I haven't come back since Feb 2017. The experience I had during their Valentines Day offering was so bad, I just can't come in and spend my money there anymore. From wait time (despite a reservation), to food quality, to service, it was a disaster. The individuals who were wait staff were trying to be accommodating to many of the folks who were wondering about where their food was, but it seemed there was kitchen/cook issues. It shouldn't take nearly AN HOUR for me to get my appetizer, which were oysters on a half shell, when I've been seated. I left the table nearly 2 1/2 hours after the reservation, with the food in to go boxes because I couldn't stand to wait any more; my disappointment and frustration boiled over for several reasons. I just can't rationalize coming for dinner again. Two stars instead of one because Mary and Alex were really trying to make it better and I really appreciated it that night. read more

Hands down best coffee/pastries/bakery in Humboldt. That's all I have to say about that. read more

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

It reminds me of one my old favorite bakeries in San Francisco. Its a more yuppie place for Arcata. Its quite a sight to grab coffee and then see the hippies on the plaza or hit you up for change, a cigarette, a ride... you get the picture. It's not a bad place. Busy not easy to get a table. Polite staff. It is on the spendy side. read more

Delicious, delicious!!!! Everything here is fresh & wonderful!! Breakfast is great, coffee is strong and each cup is brewed per order. All the deserts are beyond scrumptious, my favorite are their eclairs. A great place for specialty deserts!! read more

Had a turkey & cheese croissant and a pour-over coffee. The croissant was hot, crispy and flaky. The coffee was really good too, which I rarely find in breakfast diners. The place was also packed, yet their service was still very quick. read more

The food was great here! I got the steak frites and it was delicious. I got a chocolate pudding after and it was also delicious. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere despite the wasps flying around us. While there isnt much to complain about within the walls of the restaurant, there is much to complain about outside the restaurant. The park is among the most sketchy places I have been in. It is sketchy enough that you need to hide your children and their innocent eyes. The park is teeming with homeless people. My brother encountered a homeless individual injecting heroine along with immensely high people smoking marijuana. Cops do not seem to care about the homeless problem and dangers associated with that. Btw, the lack of safety in the vicinity has nothing to do with the one star deduction, It is just a warning. read more

This is the premier cafe and bakery in Arcata. On Farmers Market days it is packed and rightfully so. The staff is friendly, even when they are swamped, and the espresso drinks are to die for. My only qualm is the coffee is far too strong for my taste. read more

Everything was great, our drinks were very good and so were our treats. I wished I was more hungry because all of the food looked delicious. My chocolate peanut butter macaron was the best macaron I've ever had, and my date's chocolate croissant was perfect. If I ever return to Arcata, I will definitely be back. read more

I have always loved this place and probably always will. Great quality pastries, coffee, and dinner plates.

Yum yum yum. Best cafe and bakery in humboldt. Perfect croissants (plain and chocolate) and delicious lattes (soy and regular). Beautiful dog friendly patio, sunlight streams in. Co-owned by the community investors read more

The staff was relatively unfriendly and the food was expensive yet over cooked and dry. I won't be back.

This place is gem in the little town of Arcata. We had the poached egg with bacon on a fresh croissant for breakfast. It was so good we went back and got two of their premade sandwiches and eclairs for the 5 hour drive home. read more

I was excited to see a vegetarian Croque Madame... they came to after and told me they ran out of eggs. Not the same. Of the three in our party, not one of us liked the food very much. It gets awkwardly crowded in there. read more

Slow service, ok coffee, but you don't come here for that. They are a fantastic bakery, just try the almond croissants and life will never be the same. read more

Best coffee in Arcata! Great location on the Plaza. No internet. Bring a book or think of something interesting to say. Looks and feels like a fine French cafe. You'll love it! read more

The cafe is pricey but it's well worth it. I've never sat down, but the ambience is nice, and the line doesn't take forever. They have the yummiest carrot cake cupcakes, and their banana bread is absolutely amazing. The service is always quick and the people behind the counter are always super friendly. Love this place!! read more

