Check out our guide to eating your way through downtown. We point out whether restaurants serve breakfast, lunch or dinner; offer outdoor dining or entertainment; if they accept reservations; serve alcohol; and what days they're open.
We sorted them by very general categories, including a catch-all "Kitchen Sink."
Towering construction cranes and buzzworthy restaurants. Tucson's downtown has plenty of both these days.
"You know you're starting to get urbanized when you can leave work and pick up Ethiopian takeout and go home and watch the UA game," said Michael Keith, CEO of Downtown Tucson Partnership and former downtown historic developer.
The construction of multistory parking garages and housing near the east end of Congress Street, along with the UniSource Energy Corp.'s headquarters building at 88 E. Broadway, create an urban feel that the culinary scene feeds into.
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"I'm looking forward to being a part of the downtown dining scene and opening a restaurant that has not been done anywhere in the world," said Redman Jarrell, who chose to open V Fine Thai Dining downtown with his wife, Vila Jarrell, to be a part of the area's revitalization.
The couple owns Vila Thai Cuisine near the University of Arizona, and plans to keep it running along with the venture at 20 N. Stone Ave., which is slated to open in the next month or so.
"I'm deconstructing Thai food. I'm taking the flavors of Thailand and presenting them in a manner that Americans are accustomed to," he said.
Most of the 40-plus restaurants located within the downtown partnership's borders are locally owned and one-of-a-kind.
Of those, 17 have opened or expanded within the past 30 months. At least seven others, such as Casa Marita Restaurante Argentino, an Argentine-style barbecue restaurant in the Mercado San Agustin, are poised to launch.
"We're seeing a lot of homegrown startups - they like the energy that's happening downtown," said Keith, who lives in Barrio Viejo. "The entire downtown is undergoing this almost miraculous surge that's being led by the restaurant sector.
"I think three years from now, a lot of people are going to be quietly coming back to downtown."
At least seven restaurants are planned for the near future, including Borderlands Brewing Co., La Estrella Bakery and Sparkroot. And a Trader Joe's-type market could open downtown in the next year, Keith said.
On a typical Saturday night, Tucson's downtown remains relatively quiet, especially for a city that boasts about 500,000 residents in its city limits and nearly 1 million in the Tucson metro area.
But there are signs of change. Stroll down Congress Street there are 10 or so restaurants that remain open into the night.
"This is not what we expected," said Jack Handle, a 63-year-old engineer from the Los Angeles area who was walking down Congress with his son, Andrew, one recent morning. They had just enjoyed a coffee and croissant at Caffé Milano. "We didn't think there would be so much to do and see here."
They'd been in town for a couple days and were looking forward to lunch at The Little Cafe Poca Cosa, the less-often talked about but still notable Mexican restaurant run by Sandra Davila and Marcela Davila.
The Davilas are sisters to Suzana Davila, chef and owner of downtown's venerable Cafe Poca Cosa, which long has been regarded as a downtown jewel.
Cafe Poca Cosa is known for changing its menu twice a day and featuring dishes not found at any other Mexican restaurant. Her Plato Poca Cosa - $15 at lunch, $25 at dinner - is chef's choice of three of the day's entrees.
Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery, a newcomer to the downtown's dining scene, unveiled an eclectic recipe of craft beers, keg wines, new American comfort food and house-made ice cream when it opened Feb. 13.
Owner Kade Mislinski said Hub served 12,000 meals in its first month. "We're averaging 3,000 a week," said Mislinski, whose new restaurant can seat 150.
"I think as we get more and more variety downtown, we're going to be more of a destination spot," said Mislinski, 36. "I'm finding we're part of the downtown experience.
"I'm excited - throughout one day, I'll have 19 different demographics. You'll have the suits at lunch, the mom and kids groups after and then the happy hour crowd."
Carlo Borella has owned Caffé Milano for 12 years and has noticed ever-increasing crowds on Fridays and Saturdays. But echoing a sentiment shared by other restaurateurs, he sees a need for a boost by adding a sports arena and maybe a boutique hotel to the area.
"Nice places have opened downtown - there is a little bit for everybody," the Italian native said. "It would be nice also to have people moving downtown to support the businesses, so it's not just busy on weekends."
No travel guide to Tucson would be complete without a mention of a real long-timer, El Charro Cafe. The downtown branch of the oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant in the nation first opened in 1922 on Fourth Avenue and moved to the Temple of Music and Art a few years later before moving to what's now La Placita in 1932 or 1933. In 1968, the restaurant moved into its current location, an 1896 home built by the family at 311 N. Court Ave.
"We love all the synergy down there," said Ray Flores Jr., 42-year-old president of El Charro Cafe. "We've been fighting the life and death cycle of downtown longer than anybody. We want to see it prosper."
