15 Best Restaurants in Downtown Tucson You wouldn’t want to Miss!
Are you sick of the constant arguments about where to eat in Downtown Tucson? Don’t worry—we have the answer to all of your restaurant problems!
It can be hard to find the right place in this desert city with its busy streets and lively culture. Because of this, we’ve carefully searched the food world to bring you a list of the 15 best restaurants in Downtown Tucson. We can help you, whether you’re a local looking for a new spot or a tourist eager to experience the best that this city has to offer. Say goodbye to not knowing what to do and hello to a delicious adventure as we share the best places to eat in Downtown Tucson that will make your trip a culinary delight.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Tucson
1. JoJo’s Restaurant
If you are looking for a restaurant with the best vibe, great food, and fantastic concept, try out Jojo’s restaurant. This restaurant features a festive indoor and outdoor café, serving global cuisine, late-night happy hours, and live music performances. Their offerings cover options like healthy options, late-night food, quick bites, vegetarian options, vegan options, and drinks like beer, coffee, cocktails, wine, and spirits. Their menu features popular options like smothered burritos, pulled pork, chimichanga, taco salad, Chilli relleno, Tamales, chicken wings, Reuben, Hummus plates, and lots more.
Jojo’s restaurant is open for dining at any time of the day, whether for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. The place is popular amongst groups, university students, and tourists. They offer flexible dining service as they offer dine-in, takeaway, and outdoor seating. Other highlights of Jojo’s restaurant include fast service, great beer, cocktail, and coffee selections, an impressive wine list, and live music.
2. El Charro Café Downtown
Here is a good restaurant for you lovers of Mexican cuisine – El Charro Café Downtown. This restaurant is a long-standing Mexican café, offering a colorful vibe and a menu of Sonoran-style fare. Guests enjoy excellent options like Chile Rellenos, Tamales, Carlotta’s cocina, Taco options, grilled plates, and desserts.
The popular dishes you might want to try include Carne seca chimichanga, chips and salsa, Tortillas, chile Relleno, fried ice cream, beans and rice, Tableside Guacamole, and lots more. El Charro Café offers some of the best authentic Mexican foods in town, including fantastic drink options. Another feature that makes El Charro Café popular is its fantastic service. They offer excellent customer service, with an emphasis on personal service. Guests can dine in and use the outdoor seating, takeaway, delivery, or curbside pickup option.
3. Miss Saigon Downtown
Next on our list of best restaurants in Downtown Tuscon is Miss Saigon Downtown. This restaurant is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Downtown Tuscon. This restaurant is also unique for its beautiful environment and charming interior and outdoor view. The restaurant offers late-night food, healthy plates, vegan options, comfort food, and small plates, with its menu focused on traditional Vietnamese fares.
Their menu features Pho, which is a rice noodle soup with beef broth; Hu Tieu, which is a rice noodle soup with chicken and vegetarian entrees; Mi, which is an Egg Noodle soup with chicken broth option; Vermicelli, Rice plates, the restaurant’s specialties, sides, and other dishes.
The popular dishes include rice noodle soup with beef broth, orange chicken, spring rolls vegetarian, shrimp tempera, Miss Saigon fried rice, beef pho, and beef strips with Jasmine rice. If you are unsure of what to eat, you can start with these favorites. Other available options here include wine, coffee, beer, cocktails and late-night food.
4. Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery
If you are looking for a good American restaurant to enjoy some yummy comfort food and homemade ice cream, you should try out Hub restaurant and Ice Creamery. It is an American restaurant offering homemade ice cream and New American fare at a hip shop. This place is quite popular among young ones, tourists, and groups.
Their menu features options like Mac and cheese, soups, fires and tots, sandwiches, House-made pastrami, greens, burgers, and mains like a lamb, vegan plates, and California plates. Do not miss their weekend brunch, where they serve options like stuffed French toast, ribeye breakfast sandwiches, brunch prime tots, spicy sausage flatbread, vanilla Yoghurt parfait, and lots more. A visit to Hub restaurant is not complete without enjoying some delicious homemade ice cream. Since it’s a popular spot, there is usually a wait. If you are coming for dinner, a dinner reservation is highly recommended.
