Tucson has no shortage of culinary treasures—after all, it’s the first U.S. city recognized by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy. So when I found out the No. 1 restaurant in America was right here in Tucson, I knew I needed to explore it for myself. That place was Tumerico, recently named the top spot on Yelp’s 2024 “Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S.”
I’ll admit, I had never set foot in a vegetarian restaurant before. I always pictured myself leaving hungry and a bit unimpressed by ‘creative’ meat substitutes. Maybe a lot of lettuce, maybe some tofu pretending to be something it’s not. But Tumerico completely turned that assumption upside down—I left full, satisfied, and honestly a little surprised at how much I enjoyed it
When we arrived, I had a feeling this place was going to be good—there was just something about it. Still, I couldn’t shake my reservations about the whole vegetarian/vegan thing. It’s one thing to be a vegetarian restaurant, but it’s another to be a vegetarian Mexican restaurant. My Tex-Mex brain was hardwired for things like beef fajitas, chimichangas, fajita nachos. Not having those in a Mexican restaurant just sounded so wrong to me.
I heard a lot about their Turmeric Lemonade, and as someone who loves turmeric tea, I had my taste buds set on that when we arrived. But then I was surprised to see a special drink on the menu: the Creosote Lemonade.
For those who don’t know, creosote (Larrea tridentata) is a desert shrub with a really distinctive, resin-y aroma. I wasn’t sure what to expect in a drink named after a desert shrub, but I was curious to give it a try.
Overall, it was a refreshing drink with an earthy, almost herbal undertone. The best way I can describe it? Like hiking in the desert after a rain—if you know, you know. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it otherwise, but there’s something about that nostalgic desert scent that’s hard to resist.
The menu itself is entirely vegetarian and it changes often. You’ll have to call in or check the chalkboard for the current menu and specials.
After weighing my options, I went with the Salsa Verde Chilaquiles.
The dish came piled high with house-made corn chips, poblano peppers, onions, and eggs, all toasted to perfection. It was drenched in a vibrant green sauce and topped with tender, flavorful jackfruit. Every bite was packed with bold, layered flavors—smoky, tangy, fresh, and utterly satisfying. It changed my mind on what vegetarian cuisine can be.
What really struck me was Tumerico’s confidence. The dishes don’t feel like vegetarian stand-ins for meat—they’re full-on, bold Mexican flavors that just happen to be vegetarian. Honestly, I couldn’t believe how well they pulled it off; every bite was rich, satisfying, and genuinely delicious.
The staff were friendly and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu, happy to offer suggestions or explain what makes each item unique. You can tell they’re proud of what they’re serving.
Tumerico isn’t just another place to grab a meal—it’s the kind of spot that makes you rethink what vegetarian food can be.
I still can’t quite believe it’s the No. 1 restaurant on Yelp in 2024—but regardless of how you feel about those rankings, if a place lands at the very top like that, it’s clearly doing something worthy of attention.
For someone like me, trying a vegetarian restaurant for the first time, it was genuinely fun and surprising. If you’re in Tucson, don’t miss Tumerico. Whether you’re a vegetarian or just curious like I was, it’s a place that wins you over with every dish—and maybe even a drink like the Creosote Lemonade.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
