Tucson is a food town. Given its proximity to Mexico, its agricultural heritage, and the influence of Native American culture, one might surmise that it's well known for Sonoran-style Mexican food. And it is. But that's only part of the picture. Fact is, Tucson has a broad reputation for its food. It was the first American city to get the UNESCO City of Gastronomy distinction.

Tucson's acclaimed eateries include Italian, Brazilian, and French establishments, as well as one serving New American fare, which has strong European and Asian influences. Then there are Tucson's many steakhouses, including one that incorporates traditions from the American South. Read on to learn about 10 of Tucson's great restaurants.

  • 1

    Vivace Restaurant

    Owner fine-tunes traditional recipes to create memorable Italian fare

    Vivace Restaurant
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Vivace Restaurant’s owner describes his approach as Italian inspired. He perpetually fine-tunes dishes and remains conscious of American preferences. Scordato, whose paternal grandparents were Sicilian, has said he aims to create an atmosphere where all feel welcome. He routinely checks in with patrons in his restaurant known for its spectacular views.

    His menu gets creative. One starter is fresh burrata, one half served with tomato and basil oil while the other sits atop beetroot with pistachio vinaigrette. Salads include a pear and walnut with Gorgonzola crumbles. Seafood lasagnette is thin sheets of pasta layered with seafood and spinach and a tomato-basil broth. Classics include grilled beef tenderloin, but with a Marsala wine sauce enhancement.

    Τοποθεσία: 6440 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11.30 am to 8.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-795-7221

    Χάρτης
  • 2

    Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

    Indulgent add-ons and an extensive wine selection accompany steak offerings

    Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Φαγητό
    • Πολυτέλεια

    If premium steakhouses are meant to offer top choices in meat and wine, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar aims to provide more. With its filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip variations, it offers four "over the top" options to crown the beef: shrimp, pork belly, crab, and lobster. It also serves 100 wines by the glass. Other entrees include a barbecued Scottish salmon miso-glazed Chilean sea bass, and a roasted portobello and cauliflower steak.

    Fleming's is framed by the gorgeous Catalina Foothills; its atmosphere is elegant, and the menu items are served a la carte. Sides include sauteed mushrooms, chipotle cheddar mac and cheese, and crispy Brussels sprouts and bacon.

    Τοποθεσία: 6360 N Campbell Ave Suite 180, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-529-5017

    Χάρτης
  • 3

    Cielos

    Enjoy Southwestern fare with some wild cards inside a Tucson landmark

    Cielos
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Cielos offers its Southwest-inspired cuisine from within the Lodge on the Desert, a boutique hotel that's an Arizona landmark. Its patio area contains a free-standing fireplace and hanging lights to create an airy, angelic atmosphere of bright colours. Cocktails using local spirits are a speciality.

    Cielos' menu includes Southwestern options such as roasted green chile tamales as well as standard American fare such as Mar y Tierra ("surf and turf," roughly translated) in the form of ribeye steak and jumbo shrimp. Cielos tunes up its Caesar salad by adding slow-roasted tomatoes, Cotija cheese, sweet corn and chipotle dressing. Some curiosities jump out, including an starter of charred octopus with ancho persimmons and fig gastrique.

    Τοποθεσία: 306 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-320-2014

    Χάρτης
  • 4

    Wildflower American Cuisine

    International influence comes through in New American cuisine

    Wildflower American Cuisine
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Wildflower's fare is called "New American," a categorization that includes items with distinct European and Asian influences. A restaurant known for its stunning presentation; Wildflower changes its menu seasonally. It opened in 1998 as the first in a line of establishments known as Fox Restaurant Concepts.

    On its menu, you'll find openers such as Lebanese hummus with grilled pita and crisp calamari with mizuna greens (also called Japanese mustard). Salads include Asian chicken, which some reviewers have said can serve as an entree. Entrees include spinach pappardelle, fish and chips, and braised beef short rib. Wildflower offers some 80 wines by the bottle and 25 by the glass as well as house-created cocktails such as the fig and ginger mule.

    Τοποθεσία: 7037 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-219-4230

    Χάρτης
  • 5

    Kingfisher Bar & Grill

    Longtime Tucson restaurant and night spot offers seafood, classic fare

    Kingfisher Bar & Grill
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Kingfisher Bar & Grill is a Tucson institution that changed hands in 2022 after three decades under the previous owners. Its speciality is seafood, but it offers other American classics. Chilled options include ceviche with bay scallops and rock shrimp. Starters include New England clam chowder and steamed black mussels. Upgrade your Caesar salad to entree status by adding anchovy filets, salmon, chicken, or shrimp. Entrees include grilled sea bass, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, and grilled baby back pork ribs.

    Kingfisher offers a late-night/happy-hour menu with chilled seafood (oysters, house smoked trout), small plates (baked oysters Rockefeller), and a handful of entrees (fish and chips, steak frites). Beer, wine, and creatively styled (and named) cocktails are also on offer.

