Best Restaurants & Places in Tucson

23 Best Restaurants & Places in Tucson, AZ | 2024 (Top Eats!)

ByKashish Jamal Hashmi

Tucson is a beautiful sanctuary for food enthusiasts who love to explore Arizona’s vibrant and blooming culinary scene in the most exquisite sense. The city gets so well pronounced that UNESCO named it a world city of gastronomy due to its diverse flavors.

Be it Mexican staple food choices to delicious Korean delicacies, Tucson has gracious choices that have the power to overwhelm your senses with their many exotic flavors.

So plan your trip soon to this culinary heaven by going through our list of some of the best restaurants Tucson and finding a good place to eat in this marvelous city.

Best Restaurants in Tucson

1. The Parish

The Parish

Why it’s a must visit?

The Parish restaurant was opened in the year of 2011 and is a famous Gastropub that is a food magnet for various southern food enthusiasts who like to savor their several fusion meals.

It is undoubtedly one of the top restaurants in Tucson due to its unique blend of Southern cuisine with several specialties.

The restaurant not only delivers people scrumptious southern meals but also exhibits a bright Mardi Gras ambiance through its aesthetic decor.

To add to its overall significance, the restaurant also has a seasonal selection of menu options with distinct infused spirits, which have made it one of the many cool places to eat in the city.

Chef’s Choice

One of their several decadent delicacies is their drunken angel pasta which got made to quintessence with its overwhelming taste.

The drunken angel pasta is made with burgundy wine and is a lovely pasta specialty that comes stuffed with delicious and generous seafood variety.

This hearty dish has a lot of rich seafood ingredients like shrimp and lobster broth which is incredibly divine.

2. The Quesadillas

The Quesadillas

Why it’s a must visit?

As the name implies, the restaurant specializes in quesadillas and is a famous food joint on Craycroft Road, which has the power to appease your gut with its fabulous Mexican staple recipes.

Almost every Mexican specialty is available here, be it their simple tacos to delicious quesadillas or complex meals like tostadas all in one diner.

Therefore if you’re craving Mexican food in Tucson restaurants, then this place should be your ultimate food destination.

Chef’s Choice

The name of the restaurant itself is its specialty which is quesadillas, and it deserves to be tried.

Besides their star dish, their Al Pastor tacos gets highly recommended as it contains several yummy flavors.

The Al Pastor tacos get served on fresh handmade flour and have a moist texture which gets generously sprinkled with diced red onions and salsa Verde giving it its overall decadent taste.

3. Tito and Pep

Tito and Pep

Why it’s a must visit?

The Tito and Pep restaurant was established by the famous chef named John Martinez, who brought cultural value to the Midtown venue through its handcrafted colorful cocktails and excellent southwestern cuisine.

So if you’re searching for some laid-back places to eat in Tucson, then you have to look no further as this place is your ideal destination.

It features a vibrant menu with several exotic flavored dishes which have the power to delight your palate.

The restaurant manages to sway away its guests with its impressive wine collection, multiple beer options, and unique mixes of several colorful cocktails.

Another great thing to add about this place is its reputation as one of the best birthday restaurants in the city, as it assists you in giving the best birthday party of a lifetime.

Chef’s Choice

One of the best desserts that you could try here is their chocolate ganache.

Their chocolate ganache has a rich, smooth and decadent taste as it’s made with original dark chocolate and has the power to appease your sweet inner tooth in the most fulfilling manner.

It also gets served with considerable amounts of almonds, some homemade whipped cream, and fresh candied orange.

4. Noodleholics

Noodleholics

Why it’s a must visit?

The Noodleholics first opened its gates in the year of 2018 and served Chinese-inspired cuisine through its freshly made rice and soft wheat noodles to create its dishes.

It’s a perfect restaurant for any gastronomist who is looking forward to seeking popular Chinese cuisine.

