Cafe Botanica

Best restaurant in Tucson.
Amazing flavor, unexpected combos, local ingredients! Everything here is so YUM!!! Did I mention the flavor??! I wish the portions were larger. Sometimes I have to order two entrees, but it’s always worth it.
Lovely place for brunch, sitting nestled deep in the gardens, or for an elegant party. Wish Unilocal had ten stars to give out.

Amazing food. Great service. Incredible atmosphere. The best place to enjoy outdoor dining in Tucson.

This review applies to Twilight Thursdays only — mainly because I haven’t eaten there during the day yet and am not familiar with their regular menu. The Café is located within the Tucson Botanical Gardens which charges an entry fee. During the summer months, the fee is waived and a special menu is created for all of us who want a wonderful evening dining experience under the trees. For $ 20.00 you get a 3-​course meal consisting of one meat and/​or one vegetarian entrée. All dishes are imaginative, creative and very delicious! Dishes like Chilled Tomatillo Gazpacho, Hummus with Crackers, Grujillo Chile and Coffee Bean Crusted Pork Tenderloin are but a small example of the delights you will eat! Chefs Brian and John are outstanding! The «Thursdays» end the end of August so you need to move quickly if you want to enjoy this Tucson summer treat! Be sure to bring your own wine-​no alcohol is served. I have become a member of the Botanical Gardens just so I can frequently come and enjoy the lunches and brunches they serve. Another review will come on those outings!

Very small little place in the botanical gardens. Not a very big selection, but the food was really tasty! We got a beef sandwich and a carrot/​butternut squash soup, with an apricot bar for desert, and I’d order any one of those again.

I love eating here. The food is fantastic and the setting is idyllic. If you have not visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens or this restaurant, you are in for a treat. Prices are a little higher, but the food is absolutely worth it. Fresh, healthy, innovative. A true gem in Tucson.

Fresh, healthy food with amazing flavors! I had the Eggs Benedict with lime hollandaise and it was delicious. Fresh citrus-​grapefruit juice was a perfect compliment. Not a cheap-​eats spot, but great to support local sustainable foods.
Note: you need to pay Botanical Garden entry or be a member to eat at the café. Garden was worth the entry.

Outstanding culinary craftsmanship! We had Sunday brunch – Botanica Benedict and Beef Tortitas, with their refreshing tea and lemonade. Their ingredients are of highest quality and absolutely fresh, presented exquisitely, in a gorgeous setting. And you don’t need to get dressed up – casual is fine.

Ate here for a $ 30 lunch for my husband and I and he got a torta for $ 11 that was the size of my fist. Very disappointing. Slow service, not many choices and just an overall overpriced, painfully slow experience. Leaving here not very full and with $ 30 less in my pocket! Bring your own food especially if you have children.

What a heavenly spot for a leisurely weekend breakfast! The gardens themselves are exquisite, and to find this charming spot on the grounds just takes it over the top. You shouldn’t come to the gardens without planning either breakfast or lunch here. Or both! ;-)
You can dine inside or out — even thought it was July and monsoon rains the prior day made it a bit muggy, we chose outdoors. There is plenty of shade, and the way seating is arranged, you can find any number of little private spots. We picked a shady spot by a fountain, shaded by a massive mesquite.
Hubby had the biscuits and gravy — his choice any time he wants something decadent. The biscuits were a little too savory for him. I tasted them and liked them, but couldn’t put my finger on what added to their savory flavor. But he really liked the sausage (locally made) and gravy. There were little bits of spiciness added that gave it just the right pizazz. It was served with a salad of romaine, mixed citrus, apricot and almonds with a light dressing.
I started with the currant cardamom scone and could have eaten a dozen of them! The cardamom scent infused the scone — it was delicious with butter. I didn’t have the heart to put the fresh jam they served on it – I wanted to really savor the cardamom and not make the scone sweet. But the jam (apricot?) looked great. Then I had eggs over their sweet potato hash. Heavenly! The hash was nicely browned and crunchy, just the way I like it. It was served with the same salad. Coffee, tea and our meals were served on beautiful and colorful garden-​themed plates — a very nice touch. The food is locally sourced and is as organic as possible.
The ladies who served us were very friendly, yet not intrusive. We enjoyed chatting and discovering common history and interests. They were the kind of ladies I could see as dear neighbors and friends. Felt like we were visiting their home, rather than at a café.
So glad we found this gem! We’ll be back throughout the year to see the garden change over the seasons, and I can’t imagine a visit without either breakfast or lunch here. Their menu is online on the botanical garden website — check it out!

Terrific. IMHO Tucson food at its best. Locally sourced AND deftly prepared is not an easy combination in town (one or the other, usually), but Café Botanica does it beautifully. Not inexpensive (plus you must pay the entry fee to the Botanical Garden, well worth it), but thoughtful, delicious, balanced food extremely well done. Limited menu (which I prefer, actually): on our visit, we had squash soup, beef and chicken entrees, lemon squares and pecan bars for dessert. Lovely setting, of course. A+.