This oak wood-fueled, live fire kitchen features a menu with ingredients sourced within 400 miles of Tucson. With such a seasonal and local-minded approach, the menu changes regularly. If it’s available, try the dry-aged beef tartare with a house-made white Sonoran wheat tortilla. Gin martini lovers will adore the Bigelow, a martini variant with rosehip bitters and pickled nopal.

Flores Concepts and James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra teamed up for another restaurant, this time in downtown Tucson. The Monica features a fast-casual, to-go-focused, “pantry” line with salads, sandwiches, rice bowls, and pizzettas showcasing heritage Barrio Bread grains. The “plated” menu features contemporary Mexican dishes such as braised short rib with rosemary ancho jus.

Located just north of the main stretch of Congress Street downtown, Cruda offers an enticing variety of Mexican seafood dishes in a convivial space. Start the meal with a refreshing michelada and the ostiones preparados, which features fresh oysters adorned with octopus, shrimp, spicy serrano, and cooling avocado.

The Century Room’s swanky lounge features live jazz and an impressive array of agave spirits. Sit back and enjoy the show with a cheese board and the “shadow caster” cocktail, which includes fig and chile-infused mezcal, aged rum, Nixta, chocolate, mole bitters, and applewood smoke.

Contrary to the name, the fried chicken sandwich just might be the real star at Little Love Burger. Take a seat at the people-watching window and order the Southwest “hot chick” with hot fried chicken, pepper jack, spicy slaw, bread and butter pickle, and charred jalapeño mayo.

Buendia provides a bright and colorful environment for a.m. eating. For breakfast, go for the chilaquiles divorciados for a duo of red and green salsas. For lunch, order the stuffed poblano with shrimp and a creamy green sauce.

Fullylove’s keeps its main menu simple with sandwiches and an assortment of fried appetizers. However, its dessert menu kicks up the indulgence with options such as the peanut butter “SmOreos”, which are deep fried Oreos that sandwich a Reese’s peanut butter cup, chocolate, and marshmallow.

Fresh house-made pasta and soft serve gelato star alongside fun, casual vibes at Noodies. For a hearty lunch, order the toothsome fettuccine topped with classic bolognese. Plus, the sauces and raw pasta are available for cooking at home.

Though this popular bagel shop only debuted its first location in 2021, it has already expanded with a second location. While Bubbe’s offers unique options such as a Calabrian pepper schmear or whitefish salad, its quality shines the brightest when the kitchen highlights seasonal options such as heirloom tomatoes on a plain bagel and schmear.

Instead of carts, Go Dim Sum has a fast-casual vibe with orders taken at the counter. The menu keeps it traditional with items such as Portuguese egg tarts, char siu bao, and pork soup dumplings. Don’t miss out on the handmade sesame balls.

While Bun Dock started with a focus on fresh Vietnamese noodle bowls, the restaurant eventually caved into demand and expanded the menu with aromatic bowls of pho. Make sure to also order a side of fish sauce wings and a taro boba smoothie.

Tucked away in the Park Place food court, Squared Up offers pizza a few ways. However, the specialty is the square Sicilian slices. The flagship pepperoni slice piles a generous portion of pepperoni cups, plus fresh mozzarella and spicy fra diavolo sauce, on a thick and fluffy crust. 

Don’t be fooled by the generic name. While Mariscos Culichi expectedly lives up to its name with fresh ceviche and lush camaron culichi, it also boasts warm, friendly service. The personable staff can also help guide you through the menu.