Cafe Aroma

Cafe Aroma offers a charming and relaxed spot right in the heart of Idyllwild. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere with live music. The food at Cafe Aroma is simply excellent, focusing on fresh, flavorful ingredients. The staff was attentive and always ready with a smile. Our server was prompt in taking our order and checking in on us. There's a genuine sense of hospitality that makes you feel welcome and contributes to the overall pleasant experience.

The Duck was absolutely incredible. The pasta was delicious, temp, flavor, presentatio, everything on key. The crème brulèe was one of the best I've ever had. The live music was of perfect sound and quality, the ambiance excellent and charming. The table & bar service was a Huuuge fail ! Table service was incredibly dismissed for checking in throughout & bringing the tab. The bar service was so completely & entirely subpar to the point that I said something out of sheer shock from the first drink, expecting the 2nd to be top notch, but received nothing except an apology to both. Every basic drink served in a Martini glass should be filled to the rim. They cheated on ounces of a proper pour. Also, any quality bar would absolutely Never serve an Old Fashioned at that price with the rock glass stuffed & over filled with "crushed ice"

One of the best dining experiences I’ve had. 10/10. (So good that it compelled me to write this review!) Walked in without knowing much and ended up booking another reservation the next night. I’ve got plans for many more meals here with the insanely high quality of food, service, ambiance and cocktails. This restaurant alone has changed my perspective on dining in Idyllwild. (By the way, if there’s a Chef’s Special of any kind…order it!! The staff and owners are super knowledgeable with cocktails, wine and food pairings and overall menu creativeness.) Shout out to Riley on her 1st day - unbelievably natural and skilled with customer experience and good energy. (Kendall was a great teacher!) Shout out to Jacob who was our awesome server on our second night back. So knowledgeable and gave great recs. And the biggest shoutout of all - the dream team - the owners Eric and Addy!! You’ve created a gem and you should be very proud.

5 Stars — A Must-Visit Mountain Escape! Café Aroma in Idyllwild is an absolute gem worth every mile of the drive from Palm Springs. The ambiance is cozy, artistic, and full of mountain charm. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you feel relaxed and welcomed. The food is superb. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. From the appetizers to the entrées and desserts, everything reflects quality and creativity. It’s clear the kitchen takes great pride in what they serve. The duck dish is a must Service is top-notch. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely cares about your experience. You’re treated like a valued guest from start to finish. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Café Aroma is a must. The peaceful setting, exceptional food, and outstanding hospitality make it a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Enjoyed dinner with friends here. Won't be our last visit. Our friends are vegans and we are not and still had amazing meals!

Stumbled upon this gem passing through town. Amazing food, cocktails, service and ambience. A classy but not stuffy nice restaurant in a cabin nestled in the woods. Highly recommend!

Must try . Great food, great service, and lovely, elegant and rustic restaurant. They also have live music. Make a reservation prior.

My husband and I came here to celebrate our 10th anniversary as a couple. It was a great experience dining here. Ambiance 10/10: This is a restaurant where every table is picture-perfect. Food 10/10: We love the vegetarian options they offer. I ordered the Rojo Dragon, and its flavor is very unique. I love how it mixed with the kimchi and jalapeños, which added to the texture. Hospitality 10/10: Not all restaurants train their staff to be warm to customers, but this place knows how to make guests feel welcome. We dine at restaurants to enjoy the food, but this place gave us a memorable experience. We will definitely come back here!

