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Looking for the best cup of caffeine in the Old Pueblo? You’ve come to the right place. I’m a Tucson local with a selective knack for coffee. Not to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a highly trustworthy connoisseur. I genuinely think I have tried every single coffee shop in Tucson.
Tucson boasts some of the best coffee in Arizona. So before you try some of Tucson’s best activities, start your day at one of these local coffee shops.
Presta Coffee RoastersThis local favorite has three convenient locations near the University of Arizona, Fourth Avenue, and Downtown Tucson.
Presta’s matcha latte is highly addictive.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 333-7146
This is the best place in Tucson to get high-quality coffee. I used to walk here multiple times a week just to get the honey lavender Matcha. It is the most delicious Matcha I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Japan a few times!)
Aside from Matcha, Presta’s drip coffee and espresso are unmatched. All three locations are hip and trendy, but the one at the Mercado San Agustin is by far the cutest with their dangly plants and adorable courtyard.
Black Crown Coffee CompanyThis cozy coffee shop feels like a woodland cabin in the middle of the city.
Pair a gourmet coffee with a fluffy pastry at this laid-back haunt
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 207-6473
Black Crown might have the coziest environment of all the Tucson coffee joints. Enjoy a carefully crafted latte or seasonal drink in the loft. Or play a board game with a friend on the wooden benches downstairs.
Whether you grab a cup to-go or spend your entire morning at this charming spot, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the coffee, ambiance, and hospitality.
Caffe LuceTake a study session with a specialty coffee on the outskirts of the UA campus.
Appreciate local artwork as you drink coffee at this busy cafe
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 207-5504
Caffe Luce is one of the most popular coffee spots in town, and for good reason. The coffee is always expertly prepared and they have a variety of locally-roasted recipes.
With one location right by the university, one by the Rillito River, and one on 4th Avenue, all three spots are quaint and aesthetically decorated. It’s a great place to study/work. A Luce latte has never let me down!
Scented LeafA UA student hangout next to the boutique shops on University Boulevard and Downtown Tucson, along with two other locations.
I always take a walk around campus after grabbing tea from here
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 624-2930
If you want to take a break from coffee and get your tea fix, Scented Leaf is the best spot in Tucson. This beloved tea shop has a wide variety of teas on tap and loose-leaf tea. And the sweet staff will always greet you with a friendly smile.
The downtown Scented Leaf is very hip, but there is something special about the recently expanded University Boulevard location. Come here to read a book, work online, or play a game with friends. Any occasion is happily spent at Scented Leaf.
Exo Roast CoThis renovated brick building is the perfect spot to work remotely in an industrial setting.
Exo is hands-down one of the most aesthetic coffee spots in town.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 777-4709
I wish I had discovered Exo years ago. This cozy brick building makes it the perfect spot for your work-from-home set-up. They have classic and unique syrup flavors along with tasty cold brews and standard drips.
They’re also located right between Historic Fourth Avenue and Downtown Tucson, so you can wander to some cool spots after getting your caffeine fill.
Time MarketA local grocery store, pizza shop, and espresso bar.
Boosting productivity with a Time Market iced Americano
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 622-0761
I never skip a trip to Time Market when I’m in the University area. Their espresso is top-tier, perfectly smooth and rich, and the classic local Tucson vibes in the market never fail to make me feel at home.
Don’t leave without a loaf of walnut bread from the bakery. I am not joking when I say it is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. TRY. IT. NOW!!!!
Cartel Coffee LabThis dimly lit local favorite is the best place to get productive on your laptop.
Many Travel Lemming articles have been written at Cartel
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (480) 621-6381
This popular chain began in Phoenix and made its way to Tucson in 2010. It’s still one of the best coffee spots in town over 15 years later. I would describe both locations (Downtown Tucson and Campbell Avenue) as very chill. Indie music, low lighting, and comfy couches tie the laid-back vibes together nicely.
This is the go-to spot for those who need to focus and get some work done. Cartel’s expertly crafted drinks and bohemian environment ensure maximum productivity. My only criticism is that it’s quite pricey for how small some of the drinks are. Last time I paid close to $8 for a 12-oz dirty chai. 😭
Decibel Coffee WorksPeruse the unique shipping container stores at the MSA Annex shopping center with freshly brewed coffee from this adorable walk-up shop.
The all-outdoor seating is perfect for enjoying good coffee with a friend on a sunny day
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 838-0750
Decibel Coffee Works is one of the most unique coffee spots near Downtown Tucson. You’ll find tons of bikers and hikers grabbing their post-workout caffeine here. Walk up to the window, then enjoy your drink on the sunny patio.
Check out a variety of shipping container stores and restaurants in the MSA Annex after getting caffeinated at Decibel.
Savaya Coffee MarketThis local chain is run by the self-proclaimed “oldest coffee family” in Tucson. They certainly have had lots of time to perfect their recipes.
Sit back in a comfy chair and enjoy the ambiance of this cute coffee shop
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 447-5713
Savaya Coffee Market is one of the only reputable coffee joints in Oro Valley. Though there are other locations around town, this cozy spot is the perfect place to enjoy a post-hike coffee after a morning of exploring Catalina State Park across the street. Try their dirty chai for the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.
Coffee Times Drive-Thru EspressoGrab and go at my favorite drive-up coffee/smoothie shop in Tucson.
It may look a little rough on the outside, but Coffee Times makes killer drinks
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 318-3698
Coffee Times is easily the best local coffee shop in Tucson if you’re crunched for time. They make incredible seasonal drinks (their peppermint mocha is divine) along with year-round solid picks.
