Caffé Milano
46 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Caffé Milano Menu
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Antipasti
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Primi Piatti
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Secondi Piatti
Healthy Meal suggestions for Caffé Milano
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Antipasti
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Primi Piatti
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Secondi Piatti
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
46 W Congress St
Tucson, AZ, 85701 - Phone (520) 628-1601
- Website https://www.lafuficaffemilano.com/en/home/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:30 am - 2:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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April M.
Creative menu, each course stood on its own. Romantic ambiance....family owned. We will return.
(5)Brad H.
Melt-in-your-mouth-five-star-goodness! Magnifico! Bravo! We ordered the LASAGNE ALLA BOLOGNESE: layers of homemade pasta smothered with meat sauce, bechamel and parmesan cheese. Perfetto! The meat is obviously home-ground, not any of this cheapo hamburger from the grocery. The flavor, perfect, the texture, perfect, the pasta, sauce, and cheese--all perfect. We also had the SALMOME AL CARTOCCIO: salmon cooked in parchment paper with garlic, lemon juice, italian parsley, fresh vegetables. Wow! Perfetto! The salmon was not over done and not under done. Flaky but tender and juicy. Soooooo good. Oh, our anitpasto was the CAPRESE: fresh mozzarella (in water), organic tomatoes, fresh basil, kalamata olives, oregano and extra virgin olive oil. Great invention. Wonder who thought of that? "Hey, let's put mozzarella on some tomato slices and top it off with basil." But it works and it works well. Nice and refreshing. Service was very cheerful. Loved our waitress. Definitely a five star restaurant. And so reasonably priced, too.
(5)Prusha S.
This place never gets old. The hours are a pain and obnoxious to get use to. But the dishes made up for it. My usual is the spaghettini with swordfish. Upper delicious:) We usually sit outside and enjoy the downtown Tucson area.
(5)Carolyn H.
Every time I have eaten here, the service and the quality of the food has been phenomenal. I've had the gnocchi and the walnut ravioli, as well as the orecchiette ai quattro formaggi and all, from start to finish, have a beautiful flavor, consistency, and mouth-feel. The servers are perky, funny, knowledgable and incredibly nice, and the food is worth the price. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson, and some of the best Italian food I have had in the States.
(5)D S.
Always an awesome experience- little nervous since Carlos sold he business but the new owners have maintained the excellence we have come to expect here. Amazing food, service and ambiance.
(5)Annie V.
SICK before we finished our entrees! Serious GI distress that didn't leave us for over 24 hours. Not food poisoning, but indigestion on a bad level. The only reasons it gets two stars are: the caprese salad was tasty (and I don't think the cause of the ick) and the ambiance was decent. I had a special--mussels in white wine with spaghetti noodles. My wife had the spaghetti with meat sauce. Both were equally bad tasting or no tasting even before their hidden powers of sickness were unleashed. RUN away from this place!!!!!
(2)Gina M.
If I could give this place NO stars I would. We went there this week before the Judy Collins concert at the Fox and it was a TOTAL nightmare. It took us over an hour and 20 minutes to get our food. Yes - it was theater night. Did they not know that? The waitress was beyond curt, never offered to refill our drinks not bring more bread. When my husband asked her for an update after waiting an hour, she snapped his head off and said she wasn't the cook and was doing the best she could. It gets worse. After an hour & fifteen minutes, my husband want up to the OWNER, told him how long they had been waiting and he then turned the hostess and said "Have they really been waiting that long?" Yikes! We were not the only unhappy customers and friends who were there before us had to leave for the concert without ever getting served. Translation? No dinner So how was the food? Two of my friends got the salmon which they said was okay. Their vegetables? Some were hot & some were COLD! I got the chicken Marsala which was fair at best. Unevenly pounded and some pieces of the chicken were tough. 99% of my reviews on Yelp are positive but trust me when I say this was a debacle & I will be spreading the word and never return. Too many great restaurants in Tucson with great service, great food & people who appreciate your business.
(1)Gigi D.
Another great dinner at my favorite italian restaurant in town! Tried for the first time their mussels pasta dish, really good, you can flavor the wine they cook the mussels in, it is now on top of my favorite dishes at this restaurant! And of course I HAD to have their tiramisu...the best !!! I am going to try their cooking classes...maybe I can learn to make tiramisu at home ;)
(5)Robert D.
Great food and excellent service. Cafe Milano was always pretty goo, but under new chef/ownership it is truly wonderful. Last night, before a Fox Theater show, we had an early dinner. We started with two shared appetisers. the Cozze Alla Diavola was a treat. Plump mussels in a complex tomato based sause. The Insalata Caprese was very good as well. For the main course we both ordered the Lasagne Alla Bolognese and it was to die for. Hint: a single order would have been more than enough for two serious eaters. A trusted older restaurant has become great with the new family which has just come over from Italy. We will return soon with friends.
(5)Joseph L.
One of my favorite restaurants in Tucson, Because Caffe Milano, I don't need to step foot in Tavalino (for the price you pay here they should offered better coffee) nor Vivace. Big statement? You bet!! best restaurant coffee, Tarimisu and best panna cotta and most authentic Italian food you can get in this town. This place was introduced by a good friend of my who used to stationed in Italy for 5years and this guy know his Italian food... Myself had eaten quite a few places in New York and little Italy in Windsor, Canada. Not to claim I know Italian food very well but I always happy and satisfied when I leave Caffe Milano if you know what I mean. Little short introduction about this place...Carlos the husband is the front man and his wife is the chef, everything are homemade (yeah I know, heard that before). There are few times of the year they will just closed the restaurant and go back to Italy for a month. So always a good idea phone ahead not just see if they are open but get a reservation since they filled up the little dinning room rather quickly. P.S Don't you mention Zona78...no... no...no!!
(5)Justie L.
Yelp has done it yet again! I decided to check out Caffe Milano after reading all of its great reviews, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I had the pasta salad of the day, which was farfalle with pesto served with a mixed baby greens salad and Italian bread. I'm fairly picky about pasta salad, and was initially weary of it being served atop salad, but it was wonderful. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection and the pesto was fresh and tasty without overwhelming everything else. I could have done without the shaved carrots and peas served in the dish, but those were easy enough to avoid so it was fine. The bread was also superb, though I should preface this statement with a declaration of my love for all things bread-related. My friend had a pasta dish that was penne in a creamy red sauce with spinach and mushrooms, which was also great. She said she particularly liked that it had a tiny bit of spice to it, but it wasn't too spicy for her to keep eating. I also had the house iced tea which I would recommend to anyone who has ever in their life thought they might want an iced tea. Though I didn't get coffee this time around, I do appreciate that they serve illy coffee. I would probably have given this place a 4.5 if it was an option. The service was quick and the staff friendly, but we waited in line to order for quite a while, and there were only a few people ahead of us.
(4)James M.
I ate at this restaurant with a group of people for lunch and I would recommend this restaurant over many of the lunch options in the downtown area of Tucson there are several other restaurants nearby but this one was probably the best in terms of overall atmosphere and the quality of food was good it was also not too expensive and and professional place to eat with people that are on business so definitely some place that you want to go to and I would go back
(5)Norman B.
Wonderful dinner location. Great place for a group or couple. My sister in-law is from Italy and loves to eat here when in town.
(5)Kathy L.
Spaghettini Pomodoro e Basilico. Simple, and still my favorite meal from childhood. When I am at work and craving pasta & sauce at lunchtime (or macaroni & gravy, as I grew up calling it), I head over to Caffe Milano. My last visit, I let myself indulge in a luscious Bolognese house-made lasagne -- delish! Ownership of the Downtown caffe has recently changed hands, but the menu has remained the same. They do offer daily specials, though, and I suspect they may differ a little from the previous proprietor. Milano has a walk-up and order counter, at which you will be given a number to identify your table. This makes wait time significantly less if you work Downtown and want to have ample time to enjoy your lunch (without having to rush back). It is a charming little place, and you will most likely overhear some of the staff speaking in Italian whilst dining. I have only visited the caffe during lunch hours, with pasta as my mainstay. They offer breakfast and dinner, as well, and I hope to make it back soon to try out some of those menu items. One of the staff has tempted me with an antipasti plate, so I don't think it will be that long! Make sure to check out the pastry/dessert case and the house peach iced tea!
(4)Sarah L.
Had a great lunch today at Caffe Milano! My son had an event downtown, and we stumbled upon Caffe Milano by accident. I had never been to Caffe Milano, and I was pleasantly surprised upon entering the café that in addition to the decor- with attractive posters from Milan, Italy, I could actually hear Italian being spoken at the cash register. It seemed some Europeans had sought out the cafe' for just this reason. Although a bit tucked away, on a somewhat obscure corner of Congress Street, the restaurant is colorful, very authentic Italian, and reminds me of a small Café that would be right at home in either Europe or New York. The food is equally as good as the ambiance, and I noticed they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lunch menu seems to cater to mostly a business crowd, and my son and I both enjoyed very delightful Panini sandwiches. Their lunch menu also offers various (amazingly delicious sounding) pasta dishes, soups, salads, and Bruschetta, as well as various side dishes and desserts. My son had the Galleria ($6.75) which is a very good sized sandwich with Prosciutto, brie cheese, olive spread, lettuce, & mayo. I had the Prada, ($7.25), which was Tuscan bread with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and spinach. The panini sandwiches come with a side. I had the Milano salad and my son had the pasta salad. Everything was delicious, and best of all- we finished off our lunch with a fabulous slice of their homemade apple cake and an illy espresso. The prices are fair, the service is friendly and efficient, and best of all- the food is extrordainarly good. Just like Trip Advisor does, I also highly recommend Caffe Milano. I will for sure be back when I'm in the area again!
(4)Patrick M.
If you want a small slice of italy, here you go! The pasta has always been done right and I've never left disappointed. Only negative is a little more cheese on the pasta would make it perfect. Everyone there is very nice and again, you cannot beat the pasta!!! The to go sizes are HUGE!!!
(5)Karmen W.
The food and atmosphere was really good. The waitress was a snob and didn't check on us until we would flag her down. I think the only reason she works there is because she speaks italian....clearly not for her serving skills. We will go again but leave of she is the server.
(4)Michael G.
From my viewpoint; above average Italian in the midst of downtown. The look inside is similar to a small Roman trattoria. Nice outdoor patio. We came on valentines day, so they had a special menu. The regular menu is limited., but varied. Deserts are house-made and the tiramisu, although not traditional style, was quite good. Very clean. Good service. Beer/wine only. Next to the Fox Theater.
(4)Scott S.
Great food paired with great service. We typically dine here leading up to attending an event at the Fox Theater. It has become a date night tradition for us and we look forward to the food almost as much as the concert! Most recently our server was the owner's daughter and she was charming, friendly and provided everything we needed in a prompt manner. We have had a number of the entree's and have never been disappointed. This is not fast food; if you allow a reasonable amount of time you will be rewarded with a great meal. They have launched a new limited and faster menu available when there is something at the Fox. This is in addition to their regular menu. We typically make a reservation about 90 minutes before our event starts and enjoy a slow dinner and desert; we have never been pressed for time.
(5)Samuel A.
I had heard there were new owners at one of my Fav's the Caffe Millano so I had to try. Went on a Thursday night which is pretty quiet downtown so had no problem getting in with a party of 6. The server was fantastic she was there when you needed her but not too much. The wine was great and while the menu was the same the food was as normal wonderful. I had the lasagna and the creamy sauce was fantastic and my wife had the Chicken "Pollo Alla Valdostana " it was great. All in all the experience was great and I will return. Sometimes when owners change it is a bad thing but these guys are just moving forward - great food and great service along with great prices.
(4)Michael L.
Unfortunately when a wonderful restaurant changes ownership it goes bad - not unlike fresh fish left out in the mid-day sun. However, if you like your gnocchi tasteless, soft and the consistency of cream of wheat and presented in a sauce that makes Heinz ketchup appear to be haute cuisine, then you will love eating here. We had made reservations for 7:30pm dinner and arrived at 7:25pm only to be informed that we would not be able to be seated until about 8:15pm. When we were finally seated at 8:20pm I had to ask that the table be cleaned of the crumbs and spills of the previous party's dinner. The salad was wilted with only the hint of some tasteless vinaigrette dressing. But the coffee at the conclusion of the meal - bitter and reminiscent of weak tea. The only bright spot of the dining experience was bubbly server who was oblivious of the quality, rather lack thereof, of the food. And the manager/owner, he was more concerned with turning of lights and counting the money in the cash register. All in all an experience better missed!
(1)Brian H.
This is a fantastic lunch spot and the price is right (about $10). Their sandwiches and salads are deliciously savory, well prepared, and service is quick and friendly. Minus 1 star for not putting some olives in the Greek side salad. If I worked DT, I would eat there once a week!
(4)Mashia P.
Sensational Italian food! My lawyer took me here, best $300 an hour we spent yet with him!
(5)Lauren K.
