What an absolutely amazing experience! Excellent and attentive service and staff. Delicious food and the ambiance was over the top! From the moment we walked in; we felt so special. The owners greeted us along with welcoming arms. We were seated right by the infamous Adam Glover whose voice is stunning. Our wait staff consisted of Stef and Danny who were both very attentive and awesome. I ordered the Penne with Creamy Pesto and Shrimp. The Bruschetta on top was the perfect combination. My husband enjoyed the Rib Eye with a side of Mushrooms. Our desert made by Eric was over the top. What an incredible end to a truly enjoyable evening in beautiful Idyllwild. Definitely one of the finest restaurants on the mountain. Adrian was an excellent Host. We cannot wait to return. read more

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Great cute outdoors cafe combined with an art gallery in Idyllwood. Came in for dinner a few nights ago, and Kendall was a wonderful server. Polite and pleasant. The owner is heavily involved and checked in on how every table was doing (which I thought was sweet). My party of two ordered the following: Pesto bruschetta 10/10 Cacio e Pepe (usually comes with truffle - they were out) 9/10 Pepper filet 8/10 Overall, a great experience. Highly recommend if you are in town. read more

Cafe Aroma - Pesto bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Cafe Aroma is always a MUST! The atmosphere has so much character, and the food is always amazing and consistent. The ribeyes are always delicious, the appetizers are great, and the service is top-notch. Adrienne and Stephen take great care of you, and Leah and Daniel at the bar are awesome. And whenever Eric makes specialty items like the venison or lamb, we can never pass them up. I highly recommend stopping by anytime you visit Idyllwild. read more

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Jillian was a wonderful server As well as steering us to great food Pasta dishes are excellent read more

Cafe Aroma is a cozy bistro featuring an Italian-driven menu in a woodsy space. I highly recommend for dinner as it was by far our favorite meal during our visit to Idyllwild. I appreciated that they seated us without a reservation. Service was friendly and attentive. We started our meal with complimentary bread, and adding garlic to the olive oil really enhanced the dipping sauce. Our server recommended the Stew's Ragu - a rich meaty ragu with ground steak, pancetta, soffrito and NY steak strips served over papperdelle with Parmesan. I added a side of herb roasted potatoes to complement my entree. Questo pasto è delizioso! read more

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Okay I'm not going to lie this was my first time visiting Idyllwild (really struggled on the pronunciation for a few weeks pre-trip) and I was not expecting much in terms of food (Big Bear was my comparison and there's like one good restaurant in Big Bear). I was SO WRONG and Cafe Aroma was the first to completely knock my socks off! We got a last minute reservation on Friday evening (yes you need to make reservations on weekends - they get slammed) and had a delectable dinner. They start you off with some complementary ciabatta bread and garlic oil (I could have made a meal out of this alone). I ended up ordering the Steak Argentina (I asked for a second side of the chimichurri it was so good I could have eaten it by the spoonfuls; although not recommended if you don't want to wreak of garlic haha). I swapped out the mashed potatoes for roasted. And my friend ordered the ribeye with the same mashed potatoes for roasted swap. My friend also got the tiramisu for dessert (I think she was tempted to lick the plate) and I ordered a chamomile tea to cap the meal. We were both so stuffed, b it it was a requisite meal and I would definitely eat here again. The venue itself is right off the main road, there is parking although it fills up quick and it's a very homey feel with extremely friendly employees. It's a dog friendly establishment so something to keep in mind if you don't like eating around pets, but I think it added to the overall homey feel. Last note: it was a quite chilly evening so they had heaters all around to keep you nice and warm. read more

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Our experience didn't start off the best with the hostess. but Jillian is amazing she turned it around. Excellent server very kind, friendly, and on point. Food was great. For a nice dining experience Request Jillian. read more

I will keep this review sort. I want to start off by saying, I understand how special and difficult owning a business is and I don't mean any ill intent in my review. I just want to share the experience. I have come to Idyllwild for many years and I decided to have a dinner here at aroma with my family. I read all about how the previous owners chose this couple to take over because of the beautiful vision they shared. Unfortunately my experience was unpleasant in fact it was disgusting, the owner herself came to our table to mutter and mumble her frustrations about our party that "failed to include a 4 month old" as a guest. This was a catastrophic event in to her opinion. I've seen how she reply's back to guest. So if you read this I want to say, I forgive your actions. I don't mean Ill intent or as you said to me when I asked for a business card "No because I know you're type , you're going to leave a nasty review". I'm not sure what you meant by my type. But regardless, I'm not leaving a nasty review. This review is a reflection of the experience you created. It's simply a mirror. Postpartum is a really hard time for new moms so making my sister feel like having her baby there was a conflict was really sad to see. I will end this by saying I always want businesses to succeed so I hope people give this restaurant a chance. I just pray they don't experience what we did. read more

