Where to eat in Tucson

34 independent restaurants, bakeries and food spots in Tucson. Chains are left out.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Eat
Arizona Inn
Serving an American fare, this is a fine dining facility. Expect the average mains to cost in the range of $20 to $30. Architecturally, the restaurant is in an historic structure. The restaurant has a southwestern U.S. style decor. The interior is enhanced by prints and flowers at the tables, and the lighting is set quite dim. This is a white tablecloth restaurant, and the fireplace adds to the atmosphere and mood here. The establishment has several dining rooms. It has a romantic atmosphere.
Eat
BK Tacos
BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs
Very popular, specializes in Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, and other classic Mexican dishes.
Sun-Thu 9AM-midnight, Fri Sat 9AM-2:30AM
Eat
Beyond Bread Central
Amazing sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, made from ingredients that are as fresh as possible. (In addition to baking bread daily, the restaurant also roasts its turkey and beef on site.) They also have an espresso bar and pastries. A nice place for lunch, but watch out – it's very popular, and you may have to wait in line. Alternately, you can pre-order your meal for pickup online. Average sandwich (hot & cold) costs around $6-6.50, chips included.
Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-8PM, Sun 7AM-6PM
Eat
Birrieria Guadalajara
A hole-in-the-wall Mexican diner frequented by the Hispanic workers and Gringos in the know. All the standard Mexican fare, but an unusual emphasis on caldos or soup. Birria is shredded beef in its own broth – this place makes the best!
Daily 7AM-8PM
Eat
Bison Witches
Features tons of different sammies that are huge and will fill you up. Bread bowl soups are another popular choice at this deli/bar and is a college student's dream of a chill place to hang out and get in on some great drink specials. Thursdays is a great night for hanging out here.
Daily 11AM-midnightSandwiches $8-12
Eat
Cadillac Chaparral Restaurant
The Cadillac Grill
Bar and restaurant on Hwy, very very casual, can hold a crowd. Can be a bit slow, if busy. Known for its inexpensive steaks and burgers.
Thu Fri 4-8PM, Sat Sun noon-8PM
Eat
Char's Thai Restaurant
It's not always easy to find good Asian restaurants in the desert, but this hole in the wall has to be near the top of anyone's list of favorites. Owned and operated by former residents of Bangkok, the restaurant has a huge selection of tasty curries and noodle dishes. The lunch specials are a great value; takeout available.
Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM, 5-9PM; Sat Sun 5-9PM
Eat
Coronet Restaurant
New American dinner restaurant with cocktails and wine in a hip building. Features various takes on classic dishes such as Belgian waffles and chowder.
W-Sa 5-9PM
Eat
Cup Cafe
Unusual, eclectic mix of Indian, Thai, Japanese, American and Mediterranean food, easily the most interesting restaurant in Tucson. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and some vegan options. On a nice day you can sit outside.
Daily 7AM-10PM
Eat
Eegee's
A Tucson chain of sub shops, you shouldn't leave Tucson without trying this place. Popular for their frozen slushie-snowcone combo (locally referred to simply as Eegees), they have piña colada, strawberry and lemonade flavors year-round and a unique flavor of the month. Eegee's are also known for their fries, which you can order with ranch dressing (ranch fries), marinara sauce (pizza fries) and fries with chili (chili cheese fries). They also offer pretzels, cookies, chips and sub sandwiches. There are a total of 26 branches in the Tucson area.
Daily 9:30AM-10PM, drive-thru closes at 11PM
Eat
El Charro Café
Opened in 1922, El Charro is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned Mexican restaurant in the United States. The food is classic Southwestern, with more Sonoran influences than many Tucson restaurants.
Daily 10AM-9PM
Eat
El Güero Canelo
One of Tucson's most famous restaurants, primarily known for their Sonoran hot dogs. Offers a large selection of Mexican dishes. They have some of the best carne asada in the Southwest! Takeout available at all locations.
Sun 8:30AM-10PM, Mon 10AM-10PM, Tue-Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri 8:30AM-midnight, Sat 8AM-midnight
Eat
El Minuto Cafe
Authentic Sonoran cuisine in an adobe house in the barrio, open since 1936. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but do order the mole if they have it on the day you are there. The carne seca is superb and the chiles rellenos are magnificent. Make sure to sample the fresh, made-on-the-premises tortillas. Combine this with a visit to El Tiradito, which is nearby.
Sun-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM
Eat
El Molinito
A local favorite with great Mexican food, has been in Tucson for at least 20 years and has great service. Known for their frozen margaritas. Try their beans and carne asada tacos on a soft flour tortilla. Three other branches are on Ina Road, Pantano Road, and Oracle Road.