Sometimes you go to a restaurant and you really want to love it. In a town bereft of decent Italian food, I desperately wanted Caffe Milano to be that beacon drawing me near. Unfortunately, all the desire my heart couldn't rescue our dinner here. Upon arriving at Caffe Milano, we were warmly greeted by a man we assumed was the owner. The restaurant looked clean and inviting. We thought, "maybe this is the gem!" The first real chink in the armor was when I noticed the prices. They were higher than on the website menu. I like it when a restaurant keeps up with those details. Bread arrived and it was warm and delicious. It was crusty and chewy inside, with good flavor. It was accompanied by herb butter. We started with the mozzarella appetizer. It arrived promptly and looked fresh and delicious. My husband was initially on the sidelines as the mozzarella was wetter than we are used to. It also lacked salt. All those criticisms fell to the floor when we tried the cheese with the tomato sauce it was smeared with. Amazing. Then we noticed a slathering of pesto as well. Double yum. My husband devoured the ripe, sweet, tomatoes hiding under the cheese. He ate the olives and the roasted red peppers as well. Now we were super excited for our entrees... Visually, they looked great. I got lasagna and my husband got the stuffed chicken. The chicken came in the form of three golden medallions stuffed with prosciutto and oozing taleggio cheese. On the side was more of the great tomato sauce and a generous portion of seasoned vegetables. The breading on the chicken was crisp. The vegetables were slightly overdone, but still left some snap to the carrots. The flavor on both was great. Unfortunately, this is where things really go downhill. The chicken had a bizarre and unpleasant texture. It was dry, yes, but more to the issue, it was crunchy, like a vegetable. Your tooth snapped into it. It was decidedly unpleasant. Gross even. I spat out the piece my husband gave me. He ate it all none the less and only later confessed that the owner, who kept checking in, was so nice that he felt guilty. My meal wasn't a winner either. A word to the wise: this is a different style of lasagna. It replaces the ricotta with bechamel and is served in a bowl and not as a square hunk. I have had many a great lasagna prepared in a similar fashion, so I was excited to dig in. It was tasty, but the texture was awful. The pasta was sparse and so thoroughly mixed with bechamel and meat that the entire thing resembled a bowl of artichoke dip. I felt like I needed a spoon. It began feeling like baby food and I started scraping it up with my bread in an attempt to change the texture. Maybe it is just me, but I don't enjoy lasagna masquerading as porridge. Sadly, despite good flavors, a wonderful waitress, a nice owner, and a pleasant atmosphere, we felt a bit underwhelmed. At $50, it wasn't bargain food, yet it lacked a finesse or freshness that was needed to elevate it to "must eat" status. We can only speculate that the mushy mouth feel of the lasagna and the awful texture of the chicken are the results of repeated or improper defrosting. The rapid delivery of food also lends credence to this theory. Only one other table sat down, and sadly I think I know why. We were shocked by the high average rating for Caffe Milano. Diners in Tucson seem to confuse concepts with cuisine and ignore the freshness and preparation. Maybe lunch is better. For their flavors and staff, we'll try again after the streetcar project to see if an increase in business resolves the textural and preparation flaws that lead to a poor experience. We wish everyone at Caffe Milano well, but 2 stars is all I can muster.
(2)Joy M.
The antipasti Milan salad here is to die for, their pasta always tastes fresh and is usually busy at lunch, a good sign of good food.
(5)Peg P.
Trying to find the Baja Dog wagon got us downtown. After having a "long distance" conversation with the BD Man who said he'd be open again at 10 tonight on 4th Ave., we went to find another eatery downtown and thanks to fellow Yelpers' reviews, decided to try the Cafe Milano. (I know, this is quite the contrast in choices but we've heard great things about those veggie Sonoran dogs.) We caught them just at closing hour. Other than the kitchen help wheeling a huge trash can of food debris right through the dining area (I am not kidding), the place had a casual feel to it. (They really need to stop that practice.) My partner had the pomodoro spaghetti and pronounced it "perfect." It had a delicious sauce and the noodles were done just right. It came with a tiny piece of bread. She felt for the price they charged a small garden salad would have been very nice for the palate. I had the Scala mesquite turkey panini and it was pretty good. I have to say I felt it was "bread heavy" and light on the ingredients, especially the turkey. My sandwich came with nothing additional. Pickles or chips anyone? We'll try it again, especially when it cools down and we can sit out front and enjoy a meal.
(3)Kimberly F.
If you are visiting Tucson you must go to Caffe Milano, right in downtown Tucson, the service was amazing we had one of the best waitress" Anna" and the food was delicious. Also best vodka tonic ever!
(5)Jake S.
Delicious authentic Italian cuisine, with great daily specials. My only complaint is the the staff at lunch is not overly warm or friendly/ you get the impression that they don't care about your business, which makes no sense because there's always a table available.
(3)Cara R.
The BEST Italian food I've had in the U.S.! I spent two weeks traveling through Italy and most of the food wasn't as good as that from Caffe Milano in Tucson, Arizona. I highly recommend the mussels, spinach salad with goat cheese, and spaghetti Amatriciana. Espresso after dinner is also a must.
(5)Anne B.
Nice atmosphere and decor (also nice outdoor seating area). Food was tasty and nicely presented. Enjoyed our dinner - would recommedn.
(4)Vera D.
Enjoying my 2nd birthday dinner w/my brother in Tucson. Enjoying the ambiance, Italian culture & service.
(5)Tanja T.
First time here and love it! Portions are small but filling. I had the spinach salad, my husband and the lentil soup and we split the special which was a lightly fried dish of meats and vegetables. I would recommend it but not if you are in a hurry. Take the time to relax for this meal
(5)Susanne P.
We tried this restaurant early Saturday evening. The hostess was so friendly and was able to seat us inside even though we did not have a reservation. The bread was warm and toasted and quickly devoured. I ordered the special of penne in a vodka sauce with shrimp and tomatoes. It was so flavorful and had a generous portion of shrimp. My husband and daughter both ordered the pasta with seafood. The red sauce at this restaurant is so amazing that they were eating the leftover sauce with a fork. My son had the spaghetti and finished it before we were half way through our meal. He is a very picky eater and thought it was some of the best spaghetti he'd ever eaten. We were so impressed with the food and service at Caffe Milano. We will be back very soon.
(4)Lee R.
I took a group of ten family members out for dinner at the restaurant on a Saturday evening, including my parents visiting from England. The restaurant was pretty empty, but we have had pleasant meals there previously so was confident of a good evening. Unfortunately we ended up with the rudest waitress I believe I have ever encountered. Due to her complete inability to carry out her job, food came out incorrectly, orders were missed and she even disputed what the members of our party had ordered! Our favorite comment of the evening from the waitress was when one member of our party did not receive his main course when everybody else did, her response - "well there is only one person in the kitchen cooking all of this!". If the restaurant cannot cope with large tables, they should not accept them! I ordered the seafood pasta, of which most of the seafood was inedible, a number of others commented that the veal and chicken were overcooked. Shame to see the quality of this restaurant deteriorate. After spending over $360 on the meal, and receiving such lame service and average food, I will not be returning.
(2)Mark A.
This is my favorite downtown place to eat, the menu is small and the food is done well. The owner is always very friendly and I stop by and just say hello sometimes. The service is good most of the time but it can get bogged down in prime eating time. I have only sent my food back once for being too salty, but they set it right. I wish it was open more often at night. Sometimes the parking can be a bitch, but that is downtown.
(5)David S.
My wife and I haven't had Italian food this good in at least 20 years. Granted we live in Phoenix now but we have also lived in SF and LA. Over the years we will order veal in the hope that it will be as good as we remember it to be. Well, I can tell you that Caffe Milanos is as good as you have ever had! The service is unpretentious and the prices reasonable. My only, very slight downgrades, are for the veges, which were lukewarm and the bread, which was nothing outstanding. But there are plenty of other restaurants that can get those things right. This one gets the important things right. Caprese salad: excellent! Simple dressing with subtle flavors. Veal Scallopine: excellent! And finally: deserts-subtle flavors, not overdone...excellent! We liked this so much we came 2 nights in a row.
(5)Michelle C.
I did NOT know that this restaurant has something in common with the averaged school boy.... As in... they have SUMMER BREAK?! Caffe fricken' Milano. I will probably love you and never get enough of you - if I could possibly have a taste of your sweet morsels sometime this century. Please? Folks, they are closed from June 16 - July 20th :(
(2)Michelle W.
We were in Tucson (06/08/12) for a football game, and the night before we always find an Italian restaurant to carb up before the big game. We are not fans of chain-Italian restaurants, and always try to find some place original, family owned, and unique. We love great Italian food and were amazed by the service and food at Caffé Milan. My partner had lasagna and I had Gorgonzola gnocchi. Both melted in your mouth, and were phenom. We highly recommend this place.
(5)Drea G.
The food was alright, but the reviews made me think it'd be amazing..the waitress was friendly, but definitely could have checked on us more. We found ourselves waiting on her a lot. It was a nice one time thing, but I would of been happier at a chilis honestly...
(3)Marina M.
Who would think that a sandwich, a simple and unassuming comestible, could cause so much bliss? Well, the owner of Milano's probably does and I do too thanks to his establishment. The paninis here are wonderful, the Naviglio and Visconti are ridiculously good! I don't intend on getting any other paninis besides these because these 2 are the only ones on the menu with GOAT CHEESE! Yes, I love goat cheese, more than any girl ever should, but hey, can't help being born this way. My review is not biased to only 2 sandwiches though because, mind you, I always have a bite of what my boyfriend is having and he's not so faithful to his cheeses. And believe me, it's all good :) The dinner menu probably warrants a whole 'nother review but I'm on a time crunch here (midterms) and I'll focus on my fave: lasagna. So lasagna, considering its components (meat, carby pasta, tons of cheese) is a heavy dish. Ugh, not here at MIlano. This lasagna here is so light and has that "melt-in-you-mouth" quality. Pure magic in my book. How do they do it?!?! I crave this place a lot and I am so happy to have found such a good sandwich (and dinner) place in Tucson with such a nice ambiance.
(4)Erik Frost ..
Great service. Great food. Good prices. Great Location. Great Management. The BEST Spaghetti.
(5)Pam B.
Amazingly authentic Milanese food. Eclectic decor with old photos of Milan and unique instruments hung on the wall. We arrived 30 minutes before close and were so impressed with the service and the delicious fare. True flavors of Italy rather than pseudo Italian of so many places we've eaten. My teenage daughter said it reminded her of her friend's house (this friend is an Italian who recently moved to the states from Rome).
(5)Jeffrey P.
I've been working downtown for over a year now, and I only NOW discovered this place! They serve breakfast! I ordered a To-Go Omelette, and it is delicious! I highly recommend this place. I need to go back there for lunch sometime, and try out the rest of the menu.
(5)Gabriela F.
I came here for the first time with my family on a Saturday for lunch. the place was empty! I should have taken that as a sign that maybe they aren't the best, but since we had relatives in town and it was a mini-reunion, and the fact that we had a 1 year old running around, the emptyness was welcome. The server was really great and even the cooks were very nice when my little neice kept running into the kitchen... I ordered chicken parmesan with pasta. The pasta was really bland, the chicken parmesan was great. I did like how attentive they were and that they had a great selection of wines. The staff was very sweet and they all loved my neice, and they did their best not to step on her as she ran around like a mad man.
(3)Vivian T.
Basically, you get pretty amazing Italian food - flavor in each bite - for Olive Garden prices. We went here for a birthday dinner and left very happy! I had the penne in red wine sauce - very flavorful and intense flavor - with sausage that had a wonderful spicy kick. My friend had the gnocchi which I loved in the white sauce (I don't remember what it was!). It was very soft with almost a melt in your mouth feeling. The chef's special of roasted vegetables and the tortellini were equally delicious as the gnocchi. Portions are HUGE so don't fill up on the bread and delicious creamy butter! Ambiance is pretty romantic - low lit with candles on the table. Decor is a mix of rustic with the contemporary. Service is amazing. Caffe Milano is absolutely top notch for its low prices and made me love Italian food again. Who needs Olive Garden?
(5)Tina D.
This is a restaurant we had previously been to, and found it unmemorable. While attending a concert at the Fox last week, for convenience, we arranged to eat dinner here again. Everything has changed! We had one of the best meals we've had in Tucson. The service was snappy (quick, that is) and very professional. That woman in the kitchen can cook like nobody's business. Besides, how can you not try food cooked by Fufi? Probably not correct spelling of her name here- doing the phonetic thing. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael H.
For A Simple Cafe, One Of The Most Charming in Tucson. Their dishes surprise, and the location is one of the most Urban in Town. Love To Go There, given the least excuse.
(4)Emily F.
I would actually have to disagree with some of the reviews on here, and say that dinner is an excellent time to go to Caffe Milano. I have not been her for breakfast or lunch, but it's officially on the to do list! My boyfriend and I came here about 2 years ago for an anniversary dinner, and decided to return for another anniversary since we had such warm thoughts from the first time. We were not disappointed! I was actually better than I remembered. The manager/owner greeted us, and realized that our reservation had not been taken down correctly. He was extremely hospitable about the situation, and seated us immediately nonetheless, even cleaning a table himself. The service throughout the evening was nothing short of great. On to the food. Holy heck! I've never been to Italy, but for some reason, I feel like it's as authentic as you can get in southern Arizona. The pasta is homemade, and the sauce is mouth-watering. We had the caprese salad, the chicken marsala, and the asparagus manicotti (which was a special). I recommend them all!
