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

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

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

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

A bit high priced, but the quality is amazing and you can tell that they put so much thought into the drinks/food. Since I'm still on a recent college grad budget, Brio's a nice treat once in a while. Sitting at the outdoor tables and people-watching on the Plaza is always fun, especially on a sunny day! read more

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

I came in here and thought I would get a pastry, but I got a hot chocolate instead. It was thick and rich. It's got a dark chocolate taste to it so if you don't like your chocolate bitter, this may not be for you. read more

See all

My husband and I stopped in on our way to the book store. He didn't want anything, I thought I'd get a coffee. I ordered an iced caramel vanilla breve latte (for those who don't know, a breve is simply a latte made with half and half instead of milk). I had never been there and expected it to be in a plastic cup that I could take along with me. I paid $5.25 and waited for my drink, thinking that since I paid the same amount I pay at Starbucks, it was going to be awesome. When the girl behind the counter handed me my drink, I was confused. It was in a glass about the size of the one my White Russian was served in at The Pearl, and I drank the entire thing in two sips. Even my cocktail had taken a good minute or two longer to finish. And to be honest, it didn't taste very good either. 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

Cafe Brio has awesome cappuccinos and pastries. It also has a great location and primo patio. However, I highly reccommend against venturing there for dinner (which they serve a few nights a week). My most recent dinner experience involved waiting over an hour for sub-par food, followed by the owner giving the wrong food to people and then comping everyone's meals. This is an excellent bakery that is just trying to do too much. read more

OMG! We love this place, and would totally eat there more often if we ate out alot. Fresh DELICIOUS food, the quiches are so delicious so are the salads. Come to think of it everything I have tried I liked. We buy their bread at the Co Op. Very good food, can be busy and cramped on the weekends. But what can you do its a great place to eat. read more

Didn't get a chance to try food but ambiance and coffee very good. read more

See all

I make a point to go here every time I visit Arcata. I love the atmosphere, the food and coffee. While I feel sometimes the staff aren't particularly friendly or knowledgeable - I still crave their cream scones! Certainly worth making a stop and picking up a party and a coffee. read more

LOVE this place - have been there many times and have almost never had a bad experience. The only bummer was one time I asked if there were onions in a particular tart, they told me no, and when I bit into it it was absolutely covered in onions. Ah well. All the pastries are incredible - MILKY WAY TART!?! Best. Evar. Haven't been let down by service or a meal yet. The California Benedict is great, and for lunch I often get the soup/grilled cheese/salad combo. AWESOME. Potato leek with bacon and Vegan Carrot Ginger are my favorites, so good. Perhaps I'm not usually there during peak times or maybe they've hired new folks recently, because the service has always been friendly for me. 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

Love Brio The best coffee ever! Absolutely brightens my day when I can get a cup of Brio. 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

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

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

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

With an ever-dwindling selection of quality restaurants to choose from in Humboldt, its a shame that this one poo-poo's all over their good food and customers with their snooty demeanor. By far, the most pretentious establishment in all of Humboldt. No phone orders, no cell phones, no additions, no substitutions, no deletions??? I have a dairy allergy, and while their sandwiches are usually pretty tasty, every single one has cheese. They claim they make everything fresh every day, but can't seem to supply any of their sandwiches without cheese. Wtf. If you can conform to their strict rules/limitations and "we think we're in LA" attitude, it might be for you, but if you have any special dietary needs/requests, don't bother. On the bright side, they pour a great cup of coffee, if you want to spend $6. read more

The place is very disorganized. Took them 30 minutes to make Egg Benedict. But that time coffee was completely cold.

I'm an out of town person dong some business in the area and I travel a lot. I came in here for dinner one night and love the atmosphere, they have definitely captured that French bistro feel. The dinner menu is basic with some good simple meals. My meal was very good and the wine selection although limited has reasonable prices and contains some very good wines. Service is attentive, the place is small but the noise level was reasonable. I could not fit dessert but it looked great and the bread they served with dinner was excellent so I'm guessing the bakery is top notch. I'm looking forward to trying breakfast here. read more

Café Brio is excellent!! The pastries and desserts are just out of this world! In my opinion it's a bit overpriced.

