It's been a big year for Tucson food.
Signs went up dubbing Tucson the best city for Mexican food in the U.S., local eateries received national nods and two chefs were semifinalists for James Beard Awards.
Of course, that doesn't include the 50-plus local restaurants that opened this year, from Mexican-inspired pizza to homemade pies to the comeback of Sweet Tomatoes.
While this list doesn't include chains, it's worth mentioning that a few heavy-hitters made their way to our desert city this year. People fell in love with the affordable lobster rolls at Angie's Lobster and the cups stuffed with hidden plushies at Ume Tea.
Here's a glimpse at 2024's newest additions to the Tucson culinary scene.
A. Toraño Wines
A. Toraño Wines, whose winery is based in Hopland, California, has opened a tasting room in Broadway Village. You can order meats, cheese and jam to go along with your wine.
Location: 14 S. Eastbourne Ave.
Visit their website or Instagram page for more information.
Arnette Creek Watering Hole
From the wooden chairs to the logo, every corner of Arnette Creek Watering Hole has a piece of the owner’s family history. Beer, wine and spirit flights are all on the menu here. Aside from sipping on cocktails, you can also listen to live music or play darts, cornhole and ping pong.
Location: 7215 E. 22nd St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
The Paella Basqueria comes with rice, chicken thigh and chorizo at Basqueria, a new downtown eatery.
Basqueria
Basqueria is bringing the streets of Spain to Tucson. The old Fired Pie building has been transformed into a tapas restaurant that serves up pintxos and sangria. Aside from their shareable dishes like their lamb kabobs, they also have several entrees on the menu like ropa vieja and paella.
Location: 350 E. Congress St.
For more information, check out their website or read our story.
The mofongo relleno camarones is just one of the Puerto Rican dishes on the menu at Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy.
Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy
After running popular Puerto Rican food truck Boriken for years, Carlos Garcia was ready to take on the next challenge: a brick-and-mortar. Batey Puerto Rican's menu is full of classic dishes like mofongo, tostones, empanadas and guava desserts.
Location: 4230 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their Facebook page or read our story.
The Bistro
Coffee X Change is bringing more than just coffee to Tucson — they also expanded to dinner this year, serving up pasta dishes and other Italian appetizers. Pesto pasta, penne alla no vodka, Alfredo and spaghetti are some of the entrees featured at The Bistro.
Location: 6841 E. Camino Principal
Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
Scott Noble, left, and Tom Struck are co-owners of Black Iris Cafe.
Black Iris Cafe
It’s hard to see the cute Pomeranian on the logo and not want to check out Black Iris Cafe. This new addition to Fourth Avenue is serving up diner classics like tater tots covered in cheese and bacon, pulled pork sandwiches and chicken pot pies.
Location: 340 N. Fourth Ave.
Check out their website and Instagram for more information.
Bollywood Pizza Company
This isn’t your ordinary pepperoni pizza. Food truck Bollywood Pizza Company brings Indian-inspired flatbreads to Tucson, courtesy a collaboration between Empire Pizza and Saffron Indian Bistro.
Check out their Instagram for more information.
Borderlands Brewing North
Borderlands now has three locations in Tucson. The newest space has been transformed into a brewcade, complete with arcade games, pool tables, foosball, air hockey and cornhole. They also serve chicharrones, enmoladas, tacos dorados and, of course, beer and spiked agua frescas.
Location: 5605 E. River Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
Alicia Hill chugs a beer from the Freedom Funnel, one of the drinks up for chance with a spin on The Wheel at Bourbon Bent.
Bourbon Bent
Mobeen Moslem and Rick Cano decided to put an end to the country drought near the University of Arizona. Bourbon Bent aims to bring a modern dive-bar experience to Main Gate Square. While you listen to country classics, you can enjoy meals like their steak and fries plate or chicken and waffles.
Location: 820 E University Blvd.
Visit their website, Instagram or read our story from more information.
The Broadway
The Broadway opened last month along the historic Sunshine Mile, specializing in all kinds of beer and wine. You can chose from a variety of IPAs, lagers, pale ales, stouts, ciders and bottles of wine. They also hold weekly events if you’re looking for a good place to catch up with friends.
Location: 2559 E. Broadway
For more information, check out their Instagram page or website.
Brucha
Brucha is Tucson’s newest tea spot where you can get a variety of milk teas, drinks and desserts. You may have seen videos on social media of their employees making the boba themselves, rolling it by hand every two hours.
Location: 3435 E. Speedway
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Bartender Jordan Larsen shakes up an order for a Painkiller, the No. 1 drink on the card at Cabali, on March 14.