(5)Eric B.
People from Tucson, you have a fabulous real Italian restaurant in town and this jewel is located right in the heart of the city! I went for dinner on a Friday evening 7pm. How can this place be nearly empty on a Friday night???? Yes, I get it, it's because the whole city center is empty on Friday evening! The only populated tables were obviously by regular customers, some even speaking Italiano. From outside, it's already very nice. There's a small terrace, if you wish to enjoy the street view, cool. Ounce you step inside, you're hit by the Italian touch of this place. Second you get a warm welcome from one of the charming waitress and get seated. I was about to order an entry and a main dish but the waitress advised me that my main dish is quite huge and I should skip the entry. Guess what? She was perfectly right! My plate was filled with super delicious seafood spaghetti with tomato garlic & basil sauce. Quite fancy Italian wine selection, I picked the Pinot Nero which was alright. Ok, it was big but I still could manage a desert. I hesitated between the Tiramisu (truly Italian) and the crème caramel (which is more a French thing). As I'm a fan or the crème caramel, I could not resist. Simply PERFECT! What about an espresso? Yes, sure! Illy is an Italian coffee, again a perfect hit. So, I took a second one. During all that time, service was attentive and efficient. And, last thing, the bill was totally affordable. I would have paid easy a dozen of bugs without feeling being shacked. So, I did and left a 20% tip. I wish I have such a restaurant close to where I leave. I believe I have a good life but this would make my life even better.
(5)J Y.
I don't know what people see in this restaurant. We reserved for a party of 6 and we still waited 40 minutes. Slow service, bland food, overpriced. Just go to Olive Garden.
(2)John A.
BAD SERVICE Sorry, but I will never return to this place. Tried it twice and had terrible service both times. First time it was busy enough that it was tolerable that the waitress left us without sufficient silverware, didn't bring sweeteners for hot tea until the tea was already cold and other annoying details, but the second time the place was 2/3 full and had a full waitstaff, yet the waitress ignored us for 20 min. After being there a full hour we still had not received our main courses, even though diners who arrived after we did had not only received theirs, many had finished. Food was good, but not at all worth the terrible service. Neither the waitress nor the owner seemed bothered when we walked out. I guess they are used to it.
(1)George C.
I cannot believe this is my first review for Caffe Milano. I have probably had at least 40/50 lunches here over the last 5 years. Carlo, the owner, is an awesome guy and almost like a Tucson landmark himself. He has an awesome memory, and knows the names of most of his customers. When dining here, I normally get the special of the day. The special normally consists of a pasta dish, bread, and an iced tea for about $9. It is always fantastic and a great value. I have never been in for dinner, but the entire menu looks fantastic. Hopefully soon will be a first. If you are downtown, you have to give Carlo a visit. Note: There is a Pancetta Pasta dish that Milano sometimes has on special. That plate is probably the best meal on this planet. Note2: From what my dad tells me, Carlo makes an awesome expresso.
(5)Jason C.
Very Friendly service. Great food. (Looks pretty as well) Awesome prices. ($20 ish) Nice Location.( Downtown Tucson) Just like new (So clean) Worth every penny. Must go restaurant in Tucson
(5)Charles K.
A friend and I went to Tucson for Jane's Addiction at the Music Hall. We arrived early and were simply looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee. I spied the Illy sign above the front awning and popped my head in the door. No iced coffee drinks in the evening, buy a quick cappuccino sounded good so we went inside, took seats at the window bars... and wondered what they might have for dessert. An italian caramel custard, along with a vanilla custard covered in fresh berries was next. Good Lord!! Astoundingly good! We then wondered how good the rest of the menu must be... So, we split an order of veal scaloppine al marsala with a bit of pasta. Brilliant!! The backwards meal (coffee, dessert, main dish) was the PERFECT start to the evening. Carlo and his wife Laura are jewels in the desert and if you have a peckish for authentic Italian cuisine, you need to try Caffe Milano. Just take note that they close for a month during the mid-summer, so call ahead to make reservations. Jane's Addiction, who we saw from the front row, was simply the icing on the cake!
(5)Debbi W.
Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.
(5)Sadie H.
My Italian girlfriend highly recommended this place so while in Tucson for the weekend. I decided to try it out. OMG! This is as good as it gets! EVERYTHING is made fresh, even the pasta! I had the lasagna, the best I have ever had! We have made this our dinner destination EVERY time we are in Tucson.
(5)John H.
I LOVE this place. Authentic, fresh, excellent. I love the attention to detail. Casual atmosphere, fantastic food and wine.
(5)Maxwell H.
This little gem saved me on a stop on my cross-country adventure. I am going from LA to Huntsville, Al to where my sister lives. Tucson is about half way to El Paso, TX...my first stop. Thanks to my Urban Spoon app on my iPhone I get the goods on downtown. I think I find the spot but I get a little turned around. I am about to give up because time is limited and settle for Subway...but to my pleasant surprise I come across the place next door... Caffe Milano. I get a panini to go with this fantastic peach iced tea. The panini is a spiced meat with spinach, goat cheese, rosted pepers and an olive spread....Awesome. It helped with my travel hunger and teased my foodie brain all at the same time. The guy behind the counter was Italian/Hawaiian shirt wearing/maybe S. American influenced dude who was super friendly and helpful. Loved the food and the service and the whole vibe. If I ever find myself in Tucson, AZ again...I am all over this fantastic little joint!
(4)Brian K.
Everyone has said it, but I'll hazard being redundant and say it again; Caffe Milano is beyond superb. The whole experience is as close to real, authentic homely Italian/European that you can get in Tucson. It's downtown and right on Congress, so it has that park-on-the-street-and-step-inside type vibe, it's got the sidewalk facing patio seating, the high celing interior, the Illy signage and coffee, the Pellegrino, the smell, the homely yet uncompromising proprietorship, and most importantly, the food to prove it. It's open for lunch, which is wonderful, but the real gem is dinner. There's something about a place that's able to transform from a legitimate walk-in-as-you-are lunch place within walking distance of just about anywhere downtown to a classy upscale white-tablecloth Italian eatery at night. It's got that too. Moreover, it's the only place in Tucson I can get a *real* panini. Sure, a few places have "paninis" which suffice every once in a while for me, but only Caffe Milano does it the *actual* way. The square, thinly sliced and totally pressed cibata bread, the generous but not overwhelming quantities of sliced prosciutto, the mozerella, some arugula or lettuce, fresh tomato, the signature crunch when you bite in. This is the only place I can get it, and I'm hooked. I hope it stays this good forever. My only issue are the hours, but what you have to realize is that they're authentic as well; in Europe, places like this are closed on Sunday and also have obscure hours. To me, that's the sign that they're still Italian/European to the core, and I love that kind of laid-back character. It's the one last piece of evidence you need to convince yourself that it's entirely genuine.
(5)Charmaine T.
My daughter and I made a quick late evening stop here last night after her TEDxTucson speech. We had the Lasagna, and the meat sauce was delicious! I did however find the noodles to be very overcooked, pretty mushy. Other than that, the portion size was good, we shared a plate and that was plenty for the both of us, we also liked the bread sticks and rolls. The atmosphere is really cozy, and service was good! Our waitress was attentive and got our meal out really fast when we told her we had to get back to the event next door at the Fox. I think I need to visit again however, in hopes of experiencing a 5 star meal.
(3)Rachel R.
Caffe Milano is a comfortable and satisfying option downtown. It's so convenient to the Fox theater and not typically packed. My husband and I have come here numerous times and always had good food. The bread has been fresh and delicious. I'm a big fan of their red sauce. The portions are generally big so overall a good value for dinner. The atmosphere is cozy, just homey enough to make you comfortable. The service is good, and there is a nice little patio. I'll be back!
(4)Carmine C.
Italy and the European experience is here for real. The best espresso in town, a great lunch and dinner menu, with al fresco dinning .thank Carlo , but kiss his wife.. Who does the work behind the scenes
(5)David R.
Only one star because we weren't able to try it. Met my son downtown just to go to this restaurant (for his birthday lunch) and it was closed. I know it is family run business, but when you list that you are going to be open, you should be open. My sister runs a restaurant and she never closes. Call before you go if you are traveling any distance to the restaurant.
(1)Janice M.
Caffe Milano is unquestionably a true gem. I must say, I have only been here for quick breakfast and lunch and I only wish to be able to visit more often. The location and hours aren't exactly ideal for someone who doesn't work close to downtown - Once, I had a chance to stop by for a quick cup of vanilla latte and toasted croissant. Wow, I didn't know a croissant could be so tasty - buttery, flaky goodness. The croissant is served toasted with butter + jam OR nutella. I went with just butter, no jelly, and it was scrumptious. However, the coffee was just ok, a little on the sweet side for me. I have been to Caffe Milano for lunch several times, and I have been consistently pleased. I have had both various pasta platters and assortment of paninis. They are both deliciously scrumptious and reasonably priced. [~$7 for paninis and ~9 for pasta after tax] Pasta's portion is sizable for lunch and a left over dinner. The panini, on the other had, is very filling even on days I skip my breakfast. This little downtown gem gets crazy busy between 12pm-1pm. Long line is formed from the cashier through the door to the street. Arriving at 11:45AM makes a huge difference if you don't have time to linger since it is common for them to run out of tables during lunch hour. Caffe Milano keeps me coming back for their consistently fresh and exceptional Italian cuisine - a solid 5-star.
(5)Toni B.
We were visiting U of A from Houston. Houston has the best restaurants of any city i have visited.. So...Caffe Milano was chosen from the yelp reviews. My oh my were we IMPRESSED! The lasagna was the best I have ever tasted in a restaurant. The goat cheese rolled in honey and almonds over a bed of spinach.. Delish!! Carlo, the owner, frequently checked on us and inquired about our dinner. A must go!!! From a food snob...
(5)Lissa M.
I could eat lunch here every day...I probably would if I worked a little closer. Sometimes, I hang a note on the door and close my shop for 20 minutes (big no-no) just so I can satisfy my Milano craving. There are so many sandwiches to choose from & the panini is toasted so perfectly... The owner, Carlo, is always behind the counter and knows his customers by name. The restaurant is clean, cozy & there is always a soccer, I mean futball, game playing on tv in the background. p.s. I just discovered they're open for breakfast too & was not disappointed! Yum!
(5)Jan E.
The best authentic Italian place around. Owners are SO friendly and make you feel right at home. Service at dinner time could be better, but the quality of the food outweighs this issue. Lunch is delicious and service is fast. Definitely a favorite!
(4)Kirstin B.
Went for dinner here during one of the 2nd Saturday Nights. Hubby had the salmon baked in parchment paper and I had the special, tuna fettuccine in pink sauce. The dishes were fine, but nothing too special. I think we have to come back and have a real Italian meal..lasagne so we can truly assess the food. Service was great! Our waitress was very attentive and the owner made it a point to come check in with each table.
(3)Laurie W.
I decided today I needed a little taste/feel of Italy for lunch!! Even though I have been to Caffe Milano before, I enjoyed every minute of it. I got one of the day's special... marinated shrimp on pasta salad and a bed of lettuce with fresh crusty bread (a tiny cup of olive oil for dipping!). I drank their version of an Arnold Palmer... the "lemonada" was in a small can and probably sent from Italy!! I arrived around 11 a.m. and even though I was the only one there at the time, within 20 minutes it started filling up. I decided to skip dessert, but did get an Iced Mocha to go. Since they are located on Congress, with street construction just out the front door, I barely even noticed it. Next year when the Modern Streetcar starts running, the experience will be like dining in a European city, or at least like nothing Tucson has seen before!!
(4)Sam M.
Carlo e Laura run the best restaurant in Tucson. It's so rare to have authentic Italian food in America. This is it, along with the wonderful Italian welcome and goodbye that Carlo gives everyone when they come and go. I have never had bad food or wine here.
(5)Dev S.
A lunchtime favorite in downtown Tucson. Fresh ingredients and friendly service. The panini selection is extensive -- from traditional to more Americanized options. The bread is solid. The salads and pastas are fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Enjoy a lightly flavored iced tea. Dinner is a treat. With solid, housemade pasta. Leave room for an espresso. It's legit.
(5)Susan O.
I returned the next day again for lunch - that's how much I liked the food and ambience. Both days I had the ham and cheese pannini, which I definitely recommend. The first day I had soup and pannini - the soup of the day was summer squash, which was good. The second day I had salad and pannini - a small Greek salad. I had iced lattes both days, very good; and a piece of moist chocolate cake the second day (I'd noticed the cake the first day). It's a busy lunch place so I sat at the counter by the window. The host/owner takes the orders and is very accommodating. The wait staff are prompt at delivering your order and picking up the (now empty) dishes. During the work week, i.e., Monday through Friday, this restaurant serves lunch and dinner and is closed in between. I'm not sure about the weekends - a lot of restaurants in downtown Tucson are closed on the weekends because almost all of the businesses are closed. Also, a coworker said that the owner usually closes the restaurant for one month during the summer when he returns to Italy.
(4)Judy J.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! The owner is friendly and they have the best PANINI ever. Should try their paninis top with fresh mozarellas and italian hams. there's no place that can ever compare to their paninis. I love their ice coffee too, they use illy's
(5)Melanie N.
