The Best of the Northwest is Right Here in Marana

If you’re looking for your next weekend adventure, delicious meal or family outing—Marana has some of the best spots in town. Don’t just take our word for it—these local businesses were all recently named “Best of the Northwest” by readers of the Marana News and Explorer newspapers.

The Best of the Northwest annual readers’ poll has been a great resource to discover the town for years! What's better than crowdsourced information to help you plan your next meal or adventure in Marana?

Here’s a rundown of the winners and readers recommendations for 2023.

Best Place to Watch the Game and Best Sports Bar

Reader Recommended: The Station Pub and Grill

Best Event or Festival

Winner: Marana Pumpkin Patch, a Marana tradition. This year they’ve added a Spring festival as well!

Place for Family Fun

Reader Recommended: TopGolf—Tucson Marana

Best Place to Escape the Summer Heat

Winner: Town of Marana splash pads. The town Parks and Rec team says the splash pads are opening soon!

Reader Recommended: Elevate Trampoline Park (also winner for Best Game and Entertainment Center)

Best New Business

Winner: Alejandro "Serious Mexican, Mariscos & Fusion Food". Stay tuned for a Drink Marana featuring this new business--coming soon!

Best Place to Grab a Cocktail

Reader Recommended: Growler’s Taphouse. This local restaurant is also a great place to grab a beer with 30 on tap!

Best Steak House AND Best Barbecue

Winner: Li’l Abners—a Marana legacy and a great place to take your out of town visitors to experience an old west steak house.

Best Marana Restaurant:

Reader Recommended: Nana’s Kitchen

Best Restaurant Curbside Pickup

Reader Recommended: Texas Roadhouse at Cortaro & I-10

Best Wings

Winner: Native Grill & Wings

Reader Recommended: Monsoons Tap & Grill

Best Coffee Shop

Winner: Roadrunner Coffee Co

Best Brewery

Winner: Catalina Brewing Company

Best Beer on Tap

Reader Recommended: Dove Mountain Brewery and Casa Marana

Best Asian Food

Winner: Sushi Cortaro (also winner for Best Sushi!)

Reader Recommended: Asian Spice Restaurant

Best Bicycle Store

Reader Recommended: HMS Bikes

Best Hotel/Resort

Winner: The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain the jewel of Marana is both a 5 Star Hotel AND spa!

Best Movie Theater

Winner: Harkins Theatres at Arizona Pavilions Drive

Best Mom and Pop Business

Winner: Donut Wheel on Ina Road is another Marana legacy stop. They've been serving up fresh donuts for decades! They even have a drive-thru to get your donut fix on the go.