The seating area itself is very small- seats maybe 30 people but the wait went really quick on a Saturday morning! For a table for two we waited maybe 10 minutes. I had the German apple pancakes with bacon and had only one complaint- they left the skin on the apples which left a weird mouthfeel (the skins separated after being cooked) and a cup of coffee. Everything was great and all the food that came out looked delish! I also liked that they have pumpernickel bread as on option! This place is adorable, fast and friendly service and great food. I would definitely come back and recommend this place!
(5)
TOM W.
Excellent breakfast. Not only was the bill reasonable for a family of five but the food and service were worth much more. The corned beef hash was homemade and raved about by my son and I (poached eggs perfect). Eggs Florentine my wife said was top notch and the hollandaise sauce sublime according to my daughter. Pancakes--best ever from one son. We are from out-of-town but we will be back. Friendly and fabulous place.
(5)
Me I.
This place is amazing! I came in for the weekend from NYC to visit family and this was the first spot we had lunch at...I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and service the man who seated and our sever Bethann were cordial and accommodating. The food was also top quality and delicious! This place is a paradigm of service and quality. Highly recommended for anyone from out of town seeking a great experience! Thanks guys!
(5)
Anthony K.
Downtown cafe is hidden gem in the heart of downtown Rochester. This a small family owned business with minimal seating especially during the winter time. During the summer customers can enjoy an outdoor patio with beautiful Rochester scenery to compliment their meal. It is always packed and you will always wait, trust me it's well worth the wait. The owner is very friend and is always running around making sure all of his customers are more than satisfied with their meal and experience at his restaurant. The food is AWESOME, serving breakfast and lunch you can't go wrong with either choice. Omelets are a knockout, It's kind of discouraging because I want to try the rest of the menu but can't get over how good the breakfast is. It's definitely not a place to take a large party, you would wait way to long. Take a group of no more than 4 people and go and enjoy one of the best meals Rochester has to offer.
(5)
Maria S.
Wow! We were blown away by the delicious food and wonderful service. We happened to be driving through Rochester and our plans got delayed. We used Yelp to find the best breakfast place nearby and this place is deserving of all 5 stars! Cute diner that seats about 30 with a well shaded outdoor patio that seats about 30 also. The other reviews are all on point about how yummy everything is- we had the chicken salad croissant with walnuts and dried cherries, the florentine omelette and the almond crusted French toast with whipped cream and fruit compote were all excellent. The chicken salad croissant was creamy, with a nice mix of crunchy walnuts and the sweet tangy taste of cherries. The Florentine omelette was savory with a good amount of bacon and potatoes. The almond crusted French toast with whip cream and fruit compote was the bomb! I have never had almond crusted French toast, and it was awesome. Even the way they did their breakfast potatoes were good- not over cooked and you could tell they were made from scratch. And we think that's why everything there tasted sooooo good- everything was made from scratch as the menu says. No boxes or mixed used. The staff was very friendly and the food came up super fast. 5 star service! As a former waitress, I was impressed with never running out of water or coffee :) We will be back!
(5)
Karen H.
Everything here is delish. I love the corned beef hash, the french toast, pancakes, and specials...always a good selection. Lunch is just as good. The salads are great, the baked brie wonderful. The french onion soups is creamy and rich with flavor. It's a really small place and often have to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)
Melissa P.
Excellent homemade pancakes. We will definitely return to try other items on the menu!
(5)
Dena A.
Corned beef hash greatness... made from scratch, huge portion, eggs done perfectly, makes a girl happy French toast specials are a must try, as well as their omelettes. Small cute spot in downtown Rochester. They do get busy, both times I went were on weekdays once on a Thursday and the other a Wednesday and both times there was a wait. I can imagine they get really busy on the weekends. Still worth it, will be coming back!
(5)
Mike S.
We came here solely on the yelp recommendations and were very disappointed. Service was horrible. Upon arrival, we were told to sit wherever we liked, and then waited 15 minutes for a waiter, my wife always complains that male waiters are not very good, and I'm starting to believe her. We both had the number one special, 2 eggs, toast, potatoes, breakfast meat. the potatoes were excellent, but everything else was nothing special. We also got the Almond encrusted French Toast with a berry topping and were very disappointed. The flavor was very bland and the berry topping was not fresh and was very syrupy. The coffee was excellent. I find it very usual that a place so highly recommended could be so average, it makes ne wonder if I had the worst waiter in the world, and a bad batch of French Toast, or if they got a bunch of their friends to review the place?
(1)
Nikki N.
Great food, cute small atmosphere and great service. The corned beef hash is a fav! This place is always busy and the serving size is fairly large. In many cases, a meal can be shared, especially the pancakes. I haven't tried everything, but everything looks so yummy and well prepared.
(4)
Mike C.
A must for true breakfast fans! Downtown Cafe does not disappoint when it comes to early morning hunger. This place has influenced my girlfriend and I to not try other breakfast places in the area because we know we'll be left disappointed that we didn't go to Downtown Cafe. GOOD: The food is excellent, the corned beef hash/chirizo hash are must haves. The pancakes are the best I've ever had too. The staff is friendly and diligent. Nice atmosphere for a breakfast place. BAD: You will usually have to wait 10-20 mins but it is well worth it. A little more expensive than some other breakfast places but not too crazy.
(5)
Auro M.
Love this place! Delicious food, great service. It's always crowded so it's better to get there early. Everything is really fresh. My favorite meal is Florentine eggs. The environment is nice and cosy.
(5)
Vivian X.
Whenever I don't feel like driving all the way to downtown Birmingham or Ferndale for brunch, our choice is, without a doubt, Downtown Cafe. What seems like just an ordinary, humdrum family restaurant actually, is actually much, much more. As soon as you step in, a server promptly takes note of your name. Depending on the day, you might have to wait a while (sometimes more than 40 minutes), but it's always worth it. The eggs Benedict are amazing, and so are the omelettes (my favorite is the Florentine). My mom and I once ordered a salad in addition to our meals, thinking we would still be hungry after, but that was really a miscalculation on our part. The salad was humongous and also was surprisingly served with two hunks of delicious, seasonally-appropriate pumpkin bread. Come to Downtown Cafe! Come to Downtown Cafe! Come to Downtown Cafe!
(5)
Matthew P.
Epic food!!! Small place super small!!! Daily specials always exciting to eat!! High quality for great prices, excellent service! They have cornered the breakfast market in Rochester!! They could buy out the subway next door and be bigger and do just as well!
(5)
Rob B.
What can I say?!? This place has the best breakfasts in all of Oakland County, Michigan! There, I said it. Why is it the best... Everything on the menu is cooked to order. They have Florentine eggs, Egg Benedict, Farm eggs, scrambled and they're all fantastic. My fav is the Florentine since the mushrooms and spinach are so so tasty! Melt in your mouth tasty!! They have German Apple Pancakes, blueberry pancakes, Orange Custard French Toast, Lemon Custard French Toast and Creme Bruelee French Toast. All of these are dynamite, but my fav is the Lemon Custard French Toast. This is a special and only shows up occasionally on the daily menu. But you have to try it...the lemon is perfectly mixed into the French Toast so it's not too sweet nor too bland, and not overly cooked either. It is like eating lemon pudding on lightly baked in between two French Toast strips. Yum, I'm getting hungry just thinking of it! The food is served fairly quick. I wonder how they cook it so well in such a small building. The wait staff is always quick and friendly to us when we visit. They are usually swamped from 8am - 2pm on the weekends. So get there either right at opening or go later; otherwise, you'll be waiting at least 20 minutes. Hours are mornings 7am to 3pm Monday thru Saturday and 7am to 2pm on Sundays. They also have lunch items which I only had a turkey sandwich once. It was fresh and very good. Since there are so many fantastic breakfast items I usually cave and go with those instead. The coffee is fresh brewed and I love it. I have to get two cups usually. They also have fresh squeezed OJ, water, and milk. If you have kids, the will put the drinks in a spill free lid with straw...an extra bonus for us! We cannot wait to get back here! Keep up the great work Downtown Cafe!
(5)
K. R.
This was great. We woke up this morning and decided to have breakfast out. We found Downtown Cafe and let me tell you it was delicious! The outdoor seating was quaint and quite nice. I had the eggs benedict and my husband had the eggs benedict florentine. Both were phenomenal! My kids ate the eggs, toast, potatoes and fruit. Both loved the eggs! These two are very picky little people. The wait staff were very nice and helpful. Totally recommend this cafe! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lori O.
After a hugely disappointing breakfast at the new breakfast place (RBH) in town, which has a menu that can't be veganized, we decided to come back to this tried-and-true favorite. Like a lot of other reviewers, we've been coming to the Downtown Cafe for years. We also regularly take job candidates here for breakfast: the service is fast no matter how crowded they are, the food is consistently good, and the acoustics are such that you don't have to shout to be heard. Today I ordered veganized breakfast potatoes with spinach and broccoli, and received a beautiful and generous portion of what they're calling "vegan hash." Just the right balance of potatoes and fresh veggies. There are several dozen other excellent reasons to frequent the Downtown Cafe (my husband would put their German Apple Pancakes, French Toast, and omelets on his list), but my new favorite reason for coming here is that they recognize that vegans exist and that we like to eat breakfast. So, if you're a vegan in the Rochester area and you're wondering where to take your vegetarian and meat-eating friends and family for breakfast, this is the place.
(5)
Rachel E.
We've come back to the Downtown Cafe many times after I wrote my last review, and it was simply unfair not to re-rate. Downtown Cafe & the Meeting House are our two go-to restaurants for breakfast. I think the mistake I made last time was getting a lunch, because breakfast is truly where they shine! The staff is super nice, well trained and very knowledgable of the specials. If you get anything, get the Pumpkin Pancakes. They are phenomenal! They are made from scratch and come out piping hot every time. They are my favorite thing on the menu when they are in season!
