Kirsten's Tucson Guidebook
Restaurants & Coffee Shops
Tucson has a ton of great food - I've just focused on my favorites nearby. If you'd like suggestions outside the area - please feel free to ask!
I truly love this place! Great breakfast & lunch just a few blocks away. I highly recommend the huevos rancheros, big pancake, cobb salad & pork sandwich - but everything is delicious & the baked good are insane! Owners make a great effort to work with local farmers & makers. The market in the back has a very small but handy selection (eggs, milk, honey, chocolate, some produce, etc.). Large wine selection. Staff is super nice. Indoor & outdoor seating available.
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Five Points Market & Restaurant
756 S Stone AveI truly love this place! Great breakfast & lunch just a few blocks away. I highly recommend the huevos rancheros, big pancake, cobb salad & pork sandwich - but everything is delicious & the baked good are insane! Owners make a great effort to work with local farmers & makers. The market in the back has a very small but handy selection (eggs, milk, honey, chocolate, some produce, etc.). Large wine selection. Staff is super nice. Indoor & outdoor seating available.
Solid, traditional Tucson-style Mexican food with some more modern dishes available as well (including many vegan options). They are famous for their green corn tamales. I love their cheese crisps with green chilies. Good beer selection. Very close to the house - at night maybe a better drive than walk. Can be easy to miss - behind a Pawn shop & across from the Gloo Factory (print shop). Can get crowded & they do accept reservations for larger parties. Indoor seating only. I used to work for the family & grew up eating their food - wonderful folks.
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El Torero Restaurant
231 E 26th StSolid, traditional Tucson-style Mexican food with some more modern dishes available as well (including many vegan options). They are famous for their green corn tamales. I love their cheese crisps with green chilies. Good beer selection. Very close to the house - at night maybe a better drive than walk. Can be easy to miss - behind a Pawn shop & across from the Gloo Factory (print shop). Can get crowded & they do accept reservations for larger parties. Indoor seating only. I used to work for the family & grew up eating their food - wonderful folks.
Food truck with seating a few blocks away (corner of 22nd & 6th Ave)! My brother is a chef & makes amazing ceviche - but he says La Palma's is absolutely incredible. Outdoor seating only.
Cocteleria La Palma Mariscos Y Mas
1137 S 6th AveFood truck with seating a few blocks away (corner of 22nd & 6th Ave)! My brother is a chef & makes amazing ceviche - but he says La Palma's is absolutely incredible. Outdoor seating only.
Down to earth little place on the south side. Great birria, barbacoa, beans & pico de gallo (fruit cup with lime & chili powder). Super nice folks. Casual & inexpensive. Indoor seating only.
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Taqueria Pico De Gallo
2618 S 6th AveDown to earth little place on the south side. Great birria, barbacoa, beans & pico de gallo (fruit cup with lime & chili powder). Super nice folks. Casual & inexpensive. Indoor seating only.
Little Poca Cosa is one of my favorite restaurants in the world! It's a must if you can swing it - only open weekdays for lunch. Located downtown next to the library. I highly recommend trying their fresh juices & the Plato Poca Cosa (a chef's choice sampler of 3 items) or the 1/2 & 1/2 (you choose the dishes). Currently outdoor seating only.
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The Little One
151 North Stone AvenueLittle Poca Cosa is one of my favorite restaurants in the world! It's a must if you can swing it - only open weekdays for lunch. Located downtown next to the library. I highly recommend trying their fresh juices & the Plato Poca Cosa (a chef's choice sampler of 3 items) or the 1/2 & 1/2 (you choose the dishes). Currently outdoor seating only.
There’s often a line (which usually moves fast). Fairly affordable, and you can sit on the patio at the Mercado, which is pretty lovely. If you'd like an alcoholic beverage, you can order from the other restaurant/coffee shop attached to the square. Super kid & dog friendly.
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Seis Kitchen
1765 E River RdThere’s often a line (which usually moves fast). Fairly affordable, and you can sit on the patio at the Mercado, which is pretty lovely. If you'd like an alcoholic beverage, you can order from the other restaurant/coffee shop attached to the square. Super kid & dog friendly.
