Zona 78
78 W. River Road
This restaurant offers diverse lunch and dinner menus that include artisan wood-fired pizzas, soups, salads, pasta and a full bar. For diners looking for a more natural dining experience, Zona 78 offers many organic foods. Wait times vary depending on the day and time, but the nice part about this place is it’s located about six miles from the UA. This means fewer crowds compared to restaurants surrounding campus. Pricing is reasonable, and the food is worth the money. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 4-9 p.m.
Ghini’s French Caffe
1803 E. Prince Road
If you are looking for a fun place to take mom and dad for breakfast, lunch or brunch, Ghini’s is a great place to go. The restaurant is reminiscent of a little French café with a Southwestern twist. The walls display local artists’ work and fun knick-knacks, and each table is adorned with fresh flowers. The all-day breakfast menu offers a wide variety of foods, including crepes, omelettes, French toast and countless pastries from a bakery. Lunch offers soups, salads and sandwiches. Since the place is small, be prepared for a small wait. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ghini’s is closed Mondays.
Teresa’s Mosaic Café
2455 N. Silverbell Road
Got a craving for Mexican food, but don’t want it spicy? Teresa’s has a wide variety of authentic Mexican foods that won’t leave you crying for more water. The menu offers all the classics, including chimichangas, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos and homemade tortillas. Each table is uniquely handcrafted with fun designs that will keep anyone entertained while waiting for their food. Pricing is reasonable, and there is a full bar. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Beyond Bread
3026 N. Campbell Ave.
6260 E. Speedway Blvd.
If sandwiches and salads are more of what you are looking for, check out Beyond Bread. The restaurant makes its home solely in Tucson, making it a “”must-stop”” destination. The menu offers a wide variety of cold and hot sandwiches, daily soups, salads, and all kinds of bakery goodies. Breakfast is served until 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. Beyond Bread is a great lunch stop, but be prepared to wait in line because it’s a popular destination for many UA students. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Frost, A Gelato Shoppe
7131 N. Oracle Road
7301 E. Tanque Verde Road
A great meal isn’t complete without dessert, and if Cold Stone isn’t going to cut it, consider Frost. This fun spot offers more than 50 flavors of gelato and sorbet. Order a medium or larger size and receive two flavors. If healthy eating is important to you, this gelato offers one-third less calories than regular ice cream, according to co-owner Jeff Kaiserman. The menu also offers coffee. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.