(5)
Sandy S.
Very cute and cozy little place! Service was also great! Our server was very friendly and professional. I ordered the corn beef hash with poached eggs. The corned beef hash was good. My eggs were slightly over-poached, but still good! My husband got an omelette, which he really enjoyed.
(4)
Navneet A.
Very nice food. European style . Great service. I forgot my iced style inside, the server Matt came out in cold to give cups to me. Now that's called great American service . Pancakes are classic . Lunch sandwiches are great too
(5)
Kendre' D.
I've only been to this place once but that one time was awesome! Great food with a great price :-) I have a love/hate relationship with the size of the restaurant...it's so small lol But overall it's a great place and I'll return Ps....Great pancakes!
(4)
Mike M.
Great breakfast restaurant. Breakfast entrees are well prepared and made from scratch. The blueberry custard French toast was awesome! My only complaint was the coffee was watery tasting. Overall, great quality of food. The restaurant is pretty small though, we waited about 10 minutes on a Wednesday mid-morning.
(5)
Mark L.
Such a wonderful little gem in the downtown Rochester area. I've tried their omelettes, corn beef hash, sandwiches, salads and soups, all were simply amazing. The owner, head chef and staff are just great and very extremely friendly, A+ in customer service (they truly care about customers). Some many things to love about this place, one, you can order a side of fresh fruit instead of fries but their version of fries are homemade so sometimes you just have to go for the fries (try them seasoned). Sadly I took a job outside of the area but I'm definitely going to visit when I'm in the area.
(5)
Theresa T.
Nice little breakfast place. Love the French toast. Good coffee. Sometimes it gets crazy busy. But, I'm happy for the owner. Hard working people.
(4)
Dan L.
Great foods and friendly staff. We enjoy eating brunch at the Downtown Cafe while sitting in their garden, which is right next to Rochester Road but with some trees and shrubs separating the tables from the sidewalk.
(5)
Laura W.
This place has great food I would highly recommend to anybody.they also have a very nice patio you can enjoy
(5)
Farheen S.
Brunch places should know how to do great omlets, at the least. Quality over quantity. This place definitely went for quantity. It was huge, filled with the requested veggies. One obvious thing is how the egg appears, either yellow-showing that it was just perfectly cooked, or brown- meaning definitely overcooked. Omlet was ordinary, overcooked eggs giving brown appearance. Very cute place though, maybe other items would be better
(3)
Shoshanah A.
Breakfast is great here. The Benedict is delicious, omelettes are delicious... Haven't had anything here I didn't like. Everything is wonderful. It's worth the wait. The staff is overall friendly and rather enjoyable. Would be nice if there was a little more room for people waiting (esp during the frigid winter months.)
(5)
Dana T.
First time at Downtown Cafe. The place was surpringly really small. When we arrived there were plenty of tables available at 8:30am on a Sunday but by 9am there were people waiting. I got the two eggs, bacon & american fries. Not really special about them. They were the same as everywhere else. My daughter got the pancakes and absolutely loved them. She said they were the best pancakes she has ever had!
(4)
Chris M.
The best! My wife and I love this place. Recommend to everyone. Thanks for the great food and professional service!
We went for brunch on our anniversary - a sunny autumn Sunday. There was a wait, but their estimate was very accurate - they said 30 minutes and it was 35. While we waited, we took a short walk through the Rochester City Park. We ordered two specials - the crème brulee French toast with Canadian bacon, and a fresh tomato and basil omelette with dill Havarti - came with toast and potatoes. Everything was great, portions were substantial, home fries were perfectly tender and crisp.
(5)
Joey K.
Great food, great staff, only thing holding them back from 5 stars is the size of the place. No waiting area and very limited dining room.
(4)
Cindy L.
My whole family enjoys this restaurant. My boys go there whenever they can. The wait staff are very nice and the breakfast special omelettes are fresh and delicious. My one son loves the corn beef hash and the pancakes are delicious. The boys actually order two breakfasts. Not much dining room space so consider your mood before going.
(5)
K T.
Went here for first time on a Thursday morning. Arrived around 9:15 and got table right away. Shortly after every table filled and people waiting. Amazing on weekday morning I thought, until I tried the food. I had cinnamon French toast . It was excellent . Very good coffee and waitress kept my cup filled. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sammi P.
It's not a big place but they do a wonderful job. Our favorite breakfast place around. The owner is so nice and always around. They always have extra items on the blackboards too!!
(5)
Andrew K.
Every time I'm back in Rochester, I make it a point to have breakfast or lunch at Downtown cafe. The food has always been delicious. This is the kind of place you can count on for your meal to always be beyond par. Typically if you go during busy times then you have to wait outside, which I can see being terrible in the winter - people usually crowd the inside then. The patio is great when it's nice outside. The owner is always there working and he is very friendly. He has a good eye for help since all of his staff is very friendly as well. 5/5 stars was an easy decision.
(5)
Lizzy M.
This is by far my favorite breakfast spot in Rochester! Everything I've had is amazing, but my favorite would have to be the corned beef hash!! The corned beef is homemade which is such a nice change from the canned most places use and the portions are huge. I've never left without a takeout box. The fresh squeezed orange juice is a must have as well. I recommend breakfast, but if you want lunch go for the Turkey Reuben or chicken salad.
(5)
Mikki P.
Another favorite. They have the best julienne salad on the pm at (I think it's the dressing). I also love the tuna melt and their fries are yummy.
(5)
Kevin S.
Every meal is absolutely delicious. Everything is made from scratch. Love the corned beef hash and herb omelet.
(5)
Sweets Custom C.
I love this place. The food is wonderful and there is always something new and different to try. The daily specials are what I usually order and I've never been disappointed. Love the fresh squeezed orange juice. The service is fast and friendly. Doesn't matter what day of the week Ive gone this place is packed. And the tables inside are really tight. I do enjoy eating on the patio in the summer.
(4)
Bobbie E.
DownTown Cafe has the market when you want the Best Chicken Salad Corssant sandwich in Rochester. It's packed with Chicken, tomatoes, walnuts, dried cherries, celery, and is served with a side of your choice. YUMMY ! My better half, usually gets the Maurice Salad. Our plates are clean when we are done. If you want some different tasting pancakes, THIS IS THE PLACE ! We haven't found anything on the menu that we haven't liked. The place is small, there is outside seating in nice weather. You may have to wait for a table BUT TRUST ME.......IT'S WORTH THE WAIT!!!!
(5)
Kristina L.
I tried the western omelette and it was amazing! The toast is soooo good and the homemade pancakes are too delicious to pass up!!! I tried the blueberry once and wasn't fond of the berries but the plain ones are perfect! When the weather cooperates dining outside is really nice as well.
(5)
Tara L.
More like 3.5 stars. I came here on a Friday morning around 9am to meet a client, and the place was not super busy. Probably a total 4-5 other tables filled, and the space itself is not very big. I'd take a gander and say it's about 10-12 tables at most. The decor is vintage and country chic, and has a real homey feel. Since my client had been here before, she pointed out that their specials were the way to go. Her favorite she noted was their creme brulee french toast. When it came out, it looked lovely, though heavy. The portion size was fair, and it came with an ordinary fruit salad. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, as it is one of my favorites. The portion size was decent, but the presentation was sloppy. The hollandaise sauce was too thick and buttery, and drenched over the top of the poached eggs. The eggs, though, were cooked perfectly, and I liked that the ham and English muffin were grilled. As with the french toast, my dish came with a side of fruit salad. Overall, I think the place is worth trying, and I'd love to come back and try any of their omelettes. They sounded pretty good. My Eggs Benedict set me back $8.95, and though it wasn't pricey, it wasn't as light as I'd like for it to be.
(3)
Kaitlin Y.
Service is quick, the servers are quite handsome, the food is delicious, and though it's busy in the mornings, everything goes rather smoothly. I would recommend going here for breakfast. I got almond crusted French toast - which wasn't too sweet and the almonds were perfect.
(4)
Fadi Q.
I've been there twice and always wants to go back again when I get the chance. I had my friends from Chicago and they were impressed. There are more options in Chicago but they were glad to have breakfast at Downtown Cafe in Rochester Hills MI.
(5)
Nadine P.
Absolutely love Downtown Cafe! My entire family does! My favorite is the broccoli cheddar soup! I crave this on a regular basis! Very small restaurant but worth the wait. Go early on Sundays to avoid the churchies.
(5)
Randy Y.
Best breakfast in town! The food is always fresh and tasty, and the service is friendly. Prices are a little higher than average, but you get what you pay for. It is a small dining area, though there is additional outdoor seating available when the weather permits.
(5)
Taiya S.
There's nothing bad I could say about this little cafe, the food is great, the staff are super friendly and the food is at a reasonable price. There's sometimes a little bit of a wait because the place is so small, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Diane K.
Good place/food. VERY SMALL! Tables are the size of my dollhouse. But food was well presented and tasty.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
We got here every weekend and get an omelette and the Michigan pancakes. They are delicious! The orange juice is fresh squeezed and tastes like Florida bursting in your mouth. The service in impeccable. Nick, one of the waiters, is especially wonderful. I highly recommend Downtown Cafe, it has the best breakfast in Rochester (foodwise) and is very personable and professional service wise.
(5)
John L.
The Down Town Cafe' has figured out how to consistently deliver a quality breakfast and lunch experience with a staff that acts as an extension of the owner. "Present, attentive, customer centric" Great Food!
(5)
Tiandra D.
