Garden Cafe

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had a wonderful experience at Garden Cafe. The food was fresh, comforting, and exactly what you hope for in a local café. What truly made our visit special was our waitress, Carol. She was friendly, attentive, and made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we sat down. Carol checked on us often, made great suggestions, and kept everything running smoothly without ever feeling rushed. Great food, warm atmosphere, and outstanding service. We will absolutely be back, and we hope to be seated with Carol again. Highly recommend this spot if you’re in San Rafael!

“Stopped by Garden Cafe for breakfast and had a great experience. The food was delicious, fresh, and nicely prepared. You can tell they take pride in the quality of their dishes. The customer service was friendly and attentive, which made the whole visit feel welcoming and comfortable. The atmosphere was relaxed and perfect for starting the day. I’m definitely looking forward to coming back to try more items on the menu. Always great finding a breakfast spot worth returning to!”

The Garden Café was where I was to meet up with Marvelous Mini the Fan Dancer from Singapore to go over her routine for the much anticipated up and coming Muff-O-Rama out at the Bohemian's Auxiliary Hall out in the woods of Fairfax this March. It was her idea that we meet here at the Garden Café as it's her go-to spot for breakfast, she said she eats here 4 times a week, and the blueberry pancakes are Fire! And...That's exactly what I had, they were amazing! 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ and worthy of a stop!

This place is legit. The servers are fast and friendly. Food was amazing. They have a great "garden"area, great place there was a group of gals doing gal lunch, and another table was a group of guys doing their thing. Another table was a retired couple, great, wide slice of society in there at noon on a Monday. I'll reiterate again the service was amazing, the staff seems like a great team. I got the chille quilles it was pretty good too. Great place to hang out and catch up and eat good food. My only complaint is that their draft beer selection is stuck in 1992 but you don't really come here to drink.

Very nice place for breakfast with tasty food. The place gets busy on the weekends but the service crews have a system and they get orders out fast. The patio area was nice and our waiter was great. Overall good place to enjoy a great breakfast and excellent service.

We have been coming to Garden Cafe for about 5 years now. The servers are incredible. Attentive, friendly, patient, and always welcoming. The owner, Miguel is lovely, and always stops by to check in. The food is consistently great. We alternate between a few favorites (chicken Cobb salad, Milenesa platter, chicken supreme sandwich, a couple omelettes). Food prep is always consistent, quality is high. They are usually pretty busy, but food comes out at a great pace. The team clearly like each other and work well together. It’s like watching a well coordinated symphony, or a basketball team at the top of their game. Don’t sleep on the fresh squeezed juice bar either!

Great breakfast! Fast service. Amazing food. Everything tasted freshly made and not from a jar. The service was attentive and friendly. Highly recommend to locals or visitors. Each table was given a pitcher of water with mint leaves and lemon. Such a refreshing flavor and I love that we were not at the mercy of a server to refill our waters. They had indoor or outdoor seating available. Both were cozy. Might be weird to say, but their bathroom was so cute!

I can’t recommend the Garden Cafe enough! I had a wonderful first experience here today having lunch. The food was delicious & nutritious- I got the Salmon Greek Salad (comes with garlic bread) and the “San Rafael Sunrise” drink, which is a juice including veggies and chia seeds. Lots of seating options indoors and outdoors with good lighting. Free wifi for those looking for a good study spot. The service was AMAZING and contributed to creating such a friendly, inviting atmosphere. I have to give a special shout-out to Miguel, who was so gracious and apologetic about my juice being made wrong the first time. They were out of beets and I believe Miguel called someone and had more beets brought in while I was eating lunch so that I had a corrected juice with beets to enjoy before I finished eating! To be clear, I told Miguel it was completely fine that they were out of beets but he insisted it wasn’t fair to not get what I ordered and made sure I got my beet juice. I can vouch for how much the Garden Cafe values each customer there! I will be recommending to friends and coming back. Edit: came back several times! Take out was a good experience and sitting outside was also a good experience! I got the power punch smoothie and it was delicious. I also tried the mahi mahi fish tacos; they were good but my favorite is still the salmon greek salad. If you like spicy, the habanero sauce is great according to my friend!

