Oftentimes local Tucson residents don’t have enough time to cook during Thanksgiving and the busy holiday season. The frantic pace that the holiday season typically brings can make it difficult to cook an entire dinner for friends and relatives (especially if hosting is not your forte), which is why many residents of Tucson choose to host Thanksgiving dinner at one of the many fantastic dining establishments at the local luxury shopping mall — La Encantada. This upscale shopping mall is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and offers dozens of stores and restaurants that will likely be of interest to you.
If you feel like you may not have time to host Thanksgiving dinner at your home, consider enjoying a Thanksgiving meal with your family at one of the many delicious restaurants that can be found in and nearby the La Encantada mall. You’ll likely find that your Thanksgiving is practically stress-free when you’re not busy trying to be the perfect host to your guests. The following offers a guide to seven of the top restaurants in and around La Encantada that are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner!
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
- North Italia
- RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
- Vivace Restaurant
- Wild Garlic Grill
- Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
- Tavolino Ristorante Italiano
1. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
The Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is a steakhouse in Tucson that has a menu mainly consisting of steak, seafood, and various cocktails. The beautiful lodge setting is considered to be among the best reasons to visit this restaurant and will make for a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere if you stop by for Thanksgiving. The most popular dishes include the filet Mignon and slow-roasted prime rib. For starters, the coconut shrimp is a particular favorite. Whether you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, you can expect to have dozens of delectable entrees to select from. Try the chocolate churro custard for dessert.
Pricing & Hours
The approximate price range when visiting this restaurant is $15-$20 for lunch and $25-$35 for dinner. While reservations are optional, it’s highly recommended that you make one if you’re visiting for Thanksgiving. If you’re scheduling a visit to the Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, this eatery is located on the second floor of La Encantada and is open from 11AM-10PM on Sunday through Thursday and from 11AM-11PM on Friday and Saturday.
As for happy hour, it occurs from 4PM-7PM Monday through Friday and from 11AM-5PM on Saturday and Sunday. During this time, you can get discounts on drinks and bar bites. A notable aspect of happy hour at Firebirds is that it’s available at the bar and on the outdoor patio.
Read Audrey M.‘s review of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill on Yelp2. North Italia
North Italia is a contemporary Italian restaurant that’s known for its chic warehouse setting and lively bar. When you order a dish at the restaurant, you’ll be provided with an ample portion size. The chef provides a different pizza and fresh pasta every day to make sure that customers always have something new to order. Before you order an entree, keep in mind that their zucca chips are a favorite among locals and make for the perfect appetizer.
Pricing & Hours
The top entrees include the chicken pesto and bolognese dishes. Menu prices can range from $5-$20. If you’re thinking about visiting North Italia for Thanksgiving or any other occasion, the restaurant can be found on the second floor of La Encantada and is open from 11AM-10PM on Monday through Thursday, from 11AM-11PM on Friday, from 10AM-11PM on Saturday, and from 10AM-9PM on Sunday. If you want to visit for happy hour, you can do so from 3PM-6PM on Monday through Friday and all day on Sunday.
While the food items and drinks on the happy hour menu are always discounted, bottles of wine are half off on Sunday. The drinks available at happy hour include all beers, a white wine, a red wine, and sangria. The dishes you can order extend to bruschetta, a margherita pizza, Italian meatballs, and zucca chips.
Read Yasmine D.‘s review of North Italia on Yelp3. RA Sushi Bar Restaurant
The RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is a stylish Japanese restaurant in Tucson that primarily offers creative sushi dishes alongside some delightful cocktails at the bar. The warm lighting and energetic atmosphere makes this the perfect destination if you’re spending Thanksgiving with your friends. If you’re not in the mood for sushi, some of the delicious entrees that they offer include salmon poke, chicken yakisoba, and black pepper sirloin steak.
Pricing & Hours
Local favorites include the rainbow roll sushi and the shrimp tempura. Menu prices range from $5-$25 depending on what you order. If you want to visit the RA Sushi Bar Restaurant for Thanksgiving, it’s located on the second floor of the La Encantada mall and is open every day from 11AM-12AM, which means that you can visit practically any time that your schedule permits.
If you want to stop by for happy hour, you can do so from 3PM-7PM and from 10PM to closing time on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, happy hour lasts from 3PM until close. During happy hour, the RA Sushi Bar Restaurant offers significant discounts on some of their shareables, sushi, entrees, and cocktails.
Read Doreen L.‘s review of RA Sushi Bar Restaurant on Yelp4. Vivace Restaurant
The Vivace Restaurant is a lively Italian restaurant with a focus on Northern Italian fare along with a comprehensive wine list that includes some delectable options. The atmosphere inside of the restaurant is intimate and romantic, which makes it a great destination for couples on Thanksgiving. While there are numerous dishes that are popular with Tucson residents, the chicken meatballs with capellini and seafood lasagnette are two dishes that stand out among the rest.
Pricing & Hours
If you want the best that money can buy at the Vivace Restaurant, consider the osso buco dish, which is priced at $47. If you intend to eat dessert on Thanksgiving, their extensive dessert menu includes warm bread pudding, chocolate fondue, and creme brulee. The seasonal wine list that they offer includes dozens of red, white, and sparkling wine varietals. The price range for a meal at the Vivace Restaurant is around $30-$60 depending on what you order.