(Click on the interactive dining guide link to see where the restaurants are located.)
AMERICAN
1. 47 Scott
An interesting menu includes mac and cheese, bread salad, blackened catfish and phyllo-wrapped chicken and tops out at $19 for dinner.
Go next door to Scott and Co. Thursdays through Saturdays. The recently opened bar doesn't serve food but creates delectable handcrafted cocktails ($8-$10).
• 47 N. Scott Ave. (624-4747, www.47scott.com)
L, D Mon.-Fri.; D Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
2. A Steak in the Neighborhood
The trendy restaurant with high ceilings is retooling its menu, but suffice it to say that meat will still rule. Lunch specials are priced resonably.
• 135 E. Congress St. (624-9800, www.asteakintheneighborhood.com)
L, D Mon.-Fri.; D Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
3. Arizona Bagel & Deli
An efficient eatery with the essentials for breakfast or lunch: Coffee, pastries, bagels, soups and wraps.
• 177 N. Church Ave. (623-3300)
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
4. Baggin's Gourmet Sandwiches
Part of a local chain that serves a variety of cold and hot sandwiches. Try the Unforgettable, with turkey, cream cheese, avocado, sprouts and bacon. Add value and make it a Wholesome Half, which is half of a sandwich, a deli or side salad and a drink for $6.25.
• 33 N. Stone Ave. (792-1344, www.bagginsgourmet.com)
L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
5. Barrio Brewing Co.
This former warehouse was remodeled mostly with recycled materials and turned into a brew pub. It's happy hour any time a slow-moving train cruises by, and the handcrafted brews and pub grub of burgers, salads and sandwiches satisfy.
• 800 E. 16th St. (791-2739, barriobrewing.com) L, D daily. Reservations for six or more Mondays-Thursdays. Full bar. Patio.
6. Bruegger's Bagels
A solid choice for a bagel, juice and coffee. Mayor Bob Walkup occasionally stops in early to pick up a dozen bagels.
• 1 W. Congress St. (206-0002, www.brueggers.com)
B,L, D Mon.-Fri. B, L Sat. and Sun. Patio.
7. Café 54
This cafe offers a variety of classic yet inventive fare with a daily changing menu, which is updated online daily.
• 54 E. Pennington St. (622-1907, www.cafe54.org)
L Mon.-Fri. Reservations.
8. Café a la C'art
A café and catering company across the courtyard from the Tucson Museum of Art, it recently added a dining room that helps with the lines at lunch. An expanded menu offers a dozen sandwiches, salads, soup of the day and pastries to die for.
• 140 N. Main Ave. (628-8533, cafealacarttucson.com/mobile)
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
9. Courtly Cafe and Grill
This airy cafeteria offers breakfast plates, sandwiches and burritos for breakfast, and burgers, hot and cold sandwiches and salads for lunch. Warning: There's no public bathroom in that area.
• 405 W. Congress St. (623-2073)
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
10. Coyote Café and Bistro at the Hotel Arizona
The struggling hotel puts up a good front with soothing jazz playing throughout the lobby and in the bar area. The cafe's menu is a standard mix of breakfast foods, sandwiches and entrees.
• 181 W. Broadway (624-8711, www.thehotelarizona.com)
B, L daily; D with a limited menu in the Saguaro Lounge.
11. Cup Café at Hotel Congress
The historic hotel's restaurant offers eclectic food and a swirling case of homemade desserts that are great on your lunch break or before walking across the lobby to catch a concert at Club Congress.
• 311 E. Congress St. (798-1618, www.hotelcongress.com/cup)
B, L, D daily. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
12. Cushing Street Bar and Restaurant
A lawyer hangout and a cozy date place with live jazz and one of the nicest patios in town. Try the American and Southwestern-spiked menu.
• 198 W. Cushing St. (622-7984, www.cushingstreet.com)
L, D Tues.-Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio. Live music on Saturdays.
13. Deb's Coney Cafe
Dogs, as in hot dogs, and burgers reign supreme at this tiny place in La Placita Village.
• 110 S. Church Ave. (624-5027)
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
14. DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails
Janos Wilder returned to downtown with one of the best happy hours (4-6 p.m. daily and 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Thur.-Sat.) and unique dishes you won't find on any other menu in town. Enjoy a painstakingly prepared cocktail while eating a burger spiked with foie gras or the Game Changer soup, a smooth puree of African yam, ginger, pineapple and peanuts.
• 135 S. Sixth Ave. (623-7700, downtownkitchen.com)
L, D Mon.-Fri.; D Sat., Sun. Reservations. Full bar. Patio. Live music Thur.-Sat.
