Guidebook for Tempe
Food Scene
Our favorite restaurant in AZ! Pasties are English hand pies filled with all types of goodies. Chicken pot pie, tika masala, and pesto chicken are among our favorites. Great beer selection, too.
209 locals recommend
Cornish Pasty Co
3800 N Goldwater BlvdOur favorite restaurant in AZ! Pasties are English hand pies filled with all types of goodies. Chicken pot pie, tika masala, and pesto chicken are among our favorites. Great beer selection, too.
Take a nice morning stroll here for coffee, fresh-baked bread and the best lemon ricotta pancakes and sausage of your life.
19 locals recommend
Wildflower Bread Company
6428 S McClintock DrTake a nice morning stroll here for coffee, fresh-baked bread and the best lemon ricotta pancakes and sausage of your life.
Our favorite pizza chain. Arizona-based thin crust Chicago-style (yes, not everything in Chicago is deep dish, though they do have that, too). Make sure to get a pizza cookie for dessert.
167 locals recommend
Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University DriveOur favorite pizza chain. Arizona-based thin crust Chicago-style (yes, not everything in Chicago is deep dish, though they do have that, too). Make sure to get a pizza cookie for dessert.
If you venture to downtown Tempe, this is the best place for bruschetta boards, sangria pitchers and charcuterie. Another plus: not packed with college kids like the rest of Mill.
34 locals recommend
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar
699 S Mill AveIf you venture to downtown Tempe, this is the best place for bruschetta boards, sangria pitchers and charcuterie. Another plus: not packed with college kids like the rest of Mill.
Prepare to wait a while for brunch, especially when ASU is in session. But it's the best place for mix-and-match pancake or eggs Benedict flights and fancy breakfast cocktails. Also a great patio space.
236 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College AvePrepare to wait a while for brunch, especially when ASU is in session. But it's the best place for mix-and-match pancake or eggs Benedict flights and fancy breakfast cocktails. Also a great patio space.
Tempe's OG craft brewery. Always hopping. Always solid food. Try the Kiltlifter or 8th Street Ale on tap.
187 locals recommend
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th StTempe's OG craft brewery. Always hopping. Always solid food. Try the Kiltlifter or 8th Street Ale on tap.
The best Thai food in the East Valley. Get the eggplant or green curry.
16 locals recommend
Swaddee Thai Cuisine
115 E Aspen AveThe best Thai food in the East Valley. Get the eggplant or green curry.
Phoenix Palace
2075 N Dobson RdAuthentic dim sum brunch. Bring a big group!
Our favorite sushi spot in all of Phoenix. The secret is out about this tiny place so reservations are a must.
17 locals recommend
Shimogamo
2051 W Warner RdOur favorite sushi spot in all of Phoenix. The secret is out about this tiny place so reservations are a must.
If you're venturing to Downtown Phoenix, go to any of the Upward Projects restaurants in this area: Joyride Tacos, Postino wine bar, Federal Pizza, Windsor (upscale American) and Churn ice cream. You can't go wrong. http://upwardprojects.com/restaurants/
102 locals recommend
Joyride Taco House | Central
5202 N Central AveIf you're venturing to Downtown Phoenix, go to any of the Upward Projects restaurants in this area: Joyride Tacos, Postino wine bar, Federal Pizza, Windsor (upscale American) and Churn ice cream. You can't go wrong. http://upwardprojects.com/restaurants/
Drinks & Nightlife
Huge patio, reportedly haunted, laid back in the midst of college central. Also a good day drinking place.
91 locals recommend
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 S Ash AveHuge patio, reportedly haunted, laid back in the midst of college central. Also a good day drinking place.
Underground speakeasy in Downtown Phoenix. There's usually a show happening in one room. Old school arcade games (darts and skee ball) in another. Drinks are named after iconic Arizona people.
186 locals recommend
Valley Bar
130 N Central AveUnderground speakeasy in Downtown Phoenix. There's usually a show happening in one room. Old school arcade games (darts and skee ball) in another. Drinks are named after iconic Arizona people.
