Guidebook for Tempe
Food Scene
Great little underground fine dining restaurant that serves wonderful seafood. Reservations are a good idea. Their happy hour is great for a sampling of their fare and runs from 4pm-6pm and 10pm-12pm.
42 locals recommend
Salt Cellar Restaurant
550 N Hayden RdGreat little underground fine dining restaurant that serves wonderful seafood. Reservations are a good idea. Their happy hour is great for a sampling of their fare and runs from 4pm-6pm and 10pm-12pm.
This place is a favorite among locals. Drive thru ordering gets you a friendly chat and a delicious cup of java. No seating.
7 locals recommend
Dutch Bros
2012 N Scottsdale RdThis place is a favorite among locals. Drive thru ordering gets you a friendly chat and a delicious cup of java. No seating.
This is one one Guy Fieri's local favorites. There are a number of locations and they all have awesome and interesting Central/South American dishes.
193 locals recommend
Barrio Queen
7114 E Stetson DrThis is one one Guy Fieri's local favorites. There are a number of locations and they all have awesome and interesting Central/South American dishes.
My favorite brunch spot hands down! Sunday only and well worth the wait. I highly recommend their Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary. It won't disappoint.
314 locals recommend
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback RdMy favorite brunch spot hands down! Sunday only and well worth the wait. I highly recommend their Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary. It won't disappoint.
Great local pizzeria. Very casual restaurant with great specials and huge slices.
14 locals recommend
Venezia's Pizza
27 East Southern AvenueGreat local pizzeria. Very casual restaurant with great specials and huge slices.
Great restaurant and wine bar. Check their website for specials. I love the bruschetta options and their wood fired pizza is delish!
34 locals recommend
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar
699 S Mill AveGreat restaurant and wine bar. Check their website for specials. I love the bruschetta options and their wood fired pizza is delish!
Great food, lovely environment and great service. Large outdoor patio. Near ASU and the lightrail.
97 locals recommend
Postino Annex
615 S College AveGreat food, lovely environment and great service. Large outdoor patio. Near ASU and the lightrail.
This is a wonderfully secluded restaurant with great food and live music some evenings.
79 locals recommend
House of Tricks
114 E 7th StThis is a wonderfully secluded restaurant with great food and live music some evenings.
This simple and unassuming restaurant has been my favorite breakfast spot for decades. The omelettes are the fluffiest I have ever seen. My favorite dish is their Dutch Baby (German pancake) with a little lemon squeezed on top. Homemade whipped cream atop the best hot cocoa around (it's really more like dessert).
17 locals recommend
Original Pancake House
6840 E Camelback RdThis simple and unassuming restaurant has been my favorite breakfast spot for decades. The omelettes are the fluffiest I have ever seen. My favorite dish is their Dutch Baby (German pancake) with a little lemon squeezed on top. Homemade whipped cream atop the best hot cocoa around (it's really more like dessert).
Great family owned Mexican restaurant that I have been going to for decades. Delicious salsa, chips and the margaritas aren't bad either. My favorite is the nachos with chicken (hint: it's enough to feed at least two people).
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
2051 E Baseline RdGreat family owned Mexican restaurant that I have been going to for decades. Delicious salsa, chips and the margaritas aren't bad either. My favorite is the nachos with chicken (hint: it's enough to feed at least two people).
In the mood for sushi? This is a chain sushi restaurant with good happy hour (4pm-6pm) specials and seasonal plates. They also have some great noodle dishes and protein bowls.
8 locals recommend
Kabuki
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyIn the mood for sushi? This is a chain sushi restaurant with good happy hour (4pm-6pm) specials and seasonal plates. They also have some great noodle dishes and protein bowls.
Great simple menu; burgers, fries and drinks. Two people will cost $20+ My fast food go to burger joint.
39 locals recommend
Five Guys
1515 N 7th AveGreat simple menu; burgers, fries and drinks. Two people will cost $20+ My fast food go to burger joint.
Interesting twists on Mexican food. Fresh, delicious fare. Casual environment with a lovely patio.
