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.
16. Welcome Diner
Welcome Diner is a wonderful old-fashioned diner located just a few miles outside of downtown. I love the eclectic 50’s style vibe not found elsewhere in the city. The food here is excellent and the portions are huge for the price.
They work with lots of local companies, use only high quality ingredients, and make everything from scratch. The staff is always super friendly and there is never a long wait for the food. I love dining at the old-fashioned diner style breakfast bar.
You will find classic choices here and also a few specialties like Huevos Rancheros and a wonderful Roasted Vegetables dish (pic above) which includes 2 eggs over sauteed squash, peppers, and onions topped with salsa, cotija cheese, and cilantro, served with fresh homemade tortillas and served alongside a huge serving of perfectly cooked hash browns.
Be sure to order the biscuits – they are made locally by a wonderful bakery called Barrio Bread. It’s great to visit a diner that serves healthy food so you can enjoy the fun, old-fashioned vibe only with the addition of a healthy twist!
Update: As of 2024, this restaurant is temporarily closed. Please check with the business for updates.
What to do nearby: Enjoy a leisurely hike or a mountain biking adventure at the beautiful Sweetwater Preserve, featuring 11 miles of interconnected easy-moderate trails.
17. Caruso’s
Caruso’s is an excellent long running Italian restaurant located on eclectic 4th Avenue downtown. This is the place to go if you are seeking authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy, old world style setting. This Italian restaurant most reminds me of places I frequented in cities like Chicago and Boston.
They offer all your standard classics here, and even a few vegetarian variations. Both the ravioli and lasagna (both available in meat or veg versions) are excellent choices. The Shrimps and scallops Alfredo is a tasty, decadent choice for seafood lovers.
The vibe here is really quaint and comfortable. It never seems to get too overcrowded due to the semi hidden location on 4th Avenue. Most tourists head over to the more popular Congress Street, which is centrally located and home to more restaurants. If you are craving good traditional Italian, be sure to give Caruso’s a try! I like to visit here over the holiday season as the decor is beautiful and it is within walking distance to festive events.
What to do nearby: Check out the unique shops on 4th Avenue.
18. La Cocina (now JoJos)
La Cocina is a cute little Mexican restaurant, best known for its’ pretty patio. The outdoor dining is romantic with trees and festive lights during dinner hours. While not the best Mexican food in town, it’s a good place for anyone seeking a laid-back date destination.
There is almost always live music here and the vibe is casual and energetic. Understandably, it’s super popular with tourists due to the fun ambiance. It was one of the first restaurants I checked out after moving here. In my experience, breakfast tends to be a better time to visit due to the lack of crowds and more tolerable morning temperatures.
If you are most interested in a touristy ambiance, rather than top notch food, La Cocina is a good bet. Featuring live music, festive decor, and good happy hour and drink specials, dining here is always a fun time.
What to do nearby: Check out El Tiradito shrine, the only Catholic shrine in the US dedicated to a sinner buried in unconsecrated ground. Visitors light a candle to free the sinner’s soul from purgatory, as he died fighting for the love of a woman. Legend says if your candle remains lit throughout the night, your wish will come true.
Other decent local dining choices
As a few of the restaurants on my guide are closed, here are a few alternatives to consider.
Golden Dragon Chinese – Although I have not found my go-to Chinese restaurant, Golden Dragon is a decent enough choice in Oro Valley, a suburb about 30 minutes north of Tucson. They offer a nice little lunch special which includes soup, an egg roll, and your entree of choice. The ambiance is a bit blah, but the quality of food here is better than most Chinese places around town.
Tavolino – This is a nice upscale Italian restaurant with a beautiful patio. The vibe is more modern than old-world authentic, however, the food is great. Excellent pesto pasta and delicious appetizer selections here, particularly the fried zucchini smothered in marinara sauce. Tavolino is located in the ritzy Catalina Foothills region. It’s right next to the exclusive La Encantada Mall, thus a perfect compliment to an afternoon of luxury shopping.
Vero Amore – This local Italian gem specializes in wood-fired pizzas. They have 2 locations including one at Swan and Fort Lowell which is home to a fantastic outdoor patio with cozy couches and firepits. Nice happy hour deals and super delicious cheesy garlic bread!
Tohono Chul Garden Bistro – The Garden Bistro is located at the Tohono Chul Botanical Garden. While I prefer hiking for free at all the wonderful trails throughout the region, the cafe is the nicest place in the city for brunch. We loved dining here for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. The Quiche here is excellent and the outdoor patio is so leafy and shady. Also be sure to check out the gift shop – lots of great cacti and southwestern souvenirs.
Reilly Craft Pizza – Reilly’s is a modern pizza restaurant, housed in a historic building downtown, specializing in wood-fired pizzas. A limited menu includes mostly pizza (a few more appetizer selections would be nice), however, the pizza is good enough in itself to warrant a visit.
The Grill at Hacienda – The views at this resort restaurant are absolutely gorgeous, especially if you get a window seat facing the gorgeous Catalina mountains. While the food is decent enough, the service could be improved and the coffee is over roasted. Come for the views – not the food! The Grill at Hacienda offers a very popular Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch if you are looking to treat yourself.
Best for special dietary needs – Renee’s Organic Oven is a great choice for those needing an abundance of gluten free and/or vegetarian selections. A bit overpriced in my opinion, however, one of the few places in town you can order gluten-free pasta and pasta and vegan cheese for your pizza. Even if you have no dietary restrictions, it’s worthy of a visit for the excellent pizza!
Best coffee – Check out Roadrunner Coffee (great organic coffee and a nice local vibe), Exo Roast or Cartel (both located downtown in trendy spaces) and Presta (amazing espresso drinks and a beautiful outdoor patio) located at the Mercado San Agustin. Savaya is another great local roasters with many locations (I love the Oro Valley location across from Catalina State Park). The coffee scene here is wonderful – one of the many perks of living in the area is a great cup of go no matter where you go.
Check out my full Tucson coffee guide
Best Indian food – I am a big fan of Indian food, however, this city really lacks a great Indian restaurant. One of the better choices of the bunch is Indian Twist, which serves delicious naan bread and a decent enough lunch buffet. The best Indian food in Arizona is Delhi Palace in Flagstaff, and yes it is worth the 3.5 hour drive!
Best place for a sandwich – Beyond Bread is a very popular regional chain, which offers Panera Bread style offerings. Although the food isn’t quite up to par, it’s local and probably a bit healthier. Their tomato basil soup is wonderful and the sandwiches are a filling treat after a hike. I usually stop here after hiking the nearby Linda Vista trail.
Best cool treat – Frost Gelato, which started in Tucson and eventually expanded to numerous cities around the country is definitely the best place for a delicious cool down treat on a hot day. This excellent authentic gelato shop offers over a dozen flavors which you can sample and mix and match for the ultimate treat. The dark chocolate is the winner here! I am not a huge fans of sweets, but I frequent this place several times a month!
