My favorite restaurant in Tucson. Food is delicious. Drinks are amazing and their cheesecake is to die for.

*** Update 09/2013 *** I have been a big fan of Cup Cafe for some time and would not hesitate to stop by for dinner or dessert if I'm in the neighborhood. That's what happened last weekend. Only this time, the experience was so dramatically different (as in bad) that I had to write an update. Let me start with a drink. I ordered a Tanqueray Bloody Mary thinking that it would be refreshing since the weather is still a bit warm. As soon as I took the first sip, I knew something was wrong. It was so salty that I instinctively went for my water. Thought about sending it back but our wait person was not easy to find. I then decided that it may be because this was not on their menu (but this was bar tending 101, I thought). Oh .. and the Tanqueray taste was not apparent from the drink - must be some kind of strong tomato juice (??). Then the menu was a bit underwhelmed as there were fewer items to choose from (than in the past). But my favorite Fish and Chips was still there so I ordered it. My friend ordered the Pork Tenderloin. Fish and Chips were still good and crispy. But the Tenderloin tasted like it had been simmered for a thousand years, or we got the last portion there was in the pot. The meat was saturated with flavor and everything else tasted so strong that I, once again, reached for my water. Believe me, there is a big difference between letting all the flavor blend in and overcooking something. The Tenderloin tasted like I can throw in a whole pound of vegetables in the portion in front of us and it would still have enough flavor to cover them. I don't know what happened but I was sorely disappointed that my favorite dining spot has taken a dive for the worse. And with what Cup Cafe charges for dinner, I am a bit shy about giving it another try. This last weekend experience forces me to down grade CC to a 2-star rating. But the worst thing about it is not the rating. It's that it is no longer my "go to" spot for downtown dining :-) read more

I have a love hate relationship with the Cup Cafe. I love the spacious courtyard and overall vibe from the downtown location. They usually have bands outside, lights strung up and a very social, yet chill ambiance. The service has been ok so far. The problem is, I have dined here 4 times, and not once loved what I ate. The veggie burger was huge, but overall was lacking flavor. I know what you are thinking, what did you expect from a veggie burger, but I have had darn good ones in the past. Nothing on the menu stands out to me as something I have to order. I ordered the heartbreaker last time (basically a cheese plate) and there was nothing wrong with it, just not what I wanted to eat for dinner, but I didn't feel like I had any other option! Also, I think they could use an update to their beer list. I know management problem thinks, why fix it if it ain't broken, but a few new updates/additions here and there probably wouldn't hurt. read more

Cup Cafe - Despite the look, we both agreed these were the worst bloody marys - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

We arrived on a Sunday and only had a 30 minute wait. We relaxed in the lobby and listened to live music (base and guitar playing). We enjoyed sitting inside by the window and I ordered 2 flapjacks with blueberries and it came with eggs (any style) and bacon. DELICIOUS! Any and every time I am there the service is great and fast and the food is amazing. Kevin was lucky to get his favorite - Pressed Cuban Sandwich that they only start to serve at 11am. I had a taste and it was good...they put "jalapen - NOS" (as I call them) in it so if that is not your taste, like me, make sure to request them without. His papas fritas were requested extra fritas and they were tasty! read more

My boyfriend and I went here for breakfast/ lunch. We waited a bit for our drinks - I had an amazing iced coffee though. I got the creole breakfast which is THE BEST and my boyfriend got the fish and chips which were decent. Overall, the ambiance of this place rocks, its pricey, food is very good, service is okay. a definite must go if you're in Tucson though!! read more

Visiting a friend in Tucson and on my last night in town she wanted to take me to dinner at the Cup Cafe. Now I wish I was staying longer. At first the decor and band playing in the courtyard had me thinking I was about to get an upscale hamburger or something like that. Boy was I wrong. Everything I had was fine dining at its very best. The salmon farrow salad was perfect in every way. The salmon, cooked to perfection with crisp skin and flaky deliciousness. The greens and farrow were wonderful and perfectly dressed. The barrio bread was good, but the pesto was amazing, I could literally eat it with a spoon. Soooo good.. Our server agreed and said that he eats it regularly. He was very friendly and helpful even though he was very busy. I will eat here every time I visit now. Going to dress down next time so I can try the ribs. Thanks for a wonderful experience all around, and yes this place is highly recommended. read more

Great breakfast. Awesome decor/ambience. Very friendly and helpful staff. Added to our favorite list.

Great for outdoor seating when you can get a table. Fun place to go on a lunch date. Service is fast and great!

