The Essential Dining Guide to Tempe, AZ

Tempe is a great place to settle down, have a fabulous meal, and relax. The mild climate and convenient location to everything in Arizona worth visiting makes this city a winner. If you’re looking for place to have a great meal, they also have that as well. You’ll find lots of restaurants in Tempe that make it easy to grab an easy lunch. They also have lots of places that offer a nice dinner. This is a city that has a lot of restaurants that you can enjoy any time of the day. Here’s a list of the finest places in Tempe for a meal by yourself or with friends.

Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine

849 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 829-1939

The foods of Ethiopia are shown off well in this regional homage to this part of Africa. This is a nice place to have a fast snack or go for a full meal. You can start your meal with the injera roll with collard greens and cheese they make right here. A lunch special makes it easy to grab something and go. You can try a soup and salad like lentil soup or a sampler with several menu choices or a spicy wrap. This is a great place for the vegetarian. They have lots of options including the mirs wat with lentils and yekik alicha with yellow split peas.

 

YC’s Mongolian Grill

752 W Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284
(480) 777-2929

Fresh, delicious and fast is the order of the day at this amazing place. They make food quickly and they make it with your nutrition needs in mind. You can pick your own stir fry. Customize it to your specific wants. They’ll take your ingredients and then sear them on the grill until they’re done just right. They’ll guide you through the entire process from start to finish. All you have to sit back and let them do the rest for you.

 

photo credit: food3.uslocalsearch.info

Top of the Rock Restaurant

2000 W Westcourt Way, Tempe, AZ 85282
(602) 431-2370

World class dining in an upscale setting is why this is one restaurant is highly popular. Beautiful views and great food make this a very special place. You can begin your meal here with a generous Charcuterie Board with varied meat and cheese. Opt for the Tombo Tuna Cigar or the bone marrow with mushroom duxelle and pea tendrils. The rest of the menu is a wonderful chance to enjoy fine dining from some of the best chefs in the community. There’s seared duck breast with marble potatoes and apricot hoisin glaze. There are also lots of fabulous steak options. Desserts include Rhubarb-Apple Galette and Pecan Bavarian with Bavarian mousse..

 

Photo credit: phoenixnewtimes.com

Culinary Dropout

149 S Farmer Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 240-1601

If you’re in search of a place take a crowd, this is it. This is an eclectic restaurant with lots of space and a quirky menu. They have multiple locations in the area. The one in Tempe makes it easy to bring lots of people with you. Start with one of their wonderful snacks like the crusty bread with garlic and balsamic vinegar or the marcona almonds. Try a soup of the day or some soft pretzels and provolone fondue. There are also lots of salads and sandwiches on hand to savor. Entrees include fried chicken, beer battered fish and chips and spicy vegan curry. Have a candy bar brownie for dessert with friends.

 

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

23 S McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 557-5552

Casual and fun are why this is one Tempe restaurant that has a lot of fans. The food here is very much the star of the show along with the extensive beer menu. If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, they have lots of well prepared salads. Heartier appetites will also find something enjoyable to eat here. The well prepared steak and shrimp is a favorite. Plenty of accompaniments including mushroom rice and a vegetable gnocchi medley add to the ease of finding something that you like to eat at this great Tempe restaurant.

 

Vincitorio’s Restaurant

1835 E Elliot Rd # C109 Tempe, AZ 85284
(480) 820-2786

Live music and Italian food made fresh each day are the highlights of Vincitorio’s Restaurant. They make it easy to have a great time. There’s lot of authentic Italian pizzas on hand here that are ideal for a single person or just perfect for sharing with a large crowd. If you’re hungry this is one place that will fill you up. The bread is always homemade as are the many varied types of desserts. All of their entrees come with a cup of soup or a nice salad. Fabulous service makes this one to remember and visit again and again.

 

King’s Fish House

35 S McClintock Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 966-9121

Craving fish and seafood? Then head right to King’s Fish House. They know what to do with fish and seafood in every way. Dozens of cocktails make it easy to find something to drink. The menu features many wonderful items including a raw seafood bar. You can start off with a wild salmon cake or the blackened shrimp taquitos. Pick out a grilled seafood and meat served with your choice of sides. Multiple fish house favorites include macadamia nut crusted wild halibut and wild savory clam linguini. The menu also has lots of other possibilities such as a sandwich you can eat here or bring with you for a quick lunch. This is an ideal option when you want lots of choices and you want to relax.

 

Photo credit: happycow.net

Green New American Vegetarian

2240 N Scottsdale Rd #113 Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 941-9003

Vegan and vegetarian comfort food shine at this lively restaurant in the very heart of Tempe. They love vegetables and it shows with the many types of items you can find on their easy menu. Begin your journey here with a bite of their vegan chicken wings in a dipping sauce. Organic chick peas are the star of the green hummus. They do items like a burrito made from mock chicken that are just as filling as the real thing. This is also true of their many sandwiches and burgers. That makes this space one that allows you eat green and clean.

 

Perfect Pear Bistro

9845 S Priest Dr. Tempe, AZ 85284
(480) 247-3410

A varied menu with lots of wonderful healthy choices is why this is one of the best restaurants in Tempe. The green chili cheese dip come s with chips. The soup of the moment is well worth it. They have lots of quinoa bowls. Make the vegetarian a base or add your choice of varied toppings like chicken and you’ll have a full lunch. This is also the place to find their many signature tacos. The spicy Asian pork or the curry chicken is a good possibility. Their grilled cheese comes with a side of regular fries or sweet potato fries. Choose the pesto with tomatoes or the mushroom melt. The field of greens is ideal for a light meal during the summer. Try the Pear Cobb. Other items on the wide ranging menu include pastas and many kinds of sandwiches. They make it easy to have lunch or dinner.