Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Tucson? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wild Garlic Grill

4.8

4.8 (2702)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Dine- in, takeout and delivery
Wed- Sun 12:00PM-9:00PM

At the heart of the vibrant Tucson gastronomic scene is a quaint, family owned restaurant that has made a name for itself by combining the classical French education of Executive Chef Steven Schultz with the flavors of traditional southwest cuisine. Driven by the vision of casual fine dining that he shares with wife and Maudi Gourdin, the pair have managed to make The Wild Garlic Grill one of Tucson’s premiere destinations for food lovers from all walks of life. That all too familiar aroma of garlic will titillate your senses from the moment you step through the front door, followed instantly by the pageantry of Chef and his crew hard at work in the open kitchen where you can watch your meal as it is prepared. One can sense the warmth that emanates from their comradery and dedication and it doesn’t take long to notice that the front of house staff shares the same passion. It’s almost as if they are one big happy family…

Top review

Ashley

Dined 1 day ago

Wild Garlic Grill is the best! Always a positive and tasty experience

Tito and Pep

4.8

4.8 (2181)

$30 and under

Southwest

Midtown

About the restaurant

Tito & Pep is a bright venue in midtown Tucson providing exceptional service, quality food and beverage, in a convivial, relaxed atmosphere.

We hope to establish ourselves as a true hub, woven into the fabric of one of Tucson's most vibrant areas. The focus of the experience at Tito and Pep is mesquite-fired cuisine, as well as a full-service beverage menu featuring quality beer, wine, & cocktails.

Applying over 20 years of experience gained across the U.S. and abroad, Chef & Owner John Martinez draws influence from the multi-cultural history of the region and from his travels, to create a cuisine that is vibrant and delicious.

Top review

Katya

Dined 1 day ago

The Food and drinks were beautiful and delicious. The ambience was great. Charlie took great care of us and was a fantastic server. Staff was very accommodating for a last minute reservation change.

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4.7

4.7 (2388)

$31 to $50

Brazilian Steakhouse

Foothills

About the restaurant

Churrasco de Brasil offers a unique and exciting way to enjoy the delicious traditional Brazilian-style of cooking. Known for outstanding service, the authentic “churrascaria” offers more than 14 flavorful cuts of meat including lamb, pork, sausage, chicken and beef on skewers carved tableside by gauchos. In addition to several cuts of meat, the continuous service includes a trip to the fresh and unlimited salad bar. Fried bananas, buttery mashed potatoes and mouthwatering pao de queijo (cheese bread) are served family style. A carefully crafted wine list and authentic Brazilian cocktails complement the unlimited fare.

Top review

Brent

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

We had a great evening celebrating an 80th birthday. From the ease of making the reservation, communication leading up to the event, seating being ready (even though we arrived 15 minutes early) to outstanding service and quality food options - it was a truly memorable evening! Lots of options on the salad bar buffet, the meat service was plentiful (and 16 options), one in our party ordered the salmon on the menu and truly enjoyed it, and we wrapped with several dessert options that were all excellent!

Zio Peppe

4.7

4.7 (250)

$31 to $50

Italian

East Tucson

About the restaurant

Zio Peppe is where tradition meets innovation, serious collides with playful, and gourmet converges with casual. Zio Peppe means “Uncle Joe’ in Italian, and just like a beloved “funcle” – a fun uncle, Zio Peppe will make sure all are welcome, and everybody is having a good time.

Zio Peppe is a collaboration between Chef Devon Sanner and Chef Mat Cable. Our menu is anchored in Italian-American classics of pizza and pasta, but draws heavy influence from the foods and flavor profiles of Tucson and the Sonoran region.

Sanner joins forces with Cable after having cooked under Tucson culinary legend Janos Wilder for the past 15 years, serving as chef at Janos, JBAR, Downtown + Cocktails, and The Carriage House.

Zio Peppe, which means “Uncle Joe” in Italian, is in part a tribute to Cable’s uncle, Joe Sottosanti, who opened Tucson’s first Sicilian pizza place, Tesseo’s Pizzeria, nearly 50 years ago.

Top review

Marcvip

Dined 5 days ago

Our first time and it exceeded our expectations. Service and food were great. Got to meet the owner. We already made plans to return with friends and family.

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4.7

4.7 (1025)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Bata is a restaurant designed to celebrate the best our region has to offer. We cook over a live oak fire, on our custom fabricated hearth. Our menu changes daily. We mill AZ grown grain in house, daily. We focus on whole animal butchery, done in house. We have an extensive fermentation program. Our bar program largely focuses on wines that are organic, biodynamic, and produced with minimal intervention. The cocktail list highlights the best products of the season, with a carefully curated list of spirits from across the globe. We believe that our hospitality is just as important as the food and beverages we put on the table.