My boyfriend Brought me here for valentine's day. Great Place for a date. we had a 5 course meal, everything exquisit. The ambiance was perfect, very romantic. the art was very nice (wine bottle chandelier and pennies covered the ground). It was a bit of a wait but it was valentines day and they were booked solid. Indoor and outdoor seating. It was nice to walk around down town afterwards. a bit pricey. read more

Pleasant staff, near downtown. We had a concert to go to and was looking at places to eat downtown, as I have a peanut allergy I was shocked to find that several downtown restaurant's use peanut oil. We went to Cup Cafe because my life was not in danger by eating there, and were very pleased with the choice. The food was good and the staff was awesome, will be back again! read more

Met up with some friends who were in town here. Highly recommend you make reservations. We had dinner - there were 8 of us. Everyone loved their food. Great service. Can't wait to try their breakfast next time we're in town. read more

Great craft beers on tap, breakfast served until 4PM. Best chilaquiles I've had since Mexico.

Used to come to the cup cafe all the time when attending The University Of Arizona! The cup cafe has great brunch & lunch! You can't go wrong with the homemade pies and the delicious drinks. One of our favorite dishes was the turkey green chili club! So good. 5 stars- if your looking for a great spot for lunch go here! Also at night is when hotel congress gets even more fun. read more

As an update for my previous review I came to give Cup Cafe another try. I always the the Bloody Mary bar and live band on Sundays next to Cup Cafe, so I got a Bloody Mary and my friend wanted to try the food at Cup so we went and they ended up ordering the same salad I usually get. I made a mental note that, while we were not sitting at the table I had issues with before, I looked over and didn't see any pests near the table. Also my friend loved the salad and it looked as good as ever! I had a cup of fruit as to not let them eat alone and enjoyed a fresh variety of lovely fruit. We had a really pleasant experience with service, food and atmosphere! read more

I went to Cup for the second time today and I have mixed feelings. The Bloody Mary I started with was absolutely delicious. I ordered the cast iron baked eggs for brunch, and while it sounded delicious, when I stabbed my fork into it, oil was oozing all over which made me not want to eat it. The potatoes and toast were great, but I only really poked at the eggs. Luckily, my friend and I had ordered biscuits and gravy to share, and those were delicious. I'm sure I'll be back to Cup again, but will definitely be trying something different. read more

I've reviewed The Cup many times. I hadn't been back for a while as the hostessing concept didn't work for me. Today at lunch however I was looking for an outdoor spot and The Cup appealed to re-try. The sign said See Hostess but the hostess station, empty, had a sign Seat Yourself. Happily I did just that. I've never complained about the food at Cup. The lunch menu -- also serving breakfast -- looks varied and contains tempting signature dishes. However, today I chose a standard: fish & chips. The waiter, who was very pleasant and efficient, smiled, saying it was really good. I anticipated the dish. The dish arrived and I was nonplussed. Very attractive presentation but scant on fish -- just two small pieces. Upon paying $17.50 with tip, I walked down Congress to add $5 to my lunch price -- getting a large slice of pizza. It's easy to make portion comparisons on a standard dish and I'm sorry I didn't get just one more piece. Customers notice portion sizes. Ask HUB. I suggested a few years back that they literally beef up their prime dip and now it's huge and my fave go-to dish there. Please don't skimp, Cup. You've got a lot going for you: location, staff, menu, management and ambience. More please. read more

at here with a friend as the sun stated to set. we selected various starters and went tapas style. some of the dishes were great (tacos) and some were not (shrimp cocktail). deserts looked soooo good but somehow it did not live up to the hype. My chocolate mousse in a coffee cup with cream on top? it was hard mousse and cream - requiring too much effort to enjoy it. however, the conversation was great! and waiter was funny. read more

Good food, strong coffee, a nice patio. I love this place. And its not that long a wait on a Sunday morning, thankfully. 5/6 of the people I was with had Huevos Rancheros (and were happy), and one had a pancake-y thing. Yum. read more

Funky little place with great food! Service is average, ambiance is just ok, but the food is great! Definitely recommend this restaurant!

Food and service is great! Only downside is the music is too loud to hear the person sitting across from you.

Funky atmosphere, which I mean in a good way, and excellent food. It is fun also to look around this old,historic hotel in downtown Tucson. Many famous and infamous people stayed there. read more

OMG. Left the train station after an overnight trip from LA. Came with some locals and was not disappointed. The food was just delicious, the breakfast potatoes, eggs done to perfection, excellent service, I totally cleaned my plate. Had the Braveheart, my family had Chilaquiles, omelette and flapjacks, and loved it. Food arrived in a timely manner, and our waitress was incredible. I can't wait to return. Yummy.... read more

Great menu and service. Have been going there for years and liked it 95% of the times. But not too many options for vegans. However, the last time we went there, there was a family with a dog. Fine, but not the best option to eat in a clean environment. I have seen this happen before, no big, big deal. But this time this family had given the dog one of the restaurants plates to eat from and lick on the floor! I complained to the server, NOT the waiter, and was told that, that was OK because they clean the dishes "real good". If I would not mind this unsanitary situation, I guess I could go to a kennel and eat off their dogs' dishes? And if a city inspector would happen to come by at that time, their license would have received a black mark for sure. It will be a long while before I return there, hopefully their dog-licking-plates-it's-OK policy would change by then. I saw this happen in another restaurant and the owner rushed to the table gave this couple a warning. Unless this server went rogue, Cup Cafe does not mind this unsavory action. read more

Solid restaurant and my go-to place for brunch. I've dinner here as well but i like their bunch better than dinner.

