Downtown Tempe Guidebook
City Information
Home to Arizona State University, this bustling city I call home has everything you need to thrive. Lost of walkable areas, lovely restaurants and bars and a great music scene. Hike "A" mountain, walk or bike Tempe Beach Park or explore ASU campus, there's so much to do and soak in year round.
106 locals recommend
Tempe
Home to Arizona State University, this bustling city I call home has everything you need to thrive. Lost of walkable areas, lovely restaurants and bars and a great music scene. Hike "A" mountain, walk or bike Tempe Beach Park or explore ASU campus, there's so much to do and soak in year round.
Local Food Scene
An ASU staple, a "picnic" burger where you dress it yourself. Charbroiled over hot coals. Cash only. Frequent this place often, a real local experience.
34 locals recommend
The Chuckbox
202 E University DrAn ASU staple, a "picnic" burger where you dress it yourself. Charbroiled over hot coals. Cash only. Frequent this place often, a real local experience.
Hipster scene with great food, service, and drinks - one of my go-to's.
209 locals recommend
Cornish Pasty Co
3800 N Goldwater BlvdHipster scene with great food, service, and drinks - one of my go-to's.
Insanely good BBQ, best in the west. They sell out everyday and there’s typically a line, but so worth it!
39 locals recommend
Little Miss BBQ-University
4301 E University DrInsanely good BBQ, best in the west. They sell out everyday and there’s typically a line, but so worth it!
Short drive to Phoenix and you’ll find world famous Pizzeria Bianco from Chef Chris Bianco. Popularized on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”. Best wood-fired pizza, they don’t take reservations so plan to wait.
237 locals recommend
Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StShort drive to Phoenix and you’ll find world famous Pizzeria Bianco from Chef Chris Bianco. Popularized on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”. Best wood-fired pizza, they don’t take reservations so plan to wait.
Our go-to lunch spot, Pita Jungle offers a fresh and modern take on Mediterranean food. Lots of gluten-free and veggie options.
34 locals recommend
Pita Jungle - Tempe
4 E University DrOur go-to lunch spot, Pita Jungle offers a fresh and modern take on Mediterranean food. Lots of gluten-free and veggie options.
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
Enchiladas and soup, local and pretty good.
Nothing more American than an ice cream sundae, I love to visit here every few months for a sweet tooth craving. You can walk the beach park and take in the views with Sweet Republic's variety of unique ice cream flavors.
49 locals recommend
Sweet Republic
6054 N 16th StNothing more American than an ice cream sundae, I love to visit here every few months for a sweet tooth craving. You can walk the beach park and take in the views with Sweet Republic's variety of unique ice cream flavors.
Local diner for breakfast and lunch. Love the vintage feel and the house-made biscuits!
46 locals recommend
Harlow's Cafe
1021 W University DrLocal diner for breakfast and lunch. Love the vintage feel and the house-made biscuits!
Fun little wine bar with a great patio. Local to Phoenix but they’ve expanded throughout the southwest. Bruschettas are so yum!
97 locals recommend
Postino Annex
615 S College AveFun little wine bar with a great patio. Local to Phoenix but they’ve expanded throughout the southwest. Bruschettas are so yum!
Old historic home turned bar/restaurant. Great, large patio. Good for drinking and greasy eats. Or oysters in the desert! If that’s your thing.
91 locals recommend
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 S Ash AveOld historic home turned bar/restaurant. Great, large patio. Good for drinking and greasy eats. Or oysters in the desert! If that’s your thing.
Houston TX Hot Chicken
Super popular fried chicken sandwich shop… just visited it’s worth the hype!
Pizza, ramen and music. Something for everyone. Seriously the best ramen in AZ! The chef worked in Japan for many years.m before settling in Tempe.
11 locals recommend
Shady Park
26 E University DrPizza, ramen and music. Something for everyone. Seriously the best ramen in AZ! The chef worked in Japan for many years.m before settling in Tempe.
Coffee
Best local coffee in the area!
Love this spot for local coffee and to sit and work, great for people watching lots of locals.
Cartel Roasting Co.
Love this spot for local coffee and to sit and work, great for people watching lots of locals.
Yummy local coffee they have a variety of breakfast options too.
8 locals recommend
Press Coffee - Skywater
601 W Rio Salado PkwyYummy local coffee they have a variety of breakfast options too.
This coffee is the best! Food is sparse and space is tiny but if you’re nearby it’s worth it.
King Coffee
1020 S Mill AveThis coffee is the best! Food is sparse and space is tiny but if you’re nearby it’s worth it.
Black Rock Coffee Bar
This place is great, love that they have a drive thru if you’re on the go.
Dutch Bros
3213 S Mill AveLove it or hate it Dutch Bros are super common here, car lines usually go quick!
Drive Thru Nation
Phoenix is home to some of the best drive thru spots from around the country. Our need for vehicles to get around town gives us the best variety of greasy spoons without having to leave your car. Enjoy 😉
Local fast-casual Mexican restaurant, pretty authentic and a variety to choose from. I love their tacos!
Someburros
Local fast-casual Mexican restaurant, pretty authentic and a variety to choose from. I love their tacos!
Chicken fingers! Simple menu but everyone goes wild for these tenders. The toast is really yummy.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Chicken fingers! Simple menu but everyone goes wild for these tenders. The toast is really yummy.
