Canela Cafe

Second time here. The place is tucked among several other businesses and restaurants. There are several patio tables out front. The front is all glass, which brings in plenty of natural light. Once inside, you are greeted at the hostess desk, and there are a couple of different seating areas. The design is fresh, modern, and clean. We got a booth and were immediately greeted by our server. We ordered our drinks (latte and hot tea) and then quickly followed up with our food: Very Berry French Toast and Avocado Toast (with poached eggs). It didn’t take long for the food to arrive. Everything was the right temperature, very flavorful, well presented, and good portions. The French toast had excellent textures (coated with Cinnamon Toast Crunch), and the poached eggs were perfectly cooked. I also liked the feta cheese on the avocado. We received great service the entire time, with the small exception that I had to remind my server for more hot water. Definitely a place I would return to.

Had an awesome breakfast here! Our waitress Lima was super friendly and made us feel right at home. I had the Shakshuka—so good! Rich, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. My partner had the California crepes, which were fresh and light but still really satisfying. Everything tasted amazing, and the vibe was super relaxed. We’ll definitely be coming back—hopefully with Lima as our waitress again!

Enjoyed our brunch at Canela Cafe! We enjoyed the Oreo Pancakes, cinnamon crunch French toast, and a breakfast potato bowl. The food did take some time to come out due to how busy the space was, and we did feel rushed while attempting to enjoy our food by our server. However, other than that, the food was absolutely delicious and we would for sure eat here again!

Coffee was great, corned beef has was fantastic, friendly staff… will for sure be back. And so glad to see a restaurant not adding on a service fee for using a card. They understand it’s a cost of doing business. I paid for it in the cost of the food, just like the condiments on the table and the ketchup in back they paid for that I never used.

Ideal location compared to the beach, UWM and Shorewood. Super busy peak time caused longer wait from kitchen, but food came hot and delicious. Crepes were thick and perfect. Poached eggs expertly prepared. Enormous portions for the price. Booths sized for 6-8 people.

A while we were in Milwaukee, WI, visiting a friend, he recommended going to Canela Cafe for breakfast. The atmosphere on the inside was will lit and full of hungry, happy customers. The host were great and got us seated outside ASAP. They had great breakfast special, along with yummy morning mimosas. I ordered the Strawberry Nutella Crepe, while my husband tried the pancakes and several other delicious looking and tasting dishes. You can tell that the neighborhood in this area has been upgraded a lot in the past several years. It is a really cool spot close to campus. I highly recommend stopping by and grabbing yourself some breakfast. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I am in Milwaukee.

Love this brunch spot, mainly for the great service. It can get crazy on the weekends, but my husband and I often go on weekdays and have no trouble getting our pick of tables. I do wish there were a few more gluten-free, dairy free options. (Like GF pancakes made with nondairy milk) but I usually have the delicious grain bowl or an omelette. Also, we made a reservation once for a big group when we had family visiting, and we got a fantastic table in the back. Downer is lucky to have this gem.

This was our first time there, we were a party of 5-adults and 5-young kids. The atmosphere was quiet enough to have good conversation, even though the restaurant had a lot of guests. The food was SO good - fresh!! Our server was Guillermo and his courtesy, sense of humor, patience (with our large group and small indecisive kids) was SO appreciated and so genuine. His smile and service - filling coffees, checking on us, speed in getting more napkins, extra food orders (we decided to get more sausage for the kids midway through our brunch and I had to get more of their yummy guac). We are definitely planning to go there again.

I recently had a wonderful brunch at Canela Cafe. The variety of breakfast and lunch options was impressive. We tried the Power Omelet and the monthly omelet, both of which were fantastic. You can even upgrade your side to one of their specialty pancake items! The staff was very friendly, and the service was excellent--we were in and out in about 45 minutes. They had a lot of seating so great place for a large party. I highly recommend this spot for breakfast or brunch.

Food is typically excellent! Service depends on how busy they get. Unless you get the cheerful blonde braided girl. She's awesome! Bring your appetite! It's a lot of food. Today I had the three amigos and a couple of mimosas. BOGO on Tuesday and Thursday! Try them out. You won't be disappointed.

