23 Spots For Late-Night Eats in Tucson

Whether you’re trying to curb the likelihood of a hangover or are simply hungry later than most, late-night options are slim in Tucson.

While chain diners like IHOP and Waffle House and taquerias such as Nico’s and Los Betos are always an option — as well as the shhh-don’t-tell-anyone fast-food drive-thru — sometimes what’s desired is something better. Maybe even with table service.

From delicious pizza and nachos to must-try seafood and sandwiches, here are local spots for late-night eats.

Arizona Inn

2200 E. Elm St.

Believe it or not, Arizona Inn serves a full menu until midnight at their Audubon Bar & Patio. This historic inn does it right, too. Choose from a full dinner menu, a more casual bar menu, and a wide assortment of wine, beer, and cocktails.

Highlights include:

• Tiny BLTS – cheddar chive biscuits filled with bacon, arugula, tomato jam, and bacon mayo
• Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese Panna Cotta – crispy balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts with savory goat cheese panna cotta

Open: 11:30 a.m. – midnight daily.

For more information, visit arizonainn.com.

Bison Witches

326 N. Fourth Ave.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpR8ndvjLP0/

With a menu featuring 26 sandwiches, nine salads, five bread bowl soups, and seven appetizers, Bison Witches can satisfy many appetites. Open from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. daily, Bison Witches is a popular late-night option for grabbing a delicious bite with friends.

Must-try items:

• Any soup in a bread bowl
• Green Turkey – turkey, bacon, avocado, sprouts, mayo, cream cheese, and salsa on a choice of white, wheat, or marble rye

Open: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. daily, but the kitchen closes at midnight.

For more information, visit bisonwitchestucson.com.

Brooklyn Pizza Company

534 N. Fourth Ave.

Great pies and hipster to the core, Brooklyn Pizza has served as a sanctuary for those looking to grab a quick slice or two. Part of the late-night scene, Brooklyn stays open until 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday feeding hungry customers through a slice take-out window.

Favorites:

• Flatbush Feast Pizza – pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, onion
• Vatican Veggie Sandwich – avocado, sprouts, spinach, marinated tomato, black olives, onion, cheddar cheese, mustard

Open: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily, late-night slices 11 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Thursday – Saturday.

For more information, visit brooklynpizzacompany.com.

Culinary Dropout

2543 E. Grant Rd.

While Culinary Dropout features a wide menu available deep into the night, diners also find themselves coming back for the live music and fun activities such as cornhole and table soccer.

Highlights

• Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue
• Monkey Bread – cinnamon apple brioche & vanilla ice cream (great to share, baked to order!)

Open: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Monday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – midnight on Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit culinarydropout.com.

Dante’s Fire

2526 E. Grant Rd.

With the entire menu available until close, Dante’s Fire has become a hotspot for those looking to enjoy a hearty meal after a night out.

The menu features starters, burgers, pastas, salads, and desserts. Open until 2 a.m. daily, this place has the potential to become your late night go to.

Highlighted options:

• Chicken Marsala – truffle risotto, asparagus tips, manchego foam, portabella mushrooms
• The Stolen Burger – wild Mushrooms, muenster, garlic pesto mayonnaise, house-made butter bun, cajun garlic fries

Open: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. daily.

Read our April 2019 article Dante’s Fire Ken Foy stoking new flames with fresh menu updates, new partner.

For more information, visit dantesfireaz.com.

The Drunken Chicken

429 N. Fourth Ave.

The Drunken Chicken features simple dishes and quality ingredients that are quick to impress. Try the dips, maple syrups, and order any combo that gets you chicken and beer-battered waffles.

Highlighted Items:

• Chicken & Waffle Bites – chicken “nuggs’ fried to order, then deep fried in waffle batter
• Heart Attack – a bit of everything: two of our delicious monster chicken strips, mashed potatoes, gravy, bacon and a fried egg, sandwiched between two waffle buns

Kitchen Open: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – midnight Friday, 10 a.m. – midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit thedrunkenchickenaz.com.

