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Where to Eat & Drink While Exploring Tucson's Haiku Hike

Guide

Where to Eat & Drink While Exploring Tucson's Haiku Hike

by Matt SternerMar 19, 2024Updated Aug 4, 20268 min read
Oh, the weather is warming up, the birds are chirping, and downtown is blossoming with haikus. No, a haiku isn't something you can eat — it's a poem of 17 syllables in three lines of five, seven, and five. The annual Haiku Hike, presented by the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, is a literary competition showcasing 20 winning haiku poems printed on acrylic signage in planters located on Congress Street and Stone Avenue. They'll be on display from March 20 to June 1. Half of the fun is finding where they're hiding! Check out our full downtown dining guide for even more local businesses. 
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26 spots

(Photo courtesy of Basqueria)

Basqueria

350 East Congress Street #150Downtown

The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the pintxos (bite-sized dishes) found in the Basque country of Northern Spain and Southern France. Before opening the Basqueria, owner Freddy ElMesselmani soaked up the culture and toured the Basque region including Bilbao and the North Spanish coast.

Basqueria’s menu offers cold and hot tapas, pintxos, and paella in several varieties, including a build-your-own option. Mains range from galician octopus and bacalao pil pil to a slow-braised lamb shank, with a brunch menu featuring Basque-style eggs Benedict and an Ibérico chorizo omelet sandwich. The restaurant opens from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday.

Fresh Juice from Berry Greens Juice Bar on Congress (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Berry Greens Juice Bar

943 East University BoulevardDowntown

Berry Greens Juice Bar features a bright and airy interior. Light wood and white walls create a clean, minimalist aesthetic. They are best known for their wide variety of healthy acai bowls and fresh juices.

The Classic Acai Berry Bowl combines organic acai, banana, and mixed berries with almond milk. The Pitaya Dragonfruit Bowl features dragonfruit, strawberry, mango, and banana blended with coconut water.

Cobra Arcade Bar Tucson

63 East Congress StreetDowntown

Two floors of all your favorite retro games like pinball and Dance Dance Revolution will have you gaming the night away. Plus, the drinks are top-notch – they’ve got a whole slew of cool cocktails that’ll make you feel like a kid in a candy store, but, like, as adults. Did we mention the super chill patio seating? Yeah, it’s awesome.

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Cup Cafe

311 East Congress StreetDowntown

Nestled in the heart of Tucson, the historic Hotel Congress offers not just a stay but a culinary journey through its in-house restaurant, Cup Café. Known for its innovative and delectable menu, the Cup Café boasts a mix of American and Southwestern fare; the Cast Iron Baked Eggs and Congress Burger are must-tries for a taste of the rich history blended with modern innovation.

Elliott's on Congress

135 East Congress StreetDowntown

Elliott’s is an American restaurant that provides a relaxing ambiance and great food to match. The eatery features a fully stocked bar with house-infused specialty vodkas, sporting flavors from basil to key lime. There is even Chocolate Covered Bacon. It is safe to say Elliot’s is nothing short of an experience.

Empire Pizza & Pub

137 East Congress StreetDowntown

Craving a slice of New York pizza in Tucson? Empire’s got you covered with their hand-tossed, fresh-out-the-oven pizzas. And hey, while you’re there, give their Elote Pizza a whirl – it’s got foodies all over town raving. They’re open late, so don’t stress!

HeeMee Coffee + Bakery

20 East Congress StreetDowntown

The family-run cafe on East Congress Street serves coffee and scratch-made baked goods with French, Japanese, and Korean influences. Menu items include assorted cakes, daily specials, doughnuts, tarts, buns, and Chicken Katsu Brioche Sandwiches.

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery

266 East Congress StreetDowntown

HUB offers brunch, lunch, dinner, but most importantly, homemade ice cream. This loft-feel surrounded with brick walls and unique décor offers a dark, intimate ambiance in the evening. They serve menu items such as pastrami HUB Hash and Chicken Pot Pie. End your meal with creamy, homemade ice cream in unique flavors like Oatmeal Cookie Dough and Spiced Cider.

