The 14 best restaurants in Tucson

Considered by many to serve the best tacos in the city, Boca Tacos y Tequila offers 20 varieties, from traditional standards (carne asada and pescado) to more eclectic options (AM taco with hash browns and an egg or a taco with honey mustard-marinated tofu). Chef Maria José Mazon is constantly inventing new flavor profiles, and she serves five different salsas with your tacos or chips at any given moment. Past options have included salsas made with blueberry, balsamic vinaigrette, basil, and even Girl Scout cookies. Chips are fried to order and come to the table piping hot.

Price: Average

Nearly 30 years ago, Amanuel Gebremariam opened the Ethiopian marvel Zemam’s in a small rented house that he converted into a restaurant. The eatery is named after his mother, whose recipes inspired the menu. After the success of the original, Gebremariam added a second location to his roster: Zemam’s, Too. Zemam serves a wide selection of vegetarian and meat dishes on a shareable platter with injera flatbread (diners with allergies can pre-order a gluten-free variety of the flatbread). People stop by to enjoy the space’s coziness as well. 

Price: Average

Located in the MSA Annex, a sleek complex of modified shipping containers, Kukai satisfies local cravings for ramen, rice bowls, and sushi. Chef Michael McCormack spent 10 years in the Japanese food industry before opening arguably the best ramen restaurant in Tucson. It starts with a base of Hakata-style broth, which relies exclusively on pork instead of the pork and chicken combination favored in other styles, then adds extras ranging from chashu pork to seaweed and cod roe. The sushi menu is limited but features fresh seafood and traditional combinations. 

Price: Average

Taqueria Pico De Gallo is a Tucson institution and the best local place for tacos (which is saying a lot!). Step inside the marigold building and up to the counter to order the carne asada, fish, and chicken tacos made with mouth-watering thick homemade corn tortillas. In the summertime, stop by for a raspados—shaved ice covered with fresh fruit and ice cream—or order a refreshing horchata.

Price: Bargain

Chef John Martinez worked in kitchens from New York City to Scottsdale, Arizona, before lighting “The Inferno” at this midtown Tucson restaurant with a mid-century modern vibe. Most foods begin or end on the grill, where the heat is so intense staff dip their hands and arms in ice water to cool down as they work. Start with the signature Queso Fundido, a combination of cheese, house-made chorizo, and sautéed mushrooms heated over the coals until it bubbles and served with tortillas. Plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options are available, too. 

Price: Average

Opened in 2018, this fast-casual noodle house has two locations: the original on Grant Road and a second in Plaza Escondida. The staff hand pulls the noodles for the nearly dozen dishes featuring them, some with broth, some without. Start the meal with pan-fried, steamed, or ChaoShou dumplings before diving into the noodles or a rice plate topped with meat and served with bok choy.

Price: Value

Arguably the best pizza in town, the thin-crust deliciousness comes with a variety of toppings, from ricotta to pickled Fresno chile and even Yukon gold potatoes. Once Reilly Funeral Home, the space, now renovated, is fitted with vaulted ceilings, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and antique chandeliers that add to the overall pastoral elegance. After eating, sit outside in the beer garden or head downstairs to the Tough Luck Club, a speakeasy-inspired bar with a stone wall, black leather booths, and a rustic wooden bar.

Price: Pricey

For some authentic, regional Mexican grub, head to Seis Kitchen. Here you'll find dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork from Yucatan), birria (beef stew from Jalisco), and tinga de pollo (smoky chipotle chicken from Puebla). Grab their fresh juice of the day, which ranges from tamarind and pineapple to homemade horchata.

Price: Average

Set at a five-pointed intersection across from the former “Ugly But Honest” car shop location and Five Points Flowers is the 5 Points Market & Restaurant. The staff’s commitment to using local ingredients makes this a beloved destination for both locals and tourists for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Sit outside on the patio and soak in the sun or opt for the indoor section and take in the artwork made by a rotation of local artists. In addition to daily specials, the staff serves a selection of delicious desserts.

Price: Average

Price: Average

A collaboration between celebrated Tucson chefs Devon Sanner and Mat Cable, this restaurant specializes in pasta and pizza with a Sonoran twist. The bold, flavorful dishes on the menu are unlike any you’ll find anywhere else in Tucson or the state, for that matter. Try the Lasagne Sonorense, made with chorizo, red chile sauce, and chile con queso, or one of the creative pizzas.

Price: Average

The Little One, which serves Mexican food with a twist, offers diners a fresh, unique flavor palette in a down-home environment. The Little One is open for breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Friday, and their specials, many of them featuring fire-roasted veggies, change daily. Try one of the aqua frescas they make to order every day, like the ginger, jalapeno, and mint flavors. It’s like being at your auntie’s house—you know, the one who can really cook.

Price: Average

Seafood in the desert? At the Kingfisher, absolutely! The seafood here is always fresh, and the menu rivals top-notch seafood spots in coastal cities. Try the macadamia nut crushed Hawaiian and one of the hand-crafted cocktails like the “Every Cactus Has Its Thorn.” The dim lighting and rounded leather booths will make you feel like you stepped on the set of Mad Men. It’s a great spot for date night or for a group celebration.

Price: Pricey

James Beard semi-finalist Don Guerra of Barrio Bread and chef Carlotta Flores of the El Charro teamed up for this grab-and-go restaurant that features house-made, artisan bread, traditional tamales, and fresh, local ingredients in its soups and salads. Start the day with Carlotta’s Catalina Tamale Plate (two eggs over easy served with a tamale) or Barrio Hollywood Toast (toast topped with refried beans, smashed avocado, pico salsa, and melted Mexican cheeses) with a cup of sweet, cinnamony café de la olla. Although the space is mainly designed for takeout, there are a few tables inside and on the small patio. 

Price: Average