Cafe Aroma is absolutely divine!! It's mix of beautiful elegance and rustic cabin flair was not something I was expecting to find nestled in the corner of the mountainside. From the moment I walked in everyone was so kind. I sat in the corner and watched the hustle and bustle between tourists and locals catching up and sharing stories and laughter. They brought out toasted bread with olive oil mixed with fresh chopped garlic. I wanted a glass of deep bold red and even though my waitress and admitted wine was not her fourtie she was still able to suggest the exact glass I was hoping for. I ordered a cesar salad not thinking much of it and was pleasantly surprised by the attention to detail- it was SO GOOD! I than ordered the steak with chimmichurri. At first I was a bit put off because it had fat on the sides and I ordered medium well and got more of a rare medium. I figured I'd cut off the fat and give it a try, and I am glad I did because it was SO good. While enjoying my meal and the cozy warm boisterous atmosphere with a live band playing in the background the owner came to say hello. I was a little shocked by that touch of personal care. She was so incredibly kind and genuine and stayed and chatted for a bit. She was so lovely I couldn't believe she came by just to talk to a stranger. Thr whole experience made me wished I lived up there. I felt like I was in the corner watching a warm family gathering take place. I usually don't write many reviews but I was touched by the attention to detail in every single aspect. I cannot wait to go back. Cafe Aroma is one of a kind read more

Came in with my mom last night for my birthday dinner. Haven't been to cafe aroma in years and I must say that the new owner has done a terrific job with the place! We each had the Filet Jacob and I cannot remember the last time I had a steak so delicious. The warm beet and goat cheese salad was also phenomenal. Terrific service and ambiance we will back soon. read more

We stopped in Wednesday night for dinner. It was packed as usual but the food was amazing. It has such a nice vibe when you are seated and the service is great. A bit on the pricey side but I would definitely recommend. read more

Cafe Aroma - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

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We visited Cafe Aroma for dinner on New Year's Eve. Cozy vibe, delicious food, friendly staff. We couldn't have asked for more! I wish I had taken pictures to post but we were in the moment of enjoying our family, the food and the experience of the whole evening so maybe that just speaks to the perfect evening we had! read more

This is a wonderful restaurant in Idyllwild. The setting is inviting, the service is friendly and the food... yummy! We've been there several times but last night was one of the best. My husband had trout that was cooked perfectly. I tried the tofu with kimchi and sautéed vegetables.. it makes my mouth water just remembering it. We both had a lovely cocktail first and the salmon toast appetizer that was just the right size to share. There was a fabulous Sinatra/Deano/Elvis singer that had everyone tapping their feet and occasionally taking a spin on the dance floor. This sure isn't the evening we'd expect in the mountains so it was a delightful surprise! Check this restaurant out, you'll have no regrets. read more

Went there for an anniversary dinner....glad we did...the staff were attentive and personable without being intrusive, food was really good and the setting was perfect. They took good care of us. read more

Dinner at Cafe Aroma was a lovely experience. The server was knowledgeable and took care of us with attentive service. We started with the bruschetta. I had the French onion soup and the Ceaser salad as my dinner. The salad was crisp, the croutons flavorful and crunchy , and the dressing was "fire". My husband ordered the seafood pasta. He cleaned his plate with the bread it was so yummy. The prices are fair considering the quality of the food. Our friends said the wine was delicious too. They said the beets appetizer was delicious. We had a two hour dinner and alas were too full from great food and conversation to try the desert. Next time, as there will be one based on this wonderful dining experience. I heard from a little birdie that the place is under new management, bravo! read more

Cafe Aroma - French Onion Soup - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

