Tucson’s culinary reputation just earned another national nod. InsideHook named Tucson the “Best American Food City” in its inaugural Journey Awards, a travel-focused list highlighting standout destinations, hotels, airlines and travel experiences around the world.
Read the Journey Awards here.
The publication pointed to Tucson’s 2015 designation as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, along with the region’s thousands of years of agricultural history, Mexican and Indigenous culinary traditions, Agave Heritage Festival and Sonoran hot dog trail.
InsideHook also highlighted the city’s food trucks, Mexican restaurants, bakeries, mezcal bars and wood-fired restaurants. The write-up specifically mentioned BATA, Ursa, and BOCA.
The recognition adds to Tucson’s growing profile as one of the country’s most distinctive food cities.
UNESCO lists Tucson as a Creative City of Gastronomy and notes the city’s long agricultural history in the Sonoran Desert, including traditions tied to vineyards, orchards, livestock ranching and local heritage foods.
InsideHook’s Journey Awards took a broader approach than typical “best of” lists. Travel editor Lindsay Rogers wrote that the publication selected winners by consulting travel writers who nominated, debated and refined the list.
For Tucson, the honor reinforces what local chefs, farmers, bakers, brewers, distillers and diners have long known: the city’s food scene tells a story rooted in place, history and the people who keep those traditions moving forward.
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.
👉 Get exclusive perks & support local with the Foodie Insiders Club and learn how to eat local year-round.
