Tohono Chul Bistro

DELICIOUS! Wanted to eat brunch at a vibey place & this stop offered up just that. Great food , yummy vegan options ( I had the blue corn vegan tamales with vegan sausage ) . The setting is beautiful with plenty of indoor and outdoor areas all throughout the garden areas . We were able to check out the gift shop on our way out as well. Perfect pick !

Lovely food and amazing atmosphere. The grounds are beautiful and the wait staff was very considerate of our needs with our infant. Great place for brunch everything was delicious and the orange juice was fresh squeezed.

Tohono Chul Bistro provided a lovely dining experience. The entrance patio has a small courtyard adorned with a fountain. The structure was formerly the home of the garden's founders. Seating in the garden area is surrounded by dessert landscaping, permeated by sounds of mourning doves, house finches, verdin, and the buzz of humming birds. The entrees were artistically presented. Ingredients were fresh and flavorful. The server kept our drinks topped off and was exceptionally attentive. The brunch was a delightful experience. It felt a bit pricey, but there was obvious extra effort applied to prepare a memorable meal. It all looked like something from a magazine. I want to go back.

loved it! the server was super nice. i had dos rancheros with fry bread. it was delicious.

I’d like to start by complimenting the chef—the portions are generous, and the menu is both diverse and expertly crafted. However, the customer service leaves much to be desired. The male server, in particular, was unwelcoming and dismissive. His rude, short, and cold demeanor certainly detracted from what could have been a much more enjoyable experience. While the food is fantastic, the service could use a significant improvement.

Second time at the Bistro. First time there, we thought the prices were too high. So, it was a while before we came back. Second time around, prices aligned well with expectations. The food was very good. Can be a little slow on seating, but once our order was taken, food was brought out in a timely manner. We had the eggs Benedict and the BLT….both were prepared well and dishes we would order again. Happy to see the 10% discount for members. For fun, I posted a picture from the park. See if you can find it.

So bad that I was there on rainy day and couldn’t be dining out there in the garden. Got shrimp taco, sweet potato fries and their prickly pear mimosa. Food is great but it took too long to be seated, order food and have the cheque which delays our itinerary quite a bit. But it still worth a visit if you are in town, such a cute place.

We had an absolutely great brunch today, 8/14/24! The Chul Omelette was very good I love the green onions on top and for the side, the best potatoes I've had. The Blueberry French Toast was delicious. We sat outside as is was not too hot yet & enjoyed the cardinal flying around. Thanks!

Incredible customer service! I had an issue with the food and the restaurant completely took care of us immediately! Thank you so much. Beautiful ambiance

Farm-to-table magic in a garden oasis. I simply couldn't resist. This bistro is more than just a meal, it's an experience steeped in nature and flavor. Started with an iced matcha horchata, subtly spiced with cinnamon and reminiscent of a drink from my travels in Mexico. The avocado toast was one of the best I've ever tried. Velvety slices of avocado, layered with roasted tomato, vibrant shaved rainbow radish, and delicate local microgreens atop a perfectly grilled ciabatta. Alongside it came with a lovely salad tossed with pickled onion, dried sweet corn, juicy tomato, and a Mesquite honey lime vinaigrette. Tangy, floral, and sun-kissed all at once. My server was charming, the sun brought warmth, and I found myself wishing time would stretch just a little longer. Do note - admission tickets are required and the hours shift with seasons. The menu celebrates the bounty of the Sonoran Desert, sourcing ingredients directly from the garden and local farmers. If seasonal cuisine and open-air wanderlust speak to you, carve out time to explore both plate and path at this extraordinary spot.

This place was absolutely magical! We went here for a little anniversary brunch and the ambiance alone is worth the hype, you 100% have to try their featured iced coffees! The dos rancheros was tasty with their tomato based sauce and perfectly cooked potato's, the quesadilla was so delicious as well! We can't wait to go back & take our friends and family when they come visit!

