18 Must-Try Restaurants in “The Old Pueblo”
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
11. La Placita Cafe
La Placita is the little hidden gem often overlooked by tourists. It’s tucked away in a mostly abandoned strip mall and thus sees little traffic. La Placita offers a great menu of Mexican specialties as well as traditional favorites like fajitas, burros, chimichangas, and enchiladas. If you are up for something new, try out the fantastic Mexican pizza. Oh, and there are 25 different tequilas to choose from here!
The Chili Verde enchiladas and Chicken chimichanga are 2 of the must trys here. Vegetarians will be happy to hear that this is one of the few Mexican cafes in town using canola oil as opposed to lard. They offer numerous vegetarian selections including enchiladas and burritos. The menu is a bit overpriced and they tack on extra charges for everything, however, it’s still a decent choice.
The design of this little cafe is simplistic, featuring attractive minimalist Southwestern decor. The casual atmosphere makes it a perfect choice for families and couples seeking a non stuffy, relaxed dinner experience with no reservations required.
What to do nearby: Take a stroll around La Encantada Mall, a luxury open air mall featuring numerous designer shops and high end restaurants. I love shopping for specialty foods at AJ’s. Also, there are a few great restaurants here including True Food Kitchen (great for health conscious diners) and Frost (I love their dark chocolate gelato).
12. 47 Scott
47 Scott is a relatively new addition to downtown’s growing food scene. This modernly designed restaurant is a great accompaniment to visiting any of downtown’s classier attractions like the Fox Theater or the Tucson Museum of Art. Unfortunately, 47 Scott no longer offers brunch fare, which is a bit of a disappointment, as this was the best time to beat the crowds and easily find parking.
However, they do offer a great Happy Hour from 4-6pm daily with various wines and craft beer selections priced at just $4-6 each. Delicious must-try food selections include the mac and cheese (the best in town), stack of grilled cheese, and fried cauliflower, all priced at just 7 bucks during happy hours.
The dinner menu is pretty small although diverse enough, with selections ranging from Phyllo Wrapped Chicken, to Pistachio Crusted Salmon, to a Stuffed Vegetarian Bell Pepper loaded with quinoa, vegetables, spinach puree, and basil walnut pesto. And be sure to treat yourself to a loaf of the crispy baguette, priced at just a buck!
Update: Temp closed as of 2024. Please check the website for updates.
13. Oregano’s
Oreganos is an excellent regional Italian chain with many locations throughout Arizona. The owners are originally from Chicago, so I am not surprised that the pizza is top notch. The portions here are huge, prices are very affordable, and the food is excellent. The all-you-can-eat marinara pasta bowl is a steal at just 12 bucks during lunch hours.
Apps to try include the Guacamole Pizza and the Boom Dip (a delicious spinach and artichoke dip). Their veggie loaded ginormous salads can easily be split amongst 3-4 people. Oh, and if you have any room left over, you must try one of their delicious giant pizza cookies! I am not huge on sweets, but I received a free one for my birthday once and it was pretty tasty.
The atmosphere is so cozy and casual here, it really feels like a neighborhood pizza joint rather than a chain. Service is always top notch and the overall vibe just perfect for a casual family celebration or date night. While most chains are easy skips due to the bland setting and food, Oregano’s stands out from the bunch by serving fresh in-house made Chicago pizza and various other comfort style foods, all in a creative, attractively designed dining space.
What to do nearby: Check out one of the amazing trails at Catalina State Park. This beautiful suburban park in Oro Valley features amazing views of the Santa Catalina Mountain range. I recommend an easy trek called the Canyon loop trail.
14. Arizona Inn
The main dining room inside the historic, charming Arizona Inn is a great choice for breakfast, especially during the holiday season. This time of year, the adjacent library is adorned with beautiful decor. For many locals, it has become a local December tradition to open presents in front of the roaring fireplace. I really love dining here around the holiday season because the setting is so gorgeous. One time, we enjoyed brunch here and then saw White Christmas at the gorgeous Fox theater: it was a wonderful winter date!
This elegant restaurant serves up a delicious brunch every weekend, as well as specialty brunches for holidays. On the menu, you will find both traditional favorites as well as Southwestern specialties like blue corn pancakes served with prickly pear syrup. Blue Corn pancakes are seriously the best! I now make these at home all the time!
The main dining room features a contemporary modern design with elegant decor and place settings. The adjacent Audubon Bar serves the same menu, although the ambiance is more casual with a tropical inspired atrium design. The poinsettias for Christmas are gorgeous. Either way you go, you can’t lose – The Inn is a magnificent place for brunch, anytime of the year.
What to do nearby: Take a stroll around the Reid Park Zoo. It’s small, but nicely laid out with a surprising amount of landscaping for the desert.
15. The Coronet
The Coronet is a beautiful European inspired restaurant located just outside of downtown Tucson. While the menu is a bit pricey, it’s worth the splurge for the eclectic offerings and beautiful setting. The patio is so charming and quaint, and thus, the perfect downtown date destination (during the cooler season of course!). You will find so many interesting choices on the menu and so much more than standard breakfast fare. Dinner is a bit pricey although they offer numerous date night deals.
I love that this restaurant works with many local companies including Barrio Bread which is by far the best bakery in the city. You must try their sourdough toast while you are here. Recent delicious brunch entrees have included Eggs and Hominy and Eggs Florentine. Their espresso is also quite good, so you can enjoy a nice Americano, Latte, or cup of joe with your meal.
Note: Their counter service cafe is located at: 353 South Meyer Street. Their full service restaurant is located at: 198 W. Cushing St.
What to do nearby: Drive up beautiful “A” mountain. There is a great overlook of the city here.
