Dinner and a show: a guide to the local eateries near entertainment venues

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Imagine: You’re sitting at the Tucson Symphony Orchestra enjoying the beautiful classical music when all of a sudden your stomach starts rumbling during a quiet part. The people around you start turning their heads, trying to find the source of the loud grumbles.

People came to hear the heavenly violins, not the growls of your stomach.

Don’t worry, I’m here to save you from that embarrassment! Whether you’re singing at the top of your lungs while watching your favorite band at the Rialto Theatre or enjoying a Broadway show at Centennial Hall, it’ll be way more fun when you have a full stomach.

Below are some restaurant options near popular entertainment venues you can check out before your show, silencing your rumbling tummy for the night.

Downtown Tucson venues

Live entertainment can be found on every corner in downtown Tucson. The Rialto Theatre, 191 Toole, Fox Theatre, Club Congress and the Century Room are just a few of the places you can catch a good show. Just like it’s easy to find a show downtown, it’s also easy to find a good restaurant. Here are just a few places you can get a delicious meal before you sing your heart out.

• Quick bites: Running late? No problem! You can stop by Brickbox Brewery, 220 E. Broadway, for some good drinks and juicy burgers. Katsu House can also be found inside this brewery, specializing in Japanese comfort food. At Empire Pizza, 137 E. Congress St., you can pick up a huge slice of elote pizza without having to wait for a long time. Want to enjoy some aesthetic cocktails and a few appetizers before a show? Sonoran Moonshine Co., 124 E. Broadway, is the place for you!
• We’ve got some time: Chela’s, 256 E. Congress St., is a great place to order a few drinks and enjoy a plate of bacon wrapped toritos before moving on to your giant chile relleno plate. Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink, 101 E. Pennington St., has it all: pizza, pasta, salads and cocktails. When you’re done with your meal, you can even stop by their basement bar, Tough Luck Club, or their rooftop bar for one final drink. You can enjoy your dinner under the stars at Cup Café, 311 E. Congress St., where you can have your meal on the Hotel Congress Plaza. The best part: once you’re done you can walk a few feet over to Club Congress for the show!
• Let’s splurge: From its unique, always-changing menu to the decor, there’s a reason why BATA, 35 E. Toole Ave., has made headlines nationwide. Ninety percent of the products used at BATA come from within 400 miles of the restaurant, which is why the menu changes from one day to the next. If you’re in the mood for a high-quality steak or a whole lobster with a tamal stuffed inside, then Charro Steak & Del Rey, 188 E. Broadway, is for you! This steakhouse has a rustic, Western theme to it, incorporating Southwestern flavors into their dishes. Plus, they’ve got a great seafood menu too! On the topic of seafood, the sushi rolls at Obon, 350 E. Congress St., will have you ordering half of the menu. This Japanese restaurant has sushi rolls, large plates, appetizers, ramen, poke and lots of unique cocktails that include classic Asian ingredients like pandan, matcha and wasabi.

Centennial Hall

Whether you’re catching a concert or a Broadway show, you have got to have a little something before! Thankfully, Centennial Hall is near Main Gate Square and it’s full of eateries.

• Quick bites: If you head to the top floor of the Graduate Hotel, 930 E. Second St., you’ll find a rooftop bar that overlooks the entire University of Arizona. At The Moonstone, you can order a few cocktails and appetizers before heading to your event. Their birria nachos are the perfect dish to share with friends. If Southern comfort food is more your style, you can head to Bourbon Bent, 820 E. University Blvd. This modern dive bar-esque spot has mason jar cocktails, burgers, chicken sandwiches and bigger plates like their chicken and waffles and steak and fries.
• We’ve got some time: If you’re looking for something outside of Main Gate Square, Momo’s on 6th is still close by, and you won’t have to fight for parking. Momo’s on 6th, 1838 E. Sixth St., has delicious tacos and burritos bowls. Plus, their margarita selection is incredible. Another great option is Time Market, 444 E. University Blvd. Here, you can get a sandwich on their house-made artisan bread or a fresh pizza. They also have a bakery with all kinds of treats, so you’ll want to make room for dessert. If you really have some time to spare, you can head to Anello, 222 E. Sixth St. Their woodfired pizza has stolen the hearts of many Tucsonans.
• Let’s splurge: If you are looking for something on the fancier side, you can check out Bacio Italian + Wine, 943 E. University Blvd. They have all kinds of pasta dishes as well as pizzas and eggplant parmesan. Yes, they have espresso martinis too! A couple of doors down is Agave House, where you can get more than just tacos. Here, they have enchiladas, tortas, steaks and ceviche.

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Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Beautiful symphonies sound better on a full stomach!

•  Quick bites: There are some great taco places near the TSO if you’re looking for some street tacos. Taqueria Juanitos, 708 W. Grant Road, is known for their juicy cabeza tacos, and people love the flavorful birria at El Taco Rustico, 2281 N. Oracle Road.
• We’ve got some time: Grab the barbeque sauce and head over to Brother John’s, 1801 N. Stone Ave. They have a spacious inside, pretty patio seating and all the BBQ essentials like pulled pork, brisket and mac and cheese. If Chinese food is more your style, then check out Chef Wang, 356 E. Grant Road. This beloved Chinese spot has lo mein, orange chicken, kung pao shrimp and dumplings. Yamato Japanese Restaurant, 857 E. Grant Road, is another Tucson classic, with many flocking to it to get their sushi fix.
• Let’s splurge: If you head out to Campbell Avenue, you’ll see a big green sign with the word Mojo on it. This lively and very green spot, located at 1929 E. Grant Road, has a menu full of Cuban delicacies that’ll have you wanting to order everything. Don’t forget to try their plantains and yuca fries, they are divine! If you head a little further down Campbell you’ll come across Casa Asada, 2502 N. Campbell Ave., which serves tacos made with mesquite grilled steak. Their chicharron tacos are my favorite!

Ava Amphitheater

You’ll need a big meal to keep up with all your dancing!

• We’ve got some time: Want extravagant drinks and food? Then you must check out Taco Giro, located at 2750 W. Valencia Road. You can get a Patrón margarita or a bloody Mary complete with a chamoy and Tajin rim. For food, you can expect to see dishes like ribeyes, shrimp cocktails, molcajetes and enchiladas. Karichimaka, 5252 S. Mission Road, is another classic Mexican restaurant in the city. This homestyle restaurant serves cheese crisps and enchilada plates that’ll make you feel like you’re eating your grandma’s homecooked meals.
• Let’s splurge: Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, has its own steakhouse, PY Steakhouse, making it super easy for you to head to the concert venue after. Here, they have prime cut meats, fresh seafood, an extensive wine menu and signature cocktails.

Broadway in Tucson Celebrates its 20th Anniversary this 2025/2026 Season!

Featuring 7 smash hit shows and 2 returning favorites, Broadway in Tucson is bringing their biggest season ever. Season tickets are now on sale. All performances take places at Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona.