Another hidden gem of Milford's. Unassuming but fun atmosphere. The mushroom toast was outstanding. We also split a burger, a chicken sandwich, and Brussel sprouts, all of which were equally amazing. We easily cleaned all of our plates. read more

Café Melba - Marinated beets - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

Had a great dinner here last night and was really surprised how quick I got a table with how busy it was. The service was awesome our waitress checked in multiple times before getting our table really nice. The $3 wine on Wednesdays was really good we got the red. Would definitely come back. Our food was delicious we ordered the ravioli and sirloin my only complaint is the ravioli was cold when we got it but it was so delicious that it wasn't a huge deal and I'd definitely be back to try more. The ambiance is cozy and chic. PS the fried potatoes are a must appetizer. read more

See all

This is literally the best restaurant in Milford, and if you haven't eaten here yet, you're crazy. The food and drinks are incredible! read more

See all

Yum! I only wish the portions were bigger! We decided to get the potatoes to share and were thankful for it as they made an excellent companion to scoop up the remainder of the delicious sauce left over from my tasty shrimp and grits. Alone they were tasty with a nice crunch too! I also tried my sister's swordfish and her sauce had less spice but was equally delicious. read more

See all

Cafe Melba delivers on an eclectic niche. Their food is a delight to the palate, with an equal balance of textures paired with fantastic flavors. A true hidden gem to satisfy and satiate the inner hunger of your stomach's soul. read more

This was a Leap Day dinner either a few friends. Cafe Melba has limited hours and they don't take reservations so we didn't know what to expect. The locale is in a strip mall on Melba St. and it's easy to miss because there isn't really any signage. But what a gem! We arrived around 5:30, were seated, and immediately attended to. Happy hour was going on so we had beers and a couple of cocktails. It's dark so if you have poor eyesight you're going to need the flashlight on your phone. We ordered the charcuterie board, beet salad, and arugula and everything was crisp and fresh! I had the chicken sandwich. Thick piece of chicken and so moist! My friend had the burger and same thing. Another had the rabbit and same thing. Every dish was absolutely delicious! You have to come here! read more

See all

Went on a frigid Saturday night and was able to get a cozy table without a wait. Food was excellent. We had the brussel sprouts with pumpkin seeds and prosciutto, beet salad and the burrata crudo. The brussel sprouts were absolutely delicious! We also had the mushroom ravioli which was perfectly cooked as well as the steak. We will be back again. They have a cool outdoor space for warmer weather read more

Dan the owner is down to earth and has the best ideas for the best menus! And then Melba cream right across the way another one of Dan's places has the best gelato hands down in the area! read more

What a great experience! We were so thrilled with the food, the service and the ambiance or better word vibe. Five of us took the quick ride to this local restaurant, Coming promptly at 5pm to get a table and then watched how quickly it filled up. The message is out - this is really good! The inside is really many different sections from tables, to hightops to couches, pick your vibe! We know we want to go back and sit at the bar next! The food, the short ribs tender and loved the cauliflower puree , Scallops delightful and chicken sandwich amazing and filling. So many more item sto go back to try! We need to try dessert next time! We loved our service, attentive and friendly! I am gushing with how much we liked the total package, we hope they expand the hours and look forward to warmer weather to enjoy the outside patio. We plan to go back, and back and back. read more

Always amazing. Food is fabulous, staff so friendly and accommodating, and atmosphere with interesting wall decor is so fun. Love that it is a neighborhood place that doesn't need to advertise:) read more

If I could give this place negative Stars, I absolutely would. The food I couldn't tell you anything about because by the time they bought my dinner The three people I was with had already finished there. So I took mine to go which I should have just left there because I never did eat it. The waitress just kept offering up her apology but never really corrected the situation. It was absolutely horrible. The ambiance was pretty nice. They had someone singing that was really good but it's the worst experience I've ever had and would not recommend it to anybody. The owner was lied to by the staff. No member in our party with their finger. We were not rude. I understand it was a $10 hamburger but I shouldn't have had to wait an hour and a half that $10 hamburger. And how dare you Believe your staff over the customers. Nobody but nobody waved their finger. And it was your staff that was incredibly rude. read more