I love going to this place. The prices are a little high and the service sometimes leaves a lot to be desired but the real reason I keep coming back is the Gunpowder. If you're interested in experimenting with your chorizo, this is the place for you! read more

Hostess has the worst diva attitude; they won't call you when your table is ready, server was high or something and food was mediocre.

If you are looking for something different from the large national brand coffee shops, this establishment is very special and one of a kind. The atmosphere is great as is the food. read more

I had the fish and chips. Fish was a little greasy since it was battered and fried. But the delicious sweet poatato fries made up for it. They were slightly spicy and salty and YUMMY! I also had the blackberry pie with vanilla ice cream which was also divine. Lastly I had 2 delicious concoctions for happy hour. Best meal I've had in Tucson thus far. read more

I've come here for lunch a few times and have been disappointed every time. The sandwiches and burgers are bland and there is nothing that really intrigues me on the menu. But when you get to the dinner menu it is completely different restaurant. Amazing duck tacos, the heartbreaker -grilled brie and garlic- keeps you coming back (like any heartbreaker) and the entrees I've tried are pretty good. So lunch - 2 stars, dinner (at least the apps) 4 stars, and classic mixed drinks that are reasonably priced... 5 stars. read more

The floor is made up of a million pennys. the fries were ok its kinda small and gets busy very quick. Try the Dillinger side car if your a burbon fan. read more

Food is really good, fresh ingredients and flavor.... The service is great, kind and helpful. We come back for sure....

Great brunch spot, everything I've tried has been very tasty. Awesome decor to match the old Hotel Congress theme, really trendy look, plenty of outdoor seating available. read more

Really great spot, nice atmosphere and they do a lot of things great! Great brunch, great desert, great drinks!

I want so badly to give this place five stars because I've come many times in the last few years and it easily has one of the best breakfasts in Tucson. I generally get omelettes and they do NOT skimp on the toppings. Though there was often a wait, you can sip on ahhhazing bloody Mary's at the Bloody Mary bar that they have on weekends. The reason I took off a star is that the last time I went, the experience was not the same at al. The food seemed not quite as amazing as normal but still good. The Bloody Mary's though were awful. I hope it was just a fluke but even after I sent it back saying something was wrong, the second round was not any better. However, the waitress was wonderful and they didn't charge for the drinks. I will go back though and if it is as good as I remember it being before the last time I went, I will definitely bump this rating up to five stars! read more

Can't beat the decor and atmosphere of the historic hotel in which this café resides. The huevos rancheros were heavenly and the Cuban coffee was so delicious I didn't need to put sugar in it. read more

Delicious butternut squash soup, barrio bread with 3 different spreads,lettuce chickpea fritter wraps with a little spicy kick at the end. And to top it off, moist carrot cake. Will be back to try other items on the menu. Waitstaff was nice. read more

I ordered take-out to support local restaurants that are closed during the Covid-19 crisis. I normally eat lunch at their sister restaurant across the street, Maynard's, which is always great service. But they are only offering take-out from Cup Cafe so I tried it a few days ago, calling in my order, and it went great. So I tried again today and the pickup was unnecessarily difficult. They have three windows in a row so I walked my bike up to window one which said Cup Cafe to go orders. There was no one at the window and there was another customer at window two but a worker walking outside told me I could go to window three for help. So I go there and say I called in an order to go and the lady sitting there says no, you have to go to window one. So I walk back to window one and a worker there finishes a phone call and then tells me I have to go to window two. She said you're placing an order, right? I said no I called in an order for pickup (which I have already told other workers). Then she says ok what's the name and another worker hears me and gets the order. They get the bill to sign and then she starts looking for my order elsewhere under a different name. I told her my name and said isn't this it? She says oh yea. After this experience I cannot imagine I will ever step foot in Cup Cafe or anywhere else in Hotel Congress again. I will just wait for Maynard's to reopen across the street, since they have their act together and know how to treat customers. read more

I've been here several times & each time has been excellent. It was lunch today...shrimp tostadas, side salad, great iced tea & I took home a piece of coconut cream pie. The pie was the best I've EVER had. read more

The food is incredible, the service however, is some of the worst I have ever had. It's too bad because the place is adorable and the food is wonderful. I also have been to the Cup several times and I had terrible service 4/5 times. They have failed to greet me when arriving (I had to ask for a server), they got my check wrong, I always had to ask them to fill my water, and when I ordered a dish without cheese (because of a dietary restriction) the server criticized me for it. read more

Food was excellent, service was slow waited about 45minutes to be served so definitely recommend getting an ap.