Expensive but they produce quality baked goods, coffee, dinner, etc. They have been doing some work on the place to expand its potential (=construction) but quality of products and services haven't been affected. Even new employees learn your name if you come in a few times. They take great pride in being a part of the local community and it shows. My only sadness (other than prices) is that the new construction, while providing for more people inside, has decreased some of the old character of the place. I used to come to sit outside, have a bite and some breaky and people watch- especially during farmers market. That isnt as accessable now. But I still am a loyal customer and understand the direction the owner is taking. I am just being nostaligic. Props to the place. I recommend, well, pretty much everything. French bread and croissants are fabulous as is the banana bread. Espressos done as close to european as i have had in the US, so, yeah! The quiche is better cold as heating it up seems to overcook it (burnt and dry). They have specialty bread that are a nice treat. Good wine too. But expect a wait. I have never come here ever where it was a quicky fast in-n-out experience. Always a pretty long wait. I just plan accordingly: time to slow my life down and smell the coffee. read more

This place has the best pastries and breakfast. Their Benedict over their homemade croissant is amazing. This is actually a legit bakery that sells superb varieties of bread and pastries in store and around Humboldt County. Very classy sweet and savory pastries. The Panna Cota was my favorite sweet desert I tried from there. A little small even with the new renovations they made and the atmosphere could use a bit of work but it is so worth it. read more

I have eaten here twice while visiting my son and his family. Once for brunch and then again for breakfast. When the weather permits it is nice to sit out on the patio. First, the coffee is really, really good. I believe my son said it was one of the best he ever has had which is a lot. Both times someone had the quiche and absolutely loved it. I cannot recall what I had fro brunch but for breakfast I had the croque madame. It was not the typical preparation which is a ham, cheese sandwich on brioche dipped in egg mixture then fried then sprinkled with powdered sugar. It came on nice toasted bread with perfectly done poached egg, melted cheese and ham slice like an open faced sandwich. It was so delicious. Ate inside this time and is a little noisy as it is a small place. The tables are few but the food/coffee are worth all of the wait. I really wanted to grab pastries but we were out to go hiking so one contradicted the other. :) The staff is very pleasant and parking is easy. Cannot wait to re-visit the area for a third go around and this time to heck with hiking so I can bring my family home some pastries. read more

Cozy atmosphere and hands down the best chocolate pudding. Be prepared for a long wait for your drip coffee.

Excellent coffee, excellent people watching in an incredible location, right on Arcata square, the most charming vintage, thriving square left in California. Surrounded by Victorians and redwoods, treat yo-self to a pastry, coffee or baguette. A nib pricey, but you are paying for locash. Don't miss the vintage Admiral Akbar Tip Jar guardian. read more

I've been inside this establishment a few times before, but never ordered anything because the line was out the building and there were absolutely no empty seats. Today however, I was alone and there were a few seats empty. Being the day after Christmas I'm sure that had something to do with the space to sit (not that it was empty by any stretch of the imagination.) I was a little excited to finally see what all the excitement was about. I've read some great reviews and since they're always busy I doubt it was purely because their location is absolutely amazing. I ordered one of the specials. Their version of a chicken-pot-pie, and a coffee. Then I went to find a seat and settled down. The guy who took my order was pleasant enough. The girl who made me coffee and announced it was ready was polite too. The serving was a little lackluster though. I had a separate person bring me my food than the first two (the cashier was expected to be separate) and she was curt at best. I was also surprised to find that I had to weave myself a few times to the area where apparently patrons are supposed to gather their own utensils (which is next to the sport were we are intended to pick up our own coffee and across the room from where patrons are expected to put their own dirty dishes). Considering how many tables are crammed into this tiny space it was done with great difficulty, and lot of "Excuse me....oh I'm sorry, Excuse me please, may I pass?" Finally settled with my food, drink, and fork (there were no knives clean and I was lucky to grab the last fork) I was ready to see what the amazing reviews were all about. Then I was promptly disappointed. The phrase, "Presentation is 70% of the meal" only goes so far, and shouldn't be taken to the extreme. I'm not saying the food was awful (it LOOKED amazing!). I didn't spit it out or anything, although I didn't even drink half of my coffee. Me being a coffee lover, well, that says a lot. The food was bland. No flavor. And nothing worth putting on the "Daily Specials". I couldn't finish the food and washing it down with the coffee wasn't even a good idea because the coffee wasn't anything I'd ever buy again. Overall the meal was very bland, flavorless, and disappointing. Maybe I was missing something? Other people seem to love this locally owned and operated cafe. But maybe that's it. Humboldt is a very 'local economy awareness' place, which I find awesome. But saying something is great just because it's local isn't awesome and not something I would do anytime soon. To their credit their bread is good, and when first arriving there is an impressive display of cute desserts to the left. Those look delicious, and probably taste good too. I saw way more people noshing on various different desserts than a meal. Maybe I should have gone that route. Sadly I can't say I'll come back. Spending that amount of money on just a meal for me and a drink (both which were bad) wasn't worth it. I would expect more than to bus my own table and find my own utensils. The prices are over inflated just like their reputation. Maybe I'll come in sometime in the future to have a quick dessert to go (to see if this place as a redeeming quality), but even that wouldn't be anytime soon, and only stands as a last option or "wild hair" moment. There are too many other local establishments that actually are pleasant to the taste buds and far cheaper. I think I will take my custom to one of those places instead of subjecting myself to the disappointment Brio brought to me today. read more

