It’s the weekend in the Valley, and you’re ready for a full day of fun, but not quite sure where to start. Enter Novus Place. This walkable Tempe hotspot near ASU makes it easy to park once and spend the entire day eating, exploring, catching a game and ending with dessert under the stars.

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Novus Place musts:

• Hit up Blue Sushi Sake Grill for the freshest, most creative rolls in the Valley
• Check out yoga, live music and movie night
• Treat yourself to a Salt & Straw ice cream scoop (or several)

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Why Novus Place is perfect for a full day in Tempe

Novus Place, tucked within Arizona State University’s (ASU) Novus Innovation Corridor, is a growing hotspot for lodging, dining and entertainment. 

It’s conveniently located on the northwest corner of University Drive and Rural Road, with a parking garage, so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot on the weekend or busy weekdays.

It’s a place for a day of seasonal outdoor yoga, enjoying breakfast at Over Easy, having lunch at The Melt, grabbing dinner at Blue Sushi Sake Grill and listening to live music on the Novus Place stage, or catching an ASU game. 

Where to eat: Start with breakfast, end with dinner

Novus Place is packed with dining opportunities for all palates and occasions. Here, you’ll find a mix of date night options, family-friendly restaurants and group settings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Restaurants we’ve experienced firsthand:

Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Blanco serves up a diverse Mexican cuisine menu, but the tacos, fajitas, burritos and enchiladas are what make this restaurant shine. 
BOSW favorites: Spicy Tiger Shrimp fajitas and Short Rib Machaca Bowl.
Hours: Sun–Thu: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri–Sat: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Blue Sushi features some of the freshest and widest selections of sushi, served with a burst of flavor and flourish (including sushi presentation on a “sailing ship”). 
BOSW favorites: The Gringo and Flamingo Lingo (this is an extremely allergy-friendly restaurant, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options).
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Eureka!

This modern scratch kitchen offers a hearty menu, a comprehensive beverage program and a trendy, rustic-chic atmosphere.
BOSW favorites: Truffle Cheese Fries and The New York Strip with Bone Marrow Butter
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Flower Child

This healthy-lifestyle eatery has delicious bowls, salads, sides, wraps and entrees for lunch and dinner. We love that Flower Child accommodates a number of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. 
BOSW favorites: Gluten-Free Mac ‘N Cheese and the Mother Earth Bowl.
Open daily: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

North Italia

Perfect for a date lunch or dinner, or a family meal, North Italia has a variety of salads, pizzas, pastas and a selection of cocktails, wines and beer. 
BOSW favorites: Tie Dye Margherita pizza (half red sauce half pesto) and the Caesar Salad.
Hours: Mon–Thu: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lunch open daily: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Salt & Straw

You can’t NOT include this sweet stop after lunch or dinner. This premier ice cream parlor offers a unique variety of flavor combinations, such as Strawberry Honey Balsamic With Black Pepper and Pear & Blue Cheese. Salt & Straw rotates new flavors each month.
BOSW favorites: Sea Salt With Caramel Ribbons and Double Fold Vanilla
Open daily: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Other Novus restaurant and drink options to explore:

• The Melt 
• Over Easy
• Nautical Bowls
• Starbucks
• The Alley

Things to do: Sports, concerts and more

Remember we said Novus Place is perfect for a full day of activity? Here’s a taste of what to do during your weekend line-up.

• Movie Night in the Park: While the sun sets and the weather is close to perfection, family and friends gather on the lawn to share in movie night. Bring a blanket and grab free popcorn (while supplies last).

• Live Music: Seasonally, and weather permitting, musical talent and bands perform on the Novus Place stage.

• Yoga with Nomad Yoga Studio: Yogis unite for mornings of yoga led by practitioners from nearby Nomad Yoga Studio (also seasonally and weather permitting). 

• Mountain America Stadium: Located next to Novus Place, the stadium hosts sporting events.

• Mullett Arena: Known as a high-octane hockey and live-event hub, Mullett brings fans close to the ice for fast-paced games and an electrifying atmosphere. Off the rink, it hosts concerts and special events.

• Desert Financial Arena: Here, you can cheer on ASU athletics teams and enjoy touring entertainment, national concerts, family shows and cultural events year-round.

To keep up on the latest Novus Place programming, visit novusasu.com/visit/novus-place 

The kind of weekend that plans itself

At Novus Place, the hardest decision you’ll make is what to do first. Breakfast, sushi, yoga, live music or a scoop of something unexpected? However you spend your time here, one thing’s certain — this Tempe destination was made for full days and even fuller weekends.

To learn more, visit novusasu.com.