A wonderful find! Food and service were perfect! Tacos, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles were so delicious!

Our server anita was amazing! always on top of our needs ! place is amazing and so sweet. food was brought in less than 5 mins !

Absolutely loved our visit! We had a bomb breakfast here -- the crab cake Benedict was rich and perfectly cooked, and the breakfast tacos were packed with flavor. We washed it all down with Micheladas, which were on point, and the lemon water was incredibly fresh and refreshing. Portions were huge, so come hungry! The real highlight, though besides the excellent service, was the garden seating -- super cute, cozy, and such a relaxing place to sit and enjoy a meal. Amazing food, great drinks, generous portions, and a beautiful atmosphere. Can't wait to come back!

This spot is an absolute must-visit. The breakfast alone is worth the trip--massive portions and incredible flavor. Do yourself a favor and order the cinnamon roll pancake. No syrup needed; it's perfectly sweet all on its own. The salmon burger is another standout. It's a real salmon fillet, grilled just right and served on a soft, delicious bun. Total yum. Don't skip the fish tacos, either. Honestly, this menu has it all--from hearty breakfasts to filling lunches. Great sandwiches, tasty omelettes, flavorful tacos... whatever you're craving, you'll find something you love here. You won't be disappointed. This place absolutely belongs on your San Rafael restaurant bucket list.

Garden Cafe has great juices and delicious breakfast options but what really sets it apart is the way above average service. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and it makes for a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend!

Amazing food, service, and energy:) I will be back:) I also ordered a mocha so rich and yummy

We have eaten here atleast 5 times. Its my favorite breakfast in our area for sure..The service is friendly, fast and efficient.. They like what they do and it shows..I really appreciate great service, also happy, friendly personalities.. The food is always excellent! Everytime I come i try something different.. ive never ever been disappointed. The outside area is nice, clean, they have heaters to keep it at a nice temperature. Today I had Abuelitas Chilequiles, with steak, and red sauce, my eggs were perfectly cooked, and I loved my breakfast. Our coffee was fresh and they came around several times to check on us..Best breakfast place around this area for sure. Try it, I cant imagine anyone not liking it here..Ive eaten omlets, Chilequiles, Tortilla soup, French toast and im always happy with my food..I can be picky so I can be easily disappointed in my food..Never here..I want to thank the entire staff here for giving excellent,friendly service, and making people feel seen. The cooks, great job man..Foods delicious here everytime we come.

Came here for a holiday work brunch and we were seated in their covered, heater filled, patio. The patio even had a water fountain. Super cute. The menu is huge and reasonably priced (about $15-$23 an entree) from several different types of Benedict's, pancakes, French toast, and lots of other specials. They had it all! The portions were also generous so I totally understand why this place is so popular. The service was friendly and efficient too. Parking can be a bit tough but you can snag a spot in the Safeway lot or do street parking (2 hour max on the meter tho).

The motto on the sandwich board says "Come Hungry and Leave Happy!" No lies detected. Came here for breakfast when I needed to break my fast after a medical procedure that required I abstain from food for over 24 hours. What a fortuitous find! The banana pancakes were fluffy and moist with a lovely whipped cream to top it off along with a decorative orchid. We also shared the garden omelette which is just a twist on the scramble. It was chock full of delicious asparagus, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and myriad other delights along with feta cheese. The service was friendly and fast, and the decor of the patio was sweet and homey. The only less than perfect menu item was the biscuit that was a bit dry. Also, a few more strategically placed heaters out on the patio would have been nice. Minor quibbles for such a great place -- my new go-to for breakfast in San Rafael!

We loved this place so much that we came back again and brought the family. They were super accommodating and set up a two tables for our large group. Once again the service was phenomenal. We were greeted with a big welcome back, hugs, and smiles. The staff were extremely nice. Everyone loved the food and the service. One family member even said it's the best breakfast he's had in a really long time. We even got a nice plate of churros to share with the table. Delicious. Again, if you want great food and excellent service then check this place out. When we visit the area again I'll be sure to come back here. Many thanks to the owner and the team here at Garden Cafe. Top notch!