DELICIOUS! Wanted to eat brunch at a vibey place & this stop offered up just that. Great food , yummy vegan options ( I had the blue corn vegan tamales with vegan sausage ) . The setting is beautiful with plenty of indoor and outdoor areas all throughout the garden areas . We were able to check out the gift shop on our way out as well. Perfect pick !

A cute bistro for book club! We had a reservation for 8 people and the staff was attentive to our table. I ordered the blueberry French toast which was recommended by the waitress with a prickly pear lemonade. The food was delicious and next time I will try the prickly pear gelato.

What an amazing evening of jazz under the stars, dinner and time with family this past Saturday May 10th. Our service was great, checked in often and answered all our questions about the area and gift shop. The food was delicious: our table ordered pulled pork, ribs, burgers, beet salad, and cornbread. The spicy ketchup stole the show. Definitely a place to return too, plus would like to visit the gardens, museums and gift shops. I know there is plenty to see, property is 49 acres.

Prices are a little high, but the portions are large, the menu is eclectic and the setting is unparalleled in Tucson. Brunch for 4 the other day. Best meal I've had in Tucson in a while. You just cannot beat the ambiance of the outdoor seating here, it's so lush and green. The waitstaff is really friendly and the menu has a lot of creative Sonoran specialties that are worth a try. I had the Dos Rancheros with carnitas and I couldn't finish all the potatoes even though they were wonderful. The prickly pear lemonade was a big hit with our visitors. This is a Tucson gem.

Excellent place to view local desert landscape, and there is also very good hiking. You'll learn about Tohono Chul history in the area. Very nice cafe for lunch. Check their website about current activities. We happened to visit on a day when entrance was no charge.

Hands down a favorite spot now. We are here often and have tried many different dishes. I have several favorites, but you can't go wrong. Service is fantastic and the setting of course is beautiful. All the waitstaff is great but Lori is like a friend.

A beautiful spot for a walk or wedding! Amazing gardens with plenty to explore. I photographed a wedding here in 2025 and it was so nice to have a private area to have the ceremony, cake cutting, and dances.

Nice place, very good service and delicious food. Not crowded & easy parking. It's but overpriced.

It was a lovely setting, seated underneath the trees for a cool, fresh temperature. Water was provided immediately. We had the scones for appetizers which were served with butter and grape jelly. The shrimp tacos were delicious, I took my time eating them to savor it. Two nonalcoholic beverages were ordered which unfortunately were provided mid meal for us since the server assumed they would be made and brought to us by the bartenders??... This excellent brunch spot is the perfect start to your beautiful flowery, scenery getaway.

We had a special lunch out on the patio of this hidden gem. The food was delicious and the staff was so kind. There were a lot of people there and we were able to call ahead so we didn't wait much once we got there. I recommend the strategy if you are a larger party. I had the chicken salad and it was perfect. Another special feature was the Matcha Horchata. To celebrate a birthday, the staff brought out a very scrumptious homemade scone. A little on high priced side for lunch, but the food was delicious so it's worth it.

Went with friends and enjoyed it. They don't take reservations but you can get on a "waiting list" which means you may be seated in 20-30 minutes. When you arrive, tell the, you are on the waiting list and you will get seated. Otherwise there could be a wait. We went at 11:30. There is indoor and outdoor seating. In the heat, outdoor might not be that nice in the heat of the day but it was fine outside when we were there. The waitress was nice but forgot something that had been requested. After that, when reminded, she was good about everything else. I had the French Toast. I asked for toppings on the side and didn't get the whipped cream. The toast was tasty and cooked just right. The toppings were maple syrup, blueberry syrup and creme fraiche besides the whipped cream. I liked the blueberry syrup with a hint of the creme fraiche with the toast. There were also some berries on the side. I sadly didn't get pictures but would like others to go again. The menu has a variety. As someone mentioned, it is a bit pricey but is a pleasant atmosphere and you can go to the gift store or tour the garden if you like. I would like to go again some time.