We do not encourage our restaurant for young children. We do not have any highchairs in house and ask that you please bring your own if it is required.

We do not offer any outdoor seating. Private dining, kitchen counter and large party seating available. Email hello@batatucson.com for inquiries.

Top review

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

Best meal at a restaurant in a very long time. Fantastic dinning experience with creative food that tasted amazing. Service was spot on, the chef brought out our courses and explained each one.

True Food Kitchen - Tucson

4.6

4.6 (875)

$30 and under

American

Foothills

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Tucson for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

HELEN

Dined 4 days ago

the food is fresh and good. No complaints. It always is. I do, however, always cringe a bit when I get the bill. 3 of us had 2 dinners, one soup and salad, one cauliflower appetizer and one desert split 3 ways. No drinks/alcohol and the bill? $100.

Culinary Dropout - Tucson

4.4

4.4 (2722)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Midtown

About the restaurant

At Culinary Dropout, raise your glass to friends coming together. A place where food and music are life. Join us at happy hour for ice cold beer and our famous soft pretzels with provolone fondue. At dinner, a signature cocktail and slow braised 36-hour pork ribs are a perfect pair. While you and your crew enjoy damn good food and drinks, a local band plays live for great vibes. Come hang out and stay a while.

Top review

Dianevip

Dined 1 day ago

Really happy with our server I wish I could remember her name!

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Chela's Latin Cuisine

4.4

4.4 (9)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

We are a family owned business that began serving the Tucson community in the 90’s by food
trucks. Our first location, El Sur Restaurant, has become a staple in Tucson over the last 20 years.
Come support our sister concept, Chela’s Latin Cuisine, in Downtown Tucson!

Top review

Alanvip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

We were happy to find this hidden gem in downtown Tucson. We wanted something close to the Fox and local. This was the perfect place. The food was great, happy hour drinks were fairly priced, and our waiter was very attentive. We’ll be back.

Dante's Fire Cocktails and Cuisine

4.3

4.3 (394)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Dante's Fire, Cocktails & Cuisine has a simple philosophy - Food made from food. Executive Chef & Owner Ken Foy's vision of a scratch kitchen creating Fine Food For Everyone.

Dante’s Fire has been voted Best Late Night eatery by the Community in Tucson, received multiple articles from The Tucson Foodie, and Best Margarita & Food by the Judges & Crowd at the 2022 & 2023 World Margarita Championship, respectively. In July of 2022, Chef Kenneth Foy was crowned the Iron Chef of Tucson. In July of 2023, Chef Kenneth Foy was challenged for his title of Iron Chef of Tucson. Through a tough battle, Chef Kenneth Foy emerged victorious and still holds his title as the Reining Iron Chef of Tucson.

We've created a fine food, casual atmosphere that caters to well, everyone. Start with our daily Happy Hour and feel welcome to hang out all night long.

Top review

Eddie

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

I found this restaurant through Open Table and absolutely loved it!! The chef created a truly memorable dinner and we've told lots of people about it! Service was perfect and the bartender made excellent drinks. Lots of fun!

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Thai Curry Shrimp (GF)

Commoner & Co.

4.2

4.2 (1382)

$30 and under

American

Foothills

About the restaurant

Commoner & Co is a delightful dining destination nestled in Tucson, Arizona, renowned for its exquisite culinary offerings and inviting ambiance. As one of the best-kept secrets among restaurants in Tucson, we pride ourselves on serving up an array of delectable dishes that cater to diverse palates. Whether you're craving authentic Italian flavors, Mexican delicacies, or simply looking for a fancy dinner experience, Commoner & Co promises to exceed your expectations. Our restaurant in downtown Tucson boasts a charming atmosphere where guests can enjoy a memorable meal with friends and family. Indulge in top-tier dining at one of the finest restaurants in Tucson at Commoner & Co. From mouthwatering lunch options to elegant dinners with picturesque views and outdoor seating available, we offer an unparalleled culinary journey that celebrates global flavors right here in Tucson. Conveniently located near the airport and mall, our restaurant stands out as a must-visit destination for those seeking nice restaurants with exceptional service and an unforgettable dining experience. Join us at Commoner & Co to savor the essence of fine dining coupled with warm hospitality that makes every visit remarkable.

Top review

Sue

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

We had a wonderful meal here. The menu is eclectic, and the dishes prepared and served with care. We had the mussels, beet salad, kale salad, risotto, and both desserts, and all were excellent. We’ll be back!

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Popular dish

Meatloaf

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