Cabali
Doug “Fini” Finical knows what it takes to run a good tiki bar. He runs The Landing and Fini’s Landing, beach-themed restaurants that are each decorated with fish trinkets and surfboards. In his latest venture, Finical created a modern speakeasy-style tiki bar.
Location: 8195 N. Oracle Road
Read our story for more information.
Café Thắng
Move over Starbucks, there’s a new coffee place in town! Café Thắng specializes in Vietnamese coffee, which is a combination of rich coffee and sweet condensed milk. The best part: you can get unique cold foams like egg cream or salt cream on top of your iced coffee, giving it an extra flavorful kick.
Location: 2970 S. Sixth Ave.
For more information, check out their Facebook page or read our story.
Cariño Coffee
You may have noticed a light-pink coffee cart parked at Hotel Congress recently. This super-cute cart is Cariño Coffee. The soon-to-be husband-and-wife team are both first-generation Mexican Americans who hope to bring all the nostalgic flavors from their culture to our taste buds.
Location: 311 E. Congress St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Casa Asada
Casa Asada, inspired by the taquerias found in Hermosillo, Mexico, opened in the space that was most recently home to Goodness. Expect to find thick-cut steak tacos alongside a menu of quesadillas, tostadas and a salsa bar.
Location: 2502 N. Campbell Ave.
Visit their website or Instagram for more information.
Casa Madre
This new restaurant specializes in gourmet meals and fancy cocktails. Expect entrees of tilapia and ribeye. Casa Madre also boasts Tucson’s first Himalayan salt wall dining experience.
Location: 119. E. 18th St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
People hang out inside Celestia Collective during the soft opening on Aug. 15.
Celestia Collective
Celestia Collective is part witchy coffee shop, part community space. It's where you can grab a cup of coffee, get a tattoo, learn a new craft, shop from your favorite metaphysical makers or tackle some homework. Colibri & Renard Coffee, owned by Celestia Collective co-owner Cassandra Barr, serves up the coffee.
Location: 657 W. Saint Marys Road; moving in 2025 to a new location!
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
Pictured are the carnita sliders from Chela’s Latin Cuisine.
Chela’s Latin Cuisine
The family behind El Sur is back at it again and this time, they've created a new restaurant dedicated to Honduran and Caribbean flavors. Chela’s Latin Cuisine focuses on dinner service, but the space transforms into a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights, with brunch will be served on weekends. Their menu includes dishes like mole poblano, ceviche and chile rellenos.
Location: 256 E. Congress St.
Visit their website, Instagram or read our story for more information.
Roxy Sellers, the head barista at Chez Peachy, takes a customer’s at the bakery located at 501 N. Sixth Ave. on Dec. 17.
Chez Peachy
Chez Peachy isn’t your average bakery — it’s a pink wonderland! This beloved bakery known for their colorful bento cakes opened their first brick-and-mortar in October, bringing along all of Christa Lebron’s delicious treats, sparkly drinks and girly flair.
Location: 501 N. Sixth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
Steve and Cheryll Benefield look over the menu at the Chocolate Iguana at its new location, 7250 N. La Cholla Blvd., on July 9.
Chocolate Iguana
Tucson’s beloved coffee and candy shop is back! The shop closed its doors at its iconic Fourth Avenue spot in 2022, but they moved to the north side this year. Find candy, Italian cream sodas, espresso drinks, sandwiches and pastries.
Location: 7250 N. La Cholla Blvd.
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
Coop by Cowpig serves a menu of chicken tenders, chicken and waffles and chicken sandwiches.
Coop by Cowpig
When Coop announced on Instagram they were leaving American Eat Co., people panicked. Where else would we get those delicious chicken tenders and buffalo fries?! Thankfully, Coop was just moving on to bigger things — and into a brick-and-mortar of their own.
Location: 429 N. Fourth Ave.
Check out their Instagram or read our story for more information.
Elote ribs are just one of the items you can get at Copal.
Copal
The family behind Taqueria La Esquina is behind this new restaurant. Alex Bohon transformed the former home of The Dutch into a vibrant, colorful space complete with neon lights, skeleton murals and food you’d see in a magazine. Elote ice cream shaped like corn on a cob and ribeye aguachile are just some of the unique items you can order.
Location: 5340 E. Broadway
For more information, check out their website or read our story.
Desert Shark
Lemon Shark is out and Desert Shark is in! This new spot has taken over the former Lemon Shark space on Grant Road, serving up fresh poke bowls, poke nachos and sushi.
