I don't claim to be a Japanese cuisine expert; but this is good food. Been here twice already and both times everything I had was darn good. So far I've tried the pork, chicken and duck as well as the Bento Box. All of it was delicious with the box and the duck being my favorites so far. Desserts are another story. I have tried the mousse cake and the split cake and both were just ok. Your mileage may vary. What makes me like this restaurant so much though is the fact that not only is it a place that offers you great food at a low price (most entrees are $10 or less, desserts $5 or less), but it also offers outside seating overlooking the Japanese garden which is very nice. And when you're done stuffing yourself with the good food you get the chance to have a nice digestion-inducing walk on what is definitely a well kept park/garden. You should know, that as others have said, there is a premium to get in ($12 as of Feb 2011) since the restaurant is actually inside the Morikami's Museum grounds. In the end, this is a small restaurant with great food at a reasonable price that is made all the much better by its surroundings and ambiance. Some additional FYI: - Parking is free. If parking is full, they allow you to park on the grass. - They only open Tue - Sun from 11a to 3p. - If you plan on coming here 3-4 times in a year, membership makes sense. Members get in free and get a 10% discount at the restaurant. - The restaurant's menu can be found online here: morikami.org/clientuploa…
(5)
Joshua R.
Sushi portions are really small and below average quality. Price not expensive but not worth what you get. Go to a sushi place for good sushi not here. Our appetizer bang bang shrimp and crab cakes came our after our sushi was already eaten. Service is similar to a cafeteria or chinese buffet. I give it two stars only because the outdoor patio and the food was still edible. Don't come hungry for sushi I was disappointed. I might even be generous with giving 2 stars
The first time eating at this place and let me tell you it was good. I had the teriyaki salmon served with sushi rice and steamed veggies. The taste was delicious and the service was quick and really friendly. Definitely would go back soon.
(5)
Ellen C.
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent view. Go for the crispy pork and tender beef then end with bean moschi .... The iced green tea is also refreshing.
(5)
Jackie J.
Love the park itself. Now with the restaurant renovation, everything are superb. Try the salmon teriyaki, it is perfect. My boss got the classic bento box which I see there are a lot of variety food in there. Service was beyond great. Overall 5 stars for sure.
(5)
Rob H.
Nice view of the entire garden but that was the only good thing. We were greeted with servers at the front table shredding ginger into a large box, not exactly a nice view. $5 for a salad that was a very small portion of lettuce and 3 cucumber slices. The shrimp and crab cake small plate was good but "small plate" is definitely what it was. Previous review someone said service is hit or miss, well they struck out. Food came before our water and server brought 3 tables food after we asked for check. Safe to say this is a One and done experience.
(2)
Colem M.
The service here is very quick and the workers are nice. If you sit outside you can see the garden and the food is great. The only con I can see is the admission price but if you are coming to eat here you might as well go through the gardens and have a nice morning/afternoon
(5)
Mary C.
This place is a big disappointment. The sushi is clearly prepared way ahead of time and the fish quality is no better than ok the service is prompt but a bit cold ( no introduction; no stop by to ask if it's good) Convenience and a view of the lake aren't enough to be worth more than $20 before tax and tip for lunch
(2)
Naty K.
On my first visit to Morikami Museum & Gardens, I was unaware of the fact that there was a restaurant onsite. On my second visit, I remember hearing there was a sushi place but knew nothing more, but on my third visit, I was determined to finally try their onsite restaurant. The Cornell Cafe, as it is called, is judged by The Food Network as "one of the top three museum dining experiences in the country." That sounded pretty impressive, coupled with the fact that there was a large line wrapping through the outside, waiting to eat. The pictures from the menu looked divine, and prices seemed reasonable, as well. The open-air cafe on the terraces (there is also an air-conditioned area) overlooks the tranquil gardens and serves a Pan-Asian inspired menu. There are several choices, such as their lunch bowls, bento boxes, sushi, or entrees. My friend chose the Mild Curry Chicken, with a salad entree, and I chose the Ginger Roasted Duck, with a Wakame salad. His dressing was delicious. He let me try some off his bowl when he had finished his salad. If you enjoy the dressing, do note that they sell bottles within the restaurant if you'd like to purchase some to take home. Also, while you may be used to having ginger or peanut dressing at Japanese restaurants, this dressing is actually a vinaigrette. My Wakame salad was good, pretty much your standard seaweed salad. To me, it tastes the same anywhere and everywhere. My friend enjoyed his curry, he ate it all and didn't give me any to sample, so I cannot speak on his behalf but the fact he ate without barely any conversation is a positive sign. My roasted duck was good, but a bit dry. The ginger glaze was put under the side of vegetables, rather than being drizzled all over the duck, like I expected. I didn't find it to be very filling either, but that was my first meal of the day, so maybe if you had breakfast, you'd be satisfied with the size of the meal. The duck was lukewarm, but maybe it's meant to be consumed in that manner. For dessert, I had trouble making a choice, so the waitress recommended the mochi ice cream. Can't go wrong with that, I guess. Ice cream you can hold in between your fingers without making a mess, what a novel concept. I liked the red bean flavor the most, as it was sweeter. The green tea did taste like green tea, but with a very light sprinkling of sugar, and I like more sugar in my tea. I was also drinking green tea, so it was a bit too much of a green tea overload for me. Although service was a bit slow at first, as soon as the crowds started dying down, it was pretty fast, getting a refill within minutes. Free refills are not given on soft drinks or lemonade, but they are given on iced tea, which is what we were drinking. The waitress was friendly, and even after we had paid our bill, she refilled our green tea drinks twice. I thought that was very nice of them. The experience of overlooking the gardens while eating is pretty unique, the food is tasty (maybe not out of this world, but still, tasty), prices are decent, and service is good. Definitely recommended, and in my opinion, worthy of a solid 4 star rating.
