The food is pretty good but be prepared to wait ages for it. I've tried this place a few times and each time has been slower than the last... read more

Cafe Brio has some serious organizational problems, ordered 4 pastries, 1 16oz drip coffee, after 40 minutes I stood at the cashier stand for another 10 minutes to get my money back, no one help while standing there, then my name was called. 50 minutes to make a drip coffee? That's assuming they didn't bake the pastries to order. Definitely not worth the wait.... read more

I was there for dinner on a Friday night. They were slammed and the dinner took a half hour to get to me. The waitress apologized. The food was out of this world good. Beans and Sausage infused with fennel. read more

Extremely expensive pre-made small portions. I'm mad I even gave this place a try in the first place. Mimosas are $9 for a wine glass half full and none of the food is fresh. Dirty tables too. read more

Cute place. Crappy service. Everyone in my party was finished eating before I even received my food. I actually had to go back inside to check on it only to be handed my two hot plates to take to my own table. Food was ok I had the French toast and side of potatoes. Definitely not worth $25. I pretty much gave them a tip for taking my order. read more

We tried this place for brunch. It has nice ambiance, right at the plaza so you get the view. Orange juice was fresh and nice. I was not very happy with the market quiche that I got. It was kinda bland and hard on the outside. My friends got California Benedict and omelette and they absolutely loved their food. read more

Cafe Brio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arcata, California

Cafe Brio is a nice local hangout with good coffee and tasty baked goodies and breads. I'm usually there for breakfast; poached eggs, potatoes and hearty toast or a fresh croissant. It is rather pricey but the quality is there - so you get what you pay for. There are all kinds of pastries, special breads and cookies, but that's not my jam. read more

Cafe Brio is a delightful place with delicious food, sweets and coffee. Tamra guided us through dessert choices for our daughter's wedding. There are so many wonderful options. Our daughter chose a 6" round undecorated (to be decorated on site with our own home grown flowers) chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting to hold up to our issue with refrigeration. It was delicious! The main event were the beautifully colored macarons. Beyond yummy! As we found some of the children demolishing before it was time! The lemon bars, Linzer bars and "mini" chocolate chip cookies were on point! Fantastic customer service and such high quality ingredients, made with experience and passion. Pleased many folks! Thanks again Tamra and pastry chef(s)! A+ read more

Great service!!!! And the best food and coffee ever. Their croissants were to die for- made me feel like I was back in Paris.

It's fun trendy but very expensive with small portions.. We each ordered poached eggs. What arrived was 2 eggs with ham under the eggs and Bernaise sauce (he had avocado added). Both eggs shared a single slice of baguette bread. Nothing else except a wedge of orange was with this. We had two ordinary cups of pot coffee (not lates) and it came to over $40, with tip it was just under $50 for a light breakfast. read more

Fun breakfast at cafe brio in arcata ca, good food great company! Thanks for everything!!! read more

Cafe Brio - Breakfast with the family in arcata, ca!!!!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arcata, California

Good food. Fresh. Pretty looking desserts. Coffee is STRONG. Clean enough. Sandwich was too pricey, but tasted fine. With so many choices in town, not sure if I would go back. read more

Ok clearly a fantastic food experience I always come for coffee pastries teas but this is the first dinner I had there. I had a vegetable soup and pork terrine w crostini. I also had Proseco which was divine. The waitress was so nice and aside from waiting a bit, the dinner here was superb. I had great evening and good music played for Arts Arcata. read more

Cafe Brio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arcata, California

I'd be fat - really fat - if I lived in walking distance of Cafe Brio. Pastries and cookies galore. Wow. I "shared" a giant chocolate chip cookie with my nephew as an excuse just to eat it, and then he shamed me into eating the peanut butter chocolate cookie alone, claiming he was full when I asked him to "share" that one with me, too. He thought he was hilarious. read more

We came here 3 out of the four days that we were in Arcata because my husband was ecstatic that they served blue bottle coffee so we were there those 3 days when they first opened. It's a cute little corner cafe. They start serving full breakfasts at 9 am so prior to that, they serve anything in the glass case. Their vegetable quiche was huge and delicious as are their croissants and morning buns. Outdoor and indoor seating. read more

Meh. I've experienced better. For brunch, I ordered the mocha and market quiche. My boyfriend and his friend both ordered the quiche with ham and coffees. The mocha tasted okay. Both quiches were served warm, but tasted bland, dry and a bit stale. The tables are too close together, lines usually go out the door. I hear from many people that the staff changes often. Sandwiches and pastries look delightful. I'm a fan of Brio rolls, but I'm not sure if I will ever go back to this cafe. It's not terrible, but Cafe Brio isn't worth the time nor money -- especially if there are solid options within walking distance at the plaza. read more

