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Discover Penca Restaurante, where the bold flavors of Central Mexico meet the heart of Downtown Tucson. Located steps from the Fox, Rialto, and Arizona Theater Company, Penca offers a warm, intimate setting with indoor seating and a romantic outdoor patio—perfect for date nights, celebrations, or a relaxed evening downtown. Our dinner menu honors traditional Mexican techniques while highlighting regional ingredients—featuring citrus-marinated ceviche, handmade corn tortillas, slow-simmered pozole, and indulgent tuétano. Behind the bar, enjoy award-winning cocktails like our tepache served with bourbon or beer, plus low-intervention natural wines, exclusive agave spirits, and one of Tucson’s largest mezcal collections.
Upscale Mexican fare & agave-based cocktails distinguish this eatery in a chic & rough-hewn space.
Hours
| Friday | 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 3:30–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 3:30–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4:30–9:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 50 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 203-7681
Website: http://pencarestaurante.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Penca Central Mexico Cuisine and Craft Bar – Tucson
Penca Restaurante. About · Menu · Reservations · Private Events · Press · Contact … Location. 50 East Broadway Tucson, AZ. Hours. Open Wednesday – Sunday.
Penca
Penca Restaurante. About · Menu · Reservations · Private Events · Press · Contact … Tucson, AZ. Hours. Open Wednesday – Sunday. Wednesday – Friday 4:30pm -9: …
Make a reservation – Penca Central Mexico Cuisine and Craft Bar
For parties of six or more, please call directly at 520-203-7681 or email us at [email protected]. Location. 50 East Broadway Tucson, AZ …
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Reviews
Dixie DeArmand Clinkenbeard
A few things. Penca is great. Penca also used to have a pork chop dish that was one of the best I’ve ever had last January (2024) their new pork dish misses the mark completely. I’ve put a pic of the old pork chop in the last photo (wink wink) if you ever want to revert to that recipe again Penca because it was BOMB. Anyways we had a lovely dinner. The esquitos corn dish is amazing, ceviche prettty good and cheese dish good too but super stringy. As mentioned the pork loin was unremarkable, especially considering the last recipe was literally to die for. Service great.
Dessert: Très leches is a 10/10, by far my favorite. Old picture, but this time even better. Cocktails: Diablo was amazing.
… moreDessert: Très leches is a 10/10, by far my favorite. Old picture, but this time even better. Cocktails: Diablo was amazing.
Tim Harry
Very dimly lit inside. The staff were very friendly though. The appetizers and cocktails were solid but didn’t blow me away. The queso fundido was a bit too greasy for me. The Esquites is good. Unfortunately they were out of nopales and beef cheek tacos, so your mileage may vary on things you want to try bring available. The tacos were the star of the things we ordered though. Id come to just eat the chips and salsa and tacos.
… moreEricka J
The food, service and ambiance were fantastic. Matt was a wonderful and enjoyable server; attentive but not lingering. We had the market fish which was barramundi and it was perfect. Fish tacos (which likely was also barramundi) far exceeded our expectations. The homemade corn tortillas were the best I’ve ever had. Try the tepache!
… moreStephen Majalca
It took 20 mins to get the drinks we ordered, 45 mins from the time we sat to the time we were able to order main entrees. Two of the menu items they were out of so had to settle on 2nd choice. The steak was way over cooked as well. I’m pretty easy going but wow, there might be off nights but they missed this experience by a mile. I guess thats what you get for a $200 dinner now days?
… moreM& P
The chipotle shrimp special was absolutely delicious — easily the highlight of the meal. The fresh tortillas were also a big plus. Mezcalita was great!
Unfortunately, the chile relleno with pork felt overpriced for what it was, and the rice that came with it was bland. The biggest disappointment was the tres leches cake, which was not true tres leches at all and honestly tasted unpleasant.
To top it off, the music was so loud that it made conversation difficult, which took away from the overall dining experience.
Overall, several misses that made it hard to fully enjoy the visit.
… moreUnfortunately, the chile relleno with pork felt overpriced for what it was, and the rice that came with it was bland. The biggest disappointment was the tres leches cake, which was not true tres leches at all and honestly tasted unpleasant.
To top it off, the music was so loud that it made conversation difficult, which took away from the overall dining experience.
Overall, several misses that made it hard to fully enjoy the visit.
Francisco Rivera
A recent dinner at Penca in Tucson was an unforgettable experience that easily earns a five-star rating. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was perfectly charming and welcoming, setting the ideal stage for an incredible meal.
Beyond the lovely ambiance, the service was truly excellent. Our waiter was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, consistently checking on us throughout the evening to ensure we had everything we needed.
We kicked things off with the great house chips and salsa. Our appetizers—the Esquites and the Queso Fundido—were both amazingly tasty and savory, a fantastic start that showed off the kitchen’s mastery of flavor.
For our main courses, everything continued to impress. The carne asada tacos were stellar, featuring great taste and wonderfully tender meat. Our entrees were the spectacular Costilla de Res and the Chile Relleno (a definite favorite). The Costilla de Res was absolutely exceptional; the meat was tender with great flavor, perfectly complemented by the bed of amazing creamy hominy.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, dessert arrived: the house-made churros served with luscious dulce de leche and chocolate dipping sauces. They were, quite simply, to die for.
If you are looking for great, upscale Mexican cuisine in Tucson, Penca is an absolute must. We can’t wait to go back!
… moreBeyond the lovely ambiance, the service was truly excellent. Our waiter was incredibly attentive without being intrusive, consistently checking on us throughout the evening to ensure we had everything we needed.