Ever since it opened, this restaurant plus Shop has gained several loyal patrons who like its unrivaled soups and yummy wheat noodles from the original city of Guilin, China.

Chef’s Choice

Don’t forget to order their greatest specialty here, which is their sizzling garlic noodles.

The sizzling garlic noodles are a spicy noodle dish that contains multiple garlic flavors and has a soft and generously seasoned beef shank.

As it’s a Chinese restaurant, there are other specialties like Manchurian and momos are good additional choices too.

5. Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Why it’s a must visit?

The Kingfisher restaurant is also a famous brand that has spread its influence far and wide since the year of 1993 and specializes in providing seafood dishes with its traditional and creative recipes.

There is no better match for this restaurant as a lot of people loves it due to its multiple decadent dishes.

For several years this restaurant has enamored its guest through its happy hour meals, rustic decor, and divinely curated seafood platters which are made in an expert sense.

Chef’s Choice

So if you want to get the best lunch in Tucson, then grab a bite of their grilled sea brass.

The grilled sea brass is an appetizing and fresh culinary dish that gets served with several global ingredients like red curry, forbidden rice, asparagus, and some chutney that gives it it’s exotic flavoring.

Overall, it’s among the many great restaurants to savor numerous international flavors.

6. El Taco Rustico

El Taco Rustico

Why it’s a must visit?

The El Taco Rustico is situated on Oracle Road and is a charming food Tucson joint featuring scrumptious tacos handcrafted to perfection by the expert chef Juan Almanza.

The restaurant is new to the entire culinary scene in Tucson and is growing in its prominence through its several exquisite dishes.

Its growing prominence is also putting a lot of anxiety on other rival restaurants in the few years, and it might become one of the top-rated Mexican restaurants in the city.

A lot of people visit this spot to relish the balanced soft and crispy tacos along with their patiently roasted coastillas.

Chef’s Choice

Their quesabirria taco dish is a divine choice here to consider trying.

This dish will make you fall in love with it through its crispy taco shells, which are created with soft melted cheese with a crisp exterior.

It also contains several delicate pieces of high-quality beef, which is altogether seasoned with cilantro and chopped onions.

7. Barista Del Barrio

Barista Del Barrio

Why it’s a must visit?

The Barista Del Barrio Restaurant is located on the west side of the city and is a famous Mexican food juncture that is ideal for tasting hearty add appetizing breakfast dishes for an energizing day ahead.

One can begin their day in the city on a high note by visiting this superb Mexican diner.

Even though the menu options might be trim and less, it still manages to live up to its worth with its huge portions and decadent desserts.

On a higher level, it also has an impressive courteous staff service and also delivers one of the best beverages with authentic Mexican flavors.

Chef’s Choice

Cease all your cravings with their lovely chorizo burrito, which is an acceptable breakfast option.

The chorizo burrito is appetizing and tasty as it comes with several delicious ingredients like spicy chorizos, blended eggs, delicious salsa, and tender Sonoran-style tortillas.

Also, their beverages here deserve a lot of attention as the lattes add a further rejuvenating feat to anyone’s breakfast.

8. Zemam’s Too

Zemam's Too

Why it’s a must visit?

The Zemam’s Too gives people a glimpse into the regional taste of Ethiopia while sharing its location at Speedway Boulevard.

So if you’re looking for something unique and distinct, then make sure that you visit this restaurant while exploring your vocational cities.

It offers people a one-time Ethiopian peek into its several culinary specialties with distinct flavors and is sure to give you the most elevated culinary exploration in the city.

Chef’s Choice

One of the most refined Ethiopian specialties is their injera flatbread.

This injera flatbed is not your traditional bread but is made in an Ethiopian style fashion which is also a staple Tucson food there and has a slightly sour taste with a slightly tangy flavor and spongy texture, which pairs well with every single dish that is available here.

The flatbread also has a soft, tender, and honeycomb formulation.

9. Tumerico

Tumerico

Why it’s a must visit?

