New eats! 18 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this summer

We did it! We survived another summer in Tucson!

For the past few months, we’ve had to face grueling triple-digit weather, staying in our houses and blasting our air conditioners to escape the heat.

Finally, temperatures are slowly making their way to the 90s and our skin doesn’t sizzle as soon as we step foot outside. Fall is officially here and we're counting down the days until we can throw on our oversized sweaters again.

What better way to celebrate being able to go outdoors again than trying out a new restaurant?

From pintxos inspired by the Basque country to handmade boba, these new restaurant owners braved the heat and opened up new and exciting spots we can all enjoy.

Arnette Creek Watering Hole

At this new bar, you’ll feel like family. 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.

Basqueria

Basqueria is bringing the streets of Spain to Tucson. The old Fired Pie building on Congress Street has been transformed into a tapas restaurant that serves up pintxos and sangria, just like the bars in the Basque Country. 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.

Brucha

Bubble waffles and homemade boba: what more could you ask for? 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.

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.

Casa Madre

Casa Madre is bringing fine dining and salt walls to Tucson. This new restaurant specializes in gourmet meals and fancy cocktails. They also boast Tucson’s first Himalayan salt wall dining experience. Since the spot is on the smaller side, they are only taking reservations until their patio is up and running.

Location: 119. E. 18th St.

For more information, check out their Instagram page.

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. St Marys Road

For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.

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 recently moved to the north side. At Chocolate Iguana, you can get candy, Italian cream sodas, espresso drinks, sandwiches and pastries. They even added a few new menu items like acai bowls and energy drinks.

Location: 7250 N. La Cholla Blvd.

For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.

Copal

The family behind Taqueria La Esquina has opened a new restaurant, serving up dishes seen all across Mexico. Alex Bohon transformed the former home of The Dutch into a vibrant, colorful space complete with neon lights and skeleton murals. Not only is the restaurant beautiful, but the food is something 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. (P.S.: their carajillo cocktail is the best carajillo I have ever had!!)

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 locally owned spot has taken over the former Lemon Shark space on Grant Road, serving up fresh poke bowls, poke nachos and sushi. They have already been receiving great reviews about their creative and spicy sauces that you can add to your poke.

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Location: 2501 E. Grant Road

For more information, check out their Instagram page.

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. They have a new sandwich of the week every week, in addition to delicious-looking dinner specials. They also recently opened their patio so you can enjoy the fall weather while you chow down.

Location: 747 S. Sixth Ave.

For more information, check out their Instagram page.

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.

Rosebud Bakery

Sisters Harper and Haley Hall are making sure we start our mornings off right with fresh bread and coffee. The two sisters opened Rosebud Bakery where they make homemade pies, cookies, brownies, loaves of bread, croissants and so much more! 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.

Sonoran House

The owners of kids clothing shop Cactus Wren Kids, Arianna Wilson and Courtney Bedient, just opened a new 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 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. After scrolling through their Instagram, you’ll be running to your car to get your giant milkshake.

Location: 3161 N. Country Club Road

For more information, check out their Instagram page.

Unicorn Zebra Lounge

A unicorn zebra has moved into the old Citizen Building! 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. The even have yoga every Sunday, called Namaste and Rosé, where you’ll get a glass of rosé or Pueblo Vida beer during your yoga session.

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. According to their Instagram, the menu includes dishes like mollettes and chile rellenos. In addition to their tasty dishes, they also have a full bar that features cocktails made with mezcal and tequila. They even have an avocado margarita!

Location: 7090 N. Oracle Road

For more information, check out their Instagram page.

Ume Tea

This California chain recently opened in Tucson, bringing milk teas, fruit teas and slushies to midtown. The shop is filled with pink decor and a bunny mural alongside drinks that come with mystery plushies tucked inside.

Location: 1800 E. Fort Lowell Road

For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story.

Xolo Sonoran Cuisine

Start your morning off right with breakfast burritos or chilaquiles at Xolo. For lunch and dinner, you can choose from al pastor fries, flautas, Xolo dogs and various tacos. They have you covered from morning to night!

Location: 1055 E. Irvington Road

For more information, check out their website.

On the horizon

• Borderlands Brewing Co.: Borderlands' north-side location is gearing up to open soon, crossing their fingers for a date in September. The new location will include their classic drinks and appetizers along with arcade games. 5605 E. River Road.
• Antojitos: The family behind favorites like The Neighborhood and La Chingada is behind this spot dedicated to Mexican street snacks, aiming to open this month. 63 E. Congress St.
• Batey Puerto Rican Gastronomy: This new Puerto Rican spot is opening for reservations only beginning Sept. 26. According to KGUN 9, the restaurant will serve mofongo, arroz con gandules and seafood paella. 4230 N. Oracle Road.
• Lumbre Pizza A La Leña: This mobile pizzeria is moving into Cartel Roasting Co. on Oct. 2, serving up its Sonoran-inspired pizza with toppings like elote and carne asada. 210 E. Broadway.
• Chez Peachy: On Oct. 5, Christa Lebron is opening her first brick-and-mortar! At this pink bakery, you’ll be able to get all the girly bento cakes, cookies and drinks we’ve come to know and love. 501 N. Sixth Ave.
• Hebrews Coffee debuted in July, serving churro lattes in a chic black trailer. They'll be opening a space at American Eat Co. soon! 1439 S. Fourth Ave.