I feel sick leaving this review, but it has been a long time coming. Like so many places in Humboldt the espresso is the main concern. From too much foam for a latte, to over an 18 second shot, to not stirring the shot and chocolate in a mocha this review starts. The basic hot coco- How hard is it to make a latte? Let alone a basic hot chocolate. Baristas should add the chocolate (proper amount) then steam the milk with barely if no foam. Then slowly add the properly steamed and tempted milk and stir then top it off with whipped cream. The basic latte- Lattes are the easiest espresso drink to make. The shot should be no more then an 18 second pull. The milk should be 160 no less barely no more. If less the latte will be cold and if more the milk will be burnt. When hitting 130 stop and let sit for a second making sure you did not go over the desired foam ratio. The milk should reach 160 and then you won't burn it by steaming the absolute shit out of it and trying to force it to 160 and then letting it rest. The basic cappuccino- It's the same detail of a latte just with a tempt at 125 and more foam. When you let the cappuccino rest after a few seconds move the steam pitcher in a circle and a foam egg will form. That is an ideal cappuccino. The basic mocha- Add the latte and the hot chocolate together same methods at a tempt of 160, stir the shot in with the chocolate to melt and add the milk. Top with whipped cream and your set. Easy right?! The basic foam art- Hey no one likes taking the lid off your espresso drink and there low and beholds is tons of bubbles of foam. Ever fill a sink with a nice half inch soap foam on top no bubbles to be seen? That's the texture that the foam on any espresso drink should be. If there are a few bubbles tap the steam pitcher on the counter to break and reveal a beautiful smooth foam. The basic barista- No such thing a basic barista is a Starbucks born freak who acts like they know the legitimate way to make any espresso drink. It's more along the lines of "I'm a basic barista who knows how to make fake drinks that are over priced!" Well that's it for this review! I love the bread and the place but work on that basic espresso and I'll change my review with a gleaming smile and 3-5 stars. Have a great day, wouldn't order the espresso but would recommend anything else about the plac So I'm changing my review based off of a latte i had. The milk was perfectly tempt and the foam was smooth with a beautiful basic design. The only reason I'm holding back a 4 star as far as the espresso is concerned, there was way too much foam. At least two inches, which is still sadly a problem here. Over all it was a good experience and I'm happy to change my review. read more

We can't recommend Cafe Brio with much enthusiasm. During the spring and summer of 2016, things there seem to be getting markedly worse, not better. Namely... 1. The place could use a thorough cleaning. It feels greasy and looks dirty inside. 2. Most of the staff working behind the cash register and delivering food to your table seem disinterested, slow, frustrated, careless, and contemptuous of customers. Sad and a bit off-putting because with that attitude, it makes customers feel lousy and that just contributes to an uncomfortable atmosphere. 3. The food and drinks have always been overpriced and coupled with poor or even rude service, it feels like one is being taken advantage of and that hurts. 4. Some customers allow their dog to run free and that is just an accident and lawsuit waiting to happen. We like dogs but unfamiliar ones off leash or on a leash and not being controlled just gives the place an additional sense of being hazardous. 5. Cafe Brio has become excessively noisy: Periodic really loud crashes of dishes and such and music playing too loudly. Again, contributes to an atmosphere that grates on you. At one time, Cafe Brio seemed like a friendly community place to go. Increasingly, it seems to be populated by unhappy employees, unhappy customers, and overpriced items offered for sale. Ouch. Hard to watch, harder to participate in. We don't go as often as we once did and each time we go, it is with trepidation and some angst. Ugh. A nice or even okay place gone mostly bad. :-( read more

Love the food, love the charm. The coffee is sooooo strong, which is a good thing. It tastes wonderful. Love the Avocado Grove, however, I wish they'd make more per day so I could get one when ever I wanted. (they are usually sold out by the time I take my lunch break). My only complaint is...(please don't be offended, because I truly love your food and am just giving some constructive critiquing) Please get a better exhaust system. I would eat there every morning, but when ever I go in there, I end up smelling like a greasy kitchen for the rest of the day, and can't smell like that at my job in customer service. I can also smell when a customer who comes into my work has been in Brio. It's very distinct and will actually fill the room, just by lingering off of another customer. I know it's probably hard to get around, being a bakery and all, but other bakeries don't seem to have this problem. Maybe just an additional vent with a fan in the dining area would solve it. I've heard others speak of it as well. I usually will only eat there, if I can sit outside. It is always busy there though, so maybe most people don't mind, but if you have to be some place professional, it's not a great place to stop before hand. Sorry. I really do love everything else though. xo read more

