Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Restaurants & bars the Tucson Foodie team is excited to try in 2023

Al Pastor Tacos at La Chaiteria (Photo credit: Jackie Tran)

Restaurants & bars the Tucson Foodie team is excited to try in 2023

Jan 5, 20234 min read

Everyone that contributes to Tucson Foodie, whether they’re a writer, photographer, videographer, etc., is asked a common question: “Where should I eat in Tucson?”

Al Pastor Tacos at La Chaiteria
Al Pastor Tacos at La Chaiteria (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Now, all of us have eaten at many restaurants throughout the city but it’s impossible for everyone to visit all of ’em. So, this year, the team is excited to visit places they haven’t had a chance to stop by yet — our own personal bucket lists for 2023.

Addie Ibarra

Cevapi and Cockta at Chef Alisah's Restaurant (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)
Cevapi and Cockta at Chef Alisah’s Restaurant (Credit: Taylor Noel Photography)
  • Chef Alisah’s Restaurant
  • barbata
  • Blue Front (opening very soon)
  • By The Bucket
  • La Chaiteria
  • Cocteleria La Palma Mariscos Y Mas
  • Indian Twist
  • Salsa Verde
  • The Union Jack 
  • The Persian Room (I’ve already been here but I can’t stop thinking about it)
  • Tita! Tita!
  • Tooley’s Cafe

Chrissy Mance

Happy hour at Good Oak Bar (Credit: Adam Lehrman)
Happy hour at Good Oak Bar (Credit: Adam Lehrman)
  • Good Oak Bar
  • barbata
  • Snake & Barrel (yes, they’re all bars)

Da’Lice Shepard

Wild Garlic Grill (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Filet mignon special at Wild Garlic Grill (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • Wild Garlic Grill (I used to go to the old location on First Avenue, but I am drooling to get into the north location this year)
  • Two Hands Corn Dogs (I’ve been waiting for the hype to come down, but I’m ready now)
  • Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar (I’ve waited my whole life for something good to happen and sustain in this space)
  • eHotPot (COVID tried to stop this place from rising to the top, but here they are)
  • The Coronet Market Cafe (I’ve been to Coronet many times, but never during the day and after drooling over cafe photos all year, I refuse to let any more time come between me and this perfectly crafted breakfast menu)

Hannah Hernandez

Chef Tyler Fenton in the Kitchen at BATA
Chef Tyler Fenton in the Kitchen at BATA (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
  • BATA
  • Queen Sheba Restaurant and Market
  • Bun Dock
  • India Oven
  • Agustin Kitchen
  • Penca
  • Fatman Kitchen
  • Seven Cups
  • The Neighborhood DWT
  • Yamato Japanese Restaurant
  • Anita Street Market
  • Sher-e-Punjab

Jessie Mance

Cacio e pepe at CERES
Cacio e pepe at CERES (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • Ceres
  • Noodleholics
  • Zio Peppe
  • Tacos Apson
  • El Taco Rustico
  • Taqueria Pico De Gallo (when they reopen/more info)
  • Fatman kitchen
  • Karunas (haven’t been since reopen)

Mark Whittaker

Chicken Mole at El Torero
Chicken Mole at El Torero (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • I’ve been super lucky to try a lot of amazing food from new and well-established eateries, but one that I absolutely have on my list is El Torero. So many friends, including a few of my Tucson Foodie teammates, have instructed me to do so. Everything there looks amazing and I plan on setting aside an afternoon to take it all in. In my belly!
  • Otherwise, I just want to ride the 2023 food wave and see where it takes me. That and to get back to Snake & Barrel and sip Whiskey Del Bac in the dark underground.

Matt Sterner

CowPig
CowPig Burger (Photo by Mark Whittaker)
  • CowPig food truck
  • Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar
  • FireTruck Pizza Company
  • Chef Maria Mazon’s new menu at Borderlands Brewing Company (2500 E. Sixth St.)
  • By the Bucket (and I want to attempt to eat it in my car while driving)
  • The Hoppy Vine
  • Blue Front (opening soon)
  • Muncheez food truck
  • Ten55 Brewing Company (wherever the new location ends up)
  • Puro Ice
  • The Blacktop Grill (new spot at Dillinger Brewing Company)
  • Tran’s Fats food truck
  • Kingston Kitchen (formerly CeeDee)
  • Shirt Shop (coming soon next to the new Wooden Tooth Records location downtown)
  • Divine Bovine

Rita Connelly

Dandan Noodles at Noodleholics (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Dandan Noodles at Noodleholics (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • Noodleholics
  • Go Dim Sum
  • El Taco Rustico
  • Taqueria Pico De Gallo (when they reopen/more info)

Sam Jump

Roasted Carrots at Tito & Pep (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Roasted Carrots at Tito & Pep (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • Tito & Pep
  • Janet & Ray’s
  • Ensenada Street Food
  • Urban Fresh
  • Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar
  • Vivace
  • Truland Burgers & Greens
  • Charred Pie
  • Blue Finch Bakery
  • Five Points’ new dinner vibe
  • Contigo Latin Kitchen
  • Go Dim Sum

Sariya Jarasviroj

Smoked salmon nigiri sushi at Sushi on Oracle (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Smoked salmon nigiri sushi at Sushi on Oracle (Credit: Jackie Tran)
  • Sushi on Oracle
  • Zio Peppe
  • Blue Finch Bakery
  • The Dutch – DAM Good Food
  • Hee Mee (I’ve never dined in)
  • Rozet Nursey (morning cafe)
  • Dao’s Tai-Pan
  • Lemongrass
  • Mojo Cuban Kitchen & Rum Bar
  • FatBoy Sandos

Shane Reiser

Dinner at 5 Points (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
Dinner at 5 Points (Photo by Anna Smirnova)
  • 5 Points Market & Restaurant (I want to experience the new dinner menu)
  • Agustin Kitchen (I want to try the menu under the new Executive Chef David Solorzano)
  • Alejandro Serious Mexican, Mariscos, & Fusion Food
  • Bai Thong
  • Blue Willow
  • Dante’s Fire
  • Feast
  • Frank’s & Francisco’s Denoche Restaurant
  • India Oven
  • Jonathan’s Cork
  • Kingfisher
  • North Italia
  • Sushi On Oracle
  • The Dutch – DAM Good Food
  • Transit Tea
  • Union Public House
  • Vivace Restaurant
  • Wild Garlic Grill

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.1K followers
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon
Scratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜

@ikkyu.tucson 
@jaramencurry 
@kiwamiramenbar 
@kukai___ 
@marujapanesenoodle 
@maruplusaz 
@obonsushi 
@raijinramen 
@theramenbartucson 
@tossfriedchickennramen 

More guides on Tucsonfoodie.comScratch-made Japanese ramen goes far beyond instant noodles, with rich broths like tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu. Tucson has more specialty ramen shops than you might expect. Here’s where to find them around town.🍜 @ikkyu.tucson @jaramencurry @kiwamiramenbar @kukai___ @marujapanesenoodle @maruplusaz @obonsushi @raijinramen @theramenbartucson @tossfriedchickennramen More guides on Tucsonfoodie.com