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Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026

Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026

Jul 6, 20268 min read

The Mercado District sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River.

Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops.


Mercado San Agustín

Seis Kitchen

Tacos Birria Costra at Seis Kitchen (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Seis draws from six culinary regions of Mexico and now operates four locations citywide. The Mercado location runs 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily and now offers a full bar. The menu spans breakfast burritos, tacos, and tortas. Lines build at peak hours, particularly on weekend mornings. The courtyard at Seis includes a dog water fountain.

For more information, visit seiskitchen.com.

Presta Coffee Roasters

(Photo courtesy of Presta Coffee Roasters)

Presta anchors the coffee side of the Mercado courtyard and now operates four Tucson locations. The Mercado location runs 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Specialty drinks change seasonally, and the team’s roasted beans are available for purchase.

For more information, visit prestacoffee.com.

La Estrella Bakery

La Estrella Bakery (Photo by Jackie Tran)

La Estrella operates inside the Mercado San Agustín market hall. The bakery offers pan dulce, flour tortillas, glazed doughnuts, and other pastry staples.

For more information, visit laestrellabakeryincaz.com.

Dolce Pastello

Dolce Pastello serves custom and by-the-slice cakes from inside the market hall, with more than 20 cake recipes available. Tres leches draws repeat visitors.

For more information, visit dolcepastello.com.

El Zumitos Juice Bar

El Zumitos opened after the 2019 guide and serves made-to-order juices, smoothies, and aguas frescas using whole fruit. The juice bar runs 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. The Tajín smoothie draws consistent praise from regulars.

Keep up with El Zumitos Juice Bar on Instagram.

Santa Cruz River Farmers Market

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona runs this year-round market every Thursday at the MSA Annex. Hours run 3-6 p.m. Thursdays from October through April, and 4-7 p.m. from May through September. The market accepts cash, credit, debit, EBT, and SNAP Double Up food benefits. Vendors rotate seasonally and offer Arizona-grown produce, eggs, honey, and locally made food products.

Keep up with Santa Cruz River Farmers Market on Instagram.


MSA Annex

267 S. Avenida del Convento

The MSA Annex has seen notable turnover since 2019. Hermosa Coffee Roasters rebranded as Decibel Coffee Works. Beaut Burger closed and Bōs Burger replaced it in December 2025. Rollies West opened in 2024.

Decibel Coffee Works

Formerly Hermosa Coffee Roasters, Decibel has since expanded to a second location on Broadway. The MSA Annex location runs 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. The team roasts coffee on-site. The menu includes seasonal lattes, espresso drinks, and rotating pastries.

For more information, visit decibelcoffeeworks.com.

Kukai

Sushi, onigiri, and more at Kukai (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Kukai serves casual Japanese food from its shipping container in the Annex. Onigiri, donburi, and hand rolls anchor the menu, alongside Japanese soft drinks. Owner Michael McCormack also co-owns the adjacent Bōs Burger.

For more information, visit eatkukai.com.

Bōs Burger

Fried Onion Burger, Fries, and Chocolate Shake at BŌS Burger (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Couple Akiko Senda and Michael McCormack opened Bōs Burger in December 2025 with a Japanese-inspired Wagyu smash burger concept. The interior features a retro-diner makeover with cherry red accents. The menu centers on American Wagyu beef patties from a domestic ranch raising Japanese cattle breeds. Options include a classic smash burger, a fried onion burger with caramelized onions pressed into the patty, and chocolate milkshakes. The restaurant runs 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit bōsburger.com.

Rollies West

Rollies West opened at the MSA Annex in 2024, with chef-owner Mateo Otero returning to the west side neighborhood where he grew up. The menu includes Sonoran hot dogs, birria cheesy tacos, chilaquiles, ribeye tacos, loaded papas, and vegan options. The Sonoran hot dog features green chile, a variation not common at most other spots in the city.

For more information, visit rolliestucson.com.

Westbound

Photo courtesy of Westbound
Photo courtesy of Westbound

Westbound occupies two shipping containers at the Annex. The bar runs noon-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sundays. One container houses the bar, with beers, wines, and cocktails on tap under swamp cooling. The other operates as a bottle shop with a walk-in refrigerator stocked with spirits, wine, and beer to go. Guests may bring food from adjacent vendors to the shared outdoor seating area.

