Downtown Tucson Partnership

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Dining & Nightlife
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Dining & Nightlife

Looking for a cozy restaurant? An elegant bar? World renowned cuisine? Or how about the heart thumping rhythms on a crowded dance floor? Whatever it is that entices you, Downtown has an eclectic assortment of food, drink, and music for both day and nighttime enjoyment. You can also find listings for restaurants on Fourth Avenue and Main Gate Square.

Downtown Restaurants

The following is a list of restaurants and cafes located within the Business Improvement District (BID)

A Steak in the Neighborhood, 135 E. Congress St., 624-9800, 11 am-2:30 pm Mon.-Thurs., 11 am-3 am Fri., 6 pm-3 am Sat.: Anything but your ordinary steak and potatoes purveyor, this newbie serves filet mignon in a traditional version, a “Fire Thai” variant with spicy, pineapple plum glaze, a stroganoff, a cheese steak, and even in a burrito. (map)
Alejandro’s Cafe, 31 N. Scott Ave., 623-3277, 6:30 am-3:30 pm Mon.-Fri.: A cross between fast-casual Mexican (or Fast-Mex) and a more traditional Mexican eatery, the fare at this modest but comfortable spot is in the style of the state of Jalisco. (map)
Arizona Bagel & Deli, 177 N. Church Ave., 623-3300, 6:30 am to 3 pm, Mon.-Fri.: Airy shop on the first floor of the Transamerica building features bagels and other baked goods, soups, salads and build-your-own sandwiches. (map)
Baggins Gourmet Sandwiches, 33 N. Stone, 792-1344, 792-1344, 10 am-3 pm Mon.-Fri.: Longtime local sandwich shop serves an array of cold and hot sandwiches, including the Sundown Baggin’s – breast of turkey, mayo, herb stuffing, cranberries and lettuce. (map)
Barrio Brewing, 800 E. 16th St., 791-BREW, 11 am-10 pm Mon.-Thu., 11 am-2 am Fri.-Sat., noon-10 pm Sun.: Brew pub with a stellar, panoramic view of the Downtown skyline, Catalina Mountains, and the occasional up-close, slow-moving train has a nice assortment of pub food. (map)
Barrio Food & Drink, 135 S. 6th Ave., 629-0191, 11 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri., 5 pm-9 pm Sun.-Mon., 5 pm-10 pm Tues.-Thu., 5 pm-midnight Fri.-Sat: TEMPORARILY CLOSED Higher-than-high ceilings, clean lines, roomy booths and tables add up to an understated elegance that’s a nice match with chef/owner Jeff Glomski’s classic yet intriguing take on Southwestern Continental cuisine. (map)
Bruegger’s Bagels, 1 W. Congress St., 206-0002, 5:30 am-6 pm Mon.-Fri., 7 am-3 pm Sat-Sun: Spend enough time at this mainstay for bagels and joe and you’ll see a good percentage of Tucson’s movers and shakers check in for a quick breakfast or lunch. (map)
Café 54, 54 E. Pennington St., 622-1907, 11am-2pm Monday-Friday. This impeccable, off-the-beaten-track
bistro offers precise yet playful, classic yet inventive food, that is quite often one heck of a lot healthier than your standard bistro fare. (map)
Café a la C’art , Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., 628-8533, 11 am-3 pm Mon.-Fri.: Café and caterer tucked into the historic Stevens/Duffield House next to the Tucson Museum of Art combines artful, delicate fare with consistently good service and impressive pastries. (map)
Cafe Poca Cosa 110 E. Pennington St., 622-6400, 11 am-9 pm Tues.-Thu., 11 am-10 pm Fri.-Sat.: Your out-of-town guest may be a little thrown off by the menu board brought in lieu of traditional menus, but the everchanging, Latin American creations of Suzana Davila will more than make up for it at this upbeat, urban gathering place. (map)
Caffé Milano , 47 W. Congress St., 628-1601, 8:30 am-3:30 pm Mon.-Thu., 8:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:30 pm-9:30 pm Fri., 5:30 pm-9:30 pm Sat.: Carlo Borella has transformed his patch of Congress Street into the ideal showcase for wife Laura Borella’s deft and sensitive touch with authentic Northern Italian fare. (map)
Casa Vicente , 375 S. Stone Ave., 884-5253, 11 am-2 pm Thursday-Friday, 4 pm-10pm Tuesday-Thursday, 4 pm-10:30 pm Friday-Saturday. How fun are tapas? Don’t even try to answer that until you and yours have sampled a dozen or so on Flamenco nights at this lively, spacious Spanish joint. You can also opt for traditional entrees, including four different Paellas.(map)
Chile Verde, 1 E. Congress St., 792-8226, 10:30 am-3 pm Mon.-Fri.: A modern, urban take on Fast-Mex. Meats are mesquite grilled, and veggies and salsas are fresh and vibrant. (map)
Coyote Café and Bistro at the Hotel Arizona, 181 W. Broadway Blvd., 624-8711 7 am-1 pm & 5 pm-8 pm daily: The Chicken Tortilla Soup is a local favorite at this hotel eatery, which serves traditional fare and Southwestern specialties, including Tortilla Encrusted Tilapia and Cheesecake Chimichanga. (map)
Cup Café @ Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 798-1618, 7 am-10 pm Sun.-Thu., 7 am-midnight Fri.-Sat.: Eclectic offerings and baker Bill Roberts’ homemade desserts attract gobs of locals and tourists alike at this at this historic, Downtown stalwart. (map)
