Although a four-and-a-half star rating on Yelp is indicative of a must-visit restaurant, what makes a restaurant earn the extra half star?
Having five stars doesn’t mean a restaurant is perfect, but chances are, it’ll earn a place near and dear in your heart.
We filtered through several hundred restaurants on Yelp and picked out restaurants with a five-star average. To be fair, we didn’t include the restaurants that only had a few reviews.
Here’s the lowdown.
Even though Tumerico is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, meat-eaters (including myself) flock in regularly to enjoy the fresh bountiful meals from the ever-changing blackboard menu. Free coffee helps, along with service that will remember you even if they haven’t seen you in months.
Read our August 2019 article Tumerico charms locals with quality food & warm vibes (& free yoga).
For more information, visit tumerico.com.
Barista Del Barrio doesn’t have the most exotic coffee beans or hip lounge chairs, but they have some of the friendliest servers in town. It’s impossible to not love them, all of them.
To top it off, they have one of the best breakfast burritos in town. The horchata coffee is also something to return regularly for.
Read our September 2019 article Barista del Barrio: Mexican mochas & breakfast burritos by the Briones family.
Keep up with Barista Del Barrio on Facebook.
The vegan menu at Urban Fresh features a list of staples along with creative daily specials ranging from stroganoff to veggie ribbon pho. Service is friendly as can be.
Read our December 2018 article Urban Fresh: Plant-based Foods with a Powerhouse of Flavors.
For more information, visit urbanfreshtucson.com.
A food truck in the middle of the desert might not sound like the best place for seafood but trust us here. La Palma features fresh mariscos with food truck prices.
Read our February 2019 article 3 Must-Visit Sonoran Food Stops on 22nd St. & Sixth Ave.
Keep up with Cocteleria La Palma on Facebook.
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One of Tucson’s most beloved raspados shops, Juice N Fruit, also features tortas and welcoming service.
Keep up with Juice N Fruit Raspados on Facebook.
El Antojo Poblano features the distinctive cuisine of Puebla, Mexico. The must-try cemita is one of Tucson’s best Mexican sandwiches. The friendly service and flowers at tables make it feel more like a brick-and-mortar patio than a dirt lot food truck.
Read our April 2019 article Newly Opened El Antojo Poblano Serves Tucson’s Best Mexican Sandwich.
Keep up with El Antojo Poblano on Facebook.
Raptor Canyon Cafe captures the feeling of stepping into an American grandma’s home with both the decor and the comforting food. You will always receive service with a smile.
For more information, visit raptorcanyoncafe.com.
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A northwest side favorite, Juice Envy offers acai bowls and smoothies in a clean and friendly environment. Their balance of sweetness seems to be just right for many of the folks who left a review on Yelp.
For more information, visit juiceenvybar.com.
In the city of Sonoran hot dogs, El Perro Loco is the king on Yelp. The Super Chipilones feature buns toasted with a generous coating of garlic powder for extra umami.
Keep up with El Perro Loco Hot Dogs on Facebook.
