Cartel Coffee Lab: This coffee lab takes coffee very seriously - and you can tell. It’s smooth, perfectly balanced, and carefully curated. We love the trendy interior, too! (@cartelcoffeelab)
King Coffee: Cozy and welcoming, this little coffee shop makes a mean pour-over, and their baristas are friendly and knowledgeable. (@kingcoffeeaz)
Infusion Coffee & Tea: Great ambiance, great place to work, and great coffee (and tea)! Bring your laptop or a good book - there’s plenty of spots to sit. Try The D.B. - a mix of cold brew and lemonade with mango and habanero! (@infusioncoffeetea)
Breakfast
Daily Jam: This casual, order-at-the-counter breakfast spot serves brunch all day, and was recently named “Best Waffles in Arizona” by the Food Network! Whether you order waffles or eggs benedict, you can’t go wrong. It’s all fresh, affordable, and really good. (@eatdailyjam)
Bobby’s pick: Killer Breakfast Sandwich
Alli’s pick: Farmers Market Benedict
Morning Squeeze: There’s something about the Morning Squeeze that just makes us happy. Maybe it’s the bright and cheery decor, maybe it’s the warm and friendly staff, or maybe it’s the extensive breakfast menu - that even has a couple dishes for dogs! Regardless - go here. And bring your pup. (@morningsqueeze)
Bobby’s pick: Squeeze’s Famous French Toast
Alli’s pick: Farm Out Omelette
Sally’s pick: Chow Hound Scramble
Snooze: Sure, it’s a chain. But it’s one of the best. It’s fun, and retro, and vibrant, and has everything we’d want in a breakfast/brunch spot. Like eggs bennys, sammies, pancakes, and more! Go hungry. (@snoozeameatery)
Bobby’s pick: Everything Bacon Sensation Sammie
Alli’s pick: Pancake Flight (duh)
First Watch: If you’re looking for a lighter, healthier breakfast - this is it. Some of the best avocado toast in town, and their Kale Tonic green juice is delicious and packed with nutrients! (@first.watch)
Bobby’s pick: Bacado Omelette
Alli’s pick: Farm Stand Breakfast Tacos
Lunch/Dinner
Postino Wine Cafe: Bruschetta boards + wine… Is that not the perfect combo? This was hands down our favorite spot in Tempe. The food (build-your-own bruschetta board is the way to go), the wine, the ambiance - it’s perfect! Come for the happy hour, where wine is only $5! (@postinowinecafe)
Culinary Dropout: This bar and restaurant has it all - craft cocktails, an extensive menu, mouth-watering desserts, live music, games, and more! It’s the perfect spot to go with friends - play some cornhole, snack on their famous Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue, and end the night with their signature Monkey Bread 10! (@culinarydropout)
Bobby’s pick: The M.A.C. Burger
Alli’s pick: Butternut Squash Ravioli
Shady Park Tempe: The ASU students may go here to party, but Shady Park is where WE go for delicious (and super affordable) ramen! Grab a seat on their outdoor patio where you can relax, enjoy your meal, and people watch (it’s prime here). We like the “Mr. Robato Special”, that comes with a house bowl, a Japanese draft beer, and sake for only $10! (@shadyparktempe)
Casey Moore’s: This lively Irish Pub has been a favorite among locals and tourists alike for years. We love their (dog friendly!) outdoor patio for happy hour - where they have discounts on everything from Chipotle Hummus to Escargot! (Casey Moore’s on Instagram)
Chuck Box - Get a burger and thank us after you get another. It’s iconic. (@thechuckbox)
House of Tricks: Family-owned and operated (their last name is Trick - hence the name!), this home-turned-restaurant is coth cozy and charming, and they serve some of the best cuisine in the area! Perfect for a date night! (@houseoftricksaz)
Bobby’s pick: Peanut Marinated Grilled Swordfish
Alli’s pick: Vegan Thyme Gnocchi
Pedal Haus Brewery: Pedal Haus wins for best happy hour in Tempe! It’s Monday-Saturday, 3-6:30pm, all day on Sundays, and features half off wings, $3 beers and mimosas, $5 margaritas and more! Even if it’s not for happy hour, we love the ambiance, drinks, and snacks. It’s a must! (@pedalhausbrewery)
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour: We love this hip cocktail parlour for their dimly-lit medieval theme and fancy and perfectly Instagrammable cocktails. It’s technically in Phoenix, so it’s a little bit of a drive - but it’s worth it. Sign up for their waitlist on yelp to avoid a long wait! (@bitterandtwister_az)
Fate Brewing - Good beer and pizza? Sign us up. Fate is a small batch brewery with constantly rotating brews that had us wishing we could try them all. Oh, and they have a killer happy hour, too! (@fatebrewingaz)
Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown: The Canopy is hip new hotel in a perfect location, within walking distance to a multitude of shops and dining options. With hand-sanitizer stations throughout, new cleaning standards for both the room and public areas, and a face covering requirement throughout the hotel, we were able to relax and not worry about Covid. The rooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed, and we were obsessed with the big cozy bed (especially Sally and Jude). (@canopytempe)
Graduate Hotel Tempe: Just steps away from ASU, the Graduate Tempe is a trendy, retro hotel with a friendly staff and a super convenient location. They’re incredibly dog friendly too, gifting a “Bark Box” to their furry guests! (@graduatetempe)
Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes: Breathtaking views and a stunning pool area, if you’re looking for a “getaway” spot - this is it. The rooms are a little outdated, but they’re comfy and clean, and the views make up for it! (@thebuttesmarriott)
“A” Mountain - A short but steep climb that’s worth the view! A must-do when in Tempe.
South Mountain Park: With over 51 miles of trails, South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the US, and one of the largest urban parks in North America and the world! It’s stunning - and has incredible panoramic views of Phoenix - and it’s dog friendly, too!
Desert Botanical Garden: This 140-acre botanical garden is quite the sight to see, with over 50,000 plant displays and over 4,300 plant species! The Electric Dessert, a light and sound experience, runs from October-May, and it’s incredible. We dare you not to Google it or look it up on Instagram - just go. (@dbgphx)
Kayak Tempe Town Lake: For only $25/hour, you can kayak around the picturesque Tempe Town lake. It’s beautiful, it’s relaxing, and you’re sure to get some epic photos - especially if you kayak at sunset! The Tempe Town Lake Pedal Boats are also a fun family adventure!
Definitely! We had no problem exploring Tempe with Sally. Almost every restaurant has a dog-friendly patio, we hiked around South Mountain Park with her, and the doggy menu at Morning Squeeze was definitely the highlight of her trip!