The only decent place to eat in downtown Tucson in my short stay there. In a downtown area filled with sub par food, Caffe Milano stands out as a wonderful little cafe with good eats. I had a tasty egg white omlet with spinach and red peppers. The latte was superb (after suffering from no caffeine due to crap coffee in the hotel) and the service was amazing. I am pretty sure I'll never be in Tucson again (God willing!) but if I was, I'd definitely go back to this little gem.
(4)Keopu R.
I wasn't too keen on this place when I first visited and my tastes were not so refined. But, now that my tastes are much better suited to yelp, I am happy to report that Caffe Milano is a great downtown restaurant with consistently tasty food. The menu is filled mostly with paninis, pastas, and salads. The house salad is a filling portion and the dressing is good. I've also tried the vegetarian panini (not sure of the name) that had brie, provolone, green chilies and tomato. The sandwich was great and very filling. A co-worker of mine swears by the pastas, and they always smell wonderful when she brings it back. But, I haven't been able to make myself pass up the panini and salad to get the pasta yet...hopefully someday. Prices are VERY affordable. You can get a filling lunch for under $6 depending on your choices. I would only think about dinging half a star for the high minimum credit card balance. Thankfully the wonderful service and great food make up for it. Caffe Milano is in our regular rotation at work. If you work downtown, it should definitely be in yours as well.
(5)Lauren L.
Once again, for the third year in a row, we ate breakfast here every day. Not only did they remember us, but they had our waters and tables ready. The man who owns the place had my friends convinced he was from Brazil, and despite my assurances that he was pulling their leg, they didn't believe me. At any rate, the ingredients are just as fresh and delightful as they've always been and the experience was a lovely way to start out our work days. We also ordered lunch to go each day and it was always ready when we arrived and packed in individual little brown paper bags. The pasta salad was incredible! Thanks for the amazing food and service!
(5)Gregorio T.
I'd say four stars is the perfect rating for Caffè Milano. Now I know I'm accustomed to the Los Angeles downtown area, but this downtown had about as much going on as Oklahoma City (don't get me started). Almost everything closes on the weekends, or has bare bones hours of operation. Thankfully I had yelped the local restaurants before the convention and found this little gem. There's nothing I love more than chatting away with an Italian making my doppio espresso con panna. And the food was phenomenal! I had a panino with prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, lettuce, etc.-- unbelievably delicious and a price for my college foodie budget. My friends got other items that spanned the menu--everything looked great and (apparently) tasted great. Now for the missing star-- I was in Tucson for a convention, so when we were on break for lunch, EVERYONE was out looking for food. Standing in line among already dining patrons was obnoxious from both sides, and the wait was a little less than convenient, considering the limited break time. Also, Caffè Milano joins the countless other eateries that close on Saturday (although they reopened at 5:30) and that was a day that I needed an espresso and some loving in the form of delicious Italian food. If I ever find myself in Tucson again (hopefully not), I'll be heading back. If for nothing else to practice my Italian.
(4)Deuce S.
Trying out different restaurants in the area. The decor was a bit confusing; wasn't exactly sure if they were just going for a red and green color scheme or if they were trying to bring together a mix of christmas lights mixed with items from various world travels (that also tied in with the red and green). Maybe there's a story behind everything that's going on there (including the various instruments glued to the walls), but to the outsider, it didn't work. As far as the food goes...tried the Cozze Alla Diavola and the Gnocchi with meat sauce. The gnocchi was good; above average. The cozze alla diavola had a great tasting tomato, white wine and red pepper sauce, but the mussels could've been more fresh; large portion for an appetizer. They didn't offer to refill my iced tea until they were about to bring the check, so make sure you aren't too thirsty. Prices were reasonable.
(3)Jackie T.
I expected more from Yelping this place. The random African items for decor through me off. It was charming but didn't make sense there. I'll have to chat with a worker about its meaning and background. I came for lunch and had a standard panini and caprese salad. The ingredients were fresh and simple, just as how I think the best Italian food is. What stood out was how well they used salt and pepper, which shows that the person in the kitchen is a seasoned cook (pun intended). The service was friendly but not very attentive. I was amazed at how well the little Italian lady stacked dishes and balanced them when she was bussing. It looked like literally 1/3rd of her body size but she was doing it effortlessly. Bottom line, the staff in every aspect seemed highly experienced and efficient but didn't exude the warmth I expected on a street-side Italian cafe. Once I come here for dinner I'll provide my final verdict.
(3)olivia c.
I wanted to eat here for lunch but they decided that they didn't want to keep the hours that are posted on their website. Now I work in the restaurant industry, and I know how it goes. You've had a slow shift and you just want to close up shop and be done. This is the wrong thing to do. I belive you need to do everything in your power to make sure that anyone walking thru your door has nothing but good things to say about your business. The excuse that they keep "European" hour is retarded. So in short, this restaurant with a perfect 5 star status, receives it's first ONE star review. Fuck you very much!!
(1)Nancy L.
The restaurant is a little small but very classy & cute. The food is delicious and the service is great.
(4)Jaime T.
This was a great friend in downtown Tucson. The cafe was something like I remember in Milan, Italy and the waitstaff couldn't be friendlier and more helpful. They have a pretty good wine list and a small enough menu where you get lost. We got the caprese salad to start as well as a seafood salad. The seafood salad was little too fishy for my taste, but well seasoned. Caprese salad had soft mozzarella, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives and peppers. It was reminiscent of an antipasto platter. We got lots of entrees and pastas. Everything was perfectly cooked and the gnocchi with gorgonzola was soft and pillowy with a nice and rich sauce. The bread to start was grilled and warm and served with an herb butter. Really good cappuccino's and creme caramel and tiramisu. Yummy place in downtown Tucson. Go ahead and give it a whirl.
(4)Ray L.
Milano has a split personality: lunch is the pleasant and low-key friend who hides amazing talent under a quiet exterior, but dinner is the pretentious frenemy who mistakes image for substance. Okay, so this may be going a little far, but Milano has a wide ranging lunch menu that is both affordable and fairly tasty, though the caprese salad might benefit from a few leaves of basil. It's your typical order at the counter, service to the table lunch restaurant--simple, good, and friendly. Dinner is another story: dressier, pricier, and colossally slower. If you enjoy aloof service and waiting 75 minutes for lasagna and pasta bolognese that you could easily make at home, an evening at Milano might be your scene. Otherwise, stick to midday visits.
(3)Eric L.
Very tasty and very affordable sandwiches. Very good toasted bread on the sandwiches. Fresh mozzarella and basil on my sandwich and it was really good. Look forward to coming back.
(5)Becki G.
Caffe Milano only does dinner on the weekends and only does breakfast and lunch on the weekdays. All three meal-types are fantastic although I am partial to the croissant w/eggs for breakfast and the half panini w/soup for lunch. Two doors down from the Fox, and down the street from the Rialto, they're a great dinner-before-the-show spot. Their wine list is reasonably priced and all-Italian -- and their espresso is the best!
(5)Jen F.
Love it! Great price for great food!! I had the caprese panini and Greek salad and it was delicious! Worth coming to again and again! The prices are very reasonable for the food you get!
(5)J. Felipe G.
Met the owners before they open the place, and you know they are committed to great food and service. It is a great place to go with the family. I have gone there with kids for lunch, and during the night is better for couples. Carlo and Laura are an important part of the future of downtown Tucson!
(5)Tim T.
My wife, daughter and I went to this restaurant off of the Yelp recommendation. Nice staff, ok atmosphere but the food was way over priced and was soaked in butter? 1 salad, 3 meals one glass of wine no dessert and it came to $78. I would not recommend it.
(2)Ismael S.
The very beat there is. I LOVE this place.
(5)Justin S.
Looked at all the reviews on yelp. After going there I couldn't agree more.
(5)Mindy S.
Yum! Came here a couple of times for lunch, and I left happy. I had a wonderful croissant, giant salad and some really good coffee. The pasta dish I had on a subsequent visit was equally impressive, and the bread was soft and fresh - good lunch specials, too. A great option for a quick lunch downtown - I'll be back!
(4)Shripathi K.
Looks like a hole in the wall because of all the construction but the food and service was excellent. We ordered 3 different dishes and every one of them was succulent. They catered to our vegetarian needs. Will definitely be back when I am in the Tucson area next.
(5)Biso S.
Great place, the owner is so nice and the food is delicious. The prices are convenient as well... I highly recommend it as a part of your Tucson experience
(5)t c.
Ive only have had the ANTIPASTO VEGETARIANO but its yummy. I have been here 3 different times for lunch - always ordered the same thing
(4)Ramin S.
Caffe Milano is a welcome restaurant in Tucson. For a city 8-9 timezones from Italy, with probably an extremely tiny Italian population, it's nice to see a restaurant with good Italian food like this. They have a bunch of appetizers, and first and second course meals. (Like most Italian restaurants outside of Italy though, you pick just one dish, rather than multiple courses.) The wine and coffee are good too. The restaurant is slightly expensive ($5-10 for appetizers, $10-15 for pasta, $15-20 for meat dishes), but you're paying for good quality. They also have a couple covered tables outdoors. On a Friday or Saturday night, you might want to make a reservation. I was lucky to find a seat without one.
(5)Eva Z.
My friends and I visiting Tucson on a business trip checked out Yelp before our trip and decided that we had to eat here! Boy, you guys were right! The food: SO GOOD. Absolutely, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meals. Oh and the waitress made some great recommendations. Also, as walk-ins, we were happily seated in the delightful outdoor patio.
(5)Trevor S.
Other than Primo at the Starr Pass Marriot, this is the best Italian food in Tucson.
(5)Rodolfo S V.
Great little place to eat lunch. I go to this place whenever I'm in Tucson for the mariachi conferences. They offer some of the best paninis I've ever had, my favorite being the Malpense with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and pesto spread. Get a side salad with your panini if you go, it goes along great and everything is fresh and organic. If only there was a place this good where I live...Overall great Italian food from Italian owners.
(5)Chandra G.
This seems like a nice little cafe, and I understand it is well loved by many, but my personal experience was not that great. Had the pasta special (orichetta with Italian sausage and ricotta) and it was severely lacking in flavor. Ordered an Italian soda, and the barrista asked me if I wanted milk or not and I said yes. What I got was milk, ice, and hazelnut flavor, no soda. Don't get me wrong, the hazelnut milk was good, but it was NOT an Italian soda.
(2)Michelle L.
Ah Caffe Milano es mi piacere! I adore this little gem of a cafe. I've had both breakfast and dinner there and I can honestly say being here takes me back to my days living in Italy. The food is authentic, the service excellent, and atmosphere is perfect.
(5)Jeffrey A.
I was walking in downtown and stumbled upon Caffe Milano. A guy was seated in the patio enjoying a gorgeous looking breakfast, and it looked so good I turned around and went in. After ording Ouva e Prosciutto and a Caffe Americano, I got to talking with the owner Carlo in Porutguese and learned that the place has been there 15 years. When the meal was served, it was simply delicious. The breakfast potatoes were browned yet tender, and covered in light herbs. The coffee incredible. The eggs on fresh bread with cheese and wonderful quality prosciutto. Can't wait til my next breakfast at Caffe Milano.
(4)Ben R.
Absolutely wonderful Italian food. Fresh ingredients. Very good service. At lunch time, you order at the counter. At dinner, you have a waiter who takes your order. The only drawback is that they're not open for dinner every night!
(5)Micha M.
Consistently delicious panini, yummy espresso, fresh ingredients, Caffe Milano is a winner! Open Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch (though I've only had the opportunity to enjoy lunch there). The owner and chef moved to Tucson from Italy a few years back and brought their delicious food culture with them. The panini are fabulous - always crispy on the outside but not-too-crispy on the inside and filled with fresh, delicious ingredients. A great place to check out if you are in downtown for lunch.
(5)Dan T.
Nice little place. Cozy atmosphere, good antipasti, good wines and good espresso - great from start to the end! I wish I could go more often.
(5)Leo B.
Loved going here when the wife worked downtown. Tasty Italian Paninis and pastas.
(5)April G.
I got lost, alone, walking around downtown Tucson looking for another famous restaurant. The owner stopped me on the street and asked me if I was lost and why didn't I have something to eat at his place. He was very sweet, with a thick Italian accent but wearing cowboy boots, jeans, a western shirt, and a bolo tie with a silver and turquoise concha. He and his wife are great! After I had been hiking around all day, first in the desert, then in the mountains, then in the dark downtown, their server was so sweet and helped me pick the most perfect, comforting dish of Gnocchi. I chose it half-and-haf with a hearty authentic meat sauce on half and the most delicious most mouthwatering gorgonzola sauce on the other. Even their bread was good, served with a yummy herb butter. The restaurant was not very busy and I didn't even go inside, since it was perfect weather to eat on the patio. So I have no comments on the decor or atmosphere. I found the service to be responsive: at least 4 different people asked me how my meal was, including both the owners. Their hours are a little odd, so be sure to check in advance.
(4)Anthony K.
As a cafe, Caffe Milano rocks. Good Illy cafe, soccer on the TV, and real life Italian vibe working. The menu is simple (and authentic). Go there for breakfast, coffee, and lunch.
(4)April M.