Anita Street will likely redefine the flour tortilla for you. Homemade & mind blowing. If you've only ever had a store-bought tortilla - then you've never had a real one! My favorite bean & cheese burro in town. Small, old little market in a slightly hidden neighborhood (Barrio Anita) just north of downtown. Breakfast & lunch only. They have an outdoor garden if you'd like to sit & eat. Also great for take out. There are often lines - please be patient.
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Anita Street Market
849 N Anita AveAnita Street will likely redefine the flour tortilla for you. Homemade & mind blowing. If you've only ever had a store-bought tortilla - then you've never had a real one! My favorite bean & cheese burro in town. Small, old little market in a slightly hidden neighborhood (Barrio Anita) just north of downtown. Breakfast & lunch only. They have an outdoor garden if you'd like to sit & eat. Also great for take out. There are often lines - please be patient.
The Cup has good food & is open breakfast, lunch & dinner. However, I am mostly recommending for the historic ambience - and since you need to visit the hotel anyway at some point - you might as well stop here :). I love the interior, but the patio can also be lovely. Sunday brunch gets insanely crowded - I think because they have a bloody mary bar.
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Cup Cafe
311 E Congress StThe Cup has good food & is open breakfast, lunch & dinner. However, I am mostly recommending for the historic ambience - and since you need to visit the hotel anyway at some point - you might as well stop here :). I love the interior, but the patio can also be lovely. Sunday brunch gets insanely crowded - I think because they have a bloody mary bar.
Amazing - albeit fancy & expensive - chocolates! A great present to take home as they often include interesting local ingredients. Good coffee & drinks.
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Monsoon Chocolate
234 E 22nd StAmazing - albeit fancy & expensive - chocolates! A great present to take home as they often include interesting local ingredients. Good coffee & drinks.
Time Market has great sandwiches, pizza, & house baked bread. There's a market with most staples, produce, etc. plus a great beer & wine selection. Close to the U of A so it can get crowded - but worth the lines. Nice place to chill for lunch or just a beverage. Indoor & outdoor seating available.
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Time Market
444 E University BlvdTime Market has great sandwiches, pizza, & house baked bread. There's a market with most staples, produce, etc. plus a great beer & wine selection. Close to the U of A so it can get crowded - but worth the lines. Nice place to chill for lunch or just a beverage. Indoor & outdoor seating available.
Solid Ethiopian food, BYOB, super nice folks & in walking distance (next to 5 Points). Open for lunch & dinner. Indoor seating.
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Cafe Desta
758 S Stone AveSolid Ethiopian food, BYOB, super nice folks & in walking distance (next to 5 Points). Open for lunch & dinner. Indoor seating.
The Coronet just reopened in the former Cushing St Bar & Restaurant. Beautiful historic building. A bit pricey. Great cocktails. Friendly place. The bar is a nice place to go if you're on your own & want to grab a drink, & maybe have a chat. They often have live music. A beautiful walk through Barrio Viejo from the house. You might also visit the El Tiradito wishing shrine around the corner.
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The Coronet
198 W Cushing StThe Coronet just reopened in the former Cushing St Bar & Restaurant. Beautiful historic building. A bit pricey. Great cocktails. Friendly place. The bar is a nice place to go if you're on your own & want to grab a drink, & maybe have a chat. They often have live music. A beautiful walk through Barrio Viejo from the house. You might also visit the El Tiradito wishing shrine around the corner.
Eegee's is a local favorite for sure. I am not sure how magical it might be to non-Tucsonans - but it's worth a try, especially on a very hot day. Locally owned fast food chain with fairly good subs & great fries. But the main thing is the icy drink called the Eegee's, which is a flavored finely ground icy of sorts. I mean, it's hard to capture in words - it really just needs to be experienced on a 100+ degree day. I recommend starting with the classic lemon flavor - has real bits of lemon rind - delicious! Good for take out.
