Every year, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine asks its readers to weigh in on food favorites ranging over a number of categories.
While you’ll have to pick up the magazine to see the full feature – complete with all of Thomas Veneklasen’s fancy photos of the top winners – below are some of the highlights along with a Tucson Foodie comment for each win.
Top Five
In alphabetical order:
- Café Poca Cosa
- The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol
- Kingfisher
- Le Rendez-vous
- Vivace
Best American
Wildflower American Cuisine
TF says: Fox Restaurants’ flagship restaurant still stands and thrives 18 years after opening. A defining example of New American cuisine, other worthy contenders include Agustín Kitchen, Commoner & Co., and Proper.
For more information, visit foxrc.com.
Best Chinese
Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant
TF says: With limited hole-in-the-wall Chinese options in town, we don’t frequent this cuisine as often as we’d like, but in addition to Golden Dragon, check out China Szechwan, Jun Dynasty, and Ba-Dar.
For more information, visit goldendragontucson.com.
Best French
Le Rendez-vous
TF says: Le Rendez-vous fills a niche in town unparalleled. While a handful of restaurants offer modern interpretations of French or a mix of cuisines, Le Rendez-vous stands alone. If you’re looking for something French-ish and less traditional, check out Ghini’s and The Coronet.
For more information, visit rendezvoustucson.com.
Best Indian
Saffron Indian Bistro
TF says: We recently highlighted 9 Indian Restaurants To Visit In Tucson, and of course included Saffron. For additional worthy contenders, check the post.
For more information, visit tucsonindianrestaurant.com.
Best Italian
Vivace
TF says: Vivace remains one of Tucson’s most beloved restaurants. Two other Italian favorites to check out, which happen to both be just across the street from Vivace include Tavolino and NoRth.
For more information, visit vivacetucson.com.
Best Japanese
Sakura
TF says: Sakura pretty much pioneered Japanese food in Tucson at a time when few, if any, were offering the cuisine. While Japanese restaurants can generally be categorized into those that offer teppan yaki and those that don’t, other worthy contenders include Yamato, Mr. An’s, and Sachiko.
For more information, visit sakura.tritigerdemo.com.
Best Mexican
El Charro
TF says: Originally opened in 1922, El Charro remains a favorite amongst locals and visitors. While no one offers carne seca like El Charro, great Mexican food can also be found at numerous locations in town such as El Merendero, Mi Nidito, and Lerua’s.
For more information, visit elcharrocafe.com.
Best Thai
Bangkok Café
TF says: Centrally located, Bangkok Café is indeed a great Thai option. If you’re looking to expand upon your Thai favorites, check out Bai Thong and Rita Ranch’s Sa-ing Thai, which we recently featured: Sa-ing Thai: Affordable & Authentic Thai Cuisine In Rita Ranch.
For more information, visit bangkokcafe.net.
Best Vietnamese
Miss Saigon
TF says: Tucson’s standard for Vietnamese, Miss Saigon has been on an expansion kick of late. You’ll never go wrong dining there, but if you’re looking to try something different, check out Pho #1 on Stone near Grant or Pho 88 on Campbell.
For more information, visit misssaigon-tucson.com.
Best Breakfast
Prep & Pastry
TF says: You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like Prep & Pastry. And, what’s not to like? Duck confit, pork belly, doissants, Exo Roast coffee – favorites that are tough to find on most traditional breakfast menus. For breakfast in a similar fashion (sans doissants) check out The Cup Cafe.
For more information, visit prepandpastry.com.
Best Brunch
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
TF says: Ask ten Tucsonans what their favorite brunch is, and chances are they’ll say Hacienda del Sol. It’s too bad you can’t camp out for five hours to really get your fill when partaking. Also worthy: Loews Ventana Canyon‘s brunch and Ritz-Carlton’s at Core.
For more information, visit haciendadelsol.com.
Best New Restaurant
Commoner & Co.
TF says: We recently partnered up with Commoner & Co. for a Tucson Foodie takeover pop-up dinner. Clearly, we’re fans. Other newbies to check out include El Berraco and Goodness‘s dinner.
For more information, visit commonertucson.com.
Best Vegetarian
Lovin’ Spoonfuls
TF says: Lovin’ Spoonfuls has offered Tucsonans a meat free experience for a decade. Other vegetarian favorites include Govinda’s, The Tasteful Kitchen, and Veg In A Box.
For more information, visit lovinspoonfuls.com.
Best Sandwiches
Beyond Bread
TF says: No sandwich list is complete without mention of Beyond Bread. While they didn’t receive a mention in our most recent sandwich roundup, 13 Unique & Delicious Sandwiches To Eat In Tucson, we did shed some love on the popular bakery-sandwich joint in our 2014 roundup, 6 Great Spots For Sandwiches You Might Not Know About.
For more information, visit beyondbread.com.
Best Burger
Zinburger
TF says: It’s no surprise Fox Restaurants’ upscale burger joint consistently wins “best of” awards. Check out our own recent poll of favorite spots for burgers, “What’s Your Favorite Local Burger Joint?”
For more information, visit zinburgeraz.com.
Best Cafe (tie)
Ghini’s French Café
Le Buzz
TF says: Both favorites, for sure. Ghini’s has consistently offered a delicious French inspired breakfast for over 20 years. Basted eggs standard? Yes, please. If you’re on the far east side, however, Le Buzz has some of the most crave-worthy baked goods in town.
For more information, visit ghiniscafe.com and lebuzzcaffe.com.
Tucson Lifestyle Magazine is a monthly magazine featuring an annual Culinary Awards reader survey. For more information visit tucsonlifestyle.com or the current Tucson Lifestyle’s 2016 Culinary Awards issue.
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