31 locals recommend
Los Sombreros
2534 N Scottsdale RdInteresting twists on Mexican food. Fresh, delicious fare. Casual environment with a lovely patio.
Great casual little family owned restaurant. Simple little space or you can get it to go.
11 locals recommend
La's Thai Cuisine
1495 N Hayden RdGreat casual little family owned restaurant. Simple little space or you can get it to go.
Great Thai food. Wonderful area to walk around (Old Town Scottsdale) after eating.
40 locals recommend
Malee's Thai Bistro
7131 E Main StGreat Thai food. Wonderful area to walk around (Old Town Scottsdale) after eating.
Adorable little cottage type atmosphere surrounded by greenery. Great sandwiches and salads. Every time I go here it makes me want to have a tea party.
67 locals recommend
Arcadia Farms Cafe
7025 E 1st AveAdorable little cottage type atmosphere surrounded by greenery. Great sandwiches and salads. Every time I go here it makes me want to have a tea party.
Wonderful East Indian food in a very casual space. Lots of vegetarian options here. Very affordable food.
20 locals recommend
Curry Corner
1212 E Apache BlvdWonderful East Indian food in a very casual space. Lots of vegetarian options here. Very affordable food.
Vegetarian and vegan fare. I love the french fries. Then again I never met a potato I didn't like. Interesting options. Even desserts.
163 locals recommend
Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StVegetarian and vegan fare. I love the french fries. Then again I never met a potato I didn't like. Interesting options. Even desserts.
Great food and on the weekends the Old Town Scottsdale location has live music. I love love love the pretzel fondue!
561 locals recommend
Culinary Dropout
7135 E Camelback RdGreat food and on the weekends the Old Town Scottsdale location has live music. I love love love the pretzel fondue!
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant
3752 E Indian School RdInteresting eclectic menu and it's all yummy.
Really interesting twists to breakfast foods. Paid parking in structure next door.
236 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College AveReally interesting twists to breakfast foods. Paid parking in structure next door.
The pancakes. Lemon ricotta ones will make you fall asleep immediately after eating that are that carbalicious! Actually everything serve is wonderful and they have a lot of health conscious fare.
13 locals recommend
First Watch
111 W University DrThe pancakes. Lemon ricotta ones will make you fall asleep immediately after eating that are that carbalicious! Actually everything serve is wonderful and they have a lot of health conscious fare.
Fun cupcake flavors. Usually a couple gluten free options as well. If you can't make it when they are open they have a cupcake dispenser that is always open for those late night cupcake cravings.
41 locals recommend
Sprinkles Scottsdale
4501 N Scottsdale RdFun cupcake flavors. Usually a couple gluten free options as well. If you can't make it when they are open they have a cupcake dispenser that is always open for those late night cupcake cravings.
Great gluten free baked goods. I love their holiday cracked corn. It is like a drug. They have a small cafe that serves bagels, muffins, donuts and coffee all day as well as a retail shop.
9 locals recommend
Gluten Free Creations Bakery
7607 E McDowell RdGreat gluten free baked goods. I love their holiday cracked corn. It is like a drug. They have a small cafe that serves bagels, muffins, donuts and coffee all day as well as a retail shop.
Wonderful local chain serves creamy ice cream and mix in toppings of your choice. They make fresh waffle cones throughout the day so it smells amazing. Located next to the Harkins movie theater in Tempe Marketplace (down the street).
Cold Stone Creamery
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyWonderful local chain serves creamy ice cream and mix in toppings of your choice. They make fresh waffle cones throughout the day so it smells amazing. Located next to the Harkins movie theater in Tempe Marketplace (down the street).
Starbucks
4032 N Scottsdale RdYou already know what you want and it's only 2 minutes away.
Great hot cocoa or whatever coffee or tea you prefer. They also serve a few pastries. Small inside seating area but lots of outdoor seating. Located next to Harkins Movie Theater in Tempe Marketplace just down the road.
18 locals recommend
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
4032 N Miller RdGreat hot cocoa or whatever coffee or tea you prefer. They also serve a few pastries. Small inside seating area but lots of outdoor seating. Located next to Harkins Movie Theater in Tempe Marketplace just down the road.