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5. Elliott’s on Congress
Elliott’s on Congress is a lively spot for globally accented American pub grub, infused vodkas, happy hour, and Karaoke nights. If you are looking for a good spot to grab a drink and pub food while enjoying your favorite game, Elliott’s on Congress might just be the perfect spot you need.
The restaurant’s highlight includes fast service, great cocktail and beer, and great for watching sports. They serve signature duck, brunch plates like French toast, breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and main dishes like fish and shrimp fry, flat iron steak, penne alla vodka, and desserts. Do not miss their award-winning cheesecakes; it’s the main deal! Other items you might want to try include duck sliders, infused vodkas, duck tacos, chocolate-covered bacon, bloody Marys, mussels, bacon Rangoon, western burgers, cod tacos, white chocolate cheesecake, and duck club sandwiches.
6. Penca
If you are the type that loves upscale dining, here is something extra for you – Penca. Penca is a Mexican restaurant that offers upscale Mexican fare and agave-based cocktails in a chic and rough-hewn space. This restaurant is quite charming and elegant, and you would want to choose it for a special occasion. Penca is an upmarket restaurant that features a family and group-friendly dining setting. The place is popular for lunch and dinner, but they also offer brunch and dessert.
This restaurant presents the flavors of CENTRAL Mexican cuisine with a wide selection of regional distills and carefully selected New World wines. The menu offers popular options like Ceviche, Bone marrow, churros and chocolate, chile en Nogada, Elote, short ribs, Esquites, Chile Rellono, fresh tacos, and lots more. The restaurant is also big on House Margarita, Tequila, bloody Mary, wines, and spirits.
7. Bata
Bata is another great restaurant in downtown Tucson you wouldn’t want to miss. This restaurant is a live-fire-fueled small plate restaurant, offering a menu that celebrates the best in the local region of Downtown Tucson. Bata is a popular spot for those who design the region’s local cuisine, including the best wines in town.
Their menu features popular options like Pumpkin seed miso ice cream, beef tartare, Bigeye tuna crudo, Fermented potato bread, Labneh, pork carnitas, Malawach and Labne, Beans, and Paratha. Bata offers only dine-in and takeaway, with only one dining option, which is dinner. The place is romantic and has an up-market atmosphere, which makes it peculiar for date nights, business meetings, and other special occasions.
8. Reilly Craft Pizza and Drinks
For fans of Italian cuisine, visit Reily Craft Pizza and Drinks. This restaurant is a unique Italian restaurant featuring a vintage space with vaulted ceilings, a beer garden, and a basement bar. This restaurant has impressive reviews for its spectacular pizza, pasta, and wine selection. For pasta, they service options like Maldalda, Rigatoni, Spaghetti Alla Chitarra, and Orecchiette. The pizza option covers Marinara, Margherita, Roasted crimini mushroom, Pepperoni pic,kled Fresno chile, and lots more.
For those who are into vegan or vegetarian treats, Reilly Craft Pizza and drinks offer that, too. Try these favorite dishes: Brussels sprouts, Truffle fries, Orecchiette, Tiramisu, Rigatoni, Mixed Greens, Roasted cauliflower, and Cannoli; they are delicious!
9. The Monica
The Monica is a cool restaurant offering the best of comfort foods, healthy options, vegan and vegetarian options. They offer breakfast, brunch, and dinner, offering breakfast options like 40 East breakfast, Charro breakfast burrito, French toast, sandwiches, salmon citron toast, and lots more. For brunch, guests buy the glass options like Gl Campo Viejo cava and Gl Ruffino prosecco.
The dinner menu features options like seared ahi tostada, Chipostle caesar chicken, Chipostle Ceasar shrimp, short rib rustic, steak a la Monica, burgers, Keto court, and lots more. The lunch menu provides guests with delicious comforts and small plates such as Hexagon’s House salad, chopped cob salad, seared ahi toastada, baked Mac and cheese, keto chicken skewers, etc. The Monica is one of those good restaurants in Downtown Tucson that caters to different dietary needs, including dietary restrictions.
10. Nook
Nook is an American restaurant offering New American fares, served for breakfast and lunch at a hip café with a charming interior. Their service option covers dine-in, takeaway, outdoor seating, and delivery. It’s a popular breakfast, dinner, and lunch. Their offerings include basics such as comfort plates, small plates, and specials like vegetarian and vegan options, including the restaurant’s special dishes.