(4)
Kathya D.
What can I say, I'm very impressed. Hidden gem in the museum and definitely worth every penny! Prices are reasonable and service is amazing! I had the Classic Bento Box which had salmon teriyaki, chicken teriyaki with rice, red shrimp, eggplant rolls, tofu, dumplings, and some sushi pieces all for under $15.00!!! Let's not forget the iced green tea on a hot day makes all the difference! Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Rachel M.
Oishi! (Delicious) Located in the beautiful Morikami Museum and Gardens, it is in a great location overlooking the scenic gardens! Visiting the gardens my friend and I decided to stop in the Cornell Cafe for a quick bite. Service is good and quick! Pretty good variety of dishes to choose from! Prices are really good. I had the Teriyaki Grilled Chicken over steamed rice with veggies. Even though I'm not a sushi fan had the salmon sake and it was pretty good. My friend had the Crispy Chicken Bowl. Both dishes were a great portion size, delicious and just the right amount of 'fill' to enjoy a walk through the gardens afterwards. 10% discount if you are a member!
(4)
Amber L.
Location: AMAZING Food: um....okay, but not very authentic japanese flavors considering its location in a Japanese Museum and garden! We eat Japanese quite often - and the boyfriend has traveled to Japan several times - so maybe we are spoiled...but...this place is VERY underwhelming, and honestly, the flavors were more like a CHINESE restaurant. Highlights: Eggplant dish and the Green tea. We will come back to the garden - but skip the cafe. Highly recommend The Green Gourmet across the street from the gardens! Which is where we went immediately after our disappointing dining experience at Cornell Cafe
I would not even give this place a star! I took my mother there yesterday for Mother's Day. It was a limited menu! It cost 19.95 per person. No free refills. The service was awful! The food had no flavor. They also ran out of most of the food on the limited menu. It was a waste of money.
(1)
Gerald H.
One of the most authentic bento boxes I've had in all of Florida! Excellent service with great food overlooking the beautiful gardens. If you are visiting the Morikami garden do make it a point to stop by here for sushi. The ice cream mandu (mochi) was beyond my expectations.
(4)
Tiffany L.
Part of the Morikami Japanese Gardens! They're only open for lunch until about 3pm on the weekdays. Bf and I went to visit the gardens for our 3-year anniversary and we decided to get lunch before we enjoy the walk around. We ordered Edamame, Crab Cake & Bang Bang Shrimp, and the Mahi Mahi with Mango Chutney. We split everything because we weren't too hungry. I loved the crab cake & shrimp. I expected the shrimp to have a kind of hit in the spices but it wasn't spicy or anything like that, it has more of a coconut-flavor than anything. The Mahi Mahi was good too. It was sauteed perfectly! I tasted the light seasoning they used so it was yummy. The mango sauce wasn't what I expected either. It didn't "wow" me but it was okay with mahi. I preferred just eating the mahi by itself with no sauce lol. I wish I tried the crispy pork entree or sauteed tilapia or one of the lunch bowls. I jus wanted to try everything lol. They also have a nice dessert menu too! Everything was okay price-wise as well. Not bad for Japanese cuisine at a Japanse landmark. We sat outside so the view was beautiful, of course :)
(3)
E Alexander G.