Was in Palm Springs this past Saturday and the temps were well over 108 degrees at noon... I decided to high tail my arse to the Mountains where I thought (and hoped) it would be cooler. It was a nice 65 degree day up there with scattered showers. Cafe Aroma has been on my bucket list since I had seen someone on Instagram feature a dish they served. Their reservations can only be made through 'Touch Bistro' and I choose not to go that route as it wanted to consent to sign up for emails. I took my chances and BOY, am I glad I did! Service was exceptional, I walked up to the podium right when they opened and asked if I was able to dine at the bar (as I was flying solo) and I am mindful of turning tables for couples and larger parties. The owners were running the podium outside and warmly greeting all guest who came in. Daniel was my bartender and he took such great care of me at the Bar that I spent literally the rest of my day there LOL I started out with my customary French Martini which was delightful but I was driving down that mountain in the dark so I stopped at one. My Strawberry Fields Salad was a 1/2 order and just enough to prelude my Trout entrée. I wanted to keep things relatively light since I was determined to save room for the Bananas Foster Dessert. Such a romantic spot from the lovely indoor/outdoor unique interior to the wonderful menu offerings. I found myself making plans for another visit to check out the other dishes like their version of a Chicken Marsala. I'm hoping my next visit will be before it snows perhaps in October hmmm... Respectfully Reviewed

From the food to the service to the ambiance to the location to the live music, we had a magical experience at Cafe Aroma. The food was fresh with the right amount of seasoning. Couldn't recommend the Salmon Benedict and chocolate chip pancakes more! We will be back!

Best service, best food, best cocktails, and best ambiance in Idyllwild. And the wine program is not only the best of any restaurant on The Hill (by far) but is award-worthy anywhere. Extra exciting: they're now serving brunch! I've only tested the Omelette du Fromage, but it was cooked perfectly -- French-style, not at all dry, light and fluffy. Excited to try more of the items on the brunch menu. We're so lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber in our small town.

Cafe Aroma is a cozy bistro featuring an Italian-driven menu in a woodsy space. I highly recommend for dinner as it was by far our favorite meal during our visit to Idyllwild. I appreciated that they seated us without a reservation. Service was friendly and attentive. We started our meal with complimentary bread, and adding garlic to the olive oil really enhanced the dipping sauce. Our server recommended the Stew's Ragu - a rich meaty ragu with ground steak, pancetta, soffrito and NY steak strips served over papperdelle with Parmesan. I added a side of herb roasted potatoes to complement my entree. Questo pasto è delizioso!

We stopped in Wednesday night for dinner. It was packed as usual but the food was amazing. It has such a nice vibe when you are seated and the service is great. A bit on the pricey side but I would definitely recommend.

This has always been one of my favorite go to spots on the hill. It's consistently great food and good service. I especially enjoy the trout (something you don't see on too many menus and historically a classic and popular dish here in Idyllwild). It's also very dog friendly, so feel free to bring your favorite furry mammalian friends! They have a menu for them too. :-)

My girlfriend and I visited Idyllwild a few weeks ago for a romantic outdoor getaway. It was great, such a cool town with an amazing vibe! After an epic hike to the Tahquitz peak, we had a really great and enjoyable dinner at Cafe Aroma! The food was tasty - you can taste the New Orleans influence, the vibe was really cool and we loved chatting with Adrienne! Really fun night!

Visiting from LA this last week we tried Aroma after hearing that the owners changed since last time we were in Idyllwild. I'm so glad we did. Excellent dinners, cocktails, wine, service, and ambiance. This was our favorite meal in the last several months including at LA restaurants. We loved the penne and ragú if you want recommendations. Really impressive culinary talents showcased in these dishes. Not only were we struck by the perfect evening, but we also ended up getting engaged. Right before desserts were delivered, I popped the question. Now we know where we will be going on our anniversaries. Table 41 on the patio of Cafe Aroma with our dogs at our feet.

The cozy, cabin restaurant had an eclectic, artsy, beautifully decorated vibe and we were greeted warmly by hostess, bartender and waitstaff. Exceptional service throughout the meal, live music, and the wine and food were incredible: melt in your mouth steak paired with a velvety cabernet, and dessert personally cooked by the owner in front of your eyes! What a lovely, perfect experience. Thank you Cafe Aroma!

Our friend highly recommended Cafe Aroma for our weekend trip in Idyllwild and we made a reservation for an early dinner on a recent Friday evening. I'm not sure if we had a choice to choose, but we were seated at a bar type table and it was not comfortable, especially on a very hot weekend. Nevertheless we were given bread with garlic and oil right away. The garlic is way too strong/pungent, it was almost like eating horseradish. I confirmed with our waitress that it was indeed just garlic in the olive oil. We enjoyed the pesto bruschetta very much as an appetizer. The bread was toasty and there were a lot of fresh tomatoes and cheese on top. For entree I got the steak argentina which was a very generous portion and comes with mash potatoes and broccolinis. Husband got the cacio e pepe with black truffles in pappardella and added grilled chicken. Overall we had a nice dinner here and service was quick and friendly. I would request a regular table next visit just for more comfortable seatings.

Great cute outdoors cafe combined with an art gallery in Idyllwood. Came in for dinner a few nights ago, and Kendall was a wonderful server. Polite and pleasant. The owner is heavily involved and checked in on how every table was doing (which I thought was sweet). My party of two ordered the following: Pesto bruschetta 10/10 Cacio e Pepe (usually comes with truffle - they were out) 9/10 Pepper filet 8/10 Overall, a great experience. Highly recommend if you are in town.

Service was friendly, ambiance was warm and inviting. The music last night was great! I loved my pasta! My wife got the incredible lightness and that arrived missing the salad dressing but everyone was running around so busy she just put a little garlic oil from the bread on it. My only other gripe is my pasta was great but very underseasoned, and you have to ask for salt and pepper. Why not just have those at the table all the time?

I'd say the ambiance is awesome. Somewhat romantic dining environment. Dogs allowed on patio. Food is great. Nothing to complain really. Staff is friendly as well. It's a good place to dine in but recommend to make reservation. I think I like ferro slightly better but this is definitely a good restaurant in Idyllwild

As a foodie and diabetic, Cafe Aroma gives me options for a keto diet. I order any pasta on the menu and instead of pasta, get the riced cauliflower. Tasty alternative to starch and carbs. The steaks and duck entrees are very flavorful and the wine list is really good and pairs well with each dish. The cocktails are inventive and hit the right spot. The desserts are fabulous! Bananas Foster, pears with Gorgonzola, not to mention the after dinner cocktails. All this in our tiny town of Idyllwild. Come visit!

We absolutely loved our evening at Cafe Aroma! Great food including delicious abd fresh vegan options, amazing ambiance, and fantastic service. If feels elevated while still being very cozy and welcoming, making for a lovely dinner on the mountain. Been dreaming of going back since we left!

This was my first time in Idyllwild.We we're escaping the heat(we thought)!Temps were in the high 80s below was high 90s and above. It was my wife's birthday and we were trying to decide where to go.Aroma kept popping up and we were ecstatic about our choice.When we entered we noticed a musical duo setting up.They were to start in an hour so we came back once they were playing.They were great and our waiter Daniel was top notch!My wife worked in restaurants and hospitality and can be hard to please but was very happy! The food was good and plentiful.We had escargot,arribiatta and duck.Daniel graciously took care of dessert.It was a special night!Thanks!

Cafe Aroma is a charming and cozy restaurant located in the small mountain town of Idyllwild, California. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted with the delicious aroma of coffee and the warm and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant. The decor is rustic and cozy, with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and dim lighting that create an intimate and romantic ambiance. The seating options are varied, from cozy booths to small tables for two, to a communal table in the center of the restaurant. But what really sets Cafe Aroma apart is the food. The menu is inspired by Italian cuisine, and the dishes are made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The pizza, in particular, is outstanding. The thin crust is crispy and flavorful, and the toppings are generous and delicious. The pasta dishes are also a must-try, especially the spaghetti carbonara and the fettuccine alfredo. In addition to the food, Cafe Aroma is also known for its extensive wine list, with a wide variety of local and international wines to choose from. The knowledgeable staff is always happy to make recommendations and help you find the perfect pairing for your meal. But perhaps the highlight of Cafe Aroma is the live music. Every weekend, the restaurant hosts live performances from local musicians, creating a lively and fun atmosphere that is perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic date. The music ranges from jazz to blues to rock, and there is always something for everyone. Check the online calendar to get the latest intel.. Overall, Cafe Aroma is a must-visit restaurant if you are in Idyllwild. The food is delicious, the wine list is extensive, and the live music creates a fun and lively atmosphere.

Great food, great service, great music. 10 am and it was the perfect wake up brunch. Best salmon toast ever and the deviled eggs are addictive.

My wife and I ate here for our anniversary. The server was attentive and friendly. We loved the atmosphere. Great music was played. It was a romantic spot for us to celebrate. The food was delicious and interesting. The campfire old fashioned was spot on. We'll definitely go back.

One of the greatest experiences as a chef I can have is when I expect a restaurant to be mediocre and it turns out to be incredible. I am honestly not sure if it's the owner or the chef, but somebody has the magic touch here. I was expecting some kind of boring health food, and instead, everything was approaching perfection. Tofu had the perfect crispy outside and creaminess. Kimchi balanced the palette. Perfect amount of spice, salt, flavor. The pumpkin gnocchi was exceptional. My Pilsner was the perfect cold temperature. The cheesecake was rich, the right amount of sugar, exactly how I wanted it to be. This is now going to be my go to spot in Idyllwild. Seriously, don't miss it. The service was friendly, helpful, inviting and awesome. Even the owner came out and checked on us. Perfect restaurant experience.

Came to Idy to escape the Palm Springs heat for the day and have dinner here. A truly delightful find. The owners were so friendly and knowledgable as was our server. We started with the burrata salad and the tomatoes were so fresh and flavorful, it was divine. For dinner I had the pesto pasta which I was going to take home half of it as it was a generous serving but it was so good that I finished it. Friends had the duck, faux fredo, and Cacio e pepe pasta. I only tried the cacio e pepe and it was spectacular! Sitting among the pines was a delight, and we were fortunate enough to enjoy some lovely live music. A+

Cafe Aroma offers a delightful experience with good wine selections and a welcoming atmosphere. The Chicken Alexander dish is a standout, complemented by friendly service. A great spot for a cozy evening out. I'll be back for sure every time I'm in town!

we recently visited this restaurant with our family including an infant and two dogs. Despite forgetting to inform them, the staff graciously accommodated us. The service was outstanding, though the wait is a bit long, it was explained with a sincere apology due to system malfunction. The food however stole the show. Each dish was a delight to the taste buds. Despite the wait, the staff's generosity shone through as they offered us complimentary drinks, turning a potential inconvenience into a positive experience, in summary, Cafe Aroma only boasts delicious cuisine but also stands out for its exceptional service and willingness to go extra mile. Thank you!

For a real taste of this lovely mountain community, give this restaurant a try. Set among the pines, the decor is vintage Idyllwild. It's reputation is almost iconic among locals. Tasty and varied menu. Especially enjoy the chicken pasta. My bad! No pictures. You will just have to experience the village of Idyllwild yourself, and some of its memorable flavors at Cafe Aroma.

Absolutely love and adore Cafe Aroma! We were able to sit in a private room that was cozy with cool art. The food was spectacular and frankly unexpected for small mountain town dining! We had some delicious toasts to start. Cacio e pepe with black truffle with cauliflower rice substitute was fabulous! Alexander chicken pasta, ribeye, were fantastic. I'm definitely going back to try their bananas foster! The menu is very accommodating of dietary allergies and many items are gluten free or can be made gluten free; vegan/vegetarian options as well. Love the layout of the restaurant and thoughtful decor and furnishings. Nice mix of indoor and al fresco dining options. Great bathroom art, especially the naked lady, lol. The service was friendly and on point. Highly recommend!

Exceptional service and exceptional food. Must be the best in this area. A truly lovely evening. Impressive wine list. So glad I stopped in.

It was so good we went back again the next night! There is nothing better than great food and wine with a great ambiance and wow, Cafe Aroma delivered! The service was perfect and we felt like regulars even though this was our first time. I'm a seasoned bartender myself and was impressed by the craft cocktail selection and the bartender's recommendations. The Alexander Chicken pasta is not to be missed (with added burrata)! Just booked a return trip to Idyllwild to share this hidden gem with others. Just trying to decide if I go ahead and book for a second night ahead of time!

Cafe aroma was one of the few dinner options available in town so in knowing that the bar was pretty low. The service was pretty good and the food came out in a timely manner. The salmon bites app was very tasty and the drinks were also good. The mains lacked flavor but overall a nice dining experience.

Cafe Aroma has always been near and dear to my heart after living in Idyllwild for a duration; the ambience is warm and inviting, staff are friendly, efficient and nurturing, somehow knowing just how much interaction we wanted, local musicians serenading patrons with their talents. Much of the patio seating is now covered and warm in the cold months of the year. My partner and I were in town visiting a dear friend and wanted a bite to eat before heading home. Cafe Aroma was first on our list, we arrived 10 minutes before opening and stuck our heads in the door and was able to make a last minute reservation to be seated at opening. We went next door to the boutique gallery and bought a couple of gifts and were seated at opening. We're vegan and found options that I can only describe as gourmet, elegant presentation and delightful to the palate; whereas most mainstream restaurants vegan dishes seem to be an after thought. Prices were commensurable to restaurants of comparable stature and service was stellar and tipped accordingly. This visit renewed my appreciation of Cafe Aroma's contribution to local color of the magical place called Idyllwild!

Cafe Aroma has been a longtime favorite in idyllwild. The vibe is relaxing and elegant at the same time. The newest owner is friendly and makes sure to make the rounds each night, a nice touch making all feel welcome. Our favorites are the Alexander Chicken and a drink called "Into The Woods" (a skinny margarita with a splash of grapefruit 10/10 recommend! The art gallery next door is an added bonus, with many rocks as well.

This restaurant is outstanding IMO! The drinks were strong and delicious! I had the Daily Penicillin! Lemony, gingery and honey! And the Seafood Pasta outstanding! Seafood pasta is one of my go to dishes and this one topped the list! The blue muscles were so delicious... nice and buttery and garlicky! Our server Jen was terrific and owner Erik, was so nice to meet! Looking forward to coming here again sometime!

My family and I love coming here when we are in Idyllwild. They have quick friendly service, a nice patio where you can enjoy the fresh mountain air, and the food is really good. I usually go with one of their pastas and it's always tasty. I highly recommend.

Delicious food! Great service and such a beautiful environment. Will definitely be back again. The chocolate torte and some coffee for dessert was amazing! Lots of GF options too!

I have never been to Idyllwild, CA prior to coming here. Since January I have been pushing myself out of my comfort zone & dedicating my days off to new adventures & "discovering" new spaces. The ambiance here at Cafe Aroma was cozy & esquisette! My sister & I were served by Kendall. She was incredibly sweet & attentive, great customer service. As far as our entree went, we split the Creamy Pesto Penne. Aside from my unique love of pesto, this pasta was the most tasteful pasta I have ever eaten. Many compliments to the chef & currator of this delightful meal. We finished off with a Blueberry & Raspberry Torte, which was absolute heaven. If you are ever in the area or simply just want to try something new...I HIGHLY reccomend Cafe Aroma. You will not be disappointed. I plan on coming here on a regular basis monthly. Thank you kindly for your hospitality . See y'all again very soon. P.S. the pictures don't give nearly enough credit to the tastefulness & pure joy this brought us.

Have been here the last two nights for our anniversary getaway-It is in our top ten restaurants. It is delicious, eclectic, and charming. The little bar is lovely too. If you like a Carmel by the Sea feel, in the middle of the woods, this is it. The creme brulee was delicious too.

Cafe Aroma is such a cool place to have a meal. The building itself feels like an amazing collection of houses somehow put together as one big beautiful space you want to stay and explore. I am partial to the little back room by a fire. They are willing to accommodate dietary restrictions and have fantastic vegan options and a to die for flourless chocolate cake. They often have live music and a reservation is highly recommended!!!

Cafe Aroma is an Idyllwild staple. This was an impromptu visit after a an intimate concert down the street. We made reservations about 1.5 hours ahead of time. When we arrived we were seated right away. Our server was very polite and accommodating. The food came out quickly. It tasted just as we expected. for Cafe Aroma if you want a nice Italian dinner in a quaint setting.

Rarely do we find places where the quality and taste of food matches the diverse accommodating atmosphere. They have open air patio, half open and half closed , cozy dining room, and of course dog friendly!SO MANY great seating areas! Erica our server was delightful and very attentive to us. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, not to mention that there were plenty of choices- a wide range of meat to vegan. I wouldn't change a thing and look forward to going back

This is the best restaurant in Idyllwild, from the food to service. We've never had a bad experience at Aroma. The trout is excellent is exceptional if you are not feeling pasta, the ragu pasta is amazing as is the seafood pasta. They usual have life music on weekends, and which is a nice touch!

Best food in Idyllwild. Staff and owners are very friendly. Definitely would go back!

An underrated gem! The food is consistently good, including special Thanksgiving dinner, which I had a few years ago. I also appreciate that they don't feel the need to argue and degrade the rare reviewer who leaves a bad review (unlike the remarkably thin-skinned people at another place in town).

We waited two hours for mediocre food. Staff and owner were rude and unapologetic. I will never go back there again. The building itself is quite quaint, and I'm sure we will return when it has a new owner again.

Idywilld is my favorite place on this planet . Cafe Aroma just made it even better. It's always been good, now it's amazing. I love this place, first time for Thanksgiving and it was so delicious. Everything, from the bread, pecan butter, the shrimp cocktail, the traditional turkey meal was AMAZING. Not to mention the wine list and desert. It was a perfect thanksgiving. Our server was so nice, thank you all Cafe Aroma Staff who did an amazing job sacrificing your holiday and making ours special.

Bomb food and great new owners They make me feel special every time I'm there alone or with friends and accommodate my lack of reservations often . I am grateful because the food is yummy

Had a very nice mother daughter dinner here to tonight. We did a split plate plate of the Alexander Chicken pasta, roasted beets, sunrise campfire cocktails, two dessert ports and split a piece of cheese cake. The live music was lovely and we sat far enough away that we could still chat. Our server, Edgar, was such a delight. Made the night that much more enjoyable. This place is very cute and I look forward to returning.

The ambiance and the service was excellent as were the cocktails. The food is where the wheels came off the bus. For the price the food was mediocre at best. I had the trout and it was fine, the potatoes were fine, the broccolini was...fine. We specifically asked if the pasta ragu was spicy and was told it wasn't at all. When we got it my son couldn't eat it because it was so spicy. I thought he was exaggerating but I tried it and it was ridiculous. He had to trade with my husband who coincidentally had ordered something that was listed as spicy but wasn't at all. The dessert was very good (chocolate torte). My husband ordered a glass of port but they ran out of the kind he ordered so she brought him a half glass at no charge. So not only did he not get to eat the dinner he ordered because he had to trade with my son he didn't even get to enjoy a full glass of port. Disappointing experience for sure.

Would love to have rated them higher. Went years ago and was so looking forward to retiring. Service: 5 *s - Erica was sweet + attentive Food: 4 *s - Pasta dishes were very good but not the best value - price feels high for what you receive, even given the charming setting Atmosphere: 2 *s - The log cabin-esque and open-air environs are rustic-romantic, but the live music ruined our evening, TBH. It was SO very loud we could not hear ourselves speaking and we kept losing our trains of thought. Music should be background not foreground. We were not there for a concert but to have a lovely dinner and conversation. We were seated farthest from the stage and still could not wait to leave. I had checked the website and the calendar for Sept. wasn't there so I thought the live music was a summer offering. Still, I have enjoyed live music with dinner elsewhere, but the overpowering volume dominated every aspect of what would have been a special and pleasant time. Will not return for any music nights; undecided about returning at all. There are so few upscale options in Idy. It is a shame to have to rule one out.

Absolute gem in the heart of the mountains, we stopped for dinner on a Friday evening and we were blown away by how fantastic it was. We will definitely be back next time we are staying in iddylwild

The food and service here is amazing! We had dinner outside and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Everyone enjoyed their dishes and the dessert (banana fosters) was delicious too. We went on a Wednesday evening and there was no wait but it does get crowded on weekends so reservations are recommended.