Did fall even happen?!
One moment we were cursing the 100-degree weather and the next we were wrapping presents and getting ready for Santa’s arrival.
If it wasn’t for this story, I would have never thought about fall. I’ve been in winter mode since Nov. 1.
But as we play our Mariah Carey and take out our puffy coats, let's have a moment for fall — more specifically, let’s have a round of applause for all the restaurants that popped up this season.
A pink and glittery bakery, a Puerto Rican spot that feels like you’ve stepped onto the island, a hidden pizza joint that adds Mexican flair to the classic dish and a classy wine and beer bar with drinks from all over the world are just a few new places that opened in Tucson in the past few months.
Trust me, you’ll want to put all these places on your must-try list for 2025.
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 Gastronomy opened on the north side in October, serving up authentic Puerto Rican dishes with a modern twist. Garcia brought the island to his new spot with lively colors and decorations that represent popular destinations found there.
Most importantly, the menu is full of classic Puerto Rican 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 Broadway
You’re cruising along the historic Sunshine Mile and all of a sudden you're thirsty: what do you do?! Thankfully this new spot is able to fix your problem.
Last month, The Broadway opened, 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.
Roxy Sellers, the head barista at Chez Peachy, adds pink cold foam to the top of a fresh matcha at the bakery 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.
The whole bakery is pink, decorated with glittery murals, cowboy hats decorated like cake and a mirror with a (fake) frosting border. While you take in all the cuteness, you can enjoy a Hello Kitty-themed lunchbox-sized cake, jumbo brownies, gourmet cookies and espresso drinks. (Yes, everything is topped with edible glitter!!)
Location: 501 N. Sixth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.
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.
Monte Cristos, apple pie nachos, breakfast burritos, potato cheese balls and sun butter and jam pancakes are all on the menu here. You can also pair your breakfast with a fun cocktail or a vanilla cold brew.
Location: 9630 N. Oracle Road
For more information, check out their Instagram and Facebook.
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 Express, where you can find sushi rolls, poke bowls and bingsu on their menu. They have all the classic rolls including California rolls, rainbow rolls, spicy tuna rolls and vegan rolls. They also have more creative takes on your average sushi roll like their Hot Cheeto roll, which comes topped with crumbles of the spicy chips.
Trust me, you’ll want to try their bingsu, which is Korean shaved ice. It is the best sweet treat ever!
Location: 1031 N. Park Ave.
For more information, check out their menu here or read our story.
Hebrews Coffee
Start your day off at American Eat Co. with one of Hebrews’ delicious lattes.
This new coffee spot has all the classic espresso drinks as well as a seasonal menu filled with fun flavors. This month, 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. You can also grab tasty pastries from Cal’s Bakeshop, lox bagels, avocado toast and yogurt parfait bowls.
P.S.: I’ve had their toasted marshmallow cold foam on a latte before and it is delicious.
Location: 1439 S. Fourth Ave.
For more information, check out their Instagram page.
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
Sure, pepperoni on a pizza is good, but have you ever had a pizza topped with carne asada or chorizo? At Lumbre Pizza A La Leña, you can try those toppings plus more, changing your life forever.
You may be familiar with the owner Leo Garcia, who helped found the popular pizza truck, Family Joint Pizza. Now he’s the owner of Lumbre, moving into Cartel’s downtown location to serve up Mexican-fusion pizza. Tomatillo, carne asada and calabacitas are just a few of the Sonoran flavors you can expect to see at Lumbre. Not only is their pizza amazing, but their horchata is also spectacular.
Location: 210 E. Broadway, inside Cartel Roasting Co.
For more information, check out their Instagram page, their website or read our story.
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. They also have vegan and gluten-free items as well as a full-service bar that serves craft cocktails. If you need a place to grab a good breakfast while you work or catch up on some reading, National is your place.
Location: 98 E. Congress St.
For more information, check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
Tinajas Wine & Beer
Tinajas isn’t just serving beer and wine; they are looking to grow your appreciation for wine.
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, their website says. 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.
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 food hall American Eat Co. brings ramen, beef bowls and other Asian-inspired classics, courtesy Gabriella Delgadillo.
Delgadillo is also the owner behind Samurai Sombrero, which is also in American Eat Co. and combines Mexican and Japanese flavors to create unique, spicy sushi rolls.
Local favorites, new locations
El Brunch Bistro
This brunch spot flooded social media when it opened on the southwest side earlier this year, thanks to its giant conchas and XL mugs of coffee. (Seriously, the XL mug serves about 15 cups and the conchas are larger than your head.)
El Brunch Bistro has now opened a second location, this time on the east side. Find breakfast burritos, tacos and specials like chilaquiles.
Location: 1060 S. Kolb Road
For more information, check out their website or Instagram page.
Borderlands Brewing North
Finally, us northeast-siders have something fun to do!
Earlier this month, Borderlands opened their third location in the River Center on River Road near Craycroft. The space, which once housed Harvest, has been transformed into a brewcade, complete with arcade games, pool tables, foosball, air hockey and corn hole. 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.
The Taiwan beef soup has fatty chunks of roast in a lighter beef broth with housemade wheat noodles, $11.
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 on East Tanque Verde Road. Now east-siders can get all the classic, delicious Noodleholics dishes without having to drive through the Grant Road construction.
Location: 6310 E. Tanque Verde Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page or website.
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.
For 26 years, Rocco’s Little Chicago could be found on Broadway with its signature green roof and hilarious sign out front. While they are still on Broadway, they have now moved into their new spot on the Sunshine Mile. 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 inside.)
Location: 2555 E. Broadway
For more information: check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
Both Sydney Adams Yi and her dad, Leon Adams, are the ones who bake at Sydney's Sweet Shoppe.
Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe
This east-side pie shop also moved just a few doors down from their original location.
Earlier this month, Sydney Adams Yi opened the new and improved Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe, complete with more delicious treats, a big dining space and a coffee menu. Now you can enjoy a tasty slice of Dutch apple pie, Texas sheet cake, beautifully decorated cupcakes and so much more while you sit and catch up with friends. Trust me, it is almost impossible to choose what treat to get!
Location: 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road
For more information, check out their Instagram page, website or read our story.
On the horizon
- Antojitos: The family behind favorites like The Neighborhood and La Chingada is behind this spot dedicated to Mexican street snacks, located at 63 E. Congress St. In late November, they said they'd announce the soft opening soon.
- Cal's Bakeshop: Caleb Orellana is known for his delicious doughnuts and pastries that he delivers to local spots around town. Now he's getting ready to open his own brick-and-mortar in the old Rocco's building at 2707 E. Broadway.
- Espressoul: This cafe on wheels serves delicious concoctions that include lattes inspired by s'mores and cookie butter, plus a blueberry-lavender matcha that's to die for. Owner Eris Movahedi will open a brick-and-mortar at 1525 N. Wilmot Road this spring.
