Arizona State Guide: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay in Tempe (2026)
Find the best restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes, and campus landmarks near Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, with a saveable map for students, parents, and visitors.
Whether you’re a current Sun Devil working your way down
Mill Avenue, an incoming freshman still learning the Tempe campus, a parent in
for move-in weekend, an alum back for a Saturday at Mountain America Stadium,
or a prospective student on a campus tour, this guide pulls together the
restaurants, bars, hotels, and campus landmarks worth knowing near Arizona
State University in Tempe.
ASU has a setup a lot of big campuses don’t: its main
campus sits right up against downtown Tempe, and the walkable core of the trip
– Mill Avenue – runs along the western edge of campus with restaurants, bars,
and hotels stacked a few blocks apart. Tempe Town Lake is just north,
Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix are a short drive away, and the desert weather
makes patios and rooftops a year-round thing. Game days reshape all of it – ASU
joined the Big 12 in 2024 and promptly won the conference and reached the
College Football Playoff that first season, so football Saturdays draw a real
crowd. Between kickoffs, graduation, family weekend, and August move-in,
everything below is organized to help you find what you need fast.
Best Restaurants Near ASU
Eating around ASU centers on Mill Avenue and the campus
edge – the burgers, brunch, and pasties you can walk to – with a handful of
spots worth a short drive into South Tempe when the occasion calls for
something nicer. All of them are on the map.
Featured restaurants to check out
Postino Annex
615 S College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A lively wine café near campus known for its bruschetta boards, shareable plates, and an inviting patio. It’s versatile enough for brunch with parents, an easy date, or a relaxed meal before heading into downtown Tempe.
Culinary Dropout
149 S Farmer Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A large, energetic restaurant and bar with comfort food, cocktails, live music, and plenty of room for groups. It’s one of the safest choices when students, parents, and alumni all need somewhere fun that works for different tastes.
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Tempe’s original hometown brewpub, set inside a historic former creamery and ice factory. Come for the locally brewed beer, hearty pub food, and an atmosphere that feels genuinely tied to the city and the ASU community.
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 S Ash Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A beloved neighborhood pub housed in a historic Tempe building, with seafood, drinks, and a leafy outdoor patio. It has more character than polish, which makes it a memorable choice for a relaxed dinner or a long evening with friends.
Cornish Pasty Co
960 W University Dr #103, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A cozy Tempe original serving hearty British-style pasties, from the traditional meat-and-potato version to creative vegetarian combinations. The dim pub feel and generous portions make it a solid pick for a casual group meal.
The Chuckbox
202 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A no-frills Tempe institution grilling mesquite burgers over an open flame just steps from ASU since 1972. The cash-only setup, open grill, and old-school dining room are all part of the experience, so bring bills and don’t expect anything fancy.
Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine
1006 E Warner Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284, USA
A polished South Tempe restaurant serving modern Southwestern cooking in a colorful, inviting room. It’s worth the drive from campus for a nicer dinner built around steaks, tacos, and bold regional flavors.
Haji-Baba
1513 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A no-frills Middle Eastern restaurant and market serving generous plates of shawarma, kebabs, falafel, and hummus. It’s one of the best-value meals near ASU and a longtime favorite among Tempe regulars.
Perfect Pear Bistro
603 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A welcoming neighborhood bistro serving fresh salads, sandwiches, pasta, and modern comfort food, with vegetarian options throughout. It’s a calmer, more affordable alternative to the bigger downtown restaurants and works especially well for lunch with parents.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College Ave Ste 103 & 104, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A colorful and reliably busy breakfast spot right beside campus, known for its creative pancakes, eggs Benedict, and morning cocktails. It’s an easy choice for breakfast during a campus tour, move-in weekend, or a family visit.
Daily Jam - Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant
310 S Mill Ave #A101, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A cheerful downtown breakfast and lunch spot with creative waffles, hearty brunch plates, and a convenient Mill Avenue location. Good for a meal before walking through downtown Tempe or heading over to campus.
Best Bars Near ASU
ASU nightlife lives on Mill Avenue, where the loud college
bars and piano bars sit steps from campus. When the night calls for something
more grown-up, the rooftops atop the downtown hotels take over. All of them are
on the map.
Featured bars to check out
Low Key Piano Bar
501 S Mill Ave b101, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A high-energy dueling piano bar where the crowd sings along to familiar songs late into the night. It pulls a broader mix of students, alumni, and visitors than a lot of the surrounding college bars.
Varsity Tavern
501 S Mill Ave #200, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A loud, high-energy Mill Avenue spot that shifts from sports-bar early to full college nightlife later. This is one of the clearest picks on the list for students after dancing, crowds, and a late night out.