Popular dishes here include hanger steak and eggs, the godfather Benedict, shakshuka Benedict, breakfast Tamale pie, Cinnamon roll Griddle cakes, Biscuits and gravy, Warm blueberry scones, breakfast burritos, Huevos rancheros, and Cinnamon roll pancakes. Nook is popular for its nice location and diverse menu. Their breakfast treats are also a boast.
11. The Little One
The Little One is a cozy Mexican restaurant offering Mexican breakfast and lunch favorites such as Huevos Poblano, beans chips and salsa, Huevos Rancheros, Barbacoa de res, and Cochinito En crema de chipotle.
Their menu covers breakfast treats, chicken options, veggie, beef, pork and kid’s plates. The Little One is a family-run restaurant, which makes it one of the best places to enjoy homemade Mexican food. Their food is prepared with locally sourced ingredients and is homemade.
The place feels really homely and comfy. Other highlights for The Little One restaurant include fast service, vegan options, vegetarian plates, counter service, catering, Dogs allowed, family-friendly, and no reservation plans.
12. Street- Taco and Beer Co
If you are looking for the best Taco spot in town, Street Taco and Beer is a great place to start. This restaurant does not only offer amazing taco options but also a wide beer menu to accompany your meal. The street-Taco restaurant is a contemporary, brick-walled counter-service eatery featuring a menu of tacos, burritos, and beer.
They are open for lunch and dinner and offer dine-in, outdoor seating, and takeaway, with no delivery option. For fans of beer, Street-Taco will easily become your favorite spot. They serve beers on tap, local beers on tap, and great cocktails. The service here is fast and efficient, so you do not have to worry about bad service. The staff are also quite hospitable and knowledgeable and can easily help you with great suggestions and recommendations.
13. Maynards Kitchen
Maynard Kitchen features a Historic venue with a takeaway counter, a gourmet shop, a bar, and an eatery with seasonal American fares. This restaurant offers authentic American food, featuring a seasonally-inspired monthly menu. The menu focuses on regional ingredients and food served fresh daily. The chefs in this restaurant are quite skilled and experts in their field. They explore the combination of local produce with global techniques for an inventive and modern take on regional fares.
In addition to its innovative dishes, Maynard Kitchen is known for its spectacular service and great environment. If you visit for dinner, you will enjoy a quaint and chill atmosphere, perfect for intimate dining. You can also visit for breakfast or lunch.
Also, Read Top 10 Best Restaurants in Mountain Home Arkansas that offer the best dining service
14. The Red Light Lounge at the Downtown Clifton
If you are looking for a popular and stylish bar and grill spot in Downtown Tucson, The Red Light Lounge is a good pick. They serve modern Tucson specialties, including local and regional brews and spirits served in a rustic-chic lounge. They offer dine-in, outdoor seating, takeaway, and curbside pickup, with no delivery option. The menu here covers specials like Masa biscuits, Chilaquiles, barbacoa tacos, burgers, Verde eggs benedicts, Masa sope, pulled pork sandwiches, Tacos, and lots more.
15. Perche’ No
Perche’ No is another highly recommended Italian restaurant in Downtown Tucson, offering authentic Italian food in a cozy environment. The restaurant has an impressive 4.6 Google rating for its amazing service, great food, and comfy environment. In Perche, ’ No, everything is absolutely delicious, the service is always great, and the vibe is perfect!
Their butternut squash ravioli is a special delicacy that is quite popular among visitors and locals alike. Their pasta is another highlight; it always has the right flavor, texture, and taste.
Other dishes to look at in Perche’ No include Tiramisu, Penne Mango, Ravioli, Gnocchi Allo Zafferano, Burrata Caprese, Ossobuchini, Caprese Burrata, and Potosino pasta. Their dessert is also a main deal; try options like crème caramel, torta al ciccolato, and mousse alcioccolato.
Conclusion
Tucson has a lively food scene with many excellent places to pick from. If you’re in the mood for southwestern flavors, foreign food, or modern fusion dishes, the best 15 restaurants in Downtown Tucson have something for everyone. Not only is going to these places a culinary adventure, but it’s also a way to experience the city’s rich culture and culinary tapestry.