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Absolutely the best filet mignon I have every tasted. They Suvid the steak first, slow cook in water. Three of us dined for my birthday. The server was Lea and she is FABULOUS and has a fun sense of humor. The ambiance is gorgeous, and live music on the patio. I initially look for Ambiance first and it is so charming andd welcoming and a bit historical feel of Idylwild. They have the most yummy dressing ,Herb dressing for our dinner salads. Everything was so sublime. Oh, so popular in summer, must call for reservations or you will be out of luck as they are booked solid. that is a good sign however :) read more

From the moment we entered it was a wonderful experience. The bar is small and cozy. The atmosphere is friendly, warm and inviting. We were seated in a very charming room towards the back of the restaurant. Our server was very professional and helpful. Cafe Aroma has a solid wine list with some great selections. The menu is well rounded with some gluten free options. Everyone in our party of four ordered something different and we were all very happy with our choices. It was a Wednesday evening and the restaurant was packed with a mixture of locals, visitors, couples and families. Cafe Aroma has a great vibe. We drove up from the desert and decided Cafe Aroma was definitely worth the drive! read more

Madison was great. Very attentive. Food and as very good. Atmosphere was the best. Highly recommend whether you are visiting or live in the area. read more

Good service and ambience are beautiful. Ambience is like you are dining in a tree house. Highly recommend

We've been going to Cafe Aroma for years. The original owners were great, the current owners, maybe not so much. Food definitely isn't as good as it used to be nor is the service. They must have all the business they need from locals. Well good for them because there are plenty of other options. read more

Service was friendly, ambiance was warm and inviting. The music last night was great! I loved my pasta! My wife got the incredible lightness and that arrived missing the salad dressing but everyone was running around so busy she just put a little garlic oil from the bread on it. My only other gripe is my pasta was great but very underseasoned, and you have to ask for salt and pepper. Why not just have those at the table all the time? read more

Cafe Aroma - The fireplace at Cafe Aroma in the bar area - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

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What a lovely restaurant! The ambience was magical, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. I got the grilled chicken with broccolini and a side salad, along with the warm beet salad. I finished with a very nice espresso. There was also live music that was quite delightful. I'm pretty sure this is the best place to get dinner in Idyllwild. Including a $10 tip, my meal was $54. Totally worth it given the entire experience. I'll certainly be back next time I'm in town. read more

Cafe Aroma - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Lovely place! Live music and the most delicious food! I felt so fancy eating there. My husband and I dropped by to celebrate our 1st anniversary. I had the Alexander chicken which was so delicious! I had left overs but ate it later that night haha My husband had the penne a la vodka with sausage. Also great! They even gave us a dessert to celebrate so we ordered to Tiramisu. So rich and creamy. We can Wait to go back to Idyllwild read more

As a foodie and diabetic, Cafe Aroma gives me options for a keto diet. I order any pasta on the menu and instead of pasta, get the riced cauliflower. Tasty alternative to starch and carbs. The steaks and duck entrees are very flavorful and the wine list is really good and pairs well with each dish. The cocktails are inventive and hit the right spot. The desserts are fabulous! Bananas Foster, pears with Gorgonzola, not to mention the after dinner cocktails. All this in our tiny town of Idyllwild. Come visit! read more

It's def one of the better restaurants in idyllwild. Our server was attentive despite a busy night. And dishes were great, though overpriced. I understand food procurement is expensive for the area but dishes were LA prices and not as tasty (though above par for sure). read more