Elliott’s on Congress

135 E. Congress St.

Open until 2 a.m. daily, Elliott’s has earned a loyal following from workers in the food industry. Go for the bacon, duck, and infused vodkas.

Highlighted options:

• Bacon Rangoons – four wontons stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, jalapeño bacon, and green onions, served with mango habanero sauce
• Duck Club – triple-decker sandwich layered with orange-chili marinated duck, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Mandarin mayo on wheatberry bread

Open: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Thursday to Saturday. The bar closes at 2 a.m. daily.

For more information, visit elliottsoncongress.com.

Empire Pizza & Pub

137 E. Congress St.

Another New York-style pizza joint, Empire Pizza & Pub offers one tasty pie. Located on downtown’s Congress Street, Empire enjoys its fair share of late-night pizza seekers.

With wings, salads, and desserts, pizza isn’t the only thing Empire does well. Open until 3 a.m. four days a week, this place has made a name for itself in the minds and mouths of hungry customers.

Stand out items:

• Elote pizza
• Tiramisu

Open: 10 a.m. – midnight daily and late-night hours are midnight – 3 a.m. Wednesday – Saturday.

For more information, visit empirepizzapub.com.

Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar

220 N. Fourth Ave.

From 10 p.m. – close, Ermanos serves up their late night-exclusive menu with tasty dishes such as the vegan Splendid Burger and Mac ‘n Cheese.

Highlights from the late-night menu

• Spicy fried chicken sandwich — Buttermilk chicken, house fermented wasabi pickles, cabbage slaw and chili pepper remoulade on brioche bun
• Nachos —Smoked gouda, black beans, pico de gallo, cotija, avocado salsa verde, and Alejandro’s tortilla chips

Open: 11 a.m. – midnight Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit ermanosbrew.com.

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

266 E. Congress St.

In the center of the downtown area, HUB offers families and club-goers house-made ice cream, craft cocktails, and a menu chock full of elevated comfort food. Located directly along Tucson’s streetcar route, it’s easy to enjoy HUB’s lobster mac and cheese, pastrami sandwiches, and chicken pot pie. HUB is open every day until midnight.

Popular items:

• Prime Fries – prime rib, caramelized onions, cheese sauce
• Ponzu Glazed Pork Belly – slow-roasted all-natural duroc pork belly, pineapple kimchi, Sonoran wheat berries, ponzu, soy aioli

Open: 11 a.m. – midnight daily.

For more information, visit hubdowntown.com.

Karamelo King

3752 E. Grant Rd.

Although Karamelo King opened a brick-and-mortar at 5224 E. Pima St., the beloved stand at Grant Road is still operating at night to take care of your drunchies. The hot dog and carne asada stand serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, caramelos, and hielitos, Mexican frozen desserts.

Highlights:

• Caramelo with juicy birria on a corn tortilla
• Carne Asada taco

Open: 4 p.m. – midnight from Monday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Keep up with Karamelo King on Instagram. 

Kimchi Time

2900 E. Broadway Blvd.

Whether you stop in for bibimbap, tteokbokki, gal bi short ribs or late-night drinks, consider this Korean restaurant when choosing. Stay tuned for updates on the addition of a karaoke bar and expanded restaurant space.

Menu highlights:

• Dolsot Bibim Bop — rice, veggies, and sliced beef served in a hot stone bowl
• Dduk bok ki — pan-fried rice cakes served in a spicy sauce with ramen noodles

Open: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 4 p.m. – midnight Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and Fridays, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays.

Read our 2019 article Korean favorite Kimchi Time bold and flavorful, expansion in the works.

Keep up with Kimchi Time on Instagram.

Kingfisher

2564 E. Grant Rd.

A Tucson mainstay, Kingfisher offers a late-night menu featuring a variety of killer dishes. Oysters, as well as Steamed Black Mussels with Sriracha and sweet butter, and a Maine lobster roll with shoestring fries make the menu. Whether you get off work late or are enjoying the night out with friends, Kingfisher is open every day of the week until midnight.

