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✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Hours
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5–10 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 110 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 860-5448
Website: https://www.ursadesert.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Ursa: About
… Southwest Desert. We offer a connection to heritage crops through a modern dining experience. 110 E Congress Street · Tucson, AZ 85701. 520-860-5448.
Ursa | Tucson AZ – Facebook
Ursa is our love letter to the desert. Born from the Southwest, shaped by heritage ingredients, honoring what’s always been here while pushing it forward. #ursa …
Ursa brings desert-inspired fine dining to downtown Tucson Oct. 10
Chef Aaron Lopez will open Ursa on Friday, October 10 at 110 E. Congress St. in downtown Tucson. The restaurant will feature a fine dining …
Reviews
Sarah Ponder
I cannot say enough to endorse the experience that you will have at Ursa!
The restaurant itself is designed with a minimalist mindset, sparse but certainly not Spartan. The thoughtful aesthetic begins from the moment you walk in through the plating and presentation of every single dish. Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, the food is quite honestly unlike anything I’ve ever tasted…flavors that feel distantly familiar but utterly unique and deeply intentional.
The staff was wonderfully kind, accommodating, knowledgeable and all appeared enthusiastic about this passion project. The 8 course Vegetarian meal was satisfying yet light and the desserts were so phenomenal that I won’t even bother to attempt to describe them. The in house-Digestif menu is not to be missed. My personal favorite was the Mesquite Amaro, with a vaguely Cocoa like note.
I should add that while this is no small expenditure, I thoroughly and sincerely found it to be worthwhile. The whole experience felt like a captivating fever dream, dusted by the sands of timeless tradition, both sacred and arcane.
… moreThe restaurant itself is designed with a minimalist mindset, sparse but certainly not Spartan. The thoughtful aesthetic begins from the moment you walk in through the plating and presentation of every single dish. Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, the food is quite honestly unlike anything I’ve ever tasted…flavors that feel distantly familiar but utterly unique and deeply intentional.
The staff was wonderfully kind, accommodating, knowledgeable and all appeared enthusiastic about this passion project. The 8 course Vegetarian meal was satisfying yet light and the desserts were so phenomenal that I won’t even bother to attempt to describe them. The in house-Digestif menu is not to be missed. My personal favorite was the Mesquite Amaro, with a vaguely Cocoa like note.
I should add that while this is no small expenditure, I thoroughly and sincerely found it to be worthwhile. The whole experience felt like a captivating fever dream, dusted by the sands of timeless tradition, both sacred and arcane.
Nick Kraay
Very good and interesting experience. It is a set menu, and portions are small as they’re designed for tasting. Not for stuffing yourself.
Service – service was friendly and efficient. For a Friday night it was not crowded at all, so I’d be curious if that was different during a crowd
Food – outstanding, I particularly enjoyed the elk tartare.
Drink selection was very small, but they made unique cocktails I couldn’t find anywhere else.
We will go back for certain, most likely in the fall or winter to see how the menu has varied.
… moreService – service was friendly and efficient. For a Friday night it was not crowded at all, so I’d be curious if that was different during a crowd
Food – outstanding, I particularly enjoyed the elk tartare.
Drink selection was very small, but they made unique cocktails I couldn’t find anywhere else.
We will go back for certain, most likely in the fall or winter to see how the menu has varied.
Jime
Ursa is best described as a “love letter” to our beloved Arizona desert. Ursa is not just your average dinner choice, but a spectacular experience featuring extraordinary tastes and flavors. It all comes down to the tables, the color of the walls, and the lamps that hang beautifully above you. Ursa is out of this world and unlike any other place here in Tucson. I highly recommend Ursa to those who wish to experience firsthand a 180-degree shift in what dining is here In Tucson.
… moreAndrea Brobeck
My husband and I went last night, and it was such an enjoyable and unique! We couldn’t really think of where else in Tucson you would get a fine dining experience.
We did the $150 chef picked menu with the drink pairing. The pairing really does enhance the meal! Not all pairings are alcoholic. It was very apparent that they are staying true to their vision of showcasing South West beauty and cuisine.
Some people did come and sit at the bar. They ordered drinks and a few menu items.
The staff is top notch! You could tell they were paying close attention to us. What we liked and disliked, the pacing of our meal, and ensuring we had a beautiful evening.
… moreWe did the $150 chef picked menu with the drink pairing. The pairing really does enhance the meal! Not all pairings are alcoholic. It was very apparent that they are staying true to their vision of showcasing South West beauty and cuisine.
Some people did come and sit at the bar. They ordered drinks and a few menu items.
The staff is top notch! You could tell they were paying close attention to us. What we liked and disliked, the pacing of our meal, and ensuring we had a beautiful evening.
Fermin Parra
We happened to be walking and searching and by chance found Ursa. Great treat! The atmosphere is pristine – we like that. The food was unique, tasty and beautiful. Loved each of the presentations – tableware was varied and highly appropriate for each course. We especially enjoyed the pairing menu – very nice to have a mix of alcohol and non alcohol beverages. We were impressed with the teamwork of each member – seamless. Food came from the kitchen and beverages from the bar on the opposite end of the room – simultaneously. Blown away that they had just been open for six weeks. Try it, you’ll love the food theme – all local.