The food was just ok- very overpriced for the quality and amount of food for $24. There are tons of good restaurants in Tucson where you pay less for a meal. Won't be going back anytime soon.

As many times as I've been to the gardens, I had not been to the bistro until this past week. And wow!! Delicious food- I had the salmon cakes that were balanced with squash and a beet puree. But as much as I liked my meal, it was my friend's meal of chicken and waffles that I ended up picking on ( we were sharing I promise) - and that is what I will get the next time (maybe- there are so many good choices!). Inside and outdoor seating and either choice is a beautiful vibe with view of the gardens and greenery. Good service and good experience.

The food and service were great! We ate outside and the weather was perfect. I got the Heritage salad with red chili chicken. The chicken was a little dry imo but over the salad was delicious! I would order the salad again, maybe just a different protein.

I ordered the Chul Quesadilla with pork carnitas and the prickly pear gelato and both were absolutely delicious! However, I do think that for the amount and type of food, the price is a bit on the higher side so keep that in mind before going. Yesterday was free admission day at Tohono Chul so the wait was significantly longer than normal. I suggest peeking at any events going on in the garden and making a reservation to ensure a shorter wait. Other than that, the staff was very helpful and attentive and the ambiance is very calming. Good place for a brunch or early lunch!

This hidden gem is tucked away in the gardens at Tohono Chul. We went for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised at how amazing the food was! We got the simple breakfast and it was cooked to perfection with eggs, toast, potatoes, and bacon. It also came with a jam that was so good. The ambience is peaceful and is a full-on soul reset while sat in the beautiful desert gardens. Service was excellent as well. We were in a rush for a movie and the server got us in and out no problem. We'll be back!

Yummy food. I had tacos and so flavorful but a tad dry. Charro beans good n salsa YUM..chul omelet my friend got.. ding ding ding winner!!! I'd take a pic but it's gone! Smashed potatoes really good too that came with it.. Thank you Steve Lopez for making everything seamless

This was surprisingly one of the better meals I had in Tucson because I wasn't expecting it to be at a bistro in a Garden attraction! Initially we sat outside but it was too hot, so we moved inside. Service was friendly but a bit slow at times. I had the chicken and waffles and my mom had the bistro skillet, and we agreed both were tasty. The produce was really fresh, and I was happy to find things like jicama in my side salad for some sweet crunch. The chicken came out hot, juicy, and well seasoned. My mom is a huge potato lover, and she really enjoyed the sweet potatoes and smashed spuds. Would return to try more things next time I'm in Tucson.

Came here on a Saturday afternoon, I've been to the garden before, but never the bistro. It did not disappoint. Love the ambiance! I Added myself to the waitlist before I got here and Was seated immediately. Bistro is Open until four on Saturdays. They have a brunch and lunch menu. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages available. We had the prickly pear lemonade, delicious! And a prickly pear mimosa, delicious! We did the half pound Angus pepper jack burger (it was okay, a little dry, I wouldn't get it again if I came back) and the Sonoran omelet (very good! I definitely will try other breakfast options). Service was great, fast and friendly.

Have not been to Tohono Chul in several years, love the park! The last time I went here to eat, was mostly when they did English Tea years ago. This time the Garden Bistro was amazing. They incorporate many of the items that they show in the gardens and have specialty drinks. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and plenty of room for groups. I went with my wife to see a Bonsai event and stuck around for food. They do take reservations, and since we did not have one it took about 15 minutes to be seated. The server was highly available and was able to check in on us frequently, but not enough that it was disturbing. We sat outside with a nice view of the patio and part of the garden. We tried their specialty drinks with were very tasty. The Tamarindo Paloma was a little sour on the grapefruit and I requested honey to add which put it over the top! My wife had the prickly pear margarita which was also refreshing! There is a limited rotating draft options, wine and lemonade options and fountain drinks. I went for the smaller Angus burger (1/4 lb) which was very tasty and cooked as I requested. My wife's food was a Sonoran Sunrise Omelet which was served in a skillet and very nicely prepared. All was good and warm and ready to eat. I highly recommend visiting the garden, checking out the gift shops and coming for food at this Garden Bistro. They also have food and wine events, so check the website and I recommend getting reservations online as well.