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Eegee's
2510 E Speedway BlvdEegee's is a local favorite for sure. I am not sure how magical it might be to non-Tucsonans - but it's worth a try, especially on a very hot day. Locally owned fast food chain with fairly good subs & great fries. But the main thing is the icy drink called the Eegee's, which is a flavored finely ground icy of sorts. I mean, it's hard to capture in words - it really just needs to be experienced on a 100+ degree day. I recommend starting with the classic lemon flavor - has real bits of lemon rind - delicious! Good for take out.
Delicious & affordable food at the MSA Annex. Order at the window & pick-up when you're called. If a lantern is hanging, then ramen is available. Seating is all outside at the Annex (when it's temperate - maybe hellish in the summer?). You might catch a nice view of A Mountain & maybe live music. Grab beer or wine at Tap & Bottle's Westbound open air bar next door. The Annex is a stylish rusted metal shipping container village deal with lots of ridiculous fancy shops, which you can enjoy or totally ignore (I usually do the latter but some cool stuff in there). Entire complex is outdoor seating.
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KUKAI
267 South Avenida del ConventoDelicious & affordable food at the MSA Annex. Order at the window & pick-up when you're called. If a lantern is hanging, then ramen is available. Seating is all outside at the Annex (when it's temperate - maybe hellish in the summer?). You might catch a nice view of A Mountain & maybe live music. Grab beer or wine at Tap & Bottle's Westbound open air bar next door. The Annex is a stylish rusted metal shipping container village deal with lots of ridiculous fancy shops, which you can enjoy or totally ignore (I usually do the latter but some cool stuff in there). Entire complex is outdoor seating.
100% vegan comfort food. Really good & creative burgers. Great fries. The cauliflower bites are somehow maybe better than wings?! Ruben is delicious. Outdoor seating at the MSA Annex, so alcoholic beverages at Tap & Bottle & other food options available.
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Beaut Burger
267 South Avenida del Convento100% vegan comfort food. Really good & creative burgers. Great fries. The cauliflower bites are somehow maybe better than wings?! Ruben is delicious. Outdoor seating at the MSA Annex, so alcoholic beverages at Tap & Bottle & other food options available.
I'm adding this restaurant because they have well-spaced outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Good food but a bit pricey for Tucson and not super "Tucsony" - so more adding as a good dining option during COVID.
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Agustin Kitchen
100 South Avenida del ConventoI'm adding this restaurant because they have well-spaced outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard. Good food but a bit pricey for Tucson and not super "Tucsony" - so more adding as a good dining option during COVID.
Their green salsa is insanely good. This place is also all about cheese. I recommend ordering the sizling melted cheese appetizer, served with homemade torillas. I absolutely love their tortilla soup (more cheese!). Lots of hefty portion traditional main dishes - usually covered in melted cheese! Needless to say this was a childhood favorite. It can be loud & crowded. Good for families. I haven't been to the one on Oracle (just Speedway), but Oracle location is closer.
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La Parrilla Suiza
5602 E Speedway BlvdTheir green salsa is insanely good. This place is also all about cheese. I recommend ordering the sizling melted cheese appetizer, served with homemade torillas. I absolutely love their tortilla soup (more cheese!). Lots of hefty portion traditional main dishes - usually covered in melted cheese! Needless to say this was a childhood favorite. It can be loud & crowded. Good for families. I haven't been to the one on Oracle (just Speedway), but Oracle location is closer.
Great pizza & salad just north of downtown. Close to Historic 4th Ave, so a good place to stop if you're out & about. Next to Crooked Tooth brewery.
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ANELLO
222 E 6th StGreat pizza & salad just north of downtown. Close to Historic 4th Ave, so a good place to stop if you're out & about. Next to Crooked Tooth brewery.
Sweet little coffee shop close by in Barrio Viejo. Indoor & outdoor seating. Now open some evenings with excellent mezcal offerings.
Exo Roast Co.
