Among the quirky shops, happening bars, historic architecture, and lively yet relaxed vibe that makes downtown Tucson, AZ so unique, you'll have no trouble finding a restaurant to satisfy your current cravings. After you enjoy your meal, take care of some shopping, grab a cocktail, or catch a live band at one of Tucson's many downtown music venues.
The Little One
Among all the mouth-watering Mexican food restaurants in downtown Tucson, few are as storied as The Little One. Named for being the smaller sibling restaurant to the now-closed Café Poca Cosa, The Little One is Tucsonan’s go-to for authentically Mexican meals and welcoming service at reasonable prices.
We cannot express enough how special this restaurant is to Tucson. Stop in for breakfast or lunch, Monday through Friday, for a Mexican food experience like none other.
Maynards Market & Kitchen
In downtown Tucson's historic train depot, you'll find a charming restaurant that brings the community together through delicious food and wine. With a focus on regional ingredients, Maynards offers a seasonally inspired monthly menu for a truly authentic night of dining. Maynards has mastered the art of pairing local produce with global techniques to deliver a modern take on the Sonoran Desert's regional offerings.
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink
Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink are like three top-notch venues rolled into one. First, you have a traditional dining area in an elegant historical setting. Here you can order creative salads, made in-house pasta, pizza so tasty that it should be illegal, delicious desserts, and more.
Then there's the Downtown Beer Garden out back. Choose between indoor or outdoor seating and take advantage of 28 rotating tap beers and eight tap wines. The beer garden uses communal-style tables, leading to great conversations between your party and those nearby.
Finally, you'll want to check out the Tough Luck Club, a mysterious speakeasy-style bar located in the basement.
Cup Cafe
Tucked inside the famed Hotel Congress, Cup Cafe in Hotel Congress serves upscale comfort food in a mesmerizing historical venue. The award-winning food ranges from breakfast with a Sonoran Desert twist to well-thought-out sandwiches to romantic dining offerings and unrivaled desserts produced in-house daily.
BATA
BATA is a unique small-plate dining experience that focuses on fire-grilling. 90% of their offerings are sourced within a 400-mile range, though most of their product comes from much closer. With a mainly vegetable-focused menu, they rotate proteins, emphasizing pork and fish. Each dish has at least one element cooked using an oak-fueled fire. What makes BATA even more exciting is what you loved one day may not be on the menu the next. This creates a unique dining experience for adventurous guests who are always open to trying something new.
Metered parking is available for the restaurants listed above, and garage parking is nearby in the Pennington Street Garage at 110 E Pennington St.
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