Guidebook for Tempe
Food Scene
Voted best Mediterranean restaurant in Phoenix. Best hummus around! Friendly atmosphere. Easy walk from the house. Tell them we sent you!
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Princess Market Mediterranean Deli and Restaurant
2620 W Broadway RdVoted best Mediterranean restaurant in Phoenix. Best hummus around! Friendly atmosphere. Easy walk from the house. Tell them we sent you!
Classic Japanese hand-made ramen. Walking distance from the house. It can get crowded, but it's worth the wait. We often share a bowl of ramen and order extra noodles. Great with pork and boiled egg.
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Tampopo Ramen
3223 S McClintock DrClassic Japanese hand-made ramen. Walking distance from the house. It can get crowded, but it's worth the wait. We often share a bowl of ramen and order extra noodles. Great with pork and boiled egg.
Best coffee for miles, and it's walking distance from the house. Owners are friendly. Great place to study or meet people for work. Live music on weekends and some evenings.
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Gold Bar Espresso
3141 S McClintock DrBest coffee for miles, and it's walking distance from the house. Owners are friendly. Great place to study or meet people for work. Live music on weekends and some evenings.
Cartel Coffee Lab
7124 E 5th AveHigh quality, hipster coffee joint.
One of the best wine bars in the Valley. Excellent food. Outdoor garden and patio. Love sitting at the bar near the fireplace with a great glass of wine and appetizers for sharing.
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House of Tricks
114 E 7th StOne of the best wine bars in the Valley. Excellent food. Outdoor garden and patio. Love sitting at the bar near the fireplace with a great glass of wine and appetizers for sharing.
Family-run, local Tempe favorite. If you've never tried Ethiopian, we highly recommend it!
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Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine
849 W University DrFamily-run, local Tempe favorite. If you've never tried Ethiopian, we highly recommend it!
Won Best of Phoenix. High quality Paris-trained chefs baking from the heart.
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Essence Bakery Cafe
Won Best of Phoenix. High quality Paris-trained chefs baking from the heart.
Great place for breakfast in cooler weather. Be prepared to wait (but you can shop while waiting) on weekends.
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The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd StGreat place for breakfast in cooler weather. Be prepared to wait (but you can shop while waiting) on weekends.
Unbelievably good, gourmet Mexican food by James Beard Award chef in the "barrio" of Phoenix. Get there early (like 4) for dinner and plan to wait in the bar for a table. Have the bartender make you a creative margarita. Plan to make an evening of it. Or if you don't have an evening, go for Sunday brunch. There are also less expensive bistro versions of this main restaurant, Barrio Queen and Barrio Gran Reserve (just voted #2 restaurant in Phoenix).
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Barrio Cafe
2814 N 16th StUnbelievably good, gourmet Mexican food by James Beard Award chef in the "barrio" of Phoenix. Get there early (like 4) for dinner and plan to wait in the bar for a table. Have the bartender make you a creative margarita. Plan to make an evening of it. Or if you don't have an evening, go for Sunday brunch. There are also less expensive bistro versions of this main restaurant, Barrio Queen and Barrio Gran Reserve (just voted #2 restaurant in Phoenix).
Hip, fun restaurant that's part of Fox Concept chains. The food is ok (not exciting, but not bad), but the atmosphere is fun. Live music most nights. Sit at a table with comfy chairs or one with a gas heater. They have patio games, billiards and more. It's ideal for groups and families. They take reservations online but book early (like a day or 2 early). It's great in winter, tho they do have misters in summer.
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The Yard At Farmer Arts District
149 S Farmer AveHip, fun restaurant that's part of Fox Concept chains. The food is ok (not exciting, but not bad), but the atmosphere is fun. Live music most nights. Sit at a table with comfy chairs or one with a gas heater. They have patio games, billiards and more. It's ideal for groups and families. They take reservations online but book early (like a day or 2 early). It's great in winter, tho they do have misters in summer.
This place just opened, but we've enjoyed their pastries at the Clark Park Farmer's Market! This place serves the most amazing focaccia, breads, pies, cakes, cookies, soft pretzels, popovers, salted caramel sauce and other delectable treats. It takes some time, but we've walked here before from the house. Tell them we sent you!
Sweetest Season Bakery Boutique
1835 East Guadalupe RoadThis place just opened, but we've enjoyed their pastries at the Clark Park Farmer's Market! This place serves the most amazing focaccia, breads, pies, cakes, cookies, soft pretzels, popovers, salted caramel sauce and other delectable treats. It takes some time, but we've walked here before from the house. Tell them we sent you!
Local favorite. All the basic Mexican food.