TLDR: Great ambiance, rude ownership. Try Ferro instead! Literally have never left a yelp review in my life but had such a randomly unhinged experience here I had to share. Have been coming to Aroma for years as I have family who are locals and we come often to visit. We were running late (we have a toddler, so life happens). That was totally on us. We called and asked if they could still accommodate and were told, yes, but that they need the table back at 7:30. No problem. At 7p we order dessert. Feels like plenty of time to eat that and pay. At 7:05 the manager/owner storms over to the table and very rudely tells us that he needs the table at 7:15 and that he told me this. Convo goes like this: "You said 7:30 on the phone so I figured we had enough time." "For a 7:30 reservation we have to clear a table at 7:15!" "... ok. But how would we know this when you said 7:30, if you wanted us to leave then you shouldn't have let us order dessert at 7?" "Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't do! You're being very rude! You were late!" "Ok, but I'm the customer, I'm not looking at the clock, if you miscommunicated the time you wanted us to leave, why didn't the waitress just tell me this instead of asking if we wanted to order dessert?" "Your kid was gone half the time, walking around outside." (My toddler got restless and had to go for walks with my husband outside the restaurant which in no way affected any of this?) "I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with ordering dessert, I have been at the table the entire time." "Did you already order it?" "... Yes." "Well I don't have to give it to you!" "Ok, um, don't I guess? We'll just get the check." Our poor, flustered waitress brings the check with the dessert on it then gets told by owner to take it off. (She was wonderful by the way, can't imagine that's an easy job.) My husband is in the bathroom during this exchange. He comes back and I tell him about it as he's surprised our dessert was vetoed lol. He goes to talk to the owner and taps him on the shoulder lightly to get his attention as his back is facing him. The owner tells him to STOP TOUCHING him and that one is not allowed to touch people and that he laid hands on him and does he want to take it outside. Whoa. My husband is like, sure, I guess we can take it outside... He tries to explain to him that this is a restaurant not a field hospital, so the stakes aren't that high and he can take his tone down a notch, but honestly at this point it becomes clear that this person has no interest in making things right with a customer. A couple of simple solutions for someone with a modicum of understanding about the hospitality industry. "Hey, I'm sorry, we need to prepare this table for the nexts guests, could you a). Move to a different, smaller table b). Get your dessert to go." Simple, efficient. You can click on other one-star reviews to find similar, let's say, "colorful" exchanges with the owners and draw your own conclusions. Definitely a bit bummed about losing a local spot, and if you don't cross paths with the owner you'll probably have a fine time. Food is generally pretty good (though overpriced) and the ambience is lovely. Will be back if there's new ownership, but have never been spoken to that way in the context of the hospitality industry before. read more

Cafe Aroma - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Amazing food! Best chicken masala we have ever had. Owner was super sweet and our server Daniel had awesome recommendations. Ambiance was perfection. Continues to be one of our favorite restaurants. read more

This is the place to go. Trust me. Top notch service. Nice atmosphere. Had the chicken and the salmon. Soo good. Best place in town. Wish we lived across the street. read more

Our friend highly recommended Cafe Aroma for our weekend trip in Idyllwild and we made a reservation for an early dinner on a recent Friday evening. I'm not sure if we had a choice to choose, but we were seated at a bar type table and it was not comfortable, especially on a very hot weekend. Nevertheless we were given bread with garlic and oil right away. The garlic is way too strong/pungent, it was almost like eating horseradish. I confirmed with our waitress that it was indeed just garlic in the olive oil. We enjoyed the pesto bruschetta very much as an appetizer. The bread was toasty and there were a lot of fresh tomatoes and cheese on top. For entree I got the steak argentina which was a very generous portion and comes with mash potatoes and broccolinis. Husband got the cacio e pepe with black truffles in pappardella and added grilled chicken. Overall we had a nice dinner here and service was quick and friendly. I would request a regular table next visit just for more comfortable seatings. read more

Cafe Aroma - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

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Completely blown away by this place. The pictures and reviews don't do it justice. The restaurant is way larger than I expected--it's like a large craftsman cabin displaying all the gallery art with candles, soft lighting eclectic decor. Just super cute and romantic ambiance. The service was perfect and we were absolutely wowed by the food. We got the mussels appetizer that had the most amazing sauce. I got the duck and my husband got the ribeye. The ribeye was so good and obviously very good quality meat. The duck was out of this world. Literally one of the best things I've ever tasted. Their cocktails (or mocktail in my case since I'm 8 months pregnant) were also so unique and delicious. A little on the pricier side overall but given what you're getting (a really nice romantic dinner), pretty fairly priced! Highly recommend. read more

Visiting from LA this last week we tried Aroma after hearing that the owners changed since last time we were in Idyllwild. I'm so glad we did. Excellent dinners, cocktails, wine, service, and ambiance. This was our favorite meal in the last several months including at LA restaurants. We loved the penne and ragú if you want recommendations. Really impressive culinary talents showcased in these dishes. Not only were we struck by the perfect evening, but we also ended up getting engaged. Right before desserts were delivered, I popped the question. Now we know where we will be going on our anniversaries. Table 41 on the patio of Cafe Aroma with our dogs at our feet. read more

Cafe Aroma - The perfect martini - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

