Attraction of the Week: Mercado San Agustin in Tucson
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Mercado San Agustin, a beautiful open air courtyard, is the place to go in Tucson for a leisurely weekend brunch. The plaza is home to a number of local businesses including several great authentic Mexican bakeries, an award-winning taco stand, and a wonderful local coffee shop. I love supporting local businesses and there are a lot of great ones all conveniently located within this marketplace. It’s nice to park once and enjoy a great coffee and breakfast all in the same place.
Best of all, there is even a bit of shade here so you can enjoy a leisurely al fresco brunch experience anytime of the year. I’ve had no problem sitting outside here even on the hottest summer mornings.
The relaxed vibe and fresh local offerings really compliment the natural setting of the city. I love dining here prior to a beautiful hike in the desert. While living in the city, this was my go to spot for some tasty tacos and strong coffee before hiking Tumamoc Hill or the underrated Bowen Hidden Canyon at the JW Starr Pass Resort.
Tucson’s best breakfast tacos!
While vacationing here, you will definitely want to feast on some breakfast tacos. Seis is an award-winning Mexican restaurant which serves delicious, authentic street food. Featuring handmade tortillas and homemade fire roasted salsa, you cannot afford to miss out on the best breakfast in “The Old Pueblo.”
Oftentimes, early in the morning, we would see the chillis being roasted. The menu is inspired by the 6 culinary regions of Mexico, so there is something interesting for everyone to try. As a bonus, Seis partners with many local companies and is dedicated to sustainability.
Seis serves the best breakfast tacos in the city, and possibly in the state. Seriously, you will not find a better option anywhere else (we’ve looked). The Chile Verde Con Papas Tacos is my favorite entree. This tasty vegetarian entree consists of tacos stuffed to the brim with scrambled eggs, roasted green chiles, crispy potatoes, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro.
Tacos come in a set of 3 and are served alongside smashed black beans or potatoes, along with your choice of salsa. At under $15 bucks, this is a totally filling breakfast that will definitely fuel you up for a hike. I do not go anywhere else for tacos despite the fact that there are so many options (the city is known for being home to “23 miles of Mexican food”). I really love Seis and it is convenient to some of my favorite hiking trails.
Seis now operates multiple locations throughout the metro including a new location in suburban Oro Valley (lunch and dinner only at this location). However, you really cannot beat the wonderful setting and access to other amenities at Mercado. If you do head out to the Oro cafe, I highly recommend hiking at Catalina State Park; it’s a wonderful budget friendly alternative to the national park. The mountain views are really awesome here and the trails are so quiet and well maintained.
Presta Coffee
Nothing completes a good breakfast quite like a great cup of joe. Unfortunately, many restaurants tend to excel in just one area. Fortunately, you can enjoy great food and coffee all in the same place at Mercado.
Presta is a wonderful third wave roaster with numerous locations including a desirable prime spot within this courtyard. While you can enjoy their specialty coffee at various locales throughout the city, the lovely outdoor seating area at here is hard to pass up.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to enjoy some great tacos alongside their coffee? Even though I see the cyclists loading up all the time at the bakery, I recommend passing on the sugary pastries in favor of authentic Mexican street fare!
The contemporary setting and pretty blue mugs earn this shop a few bonus points for me. They serve the best espresso drinks in town. My go to drink is typically the Americano which is perfectly made all the time.
More delicious local foods in the plaza
La Estrella: Long running bakery which specializes in Mexican pastries.
Agustin: Upscale New American cuisine served in a gorgeous dining space. The focus on fresh farm-to-table ingredients is a bonus. I’ve tried the Huevos Rancheros on a few occasions – it’s so good!
Dolce Pastello Cakes: Homemade Mexican cakes sold whole or by the slice. A variety of desserts and tamales available.
What’s new since my last visit:
- Why I Love Where I Live: A touristy gift shop
- Westbound: Wine and beer bar and shop
- Warm Shape: A novelty gift shop
- Transit Cycles: Bike repairs and sales
- San Agustin Trading Company: Handmade mocassins
- Rollies: Specializes in rolled tacos
- Puebla House: Clothing with a southwest touch
- Petroglyphs: Unique home decor
- Ortense: Latin vintage shop
- Old Pueblo Denim: Ethically sourced denim
- Desierto Books: Specializing in used and rare books
- La Bella Luna Boutique: Desert inspired apparel
Check out the full directory for more details.
Nearby attractions worth checking out
Luckily, several of the city’s best attractions are located within a short drive. And because most businesses open pretty early (Seis at 8, Presta at 7), you can beat the heat and enjoy breakfast prior to exploring anything else in the city.
Tumamoc Hill
Tucson’s most iconic hike is located just minutes away. This 1.5 mile, 800+ foot climb leads you to a stunning overlook of the city. It’s a tough workout, it’s hot, yet it’s worth every step for the experience and incredible ending viewpoint. This is probably one of my favorite overall hikes in the state.
Downtown Tucson
A number of great attractions and restaurants are located downtown including the historic Fox Theater, the Museum of Art, and Caruso’s, a long running old-world Italian restaurant. Check out my full guide to the best of downtown.
Reid Park
Gorgeous landscaped park featuring a 3.5 mile biking/walking path. Lush greenery, a rose garden, and a beautiful pond make this one of the prettiest places to run or bike in the city. You can find me here pretty much any weekend I am not hiking or taking a road trip.
I love seeing the water and pretty palms and green trees while getting in a workout – it’s a much different experience than riding on the Loop. The Reid Park Zoo, a small yet scenic zoo is located adjacent to the park.