Sun 9AM-9PM, Mon-Thu 10AM-9PM, Fri Sat 10AM-10PM
Eat
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming's is known for its prime steak and elegant, cherry wood atmosphere. Its wine list features over 100 wines available by the glass. This steakhouse also offers bar menu specials until 7PM.
Eat
Guadalajara Original Grill
A popular, fun and entertaining Mexican restaurant featuring live mariachis 7 nights per week, fresh salsa made table-side, and homemade tortillas. A great place to go with friends to enjoy the lively and homey atmosphere. The restaurant runs culinary tour of Mexico, and features dishes from different states of Mexico each month that are fun to try. Dinner time includes roaming mariachi singers.
Sun-Thu 10AM-10PM, Fri Sat 10AM-11PMMains $12-22
Eat
La Indita Restaurant Mexicano
Wonderful food and ambiance, a real gem. Also offers Native American dishes and many vegetarian options. Delivery and takeout can be ordered online.
Mon-Sat 11AM-8:30PM, Sun 9AM-8:30PM
Eat
Mi Nidito
Authentic Mexican food with excellent margaritas. Dinner for two with margaritas is about $30.
Wed-Sun 11AM-close
Eat
North Italia
Italian in heritage, but extremely experimental. Dishes range from pizzas to pasta to steak, and are normally in the range of $19-$25 (others depend on market prices).
Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-4PM
Eat
Pat's Chili Dogs
An old time drive-in (carhop service however does not exist – you must walk up to the order window). Lunchtime is packed with Tucsonans ordering chili and cheese dogs in the state. French fries made from fresh potatoes on site, with lots of hot sauce.
Sun noon-9PM, Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM
Eat
Rosa's Mexican Food Restaurant
Excellent Sonoran-style Mexican food in this family-owned and operated storefront restaurant. Rosa's salsa is consistently voted one of the top three in Tucson by the readers of the Tucson Weekly. The food is heavy on the meat and cheese, with buttery tortillas and delicious refried beans. Main course $7-$10.
Daily 11AM-10PM
Eat
Takamatsu
Takamatsu concentrates on Japanese and Korean dishes where it's common to order sushi. Also, you'll notice that there is habachi-style cooking.
Sun-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PMMains $12-$20
Eat
Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe
This long-established family-owned restaurant serves authentic Sonoran Mexican cuisine, and they make their own tortillas onsite. The albóndigas (Mexican meatballs) are especially recommended.
Mon-Sat 7:30AM-9PM, Sun 7:30AM-2PMMains $9-16
Eat
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Mobil four-star American-style grill featuring (Fall 2004) swordfish, Angus beef, buffalo sirloin, lamb, Scottish salmon, and other mains. Reservations are recommended, and can be made online.
Daily; Sun brunch 9:30AM-2PM
Eat
Vero Amore
This is a certified pizzeria that hand-makes their mozzarella, and has the finest ingredients from Italy. Their pizza crust is crispy and chewy, and the prosciutto caprese salad, margarita pizza, and capricciosa pizza are all recommended.
Sun-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM
Eat
Viva Burrito Co
A local fast food chain known for its large, tasty breakfast burritos, as well as tacos and enchiladas. Has a drive-thru. There are a total of six branches in Tucson.
Daily 24 hr
Eat
Vivace Restaurant
Vivace is an upscale restaurant that focuses on and serves Italian dishes. Casual dress. The establishment is spacious, and the atmosphere is enhanced by flowers at the tables. Table talk requires you to speak up a bit here. Also, you'll notice that there is an open kitchen.
Mon-Thu 11:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10PMMains $12-20
Eat
Beyond Bread East
Online orders for this location can be placed here.
Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-8PM, Sun 7AM-6PM
Eat
Beyond Bread Northwest
Online orders for this location can be placed here.
Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8PM, Sat 7AM-8PM, Sun 7AM-6PM
Eat
Guadalajara Fiesta Grill
Mexican cuisine, four restaurants around Tucson.
Sun-Thu 10AM-10PM, Fri Sat 10AM-11PM
Eat
Guillermo's Double L Restaurant
Solid Mexican food, with good atmosphere and prices.
Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM
Eat
Mr. An's Teppan Steak, Sushi, & Seafood
6091 N Oracle Rd
Mon-Thu 4PM-10PM, Fri 4PM-11PM, Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-10PM
Eat
Sushi Ten
A popular Japanese sushi house.
Mon-Thu 11AM-9:30, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun noon-9PM
Eat
Yamato Japanese Restaurant
Highly regarded sushi and Japanese.
Mon-Fri 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9:30PM, Sat 5PM-9:30PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0).