I really like the location of this place. Decent parking and close to downtown. But I generally dislike restaurants that make you wait in line instead of just hiring someone to take orders. But that's just me. If you get here during a rush period, add 30 minutes to your trip. I ordered a turkey club sandwich. It was nice - came on sourdough ciabatta. My lunch mate ordered a salad or something - I know, I don't know why people order those either. The food was to us in a reasonable amount of time. One thing I think they could improve on is that everything in my sandwich was cold - even the bacon. It had been in the fridge. Why not make a hot sandwich? All these places microwave anyway. Why mess up an opportunity for a really good sandwich?
(4)
Kim F.
So incredibly slow service, snippy cashier, out of turkey (11am), horrible salmon blt- too fishy to even eat. No apology or even acknowledgement of SLOW service. I'm pretty sure the server didn't even put my order in until everyone else was served, one plate had to be taken back ... And, oh yeah, you're still waiting for your sandwich. Never again
(1)
Caroline W.
I have been a frequent customer at this location since it opened (used to live a few blocks away). My recent two visits in one week were lacking. The first visit was for a breakfast. At least service was adequate, but my scramble with sausage was simply meh. Kind of dry. Worse than something I could make at home. My second visit of the week was for dinner with a party of three. A short time after ordering, one in our party received her salmon blt. Almost half an hour later, the two other orders and a side salad were nowhere to be seen. After going to the counter to inquire, I was told they would be right out. Because the kitchen is open, I see that they have been sitting in a warming oven for the last 20 minutes. Our soggy food is now finally delivered. Vegetables in both the fettuccini and polenta are ruined, greasy, and soggy. The side green salad is so drenched in dressing and even more soggy that it's inedible. Because the restaurant has an order (AND TIP) at the counter process, I've already tipped generously for horrible food and nobody follows up to ask if it's ok. I didn't have time to deal with sending it back and had a very hungry teen with me, so we ate what we could of the food. I'm very disappointed with this location and will rethink my go-to cafe. It wasn't even very busy the night we had dinner, so things seem to have slipped significantly. While waiting for our food, I also watched someone pick up a to-go order, then come back later for a missing part of the order (which was given in an oil soaked to-go box). At least that patron was given a free cookie for her trouble.
(1)
Nate M.
So I had the Artichoke Marinated Chicken- Description Below: Cabbage and radish slaw, roasted green chile mayonnaise And I was mildly impressed. Typically chicken sandwiches are dry and tasteless, but this one restored my hope in ordering chicken sandwiches at restaurants again. Otherwise the cafe is nice with a good vibe and friendly staff.
(3)
Tracy P.
It was ok! I have never heard of this place and come to find out there are 3 of them! My friend asked me to meet him here after my 5k & I was excited to try something new. I was taken aback by the order 1st then sit down style - not my favorite - tipping is always awkward. I love me some biscuits & gravy so my friend indulged me by sharing a plate along with our orders. My egg scramble was pretty good - needed tapatio and none was to be found :( The smoky mozzarella was definitely smoky! My friend's french toast was pretty good ..... Overall I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be.
(4)
Jamie S.
Stopped by here at about 1pm on a Sunday. They have a limited lunch menu when brunch is being served so I couldn't get the black bean burger. I ordered the small thai chicken noodle salad for. $5.75. It was huge! Thin noodles mixed with shredded chicken in a peanut dressing...yum! They have a dog friendly patio and brought out a bowl of water and some treats for the dogs. Overall the place had a really friendly vibe.
(4)
Alex L.
I've always been a frequent customer and cheerleader for Cafe Bernardo, so it pains me to drop them a star. Why? Consistently slow lunch service, especially for take-out orders. I'll use my most recent visit as an example. I popped in about 12:30, stood in a line behind two other people and ordered up a turkey burger and mixed green salad (one of the best turkey burgers in town, by the way). I sat down and waited. And waited. Exactly 28 minutes later, and just as I approached the counter to cancel my order and leave, my food came out. Was the restaurant terribly busy? No. Judging from the looks of patrons at neighboring tables with phones in their hands and purses still over their shoulders, I wasn't the only one waiting either. I'm sure they know that speed is the key when you don't have time to eat there. This is the latest example of a pattern that may keep me from lunch here in the future. The only justification I can see for this is that they are a "sit-down" restaurant who values their eat-in customers first, but speaking for myself and the four or five others waiting for to-go orders that day, their priorities need to shift.
(3)
David F.
Nope. Not again. I've given this place multiple chances. From soggy tortillas on a embarrasing rendition of a chilaquiles to $3 for a cup of coffee! This place is fired! Last straw was today. I'm about the least pickiest eater ever and I never yelp but this has to stop. I had an avocado o.lette and about puked. Brown avocado and an unwelcoming amount of Swiss cheese in a dry egg. The potatoes tasted like soap. This place is fired in my world. The hype is gone on to long Bernardo. Pack your s!%ff!
(1)
Megan M.
Just had breakfast here the other morning. I'm a bit of a spaz in the morning... definitely the type that takes a while to wake up, but the staff at the counter didn't miss a beat. Friendly and accommodating as I switched and added to my order. We sat in a window table in the corner which was nice and quiet but still allowed us to people watch. Our food came out in perfect timing and everything was delicious. Loved everything!
(5)
Crystal C.
I would describe Cafe Bernardo as adequate. The employees are generally nice, and you will see some interesting menu items that put them just above "just another American food place". We came here for breakfast one weekend. I ordered the fennel, asparagus, and goat cheese omelet. They reinforced my belief that no one knows how to make a damn omelet anymore by doing that thing where they cooked the ingredients separately and cooked the unseasoned eggs as one big bland egg pancake, then folded it in half with the ingredients inside and called it an omelet. No, it's an egg taco. And it is gross. I wouldn't order it again, but might come back for a sandwich or salad if I'm nearby and hungry.
(3)
Amber M.
Absolutely love this place! My boyfriend and I recently moved to midtown and we decided to walk over yesterday, and try it out. He ordered the 2 egg breakfast & I got the squash frittata. I would recommend both! Their coffee is excellent as well, free refills. Everyone was very nice & accommodating. They have a nice porch, perfect for summer mornings. Also, you can bring your dog(s) and sit outside. They have water dishes for them. We loved this place so much, we even came back this morning!
(5)
Olla U.
Cafe Bernardo has been my favorite restaurant for lunch for many many years. From the high quality ingredients, perfectly executed dishes, to the casual and friendly atmosphere and very sweet staff I have not yet found a place that tops Bernardo. I was here today to join my fiance for a working lunch. We had our favorite Thai Chicken Noodle Salad. If you get one thing here ever, this is the one. I've heard that the process to make this salad is painstaking and tedious and it shows. Its essentially perfect: a little tangy, great ratio of noodle to chicken to produce, slight crunch with the peanuts and a very good portion. We also got the bean and bacon soup (the du jour) it was not mindblowing but it did the job: chili-like with a swirl of sour cream and a little tortilla slivers on the top. We also got the flank steak medium rare with fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Everything on that plate was sigh-able, but the broccolini was out-of-control. Again, well excecuted with a little crunch a little salt and slightly buttery. Finally, we sat at the bar (Monkey Bar) and had a really nice easy convo with the bartender, Joe. It's one thing to just enjoy your company but what makes Bernardo my favorite are the people that work there. Thanks guys!
(5)
Cassandra S.
We found this cute little joint when we were driving by. Great outdoor seating and it's on a quietish street. The Benedict was fresh and flavorful with a rosemary bread to die for. Breakfast Sammie was like a 2.5. Fresh and great cheese but as a whole it didn't has much flavor. Bacon was cooked to perfection. We kinda got forgotten with the most important part... the mimosas and ketchup. Both are must haves for a decent breakfast. We would come back again though.
(3)
Ariana V.
I dig. Came in and ordered at the front. I thought it was priced alright for the quality of food. It wasn't too expensive, and I thought my meal tasted great. My favorite was the jam on the bread. I normally don't eat the bread or like jam, but I really enjoyed this. The coffee was good. The scramble was tasty although it didn't blow my mind -- nevertheless, still good quality food. Staff could have been more friendly, but it was alright -- a smile here or a hello, can I help you with anything? would have made me feel more welcome. It wasn't bad though at all, it just would have made it a more pleasant experience :)
(4)
Jay K.
The food is meh and it took a full 30 minutes for my order to come out. Unless you're out for a leisurely lunch, you would do better to go to one of the many other places within a couple blocks of here.
(2)
Serena R.
My favorite Cafe B. First off - connected to Monkey Bar- which I love (fantastic HH) Its never TOO packed, even Saturday brunches. Grab a table before going in line to order. Try the Kale Caesar with Chicken - it's amazing! I also enjoy the black bean and turkey burgers. It's really cute outside and inside, which makes a it a great spot to go if your are in a bind for a place to eat last minute or have family or something in town and you don't want to spend hella cash. Cashiers are really nice, last time I went, I talked to the cashier about my dress which moved on to a convo about clothes for a few minutes. . .nice people . . especially when they aren't busy. I come here way often now after discovering how close I work and live from here. . .its too easy :)
(4)
Julie W.
Cafe Bernardo has been one of my family's "go to" breakfast spots for years. Their menu is wonderfully diverse making it a great place to bring guests, and their quality is fairly consistent with only an occasional slip. However, because I am a fan, I feel compelled to critize a more recent addition to the breakfast menu: The Croque Madam I had today was fairly tasteless and seemed to be missing any cheese (a main ingredient). The eggs were over cooked, so the yolk couldn't help add flavor. I had to resort to lemon wedges and Cholula. If you want to know what a tasty one might be like (minus the egg) go try a Croque Monsieur at Cafe Rolle. Back to the drawing board Cafe Bernardo! There are recipes and how-to videos online.
(4)
Randy O.
Good food! I ordered the two egg breakfast with their homemade turkey sausage patty and it was great. I also ordered the scone which happened to be peaches and cream. Best one I have ever had. I guess that could be because I don't eat them much. Either way place was great and hit the spot.
(5)
Mandy H.
I came here on a Saturday afternoon at 1:02 pm. Which means I literally just missed the brunch cut off time, which I was a bit disappointed about. I was really looking forward to trying their Huevos Rancheros, but maybe next time. I had their Salmon BLT, which was absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend it! The reason I'm only giving this place three stars is because the atmosphere there could use some improvement. I love the fact that they allow dogs in their patio, they even provide dog bowls for them. However, there was this one particular group of people with a very loud German Shepard. Now, don't get me wrong, this shouldn't be Cafe Bernardo's fault that a customer's dog is being disruptive, but I didn't agree with one of the workers giving bacon to the dog to reinforce the dog's bad behavior. In addition, there were kids running around in the Patio, and since the tables are paired fairly close to each other, I was a bit worried that he'd run into a table or a server while they were bringing out food. It became really difficult to have a conversation with my friend let alone enjoy a peaceful lunch. Overall, I thought the food was good, but maybe I'll choose to sit inside next time in hopes to avoid the chaos.
(3)
Aja N.
This is an excellent little farm to table restaurant. Everything that was ordered came out great! I had the black bean burger abs salad, which was awesome. I'd like to go back and try the trio salad. Everything was so good including the high quality food and service! Three thumbs up!!
(5)
Joanna C.
I got the honey lemonade and black bean burger with sweet potato fries! So tasty and not oily at all! I loved the service and the restaurant was very bright and sunny!
(4)
Jennifer Y.
i LOOOoooovvvve Cafe Bernardo on Capital Ave. The salad sampler is my happy plate. Chopped salad + the Mushroom Jarlsburg. And a cupcake for desert. Yes!
(5)
John W.
I was a at the bar Wednesday around happy hour and the service was outstanding. Keep it up!!!!
(5)
Dana C.
I'm a fan of the food from Cafe Bernardo. This review isn't really for their service because our team often orders food from the bar side (Monkey Bar) and it's brought by the bartender. As for the food... YUM! I love their salad sampler, it's seriously sooo good! You can choose 2 or 3 selections from their designated menu and let me tell you... you will not be disappointed! I had the 3 salad sampler... Thai noodle salad, strawberry arugula, and mushroom with shaved cheese. It we perfect and the serving size was large for a salad. You can order a 2 salad sampler but I LOVE trying 3 different salads. Not a bad choice for food and service is always good. You likely won't be disappointed.
(4)
Robert A.
The dining experience here was fine, but the food was mediocre. Mushroom melt: Roasted garlic overpowered everything else; greens doesn't mesh well Salmon BLT: Fish was cooked well but the bacon dominated the flavor of the whole sandwich; unremarkable
(3)
Jen O.
Came for breakfast. Had to send back cold potatoes, and then send back a hard & burnt waffle. The cashier was super friendly & gladly refunded our money, but the food at this location is sub-par. We used to really love this place, but the food quality has gone down significantly in recent months.
(2)
Koko M.
Love this place for every time of day! Great location to hang with small groups for a bit. Do wish their outside seating was bigger and the cups were larger for that honey lemonade goodness. Have had many breakfasts, lunches and dinners here and every plate has been impeccable. Definitely recommend stopping in if you're in the area and hungry. Staff is super warm and friendly and if they aren't speak up.. they're people too. ;)
(4)
Shumai P.
Great breakfast spot in midtown Sacramento. Outside seating available if you wanna take your dogs. French toast is amazing.
(4)
Krystal L.
I liked this place! It was cute and small and plenty of seating outside and inside. When I went in it was pretty busy. I saw a pretty harsh review previously but had to give it a shot myself. The chorizo dish was amazing and I loved how they cooked the beans I believe it was black beans which I never had with chorizo and eggs. So get this: this is sort of a self serve place. You go up to the cashier you order and take a card that looks like a huge playing card (queen of hearts, 9 red diamond etc.) and you place it on the table and they bring the food to you, after that they'll go ahead and ask if you need refills or such. I can understand how it can be misunderstood. Anyway food... Yum! I went by myself, took a nice stroll from my house and got the chorizo plate. Perfect portion for me I think. I was starving and it was cooked to perfection. There was a bit of a line but they got an interesting selection and a good menu! I'll go back again! I'm haven't tried the other by R but this one is delicious!
(4)
Ashley N.
This is by far my favorite Cafe Bernardo location. If you are looking for an ideal brunch setting, this is your place. Be sure to snag a table on the pretty, tree lined patio. You order at the counter, and food always comes out in a very timely fashion even when they are busy. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Food is delicious. I'm a huge fan of the Bernardo Benedict, and the Thai Noodle Salad is an absolute must have! They also make killer seasonal homemade soups. All of the menu offerings are affordable and great quality for the price. Cafe Bernardo must be doing something right to have 3 successful locations all within the midtown/downtown area. I'll be back on my next hangover Sunday. Which will probably be this Sunday. Don't judge.
(5)
Harold N.
Loving midtown, I like to eat in the area quite a bit. Cafe Bernardo has been around a long time and is one of several restaurants by a local restaurantur...a successful one at that. Overall the Food is good, Amaretto French Toast is awesome (my favorite French Toast anywhere) with the rest of the breakfast fare good. Coffee is ok, not great but I like my coffee very strong and most places water it down to much for me. They can make some strong stuff and other fancy coffee's if you like. Parking, not so good but to be expected. There is a garage nearby and street parking if you can find it. Sunday mornings...no parking anywhere nearby until noon. I go here for the French Toast more than anything. Summers are nicer than winters as the outdoor seating is more of the midtown feeling I enjoy.
(4)
Jamie D.
My favorite of the three locations. Never too crowded. Good amount of seating with a nice patio option. You order and pay at the counter and they bring the food to your table. Large menu and beer selection. I was lucky to enjoy a burger and beer special on one visit. The burger was a traditional burger with bacon and a fried egg. Delicious! The next time I came in, I had an egg added to one of their regular menu burgers. My customization got pricey, but the burger didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, the burger does not come with fries or a salad. Cafe Bernardo's yummy food comes at a slightly high price.
(4)
Veronica S.
Usually our lunch is fairing good from here but today they decided to not put in the salmon into the salmon BLT. Not impressed. It was take out so we can't do anything about it. Not impressed!!!
(1)
McKenzie M.
I don't get why this place was recommended to me. It's boring. It's dull. The scones have that sour after flavor from too much baking soda. The breakfast potatoes are just flabby. I had one salad in their sampler that was just raw mushrooms and cheese. The black bean burger is mushy and the eggs lacked any seasoning. Everything tastes exactly as it looks, without any surprises or anything to make me want to take another bite. Talk about uninspired. It's not that it's bad. It's just that it isn't good, and there better places to spend your money.
(2)
Catherine F.
This is the second location I've been to. There are a lot of options (especially in the salad department) so ordering up at the counter can be stressful if you tend to be indecisive like I am. I was feeling salad so I decided to order the sampler. I got the chopped and Thai noodle salads both with the dressings on the side. I also got the strawberry rhubarb cupcake. The servers were so nice and friendly. They have a nice outdoor patio. In combination with the inside, there's plenty of seating. The salad portions were huge and delicious! The cupcake wasn't that great. I LOvE rhubarb so I was excited to try it. The frosting just tasted like powdered sugar and had a very perfume-like aftertaste. stick to the cookies instead! Overall the food is good and the prices are decent for midtown. Great service!
(5)
Dee O.
I had the eggs Benedict here... Let me tell you it sucks... They serve it on sour dough bread that is not crunchy and has a thin piece of ham like you get a grocery store .... Very disappointed I give it 2 stars.... But the burgers deserve for 4.5 stars they are pretty awesome... But since I only order the eggs Benedict 2 is what I'm giving them for today
(2)
Raquel R.
Love this place! Ordered fritatta and felt the eggs were over done and it had chard stems throughout it that were inedible. However the overall flavor and the sauce it comes with was incredible! When asked if I wanted a box I said no thanks because it wasn't worth saving and the server showed care and concern, apologized and offered me eggs or a pastry which made me really, really happy and I gladly accepted a pastry because I had already been eyeing then and they looked delicious! My boyfriend had the waffle and it was great. Highly recommend this place, one of the best in Sac, hands down!!
(5)
claudia j.
It's a cute spot, pleasant ambiance. Very warm and inviting. I ordered their hot chocolate, absolutely delicious. It was served in a large cup with no handles (love the cup, lol....need to find one for my place). I also ordered their two egg breakfast (over easy), came with buttered toast, jam on side plus I got bacon. I would've given them more 4 stars, but they served me burnt bacon, you're charging extra for it (which I don't mind) but don't serve it burnt (the Bacon Gods would not be pleased). The service was laid back and friendly. Added bonus they have free-wifi, would return If I was back in the neighborhood.
(3)
Salena C.
A quaint cafe with excellent food. Turkey sandwich is served with maple mustard which I sub for Dijon. The salad options are both yummy and on trend. The staff is efficient and friendly. The pace at lunch time is brisk. You will frequently hear "I can take whose next or whomever is ready". The house made lemonade with honey is the best I've ever had. There are rotating desserts offered and I'd advise trying one if their delicious cupcakes or slices of cake. There is plenty of patio seating which is a nice reprieve from the hospital buzz. There is a bar attached to the cafe via a hallway and you are welcome to sit on either side of the establishment.
(4)
Cathy S.
Dog friendly outdoor patio! Our server brought dog a bowl of water and then I got my eggs Benedict on sour dough. What (great) service! Love the coffee here. You can help yourself to refills. Walk up, decide which yummy bite you want to order, take your number to a table, then relax and enjoy. I love sipping coffee, chatting, and just enjoying the morning. Before I know it, Wha La! breakfast is served. Good for groups, dogs, or just plain anyone. Generally no trouble finding a table (especially because you can sit in booths between there and Monkey bar- as well as the outside patio). Casual good food. Also my dog loves Bernardo because he gets to come along when we eat here!
(4)
Janysha J.
Amazing mac and cheese and fries! The staff is always super nice and the environment is super chill.
The service at this restaurant is exceptional. The food is great too. Love the outdoor patio (and double bonus points for allowing dogs and staff being so welcoming and such dog lovers). I have been here several times and never had something off the menu that I didn't really enjoy. Today we had lunch here and something happened with my husbands order where it got missed by the kitchen staff. The staff felt it took much too long for our food to arrive because of this (we were dining with old friends and were deep in conversation so we didn't really notice) we had 3 different staff members come to apologize for the delay, ask if they could bring us anything while we waited and refunded our entire meal... None of which we asked for. They just felt the wait was not up to their standards and it would be ridiculous for us to pay for the meal. I really appreciated the above and beyond service and feel we get that every time we dine there. Highly recommend this spot :) Ps our dog loves the homemade dog biscuits they give you for free and water dishes :)
(5)
Jovany E.
This place has grown on me. They have a few dishes that I stick to; the bahn mi sandwich, the noodle salad, their burgers, and their ham and cheese sandwich. This restaurant is cafeteria style, so it works well for large groups (except they don't take reservations so you have to corral your own seats).
(4)
Maria K.
I come here often for lunch during the week and always love the food. I ordered something new this time which was their New Potato pizza with substitution of bacon for portobella mushrooms. The pizza came out fast but I didn't see any potatoes on it which I didn't even mind at all but the waiter insisted on taking it back to remake it which I was okay with because my co-workers food wasn't out yet anyway. The manager then comes up and gives me a refund! I was not mad or had any issues with the mix up yet they still apologized and gave me a refund. It was great to see such great customer service for someone who was not making a scene whatsoever. Love this place!
(5)
Rob B.
It's good, for Sacramento I had no complaints, and the service was friendly. Coffee drinks were fairly good, food was good not great. It was as expected, reasonably priced, and fine.
(3)
Tizzy P.
We've walked out of here at least five times because they're no longer serving breakfast on a weekend at exactly 1pm (or sometimes a few minutes early). Today we watched the people in front of us order breakfast and were told we couldn't. Oh well, more buisness for Ink!
(2)
Hannah L.
We live really close to CB, and have already been three times since we moved here a couple months ago! I love how they have seasonal items on the menu. The butternut squash pizza and Asian noodles were both delicious!! I also tried the banh mi, it was tasty but way to dry for me. The eggs Benedict were a little disappointing because my eggs were way overcooked and I think they were a little stingy with the sauce. Overall, this is a place I'll come again and again. They even bring water bowls and treats for your dog:)
(4)
Rebecca C.
Their breakfast items are all worth trying - love every one of them! What makes the experience, though, is the coffee - lattes and mochas in a bowl, sign me up!
(4)
Susanne L.
Always great food. No need to say more!
(5)
Sara W.
Here's your average, ho-hum review. Food was decent, yet somewhat overpriced. The cashier was short with us, so I attribute that to rudeness. The server was very polite and quick with the food and utensils. The jalapeño burger was good but not spicy. The mixed greens salad deserved more blue cheese. I may give this place another chance for breakfast.
(3)
Michelle F.
Went to Cafe Bernardo for a late breakfast. I was surprised the line was out the door, but it did move fairly fast and it gave me enough time to decide what I wanted. You place your order at the counter and you get a table number, and you pick where you want to sit. I like the casual setting, and outdoor seating area. We ordered the Bernardo breakfast burrito which was pretty tasty. I love the bits of cilantro that stand out with the black beans. And we also ordered the Bernardo Benedict which was awesome. My favorite. The hollandaise sauce wasn't too rich, but still distinct in flavor. I substituted ham for bacon. Can't have enough bacon right?! The best part was the toast it was served on. It was a rosemary bread. Mmmmm. The service was quick and simple, casual overall. The staff was really nice and helpful. One of the counter people even recommended a hangover cure: slushies- need to try that out! But they don't have slushies on the menu. Darn! The potatoes they serve with breakfast seem to be tasty little sponges for hangovers too. I didn't like having up walk to "monkey bar" the affiliated business next door for the restroom, but it is what it is.
(4)
Mark M.
Consider this a great go-to place to sneak in for a bite of something wonderful. Definitely several steps above any fast food joint, but you'll pay a little more for it, too. Menu has breakfast, lunch, dinner items -- all very good. Favs are Salad Sampler that allows three salads on one plate. Asian Noodle, Chop and Garden will blow your mind, and cost you about $12. Breakfast options are exceptional and if you can'f find something, you're not hungry so go back home and sleep. Fridays at noon are very busy (show up at 11:45 and you're good). Limited seating, but I have yet to not find a seat in the 25 times I've been there. Staff is quiet, respectful, friendly. Look for Earvin behind the counter and Issac, the chef. I know it's a good day when they are in the house. Opens at 7A. If you are a regular, ask about the points program which can save you some coin down the line.
(5)
Amanda K.
I want to give a 3.5 here but I'm rounding up because, well I must keep going back for a reason. My absolute favorite for breakfast their chili quiles....I dream about them. This restaurant is a bit different though, you order and pay at the counter before you get your food. I've tried a few things on their menu all have so far been great... So don't be afraid to explore. Ive only had bad service one time, but they were extremely busy so I gave them a break here. The "servers" only half pay attention to you, because they aren't really waiters or waitresses...I guess. (I'm not sure about proper etiquette for tipping here since they all appear to just be food runners so bring cash and decide for your self.) With that said I've frequent this place so you should too!
(4)
Sara E.
Good brunch, the waitress was really cool about a group of us hanging out for awhile & the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. My husband & I shared pancakes, sausage & eggs; all were wonderful. One of my favorite places for brunch!
(4)
Bob F.
Just spent $6 for the "fruit bowl," which consisted of half an apple and a dollop of yogurt. This is a travesty.
(1)
Arja L.
So accommodating to my weird vegetarian breakfast ordering habit: eggs benedict, minus the eggs and ham, plus spinach, tomato and avo (they forgot the avo tho!) Very Crepes On Cole-esque, Squat N Gobble type atmosphere/ordering system. Order at the counter off of chalk board menu, find ur own seating, they give you a # and bring the food to you. Great people and dog watching (dogs r allowed). Everyone there was pretty young, attractive, and hungover. Wish there were these types of breakfast places in Modesto. Food was a lil cold, but I'd b back in a heart beat. French toast, not so much. Oh! And the Monkey Bar next door shares a patio, so you can sit on that side and drink, and they'll bring the food over to you. Awesome!
(4)
Krista G.
Came in for a late lunch. We were the only ones in the restaurant at the time. We ordered a sandwich and an entree. It took a very long time for our food to arrive. The runner kept apologizing to us for the wait. My meat was very tough and hard to cut, my potatoes were too salty to eat. The French fries needed more time in the fryer as they were mushy and limp. It was a very unfortunate dining experience.
(2)
Nicole S.
While on vacation, I came here with my family on a Sunday afternoon right after the lunch shift started. We had ordered two sandwiches, a hamburger, and a salad. In any typical cafe I've ever been to, this type of food can be on your table in 15 or so minutes. We waited 45 minutes until we finally received our meal. The dining room was practically empty so there was no excuse for this. And a couple who came in and ordered 15 or so minutes after us, got their food long before we did. We checked with the waitress periodically to see when the food was coming and was always told "any minute". The food was alright for the price point. Sandwiches were decent, the salad was a bit limp, and I was a bit disappointed in the lukewarm hamburger. But it definitely was not worth the 45 minute wait.
(2)
Michael A.
This is my must stop lunch spot when I'm in Sac mid day. I was originally lured back to this place over and over due to the Thai Noodle salad. Sandwiches are excellent as well. As mentioned the lunch pace is brisk but the service is efficient for the amount of diners they handle. Pretty much can't go wrong for a lunch spot.
(4)
Tiffany B.
I've been to all 3 locations in Sacramento! Love them all! Today I had the Habanero Burger! OMG it was delicious! Also had the seasonal Butternut Squash Soup and it was also amazing.
(4)
Alice W.
Pretttttttty good. I'm a little reluctant about giving it a 4 because I came here for dinner and felt like it had more potential as a breakfast/brunch/lunch diner. Sandwiches/salads/burgers are just not my thing for dinner and it just seemed like that was all there was to it. However, they do a great job at making all of these. I got the black bean burger. It was not dry (thank heavens) and well put together. The honey lemonade was amazing, too! Fries were not overcooked. Definitely felt like a solid brunch/lunch joint, but I will need to come here at those times to confirm that!
(4)
Elaine H.
We came here for lunch with my family. Their cafe-style was great with our newborn son. I got their three-salad option. Their Thai salad was surprisingly good. I'd probably just get that the next time I go. Their quinoa salad wasn't though. We also got their carrot cake and I really enjoyed it!
(4)
Michelle S.
Definitely the best Cafe Bernardo! My family has been eating here for 10 years. Friendly staff good food for decent prices! If there is a line for the bathroom go to the bar, there is one with two stalls.
(4)
Susan D.
The French Toast was good, and I love that everything is farm-to-fork, except for Mae syrup, jams, and French fries. They also are bomb for allowing pets (dogs, birds, and a pig) on their patio. I did NOT enjoy the fact that they told a customer to leave, simply for having a snake on the patio. I totally would understand the request if the snake was biting or hissing at people, but geez, the place allows a pig to dine with their customers-why not a snake too?! Call me a bleeding heart, but I just don't think a person should be refused service simply because their pet is ugly or unusual.
(2)
Kriste S.
Arrived 20 minutes too late for brunch, ordered the salmon BLT and a pizzetta instead. Sadly, they brought the wrong pizza so we shared the sandwich while we waited. We were refunded the price of the pizza-a classy move. And the food was delicious. Will definitely come back, despite the small misstep.
(4)
Zaira R.
This place is just OK. The service is really good but I don't like the atmosphere very much. Also, the coffee is not very good. I dislike the mugs they choose to serve the coffee in because it does not have a handle. You have to grab it with both hands to sip from it and it is easy to spill. I think this only applies if your drink is something other than regular coffee. The toast I ordered was pretty good, it had strawberries, bananas and honey. Its hard for something to taste bad with those ingredients. A few of the people I went with who ordered breakfast dishes did not really like the food. I don't think I would be excited to return to this place.
(3)
Ryan P.
Home away from home lately... they asked me where Alice was. I think that means I'm a 'regular'
(5)
Rich H.
Had breakfast burrito with potatoes and coffee Service staff was friendly with plenty of smiles. Was very clean Coffee refills offered with enthusiasm. I must say this was a very good experience for breakfast. I really need to come here more often. Outdoor seating was awesome.Keep up the good work Burrito was ample and delicious.
(4)
Nicole I.
This used to be a favorite lunch or dinner place for me and my husband- I always ventured for the Thai noodle salad sans chicken and he always got the Turkey sandwich. We have tried the cheese pizza before but it wasn't anything spectacular- noticed the black bean burger so I am going to have to try that against the Thai Noodle Salad. One of the downsides to this Bernardo's is its location- it's on a relatively busy street that can sometimes leave you empty-handed on parking. You order at the counter and they give you a playing card marker that signifies your order number and that you place on your table. There is no waiter service so you get your water from a dispenser in the opposite room and if you need a soda refill, you get it from the counter. Can be a little overwhelming if you haven't been here before but you get used to it after a while. Great location for a late lunch or dinner date!
(4)
Eric K.
Cafe Bernardo was really disappointing... I have tried a couple brunches in Davis but the sacramento location felt like fast food chain. The interior of the restaurant changes from dark and musty to a brightly lit room with plastic benches and tables. It was a strange contrast and reminded me of the old chain restaurants like Cocos and Sizzlers. Came in for dinner and was very disappointed with the selections that are all over the map... There is no real identity... I'd rather cook myself then come out to eat at Cafe Bernardo.
(2)
Wing W.
Tried the Huervos Rancheros, it was just right! Had a good amount of spice in it to which I love! Also ordered and scone, it was pretty good as well! I would come back.
(4)
Sarah C.
I've always had great food at this location, and the outdoor seating area is nice :-) This last time I was there however, there were a couple of patrons who kept scooting closer to our table (it is self seating and we were at a table by the window) to the point that it was uncomfortable. We finished our food and were in the process of gathering our things when these fellow patrons scooted over into our seats. I didn't complain at the time, (except to ask those ladies if I could please finish my last sip of water before they pushed our plates over and that they made our breakfast uncomfortable hovering over us). However, the staff were not aware and can not be held accountable. I just ask fellow patrons to please be respectful of each other, and not ruin someone else's dining experience because you want a window seat. Every other time I have been there though, the food has been great, food runners nice and courteous, and the menu offering a wide variety of yummy options.
(4)
Naomi C.
I hate writing poor reviews. They are sometimes necessary. I will stick to the facts. It was not busy and it still took nearly 30 minutes to get my food and I eventually had to ask for it because I noticed others getting plates who had sat down after me. The servers bring out food and coffee. One walked by me and offered to pour refills to the table next to mine. I flagged him down and he reluctantly refilled my cup. My cup was half the size of all the others! I wish I would have said something when it was first handed to me. I asked him for some cream. He said I had to go get it myself. No problem, except that the table next to me had a tiny pitcher of cream on their table. I went through that coffee fairly quickly (tiny cup) and had to basically force another server to notice me when he walked by with the coffee pot and refill my cup. He only filled it halfway and hurried off. Now I am starting to have a complex. I mean, what gives? Do I not look hipster enough or something? The last time I was here my friend and I could not get anyone to bring us more coffee then either. What is the deal with this? Coffee is cheap and makes patrons happy. My food was decent when it finally arrived but not as good as the last time I was here. This may be because I felt like I was begging for food when all I wanted was some more coffee in my tiny cup. Anyway. It will be a while before I try again.
(2)
Diane Y.
My boyfriend and I were craving brunch/breakfast on a friday and searched for places on yelp. This cafe was listed under breakfast/brunch so we decided to check it out. Assuming they serve breakfast/brunch until at least 2 like most places, we chose to come here. When we got there, we learned that they stop serving breakfast at 11. Now if you're listed under breakfast/brunch on yelp, shouldn't you at least list the times you stop serving it? We were very disappointed but decided to stay since we already paid for parking outside. We both ordered sandwiches but it really wasn't worth it for $30. If we knew they stopped serving breakfast/brunch before we would have gone somewhere else. You guys should really list the times to inform people when you stop serving certain dishes.
(3)
Renee D.
Missed breakfast by half an hour, but really friendly staff. Ordered at the counter and found a nice table outside for the dog. They brought water for him. Great service. Food service and wait time was good. Only reason to leave less stars was coffee was lukewarm and tasted old and price was a little high for cup of soup, half a salad, sandwich with side of fries, and two coffees $30. Not including tip. But over all nice little spot worth visiting.
(3)
Becky K.
After a long night of partying and having alcoholic fun with my co-workers at our holiday party the evening before, we were eager to get our eat on, brunch style the next morning. Stephanie G. recommended this place (being from around the area), and off we went to ease our hangovers with delicious food. It took us a while to get a table to accommodate all of us; we had about 8 people and it was a busy morning. It's the kind of place where you go up to the counter, make your order, get a number and sit wherever you want. Wait on the staff to clean a table and get water for you, and you might wait for a while. But we finally got seated and ordered our food individually. I ordered the breakfast burrito and figured it'd be a typical burrito with scrambled eggs, some kind of "breakfast" meat and salsa. No, this burrito exceeded my expectations. Green salsa on the top made this burrito moist and flavorful... and the little zigzag of sour cream gave it that little extra oomph! Everything seasoned perfectly, my only regret was that my stomach wasn't bigger so I could eat every last bite! (But that's what the bf is for) I think what made it for me was the massive amount of garlic they must've used. My breath be kicking afterwards, but it was worth it! If I'm in the area, I would stop by here just to get the breakfast burrito. Delish!
(4)
Andrew B.
We went in several days ago. One in our party ordered a salmon BLT. I assumed that Cafe Bernardo would serve only wild salmon, but was surprised and dismayed to learn that Cafe Bernardo uses farmed salmon on its BLT. I feel like this is a fraud. Salmon farming is incredibly environmentally destructive. The fish are confined in filthy pens and are exposed to high concentrations of disease and parasites. To fight this, they are treated with large doses of antibiotics, given medicated baths and served medicated food. Do a search for farmed salmon and read about it. The fish are raised so unnaturally their flesh is actually white. They are injected with a dye in order to turn the flesh pink. This is what Cafe Bernardo is serving its customers.It's a shame.
(1)
Lyndzi C.
Always love this place for salads and Sandos. Highly recommend the Thai noodle and the Achiote Marinated Chicken sandwich, FIRE.
(5)
Dean D.
Our group had dinner - hamburgers, quesadilla, mac and cheese, portobello burger, and sweet potato fries. Loved the fries, hamburgers ok but overpriced, and quesadilla bland but not as bland as the mac and cheese. I will take their word that these was some sort of cheese in the mac and cheese but the flavor was mainly of macaroni in a light cream sauce. Service was friendly but food and price do not allow a recommendation.
(2)
Tom M.
Not impressed. We went to CB for brunch on Sunday. However, CB doesn't serve brunch, they instead serve a extended breakfast. The kitchen basically refuses to make any burger or sandwich unless it is on the breakfast menu. Even if it is 1:30 in the afternoon. Since I couldn't get the burger I wanted, I instead I ended up getting the Chorizo & Eggs. That was a mistake. While the Chorizo itself was good, the egg scramble lacked the cheese that the menu says it's supposed to have, and instead they loaded it with onions, which the menu doesn't list. The potatos were basically mush with not much seasoning, aside from the other pile of onions they dumped on top of them. They also don't do beverage refills. I have heard generally good things about CB, but perhaps this particular location was having a bad day. Perhaps we will try one of the other locations and have better luck.
(1)
Heather W.
I loooove this place! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner happy hour, and drinks with friends - there is no bad time of day to go. They have Wi-Fi so it's great for getting work done (although limited spaces to plug in), yummy food for everyone from vegans to carnivores, coffee and tea drinks, plus attached to Monkey Bar for any adult beverages you want. Love the staff and bartenders! It's a pay up front place so there's no annoying bill splitting to with about and it's good for having friends come and go at different times if you want to meet up with a group there. Also they do an I Eat card where you get points to earn free food. I recommend the mushroom jarlsburg salad and black bean burger for vegetarians, plus the fries are damn good and so is the iced tea!
(5)
JJ H.
There's a lot to like about Bernardo's: -Fairly fast service. Order at the counter and seat yourself. -Location is great -Nice outdoor patio area -Dog friendly. If I were a dog, and I often wish I were, I would INSIST that my owner take me here. They give dogs their own bowl of water with ice and a handful of treats. Treat yo dog. -Friendly service -Great for groups -Reasonable prices -Big menu However, I came here most recently for breakfast and the food was just okay. The potatoes tasted like they had been sitting out for a while. They weren't very warm and tasted like they had been cooked earlier and then re-heated. Also, the bread was neither warm nor soft. It was actually pretty tough to eat. The jam was good though! I have been to breakfast at the other Cafe Bernardo's on R and 15th and never had any complaints about the food. I definitely want to try this Bernardo's again and hopefully update my review.
(3)
Rome C.
This is actually a decent place to eat and the food is pretty good and tasty. Prices are reasonable. The service is great and the ambiance is casual.
(3)
Akeem B.
Should have done this a few weeks ago but, better late than never! I came by for lunch during the week & I had my puppy, PennyRufus with me. I noticed it was counter service & needed to order inside. I did not want to bring penny in so I was going to find another place. But a server named Mario must have read me perfectly & offered to take my order while I sat outside with Penny. Another server even brought her a little doggie treat. Food was good service was great. Somebody give Mario a gold star or something haha. That guy knows how to treat guest.
(4)
Jeremy G.
I was hired to perform on stage in Old Sac on the weekends over the summer and my cast mates and I made Cafe Bernardo a daily morning breakfast ritual. The service was always friendly and quick and the food always solid. I would get the two egg breakfast and a side of the blueberry pancakes for the table to share. The two egg breakfast was always just enough to fill me up and keep me going until lunch time. The blueberry pancake is delicious and the perfect thing to share with some friends. The most surprising thing was the cappuccino. I'm a bit of a cafe snob and didn't expect much because this is a breakfast place, not really a cafe. The espresso was good, strong and pretty predictable (on the good side of the taste spectrum) but the foam was consistently amazing. Always thick, velvety and sweet. When it comes to making a cappuccino, the foam is one very important (and difficult to master) part of the equation and they absolutely nailed it.
(4)
Jessica And John W.
When I first went in I was a bit confused I thought there was two restaurants next to each other and I went into both to compare menus to decide which one I wanted to eat at.... To my surprise they were both the same. So I sat down in a both and waited for a server for over 15 minutes without even an acknowledgement ... Little did I know it was a walk up and oder and get your own water Resturant ... Ok gee thanks for the heads up on that one....wonder how many vagrants sit here for hours without any concern? No but really.... So in speculation I ordered the noodles.... I was pleasantly surprised when I took a bite.... Very flavorful! Ok.... So a an hour or so later after the cancer center with my son, we went back over... He was hungry and our van was parked there. This time we both ordered burgers.... RARE...because few restaurants can actually cook a medium rare burger without killing it! I touched my burger and was thinking ... Hummm cold bun, but what happened next was like magic.... This habanero bacon burger was an explosion of Flavors in my mouth..... Every bite was perfection! Even the the bun was amazing..... Needles to say... I am in love with this burger and pretty impressed with this cafe on Capital Ave!
(4)
Kara S.
The token hang out for the illustrious Sacramento bruncher. I've been off the brunch scene for a couple years, walked in last Sunday and knew two people! Old habits die hard. GREAT, classic American brunch food. My fave is the Eggs Bernardo, their take of eggs benedict on French bread slides instead of English muffins.
(4)
Wendy D.
This place is very inconsistent, unfortunately. It use to be a favorite but I'm not really into gambling on having a good meal, which is what it feels like now. I just came from Cafe Bernardo and they were a total disappointment. Here is why... 1) It was freezing inside. I don't want to come into a restaurant and eat my meal with my winter coat on. No thanks. 2) I ordered the Bloomsdale Spinach pizza. To my surprise it came with onions all over it, which I strongly dislike. I checked the paper menu I ordered from and confirmed that onions were not in the description for the Bloomsdale pizza. However, onions were listed on the big menu (????) at the counter but were clearly added at a later time. Thanks for updating all your menus. 3) The last two times we came here for breakfast, which this place was our go-to spot for breakfast, they messed up our meal. Three strikes you're out.
(1)
Steph G.
Grid-ies be lovin them some Cafe Bernardo's!! Seriously, every walk of the grid can be found her - families, the loner, the hipster, the hung over group, the happy couple, the dog lover (patio bound of course), more hipsters.... Just good 'ol American food, grid priced, and simple. Order, get a over sized playing card, sit, food delivered, done! Cupcake of the Month!! Its new too me, but I haven't been here in awhile. Yes, I was there for brunch, but the sign read "Snicker doodle Cupcake," I instantly foodgasm'ed. This goodness in the form of a cupcake came adorned with three mini bits of an actual SD cookie on top - a very moist and flavorful cupcake with the lightest creamed frosting on top. Its like desert crack, you're never satisfied with just one!! Their food has always been okay! I don't think I've ever not really liked anything, but I haven't been overwhelmed with happiness after a meal. Good, but not great, and I'm okay with that! Great selection for brunch or breaky. Decent lunch options. Staple grid option that remains a fave to most. SECRET STATUS, so maybe not too secret, but I heard they are adding a NEW CB where Cosmo used to be. Does this mean late night CB, this could be interesting... Grid-grubbin' for all...
(3)
Emily O.
I have been here twice to eat and was very disappointed. The omlette I ordered the first time was good, but hardly worth the price, and frankly want very exceptional. The second time I went I had the Malted Belgian Waffle. The waffle was burnt and unappetizing. My mom and sister ordered the same thing and both of theirs were overcooked as well. Normally I wound of sent it back, but no one ever checked on us once we got our food. The restaurant has a terrible layout, and there is no privacy for conversation. Overall the service was extremely poor, the food mediocre at best, and ambiance was not impressive. I will not be returning here again.
(1)
Erik N.
I had been to the one in Davis and remember it not being that impressive with its small menu. This was not the case for the Midtown location for some reason. The restaurant is quite large with a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. I went for lunch on a Sunday around 130PM and there were plenty of places to sit, there was no wait to order at the front counter, and the service was quite fast bringing us our food. They had a large range of great lunch options for sandwiches and salads. I had the turkey sandwich with fries and I was stuffed! It was a little loud inside since it was a bustling venue, but quite pleasant sitting outside. The waiters were friendly and attentive, asking us if we needed anything even after we were served (and considering it was an order at the counter and seat yourselves kind of place, that was really saying something). I highly recommend this place for someone looking for classic California-style lunch fare (fresh sandwiches, healthy salads, great fresh tasting everything). I have heard great things about their breakfast and brunch menu too, so I'll have to check it out!
(4)
Sarah D.
This is a wonderful breakfast spot. I love midtown and this is always a must have. Great, and I really mean great breakfast options! The potatoes are so delicious, and the jam you get with your toast...oh goodness. Weekends are great for the mimosa deals, good coffee, and I love the outside seating area. The staff is really friendly and totally in top of their service, attitude, and cleanliness of the restaurant.
(5)
Nancy X.
I LOVE CAFE BERNARDOS! they r awesome! I easy there to often! Its a test place. the atmosphere is awesome the food is awesome and the people are awesome! I love the portabella mushroom sandwich with goat cheese it is awesome! The arugula pizza is also awesome very good.
(5)
Stephanie M.
Out of all the amazing dishes this place appears to have, I am kinda ashamed to say I got a burger and fries both times I visited. Their menu was overwhelming simply from all the great choices but I was craving a burger and fries and had searched online for a restaurant that serves organic burgers; I couldn't find one. I read about the quality of Bernardo's burgers though....I just don't play around when it comes to eating good meat. It sickens me to think of chowing down on a diseased or pumped-with-antibiotics cow. Service was friendly, standard....food was good...I'd come back again and recommend this place. There is both outside and indoor seating. There was a bit too much cig smoke for me so I preferred inside even on a nice day. The array of baked desserts were tempting too!
(4)
Naida E.
Delicious $5 Happy Hour grilled cheese sandwich with pickled jalapeno peppers and avocado!
(4)
Summer O.
Conveniently close to Sutter hospital, just a couple blocks walking distance. Good egg, potatoes, toast/jam breakfast with a side of ham. Fast service and nice staff. Only thing that would have made it better is if replacing the potatoes with fruit was free or only $1 extra, $2 extra was a bit much. Other than that small nit, this is a good alternative to hospital pastries.
(4)
J N.
This is the best eggs benedict in town, hand's down. The hollandaise sauce is sublime; light and creamy with a hint of lemon. With paragary's toasted rosemary bread as the base, shaved ham and poached eggs, it just doesn't get any better. Oops, that's not true. Have a latte or mocha and you will be rewarded with a huge two-handed cuppa.The staff is pleasant and service swift. On the particulars, I find the barrista is slightly better at the mid-town location and the benedict slightly better at the Pavilions location. In fact, during my visit on Friday to the Pavilions Bernardo the benedict was perfect from top to bottom. My compliments to the chef!
(5)
Suzanne D.
Really lovely customer service. Everyone here is very welcoming and friendly. Also, the salmon BLT was perfectly cooked and the sour dough was soft and crunchy.
(5)
Jacqueline J.
I love this place! The service is great. The employees are friendly. The food is delicious! I usually get the two salad sampler plate with Thai Noodle Salad and the most wonderful Mushroom & Jarlsberg salad. Just the right amount of food and at a reasonable price. The inside and outside seating is a plus. This has become my lunch go to place when I'm in Midtown.
(4)
Lisa H.
