Tempe – Arizona

When you think about college towns, you might not imagine a diverse culinary experience. Tempe, home to Arizona State University, is a large public university in the United States. Visitors will be surprised to discover a wide variety of cuisines. You’ll find a wide variety of food options on campus, including burgers, breakfast, and international favorites.

Tempe has a melting pot of people from all over, so it’s not surprising that you will find global influences in our cuisine. Apache Boulevard is the heart of it all, and offers a wide variety of delicious food options. Chou’s Kitchen serves northeastern Chinese cuisine, including steamed buns or homemade dumplings. Haji Baba, a local favorite, is a Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery that serves delicious shawarma, falafel, and house-made tahini. Khai Hoan is just around the corner and offers Vietnamese cuisine, including hanh hoi (mini rice sticks), banh cuon, and rice vermicelli. The Dhaba is also a part of the Apache Boulevard journey. It celebrates the Punjab region of India, serving fragrant rice, deep-fried Indian street food, and perfectly spiced lamb and chicken.

Tempe is a college town so craft beer is ingrained in the culture. Four Peaks Brewery, located in a historic warehouse, is a local favorite. The beer bread wraps and burgers of Four Peaks Brewery are a must-try and should be paired well with one their famous brews like the Kilt Lifter or Peach Ale. Located in Downtown Tempe, Pedal Haus Brewery offers an extensive patio with Belgian-American-inspired food. They have a number of award-winning brews, including the White Rabbit Hazy IPA (and the Pedal Haus Pils) The Huss Brewing Company’s tasting rooms are a popular spot to visit. They are known for their German Style Kolsch and Scottsdale blonde, and The Shop Beer Co. which is famous for its Church Music and Coffee Brown microbrews.

Just a few minutes from south Tempe you’ll find several hot spots like Ghost Ranch, which offers Southwestern borderland flavors. Their Aztec Cake is a stack made of tortillas with layers filled with chicken, sweet corn, cheese, crema, and green chile. The Crepe Bar is nearby and offers sweet and savory crepes. This once-in-a-lifetime food truck is now a popular place to enjoy delicious breakfast and lunch.

Relive college days with your campus favorites. The Chuckbox, is a classic burger joint serving char-broiled patties, chicken sandwiches and fries since1972. Casey Moore’s Oyster House is one of Tempe’s best neighborhood bars. It offers amazing food and oysters.

Now that you know the basics of food, book a hotel near ASU campus. You can explore the new additions to The Westin Tempe, which features the valley’s highest rooftop bar/pool, or check out The Canopy at Hilton Tempe, a boutique hotel with great dining experiences. The Vib Tempe is a new, elevated Best Western option. It features a rooftop patio, modern interior, and an in-house restaurant that specializes in lobster dishes. Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe’s mainstay offers a beautiful courtyard with a pool and a view over “A” Mountain.

Tempe is a great place to visit when you’re thinking about Arizona. It’s a great place to visit for foodies, with incredible weather and amazing places to stay.

For more information visit tempetourism.com