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.
What InsideHook highlighted
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.
Tucson’s City of Gastronomy legacy
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.
How InsideHook chose the winners
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.
A continued spotlight on Tucson food
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.
