Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Tucson? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nook - Tucson

4.8

4.8 (295)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Enjoy exceptional service and a friendly atmosphere at Nook. It's a wonderful spot for enjoying a delicious meal while catching up with old acquaintances over lunch. Nook is located just south of the Prima County Public Library on East Congress Street. It opened in 2015 and has become a trendy eatery that serves up New American cuisine. Owners Nikki and Matt Thompson along with Todd Anderson are fellow Tucsonans who love their community. Local artists have work showcased throughout this contemporary restaurant. Nook also prides itself on serving up locally sourced food. Try the Godfather Benedict with prosciutto, arugula, poached egg hollandaise and balsamic drizzle for breakfast, or come down during lunch for a green corn tamale pie with cabbage salad. It offers take-out service and is open for breakfast and lunch during the week. This restaurant also serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The blueberry scones are the best anywhere. The service was excellent, the food is quite ample so sharing is a good idea, but get a side of the smashed potatoes.

The Cup Cafe

4.7

4.7 (2136)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Recently awarded "Top 100 Neighborhood Gems in America" by OpenTable!

Reservations are highly recommended for dinner due to limited indoor seating and high demand for patio seating.
During breakfast and lunch we do not accept reservations, *EXCEPT* on these holidays: Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The Cup Café is a downtown Tucson tradition with a reputation for delicious, inspired fare, alive with flavor. A full-service, historic modern bistro, The Cup Café appeals to locals and visitors alike.

Enjoy the variety of The Cup’s all-day menu and the fresh, delectable, and ever-changing daily features. Selections include build-your-own omelets, unique salads, great appetizers, full-course entrees, classic sandwiches, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

The Cup also proudly features homemade desserts, baked in-house, as well as a comfortable and expansive outdoor patio, full-service bar, unique signature cocktails, and intriguing wine selections.

Thank you!

Top review

Kate

Dined 3 days ago

The food & drinks were generally good. It was busy and we felt we waited a long time for our food & thennwere a bit rushed. I had a better prior experience, so will give it another try.

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Popular dish

Fish 'N' Chips

Popular dish

Stuffed Chicken Gnocchi

Bata

4.7

4.7 (1114)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Bata is a restaurant designed to celebrate the best our region has to offer. We cook over a live oak fire, on our custom fabricated hearth. Our menu changes daily. We mill AZ grown grain in house, daily. We focus on whole animal butchery, done in house. We have an extensive fermentation program. Our bar program largely focuses on wines that are organic, biodynamic, and produced with minimal intervention. The cocktail list highlights the best products of the season, with a carefully curated list of spirits from across the globe. We believe that our hospitality is just as important as the food and beverages we put on the table.

We do not encourage our restaurant for young children. We do not have any highchairs in house and ask that you please bring your own if it is required.

We do not offer any outdoor seating. Private dining, kitchen counter and large party seating available. Email hello@batatucson.com for inquiries.

Top review

StevenVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing food, spectacular service. Best restaurant in Tucson for unique plates and drinks.

Core Kitchen and Wine Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

4.6

4.6 (748)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Marana

About the restaurant

True American cuisine that is approachable, innovative and inspired by Sonoran and regional influences. The menu is complemented by an extensive wine list in an elegant, yet casual atmosphere. The open kitchen highlights the culinary team creating á la carte offerings with plenty of interaction. The private dining room provides an option to entertain larger parties and family gatherings with a personalized chef menu. The chef’s table sets the tone for a world-class interactive, personalized gourmet dining experience.
CORE serves breakfast and dinner.

Top review

Tina

Dined 6 days ago

Beautiful restaurant and setting nestled in the mountains. Food was beautifully presented with a great wine list! Memorable and relaxing.

Maynards

4.6

4.6 (2372)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

Nestled in the historic train depot, Maynards offers an authentic dining experience featuring locally-inspired dishes, an award-winning wine list, and hand-crafted cocktails. Market-driven and fueled by a passion for the Southwest, Maynards delights guests with ephemeral seasonal dishes that celebrate the harvests of the Sonoran Desert in an elegant, romantic atmosphere.

Downtown Tucson’s Historic East End is both a destination and a hub for those seeking the heart of urban Tucson.

