Tempe's Safest Neighborhood

    The neighborhood is known as the safest area in Tempe. Not only is it safe, but this neighborhood also offers plenty of job opportunities to its residents, which have appealed to many young adults. Amenities like excellent schools also appeal to young families.

    Is Tempe an expensive place to live? ›

    Cost of Living in Tempe, Arizona by Expense Category

    Tempe's housing expenses are 47% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 3% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 7% higher than the national average.

    What house was a restaurant in Tempe? ›

    The Hayden House was built in 1873, and is the oldest building in the Salt River Valley. It eventually became known as Monti's La Casa Vieja Restaurant after it was purchased by Leonard Monti in 1954. The restaurant remained a Tempe staple for over 60 years, but closed in 2014.

    What is the oldest restaurant still open? ›

    Union Oyster House, Boston, MA

    This National Historic Landmark on Boston's Freedom Trail holds the distinction of being the oldest continually serving restaurant in America (est. 1826).

    When did Tempe Marketplace open? ›

    What does tempeh taste like? ›

    Tempeh has a chunky texture and a slightly nutty, mushroom-y flavor. Because it is a fermented protein, tempeh is loaded with umami, which gives it a savory meatiness. Plain, it contains no salt, so it's often marinated in soy sauce to enhance the meaty qualities.

    What does the word "tempe" mean? ›

    noun. temple [noun] (anatomy) either of the flat parts of the head at the side of the forehead. The stone hit him on the temple. (Translation of tempe from the PASSWORD French-English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)

    Is tempeh good or bad for you? ›

    Consumption of tempeh has been linked to various health advantages including antidiabetic effects, cholesterol-lowering properties, improved cognitive function, antitumor and anticancer properties, anti-aging effects and improved gut health as well as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Is tempeh better than tofu? ›

    Tempeh contains the most fiber and more protein than tofu because it contains the whole bean. The soy protein in tempeh is more digestable because of the fermentation process.

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