There are plenty of delectable options in the Valley’s buzzing college town.
Restaurants listed are noteworthy and randomly selected from our rotating master list. We suggest you confirm information, and we solicit your help in correcting any errors in the guide. Price categories reflect average dinner entree prices; drink, tax and tip are extra.
$=under $10
$$=$11-15
$$$=$16-25
$$$$=$26 and over
The Peppermill
Steakhouse/New American
7660 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, 480-590-6755, peppermillaz.com
Chef-owner Chad Bolar spent nine years working for culinary star Christopher Gross, and his classical chops are deliciously apparent at this unassuming strip-mall spot embraced by cuisine-starved South Tempeans. The pork belly, crunchy with everything bagel toppings, the loin-like meat beneath ribboned with buttery fat, is among the Valley’s best. $$$-$$$$
Angie’s Lobster
Seafood
835 W. Baseline Rd., angieslobster.com
Seafood in the desert? Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. We recommend giving it a go at this drive-through concept from the folks who founded Salad and Go. Tony and Roushan Christofellis sold the salad biz to focus on the fast and efficient seafood restaurant boasting lobster meals with fries and a drink for under $10. $
Alibi
Global bites
108 E. University Dr., 602-612-7872, alibitempe.com
This colorful lounge at the Canopy by Hilton is a welcome oasis for both locals and visitors. The food and beverage menu features fare inspired by tropical locales around the globe. $$
Café Lalibela
Ethiopian
849 W. University Dr., 480-829-1939,cafelalibela.com
Eating with your hands is not only acceptable but expected at this friendly restaurant, where injera (spongy tortilla-like bread) takes the place of silverware. $-$$
The Chuckbox
American
202 E. University Dr., 480-968-4712,thechuckbox.com
The burgers (which come in three sizes) are mesquite-grilled and delicious at this popular campus hangout. Fix ’em up at the condiment bar, wash ’em down with a beer, and you’re all set. Cash only. $
Cocina Chiwas
Modern Mexican
2001 E. Apache Blvd.,480-916-3690,cocinachiwasaz.com
Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin of Tacos Chiwas do modern, upscale riffs on traditional Mexican food at this airy, sexy-by-night Tempe spot, where many dishes are wood-fired in a hearth or on the grill. The quesadillas are a revelation, and don’t miss the massive beef ribs or branzino asado. $$-$$$
Crêpe Bar
French
7520 S. Rural Rd., 480-247-8012, crepe-bar.com
Carb lovers of all ages gather for crêpes both sweet (try the First Time, with Nutella and banana) and savory (roasted chicken with mint and parsley), along with latte art-topped cups of Portland-based Heart Coffee. $
Dragon Flame Chinese Grill
Chinese
1125 S. Terrace Rd., 602-881-2284, dragonflame.us
Northern Chinese barbecue is the specialty at this permanently parked food truck, and much of the cuisine is pretty spicy. But owner Kun Mao can tone it down upon request, with slam-dunk regional gems like shimeji mushrooms wrapped in bacon, splashed with barbecue sauce and slapped on the grill until the still-crisp mushrooms become slightly limp and the bacon sizzles. $-$$
Eat My Taco
Mexican
921 E. University Dr., 480-350-7900,eatmytacoaz.com
With a casual atmosphere and reasonably priced menu, this cheekily named Mexican restaurant is a go-to for nearby college students. The fan favorite is the birria taco, made with shredded beef in a tortilla that has been dipped in birria sauce, grilled on a flat top and covered with melted Colby jack cheese, onions and cilantro. $
Ghost Ranch
Southwestern
1006 E. Warner Rd.,480-474-4328,ghostranchaz.com
Sure, you could eat a juicy, outrageously good green chile burger at this elegant ode to Southwestern cuisine, but then you’d miss out on wonderful dishes that redefine the genre. If you’re willing to fork out the cash, the grilled trout is sensational, as is the pollo asado. The ceviche (technically an aguachile) is one of the best in town. $$-$$$
Gold Bar Espresso
Coffee shop
3141 S. McClintock Dr., 480-839-3082,goldbarespresso.org
Find gourmet coffee, tea and Italian sodas at this cozy, art-adorned café that hosts game nights and live music. $
Golden Pineapple
Gastropub
2700 S. Mill Ave.,480-590-5703, thegoldenpineappleaz.com
In a town crammed with high-energy eating-drinking playgrounds, this one might be the best – a hip tiki tavern where other tasty twists on culinary convention rule. Add to that an Imperial-centric beer list and an amaro-focused co*cktail menu, and you have Fiesta Village for food-and-booze nerds. $$
Haji-Baba
Middle Eastern
1513 E. Apache Blvd., 480-966-4672
No frills” is an understatement at this popular Tempe hole in the wall, but that’s got nothing to do with the food. Kabob platters with fluffy rice, juicy chicken shawarma, crisp balls of falafel and lick-your-plate delicious hummus are a few reasons to stop by for a filling lunch that won’t break the bank. $
Hot N Juicy Crawfish
Cajun/Seafood
740 S. Mill Ave.,480-634-6285,hotnjuicycrawfish.com
Grub is served family-style in a traditional Cajun crawfish boil. Seasonal seafood options can be customized with five spice blends. $-$$
The Hudson Eatery & Bar
American
1601 E. Apache Blvd., 480-699-4173, hudsontempe.com
Whiskey, bourbon and other oaked spirits are the jam of this breezy gastropub. The food menu is headlined by a spot-on Philly cheesesteak. $$