Iguana Cafe & Bar

210 East Congress StreetDowntown

A combination of a bar and a restaurant, is a friendly spot that offers great service in a cozy cafe with a horseshoe bar. The Hispanic music is always pumping, and their Mexican dishes like the burritos and mini chimichangas are a total hit. Plus their refried beans may be some of the best we’ve ever had.

Jaime's Pizza Kitchen

312 East Congress StreetDowntown

“We’re passionate about what we do. Everything is still made from scratch,” said Gabriel Moreno, owner and chef of Jaime’s Pizza Kitchen. “Everything’s got our entire heart and soul in it, and it will continue that way as long as this brand is alive.” From their pizza and salads to their garlic knots and sauce, we can vouch for the taste of that depth of care.

Nook

1 East Congress StreetDowntown

Swing by this funky, quirky restaurant tucked away out of sight downtown. Perfect for a chill Tucson brunch after your morning jog, a quick bite between classes, or even a work lunch. Their Steak and Eggs, Godfather Benedict, and Chocolate Chip Griddle Cakes are total crowd-pleasers, so don’t miss out on them!

OBON Sushi Bar Ramen

350 East Congress StreetDowntown

Whether you are coming in for a quick bite during a night out, dinner with friends, or stopping by for lunch, OBON is a must-try. Named after the vibrant Japanese celebration of family and life, Brandon Katz hopes to bring a taste of Japan to Tucson. The menu offers everything from small plates of Pork Dumplings to Bibimbop, poke, an extensive sushi menu, ramen, and steam buns.

Playground Bar & Lounge

278 East Congress StreetDowntown

Smack in the middle of Tucson’s lively downtown, Playground is perfect for a pre-concert drink, a chill after-work bite, or a sports night out with friends. They’ve got everything from Carne Asada Fries (drool-worthy!) to a mouthwatering selection of burgers and sandwiches, plus a full bar. You won’t leave wanting, we promise!

Proper Shops

300 East Congress StreetDowntown

It's a place for shopping and mingling but there's also a nifty bar for plenty of sippin'. Proper Shops also shares a patio with Jaime's Pizza Kitchen, Scented Leaf Tea, and The Good Oak Bar — it's a great spot to sit, have a conversation, and listen to the sounds of downtown.

R Bar

350 East Congress StreetDowntown

R Bar isn’t just a spot for drinks—it’s part of The Rialto Theatre Foundation, helping to keep Tucson’s history alive. So, every drink you enjoy there is for a good cause! You gotta try their cocktails, especially the “Bee’s Knee’s” and “El Guapo”—they’re top-notch.

Scented Leaf Tea House

308 East Congress StreetDowntown

This isn’t just your typical tea shop- it’s a hotspot hangout with a cozy, chilled-out atmosphere. With a wall full of loose leaf teas (with flavors like mango and orange vanilla cream), hot or cold brew coffee, and the always exciting and innovative “Teas-On-Tap,” you’ll be spoilt for choice at Tucson’s best tea store downtown. Plus, who can resist the smell of baking brownies? Not us, that’s who.

Snake & Barrel

118 East Congress StreetDowntown

Ever wanted to step into a movie? Well, Snake & Barrel is your chance! This cool underground bar has a speakeasy vibe and seriously good drinks. They keep it simple but high-quality, so every cocktail is a hit. The “Polaroid Picture” and “Living After Midnight” are total game-changers.

Tabu

128 East Congress StreetDowntown

The owners, who have spent several months renovating the location inside the building that’s more than 100 years old, credit their fusion of inspiration to South American cuisine, native ingredients, and even a bit of European and Asian influences. With plenty of tables for groups and comfy seating at the bar, Tabu has transformed into yet another unique downtown destination.

The Century Room

311 East Congress StreetDowntown

The Century Room at the Hotel Congress is where it’s at for live jazz and crafty cocktails. It’s the first jazz club in Tucson and it’s adding some real style to the city’s nightlife. Their Sonoran Sazerac goes down smoother than that baseline and their charcuterie boards hit those high notes just right!

