Tucson’s Best Restaurants

Price Key

Best Gourmet Mexican Food [1]: Don’t miss the creative and adventurous gourmet Mexican food at Cafe Poca Cosa [1] ($$$), one of Tucson’s top eateries, which is often featured in gourmet and lifestyle magazines.

Best Lunch with a Hug [2]: At The Little Cafe Poca Cosa [2] ($) the music is loud, the waitresses kiss and hug their customers, and a bit of attitude comes with every plate of some of the best chiles rellenos in town.

Best Coffee House [3]: Ike’s Coffee & Tea [3] ($) serves a great cup of joe and offers free wireless Internet, delicious baked goods, and a perfect central location.

Best Late-Night Fast Food [4]: Beans, meat, cheese, salsa, and tortillas — is there any better late-night menu? There’s a Nico’s [4] ($) on nearly every corner, and they’re always open and serving the best Mexican fast food in town.

Best Breakfast [5]: Francisco’s [5] ($), the Old Pueblo’s best diner, has tasty and filling American and Mexican breakfasts that will definitely fuel you up for a day of fun.

Best Vegetarian Food [6]: Enjoy a tasty, expertly prepared, and inexpensive all-you-can-eat vegetarian and vegan buffet at Govinda’s Natural Food Buffet [6] ($).

Best Music While You Eat [7]: At La Fuente [7] ($$), the airy tropical interior, always- festive atmosphere, and the loud expert mariachi bands strolling among the tables make for a perfect night out.

Best Use of Sonoran Desert Ingredients [8]: The prickly pear sorbet in a saguaro cactus seed cone, Arizona jojoba beef tenderloin, and Tohono O’odham white tepary bean coulis are just a few of the desert- influenced dishes available at the high-end Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon [8] ($$$).

Best Cowboy Steak and Beans [9]: If you’re hankering for a nice piece of mesquite-grilled meat, a big bowl of beans, and a festive, tourist-friendly atmosphere, there’s no better place than Pinnacle Peak Steak House [9] ($$), a popular ranch-style family eatery.

Best Mexican Food [10]: There’s a reason why there is always a line to get into Mi Nidito [10] ($), where you’ll find classic Sonoran food cooked to perfection and colorful decor.