My son chose Vivace for his birthday dinner, and once again, this restaurant reminded us why it's one of our absolute favorites in Tucson. We like to switch up our appetizers every visit, so this time I tried something new, the escargot with artichokes. If you've never had escargot before, this is the perfect beginner dish. The escargot was buttery, tender, and packed with flavor. Paired with the artichokes and toasted bread, it was absolutely incredible. I almost ate the entire order by myself because I simply couldn't stop! We also ordered the shrimp and crab cakes, and wow, these were phenomenal. The outside had the perfect crispy crust while the inside was tender, flavorful, and full of seafood. The accompanying sauce tied everything together beautifully. For our entrées, we had the seared tenderloin over creamy polenta, cooked medium rare. It was perfection. The tenderloin was incredibly tender and flavorful, the wine sauce was rich without being overpowering, and the polenta was creamy and comforting. The portion was also very generous. We also shared the rigatoni with braised short rib, and I honestly can't stop thinking about it. The short rib was melt in your mouth tender, juicy, and so flavorful that I'd happily order a plate of just that! Combined with the perfectly cooked rigatoni, rich sauce, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, it was one of those dishes where every bite was better than the last. Our server was fantastic, attentive, friendly, and full of great recommendations without ever making us feel rushed. The restaurant itself is always beautiful and has such an elegant atmosphere. Since we were celebrating my son's birthday, I was hoping we'd get one of the tables with the city view, but honestly, the outstanding food and exceptional service more than made up for it. Vivace continues to be one of Tucson's best dining experiences. Every meal here reminds us why we keep coming back. Highly recommend! read more

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When a dining experience is SO excellent in SO many ways, where every little thing goes well, it's a rarity. Let alone a birthday dining experience where you go in with high expectations and can easily be let down when something goes wrong. This was one of the most memorable birthday dinners I've ever had.Vivace did so many things well. Let's start with the fact that not only did they seat us at noon when I'd made a 12:30 reservation (and the place was pretty busy, particularly for a routine Monday afternoon), but pleasantly and at a quiet, roomy 4 person table. And they acknowledged my birthday (not only at the host/hostess station but by the server AND with a delicious dessert)!Our server, Jemeella (I hope I spelled it correctly) was just phenomenal! Such a pleasant disposition, and she was so helpful with the menu, and she made sure to check on us to see how we were doing through the experience, and she was funny and just elevated the whole experience for us. I mean, the food alone stands on its own as among the finest, to me. And I'm not the easiest person in the world to please, either. The delicious bread with pesto (not long ago I thought "nobody serves pesto anymore!") and the mixed green salad alone had me hooked before we even got to the entrees! That salad is something we're still thinking about. How does a simple salad leave such a remarkably pleasant impression? The greens were just very fresh and tasty? The dressing was so citrusy vinegary delicious? The little fried potato sticks gave it a crunch (we initially assumed they were not gluten-free, but they were, just potato, so BONUS!). I don't know what it was about that salad but it was delicious!I usually go with chicken piccata generally as my first dish at an Italian restaurant I haven't tried yet (no, NOT parmesan, although in fairness, boy the chicken parmesan looked good too!). But the chicken Marsala looked pretty appetizing and it did not disappoint! In fact, it exceeded my expectations! The sauce was just perfect in both flavor and consistency, and the chicken itself was delicious - plump, tender, just the right thickness (I think it's redbird?) and the pieces of mushroom were great (not overwhelming but subtle). Admittedly, II didn't really know what the "vegetable pasta" that accompanies it is, I could guess it's some version of primavera. That pasta side was ALSO outstanding! I don't remember if they make their pasta in house, but it was like a fettuccine type of noodle, with small pieces of vegetables (squash, I think crunch green bean maybe, thinly sliced red pepper? Not sure) and the pasta soaks up that delicious sauce, so it was perfect. Jemeella said "you good with the vegetable pasta that comes with it" and I said "sure as if I knew what I was talking about. Just figured if that's what they do, let's go with it. Silky, delicious, fresh pasta side. Right on. My wife got the steak. Sunken gently in a mashed potato. With a delicious sauce again. With fresh spinach. Another total winner. It's so easy when the other person orders steak and it's not done to the desired temperature for that to ruin the timing of the meal if it has to be adjusted. But this was a perfect medium well, straight up. AND they didn't deliver the dish and run away so if you DID have an issue with doneness, it just sits there getting cold. NOPE. Perfectly done and delicious as delivered!Now, with service, you usually only pay attention to the server. But I have to say, the bus staff was also really great. They refilled water glasses, removed plates, and boxed up our leftovers for us (I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but there are plenty of restaurants, even high end, that just give you a container and have you do it yourself. And get this - I felt a little sheepish about wanting to take the couple of remaining pieces of fresh bread home, and not only did the bus guy box it up, he gave me EXTRA pieces of bread! You think that's lost on me? I'm gonna remember that. Also it should be noted that the service was outstanding on a day that - despite being a routine Monday roughly noon - was pretty darn busy at this place! Which says a lot. They even comped my birthday dessert (crème brûlée) and it was yet another winner! Perfect consistency, smooth, not pasty, sweet but not too sweet, and the perfect thin caramelized sugar topping (without making a fuss with the blow torch at the table, which is fine by me, just serve it as it will be eaten). Wow. Wine list was REALLY reasonably priced. And my wife and I both ordered after dinner drinks, both of which were great. Not only was the wine just reasonably priced, but overall, when the bill arrived, I thought it was a great value. High quality food, superior service, great view, easy parking.I'm just upset it took us so long to get to Vivace. Don't wait for a special occasion to try this place. I know we're not gonna wait. We're going back soon! read more