Just discovered this cool little place that has been open nearly a year! Where the heck have I been? I decided to sit out on the patio, which has a very cool vibe. The bar is a quirky one that looks like something you'd throw together in your backyard. However, it absolutely works in this setting. And it was manned by the very capable Drew. You can't beat the happy hour specials for drinks! My rosé was $1 per glass. The food menu while small, speaks to the freshness and the quality of the food. For starters, I had the escargot toast. It was quite delicious, even though I couldn't eat the bread! (those of you that follow me know I have a wheat allergy) I got talking with the woman sitting next to me who ordered the Burrata toast which she said was delicious and she allowed me to photograph! My date had the trout saltambucca which he raved about! I had a burger which was cooked perfectly and was served with a side of Ruffles chips. We also got the grilled asparagus which was perfectly done. I highly recommend you check out chef Dan and his cool little place !! Currently, they are open Thursday through Sunday. And if you have Instagram, I would recommend following them. They announce specials on their Instagram account. read more

See all

Went to Melba Cafe tonight with my parents for an early Fathers Day dinner. We will definitely be back! Although they don't take reservations, there are plenty of seats! Bar, high tops, tables, communal tables, even airplane seats! We were hoping to sit outside but the rain kept everyone inside. Looks like outside had plenty of options too though - picnic tables, high tops, Adirondacks ... and I heard they have live music too? Service was great! We ordered drinks. We had Aperol Spritz which came in oversized wine glasses. We ordered apps and then waited on our actual dinner which is nice when restaurants give you that option to take your time. We started with the shisito peppers (my favorite - and don't forget the sauce at the bottom of the plate), burrata toast (my moms favorite), and escargot toast (my dads favorite). Good thing we waited on ordering dinner because the apps were HUGE! Definitely shared plates and food for groups of 2-4. We did order the lamb burger and chicken sandwich to split which was totally unnecessary after all the food we ate ... but so worth it! The lamb was delicious and had a great grill taste to it. The chicken sandwich was awesome. Perfect spice. Both dishes came with chips. We were too stuffed for dessert but will definitely be going back for the adult sundaes! We saw a couple come by and they looked awesome. Not much to look at from the outside - no sign or anything. But the food speaks for itself! read more

See all

Awesome first experience checking out Cafe Melba! Great to have another awesome restaurant in the neighborhood, we are spoiled in Milford with great food! We had the Brussel sprouts to start which were fantastic. For our meals we went with the Shrimp & Grits and the duck breast. Both dishes showed attention to detail and were on point. We were disappointed they ran out of the eggplant rollatini and short ribs- but we will be back soon for them! Great ambiance and vibes here as well. Highly recommend! read more

See all

We went on a PACKED Thursday night before a movie. I was worried we'd miss the movie because it was so crowded. No way they were so quick and efficient! We skipped drinks this time but I hope to try the espresso martini soon that looked great. I got the chicken sandwich and my hub got the burger. Both came with lays chips. The bread was bulky but it worked well with a packed sandwich (I judged it at first). The menu is very different, which we aren't too experimental people so I was happy they had the basics on the menu too. Our server was very friendly and speedy. We live close so we will be there often I'm sure, yay :) read more

Café Melba - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

Chef Kardos is familiar face to the neighborhood so it was a welcoming site to see him open up another place. Located in the dollar general plaza off Melba St. is this cafe. I didn't see an actual sign on the building so it may be tricky to find. My wife and I pulled up to this place on a Thursday night before catching a movie and the place was jam packed. They have a variety of seating, high and low top tables along with some longer tables fitted for bigger parties. Appears they even have an outdoor patio area once the weather breaks. We were greeted by our server who told us a couple specials of the day, $10 burger and fried chicken sandwich which we each opted for. My burger was incredibly juicy, cooked perfectly and topped with a spicy aioli, bacon, pickles and pepper jack cheese served with some Lays potato chips, was amazingly delicious. My wife enjoyed her chicken sandwich which also came with chips. Her sandwich was a good size chicken breast, topped with bacon, ranch and pickled jalapeño. They also have bar seating in case those were wondering. The ambiance was cozy, dim lighting, few tvs on in the background while the kitchen was tucked away in the corner, could see them in the window. Can't wait to go back, this place rocks!! read more

See all

Another amazing class tonight with Chef Dan sharing his magic.. Beef Bolognese class and oh my goodness the results were soooo good!! You make friends, have fun and eat good.. what else is there? read more

