After reading reviews and hearing some good buzz, I decided to hold a small meeting here for an organization I am in. I walked in and definitely liked the vibe. The order station and where the menu on the wall is can lead to some confusion, but the employees were very welcoming and helped through the ordering. And I know this is totally geeky, but I love the ordering computer. They flip towards you and allow you to select your tip and authorize the purchase, and choose whether you want a receipt. It was cool. The staff recommended a few drinks (FYI - they do a drink with chicory (sp?) and I remember someone on Yelp asking about that). Anyway, there are no blended drinks here which makes me happy. Its all about the coffee... and wine... and beer... and food. I had an iced latte because it is still hot as hell out there. It was wonderful. Smooth and rich. Everything it should be. My group and I sat upstairs and enjoyed watching the storm roll through downtown as we held our meeting. I really like this place and cannot wait to go back and try the food. And since they carry a Pinot Noir from Oregon, my favorite, I will back for the wine. I reserve my fifth star until I have a few more visits in. read more

This has a pretty good atmosphere, kind of a hip feeling going on. You can sit upstairs or at a wooden table looking out onto Congress. Wonderful for people watching. Cozy chairs, and free wi-fi. The cafe au lait my friend and I had were nothing special. It was good, but not great. It wasn't hot enough for my tastes although she likes it at that temperature for sipping. It was served in glass mugs which is great to see the texture and foam. It was good, but also a bit pricey at $3.50. Not outrageous, just wasn't that big a mug. It's trendy, and tries hard to be so; and I am not sure that's a good thing. The servers were cute and wore aprons. They do have beer in bottles and funky sandwiches at a decent price. This coffee is the famous "Blue Bottle." It had a strong kick and I felt the caffeine and some chicory in it. Would I go back? Possibly, if I'm around the area. Would I go out of my way to go there? Probably not. read more

Since moving downtown, Sparkroot has become my first stop before heading into work. I have been on an iced coffee kick and the NOLA fits the bill. Its slightly sweet, slightly creamy (hemp milk!) and has chicory and blue bottle coffee. The staff is super friendly and I love that they wear retro aprons. The alcohol and food selection is quite nice as well, I've tasted the organic pale ale and the New Zealand wines as well as the baked kale chips, which are delicious. Yet another fun and hip place to hang out and grab a drink in the city center. read more

I enjoy the atmosphere here way better than a corporate Starbucks. The coffee is really tasty and I would get the iced chai on the daily if I lived close by! They have almond or soy milk alternatives (love)!! They have bench-like seats and behind each one is a cushion you can remove from behind you and sit on it and not many people realize this. It's in a great location. My only suggestion would be they don't offer other sizes than their standard glass. read more

Caffe Luce - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Half of us were served then had to wait 15 minutes for the rest of us to receive our super simple orders. Staff had a small argument right in front of me about the cash drawer. No highchair for baby. The people work here are not stoked and the vibe permeates the place. Steel cut oats were ok. Sweet potato tacos and the #2 grilled cheese sandwich with cucumber, cheddar, avo, and chives were just ok, but close to bland. Iced Americanos got mixed reviews from my group, but I thought they hit the spot. Just go here for coffee. read more

I love Sparkroot. It's very urban and offers a great view of downtown from it's big windows. It's vegetarian. It's high quality. I love to get the Nona coffee in the mornings or in the evenings, and my favorite sandwich is the one with figs, green apple, and walnuts with manchego cheese - it's a to die for melty Panini. It's casual and a great place to study. Lots of students here. read more

This place is simply wonderful. Strolled down here one day after buying a Groupon (seriously, Groupons are probably how I discover a majority of the places I like) and ordered my favourite drink, a dirty chai. I'm really picky about the type of milk -- I prefer to only drink almond milk, but rarely do coffee shops have this a substitute for dairy milk. I was pleasantly surprised that Sparkroot offers almond milk, so I ordered my latte with it. The bhakti chai is stronger than most teas I've had. The ginger flavour really comes out. It was delicious! The interior space has a really nice design, and I love that they have a seating area upstairs as well. Coffee shops can often be packed with students, so it's great to see them use the extra ceiling space for more seating. Love love love. Definitely returning soon. Baristas are also very sweet. read more

For only being open a week the coffee is darn good! We were walking by and saw that this place had finally opened. Great location too. I had read the article in the AZ star a few weeks ago and was really excited to try the blue coffee. I had ordered a iced mocha wow that's all I can say! It tasted so smooth and rich in flavor just like I like em. I will have to come and try the food, it looked pretty good from what I saw what other were eating. read more