This restaurant can be found across the street from La Encantada at 6440 N Campbell Ave. If you’re planning a visit to the restaurant, it’s open from 11:30AM-9:00PM on Monday through Thursday and from 11:30AM-10PM on Friday and Saturday.
Read Jessica R.‘s review of Vivace on Yelp5. Wild Garlic Grill
The Wild Garlic Grill is a family-owned bar and eatery that focuses on a New American cuisine. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, which makes it the perfect place to visit with your family on Thanksgiving. Their menu is streamlined, which means that they focus on perfecting the dishes that they offer. For entrees, the braised lamb shank and grilled cabrilla sea bass are considered to be top dishes at this eatery. Some of the appetizers that you might want to try out include grilled garlic shrimp, roasted garlic fries, and Oregon wild-mushroom soup.
Pricing & Hours
When visiting for lunch, their entrees can cost anywhere from $15-$23. As for dinner, you can expect to pay around $20-$30 for an entree. If the weather is nice on Thanksgiving, they have a spacious outdoor patio where you can eat and enjoy the beautiful Tucson weather. The Wild Garlic Grill is located just down the street from the La Encantada mall at 2870 E Skyline Dr. Suite 120.
If you’re thinking about traveling there for Thanksgiving, the restaurant is open from 11AM-10PM on Tuesday through Saturday and from 11AM-9PM on Sunday. If you want to visit for happy hour, a special menu is available at the bar every day from 4PM-7PM. During happy hour, you’ll be able to get $1 off food and drinks.
Read karen s.‘s review of Wild Garlic Grill on Yelp6. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is an upscale steakhouse chain that specializes in classic American cuisine with such food items as aged beef, pork chops, and lobster tails. The salmon and filet Mignon dishes are considered to be particular favorites. You should also try the lobster mac and cheese as a side to your entree.
Pricing & Hours
Since this is a high-end restaurant, the pricing matches the luxury. You should expect to pay more than $100 for two people. However, if you make a reservation to visit the steakhouse on Thanksgiving, they are currently offering three courses for $48, which is a great discount. The restaurant has an elegant and romantic atmosphere to it that can make for a relaxing evening.
While this restaurant isn’t situated directly inside of the mall, it’s just two minutes away from the shopping center and can be found at 6360 N Campbell Ave Suite 180. When planning a visit, this restaurant is open from 5PM-10PM on Monday through Thursday, from 5PM-10:30PM on Friday and Saturday, and from 4PM-9PM on Sunday. As for happy hour, you can stop by the bar every day from 5PM-7PM for some delicious small plates and creative cocktails.
Read Mark A.‘s review of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar – Tucson on Yelp7. Tavolino Ristorante Italiano
Tavolino Ristorante Italiano is a distinct restaurant in La Encantada that focuses primarily on providing guests with Northern Italian fare, which means that wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and meats are the central dishes on the menu. You should also enjoy the rustic yet comfortable atmosphere and stylish furnishings. This restaurant is exceedingly popular with Tucson locals, which is why it’s heavily recommended that you make a reservation at least one week in advance of your visit. Making a reservation is particularly important when you’re looking to have Thanksgiving dinner there.
Pricing & Hours
When you’re scanning through the menu, keep in mind that the dishes that are ordered most by customers include osso buco, beet ravioli, and roasted pork tenderloin. No matter what you order, the prices are around $15-$35 for entrees, $6 for sides, and $9 for desserts. The sides that they offer are considered to be particularly delicious and include such dishes as sauteed baby spinach, roasted potatoes, and balsamic-glazed cipollini.
If you’re planning a visit to the restaurant, it’s located on the second floor of the mall and is open from 11AM-9PM on Sunday through Thursday and from 11AM-10PM on Friday and Saturday. As for happy hour, this occurs every day from 3PM-6PM. During happy hour, you’ll be able to select food and drinks from a specialized menu that offers discounts on some of the more popular dishes in the restaurant.
Read Brianna R.‘s review of Tavolino Ristorante Italiano on YelpEnjoy Thanksgiving Dinner with Your Family Near La Encantada
La Encantada has a lot to offer when it comes to both shopping and food. The wide range of shops that you can select from means that the shopping center is able to accommodate any need. Some of the many luxury stores that you can find in the mall include the Apple Store, Tiffany & Co., Crate & Barrel, and Louis Vuitton.
Along with the many spectacular restaurants mentioned previously, you might also want to stop by Savaya Coffee for breakfast or Frost for some gelato and sorbet. Since there are dozens of shops and stores at La Encantada, this shopping center is also the perfect place to go on Black Friday. You can get all of your holiday shopping done in a single day when visiting for Black Friday.
La Encantada is a great representation of Tucson as a whole. When you’re not shopping, the city of Tucson offers something for everyone to enjoy. If you love to hike and spend time among nature, the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offer up botanical gardens, zoos, art galleries, and a myriad of wonderful hiking opportunities. If entertainment is what you’re after, stop by the Rialto Theatre to watch a play or take in a concert.
If you’re currently thinking about moving to Tucson and need some help to find the perfect home, contact our real estate professionals at Grogan and Grogan today to begin the home buying process!