Vivace - Filet Medallions - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Vivace lived up to its reputation. Absolutely delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere with either valley or Mountain Views. We shared the burrata appetizer and the Branzino. The fish was hot, perfectly prepared and a good portion. Another highlight was switching the fish side to a vegetable pasta. That pasta was sheer perfection. So darn good! Service is relaxed so if you're in a hurry best tell them. We'll be back soon! read more

Vivace - Branzino special - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Top notch! Eaten here a few times and never have we been even close to disappointed. Food was excellent and plentiful and the service was awesome. It was a special day so we got a window seat with a great view but honestly all the tables are great. Ambience was nice, quiet enough to hear talking but loud enough not to feel alone. I can't recommend this place any higher!! read more

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They had a great vegan option, the vegan Bolognese. I wish they had more to choose from. The pea walnut salad was very good, although my partner had to take the cheese from the salad. They were very nice in splitting it half-and-half. They brought us an anniversary dessert. V sweet. read more

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Great service!! Fabulous food. Drinks top tier! Love it and will be back soon. Give it a shot! read more

Vivace - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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What an outstanding celebration dinner we had at Vivace. We had actually not been here in years, since they were at their old location. We were seated promptly and lucked out in getting the most engaging server I have had in a long time, Elise (sp?) Fancier restaurants tend to have servers that are all business (at times pretentious) with limited humor but Elise was able to balance a great sense of humor and engagement that was so enjoyable. We had some delicious cocktails from the bar, I was a big fan of the Cosa Nostra cocktail - so much so that I had two. We were a table of three and ordered some Caesar salads to start (the dressing was on point). Recommend two can split the dinner version. I had the Chicken stuffed with seafood, my husband had the Seafood Soup and my brother had a short rib ragu/penne. The food was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. After inhaling the salads and that delicious bread they put on the table that comes with fabulous pesto I could not fully finish my chicken. It was a birthday, so our server brought over a Creme Brule that we split three ways and it was scrumptious. The entire meal, service and ambience/views were totally worth the drive from Vail. read more

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Vivace is a family favorite that has been (& as of summer 2026 remains) consistently delicious thru the years. Professional, friendly staff, delectable meals with beautiful city views... what more can one ask for? Lower prices? Then make it a go-to for special occasions. They're that good every time. Salut! read more

Everything. Went to lunch with a group from Green Valley. They took good care of us. The view and ambiance were beautiful. Upscale in price but the food was worth it. Hoping someone will take me there for my birthday. read more

Delicious food, lovely ambiance with a nice patio and stellar service. The vegan bolognese was amazing! Hearty flavorful sauce, pasta cooked perfectly and big portion size. And their bread? Best ever! The pesto it comes with is delicious. Highly recommend! read more

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Really wanting to try this place for awhile so happy we could make it out for my birthday. The ambiance is very romantic & open. Loved the outside seating area & beautiful view of the skyline. Great for date nights or special occasions. Food was not what I was expecting for the incredibly high prices. I personally ordered the penne and thought it was perfectly fine. At a $28 price point I was a bit disappointed. Best dish was the special of the night (not pictured) but it was delicious!! It was a white fish with mushrooms & vegetable rice. Service was fine, it took over an hour to get the food & sometimes felt like it was taking a while to get some things done, but staff was friendly & offered free dessert for birthday. Overall, the food was good but the price point is hefty to say the least. Would try again for a special occasion! read more