We had lunch at the Garden Cafe today. Warm and friendly staff. One of the best veggie burritos I have eaten anywhere. So delicious, I'm drooling even now thinking about it at dinner time. We sat in the covered patio, the decor is a little gimmicky, yet makes you feel happy.

I've visited this restaurant several times, and it never disappoints. Everything is fresh and delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. The staff is super friendly even the owner comes by to greet you. The place has a great vibe. I had a chorizo omelet, and my wife had a chicken sandwich with pesto both were excellent. Highly recommend this spot!

The food and service were amazing. The smoothies and juices are super refreshing. The fries were freshly made and super crispy but tender on the inside. The sandwich was well seasoned and the veggies were crisp and fresh. The potatoes were super tender and the chorizo was nice and crunchy. It's a brunch spot so lots of chatter but it's lively and the employees are all super helpful and attentive. We are from out of town and found this place and they offer indoor seating or outdoor or patio! They even have a furry friend menu. Super cute!!!!

We loved this little gem. The patio is so cute. It feels like you're inside of a green house. They offer smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, and a great mix of Mexican and American cuisines. I had the chorizo breakfast tacos. They greeted us so kindly. Shaking our hands and making us laugh. The staff was super friendly and the food was delicious too.

Came here with a group of three and we were promptly seated. The food came out very quickly and in large portions, definitely worth the money. I ordered a smoothie and they used fresh fruit in it, so the texture was a bit different from what I initially anticipated since I expected them to use frozen fruit (gummier and not as sorbet-like). It was really good though, I downed the entire thing. As for my order, I chose a club sandwich with sweet potato waffle fries. It was BIG. I could barely fit the entire thing in my hand. We ended up taking a lot of it as leftovers. The bread was well toasted and the veggies were super fresh. They use real turkey in this, not sliced deli meat!! Such a great order, a classic but a goodie. My friends ordered the salmon benedict with fresh fruit (at an additional charge) and the blackstone eggs benedict with breakfast potatoes. They both were very happy with their orders!

Another yummy breakfast at the cafe The service, atmosphere and food is consistent! Check it out

Spectacular service. Family owned, small business that welcomes you like regulars. The food was simple but delicious. Bustling business with tables filled both indoors and out. Food came quickly and the servers were professional, friendly, and kind. We must have been greeted by every single staff member and also told goodbye by a few more.

Exploring San Rafael, my Mom and I discovered this cafe and so glad we did! Before ordering, our waiter was friendly and helpful in answering our questions about a few things on the quite extensive menu. I had the best breakfast tacos for lunch, fresh ingredients and large portions of them! Breakfast tacos: Chorizo cooked in with scrambled eggs, avocado slices, and feta. I also had a delish cappuccino. Mom ordered a super burrito that she said left her stuffed in the best possible way. And we enjoyed all of this in the coolest outdoor patio area. This is a great spot to discover.

AMAZING!!!! We went here for our last day in San Rafael and it was incredible. The food was so yummy and tasted so good. The vibes were great (whoever is in charge of the music did such a good job) and the staff is so kind and attentive. I told them about my food allergies and accommodated to my needs. I'm really glad we got to check this place out! Highly and definitely recommend :)

This place is still great. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Marin County. Miguel knows how to run a business. He really pays attention to every detail of running a restaurant. I like to order dishes that I wouldn't typically make for myself so I will usually get a benedict. This time, I ordered the Daddy Scram which is a scramble with ham, bacon, sausage, onions, peppers and cheddar. I try to stay away from carbs but I can't resist ordering on of the cinnamon roll pancakes. So good. I will be back.

Garden Cafe is a solid brunch oasis. Hungry? Thirsty for a carafe of Bellini? This place satisfies. My country fried steak was top notch, topped with good gravy and scallions, with a side of scrambled eggs - very fulfilling. The Bellini carafe is great for 2, and my partner's fish mahi mahi tacos were "very good". Service has always been great (been coming here/Garden Depot, for over 10 years), very dog friendly (they brought water for our retriever), and the courtyard dining always feels airy and uplifting.

