Local Flavor: the best places to eat and drink in Tucson, Arizona

04.06.2024 - 14:29 / lonelyplanet.com

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the vivacious little city of Tucson, Arizona, has a unique culinary scene that represents a confluence of cultures.

Despite its ecological classification, the Sonoran Desert is anything but a barren wasteland – it’s actually one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world and the only maritime desert in North America (the Sea of Cortez/Gulf of California greatly influences weather patterns here). Life – plant and animal – is abundant, and Indigenous people in the area have utilized the bounty in their foodways for thousands of years. In fact, Tucson is home to several recognized “heritage crops” that have sustained people for millennia: amaranth greens, prickly pear fruits, mesquite pods, wolfberries, the list goes on. 

Today, Tucson’s food scene reflects Indigenous, Mexican, European, African and Chinese influences, and it’s this multifaceted background that contributed to the city’s title as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy (currently the only one in the US). So, eating in Tucson is more than a luxury – it’s a journey defined by tradition, innovation, collaboration and resourcefulness, whether you’re indulging in a simple, perfectly balanced taco or a complex high art tasting menu. 

Here’s my list of Tucson favorites that illuminate all the things that make this region a gastronomical treasure. 

If you wake up famished, make a beeline for Seis Kitchen (I love the atmospheric location at Mercado San Augustín) and dive headlong into an enormous plate of their utterly magnificent chilaquiles. The thick, house-made tortilla chips bring it all together. And no matter the hour, don’t skip the guac – ‘tis legendary. 

If you ask a Tucsonian where to go for coffee, they’ll tell you to go to the Cup Cafe at the historic Hotel Congress (the notorious gangster John Dillenger was apprehended here in 1934, apparently uttering “Well, I’ll be damned!” upon his capture). Fascinating history aside, this cafe delivers loads of personality along with a dang fine cup of bean water. Those in the know will tell you to opt for a piece of cake from their daily selection of baked goods – and I can tell you from experience, the carrot cake and coffee make for the perfect pair. 

When it’s time for lunch, it’s time for tacos. There is no shortage of taco shops in Tucson, each one with devoted clientele, and their styles run the gamut – traditional barbacoa, birria, international fusion and more. Since we are in the Sonoran Desert and fish is a thing, we can’t skip Taqueria Pico de Gallo, which specializes in crispy fish tacos on homemade tortillas. Add a little spritz of lime and enjoy the excellent interplay of tart and savory.

If you’re wanting to try something a bit more