7 Best Restaurants in Tucson, Arizona

An anchor in the downtown district, this French-inspired bistro, bar, and gourmet market takes up part of Tucson's historic train depot. Clever thematic touches—a dining room fashioned long and narrow like a train car, with wheel-like divider walls and lamps made from rail spikes—and the attentive yet relaxed service evoke the romance of a largely bygone era. Choose a table by the window and watch the trains go by. Or, if you prefer, sit outside on the vast patio overlooking the tracks. Menu choices range from starters like fresh oysters and steak tartare to bouillabaisse, coq au vin, and burgers served with pommes frites. The market, open from 7 am to 8 pm daily, sells pastries, sandwiches, and lighter fare to take out or dine in, as well as regional wines, tamales, and ice cream.

Hip in an understated way, this classy bistro and bar is firmly ensconced at the top of local "best of Tucson" lists, and its cocktails have garnered national attention. The minimalist setting—walnut banquettes, exposed pipes, and bare-bulb lighting—contrasts with the great care taken in preparing entrées like phyllo-wrapped chicken stuffed with spinach and goat cheese or steamed mussels with andouille sausage and pommes frites. Try a bold, herb-infused cocktail such as the Brick House old fashioned with bacon-washed rye.

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.

Ever-evolving maverick and master chef Janos Wilder draws inspiration from warm-weather regions around the world as he fuses French technique and Southwestern flavors. His emphasis on locally grown, organic foods informs the seasonally changing menu, but you can always get his signature J Dawg, a Sonoran hot dog with black beans, bacon, and smoked–poblano chile crema. The interior, decorated in soft blues and greens and exposed-brick walls, encourages relaxation and quiet conversation.

One of Tucson's most popular upscale bistros, Feast has a contemporary setting that is bright, cheerful, and conducive to conversation. The eclectic menu, which changes monthly, is filled with interesting combinations of flavors such as rosemary–goat cheese risotto with artichoke hearts and tomatoes, and orange-glazed chicken breast with roasted beets on sesame-cream noodles. Many of the herbs and veggies are grown in the restaurant's garden. A similarly eclectic array of wines is available for both dining and retail. Though the cuisine may be hard to categorize, it is always yummy—including the homemade desserts.

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.

A modern Italian bistro in a lovely Foothills setting, Vivace has long been a favorite with Tucsonans. Wild mushrooms and goat cheese in puff pastry is hard to resist as a starter, and the fettuccine with grilled salmon is a nice, lighter alternative to such entrées as a rich osso buco. For dessert, the molten chocolate cake with spumoni is worth the 20 minutes it takes to create. Patio seating, with either city or mountain views, is especially inviting on warm evenings.