First time attending Jazz Under the Stars @ Tohono Chul. It was a nice chill vibe with a few friends. The service took quite a while for the food. The drinks got there pretty fast. I ordered the Blackened Chicken Sandwich with fries. I liked! Yummy , all super salty foods. I had to make sure to ask for Ketchup. I would definitely go again. I think they have peak time do this Feb-May and some months in the Fall. Overall a great experience and it's just a beautiful area to be outside. For drinks mine was the nonalcoholic Prickly Pear Lemonade but one of the girls got it with alcohol and said it was super delish!! My other friend got the Horchata , said it wasn't that great. It was just milky didn't taste like horchata. Overall we were all satisfied with our food and the outdoors scene, plus the music was good. The entire band were really good :)

Such a beautiful place! The atmosphere, the patio, the food, the entire staff ... top of the line! The Eggs Benedict are the best I've ever had! :-)

Amazing outdoor/indoor garden ambiance. The food items are very unique and fresh tasting. A great place for brunch!

Would have been a 5 star review, but they are a little pricey. The food, however, is quality, well-portioned, and tasty. I went with friends to last month's Guitar's Under the Stars free live music in the Garden Bistro, and we had a really pleasant experience. The wait staff was spread a little thin, but acknowledged us and were attentive while they we waiting on us. The food came in a timely manner and was nicely presented. Remember that you'll be sitting in metal bistro chairs, so take your comfort from the food and the music and try to ignore the hard surface of the chairs ;o) . Side note: I am dairy-free, and they could easily accommodate my requests to omit dairy from whatever I ordered.

Food was good but on the colder side. Went while there was a wait and many people. The ambiance was great. Staff was friendly, various options on the menu.

We came here for Jazz Under the Stars series on Friday night. We got there about 4:55pm and they started at 5pm. There was plenty of tables available. It was a very windy night so not sure if it normally is more full.Almost all table are in the shade. The chicken sandwich was delicious and juicy with so much flavor. The fries were good as well. The rice and beans side was bland. He liked his pork dish. I really disliked the Gin Hibiscus Cooler. It tasted kind of like medicine. The Old Fashioned was ok. I was hesitant to try the prickly pear margarita because they said it was sweet. I don't see champagne as an option on the drink menu but would ask them if that's available next time. It was too windy to try the beignets but will definitely try these next time. I really enjoyed the music. I think the food is overpriced for what it is but you are paying for the jazz show/ambiance so it's fine.

The ambiance of a desert oasis brunch spot with likely the best brunch food I've had in a while. All the servers were extremely friendly, attentive, and willing to refill our bottomless mimosas. If you're in Tucson and can have brunch, visit Tohono! They also have a beautiful desert garden walking path for an extra price, but it's worth it!

Food is outstanding; fresh, unique regional/ local ingredients. Excellent service- Lori our server is warm, and knowledgeable. Charming traditional Sonoran ambiance. Natalie the hostess could benefit from a refresher course on customer service; was more focused on crowd control and compliance with the please wait to be seated sign even though there was no line of people waiting. Otherwise would have given 5 stars for an overall wonderful brunch experience.

After high recommendations from two friends, we went for brunch one day. What a lovely charming place! You wait on a beautiful courtyard for your table to be ready. We were there by 11-11:30 on a weekday & only had a wait of about five minutes, but noticed later, someone said it was an hour wait. We wanted to eat outside but the dining areas inside looked lovely too. The patio is good sized, very very shady, and the gardens are lovely. There is even a stage, so I assume at times there is live music. Our server was friendly & prompt. We both had the Sonoran Benedict & a Prickly Pear Margarita. Delicious! I was afraid the Benedict would be too massive for me but it's not those huge English muffins some place carry. Perfect size and very delicious. Afterwards we walked the gardens, which are lovely. Buy admission tickets at the kiosk.