Seated right away with no wait on a Saturday, great good, & great service! Really nothing to complain about. Pretty easy going space

This is the place to go for quality, variety and service. Located just past the lower east side by the lake shore, Canela Cafe is a great brunch/breakfast spot. They have a very capable staff and extensive menu. Inside of the restaurant is very spacious and can accommodate large groups. It does get very busy past 10am on weekends so just be prepared to wait or skip the line by calling ahead!

Canela Cafe is great little breakfast spot. The Blueberry Waffle was light and fluffy and packed with fresh blueberries! The orange juice (not pictured) had to be freshly squeezed -- it was just too good to come from a carton. The coffee came from Stone Creek and it was really good and Athena's Mediterranean Omelet was absolutely huge and yummy with tons of feta, according to my partner. The restaurant gives off stereotypical millennial brunch place vibes, but not egregiously so. There's plenty of seating both inside and outside, and my party of two was seated promptly around 9 a.m. on a Saturday. The service was spectacular. Jodie did a great job! If I could, I would only give Canela Cafe 4.5 stars simply because of the price. My waffle was $14 with no sides. Knock that down to $10 OR chuck in a side of fruit or bacon or something and I wouldn't be complaining. You'll get the best value if you order an omelet. It comes with fruit or breakfast potatoes AND toast or pancakes all in the ballpark of $16. Don't waste your money on an overpriced waffle, go with the omelet to get more food. In total, my party of two spent about $50 (including tip). If I'm on this side of town again, I'd definitely eat here a second time.

Overall experience here was very meh. Came here on a Saturday for a later breakfast and no one who worked here gave much of any friendly vibes nor did it seem like they wanted to be there. Our server Gisella wasn't very charismatic and didn't show much emotion or excitement. Again, overall just meh vibes. The food took forever to come out - like legit it felt like an eternity and mind you, I am a very patient person and used to work at a restaurant during breakfast hours so I understand the kitchen gets backed up sometimes, but this was insane. My Big Boss breakfast burrito was good however. I think everyone enjoyed their overall. With there being other good breakfast options nearby and around Milwaukee, I don't see myself needing to return right away.

Not going to lie, I miss the Original Pancake House, I really do. Thankfully, Canela has kept the same layout and painted it in a pleasing blue color scheme. But since it is the old layout, it can get quite noisy in there (my only complaint about OPH). The menu is mostly breakfast/brunch items with a sandwich section. Prices are decent ranging from $10 for a grilled cheese to $18 for corned beef hash or chicken and waffle. I had the grilled cheese (it was after noon!) and it came with a side of breakfast fries so that really made it a good deal. They do serve some alcoholic bevvies, mimosas and margaritas mostly. The service wasn't bad, but it was slooooooooooooooooow. I'm not talking the food coming out, I'm talking about the actual speed with which the servers moved. Something to consider if you're on a time crunch (I was not but I still noticed).

Food was bangin dirty style swag type. I ordered the Banging Breakfast Burger, probably rate that sucker a cool 9/10. Listen, i I've eaten many a burger before. It is rare that a burger makes me really reflect on all burgers prior, but listen, this burger made me sad that I have never experienced something quite this delectable before. The chipotle chicken wrap was also busting hard, very very good also a fat 9/10. Smoothie was mid, but would bust it down here again. *After Eating* The food was so good, I got a little distracted and took a bite out of the plate.

Very vibrant breakfast/brunch place. Big fan of the truss design, but the floor shakes whenever someone walks by. Good food quality and quantity.

Made a quick stop at Canela Cafe right before the road trip back to Chicago. This place was packed. There was a family who decided to eat outside in 45 degree weather just to skip the wait. The service was decent. Everyone was nice but it took a little while for our server to greet us and bring our drinks. I assume because they were swamped with so many tables. The food ok. My bf and I got the herbivore bowls with an addition of guacamole. While everything taste fresh, it just didn't taste seasoned. We also got a fruit bowl and I was happy with the assortment of fruits provided. The decor is nice. They had some cool LED brunch signs and a small patio right outside the window. If we were able to give half stars I would give a 3.5. Nothing was bad, but nothing was great either.