15. Grill
Like Cher or Madonna, the Grill only needs one name. This always-open American diner serves a variety of dishes, including pancakes, pasta, steaks and salads. The adjoining Red Room offers regular entertainment at night.
• 100 E. Congress St. (623-7621)
B, L, D daily. Full bar. Live music or a DJ starts about 10 p.m.
16. HUB Restaurant and Ice Creamery
The only place in town that offers a dozen flavors of homemade ice cream - bourbon almond brittle or oatmeal cookie dough, anyone? - 24 draft beers, 12 keg wines and the ultimate in rotisserie meats all at the same time.
• 266 E. Congress St., (207-8201, www.hubdowntown.com)
L, D daily. Reservations. Full bar. Patio. DJ nightly.
17. Jimmy John's
This chain started in the Midwest and features very tasty, fresh-baked bread and meats, cheese and veggies sliced daily.
One of its slogans,"Sandwiches so fast you'll freak," rings true: Before you finish paying, your sandwich most likely will be prepared, bagged and waiting for you.
• 63 E. Congress St. (884-0600, www.jimmyjohns.com)
L, D Mon.-Sat.
18. La Cocina Restaurant
Step into the quiet oasis that is La Cocina's courtyard, which is located inside Old Town Artisans.
The menu features Southwestern and American cuisine. Friendly servers are always willing to offer suggestions.
The cantina is open until 2 a.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and bands usually perform Thursdays-Saturdays.
• 201 N. Court Ave. (622-0351, lacocinatucson.com)
B, L daily; B, L, D Tues.-Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio. Live music.
19. Maynards Kitchen
Set inside a historic train depot, Maynards is blessed with ambience. The food is winningly prepared, too.
Lunch consists mostly of deftly made sandwiches and pizzas, while chef Addam Buzzalini features New American cuisine for dinner, with entrees ranging from a $14 burger to a $29 filet mignon.
You can eat near the tracks on the sprawling patio, choose the main dining room or sit at the market's long, communal table.
• 400 E. Toole Ave. (545-0577, www.maynardsmarkettucson.com)
L, D daily. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
20. Monkey Burger
This recently opened second Monkey Burger for Roy Schaefer and chef Matt Stricker garnered a win for Best Burger in Metromix.
Like its Williams Centre location, the artistic, graffiti-adorned restaurant features a dozen gourmet burgers and amazing sweet potato fries.
• 47 N. Sixth Ave. (624-4416. www.monkeyburgerrestaurant.com)
L, D Mon.-Sat. Full bar. Patio. DJ.
21. Scooter's Café
Breakfast and lunch with an assortment of sandwiches and salads and coffee and espresso drinks.
• La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. (882-2923)
B, L Mon.-Sat. Patio.
22. Subway
Sub sandwiches rule at this popular chain near the Fox Tucson Theatre.
• 29 W. Congress St. (207-6480, www.subway.com)
B, L, D daily.
23. Terrace Cafe and Bar
The former Bennigan's has recently reopened as the Terrace Cafe and Bar at the Riverpark Inn, serving breakfast and dinner.
• 350 S. Freeway (239-2300, www.theriverparkinn.com)
B, D Mon.-Fri.
ASIAN
24. On A Roll Sushi
Downtown's sushi-laden restaurant is often a packed one, with lunch specials, a large selection of rolls and sushi at dinner and a half-priced happy hour Mondays-Saturdays.
• 63 E. Congress St. (622-7655, www.onarollsushi.com)
L, D Mon.-Fri.; D Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Jazz Thur. and DJ Sat.
25. V Fine Thai Dining
• 20 N. Stone Ave.
Slated to open in April in the former Chile Verde space.
26. Rice House
Tucked in between Enoteca and Caffe Milano, Rice House offers an expansive menu with Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes. Longtime restaurateur J.T. Lei and his wife, Yan Jiang, opened Rice House last fall. Lunch ranges from $4.49 for one of about 10 Chinese dishes and rice to any one of 13 Thai lunches for $5.99. A more extensive menu is available for dinner.
• 54 W. Congress St. (622-9557)
L, D Mon.-Fri., D Sat.
COFFEEHOUSE
27. Ike's Coffee and Tea
Just like the other Ike's in town, there's surprisingly good and interesting salads and sandwiches, with a fair amount of pastries. Great coffee, and a standout variety of iced and hot teas.
• 100 N. Stone Ave. (792-1800)
B, L Mon.-Fri.
28. Roasted
Formerly Not Just Java, Roasted is for those who desire a caffeine-laden lunch, with coffees made with local roasts and organic fair trade.
• 33 N. Stone Ave. (624-8852)
B, L Mon.-Fri.
