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Any breakfast pastry lover knows the standards of a great scone: baked fresh, crunchy exterior, and a soft, buttery center filled with a number of sweet or savory flavor combinations. Some might call it the biscuit’s fluffier, more delicious cousin.
Scones got their start in Scotland as an oat-based quickbread in the 1500s. Many say the origin of the word comes from the Stone of Destiny (or Scone of Destiny – not a pun), where Scottish kings were once crowned.
Does this make them the reigning king of breakfast pastries? We will leave that up to you.
Whether you prefer sweet or savory, mini or gargantuan, the traditional triangle wedge or a freeform shape, Tucson’s cafes and coffee shops have a scone for everyone.
Although famous for their bread loaves and large variety of tasty sandwiches, Beyond Bread also offers baked goods daily.
Get in on their Maple Scone, Cranberry Scone, and rotating selection.
For more information, visit beyondbread.com.
If you haven’t visited the Tucson Museum of Art’s resident cafe or tried the dishes from their catering service Carte Blanche, you’re depriving your taste buds of a serious scone experience.
Cafe a La C’Art changes scones flavors infrequently but the crowd favorite is Vanilla Cranberry.
For more information, visit cafealacarttucson.com.
Cafe Passe is certainly worth a visit to Fourth Avenue or their newer location in the El Rio Health Center lobby by Mercado San Agustin.
The rotating scone variety changes daily and includes flavors like Rosemary and Vidalia Onion, Basil and Black Pepper, and Cranberry and White Chocolate.
Keep up with Cafe Passe on Facebook.
Cartel is always a reliable choice, with rotating selections of pastries baked fresh each morning and convenient locations on Campbell and Broadway.
Scone options vary from sweet to savory, including flavors like Blackberry Orange, Lemon Strawberry and Onion Pepper.
For more information, visit cartelcoffeelab.com.
Epic Cafe is a vegan scone-lover’s paradise. Baked fresh and adventurous flavors change daily.
Past favorites included Rosemary Honey Walnut and Blueberry Maple Bacon.
For more information, visit epiccafe.com.
Le Buzz is a favorite among scone connoisseurs due to the popular house-made raspberry jam served up with nearly any order.
Favorites include Lemon Blueberry, Raspberry Orange, and Maple Bacon.
For more information, visit lebuzzcaffe.com.
Head to Maynards Market for a shot of something strong — we mean coffee — and something fresh from the bakery.
From cookies and pastries to freshly baked scones dripping in glaze, there’s a little slice of Europe right on your doorstep.
For more information, visit maynardstucson.com.
What better way to enjoy a giant scone than with bottomless roast coffee?
Try the classic combination with fresh flavor mixtures, like the ever-popular tea-infused Blueberry and Earl Grey, Strawberry Basil or Lemon Thyme scones.
For more information, visit prepandpastry.com.
Well known for some of the best scones in Tucson, Raging Sage offers standard and, occasionally, baby size scones.
Be sure to get there early for two reasons: one, they’re better hot and fresh, and two, they sell out early.
Favorites include the Chocolate Chip with Toasted Coconut, Jalapeno Jelly and Chili Relleno.
For more information, visit ragingsage.com.
Nestled in St. Phillip’s Plaza sits Ren Coffeehouse, a modern space that serves a variety of drinks, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods.
Scones of various flavors are baked daily but rarely make it to lunchtime, so if you want one, get in early.
Keep up with Ren Coffeehouse on Facebook.
Get to Rincon Market early for a sweet scone —with either chocolate, fruit or nuts — baked fresh every morning. You’ll be dazzled by their assortment of baked goods and probably leave with a dessert… and a wedge of cheese, bottle of wine, bunch of flowers — what don’t they have?
Feeling something savory? Wait until the afternoon for their Feta and Chive Scone... and by wait, we don’t mean for long.
For more information, visit rinconmarket.xyz.
Yes, Time Market makes more than pizza.
Their kitchen offers up a variety of delicious baked goods that include baguettes, whole loaves of bread, and gougères that will certainly compete for your attention, and, of course, scones.
For more information, visit timemarket.xyz.
With smoothies and crunchy vegetables, highlighted meals of the day, and a plant-based philosophy, Urban Fresh might seem an unexpected place for baked goods.
However, a batch of scones is baked fresh daily with changing flavors that are a must try.
For more information, visit urbanfreshtucson.com.
[This article was originally written on May 28, 2015, and most recently updated on March 15, 2019. Kate Severino contributed to this article.]