I used to have a soft spot for Cafe Brio, but their services have been sort of on the lacking side lately... Brio always seems to be busy which puts their staff under a lot of stress, I'm sure. Still, I find that the waitresses and cashier staff tend to be quite forgetful and sometimes burn my food. I wish I could say this has happened only once but this has been the occasion multiple times. When I point it out to them, they usually make an excuse or shrug it off. Sheesh. It's really a shame since the location is so lovely and their pastries and food are generally really tasty. Lucky for me, they sell their breads at the local grocery stores, so I don't have to deal with their snooty and unconcerned staff. read more

So I love Brio- don't get me wrong- the food is almost always excellent, the service is top-notch (rare in Arcata)....and the atmosphere is lovely. They drop the ball on the tea scene though- lame Ikea cups with some generic Peet's tea- I've asked them to get better tea- why not pots of tea? Why not some nice locally-made herbal blends? Why not some lovely citrus oolong? Or coconut chai? So many tea-drinkers in this town they're makin' a mistake by ignoring us. just sayin' read more

The best pastries in Humboldt. I have been a regular since their opening, and am still a huge fan even after some of their beginning hiccups. Coffee is incredibly strong, I get an americano myself because it has a more tolerable amount of caffeine to me. Delicious either way! The chocolate croissants are positively perfect - the chocolate drizzles on the outside are done with a low-melting point chocolate and it creates a dreamy eating experience. The Ham and Cheese croissant is magical if you're craving something with a respectable amount of calories - they don't wimp out of the deliciousness! All the menu items are masterpieces, really, and I am simply containing my review to the particular items that I literally have dreams about. This place is a real gem, Arcata is very lucky to have it! I will say that the employees are occasionally below par, but 9/10 of them are positively kickass and I am happy to leave a good tip. read more

I was here the afternoon of 9/11 and was looking forward to giving this place a try. First the food. We ordered the mac and cheese and the chicken pot pastry. The mac and cheese was good, typical of the upscale mac and cheese you find just about anywhere these days. The pastry part of the chicken pot pastry was PERFECT, absolutely scrumptious, but the filling was bland. The experience went south when I went in to get silverware. It was my first time and I missed the fact you get your own. Upon getting to the counter I found the receptacles empty and since the register clerks were busy I asked the barista if there was more available. She informed me the silverware was currently being washed. Issue one: How the hell does a restaurant run out of silverware? I asked how long she thought before there would be some to use and she informed me that I could check back.......No shit Sherlock. It's not as though she was busy at that moment, she was leaning on the espresso machine when I initially asked her. Will give it one more try one of these days. My co-worker said that she's had hit and miss service experiences there as well. Too bad, no need for it. read more

There are some places on Earth that make you wish that you had limitless capacity to graze - the money, the time, the gastric fortitude. The variety of foods and attention to detail on each and every item is stunning. It should also be noted - the best prepared cup of coffee in Humboldt County can be found right here. My recommendation: get whatever is on the specials board, usually a single-origin fair trade coffee, always outstanding. It's the kind of coffee that kicks off a coffee obsession - buy an Aeropress and burr grinder, practice endlessly, give up and go back to Brio. One should not expect to see such quality for cheap. It will be a $3 10-12 oz cup of coffee, and the pastries also see a similar premium for quality. As testified by the ever-extant line out the door and packed patio tables, this is obviously not an issue. read more

Totally missed on this one! We visited Arcata a couple of years ago. Can't resist French bakeries and this looked like a good one so we bought several pastries to go. Wish we had gone for some of the beautiful bread instead. The pastries were good but not a standout. The one I was really looking forward to was the almond croissant and it had hardly any almond filling to it. Pretty disappointing. read more

This is a review of dinner at Cafe Brio. My understanding is that they only do dinner on weekends, so probably best to call ahead. All the same, it would be worth arranging your schedule around them. They are putting out some thoughtful, local, fresh menu items. We had a chilled cucumber-melon soup, gorgeously local and fresh salad with tahini dressing, the best boeuf bourgignon in recent memory - can you say silky sauce? - and pulled pork on (no surprise here since they bake their own) fantastic toasted bread instead of the disgusting soft, sweet buns that you find everywhere. Wine and beer selection are tight but there is something for all palates. I enjoyed a local (organic if I recall) zin blend and the husband had a delicious microbrew. The desserts all looked wonderful but we were stuffed so were going to pass when our waitress convinced us to take a cookie "to go." Boy were we glad she did. It did not make it to the car. Dark chocolate, sea salt, and a chewy-in-all-the-right-places-yet-crispy-in-others texture that made me sad we live in the Bay Area and won't be able to have one again unless they start doing mail-order. Service was attentive, but not fawning, and efficient while still friendly. A rare five stars. read more

