Breakfast, coffeehouses
Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea — 1730 E. Speedway. Locally owned, this is a coffeehouse done right. Tucson casual. Open: 7 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 8 a.m. Sundays. 795-0338. ¢ C
The Cottage Bakery and Cafe — 800 N. Kolb Road. Breakfast burros and sweets. Salads, soups and sandwiches for lunch. Tucson casual. Open: 7 a.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 8 a.m. Sundays. 722-1129. ¢-$ FH
Javalina's Coffee & Friends — 9136 E. Valencia Road, No. 160. This locally owned coffeehouse features a variety of coffees, teas and other drinks with plenty of tables and cushy seating. Nationally known musicians perform regularly on the patio. Tucson casual. Open: 5 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; 6 a.m. Saturdays; 7 a.m. Sundays. 663-5282. $ SE
Raging Sage Coffee Roasters — 2458 N. Campbell Ave. The small cafe is an island of calm with savory scones. Tucson casual. Open: 6:30 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 7 a.m. Sundays. 320-5203. ¢ C
People are also reading…
Bread and Butter Café — 4231 E. 22nd St. The pancakes here could start your day right. The simple, down-home comfort food is served for breakfast and lunch. No credit cards. Tucson casual. Open: 5 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 7 a.m. Sundays. 327-0004. $ C
Ghini's French Caffe — 1803 E. Prince Road. The omelets are light and full of fresh ingredients. A sunny Sunday morning demands breakfast on the patio. Tucson casual. Open: 6 a.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 8 a.m. Sundays. 326-9095. $-$$ C
Wags Family Restaurant — 4026 E. Grant Road. "Iowa style" diner serves up everything from griddle cakes to pork tenderloin sandwiches. Breakfast and lunch only. Tucson casual. Open: 6 a.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. 323-2345. $ C
Special settings
Terra Cotta — 3500 E. Sunrise Drive. Unusual and creative Southwestern cuisine. Reservations recommended. High casual. 577-8100. $$$ FH
Janos — 3770 E. Sunrise Drive, next to the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. Owner and chef Janos Wilder is a James Beard Award winner for his innovative combination of French and Southwestern cuisines. Dressy. 615-6100. $$$$ FH
Jonathan's Cork — 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road. Owner-chef Jonathan Landeen can work magic with a good broth and simple ingredients. Dinner only. High casual. 296-1631. $$-$$$ FH
Melting Pot — 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. Fondue is back. Tucson casual to dressy. 575-6358. $$-$$$$ NW
Wildflower — 7037 N. Oracle Road. Hip restaurant features regional American dishes prepared in an open kitchen. Reservations recommended. High casual to dressy. 219-4230. $$-$$$$ NW
Acacia at St. Philip's Plaza — 4340 N. Campbell Ave. Chef-owner Albert Hall's restaurant is loaded with cachet, and some big temptations are on the menu. High casual to dressy. 232-0101. $$$-$$$$ FH
American and grills
Blue Willow — 2616 N. Campbell Ave. They know how to treat kids here. Adults, too. Plenty of vegetarian choices. Tucson casual. 327-7577. $ C
Cup Café — 311 E. Congress St. Hip hangout in the lobby of the Hotel Congress is a journey through a menu of foods from India, Thailand, Mexico, Japan, the Mediterranean and down-home America. Tucson casual. 798-1618. $$ D
Elle, a Wine Country Restaurant — 3048 E. Broadway. The menu includes thoughtful salads and gnocchi so light that you have to tie it down. Tucson casual to high casual. 327-0500. $$-$$$ C
Santillo's Bar & Grill— 8195 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley.Possibly the only place in the area where you can get an authentic beef on weck. The menu also includes Italian dishes, sandwiches, hot dogs, and fried bologna and eggs. Tucson casual. 297-3454. $-$$ NW
Where is it?
C–Central E–East
D–Downtown FH–Foothills
GV–Green Valley NW–Northwest
S–South SW–Southwest
SE–Southeast
What does it cost?
Price-range estimates are for dinner for two. Drinks, tax and tip are not included.
¢ – About $10 $ – $10-$20
$$ – $20-$30 $$$ – $30-$40
$$$$ – above $40
WHAT TO WEAR
Dressy: Fancy. Dress to impress.
High casual: Polish up. Polo shirt and khakis are OK.
Tucson casual: Just about anything goes. Shirt and shoes, of course.
The fine print
A rotating list based on staff reviews. Don't see your favorite place? Let us know at caliente@azstarnet.com. Restaurants are smoke-free unless otherwise indicated.