Please, can a manager or even Serge get back to me about this: My name is Pablo, I have been choosing Brio in particular for my Saturday morning coffee and breakfast since 2007. I have developed food allergies. I am grateful that you have some gluten free options. Lately, my digestive system does not appreciate animal milk and my favorite drink is: a gibraltar. I have been trying to find a substitute but with no success. I order a gibraltar with oat milk and your system does not like it; I order a cappuccino with oat milk and the result is gar enough to be enjoyable. I ordered today an espresso with oat milk and I got a cold drink. Could you introduce gibraltar with oat milk or could you suggest an equitable caffeinated drink with oat milk. Thank you, I am sure that I am not the only one. Pablo read more

Every time i come back to the bizzle (home i guess)....i ALWAYS end up at Brio for breakfast the morning after... What can i say....their coffee is like crack....bread is phenomenal and their pastries and desserts/sweets are out of this world!! A bit overpriced, but you get what you pay for here!! Most likely the ONLY cafe I've ever been to here in CA which has somewhat European quality, standards and taste... The staff is super friendly and always a pleasure to deal with. I come back every time! :) read more

My only caveat with this place is the extraordinarily long wait time to put in one's order; the employees seem to have a hard time with multi-tasking. But assuming you have at least 15 minutes, they make literally the best cup of coffee in town, and their baked goods are of French caliber. I have yet to try anything they served that was not delicious. A bit pricey, but worth it, as you use the highest quality ingredients and their baker is very skilled. read more

Absolutely delightful experience at Cafe Brio! From the moment I stepped in, the cozy atmosphere and friendly staff made me feel right at home. The coffee was good, and the pastries were divine. I appreciated the attention to detail in both the food presentation and the decor. A perfect spot for catching up with friends or enjoying a peaceful moment alone. Can't wait to visit again! read more

Pretty cool to find a place like this on the plaza in Arcata. Very similar to the trendy corner bakery / restaurants in the larger cities. The coffee is amazing and probably is the best thing about this place. I wish the weather were better so that sitting outside was more appealing. The indoor seating is small and generally uncomfortable during busy times of the day. read more

There's waitress here who is fantastic. I don't know her name she wears all black maybe 40 years old. Anyways she's always smiling and the rest are the most pretentious barista's and waiting staff I have ever encountered. It must be hard for her to work there amongst. Geez, it's an eggs Benedict not the holy Mary mother of Christ holding her uterus read more

I would give them a 5, but they allow DOGS around the food displays and in the dining rooms. This morning, two 50-pound "service dogs" were jumping on customers. Owner picks one up to carry it around with hair and slobber flying!!! Whatever happened to Humans Only? WTF, dogs are health risks and not paying customers! read more

yo brio got that coffee that you love drink on.. and their cookies are so flippin' good.... its a little on the pricey side but who cares about moneys in humboldt anyways.. go to brio and get a cookie in coffee FAM read more

amazing place, love the coffee and the pastries.. only thing,, they only poach eggs,, sup with a scramble guys??? im not a big on the poached eggs.. still a 5 star because of the cookies, and coffees read more

Good food but had to wait in a long line for it. The pastries are the best, and the breads are very tasty. But they do run out of food. Coffee is a-OK. Wish the wait was not so long. read more

After waiting in the long line most everything was sold out, then no seating available. I'll give it another try on a less busy day, if that's possible. The food is ok. read more

service was very very slow, waited about 45 minutes for a burger and a sandwich. The good isn't that bad at all, just wish the service could be better. read more

Great food, good service. Everything was great, I just wish they were available to answer phone calls when I have a question. Overall I give it a 4! read more

great place for a cup of joe,, best cup in humboldt.. a little bit hipster a little bit humboldt love this place,, been going here for years read more

Great food, great desserts...everything tastes delicious and fresh. Friendly service, great location. One of my favorite places in town.

great cookies, great pizza, great cupcakes, great coffee its like tartine in SF but not as good (but thats ok cause nobody is) read more