    Τοποθεσία: 2564 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday from 11 am to midnight, Saturday from 4 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-323-7739

    Χάρτης
  • 6

    Tavolino Ristorante Italiano

    Enjoy Northern Italian cuisine in a trattoria-like setting

    Tavolino Ristorante Italiano
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Tavolino Ristorante Italiano has the feel of an Italian area trattoria. That said, one food critic also called it shiny and chic—not a bad combination if you ask us. Chef and owner Massimo Tenino grew up in Italy, surrounded by the merged passions for cooking, food, family, and friends.

    Critic and patron favourites include the prosciutto and sweet Tuscan melon antipasti, tagliatelle alla Bolognese, butternut squash ravioli, wood-fired citrus-and-herb chicken, and grilled New York strip. Tenino's brother Paolo owns the Azienda Agricola Pietro Rinaldi winery in Italy. You'll find some of its selections at Tavolino.

    Τοποθεσία: 2890 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 pm to 9 pm, Thursday–Sunday 11 am to 9 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-531-1913

    Χάρτης
  • 7

    Sullivan's Steakhouse

    This classic American eatery focuses on meat, martinis, and music

    Sullivan's Steakhouse
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Sullivan's Steakhouse takes the traditional route, and it arrives with a mighty roar. It's one of several Sullivan's across the country, but each location is known for having its own style and flavour. The Tucson iteration focuses on steak, seafood, and signature cocktails while offering live music and a happy-hour menu.

    Starters include calamari, oysters, and shrimp cocktails. The classic iceberg wedge inhabits the salad menu. Meats include bone-in varieties such as ribeye, porterhouse, and rack of lamb, while house-cut steaks include filet mignon and New York strip. Enhance your steak with the likes of lobster tail, garlic shrimp, or bacon and blue cheese. Martinis move from the serious (The Knockout) to the playful (White Chocolate Almond).

    Τοποθεσία: 1785 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 11 pm

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-299-4275

    Χάρτης
  • 8

    Churrasco de Brasil Brazilian Steakhouse

    Sample meats cooked according to a Brazilian tradition

    Churrasco de Brasil Brazilian Steakhouse
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    The gauchos of Southern Brazil celebrate each week with family and friends by slow-roasting meat over an open fire in the traditional churrasco style. The owners of Churrasco de Brasil Brazilian Steakhouse share this tradition at their restaurant. The dinner menu has three choices: meat or seafood, which come with unlimited salad and side dishes, or just the salad and sides.

    For the meat option, chefs roam the restaurant and stop at tables, each carrying (then slicing and serving) one of 13 selections including filet mignon, bacon-wrapped sirloin, ribeye, pork ribs, lamb, bacon-wrapped chicken breast, and a couple of house-specialty cuts. Cocktails, wine, and Brazilian soft drinks and lemonade are offered.

    Τοποθεσία: 150 W Wetmore Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm, Saturday from 3 pm to 9.30 pm, Sunday from 3 pm to 8 pm

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-293-7991

    Χάρτης
  • 9

    Le Rendez-vous

    Choose your experience: fine French dining, or casual bistro

    Le Rendez-vous
    • Οικονομική διαμονή
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Οικογένειες
    • Φαγητό

    Le Rendez-Vous is divided in half. The dining room features higher-end fare in a sophisticated, formal setting while the front area serves small plates, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and wine for those meeting up with friends, family, or colleagues.

    The menus reflect hearty French classics. Dinner starters include escargots, duck pâté, and steamed mussels. Entrees include chateaubriand (roasted beef tenderloin), beef Wellington, coq au Riesling (braised chicken in white wine sauce), and egg-battered sea bass. Crème brûlée and crêpes suzette inhabit the dessert menu. In the bistro, small plates include Brie en Croute (creamy cheese baked in puff pastry served with pear butter) as well as house pâté, seared salmon, and mini-Wellington.

    Τοποθεσία: 3844 E Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716, USA

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Wednesday–Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-323-7373

    Χάρτης
  • 10

    Bob's Steak & Chop House

    Texas traditions - including big portions - make a strong showing

    Bob's Steak & Chop House
    • Ζευγάρια
    • Φαγητό

    Bob's Steak & Chop House, which originated in Dallas, brings a Southern sensibility to the steakhouse experience. One of its traditions is placing fresh bread and jars of pickles on tables for diners waiting to order. Starters include a Maryland-style crab cake and a jumbo shrimp cocktail. The generous salad menu offers wedge, Caesar, spinach, and blue-cheese varieties.

    As one would expect from a place born in Texas, the steaks go big, maxing out at a 22-ounce ribeye and a 28-ounce porterhouse. The menu also offers duck breast, shrimp scampi, lobster, and salmon. Another unusual Texas-size tradition is a glazed carrot that comes with each steak: it's so big, you might mistake it for a piece of firewood.

    Ώρες λειτουργίας: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Τηλέφωνο: +1 520-877-2377

    Χάρτης