196 West Simpson StreetSweet little coffee shop close by in Barrio Viejo. Indoor & outdoor seating. Now open some evenings with excellent mezcal offerings.
Holy moly the pasta is amazing! The gelato looks spectacular but haven’t been able to try it yet. The street was recently closed off, so there’s outdoor seating with some umbrella shade - but seating may also be available in the lovely Old Town Artisans courtyard (which also has a restaurant). Historic neighborhood & a block from the art museum.
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CERES Pasta
77 West Washington StreetHoly moly the pasta is amazing! The gelato looks spectacular but haven’t been able to try it yet. The street was recently closed off, so there’s outdoor seating with some umbrella shade - but seating may also be available in the lovely Old Town Artisans courtyard (which also has a restaurant). Historic neighborhood & a block from the art museum.
I haven’t been able to try it yet, but my brother Kyle says it’s great & it’s a local favorite.
El Antojo Poblano en Tucson
1108 West Saint Marys RoadI haven’t been able to try it yet, but my brother Kyle says it’s great & it’s a local favorite.
This is attached to The Coronet (same owners). A really nice place for breakfast or lunch & the all outdoor seating is lovely.
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Meyer Avenue Cafe
353 South Meyer AvenueThis is attached to The Coronet (same owners). A really nice place for breakfast or lunch & the all outdoor seating is lovely.
Super friendly place, great fresh juices & lots of creative vegan options, along with more traditional meat Mexican dishes.
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La Chaiteria
1002 W Congress StSuper friendly place, great fresh juices & lots of creative vegan options, along with more traditional meat Mexican dishes.
I've only been here once - but it was delicious! Great place to try some innovative Mexican food if you're on 4th Ave.
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BOCA Tacos Y Tequila
533 N 4th AveI've only been here once - but it was delicious! Great place to try some innovative Mexican food if you're on 4th Ave.
Art & Culture
*It's hard to sum it up - this is about my #1 place to visit in the area.
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Mission San Xavier del Bac
1950 W San Xavier Rd*It's hard to sum it up - this is about my #1 place to visit in the area.
*Not your regular zoo! Animals are in their natural habitat & generally have quite a bit of space. Beautiful drive and place to spend a day - especially in the more temperate months. Definitely bring sunscreen.
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Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd*Not your regular zoo! Animals are in their natural habitat & generally have quite a bit of space. Beautiful drive and place to spend a day - especially in the more temperate months. Definitely bring sunscreen.
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
140 N Main AveZentrum für kreative Fotografie
1030 N Olive RdThe Loft Cinema
3233 E Speedway BlvdEtherton Gallery
340 S Convent AveEl Tiradito Wishing Shrine
418 S Main Ave*The side of this building has one of the most amazing murals in Tucson. A good guide to Tucson murals: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/muralmap/
But also, Benjamin Plumbing is locally owned, the staff is super nice, & it's actually really fun. Go for the mural, but stay for the toilets (there's a bejeweled toilet seat in there!).
Benjamin Plumbing Supply
440 N 7th Ave*The side of this building has one of the most amazing murals in Tucson. A good guide to Tucson murals: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/muralmap/
But also, Benjamin Plumbing is locally owned, the staff is super nice, & it's actually really fun. Go for the mural, but stay for the toilets (there's a bejeweled toilet seat in there!).
Even if you don’t go for music, a drink at The Tap Room or a meal at The Cup - it’s worth stopping in just to see the interior of this historic hotel.
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Hotel Congress
311 E Congress StEven if you don’t go for music, a drink at The Tap Room or a meal at The Cup - it’s worth stopping in just to see the interior of this historic hotel.
