Atop Mt. Lemmon, eating and drinking options are conveniently located at Ski Valley and Summerhaven.
It’s no city of gastronomy but it hits the spot after a long hike through any of the nearby trails or if you’re simply looking for a cooler place to spend the day (sans hike).
It’s generally 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Tucson and less than an hour to the top. The cool mountain breeze and fresh forest air make patio dining sublime.
While beer and wine are available at a couple of places, make sure you also try a crisp glass of water. Sourced from springs in Carter Canyon and Upper Sabino Canyon, it’s easy to taste the difference even if you’re not a water snob.
Whether you’re up for a day trip or refueling post-hike, here’s our guide on where to eat and drink on the mountain.
Iron Door Restaurant
10300 Ski Run Rd., Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619
Near the mountain peak at Ski Valley (one server rides a shuttle for three hours each day to work here), Iron Door restaurant is surrounded by flowers and hummingbird feeders, so you’ll channel your inner Disney Princess on the patio.
Hearty mountain meals
For a hearty mountain meal, order the Iron Door Chili served with onion, cheese, sour cream, and cornbread. The crumbly cornbread is on the sweeter side, which complements the subtle heat in the chili. Drizzle a little honey on your house baked cornbread for something a little more decadent.
For something meaty, try Garth’s Gully. Sliced beef smothered in green chiles and cheddar is served on grilled sourdough with chipotle mayo. All sandwiches are served with a pickle spear and a choice of side.
Don’t skip the dessert
For dessert, don’t miss out on the Ski the Lemmon Famous Individual Pie. Though there are many flavors available, the standout is the Mtn. Berry, which was inspired by the wild berries that used to grow in the area.
For more information, visit skithelemmon.com. Keep up with Iron Door Restaurant and Ski Valley on Facebook.
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin
12781 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy, Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin is sadly not a cabin made out of cookies.
However, it is a cozy two-story cabin that regularly cranks out Giant Massive Cookies big enough to feed four people. There are standard options like chocolate chip and peanut butter, but try the Rachel, which includes oats, coconut, and butterscotch chips.
Cookies… or pizza
The other popular option is pizza, available by the half-slice, full-slice, or 16-inch pie.
For toppings, choose from pepperoni, sausage, chicken, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, and onions.
Once you’re done loading on carbs, feel free to walk next door to peek at trinkets in the Living Rainbow Gift Shop.
For more information, visit thecookiecabin.org. Keep up with Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin on Facebook.
Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop
12856 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy., Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619
Stock up on picnic goodies and other useful items
While you’ll mostly find food and drink at the restaurants, you’ll find the miscellaneous at Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop.
If you need a pocket knife with your name on it or you forgot to bring a bottle of wine for your camping trip, this is the place to stock up. Or, if you simply decide you’d rather picnic on the mountain instead of dining at a restaurant, this is where to pick up the goods.
In regards to edible items, they’re most famous for their homemade fudge, available in a variety of flavors:
- Butter Pecan
- Chewy Praline
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Caramel Nut
- Cookies ‘n Cream
- Heath English Toffee
- Maple Nut
- Mint Chocolate Swirl
- Peanut Butter Chocolate
- Raspberry Chocolate Swirl
- Salted caramel
- Rocky Road
- Vanilla Walnut Fudge
Seasonal varieties:
- Caramel Apple Pie
- Orange Cream
- Peppermint Bark
- Pumpkin Pecan
- Pumpkin Praline
- S’mores
If you just can’t get enough of the fudge, you can call in to have it shipped.
The General Store also offers a house-brand coffee, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and jarred salsas.
For more information, visit mtlemmon.com.
Sawmill Run Restaurant
12976 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy., Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619
Sawmill Run offers a rotating menu, reflecting the seasons on Mt Lemmon.
While sandwiches and burgers are still on the menu, you can call in to keep up-to-date with the menu weekly. Past creations include the Louisiana Alligator Burger and Stuffed Monkfish Tail.
For more information, visit sawmillrun.com. Keep up with Sawmill Run Restaurant on Facebook.
Nap in comfort with spectacular mountain views
Mt. Lemmon cuisine is mostly comfort food, so bring a hammock.
A nap or reading session hanging between the trees after your feast is the perfect distraction from anything.
And ideally, you’d stay the night or weekend. Rental options are sparse but available. Visit mtlemmon.com for a list of places to find lodging.
(Opening in 2022) Mt. Lemmon Coffee Bean
12925 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway
The journey up Mount Lemmon is something special. You’ve got beautiful views on both sides of the vehicle while traveling along its curvy path — enough to get you pumped about getting to the top. However, if you need a pick-me-up on the way back down, there will soon be a new option.
Mt. Lemmon Coffee Bean is currently getting things in motion as it prepares to open up at 12925 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway in the Spring of 2022.
Once construction is complete, the new coffee shop will be nestled near the new Mount Lemmon Hotel, serving as both a walk-up coffee counter for guests, a daily spot for those who live up on the mountain, and a refreshing beverage for the folks driving up for a day trip.
Read our December 1, 2021 article “Mt. Lemmon Coffee Bean to open its doors in Spring of 2022.”
[This article was originally written on June 23, 2016, and most recently updated on December 10, 2021]
Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
