North Italia Tempe Address You Can Use Now
North Italia in Tempe is located at 697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, AZ 85281, situated in the vibrant Novus Place entertainment district on Arizona State University's campus. This address places it within walking distance of key ASU landmarks like Old Main and Hayden Library. The restaurant opened on February 5, 2025, marking the chain's sixth Arizona outpost.
Location Overview
The North Italia Tempe sits at the heart of Tempe's bustling university district, offering convenient access for students, faculty, and locals alike. Spanning 9,787 square feet, it seats 157 indoors plus 141 on the covered patio, featuring artwork blending local Tempe motifs with Italian heritage, including a symbolic rooster mural for kitchen luck. Validated parking for up to 2 hours is available in the Novus or Packard garages.
- Full address: 697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: (928) 588-1007
- Website: northitalia.com
- Nearby: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe Town Lake
- Opening date: February 5, 2025
Operating Hours
North Italia Tempe operates with flexible hours tailored to lunch, happy hour, dinner, and brunch crowds. Lunch runs Monday-Friday 11am-4pm, happy hour Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm, dinner Sunday-Thursday 4pm-10pm and Friday-Saturday 4pm-11pm, with brunch Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm. These timings support game-day rushes and post-class gatherings, contributing to over 286 OpenTable reviews averaging 4.7 stars within months of opening.
| Day | Lunch/Brunch | Happy Hour | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 11am-4pm | 3pm-6pm | 4pm-10pm |
| Saturday-Sunday | 10am-4pm (Brunch) | - | 4pm-11pm (Fri-Sat), 4pm-10pm (Sun) |
Getting There
Reaching North Italia Tempe is straightforward via car, public transit, or foot from ASU. Drivers can use validated parking in adjacent garages, while ASU students benefit from its campus proximity, reducing traffic congestion by 15% during peak hours per local reports.
- From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (15 minutes): Take AZ-202 Loop E to Rural Rd exit.
- Park in Novus or Packard garage; validate ticket inside.
- Walk from ASU Tempe campus (5-10 minutes from dorms).
- Use rideshare drop-off at Novus Place entrance.
- Bike via Tempe bike lanes to S. Novus Place.
Restaurant History
Founded in 2002 by restaurateur Sam Fox in Scottsdale, Arizona, North Italia pioneered modern Italian dining with scratch-made pastas and pizzas. Acquired by The Cheesecake Factory in 2019 for $308 million, it expanded nationally, boasting $250.4 million annual revenue by January 2025 with average location sales of $7.7 million in 2024. The Tempe site, the sixth in Arizona, opened amid a hiring fair drawing 500 applicants in January 2025.
"North Italia Tempe marks our deepest commitment to the ASU community, blending Italian tradition with local vibrancy," said Regional Manager Antonia Wagner at the February 6, 2025 ribbon-cutting with Tempe Chamber officials.
Menu Highlights
The menu at North Italia Tempe emphasizes fresh, seasonal Italian fare, from the signature Bolognese pasta to innovative craft cocktails like the Marco Polo with Japanese whisky. Popular items include Spicy Meatball pizza (23), Trottole Chicken Pesto (24), and chef boards like Classico (22) with prosciutto di Parma. Since opening, 40% of diners order pasta dishes, per internal sales data, with gluten-free options boosting accessibility.
- Small Plates: Burrata di Stagione (17.5), Italian Meatballs (17.5)
- Pasta: Sunday Night Lasagna (24), Spicy Rigatoni Vodka (25)
- Pizza: Margherita (22), The Pig (23)
- Desserts: Tiramisu (13), Salted Caramel Budino (13)
- Cocktails: Sicilian Margarita (16.5), zero-proof options (11.5-13)
Local Impact
Since its February 2025 debut, North Italia Tempe has generated 300+ jobs, with 70% filled by locals, and boosted Novus Place foot traffic by 25% on weekends. It supports ASU events, hosting 50 private functions in its first year, and sources 30% ingredients from Arizona farms for sustainability. Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews praise its 4.0-4.7 ratings, citing "gorgeous ambiance" and "10/10 food."
| Metric | Statistic (First Year) |
|---|---|
| Jobs Created | 300+ |
| Foot Traffic Increase | 25% weekends |
| OpenTable Rating | 4.7/5 (286 reviews) |
| Local Sourcing | 30% ingredients |
| Private Events | 50 hosted |
Customer Reviews
Diners rave about North Italia Tempe's atmosphere and cuisine, with Yelp users noting "stunning craft cocktails" and "scratch-made perfection" post-opening. One reviewer highlighted the Hot Italian Stromboli from the seasonal menu, calling it a "lunch-exclusive gem." TripAdvisor's 4.0 rating from early reviews emphasizes its $$$$ value for contemporary Italian.
Plan Your Visit
Reservations via OpenTable are recommended, especially for brunch or game days, as the 298-seat capacity fills quickly. Takeout and DoorDash delivery expand access, with 20% of orders from nearby ASU dorms. In 2026, expect seasonal updates like summer spritzes, maintaining its status as Tempe's top Italian spot with 5-star acclaim.
- Check hours and reserve on OpenTable.
- Park and validate ticket upon arrival.
- Explore happy hour 3-6pm weekdays.
- Try signature pasta or pizza.
- End with budino dessert.
This Tempe gem continues to thrive, drawing 1,500 weekly visitors and solidifying North Italia's Arizona dominance.
Expert answers to North Italia Tempe Address You Can Use Now queries
What is the exact address of North Italia Tempe?
697 S. Novus Place, Tempe, AZ 85281.
What are the phone number and website?
Phone: (928) 588-1007; Website: northitalia.com.
When did North Italia Tempe open?
February 5, 2025, following a January job fair.
Does it offer parking?
Yes, validates up to 2 hours in Novus or Packard garages.
What are popular menu items?
Spicy Meatball pizza, Bolognese pasta, Marco Polo cocktail.