Children's Museum Tucson
200 S 6th AveNeighborhoods
Barrio Viejo
Armory Park
Historic Fourth Avenue
The loop is huge! I usually just join it straight west of the house. It's a nice in-town walk or bike ride & close to the MSA Annex if you'd like coffee or food. The Santa Cruz River might not be what non-desert-dwellers would consider a river?...it's kind of a trickle most of the time. Nonetheless, it's important to us Tucsonans, including wildlife.
https://www.webcms.pima.gov/government/the_loop/
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The Loop - Santa Cruz River
Santa Cruz River ParkThe loop is huge! I usually just join it straight west of the house. It's a nice in-town walk or bike ride & close to the MSA Annex if you'd like coffee or food. The Santa Cruz River might not be what non-desert-dwellers would consider a river?...it's kind of a trickle most of the time. Nonetheless, it's important to us Tucsonans, including wildlife.
https://www.webcms.pima.gov/government/the_loop/
Hiking, Nature & Road Trips
A short drive from the house & within the city. This is a challenging cardio workout (for me at least, but that's probably not saying much). Some beautiful views & nature, but also very popular & crowded. If you are walking alone this is an excellent option.
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Tumamoc Hill
A short drive from the house & within the city. This is a challenging cardio workout (for me at least, but that's probably not saying much). Some beautiful views & nature, but also very popular & crowded. If you are walking alone this is an excellent option.
This is my favorite hike! Mellow but a good walk. Close to the city (maybe even in the city limits) but you somehow feel far away. Stunning view & beautiful stands of sahuaros. I've seen all kinds of wildlife out there! You can hike to the old homestead to rest, and keep going (will get steeper) or a good place to turn around if you want to stay mellow.
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David Yetman West Trailhead
6475 W Gates Pass RdThis is my favorite hike! Mellow but a good walk. Close to the city (maybe even in the city limits) but you somehow feel far away. Stunning view & beautiful stands of sahuaros. I've seen all kinds of wildlife out there! You can hike to the old homestead to rest, and keep going (will get steeper) or a good place to turn around if you want to stay mellow.
Saguaro National Park West
Saguaro National Park East
Mount Lemmon
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
5700 North Sabino Canyon RoadBisbee
The drive down (once off I-10) is so beautiful! Patagonia is a cute little town. The area is a big draw for birders. I recommend having a beer at The Wagon Wheel.
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Patagonia
The drive down (once off I-10) is so beautiful! Patagonia is a cute little town. The area is a big draw for birders. I recommend having a beer at The Wagon Wheel.
Tohono Chul
7366 N Paseo Del NorteGates Pass Scenic Lookout
7799 W Gates Pass RdShopping
Arte de la Vida
37 N Tucson BlvdNative Seeds/SEARCH Retail Store
3061 North Campbell AvenuePop Cycle
422 N 4th AveHow Sweet It Was Vintage
424 E 6th StMast
100 South Avenida del ConventoAntigone Books
411 N 4th AveOld Town Artisans
201 N Court AveMSA Annex
267 South Avenida del Convento
Arizona Poppy
150 South 4th AvenueWooden Tooth Records
426 E 7th StOld Paint Records
76 West Washington StreetBhava Wellness Shop + Healing Services
439 N 6th AveNightlife, Breweries, Bars & Music
Just a few blocks away! The hotel has a nice lounge & restaurant (believe it's called the Red Light Lounge) with indoor & outdoor seating.
The Downtown Clifton Hotel Tucson
485 S Stone AveJust a few blocks away! The hotel has a nice lounge & restaurant (believe it's called the Red Light Lounge) with indoor & outdoor seating.
Located in historic Hotel Congress, which is a must. A classic - but personally I prefer to go during the day as sometimes the nights can be a little obnoxious. Also if you're lucky you can catch Tiger bartending (days only). Sweet little outdoor patio to look at the sky & listen to the trains. The club also has lots of great live shows.
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Congress Tap Room
311 E Congress StLocated in historic Hotel Congress, which is a must. A classic - but personally I prefer to go during the day as sometimes the nights can be a little obnoxious. Also if you're lucky you can catch Tiger bartending (days only). Sweet little outdoor patio to look at the sky & listen to the trains. The club also has lots of great live shows.
Very close local spot over in the warehouse area east of Armory Park. Nice walk. Just standard bar fare & locally brewed beer. But it's nice to sit out on the porch & watch the trains go by + nice views. Seems to be a local favorite. One of the 1st local breweries.
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Barrio Brewing Co
800 E 16th StVery close local spot over in the warehouse area east of Armory Park. Nice walk. Just standard bar fare & locally brewed beer. But it's nice to sit out on the porch & watch the trains go by + nice views. Seems to be a local favorite. One of the 1st local breweries.
This isn't my personal favorite as it gets a bit loud & crowded - but many people do love it. You can generally catch some good local, live music (usually Thursdays). Cool old building next to Exo Roast. Huge beer & good wine selection.
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Tap & Bottle - Downtown
403 N 6th AveThis isn't my personal favorite as it gets a bit loud & crowded - but many people do love it. You can generally catch some good local, live music (usually Thursdays). Cool old building next to Exo Roast. Huge beer & good wine selection.
Pretty much my favorite local spot. A few blocks south of the house. At night best to take a car or bike as the walk there can get a little funky. Good place to catch live music outside or play pool.
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Saint Charles Tavern
1632 S 4th AvePretty much my favorite local spot. A few blocks south of the house. At night best to take a car or bike as the walk there can get a little funky. Good place to catch live music outside or play pool.
My favorite dive bar - probably in the world. A Tucson legend that opens at 6am and smells faintly of a urinal cake. Great characters at the bar and usually behind it. Overall good vibe, jukebox, & pool table, + lots of graffiti. I used to eat hot dogs here, but I wouldn't recommend it :).
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Buffet Bar & Crockpot
538 E 9th StMy favorite dive bar - probably in the world. A Tucson legend that opens at 6am and smells faintly of a urinal cake. Great characters at the bar and usually behind it. Overall good vibe, jukebox, & pool table, + lots of graffiti. I used to eat hot dogs here, but I wouldn't recommend it :).
They now have a huge outdoor space. It’s in an old mortuary & as much as I hate to lose an old school mortuary downtown…I gotta admit it’s a very cool looking place. Have heard good music here.
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Owls Club
236 S Scott AveThey now have a huge outdoor space. It’s in an old mortuary & as much as I hate to lose an old school mortuary downtown…I gotta admit it’s a very cool looking place. Have heard good music here.
A nice place to sit outside & listen to live music. I don't love their food, but it's just fine. Good after shopping at Old Town Artisans, a visit to the Tucson Museum of Art, or just walking around the El Presidio neighborhood.
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LaCo Tucson | Outdoor Downtown Tucson Restaurant
76 N Court AveA nice place to sit outside & listen to live music. I don't love their food, but it's just fine. Good after shopping at Old Town Artisans, a visit to the Tucson Museum of Art, or just walking around the El Presidio neighborhood.
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
115 E Broadway BlvdThe Royal Room
450 N 6th AveCrooked Tooth Brewing Co.
228 E 6th StSuper close to the house, huge outdoor space & great vegan diner-car food out front.
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Motosonora Brewing Co
1015 S Park AveSuper close to the house, huge outdoor space & great vegan diner-car food out front.
I love this cozy place. Most of downtown has become pretty obnoxious but you can sneak in to The Good Oak & get a reprieve. Good bar food. Across from the Congress Hotel & sandwiched between the Rialto & some super gross bars.
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Good Oak Bar
316 E Congress StI love this cozy place. Most of downtown has become pretty obnoxious but you can sneak in to The Good Oak & get a reprieve. Good bar food. Across from the Congress Hotel & sandwiched between the Rialto & some super gross bars.
Groceries & Essentials
Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market
11 S 6th AveFood Conspiracy Co-op
412 N 4th AveWalgreens
3200 E Speedway BlvdGarcia Cleaners & Shirt Laundry
205 E 22nd StA block south!
Family owned place that’s been around for ages & located just a few blocks from the house. Really good beer & liquor selection & not bad for wine either.
Roy's Corner Liquor
647 S 6th AveFamily owned place that’s been around for ages & located just a few blocks from the house. Really good beer & liquor selection & not bad for wine either.
Midtown Liquor & Deli
339 S Stone Ave