Great food. Huge portions. Two can easily share or take it home for lunch the next day. Great prices. Basta Pasta with Chicken or a Picasso Salad are both consistent winners in my book. Don't forget to save room for the warm ice cream cookie sandwich (yes, also shareable). They also have a bar area and outside seating. Oldies music plays at a high decibel so be prepared to raise your "inside voice" to new heights.
167 locals recommend
Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University DriveGreat food. Huge portions. Two can easily share or take it home for lunch the next day. Great prices. Basta Pasta with Chicken or a Picasso Salad are both consistent winners in my book. Don't forget to save room for the warm ice cream cookie sandwich (yes, also shareable). They also have a bar area and outside seating. Oldies music plays at a high decibel so be prepared to raise your "inside voice" to new heights.
Drinks & Nightlife
Big sports bar located 2 minutes north off Miller Rd. Pool tables, lots of televisions, typical bar and food choices.
25 locals recommend
Duke's Sports Bar and Grill
7607 E McDowell RdBig sports bar located 2 minutes north off Miller Rd. Pool tables, lots of televisions, typical bar and food choices.
Back alley iconic gay bar located in Old Town Scottsdale. Drag shows, rodeo nights, dance floor and lots of drink specials. Fun little bar gay or not.
12 locals recommend
BS West
7125 E 5th AveBack alley iconic gay bar located in Old Town Scottsdale. Drag shows, rodeo nights, dance floor and lots of drink specials. Fun little bar gay or not.
Large gay nightclub. Country music oriented until midnight when they play hip hop and top 20. Drink specials daily. Large outdoor patio. Please take an Uber you will end up here longer than you plan to be....trust me.
31 locals recommend
Charlie's Phoenix
727 West Camelback RoadLarge gay nightclub. Country music oriented until midnight when they play hip hop and top 20. Drink specials daily. Large outdoor patio. Please take an Uber you will end up here longer than you plan to be....trust me.
Large gay nightclub located around many other gay clubs. DJ plays a mix of hip hop and EDM. Drink specials. Pretty young crowd.
21 locals recommend
Stacy's @ Melrose
4343 N 7th AveLarge gay nightclub located around many other gay clubs. DJ plays a mix of hip hop and EDM. Drink specials. Pretty young crowd.
The only dedicated lesbian bar in town. Used to be solely a country bar but now they also spin hip hop and top 20. Very casual place. They only accept cash and drinks are served in plastic cups. Young crowd.
6 locals recommend
The Cash Nightclub & Lounge
1730 E McDowell RdThe only dedicated lesbian bar in town. Used to be solely a country bar but now they also spin hip hop and top 20. Very casual place. They only accept cash and drinks are served in plastic cups. Young crowd.
Salut Kitchen Bar
1435 E University DrLovely wine bar.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful botanical garden with a lot of trails among all the varieties of cactus and succulents. They have wonderful events throughout the year including some with live music and art installations.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
Beautiful botanical garden with a lot of trails among all the varieties of cactus and succulents. They have wonderful events throughout the year including some with live music and art installations.
Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin PkwyWonderful way to spend the afternoon. Only 10 minutes away too.
Wonderful man made lake that you can walk the perimeter, rent boats/paddle boards or attend one of the many wonderful events held here. Lake is at the north end of charming downtown Tempe.
453 locals recommend
Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AveWonderful man made lake that you can walk the perimeter, rent boats/paddle boards or attend one of the many wonderful events held here. Lake is at the north end of charming downtown Tempe.
Arts & Culture
Wonderful nearby museum with rotating exhibits. Located nearby in Old Town Scottsdale.
218 locals recommend
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2nd StWonderful nearby museum with rotating exhibits. Located nearby in Old Town Scottsdale.
Small museum next to a large performing arts center with many interesting art classes of all types (marble making, glass blowing, jewelry making, pottery, etc).
115 locals recommend
Mesa Arts Center
1 E Main StSmall museum next to a large performing arts center with many interesting art classes of all types (marble making, glass blowing, jewelry making, pottery, etc).
Fabulous large museum with specialty (asian arts, contemporary, costumes, etc) and rotating exhibits.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveFabulous large museum with specialty (asian arts, contemporary, costumes, etc) and rotating exhibits.
