Garden Cafe (of Sherman Oaks)

The perfect brunch spot! I went with a few friends, and we all absolutely loved our dishes. I tried the Short Rib Eggs Benedict and The Golden Cowboy—let’s just say the short rib is to die for! Every bite was packed with flavor. The atmosphere was just as amazing—calm, spacious, and perfect for a relaxed brunch. We sat on the patio and had such a great time catching up over delicious food. The only downside was parking—it was a bit difficult since the lot is small and was already full on a Saturday morning. But honestly, the food and experience were well worth it! Highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for great brunch, great vibes, and a great experience! Can’t wait to come back. ☕

Rose lemonade-divine!!! Generous portions-filling! My favorites thus far are beet salad and sweet potato fries or truffle fries. The tree lined and vine embraced secret garden ambiance is magical. Table service can be a bit slow and spotty, but the rest of it more than makes up for this. Highly recommend!

I really wanted to like this place but was so disappointed with the food. Took my daughter in law out for lunch, she chose the place. We were told to order at the counter but noticed others were given menus with food descriptions unlike the “board” On the wall. Ordered cob salad the green sandwich and tomato basil soup. The soup tasted like pizza sauce not soup, The salad only had blue cheese, what I later identified as bacon, a few tomato pieces and hard boiled egg. The worse salad I’ve ever ordered in a restaurant! The “bacon” was in chunks, not fresh obviously cheap store bought. The clumps couldn’t even be crumbled and bounced on the table, absolutely terrible salad couldn’t eat it or the soup. The unsweetened tea was ok as was the rose lemonade. Don’t waste your money here! Reviewed your response and will never return! Will tell all my reviewers how terrible your food is!

My friend enjoyed a big plate of pasta and garlic bread with her tomato soup as well. We shared a $5 chocolate chip cookie, with the value and I would say it was a 7/10 for me. There is no table service other than bringing you your items, they ask for tip at payment which is not something I appreciate.

Normally I love garden cafe. I come here a lot. But I have to say I'm a bit disappointed by the new portion sizes. I ordered the salmon salad and this was the portion of salmon I received for an extra seven dollars. This ended up being about $28.. $17 for the salad alone. I love them for breakfast and pizzas but I won't be back for salads anytime soon.

This place is the perfect brunch spot and place to work! The atmosphere is beautiful with the flowers and outdoor patio! Enjoy their 3 mimosas for $15 with any meal you get! I love the Truffle Fries!!

The food was amazing. The rose tea was so delicious. I had the avocado toast and it was sooo good and most important I was able to bring my puppy along.

I found this café through a Google search, and the reviews looked promising, so decided to give it a try. There’s a small parking area out front, which is free. The place itself is super cute with the perfect cosy vibe, almost like a little Parisian café. I wanted to try something different and went for the Chilaquiles, and they were absolutely amazing. The flavours were a 10/10, and the portion was huge. My boyfriend had the breakfast burrito and really enjoyed his too. The staff were so friendly, which made the experience even better. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in LA, and I highly recommend this place to anyone thinking about visiting!

Our kids took us to this out of the way restaurant. Hard to find but we'll worth it. Six of us and everything was good. Employees were friendly and knowledgeable. The food came out quickly. I had their burger which was excellent! Would return if in the area.

Rude service. Bland food that makes you feel sick after eating. No restroom!! No air conditioning inside. Pretty flowers outside, as long as you don't mind eating bland food and deal with hostile rudeness. (Bad salad dressing, boring bland potato salad, and turkey was gross and feeling sick after eating their sandwich.) If it's good enough food, you can ignore rude workers but here, the only positive is flowers in the outdoor seating. Not worth it! Owner gave me wrong sandwich and acted like it was my fault. She never apologized. It was my first time there so how would I know I didn't get what I ordered? I thought I was just eating a bad turkey sandwich smothered in bland fake cheese. I ate half the sandwich and realized it didn't have avocado. Her solution was to bring a slice of avocado. She told me I ate too much of the sandwich for a new one. She had given me the grilled bris cheese and turkey. She told me this is my fault because I ordered the turkey sandwich. I brought her the menu and asked her, "Where does it say there's brie cheese on the turkey sandwich?" And then she pointed to the grilled cheese section to a brie cheese and turkey sandwich. OK I never ordered a grilled cheese, never said brie cheese. I told her I don't even I Ike Brie cheese so I know I didn't say Brie. At this point she knew she made the error but wasn't going to acknowledge that. Clearly not what I ordered even from her own words. it was the most ridiculous situation. So weird. Just apologize because you just made me pay for a sandwich I didn't order, lady. I never even asked her for a new sandwich or refund. Maybe she could've apologized for obviously getting the order wrong. Absurd behavior for an owner. I'm pretty sure this restaurant will fail. Flowers alone can't save bad food and hostile service. I highly recommend going next-door to the much nicer restaurant they have actual air-conditioning. They're super nice and way better food. You have to pay a little more but it's worth the money not to deal with rudeness. I guess you have to pay for polite behavior these days. I'd rather pay for polite behavior than an overpriced disgusting sandwich that I didn't order. Be careful if you have food allergies this lady has no regard for getting orders accurate. No way for me to reply to owners lies in his reply but I think all readers can see how petty they are! Total lie! they certainly didn't offer substitute but as you can see by their reply it would have been the right thing to do. I didn't smear food. If you scroll down you can see many more one star reviews when they didn't get the order right and were hostile. Which was it you offered to substitute my order or decided I ate too much? You sort of just said both. One is an obvious lie. PS for my picture I should post a picture of the sign you have that says no public restrooms! So many lies. And you're lying because you know you should do better.

