Restaurants in Tucson:
Tucson is a city known for having many excellent restaurants and we have only reviewed a few here. We always feel so frustrated in a new community to go through a list of paid advertisements and try to determine how much is "hype" and how good each one really is. The restaurants and lunch spots included here are our own personal favorites. Those marked with an ($ ) are generally more expensive, and attract a little more dressy attire (though almost no place in Tucson requires jacket and tie for men anymore unless you're so inclined).
Arizona Inn ($) (www.arizonainn.com)
2200 E Elm (north of Speedway, east of Campbell) 325-1541
We couldn't make a list of favorite restaurants without including the Arizona Inn. The food is good, but it is the ambiance and the elegance, and experiencing this wonderful old 1930's country inn that is so grand. This special place is the heart and soul of Tucson. When we want to come home to the Tucson we know and love, this is the place we come to. Beautiful grounds all year round (and of course, you can eat outside), a beautiful complex of old adobe buildings, a library with huge windows and oversized fireplace (a lovely place to enjoy high tea). It is all so beautifully tended and so quietly elegant and charming beyond belief.
Athens on 4th Avenue European Bistro ($)
500 N. 4th Avenue (6th Street & 4th) 624-6886
Authentic Greek food at a small, casual and comfortable restaurant. This delicious food will make you imagine that you are in the Greek Isles -- lots of atmosphere without having to pay for the round-trip plane ticket.
Baggin's Deli
Great spot for a quick lunch-time sandwich or salad. You can eat in or take out. Delicious sandwiches.
Locations:
2741 E. Speedway (E of Tucson Blvd) 327-4342
7201 E. Speedway 290-9383
5056 E. Broadway 327-8718
6342 N. Oracle (at Orange Grove) 575-8878
1800 E. Ft. Lowell (at Campbell) 327-1611
5407 E. Pima St (W or Craycroft) 795-7135
3755 E. 34th Street 790-2403
33 N. Stone (Downtown) 792-1344
3191 E. Valencia Rd 917-5070
Beyond Bread
3055 N. Campbell 322-9965
6260 E. Speedway (Monterey Village) 747-7477
It's artisan bread--fresh and hot, right out of the oven--that makes Beyond Bread so awesome. More than two dozen varieties. A few of our favorites are the rustic, the ciabatta, and the cinnamon raisin-walnut. A good place for breakfast or lunch. Don't miss out on their fruit tarts, scones and pastries either.
Café Poca Cosa
110 E. Pennington (In the heart of Downtown) 622-6400
This is Mexican food like you've never had before! The menu changes daily depending largely on the produce that is freshest that day at the market. Suzana Davila, the chef and owner, has created a wonderful ambiance for slipping away to Mexico. This experience is perfected by the way she has creatively taken regional Mexican cooking to new heights. If you are not going to have the opportunity of returning often, we suggest you try the Plato Poca Cosa, a three-item sampler plate that will maximize your experience.
Café Poca Cosa, Little (Sister restaurant of the above; see information later in this listing)
Caruso's Italian Restaurant
434 N 4th Avenue (south of 6th Avenue) 624-5765
This is an old fashioned Italian restaurant. None of that nouvelle stuff here. Remember old fashioned Italian cooking? It had body and soul. On weekends and holidays, it's best to make a reservation. The food is good and it's a great place for a family dinner.
Dakota Café & Catering Company
6541 E Tanque Verde (in Trail Dust Town) 298-7188
The Dakota also is known for its catering but has a nice restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining in the heart of Trail Dust Town. We've tried Margaritas in lots of restaurants, but… ay, curumba… Dakota's Margarita is the best. Not too tart. Not too sweet. Just right. The food here is fresh and delicious. Be sure to try the shrimp in coconut tempura appetizer with a mango chutney. Yum! Everything is terrific here. A good choice for lunch or dinner.
Dao's Tai Pan's Restaurant
446 N Wilmot (in front of St. Joseph's Hospital) 722-0055
You might drive by this store-front location without a second thought, but don't miss this special place. The food is very good. We haven't tried many of the menu items because we've become addicted to certain favorites (#20 - Rice Vermicelli with Fried Paté Shrimp, #18 - Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Chicken, or #30 - Chicken Rice Noodle Soup Saigon Style). Everything is so tasty and FRESH with fresh herbs to add as you like.
Feast Tasteful Takeout (www.eatatfeast.com)
4122 E. Speedway (E. of Alvernon) 326-9363
Owner and Chef Doug Levy has created a wonderful spot for dining in (or carry-out) amidst shelves of wines and specialty foods. It's small and intimate with an ever-changing menu that includes influences as varied as Cuban, Vietnamese and Italian. Always the hum of people enjoying dining, and Doug and his staff seem to enjoy bringing us the best.
Having Doug cater a party guarantees not only delicious food, but creates a wonderful atmosphere, if you have an open kitchen or grill. Everyone seems to enjoy watching the food preparation as Doug and staff breeze about the preparations totally unruffled. Staff weaves among the guests in a warm, gracious and unobtrusive way.