Location: 2501 E. Grant Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
DiBella’s Brunch N’ Booze
This new brunch spot in Oro Valley is serving up all kinds of savory and sweet breakfast dishes. What was once Firetruck Brewing has now been transformed into DiBella’s Brunch N’ Booze, where you can enjoy a stack of pancakes and a bubbly mimosa.
Location: 9630 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their Instagram and Facebook.
El Brunch Bistro
This brunch spot flooded social media when it opened its first location earlier this year, thanks to its giant conchas and XL mugs of coffee. Beyond the monster-sized menu items, you can also find breakfast burritos, tacos and specials like chilaquiles. By fall, El Brunch had already opened a second spot.
Location: 3053 S. Kinney Road; 1060 S. Kolb Road
Visit their Instagram for more information.
Juan Almanza makes quesabirras, one of the birria dishes on the menu at his El Taco Rustico on Sept. 21.
El Rustico 2
Whether it’s in a taco or on top of a Zio Peppe pizza, Juan Almanza’s birria recipe has had people flocking to El Rustico for years. In early March, El Rustico’s second location opened on South Park Avenue, serving up the same iconic tacos as the original location.
Location: 1830 S. Park Ave.
Visit their website or Facebook page for more information.
The strawberry Bingsu at Flakes Express comes with the shaved ice and sweetened condensed milk, topped with strawberries and a scoop of ice cream.
Flakes
For years, Jin Jeon worked at various sushi restaurants around town, learning how to craft the perfect sushi roll from the very best chefs. Now, he’s taken matters into his own hands. Jeon and his wife Seong Yoon An have opened Flakes, where you can find sushi rolls, poke bowls and bingsu.
Location: 1031 N. Park Ave.
For more information, check out their menu here or read our story.
Forbes Meat Company
Forbes Meat Company has it all: a lunch menu, a dinner menu, a beer and wine bar and a butcher shop. In July, Forbes Meat Company opened their new location focusing on the freshest seafood, steaks and sausages.
Location: 747 S. Sixth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Owner and chef C.J. Hamm poses for a photo in the kitchen ahead of the opening of his restaurant Hammbone’s.
Hammbone's Meat and Three
C.J. Hamm is bringing the meat and three concept to Tucson, where you'll have the chance to choose between proteins like country ham, pot roast and smothered pork chops alongside mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, porky collards and cheesy grits. Weekly specials are also part of the fun: Mom Mondays feature meat loaf and turkey, Tuesdays highlight Hamm's grandma's chicken and dumplings.
Location: 2027 S. Craycroft Road
For more information, check out their website or read our story.
Hebrews Coffee
This new coffee spot in American Eat Co. has all the classic espresso drinks as well as a seasonal menu filled with fun flavors. In December, their winter drinks include a caramel apple butter shaken espresso, a s’mores latte with toasted marshmallow cold foam, a crème brulee latte and café de olla.
Location: 1439 S. Fourth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Jonathan Russell, left, and Julia Russell, owners of The Jewel Cafe and Juice Bar.
The Jewel Café
Julia “Jewels” Russell and her husband Jonathan transformed a vacant building on Fourth Avenue into a new café. Find chicken avocado sandwiches, a pesto melt and plenty of juices and coffee.
Location: 431 N. Fourth Ave.
Visit their Facebook page or read our story for more information.
Kotu
After bringing the Two Hands Corn Dogs chain to Tucson, Calvin Hoang decided to start his own concept. When opening Kotu, an all-you-can eat Korean barbecue spot, Hoang enlisted the help of chefs from Los Angeles, who each have experience working at popular Korean restaurants.
Location: 4545 N. Oracle Road
Visit their Instagram or read our story for more information.
La Estrella Bakery
La Estrella is far from new. The bakery has been a fan favorite among Tucsonans since the '80s, serving conchas, doughnuts and flour tortillas. What is new, though, is their downtown location.
Location: 141 S. Stone Ave.
Visit their website for more information.
Leo Garcia, owner of Lumbre Pizza at 210 E. Broadway, slices up a pizza for a customer on Dec. 18.
Lumbre Pizza A La Leña
You may be familiar with Lumbre owner Leo Garcia, who helped found the popular pizza truck, Family Joint Pizza. After starting Lumbre as a food truck, he moved into Cartel’s downtown location to serve his Mexican-fusion pizza. Tomatillo, carne asada and calabacitas are just a few of the Sonoran flavors you can expect to see.
Location: 210 E. Broadway
For more information, check out their Instagram page, their website or read our story.
