Tempe's Best Holiday Treats and Drinks: A Local Guide to Festive Flavors
Embrace the holiday season in Tempe with an array of seasonal treats and beverages from local bars, bakeries, and restaurants. Enjoy eggnog in ice cream, yogurt, or cocktails; craft beers with holiday twists; tamales; sweet confections; and party trays ideal for intimate gatherings.
- Cool Treats
- Tamales
- Holiday Libations
- Sweet Treats
- Holiday Breakfast Items
- Holiday Meals To Go
- Holiday Events and Classes
- Holiday Drinks
Cool Treats
Aloha Yogurt
219 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 289-5238
This local yogurt shop offers holiday flavors including Eggnog and Peppermint Bark. Elevate your order with a Peppermint Bark Milkshake or Ghirardelli hot chocolate with homemade candy cane syrup. Opt for online ordering with curbside pickup or the takeaway window, and relax on their patio.
Bahama Buck’s
1006 E. Warner Rd., Ste. 101, Tempe, AZ 85284 | (480) 777-9482
Bahama Buck’s brings holiday cheer with shave ice in flavors like Santa, Christmas Tree, and Candy Cane—perfect for festive photos.
Mango Rabbit
1250 E. Apache Blvd., Ste. 112, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 912-6283
Featured items include the BTS Peppermint Chocolate Shake, Strawberry Rose Milk Tea, and limited daily BTS macarons. New chocolate chai bombs make ideal stocking stuffers—order online starting Dec. 12. Follow their Instagram for updates.
Sweet Republic
410 N. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 292-8557
Tempe’s ideal weather pairs perfectly with Sweet Republic’s seasonal ice creams: eggnog, gingerbread, peppermint, apple pie, pumpkin spice, and sweet potato marshmallow.
Tamales
Barrio Queen
31 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 912-4052
A Southwestern holiday staple with roots tracing to 7000 B.C. in pre-Columbian times, Barrio Queen’s tamales come in Green Chile Pork, Red Chile Chicken, or Vegetarian, with Green Tomatillo or Red Enchilada Sauce. Available by the half dozen ($17) or dozen ($30), cooked or frozen. Place orders in-store or online with 24-hour notice.
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, #567, Tempe, AZ 85282 | (480) 838-9610
1706 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284 | (480) 838-1005
Order green corn or beef tamales online: one dozen ($24.99), two dozen ($49.98). Add chips and salsa, beans, or rice. Managers confirm pickup details.
Rosita’s Fine Mexican Food
960 W. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 966-0852
Red beef or green corn tamales: half dozen ($16), dozen ($28). Order 24 hours ahead by phone.
Holiday Libations
Arizona Distilling Co.
601 W. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (602) 391-3889
Since 2013, this award-winning distillery offers holiday Eggnog with Allspice, Cinnamon, nutmeg, Copper City bourbon, J. Cotton brandy, powdered sugar, heavy cream, milk, and eggs.
Adventurous Stills
2125 E. 5th St., Unit 102, Tempe, AZ 85281
December special: 375 ml 4-packs for $89.99 ($10 off)—a great gift for whiskey enthusiasts.
Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown
108 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (602) 612-7887
Visit Alter Ego for holiday cocktails: Kissing Santa (Thai Chili Vodka, cranberry, simple syrup), S’mores Please (CaraMelow Whiskey, chocolate liquor, sweet cream), Hurry Down the Chimney (Deep Eddy Lime Vodka, sparkling wine). Snap a selfie with Santa for a photo contest.
Fate Brewing
201 E. Southern Ave., Ste. 111, Tempe, AZ 85282 | (480) 590-2395
Holly Haze IPA with maple syrup, Citra, CTZ, and Centennial hops offers pine and citrus notes. On tap and growlers in Tempe; 4-pack cans ($18) in Scottsdale.
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E. 8th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 303-9967
Winter seasonal Kuhl Beans Vanilla Coffee Porter on draft and in bottles. Pre-order Kuhl Beans Cheesecakes infused with the porter (Dec. 20 deadline; pickup Dec. 22-24). New: Cousin Eddie’s Holiday Ale, a Belgian brown with dates, orange peel, and nutmeg.
