Famous for its unique blend of traditional Southwestern fare and innovative foodie experiences, Marana is a paradise for every kind of gastronomy. From laid-back cafes serving artisanal pastries, vibrant bars boasting craft beers and clever cocktails, to upscale restaurants offering exquisite dining experiences, our guide covers it all.
Marana’s dining scene is as diverse as its stunning landscapes, and we’re here to help you navigate it. Whether you’re a local looking to explore new dining options, a food connoisseur seeking the next unforgettable meal, or a traveler hungry for authentic local flavors, our guide has something for you. We’ve done the legwork to highlight the best places to eat and drink in Marana, providing you with summaries, photos, and insider tips.
Asian Spice in northwest Tucson brings celebrated Cantonese-style Chinese American cuisine to a casual, modest interior. The dining room sits in a Marana strip mall with only a handful of tables, making the space feel cozy and intimate. Local diners often wait for a seat, and many others prefer takeout or catering for their meals. Furthermore, Asian Spice was named one of the ‘Top 100 Chinese Restaurants’ in the U.S.
Patrons rave about honey walnut shrimp with crisp cabbage and creamy, honey-sweet sauce. The menu also features fried rice with butter nuances, and beef ho fun noodles cooked in Cantonese tradition. Classic options like shrimp chop suey and crab rangoon draw regulars and visitors alike.
Baggin’s has been a local fave since ’84, and for good reason. They make all their sandwiches with fresh, in-house baked and sliced meats. And if you’re too busy to stop by, they deliver. Plus, every sandwich comes with a cute little chocolate chip cookie – how cool is that?
The Blacktop Grill delivers a playful, street food inspired atmosphere built around hot dogs, tacos and creative comfort dishes. The interior uses bright colors, casual seating and bold graphics that give the space a fun, laid back vibe.
Try their bacon popper quesadilla, loaded elote fries, or chile relleno hot dog.
Tucked away in an industrial park, Button Brew House is a hidden gem for beer lovers. It’s just off the interstate and has a chill vibe with a cozy bar and an outdoor patio that’s perfect for sunny days. Their range of beers on tap is just the right size for a tasty variety. They often have a food truck parked out front, too.
Caps & Corks features a clean, industrial aesthetic with exposed ductwork, metal accents, and concrete floors. Natural light pours in through tall glass windows, illuminating high-top tables and a casual, open bar area. Garage-style doors roll up to connect the interior with a spacious patio.
The drink list includes a rotating lineup of craft beers on tap, along with bottled wines and ciders. Local and regional breweries often headline the tap wall.
Casa Marana blends a neighborhood-bar vibe with wood-fired pizza and a wide selection of drinks in northwest Marana. The atmosphere feels lively but welcoming, with a bar area, indoor seating, and a game-friendly setup that includes shuffleboard, darts, billiards and outdoor seating on the patio.
For snacks or lighter meals, pretzel bites with spinach dip and salads draw a following alongside the more indulgent pizza–and–pint combos.
Catalina Brewing Company highlights Southwestern flavors through beer inspired by the Sonoran Desert. The taproom sits in Marana and features concrete floors, bike decor and a relaxed industrial look. Large garage doors open to a shaded patio that gives the space a casual, community-focused feel. The taproom also features an adjacent room with pinball machines.
Standout brews include the Mesquite Agave Ale, Buena Vida Blonde, 24 Hour IPA. Guests often pair their pints with rotating food trucks, which bring tacos, burgers or barbecue depending on the night.
Cayton’s Restaurant anchors the clubhouse at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain with a rustic-meets-refined American bistro style. The dining room features wood and stone accents and a warm, relaxed vibe. A patio offers sweeping views of the golf course and Tortolita Mountains, especially striking at sunset.
Favorites include the steak frites and burgers.
Circle S Saloon serves as a western-themed bar and grill in Marana with a lively, country-rooted atmosphere. The interior features barn wood, saddle decor and neon signs that create a classic roadhouse feel. Live music nights and dance events give the space an energetic, community-driven vibe.
Regulars often order the chicken wings and green chile burger.
Located on the first floor of the Marana Main Health Center, MHC Healthcare’s Copper Cafe offers tasty treats, specialty coffee drinks, and healthy breakfast and lunch meals. In addition to providing patrons with delicious food and beverages, the Copper Cafe also serves as a training site for MHC Healthcare’s Work Adjustment Program.
