Top 10 Restaurants in Downtown Tucson

Getting tired of cooking at home? Downtown Tucson offers plenty of great restaurants and bars to get you out of your food rut. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty slice of pizza or some sushi rolls, you can easily find a top-rated restaurant that will satisfy your cravings. Do you need help picking a spot? No worries. We’ve assembled a list of the top 10 restaurants in Downtown Tucson. Check out the full guide now!

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1. OBON Sushi Bar Ramen

Innovative sushi bar and ramen house that also offers an excellent selection of cocktails

350 E Congress St | Pie Allen | obonsushi.com

At OBON, you can get your fix of fresh, inventive sushi platters and ramen bowls at a great price. Located in the Pie Allen neighborhood, OBON offers an exciting assortment of fresh plates and inventive cocktails inside a chic, rustic dining space. 

While it’s not open for lunch, you can still dine in or order takeout for dinner. On nice, warm days, you can even sit outside on its spacious patio! Steam buns, ramen, salads, and poke bowls await you at this popular Tucson spot!

“I visited this restaurant with a co-worker and I enjoyed the outside atmosphere as well as the food. I had the spring rolls and the veggie rolls, and my co-worker had some type of crispy chicken, which was delicious. If I'm ever back in Tucson I will visit it again.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for OBON Sushi Bar Ramen. 

2. HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

Hip, low-key eatery that is known for its homemade ice cream and New American plates

HUB offers delicious and hearty meals at a low price. Image courtesy of Yelp.

266 E Congress St | Tucson | hubdowntown.com

HUB is easily one of the best spots in Tucson for grabbing a hearty sandwich or burger. Located in the Downtown area, HUB serves up delicious food at a great price for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 

On the menu, you’ll find a wide selection of sandwiches and burgers like the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, California Burger, and House-Made Pastrami. Almost all of the sandwiches and burgers are served with a side of tater tots or fries. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, you can try out one of the many small plates, salads, and entrees that are also featured on the menu.

“Hub has a very fresh and unique menu. The staff is very attentive, and the kitchen really knows what it's doing. Prices are exceptionally reasonable for what you're getting, and the ambience is very neat. In fact, the interior is as unique as their menu (table lamps hung upside down from the ceiling).” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery.

3. 47 Scott

Stylish restaurant that offers a seasonally-rotating menu

47 N Scott Ave | Tucson | 47scott.com

47 Scott is known for its elegant, modest decor and creative comfort dishes. Located in a row of historic district buildings from the 1930s, 47 Scott remains a living remnant of Tucson’s rich past. 

The menu features an appetizing selection of entrees like the Seafood Scampi and Bistro Steak. Wine, spirits, and cocktails are also available and ready to be matched with your meal. Before you leave, we recommend trying one of 47 Scott’s famous dessert dishes, such as the Chocolate Molten Cake or Banana Creme Brulee. Enjoy!

“I just heard about this place yesterday, and had a chance to go there last night. Talk about a little hidden gem. Doesn’t look like much from the outside and the place is a little cramped, but it definitely makes up for all that with simply awesome food and top notch service.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for 47 Scott.

4. Agustin Kitchen

Chic and contemporary French bistro that is located inside Mercado San Agustin

100 S Avenida Del Convento, Suite 150 | Menlo Park | agustinkitchen.com

Agustin Kitchen specializes in creating inventive French and American dishes made from local ingredients. Sous Vide Hanger Steak, Braised Pork Shank, Poutine, and more savory cuisine awaits you at this chic, rustic restaurant. Wine, beer, and cocktails are also available and great for pairing with your meal! 

Agustin is open for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch. Bringing the whole family? Agustin has a full regular kids menu and kids brunch menu! It’s the perfect spot for a delicious meal, no matter the occasion or the company you’re dining with. 

“My husband and I started off with cocktails — smoke and spice and rose garden. We had oyster for an appetizer and poblano chicken linguine and pappardelle pasta for our entrees. The experience overall was enjoyable. Consider stopping by for drink or food if you are in the area.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Agustin Kitchen.

5. Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches

Popular, locally-owned sandwich shop that offers a free chocolate chip cookie with each sandwich

3191 E Valencia Rd | Tucson | bagginsgourmet.com

Since 1984, Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches has been flooded with hungry guests ready to gorge themselves on the restaurant’s signature sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Open for lunch and dinner, Baggin’s serves up hearty sandwiches made from real whole food and high-quality ingredients. 

Some of our favorite selections include the Chicken Rojo, Ham & Cheese Croissant, and Southwestern Tuna. All sandwiches come with a chocolate chip cookie. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add an extra treat like some Carrot Cake or Cream Cheese Brownies. Treat yourself!

