It’s safe to say the Tucson restaurant industry has been booming and bustling. From restaurants making their first appearance in town to those opening second or even third locations throughout the city, it’s without question that the scene has seen its fair share of growth.
Here are some of the new restaurants, bars, and other local spots that have opened in Tucson this year. For a larger list of new openings, check out our interactive guide.
Hailing from Sonoma County, the Toraño Family has been making wines from renowned vineyards throughout the county’s AVAs since 2014. Last year the family relocated to Arizona, and are pumped to open their flagship tasting room in central Tucson.
The brand-new concept opened up inside the former Blush restaurant, bringing its American comfort food to Fourth Avenue!
Bonchon’s menu includes chicken of all types: wings, strips, drumsticks, boneless bites, and Chicken Katsu — katsu sauce and spicy mayo drizzled on top of a breaded chicken cutlet that’s served with steamed rice.
After 27 years as a staple in the local craft beer community, Steve Tracy, owner of Thunder Canyon Brewery, passed the torch to his longtime friends and employees, James Owens (former General Manager of Thunder Canyon) and Michael Nixon (former Head Brewer).
First, owners Doug “Fini” Finical and Scott Mencke opened Fini’s Landing in the foothills, then came The Landing in Oro Valley in 2021, and then they opened their brand-new tiki bar in February. Psst, you’ll have to find the secret entrance to enter the tiki bar.
The new concept has been in the works for a few months and the Mieja family is excited to welcome everyone in. Luis Mejia Sr., Isela Mejia, Luis Mejia Jr., and Leonardo Mejia also operate El Sur Restaurant on 22nd Street and the Ocean View Hotel and Restaurant, which opened about a year ago in Roatan, Honduras.
The bakery allows folks to customize cinnamon rolls completely with more than 20 frosting flavors and 20 topping choices. Also, each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% plant-based and free of dairy, lactose, eggs, or cholesterol! This means you can enjoy your creation without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions.
“Words honestly can’t explain how grateful I am,” Thomas Castro of Coop shared on Instagram. “This is seriously a dream come true and it never would have happened if it weren’t for all of you guys. I love you so much, Tucson! I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and start cooking for you guys again!”
Edna’s Eatery is open 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily, serving breakfast and lunch from a seasonal menu. General Admission to the Tucson Botanical Gardens or membership is required to access the cafe. Carlos Guerrero of the Charly’s BBQ & Grill food truck is now overseeing the menu!
Chef Juan Almanza and the team opened El Taco Rustico’s second location — El Taco Rustico 2 — in March of this year at 1830 S. Park Ave., which is right on the corner of Silverlake Road. The corn tortillas are soft but not crumbly — strong enough to withstand the carne asada, birria, or anything else you fill them with and the juices they’re dipped into.
The restaurant is hosting its Grand Opening on Wednesday, June 5. The menu includes all sorts of dishes ranging from salads, superfruit bowls, parfaits, sandwiches like the Moroccan Turkey and Grilled Steak, and a mighty collection of protein bowls.
Each of the tables inside Kotu’s dining room will come equipped with a small grill in the center. The team brings out your desired meats and proteins (raw) and you grill away, ordering as much as your stomach can handle.
The restaurant isn’t too far from its original location on First Avenue. The new spot has the same familiar menu many have grown to love over the years, there’s a shaded patio, plenty of TVs to catch a game, and their grande margaritas are still big enough to require two hands.
The bakery has four spots in Tucson now! Aside from the downtown location, there’s one at Mercado San Agustin at 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, another in Barrio Hollywood at 901 N. Grande Ave., and then the original location on the southside at 5266 S. 12th Ave, which first opened its doors and fired up the ovens in 1986.
The menu includes breakfast staples like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, a Classic Egg Sandwich, and then the Classic Breakfast plate that includes two eggs, your choice of two strips of bacon or sausage links, and then served with potatoes and your choice of toast (move over, Denny’s, there’s a new Grand Slam in town — minus the pancakes).
Heads up: They’ve relocated. The Chinese restaurant isn’t too far away from the original location, though — right across the street, as a matter of fact, at 8295 N. Cortaro Rd. #125. This suite formerly housed Nico’s Tacos.
The new spot has the same Vietnamese cuisine you’ve grown to love for more than 20 years now. Additionally, they’re serving an updated drink menu behind the bar, new menu items, and spacious, comfortable dining areas both inside and on the patio.