See all

Very happy to have Dan back in the neighborhood. Cafe Melba is even better than his previous joint. Food was on point and what a transformation to this space. Great vibe. Lot of cool lounge areas to sit. Airplane seats? Why not! The menu changes frequently, which means we will be visiting frequently. For the Woodmont-ish area, this is the best food you'll find by far and one of Milford's finest. Looking forward to the patio when it warms up again. read more

Café Melba - Rabbit ragu - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

Cafe Melba is AMAZING. I crave their famous fried chicken sandwich 24/7. And it happens to be $10 every Thursday! Service is always speedy and on point. The vibes are cozy and welcoming. I would go to cafe Melba everyday if I could. Every dish I've ever ordered has been flavorful, thoughtful, and DELICIOUS. I love how their menu changes every week. I look forward to see what the chef will be cooking up! HIGHLY RECOMMEND 12/10 read more

See all

The interior is not sure what it wants to be or say. It's very confusing. The food is not good for the price and the service was subpar. I would stay away. How this gets so many 5 star reviews is unclear to me. read more

Went with my mom on a Friday evening and the restaurant was not super busy so we were able to get a high top table right away! Although we picked this high top table, I would probably grab a seat at the bar or a full table next time because the seats are a bit awkward in shape, so there is no where to easily hang your jacket and/or purse. The artwork/decor inside is a bit jumbled. It is confusing what vibe the restaurant is going for but the service was pleasant and food was good. Our server gave us great recommendations and he was very personable. The food was tasty too! We ordered the shrimp and grits, the grilled asparagus and the burrata toast. I would say don't miss out on the asparagus! The sauce that it comes with is super tasty. The burrata toast is quite filling so just be prepared to share that or have a lighter dinner if you go with that app option. read more

Simply the best food, service, and atmosphere. Great drink specials and love their summer lobster dishes. Can't wait to visit again soon! read more

Café Melba - Warm lobster over cheese ravioli - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

Café Melba has spectacular food, ambiance, & service. I look forward to trying new dishes every week on the ever-changing menu and bartender Ana whips up the most delicious cocktails. The !Fried Chicken Sandwich! is the best you'll ever have. There's a great outdoor patio for the summer months, live music occasionally, and plenty of room for larger group events as well. Stop by on Wednesday for an $8 cocktail and some cocktail shrimp, or on Thursday for $10 chicken sandwiches & burgers plus half priced bottles of wine. Give @cafemelbact a follow on instagram for updates. This place is a must try if you're in Milford! See ya there. read more

Amazing food & amazing service! Cafe Melba is the BEST restaurant in Milford. Thank you for putting up best food around!

Tucked away on 232 Melba street Milford Ct , there lies a restaurant with a deceivingly unremarkable exterior. However, as the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. We went on our Friday night and the place was packed. Despite its lackluster signage, this hidden gem boasts a culinary experience that will leave your taste buds craving more. Our appetizer was the grilled cauliflower which was dislish. Our entree's consisted of the classic shrimp and grits...(Cajun style, shrimp, and andouille sausage over delectable grits) The other was the roasted scallops with cauliflower purée, bacon, and sage and hazelnuts. The diverse menu, curated by owner/ chef offers a tantalizing array of dishes that cater to all palates and dietary preferences. From mouthwatering appetizers to delectable main courses, each plate is a work of art crafted with fresh ingredients. While the restaurant's exterior may not catch your eye, the warm and attentive service provided by the staff will certainly win your heart. Their genuine passion for hospitality creates a welcoming and enjoyable dining experience. Moreover, the fun and lively atmosphere envelops the space, making it an ideal spot for social gatherings and celebrations. For those seeking a refreshing libation, the restaurant's charming bar serves a range of expertly crafted cocktails There are lounge areas for patrons that don't want a table or a bar seat. The trendy vibes and chill ambiance make it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy an evening with friends or loved ones. In conclusion, appearances can be misleading...... and I believe this is done as a marketing ploy ( kudos) , because the owner was quoted saying "And now, back to that whole deal about Café Melba getting a sign. There is one, it's just inside the restaurant, currently on the floor, in the back of the restaurant, leaning up against a wall and no plans to hang it up". This hidden gem may not have the most eye-catching signage, but its exceptional food, fair service, fun atmosphere, nice bar, and trendy vibes make it a true culinary delight. read more

