It’s safe to say the Tucson restaurant industry has been booming and bustling. From restaurants making their first appearance in town to those opening second or even third locations throughout the city, it’s without question that the scene has seen its fair share of growth. Here are some of the new restaurants, bars, and other local spots that have opened in Tucson this year. For a larger list of new openings, check out our interactive guide. Hailing from Sonoma County, the Toraño Family has been making wines from renownedvineyards throughout the county’s AVAs since 2014. Last year the family relocated to Arizona, and are pumped to open their flagship tasting room in central Tucson. Learn more. The brand-new concept opened up inside the former Blush restaurant, bringing its American comfort food to Fourth Avenue! Bonchon’s menu includes chicken of all types: wings, strips, drumsticks, boneless bites, andChicken Katsu— katsu sauce and spicy mayo drizzled on top of a breaded chicken cutlet that’s served with steamed rice. Learn more. After 27 years as a staple in the local craft beer community,Steve Tracy, owner ofThunder Canyon Brewery, passed the torch to his longtime friends and employees,James Owens(former General Manager of Thunder Canyon) andMichael Nixon(former Head Brewer). Learn more. First, ownersDoug “Fini” FinicalandScott MenckeopenedFini’s Landingin the foothills, then cameThe Landingin Oro Valley in 2021, and then they opened their brand-new tiki bar in February. Psst, you’ll have to find the secret entrance to enter the tiki bar. Learn more. The new concept has been in the works for a few months and the Mieja family is excited to welcome everyone in.Luis Mejia Sr.,Isela Mejia,Luis Mejia Jr., andLeonardo Mejiaalso operateEl Sur Restauranton 22nd Street and theOcean View Hotel and Restaurant, which opened about a year ago in Roatan, Honduras. Learn more. The bakery allows folks to customize cinnamon rolls completely with more than 20 frosting flavors and 20 topping choices. Also, each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% plant-based and free of dairy, lactose, eggs, or cholesterol! This means you can enjoy your creation without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions. Learn more.New to Tucson in 2024
A. Toraño Wines
14 S. Eastbourne Ave.
Black Iris Cafe
340 N. Fourth Ave.
Bonchon
6310 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #110
Brick Box Brewery
220 E. Broadway Blvd.
Cabali
8195 N. Oracle Rd.
Chela’s Latin Cuisine
256 E. Congress St.
Cinnaholic
245 S. Wilmot Rd. # 135
Coop (Fourth Avenue)
2749 N. Campbell Ave.
“Words honestly can’t explain how grateful I am,”Thomas Castroof Coop shared onInstagram. “This is seriously a dream come true and it never would have happened if it weren’t for all of you guys. I love you so much, Tucson! I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and start cooking for you guys again!”
Learn more.
Edna’s Eatery by Charly’s Grill
2150 N. Alvernon Way
Edna’s Eatery is open 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily, serving breakfast and lunch from a seasonal menu. General Admission to the Tucson Botanical Gardens or membership is required to access the cafe. Carlos Guerreroof theCharly’s BBQ & Grillfood truck is now overseeing the menu!
Learn more.
El Taco Rustico 2
1830 S. Park Ave.
Chef Juan Almanzaand the team opened El Taco Rustico’s second location —El Taco Rustico 2— in March of this year at 1830 S. Park Ave., which is right on the corner of Silverlake Road. The corn tortillas are soft but not crumbly — strong enough to withstand the carne asada, birria, or anything else you fill them with and the juices they’re dipped into.
Learn more.
The Jewel Cafe & Juice Bar
2749 N. Campbell Ave.
The restaurant is hosting its Grand Opening onWednesday, June 5. The menu includes all sorts of dishes ranging from salads, superfruit bowls, parfaits, sandwiches like theMoroccan TurkeyandGrilled Steak,and a mighty collection of protein bowls.
Learn more.
