The Tucson International Mariachi Conference (TIMC) returns from Wednesday, April 23 – Sunday, April 27. This Tucson-based conference fulfills the mission of promoting awareness and traditional values of Mariachi music and Baile Folklorico through education and performance while promoting pride in youth and community.
Here are a few of our favorite spots in the area, which are scheduled to be open during the hours of the events.
Explore our larger downtown guide for more options: Where to Eat Downtown.
National vocal competition for participants aged 8 and older. Cash award for the finalist.
Conference Participants compete for the opportunity to perform with professionals at the Espectacular Concert.
A legacy of Excellence for over 40 years, The Espectacular Concert has been a platform for the finest mariachi artists, fostering appreciation and understanding of this treasured art form. Join us for an evening with Nuevo Tecalitlán.
Show-stopping mariachi performances and dazzling Baile Folklorico dancers that bring the festival to life with their colorful costumes and intricate choreography. Food vendors offer traditional and nontraditional Mexican cuisine. Arts and Crafts showcase the work of local artisans. The overall atmosphere is one of joy, celebration, and cultural exchange.
Beaut Burger, located in the MSA Annex, offers an outdoor dining experience with its repurposed shipping container setting. The minimalist design, complemented by desert-inspired aesthetics, creates a relaxed and modern atmosphere. Known for its plant-based menu, Beaut Burger shines with its namesake burgers and crisp fries with fresh herbs.
Popular menu items include the B9 burger, featuring roasted eggplant, house-made mozzarella, and pumpkin seed pesto, and the B4 burger, topped with Swiss cheese, griddled mushrooms, and onions. Sides like the beer-battered cauliflower bites and sweet potato fries are also highly recommended by patrons.
India-meets-Honduras at this downtown restaurant, where Indian empanadas are among the featured offerings. The appealing fillings include both meat and vegetarian options — and you can get doughless versions for a gluten-free treat. Among the other cross-cultural dishes is Chicken Chipotle Masala. Bombole is super delicious, inexpensive, and fast, making it a great spot for a healthy and casual lunch.
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. Inside, the café features a cozy ambiance with colorful décor and natural light, making it a favorite spot for brunch and lunch.
The menu boasts popular dishes like the Salmon Cake Benedict and the Café Burger, topped with smoked pepperwood bacon and avocado mash. Guests also rave about the Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake, a signature dessert crafted by the in-house pastry chef. 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.
The Coronet, nestled in the historic Barrio Viejo, offers a romantic and refined dining experience. The interior features warm wood accents, vintage lighting. The booth rooms offer a cozier ambience. A charming outdoor patio, adorned with flowers, provides a serene setting for al fresco dining. This ambiance reflects the restaurant’s blend of classic sensibility and international cuisine.
The menu changes often, showcasing seasonally inspired dishes crafted from sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. The a.m. features a cafe, while the evenings feature Nightjar, an intimate cocktail bar.
With a history dating back to 1922, El Charro holds the title of the nation’s oldest Mexican restaurant in continuous operation by the same family. Steeped in tradition, this beloved establishment offers a menu that pays homage to authentic Sonoran cuisine, featuring timeless classics like carne seca and the iconic chimichanga.
Plus, just a few blocks away at 40 E. Congress St., is another Si Charro Restaurant concept, The Monica. Make it a full-on food adventure!
El Minuto Café, located just south of the Tucson Convention Center, offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with its pink adobe exterior and colorful murals. Inside, the restaurant features traditional Mexican decor, including vibrant artwork and rustic furnishings, creating a cozy dining environment. Established in 1939, El Minuto has been a family-owned establishment for four generations, maintaining its commitment to authentic Sonoran-style cuisine.
JoJo’s Restaurant, located at 76 W. Washington St. in Tucson, offers a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere in the heart of the Historic Presidio District. The restaurant features a spacious courtyard adorned with twinkling lights, lush greenery, and a tranquil pond, creating an inviting outdoor dining experience. Inside, the Monsoon Room provides a cozy lounge setting with dark green walls and vintage lamps, perfect for intimate gatherings. Live music performances enhance the lively ambiance, making JoJo’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
Kukai, at the MSA Annex, opened in February of 2019. If you’ve never had onigiri, you’re going to want to try it here. The traditional Japanese dish is essentially a seaweed-wrapped rice ball that comes with assorted fillings like pork belly, salmon, or, for the adventurous eater, umeboshi (that’s pickled plum).
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican pastries, you have to try La Estrella Bakery. Since 1986, this family-owned business has been serving up a delicious selection of cookies, bread, donuts, tortillas, tamales, and much more. There are plenty of incredible pastries to choose from with multiple locations around Tucson.
A Tucson staple since 2000, Miss Saigon opened its sleek downtown location in 2024. For something outside of the usual pho, try the mi dac biet kho, which includes sauced egg noodles with broiled shrimp, imitation crab, squid, and pork slices with fresh herbs and chicken broth on the side.
Nook, located at 1 E. Congress St. in downtown Tucson, offers a modern and inviting atmosphere that reflects its New American culinary focus. The interior features sleek wooden furnishings, contemporary lighting, and walls adorned with artwork from local artists, creating a vibrant and cozy dining environment. This setting makes Nook a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch gatherings.
Check out their modern, fun takes on breakfast and brunch classics such as the Banh Mi Benedict or Cinnamon Roll Griddlecakes. However, the secret gem of the menu is the Hanger Steak and Eggs with smoked chimichurri and a smashed hash.
Perche’ No is an Italian bistro that seamlessly blends the charm of traditional recipes with the excitement of contemporary creations. The menu is a testament to the chefs’ passion, featuring a mix of timeless favorites and innovative specials that never fail to delight. Among the standout dishes are the Ravioli di Zucca and the Penne al’Alce. The name Perche’ No, which means “Why Not” in Italian, reflects the owners’ journey back into the culinary world, driven by an irresistible opportunity and a longing for the joy that sharing food brings.
Otero has a nifty amount of goodness spread across his menu, from his own take on the classic dishes to the modernized dishes, he’s really hit the nail on the head — making you wish you had more than one stomach to engulf. Birria ramen, rolled tacos (of course), Nana’s Tacos, Birria Cheesecrip Burger, and other local favorites! Which will you eat first?
The restaurant is well-known for its delicious birria tacos and its commitment to quality, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner being served all day. Seis Kitchen also stands out with its innovative menu items like the Seis Nachos — housemade chips, green chili, black beans, housemade cheese sauce, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, and pico de Gallo. Yum!
If you’ve been to any of the other three locations, you can expect the same quick-service menu stacked with build-your-own tacos, burritos, and bowls as well as housemade beverages like horchata and aguas frescas. Taco Tuesday, anyone?
