During the Dine & Discover Challenge in partnership with the Marana Chamber of Commerce, participants have “discovered” these locally owned gems! This is a great list for tourists heading to our area, or locals who want to make sure they have the best spots in town scoped out when their friends and family come to visit during the beautiful winter months!
In Southern Marana, they recommend: The Pasta Shop, Nana’s Kitchen, La Olla Mexican Cafe, and Just Breakfast .
In the Northeast/Dove Mountain, our participants listed: Dove Mountain Brewing Company, Vero Amore, and Cayton’s at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.
In Northwest/Downtown, our participants listed: Bisbee Breakfast Club on Sandario, Copper Cafe, and Sky Rider Coffee Shop, a classic American diner at the Marana Regional Airport.
Click here to see a map of these areas.
We also have a nice round-up by catagory:
Pictured: a selection of pasta from The Pasta Shop
When it comes to Italian food Vero Amore or Dominick’s Real Italian are great for a sit down Italian meal, or The Pasta Shop, a newly opened Southern Marana spot serving up build-your-own pasta dishes. Barro’s Pizza also has a great variety of Italian dishes with counter service along with great salads and breadsticks (and of course PIZZA)!
For great tasting, family style meals with something for everyone, we’d consider Home Plate Marana, New Town Buffet, the Gladden Farms or Saguaro Bloom Food Truck Roundups, and when you have visitors from out of town you can’t beat a great steak at Li'l Abners.
There is a vibrant local brewery scene in Marana! From the rustic charm of Catalina Brewing Company and Button Brew House to Growler’s Taphouse, Caps and Corks, and Dove Mountain Brewing Company, we have options in each area of the community for a meal and local beer! If you’re looking for a great burger AND brew, we have you covered! Check out our recent roundup of burgers in Marana!
Great wings can be had in Marana! May we suggest Native Grill & Wings (an Arizona favorite since the 1970’s), Tucson Wings (inside Vero Amore!), or Wingstop? Lucky Wishbone also has a great selection of wings for grab and go! Fun Fact: Did you know Lucky Wishbone was the first fast food restaurant in Tucson?
Pictured: Pizza from Vero Amore
When it comes to pizza, we have some wonderful local favorites, including Casa Marana, Vero Amore, Boston’s, Twin Peaks Pizzeria, R&R Pizza Express, and Barro’s. Marana also has a growing and surprising authentic Neapolitan-style pizza scene - the chefs of Casa Marana, Vero Amore, and Bailey’s Artisan Pizza are either certified pizzaiolos (from the prestigious Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana Academy in Naples, Italy), or have trained under them! They offer pizza prepared and flame-baked the same way it’s made in Italy!
For the perfect “big salad,” Bisbee Breakfast Club on Ina or Sandario always has fresh salad on the menu! Mod Pizza is a salad spot with 40 toppings to choose from for one price (you can even put salad ON your pizza there!). Twin Peaks Pizzeria also has 8 different salads to choose from! MHC Healthcare's Copper Cafe also serves up great, affordable salads weekdays--none over $9! We also heard that Serial Grillers, Monsoons, Dominicks, Jimmy’s Poke, Baggins (in a bread bowl!), Growlers, The Highlands and Vero Amore have great salads too!
Pictured: Tacos from Tacos Apson
Authentic Mexican food is here in Marana! From La Olla Mexican Cafe, Nana’s Kitchen, and Guadalajara's Grill & Tequila Bar to La Parrilla Suiza, Alejandro "Serious Mexican, Mariscos, & Fusion Food" and El Molinito, we have every style of Mexican cuisine you can think of! If it’s great tacos you’re in the mood for, we’ve also got a bunch of taco trucks! Taqueria Plaza’s, La Carreta del Rorro, and Taco Rico are just some of our favorites. We also have several local spots for a fast casual meal like Tacos Apson, Jason’s, and Angela’s! La Mesa even makes their own tortillas! We have a great wrap-up here.