Must-try items:

• Oyster Bar Tasting – oysters (3), grilled shrimp (2), smoked ruby trout, ceviche, condiments
• Kingfisher’s Lobster Roll – Maine lobster, scallions, peppers, celery, caper mayonnaise, shoestring fries, slaw

Open: 11 a.m. – midnight Monday – Friday, 5 p.m. – midnight Saturday – Sunday.

Read our February 2019 article Kingfisher Still a Catch After 25 Years in Tucson.

For more information, visit kingfishertucson.com.

Kon Tiki 

4625 E. Broadway Blvd.

If you want a late-night bite to accompany a few delicious tropical drinks, Kon Tiki is the place.

Go with a Kon Tiki Mai Tai or have a true Hawaiian experience with the Scorpion Bowl — a tropical blend served in a life-size bowl, with a touch of fire.

Another go to is the Batwings — Bacardi Limon marinated “batwings” tossed with house-made tamarindo sauce.

Standout items: 

• Monkeys & Birds On A Stick – Tender cubes of sirloin skewered, marinated, charbroiled and served with teriyaki glaze.
• Samoan BBQ Pork sandwich – Slow cooked BBQ pulled pork served on a kaiser roll with bacon slices, slaw, and choice of sides.

Open: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. daily.

For more information, visit kontikitucson.com/menu.

Lindy’s On 4th 

500 N. Fourth Ave.

A cornerstone of Fourth Avenue’s food scene, Lindy’s On 4th serves up some of Tucson’s most well-known burgers.

Known for their outrageous topping combinations and hefty portions, Lindy’s is a popular choice. Open until 2 a.m. Friday through Saturday, the burger joint lends itself well to those looking for a lot of food at odd hours of the night—or day.

Favorite items:

• Dirty Sanchez — Green chiles, jalapeños, pepper jack, and guacamole
• 2 Finger Peekaboo — Mushrooms, onion ring, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on two grilled cheese buns

Open: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Friday – Saturday.

For more information, visit lo4th.com.

Maynards Market & Kitchen

400 N. Toole Ave.

Maynards Kitchen’s Reverse Happy Hour is available after 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy discounted drinks and rotating specials accompanied by entertainment from local musicians.

Stand-out items:

• Poutine – double-blanched pommes frites, local cheese curds, duck confit, roasted duck gravy, and cracklins
• Steak Tartare – seasoned hand-chopped raw beef, celery, perilla seeds, beer vinegar chips

Open: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday and it closes at 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday. Reverse Happy Hour is available after 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Read our February 2019 article Maynards Hits Their 10-Year Milestone & Continues To Serve Tucson “Full Steam.”

For more information, visit maynardstucson.com.

Omar’s Hi-Way Chef

5451 E. Benson Hwy.

It’s open 24/7. Hello pit-stop… for Country Fried Steak and Eggs, Mushroom and Swiss Burgers, hot sandwiches, and an extensive menu that might boggle your brain on a long road trip.

The diner, offering up a range of eats from breakfast to dessert, is located inside the Tucson Truck Terminal—aka Triple T Truck Stop—off exit 268, the Craycroft exit off I-10.

Highlights:

• The Trucker – three eggs any style with a 6 oz. prime-rib steak
• A Little of Everything – one beef taco, one cheese enchilada, one beef tamale
• Deep Dish Hot Apple Pie – with soft-serve ice cream

Keep up with Omar’s Hi Way Chef on Facebook.

The Parish

6453 N. Oracle Rd.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ttvddBxzy/

A haven for those seeking Southern cuisine, The Parish features classics like frog legs, crawfish hushpuppies, and much more.

This unique restaurant often offers live music to pair with a diverse menu of Louisiana favorites for those who like to stay out late. If you want to try the likes of Baked Oysters Bleu, Bacon Popcorn, Hand Cut Fries and Hushpuppies (to name a few), catch their late-night menu (served from 10 p.m. – close Tuesday – Saturday).