The Monica

40 East Congress StreetDowntown

Run by the same folks who brought us El Charro Café, The Monica is a cool restaurant in downtown Tucson. Their menu is a mashup of family recipes crafted by a team of ace chefs. It isn't just Mexican food — think artisanal pizzas, baguettes, and dishes like Albondigas Béchamel and Short Rib Rustico. Plus the open-air bar and indoor/outdoor seating make it great for just about any time of day!

The Neighborhood DWTN

61 East Congress StreetDowntown

Much like the incredibly stylish mullet hairstyle being business in the front and a party in the back, The Neighborhood’s downtown spot is more than one concept. Think of it as a restaurant and bar during the earlier hours of the day and a total party by night.

The Screamery

5920 Arizona Pavilions DriveMarana

The Sarnoskis opened The Screamery in 2014 when they couldn’t find an ice cream that offered the quality of ingredients they desired. Similar to the other locations in Tucson, The Screamery’s downtown location offers several original handcrafted flavors, such as Blueberry Cheesecake, Sweet Cream Honeycomb, and Orange Dreamsicle (flavors are always rotating).

Sonoran hot dog, elote, and more (Photo courtesy of Tucson Antojitos)

Tucson Antojitos

63 East Congress StreetDowntown

Stop by the new Mexican street food/snack concept for Sonoran hot dogs, elote, auga frescas, and more.

“We’re overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who came out to experience the vibrant flavors of Mexican street snacks and the lively atmosphere we’re bringing to Tucson,” the team shared. “Your support means the world to us, and we’re so excited to keep the momentum going.”

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Thai food is vibrant, flavorful, and wonderfully versatile, from fiery curries to comforting noodle dishes. Whatever your preference or where you live in Tucson, this guide will help you find the Thai restaurant to suit your tastes.

More on Tucsonfoodie.comThai food is vibrant, flavorful, and wonderfully versatile, from fiery curries to comforting noodle dishes. Whatever your preference or where you live in Tucson, this guide will help you find the Thai restaurant to suit your tastes. More on Tucsonfoodie.com
@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm 

Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 

🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY
📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ

#tucsonevents #vegantucson 
#tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal@vegantucsonnightmarket returns September 5th from 6–10pm Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 🐖 FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal
12 WEEKS. 12 THEMES. ONE DELICIOUS TUCSON SUMMER. 🌵🌞❤️

From May 18 through August 9, Tucsonans ate their way through the city one themed week at a time, and now the receipts are in. From coffee and tea to wine, vegan eats, Asian cuisine, Sonoran favorites, happy hour, and everything in between, 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer was all about eating local and supporting the businesses that make Tucson so special.

THANK YOU, TUCSON, for showing up and eating local with us all summer long. And a huge thank you to our presenting sponsor @visittucson, our partners @510south, @bbbsouthernarizona, and @azwinecollective, and every locally-owned business that made this campaign possible.🎉

More in @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com12 WEEKS. 12 THEMES. ONE DELICIOUS TUCSON SUMMER. 🌵🌞❤️ From May 18 through August 9, Tucsonans ate their way through the city one themed week at a time, and now the receipts are in. From coffee and tea to wine, vegan eats, Asian cuisine, Sonoran favorites, happy hour, and everything in between, 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer was all about eating local and supporting the businesses that make Tucson so special. THANK YOU, TUCSON, for showing up and eating local with us all summer long. And a huge thank you to our presenting sponsor @visittucson, our partners @510south, @bbbsouthernarizona, and @azwinecollective, and every locally-owned business that made this campaign possible.🎉 More in @addiewankenobi’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com
Located at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos.

Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson.

Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel.

In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.comLocated at 5526 E. Grant Rd., @Casapitatucson serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favorites alongside American breakfast and burritos. Owner Amna Al-Qaisi, known as Mama Amna, has spent more than two decades feeding Tucson. Originally from Iraq, she lived across eight countries throughout the Middle East, bringing those culinary traditions with her to Tucson. Her family has operated several beloved Tucson restaurants over the years, including Sinbad’s, Geronimo’s, Gyro King, Arabic Express, and Golden Falafel. In this video: Hummus, bulgur dip, fattoush salad, vegan falafel samoon, chicken shawarma, mixed grill + Dubai drink.❤️ Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com