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    Kembara

    4.1 (90 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Kembara Photos

    Business Info

    KEMBARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Kembara

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    Brown butter crab roll
    Laurie V.

    This place was good, although it is hard to find options that do not contain a high volume of carbohydrates. The brown butter crab roll was good, but I didn't taste that nutty golden brown butter flavor I might have expected from this dish. I also had some sort of tuna in a lemongrass broth, which was quite good. I had asked the server if this would be about the right portion for a full meal and he said it would. I was still hungry though after I finished my meal. The ambiance and decor is quite lovely in here, adorned with Asian lanterns. Service was efficient. Bill was pricey. Fortunately I had a gift card from Bonvoy, so I was able to easily apply that. This place would be better if you have no dietary preferences or restrictions, but over all it was pretty good. I was with a larger party and they all seemed satisfied.

    Chicken dumplings
    Cammi P.

    Wow wow wow! Kembara was an exquisite, delicious meal. From the eclectic, unique and artsy inside and design of the restaurant, to the amazing food, it was the perfect meal. The service was perfection, with our waitress giving us the perfect recommendations. The coconut sticky rice was the star of the show and pork belly noodles was a dish I would go back for! The restaurant is more family style, making it fun to order more off the menu and share. The spicy crispy tuna was delicious and the dumplings melted in your melt. We had a hibiscus tea with our meal, which was the perfect, refreshing pairing. The value and price of the meals at Kembara were expertly reasonable, especially for the size of the main entrees, like the noodle dishes. The set up of the restaurant is unique and the chairs are so comfortable. While the restaurant is on the darker side, it fits the vibe and makes for the perfect dining experience.

    Gerald J.

    This is one of many restaurants inside the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. I think it's the best restaurant option on the property. The vibe and the atmosphere was great, service was incredible management was awesome and they have the best shrimp dumplings I have ever had. It also had great cocktails. The crab dish was very good. !So if you're in the mood for Asian food definitely go check them out. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Staff 5/5 Location 5/5 Parking 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Cocktail 5/5 Return 5/5

    Steamed Pork Dumplings Appetizer
    Sophie S.

    We decided to check out Kembara, an Asian street food-inspired restaurant tucked inside the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, to take advantage of the inaugural Arizona Chef's Week: a brand-new dining event (August 1-10) celebrating local chefs, seasonal flavors, and creative flair. For $55 or $66 per person, participating restaurants were serving up exclusive three-course prix fixe menus, and we were intrigued enough by their menu to try them out for the first time. From the moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere set the tone: a tastefully decorated space with nightlife energy. It felt like we had been transported somewhere far more exotic than North Scottsdale. Our server, Colter, was a standout from the start: friendly, talkative, and full of thoughtful recommendations that made us feel genuinely welcomed. We began with the steamed pork dumplings, generously filled and served with a flavorful dipping sauce that had us savoring every bite. For entrées, my partner chose the vegetable lo mein noodles, which were hands-down the best we've ever had as it had perfectly cooked noodles, loaded with fresh vegetables, and coated with a rich sauce. The portion was large, easily enough to share between two or even three people, making it the ultimate comfort dish of the night. I opted for the Beef Rendang, a braised Wagyu short rib with coconut, lemongrass, and Fresno chili sambal. The flavors were spot-on; slightly spicy, aromatic, and comforting, though the beef had a bit of gristle that occasionally distracted from the otherwise melt-in-your-mouth texture. Dessert sealed the deal on a memorable evening. The halo-halo was a showstopper: a beautiful balance of textures, refreshing citrus notes, and creamy sweetness. Like the lo mein, it was a large portion, perfect for sharing between two or three people. My partner devoured his dessert of Vietnamese coffee donuts, dipping them into an irresistibly rich cream sauce. The cocktails were equally impressive: inventive, refreshing, and just as thoughtfully crafted as the food. Overall: Kembara delivered a truly wonderful dining experience, combining a vibrant atmosphere, warm service, and flavorful, well-executed dishes. We left talking about what we'd order on our next visit, though it will be hard to resist simply repeating the incredible lineup we had this time.

    Skyler P.