For more information, visit westboundtucson.com.


The Monier

Whole Slvce Pizza

Whole Slvce Pizza sits in Tucson’s Mercado District at 160 S. Avenida del Convento. The shop offers classic and vegan versions of every pie, along with a build-your-own option on red sauce, olive oil, or gluten-free cauliflower dough. Beyond pizza, the menu includes a stuffed strombone, a massaged kale salad, and cannoli for dessert. The shop is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with both pickup and delivery available.

For more information, visit wholeslvcepizza.com.

The Side Bar inside ’81 Barbers

This little bar inside a barbershop offers beer and wine with a few TVs to watch games. The bar is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.

Keep up with the Side Bar on Instagram.


Getting there

The Sun Link streetcar stops directly at Mercado San Agustín at the west end of the 3.9-mile route. The streetcar runs fare-free at the direction of the mayor and council. Street parking along Avenida del Convento is metered at $1 per hour and enforced 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. A free lot sits directly adjacent to the Mercado. The district connects to the Santa Cruz River shared-use path for cyclists.


Frequently asked questions

What is the Mercado District in Tucson?

The Mercado District is an open-air market and dining destination on Tucson’s west side, adjacent to the Santa Cruz River. It includes Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the under-construction Bautista. All properties feature locally owned shops, restaurants, and services. The district sits at the western terminus of the Sun Link streetcar line.

What restaurants are at Mercado San Agustín?

The Mercado San Agustín courtyard currently includes:

  • Seis Kitchen, a regional Mexican restaurant open daily from 8 a.m. with a full bar

  • Presta Coffee Roasters, a local specialty roaster open daily from 7 a.m.

  • El Zumitos Juice Bar, serving juices, smoothies, and aguas frescas daily from 7 a.m.

  • La Estrella Bakery, a Mexican bakery in the indoor market hall

  • Dolce Pastello, a cake shop in the indoor market hall

What restaurants are at the MSA Annex?

The MSA Annex shipping container complex currently houses:

  • Bōs Burger, a Wagyu smash burger restaurant open daily from 11 a.m.

  • Decibel Coffee Works, a locally owned coffee roaster open daily from 7 a.m.

  • Kukai, a casual Japanese kitchen

  • Rollies West, a Mexican restaurant serving Sonoran hot dogs, birria tacos, and more

  • Westbound, a bar and bottle shop open daily from 11 a.m. or noon

Is the Mercado District dog friendly?

Yes. The Mercado District welcomes friendly, leashed dogs throughout all properties, with doggy waste stations located throughout the district. The courtyard Mercado San Agustín patio and the shared outdoor seating at the MSA Annex both accommodate dogs. Seis Kitchen maintains a dog water fountain in its section of the courtyard.

Is there a farmers market at the Mercado District?

Yes. The Santa Cruz River Farmers Market, operated by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, takes place every Thursday at the MSA Annex year-round. Hours run 3-6 p.m. from October through April, and 4-7 p.m. from May through September. The market accepts EBT and offers SNAP Double Up food benefit matching.

How do I get to the Mercado District?

The Mercado District sits at the western end of the Sun Link streetcar line at 100 S. Avenida del Convento. The streetcar runs fare-free. Drivers will find metered street parking along Avenida del Convento, enforced 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and a free surface lot adjacent to Mercado San Agustín. The district also connects to the Santa Cruz River shared-use path.

Is there parking at the Mercado District?

The Mercado District has metered street parking throughout the district. A free surface lot sits next to Mercado San Agustín. Metered spaces cost $1 per hour and enforcement runs 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. Street parking is free on Sundays and after 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.

What happened to Beaut Burger at the MSA Annex?

Beaut Burger closed its MSA Annex location. Couple Akiko Senda and Michael McCormack took over the space and opened Bōs Burger in December 2025, serving Japanese-inspired American Wagyu smash burgers. Bōs Burger has no affiliation with the former Beaut Burger concept.

Are there restrooms at the Mercado District?

The Mercado District has restrooms at each property. A code, available from any vendor, provides access.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer and photographer. Best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments and petting pets.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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