We were just here for Mother's Day brunch. The place was so unsuspecting. We parked right in front and then walked in to the covered patio. It felt like we were under the canopy of trees within a garden. It was so nice. Staff was excellent: fast and very attentive. Food was excellent. Loved everything.

From the 1st step into this establishment Miguel who is the manager and his full staff gave us a warm welcome to their place!!! Again I can't thank you enough how my wife and I felt being at your establishment!!! Now for the food! I got the country fired steak and my wife got the bacon omelet! My country fried steak was just how I liked it . For some reason the flavors were on point and they do talk a lot about the country fired steak they served here. As for my wife she was happy she got what she wanted! Happy wife happy life so that's a big plus! We got our food in a timely matter and it's was hot and ready to drive in and eat! The way the staff kept coming back to make sure our food was great and made me and my wife feel very important. My wife cup of coffee was always full! The food we ate was amazing and can't talk about how wonderful the staff is even if the place was full! The place was clean and the staff got to it when customers make their way out the place and got that table set up fast and quick! I definitely will have to visit this place again if Im ever coming back to this side of town but I travel a lot and who knows maybe next time I get to see Miguel and his staff again because I know the service and food will be top tier!!! Thank you for the great hospitality you give to travels , locals and anyone else that comes this way. As I spoke to Miguel he said he wants to make everyone feel when people comes to his restaurant knowing all your problems go away as our life is to short to not be happy at a work place! I recommend this place with high YES to come visit Miguel and his staff and see for yourself how wonderful they make you feel!

Came here for breakfast on a Monday around 10:30am. After relocating from Oakland I'm still trying to find interesting and yummy places to eat. I fell in love with this place. Cute outdoor area well covered for inclement weather, attentive service, easy laid back vibe and great food. They do juices and have a full bar. Food was top notch and we will def be back - it's now our regular monthly Monday breakfast spot.

The food here was amazing. I got the Chilaquiles. I usually say half of my meal to eat later on they were so delicious. I ate them all. My mother got their hamburger, which looked really good. My son got the chorizo Benedict. He said it was very, very good too. They also had food for their dogs, which was kind of nice. The staff were really friendly. They even brought an umbrella over because we were sitting in the sun. The tables were out in a little patio area. That was very cute.

Staff is super sweet & accommodating. Love that they also offer the cinnamon roll pancakes & similar menu to Miracle Mile but still offer the delicious eggs Benedict from the Depot Garden days. Love the outdoor garden atmosphere.

Service with a smile! Incredible food & beautiful ambiance. First time visiting and we'll definitely be back!

I ordered through DoorDash while on vacation the following Biscuits and gravy with over easy egg. Great flavor but the gravy was runny. Two eggs with hash browns we ordered scrambled eggs but they provided medium eggs A kids pancake and eggs great flavor. Chocolate chip pancakes big size and great flavor. Arnold Palmer very yummy. Overall the food was good.

Great brunch spot, got the eggs Benedict and it was quite good! The ambience of the place is great, especially the inside seating which feels very lively. Also got the house coffee, which was a great wake up coffee to go with the meal!

Came here on a Saturday around 11am with a group of 7, got seated within 10mins. Service was friendly and they gave us recommendations, all were amazing. I got the 5 hour Robert's Corned Beef Hash with the homemade biscuit and it was amazing. Definitely recommend trying that homemade biscuit, truly one of a kind. Also, the cinnamon roll pancakes were yummy, didn't even need to eat it with syrup. This place has a nice indoor and outdoor seating area, a little cramped inside but not uncomfortable.

Service 4/5 Food 4/5 Ambiance 4/5 I recommend outdoor seating. Breakfast sandwich was amazing like really good. Orange juice was delicious. Coffee could be better. All fruits used were very fresh.

Every single dish here is absolutely amazing. Breakfast , lunch, desert. The drinks. Everything is sooo yummy!!! Any time we have company we make sure to bring them here!!