Mantis Gourmet Chinese Food
When this beloved Chinese spot closed, customers were devastated. Luckily, their reign in Marana isn't over. Mantis moved into a new location, transforming an old Nico's Taco Shop into their adored restaurant.
Locations: 8295 N. Cortaro Road
Visit their Facebook page for more information.
Esteban Soto, right, and sous chef Howard Wong prep for the soft opening of the National at 98 E. Congress St. After three years, Patricia Schwabe is opening the grab-and-go, fast-casual restaurant along with a retail space next door that will sell books and gifts. National will be open for breakfast and lunch.
National
National is local restaurateur Patricia Schwabe’s latest downtown venture. This fast-casual breakfast and lunch café is housed in the former National Shirt Shop building, where they feature house-baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, salads, grain bowls and pasta as well as a full-service bar that serves craft cocktails.
Location: 98 E. Congress St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
The Taiwan beef soup has fatty chunks of roast in a lighter beef broth with housemade wheat noodles.
Noodleholics
Noodleholics has long been a go-to spot for big bowls of spicy noodles. The eatery recently opened their third location, taking over Barbizza’s old space. Now east-siders can get all the classic, delicious Noodleholics dishes without having to drive through Grant Road construction.
Location: 6310 E. Tanque Verde Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page or website.
The WTW (Walker Texas Wiener) is topped with pulled pork, sweet relish, crispy fried onions and finished off with a zig-zag of barbecue sauce.
Odd Dogs
At Tucson’s punk rock-esque hot dog cart Odd Dogs, Nate Vincent is serving up creative takes on the classic, all-American dish. You can get the Jindo Dog which comes with carrot kraut, peanut sauce, bacon, crushed peanuts and mint; or the Full Nelson, which has tomato jam, bacon, green onion and whipped black pepper ricotta.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Manager Claudia Duarte prepares a burrito on the line at Percheron Mexican Grill, 444 W. Ajo Way, on March 5. Percheron was first launched by owner Diego Valencia in 2013 as a food truck. It continues to operate a mile away from the new brick-and-mortar.
Percheron Mexican Grill
The food truck famous for its giant bacon-wrapped burritos has officially opened a brick-and-mortar. Get carne asada burritos wrapped in bacon, plus hot dogs, tacos, quesadillas and caramelos.
Location: 4860 S. 12th Ave.
Visit their website or read our story for more information.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro
Miguel Angel, the man behind local quesabirria eatery La Yaquesita, took over the building that was once home to Hub Ice Cream, transforming it into Raspaderia El Sahuaro, a new raspado shop that also includes some of the tasty dishes found at his restaurant.
Location: 245 E. Congress St.
Visit their Instagram or read our story for more information.
The couple behind La Chingada, Cruda and The Neighborhood has opened a new brunch spot, Real Good Brunch Co., where the food is made with fresh, clean ingredients.
Real Good Brunch Co.
We’ve all come to know and love the Mexican dishes found at La Chingada, Cruda and The Neighborhood. Now, the family behind the beloved restaurants is switching it up and focusing on healthy breakfast at their newest concept, Real Good Brunch Co.
Location: 1310 S. Alvernon Way
Visit their website, Instagram or read our story for more information.
Reds Tacos and More
Shopping can make you hungry. After a long day at the Tucson Premium Outlets, tacos would definitely hit the spot. Reds Tacos and More recently opened at the outlets, where they serve Mexican pizzas, quesadillas and specialty tacos like quesabirria.
Location: 6401 W. Marana Center Blvd.
Visit their Instagram for more information.
A pedestrian passes by Rocco’s Little Chicago’s new location on the Sol Block, 2555 E. Broadway, on Oct. 3.
Rocco’s Little Chicago
This fall, Rocco’s made the big move ... 200 yards from their original location. You can still get their amazing Chicago-style pizza, but now there’s more dining space and a bigger parking lot. (Don’t worry, their funny sign is now inside.)
Location: 2555 E. Broadway
For more information: check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
A sliced pumpkin chai pie for sale at Rosebud bakery.
Rosebud Bakery
Sisters Harper and Haley Hall opened Rosebud Bakery where they make homemade pies, cookies, brownies, loaves of bread and croissants. They also have a full espresso bar so you can enjoy a cup of coffee with whatever baked good you choose.
Location: 844 S. Sixth Ave.
For more information, check out their website or read our story.
Co-owners Gabriela Delgadillo, left, and Jesus Oleta launched Samurai Sombrero food truck in early December 2022.
