Tohono Chul Garden Bistro

We came across this brunch place & absolutely loved it. The scenery was very peaceful & the food was presented beautifully. We got the Tres Locos Tacos, Tohono Chul Skillet, Huevos Rancheros & the Tohono Chul quesadilla with carne asada. Everything was amazing. Huevos Rancheros was a little different than what we were used to but not a bad choice. All in all very pleased with this place. Great service as well, Ryan took really great care of us!

food was better than I would have thought reading the reviews — so the change in owner/​menu/​whatever has been successful. my Mom got their hatch green chili relleno special. stuffed with chicken, black beans, cheese, etc. it was the size of a small loaf of bread and was delicious! I had their skillet which was tasty. and friends got the breakfast with fry bread. it was different than fry bread you get at the fair (so probably healthier!) so that was a little different than what we were expecting, but mixed with churizo and eggs it was a really tasty dish.
the tables are almost too close together in the main dining room. we felt a little crowded and the waiters were having to constantly move around tables because they couldn’t get through certain paths if all chairs were occupied.
Our server, Joseph, was very friendly and fun. It felt like the poor guy had the entire dining room in his area. so he was definitely hustling but we always felt well taken care of.
next time I will go when it’s warmer to try some of their lovely patio seating.

What can I say about this place besides «amazing»?
I came here as part of a large private group, and we rented a venue at the park and were catered by the garden bistro. First of all, even though our group was smaller than we initially expected, the general manager, Stacie, was able to accommodate us. Second, we had several people with dietary restrictions attend, which we let them know about ahead of time. On the day of the event, we were given a custom menu that was made to suit all our guests’ needs. Our two vegetarian attendees were even given special sandwiches of their own.
So let’s talk about the food. The menu prepared for us was fresh fruit, a spring greens salad with a chipotle ranch or cilantro vinaigrette dressing, either a tuna salad or chicken salad sandwich, and an assortment of delectable desserts including lemon bars, petite cheesecakes of various flavors, and apple streusel. I tried everything except the chicken salad, and it was all quite flavorful and delicious. I heard no complaints from anyone else in our group, either. Satisfying 27 picky people is quite the feat! Additionally, we had water, iced tea, and their famous prickly pear lemonade being constantly refilled by the lovely waitstaff, Dora and BrendaLee.
The venue was also set up and ready for us when we arrived, with plenty of chairs, tables with tablecloths, and silverware. We required an extra table, and were quickly accommodated.
Overall, I and my co-​host felt well taken care of and welcome at this venue and we know our guests felt the same way. We love the beautiful scenery at the gardens and now we love the bistro, too! Thank you so much.

I recently moved from a suburb of NYC, where fabulous restaurants were in abundance. We have been a bit disappointed with many restaurants in Tucson. However, after having an amazing meal for lunch at Tohono Chul, I decided to bring my boyfriend for his birthday during their Thursday night music specials. Again, the food was absolutely delicious. The chile relleno is absolutely fantastic. Give this place another shot! Delicious food and a vey nice atmosphere.

New menu … great food. I think people need to go back and try it again. New management and new menu. Inside or patio seating. Great attentive staff.
Very quiet setting. I found it a great place for personal meeting or for biz.

The food is seriously delicious and creative! The prickly pear lemonade is amazing and the eggs Benedict was great:) service was wonderful and Stacie the manager is so much fun! Happy Tucson is home to this beautiful gem of a restaurant!

Awesome food! Had the skillet and it was delicious! The passion tea tasted like regular iced tea so that was a little disappointing. Service was exceptional… I’ll be back.

This is such a lovely place for breakfast, if only the food could match the ambiance. My husband ordered eggs Benedict, but the eggs arrived severely overcooked and the potatoes cold. I had asked for multigrain toast, but got sourdough. The waitress was super sweet and apologized for the cook who she said was «in training». She made everything right and was patient and good-​humored, really the salvation of this experience. Oh, and I might add that the food is seriously overpriced — eggs Benedict is $ 13.50! If it were exceptional, that would be one thing, but it was very mediocre. Too bad. I really want to like this place.

I was suggested to stop by for breakfast or lunch by the Concierge at the Omni National Resort, and must say was very impressed by the entire experience. The actual restaurant is inside a outdoor garden, and surrounded by beautiful desert vegetation. The food was incredibly good, we had items off the breakfast menu, which we actually were too late for, but our waiter ask the cooks if they could make an exception… Which they did.
The outdoor seating area is great, while you wait for your food you can get up and walk around on the walking paths where you can read the signs next to most the plants that describe the species. There is hummingbirds all over the place, which is a main attraction for people to visit the location.
In summation, the location is great with a very unique and peaceful atmosphere. The service, from our one experience was outstanding, and the food was very good and seemed very fresh. Their menu has alot of selections, with unique options, but the chefs selections are still grounded in the basics.

We visited for brunch after our hike and the only reason I’m giving this place 4 stars is because of the breathtaking atmosphere. Otherwise, it would have been a 2 or 3. The service wasn’t great. Our beverages were not refreshed timely at all. At one point one of the diners from our group got up and went to the service area to refill her own coffee after waiting too long. The food wasn’t bad but not the best I’ve had. If it weren’t for the atmosphere, I wouldn’t return because the price is too high for just okay food and mediocre service. One of the hostesses had poorly fitting clothing. Pants far too tight with a short shirt creating a slight «spillage» at the midriff. Not what I expected at a place like this. Also, the ladies room was in need of repair. One of the toilets wasn’t secured to the floor properly and it was extremely wobbly.