It's a really cool space, but for studying, the tables aren't really big enough to spread out and get down and dirty. The layout isn't entirely conducive to hanging with friends either, unless you snag one of the two big tables (and then you feel like you're bugging the study/workers). I love the food. The salads are interesting, yummy, and substantial. As a vegan you sometimes resent getting salads, but not here! Besides, you get it because you WANT it! You chose it over their amazing vegan cheddar paninis! Whatever tea brand they carry is sooo good. The lemon souffle one is divine. Coffee, also excellent. Good (but not too broad, and I think that's a good thing) beer and wine selection. The food quality, though, has gone down a bit recently. They used to get the vegan cheese melty. Not anymore. The bathrooms are a clean, safe haven on Congress. Service is friendly and efficient. I guess my problem is I never have time to go sit someplace by myself and zone out or people watch, for which this place feels most appropriate. Reviews are totally subjective and this one is totally dependent on my life right now. I must say, though, I do always recommend it to others. read more

Some how I became an espresso snob and I blame Sparkroot. This is by far the best espresso I've had in Tucson and one of the best spots to hang out in downtown. The americano I order is always absolute perfection. No other place stands a chance! This coffee house has a vintage, yet urban feel to it that I love. There are two floors so it can accommodate more customers than you would think at first glance. This a great place to sit and read or to meet a group of people. The food they serve is also is delicious. I am partial to the toast with butter and honey in the morning, but everything i have had has been fabulous. Another bonus- they serve booze. I'm a huge fan! read more

The coffee is good!! But their panini's are AMAZING!!! Probably the best sandwich I ever had. I order the tomato basil and mozzarella panini. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere is great. I'm glad I listen to yelp to find this place, while I'm here visiting. I wish I took a pic of the panini but I was to busy enjoying it. read more

Caffe Luce - Mocha! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

A great place for a quick lunch downtown. Seating isn't the most comfortable, but the gluten free pain is make up for it!

Sparkroot! I am so glad I visited you! I frequent The Hub and Playground and have been eyeballing this coffee shop for months! I finally made my way over when I purchased a Groupon for a couple drinks. I came in and had the NOLA Iced Coffee. It came in a little mason jar and was just delicious. It very much hit the spot on a Saturday morning. My friend, Roald M., got an espresso and ordered the multi-grain sourdough toast with the eggs, olive oil, and paprika. What a simple and delicious treat! I loved it. I definitely love the feel of the coffee shop. Two floors, modern decor, and great place to people watch. I am sure it will be much better once the construction is completed. There are plenty of choices on the menu for all day. You can get coffee, beer, and wine here. This place is a wonderful addition to the downtown area and will definitely be frequented by me! Try it out! read more

This is such an artsy place. The art in this facility is absolutely extraordinary. The service was really good, and even though it was jammed packed they were speedy and accommodating. The upstairs was really nice and quiet. The huge windows provide a great view of downtown tucson. THE BATHROOM: amazing. love the art! gotta see it for yourself! read more

Three Words: Blue Bottle Coffee. We moved to Tucson 3 days ago from the SF Bay Area and a friend of ours who lives in Tucson mentioned this place had good coffee. We went to check it out and TA-DAH! they serve Blue Bottle Coffee. No wonder. After relocating from almost a thousand miles away, we get the exact same coffee we love from where we just moved from -- minus the cold, fog and expensive street parking. Awesome! Oh...and rock star parking and 25 cents gets you half an hour here? WTF?UNBELIEVABLE...in a good way. 25 cents in SF gets you exactly 3 mins. Yes. read more

They roast their own beans, and the pastries are delish (hazelnut banana bread and strawberry muffin). Oatmeal includes fruit ask for honey/agave/syrup for a touch of sweet. read more

Fun and funky little coffee shop. I loved that there were multiple levels where you could sit and lots of bars/tables for you to perch with your laptop. Lots of light through the huge windows and STRONG coffee. It was a bit weird that one of the employees had her baby at work, but maybe this is a family oriented kind of place. read more

I have gone here on several occasions and there are not many vegan options, which I really am looking for. One of the workers can be very pushy--I understand that it is located downtown and some people go in to cool-off or use the wireless internet; however, I felt like I was personally targeted to purchase something. I would like to situate myself before being bombarded with questions on having to buy something before I have time to find a seat. I am a customer and I will buy something after I settle in. Besides that mishap, this place is a nice area to study and get some homework done. I like this place, I just wish they weren't as pushy. read more

