Tempe food guide: Mill Avenue, ASU and where to eat downtown

Tempe is the college town at the center of the Phoenix area, home to Arizona State University, a lake in a dry riverbed and Mill Avenue, a main street of bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is small and compact compared with Phoenix, and it is one of the easiest places in the Valley to eat without a car. Eat on Mill Avenue, find the student bargains and plan around the university calendar.

What is Mill Avenue?

Mill Avenue runs north to south through downtown Tempe, from the lake and the Salt River channel toward University Drive and the ASU campus. Its blocks hold dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes, some in older brick buildings and some in newer developments, and the street is walkable and lively in the evening. The downtown also has a light rail line and a free circulator, which lets you hop between Mill Avenue and the lake. Weekday lunch brings students and workers; Friday and Saturday evenings bring a bar crowd.

Where can you get breakfast and coffee?

Tempe has coffee shops that use beans from local roasters and breakfast restaurants serving eggs, chicken and waffles. Students and families fill breakfast tables on weekends, so arrive early or expect a wait. Many bakeries and cafes open at 7 a.m. and are busy with students heading to class.

Where can you get a casual lunch or dinner?

Mill Avenue has a range of casual options. Expect burrito counters, pubs with pizza, brewpubs with big outdoor patios and burger spots that grill over mesquite. Some take only cash, so carry a little. A wine bar and several hotel restaurants cover the more upscale end.

What is the food like near Tempe Town Lake?

The lake, created in a dammed stretch of the Salt River, is ringed by parks, bike paths and a few restaurants, and the nearby Tempe Marketplace has chain and local restaurants. A lake walk or a rowing session pairs well with a meal at a lakeside restaurant, though most of the best-known dining is a few blocks away on Mill. In summer, mornings and evenings are the comfortable times by the water.

How does the ASU calendar affect restaurants?

A great deal. Football Saturdays in the fall bring huge crowds to downtown, with waits at most restaurants, and move-in weekends in August do the same. Graduation in May and exam weeks change the tempo. During the summer, when classes are out and temperatures are highest, downtown is quiet and some businesses shorten hours. If you plan a meal on a game day, book early or eat in a part of Tempe away from campus.

Is Tempe good for cheap eats?

Yes, because students need to eat on a budget. Pizza slices, tacos, burritos, ramen, bubble tea and food trucks serve the area. Look for student specials and happy hours. Burger spots and counter-service burrito shops are the best-known bargains.

How do you spend an afternoon between meals?

Tempe has plenty to do between lunch and dinner. Walk or cycle around Tempe Town Lake, visit a museum on campus, or browse the shops on Mill. In the hottest months, spend the afternoon indoors at a museum, a movie or a coffee shop, and walk the lake after sunset. The university's public events, from concerts to lectures, are often free and a good way to see the campus. If you arrive hungry, eat a light lunch and save space for a longer dinner, since Mill Avenue's best hours are the evening.

How do you get around?

The Valley Metro light rail stops downtown and links Tempe with Phoenix and Mesa. A free circulator runs around downtown. Mill Avenue is easy to walk, and bikes are common. Parking in garages is paid on game days. If you plan to drink, take the rail or a ride.

What is on the check?

Arizona restaurants add a transaction privilege tax to the check at state, county and city rates. The total differs by city, so check the city's tax page or the state's rate table. Tip 18 to 20 percent at a sit-down restaurant, and a dollar or two at a counter.

What should visitors know about game days and events?

Tempe hosts football games, concerts at the lake and festivals, including large arts fairs in spring and fall. These events fill restaurants and close streets, so check the city's calendar before you pick a night. On those days, ride the rail, arrive early and expect to wait. A quieter option is to eat in the residential neighborhoods south of campus, where restaurants are mostly neighborhood places and parking is easier.

What about dietary needs and families?

Tempe restaurants are used to students with varied diets, and vegetarian and vegan options are widespread. Gluten-free menus are common. Families will find daytime meals easiest, since evenings on Mill are loud and busy.

How do you keep a Tempe list for every visit?

A Tempe list works for the student, the parent and the football fan. In the Mosey app, rate the breakfast, the burger or the burrito by the dish, add a tag such as Student Friendly or Lively, and keep the places on Mill Avenue in one list. Share it with a friend moving into a dorm or a parent coming for graduation, and they can add the dinners they tried. Follow friends who live in town and see what they rate when the crowds descend.

Rate your next Mill Avenue meal in the Mosey app and add it to your Tempe list.

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