Your Guide to International Dining in Tempe
In a city as diverse as Tempe, you can be sure the culinary landscape is a reflection of the palates that live, work and study there. Widely known as an intersection where culinary traditions from around the world converse, Tempe’s food scene was built by small businesses that were serving authentic global flavors long before TikTok reviews or DoorDash existed. These long-standing restauranteurs are the pillars of the dining scene you see today, one that continues to evolve, while remaining rich in both flavor and authenticity.
From Ethiopia to Vietnam and India to Japan, the world’s most famous cooking traditions, comfort foods, delicacies, and celebratory dishes can be found being shared at tables across Tempe. So it should come as no surprise that this city is the place to break bread, or naan, or injera.
To help you navigate your next dining experience in Tempe, we’ve curated a list— by cuisine, country and/or region — as a passport to your next meal.
CHINESE
Beijing Express
This highly rated restaurant is serving up authentic Chinese cuisine in the Mill Towne Center.
219 E. Baseline Road, Tempe | 480-755-2298
Hot Wok
Known for its variety in taste, high quality fresh ingredients and generous portions, this is the place for all your favorite dishes.
655 W. Warner Road, # 117, Tempe | 480-592-9328
Kungfu Kitchen
Serving authentic cuisine from northeastern China, including noodles, steamed buns, bao pies, potstickers, pancakes and more.
1250 E. Apache Blvd. Suite 101, Tempe | 480-557-8888
Kungfu Noodles
Hand-pulled Noodle House that’s also known for dumplings, buns, soups and meat dishes.
1845 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ | 480-268-7331
ETHIOPIAN
Cafe Lalibela
Arizona’s first Ethiopian restaurant is a beloved celebration of authentic cuisine — and even such to-go items as coffee.
849 W. University Drive, Tempe | 480-829-1939
Ethiopian Famous Restaurant
933 E. University Drive, #112, Tempe | 602-449-0055
INDIAN
The Dhaba
This award-winning Indian restaurant specializes in culinary customs of the Punjab region of northern India.
1872 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe | 480-557-8800
India’s Flame
This family-owned restaurant is known for its authentic Northern Indian cuisine.
4427 S. Rural Road, Suite 3 & 4, Tempe | 480-867-8896
Masala Maniac
A bold new atmosphere for unforgettable Indian flavors on Mill Avenue in Downtown Tempe.
414 S. Mill Ave., #117, Tempe | 480-642-9709
Passage to India
From the rich flavors to the warm hospitality, this South Tempe restaurant is known for its authenticity.
909 E. Elliot Road, Tempe | 480-275-2008
ITALIAN
When it comes to Italian cuisine, Tempe chefs and restauranteurs proudly serve up authentic favorites. Family recipes yield hearty, melty dishes, fresh-baked breads, vintage varietals, signature seafood selections, perfectly prepared meats and some of the best pasta around. Find out where to savor a taste of Italy in Tempe with this list of Must-Try Italian Restaurants in Tempe.
JAPANESE
212° Shabu Shabu
A modern, interactive dining experience that celebrates the Japanese art of cooking with water, named after the element’s boiling point (212 degrees).
410 N. Scottsdale Road, #109, Tempe | 480-366-4849
Azusa Ramen & Sushi
Fresh-made noodles come in a variety of broth offerings in addition to sushi and sashimi menus.
3128 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ | 480-590-5641
Blue Sushi Sake Grill at NOVUS Place
A commitment to preserving the environment sets this sushi bar apart, and the traditional and creative maki, sashimi, nigiri (including vegan options) are also worth celebrating.
690 S. Novus Place, Ste. 183, Tempe | 480-977-2583
El Tataki Sushi Fusion
A unique combination of traditional Japanese sushi and Mexican sushi that’s derived in parts of Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico.
1410 E. Southern Ave., Tempe | 480-912-3009
Hachi Ramen
Renowned for its scratch-made, authentic Japanese ramen by owner Bradley An trained in Japan to perfect his craft.
655 W. Warner Road, Suite 114, Tempe, AZ | 480-781-2603
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
Traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine — including an award-winning kid’s menu and dedicated vegetarian and gluten-free menus — located at Tempe Marketplace.
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe | 480-350-9160
Kuka Sushi & Izakaya
Living up to its name, this is an authentic spot for sushi, ramen, yakitori and inventive cocktails and wine pairings.
