Bar Capri
1730 E. Warner Road, #10, TempeBar Capri opened on the northwest corner of McClintock Drive and Warner Road in March. This tiny spot fills up fast, so reservations are highly recommended. But the crowd is there for a reason. The ambiance, service, drinks and food are all individually exceptional, and come together to create one of the best new dining experiences in town. Dark green paint envelops the walls, accented with brushed gold fixtures and antique-looking artwork. Every detail is measured, down to the ornate knives and forks. Start with a cocktail and pick between Italian classics or a few options with a tiki twist. If you're feeling wine, choose from the curated selection of unique bottles. The food menu skews Mediterranean, blending Italian dishes with a few Middle Eastern influences. Share an order of lamb skewers and enjoy the spiced, ground meat dipped in a light, creamy yogurt and mint sauce before digging into a hearty yet tender beef lasagna. Appetizers for the table include flavor-packed arancini, creamy burrata with plenty of toasted bread, baked meatballs in a rich tomato sauce and more. This new spot feels celebratory, but is casual enough for regular visits. It's the type of spot everyone wishes would open in their neck of the woods.Cafe Lalibela
849 W. University Drive, Tempe There is a strong argument to be made that Cafe Lalibela, open for nearly three decades, cooks the best African food in all of metro Phoenix. An injera, or flatbread with a moonlike landscape has measured tang that doesn't blot out the fragrance of the teff; it also features a pleasant sponge that's ideal for sopping up stews and vegetables. Whether it's tender lamb fragrant with turmeric or beef deepened with berbere, the beauty of Ethiopian food is on full display here — no more so than in the vegetable dishes. It's marvelous what Cafe Lalibela can do with lentils and split peas.
Caffe Boa
398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe On any given day at Tempe staple Caffe Boa, you’ll see a wide variety of customers. Young couples looking to impress on first dates fill tables in the cozy dining room next to ASU students celebrating milestones, groups of friends grabbing a sophisticated bite before heading to a Gammage show or professors showing off the best of Tempe to new faculty members. The restaurant serves Italian classics with a modern twist, such as lasagna with hint of cream in the rich tomato sauce, ravioli filled with butternut squash swimming in sage and garlic butter, flatbreads, salads and customizable charcuterie boards. Cocktails are served in cut-glass coupes, the wine list is extensive and there’s a selection of rakijas, which the menu describes as a Serbo-Croatian alcoholic drink made from distilled fermented fruit. Brunch is served on the weekends until it’s time for candles to cast light on the brick walls of this romantic setting.
Cocina Chiwas
2001 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe Cocina Chiwas builds on the familial traditions of Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, while also bringing new flavors and dishes inspired by what the couple have learned while eating and working around the Valley. They may be better known for their Tacos Chiwas taquerias, but this restaurant, which opened in 2023 in a slick contemporary building as part of Culdesac Tempe, started a new chapter in their culinary journey. Start with an order of oysters with hibiscus and jalapeno mignonette and smoked salmon caviar before diving into some carnitas tacos on heirloom corn tortillas or beef cheek pasta with chorizo and a chile colorado broth. The desserts are equally impressive. The sweet corn panna cotta is a rich and surprising treat. Fruit compote adds a tartness that cuts through the sweetness from the corn. It adds up to an experience that differs from a traditional Mexican restaurant but is true to Hernandez and Holguin.
The Dhaba
1872 Apache Blvd., Tempe It’s easy to know when you’ve reached The Dhaba, or even when you’ve arrived in the restaurant’s general neighborhood. The warm, enticing aroma of cooking spices forms a fragrant bubble around this Tempe classic. The restaurant serves a selection of Punjabi food ranging from snackable appetizers to hearty stews and curries. Specialties come straight from the tandoor, and each dish has an accompanying wine recommendation on the menu. For an excellent cross-section of the restaurant’s offerings, order one of the three Thali options. These sampler platters offer a veggie of the day and multiple varieties of chicken or lamb, as well as yellow veggie-studded rice, cool yogurt raita and fluffy naan. They also include a warming mug of chai plus a small sweet to end the meal. The Dhaba also serves imported soft drinks, beers and lassis in flavors including mango, rose, sweet, salty and plain.
Hundred Mile Brewing Co.
690 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe Hundred Mile Brewing Co., as the name suggests, is first and foremost a brewery. But aside from in-house crafted beer, the Tempe spot also serves an exceptional food menu with dishes that go way beyond what one might expect of a classic brewpub. Yes, there are burgers and sandwiches to pair with a pint. But they’re massive, juicy, balanced in flavor and endlessly filling. There are fresh salads studded with golden beets and sesame-dressed ahi tuna poke. Tacos, burritos and standout fish and chips round out the menu. The space itself is open and bright with a breezy patio and indoor-outdoor bar. Pair a fresh and hearty meal with a cocktail or one of the rotating beers on tap. We’re partial to the Mango Mile Wheat and the roasty Glowing Embers stout.
At Mandi House, the entrees are served on large platters with rice and multiple sauces.
Sara Crocker
Mandi House
1639 E. Apache Blvd., TempeIt’s hard to miss Mandi House. The bright blue stuccoed building beckons from the street. Inside, the halal restaurant serves comforting Middle Eastern cuisine, highlighting specifically Yemeni recipes. Warm spices offer depth to the meat and rice dishes among its entrees, which come on massive platters, often accompanied by garlicky yogurt and a chile sauce made with tomatoes and jalapenos that has bite. Both add acidity and brightness to these stick-to-your-ribs meals. The restaurant offers takeout and dine-in service, with options to sit inside the dining room or on comfortable floor seating areas.
Old Town Taste's Chongqing-style chicken is packed with mouth-numbing peppercorns.
Jackie Mercandetti Photo