Last week I drove up from Miami to spend the day at Morikami Gardens and Museum, which of course included me having lunch at the Cornell Cafe. Their menu is quite nice, and for vegetarians like myself there were plenty of options. I had Green Tea, Miso Soup, and a Vegetable Roll -- all were well prepared and so beautiful to look at that I ended up taking photos of the food, and not of the fantastic view of the Lake and Gardens beyond.
(4)
Crissy I.
After driving up here from South FL to visit Morikami, my boyfriend and I were both starving and in need of sustenance. Just beyond the museum entrance, the Cornell Cafe beckoned and we happily indulged prior to our visit to the gardens. I had the teriyaki grilled chicken, which came with rice and veggies. The teriyaki was sweet but not overly so, and the rice was cooked to that perfect texture. It was a decently sized portion, and just tasty and filling enough to satisfy my hunger without weighing me down for a walk through the gardens later. Prices are surprisingly reasonable for a museum cafe establishment: most entrees are under or around $10 (expect to pay more for the sushi, obviously). Service was unobtrusive, speedy, and efficient, and the staff is Japanese, lending a little bit to the credibility/authenticity factor. The view from the patio overlooking the gardens is to die for. Morikami makes you feel like you've been transported to somewhere outside Florida (if not Japan, California maybe?) and enjoying the view of the lake and gardens as you dine only adds to that experience. Definitely one of the best museum cafe experiences I've had. Bottom line: top off (or start!) a visit to Morikami with a lunch at the Cornell Cafe. It will only add to your day of Japanese immersion.
(4)
Lisa C.
The vegetable sushi roll was rather tasteless, my husband said the same thing about his chicken teriyaki, the same with my daughter regarding her California roll. The miso soup was fair... The only weird thing was that the seaweed didn't taste fresh. I would skip having lunch here but definitely don't miss the gardens!
(2)
Rick G.
If the Morikami would let us in just to eat here we'd skip the museum. Asian eggplant is fantastic!
(5)
Mike C.
You can't eat here unless you pay $13 per person to get in the front door. They didn't tell us that when we called.
(1)
Christopher F.
I could not have asked for a better lunch experience than the one I had at the Cornell Cafe @ The Morikami. The Cornell Cafe sits overlooking the Morikami Japanese gardens. The menu is diverse and delicious. All the food is perfectly prepared and well priced. The most expensive item on the menu is the Bento Box which has a good assortment of other menu items in it. The box costs $13 dollars. Every thing else is at or under $10 dollars. If you cannot decide on what to eat or want to eat everything because it all looks delicious then order the Bento Box. The servers are awesome and attentive. I did not go without an iced green tea the entire lunch period. The portion size of food items are not huge or small but just enough to satisfy your appetite. And whats better is that you can walk off the calories after by exploring the Japanese gardens. I highly recommend a day at the Morikami with a visit to the Cornell Cafe. You will not be disappointed. Just a word of warning however, get there early because when the lunch crowd hits you'll be waiting in line for a while.
(5)
Patrick F.
Better sushi than other places in the area at an affordable price! Great place to eat after working up an appetite walking around the gardens.
(4)
Steve D.
I'm bumping this place up to a 3 star only because it's on Morikami Gardens, which is beautiful and well worth the price of admission. I could stay there for hours. The cafe itself, however, is quite skippable. Service is OK. The service was competent and food arrived in short order. Almost ... too short order. My one complaint is they brought out my food substantially ahead of my lunch partner's. Makes it awkward to start eating when someone else has nothing. I had the Teriyaki Chicken and it was, frankly, disappointing. The chicken was overdone and almost...mushy. The rice bed was nice, as were the vegetables, but what is a teriyaki dish if the meat isn't good? The lemonade was not particularly good either. Based on this, I decided to skip dessert so can't comment on the green tea ice cream. My lunch partner had a slightly better review of the Dragon Roll, but it wasn't exactly amazing either. For the price, I would expect something better. If you do go here, don't miss the chance to actually walk through the museum and the gardens. The best part of this restaurant is that it overlooks the gardens themselves. Be sure to sit outside if at all possible!
(2)
Hope P.
Beautiful location overlooking the Morikami Gardens. Open till 3:30 or later depending on crowds Sunday. Wall through the Morikami Museum entrance doors, pay the entrance fee unless your already a member. Walk through the doors outside to the right, a Crowded hostess booth is what I saw . So much hustle and many waiters waitresses running around. Bento Box offers a good variety like a mini sushi roll, an egg roll, 3 yummy dumplings, rice with teriyaki chicken, teriyaki salmon, two pieces of fried eel roll (not our taste), and fried tofu . It was filling. I ordered the teriyaki salmon. I asked if they make the salmon medium, he replied it's all cooked the same. It came out very fried yet still tender. I do prefer my salmon prepared a healthier way because it is smothered with teriyaki glaze and that's unhealthy enough for me. The salmon came on a bed of rice with fried veggies and I wish they were steamed, still tasty. Our waiter was okay not friendly or anything, just trying to get the job done it seems. We also ordered a Drumstick ice cream to split for dessert to take along with us on the stroll.