My boyfriend and I live in Rochester and we LOVE the Downtown Cafe! They are BY FAR the best Breakfast spot in Rochester. I've never had a bad meal or poor service! Their standard menu is great, but they always have a large variety of daily specials as well. Their different types of pancakes are always AMAZING and like other reviewers have mentioned, their homemade corned beef hash and poached eggs is FANTASTIC!The ONLY complaint I would have about the Downtown Cafe is its size, it's really quite small, which can lead to long waits and tight quarters. Now that it's warmer however, they do offer outdoor patio seating, which is lovely. Worth the drive into Rochester, trust me, you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Kimberley S.
I cant say enough good things about this place...The food is so good! The fries are AMAZING! I love the chicken and asparagus croissant, and the french onion soup YUM-O! The ONLY reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the hours. They are only open until 3. I wish it was later, and also the inside is VERY small. But overall the FOOD is worth every penny!
(4)
Kate F.
Decent breakfast place. We would come back. However, we both got omelettes and they were both overlooked while also being runny. Very strange. Not a combo that I prefer. Bacon was excellent, coffee was good, service was good. Not a top 10 omelette but definitely not the worst so we will go back.
This past weekend, my boyfriend and I chose this restaurant at random while visiting Rochester and I am so glad we did! We went on a Sunday around noon, but we were seated quickly despite them being a bit busy. The restaurant itself is very small, but I never felt uncomfortable or overly crowded. I would suggest being prepared for a 10-15 minute wait just in case, given their size. The first day (we ate here 2 days in a row) I ordered their quiche special and he ordered the creme brule French toast. Both were TO DIE FOR. At first I was nervous that my quiche would be small, but when it arrived I was not disappointed. It was about the size of 2 pie slices and came with a side of fresh fruit and an English muffin. It was exactly what I wanted it to be, in that it wasn't too dry or runny, full of flavor and needless to say I was very satisfied at the end of my meal. My boyfriend's french toast was more like a huge piece of creme brulee cake!! HUGE!! It came with a mashed fruit topping (I think raspberry) which complemented the dish really well. I'm not a huge fan of sweet breakfast foods, so his dish would have been a bit much for me to finish, had ordered it myself, but it was delicious nonetheless. Day 1, success. The second day I ordered the eggs florentine and boyfriend ordered the blueberry custard french toast. Again, very nice portion sizes and everything tasted amazing. Towards the end of my meal I found the hollandaise sauce to be sitting kind of heavy in my stomach, which slowed me down a bit, but it was too good to quit!! His French toast was very good, but again a bit too sweet for my liking. However, he enjoyed it very much and for a second I thought he may take a bite out of the plate!! Overall, only good things to say about this place and we will definitely be returning. Staff seemed very friendly, waiters were very polite, kitchen staff would pop out from time to time and they all seemed very friendly as well!!
(5)
Erica Y.
Good selection! I had the cinnamon French toast and it was cooked good! Would highly recommend!
Great food that is not your average breakfast place. Great neighborhood feel. I only wish the place was a little bigger. There is always a wait on the weekends.
(4)
Meredith E.
This is the best place in the Rochester area for breakfast! The interior is very small with only a few tables. Therefore there is always a wait. Expect it people. It's worth it! When I see people balk and head to the local coney, I laugh at them. They are missing out on a great breakfast. The service is always fantastic and the owner is in the trenches helping out. When I put my name on the list for a table, he hands me a hot cup of coffee. As for the food... I am addicted to the Michigan pancakes. Everything on the menu, including a few varieties of french toast (like creme brulee) and quiches are fantastic, but I can't stop ordering my pancakes. The Michigan pancakes are baked with apples, walnuts and dried cheeries. So good! The side of bacon adds to the greatness of the meal. I love this place!
(5)
Jennifer V.
I absolutely LOVE the carmel baked french toast.. may be the best breakfast I've had. Yesterday we also tried the orange custard french toast. I am a big fan of original items that you can't get elsewhere and this was definitely yummy! On other visits I've tried the omelettes and they are also fantastic! The ONLY flaw is the crowded space and the wait time every weekend. I agree with another reviewer who recommended that they expand. The only thing that stops us from coming more often is not wanting to wait, esp. outside in the cold or hovering over diners while they eat.
(4)
Jonathan W.
Good breakfast spot. The french toast was great. My only complaint is get rid of the high fructose ketchup and the fake maple syrup with the aspartame in it. It is pretty common knowledge now how bad that stuff is for us.
(4)
Amanda W.
This place is awesome if you have food allergies. We've been eating here fairly regularly for several years and they have always been very accommodating with our crazy orders. They have happily checked ingredients and cooked our food as asked. Not once has our order been wrong, which is truly important when you have food allergies. Highly recommend.
(5)
Joanne K.
Excellent breakfast the Carmel French toast is very good as well as the service. Small expect a wait it is worth it though.
(4)
Howard N.
Pretty cool breakfast spot with a great menu and specials. How about lemon curd pancakes! Fast service. Only reason it isn't a 5 is because they don't trim the spinach stems for their omelets. Leaving the stems on made it tough and bitter. Looked like it was just a bad choice on my part.
(4)
Heidi L.
I live in Rochester for ten years and didn't know there was a great brunch place here! Menu selections are just unique itself. Friendly service. It is always busy whenever I visit but it's worth wait for :)
(5)
Lisa W.
Best breakfast! Love this place. It is a small place and there is always a line. Everything I have tried is delicious!
(5)
Brandon S.
Had the Corned Beef Hash and Apple Cinnamon pancakes, both fantastic. The corned beef hash is the grown up version of the Loaded Dub from Menna's Joint: the perfect hangover food.
(5)
David W.
Very good food. A bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(4)
Kimberly M.
Well... Got the cinnamon french toast after reading reviews just how good the french toast was. It was HORRIBLE. Seriously, it was as if they dipped the french toast in batter but didn't bother to cook it. Really soggy. The sausage and hash browns were decent hence why they got 2 stars instead of 1.
(2)
Joshua B.
If I rated establishments only by the inspiration and quality of the food, the friendliness of the wait staff, and the reasonableness of prices, five stars wouldn't be enough for Downtown Cafe. They were stellar in all three categories. We visited last Sunday for a late breakfast, and the menu was fantastic. Think the Original Pancake House, but with more inspired culinary inventions beyond the ordinary. Creme brulee french toast, Michigan pancakes (with apple, dried cherries, and walnuts), eggs florentine, tastes for every palate. And for the price (I didn't see anything on the menu over $10), the portions were very generous. To earn a fifth overall star, I would recommend to the owners that they buy out the Hungry Howie's next door and expand. First, there's no need for a chain pizza place to have a downtown, Main st. storefront, and the Downtown Cafe is just too darn tightly packed. This is exacerbated by the bad winter weather, which leads those waiting for a table to crowd around those already eating, or to have to wait in the hallway by the restrooms. This congestion is a real problem. I'd also suggest a side menu for kids. My two girls don't go beyond the basics for breakfast, so we likely would seek another restaurant if they were with us. It might be by design, however, as a place this small would be highly disrupted by noisy children. Overall a fine performance, and the path to five stars is likely a long-term proposition. We will likely be back on weekend mornings when the kids are with Grandma, and we'll also probably show up closer to noon, as that's when it appears the waiting list becomes more reasonable.
(4)
Marie S.
Am I a fan of this place? YES! After my 3rd visit here I'm sold. Eggs benedict is usually what I order as I'm not a fan of thick pancakes. I grew up eating palascinta (aka thin rolled up pancakes) for breakfast - so I prefer thin pancakes over thicker ones. BUT today I bit the bullet and ordered the Michigan pancakes with cherries, apples & walnuts. YUMMMMM I think they were cooked on a cast iron skillet, and pancakes cooked in these pans are fantastic no matter what you do. I guess more thick pancakes are in my future!
(5)
Brent R.
If you live in the Rochester Hills area or bike/walk the Paint Creek Trail, there is nothing better than a leisurely ride with a stop-off at Downtown Cafe for brunch on a lazy Sunday. Try to eat outside on a nice day, its worth the wait even with Main Street car traffic. I saw this place while driving down Main Street a couple times in the past but thought nothing of it until I read the glowing reviews here on yelp. We were so impressed that we found a solid brunch option we could bike to right off the trail, we decided to try it out the next day (just so happened to be a Sunday). After putting our names down for a table, we hung out for about 5 minutes before we were able to get a table outside. We were seated and we both had the fresh squeezed OJ, very good. I ordered the corned beef hash since I had read good things about it, it is now my favorite corned beef hash ever. Instead of hashbrowns they use thinly seasoned sliced potatoes and onions. I am a huge hashbrown fan but I didn't miss it in this dish like I thought I would, the potatoes mixed with the house-made corned beef make this a MUST GET. Even the poached eggs were perfect on top...It will be hard for me to come back to Downtown Cafe and not get this. My wife had a similar experience as well, she got the spinach, asparagus, mushroom and swiss omelette, and the few bites I had of it, were very good. I am thinking this will be my go-to Sunday brunch spot, you should give it a try as well, I think you will like it.
(5)
Randy T.
This is a great little spot in downtown Rochester. It's only open for breakfast or lunch, so go early. Nothing on the menu seems to disappoint. For breakfast, everything is handmade and super fresh. Muffins, breads, etc... all taste like they just made them. This time around we had lunch. Anyone who knows Philly Cheesesteaks knows it's all about the rolls, and this place does not disappoint!! You are guaranteed a great meal with fast, friendly service every time!! Love it!
(5)
April J.
Best breakfast in downtown Rochester. I love that you can get amazing stuffed french toast or opt for one of their more healthier options (egg white omelets, oatmeal, quiche) . This place is a crowd pleaser. It's a little place, so don't expect to be able to bring a really large group, but my husband and I have never had to wait for a table long. I also love that they have specials that change daily. Overall, this place has really quality food and nothing tastes pre-made or processed.
