Tucson’s dining scene continued to evolve in 2025, with new restaurants bringing fresh energy, ideas, and flavors across the city. From chef-driven concepts to neighborhood standouts, these openings shaped how Tucson ate this year.
Here are Tucson Foodie’s staff picks for our favorite new Tucson restaurants of 2025.
Shane Reiser
Sunshine Wine is my favorite restaurant of 2025. It lives inside an adorable old adobe home, the menu is always evolving and always excellent, and you can feel how much care goes into every detail. They’ve quietly assembled an all-star team front and back of house, and it shows the moment you sit down.
Read our June 2025 article Inside Sunshine Wine: Tucson’s Newest Wine Bar & Outdoor Patio Hangout.
Hannah Hernandez
Cal’s Bakeshop’s new brick-and-mortar in Rocco’s old spot is cozy, with plenty of seating. I’ve loved their treats for a long time, and it’s so nice to be able to walk in anytime and enjoy them, especially with the variety of vegan options and drinks like the blueberry matcha.
Read our Oct. 2025 article Cal’s Bakeshop to open brick-and-mortar location October 11 [PHOTOS].
Addie Ibarra
Chef Rosalio really knocked it out of the park with Kintoki. The sushi is high quality and the rolls are very creative and meticulously crafted, but the wings stood out to me. I usually don’t order wings but these were crispy, large, and sauced to perfection. I also really recommend their cocktail program.
Read our Dec. 2025 article Tucson brothers turn former El Berraco into Kintoki Sushi House & Bar.
I love everything at Kin Dee Thai. There’s so much heart in everything they do.
Read our article Photo Tour: Soft Opening at Kin Dee Thai.
Chrissy Mance
Sonoran House felt like they answered my work-from-home prayers and gave me truffle fries as a gift! Such a great place and so versatile, meet a friend for Girl Dinner (Caesar salad and truffle fries) or get my favorite (grilled cheese and truffle fries) during a work lunch. The boards are also delicious and the staff is super friendly.
Read our July 2025 article Sonoran House Sam Hughes Grand Opening July 28 [PHOTO PREVIEW].
(Editor’s note: they opened late 2024, but we’ll let it slide here)
NYPD finally opened closer to my house. And bonus, it’s right by U of A so it’s easy to get my college-aged daughter to meet me there. The garlic cheese ties are indulgent, gooey-crispy goodness and I just can’t refuse them. If you love carbs, cheese and garlic, these are my favorite in town.
Jackie Tran
Sunwine Wine is also my favorite of the year, but Shane already gave them love… so here two restaurants that has me widen my eyes upon first bite.
Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy isn’t shy with butter or garlic. I love the aggressive seasoning that feels nostalgic while maintaining modern sensibilities.
Read our March 2025 article Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy: Where Tradition Meets Modern Technique.
Brindis Mediterranean Cuisine is too far from me to visit often, but I still think of their mezze and fresh oven-fired bread as one of my favorite meals of the year.
Read our April 23 article Wood-Fired Turkish Pides & More at Brindis Mediterranean Cuisine (PHOTOS).
On the other hand, Kneller’s Delicatessen & Appetizing has a central location for me to visit regularly. While I’m still working my way through the menu bit by bit, their simple deli pickles might be my favorite in town. And I have extra respect when I see a hands-on owner-operator every time I visit.
Read our Jan. 2025 article Jewish Soul Food and Tradition Shine at Kneller’s Delicatessen.
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Article written by:
Jackie Tran
More about JackieJackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