Top review

DouglasVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent restaurant for classic experience. Very good and well presented cocktails. Food, including amuse bouche, appetizer, one main course (duck breast), and deserts excellent. One exception was entree of "pressed" chicken breast which was a bad concept. Flavor OK but very heavy and dry and too big a portion. Sides were good. Wine list pretty good and not too expensive by today's standards. Ambience, at night, excellent. Parking convenient. Not inexpensive, but not outrageous either. Have been before for lunch, will certainly return for dinner.

Agustin Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (2443)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

New American Cuisine.
Happy Hour Drinks Every Day from 3-5!

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Daniel excellant host/ server perfect night w friends!

Dante's Fire Cocktails and Cuisine

4.5

4.5 (398)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Dante's Fire, Cocktails & Cuisine has a simple philosophy - Food made from food. Executive Chef & Owner Ken Foy's vision of a scratch kitchen creating Fine Food For Everyone.

Dante’s Fire has been voted Best Late Night eatery by the Community in Tucson, received multiple articles from The Tucson Foodie, and Best Margarita & Food by the Judges & Crowd at the 2022 & 2023 World Margarita Championship, respectively. In July of 2022, Chef Kenneth Foy was crowned the Iron Chef of Tucson. In July of 2023, Chef Kenneth Foy was challenged for his title of Iron Chef of Tucson. Through a tough battle, Chef Kenneth Foy emerged victorious and still holds his title as the Reining Iron Chef of Tucson.

We've created a fine food, casual atmosphere that caters to well, everyone. Start with our daily Happy Hour and feel welcome to hang out all night long.

Top review

Sylvia

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Really enjoyed the Christmas Eve pre fix. Lovely evening. Great service! Charming place.

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Thai Curry Shrimp (GF)

Cielos

4.2

4.2 (1311)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Midtown

About the restaurant

Cielos at Lodge on the Desert offers one of the best dining options in Southern Arizona. Dine on contemporary seasonal cuisine that pays tribute to Southwest ingredients. Complemented by classic craft cocktails featuring local spirits and a delectable wine list, Cielos is the perfect place for a romantic night out or a casual happy hour with friends.
The intimate space is framed with floor-to-ceiling windows and overlooks a spacious secluded Saltillo-tiled outdoor private patio featuring bistro string lighting, a four-sided, tiled fireplace for optimal year-round al fresco dining. Cielos and its Bar both reflect a genuine, richly authentic Southern Arizona historic charm and ambience including rough-hewn artist-design hand-painted wood beams, Mexican tin chandeliers, floating potted plants and shade sails.

Top review

MarmyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I have been to Cielo's before and I enjoyed it as well this time around. I initially booked outdoor seating to take advantage of the beautiful, cool weather but when I arrived, I saw that they were having a live band outside so I did ask to move inside. They initially said they didn't have any availability but they were able to find indoor seating and I appreciated that. The special entree meatloaf was a hit with the other two in my party and I had the salmon...muah!

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Cayton’s at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain

4.3

4.3 (680)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Marana

About the restaurant

Cayton’s Restaurant at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, serves rustic and refined cuisine rooted in Southern Tradition. The casually elegant ambiance of the clubhouse restaurant is the perfect setting to enjoy signature entrées and an extensive selection of regional craft beers. The views of Tucson from Cayton’s patio enhance the experience. Cayton’s is open to the public, members and guests and is available for private dining events.

Top review

Bruce

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Excellent ambiance - good food - a little spendy - small 6oz servings of wine for high prices - best of all, our server was over the top outstanding

Palm at the Westward Look Resort

4.0

4 (498)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

Located inside the historical Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa! Surrounded with native vegetation and breathe taking city views in the Palm Room & Palm Terrace! Featuring our award-winning Tacos. Recently won people's choice at the 2024 Margarita Challange in June

Palm restaurant has opened as a three-meal restaurant open daily from 7am - 9pm.
We offer daily Happy Hour 4pm-6pm
Concert Series: Every Friday each month from 7pm - 9pm
Tuesday: Receive a FREE Appetizer when you purchase from our "MAIN" section of the dinner menu
Wednesday: Wine Down Wednesday. 50% off on a selection of Reds and Whites (bottle only)
Saturday Night: Taco & Tequila 50% off all Tequilas, including cocktails! 20% our amazing Tacos
Sunday Night: Prime Rib Dinner $25. Jazz Band from 5pm-7pm
COMING JULY 1 HAPPY HOUR FOOD MENU
For any questions, please call 520-297-1151 Ext 474

Top review

James

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Noise level was low because they put us in a separate dining room - food was great

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