Food Scene

Your Dining Guide to Tempe Marketplace

July 16, 2024

Tempe Marketplace a buzzing scene for shopping, entertainment, sipping and dining.

Tempe Marketplace, located at McClintock Drive and Rio Salado Parkway, has a little bit of everything when it comes to culinary offerings. Whether you are ready for a relaxing, sit-down dinner or a quick, grab-n-go meal, you will find something to tempt your tastebuds at this shopping oasis.

Sip, sip, hooray! Now you can pop into any participating restaurant, order a cocktail, beer, or wine, and enjoy it in designated outdoor areas in The District at Tempe Marketplace. For participating restaurants and additional details, visit the Tempe Marketplace website.

Bar Louie
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1220, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-658-1600
Eat. Drink. Be Happy. That is the motto at Bar Louie, and once you get there, you will do just that. The menu features something for everyone, including flatbreads, pasta, burgers, salads and desserts. Drink selections include beer, wine, martinis, margaritas and sangria. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Barrio Queen
31 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-912-4052
Locally owned and operated, Barrio Queen was created by owners Linda Nash and Steven Rosenfield to bring authentic southern Mexican fare and culture to the Valley of the Sun. Since its first location opened in 2011 in Old Town Scottsdale, Barrio Queen has been drawing locals, visitors, movie stars and sports stars alike (even Martha Stewart has stopped by).

Boba Toko
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1069, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-247-7540
Boba Toko offers the perfect refreshments after a day of retail therapy. This Japanese-inspired Sakura Hanami boba shop is home to endless options, from flavored fruit teas to milk teas. You also can’t miss their “Feeling Thirstea” mural, the perfect backdrop for a boba picture.

Churroholic
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-9338
Churroholic is a Spanish-inspired-meets-Asian-fusion dessert shop that’s home to a variety of hand-crafted churro creations, boba, coffee drinks, ice cream and more.

Dave & Busters
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-281-8456
Eat, drink and play your day (or night) away. Dave & Busters is a dining and entertainment — complete with a roster of arcade games, plenty of televisions to watch sports and great food and drink options.

Genghis Grill
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1151, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-777-2695
Genghis Grill is a build-your-own-bowl, fast casual, Mongolian and Asian stir-fry concept. The atmosphere is colorful, lively — taking this culinary experience to an interactive style of exhibition cooking.

Gen Korean BBQ House
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-939-2650
Gen Korean BBQ looks to transcend the norm of Korean barbeque by fusing flavors with ingredients from different parts of the world. Menu options range from freshly prepared meats, seafood and vegetables to traditional Korean ban-chan (side dishes), combinations of which yield a wide array of complex flavors.

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-350-9160
For Japanese cuisine, make your way to Kabuki. This stylish restaurant has a large menu featuring sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, ramen and more. Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.

King’s Fish House
35 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-9121
King’s Fish House aims to create the ultimate seafood experience in an environment filled with all the things customers love most. Come in for oysters shucked to order, live Maine lobster, sushi and new favorites from around the country.

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar
23 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-557-5552
The perfect place for a special occasion or night out, The Keg specializes in steaks, prime rib, chicken, ribs and seafood.

It’s All Greek To Me
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1229, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 490-557-7482
It’s All Greek to Me offers a modern take on one of the world’s oldest cuisines. Epic gyros — piled high with seasoned meat and homemade, vegan falafel — pair perfectly with the house-made hummus (a recipe handed down for generations). The shawarma, baba ganouj, souvlaki and baklava are exceptional too.

Lou Malnati’s
27 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-863-3500
Tempe Marketplace welcomes Lou Malnati’s, a family-owned company, to its restaurant repertoire. Known for their original deep dish pizza recipe, this menu also consists of thin crust pizza along with signature appetizers, salads, pasta and delicious desserts. This iconic pizzeria aims to provide a taste of Chicago to Windy City enthusiasts.

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
2030 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-7427
Lucille’s BBQ serves up southern favorites packed with flavor. Classic dishes include rib, fried chicken and more. Pair with hot-from-the-oven-rolls and honey butter delivered with every meal. Happy hour (in the bar, lounge and patio) is available Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and daily from 9 p.m. to close.

Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing Bar & Grill
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 2105, Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-773-6551
The newest addition to The District at Tempe Marketplace is Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing Bar & Grill. The vibe is plush and the fresh renovations include 13 targets for axe throwing and over two dozen screens for catching a game. As for the menus, Detroit-style pizzas, salads, appetizers and craft cocktails round out the offerings.

MAD Greens
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1215, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 602-283-390
At Mad Greens, eating better is more than just a casual phrase or a healthy meal — it’s a way of life. With a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients straight from the farm, this fast-casual spot packs freshness and flavor into its variety of specialty and seasonal salads, wraps, paninis, soups and build-your-own options.

MOD Pizza
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1026, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-499-0440
Serving up individual artisan-style pizzas and salads made right before your eyes, Mod Pizza customers can design their pizzas and salads or select from a menu of MOD classics. The handcrafted pizzas are baked in an 800-degree display oven and ready to eat in less than 5 minutes. MOD also offers milkshakes, iced teas, lemonades and more.

Nekter Juice Bar
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, #1213, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-771-590
Incorporate juice into your life at Nekter Juice Bar! Each juice, smoothie, cleanse, acai bowl and snack are all-natural, raw, and vegan in form and delicious with optimal health benefits in taste.

Noodles & Company
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-921-3500
Calling all noodle and pasta lovers: Noodles & Company offers the world’s favorite noodles, sandwiches, salads and soups. All dishes are inspired by the individuality, creativity and cultural heritage of cuisines from around the globe. Create a noodle or pasta masterpiece by choosing an entrée, choice of protein and the option to either “green it up, soup it up, or veg it up.”

Portillo’s
65 S. McClintock, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-967-7988
A Chicagoland favorite since 1963, Portillo’s features a diverse menu that includes Chicago-style hot dogs, beef sandwiches, salads, ribs and more. For dessert, Portillo’s famous chocolate cake, strawberry shortcake and yummy milkshakes tempt.

Slices
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-966-2021
The perfect stop for refueling during any retail therapy outing, Slices is a family-owned restaurant was founded by Anna (from Rome, Italy) and Joe (from Chicago) who perfected his skills during his time as a pizzaiolo (pizza maker) in Italy. Check the website or Instagram for deals and specials.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-968-2920
The Thirsty Lion Pub offers traditional sports bar fare — burgers, pizzas, salads, seafood, sandwiches and more — with an upscale twist. They also offer a seasonal menu and a craft beer and cider menu. You can dine indoors or enjoy the large patio that faces the Tempe Marketplace District shops. Happy hour occurs from 3-6 p.m. every day.

Twin Peaks
2050 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-687-3122
Twin Peaks offers everything you crave and more: With almost 100 large screen TVs, 29-degree draft beers, craft cocktails and scratch-made food, this is the place to be on game day!

For a full list of all the restaurants located at Tempe Marketplace, visit the Tempe Marketplace Dining Guide.