I love cafe Brio! I am from out of town, so they're social media content gives me so much happiness and always brings me back to that perfect coffee& amazing brunch I had while visiting. I hope to return soon! read more

I came in with my boyfriend and ordered 2 ham and cheese croissants for "here". I recieved my order in a bag and took a couple of steps away from the counter to sit down when I noticed the crossiants (I payed $15 plus tip) were cold. I asked the lady if she could please heat them up for me and they refused to heat them up. She said it was against policy and said "how would you like it if someone came to your house and asked if they could heat something up?" My boyfriend and I were shocked. I didn't leave the store nor took the croissants out from the bag for them to say something like that to me. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. read more

I received an apology from the owner. Thank you for looking into the incident.

Cafe Brio has spectacular coffee; perhaps the best in Humboldt county, tasty little pastries and sandwiches, and an excellent location right on the square in Arcata. Their hours, prices, and food selection may not be optimal; but if you come in looking for a premium coffee, nice croissant and newspaper there really is no better venue in the area. A very nice new addition to the Arcata square. read more

This place is a joke, if you want heavily garlic laden potatoes, overcooked poached eggs, a long wait and very little hollandaise this is your place. They were also out of 5 things on the menu, and our cashier was snoody and rude. I can still taste garlic. Coffee was on point though. read more

This is based on my experience for both breakfast and lunch on the weekends. I enjoy their food - the quiche, croissants, and the veggie sandwiches I have gotten there have all been great. But I sense they have some staff issues. The staff often chat to each other and slow down the coffee service, and the wrong orders get sent to tables. It has only happened to me once (the quiche breakfast day, a Saturday), but I see it happen to other tables every time I am there. I hope it improves since Cafe Brio is always crowed and it will just get worse if they don't nip it in the bud! read more

Our "usual" lunch spot in Arcata. GREAT sandwiches on their own artisan bread, excellent coffee, and a cool, old-world, definitely un-Humboldtlike atmosphere. Order a couple of perfectly-executed sandwiches, some coffee drinks or a bottle of Lorina sparkling lemonade, grab an outside table on a sunny day, and pretend for a while that you're in San Francisco, Santa Cruz or Seattle. Or get it to go and have a picnic! read more

nothing changed except for the pricing. Great quality throughout. But $11 for a croissant and 4 shots of espresso is a bit steep.

