Cafe Borrone

Overview

If you’re ever in the mood for a cozy, vibrant spot with an incredible selection of food and drinks, Cafe Borrone in Menlo Park is the place to be. Nestled at 1010 El Camino Real, this cafe isn’t just a local favorite-it’s a perfect blend of casual dining with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

When you step into Cafe Borrone, you’re immediately drawn into its bustling energy. The cafe has a unique vibe, combining the feel of a traditional European café with a laid-back, California twist. The interior is bright, airy, and inviting, with plenty of seating options, both inside and outside. On a sunny day, their outdoor patio offers a relaxing spot to enjoy your meal while people-watching along the bustling streets of Menlo Park.

The menu at Cafe Borrone is impressive, offering something for everyone. From fresh salads to hearty sandwiches, and a variety of freshly baked pastries, there’s no shortage of delicious options to satisfy your cravings. If you're looking for something light, their signature salads, like the lemony arugula with goat cheese, are full of flavor without being overly filling. If you're in the mood for something heartier, try their famous burgers or one of their many hot sandwiches. Their grilled cheese with tomato soup is a crowd favorite and truly hits the spot when you're craving comfort food.

One of the standout features of Cafe Borrone is its coffee. As a cafe, they take their brews seriously, offering expertly crafted espresso drinks that rival those from the best cafes in the Bay Area. Whether you prefer a traditional espresso shot or a creamy cappuccino, you won’t be disappointed. The baristas here are passionate about their craft, and it shows in every cup they serve.

But it’s not just the coffee that keeps people coming back to Cafe Borrone. The café is known for its friendly service and family-friendly environment. It’s not uncommon to see people stopping by for a leisurely breakfast with their kids or catching up with friends over a mid-afternoon coffee. The vibe here is always warm, and the staff is more than willing to recommend the best items on the menu.

Cafe Borrone also stands out because of its commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether it’s the seasonal fruits in their salads or the organic vegetables in their dishes, they prioritize quality, which is evident in the flavors of their meals. This attention to detail ensures that every bite is as fresh and flavorful as possible.

Another great feature of this cafe is its accessibility. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick coffee before work or spending an afternoon sipping wine and enjoying a leisurely lunch, the flexibility of the café makes it the ideal spot for any occasion. Plus, with free Wi-Fi available, it's a popular spot for remote workers or students needing a cozy place to study.

For those who enjoy a good weekend brunch, Cafe Borrone’s brunch menu is a hit. They offer delicious options like freshly made waffles, scrambled eggs with bacon, and even avocado toast. Pair it with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, and it’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.

It’s easy to see why Cafe Borrone is so beloved by locals and visitors alike. With its unbeatable combination of delicious food, fantastic coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s more than just a café-it’s a place where you can enjoy good food, great company, and a laid-back vibe that keeps you coming back for more.

If you're ever in Menlo Park, make sure to stop by this charming café for a delightful experience you won’t soon forget. The quality of the food and the warmth of the service make it a true gem in the heart of the city.

Good to know

From the business

âś“ Identifies as women-owned

Service options

âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ No-contact delivery âś“ Delivery âś“ On-site services âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-in

Highlights

âś“ Fast service âś“ Great coffee âś“ Great dessert âś“ Great tea selection âś“ Great wine list âś“ Live music âś“ Live performances âś“ Serves local specialty

Popular for

âś“ Breakfast âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo dining âś“ Good for working on laptop

Accessibility

âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Coffee âś“ Comfort food âś“ Healthy options âś“ Organic dishes âś“ Quick bite âś“ Small plates âś“ Vegetarian options âś“ Wine

Dining options

âś“ Breakfast âś“ Brunch âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Catering âś“ Dessert âś“ Seating âś“ Table service

Amenities

âś“ Toilet

Atmosphere

âś“ Casual âś“ Cosy âś“ Trendy

Crowd

âś“ Family friendly âś“ Groups âś“ LGBTQ+ friendly âś“ Tourists âś“ Transgender safe space âś“ University students

Planning

âś“ Usually a wait âś“ Accepts reservations

Payments

âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cards

Children

âś“ Good for kids âś“ High chairs

Parking

âś“ Free multi-storey car park âś“ Free of charge street parking âś“ Free parking lot âś“ Parking

Pets

âś“ Dogs allowed

Photos

Location

Reviews

- No ratings yet 2207 reviews
Amazing 1394
Great 612
Okay 176
Not Great 48
Terrible 47
Prashast Vaidya

This place is a vibe! The food is ofcourse good but comparable to other American brunch places. The differential for them is the atmosphere and the crowd in the outdoor seating! Their hot chocolate is one of the best I have had! The waffles were the best item amongst the sweet offerings as it was perfect crisp.