A must-visit if you’ve never had it before! This California staple has been in the valley for 20+ years. It’s simple but delicious and very photo-worthy!
24 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
920 E Playa Del Norte DrA must-visit if you’ve never had it before! This California staple has been in the valley for 20+ years. It’s simple but delicious and very photo-worthy!
Chicken sandwiches from the south! Can’t beat waffle fries and fried chicken. Download their app for good deals.
36 locals recommend
Chick-fil-A
25 W University DrChicken sandwiches from the south! Can’t beat waffle fries and fried chicken. Download their app for good deals.
This Chicago-native serves the best Chicago hot dogs and beef sandwiches. All without having to leave your car.
47 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
65 S McClintock DrThis Chicago-native serves the best Chicago hot dogs and beef sandwiches. All without having to leave your car.
Affordable lobster rolls, yes you heard that right. Decent! My husband loves them.
Angie's Lobster & Prime Grill
Affordable lobster rolls, yes you heard that right. Decent! My husband loves them.
I love sonic for all their fun and wild drinks and ice creams. Helps cool ya down in the summer 😎
Sonic Drive-In
I love sonic for all their fun and wild drinks and ice creams. Helps cool ya down in the summer 😎
I’ve yet to go, but have heard nothing but good things. Hot dogs and their ice cream (with “dirt and worms”) are not to be missed!
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
1818 E Elliot RdI’ve yet to go, but have heard nothing but good things. Hot dogs and their ice cream (with “dirt and worms”) are not to be missed!
Neighborhoods
A quick offshoot from Mill Avenue, Lindon Park is relatively quiet and quaint. Many restaurants and bars are a short distance away and with rentable scooters and bikes it makes every destination an adventure. Close to ASU, Mill Avenue, Sky Harbor Airport and the 202 freeway you can stay in Tempe or getaway to explore other cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale within minutes.
Lindon Park
A quick offshoot from Mill Avenue, Lindon Park is relatively quiet and quaint. Many restaurants and bars are a short distance away and with rentable scooters and bikes it makes every destination an adventure. Close to ASU, Mill Avenue, Sky Harbor Airport and the 202 freeway you can stay in Tempe or getaway to explore other cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale within minutes.
Home to Arizona State University there’s tons of restaurants, shops and more all located on Mill Avenue.
46 locals recommend
Mill Avenue Shops
414 S Mill AveHome to Arizona State University there’s tons of restaurants, shops and more all located on Mill Avenue.
Short 10-15 min drive from Aloe House. Great for exploring another city, try to be home before dark ;)
Downtown Phoenix
Short 10-15 min drive from Aloe House. Great for exploring another city, try to be home before dark ;)
The Old West in the heart of Scottsdale. A short 10 min drive from Aloe House. A lot of Native American shops, local restaurants and bars. Sightseeing during the day and club scene during the evening.
23 locals recommend
Oldtown Scottsdale
The Old West in the heart of Scottsdale. A short 10 min drive from Aloe House. A lot of Native American shops, local restaurants and bars. Sightseeing during the day and club scene during the evening.
Grocery
Whole Foods Market
4701 N 20th StClosest traditional grocery store for all your needs.
Quick bodega trip - closest grocery store that's a level up from a gas station. Use in a pinch.
Rollins Family Market
1090 W 5th StQuick bodega trip - closest grocery store that's a level up from a gas station. Use in a pinch.
This is my go-to grocery store, they have everything I need it's just a short drive away.
Fry's Food And Drug
3232 South Mill AvenueThis is my go-to grocery store, they have everything I need it's just a short drive away.
Sightseeing
Explore the best of what the desert has to offer. Beautiful walking path with the most amazing saguaros and cacti you can imagine.
427 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden station
1201 N Galvin PkwyExplore the best of what the desert has to offer. Beautiful walking path with the most amazing saguaros and cacti you can imagine.
Large zoo perfect for families of all ages. During the fall/winter they have zoo lights at night. Pack lunch, sunscreen and water and walk the park, lots to see!
864 locals recommend
Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin PkwyLarge zoo perfect for families of all ages. During the fall/winter they have zoo lights at night. Pack lunch, sunscreen and water and walk the park, lots to see!
Home to ASU! The campus is a mile-ish away from Aloe House. Your the campus to find the secret garden 👀
279 locals recommend
Arizona State University
1151 South Forest AvenueHome to ASU! The campus is a mile-ish away from Aloe House. Your the campus to find the secret garden 👀
ASU Gammage
1200 S Forest AveTouring Broadway shows, incredibly popular during the fall season!
Free Art Museum on ASU campus. Really cool architecture, great for pics.
56 locals recommend
ASU Art Museum
51 E 10th StFree Art Museum on ASU campus. Really cool architecture, great for pics.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
5000 S Arizona Mills CirLocated inside Arizona Mills Mall
Cool to experience butterfly garden in Scottsdale. Great for kids and families.
413 locals recommend
Butterfly Wonderland
9500 East Vía de VenturaCool to experience butterfly garden in Scottsdale. Great for kids and families.
Large aquarium located in Scottsdale. Great for families and go escape the heat
603 locals recommend
OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Vía de VenturaLarge aquarium located in Scottsdale. Great for families and go escape the heat
If visiting in the fall, ASU football games are a blast!
110 locals recommend
Sun Devil Football Stadium
500 E Veterans WayIf visiting in the fall, ASU football games are a blast!