Cafe Lalibela Has Closed Its Tempe Restaurant
The long-standing Ethiopian eatery near the Arizona State University campus has ceased operations.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Dining Out
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Cafe Lalibela has closed its doors after three decades of service in Tempe. The restaurant, located near University and Hardy drives, appears to have ceased all business activities.
Why it matters
The closure marks the end of a 30-year staple for the local community near the Arizona State University campus. A staff member suggested that the restaurant had been experiencing a period of slow business.
Cafe Lalibela operated for 30 years near the Arizona State University campus since opening in 1996. The business previously expanded its footprint by selling products at Whole Foods Market and Natural Grocers.
The players
Cafe Lalibela
This was a long-standing Ethiopian restaurant that served the Tempe community near Arizona State University for three decades.
Arizona State University
This major public research university is located in Tempe and is situated near the former site of the restaurant.
The details
Staff members were observed removing art from the restaurant walls over the weekend of September 26-27, 2026. Online ordering has been discontinued, and the restaurant's phone number is now disconnected.
Timeline
1996: Cafe Lalibela opened its doors in Tempe.
September 2026: The restaurant was recognized as the best Ethiopian restaurant in the Valley.
September 26-27, 2026: Fans reported staff removing wall art from the building.
Culture Shift
The closure of a 30-year local institution highlights the volatility of the independent dining market despite long-term brand loyalty. This follows broader trends where even highly-regarded legacy establishments face increasing pressure from shifting economic conditions.
Local residents and students who frequented the area near University and Hardy drives will need to find alternative dining options for Ethiopian cuisine. The loss of the establishment removes a retail outlet that previously provided goods to local health-focused grocery stores.
The takeaway
Legacy businesses often face unique challenges when neighborhood demographics or economic patterns shift over several decades. Diners looking to support local institutions should note that changes in online activity or disconnected contact info are often the first signs of a closure.
Further reading
For more on the changing culinary landscape, visit Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phoenix New Times.
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