I'm a Brio very-regular. I'm there at least weekly and have had months where it's more like daily. Their coffee has no rival on the North Coast. You have to go to Black Oak in Ukiah to find someone who pays as much attention to their preparation as Brio. If you think you're a "coffee lover" because you go drink coffee daily, you might not get what you expect... I don't understand any of the reviews that say their coffee is not good. They source their coffee from one of the best places on the west coast on a weekly basis, ensuring fresh roasted beans of high quality. Lots of the complainers sound like someone complaining about fine wine when their standard for comparison is Boones Farm. Pastries, breakfast, lunch and dinner are all great. They source high quality ingredients and have an excellent kitchen staff. The standards are quite high. Try the sausage special on the weekend. Don't go to Brio if you aren't willing to wait for good quality. Don't go to Brio if you're a high maintenance whiner who asks them to compromise their standards because you prefer it. Don't go if you want a sleepy place with nobody in it; the secret about Brio is out, and people love it, so expect to rub elbows. Don't go to Brio for cheap eats; their prices reflect the high quality. Don't go to Brio if you lack grace and are intimidated by anything "fancy". No wait, just stop all that other stuff and go to Brio instead. read more

This place is crazy good. Their artisan breads have the just-so-perfect texture, flavor and crust. My litmus test for bakeries is their croissants. Brio's croissants are perfect -- the right amount of crispy and crunch on the outside, yet tender and toothsome on the inside. It's the kind of croissant where you're torn between wanting to bite off the yummy, crispy tips right away and waiting to savor them til the end. Their ham & cheese croissants have the perfect ratio of ham to cheese, The Melita-dripped coffee is strong, but oh so delicious. It almost has a French press mouth feel to it. I admit that sometimes I am a woose and need to have them fill up the cup part way with hot water, but the barista is always sweet about it and never makes me feel like a weenie. They have an interesting Meusli -- grated apples mixed with yogurt and granola. It's hard to pass on the breads, but it's a nice alternative when you want to be ""good." read more

With so many options in Arcata, This is best passed up. While the food is good-the indifference and downright rudeness of the staff make for a less than enjoyable experience. My husbands plate was tossed on the table , sending the roll on to the floor-no apology made much less offer to replace. My $9 slice of Quiche arrived cold, and upon politely requesting it be re-heated, It was never to be seen again. This Place is SO NOT WORTH the aggravation! read more

Love the cashier's rude retort that she has to work the line first after I paid and I asked about my pastry. Meanwhile i had no prob when guy behind asked her questions while I was ordering. She gave pastries to customer before me and before I ordered, that's the right way. Not a big deal but dropped a star. and oh by the way gave guy behind me his order before giving mine secondhand. Just kinda rude. But whatever. Knocked star for ridiculous $1.50 for an extra shot and another for weak mocha. Had no espresso kick at all. Highly doubt it was 3 shots. 3rd star for closing kitchen before 4p. It's not like it's at night! And they're not open for dinner. read more

One of the only places I have gotten a truly excellent americano. Not too much water and rich, full coffee. When I am off of the caffeine, I go for a decaf and it always hits the spot. The best coffee without contest in the entire area. Thanks Brio, for preparing your coffee drinks so well. You can't beat Blue Bottle- if you can, i'd love to taste it. read more

Popped in here on our way through town on a rainy cold day and were not disappointed. It's a madhouse, but somehow works. The baked goods are divine and the coffee is hot and good. Despite the dreary sky, it was light, airy and had such a great vibe with customers from all walks of life. Would love to come back on a sunny day and sit on the patio with a coffee and delicious croissant. read more

Some good food here, but be prepared for long waits and an inefficient ordering system. Staff is not trained for service. Tables remain unbussed or not wiped down. The staff is sweet, but they don't help each other or move more quickly when the place gets busy. Lots of room for improvement here. In the evening, this bakery/cafe turns into a restaurant with the same problems. They do try to do interesting food, but it is hit and miss with some extraordinary dishes and some just blah. Waitress brought the bottle of white wine to our table 15 minutes after we ordered it...and it was warm. read more

