Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Tempe

At Desert Roots Kitchen, items are prepared so fresh that its guests need to check the menu online daily at 10AM if they want to know what to order upon arrival. In the kitchen, chef/owner Leslie Robin prepares wraps, sandwiches, salads and other vegetarian/vegan dishes with an emphasis on healthy sustenance. The wrap-of-the-day is her highlight dish, and with variations like Moroccan Peanut Lentil, Sriracha Pineapple Lentil, BBQ Pinto Bean and many others, eating healthy never tasted so good.

Located on bustling Mill Avenue, Rúla Búla Irish Pub offers new Irish cuisine on the menu, but you'll still find Fish 'n' Chips, Guinness Pie and Lamb Stew on there as well. The decor is definitely traditional, with rustic wooden tables, Celtic motif and a convivial atmosphere all inside a colorful yellow and blue building. The name roughly translates from Gaelic to English as 'Uproar and Commotion', and on any given night, you can see why. The menu is composed of dishes like Steamed Mussels, Pan Seared Alaskan Cod, Bistro Filet Medallions and the Hot Bollix Spicy Potato Balls made with rashers, scallions and Cheddar cheese are must-try appetizers. For entertainment, Rúla has live music throughout the week as well as other events like trivia, fundraisers, etc.

Ncounter is a hip, little eatery located right in front of the Mill Avenue/3rd Street light rail stop, a feature which makes it ultra-convenient. Ncounter is only open for breakfast and lunch, however anyone visiting during these hours will be pleasantly surprised. The heart healthy menu offers creamy smoothies, fluffy omelettes, hearty sandwiches and vitamin packed salads. Indoors, everything is served in a modern convivial space, although at times it may be difficult to find a table. Nonetheless, you can dine on the outdoor patio which actually makes for a better seating option, depending on the season.

Fat Tuesdays has been an institution on Mill Avenue for decades, known for its slushy frozen daiquiris which spin in mixers behind the bar. Many of these frozen drinks use grain alcohol which translates into strength, so if you want to maintain some semblance of sobriety, try the Fruit Cocktail, Mango or the Peach Bellini. In addition to frozen slush, the bar still has a nice selection of local beers from nearby breweries. Fat Tuesday's also serves bar food like wings, nachos, burgers, wraps and salads to soak up those strong drinks.

This Southwestern outpost from the Midwestern burger chain is the best place to grab a cheap, fast-food burger on Mill Avenue. More than just your typical fast food burger, the ones here are made from 100% Grade A beef and they come in a variety of styles. From the classic cheeseburger to the specialty Jalapeño Crunch, the patties are always grilled to perfection. In addition to top-notch burgers, SNS serves sandwiches, hot dogs, chili and delicious classic milkshakes, don't forget to order one with your meal.

This popular sandwich spot located in downtown Tempe provides some of the best sandwiches in this college town as well as the entire metro Phoenix area. Ike started in a small spot located in San Francisco's Castro District in 2007 and since then, he has branched out to other states including Arizona. The menu here in Tempe is almost the same as the original, however all menus have individual, unique options for local tastes. For instance, the Sun Devil made with American cheese, fried chicken and Sun Devil sauce can only be found here. Each sandwich is made with superb bread, quality meats and of course, Ike's signature Dirty Sauce is unlike anything else on the planet. It is no wonder why he has been so successful.