The 10 Best Restaurants In El Presidio, Tucson

Besides being a Tucson mainstay since 1922, El Charro Café is also ‘The Nation’s Oldest Mexican Restaurant’. Since their opening, they have been owned by the same family, and their menu features Northern Mexico-Sonoran style and Tucson-style Mexican cuisine.

Café Poca Cosa is a more upscale Mexican restaurant, offering creative Mexican cuisine created with ingredients from Chef Suzan Davila’s own homeland. In addition to their cuisine, they also offer a bar with a diverse selection of tequilas and margaritas. What sets this restaurant apart is that they change their menu twice daily, and it is offered in both English and Spanish on a portable chalkboard. This quirky method perfectly encompasses their upscale yet still casual and down-to-earth atmosphere.

With three different areas within one restaurant, Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink provides a unique experience that everyone can enjoy. The restaurant consists of a main dining room, a beer garden, and a basement. The main dining room provides a good selection of cocktails and an upscale menu, their popular beer garden features 40 rotating tap beers and 8 tap wines, and the basement has a casual and rustic bar.

47 Scott is a casual restaurant that feels upscale. The ambiance is romantic, especially if you decide to eat outside on their large outdoor patio. The restaurant also offers indoor seating with both bar and booth seating. Their menu features American cuisine, and in addition to their food, they also offer a full bar, which boasts a diverse and global list of wines, micro-brewed beers, and hand-crafted cocktails.

Located in the courtyard of the Tucson Museum of Art, Café a la C’Art is easy to get to. The restaurant has been family owned for over 18 years. The café includes wonderful baked goods and sandwiches, and for dinner they also offer more gourmet options such as steak dinners. Be sure to check out their brunch menu for a casual get together, and their happy hour from Wed-Sun 4pm-6pm is another great option for meeting up with friends.

HUB Restaurant & Ice Creamery is a trendy restaurant and ice creamery. This is hands down one of the best and most popular restaurants in Tucson. Their menu includes casual selections such as hamburgers and fish and chips, and in addition to their food menu they also offer a cocktail and wine list. You cannot come here without trying their delicious homemade ice cream.

Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails is a casual restaurant with a great cocktail menu. Their menu draws influence from around the world, ranging from China, Africa, and Europe to Latin America as well as many other countries. Although their menu may be global, they use ingredients from local farmers to ensure the freshest ingredients. The restaurant offers a daily happy hour from 4pm-6pm.

Maynards Market & Kitchen offers easy take-away food as well as being an award-winning restaurant. France influences their gourmet menu, and for special occasions try the Chef’s Table, which is a specially curated menu of three courses and wines. Although pricey, the cuisine is worth it. For a bargain, check out their happy hour Tues-Sat 4pm-7pm.

Penca is an authentic and upscale Mexican restaurant, and their food draws influence from traditional Mexican foods and then puts their own unique twist on them. In addition to their food, they also boast an extensive cocktail and wine list. For a night out try their agave tasting flights, and on Wednesday nights, they offer a special three-course tasting menu.

Casa Vicente feels like it is imported straight from Spain. Their menu offers a large selection of tapas as well as other entrée options, and their large wine list comes from multiple regions of Spain and Argentina. Transport yourself to Spain while enjoying the authentic food and listening to the nightly guitar music. The restaurant also offers flamenco shows on select Friday and Saturday nights.