Internationally YUMMY

Because ASU has such a large international student population, the Indian, Thai, + Ethiopian fare is AMAZING here.

MEDITERRANEAN | PITA JUNGLE

COST: MODERATE | ATMOSPHERE: CASUAL SIT DOWN | BEST THING: CHICKEN WITH RED PEPPER HUMMUS

This is the closest restaurant to the hotel (sans the Cafe Boa). This is my favorite restaurant chain in Phoenix (and there are 26 locations across the state)! Each location is unique to it’s neighborhood, so this location is graffiti focused for the adjacent ASU art school buildings. But really if you stumble on another location, it is no problem — the food is consistently amazing!

THAI | THAI BASIL

COST: CHEAP TO MODERATE | ATMOSPHERE: CASUAL SIT DOWN | BEST THING: (ANY) CURRY + THAI ICED TEA

Thai Basil is my favorite small business chain in Tempe. They have great lunch specials that come with a smaller portion with an egg roll. Also…if you can do dairy, try a Thai Iced Tea with tapioca — its ALMOST a dessert.

ETHIOPIAN | CAFE LALIBELA

COST: MODERATE | ATMOSPHERE: CASUAL SIT DOWN | BEST THING: VEGAN (or Lalibella) DELUXE PLATTER + coffee

Spitting distance from my mother’s home off of University + 9th St., Cafe Lalibella was my personal go-to for take out for a group. This is AWARD WINNING traditional Ethiopian fare — plus they have gluten-free injera, make their own coffee, and have great African wine.

INDIAN | THE DHABA

COST: MODERATE | ATMOSPHERE: CASUAL SIT DOWN | BEST THING: CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

There are A TON of great Indian places in Tempe…but this one is my favorite. It is a bit out of the way and a little tough to get into (because of the one way streets/light rail)…but worth the drive. It is a great little family Punjambi Indian restaurant with a mini-grocery next store…so you can grab some incense, green tea, and curry powder on your way out.