For many Tucsonans, Oro Valley is a world away. Yet the growing town is a rewarding trip for adventurous foodies searching for great eats. Here are eats in Oro Valley when visiting (or for those of you in the area).
This recently renovated sweet spot slightly west of Oracle Road offers a top-notch dining experience—the brunch and happy hour selections are not to be missed.
You'll want to try the garlic rolls, AntiPasta Board, and anything off the happy hour menu.
For more information, visit bottegamichelangelo.com.
Caffe Torino offers "authentic home recipes of Italian goodness" in a cozy indoor and covered patio space.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at varying times, with the addition of a large wine selection.
Read our April 2019 article Experience Fine Northern Italian Cuisine at Caffe Torino in the Foothills.
More info at caffetorinotucson.com.
Catalina Craft Pizza invites you to craft your own pie using quality, locally sourced ingredients. The staff is friendly and helpful and the place tends to pack out on the weekends when there's live music—so be sure to arrive early.
For more information, visit catalinacraftpizza.com.
A cousin restaurant to Harvest Restaurant, Charred Pie focuses on wood-fired pizza. House-made pastas, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and other dishes are also available.
Read our September 2019 article PHOTO FEATURE: Newly opened Charred Pie serves exceptional pizza in Oro Valley.
For more information, visit charredpie.com.
Epazote is a delightful Mexico-inspired (it's not Mexican food) restaurant only offering dinner inside the Hilton El Conquistador.
It's intimate, swanky, delicious, and if need be, you can even stay the night provided the hotel isn't booked. The menu changes regularly.
More info at epazotekitchen.com.
Flavor of India brings authentic Indian cuisine to the far reaches of Oro Valley.
Nestled with the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains in sight, Flavor of India offers a breathtaking view while dining in for their affordable lunch buffet, but also offers a substantial dinner menu for those looking for a nighttime dining experience.
The freshly made naan is an absolute must in either case and with seven different varieties to choose from, there’s reason enough to come back again.
Each dish on the menu also includes heat options for those with a strong resilience or resistance to spicy foods.
More info at flavorofindia-az.com.
Oro Valley is woefully underserved when it comes to both Chinese food and take-out selections, but thankfully GMG Chinese Bistro fills the gap nicely.
Their menu is a familiar cavalcade of beef, poultry, pork, and seafood selections as well as Lo Mein and Chow Mein, but what stands out is that no MSG is used in any dish.
Furthermore, a variety of options can be made gluten-free. GNG packs a crowd during the evenings, however, so reservations are strongly suggested. Or call ahead for carry-out.
More info at gmgchinesebistrotucson.com.
Harvest Restaurant’s primary focus is on fresh ingredients, which means the phrase “house-made” appears often throughout the seasonally inspired menu.
While house specialties are comprised of mostly freshly made pasta, it’s the burgers that woo. No burger is a dud here, but the Brandy Burger—made with sharp white cheddar, red onions, and a house-made brandy sauce—is the way to go.
Don’t skip out on dessert either. Harvest offers a fantastic selection of sweets, like an Amaretto Cheesecake, that’s not to be missed.
More info at harvestov.com.
No need to head to the Mediterranean to get your fill of Greek cuisine. It exists right here in Oro Valley.
The restaurant—owned by Jeff Bridge, co-owner of Catalina Craft Pizza—is praised for the accommodating staff, excellent customer service, and spot-on Greek dishes.
Regulars recommend the Braised Lamp Shank, Gyro Platter, Spanakopita and must-try Honey Yoghurt Cake, to name a few.
For more information, visit itsgreektomecatalina.com.
Located in a strip mall a few doors west of Goyita’s, Just Kabab offers a wide selection of Middle Eastern dishes on the menu.
Although kebabs are the star, the menu also features Persian stews and Turkish coffee.
For menu highlights, read our May 2019 article Just Kabab brings Middle Eastern cuisine to Oro Valley (& you’ll want to try it).
For more information, visit justkababusa.com.
Sometimes the mood calls for a good old-fashioned steak and The Keg Steakhouse + Bar delivers just that.
They not only offer the classics—Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, New York Striploin—but also serve “feature cuts” that are dressed up versions of these favorites.
Try the Sirloin Oscar (grilled sirloin topped with shrimp, scallops, and asparagus) or the New York (strip steak served with whiskey peppercorn sauce) for something a bit more upscale.
Those looking to impress a date or visiting relatives shouldn’t miss this finer dining experience.
More info at kegsteakhouse.com.
Hungry Oro Valley foodies desperate for Mexican cuisine can rest easy knowing La Hacienda is right around the corner.
Traditional staples like Chicken en Molé or a Carne Asada Burrito grace the menu, as do less traditional items, such as Tacos de Cochinita Pibil (Yucatan Pulled Pork).
For an impressive flair, check out the Beef Molcajete—served in an oversized steaming-hot basalt stone vessel—that's sure to draw the attention of any nearby diners.
Also, La Hacienda's jumbo margaritas really tie the meal together.
More info at lahaciendatucson.com.
Noble Hops goes above and beyond what most would consider “bar food.”
Try their Noble Gobbler with house-ground turkey, bacon jam, vegan nut cheese.
For foodies looking for a cozy yet classy choice, try the Salmon—with dill buerre blanc, mashed potato, and a farmer's vegetable—or Duck Breast, with shishito peppers, roasted vegetable of the day, and apricot chipotle miso sauce.
Noble Hops also offers a staggering 175 beers (28 of them on tap!) and an outdoor seating area that will make you never want to leave.
More info at noblehopspub.com.
Saffron Indian Bistro is one of the hippest Indian restaurants you might ever see.
Featuring a delicious and plentiful lunch buffet, as well as a full menu, this sister restaurant to University Boulevard's Kababeque never disappoints.
The restaurant also includes a full bar and occasionally features live sitar performances.
More info at tucsonindianrestaurant.com.
Conveniently located just inside Oro Valley's city limits, Village Bakehouse has been specializing in artisan breads and delectable pastries—all baked fresh, in-house daily—for over 20 years.
This go-to breakfast spot offers plenty of reason to get up early in the morning, including Chocolate Croissants, Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls, and Pumpkin Cheese Muffins.
Not into the sweet stuff? Grab one of Village Bakehouse's breakfast sandwiches on a homemade croissant.
Lunch options are also available for those looking for more of a mid-day meal, but no dinner is available.
More info at villagebakehouse.com.
The hand-crafted pizzas are enough to get by on, but zpizza offers a variety of craft brews administered in self-serve taps and sold by the ounce.
It's an innovative way to sample their selection without having to commit to one single beverage to complete your meal. But the real show-stealer among zpizza's menu is the Skillet Baked Wings dish, especially when tossed in their off-menu "secret" sauce—just don’t tell ‘em we told you about it.
More info at zpizza.com.
Have any other favorite spots in Oro Valley? Let us know in the comments.
[This article was originally written on May 7, 2015, and most recently updated on February 13, 2020. Kate Severino contributed to this author.]
