Since the departure of Café Botanica, the Tucson Botanical Gardens had been without a spot to grab a bite to eat while admiring nature, butterflies, and the chirping of birds.

Well, now the Gardens is happy to announce that there’s food once again with Edna’s Eatery, which all due to the new partnership with Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa.

The name of the café was inspired by Edna Johnson, who was a housekeeper, friend, nanny, and gardener to the Gardens’ founders.

Edna actually planted many of the citrus trees on the west end of the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and “she loved to tend a large herb garden.” Over the course of many years of harvesting and gardening, Edna lived on the property until her death in 1973.

The menu is cleverly categorized with sections like “from nature”, “above ground”, and “for our up and coming botanists.” All of the produce is from the garden and other local partners, coming together to create dishes like the Huevos Rancheros, Vegan Burrito, Roasted Turkey and Brie Panini, and Vegan Pita Pockets.

Edna’s Café is open daily with breakfast from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Admission to the Gardens is required for the restaurant.

Edna’s Café is located inside the Tucson Botanical Gardens at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. For more information, call (520) 326-9686 or visit tucsonbotanical.org.