When you live in Arizona, there is nothing better than snow.
As soon as the first snowflake falls from the sky, our phones are out as we record our desert scenery transforming into a winter wonderland. I mean, you haven’t lived until you try to make the world’s tiniest snowman out of what little snow actually stuck to the ground.
While we get snow in Tucson once in a blue moon, Mount Lemmon, which is about 40 miles away, experiences the exact opposite. You can often count on Mount Lemmon having the powdery white snow we only see in the movies.
After a fun day of snowball fights, skiing down mountains and building actual snowmen, you’ll want nothing more than to warm up with some good food and hot cocoa.
For those making the trip to have fun in the snow, I’ve complied a list of all the restaurants and cafes in Mount Lemmon to help make your snow day a delicious one.
Sawmill Run Restaurant
This family-run restaurant has its roots in Mount Lemmon. According to their website, the restaurant was named in honor of the two sawmills that were at this location, owned and operated by Mount Lemmon pioneer Tony Zimmerman. Now Zimmerman’s son and great grandson own and manage the fast-casual Sawmill Run Restaurant. Burgers, sandwiches and pizza are all on the menu. They even have poutine, which includes crispy fries topped with beef gravy, cheese curds and green onion, or order their Smokehouse Fries topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese and chipotle sauce.
Location: 12976 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy.
Check out their website for more information.
Iron Door Restaurant
After a long day of skiing and snowboarding, you might work up quite an appetite. Luckily, Ski Valley is home to the Iron Door Restaurant where you can grab a meal and warm up next to their giant fireplace. Iron Door has both a lunch and breakfast menu with options like sandwiches, soups and pancakes. They are also famously known for their chili and cornbread, their website says.
Location: 10300 Ski Run Road
Check out their website for more information.
An employee from The Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin Pizzeria and Bakery walks though two large trees beginning to change colors in front of the pizzeria and bakery in Summerhaven, Ariz., on October 8, 2020.
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin
No trip to Mount Lemmon is complete until you go to the Cookie Cabin. This has been a local staple since it started back in 1990. Despite losing the original cabin in the 2003 Aspen Fire, the Cookie Cabin was rebuilt the following year and has been going strong since. Stop by and get a giant (I mean as big as my head!!) chocolate chip, brownie, peanut butter or oatmeal cookie to go alongside your hot chocolate. Need something savory as well? The Cookie Cabin also makes homemade cheese and pepperoni pizzas that can be sold in slices or the whole pie.
Location: 12781 N. Sabino Canyon Park.
Check out their website for more information.
Mt. Lemmon Coffee and Tea Co.
It’s never too cold for an iced coffee. At Mt. Lemmon Coffee and Tea Co., you can warm up or cool down with one of their many drink options. A Mt. Lemmon Mocha, a Summit Spiced Chai Latte and a Cozy Cabin Cappuccino are just a few fun drinks you can enjoy after playing in the snow. Their syrups are also all homemade, plus they have different cookie and pastry options. At Mt. Lemmon Coffee Co., they are all about taking their customers on a “flavorful journey.”
Location: 12925 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy.
Check out their website for more information.
The Mt. Lemmon General Store sells fresh fudge, in addition to snacks and souvenirs.
Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop
While this isn’t a restaurant, it would be a huge disservice if you left Mount Lemmon without trying the famous fudge. Since the Mt. Lemmon General Store and Gift Shop opened in 2000, their homemade fudge has the stayed on the minds of customers. Butter pecan, chocolate caramel nut, cookies ‘n cream and rocky road are just a few of the types of fudge made here. They even have special seasonal flavors that are just as delicious. It truly is a chocolate lover’s dream.
Location: 12856 N. Sabino Canyon Pkwy.
Check out their website for more information.
Pro tip: The Miner's Sweet Tooth in Ski Valley also has over 10 flavors of homemade fudge!
Mount Lemmon Lodge features games in the lobby, forest gardens, a gift shop, a Beyond Bread cafe and a Swedish sauna.
Beyond Bread
We're lucky to have several Beyond Bread locations in Tucson — and now they have a cafe in Mount Lemmon too. Find the Beyond Bread cafe inside the new Mount Lemmon Lodge for a selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and the mac and cheese that Tucsonans have fallen in love with. Don't forget the pastries!
Location: 12833 N. Sabino Canyon Park.
Check out their website for more information.