The parking sucks. The staff is inattentive and downright rude, acting as if the effort to acknowledge you is beneath their attention. The pastry is over priced and lacking in originality as well as freshness. Tables too close together. I'll be driving to Ramones in Eureka. read more

I love their bread, but I hate their cafe. They make the worst cup of coffee here and food is bland. I got a sandwich and asked for mayonnaise - they told me they didn't use it so they didn't have any. They have nice patio to eat at, but the food is over priced and not worth it. read more

I really don't see what all the fuss is about. I ordered a latte which was no big deal, & a fruit Danish that was tasty (very buttery-flaky) until you got to the fruit part which tasted almost chemically neither my bf or I liked it. I may stop in again & give 'em another try, but then again I may not. Overall impression; Nothing to write home about. read more

Best cafe in Arcata! Food is always impressive and I'm always satisfied when I go and eat at brio. Pizza, always good. Sandwiches, never let me down. But the bread is where it's at. They have some of the best bread in the entire world. Every time I leave Arcata I'm always craving brio bread. Seriously this bread is always at my house. We literally buy brio bread 3 to 4 times a week.anyways, back to the cafe. it is seriously at such a nice location and it feels like an actual cafe in France. The decorations and decor are very European. The food and the pastries are so delicious. Everyone needs to go to cafe brio trust me you wont regret it. read more

Good solid breakfast choice. The ham and cheese croissant and a cappuccino is my fave go to here. Loads of pastry choices and everything has been delicious. Coffee is pour over and I like that they post the origin/blend so you can decide before you commit. read more

After a 5 hour drive, a light bite sounded good. Indoor and outdoor seating and with the cool breezes, that's a nice option. Ordered the chicken puff pastry.... the chicken was nice and tender, mushrooms were minimal but really good. The only downside was that it was a bit over salted. Salad was lightly dressed in a vinaigrette but fresh and tasty. I think the food was a little overpriced for what it was. Workers were just kinda there. No smiles. Seems like it's just a job. We didn't know we were supposed to get our own silverware, so young lady said she would get it for us. She never came back. Strangely funny and annoying at the same time. The city square is across the street, so there is a cool college vibe. Not bay area cool, but still fun and vibrant. read more

The coffee drinks are great, and the pastries and sandwiches are delicious of course, but you pay well for edible yummies in small portions at the cute little cafe. Plus, whenever I try and come here for lunch again, it's always packed, and I never feel like waiting, crammed into a small area to pay that much but not being able to sit down and consume my purchases. read more

What you'd expect with a French bakery/eatery. Portions to small, the price to steep. I will say what you do get is quite good-just don't go in starving. Polite and friendly staff... read more

I've been here many times over the last few years and it's not a terrible experience when they get your order right. After a few visits I would have rated this 4 or 5 stars easily. I seem to have more frustrating experiences than pleasant ones anymore. I've read many reviews of people waiting too long for their food and that has happened to me as well. I've seen people get angry and dump their plate of food in the garbage when trying to deal with the cashiers - who are already swamped with a line to the door. Today was the tipping point for me where I don't think i'll even bother going back. I've had a few experiences when ordering their Ham and Cheese Croissants. I've been handed a bag with a cold croissant when it was requested to be heated up. I've ordered two croissants to go and received one in a bag, one on a plate to eat there (easy fix luckily). Today I ordered the croissant and a coffee. After 15 minutes I had finished my coffee and there was no croissant in sight. They were busy (as always) so I just wanted to check on the order. I talk to the cashier and she asks how long I've been waiting. She disappears into the back to go check. I sit back down and wait another 15 minutes before going back to the counter. This time I'm told that they lost the ticket with my order and asked if i wanted anything out of the case in addition to my croissant. At least they offered that. I was then handed a bag with a cold croissant in it. At this point my friends were ready to go and I didn't want to bother reminding them that it was ordered to be heated up. I ended up taking it home and cooking it in the oven, telling my friends that it was just a plate of disappointment. I wish this had been the first time I went through this at Cafe Brio. Their coffee and food is good, their service is not. I understand being overwhelmingly busy but it doesn't make it ok to lose orders and forget about your customers on a seemingly regular basis. It bums me out that I won't be going back there because I do like the atmosphere and the food/coffee. read more

As an out-of-towner, I can't say I'm an expert on this place, but they do make some great-tasting (and great-looking) baked goods and pastries. They really do croissants well, and I also had an excellent, insanely chocolatey brownies with a crunchy bottom, gooey center, and ganache topping. Lovely! read more