    What a great experience. First time stopping by Kembara and it was delicious. The restaurant is really nice and the menu has quite a selection. Started with a few apps for the table. Everything was delicious but I would probably skip the dumplings since it was only 3 of them. The veggie lo mein was really good too. Ended with some mango sorbet to end the meal which was nice. The staff and service was really great too. We initially were going to do happy hour but did not realize it was for the bar area only, which wasn't mentioned on the website.

    Drinks
    Nancy W.

    Location. Part of the JW Marriott complex at Desert Ridge area. It's very classy and has beautiful modern indoor decor and a lovely outdoor patio with colorful lanterns. We used to enjoy this spot as Roys Hawaiian. It's not casual and it's not dog friendly. It's upscale. Servers are attentive. We are here twice last week. I made reservations using open table. They are closed Sunday and Monday. They are only open for happy hours and dinner Tuesday enjoyed it so much we came back the next evening and ate again. The crab fried rice is so good. I loved the crunchy wings. The only item I didn't really like was the egg rolls. The filling was weird. The outside was perfect and crunchy.

    Debbi P.

    A fabulous dinner!!!! Absolutely stunning restaurant with a quiet, comforting vibe!!!! You just know from the minute that you walk in, that you'll be taken care of and you look forward to each dish being brought out. Eclectic Asian flair at its finest!!! From the fabulous teas, to the dumplings, sticky rice, noodle dishes, appetizers and decadent desserts!!! This is a must try to add to your dining lists!!!!

    Vegetable lo mein
    Tyler J.

    Kembara has the best dining options on the property, without a doubt. The food and service was terrific. I ordered a vegetable lo mein. I loved that the food was brought out as it was ready, which made for a fun dining experience. My biggest complaint were their hours.

    Maling S.

    Kembara located JW Desert Ridge, pays homage to Asian culture's street food and the menu is created by Chef Angelo Sosa, while travelling across Asia. The dishes are meant to be shared so we ordered: chicken satay with cashew sauce lo mein nasi goreng Malaysia snow pea shoots silken chili tofu wagyu beef rendang Drinks: Milk Tea with Brown Sugar, The Sound of Waves and Tales of the Floating World. The service was outstanding and the restaurant was busy on a Saturday night with awesome vibe and ambience. I loved the outdoor decor lanterns lit up at night! "Yes Chef!" from the kitchen throughout the night made me feel like dining at Carmy's restaurant from The Bear. :) We did feel some of the dishes was saltier than it should be and is why I'm rating 4/5 stars.

    Fish Curry

    Food somehow gave me a severe headache. They are using way too many curry leaves in all there dishes. No idea why they changed there authentic menu to mirror American fare. The earlier menu was so much better and took you back to Asia. The ambiance is very nice but food also has to match that. The crab rice that was served last year had much more crab to it. Thie time it was lean and not decorated as last time. The Cod did not do justice to the fish curry and they need to use a more robust fish like King fish or Salmon.

    Thai tea shaved ice cream
    Amanda C.

    3.5 stars for me so I'll round up to 4 for service and portion sizes. Nice Southeast Asian themed restaurant at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge! We liked about half of our dishes. Food came in a timely manner and good portions for the price. Expected dishes to be much smaller at a resort like this! Service was also kind. Slow at times but attentive. The good: beef rendang & crab fried rice. Beef was tender and tasted authentic with the spices. Delicious. Crab fried rice was not too salty and had lots of toppings. There was enough crab to tell that it was there. So-so: papaya salad & banana leaf fish - both were a bit too salty for me but flavors were on point and the fish was very soft and well cooked. The bad: pork belly noodles & thai tea shaved ice - pork belly was wayyy too salty and noodle flavors just OK. The dessert was disappointing - not much thai tea flavor and sweet marshmallow on top. It had pickled blueberries inside which was a weird combo for us. Dessert is on the house if its a bday. You also get a free one if you're staying at the resort too. Not sure if we'll return but if you're staying at this resort it's worth a try. We kept getting our hot water refilled and they were really nice about that!

    Pork Dumplings
    Emma N.

