51st Annual CBHL 2019 Meeting: Local Dining (Food & Drink)

Local Dining

Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding Tempe and Scottsdale offer a wide variety of dining options. While you are here, don't forget to explore the rich Mexican cuisine options this area has to offer! The list below includes some Garden staff favorites for quick and affordable "bites," in addition to finer dining favorites. Phoenix New Times' Best of Phoenix offers reviews on best restaurants in Phoenix. Yelp is also a wonderful resource for detailed reviews on local restaurants for casual and fine dining alike. 

Breakfasts - A free continental "grab and go" breakfast will be available for guests of Tempe Mission Palms between 6:45 - 7:45am. Other options include the hotel restaurant, The Mission Grille, and restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel (see list below).

Lunches - All lunches Wednesday-Friday, May 15-17, are included in the registration fee.

Dinners - The closing banquet, Friday May 17, is included in the registration fee. Additional banquet tickets for friends or family, may also be purchased when registering. Options for other evenings are listed below.

 

Near the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel

The following dining options are within a 5-25 minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.  A quick search on Yelp or zooming-in on Google Maps will turn up additional possibilities. Reservations are not typically needed unless you have a party of 8 or more. In that case, it may be wise to call ahead.
 

Coffee

• Starbucks - $
  Find this well-known coffeehouse a mere two minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel on Mill Avenue. 

• Royal Coffee Bar - $
  Walk 6-minutes from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel to the intersection of 5th Street and College Ave. 

• Snakes & Lattes - $
  Offering a selection of coffee and beer, in addition to tacos, poutine, pizza, and sandwiches, this restaurant and coffee shop is a 5-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms. Make sure to check out their Game Library!

• Cartel Coffee Lab - $$
  Head to this hip coffee-spot for coffee which is roasted on-site.

The following dining options are located within a 5-10 minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel:

• Rula Bula - $  
  A "real deal" Irish pub just steps away from Tempe Mission Palms. A healthy wiskey selection, pub fare and a nice patio AND they have some vegetarian and gluten free options. There's something for everyone at this local favorite.
   
• House of Tricks - $$

Located 5-minutes from Tempe Mission Palms. Casual yet elegant, House of Tricks is not aimed at the college crowd. Seating is mostly outdoor on patios surrounding the vintage bungalow. Reservations recommended. Favorite dishes include Ahi Tuna, Vegan Thyme Gnocci, and Smoked Korean Style Baby-Back Ribs​

• Med Fresh Grill - $

 Affordable, fast-casual Turkish/Mediterranean food just across Mill Avenue from the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Meat kebabs, gyros, salads and a few vegetarian options are on the menu.  

• The Chuckbox - $
  A Tempe classic, this award-winning fast-casual hamburger shop is located 8-minutes from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Famous for its "divey" atmosphere and mesquite-broiled hamburgers and chicken sandwiches. Vegetarians will also enjoy the garden burger and throwback, fried zucchini and mushrooms.
   
• ​​Daily Jam - $  
  Open 7am 3pm and located just a 5-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms, Daily Jam is a good choice for breakfast, lunch, and brunch items such as waffles, eggs benedict, and chilaquiles, in addition to a variety of gluten-free options.

• Caffe Boa Bistro and Wine Bar - $$   
  Caffe Boa, located on Mill Avenue, is an excellent Italian fine dining option, with selections of housemade pastas, artisan meats and cheeses, and wild-caught fish. Additionally, Caffe Boa offers a robust selection of cocktails, international wines, and rakija.
   
• Cornish Pasty Co - $
  Two locations near Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. The closest is just 5 minutes away and has bar-only seating. Walk 15 more minutes to University Drive for table seating. Cornish Pasty Co. offers British bar food and handpies in additon to beer and cocktails. A number of vegan and vegetarian options are available too. Favorites include "Chicken Tikka Masala," "The Oggie (traditional)," and "The Royale with Cheese" pasties. 
   
• Restaurant Mexico - $   
  One of the closest restaurant to the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Delicious, casual and affordable Mexican food, with options such as Mexico City style quesadillas, tamales or chicken enchiladas with verde (green) sauce (Beth's long-time favorite).

 

• Culinary Dropout - $$
  Located just a 10-minute walk west from Tempe Mission Palms, Culinary Dropout offers a fun selection of American favorites, bar food, beers, and cocktails. Choose between soups, salads, and sandwiches, and entrees such as fried chicken, rainbow trout, 36-hour pork ribs, and spicy vegan curry. Enjoy live music and outdoor patio games such as table tennis and giant jenga.
   