The Tumerico restaurant is run by a renowned chef Wendy Garcia and is a bright Mexican food joint on E. 6th St. and is an ideal food near me junction for vegans and vegetarians.

Every vegetable dish here is impeccable and is the biggest highlight.

The restaurant not only gives people impressive vegetarian dishes but also has several egg and cheese dishes, but mostly its frequently ordered dishes here are the vegan ones.

It’s rare to find a restaurant that excels in providing several vegan and vegetarian dishes, which the chef Garcia expertly executes by adding flavors and spices to their meals to give everyone an appealing taste.

Chef’s Choice

Their Cuba tacos here are the perfect meal to try here as a light snack.

The Cuba tacos are created with delicate Frida Kahlo tostadas and jackfruit which taste heavenly and give one pleasure in every bite they take.

One can also enhance their overall feast taste by adding a bit of tangy spice seasoning to their dishes.

10. Boca Tacos Y Tequila

Boca Tacos Y Tequila

Why it’s a must visit?

The Boca Tacos Y Tequila is a famous diner known for its tacos and is run by the celebrated chef Maria Mazon who was a favored contestant and a semi-finalist at the James Beard award for years.

So if you’re craving some crispy and delicious tacos, then this place should take the top spot.

As you stop by these restaurants, you will discover around 20 varieties of attractive food options and delicious tummy tacos.

One also gets to dine outdoors here if you want to eat under the sky with a shot of tequila or some ice-cold beer for an enthralling night.

Chef’s Choice

It’s best if you get a serving of their delicious chicken tacos.

The chicken tacos, besides coming in heavy portions, also have a fresh and juicy taste with irresistible flavors.

Also, as tequila is the specialty here, it would be a wise choice to pair it with their fascinating taco options.

11. Anello

Anello

Why it’s a must visit?

The Anello restaurant was established in the year 2018 and is a relaxed diner that often gets praised for its chic decor, and exotic Wood fired pizza creation technique.

It’s one of the best family restaurants Tucson and is a spectacular place for pizza enthusiasts who love to relish their savory thin crust and Wood fired pies and pizzas.

Even though the entire layout of the restaurant is designed in a modest fashion, it still manages to enamor its guest with its stylish minimalist interior.

Chef’s Choice

As it’s a charming pizzeria, their verde pizza is a superb choice to consider giving a try here.

The verde pizza comes with a chewy texture and has superb flavoring in its crust.

Besides having a stuffed crust, it also comes with sprinkled pistachios along with a generous serving of green sauce as its side dish.

Also See – Restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner in Tucson, AZ

12. Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink

Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink

Why it’s a must visit?

The Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink restaurant shares its lovely location in the downtown area of Tucson AZ and is known for serving Italian delicacies in a luxurious setting that is relaxing at the same time.

It’s one of the nicest places to celebrate romantic dinner dates with your significant other or has important business lunches with your colleagues, as its downtown convenient mainstay area makes it a fascinating spot to visit if one wants to explore the multiple delicacies of Italian favorites.

The range here is astounding with its variety, from the simple handcrafted kinds of pasta to thinly sliced pizzas, complex dishes like a smorgasbord to several other Italian meals.

Chef’s Choice

Their fennel sausage pizza is incredibly divine and hard to resist due to its flavorsome sausage taste, which is heavenly and has a thin crispy crust.

Their crunchy handcrafted sauce also makes the pairing a lot more appetizing and enjoyable.

Also, their spaghetti pasta here is an excellent alternative to pizzas too if you want something creamy and consistent in flavor.

13. Baja Cafe of Tucson

Baja Cafe of Tucson

Why it’s a must visit?

The Baja café remains open for breakfast and lunch and is a renowned midtown getaway that has continued to surprise its visitors with its numerous scrumptious dishes.

It’s often called a hidden gem as it delivers people toothsome southwestern cuisine in a vibrant setting.