Hacienda del Sol Grill & Guest Ranch ($)
5601 N Hacienda del Sol Road
(between River & Sunrise) 529-3500
Tracy and Hepburn found romance here – what could be a better recommendation? The resort is still wonderful after all these years, and the Grill is superb! A fine choice when you’re looking for a special romantic evening with unparalleled ambience and fine food…and thou?
India Oven
2727 N Campbell (between Grant and Glenn) 326-8635
We are lucky to have so many good East Indian restaurants in Tucson, but our family unanimously agrees that India Oven is one of the best. Wonderful hot and soft naan bread, tandori chicken, sag paneer, fish and shrimp dishes as well as a great selection of lamb dishes. It's all great! Steaming hot in rich sauces with fluffy rice. There's not much in this world to eat that is more satisfying. This place fills your stomach and feeds your soul. Owner Raksha Bhatti's welcoming smile always makes you feel like an invited guest in a friend's home.
Janos and J-Bar ($)
3770 E Sunrise (adjacent to La Paloma Resort ) 615-6100
Janos and J-Bar are two separate restaurants, right next to each other, at the Westin La Paloma Resort. Janos is outstanding for its extraordinary fine dining, while J-Bar, a casual Latin grill, is for those of us who like a glorious evening, but at a more modest price. You will definitely want to order appetizers…and dessert too! Chef and Owner Janos Wilder has been setting trends in French-inspired Southwestern cuisine for more than 15 years and pleasing us all the way. A fabulous place to share with friends and family with beautiful presentation and delicious food. Janos has built his reputation on a unique menu, varied and superb tastes and fabulous food.
La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill
1800 E. Ft. Lowell Road
(corner of Ft. Lowell & Campbell) 325-0082
4861 E. Grant (Grant & Swan) 325-2200
7090 N. Oracle Road (Oracle & Ina) 531-1211
Our other fast food favorite, with a salsa bar of fresh, fresh salsa. Grilled chicken or beef soft tacos, and fish or shrimp soft tacos as well. The kids will love it and so will you. A good place for carry-out when you're too tired to cook or leave home. All entrés come with hot, crispy chips , so be sure to load up on the salsa with your carry-out before heading for home.
Lerua's Fine Mexican Foods
2005 E Broadway (1 block east of Campbell) 624-0322
Lerua's is well known in the Old Pueblo for its catering. The restaurant is a nice place to pick up carry-out or linger at one of their dozen tables. Their burros, enchiladas and chimichangas are excellent but they excel for the most delicious, lightest, best green-corn tamales that we've ever had!
Le Buzz
9095 E. Tanque Verde (at Catalina Highway) 749-3903
What a happening place, and it opens at 6 am for you early risers; it's open for lunch with a great selection of sandwiches, salads and quiches. Early morning is the right time for their steaming hot coffee and pastries. There's plenty of "buzz" around Le Buzz as it's always busy with cyclists stopping off after a ride, dog-lovers on the front patio enjoying breakfast with pooch at their feet. Add a Sunday New York Times and you've found heaven.
Le Delice Bakery & Cafe
7245 E. Tanque Verde Rd (Across from Udall Park) 290-9714
We haven"t eaten here yet, but have enjoyed their cheeses and pasteries. Based on that, we give it two thumbs up! French continental cuisine.
Little Café Poca Cosa
151 Stone Avenue (north of Main Library) (no phone)
Homeland Security took over the site this wonderful little lunchtime restaurant occupied next to the federal court house, and forced the restaurant to relocate to its present Stone Avenue location. The ambiance is just as wonderful, and their lunch fare is the very best of Mexican cooking. Open for breakfast and lunch only.
Lotus Garden
5975 E. Speedway (just west of Wilmot) 298-3351
I feel like we raised our children here. A Tucson institution for years, it's continued to served excellent Chinese food. The Wong family has created a sharp contemporary dining room, a quiet, relaxed respite in which to enjoy Szechwan and Cantonese cuisine, created with the freshest ingredients.
Mariscos Chihuahua
1009 N. Grande Ave (south of Speedway & the AZ School for the Deaf & Blind) 623-3563
Friends introduced us to this modest seafood restaurant, and we've been back repeatedly. The atmosphere is funky, the seafood is very fresh from the ocean, the Mexican style dishes are superb! There are a couple of other locations, each independently owned by the same extended family, but our favorite is the Grande Avenue restaurant.
Mi Nidito Mexican Restaurant
1813 S. 4th Avenue (south of 22nd Street) 622-5081
Don't bother calling to make reservations; they don't take reservations, and there is always a wait, but you can enjoy chips and salsa and a great Margarita while you wait shoulder to shoulder for a table. That's part of the fun at Mi Niditos ( and that's coming from someone who hates waiting). This is definitely the place people want to be for great Sonoran Mexican food. Big, big servings of enchiladas, splendid chili rellenos, huge burros and absolutely light, light tortillas. Mi Nidito has been around a long time and while you're waiting you can enjoy the walls of photos of famous people who have eaten there - Bill Clinton and Madeline Albright among them.