“It was so delicious and fresh. More importantly the lady snuck a cookie into my bag because I asked if she had any and they didn't up front at the time. She made a fresh batch and put it into my bag. Totally made my day!” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches.

6. The Parish

Southern fusion gastropub that offers a unique assortment of dishes and drinks

6453 N Oracle Rd | Tucson | theparishtucson.com

The Parish is Tucson’s only Southern-fusion gastropub. Many of the restaurant’s dishes are inspired by cuisine from Louisiana, Texas, and Arizona. Some of their most popular meals include the Compressed Watermelon Salad, Drunken Angel Pasta, and Johnny Steak & Frites. 

Thirsty? The Parish also serves up seasonal cocktails and over 40 craft beers. Because both drink menus are seasonal, you’ll want to check in regularly to see what’s changed since the last time you stopped in.

“OK, this was a pleasant surprise! We are visiting in Oro Valley, and we drove to Tucson for dinner at this place. Drinks were delicious and surprisingly unique, same with the food. Seriously! Bacon popcorn, red beans and rice, angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and so many other delicious surprises on the menu.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for The Parish.

7. Red Light Lounge

Popular New American bar that is located in the Barrio Viejo neighborhood

485 S Stone Ave | Barrio Viejo | downtowntucsonhotel.com

Red Light Lounge is a friendly, laidback restaurant located inside the Downtown Clifton hotel. It offers an intimate dining space without making you feel cramped or stuffy. There’s even an outdoor patio that is perfect for dining out on warm, sunny days!

In regards to food and drinks, Red Light Lounge offers an abundance of exciting options. Taquitos, Carnitas Tacos, Mac and Cheese, and more savory dishes await you. While you wait for your food, you can sip on some beer, wine, or a fun cocktail. Enjoy!

“Terrific find in Tucson — lounge in a boutique hotel with great indoor/outdoor space. Cool space and lighting. Amazing cocktails — Greek Collins! Had the Clifton Burger. Was awesome, loved the roasted poblano. Excellent service.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Red Light Lounge.

8. Culinary Dropout

British-style gastropub chain that is known for its hearty comfort food

2543 E Grant Rd | Country Glenn | culinarydropout.com

Culinary Dropout is the ultimate destination for delicious American comfort food. From its famous 36-hour pork ribs to its honey fried chicken, Culinary Dropout has a full selection of dishes that will fill you right up. And like any good restaurant, Culinary Dropout has a full drink menu filled with beer, wine, and cocktails to help quench your thirst. 

You can stop by for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or weekend brunch. During happy hour, you can get 20% off alcohol. Looking for more than just food and drinks? Games and live music are also held regularly! 

“THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! I can't even remember the last time I raved over EVERY single item that I ate at an American cuisine restaurant. I had no expectations and was blown away, which is always the best surprise. Seriously. Everything was exquisite.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Culinary Dropout.

9. Charro Steak

Industrial steakhouse that specializes in Mexican fare and cocktails

188 E Broadway Blvd | Tucson | charrosteak.com

Charro Steak is one of the most sustainable restaurants you will ever visit. In fact, it’s Tucson’s only restaurant that serves 100% grass-fed steak. It also serves sustainably-sourced seafood and cage-free poultry. Charro Steak is also a City of Gastronomy & Monterey Bay Seafood Watch certified restaurant and supporter of the UofA Community School Garden Program. 

On the menu, you’ll find a wide selection of savory and inventive Mexican dishes like the Chile Verde Mac & Cheese, Papas de La Casa, and Lobster Tamalada. Wine, beer, and cocktails are also available. Eat up!

“Overall, delicious food and I'll definitely be back! Their happy hour is also a great deal with 1/2 apps and 1/2 house wines which meant that some of their wines were $3.5 a glass (it was also a hefty pour)!” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for Charro Steak. 

10. The Drunken Chicken

Low-key Mexican restaurant that is known for its tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and nachos

429 N 4th Ave | Pie Allen | thedrunkenchickenaz.com

As its name suggests, The Drunken Chicken specializes in all things chicken. Chicken Caesar Wraps, Chicken Cheese Steaks, Wings, and more hearty comfort dishes await you at this popular chain restaurant. 

In addition to its famous chicken dishes, The Drunken Chicken also offers salads, burgers, and mac & cheese. Soda, beer, and liquor are also available to help wash down your meal. Sound enticing? Grab a friend and head to The Drunken Chicken for your next meal out!

“A delicious variety of chicken and burger options...what else could you want? Their spicy option is perfect. Enough kick to let you know you're alive, not enough to make you fight for your meal.” - Yelp Review

Purchase a GiftYa card for The Drunken Chicken.

This is your sign to get out of the house and treat yourself to a great meal. Luckily for you, you can find dozens of great restaurants and bars in Downtown Tucson. Which one do you plan on visiting next? Let us know in the comments below!