Café à La C'Art — Restaurant in Tucson

Edit: Changing my review from a 2 to a 4. I just read the manager's response, and I really appreciate his apology. That day was my birthday and while I moved right on from the bummer experience, I appreciate the explanation.

Original review: My husband and I like to eat at Cafe a la Carte on special occasions, in fact, we just ate here for our anniversary earlier this month and had a 5 star experience. Today is my birthday, and since we don't have childcare today, I decided to call in a salad and desert order. It started off a little confusing because I asked for a salad that is not on their separate weekend brunch menu (oops, I didn't scroll down far enough to find the correct online menu!) Once I picked a salad, I asked for options to substitute the feta cheese (a facebook comment from the restaurant made this sound like no big deal). The woman taking the order said that their were no other cheese options, so I asked her to leave the feta. Moving on to desserts, I asked if they had any chocolate gluten free options. She told me they had a cranberry tart and a lemon cheesecake. I then asked if they had other chocolate options, and decided on a mint chocolate torte and the GF cranberry bar. Since I had had so many questions, I took it upon myself to repeat the whole order back to her at the end of our conversation. My husband sweetly went to pick it up, and came home with a salad with no feta, a cranberry tart and the lemon cheesecake. I totally let the cheese thing go because we had plenty of miscommunications in the conversation, but I did call and ask if I could come back for my mint chocolate torte and was told that would be fine. When my husband got there, the lady gave him a hard time and made sure he knew that I had not been clear with my order. Needless to say, if you can't take responsibility for writing down and confirming the order, it is not right to blame your customer. Actually, an apology for making your customer have to return would be more appropriate. We will probably give another restaurant a try the next time we have the...

While in Tucson for a travel conference, a colleague and I found ourselves in search of a great lunch spot. As luck would have it, we ran into a couple of fellow attendees who enthusiastically recommended Café à la C’Art—and I’m so glad they did.

Tucked away near the Tucson Museum of Art, the café is a hidden gem with an inviting charm. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a warm, bustling space with a long hallway leading to the ordering counter. Though the line seemed long at first, it moved efficiently, allowing us time to admire the glass display filled with decadent pastries, fresh-baked goods, and an impressive espresso setup.

After placing our orders, we wandered out to the patio, which was nothing short of enchanting. A vibrant oasis of lush greenery, mosaic tile accents, and colorful pillows lining the seating bench, it felt like the kind of place where time slows down, encouraging you to savor each bite under canopy of canvas to defuse the light.

For lunch, we both opted for salads, and they did not disappoint. My colleague had the Farmstand Chicken Salad, a hearty yet fresh combination of peppered bacon, gorgonzola, avocado, roasted butternut squash, dates, and jalapeño ranch—a beautiful mix of textures and flavors.

I chose the Centennial Salad, featuring roasted butternut squash, honeycrisp apples, goat cheese, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and a bright citrus-shallot vinaigrette. Every ingredient tasted fresh and thoughtfully paired, making for a well-balanced and satisfying meal.

Beyond the food, Café à la C’Art delivers a fantastic ambiance, excellent service, and a quintessential Tucson dining experience.

Whether you’re stopping in for a leisurely brunch, a quick coffee, or a full meal, this charming café is well worth a visit. I’ll absolutely be returning next time I’m in Downtown Tucson!

🍽 Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying one of their house-made pastries! The display case is filled with tempting treats that look just as good...

A coworker referred me to this restaurant and I will not be returning. When I walked in, I was very impressed by the beautiful artwork on the walls and the tables along the wall in the waiting area. It made me think of an outdoor patio vibe being that it was separated from the main seating area of the restaurant. However, I felt extremely overwhelmed and rushed to make my selection because I didn’t see the sign until it was almost my turn to step to the counter. Savannah was very hospitable as she took my order and explained to me that I seat myself and the waiter would find me. They were rushing through these tight spaces in between the tables, sometimes going in circles to find the right table, and often yelled at the customers to split the line so they could walk through. Very chaotic! No one asked if I was okay, if the food was good or if I needed anything else like you would typically expect at a restaurant while you’re eating your food. The only time I was ever addressed was when the waitress brought out my food and offered me ketchup or hot sauce. I politely declined because I hate condiments on my potatoes. Usually home fries are very well salted/seasoned but theirs was bland and I had to drown it in salt and pepper. The Benedict was decent but certainly not the best I’ve had. I also didn’t like that I was prompted to leave gratuity prior to receiving actual service. Had I known my presence was going to be ignored, I would’ve chosen somewhere else to enjoy a nice brunch on this wonderful...