Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2021. We updated it in 2024.
Tucson is home to lots of brunch spots. So many that we ventured over to the wonderful people of Instagram and asked our followers what restaurants are their go-tos.
Here's to cinnamon roll pancakes, baked eggs and mimosas! 🥂
The breakfast salad at 5 Points Market and Restaurant, which was written up in both the New York Times and the Phoenix New Times.
5 Points Market & Restaurant
Recommended by: Chris, @chris.411
Chris' favorite dish: The huevos rancheros.
Many years ago, our former food writer Andi Berlin raved about the breakfast salad at 5 Points... and their huevos rancheros... and the smoked salmon benedict.
Baja Cafe
Recommended by: Cindy Pastorius, @cindyinthedesert
Cindy's favorite dish: "My favorite thing at Baja Cafe depends on my mood," she says. But if she wants something sweet, her go-to is the snickerdoodle pancake. As for savory, her favorite is the corned beef and eggs (she loves the restaurant's gouda sauce).
When we asked our Instagram followers what their favorite brunch spot is, Baja Cafe was the most common answer. Other menu recommendations included the huevos rancheros, the short rib tots, the Wyatt Earp benedict, the Road Runner benedict, and the liege waffle (and yes, the snickerdoodle pancake came up more than once).
Barista del Barrio
Recommended by: Tucson Localista, @tucsonlocalista
Tucson Localista's favorite dish: Chorizo burrito with potatoes, beans, cheese, sour cream and green chile, paired with an iced horchesso with CBD shots.
It's not uncommon to find a line of hungry (and thirsty) diners standing outside Barista del Barrio, which was founded in 2017 initially as a small coffee cart. Recommendations from other readers included the bacon burrito, the machaca burrito — and a cold brew with lechera is 10/10, according to @earthsbones.
The Copper Queen Skillet is a classic Bisbee Breakfast Club creation. There's a bunch of stuff under that gravy, we promise.
Bisbee Breakfast Club
Recommended by: Regan Hamm, @reghammbone
Regan's favorite dish: The chorizo rancheros, which come with corn tortillas, refried beans, scrambled eggs and chorizo, plus veggies and cheese.
Bisbee Breakfast Club started in Bisbee in 2005 and now has several locations in Arizona. Also recommended by a reader: the biscuits and gravy.
Blue Willow
Recommended by: Jennie Bass, @jbass12
Jennie's favorite dish: The Blue Willow Breakfast Special and the Tucson Mimosa. She says, "That prickly pear syrup is 🔥🔥"
Blue Willow has been a staple in Tucson for decades, opening in 1978 by Janet Seidler who also added a gift shop. The gift shop still exists today, selling lots of quirky and fun gifts — some Tucson-related — at the front of the restaurant. Readers also recommended the cinnamon roll pancake, the fried egg and bacon jam sandwich, and the Sonoran Carnitas Benedict.
Bread and Butter Cafe
Recommended by: Hola Focaccia, @holyfocaccia_
Holy Focaccia's favorite dish: Green chile and cheese omelette with an English muffin.
Pro tip: keep an eye out on Bread and Butter's Facebook page to hear about specials and new menu items.
Buendia
Recommended by: Venisa Garcia-Worley, @venisa.worley
Venisa's favorite dish: The chilaquiles.
Buendia is relatively newer to the brunch scene, but it very quickly became the spot where our former food writer Ellice Lueders found her favorite tamale in Tucson. (It's stuffed inside a poblano pepper.)
The portobello sandwich at Café a la C'Art features goat cheese, roasted red peppers and more.
Cafe a la C'Art
Recommended by: Kelly Deininger, @kelly.deininger
Kelly's favorite dish: Portobello omelette with an iced coffee. "They also have yummy items in their pastry case to drink with your morning tea or coffee," she says, also noting her love for the restaurant's patio.
Cafe a la C'art is tucked inside the Tucson Museum of Art courtyard, with a lush garden patio. There's a full pastry case, plus a full menu for breakfast and lunch.
Cappy's Breakfast Cafe
Recommended by: Victoria Rose Whiteside, @i_will_be_victorious777
Victoria's favorite dish: Chorizo with beans, salsa and tortillas.
Cappy's serves up breakfast and lunch seven days a week. The menu has all the classic breakfast favorites, from chicken fried steak to French toast to breakfast burritos.
Tofu scramble at The Cup Cafe, with potatoes and fruit.
Cup Cafe
Recommended by: Betsy Labiner, @betsyl17
Betsy's favorite dish: Cast iron baked eggs, which includes two poached eggs, ham, leeks and cheese. "I like to put in the potatoes that come as a side and mix it all up," Betsy says. She also loves the Mocha Azteca — milk, espresso, cocoa powder, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne and vanilla syrup.
Cup Cafe is located in the historic Hotel Congress, which also serves dinner. Hotel Congress was built in 1919 and Cup Cafe opened in 1990. A reader also praised the scrambled tofu at the Cup, in addition to other vegan-friendly items.
Flora's Market Run
Recommended by: Tiff, @tiffanistickler
Tiff's favorite dish: Breakfast pizza, lemon ricotta pancakes and avocado toast.
Flora's Market Run is from the breakfast masterminds behind Prep & Pastry, so its recommendation comes as no surprise.
Frida's Cafe
Recommended by: Caroline, @creativecactusgirl
Caroline's favorite dish: "All of the egg dishes are delicious and I love the fresh squeezed juice!"
Frida's Cafe quietly opened in 2022 near Tucson Medical Center, offering a menu of breakfast and lunch favorites.
Eggs provencal, one of the signature dishes at Ghini's French Caffe, 1803 E Prince Rd., on July 2, 2020. The restaurant has been open since 1992.
Ghini's French Caffe
Recommended by: Phyllis Zapor, @phylliszapor
Favorite dish: Strawberry crepes, mimosas and Ghini's signature dish: Eggs Provencal.
Coralie Satta, who started helping her mom and grandma in the kitchen at the age of 2, opened Ghini’s in 1992. A reader also recommended the Croque Madame — and the French onion soup was recommended twice.
Goodness Fresh Food & Juice
Recommended by: Nick Costello, @coste77o
Nick's favorite dish: The Morning Bowl, which comes with quinoa, kale, peppers, mushrooms, turkey, sausage, eggs and chipotle aioli, which Nick says "can't be beat!"
Goodness serves a menu of breakfast favorites, açaí bowls, vegan burgers, sandwiches and salads. There's also a selection of juice cleanses. One reader also recommended the Azteca steak bowl, which she said is also tasty with tofu!
Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
Recommended by: Trose, @trissina
Gourmet Girls has a whole menu of gluten-free goodies ... and breakfast served ALL DAY. Find pancakes, biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak and more.
The Hungry Fox
Recommended by: Ally Love, @indigo.paintbrush
Ally's favorite dish: Chicken fried steak with eggs, but "everything there is delicious!"
The Hungry Fox has been around for nearly six decades, serving a menu of jumbo cinnamon rolls and specialty omelettes.
The Mount Lemmon Omelette at Le Buzz Caffe is a plump crescent of egg filled with applewood-smoked bacon, tomato and sharp Cheddar cheese.
Le Buzz Caffe
9121 E. Tanque Verde Road; 2930 N. Swan Road
Recommended by: Kelly L., @desert_dumpling
Kelly's favorite dish: The espresso drink specials, pastries and the Tuna Nicoise. "The pancakes are great too!" she says. "Simple but delicious."
Le Buzz's east-side location is a common stop for bicyclists and hikers, and the eatery most recently opened a second location closer to midtown.
Locale Neighborhood Italian
Recommended by: Luna Scrubs, @lunascrubsaz
Luna Scrubs' favorite dish: The salmon toast!
Locale is most known for its menu of Italian favorites, best enjoyed on the expansive patio on a spring day.
The Monica
Recommended by: Fernando Rodriguez, @firenando_photography40
The Monica made its debut in downtown Tucson in 2022, from the family behind the El Charro dynasty. There are menus for both plated and takeout items. The breakfast menus include bowls, toasts, huevos rancheros, a tamal plate and more.
Monterey Court Cafe
Recommended by: Jonathan Frahm, @jonathanfrahm
Jonathan's favorite dish: "Their brunch quesadilla is the star of the show!" But other favorites include the chicken apricot wrap, breakfast burritos, pancakes, potato wedges and their lattes and espressos.
Monterey Court has a long history in Tucson, first opening in 1938 as a motor court and then repurposed into a restaurant and music venue in 2011. It's common to find live music here!
Nook
Recommended by: Chris Durante, @chris.411
Chris' favorite dish: Eggs benedict with a cinnamon roll griddlecake.
Nook started in 2015 and is owned by Nikki and Matt Thompson and Todd and Mary Anderson. Nook's website says: "It has always been their dream to open a restaurant that could capture their personality and share it with the community, and that's exactly what they did." Also recommended by a reader: the Shakshuka Benedict.
Oink Cafe
With a name like Oink, it probably comes as no shock that one of the most popular recommendations is the bacon flight. They offer eight different kinds! Our Instagram follower loves the French toast, bacon flight and the bloody Marys.
Get your day on the right foot with the duck confit hash at Prep & Pastry.
Prep & Pastry
2660 N. Campbell Ave.; 6450 E. Grant Road
Recommended by: Selina Barajas of Mi Reina Mobile Boutique, @mireina_mobileboutique
Selina's favorite dish: The oven roasted sweet potato hash.
Prep & Pastry has long been a big player in Tucson's brunch game. Readers also recommended the smoked salmon hash and the Monte Cristo.
Ren Coffeehouse
Recommended by: Tiff, @tiffanistickler
Tiff's favorite dish: Either the pear and fig bagel or the breakfast bagel.
Ren Coffeehouse, in St. Philip's Plaza, also has tasty pastries.
Seis Kitchen
Recommended by: Megan Marshall, @meh_marshall
Megan's favorite dish: Breakfast burritos. (They have eight different kinds!)
Seis Kitchen is a Tucson favorite, and the lunchtime line outside the Mercado San Agustin location is proof of it. But Seis also serves breakfast, including burritos and breakfast tacos!
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
2500 E. Grant Road; 7315 N. Oracle Road
Recommended by: Karime Torres, @torreskarime02
Karime's favorite dish: The green chile benedict.
Snooze is actually a chain, but we received too many recommendations to not include it on this list. The eatery was welcomed by Tucsonans with open arms when it arrived in 2020. Other menu recs we received: the gluten-free French toast and the Bella Bella Benny (a benedict with prosciutto, Italian cheese and balsamic glaze).
This is a Dutch baby, also known as a German pancake, or a Dutch puff. It is sweet and moist and spongy, irresistible.
Teaspoon
Recommended by: Ariel Christine, @s0tallyt0ber
Ariel's favorite dish: The Herb French toast (eggs, rosemary, cilantro, scallions, parsley, parmesan, gravy, mixed greens and sourdough) and a caramel latte — with a Dutch Baby pancake to share.
Teaspoon was recommended highly — and frequently — by our Instagram followers. One reader recommended the challah vanilla bean French toast, and another recommended the breakfast pizza. (They have fun bubble waffles, too!)
Tohono Chul's Garden Bistro
While not recommended by an Instagram follower necessarily, this spot is one of former food writer Ellice Lueders' favorite brunch spots. She says: "I don't know what I love more, the bistro's setting in a verdant botanical garden or their prickly pear margaritas."
Tooley's Cafe
Recommended by: Venisa Garcia-Worley, @venisa.worley
Venisa's favorite dish: Huevos divorciados, which includes two eggs over crisp corn tortillas, black beans, salsa roja and salsa verde.
After a six-year closure, Tooley's Cafe made its return in 2022, bringing back its turkey tacos and plate-sized cookies.
Tumerico
2526 E. Sixth St.; 402 E. Fourth St.
Recommended by: Beary Boxes, @bearyboxes
Beary Boxes' favorite dish: Tumerico's menu changes daily, but both tostadas and tamales have been on the top of the list.
There's a reason Tumerico chef and owner Wendy Garcia was recently named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award. (We also received recommendations for Tumerico's sister restaurant La Chaiteria.)
Urban Fresh
Recommended by: Hannah Hernandez, @deathfreefoodie
Hannah's favorite dish: The daily specials and the breakfast burrito that comes with soy chorizo, potatoes, green chile sauce, black beans and veggies.
Open since 2015, Urban Fresh serves plant-based foods ranging from smoothies and salads to sandwiches and wraps.
Village Bakehouse
Recommended by: Lisa-Marie of The Basket Boutique, @the.basket.boutique
Lisa-Marie's favorite dish: The stuffed French toast, which comes stuffed with raspberries and cream cheese or cinnamon apples.
Village Bakehouse is most known for its baked goods — pastries, pies and wedding cakes, for example. But there's also a full breakfast and lunch menu.
Viv's Cafe
Recommended by: Sarah M Haywood, @sarah.h0104
Sarah's favorite dish: Pancakes! "I'm something of a fiend of them, and they make just good classic pancakes."
Viv's has a giant breakfast menu with a long list of omelettes, sandwiches, burgers and other brunch favorites.
