New Coffee And Gelato Café Coming To Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden This Fall

PHOENIX, AZ — A new spot for coffee, gelato and desert-inspired bites is coming to the Desert Botanical Garden this fall.

Quail House Coffee & Creamery will open in a newly built space just past the Garden’s admissions gate, giving visitors a new place to grab a drink, enjoy a treat or take a break during their visit.

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The café will serve coffee, tea, gelato and grab-and-go food options, with a menu designed for everything from a quick morning stop to an afternoon break after exploring the Garden’s trails.

Quail House is being developed with support from the T.W. Lewis Foundation and will be operated in partnership with Arizona chef and restaurateur Mark Tarbell, who took over Gertrude’s by Tarbell’s and Patio Café in 2025.

Tarbell is creating the menu with a focus on locally inspired offerings and a relaxed gathering space that fits the Garden’s desert setting.

"After a stroll through the Garden, Quail House is designed to be that happy pause in the day, a welcoming, relaxed gathering spot where great moments unfold over delicious bites, sweet treats and coffee," Tarbell said.

The café’s name comes from the Gambel’s quail, one of the Sonoran Desert’s most recognizable birds. The Garden said the concept is meant to reflect the landscape and wildlife that make the destination unique.

"Quail House gives guests another reason to slow down, stay longer and enjoy the Garden in a new way," said Chris Kline, president and CEO of Desert Botanical Garden.

The Garden has not yet announced the official opening date, menu details or hours of operation. More information is expected closer to the fall debut.