Samurai Sombrero
This beloved food truck combines Mexican and Japanese flavors to create unique, spicy sushi rolls. As their food truck became more popular around town, Samurai Sombrero made the move to a space inside American Eat Co.
Location: 1439 S. Fourth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Slow Body Beer Company
This brewery focuses on lager and session beer, offering beer on draft and cans to-go. Slow Body Beer hopes its taproom can become a comfortable space for the community to enjoy a drink, hang with one another, work remotely or read a book.
Location: 831 E. 17th St.
Visit their website or Instagram for more information.
Sonora Moonshine Company
With three Borderlands taprooms under his belt, Es Teran has added one more spot to his list. Sonora Moonshine Company is focused on agave-based spirits, complete with shareable dishes like carne seca guacamole and a speakeasy basement.
Location: 124 E. Broadway
Visit their Instagram or read our story for more information.
Sonoran House
The owners of kids clothing shop Cactus Wren Kids, Arianna Wilson and Courtney Bedient, opened a new midtown spot that's part café, part store. Sip on your agave latte as you shop art, jewelry and candles from Tucson creatives.
Location: 1610 N. Tucson Blvd.
For more information, visit their Instagram page or read our story.
Sweet Tomatoes
What was once a chain, Sweet Tomatoes announced they'd be closing all their restaurants due to the pandemic in 2020. Then it reopened in Tucson, the only location in the whole country, and people traveled from other states to get their salad fix, while Tucsonans stood in line, rain or shine, to get into the treasured salad bar.
Location: 6202 E. Broadway
For more information, visit their website.
Sweet Vibes Raspados
This isn’t your average raspado shop — the sweet treats are on another level. Chocolate strawberry cheesecake raspados are topped with whipped cream and chunks of cheesecake. Spicy watermelon raspados, unicorn paletas and their chamoyada with Takis and cacahuates are just a few of the treats found here.
Location: 3161 N. Country Club Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Sydney's Sweet Shoppe has a long list of pie flavors, including both fruit and cream flavors. Pictured is cherry.
Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe
This adored east-side pie shop moved just a few doors down from their original location, complete with an expanded list of treats, a big dining space and a coffee menu.
Location: 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
Tabu
Yet another super-chic restaurant has made its way to Congress Street. Tabu is a Latin-infused restaurant inspired by dishes seen in Mexico City and Sonora. Aguachile, birria tacos, ribeye and bone marrow are just a few of the dishes on Tabu’s menu.
Location: 128 E. Congress St.
Visit their website, Instagram or read our story for more information.
Tinajas Wine & Beer
At this new spot in the Catalina Foothills, you can find a curated selection of wine and beer, including local favorites and rare finds from around the world. If you’re looking to impress friends or host a private party, you can even schedule events here.
Location: 6960 E. Sunrise Dr.
For more information, check out their Instagram page or website.
Tio Ben’s Mexican Grill
After being featured on "Bar Rescue," the Cinco Cantina (or High Five Grille) announced they were closing. Now a new restaurant has moved into the building. At Tio Ben’s, you can choose from an array of Mexican seafood dishes. Molcajetes with shrimp, salmon adobado and seafood tostadas are all on the menu.
Location: 3682 W. Orange Grove Road
Visit their Facebook for more information.
Tuxon Chix opened in 2024 with a menu of chicken sandwiches, tenders and wings.
Tuxon Chix
Tuxon Chix is home to chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and chicken wraps that each come in unique flavors like tikka masala and hot honey. Plus, there's a drive-thru!
Location: 5524 E. Grant Road
Visit their website for more information.
Unicorn Zebra, a new bar located inside the Citizen building, has opened its doors.
Unicorn Zebra Lounge
Sandy and Lourens du Plessis have opened Unicorn Zebra Lounge, bringing a little bit of South Africa to downtown Tucson. You can order cocktails that incorporate popular South African flavors, wine from South Africa and beer from local breweries.
Location: 82 S. Stone Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
Victoria Cocina Mexicana
David Matias, the former chef of Teresa’s Mosaic Café, is bringing Oaxacan and Sonoran flavors to the northwest side. The menu includes dishes like mollettes and chile rellenos, plus a full bar that features cocktails made with mezcal and tequila.
Location: 7090 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
Viva Tokyo is the newest addition at American Eat Co., specializing in ramen and other Asian-inspired dishes.
Viva Tokyo
One of the newest additions to American Eat Co. brings ramen, beef bowls and other Asian-inspired classics to the food hall, courtesy Samurai Sombrero's Gabriella Delgadillo.