Regulars highlight the green chile chicken stew as a go-to comfort dish on colder days. Their turkey club sandwich and cinnamon roll are also popular with locals.
Even Freddie Mercury sang about “dining at the Ritz” due to their golden standard of quality. CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar offers a polished desert-luxury dining experience inside The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The dining room features natural stone, warm wood and large windows that frame views of the Tortolita Mountains. Soft lighting and spacious seating create an upscale but comfortable atmosphere suited for both resort guests and locals.
The adjoining citrus grove provides outstandingly fresh oranges, grapefruits, and tangelos. Dinner guests love the steaks and scallops, while breakfast guests go for the lemon ricotta pancakes and smoked brisket hash.
Crema Coffee operates as a specialty cafe on West Ina Road, focused on craft espresso drinks and a relaxed environment. The interior features exposed brick, minimalist wood furnishings, and art-wall displays from local creators. A small outdoor patio adds casual seating and light for solo work or meet-ups.
Dominick’s Real Italian brings a traditional, family-style Italian atmosphere to Tucson with a focus on hearty comfort dishes. The dining room features warm lighting, brick accents and classic red-and-white table settings that create a nostalgic trattoria feel.
Regulars go for the lasagna, chicken parm, and garlic knots.
Dove M Chinese Bistro offers home-style Chinese and Asian-fusion cuisine in a modest, family-friendly setting on Thornydale Road in Marana. The dining room remains simple and relaxed with casual seating and modest décor that matches its approachable vibe.
The hot and sour soup and egg drop soup, sesame chicken, and Kung Pao chicken are most popular among regulars.
Dove Mountain Brewing Company sits in the scenic Marana area of Dove Mountain, offering a relaxed brewpub experience for locals and visitors alike. The space features a rustic-inspired interior with wood and stone accents, and it offers multiple covered patios for outdoor seating.
The menu often highlights a house-IPA alongside rotating local Arizona craft beers on tap.
El Molinito on Ina Road offers a lively Sonoran Mexican dining experience with colorful décor and a warm neighborhood feel. The interior features bright tile, carved wood accents and festive artwork that create an energetic yet comfortable space.
The carne seca and cheese crisps are the most popular dishes here.
Frankie’s South Philly Cheesesteaks delivers a classic East Coast sandwich experience in a casual Tucson setting. The interior features simple counter service, bright signs and a no frills layout that keeps the focus on the food. This includes sourcing Amoroso rolls.
Regulars opt for the traditional cheesesteak with thin sliced rib-eye and melted provolone.
A menu stacked with all kinds of bratwursts – classic, spicy paprika, even one made with real Warsteiner Beer! And if you’re up for a different kind of sandwich, their Bavarian style meatloaf is a must-try. Wash it all down with a cold drink, and you’re all set for a great German meal!
Growler’s Taphouse brings a lively craft beer atmosphere to Marana with a spacious, pub style setting. The interior features warm wood, exposed brick and large TVs that create an easygoing gathering place. Patio seating adds a relaxed outdoor option that stays busy during cooler evenings.
Wings remain their most popular option, but also grab their burgers and pretzels.
This quaint, brand-new, Mexican restaurant is serving some delicious food and the wings did not disappoint. Their mole wings are served on custom-branded wooden cutting boards.
“The wings had that great mole flavor of a semi-sweet rich and slightly spicy chocolate sauce,” according to the Tucson Wing Expert.
Ignite at The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain offers a refined lounge setting with desert inspired design and sweeping mountain views. The interior features warm wood, stone accents and soft lighting that create an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Guests enjoy both indoor seating and a scenic patio that overlooks the Tortolita Mountains. The fire-themed Bar & Lounge is a bustling hub where guests can enjoy afternoon iced teas with lunch, along with classic cocktails and new concoctions served by a charming team of mixologists.
The fare is combines flavors from the Southwest to dishes inspired by age-old Asian culinary traditions. Ignite also features an extensive array of smoky single-malt scotches and whiskeys from around the world.
Jimmy’s Pita and Poke on River Road offers a bright, fast casual setting focused on fresh build-your-own bowls. The interior features clean lines, colorful menu boards and a simple layout that keeps the ordering process quick.