This is an update to the review I wrote in 2018 that I felt necessary to post, because subsequent visits have been completely different experiences. I first returned after a morning visit to the lab for blood tests that required me to fast. I was very hungry and in the mood for a quiet place to read and have breakfast. The experience made me wonder if new management took over The Garden Cafe. The food is delicious and the portions are generous. The manager or owner (not sure which) has always been gracious and happy to answer questions and comply with special requests. Since then, the Garden Cafe has become a kind of hideaway meeting place when I've wanted to meet up with old friends and talk. There's no hurrying you along to order, or to eat and leave. I especially love their Mean Green Sandwich that consists of fresh Mozzarella, avocado, spinach, Goat cheese, and pesto on toasted wheat, plus a choice of side ($17.00.) It's a calorie splurge, but delicious and comforting; I've taken half the sandwich home. The salads I've tried have all been so fresh and delicious. The one with a grilled hunk of salmon was so good. Coffee great and other drinks, too. They have a big menu with a lot of choices. Recommended. But beware of their small parking lot. I've only been lucky to get a spot once. Metered street parking is available on Woodman.

Not sure what I was expecting but love the off the street hidden gem vibe. I had the short rib grilled Cheese - dunked it in the yummy tomato soup. The sweet potato fries were some of my favorites alive ever had they had a crinkle cut and were wider and flatter which I loved. My friend enjoyed a big plate of pasta and garlic bread with her tomato soup as well. We shared a $5 chocolate chip cookie, with the value and I would say it was a 7/10 for me. There is no table service other than bringing you your items, they ask for tip at payment which is not something I appreciate.

Garden cafe seems a bit hidden off the street but it's not! If you know you know! This place is a gem to come get some work done and enjoy some tasty food! Their kale caesar salad and grilled chicken is amazing. Apparently the grilled chicken is what they are known for! The outdoor seating is lovely with big tables and lots of greenery away from the LA traffic. The service is quick and no frills but kindness at every turn when we needed something. Try this place out and thank me later!

This was such a great find. My friend had asked us to lunch and I wanted to find some other restaurant instead of the same old place. Read some reviews on this place and decided to give it a try. WOW!!! We all enjoyed every dish down to coffee and cookies. We had Chinese Chicken Salad, Chicken Kabob, Roasted Beet Salad with Salmon, cappuccinos, and some humongous cookies. Be warned - big generous portions. The service was top notch too. It's truly a great find and very quaint. It's tucked away and one can easily pass by without knowing it's there. There's patio seating as well. The owner told us there's a live band at night. We love to dance and will most definitely try one night.

The food was good, friendly staff, and the ambiance was okay... although a pretty atmosphere the music was did not match the ambiance, too loud.

I've had a lot of burgers and I know what I prefer. I give burger a 6 based on the price alone. Flavorwise, I can only say it was OK. I liked the sweet potato fries- they were crisp and nicely seasoned. I like the mimosa deal and the Rose latte, too. I also bought a chocolate protein cookie and I like it. As for the service, I give it a 10. It was slow and they acted like it bc they were attentive and even warmed my latte after our meal. The ambiance is cute, with the plants on the patio. I would love to go back for a brunch dish on a sunny day!

Food was 100/10 all ingredients were fresh and cooked perfectly! The ambiance outside was perfect for a summer lunch and all the staff was very friendly. Had the Greek Salad to start, pesto fettuccine with chicken and the vodka penne for the mains, and the rose lemonade for drink. Everything complemented each other perfectly. You can tell the chefs really care a lot about everything they put on the plate. Truly an elevated eating experience.