29. Shot In The Dark Café
This collectively owned diner is open 24 hours daily. It serves breakfast fare, sandwiches, salads, burritos and vegan dishes. Open mic night starts at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
• 121 E. Broadway (882-5544, www.shotinthedarkcafe.com)
B, L, D daily. Entertainment.
ITALIAN
30. Caffé Milano
Sip on a cappuccino and savor a croissant at breakfast or try one of the freshly made authentic Northern Italian dishes at lunch or dinner.
• 47 W. Congress St. (628-1601, www.caffemilano.us)
B, L Mon.-Wed.; B, L, D Thu.-Fri.; D Sat. Reservations. Beer, wine and some alcohol. Patio.
31. Empire Pizza and Pub
Tasty New York-style pizza combinations by the slice or by the pie, plus salads and sandwiches. The happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and all day Sundays is unmatched, with two-for-one slices of cheese or pepperoni and well drinks, wine and draft beers.
The restaurant stays open until 3 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
• 137 E. Congress St. (882-7499, www.empirepizzapub.com)
L, D Mon.-Sat. Full bar. Patio.
32. Enoteca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Enoteca started its life more like a cafeteria, but it's matured with table service and a great selection of salads, pastas and pizzas and a list of very drinkable wines. Start your meal with Drunken Shrimps, which comes with ham, shallots, cherry tomatoes and wine sauce over polenta.
• 58 W. Congress St. (623-0744, www.enotecarestaurant.com.) L Mon.-Fri.; D Wed.-Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
KITCHEN SINK
33. Cafe Desta
Eat with your fingers and bring your own alcohol to this tiny Ethiopian restaurant, where the dishes are fresh and flavorful. The recently opened restaurant only seats about 20, so be prepared to wait.
• 758 S. Stone Ave. (370-7000)
L,D daily.
34. Casa Vicente
Tapas, or small plates, are de rigueur at this energetic Spanish restaurant that features Flamenco and tango nights and a luscious red or white sangria. More traditional entrees, such as paella, also are served.
• 375 S. Stone Ave. (884-5253, www.casavicente.com)
L Thu.-Fri.; D T-Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
35. Xoom Juice
Located across Congress from Hub, Xoom Juice gives a quality meaning to drinking your breakfast or lunch. The juice bar is known for creating a never-ending variety of protein- or vitamin-packed smoothies.
• 245 E. Congress St. (903-2224, www.xoomjuice.com)
B, L daily.
MEXICAN
36. Alejandro's Cafe
Lines form early at this fast-casual Mexican restaurant that serves Jalisco fare at low prices.
• 31 N. Scott Ave. (623-3277)
L Mon-Fri. No alcohol. Patio.
37. Cafe Poca Cosa
A sleek, modern restaurant that offers a twice-daily changing menu. Owner and chef Suzana Davila creates unforgettable combinations and sauces. Rice, beans and tortillas are served family style, and the flavorful, lightly spiced salsa is the best in town.
• 110 E. Pennington St. (622-6400, cafepocacosatucson.com)
L, D Tues.-Sat. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
38. El Charro Café
This colorful, historic former home is a busy place, with a multitude of rooms and a lot of history. The restaurant is renowned for its carne seca, which you even can see drying on the roof.
• 311 S. Court Ave. (622-1922, www.elcharrocafe.com)
L, D daily. Reservations. Full bar. Patio.
39. El Minuto Café
A Sonoran-style Mexican menu full of choices that include quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, carne seca and menudo.
• 354 S. Main Ave. (882-4145, www.elminutocafe.com)
L, D daily. Reservations for six or more people. Full bar. Patio.
40. Iguana Café
Walk by this bar/restaurant and you're likely to hear lively Mexican music. Specials are featured on a board outside and often include various tortas or tacos.
• 210 E. Congress St. (882-5140)
L, D daily. Full bar.
41. The Little Cafe Poca Cosa
This cash-only enclave of great Mexican food is sometimes overlooked when discussing the Poca Cosas, but this cozy, bustling restaurant offers sublime daily specials along with a set menu that includes vegan and vegetarian choices.
• 151 N. Stone Ave. (www.littlepocacosa.com)
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
42. Quesadilla's Grill
Fast-casual food in a friendly, fast-casual setting. Inexpensive offerings include create-your-own breakfast burritos, tacos, combination plates and, of course, a variety of quesadillas. Quesadilla's offers free delivery downtown.
• La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. (798-3697, quesadillasgrill.com).
B, L Mon.-Fri. Patio.
43. The Taco Shop Co.
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant with the regular assortment of burritos and tacos.
• 17 N. Stone Ave. (903-0255)
B, L Mon.-Fri.