Beautiful pastries, awesome menu, blue bottle coffee! This is a fun atmosphere. Lots of hustle and bustle in a tiny little bakery. Some how everyone seems to fit. The line moves quick and worth a wait anyway. Amazing cakes as well! Don't miss out. Make sure to go here. read more

The food and service are always good. My mom and I shared a Lemon Tart - it was SOOOOO good, I wanted to pee myself! The coffee is made to order (mine was a little stronger then I like) but it was good. The bread is to die for. My hubby and I shared soup, salad and sandwich. I had the Muffuletta. It was great. The daily soup was curry squash (It was hot and tasty) and the salad was just OK. If you're looking for a dine-in with great table service - this isn't for you. This is a counter order place with a placard # for table service or they call your name (beverages). The chefs who work at Brio are SKILLED at what they do. We would recommend this place to anyone!!! Especially if you enjoy pastries. read more

Ordered two hot drinks and two small breakfast orders. Not busy at all when we visited. Took 42 minutes to get order. Asked for another coffee, as I drank mine while waiting for my food, but was told no refills. "They pour excellence into every cup". Next time I spend $40 on a breakfast that gives me one cup of coffee, small/thin burnt pancakes, dry quiche, and small enough portions I feel the need to go to McDonald's to 'top off' my breakfast, it won't be this place. I did like the President McKinley Statue out front though in the square. Didn't like the wet dogs inside the cafe trying shake the dew off their bodies. lol. read more

Cafe Brio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arcata, California

This is my absolute favorite cafe in the Eureka/Arcata area. The coffee is incredibly good and fresh and the staff is extremely helpful and sweet. Their baked goods are to die for... Honestly, I can't say enough about Cafe Brio. The ambiance is perfect, the options are fantastic, and it all tastes just as great as it looks! A great place for a date or to take visiting friends/family. Perfect for brunch. Airy, sunny patio seating, too! read more

I frequent a couple of coffee shops in town regularly. I hardly ever make it to Arcata. I had to meet a friend and take my car to the shop so we decided to meet here. Wow what a treat. I had heard it was over priced and expensive. Not so. Its worth every penny. My coffee was yummy. The staff even made a fun design in my foam. Every one was very friendly, the line seemed long when I showed up but went by very very fast. I treated myself to a chocolate chip cookie the size of a small plate. It was sprinkled with sea salt. MMMMMM....so good. When you do things the right way, and you don't cut corners, it cost more. Brio from the full cases of delectable treats, to the staff, to the atmosphere , has obviously decided to provide a all around quality experience for its customers. I think that is worth supporting and praising in this community. So check out Brio Cafe. On a Sat. farmers market day people watching and socializing is super fun! Worth the gas and the time to travel to Arcata. Next item I want to try. Lemon Meringue CAKE! mmmm... read more

Best almond croissant I have ever had in the U.S. I went on a Saturday just before noon it was crowded. Will definitely go back when I'm in the area again!! read more

Pastries are FANTASTIC, and their espresso/coffee drinks are very tasty. The atmosphere is nice, and the prices seem pretty fair. The drink service isn't necessarily snappy, but I don't think you necessarily expect it to be in a place like this. It's a cozy space and there aren't many tables. I'd like to go back and sample their wines; the only two times I've been there was in the morning. This place is pretty yuppy-esque for the plaza, though. read more

I'm not one to complain however me and two other people went here and all ordered their Mac and cheese and within an hour after eating we all had food poisoning. Highly recommend not eating here. And I will never go back. read more

Our friends took us there for breakfast on Saturday before the farmers market on the square. And I am so glad they did! I ate the quiche with bacon and it was so....perfect. A bit of heaven. The eggs were a great consistency, the meat was the perfect portion and it was all topped off with the perfect sharp, salty, cheese grilled to perfect crispiness. For a beverage, I had the fresh squeezed orange juice & it was DELICIOUS! The atmosphere was comfortable and familiar, and the food display was beautiful and easy to select from. It is clear that a lot of love went into the overall design. This place definitely rivals Tartine in San Francisco. Price wise, it is easy to spend a lot because everything is so good. If I lived nearby, I would come here often. read more

I love Cafe Brio, I've been for breakfast and lunch and never been disappointed. The muesli is great, the toast du jour is always fun. I like the hard poached eggs as well. The pour over coffee is my go to. For lunch the salads, soups and Mac n cheese are always tasty. And finally the baked treats, all great and always some surprises, the other day they had earl grey macaroons! read more