We really enjoy coming here, especially when we aim to get work done. It is a nice spot with comfortable seating, a clean room, a couple outlets, and ample parking. The place is tucked away and always has great ambience. I like getting the Iced Café Latte with almond milk and the massive M&M cookie they sell in addition to the sandwiches and pasta. For the pasta, I like ordering the Pesto Pasta, which can be made with linguine or penne and topped with Parmesan cheese. It is also served with a side of garlic toast. The avocado toast is good as well and contains 2 pieces of sourdough toast topped with avocado, onion, arugula, tomato, pepper, salt, and tossed with sweet lemon olive oil. This is good as well and continuously hits the spot!

Went here for a late breakfast. Ordered the huevos rancheros and avocado toast. On the menu the avocado toast has an asterisk indicating it came with either potatoes or fresh fruit. However the person at the counter said it wasn't included. The portions were filling. The food was generally bland. The avocado was definitely the type you buy in the store as guacamole and not fresh. The tomatoes were canned. Only fresh veggie was the arugula on the toast and the onions. Our fruit order was forgotten and I had to ask for it. Also had a capuchino and an herbal camomile tea. You order at the counter and find an open table. There were a few people but not overly full on a mid Friday morning. There was not background music and it was not loud.

I ordered a kale Caesar salad to go. While the salad size is decent, the $7 I paid to have chicken with it was an absolute waste. There's literally 5 bites of chicken. Basically the equivalent of 1 small strip. When competitors like Mendocino Farms offer more at a $10 cheaper price point, I'll stick with them instead for lunch options.

The people at the counter and bussers were nice. The ambiance is good. The food was just okay. My omelette was dry and the toast was flimsy. The best parts were the coffee and the potatoes.

Came here after taking our daughter to the park for lunch. It was just before noon so it wasn't super crowded yet. You order at the counter and find your own seats. Snagged a seat in the outside area. Place is great - kid friendly and the food and coffee was good!

Such a cute hidden gem in the SO neighborhood. A perfect lunch spot for anyone looking to catch up with some friends and find a serene garden vibe within the bustle of the city. The ladies at the counter were really nice and the staff were very attentive, checking on us periodically and clearing our plates as soon as we were finished. I got the chicken kebob wrap which came with a side of your choice - I got the potato salad. Also got an iced latte with oat milk. Everything was fresh and delicious. Coffee was great, too - they use Lavazza. Will definitely come back!

Craving a healthy salad with tender juicy chicken. Then Garden cafe is the place. I have been craving a Caesar salad lately and have remembered this place. This is my second time getting the "Kicked up kale Caesar" (Romaine hearts, kale, shaved Parmesan with homemade garlic and rosemary croutons, tossed in our Caesar dressing.) Chicken is an additional charge but so worth it. Very tender and juicy. Don't be surprised when you eat them all up quick. Portion size is perfect for a hungry appetite as it is pretty large and will keep you full most of the day. Leaving your body feeling good and satisfied. Service was great and quick bringing out the food. So far garden cafe is my favorite place for a delicious Caesar salad.

I came on a Sunday after mass and I had the Golden Cowboy Sandwich with a side of macaroni salad. The sandwich comes with egg, pulled pork and chipotle aioli. Macaroni salad isn't typically offered at cafes so I HAD to get it here. I'll have to try the potato salad next time. There is plenty of outdoor, indoor seating and is perfect for big and small groups. They have sandwiches, breakfast, mimosas, pizza and a lot more. You order at the front and your food is brought out to you when it is ready. They have parking however, the parking lot is very small.

I came here for the first time today with a friend and really enjoyed it. I had the breakfast burrito with a side of fruit (the coffee was good too) and my friend had a burger with a side salad and hibiscus ice tea. Her portions were large and the salad looked so fresh. Sorry I forgot to take pictures of them! We opted to sit outside and loved being surrounded by the beautiful garden. There is a small parking lot right in front of the restaurant but we were lucky to get street parking close by. The service was excellent, everyone was gracious and the food came out quickly.