GuacStar
920 E. University Dr. #204, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 219-9272
Plant-based twists: Horchata Eggnog (Corazon Anejo tequila, Tuaca brandy, steeped horchata) and Sparkling Apple Cider (apple Arette tequila, cider, lemon, sparkling wine).
Huss Brewing
1520 W. Mineral Rd., Ste. 102, Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 264-7611
Rice Pudding Porter with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, chocolate, fruit, and coffee. Peppermint Patty Christmas Ale: peppermint-infused black lager with roasted malts and chocolate hints. Available at taproom, to-go, or delivery.
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 314-2337
Limited peppermint porter with real mint and chocolate for subtle peppermint and toasted notes.
U.S. Egg
131 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 831-0070
Christmas Mimosa Flight ($12.95): Apple Cinnamon, Peppermint Can-mosa, Peppermint Bark Champagne.
Sweet Treats
24 Carrots
1701 E. Guadalupe Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 753-4411
Gluten-free options: Peppermint Ho Hos, Chai Carrot Cake Loaf, Salted Caramel Gingersnap Cookie Sandwich, Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Cupcake, Mango Coconut Cupcake.
Fancy Pies
9218 S. Terry Ln., Tempe, AZ 85284 | (602) 601-2675
Holiday special: Nutella S’mores Pie with graham cracker crust, Nutella/chocolate, vanilla/marshmallow layers, and toasted marshmallows.
Great Harvest Bread Co.
730 E. Warner Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284 | (480) 777-1141
December menu features Peppermint Double Chocolate Scones, Candy Cane Crunch Cookies, and daily loaves like Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread, Eggnog, Mexican Chocolate.
Wildflower Bread Company
6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 | (480) 838-9773
Coffee Cake for gifting, plus cupcakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, breads, rolls, and bagels.
Holiday Breakfast Items
Daily Jam
310 S. Mill Ave., Ste. A101, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 968-9288
Gingerbread Waffles topped with icing and candy cane sprinkles, alongside Red Velvet Waffles.
Morning Squeeze
690 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 110, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 264-4688
OG French toast stuffed with raspberry rosemary cream cheese, topped with peppermint candies, whipped cream, cherry, and gingerbread man ($13).
Holiday Meals To Go
Chompie’s
1160 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 557-0700
Traditional Holiday To-Go meals and pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream, Coconut Cream, Pumpkin Crème Brûlée) prepared fresh for pickup.
Culinary Dropout
149 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 240-1601
Antipasti Party Board ($45, serves 6-10; 24-hour notice). Other family meals available online.
GuacStar
920 E. University Dr. #204, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 219-9272
Plant-based packs: Enchiladas de Calabacitas or Tacos Dorados ($50 each, serves 4, with sides); grande chips and dip ($19); desserts ($10 upgrade).
House of Tricks
114 E. 7th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 968-1114
Appetizer platters: Gourmet Cheese, Charcuterie, Smoked Salmon (small $49/6-8 people; large $95/8-15; 48-hour online order).
Morning Squeeze
690 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 110, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 264-4688
Christmas meal kit ($120): 2 quiches, potatoes, French toast casserole, fruit. Order by Dec. 22 for Dec. 24 pickup.
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant at Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 350-9160
Open Christmas Eve/Day. Holiday platters: Family ($28), Happy ($60), Tempura Lover ($32).
Tracy Dempsey Originals
1325 W. University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (602) 376-9021
“Party in Place” platters: Savory ($65/2-4), Sweet ($45/2-4). Pre-order holiday desserts; deadlines Dec. 21 (Christmas Eve), Dec. 26 (New Year’s Eve).
Holiday Events and Classes
Drink Me! Tea Room
1730 E. Warner Rd., Ste. 5, Tempe, AZ 85284 | (602) 206-5469
Christmas Tea (Dec. 9-Jan. 3): plant-based, gluten-free holiday flavors. Reservations required 48 hours in advance.
Holiday Drinks
Press Coffee
601 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., #103, Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 794-1107
1221 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 566-5380
Festivus blend: dark chocolate, mixed berries, hazelnut notes. Order online or in-store.
Snakes & Lattes
20 W. 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | (480) 361-6644
Family-friendly: root beer floats, Nutella hot chocolate, Shirley Temples. Pair with board games ($3 for kids under 12).