Superb food and very friendly service. Everyone was very nice. I had the veggie scramble with tofu, spinach, corn, green, onion, asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms and feta. It was the BEST tofu scramble I've ever had. The veggies were so fresh and were prepared perfectly. Not overly seasoned either as the fresh veggies can definitely hold their own. My friend had the Lover's Scramble with chicken apple sausage, mushroom, cheddar, peppers, avocado. Also excellent. Quick service too. Parking is a bit of a challenge, but not too hard to find a street spot if you are okay walking a block or two.

HUGE portions and great prices! The outdoor patio area is beautiful and vibrant and dog-friendly. There are large picnic tables for groups as well. The service is on another level--they were so kind and quick with our orders and very patient with my modification requests! Amazing place (and amazing fries).

My friend and I just had breakfast and it was in a word, perfect. The over easy eggs were done just right, the chicken apple sausage grilled just so, and, the house home fries were out of this world. The service was great and friendly, and I will be back here again and again.

Tucked away across eden hospital, there are so many options I couldnt decide, so far everything i have tried is really good

Regular customers here, The service is great, the food is wonderful and the atmosphere is very nice. There is a wide selection of items to choose from all reasonably priced.

Great place! Great courtyard dining, service was very attentive, and the Lover Scram was amazing!

Wow! The teamwork to create an outstanding customer service experience was unparalleled. The food was amazing! Carolina especially was top notch! First time here, and will be coming back again! Bonus points for super cute decor and atmosphere.

Service was spot on. Food was delicious. Bathroom was super clean and the outdoor seating was lovely.

This place was fantastic and it had plenty of outside eating area. The service was fantastic and super fast. Everything was absolutely delicious! The cinnamon roll pancake. Oh my goodness, it was amazing! Just get it without all the extra topping and the extra stuff. It would make it way too sweet. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try!!!

Excellent food and, even on a packed Saturday morning, friendly, fast and efficent service. I had the chilaquiles w carne asada. The housemade tomatillo sauce had that perfect sour bite to it, the carne asada was tender and flavorful--not always the case around here. My friend had the corned beef hash, also as good as any in San Rafael. Our coffee cups were never empty and I did not once have to flag a waiter for anything.

SO tasty, fast service, cute patio!! The pancakes were great and the matcha was incredible. Decent prices, but things with meat and eggs started getting more expensive. Excellent brunch spot!

Fantastic food I'm in love with the chicken pest sandwich. The ambience is amazing with vegetation surrounding you if you get a table inside. It's my favorite brunch spot 100% recommend!

We stopped by the Garden Cafe on our way home from San Francisco for breakfast. The place is absolutely charming. The service, our server was Luis, was over the top. The food, delicious. Just watching the members of the crew was inspiring as they were very cleanup conscious after customers got up and left. The place was spotless. I cannot recommend The Garden Cafe in San Rafael highly enough!!!!

Great food and prices were not exorbitant Service was very nice and amounts were a bit above average

my family & I love dining in at many restaurants in the Bay Area & we came to dine in at garden cafe today & garden cafe customer service was top tier!!! 5 star . From the cooked to the waiters , they all asked us how we were doing every time they passed by . Loved it! Food was great & fresh fruits! Definitely will be coming again :)

One of my favorite spots for brunch! I've been here several times and the experience is always excellent. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully served -- you can really tell they put care into every dish. The space is bright, cheerful, and tastefully decorated, creating such a welcoming and lively atmosphere. The staff is always kind and attentive, which makes the experience even better. Whether you're meeting friends or just enjoying a slow morning, this place never disappoints. Highly recommended!

I had a delicious brunch at Garden Cafe today with my dad and fiancé. We ate on the patio since we brought my dog. Service was excellent- friendly and attentive, all of the servers went above and beyond any customer service I've experienced in Marin in recent memory. Our cups didn't have the chance to empty because the service was so prompt and attentive. I opted for the cinnamon roll pancakes with a side of fruit and a mimosa. Heavenly! My dad got eggs and sausage with sourdough toast, and my fiancé got the garden scramble and a hot chocolate. They both very much enjoyed their meals. My dad said their bathroom was the cleanest of any restaurant he'd ever been in. The patio was also very clean, and the decor was cute. Overall, a five-star experience. I can't wait to return to try more of their menu in the future!