Over the past few years I have have made it a point to try the best coffee shops in Tucson when I am in town. My top recommendations include:
A fun new find on my last trip was Barista del Barrio at 1002 N Grande Ave. I read about it as the owner Flavia Brionesis was nominated as a semifinalist for the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest. This is a casual burrito and coffee shop. Be prepared to wait in line as it is very popular. I enjoyed my horchata latte and churro donut. It was well worth the wait!
Café Maggie (formerly Epic Café): I tried this café at 745 N. 4th for a mid-afternoon coffee and snack at the suggestion of the New York Times. It had a fun vibe. The staff was very helpful in helping me find some other Tucson areas to explore. It is located on the street car line of 4th Street.
Exo Roast Co.: Locals recommend Exo at 403 N. 6th Ave., near the Warehouse Arts District. I tried it and enjoyed the coffee and the atmosphere. Stop in as you explore the galleries.
I saw that they opened a second location south of downtown at 196 W Simpson in the colorful Barrio Viejo with colorful adobe houses, Mexican cantinas, brewpubs and the new galleries on S. Convent Ave. I went and loved how they turned an old house into a rustic coffee house. I highly recommend that you try it. At night it becomes Crisol Bar on Wednesday to Sunday. Here they have a focus on agave spirits and mezcal along with small plates of food.
Caffe Luce: Sparkroot Coffee, at 245 E. Congress is now Caffe Luce. It is a great spot for coffee downtown in an attractive two level store.
Caffe Luce also has a location at Main Gate Square at 943 E. University Blvd., #191, near the University of Arizona. They feature coffee drinks and pastries.
Nearby is Snakes & Lattes Board Game Cafe & Bar, a Toronto based coffee shop, located at 988 E. University Blvd. They offer coffee, drinks, food and a library of many playable games.
Down the street is Espresso Art Cafe. This is trendy coffee shop, cafe, hookah lounge along with live music and local art. 942 E. University Blvd.
I recently heard of a new cafe, Yellow Brick Coffee, that opened in March, 2023. It is located east of the University at 800 N. Country Club Rd. Ste. 3180. It is owned by a brother-sister team who have been roasting their coffee since 2011. I am excited to try it when I am back in town next summer. In addition to coffee drinks, they have menu of pastries, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads and more.
Ombre Coffee: This is a new find. On a recent trip I found this local coffee roaster in Broadway Village at 2936 E. Broadway. I enjoyed it as I recovered from a long delayed flight from Chicago! It is in the same center as Bario Bread, Cashew Cow and the Bisbee Breakfast Club Broadway.
Cartel Coffee Lab: With other locations in Scottsdale, Tempe, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Austin and in Tucson, they are known for sourcing, roasting and brewing good coffee. They have two Tucson locations, 210 E. Broadway and 2516 N. Campbell. I enjoyed the downtown location on Broadway which is next door to Brick Box Brewery. I went back on my June 2024 trip. The macha latte with lavender was excellent.
Presta Coffee Roasters: Presta Coffee Roasters now has three locations in Tucson. One at 2502 N. 1st Ave. which is on the site of their roastery and one in the Mercado San Agustin at 100 S. Avenida de Convento. I loved it on my last trip for a Saturday morning break. I found a great mango empanada at La Estrella Bakery next door, and enjoyed people watching in the courtyard on a beautiful morning.
The newest one is located at 501 E. 9th St. which is located just east of N. 4th Ave.
Decibel Coffee Works is a great addition to Tucson and can be found in the Mercado District in the MSA Annex that was created from old shipping containers. 267 S. Avenida Del Convento. I stopped in on my last trip and bought two great scones for my breakfast at my hotel.
One of my favorite new finds from my last trip, thanks to a local friend, is Ren Coffeehouse, located north of downtown in St. Phillips Plaza at 4300 N. Campbell Ave., #24. I loved the outdoor courtyard as I enjoyed a great latte and a pastry after my early flight from Chicago to Tucson. They feature a menu of coffee drinks, smoothies, breakfast items plus salads and paninis.
In 2024 I stayed in downtown Tucson before heading to Canyon Ranch and enjoyed going to HeeMee Coffee + Bakery for an iced latte to start my day of exploring. They serve fresh pastries and cakes handmade daily from scratch alongside Intelligentsia Coffee espresso and drip coffee from the local Yellow Brick Coffee. 20 E Congress St #110
American Eat Co. is located at 1439 S 4th Ave. This is a food hall featuring numerous comfort foods plus a beer and wine bar and coffee and ice cream. Currently there are nine local vendors including. I Café con Leche. Here you can buy coffee drinks and great ice cream. Don’t miss the piña colada flavor.
The popular The Coronet Restaurant is now located at 198 W. Cushing St. They moved to this historic property in 2020 and expanded three entities; a casual counter service cafe, a culinary-inspired cocktail bar and a fine dining restaurant. Their casual Coronet Cafe is open for coffee drinks and cocktails and food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