Cushing Street Bar & Restaurant, 198 W. Cushing St., 622-7984, 4:30 pm-9 pm Tue.-Thu., 4:30 pm-10 pm Fri.-Sat.: One of the nicer patios around for dining and drinking, with a continental menu spiked with chiles and other Southwestern enhancements. (map)
Deb’s Coney Café, La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave., 624-5027, 7:30 am-2 pm Mon-Fri: The Coney is the namesake here, but the owner says the Chicago Dog is actually more popular at this La Placita shop, which also features a nice selection of burgers. (map)
Dizzy G’s, 75 E. Pennington St., 622-1000, 7 am-2 pm Mon.-Fri.: This restaurant is longtime destination for breakfast, which also serves up a fair amount of burgers and sandwiches for lunch. (map)
El Charro Café, 311 S. Court Ave., 622-1922, 11am-9 pm daily: Flagship of the El Charro empire housed in this historic home in the El Presidio neighborhood has a one-of-a-kind blend of Mexican fare infused with modern charisma. The carne seca is legendary. (map)
El Minuto Café, 345 S. Main Ave., 882-4145, 11 am-10 pm Mon-Thu, 11 am-11 pm Fri. & Sat. The tile floors here reverberate with live Mariachi entertainment and the sound of servers’ feet hustling back and forth with quesadillas, cheese crisps, and lots of carne seca and
menudo.(map)
Enoteca Pizzeria & Wine Bar, 58 W. Congress St., 623-0744, 11 Roomy corner eatery features artisan pizza, pasta and other Italian fare, and sports a comfortable bar. (map)
Grill, 100 E. Congress St., 623-7621, always open: A timeless, American diner. Always interesting, from the servers to your fellow diners to the iconoclastic offerings. (map)
Iguana Café, 210 E. Congress St., 882-5140. 10 am-9 pm Mon.-Wed., 11 am-2 am Thur.-Sat., 11 am-8 pm Sun.: Sandwiches, subs, coffee, bar, chili, soups. (map)
Ike’s Coffee & Tea, 100 N. Stone Ave., #111, 792-1800, 7 am-5:30 pm Mon.-Fri.: Baristas here are fast and friendly, and there’s a decent assortment of baked goods and light lunches. (map)
Jimmy John’s, 63 E. Congress St., 884-0600, 11 am-7 pm Mon.-Sat.: New addition to Downtown is a 26-year-old chain featuring fresh baked bread and meats, cheese and veggies sliced every day, not delivered pre-sliced. (map)
La Cocina Restaurant, Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave., 622-0351, 11 am-3 pm daily: Southwestern and American cuisine served in a Spanish-style courtyard and patio. (map)
Little Poca Cosa, 151 N. Stone Ave., 7:30 am-2:30 pm Mon.-Fri.: This diminutive off shoot of the Davila legacy puts considerable effort into vegan and vegetarian choices that can please even the most Neanderthal of carnivores. (map)
Maynards Kitchen, 400 E. Toole Ave., 545-0577, 7 am-8 pm Sun.-Thu., 7 am-10 pm Fri.-Sat.: Diner/bar/market in the Historic Train Depot is attracting loyal followers with bold, rich New American cuisine. (map)
Not Just Java, 33 N. Stone Ave, 624-8852, 7 am-3:30 pm Mon.-Fri.: A clean, cozy shop in the Bank of America building, Not Just Java is, well, mostly just java, but it’s darn good java. (map)
On A Roll Sushi, 63 E. Congress St., 622-ROLL, 11 am-10 pm Monday-Wednesday, 11 am-2 am Thursday-Friday, 4 pm-2 am Saturday. Downtown’s first and only sushi joint is a good one, with a pleasant, youthful vibe, high quality catch, and some Southwestern accents thrown in for good measure.(map)
Quesadilla’s Grill, La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave., 798-3697, 8 am-2 pm Mon.-Fri.: Breakfast burritos and Tilapia Fish Tacos are popular choices at this comfortable fast-Mex shop. (map)
Scooter’s Café, La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave., 882-2923, 8 am-2 pm Mon.-Sat.: Cozy café with a shady patio does coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast fare, sandwiches, salads and smoothies. (map)
Shot In The Dark Café, 121 E. Broadway Blvd., 882-5544, always open: All-night coffee destination serves breakfast anytime and also sports a diverse variety of sandwiches, salads, wraps, vegetarian and vegan dishes. (map)
Subway, 29 W. Congress St., 207-6480, 6 am-9 pm Mon.-Fri., 9 am-7 pm Sat., 10 am-6 pm Sun.: The house that Jared built kicks out the subs and specialty sandwiches in the historic Fox Theatre block on Congress. (map)
The Taco Shop Co., 17 N. Stone Ave., 903-0255, 7 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri.: Tortas and tacos are big sellers at this chartreuse-laden Fast-Mex eatery. (map)
Uptown Bistro, 100 N. Stone Ave., 7 am-10 pm Mon.- Thu., 9 am-midnight Sat., 9 am-10 pm Sun: The menus are set to have a diverse supporting cast, but fresh (never frozen), wild (never farm-raised) seafood will be the star at this new bistro in the historic Pioneer building, which plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Scheduled to open soon. (map)
Terrace Cafe and Bar350 S. Freeway, 239-2300, 11:30 am-1 pm & 5 pm-9 pm Mon.-Fri.: Newly reopened restaurant at the Riverpark Inn on the I-10 frontage road serves continental fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (map)
Xoom Juice, 245 E. Congress St., 903-ACAI, 7 am-6 pm Mon.-Fri., 8 am-6 pm Sat., 9 am-5 pm Sun.: Drink your breakfast or lunch at this sleek smoothie joint in the new commercial strip fronting the One North Fifth apartment complex.(map)