Anna Ericsson

Cafe Barrone is one of my all time favorites! Born and raised in the Bay Area and this is one of my top places to visit! Hang out and enjoy it all! Always! The cappuccinos, lattes., drink, quality of food, freshness, variety, service and atmosphere! I can never decide what to get because I want one of everything! If you’re visiting The Bay check it out! But don’t tell too many people it’s already always crowded!! It’s that good!!! Thanks Cafe Barrone for lasting through the pandemic and consistently being one of the best in the BAY!! Pics are just from my last visit! But I have more!!

Theo Wiggin

Adorable interior, with so much indoor and outdoor seating. Many different drinks at the espresso bar, and amazing baked goods (highly recommend the orange cranberry scone and the banana walnut muffin). My oat milk iced lattes are always perfect, pretty big size for the price. They also make an incredible matcha latte, so vibrant and strong! Staff are so nice and helpful. I come here all the time!! They also have delicious food, the veggie wrap and veggie bowl are so yummy for breakfast, and the garlic bread and any of their soups (especially minestrone) are so good for dinner.

Darshil D

Amazing food and good service. I recommend their eggs and potato bowl, turkey and Gouda sandwich and the chicken sausage + eggs

Kaylee Justice

The food was really tasty. The service was really great. The atmosphere is cozy.

Kimmie Miceli

Looking for a fabulous breakfast/brunch spot in Menlo Park/near Palo Alto? I was…and I found it! Although I was late to discover this café...it is obviously no secret...it was packed with customers! I had scoped the menu before walking in and realized there were many items on their menu that looked like something I would order. Yay...Options!!! Once I got inside, I saw a line of people holding menus and then I saw registers at the front of the line. This must be where I start. Once I got to the front of the line, I told the gentleman that was going to place my order that this was my first time at Café Borrone. He was so nice, knowledgeable and helpful...I knew I wanted a scramble and a latte, but I also knew I wanted something else. I thought about a side of toast but this smart guy talked me into a pastry. I asked which one was his favorite because there were so many good ones to choose from...I couldn't decide. He said the blueberry biscuit was his favorite and I said "okay...I'll have one of those". While I was ordering; I learned that everything is sold à la cart, my food gets dropped off to me at whatever table I pick, I will need to grab my latte from their coffee bar, and that the ingredients they use to make their food comes from local farms. Perfect!!! I ended up with a latte, a blueberry biscuit, a ham and cheese scramble, and a side of breakfast potatoes. He handed me a number (to place on the table for my food delivery), my biscuit along with a napkin and utensils and then I went over to the coffee bar to grab my latte. As I waited for my latte, I met another nice employee. He was making my drink and he told me that the pastry item I picked is his favorite. YUUUSSSS! At this point, without eating a thing, I felt like I had scored and literally just wanted to eating the biscuit as I stood there waiting for my drink. Ha...my drink didn't even take a long time...I was just so excited for the biscuit! Buuut I managed to have a bit of self-control and I waited until I sat down. I got a spot at a bar table near the coffee bar. Again...Perfect!!! I didn't even wait for my food to arrive, I just took a sip of the latte and started eating my biscuit. Oh my gosh...both were sooo good. Now I could see why everyone liked that blueberry biscuit so much. The texture was just right...it was tender with just the right amount of fluffy yet firm and loaded with fresh juicy blueberries bursting with flavor!!!! Then out came my hot items! I had grabbed a bottle of hot sauce, as I usually add that to most of my breakfast meals, BUT I decided to try the scramble and the potatoes without hot sauce first (simply based on how flavorful the biscuit was). Neither one needed hot sauce. The potatoes had been prepared with thinly sliced onions which added great flavor and the texture of my skillet was on point; not dry and a good ratio of cheese and ham to egg...and so totally ymmy!!! Because of where I was sitting, I could see the staff while I ate. They were friendly, attentive and busy...helping customers with to-go boxes, replenishing sugar caddies and condiments, clearing and cleaning tables once patrons left so other people could sit down and enjoy their meals. I even dropped a napkin on the floor at one point and was going to pick it up once I was done eating. Nope...the staff was on it...a gal came over and picked it up before I finished my meal. And because I was so close to the coffee bar area, the gentleman that took my order came up and checked on me to see make sure I was enjoying everything. What perfect service from start to finish! No joke! Good Vibes Friendly Service Fast Service DELICIOUS FOOD Clean I'll be back!!!! Side notes: Parking was EASY - I parked in the garage below. Plenty of parking! Indoor and outdoor seating

Adrian de la Rosa

I visited for the first time Cafe Borrone and I was happily surprised by its quality! I went there with my partner and it was busy. Nothing unusual in a sunny Sunday in a restaurant with such big outdoor dining space. But it was easy to find a table for us. We ordered the scramble eggs #6 with mushrooms and the banana pancakes. Food was delicious. And coffee was good too.

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