1221 E. Apache Blvd., Suite 103, Tempe | 480-306-4386
Matsuri Izakaya on Mill
One part Japanese street food restaurant and one part tapas bar. serving ramen, udon, katsu, sushi, sweet fruit sandwiches, beer and cocktails daily.
699 S. Mill Ave., #115, Tempe
Ramen Dozo
A full-service Japanese-style restaurant offering hot ramen, bento boxes, rice bowls, sake and more.
3415 S. McClintock Drive, #107, Tempe, AZ | 480-686-8086
Silverlake Ramen
Casual Japanese restaurant serving small plates, sake and a variety of ramen options.
920 E. University Drive, Unit 103, Tempe, AZ | 480-508-0881
Sushi 101
Approachable and affordable, this mainstay specializes in sashimi, nigiri, bowls, noodles, soups, and even vegan options.
1435 E. University Drive, C-112, Tempe, AZ | 480-317-0101
Tampopo Ramen
Arizona’s original hakata ramen spot is best known for its authentic, 12-hour simmered Tonkotsu pork broth and their thin, straight Hakata-style noodles from scratch in-house daily.
3223 S. McClintock Drive, Suite 103, Tempe, AZ | 480-597-5517
Zu Izakaya Sushi Bar
Asian fusion that brings a Japanese-style sushi bar, hot pot, noodles, skewers and barbecue all under one roof.
1212 E. Apache Blvd., #107-109, Tempe | 480-590-2903
2210 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, AZ | 480-625-4372
KOREAN
Central BBQ LakeHouse
A Korean barbecue concept that pairs the experience of tabletop grilling with a waterfront view in The Lakes neighborhood of South Tempe.
5350 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe | 480-366-4066
Gen Korean BBQ House
A fusion of flavors starring freshly prepared meats, seafood and vegetables as well as a tabletop grilling experience at Tempe Marketplace.
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-939-2650
Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs
Transforming a timeless American carnival snack into a creative Korean-style street food for countless flavor combinations.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, #682, Tempe | 480-698-7058
1015 S. Rural Road, Suite 106, Tempe | 480-597-3642
MEXICAN
Home to a wide variety of restaurants serving Mexican cuisine, Tempe is home concepts that range from new and trendy to multigenerational classics and family-run concepts that have defined this culinary landscape for decades. Our list of Tempe’s Top Authentic Mexican Restaurants — and which dishes we can’t get enough of — will help you navigate which restaurants need to be on your must-try list.
MEDITERRANEAN
Curry Corner
This unassuming Pakistani restaurant is home to “some of the best chicken” Guy Fieri’s ever had (it’s the Tandoori chicken tikka).
1212 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe | 480-894-1276
Haji-Baba
A Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery store serving budget-friendly gyros, kebabs, falafel and shawarma and more for 40 years.
1513 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe | 480-894-1905
Opa Tempe Bar & Grill
The place for Greek hospitality and flavors of the Mediterranean, including pizzas, gyros, salads, souvlaki, seafood and more.
227 E. Baseline Road, Tempe, AZ | 480-292-8180
Spitz Tempe
Award-winning wraps, loaded bowls, and gyros in a fast-casual space on the ASU campus.
681 E. Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ | 480-590-0161
THAI
When it comes to excellent family-owned and operated Thai restaurants in Tempe, Thai is always a good idea. Authentic family recipes are a certainty, and all of our top restaurants deliver a perfect blend of hot, sour, sweet, salty and smidge of bitter. The richness is in the unique touches each one puts on some of the most iconic dishes to distinguish theirs from the rest. Take your tastebuds on this Thai journey at these Must-Try Thai Restaurants in Tempe.
VIETNAMESE
Khải Hoàn Restaurant
Famous for being one of the Valley’s first places to serve up steaming bowls of pho, this restaurant also offers a variety of Vietnamese favorites.
1537 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe | 480-829-7118
Phở Fresh Alley & Boba Tea
Phở and boba make for a winning combination at this spot, which is located on the ground floor of The Carmin.
1000 E. Apache Blvd., Sute #103, Tempe | 480-247-9000
Viet Shack
A cozy, family owned restaurant serving delicious Vietnamese food at a great value in a fast-casual atmosphere.
7510 S. Priest Drive, #104, Tempe | 480-306-8688
