Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

The Cup Cafe

4.8

4.8 (2093)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Recently awarded "Top 100 Neighborhood Gems in America" by OpenTable!

Reservations are highly recommended for dinner due to limited indoor seating and high demand for patio seating.
During breakfast and lunch we do not accept reservations, *EXCEPT* on these holidays: Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The Cup Café is a downtown Tucson tradition with a reputation for delicious, inspired fare, alive with flavor. A full-service, historic modern bistro, The Cup Café appeals to locals and visitors alike.

Enjoy the variety of The Cup’s all-day menu and the fresh, delectable, and ever-changing daily features. Selections include build-your-own omelets, unique salads, great appetizers, full-course entrees, classic sandwiches, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

The Cup also proudly features homemade desserts, baked in-house, as well as a comfortable and expansive outdoor patio, full-service bar, unique signature cocktails, and intriguing wine selections.

Thank you!

Top review

Suzi

Dined 1 day ago

Always a pleasant experience! We bought tix for Plaza show but ended up staying at Cup for the entire show! Comfortable seats, could still hear music clearly, food & drink availability!

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Popular dish

Santa Cruz Flank Steak

Popular dish

Fish 'N' Chips

Nook - Tucson

4.8

4.8 (281)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Enjoy exceptional service and a friendly atmosphere at Nook. It's a wonderful spot for enjoying a delicious meal while catching up with old acquaintances over lunch. Nook is located just south of the Prima County Public Library on East Congress Street. It opened in 2015 and has become a trendy eatery that serves up New American cuisine. Owners Nikki and Matt Thompson along with Todd Anderson are fellow Tucsonans who love their community. Local artists have work showcased throughout this contemporary restaurant. Nook also prides itself on serving up locally sourced food. Try the Godfather Benedict with prosciutto, arugula, poached egg hollandaise and balsamic drizzle for breakfast, or come down during lunch for a green corn tamale pie with cabbage salad. It offers take-out service and is open for breakfast and lunch during the week. This restaurant also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Top review

Davevip

Dined on Sep 29, 2024

Per usual. Really nice. We frequent the nook. Always great.

Amelia's Mexican Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (115)

$30 and under

Mexican

East Tucson

About the restaurant

AWARD WINNER OF THE BEST QUESABIRRIA TACO 2023. BEST SALSAS WINNER 2023 *2 LOCATIONS IN TUCSON VISIT US ON* 5851 N ORACLE RD TUCSON AZ ., street tacos, minichimis, chimichangas, burros, chile relleno, tamales beer micheladas margaritas, wine.
HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 2PM-5PM

Top review

Mark

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

Started off our cousin’s trip at Amelia’s and everyone loved the restaurant. The food was the best!

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4.7

4.7 (6645)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

Wildflower, flagship restaurant for Fox Restaurant Concepts, raised the culinary bar when it opened in Tucson in 1998. To this day, it continues to set the standard for innovative New American Cuisine featuring a melting pot of American classics with European and Asian influences. If that’s not enough, the restaurant offers 80 wines by the bottle and 25 by the glass – an excellent range for both the wine connoisseur and the novice.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 4 days ago

Our service was wonderful1 The food was great. It does get a bit loud with people having such a great time.

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4.7

4.7 (3357)

$30 and under

Italian

Oro Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Bottega Michelangelo, a casual Southern Italian neighborhood kitchen located in the suburban town of Oro Valley. Our menu highlights the cuisine of Southern Italy with a distinct "Italy to Table" flair. The restaurant features contemporary elements and popular Michelangelo artifacts creating the feel of a modern Italian kitchen. Guest will also find a California and Italy inspired wine list, along with specialty hand crafted cocktails. We apologize for the inconvenience, however the bar tables cannot be reserved. Thank You!

Top review

Robert

Dined 1 day ago

Great service and dining, but the sound carried a little too well inside the restaurant. It was hard to hear our own group.