Its several American classic menu options also render it a spectacular choice to visit if you’re craving some comfort food while also experimenting with the delectable cuisine of Mexican favorites.

Chef’s Choice

Here, their Baja burger is one of the most frequently ordered and beloved specialties.

The Baja burger comes packed with bursting flavors, is stuffed to the brim with double juicy patties, and gets thoroughly seasoned with crunchy jalapeños with bacon chunks all spread with a delicious adobo dressing.

This burger is sure to make you satisfied as it’s stuffed to the core and will indeed appease all your cravings.

14. 5 Points Market and Restaurant

5 Points Market and Restaurant

Why it’s a must visit?

The 5 points market and restaurant are ideally situated on Stone Ave., Road and are an amiable and trendy food joint which is famous for its breakfast and lunch specialties primarily targeted towards youngsters.

If you’re visiting here either for breakfast or lunch, you are sure to have a delightful time here due to its many delectable dishes.

The myriad of food options here, ranging from huevos rancheros to handcrafted soups, offers you a getaway towards a masterful culinary adventure.

Their special egg breakfast meal is also a spectacular choice as it gives one a refreshing start to their day.

There are also gourmet choices here in the form of several beverages like their coffee which is made from the freshest beans, juice made from organic fruits, and a tea bar that uses fresh tea leaves.

15. Renee’s Tucson

Renee's Tucson

Why it’s a must visit?

Renee’s Tucson restaurant shares its location inside a Verde shopping complex and is a compact spaced diner that has earned the approval of the public with its many fascinating Italian picks.

Even though the restaurant has quaint and small in size, it’s big in flavors with its delightful dishes that add a smile to anyone’s face.

Also, its intimate personal space gives people a sort of internal privacy for having interpersonal conversations while also enjoying the enthusiastic spirit of the staff and relishing their unique drink options.

Chef’s Choice

If you want something on the healthier side which is also light, then you can go for their avocado salad which is made with the freshest ingredient and is nicely seasoned and aesthetically presented.

Another remarkable aspect about this salad is that it comes with spring green as veggies and also has delicious nuts like roasted cashews.

All over, it’s a superb healthier alternative to any other fast food dish and also has a tasty ring to it.

16. Vivace Restaurants

Vivace Restaurants

Why it’s a must visit?

The Vivace restaurant is run by a well-known chef named Daniel Scordato, who is an expert in Italian cuisine and delivers people the most exquisite dishes in all of Tucson Arizona.

These fascinating food options have made it one of the best dinner places in the entire city which focuses on using authentic Italian ingredients.

The restaurant also displays a Tuscan atmosphere through its sophisticated northern Italian-inspired interior, which is sure to give anyone an unforgettable dining in Tucson experience.

Chef’s Choice

Nothing could beat this place’s excellent tiramisu, which is a high-end choice for anyone looking forward to a toothsome treat.

The tiramisu comes extravagantly seared with cocoa powder and has a dreamy texture that is tender and sweet flavor with a pinch of alcohol aroma.

17. Agustin Kitchen

Agustin Kitchen

Why it’s a must visit?

The Agustine kitchen restaurant is a famous Sunday brunch diner that has an upscale, vibrant atmosphere do it that enraptures its visitors through its sophisticated bar scene and French cuisine.

It’s often rated as a 5-star restaurant as it’s made in an upscale fashion and is entirely different from other rival restaurants near me as it offers a creative take on several dishes.

The restaurant provides people with a twist on simple comfort food options like burgers along with several Mediterranean staple options.

Chef’s Choice

Cease all your cravings with their mouthwatering Hangar Steak, which is astoundingly delicious.

The hanger steak comes with an equilibrium seasoning of lovely spices with a nice texture that dissolves in your mouth with a single bite.

It also comes with Jewel rice that contains the freshest nuts and fruits, which are super yummy.

18. Cup Cafe

Cup Cafe

Why it’s a much visit?

