Location: Tucson
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Arizona, United States Food Guide: 10 Contemporary food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Tucson
Best Contemporary restaurants nearby. Discover the best Contemporary food in Tucson. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Contemporary restaurants near you.. Although Tucson's fantastic weather, national parks and forests and desert provide the perfect environment for tons of outdoor recreational activities, this city of half a million people also has its share of history and culture. With a history that goes back much further than many of its southwestern neighbors, Tucson boasts turn-of-the-century architecture, historic neighborhoods, museums and the Mission San Xavier del Bac, a still-functioning 18th-century mission considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S. Mexican and Native American influences are pervasive, and the city has a distinctly Western flavor. There's also a college-town atmosphere, thanks to the University of Arizona, which has its own share of museums and a science center. Whether golfing at a world-class golf resort, horseback riding, hiking in the wilderness, discovering desert flora and fauna at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or exploring pre-Columbian and other art at the Tucson Art Museum, you'll have a mind-boggling array of things to do.
Things to do in Tucson
10. The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1110 reviews
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol is a AAA Four Diamond dining establishment and one of Arizona's top restaurants. Breathtaking mountain and city views are captured from The Grill's dining room where you will be treated to Hacienda del Sol's "Spirited Southwe
Reviewed By Cowboybilly101
The service is outstanding. The food is a culinary delight! The scienery is beautiful! The staff is friendly!Thank you for your review, I will certainly pass on your comments to my staff. We have just started a new menu. Please stop by and see, your thoughts are valuable to us. Thanks Again.Lee GregoryCertified Sommelier/Assistant Restaurant [email protected]
9. Kingfisher Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 417 reviews
Kingfisher is an American Grill specializing in fresh Seafood. Menu changes seasonally. Winner of Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. Lunch Dinner, Late night. A local favorite for 14 years running.
Reviewed By NYU62
Before we even moved here, our daughter and son-in-law had taken us to dinner here. That was about 17 years ago. We don't remember what we ate, but do remember that it was a lovely evening. Since we live on the Far East Side, we do not want to venture out all this way at night, and, for some reason, we did not think that they were open for lunch, until, I read a recent review. So, today, Friday (6/7), was a perfect day for lunch at the Kingfisher. We were there about 1:30, and since the parking lot (and side street) were full of cars, we thought that the restaurant would be packed. There were many people, but we did manage to get a very nice booth, where we could sit and look out at everything. Nice simple décor, and a nice place to eat seafood.I did want to order the Lobster Roll (love them!), but after inquiry, I was told that the lobster is from frozen. Of course, in this heat and this desert, it would be a miracle if it were fresh. However, while living in Connecticut, I was brainwashed that a "real" lobster roll is made from fresh lobster, so I passed on that. I was very happy with my clams. I often do not finish the broth, but, here, it was so good, that I ate to the last spoonful. My husband had the fish sandwich, which came with cole slaw, and shoestring fries. I don't really like French Fries, but shoestrings are another story, and these were so delicious, that I ate half of his. With this lunch, we had two Lager beers, and they were perfect.On the menu, I had seen something about a Jack Daniels Pecan Pie for dessert, and while eating, we talked about ordering and sharing. However, we saw that there was no way, we could eat it after our meal, so no dessert for us. (Should not have eaten all that bread!)Service was nice and professional, we enjoyed the atmosphere, the WiFi works beautifully, the bathrooms are spotless, and the food was delicious. We will definitely be making more trips for lunch here.
8. The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1110 reviews
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol is a AAA Four Diamond dining establishment and one of Arizona's top restaurants. Breathtaking mountain and city views are captured from The Grill's dining room where you will be treated to Hacienda del Sol's "Spirited Southwe
Reviewed By Cowboybilly101
The service is outstanding. The food is a culinary delight! The scienery is beautiful! The staff is friendly!Thank you for your review, I will certainly pass on your comments to my staff. We have just started a new menu. Please stop by and see, your thoughts are valuable to us. Thanks Again.Lee GregoryCertified Sommelier/Assistant Restaurant [email protected]
7. Cafe Poca Cosa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1806 reviews
Reviewed By Ballywizard
I've been here three times, and I had the three-dish combination each time, so I've tried a fairly broad swath of the menu.. Outside is a challenging neighborhood, but the inside is cozy, welcoming and sophisticated. Its one of the few Tucson restaurants where you may actually need a reservation.They don't have a printed menu, and won't accommodate much deviation from what's written on the day's blackboard. For example, they serve chips and salsa, but refuse to make pico de gallo. In my experience, the menu includes one type of chicken, beef and fish, each with three sauces, for a total of nine or so entrees. The chicken is a boneless skinless breast, the beef is an economy cut like skirt, and the fish is something common like cod, all priced at $25. Usually the protein is baked or stewed, and there are a variety of sauces, including a couple moles. For an additional $4, you get three dishes selected by the chef from the menu. The portions are huge, with lots of rice and beans topped off with a salad. Overall, I've been a little disappointed. Nothing has been bad, but the protein selection and presentation is bland, and the sauces are routine. Topping the hot main dish with a cold salad detracts from both items. The only desert I've had is the flan, which is cut from a sheet and has a pasty texture.
