There are plenty of delectable options in the Valley’s buzzing college town.
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 Tempe spot, where many dishes are wood-fired in a hearth or on the grill. $$-$$$
Crêpe Bar
French
7520 S. Rural Rd., 480-247-8012, crepe-bar.com
Carb lovers of all ages gather for crêpes both sweet and savory, along with latte art-topped cups of Portland-based Heart Coffee. $
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. $
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. $$$
Gold Bar Espresso
Coffee shop
3141 S. McClintock Dr., 480-839-3082, goldbarespresso.org
Find gourmet coffee, tea and Italian sodas at this cozy, art-adorned café that hosts game nights and live music. $
Hot N Juicy Crawfish
Cajun/Seafood
740 S. Mill Ave., 480-634-6285, hotnjuicycrawfish.com
Grub is served family-style in a traditional Cajun crawfish boil. Seasonal seafood options can be customized with five spice blends.
Haji-Baba
Middle Eastern
1513 E. Apache Blvd., 480-966-4672
No frills” is an understatement at this popular Tempe hole in the wall, but that’s got nothing to do with the food. Kabob platters with fluffy rice, juicy chicken shawarma, crisp balls of falafel and lick-your-plate delicious hummus are a few reasons to stop by. $
The Hudson Eatery & Bar
American
1601 E. Apache Blvd., 480-699-4173, hudsontempe.com
Whiskey, bourbon and other oaked spirits are the jam of this breezy gastropub. The food menu is headlined by a spot-on Philly cheesesteak. $$
Mandarin House
Chinese
1825 E. Baseline Rd., 480-838-8988, mandarinhousetempe.com
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. $-$$$
Maui Hawaiian Grill
Hawaiian
219 E. Baseline Rd., 480-839-0375
Built around grilled meats and mayo-drenched macaroni salad, this Hawaiian grill offers a satisfying meal for hearty appetites. $
Med Fresh Turkish Grill
Middle Eastern
414 S. Mill Ave., 480-642-9709, medfreshgrill.com
Owned by Mustafa San (formerly of Efes Turkish Cuisine) and his three brothers, this cheerful, fast-casual concept turns out terrific Middle Eastern specialties at reasonable prices. Try the Greek salad, the hummus, smoky baba ghannouj, excellent grape leaves, tender kabobs and wonderful chicken or beef doner. $$-$$$
Mellow Mushroom
Pizza
740 S. Mill Ave., 480-967-6355
Each of Mellow Mushroom’s five Valley locations runs roughly three dozen taps featuring a mix of local and elite out-of-state craft offerings, plus a sturdy lineup of signature drinks featuring scratch-made mixers and premium spirits. $-$$
Nocawich
Sandwiches
777 S. College Ave., 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. $-$$
The Peppermill
Steakhouse/New American
7660 S. McClintock Dr., 480-590-6755, peppermillaz.com
Chef-owner Chad Bolar spent nine years working for culinary star Christopher Gross, and his classical chops are deliciously apparent at this unassuming strip-mall spot embraced by cuisine-starved South Tempeans. The pork belly, crunchy with everything bagel toppings, the loin-like meat beneath ribboned with buttery fat, is among the Valley’s best. $$$-$$$$
Pita Jungle
Vegetarian/Middle Eastern
4 E. University Dr., 480-804-0234, pitajungle.com
These hip little havens for health nuts offer tofu, tempeh and veggie burgers, plus Middle Eastern dishes such as chicken shawarma, hummus and baba ghanoush. Great deals on tapas at happy hour. $-$$
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.
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. $$
Singh Meadows
New American
1490 E. Weber Dr., 480-225-7199, singhmeadowstempe.com
Bring the kids to play on the grassy lawn, shop the brick-and-mortar farmers market for pristine organic vegetables and other goodies, then treat yourself to the vibrant, global spin on farm-to-table cooking. $-$$
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. $-$$$
The Woodshed
American
19 W. Baseline Rd., 480-831-9663,
Snapped up a couple years ago by award-winning mixologist Brandon Casey, this old warhorse of a dive bar has retained its essential, lovable grubbiness while enjoying an overall spike in quality. $
Zu Izakaya
Asian
2210 N. Scottsdale Rd., 480-625-4372, zuizakaya.com
Owned by Chef June Kang of Scottsdale’s Bei Sushi, Zu captures the spirit of a Japanese izakaya pub without its more traditional trappings. A massive menu of tempura, hot pots and grilled meats includes gyoza, chile-garlic edamame and tempura sweet potatoes, with fried cheese SPAM katsu sliders for more adventurous appetites. $-$$$