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Rosita's Fine Mexican Food
960 W University DrLocal favorite. All the basic Mexican food.
Classic hole-in-the-wall Mexican with a charming atmosphere. A local musician may show up. Hand-squeezed margaritas. Amazing posole.
Parrilla Los Picos
1542 W University DrClassic hole-in-the-wall Mexican with a charming atmosphere. A local musician may show up. Hand-squeezed margaritas. Amazing posole.
Upscale Indian cuisine. It's noisy, but amazing food. They often have Groupons.
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The Dhaba
1872 Apache BlvdUpscale Indian cuisine. It's noisy, but amazing food. They often have Groupons.
Moroccan-Canadian owner runs this place. The decor is beautiful and service is superb. Try the lamb couscous or the chicken tagine. It's amazing. They've also got French desserts. It's open till like 1am.
Moroccan Paradise Modern Cuisine
1212 East Apache BoulevardMoroccan-Canadian owner runs this place. The decor is beautiful and service is superb. Try the lamb couscous or the chicken tagine. It's amazing. They've also got French desserts. It's open till like 1am.
Fantastic and cheap Indian buffet. They often have Groupons. The owners are so friendly.
Kohinoor Cuisine of India
1043 E Lemon StFantastic and cheap Indian buffet. They often have Groupons. The owners are so friendly.
If you like burgers, this is the place. It's our version of the Billy Goat Tavern. The seating is super-uncomfortable, but that's part of the charm. Kate's brother makes a bee-line here when visiting from Iowa.
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The Chuckbox
202 E University DrIf you like burgers, this is the place. It's our version of the Billy Goat Tavern. The seating is super-uncomfortable, but that's part of the charm. Kate's brother makes a bee-line here when visiting from Iowa.
Pizza, wine and funky atmosphere on Mill Ave.
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La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar
699 S Mill AvePizza, wine and funky atmosphere on Mill Ave.
If you make it to downtown Phoenix, this is a great place for dinner. Smile at Matteo, the owner, and pay him a compliment and he'll likely treat you to dessert and a shot of home made lemoncello. He brought the oven over from Naples and rebuilt it, brick-by-brick, in Phoenix. Several cool places to eat nearby.
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POMO Pizzeria - Downtown Phoenix
705 N 1st StIf you make it to downtown Phoenix, this is a great place for dinner. Smile at Matteo, the owner, and pay him a compliment and he'll likely treat you to dessert and a shot of home made lemoncello. He brought the oven over from Naples and rebuilt it, brick-by-brick, in Phoenix. Several cool places to eat nearby.
Dwayne, the owner, is a serious foodie from Jamaica. Get there early for a happy hour punch, made fresh daily.
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The Breadfruit & Rum Bar
1 E Pierce StDwayne, the owner, is a serious foodie from Jamaica. Get there early for a happy hour punch, made fresh daily.
Back East Bagels
1628 E Southern AveLocal bagels, sandwiches, coffee and more.
Sightseeing
Tempe Butte
Easy hike in downtown Phoenix.
Iconic downtown Tempe shopping, dining, bars, walking, etc.
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Synapse Studios LLC
520 S Mill AveIconic downtown Tempe shopping, dining, bars, walking, etc.
Palm lane is the most iconic scene. If you're here for an arts festival, graduation or other event in Tempe, it's worth walking around campus for 30 minutes or so.
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Arizona State University
1151 South Forest Avenue Palm lane is the most iconic scene. If you're here for an arts festival, graduation or other event in Tempe, it's worth walking around campus for 30 minutes or so.
The lake may be man-made, but it's older than you think. Early Hohokam settlers dammed the Salt River to create intricate canals and a lake. It's now a great place to walk, day or night. Loads of festivals, marathons and other events are often here. If you drive here, park at the Tempe Center for the Arts, walk along the Lake and you may find yourself meandering down to Mill Avenue and some of the other sites listed herein.
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Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AveThe lake may be man-made, but it's older than you think. Early Hohokam settlers dammed the Salt River to create intricate canals and a lake. It's now a great place to walk, day or night. Loads of festivals, marathons and other events are often here. If you drive here, park at the Tempe Center for the Arts, walk along the Lake and you may find yourself meandering down to Mill Avenue and some of the other sites listed herein.
Shopping
Saturday mornings, come out and meet the locals. The market offers free yoga classes early in the morning and a variety of arts, crafts, food trucks, live music, etc.
Clark Park Farmers Market
1730 S Roosevelt StSaturday mornings, come out and meet the locals. The market offers free yoga classes early in the morning and a variety of arts, crafts, food trucks, live music, etc.
Local bookstore in shopping center with Trader Joe's and Wildflower Bakery.