6. The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1110 reviews
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol is a AAA Four Diamond dining establishment and one of Arizona's top restaurants. Breathtaking mountain and city views are captured from The Grill's dining room where you will be treated to Hacienda del Sol's "Spirited Southwe
Reviewed By Cowboybilly101
The service is outstanding. The food is a culinary delight! The scienery is beautiful! The staff is friendly!Thank you for your review, I will certainly pass on your comments to my staff. We have just started a new menu. Please stop by and see, your thoughts are valuable to us. Thanks Again.Lee GregoryCertified Sommelier/Assistant Restaurant [email protected]
5. Cafe a La C'Art
Overall Ratings
4 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By Wesley C
Café affiliated with Tucson Museum of Art. Located in a historic building in the Old Pueblo. Stopped here for lunch after touring the Museum. Had the Rothschild Sandwich (wine-braised beef brisket, roasted red peppers, chipotle aïoli, and pepperjack cheese) with pasta salad. Was very good. The Café is well known for its great desserts. Got some to go. Place order at counter. Food will be delivered to your table. Seating inside or the outdoor patio.
4. Wildflower
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1352 reviews
As with everything great, one must first seek the roots. In our case, we are lucky enough to have our first restaurant, Wildflower, continuously thriving and serving the local and die-hard fans of Fox Restaurant Concepts in Tucson. While our seasonal menu
Reviewed By RuthiEN
I give Wildflower a 4 star because of the NOISE level inside; outside patio seating was comfortable --met friends for drinks and appetizers; the grilled artichoke and smoked salmon excellent; my husband enjoyed his mussels; i am not a fan, did not taste them. Our friend ordered a refill of wine; the word didn't get passed to our server who immediately followed up when notified. we live here and it is one of "lets go"places
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3. Flying V Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 831 reviews
Executive Chef Ken Harvey has created a delicious menu for you to savor indoors in our rustic dining room, in front of the cozy fireplaceâor outdoors on our patio, surrounded by magnificent views. Indulge in our famous table-side guacamole, made to order
Reviewed By curtissteinhoff
Everything about our dining experience at the Flying V was memorable. Our evening started with the made-at-your-table guacamole, which was some of the best we've ever tasted. Our service team was attentive, without being distracting, and the design and layout of the facility was appealing.We tried a range of entrees, from rack of lamb (cooked perfectly) to sea scallops to filet. The lamb was best, but all were fantastic.We skipped dessert, but the menu looked tempting. If you're looking for a nice night out with a standard but satisfying menu, check out the Flying V. And don't forget the guac!
2. Vivace Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1803 reviews
Rated number one for food in Tucson, by Zagat Survey, this Foothills restaurant has a Tuscan decor providing northern Italian fare, thoughtfully prepared with reasonable prices and wine list. Choose from a selection of appetizers, salads, pasta and main p
Reviewed By Tnbelle76
My husband and I went here for anniversary dinner this week (a Tuesday night). It was our first time. WONDERFUL ambiance, beautiful view, and location. The food and service were both fantastic! My husband is east coast Italian and is very critical of Italian food and he loved it! We had the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer, he had the Veal Marsala, and I had the pork parm. We did not sit out on on the patio, but it looked gorgeous and we may try that next time. We also saw a corporate event being hosted in one of the back rooms so it was nice to know that was an option at this venue. We made reservations on Open Table and had zero issues. We will definitely be back!
1. The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1110 reviews
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol is a AAA Four Diamond dining establishment and one of Arizona's top restaurants. Breathtaking mountain and city views are captured from The Grill's dining room where you will be treated to Hacienda del Sol's "Spirited Southwe
Reviewed By Cowboybilly101
The service is outstanding. The food is a culinary delight! The scienery is beautiful! The staff is friendly!Thank you for your review, I will certainly pass on your comments to my staff. We have just started a new menu. Please stop by and see, your thoughts are valuable to us. Thanks Again.Lee GregoryCertified Sommelier/Assistant Restaurant [email protected]