Creative menu, each course stood on its own. Romantic ambiance....family owned. We will return.
(5)Brad H.
Melt-in-your-mouth-five-star-goodness! Magnifico! Bravo! We ordered the LASAGNE ALLA BOLOGNESE: layers of homemade pasta smothered with meat sauce, bechamel and parmesan cheese. Perfetto! The meat is obviously home-ground, not any of this cheapo hamburger from the grocery. The flavor, perfect, the texture, perfect, the pasta, sauce, and cheese--all perfect. We also had the SALMOME AL CARTOCCIO: salmon cooked in parchment paper with garlic, lemon juice, italian parsley, fresh vegetables. Wow! Perfetto! The salmon was not over done and not under done. Flaky but tender and juicy. Soooooo good. Oh, our anitpasto was the CAPRESE: fresh mozzarella (in water), organic tomatoes, fresh basil, kalamata olives, oregano and extra virgin olive oil. Great invention. Wonder who thought of that? "Hey, let's put mozzarella on some tomato slices and top it off with basil." But it works and it works well. Nice and refreshing. Service was very cheerful. Loved our waitress. Definitely a five star restaurant. And so reasonably priced, too.
(5)Prusha S.
This place never gets old. The hours are a pain and obnoxious to get use to. But the dishes made up for it. My usual is the spaghettini with swordfish. Upper delicious:) We usually sit outside and enjoy the downtown Tucson area.
(5)Carolyn H.
Every time I have eaten here, the service and the quality of the food has been phenomenal. I've had the gnocchi and the walnut ravioli, as well as the orecchiette ai quattro formaggi and all, from start to finish, have a beautiful flavor, consistency, and mouth-feel. The servers are perky, funny, knowledgable and incredibly nice, and the food is worth the price. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Tucson, and some of the best Italian food I have had in the States.
(5)D S.
Always an awesome experience- little nervous since Carlos sold he business but the new owners have maintained the excellence we have come to expect here. Amazing food, service and ambiance.
(5)Annie V.
SICK before we finished our entrees! Serious GI distress that didn't leave us for over 24 hours. Not food poisoning, but indigestion on a bad level. The only reasons it gets two stars are: the caprese salad was tasty (and I don't think the cause of the ick) and the ambiance was decent. I had a special--mussels in white wine with spaghetti noodles. My wife had the spaghetti with meat sauce. Both were equally bad tasting or no tasting even before their hidden powers of sickness were unleashed. RUN away from this place!!!!!
(2)Gina M.
If I could give this place NO stars I would. We went there this week before the Judy Collins concert at the Fox and it was a TOTAL nightmare. It took us over an hour and 20 minutes to get our food. Yes - it was theater night. Did they not know that? The waitress was beyond curt, never offered to refill our drinks not bring more bread. When my husband asked her for an update after waiting an hour, she snapped his head off and said she wasn't the cook and was doing the best she could. It gets worse. After an hour & fifteen minutes, my husband want up to the OWNER, told him how long they had been waiting and he then turned the hostess and said "Have they really been waiting that long?" Yikes! We were not the only unhappy customers and friends who were there before us had to leave for the concert without ever getting served. Translation? No dinner So how was the food? Two of my friends got the salmon which they said was okay. Their vegetables? Some were hot & some were COLD! I got the chicken Marsala which was fair at best. Unevenly pounded and some pieces of the chicken were tough. 99% of my reviews on Yelp are positive but trust me when I say this was a debacle & I will be spreading the word and never return. Too many great restaurants in Tucson with great service, great food & people who appreciate your business.
(1)Gigi D.
Another great dinner at my favorite italian restaurant in town! Tried for the first time their mussels pasta dish, really good, you can flavor the wine they cook the mussels in, it is now on top of my favorite dishes at this restaurant! And of course I HAD to have their tiramisu...the best !!! I am going to try their cooking classes...maybe I can learn to make tiramisu at home ;)
(5)Robert D.
Great food and excellent service. Cafe Milano was always pretty goo, but under new chef/ownership it is truly wonderful. Last night, before a Fox Theater show, we had an early dinner. We started with two shared appetisers. the Cozze Alla Diavola was a treat. Plump mussels in a complex tomato based sause. The Insalata Caprese was very good as well. For the main course we both ordered the Lasagne Alla Bolognese and it was to die for. Hint: a single order would have been more than enough for two serious eaters. A trusted older restaurant has become great with the new family which has just come over from Italy. We will return soon with friends.
(5)Joseph L.
One of my favorite restaurants in Tucson, Because Caffe Milano, I don't need to step foot in Tavalino (for the price you pay here they should offered better coffee) nor Vivace. Big statement? You bet!! best restaurant coffee, Tarimisu and best panna cotta and most authentic Italian food you can get in this town. This place was introduced by a good friend of my who used to stationed in Italy for 5years and this guy know his Italian food... Myself had eaten quite a few places in New York and little Italy in Windsor, Canada. Not to claim I know Italian food very well but I always happy and satisfied when I leave Caffe Milano if you know what I mean. Little short introduction about this place...Carlos the husband is the front man and his wife is the chef, everything are homemade (yeah I know, heard that before). There are few times of the year they will just closed the restaurant and go back to Italy for a month. So always a good idea phone ahead not just see if they are open but get a reservation since they filled up the little dinning room rather quickly. P.S Don't you mention Zona78...no... no...no!!
(5)Justie L.
Yelp has done it yet again! I decided to check out Caffe Milano after reading all of its great reviews, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I had the pasta salad of the day, which was farfalle with pesto served with a mixed baby greens salad and Italian bread. I'm fairly picky about pasta salad, and was initially weary of it being served atop salad, but it was wonderful. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection and the pesto was fresh and tasty without overwhelming everything else. I could have done without the shaved carrots and peas served in the dish, but those were easy enough to avoid so it was fine. The bread was also superb, though I should preface this statement with a declaration of my love for all things bread-related. My friend had a pasta dish that was penne in a creamy red sauce with spinach and mushrooms, which was also great. She said she particularly liked that it had a tiny bit of spice to it, but it wasn't too spicy for her to keep eating. I also had the house iced tea which I would recommend to anyone who has ever in their life thought they might want an iced tea. Though I didn't get coffee this time around, I do appreciate that they serve illy coffee. I would probably have given this place a 4.5 if it was an option. The service was quick and the staff friendly, but we waited in line to order for quite a while, and there were only a few people ahead of us.
(4)James M.
I ate at this restaurant with a group of people for lunch and I would recommend this restaurant over many of the lunch options in the downtown area of Tucson there are several other restaurants nearby but this one was probably the best in terms of overall atmosphere and the quality of food was good it was also not too expensive and and professional place to eat with people that are on business so definitely some place that you want to go to and I would go back
(5)Norman B.
Wonderful dinner location. Great place for a group or couple. My sister in-law is from Italy and loves to eat here when in town.
(5)Kathy L.
Spaghettini Pomodoro e Basilico. Simple, and still my favorite meal from childhood. When I am at work and craving pasta & sauce at lunchtime (or macaroni & gravy, as I grew up calling it), I head over to Caffe Milano. My last visit, I let myself indulge in a luscious Bolognese house-made lasagne -- delish! Ownership of the Downtown caffe has recently changed hands, but the menu has remained the same. They do offer daily specials, though, and I suspect they may differ a little from the previous proprietor. Milano has a walk-up and order counter, at which you will be given a number to identify your table. This makes wait time significantly less if you work Downtown and want to have ample time to enjoy your lunch (without having to rush back). It is a charming little place, and you will most likely overhear some of the staff speaking in Italian whilst dining. I have only visited the caffe during lunch hours, with pasta as my mainstay. They offer breakfast and dinner, as well, and I hope to make it back soon to try out some of those menu items. One of the staff has tempted me with an antipasti plate, so I don't think it will be that long! Make sure to check out the pastry/dessert case and the house peach iced tea!
(4)Sarah L.
Had a great lunch today at Caffe Milano! My son had an event downtown, and we stumbled upon Caffe Milano by accident. I had never been to Caffe Milano, and I was pleasantly surprised upon entering the café that in addition to the decor- with attractive posters from Milan, Italy, I could actually hear Italian being spoken at the cash register. It seemed some Europeans had sought out the cafe' for just this reason. Although a bit tucked away, on a somewhat obscure corner of Congress Street, the restaurant is colorful, very authentic Italian, and reminds me of a small Café that would be right at home in either Europe or New York. The food is equally as good as the ambiance, and I noticed they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lunch menu seems to cater to mostly a business crowd, and my son and I both enjoyed very delightful Panini sandwiches. Their lunch menu also offers various (amazingly delicious sounding) pasta dishes, soups, salads, and Bruschetta, as well as various side dishes and desserts. My son had the Galleria ($6.75) which is a very good sized sandwich with Prosciutto, brie cheese, olive spread, lettuce, & mayo. I had the Prada, ($7.25), which was Tuscan bread with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and spinach. The panini sandwiches come with a side. I had the Milano salad and my son had the pasta salad. Everything was delicious, and best of all- we finished off our lunch with a fabulous slice of their homemade apple cake and an illy espresso. The prices are fair, the service is friendly and efficient, and best of all- the food is extrordainarly good. Just like Trip Advisor does, I also highly recommend Caffe Milano. I will for sure be back when I'm in the area again!
(4)Patrick M.
If you want a small slice of italy, here you go! The pasta has always been done right and I've never left disappointed. Only negative is a little more cheese on the pasta would make it perfect. Everyone there is very nice and again, you cannot beat the pasta!!! The to go sizes are HUGE!!!
(5)Karmen W.
The food and atmosphere was really good. The waitress was a snob and didn't check on us until we would flag her down. I think the only reason she works there is because she speaks italian....clearly not for her serving skills. We will go again but leave of she is the server.
(4)Michael G.
From my viewpoint; above average Italian in the midst of downtown. The look inside is similar to a small Roman trattoria. Nice outdoor patio. We came on valentines day, so they had a special menu. The regular menu is limited., but varied. Deserts are house-made and the tiramisu, although not traditional style, was quite good. Very clean. Good service. Beer/wine only. Next to the Fox Theater.
(4)Scott S.
Great food paired with great service. We typically dine here leading up to attending an event at the Fox Theater. It has become a date night tradition for us and we look forward to the food almost as much as the concert! Most recently our server was the owner's daughter and she was charming, friendly and provided everything we needed in a prompt manner. We have had a number of the entree's and have never been disappointed. This is not fast food; if you allow a reasonable amount of time you will be rewarded with a great meal. They have launched a new limited and faster menu available when there is something at the Fox. This is in addition to their regular menu. We typically make a reservation about 90 minutes before our event starts and enjoy a slow dinner and desert; we have never been pressed for time.
(5)Samuel A.
I had heard there were new owners at one of my Fav's the Caffe Millano so I had to try. Went on a Thursday night which is pretty quiet downtown so had no problem getting in with a party of 6. The server was fantastic she was there when you needed her but not too much. The wine was great and while the menu was the same the food was as normal wonderful. I had the lasagna and the creamy sauce was fantastic and my wife had the Chicken "Pollo Alla Valdostana " it was great. All in all the experience was great and I will return. Sometimes when owners change it is a bad thing but these guys are just moving forward - great food and great service along with great prices.
(4)Michael L.
Unfortunately when a wonderful restaurant changes ownership it goes bad - not unlike fresh fish left out in the mid-day sun. However, if you like your gnocchi tasteless, soft and the consistency of cream of wheat and presented in a sauce that makes Heinz ketchup appear to be haute cuisine, then you will love eating here. We had made reservations for 7:30pm dinner and arrived at 7:25pm only to be informed that we would not be able to be seated until about 8:15pm. When we were finally seated at 8:20pm I had to ask that the table be cleaned of the crumbs and spills of the previous party's dinner. The salad was wilted with only the hint of some tasteless vinaigrette dressing. But the coffee at the conclusion of the meal - bitter and reminiscent of weak tea. The only bright spot of the dining experience was bubbly server who was oblivious of the quality, rather lack thereof, of the food. And the manager/owner, he was more concerned with turning of lights and counting the money in the cash register. All in all an experience better missed!
(1)Brian H.
This is a fantastic lunch spot and the price is right (about $10). Their sandwiches and salads are deliciously savory, well prepared, and service is quick and friendly. Minus 1 star for not putting some olives in the Greek side salad. If I worked DT, I would eat there once a week!
(4)Mashia P.
Sensational Italian food! My lawyer took me here, best $300 an hour we spent yet with him!
(5)Lauren K.
