Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Tucson

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Tucson? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wildflower - Tucson

4.7

4.7 (7048)

$30 and under

American

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

Wildflower, flagship restaurant for Fox Restaurant Concepts, raised the culinary bar when it opened in Tucson in 1998. To this day, it continues to set the standard for innovative New American Cuisine featuring a melting pot of American classics with European and Asian influences. If that’s not enough, the restaurant offers 80 wines by the bottle and 25 by the glass – an excellent range for both the wine connoisseur and the novice.

Top review

Michael and BethVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food was excellent as always and our Server was fantastic!!!!

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (305)

$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

Ernie

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

Looked for a different type of brunch. This was rated fairly high for Tucson area. Nice location. Early reservation was good since it started to get crowded after our arrival. Staff were friendly and provided good service. Food was good. Food was served promptly and was good.

The Cup Cafe

4.6

4.6 (2178)

$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

Suzanne

Dined 3 days ago

Great fish and chips. Lovely evening on the patio. A good vibe and great food. Wonderufl waitress

Discover more

Popular dish

Fish 'N' Chips

Popular dish

Stuffed Chicken Gnocchi

Zinburger Wine and Burger Bar – Tucson River

4.6

4.6 (852)

$30 and under

American

Midtown

About the restaurant

When it comes to a great meal, there’s nothing better than biting into a perfectly grilled, juicy burger, and sipping on a cold, creamy milkshake between every mouthwatering bite. At Zinburger, we create the perfect balance of comfort, flavor, and high quality ingredients in each of our menu items. Elevate your all-American burger experience with a Samburger and a side of truffle fries or hand-cut zucchini fries. Our vast selection of beer and wine is carefully picked to complement every delicious style of burger on our menu. Come over and treat yourself to a Zinfully indulgent experience at Zinburger.

Top review

DwayneVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Had a great time with our grandkids, this is their favorite restaurant. Loved Bruce Lee burger, California Burger bowl and Make your own burgers. Add Zucchini and fried potatoes…a lunch of champions.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina – Tucson

4.6

4.6 (1469)

$30 and under

Mexican

Foothills

About the restaurant

Blanco is more than your typical Mexican restaurant, it‘s an escape from the ordinary, a happy hour hang out, a place to sit back, recharge and party. It’s a vacation in your neighborhood that helps you relax with your favorite people. For food, margaritas, and good times, Blanco is the perfect place to find your bliss.

What could be better than street-style tacos, premium tequila, and a panoramic view of the Tucson valley? Blanco in Tucson features a modern take on classic Mexican fare, such as our award-winning Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork Tacos, as well as signature drinks made with seasonal fruits like our Pomegranate Grapefruit Margarita!

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined today

We had a great meal as always. Great view of the city lights.

Discover more

Popular dish

The Margarita

Humo Cocina Mexicana

4.6

4.6 (11)

$30 and under

Mexican

Casas Adobes

About the restaurant

At Humo Cocina Mexicana, we bring the rich flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine to your table with a modern twist.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Apr 10, 2025

This was our first time at Humo--liked the menu & reviews. It was a fun experience and our waitress, Paola(sp?) was terrific! The food was delicious, with large quantities, so left-overs were a plus. We'll be back!!!

Cielos

4.5

4.5 (1339)

$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

Isabella

Dined 3 days ago

I took my boyfriend for his birthday to Cielos. They were very timely and our server was very nice and attentive. The food tasted amazing and fresh. They also were so kind to serve us a free dessert for the birthday.

Discover more

Popular dish

GRILLED PORK CHOP

Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge at the Hacienda del Sol

4.4

4.4 (842)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Foothills

About the restaurant

Step into the open-air haven of Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge at Hacienda del Sol and enjoy the refreshing desert breeze and captivating surroundings. Delight in a feast for the senses, from al fresco dining and signature drinks to live melodies, all crafting a unique gastronomic journey in the heart of Tucson, AZ. Within our historic hotel's dining oasis, our skilled chefs infuse innovation into every dish - whether it's tapas, tacos, or any culinary masterpiece in between.

We do allow pets and we even have a pet menu!

Top review

IngridVIP

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

We enjoyed a delicious dinner while listening to the piano and vocal stylings of Susan Artemis. Our server was in her second week working there, so we got to share our favorite memories of dining at Hacienda del Sol. Our meals were the Salmon and Gnocchi and Steak and Frites; everything was delicious and we had enough leftovers for another meal at home. Terraza is one of our favorite places for lunch or dinner. It has live music most evenings, and a beautiful view of the grounds of the hotel.

Agustin Kitchen

4.3

4.3 (2482)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Tucson

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Arika

Dined 1 day ago

Great new menu!! Awesome selection of salads and entrees

Cayton’s at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain

4.2

4.2 (689)

$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

Marie-claireVIP

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Food was excellent as usual. Our server was very attentive to everything. We enjoy going there as a special treat.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Tucson

Explore more Diners' Choice lists