Underground tiki bar made to look like the hull of a pirate ship, complete with CGI portholes and faux lightening. Crazy cocktail concoctions. Must make a reservation.
68 locals recommend
UnderTow
3626 E Indian School RdUnderground tiki bar made to look like the hull of a pirate ship, complete with CGI portholes and faux lightening. Crazy cocktail concoctions. Must make a reservation.
Huge selection of beers, great patio. Good brunch, too.
233 locals recommend
O.H.S.O. Eatery & nano-Brewery
4900 E Indian School RdHuge selection of beers, great patio. Good brunch, too.
Entertainment & Activities
Pollack Tempe Cinemas
1825 E Elliot RdDiscount movie theater $3!
Great hiking nearby at Papago Park. Zoolights during the holiday season.
864 locals recommend
Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin PkwyGreat hiking nearby at Papago Park. Zoolights during the holiday season.
OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Vía de VenturaButterfly Wonderland is next door.
Topgolf
9500 Talking Stick WayA driving range with games and drinks. Need we say more?
Spring Training home of Chicago Cubs. Arizona's huge former Chicago population loves this place. There's also a great playground nearby that's open year-round.
286 locals recommend
Sloan Park
2330 W Rio Salado PkwySpring Training home of Chicago Cubs. Arizona's huge former Chicago population loves this place. There's also a great playground nearby that's open year-round.
The most popular Spring Training stadium. Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Outfield grass seating is popular (and cheap)
344 locals recommend
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N Pima RdThe most popular Spring Training stadium. Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Outfield grass seating is popular (and cheap)
Talking Stick Resort Arena
201 E Jefferson StHome of the Phoenix Suns.
Parks & Nature
South Mountain is the closest mountain for hiking to our house but it can get crowded, especially during the winter and spring months. Avoid the crowds by venturing a little further west to Mormon Loop, a relatively easy hike with good views of the Valley and a good nature escape.
29 locals recommend
Mormon Trailhead
8610 South 24th StreetSouth Mountain is the closest mountain for hiking to our house but it can get crowded, especially during the winter and spring months. Avoid the crowds by venturing a little further west to Mormon Loop, a relatively easy hike with good views of the Valley and a good nature escape.
Camelback is the most popular trailhead in the city. We're not huge fans because of how crowded it gets but if it's your first time in Phoenix, it's worth a hike for the great views of the city. Just be aware that you have to park away from the trailhead on the street.
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveCamelback is the most popular trailhead in the city. We're not huge fans because of how crowded it gets but if it's your first time in Phoenix, it's worth a hike for the great views of the city. Just be aware that you have to park away from the trailhead on the street.
Essentials
Fry's Food And Drug
981 W Elliot RdBig grocery store
Trader Joe's
6460 S McClintock DrShopping
Outdoor marketplace with chain restaurants, large Target, Old Navy, movie theater, Dave & Busters arcade.
427 locals recommend
Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyOutdoor marketplace with chain restaurants, large Target, Old Navy, movie theater, Dave & Busters arcade.
Upscale mall with recently redone movie theater with reclining seats and bar service.
734 locals recommend
Fashion Square
Upscale mall with recently redone movie theater with reclining seats and bar service.
Amazing used bookstore and a great place to wander and find unique tchotchkes and gifts. Often hosts author book readings and signings.
34 locals recommend
Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S McClintock DrAmazing used bookstore and a great place to wander and find unique tchotchkes and gifts. Often hosts author book readings and signings.
Arts & Culture
Great visual arts museums with fantastic modern art and fashion exhibits. It's free on the first Friday of each month.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveGreat visual arts museums with fantastic modern art and fashion exhibits. It's free on the first Friday of each month.
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveSouthwest and Native American culture museum
Awesome museum for kids (hell, for adults, too)! Tons of interactive exhibits and a huge climbing maze in the lobby.
183 locals recommend
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N 7th StAwesome museum for kids (hell, for adults, too)! Tons of interactive exhibits and a huge climbing maze in the lobby.
Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington StPopular with families and field trips.