Sometimes you go to a restaurant and you really want to love it. In a town bereft of decent Italian food, I desperately wanted Caffe Milano to be that beacon drawing me near. Unfortunately, all the desire my heart couldn't rescue our dinner here. Upon arriving at Caffe Milano, we were warmly greeted by a man we assumed was the owner. The restaurant looked clean and inviting. We thought, "maybe this is the gem!" The first real chink in the armor was when I noticed the prices. They were higher than on the website menu. I like it when a restaurant keeps up with those details. Bread arrived and it was warm and delicious. It was crusty and chewy inside, with good flavor. It was accompanied by herb butter. We started with the mozzarella appetizer. It arrived promptly and looked fresh and delicious. My husband was initially on the sidelines as the mozzarella was wetter than we are used to. It also lacked salt. All those criticisms fell to the floor when we tried the cheese with the tomato sauce it was smeared with. Amazing. Then we noticed a slathering of pesto as well. Double yum. My husband devoured the ripe, sweet, tomatoes hiding under the cheese. He ate the olives and the roasted red peppers as well. Now we were super excited for our entrees... Visually, they looked great. I got lasagna and my husband got the stuffed chicken. The chicken came in the form of three golden medallions stuffed with prosciutto and oozing taleggio cheese. On the side was more of the great tomato sauce and a generous portion of seasoned vegetables. The breading on the chicken was crisp. The vegetables were slightly overdone, but still left some snap to the carrots. The flavor on both was great. Unfortunately, this is where things really go downhill. The chicken had a bizarre and unpleasant texture. It was dry, yes, but more to the issue, it was crunchy, like a vegetable. Your tooth snapped into it. It was decidedly unpleasant. Gross even. I spat out the piece my husband gave me. He ate it all none the less and only later confessed that the owner, who kept checking in, was so nice that he felt guilty. My meal wasn't a winner either. A word to the wise: this is a different style of lasagna. It replaces the ricotta with bechamel and is served in a bowl and not as a square hunk. I have had many a great lasagna prepared in a similar fashion, so I was excited to dig in. It was tasty, but the texture was awful. The pasta was sparse and so thoroughly mixed with bechamel and meat that the entire thing resembled a bowl of artichoke dip. I felt like I needed a spoon. It began feeling like baby food and I started scraping it up with my bread in an attempt to change the texture. Maybe it is just me, but I don't enjoy lasagna masquerading as porridge. Sadly, despite good flavors, a wonderful waitress, a nice owner, and a pleasant atmosphere, we felt a bit underwhelmed. At $50, it wasn't bargain food, yet it lacked a finesse or freshness that was needed to elevate it to "must eat" status. We can only speculate that the mushy mouth feel of the lasagna and the awful texture of the chicken are the results of repeated or improper defrosting. The rapid delivery of food also lends credence to this theory. Only one other table sat down, and sadly I think I know why. We were shocked by the high average rating for Caffe Milano. Diners in Tucson seem to confuse concepts with cuisine and ignore the freshness and preparation. Maybe lunch is better. For their flavors and staff, we'll try again after the streetcar project to see if an increase in business resolves the textural and preparation flaws that lead to a poor experience. We wish everyone at Caffe Milano well, but 2 stars is all I can muster.
(2)Joy M.
The antipasti Milan salad here is to die for, their pasta always tastes fresh and is usually busy at lunch, a good sign of good food.
(5)Peg P.
Trying to find the Baja Dog wagon got us downtown. After having a "long distance" conversation with the BD Man who said he'd be open again at 10 tonight on 4th Ave., we went to find another eatery downtown and thanks to fellow Yelpers' reviews, decided to try the Cafe Milano. (I know, this is quite the contrast in choices but we've heard great things about those veggie Sonoran dogs.) We caught them just at closing hour. Other than the kitchen help wheeling a huge trash can of food debris right through the dining area (I am not kidding), the place had a casual feel to it. (They really need to stop that practice.) My partner had the pomodoro spaghetti and pronounced it "perfect." It had a delicious sauce and the noodles were done just right. It came with a tiny piece of bread. She felt for the price they charged a small garden salad would have been very nice for the palate. I had the Scala mesquite turkey panini and it was pretty good. I have to say I felt it was "bread heavy" and light on the ingredients, especially the turkey. My sandwich came with nothing additional. Pickles or chips anyone? We'll try it again, especially when it cools down and we can sit out front and enjoy a meal.
(3)Kimberly F.
If you are visiting Tucson you must go to Caffe Milano, right in downtown Tucson, the service was amazing we had one of the best waitress" Anna" and the food was delicious. Also best vodka tonic ever!
(5)Jake S.
Delicious authentic Italian cuisine, with great daily specials. My only complaint is the the staff at lunch is not overly warm or friendly/ you get the impression that they don't care about your business, which makes no sense because there's always a table available.
(3)Cara R.
The BEST Italian food I've had in the U.S.! I spent two weeks traveling through Italy and most of the food wasn't as good as that from Caffe Milano in Tucson, Arizona. I highly recommend the mussels, spinach salad with goat cheese, and spaghetti Amatriciana. Espresso after dinner is also a must.
(5)Anne B.
Nice atmosphere and decor (also nice outdoor seating area). Food was tasty and nicely presented. Enjoyed our dinner - would recommedn.
(4)Vera D.
Enjoying my 2nd birthday dinner w/my brother in Tucson. Enjoying the ambiance, Italian culture & service.
(5)Tanja T.
First time here and love it! Portions are small but filling. I had the spinach salad, my husband and the lentil soup and we split the special which was a lightly fried dish of meats and vegetables. I would recommend it but not if you are in a hurry. Take the time to relax for this meal
(5)Susanne P.
We tried this restaurant early Saturday evening. The hostess was so friendly and was able to seat us inside even though we did not have a reservation. The bread was warm and toasted and quickly devoured. I ordered the special of penne in a vodka sauce with shrimp and tomatoes. It was so flavorful and had a generous portion of shrimp. My husband and daughter both ordered the pasta with seafood. The red sauce at this restaurant is so amazing that they were eating the leftover sauce with a fork. My son had the spaghetti and finished it before we were half way through our meal. He is a very picky eater and thought it was some of the best spaghetti he'd ever eaten. We were so impressed with the food and service at Caffe Milano. We will be back very soon.
(4)Lee R.
I took a group of ten family members out for dinner at the restaurant on a Saturday evening, including my parents visiting from England. The restaurant was pretty empty, but we have had pleasant meals there previously so was confident of a good evening. Unfortunately we ended up with the rudest waitress I believe I have ever encountered. Due to her complete inability to carry out her job, food came out incorrectly, orders were missed and she even disputed what the members of our party had ordered! Our favorite comment of the evening from the waitress was when one member of our party did not receive his main course when everybody else did, her response - "well there is only one person in the kitchen cooking all of this!". If the restaurant cannot cope with large tables, they should not accept them! I ordered the seafood pasta, of which most of the seafood was inedible, a number of others commented that the veal and chicken were overcooked. Shame to see the quality of this restaurant deteriorate. After spending over $360 on the meal, and receiving such lame service and average food, I will not be returning.
(2)Mark A.
This is my favorite downtown place to eat, the menu is small and the food is done well. The owner is always very friendly and I stop by and just say hello sometimes. The service is good most of the time but it can get bogged down in prime eating time. I have only sent my food back once for being too salty, but they set it right. I wish it was open more often at night. Sometimes the parking can be a bitch, but that is downtown.
(5)David S.
My wife and I haven't had Italian food this good in at least 20 years. Granted we live in Phoenix now but we have also lived in SF and LA. Over the years we will order veal in the hope that it will be as good as we remember it to be. Well, I can tell you that Caffe Milanos is as good as you have ever had! The service is unpretentious and the prices reasonable. My only, very slight downgrades, are for the veges, which were lukewarm and the bread, which was nothing outstanding. But there are plenty of other restaurants that can get those things right. This one gets the important things right. Caprese salad: excellent! Simple dressing with subtle flavors. Veal Scallopine: excellent! And finally: deserts-subtle flavors, not overdone...excellent! We liked this so much we came 2 nights in a row.
(5)Michelle C.
I did NOT know that this restaurant has something in common with the averaged school boy.... As in... they have SUMMER BREAK?! Caffe fricken' Milano. I will probably love you and never get enough of you - if I could possibly have a taste of your sweet morsels sometime this century. Please? Folks, they are closed from June 16 - July 20th :(
(2)Michelle W.
We were in Tucson (06/08/12) for a football game, and the night before we always find an Italian restaurant to carb up before the big game. We are not fans of chain-Italian restaurants, and always try to find some place original, family owned, and unique. We love great Italian food and were amazed by the service and food at Caffé Milan. My partner had lasagna and I had Gorgonzola gnocchi. Both melted in your mouth, and were phenom. We highly recommend this place.
(5)Drea G.
The food was alright, but the reviews made me think it'd be amazing..the waitress was friendly, but definitely could have checked on us more. We found ourselves waiting on her a lot. It was a nice one time thing, but I would of been happier at a chilis honestly...
(3)Marina M.
Who would think that a sandwich, a simple and unassuming comestible, could cause so much bliss? Well, the owner of Milano's probably does and I do too thanks to his establishment. The paninis here are wonderful, the Naviglio and Visconti are ridiculously good! I don't intend on getting any other paninis besides these because these 2 are the only ones on the menu with GOAT CHEESE! Yes, I love goat cheese, more than any girl ever should, but hey, can't help being born this way. My review is not biased to only 2 sandwiches though because, mind you, I always have a bite of what my boyfriend is having and he's not so faithful to his cheeses. And believe me, it's all good :) The dinner menu probably warrants a whole 'nother review but I'm on a time crunch here (midterms) and I'll focus on my fave: lasagna. So lasagna, considering its components (meat, carby pasta, tons of cheese) is a heavy dish. Ugh, not here at MIlano. This lasagna here is so light and has that "melt-in-you-mouth" quality. Pure magic in my book. How do they do it?!?! I crave this place a lot and I am so happy to have found such a good sandwich (and dinner) place in Tucson with such a nice ambiance.
(4)Eva Z.
My friends and I visiting Tucson on a business trip checked out Yelp before our trip and decided that we had to eat here! Boy, you guys were right! The food: SO GOOD. Absolutely, everyone in our party really enjoyed their meals. Oh and the waitress made some great recommendations. Also, as walk-ins, we were happily seated in the delightful outdoor patio.
(5)Trevor S.
Other than Primo at the Starr Pass Marriot, this is the best Italian food in Tucson.
(5)Rodolfo S V.
Great little place to eat lunch. I go to this place whenever I'm in Tucson for the mariachi conferences. They offer some of the best paninis I've ever had, my favorite being the Malpense with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and pesto spread. Get a side salad with your panini if you go, it goes along great and everything is fresh and organic. If only there was a place this good where I live...Overall great Italian food from Italian owners.
(5)Jeffrey A.
I was walking in downtown and stumbled upon Caffe Milano. A guy was seated in the patio enjoying a gorgeous looking breakfast, and it looked so good I turned around and went in. After ording Ouva e Prosciutto and a Caffe Americano, I got to talking with the owner Carlo in Porutguese and learned that the place has been there 15 years. When the meal was served, it was simply delicious. The breakfast potatoes were browned yet tender, and covered in light herbs. The coffee incredible. The eggs on fresh bread with cheese and wonderful quality prosciutto. Can't wait til my next breakfast at Caffe Milano.
(4)Ben R.
Absolutely wonderful Italian food. Fresh ingredients. Very good service. At lunch time, you order at the counter. At dinner, you have a waiter who takes your order. The only drawback is that they're not open for dinner every night!
(5)Micha M.
Consistently delicious panini, yummy espresso, fresh ingredients, Caffe Milano is a winner! Open Monday-Friday for breakfast and lunch (though I've only had the opportunity to enjoy lunch there). The owner and chef moved to Tucson from Italy a few years back and brought their delicious food culture with them. The panini are fabulous - always crispy on the outside but not-too-crispy on the inside and filled with fresh, delicious ingredients. A great place to check out if you are in downtown for lunch.
(5)Dan T.
Nice little place. Cozy atmosphere, good antipasti, good wines and good espresso - great from start to the end! I wish I could go more often.
(5)Leo B.
Loved going here when the wife worked downtown. Tasty Italian Paninis and pastas.
(5)April G.
I got lost, alone, walking around downtown Tucson looking for another famous restaurant. The owner stopped me on the street and asked me if I was lost and why didn't I have something to eat at his place. He was very sweet, with a thick Italian accent but wearing cowboy boots, jeans, a western shirt, and a bolo tie with a silver and turquoise concha. He and his wife are great! After I had been hiking around all day, first in the desert, then in the mountains, then in the dark downtown, their server was so sweet and helped me pick the most perfect, comforting dish of Gnocchi. I chose it half-and-haf with a hearty authentic meat sauce on half and the most delicious most mouthwatering gorgonzola sauce on the other. Even their bread was good, served with a yummy herb butter. The restaurant was not very busy and I didn't even go inside, since it was perfect weather to eat on the patio. So I have no comments on the decor or atmosphere. I found the service to be responsive: at least 4 different people asked me how my meal was, including both the owners. Their hours are a little odd, so be sure to check in advance.
(4)Anthony K.
As a cafe, Caffe Milano rocks. Good Illy cafe, soccer on the TV, and real life Italian vibe working. The menu is simple (and authentic). Go there for breakfast, coffee, and lunch.
(4)Erik Frost ..
Great service. Great food. Good prices. Great Location. Great Management. The BEST Spaghetti.
(5)Pam B.
Amazingly authentic Milanese food. Eclectic decor with old photos of Milan and unique instruments hung on the wall. We arrived 30 minutes before close and were so impressed with the service and the delicious fare. True flavors of Italy rather than pseudo Italian of so many places we've eaten. My teenage daughter said it reminded her of her friend's house (this friend is an Italian who recently moved to the states from Rome).