Late-night drinks and eats are served from 10 p.m. to midnight from Friday – Saturday.

Local standouts:

• Guedry’s Gumbo — chicken and Andouille sausage with a crescent of hushpuppies
• The Parish Burger — an award-winning signature burger with bleu cheese, bacon, red onion marmalade, Dijon mustard

Open: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. – midnight Tuesday – Saturday, and 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday.

Read our October 2019 article Southern hospitality meets creative food, bev & ambience at The Parish.

For more information, visit theparishtucson.com.

Surly Wench Pub

424 N. Fourth Ave.

A hidden gem, Surly Wench’s kitchen offers hand-formed burgers and more fried goodies than you can shake your drink at.

Highlights:

• Hangover Tots – Swiss cheese, poblano sauce, fried egg
• Deep Fried Oreos – four with maple syrup

Kitchen open: 5 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. daily

For more information, visit surlywenchpub.com.

Trident Grill

2033 E. Speedway Blvd. • 2910 N. Swan Rd. • 250 S. Craycroft Rd. • 2912 W. Ina Rd.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYEBvIagq0Y/

This local sports bar and restaurant has four locations around town as well as their pizza concept, Trident Pizza Pub, which is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

They have a variety of beers on tap, bottles, and a decent wine selection for those supporting game day or just stopping by for a bite to eat.

Highlights:

• World Famous Fried Pickles – beer-battered spears, ranch
• Wildcat Burger –  bacon, cheddar, onion rings, Chef from Hell bbq sauce

Kitchen open: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – midnight Friday – Saturday.

F0r more information, visit tridentgrill.com.

Trident Pizza Pub

446 N. Campbell Ave.

With a walk-up window for takeaway pizza, roll-up windows, a new seating arrangement, and a new kitchen layout, the Trident family are here to repel your late-night hunger pangs with ease.

Highlights:

• Trident Knots – garlic, warm red sauce
• 007 Pizza – Impossible Burger, mushrooms, three-tomato bruschetta, bell peppers, onions, red sauce, vegan mozzarella, cauliflower crust

Kitchen open: 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, and 11 a.m. – midnight Friday – Saturday.

Read our February 2019 article Trident Pizza Pub Serves Hand-Tossed, Brick-Oven Pizza with a Tucson Twist.

F0r more information, visit tridentgrill.com/pizzapub.

Union Public House

4340 N. Campbell Ave.

Union Public House may be known for their popular Whiskey Wednesdays, but UPH’s Pretzels with cheese sauce, NY Strip, and Pulled Pork Sliders provide the perfect accompaniment to a night of clinking glasses. Open until 2 a.m. daily, grab a drink or stay the whole night.

Standouts:

• Chicken & Waffle – buttermilk fried half chicken, corn waffle, bacon-infused maple syrup, hot sauce
• Crispy Cauliflower – choice of honey mustard and chives, Sriracha honey sesame or Buffalo style

Open: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. Saturday – Sunday.

For more on Union Public House, please visit uniontucson.com.

Urban Pita

345 E. Congress St. Ste. 135

Urban Pita welcomes those looking for a lunch-time or late-night bite. If the fast-casual environment, quick service, and street-facing windows for people watching won’t lure you in, you’ll have to try one of their popular plates—that’ll do the trick!

Highlights:

• Meat Plate Combo – gyro and chicken shawarma served with Greek salad, hummus, and pita
• Chicken Shawarma w/ Garlic Sauce Plate – served with Greek salad, hummus, pita, and garlic sauce

Open: 11 a.m. – midnight Monday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m. Thursday – Friday, noon – 3 a.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. – midnight Sunday.

For more information, visit urbanpitaaz.com.

More options

If you’re out in the following areas, give these a try:

• Guide to 38 local spots around University of Arizona to grab a bite
• Your guide to 32 bars & restaurants on Fourth Avenue

[This article was originally written on January 18, 2019, and most recently updated on February 21, 2020. Sarah Pelfini and Kate Severino contributed to this article]