    Kembara was incredible! The atmosphere was intimate with fun neon lighting! Everyone we interacted with was polite and helpful. The food and drinks were unique and delicious. I ordered The Apology, which was tequila based and included boba! Such a fun idea. We also ordered the Wild Swans and Tales of the Floating World. For dinner, it was recommended that we order a few dishes to share. The ones we choose were: Chicken Satay: this was delicious and was accompanied by the perfect dipping sauce (highly recommend) Steamed Pork Dumplings: warm and fresh Pork Belly noodles: the pork belly in the dish was so flavorful and savory (also highly recommend) Crab Fried Rice: the addition of the crab made this a fun and different twist on regular fried rice and it was very tasty We also tried the Vietnamese Coffee Doughnuts which were amazing, especially with the coffee, caramel sauce. The Ube Delight sorbet was great too, which included a scoop of mango. Such a great combination.

    Lamb spring rolls and chicken satay

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Cole was such a good waiter. Very friendly and the food was amazing! The best customer service and food combined.

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    2 years ago

    Food was amazing as well as the service. We will be back to try other items on the menu

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    2 years ago

    Everything was amazing I would go everyday if I could... the food will make you want to save every bite and the ambience is great as well

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    2 years ago

    Ambiance at night was very nice with a dim lit setting. And the food was excellent and the wait staff was friendly

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Kembara

    If we come just for drinks do we still get parking validated or do we have to order food?

    Does kembara validate parking?

    We do validate self-parking and offer a small discount on valet parking.

    Is the Kembara patio dog-friendly?

    No this is- hotel restaurant and FDIC's except service dogs aren't welcome

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Star 78 Speakeasy

    Star 78 Speakeasy

    4.0
    (22 reviews)
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    I was searching for a nice speakeasy/cocktail bar to get after dinner drinks for my friend's…read morebirthday and found Star 78. It was easy making a reservation. There is parking on the street or in the lot. We weren't familiar with the area so it was a bit tricky to find. It is located in the back of a coffee shop. The concept of going through the phone booth is fun. The space inside was quaint and intimate. They have a regular menu and then had a special Valentine's Day menu. I got a nice fruity cocktail that was sweet. I enjoyed it. Everything was reasonably priced. All of our drinks were pretty glittery, it made everything really pretty. My friend got a free glass of prosecco for her birthday which was nice. A good speakeasy to visit. Menu has good variety. Service was great, they ran through the menu with us and was attentive.

    Came here for a friends birthday celebration. I remember when this space was called Gin n Reel, it…read morestill has the same vibe inside but it's been turned into a speakeasy and now serves food. The price for the murder mystery was $55 which was very reasonably priced and the drinks were tasty. I did the cipher which they bring out pen and paper and you fill out how adventurous you're feeling and they will custom make you a drink. The murder mystery experience was so interactive and so much fun! If I'm honest I'd pay just for the murder mystery but the food options weren't great in flavor. The appetizer (bacon wrapped dates) only came with two small ones, and the fig app was even smaller they looked the size of peanut size m&m's. The main dishes were also not great, the skewers were lacking in flavor and the polenta had a weird texture. The tri tip just came out without any ask to cooking temp and was overcooked (well done). The dessert was probably the best tasting of the meal and it was nothing to write home about. Overall I would go out for the murder mystery but maybe hold out for a better menu.

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    Twenty6

    Twenty6

    4.3
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    0.2 mi
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    Came here for a little staycation with my family and decided we didn't wanna leave the hotel so we…read morepicked 26 for dinner. I'm gonna give three stars because the service was great at the bar and the server was attentive outside and quick although she didn't know the menu well. I ordered the cheese plate to split with my children and no one knew what was on it when I asked, but I was later informed that I got a tomato jelly and honey mustard as the sauces. To me a $30 cheese plate would not come with a container of honey mustard so I was not impressed. When I asked what cheeses were on it they told me there was 2 different cheddars. There was no way it was a cheddar it was a very soft cheese. I believe it was a goat cheese. The almonds were probably the best part of the whole platter. My husband got wings, which were very big. He enjoyed those and the sauce, and my other daughter got meatballs, which she enjoyed, but thought they were a little spicy, I find that usually when kids order things that are spicy servers will say just so you know that has a little bit of heat to it to which the waitress did not again, I don't think she was very knowledgeable on the menu in general . For the type of hotel twenty6 was kinda of major let down. Definitely will pass on the next visit.

