I spend about half of every year in Arizona and since I am a foodie, I like to know some nice restaurants where to find delicious food! I know that downtown Tucson has a lot of nice options, and I have yet to try many of them, but since our house is in Oro Valley, I often want to stay around here (call me a lazy driver…!).

Lucky for me, we do have quite a few nice options, and if some are a little further away, I consider that they are worth while the drive! So here they are, my favorite restaurants in Oro Valley and around.

 

HIFALUTIN

A friendly steakhouse & grill with great steaks options and a Mexican twist. I recommend their loaded potatoes – you can always ask even if you don’t see it on the menu! Nice terrasse in the back if it’s not too hot or too cold, but I do like the busy ambiance inside!

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WILD FLOWERS

This is my favorite place for a fancy lunch. Farmer market’s kind of cuisine, fresh and plenty of light options. Good wine list by the glass and elegant decor.The terrasse is beautiful and full of greeneries.

I love their soups (always amazing), the Brussel sprouts, and the smoke salmon. The salads are great as well.

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THE PARISH

This one has a certain bar vibe to it, true, but trust me, the food here is delicious! It’s a New Orleans inspired cuisine; you’ll find gumbo, hushpuppies, crawfish, frog legs and all kind of delicacies from the bayou on the menu.

I especially love the trout and the crawfish (I always order a side of it and I add it to whatever plate I chose!).

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CONTIGO LATIN KITCHEN

A-ma-zing food! Chic ambiance (but quite busy, it’s always full and cheerful around here), great interior design and the terrasse is also beautiful. Tapas, paella and other delicious food to share.

Last time I went the service was flawless; fun, attentive, efficient and super friendly. This is absolutely my favorite place for a date with my hubby! Try to get a spot on the terrasse, the view is amazing.

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ARIZONA WINE COLLECTIVE

This one is not a restaurant (and I believe in Tucson, not Oro Valley) but it’s definitely worth adding to your list. It’s a tasting room, a wine bar and a bottle shop dedicated to serving wines from multiple Arizona wineries.

Perfect for discovering Arizona wines on a terrasse on a sunny day!

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LA GUADALAJARA

This is a classic for us, and we always bring all of our guests visiting Arizona. Mexican food (just about every dish you can imagine) and colourful decor. At night, they make the guacamole and the salsa all fresh, directly at your table, and it’s a must try!

Try the (gigantic) House Margarita and the shrimp tacos (my favorite).

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SUSHIS ON ORACLE

I’m glad to have one place with excellent sushis around here (I especially like their sashimis). I like to sit at the bar and look at the chef in action!

Arrive early, it’s small and it gets packed.

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HACIENDA DEL SOL

I love going early there to enjoy the yard, the gardens and even the library in the inn where I always have a peek. it doesn’t get more Arizona than this!

My favorite option for dinner is the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge. The menu is not humongous but I always find some good options!

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ARIZONA INN

This is not in Oro Valley, but it’s a place I looove to come here. It’s a beautiful historical inn and the decor is dreamy. I like the bar section of the Arizona Inn : the Audubon Bar & Patio. I think it has a little bit of a Great Gatsby vibe, southwest version!

Southwestern cuisine and beautiful decor. Check all the beautiful orange trees in the yard!

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There you have it : my favorite restaurants in Oro Valley and around.

If you have suggestions to add to this list, don’t hesitate to add them in the comments below! I would love to discover some more places to go!

Enjoy and bon appétit!