Tucson has never needed much of an excuse to eat well. As the first U.S. city designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, the Old Pueblo has long punched above its weight when it comes to dining. From dive bars that have been slinging drinks since the Depression to upscale Thai kitchens reimagining street food for a new generation, the city’s restaurant scene is as layered as the Sonoran Desert itself. Whether you’re a longtime local looking for something new or a visitor trying to make the most of your time here, these six spots are worth putting on your radar.

Tabu Bar

Downtown Tucson’s liveliest newcomer, Tabu Bar brings Sinaloan-style Latin fusion to the Congress Street corridor with a cocktail program built around an impressive house of tequila and mezcal. The kitchen draws on traditional Latin American recipes with a modern edge, and live Latin music on weekends keeps the energy high well past midnight. Think bold flavors, signature cocktails and a room that doesn’t quiet down easily.

128 E. Congress Street, (520) 372-2008, tabubartucson.com

The Buffet Bar

Tucson’s oldest bar — open since 1934 — The Buffet has earned its place as the city’s most beloved dive. Originally the Lantern Buffet, this Iron Horse neighborhood institution serves Coors on draft and stiff drinks at prices that feel like a time warp. The famously festive “Happy Minute” sends every patron home with a free round, and the graffiti-covered walls hold decades of Tucson history. Hot dogs are about as fancy as it gets, and that’s exactly the point.

538 E. Ninth Street, (520) 623-6811, buffetbartucson.com

The Screamery

Arizona’s first certified handcrafted ice cream pasteurizer, The Screamery makes everything from scratch using premium milk and cream with no artificial stabilizers or preservatives. Multiple Tucson locations mean a scoop is never too far away, and the rotating flavor menu gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. Espresso drinks and drip coffee round out the menu, making it equally good as a morning pit stop or a late-night treat.

250 E. Congress Street, 520) 207-7486, thescreamery.com

Eclectic Cafe

A neighborhood institution since 1980, Eclectic Cafe has been feeding east Tucson from its Tanque Verde Road home for more than four decades. The menu spans Mexican specialties, crepes, salads, sandwiches and soups, with generous portions and a homemade sensibility that keeps regulars devoted. The chilaquiles are legendary, weekend breakfast draws a crowd, and the warm family atmosphere has barely changed since the doors first opened.

7053 E. Tanque Verde Road, (520) 885-2842, eclecticcafetucson.com

Noy’s Tuk Tuk Thai

Chef Noy has been cooking since age 7, learning from family and traveling Southeast Asia — and it shows. Her Tucson restaurants serve authentic Thai street food with a creative, regional touch that set the city’s Thai scene on fire when the brand first arrived. The Ventana location, operated by Noy directly, offers her original recipes and menus, with a private Noy’s House dining experience available by reservation for those looking for something truly special.

6878 E. Sunrise Drive, Suite 160, (520) 499-1999, tuktukthai2990.com

Shogun Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

A longtime favorite tucked into a northwest-side strip mall, Shogun has built a devoted following on the strength of its generous, expertly prepared sushi and attentive service. Cozy curtained booths and a serene atmosphere make it a natural choice for date nights, and regulars swear by the rotating half-price roll specials. The nigiri pieces are notably large, the selection is deep and the kitchen’s commitment to freshness is the kind of thing that keeps people coming back for years.

5036 N. Oracle Road, (520) 888-6646, shoguntucson.com