The vibe is as amazing as the food. Service is always friendly. And their steak burrito is bomb . I love this place.

Great start to our Saturday! Visited Canela for the first time for Saturday brunch and it did not disappoint! Made a reservation ahead (just give them a call) and the staff were very friendly. We ended up ordering the steak bowl and Santa fe bowl for brunch. The bowls ran around $15 each which I thought was reasonable given the large portion sizes and quality of ingredients. Overall, was a delicious meal and Canela had a great atmosphere - definitely check them out!

Amazing service amazing food and omg Amazing people all around ambience and energy were on point! Bell! Thank you!! You were great ... We came here with family, visiting from Los Angeles, Ca.. WOW amazing choice! The food was so fresh so good so tasty! Even the mimosas were so tasty .. we ordered chulaquiles, the boss burrito, the chicken and biscuits, waffles, Americana breakfast, corn beef hash ! Everything was so well done so perfect! Must Visit!!! Special thank you to the cooks! Pura raza !! Love it will be back whenever we visit again

I went to breakfast at Canela Cafe for my eighteenth birthday. I wanted to share a nice breakfast with my boyfriend, and I indeed did. I ordered the banana nut caramel waffle and he ordered chicken and biscuits. For sides, applewood smoke bacon, redskin breakfast potatoes, and a bowl of fruit. There was a variety of fruits and it was all fresh. The bacon was thick and delicious. Pecans, bananas, and caramel are all up my alley, so my waffle was the best thing to imagine. The potatoes were seasoned well and had the right amount of crunch to softness. His chicken and biscuits had lots of flavor and good consistency. The food came fast and our server was sweet and helpful. The coffee is great and I always get a refill! I love the style of this Cafe and want more people to enjoy it the way I do.

Bright, sunny space! Was seated right away. Definitely had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted. I ultimately chose their corn beef hash as that is always a favorite of mine. My boyfriend got their burrito. The portions were massive! I always like getting to take breakfast leftovers home but rarely do so it was a nice treat to enjoy this meal again and it reheated well! Service was friendly and efficient. I liked that the server left a carafe of water on the table as we drink a lot of water and it can be annoying to wait for more. Coffee refills were plentiful. I would definitely come again!

If you're looking for a good breakfast/brunch spot, this east side gem is well with your time. It gets crowded, so be aware you might encounter a line. The former Coffee Trader location is bright and sunny with cute signs and plenty of light. The menu offers a broad brunch cocktail list as well as lots of non-alcoholic options. I tried the HERBIVORE BOWL - Redskin potatoes, mushrooms, onions, spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Topped with two eggs any style. It was tasty and filling. BF is loyal to the CB HASH & EGGS - House-made corned beef with redskin potatoes and onions. Topped with two eggs any style and served with pancakes or toast. I don't eat meat, but this dish had large meaty pieces of corned beef and looked satisfying. He loves it. Service was excellent. Prices start at $10, so it's not the cheap option.

Date of visit: 2/12/23 I had not visited the previous establishment here very often; I've gotten spoiled with the parking situation away from the east side and I am always wary of places that don't take reservations as I am not keen on waiting in a vestibule for giant chunks of time. Yet we found Canela easy to get into on a recent Sunday morning and at first glance, I was pleasantly surprised at the freshening up they have given the old joint! It's quite a bit brighter inside, which instantly put me in a good mood. We were seated quickly and everything else after that was excellent. Service was friendly and efficient, the food was great, and their EDM playlist was the cherry on top! My chunky monkey pancakes (sans walnuts, because ew, edible nuts) were excellent and made a second meal a couple days later, with hardly a decline in quality! I definitely need to make a Downer Theatre/Canela Cafe combo run part of my weekend routine!

