Dinner
Great staff, welcoming decor, and a James Beard nominated chef dolling out delicious bistro-styled food with a uniquely Tucson twist. The cocktails are some of the best in the city.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tito and Pep
4122 E Speedway BlvdGreat staff, welcoming decor, and a James Beard nominated chef dolling out delicious bistro-styled food with a uniquely Tucson twist. The cocktails are some of the best in the city.
a lively bistro offering new American cuisine, a lively bar scene, and great outdoor seating. Brunch is rumored to good as well.
70 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Agustin Kitchen
100 South Avenida del Conventoa lively bistro offering new American cuisine, a lively bar scene, and great outdoor seating. Brunch is rumored to good as well.
a cozy, minimalist spot in downtown offering handmade wood-fired pizzas on sourdough crust.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
ANELLO
222 E 6th Sta cozy, minimalist spot in downtown offering handmade wood-fired pizzas on sourdough crust.
a family owned and run restaurant offering generous portions of homemade Mexican-Native American fare. This is a well-loved staple in Tucson and one you should not miss. Try the back patio if the weather is nice.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Indita
722 N Stone Avea family owned and run restaurant offering generous portions of homemade Mexican-Native American fare. This is a well-loved staple in Tucson and one you should not miss. Try the back patio if the weather is nice.
Mexican and Sonoran fare in a down-to-earth environment. The carne asada is the second best in town and they have fanatic Sonoran dogs, a local delicacy.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
2680 N 1st AveMexican and Sonoran fare in a down-to-earth environment. The carne asada is the second best in town and they have fanatic Sonoran dogs, a local delicacy.
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch
a very Tucson spot 5 minutes from the house offers some of the better brunch in the city.
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell Avea very Tucson spot 5 minutes from the house offers some of the better brunch in the city.
Sun-lit and modern, this offers fantastic breakfast options and coffee.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Five Points Market & Restaurant
756 S Stone AveSun-lit and modern, this offers fantastic breakfast options and coffee.
this incredible Mexican bakery offers homemade pan dolces from scratch using original recipes and a lot of love.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Estrella Bakery Inc
120 South Avenida del Conventothis incredible Mexican bakery offers homemade pan dolces from scratch using original recipes and a lot of love.
an upscale Mexican restaurant with outdoor seating. A go-to spot for breakfast or lunch.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Seis Kitchen
1765 E River Rdan upscale Mexican restaurant with outdoor seating. A go-to spot for breakfast or lunch.
Coffee
Exo Roast Co
403 N 6th AveRen Coffeehouse
4300 N Campbell AvePresta Coffee Roasters
100 South Avenida del ConventoCartel Coffee Lab
2516 N Campbell AveTaquerias
Mesquite grilled with some of the best carne asada and costilla (rib) tacos in town. The unique hass tacos feature carne asada, green chili and cheese. Bonus: you get to enjoy the food sitting outside in plastic chairs.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Los Tacos Apson
3501 S 12th AveMesquite grilled with some of the best carne asada and costilla (rib) tacos in town. The unique hass tacos feature carne asada, green chili and cheese. Bonus: you get to enjoy the food sitting outside in plastic chairs.
A go-to for Mexican fare of all sorts. The quesabirrilla tacos are some of the best in town, and the bistec tacos (flat iron steak with grilled onions), costilla (rib) and cabrito (goat) are all first rate. Solid homemade horchata as well. Indoor seating available.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Taco Rustico
2281 North Oracle RoadA go-to for Mexican fare of all sorts. The quesabirrilla tacos are some of the best in town, and the bistec tacos (flat iron steak with grilled onions), costilla (rib) and cabrito (goat) are all first rate. Solid homemade horchata as well. Indoor seating available.
The corn tortillas and horchata prepared on site. I know more than one local who grew up on the food this family-owned and -run place serves up. Indoor seating available.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taqueria Pico De Gallo
2618 S 6th AveThe corn tortillas and horchata prepared on site. I know more than one local who grew up on the food this family-owned and -run place serves up. Indoor seating available.