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Great bartender in the little bar if you are waiting for your table. Dinner service: Service very slow. Soup was cold at the top and warm below - sitting too long. Soup too salty. Waitress was rude. Entrees were ok, not spectacular. Ragu tasted like pot roast. Eggplant lasagna had an odd off taste that we couldn't identify - very unpleasant. Vegetable side dish was ok - too much garlic ((overwhelming) but vegetables were treated appropriately. Ignored by server for most of the evening. Seated 7:10pm. Entrees served at 8:15pm. Not recommended. read more

This place is and always has been my favorite Italian spot. Everything on the menu is amazing I have yet to have a bad thing there. I love this place and the service is always great. Vibes are immaculate Thanks Vivace for years of consistent delicious food and service read more

Vivace - Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Lunch with a friend last week. Everything was outstanding. Superb service. Speci, pork schnitzel with asparagus and home made mozzarella was done perfectly. Spumoni for dessert was accompanied by a top quality berry mix. Quiet enough for easy conversation. Beautiful decor. Will be back. read more

Came here for dinner. Hadn't been here in a while and this time I had the Short rib ragu. It wasn't bad. Candace was our server and she was attentive and helpful with the menu. The Bread was good with the pesto sauce. Good place for a date night. Nice view. We had a reservation for 7pm and was seated immediately read more

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Everything was super salty and oily... wanted to love this place but the food missed the mark, the service was insanely slow, and it felt overly old school. See photos: escargots drowning in oil, and stuffed pork chop oozing oil. The escargot combination with the artichoke hearts was strange, and the artichoke hearts were fibrous. read more

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We came to Vivace to celebrate my husband's birthday, and everything about the experience was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious, honestly a 20/10. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into each plate. The service was excellent from start to finish. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made the night feel special without being overbearing. They truly helped make our celebration feel memorable. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy, perfect for a special occasion like a birthday, date night, or anniversary. It feels upscale but still warm and welcoming. If you're looking for a place for a celebration or just an incredible Italian meal, Vivace is a must. We will definitely be coming back. read more

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We still don't get the hype. We went for my birthday and were seated in a very full dining room with nice views and a nice enough server. She was busy so our service was slow. Dinner for both of us was just okay. Husband had the stuffed shrimp which that he qualified as unremarkable, with bland, uninteresting sauce - he wouldn't order it again. I had the penne with sausage, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't really good. In our view, a real 5-star restaurant should have both outstanding food and service. This had neither. Best part of the meal was the comped dessert but the meal and the experience were not memorable. read more

Amazing service! I was seated almost immediately even though I was like 20 minutes early to my reservation! I loved the decor and lighting they had inside created a very unique and welcoming atmosphere. If double digit menus don't frighten you this is the place to eat. Perfect essence of elegance in Tucson without paying 100$ a plate read more

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It's kinda geared towards old people. They say it empties out by 7pm, so if you're looking for a private eating place here you go. But because it's for old people you may need to ask them to up the seasoning. I'm sure they will be happy to oblige. We had the souffle, which wasn't really a souffle, but a nice egg dish. Then the seafood soup pasta and the short rib pasta, we asked for the pepper and they were great. The serving sizes weren't small either. Sure it's a high end place but the prices aren't ridiculous like more nicer places. The service was fantastic and really made the evening better. They even got wind we were there for a birthday celebration and brought by a treat. read more

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Always an amazing meal! Everything I have tried on the menu over the last 11 months has been fantastic! I'm new to the area and so happy I found this gem. I love the ambiance and the jazz playing in the background is so relaxing. The service at the bar is impeccable! Eli, Jeff, Matt and Zack are wonderful. They remember what I like and they take the time to ask how I am, no matter how busy they are. And they are VERY busy most nights! I frequent this establishment because frankly, the service cannot be beat. But the food and drinks are spot on as well! read more

Vivace - Shrimp and Crab Cakes, my favorite!!! - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

