Dinner at 5 Points (Photo by Jackie Tran)
5 Points
756 South Stone AvenueDowntown
- Kale Caesar
- Smoked Beet Sandwich
- Huevos Rancheros
- Barrio Bread Heritage Toast with house preserves
- Braised Beet + Endive
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

Guide
Hi, I’m Shane — owner and publisher of Tucson Foodie.
I’ve been eating and drinking my way through Tucson for over a decade, but things really accelerated in 2022 when I took over Tucson Foodie and made it my full-time mission to explore and celebrate this city’s food scene. Since then, I’ve tasted just about everything I can get my hands on — not just for the sake of research, but because I genuinely love this town and the people feeding it.
Whenever someone asks me where to eat, I always recommend a specific dish or drink. There are only a handful of places in Tucson where I love everything on the menu (as you'll see below) — for most spots, there’s a dish that keeps me coming back.
So I started keeping track.
This is a living guide to my favorite dishes and drinks in Tucson — the ones I crave, recommend, or go out of my way for. I update it regularly: adding new discoveries, removing dishes and drinks when they’re no longer available.
Bookmark this page, and if you create a free account, you can build your own hit list, too. Just tap “Add To My List” next to any place, and it will create a personalized map (just like this one) to help you on your foodie adventures.
To read what the editor Jackie Tran likes to order, click here.Dinner at 5 Points (Photo by Jackie Tran)
756 South Stone AvenueDowntown
Crispy Latke w/ Poached Egg and Lox at Agustin Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)
100 South Avenida del ConventoDowntown
5851 North Oracle RoadNorthwest
I usually go for mole that’s dark, rich, and sweet, but the bright, tangy mole on the veggie enchiladas at Amelia’s won me over. It’s a lighter, vibrant take that still delivers big flavor.
Fettucine Alfredo at Vero Amore (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
12130 North Dove Mountain BoulevardMarana
Anello (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
El Crisol (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
196 West Simpson StreetDowntown
barbata, in the basement (Photo courtesy of BATA)
Breakfast Burrito at Barista del Barrio (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
1002 North Grande AvenueDowntown
Barrio Bread (Photo by Jackie Tran)
18 South Eastbourne AvenueMidtown
Dining room & bar at Bashful Bandit Barbecue (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
3686 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown
Green Cabbage & Potatoes at Bata (Photo credit: Natalie Moe)
5118 South 12th AvenueSouth Side
100 North Stone AvenueDowntown
Chef Matt Boling’s Italian Pulled Pork sandwich is juicy with a hint of sweetness and served on perfectly balanced bread - soft inside with a thin, crispy exterior that adds just the right crunch without overwhelming the sandwich.
Photo Courtesy of Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
Cafe Crisol (Photos by Anna Smirnova)
196 West Simpson StreetDowntown
Variety platter at Cafe Desta (Photo by Jackie Tran)
758 South Stone AvenueDowntown
Cafe Francais on Broadway (Photo by Jackie Tran)
7831 East Wrightstown RoadEastside
(Photo Courtesy of Cafe Santa Rosa)
2615 South 6th AvenueSouth Tucson
Birria Tacos at Carnitas La Yoca (Photo by Isaac Stockton)
3530 South 6th AvenueSouth Side
Casa Asada Taqueria y Cerveceria (Photo by Jackie Tran)
2502 North Campbell AvenueMidtown
Rib-eye with Roasted Poblano Chile Scalloped Potatoes at Casa Madre (Photo by Jackie Tran)
(Photo Courtesy of Casa Film Bar)
2905 East Speedway BoulevardUniversity & 4th Ave
(Photo by Jackie Tran)
77 West Washington StreetDowntown
Charro Steak (Photo by Jackie Tran)
188 East Broadway BoulevardDowntown
(Photo courtesy of Core at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain)
15000 North Secret Springs DriveMarana
Crooked Tooth Brewing Company (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
The Deposition (Photo courtesy of Cup Cafe)
311 East Congress StreetDowntown
Del Cielos (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)
3073 North Campbell AvenueMidtown
Chalupas at El Antojo Poblano (Photo by Jackie Tran)
1108 West Saint Marys RoadDowntown
Carne Seca Burrito at El Charro Cafe (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
311 North Court AvenueDowntown
Tacos at El Taco Rustico (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
Mahi Mahi Tacos at El Torero Restaurant (Photo by Jackie Tran)
231 East 26th StreetSouth Tucson
Jalapeno Peppers at Elliott's on Congress (Photo by Jackie Tran)
135 East Congress StreetDowntown
Elote Pizza at Empire Pizza (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
137 East Congress StreetDowntown
Espresoul Café (Photo credit: Mark Whittaker)
Dining room at Falora (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Fatman Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Fiamme Pizza (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
4706 East Sunrise DriveFoothills
(Photo courtesy of Go Dim Sum)
Vegan food at Govinda's Natural Foods Buffet (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)
711 East Blacklidge DriveMidtown
Chili verde and fresh tortillas at Guadalajara Original Grill (Photo by Jackie Tran)
(Photo courtesy of Hacienda Del Sol)
5501 North Hacienda Del Sol RoadFoothills