(4)
Ron B.
My wife and I are new to the area so I checked Yelp for breakfast/brunch places. The reveiws here are mostly stellar so we tried it yesterday. The good things about Dowtown Cafe: Great friendly staff Wonderful French Toast bake with Berries.WOW Other guests very friendly The bad things about Downtown Cafe The corn beef hash is the worst we have ever had American fries instead of hash browns...just our preference $26.00 for breakfast is pretty expensive unless you are at a top hotel Could not unzip our coats because the restaurant is so small that ....when someone came in and out, the entire place became frigid for several minutes Parking is a nightmare My wife will return for the dish above but I will not
(2)
Emily B.
This place gets five stars for being well-above-average for what it is: a homey, modest, and inexpensive breakfast/lunch spot (NOT a fine-dining establishment). Service is super attentive and very friendly, the vibe is cozy and laid-back, the prices are very fair, and the food (breakfast, lunch, and brunch items) is great and seems to be almost entirely from-scratch. Mouth-watering specials are listed on the white-board above the service station, so be sure not to miss them. I've never been disappointed here.
(5)
Jae C.
best breakfast in the area. a little pricy but worth it. they have the best corned beef hash here (with the poached eggs). every time i go, i want to try more of their menu but i can't pass on the CBH. the wife always tries something different and seems to enjoy them. raspberry stuffed french toast and spinach, asparagus, swiss cheese omelette seem to be her 2 favorite.
(5)
Marc C.
In town for work at Crittenton Medical Center and found this terrific little place for breakfast. Food was extremely fresh and the service and staff could not be more pleasant. After reading a few of the press clippings on the wall, it's nice to see that the owner of Downtown Cafe still shows up for work even after receiving rave reviews years back. Hash and eggs were exceptional, nothing out of a can at this place! Would definitely recommend.
(4)
Chris M.
What an absolutely AMAZING little place. I was recommended to here by my mom, who goes about monthly. I was staying at a friends place in Rochester, right off downtown and we decided, after a hefty night of drinking, we needed some food. We were QUICKLY seated, as well as greeted by not just our waitress, but the owner himself. He told us if we needed anything out of the ordinary, to let him know. We just needed food really. I had an omelette, I think the farmers omelette, and my friend had a sandwich that was absolutely spectacular. Service was stupidly attentive, food came out amazingly quick, and the food itself.. well, it was great. Huge portions and you could tell they had a passion for making food. The restaurant itself is pretty cozy, but very much welcoming and clean. It has the feel of a small town cafe/dinner, with more elegant choices and better service. Overall... I can't wait to chow down here again. An absolute great find for when you're in Rochester for breakfast/early lunch.
(5)
Soph. M.
I've lived in Rochester for 7 years and have never been here. Such a cute place, has lots of charm and great food. I've been here 3 times now and I love it! I must admit I've only had their breakfast, but its been great. Every time I go, i check my schedule on when I can make time to go back! delicious!
(5)
Natalie p.
I love this tiny little place! I have actually never been here and not have to wait for a table! Esp on the weekends! but i dont mind! i love the broccolic cheese soup and the turkey ruben! the outdoor seating is nice too! No pets allowed tho :(
(4)
Cma W.
So good! My husband and I were visiting from California and my Father and Step Mom took us there. They raved about the food, and they were right! Absolutely delicious and fresh. My Dad was telling us that the owner is true professional chef. They said they have never had anything there that wasn't excellent and I believe it. I had the broccoli soup and I split half a reuben and half a chicken wrap. Delicious! I only wish we could go more often! Definitely will go there on our next visit.
(5)
Nathan S.
I'll preface this by stating that I have only been here twice. The people that run it/work it are great, love 'em. The coffee is excellent and the food can be hit or miss ( omelets can be bland, corned beef hash is friggin' awesome) but if you stick to the dry erase board above the counter you win. The Muzak must stop, however. Seriously, aren't they pretty much giving satellite radio away now? The elevator music that is way too audible actually flavors the food, my ears pucker as if sucking on a lemony saxophone played by cheese. Easiest fix? Sit outside if possible.
(3)
Laura H.
Fantastic!! We went super early today as I have read they get pretty busy. It's a small place with seating outside as well. The food was great.....definitely fresh and homemade. The service was great and I can't wait to go back again. Plenty of parking in the back.
(5)
Grace L.
The dill, havarti, and tomato omelet is my favorite item on their specials menu. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the quality of the food is consistently great. It's even worth sitting at the table in front of the door during the winter to enjoy breakfast at Downtown Cafe.
(5)
Shannon S.
Great local breakfast place in downtown Rochester Hills. I had the pancakes and my husband had the farmers omelet both of them were very good and very filling. The service was quick and friendly. We sat outside and it was nice even though it right up against the busy street. For everything we paid about $22 which isn't bad considering how much food you get. When my mother in law comes in the fall we plan on taking her there. Support someone local and try them out they are worth it!
(5)
Brian C.
BLT, chicken noodle soup. GOOD. Wife had French Dip, French Onion Soup. Excellent she said. Nice little cafe.
(4)
Bess R.
Cute breakfast spot, especially when you can sit outside. Very tiny. Food was good, but pretty standard. Will probably go back for bfast or brunch.
(3)
Vanessa W.
I just found this cafe and I have to say its fantastic. The food is exactly the type of homemade, high quality, ungreasy breakfast food I look for. I had one pumpkin pancake and one gingerbread pancake with sausage and a great cup of coffee on a snowy cold day. It completely hit the spot. My dining companion had the corned beef hash which was delicious. I'm looking forward to many meals here. On the minor downside, the place is small so get ready for a bit of a wait, but the friendliness of the staff more than makes up for any wait.
(5)
Molly M.
Average.
(3)
Kelly E.
Came on recommendation of a friend. Michigan pancakes were fantastic. Service great, juice fresh.
(5)
Lindsay S.
There food is always amazing! The staff is very attentive and helpful. Try either their omlettes or their pancakes. The only issue I have with this restaurant is that I always seem to over eat because the food is super tasty.
(5)
Alesha B.
I love, love, love this place! It's small and always busy but I don't mind waiting 15 minutes to sit outside and have an awesome breakfast. I usually order the omelette of the day and my boyfriend orders the Michigan pancakes which have apples, walnuts, and cherries. The service is great and the food comes out fast and tastes homemade!
(5)
Heather K.
Excellent breakfast stop. Very quaint and cozy. The food is top notch and in my opinion tastes authentic and homemade. I've never had a bad experience here and I've been here countless times. There's a wait during peak times, but it's well worth it!
(5)
Shannon D.
Our favorite breakfast destination! We love the fresh orange juice and German Apple Pancakes! Worth the wait!
(5)
Karen R.
My husband and I took our 2 kids here for breakfast on a Thursday morning, thinking it would be less crowded than on a weekend. The place was packed. As we waited for a table, more people were coming in. The waiter/waitress/owner did not say one word to us, yet walked by us numerous times. After waiting about 15 minutes, the owner took the 2 people behind us in line & gave them a table that could have easily sat the 4 of us. We waited for another 10 minutes without getting a table & the left due to hungry kids. My sister & I have been there twice before, having a great breakfast, but only fair lunch. The staff, especially the owner, need to be more friendly & customer focused - which is top priority in the food service business.
(2)
damian a.
One of our favorite breakfast places. REAL corned beef hash. Michigan pancakes. Creme brulee french toast. Great service, and even a small patio for the warmer months. Expect to wait on the weekends because it's tiny and popular.
(5)
Mark C.
Great for Breakfast! Try the specials - just as other reviews have said, Michigan pancakes, Portobella omelet, etc. Very reasonable pricing, attentive service. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is best. So good, expect a wait (you can drive by and gage the wait by the number of people standing inside or outside the door). Bonus trivia - when the building was being remodeled, the former fascia was exposed - the building used to be a Studebaker dealership.
(5)
Todd S.
Great gem of a place, very unassuming but the food is top knotch, particularly for breakfast. Also has the best turkey burger I've had, and it is hard to find a fresh ground turkey burger, most places just use frozen junk.
(5)
Amya S.
By far the best onion soup I have eaten. The thyme really kicks it up a notch. I'm sure the owner has been told this countless times, but it would be so nice if he expanded. The wait times here weren't horrible, but they were long enough to inspire me to pick a different place for breakfast.
(4)
Emily B.
Great breakfast place with lots of creative breakfasts and a comfortable atmosphere. Someone tipped me off to this place after I had lived in Rochester for almost three years and was complaining about not having a good breakfast joint and I haven't looked back since. It doesn't look like much from the outside but it's worth the visit. You will be glad you came.
(5)
Neil T.
This is an awesome spot in Rochester. Great service, even though it's a tight fit in the restaurant. I had the french toast, and it was superb. A great menu...don't go there if you're in a rush because 1) you'll wait for a table since it's small and BUSY and 2) you'll want to savor your meal!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Holly S.
The seating area itself is very small- seats maybe 30 people but the wait went really quick on a Saturday morning! For a table for two we waited maybe 10 minutes. I had the German apple pancakes with bacon and had only one complaint- they left the skin on the apples which left a weird mouthfeel (the skins separated after being cooked) and a cup of coffee. Everything was great and all the food that came out looked delish! I also liked that they have pumpernickel bread as on option! This place is adorable, fast and friendly service and great food. I would definitely come back and recommend this place!
(5)TOM W.