Came here on a Saturday around 11 am and only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table for 3 which I was quite happy about! I've never been here and was very excited to try - the menu is huge (we love options) and everything looks so freakin good. I ordered the steak Benedict and was not disappointed! I also love anything with gravy so ordered a side of that to dip in my fries and again - so good! The food gives a hint of "diner" but also a boujee brunch place you'd find in a big city. Flavorful and good presentation, The place itself is very cute and has a bright & modern ambiance to it! Lots of different drink options and different kinds of mimosas I will want to try in the future.

I was intrigued by this place because of the aesthetic and looking at the menu the options looked delicious. I decided to try some pancakes that had a strawberry cream cheese drizzle with granola and some fruits. I had really high hopes for this one but it was pretty hard to eat. First you are given 5 pancakes that are pretty thick and the batter doesn't really have flavors in between them you have granola so when taking a bite it comes off really dry. I wished they would of added that strawberry cream in between each layer to make it easier to it. You could get off with having 2 pancakes and the rest of the topping but over all I didn't enjoy them. The French toast were okay but also lacked on flavor. I was hoping to taste more cinnamon since it was described as one of the main flavors but it didn't come as strong as I thought. The place aesthetically is really pretty but I was let down by the breakfast. Hopefully I get to try other things in the menu that are better executed.

One of the best brunch places I have ever had. We had the chicken and waffles, chicken and biscuit, and egg quesadilla! All items were delicious! Service was 10/10! Cute place!

Amazing staff, delicious food and good atmosphere. Cannot go wrong visiting this place. You will not regret it

Canela cafe is one of my top picks for Milwaukee foods, best diner I've been too in A while has A lovely atmosphere and drinking menu, I tried an omelet for my first time here and got the Mexicana omelet and the special Wisconsin curd omelette, I also had A side of the corn beef hash which was very delightful. The mexicana omelet was very delicious and very filling it came with A little side of guac and some of the best salsa verde I've had at A restaurant as it was delicious my only gripe with it I couldn't get much hints of the chorizo or chicken in the omelette it got lost in the egg if there was just A little more meat to go along with all the egg it would've been perfect The Wisconsin cheese curd omelet was good it had A marinara on top only with cheese curds the omelet pack quite A punch of flavor with peppers and a lot of melted cheese in the inside, it was very tasty but a little to heavy with the marinara sauce but overall real good On the sides the corn beef hash was very good had the perfect amount of salt, the potatoes I got with the omelette were nice and crisp with also good seasoning and the fruit ramekin I got was very nice fresh fruit the honey dew and pineapple tasted like they were cut to order On A final note the staff was very friendly and the experience was very good! Would definitely come again a big menu to go through and so many more that caught my eye.

What a fantastic way to start the Sunday! Got seated right away at Canela this morning and my friends and 9 absolutely loved the experience. A few members of the party were a bit late but the server was super patient with us. The drinks were yummy (our table got mimosas, bloody Mary's and coffee) and the brunch menu is extensive. I got a power omelet wirh a side of fruits and pancakes. Very well cooked and the side of pancakes was exactly the mix of sweet and savory in as craving for. The good serving sizes are huge and i can't wait to go back and try their Avocado toast and eggs Benedict

The food was absolutely outstanding! Best brunch I have had in a long time! The service was top notch, very attentive. The owner/manager also stopped at our table to check in on us and make sure everything was exactly how we wanted it. It's a very cute place.

Yummy food but I saw my ex there.... And the aesthetic of the place was everything ‍‼‍

Great food and atmosphere for kids and adults. The service was top notch and would recommend to anyone looking for a great experience

This is the best god damn breakfast I've ever had. I had the eggs and biscuits and added steak because I'm a growing boy. My lovely girlfriend had the Canela Omelette which she was over the moon about! I had a bite and can confirm the eggs were cooked better than any egg I've ever had. We had a side of pancakes and I will spare you some time and just say them boys was good as hell. Since it was breakfast I was also consuming alcohol.. I had the Bloody Mary which was spicy and had just the right amount of salt to replenish my electrolytes lost from the evening prior. If you know me you know I can't only have one drink so you know I went full on pirate mode and god the Long Island iced coffee which has coffee liqueur, chocolate rum, Irish cream, and cold brew. I'm still drinking this one as I type and I'm enjoying every sip. Overall, this is just my favorite breakfast place not only in Milwaukee but in the entire world. I'd recommend this to anyone as it's family friendly and still fun.