The Cup Café is nestled at the luxurious hotel Congress and is famous for winning several awards in outstanding hospitality, which has made it one of the top restaurants in the downtown city.

The restaurant has an exceedingly good reputation as a downtown mainstay whose admiration goes beyond anything for its innovative cuisine options and excellent ambiance.

The signature cocktails here are marvelous, but the one that takes the ground is the customizable service that makes anyone build any dish from a given set of omelets that one can experiment with as per their liking.

The spacious setting of the restaurant, along with its multiple luscious desserts and an impressive wine list, has made it one of the most extraordinary down space locations to visit.

Chef’s Choice

Now coming to its impressive menu choices, there’s nothing like their delectable cast iron baked eggs.

The cast-iron baked eggs are an award-winning breakfast dish that comes in huge portions and has bursting flavors in them.

The dish is made with mashed potatoes, two poached eggs, and ham which gets covered generously with Gruyere cheese in the most exponential form.

19. Maynards Market & Kitchen

Maynards Market & Kitchen

Why it’s a must visit?

The Maynard’s market and kitchen restaurant is nestled inside a historic Tucson Amtrak station and is imbued with the charm of fascinating exotic food options within its arena.

This restaurant has a spectacular history of taking the top position in the list of best restaurants in Tucson.

In this restaurant, one gets a royal treatment by being tampered with multiple array of exquisite dishes made with the bed charming culinary goodness in a train station-like ambiance.

To add more to its overall gracious effect, it treats people with its handcrafted dessert options like its everyday bread Panna Cotta and its famous chocolate hazelnut cake in presentable forms.

Che’s Choice

Get the best feast here by ordering their short rib, which comes with the tenderest of meat.

The short rib is a heavenly dish for any meat gastronomist as it has a slice of soft meat that dissolves within seconds in your mouth as soon as you put it in.

The taste of the short rib is decadent, rich, and divine.

20. Wildflower

Wildflower

Why it’s a must visit?

The wildflower takes its inspiration from several international flavors and is a food joint that has performed exceedingly well in the realm of providing new American cuisine since its opening in the year of 1998.

The restaurant has a fancy reputation with it due to its exquisite culinary glimpse into several global flavors of Asia, America, and Europe that lets you savor them with great enthusiasm.

The restaurant, besides excelling in the area of culinary delight, also provides people with breathtaking Alpine views of the city through sophisticated hallways which is an excellent hideout after exploring the entire city.

Chef’s Choice

Their short rib ravioli has an unnatural taste and a divine texture that captivates everyone.

The short rib ravioli is a generously stuffed dish that has a phenomenal taste due to its beef chunks which are given in large portions.

Besides its beefy aroma, it also contains a creamy pasta dish which gets served alongside it with a truffle cream that gives it its runny texture.

21. Cafe Poca Cosa

Cafe Poca Cosa

Why it’s a must visit?

The Cafe Poca Cosa restaurant has a fascinating history of getting opened by a mother and his son who go by the name of Judy Michele and Mark Jordan, who has spearheaded this café for almost 18 years.

It also has a captivating location inside the historic Stevens house which is now a part of the famous museum of art which explains why it exhibits a renaissance image.

Besides that, it highlights Southern West cuisine through admirable lunch, breakfast, and dinner options which also feature special weekend brunch events.

It’s a charming restaurant with an artsy interior, brick wall hallways, and an entire golden American age-inspired decor that gives it its historical essence.

It’s also one of those most preferable must eat places with your family as it celebrates several events throughout the year with its live music performances and karaoke events for children.

Chef’s Choice

Even though the restaurant displays a vibrant ambiance with thrilling activities, it also takes pride in its vast array of incredible food selections with outstanding drink options.

One of the most delightful dishes that you can relish here is their roasted chicken breast which has a scrumptious flavor.

The chicken breast gets served with pan-sized roasted brussels sprouts and also contains butternut squash in it.

22. Serial Grillers

Serial Grillers

Why it’s a must visit?