Alibi
108 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The rooftop lounge atop the Canopy by Hilton, with cocktails, poolside seating, and wide views across downtown Tempe. It’s a more relaxed, grown-up alternative to the louder bars down on Mill Avenue.
CASA Tempe
5 E 6th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A lively downtown party bar that captures the classic ASU night out, with a young crowd, loud music, and a late-night atmosphere. It gets especially busy on weekends and big campus event nights.
Devil's Hideaway
401 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A theatrical Mill Avenue bar and restaurant that mixes cocktails, eclectic late-night food, and live entertainment. It’s a newer, more designed nightlife option that still keeps the loud, social energy you expect near ASU.
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S Mill Ave #102, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A locally owned brewery near campus with award-winning beer, a spacious patio, and an approachable gastropub menu. It works just as well for lunch with parents, happy hour with friends, or the start of a night on Mill Avenue.
Skysill Rooftop Lounge
11 E 7th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A dramatic open-air rooftop on the 18th floor of The Westin Tempe, with panoramic views and a sophisticated cocktail setting. Go around sunset for the full effect, and treat it as the dressed-up option for a date or a special occasion.
Best Hotels Near ASU
ASU makes lodging easy: a cluster of downtown Tempe hotels
sits within walking distance of campus and Mill Avenue, with a couple of
quieter options up by Tempe Town Lake. The catch is demand – move-in,
graduation, and football Saturdays push rooms and prices up, so book early and
refundable.
Featured hotels to check out
Graduate Tempe
301 E Orange St., Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A playful, ASU-themed hotel filled with Sun Devil details, Southwestern touches, and plenty of school spirit. It sits along the south edge of campus on Apache Boulevard by the light rail, which makes it an easy base for tours, move-in, and performance weekends.
The Westin Tempe
11 E 7th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A sleek downtown high-rise with refined rooms and one of Tempe’s most impressive rooftop settings in the Skysill lounge upstairs. It’s a strong pick for visitors who want an upscale stay within easy walking distance of campus, restaurants, and Mill Avenue.
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
7 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A polished, full-service hotel positioned right between the ASU campus and downtown Tempe. The upscale rooms, rooftop pool, and on-site dining make it one of the easiest and most comfortable choices for families visiting campus.
AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown
100 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A clean, contemporary hotel beside Tempe Town Lake that offers a quieter alternative to staying directly on Mill Avenue. It’s still convenient to downtown and campus, but it suits visitors who’d rather have a calmer home base.
Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown
108 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A stylish, boutique-leaning hotel across from ASU with locally inspired design and the lively Alibi rooftop upstairs. It works especially well for visitors who want to pair a campus trip with restaurants, cocktails, and downtown nightlife.
Tempe Mission Palms, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel
60 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A longstanding downtown Tempe hotel with a resort-like courtyard, rooftop pool, and an excellent location just off Mill Avenue. It feels more established and relaxed than the newer high-rises while staying walkable to campus.
ASU Campus Landmarks
ASU’s Tempe campus rewards a slow walk, but these six
stops anchor any first visit, and they’re all on the map.
Featured campus landmarks
Old Main
400 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The historic heart of Arizona State University, Old Main has stood on the Tempe campus since the late 1800s. Its distinctive red-brick architecture, shaded lawn, and deep ties to ASU history make it an essential stop for first-time visitors.
Palm Walk
Palm Walk, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
ASU’s signature pedestrian pathway, Palm Walk runs through the heart of campus beneath rows of towering palm trees. It’s one of the best places to take in the scale, energy, and distinctly Arizona feel of student life.
ASU Gammage
1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
A striking Frank Lloyd Wright-designed performing arts venue at the southern edge of campus. Beyond the Broadway productions and major events it hosts, its sweeping curves and circular terraces make it one of ASU’s most recognizable buildings.
Hayden Library
300 E Orange St., Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The academic hub of the Tempe campus, Hayden Library offers modern study areas, research resources, and collaborative spaces in the center of university life. Its surrounding lawn and central location also make it a natural meeting point for students.
Mountain America Stadium
500 E Veterans Way, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
Home of Sun Devil football and the center of ASU’s game-day traditions. Built into the desert landscape near Tempe’s buttes, the stadium is an essential stop for sports fans and anyone who wants to feel the university’s school spirit.
Tempe Butte
Tempe Butte, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
The short but memorable hike up “A” Mountain rewards visitors with sweeping views of the ASU campus, downtown Tempe, and the surrounding desert. The large hillside “A” and its ties to university tradition make it a true Sun Devil landmark.
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