… moreLaura Z
Very nice vibe to the place. Friendly and professional wait staff. The food was excellent quality. Although we have frequented many fine dining chef’s tasting menus across the country I’m not a very adventurous eater. There was nothing that I would normally eat or crave as it was all local game meet. I did enjoy the elk and the bison courses. I opted for the non alcoholic drink pairings. I had a few favorites. Everything was presented very nicely.
… moreT
Summary: Ursa is a fever dream. It makes grand promises of a desert bounty and lofty storytelling. However it falls far short, leaving diners confused and starving. This was our only dinner planned in Tucson and we are still regretting it. At least we have a story to remember!
Background: We researched extensively for an immersive dining experience in Tucson for our girls trip. Based on all the reviews, Ursa appeared to be an exciting and highly rated concept. We have dined globally ranging from Michelin starred restaurants to street food in SE Asia, and are very open to new experiences and flavors. While some dishes showed promise, flavors lacked definition and volume. The portions were basically single bites and two out of eight courses were sorbets. I would have liked portions large enough for 2-3 bites where I could revisit the flavors. Many ingredients were repeated (cactus and squash) and nothing was hot.
The Good:
– Excellent service and pacing
– Interesting wine menu and knowledgable staff, almost too serious
– Artful presentation
The Bad:
– As visitors to Tucson, my party was new to 90% of the ingredients. We constantly had to ask for more information on the food, how it was prepared or how best to enjoy the dish with the different utensils provided. “As you wish” was always the response.
– Sterile dining room and kitchen. The dining room was sparse and cold. The music grated against the visuals and food.
– The kitchen appeared bored. Any time I looked up, there were 4-5 cooks staring blankly into the dining room. Why are so many people doing so little?
– As part of the final course we were served three rectangles of raw squash (see photo). The server described it as “squash in its purest form”. This was comical at best.
– Shockingly low value for $220 per person after one shared bottle of wine (~$60), taxes and tip. That’s right, we spent $660 for raw squash.
… moreBackground: We researched extensively for an immersive dining experience in Tucson for our girls trip. Based on all the reviews, Ursa appeared to be an exciting and highly rated concept. We have dined globally ranging from Michelin starred restaurants to street food in SE Asia, and are very open to new experiences and flavors. While some dishes showed promise, flavors lacked definition and volume. The portions were basically single bites and two out of eight courses were sorbets. I would have liked portions large enough for 2-3 bites where I could revisit the flavors. Many ingredients were repeated (cactus and squash) and nothing was hot.
The Good:
– Excellent service and pacing
– Interesting wine menu and knowledgable staff, almost too serious
– Artful presentation
The Bad:
– As visitors to Tucson, my party was new to 90% of the ingredients. We constantly had to ask for more information on the food, how it was prepared or how best to enjoy the dish with the different utensils provided. “As you wish” was always the response.
– Sterile dining room and kitchen. The dining room was sparse and cold. The music grated against the visuals and food.
– The kitchen appeared bored. Any time I looked up, there were 4-5 cooks staring blankly into the dining room. Why are so many people doing so little?
– As part of the final course we were served three rectangles of raw squash (see photo). The server described it as “squash in its purest form”. This was comical at best.
– Shockingly low value for $220 per person after one shared bottle of wine (~$60), taxes and tip. That’s right, we spent $660 for raw squash.
Willie Cross
Incredible restaurant and worth every penny. I cannot overstate how dedicated chef and the team are to providing an incredibly unique and special experience. This is not just “southwestern cuisine” – it is truly dedicated, local, and grounded in the southwest. It is food that pulls no punches and offers us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the deep culinary history and floral and fauna of our region. Ursa is a TRUE fine dining experience and is a vital asset to this town and the southwest. I have had my fair share of Michelin star experiences across the world, and I can confidently say Ursa was one of the best and most unique meals I have ever had. Please, please go and experience this as you’re able and support this team. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
… moreKatie Monson
Had the pleasure of experiencing the Prix Fixe 5 Course with Wine/Spirits pairing on Sunday. The vibe: Comfortable Hipster vibe without being pretentious with friendly, knowledgeable, welcoming staff. The food: Wow…just wow. Thoughtfully curated, locally sourced, aesthetically beautiful small plates with surprising flavors. If you are a lover of Gastronomy, Chef’s Tasting Menus and omikase, you will love Ursa’s desert approach. Tastes like heaven, looks like Tucson. Ursa is fine dining with courses of small plates so if you enjoy 12″ dinner plates heaped with foods touching and nearly falling off the edges, this is not your jam. For those who enjoy taking their time, savoring umami and delicate nuances of varying flavors with thoughtful descriptions and a bit of storytelling with your meal, you will love it and leave feeling more than satiated. New Tucson gem.
… moreJennifer Barton
Outstanding multi-course meal with creative desert ingredients, together with thoughtful beverage (cocktail, wine, and NA) pairing. The dishes were all works of art in appearance and taste. Best part with the friendly, highly professional staff, who knew how to serve and make you feel comfortable.
… more