The Best Cafes in Tucson

Café à la C'Art, nestled within the historic 1865 Stevens House on the Tucson Museum of Art grounds, offers a serene dining experience. The Monet-inspired garden patio, adorned with lush greenery and mosaic tile accents, provides a tranquil setting.

With its combination of cuisine and charming atmosphere, Café à la C'Art has earned accolades, including being listed among the top ten museum restaurants in the U.S. by Food & Wine magazine. ​Make sure to grab something to-go from the pastry display case.

Café Crisol (formerly Exo Roast Co. on Simpson Street) occupies a historic 1885 adobe home, now transformed into a warm coffee space. A cozy courtyard patio offers a peaceful respite. At certain nights of the week, the space transforms into a mezcal bar.

Regulars often go for the Orange Cardamom Latte, Mole Dulce Latte, and Chiltepin Cold Brew. For the mezcal bar, the drink menu showcases agave spirits, handcrafted cocktails and natural wines, with a deep emphasis on authenticity and terroir. Check out their social media for a weekly agave tasting, where you sample multiple pours and learn about mezcal, sotol, and bacanora in a convivial setting. Bar Crisol is recognized nationally as one of the best places in America to experience mezcal.

Coronet Cafe sits in the heart of Barrio Viejo as a counter-service cafe focused on fresh local produce and sustainable proteins. The compact space pairs a warmly appointed interior with a shaded outdoor patio, giving it a quiet, unhurried atmosphere. It shares a property with the Coronet Restaurant and the Nightjar cocktail bar, and a small market sells house-made goods, local beer and wine, Caffe Luce coffee, and curated gifts.

In the morning, go for the Çilbir Turkish egg breakfast. After 2 p.m., check out the evening menu for the Coronet Burger with prime black Angus, Welsh cheddar, red onion jam, dijonnaise, and pickles with fries and ají amarillo aioli. At any of their hours, snack on Barrio Bread with gourmet tinned seafood.