I recently bought my condo and moved walking distance to the Garden Cafe. What a serene, beautiful, festive and delicious neighborhood gem. It's feels like you've entered the secret garden, and are staying for a yummy dinner. We ordered the Primavera Pasta and the Chicken kabobs. The portions are enormous and the food super yummy. We sat in the very large outdoors patio area, relaxed like being on a couch; while twinkle lights and flowers hung overhead and a band played Bossa Nova. They have cozy heat lamps as well. Such a zen and beautiful atmosphere. Parking is eassyyy peaazzzy, drive in and park. I hope to visit more frequently in the near future. It's def my favorite spot here in Sherman Oaks to dine in; esp if you're a nature girl. What a treat and I'll be back, thank you. :)

Amazing food! The outside seating is the best! It is a little pricy ,but good food & mimosas!

The food was actually really good and service was quick. Ambiance was definitely pristine and lovely. It wasn't busy when I got there but 2 hours later it was packed.

Loved this little restaurant tucked away. Although it's on a busy street they have made it a place that feels exclusive. The service is great and the food is delicious! The prices are on the higher end but the portions make it worth it. They have a bar as well! Highly recommend. No reservations accepted and you order at the counter and then find a table, there is a possibility that you need to share the table. But great opportunity to make new connections. I ordered the Chinese salad and I would have preferred to have half the dressing be added but that's on me for not asking dressing on the side. There was also live music that started at 6pm on a Thursday evening, a bonus treat!

Good food, good atmosphere, reasonable prices. Great place to hang out with family and friends.

First time here and plan to return. The parking lot is small but we went on a Monday right at 5 o'clock and didn't have a problem. There is lots of seating and plenty of space in a pleasant atmosphere . We were greeted immediately with a warm welcome and she helped me make up my mind. The food was delicious and the beer was great! I loved the salmon burger with skinny fries just the way I like 'em.

I actually was excited to try the food but I wasn't impressed it was ok. The service was great, parking on site

Loved the food and drinks. Spent a Sunday there having drinks with the girls. The music surprised us, as it was unexpected and very nice. The ambiance was very nice, and the service was good as well. Didn't like having to go make line every time we wanted to order additional food and drinks, but it was still a good day.

Mac n cheese with short rib is delish Nice amount of space and seating Parking is difficult

The outdoor ambiance is lovely, and the service was attentive. The salad was okay, the pasta was tasty. I'll definitely return to try more dishes.

Not sure why it's taken me so many years to try this place. Maybe it's because it's quite literally a hidden gem. Right off Ventura and Woodman but slightly hidden, pushed back behind a parking lot, walking into this place takes me to Tuscany, Italy with its cute garden aesthetic accompanied by a matching playlist. We ventured here on a Monday around 7pm. There were only a few people inside. We ordered at the counter and sat on the patio. The gentleman who took our order and the one who made our drinks at the small side bar were so polite and welcoming. They even moved heaters for us to a table of our choice outside since it was a chilly night. Though pricy for a glass of wine at around $17, it was more like 2 glasses thanks to the man's generous pour. No complaints! I haven't had decent crab cakes in years and these were amazing!!! Loved every bite and wanted seconds. The short rib grilled cheese was my next fave along with the Caesar salad and lastly eggplant parm. Everything was delicious. Service excellent. And Tuscany, Italy vibe with a glass of wine made this a perfect night. Can't wait to return and try more!!!

Food was okay, but the service was frightening very confrontational woman. Customer is always wrong attitude. Won't be going back again.

A beautiful seculed restaurant tucked away off of Woodman Blvd. Casual dinning serving beer, wine and "All American" cuisine. Indoor and garden setting with a very relaxed vibe. You order at the counter and food is served at the table. Easy! Whether your craving salad, pizza, burgers, mac 'n cheese, or blt, there is a little something to please everyone. We ordered the margherita pizza and short rib cheese sandwich. Both very delicious and paired well with our bottle of Melbec wine. Friendly and courteous service which made our experience even more enjoyable. No rush to leave and all the time to relax and enjoy delicious food and surroundings.

Use to come here years and recently came for dinner. First off, the prices have sky rocketed insane!! 3 people $80 easily!!!! They were empty and the wait was about 35 minutes for the food, which was so unlike them. They had a loud band outside playing and had all the doors open so no matter where u sat, even inside , u couldn't talk because the band was so loud. Our pizza came Out cold and everything else was OK. So disappointed as I use to love this place . Will not be coming back.

Beautiful spot with solid food and friendly service. Pretty good prices for Hawaii! Went twice and enjoyed both meals.

Enjoyed a turkey club sandwich with macaroni salad, it was enjoyable and service was quick! The outside seating is beautiful. Inside is more of a classy vibe but the outside is a very cute place to sit and enjoy a private, comfortable conversation with friends!

