Midtown Tucson
Celestina is in the Poet's Corner area of Midtown Tucson, close to Reid Park, the Sam Hughes neighborhood and the University of Arizona campus, on a quiet street to come back to after your adventures.
Where to eat
- Tito & Pep (opens in a new tab), a short walk away on Speedway Boulevard, is a poem to contemporary Tucson: fresh, lively cooking with local ingredients, thoughtful wines and craft cocktails in a stylish modernist room.
- Tucson is the best place in the United States for Sonoran-style Mexican food, from flour-tortilla tacos of mesquite-grilled steak to the incomparable Sonoran hot dog. Our go-to for both is The Quesadillas, a small kitchen in a strip mall not far away.
- El Torero (opens in a new tab), an institution since the 1950s, now has an excellent young chef from the founding family's third generation. We love the patty taco and the cheese crisps, and it's very friendly to plant-based eaters.
- Tortillas Chiwas (opens in a new tab), from the owners of Phoenix's Tacos Chiwas, serves contemporary fare with Chihuahua influences including house-made masa. We love their cooking. Located in an historic tortilla factory in Barrio Hollywood, it's stylish, loud, and not cheap. Also it's small and books up in advance.
- Five Points (opens in a new tab) is acclaimed for brunch, but don't sleep on dinner. We love the burger, the salads and the low-intervention wine list.
- Anello (opens in a new tab) makes wood-fired pizza from a very small menu of the best local produce. Reservations recommended.
- Kukai (opens in a new tab), a ramen and sushi window in the MSA Annex, pairs well with a drink from Westbound (opens in a new tab) in the same dining garden.
- Sunshine Wine (opens in a new tab) is a wine bar with an excellent kitchen serving small plates of local ingredients.
- Miramonte is a retro-inspired steakhouse with a cool bar, oysters and American classics. Sit on the bar side.
- Forbes Meat Co (opens in a new tab) does many things and excels at all of them. Our go-to butcher and fish counter, provisions and wine shop, and bangin' restaurant.
Drinks, coffee and provisions
- Bar Crisol (opens in a new tab) in Barrio Viejo is a world-class agave spirits bar in one of the city's most beautiful courtyards. Sip a bacanora under the stars.
- Slow Body Beer (opens in a new tab) brews low- to medium-ABV lagers and ales in a warehouse and courtyard near downtown, often with pop-ups, DJs and live art.
- Holy Focaccia (opens in a new tab) is arguably Tucson's most stylish bakery, and, to us, its most delicious. You can't go wrong on the menu, and be sure to grab a focaccia loaf to go for later. Inside Slow Body!
- Locale (opens in a new tab), a nice walk from Celestina, has pastries, light breakfast and Italian coffee, and is a pleasant Italian restaurant at dinner.
- Yellow Brick Coffee (opens in a new tab), about 1.6 miles away, is our morning coffee, in a beautiful space.
- Time Market (opens in a new tab), just west of campus, is an all-day cafe and specialty grocer with a first-rate cheese counter, wine selection and levain.
How far it is
- Reffkin Tennis Center (opens in a new tab) โ 1.5 miles
- Randolph Dell Urich golf course (opens in a new tab) โ 2.0 miles
- University of Arizona (opens in a new tab), Arizona Stadium (opens in a new tab) and McKale Center (opens in a new tab) โ 2.8 miles
- Reid Park (opens in a new tab), Tucson Zoo (opens in a new tab) and Hi Corbett Field (opens in a new tab) โ 3.1 miles
- Tucson Convention Center (opens in a new tab) (gem show) โ 5.2 miles
- Sabino Canyon (opens in a new tab) โ 9.1 miles
Getting around
- Driving or biking is the best way around Midtown, and rideshares are easy to find.
- It's pleasant to walk, too: Locale and Tito & Pep are both reachable on foot.
- Free street parking is plentiful, including right in front of the guest house.