Cafe Botanica, the restaurant located inside the Tucson Botanical Gardens at 2150 N. Alvernon Way, is offering evening hours and summer dining specials.

On Thursdays and Fridays, guests can join Cafe Botanica and the Gardens for Twilight Thursdays and Al Fresco Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The regular menu will be available, in addition to two or three “farm to the table” specials and a prix fixe dinner. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own bottles of wine or beer to enjoy.

The cost of dinner ranges from $13 to $15 for special entrees, and $7-$9 for special appetizers.

Reservations are required to attend Twilight Thursdays and Al Fresco Fridays, but admission to the Botanical Gardens is complimentary with a dinner reservation. If you just want to explore the Gardens for the night, admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children.

Twilight Thursdays will continue until September 29, and Al Fresco Fridays will continue until September 3. However, the Gardens may be looking to extend the hours permanently.

The restaurant is also offering an updated menu for the summer, which includes lamb empanada, a hummus board, corn gorditas, and seasonal salads.

To beat the heat, both the Botanical Gardens and Cafe Botanica open at 6:30 a.m. on weekends. Until September 30, guests can bring their dogs for a walk through the Gardens and a seat on Cafe Botanica’s patio. Cafe Botanica will have organic handmade dog biscuits and a bowl of water waiting for you.

Admission to the Gardens is free from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on weekends.

To make reservations for Twilight Thursdays or Al Fresco Fridays, call 520-326-9686, ex. 37. To view Cafe Botanica’s full summer menu or for more information, visit tucsonbotanical.org.