The food was amazing I had the banana French toast, and it was absolutely delicious! The service was excellent. Samantha took care of us and went above and beyond. She was super friendly, checked on us regularly, and made us feel truly welcomed. Great customer service makes all the difference in your experience, and Samantha really made ours special. I definitely give this place five stars! The place is super cozy and cute.

Very nice. Relaxing place for a quick bite to eat. Will definitely come back. Very friendly Service. Delicious sandwiches and salads.

Pricing and portions are decent. I absolutely loved the decor here both inside and out. I 100% recommend sitting outside if the weather permits it because it is so nice enjoying an iced drink under the breezy vines.

Such a cute spot for brunch!! The food is delish and the vibe is very chill and beautiful. A little hard to park if it's super busy but easy to find street parking.

This is a great spot to bring your laptop and get some work done. There is practically everything on this menu, and you order at the counter. (I do find it pricey for this kind of casual set up) The staff is friendly and they leave you alone once you order. The ambiance is sort of like the inside of an Olive Garden, which somehow works for me. The outside is super cute and nicely lit. I come here often and I will be back for remote work.

Great little hidden gem. Well portioned plates and pretty tasty to boot. Not too expensive and a cute garden to sit in.

Vibe is there. Great for a coffee meet up to work on business. Good is mediocre but not bad

This is place pretty great. Had the breakfast quesadillas with pesto and not many places serve that. Yet alone it came in big portions too. Coffee here is pretty great too! They have a nice outdoor patio out front which makes it a great place to impress a date, relative, or even come for a business meal

It was our first time at Garden Cafe, we ordered the cowboy breakfast sandwich, the banana french toast and eggs n turkey bacon. My favorite was the french toast it was delish! The eggs and bacon were yummy too. The breakfast sandwich had a layer of some kind of mayo, I don't like mayo on my eggs and the brisket was a little dry and over cooked, also it was too salty! Service was ok, I don't understand why they don't have servers taking your order. The ambiance was phenomenal, there was a live guitar player who was phenomenal!!! They have a really nice beer and wine selection!

We've been to Garden Cafe before for breakfast so we decided to try the dinner menu. We were early, only 3 other early diners. Placed our order at the counter and had our choice of tables inside or outside. Weather was nice so we found a cute spot in the corner. Love the garden setting which makes you ignore the busy street noises. The food was all good - juicy grilled chicken kebabs, solid grilled cheese with tomato soup, yummy crab cakes with salad. Also had the truffle arugula fries. Didn't know the fries were wedge which we didn't prefer and it could've used more cheese. Our food came a little later even though it wasn't crowded. And the drinks we had to remind the waiter.

TLDR: Price, parking, pasta, coffee? No thanks. Ambiance and environment? Yes! - - - - - - Parking for Garden Cafe is difficult, and after the small lots fill up, you'll have to snipe a spot on the streets. I stopped by for a visit after seeing all the high reviews. The staff were nice and recommended the Penne Alla Vodka with chicken, and I ordered that and an iced latte. The parties seated next to me had an appetizing meal, and I was excited to hopefully experience the same. The pasta was fresh, piping hot when it was served, but I have to admit it was quite strong. I was first hit with a very sweet flavor, followed by what tasted like a spoonful of salt. The garlic bread, though hot, was much better, though leaning on the saltier side. The scant chicken was probably the only redeeming quality of this otherwise expensive dish. Overall, the meal was a chore, and I can't say that it was an enjoyable experience.

The 2 stars are solely for the attitude and unfriendliness of the server. She had long dark hair with a red flower. Completely detached from her position. Made us feel unwelcome and more like an interruption instead of paying customers. I would love to come back only if she wasn't working there. Try smiling! At least fake like we are welcomed there! She has the personality of a dead dried-up fish. The margarita pizza was very good.

A quiet repast in a garden cafe hidden in bustling urban Sherman Oaks with the nearby 101 Freeway and the Galleria. Walking in, it was dark and the menu was an ancient wall placard that harkens back to the 70's. The clear plastic menu booklet was clearly 70's retro diner style with post Covid-era prices. No waitstaff. A counterperson takes your order & you are bestowed number triangle & food is brought to your table. It's a hybrid lunch counter where they look for your number instead of yelling out your fast food fictitious name. Mine? Dangerous. I always get a smile or a roll-eye.

awful service took 45 minutes for my meal.My friends meal came 40 minutes before mine.Will never go back

Great quiet ambiance. Food variety is excellent. Courteous staff. Clean place. Had the roasted beet salad with salmon and it was beautifully served... well balanced with very good flavor.