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$$ | Foothills | Italian
This trendy eatery in upscale La Encantada Shopping Center melds an urban-loft look with rustic Italian touches, including bright red chairs and metal tables. North draws crowds who come for the excellent thin-crust pizzas, pasta, fish, and steak, all prepared in the open kitchen. Alfresco dining on the wraparound patio affords views of the city and quieter conversation; on most evenings the expansive bar area inside buzzes with Tucson's young professionals.
La Encantada Shopping Center, 2995 E. Skyline Dr., Tucson, Arizona, 85718, USA
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$$ | Eastside |
Anybody caught eating newfangled foods like fish tacos here would probably get a glare, and city slickers' ties would be snipped. This cowboy steak house is part of the family-friendly Trail Dust Town, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-20th-century town, complete with a working antique carousel, a narrow-gauge train, and Western stunt shows staged outside Wednesday through Sunday at 7 and 8 ($5). Expect a long wait on weekends.
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85715, USA
Known For
- Basic steaks and ribs
- Kitschy cowboy fun
- Good for large groups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Eastside | Japanese
Don't let the bland interior or the strip-mall setting dissuade you: many locals consider this the best Japanese restaurant in Tucson. Inside, perfectly prepared sushi and sashimi and generous combinations of tempura and teriyaki await, along with friendly service. The owner's wife is Korean, so the menu also has quite a few Korean classics, like beef and pork bulgogi (barbecue with vegetables) and tofu kimchi. Try a bowl of udon noodles, served in broth with assorted meat, seafood, or vegetables—it's a satisfying meal in itself.
1101 N. Wilmot Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85712, USA
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$ | Northwest |
Modern Italian fuses with fast food at this
lively, family-friendly eatery in Casas Adobes Plaza.
Delicious thin-crust pizzas, chopped salads, pastas, and
panini are ordered at the counter; the restaurant is
brightly decorated in a contemporary twist on the colors of
Italy's flag—green, white, and tomato-red. The food is
fast, fresh, and affordable, without sacrificing
sophisticated taste. Two additional locations, on East
Broadway in Eastside and North Campbell in Central, are
identical in both decor and menu.
7117 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85704, USA
Known For
- Casual Italian
- Huge chopped salads
- Dog-friendly patio
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$$ | University | Middle Eastern
Nestled in the verdant Geronimo Plaza, Sinbad's serves falafel and other Middle Eastern fare, and has a great patio.
810 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85719, USA
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$$ | Foothills |
Tucked into the foothills and surrounded by spectacular flowers and cactus gardens, this special-occasion restaurant, a favorite among locals hosting out-of-town visitors, provides an alternative to the chili-laden dishes of most nouvelle Southwestern cuisine. Wild-mushroom bisque, grilled buffalo in dark-chocolate mole, and pan-seared sea bass are among the menu choices at this luxurious guest ranch resort. Lower-priced tapas such as tequila-steamed mussels and carne asada tacos can be enjoyed on the more casual outdoor bar patio, accompanied by live guitar music on weekends. The lavish Sunday brunch buffet is worth a splurge.
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85718, USA
Known For
- Romantic dining
- Outstanding wine list
- Beautiful setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Northwest |
The food at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is fine, but what many come for is the location inside a wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by flowering desert gardens. The Southwestern interior has Mexican tile, light wood, and a cobblestone courtyard, but the back patio, where you can watch hummingbirds and butterflies, is the place to be. House favorites include prickly pear chicken salad on a croissant, vegan quiche (a tofu-and-garbanzo custard with veggies), omelets, and assorted salads.
7366 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, Arizona, 85704, USA
Known For
- Beautiful patio dining
- Popular weekend brunch
- Prickly pear chicken salad
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner; Closed Mon.–Wed., Credit cards accepted
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$ | |
With freshly roasted coffee, breakfast pastries, and generous sandwiches, salads, and soups, this pleasant little eatery smack in the middle of Tubac village is a very convenient and friendly place to "set awhile" with the locals.
6 Plaza Rd., Tubac, Arizona, 85646, USA
Known For
- Homemade breads and pastries
- Inexpensive lunch break while shopping
- Hearty breakfasts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Eastside |
A good homemade tamale is special, and a restaurant that prepares and serves them fresh every day with all sorts of creative fillings is a find indeed. Carnivores can indulge in beef, pork, or chicken tamales, while vegetarians can opt for traditional, cheese-filled green-corn tamales or numerous vegan choices like the Austin, with a spinach and mushroom filling. Basmati rice and salad greens are satisfying sides.
7159 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85715, USA
Known For
- Tamales with creative fillings
- An abundance of gluten-free fare
- Tasty vegan options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Central | Mexican
A good homemade tamale is special, and a restaurant that prepares and serves them fresh every day with all sorts of creative fillings is a find indeed. Carnivores can indulge in beef, pork, or chicken tamales while vegetarians can opt for traditional, cheese-filled green-corn tamales, or "Blue" tamales, made of blue corn and filled with squash, onion, tomato, and cheese; there are also vegan choices like the Austin, with a spinach and mushroom filling. Breakfast tamales and eggs are served on weekend mornings. Salad, rice, and black beans are side options; most items are gluten-free and made without animal fat. Eat here in the no-frills dining area, or take your tamales to go.
2545 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85716, USA
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$$$ | Foothills |
A modern Italian bistro in a lovely Foothills setting, Vivace has long been a favorite with Tucsonans. Wild mushrooms and goat cheese in puff pastry is hard to resist as a starter, and the fettuccine with grilled salmon is a nice, lighter alternative to such entrées as a rich osso buco. For dessert, the molten chocolate cake with spumoni is worth the 20 minutes it takes to create. Patio seating, with either city or mountain views, is especially inviting on warm evenings.
6440 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, Arizona, 85718, USA
Known For
- Italian fine dining
- Lovely patios with mountain and city views
- A popular spot (reservations are a must on weekends)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Northwest |
Well known—and loved—for its creative American
fare and stunning presentation, Wildflower has compelling
choices like a salmon and seafood bouillabaise; bow-tie
pasta with grilled chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and pine
nuts; and red wine–braised short ribs. The decadently huge
desserts are equally top-notch. A glass wall separates the
bar from the dining area, where an open kitchen, high
ceiling with painted flowers, and blue-green banquettes
complete the light and airy effect. Request a banquette or
seating on the patio in the evening if you want quiet
conversation, as the room can be noisy.
7037 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85704, USA
Known For
- Upscale comfort food
- Giant desserts
- Patio seating
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$ | Central |
This small, friendly eatery with a loyal following
prepares classic Ethiopian dishes, served on a communal platter with
injera, a spongy bread, and eaten with the hands. Sampler plates
of any three items allow you to try dishes like yesimir wat
(a spicy lentil dish) and lega tibs (a milder beef dish with
a tomato sauce).
2731 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85716, USA
Known For
- Inexpensive, authentic Ethiopian cuisine
- Many vegan selections
- Warm hospitality
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations
not accepted
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$ | Foothills |
Have a glass of wine or a cocktail with your gourmet burger and fries at this high-energy, somewhat noisy, and unquestionably hip burger joint. Zinburger delivers tempting burgers—try the Kobe beef with cheddar and wild mushrooms—and decadent milkshakes made of creative combinations like dates and honey or melted chocolate with praline flakes. A few creative salads, including one with ahi tuna, round out the menu. The restaurant also has a second location on the northeast side of town.
1865 E. River Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85718, USA
Known For
- Gourmet burgers and fries
- Innovative shakes
- Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted