food tours in tucson az

Taste of Tucson Downtown Food Tours

Category: Event Calendar

Dates and Times for this Past Event

• Saturday, May 11, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Friday, May 10, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, May 9, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Saturday, May 4, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Friday, May 3, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, May 2, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Wednesday, May 1, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Saturday, Apr 27, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Friday, Apr 26, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, Apr 25, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm
• Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024    12:50pm - 4:30pm

We start our tours at The Mercado and ride the streetcar to downtown.

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Taste of Tucson Downtown offers tours every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning at 12:50pm. Choose from three of the guided walking tours available or have us create a private event for your group. Each tour incorporates history, culture and food as we visit different areas of downtown Tucson. Meet the chefs who contribute to why UNESCO chose Tucson as America's first City of Gastronomy.

Book your tour at: tasteoftucsondowntown.com and enjoy an afternoon with us.

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Book A Tour

Join us for our welcome back tour.

We offer three Historic Downtown tours a week: every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Tours will kick off at 1pm and include a 2.5 hr historic walking tour, tastings at 3 restaurants, and a ride on the modern streetcar.

And Gift Boxes!

We Offer Gift Cards

(520) 904 2119 |

[email protected] |

We love food, culture, and history just as much as you do.

YOUR TOUR GUIDES

Owner & Tour Guide

Elysa Crum, originally from New York, is a longtime Tucson resident. Her passion for food, education and an appreciation of Tucson’s culture and history inspired her to create Taste of Tucson Downtown in 2014.  With the revitalization of Downtown, including an influx of new offices, housing, restaurants and the modern streetcar, this was the time to encourage people to come downtown. Taste of Tucson Downtown Food Tours began offering people the perfect way to experience Tucson like a local through food, culture and an afternoon of exploration. Book a tour today and see why we love what we do  and why Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy!

Ann Thenhaus

Born in south central Kansas and after graduating from college, Ann taught school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She moved to Tucson in 1978 and enjoyed an extensive career as a receptionist and business manager for an orthodontic practice. Upon retiring, she was offered the opportunity to assist on the tours which allowed her to continue to meet and interact with others and share her love of Tucson. Ann is also a volunteer barista at her church. She loves spending time with family, friends, walking, reading and road trips. 

Jennifer Slaght

The Tucson AZ area is now home to Jennifer Slaght. Jennifer is a Coast Guard military brat, a 21-year retired USAF Loadmaster, and continues her adventures with her active-duty partner.  She has traveled the world. Growing up, her family always explored as much of each location as possible, as they knew their stays would be short. During her career, she traveled to many overseas locations and took the opportunity to see and taste as much as she could. Her travel passion has led her to develop an in-depth knowledge of the food and art of the regions she visits. She looks forward to sharing Tucson's history and culinary delights with you. 

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Tucson Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Tucson is well known for its hot weather and tourist attractions. Not everyone realizes it also has a rich and diverse food culture that you can explore through these amazing food tours.

Tucson is a paradise for food lovers who crave the flavors of the Southwest. Whether you want to dine al fresco at a lively Mercado, or taste the creations of a local legend, Tucson has something for every palate. On Tucson’s Secret Food Tour, you’ll discover the dishes made with fresh ingredients grown in the region and visit hidden gems that only the locals know. Don’t miss this chance to explore Tucson’s culinary scene and savor every bite.

Join Secret Food Tours on a food tour through downtown Tucson. You'll dine in a number of locally owned restaurants, trying some of their signature dishes.

Our Secret Tours Tucson, you’ll discover the dishes made with fresh ingredients grown in the region and visit hidden gems that only the locals know. Don’t miss this chance to explore Tucson’s culinary scene and savor every bite.

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Tucson is well known for its hot weather and tourist attractions. Not everyone realizes it also has a rich and diverse food culture that you can explore through these amazing food tours.

Tucson is a paradise for food lovers who crave the flavors of the Southwest. Whether you want to dine al fresco at a lively Mercado, or taste the creations of a local legend, Tucson has something for every palate. On Tucson’s Secret Food Tour, you’ll discover the dishes made with fresh ingredients grown in the region and visit hidden gems that only the locals know. Don’t miss this chance to explore Tucson’s culinary scene and savor every bite.

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Get a taste of Tucson's Unesco-recognized food scene

Nov 6, 2019 • 3 min read

Chef Maria Mazon of Boca Tacos brought her family's recipes with her when she moved from Sonora, Mexico. Image courtesy of Visit Tucson.

Recognized by Unesco as one of the world’s most important food scenes, Tucson is not only bigger than you thought (one of the country’s 30 largest cities), it’s an exceptional place for Mexican and Southwestern gastronomy. Here's a list of can't miss eats in this Arizona metropolis. 

Desert provisions

Tucson was first settled by Paleo-Indians some 12,000 years ago, then the Spanish in the 1600s, then later by the Mexicans, and most recently, Americans in the late 1800s. That melting pot plays an important role in the city’s standout textures and flavors in its cuisine. 

But so does the desert. Like anything else that lives and thrives in the desert, Tucsonans are forced to get creative with what they eat. They don’t scavenge, of course. Rather they take what the Baja desert gives them in the form of unique provisions. Namely chiltepins, cholla buds, prickly pear syrup, mesquite flour, tepary beans and White Sonoran wheat to name a few. 

Tucson still uses many of the same meats, beans, veggies and grains you’d expect; but the dressings, salsa, spices, and presentation are unlike anything else on the continent – a truly remarkable mashup of both Mexican and Southwestern American fare. 

Read more:  Under the radar USA: Tucson is more than its cactus

Southwestern standouts

For an introductory first taste of all that history, start at Boca Tacos . The staff serves up to a half dozen salsas with every order, letting you sample a wide variety of flavors in an al fresco setting under clementine-purple skies as the sun sets. It’s wonderful – all of it. 

Next check out what the city calls “the best 23 miles of Mexican food” in America. This can be found along 12th Ave. Try the beef tamales or red chili combination plate at Perfecto's . Have a Southwestern hot dog fight between BK Tacos and El Guero Canelo . For a Tucson take on seafood, head to El Merendero for the crispy chicharrones de cameron (fried pork rinds). For local pastries and freshly baked sweets, don’t miss La Estrella Bakery .

In Tucson you’ll also find the oldest Mexican restaurant in the country (family-owned since 1922) at El Charro Café , which serves traditional plates with a Sonora spin. As the restaurant likes to say, "We are not the best because we are the oldest. We are the oldest because we are the best!" 

The best of the rest

Staying true to comfort food, you’ll find a Tucson twist on American favorites at The Hub , which is as kid-friendly as it is delicious. For an indulgent take on breakfast or lunch (think snickerdoodle pancakes), visit Baja Cafe . For Zagat-rated and fine-dining Italian, head to Vivace Restaurant , a local staple and favorite. 

And when you’re done with meat but still seeking inspiration, you’ll be impressed with the vegetarian creations of The Tasteful Kitchen . 

Farm to table 

If you really want to go behind the scenes, there are several farm-to-table food tours offered by local providers. Standouts include Mission Garden, Native Seeds/SEARCH, San Xavier Co-op, The Presidio District Experience, and the Obama-endorsed Tucson Village Farm. There's also two notable farmers’ markets in town: Santa Cruz River Farmers' Market and Heirloom Farmers' Market at Rillito Park.

Pairing good food with the truly great outdoors of Saguaro National Park, mountains on all four sides, and sunsets that last forever – when it comes to “The Old Pueblo” (as the city is lovingly called), both your stomach and your heart are in good hands. 

Produced by Lonely Planet for Visit Tucson. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

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Cariño Coffee sets up shop at Hotel Congress every weekend.

• Gloria Knott, This Is Tucson
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Get hot and iced drinks from Cariño Coffee.

Not only does Rosebud Bakery make tasty pies and cookies, but they also specialize in all kinds of coffee and tea drinks.

• Courtesy of Elena Gonzalez

Rivers in the Desert is a new coffee trailer that serves up all the classic espresso drinks. 

Jamie Donnelly

Egg cream coffee (left) and salt cream coffee (right) are two of the specialty drinks Café Thắng offers.

Ume Tea is opening their first Tucson location on Saturday, where customers can get a variety of milk and fruit teas.

• Jamie Donnelly, This Is Tucson

Celestia Collective is part coffee shop, thanks to co-owner Cassandra Barr, who runs Colibri and Renard Coffee.

• Grace Trejo, Arizona Daily Star

Both Sydney Adams and her dad, Leon Adams, are the ones who bake at Sydney's Sweet Shoppe.

• Tina Kraemer, Pure in Art Photography

Steve and Cheryll Benefield look over the menu at the Chocolate Iguana at its new location, 7250 N. La Cholla Blvd., on July 9.

• Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Here are 13 new (and upcoming) coffee and tea spots to get your vanilla latte fix.

Get caffeinated at these 13 new coffee and tea spots

Everyone deserves a fun drink.

• Author email
• Sep 8, 2024
• Sep 8, 2024 Updated 8 hrs ago

Yeah sure, the cotton candy-esque sunsets and the tight-knit community are nice, but my favorite thing about Tucson has nothing to do with either of those.

For me, the best parts about Tucson are the new coffee and tea spots that seem to pop up when you need them the most.

You’ll be driving to work or on your way to the grocery store and there it is: a new coffee truck you’ve never seen before.

You get instant butterflies: now you have the opportunity to try a new place and get a fun drink at the same time. Whatever mundane task you were doing before is now a million times better because you have an iced vanilla latte in hand.

These cafés and trailers can turn a frown upside down in a matter of seconds. To help bring more mood-changing drinks into your life, I’ve compiled a list of new cafes and coffee trucks that have popped up in the last few months so you know where to go the next time you need a pick-me-up.

2970 S. Sixth Ave.

Most of us reach for coffee as a way to wake us up and keep us caffeinated for a long day at work. At Café Thắng, you can grab a drink that is not only delicious but will keep you alert all day.

This new café specializes in Vietnamese coffee and tea. Unlike your typical cup of joe, Vietnamese coffee has a stronger, more intense flavor and a higher caffeine content. The intense flavor of the coffee is balanced out with the mixture of condensed milk topped off with sweet creams like egg cream or salt cream. Owner Dat Pham was right when he described his iced coffees as addictive.

For more information visit their Facebook page or read our story .

Cariño Coffee

311 E. Congress St.

You may have noticed a light-pink coffee cart parked at Hotel Congress recently. This super cute cart is Cariño Coffee, where its owners are crafting drinks with love.

According to their Instagram, the soon-to-be husband-and-wife team are both first-generation Mexican Americans who want to bring all the nostalgic flavors from their culture to our taste buds. You can get your vanilla latte fix here from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the weekends.

For more information, check out their Instagram page .

Celestia Collective

657 W. St Marys Road

Celestia Collective is a witchy coffee shop combined with a community space and a tattoo studio. You can grab a coffee, shop metaphysical crafts, get a tattoo, learn new crafts or tackle some homework.

The coffee comes from Colibri & Renard Coffee, which is owned by Cassandra Barr (who is also one of the owners behind Celestia Collective). Expect cold brew, hot coffee and espresso, in addition to house-made syrups. Celestia Collective is in its soft opening phase now, with a grand opening slated for Sept. 13.

For more information, check out their Instagram page or read our story .

Chocolate Iguana

7250 N. La Cholla Blvd.

For years, coffee and candy shop Chocolate Iguana was home to historic Fourth Avenue. The shop closed in 2022 but reopened over the summer in a new location on Tucson's north side.

Along with a full espresso bar, you can find sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries on the menu. The coffee and tea are from Gadsden Coffee and Tea Company in Arivaca.

Hebrews Coffee

Any place that has horchata AND churro lattes is instantly a favorite of mine.

Hebrews Coffee made its debut in Tucson in July, serving up lattes in a chic black trailer. They don’t just have the classic vanilla and caramel flavors — they have a whole list of unique lattes that all sound delicious. Irish hazelnut lattes, brown sugar shaken espressos and honey lavender lattes are just a few of the drinks on the menu. Hebrews Coffee also partners with Cal’s Bakeshop, which means you can get a cronut to go alongside your horchata latte.

For more information on their schedule, check out their Instagram page .

Red Captain Coffee

4004 N. Stone Ave.

Back in May, Red Captain Coffee announced it would be closing, leaving a coffee-shaped hole in our hearts. Months later, the red trailer is now back up and running.

In August, Red Captain Coffee announced it’s open again under new management. You can now get their beloved cold brew, seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice lattes and vegan pastries from Houlden’s Rise Above at the trailer we have come to know and love. They can be found Mondays through Saturdays in front of Hem & Her Bridal Shop.

Rivers in the Desert

This coffee trailer may be small, but it packs a punch! Rivers in the Desert knows what it takes to create an excellent, high-quality drink. Their vanilla latte is everything you want from a cup of coffee: it’s creamy, rich and the perfect balance between sweet and smoky. It truly has a velvety taste to it.

Rosebud Bakery

844 S. Sixth Ave.

Rosebud Bakery not only serves us tasty pies, cookies and sourdough bread, but they also know how to make a mean cup of coffee.

Sisters Harper and Haley Hall remember enjoying a treat and a cup of coffee at their grandmother’s house while growing up, so they wanted to create that same cozy feeling for the community. Their coffee bar includes all the classics, including cappuccinos, lattes and Americanos. They also have three homemade syrups, honey lavender, cardamom and cinnamon piloncillo, that you can add to sweeten up your drink.

For more information, visit their Instagram page or read our story .

Sonoran House

1610 N. Tucson Blvd.

As owners of kids clothing shop Cactus Wren Kids, Arianna Wilson and Courtney Bedient know what it takes to create something cute and cozy. Now they have taken that knowledge to create a café that encapsulates those same feelings.

At Sonoran House, you can order specialty drinks like agave lattes, matcha lattes and dirty chai lattes. While you sip on your coffee, you can walk around the café to shop all kinds of art, jewelry and candles from local makers. It’s part coffee shop, part store!

1800 E. Fort Lowell Road

Bunnies, pink décor and boba tea: it doesn’t get any better than that! This California chain recently opened their second Arizona location here in Tucson. At this pink wonderland, you can choose from a variety of milk teas, fruit teas and slushies.

Harry Yu, the owner of the shop, said they use fresh fruit to ensure their drinks have the best flavor. Ume Tea also has drinks with mystery plushies tucked inside, so you get a sweet drink AND a super cute prize.

On the horizon

Keep an eye out for these cafes that are gearing up to open soon!

• Brucha,  3435 E. Speedway  — Once Brucha opens, you’ll be able to get milk and fruit teas, boba and gelato! They make their boba themselves, rolling it by hand every two hours.
• Chez Peachy,   501 N. Sixth Ave.  — The walls of the old Oralia building are now a shade of bubblegum pink. That means only one thing: Chez Peachy has moved in! On Oct. 5, Chez Peachy’s first brick-and-mortar shop will open, featuring all her beloved girly cakes, cookies and brownies. The new spot will also include a café where customers can order her mermaid refreshers and strawberry matchas.
• Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe,   8969 E. Tanque Verde Road  — This beloved east-side pie shop is expanding! Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe is moving a few doors down to open a dine-in bakery complete with locally brewed coffee and an expanded dessert menu. Owner Sydney Adams and her father made the big announcement by lip-syncing to a "High School Musical 3" song so you know their new shop is going to be bigger and better than ever!

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Jamie Donnelly is the food writer for #ThisIsTucson. Contact her via e-mail at [email protected]  

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Tucson’s Original Walking Food Tour - locally owned with a guarantee of great food and fun!

Progressive Dinner Tour

Experience a unique private food tour for the tucson insider’s.

Join us for an unforgettable journey through Tucson’s culinary hotspots, where every bite tells a story and every dish is a testament to the city’s rich culinary heritage. This tour will tantalize your taste buds and provide exclusive access to the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Indulge in an exploration of four handpicked local restaurants, each offering a distinctive flavor profile and ambiance.

Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to savor an array of delectable dishes, carefully curated to showcase the diverse culinary landscape of Tucson. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering mains and decadent desserts, every stop on the tour promises a delightful gastronomic adventure.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply passionate about discovering new flavors, this immersive experience offers an opportunity to connect with the culinary community on a personal level.

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Celestia collective’s grand opening — a witchy coffee shop, community space & more, september 11, 2024.

By Matt Sterner

Celestia Collective has welcomed guests in their space for a couple of weeks but the official Grand Opening party is happening on Friday, September 13.

The brand-new business is a “witchy coffee shop meets community space” — a gathering point for folks seeking spiritual depth, personal growth, a new book, a new tattoo, and a warm cup of coffee.

Meet the Coven

• A queer and nerdy eclectic witch, owner of Luna Craft , artist, and performer.
• Learn more .
• Owner of The Stitching Hour , is an eclectic hearth witch, fiber artist, writer, and musician.
• Owner of Colibri & Renard Coffee , is an eclectic hedge witch, coffee roaster, artist, and performer.
• The owner of Monsoon Mystics , is a wild desert hearth witch, with a passion for desert plants, herbal remedies, and kitchen witchery.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celestia Collective (@celestia.collective)

Therefore, this collective space is truly a group effort between four friends, all who are using their own skills to create a welcoming environment. They’re hoping to bring more people together in one big space, whether it be via an iced mocha, during one of their workshops, or with a tarot reading.

Now, speaking of coming together, the Grand Opening is this Friday the 13th beginning at 10 a.m. They’re open till 7 p.m. and will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. throughout the weekend.

Celestia Collective (Luna Craft, The Stitching Hour, Colibri & Renard Coffee, and Monsoon Mystics) will be giving away some freebies, hosting live music, offering Friday the 13th flash tattooed, and serving baked goods at 657 W. Saint Mary’s Road, Units C10-11.

They’ll even have food trucks out during the day (details are still in the works).

If you need some geographical guidance, they are located inside the large industrial building near Saint Mary’s Road and I-10 — just a few steps down the sidewalk from EcoGro .

There’s a large dirt parking lot on the west side of EcoGro that’s open for anyone to use (don’t park in spots assigned to other businesses).

The entrances to the shops face Saint Mary’s Road. You’ll see A-Frame/Sandwich board signs out on the sidewalk luring you in.

Cassandra Barr inside the coffee shop, Colibri & Renard Coffee, who’s roasting their own beans, is dishing out some coffee shop staples like lattes, iced mochas, tea, and espresso shots. There’s even a cozy seating area with vintage chairs, tables, and a bookshelf stacked with Witch-themed literature.

You can also buy coffee and tea blends online .

Stop by on Friday the 13th and order some caffeine, shop around, and consider hosting your own workshop!

Celestia Collective is located at 657 W. Saint Mary’s, Units C10-11. For more information, visit celestiacollective.com and follow the local coven on Instagram .

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Matt Sterner

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a...

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