Kungfu Kitchen
Chinese
1250 E. Apache Blvd.,480-557-888,chouskitchen.com
This eatery eschews the Cantonese-influenced dishes most familiar to Americans, opting for more hearty, often pickled fare less dependent on rice in favor of noodles, dumplings and even bread. $$
Mandarin House
Chinese
1825 E. Baseline Rd.,480-838-8988,
mandarinhousetempe.com
Never mind the distinctly un-Chinese decor. This strip-mall restaurant is the real deal, offering satisfying staples like orange chicken, fried rice and sweet and sour pork, plus a separate menu for the cognoscenti, which includes whole steamed fish and squid with black bean sauce. $-$$$
Maui Hawaiian Grill
Hawaiian
219 E. Baseline Rd., 480-839-0375
Built around grilled meats and mayo-drenched macaroni salad, this Hawaiian grill offers a satisfying meal for hearty appetites. $
Mellow Mushroom
Pizza
740 S. Mill Ave., 480-967-6355
Based on its name and décor, one might imagine founder Jay Beskind had an affinity for a certain psychoactive fungus when he launched this pizza chain in 1974. But he clearly loves his beer and co*cktails, too. Each of Mellow Mushroom’s five Valley locations runs roughly three dozen taps featuring a mix of local and elite out-of-state craft offerings, plus a sturdy lineup of signature drinks featuring scratch-made mixers and premium spirits as well as thoughtful, made-to-order mocktails like the Pineapple Express, which features fresh pineapple and coconut puree, golden turmeric and house-made agave sour.$-$$
Old Town Taste
Chinese
1845 E. Broadway Rd., 480-702-7101
This restaurant has dual specialties: brothy, offal-centric Shandong cuisine and spicy, garlicky, pungent Sichuan cooking. From the latter camp, Chongqing spicy chicken provides a crash course in the use of the Sichuan peppercorn: vaguely citrusy, and more numbing than hot. The house special dry pot offers a more humane use of the peppercorn, used sparingly to spark up a raucous medley of shrimp, squid, quail egg and pinwheel-shaped lotus root. Also special: cold appetizers like chopped green beans with pickled vegetables and cumin-kissed fried lamb. $-$$
Society by EVO
Italian
920 E. University Dr., 480-550-7801,societytempe.com
With the blessing of EVO owner Nick Neuman, veteran barman Dominic Scappaticci is the driving creative force behind this co-branded gastropub, conceived as a less spend-y, less overtly Italian version of the EVO flagship in Scottsdale. It’s unmistakably a nightlife place, with garden-of-Babylon wall effects and other baroque flourishes, along with booze-friendly nibbles like the meatballs starter. $$
SomeBurros
Mexican
101 E. Baseline Rd., 480-839-8226,someburros.com
This local, family-owned chain serves some of the finest Southwest-Mex favorites in the Valley, from the cheesy pollo fundido to the borracho burro, redolent with smoky, earthy green chiles. $
Nocawich
Sandwiches
777 S. College Ave., Tempe, 480-758-5322, nocawich.com
Eliot Wexler’s gourmet sandwich spinoff of his erstwhile Noca restaurant features thoughtful and composed creations put together with exceptional ingredients. Try the patty melt – a deliciously messy and substantial creation centered around a well-seasoned Snake River Kobe beef patty surrounded by gooey gruyère, grilled onions, pickles and a thin, wine-enriched Bordelaise sauce between grilled marbled rye. It might be as gourmet as comfort food gets. $-$$
Singh Meadows
New American
1490 E. Weber Dr.,480-225-7199, singhmeadowstempe.com
Bring the kids to play on the grassy lawn, shop the brick-and-mortar farmers market for pristine organic vegetables and other goodies, then treat yourself to the vibrant, global spin on farm-to-table cooking. $-$$
Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen
Italian
96 S. Rockford Dr., 480-967-0020, spinatospizzeria.com
Try the Chicken Presto Pesto pizza, baked spaghetti calzone or a toasty sandwich at this modern yet warm family restaurant. Happy hour food deals are rich and delicious versions of Italian-American classics: cheesy garlic bread with marinara; meatballs; boneless wings; and gooey roasted artichoke dip. $$
Top of the Rock
New American
2000 Westcourt Way, 602-431-2370, marriott.com
This romantic mountaintop spot at Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes is known for its gorgeous Valley views. The menu skews Mediterranean, with seafood, steak and seasonal, chef-inspired soups and salads as highlights. $$$
Vincitorio’s Restaurant
Italian
1835 E. Elliot Rd., 480-820-2786,vincitoriosrestaurant.com
Stylishly decorated but cozy, Vincitorio’s is the quintessential neighborhood Italian restaurant, offering house-made pastas, tasty pizzas and old standbys such as veal Genovese. Don’t skip starters or dessert. $-$$$
The Woodshed
American
19 W. Baseline Rd., 480-831-9663,
Snapped up a couple years ago by award-winning mixologist Brandon Casey, this old warhorse of a dive bar has retained its essential, lovable grubbiness while enjoying an overall spike in quality. $
Zu Izakaya
Asian
2210 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-625-4372, zuizakaya.com
Owned by Chef June Kang of Scottsdale’s Bei Sushi, Zu captures the spirit of a Japanese izakaya pub without its more traditional trappings. A massive menu of tempura, hot pots and grilled meats includes gyoza, chile-garlic edamame and tempura sweet potatoes, with fried cheese SPAM katsu sliders for more adventurous appetites. $-$$$
