Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Tempe

We had a great time with friends at Bar Blitzen. The decor was super cute and the drinks and food was good. I think if they had more personalized Christmas cups to serve the holiday drinks in, it would be better.

There's something decidedly civilized about dining al fresco in December when the rest of the country shivers through winter's early descent. Gertrude's at the Desert Botanical Garden understands this privilege, and on a balmy 80-degree afternoon, they orchestrated a lunch service that would make even the most jaded restaurateur take notice. The true mark of excellence in service isn't in the grand gestures, but in the subtle dance of anticipation and delivery. Bryce, our server, demonstrated this art with remarkable finesse – present when needed, invisible when not, maintaining that delicate balance that separates the professionals from the merely competent. The menu, while firmly rooted in southwestern sensibilities, shows flashes of innovation that catch one's attention. Their hummus duo – a roasted red chili version paired with pipian verde – arrives with an array of pristine raw vegetables and house-made tortilla chips that crack with satisfying precision. It's the kind of dish that makes you wonder why more restaurants don't take such care with seemingly simple preparations. The chicken posole, while generous in portion, needed a bolder hand with seasoning – a rare misstep in an otherwise carefully considered meal. However, the gertie burger more than compensated: eight ounces of quality Angus beef, properly handled and cooked, topped with sharp cheddar and caramelized onions that had been given the time to develop their full potential. The black pepper-ranch aioli showed restraint and judgment, while the accompanying fingerling potatoes arrived with the kind of crisp exterior that speaks of proper technique and attention to detail. The draft Irish Red Ales proved an inspired choice for the season – refreshing enough for the desert air while carrying the weight and complexity appropriate for the holiday season. It's this kind of thoughtful curation that elevates a good restaurant to an excellent one.

The tempura cauliflower was delicious! Really nice jazz musician too. Our server, Emerson, was professional and food came out quickly. The coconut tres leches desert was tasty but the cake was a bit dry. Other than that a great experience and we will definitely be back.

Fantastic meal, service and vibe! Entire staff was friendly - not just our servers. No complaints about a single thing. Our main server, Jeffrey was very nice to chat with and he was so attentive, it seemed he was always at our table when we needed anything. Don't skip the guacamole or grits! We all had beef entrees which were cooked perfectly and couldn't have tasted any better. Our birthday dessert was a pumpkin bread pudding and it was so delicious I might even like bread pudding now!

Great restaurant close to Gammage Auditorium. Food was excellent. Service was great. Real gem.