Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2024 and updated in 2025.
You may see pictures on social media of lavish summer vacations, complete with clear blue water and out-of-this-world views, but no sandy beach has Tucson’s food scene.
You don’t have to go on an expensive vacation to have the perfect summer day, all you have to do is take a 20-minute drive to try a new-to-you local restaurant. One bite of a perfect carne asada taco is just as good as sitting by the ocean ... and much cheaper too!
From treating yourself to some ice cream nachos to enjoying a picnic in nature, there are so many things to do around Tucson to beat the heat and have some foodie fun. Below are just a few ideas to help you have the best and most delicious summer day.
The Sampler at the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin comes with every kind of cookie they make, plus a mountain of ice cream on top.
Picnic on Mount Lemmon
A picnic is a perfect summer activity, especially when it's not 100 degrees outside. Sitting on a gingham blanket while eating juicy watermelon and sandwiches — it feels like a scene straight out of a book.
But here in Tucson, sitting for five minutes outside would leave us in a puddle of sweat. Thankfully, that’s an easy fix.
About an hour away, you can escape the heat on Mount Lemmon, where the weather is 20 degrees cooler than Tucson's (high 70s and 80s!!) and nature views that will make all your picnic dreams come true.
To make things even easier, you can stop by Tandem American Eatery, 8864 E. Tanque Verde Road, and pick up a delicious meal to take up the mountain. According to their website, their menu includes items like gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. You can also take a trip to the mountain's famous cookie cabin for a giant homemade cookie as a sweet treat.
Chef Ryan Clark, right, executive chef at Casino Del Sol, teaches Cade Stephenson a cooking trick during a couples cooking class, taught by Clark, at Cook Tucson, 1702 N. Stone Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on February 11, 2020. Couples made Humboldt Fog Cheese Tartlet, Surf and Turf and Ice Cream Profiteroles during the couples cooking class.
Take a workshop led by local bakers or do a foodie-inspired craft
Step up your skills in the kitchen and take a cooking class with friends! You can find cooking classes this summer through Flying Aprons, The Garden Kitchen and Antsy Nancy.
There is also lots of foodie-inspired crafts around town you can do! At the Sigfus Charm Bar, you can make your very own charm bracelet or necklace, decorating them with the cute, handmade food charms they have. Eggs, baguettes, croissants, Goldfish crackers and peppers are just a few of the food charms they have.
Chappopin Cafe is another great place to gather with friends and take a craft workshop. Many of the workshops they offer include a tasty pastry and a latte. That way, when you are making your own candle you can sip on one of their amazing horchata lattes.
Blanca Inzunza prepares churros for customers during the Summer Night Market at the MSA Annex.
Check out local markets and try a new food vendor
Tucson may be known for its delicious restaurants, but we also have an abundance of amazing local vendors who pop up at markets are town.
Recently, Tucson Foodie has been hosting Food Truck Roundups at Casino Del Sol, featuring 20+ local food trucks.
Later this month, Ducky's Pineapple Banana Bread will be hosting their 4th Annual Bake Sale at Brick Box Brewery, where local vendors Ate Kei Filipino Treats, 1989 Bakehouse and Tucson Chocolate Factory will be selling their sweet treats.
Dirty T Tamarindo, a candy shop that specializes in spicy, chamoy-covered sweets, will also be bringing back their markets that happen every third Saturday of the month in September. These markets features food, vendors, games and a dunk tank.
The Summer Night Market at the MSA Annex is another monthly market that feature local food vendors selling their tasty homemade treats.
Bartender Mike Walsh rings up a tab at the Tough Luck Club in 2022.
Escape the heat at a basement bar or speakeasy
Rooftop bars and patios are fun, but not in triple-degree heat. An icy margarita will definitely taste better under the cool breeze of an A/C.
Instead of drinking in the sun, escape the heat by making a visit to a basement bar. Places like the Tough Luck Club, Barbata and Snake and Barrel are underground bars that have unique atmospheres and fun cocktails. To make things even better, each of these bars are connected to restaurants, so you can have a flavorful dinner before drinks.
Most recently, Sonora Moonshine Company opened Prohibición, a secret speakeasy where they say master mixologists craft killer agave drinks on the spot.
Two new gelato flavors debut at Noodies each week.
Cool off with a sweet treat
From chocolate to cake batter, there is nothing like enjoying a cold ice cream cone on a summer day. Thankfully here in Tucson, we have all kinds of sweet treats to choose from.
You can enjoy gelato in creative flavors at places like Ceres, Noodies and Frost or take a short drive to Catalina to try Licks’ cereal-infused ice cream. The Screamery even has special creations such as their ice cream flights, ice cream nachos and classic banana spilts.
Personally, one of my favorite places to visit in this heat is Delicias De Michoacan. Their strawberry raspado with vanilla ice cream and lechera hits the spot every time.
The plain butter croissant ($4.95) at Patisserie Jacqui is the most exquisitely laminated pastry we’ve found in Southern Arizona.
Take a day trip and try food outside of Tucson
It’s hard to believe, but other cities in Southern Arizona have great food that’s waiting to be explored.
Head an hour down south to try some of what Nogales has to offer. The cabeza and birria tacos at Cocina La Ley are some of my favorites ever. You can also grab a Finito while you're there, which is like shaved ice but a million times better.
You can also visit Patagonia, which is home to popular steakhouse The Steakout, or visit Sonoita winery AZ Hops and Vines, where they always have fun events going on. You can even take a trip to Bisbee, where our former food writer Ellice Lueders says the pastries at Patisserie Jacqui are worth the trip alone.
