Gnudi at 5 Points during Tucson Foodie's R&D Dinner (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Tucson’s Food Scene Gets a Shout-Out from The New York Times


April 21, 2025
By Matt Sterner

It’s not every day that The New York Times talks about Tucson, and when they do, you know we’re going to zoom in on the part where they mention the food.

In a recent piece about Tucson’s growing appeal to homebuyers, the publication highlighted everything from sunshine and square footage to — you guessed it — the city’s food scene.

Sure, the article is technically about housing prices and walk-in closets, but squeezed in between the talk of mortgage rates and mountain views was a nice little nod to some of our favorite spots here in the desert.

Here’s what Abbie Kozolchyk of the Times suggests doing when you’re “going out and about” in Tucson.

Restaurants:

  • Barista del Barrio for breakfast burritos and coffee
  • 5 Points for pancake brunch
  • El Charro Café for cheese crisps on the patio
  • Tumerico for vegetarian and vegan takes on Latin American classics
  • Barrio Bread for rolls and loaves
  • Rollies Mexican Patio for rolled tacos
  • Tito & Pep for bistro fare
  • For a splurge, the private tasting menu at the studio of Chef Janos Wilder (Studio Janos), one of the driving forces behind the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation

Bars:

  • The Century Room or Tiger’s Tap Room at Hotel Congress
  • Borderlands Brewing in downtown Tucson
  • Owls Club
  • Batch
  • Crisol Bar
  • REVEL
  • The Moonstone at the Graduate Hotel for rooftop views

Groceries/Shopping:

  • Try Time Market for local specialties and prepared foods
  • The Garden Shop at Mission Garden for the most hyperlocal specialties

For more local grocery stores with fresh produce and more, read our interactive guide.

Also, you can read the full article at nytimes.com.

Hungry for something new but not sure where to start?

Our guides round up the best bites, sips, and hidden gems in Tucson. Think of them as your deliciously curated roadmap to eating and drinking your way through the Old Pueblo.

Explore our interactive guides.

Love Tucson food? So do we. That’s why our stories are free to read — and focused on the chefs, farmers, and restaurants that make Tucson so delicious.
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