My husband and I absolutely loved Vivace! The bartender / server Jeff was so personable and elevated the experience that much more. The wine menu has something for everyone and the food was chefs kiss! We ordered the pork chop & barramundi and absolutely loves them both. We never order desserts but Vivace knew how to get us weak in the knees so we got a half bread pudding, half crème brûlée, and half almond something or other ‍ All of them were phenomenal and we didn't feel bad one bit for ordering not 1 but 3 desserts. We highly recommend Vivace and will definitely be back next time we're in Tucson. read more

Vivace - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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First timer for friend's birthday luncheon. Ambiance and setting is bright, airy, large high ceilinged wood accented dining room with open courtyard, and bar right as you enter. There were several steps to enter if that's a hindrance for mobility, not sure if there is a walk around ramp. Large parking lot for easy parking. Service was great, 2 baskets (5 of us) of very fresh, crusty, warm and pillowy chewy white bread, like a French loaf actually, draped in white napkins with a well balanced basil garlic aoili without the garlic burn but plenty of its flavor, came out quickly. It was delightful and nourishing as we awaited our fifth guest. 5/5 Prices sting for Lunch so go big and have leftovers for 2nds ;) !! Waiter rec the Chicken Marsala $23.95 over the Seafood Mushrooms/salad $21.95 in part as more substantial and one of his faves. Although Marsala definitely present, I found the sauce with mushrooms to be a little light in depth and thought vegetable noodles meant the noodle was made of veggies. Instead slivers of snow peas and carrots laced the noodles like an Americanized stir fry oddly. Would much preferred a side of steamed veg vs the noodle sprinkling. My mind kept reading lo-mein haha. The noodles were delicate and likely house made which was a pleasant plus and I took a demi portion home with the leftover bread/ aoili :) Didn't check off my hankering for Chix Marsala so Rating 3/5* Tasted friend's Shrimp Crab Cakes $23.50 but not salad. Lovely crisp exterior, tad fishy but she loved them and also got creme bruleed on house for her birthday, nice touch with spoons all around. Vivace would be a special occasion spot that I may re-visit but with several others to try, Round 1 may not have been impressive enough to overcome the price point and jaunt from Vail. read more

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Love their spinach souffle !!! Great ad and appetizer or a meal with spinach salad read more

Meet with friends over lunch, amazing views inside or out. Generous delicious offerings and libations. Server was a well seasoned asset of knowledge of the history and culture behind the wonderful experience that Vivace offers ! Make a reservation well in advance. read more

Vivace - Tiramisu,pistachio gelato - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Anniversary dinner. Always amazing! Great service and beautiful old French Bostro Ambiance. Great to be back. See pics for story... read more

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Best restaurant I've been to in Tucson. Best risotto I've found in Tucson! Best everything.

We had a lovely meal here -- the staff was very friendly and attentive, and the overall experience was enjoyable. The ambiance is warm and elegant, and it definitely feels like a place for a special outing. A couple of items I was hoping to try weren't available that day, including the short rib rigatoni and the wild mushroom risotto, which was a bit of a bummer since those were my first picks. I ended up going with the pork Parmesan. The flavors were nice, but the meat itself came out a little dry. On the other hand, the deep-sea scallops were fantastic -- tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. If I had one critique, it would be the plating. Some of the dishes came out looking a little messy with sauce spread around the plate, which took away from the presentation a bit. That said, everything tasted fresh, and the service really made up for the small shortcomings. Overall, a very good dining experience -- I'd happily come back and hopefully catch the dishes I missed out on this time. read more

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Great service and food, not to mention the ambiance!!!! Our favorite place! We are regulars here!

Great Italian food but much more traditional. The ambiance is so pretty here as the restaurant looks over the whole city. The Caesar salad was delicious, however the seafood soup seemed like it needed more spice or flavor. It is a large dish and great for sharing. The chocolate lava cake was great and definitely worth the wait. Make sure you plan ahead with reservation. read more

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Incredible flavor in the seafood soup! The staff/bartenders are very attentive at the right times! read more

Vivace - Seafood soup with linguine - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Service was average at best, largely inattentive and waiter was nowhere in sight for most of the evening. Food was bland with the scallops and veal (evening special) lacking flavor and presentation. Value was low for the price of food and the average quality. The venue itself is stunning, beautiful facility and views. Will not be going back. read more

