If you’re looking for a change of scenery – or just a new dining experience – look no further than Tucson. Not only was it the first U.S. city to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, it was also recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the country’s best dining cities last year. And while there are plenty of incredible options to choose from, a whopping four made the impressive Yelp Top 100 US Restaurants list this year, making them must-try eateries for any Tucson visit.
While one of the country’s top picks – La Chaiteria – is temporarily closed, keep reading to start planning an unforgettable meal at the other three.
Tumerico
Tumerico proves that Latin food doesn’t need meat to be delicious, snagging the top spot on this year’s Yelp Top 100 US Restaurants list with its all plant-based menu. Even before becoming a Yelp favorite, Tumerico was getting national attention with its chef, Wendy Garcia, being named a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2023 and 2024 and gaining high praise from Food Network star Guy Fieri. The menu changes seasonally so there’s always something new to try, but we recommend trying their popular jackfruit carnitas.
2526 E. Sixth St., Tucson, 520-240-6947, tumerico.com
Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Café
Buendia is a relative newcomer to the Tucson dining scene, having opened in late 2021, but it’s already made an impact as one of Yelp’s top restaurants. The Sonoran-style menu includes breakfast and lunch options such as the stuffed poblano pepper, huevos rancheros, tacos dorados and more than half a dozen breakfast burrito options. The café de olla and Mexican spiced coffee are also must-tries for caffeine lovers.
2530 N. First Ave., Tucson, 520-849-8487, @buendia.breakfast.lunch
Baja Café
This is the go-to breakfast spot for egg lovers. Fun fact: The kitchen goes through 375,000 eggs each year! From eggs Benedict to French toast, the restaurant has all varieties of egg dishes ready for hungry diners. However, the café is also known as the home of the decadent Snickerdoodle pancake – topped with a generous pour of vanilla bean cream cheese glaze – making it a no-brainer for sweet breakfast lovers.
Two Tucson locations, bajacafetucson.com