The restaurant is as interesting as the name suggests, with its branch spread over 25 corners in all of the US, as Forbes reported, and is famous for its unnerving truck-like setting.

This excellent food chain is run by famous businessmen named William and Travis Miller, whose unique perspectives have given people an exciting way to pick their dishes by calling them after famous cinematic serial killers.

By practicing such ethics, these people have shown how business tactics can make for a successful venture.

Chef’s Choice

Every single dish here is named after a notorious serial killer, which offers people the liberty to choose their meals by going along with their most preferable choice in the cinematic realm.

Such dishes like Hannibal Rib eye, the antagonist from the movie the sixth sense, comes with delectable cheeses steak which contains diced red onions, cherry peppers, jalapeños, sweet peppers, pickles, American white cheddar cheese, and tomatoes which give the dish its true delight.

If you don’t like the way your Hannibal Rib eye is made, then you can choose an alternative topping of Marianna, provolone or mozzarella cheese, pancetta, feta, pineapple, and brown sugar as your preferred choices.

Another thing to note about this restaurant is that it remains open seven days a week and is a thrilling place to visit if you want to explore the dark side of the culinary dining in venture through its several decadent appetizers, vegetarian food options, complementary dishes, and delectable dessert options.

23. Beyond Bread

Beyond Bread

Why it’s a must visit?

The beyond bread, as the title of the diner implies, is a renowned bakery in Tucson which was founded in the year of 1998 and is known for serving delicious baked goodies with special breakfast and lunch food options.

This bakery was voted as one of the best soft bed bread providers by their weekly magazine almost every year and has now spread its influence to three separate locations in the city by giving people delicious treats on daily basis.

The range here is absolutely colorful with multiple options and they come in plentiful portions which is one of the reasons why it has become beloved by so many people and has earned such a dedicated following.

Chef’s Choice

As the bakery highlights numerous options within its menu, it serves people a host of sweet and savory treats like their multi-grain and cranberry Pecan bread, which is always in high demand here due to its charming flavors.

Any sweet tooth person would go crazy over this bakery as it serves the tastiest brownies, pastries, and chocolate mousse tortes, which are toothsome to no extent.

But if you’re in for something unfamiliar and exotic, then their Mediterranean omelet, which gets served with sliced tomatoes, feta, and artichoke hearts, will leave you wanting more with its unique flavors.

As for a simple alternative, you can try their Pauley’s pesto sandwich which contains tender chicken provolone meat, artichoke hearts, basil pesto, chopped tomatoes, and Italian dressing on focaccia as a delightful side dish.

Famous foods to try in the city

Baked Goodies – The prevalence of several quaint bakery parlors here have made Tucson a place of wholesome baked food providers as its special oven cook techniques give people a bite of the softest bread with toothsome desserts and treats which is heavenly for anyone who has a sweet tooth. Almost the entire culinary excellence of this place credits to the baked goods that it provides to its people at affordable rates.

Rib Eye – Rib Eye is one of the most frequently ordered dishes in Tucson as it’s delivered here in huge portions and uses high-quality meat which is tender to the bone and is also given as a sample dish with several fast food options like burgers and sandwiches which give it its rich taste

Artichokes – Almost every single dish here in Tucson uses artichokes as its essential ingredient as it is abundantly found here and therefore has the most organic flavor to it, which thereby makes the dish altogether healthier and tastier. Thus this single ingredient remains a top necessity if one wants to create authentic Mediterranean dishes with genuine flavoring.

Final Thoughts

Tucson city portrays a blooming culinary culture through an extraordinary approach to blending international flavors with local ones through masterful food creation techniques. By you doing so, this city provides people a peek into the many exotic flavors that awaits them that one can explore by finding some good place to eat.

So keeping all that in mind, we hope that this catalog was able to deliver you a seamless exploration of the best restaurants Tucson and has helped you locate the query of where to eat in the simplest sense. Bon appetite!

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