24 Hours in Tucson: Guide for the Super Foodie

Day 1: Dinner

Once you're ready for dinner, I'm sending you to Charro Steak + Del Rey. It’s an updated concept from the same family that has been running the venerable El Charro Café for more than 100 years. After they opened a steakhouse and then put their new seafood restaurant right next door, it quickly became apparent that customers didn’t want to choose between them. When they reopened for diners post-pandemic, they had combined their offerings into a single streamlined menu.

Day 2: Coffee Break

On the way, stop by Decibel Coffee in the Mercado District and grab a cold brew to go, which you can sip on as you explore the Garden’s paths.

Day 1: Coffee Break

After indulging in some chocolate, take an afternoon coffee break at Exo Roast Co., which embraces the same ethos of thoughtful sourcing, crafting an impeccable product, and caring for their customers and community as Monsoon Chocolate does. Exo has two locations, but its Sixth Avenue shop will still be open come late afternoon. Enjoy a cuppa there or take it to go and wander the Fourth Avenue Historic District, window shopping along the way.

Day 1: Lunch

For example, you’re just steps away from HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery, which would be a great choice for lunch. They have multiple mac and cheese options, really good, housemade pastrami, and I don't think you can go wrong if you throw a dart at the menu and order whatever it lands on.

Day 2: Field Trip

After breakfast, you’ll head towards Mission Garden, also known as “Tucson’s birthplace” to see heritage crops and learn about the different foods that have grown in this area for the past 4,000 years.

Day 2: Lunch

When you’re ready for lunch, return to the Mercado District. There are lots of great options there, but my personal favorite is Seis Kitchen. Named for the six regions of Mexican cuisine that inspire its menu, there’s nowhere where the food is exactly like what you’ll find at Seis.