(4)
Brian R.
The Cornell Cafe is still one of the best Japanese restaurants in Southeastern Florida. You have to pay the museum admission fee or have an annual membership to enjoy the food, the museum and the garden. The restaurant has a huge back porch which overlooks the tranquil lake and gardens. With new seating and a new orioles awning along with a revised menu it has lost a few more Japanese items like silken tofu and seaweed salad in favor of more tourist friendly fare, but overall the menu is great and prepared well. Service is a bit hit or miss especially when they are busy
(4)
Eric R.
If you visit Morikami, then eat here when you've finished the big circle. Fast service (sometimes too fast), lovely terrace, excellent food, moderately priced.
(4)
Christy W.
The morikami museum is such a beautiful place. After strolling around the park, I decided to stop by the cafe for lunch. I enjoyed sitting by the water, sipping on hot green tea on a breezy day. I had the mahi mahi and my friend had a bento box. Both were a nice size portion and they were both delicious. For our dessert, our server recommended the cappuccino truffle. It was beautiful and it was heavenly. I will definitely be back. Members get 10% off their check
(5)
Darth C.
I've eaten here several times before, and have tried most of menu. The food is affordable, always fresh, and the quality is consistent. However, please be aware that servings are far from copious. (Fortunately though, they always seem to be enough.)
(5)
Sarah S.
The Asian Eggplant was delicious!!!!!!!! Period.
(4)
Jeffrey H.
Food so good that even the Food Network rated it as one of the best in it's category. The view overlooking the gardens is breathtaking. The only downside to eating here is that admission has to paid in order to eat here unless one has a membership. Go for the Bento Box if its you're first time here. There is a little bit of everything to sample with enough to share with someone else. The sushi can't compare to other restaurants that special in fancy rolls but they're not bad either. There is an "air conditioned" room for those who don't want to wait for a patio seat or if the weather tolerable. Visa and Mastercard are the only credit cards accepted at the cafe.
(4)
Kristina O.
I give this place such a high rating not only because the food was delicious, but because I ate there with my husband who is not a huge fan of Japanese food and he loved it, and my two three year olds, and yes, they loved it too. Had it not been for the attentive and sweet and friendly service, I might not have gotten to enjoy my wonderful lunch as well, but as soon as my son's water cup went over onto the floor, (these are three year olds remember), the waitress came swiftly over with a new one and a forgiving smile. Back to the food, I had the shrimp tempura and pork gioza which we all shared, and my husband ordered the chicken teriyaki platter which he tried to eat but my kids were stealing most of it. It was all wonderful and their desserts were tempting as well, although I think my daughter's choice won out and was more of an american chocolate cake variety, still good. As far as the cover to get in, the kids were free and the museum charge was well worth what we got to see as we had spent a good two and a half hours exploring the gardens before lunch. There was a surprising amount of things to interest young children there like feeding the turtles and koi in the pond and the little museum, 'Japan through a Child's eyes', -my favorite. The kids loved every minute and there were no dragging of feet or complaining, just wide eyes and curious questions as they darted to each exhibit. Also, the place is beautiful so bring your camera. That being said, after a beautiful walk, a delicious lunch atop the scenic Cornell Cafe, in the shade, with a cool breeze, a cold drink, and a sushi roll, and a breathtaking view...is definitely worth my five stars! worth checking out!
(5)
J M.
I am only providing 3-stars based on a limited experience. We only ordered some sushi rolls, and they were good. I am sure I would be even more impressed with the food if we had the time to try some of the other items on the menu. However, part of my rating is based on the service. The service wasn't terrible but they didn't really seem customer-oriented, which is not what I would expect in a Japanese restaurant. It is a shame though that this place has limited hours (until 3 pm).
(3)
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Address :4000 Morikami Park Rd
Delray Beach, FL, 33446
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Hector M.