I had a really good experience here. On a Saturday morning at 11am, my friend and I were seated right away. Most of the place was empty, so we didn't have to deal with long wait times for seating or food. I ordered the prickly pear lemonade, which was good, but half of it was ice :(. I had the Garden Bistro Skillet with scrambled eggs and chorizo. It was pretty tasty! A good combo of potatoes, eggs, meat, and other toppings. The food came out pretty quickly, and our waiter was very friendly. It was too hot to sit outside, but next time I'd love to sit out on the patio!

I'm so sad that I didn't have the experience here most poeple seem to have. There are so many 4 and 5 star reviews and that was NOT my experience. We went for lunch on weekday and it was pretty crowded. The person at the desk said it would be about a 30 minute wait. After 45 minutes we checked in with her - she got us in at about the 55 minute mark. If we knew 55 minutes at the start we would not have waited. The setting is very pretty and we did enjoy that. The service was VERY slow also. We ordered drinks and had to hunt the waitress down after a while to see if they were coming. Food was slow coming out also. I had a salad that was very small and I have to say pretty wilted. It tased OK but fut the money I did feel ripped off on that one. We also had the hash which was tasty but lukewarm. Maybe we just hit this on a bad day. It was very disappointing.

My friend and I have a standing brunch date on Sundays. We chose Tohono Chul and went on what happened to be Easter Sunday for most of Tucson. I arrived early since reservations aren't available for a party of two and was lucky enough to get a small table on the patio. They were serving a limited menu for Easter which was a tad disappointing as it didn't include the dish my date wanted to try. I went with the prickly pear chicken salad croissant and he chose the two eggs meal. We shared the daily scone to start which wasn't overly sweet and had a nice crumbly texture. The chicken salad was good, seasoned well and not too sweet. He enjoyed his eggs and tried out the chorizo which was also good. Service was pretty good, but the day was damp and drizzling so we weren't able to stay around and walk the grounds. I'd like to go back and try again with the full menu available.

Nice place but service doesn't rise to the same level. We waited 45 minutes to get in, placed our orders and proceeded to wait for almost another 40 minutes. There is a large # of people waiting to get in and yet we're surrounded by empty tables. My wife said waiting for the food felt like waiting for a ride at Disneyland. Food was ok. Not sure we'd go back.

Garden Bistro is one of my go-to spots for special occasions or to bring out of town guests, especially for a weekend brunch or spring and summer nights when they feature live music. The portions are big and everything is lovingly crafted and beautifully presented. My default is the chicken quesadilla, but the Garden Bistro skillet and omelets are also delish if you're in the mood for breakfast. The specialty cocktails and mimosas are lovely and the setting is equally beautiful, with the patio seating nestled amongst native flowers and plants. If you opt to dine indoors, you'll be treated to some amazing local art, which is also a treat.

I thought I had written a review already, because there was a time that I came here a lot. It has its pro and cons. Pros It's beautiful It's quiet There is a lot of outdoor dining Inside the air conditioning is comfortable The food can be good and today it was Cons The food is inconsistent The wait staff and service are inconsistent It's a little expensive but what's not expensive anymore. The median age is around 70 of patrons, this is both pro and con. Pro being it makes me feel younger, con it makes me feel old. Weirdly both. I still really like it and you will probably like it too.

Even if you don't have time to walk the gardens (which you should definitely try to do) - stopping at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro for brunch is a must! Their bottomless prickly pear mimosas and margaritas will also have you wanting to walk around after! The chicken and blue corn waffles with the mesquite honey syrup is something to write home about over and over again. The menu is clean, fresh, and as delectable as the view on the patio!

I thought the food here was really good. It was presented beautifully and tasted as good as it looked. The service was a little hit or miss. That was unimpressive but food was fabulous. We sat outside and they had tons of seating. Will def go back!

