9 Best Restaurants in Tucson, Arizona

One of Tucson's premier chefs, Albert Hall, relocated his fine-dining restaurant to high in the Catalina Foothills, so now patrons can enjoy stunning city views from both the restaurant and the expansive, more casual bar. Roasted plum tomato and basil soup, a recipe from Hall's mom, is a favorite starter. Creative dishes like wild salmon with a pecan honey-mustard glaze and wood-roasted quail filled with pancetta, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and Oaxacan risotto are among the many tempting, organically grown (or raised) entrées. Vegetarians have choices here, too, including a sweet corn–and–green chile custard with roasted vegetables, fettuccine, and wild mushrooms, and an Asian noodle salad.

At one of Tucson's oldest and most elegant restaurants, dine on the patio overlooking the lush grounds or enjoy the view from the dining room, which has Southwestern details from the 1930s. The culinary range here is broad, from roasted duck in a tart cherry demi-glace to a vegetarian tomato and mushroom cannelloni. Locals mostly come for weekday power breakfasts, business or special occasion lunches, and Sunday brunch.

Tucked inside the Stevens Home, part of the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, this gem of a café serves breakfast frittatas, burritos, and pancakes as well as delightful salads, soups, and sandwiches daily from 8 to 4, and is open for happy hour and dinner Wednesday through Saturday until 9.

This charming spot off the lobby of Hotel Congress is at the epicenter of Tucson's hippest scene, but it also serves up excellent food from breakfast through late night. Try the cast-iron baked eggs or huevos rancheros for breakfast, and the ahi poke bowl or "Queer Steer" (veggie burger) later in the day. It's open late—until 10 pm weeknights and 11 pm on weekends—and becomes crowded in the evening with patrons from Club Congress, the hotel's nightclub.

Beer lovers should head to Gentle Ben's, a friendly, laid-back burger-and-brew pub that also makes a scrumptious veggie burger. The deck upstairs offers a good view of the sunset.

A standout for classic American cuisine, Kingfisher has an emphasis on fresh seafood, especially oysters and mussels, but the kitchen does baby back ribs and steak with equal success. Try the delicately battered fish-and-chips or the clam chowder on the late-night menu, served from 10 pm to midnight nightly. Bright panels of turquoise and terra-cotta, black banquettes, and neon lighting make for a chic space in the main dining room, or sit in the cozy bar area with locals who appreciate a good meal with their cocktails.

With freshly roasted coffee, breakfast pastries, and generous sandwiches, salads, and soups, this pleasant little eatery smack in the middle of Tubac village is a very convenient and friendly place to "set awhile" with the locals.

Well known—and loved—for its creative American fare and stunning presentation, Wildflower has compelling choices like a salmon and seafood bouillabaise; bow-tie pasta with grilled chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and pine nuts; and red wine–braised short ribs. The decadently huge desserts are equally top-notch. A glass wall separates the bar from the dining area, where an open kitchen, high ceiling with painted flowers, and blue-green banquettes complete the light and airy effect. Request a banquette or seating on the patio in the evening if you want quiet conversation, as the room can be noisy.

Have a glass of wine or a cocktail with your gourmet burger and fries at this high-energy, somewhat noisy, and unquestionably hip burger joint. Zinburger delivers tempting burgers—try the Kobe beef with cheddar and wild mushrooms—and decadent milkshakes made of creative combinations like dates and honey or melted chocolate with praline flakes. A few creative salads, including one with ahi tuna, round out the menu. The restaurant also has a second location on the northeast side of town.