Arizona Inn

2200 E Elm St, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-325-1541

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Casual elegance is the mark of the Arizona Inn restaurant. Fresh flowers, live music and attentive service combine to provide a rewarding dining experience. There is an Old World charm to the 1930s inn, and the dining room includes gracious seating on the patio. Once on the edge of town but now in midtown, this restaurant offers the best in comfort, style and flavor. Reservations recommended. Jacket and tie suggested. Three-course prix fixe dinner $45.
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Austin's Old Fashioned Ice Cream

6129 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-514-5132

Description: Since 1959, diner-like Austin's has been feeding hungry locals with simple but filling American staples like hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches. However, ice cream is the real star. Made right on the premises, it's packed with the special ingredients other ice cream places may skimp on ­ cookies, fruit, marshmallow fluff, chocolate chips, nuts and other goodies. You may want to skip lunch and just have a milkshake ­ they're massive!
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Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea

1730 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-795 0338

Description: DOWNTOWN. A study haven for students, a meeting place for morning coffee breaks, a place for busy professionals to grab a quick lunch on the run, a venue for local musicians ­ Bentley's has many functions and excels at all of them. Coffee is fair trade and organic, and this being Tucson, there's a slew of cold beverages too, like fruit freezes, smoothies, shakes, and iced teas and coffees. Simple, well-made food consists of eggs and baked goods at breakfast and sandwiches, salads, soups, and quiches at lunch and dinner. A few pastas and Southwestern specialties round out the options.
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Beyond Bread

3026 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-322-9965

Description: NORTH TUCSON. For a quick bite on your way to work or a day of sightseeing, bypass all those fast food chains and stop at Beyond Bread. The cinnamon raisin French toast is unbeatable, but if you like protein in the morning, try a made-to-order omelette, stuffed full of your choice of meats, cheese and veggies. Lighter appetites might prefer a simple croissant, muffin or scone. Later in the day, opt for a cleverly named sandwich or salad, a slice of dark chocolate cake or a massive cookie. Breads range from specials like Ancho-Chipotle-White Cheddar and Brie-Scallion-Chive to more traditional varieties such as challah and baguettes ­ there are more than 30 breads in the regular schedule, about half of which are available on any given day.
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Blue Willow

2616 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-327-7577

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Tucked away in an old house, Blue Willow is renowned for its comfortable, home-style cooking and its charming patio. Shaded in the summer and heated in the winter, it's the perfect spot for a fun weekday lunch with friends or a relaxing weekend breakfast. The menu is chock full of omelettes and other filling morning meal favorites, all accompanied by fresh fruit and potatoes or rice. Lunch and dinner options range from soups and salads to delicate crepes and vegetarian dishes. The place is equally famous for its desserts, particularly the chocolate confection of the day, which never fails to impress and satisfy.
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Chocolate Iguana

500 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705 520-798-1211

Description: DOWNTOWN. Enjoy a double mocha and a tempting dessert (or two) under the patio umbrella while people-watching on bustling Fourth Avenue. If you prefer to enjoy your espresso and fresh scone inside, you can gaze upon the walls lined with favorite treats, chocolate-covered pretzels to malt balls to gummy worms. Sandwiches and salads are available, but they are simply the supporting cast ­ the carrot cakes, dense chocolate tortes, and decadent brownies are the stars.
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Cup Café

311 E Congress St, Hotel Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701 520-798-1618

Description: DOWNTOWN. The trendy Hotel Congress has a happening little café that serves what many consider to be the best breakfast around. All the familiar favorites are offered, along with some more creative options such as the Boom Boom (scrambled eggs, cheese and roasted red potatoes piled on a toasted baguette), Eggs and Gunpowder (a bowl of roasted red potatoes topped with eggs, turkey chorizo and jack cheese), and Bennie's Burrito (a tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, spicy black beans, sprouts, jack cheese, diced green chiles, black olives, sour cream and fresh salsa). Lunch and dinner tend to be more international in scope, but the food is equally wonderful.
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Frank's

3843 E Pima St, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-881-2710

Description: NORTHEAST. One of the oldest diners in town. The French toast, eggs, bacon and coffee are among the finest in town for that morning wake-up. Satisfying food, traditional decor and excellent value.
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Ghini's French Caffe

1803 E Prince Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-326-9095

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Try this breezy cafe for a tasty French-style meal. Chef Coralie Satta-Williams is originally from Marseilles and she creates an array of tempting breakfasts such as her signature Eggs Provençale and fresh strawberry French toast. Lunch options range from creative salad combinations (try grilled Portobello, grapes and smoked Gouda on Romaine lettuce), to fancy sandwiches and full-flavored pastas. And the traditional Marseillaise omelette is a taste treat, filled with anchovies, tomatoes and garlic. Ghini's has a nice selection of French wines as well.
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Gold Room

245 E Ina Rd, Westward Look Resort, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-297-1151

Description: FOOTHILLS. The Gold Room has long been considered one of the finest restaurants in the city. The excellent location in the foothills offers great city views, but the wonderful Southwestern and Continental cuisine is what has made this restaurant a revered classic in Tuscon. Fresh herbs, produce and vegetables from the restaurant's own garden add a flavorful accent to each meal. Try the antelope, or go for classic beef Wellington. Reservations are suggested.
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Good Egg

7189 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710 520-885-4838

Description: EAST TUCSON. In search of an early breakfast? The Good Egg has eggs for breakfast. And omelets and frittatas and pancakes and waffles. There's even a section of the menu devoted to healthy options, such as yogurt, low fat low cholesterol dishes, fruits and whole grains. Lunch options are numerous and delicious as well.
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Gus Balons

6027 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 85711 520-748-9731

Description: EAST TUCSON. Cinnamon buns, sweet rolls ­ whatever you prefer to call them, Gus Balons makes the best in Tucson, if not the state (some people claim the best in the country, and they just may be right...). This baby is huge, really huge. It's got just the right amount of cinnamon, for a spicy but not overwhelming flavor. And it's also slathered with enough frosting so that every bite has that punch of sweet gooeyness. It's perfect. The no-frills diner/café also serves up buttery fried eggs, French toast made from homemade rustic white bread, and good hot coffee. Other times of the day, you may want to sample a slice of pie, but choosing which one may be daunting. There's usually about 20 different varieties baked every day, from chocolate peanut butter banana to fresh peach to crumb-topped pumpkin.
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Le Delice

7245 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750 520-290-9714

Description: EAST TUCSON. If your weakness is French pastries, you may want to skip this one! The selection of tempting treats ranges from chocolate topped éclairs, dainty cream puffs, colorful little fruit tarts, flaky napoleons, multi-layered tortes, and beautiful madeleines and palmiers. Truffles and marzipan figures offer bite-size satisfaction, and the array of freshly baked breads will make you want to give up your Atkins diet forever. Le Delice also serves full meals: eggs and waffles for breakfast; soups, salads and unusual sandwiches for lunch; and a full dinner menu of traditional French dishes such as steak frites, coq au vin and veal cordon bleu.
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Miguel's

5900 N Oracle Rd, La Posada Lodge & Casitas, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-887-3777

Description: FOOTHILLS. Miguel's has become a destination in its own right, and its ambience perfectly suits its vibrant Mexican cuisine. If you've never tried ceviche, this is a great place to start: "cooked" by acids in a lime juice marinade, the seafood that comprises it remains sweet and ever so tender. Guacamole is prepared fresh with just the right amount of seasoning, and it's left a little chunky so the avocados really shine. Other highlights include pan-seared cabrilla (sea bass) wrapped in a fire-roasted poblano, and a grilled garlic- and chile-marinated filet mignon. Try to choose a dish that's accompanied by Oaxacan green chile rice ­ it's fabulous. South American and Spanish wines, plenty of cocktail choices, Mexican beers, and over 100 varieties of tequila are available.
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Mount Lemmon Cafe

Mount Lemmon Hwy, Summerhaven, AZ 85619 520-576-1234

Description: CATALINAS. Weary of the desert heat? Head for the hills! Or the mountains ­ Mount Lemmon, to be exact. A bit off the beaten path, 8000 feet up in the little town of Summerhaven is this family-run no-frills café. Eat light for lunch ­ try the fondue with French bread and veggies ­ and then splurge on dessert. People are known to travel up the mountain just for a fix of Belgian chocolate, blackberry or strawberry pie, all made with closely guarded secret recipes, of course. Pie offerings vary from day to day (sometimes from hour to hour), but literally all of them are great. If the weather is sketchy, call ahead; if the Mt Lemmon highway is closed, so is the cafe!
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Robert's Restaurant

3301 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-795-1436

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Corned beef hash and eggs is the favorite at Robert's, with good reason. It's the real thing! Of course there are other options ­ just about every conceivable combination of eggs and breakfast meats is on the menu, along with plenty of freshly-baked bread and pastry. Lunch is hearty comfort food ­ meatloaf, chicken fried steak or pork chops, all with mashed potatoes, a roll and vegetable of the day. There are a few sandwiches too, of the egg salad-grilled ham and cheese variety, and homemade pies and cakes for dessert.
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Shot in the Dark Cafe

121 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701 520-882-5544

Description: DOWNTOWN. Coffee shops don't usually offer much for vegans except perhaps something like a latte made with soy milk. But Shot in the Dark certainly does, while still providing plenty of fodder for the rest of us. Vegans have several options in addition to latte-with-soy-milk, from snacks and baked goods to meals like black beans and rice and a hummus and tabouleh plate. There are plenty of meat and dairy containing sandwiches, coffee drinks, cookies, pies and pastries too, including an amazing peanut butter mocha. Shot in the Dark may cater to vegans, but on the opposite side of the spectrum they also offer a well-ventilated indoor smoking patio and a good selection of cigarettes, tobacco and lighters. How's that for a dual personality?
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Teresa's Mosaic Cafe

2455 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745 520-624-4512

Description: WEST TUCSON. Oaxaca, Mexico, is not a region that is frequently represented in American restaurants, so it's a treat to have breakfast at Teresa's Mosaic Cafe. Specialities include Huevos en Salsa and Huevos Divorceados (that's eggs with two sauces, not divorced eggs), in addition to Sonoran and Mexican items. On the near West side, the cafe overlooks the city and the mountains.
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Tohono Chul Tea Room

7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704 520-797-1222

Description: FOOTHILLS. Tohono Chul Park's café is set amidst desert cactus gardens in a Spanish Colonial house ­ an absolutely lovely and peaceful place to enjoy a meal or a snack. In the morning, opt for traditional pancakes or a Southwestern breakfast dish like huevos rancheros. Midday meals take a mostly Mexican/Southwestern approach with options such as tortilla soup, grilled raspberry-chipotle chicken and enchiladas, plus some fresh and tasty sandwiches and salads. A charming afternoon tea spread includes finger sandwiches, pastries and scones with jam and cream. If you're visiting the park, plan to do so around mealtime!
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