Go for the red chili or machaca burro. Anitas is consistently in contention for the best flour tortillas in town and worth a trip just to pick up a dozen (I suggest the gordita size).
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Anita Street Market
849 N Anita AveGo for the red chili or machaca burro. Anitas is consistently in contention for the best flour tortillas in town and worth a trip just to pick up a dozen (I suggest the gordita size).
Bars
Serious cocktail bar in an old morgue, what more could you want?
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Owls Club
236 S Scott AveSerious cocktail bar in an old morgue, what more could you want?
Vintage-themed dive bar with JFK memorabilia & pinball machines located in a fallout shelter.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Shelter Cocktail Lounge
4155 E Grant RdVintage-themed dive bar with JFK memorabilia & pinball machines located in a fallout shelter.
Chill, narrow bar with locally focused offerings, including pub fare, whiskeys & craft draft beer.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Good Oak Bar
316 E Congress StChill, narrow bar with locally focused offerings, including pub fare, whiskeys & craft draft beer.
Groceries, Wine, and Bread
Whole Foods Market
3360 E Speedway BlvdAlbertsons
2854 N Campbell AveTrader Joe's
4209 N Campbell AveThis is just around the corner and has great marinated flank steak for the barbeque, great tamales (except Sunday), miscellaneous staples and produce, and a solid tortilla selection.
Aguajito Meat Market
2800 East Fort Lowell RoadThis is just around the corner and has great marinated flank steak for the barbeque, great tamales (except Sunday), miscellaneous staples and produce, and a solid tortilla selection.
Delicious fresh bread from a James Beard nominated baker. Order ahead to avoid the long lines (barriobread.com).
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Barrio Bread
18 S Eastbourne AveDelicious fresh bread from a James Beard nominated baker. Order ahead to avoid the long lines (barriobread.com).
A well curated selection of wine, liquor and beer with knowledgeable staff.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The RumRunner
3131 E 1st StA well curated selection of wine, liquor and beer with knowledgeable staff.
Things to do
If you want to know more about the amazing plants of Tucson and the broader Sonoran desert, this is the spot.
260 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Tucson Botanical Gardens
2150 N Alvernon WayIf you want to know more about the amazing plants of Tucson and the broader Sonoran desert, this is the spot.
"Museum" is a misnomer: it is really a giant zoo and outdoor botanical garden that highlights the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran desert.
670 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd"Museum" is a misnomer: it is really a giant zoo and outdoor botanical garden that highlights the unique plants and animals of the Sonoran desert.
Mount Lemmon hosts one of my favorite 26 mile stretches of road in America. Mt. Lemmon Highway gains 5,400 ft in elevation and moves through 6 unique biomes. From desert shrub to pine and oak forests, there is even a ski run at the top. Bring your jackets, it's cold up top.
485 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon hosts one of my favorite 26 mile stretches of road in America. Mt. Lemmon Highway gains 5,400 ft in elevation and moves through 6 unique biomes. From desert shrub to pine and oak forests, there is even a ski run at the top. Bring your jackets, it's cold up top.
Bear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail is a 8.30 mile, out and back trail with about 1000 feet of elevation gain. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Additional details here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/bear-canyon-to-seven-falls-trail
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bear Canyon Trailhead
5150 North Bear Canyon RoadBear Canyon to Seven Falls Trail is a 8.30 mile, out and back trail with about 1000 feet of elevation gain. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Additional details here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/bear-canyon-to-seven-falls-trail
This 2.30 mile, loop trail near the desert musuem is generally considered a moderately challenging route. It takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete and gains 380 feet of elevation. This is a very popular area for hiking, walking, and other nature trips, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.
Gould Mine Trail
Gould Mine TrailThis 2.30 mile, loop trail near the desert musuem is generally considered a moderately challenging route. It takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete and gains 380 feet of elevation. This is a very popular area for hiking, walking, and other nature trips, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.