I don't claim to be a Japanese cuisine expert; but this is good food. Been here twice already and both times everything I had was darn good. So far I've tried the pork, chicken and duck as well as the Bento Box. All of it was delicious with the box and the duck being my favorites so far. Desserts are another story. I have tried the mousse cake and the split cake and both were just ok. Your mileage may vary. What makes me like this restaurant so much though is the fact that not only is it a place that offers you great food at a low price (most entrees are $10 or less, desserts $5 or less), but it also offers outside seating overlooking the Japanese garden which is very nice. And when you're done stuffing yourself with the good food you get the chance to have a nice digestion-inducing walk on what is definitely a well kept park/garden. You should know, that as others have said, there is a premium to get in ($12 as of Feb 2011) since the restaurant is actually inside the Morikami's Museum grounds. In the end, this is a small restaurant with great food at a reasonable price that is made all the much better by its surroundings and ambiance. Some additional FYI: - Parking is free. If parking is full, they allow you to park on the grass. - They only open Tue - Sun from 11a to 3p. - If you plan on coming here 3-4 times in a year, membership makes sense. Members get in free and get a 10% discount at the restaurant. - The restaurant's menu can be found online here: morikami.org/clientuploa…
(5)Joshua R.
Sushi portions are really small and below average quality. Price not expensive but not worth what you get. Go to a sushi place for good sushi not here. Our appetizer bang bang shrimp and crab cakes came our after our sushi was already eaten. Service is similar to a cafeteria or chinese buffet. I give it two stars only because the outdoor patio and the food was still edible. Don't come hungry for sushi I was disappointed. I might even be generous with giving 2 stars
(2)frank w.
Sushi portions are large and excellent. View is peerless. A 90$ membership for two is the way to go. Gardens are magnificent and café is first rate. Never had a less than excellent lunch here.Serene and wonderful place.
(5)Jose R.
The first time eating at this place and let me tell you it was good. I had the teriyaki salmon served with sushi rice and steamed veggies. The taste was delicious and the service was quick and really friendly. Definitely would go back soon.
(5)Ellen C.
Excellent food, excellent service, excellent view. Go for the crispy pork and tender beef then end with bean moschi .... The iced green tea is also refreshing.
(5)Jackie J.
Love the park itself. Now with the restaurant renovation, everything are superb. Try the salmon teriyaki, it is perfect. My boss got the classic bento box which I see there are a lot of variety food in there. Service was beyond great. Overall 5 stars for sure.
(5)Rob H.
Nice view of the entire garden but that was the only good thing. We were greeted with servers at the front table shredding ginger into a large box, not exactly a nice view. $5 for a salad that was a very small portion of lettuce and 3 cucumber slices. The shrimp and crab cake small plate was good but "small plate" is definitely what it was. Previous review someone said service is hit or miss, well they struck out. Food came before our water and server brought 3 tables food after we asked for check. Safe to say this is a One and done experience.
(2)Colem M.
The service here is very quick and the workers are nice. If you sit outside you can see the garden and the food is great. The only con I can see is the admission price but if you are coming to eat here you might as well go through the gardens and have a nice morning/afternoon
(5)Mary C.
This place is a big disappointment. The sushi is clearly prepared way ahead of time and the fish quality is no better than ok the service is prompt but a bit cold ( no introduction; no stop by to ask if it's good) Convenience and a view of the lake aren't enough to be worth more than $20 before tax and tip for lunch
(2)Naty K.
On my first visit to Morikami Museum & Gardens, I was unaware of the fact that there was a restaurant onsite. On my second visit, I remember hearing there was a sushi place but knew nothing more, but on my third visit, I was determined to finally try their onsite restaurant. The Cornell Cafe, as it is called, is judged by The Food Network as "one of the top three museum dining experiences in the country." That sounded pretty impressive, coupled with the fact that there was a large line wrapping through the outside, waiting to eat. The pictures from the menu looked divine, and prices seemed reasonable, as well. The open-air cafe on the terraces (there is also an air-conditioned area) overlooks the tranquil gardens and serves a Pan-Asian inspired menu. There are several choices, such as their lunch bowls, bento boxes, sushi, or entrees. My friend chose the Mild Curry Chicken, with a salad entree, and I chose the Ginger Roasted Duck, with a Wakame salad. His dressing was delicious. He let me try some off his bowl when he had finished his salad. If you enjoy the dressing, do note that they sell bottles within the restaurant if you'd like to purchase some to take home. Also, while you may be used to having ginger or peanut dressing at Japanese restaurants, this dressing is actually a vinaigrette. My Wakame salad was good, pretty much your standard seaweed salad. To me, it tastes the same anywhere and everywhere. My friend enjoyed his curry, he ate it all and didn't give me any to sample, so I cannot speak on his behalf but the fact he ate without barely any conversation is a positive sign. My roasted duck was good, but a bit dry. The ginger glaze was put under the side of vegetables, rather than being drizzled all over the duck, like I expected. I didn't find it to be very filling either, but that was my first meal of the day, so maybe if you had breakfast, you'd be satisfied with the size of the meal. The duck was lukewarm, but maybe it's meant to be consumed in that manner. For dessert, I had trouble making a choice, so the waitress recommended the mochi ice cream. Can't go wrong with that, I guess. Ice cream you can hold in between your fingers without making a mess, what a novel concept. I liked the red bean flavor the most, as it was sweeter. The green tea did taste like green tea, but with a very light sprinkling of sugar, and I like more sugar in my tea. I was also drinking green tea, so it was a bit too much of a green tea overload for me. Although service was a bit slow at first, as soon as the crowds started dying down, it was pretty fast, getting a refill within minutes. Free refills are not given on soft drinks or lemonade, but they are given on iced tea, which is what we were drinking. The waitress was friendly, and even after we had paid our bill, she refilled our green tea drinks twice. I thought that was very nice of them. The experience of overlooking the gardens while eating is pretty unique, the food is tasty (maybe not out of this world, but still, tasty), prices are decent, and service is good. Definitely recommended, and in my opinion, worthy of a solid 4 star rating.
