Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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 Steak Out Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (338)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Sonoita

About the restaurant

Sonoita’s longest-running restaurant and saloon serving cowboys, wine enthusiasts, locals, and out-of-towners for sixty years.
The Steak Out is a hallmark of any Southern Arizona Trip and a local gathering spot for generations of Santa Cruz County residents. Our signature mesquite-grilled steaks, burgers, barbecue ribs & chicken bring customers from near and far to our rural corner of SE Arizona. We feature a full bar, local wines, and live music in an authentic country western setting. Whether you’re looking for a special dinner for two, a spot to accommodate your large group, or just an appetizer and drink at the bar; we’ve got you covered!

Top review

steve

Dined 7 days ago

Always Great Steak and Atmosphere ever.. Would highly recommend Steak Out.

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Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (25)

$30 and under

American

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar is a lively restaurant in Tucson, Arizona, offering scratch-made comfort food with a modern twist. Using high-quality ingredients, they create dishes that are both familiar and exciting. Their menu includes inventive burgers, tacos, loaded wings, and decadent desserts, along with a selection of craft cocktails, draft beers, and wines. Whether you're after a casual lunch, a fun family dinner, or a lively night out, Redbird has something for everyone. The warm and inviting atmosphere features a stylish design. Highlights of the Redbird experience include scratch-made food prepared in-house, top-notch ingredients like USDA choice beef and pasture-raised eggs, and unique, flavorful dishes you won't find elsewhere. Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails that perfectly complement your meal. Come experience the modern twist on comfort food at Redbird!

Top review

MattVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We love this restaurant. The food and service are excellent!

Guadalajara Fiesta Grill

4.6

4.6 (565)

$30 and under

Mexican

Midtown

About the restaurant

Mexican Food with flare for fun! Fresh Salsa made at your table-side every evening starting at 5pm. Nightly live music begins at 6pm until 9pm. The widest range of authentic dishes from home-made tortillas and chile rellenos and carnitas to innovative new dishes with many seafood selections such as Chilean Sea bass, halibut enchiladas or lobster stuffed salmon!

Top review

GENEVIP

Dined on May 6, 2025

Love this place, although service this time was less than acceptable ( at first!). Another server took over and things got better. Tableside salsa a trademark dish and fantastic. Nice selection of entrees too.

Humo Cocina Mexicana

4.6

4.6 (14)

$30 and under

Mexican

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

At Humo Cocina Mexicana, we bring the rich flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine to your table with a modern twist.

Top review

SaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We loved everything about Humo Cocina Mexicana. The food, the service, the music, the ambiance, and the drinks. Free refills on horchata! I wish I could remember our server's name b/c he was terrific. I left 20% and was wishing I had left more. I would have gone back to do it but we had to fly out the next day.

Zona 78

4.4

4.4 (468)

$30 and under

Italian

East Tucson

About the restaurant

Zona 78 is defined by a dedication to create delicious, Italian-inspired dishes from scratch. From hand-tossed pizzas to carefully crafted cheese, there is passion and innovation behind every morsel.

Zona 78 is Tucson family owned and operated.

*Patio seating is first come, first serve.*

Top review

Joan

Dined 4 days ago

Service good and professional. Food very good Good experience

Culinary Dropout - Tucson

4.4

4.4 (2864)

$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 2 days ago

Excellent food and great service. I have always had a good experience here.

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OBON + Sushi + Bar + Ramen - Tucson

4.4

4.4 (637)

$31 to $50

Asian

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Nestled in the cross section of Downtown Tucson and Historic 4th Avenue, OBON Tucson is located in the heart of Tucson’s entertainment district on Congress Street. With a polished casual approach, OBON is the spot for an unconventional and memorable dining experience. The menu features an array of starters, steamed buns, ramen and sushi, as well as an expansive list of inventive and thoughtful cocktails.

Top review

Jenna

Dined 6 days ago

The sushi was absolutely amazing!! The hostess was so kind and even congratulated me on my recent promotion. Our waitress also congratulated me and even offered us a complimentary glass of champagne for us to celebrate!!! An absolutely amazing experience as always!!

La Luz Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (52)

$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

Anika

Dined on May 17, 2025

Dinner was excellent at La Luz. From the gorgeous mountain views to the excellent meal, we enjoyed every moment of our dining experience. Positioned on the lower level of The Westin, the open concept allows diners to enjoy live music from the lounge above, and invites them to come stay awhile. We certainly went up and enjoyed the cozy post dinner seating.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Tucson Broadway

3.9

3.9 (163)

$30 and under

American

South Tucson

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined on May 12, 2025

The double pork chop was excellent. The slow roasted sirloin with pork rib combo was great and a fantastic value! The waitress was exceptionally helpful and attentive.

Dante's Fire Cocktails and Cuisine

3.7

3.7 (412)

$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

james

Dined on May 18, 2025

The food was fantastic. The service was very bad! They really need to improve this.

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Thai Curry Shrimp (GF)

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