(5)Jeffrey P.
I've been working downtown for over a year now, and I only NOW discovered this place! They serve breakfast! I ordered a To-Go Omelette, and it is delicious! I highly recommend this place. I need to go back there for lunch sometime, and try out the rest of the menu.
(5)Gabriela F.
I came here for the first time with my family on a Saturday for lunch. the place was empty! I should have taken that as a sign that maybe they aren't the best, but since we had relatives in town and it was a mini-reunion, and the fact that we had a 1 year old running around, the emptyness was welcome. The server was really great and even the cooks were very nice when my little neice kept running into the kitchen... I ordered chicken parmesan with pasta. The pasta was really bland, the chicken parmesan was great. I did like how attentive they were and that they had a great selection of wines. The staff was very sweet and they all loved my neice, and they did their best not to step on her as she ran around like a mad man.
(3)Jason C.
Very Friendly service. Great food. (Looks pretty as well) Awesome prices. ($20 ish) Nice Location.( Downtown Tucson) Just like new (So clean) Worth every penny. Must go restaurant in Tucson
(5)Vivian T.
Basically, you get pretty amazing Italian food - flavor in each bite - for Olive Garden prices. We went here for a birthday dinner and left very happy! I had the penne in red wine sauce - very flavorful and intense flavor - with sausage that had a wonderful spicy kick. My friend had the gnocchi which I loved in the white sauce (I don't remember what it was!). It was very soft with almost a melt in your mouth feeling. The chef's special of roasted vegetables and the tortellini were equally delicious as the gnocchi. Portions are HUGE so don't fill up on the bread and delicious creamy butter! Ambiance is pretty romantic - low lit with candles on the table. Decor is a mix of rustic with the contemporary. Service is amazing. Caffe Milano is absolutely top notch for its low prices and made me love Italian food again. Who needs Olive Garden?
(5)Tina D.
This is a restaurant we had previously been to, and found it unmemorable. While attending a concert at the Fox last week, for convenience, we arranged to eat dinner here again. Everything has changed! We had one of the best meals we've had in Tucson. The service was snappy (quick, that is) and very professional. That woman in the kitchen can cook like nobody's business. Besides, how can you not try food cooked by Fufi? Probably not correct spelling of her name here- doing the phonetic thing. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael H.
For A Simple Cafe, One Of The Most Charming in Tucson. Their dishes surprise, and the location is one of the most Urban in Town. Love To Go There, given the least excuse.
(4)Emily F.
I would actually have to disagree with some of the reviews on here, and say that dinner is an excellent time to go to Caffe Milano. I have not been her for breakfast or lunch, but it's officially on the to do list! My boyfriend and I came here about 2 years ago for an anniversary dinner, and decided to return for another anniversary since we had such warm thoughts from the first time. We were not disappointed! I was actually better than I remembered. The manager/owner greeted us, and realized that our reservation had not been taken down correctly. He was extremely hospitable about the situation, and seated us immediately nonetheless, even cleaning a table himself. The service throughout the evening was nothing short of great. On to the food. Holy heck! I've never been to Italy, but for some reason, I feel like it's as authentic as you can get in southern Arizona. The pasta is homemade, and the sauce is mouth-watering. We had the caprese salad, the chicken marsala, and the asparagus manicotti (which was a special). I recommend them all!
(5)Charmaine T.
My daughter and I made a quick late evening stop here last night after her TEDxTucson speech. We had the Lasagna, and the meat sauce was delicious! I did however find the noodles to be very overcooked, pretty mushy. Other than that, the portion size was good, we shared a plate and that was plenty for the both of us, we also liked the bread sticks and rolls. The atmosphere is really cozy, and service was good! Our waitress was attentive and got our meal out really fast when we told her we had to get back to the event next door at the Fox. I think I need to visit again however, in hopes of experiencing a 5 star meal.
(3)Eric B.
People from Tucson, you have a fabulous real Italian restaurant in town and this jewel is located right in the heart of the city! I went for dinner on a Friday evening 7pm. How can this place be nearly empty on a Friday night???? Yes, I get it, it's because the whole city center is empty on Friday evening! The only populated tables were obviously by regular customers, some even speaking Italiano. From outside, it's already very nice. There's a small terrace, if you wish to enjoy the street view, cool. Ounce you step inside, you're hit by the Italian touch of this place. Second you get a warm welcome from one of the charming waitress and get seated. I was about to order an entry and a main dish but the waitress advised me that my main dish is quite huge and I should skip the entry. Guess what? She was perfectly right! My plate was filled with super delicious seafood spaghetti with tomato garlic & basil sauce. Quite fancy Italian wine selection, I picked the Pinot Nero which was alright. Ok, it was big but I still could manage a desert. I hesitated between the Tiramisu (truly Italian) and the crème caramel (which is more a French thing). As I'm a fan or the crème caramel, I could not resist. Simply PERFECT! What about an espresso? Yes, sure! Illy is an Italian coffee, again a perfect hit. So, I took a second one. During all that time, service was attentive and efficient. And, last thing, the bill was totally affordable. I would have paid easy a dozen of bugs without feeling being shacked. So, I did and left a 20% tip. I wish I have such a restaurant close to where I leave. I believe I have a good life but this would make my life even better.
(5)J Y.
I don't know what people see in this restaurant. We reserved for a party of 6 and we still waited 40 minutes. Slow service, bland food, overpriced. Just go to Olive Garden.
(2)John A.
BAD SERVICE Sorry, but I will never return to this place. Tried it twice and had terrible service both times. First time it was busy enough that it was tolerable that the waitress left us without sufficient silverware, didn't bring sweeteners for hot tea until the tea was already cold and other annoying details, but the second time the place was 2/3 full and had a full waitstaff, yet the waitress ignored us for 20 min. After being there a full hour we still had not received our main courses, even though diners who arrived after we did had not only received theirs, many had finished. Food was good, but not at all worth the terrible service. Neither the waitress nor the owner seemed bothered when we walked out. I guess they are used to it.
(1)George C.
I cannot believe this is my first review for Caffe Milano. I have probably had at least 40/50 lunches here over the last 5 years. Carlo, the owner, is an awesome guy and almost like a Tucson landmark himself. He has an awesome memory, and knows the names of most of his customers. When dining here, I normally get the special of the day. The special normally consists of a pasta dish, bread, and an iced tea for about $9. It is always fantastic and a great value. I have never been in for dinner, but the entire menu looks fantastic. Hopefully soon will be a first. If you are downtown, you have to give Carlo a visit. Note: There is a Pancetta Pasta dish that Milano sometimes has on special. That plate is probably the best meal on this planet. Note2: From what my dad tells me, Carlo makes an awesome expresso.
(5)Charles K.
A friend and I went to Tucson for Jane's Addiction at the Music Hall. We arrived early and were simply looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee. I spied the Illy sign above the front awning and popped my head in the door. No iced coffee drinks in the evening, buy a quick cappuccino sounded good so we went inside, took seats at the window bars... and wondered what they might have for dessert. An italian caramel custard, along with a vanilla custard covered in fresh berries was next. Good Lord!! Astoundingly good! We then wondered how good the rest of the menu must be... So, we split an order of veal scaloppine al marsala with a bit of pasta. Brilliant!! The backwards meal (coffee, dessert, main dish) was the PERFECT start to the evening. Carlo and his wife Laura are jewels in the desert and if you have a peckish for authentic Italian cuisine, you need to try Caffe Milano. Just take note that they close for a month during the mid-summer, so call ahead to make reservations. Jane's Addiction, who we saw from the front row, was simply the icing on the cake!
(5)Debbi W.
Authentic Italian food without passport = Space time anomaly. Well, I've never been to Italy but I bet you all the change in my pocket the food is just like the lunch I had at Caffe Milano. While I was trying to decide what to have a regular popped in and started telling me what was good. He really could have saved himself a lot of words if he'd said the truth, It's all good. And you get a lot of food too. I had to skip dessert.
(5)Sadie H.
My Italian girlfriend highly recommended this place so while in Tucson for the weekend. I decided to try it out. OMG! This is as good as it gets! EVERYTHING is made fresh, even the pasta! I had the lasagna, the best I have ever had! We have made this our dinner destination EVERY time we are in Tucson.
(5)Brian K.
Everyone has said it, but I'll hazard being redundant and say it again; Caffe Milano is beyond superb. The whole experience is as close to real, authentic homely Italian/European that you can get in Tucson. It's downtown and right on Congress, so it has that park-on-the-street-and-step-inside type vibe, it's got the sidewalk facing patio seating, the high celing interior, the Illy signage and coffee, the Pellegrino, the smell, the homely yet uncompromising proprietorship, and most importantly, the food to prove it. It's open for lunch, which is wonderful, but the real gem is dinner. There's something about a place that's able to transform from a legitimate walk-in-as-you-are lunch place within walking distance of just about anywhere downtown to a classy upscale white-tablecloth Italian eatery at night. It's got that too. Moreover, it's the only place in Tucson I can get a *real* panini. Sure, a few places have "paninis" which suffice every once in a while for me, but only Caffe Milano does it the *actual* way. The square, thinly sliced and totally pressed cibata bread, the generous but not overwhelming quantities of sliced prosciutto, the mozerella, some arugula or lettuce, fresh tomato, the signature crunch when you bite in. This is the only place I can get it, and I'm hooked. I hope it stays this good forever. My only issue are the hours, but what you have to realize is that they're authentic as well; in Europe, places like this are closed on Sunday and also have obscure hours. To me, that's the sign that they're still Italian/European to the core, and I love that kind of laid-back character. It's the one last piece of evidence you need to convince yourself that it's entirely genuine.
(5)Rachel R.
Caffe Milano is a comfortable and satisfying option downtown. It's so convenient to the Fox theater and not typically packed. My husband and I have come here numerous times and always had good food. The bread has been fresh and delicious. I'm a big fan of their red sauce. The portions are generally big so overall a good value for dinner. The atmosphere is cozy, just homey enough to make you comfortable. The service is good, and there is a nice little patio. I'll be back!
(4)Janice M.
Caffe Milano is unquestionably a true gem. I must say, I have only been here for quick breakfast and lunch and I only wish to be able to visit more often. The location and hours aren't exactly ideal for someone who doesn't work close to downtown - Once, I had a chance to stop by for a quick cup of vanilla latte and toasted croissant. Wow, I didn't know a croissant could be so tasty - buttery, flaky goodness. The croissant is served toasted with butter + jam OR nutella. I went with just butter, no jelly, and it was scrumptious. However, the coffee was just ok, a little on the sweet side for me. I have been to Caffe Milano for lunch several times, and I have been consistently pleased. I have had both various pasta platters and assortment of paninis. They are both deliciously scrumptious and reasonably priced. [~$7 for paninis and ~9 for pasta after tax] Pasta's portion is sizable for lunch and a left over dinner. The panini, on the other had, is very filling even on days I skip my breakfast. This little downtown gem gets crazy busy between 12pm-1pm. Long line is formed from the cashier through the door to the street. Arriving at 11:45AM makes a huge difference if you don't have time to linger since it is common for them to run out of tables during lunch hour. Caffe Milano keeps me coming back for their consistently fresh and exceptional Italian cuisine - a solid 5-star.
(5)Toni B.
We were visiting U of A from Houston. Houston has the best restaurants of any city i have visited.. So...Caffe Milano was chosen from the yelp reviews. My oh my were we IMPRESSED! The lasagna was the best I have ever tasted in a restaurant. The goat cheese rolled in honey and almonds over a bed of spinach.. Delish!! Carlo, the owner, frequently checked on us and inquired about our dinner. A must go!!! From a food snob...
(5)Lissa M.
I could eat lunch here every day...I probably would if I worked a little closer. Sometimes, I hang a note on the door and close my shop for 20 minutes (big no-no) just so I can satisfy my Milano craving. There are so many sandwiches to choose from & the panini is toasted so perfectly... The owner, Carlo, is always behind the counter and knows his customers by name. The restaurant is clean, cozy & there is always a soccer, I mean futball, game playing on tv in the background. p.s. I just discovered they're open for breakfast too & was not disappointed! Yum!
(5)Jan E.
The best authentic Italian place around. Owners are SO friendly and make you feel right at home. Service at dinner time could be better, but the quality of the food outweighs this issue. Lunch is delicious and service is fast. Definitely a favorite!
(4)Kirstin B.
Went for dinner here during one of the 2nd Saturday Nights. Hubby had the salmon baked in parchment paper and I had the special, tuna fettuccine in pink sauce. The dishes were fine, but nothing too special. I think we have to come back and have a real Italian meal..lasagne so we can truly assess the food. Service was great! Our waitress was very attentive and the owner made it a point to come check in with each table.
(3)Laurie W.
I decided today I needed a little taste/feel of Italy for lunch!! Even though I have been to Caffe Milano before, I enjoyed every minute of it. I got one of the day's special... marinated shrimp on pasta salad and a bed of lettuce with fresh crusty bread (a tiny cup of olive oil for dipping!). I drank their version of an Arnold Palmer... the "lemonada" was in a small can and probably sent from Italy!! I arrived around 11 a.m. and even though I was the only one there at the time, within 20 minutes it started filling up. I decided to skip dessert, but did get an Iced Mocha to go. Since they are located on Congress, with street construction just out the front door, I barely even noticed it. Next year when the Modern Streetcar starts running, the experience will be like dining in a European city, or at least like nothing Tucson has seen before!!