Café Melba - The SIGN - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

See all

I was very pleasantly surprised when I walked in to Cafe Melba. The ambiance was reminiscent of Cheers and a European cafe at once. I had a shrimp and grits that easily rivaled the dishes I have eaten in Charleston and Savannah. The grits were creamy yet light and fluffy and they used extra large flavorful shrimp. Just enough spice to delight the palate! The andouille was authentic and grilled perfectly. We shared a delicious beet salad. They offered nice big chunks, not diced to oblivion bits, in a smooth burrata cloud. My husband had a generous portion of duck breasts in sauce with savory fresh fig. His highest compliment is "ok," and he said it was "great!" He was particularly happy with the check- very reasonable! Will return! I told our waitress that I was going to write a good review and I should mention that she was very accommodating and friendly! read more

Such a wonderful little hide away spot. This restaurant is warm and cozy, the staff is always so friendly and goes above and beyond to make a great experience. The menu has changes which makes for a fun dining experience. Never have had a bad meal here. Everything tastes fresh and well thought out. Don't let the lack of a large sign or being in a dollar store plaza turn you off. This is a hidden gem that competes with some of the best spots in Milford. read more

We went on a busy Saturday night at 7pm after a positive review in CT Magazine. There was a big crowd but we got a table for two within 10 minutes, not too bad. There are no reservations offered nor a website so it's first come/first served. The dining area was loud on that busy night. Our server, Julie, (the owner's wife called into duty on a busy night!) was very charming and gracious. The starters we had were two "toasts" on excellent thick sourdough slices: grilled octopus on one, escargot on the other. Both were very tasty but the escargot toast had delicious sauce under it that made the wonderful toast soggy, taking away the idea of a crunchy toast. I ordered the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were good but the grits were lumpy and not too edible but Julie took care of the issue seeing that I didn't eat it. My wife ordered duck breast that was slightly overcooked but still good with delicious lentil base. My feedback would be to ask customers how they like their duck/meat cooked when ordering. Overall, Julie went out of her way to make sure we were happy. One other issue was we were still enjoying our starters when the mains came and we had no room to put everything. It felt rushed although no one was really rushing us. We will certainly return because I can see there is a lot of potential at Cafe Melba with innovative food combinations and high-end sourcing but the pacing of courses needs improvement. Maybe also invest in some real napkins instead of paper ones. Just some fine tuning is needed. It was a busy night with a wine tasting going on so the staff may have been stretched. We will be back! read more

Not for us !! Chair sizes and table sizes didn't match and we sat at low stools for a high table. Tables also wobbled and no one really seemed to care whether we enjoyed our experience. read more

I was there from open till close. The Sevice was impeccable. Our sever was a sweet girl, very accommodating and thorough. The atmosphere was exactly to my liking. Busy but not loud, lite but not bright with the smell of great food all around us. The food was superb and priced appropriate for the size of the portions. Even more impressive was the wine list. We tried about 6 bottles. To my surprise I have never tasted previously. Every single one was excellent. Although the Rioja was a bit on the dry side, but still very tasty. Thank you to everyone for making my Birthday a special night. I will definitely be coming back as soon as I'm free. -Thomas Natowski read more

See all

Café Melba is a classy restaurant and bar. They serve great food, mostly up-scale, smaller portions. Delicious gourmet cuisine. This local café also has a lovely atmosphere & ambiance. Friendly staff as well. As for the service- The ladies are attentive and polite. read more

service was chaotic. A party of 4 and we received different menus..had to flag a server who didn't know which was the correct one. Drinks were great but took 25 minutes to arrive. It seemed like there were very few servers and we found it difficult to get their attention. Toast with mushrooms was very good but because the bread was very thick, difficult to eat. Shrimp and grits were tasty but the grits were clunky, not smooth. Scallops were good. We won't return read more

Fabulous experience! Pasta making class was so much fun and I highly recommend. We made different shapes & after eating we got to make more to take home. Sauces and eggplant were excellent! Will definitely go back. read more