(4)Kathya D.
What can I say, I'm very impressed. Hidden gem in the museum and definitely worth every penny! Prices are reasonable and service is amazing! I had the Classic Bento Box which had salmon teriyaki, chicken teriyaki with rice, red shrimp, eggplant rolls, tofu, dumplings, and some sushi pieces all for under $15.00!!! Let's not forget the iced green tea on a hot day makes all the difference! Can't wait to come back.
(5)Rachel M.
Oishi! (Delicious) Located in the beautiful Morikami Museum and Gardens, it is in a great location overlooking the scenic gardens! Visiting the gardens my friend and I decided to stop in the Cornell Cafe for a quick bite. Service is good and quick! Pretty good variety of dishes to choose from! Prices are really good. I had the Teriyaki Grilled Chicken over steamed rice with veggies. Even though I'm not a sushi fan had the salmon sake and it was pretty good. My friend had the Crispy Chicken Bowl. Both dishes were a great portion size, delicious and just the right amount of 'fill' to enjoy a walk through the gardens afterwards. 10% discount if you are a member!
(4)Amber L.
Location: AMAZING Food: um....okay, but not very authentic japanese flavors considering its location in a Japanese Museum and garden! We eat Japanese quite often - and the boyfriend has traveled to Japan several times - so maybe we are spoiled...but...this place is VERY underwhelming, and honestly, the flavors were more like a CHINESE restaurant. Highlights: Eggplant dish and the Green tea. We will come back to the garden - but skip the cafe. Highly recommend The Green Gourmet across the street from the gardens! Which is where we went immediately after our disappointing dining experience at Cornell Cafe
(2)Hector F.
The staff is amazing. I love those ladies over there! I don't know how they make it through Morikami's larger Japanese festivals and events, but boy do they pull through in a big way. Try the Gyoza pork dumplings if you get a chance. I've had them everywhere in South Florida and no one even comes close to the ones at Cornell café. I also highly recommend their teriyaki salmon with steam vegetables. I think this is a great combination and a refreshing way to fill up after a long, tiring stroll through the Morikami gardens. From the outside you also get a great view of the gardens, so if weather permits definitely give it a try. This small little corner of the Japanese museum is a real wondrous find for me.
(5)Tiffany S.
I would not even give this place a star! I took my mother there yesterday for Mother's Day. It was a limited menu! It cost 19.95 per person. No free refills. The service was awful! The food had no flavor. They also ran out of most of the food on the limited menu. It was a waste of money.
(1)Gerald H.
One of the most authentic bento boxes I've had in all of Florida! Excellent service with great food overlooking the beautiful gardens. If you are visiting the Morikami garden do make it a point to stop by here for sushi. The ice cream mandu (mochi) was beyond my expectations.
(4)Tiffany L.
Part of the Morikami Japanese Gardens! They're only open for lunch until about 3pm on the weekdays. Bf and I went to visit the gardens for our 3-year anniversary and we decided to get lunch before we enjoy the walk around. We ordered Edamame, Crab Cake & Bang Bang Shrimp, and the Mahi Mahi with Mango Chutney. We split everything because we weren't too hungry. I loved the crab cake & shrimp. I expected the shrimp to have a kind of hit in the spices but it wasn't spicy or anything like that, it has more of a coconut-flavor than anything. The Mahi Mahi was good too. It was sauteed perfectly! I tasted the light seasoning they used so it was yummy. The mango sauce wasn't what I expected either. It didn't "wow" me but it was okay with mahi. I preferred just eating the mahi by itself with no sauce lol. I wish I tried the crispy pork entree or sauteed tilapia or one of the lunch bowls. I jus wanted to try everything lol. They also have a nice dessert menu too! Everything was okay price-wise as well. Not bad for Japanese cuisine at a Japanse landmark. We sat outside so the view was beautiful, of course :)
(3)E Alexander G.
