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Cocina Chiwas, Tempe, AZ

Cocina Chiwas

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Visa Dining Collection

4.7
4.7
60 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary Mexican

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
  • Innovative
  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
James Beard Semi-Finalists Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin bring you Cocina Chiwas, a nouveau take on classic Chihuahuan cuisine. Located at the Northwest corner of Culdesac, a beautiful and passionate walkable community in Tempe, Arizona. Cocina Chiwas is a chef driven Mexican Restaurant with delicious food, cocktails and an intoxicating atmosphere. Family owned and operated we invite you to come in and enjoy our large patio and a new take on Mexican cuisine.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Mexican, Northern Mexican, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin
  • Neighborhood
    Tempe
  • Cross street
    Apache and S. Martin Ln
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Smith Martin/Apache Blvd. Light rail stop
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 60 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Valley

    Best Food

  • East Valley

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cocina Chiwas impresses with "bold, authentic, beautifully executed Mexican cuisine" rooted in Sonoran and Chihuahuan traditions. Diners rave about "top-tier flavors, stunning presentation," and standout dishes like "the Birria quesadilla" and "chicken mole." The restaurant offers an "amazing ambiance," attentive service, and a "cool vibe," making it a must-visit destination.
60 Reviews
  1. Manjira VIP

    Phoenix38 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We shared burrata & elote as appetizers then pork shank, chicken with mole, chiccaron & birria quesedilla...each & every item is excellent. Plentiful serving. We'll be back!

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  2. Dawn VIP

    Phoenix8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had a great experience all around. You’re right on light rail so expect that noise. The cocktail and food menu had lots of options. The oysters are out of this world delicious. Cocktails were varied and we loved the legend that tells you what to expect: sweet, boozy, bitter, etc. we didn’t order a single dish that we didn’t love (there were four of us) and the tres leches cake was worth the trip all by itself.

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  3. Michael

    Hawaii1 review

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was mid. One of the ovens was down, so no braised pork shank or short bibs. Food we did have was excellent. Also, out of some tap beers. Experience was underwhelming

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  4. Deb VIP

    Omaha10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and drinks were great. Definitely get the Birria quesadilla! So good!

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely blown away by Cocina Chiwas—this place is a must-visit for anyone who loves bold, authentic, beautifully executed Mexican cuisine with Sonoran and Chihuahuan roots. From the moment we walked in, the service was flawless—attentive, warm, and perfectly paced. Every dish was a standout. The oysters were fresh and briny, the burrata was creamy perfection, and the Caesar salad—wow. I’ve never seen one so massive or so flavorful, with the perfect crunch and just the right kick. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the carnitas tacos were rich and deeply satisfying, and the chile relleno had that ideal balance of spice, smoke, and softness. And then there was the chicken mole—an absolute knockout. Deep, complex, and unforgettable. Everything was cooked to perfection and beautifully balanced. We couldn’t stop talking about the food all night. Cocina Chiwas nails it—top-tier flavors, stunning presentation, and heart in every bite. Can’t wait to come back!

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  6. geneY

    West Palm Beach2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The ticket says Bar Well B was our server. Not the friendliest server. Service was slow. Not much enthusiasm. I thought pricing was on the high side. 2 people splitting an entree and appetizer with 2 drinks...$87.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Phoenix2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    We chose patio sitting without knowing the place in the first place. It was a poor choice due to poor design. The patio faces Apache Blvd, and it is quite noisy the wrong way (cars, etc.) The food was the worst part. Everything seemed reheated. I hope there are better items in the menu, but my recommendation would be to avoid the Chicharron and make sure to ask before ordering, because some items may be unexpectedly spicy hot...

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  8. Tom VIP

    Nashville2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful dinner at Cocina Chiwas! The Rajas con Queso was a beautiful blend of peppers, onions, corn in a creamy queso sauce that was just right - savory, creamy, perfect for dipping with fresh totopos (chips). Our tacos were also outstanding, just a great combination of flavors. Our servers were excellent, providing great recommendations and attentive service throughout. The weather was perfect for quiet dining and great conversation on the patio.

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our 2nd visit to the restaurant did not disappoint. Great cocktails, complex flavors, and a warm ambiance made for an ideal date night.

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  10. Paul VIP

    Phoenix25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We always enjoy this place, food and staff and will return!

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FAQs

Cocina Chiwas is rated 4.7 stars by 60 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Phoenix / Arizona
  4. East Valley
  5. Tempe

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Google Map for Cocina Chiwas

2001 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281-4821

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Apache and S. Martin Ln
  • Neighborhood
    Tempe
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Mexican, Northern Mexican, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    Smith Martin/Apache Blvd. Light rail stop
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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