For a real taste of this lovely mountain community, give this restaurant a try. Set among the pines, the decor is vintage Idyllwild. It's reputation is almost iconic among locals. Tasty and varied menu. Especially enjoy the chicken pasta. My bad! No pictures. You will just have to experience the village of Idyllwild yourself, and some of its memorable flavors at Cafe Aroma. read more

The food and service at Cafe Aroma was truly exceptional. Special thanks to the owner, Adrianne, who so warmly greeted us, and to the bartender, Daniel, whose every suggestion for food and dessert was on point. The duck and escargot were amazing!!! read more

What a lovely Idyllwild gem. Amazing ambiance, cocktails, food and service. We're not the easiest guests at the moment (we have a 3 month old with us, and this was one of his first times at a restaurant) but the host sat us at a table right by the fireplace that accommodated his carrier and everyone at the restaurant was just so nice and welcoming. My husband enjoyed the Alexander's Chicken and I enjoyed my trout (with some of the best cooked carrots I've ever had). read more

we recently visited this restaurant with our family including an infant and two dogs. Despite forgetting to inform them, the staff graciously accommodated us. The service was outstanding, though the wait is a bit long, it was explained with a sincere apology due to system malfunction. The food however stole the show. Each dish was a delight to the taste buds. Despite the wait, the staff's generosity shone through as they offered us complimentary drinks, turning a potential inconvenience into a positive experience, in summary, Cafe Aroma only boasts delicious cuisine but also stands out for its exceptional service and willingness to go extra mile. Thank you! read more

Cafe Aroma - Italian Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Cafe Aroma has been a longtime favorite in idyllwild. The vibe is relaxing and elegant at the same time. The newest owner is friendly and makes sure to make the rounds each night, a nice touch making all feel welcome. Our favorites are the Alexander Chicken and a drink called "Into The Woods" (a skinny margarita with a splash of grapefruit 10/10 recommend! The art gallery next door is an added bonus, with many rocks as well. read more

Best pasta and tiramisu I've ever had in my life 10/10 no complaints this is a must try restaurant

Cafe Aroma came highly recommended. First thing, the restaurant is beautiful and truly a special place to enjoy your evening. We arrived close to 6pm on a Sunday and they were quite busy. We chose a hi-top table outside to best take in the music and view. Unfortunately the chairs had no backs on them and became quite uncomfortable for an older couple with back issues. I noticed after our first course and round of drinks, the table next to us became available. I ask if they would move us. I was told no, they had reservations for that table. As the evening proceeded, more tables became available and that table sat empty. At the end of the evening that table remained empty, so I politely inquired about it and by no surprise I was told they cancelled. We started with a Caesar salad which was average at best. I asked the waiter how the 16 oz rib eye was, at MP. He informed me it was excellent and it would be $60. We decided to order it and have it spilt, which is additional $5 to cut it in half and place it on a separate plate. Nearly 30 minutes later (which is fine, we weren't in a hurry) it came out. The steak was truly unremarkable, I took one bite and it lacked flavor and I noticed it was overcooked, ordered medium rare, it was closer to med well. Waited additional 15 minutes to get out sever to send the steak back. The steak itself was so underwhelming, I ask him to change the order to the NY. Waited another 20 minutes to get the NY, it came out medium rare and was quite flavorful. One of the hostess noticed what was going on with the return of the steak and the long wait times and says we should comp you a glass of champagne/dessert. I said that would be nice. We ordered another glass of champagne and dessert and neither was comped! This is a beautiful restaurant that seems to cater more to their local clients. read more

Reserved one of the cute tables in the bar area on a Wednesday night in the summer. Live music was playing in the patio area which was lovely. Our waiter and bartender Daniel was fun to talk to and was very knowledgeable and accommodating with our menu questions. Loved all of the vegan dishes we ordered. read more

Absolutely love and adore Cafe Aroma! We were able to sit in a private room that was cozy with cool art. The food was spectacular and frankly unexpected for small mountain town dining! We had some delicious toasts to start. Cacio e pepe with black truffle with cauliflower rice substitute was fabulous! Alexander chicken pasta, ribeye, were fantastic. I'm definitely going back to try their bananas foster! The menu is very accommodating of dietary allergies and many items are gluten free or can be made gluten free; vegan/vegetarian options as well. Love the layout of the restaurant and thoughtful decor and furnishings. Nice mix of indoor and al fresco dining options. Great bathroom art, especially the naked lady, lol. The service was friendly and on point. Highly recommend! read more