Cafe Melba is a top spot in CT. I've lived and ate through New Orleans, Philadelphia, and DC. My partner and I will be moving from the area soon but let me tell you- we are going to miss Cafe Melba! Chef Dan is doing something truly special here and this place deserves more attention. Most recently took my father here this last weekend. We had a fresh and delicious citrus salad to start, the vincotto was a very nice touch that complimented the citrus instead of a more acidic/bitter pure balsamic. Garlic swordfish bites- delicious. The off menu oyster Parker rolls- amazing. The burger- always great. I had a solid Negroni as well. We tried the asparagus for the first time which were also very good. It can be a little dark inside at times- but I think it adds to the ambiance. My only minor gripe is sometimes the service can be a little slower- especially when they get busy. But even then we haven't had anything egregious. Can't wait to visit next time we are in town! read more

First to review Cafe Melba...do I get a free drink the next time I come in for being first? When I first heard Cafe Melba was opening up, my initial thought was 'Can't wait to try it in 2025'. Luckily, Chef Dan works on a lot quicker pace than their neighbor, Fire Engine Pizza. I went with a group of neighbors (not friends) to check out if Cafe Melba is going to be my new local spot. Upon walking in, the decor was amazing and the vibe was just right. The staff was super friendly and helped accommodate our party of 6 since there are only a few larger tables for big groups. For my first drink, I ordered an Aperol Spritz and it was good. Aperol Spritz for me is like pizza. Even if it's bad, it's still pizza so I still funk (this is a family friendly review) with it. For starters we got the Romaine Salad, Creamy Local Burrata & the Tasty A$$ Charcuterie Tray. The Romaine Salad was bursting with flavor! The apples, garlic dressing, fennel and ewe blue worked together in perfect harmony. My second favorite was the Creamy Local Burrata. The sweet and salty combo was an absolute explosion in my mouth. My least favorite was the Charcuterie board. Now I'm not the smartest person in the world, heck I'm not even the smartest person in my house but I understand the satire Chef Dan was playing with this dish. There's a lot of memes/posts flying around the internet that people will pay an absurd amount of money for charcuterie when they are basically glorified Lunchables. So Chef Dan leaned into those Jokes by including Ritz Crackers and a Lunchable standard presentation. He paired that with high quality meats and cheeses to tie it all together. I appreciate the humor but at the same time if I'm paying $15 for a Charcuterie dish, I do want to see it a bit elevated. For my main dish, I got the Braised Rabbit Raghu & Pappardelle and it was super flavorful. I always get nervous ordering Italian at a place that offers many different cuisine options but this dish is better than most of the dishes being slung by classic, unimaginative Italian Restaurants in the area. All-in-all, there is a lot to love about Cafe Melba; awesome vibes, great food and friendly staff. The only thing I'd change is the subpar company I was with...I'd rather go with friends and not neighbors but that's not Cafe Melba's fault! But definitely give Cafe Melba a go, I for sure will be back. read more

See all

Food is good the menu is always changing keeps you on your feet. Anna is awesome always friendly and welcoming. Has like Brooklyn vibe minus the woke crap. Good tunes and like chill couch to watch a game. Also summer time the patio is great! read more

This place had fun vibes, the inside/decor is very cute and different. I've been here twice. The first time was fine. We waited a bit while having a drink which was good. We were fine waiting as the place was packed! I enjoyed a tequila old fashioned was different and very good. Food was okay, short rib gnocchi was very salty but short ribs are salty themselves however it tasted as if extra salt was added. But nonetheless was still good! I did enjoy this dish. The octopus was ehh seemed over cooked but the aoli and potatoes were amazing. The reason I gave 3 stars is I did a mozz class here and was rather disappointed. The class itself was okay, it was interesting to learn about the process and the owner answered questions we had. However the food that was served wasn't much and served in to go containers. The food itself wasn't great which was a bummer. read more

Fresh Mooz Class: Chef Dan is so engaging, informative but funny, laid back, and doesn't take it too seriously! Fun to learn the history, then make the cheese step-by-step. The food was delicious, only made me want to go back for dinner another time. The atmosphere and staff were amazing. Cannot wait to make my own dinner with my fresh mooz, and to come eat at Cafe Melba again! 100% recommend! read more

Chef Dan never disappoints. This is a must try place. Food is amazing, staff is great and the vibe is just right. I'm not a professional Yelper so don't have a 5 paragraph essay to write. Just go! :) read more

Café Melba - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milford, Connecticut

See all

Amazing food but entirely understaffed. I hope they'll add more servers and support staff. It's not fair to the servers who are absolutely overwhelmed. Also blocks people when there is any constructive criticism. read more