Last week I drove up from Miami to spend the day at Morikami Gardens and Museum, which of course included me having lunch at the Cornell Cafe. Their menu is quite nice, and for vegetarians like myself there were plenty of options. I had Green Tea, Miso Soup, and a Vegetable Roll -- all were well prepared and so beautiful to look at that I ended up taking photos of the food, and not of the fantastic view of the Lake and Gardens beyond.
(4)Crissy I.
After driving up here from South FL to visit Morikami, my boyfriend and I were both starving and in need of sustenance. Just beyond the museum entrance, the Cornell Cafe beckoned and we happily indulged prior to our visit to the gardens. I had the teriyaki grilled chicken, which came with rice and veggies. The teriyaki was sweet but not overly so, and the rice was cooked to that perfect texture. It was a decently sized portion, and just tasty and filling enough to satisfy my hunger without weighing me down for a walk through the gardens later. Prices are surprisingly reasonable for a museum cafe establishment: most entrees are under or around $10 (expect to pay more for the sushi, obviously). Service was unobtrusive, speedy, and efficient, and the staff is Japanese, lending a little bit to the credibility/authenticity factor. The view from the patio overlooking the gardens is to die for. Morikami makes you feel like you've been transported to somewhere outside Florida (if not Japan, California maybe?) and enjoying the view of the lake and gardens as you dine only adds to that experience. Definitely one of the best museum cafe experiences I've had. Bottom line: top off (or start!) a visit to Morikami with a lunch at the Cornell Cafe. It will only add to your day of Japanese immersion.
(4)Lisa C.
The vegetable sushi roll was rather tasteless, my husband said the same thing about his chicken teriyaki, the same with my daughter regarding her California roll. The miso soup was fair... The only weird thing was that the seaweed didn't taste fresh. I would skip having lunch here but definitely don't miss the gardens!
(2)Rick G.
If the Morikami would let us in just to eat here we'd skip the museum. Asian eggplant is fantastic!
(5)Mike C.
You can't eat here unless you pay $13 per person to get in the front door. They didn't tell us that when we called.
(1)Christopher F.
I could not have asked for a better lunch experience than the one I had at the Cornell Cafe @ The Morikami. The Cornell Cafe sits overlooking the Morikami Japanese gardens. The menu is diverse and delicious. All the food is perfectly prepared and well priced. The most expensive item on the menu is the Bento Box which has a good assortment of other menu items in it. The box costs $13 dollars. Every thing else is at or under $10 dollars. If you cannot decide on what to eat or want to eat everything because it all looks delicious then order the Bento Box. The servers are awesome and attentive. I did not go without an iced green tea the entire lunch period. The portion size of food items are not huge or small but just enough to satisfy your appetite. And whats better is that you can walk off the calories after by exploring the Japanese gardens. I highly recommend a day at the Morikami with a visit to the Cornell Cafe. You will not be disappointed. Just a word of warning however, get there early because when the lunch crowd hits you'll be waiting in line for a while.
(5)Patrick F.
Better sushi than other places in the area at an affordable price! Great place to eat after working up an appetite walking around the gardens.
(4)Steve D.
I'm bumping this place up to a 3 star only because it's on Morikami Gardens, which is beautiful and well worth the price of admission. I could stay there for hours. The cafe itself, however, is quite skippable. Service is OK. The service was competent and food arrived in short order. Almost ... too short order. My one complaint is they brought out my food substantially ahead of my lunch partner's. Makes it awkward to start eating when someone else has nothing. I had the Teriyaki Chicken and it was, frankly, disappointing. The chicken was overdone and almost...mushy. The rice bed was nice, as were the vegetables, but what is a teriyaki dish if the meat isn't good? The lemonade was not particularly good either. Based on this, I decided to skip dessert so can't comment on the green tea ice cream. My lunch partner had a slightly better review of the Dragon Roll, but it wasn't exactly amazing either. For the price, I would expect something better. If you do go here, don't miss the chance to actually walk through the museum and the gardens. The best part of this restaurant is that it overlooks the gardens themselves. Be sure to sit outside if at all possible!
(2)Hope P.