• Pedal Haus Brewery - $ 

  Head to Pedal Haus Brewery, located just off of Mill Ave, for craft beer, bar food, individual pizzas, salads and sandwiches, and $12-$15 entrees. Sit at the outdoor patio around a fire pit or play patio games. 
   
• Snakes & Lattes - $
  This place has games galore for rent! Food wise they offer a selection of coffee and beer, tacos, poutine, pizza, and sandwiches. This restaurant and coffee shop is a mere 5-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms. Open 11a to midnight.
   
• Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant  - $$ 
  Directly across the street from Tempe Mission Palms on Mill Ave., this brewery and restaurant offers a selection of authentic German lagers and sophisticated bar food with a twist. Favorites include the Ahi Tuna Nachos, Blue Crab & Artichoke dip, Bavarian Pretzel and Sausage, chicken schnitzel, and housemade tacos.
   
• The Bodhi - $

• Pita Jungle - $

• P.F. Chang's - $
  This well-known restaurant offers a variety of Asian-inspired foods including sushi and Chinese-style entrees, and is a 8-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.

• Casey Moore's Oyster House - $   
  Casey Moore's Oyster House is a Tempe favorite bar food, sandwiches, and salads. Favorites include Oysters Rockefeller, Casey's Homemade Crab Cakes, and Fish n' Chips.
   
• Cafe Lalibela - $$   
  A 25-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, family-owned Cafe Lalibela is a wonderful choice for authentic Ethiopian Cuisine. While this restaurant serves items such as beef and lamb stews, vegans and vegetarians will find many dishes to enjoy.
   
• Tempe Farmers Market - $
  A 13-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, Tempe Farmers Market offers a variety of fresh, organic, and local produce, Arizona specialty-goods, vegan deli items, and fair-trade coffee.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Although many of the above do have a few vegetarian or vegan options, the following options were selected because their meatless menu options are more extensive.

• Loving Hut Tempe - $ 
  A 13-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, this 100% vegan restaurant offers a variety of asian-style soups, noodle bowls, bahn mi sandwiches and curries in addition to western-style burgers and sandwiches. Favorites include the "Save the Planet Curry," "Fabulous Pho," and "Golden Vermicelli" bowls. Open weekdays 11-3 and 5-9.
   
• Cornish Pasty Co - $
  Two locations near Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. The closest has bar-only seating. Walk 15 more minutes to University Drive for table seating. Cornish Pasty Co. offers British bar food and handpies, in additon to beer and cocktails. The restaurant offers a number of vegan and vegetarian options in addition to traditional meat-pies. Vegetarian favorites include the "Veggie Chicken Tikka Masala," "Veggie Rosemary Chicken," and "Veggie Mexican" pasties.  
   
• Desert Roots Kitchen- $  

• Cafe Lalibela - $$   
  A 25-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, family-owned Cafe Lalibela is a wonderful choice for authentic Ethiopian Cuisine. While this restaurant serves items such as beef and lamb stews, vegans and vegetarians will find many dishes to enjoy.
   
• Tempe Farmers Market - $
  A 13-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, Tempe Farmers Market offers a variety of fresh, organic, and local produce, Arizona specialty-goods, vegan deli items, and fair-trade coffee.
   
• The Bodhi - $
  A 6-minute walk from Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, The Bodhi offers healthy, vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch options of bowls, salads, and juices. Open Monday-Thursday 9a-7p, Friday and Saturday 9a-8p.
   
• Green New American Vegetarian - $
  A 10-minute drive from either the Desert Botanical Garden or Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, Green offers fast-casual 100% vegan faire and specializes in all-American style burgers, salads and rice bowls. Choose from selections like the Ranchero salad with barbeque "wings," samosas, mock "crab" puffs, and "big WAC" burger. For dessert, don't forget to try a Soynami, made with organic soy and coconut milk.

 

At the Desert Botanical Garden

• Gertrude's Restaurant - $$
  Gertrude's offers a seasonal menu with a Southwestern flair.

Near the Desert Botanical Garden (Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale)

Less than  a 10 minute drive from the Desert Botanical Garden is the historic Old Town Scottsdale district with a variety of restaurant options, shopping, and entertainment.