Kotu Korean BBQ
4545 N. Oracle Rd.
Each of the tables inside Kotu’s dining room will come equipped with a small grill in the center. The team brings out your desired meats and proteins (raw) and you grill away, ordering as much as your stomach can handle.
Learn more.
La BotanaTacos
565 E. Wetmore Rd.
The restaurant isn’t too far from its original location on First Avenue. The new spot has the same familiar menu many have grown to love over the years, there’s a shaded patio, plenty of TVs to catch a game, and their grande margaritas are still big enough to require two hands.
Learn more.
La Estrella Bakery (Downtown)
141 S. Stone Ave. #100
The bakery has four spots in Tucson now! Aside from the downtown location, there’s one at Mercado San Agustin at 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, another in Barrio Hollywood at 901 N. Grande Ave., and then the original location on the southside at 5266 S. 12th Ave, which first opened its doors and fired up the ovens in 1986.
Learn more.
Luna Cafe
14075 W. Kirby Hughes Rd.
The menu includes breakfast staples like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles,aClassic Egg Sandwich,and then theClassic Breakfastplate that includes two eggs, your choice of two strips of bacon or sausage links, and then served with potatoes and your choice of toast (move over, Denny’s, there’s a newGrand Slamin town — minus the pancakes).
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Mantis Gourmet Chinese Food
8295 N. Cortaro Rd. #125
Heads up: They’ve relocated. The Chinese restaurant isn’t too far away from the original location, though — right across the street, as a matter of fact, at 8295 N. Cortaro Rd. #125. This suite formerly housedNico’s Tacos.
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Miss Saigon
88 E. Broadway Blvd.
The new spot has the same Vietnamese cuisine you’ve grown to love for more than 20 years now. Additionally, they’re serving an updated drink menu behind the bar, new menu items, and spacious, comfortable dining areas both inside and on the patio.
Learn more.
Original ChopShop
2749 N. Campbell Ave.
The restaurant is hosting its Grand Opening onWednesday, June 5. The menu includes all sorts of dishes ranging from salads, superfruit bowls, parfaits, sandwiches like theMoroccan TurkeyandGrilled Steak,and a mighty collection of protein bowls.
Learn more.
Percheron Mexican Grill
444 W. Ajo Way
The new 3,600-square-foot restaurant is a major upgrade from the food truck, but they’re no strangers to the new space. OwnerDiego Valenciabought the building back in 2019, which was the formerEl Tá Comiendo, and it was being used as a commissary kitchen for the food truck.
Learn more.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro
266 E. Congress St.
Raspaderia El Sahuaro is much more than raspados.Corn co*cktails(corn, mayo, white cheese, butter, and lime), milkshakes, sundaes, and a full-on Tostitos menu (chips layered with goodies). The shop even offers sandwiches and wraps! All are $12 each or less including a classicBLT, aClub,Tuna Sandwich, and aTortawith ham, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, and jalapeño on the sandwich menu. There are three chicken-themed wraps (which are subject to change at any time) —Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Chicken Chipotle Wrap,andCaesar Chicken Wrap.
Learn more.
RealGood Brunch Co.
1310 S. Alvernon Way
The brand-new breakfast and lunch concept opened near the corner of 22nd Street and Alvernon Way. The team behind RealGood Brunch Co. is the same family behindThe Neighborhood,La Chingada Cocina, andCRUDA Mariscos & Oyster Bar.
Learn more.
Roadrunner Coffee Co. (Downtown)
50 W. Congress St.
The menu is just like the other locations in Tucson, too, loaded with locally roasted hand-crafted coffee drinks, energy drinks, and more. I feel like I got a caffeine buzz just writing that last sentence. Additionally, they’ll have locally baked pastries and breakfast items to get your motors runnin’.
Learn more.
Samurai Sombrero (American Eat Co.)
1439 S. Fourth Ave.
“We’re expanding! I want to thank everybody who has been supportive,” said Delgadillo. “If it weren’t for everybody, this wouldn’t be possible. We truly appreciate and love you guys!”
Learn more.
The Scented Leaf
2749 N. Campbell Ave.
The Tanque Verde Road location is easy to spot, too. Local muralist,Joe Pagac, painted a brand-new design on the east side of the building — a giant octopus is rockin’ out alongside the iconic flying whales seen in other murals in Tucson.
Learn more.
Sonora Moonshine Co.
124 E. Broadway Blvd.
“Sonora Moonshine Co. is dedicated to providing an authentic and vibrant experience with a focus on quality and community engagement,” saidEs Teran, owner of the restaurant andBorderlands Brewing Company.
Learn more.
Tabu
128 E. Congress St.
Located right next to the formerChicago Music Storebuilding at the corner of Congress Street and Sixth Avenue, the restaurant has opened its dining room — offering it as dine-in and to-go. The dinner menu features the likes of herb-seared Ahi tuna, meatball sliders,Grilled Nopales,andRibeye Aguachile— grilled steak with avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, and radish.
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Teresa’s Mosaic Café
2749 N. Campbell Ave.
Back in October of 2022, the restaurant temporarily closed for renovations after a fire broke out in the attic space. Therefore, everything has been cleaned up, refurbished, and put back into tip-top shape at 2456 N. Silver Mosaic Dr. It’s always inspiring to find out that a restaurant — one that’s been open for about 40 years now — stays in business and rides the wave when the unexpected happens.
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Tio Ben’s Mexican Grill
3682 W. Orange Grove Rd.
The brand-new restaurant opened in the former High 5 Grille at 3682 W. Orange Grove Rd. — right next door to the Crying Onion Cafe. Margaritas, shrimp co*cktails, enchiladas, and more! The Mexican restaurant is a perfect fit in the area.
Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen
1800 E. Fort Lowell Rd. #116
Back in 2020, the owner of Toss Fried Chicken & Ramen said that “ramen and chicken is a really good combination,” and that’s proven to be true here in Tucson because the concept is expanding. Four years later, the fast-food ramen and fried chicken opened a second location at 1800 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Suite 116, which is in the same plaza asRosa’s Mexican Food,China Szechwan, andTaqueria El Pueblito.
Learn more.
Tuxon Chix
5524 E. Grant Rd.
The menu consists of chicken sandwiches — AKA Cluckin’ Classics — includingThe Tuxon(crispy chicken, their signature Tuxon sauce, lettuce, and sweet pickled relish),Hot Honey, The Buffalo,andThe Wildcat, which is chicken, spicy mayo, bacon, tomato, red onions, Hatch green chili, lettuce, and pepper jack cheese.
Learn more.
WholeSlvce Pizza
160 S. Avenida del Convento
The new concept, found in the Mercado District at the ground level of the Monier Apartments, definitely has that nostalgic feeling of a pizza joint in New York City. The menu’s emphasis is on fermented dough, fresh toppings, plenty of vegan options, and a mix of traditional and creative slices. The menu is split into two sections: ClassiC (CC) and Vegan Version (VV). There are six options to choose from but in reality, it’s 12 because each of them can be made “ClassiC” or vegan.
Learn more.
Z Street
2731 E. Broadway Blvd.
The corner of Broadway and Treat Avenue is now a culinary powerhouse. As a matter of fact, you’re in for atreat. We have Zemam’s once again, the welcoming ofZerai’s International Bar, and the soon-to-beZidamo(a coffee shop that’s aiming to be open before the end of the year).
Learn more.
Hawaiian Restaurant Chains New to Tucson:
- Hawaiian Bros Island Grill
- Kahu Hawaiian BBQ
Coming Soon to Tucson:
- ALDI
- Angie’s Prime Grill and Angie’s Lobster
- Casa Asada
- Casa Madre
- Daiso
- Ono Hawaiian BBQ
- Rollies (MSA Annex location)
- Slow Body Beer Co.
- Ugly But Honest Pizza
- Unicorn Zebra Brewing
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