Wow, what an expansive menu. It's like you can brunch on any day of the week. With the warmer temperatures I went for outside seating and had the veggie wrap as my late lunch. Quite a generous portion and reasonably priced.

Came in with a group of 10. We are very understanding and helpful to our server as we all have worked in the service industry and understand the struggle. We overheard our waitress talking bad about us and cussing about us multiple times. Hosts were very rude as-well!

Canela Cafe is a solid brunch spot with a pretty big menu, so there is likely something for everyone here. I tried the Santa Fe Bowl which came as a generous portion and topped with eggs. I ordered my eggs poached and they were a little overcooked as the yolks were not runny. The food was still pretty good. Also had just a regular coffee, and wait staff came by frequently to offer refills. It seems like their pancakes/waffles/french toast are popular and maybe better options. I would come back in the future for a quick brunch and try some of these sweet menu items. Service was quick and they take reservations over the phone. There should be plenty of free street parking around as the side streets are more residential, but you may need to walk a block or two/circle around to find something depending on the day and time.

Canela's Cafe was rather new when I first visited. I quiet enjoyed the quaint ambiance and set up of this restaurant. The food was delicious! I ordered the fish tacos and a side of the potatoes and corned beef hash. The food was delicious! Great company, good food. Would definitely return and encourage anyone to give this place a try!

First time having Saturday brunch at this spot, oh boy we have been missing out! We were able to make reservations for a party of 8, less than 8 you cannot. It was busy but it's a large establishment with plenty of tables and booths. Bloody Mary's were delicious-just the right amount of spice! Chaser was adorable. All 8 of our meals were amazing. Pancakes fluffy as can be! And fresh guacamoles on the breakfast tacos. Their fruit is high quality and serving sizes are large. Large menu with good variety. The staff is great- from the host who was very accommodating to my infant to our waiter, Jorge, who was attentive, efficient, and so pleasant. I think we found our new brunch spot!

Fluffiest inlet I have ever had. Pancakes were the special. Highly recommend getting something sweet for the table

The wait to be seated wasn't long & overall they have a pretty big menus I went with the meat lovers bowl and really enjoyed it ! The waiter was kind. I had to take half home since you def get what you paid for. Overall it was good place for brunch and i enjoyed to vibes.

What a good breakfast experience! The service was prompt and smooth, the food was excellent, and the coffee was delicious. I'll make sure to come back next time I'm in Milwaukee.

Food is good. Over priced as is the east side restaurants. Service is beyond slow. Manager spent more time talking about his trip to Florida than helping staff save your money and go to Ma Fishers.

Met a friend here for breakfast and absolutely loved it. I ordered the Avocado Toast which, although comes with poached eggs, can be made with any style egg you want or no eggs at all. The poached eggs I chose were made absolutely perfectly, and the side bowl of fruit was incredibly fresh and served cold, which I enjoyed. The portions were of good size, and were filling without being overwhelming. The cafe is a pretty, cozy space with lots of light. I love that they offer so many healthy choices. I will definitely be going back.

The interior design of this cafe is very modern and cozy. Love how spacious and clean it is inside, as you can't tell the cafe size from the outside. The french toast was just nice, the toast had the right amount of crisp and softness to it, and it wasn't too sweet which is perfect. The potatoes with the eggs Benedict were also very flavorful. Not to mention, the service was top notch :) definitely coming again!