Wonderful museum focusing on native and southwestern history. Very interesting exhibits.
653 locals recommend
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveWonderful museum focusing on native and southwestern history. Very interesting exhibits.
Beautiful home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright is open to the public and offers tours of the property. Reservations for tours recommended. Many events held here.
82 locals recommend
Taliesin West
Beautiful home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright is open to the public and offers tours of the property. Reservations for tours recommended. Many events held here.
Shopping
Large outdoor mall just minutes away. Chain department stores (Target, JCPenney, Nordstrom Rack, etc), clothing (H & M, Ross, Old Navy, etc), shoes (DSW, Payless), lingerie (Victorias Secret), electronics (Best Buy, Verizon, AT & T, etc), movie theater (Harkins) and many specialty stores (Penzey's Spices, Charming Charlies, Cost Plus, Pier One, Ulta Beauty, etc). Many restaurants, coffee spots and a bookstore.
427 locals recommend
Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyLarge outdoor mall just minutes away. Chain department stores (Target, JCPenney, Nordstrom Rack, etc), clothing (H & M, Ross, Old Navy, etc), shoes (DSW, Payless), lingerie (Victorias Secret), electronics (Best Buy, Verizon, AT & T, etc), movie theater (Harkins) and many specialty stores (Penzey's Spices, Charming Charlies, Cost Plus, Pier One, Ulta Beauty, etc). Many restaurants, coffee spots and a bookstore.
Large high end indoor shopping mall with tons of designer stores, restaurants in and around, movie theaters and an endless supply of people watching.
734 locals recommend
Fashion Square
Large high end indoor shopping mall with tons of designer stores, restaurants in and around, movie theaters and an endless supply of people watching.
Iconic outdoor shopping mall with the high end boutiques, restaurants and people. Nice way to spend and afternoon.
494 locals recommend
Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E Camelback RdIconic outdoor shopping mall with the high end boutiques, restaurants and people. Nice way to spend and afternoon.
Large antique mall with dozens are vendors carrying everything prior to the 1980's (and probably some 1980's merch).
Antique Trove
2020 N Scottsdale RdLarge antique mall with dozens are vendors carrying everything prior to the 1980's (and probably some 1980's merch).
Essentials
Closest (nice) grocery store about 8 minutes northeast. Sushi bar, large deli and Starbucks inside.
210 locals recommend
Fry's Food And Drug
7770 E McDowell RdClosest (nice) grocery store about 8 minutes northeast. Sushi bar, large deli and Starbucks inside.
Closest drug store to the house. All the basics including prescriptions. There is a 24 hour location about 10 minutes north on Scottsdale Rd.
48 locals recommend
Walgreens
710 E Camelback RdClosest drug store to the house. All the basics including prescriptions. There is a 24 hour location about 10 minutes north on Scottsdale Rd.
Wash N Wear Laundromat
1640 N Scottsdale RdCoin operated laundromat. Not the nicest environment but does the job.
These lovely folks pick up and deliver and are incredibly affordable.
Ginny's Wash House Laundromat & Dry Cleaning
8016 E Thomas RdThese lovely folks pick up and deliver and are incredibly affordable.
Best hospital in the vicinity.
37 locals recommend
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center: Emergency Room
7400 East Osborn RoadBest hospital in the vicinity.
Urgent care just a few blocks away for those non emergency but important health issues.
13 locals recommend
NextCare Urgent Care
2122 N Scottsdale RdUrgent care just a few blocks away for those non emergency but important health issues.
Lots of organic fruits, vegetables and meats. Best health conscious grocery store at far more affordable prices than Whole Foods.
149 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
8787 N Scottsdale RdLots of organic fruits, vegetables and meats. Best health conscious grocery store at far more affordable prices than Whole Foods.
Entertainment & Activities
Main Event Tempe
8545 S Emerald DrLarge entertainment complex.
Kolby's Corner Pocket Billiards
1301 E University DrSerious pool hall that accepts us not so serious players.
Big Surf
1500 N McClintock DrHuge water park just around the corner.