12 Best Restaurants in Tucson, Arizona

This colorful and deservedly popular restaurant serves delicious Sonoran classics in Tubac village. Try one of the five chicken moles, ranging from sweet to nutty to spicy, and you'll know why chef Ruben has such a devoted following. Chiles rellenos, enchiladas, and heartier steak and fish selections don't disappoint either. Save room for the divine flan, a creamier version of traditional Mexican custard with caramel sauce. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights adds festivity to this gem of an eatery in a quiet little town.

A perennial favorite among locals (the wait is worth it), Mi Nidito ("my little nest") has also hosted its share of visiting celebrities: following President Clinton's lunch here, the rather hefty Presidential Plate (bean tostada, taco with barbecued meat, chiles rellenos, chicken enchilada, and beef tamale with rice and beans) was added to the menu. Top that off with the mango chimichangas for dessert, and you're talkin' executive privilege.

Easily the best Thai food in town, this bright, spacious café serves favorite Thai dishes and has pleasant service. The Thoong Tong appetizer of fried veggie-filled pouches is blissfully good, as are the curries and soups. The spice-heat level of any dish can be adjusted at your request (from 1 through 5—just keep in mind that a 5 might cause steam to blow out the top of your head).

This charming spot off the lobby of Hotel Congress is at the epicenter of Tucson's hippest scene, but it also serves up excellent food from breakfast through late night. Try the cast-iron baked eggs or huevos rancheros for breakfast, and the ahi poke bowl or "Queer Steer" (veggie burger) later in the day. It's open late—until 10 pm weeknights and 11 pm on weekends—and becomes crowded in the evening with patrons from Club Congress, the hotel's nightclub.

Started by Monica Flin in 1922, the oldest Mexican restaurant in town still serves splendid versions of the Mexican-American staples Flin claims to have originated, most notably chimichangas and cheese crisps. Located in an old stone house in El Presidio Historic District, the colorful restaurant and bar exude a festive, if slightly touristy, vibe.

Popular with local families and the business crowd at lunch, this bustling restaurant in Tucson's Barrio Historico neighborhood has been serving topopo salads (a crispy tortilla shell heaped with beans, guacamole, and many other ingredients), huge burritos, and green-corn tamales (in season) made just right for over 50 years. The spicy menudo (tripe soup) is reputed to be a great hangover remedy.

This trendy eatery in upscale La Encantada Shopping Center melds an urban-loft look with rustic Italian touches, including bright red chairs and metal tables. North draws crowds who come for the excellent thin-crust pizzas, pasta, fish, and steak, all prepared in the open kitchen. Alfresco dining on the wraparound patio affords views of the city and quieter conversation; on most evenings the expansive bar area inside buzzes with Tucson's young professionals.

Anybody caught eating newfangled foods like fish tacos here would probably get a glare, and city slickers' ties would be snipped. This cowboy steak house is part of the family-friendly Trail Dust Town, a re-creation of a turn-of-the-20th-century town, complete with a working antique carousel, a narrow-gauge train, and Western stunt shows staged outside Wednesday through Sunday at 7 and 8 ($5). Expect a long wait on weekends.

Don't let the bland interior or the strip-mall setting dissuade you: many locals consider this the best Japanese restaurant in Tucson. Inside, perfectly prepared sushi and sashimi and generous combinations of tempura and teriyaki await, along with friendly service. The owner's wife is Korean, so the menu also has quite a few Korean classics, like beef and pork bulgogi (barbecue with vegetables) and tofu kimchi. Try a bowl of udon noodles, served in broth with assorted meat, seafood, or vegetables—it's a satisfying meal in itself.

Nestled in the verdant Geronimo Plaza, Sinbad's serves falafel and other Middle Eastern fare, and has a great patio.

The food at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is fine, but what many come for is the location inside a wildlife sanctuary, surrounded by flowering desert gardens. The Southwestern interior has Mexican tile, light wood, and a cobblestone courtyard, but the back patio, where you can watch hummingbirds and butterflies, is the place to be. House favorites include prickly pear chicken salad on a croissant, vegan quiche (a tofu-and-garbanzo custard with veggies), omelets, and assorted salads.

Well known—and loved—for its creative American fare and stunning presentation, Wildflower has compelling choices like a salmon and seafood bouillabaise; bow-tie pasta with grilled chicken, tomatoes, spinach, and pine nuts; and red wine–braised short ribs. The decadently huge desserts are equally top-notch. A glass wall separates the bar from the dining area, where an open kitchen, high ceiling with painted flowers, and blue-green banquettes complete the light and airy effect. Request a banquette or seating on the patio in the evening if you want quiet conversation, as the room can be noisy.