Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Tucson Foodie’s 10 Most Popular Guides of 2025

Tucson Foodie’s 10 Most Popular Guides of 2025

Dec 30, 20255 min read

When you’re figuring out where to eat for the right craving or occasion, we have your back. Here are the most popular guides we have.

10. The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Tucson

(Photo by Shannon Christine Photo for BATA)
(Photo by Shannon Christine Photo for BATA)

All dressed up with plenty of places to go — your official guide to the all cool spots to have that hot night out in the desert. For special occasions, fancy pants dates, or “treat-yo’-self” indulgences, check out these gorgeous Tucson restaurants.

Read the guide The Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Tucson.

9. Best Breakfast in Tucson

a picture of breakfast food
One Egg Biscuit with Meat and Cheese at Raptor Canyon Cafe (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Whether you’re chasing a hearty plate of huevos rancheros, a flaky croissant sandwich, or a cup of locally roasted coffee to start your day, Tucson’s breakfast scene delivers on all fronts. From cozy neighborhood cafes to bustling brunch hotspots, the city offers a variety of flavors to suit every morning craving.

Read the guide Best Breakfast in Tucson.

8. Foodie 15: Best Chinese Restaurants in Tucson

Fatman Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)

We actually have a nice selection of restaurants from a few regions of China. Cantonese and Sichuan restaurants are the most prominent here, so hopefully, we’ll see the other regions rise to prominence in the near future as well.

Read the guide Foodie 15: Best Chinese Restaurants in Tucson.

7. The Best Brunch In Tucson

The Snickerdoodle Pancake and mimosas at Baja Cafe (Photo by Jackie Tran)
The Snickerdoodle Pancake and mimosas at Baja Cafe (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Breakfast plus mimosas.

Read the guide The Best Brunch In Tucson.

6. The Best Burgers in Tucson

The Funny Farm Hand Burger at Divine Bovine (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Here are some of our favorite burgers across Tucson.

Read the guide The Best Burgers in Tucson.

5. Where to Eat & Drink in Downtown Tucson

an overhead picture of pastries
Pastry Empanadas at Bombole Eatery (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Downtown Tucson’s culinary landscape is ever-evolving, offering a dynamic mix of traditional eateries and modern culinary hotspots. This guide is designed to provide you with up-to-date recommendations and insights into the best dining experiences Tucson’s Downtown has to offer.

Read the guide Where to Eat & Drink in Downtown Tucson.

4. The Best Pizza in Tucson

Pizzas at Zio Peppe (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Pizzas at Zio Peppe (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Ready to dive into Tucson’s pizza scene? Or should we say “Tuscan?” (we shouldn’t). From sourdough perfection at Anello to solar-powered slices at Brooklyn Pizza Company, this guide is your ticket to the tastiest slices in town.

Read the guide The Best Pizza in Tucson.

3. New Restaurants, Bars & Coffee Shops in Tucson 2025

Cocktail at UnCork'd Kitchen & Cocktails (Photo by Jackie Tran)
Cocktail at UnCork’d Kitchen & Cocktails (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Here’s our guide to new local restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Tucson that have opened in 2025.

Read the guide New Restaurants, Bars & Coffee Shops in Tucson 2025.

2. Where I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order)

Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich at Forbes Meat Company (Photo by Shane Reiser)

Hi, I’m Shane — owner and publisher of Tucson Foodie.

I’ve been eating and drinking my way through Tucson for over a decade, but things really accelerated in 2022 when I took over Tucson Foodie and made it my full-time mission to explore and celebrate this city’s food scene. Since then, I’ve tasted just about everything I can get my hands on — not just for the sake of research, but because I genuinely love this town and the people feeding it.

Whenever someone asks me where to eat, I always recommend a specific dish or drink. There are only a handful of places in Tucson where I love everything on the menu (as you’ll see below) — for most spots, there’s a dish that keeps me coming back.

So I started keeping track.

This is a living guide to my favorite dishes and drinks in Tucson — the ones I crave, recommend, or go out of my way for. I update it regularly: adding new discoveries, removing dishes and drinks when they’re no longer available.

Bookmark this page, and if you create a free account, you can build your own hit list, too. Just tap “Add To My List” next to any place, and it will create a personalized map (just like this one) to help you on your foodie adventures.

To read what the editor Jackie Tran likes to order, click here.

Read the guide Where I Eat in Tucson (and What I Order).

1. The Ultimate Tucson Restaurant Bucket List

a large building with a mountain in the background
(Photo courtesy of Visit Tucson)

Welcome to Tucson Foodie’s comprehensive guide to the absolute best restaurants in Tucson. The restaurant scene showcases an extraordinary tapestry of cultures, tastes, and innovative gastronomic experiences. It’s a paradise for food lovers, with an eclectic mix of flavors that can satisfy the most discerning palate, making it a hidden gem in the culinary world. We’re on a journey to discover some of the best food in Tucson that reflects the city’s melting pot of cultures.

To help you navigate through this culinary adventure, we’ve poured our hearts, souls, and appetites into compiling this extensive guide. Every member of the Tucson Foodie team has pitched in, adding their top picks and must-try places. This isn’t just a list — it’s a labor of love, born out of countless meals, passionate discussions, and a shared commitment to promoting the amazing culinary scene that Tucson has to offer.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, this guide is your passport to experience the best of what Tucson’s restaurants have to offer. Enjoy your gastronomic journey!

This guide (and all our guides) are updated on a real-time basis as places close and new places open.

Brought to you with support from Visit Tucson.

Read the guide The Ultimate Tucson Restaurant Bucket List.


For the most popular news and feature articles, read our article Tucson Foodie’s 10 Most Popular Articles of 2025.

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