Excellent breakfast. Not only was the bill reasonable for a family of five but the food and service were worth much more. The corned beef hash was homemade and raved about by my son and I (poached eggs perfect). Eggs Florentine my wife said was top notch and the hollandaise sauce sublime according to my daughter. Pancakes--best ever from one son. We are from out-of-town but we will be back. Friendly and fabulous place.
(5)Me I.
This place is amazing! I came in for the weekend from NYC to visit family and this was the first spot we had lunch at...I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and service the man who seated and our sever Bethann were cordial and accommodating. The food was also top quality and delicious! This place is a paradigm of service and quality. Highly recommended for anyone from out of town seeking a great experience! Thanks guys!
(5)Anthony K.
Downtown cafe is hidden gem in the heart of downtown Rochester. This a small family owned business with minimal seating especially during the winter time. During the summer customers can enjoy an outdoor patio with beautiful Rochester scenery to compliment their meal. It is always packed and you will always wait, trust me it's well worth the wait. The owner is very friend and is always running around making sure all of his customers are more than satisfied with their meal and experience at his restaurant. The food is AWESOME, serving breakfast and lunch you can't go wrong with either choice. Omelets are a knockout, It's kind of discouraging because I want to try the rest of the menu but can't get over how good the breakfast is. It's definitely not a place to take a large party, you would wait way to long. Take a group of no more than 4 people and go and enjoy one of the best meals Rochester has to offer.
(5)Maria S.
Wow! We were blown away by the delicious food and wonderful service. We happened to be driving through Rochester and our plans got delayed. We used Yelp to find the best breakfast place nearby and this place is deserving of all 5 stars! Cute diner that seats about 30 with a well shaded outdoor patio that seats about 30 also. The other reviews are all on point about how yummy everything is- we had the chicken salad croissant with walnuts and dried cherries, the florentine omelette and the almond crusted French toast with whipped cream and fruit compote were all excellent. The chicken salad croissant was creamy, with a nice mix of crunchy walnuts and the sweet tangy taste of cherries. The Florentine omelette was savory with a good amount of bacon and potatoes. The almond crusted French toast with whip cream and fruit compote was the bomb! I have never had almond crusted French toast, and it was awesome. Even the way they did their breakfast potatoes were good- not over cooked and you could tell they were made from scratch. And we think that's why everything there tasted sooooo good- everything was made from scratch as the menu says. No boxes or mixed used. The staff was very friendly and the food came up super fast. 5 star service! As a former waitress, I was impressed with never running out of water or coffee :) We will be back!
(5)Karen H.
Everything here is delish. I love the corned beef hash, the french toast, pancakes, and specials...always a good selection. Lunch is just as good. The salads are great, the baked brie wonderful. The french onion soups is creamy and rich with flavor. It's a really small place and often have to wait, but it's worth it.
(5)Melissa P.
Excellent homemade pancakes. We will definitely return to try other items on the menu!
(5)Dena A.
Corned beef hash greatness... made from scratch, huge portion, eggs done perfectly, makes a girl happy French toast specials are a must try, as well as their omelettes. Small cute spot in downtown Rochester. They do get busy, both times I went were on weekdays once on a Thursday and the other a Wednesday and both times there was a wait. I can imagine they get really busy on the weekends. Still worth it, will be coming back!
(5)Mike S.
We came here solely on the yelp recommendations and were very disappointed. Service was horrible. Upon arrival, we were told to sit wherever we liked, and then waited 15 minutes for a waiter, my wife always complains that male waiters are not very good, and I'm starting to believe her. We both had the number one special, 2 eggs, toast, potatoes, breakfast meat. the potatoes were excellent, but everything else was nothing special. We also got the Almond encrusted French Toast with a berry topping and were very disappointed. The flavor was very bland and the berry topping was not fresh and was very syrupy. The coffee was excellent. I find it very usual that a place so highly recommended could be so average, it makes ne wonder if I had the worst waiter in the world, and a bad batch of French Toast, or if they got a bunch of their friends to review the place?
(1)Nikki N.
Great food, cute small atmosphere and great service. The corned beef hash is a fav! This place is always busy and the serving size is fairly large. In many cases, a meal can be shared, especially the pancakes. I haven't tried everything, but everything looks so yummy and well prepared.
(4)Mike C.
A must for true breakfast fans! Downtown Cafe does not disappoint when it comes to early morning hunger. This place has influenced my girlfriend and I to not try other breakfast places in the area because we know we'll be left disappointed that we didn't go to Downtown Cafe. GOOD: The food is excellent, the corned beef hash/chirizo hash are must haves. The pancakes are the best I've ever had too. The staff is friendly and diligent. Nice atmosphere for a breakfast place. BAD: You will usually have to wait 10-20 mins but it is well worth it. A little more expensive than some other breakfast places but not too crazy.
(5)Auro M.
Love this place! Delicious food, great service. It's always crowded so it's better to get there early. Everything is really fresh. My favorite meal is Florentine eggs. The environment is nice and cosy.
(5)Vivian X.
Whenever I don't feel like driving all the way to downtown Birmingham or Ferndale for brunch, our choice is, without a doubt, Downtown Cafe. What seems like just an ordinary, humdrum family restaurant actually, is actually much, much more. As soon as you step in, a server promptly takes note of your name. Depending on the day, you might have to wait a while (sometimes more than 40 minutes), but it's always worth it. The eggs Benedict are amazing, and so are the omelettes (my favorite is the Florentine). My mom and I once ordered a salad in addition to our meals, thinking we would still be hungry after, but that was really a miscalculation on our part. The salad was humongous and also was surprisingly served with two hunks of delicious, seasonally-appropriate pumpkin bread. Come to Downtown Cafe! Come to Downtown Cafe! Come to Downtown Cafe!
(5)Matthew P.
Epic food!!! Small place super small!!! Daily specials always exciting to eat!! High quality for great prices, excellent service! They have cornered the breakfast market in Rochester!! They could buy out the subway next door and be bigger and do just as well!
(5)Rob B.
What can I say?!? This place has the best breakfasts in all of Oakland County, Michigan! There, I said it. Why is it the best... Everything on the menu is cooked to order. They have Florentine eggs, Egg Benedict, Farm eggs, scrambled and they're all fantastic. My fav is the Florentine since the mushrooms and spinach are so so tasty! Melt in your mouth tasty!! They have German Apple Pancakes, blueberry pancakes, Orange Custard French Toast, Lemon Custard French Toast and Creme Bruelee French Toast. All of these are dynamite, but my fav is the Lemon Custard French Toast. This is a special and only shows up occasionally on the daily menu. But you have to try it...the lemon is perfectly mixed into the French Toast so it's not too sweet nor too bland, and not overly cooked either. It is like eating lemon pudding on lightly baked in between two French Toast strips. Yum, I'm getting hungry just thinking of it! The food is served fairly quick. I wonder how they cook it so well in such a small building. The wait staff is always quick and friendly to us when we visit. They are usually swamped from 8am - 2pm on the weekends. So get there either right at opening or go later; otherwise, you'll be waiting at least 20 minutes. Hours are mornings 7am to 3pm Monday thru Saturday and 7am to 2pm on Sundays. They also have lunch items which I only had a turkey sandwich once. It was fresh and very good. Since there are so many fantastic breakfast items I usually cave and go with those instead. The coffee is fresh brewed and I love it. I have to get two cups usually. They also have fresh squeezed OJ, water, and milk. If you have kids, the will put the drinks in a spill free lid with straw...an extra bonus for us! We cannot wait to get back here! Keep up the great work Downtown Cafe!
(5)K. R.
This was great. We woke up this morning and decided to have breakfast out. We found Downtown Cafe and let me tell you it was delicious! The outdoor seating was quaint and quite nice. I had the eggs benedict and my husband had the eggs benedict florentine. Both were phenomenal! My kids ate the eggs, toast, potatoes and fruit. Both loved the eggs! These two are very picky little people. The wait staff were very nice and helpful. Totally recommend this cafe! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Lori O.
After a hugely disappointing breakfast at the new breakfast place (RBH) in town, which has a menu that can't be veganized, we decided to come back to this tried-and-true favorite. Like a lot of other reviewers, we've been coming to the Downtown Cafe for years. We also regularly take job candidates here for breakfast: the service is fast no matter how crowded they are, the food is consistently good, and the acoustics are such that you don't have to shout to be heard. Today I ordered veganized breakfast potatoes with spinach and broccoli, and received a beautiful and generous portion of what they're calling "vegan hash." Just the right balance of potatoes and fresh veggies. There are several dozen other excellent reasons to frequent the Downtown Cafe (my husband would put their German Apple Pancakes, French Toast, and omelets on his list), but my new favorite reason for coming here is that they recognize that vegans exist and that we like to eat breakfast. So, if you're a vegan in the Rochester area and you're wondering where to take your vegetarian and meat-eating friends and family for breakfast, this is the place.
(5)Rachel E.
We've come back to the Downtown Cafe many times after I wrote my last review, and it was simply unfair not to re-rate. Downtown Cafe & the Meeting House are our two go-to restaurants for breakfast. I think the mistake I made last time was getting a lunch, because breakfast is truly where they shine! The staff is super nice, well trained and very knowledgable of the specials. If you get anything, get the Pumpkin Pancakes. They are phenomenal! They are made from scratch and come out piping hot every time. They are my favorite thing on the menu when they are in season!
(5)Sandy S.
Very cute and cozy little place! Service was also great! Our server was very friendly and professional. I ordered the corn beef hash with poached eggs. The corned beef hash was good. My eggs were slightly over-poached, but still good! My husband got an omelette, which he really enjoyed.
(4)Navneet A.
Very nice food. European style . Great service. I forgot my iced style inside, the server Matt came out in cold to give cups to me. Now that's called great American service . Pancakes are classic . Lunch sandwiches are great too
(5)Kendre' D.