The restaurant is hosting its Grand Opening on Wednesday, June 5. The menu includes all sorts of dishes ranging from salads, superfruit bowls, parfaits, sandwiches like the Moroccan Turkey and Grilled Steak, and a mighty collection of protein bowls.
The new 3,600-square-foot restaurant is a major upgrade from the food truck, but they’re no strangers to the new space. Owner Diego Valencia bought the building back in 2019, which was the former El Tá Comiendo, and it was being used as a commissary kitchen for the food truck.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro is much more than raspados. Corn Cocktails (corn, mayo, white cheese, butter, and lime), milkshakes, sundaes, and a full-on Tostitos menu (chips layered with goodies). The shop even offers sandwiches and wraps! All are $12 each or less including a classic BLT, a Club, Tuna Sandwich, and a Torta with ham, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, and jalapeño on the sandwich menu. There are three chicken-themed wraps (which are subject to change at any time) — Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Chicken Chipotle Wrap, and Caesar Chicken Wrap.
The brand-new breakfast and lunch concept opened near the corner of 22nd Street and Alvernon Way. The team behind RealGood Brunch Co. is the same family behind The Neighborhood, La Chingada Cocina, and CRUDA Mariscos & Oyster Bar.
The menu is just like the other locations in Tucson, too, loaded with locally roasted hand-crafted coffee drinks, energy drinks, and more. I feel like I got a caffeine buzz just writing that last sentence. Additionally, they’ll have locally baked pastries and breakfast items to get your motors runnin’.
“We’re expanding! I want to thank everybody who has been supportive,” said Delgadillo. “If it weren’t for everybody, this wouldn’t be possible. We truly appreciate and love you guys!”
The Tanque Verde Road location is easy to spot, too. Local muralist, Joe Pagac, painted a brand-new design on the east side of the building — a giant octopus is rockin’ out alongside the iconic flying whales seen in other murals in Tucson.
“Sonora Moonshine Co. is dedicated to providing an authentic and vibrant experience with a focus on quality and community engagement,” said Es Teran, owner of the restaurant and Borderlands Brewing Company.
Located right next to the former Chicago Music Store building at the corner of Congress Street and Sixth Avenue, the restaurant has opened its dining room — offering it as dine-in and to-go. The dinner menu features the likes of herb-seared Ahi tuna, meatball sliders, Grilled Nopales, and Ribeye Aguachile — grilled steak with avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, and radish.
Back in October of 2022, the restaurant temporarily closed for renovations after a fire broke out in the attic space. Therefore, everything has been cleaned up, refurbished, and put back into tip-top shape at 2456 N. Silver Mosaic Dr. It’s always inspiring to find out that a restaurant — one that’s been open for about 40 years now — stays in business and rides the wave when the unexpected happens.
The brand-new restaurant opened in the former High 5 Grille at 3682 W. Orange Grove Rd. — right next door to the Crying Onion Cafe. Margaritas, shrimp cocktails, enchiladas, and more! The Mexican restaurant is a perfect fit in the area.
Back in 2020, the owner of Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen said that “ramen and chicken is a really good combination,” and that’s proven to be true here in Tucson because the concept is expanding. Four years later, the fast-food ramen and fried chicken opened a second location at 1800 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Suite 116, which is in the same plaza as Rosa’s Mexican Food, China Szechwan, and Taqueria El Pueblito.
The menu consists of chicken sandwiches — AKA Cluckin’ Classics — including The Tuxon (crispy chicken, their signature Tuxon sauce, lettuce, and sweet pickled relish), Hot Honey, The Buffalo, and The Wildcat, which is chicken, spicy mayo, bacon, tomato, red onions, Hatch green chili, lettuce, and pepper jack cheese.
The new concept, found in the Mercado District at the ground level of the Monier Apartments, definitely has that nostalgic feeling of a pizza joint in New York City. The menu’s emphasis is on fermented dough, fresh toppings, plenty of vegan options, and a mix of traditional and creative slices. The menu is split into two sections: ClassiC (CC) and Vegan Version (VV). There are six options to choose from but in reality, it’s 12 because each of them can be made “ClassiC” or vegan.
The corner of Broadway and Treat Avenue is now a culinary powerhouse. As a matter of fact, you’re in for a treat. We have Zemam’s once again, the welcoming of Zerai’s International Bar, and the soon-to-be Zidamo (a coffee shop that’s aiming to be open before the end of the year).
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