Walked in several times between 8:02 and 8:15am. Staff kept rudely saying they were closed and to wait outside, in the rain. At 8:15am I finally asked what time they opened. She looked at her iPhone and after long pause said 8:00, however stated their open sign wasn't on so to wait outside. We gave up. read more

Probably one of the better brunch/grab a pastry spots in town. Everything I've tried here has been so tasty and fresh! Their croissant bread pudding is literally like crack! It's very sweet and almost tastes like cake! I want to try every pastry here! Their egg breakfasts look great, I will be trying the croissant Benedict next (on available on Saturday and Sunday's folks) read more

That avocado sandwich hit the spot after morning yoga. The coffee was really good too. Good looking and large selection of pastries. Ample outdoor seating and friendly staff. read more

Note, I'm not a coffee person but have had just about everything else to drink on the menu. It's high priced, high quality and a step up from your normal coffee shop. Always decently busy, if you can sit outside on a nice day, do it. It's a great atmosphere and is a great place to relax for a bit. No conducive to sitting for an hour+ and working on things but nice for a little break and to take your time and enjoy. read more

That was a very good cappuccino. Spanish/euro style sandwiches looked like the boccadillos in the markets of Spain. Busy, took a while, but worth the wait. read more

We don't live in Arcata, but when we visit, this is a must stop for coffee, tea, and pastries. They have a large selection of breakfast and pastry items, some of which use local veggies. Lovely ambiance and a relaxing vibe. Can get very busy, but we've been lucky and hit it at the right times: later than the before work or school crowd. I like how their chai latte isn't the powdered or syrup kind and their hot chocolate is yummy. If you are visiting, definitely stop in and have a cuppa tea/coffee and a pastry. read more

Cafe Brio - The sweets. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arcata, California

See all

This is the best food, and coffee, in Arcata by so much it's not funny. Brio is pretty unarguably the home of the best baked goods between San Francisco and Portland -- and it'd be a serious competitor for best if it were there or in any other major city. I'm only sorry I don't make it here more often! The place is clearly committed to producing at a far higher level of quality than any competition really demands, with exquisitely well-made and ultra-fresh baked goods, luscious locally sourced ingredients, and deeply serious coffee. Things I've eaten here and loved: croissant (plain and chocolate-filled), cookies, bread (omg great skinny baguette), sandwiches (recommended: savory hummus, olive, avocado on ciabatta), bread pudding, breakfast (great poached eggs with potatoes, or on top of potato-rosemary tart). Things I've eaten here and not loved: none. And the coffee's fantastic, too -- the hand-brewed drip cones seem to take about ten minutes of anxious waiting, but they're worth it; afterwards you have a perfect cup of strong, punchy, heavenly joe. And they're good at espresso, too. Sure, there's often a bit of a line, seating can be a little tight, and there's no wireless. Who cares? read more

Excellent cafe! We went on a quiet week day evening and although the place was running on a skeleton staff they were friendly and helpful, the food was delicious and the place is so quaint it would be tough to have anything but a great time. Look out for their absolutely spot on wine list - their wine pairings are out of this world! read more

The atmosphere is very friendly. 5 stars. The potatoes are very crispy in comparison to the usual breakfast place (where on average, I would give the potatoes 3 or 4 stars.) 5 stars. The baguettes are very crispy and tearable. 5 stars again. The croissants are like the baguettes. 5 stars yet again. read more

This is a great local place, to grab a coffee and a bite to eat. Unfortunately, I have been in here twice and ordered a coffee and a pastry and the barista never smiled once and seemed like she didn't want to be there. But for someone working in the morning at 8am you would expect them to be a little bit more friendly... I don't think I will be back. read more

I love this place. Today I went in to buy a pastry as an after work treat and left with an Apricot Poppyseed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting... OMFG! So good! I also love the croque madame! That's all I have to say. read more

Great food and atmosphere! I was on a motorcycle trip along the coast heading up to Seattle and stopped in downtown Arcata for some gas. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this little Cafe and well curiosity didn't kill this cat, but made me purrrrrr......on how good the food was and coffee was freshly brew. Highly recommended for all and especially for MOTO family. read more

Went the morning after raging on Halloween the night before and it was good. Had coffee and an omelet and both were good- I was happy. Lauren on the register was super cool and was talking about all the "trimmigrants" in town and whatnot, it was interesting. Cool lil' NorCal town and lil' cafe deal right there in the town square...I'd go back, for sure. At least for the carfee and pastries- my Ol lady had something (I forget what!) and it was good as well. read more

The food was good, but only one of our dinners was hot. The steak frites was a very small portion of meat with a sauce. It wasn't melted so I am not sure it was a sauce and a basket of fries. The chicken puff was good not great and cold. The Mac and cheese was great and hot. The restaurant had both doors open on a cold Arcata night. It was not crowded and I can see why. No one greeted us upon entering, nor told us to seat ourselves and order at the counter. I had high hopes, but Café "Frio" was a disappointment. read more

Delicious! I got the California Benedict. Tomato, avocado, on a crispy buttery croissant covered in hollandaise sauce. It was not too big. But filled me up. I also got a mocha which was good. I like the atmosphere of this little French cafe and the fact that you can sit outside. Lovely. read more

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