And if you’re on foot, you can still walk up to their pick-up window. Check out Bookmans (my favorite bookstore on earth) across the street once you’ve gotten your coffee fix.
Desert DrifterDrink the flavors of the desert with locally-sourced ingredients at this proud Tucson coffee shop.
A signature Desert Bloom latte for my drive home
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 230-1858
Finally! Some coffee in Oro Valley! Desert Drifter is a colorful coffee shop with four locations across Tucson, so you’ll be near one no matter where you stay.
The menu features smoothies, food, and classic coffee options as well as desert-themed items like a Mexican mocha and prickly pear tea. Everything I’ve tried has been on the sweeter side, so ask for less syrup or an extra shot of espresso if you prefer a stronger coffee taste.
Blessed GroundsCoffee made with love and purpose in an unassuming spot right off the freeway.
A fluffy muffin pairs perfectly with a frothy latte
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 253-7733
Blessed Grounds offers great coffee and pastries, and each drink is expertly crafted. The business partakes in direct trade, which significantly helps communities make more money in coffee-producing countries, mainly in South America. And a portion of each sale goes to charity.
This charming coffee shop doesn’t look like much from the outside. It’s easy to drive by without noticing, nestled in a parking lot with repair stores and a beauty shop. But the caffeinated creations inside are fantastic. Make sure to arrive in the morning – they close at noon!
This is a great spot to stop before taking a day trip from Tucson since it’s right off I-10. Get your morning pick-me-up before hitting the road early.
Café à la C’ArtThe most aesthetic cafe in Downtown Tucson serves handcrafted coffee drinks alongside tasty breakfast options and features art from the Tucson Art Museum.
The colorful facade offers a taste of the artsy interior of this bustling cafe
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 628-8533
This adorable cafe is also an art museum, located next door to the Tucson Museum of Art and featuring pieces by local and famous artists alike. It’s located in the Old Pueblo-style homes of Barrio Viejo, one of the best neighborhoods in Tucson.
Café à la C’Art is one of my favorite breakfast spots to bring Tucson newcomers. Not only is the food and coffee incredible, but the friendly staff sets the tone for a welcoming atmosphere like no other. This cafe embodies the spirit of Old Tucson and makes for a fantastic start to the day.
Cup CafeThis cozy cafe is the ideal spot for breakfast on the brick patio of one of the most famous hotels in Downtown Tucson.
The vintage vibes are strong at this historic cafe
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 798-1618
Cup Cafe is located inside Hotel Congress, one of our favorite historic hotels in Tucson. While it is a bit pricier than other cafes on this list, the atmosphere of this over-100-year-old hotel gives this spot a special energy. Sip a pour-over with a creative entree on the shady patio while local musicians sing away your morning.
Yellow Brick CoffeeIf cold brew is your beat, you can’t miss this local roastery.
A cold brew from Yellow Brick Coffee is necessary during Tucson summers
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 226-4068
This is one of the most admirable coffee joints in Central Tucson. Yellow Brick’s responsibly roasted coffee beans are single-origin, meaning they can be traced to one farmer or region. The founder joined the coffee business in 2011 to showcase flavors from around the world and give due credit to the people who source them.
Yellow Brick’s flagship store opened in 2023, but their on-tap cold brew has circulated local restaurants for years. It’s an exciting addition to the coffee scene in Tucson.
Le BuzzA trendy cafe serving yummy small bites and delicious coffee drinks on the east side.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 749-3903
Don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry from Le Buzz before driving up Mount Lemmon. It has a couple of locations around town, but the Le Buzz in Bear Canyon is my favorite. I love to grab a gourmet latte and breakfast goodie to fuel me before going on one of the many awesome hikes in Tucson.
Barista del BarrioGrab a coffee and a burrito for super cheap on your way to Saguaro National Park at this obscure shop in Barrio Hollywood.
I know it hardly looks like a coffee shop, but this popular neighborhood cafe has a line out the door most mornings
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 244-5285
Barista del Barrio is a hidden gem you don’t want to miss. You can order a killer breakfast burrito (a Tucson staple breakfast food) and a massive coffee for less than $10. Try to get there early in the morning if you want to avoid the lines.
Get your caffeine fix at this must-visit coffee shop to fuel up before hiking in Saguaro National Park, located just five minutes away. You’ll be energized the whole day!
Raging Sage Coffee RoastersBring your pup to the dog-friendly patio at this house-turned-coffee shop just north of the University of Arizona.
Locally-made sweet treats go great with an espresso at Raging Sage
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 320-5203
Raging Sage is a super cute, locally owned coffee shop not too far from the University of Arizona. Tons of regulars come here to work from home on the patio shaded by orange trees. It’s also dog-friendly, which is always a plus.
I won’t lie, Raging Sage’s coffee isn’t my favorite in town, but their pastries are divine. I love coming here for a simple iced coffee with a slice of pound cake.
Tucson Coffee RoastersEnjoy a specialty latte with a croissant breakfast sandwich at this relaxed spot in Central Tucson.
Sip a crafty latte on the shady patio at this neighborhood cafe
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (520) 403-2472
This cute coffee shop is a great place to spend a laid-back morning. Tucson Coffee Roasters offers a wide variety of coffee drinks and small bites, including vegan and gluten-free options. Try one of their creative concoctions like the butterbeer latte if you have an adventurous caffeine craving.
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I hope you enjoy these Tucson coffee shops as much as I do. No matter which cafes you try, you’re guaranteed a quality cup of joe, great service, and a pleasant atmosphere.
For more coffee recommendations in Arizona, check out my guide to the best coffee shops in Phoenix.