Contigo Latin Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (2173)

$30 and under

Latin American

Foothills

About the restaurant

Contigo Latin Kitchen presents an innovative take on Latin cuisine. Located in the Tucson foothills at the Westin La Paloma Resort, the menu features an array of unique dishes from Latin America and Spain using the freshest seasonal products.

When we opened Contigo in 2010, we wanted to create the kind of restaurant that we would like to have in our neighborhood. We included tapas dishes that are perfect for sharing plus amazing Latin dishes, spectacular cocktails and wine. Today, at the Westin La Paloma, Contigo also now features stunning city views, a beautiful and inviting space, great music and a friendly and attentive team dedicated to keeping our customers happy.

Top review

John

Dined on Sep 29, 2024

Everything was excellent from service, atmosphere, and food. The manager was very helpful and attentive. Highly recommend visiting Contigo Latin Kitchen

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4.5

4.5 (1287)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Cielos at Lodge on the Desert offers one of the best dining options in Southern Arizona. Dine on contemporary seasonal cuisine that pays tribute to Southwest ingredients. Complemented by classic craft cocktails featuring local spirits and a delectable wine list, Cielos is the perfect place for a romantic night out or a casual happy hour with friends.
The intimate space is framed with floor-to-ceiling windows and overlooks a spacious secluded Saltillo-tiled outdoor private patio featuring bistro string lighting, a four-sided, tiled fireplace for optimal year-round al fresco dining. Cielos and its Bar both reflect a genuine, richly authentic Southern Arizona historic charm and ambience including rough-hewn artist-design hand-painted wood beams, Mexican tin chandeliers, floating potted plants and shade sails.

Top review

Frankvip

Dined today

Good food and service as always. And the Churro's are back!

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Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge at the Hacienda Del Sol

4.3

4.3 (765)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Foothills

About the restaurant

Step into the open-air haven of Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge at Hacienda del Sol and enjoy the refreshing desert breeze and captivating surroundings. Delight in a feast for the senses, from al fresco dining and signature drinks to live melodies, all crafting a unique gastronomic journey in the heart of Tucson, AZ. Within our historic hotel's dining oasis, our skilled chefs infuse innovation into every dish - whether it's tapas, tacos, or any culinary masterpiece in between.

We do allow pets and we even have a pet menu!

Top review

Melanie

Dined 7 days ago

The food and cocktails were delicious. The service was top notch. Will be back next time I am in Tucson.

Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails

4.3

4.3 (592)

$30 and under

Southwest

Oro Valley

About the restaurant

A new dining experience at the Hilton El Conquistador. Literally translated as "Mexican Tea", Epazote is prominently used in Southwest cuisine to add spicy yet earthy flavor somewhat reminiscent of fennel. Inspired by this flavor and the traditions of the Southwest.

Enjoy Southwestern dishes featuring locally sourced specialties such as Poblano Peppers for Rellenos, Arizona raised Free-Range Chicken, selected cheeses and Arizona grown produce. Along with your meal, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views of Pusch Ridge, on the outdoor patio.

Featuring a wide selection of tequilas, locally brewed beers and Arizona Wines. Those looking to sample a taste of the Southwest will be able to select from a bar menu of delectable options ideal for a shared dinner or snack.

Top review

Sina

Dined 6 days ago

Food was excellent, service could have been faster but could have kaut been that I was hangry.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant - Tucson, AZ

4.3

4.3 (793)

$30 and under

Japanese

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Everyone has an adventurous side and RA Sushi is the place to explore and find yours. At RA, we're all about lively music, an energetic atmosphere, inventive cocktails and out-of-this-world sushi. Where else can you enjoy happy hour every day of the week? You know when you're in the RA because there's no other place like it. Order up the best sushi in town and prepare to be blown away by our signature rolls and amazing Japanese cuisine. Whether you're a sushi aficionado or just looking to explore new flavors, RA is your go-to destination. So bring your friends and grab a table or hit up our patio, either way, you're in for a great time.

Top review

Noravip

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

The food was excellent as always and server was very attentive.

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