Heemee Coffee & Bakery (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
20 East Congress StreetDowntown
(Photo Courtesy of Heirloom Farmers Market)
Vegan Donuts at Houlden's Rise Above (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)
India Oven (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
2727 North Campbell AvenueMidtown
Istanbul Mediterranean (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
2945 East Speedway BoulevardUniversity & 4th Ave
76 West Washington StreetDowntown
(Photo Courtesy of Karuna's Thai Plate)
1917 East Grant RoadUniversity & 4th Ave
(Photo courtesy of Kon Tiki)
4625 East Broadway BoulevardMidtown
Sushi, onigiri, and more at Kukai (Photo by Jackie Tran)
267 South Avenida del ConventoDowntown
Lo mein and wontons at Kung Fu Noodle (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)
3122 North Campbell Avenue #100Midtown
The Cuban Tacos at La Chaiteria (Photo by Shane Reiser)
1002 West Congress StreetDowntown
Birria tacos (Photo courtesy of La Chingada)
110 East Pennington StreetDowntown
Bandera from La Estrella (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
120 South Avenida del Convento #100Downtown
(Photo courtesy of La Indita Mexican Restaurant on Facebook)
722 North Stone AvenueDowntown
Combo Plate La Olla Mexican Cafe (Photo by J. Martin Harris Photography)
8553 North Silverbell RoadMarana
Le Buzz Caffe (Photo by Jackie Tran)
9121 East Tanque Verde RoadTanque Verde & Sabino
Lasagna (Photo courtesy of Locale Neighborhood Italian)
423 Upper Elgin RoadElgin / Sonoita
2990 N. Campbell Ave. #120Midtown
(Photo Courtesy of Maico Restaurant Mexican Food)
Mama Louisa's (Photo by Jackie Tran)
2041 South Craycroft RoadMidtown
3901 South 6th AvenueSouth Side
Several dishes at Maru Plus (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
2741 North Campbell AvenueMidtown
353 South Meyer AvenueDowntown
Photo Courtesy of Mojo Cuban Kitchen and Rum Bar
1929 East Grant RoadUniversity & 4th Ave
MotoSonora Brewing Company (Photo credit: Through the Hoop Photography)
1015 South Park AvenueDowntown
The Nightjar (Photo credit: Anna Smirnova)
347 South Meyer AvenueDowntown
Hanger Steak & Eggs at Nook (Photo by Jackie Tran)
1 East Congress StreetDowntown
Assorted dishes at OBON (Photo by Addie Ibarra)
350 East Congress StreetDowntown
Dining room at Penca (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
50 East Broadway BoulevardDowntown
Penelope Pizza (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Perche' No (Photo by Rita Connelly)
46 West Congress StreetDowntown
Pinnacle Peak (Photo by Jackie Tran)
6541 East Tanque Verde RoadEastside
(Photo courtesy of Pueblo Vida Brewing Company)
115 East Broadway BoulevardDowntown
(Photo courtesy of Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar)
6444 North Oracle RoadNorthwest
Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
101 East Pennington StreetDowntown
2555 East Broadway BoulevardUniversity & 4th Ave
(Photo courtesy of Rollies Mexican Patio)
4573 South 12th AvenueSouth Side
Roma Imports (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Rosebud Bakery (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
Sonoran Dogs at Ruiz Hot Dogs (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
Curry Lamb at Sher-E-Punjab (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)
(Photo courtesy of Street Taco & Beer Co.)
10785 North Oracle RoadOro Valley
128 East Congress StreetDowntown
Tanias 33 interior (Photo by Jackie Tran)
614 North Grande AvenueDowntown
2456 North Silver Mosaic DriveWestside
(Photo courtesy of The Coronet)
198 West Cushing StreetDowntown
The Jackrabbit Lounge (Photo credit: Mark Whittaker)
3800 East Sunrise DriveFoothills
Pastries at Time Market (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)
444 East University BoulevardDowntown
Kampachi Aguachile at Tito & Pep (Photo by Jackie Tran)
4122 East Speedway BoulevardMidtown
7366 North Paseo Del NorteOro Valley
Photo Courtesy of Twisted Union Wine Company
The 2022 Joy Rider has officially joined my rather short list of favorite Arizona wines in Tucson. In their words - it's a Tuscan-inspired blend of herbaceous aromas, a touch of smoke, tomato leaf, and orange zest, with bright flavors of tart cherry, plum, and blood orange.
(Photo courtesy of Uptown Burger)
6370 North Campbell AvenueFoothills
Urban Fresh (Photo credit: Hannah Hernandez)
73 East Pennington StreetDowntown
110 East Congress StreetDowntown
Ursa served me one of the best desserts of my life: Mesquite Seven Ways, a custard so silky and flavorful it tasted like the best ice cream I’ve ever had. With a constantly shifting, locally foraged menu and a refined eight-course experience shaped by guest feedback, Ursa brings unmatched hospitality to downtown - absolutely worth a reservation.
Daniel Scordato of Vivace (Photo by Taylor Noel Photography)
6440 North Campbell AvenueFoothills
Sushi and nigiri at Yamato Japanese Restaurant (photo credit: Jackie Tran)
Yellow Brick Coffee courthouse location (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)
114 North Church AvenueDowntown
Pizzas at Zio Peppe (Photo by Jackie Tran)
6502 East Tanque Verde RoadEastside
For Top Tucson eats, we’ve got OG Sonoran Mexican staples like carne seca and red chile burritos. Locally-sourced Southwestern dishes are also popular. Then there’s the classic comfort food with a Tucson twist – ranch fries, chili dogs and insane burgers.