I had the day off with my kids since their daycare was closed and so my husband wanted us to meet him at his work for lunch. This is the closest walking distance restaurant from his office, so we could just park once and walk the couple of blocks to eat. When I lived in Midtown I used to come to Bernardo quite a lot for any meal. It's been a while since I have been back, but it seems to have stood the test of time. This is a restaurant where you order at the counter, pick your own seat, and then they bring your food out to your table. At lunchtime you should always expect a line almost out the door, but it typically moves pretty quickly. We ordered a wood fired pizza for our sons to split, while I got a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a mixed greens side salad and my husband got the salmon BLT. My husband also ordered a couple of their giant chocolate chip cookies for us all to split after lunch. My husband loves their apple chai, which is something I have never heard of before, and blew through almost two $50 Paragary's giftcards from Christmas just ordering those daily. My sandwich is sort of a grown-up grilled cheese with grilled onions and tomatoes as well as the meat and cheese. My side salad was good, although it tasted as though they had passed a salt grinder over the top of it, so that is something for people watching their sodium to be aware of. The pizza my boys split was large enough that we even ended up taking a couple of pieces home. The toppings were all high quality and I was sort of regretting not ordering a pizza for myself. I didn't try the breakfast food this time, but I have fond memories of it (particularly the Bernardo Burrito and the Eggs Bernardo) and the huge mochas that I would affectionately call Bowl O'Mocha. Many a lovely brunch was had sitting out on their patio on a Sunday morning, watching the world go by. I have to get back soon and make sure the brunch also remains unsullied.
(4)
Diana W.
Wow! What a cool little gem downtown! Stopped in this morning (on my hubby's reco) and was pleasantly surprised to find REAL coffee and some awesome urban atmosphere. I had the homemade granola with fruit and yogurt- absolutely smashing. He had the Riverdog omelette. I think it was good because he ate it in like 3 minutes flat (that, BTW is a compliment to the chef :) ) The Cafe offers friendly staff, quick service and gourmet treats. The trifecta of fantastico lives here! Definitely will be darkening their doorway again soon. If you're on the fence, yes, try it! OH! You can do a check in on your phone while you're there for a chance at a free Bernardo's gift card-you'll get at least $5 - but possibly $50!
(4)
Coral H.
The food is very consistent. I like the pizzas, salads, and the service is good. They have a small meeting room in the back and will allow you to use it if you spend $100 F&B. It seats something like 20 people. The patio is dog friendly and Chef Shannon makes special biscuits for your pooch!
(4)
Paige S.
I've been here multiple times and they never disappoint; plus, they're attached to my favorite bar! I come into Cafe Bernardo occasionally when I don't feel like going too far from home. My last visit is what prompted me to write a review though. I went in for brunch with my boyfriend and a couple of friends. I ordered a breakfast sandwich, hold the cheese. When our food came out, I noticed at once that there was cheese on it and told the server and he apologized and took the plate. He came back almost immediately and said that he had just grabbed the wrong one, apologizing again. He was incredibly nice and asked if there was anything else he could get and I was impressed with his attention. It was also a nice summer morning, not too hot, so sitting outside in the patio was great. Overall: the service is usually good, sometimes better, sometimes worse, as is the case with most places. The food is always perfect. The drinks are always tasty. Definitely a great place for brunch or a snack!
(4)
Chris W.
Hadn't been here in a while. My mistake. I'll just sum it up. $18 for a brew burger and fries is unacceptable. Burger was just Ok, good size but lacked flavor. Fries were horrible. Like they ran down the street to safe way and grabbed skinny tiny fries and put them into the microwave. Beer was lovely
We went for the Wine, salad and entree for 2 (25$). Thurs was spagetti w/meatballs. The staff was attentitive, the place was quiet. I took a look at the menu and saw a few things id like 2 go back n try... like armeretto french toast! Mmm!
(4)
Irene H.
Been here many times. The coffee is excellent. Had the bacon and avocado omelet. It was very good. I have never been disappointed with a meal here. The Thai noodle salad is amazing too.
(4)
Izzy M.
Bernardo Benedict was awesome! It comes with Two poached eggs, Applewood smoked ham, housemade Hollandaise sauce, toasted rosemary bread; served with herbed potatoes. Make sure to ask for their homemade cilantro and green chile salsa and pour it over the top! You will get an amazing mouth watering layers of taste in one bite.
(4)
Dawn C.
This is one of my favorite casual restaurants. The food is always very good, and I like being able to get in and out quickly. I also appreciate being able to bring my dogs and sit on the patio. They will bring bowls of water for my doggies. Probably my favorite item on the menu is the mushroom salad although it is only on the menu seasonally.
(4)
Bryan S.
I've heard good things about this dog-friendly patio, and I've been inside Monkey Bar late at night. So my dog and I walked the 1.1 miles to eat a late lunch here (well, only I was going to eat. He was just going to have a couple beers). We've been sitting at a table on the patio now for over an hour. Two servers have come out to help other tables, but both servers refused to make eye contact with me. I've come to the conclusion that either 1) i somehow died on the walk over and I am now a ghost, and therefore invisible to all living beings, or 2) this restaurant has the shittiest fucking service of anywhere I've been in Sacramento. I know at the other location (R15) you have to order inside, and it's totally reasonable to suspect that this is the case here. But when two different servers come out to refill drinks and swap out food that's "too spicy" for other tables, it should be safe to assume that some tableside service is provided. Granted, I probably could have been more assertive and tackled one of the servers as they walked within arms reach of me, or I could have left my dog unattended and gone inside, but after 20 minutes of the staff trying their hardest to pretend I wasn't here, I decided to use their free wi-fi to write this review and then bail. My dog and I will head over to Streets of London - where the food is shitty but at least the servers will make eye contact with their guests. I will never come back to either Cafe Bernardo or Monkey Bar - and since my average bar tab runs into the low triple digits, it's good to know that there are businesses in this economy who can afford to turn away customers like me.
(1)
Dave S.
Really crowded, but really good. Cafe Bernardo is a go to breakfast spot, if you can manage to find a table. You order then sit down, which is convenient, but also means you don't have a waiter if you need something, or that knows where to deliver your food. The omelet I ordered was really fresh and the eggs were nicely cooked. My friends all enjoyed their meals as well. I thought the toast was especially tasty. All in all, one of the places on my short list for brunch with friends after a night out drinking.
(4)
M H.
Not bad. Quick service. It does get crowded in here so if you come in a big group (like I did) we came in before noon. Great for groups because each person orders then pay before sitting.
(4)
Samantha S.
my first time trying Cafe Bernardo and I will be going back as soon as I can! I tried the squash frittata and it was sooo yummy. All of the employees were really friendly and helpful too. I'll definitely be going back soon to try something else delicious :)
(5)
Joe R.
I showed up to this place and paid parking. I was excited to eat brunch since the yelp link said they served brunch. As i get there, they tell me they stopped serving brunch. It would be nice if they wrote clearly in the description that they stopped. We decided to go elsewhere but realized there are no brunch spots near by and we already paid for parking. So we got stuck having to eat there. I got a sandwich with salmon. It was okay. Definitely didnt quench my crave for brunch so i did not enjoy it at all. I wasnt too happy to be forced to eat there due to lack of parking and having to pay the meter. If you want brunch, come early. Or go elsewhere.
(2)
Helen H.
I'm giving this place 4 stars because I really only like the breakfast here. But we come here a LOT with my husband and the kids, and the breakfast has been consistent. This is our go-to breakfast place as we have consistently enjoyed the food here. Eggs Bernardo (I get it without the ham) - poached egg on top of their salted toast with hollandaise sauce... my favorite! My son loves it too (3 years old) and he'll eat half my plate. The potatoes that come as a side are delicious too. A little too salty for my taste sometimes, but yummy still. I'm not a huge salt person and I often find restaurants are saltier than what I would like (I really should cook my own food more then, I know). Fruit plate - it's not a dinky plate with just melons. It's berries, bananas, apples... anything seasonal. It is so worth it. Love the fruit plate here. Steel cut oats - so yummy! Put a little milk in it, and brown sugar is already drizzled in it... perfect consistency and so good. Those are my 3 favorites. My husband gets the 2 egg breakfast all the time. Their jam that comes with the bread is yummy too, so we will steal his toast sometimes. Every weekend we wake up and say "Cafe Bernardo?"... they are turning into a breakfast tradition for us. Out of all the locations, this is the one we consistently come back to. The staff pretty much knows us now and the breakfast is very consistent, and food comes out fairly fast. One of our favorite and most frequented breakfast places in Sacramento!
(4)
Cooper H.
My fiance and I brought our dog here one afternoon to have a late lunch on the patio. I love the fact that they allow dogs on the patio as I'm not familiar with too many other restaurants in the area that allow that. Anyway, even though it is the type of place where you order from a counter and they bring the food to you, they still offer exceptional service. Throughout our lunch we had multiple people checking on us to make sure we were ok and offer refills. They also brought out a water dish and treats for our dog. Our dog absolutely loved the treats even though he isn't really that into getting treats. Must have been something about the ones they make there in the restaurant. They were even nice enough to give us a little bag of treats to take home with us. Oh yeah, the food was great too!
(5)
Thomas M.
I'm picky picky picky and I have no hesitation with a 5 star for what i come for....the food. I've dined here dozens of times over the years and consistently the food is incredible. Nicely plated. Quality. Diverse and simple menu at the same time. It doesn't surprise me that there are lower ratings if you're used to being served. This is bistro-order-first style and you get your own water and such then your meal is brought to you. Big deal.
(5)
Andi R.
Got the avocado and bacon omelet, along with the French toast. It was average. Hubby had the chorizo with egg which was really good. However there walk up order is not what you would expect for the prices. The only time you see the waiter is when they drop off the food. You basically need to watch for a table, and snag it the minute the other person gets up! Ooh and no one ever came around to clean the table, nor did I ever see anyone taking the time to clean or wipe down any of the tables. Your better off going to Denny's! At least there you will get service!
(3)
Meryl C.
Came here for a baby shower this weekend and was pleasantly surprised! We had the back room reserved which was set up with seating for roughly 30 people. I was happy to find that there was an extra table for us to set up a dessert table, and a back counter for my party supplies. Since the room was close to the back exit (leading to the alley next to the parking garage) we were able to unload/load presents and other party goodies with the help of the servers and a rolling cart they graciously let us borrow. As for food, a lot of people raved about their eggplant sandwiches... I had a griddled ham and cheese which was HUGE (for me) and a side of garlic fries. I was happy with my meal, and brought my leftovers home to the hubby. For the party setting I felt like the method of ordering at a counter and being served at our seats worked out well... even if we did make a crazy long line to the door! In general everyone was served in a timely manner so that we all got to eat together as a big group. I would recommend this place if you are looking for a place to entertain a small, intimate group of people. The staff and managers were all very nice and we had almost no problems with our large group. Oops, well I guess there were problems for those that parked our on Capitol- apparently everyone got parking tickets! :( I parked in the garage, and it was $5 for almost 4 hours on a Saturday... not bad, IMO.
(4)
Amber B.
Brunch was decent, slightly above average but it was cafeteria style and we had to go get in line everytime we wanted more drinks, kinda annoying.
(3)
Tuyet N.
"Aren't you just a plate full of yum?" My beginning and closing statement to my satisfying plate. The first time I visited here, I ordered a turkey sandwich with avocado and Thai noodles, and a hamburger. The sandwich was okay, the noodles were a little on the mushy side, but the best thing I've ate was the hamburger. It was by far the juiciest burger I've had. I was so delighted with the burger, I came back yesterday just to have that again. But this time I ordered the grilled salmon salad and that was sooo delicious, beating the burger in taste. Cafe Bernardo is more on the pricey side but the food is definitely worth it. You go in, order at the register, find a seat and wait for your meal. Good atmosphere too, with patio seating available. I must go back soon to try out the breakfast menu!
(4)
Michelle M.
Food was pretty good and affordable. My only complaint is that this is the "uglier" ones out of the locations. The decor and such is decent but the other Bernardo's in sac are a little more hip and modern. I'd rather go to the other location a few minutes away!
(3)
Siddhartha M.
I enjoyed my breakfast at this paragary chain. Pleasant atmosphere and convenient location. I ordered the eggs and apple sausage with a two shot cappuccino. The eggs were 7/10 but the accompanying red potatoes and red onions were a solid 9/10 by home cooked food standards. I expected my cap to be so so but it was on par with the quality I'd find at cafe Roma in SF. Minus one start for the cashier staring at me to order without at mumbling a greeting of any sort. A simple smile, good morning, hi, or hey there hungry looking guy who will hand over 30 cash for a 24.xx bill. Usually the changes goes to the tip cup... Otherwise, I will return and do recommend this breakfast spot.
(4)
Sophia S.
Had a nice little Bernardo brunch last weekend with some close friends. I ordered scrambled egg whites with chicken apple sausage (yummy) and sour dough toast. I didn't touch the potatoes, what a waste of food (sorry world). It was busy inside, but the food came pretty quick. I enjoy their salmon salad and also the breakfast burrito. Both of my friends added bacon to their breakfast burritos, which looked pretty good and they seemed pretty happy about it.. because, duh, it's bacon! I also slurped down a delightful spicy bloody mary. Unfortunately, I can't in good conscience give the full 5 stars when there are places like Evan's Kitchen in this town. Sorry, Bernardo, you are good, but you ain't Evan's good..
(4)
Melody E.
Huge fan! I love that all of their food is of the highest quality..for a super reasonable price. If they had table waiters...it would be more costly. There is a parking garage right behind Cafe Bernardo but I've never had trouble with parking. Love the Eggs Bernardo, the Apple Sausage and eggs, the Salmon BLT, the Niman Ranch burger, and the mushroom and jarlsburg cheese salad. Their soups are always wonderful..as are the pizza's. Service is what it is...counter service and they run the food to you when ready...but so worth it for the price of such great ingredients! First Green restaurant in town too. Can be loud inside when really busy.
(4)
Melinda H.
I love this place. It is a great meeting place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. I have come to this place for many years. It is consistent, I love the ambiance, the service is mostly self serve and that works. It's my go to spot to bring out of town guests and to meet friends. Good job Randy Paragary. I'm not in the midtown area in the evenings so can't say rate dinner.
(4)
Patti P.
Fabulous salads and wonderful use of local, organic food. Your staff is great, just love those ties, es[picially that sweet waitress who wears the kitty ties. Love the food, love your staff.
(5)
Bill R.
While taking a stroll I found this "potential" gem. It's a great spot, great "look" outside with big windows, outdoor patio seating, and a warm interior. I'm always looking for cozy places to read, working on computer stuff, and have coffee. I hear the food is good, but I only had coffee. The menu seemed expansive with healthy choices. Unfortunately, the coffee was HORRIBLE: got an Americano and had to add an extra shot since it tasted like hot water. The extra shot did little. Hint: if your coffee SUCKS, then everything else pales in comparison. Invest in really good, rich, dark roast coffee. (For example, Tapa the World by no means tries to sell coffee. They're a great food and drink place. However, have a simple Americano there and be BLOWN away. It's attention to detail that sets places apart). I sat outside and was annoyed beyond belief by the sister Monkey Bar with loud, obnoxious, smoking, drunks. Eventually they left and things improved. I will definitely give this a try 'cause it has a lot going for it. Another hint to the owners: Curtail your drunk patrons and maybe the rest of us can enjoy and tell others about the cafe. Plus smoking was never cool, is not cool, and it's pathetic for a business to think that everyone outside wants to smoke or inhale second hand smoke. Thank you for reading. I'm just giving my opinion as a first time customer.
(4)
Stefanie H.
It's not amazing, but it's also not bad. It's cheap and relatively fast, though, which is convenient when you have better things to do than wait around a long time for full service. Their macaroni and cheese is edible and super cheap (though there's a slight bitter taste that I can't quite place), the steak is pretty good for the price, and their cupcakes are pretty tasty when fresh. The breakfast is kind of gross, though. Weird bread for toast and overcooked eggs. One complaint - the quesadillas (and who knows what else) are prepared in the morning, which means you can't request that they leave out the onions. Ever. Is it really that hard to toss together a quesadilla at the time it's ordered?
(4)
Song C.
I love the fact that this place is right across the street from Sutter Medical so that I can come here and grab a quick bite or coffee while waiting for my doctors appointment. Its a cute little place with an extensive menu. This is not your usual "cafe or coffee" shop because they will actually SERVE you. After you order, instead of a number that you take to your table, you get a playing CARD - like when you play poker? Orders arrive on a plate with utensils so what I like about this place is that it's fast but you still feel like you serviced. Great thing is that since you already paid, you don't wait for a waiter to get you the check and blah blah blah all that other stuff. Of course, the food is good too!
(4)
Sunny L.
Dear Mr. Cafe Bernardo, my name is Sunny and I have enjoyed your Cafe numerous times. Everything I've tried here has been delightful; the food is stupendous. Your staff is on key too. They are very helpful and didn't mind having a chat with me. Thank you for such a great experience. On the other hand, your neighbor brings out the bad side of you. I've disliked the fact that R15 is your neighbor. The noise bothers me at times while chatting with friends during some evenings. I do recommend my friends here; but only during the day light hours. Thank you, Sunny Le. PS. Pros: Food, Staff, Easy menu. Cons: Some noise during evening times. Stars: 4 Flat
(4)
Margot C.
Cafe Bernardo is one of the most consistently good places in sac. They have a lot of variety on the menu (salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, polenta, etc.) and it's all good! The atmosphere at this location is fun and relaxing. I prefer sitting outside, but there is plenty of indoor seating as well. Notably, the Thai noodle dish is an excellent dish. They will give you enough to feed a family of four. Also, they have a delicious homemade honey lemonade that I love to have in an Arnold Palmer. Cafe Bernardo isn't a "must see" of sacramento, but if you're looking for a tasty, enjoyable meal it can definitely provide that.
(4)
Ed N.
This place isnt bad. In fact, I'd like to give it 3.5 stars rather than 3. My only issue is that it is a bit pricey for what you get. The food is pretty good. I had their ham and cheese omelette and my girlfriend got the breakfast burrito. Both came with a side of potatoes and both dishes were delicious. I'd definitely come here again.
(3)
Austin K.
I'm a big fan of Bernardos. You walk up to the counter to order your food off of a fairly diverse menu, and it is brought to your table by a food runner. Beyond that, it is self service. They have all of the breakfast/brunch staples that you would expect and some good veggie stuff as well (try the bacon&avocado omelet). It is not easy to find seating on weekends, but I always enjoy sitting out on the patio or over at Monkey Bar. The place is very dog friendly, going so far as to bring your dog some water if you let them know where you are sitting. Good quality food, affordable prices, and mostly self service. Bernardo is on a very short list of my go-to spots for brunch.
(4)
Tony R.
The food is hit and miss if ordering randomly. They do a good job on breakfast, But overall not as good for lunch as I had hoped. Also, it is way to damn cold in that place to dine comfortably
(3)
Carl I.
I enjoyed the breakfast here. I got the chorizo and eggs. I'm pretty picky about breakfast, but it did the trick. It's a little further than I usually go for breakfast, but I was in the area. I wish there was a breakfast place like this closer to Citrus Heights. The place is on the trendy side, and looks like most of the new places in the area. There's a bar area that I bet gets pretty packed. During the late Monday morning after everyone was at work, it was pretty quiet. I also tried the lemonade which is flavored with honey instead of sugar. I find myself craving it now. It had just a hint of a rich honey flavor with a nice tangy fresh lemon zing. You should pay me to write commercials for your lemonade, Cafe Bernardo. Just kidding. The potatoes were not spicy as said, but the chorizo and eggs complemented them well. The prices were reasonable. The chorizo and eggs were under 10, the plate was good. You impressed a breakfast snob, Cafe Bernardo. Good deal. I will be back.
(4)
Linda S.
I use to come here every 2 weeks for over a year about a year ago. There was a very cheerful friendly girl that took our order. I adored her. The food was good but pricey. But last year, the food quality took a serious decline and it climaxed to burnt undercooked pancakes. Gross. I vowed never to come back until last week which I discovered that this place still has not changed. The oatmeal was watery and bland. It wasn't flavorful like it was over a year ago. The same unfriendly guy took our order. The french toast, which use to be my 2nd favorite after Tower cafe, was just horrible. It was dry and didn't taste good. I gave you a 2nd chance and you blew it.
(1)
Chris T.
Good food and good service. The desserts they have hit the spot before a show! The chicken quesadilla can't be beat. Also good for a moment to mellow out when you're at the bar next door.
(4)
Andrew D.
Been eating at these places since the first one was built back in the late 90's. It's good food and always clean but I must note two things. First the menu never ever changes which sucks because there's allot of potential at these restaurants. Second the portion size has gone to hell in a hand-basket. There's my two cents.
(2)
Harrison L.
The Penne Pasta was so tasteless. For $11.00 ala Carte. it was quite disappointing after reading all the other 4 Stars that it received. This isn't typical of an R. P. restaurant. Perhaps a secret diner rather than reading about it on Yelp.
(2)
Neyri Z.
Outstanding customer service and everything we had and tried went beyond our expectations. I'll probably go back tomorrow and try their breakfast given my experience tonight. Highly recommend
(4)
Table For Tw O.
It's difficult to give a cafe or coffee shop a standout rating in Midtown where there seems to be something new and original around every corner, but Cafe Bernardo has found a way to keep us coming back. The food isn't perfect, but the atmosphere and accessibility make up for it. We haven't had a chance to head over for lunch or dinner yet, but when it comes to breakfast we've never had trouble finding a seat and after 5 visits or so we're still able to try something new each time. If you're with a date, splitting one of the breakfast sandwiches and a belgian waffle paired with an espresso drink will more than do the trick. p.s. sign up for the rewards card online and receive $20 of dine-in credit during the week of your birthday!
(4)
Anthony R.
The food is good however, they need to replace / repair the furniture that is not ready for dining. We had to move not once, not twice but three times to find a table or chair that was not damaged to the point that they totally distracted us and soured the dining experience.
(3)
Tom S.
Lots'a rave Yelp reviews brought me and 5 friends here for dinner before a show. And while I ate my dinner (didn't finish it - I grew bored with the cloying flavors), I wasn't in love with the food, the kinda crumby ambiance, the less than clean dining room, and the stand on line to order the food exercise. Certainly not when my simple salad, tap water and a cupcake ran me over $20. I tasted just about everything else that everyone else ordered. I thought the fish, the anglicized Mexican dish, and really everything was just homey and plain. Servers spaced twice for my wife's glass of wine, and 3 times for her cup of coffee. Really guys, I gott'a ask you 3 times to remember the coffee? I'm not going to return....
(2)
Aimee L.
Even though I'm a resident of San Jose, when I do come to Sacramento, I'm eating here between the hours of 10am-12:30pm! A couple of my Sac friends and I have made this a little routine while I'm in town, and I ALWAYS look forward to it. I've been to both locations, but this one offers the option of you being able to sit at Monkey Bar (the bar attached to the cafe) while eating! Best of both worlds. Service is always very friendly and prompt and prices are very reasonable! I would highly recommend the breakfast burrito to the lacto/ovo vegetarians out there. It is stellar!
(5)
Jade B.
GREAT for vegans, you can order: - any of the salads (sans meat and cheese) - the thai noodle (sans chicken) is delicious! - the stir fry (sans meat and with soy sauce instead of stock) and it is oh so filling - any of the pizzas or calzones sans cheese/meat - any of the breads NOT GOOD FOR BREAKFAST (try Crepeville or Fox and Goose)
(5)
Brenda B.
This place is strange. Its confusing to me. It feels like there is a disconnect within the restaurant itself, the food, the staff, the concept. At a friends suggestion's meet for sunday brunch. First impression when you walk up from the street, nice outside patio area, saw a few doggies brunching with their owners, thought is was cool, they had water bowls set out for the four legged hairballs. That's really the only positive I can think of. Everything else was strange. So this is one of those places where you stand in line and order at the counter, they give you a number, and they bring your food out. So I ordered their version of an eggs benny and coffee. I take my number, and awkwardly make my way to their self serve coffee area, which really looks like a service area for their employees, it was kind of dark and disorganized and in a crowded walkway/ thruway location, where two different areas of the restaurant is connected if that makes sense. It looks like maybe cafe Bernardo's somehow expanded by converting the space next to it and made it a part of the restaurant. It seems like the decors were different in the two different spaces. Even trying to navigate to the outside patios was a confusing maze I couldn't tell if i was walking into a different restaurants space or not, I remember I had to some how walk around outside just to get inside the middle patio area... weird. Anyway I think at the time were were just pleased to have found patio seating, since it was a bit crowded. so after some time, our food came out. It was not really impressive, my eggs were overcooked for a Benedict, and i found a hair in my potatoes towards the end of my meal. gross. anyway, I don't know I just thought this place was really generic and boring and confusing. But I did like the patio and the fact they allow dogs of all sizes on their patio. I may give them a try again, we will see.
(2)
robert f.
The happy hour was most unhappy. By 4:30 they were out of sliders and sweet potato fries and the quesadilla was not the one advertised on the menu. The couple next to us was served warm beer. Our server was very apologetic but I had the impression that this was the norm. Another small detail but if we wanted to eat outside or within the restaurant, there was no table service. You had to order at the front register. I hope they work through these issues because this is a great addition to the neighborhood.
(1)
Jeff K.
NO ALL DAY BREAKFAST HERE. It is listed as a place that has them, and it does NOT. The breakfast is fine, but if you're not up with the chickens, you'll miss it (they stop at 11.)
(1)
Meagan L.
Food was good. Didn't realize that for $50 we would only get 2 burgers and a steak sandwich. Very rude wait staff. There was syrup all over the table and when I asked if they could clean it up, he came back with a wet cloth and expected me to clean it. Also, when asking if they had Ranch dressing for my fries, I got the response (in a very snotty tone) "we don't serve ranch".
(3)
Moe D.
Pretty good food and coffee. The salmon sandwich is great. The carrot cake is good as well. I've been to this place a few times and always had a good meal.
(4)
Craig M.
#NAME?
(5)
Molly B.
This is a cute little spot, attached to the Monkey Bar, that my uncle wanted to try when some of the family came up from Los Angeles. I had been by it many times before, but never inside (not counting the bar) and was looking forward to something new. So we gathered our crew of seven and set out for lunch. When you go in, since you place your order at the counter before sitting, if you don't know what you want right away I suggest you stand aside and check out the menu before getting in the line (that seems to move up really quickly). The people at the counter are pretty nice, but it's hard not to feel rushed. They had a lot of yummy looking selections for me, but I could tell my son wasn't really going to like any of the kid items. Luckily I spotted garlic fries and ordered him those. They give you a playing card to take to your table and they bring your food out to you. I only wish they had brought our entire party's food out timed a little closer together so we wouldn't have that awkward moment where everyone but two people have their food and no one wants to be rude and start munching down just yet. So you wait... and make chit chat... and then - thank goodness!- the rest of the food comes. I got the Griddled Ham and Cheese. It was pretty good, but for the price I was a little disappointed as it was nothing I couldn't have easily made at home in my own kitchen. My uncle got the Grilled Salmon BLT that he seemed to really like, but only ate half. Maybe he was on a diet? Or maybe.... When my son's garlic fries came out (the last order brought to the table) all heads turned - other patrons as well as my party. They smelled soooo delicious, so garlicky, so fried. My son attacked them! As our meal progressed I noticed that he (seated at the opposite end of the table from me) had slowed down his eating, yet the plate of fries was still rapidly disappearing. It was then that I spotted sneaky adult hands (belonging to two uncles and a grandpa) stealing away pieces of golden, garlicky, deliciousness. It wasn't until my boyfriend could no longer resist and tried to snatch a few that my son caught on and busted the lot! Cafe Bernardo was, as the rating states, "A-OK." The service was kind of nonexistent, but the employees were polite, my sandwich was tasty, and the garlic fries were awesome.
(3)
Alli Q.
Really great brunch spot! The area is really cute and you get a lot of food for a fair price. You order at the counter, seat yourself and they bring the food out to you. I've only tried the chicken apple scramble and the quinoa salad but I though both were really good. The outside seating is really nice so I recommend sitting out there if the weather is nice.
(4)
Jess C.
I was so looking forward to brunch at Bernie's, and it may have been overhype from friends, but I was unimpressed. I tried the Cafe Bernardo Eggs Benedict and the Omelet, and both were good... just not great. I'd never crave Bernardo like I crave Mochii...alright, that's an unfair comparison, I don't crave much else besides Mochii and Ginger Elizabeth around this hood. But back to my point... Moral of the story: Solid but unimpressive brunch, extremely affordable prices.
(3)
Michelle B.
Right time, right place. They get major kuddos for always being open when I need good food quickly. The other morning I was at an in between time 10:45am, when some of downtown's other greats don't open till 11:30 or even 4:30. They were there for me, like so many times before. It was my first time having breakfast here, and I believe they only serve breakfast before 11am. I had the breakfast burritos and it came out, juicy and smothered in green enchilada sauce (super yum!). The potatoes were perfect, too perfect as some of my associates kept picking them off my plate. Next time, I will grad a side-order of extra potatoes in anticipation of the pillage. Thus far, I've not had a bad meal here. I've had the Thai Salad, the Trio Salad, and a couple of their sandos. All very good, healthy, and on the larger side of the proportion scale. There staff is always helpful, and while you usually order at the counter, they have actually placed side orders and add-on orders for me right at my table. They're always happy and service is usually quick. I have had a hard time finding seating on occasion if I arrived around 12:30. There are a couple of parks near by, so it may be worth placing a to-go order and finding somewhere outside to park. I'll be back.
(4)
Justin W.
This place is great. Downtown, outside enjoying great food with good friends. What else could you want. Does get very busy but well worth the wait! The Bernardo Burrito is the bomb!
(5)
Anita W.
This update is to announce that (Oh happy day !!) Cafe Bernardo has brought back their delicious and wonderful Mushroom Jarlsberg salad. Thank you Cafe Bernardo !!
(4)
Judith M.
I have frequent cravings for the Asian Chicken Salad. This is another successful Paragary's concept, synonymous with quality and consistency. I like the semi-service model, the comfortable setting, and I rarely hit the Cafe Bernardo without paying some lip service to the adjoined Monkey Bar. Great food and easy on the pocket book.
(4)
Tyler L.
Normaly this place is great, but today was terrible! 30 min wait for cold food! Coffee was full of grounds and not readily available. No salt or pepper at the table and the hot sauce container at the table was empty. To top that off, I had lip stick and dried sauce on my cup! Shame on you cafe Bernado your better than that! Perhaps invest in some heat lamps to serve your food warm.
(2)
Julie T.
Mmmmm.... they have a GREAT salad sampler plate! For $9, I got three salads and it was WAY too much for me to finish (and let me tell you, I usually ALWAYS make room!). Delicious ingredients - each of the salads was great. However, they charge you $2 to put a little sprinkle of cheese and nuts on top of the green salad, regardless of whether you order the entire green salad or if it's just 1/3 of your sampler plate. That's cheap on you, Cafe B. No real service to speak of because we ordered at a register and no one came to refill our drinks.
(3)
Tony P.
This place lives up to its reviews. Great people, fantastic food, with many breakfast & lunch options at a very reasonable price. You should definitely give it a try. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Alex G.
Cafe Bernardo has been a part of my weekend breakfast dining experience since I was a kid. Over the years, I've gone here with my parents and my grandfather when he lived nearby. Over the years, my taste buds have remained consistent. Their breakfast burrito is hands down my favorite thing to get here. It has everything I love in a breakfast burrito: eggs, black beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and comes with a heap of potatoes. For $8, it's a really good portion and you won't be disappointed with the quality. Another big plus is that they serve fresh squeezed OJ, which is just plain better than the alternatives. They tend to scramble their eggs until they are really dry, which is fine for some but I prefer mine a little moist. It's not a big deal in the burrito since the sour cream and salsa balances it out. But if you are like me, you may want to make this request when getting scrambled eggs. They will certainly accommodate. The french toast is also really good. Their Belgian waffles are big, but I personally don't like the batter they use. It's not your basic waffle batter, but rather something a bit 'heavier' and nuttier. The breakfast scene can get really crowded here on weekends, but they move food and people through pretty quickly. Weather permitting, they have nice patio. I've seen people bring their dogs in the summer and tie them up next to their table, which is certainly great for any dog owners in the area! Their lunch is equally good, although I'll leave that to the regular lunch crowd. In terms of breakfast, this place is tasty and reasonably priced.
(4)
Tiffany L.
I'm a notorious bruncher. There, I said it. The sweet sun light in Cafe B's makes my Sunday that much better. The colors of the wall and high ceilings help curb my hangover along with a fresh cold bloodymary. Once, I tried a special - creamy polenta (Im obsessed) with a poached egg and tomato pesto-ee sauce... it was like being back in Nonna's kitchen. This is another one of those places- where if you live in midtown, you MUST give a chance. We even came during the final World Cup game to bring an out of town friend by- loud and STILL pleasant. Enjoy the almondy french toast too. I never order french toast in a restaurant, like meatloaf. (Why? I can make it better myself) I gave in. I was wrong. The only thing Id change would be the whole order-at- the -counter then take your seat thing. So I stole the 7 of hearts place card.
(4)
Kaycie L.
- OMG! One of my fav breakfast spots. - The food here is pretty darn good. I like the selections and variety. The environment is open, spacious, and welcoming. The crowd is pretty cool too! I don't remember what I had, but I know we had family style and t
(4)
Dat L.
I love coming here for breakfast they have the best huevos rancheros plate. If huevos rancheros was a woman "OOoH the things I would do to her beans and yolks" hahaha Besides that, almost everything else on the menu is awesome plus you can order a gynormous mocha that is served in a small bowl with a handle that will make you smile from ear to ear. Ive witness people orgasm as they consumed this beverage. Yeah, it's that good. Overall a great place to eat. With a very colorful menu for any type of taste budz.
(5)
Carly R.
This is my favorite Cafe Bernardo location, and not just because its closest to my apartment. The people that work here are great, and the food is always really good too. Its a fast casual restaurant, you order at the counter, get a number, and the food is brought to you. I almost always get the same thing because its soooo good- the salad sampler with the chopped salad and the Thai Noodle salad. Its perfect because you get to try 2 different salads, or even 3 if you want. The Thai Noodle is especially awesome. Breakfast is also good here, I come on the weekends sometimes. They have carafes of mimosas for $10, which is a good deal, except for that you can get bottomless mimosas at other breakfast places in Midtown (if you want to have a REALLY fun morning).
(4)
Jesse K.
Not the cheapest lunch joint in town but its reasonably priced for the good food you get. I have only been here during lunch. Its kind of like "Jacks" how you walk up to the register, order, and they bring the food out to you. The prices are Jacks level too. These types of restaurants always make me wonder if you are supposed to leave a tip or not? I'd definitely come back for breakfast/lunch.
(4)
Caroline W.
Great simple place to come for breakfast and lunch for me! I love their choices.
(4)
Melissa J.
So, we finally went to Cafe Bernardo for the first time last night for dinner. I have been watching their specials each week that they put on their facebook page and finally made it down there to try it. This weeks dinner special was their summer burger with garlic fries and a root beer float 2 for $25. I had been wanting to go out for a good burger all week and the burger at Cafe Bernardo definitely satisfied that craving, it was a very good burger. We have been to other Paragary's restaurants over the years and have always had a great meal and service. We also noticed while we were there a customer and his dog on the patio, which is great! We continue to look for dog friendly restaurants so that our dog can go with us. We spoke to the man with his very well behaved adorable pitbull dog as we were leaving and chatted about a few other restaurants that have dog friendly patios that we will try. Next time we go to Cafe Bernardo we will have our Maxximus with us to enjoy the outing as well, because the food and friendly staff will keep us coming back.
(4)
Angie C.
This place was 2.75 stars for me. My friend was craving breakfast so we went to check out Cafe Bernardo based on great reviews. Note to breakfast seekers - No breakfast is served after 2pm on Saturdays. I think they serve bfast til 3 on Sundays. Also interesting is that you can't order a burger until 2:20. So there's a 20 minute window between breakfast and lunch on saturdays in which you cannot order a burger but still cant order breakfast. odd, huh? Well, after the initial disappointment of breakfast ending, we waited a few minutes until 2:20 (we arrived at 2:15) and we each ordered a burger. The burger was pretty good, actually. I ordered it with the cheese, bacon and fries. With a soda, the total was about $18. Reeeeeally pricey for what it is. Although good, I probably won't go back for a burger. I'll wake up earlier and try out the breakfast one of these days though.
(3)
Lena W.
I have given Cafe Bernardo several chances because for some reason whenever I go to this business I always end up having a terrible experience! The first time I visited the cafe bernardo on R, and I order eggs and bacon, when my food came out there was a piece of hair on my over easy eggs. I quickly told my waiter and they weren't able to make me another plate but they did apologies and took the food off of my bill. The second time I visited, the R street location, I order the same thing, once i got my order, there was another hair on my eggs. How can this happen the second time, on the same order? I told the manager, because at this point I was furious having this happen to me this second time. They took it off of my bill and that was it. Today I decided to try their other location, on Capitol 27th, because Its closer to my house, my boyfriend and i order one plate of the eggs Benedict and one mimeoso, it was 18.50. Shocked by the total, we waited for 15-20mins for our food to come out, once it arrived there wasn't a piece of someone else hair, but the eggs benedict looked sorry. We had the ham on the side, the toast the eggs where sitting on, extra crispy and hard to cut into. This experience was sad because we weren't expecting our food to come out to be 18.50 for one drink and one plate of eggs.
(2)
erin t.
Dog friendly spot! I've only been to this location for breakfast, but maybe one of these days I'll try another meal time here. We took our pug here this morning and I was so pleased with how dog friendly they are! We tied her up to the the gate outside on the patio and went inside to check the menu. Once I decided, I left to go sit back outside with my pooch. Happily, I discovered a server had spotted her as soon as we came in and had dropped off a dog bowl full of water and a dog treat left on the table! Breakfast was delicious, & their food is typically pretty consistent. I'm pretty loyal to their breakfast burrito, but have been equally pleased with their egg dishes and their breakfast sandwich. PLUS - they make a good cup of coffee. Granted, it's $2.50 which in my opinion is sort of steep for a cup of coffee, but if you hang around for awhile you can get enough refills to justify the cost. It gets a it crowded on the weekends, but I've also been here for breakfast during the week and it's much more mellow.
(4)
Tim C.
Stopped by here in the afternoon, right after my wife's doctor visit across the street... Not many patrons were around at about 2:30pm. So, it was nice and quiet. We just wanted to get a light snack, so the wife ordered a mixed green salad and I picked the portobello mushroom sandwich. For the amount of food you get and what you pay for it... didn't really seem worth it to me. Neither item really had a "WOW" factor to it that would make me want to come back here. In fact, I could easily make better versions of each at home... and for the amount I spent, I could probably have multiple servings as well. The biggest dislike about this place, is that it was connected to the "Monkey Bar" next door. And, there was a woman sitting outside on the patio area having her drink and smoking a cigarette. It's her right to smoke one, but I thought there were distance laws about smoking near entrances to public places... Shouldn't have had to smell her smoke right before going to eat. For a first time visitor, I wasn't really impressed. If I was in the area and wanted something to eat, I might consider eating here again if I was in the mood for the type of food they serve. But, I didn't feel that the food is worth going out of my way to eat here again.
(3)
Judy L.
Nice little place for casual brunch. I got the two eggs breakfast (eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast), cup of coffee, and cup of oj = $14 Food was good, not oily like most places. Very friendly employees. Tip: They had a check in deal, where you pick a card from a deck and could possibly win a gift card (which I did!! $5)
(5)
Megan N.
When we lived down the street, this was my favorite place to go! Wish we still lived as close, because I just don't get down there enough anymore! Some of our favorites: *cupcakes of the month *freshly baked bread *scrumptious jam for their toast *chinese chicken noodle salad *lattes in their adorable bowls *husband usually gets (and loves) pizza, ham & cheese panini w/ fries, or any breakfast item
(5)
Marco G.
Great choice for breakfast or brunch. The breakfast burrito is dang good. The service is a little slow because they have the cashiers also preparing the drinks (go figure) but the food was worth the wait to me.
(4)
Roxie T.
Came here with my teenage son for breakfast a couple of weeks ago. As always the food is amazingly fresh, and very well prepared. This is a place that you can actually come to and feel good about what you ate. Lots of really nice healthy choices. I've only been here for breakfast, however I hear the lunch and dinners are very good. Nice location with seating in and outside.
(4)
Rich K.
Sacramento has a bevy of amazing food... especially Brunch. Bernardos has long been an anchor point for a descent experience. Todays' experience was less than exciting. Upon arival, my partner and I spent a ferw minutes looking over the menu and planning on ordering (first brunch date), only to be told that they stopped serving breakfast at 1pm, which is reasonable other than the fact that at that moment it was 1 on the dot. Really? I wasn't aware that the kitchen Nazis were so strict and in effect. Both of us have worked in the industry for years and felt that just a touch of discretion could have been exercised. I'll think twice about going to Bernardos again. The food is descent, but considering that the Paragary family that owns it pretty much corners 40% of the midtown food market, I can find other places. PS - We still had a great brunch elsewhere...
(2)
Drew T.
Good breakfast, great outdoor seating, and good service makes this one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots. Its central sac location to freeways makes this a good place to meet up with friends as well. I love walking the neighborhood and going to Trinity Episcopal church on the corner too.
(4)
Kapil G.
Decent place, busy for Sunday brunch. Though food was simple and good. The best part was it has lots of freedom in just sitting and chatting. Don't have a service person standing over you. Order you food, find a place and sit, and they will figure out where you are....... will go again....
(3)
Ashley R.
Good salads. Huge portions. Semi expensive. good breakfast and lunch
(4)
Skyler W.
The pizza was delicious! This review coincides with my previous review of The Monkey Bar. Thought I did not actually eat inside the restaurant of Cafe Bernardo, i did enjoy the wonderful food. I was at the Monkey Bar next door and was rather hungry after having a couple of my favorite beers "Lagunitas IPA". If you are not familiar with the Monkey Bar and Cafe Bernardo, they are connected and you are able to order food or drinks from either establishment.. I ordered the a plate of the polenta and salad and it was really good, very tasty and hit the spot, i also ordered a pizza, i believe it was a lemon potato, it was also very good.. I will definitely come back to this restaurant if i am in the neighborhood the next time that i am in Sacramento!
(4)
Aranyani A.
It is often that I find myself craving a few things at Cafe Bernardo on Capitol Ave. And, if you live in Midtown, try the breakfast here on a weekday/or weekend if you dont mind a little wait in line. It is a casual environment, with seating inside and outside. They have darling 1920's era posters adorning the summer yellow walls, making it a cheery experience. First and foremost, Their Eggs Benedict is a delight. The hollandaise sauce is great, and the eggs are perfectly poached. I get it every time. With seasoned potatoes on the side. And don't skimp on the ham. I also suggest the toast on the side. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which had a great green sauce, that was both fresh and delicious! It was a large serving as well, so we both left feeling full. For week nights, stop into Monkey Bar, which is attached to the cafe. You can order food at the bar, and sit inside or out. The patio is nice also because you can smoke out there if you enjoy drinking and smoking together. Get some fries and chill out! Isn't that why we all have days off? Get your eggs ben on!!!!!
(4)
Don G.
Great beer selection and tasty low-key dinner! You gotta love this section of Sac. There are some fun little restaurants and bars... Cafe Bernardo combines the two. It was a yummy dinner for my family of all ages.
(4)
Melinda H.
The food is interesting, clean and consistent. This is a fun place to go for breakfast or lunch. Randy Paragary owns this place and he always hits it home.
(5)
Rahe G.
I have never been disappointed with the food here! FYI - for brunch if you want bottomless mimosas you have to sit in the Monkey Bar side. We still got great service and they kept my glass full!
(4)
Miki S.
This is the best Cafe Bernardo. The one on R street has a little less quality in terms of food and service. Try the grilled chick sandwich!
(4)
Lily S.
Had a delicious turkey burger here. Good portions for the price, and the waitstaff is very friendly, which is never a sure thing in Midtown.
(4)
Jeanne C.
Delicious locally sourced menu! Seasonal eats, great for breakfast and lunch! Try the breakfast burrito or salmon BLT! Thanks chef Kelly for the recommendations!
(5)
Marquie F.
Best oatmeal i've ever had. The consistency is perfect, and the bananas and pecans are perfect for it. At my most recent visits I ordered the breakfast pesto tofu scramble and the portobello burger. The tofu scramble was delicious, the pesto added so much flavor and worked really well with the tofu. It was also served with their potatoes (which I love) and a slice of sour dough bread. The portobello burger, on the other hand, was pretty bland. I ordered it without mayo, not realizing there would be no flavor at all! I would recommend adding avocado or some type of aioli to it. By the way, I prefer their location on 15th since the space is more open and less crowded.
(4)
Lester A.
I am a fan of their french toast. We each ordered our own meal and split the french toast, well I ate 3/4 of the french toast so I guess that's not exactly splitting it but that's neither here nor there. Awesome french toast, I was already full from my scramble eggs and chicken apple sausage and some chorizo and eggs which were both really good but i just kept eating the french toast. The service was really good and they were all real nice. We sat outside and were still checked on from time to time. I'm also about 99% positive that Jonah Hill from "Get Him to the Greek" and "Superbad" was sitting outside too across from us. We didn't want to bother him but very sure it was him.
(4)
Anna N.
We are looking forward to going back for lunch soon. I ordered a little off menu and got their grilled ham and cheese sandwich with no ham and extra cheese. Tasty melted cheese with just the right amount of onion on fresh and grilled (not greasy!) bread. The french fries tasted freshly made as well and were salted perfectly. My husband really enjoyed his burger. He had the Creekstone Ground Chuck with cheese. His comment was that he would like a sturdier bottom bun to hold the juicy burger in longer. While ordering was done and paid for at the counter, food was delivered to our table and the waiter was nice and attentive in refilling beverages.
(4)
Emily Y.
Food & service was awesome!
(5)
Jef B.
Breakfast this morning was great. Deb had the bacon avocado omelette. I had the famous french toast. We got in around 9:30 am so had no difficulty finding a table. Food came fast. I like Cafe Bernardo - it's walking distance for us, and the menu is varied enough that you're unlikely to get bored with it. It is a smallish echo-ey place so as the crowds gather, the din grows. Other than that I have no gripes.
(5)
Alexander H.
I have been to Cafe Bernardo a few times, and the food was solid. Not great or anything to write home about, but solidly above average. My last visit however, was atrocious. My food was bland, undercooked, and had several large egg shell fragments mixed in with the eggs. My friend's food was cold by the time it hit the table. Not a big deal, so we asked the cook if the food could be reheated. He responded as if we had insulted his mother, and from that point forward we got nothing but attitude from the staff. I was amazed at poor quality of the food, and even more surprised at how the staff acted as if we were rude for insisting on edible food. Never again!
(1)
Brandee B.
Ugh. Ordered take out this evening from the Bernardo's on Capital. All the staff I spoke with, both on the phone and in person, were all friendly. That is the reason for 1 star. The second star is for the fact that my order was technically correct. I ordered a tri-tip sandwich, no onions or mustard, and portobello sandwich, no onions, with fries with the beef and mixed greens with the mushroom. I was planning to have half of each sammy for dinner tonight and then the rest for lunch tomorrow. I figured since I didn't want to wait, I'd order and arrive when they told me to. They said 15 mins. I got there in 15 and 15 minutes after that, I finally got my food. I didn't have a problem waiting that long, I just didn't want to do it in the restaurant. Not a good start. Now, the food. I've had the portobello before and this one was not marinated in balsamic like it used to be, which is what makes it so good. There was a little bit of mayo, but nothing else to provide moisture to the sammy. It was not inedible, but not tasty at all. Fail. The salad was overdressed with oil and a LOT of cracked pepper, which was a very overwhelming combo. There was even an onion flavor in there. Obviously by my order, I don't like onions. I was never given a choice of dressings and I guess I assumed it would be dressed lightly in a balsamic vinaigrette like most mixed greens are. I ate two bites and set it aside. Another fail. For the tri-tip, it was cooked well enough to my liking, but cold. I don't know how that could be considering I waited so long for my food and I watched them prepare the meat on the grill. I also needed to add mayo to the sammy because it was super dry, which I somewhat expected since I asked for it without the mustard. Fries came out of a completely different kitchen (why, I'm not sure) and were done about 10 mins before the rest of the meal was boxed up. Which means they were cold. This has been, and will always be, my least favorite Bernardo's location. I'm not sure why, but they always seem to have issues that the other locations don't have, which includes properly cooking their menu items. Maybe some basic communication would benefit this location as well as getting back to basics with the cooking. Needless to say I will not be eating the rest of this food for lunch tomorrow and it will be a looooong time before I go back to this place. Anyone have any suggestions for lunch tomorrow?