We kicked things off with the great house chips and salsa. Our appetizers—the Esquites and the Queso Fundido—were both amazingly tasty and savory, a fantastic start that showed off the kitchen’s mastery of flavor.
For our main courses, everything continued to impress. The carne asada tacos were stellar, featuring great taste and wonderfully tender meat. Our entrees were the spectacular Costilla de Res and the Chile Relleno (a definite favorite). The Costilla de Res was absolutely exceptional; the meat was tender with great flavor, perfectly complemented by the bed of amazing creamy hominy.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, dessert arrived: the house-made churros served with luscious dulce de leche and chocolate dipping sauces. They were, quite simply, to die for.
If you are looking for great, upscale Mexican cuisine in Tucson, Penca is an absolute must. We can’t wait to go back!
Mason Martinez (Tucson Realtor)
My wife and I chose Penca in downtown Tucson for her birthday dinner, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable evenings we’ve had in years. We’d seen a few online photos beforehand, but honestly, they didn’t do the place justice at all—the reality was so much warmer, more intimate, and infinitely more charming than any snapshot could capture.
From the moment we stepped inside this beautifully restored 1920s building on Broadway Boulevard, the atmosphere enveloped us like a perfect embrace. It’s dark and romantic, with flickering candlelight dancing across the exposed brick walls, rich wooden accents, and cozy seating that feels both elegant and inviting. Soft lighting from vintage-inspired fixtures created just the right amount of shadow and glow, making it the ideal spot for a nice, candle-lit dinner where you can focus entirely on each other without the world intruding. The subtle hum of conversation blended with tasteful music, giving it a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe that’s hard to find—truly the perfect romantic escape in the heart of downtown.
The service was nothing short of superb. Our server (Mathew?) was attentive without being overbearing, offering thoughtful recommendations and checking in at just the right moments. He guided us through the extensive agave spirits list and made sure every detail, from timely refills to pacing the courses perfectly, contributed to a seamless experience. The entire staff radiated genuine warmth and professionalism, making us feel like honored guests rather than just another table.
Penca exceeded every expectation and made my wife’s birthday feel extra special. It was intimate, delicious, and utterly romantic—the kind of place you’ll reminisce about long after. We can’t wait to return soon to explore more of that incredible menu. If you’re looking for upscale Mexican dining with soul in Tucson, this is it. Highly recommended!
… moreFrom the moment we stepped inside this beautifully restored 1920s building on Broadway Boulevard, the atmosphere enveloped us like a perfect embrace. It’s dark and romantic, with flickering candlelight dancing across the exposed brick walls, rich wooden accents, and cozy seating that feels both elegant and inviting. Soft lighting from vintage-inspired fixtures created just the right amount of shadow and glow, making it the ideal spot for a nice, candle-lit dinner where you can focus entirely on each other without the world intruding. The subtle hum of conversation blended with tasteful music, giving it a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe that’s hard to find—truly the perfect romantic escape in the heart of downtown.
The service was nothing short of superb. Our server (Mathew?) was attentive without being overbearing, offering thoughtful recommendations and checking in at just the right moments. He guided us through the extensive agave spirits list and made sure every detail, from timely refills to pacing the courses perfectly, contributed to a seamless experience. The entire staff radiated genuine warmth and professionalism, making us feel like honored guests rather than just another table.
Penca exceeded every expectation and made my wife’s birthday feel extra special. It was intimate, delicious, and utterly romantic—the kind of place you’ll reminisce about long after. We can’t wait to return soon to explore more of that incredible menu. If you’re looking for upscale Mexican dining with soul in Tucson, this is it. Highly recommended!
Mark P
Really cool place, drinks were on point, and we got most of the tacos that they offer and everything delivered. The pickled vegetables were really good, and they pulled off random meats like beef cheek and turkey. It seems like a given, but the tortilla chips were above average.
… moreRob Stoddard
The food was spot on. So delicious. So much flavor. Everything was just phenomenal. We did set up a reservation and everything was just great from getting there to eating and the food was just so good. Can’t say enough about it. It was just delicious. So flavorful. Service was great. The atmosphere was perfect and the food came out reasonably nice, warm and perfect!….
… moreKyra Williams
My husband and I had an unforgettable dining experience on Saturday night. The ambiance was inviting, and we eagerly dove into the menu. We savored every bite of the bone marrow, shrimp ceviche, and a delightful selection of tacos. The pork chop was a standout, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. However, we were disappointed when our order of prickly pear never arrived, despite our anticipation.
While the service was a bit sluggish, even at the bar, we didn’t mind too much as we were enjoying each other’s company. But what truly stole the show was the cocktail with beet-infused tequila—it was a revelation! I’ve never tasted anything quite like it, and I find myself still dreaming about its unique flavor profile.
Overall, Penca provided a memorable culinary journey in downtown Tucson. Despite the minor hiccup with the missing side dish, the delicious food and inventive cocktails more than made up for it. We’re already looking forward to our next visit to explore more of what this gem of a restaurant has to offer.
… moreWhile the service was a bit sluggish, even at the bar, we didn’t mind too much as we were enjoying each other’s company. But what truly stole the show was the cocktail with beet-infused tequila—it was a revelation! I’ve never tasted anything quite like it, and I find myself still dreaming about its unique flavor profile.
Overall, Penca provided a memorable culinary journey in downtown Tucson. Despite the minor hiccup with the missing side dish, the delicious food and inventive cocktails more than made up for it. We’re already looking forward to our next visit to explore more of what this gem of a restaurant has to offer.