Below are a few spots around Southern Arizona were we liked to go when we lived there. By its very nature, this list is highly biased, very subjective, and work in progress. I left Tucson in 2017, and things have probably changed a lot during the pandemic. I.e., this list is most liekly obsolete.

Coffee Spots

  • Raging Sage  @ Campbell & Grant
    Excellent (stronger) coffee, and best cake in Tucson. My favourite in town.
  • Village Bakehouse  @ Oracle & Magee
    A small bakery with good coffee, excellent pastries, sandwiches and soup. We have not yet been able to sample all offerings.
  • Savaya coffee  @ Various Locations in Tucson.
    For my taste,  the very best coffee in Tucson. Quite expensive, but worth it.
  • Bentley's house of coffee and tee @ Campbell & Speedway
    I get my lunch there often as it is close to work. A great place for excellent coffee, sandwiches, and soup, and the people are very friendly.
  • Whole Foods  @ Various Locations in Tucson
    We often pick up a coffee at Whole Foods in Tucson. This is much better than the diluted coffee you get at other coffee chains.

If everything else fails, there is always Starbucks, of course.

Dining

  • Zayna Mediterranean  @ Alvernon & Speedway
    A small lunch / dining place with superb food. A must-try are the home made potato fries with lemon juice. Parking can be a pain.
  • Curry Leaf @ Grant & Tucson
    A small Indian restaurant that serves dosa. Food was good, and service was very firendly.
  • Brushfire @ Campbell & Glenn
    Tucson BBQ - excellent food and friendly people.
  • Greek House  @ Campbell & Speedway
    My other go to place for lunch while at work. Good greek fast food paired with friendly people.
  • Pappoule's @ Tucson Foothills Mall
    Our other go to place for a fast greek dinner. Good food and also friendly people.
  • Cafe Tremolo @ Tucson Foothills Mall
    This is a place that serves really, really, good straight-forward food.
  • Cafe Poca Cosa Tucson Downtown
    Excellent high-end Mexican food. Not cheap, but worth it.
  • Wild Garlic Grill @ 1st & Grant
    They call it "California French Accent Cuisine", but I think it is a nice place for dining.
  • Cafe Francais @ Swan & Glenn
    Tugged away in the Plaza Palomino shopping center, this is a very nice french cafe / restaurant and bakery. We like it a lot.

Brunch

  • Prep & Pastry  @ Campbell & Hedrick
    Very good food. A bit focussed on alcohol.
  • Ghinis French Cafe  @ Campbell & Ft Lowell
    Very nice for breakfast or early lunch. The associated bakery is one of the best in Tucson.

Outdoors