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Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tucson

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OpenTable
Updated June 05, 2025

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!


A photo of Tito and Pep restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2415)
$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
Joseph
Dined 3 days ago
Best calamari in Tucson and superb grilled octopus.
A photo of Zio Peppe restaurant
4.7
4.7 (330)
$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
Susi
Dined on May 23, 2025
Lovely meal and service! Everything was tasty and the whole dtaff very friendly.
A photo of Bata restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1257)
$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
brian
Dined 3 days ago
A wonderful experience. Unlike any other restaurant in Tucson. If you want to enjoy a culinary adventure, this is the place.
A photo of True Food Kitchen - Tucson restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1108)
$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
KellieVIP
Dined 5 days ago
True Food Kitchen stands above and beyond when it comes to making customers feel valued. Tonight was outstanding. Brian (manager) was so kind and accommodating. Taif (waiter) was fabulous, friendly, knowledgeable about the food and the drinks- he answered all questions with ease and friendliness! I go out to enjoy the interaction with the people I run into all along the way, and True Food Kitchen employees have never let me down. We had an excellent meal at a wonderful establishment surrounded by a staff that cares- and this day and age that is rare.. much appreciated! Thank you!
A photo of Amelia's Mexican Kitchen - Oracle restaurant
4.6
4.6 (170)
$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 Jose Contreras has been named a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK). Named after his grandmother, Amelia, Chef Contreras brings family traditions to life with dishes like enchiladas, chilaquiles, quesabirria, molcajetes and tamales. With two locations in Tucson. Our signature dish "Amelia's Molcajete" 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
Debbie
Dined on May 30, 2025
Server was terrific, food never disappoints. Thank you for a fun night!
A photo of Maynards restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2432)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown Tucson
About the restaurant
Nestled in the historic train depot, Maynards offers an authentic dining experience featuring locally-inspired dishes, an award-winning wine list, and hand-crafted cocktails. Market-driven and fueled by a passion for the Southwest, Maynards delights guests with ephemeral seasonal dishes that celebrate the harvests of the Sonoran Desert in an elegant, romantic atmosphere.

Downtown Tucson’s Historic East End is both a destination and a hub for those seeking the heart of urban Tucson.

Top review
WencesVIP
Dined on May 24, 2025
Overall an excellent dining experience! Great food, service and friends! I will for sure recommend Maynards to all my friends!
A photo of Wild Garlic Grill restaurant
4.5
4.5 (2844)
$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
Andria
Dined 4 days ago
It was excellent as always. The portions are large and diverse side dishes appreciated.
A photo of Villa Peru Modern Peruvian Cuisine restaurant
4.5
4.5 (625)
$31 to $50
Latin American
Midtown
About the restaurant
Coming from Perú, our family wanted a way to share our cuisine with our Arizona neighbors. This dream led us to open our restaurant, Villa Perú. Every meal here is a way for us to share Peruvian culture with you, and our dishes, design, and architecture were all chosen to capture the authentic experience of our first home. Allow our selection of sophisticated Peruvian dishes and traditionally made Pisco-themed cocktails to take you on a vicarious adventure you wont soon forget.
Top review
MatthewVIP
Dined on May 31, 2025
Probably the best Peruvian restaurant in Tucson, so stick to those specialties. I ordered off their special limited lobster fest menu and the item was the “Surf and Turf” for two; it consisted of a Tomahawk steak and two lobster tails. However, it was a smaller Tomahawk steak suitable for one. Of the two grilled lobster tails, one was overcooked. At $150, it was not a good value and I would have done better at a meat palace like Sullivans in the same shopping center. So please, stick to the Peruvian dishes.
A photo of Culinary Dropout - Tucson restaurant
4.4
4.4 (2863)
$30 and under
American
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
James
Dined on May 29, 2025
Excellent food and great service. I have always had a good experience here.
A photo of La Luz Restaurant restaurant
4.2
4.2 (53)
$31 to $50
American
Foothills
About the restaurant
Join us at La Luz Restaurant. An upscale, contemporary cocktail and dining experience featuring Southwest Infused Cuisine and bar libations.

Come to La Luz Restaurant where panoramic views of the Catalina Mountains are the perfect backdrop for a casual and relaxing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, for either business or pleasure.

Top review
SarahVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We came to La Luz for a friend’s birthday lunch, and we had a wonderful meal! There were some great, healthy options. The house-made salsas and guacamole were delicious, must get the Taste of the Southwest! Service and ambience were lovely with bright, open space with gorgeous views! We’ll be back!
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