(2)
Ion A.
This place reminds me of places down in the LA area, not only the chill atmospphere and ambiance but the quality of food it's appraent. Everything I have ordered tasted fresh, healthy and good. You will not be dissapointed by going to Cafe Bernardo in the morning, or for lunch and dinner.
(5)
Jenneil P.
My favorite breakfast in Sacramento. I always order the chicken apple sausage scramble and absolutely love it. I've frequented both locations and prefer this one over the one on R street primarily because there is plenty of seating here and overall the staff seems friendlier at this location.
(4)
Thomas F.
I came here for breakfast with my very awkward father the other day. I ordered the breakfast sandwich and it was good, but nothing special. Probably what you'd expect to get for the price and decor of the restaurant. It was the employees who made the visit less than satisfactory. My dad's a socially awkward guy and when his granola didn't come with milk he searched for a source like a skittish mouse...and was chased away as one. The restaurant has a bit of an identity problem. It doesn't quite know where it fits in on the fine dining spectrum. You don't have a server but people are dressed like them. You order from a register but they bus your table. This is only a problem because you don't know who to ask for help and everyone you bother acts as such. They're all doing their job and whatever that is it doesn't include assisting patrons with questions or needs. This leaves an uninviting impression that gives me no reason to return.
(2)
Tiffany M.
This happened today, 05/04/08. WTF is up with the service! It is a shame that such good food is paired with such poor service. The order was 2 pancakes plus 2 sides of bacon. Now, how long should that wait be??? Take a guess. Try over 40-minutes. The staff refills your coffee, passes by, I suppose acknowledges your "Playing Card" is still displayed revealing that you still have yet to receive your food. The kitchens order printout sounds in the background. Other guests are waiting patiently. It is not until you get up to specifically notify an employee that we have been waiting over 30-minutes for our order. She then says she will check on the order without even asking what we ordered. Couple minutes later she returns by asking what we ordered. Hmmm...inefficiency. She checks our order, comes back to tell us that our food ticket was lost. And WTF are we to do? Now, would you want to wait more for the pancakes and bacon? I certainly don't! How is it that employees of this place do nothing but put blinders on as they see customers waiting and waiting for their food? Where has the service industry gone today? Why doesn't any employee see the "5-of-spades" and walk back to the kitchen to ask/say: the "5-of-spades" is still waiting for their food, how long will it be? Why is it that employees wait for the customer to say something regarding the issue. Even better, why does this employee come back to say: "Your food ticket was lost." What is the solution? What is Cafe Bernardo going to do to ensure that a customer does not experience this: "I will not return to Cafe Bernardo." I was a a return-customer prior to this piss-poor service. Why is that other employees of this place will excuse this behavior due to the girl being "NEW". Cafe Bernardo, don't make excuses! This is not her fault but YOURS! The bottom line: I refuse to spend my money at this place and including all the other restaurants associated with it. Thank goodness there is Crepeville, great food and great service! This place doesn't even deserve a star. There should be ratings for negative-stars.
(1)
Heather W.
I have been to Cafe Bernardo twice and I am just not blown away by my experiences. Most recently, I went there on a Sunday at 11 am and had the Scrambled Eggs & Chicken Apple Sausage. Hmm...it was OK. Kind of bland. I had heard the potatoes were really good but again, I just thought they were OK. The coffee was OK, not bad...and there is nothing worse than bad coffee. So that covers the food...onto the rest. It is very crowded so make sure you have one person wait in line, and one person scout for a table. If the weather is nice you can eat outside, but both times I went it was really windy so we ate inside. It is counter service, and the people working there were polite, not overtly friendly. I didn't have any problem with them. So...overall it was OK. I feel there are some better places in town to get breakfast, and where you don't have to stress out about finding a seat. Maybe for just one or two people it's not a big deal, but if you have a big group it might get a little difficult to find a seat.
(3)
Jamie S.
I've been here twice now.. I really like the set-up, there's a nice atmosphere, and the staff is really friendly.. The first time, I got their version of the eggs benedict. Perfectly poached and bomb potatoes. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was that it was on a piece of bread (that was a little hard to cut through) and not an english muffin.. That might just be a personal preference though. I went again this morning with some family members.. We tried to go to Fox and Goose, but there was a shorter wait time here.. They got the benedict and shared my exact thoughts on it.. I had the amaretto french toast, which was super good! You could taste a little bit of the amaretto, and the almonds they sprinkled on top totally made the meal. If I'm ever craving french toast, definitely coming back here.. I think though, next time I come I will be ordering from the lunch menu. The sandwiches look amazing!
(4)
Ryan R.
So the first thing to remember if you're meeting someone at Cafe Bernardo is that Sacramento has two Cafe Bernardos. The second thing to remember is to bring your cell phone, so that in the event that you and your breakfast companion arrive at two different Cafe Bernardos you can work it out in less than 45 minutes, and without having to bother strangers. Despite my brain-dead mistakes in these two key areas, I was eventually able to have a delightful breakfast at the CAPITOL AVANUE Cafe Bernardo a few days ago. I got the breakfast sandwich and it was excellent. I haven't had better in quite a while in fact. The potatoes were also above par, well cooked and nicely seasoned. The atmosphere was quite nice and the service was pleasant though not always readily available. The prices seemed a bit high for the quantity and quality but it wasn't outrageous. Overall this is definitely a solid place for breakfast or brunch. I'd certainly take an out-of-town friend here, but I'm not going to go on a regular basis, primarily because I'm really cheap. But I'll definitely be back, though next time I'll be carrying my phone and have better pre-breakfast communication.
(4)
Priscilla V.
I have to say the chorizo and eggs with potatoes on the side was pretty tasty!
(4)
K A.
I don't get the buzz about Bernardo. I have come in twice, mostly because I love the patio. But awesome patio and cute order cards aside, Bernardo is nothing special. I ordered a Turkey Burger with fries, and it was just not good at all. And for $10, even worse. My friend ordered her burger before me and didn't get it until 10 minutes after mine arrived (she had to ask, and it wasn't that busy...), which was 5 minutes after our other dining companion got her lunch. The wait staff was not friendly, attentive or fast. The best part was the rocking Carrot Cake. But Carrot Cake does not a lunch make, so if you want a real burger go to a place like Burgers and Brew.
(2)
Stacey H.
Solid 4 stars. Had to give Cafe Bernardo another star and props for stepping it up. In the last few months, their service has been so much better and although the food has always been top notch, it seems like they're putting out more effort. The girls who take your order have been much more cheery (I think there's a few new faces working there) and have been exceptionally helpful when I'm trying to order something a little less caloric. You know....suggesting no butter and light cheese on the breakfast sandwich. What a difference! Thank you Cafe Bernardo people for helping me reduce my daily calories so I can save them for special meal splurges!
(4)
Justin D.
To be honest, I have only tried two items on the menue though I have been many more times. I am completely stuck on the huezoes (I'm sure I butchered the spelling on that) and can't seem to order anything else. Berdardo is simply a great Sacto cafe, and a great place to enjoy a breakfast on the patio with friends. The service is always good, promtp and prices are fair. I have never had a less than great experience and always leave planning my next trip back.
(4)
Ed S.
So the place isn't a disaster, but it had no real appeal for me. First off...pricey. Not astronomical, but everything is just a few bucks more expensive than most other cafe places and they don't really offer anything as a trade off. As many other reviews kinda emphasize, the service is pretty lousy. 45 minutes to get my breakfast burrito from them, when I walked in I noticed only 2 other tables still had their "cards" indicating they were waiting for orders. My wife ordered just simple pancakes and eggs, and she actually waited ten minutes longer than me. The staff seems polite enough, but really slow is just really slow. I could have driven back to my place, made my own pancakes, eaten them, and come back in the time it took for ours to arrive. I get that the whole setup is sorta designed behind self-sufficiency. You order your food at the register, take your drinks and your little "card" and wait for the order to arrive. But these guys just aren't making it work very well. Given the number off issues I'm reading along these lines maybe it's time to re-hire or change the setup? Then again, they didn't seem empty, and are in a good location, so probably can get away with the bum service. Overall, the atmosphere here is pretty nicely setup. Definite family and friends style setup going on, good open area with outdoor and plentiful varieties of indoor seating. Maybe this place is for you, and that's great for you, but I just can't imagine what the major appeal is unless it's purely sentimental. I can find better food for the same price or cheaper within a minute or two drive (and closer walking from my home). They'll also serve it in a timely fashion. So, eat here at your own choosing (peril or risk just sounds too extreme for this place) and just remember to keep expectations down.
(2)
Sara J.
I enjoyed my breakfast at Cafe Bernardo. I had a bowl (yes, a bowl) of chai tea latte and a big plate full of breakfast goodies. My avocado and bacon (sans the bacon) omlette was tasty, slightly runny, with lots of avocado, cheese and mushrooms. The sourdough bread was crispy and buttered to perfection. The potatoes could have been crispier but I'm not complaining. My certain someone had two eggs and bacon. While I didn't try his bacon (I'm a Nice Jewish Girl, after all), it looks thicky and crispy, two very good signs when it comes to bacon. The outdoor seating is pleasant. Cash and cards accepted, pay first at the cash register and then wait for your food at the table. I'll be back!
(4)
Matthew B.
the best vanilla latte in the world hands down. had the eggs bernardo and it was super yummy. service was a bit slow as i got my food before my date.
(5)
Pritika C.
I've been going to Cafe Bernardo for about five years...every time I go there, it feels like the first time : ) The food is delish! A friend introduced the place to me and ever since it has been one of my favorite breakfast/lunch spots. When I first started going to this restaurant I would order the omelette burrito (my memory is a little sketchy on the exact name) and I LOVED IT!!! Too bad I don't eat egg anymore...because this was delicious. It was served with potatoes, yummy! My options are little limited because of my own doing but I always enjoy their polenta triangles...cannot go wrong :) Hhhhmmm....breakfast burrito, how I miss thee :*(
(5)
vince v.
I give Cafe Bernardo 3.5 stars. Think of it as a cross between Jack's Urban Eats and 33rd Street Bistro if that helps at all. I have been here several times now and the food has always been reliably good, and being that it's not too far away from me I find myself going here more often than I normally would if it was farther away. The food. If you go there for lunch I would recommend trying the Italian sausage calzone the filing is a very good blend of roasted peppers, cheese and sausage and the dough that it is wrapped in is extremely good, not the usual heavy pizza dough most other places use to make calzone. The salads are also pretty good above average but not great, the one stand out being the Thai Asian noodle salad which i would recommend trying. The price point may be just a tad high but nothing to get too flustered about but for two people expect to pay about $25 for lunch. One note of confusion is that I'm never sure if I'm suppose to leave a tip, the servers bring you your food but don't do much else so ya, I guess you decide. Overall, a solidly good place to go and have a good lunch, do some people watching out the windows, and have a good conversation with your lunch buddies. If you happen to be in the area and haven't tried Cafe Bernardo check it out.
(3)
Lisa R.
I've been here several times now with friends and with the bf. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Just make sure to ask the waiter for everything you need up front because you probably won't see them again on a busy day. The food is amazing for a super cheap price! I've been there for a late night dinner, and breakfast. Their pancakes are very delicious and moist, they even come with fruit on top! For dinner I had a salad, it was pretty good, it could have used more dressing though. They have plenty of seating inside and out. The best part is when you go there late at night you can order food and drinks from the bar next door!
(5)
Steve S.
Really good lunch spot. The salmon BLT is one of my most favorite sandwiches in the world. A nice grilled piece of salmon, bacon, tomato, lettuce on grilled bread, its heaven in a sandwich. Today I strayed though and got the chicken Cesar salad. It was perfect ( I hope it would be for $10) Chicken was not over dry, just the perfect amount of Cesar dressing and the croutons where freshly made with the same bread as my most favorite sandwich. Once the construction gets done across the street it will be alot nicer to eat outside. Will I be back, yep probably next week. That's my story..
(4)
Malikka C.
Cafe Bernardo has an atmosphere I dig and a price point that keeps me from feeling robbed. A friend and I went recently and took advantage of their dinner for two for $25. Salad, an entree, and a carafe of wine are included for the price and the food is amazing. The entree changes each week and one can expect anything from risotto with prosciutto, peas, and cheese to pork steak with brussel sprouts (this, by the way, was super tasty). The servers are really helpful and the scene is a good one. Take advantage.
(4)
Jen K.
I really like the hustle and bustle feel here on weekend mornings. You'll find locals happily chatting away with their friends, reading newspapers, or working on their laptops. You order food at the counter, sit yourself at an empty table, and wait for your food while sipping on coffee. Unfortunately, food could be much better. I've come here numerous times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All their omelettes, huevos rancheros, bernardo burrito are all pretty blah. Their potatoes are soggy - I love my breakfast potatoes so this was very disappointing. I've also tried their Thai noodle salad which is a cold noodle dish dressed in coconut milk and peanut sauce, which is an odd item on their menu. It's actually not too bad for an American brunch/sandwich place, but too heavy on the carbs and nothing else. Their sandwiches are decent, I've tried their roasted turkey and grilled chicken, which also are not that memorable. Having a simple breakfast with coffee will cost you about $10 which is typical but you could probably get better food somewhere else (see my list).
(3)
Nick O.
excellent no hassle breakfast! Great set up.. order at the counter and sit down. within a few minutes your food comes out to your table. great menu and great food at reasonable prices. I love this place for a delicious, on the go breakfast. no frills, no waiter to deal with, no waiting on the check, no hassles AND everything on the menu is so tastey.. can't go wrong here for breakfast!
(5)
Brandon B.
Love the 15th & R strip. I hadn't eaten inside this Cafe Bernardo before (we've eaten at the one in Davis quite a few times), but I had rushed in before to pick up a Thai Noodle Salad to satisfy my wife's pregnancy-driven craving. The tables were all full on a rainy weekday lunchtime, so we sat in R15 -- the bar that is part of the Paragary's outpost there and is internally connected to Cafe Bernardo. The friendly bartender came to take our order and the food arrived apace. It was actually quieter in the bar than in Cafe Bernardo proper, but I did get a little bit of the odd "why am I in a bar at lunchtime?" feeling. Things were clean, with no sticky physical evidence of liquid debauchery from previous evenings to be found on the floor or in the booth where we sat. R15 is a little cement-cold in the daytime (a characteristic of the space that hasn't really changed since it was the unfortunate Jimmy Chu's -- a rare Paragary misstep), but I guess it must be easy to hose down. The food was tasty -- we probably had all of the salads on their menu thanks to their salad sampler option, and all were uniformly tasty and fresh. The quarter-loaf of bread w/EVOO and balsamic is a cheap, delicious side. I do recommend Cafe Bernardo but I suggest you sit in the restaurant proper rather than in R15.
(4)
Rachael R.
My family eats here every Sunday, and I am not joking. My dad is a huge fan which I find funny because all he gets is two scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast. I like them very very much too, but the reason for only three stars is because of the limited Sunday brunch menu. I understand the logistics and all, but for once I would like to have a bit more selection on a Sunday.
(3)
R M.
Great Thai Noodle Salad...I don't even like Thai food, or salad, but the peanut dressing and noodles were excellent. Will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Jane M.
I really thought I was gonna like this place. Been here twice in 3 weeks, and I would say it was just OK. First time we went (boyfriend and I), I was reading the reviews while in line to order. I really wanted to try the french toast, but I wasn't in the mood for sweet. So I ordered the Black Forest Ham Omelet. It was ok, all my herbs was mostly on one end of the omelet, and the ham on the other (the herbs were in the second half of the omelet when I ate it, so it was kinda overpowering). The potato side was ok. The jam for the toast was the best part of this meal (bosenberry or some other seeded berry), sweet without being overpoweringly sweet. The boyfriend had the same order as I. He didn't sing any high praises, but no words of bad either. Oh, and we went for Sunday brunch, so the place was packed. We ate in the outdoor patio area, which was cold. The service was fine, again no high praises but nothing bad to say either. So then this last Saturday, I wanted something sweet. The thought of Cafe Bernardo crept into my brain, so headed over to try this highly touted Amaretto French Toast. I was excited, cause I love sweet breakfast carbs (french toast, pancakes, waffles, pasteries, etc) and nutty flavors. First strike, the gentleman taking my order had the "I don't care" attitude written all over him. He wasn't at all pleasant, took my order and my money, and didn't tell me where I could get water. My plate arrives.... Second strike, what the heck is with the almonds cut in half? How am I supposed to eat this? Hard to stab those little buggers. The french toast slices were big and... acceptable. I didn't find this french toast to be anything special. Maybe if they incorporated some amaretto into the batter, or soaked the bread in amaretto, or even smear some almond paste on the bread before battering then this toast would have lived up to the hype and the name. But to me it didn't. I poured quite a bit of maple syrup on this to make it taste better, and that is a major strike against this place in my mind. Any sweet breakfast carb (again french toast, pancakes, waffles, etc) that I feel that I _need_ to add syrup to help the flavor is not good to me. On the plus side, the waiters who came to my table were pleasant and nice. Overall, mostly nice staff, but I didn't have anything special enough to bring me back to this place. Probably will only come back if either someone else picks this place or if a couple years from now I wanna give them another chance.
(3)
Paul C.
What is about the SFers that eat once in a place, have a "bad" experience, and then run off yelling it's the worst thing on the planet? Is it because their over-priced city is a cold windy place full of aggressive pan-handlers and tourists, where you can't park or eat outside without freezing and is filled with pretentious snobs aching to one-up the city that founded the west coast? he he he ... I've eaten at Bernardo's a dozen times - usually breakfast - but lunch and dinner too and I like it very much. A nice spot - the seats outside on a sunny morning are great - the food is always good - never had bad service. The prices are good to fair and it's got a interesting menu. I especially have liked the potatoes and coffee. Probably in my top two downtown choices for breakfast.
(4)
Ali H.
I went back for the "Sample Salad" and did the Thai noodle with the Asian cabbage salad! Now that was an awesome combo! I was a bit surprised by the cold peanut noodles, but they were very refreshing with the cabbage mix! It blended well! I love that I have a choice of salad's all in one meal!!!!
(4)
Live For Foo D.
We went there before the theatre. Simple because it is a Sacramento Hot Spot right? Well when we arrived they were not busy at all. We thought dinner would be very easy. Two of our 9 guest ordered hamburgers with fries. We all got our food and they waited another 20 minutes for their food. We were all done by the time they got their food. When they asked the front counter about their food, they were told the delay was because they ordered the hamburgers. What? I felt like I should have ripped that tip right out of the tip jar for the very poor service. Now the food. I ordered the Portobello burger. It came with a slice of pickle. The bread was not as fresh as it should have been. I ordered some avocado on mine. There were two small pieces on it. I was very disappointed since avocados are very cheap right now. The flavor was very average. Nothing to rave about. My husband had the Spinach, Strawberries and Laura Chenel Goat Cheese salad. He actually thought it was small and not that impressive. So overall we gave this place one star because it missed the mark on so many different things. The staff appeared to not really care.
(1)
Katie G.
This is my go to breakfast spot! Their food is always delicious and always fast! The scrambled eggs and chicken apple sausage is the best! It gets pretty busy after 9:30 AM, so it's best to go around 8.
(4)
Hollywood V.
Went for a lovely New Zealand Flat White Latte at Chocolate Fish Coffee at Q & 3rd downtown. From there we wanted a decent breakfast that wouldn't break the bank. We chose Cafe Bernardo's at Capitol and 28th. We had expected long lines and terrible service from reading reviews but were happily surprised to make it to the counter in about 5 minutes being about the 6th party in line. I ordered the 2 egg breakfast with bacon while my sweetheart ordered the French toast (I had hinted that it sounded good). We sat down and no sooner had my honey gone to the restroom than our food arrived. My plate seemed like it had far more than 2 eggs scrambled with little red potatoes and onions, 3 thick and tasty slices of bacon, and rosemary sourdough toast with (homemade?) raspberry jam. It was filling, delicious, and inexpensive. My darling's French toast with almonds (and I'm guessing vanilla) lightly dusted in powdered sugar, with real maple syrup was also quite delicious. I then went up and ordered a single shot large latte. It arrived in a large bowl. My partner said it tasted like Temple Coffee. Which to her meant it wasn't as flavorful as Chocolate Fish Coffee. She would have preferred a double shot of espresso. I enjoyed the richness and the smooth flavor of the foamy milk. Our luck was good because the service was impeccable and the meal fit our needs perfectly. Delicious breakfast food for two in a fun atmosphere for under 20 bucks. What more could you ask for?
(5)
lily c.
first of all, a counter service restaurant should not be allowed to charge as much as cafe bernando does. and second of all, if they do, it had better be freaking awesome. (i.e. magpie!) i came here on a weekday at 11:30am, but they stop serving brunch at 11am. sadness. so somewhat begrudgingly, i perused the (pretty limited) lunch menu and get the grilled salmon salad instead. it was TINY - like 2 oz. of salmon on a bed of string beans? for $13? you have got to be kidding me. the flavors were good and it would have been a good dish otherwise. the only reason i think this place is still around is because it's a quick and relatively healthy business lunch option for all the professionals in the area.
(2)
Melody P.
Outdoor patio is perfect for a nice, summer evening with the dog and good food. Ordered the noodles. They are always tasty and consistent! It's the best! Ambiance gets 5 stars. We people watch during dinners, and so does the dog. People often stop and say hello to him. The service has always been great. If you want drinks afterward, skedaddle on next door!
(5)
Sacto G.
I've eaten at Cafe Bernardo's for about 10 years since I was a student in Davis. I've always been impressed with the quality and freshness of their food. My latest experience prompted me to write this review. Tonight I ordered a salmon salad to go. I got the salad home, opened the box, and found no salad ... just a piece of salmon with garnish. I called them and they had put the salad in a separate box and it was waiting for me. When I got there they were super apologetic and refunded my money. They even offered me a piece of carrot cake. I appreciated the service and the salad was delicious when I finally got it home!
(5)
Christopher W.
for brunch, or lunch, you could do better. especially for the prices which are creeping up & up. i showed up for lunch at about 1pm on a sunday with family after church, and while standing in line i'd made my selection but was told "oh, we're not serving that right now". and there i stood, at the brink of ordering food with people standing in line behind me, not knowing what to do. i looked at a salmon fillet with veggies for about $15 and opted for that "we're not serving that right now either" i looked at the option of a burger and saw that a slice of cheese was extra- $2, and thought "what is this, room service?". i finally ordered a pizzetta with pineapple and proscuitto, which turned out to be okay- not great, okay. but to be honest their prices now make them a less favorable option than crepeville or zocalo. i used to like cafe bernardo but i won't be going there again.
(2)
Naz A.
I have to agree with a lot of the previous reviews.... the service at Cafe Bernardo's SUCKS! I probably won't eat there again b'cuz the service was so poor. We had sandwiches and a round of beers. Our beers got there quickly, and so did our food... except my food was missing french fries. Finally I was able to ask someone what the eta was on it and they were kind of rude, like I made a mistake in asking? I was a server for a long time, so I'm pretty good about being polite when things are wrong with my order. I've been there, I know how it feels. But this was just ridiculous. Then I asked for hot sauce and ranch... and the guy told me they didn't have ranch and just walked away. We looked at each other like "uhh, I guess that was a no?" ... I mean, it's just shabby service for a Paragary chain. Mr. Paragary... I hope you read this and train your servers to be POLITE and to do their jobs! Sad thing is, the food was actually not so bad, but my review focused on the horrible service. That is what I walked away thinking... this place sucks because the servers suck.
(2)
Gi G.
Great food. Love that you pay first and then can just leave when you are done! It's noisy here but we have young kids so it's perfect. They have a back room to accommodate large parties too and you can call in advance and they will set tables up for you. Great place for brunch!
(5)
Natasha N.
I've been to this one many times, but mostly for breakfast. I like that it's casual and it has good people watching. I've had the Eggs Bernardo which are usually good, but I've gotten it with the bread WAY over toasted and then it's just difficult to eat. This time I had the black forest ham omelette. The eggs were cooked perfectly, but the cheese wasn't melted and there was way too much ham in it and hardly any tomatoes. You can't expect the service to be stellar considering you order at the counter and don't really have a waitress.
(3)
Shannon E.
Solid menu, solid service and solid pricing. Does it get any better than that? The portions are large and the pricing is incredibly reasonable for the quality of the food. The entire menu looked delicious and the huevos rancheros were absolutely stellar. Bonus: Free wi-fi!
(4)
Jeff P.
No better restaurant to ride my bike to on a lazy Saturday or Sunday, sit outside and people watch. And oh, yeah.........the food. OK, this isn't gourmet so gourmands of Sac, please chill. But it's also one helluva step above the Denny's, the Int'l Houses, the Marie Calendar's, blah blah blah blah of the world. In fact, there is no comparison. I've been an irregular regular at CB for the past 15 odd years or so ago, when they opened this spot. Let me just tell you, if your appetite in the a.m. is on the savory side, then two dishes are a must: first and best- Eggs Bernardo, Second- Chicken Apple Sausage scramble w Mozzarella cheese. Both come with heaps of their signature homemade red potato hash (IE home fries) lightly greased (excellent hangover grub), seasoned with onions and herbs........ deeelish. But back to the Eggs Bernardo: OK, it's all about the mother sauce that is Hollandaise. You need to be on a cholesterol holiday when you eat HD sauce, but what a treat. When it's made well, (no curdling, not too lemony, too eggee) you almost wish you could wash your hair with it.............but don't, eat it instead. Creamy, rich, VERY rich, smooth, just the right amount of lemon, and of course buttery and eggee (but not too much so). Lo those many years ago, this place was my introduction to chicken apple sausage. Love it, love it, love it. Sweet, tender, juicy, just the right amount of spice. And of course, if you want to kick it up a notch, they keep the Cholula at the ready. A secret for the non-locals that I may regret sharing: if you sit outside, you get service, as opposed to sitting inside, where it's a wait in line deal and a playing card issued to you. This place is the original card dealing restaurant in Sac, btw. Either way, the food, the "ambiance", and service at CB Midtown, is always top notch. If you need a place to chill on a weekday or weekend, perhaps to nurse a hangover or just to contemplate ur naval on a sunny day, CB is the place to B. Ciao, Jeff
(4)
Jeff R.
I used to work from home one day a week. Because it was okay to get started a little later those days, I'd always treat myself to a nice breakfast and Cafe Bernardo drew me back on a fairly regular basis. It's nearly always stuffed with people, but it doesn't seem chaotic and food comes quickly. You might find yourself caffiene-deprived until the end of time (which, judging by recent world events, may come sooner than later) waiting for a coffee refill, but other than that, there's little to note about their order-at-the-counter-and-wait style. With or without fruit, I've grown quite fond of their cornmeal pancakes. Though they sometimes arrive a little too browned for my likes, they're always moist and delicious. The cornmeal provides an interesting texture, giving the dish an unexpected dash of character, chewing-wise at least. Unfortuntely, I'm in the office five days a week now and I rarely have it in me to stomach the Saturday and Sunday crowds, but sometimes I drive or walk past and my belly cries out for deliciousness. I haven't given in yet. I am bigger than my belly (though not by much).
(4)
Kato L.
Hooked on their Thai noodle salad... It's a must try... Other things are good but the Thai noodle salad is GREAT..
(5)
Christine D.
I absolutely used to love this place, and probably still like their food, but I am giving them one star for the absolutely abhorrent behavior by one of their employees last night. She was so condescending and rude that it was insulting, and I should have just walked out! I worked in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years, and I understand how difficult it can be to manage and juggle all the different elements, but that type of behavior is simply unacceptable. Customers, especially loyal ones, are the single solitary reason a business sustains. Treating a customer as if they are a burden is truly unbelievable to me. Perhaps she should take her job a little more seriously or quit, because she gives Cafe Bernardo and Paragary a bad name. I will not return to this location.
(1)
laurissa c.
If i could give Cafe Bernardo no stars i would came in with a group of 4 and ordered a breakfast burrito. It had a band-aid in it - and, yes the band-aid was discovered AFTER it had been put into mouth and chewed a bit. after asking to speak to the manager ( busser was kind enough to take the band-aid off of the table but left the meal for us to stare at) we waited another 10 minutes before actually going up to the counter and explaining again that there was a band-aid in our food. It seems that at Cafe Bernardo its not until you say in front of the customers who are waiting to order that you found a band-aid in your food and have been waiting 10 minutes to see the manager do they actually respond. The chef was kind enough to actually come to the table to apologize and was as mortified as we were. j.t. is going to have to update his list to: 5 ways to lose customers
(1)
Will C.
Brought my out-of-town sister here for breakfast. First time for both of us. She had the chorizo scramble while I had a simple 2 egg breakfast with the turkey sausage. Food was good; coffee was phenomenal - best I ever had so far. Service sort of like Crepeville where you order at the counter and they bring your food. Unsure about coffee service, so we tried getting it at the counter but told that someone was supposed to come by. I would come back here again.
(4)
Danielle C.
Terrible!! My husband and I went there after just moving downtown. The cafe itself is a cute set up, but the food tanked . my eggs were dry and spongy, bacon was more like pork rinds and pancakes just flavorless. Even the fruit bowl sucked! On top of last for a last minute add on to our meal they made us get BACK in the line. What the heck! Never going back.
(1)
JC C.
Cafe Bernardo french toast hits the spot. The food is great and so is the staff.
(5)
Steph W.
Trendy, you usually see people you know, OK ambiance. Food's really not that good, neither is the service. There's way better
(2)
Kristin F.
What a cute, quite little restaurant. I had the turkey sandwich, which was fantastic. The rest of my parties food looked fantastic as well. The salad sampler was a hit as well as the thai noodles. They have raving reviews for breakfast, so I plan on going back. This is a must try.
(4)
Sarah T.
This is my favorite place to go for Saturday or Sunday breakfast. I am addicted to the waffles and fruit bowl. I really enjoying going with a group of friends relaxing chatting about the week or the crazy night that happened before.....(I did what!!!!) The atmosphere is down to earth and now that it's starting to warm up you can sit outside with your sunglasses on (looking fresh, yes I said fresh) The menu is very extensive, try a mimosa and relax.
(4)
Kevin L.
Best place in the area for breakfast. Favorites are the plain ol' 2 egg breakfast with bacon, and the Eggs Bernardo.
(4)
shareka j.
I have been here twice and I enjoyed the food both times. Everyone I was with said their food was good too. I recommend going early for brunch on the weekends as it gets pretty busy. I also love the fact that they have pet friendly alfresco dining. The prices are reasonable and the employees were friendly.
(4)
Steve K.
Breakfast sandwich was pretty good. Staff is y friendly.
(3)
Pam N.
Just one of those hip, laid-back kind of nooks that makes paying 8 dollars for an omelet and potatoes worthwhile. The two huge slices of toasted sourdough bread made my Monday morning. My potatoes were a little oily tasting, the Bacon Avocado with mushroom omelet was pretty tasty, but nothing extraordinary.....but that bread! Toasted to just the right crispness with a little chew in it was superb. My bf had the Black Forest Ham omelet....uh, no. It looked like they took a slice of ham from the packaged meat section in the market, put some cheese and a few slices of tomato and covered it with eggs. I REALLY could've made that at home. They could've at least cut it up to make it look like it wasn't made assembly-line style and just slapped it on....but then again, I'm lazy in the morning and don't want to use my knife if my fork can't cut through it. Overall, a great place for breakfast and some people watching.
(4)
G J J.
Overpriced, nasty breakfast. You had to order and sit down...it's a miracle they didn't ask you to go back to the counter to get your food. The man couldn't take the order down properly because he just woke up...he had dross in his eyes, hair was disheveled, and he looked unshowered. I am not complaining about the man. I ordered a caffe latte, and I got colored milk with froth. I ordered hash browns (home fries) and got a day old plate of potatoes that were once frozen. Orange juice from concentrate. What's the point?? I hear it's a great spot for "wikis" at night (it's their specialty) and other drinks. It's a frequent get-drunk spot due to the bar. What a bore. EDIT: The review above, before the word "edit" has been left intact so you can see what I wrote. I was contacted by a/the owner of Bernados who harangued me verbally through the messaging system here at Yelp. I'll never go to Bernados, or let anyone go there again. My review rating dropped from two stars to one. Good job Bernados police!
(1)
Kristin S.
Chef Shannon, we love you!! Deeeelicious and varied menu. My only disappointment is when a favorite of ours gets the ax. But, sniff sniff, we understand. It's the only way to make way for new creations. I think the service here has been fine. The people aren't hovering over us or anything, but typical service for the relaxed downtown Sac restaurant that it is. Nice outdoor seating. The grilled chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and spinach salad are a few of our favorites.
(5)
Kim J.
The customer service was horrible. I was called up to the register and as soon as I walked up, the guy said he would be right back and walked away. He was gone for a pretty good amount of time, and when he got back he didn't even apologize. He was really unfriendly and spent most of the time talking to his co-workers. I really hate when someone rings you up and doesn't even tell you the total, they just stare at you and expect you to read it off the register. He kept turning around and talking to his co-workers and was just throwing my receipt on the counter to sign. He was just kinda lame. We sat outside and someone brought me the wrong food, and my friend's food was cold. It was a pretty annoying experience. We sat on the patio of Monkey Bar and a server came out to see if we wanted anything (they're owned by the same company and they just share the patio,) and she was friendlier even though we weren't her customer. I've eaten here before and had a better experience, so maybe this was just a bad day. We realized partway through our meal that we should have gone to Sweetwater instead.
(2)
Razza M.
Superb place, good benedicts. Good coffee, good service. Everything was clean.
(5)
Kari S.
To note: I did not eat here. After a few minutes of unpleasant waiting, we left and went searching elsewhere for grub. It was Sunday afternoon, the 'rents were in town and we were looking for a good late lunch/brunch place. As it turned out the WaterBoy and Jack's Urban Eats both don't open til evening (oops! should have done some homework) and therefore I needed a viable alternative. I pass Cafe Bernardo everyday on my bike ride home from work and it looked cute/seemed to have a good vibe. So, I thought it worthy of a looksie. Upon arrival, there were plates stacked up on outside tables and a broken glass of Chohula on the ground. From a small sampling of the outside diners, no one's food looked particularly appetizing or like there was real care given to food presentation. Brazenly (or stupidly depending on your view), we ventured inside and were greeted by a strong combo-whiff of bleach and old food. For a minute or two we looked back and forth from the menu to each other. Then with a collective shrug, we left and sought our food elsewhere. Our total stay at Cafe Bernardo was five minutes. Upon leaving, the broken glass of Chohula was still on the ground, not having received any attention from the staff.
(1)
Cali G.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots! I am obsessed with the lemonade and their mac and cheese is beyond delish. I have had a few of their salads, their garlic fries and 2 of their signature sandwhiches... never once have I had a bad meal.
(4)
June J.
Good place for breakfast or lunch.
(3)
Sydnee S.
great for breakfast (esp. on weekends--gets extremely crowded) or lunch anytime, but a bit overpriced. order over the counter and your food is brought to you, but after that the service outside is pretty bad. the steak sandwich is dank, but they make you pay to add any sort of cheese (weak).
(4)
Susan Y.
Just OK. A reviewer said everything was organic... But I don't see that stated anywhere on menu. Huge portions - order half portions. Coffee is a bit watery for my tastes. Just OK.
(2)
Nancy L.
Bernardo's new spinach salad is yum yum yum. Fresh with cucumbers, feta cheese, onion and strawberries - perfect with ice tea on the patio!
(4)
Josey H.
I Love The Chicken Sandwich & The Salmon Plate. Only Problem Is The Customer Service Is Horrible I Never Get Drink Refills Unless I Walk Back Up To The Counter To Get One. They Bring The Food To The Table And They Never Come Back.
(4)
Erin J.
I love Cafe Bernardo's calzone, only available for lunch. (Do they do dinner?) It's pretty good. It is also a great place to go to get Oatmeal for breakfast. They give you a good heap of it, with walnuts and brown sugar.... so delicious. Im a sucker for sweets so i always splurge and get the filled chocolate cupcake! take one with if you dont have room for it after your meal.
(3)
Shelby G.
My must have here is the honey and peanut butter sandwich! only 4 dollars, but be carefull I havn't been there when they aren't super busy!
(4)
Jason V.
Had their grilled salmon sandwich. It was good, however service was a bit under par. Ordered a $10 burger to go and waited approx 13minutes before checking in with staff because I saw them cleaning the grill. Instead of owning up to the mistake of forgetting my order, they told me that it was overcooked and they would make me another one. I prefer honesty above anything else. Some kids need to "man up." Just for the record, Inccident date was 1/14/2011.
(2)
Tiffany M.
A friend took me here for a Sat. brunch a few of years ago. They had a wide variety of gourmet style foods to pick and choose from on their menu. I chose the ham and cheese grilled sandwich which was very good but I will ask for vegetables on it the next time. We had the option to sit outside on the patio which was great as midtown is a lovely mixture of businesses and residential occupants, it is shade tree abundant and also a people friendly area so this was a nice touch. I enjoyed myself and later introduced my sister to the cafe. We both decided to try the salad selection they had and ordered the salad sampler which was fresh, excellent and very tasty. Our samplers included the Thai noodle salad, the Chopped salad, and the Spinach and Arugula. I do not know of any other places where you can get 3 gourmet style salads on one plate so that was awesome. We have returned many times after and plan to continue. :-)
(4)
Terry L.
I love this place. Moving to Sacramento from SF I had a hard time finding a breakfast place that could compete with the places in SF. Cafe Bernardo fits the bill. Good food, fair prices, ambiance and speedy service.
(4)
Nicole w.
This place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I prefer coming here for breakfast. They have good food, casual, and not too expensive. I like the eggs, or the pancakes. The potatoes are really good too. I recommend it for breakfast in midtown.
(3)
Cy W.
Oh, they layers of disappointment you have piled upon me. Never has my order come out with the rest of my table. Never have you been able to get what I ordered right. Never have I left feeling okay about my meal. I just don't want to ever go back. I know so many love this place but I would have better luck getting what I order at Pancake Circus.
(1)
Kevin K.
Great mid-town breakfast. Stopped in yesterday. Like always, I scan the menu board trying to choose. Like always, I order the eggs Bernardo with smoked ham. Great bread, great hollendaise, and great potatoes. Good place for elegant comfort food
(4)
Jana B.
This is one of my favorite go to places. I love the Thai Noodle Salad and the Summer Squash Pizza when it's in season. On top of great food, they also have a pretty awesome selection of beers on tap, including my all time favorite, Downtown Brown.
(5)
Dane H.
Sarah's right--this is consistently the best Paragary's joint, based in no small part because of their chef, Shannon Berg. She is a sweetie and takes great pride in everything that comes out of the kitchen (at least when she's on the floor). Their daily soups are great, and they actually have some of the best burgers in town--a regular beef burger and a turkey burger. I usually go for their Salmon BLT or grilled -achiote rubbed chicken sandwich for lunch--both are great! Weekend breakfast is still a zoo, but they do have the best huevos rancheros in town--maybe even north of the border--with a very authentic tomato/serrano salsa and black beans with a hint of epazote. You can always go there on a weekday for breakfast if you hate crowds, or go eat in the bar which I do when there's a line--there you get service like you would in any other restaurant with a bar if standing in line ain't your thing. Cut them some slack about them being part of the Paragary's chain--Shannon and Lynn, who is the manager, (almost) have autonomy on the operation of the store and it really is one of the best little restaurants in town. Note: they currently have mondo parking problems with all of the construction going on around them in addition to reduced parking in the back, so be forewarned. Also, the new Cafe Bernardo at 15th and R has taken some business away--I really like these people---so they really need our support.
(4)
Leila C.
This place gets some really bad reviews and I don't know why. Don't show up here expecting uber-fancy, San Francisco-hip type of place. C'mon people, remember you're in Sacramento. That being said, I've eaten lunch and breakfast here several times and never been disappointed! French toast was yummy, salads are good. Ordering at the counter typically means fast food/service.
(4)
Michael D.
We took friends from out of town because CB is dog friendly, and I have had great experiences in the past. Service was prompt and friendly. The pup received her water right away. What has happened to the food? Two of us had the salmon BLT. The salmon was very "fishy" and neither of us could taste the bacon. I only ate half. One of our guests had the tri tip sandwich. When he grimaced, I asked how it was. "Sometimes tri-tip is really good and sometimes it's weird. This is NOT really good." I didn't ask for the details. Always love the patio.
(2)
Linsey F.
After finishing a nice Saturday morning run (our last run before the Nike Marathon next weekend!) some teammates and I decided to hit up Cafe Bernardo. We decided that the other patrons would have to deal with the fact that we looked (and probably smelled) like crap because we were in some serious need of breakfast grub. This was my first time here and I loved me scrambled eggs with apple sausage. Delicious! The potatoes and bread were perfect. I ate everything on my plate! And I didn't have any after-meal remorse.
(4)
C P.
I met my friend here on a whim to get together for a bite and some great conversation. Loved it. Cute place with quality food. My favorite part, the best ever bloody mary I have had to date. Just the right amount of mix with vodka and just right spice. I look forward to going again and again.
(4)
Gordy S.
What an awesome burger...
(4)
Joan v.
Nice staff, good menu. The mac and cheese was ok, a little lukewarm and little over galicly. The grilled ham and cheese was perfect, and the ham in the sandwich was plentiful and delicious.
(4)
Buster P.
Color me unimpressed with this mediocre middle-child entry by restaurant pseudo-progenitor Paragary. Sometimes I've had pleasant experiences with kitchen's creations, and sometimes disappointing failures as well. The service and the culinary quality are far too irregular to make me much of a fan. I'll pitch in my sheep-bleat along with the rest of the folks who all make remarks regarding the decline of decency when the crowds rise high; one can pretty much forget what little 'service' this order-counter establishment offers. Be prepared to fetch everything yourself since the bored and blase babes behind the counter cannot be bothered to interrupt practicing their emo-tudes and hipster hype with actually performing work. If you do decide to risk the game of dining roulette here, when they have it on the menu the polenta triangles are delicious, with a lightly pan-crisped coating and a creamy, textured interior. I also sincerely appreciate that Bernardo's spin on lemonade makes for a refreshing tonic with a hint of mint blended into the citrus sweet. As an aside, I'm so sick of restaurants charging me two or three dollars a glass for a synthetic beverage instead of the real thing. How goddamn hard is it to squeeze lemons into a cup and add some sugar?
(2)
jd d.
Cafe Bernardo's is just another joint comparable to Crepeville. Yes, it's just like Crepeville minus mostly the Crepes. Cafe Bernardo is an in-town place other than your Carrow's or, Denny's. Much more on the "original" side to be exact due to their "Crepeville"-copper tables, and Playing-Card-Number-System for servers to see when they are ready give you your order. The menu is ok. I've been here a couple times to say that the place is an "Eh...." in my book. I've seen better. I've ate better. I remember ordering a breakfast here and got the Chorizo & Eggs Jack cheese, cilantro, herbed potatoes, and warm flour tortilla, all for 6.75. I was delighted for a lil bit, the food was eH, and I really didn't pay attention to the flour tortilla through out my whole meal. I should have ordered something else, but, this just grabbed my attention. Yes, I could have gotten something better at a Carolina's, Beto's, or Rigerberto's. Yeah, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican Food joint if you will. For dinner (not the same day, some other day...), I ordered a Calzone. Wasn't bad, I never had one before, and it was ok. I think the bread overpowered what was actually inside of it. Almost reminded me of an enormous hot pocket with nothing but 1 pepperoni inside. So, that was exaggerated, but you get the picture. I like this place every now and then. I wouldn't go here often, it's just basically another different place to go to if you already had enough of the regular stuff that you've basically lived on for a while. Yeah, another place to set your eyes away from an IHOP, Denny's, Carrow's, or Pancake Circus. :P
(3)
Matthew W.
I LOVE this place. They have awesome french toast, pancakes and, as Alisha said, GREAT breakfast burritos. Cafe Bernardo has a very nice, cozy, and relaxed atmosphere with pretty good service and little waits (except for on weekends). The place is always shiny clean and you can always eat a slow meal without a rush and greatly enjoy it. If you haven't been here yet, please try it. Just be careful when you come if you are worried about crowds.
(5)
Heidi P.
This place is A-OK. Close to where I work. I love that they use fresh seasonal ingredients and the mac and cheese is creamy yummy goodness. The turkey burger is good too. But .... but ... but... I just can't put my finger on why its not just good enough for me to put it at a 4. All the right things are in place, yet something is lacking guess for me to give something a 4 star would be for me to crave something from them. And I just don't "crave" their food. Yet its very good.
(3)
Dan T.
Went there over Christmas vacation and loved it as usual! My wife and I go there every time we are in Sacarmento for breakfast. Their pancakes are second only to my Mom's and our niece and nephew agree. I actually haven't had anything I didn't like on their bfast menu. My favs are the Bfast Burrito, the french toast, waffle and of course pancakes. I will not order pancakes out anywhere else.
(5)
stacy k.
This has always been one of my favorite places to eat for breakfast. My go-to items are the breakfast burrito's and the french toast. If it's your first time to ever dine at this establishment for breakfast, order one of these or both! You won't be disappointed. I promise.
(4)
April O.
A place that can seat our huge group of rollergirls with little to no wait and can satisfy the picky vegetarian types within our group makes me a fan. Not only did Cafe Bernardo do that, but they gave us a delicious brunch that didn't cost an arm and a leg and was extremely filling too. We liked it so much we ate there both mornings that we were in Sacramento. Nothing beats waking up at the Vagabond Inn with a hangover when you get to eat at Cafe Bernardo that same morning!
(4)
Owen M.
like it like I like Tower..I can go there after the gym or dressed nicely and don't feel odd . Food is consistent- menu kinda odd..but I usually get a burger, the salmon dinner, salmon BLT, or a ceasar or come at breakfast for benedict- or ? The salads could use expanding- the mushroom salad is a billion mushrooms and gets way overwhelming..you want to cook them halfway thru just to change the taste. Also- the noise level is TOO NOISY..it woudl be great if they'd toss up some acoustic tiles to absorb some of the noise..it isn't too fun to scream and hear dishes clanking in your ear ...outdoor patio is nice..however...sometimes the crew at the bar nextdoor is a bit ? too drunk, loud, obnoxious and foul mouthed. - -- so....enjoy the noise! There aren't many QUIET and good/popular sacramento restaurants that i know of.
(4)
Roachie D.
This place is fine, as far as upscale breakfast joints go. Its a "order it at the counter, we'll run it out to you" kinda place. Definately a more money/yuppie-ish crowd. The prius-driving, milage-plus-i wen't to Borneo types. Which is neither here nor there. Anyhow, the food is food, nothing spectacular about it, but nothing I'd diss either. The patio is decent, and its a nice place to have a mimosa brunch with girlfriends ala sex-in-the-city. Not the cheapest brunch in town, but then, you're paying for "amibence".
(3)
Matty K.
I came here for breakfast with my roommate on a Monday morning. I ordered a breakfast burrito with a side of fresh seasonal fruit. He ordered the amaretto french toast and the 2 eggs breakfast. I was surprised at how fresh the fruit was. It was perfectly ripe, and cut well into little bite-sized pieces. I really enjoyed the fruit. The breakfast burrito was ok. It had black beans, egg, and I think avocado in it. It was not exciting, or exceptional, but it was fine. The potatoes that came on the side were fine as well. Not too greasy, not particularly good or bad. I tried a bite of my roommate's french toast and didn't like it. It was dry, flavorless, and tasted kinda like cardboard. It all came out to $30 with his coffee. Eh. It's close and was fairly quick, but the food was not something to remember.