Our last visit to Vivace may have been an off-day but our experience was definitely not up to the standard that we have previously experienced. Our evening started out well the usual great service from the parking lot attendant. We were escorted to a table on the opposite side of the floor from where we had requested. We noticed empty tables in the more desirable area that we had requested. The noise from the large adjoining "group" celebrating a birthday made any conversation difficult at best until they left. Considerable time expired before we received waters and had our drink orders taken. Further time expired before we had our order taken. Whenever the waiters were present, they seemed rushed. (Not our usual experience) After having had veal for our previous two recent visits, we decided to go for the grilled beef tenderloin. Both plates arrived luke warm. The filet was extremely tender and cooked perfectly. The asparagus was a disappointment - large, woody & stringy. If young tender asparagus is unavailable, maybe consider substituting fresh green beans? The chewy bread and fragrant pesto were, as usual, a pleasure. Service was acceptable, if sub par. In this price point, reputation, view and ambiance are insufficient to ensure customer loyalty. Details matter & the experience ( timing plus a friendly hostess greeting, and an attentive, yet, unobtrusive waitstaff), is almost as important as the food. We have seen similar comments made by others & hope management will take note. When we return, we look forward to being able to raise our rating. read more

The most consistently yummy food every single time! We've been fans for decades and have never had a less than perfect meal!

Appetizer was good Shrimp and cab cakes, the Seafood soup smelled way too fishy and broth/soup was bland. Portion was huge, I guess they thought that would make up for the taste. I sat at bar and it seemed that the regulars, got all the attention when it came to getting food brought out. Table came in after I did and finished before I got my main course. I'd pass on this place read more

As always the food and service were exceptional. The special, branzino with mushrooms, was superb. I can't say enough about the eggplant lasagna. The quality of the tomatoes shine through without being masked by seasoning. A creamy velvety bite with a pop of acidy tomato sauce. Spectacular ! read more

Located in the foothills, surrounded by beautiful mountain views, is Vivace. Totally recommend making reservations in advance as many people celebrate special events, including me and my husband (our anniversary). They were very busy on a Saturday night, so the server and service was slower. The food was good, they cooked my scallops well, but it didn't blow my mind. They did bring us out a crème brûlée to share for our anniversary, which was a nice touch. It's definitely a nicer restaurant to dine out for celebrations. read more

Vivace - Fettuccine with Seared Scallops - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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We came here for dinner last night (a Wednesday in September), and the food was hit or miss. I really enjoyed two of the appetizers we tried: the escargot with artichokes and the seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The burrata was just okay. However, there were only four pieces of escargot, and the rest of the dish was mostly artichokes. The crab-stuffed chicken was a bit plain but also felt too rich and heavy. The salmon was overly buttery, and while the spinach was bitter, the shrimp topping was delicious. I had two Passionate Saints during the meal. The first, made by the regular bartender at the beginning, was excellent--nicely balanced, not too sweet or spicy. The second, made later by a different bartender, tasted off and wasn't nearly as good. As for the other drinks, the Negroni wasn't as bitter as usual and leaned slightly sweet, which I didn't care for. The Purple Haze had a bitter taste that I didn't enjoy, and the Flirtini, unfortunately, reminded me of medicine. read more

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Recently went and had an overall pleasant experience! The service was good, the ambiance was that of classic elegance and it wasn't stifling it was just nice! The food was pretty good! I had one of their shrimp crab cakes and that was tasty! The seafood soup was also great and a generous portion size! The real stars, however, were the dessert! The bread pudding and tiramisu were to die for and the drinks were strong! read more

I started writing this review a few weeks back and never finished! My husband and I went here at the end of January in a Friday night. I called before and was able get in a last minute reservation which I was happy about. That changed after being seated and having preeeetty slow service. The server was so great and I believe trying her best, but it really affected the experience to be sitting for such long periods. One thing I really appreciated though was how helpful she was. I asked for a mock tail and after asking me what I liked (sweet and fruity), she said she'd have the bartender whip up something. The drink she brought back had a grapefruit flavor. When she asked about it, I let her know and she brought back something to mix jn which helped a little. She was really adamant about me liking it and let me know that if I didn't, she would take it back for a new one. I told her it was fine. This kind of service really helps when experiencing other lows like mentioned above. Anyway, last time I ate here I really liked my meal and it was over a year ago so I thought I'd try it again. The chicken risotto for me and stuffed mushrooms appetizer. The stuffed mushrooms were okay and the risotto dish disappointed. There were crunchy bits. My husband got a pasta that he felt lacked flavor, however I liked it, a lot better than my dish. Overall a disappointing experience from a restaurant I previously held in high regard. read more

Vivace - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona