City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 882-8013

Address: 820 E. University Blvd.

Description: Pasco is a culinary oasis located on busy University Boulevard amid breweries and pizza joints. The best seats in the house are on the side patios around the quiet, peaceful Geronimo Plaza. The small menu features well-thought-out and -executed dishes all the way from appetizer to dessert. Most ingredients are locally sourced, including grass-fed meats. The Asian salad is a tasty toss of mizuna greens, fresh orange segments and crunchy wontons with a toasty sesame dressing. Most of the menu items are offered in half portions so you can try lots of things. Leave room for dessert, because the chocolate-filled beignets should not be missed. Pasco attracts a pre- and post-theater crowd and lots of foodies from all over town.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 795-0338

Address: 730 E. Speedway Blvd.

Description: A popular roosting spot for UA grad students, Bentley’s is a comfy place for singles or families with kids. Lots of tables, lights, and plug-ins make it great for work; a kids’ play area is fun for the younger set. An eclectic menu includes bagels, salads, baked potatoes, soups, and a large selection of coffee drinks, teas, chai, and more. Bentley’s is open daily until 8 p.m..

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 622-3303

Address: 5185 N. Genematas Dr

Description: Looking for some respite during a busy day? How about a cup of soothing tea and a bite to eat? Chantilly is the place. This charming little boîte offers lunch, luncheon teas, and a full afternoon tea Tues through Sat from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Salads, soup, quiche, and a full selection of specialty teas and desserts are offered here. Reservations are strongly suggested. Open Tues through Sat.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 624-6844

Address: 745 N. 4th Ave.

Description: Located on the corner of 4th Avenue and University Boulevard, the Epic has been named the “best cafe for everything” by readers of Tucson Weekly.In addition to lattes, espresso, and other coffee drinks, the Epic has an eclectic array of food from soup to nuts, with lots of vegan and vegetarian-friendly choices. Desserts are changed frequently and are always the perfect way to end a meal here.The Epic is open 6 a.m. to midnight daily. Parking can be found on 4th Avenue or University Boulevard.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 293-6050

Address: 990 W. River Rd.

Description: This friendly little coffeehouse is located in a shopping center on the west side of town. If you love the Beatles, you will be at home here. Owner Jen MacDonald has papered the walls with Beatles memorabilia and it spills over onto the menu. Sandwiches, salads, drinks, and desserts are all named after Beatles songs and lyrics—see if you can recognize them all. Live music happens Thursday, Friday, and select Saturdays. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 749-3903

Address: 9121 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #125

Description: Without a doubt, Le Buzz has some of the best pastries in Tucson. This tiny cafe is popular with the bicycling crowd, eager to fill up on carbs after cycling Mount Lemmon, and after you eat here you’ll see why. Flaky fruit tarts, buttery croissants, crumbly scones, and giant frosted cinnamon rolls are just some of the delicious goodies to come out of the kitchen. They also offer a full breakfast menu, light lunch, and dinner on select evenings. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 320-5203

Address: 2458 N. Campbell Ave.

Description: Great coffee and terrific homemade desserts make this tiny coffee shop popular. You’ll find lots of people hunched over computers or reading one of the many complimentary newspapers stacked around the place. They use only shade-grown coffee beans to brew up deep, dark, rich java. Non–coffee drinkers will find chai, herbal teas, and Italian sodas on the menu, too. The espresso brownies are the best in town. There’s a tiny outdoor seating area. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 624-4411

Address: 415 N. 4th Ave.

Insider Pick:

Description: If you’re looking to rest after shopping 4th Avenue (see the Shopping chapter), head on in to Sabine’s. The cozy coffee shop offers several inside seating areas (all with Wi-Fi) and 2 lovely outdoor patios. All the food here is homemade. Owner Sabine Blaes, originally from Germany, brings a passion for pastry and good coffee to 4th Avenue java lovers. Coffee drinks of all kinds and flavors are extremely popular here, as are vegan and vegetarian-friendly sandwiches and salads. Don’t pass up a slab of Sabine’s Black Forest cake—it’s her family recipe. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 881-4072

Address: 2516 E. 6th Ave.

Description: Tea lovers will adore this beautiful oasis on busy 6th Avenue. The dark wood lacquer tables were hand-carved in China, and soft lighting comes from Chinese lanterns—a perfect setting to unwind from a hectic day and sip some wonderful teas. And this place is serious about tea. They import numerous varieties directly from China and prepare them in traditional ways—no dipping the tea bag in hot water here. Loose, fresh tea leaves are steeped slowly for full flavor and body by a certified Chinese tea master. Open daily.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 298-7188

Address: 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

Description: An innovative mix of New American and Southwestern cooking makes the Dakota a favorite Trail Dust Town dining spot (see the Shopping chapter). Colorful walls are decorated with paintings by local artists, a heavy wooden bar adds a touch of the past, and the small dining room is divided into two areas, which add coziness to the modern atmosphere. You can also dine on the patio. The menu always features a fish of the day as well as appetizers, soups, and salads. The restaurant has a full bar, and espresso and desserts are prepared on the premises daily.Dress is casual. Lunch and dinner are served Mon through Sat, brunch on Sun. Catering is available. Parking can be found on the perimeter at Trail Dust Town.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 135 S. 6th Ave.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 529-7936

Address: 7000 N. Resort Dr.

Insider Pick:

Description: A lovely spot in the Catalina foothills, the outdoor patio looks over the golf course, waterfall, and mountains. The indoor seating area features a super bar, comfy chairs, and a fireplace. Don’t miss the tableside guacamole, prepared by “guac-amolieres” who expertly fillet fresh avocados and combine them with your favorite ingredients (onion, garlic, jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro) in a giant volcanic rock molcajete. Best eaten with the signature frozen prickly pear margarita.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Address: 47 N. Scott Ave.

City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (520) 299-1501

Address: 5601 Hacienda del Sol Rd.

Description: Continental cuisine, elegant Spanish colonial decor, and panoramic views of Tucson and the Catalina Mountains are the hallmarks of this award-winning restaurant. The seasonal menu features classic dishes with a Southwestern flair. The chef’s tasting menu will give you a terrific sense of it all. Tapas are also served at the bar and patio dining areas. And don’t miss the amazing desserts.A terrific Sunday brunch offers fresh-baked pastries, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice, and coffee or tea served with a buffet with carving stations and an omelet bar. Enjoy dinner in the dining room or at the patio bar Terraza del Sol, with its great view of the sunset. Dinner is offered daily, and brunch is served on Sun starting at 9:30 a.m.