Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated September 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!

Core Kitchen and Wine Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

4.8

4.8 (732)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Marana

About the restaurant

True American cuisine that is approachable, innovative and inspired by Sonoran and regional influences. The menu is complemented by an extensive wine list in an elegant, yet casual atmosphere. The open kitchen highlights the culinary team creating á la carte offerings with plenty of interaction. The private dining room provides an option to entertain larger parties and family gatherings with a personalized chef menu. The chef’s table sets the tone for a world-class interactive, personalized gourmet dining experience.
CORE serves breakfast and dinner.

Top review

Amyvip

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

Celebrated our Anniversary dinner with an amazing meal and excellent service. Would absolutely go there again.

Tito and Pep

4.8

4.8 (2176)

$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

Courtneyvip

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

This was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Incredibly fresh, innovative flavors and beautifully presented. Can't wait to come back!

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4.8

4.8 (2386)

$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

Sylis

Dined 3 days ago

Waiters and servers are worth their weight in gold. Everyone was very nice, respectful and attentive to the needs of the costumers. Great people and an even better atmosphere!

Wild Garlic Grill

4.7

4.7 (2698)

$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

Alvip

Dined 7 days ago

Always a great dining experience at The Wild Garlic Grill. Last night the food was prepared beautifully, the portions very generous and our server was wonderful.

Zio Peppe

4.7

4.7 (248)

$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

Clyde

Dined 3 days ago

Another wonderful experience at Zio Peppe. Service was friendly and attentive, and the food was excellent as always. Our birthday group had pizza, two pasta dishes, and a wonderful Caesar salad with magical large croutons, together with some great draft beers. Lovely new desserts on the menu.

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True Food Kitchen - Tucson

4.7

4.7 (871)

$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

Fernvip

Dined 5 days ago

L9vely Birthday dinner. Our server Tyson was awesome aswell as the Bar staff! The restaurant manager on Saturday night was very accommodating and friendly! Overall great night; food, drink and staff!

Amelia's Mexican Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

Mexican

West Tucson

About the restaurant

Amelia's Mexican Kitchen is a restaurant that fuses Traditional Mexican kitchen with modern twists. chef owner Jose contreras
Our signature dish "La Quesabirria" is widely known in Tucson as one of the best.
We received several rewards for our food, the latest was 1st and 2nd place in best salsa & 1rd. place for best taco .
Amelia's Mexican Kitchen 2nd location is a cozy and modern place to share amazing food with amazing people.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

We had a wonderful experience! We were so pleased and comforted to experience the flavors we did especially in this location. It was true to its story and we definitely appreciated it. We will be back and with friends and family so they too can experience everything that comes with this location. Also our server Mario was knowledgeable of the menu and attentive to making sure we had an exceptional experience. Thank you! We will be back and so will others. I found you with TikTok and also created my own. #FelyFel520

Bata

4.6

4.6 (1019)

$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

Dana

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

Great food and caring but professional servers. Wonderful experience!

Portal Cocktails at Ermanos Bar

4.6

4.6 (68)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Upscale cocktail bar with a craft menu featuring fun and creative drinks on Tuscon's 4th Ave.

Top review

Nolan

Dined on Sep 15, 2024

Great experience here and will definitely be back

Commoner & Co.

4.2

4.2 (1379)

$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 2 days ago

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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