The Five Points intersection — where 18th Street converges with Stone and Sixth avenues — serves as the gateway to five historic barrios. Since the 1800s, Indigenous, Chinese, Mexican, and European communities mingled here, laying the foundation for Tucson’s rich food culture.
Today, Five Points showcases a blend of old and new, with restored and repurposed buildings housing a vibrant mix of restaurants, boutiques, and landmarks. In 2021, artist Luis Mena completed designing arches for the intersection, serving as both art installations and historical markers that commemorate the area’s long-standing culture and commerce.
Exploring Five Points can easily fill two days. To experience how Tucson’s past influences its present, follow this specially curated Tucson Foodie Five Points itinerary.
Begin your day at the locally cherished and nationally acclaimed 5 Points. Established in 2014 by Brian Haskins and Jasper Ludwig, this bustling market and restaurant offers seasonal specialties like congee and huevos rancheros, crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Diners of all ages rave about their fluffy, wholesome pancakes and excellent coffee. The market features thoughtfully selected grocery and pantry items, including a dedicated selection of low-intervention fine wines available for both dining and retail purchase. This spot also makes for a delightful dinner destination, with a menu featuring rotating seasonal dishes that often highlight Southwest-inspired flavors. Both indoor and outdoor seating provide excellent opportunities for conversation.
Keep up with 5 Points Market & Restaurant on Instagram.
Sisters Harper and Haley Hall opened Rosebud Bakery in 2024 in the historic Flash TV building. They specialize in sourdough bread, pastries, cookies, and pies made from locally sourced ingredients when possible. Inspired by their grandmother Leona’s baking traditions from Rosebud County, Montana, this is the spot for elevenses.
If you’re slow to hunger in the mornings, Rosebud is a great alternative for your first stop of the day. The bakery offers a welcoming vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. Sitting at the bar provides a bird’s-eye view of the bustling pastry kitchen.
Keep up with Rosebud Bakery on Instagram.
After indulging in culinary delights, let your stomach digest while you feast your eyes on vintage, modern, and contemporary furniture and home decor at Saturday Generation. Celebrating their first anniversary in February 2025, the store offers unique items like modern lighting, art pieces, and curated items such as perfumes. Notably, they donate 5% of their profits to Arizona First Nations organizations, highlighting their commitment to community support.
Keep up with Saturday Generation on Instagram.
For lunch, experience traditional Ethiopian cuisine at Cafe Desta. One of the first restaurants to lead the regeneration of the Five Points intersection, they have served Tucson since 2010. Their menu includes a wide selection of vegan and meat stews prepared with classic berbere spices and served with injera, a spongy bread made from teff, sorghum, and wheat flour. Ethiopian cuisine is usually eaten with your hands, using injera to scoop up the rich, spiced dishes.
Enjoy their single-origin Ethiopian coffee drinks for a complete experience.
Keep up with Cafe Desta on Instagram.
Bon opened its doors at the Five Points intersection in 2015 after relocating from their initial location in midtown Tucson. Founded by mother and daughter duo Bonnie and Crystal Flynt, the store is a treasure trove of high-quality items curated with a flair for both practical and refined tastes. Epistolarians will be especially pleased with the exceptional stationery offerings, and home cooks will love the clever kitchenware. Everything is packaged “just so,” making this a lovely shop to find treats for your special someone.
Keep up with Bon on Instagram.
Meat lovers will adore Forbes Meat Company. Since opening in July 2024 inside the historic Baffert Building, this hybrid butchery and brasserie has offered high-quality meats, seafood, a full bar, and more. The team at Forbes Meat Company performs whole-animal processing of beef, pork, and lamb in-house, allowing visitors to witness their favorite sausage or cut of meat being prepared before their eyes.
Keep up with Forbes Meat Company on Instagram.
One of Tucson’s best-kept secrets, Casa Madre opened in June 2024. Dominique Stoller founded the restaurant to create an intimate dining experience. The stunning backlit Himalayan rock salt wall separates the kitchen from the bar, adding to the ambiance. Standout dishes include bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Spanish chorizo and ribeye with roasted poblano and chile scalloped potatoes. Guests shouldn’t miss the daily dessert specials, expertly crafted cocktails, and impressive wine list.
Keep up with Casa Madre on Instagram.
For a laid-back group outing, check out Ugly But Honest Pizzeria, a new addition to the Five Points dining scene. The team behind Upper Crust Pizza and Arizona Pizza Company transformed the Clyde Wanslee Motors building into an outdoor beer garden. Guests can enjoy wood-fired pizzas, calzones, and salads in a lively setting, making it an fun spot for people-watching.
Keep up with Ugly But Honest Pizzeria & Beer Garden on Instagram.
End your Five Points adventure with classic Mexican street food at La Cabaña Del Bambino, which originally started as a food truck. Known for its quesabirria tacos with consommé for dipping, they also serve tamales, quesadillas, menudo, burritos, and tacos.
For more information, visit lacabanadelbambinoaz.com.
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