Tucson’s culinary landscape gained a new addition with the opening of Ursa, a fine dining restaurant from acclaimed chef Aaron Lopez, whose vision celebrates the enduring abundance of the Southwest desert. Ursa offers an immersive tasting menu rooted in the land, culture, and flavors of the Sonoran Desert.
Ursa’s debut marks a personal milestone for Lopez and his wife and partner, June, who relocated to Tucson earlier this year to pursue a dream of building something deeply connected to place.
“June and I have been touched by how welcoming the community has been,” Lopez said. “Building relationships with foragers and learning about the region’s food systems has been the fuel to bring Ursa to life. We’re incredibly grateful to call Tucson home and can’t wait to share Ursa with this beautiful community.”
The multi-course tasting menu, priced at $170 for 10 to 12 courses, brings together refined technique and rustic tradition centered around the desert’s overlooked ingredients. A five-course prix fixe menu ($75) and a limited à la carte bar menu are also available.
Drawing inspiration from the Sonoran ecosystem, Lopez sources ingredients from a network of local foragers, Indigenous farms, and mission gardens. Partners include Romona Farms, Native Seed Search, Broken Arrow Ranch, Mission Gardens, and other small producers.
Lopez’s menu rotates seasonally and may feature fermented cholla buds, mesquite-smoked quail, grilled nopal, or preserved monsoon squash. Many preparations are rooted in primitive methods like fermentation, smoking, and drying, allowing guests to experience the full spectrum of what the region’s culture offers.
“We felt a tasting menu was the best way to share the story Ursa is trying to convey through these precious ingredients,” Lopez said. “I think this format encourages guests to step outside of their comfort zones and challenge their understanding of desert ingredients.”
The beverage program at Ursa follows the same ethos of place and craft. Guests can opt for curated pairings that include regional wines, small-batch spirits, locally brewed beers, and a thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic options featuring native herbs and seasonal produce.
Ursa is located in Tucson’s historic Central Block Building, anchoring a key piece of the downtown district. Inside the 3,300-square-foot restaurant, the Lopezes have created a quiet, elegant space that draws on traditional desert architecture. Warm earth tones, woven textiles, reclaimed wood, and natural objects (many foraged from nearby landscapes) define the interiors. For more information, visit ursadesert.com.