I've only been to this place once but that one time was awesome! Great food with a great price :-) I have a love/hate relationship with the size of the restaurant...it's so small lol But overall it's a great place and I'll return Ps....Great pancakes!
(4)Mike M.
Great breakfast restaurant. Breakfast entrees are well prepared and made from scratch. The blueberry custard French toast was awesome! My only complaint was the coffee was watery tasting. Overall, great quality of food. The restaurant is pretty small though, we waited about 10 minutes on a Wednesday mid-morning.
(5)Mark L.
Such a wonderful little gem in the downtown Rochester area. I've tried their omelettes, corn beef hash, sandwiches, salads and soups, all were simply amazing. The owner, head chef and staff are just great and very extremely friendly, A+ in customer service (they truly care about customers). Some many things to love about this place, one, you can order a side of fresh fruit instead of fries but their version of fries are homemade so sometimes you just have to go for the fries (try them seasoned). Sadly I took a job outside of the area but I'm definitely going to visit when I'm in the area.
(5)Theresa T.
Nice little breakfast place. Love the French toast. Good coffee. Sometimes it gets crazy busy. But, I'm happy for the owner. Hard working people.
(4)Dan L.
Great foods and friendly staff. We enjoy eating brunch at the Downtown Cafe while sitting in their garden, which is right next to Rochester Road but with some trees and shrubs separating the tables from the sidewalk.
(5)Laura W.
This place has great food I would highly recommend to anybody.they also have a very nice patio you can enjoy
(5)Farheen S.
Brunch places should know how to do great omlets, at the least. Quality over quantity. This place definitely went for quantity. It was huge, filled with the requested veggies. One obvious thing is how the egg appears, either yellow-showing that it was just perfectly cooked, or brown- meaning definitely overcooked. Omlet was ordinary, overcooked eggs giving brown appearance. Very cute place though, maybe other items would be better
(3)Shoshanah A.
Breakfast is great here. The Benedict is delicious, omelettes are delicious... Haven't had anything here I didn't like. Everything is wonderful. It's worth the wait. The staff is overall friendly and rather enjoyable. Would be nice if there was a little more room for people waiting (esp during the frigid winter months.)
(5)Dana T.
First time at Downtown Cafe. The place was surpringly really small. When we arrived there were plenty of tables available at 8:30am on a Sunday but by 9am there were people waiting. I got the two eggs, bacon & american fries. Not really special about them. They were the same as everywhere else. My daughter got the pancakes and absolutely loved them. She said they were the best pancakes she has ever had!
(4)Chris M.
The best! My wife and I love this place. Recommend to everyone. Thanks for the great food and professional service!
(5)Liz N.
Small, quaint and delicious. Food comes out great every time. Corned Beef hash is great. And their Creme Brûlée French Toast is insane! Love this place. I'm a regular.
(5)Danny I.
Why does this place have to be close to my house!! It is by far the best corned beef and hash in the state. I dare you to find something better, all you will be doing is wasting your money and stomach space. Downtown cafe serves the most amazing creme brûlée French toast and also my kids and wife love the pancakes. I think it has become a weekly breakfast spot for our family. I wake up craving the corned beef and hash. It's absolutely home made at its finest. My wife's goto breakfast is the asparagus and spinach omelette. This is not an over exaggerated review. Trust me you will love it. They have a really nice outdoor patio for when it's nice outside as well. They turn the tables pretty quick. Staff is top notch and you are treated like you should be. Don't waste your life on mediocracy. You deserve the finer foods in life.
(5)Kate F.
We went for brunch on our anniversary - a sunny autumn Sunday. There was a wait, but their estimate was very accurate - they said 30 minutes and it was 35. While we waited, we took a short walk through the Rochester City Park. We ordered two specials - the crème brulee French toast with Canadian bacon, and a fresh tomato and basil omelette with dill Havarti - came with toast and potatoes. Everything was great, portions were substantial, home fries were perfectly tender and crisp.
(5)Joey K.
Great food, great staff, only thing holding them back from 5 stars is the size of the place. No waiting area and very limited dining room.
(4)Cindy L.
My whole family enjoys this restaurant. My boys go there whenever they can. The wait staff are very nice and the breakfast special omelettes are fresh and delicious. My one son loves the corn beef hash and the pancakes are delicious. The boys actually order two breakfasts. Not much dining room space so consider your mood before going.
(5)K T.
Went here for first time on a Thursday morning. Arrived around 9:15 and got table right away. Shortly after every table filled and people waiting. Amazing on weekday morning I thought, until I tried the food. I had cinnamon French toast . It was excellent . Very good coffee and waitress kept my cup filled. I will definitely be back.
(5)Sammi P.
It's not a big place but they do a wonderful job. Our favorite breakfast place around. The owner is so nice and always around. They always have extra items on the blackboards too!!
(5)Andrew K.
Every time I'm back in Rochester, I make it a point to have breakfast or lunch at Downtown cafe. The food has always been delicious. This is the kind of place you can count on for your meal to always be beyond par. Typically if you go during busy times then you have to wait outside, which I can see being terrible in the winter - people usually crowd the inside then. The patio is great when it's nice outside. The owner is always there working and he is very friendly. He has a good eye for help since all of his staff is very friendly as well. 5/5 stars was an easy decision.
(5)Lizzy M.
This is by far my favorite breakfast spot in Rochester! Everything I've had is amazing, but my favorite would have to be the corned beef hash!! The corned beef is homemade which is such a nice change from the canned most places use and the portions are huge. I've never left without a takeout box. The fresh squeezed orange juice is a must have as well. I recommend breakfast, but if you want lunch go for the Turkey Reuben or chicken salad.
(5)Mikki P.
Another favorite. They have the best julienne salad on the pm at (I think it's the dressing). I also love the tuna melt and their fries are yummy.
(5)Kevin S.
Every meal is absolutely delicious. Everything is made from scratch. Love the corned beef hash and herb omelet.
(5)Sweets Custom C.
I love this place. The food is wonderful and there is always something new and different to try. The daily specials are what I usually order and I've never been disappointed. Love the fresh squeezed orange juice. The service is fast and friendly. Doesn't matter what day of the week Ive gone this place is packed. And the tables inside are really tight. I do enjoy eating on the patio in the summer.
(4)Bobbie E.
DownTown Cafe has the market when you want the Best Chicken Salad Corssant sandwich in Rochester. It's packed with Chicken, tomatoes, walnuts, dried cherries, celery, and is served with a side of your choice. YUMMY ! My better half, usually gets the Maurice Salad. Our plates are clean when we are done. If you want some different tasting pancakes, THIS IS THE PLACE ! We haven't found anything on the menu that we haven't liked. The place is small, there is outside seating in nice weather. You may have to wait for a table BUT TRUST ME.......IT'S WORTH THE WAIT!!!!
(5)Kristina L.
I tried the western omelette and it was amazing! The toast is soooo good and the homemade pancakes are too delicious to pass up!!! I tried the blueberry once and wasn't fond of the berries but the plain ones are perfect! When the weather cooperates dining outside is really nice as well.
(5)Tara L.
More like 3.5 stars. I came here on a Friday morning around 9am to meet a client, and the place was not super busy. Probably a total 4-5 other tables filled, and the space itself is not very big. I'd take a gander and say it's about 10-12 tables at most. The decor is vintage and country chic, and has a real homey feel. Since my client had been here before, she pointed out that their specials were the way to go. Her favorite she noted was their creme brulee french toast. When it came out, it looked lovely, though heavy. The portion size was fair, and it came with an ordinary fruit salad. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, as it is one of my favorites. The portion size was decent, but the presentation was sloppy. The hollandaise sauce was too thick and buttery, and drenched over the top of the poached eggs. The eggs, though, were cooked perfectly, and I liked that the ham and English muffin were grilled. As with the french toast, my dish came with a side of fruit salad. Overall, I think the place is worth trying, and I'd love to come back and try any of their omelettes. They sounded pretty good. My Eggs Benedict set me back $8.95, and though it wasn't pricey, it wasn't as light as I'd like for it to be.
(3)Kaitlin Y.
Service is quick, the servers are quite handsome, the food is delicious, and though it's busy in the mornings, everything goes rather smoothly. I would recommend going here for breakfast. I got almond crusted French toast - which wasn't too sweet and the almonds were perfect.
(4)Fadi Q.
I've been there twice and always wants to go back again when I get the chance. I had my friends from Chicago and they were impressed. There are more options in Chicago but they were glad to have breakfast at Downtown Cafe in Rochester Hills MI.
(5)Nadine P.
Absolutely love Downtown Cafe! My entire family does! My favorite is the broccoli cheddar soup! I crave this on a regular basis! Very small restaurant but worth the wait. Go early on Sundays to avoid the churchies.
(5)Randy Y.
Best breakfast in town! The food is always fresh and tasty, and the service is friendly. Prices are a little higher than average, but you get what you pay for. It is a small dining area, though there is additional outdoor seating available when the weather permits.
(5)Taiya S.
There's nothing bad I could say about this little cafe, the food is great, the staff are super friendly and the food is at a reasonable price. There's sometimes a little bit of a wait because the place is so small, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)Diane K.
Good place/food. VERY SMALL! Tables are the size of my dollhouse. But food was well presented and tasty.
(4)Elizabeth D.
We got here every weekend and get an omelette and the Michigan pancakes. They are delicious! The orange juice is fresh squeezed and tastes like Florida bursting in your mouth. The service in impeccable. Nick, one of the waiters, is especially wonderful. I highly recommend Downtown Cafe, it has the best breakfast in Rochester (foodwise) and is very personable and professional service wise.
(5)John L.
The Down Town Cafe' has figured out how to consistently deliver a quality breakfast and lunch experience with a staff that acts as an extension of the owner. "Present, attentive, customer centric" Great Food!
(5)Tiandra D.
My boyfriend and I live in Rochester and we LOVE the Downtown Cafe! They are BY FAR the best Breakfast spot in Rochester. I've never had a bad meal or poor service! Their standard menu is great, but they always have a large variety of daily specials as well. Their different types of pancakes are always AMAZING and like other reviewers have mentioned, their homemade corned beef hash and poached eggs is FANTASTIC!The ONLY complaint I would have about the Downtown Cafe is its size, it's really quite small, which can lead to long waits and tight quarters. Now that it's warmer however, they do offer outdoor patio seating, which is lovely. Worth the drive into Rochester, trust me, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Kimberley S.
I cant say enough good things about this place...The food is so good! The fries are AMAZING! I love the chicken and asparagus croissant, and the french onion soup YUM-O! The ONLY reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the hours. They are only open until 3. I wish it was later, and also the inside is VERY small. But overall the FOOD is worth every penny!
(4)Kate F.
Decent breakfast place. We would come back. However, we both got omelettes and they were both overlooked while also being runny. Very strange. Not a combo that I prefer. Bacon was excellent, coffee was good, service was good. Not a top 10 omelette but definitely not the worst so we will go back.
(3)Grant R.
Went on a Saturday morning and the place was pretty packed. The weather was gorgeous so I didn't mind waiting outside. I got the creme brûlée baked French toast which lived up to but did not exceed my expectations. A solid brunch place but not better than other options closer to royal oak or ferndale.
(4)Mariah H.
This past weekend, my boyfriend and I chose this restaurant at random while visiting Rochester and I am so glad we did! We went on a Sunday around noon, but we were seated quickly despite them being a bit busy. The restaurant itself is very small, but I never felt uncomfortable or overly crowded. I would suggest being prepared for a 10-15 minute wait just in case, given their size. The first day (we ate here 2 days in a row) I ordered their quiche special and he ordered the creme brule French toast. Both were TO DIE FOR. At first I was nervous that my quiche would be small, but when it arrived I was not disappointed. It was about the size of 2 pie slices and came with a side of fresh fruit and an English muffin. It was exactly what I wanted it to be, in that it wasn't too dry or runny, full of flavor and needless to say I was very satisfied at the end of my meal. My boyfriend's french toast was more like a huge piece of creme brulee cake!! HUGE!! It came with a mashed fruit topping (I think raspberry) which complemented the dish really well. I'm not a huge fan of sweet breakfast foods, so his dish would have been a bit much for me to finish, had ordered it myself, but it was delicious nonetheless. Day 1, success. The second day I ordered the eggs florentine and boyfriend ordered the blueberry custard french toast. Again, very nice portion sizes and everything tasted amazing. Towards the end of my meal I found the hollandaise sauce to be sitting kind of heavy in my stomach, which slowed me down a bit, but it was too good to quit!! His French toast was very good, but again a bit too sweet for my liking. However, he enjoyed it very much and for a second I thought he may take a bite out of the plate!! Overall, only good things to say about this place and we will definitely be returning. Staff seemed very friendly, waiters were very polite, kitchen staff would pop out from time to time and they all seemed very friendly as well!!
(5)Erica Y.
Good selection! I had the cinnamon French toast and it was cooked good! Would highly recommend!
(5)Sean O.
Best breakfast in Rochester if not the whole state. Seriously. It's that good. Creme brûlée French toast, pumpkin pancakes in the fall, and Michigan pancakes. Loooong wait on Sunday mornings but definitely worth it
(5)Dan D.
Great food that is not your average breakfast place. Great neighborhood feel. I only wish the place was a little bigger. There is always a wait on the weekends.
(4)Meredith E.
This is the best place in the Rochester area for breakfast! The interior is very small with only a few tables. Therefore there is always a wait. Expect it people. It's worth it! When I see people balk and head to the local coney, I laugh at them. They are missing out on a great breakfast. The service is always fantastic and the owner is in the trenches helping out. When I put my name on the list for a table, he hands me a hot cup of coffee. As for the food... I am addicted to the Michigan pancakes. Everything on the menu, including a few varieties of french toast (like creme brulee) and quiches are fantastic, but I can't stop ordering my pancakes. The Michigan pancakes are baked with apples, walnuts and dried cheeries. So good! The side of bacon adds to the greatness of the meal. I love this place!
(5)Jennifer V.
I absolutely LOVE the carmel baked french toast.. may be the best breakfast I've had. Yesterday we also tried the orange custard french toast. I am a big fan of original items that you can't get elsewhere and this was definitely yummy! On other visits I've tried the omelettes and they are also fantastic! The ONLY flaw is the crowded space and the wait time every weekend. I agree with another reviewer who recommended that they expand. The only thing that stops us from coming more often is not wanting to wait, esp. outside in the cold or hovering over diners while they eat.
(4)Jonathan W.
Good breakfast spot. The french toast was great. My only complaint is get rid of the high fructose ketchup and the fake maple syrup with the aspartame in it. It is pretty common knowledge now how bad that stuff is for us.
(4)Amanda W.
This place is awesome if you have food allergies. We've been eating here fairly regularly for several years and they have always been very accommodating with our crazy orders. They have happily checked ingredients and cooked our food as asked. Not once has our order been wrong, which is truly important when you have food allergies. Highly recommend.
(5)Joanne K.
Excellent breakfast the Carmel French toast is very good as well as the service. Small expect a wait it is worth it though.
(4)Howard N.
Pretty cool breakfast spot with a great menu and specials. How about lemon curd pancakes! Fast service. Only reason it isn't a 5 is because they don't trim the spinach stems for their omelets. Leaving the stems on made it tough and bitter. Looked like it was just a bad choice on my part.
(4)Heidi L.
I live in Rochester for ten years and didn't know there was a great brunch place here! Menu selections are just unique itself. Friendly service. It is always busy whenever I visit but it's worth wait for :)
(5)Lisa W.
Best breakfast! Love this place. It is a small place and there is always a line. Everything I have tried is delicious!
(5)Brandon S.
Had the Corned Beef Hash and Apple Cinnamon pancakes, both fantastic. The corned beef hash is the grown up version of the Loaded Dub from Menna's Joint: the perfect hangover food.
(5)David W.
Very good food. A bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(4)Kimberly M.
Well... Got the cinnamon french toast after reading reviews just how good the french toast was. It was HORRIBLE. Seriously, it was as if they dipped the french toast in batter but didn't bother to cook it. Really soggy. The sausage and hash browns were decent hence why they got 2 stars instead of 1.
(2)Joshua B.
If I rated establishments only by the inspiration and quality of the food, the friendliness of the wait staff, and the reasonableness of prices, five stars wouldn't be enough for Downtown Cafe. They were stellar in all three categories. We visited last Sunday for a late breakfast, and the menu was fantastic. Think the Original Pancake House, but with more inspired culinary inventions beyond the ordinary. Creme brulee french toast, Michigan pancakes (with apple, dried cherries, and walnuts), eggs florentine, tastes for every palate. And for the price (I didn't see anything on the menu over $10), the portions were very generous. To earn a fifth overall star, I would recommend to the owners that they buy out the Hungry Howie's next door and expand. First, there's no need for a chain pizza place to have a downtown, Main st. storefront, and the Downtown Cafe is just too darn tightly packed. This is exacerbated by the bad winter weather, which leads those waiting for a table to crowd around those already eating, or to have to wait in the hallway by the restrooms. This congestion is a real problem. I'd also suggest a side menu for kids. My two girls don't go beyond the basics for breakfast, so we likely would seek another restaurant if they were with us. It might be by design, however, as a place this small would be highly disrupted by noisy children. Overall a fine performance, and the path to five stars is likely a long-term proposition. We will likely be back on weekend mornings when the kids are with Grandma, and we'll also probably show up closer to noon, as that's when it appears the waiting list becomes more reasonable.
(4)Marie S.
Am I a fan of this place? YES! After my 3rd visit here I'm sold. Eggs benedict is usually what I order as I'm not a fan of thick pancakes. I grew up eating palascinta (aka thin rolled up pancakes) for breakfast - so I prefer thin pancakes over thicker ones. BUT today I bit the bullet and ordered the Michigan pancakes with cherries, apples & walnuts. YUMMMMM I think they were cooked on a cast iron skillet, and pancakes cooked in these pans are fantastic no matter what you do. I guess more thick pancakes are in my future!
(5)Brent R.
If you live in the Rochester Hills area or bike/walk the Paint Creek Trail, there is nothing better than a leisurely ride with a stop-off at Downtown Cafe for brunch on a lazy Sunday. Try to eat outside on a nice day, its worth the wait even with Main Street car traffic. I saw this place while driving down Main Street a couple times in the past but thought nothing of it until I read the glowing reviews here on yelp. We were so impressed that we found a solid brunch option we could bike to right off the trail, we decided to try it out the next day (just so happened to be a Sunday). After putting our names down for a table, we hung out for about 5 minutes before we were able to get a table outside. We were seated and we both had the fresh squeezed OJ, very good. I ordered the corned beef hash since I had read good things about it, it is now my favorite corned beef hash ever. Instead of hashbrowns they use thinly seasoned sliced potatoes and onions. I am a huge hashbrown fan but I didn't miss it in this dish like I thought I would, the potatoes mixed with the house-made corned beef make this a MUST GET. Even the poached eggs were perfect on top...It will be hard for me to come back to Downtown Cafe and not get this. My wife had a similar experience as well, she got the spinach, asparagus, mushroom and swiss omelette, and the few bites I had of it, were very good. I am thinking this will be my go-to Sunday brunch spot, you should give it a try as well, I think you will like it.
(5)Randy T.
This is a great little spot in downtown Rochester. It's only open for breakfast or lunch, so go early. Nothing on the menu seems to disappoint. For breakfast, everything is handmade and super fresh. Muffins, breads, etc... all taste like they just made them. This time around we had lunch. Anyone who knows Philly Cheesesteaks knows it's all about the rolls, and this place does not disappoint!! You are guaranteed a great meal with fast, friendly service every time!! Love it!
(5)April J.
Best breakfast in downtown Rochester. I love that you can get amazing stuffed french toast or opt for one of their more healthier options (egg white omelets, oatmeal, quiche) . This place is a crowd pleaser. It's a little place, so don't expect to be able to bring a really large group, but my husband and I have never had to wait for a table long. I also love that they have specials that change daily. Overall, this place has really quality food and nothing tastes pre-made or processed.
(4)Ron B.
My wife and I are new to the area so I checked Yelp for breakfast/brunch places. The reveiws here are mostly stellar so we tried it yesterday. The good things about Dowtown Cafe: Great friendly staff Wonderful French Toast bake with Berries.WOW Other guests very friendly The bad things about Downtown Cafe The corn beef hash is the worst we have ever had American fries instead of hash browns...just our preference $26.00 for breakfast is pretty expensive unless you are at a top hotel Could not unzip our coats because the restaurant is so small that ....when someone came in and out, the entire place became frigid for several minutes Parking is a nightmare My wife will return for the dish above but I will not
(2)Emily B.
This place gets five stars for being well-above-average for what it is: a homey, modest, and inexpensive breakfast/lunch spot (NOT a fine-dining establishment). Service is super attentive and very friendly, the vibe is cozy and laid-back, the prices are very fair, and the food (breakfast, lunch, and brunch items) is great and seems to be almost entirely from-scratch. Mouth-watering specials are listed on the white-board above the service station, so be sure not to miss them. I've never been disappointed here.
(5)Jae C.
best breakfast in the area. a little pricy but worth it. they have the best corned beef hash here (with the poached eggs). every time i go, i want to try more of their menu but i can't pass on the CBH. the wife always tries something different and seems to enjoy them. raspberry stuffed french toast and spinach, asparagus, swiss cheese omelette seem to be her 2 favorite.
(5)Marc C.
In town for work at Crittenton Medical Center and found this terrific little place for breakfast. Food was extremely fresh and the service and staff could not be more pleasant. After reading a few of the press clippings on the wall, it's nice to see that the owner of Downtown Cafe still shows up for work even after receiving rave reviews years back. Hash and eggs were exceptional, nothing out of a can at this place! Would definitely recommend.
(4)Chris M.
What an absolutely AMAZING little place. I was recommended to here by my mom, who goes about monthly. I was staying at a friends place in Rochester, right off downtown and we decided, after a hefty night of drinking, we needed some food. We were QUICKLY seated, as well as greeted by not just our waitress, but the owner himself. He told us if we needed anything out of the ordinary, to let him know. We just needed food really. I had an omelette, I think the farmers omelette, and my friend had a sandwich that was absolutely spectacular. Service was stupidly attentive, food came out amazingly quick, and the food itself.. well, it was great. Huge portions and you could tell they had a passion for making food. The restaurant itself is pretty cozy, but very much welcoming and clean. It has the feel of a small town cafe/dinner, with more elegant choices and better service. Overall... I can't wait to chow down here again. An absolute great find for when you're in Rochester for breakfast/early lunch.
(5)Soph. M.
I've lived in Rochester for 7 years and have never been here. Such a cute place, has lots of charm and great food. I've been here 3 times now and I love it! I must admit I've only had their breakfast, but its been great. Every time I go, i check my schedule on when I can make time to go back! delicious!
(5)Natalie p.
I love this tiny little place! I have actually never been here and not have to wait for a table! Esp on the weekends! but i dont mind! i love the broccolic cheese soup and the turkey ruben! the outdoor seating is nice too! No pets allowed tho :(
(4)Cma W.
So good! My husband and I were visiting from California and my Father and Step Mom took us there. They raved about the food, and they were right! Absolutely delicious and fresh. My Dad was telling us that the owner is true professional chef. They said they have never had anything there that wasn't excellent and I believe it. I had the broccoli soup and I split half a reuben and half a chicken wrap. Delicious! I only wish we could go more often! Definitely will go there on our next visit.
(5)Nathan S.
I'll preface this by stating that I have only been here twice. The people that run it/work it are great, love 'em. The coffee is excellent and the food can be hit or miss ( omelets can be bland, corned beef hash is friggin' awesome) but if you stick to the dry erase board above the counter you win. The Muzak must stop, however. Seriously, aren't they pretty much giving satellite radio away now? The elevator music that is way too audible actually flavors the food, my ears pucker as if sucking on a lemony saxophone played by cheese. Easiest fix? Sit outside if possible.
(3)Laura H.
Fantastic!! We went super early today as I have read they get pretty busy. It's a small place with seating outside as well. The food was great.....definitely fresh and homemade. The service was great and I can't wait to go back again. Plenty of parking in the back.
(5)Grace L.
The dill, havarti, and tomato omelet is my favorite item on their specials menu. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the quality of the food is consistently great. It's even worth sitting at the table in front of the door during the winter to enjoy breakfast at Downtown Cafe.
(5)Shannon S.
Great local breakfast place in downtown Rochester Hills. I had the pancakes and my husband had the farmers omelet both of them were very good and very filling. The service was quick and friendly. We sat outside and it was nice even though it right up against the busy street. For everything we paid about $22 which isn't bad considering how much food you get. When my mother in law comes in the fall we plan on taking her there. Support someone local and try them out they are worth it!
(5)Brian C.
BLT, chicken noodle soup. GOOD. Wife had French Dip, French Onion Soup. Excellent she said. Nice little cafe.
(4)Bess R.
Cute breakfast spot, especially when you can sit outside. Very tiny. Food was good, but pretty standard. Will probably go back for bfast or brunch.
(3)Vanessa W.
I just found this cafe and I have to say its fantastic. The food is exactly the type of homemade, high quality, ungreasy breakfast food I look for. I had one pumpkin pancake and one gingerbread pancake with sausage and a great cup of coffee on a snowy cold day. It completely hit the spot. My dining companion had the corned beef hash which was delicious. I'm looking forward to many meals here. On the minor downside, the place is small so get ready for a bit of a wait, but the friendliness of the staff more than makes up for any wait.
(5)Molly M.
Average.
(3)Kelly E.
Came on recommendation of a friend. Michigan pancakes were fantastic. Service great, juice fresh.
(5)Lindsay S.
There food is always amazing! The staff is very attentive and helpful. Try either their omlettes or their pancakes. The only issue I have with this restaurant is that I always seem to over eat because the food is super tasty.
(5)Alesha B.
I love, love, love this place! It's small and always busy but I don't mind waiting 15 minutes to sit outside and have an awesome breakfast. I usually order the omelette of the day and my boyfriend orders the Michigan pancakes which have apples, walnuts, and cherries. The service is great and the food comes out fast and tastes homemade!
(5)Heather K.
Excellent breakfast stop. Very quaint and cozy. The food is top notch and in my opinion tastes authentic and homemade. I've never had a bad experience here and I've been here countless times. There's a wait during peak times, but it's well worth it!
(5)Shannon D.
Our favorite breakfast destination! We love the fresh orange juice and German Apple Pancakes! Worth the wait!
(5)Karen R.
My husband and I took our 2 kids here for breakfast on a Thursday morning, thinking it would be less crowded than on a weekend. The place was packed. As we waited for a table, more people were coming in. The waiter/waitress/owner did not say one word to us, yet walked by us numerous times. After waiting about 15 minutes, the owner took the 2 people behind us in line & gave them a table that could have easily sat the 4 of us. We waited for another 10 minutes without getting a table & the left due to hungry kids. My sister & I have been there twice before, having a great breakfast, but only fair lunch. The staff, especially the owner, need to be more friendly & customer focused - which is top priority in the food service business.
(2)damian a.
One of our favorite breakfast places. REAL corned beef hash. Michigan pancakes. Creme brulee french toast. Great service, and even a small patio for the warmer months. Expect to wait on the weekends because it's tiny and popular.
(5)Mark C.
Great for Breakfast! Try the specials - just as other reviews have said, Michigan pancakes, Portobella omelet, etc. Very reasonable pricing, attentive service. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is best. So good, expect a wait (you can drive by and gage the wait by the number of people standing inside or outside the door). Bonus trivia - when the building was being remodeled, the former fascia was exposed - the building used to be a Studebaker dealership.
(5)Todd S.
Great gem of a place, very unassuming but the food is top knotch, particularly for breakfast. Also has the best turkey burger I've had, and it is hard to find a fresh ground turkey burger, most places just use frozen junk.
(5)Amya S.
By far the best onion soup I have eaten. The thyme really kicks it up a notch. I'm sure the owner has been told this countless times, but it would be so nice if he expanded. The wait times here weren't horrible, but they were long enough to inspire me to pick a different place for breakfast.
(4)Emily B.
Great breakfast place with lots of creative breakfasts and a comfortable atmosphere. Someone tipped me off to this place after I had lived in Rochester for almost three years and was complaining about not having a good breakfast joint and I haven't looked back since. It doesn't look like much from the outside but it's worth the visit. You will be glad you came.
(5)Neil T.
This is an awesome spot in Rochester. Great service, even though it's a tight fit in the restaurant. I had the french toast, and it was superb. A great menu...don't go there if you're in a rush because 1) you'll wait for a table since it's small and BUSY and 2) you'll want to savor your meal!
(4)