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.

Here’s a rundown of the winners and readers recommendations for 2024.

Best Kept Secret

We couldn't agree more with the Best of the Northwest readers who named THREE great spots in and around our town as the "Best Kept Secret.

Winner: La Olla Mexican Café

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine with an original twist, look no further than La Olla Mexican Café. This family-owned and operated restaurant serves Sonoran style classics such as enchiladas, carne asada, pork carnitas, chile relleno, and more.

Congratulations La Olla!

Reader Recommended: Old Pueblo Cellars Winery and Tasting Room and Sky Rider Café two gems you won't want to miss!

PicturedEnchilada from La Olla Mexican Café, a Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award Winner.
CreditTucson Foodie

Best Place to Watch the Game

Winner: The Station Pub and Grill

Reader Recommended: Native Grill & Wings

Best Event or Festival

Reader Recommended: Marana Pumpkin Patch, a Marana tradition that now attracts people from across the west!

Reader Recommended: Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting. Our 45 foot tree is a stunner!

CreditMarana Park and Recreation

Place for Family Fun

Winner: TopGolf—Tucson Marana. This three story event center is more than just golf! Enjoy great food and a fun atmosphere (and golf!) This is a great local spot for birthday parties, fundraisers and other events as well. Congrats Topgolf!

CreditTopGolf

Best Place to Escape the Summer Heat

Reader Recommended: Town of Marana splash pads. The coolest place in town on a hot summer day (open seasonally).

Reader Recommended: Elevate Trampoline Park (also the winner of Best Place for a Kids Birthday Party and Best Game and Entertainment Center)

Best New Business

Winner: Jeremiah's Italian Ice in Marana! In addition to being a great new business in the community, Jeremiah's is the perfect place to grab a treat after a hike or a summer day!

Reader Recommended: The Pasta Shop! This local spot is a crowd-pleaser and even the pickiest kiddos will find something on the menu!

Jeremiahs ice, ice cream, and gelati on display in Marana, Arizona
CreditJeremiah's Italian Ice

Best Place to Grab a Cocktail

Winner: Grumpy's Grill

Reader Recommended: Dominick's Real Italian (also the Reader Recommended for Best Happy Hour!)

An alcoholic drink in a glass with a fruit garnish from Dominick's
CreditDominick's Real Italian

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.

Reader Recommended: Barnfire Mesquite Grill

Best Restaurant Delivery

Winner: Baggins at Arizona Pavilions

Reader Recommended: Twin Peaks Pizzeria

A Detroit style pizza at Twin Peaks Pizzeria in Marana, Arizona
CreditTwin Peaks Pizzeria

Best Breakfast

Winner: Bisbee Breakfast Club on Sandario (two years in a row!)

Reader Recommended: Grumpy's Grill

Best Indian Food

Winner: Persian Room

Reader Recommended: Spice Garden Indian Cuisine

Best Marana Restaurant:

Winner: Nana’s Kitchen (also our Taste of Marana winner for 2023!)

Reader Recommended: Grumpy's Grill and Dominick's Real Italian (Dominick's also won Best Pizza AND Best Italian Food!)

A specialty plate at Nana's Kitchen featuring a taco, enchilada, beans and rice. A local beer and chips and salsa are also shown.
Tacos, enchiladas and local brews are among the specialties at Nana's Kitchen.
CreditNatalie Moe/HappilyPink.com

Best Restaurant Curbside Pickup

Winner: Grumpy's Grill (also Best Local Burger winner!)

Reader Recommended: Texas Roadhouse at Cortaro & I-10 and Dominick's Real Italian

Best Wings

Winner: Native Grill & Wings (second year in a row!)

Reader Recommended: Grumpy's Grill and Wingstop

Best Coffee Shop

Winner: Roadrunner Coffee Co (second year in a row!)

Best Brewery

Winner: Catalina Brewing Company (second year in a row!)

Best Beer on Tap

Reader Recommended: Dove Mountain Brewery and Grumpy's Grill

Best Asian Food

Winner: Asian Spice Restaurant

Reader Recommended: Sushi Cortaro (also winner for Best Sushi!)


Best Hotel/Resort

Reader Recommended: 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 (second year in a row!)

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. (Also Reader Recommended for Best Bakery!)

Reader Recommended: Grumpy's Grill and Dominick's Real Italian

Donuts and other pastries in a case at Donut Wheel in Marana, Arizona
The cases are always full at this Marana gem!

Best Park

Winner: Tangerine Sky Park—another Town of Marana gem wins for the second year in a row!

Other categories that make Marana a great place to live!

We should also mention that the local school district, Marana Unified Schools, was named the Best Place to Work and the Town of Marana came in as Reader Recommended!

The Marana Chamber of Commerce, which operates our Marana Visitor Information Center was named best Chamber!

Additionally, Northwest Fire District, our local heroes, was named Best First Responder Agency! Marana Police were also Reader Recommended in that category. Congratulations!

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Stefanie Boe

Author

Stefanie Boe

Tourism and Marketing Manager, Discover Marana/Town of Marana

Stefanie Boe is not just the Tourism and Marketing Manager for Discover Marana, she is also a passionate storyteller and a proud resident of the town. She has deep roots in the Marana area, going back to the 1970s when her family moved here from Chicago. She loves to share the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Marana with visitors and locals alike.
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