    Nana had the kids, so we stepped out for an after work cocktail date night. Twenty6 lounge is the…read morebar in the lower lobby of @jwdesertridge and is a casual spot for resort guests, or a couple on a mini date night. We each enjoyed a couple of drinks while chatting about life. Sitting at the bar was quick service and quiet, but you can also relax in a plush patio chair out in the courtyard. Next time, we will plan better and be sure to play some arcade games in the new space before it closes at 9!

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    Hula's Modern Tiki - High Street

    Hula's Modern Tiki - High Street

    4.4
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    0.6 mi
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    Hula's has officially become one of our go‑to spots whenever we're in town. The drinks are…read moreoutstanding -- fun, balanced, and exactly what you want from a tiki bar that actually knows what it's doing. Service was just as good: friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The whole place has that easy, tropical vibe that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. After a couple visits, we've already decided this is going to be a regular stop for us every time we come to visit.

    We celebrated multiple birthdays here in the private room just off the bar on a Wednesday night…read more The space accommodated our group of about 20, and it had a good social vibe for all of us throughout the 2+ hours. Service was good, but at times we needed additional help balancing all the requests. The server did great, but I'm sure they were feeling the pressure. We had a variety of appetizers that included the katsu chicken bites, pork potstickers, house & sweet potato fries, spicy edamame, and crispy fish bites. When it came to dinner options, I was on the fence, but then realized that on Wed, it's Happy Hour until 10 pm... with that said, I of course doubled down on my Lilikoi margarita. I decided to go with the Hilo Sliders and had one each... burger, pork, and Thai fish cake, Ceviche, and Chicken lettuce cups, as I wanted a variety that night. My buddy did all 3 beef sliders and I was glad i didn't as that one slider was dry (overcooked), but the other 2 balanced it out. Planning to come back (maybe on another Wed to enjoy "Tiki Time" Happy hour until 10pm. If not, HH ends at 6pm on the other days and the service was good.

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    Blue Martini Lounge

    Blue Martini Lounge

    3.4
    (566 reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    The waitress was really nice but it was so hot outside I love the live music and the chicken tacos…read moreI had were decent their happy hour is good !

    Blue Martini Lounge has quite the reputation. From several people, I've heard that it's a sugar…read moredaddy spot. I am by no means looking for a sugar daddy lol but I do enjoy people watching. I've passed by Blue Martini many of times. It always seems to be the most hype spot on High Street, a nice entertainment district in Desert Ridge. I finally took the plunge and checked it out on a Thursday night around 9:30 p.m. Parking is easy (and free) on the street, in the surface lots, or the garage on High Street. Ambiance (3.5/5): Blue Martini is definitely a bit bougie and caters to that audience. There's a nice outdoor patio which is where we sat since the weather was beautiful. There's a bar outside and waiter service. I briefly looked inside and there's a bar inside too, lounge sitting, and a dance floor. Blue Martini often has live music or a DJ. Definitely a spot where you can break it down on the dance floor. There's bottle service too if that's your thing. Service (2/5): Talk about slow service! It took our waitress longer than it should have for us to greet us. After placing an order for drinks, we received them promptly. After that we didn't see her again for quite a while. I wanted to order a second cocktail and she was nowhere to be found. Eventually she came around and I placed my order. I decided to close out right then and there knowing that it would take a long time to track her down to close out if I didn't do it right then and there. They also charge two fees amounting to 5%. Not sure what that's all about. Food (N/A): While they do have food, I just had drinks since I was there pretty late. I view Blue Martini as more of a drinks spot, but I can't comment on the food. They have a daily happy hour with discounts on select food items. Drinks (3.5/5): If the name isn't a dead giveaway, Blue Martini specializes in martinis. Beyond martinis, they have a large cocktail list. Plus everything else you'd find with a full bar. The drinks are a bit pricey (it is a see and be seen type of spot after all and you're likely to see old geezers pulling up in Lambos and Ferraris), but I liked the selection. I started off with the Blue Martini, their namesake. It's served with a blue glow stick. From there, I had the strawberry basil martini. Both were pretty good. Not speakeasy quality cocktails but better than your average bar for sure. While Blue Martini isn't really my scene, I can have a good time anywhere. If you're looking to turn up and dance, it's a good spot for that. And it's also elite for people watching.

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    It's time

    Kembara - asianfusion - Updated August 2026

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