The menu is generous with toppings, so arrive hungry.
La Carreta del Rorro features a bright green canopy adorned with vintage license plates. Picnic tables and folding chairs fill the space with a salsa bar and drink refrigerators along the wall.
They spread the mayo over the tomatoes rather drizzling it over, leading to more even distribution. To further break outside the norm, pay a little extra to add some crumbly, salty chorizo on top.
La Olla Mexican Cafe welcomes diners with warm yellow walls, wooden tables, and dark chairs in a cozy space. Streamers and festive décor create a family-friendly, informal vibe. Large windows bring in natural light and offer street views near Silverbell Road.
A Marana staple, guests rave about the chicken tortilla soup, Fundido with Anaheim chilies, and deep-fried ground beef tacos for their nostalgic, old-fashioned flavor and satisfying crunch.
La Parrilla Suiza on Ina Road offers a casual sit down setting inspired by Mexico City style cuisine. The interior features warm tile, wood accents and soft lighting that create a comfortable and familiar atmosphere.
Signature items include the queso fundido and chicken enchiladas.
Lucky Wishbone on delivers a casual old school comfort food experience built around fried foods including fried chicken, wings, gizzards, chicken liver, steak fingers, and shrimp.
Meals come with fries and toast. Their house sauce is a zippy cocktail sauce. They also offer a handful of burgers and sandwiches.
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).
Mariscos Chihuahua offers a Mexican seafood-focused menu.
Signature dishes include the Shrimp Culichi, featuring shrimp sautéed in a creamy green chile sauce, and the Camarones Rellenos, bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cheese. The restaurant’s ceviche, particularly the shrimp ceviche tostadas, is also a customer favorite. Other popular items are the Caldo de 7 Mares, a hearty seafood soup, and the Tostada Especial, a combination of cooked shrimp, octopus, and calamari served on a crispy tostada.
Nana’s Kitchen features high ceilings, warm adobe-colored walls, and large murals of Spanish ships and Aztec warriors. The dining room buzzes under hanging lights and ceiling fans, while sombreros and serapes decorate the space. A full bar lines one side, showcasing glassware and a wide selection of tequila.
This family-run restaurant focuses on homestyle Mexican cuisine served with warm, attentive hospitality. Regulars love the beef chimichanga, sopa de tortilla, and ground beef tacos.
Reds Tacos opened in April 2024 at the Tucson Premium Outlets and has been a hit! With family recipes and years of experience cooking at other restaurants, the team is ready to take your order. The name may sound familiar to some folks because they also operate a food truck that’s often parked at Danny’s on Fort Lowell Road.
Sky Rider Cafe sits inside the Ryan Airfield terminal and offers a laid back aviation themed setting. The dining room features large windows that look out over the runway, along with simple tables and vintage flight decor.
Come for the diner comfort classics like chicken fried steak and patty melts.
The Station Pub and Grill offers a lively neighborhood hangout with a classic pub style atmosphere. The interior features brick accents, dark wood and plenty of TVs that create a relaxed spot for sports and casual meals.
Favorites include the wings, burgers, and fish & chips.
Tacos Apson is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in Sonoran-style tacos and hotdogs.
They offer a variety of meats, toppings, and sauces to create delicious and authentic dishes. The restaurant also provides catering services for events and parties. Tacos Apson has a loyal customer base and has been reviewed extensively by food writers including world-class foodie Ruth Reichl.
Next door to Crying Onion Cafe, Tio Ben’s Mexican Grill offers a relaxed neighborhood setting with colorful décor and a friendly, counter service layout. The dining room features bright walls, simple tables and an inviting atmosphere that suits quick lunches or casual dinners.
The homestyle menu gathers praise for its carne asada tacos, overflowing hot molcajetes, and enchiladas.
Tumbleweed Lounge offers a classic roadside bar atmosphere with a laid back, old school desert vibe. The interior features low lighting, vintage beer signs and simple seating that creates a casual, lived-in feel.
Grabbing a cold one is the focus here, but they also offer burgers and wings.
Twin Peaks Pizzeria offers a cozy neighborhood setting centered on New York style pies in northwest Tucson. The interior features warm lighting, simple tables and classic pizzeria décor that create a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere.
Come for a classic pepperoni pizza, white pizza, or stromboli.