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Changing Hands Bookstore
6428 S McClintock DrLocal bookstore in shopping center with Trader Joe's and Wildflower Bakery.
All the usual chains in one handy location. Live music some nights. Teenagers love this place.
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Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyAll the usual chains in one handy location. Live music some nights. Teenagers love this place.
Quaint family-run market in the heart of Guadalupe. Great place to stop on your way to/from South Mountain. Pick up local foods, such as prickly pear jam and roasted chilis.
Guadalupe Farmer's Market
9210 S Avenida del YaquiQuaint family-run market in the heart of Guadalupe. Great place to stop on your way to/from South Mountain. Pick up local foods, such as prickly pear jam and roasted chilis.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. Happy hour all day till 5pm.
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Postino Annex
615 S College AveGreat place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. Happy hour all day till 5pm.
It's always busy. Love the beer bread chicken and artichoke wrap.
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Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th StIt's always busy. Love the beer bread chicken and artichoke wrap.
We've biked here from the house along the canal trail. Great food, vibe and beer.
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O.H.S.O. Eatery & nano-Brewery
4900 E Indian School RdWe've biked here from the house along the canal trail. Great food, vibe and beer.
Tops is an iconic liquor store. This is a tasting room which serves mostly beers. Interesting beers. If you want food, you can order in from other places.
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Taste of Tops
403 W University DrTops is an iconic liquor store. This is a tasting room which serves mostly beers. Interesting beers. If you want food, you can order in from other places.
Arts & Culture
Tempe History Museum
809 E Southern AveGreat space to work. Connections cafe offers light meals and great coffee.
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Tempe Public Library
3500 S Rural RdGreat space to work. Connections cafe offers light meals and great coffee.
Frank Lloyd Wright's home in the desert. Make reservations for a tour.
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Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdFrank Lloyd Wright's home in the desert. Make reservations for a tour.
This is Smithsonian quality. Dan talked Kate into going there and she fell in love (with the museum and Dan). Worth a few hours of your day, especially in conjunction with Talieson West, hiking in Scottsdale or a day trip to northern areas such as Prescott, Sedona, Jerome, Flagstaff or Grand Canyon.
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Mużew tal-Instrumenti Mużikali
4725 E Mayo BlvdThis is Smithsonian quality. Dan talked Kate into going there and she fell in love (with the museum and Dan). Worth a few hours of your day, especially in conjunction with Talieson West, hiking in Scottsdale or a day trip to northern areas such as Prescott, Sedona, Jerome, Flagstaff or Grand Canyon.
Jerome is an old mining town turned into an artsy community. It's got galleries that are more affordable than you'll find in Sedona. It's a great day trip from Phoenix. If you give yourself enough time, you may have time to hit Prescott and/or Sedona, too.
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Jerome
Jerome is an old mining town turned into an artsy community. It's got galleries that are more affordable than you'll find in Sedona. It's a great day trip from Phoenix. If you give yourself enough time, you may have time to hit Prescott and/or Sedona, too.
The first Friday of every month is an artwalk/street fair in Downtown Phoenix. Best to take lightrail down there and walk around. To map it, aim for the Arizona Center or DeSoto Cafe and you'll start to see the crowds. It's fun for all ages!
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First Friday Roosevelt Row
333 E Roosevelt StThe first Friday of every month is an artwalk/street fair in Downtown Phoenix. Best to take lightrail down there and walk around. To map it, aim for the Arizona Center or DeSoto Cafe and you'll start to see the crowds. It's fun for all ages!
Parks & Nature
Piestewa Peak
Walk, jog or bike along the SRP canal trail. Parts of it are lit and landscaped. Look online for maps. Be careful at night.
Canal Trail
Canal TrailWalk, jog or bike along the SRP canal trail. Parts of it are lit and landscaped. Look online for maps. Be careful at night.
Largest city park in the U.S. Hiking for all levels, durations. Easy drive from the house.
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Park ta 'South Mountain
10919 South Central AvenueLargest city park in the U.S. Hiking for all levels, durations. Easy drive from the house.
Nice trail in Usery Mountain Preserve. It's steep but fairly easy to do in a morning. Bring water!
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Wind Cave Trailhead
Wind Cave DriveNice trail in Usery Mountain Preserve. It's steep but fairly easy to do in a morning. Bring water!
Essentials
Great selection of reasonably priced produce, organic products, health food, etc.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
1706 E Southern AveGreat selection of reasonably priced produce, organic products, health food, etc.
AZ International Marketplace
1920 W Broadway RdHuge selection of foods from around the world.
Trader Joe's
6460 S McClintock DrIt's Trader Joe's. Need we say more?