This is a very beautiful and relaxing place for lunch. They offer two patios and indoor dining. The inside dining area is also very nice. If you want to escape the busy area of Ina and Oracle stop by the park for a great lunch. The patio area is very quiet and today in mid December butterflies were flying around our table. It is a true joy for us to eat here.
The service here is always good and the prickly pear lemonade is great. I really like the Chul burger with the regular fries that are seasoned. We prefer the regular fries over the sweet potato fries.
The prices are a bit higher than the local burger joints but to us this is a great value for the quality of the food and the ability to eat in such a wonderful place.

Had the prickly pear mimosas and their brunch. Everything was tasty and it’s a lovely atmosphere. The service is prompt. A little pricey but it really is all about the environment. I’m sad they don’t have the tea room there but this is not a bad option. It would be nice for Mother’s Day. I think the chairs outside are a little uncomfortable and it can get a smidge buggy, but all in all pretty great.

Today I came in, we ordered off of the seasonal menu and it was very good. The service on the other hand has been terrible, our server Catina took our drink order, did not deliver them, did not refill them but offered a refill with the check (she only dropped off did not pick up), she took our food order and did not deliver it other than that hasn’t even been in earshot or in the general area, very ghost like. Luckily for Brett we were able to get refills and have our check and food delivered to us. So my recommendation is hire a manager to manage this place or give the busboy a serving job, I don’t plan on coming back here despite the good food and beautiful location.

Always a good time to be had here at the park, which is why I continue to support the park thru membership. I brought my mom to have lunch here after a great walk in the park a couple of weeks ago. The new art exhibit of Native American Patriotic Art was amazing. It truly is one of the few places that one can go and enjoy a piece of the desert southwest without leaving the city and a place to relax.
The menu at the Garden Bistro never ceases to amaze me. Had a great salad, with the help of our waiter, Jim, who was very friendly and outgoing and, thank God, put up with my delicious randomness. LOL He was amazing and made the trip just that much more enjoyable! :) The chocolate flan was outstanding! :)
Thanks again! :) Can’t wait to return! :)

My husband and I just moved here not far from Tohono Chul Park. We spent Sunday morning walking the park. It wasn’t crowded and the docents were very friendly. It was starting to get hot and muggy so we ended the trip inside the cool bistro. We were seated immediately and Joseph our waiter was very attentive. I ordered the quiche and side salad with a delicious balsamic dressing and my husband ordered the three soft tacos– one with fish, pork and chicken. We enjoyed the meal and ordered the warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream which was very good. The prices are a little high but well worth the whole experience. The museum shop attached to the bistro has lots of interesting items and perfect gifts. I bought a delightful lizard pin for my sun hat. The ladies in the gift store were very friendly. We will bring family and friends to support this park and what it offers Tucson.

Yes this place is pricey. But where else can you have fancy lunch with good service among blooming desert flowers or sitting that close to saguaro cacti? The whole place seems to be a bungalow before and the main dining room has a colonial yet chic feel to it. Good for bridal shower or other events. Has a gift shop in one of its wings that u can browse while waiting. Food isn’t bad either.

The vegan split pea and brown rice burger with fries was amazing. The brownie a la mode was even better. Beautiful scenery and very pleasant staff.
My husband had the quesadilla and it was huge.
Mom had the special salad and enjoyed it. They even brought out a bowl of water for my service dog.

After a walk through the beautiful gardens, collecting ideas and taking pics, we stopped to eat breakfast.
Wow! My daughter had the Fruit Plate, I don’t even care for fruit, but this was delish.
I had the Soft Shell Crab sandwich, which was tasty, but the flavors didn’t compliment each other
The other meal ordered was a burger, which they knocked out of the park! Moist, delicious and just right.
The fries and sweet potato fries were excellent as well. Crispy and hot.
The servers were sweet, and the outdoor patio was perfect.
It is expensive, you are going to pay to sit in the greenery, but they are a little shop, in a big park, and have to earn enough to stay open, eh?
Go in the off hours, to avoid a wait. Bring a camera.
And throw a French fry to the handicapped sparrow, he tumbles when he walks, so they bend the no feeding birds rule for him.

Beautiful! We had brunch outside in the fabulous fall weather. It was a weekday morning, so it was a bit slow. It was not a big selection on the menu, but there is definitely something for everything, with food prepared perfectly.
Four stars, rather than five, is because it is a bit on the pricey side. Also, no one was in a hurry — Which was appropriate for our group, but might not be for everyone. Really beautiful gardens!

If you’re looking for a restaurant to bring out of town guests to, this is a good choice… Their patio is prime Tucson, and it’s a resort-​like gorgeous setting, which offers a perfect respite from the ordinary. On a comfortable sunny day, surrounded by a lush desert flower/​humming bird/​butterfly garden– be advised– you’re paying a premium for these grounds. That premium was worth it to me, and I did feel recharged and renewed from enjoying the lovely patio (not so enamored about the food though).
The food is average, but priced well above average. This is a tourist spot, and go with the knowledge that the food is priced (and flavored) accordingly. A wrap sandwich: ($ 12). A salmon salad: ($ 14.50). Prices aren’t that much higher than Wildflower, but the food isn’t as good either. Still, it’s a nice option if you need a place to bring those out of town guests, or if you’re just looking to change up your local routine. You can show off to your guests by ordering a prickly pear lemonade!
Bonus: Make sure to stroll the grounds after you eat. They have a fantastic nursery that features native and non-​native desert plants from Civano nursery, complete with helpful volunteers who will take their time explaining how to care for each of them.