Buendía Breakfast & Lunch Café

Buendía Breakfast & Lunch Café

2530 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States

+1 520-849-8487

Brunch restaurant
(848)
Share Your Experience

About This Place

Nestled in the heart of Tucson’s vibrant 1st Avenue district, Buendía Breakfast & Lunch Café is a delightful brunch spot that masterfully celebrates authentic Mexican flavors with a warm, welcoming ambiance. From the moment you step inside this colorful café, you’re embraced by a joyful energy reflected in its cheerful décor and the friendly smiles of attentive staff who truly make you feel like part of the family.

Buendía’s menu is a treasure trove of traditional Mexican breakfast and lunch dishes, lovingly prepared to awaken your senses and comfort your soul. Their signature Café de Olla—available both steaming hot or refreshingly iced—is a standout, brought to life with fragrant cinnamon and native spices that dance beautifully on your palate. As Samantha Rodriguez enthusiastically notes, this coffee is nothing short of delicious, and it perfectly complements offerings like their red chile empanadas, which deliver a rich, satisfying bite packed with authentic smoky heat.

If you’re craving a hearty start, the breakfast burritos here are a must-try. Options range from the Mexican Style Eggs Burritos to the flavorful Machaca & Eggs Burritos, featuring real, tender machaca rather than shredded beef—something Maria Osuna confidently praises. For those looking for something a little different, the Huevos Divorciados and Chorizo Omelette showcase vibrant, bold flavors while the Banana Maple Pancakes offer a sweeter twist that’s both comforting and indulgent.

Vegetarian and vegan diners will be delighted to find choices like vegan chorizo and a variety of nopales dishes, reflecting Buendía’s thoughtful approach to diverse dietary preferences. Danielle Kort’s review highlights not only the authentic flavors but also the café’s playful spirit—complete with a whimsical jar of pom-poms they “sprinkle” over your meal to spread joy and happiness, creating an experience that’s as heartfelt as the food itself.

Lunch offerings at Buendía continue to impress with plates like the Buendia Lunch Poblano, Mole Chicken Enchiladas, and Ranchero Style Plates, brimming with rich sauces and traditional accompaniments that evoke the comforting home-cooked meals of Mexico. Their tortilla and chip selections, paired with fresh salsa, serve as the perfect starters or side dishes, enhancing every bite with vibrant textures and zest.

The café’s atmosphere is equally inviting, filled with colorful Mexican-inspired art and rustic touches that enhance the dining experience without ever feeling pretentious. Reviews from visitors like David K and Mayra Ramirez echo this sentiment, praising the hospitable service and the warmth that radiates throughout the space, even if the pace slows just a touch during busy times—because when the food tastes this good, a little patience is more than worth it.

Whether you’re stopping by for an energizing breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or a comforting lunch, Buendía Breakfast & Lunch Café offers a genuine slice of Tucson’s Mexican culinary heritage with every plate. It’s a place where flavor, culture, and community come together, inviting you to savor not just a meal, but a heartfelt experience.

Contact: 2530 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 | Phone: +1 520-849-8487

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great coffee Serves local specialty
Popular for
Breakfast Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Quick bite Small plates Vegan options Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dessert Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups Locals Tourists
Planning
Usually a wait Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards Credit cards
Children
Good for kids Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    Closed
  • Thursday
    Closed
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Sunday
    08:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Samantha Rodriguez
    2 week ago

    The cafe de olla both hot and iced are delicious! The empanadas are delicious the red Chile one is the best! I enjoyed my time there and the workers, they are very hospitable

  • Maria Osuna
    1 month ago

    The cafe de olla was absolutely delicious! We had the Chile poblano, their specialty; chilaquilas, machaca with egg, and the machaca is the real deal not shredded beef. The service was phenomenal, we felt welcomed like family.

  • David K
    2 month ago

    Very friendly servers. They all have a smile and were very attentive. Had the breakfast burritos and poblano tacos. Service was a bit slow. Sauces were tasty. They were even gave chips and salsa complementary. Food was good.

  • Danielle Kort
    2 month ago

    Really, really good authentic Mexican food with a fun, vibrant vibe and good service. They even pretend to sprinkle joy and happiness on your food before you eat with a little jar filled with pom poms! So sweet! Oh and they have vegan chorizo and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

  • Mayra Ramirez
    2 month ago

    Very cute and colorful place! I got the molletes con chorizo and added egg with cafe de olla. Its such a comfort meal and theirs was delicious.

  • Brittany Rodriguez
    4 month ago

    Whenever we travel we are always on the search for delicious and authentic Mexican food and let me tell you- you will not be disappointed here. We tried the cafe de olla, fresh lemonade. the chilaquiles divorciadas, and my child had the kids quesadilla and beans. It was fantastic. But this restaurant not only had good food, it has exceptional service and an amazing atmosphere. Unassuming on the outside it is absolutely beautiful on the inside. You can tell the owners really care about their business. And for all the people with young kids, there’s a play area just for them so you can enjoy your delicious food and cafe de olla in a little bit of peace. When we are in Tucson again, we will be making a stop here!

  • Silvia G
    4 month ago

    First time in. I was looking for a good breakfast place to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Buendia did not disappoint. The food was delicious and the service was great. Karla was our server and made absolutely sure that we had what we wanted. Everything was served with their special ingredient "Alegría". They even played Las Mañanitas for my daughter Good job to the entire staff. Gracias por todo.

Share Your Experience

Your Rating

Discover What Travelers Love About This Place

Real experiences, honest impressions, and insights shared by the Wherevi community to help you explore with confidence.