Sparkroot is a solid choice for coffee, tea, and their homemade soda beverages. Their food is fresh, delicious, and they have creative options. I have a lot of meetings/work meetings here, and the music is sometimes too loud, but all in all this is a nice place for an afternoon lunch meeting, afterwork glass-of-wine/beer-meeting, and great for healthy options. I recommend Sparkroot to my friends and also have recommended to many people for a nice place to meet downtown. read more

5 stars is for the espresso... They really know how to pull a great espresso ristretto here. (I used to be in the coffee business, so I know a good one when I taste one). It's oh so rare to find espresso THIS GOOD in the Old Pueblo. For this reason, I'll come back to Sparkroot every time I'm downtown for one of the best espressos I've ever had in Tucson- or anywhere for that matter. Sparkroot is a contemporary coffee house. It's a great gathering place, and I also love that they have free wi-fi. It's wonderful to come here for people watching or just hanging out. Trust me, you'll feel transported to another place. (This doesn't feel like Tucson). Try Sparkroot if you're looking for an escape from the ordinary Tucson grind. I always feel like I'm in San Francisco when I come here, and it makes me want to book a flight to the city by the bay! Sparkroot- you could become an EXPENSIVE habit if you bring out my wanderlust like this... I've yet to try the food, but I will someday soon... It's on my list! read more

Hipster central. I was totally taken aback by the vibe of this place. There is a very interesting menu. I don't know how else to describe it. The PB&J that I had took almost 20 minutes to make. How does a PB&J take that long? It was grilled and not that good. I'd say try the drinks, get a muffin and move on. What I really liked about this place was the multi-level seating. The upstairs is pretty cool. I really enjoyed the big table on the first floor that has a huge cactus sprouting out of the middle. Lots of different, chill places to sit. The location is great - right downtown. It's a very easy spot if you are willing to spend a lot of time just hanging out. Overall, this is an ok place with ok food and ok drinks. read more

Fantastic, inviting and relaxing atmosphere! My soy hazelnut latte is most excellent! read more

Caffe Luce - Lift view looking down at counter! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This is my favorite local coffee place. Coincidentally, it has one of the best vegetarian-friendly menus I know of. For breakfast, I cannot say enough good things about the oatmeal. The muffins are also great for a small breakfast to go. I love the friendly service here, and the quirky vibe makes it a nice place to read or study. The lattes here are terrific to be sure, but the chai latte is actually my favorite beverage on the menu--it is spicy, not too sweet, and totally unlike any other offering in Tucson. read more

The staff was friendly and I loved that there was tons of seating in a big open area, even an upstairs area! So cool and chill. I got an americano and it wasn't that great, it was too watery, I could hardly taste espresso. Obviously it's espresso and water but it didn't seem like there was much espresso In there. The caramel macchiato on the other hand was delicious. The caramel flavoring was so good and it was made perfectly, could definitely taste the espresso and it was very flavorful! :) would try again if I was in the area but wouldn't go out of my way. read more

Love the food and the place. Super friendly people and yummy paninis. Cold brews are amazing too.

Very modern establishment downtown! Came here towards the end of their business day. They had a few people inside. Great atmosphere. Plenty of seating around. Seems like a very "hipster" place to chill. Give them a shot! Got the tea there and it was great! read more

My new favorite downtown place. I am a fan of Blue Bottle coffee. Great location to hang out. I had the caprese salad and an ice late. So good ! I want to go for tapas and a beer soon. read more

Comfortable and unique interior. Vegetarian menu good for breakfast and lunch, light dinner. excellent happy hour on beer/wine. very high quality coffee. read more

I love Sparkroot, they have the best iced mochas in town and everyone is super friendly. read more

Caffe Luce - Wine, coffee, tea, and crafty lemonade galore - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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first time here and the place was great. atmosphere is NY-esque with a very nice layout. only reason they didn't get 5 stars from me was due to their below average sized coffees. all in all, great place that has earned our business read more

Caffe Luce - sugar free vanilla with hazelnut latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Bomb.com They have the most Delicious soups, and I Love the Quinoa Avocado Salad! Bread & Panini's are very good too as well as the beer. Great wifi & chill vibes. read more

Long time customer of spark root! During my last visit the service was noticeably slower and the girls behind the counter just seemed to be joking around versus actually working. Took forever for us to actually get our food. Adore the Welsh cheddar + cucumber + avocado panini which keeps me coming back. Its the most perfect sandwich. They changed my favorite Quinoa Kale salad and added sun dried tomatoes which i wasn't the biggest fan of. The salad was way better without the sun dried tomatoes. Ill keep returning when i return to Tucson for the panini, but the service has declined. read more

This is a good place to pop in for just a cup of Joe, not cheap but fresh and good. I like the space and has a great view of the street. it is not a place to get any real food though, which is fine. I pop by from time to time, but it is never really a destination for me. It's convenient. read more

Sparkroot is pretty good. I have generally enjoyed the coffee drinks I have gotten there. It's a little too crowded and without ample seating. Customer service has ranged from great to mediocre read more

This is a calm place to enjoy a quite good panini, kale chips and a nice cup of joe while you gaze out the window onto passersby on Congress St. I highly recommend the Welsh cheddar panini. It's very tasty with the perfect amount of crunch. I'd order it and one of their lattes again without hesitation. What I will never order again is the brie panini, one of their lemonades, chocolate mousses, or the NOLA coffee. These are not Sparkroot at its finest. read more

Caffe Luce - Wonderful Welsh cheddar panini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Stopped in for lunch twice while in town for a conference in March. Really good coffee. Helpful staff. Food: tried a tomato soup and a portabella burger..both were decent but nothing spectacular. Thought the prices were a bit steep for what you get. Would stick to just sipping drinks while lounging on sustainably refurbished chairs amongst hipster students gazing intently at their Macbooks. read more

I almost never find myself downtown, but I've looked in the windows of Sparkroot before and really liked its aesthetic. I finally came here with some friends to work during the weekend! My measuring stick of any coffee shop is whether their chai is any good, and it's pretty darn good. They make toasts with goat cheese and jam of various flavors. This is a totally genius idea, because it's delicious (and cheese and jam? together??? weird). It takes a while to come out (are they milking the goat back there?), but it's worth the wait. Unfortunately, it's also a tad on the pricey side--it's easy to spend in excess of $10 if you want both a drink and something to eat. Everything is very hipstery and served in mason jars, and the tables are just small enough to be virtually useless when you're juggling a plate and a jar and whatever you're working on. The outlets are a little tough to get to, too, but not a huge deal. Realistically, if I lived closer, I would probably frequent it more often--but it's not really worth the price + trying to find parking (or the streetcar) unless I REALLY want it. And the toasts are so good, but if I can make the $6 plate at home, well... read more

Aside from the lighting (it can get pretty dark in the evenings, making it hard to read stuff if you're not on your laptop), there is nothing really bad to say about Sparkroot. Sometimes the staff are not very attentive or friendly, but its not very often so if it happens to you don't get discouraged. The place is very clean and cool looking, the music is always great, the Wifi is pretty good and free, the bathrooms are accessible and clean, and the food is really good (albeit on the pricey side). I enjoy coming here to study in the evenings but its also nice to get a glass of wine during Happy Hour. Its a really great laid-back atmosphere, which is why it is a lot of people's favorite place to go. It is usually pretty full, so if you want to study with a group of people, you should send one person ahead to check out if there's enough seating for everyone. Seating is pretty limited, and I've had to go somewhere else to study a handful of times because it was completely full. They have a punch card that they never advertise but if you ask for it and remember to whip it out everytime you visit, you will get a free drink after 10 purchases! read more

Cool cafe that has food and a small loft area to study. I've been here 3x, and the evening crowd is a bit nicer/more professional. One morning experience lended itself to music that was too loud in the loft area (speakers are right above it) and the female barista was visibly annoyed when I asked if the music could be turned down. She responded that she would only turn it down a small amount. It was an odd and unprofessional response, but I was glad at least my first experience when I had come in the evening was better. I would come back (and have) if i need a bite to eat while getting some work done. For coffee (and more reliable service) I'd head to cartel. read more

I come here for meetings and also just to hang out and do work on my laptop or do a crossword. The music is always good, and the iced nola is tasty. I won't say the coffee is AMAZING, but it's good. The quinoa kale salad is absolutely delicious, so good you almost forget you're eating something healthy. I love the ambiance and the view of Congress. It's great for people watching. I won't give it 5 stars, because it is overpriced. Also, there are a couple baristas who are very friendly and awesome. Love them. But there are also some baristas who are REALLY apathetic and almost downright rude. Example: I stopped in to get a to-go salad. I was on foot, so I asked for a plastic bag. God forbid you use the P word in this place... the girl working gave me a dirty look and said "no." Then another girl working helpfully said, "We do have paper bags." I requested one and the first barista acted all annoyed and gave me one. "I just have a bit of a walk," I explained. "Oh." Look, I shouldn't have to justify why I'm asking for a bag with a TO-GO order. I'm used to hipstery places like this having aloof service, but don't be outright rude. Most of the time though, the service is friendly, so I would recommend it. Just don't order your food to-go, because you might get the death glare. read more