Atmosphere is great, especially outside on the patio. We thought it would be a nice dinner & something different for Guitars Under the Stars. While we loved the drinks & the setting, we'd probably skip the food next time. While the salmon cakes were very good, the pomegranate chicken was so dry, it was hard to swallow. The blue cheese poblano salad had a great presentation, but was absolutely tasteless. It was pretty expensive for extremely mediocre food. Would definitely not plan a meal here again. They did make a great prickly pear margarita. Between that & the salmon cakes, I could give it an ok review.

We came to see the Merry Market, since it is their last night. Admission was free. And parking lot is almost full. Everyone was awed by the lights display they have! The garden was amazing. We had a good time checking out their lights display and the museum inside the garden. I didn't expect this place to be such a great place to visit. They have the bistro that serves brunch. I want to come back and check it out next time I visit. There's so much nice stuff in their stores/ souvenir shop inside. I mean lots!! By purchasing, you are supporting local artists.

Beautiful atmosphere in the gardens. You can sit inside, outside or in a covered patio. The prickly pear mimosa was perfect. The french toast was a bit sweet for me but really well done and the fresh berries were a welcome touch. My husband's omelette and potatoes were excellent. Lastly, the shop is adorable. Our new favorite brunch spot!

We met a friend and enjoyed a serene and quiet lunch in the very expansive Bistro garden on the patio surrounded with lush botanical and Sonoran desert flora. Special setting! Lunch was good: my wife enjoyed Dos Rancheros - eggs, native fry bread, Mexican cheese, roasted tomatillo ranchero sauce and bacon. I liked the Chul Quesadilla - beef barbacoa, Mexican cheeses, poblano crema, pickled onion, dried sweet corn, arbol salsa, artisan greens, roasted tomatoes, mesquite honey lime vinaigrette. Service good! Wait was a little over an hour on a weekday. Enjoy the garden setting while you wait - tour the varied theme gardens and gift shop - nice walk.

We love Tohono Chul Garden Bistro every time we go! Delicious, creative food, and a beautiful atmosphere! Try one of their prickly pear drinks- you can't go wrong! Prickly pear lemonade (nonalcoholic), prickly pear margarita, prickly pear orange juice mimosa (pictured), and more- all delicious. They have limited gluten free options, but I always find something delicious! They do have a gluten free bread option. Fun birdwatching while you eat too! Be sure to check out the gardens and the Oro Valley Children's Museum after your meal!

My friends and I absolutely loved the Sonoran Eggs Benedict. Wowowow... a must try and will be back for that dish again!

Pretty solid bistro in the Tohono Chul gardens, we put ourselves on the waitlist while exploring and waited about 45 mins. They did a great job incorporating locally sourced ingredients from things like the prickly pear cactus, things were a little pricey but overall enjoyed the meal and ambiance of the open air seating.

Food was mediocre. Service was attentive, but mediocre. We were out on a wait-list to sit inside, but our table was given away. After waiting again, we were seated by the kitchen where there is nothing but kitchen noise, view of interior walls, and the gazing eyes of every server that enters and leaves the loud kitchen. Basically, we were othered. Being from California, this felt both intentional and subtle because it was mid-way through our meal that we realized everyone else was asked if they were okay with where they were being seated. We were never asked, just seated. Furthermore, not a single patron was even remotely our color brown. Go figures. Not sure where all the people of color go to eat, as it surely isn't this place because the food was half-way decent. Tacos - meh Kids Mac and cheese was box mix and not well made at all Kids pancakes were overdone. Skillet plate was mostly potatoes. Chicken tortilla soup - a lot of shredded chicken in a decently spiced broth.

Food is good mostly but the service is hit or miss. Parties are served in no particular order so you may notice people seated after you being served before you, which is frustrating. Nice outdoor or indoor seating surrounded by interesting plants. And after you can walk through the gardens and visit the shops.