Neo of Melaka
1765 E River (just west of Campbell) 299-7815
Malaysian cuisine. A festival of tastes—whatever you have—and it’s all wonderful! Ask for “mild” or “medium” spiceness unless you’re already inoculated against heat. And be sure to save room for deserts, particularly the sorbets flavored with mango, green tea, red bean, and lychee—absolutely marvelous!
Pastiche Modern Eatery
3025 N Campbell Avenue (between Glenn & Ft. Lowell) 325-3333
American food with international influences that's become a favorite of Tucsonans who enjoy an unusual twist on familiar dishes. One of the few places you can go for a late dinner (open till midnight). Thyme-crusted seabass and jerked spiced chicken breast are two specialties. The green salad with walnuts, blue cheese and citrus vinaigrette dressing reaches new heights. Many dishes are available in half portions, which allows a variety of tastings.
Rosa’s Mexican Food
1750 E Ft. Lowell Rd (SW corner of Campbell & Ft. Lowell) 325-0362
Tucked away at the back of a corner shopping center, this is worth the search. A favorite of many Mexican food aficionados.
Santa Barbara Ice Creamery
1058 N Campbell Ave (south of Speedway) 323-1231
This has got to be the best ice cream in the Western United States (or the whole Western Hemisphere, for that matter!) Our favorites: Turkish Coffee and Coconutty Professor. Go ahead—indulge.
Sauce
2990 N. Campbell Ave (N of Glenn) 795-0344
7117 N. Oracle Rd (Casa Adobes) 297-8575
5285 E. Broadway (Target Shopping Center) 514-1122
A crispy thin pizza crust layered with such wonderful combinations as rosemary, thin potato slices and spinach, or wild mushrooms with truffled arugula, or roasted eggplant and hummus, plus tasty salads (the best Caesar I've ever had) and a small selection of pastas. Top your meal off with tiramisu or cheesecake. A small shop with limited tables, plus an outdoor patio at the Oracle Rd restaurant. Eat in or carry out--it's fabulous!
Vivace ($)
4310 N. Campbell Avenue (St. Phillips Plaza) 795-7221
Sophisticated and smart dining inside or on the patio overlooking St. Philip's Plaza. Classic Italian cuisine gone contemporary. Roger recently had a vegetable lasagna that was made with the most tender, thin homemade pasta. He talked about that dish for days!
Wildflower Grill ($)
7037 N Oracle Road (in Casas Adobes Plaza at Ina) 219-4230
Featuring new American cuisine. Eating inside can be a little on the noisy side, so we always prefer the patio (heated in the winter months). The food is excellent and so is the service. It’s a nice place to linger over coffee and dessert. One of Pamela's favorites is their rack of lamb. The other favorite is the lobster salad. This is a perfect place for lunch or dinner.
Zeman's Ethiopian Restaurant
2731 E Broadway
(between Tucson Blvd & Country Club) 323-9928
What an abundance of aroma and taste exists here! What looks like a big tortilla is actually "injera," a teff pancake-like bread that originates in Ethiopia. You can select from a variety of spicy (or less spicy, if you prefer) meat or vegetarian "wat" stew dishes to go with it. The wat is served in scoops on top of the injera and you tear off pieces of bread to pick up bites of food. Take the kids. They'll love eating with their hands. Bring your own wine or beer if that's what you want to drink. It's OK. This is delicious food for the adventuresome. Warning: It's addicting! Small restaurant; very cozy atmosphere.
17th Streeet Farmers Market
840 E. 17th St. 792-2588
Huge variety of fresh produce and fish. Lots of imported foods. A great resource for the hard-to-find.
A.J.'s Food Emporium
Campbell & Sunrise (in La Encantada) 232-6340
Upscale grocery that seems to have everything.
Caravan Middle Eastern Foods
2817 N Country Club (north of Glenn) 323-6808
If you like to cook Middle Eastern food, this is the best place in town to find frozen filo pastry leaves, fresh feta (Greek, Bulgarian, French, Danish...take your pick), pita bread, bulk nuts, dates, olives, beans, canned goods and fresh produce that is not commonly available in everyday grocery stores. Much more -- a feast for the senses.
Roma Imports of America
627 S. Vine (W. of Cherry & S. of 16th St) 792-3173
Italian specialty items
Rumrunner Wine & Cheese Company
3131 E First St (E of Country Club, S of Speedway) 326-0121
Probably the best wine selection in the city with knowledgeable and helpful staff. Rumrunner advertises "Top names, rare finds & everyday best buys." They also have a good cheese counter with imported patés and such.
Trader Joe's
1101 N Wilmot (at Speedway) 733-1313
4209 N Campbell (S of River Rd) 325-0069
4766 E Grant Rd (at Swan) 323-4500
7912 N Oracle Rd (at Magee) 797-4207
How to describe Trader Joe's? It's a phenomenon. It's about halfway between Birkenstocks and Safeway. It's a grocery store, but with a limited number of items--quality food, many items imported or packaged under Trader Joe's own label. The selection of cheeses and produce and fresh breads is excellent. And prices are excellent too. Great selection of wines at good prices.
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