(3)
Harry J.
I asked one of the nurses i work with at sutter general where i should go for lunch, and she recommended this place to me. she told me that the grilled chicken sandwich was pretty good. 10 dollars for a sandwich. NO FRIES OR SIDE SALAD?! comon............................. my plate looked so naked. BUT WAIT. the sandwich struck a nerve. the piece of chicken was way too small for the bun... bummer. at least the sandwich tasted really good. overall: a bit overpriced for what you get. service was a bit slow, good amount of seating. sandwich was good. waitress didn't let my cup get half full... or half empty?
(3)
Jody H.
Visiting Sacramento for a River Cats game, I stopped for brunch at Cafe Bernado. Although this place is really highly rated in area reviews (Sac Bee, Sac mag), the food it not really exciting. That being said, if you are going there, try the Amaretto French Toast. Three of us shared this as "dessert" to our omelets. There were four large slices and we could only eat one each. Yes, we sent one back, but only because we were already so full. The bread is clearly soaked in amaretto and there are toasted almonds on top. Yummy!! The avocado mushroom omelet with bacon and cheese was very good. It was fresh and the filing was plentiful. It wasn't over the top delicious, but I enjoyed it. When you are done, don't miss Sutter's Fort, two blocks away. We needed the walk after our meal and we all need to support our state parks.
(3)
Ben R.
Had the Malted Belgian Waffle with pecan butter. Delicious. Waitress was good too.
(4)
Tifanny E.
Friday afternoon on a search for steak in the Broadway region, was coming up short and losing hope quickly. Surprisingly as many restaurants as this area has...not so many options for steak. I opted for Iron steaks only to be let down by their 5pm dinner opening, bummer. Mortons...not so close and I just wanted to grab a pick-up. So Cafe Bernardo, which I had heard of, was the choice and the answer. I ordered the tri tip dinner which came with mash potatoes and squash, and I was already in indulgence mood so I orderd the mushroom salad as well. The bleu cheese mashed potatoes were a nice touch with tangy accents I didnt expect. Everything perfectly complimented each other. The meat was red and a cooked just right. And that steak craving of mine....subsided with a full belly and smiles before starting the evening at work.
(4)
Miu M.
I can't believe there aren't more reviews for this place! Cafe Bernardo is another place where you can find me when I'm in Sacramento. The food is consistently good, and the ingredients are fresh. I LOVE the mixed green salad with toasted almonds and blue or goat cheese. Damn this is a good salad. So simple but so freakin good. I also love the turkey burger and the salmon BLT.
(4)
Dan M.
The food here is cooked with healthy ingredients and it's good but not great. I like the atmosphere and the outdoor seating is nice except when the Monkey Bar next door is really loud and crowded (weekend nights). Overall I think this place is a little overpriced for the quality of the food.
(3)
Nicole E.
I went here for lunch the other day with my friend from work. We went early enough where we were the 3rd party there. We ordered our food and sat outside while we waited for them to bring it out. While we were waiting we could see that it was getting pretty busy inside so business must be good. I ordered some buffalo wings and string fries and my friend had a cesar salad and ice tea. My total was $8.00 and some change and hers was $13.00 and some change. The food was okay, it wasn't great but it wasn't bad. In my opinion they charge to much for the quality of their food. I wouldn't go back again unless I was completely drunk from drinking at R15 and was hungry.
(3)
Stacey J.
I've been coming here for years, with kids, spouse dates, friends, but this weekend, I found that it's gotten even better than ever! A male staffer was a super energized helper, doing everything on Saturday afternoon in the front of the house, bringing us water, sincerely inquiring about the food with actual interest, offering additional items, and appeared to genuinely love what he was doing! Oh, and the food is always good, excellent quality for the price. The new chicken chopped salad, size large at $8, was really great and a super price for a satisfying meal. Spouse loved the gigantic burger, and the patio is often a lovely place to sit in any weather but rain. This was the place that my daughter requested to eat one last time before she left the country for a year recently. She loves the caesar salad and the mashed potatoes. The polenta triangles with salad are a tasty bargain at $7.50 too. And the salmon in all forms is quite good.
(4)
Madeline K.
I went here for the first time this summer for lunch. I ordered the chopped chicken salad (the small version) with caesar dressing instead of the regular bleu cheese -- it was absolutely delicious. Not your normal caesar dressing, either. We went on a cool summer afternoon and sat outside, which was very pleasant. We were able to take our time and chat, and I didn't feel rushed to leave as I do in many places. Although I don't usually like going anywhere downtown/midtown because it always seems to be such a hassle, this place is worth returning to!
(4)
Deb D.
I forgot how great this place was for brunch. Headed to Sac for the weekend and met some friends here. Good food. My only complaint is that the food seems a little pricey for counter service. However, I tend to overlook that when the toast (sourdough and wheat) is sooooooo good. How can you love a place for the toast? oh yeah, when you love them for the coffee drinks, chill vibe, and hollandaise sauce. So, tasty food at $8-10 a plate in a loud, crowded, bustling restaurant filled with artists, hippies, yuppies, families, and that girl who always comes in with a book and sits in the corner. I didn't actually see that, but, it's the kind of place it is.
(4)
Chris S.
Why the hate, people? To be honest, my biggest problem with Bernardo's is that there aren't more places like it in Sac. One of my favorite parts about SF is the abundance of small cafe/bistros that pump out quality food in an informal atmosphere at decent prices. Brunch gets busy, but if you know when to avoid the rush, you should have no problems. THE GOOD -great pizzetas. they don't really change up the pizzetas. you're always going to have some combo of a pepperoni, the grilled chicken, and a veggie option. - entrees. there's always a chicken, salmon, and steak. all are typically outstanding and change seasonally. - breakfast. outstanding value. the eggs bernardo are a fine, fine example of eggs benedict. THE BAD - Inconsistency. As this is somewhat of a proving ground for the Paragary group's chefs, you can end up with someone outstanding, or someone rather mediocre manning the stoves. I have had some incredible meals at Bernardo's and some not so incredible ones. The good have far outweighed the bad, as far as I can remember. - busy for weekend brunch and lunch on weekdays. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing that could happen to Sacramento is for two or three other local restauratuers to open establishments with similar philosophies. We need more of this stuff to pick up the middle ground between what Sac is doing quite well...the emerging fine dining and budget/ethnic foods scenes.
(4)
caryl r.
Good breakfasts, crummy parking but overall yumminess. I love the latte's in the big warm cozy mugs, the food and the atmosphere. I usually order the oatmeal, with fruit. Yum!
(4)
Justin W.
For the price, this is the most consistently good food in all of Sacramento. The best item for breakfast is the pancakes and I don't even like pancakes. For lunch I really like the grilled chicken sandwich.
(5)
T V.
Hands down! This is the best breakfast place in midtown. There's a lot to choose from and they cook it right. Place is cool and upbeat. My favorites are Breakfast burrito, eggs bernado. Prices are regular. I can't say about other times, but if you need breakfast, that's the place to go.
(5)
brad m.
Pretty chill and relaxed place. We came up to Sacto to visit with our fam and this turned out to be just about the perfect place to chill for brunch. I had the Bernardo Burrito and added bacon -- pretty good for a breakfast burrito, and the potatoes were great on the side. My wife had the belgian waffle, which was tasty, but nothing super special. Around the rest of the table we had some of the egg dishes and everyone seemed to enjoy. Overall, for the price and the atmosphere, this is a fantastic place. After finishing up, they let us linger for a good hour and a half and we didn't feel rushed at all -- that's definitely unusual if we would have been in the bay area, so maybe all the good folks in Sacto just have better manners! I'd definitely head back to Bernardo again!
(4)
Kristi D.
I ordered the Bernado Breakfast Burrito, a mimosa, and coffee. Mmm, nothing better than switching off between a sip of coffee and mimosa. Perhaps one day they'll concoct a combination of both - and call is a coffosa. Or not. They have an outdoor patio area so bonus points for that, an order/pay at the counter set-up, and bring you your food. An extra bar. Would I go back? Definitely.
(4)
S G.
I had a Portobello mushroom sandwich , butternut leaves and avocado salad...both of which tasted super...! Encouraged by the good food I had a cappuccino .and .. it was burnt:(....well had to try since the food is very good...:))! anyways.... def will return......if I get a chance..:)!
(4)
Stephanie S.
LOVE the Thai Noodle salad, always filling and has a little spicy kick! Tried the Portobello burger the other day and added smoked mozerella cheese, carmelized onions and chili mayo and it was amaziiiiiiiiiing!! so gooey and tasty, definitely my new favorite! The chicken sandwich is something I constantly crave, the spicy slaw piled on top is so yummy! also a big fan of their Tahitian Blend Ice Tea as well :) really friendly staff and delicious food!
(5)
Pippi L.
Eh. Not to intentionally dampen the review of the gal previous, but I definitely think the breakfast can be beat out by a dozen or so breakfast places. The breakfast burrito was edible, though. The only thing I ever really get here is the portabello mushroom burger and salad greens. The salad sampler is pretty good, but they opened years ago with generous samples and now they are down to pretty minimal stuff. It's a serve your own water kind of place, and the "wait staff" basically just runs around putting plates in front of you. It's not always very consistent with the service, or the food, but if you like Paragary's, you will probably just love it. For me, it's a place I will go if every friend suggests it, and I've tried it a few times on my own volition. It's just so-so, a little snooty for their offerings, and kind of pricey (they justify this by having a garden instead of a parking lot.)
(3)
Natalie E.
I have been here a few times now. Breakfast and dinner. I like the fact that it is a walk-up and order restaurant, but the food has not impressed me. I had the Eggs Bernardo (Benedict) just this last weekend and I was let down. It is on Rosemary sourdough which was too hard and the egg was over poached. I do have to say that I love the potatoes though. Service is okay, no one ever really looks like they want to be there, which always bothers me. I think I might try the R15 location before I remove Bernardos from my list.
(3)
Clare F.
Good consistent breakfast. I have enjoyed the breakfast burrito many times. Good portion sizes and bang for your buck. Nice patio and laid back atmosphere. Definitely a regular stop on my breakfast trail.
(3)
Victoria B.
Yes, it's always crowded on the weekends, expect to wait. Yes, it's noisy and the acoustics are fabulous making it that much louder (especially if you have a hangover). But you know, the eggs benedict are the the best in town IMHO. So I'll keep coming back for more.
(4)
Steph P.
Great for midtown breakfast though it stops serving breakfast at 11 AM. If Cafe Bernardo were a city, it would be Portland. Cute personality, good quality food. Cafe Bernardo be not your greasy diner breakfast but a place for reasonably priced amaretto french toast and malted belgian waffle. The toast is alright, but the waffle is something special. In comparison to the other options in midtown for breakfast (Cornerstone, Fox Goose, Bistro 33) I think this one is the crowd pleaser.
(3)
Elijah F.
Food is good but not great. I hate places that ask for tips when you have to go to the counter to order (like Bernardo's). Their not waiting on me, I'm waiting on them . . . to bring me my fucking food. That was meant to imply that service can be less than good. But, that all being said, I enjoy this place. It has a great location. Good decor. Decent food (again, not great but no bad). It would get five stars with better service, better prices (a bit overpriced) and better food. Four stars for better food. Three stars seems right.
(3)
Amy B.
The food is great! But the service is awful! The guy at the register rolled his eyes at me when I asked him a question about the menu! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I "forgot" to tip.
(3)
ERIC A.
When is Randy going to get a fucking clue! How many people have to bitch about his employees atrocious attitude and service! You better get your shit together and fire these lame ass managers or your reputation is going to be 100% shot in this town. You've already lost half your credibility in this town, and this is coming from a fan. Get it together!
(1)
Michael M.
The only reason I love it so much is for the location, people watching, and outside seating. The food is ok, and the pancakes are quite good but I agree that many of the menu options are a little overpriced. If brunch is early in the morning on a Sunday often the wait can be really short but if you get there at peak brunch time, expect to have a long wait.
(3)
Paulie E.
This is a great place to come on a weekend morning and as long as you have time and patience for the long lines, you can get decent food at decent prices and have a great crowd to watch. It is best when the weather is nice and you can sit on their patio.
(3)
Randy M.
Overpriced, snooty, a long wait, bland food, and highly over-rated. If you're into paying $6.95 for scrambled eggs, while being surrounded by people who dip themselves in patchoulli stink as they discuss what they should pack in their RV for the next burning man- this is your place. If you are looking for a place that serves reasonably priced and delicious food, go elsewhere.
(1)
Ellen P.
I've come here on many occasions, usually for breakfast, and always have had a lovely experience. Great atmosphere and friendly, attentive service. Food is delicious, but not life-changing. (you may ask if food can be life changing and I would say yes.) Good pancakes and omelets. For lunch I love the grilled sandwiches and soups.
(4)
Cory L.
The portobello mushroom burger (no meat patty just mushroom) and the salad sampler (with Thai noodle salad!) are two of my favorites that make it worthwhile every time, not to mention that the Monkey Bar is right next door for some convenient* after dinner drinks. It's cheap and fun. In my book, it's on the map of good places to eat in Sactown. If you are a high-maintenance person and demand service fit for a king or queen then this place might not be for you.
(4)
Jessica B.
lovely, lovely place to have brunch on a hungover saturday morning!! we walked in and decided that it would be great to sit out front in the sun. the only bummer is that the wait staff apparently thought this was a horrible idea and decided not to serve us for the longest time. when we finally tracked down a server, she was very nice and attentive. we had mimosas - yum!! they served them up with the perfect amount of oj, plus we got to have the rest of the little champagne bottle. it was great. for brekky i had the chicken apple sausage scramble. seriously so delicious!! the potatoes and sourdough toast were yummy as well. others in my group had the pancakes - to die for, the breakfast burrito - huge and saucy, and the chorizo and eggs - spicy! all of the food was delicious! i would def go back to this place for brunch!!
(4)
Maricel B.
My daughter and I took the Mister here for Father's day one year. We had breakfast and it was pretty good. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside. The food didn't take too long and overall we had a pleasant experience.
(4)
Jeff L.
The extra star goes to the fresh tasting green bean salad that is filling and healthy for your wallet. Other salads here are fresh tasting too. Their take on the Thai noodles is tasty but not authentic so heads up. Drinks over here seem similar to the Monkey bar (which gets noisy at nights). But for a late Sunday afternoon with a friend, a drink and salad at the booth is a nice addition to the end of a day.
(4)
Eli M.
four stars for the breakfast burrito alone and saving my ass from sunday hangovers :)
(4)
Jessi B.
this breakfast burrito rivals Viva's in stockton (and i am VERY serious about my viva breakfast burrito) if you're in the mood for upscale-ish breakfast, and coffee in a giant mug or mimosa... bernardo will make it happen. it's just that i am always so sad when it's all gone.
(4)
David I.
The folks who say the food is lousy don't know what they're talking about. Forget the Fox & Goose or the Tower Cafe ... this is THE best breakfast in Sacramento. The breakfast burrito and the chorizo and eggs are my favorites, but everything I've tried is good. Service can be a bit slow at times, but i can forgive that ... the prices are more reasonable than the Tower, the staff is friendly, and the mugs of coffee are bottomless. If you're looking for a place to relax, have a good brunch, and read the paper, you can't do better without driving to SF. (NOTE: The person who called the tofu scramble "the worst I've ever eaten" is mistaken, because they don't even HAVE a tofu scramble on the menu here. And the worst tofu scramble I've ever had is at The Fox and Goose.)
(5)
Jennifer S.
*Sac Training #1* my work sent me out to sac for a departmental training for a couple days, i'll be here until tomorrow so expect a few more trickling in from *sac* ;) i'm proud to say that i'm NOT* a breakfast person, i'm more of a lazy brunch person where i can squeeze in 2 meals in one, and not to mention, a heartful meal ... anyways, cafe bernardo had quite a bundle to choose from omelettes, waffles, pancakes, burritos, and such ... a small lil cozy eatery... perhaps because i DID walk in around 7:15ish for breakfast most of the people eating were government looking employees ... so yea, sry for getting off tangent here ... i wanted something small and simple, so i went for their amaretto french toast ... eh, for $6.73, you get a few toasted almonds on the side with maple syrup. ok, let me clarify for you all... i had the impression that the toasted almonds would be sprinkled ON the toast ... WRONG ... they're just simply almonds on the side, with a dab of butter ... i have to say they give you 2 HUGE ASS SLICES OF bread ... i couldn't even finish one half of it ... anyways, service was extremely friendly and accomodating. ... definitely, worth another look, another time that is ... when i come back into sac ... for lunch tho, def NOT dinner or breakfast ...
(3)
Sherry C.
The breakfast can't be beat. From the oatmeal to the egg's Bernardo, it is fan-friggin-tastic! Whenever I am in Sac-town I always make it a point to eat brunch here at least once. An added bonus is the HOT chef with the glasses. I always enjoy the view!
(5)
kate r.
I'm kinda torn here... I had breakfast here for my last birthday and it was pretty good, I'd give them 3.5 stars. However, my boyfriend is constantly asking when we can go back for breakfast because he keeps talking about their Amaretto French Toast or Malted Belgian Waffle. Nothing really seems to hit him hard when it comes to food, unless he REALLY enjoys something, so its probably worth 4 stars.
(4)
aaron n.
back in the old days when i went to monkey bar i used to always wonder what this place was. finally a few years back i came to eat and have always loved it. i havent been in a while and had the chance to stop by today for lunch. damn construction is still going on at this intersection for what seems like 3 yrs. anyways as always it was a good experience. the service is always nice and friendly and not fake. the food was excellent. i got a thai pasta and bowl of soup. it wasnt to crowded but the atmospere is always nice and fits downtown well. being able to sit outside and enjoy the day is always a plus. food is always good and solid and always a good place to have breakfast at.
(5)
Michael R.
Why can't I get breakfast for dinner? I would have ordered the Bacon Avocado Omelet or the Malted Belgian Waffles. Since they stop serving breakfast at 11a, I ordered the Certified Ground Chuck Burger, no cheese. I sat on the patio under one of the heaters, even though it was a bit chilly outside. It wasn't very busy, so my food came out to me in what seemed like five-minutes. I grabbed a paper from one of the little machines on the sidewalk and sat under my heater and ate my $8 burger. The patty was tasty and was a perfect "well-done". However, for $8, I wish it could be a little bigger. And the fries are those short, skinny fries that I don't like. You have to grab several at once just to have a sense of eating something. I prefer the huge-cut steak fries, where just one fry could be a meal by itself! The guy that brought me my burger was very helpful, bringing me napkins and asking me if I need utensils. My meal cost about $14, including a bottle of sparkling water. Kind of pricey for a burger, but the great heated patio, convenient location, and possibilities on breakfast menu will have me coming back very soon.
(4)
Ross p.
Did the calzone.I"ve had better.Gonna try some kind of seafood calzone next.Out.
(4)
P B.
Bernardo's is a great place for breakfast and lunch, and a place I frequent often. I've never had a bad meal at any of the three locations I go to (27/Capitol, 15/R, 10/K), and overall I give it 3.5 stars. Somedays I have 4 star food and service, other days 3 star. The food is very good, not great, and I appreciate the committment to using local farms whenever possible. I always enjoy the ambiance, and the service is typically friendly and accommodating. The portions are perfect, the prices on the higher end for what you get, but compared to places like Ambrosia a much better value. I've tried most things on the menu for breakfast and lunch, and really love the Eggs Bernardo and the salads. There really is something for everyone, and though the menu doesn't show it the restaurants work very well with substitutions and sides. Don't expect to be blown away by the food, but expect good food, which is sometimes just what you need for a meal.
(4)
Mark A.
Had lunch there a month or two ago. I ordered a tri tip plate and had a side of their mac and cheese. Everything on the tri-tip plate was good, not spectacular, just good. The meat was tender, the mashed potatoes were creamy, and the greens were tasty. The side of mac and cheese I ordered was wonderful though. That really made my meal. FYI - I am a self admitted macaroni and cheese addict. I should go to rehab.
(4)
Lisa C.
Lovely atmosphere for a weekend brunch. If you come here between breakfast and lunch hours, I suggest ordering something from the breakfast menu. I should have listened to myself, but instead, I ordered the ham & cheese sandwich, while I secretly eyed all the breakfast dishes everyone else around me had ordered. The sandwich was good, the sourdough was grilled to perfection, but it was a little oily. For $7.50, I wished it was served with a side of small salad. My friends got the two egg breakfast and the eggs bernardo, both who enjoyed it very much. I tasted their mocha and it was way too sweet for me. Overall, I'd come back to try their breakfast selection, even if I'm having those sandwich cravings.
(4)
Heman C.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Sacramento. Great menu at a even better price point. I would hightly recommend the Bernardo Breakfast Burrito and their Grilled Chicken Sandwich. I have been eatting there for years and the place is great. One of my all time favorites!
(5)
Deanna H.
Loud and crowded on the weekends but I looove their yummy menu. I always get the simple yet delicious 2 egg breakfast with potatoes and bacon and fresh sqeezed OJ. The whole menu sounds great so I need to try more things! You order at the counter and then they bring the food to you which is a little different. Seating is 1st come 1st served so you definitely have to be ruthless to get a table sometimes.
(5)
Arlene M.
I felt bad giving this place such a low rating because their food is actually pretty good. I like their calzones and breakfast food; however, their customer service tanks it. I know that this place usually takes a while to get your order going and their is usually a line out the door (thinking it would be a great place to eat, but its usually due to slow customer service). I've placed phone orders before and at times they have taken 40mins or more for just one order. One time, my calzone was burned and for a pricey meal you better not get it burned. Aside from my nagging about this place I do like the food and the environment. They have indoor and outdoor seating which is a great place to hang out during the spring or summer days in Sacramento.
(2)
Bridget C.
This place is great for breakfast! You walk up to the counter (often a good sized line) to order your food. They give you a number and you do your best to find a seat. You help yourself to water and there is a coffee station. Shortly thereafter, they bring you your food. There are many options and it is well priced. Hard to go wrong.
(5)
Sarah B.
I've been here a couple of times and both times I've ordered the salmon blt sandwich. The sandwich is okay, not overcooked and tasty enough, but no wow factor. Also, the last time I ordered it the salmon filet was so small there was barely any on one half of the sandwich. I didn't have a chance to rectify this because we had ordered our food togo and were long gone by the time we ate. The garlic fries are meh and the other items my boyfriend has ordered were also okay. I also almost forgot, but the interior of the place had a really funky smell going on the last time we went. Overall, I don't know if I'll be back here. I would rather go to Magpie's, but they were closed, hence the return trip here.
(2)
Walter G.
Nice breakfast spot. Some very good choices on the menu and some not so healthy ones if you decide to be bad. I have only been here for breakfast and all of my selections have been very good.
(4)
Melissa W.
The food overall was good, but overpriced for a place that you have to order at the counter. I had an excellent turkey sandwich on ciabatta that seems priced about right for this sort of place, but my spouse had some way overpriced pancakes. The table staff was prompt to ask if we were done with our plates, but when it came time to refill lemonade, only my lemonade, and not my spouse's, was refilled. I ended up just splitting it. But I have to say as a lemonade snob, that the lemonade, especially with free refill, if you can get it, is really good and worth the price. I was tempted to review at 3 stars, but I realized it didn't suck, and that some of the places I repeatedly patronize are 3 stars. And while I don't know if I'd make this my favorite place or anything, it isn't something I'd object to if someone mentioned it.
(4)
Nicole B.
Sandwiches were huge and there was a wide variety. I would have been fine with half. Fries were very good. They were about the size of McDonald's fries but tasted better. Service was good. I would definately go again.
(4)
Ryan F.
Great for take out. Can't comment on the service complaints others have made, however I recently ordered their french toast and "eggs bernardo" (basically an eggs Benedict on seasoned french bread) for take out and it was excellent. Reheated it for about 2 minutes under the broiler on low and it was just like fresh. Delicious. I have also eaten at their Davis location and I wasn't blown away by the service I got there, so I would not at all be surprised if the service at this location is likewise kind of junk. They appear to hire young, good looking people who have better things to do than pay attention to or be good at their jobs.
(4)
Jeff S.
Years ago, I spent many morning and afternoons happily munching away and enjoying the atmosphere at Cafe Bernardo. However my last experience was a bit of a let down. The service was adequate, but as always, nobody really seemed like they wanted to be there (although that's pretty much the same attitude you will get in most restaurants in midtown). I could get past that, IF the food was excellent, however this time it just wasn't. The side of mac and cheese was absolutely delicious (seriously, I would almost drive to Sac from LA just for that), however my salad was missing something. As a matter of fact, both salads were missing something (I got the salad sampler). Here's how the menu described the 2 salads I ordered: Butter Leaf and Avocado - Roasted beets, goat cheese, citrus vinaigrette Spinach - Local apples, dried cranberries, gorgonzola, walnuts, cider vinaigrette So what was I missing? Well, the butter leaf side had no avocado, no goat cheese and no beets. It was 6 lonely lettuce leaves doused in dressing. The spinach side was missing the cider vinaigrette. I thought at first it was just really light, but after a few bites and a little dissection, I could see the spinach leaves were completely devoid of dressing. I still enjoyed what was on the plate, mostly because the mac and cheese pulled me through, and because the company I was with was very good, and I will give Bernardo another shot next time I'm in town. I just hope the chef brings is A game next time.
(2)
Zach M.
I feel like Sacramento has a lot of awesome breakfast places tucked in and around neighborhoods. This place just happens to be another one of those gems. The guy that took our order was incredibly polite but goofy as hell, which was just the personality I'm looking for in the morning. The foot was incredible and the service was great. I got the french toast, pancakes, and potatoes, it was awesome. I thought the menu was a dollar or two more than I would have expected (its slightly upscale) but totally worth a stop.
(4)
JJ B.
Tried it for the first time yesterday morning for breakfast. I liked it a lot, I must say. I never had a desire to go there,because it seemed to crowded for my liking, but I was in a "try new things" kind of mood, so I ventured over to Bernardos. I ordered the black forest omelet and it was good, I wasn't too crazy about the tomatoes because they were cold and the ham wasn't chunks of ham but rather sliced ham lunch meat... but it was tasty. I really liked there potatoes... mmm... I will be back fer sure
(4)
Natalie A.
The salmon BLT is ingrained into my psyche and will forever exist as something I crave at all times. It is so good. So unbelievably good. The fries aren't all that great. But that's okay. Since they have provided the world with the best sammich of all time.
(4)
Jaimie P.
Their Thai salad is tasty!!!! I also get their chicken stir fry and add cots if d pepper flakes and it's also very good!! Thoses are the only two things vie eaten here though...
(4)
Helena W.
The first time I went here it was for lunch with some friends and it was fine. Nothing special really... I ordered the Thai Noodle Salad by recommendation of our server. I liked the spicy peanut dressing but that's about it. My friends ordered the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with French fries and the Italian Sausage Calzone. We all shared a side of the grilled polenta which was the tastiest out of all of the food we ordered. Everything else was presented beautifully, but the flavor was just not there. The second time I came to Cafe Bernardo it was for Sunday brunch and my boyfriend and I both had white mochas which were great but it took almost 20 minutes to get to us. Our server said he could not find our table because we were outside but if you've been to Bernardo's it's just like the name, it's a small CAFE. Anyways, our food took about an hour to get from the time we put our order in. Although, it was a busy Sunday brunch but we were a party of two and the wait staff there is very unprofessional. I think they're more concerned with the look of their ugly emo haircuts and flirting with each other before doing their job. My boyfriend and I ordered the Eggs Bernardo with ham and the Black Forest Ham Omelet. Both were prepared well and I liked the herbed potatoes and I thought the rosemary bread instead of an English muffin was a nice touch. However, I could tell from the other patrons that they were getting upset with the neglectful and slow service as we were. I have not been back to Cafe Bernardo's since and I don't think I will since there are much better places to have a Sunday brunch in Sacramento.
(2)
Katie S.
There's probably no real difference between this location and the one attached to R15, but I strongly prefer the other location. This Cafe Bernardo just doesn't seem as cozy. Their outdoor seating is not anywhere near as nice, and the staff isn't quite as friendly either. Comparisons aside, this is a decent place to get basic cafe food (salads, sandwiches, soup, breakfast). I prefer their breakfast food to the dinner & lunch fare, and honestly wish they'd serve it all day. The french toast is particularly good, but all of it seems like a better deal than their dinner food. My husband and I went to dinner at Cafe Bernardo last night because we are eating the alphabet (restaurants starting with each letter of the alphabet in order). Also, he wanted a salad and I wanted some meat product (but I only eat hormone free meat), so Cafe Bernardo seemed like a good plan. At 8:30 on a Thursday it wasn't that busy, but was loud with what seemed like spillover from Monkey Bar. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich and he ordered a spinach salad. Both were good, but not anything special. The meat in my sandwich was very fatty and hard to chew, but the rest of the sandwich--the onions, arugula, and aoili combined with the flavors of the meat well. My husband's salad was what you'd expect from a spinach salad, but didn't really have enough toppings to make it a full meal (which you'd expect from the price). I think that in the future I'll stick with this Bernardo location as a breakfast spot. I'm just not wooed by their dinners.
(3)
alli d.
Got dragged here for brunch with some friends recently because all the other spots were too crowded. It was unanimous between the 6 of us that both the eggs and potatoes were very bland, and the potatoes undercooked. We all walked out saying "eh..." You think I'd learn by now...
(1)
paul R.
Went with some locals and the Heuvos was good, latte was great. They told me to watch for the food at the counter so we can grab it or we wait till someone brings it and it might be cold. Not really a fan of ordering at a counter and waiting but it worked ok. Any place that you order at the counter will not get all the meals out together because they have no idea if they are at the same table if you pay on your own. Everyone was happy with their meal.
(3)
Runningdeer Moonchild A.
Not so bad. Moonchild only got a hot chocolate, which was served in a large white bowl, and she loved it. The coffee here is actually pretty good and they have real espresso. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and I sort of loved the flavor and superiority of this item. Unique and satiating. I'll confess, I went here alone prior to this trip (to insure a second disaster didn't occur like cornerstone) and I was happy then too. Complaints: Ordering at the counter makes me feel rushed and invaluable as a customer. The team is young and doesn't seem to be possessing the personable skills many severs have these days. After going there maybe 9 times now, I can say that at times the potatoes are soggy watery and runny. .
(3)
Frank G.
i wish they had more complete service. it's at the counter mostly. and i would avoid downtown and go to the midtown location. it's a star better in my opinion. the food is quite good. the service people behind counter are professional, happy, people. the opportunities for friendly conversation are quite good. makes a good meeting place for friends/dates. all in all, this place is a good choice for late breakfast, lunch. skip dinner though and choose from so many other places with at least minimal service.
(4)
Susan M.
Cafe Bernardo is the best Sacramento restaurant for a delicious, casual meal any time of the day. My husband is completely hooked on the salmon BLT. I love the salads and turkey burger and the oatmeal for breakfast. That said.......the carrot cake is the best cake in Sacramento. If you want a treat go to Cafe Bernardo enjoy a healthy meal and split a piece of carrot cake.
(5)
Ash M.
LOVE Bernardo's! Even though their menu isn't very impressive, I can get the same thing every time I come here and still be happy about it. The quality is fantastic, and everything always comes out piping hot. My personal favorite is the Chicken Apple Sausage Scramble. It's topped with scallions and melted cheese, and served with rosemary bread and jam. YUM. A little pricey to have often, but you definitely get what you pay for. Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Jaclyn L.
I have been here dozens of times for brunch and it always hits the spot. Today was the first time I came here for lunch and I was compelled to write a review. The food is always fine. Nothing bad, but nothing mind blowing. It's a solid meal that I can count on. The ambiance is cute. The service is fast enough. Definitely a fine place to grab brunch of lunch with a friend and chit chat. The reason I was so taken aback today was not because of the service I was provided, rather the service my dog was provided. My boyfriend and I recently got a dog, so I have been looking for more dog friendly restaurants to take our pup, which generally means places with outdoor seating. My friend recommended Cafe Bernardo because the outdoor area is quite cute. Little did I know our dog would be A+ treatment! After our food arrived promptly, our server asked if my dog would like a bowl of water. I was a little surprised and told him that I actually brought her bowl along and I could just pour some water from a glass into it, and then he nicely told me he could get her a bowl of water because they had dog bowls as well. I was caught off guard and curious so I let him get a dog bowl of water. In a minute or so he came back with not only a dog bowl of water but a handful of dog treats that Cafe Bernardo bakes! I didn't test it but they smelled like peanut butter and our dog loved them. I am happy to know that one of the restaurants that I frequent will also take great care of my dog. Thanks!
(4)
www.TheCulinaryWorks.com T.
Stopped by today for a quick bite and as usual, EXCELLENT. I had the grilled chicken sandwich and had forgotten how good they are. Tender, flavorful chicken on toasted focaccia with delicious green chili mayo and a lime slaw. SO GOOD! My super picky friend had a Burger and loved it. I wish I lived closer because it would be a regular spot for me. I love that you can come in "as you are", no pretense, and still have great food. The Butternut Squash Pizzetta looks good too. I'll have to find time to go back and try it. It's an impressive feat to have a restaurant that has such long lived consistently excellent food. The Chef there is the shizzle.
(5)
Al F.
Turkey burger, as tasty as any burger I've eaten in a very very long while, cooked just right, nice taste, juicy. My wife's salmon salad was also tops.
(4)
Catita H.
I love this place. They are consistent, clean and have outdoor seating. They aren't overly nice or helpful, but I don't feel like they're spitting in my food either. I come for the Spicy Thai Chicken Salad, which is a misleading entree title. The first time I ordered it I expected a lettuce-y salad with Thai dressing...but rather a beautiful pile of noodles were delivered to me. I was much more pleased than I had anticipated and it's the only thing I order from there now.
(4)
Christine S.
This place is fine, not incredible but a decent option for almost any meal. A lot of different options for different types of eaters, though I highly recommend the garlic fries. A little too expensive for what you're getting, but the food doesn't disappoint. The patio is great for nice Sacramento nights, though inside can get loud.
(3)
Barbara S.
Always excellent breakfast choice. Though food offerings should/could be warmer. But everything is made fresh by the Paragary Group from breads to dessert . Never enough time to eat everything offered. Love the breakfast potatoes. Eggs Benny....pancakes....even the oatmeal. Lunch and dinner are wonderful too. Especially salads and polenta. This has been a Midtown mainstay for many years. And popular with all age groups. Not as crowded as it once was back in the days when there were fewer dining choice in Midtown. But on weekends get in there early if breakfast is what you wish. They still fill up around brunch time.
(4)
Heather W.
I love this place solely bc of the salmon BLT. It is great!
(4)
Jessica S.
Lackluster food, sloppy service. Eggs Benedict is on a rock-hard piece of toast covered in hollandaise from a powder mix. Overwhelming rosemary in the potatoes. Burnt coffee. Burnt soggy french toast with a dose of ice cold syrup. Watered down OJ in a mix-your-own mimosa. We left half the breakfast uneated and went back to our neighborhood haunt, Uptown Cafe, to pay penance. As our waitress there said, "Don't worry. Eating at Bernardo's was punishment enough."
(1)
Holly W.
I have never had a bad meal here. The food is always pretty delicious and especially the chopped salad when tomatoes are super ripe and first in season. But Tomato-season notwithstanding, this is never really my first choice when picking a place to eat. I think my general indifference comes from the fact that everything here is good, but not great. The service isn't rude, but they are never exceptionally friendly. The food is good, but nothing comes to mind that I "have to have" from there. The patio is nice, but the view isn't anything spectacular -- rich people going to Biba across the street or busses getting washed on the other side of the street. Nice dichotomy there, actually -- now that I think about it. Anyway, I'll take or leave this Bernardo's. It's good, but not the first place I think of when I want to get a meal out.
(4)
Brandy D.
Pancakes are AWESOME! But the syrup is part of what makes them so good =) A little pricey but came here for lunch(for the first time. We've been so stuck on the pancakes) and we were on a bit of a budget so i had to get something somewhat cheap. So i got the ham and cheese sandwich and was VERY pleasantly surprised when it tasted unlike ordinary ham and cheese. I think what made the biggest difference was the bread. I don't know if they always use this bread though, or if that was just the bread they had that day.
(4)
ann s.
I don't like having to order at a counter. I prefer dining at R15 and being served Cafe Bernardo's food.
(2)
John N.
Consistently good. Tasty, well prepared, upscale diner food in an extremely relaxed setting. Turkey burger is delicious. Salmon plate is really delicious and a solid value at $14.50. Always the same amount of people in there, never too crowded, but always enough to make you feel confident in your decision to be dining there. A good weeknight place.
(4)
Anna T.
Cafe Bernardo is a good place to have a casual meal with friends. The service is friendly, the food is good and their house honey lemonade is delicious.
(3)
Christina L.
Went to Cafe Bernardo today for the first time (the one of capital) & very much enjoyed it! When we got there I was able to snag two tables right next to each other for a larger group of 7 of us. We pulled them together & they were very helpful, a bus boy came over & asked if we needed any help. After I ordered, the food took about 15 to arrive which is a little longer than normal to wait for breakfast, but they were pretty busy with it being Sunday at a peak hour. When the food came, it was well worth the wait. I ordered the scrambled eggs with chicken apple sausage & it was very yummy. It came with potatoes on the side which were very good. The portion was a really good size, I didn't finish it all . Overall I really enjoyed this place & I would definitely return to try other things on the menu I saw my friends get! :)
(4)
Serena Q.
Randy Paragary does not accept mediocrity, and Cafe Bernardo has all the flavor and sophistication of his other restaurants, with a more laid back atmosphere and less expensive menu. With that being said, I admit I have a love/hate relationship with this place. To be honest, they serve a better lunch than a breakfast. I LOVE their lunch! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I used to walk from the UCD campus to the Bernardo's on D Street in Davis and get their Turkey Burger almost weekly. For the health concious, they also serve a side of garlicky greens that is hearty and filling. Depending upon the season they will rotate between kale, spinach, collards, mustards - or some variation - I have had them all and each is unique and wonderful. I also enjoy their salads and order the 3 salad sampler because I cannot choose between the Sliced Mushroom and Jarlsberg Cheese, Thai Noodle or Butter Leaf and Avocado. Pizzas and calzones are cooked in a wood oven and are supurb. Their breakfast is what I have a problem with. They don't have enough options for me. The potatoes are flavorless half the time, and their toast has come out hard and cold. I am not into the sweet stuff, so I've never tried their french toast, but it looks good.
(3)
Loren P.
What I ordered: Chicken caesar salad without the dressing, and a side of squash and mushrooms. What I got: VERY LITTLE BIT of chicken on salad, and a side of cold mushrooms. What I did: Played "find the chicken" with my salad, and asked the lady who brought my cold mushrooms if I could have some cold squash thrown in there too. Which she did happily! I was expecting the veggies cooked or steamed or at least microwaved. =/ The upside: Service was friendly, and even thought I had a "Harry met Sally" order, they were willing to accommodate me. Maybe because I asked for no dressing on my salad, they thought I was on a diet and cheated me on some chicken too. ?? But I need that for protein, guys! "5 stars" for friendliness. 0 stars for the chicken caesar salad and side of veggies. Sorry, Cafe Bernie! Next time when I wanna splurge I'll come try something else on your menu, and hopefully I can re-write my review! Until next time... "where's the chicken?" haha!! =)
(2)
Bill C.
I have been to all Bernardo's locations a number of times. Today I went for lunch and had a salad topped with feta for $10.95. There was alot of slime in the greens. I asked the watress to take it away and not a word of apology or any offer to make it up. I was quite disappointed with the salad, but more with the reaction. I will think twice about eating there again.
(1)
Olivia H.
AMAZING breakfast! Must try the Bernardo burrito! It is to die for! Pretty casual. Inside and outside dining. Or dine in R15 and have a mimosa with breakfast!
(4)
Abby F.
Wonderful! This is my favorite go to place to eat. Every time I go to Cafe Bernardo Midtown it is wonderful. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner nothing disappoints.
(5)
Heather M.
This place is OK. Pricey. Service is lackluster. Food has always been decent. Nothing memorable stands out. I'd be back every now and again if someone suggested going, but I wouldn't go on my own suggestion.
(2)
Jen M.
One of my favorite place for brunch, I've been here too many times to count. My boyfriend and I actually sit in Monkey Bar every time which is cool to have a couple whiskey sours and brunch. The bottomless mimosas are okay. I always order the bacon avocado omelette, no potatoes and substitute with fruit! It's definitely not the best brunch I've ever had, but very affordable.
(4)
A S.
Not impressed...service horrible (maybe because waiters were hung), food pricey and nothing special, seems like an uppity crowd for Sac. Try elsewhere for breakfast.
(2)
Keith R.
Have again: the half order of French toast with almonds and real maple syrup was plenty for one person and very, very good. We stopped here as part of the Local Roots Food Tour.
(4)
Brandie R.
They changed their breakfast menu, I highly recommend going back. Their current omelets do not work. Otherwise, great service and they are insanely accommodating for those annoying picky customers(me). Love this place, my go to breakfast joint.
(4)
Christy M.
Skip the other Bernardo, and have your benedict/salmon/beers here. Service, food, and beverage selection is way better than the R15 location.
(4)
Kryssi F.
Cafe Bernardo has great atmosphere. I love how you can eat outside on a nice spring day and all the servers are really friendly. The salad sampler is always a good choice when you want to try up to 3 of their delicious salads. Salmon BLT is a winner, as is the Niman Ranch burger. I wish that fries came with these but you can them for $1.50. The quality of the food is impeccable and the entrees almost too nice for a place where you order at the counter. Only metered street parking is available.
(5)
Chris B.
I forgive you Cafe Bernardo. It took me three separate attempts to make it here on the weekends in time to order from the breakfast menu. However, your breakfast burrito was so scrump-dilly-icious, it made me look into the dark recesses of my hardened heart and find that last little bit of love that was tucked away there. I had a great late Sunday breakfast and spent some quality me-time reading the paper and putting away a hearty breakfast burrito, a chocolate chip scone, and a double latte. Not real fond of the "bowl" that they serve the coffee in, but I made do. I'm usually a condiment guy who will douse his food with hot sauce at any given chance, but the spices and the green sauce on this breakfast burrito required no augmentation with Cholula (the house hot sauce). The burrito and the potatoes that came with it were both a little undersalted, but that was easily remedied. Kindy pricey but definitely what I had in mind for a righteous power breakfast.
(4)
Christina M.
This has been my go to place for breakfast after doing a race. The lines are quick so I have never stood waiting for ages like I do at other resturants (hello Tower?). The food is always consistently tasty and well prepared. My favorite dishes are the chorizo and eggs, tofu scramble and chicken apple sausage scramble with a huge steaming mug of hot chocolate. This last visit I took my husband, his two nephews and thier parents. They DEVOURED their food. My nephew loved the french toast so much he ate it like a taco with his hands. He's an incredibly picky eater so that told me I picked the right place. There wasn't a crumb left when we were done. The potatoes were perfect, and my sister in law's ham and cheese omlette was bursting with ham and cheese. You won't be disppointed coming here.
(4)
Laylee D.
Stopped here for lunch on our way south. Beautiful day, so we sat outside. Hubby and I shared the salmon BLT. Plenty big for me, but I guess I got the half with all the salmon. Not a ton of bacon, which was fine for me, but hubby felt cheated. White bean soup was very good. Would have liked a refill on the iced teas, but no offers. Good variety on the menu. I would try it again, but so many other places in the city I haven't sampled yet!
(4)
Mark B.
Tried this place for breakfast just recently, and would have to agree with many of the reviews. I was not overly impressed with the quality of the breakfast I had (Chorizo and Eggs) as although they cook to order, the food was inconsistent in temperature, as some of it was hot and some of it was only warm. The breakfast potatoes were just barely above room temperature. Not sure how this can happen when the food is made when you order. My significant other had the steel-cut oats, and she did enjoy that. Will probably try again for lunch or dinner some time.
(3)
N. M.
BURGER REVIEW: Probably the best freakin' burger ever. My friend from Berkeley visits us and requests to go here EVERY time. If you are so adventurous do add the blue cheese to it, it is like the cherry on top of an already mouth watering sundae. One star off b/c the fries are extra - are you kidding me, who does that PS: Their lemonade is made with honey and TO DIE for! No refills thought, again who does that in America.
(4)
Sarah G.
Meh....I think that the cafe bernardo at R and 15 is better than this location (I guess I should write a review for that one too since it obviously slipped my mind before until now!! ha ha) This location is a little bigger, but there were no people here even though it was next door to a bar and I went around 7:30pm which is a pretty popular eating out time. Lisa and I had our pick of tables after ordering at the counter, and I think that their menu is a little over priced for what you get, but it is one of those upscale midtown locations that is the trendy thing to do (even though there was no one here when we went ha ha) The staff were friendly and we got our food at a decent rate, although we thought we would have gotten it faster since there was no one else here....but my $7 glass of wine kept me entertained until my spinach pizza came with red peppers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and mozzarella. It was okay....but nothing special for having those ingredients in it. Just average really. Lisa got their turkey burger and she liked her's a little more than I liked mine but thought her's was pretty average too. But it is a nice spot to catch up with a friend--decent ambiance but parking can be a bit tricky near here....
(3)
Michelle F.
I've been a regular customer of this place for nine years. Love it, love the food, atmosphere. It's a great place to go if you're with a group -- you can 'take over' and just relax, eat, drink and visit in a hip place without being in a noisy bar. That said, not sure why they close this location at 9:00 and won't stay open for our group (anywhere from 10-20 people) until 10:00. The last time we went there (a month or so ago) and I got there at 8:45 or so. I told the person as I started to order that more were on their way. I was told, "we may not be able to serve them". The night manager was downright snotty to me and my friend that although others stayed I left. It was embarrassing and I lost my appetite. I counted 14 as I went out the door. Do they really want to turn down a regular party of approximately 15 once a week? What's up with that? Lower stars are for managers, not food, chefs or wait staff.
(2)
Jeff G.
I think in any other city, this restaurant would be at least 4 stars. But with so much variety in NORCAL, it almost feels like a cookie cutter independent restaurant. I can't even remember what I ordered, it was that unremarkable. And my memory lapse wasn't because we were partying too hard as we all had to get up early the next morning. Service was fine. The waiter came back for a refill or two. And the atmosphere is comfortable. I'm not saying Bernardo's is a bad place, just that its not on my list of places I must visit again sometime soon.
(3)
Kevin T.
I ended up splitting the Sassafras French Toast and the Breakfast burrito because I couldn't decide between the two (it always pays to drag a buddy along for breakfast!). To tell you the truth I didn't fall in love with either. The French toast only had the TINIEST trace of Sassfras and the Breakfast Burrito only scraped by because of the delicious side of Rosemary potatoes that was served along with it. Overall, it was an extremely ho-hum experience. The upside is that due to the location, you get to enjoy breakfast while checking out a surprising array of "characters" that walk through the door. Still, if people watching was on your agenda, Cesar Chavez Park is still the best way to go!
(2)
Reid W.
Had a great time last night for a holiday celebration with friends and family. Had a couple glasses of Whiskey in the form of Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker Black and Jameson all 'round, as well as mashed potatoes, desserts and cappuccino. And big props to the staff: Hailey, Joe and Javier. Thanks for the awesome service!
(4)
Angela D.
I Love this place! I look for opportunities to go here! I live out of town, but use to work close and ate here daily....there is nothing not to love...my fave is the salad sampler!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Joe P.
I really like the location of this place. Decent parking and close to downtown. But I generally dislike restaurants that make you wait in line instead of just hiring someone to take orders. But that's just me. If you get here during a rush period, add 30 minutes to your trip. I ordered a turkey club sandwich. It was nice - came on sourdough ciabatta. My lunch mate ordered a salad or something - I know, I don't know why people order those either. The food was to us in a reasonable amount of time. One thing I think they could improve on is that everything in my sandwich was cold - even the bacon. It had been in the fridge. Why not make a hot sandwich? All these places microwave anyway. Why mess up an opportunity for a really good sandwich?
(4)Kim F.
So incredibly slow service, snippy cashier, out of turkey (11am), horrible salmon blt- too fishy to even eat. No apology or even acknowledgement of SLOW service. I'm pretty sure the server didn't even put my order in until everyone else was served, one plate had to be taken back ... And, oh yeah, you're still waiting for your sandwich. Never again
(1)Caroline W.
I have been a frequent customer at this location since it opened (used to live a few blocks away). My recent two visits in one week were lacking. The first visit was for a breakfast. At least service was adequate, but my scramble with sausage was simply meh. Kind of dry. Worse than something I could make at home. My second visit of the week was for dinner with a party of three. A short time after ordering, one in our party received her salmon blt. Almost half an hour later, the two other orders and a side salad were nowhere to be seen. After going to the counter to inquire, I was told they would be right out. Because the kitchen is open, I see that they have been sitting in a warming oven for the last 20 minutes. Our soggy food is now finally delivered. Vegetables in both the fettuccini and polenta are ruined, greasy, and soggy. The side green salad is so drenched in dressing and even more soggy that it's inedible. Because the restaurant has an order (AND TIP) at the counter process, I've already tipped generously for horrible food and nobody follows up to ask if it's ok. I didn't have time to deal with sending it back and had a very hungry teen with me, so we ate what we could of the food. I'm very disappointed with this location and will rethink my go-to cafe. It wasn't even very busy the night we had dinner, so things seem to have slipped significantly. While waiting for our food, I also watched someone pick up a to-go order, then come back later for a missing part of the order (which was given in an oil soaked to-go box). At least that patron was given a free cookie for her trouble.
(1)Nate M.
So I had the Artichoke Marinated Chicken- Description Below: Cabbage and radish slaw, roasted green chile mayonnaise And I was mildly impressed. Typically chicken sandwiches are dry and tasteless, but this one restored my hope in ordering chicken sandwiches at restaurants again. Otherwise the cafe is nice with a good vibe and friendly staff.
(3)Tracy P.
It was ok! I have never heard of this place and come to find out there are 3 of them! My friend asked me to meet him here after my 5k & I was excited to try something new. I was taken aback by the order 1st then sit down style - not my favorite - tipping is always awkward. I love me some biscuits & gravy so my friend indulged me by sharing a plate along with our orders. My egg scramble was pretty good - needed tapatio and none was to be found :( The smoky mozzarella was definitely smoky! My friend's french toast was pretty good ..... Overall I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be.
(4)Jamie S.
Stopped by here at about 1pm on a Sunday. They have a limited lunch menu when brunch is being served so I couldn't get the black bean burger. I ordered the small thai chicken noodle salad for. $5.75. It was huge! Thin noodles mixed with shredded chicken in a peanut dressing...yum! They have a dog friendly patio and brought out a bowl of water and some treats for the dogs. Overall the place had a really friendly vibe.
(4)Alex L.
I've always been a frequent customer and cheerleader for Cafe Bernardo, so it pains me to drop them a star. Why? Consistently slow lunch service, especially for take-out orders. I'll use my most recent visit as an example. I popped in about 12:30, stood in a line behind two other people and ordered up a turkey burger and mixed green salad (one of the best turkey burgers in town, by the way). I sat down and waited. And waited. Exactly 28 minutes later, and just as I approached the counter to cancel my order and leave, my food came out. Was the restaurant terribly busy? No. Judging from the looks of patrons at neighboring tables with phones in their hands and purses still over their shoulders, I wasn't the only one waiting either. I'm sure they know that speed is the key when you don't have time to eat there. This is the latest example of a pattern that may keep me from lunch here in the future. The only justification I can see for this is that they are a "sit-down" restaurant who values their eat-in customers first, but speaking for myself and the four or five others waiting for to-go orders that day, their priorities need to shift.
(3)David F.
Nope. Not again. I've given this place multiple chances. From soggy tortillas on a embarrasing rendition of a chilaquiles to $3 for a cup of coffee! This place is fired! Last straw was today. I'm about the least pickiest eater ever and I never yelp but this has to stop. I had an avocado o.lette and about puked. Brown avocado and an unwelcoming amount of Swiss cheese in a dry egg. The potatoes tasted like soap. This place is fired in my world. The hype is gone on to long Bernardo. Pack your s!%ff!
(1)Megan M.
Just had breakfast here the other morning. I'm a bit of a spaz in the morning... definitely the type that takes a while to wake up, but the staff at the counter didn't miss a beat. Friendly and accommodating as I switched and added to my order. We sat in a window table in the corner which was nice and quiet but still allowed us to people watch. Our food came out in perfect timing and everything was delicious. Loved everything!
(5)Crystal C.
I would describe Cafe Bernardo as adequate. The employees are generally nice, and you will see some interesting menu items that put them just above "just another American food place". We came here for breakfast one weekend. I ordered the fennel, asparagus, and goat cheese omelet. They reinforced my belief that no one knows how to make a damn omelet anymore by doing that thing where they cooked the ingredients separately and cooked the unseasoned eggs as one big bland egg pancake, then folded it in half with the ingredients inside and called it an omelet. No, it's an egg taco. And it is gross. I wouldn't order it again, but might come back for a sandwich or salad if I'm nearby and hungry.
(3)Amber M.
Absolutely love this place! My boyfriend and I recently moved to midtown and we decided to walk over yesterday, and try it out. He ordered the 2 egg breakfast & I got the squash frittata. I would recommend both! Their coffee is excellent as well, free refills. Everyone was very nice & accommodating. They have a nice porch, perfect for summer mornings. Also, you can bring your dog(s) and sit outside. They have water dishes for them. We loved this place so much, we even came back this morning!
(5)Olla U.
Cafe Bernardo has been my favorite restaurant for lunch for many many years. From the high quality ingredients, perfectly executed dishes, to the casual and friendly atmosphere and very sweet staff I have not yet found a place that tops Bernardo. I was here today to join my fiance for a working lunch. We had our favorite Thai Chicken Noodle Salad. If you get one thing here ever, this is the one. I've heard that the process to make this salad is painstaking and tedious and it shows. Its essentially perfect: a little tangy, great ratio of noodle to chicken to produce, slight crunch with the peanuts and a very good portion. We also got the bean and bacon soup (the du jour) it was not mindblowing but it did the job: chili-like with a swirl of sour cream and a little tortilla slivers on the top. We also got the flank steak medium rare with fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Everything on that plate was sigh-able, but the broccolini was out-of-control. Again, well excecuted with a little crunch a little salt and slightly buttery. Finally, we sat at the bar (Monkey Bar) and had a really nice easy convo with the bartender, Joe. It's one thing to just enjoy your company but what makes Bernardo my favorite are the people that work there. Thanks guys!
(5)Cassandra S.
We found this cute little joint when we were driving by. Great outdoor seating and it's on a quietish street. The Benedict was fresh and flavorful with a rosemary bread to die for. Breakfast Sammie was like a 2.5. Fresh and great cheese but as a whole it didn't has much flavor. Bacon was cooked to perfection. We kinda got forgotten with the most important part... the mimosas and ketchup. Both are must haves for a decent breakfast. We would come back again though.
(3)Ariana V.
I dig. Came in and ordered at the front. I thought it was priced alright for the quality of food. It wasn't too expensive, and I thought my meal tasted great. My favorite was the jam on the bread. I normally don't eat the bread or like jam, but I really enjoyed this. The coffee was good. The scramble was tasty although it didn't blow my mind -- nevertheless, still good quality food. Staff could have been more friendly, but it was alright -- a smile here or a hello, can I help you with anything? would have made me feel more welcome. It wasn't bad though at all, it just would have made it a more pleasant experience :)
(4)Jay K.
The food is meh and it took a full 30 minutes for my order to come out. Unless you're out for a leisurely lunch, you would do better to go to one of the many other places within a couple blocks of here.
(2)Serena R.
My favorite Cafe B. First off - connected to Monkey Bar- which I love (fantastic HH) Its never TOO packed, even Saturday brunches. Grab a table before going in line to order. Try the Kale Caesar with Chicken - it's amazing! I also enjoy the black bean and turkey burgers. It's really cute outside and inside, which makes a it a great spot to go if your are in a bind for a place to eat last minute or have family or something in town and you don't want to spend hella cash. Cashiers are really nice, last time I went, I talked to the cashier about my dress which moved on to a convo about clothes for a few minutes. . .nice people . . especially when they aren't busy. I come here way often now after discovering how close I work and live from here. . .its too easy :)
(4)Julie W.
Cafe Bernardo has been one of my family's "go to" breakfast spots for years. Their menu is wonderfully diverse making it a great place to bring guests, and their quality is fairly consistent with only an occasional slip. However, because I am a fan, I feel compelled to critize a more recent addition to the breakfast menu: The Croque Madam I had today was fairly tasteless and seemed to be missing any cheese (a main ingredient). The eggs were over cooked, so the yolk couldn't help add flavor. I had to resort to lemon wedges and Cholula. If you want to know what a tasty one might be like (minus the egg) go try a Croque Monsieur at Cafe Rolle. Back to the drawing board Cafe Bernardo! There are recipes and how-to videos online.
(4)Randy O.
Good food! I ordered the two egg breakfast with their homemade turkey sausage patty and it was great. I also ordered the scone which happened to be peaches and cream. Best one I have ever had. I guess that could be because I don't eat them much. Either way place was great and hit the spot.
(5)Mandy H.
I came here on a Saturday afternoon at 1:02 pm. Which means I literally just missed the brunch cut off time, which I was a bit disappointed about. I was really looking forward to trying their Huevos Rancheros, but maybe next time. I had their Salmon BLT, which was absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend it! The reason I'm only giving this place three stars is because the atmosphere there could use some improvement. I love the fact that they allow dogs in their patio, they even provide dog bowls for them. However, there was this one particular group of people with a very loud German Shepard. Now, don't get me wrong, this shouldn't be Cafe Bernardo's fault that a customer's dog is being disruptive, but I didn't agree with one of the workers giving bacon to the dog to reinforce the dog's bad behavior. In addition, there were kids running around in the Patio, and since the tables are paired fairly close to each other, I was a bit worried that he'd run into a table or a server while they were bringing out food. It became really difficult to have a conversation with my friend let alone enjoy a peaceful lunch. Overall, I thought the food was good, but maybe I'll choose to sit inside next time in hopes to avoid the chaos.
(3)Aja N.
This is an excellent little farm to table restaurant. Everything that was ordered came out great! I had the black bean burger abs salad, which was awesome. I'd like to go back and try the trio salad. Everything was so good including the high quality food and service! Three thumbs up!!
(5)Joanna C.
I got the honey lemonade and black bean burger with sweet potato fries! So tasty and not oily at all! I loved the service and the restaurant was very bright and sunny!
(4)Jennifer Y.
i LOOOoooovvvve Cafe Bernardo on Capital Ave. The salad sampler is my happy plate. Chopped salad + the Mushroom Jarlsburg. And a cupcake for desert. Yes!
(5)John W.
I was a at the bar Wednesday around happy hour and the service was outstanding. Keep it up!!!!
(5)Dana C.
I'm a fan of the food from Cafe Bernardo. This review isn't really for their service because our team often orders food from the bar side (Monkey Bar) and it's brought by the bartender. As for the food... YUM! I love their salad sampler, it's seriously sooo good! You can choose 2 or 3 selections from their designated menu and let me tell you... you will not be disappointed! I had the 3 salad sampler... Thai noodle salad, strawberry arugula, and mushroom with shaved cheese. It we perfect and the serving size was large for a salad. You can order a 2 salad sampler but I LOVE trying 3 different salads. Not a bad choice for food and service is always good. You likely won't be disappointed.
(4)Robert A.
The dining experience here was fine, but the food was mediocre. Mushroom melt: Roasted garlic overpowered everything else; greens doesn't mesh well Salmon BLT: Fish was cooked well but the bacon dominated the flavor of the whole sandwich; unremarkable
(3)Jen O.
Came for breakfast. Had to send back cold potatoes, and then send back a hard & burnt waffle. The cashier was super friendly & gladly refunded our money, but the food at this location is sub-par. We used to really love this place, but the food quality has gone down significantly in recent months.
(2)Koko M.
Love this place for every time of day! Great location to hang with small groups for a bit. Do wish their outside seating was bigger and the cups were larger for that honey lemonade goodness. Have had many breakfasts, lunches and dinners here and every plate has been impeccable. Definitely recommend stopping in if you're in the area and hungry. Staff is super warm and friendly and if they aren't speak up.. they're people too. ;)
(4)Shumai P.
Great breakfast spot in midtown Sacramento. Outside seating available if you wanna take your dogs. French toast is amazing.
(4)Krystal L.
I liked this place! It was cute and small and plenty of seating outside and inside. When I went in it was pretty busy. I saw a pretty harsh review previously but had to give it a shot myself. The chorizo dish was amazing and I loved how they cooked the beans I believe it was black beans which I never had with chorizo and eggs. So get this: this is sort of a self serve place. You go up to the cashier you order and take a card that looks like a huge playing card (queen of hearts, 9 red diamond etc.) and you place it on the table and they bring the food to you, after that they'll go ahead and ask if you need refills or such. I can understand how it can be misunderstood. Anyway food... Yum! I went by myself, took a nice stroll from my house and got the chorizo plate. Perfect portion for me I think. I was starving and it was cooked to perfection. There was a bit of a line but they got an interesting selection and a good menu! I'll go back again! I'm haven't tried the other by R but this one is delicious!
(4)Ashley N.
This is by far my favorite Cafe Bernardo location. If you are looking for an ideal brunch setting, this is your place. Be sure to snag a table on the pretty, tree lined patio. You order at the counter, and food always comes out in a very timely fashion even when they are busy. Staff is super friendly and accommodating. Food is delicious. I'm a huge fan of the Bernardo Benedict, and the Thai Noodle Salad is an absolute must have! They also make killer seasonal homemade soups. All of the menu offerings are affordable and great quality for the price. Cafe Bernardo must be doing something right to have 3 successful locations all within the midtown/downtown area. I'll be back on my next hangover Sunday. Which will probably be this Sunday. Don't judge.
(5)Harold N.
Loving midtown, I like to eat in the area quite a bit. Cafe Bernardo has been around a long time and is one of several restaurants by a local restaurantur...a successful one at that. Overall the Food is good, Amaretto French Toast is awesome (my favorite French Toast anywhere) with the rest of the breakfast fare good. Coffee is ok, not great but I like my coffee very strong and most places water it down to much for me. They can make some strong stuff and other fancy coffee's if you like. Parking, not so good but to be expected. There is a garage nearby and street parking if you can find it. Sunday mornings...no parking anywhere nearby until noon. I go here for the French Toast more than anything. Summers are nicer than winters as the outdoor seating is more of the midtown feeling I enjoy.
(4)Jamie D.
My favorite of the three locations. Never too crowded. Good amount of seating with a nice patio option. You order and pay at the counter and they bring the food to your table. Large menu and beer selection. I was lucky to enjoy a burger and beer special on one visit. The burger was a traditional burger with bacon and a fried egg. Delicious! The next time I came in, I had an egg added to one of their regular menu burgers. My customization got pricey, but the burger didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, the burger does not come with fries or a salad. Cafe Bernardo's yummy food comes at a slightly high price.
(4)Veronica S.
Usually our lunch is fairing good from here but today they decided to not put in the salmon into the salmon BLT. Not impressed. It was take out so we can't do anything about it. Not impressed!!!
(1)McKenzie M.
I don't get why this place was recommended to me. It's boring. It's dull. The scones have that sour after flavor from too much baking soda. The breakfast potatoes are just flabby. I had one salad in their sampler that was just raw mushrooms and cheese. The black bean burger is mushy and the eggs lacked any seasoning. Everything tastes exactly as it looks, without any surprises or anything to make me want to take another bite. Talk about uninspired. It's not that it's bad. It's just that it isn't good, and there better places to spend your money.
(2)Catherine F.
This is the second location I've been to. There are a lot of options (especially in the salad department) so ordering up at the counter can be stressful if you tend to be indecisive like I am. I was feeling salad so I decided to order the sampler. I got the chopped and Thai noodle salads both with the dressings on the side. I also got the strawberry rhubarb cupcake. The servers were so nice and friendly. They have a nice outdoor patio. In combination with the inside, there's plenty of seating. The salad portions were huge and delicious! The cupcake wasn't that great. I LOvE rhubarb so I was excited to try it. The frosting just tasted like powdered sugar and had a very perfume-like aftertaste. stick to the cookies instead! Overall the food is good and the prices are decent for midtown. Great service!
(5)Dee O.
I had the eggs Benedict here... Let me tell you it sucks... They serve it on sour dough bread that is not crunchy and has a thin piece of ham like you get a grocery store .... Very disappointed I give it 2 stars.... But the burgers deserve for 4.5 stars they are pretty awesome... But since I only order the eggs Benedict 2 is what I'm giving them for today
(2)Raquel R.
Love this place! Ordered fritatta and felt the eggs were over done and it had chard stems throughout it that were inedible. However the overall flavor and the sauce it comes with was incredible! When asked if I wanted a box I said no thanks because it wasn't worth saving and the server showed care and concern, apologized and offered me eggs or a pastry which made me really, really happy and I gladly accepted a pastry because I had already been eyeing then and they looked delicious! My boyfriend had the waffle and it was great. Highly recommend this place, one of the best in Sac, hands down!!
(5)claudia j.
It's a cute spot, pleasant ambiance. Very warm and inviting. I ordered their hot chocolate, absolutely delicious. It was served in a large cup with no handles (love the cup, lol....need to find one for my place). I also ordered their two egg breakfast (over easy), came with buttered toast, jam on side plus I got bacon. I would've given them more 4 stars, but they served me burnt bacon, you're charging extra for it (which I don't mind) but don't serve it burnt (the Bacon Gods would not be pleased). The service was laid back and friendly. Added bonus they have free-wifi, would return If I was back in the neighborhood.
(3)Salena C.
A quaint cafe with excellent food. Turkey sandwich is served with maple mustard which I sub for Dijon. The salad options are both yummy and on trend. The staff is efficient and friendly. The pace at lunch time is brisk. You will frequently hear "I can take whose next or whomever is ready". The house made lemonade with honey is the best I've ever had. There are rotating desserts offered and I'd advise trying one if their delicious cupcakes or slices of cake. There is plenty of patio seating which is a nice reprieve from the hospital buzz. There is a bar attached to the cafe via a hallway and you are welcome to sit on either side of the establishment.
(4)Cathy S.
Dog friendly outdoor patio! Our server brought dog a bowl of water and then I got my eggs Benedict on sour dough. What (great) service! Love the coffee here. You can help yourself to refills. Walk up, decide which yummy bite you want to order, take your number to a table, then relax and enjoy. I love sipping coffee, chatting, and just enjoying the morning. Before I know it, Wha La! breakfast is served. Good for groups, dogs, or just plain anyone. Generally no trouble finding a table (especially because you can sit in booths between there and Monkey bar- as well as the outside patio). Casual good food. Also my dog loves Bernardo because he gets to come along when we eat here!
(4)Janysha J.
Amazing mac and cheese and fries! The staff is always super nice and the environment is super chill.
(4)Brie M.
Ambience: comfortable, outside seating. Food: I loved my chicken apple sausage+scrambled eggs + potatoes. The potatoes were flavorful, eggs cooked perfect, tge sausage was yummy. Pancake was nothing to come back for. Waffles are a total disappointment because they were a bit grainey + they added some cinnamon or something! But I must say that spiced butter with the chopped nuts was delicious. Coffee was good. Prices: overpriced. $32 for two people seems steep. Also, for that amount of money, your waiters should bring me some h2o! Everything is a la cart so that is why ita so pricey. The verdict: I liked my food. My fiancée didn't like his & it was pricey so that is why I gave 3 stars. Good place if you eat very little and are really going because its a convenient location.
(3)Michelle H.
The service at this restaurant is exceptional. The food is great too. Love the outdoor patio (and double bonus points for allowing dogs and staff being so welcoming and such dog lovers). I have been here several times and never had something off the menu that I didn't really enjoy. Today we had lunch here and something happened with my husbands order where it got missed by the kitchen staff. The staff felt it took much too long for our food to arrive because of this (we were dining with old friends and were deep in conversation so we didn't really notice) we had 3 different staff members come to apologize for the delay, ask if they could bring us anything while we waited and refunded our entire meal... None of which we asked for. They just felt the wait was not up to their standards and it would be ridiculous for us to pay for the meal. I really appreciated the above and beyond service and feel we get that every time we dine there. Highly recommend this spot :) Ps our dog loves the homemade dog biscuits they give you for free and water dishes :)
(5)Jovany E.
This place has grown on me. They have a few dishes that I stick to; the bahn mi sandwich, the noodle salad, their burgers, and their ham and cheese sandwich. This restaurant is cafeteria style, so it works well for large groups (except they don't take reservations so you have to corral your own seats).
(4)Maria K.
I come here often for lunch during the week and always love the food. I ordered something new this time which was their New Potato pizza with substitution of bacon for portobella mushrooms. The pizza came out fast but I didn't see any potatoes on it which I didn't even mind at all but the waiter insisted on taking it back to remake it which I was okay with because my co-workers food wasn't out yet anyway. The manager then comes up and gives me a refund! I was not mad or had any issues with the mix up yet they still apologized and gave me a refund. It was great to see such great customer service for someone who was not making a scene whatsoever. Love this place!
(5)Rob B.
It's good, for Sacramento I had no complaints, and the service was friendly. Coffee drinks were fairly good, food was good not great. It was as expected, reasonably priced, and fine.
(3)Tizzy P.
We've walked out of here at least five times because they're no longer serving breakfast on a weekend at exactly 1pm (or sometimes a few minutes early). Today we watched the people in front of us order breakfast and were told we couldn't. Oh well, more buisness for Ink!
(2)Hannah L.
We live really close to CB, and have already been three times since we moved here a couple months ago! I love how they have seasonal items on the menu. The butternut squash pizza and Asian noodles were both delicious!! I also tried the banh mi, it was tasty but way to dry for me. The eggs Benedict were a little disappointing because my eggs were way overcooked and I think they were a little stingy with the sauce. Overall, this is a place I'll come again and again. They even bring water bowls and treats for your dog:)
(4)Rebecca C.
Their breakfast items are all worth trying - love every one of them! What makes the experience, though, is the coffee - lattes and mochas in a bowl, sign me up!
(4)Susanne L.
Always great food. No need to say more!
(5)Sara W.
Here's your average, ho-hum review. Food was decent, yet somewhat overpriced. The cashier was short with us, so I attribute that to rudeness. The server was very polite and quick with the food and utensils. The jalapeño burger was good but not spicy. The mixed greens salad deserved more blue cheese. I may give this place another chance for breakfast.
(3)Michelle F.
Went to Cafe Bernardo for a late breakfast. I was surprised the line was out the door, but it did move fairly fast and it gave me enough time to decide what I wanted. You place your order at the counter and you get a table number, and you pick where you want to sit. I like the casual setting, and outdoor seating area. We ordered the Bernardo breakfast burrito which was pretty tasty. I love the bits of cilantro that stand out with the black beans. And we also ordered the Bernardo Benedict which was awesome. My favorite. The hollandaise sauce wasn't too rich, but still distinct in flavor. I substituted ham for bacon. Can't have enough bacon right?! The best part was the toast it was served on. It was a rosemary bread. Mmmmm. The service was quick and simple, casual overall. The staff was really nice and helpful. One of the counter people even recommended a hangover cure: slushies- need to try that out! But they don't have slushies on the menu. Darn! The potatoes they serve with breakfast seem to be tasty little sponges for hangovers too. I didn't like having up walk to "monkey bar" the affiliated business next door for the restroom, but it is what it is.
(4)Mark M.
Consider this a great go-to place to sneak in for a bite of something wonderful. Definitely several steps above any fast food joint, but you'll pay a little more for it, too. Menu has breakfast, lunch, dinner items -- all very good. Favs are Salad Sampler that allows three salads on one plate. Asian Noodle, Chop and Garden will blow your mind, and cost you about $12. Breakfast options are exceptional and if you can'f find something, you're not hungry so go back home and sleep. Fridays at noon are very busy (show up at 11:45 and you're good). Limited seating, but I have yet to not find a seat in the 25 times I've been there. Staff is quiet, respectful, friendly. Look for Earvin behind the counter and Issac, the chef. I know it's a good day when they are in the house. Opens at 7A. If you are a regular, ask about the points program which can save you some coin down the line.
(5)Amanda K.
I want to give a 3.5 here but I'm rounding up because, well I must keep going back for a reason. My absolute favorite for breakfast their chili quiles....I dream about them. This restaurant is a bit different though, you order and pay at the counter before you get your food. I've tried a few things on their menu all have so far been great... So don't be afraid to explore. Ive only had bad service one time, but they were extremely busy so I gave them a break here. The "servers" only half pay attention to you, because they aren't really waiters or waitresses...I guess. (I'm not sure about proper etiquette for tipping here since they all appear to just be food runners so bring cash and decide for your self.) With that said I've frequent this place so you should too!
(4)Sara E.
Good brunch, the waitress was really cool about a group of us hanging out for awhile & the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. My husband & I shared pancakes, sausage & eggs; all were wonderful. One of my favorite places for brunch!
(4)Bob F.
Just spent $6 for the "fruit bowl," which consisted of half an apple and a dollop of yogurt. This is a travesty.
(1)Arja L.
So accommodating to my weird vegetarian breakfast ordering habit: eggs benedict, minus the eggs and ham, plus spinach, tomato and avo (they forgot the avo tho!) Very Crepes On Cole-esque, Squat N Gobble type atmosphere/ordering system. Order at the counter off of chalk board menu, find ur own seating, they give you a # and bring the food to you. Great people and dog watching (dogs r allowed). Everyone there was pretty young, attractive, and hungover. Wish there were these types of breakfast places in Modesto. Food was a lil cold, but I'd b back in a heart beat. French toast, not so much. Oh! And the Monkey Bar next door shares a patio, so you can sit on that side and drink, and they'll bring the food over to you. Awesome!
(4)Krista G.
Came in for a late lunch. We were the only ones in the restaurant at the time. We ordered a sandwich and an entree. It took a very long time for our food to arrive. The runner kept apologizing to us for the wait. My meat was very tough and hard to cut, my potatoes were too salty to eat. The French fries needed more time in the fryer as they were mushy and limp. It was a very unfortunate dining experience.
(2)Nicole S.
While on vacation, I came here with my family on a Sunday afternoon right after the lunch shift started. We had ordered two sandwiches, a hamburger, and a salad. In any typical cafe I've ever been to, this type of food can be on your table in 15 or so minutes. We waited 45 minutes until we finally received our meal. The dining room was practically empty so there was no excuse for this. And a couple who came in and ordered 15 or so minutes after us, got their food long before we did. We checked with the waitress periodically to see when the food was coming and was always told "any minute". The food was alright for the price point. Sandwiches were decent, the salad was a bit limp, and I was a bit disappointed in the lukewarm hamburger. But it definitely was not worth the 45 minute wait.
(2)Michael A.
This is my must stop lunch spot when I'm in Sac mid day. I was originally lured back to this place over and over due to the Thai Noodle salad. Sandwiches are excellent as well. As mentioned the lunch pace is brisk but the service is efficient for the amount of diners they handle. Pretty much can't go wrong for a lunch spot.
(4)Tiffany B.
I've been to all 3 locations in Sacramento! Love them all! Today I had the Habanero Burger! OMG it was delicious! Also had the seasonal Butternut Squash Soup and it was also amazing.
(4)Alice W.
Pretttttttty good. I'm a little reluctant about giving it a 4 because I came here for dinner and felt like it had more potential as a breakfast/brunch/lunch diner. Sandwiches/salads/burgers are just not my thing for dinner and it just seemed like that was all there was to it. However, they do a great job at making all of these. I got the black bean burger. It was not dry (thank heavens) and well put together. The honey lemonade was amazing, too! Fries were not overcooked. Definitely felt like a solid brunch/lunch joint, but I will need to come here at those times to confirm that!
(4)Elaine H.
We came here for lunch with my family. Their cafe-style was great with our newborn son. I got their three-salad option. Their Thai salad was surprisingly good. I'd probably just get that the next time I go. Their quinoa salad wasn't though. We also got their carrot cake and I really enjoyed it!
(4)Michelle S.
Definitely the best Cafe Bernardo! My family has been eating here for 10 years. Friendly staff good food for decent prices! If there is a line for the bathroom go to the bar, there is one with two stalls.
(4)Susan D.
The French Toast was good, and I love that everything is farm-to-fork, except for Mae syrup, jams, and French fries. They also are bomb for allowing pets (dogs, birds, and a pig) on their patio. I did NOT enjoy the fact that they told a customer to leave, simply for having a snake on the patio. I totally would understand the request if the snake was biting or hissing at people, but geez, the place allows a pig to dine with their customers-why not a snake too?! Call me a bleeding heart, but I just don't think a person should be refused service simply because their pet is ugly or unusual.
(2)Kriste S.
Arrived 20 minutes too late for brunch, ordered the salmon BLT and a pizzetta instead. Sadly, they brought the wrong pizza so we shared the sandwich while we waited. We were refunded the price of the pizza-a classy move. And the food was delicious. Will definitely come back, despite the small misstep.
(4)Zaira R.
This place is just OK. The service is really good but I don't like the atmosphere very much. Also, the coffee is not very good. I dislike the mugs they choose to serve the coffee in because it does not have a handle. You have to grab it with both hands to sip from it and it is easy to spill. I think this only applies if your drink is something other than regular coffee. The toast I ordered was pretty good, it had strawberries, bananas and honey. Its hard for something to taste bad with those ingredients. A few of the people I went with who ordered breakfast dishes did not really like the food. I don't think I would be excited to return to this place.
(3)Ryan P.
Home away from home lately... they asked me where Alice was. I think that means I'm a 'regular'
(5)Rich H.
Had breakfast burrito with potatoes and coffee Service staff was friendly with plenty of smiles. Was very clean Coffee refills offered with enthusiasm. I must say this was a very good experience for breakfast. I really need to come here more often. Outdoor seating was awesome.Keep up the good work Burrito was ample and delicious.
(4)Nicole I.
This used to be a favorite lunch or dinner place for me and my husband- I always ventured for the Thai noodle salad sans chicken and he always got the Turkey sandwich. We have tried the cheese pizza before but it wasn't anything spectacular- noticed the black bean burger so I am going to have to try that against the Thai Noodle Salad. One of the downsides to this Bernardo's is its location- it's on a relatively busy street that can sometimes leave you empty-handed on parking. You order at the counter and they give you a playing card marker that signifies your order number and that you place on your table. There is no waiter service so you get your water from a dispenser in the opposite room and if you need a soda refill, you get it from the counter. Can be a little overwhelming if you haven't been here before but you get used to it after a while. Great location for a late lunch or dinner date!
(4)Eric K.
Cafe Bernardo was really disappointing... I have tried a couple brunches in Davis but the sacramento location felt like fast food chain. The interior of the restaurant changes from dark and musty to a brightly lit room with plastic benches and tables. It was a strange contrast and reminded me of the old chain restaurants like Cocos and Sizzlers. Came in for dinner and was very disappointed with the selections that are all over the map... There is no real identity... I'd rather cook myself then come out to eat at Cafe Bernardo.
(2)Wing W.
Tried the Huervos Rancheros, it was just right! Had a good amount of spice in it to which I love! Also ordered and scone, it was pretty good as well! I would come back.
(4)Sarah C.
I've always had great food at this location, and the outdoor seating area is nice :-) This last time I was there however, there were a couple of patrons who kept scooting closer to our table (it is self seating and we were at a table by the window) to the point that it was uncomfortable. We finished our food and were in the process of gathering our things when these fellow patrons scooted over into our seats. I didn't complain at the time, (except to ask those ladies if I could please finish my last sip of water before they pushed our plates over and that they made our breakfast uncomfortable hovering over us). However, the staff were not aware and can not be held accountable. I just ask fellow patrons to please be respectful of each other, and not ruin someone else's dining experience because you want a window seat. Every other time I have been there though, the food has been great, food runners nice and courteous, and the menu offering a wide variety of yummy options.
(4)Naomi C.
I hate writing poor reviews. They are sometimes necessary. I will stick to the facts. It was not busy and it still took nearly 30 minutes to get my food and I eventually had to ask for it because I noticed others getting plates who had sat down after me. The servers bring out food and coffee. One walked by me and offered to pour refills to the table next to mine. I flagged him down and he reluctantly refilled my cup. My cup was half the size of all the others! I wish I would have said something when it was first handed to me. I asked him for some cream. He said I had to go get it myself. No problem, except that the table next to me had a tiny pitcher of cream on their table. I went through that coffee fairly quickly (tiny cup) and had to basically force another server to notice me when he walked by with the coffee pot and refill my cup. He only filled it halfway and hurried off. Now I am starting to have a complex. I mean, what gives? Do I not look hipster enough or something? The last time I was here my friend and I could not get anyone to bring us more coffee then either. What is the deal with this? Coffee is cheap and makes patrons happy. My food was decent when it finally arrived but not as good as the last time I was here. This may be because I felt like I was begging for food when all I wanted was some more coffee in my tiny cup. Anyway. It will be a while before I try again.
(2)Diane Y.
My boyfriend and I were craving brunch/breakfast on a friday and searched for places on yelp. This cafe was listed under breakfast/brunch so we decided to check it out. Assuming they serve breakfast/brunch until at least 2 like most places, we chose to come here. When we got there, we learned that they stop serving breakfast at 11. Now if you're listed under breakfast/brunch on yelp, shouldn't you at least list the times you stop serving it? We were very disappointed but decided to stay since we already paid for parking outside. We both ordered sandwiches but it really wasn't worth it for $30. If we knew they stopped serving breakfast/brunch before we would have gone somewhere else. You guys should really list the times to inform people when you stop serving certain dishes.
(3)Renee D.
Missed breakfast by half an hour, but really friendly staff. Ordered at the counter and found a nice table outside for the dog. They brought water for him. Great service. Food service and wait time was good. Only reason to leave less stars was coffee was lukewarm and tasted old and price was a little high for cup of soup, half a salad, sandwich with side of fries, and two coffees $30. Not including tip. But over all nice little spot worth visiting.
(3)Becky K.
After a long night of partying and having alcoholic fun with my co-workers at our holiday party the evening before, we were eager to get our eat on, brunch style the next morning. Stephanie G. recommended this place (being from around the area), and off we went to ease our hangovers with delicious food. It took us a while to get a table to accommodate all of us; we had about 8 people and it was a busy morning. It's the kind of place where you go up to the counter, make your order, get a number and sit wherever you want. Wait on the staff to clean a table and get water for you, and you might wait for a while. But we finally got seated and ordered our food individually. I ordered the breakfast burrito and figured it'd be a typical burrito with scrambled eggs, some kind of "breakfast" meat and salsa. No, this burrito exceeded my expectations. Green salsa on the top made this burrito moist and flavorful... and the little zigzag of sour cream gave it that little extra oomph! Everything seasoned perfectly, my only regret was that my stomach wasn't bigger so I could eat every last bite! (But that's what the bf is for) I think what made it for me was the massive amount of garlic they must've used. My breath be kicking afterwards, but it was worth it! If I'm in the area, I would stop by here just to get the breakfast burrito. Delish!
(4)Andrew B.
We went in several days ago. One in our party ordered a salmon BLT. I assumed that Cafe Bernardo would serve only wild salmon, but was surprised and dismayed to learn that Cafe Bernardo uses farmed salmon on its BLT. I feel like this is a fraud. Salmon farming is incredibly environmentally destructive. The fish are confined in filthy pens and are exposed to high concentrations of disease and parasites. To fight this, they are treated with large doses of antibiotics, given medicated baths and served medicated food. Do a search for farmed salmon and read about it. The fish are raised so unnaturally their flesh is actually white. They are injected with a dye in order to turn the flesh pink. This is what Cafe Bernardo is serving its customers.It's a shame.
(1)Lyndzi C.
Always love this place for salads and Sandos. Highly recommend the Thai noodle and the Achiote Marinated Chicken sandwich, FIRE.
(5)Dean D.
Our group had dinner - hamburgers, quesadilla, mac and cheese, portobello burger, and sweet potato fries. Loved the fries, hamburgers ok but overpriced, and quesadilla bland but not as bland as the mac and cheese. I will take their word that these was some sort of cheese in the mac and cheese but the flavor was mainly of macaroni in a light cream sauce. Service was friendly but food and price do not allow a recommendation.
(2)Tom M.
Not impressed. We went to CB for brunch on Sunday. However, CB doesn't serve brunch, they instead serve a extended breakfast. The kitchen basically refuses to make any burger or sandwich unless it is on the breakfast menu. Even if it is 1:30 in the afternoon. Since I couldn't get the burger I wanted, I instead I ended up getting the Chorizo & Eggs. That was a mistake. While the Chorizo itself was good, the egg scramble lacked the cheese that the menu says it's supposed to have, and instead they loaded it with onions, which the menu doesn't list. The potatos were basically mush with not much seasoning, aside from the other pile of onions they dumped on top of them. They also don't do beverage refills. I have heard generally good things about CB, but perhaps this particular location was having a bad day. Perhaps we will try one of the other locations and have better luck.
(1)Heather W.
I loooove this place! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner happy hour, and drinks with friends - there is no bad time of day to go. They have Wi-Fi so it's great for getting work done (although limited spaces to plug in), yummy food for everyone from vegans to carnivores, coffee and tea drinks, plus attached to Monkey Bar for any adult beverages you want. Love the staff and bartenders! It's a pay up front place so there's no annoying bill splitting to with about and it's good for having friends come and go at different times if you want to meet up with a group there. Also they do an I Eat card where you get points to earn free food. I recommend the mushroom jarlsburg salad and black bean burger for vegetarians, plus the fries are damn good and so is the iced tea!
(5)JJ H.
There's a lot to like about Bernardo's: -Fairly fast service. Order at the counter and seat yourself. -Location is great -Nice outdoor patio area -Dog friendly. If I were a dog, and I often wish I were, I would INSIST that my owner take me here. They give dogs their own bowl of water with ice and a handful of treats. Treat yo dog. -Friendly service -Great for groups -Reasonable prices -Big menu However, I came here most recently for breakfast and the food was just okay. The potatoes tasted like they had been sitting out for a while. They weren't very warm and tasted like they had been cooked earlier and then re-heated. Also, the bread was neither warm nor soft. It was actually pretty tough to eat. The jam was good though! I have been to breakfast at the other Cafe Bernardo's on R and 15th and never had any complaints about the food. I definitely want to try this Bernardo's again and hopefully update my review.
(3)Rome C.
This is actually a decent place to eat and the food is pretty good and tasty. Prices are reasonable. The service is great and the ambiance is casual.
(3)Akeem B.
Should have done this a few weeks ago but, better late than never! I came by for lunch during the week & I had my puppy, PennyRufus with me. I noticed it was counter service & needed to order inside. I did not want to bring penny in so I was going to find another place. But a server named Mario must have read me perfectly & offered to take my order while I sat outside with Penny. Another server even brought her a little doggie treat. Food was good service was great. Somebody give Mario a gold star or something haha. That guy knows how to treat guest.
(4)Jeremy G.
I was hired to perform on stage in Old Sac on the weekends over the summer and my cast mates and I made Cafe Bernardo a daily morning breakfast ritual. The service was always friendly and quick and the food always solid. I would get the two egg breakfast and a side of the blueberry pancakes for the table to share. The two egg breakfast was always just enough to fill me up and keep me going until lunch time. The blueberry pancake is delicious and the perfect thing to share with some friends. The most surprising thing was the cappuccino. I'm a bit of a cafe snob and didn't expect much because this is a breakfast place, not really a cafe. The espresso was good, strong and pretty predictable (on the good side of the taste spectrum) but the foam was consistently amazing. Always thick, velvety and sweet. When it comes to making a cappuccino, the foam is one very important (and difficult to master) part of the equation and they absolutely nailed it.
(4)Jessica And John W.
When I first went in I was a bit confused I thought there was two restaurants next to each other and I went into both to compare menus to decide which one I wanted to eat at.... To my surprise they were both the same. So I sat down in a both and waited for a server for over 15 minutes without even an acknowledgement ... Little did I know it was a walk up and oder and get your own water Resturant ... Ok gee thanks for the heads up on that one....wonder how many vagrants sit here for hours without any concern? No but really.... So in speculation I ordered the noodles.... I was pleasantly surprised when I took a bite.... Very flavorful! Ok.... So a an hour or so later after the cancer center with my son, we went back over... He was hungry and our van was parked there. This time we both ordered burgers.... RARE...because few restaurants can actually cook a medium rare burger without killing it! I touched my burger and was thinking ... Hummm cold bun, but what happened next was like magic.... This habanero bacon burger was an explosion of Flavors in my mouth..... Every bite was perfection! Even the the bun was amazing..... Needles to say... I am in love with this burger and pretty impressed with this cafe on Capital Ave!
(4)Kara S.
The token hang out for the illustrious Sacramento bruncher. I've been off the brunch scene for a couple years, walked in last Sunday and knew two people! Old habits die hard. GREAT, classic American brunch food. My fave is the Eggs Bernardo, their take of eggs benedict on French bread slides instead of English muffins.
(4)Wendy D.
This place is very inconsistent, unfortunately. It use to be a favorite but I'm not really into gambling on having a good meal, which is what it feels like now. I just came from Cafe Bernardo and they were a total disappointment. Here is why... 1) It was freezing inside. I don't want to come into a restaurant and eat my meal with my winter coat on. No thanks. 2) I ordered the Bloomsdale Spinach pizza. To my surprise it came with onions all over it, which I strongly dislike. I checked the paper menu I ordered from and confirmed that onions were not in the description for the Bloomsdale pizza. However, onions were listed on the big menu (????) at the counter but were clearly added at a later time. Thanks for updating all your menus. 3) The last two times we came here for breakfast, which this place was our go-to spot for breakfast, they messed up our meal. Three strikes you're out.
(1)Steph G.
Grid-ies be lovin them some Cafe Bernardo's!! Seriously, every walk of the grid can be found her - families, the loner, the hipster, the hung over group, the happy couple, the dog lover (patio bound of course), more hipsters.... Just good 'ol American food, grid priced, and simple. Order, get a over sized playing card, sit, food delivered, done! Cupcake of the Month!! Its new too me, but I haven't been here in awhile. Yes, I was there for brunch, but the sign read "Snicker doodle Cupcake," I instantly foodgasm'ed. This goodness in the form of a cupcake came adorned with three mini bits of an actual SD cookie on top - a very moist and flavorful cupcake with the lightest creamed frosting on top. Its like desert crack, you're never satisfied with just one!! Their food has always been okay! I don't think I've ever not really liked anything, but I haven't been overwhelmed with happiness after a meal. Good, but not great, and I'm okay with that! Great selection for brunch or breaky. Decent lunch options. Staple grid option that remains a fave to most. SECRET STATUS, so maybe not too secret, but I heard they are adding a NEW CB where Cosmo used to be. Does this mean late night CB, this could be interesting... Grid-grubbin' for all...
(3)Emily O.
I have been here twice to eat and was very disappointed. The omlette I ordered the first time was good, but hardly worth the price, and frankly want very exceptional. The second time I went I had the Malted Belgian Waffle. The waffle was burnt and unappetizing. My mom and sister ordered the same thing and both of theirs were overcooked as well. Normally I wound of sent it back, but no one ever checked on us once we got our food. The restaurant has a terrible layout, and there is no privacy for conversation. Overall the service was extremely poor, the food mediocre at best, and ambiance was not impressive. I will not be returning here again.
(1)Erik N.
I had been to the one in Davis and remember it not being that impressive with its small menu. This was not the case for the Midtown location for some reason. The restaurant is quite large with a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. I went for lunch on a Sunday around 130PM and there were plenty of places to sit, there was no wait to order at the front counter, and the service was quite fast bringing us our food. They had a large range of great lunch options for sandwiches and salads. I had the turkey sandwich with fries and I was stuffed! It was a little loud inside since it was a bustling venue, but quite pleasant sitting outside. The waiters were friendly and attentive, asking us if we needed anything even after we were served (and considering it was an order at the counter and seat yourselves kind of place, that was really saying something). I highly recommend this place for someone looking for classic California-style lunch fare (fresh sandwiches, healthy salads, great fresh tasting everything). I have heard great things about their breakfast and brunch menu too, so I'll have to check it out!
(4)Sarah D.
This is a wonderful breakfast spot. I love midtown and this is always a must have. Great, and I really mean great breakfast options! The potatoes are so delicious, and the jam you get with your toast...oh goodness. Weekends are great for the mimosa deals, good coffee, and I love the outside seating area. The staff is really friendly and totally in top of their service, attitude, and cleanliness of the restaurant.
(5)Nancy X.
I LOVE CAFE BERNARDOS! they r awesome! I easy there to often! Its a test place. the atmosphere is awesome the food is awesome and the people are awesome! I love the portabella mushroom sandwich with goat cheese it is awesome! The arugula pizza is also awesome very good.
(5)Stephanie M.
Out of all the amazing dishes this place appears to have, I am kinda ashamed to say I got a burger and fries both times I visited. Their menu was overwhelming simply from all the great choices but I was craving a burger and fries and had searched online for a restaurant that serves organic burgers; I couldn't find one. I read about the quality of Bernardo's burgers though....I just don't play around when it comes to eating good meat. It sickens me to think of chowing down on a diseased or pumped-with-antibiotics cow. Service was friendly, standard....food was good...I'd come back again and recommend this place. There is both outside and indoor seating. There was a bit too much cig smoke for me so I preferred inside even on a nice day. The array of baked desserts were tempting too!
(4)Naida E.
Delicious $5 Happy Hour grilled cheese sandwich with pickled jalapeno peppers and avocado!
(4)Summer O.
Conveniently close to Sutter hospital, just a couple blocks walking distance. Good egg, potatoes, toast/jam breakfast with a side of ham. Fast service and nice staff. Only thing that would have made it better is if replacing the potatoes with fruit was free or only $1 extra, $2 extra was a bit much. Other than that small nit, this is a good alternative to hospital pastries.
(4)J N.
This is the best eggs benedict in town, hand's down. The hollandaise sauce is sublime; light and creamy with a hint of lemon. With paragary's toasted rosemary bread as the base, shaved ham and poached eggs, it just doesn't get any better. Oops, that's not true. Have a latte or mocha and you will be rewarded with a huge two-handed cuppa.The staff is pleasant and service swift. On the particulars, I find the barrista is slightly better at the mid-town location and the benedict slightly better at the Pavilions location. In fact, during my visit on Friday to the Pavilions Bernardo the benedict was perfect from top to bottom. My compliments to the chef!
(5)Suzanne D.
Really lovely customer service. Everyone here is very welcoming and friendly. Also, the salmon BLT was perfectly cooked and the sour dough was soft and crunchy.
(5)Jacqueline J.
I love this place! The service is great. The employees are friendly. The food is delicious! I usually get the two salad sampler plate with Thai Noodle Salad and the most wonderful Mushroom & Jarlsberg salad. Just the right amount of food and at a reasonable price. The inside and outside seating is a plus. This has become my lunch go to place when I'm in Midtown.
(4)Lisa H.
I had the day off with my kids since their daycare was closed and so my husband wanted us to meet him at his work for lunch. This is the closest walking distance restaurant from his office, so we could just park once and walk the couple of blocks to eat. When I lived in Midtown I used to come to Bernardo quite a lot for any meal. It's been a while since I have been back, but it seems to have stood the test of time. This is a restaurant where you order at the counter, pick your own seat, and then they bring your food out to your table. At lunchtime you should always expect a line almost out the door, but it typically moves pretty quickly. We ordered a wood fired pizza for our sons to split, while I got a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a mixed greens side salad and my husband got the salmon BLT. My husband also ordered a couple of their giant chocolate chip cookies for us all to split after lunch. My husband loves their apple chai, which is something I have never heard of before, and blew through almost two $50 Paragary's giftcards from Christmas just ordering those daily. My sandwich is sort of a grown-up grilled cheese with grilled onions and tomatoes as well as the meat and cheese. My side salad was good, although it tasted as though they had passed a salt grinder over the top of it, so that is something for people watching their sodium to be aware of. The pizza my boys split was large enough that we even ended up taking a couple of pieces home. The toppings were all high quality and I was sort of regretting not ordering a pizza for myself. I didn't try the breakfast food this time, but I have fond memories of it (particularly the Bernardo Burrito and the Eggs Bernardo) and the huge mochas that I would affectionately call Bowl O'Mocha. Many a lovely brunch was had sitting out on their patio on a Sunday morning, watching the world go by. I have to get back soon and make sure the brunch also remains unsullied.
(4)Diana W.
Wow! What a cool little gem downtown! Stopped in this morning (on my hubby's reco) and was pleasantly surprised to find REAL coffee and some awesome urban atmosphere. I had the homemade granola with fruit and yogurt- absolutely smashing. He had the Riverdog omelette. I think it was good because he ate it in like 3 minutes flat (that, BTW is a compliment to the chef :) ) The Cafe offers friendly staff, quick service and gourmet treats. The trifecta of fantastico lives here! Definitely will be darkening their doorway again soon. If you're on the fence, yes, try it! OH! You can do a check in on your phone while you're there for a chance at a free Bernardo's gift card-you'll get at least $5 - but possibly $50!
(4)Coral H.
The food is very consistent. I like the pizzas, salads, and the service is good. They have a small meeting room in the back and will allow you to use it if you spend $100 F&B. It seats something like 20 people. The patio is dog friendly and Chef Shannon makes special biscuits for your pooch!
(4)Paige S.
I've been here multiple times and they never disappoint; plus, they're attached to my favorite bar! I come into Cafe Bernardo occasionally when I don't feel like going too far from home. My last visit is what prompted me to write a review though. I went in for brunch with my boyfriend and a couple of friends. I ordered a breakfast sandwich, hold the cheese. When our food came out, I noticed at once that there was cheese on it and told the server and he apologized and took the plate. He came back almost immediately and said that he had just grabbed the wrong one, apologizing again. He was incredibly nice and asked if there was anything else he could get and I was impressed with his attention. It was also a nice summer morning, not too hot, so sitting outside in the patio was great. Overall: the service is usually good, sometimes better, sometimes worse, as is the case with most places. The food is always perfect. The drinks are always tasty. Definitely a great place for brunch or a snack!
(4)Chris W.
Hadn't been here in a while. My mistake. I'll just sum it up. $18 for a brew burger and fries is unacceptable. Burger was just Ok, good size but lacked flavor. Fries were horrible. Like they ran down the street to safe way and grabbed skinny tiny fries and put them into the microwave. Beer was lovely
(1)Judy K.
Café Bernardo Doesn't Disappoint The burger that had pepper jack cheese, was really good. Probably my favorite burger right now. The butternut soup was fabulous, only wish I had more. Had brought back their thai salad for sis, which was good, but one tires of the peanut dressing fast...maybe cut back or get it on the side. Cookies were really good too. Have been back many times, as I can't get enough of the burgers and soup.
(4)Jazzlyn J.
We went for the Wine, salad and entree for 2 (25$). Thurs was spagetti w/meatballs. The staff was attentitive, the place was quiet. I took a look at the menu and saw a few things id like 2 go back n try... like armeretto french toast! Mmm!
(4)Irene H.
Been here many times. The coffee is excellent. Had the bacon and avocado omelet. It was very good. I have never been disappointed with a meal here. The Thai noodle salad is amazing too.
(4)Izzy M.
Bernardo Benedict was awesome! It comes with Two poached eggs, Applewood smoked ham, housemade Hollandaise sauce, toasted rosemary bread; served with herbed potatoes. Make sure to ask for their homemade cilantro and green chile salsa and pour it over the top! You will get an amazing mouth watering layers of taste in one bite.
(4)Dawn C.
This is one of my favorite casual restaurants. The food is always very good, and I like being able to get in and out quickly. I also appreciate being able to bring my dogs and sit on the patio. They will bring bowls of water for my doggies. Probably my favorite item on the menu is the mushroom salad although it is only on the menu seasonally.
(4)Bryan S.
I've heard good things about this dog-friendly patio, and I've been inside Monkey Bar late at night. So my dog and I walked the 1.1 miles to eat a late lunch here (well, only I was going to eat. He was just going to have a couple beers). We've been sitting at a table on the patio now for over an hour. Two servers have come out to help other tables, but both servers refused to make eye contact with me. I've come to the conclusion that either 1) i somehow died on the walk over and I am now a ghost, and therefore invisible to all living beings, or 2) this restaurant has the shittiest fucking service of anywhere I've been in Sacramento. I know at the other location (R15) you have to order inside, and it's totally reasonable to suspect that this is the case here. But when two different servers come out to refill drinks and swap out food that's "too spicy" for other tables, it should be safe to assume that some tableside service is provided. Granted, I probably could have been more assertive and tackled one of the servers as they walked within arms reach of me, or I could have left my dog unattended and gone inside, but after 20 minutes of the staff trying their hardest to pretend I wasn't here, I decided to use their free wi-fi to write this review and then bail. My dog and I will head over to Streets of London - where the food is shitty but at least the servers will make eye contact with their guests. I will never come back to either Cafe Bernardo or Monkey Bar - and since my average bar tab runs into the low triple digits, it's good to know that there are businesses in this economy who can afford to turn away customers like me.
(1)Dave S.
Really crowded, but really good. Cafe Bernardo is a go to breakfast spot, if you can manage to find a table. You order then sit down, which is convenient, but also means you don't have a waiter if you need something, or that knows where to deliver your food. The omelet I ordered was really fresh and the eggs were nicely cooked. My friends all enjoyed their meals as well. I thought the toast was especially tasty. All in all, one of the places on my short list for brunch with friends after a night out drinking.
(4)M H.
Not bad. Quick service. It does get crowded in here so if you come in a big group (like I did) we came in before noon. Great for groups because each person orders then pay before sitting.
(4)Samantha S.
my first time trying Cafe Bernardo and I will be going back as soon as I can! I tried the squash frittata and it was sooo yummy. All of the employees were really friendly and helpful too. I'll definitely be going back soon to try something else delicious :)
(5)Joe R.
I showed up to this place and paid parking. I was excited to eat brunch since the yelp link said they served brunch. As i get there, they tell me they stopped serving brunch. It would be nice if they wrote clearly in the description that they stopped. We decided to go elsewhere but realized there are no brunch spots near by and we already paid for parking. So we got stuck having to eat there. I got a sandwich with salmon. It was okay. Definitely didnt quench my crave for brunch so i did not enjoy it at all. I wasnt too happy to be forced to eat there due to lack of parking and having to pay the meter. If you want brunch, come early. Or go elsewhere.
(2)Helen H.
I'm giving this place 4 stars because I really only like the breakfast here. But we come here a LOT with my husband and the kids, and the breakfast has been consistent. This is our go-to breakfast place as we have consistently enjoyed the food here. Eggs Bernardo (I get it without the ham) - poached egg on top of their salted toast with hollandaise sauce... my favorite! My son loves it too (3 years old) and he'll eat half my plate. The potatoes that come as a side are delicious too. A little too salty for my taste sometimes, but yummy still. I'm not a huge salt person and I often find restaurants are saltier than what I would like (I really should cook my own food more then, I know). Fruit plate - it's not a dinky plate with just melons. It's berries, bananas, apples... anything seasonal. It is so worth it. Love the fruit plate here. Steel cut oats - so yummy! Put a little milk in it, and brown sugar is already drizzled in it... perfect consistency and so good. Those are my 3 favorites. My husband gets the 2 egg breakfast all the time. Their jam that comes with the bread is yummy too, so we will steal his toast sometimes. Every weekend we wake up and say "Cafe Bernardo?"... they are turning into a breakfast tradition for us. Out of all the locations, this is the one we consistently come back to. The staff pretty much knows us now and the breakfast is very consistent, and food comes out fairly fast. One of our favorite and most frequented breakfast places in Sacramento!
(4)Cooper H.
My fiance and I brought our dog here one afternoon to have a late lunch on the patio. I love the fact that they allow dogs on the patio as I'm not familiar with too many other restaurants in the area that allow that. Anyway, even though it is the type of place where you order from a counter and they bring the food to you, they still offer exceptional service. Throughout our lunch we had multiple people checking on us to make sure we were ok and offer refills. They also brought out a water dish and treats for our dog. Our dog absolutely loved the treats even though he isn't really that into getting treats. Must have been something about the ones they make there in the restaurant. They were even nice enough to give us a little bag of treats to take home with us. Oh yeah, the food was great too!
(5)Thomas M.
I'm picky picky picky and I have no hesitation with a 5 star for what i come for....the food. I've dined here dozens of times over the years and consistently the food is incredible. Nicely plated. Quality. Diverse and simple menu at the same time. It doesn't surprise me that there are lower ratings if you're used to being served. This is bistro-order-first style and you get your own water and such then your meal is brought to you. Big deal.
(5)Andi R.
Got the avocado and bacon omelet, along with the French toast. It was average. Hubby had the chorizo with egg which was really good. However there walk up order is not what you would expect for the prices. The only time you see the waiter is when they drop off the food. You basically need to watch for a table, and snag it the minute the other person gets up! Ooh and no one ever came around to clean the table, nor did I ever see anyone taking the time to clean or wipe down any of the tables. Your better off going to Denny's! At least there you will get service!
(3)Meryl C.
Came here for a baby shower this weekend and was pleasantly surprised! We had the back room reserved which was set up with seating for roughly 30 people. I was happy to find that there was an extra table for us to set up a dessert table, and a back counter for my party supplies. Since the room was close to the back exit (leading to the alley next to the parking garage) we were able to unload/load presents and other party goodies with the help of the servers and a rolling cart they graciously let us borrow. As for food, a lot of people raved about their eggplant sandwiches... I had a griddled ham and cheese which was HUGE (for me) and a side of garlic fries. I was happy with my meal, and brought my leftovers home to the hubby. For the party setting I felt like the method of ordering at a counter and being served at our seats worked out well... even if we did make a crazy long line to the door! In general everyone was served in a timely manner so that we all got to eat together as a big group. I would recommend this place if you are looking for a place to entertain a small, intimate group of people. The staff and managers were all very nice and we had almost no problems with our large group. Oops, well I guess there were problems for those that parked our on Capitol- apparently everyone got parking tickets! :( I parked in the garage, and it was $5 for almost 4 hours on a Saturday... not bad, IMO.
(4)Amber B.
Brunch was decent, slightly above average but it was cafeteria style and we had to go get in line everytime we wanted more drinks, kinda annoying.
(3)Tuyet N.
"Aren't you just a plate full of yum?" My beginning and closing statement to my satisfying plate. The first time I visited here, I ordered a turkey sandwich with avocado and Thai noodles, and a hamburger. The sandwich was okay, the noodles were a little on the mushy side, but the best thing I've ate was the hamburger. It was by far the juiciest burger I've had. I was so delighted with the burger, I came back yesterday just to have that again. But this time I ordered the grilled salmon salad and that was sooo delicious, beating the burger in taste. Cafe Bernardo is more on the pricey side but the food is definitely worth it. You go in, order at the register, find a seat and wait for your meal. Good atmosphere too, with patio seating available. I must go back soon to try out the breakfast menu!
(4)Michelle M.
Food was pretty good and affordable. My only complaint is that this is the "uglier" ones out of the locations. The decor and such is decent but the other Bernardo's in sac are a little more hip and modern. I'd rather go to the other location a few minutes away!
(3)Siddhartha M.
I enjoyed my breakfast at this paragary chain. Pleasant atmosphere and convenient location. I ordered the eggs and apple sausage with a two shot cappuccino. The eggs were 7/10 but the accompanying red potatoes and red onions were a solid 9/10 by home cooked food standards. I expected my cap to be so so but it was on par with the quality I'd find at cafe Roma in SF. Minus one start for the cashier staring at me to order without at mumbling a greeting of any sort. A simple smile, good morning, hi, or hey there hungry looking guy who will hand over 30 cash for a 24.xx bill. Usually the changes goes to the tip cup... Otherwise, I will return and do recommend this breakfast spot.
(4)Sophia S.
Had a nice little Bernardo brunch last weekend with some close friends. I ordered scrambled egg whites with chicken apple sausage (yummy) and sour dough toast. I didn't touch the potatoes, what a waste of food (sorry world). It was busy inside, but the food came pretty quick. I enjoy their salmon salad and also the breakfast burrito. Both of my friends added bacon to their breakfast burritos, which looked pretty good and they seemed pretty happy about it.. because, duh, it's bacon! I also slurped down a delightful spicy bloody mary. Unfortunately, I can't in good conscience give the full 5 stars when there are places like Evan's Kitchen in this town. Sorry, Bernardo, you are good, but you ain't Evan's good..
(4)Melody E.
Huge fan! I love that all of their food is of the highest quality..for a super reasonable price. If they had table waiters...it would be more costly. There is a parking garage right behind Cafe Bernardo but I've never had trouble with parking. Love the Eggs Bernardo, the Apple Sausage and eggs, the Salmon BLT, the Niman Ranch burger, and the mushroom and jarlsburg cheese salad. Their soups are always wonderful..as are the pizza's. Service is what it is...counter service and they run the food to you when ready...but so worth it for the price of such great ingredients! First Green restaurant in town too. Can be loud inside when really busy.
(4)Melinda H.
I love this place. It is a great meeting place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. I have come to this place for many years. It is consistent, I love the ambiance, the service is mostly self serve and that works. It's my go to spot to bring out of town guests and to meet friends. Good job Randy Paragary. I'm not in the midtown area in the evenings so can't say rate dinner.
(4)Patti P.
Fabulous salads and wonderful use of local, organic food. Your staff is great, just love those ties, es[picially that sweet waitress who wears the kitty ties. Love the food, love your staff.
(5)Bill R.
While taking a stroll I found this "potential" gem. It's a great spot, great "look" outside with big windows, outdoor patio seating, and a warm interior. I'm always looking for cozy places to read, working on computer stuff, and have coffee. I hear the food is good, but I only had coffee. The menu seemed expansive with healthy choices. Unfortunately, the coffee was HORRIBLE: got an Americano and had to add an extra shot since it tasted like hot water. The extra shot did little. Hint: if your coffee SUCKS, then everything else pales in comparison. Invest in really good, rich, dark roast coffee. (For example, Tapa the World by no means tries to sell coffee. They're a great food and drink place. However, have a simple Americano there and be BLOWN away. It's attention to detail that sets places apart). I sat outside and was annoyed beyond belief by the sister Monkey Bar with loud, obnoxious, smoking, drunks. Eventually they left and things improved. I will definitely give this a try 'cause it has a lot going for it. Another hint to the owners: Curtail your drunk patrons and maybe the rest of us can enjoy and tell others about the cafe. Plus smoking was never cool, is not cool, and it's pathetic for a business to think that everyone outside wants to smoke or inhale second hand smoke. Thank you for reading. I'm just giving my opinion as a first time customer.
(4)Stefanie H.
It's not amazing, but it's also not bad. It's cheap and relatively fast, though, which is convenient when you have better things to do than wait around a long time for full service. Their macaroni and cheese is edible and super cheap (though there's a slight bitter taste that I can't quite place), the steak is pretty good for the price, and their cupcakes are pretty tasty when fresh. The breakfast is kind of gross, though. Weird bread for toast and overcooked eggs. One complaint - the quesadillas (and who knows what else) are prepared in the morning, which means you can't request that they leave out the onions. Ever. Is it really that hard to toss together a quesadilla at the time it's ordered?
(4)Song C.
I love the fact that this place is right across the street from Sutter Medical so that I can come here and grab a quick bite or coffee while waiting for my doctors appointment. Its a cute little place with an extensive menu. This is not your usual "cafe or coffee" shop because they will actually SERVE you. After you order, instead of a number that you take to your table, you get a playing CARD - like when you play poker? Orders arrive on a plate with utensils so what I like about this place is that it's fast but you still feel like you serviced. Great thing is that since you already paid, you don't wait for a waiter to get you the check and blah blah blah all that other stuff. Of course, the food is good too!
(4)Sunny L.
Dear Mr. Cafe Bernardo, my name is Sunny and I have enjoyed your Cafe numerous times. Everything I've tried here has been delightful; the food is stupendous. Your staff is on key too. They are very helpful and didn't mind having a chat with me. Thank you for such a great experience. On the other hand, your neighbor brings out the bad side of you. I've disliked the fact that R15 is your neighbor. The noise bothers me at times while chatting with friends during some evenings. I do recommend my friends here; but only during the day light hours. Thank you, Sunny Le. PS. Pros: Food, Staff, Easy menu. Cons: Some noise during evening times. Stars: 4 Flat
(4)Margot C.
Cafe Bernardo is one of the most consistently good places in sac. They have a lot of variety on the menu (salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, polenta, etc.) and it's all good! The atmosphere at this location is fun and relaxing. I prefer sitting outside, but there is plenty of indoor seating as well. Notably, the Thai noodle dish is an excellent dish. They will give you enough to feed a family of four. Also, they have a delicious homemade honey lemonade that I love to have in an Arnold Palmer. Cafe Bernardo isn't a "must see" of sacramento, but if you're looking for a tasty, enjoyable meal it can definitely provide that.
(4)Ed N.
This place isnt bad. In fact, I'd like to give it 3.5 stars rather than 3. My only issue is that it is a bit pricey for what you get. The food is pretty good. I had their ham and cheese omelette and my girlfriend got the breakfast burrito. Both came with a side of potatoes and both dishes were delicious. I'd definitely come here again.
(3)Austin K.
I'm a big fan of Bernardos. You walk up to the counter to order your food off of a fairly diverse menu, and it is brought to your table by a food runner. Beyond that, it is self service. They have all of the breakfast/brunch staples that you would expect and some good veggie stuff as well (try the bacon&avocado omelet). It is not easy to find seating on weekends, but I always enjoy sitting out on the patio or over at Monkey Bar. The place is very dog friendly, going so far as to bring your dog some water if you let them know where you are sitting. Good quality food, affordable prices, and mostly self service. Bernardo is on a very short list of my go-to spots for brunch.
(4)Tony R.
The food is hit and miss if ordering randomly. They do a good job on breakfast, But overall not as good for lunch as I had hoped. Also, it is way to damn cold in that place to dine comfortably
(3)Carl I.
I enjoyed the breakfast here. I got the chorizo and eggs. I'm pretty picky about breakfast, but it did the trick. It's a little further than I usually go for breakfast, but I was in the area. I wish there was a breakfast place like this closer to Citrus Heights. The place is on the trendy side, and looks like most of the new places in the area. There's a bar area that I bet gets pretty packed. During the late Monday morning after everyone was at work, it was pretty quiet. I also tried the lemonade which is flavored with honey instead of sugar. I find myself craving it now. It had just a hint of a rich honey flavor with a nice tangy fresh lemon zing. You should pay me to write commercials for your lemonade, Cafe Bernardo. Just kidding. The potatoes were not spicy as said, but the chorizo and eggs complemented them well. The prices were reasonable. The chorizo and eggs were under 10, the plate was good. You impressed a breakfast snob, Cafe Bernardo. Good deal. I will be back.
(4)Linda S.
I use to come here every 2 weeks for over a year about a year ago. There was a very cheerful friendly girl that took our order. I adored her. The food was good but pricey. But last year, the food quality took a serious decline and it climaxed to burnt undercooked pancakes. Gross. I vowed never to come back until last week which I discovered that this place still has not changed. The oatmeal was watery and bland. It wasn't flavorful like it was over a year ago. The same unfriendly guy took our order. The french toast, which use to be my 2nd favorite after Tower cafe, was just horrible. It was dry and didn't taste good. I gave you a 2nd chance and you blew it.
(1)Chris T.
Good food and good service. The desserts they have hit the spot before a show! The chicken quesadilla can't be beat. Also good for a moment to mellow out when you're at the bar next door.
(4)Andrew D.
Been eating at these places since the first one was built back in the late 90's. It's good food and always clean but I must note two things. First the menu never ever changes which sucks because there's allot of potential at these restaurants. Second the portion size has gone to hell in a hand-basket. There's my two cents.
(2)Harrison L.
The Penne Pasta was so tasteless. For $11.00 ala Carte. it was quite disappointing after reading all the other 4 Stars that it received. This isn't typical of an R. P. restaurant. Perhaps a secret diner rather than reading about it on Yelp.
(2)Neyri Z.
Outstanding customer service and everything we had and tried went beyond our expectations. I'll probably go back tomorrow and try their breakfast given my experience tonight. Highly recommend
(4)Table For Tw O.
It's difficult to give a cafe or coffee shop a standout rating in Midtown where there seems to be something new and original around every corner, but Cafe Bernardo has found a way to keep us coming back. The food isn't perfect, but the atmosphere and accessibility make up for it. We haven't had a chance to head over for lunch or dinner yet, but when it comes to breakfast we've never had trouble finding a seat and after 5 visits or so we're still able to try something new each time. If you're with a date, splitting one of the breakfast sandwiches and a belgian waffle paired with an espresso drink will more than do the trick. p.s. sign up for the rewards card online and receive $20 of dine-in credit during the week of your birthday!
(4)Anthony R.
The food is good however, they need to replace / repair the furniture that is not ready for dining. We had to move not once, not twice but three times to find a table or chair that was not damaged to the point that they totally distracted us and soured the dining experience.
(3)Tom S.
Lots'a rave Yelp reviews brought me and 5 friends here for dinner before a show. And while I ate my dinner (didn't finish it - I grew bored with the cloying flavors), I wasn't in love with the food, the kinda crumby ambiance, the less than clean dining room, and the stand on line to order the food exercise. Certainly not when my simple salad, tap water and a cupcake ran me over $20. I tasted just about everything else that everyone else ordered. I thought the fish, the anglicized Mexican dish, and really everything was just homey and plain. Servers spaced twice for my wife's glass of wine, and 3 times for her cup of coffee. Really guys, I gott'a ask you 3 times to remember the coffee? I'm not going to return....
(2)Aimee L.
Even though I'm a resident of San Jose, when I do come to Sacramento, I'm eating here between the hours of 10am-12:30pm! A couple of my Sac friends and I have made this a little routine while I'm in town, and I ALWAYS look forward to it. I've been to both locations, but this one offers the option of you being able to sit at Monkey Bar (the bar attached to the cafe) while eating! Best of both worlds. Service is always very friendly and prompt and prices are very reasonable! I would highly recommend the breakfast burrito to the lacto/ovo vegetarians out there. It is stellar!
(5)Jade B.
GREAT for vegans, you can order: - any of the salads (sans meat and cheese) - the thai noodle (sans chicken) is delicious! - the stir fry (sans meat and with soy sauce instead of stock) and it is oh so filling - any of the pizzas or calzones sans cheese/meat - any of the breads NOT GOOD FOR BREAKFAST (try Crepeville or Fox and Goose)
(5)Brenda B.
This place is strange. Its confusing to me. It feels like there is a disconnect within the restaurant itself, the food, the staff, the concept. At a friends suggestion's meet for sunday brunch. First impression when you walk up from the street, nice outside patio area, saw a few doggies brunching with their owners, thought is was cool, they had water bowls set out for the four legged hairballs. That's really the only positive I can think of. Everything else was strange. So this is one of those places where you stand in line and order at the counter, they give you a number, and they bring your food out. So I ordered their version of an eggs benny and coffee. I take my number, and awkwardly make my way to their self serve coffee area, which really looks like a service area for their employees, it was kind of dark and disorganized and in a crowded walkway/ thruway location, where two different areas of the restaurant is connected if that makes sense. It looks like maybe cafe Bernardo's somehow expanded by converting the space next to it and made it a part of the restaurant. It seems like the decors were different in the two different spaces. Even trying to navigate to the outside patios was a confusing maze I couldn't tell if i was walking into a different restaurants space or not, I remember I had to some how walk around outside just to get inside the middle patio area... weird. Anyway I think at the time were were just pleased to have found patio seating, since it was a bit crowded. so after some time, our food came out. It was not really impressive, my eggs were overcooked for a Benedict, and i found a hair in my potatoes towards the end of my meal. gross. anyway, I don't know I just thought this place was really generic and boring and confusing. But I did like the patio and the fact they allow dogs of all sizes on their patio. I may give them a try again, we will see.
(2)robert f.
The happy hour was most unhappy. By 4:30 they were out of sliders and sweet potato fries and the quesadilla was not the one advertised on the menu. The couple next to us was served warm beer. Our server was very apologetic but I had the impression that this was the norm. Another small detail but if we wanted to eat outside or within the restaurant, there was no table service. You had to order at the front register. I hope they work through these issues because this is a great addition to the neighborhood.
(1)Jeff K.
NO ALL DAY BREAKFAST HERE. It is listed as a place that has them, and it does NOT. The breakfast is fine, but if you're not up with the chickens, you'll miss it (they stop at 11.)
(1)Meagan L.
Food was good. Didn't realize that for $50 we would only get 2 burgers and a steak sandwich. Very rude wait staff. There was syrup all over the table and when I asked if they could clean it up, he came back with a wet cloth and expected me to clean it. Also, when asking if they had Ranch dressing for my fries, I got the response (in a very snotty tone) "we don't serve ranch".
(3)Moe D.
Pretty good food and coffee. The salmon sandwich is great. The carrot cake is good as well. I've been to this place a few times and always had a good meal.
(4)Craig M.
#NAME?
(5)Molly B.
This is a cute little spot, attached to the Monkey Bar, that my uncle wanted to try when some of the family came up from Los Angeles. I had been by it many times before, but never inside (not counting the bar) and was looking forward to something new. So we gathered our crew of seven and set out for lunch. When you go in, since you place your order at the counter before sitting, if you don't know what you want right away I suggest you stand aside and check out the menu before getting in the line (that seems to move up really quickly). The people at the counter are pretty nice, but it's hard not to feel rushed. They had a lot of yummy looking selections for me, but I could tell my son wasn't really going to like any of the kid items. Luckily I spotted garlic fries and ordered him those. They give you a playing card to take to your table and they bring your food out to you. I only wish they had brought our entire party's food out timed a little closer together so we wouldn't have that awkward moment where everyone but two people have their food and no one wants to be rude and start munching down just yet. So you wait... and make chit chat... and then - thank goodness!- the rest of the food comes. I got the Griddled Ham and Cheese. It was pretty good, but for the price I was a little disappointed as it was nothing I couldn't have easily made at home in my own kitchen. My uncle got the Grilled Salmon BLT that he seemed to really like, but only ate half. Maybe he was on a diet? Or maybe.... When my son's garlic fries came out (the last order brought to the table) all heads turned - other patrons as well as my party. They smelled soooo delicious, so garlicky, so fried. My son attacked them! As our meal progressed I noticed that he (seated at the opposite end of the table from me) had slowed down his eating, yet the plate of fries was still rapidly disappearing. It was then that I spotted sneaky adult hands (belonging to two uncles and a grandpa) stealing away pieces of golden, garlicky, deliciousness. It wasn't until my boyfriend could no longer resist and tried to snatch a few that my son caught on and busted the lot! Cafe Bernardo was, as the rating states, "A-OK." The service was kind of nonexistent, but the employees were polite, my sandwich was tasty, and the garlic fries were awesome.
(3)Alli Q.
Really great brunch spot! The area is really cute and you get a lot of food for a fair price. You order at the counter, seat yourself and they bring the food out to you. I've only tried the chicken apple scramble and the quinoa salad but I though both were really good. The outside seating is really nice so I recommend sitting out there if the weather is nice.
(4)Jess C.
I was so looking forward to brunch at Bernie's, and it may have been overhype from friends, but I was unimpressed. I tried the Cafe Bernardo Eggs Benedict and the Omelet, and both were good... just not great. I'd never crave Bernardo like I crave Mochii...alright, that's an unfair comparison, I don't crave much else besides Mochii and Ginger Elizabeth around this hood. But back to my point... Moral of the story: Solid but unimpressive brunch, extremely affordable prices.
(3)Michelle B.
Right time, right place. They get major kuddos for always being open when I need good food quickly. The other morning I was at an in between time 10:45am, when some of downtown's other greats don't open till 11:30 or even 4:30. They were there for me, like so many times before. It was my first time having breakfast here, and I believe they only serve breakfast before 11am. I had the breakfast burritos and it came out, juicy and smothered in green enchilada sauce (super yum!). The potatoes were perfect, too perfect as some of my associates kept picking them off my plate. Next time, I will grad a side-order of extra potatoes in anticipation of the pillage. Thus far, I've not had a bad meal here. I've had the Thai Salad, the Trio Salad, and a couple of their sandos. All very good, healthy, and on the larger side of the proportion scale. There staff is always helpful, and while you usually order at the counter, they have actually placed side orders and add-on orders for me right at my table. They're always happy and service is usually quick. I have had a hard time finding seating on occasion if I arrived around 12:30. There are a couple of parks near by, so it may be worth placing a to-go order and finding somewhere outside to park. I'll be back.
(4)Justin W.
This place is great. Downtown, outside enjoying great food with good friends. What else could you want. Does get very busy but well worth the wait! The Bernardo Burrito is the bomb!
(5)Anita W.
This update is to announce that (Oh happy day !!) Cafe Bernardo has brought back their delicious and wonderful Mushroom Jarlsberg salad. Thank you Cafe Bernardo !!
(4)Judith M.
I have frequent cravings for the Asian Chicken Salad. This is another successful Paragary's concept, synonymous with quality and consistency. I like the semi-service model, the comfortable setting, and I rarely hit the Cafe Bernardo without paying some lip service to the adjoined Monkey Bar. Great food and easy on the pocket book.
(4)Tyler L.
Normaly this place is great, but today was terrible! 30 min wait for cold food! Coffee was full of grounds and not readily available. No salt or pepper at the table and the hot sauce container at the table was empty. To top that off, I had lip stick and dried sauce on my cup! Shame on you cafe Bernado your better than that! Perhaps invest in some heat lamps to serve your food warm.
(2)Julie T.
Mmmmm.... they have a GREAT salad sampler plate! For $9, I got three salads and it was WAY too much for me to finish (and let me tell you, I usually ALWAYS make room!). Delicious ingredients - each of the salads was great. However, they charge you $2 to put a little sprinkle of cheese and nuts on top of the green salad, regardless of whether you order the entire green salad or if it's just 1/3 of your sampler plate. That's cheap on you, Cafe B. No real service to speak of because we ordered at a register and no one came to refill our drinks.
(3)Tony P.
This place lives up to its reviews. Great people, fantastic food, with many breakfast & lunch options at a very reasonable price. You should definitely give it a try. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Alex G.
Cafe Bernardo has been a part of my weekend breakfast dining experience since I was a kid. Over the years, I've gone here with my parents and my grandfather when he lived nearby. Over the years, my taste buds have remained consistent. Their breakfast burrito is hands down my favorite thing to get here. It has everything I love in a breakfast burrito: eggs, black beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, and comes with a heap of potatoes. For $8, it's a really good portion and you won't be disappointed with the quality. Another big plus is that they serve fresh squeezed OJ, which is just plain better than the alternatives. They tend to scramble their eggs until they are really dry, which is fine for some but I prefer mine a little moist. It's not a big deal in the burrito since the sour cream and salsa balances it out. But if you are like me, you may want to make this request when getting scrambled eggs. They will certainly accommodate. The french toast is also really good. Their Belgian waffles are big, but I personally don't like the batter they use. It's not your basic waffle batter, but rather something a bit 'heavier' and nuttier. The breakfast scene can get really crowded here on weekends, but they move food and people through pretty quickly. Weather permitting, they have nice patio. I've seen people bring their dogs in the summer and tie them up next to their table, which is certainly great for any dog owners in the area! Their lunch is equally good, although I'll leave that to the regular lunch crowd. In terms of breakfast, this place is tasty and reasonably priced.
(4)Tiffany L.
I'm a notorious bruncher. There, I said it. The sweet sun light in Cafe B's makes my Sunday that much better. The colors of the wall and high ceilings help curb my hangover along with a fresh cold bloodymary. Once, I tried a special - creamy polenta (Im obsessed) with a poached egg and tomato pesto-ee sauce... it was like being back in Nonna's kitchen. This is another one of those places- where if you live in midtown, you MUST give a chance. We even came during the final World Cup game to bring an out of town friend by- loud and STILL pleasant. Enjoy the almondy french toast too. I never order french toast in a restaurant, like meatloaf. (Why? I can make it better myself) I gave in. I was wrong. The only thing Id change would be the whole order-at- the -counter then take your seat thing. So I stole the 7 of hearts place card.
(4)Kaycie L.
- OMG! One of my fav breakfast spots. - The food here is pretty darn good. I like the selections and variety. The environment is open, spacious, and welcoming. The crowd is pretty cool too! I don't remember what I had, but I know we had family style and t
(4)Dat L.
I love coming here for breakfast they have the best huevos rancheros plate. If huevos rancheros was a woman "OOoH the things I would do to her beans and yolks" hahaha Besides that, almost everything else on the menu is awesome plus you can order a gynormous mocha that is served in a small bowl with a handle that will make you smile from ear to ear. Ive witness people orgasm as they consumed this beverage. Yeah, it's that good. Overall a great place to eat. With a very colorful menu for any type of taste budz.
(5)Carly R.
This is my favorite Cafe Bernardo location, and not just because its closest to my apartment. The people that work here are great, and the food is always really good too. Its a fast casual restaurant, you order at the counter, get a number, and the food is brought to you. I almost always get the same thing because its soooo good- the salad sampler with the chopped salad and the Thai Noodle salad. Its perfect because you get to try 2 different salads, or even 3 if you want. The Thai Noodle is especially awesome. Breakfast is also good here, I come on the weekends sometimes. They have carafes of mimosas for $10, which is a good deal, except for that you can get bottomless mimosas at other breakfast places in Midtown (if you want to have a REALLY fun morning).
(4)Jesse K.
Not the cheapest lunch joint in town but its reasonably priced for the good food you get. I have only been here during lunch. Its kind of like "Jacks" how you walk up to the register, order, and they bring the food out to you. The prices are Jacks level too. These types of restaurants always make me wonder if you are supposed to leave a tip or not? I'd definitely come back for breakfast/lunch.
(4)Caroline W.
Great simple place to come for breakfast and lunch for me! I love their choices.
(4)Melissa J.
So, we finally went to Cafe Bernardo for the first time last night for dinner. I have been watching their specials each week that they put on their facebook page and finally made it down there to try it. This weeks dinner special was their summer burger with garlic fries and a root beer float 2 for $25. I had been wanting to go out for a good burger all week and the burger at Cafe Bernardo definitely satisfied that craving, it was a very good burger. We have been to other Paragary's restaurants over the years and have always had a great meal and service. We also noticed while we were there a customer and his dog on the patio, which is great! We continue to look for dog friendly restaurants so that our dog can go with us. We spoke to the man with his very well behaved adorable pitbull dog as we were leaving and chatted about a few other restaurants that have dog friendly patios that we will try. Next time we go to Cafe Bernardo we will have our Maxximus with us to enjoy the outing as well, because the food and friendly staff will keep us coming back.
(4)Angie C.
This place was 2.75 stars for me. My friend was craving breakfast so we went to check out Cafe Bernardo based on great reviews. Note to breakfast seekers - No breakfast is served after 2pm on Saturdays. I think they serve bfast til 3 on Sundays. Also interesting is that you can't order a burger until 2:20. So there's a 20 minute window between breakfast and lunch on saturdays in which you cannot order a burger but still cant order breakfast. odd, huh? Well, after the initial disappointment of breakfast ending, we waited a few minutes until 2:20 (we arrived at 2:15) and we each ordered a burger. The burger was pretty good, actually. I ordered it with the cheese, bacon and fries. With a soda, the total was about $18. Reeeeeally pricey for what it is. Although good, I probably won't go back for a burger. I'll wake up earlier and try out the breakfast one of these days though.
(3)Lena W.
I have given Cafe Bernardo several chances because for some reason whenever I go to this business I always end up having a terrible experience! The first time I visited the cafe bernardo on R, and I order eggs and bacon, when my food came out there was a piece of hair on my over easy eggs. I quickly told my waiter and they weren't able to make me another plate but they did apologies and took the food off of my bill. The second time I visited, the R street location, I order the same thing, once i got my order, there was another hair on my eggs. How can this happen the second time, on the same order? I told the manager, because at this point I was furious having this happen to me this second time. They took it off of my bill and that was it. Today I decided to try their other location, on Capitol 27th, because Its closer to my house, my boyfriend and i order one plate of the eggs Benedict and one mimeoso, it was 18.50. Shocked by the total, we waited for 15-20mins for our food to come out, once it arrived there wasn't a piece of someone else hair, but the eggs benedict looked sorry. We had the ham on the side, the toast the eggs where sitting on, extra crispy and hard to cut into. This experience was sad because we weren't expecting our food to come out to be 18.50 for one drink and one plate of eggs.
(2)erin t.
Dog friendly spot! I've only been to this location for breakfast, but maybe one of these days I'll try another meal time here. We took our pug here this morning and I was so pleased with how dog friendly they are! We tied her up to the the gate outside on the patio and went inside to check the menu. Once I decided, I left to go sit back outside with my pooch. Happily, I discovered a server had spotted her as soon as we came in and had dropped off a dog bowl full of water and a dog treat left on the table! Breakfast was delicious, & their food is typically pretty consistent. I'm pretty loyal to their breakfast burrito, but have been equally pleased with their egg dishes and their breakfast sandwich. PLUS - they make a good cup of coffee. Granted, it's $2.50 which in my opinion is sort of steep for a cup of coffee, but if you hang around for awhile you can get enough refills to justify the cost. It gets a it crowded on the weekends, but I've also been here for breakfast during the week and it's much more mellow.
(4)Tim C.
Stopped by here in the afternoon, right after my wife's doctor visit across the street... Not many patrons were around at about 2:30pm. So, it was nice and quiet. We just wanted to get a light snack, so the wife ordered a mixed green salad and I picked the portobello mushroom sandwich. For the amount of food you get and what you pay for it... didn't really seem worth it to me. Neither item really had a "WOW" factor to it that would make me want to come back here. In fact, I could easily make better versions of each at home... and for the amount I spent, I could probably have multiple servings as well. The biggest dislike about this place, is that it was connected to the "Monkey Bar" next door. And, there was a woman sitting outside on the patio area having her drink and smoking a cigarette. It's her right to smoke one, but I thought there were distance laws about smoking near entrances to public places... Shouldn't have had to smell her smoke right before going to eat. For a first time visitor, I wasn't really impressed. If I was in the area and wanted something to eat, I might consider eating here again if I was in the mood for the type of food they serve. But, I didn't feel that the food is worth going out of my way to eat here again.
(3)Judy L.
Nice little place for casual brunch. I got the two eggs breakfast (eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast), cup of coffee, and cup of oj = $14 Food was good, not oily like most places. Very friendly employees. Tip: They had a check in deal, where you pick a card from a deck and could possibly win a gift card (which I did!! $5)
(5)Megan N.
When we lived down the street, this was my favorite place to go! Wish we still lived as close, because I just don't get down there enough anymore! Some of our favorites: *cupcakes of the month *freshly baked bread *scrumptious jam for their toast *chinese chicken noodle salad *lattes in their adorable bowls *husband usually gets (and loves) pizza, ham & cheese panini w/ fries, or any breakfast item
(5)Marco G.
Great choice for breakfast or brunch. The breakfast burrito is dang good. The service is a little slow because they have the cashiers also preparing the drinks (go figure) but the food was worth the wait to me.
(4)Roxie T.
Came here with my teenage son for breakfast a couple of weeks ago. As always the food is amazingly fresh, and very well prepared. This is a place that you can actually come to and feel good about what you ate. Lots of really nice healthy choices. I've only been here for breakfast, however I hear the lunch and dinners are very good. Nice location with seating in and outside.
(4)Rich K.
Sacramento has a bevy of amazing food... especially Brunch. Bernardos has long been an anchor point for a descent experience. Todays' experience was less than exciting. Upon arival, my partner and I spent a ferw minutes looking over the menu and planning on ordering (first brunch date), only to be told that they stopped serving breakfast at 1pm, which is reasonable other than the fact that at that moment it was 1 on the dot. Really? I wasn't aware that the kitchen Nazis were so strict and in effect. Both of us have worked in the industry for years and felt that just a touch of discretion could have been exercised. I'll think twice about going to Bernardos again. The food is descent, but considering that the Paragary family that owns it pretty much corners 40% of the midtown food market, I can find other places. PS - We still had a great brunch elsewhere...
(2)Drew T.
Good breakfast, great outdoor seating, and good service makes this one of my favorite breakfast and lunch spots. Its central sac location to freeways makes this a good place to meet up with friends as well. I love walking the neighborhood and going to Trinity Episcopal church on the corner too.
(4)Kapil G.
Decent place, busy for Sunday brunch. Though food was simple and good. The best part was it has lots of freedom in just sitting and chatting. Don't have a service person standing over you. Order you food, find a place and sit, and they will figure out where you are....... will go again....
(3)Ashley R.
Good salads. Huge portions. Semi expensive. good breakfast and lunch
(4)Skyler W.
The pizza was delicious! This review coincides with my previous review of The Monkey Bar. Thought I did not actually eat inside the restaurant of Cafe Bernardo, i did enjoy the wonderful food. I was at the Monkey Bar next door and was rather hungry after having a couple of my favorite beers "Lagunitas IPA". If you are not familiar with the Monkey Bar and Cafe Bernardo, they are connected and you are able to order food or drinks from either establishment.. I ordered the a plate of the polenta and salad and it was really good, very tasty and hit the spot, i also ordered a pizza, i believe it was a lemon potato, it was also very good.. I will definitely come back to this restaurant if i am in the neighborhood the next time that i am in Sacramento!
(4)Aranyani A.
It is often that I find myself craving a few things at Cafe Bernardo on Capitol Ave. And, if you live in Midtown, try the breakfast here on a weekday/or weekend if you dont mind a little wait in line. It is a casual environment, with seating inside and outside. They have darling 1920's era posters adorning the summer yellow walls, making it a cheery experience. First and foremost, Their Eggs Benedict is a delight. The hollandaise sauce is great, and the eggs are perfectly poached. I get it every time. With seasoned potatoes on the side. And don't skimp on the ham. I also suggest the toast on the side. My husband got the breakfast burrito, which had a great green sauce, that was both fresh and delicious! It was a large serving as well, so we both left feeling full. For week nights, stop into Monkey Bar, which is attached to the cafe. You can order food at the bar, and sit inside or out. The patio is nice also because you can smoke out there if you enjoy drinking and smoking together. Get some fries and chill out! Isn't that why we all have days off? Get your eggs ben on!!!!!
(4)Don G.
Great beer selection and tasty low-key dinner! You gotta love this section of Sac. There are some fun little restaurants and bars... Cafe Bernardo combines the two. It was a yummy dinner for my family of all ages.
(4)Melinda H.
The food is interesting, clean and consistent. This is a fun place to go for breakfast or lunch. Randy Paragary owns this place and he always hits it home.
(5)Rahe G.
I have never been disappointed with the food here! FYI - for brunch if you want bottomless mimosas you have to sit in the Monkey Bar side. We still got great service and they kept my glass full!
(4)Miki S.
This is the best Cafe Bernardo. The one on R street has a little less quality in terms of food and service. Try the grilled chick sandwich!
(4)Lily S.
Had a delicious turkey burger here. Good portions for the price, and the waitstaff is very friendly, which is never a sure thing in Midtown.
(4)Jeanne C.
Delicious locally sourced menu! Seasonal eats, great for breakfast and lunch! Try the breakfast burrito or salmon BLT! Thanks chef Kelly for the recommendations!
(5)Marquie F.
Best oatmeal i've ever had. The consistency is perfect, and the bananas and pecans are perfect for it. At my most recent visits I ordered the breakfast pesto tofu scramble and the portobello burger. The tofu scramble was delicious, the pesto added so much flavor and worked really well with the tofu. It was also served with their potatoes (which I love) and a slice of sour dough bread. The portobello burger, on the other hand, was pretty bland. I ordered it without mayo, not realizing there would be no flavor at all! I would recommend adding avocado or some type of aioli to it. By the way, I prefer their location on 15th since the space is more open and less crowded.
(4)Lester A.
I am a fan of their french toast. We each ordered our own meal and split the french toast, well I ate 3/4 of the french toast so I guess that's not exactly splitting it but that's neither here nor there. Awesome french toast, I was already full from my scramble eggs and chicken apple sausage and some chorizo and eggs which were both really good but i just kept eating the french toast. The service was really good and they were all real nice. We sat outside and were still checked on from time to time. I'm also about 99% positive that Jonah Hill from "Get Him to the Greek" and "Superbad" was sitting outside too across from us. We didn't want to bother him but very sure it was him.
(4)Anna N.
We are looking forward to going back for lunch soon. I ordered a little off menu and got their grilled ham and cheese sandwich with no ham and extra cheese. Tasty melted cheese with just the right amount of onion on fresh and grilled (not greasy!) bread. The french fries tasted freshly made as well and were salted perfectly. My husband really enjoyed his burger. He had the Creekstone Ground Chuck with cheese. His comment was that he would like a sturdier bottom bun to hold the juicy burger in longer. While ordering was done and paid for at the counter, food was delivered to our table and the waiter was nice and attentive in refilling beverages.
(4)Emily Y.
Food & service was awesome!
(5)Jef B.
Breakfast this morning was great. Deb had the bacon avocado omelette. I had the famous french toast. We got in around 9:30 am so had no difficulty finding a table. Food came fast. I like Cafe Bernardo - it's walking distance for us, and the menu is varied enough that you're unlikely to get bored with it. It is a smallish echo-ey place so as the crowds gather, the din grows. Other than that I have no gripes.
(5)Alexander H.
I have been to Cafe Bernardo a few times, and the food was solid. Not great or anything to write home about, but solidly above average. My last visit however, was atrocious. My food was bland, undercooked, and had several large egg shell fragments mixed in with the eggs. My friend's food was cold by the time it hit the table. Not a big deal, so we asked the cook if the food could be reheated. He responded as if we had insulted his mother, and from that point forward we got nothing but attitude from the staff. I was amazed at poor quality of the food, and even more surprised at how the staff acted as if we were rude for insisting on edible food. Never again!
(1)Brandee B.
Ugh. Ordered take out this evening from the Bernardo's on Capital. All the staff I spoke with, both on the phone and in person, were all friendly. That is the reason for 1 star. The second star is for the fact that my order was technically correct. I ordered a tri-tip sandwich, no onions or mustard, and portobello sandwich, no onions, with fries with the beef and mixed greens with the mushroom. I was planning to have half of each sammy for dinner tonight and then the rest for lunch tomorrow. I figured since I didn't want to wait, I'd order and arrive when they told me to. They said 15 mins. I got there in 15 and 15 minutes after that, I finally got my food. I didn't have a problem waiting that long, I just didn't want to do it in the restaurant. Not a good start. Now, the food. I've had the portobello before and this one was not marinated in balsamic like it used to be, which is what makes it so good. There was a little bit of mayo, but nothing else to provide moisture to the sammy. It was not inedible, but not tasty at all. Fail. The salad was overdressed with oil and a LOT of cracked pepper, which was a very overwhelming combo. There was even an onion flavor in there. Obviously by my order, I don't like onions. I was never given a choice of dressings and I guess I assumed it would be dressed lightly in a balsamic vinaigrette like most mixed greens are. I ate two bites and set it aside. Another fail. For the tri-tip, it was cooked well enough to my liking, but cold. I don't know how that could be considering I waited so long for my food and I watched them prepare the meat on the grill. I also needed to add mayo to the sammy because it was super dry, which I somewhat expected since I asked for it without the mustard. Fries came out of a completely different kitchen (why, I'm not sure) and were done about 10 mins before the rest of the meal was boxed up. Which means they were cold. This has been, and will always be, my least favorite Bernardo's location. I'm not sure why, but they always seem to have issues that the other locations don't have, which includes properly cooking their menu items. Maybe some basic communication would benefit this location as well as getting back to basics with the cooking. Needless to say I will not be eating the rest of this food for lunch tomorrow and it will be a looooong time before I go back to this place. Anyone have any suggestions for lunch tomorrow?
(2)Ion A.
This place reminds me of places down in the LA area, not only the chill atmospphere and ambiance but the quality of food it's appraent. Everything I have ordered tasted fresh, healthy and good. You will not be dissapointed by going to Cafe Bernardo in the morning, or for lunch and dinner.
(5)Jenneil P.
My favorite breakfast in Sacramento. I always order the chicken apple sausage scramble and absolutely love it. I've frequented both locations and prefer this one over the one on R street primarily because there is plenty of seating here and overall the staff seems friendlier at this location.
(4)Thomas F.
I came here for breakfast with my very awkward father the other day. I ordered the breakfast sandwich and it was good, but nothing special. Probably what you'd expect to get for the price and decor of the restaurant. It was the employees who made the visit less than satisfactory. My dad's a socially awkward guy and when his granola didn't come with milk he searched for a source like a skittish mouse...and was chased away as one. The restaurant has a bit of an identity problem. It doesn't quite know where it fits in on the fine dining spectrum. You don't have a server but people are dressed like them. You order from a register but they bus your table. This is only a problem because you don't know who to ask for help and everyone you bother acts as such. They're all doing their job and whatever that is it doesn't include assisting patrons with questions or needs. This leaves an uninviting impression that gives me no reason to return.
(2)Tiffany M.
This happened today, 05/04/08. WTF is up with the service! It is a shame that such good food is paired with such poor service. The order was 2 pancakes plus 2 sides of bacon. Now, how long should that wait be??? Take a guess. Try over 40-minutes. The staff refills your coffee, passes by, I suppose acknowledges your "Playing Card" is still displayed revealing that you still have yet to receive your food. The kitchens order printout sounds in the background. Other guests are waiting patiently. It is not until you get up to specifically notify an employee that we have been waiting over 30-minutes for our order. She then says she will check on the order without even asking what we ordered. Couple minutes later she returns by asking what we ordered. Hmmm...inefficiency. She checks our order, comes back to tell us that our food ticket was lost. And WTF are we to do? Now, would you want to wait more for the pancakes and bacon? I certainly don't! How is it that employees of this place do nothing but put blinders on as they see customers waiting and waiting for their food? Where has the service industry gone today? Why doesn't any employee see the "5-of-spades" and walk back to the kitchen to ask/say: the "5-of-spades" is still waiting for their food, how long will it be? Why is it that employees wait for the customer to say something regarding the issue. Even better, why does this employee come back to say: "Your food ticket was lost." What is the solution? What is Cafe Bernardo going to do to ensure that a customer does not experience this: "I will not return to Cafe Bernardo." I was a a return-customer prior to this piss-poor service. Why is that other employees of this place will excuse this behavior due to the girl being "NEW". Cafe Bernardo, don't make excuses! This is not her fault but YOURS! The bottom line: I refuse to spend my money at this place and including all the other restaurants associated with it. Thank goodness there is Crepeville, great food and great service! This place doesn't even deserve a star. There should be ratings for negative-stars.
(1)Heather W.
I have been to Cafe Bernardo twice and I am just not blown away by my experiences. Most recently, I went there on a Sunday at 11 am and had the Scrambled Eggs & Chicken Apple Sausage. Hmm...it was OK. Kind of bland. I had heard the potatoes were really good but again, I just thought they were OK. The coffee was OK, not bad...and there is nothing worse than bad coffee. So that covers the food...onto the rest. It is very crowded so make sure you have one person wait in line, and one person scout for a table. If the weather is nice you can eat outside, but both times I went it was really windy so we ate inside. It is counter service, and the people working there were polite, not overtly friendly. I didn't have any problem with them. So...overall it was OK. I feel there are some better places in town to get breakfast, and where you don't have to stress out about finding a seat. Maybe for just one or two people it's not a big deal, but if you have a big group it might get a little difficult to find a seat.
(3)Jamie S.
I've been here twice now.. I really like the set-up, there's a nice atmosphere, and the staff is really friendly.. The first time, I got their version of the eggs benedict. Perfectly poached and bomb potatoes. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was that it was on a piece of bread (that was a little hard to cut through) and not an english muffin.. That might just be a personal preference though. I went again this morning with some family members.. We tried to go to Fox and Goose, but there was a shorter wait time here.. They got the benedict and shared my exact thoughts on it.. I had the amaretto french toast, which was super good! You could taste a little bit of the amaretto, and the almonds they sprinkled on top totally made the meal. If I'm ever craving french toast, definitely coming back here.. I think though, next time I come I will be ordering from the lunch menu. The sandwiches look amazing!
(4)Ryan R.
So the first thing to remember if you're meeting someone at Cafe Bernardo is that Sacramento has two Cafe Bernardos. The second thing to remember is to bring your cell phone, so that in the event that you and your breakfast companion arrive at two different Cafe Bernardos you can work it out in less than 45 minutes, and without having to bother strangers. Despite my brain-dead mistakes in these two key areas, I was eventually able to have a delightful breakfast at the CAPITOL AVANUE Cafe Bernardo a few days ago. I got the breakfast sandwich and it was excellent. I haven't had better in quite a while in fact. The potatoes were also above par, well cooked and nicely seasoned. The atmosphere was quite nice and the service was pleasant though not always readily available. The prices seemed a bit high for the quantity and quality but it wasn't outrageous. Overall this is definitely a solid place for breakfast or brunch. I'd certainly take an out-of-town friend here, but I'm not going to go on a regular basis, primarily because I'm really cheap. But I'll definitely be back, though next time I'll be carrying my phone and have better pre-breakfast communication.
(4)Priscilla V.
I have to say the chorizo and eggs with potatoes on the side was pretty tasty!
(4)K A.
I don't get the buzz about Bernardo. I have come in twice, mostly because I love the patio. But awesome patio and cute order cards aside, Bernardo is nothing special. I ordered a Turkey Burger with fries, and it was just not good at all. And for $10, even worse. My friend ordered her burger before me and didn't get it until 10 minutes after mine arrived (she had to ask, and it wasn't that busy...), which was 5 minutes after our other dining companion got her lunch. The wait staff was not friendly, attentive or fast. The best part was the rocking Carrot Cake. But Carrot Cake does not a lunch make, so if you want a real burger go to a place like Burgers and Brew.
(2)Stacey H.
Solid 4 stars. Had to give Cafe Bernardo another star and props for stepping it up. In the last few months, their service has been so much better and although the food has always been top notch, it seems like they're putting out more effort. The girls who take your order have been much more cheery (I think there's a few new faces working there) and have been exceptionally helpful when I'm trying to order something a little less caloric. You know....suggesting no butter and light cheese on the breakfast sandwich. What a difference! Thank you Cafe Bernardo people for helping me reduce my daily calories so I can save them for special meal splurges!
(4)Justin D.
To be honest, I have only tried two items on the menue though I have been many more times. I am completely stuck on the huezoes (I'm sure I butchered the spelling on that) and can't seem to order anything else. Berdardo is simply a great Sacto cafe, and a great place to enjoy a breakfast on the patio with friends. The service is always good, promtp and prices are fair. I have never had a less than great experience and always leave planning my next trip back.
(4)Ed S.
So the place isn't a disaster, but it had no real appeal for me. First off...pricey. Not astronomical, but everything is just a few bucks more expensive than most other cafe places and they don't really offer anything as a trade off. As many other reviews kinda emphasize, the service is pretty lousy. 45 minutes to get my breakfast burrito from them, when I walked in I noticed only 2 other tables still had their "cards" indicating they were waiting for orders. My wife ordered just simple pancakes and eggs, and she actually waited ten minutes longer than me. The staff seems polite enough, but really slow is just really slow. I could have driven back to my place, made my own pancakes, eaten them, and come back in the time it took for ours to arrive. I get that the whole setup is sorta designed behind self-sufficiency. You order your food at the register, take your drinks and your little "card" and wait for the order to arrive. But these guys just aren't making it work very well. Given the number off issues I'm reading along these lines maybe it's time to re-hire or change the setup? Then again, they didn't seem empty, and are in a good location, so probably can get away with the bum service. Overall, the atmosphere here is pretty nicely setup. Definite family and friends style setup going on, good open area with outdoor and plentiful varieties of indoor seating. Maybe this place is for you, and that's great for you, but I just can't imagine what the major appeal is unless it's purely sentimental. I can find better food for the same price or cheaper within a minute or two drive (and closer walking from my home). They'll also serve it in a timely fashion. So, eat here at your own choosing (peril or risk just sounds too extreme for this place) and just remember to keep expectations down.
(2)Sara J.
I enjoyed my breakfast at Cafe Bernardo. I had a bowl (yes, a bowl) of chai tea latte and a big plate full of breakfast goodies. My avocado and bacon (sans the bacon) omlette was tasty, slightly runny, with lots of avocado, cheese and mushrooms. The sourdough bread was crispy and buttered to perfection. The potatoes could have been crispier but I'm not complaining. My certain someone had two eggs and bacon. While I didn't try his bacon (I'm a Nice Jewish Girl, after all), it looks thicky and crispy, two very good signs when it comes to bacon. The outdoor seating is pleasant. Cash and cards accepted, pay first at the cash register and then wait for your food at the table. I'll be back!
(4)Matthew B.
the best vanilla latte in the world hands down. had the eggs bernardo and it was super yummy. service was a bit slow as i got my food before my date.
(5)Pritika C.
I've been going to Cafe Bernardo for about five years...every time I go there, it feels like the first time : ) The food is delish! A friend introduced the place to me and ever since it has been one of my favorite breakfast/lunch spots. When I first started going to this restaurant I would order the omelette burrito (my memory is a little sketchy on the exact name) and I LOVED IT!!! Too bad I don't eat egg anymore...because this was delicious. It was served with potatoes, yummy! My options are little limited because of my own doing but I always enjoy their polenta triangles...cannot go wrong :) Hhhhmmm....breakfast burrito, how I miss thee :*(
(5)vince v.
I give Cafe Bernardo 3.5 stars. Think of it as a cross between Jack's Urban Eats and 33rd Street Bistro if that helps at all. I have been here several times now and the food has always been reliably good, and being that it's not too far away from me I find myself going here more often than I normally would if it was farther away. The food. If you go there for lunch I would recommend trying the Italian sausage calzone the filing is a very good blend of roasted peppers, cheese and sausage and the dough that it is wrapped in is extremely good, not the usual heavy pizza dough most other places use to make calzone. The salads are also pretty good above average but not great, the one stand out being the Thai Asian noodle salad which i would recommend trying. The price point may be just a tad high but nothing to get too flustered about but for two people expect to pay about $25 for lunch. One note of confusion is that I'm never sure if I'm suppose to leave a tip, the servers bring you your food but don't do much else so ya, I guess you decide. Overall, a solidly good place to go and have a good lunch, do some people watching out the windows, and have a good conversation with your lunch buddies. If you happen to be in the area and haven't tried Cafe Bernardo check it out.
(3)Lisa R.
I've been here several times now with friends and with the bf. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Just make sure to ask the waiter for everything you need up front because you probably won't see them again on a busy day. The food is amazing for a super cheap price! I've been there for a late night dinner, and breakfast. Their pancakes are very delicious and moist, they even come with fruit on top! For dinner I had a salad, it was pretty good, it could have used more dressing though. They have plenty of seating inside and out. The best part is when you go there late at night you can order food and drinks from the bar next door!
(5)Steve S.
Really good lunch spot. The salmon BLT is one of my most favorite sandwiches in the world. A nice grilled piece of salmon, bacon, tomato, lettuce on grilled bread, its heaven in a sandwich. Today I strayed though and got the chicken Cesar salad. It was perfect ( I hope it would be for $10) Chicken was not over dry, just the perfect amount of Cesar dressing and the croutons where freshly made with the same bread as my most favorite sandwich. Once the construction gets done across the street it will be alot nicer to eat outside. Will I be back, yep probably next week. That's my story..
(4)Malikka C.
Cafe Bernardo has an atmosphere I dig and a price point that keeps me from feeling robbed. A friend and I went recently and took advantage of their dinner for two for $25. Salad, an entree, and a carafe of wine are included for the price and the food is amazing. The entree changes each week and one can expect anything from risotto with prosciutto, peas, and cheese to pork steak with brussel sprouts (this, by the way, was super tasty). The servers are really helpful and the scene is a good one. Take advantage.
(4)Jen K.
I really like the hustle and bustle feel here on weekend mornings. You'll find locals happily chatting away with their friends, reading newspapers, or working on their laptops. You order food at the counter, sit yourself at an empty table, and wait for your food while sipping on coffee. Unfortunately, food could be much better. I've come here numerous times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All their omelettes, huevos rancheros, bernardo burrito are all pretty blah. Their potatoes are soggy - I love my breakfast potatoes so this was very disappointing. I've also tried their Thai noodle salad which is a cold noodle dish dressed in coconut milk and peanut sauce, which is an odd item on their menu. It's actually not too bad for an American brunch/sandwich place, but too heavy on the carbs and nothing else. Their sandwiches are decent, I've tried their roasted turkey and grilled chicken, which also are not that memorable. Having a simple breakfast with coffee will cost you about $10 which is typical but you could probably get better food somewhere else (see my list).
(3)Nick O.
excellent no hassle breakfast! Great set up.. order at the counter and sit down. within a few minutes your food comes out to your table. great menu and great food at reasonable prices. I love this place for a delicious, on the go breakfast. no frills, no waiter to deal with, no waiting on the check, no hassles AND everything on the menu is so tastey.. can't go wrong here for breakfast!
(5)Brandon B.
Love the 15th & R strip. I hadn't eaten inside this Cafe Bernardo before (we've eaten at the one in Davis quite a few times), but I had rushed in before to pick up a Thai Noodle Salad to satisfy my wife's pregnancy-driven craving. The tables were all full on a rainy weekday lunchtime, so we sat in R15 -- the bar that is part of the Paragary's outpost there and is internally connected to Cafe Bernardo. The friendly bartender came to take our order and the food arrived apace. It was actually quieter in the bar than in Cafe Bernardo proper, but I did get a little bit of the odd "why am I in a bar at lunchtime?" feeling. Things were clean, with no sticky physical evidence of liquid debauchery from previous evenings to be found on the floor or in the booth where we sat. R15 is a little cement-cold in the daytime (a characteristic of the space that hasn't really changed since it was the unfortunate Jimmy Chu's -- a rare Paragary misstep), but I guess it must be easy to hose down. The food was tasty -- we probably had all of the salads on their menu thanks to their salad sampler option, and all were uniformly tasty and fresh. The quarter-loaf of bread w/EVOO and balsamic is a cheap, delicious side. I do recommend Cafe Bernardo but I suggest you sit in the restaurant proper rather than in R15.
(4)Rachael R.
My family eats here every Sunday, and I am not joking. My dad is a huge fan which I find funny because all he gets is two scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast. I like them very very much too, but the reason for only three stars is because of the limited Sunday brunch menu. I understand the logistics and all, but for once I would like to have a bit more selection on a Sunday.
(3)R M.
Great Thai Noodle Salad...I don't even like Thai food, or salad, but the peanut dressing and noodles were excellent. Will definitely be back soon!
(4)Jane M.
I really thought I was gonna like this place. Been here twice in 3 weeks, and I would say it was just OK. First time we went (boyfriend and I), I was reading the reviews while in line to order. I really wanted to try the french toast, but I wasn't in the mood for sweet. So I ordered the Black Forest Ham Omelet. It was ok, all my herbs was mostly on one end of the omelet, and the ham on the other (the herbs were in the second half of the omelet when I ate it, so it was kinda overpowering). The potato side was ok. The jam for the toast was the best part of this meal (bosenberry or some other seeded berry), sweet without being overpoweringly sweet. The boyfriend had the same order as I. He didn't sing any high praises, but no words of bad either. Oh, and we went for Sunday brunch, so the place was packed. We ate in the outdoor patio area, which was cold. The service was fine, again no high praises but nothing bad to say either. So then this last Saturday, I wanted something sweet. The thought of Cafe Bernardo crept into my brain, so headed over to try this highly touted Amaretto French Toast. I was excited, cause I love sweet breakfast carbs (french toast, pancakes, waffles, pasteries, etc) and nutty flavors. First strike, the gentleman taking my order had the "I don't care" attitude written all over him. He wasn't at all pleasant, took my order and my money, and didn't tell me where I could get water. My plate arrives.... Second strike, what the heck is with the almonds cut in half? How am I supposed to eat this? Hard to stab those little buggers. The french toast slices were big and... acceptable. I didn't find this french toast to be anything special. Maybe if they incorporated some amaretto into the batter, or soaked the bread in amaretto, or even smear some almond paste on the bread before battering then this toast would have lived up to the hype and the name. But to me it didn't. I poured quite a bit of maple syrup on this to make it taste better, and that is a major strike against this place in my mind. Any sweet breakfast carb (again french toast, pancakes, waffles, etc) that I feel that I _need_ to add syrup to help the flavor is not good to me. On the plus side, the waiters who came to my table were pleasant and nice. Overall, mostly nice staff, but I didn't have anything special enough to bring me back to this place. Probably will only come back if either someone else picks this place or if a couple years from now I wanna give them another chance.
(3)Paul C.
What is about the SFers that eat once in a place, have a "bad" experience, and then run off yelling it's the worst thing on the planet? Is it because their over-priced city is a cold windy place full of aggressive pan-handlers and tourists, where you can't park or eat outside without freezing and is filled with pretentious snobs aching to one-up the city that founded the west coast? he he he ... I've eaten at Bernardo's a dozen times - usually breakfast - but lunch and dinner too and I like it very much. A nice spot - the seats outside on a sunny morning are great - the food is always good - never had bad service. The prices are good to fair and it's got a interesting menu. I especially have liked the potatoes and coffee. Probably in my top two downtown choices for breakfast.
(4)Ali H.
I went back for the "Sample Salad" and did the Thai noodle with the Asian cabbage salad! Now that was an awesome combo! I was a bit surprised by the cold peanut noodles, but they were very refreshing with the cabbage mix! It blended well! I love that I have a choice of salad's all in one meal!!!!
(4)Live For Foo D.
We went there before the theatre. Simple because it is a Sacramento Hot Spot right? Well when we arrived they were not busy at all. We thought dinner would be very easy. Two of our 9 guest ordered hamburgers with fries. We all got our food and they waited another 20 minutes for their food. We were all done by the time they got their food. When they asked the front counter about their food, they were told the delay was because they ordered the hamburgers. What? I felt like I should have ripped that tip right out of the tip jar for the very poor service. Now the food. I ordered the Portobello burger. It came with a slice of pickle. The bread was not as fresh as it should have been. I ordered some avocado on mine. There were two small pieces on it. I was very disappointed since avocados are very cheap right now. The flavor was very average. Nothing to rave about. My husband had the Spinach, Strawberries and Laura Chenel Goat Cheese salad. He actually thought it was small and not that impressive. So overall we gave this place one star because it missed the mark on so many different things. The staff appeared to not really care.
(1)Katie G.
This is my go to breakfast spot! Their food is always delicious and always fast! The scrambled eggs and chicken apple sausage is the best! It gets pretty busy after 9:30 AM, so it's best to go around 8.
(4)Hollywood V.
Went for a lovely New Zealand Flat White Latte at Chocolate Fish Coffee at Q & 3rd downtown. From there we wanted a decent breakfast that wouldn't break the bank. We chose Cafe Bernardo's at Capitol and 28th. We had expected long lines and terrible service from reading reviews but were happily surprised to make it to the counter in about 5 minutes being about the 6th party in line. I ordered the 2 egg breakfast with bacon while my sweetheart ordered the French toast (I had hinted that it sounded good). We sat down and no sooner had my honey gone to the restroom than our food arrived. My plate seemed like it had far more than 2 eggs scrambled with little red potatoes and onions, 3 thick and tasty slices of bacon, and rosemary sourdough toast with (homemade?) raspberry jam. It was filling, delicious, and inexpensive. My darling's French toast with almonds (and I'm guessing vanilla) lightly dusted in powdered sugar, with real maple syrup was also quite delicious. I then went up and ordered a single shot large latte. It arrived in a large bowl. My partner said it tasted like Temple Coffee. Which to her meant it wasn't as flavorful as Chocolate Fish Coffee. She would have preferred a double shot of espresso. I enjoyed the richness and the smooth flavor of the foamy milk. Our luck was good because the service was impeccable and the meal fit our needs perfectly. Delicious breakfast food for two in a fun atmosphere for under 20 bucks. What more could you ask for?
(5)lily c.
first of all, a counter service restaurant should not be allowed to charge as much as cafe bernando does. and second of all, if they do, it had better be freaking awesome. (i.e. magpie!) i came here on a weekday at 11:30am, but they stop serving brunch at 11am. sadness. so somewhat begrudgingly, i perused the (pretty limited) lunch menu and get the grilled salmon salad instead. it was TINY - like 2 oz. of salmon on a bed of string beans? for $13? you have got to be kidding me. the flavors were good and it would have been a good dish otherwise. the only reason i think this place is still around is because it's a quick and relatively healthy business lunch option for all the professionals in the area.
(2)Melody P.
Outdoor patio is perfect for a nice, summer evening with the dog and good food. Ordered the noodles. They are always tasty and consistent! It's the best! Ambiance gets 5 stars. We people watch during dinners, and so does the dog. People often stop and say hello to him. The service has always been great. If you want drinks afterward, skedaddle on next door!
(5)Sacto G.
I've eaten at Cafe Bernardo's for about 10 years since I was a student in Davis. I've always been impressed with the quality and freshness of their food. My latest experience prompted me to write this review. Tonight I ordered a salmon salad to go. I got the salad home, opened the box, and found no salad ... just a piece of salmon with garnish. I called them and they had put the salad in a separate box and it was waiting for me. When I got there they were super apologetic and refunded my money. They even offered me a piece of carrot cake. I appreciated the service and the salad was delicious when I finally got it home!
(5)Christopher W.
for brunch, or lunch, you could do better. especially for the prices which are creeping up & up. i showed up for lunch at about 1pm on a sunday with family after church, and while standing in line i'd made my selection but was told "oh, we're not serving that right now". and there i stood, at the brink of ordering food with people standing in line behind me, not knowing what to do. i looked at a salmon fillet with veggies for about $15 and opted for that "we're not serving that right now either" i looked at the option of a burger and saw that a slice of cheese was extra- $2, and thought "what is this, room service?". i finally ordered a pizzetta with pineapple and proscuitto, which turned out to be okay- not great, okay. but to be honest their prices now make them a less favorable option than crepeville or zocalo. i used to like cafe bernardo but i won't be going there again.
(2)Naz A.
I have to agree with a lot of the previous reviews.... the service at Cafe Bernardo's SUCKS! I probably won't eat there again b'cuz the service was so poor. We had sandwiches and a round of beers. Our beers got there quickly, and so did our food... except my food was missing french fries. Finally I was able to ask someone what the eta was on it and they were kind of rude, like I made a mistake in asking? I was a server for a long time, so I'm pretty good about being polite when things are wrong with my order. I've been there, I know how it feels. But this was just ridiculous. Then I asked for hot sauce and ranch... and the guy told me they didn't have ranch and just walked away. We looked at each other like "uhh, I guess that was a no?" ... I mean, it's just shabby service for a Paragary chain. Mr. Paragary... I hope you read this and train your servers to be POLITE and to do their jobs! Sad thing is, the food was actually not so bad, but my review focused on the horrible service. That is what I walked away thinking... this place sucks because the servers suck.
(2)Gi G.
Great food. Love that you pay first and then can just leave when you are done! It's noisy here but we have young kids so it's perfect. They have a back room to accommodate large parties too and you can call in advance and they will set tables up for you. Great place for brunch!
(5)Natasha N.
I've been to this one many times, but mostly for breakfast. I like that it's casual and it has good people watching. I've had the Eggs Bernardo which are usually good, but I've gotten it with the bread WAY over toasted and then it's just difficult to eat. This time I had the black forest ham omelette. The eggs were cooked perfectly, but the cheese wasn't melted and there was way too much ham in it and hardly any tomatoes. You can't expect the service to be stellar considering you order at the counter and don't really have a waitress.
(3)Shannon E.
Solid menu, solid service and solid pricing. Does it get any better than that? The portions are large and the pricing is incredibly reasonable for the quality of the food. The entire menu looked delicious and the huevos rancheros were absolutely stellar. Bonus: Free wi-fi!
(4)Jeff P.
No better restaurant to ride my bike to on a lazy Saturday or Sunday, sit outside and people watch. And oh, yeah.........the food. OK, this isn't gourmet so gourmands of Sac, please chill. But it's also one helluva step above the Denny's, the Int'l Houses, the Marie Calendar's, blah blah blah blah of the world. In fact, there is no comparison. I've been an irregular regular at CB for the past 15 odd years or so ago, when they opened this spot. Let me just tell you, if your appetite in the a.m. is on the savory side, then two dishes are a must: first and best- Eggs Bernardo, Second- Chicken Apple Sausage scramble w Mozzarella cheese. Both come with heaps of their signature homemade red potato hash (IE home fries) lightly greased (excellent hangover grub), seasoned with onions and herbs........ deeelish. But back to the Eggs Bernardo: OK, it's all about the mother sauce that is Hollandaise. You need to be on a cholesterol holiday when you eat HD sauce, but what a treat. When it's made well, (no curdling, not too lemony, too eggee) you almost wish you could wash your hair with it.............but don't, eat it instead. Creamy, rich, VERY rich, smooth, just the right amount of lemon, and of course buttery and eggee (but not too much so). Lo those many years ago, this place was my introduction to chicken apple sausage. Love it, love it, love it. Sweet, tender, juicy, just the right amount of spice. And of course, if you want to kick it up a notch, they keep the Cholula at the ready. A secret for the non-locals that I may regret sharing: if you sit outside, you get service, as opposed to sitting inside, where it's a wait in line deal and a playing card issued to you. This place is the original card dealing restaurant in Sac, btw. Either way, the food, the "ambiance", and service at CB Midtown, is always top notch. If you need a place to chill on a weekday or weekend, perhaps to nurse a hangover or just to contemplate ur naval on a sunny day, CB is the place to B. Ciao, Jeff
(4)Jeff R.
I used to work from home one day a week. Because it was okay to get started a little later those days, I'd always treat myself to a nice breakfast and Cafe Bernardo drew me back on a fairly regular basis. It's nearly always stuffed with people, but it doesn't seem chaotic and food comes quickly. You might find yourself caffiene-deprived until the end of time (which, judging by recent world events, may come sooner than later) waiting for a coffee refill, but other than that, there's little to note about their order-at-the-counter-and-wait style. With or without fruit, I've grown quite fond of their cornmeal pancakes. Though they sometimes arrive a little too browned for my likes, they're always moist and delicious. The cornmeal provides an interesting texture, giving the dish an unexpected dash of character, chewing-wise at least. Unfortuntely, I'm in the office five days a week now and I rarely have it in me to stomach the Saturday and Sunday crowds, but sometimes I drive or walk past and my belly cries out for deliciousness. I haven't given in yet. I am bigger than my belly (though not by much).
(4)Kato L.
Hooked on their Thai noodle salad... It's a must try... Other things are good but the Thai noodle salad is GREAT..
(5)Christine D.
I absolutely used to love this place, and probably still like their food, but I am giving them one star for the absolutely abhorrent behavior by one of their employees last night. She was so condescending and rude that it was insulting, and I should have just walked out! I worked in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years, and I understand how difficult it can be to manage and juggle all the different elements, but that type of behavior is simply unacceptable. Customers, especially loyal ones, are the single solitary reason a business sustains. Treating a customer as if they are a burden is truly unbelievable to me. Perhaps she should take her job a little more seriously or quit, because she gives Cafe Bernardo and Paragary a bad name. I will not return to this location.
(1)laurissa c.
If i could give Cafe Bernardo no stars i would came in with a group of 4 and ordered a breakfast burrito. It had a band-aid in it - and, yes the band-aid was discovered AFTER it had been put into mouth and chewed a bit. after asking to speak to the manager ( busser was kind enough to take the band-aid off of the table but left the meal for us to stare at) we waited another 10 minutes before actually going up to the counter and explaining again that there was a band-aid in our food. It seems that at Cafe Bernardo its not until you say in front of the customers who are waiting to order that you found a band-aid in your food and have been waiting 10 minutes to see the manager do they actually respond. The chef was kind enough to actually come to the table to apologize and was as mortified as we were. j.t. is going to have to update his list to: 5 ways to lose customers
(1)Will C.
Brought my out-of-town sister here for breakfast. First time for both of us. She had the chorizo scramble while I had a simple 2 egg breakfast with the turkey sausage. Food was good; coffee was phenomenal - best I ever had so far. Service sort of like Crepeville where you order at the counter and they bring your food. Unsure about coffee service, so we tried getting it at the counter but told that someone was supposed to come by. I would come back here again.
(4)Danielle C.
Terrible!! My husband and I went there after just moving downtown. The cafe itself is a cute set up, but the food tanked . my eggs were dry and spongy, bacon was more like pork rinds and pancakes just flavorless. Even the fruit bowl sucked! On top of last for a last minute add on to our meal they made us get BACK in the line. What the heck! Never going back.
(1)JC C.
Cafe Bernardo french toast hits the spot. The food is great and so is the staff.
(5)Steph W.
Trendy, you usually see people you know, OK ambiance. Food's really not that good, neither is the service. There's way better
(2)Kristin F.
What a cute, quite little restaurant. I had the turkey sandwich, which was fantastic. The rest of my parties food looked fantastic as well. The salad sampler was a hit as well as the thai noodles. They have raving reviews for breakfast, so I plan on going back. This is a must try.
(4)Sarah T.
This is my favorite place to go for Saturday or Sunday breakfast. I am addicted to the waffles and fruit bowl. I really enjoying going with a group of friends relaxing chatting about the week or the crazy night that happened before.....(I did what!!!!) The atmosphere is down to earth and now that it's starting to warm up you can sit outside with your sunglasses on (looking fresh, yes I said fresh) The menu is very extensive, try a mimosa and relax.
(4)Kevin L.
Best place in the area for breakfast. Favorites are the plain ol' 2 egg breakfast with bacon, and the Eggs Bernardo.
(4)shareka j.
I have been here twice and I enjoyed the food both times. Everyone I was with said their food was good too. I recommend going early for brunch on the weekends as it gets pretty busy. I also love the fact that they have pet friendly alfresco dining. The prices are reasonable and the employees were friendly.
(4)Steve K.
Breakfast sandwich was pretty good. Staff is y friendly.
(3)Pam N.
Just one of those hip, laid-back kind of nooks that makes paying 8 dollars for an omelet and potatoes worthwhile. The two huge slices of toasted sourdough bread made my Monday morning. My potatoes were a little oily tasting, the Bacon Avocado with mushroom omelet was pretty tasty, but nothing extraordinary.....but that bread! Toasted to just the right crispness with a little chew in it was superb. My bf had the Black Forest Ham omelet....uh, no. It looked like they took a slice of ham from the packaged meat section in the market, put some cheese and a few slices of tomato and covered it with eggs. I REALLY could've made that at home. They could've at least cut it up to make it look like it wasn't made assembly-line style and just slapped it on....but then again, I'm lazy in the morning and don't want to use my knife if my fork can't cut through it. Overall, a great place for breakfast and some people watching.
(4)G J J.
Overpriced, nasty breakfast. You had to order and sit down...it's a miracle they didn't ask you to go back to the counter to get your food. The man couldn't take the order down properly because he just woke up...he had dross in his eyes, hair was disheveled, and he looked unshowered. I am not complaining about the man. I ordered a caffe latte, and I got colored milk with froth. I ordered hash browns (home fries) and got a day old plate of potatoes that were once frozen. Orange juice from concentrate. What's the point?? I hear it's a great spot for "wikis" at night (it's their specialty) and other drinks. It's a frequent get-drunk spot due to the bar. What a bore. EDIT: The review above, before the word "edit" has been left intact so you can see what I wrote. I was contacted by a/the owner of Bernados who harangued me verbally through the messaging system here at Yelp. I'll never go to Bernados, or let anyone go there again. My review rating dropped from two stars to one. Good job Bernados police!
(1)Kristin S.
Chef Shannon, we love you!! Deeeelicious and varied menu. My only disappointment is when a favorite of ours gets the ax. But, sniff sniff, we understand. It's the only way to make way for new creations. I think the service here has been fine. The people aren't hovering over us or anything, but typical service for the relaxed downtown Sac restaurant that it is. Nice outdoor seating. The grilled chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes and spinach salad are a few of our favorites.
(5)Kim J.
The customer service was horrible. I was called up to the register and as soon as I walked up, the guy said he would be right back and walked away. He was gone for a pretty good amount of time, and when he got back he didn't even apologize. He was really unfriendly and spent most of the time talking to his co-workers. I really hate when someone rings you up and doesn't even tell you the total, they just stare at you and expect you to read it off the register. He kept turning around and talking to his co-workers and was just throwing my receipt on the counter to sign. He was just kinda lame. We sat outside and someone brought me the wrong food, and my friend's food was cold. It was a pretty annoying experience. We sat on the patio of Monkey Bar and a server came out to see if we wanted anything (they're owned by the same company and they just share the patio,) and she was friendlier even though we weren't her customer. I've eaten here before and had a better experience, so maybe this was just a bad day. We realized partway through our meal that we should have gone to Sweetwater instead.
(2)Razza M.
Superb place, good benedicts. Good coffee, good service. Everything was clean.
(5)Kari S.
To note: I did not eat here. After a few minutes of unpleasant waiting, we left and went searching elsewhere for grub. It was Sunday afternoon, the 'rents were in town and we were looking for a good late lunch/brunch place. As it turned out the WaterBoy and Jack's Urban Eats both don't open til evening (oops! should have done some homework) and therefore I needed a viable alternative. I pass Cafe Bernardo everyday on my bike ride home from work and it looked cute/seemed to have a good vibe. So, I thought it worthy of a looksie. Upon arrival, there were plates stacked up on outside tables and a broken glass of Chohula on the ground. From a small sampling of the outside diners, no one's food looked particularly appetizing or like there was real care given to food presentation. Brazenly (or stupidly depending on your view), we ventured inside and were greeted by a strong combo-whiff of bleach and old food. For a minute or two we looked back and forth from the menu to each other. Then with a collective shrug, we left and sought our food elsewhere. Our total stay at Cafe Bernardo was five minutes. Upon leaving, the broken glass of Chohula was still on the ground, not having received any attention from the staff.
(1)Cali G.
This is probably one of my favorite lunch spots! I am obsessed with the lemonade and their mac and cheese is beyond delish. I have had a few of their salads, their garlic fries and 2 of their signature sandwhiches... never once have I had a bad meal.
(4)June J.
Good place for breakfast or lunch.
(3)Sydnee S.
great for breakfast (esp. on weekends--gets extremely crowded) or lunch anytime, but a bit overpriced. order over the counter and your food is brought to you, but after that the service outside is pretty bad. the steak sandwich is dank, but they make you pay to add any sort of cheese (weak).
(4)Susan Y.
Just OK. A reviewer said everything was organic... But I don't see that stated anywhere on menu. Huge portions - order half portions. Coffee is a bit watery for my tastes. Just OK.
(2)Nancy L.
Bernardo's new spinach salad is yum yum yum. Fresh with cucumbers, feta cheese, onion and strawberries - perfect with ice tea on the patio!
(4)Josey H.
I Love The Chicken Sandwich & The Salmon Plate. Only Problem Is The Customer Service Is Horrible I Never Get Drink Refills Unless I Walk Back Up To The Counter To Get One. They Bring The Food To The Table And They Never Come Back.
(4)Erin J.
I love Cafe Bernardo's calzone, only available for lunch. (Do they do dinner?) It's pretty good. It is also a great place to go to get Oatmeal for breakfast. They give you a good heap of it, with walnuts and brown sugar.... so delicious. Im a sucker for sweets so i always splurge and get the filled chocolate cupcake! take one with if you dont have room for it after your meal.
(3)Shelby G.
My must have here is the honey and peanut butter sandwich! only 4 dollars, but be carefull I havn't been there when they aren't super busy!
(4)Jason V.
Had their grilled salmon sandwich. It was good, however service was a bit under par. Ordered a $10 burger to go and waited approx 13minutes before checking in with staff because I saw them cleaning the grill. Instead of owning up to the mistake of forgetting my order, they told me that it was overcooked and they would make me another one. I prefer honesty above anything else. Some kids need to "man up." Just for the record, Inccident date was 1/14/2011.
(2)Tiffany M.
A friend took me here for a Sat. brunch a few of years ago. They had a wide variety of gourmet style foods to pick and choose from on their menu. I chose the ham and cheese grilled sandwich which was very good but I will ask for vegetables on it the next time. We had the option to sit outside on the patio which was great as midtown is a lovely mixture of businesses and residential occupants, it is shade tree abundant and also a people friendly area so this was a nice touch. I enjoyed myself and later introduced my sister to the cafe. We both decided to try the salad selection they had and ordered the salad sampler which was fresh, excellent and very tasty. Our samplers included the Thai noodle salad, the Chopped salad, and the Spinach and Arugula. I do not know of any other places where you can get 3 gourmet style salads on one plate so that was awesome. We have returned many times after and plan to continue. :-)
(4)Terry L.
I love this place. Moving to Sacramento from SF I had a hard time finding a breakfast place that could compete with the places in SF. Cafe Bernardo fits the bill. Good food, fair prices, ambiance and speedy service.
(4)Nicole w.
This place serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I prefer coming here for breakfast. They have good food, casual, and not too expensive. I like the eggs, or the pancakes. The potatoes are really good too. I recommend it for breakfast in midtown.
(3)Cy W.
Oh, they layers of disappointment you have piled upon me. Never has my order come out with the rest of my table. Never have you been able to get what I ordered right. Never have I left feeling okay about my meal. I just don't want to ever go back. I know so many love this place but I would have better luck getting what I order at Pancake Circus.
(1)Kevin K.
Great mid-town breakfast. Stopped in yesterday. Like always, I scan the menu board trying to choose. Like always, I order the eggs Bernardo with smoked ham. Great bread, great hollendaise, and great potatoes. Good place for elegant comfort food
(4)Jana B.
This is one of my favorite go to places. I love the Thai Noodle Salad and the Summer Squash Pizza when it's in season. On top of great food, they also have a pretty awesome selection of beers on tap, including my all time favorite, Downtown Brown.
(5)Dane H.
Sarah's right--this is consistently the best Paragary's joint, based in no small part because of their chef, Shannon Berg. She is a sweetie and takes great pride in everything that comes out of the kitchen (at least when she's on the floor). Their daily soups are great, and they actually have some of the best burgers in town--a regular beef burger and a turkey burger. I usually go for their Salmon BLT or grilled -achiote rubbed chicken sandwich for lunch--both are great! Weekend breakfast is still a zoo, but they do have the best huevos rancheros in town--maybe even north of the border--with a very authentic tomato/serrano salsa and black beans with a hint of epazote. You can always go there on a weekday for breakfast if you hate crowds, or go eat in the bar which I do when there's a line--there you get service like you would in any other restaurant with a bar if standing in line ain't your thing. Cut them some slack about them being part of the Paragary's chain--Shannon and Lynn, who is the manager, (almost) have autonomy on the operation of the store and it really is one of the best little restaurants in town. Note: they currently have mondo parking problems with all of the construction going on around them in addition to reduced parking in the back, so be forewarned. Also, the new Cafe Bernardo at 15th and R has taken some business away--I really like these people---so they really need our support.
(4)Leila C.
This place gets some really bad reviews and I don't know why. Don't show up here expecting uber-fancy, San Francisco-hip type of place. C'mon people, remember you're in Sacramento. That being said, I've eaten lunch and breakfast here several times and never been disappointed! French toast was yummy, salads are good. Ordering at the counter typically means fast food/service.
(4)Michael D.
We took friends from out of town because CB is dog friendly, and I have had great experiences in the past. Service was prompt and friendly. The pup received her water right away. What has happened to the food? Two of us had the salmon BLT. The salmon was very "fishy" and neither of us could taste the bacon. I only ate half. One of our guests had the tri tip sandwich. When he grimaced, I asked how it was. "Sometimes tri-tip is really good and sometimes it's weird. This is NOT really good." I didn't ask for the details. Always love the patio.
(2)Linsey F.
After finishing a nice Saturday morning run (our last run before the Nike Marathon next weekend!) some teammates and I decided to hit up Cafe Bernardo. We decided that the other patrons would have to deal with the fact that we looked (and probably smelled) like crap because we were in some serious need of breakfast grub. This was my first time here and I loved me scrambled eggs with apple sausage. Delicious! The potatoes and bread were perfect. I ate everything on my plate! And I didn't have any after-meal remorse.
(4)C P.
I met my friend here on a whim to get together for a bite and some great conversation. Loved it. Cute place with quality food. My favorite part, the best ever bloody mary I have had to date. Just the right amount of mix with vodka and just right spice. I look forward to going again and again.
(4)Gordy S.
What an awesome burger...
(4)Joan v.
Nice staff, good menu. The mac and cheese was ok, a little lukewarm and little over galicly. The grilled ham and cheese was perfect, and the ham in the sandwich was plentiful and delicious.
(4)Buster P.
Color me unimpressed with this mediocre middle-child entry by restaurant pseudo-progenitor Paragary. Sometimes I've had pleasant experiences with kitchen's creations, and sometimes disappointing failures as well. The service and the culinary quality are far too irregular to make me much of a fan. I'll pitch in my sheep-bleat along with the rest of the folks who all make remarks regarding the decline of decency when the crowds rise high; one can pretty much forget what little 'service' this order-counter establishment offers. Be prepared to fetch everything yourself since the bored and blase babes behind the counter cannot be bothered to interrupt practicing their emo-tudes and hipster hype with actually performing work. If you do decide to risk the game of dining roulette here, when they have it on the menu the polenta triangles are delicious, with a lightly pan-crisped coating and a creamy, textured interior. I also sincerely appreciate that Bernardo's spin on lemonade makes for a refreshing tonic with a hint of mint blended into the citrus sweet. As an aside, I'm so sick of restaurants charging me two or three dollars a glass for a synthetic beverage instead of the real thing. How goddamn hard is it to squeeze lemons into a cup and add some sugar?
(2)jd d.
Cafe Bernardo's is just another joint comparable to Crepeville. Yes, it's just like Crepeville minus mostly the Crepes. Cafe Bernardo is an in-town place other than your Carrow's or, Denny's. Much more on the "original" side to be exact due to their "Crepeville"-copper tables, and Playing-Card-Number-System for servers to see when they are ready give you your order. The menu is ok. I've been here a couple times to say that the place is an "Eh...." in my book. I've seen better. I've ate better. I remember ordering a breakfast here and got the Chorizo & Eggs Jack cheese, cilantro, herbed potatoes, and warm flour tortilla, all for 6.75. I was delighted for a lil bit, the food was eH, and I really didn't pay attention to the flour tortilla through out my whole meal. I should have ordered something else, but, this just grabbed my attention. Yes, I could have gotten something better at a Carolina's, Beto's, or Rigerberto's. Yeah, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican Food joint if you will. For dinner (not the same day, some other day...), I ordered a Calzone. Wasn't bad, I never had one before, and it was ok. I think the bread overpowered what was actually inside of it. Almost reminded me of an enormous hot pocket with nothing but 1 pepperoni inside. So, that was exaggerated, but you get the picture. I like this place every now and then. I wouldn't go here often, it's just basically another different place to go to if you already had enough of the regular stuff that you've basically lived on for a while. Yeah, another place to set your eyes away from an IHOP, Denny's, Carrow's, or Pancake Circus. :P
(3)Matthew W.
I LOVE this place. They have awesome french toast, pancakes and, as Alisha said, GREAT breakfast burritos. Cafe Bernardo has a very nice, cozy, and relaxed atmosphere with pretty good service and little waits (except for on weekends). The place is always shiny clean and you can always eat a slow meal without a rush and greatly enjoy it. If you haven't been here yet, please try it. Just be careful when you come if you are worried about crowds.
(5)Heidi P.
This place is A-OK. Close to where I work. I love that they use fresh seasonal ingredients and the mac and cheese is creamy yummy goodness. The turkey burger is good too. But .... but ... but... I just can't put my finger on why its not just good enough for me to put it at a 4. All the right things are in place, yet something is lacking guess for me to give something a 4 star would be for me to crave something from them. And I just don't "crave" their food. Yet its very good.
(3)Dan T.
Went there over Christmas vacation and loved it as usual! My wife and I go there every time we are in Sacarmento for breakfast. Their pancakes are second only to my Mom's and our niece and nephew agree. I actually haven't had anything I didn't like on their bfast menu. My favs are the Bfast Burrito, the french toast, waffle and of course pancakes. I will not order pancakes out anywhere else.
(5)stacy k.
This has always been one of my favorite places to eat for breakfast. My go-to items are the breakfast burrito's and the french toast. If it's your first time to ever dine at this establishment for breakfast, order one of these or both! You won't be disappointed. I promise.
(4)April O.
A place that can seat our huge group of rollergirls with little to no wait and can satisfy the picky vegetarian types within our group makes me a fan. Not only did Cafe Bernardo do that, but they gave us a delicious brunch that didn't cost an arm and a leg and was extremely filling too. We liked it so much we ate there both mornings that we were in Sacramento. Nothing beats waking up at the Vagabond Inn with a hangover when you get to eat at Cafe Bernardo that same morning!
(4)Owen M.
like it like I like Tower..I can go there after the gym or dressed nicely and don't feel odd . Food is consistent- menu kinda odd..but I usually get a burger, the salmon dinner, salmon BLT, or a ceasar or come at breakfast for benedict- or ? The salads could use expanding- the mushroom salad is a billion mushrooms and gets way overwhelming..you want to cook them halfway thru just to change the taste. Also- the noise level is TOO NOISY..it woudl be great if they'd toss up some acoustic tiles to absorb some of the noise..it isn't too fun to scream and hear dishes clanking in your ear ...outdoor patio is nice..however...sometimes the crew at the bar nextdoor is a bit ? too drunk, loud, obnoxious and foul mouthed. - -- so....enjoy the noise! There aren't many QUIET and good/popular sacramento restaurants that i know of.
(4)Roachie D.
This place is fine, as far as upscale breakfast joints go. Its a "order it at the counter, we'll run it out to you" kinda place. Definately a more money/yuppie-ish crowd. The prius-driving, milage-plus-i wen't to Borneo types. Which is neither here nor there. Anyhow, the food is food, nothing spectacular about it, but nothing I'd diss either. The patio is decent, and its a nice place to have a mimosa brunch with girlfriends ala sex-in-the-city. Not the cheapest brunch in town, but then, you're paying for "amibence".
(3)Matty K.
I came here for breakfast with my roommate on a Monday morning. I ordered a breakfast burrito with a side of fresh seasonal fruit. He ordered the amaretto french toast and the 2 eggs breakfast. I was surprised at how fresh the fruit was. It was perfectly ripe, and cut well into little bite-sized pieces. I really enjoyed the fruit. The breakfast burrito was ok. It had black beans, egg, and I think avocado in it. It was not exciting, or exceptional, but it was fine. The potatoes that came on the side were fine as well. Not too greasy, not particularly good or bad. I tried a bite of my roommate's french toast and didn't like it. It was dry, flavorless, and tasted kinda like cardboard. It all came out to $30 with his coffee. Eh. It's close and was fairly quick, but the food was not something to remember.
(3)Harry J.
I asked one of the nurses i work with at sutter general where i should go for lunch, and she recommended this place to me. she told me that the grilled chicken sandwich was pretty good. 10 dollars for a sandwich. NO FRIES OR SIDE SALAD?! comon............................. my plate looked so naked. BUT WAIT. the sandwich struck a nerve. the piece of chicken was way too small for the bun... bummer. at least the sandwich tasted really good. overall: a bit overpriced for what you get. service was a bit slow, good amount of seating. sandwich was good. waitress didn't let my cup get half full... or half empty?
(3)Jody H.
Visiting Sacramento for a River Cats game, I stopped for brunch at Cafe Bernado. Although this place is really highly rated in area reviews (Sac Bee, Sac mag), the food it not really exciting. That being said, if you are going there, try the Amaretto French Toast. Three of us shared this as "dessert" to our omelets. There were four large slices and we could only eat one each. Yes, we sent one back, but only because we were already so full. The bread is clearly soaked in amaretto and there are toasted almonds on top. Yummy!! The avocado mushroom omelet with bacon and cheese was very good. It was fresh and the filing was plentiful. It wasn't over the top delicious, but I enjoyed it. When you are done, don't miss Sutter's Fort, two blocks away. We needed the walk after our meal and we all need to support our state parks.
(3)Ben R.
Had the Malted Belgian Waffle with pecan butter. Delicious. Waitress was good too.
(4)Tifanny E.
Friday afternoon on a search for steak in the Broadway region, was coming up short and losing hope quickly. Surprisingly as many restaurants as this area has...not so many options for steak. I opted for Iron steaks only to be let down by their 5pm dinner opening, bummer. Mortons...not so close and I just wanted to grab a pick-up. So Cafe Bernardo, which I had heard of, was the choice and the answer. I ordered the tri tip dinner which came with mash potatoes and squash, and I was already in indulgence mood so I orderd the mushroom salad as well. The bleu cheese mashed potatoes were a nice touch with tangy accents I didnt expect. Everything perfectly complimented each other. The meat was red and a cooked just right. And that steak craving of mine....subsided with a full belly and smiles before starting the evening at work.
(4)Miu M.
I can't believe there aren't more reviews for this place! Cafe Bernardo is another place where you can find me when I'm in Sacramento. The food is consistently good, and the ingredients are fresh. I LOVE the mixed green salad with toasted almonds and blue or goat cheese. Damn this is a good salad. So simple but so freakin good. I also love the turkey burger and the salmon BLT.
(4)Dan M.
The food here is cooked with healthy ingredients and it's good but not great. I like the atmosphere and the outdoor seating is nice except when the Monkey Bar next door is really loud and crowded (weekend nights). Overall I think this place is a little overpriced for the quality of the food.
(3)Nicole E.
I went here for lunch the other day with my friend from work. We went early enough where we were the 3rd party there. We ordered our food and sat outside while we waited for them to bring it out. While we were waiting we could see that it was getting pretty busy inside so business must be good. I ordered some buffalo wings and string fries and my friend had a cesar salad and ice tea. My total was $8.00 and some change and hers was $13.00 and some change. The food was okay, it wasn't great but it wasn't bad. In my opinion they charge to much for the quality of their food. I wouldn't go back again unless I was completely drunk from drinking at R15 and was hungry.
(3)Stacey J.
I've been coming here for years, with kids, spouse dates, friends, but this weekend, I found that it's gotten even better than ever! A male staffer was a super energized helper, doing everything on Saturday afternoon in the front of the house, bringing us water, sincerely inquiring about the food with actual interest, offering additional items, and appeared to genuinely love what he was doing! Oh, and the food is always good, excellent quality for the price. The new chicken chopped salad, size large at $8, was really great and a super price for a satisfying meal. Spouse loved the gigantic burger, and the patio is often a lovely place to sit in any weather but rain. This was the place that my daughter requested to eat one last time before she left the country for a year recently. She loves the caesar salad and the mashed potatoes. The polenta triangles with salad are a tasty bargain at $7.50 too. And the salmon in all forms is quite good.
(4)Madeline K.
I went here for the first time this summer for lunch. I ordered the chopped chicken salad (the small version) with caesar dressing instead of the regular bleu cheese -- it was absolutely delicious. Not your normal caesar dressing, either. We went on a cool summer afternoon and sat outside, which was very pleasant. We were able to take our time and chat, and I didn't feel rushed to leave as I do in many places. Although I don't usually like going anywhere downtown/midtown because it always seems to be such a hassle, this place is worth returning to!
(4)Deb D.
I forgot how great this place was for brunch. Headed to Sac for the weekend and met some friends here. Good food. My only complaint is that the food seems a little pricey for counter service. However, I tend to overlook that when the toast (sourdough and wheat) is sooooooo good. How can you love a place for the toast? oh yeah, when you love them for the coffee drinks, chill vibe, and hollandaise sauce. So, tasty food at $8-10 a plate in a loud, crowded, bustling restaurant filled with artists, hippies, yuppies, families, and that girl who always comes in with a book and sits in the corner. I didn't actually see that, but, it's the kind of place it is.
(4)Chris S.
Why the hate, people? To be honest, my biggest problem with Bernardo's is that there aren't more places like it in Sac. One of my favorite parts about SF is the abundance of small cafe/bistros that pump out quality food in an informal atmosphere at decent prices. Brunch gets busy, but if you know when to avoid the rush, you should have no problems. THE GOOD -great pizzetas. they don't really change up the pizzetas. you're always going to have some combo of a pepperoni, the grilled chicken, and a veggie option. - entrees. there's always a chicken, salmon, and steak. all are typically outstanding and change seasonally. - breakfast. outstanding value. the eggs bernardo are a fine, fine example of eggs benedict. THE BAD - Inconsistency. As this is somewhat of a proving ground for the Paragary group's chefs, you can end up with someone outstanding, or someone rather mediocre manning the stoves. I have had some incredible meals at Bernardo's and some not so incredible ones. The good have far outweighed the bad, as far as I can remember. - busy for weekend brunch and lunch on weekdays. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing that could happen to Sacramento is for two or three other local restauratuers to open establishments with similar philosophies. We need more of this stuff to pick up the middle ground between what Sac is doing quite well...the emerging fine dining and budget/ethnic foods scenes.
(4)caryl r.
Good breakfasts, crummy parking but overall yumminess. I love the latte's in the big warm cozy mugs, the food and the atmosphere. I usually order the oatmeal, with fruit. Yum!
(4)Justin W.
For the price, this is the most consistently good food in all of Sacramento. The best item for breakfast is the pancakes and I don't even like pancakes. For lunch I really like the grilled chicken sandwich.
(5)T V.
Hands down! This is the best breakfast place in midtown. There's a lot to choose from and they cook it right. Place is cool and upbeat. My favorites are Breakfast burrito, eggs bernado. Prices are regular. I can't say about other times, but if you need breakfast, that's the place to go.
(5)brad m.
Pretty chill and relaxed place. We came up to Sacto to visit with our fam and this turned out to be just about the perfect place to chill for brunch. I had the Bernardo Burrito and added bacon -- pretty good for a breakfast burrito, and the potatoes were great on the side. My wife had the belgian waffle, which was tasty, but nothing super special. Around the rest of the table we had some of the egg dishes and everyone seemed to enjoy. Overall, for the price and the atmosphere, this is a fantastic place. After finishing up, they let us linger for a good hour and a half and we didn't feel rushed at all -- that's definitely unusual if we would have been in the bay area, so maybe all the good folks in Sacto just have better manners! I'd definitely head back to Bernardo again!
(4)Kristi D.
I ordered the Bernado Breakfast Burrito, a mimosa, and coffee. Mmm, nothing better than switching off between a sip of coffee and mimosa. Perhaps one day they'll concoct a combination of both - and call is a coffosa. Or not. They have an outdoor patio area so bonus points for that, an order/pay at the counter set-up, and bring you your food. An extra bar. Would I go back? Definitely.
(4)S G.
I had a Portobello mushroom sandwich , butternut leaves and avocado salad...both of which tasted super...! Encouraged by the good food I had a cappuccino .and .. it was burnt:(....well had to try since the food is very good...:))! anyways.... def will return......if I get a chance..:)!
(4)Stephanie S.
LOVE the Thai Noodle salad, always filling and has a little spicy kick! Tried the Portobello burger the other day and added smoked mozerella cheese, carmelized onions and chili mayo and it was amaziiiiiiiiiing!! so gooey and tasty, definitely my new favorite! The chicken sandwich is something I constantly crave, the spicy slaw piled on top is so yummy! also a big fan of their Tahitian Blend Ice Tea as well :) really friendly staff and delicious food!
(5)Pippi L.
Eh. Not to intentionally dampen the review of the gal previous, but I definitely think the breakfast can be beat out by a dozen or so breakfast places. The breakfast burrito was edible, though. The only thing I ever really get here is the portabello mushroom burger and salad greens. The salad sampler is pretty good, but they opened years ago with generous samples and now they are down to pretty minimal stuff. It's a serve your own water kind of place, and the "wait staff" basically just runs around putting plates in front of you. It's not always very consistent with the service, or the food, but if you like Paragary's, you will probably just love it. For me, it's a place I will go if every friend suggests it, and I've tried it a few times on my own volition. It's just so-so, a little snooty for their offerings, and kind of pricey (they justify this by having a garden instead of a parking lot.)
(3)Natalie E.
I have been here a few times now. Breakfast and dinner. I like the fact that it is a walk-up and order restaurant, but the food has not impressed me. I had the Eggs Bernardo (Benedict) just this last weekend and I was let down. It is on Rosemary sourdough which was too hard and the egg was over poached. I do have to say that I love the potatoes though. Service is okay, no one ever really looks like they want to be there, which always bothers me. I think I might try the R15 location before I remove Bernardos from my list.
(3)Clare F.
Good consistent breakfast. I have enjoyed the breakfast burrito many times. Good portion sizes and bang for your buck. Nice patio and laid back atmosphere. Definitely a regular stop on my breakfast trail.
(3)Victoria B.
Yes, it's always crowded on the weekends, expect to wait. Yes, it's noisy and the acoustics are fabulous making it that much louder (especially if you have a hangover). But you know, the eggs benedict are the the best in town IMHO. So I'll keep coming back for more.
(4)Steph P.
Great for midtown breakfast though it stops serving breakfast at 11 AM. If Cafe Bernardo were a city, it would be Portland. Cute personality, good quality food. Cafe Bernardo be not your greasy diner breakfast but a place for reasonably priced amaretto french toast and malted belgian waffle. The toast is alright, but the waffle is something special. In comparison to the other options in midtown for breakfast (Cornerstone, Fox Goose, Bistro 33) I think this one is the crowd pleaser.
(3)Elijah F.
Food is good but not great. I hate places that ask for tips when you have to go to the counter to order (like Bernardo's). Their not waiting on me, I'm waiting on them . . . to bring me my fucking food. That was meant to imply that service can be less than good. But, that all being said, I enjoy this place. It has a great location. Good decor. Decent food (again, not great but no bad). It would get five stars with better service, better prices (a bit overpriced) and better food. Four stars for better food. Three stars seems right.
(3)Amy B.
The food is great! But the service is awful! The guy at the register rolled his eyes at me when I asked him a question about the menu! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I "forgot" to tip.
(3)ERIC A.
When is Randy going to get a fucking clue! How many people have to bitch about his employees atrocious attitude and service! You better get your shit together and fire these lame ass managers or your reputation is going to be 100% shot in this town. You've already lost half your credibility in this town, and this is coming from a fan. Get it together!
(1)Michael M.
The only reason I love it so much is for the location, people watching, and outside seating. The food is ok, and the pancakes are quite good but I agree that many of the menu options are a little overpriced. If brunch is early in the morning on a Sunday often the wait can be really short but if you get there at peak brunch time, expect to have a long wait.
(3)Paulie E.
This is a great place to come on a weekend morning and as long as you have time and patience for the long lines, you can get decent food at decent prices and have a great crowd to watch. It is best when the weather is nice and you can sit on their patio.
(3)Randy M.
Overpriced, snooty, a long wait, bland food, and highly over-rated. If you're into paying $6.95 for scrambled eggs, while being surrounded by people who dip themselves in patchoulli stink as they discuss what they should pack in their RV for the next burning man- this is your place. If you are looking for a place that serves reasonably priced and delicious food, go elsewhere.
(1)Ellen P.
I've come here on many occasions, usually for breakfast, and always have had a lovely experience. Great atmosphere and friendly, attentive service. Food is delicious, but not life-changing. (you may ask if food can be life changing and I would say yes.) Good pancakes and omelets. For lunch I love the grilled sandwiches and soups.
(4)Cory L.
The portobello mushroom burger (no meat patty just mushroom) and the salad sampler (with Thai noodle salad!) are two of my favorites that make it worthwhile every time, not to mention that the Monkey Bar is right next door for some convenient* after dinner drinks. It's cheap and fun. In my book, it's on the map of good places to eat in Sactown. If you are a high-maintenance person and demand service fit for a king or queen then this place might not be for you.
(4)Jessica B.
lovely, lovely place to have brunch on a hungover saturday morning!! we walked in and decided that it would be great to sit out front in the sun. the only bummer is that the wait staff apparently thought this was a horrible idea and decided not to serve us for the longest time. when we finally tracked down a server, she was very nice and attentive. we had mimosas - yum!! they served them up with the perfect amount of oj, plus we got to have the rest of the little champagne bottle. it was great. for brekky i had the chicken apple sausage scramble. seriously so delicious!! the potatoes and sourdough toast were yummy as well. others in my group had the pancakes - to die for, the breakfast burrito - huge and saucy, and the chorizo and eggs - spicy! all of the food was delicious! i would def go back to this place for brunch!!
(4)Maricel B.
My daughter and I took the Mister here for Father's day one year. We had breakfast and it was pretty good. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside. The food didn't take too long and overall we had a pleasant experience.
(4)Jeff L.
The extra star goes to the fresh tasting green bean salad that is filling and healthy for your wallet. Other salads here are fresh tasting too. Their take on the Thai noodles is tasty but not authentic so heads up. Drinks over here seem similar to the Monkey bar (which gets noisy at nights). But for a late Sunday afternoon with a friend, a drink and salad at the booth is a nice addition to the end of a day.
(4)Eli M.
four stars for the breakfast burrito alone and saving my ass from sunday hangovers :)
(4)Jessi B.
this breakfast burrito rivals Viva's in stockton (and i am VERY serious about my viva breakfast burrito) if you're in the mood for upscale-ish breakfast, and coffee in a giant mug or mimosa... bernardo will make it happen. it's just that i am always so sad when it's all gone.
(4)David I.
The folks who say the food is lousy don't know what they're talking about. Forget the Fox & Goose or the Tower Cafe ... this is THE best breakfast in Sacramento. The breakfast burrito and the chorizo and eggs are my favorites, but everything I've tried is good. Service can be a bit slow at times, but i can forgive that ... the prices are more reasonable than the Tower, the staff is friendly, and the mugs of coffee are bottomless. If you're looking for a place to relax, have a good brunch, and read the paper, you can't do better without driving to SF. (NOTE: The person who called the tofu scramble "the worst I've ever eaten" is mistaken, because they don't even HAVE a tofu scramble on the menu here. And the worst tofu scramble I've ever had is at The Fox and Goose.)
(5)Jennifer S.
*Sac Training #1* my work sent me out to sac for a departmental training for a couple days, i'll be here until tomorrow so expect a few more trickling in from *sac* ;) i'm proud to say that i'm NOT* a breakfast person, i'm more of a lazy brunch person where i can squeeze in 2 meals in one, and not to mention, a heartful meal ... anyways, cafe bernardo had quite a bundle to choose from omelettes, waffles, pancakes, burritos, and such ... a small lil cozy eatery... perhaps because i DID walk in around 7:15ish for breakfast most of the people eating were government looking employees ... so yea, sry for getting off tangent here ... i wanted something small and simple, so i went for their amaretto french toast ... eh, for $6.73, you get a few toasted almonds on the side with maple syrup. ok, let me clarify for you all... i had the impression that the toasted almonds would be sprinkled ON the toast ... WRONG ... they're just simply almonds on the side, with a dab of butter ... i have to say they give you 2 HUGE ASS SLICES OF bread ... i couldn't even finish one half of it ... anyways, service was extremely friendly and accomodating. ... definitely, worth another look, another time that is ... when i come back into sac ... for lunch tho, def NOT dinner or breakfast ...
(3)Sherry C.
The breakfast can't be beat. From the oatmeal to the egg's Bernardo, it is fan-friggin-tastic! Whenever I am in Sac-town I always make it a point to eat brunch here at least once. An added bonus is the HOT chef with the glasses. I always enjoy the view!
(5)kate r.
I'm kinda torn here... I had breakfast here for my last birthday and it was pretty good, I'd give them 3.5 stars. However, my boyfriend is constantly asking when we can go back for breakfast because he keeps talking about their Amaretto French Toast or Malted Belgian Waffle. Nothing really seems to hit him hard when it comes to food, unless he REALLY enjoys something, so its probably worth 4 stars.
(4)aaron n.
back in the old days when i went to monkey bar i used to always wonder what this place was. finally a few years back i came to eat and have always loved it. i havent been in a while and had the chance to stop by today for lunch. damn construction is still going on at this intersection for what seems like 3 yrs. anyways as always it was a good experience. the service is always nice and friendly and not fake. the food was excellent. i got a thai pasta and bowl of soup. it wasnt to crowded but the atmospere is always nice and fits downtown well. being able to sit outside and enjoy the day is always a plus. food is always good and solid and always a good place to have breakfast at.
(5)Michael R.
Why can't I get breakfast for dinner? I would have ordered the Bacon Avocado Omelet or the Malted Belgian Waffles. Since they stop serving breakfast at 11a, I ordered the Certified Ground Chuck Burger, no cheese. I sat on the patio under one of the heaters, even though it was a bit chilly outside. It wasn't very busy, so my food came out to me in what seemed like five-minutes. I grabbed a paper from one of the little machines on the sidewalk and sat under my heater and ate my $8 burger. The patty was tasty and was a perfect "well-done". However, for $8, I wish it could be a little bigger. And the fries are those short, skinny fries that I don't like. You have to grab several at once just to have a sense of eating something. I prefer the huge-cut steak fries, where just one fry could be a meal by itself! The guy that brought me my burger was very helpful, bringing me napkins and asking me if I need utensils. My meal cost about $14, including a bottle of sparkling water. Kind of pricey for a burger, but the great heated patio, convenient location, and possibilities on breakfast menu will have me coming back very soon.
(4)Ross p.
Did the calzone.I"ve had better.Gonna try some kind of seafood calzone next.Out.
(4)P B.
Bernardo's is a great place for breakfast and lunch, and a place I frequent often. I've never had a bad meal at any of the three locations I go to (27/Capitol, 15/R, 10/K), and overall I give it 3.5 stars. Somedays I have 4 star food and service, other days 3 star. The food is very good, not great, and I appreciate the committment to using local farms whenever possible. I always enjoy the ambiance, and the service is typically friendly and accommodating. The portions are perfect, the prices on the higher end for what you get, but compared to places like Ambrosia a much better value. I've tried most things on the menu for breakfast and lunch, and really love the Eggs Bernardo and the salads. There really is something for everyone, and though the menu doesn't show it the restaurants work very well with substitutions and sides. Don't expect to be blown away by the food, but expect good food, which is sometimes just what you need for a meal.
(4)Mark A.
Had lunch there a month or two ago. I ordered a tri tip plate and had a side of their mac and cheese. Everything on the tri-tip plate was good, not spectacular, just good. The meat was tender, the mashed potatoes were creamy, and the greens were tasty. The side of mac and cheese I ordered was wonderful though. That really made my meal. FYI - I am a self admitted macaroni and cheese addict. I should go to rehab.
(4)Lisa C.
Lovely atmosphere for a weekend brunch. If you come here between breakfast and lunch hours, I suggest ordering something from the breakfast menu. I should have listened to myself, but instead, I ordered the ham & cheese sandwich, while I secretly eyed all the breakfast dishes everyone else around me had ordered. The sandwich was good, the sourdough was grilled to perfection, but it was a little oily. For $7.50, I wished it was served with a side of small salad. My friends got the two egg breakfast and the eggs bernardo, both who enjoyed it very much. I tasted their mocha and it was way too sweet for me. Overall, I'd come back to try their breakfast selection, even if I'm having those sandwich cravings.
(4)Heman C.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Sacramento. Great menu at a even better price point. I would hightly recommend the Bernardo Breakfast Burrito and their Grilled Chicken Sandwich. I have been eatting there for years and the place is great. One of my all time favorites!
(5)Deanna H.
Loud and crowded on the weekends but I looove their yummy menu. I always get the simple yet delicious 2 egg breakfast with potatoes and bacon and fresh sqeezed OJ. The whole menu sounds great so I need to try more things! You order at the counter and then they bring the food to you which is a little different. Seating is 1st come 1st served so you definitely have to be ruthless to get a table sometimes.
(5)Arlene M.
I felt bad giving this place such a low rating because their food is actually pretty good. I like their calzones and breakfast food; however, their customer service tanks it. I know that this place usually takes a while to get your order going and their is usually a line out the door (thinking it would be a great place to eat, but its usually due to slow customer service). I've placed phone orders before and at times they have taken 40mins or more for just one order. One time, my calzone was burned and for a pricey meal you better not get it burned. Aside from my nagging about this place I do like the food and the environment. They have indoor and outdoor seating which is a great place to hang out during the spring or summer days in Sacramento.
(2)Bridget C.
This place is great for breakfast! You walk up to the counter (often a good sized line) to order your food. They give you a number and you do your best to find a seat. You help yourself to water and there is a coffee station. Shortly thereafter, they bring you your food. There are many options and it is well priced. Hard to go wrong.
(5)Sarah B.
I've been here a couple of times and both times I've ordered the salmon blt sandwich. The sandwich is okay, not overcooked and tasty enough, but no wow factor. Also, the last time I ordered it the salmon filet was so small there was barely any on one half of the sandwich. I didn't have a chance to rectify this because we had ordered our food togo and were long gone by the time we ate. The garlic fries are meh and the other items my boyfriend has ordered were also okay. I also almost forgot, but the interior of the place had a really funky smell going on the last time we went. Overall, I don't know if I'll be back here. I would rather go to Magpie's, but they were closed, hence the return trip here.
(2)Walter G.
Nice breakfast spot. Some very good choices on the menu and some not so healthy ones if you decide to be bad. I have only been here for breakfast and all of my selections have been very good.
(4)Melissa W.
The food overall was good, but overpriced for a place that you have to order at the counter. I had an excellent turkey sandwich on ciabatta that seems priced about right for this sort of place, but my spouse had some way overpriced pancakes. The table staff was prompt to ask if we were done with our plates, but when it came time to refill lemonade, only my lemonade, and not my spouse's, was refilled. I ended up just splitting it. But I have to say as a lemonade snob, that the lemonade, especially with free refill, if you can get it, is really good and worth the price. I was tempted to review at 3 stars, but I realized it didn't suck, and that some of the places I repeatedly patronize are 3 stars. And while I don't know if I'd make this my favorite place or anything, it isn't something I'd object to if someone mentioned it.
(4)Nicole B.
Sandwiches were huge and there was a wide variety. I would have been fine with half. Fries were very good. They were about the size of McDonald's fries but tasted better. Service was good. I would definately go again.
(4)Ryan F.
Great for take out. Can't comment on the service complaints others have made, however I recently ordered their french toast and "eggs bernardo" (basically an eggs Benedict on seasoned french bread) for take out and it was excellent. Reheated it for about 2 minutes under the broiler on low and it was just like fresh. Delicious. I have also eaten at their Davis location and I wasn't blown away by the service I got there, so I would not at all be surprised if the service at this location is likewise kind of junk. They appear to hire young, good looking people who have better things to do than pay attention to or be good at their jobs.
(4)Jeff S.
Years ago, I spent many morning and afternoons happily munching away and enjoying the atmosphere at Cafe Bernardo. However my last experience was a bit of a let down. The service was adequate, but as always, nobody really seemed like they wanted to be there (although that's pretty much the same attitude you will get in most restaurants in midtown). I could get past that, IF the food was excellent, however this time it just wasn't. The side of mac and cheese was absolutely delicious (seriously, I would almost drive to Sac from LA just for that), however my salad was missing something. As a matter of fact, both salads were missing something (I got the salad sampler). Here's how the menu described the 2 salads I ordered: Butter Leaf and Avocado - Roasted beets, goat cheese, citrus vinaigrette Spinach - Local apples, dried cranberries, gorgonzola, walnuts, cider vinaigrette So what was I missing? Well, the butter leaf side had no avocado, no goat cheese and no beets. It was 6 lonely lettuce leaves doused in dressing. The spinach side was missing the cider vinaigrette. I thought at first it was just really light, but after a few bites and a little dissection, I could see the spinach leaves were completely devoid of dressing. I still enjoyed what was on the plate, mostly because the mac and cheese pulled me through, and because the company I was with was very good, and I will give Bernardo another shot next time I'm in town. I just hope the chef brings is A game next time.
(2)Zach M.
I feel like Sacramento has a lot of awesome breakfast places tucked in and around neighborhoods. This place just happens to be another one of those gems. The guy that took our order was incredibly polite but goofy as hell, which was just the personality I'm looking for in the morning. The foot was incredible and the service was great. I got the french toast, pancakes, and potatoes, it was awesome. I thought the menu was a dollar or two more than I would have expected (its slightly upscale) but totally worth a stop.
(4)JJ B.
Tried it for the first time yesterday morning for breakfast. I liked it a lot, I must say. I never had a desire to go there,because it seemed to crowded for my liking, but I was in a "try new things" kind of mood, so I ventured over to Bernardos. I ordered the black forest omelet and it was good, I wasn't too crazy about the tomatoes because they were cold and the ham wasn't chunks of ham but rather sliced ham lunch meat... but it was tasty. I really liked there potatoes... mmm... I will be back fer sure
(4)Natalie A.
The salmon BLT is ingrained into my psyche and will forever exist as something I crave at all times. It is so good. So unbelievably good. The fries aren't all that great. But that's okay. Since they have provided the world with the best sammich of all time.
(4)Jaimie P.
Their Thai salad is tasty!!!! I also get their chicken stir fry and add cots if d pepper flakes and it's also very good!! Thoses are the only two things vie eaten here though...
(4)Helena W.
The first time I went here it was for lunch with some friends and it was fine. Nothing special really... I ordered the Thai Noodle Salad by recommendation of our server. I liked the spicy peanut dressing but that's about it. My friends ordered the Portobello Mushroom sandwich with French fries and the Italian Sausage Calzone. We all shared a side of the grilled polenta which was the tastiest out of all of the food we ordered. Everything else was presented beautifully, but the flavor was just not there. The second time I came to Cafe Bernardo it was for Sunday brunch and my boyfriend and I both had white mochas which were great but it took almost 20 minutes to get to us. Our server said he could not find our table because we were outside but if you've been to Bernardo's it's just like the name, it's a small CAFE. Anyways, our food took about an hour to get from the time we put our order in. Although, it was a busy Sunday brunch but we were a party of two and the wait staff there is very unprofessional. I think they're more concerned with the look of their ugly emo haircuts and flirting with each other before doing their job. My boyfriend and I ordered the Eggs Bernardo with ham and the Black Forest Ham Omelet. Both were prepared well and I liked the herbed potatoes and I thought the rosemary bread instead of an English muffin was a nice touch. However, I could tell from the other patrons that they were getting upset with the neglectful and slow service as we were. I have not been back to Cafe Bernardo's since and I don't think I will since there are much better places to have a Sunday brunch in Sacramento.
(2)Katie S.
There's probably no real difference between this location and the one attached to R15, but I strongly prefer the other location. This Cafe Bernardo just doesn't seem as cozy. Their outdoor seating is not anywhere near as nice, and the staff isn't quite as friendly either. Comparisons aside, this is a decent place to get basic cafe food (salads, sandwiches, soup, breakfast). I prefer their breakfast food to the dinner & lunch fare, and honestly wish they'd serve it all day. The french toast is particularly good, but all of it seems like a better deal than their dinner food. My husband and I went to dinner at Cafe Bernardo last night because we are eating the alphabet (restaurants starting with each letter of the alphabet in order). Also, he wanted a salad and I wanted some meat product (but I only eat hormone free meat), so Cafe Bernardo seemed like a good plan. At 8:30 on a Thursday it wasn't that busy, but was loud with what seemed like spillover from Monkey Bar. I ordered the tri-tip sandwich and he ordered a spinach salad. Both were good, but not anything special. The meat in my sandwich was very fatty and hard to chew, but the rest of the sandwich--the onions, arugula, and aoili combined with the flavors of the meat well. My husband's salad was what you'd expect from a spinach salad, but didn't really have enough toppings to make it a full meal (which you'd expect from the price). I think that in the future I'll stick with this Bernardo location as a breakfast spot. I'm just not wooed by their dinners.
(3)alli d.
Got dragged here for brunch with some friends recently because all the other spots were too crowded. It was unanimous between the 6 of us that both the eggs and potatoes were very bland, and the potatoes undercooked. We all walked out saying "eh..." You think I'd learn by now...
(1)paul R.
Went with some locals and the Heuvos was good, latte was great. They told me to watch for the food at the counter so we can grab it or we wait till someone brings it and it might be cold. Not really a fan of ordering at a counter and waiting but it worked ok. Any place that you order at the counter will not get all the meals out together because they have no idea if they are at the same table if you pay on your own. Everyone was happy with their meal.
(3)Runningdeer Moonchild A.
Not so bad. Moonchild only got a hot chocolate, which was served in a large white bowl, and she loved it. The coffee here is actually pretty good and they have real espresso. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and I sort of loved the flavor and superiority of this item. Unique and satiating. I'll confess, I went here alone prior to this trip (to insure a second disaster didn't occur like cornerstone) and I was happy then too. Complaints: Ordering at the counter makes me feel rushed and invaluable as a customer. The team is young and doesn't seem to be possessing the personable skills many severs have these days. After going there maybe 9 times now, I can say that at times the potatoes are soggy watery and runny. .
(3)Frank G.
i wish they had more complete service. it's at the counter mostly. and i would avoid downtown and go to the midtown location. it's a star better in my opinion. the food is quite good. the service people behind counter are professional, happy, people. the opportunities for friendly conversation are quite good. makes a good meeting place for friends/dates. all in all, this place is a good choice for late breakfast, lunch. skip dinner though and choose from so many other places with at least minimal service.
(4)Susan M.
Cafe Bernardo is the best Sacramento restaurant for a delicious, casual meal any time of the day. My husband is completely hooked on the salmon BLT. I love the salads and turkey burger and the oatmeal for breakfast. That said.......the carrot cake is the best cake in Sacramento. If you want a treat go to Cafe Bernardo enjoy a healthy meal and split a piece of carrot cake.
(5)Ash M.
LOVE Bernardo's! Even though their menu isn't very impressive, I can get the same thing every time I come here and still be happy about it. The quality is fantastic, and everything always comes out piping hot. My personal favorite is the Chicken Apple Sausage Scramble. It's topped with scallions and melted cheese, and served with rosemary bread and jam. YUM. A little pricey to have often, but you definitely get what you pay for. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Jaclyn L.
I have been here dozens of times for brunch and it always hits the spot. Today was the first time I came here for lunch and I was compelled to write a review. The food is always fine. Nothing bad, but nothing mind blowing. It's a solid meal that I can count on. The ambiance is cute. The service is fast enough. Definitely a fine place to grab brunch of lunch with a friend and chit chat. The reason I was so taken aback today was not because of the service I was provided, rather the service my dog was provided. My boyfriend and I recently got a dog, so I have been looking for more dog friendly restaurants to take our pup, which generally means places with outdoor seating. My friend recommended Cafe Bernardo because the outdoor area is quite cute. Little did I know our dog would be A+ treatment! After our food arrived promptly, our server asked if my dog would like a bowl of water. I was a little surprised and told him that I actually brought her bowl along and I could just pour some water from a glass into it, and then he nicely told me he could get her a bowl of water because they had dog bowls as well. I was caught off guard and curious so I let him get a dog bowl of water. In a minute or so he came back with not only a dog bowl of water but a handful of dog treats that Cafe Bernardo bakes! I didn't test it but they smelled like peanut butter and our dog loved them. I am happy to know that one of the restaurants that I frequent will also take great care of my dog. Thanks!
(4)www.TheCulinaryWorks.com T.
Stopped by today for a quick bite and as usual, EXCELLENT. I had the grilled chicken sandwich and had forgotten how good they are. Tender, flavorful chicken on toasted focaccia with delicious green chili mayo and a lime slaw. SO GOOD! My super picky friend had a Burger and loved it. I wish I lived closer because it would be a regular spot for me. I love that you can come in "as you are", no pretense, and still have great food. The Butternut Squash Pizzetta looks good too. I'll have to find time to go back and try it. It's an impressive feat to have a restaurant that has such long lived consistently excellent food. The Chef there is the shizzle.
(5)Al F.
Turkey burger, as tasty as any burger I've eaten in a very very long while, cooked just right, nice taste, juicy. My wife's salmon salad was also tops.
(4)Catita H.
I love this place. They are consistent, clean and have outdoor seating. They aren't overly nice or helpful, but I don't feel like they're spitting in my food either. I come for the Spicy Thai Chicken Salad, which is a misleading entree title. The first time I ordered it I expected a lettuce-y salad with Thai dressing...but rather a beautiful pile of noodles were delivered to me. I was much more pleased than I had anticipated and it's the only thing I order from there now.
(4)Christine S.
This place is fine, not incredible but a decent option for almost any meal. A lot of different options for different types of eaters, though I highly recommend the garlic fries. A little too expensive for what you're getting, but the food doesn't disappoint. The patio is great for nice Sacramento nights, though inside can get loud.
(3)Barbara S.
Always excellent breakfast choice. Though food offerings should/could be warmer. But everything is made fresh by the Paragary Group from breads to dessert . Never enough time to eat everything offered. Love the breakfast potatoes. Eggs Benny....pancakes....even the oatmeal. Lunch and dinner are wonderful too. Especially salads and polenta. This has been a Midtown mainstay for many years. And popular with all age groups. Not as crowded as it once was back in the days when there were fewer dining choice in Midtown. But on weekends get in there early if breakfast is what you wish. They still fill up around brunch time.
(4)Heather W.
I love this place solely bc of the salmon BLT. It is great!
(4)Jessica S.
Lackluster food, sloppy service. Eggs Benedict is on a rock-hard piece of toast covered in hollandaise from a powder mix. Overwhelming rosemary in the potatoes. Burnt coffee. Burnt soggy french toast with a dose of ice cold syrup. Watered down OJ in a mix-your-own mimosa. We left half the breakfast uneated and went back to our neighborhood haunt, Uptown Cafe, to pay penance. As our waitress there said, "Don't worry. Eating at Bernardo's was punishment enough."
(1)Holly W.
I have never had a bad meal here. The food is always pretty delicious and especially the chopped salad when tomatoes are super ripe and first in season. But Tomato-season notwithstanding, this is never really my first choice when picking a place to eat. I think my general indifference comes from the fact that everything here is good, but not great. The service isn't rude, but they are never exceptionally friendly. The food is good, but nothing comes to mind that I "have to have" from there. The patio is nice, but the view isn't anything spectacular -- rich people going to Biba across the street or busses getting washed on the other side of the street. Nice dichotomy there, actually -- now that I think about it. Anyway, I'll take or leave this Bernardo's. It's good, but not the first place I think of when I want to get a meal out.
(4)Brandy D.
Pancakes are AWESOME! But the syrup is part of what makes them so good =) A little pricey but came here for lunch(for the first time. We've been so stuck on the pancakes) and we were on a bit of a budget so i had to get something somewhat cheap. So i got the ham and cheese sandwich and was VERY pleasantly surprised when it tasted unlike ordinary ham and cheese. I think what made the biggest difference was the bread. I don't know if they always use this bread though, or if that was just the bread they had that day.
(4)ann s.
I don't like having to order at a counter. I prefer dining at R15 and being served Cafe Bernardo's food.
(2)John N.
Consistently good. Tasty, well prepared, upscale diner food in an extremely relaxed setting. Turkey burger is delicious. Salmon plate is really delicious and a solid value at $14.50. Always the same amount of people in there, never too crowded, but always enough to make you feel confident in your decision to be dining there. A good weeknight place.
(4)Anna T.
Cafe Bernardo is a good place to have a casual meal with friends. The service is friendly, the food is good and their house honey lemonade is delicious.
(3)Christina L.
Went to Cafe Bernardo today for the first time (the one of capital) & very much enjoyed it! When we got there I was able to snag two tables right next to each other for a larger group of 7 of us. We pulled them together & they were very helpful, a bus boy came over & asked if we needed any help. After I ordered, the food took about 15 to arrive which is a little longer than normal to wait for breakfast, but they were pretty busy with it being Sunday at a peak hour. When the food came, it was well worth the wait. I ordered the scrambled eggs with chicken apple sausage & it was very yummy. It came with potatoes on the side which were very good. The portion was a really good size, I didn't finish it all . Overall I really enjoyed this place & I would definitely return to try other things on the menu I saw my friends get! :)
(4)Serena Q.
Randy Paragary does not accept mediocrity, and Cafe Bernardo has all the flavor and sophistication of his other restaurants, with a more laid back atmosphere and less expensive menu. With that being said, I admit I have a love/hate relationship with this place. To be honest, they serve a better lunch than a breakfast. I LOVE their lunch! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I used to walk from the UCD campus to the Bernardo's on D Street in Davis and get their Turkey Burger almost weekly. For the health concious, they also serve a side of garlicky greens that is hearty and filling. Depending upon the season they will rotate between kale, spinach, collards, mustards - or some variation - I have had them all and each is unique and wonderful. I also enjoy their salads and order the 3 salad sampler because I cannot choose between the Sliced Mushroom and Jarlsberg Cheese, Thai Noodle or Butter Leaf and Avocado. Pizzas and calzones are cooked in a wood oven and are supurb. Their breakfast is what I have a problem with. They don't have enough options for me. The potatoes are flavorless half the time, and their toast has come out hard and cold. I am not into the sweet stuff, so I've never tried their french toast, but it looks good.
(3)Loren P.
What I ordered: Chicken caesar salad without the dressing, and a side of squash and mushrooms. What I got: VERY LITTLE BIT of chicken on salad, and a side of cold mushrooms. What I did: Played "find the chicken" with my salad, and asked the lady who brought my cold mushrooms if I could have some cold squash thrown in there too. Which she did happily! I was expecting the veggies cooked or steamed or at least microwaved. =/ The upside: Service was friendly, and even thought I had a "Harry met Sally" order, they were willing to accommodate me. Maybe because I asked for no dressing on my salad, they thought I was on a diet and cheated me on some chicken too. ?? But I need that for protein, guys! "5 stars" for friendliness. 0 stars for the chicken caesar salad and side of veggies. Sorry, Cafe Bernie! Next time when I wanna splurge I'll come try something else on your menu, and hopefully I can re-write my review! Until next time... "where's the chicken?" haha!! =)
(2)Bill C.
I have been to all Bernardo's locations a number of times. Today I went for lunch and had a salad topped with feta for $10.95. There was alot of slime in the greens. I asked the watress to take it away and not a word of apology or any offer to make it up. I was quite disappointed with the salad, but more with the reaction. I will think twice about eating there again.
(1)Olivia H.
AMAZING breakfast! Must try the Bernardo burrito! It is to die for! Pretty casual. Inside and outside dining. Or dine in R15 and have a mimosa with breakfast!
(4)Abby F.
Wonderful! This is my favorite go to place to eat. Every time I go to Cafe Bernardo Midtown it is wonderful. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner nothing disappoints.
(5)Heather M.
This place is OK. Pricey. Service is lackluster. Food has always been decent. Nothing memorable stands out. I'd be back every now and again if someone suggested going, but I wouldn't go on my own suggestion.
(2)Jen M.
One of my favorite place for brunch, I've been here too many times to count. My boyfriend and I actually sit in Monkey Bar every time which is cool to have a couple whiskey sours and brunch. The bottomless mimosas are okay. I always order the bacon avocado omelette, no potatoes and substitute with fruit! It's definitely not the best brunch I've ever had, but very affordable.
(4)A S.
Not impressed...service horrible (maybe because waiters were hung), food pricey and nothing special, seems like an uppity crowd for Sac. Try elsewhere for breakfast.
(2)Keith R.
Have again: the half order of French toast with almonds and real maple syrup was plenty for one person and very, very good. We stopped here as part of the Local Roots Food Tour.
(4)Brandie R.
They changed their breakfast menu, I highly recommend going back. Their current omelets do not work. Otherwise, great service and they are insanely accommodating for those annoying picky customers(me). Love this place, my go to breakfast joint.
(4)Christy M.
Skip the other Bernardo, and have your benedict/salmon/beers here. Service, food, and beverage selection is way better than the R15 location.
(4)Kryssi F.
Cafe Bernardo has great atmosphere. I love how you can eat outside on a nice spring day and all the servers are really friendly. The salad sampler is always a good choice when you want to try up to 3 of their delicious salads. Salmon BLT is a winner, as is the Niman Ranch burger. I wish that fries came with these but you can them for $1.50. The quality of the food is impeccable and the entrees almost too nice for a place where you order at the counter. Only metered street parking is available.
(5)Chris B.
I forgive you Cafe Bernardo. It took me three separate attempts to make it here on the weekends in time to order from the breakfast menu. However, your breakfast burrito was so scrump-dilly-icious, it made me look into the dark recesses of my hardened heart and find that last little bit of love that was tucked away there. I had a great late Sunday breakfast and spent some quality me-time reading the paper and putting away a hearty breakfast burrito, a chocolate chip scone, and a double latte. Not real fond of the "bowl" that they serve the coffee in, but I made do. I'm usually a condiment guy who will douse his food with hot sauce at any given chance, but the spices and the green sauce on this breakfast burrito required no augmentation with Cholula (the house hot sauce). The burrito and the potatoes that came with it were both a little undersalted, but that was easily remedied. Kindy pricey but definitely what I had in mind for a righteous power breakfast.
(4)Christina M.
This has been my go to place for breakfast after doing a race. The lines are quick so I have never stood waiting for ages like I do at other resturants (hello Tower?). The food is always consistently tasty and well prepared. My favorite dishes are the chorizo and eggs, tofu scramble and chicken apple sausage scramble with a huge steaming mug of hot chocolate. This last visit I took my husband, his two nephews and thier parents. They DEVOURED their food. My nephew loved the french toast so much he ate it like a taco with his hands. He's an incredibly picky eater so that told me I picked the right place. There wasn't a crumb left when we were done. The potatoes were perfect, and my sister in law's ham and cheese omlette was bursting with ham and cheese. You won't be disppointed coming here.
(4)Laylee D.
Stopped here for lunch on our way south. Beautiful day, so we sat outside. Hubby and I shared the salmon BLT. Plenty big for me, but I guess I got the half with all the salmon. Not a ton of bacon, which was fine for me, but hubby felt cheated. White bean soup was very good. Would have liked a refill on the iced teas, but no offers. Good variety on the menu. I would try it again, but so many other places in the city I haven't sampled yet!
(4)Mark B.
Tried this place for breakfast just recently, and would have to agree with many of the reviews. I was not overly impressed with the quality of the breakfast I had (Chorizo and Eggs) as although they cook to order, the food was inconsistent in temperature, as some of it was hot and some of it was only warm. The breakfast potatoes were just barely above room temperature. Not sure how this can happen when the food is made when you order. My significant other had the steel-cut oats, and she did enjoy that. Will probably try again for lunch or dinner some time.
(3)N. M.
BURGER REVIEW: Probably the best freakin' burger ever. My friend from Berkeley visits us and requests to go here EVERY time. If you are so adventurous do add the blue cheese to it, it is like the cherry on top of an already mouth watering sundae. One star off b/c the fries are extra - are you kidding me, who does that PS: Their lemonade is made with honey and TO DIE for! No refills thought, again who does that in America.
(4)Sarah G.
Meh....I think that the cafe bernardo at R and 15 is better than this location (I guess I should write a review for that one too since it obviously slipped my mind before until now!! ha ha) This location is a little bigger, but there were no people here even though it was next door to a bar and I went around 7:30pm which is a pretty popular eating out time. Lisa and I had our pick of tables after ordering at the counter, and I think that their menu is a little over priced for what you get, but it is one of those upscale midtown locations that is the trendy thing to do (even though there was no one here when we went ha ha) The staff were friendly and we got our food at a decent rate, although we thought we would have gotten it faster since there was no one else here....but my $7 glass of wine kept me entertained until my spinach pizza came with red peppers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and mozzarella. It was okay....but nothing special for having those ingredients in it. Just average really. Lisa got their turkey burger and she liked her's a little more than I liked mine but thought her's was pretty average too. But it is a nice spot to catch up with a friend--decent ambiance but parking can be a bit tricky near here....
(3)Michelle F.
I've been a regular customer of this place for nine years. Love it, love the food, atmosphere. It's a great place to go if you're with a group -- you can 'take over' and just relax, eat, drink and visit in a hip place without being in a noisy bar. That said, not sure why they close this location at 9:00 and won't stay open for our group (anywhere from 10-20 people) until 10:00. The last time we went there (a month or so ago) and I got there at 8:45 or so. I told the person as I started to order that more were on their way. I was told, "we may not be able to serve them". The night manager was downright snotty to me and my friend that although others stayed I left. It was embarrassing and I lost my appetite. I counted 14 as I went out the door. Do they really want to turn down a regular party of approximately 15 once a week? What's up with that? Lower stars are for managers, not food, chefs or wait staff.
(2)Jeff G.
I think in any other city, this restaurant would be at least 4 stars. But with so much variety in NORCAL, it almost feels like a cookie cutter independent restaurant. I can't even remember what I ordered, it was that unremarkable. And my memory lapse wasn't because we were partying too hard as we all had to get up early the next morning. Service was fine. The waiter came back for a refill or two. And the atmosphere is comfortable. I'm not saying Bernardo's is a bad place, just that its not on my list of places I must visit again sometime soon.
(3)Kevin T.
I ended up splitting the Sassafras French Toast and the Breakfast burrito because I couldn't decide between the two (it always pays to drag a buddy along for breakfast!). To tell you the truth I didn't fall in love with either. The French toast only had the TINIEST trace of Sassfras and the Breakfast Burrito only scraped by because of the delicious side of Rosemary potatoes that was served along with it. Overall, it was an extremely ho-hum experience. The upside is that due to the location, you get to enjoy breakfast while checking out a surprising array of "characters" that walk through the door. Still, if people watching was on your agenda, Cesar Chavez Park is still the best way to go!
(2)Reid W.
Had a great time last night for a holiday celebration with friends and family. Had a couple glasses of Whiskey in the form of Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker Black and Jameson all 'round, as well as mashed potatoes, desserts and cappuccino. And big props to the staff: Hailey, Joe and Javier. Thanks for the awesome service!
(4)Angela D.
I Love this place! I look for opportunities to go here! I live out of town, but use to work close and ate here daily....there is nothing not to love...my fave is the salad sampler!
(5)