Canela is a go-to breakfast place for me when I'm in the area in the mornings. What I love about this place is the ability for me to order to-go via my YELP app and have it ready for pick up (always on-time). Whenever I've brought Canela into work, my coworkers always wonder where I've gotten such yummy-smelling foods. I love the pancakes and omelets at Canela. They are huge portion sizes (you can split it into two meals) and come with syrup and plastic silverware (the good quality kind). I've also had the avocado toast (not amazing but okay) and tried the waffles and other sweeter breakfast foods and liked each one. I've never eaten inside but I definitely would try that sometime. There is ample street parking and outdoor seating. I definitely love coming here for my breakfast treat and love how convenient it is to order.

Always a good place to have brunch on the east side with plenty access to parking. Food is good, not very original in the spectrum of brunch these days but what do they do well

I ordered a cinnamon french toast to go. I loved the crunchy texture from the corn flakes. Other than that, it's just another french toast. I was still really good but I would love to try a different variation of french toast!

Yes! Hot spot - feels like a diner and who does not love a good diner! Terrific food options for all diets and preferences - and don't forget to have yummy carafe or glass of mimosa. Prices are also reasonable, I know how important that can be these days.

I enjoyed my steak Quesadilla. Great service and good coffee. Great location as well.

An all-around solid breakfast place. Came on a Monday morning a little after they opened. First impressions: spacious, bright, vibrant - I *adored* all of the wall art. It's an aesthetically pleasing place, period. Service was quick, and the coffee was strong. We opted to split a power omelette and the cinnamon french toast. Both were excellent. Power omelette was so fluffy, and the potatoes that came with it were crispy, well seasoned, and fresh. The salsa verde that also comes with the omelette was delicious - not too acidic or sweet or salty, but the perfect complement to the omelette. The omelette also came with a pancake, which was standard, and golden brown/fluffy. The cinnamon French toast was on the softest bread, with the little crunch in the middle, AND it wasn't too sweet! My friend and I felt that the cinnamon french toast stood out as a unique and tasty item. I will absolutely be back, and Canela Cafe has won my heart as a new go-to brunch place in Milwaukee to bring friends or family who come into town!

Excellent food! Really cute spot. Great service, too. If you like mimosas, they have a whole selection of different flavors. I recommend the chilaquiles.

We came here for Easter breakfast as a group of 8. We were able to get semi-last minute reservations, which was surprising. The place was phenomenal. Our service was great. The food was outstanding. This is for sure a hidden gem! I had the canela Benedict and it was so good!

This restaurant was delicious and located on a cute little street. I thought the food was great! My omelet was HUGE! I also loved that it came with a side of potatoes or fruit AND toast or pancakes (without an up charge). We were seated in about 30 minutes and the waitress was very attentive. Would definitely return

Canela is a fantastic new addition to the large number of breakfast and lunch restaurants popping up everywhere. There are so many interesting and unique items on the menu that it will take a while to work our way through all the ones that we'd like to try. That's really important for a place like this to stand out, because however good the food is, if it is the same that you can get anywhere, I don't think the future for the place is all that bright. On our first visit here, Amy had the Canela quesadilla. This was a huge quesadilla that easily made a meal for both of us (I had the leftovers a couple of days later). Really great flavor. I had the chicken and waffles - which didn't come with eggs, but I love eggs for breakfast, so I asked them to add a couple of over easy ones right on top. Wow, I think this was the best chicken and waffles that I've ever had! Great flavor on the waffles and slightly spicy chicken - just terrific. I set one of the chicken strips aside to begin with, thinking that I'd be taking it home, the dish looked so big. Well, I shouldn't have bothered, because I polished the whole thing off. Highly, highly recommended! And add a couple of eggs if you like them! Definitely a spot that I can see us returning to again and again.

Great explanation experience! Very nice atmosphere and prompt, pleasant service. They seem to use genuinely fresh ingredients- and make everything from scratch. My husband and I both enjoyed our meals. I had the Greek yogurt with berries, granola and honey and it was outstanding! (And HUGE!). The berries were beautiful and very fresh. I also had the crepes with cinnamon apples -and they were OUTSTANDING! (Couldn't eat them all - heck, I couldn't even finish the Greek yogurt - and had to bring some home with me.). My husband had corned beef hash and thought it was VERY tasty. (He's very picky.) We'll definitely be back!