10 Must-Try Breakfast Restaurants in Tucson

When summer in the Sonoran desert rolls around each year, bringing with it blazing sunshine and oftentimes triple digit heat, the morning is your friend. I quickly learned this after moving to this gorgeous, but sometimes outrageously hot area. On any summertime visit to Tucson, you will quickly learn to take advantage of the (slightly) cooler morning temperatures. As you will likely be out and about much earlier that you are accustomed to, you will want to know the best places in the city for a great breakfast.

As a resident for 2+ years, I have discovered my favorite local gems to enjoy across “The Old Pueblo.” From the most delicious tacos, to baked eggs, to Huevos rancheros, here are a few of my top picks across town. I’ve also included a great attraction nearby to cut down on some of your driving time.

1. Seis Kitchen

Tucson is known for its’ wonderful array of local Mexican dining establishments. The city is home to “the best 23 miles of Mexican food in the country.” Seis Kitchen is a great place to start your dining journey. I have tried so many different restaurants and this is the one I come back to most often. Here you will find authentic, affordable Mexican street food – there is no better choice in the city. The make everything in house including the salsa and tortillas.

The cafe is located inside the beautiful Mercado San Agustin, an attractive Southwestern style open air shopping & dining market. Several new locations recently opened including one in suburban Oro Valley.

This is one of my favorite places for a relaxing meal after a long bike ride or hike. The casual ambiance makes it a great pick post workout. There is plenty of shady here, and thus, it’s one of the few outdoor dining areas which is still bearable on hot summer mornings.

The menu is long & diverse, featuring cuisine from 6 regions of Mexico. You really cannot go wrong with any of the Breakfast Tacos (I love the Chili Verde Con Papas). In terms of nice outdoor patios, Mercado is my top pick thanks to the abundance of shady leafy trees.

The best part of all is that there is a great local coffee shop in the courtyard (Presta), so you can enjoy a delicious cappuccino, mocha, or regular cup of joe alongside your tacos.

Location: 100 South Avenida del Convento suite 200. Opens at 8am, 7 days a week

What to do nearby: Hike the gorgeous Hidden Canyon Bowen trail, located at the secluded JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. This trail is quiet, free, & loaded with incredible views of the mountains. Bonus: I’ve seen several bobcats here!

2. Cafe a La C’Art

Cafe a La C’Art is a fantastic restaurant on the grounds of the Tucson Museum of Art. Food & Wine Magazine recently ranked it as one of the top 10 museum restaurants in the country. The food itself is delicious, and the menu creative. The Cafe is one my top picks, moreso if you are already heading downtown for another activity. This is my go-to choice before visiting the art museum and occasionally before seeing an early show at the Fox Theater.

The pretty garden patio, high quality food, and excellent food presentation make it the perfect place for a weekend brunch date. The cafe is even more romantic at night with pretty lights strung up in the garden.

The Market Skillet is the absolute must try here, although there are plenty of enticing options to try out. Recent brunch selections include: grilled breakfast burrito, southwestern eggs benedict, and chilaquiles. The dessert display is quite tempting – I wouldn’t leave without trying a homemade pastry.

Location: 150 N Main Ave. Opens at 8am Sat & Sun (10am Wed-Fri). Closed Mon & Tuesday.

What to do nearby: Check out the Museum of Art. The collection is pretty impressive for such a small city.

3. The Coronet

The Coronet is an upscale European restaurant just outside of downtown. This is definitely my top pick in town if you consider yourself a foodie. This upscale cafe offers the most eclectic variety of brunch fare. Coronet works with numerous local companies including Barrio Bread, the best local bakery, and Caffe Luce, a popular coffee roaster.

The presentation, service, and ambiance are always top notch, making this cafe the perfect choice for a romantic brunch date. Two great entrees we tried recently included: Eggs Hominy and Eggs Florentine.

Location: 402 E 9th St. Open at 7am, 7 days a week. Update: The new cafe is located at 353 S. Meyer. Also, there is a dinner only restaurant located at: 198 W. Cushing St.

What to do nearby: Pick up a loaf of bread at the best bakery in the city: Barrio. Seriously, I never tasted better bread in my life. Yes, there is always a long line and yes, it’s worth it!

4. Welcome Diner

Welcome Diner is a great local restaurant, which serves up comfort food in a charming revamped 50’s style setting. This is one of those places I come back to time and time again. I love the food and the eclectic ambinance. The secret is out and more and more people are discovering this local gem, so expect a lengthy wait on any given weekend.

While the food takes forever, it’s definitely worth the wait. They work with a bunch of local companies including Barrio Bread (the best bakery in town), Presta Coffee (one of the top roasters in town), farmer’s markets, and more. Everything is fresh and delicious here, especially the biscuits. The hash browns are so perfectly cooked: the best I’ve ever tasted.

As far as entrees go, you will find a mix of traditional, contemporary, and Southwestern style sections. I highly recommend my personal favorite, the Roasted Vegetables dish. This wonderful vegetarian option consists of 2 eggs your way, sauteed with all types of veggies, cotija cheese, topped with fresh salsa, and served alongside hand pressed corn tortillas and the best hash browns in town.

Location: 902 E Broadway Blvd.

What to do nearby: Take the Tumamoc challenge. This challenging steep 1.5 mile trail is so incredible. You’ll get the best workout and get to enjoy some breathtaking mountain scenery.

5. Tohono Chul Garden Bistro

Like Cafe a la C’Art, The Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul also offers an incredible patio dining space. This is what I love most about dining in this city; there are so many beautiful places to enjoy a meal. In an area where heavy tree coverage is not the norm, a lush garden patio comes in as a real treat. In fact, you may even forget you are in the desert. Brunch here really feels like a mini trip to a tropical oasis.

With lush plants all around you and birds chirping, it’s just such a great natural setting for a laid-back brunch experience. We often dine here for special occasions because it is so nice.

The food here also is not too shabby, with more than the standard breakfast fare offered, including the most delicious homemade Quiche of the Day. Recent menu highlights include: Blueberry french toast, veggie blue corn tamales, and a garden bistro skillet.

As an added bonus, the service here is amongst the best in the city. The gorgeous setting justifies the higher pricing in my experience. In terms of overall dining experience (ambiance, food, and service), this garden cafe is one of the winners.

Location: 7366 N Paseo Del Norte. Opens at 8am, 7 days a week.

What to do nearby: Stroll around the gorgeous gardens. Most of the time I prefer enjoying all the wonderful free hiking options around the city, although this is a great choice for new visitors.