(4)Sam M.
Carlo e Laura run the best restaurant in Tucson. It's so rare to have authentic Italian food in America. This is it, along with the wonderful Italian welcome and goodbye that Carlo gives everyone when they come and go. I have never had bad food or wine here.
(5)Dev S.
A lunchtime favorite in downtown Tucson. Fresh ingredients and friendly service. The panini selection is extensive -- from traditional to more Americanized options. The bread is solid. The salads and pastas are fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Enjoy a lightly flavored iced tea. Dinner is a treat. With solid, housemade pasta. Leave room for an espresso. It's legit.
(5)Susan O.
I returned the next day again for lunch - that's how much I liked the food and ambience. Both days I had the ham and cheese pannini, which I definitely recommend. The first day I had soup and pannini - the soup of the day was summer squash, which was good. The second day I had salad and pannini - a small Greek salad. I had iced lattes both days, very good; and a piece of moist chocolate cake the second day (I'd noticed the cake the first day). It's a busy lunch place so I sat at the counter by the window. The host/owner takes the orders and is very accommodating. The wait staff are prompt at delivering your order and picking up the (now empty) dishes. During the work week, i.e., Monday through Friday, this restaurant serves lunch and dinner and is closed in between. I'm not sure about the weekends - a lot of restaurants in downtown Tucson are closed on the weekends because almost all of the businesses are closed. Also, a coworker said that the owner usually closes the restaurant for one month during the summer when he returns to Italy.
(4)Judy J.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! The owner is friendly and they have the best PANINI ever. Should try their paninis top with fresh mozarellas and italian hams. there's no place that can ever compare to their paninis. I love their ice coffee too, they use illy's
(5)Melanie N.
The only decent place to eat in downtown Tucson in my short stay there. In a downtown area filled with sub par food, Caffe Milano stands out as a wonderful little cafe with good eats. I had a tasty egg white omlet with spinach and red peppers. The latte was superb (after suffering from no caffeine due to crap coffee in the hotel) and the service was amazing. I am pretty sure I'll never be in Tucson again (God willing!) but if I was, I'd definitely go back to this little gem.
(4)Keopu R.
I wasn't too keen on this place when I first visited and my tastes were not so refined. But, now that my tastes are much better suited to yelp, I am happy to report that Caffe Milano is a great downtown restaurant with consistently tasty food. The menu is filled mostly with paninis, pastas, and salads. The house salad is a filling portion and the dressing is good. I've also tried the vegetarian panini (not sure of the name) that had brie, provolone, green chilies and tomato. The sandwich was great and very filling. A co-worker of mine swears by the pastas, and they always smell wonderful when she brings it back. But, I haven't been able to make myself pass up the panini and salad to get the pasta yet...hopefully someday. Prices are VERY affordable. You can get a filling lunch for under $6 depending on your choices. I would only think about dinging half a star for the high minimum credit card balance. Thankfully the wonderful service and great food make up for it. Caffe Milano is in our regular rotation at work. If you work downtown, it should definitely be in yours as well.
(5)Lauren L.
Once again, for the third year in a row, we ate breakfast here every day. Not only did they remember us, but they had our waters and tables ready. The man who owns the place had my friends convinced he was from Brazil, and despite my assurances that he was pulling their leg, they didn't believe me. At any rate, the ingredients are just as fresh and delightful as they've always been and the experience was a lovely way to start out our work days. We also ordered lunch to go each day and it was always ready when we arrived and packed in individual little brown paper bags. The pasta salad was incredible! Thanks for the amazing food and service!
(5)olivia c.
I wanted to eat here for lunch but they decided that they didn't want to keep the hours that are posted on their website. Now I work in the restaurant industry, and I know how it goes. You've had a slow shift and you just want to close up shop and be done. This is the wrong thing to do. I belive you need to do everything in your power to make sure that anyone walking thru your door has nothing but good things to say about your business. The excuse that they keep "European" hour is retarded. So in short, this restaurant with a perfect 5 star status, receives it's first ONE star review. Fuck you very much!!
(1)Nancy L.
The restaurant is a little small but very classy & cute. The food is delicious and the service is great.
(4)Gregorio T.
I'd say four stars is the perfect rating for Caffè Milano. Now I know I'm accustomed to the Los Angeles downtown area, but this downtown had about as much going on as Oklahoma City (don't get me started). Almost everything closes on the weekends, or has bare bones hours of operation. Thankfully I had yelped the local restaurants before the convention and found this little gem. There's nothing I love more than chatting away with an Italian making my doppio espresso con panna. And the food was phenomenal! I had a panino with prosciutto, mozzarella, pesto, lettuce, etc.-- unbelievably delicious and a price for my college foodie budget. My friends got other items that spanned the menu--everything looked great and (apparently) tasted great. Now for the missing star-- I was in Tucson for a convention, so when we were on break for lunch, EVERYONE was out looking for food. Standing in line among already dining patrons was obnoxious from both sides, and the wait was a little less than convenient, considering the limited break time. Also, Caffè Milano joins the countless other eateries that close on Saturday (although they reopened at 5:30) and that was a day that I needed an espresso and some loving in the form of delicious Italian food. If I ever find myself in Tucson again (hopefully not), I'll be heading back. If for nothing else to practice my Italian.
(4)Deuce S.
Trying out different restaurants in the area. The decor was a bit confusing; wasn't exactly sure if they were just going for a red and green color scheme or if they were trying to bring together a mix of christmas lights mixed with items from various world travels (that also tied in with the red and green). Maybe there's a story behind everything that's going on there (including the various instruments glued to the walls), but to the outsider, it didn't work. As far as the food goes...tried the Cozze Alla Diavola and the Gnocchi with meat sauce. The gnocchi was good; above average. The cozze alla diavola had a great tasting tomato, white wine and red pepper sauce, but the mussels could've been more fresh; large portion for an appetizer. They didn't offer to refill my iced tea until they were about to bring the check, so make sure you aren't too thirsty. Prices were reasonable.
(3)Jackie T.
I expected more from Yelping this place. The random African items for decor through me off. It was charming but didn't make sense there. I'll have to chat with a worker about its meaning and background. I came for lunch and had a standard panini and caprese salad. The ingredients were fresh and simple, just as how I think the best Italian food is. What stood out was how well they used salt and pepper, which shows that the person in the kitchen is a seasoned cook (pun intended). The service was friendly but not very attentive. I was amazed at how well the little Italian lady stacked dishes and balanced them when she was bussing. It looked like literally 1/3rd of her body size but she was doing it effortlessly. Bottom line, the staff in every aspect seemed highly experienced and efficient but didn't exude the warmth I expected on a street-side Italian cafe. Once I come here for dinner I'll provide my final verdict.
(3)Jaime T.
This was a great friend in downtown Tucson. The cafe was something like I remember in Milan, Italy and the waitstaff couldn't be friendlier and more helpful. They have a pretty good wine list and a small enough menu where you get lost. We got the caprese salad to start as well as a seafood salad. The seafood salad was little too fishy for my taste, but well seasoned. Caprese salad had soft mozzarella, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives and peppers. It was reminiscent of an antipasto platter. We got lots of entrees and pastas. Everything was perfectly cooked and the gnocchi with gorgonzola was soft and pillowy with a nice and rich sauce. The bread to start was grilled and warm and served with an herb butter. Really good cappuccino's and creme caramel and tiramisu. Yummy place in downtown Tucson. Go ahead and give it a whirl.
(4)Ray L.
Milano has a split personality: lunch is the pleasant and low-key friend who hides amazing talent under a quiet exterior, but dinner is the pretentious frenemy who mistakes image for substance. Okay, so this may be going a little far, but Milano has a wide ranging lunch menu that is both affordable and fairly tasty, though the caprese salad might benefit from a few leaves of basil. It's your typical order at the counter, service to the table lunch restaurant--simple, good, and friendly. Dinner is another story: dressier, pricier, and colossally slower. If you enjoy aloof service and waiting 75 minutes for lasagna and pasta bolognese that you could easily make at home, an evening at Milano might be your scene. Otherwise, stick to midday visits.
(3)Eric L.
Very tasty and very affordable sandwiches. Very good toasted bread on the sandwiches. Fresh mozzarella and basil on my sandwich and it was really good. Look forward to coming back.
(5)Becki G.
Caffe Milano only does dinner on the weekends and only does breakfast and lunch on the weekdays. All three meal-types are fantastic although I am partial to the croissant w/eggs for breakfast and the half panini w/soup for lunch. Two doors down from the Fox, and down the street from the Rialto, they're a great dinner-before-the-show spot. Their wine list is reasonably priced and all-Italian -- and their espresso is the best!
(5)Jen F.
Love it! Great price for great food!! I had the caprese panini and Greek salad and it was delicious! Worth coming to again and again! The prices are very reasonable for the food you get!
(5)J. Felipe G.
Met the owners before they open the place, and you know they are committed to great food and service. It is a great place to go with the family. I have gone there with kids for lunch, and during the night is better for couples. Carlo and Laura are an important part of the future of downtown Tucson!
(5)Tim T.
My wife, daughter and I went to this restaurant off of the Yelp recommendation. Nice staff, ok atmosphere but the food was way over priced and was soaked in butter? 1 salad, 3 meals one glass of wine no dessert and it came to $78. I would not recommend it.
(2)Ismael S.
The very beat there is. I LOVE this place.
(5)Justin S.
Looked at all the reviews on yelp. After going there I couldn't agree more.
(5)Mindy S.
Yum! Came here a couple of times for lunch, and I left happy. I had a wonderful croissant, giant salad and some really good coffee. The pasta dish I had on a subsequent visit was equally impressive, and the bread was soft and fresh - good lunch specials, too. A great option for a quick lunch downtown - I'll be back!
(4)Shripathi K.
Looks like a hole in the wall because of all the construction but the food and service was excellent. We ordered 3 different dishes and every one of them was succulent. They catered to our vegetarian needs. Will definitely be back when I am in the Tucson area next.
(5)Carmine C.
Italy and the European experience is here for real. The best espresso in town, a great lunch and dinner menu, with al fresco dinning .thank Carlo , but kiss his wife.. Who does the work behind the scenes
(5)David R.
Only one star because we weren't able to try it. Met my son downtown just to go to this restaurant (for his birthday lunch) and it was closed. I know it is family run business, but when you list that you are going to be open, you should be open. My sister runs a restaurant and she never closes. Call before you go if you are traveling any distance to the restaurant.
(1)John H.
I LOVE this place. Authentic, fresh, excellent. I love the attention to detail. Casual atmosphere, fantastic food and wine.
(5)Chandra G.
This seems like a nice little cafe, and I understand it is well loved by many, but my personal experience was not that great. Had the pasta special (orichetta with Italian sausage and ricotta) and it was severely lacking in flavor. Ordered an Italian soda, and the barrista asked me if I wanted milk or not and I said yes. What I got was milk, ice, and hazelnut flavor, no soda. Don't get me wrong, the hazelnut milk was good, but it was NOT an Italian soda.
(2)Michelle L.
Ah Caffe Milano es mi piacere! I adore this little gem of a cafe. I've had both breakfast and dinner there and I can honestly say being here takes me back to my days living in Italy. The food is authentic, the service excellent, and atmosphere is perfect.
(5)Maxwell H.
This little gem saved me on a stop on my cross-country adventure. I am going from LA to Huntsville, Al to where my sister lives. Tucson is about half way to El Paso, TX...my first stop. Thanks to my Urban Spoon app on my iPhone I get the goods on downtown. I think I find the spot but I get a little turned around. I am about to give up because time is limited and settle for Subway...but to my pleasant surprise I come across the place next door... Caffe Milano. I get a panini to go with this fantastic peach iced tea. The panini is a spiced meat with spinach, goat cheese, rosted pepers and an olive spread....Awesome. It helped with my travel hunger and teased my foodie brain all at the same time. The guy behind the counter was Italian/Hawaiian shirt wearing/maybe S. American influenced dude who was super friendly and helpful. Loved the food and the service and the whole vibe. If I ever find myself in Tucson, AZ again...I am all over this fantastic little joint!
(4)Biso S.
Great place, the owner is so nice and the food is delicious. The prices are convenient as well... I highly recommend it as a part of your Tucson experience
(5)t c.
Ive only have had the ANTIPASTO VEGETARIANO but its yummy. I have been here 3 different times for lunch - always ordered the same thing
(4)Ramin S.
Caffe Milano is a welcome restaurant in Tucson. For a city 8-9 timezones from Italy, with probably an extremely tiny Italian population, it's nice to see a restaurant with good Italian food like this. They have a bunch of appetizers, and first and second course meals. (Like most Italian restaurants outside of Italy though, you pick just one dish, rather than multiple courses.) The wine and coffee are good too. The restaurant is slightly expensive ($5-10 for appetizers, $10-15 for pasta, $15-20 for meat dishes), but you're paying for good quality. They also have a couple covered tables outdoors. On a Friday or Saturday night, you might want to make a reservation. I was lucky to find a seat without one.
(5)