Beautiful location overlooking the Morikami Gardens. Open till 3:30 or later depending on crowds Sunday. Wall through the Morikami Museum entrance doors, pay the entrance fee unless your already a member. Walk through the doors outside to the right, a Crowded hostess booth is what I saw . So much hustle and many waiters waitresses running around. Bento Box offers a good variety like a mini sushi roll, an egg roll, 3 yummy dumplings, rice with teriyaki chicken, teriyaki salmon, two pieces of fried eel roll (not our taste), and fried tofu . It was filling. I ordered the teriyaki salmon. I asked if they make the salmon medium, he replied it's all cooked the same. It came out very fried yet still tender. I do prefer my salmon prepared a healthier way because it is smothered with teriyaki glaze and that's unhealthy enough for me. The salmon came on a bed of rice with fried veggies and I wish they were steamed, still tasty. Our waiter was okay not friendly or anything, just trying to get the job done it seems. We also ordered a Drumstick ice cream to split for dessert to take along with us on the stroll.
(4)Brian R.
The Cornell Cafe is still one of the best Japanese restaurants in Southeastern Florida. You have to pay the museum admission fee or have an annual membership to enjoy the food, the museum and the garden. The restaurant has a huge back porch which overlooks the tranquil lake and gardens. With new seating and a new orioles awning along with a revised menu it has lost a few more Japanese items like silken tofu and seaweed salad in favor of more tourist friendly fare, but overall the menu is great and prepared well. Service is a bit hit or miss especially when they are busy
(4)Eric R.
If you visit Morikami, then eat here when you've finished the big circle. Fast service (sometimes too fast), lovely terrace, excellent food, moderately priced.
(4)Christy W.
The morikami museum is such a beautiful place. After strolling around the park, I decided to stop by the cafe for lunch. I enjoyed sitting by the water, sipping on hot green tea on a breezy day. I had the mahi mahi and my friend had a bento box. Both were a nice size portion and they were both delicious. For our dessert, our server recommended the cappuccino truffle. It was beautiful and it was heavenly. I will definitely be back. Members get 10% off their check
(5)Darth C.
I've eaten here several times before, and have tried most of menu. The food is affordable, always fresh, and the quality is consistent. However, please be aware that servings are far from copious. (Fortunately though, they always seem to be enough.)
(5)Sarah S.
The Asian Eggplant was delicious!!!!!!!! Period.
(4)Jeffrey H.
Food so good that even the Food Network rated it as one of the best in it's category. The view overlooking the gardens is breathtaking. The only downside to eating here is that admission has to paid in order to eat here unless one has a membership. Go for the Bento Box if its you're first time here. There is a little bit of everything to sample with enough to share with someone else. The sushi can't compare to other restaurants that special in fancy rolls but they're not bad either. There is an "air conditioned" room for those who don't want to wait for a patio seat or if the weather tolerable. Visa and Mastercard are the only credit cards accepted at the cafe.
(4)Kristina O.
I give this place such a high rating not only because the food was delicious, but because I ate there with my husband who is not a huge fan of Japanese food and he loved it, and my two three year olds, and yes, they loved it too. Had it not been for the attentive and sweet and friendly service, I might not have gotten to enjoy my wonderful lunch as well, but as soon as my son's water cup went over onto the floor, (these are three year olds remember), the waitress came swiftly over with a new one and a forgiving smile. Back to the food, I had the shrimp tempura and pork gioza which we all shared, and my husband ordered the chicken teriyaki platter which he tried to eat but my kids were stealing most of it. It was all wonderful and their desserts were tempting as well, although I think my daughter's choice won out and was more of an american chocolate cake variety, still good. As far as the cover to get in, the kids were free and the museum charge was well worth what we got to see as we had spent a good two and a half hours exploring the gardens before lunch. There was a surprising amount of things to interest young children there like feeding the turtles and koi in the pond and the little museum, 'Japan through a Child's eyes', -my favorite. The kids loved every minute and there were no dragging of feet or complaining, just wide eyes and curious questions as they darted to each exhibit. Also, the place is beautiful so bring your camera. That being said, after a beautiful walk, a delicious lunch atop the scenic Cornell Cafe, in the shade, with a cool breeze, a cold drink, and a sushi roll, and a breathtaking view...is definitely worth my five stars! worth checking out!
(5)J M.
I am only providing 3-stars based on a limited experience. We only ordered some sushi rolls, and they were good. I am sure I would be even more impressed with the food if we had the time to try some of the other items on the menu. However, part of my rating is based on the service. The service wasn't terrible but they didn't really seem customer-oriented, which is not what I would expect in a Japanese restaurant. It is a shame though that this place has limited hours (until 3 pm).
(3)