One our favorite spots in Bakersfield to grab a quick lunch or even just a snack and a beverage. The ambiance is nice and relaxing. It's the perfect place to meet up with friends, have a business lunch, or grab a table and study or get work done. Staff are friendly and the food is pretty good. It's already become one of our regular spots! Atmosphere: 4/5 Service: 3/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total: 3.75/5 Price: $ Rating Criteria: Based on comparisons to other establishments in the area 1/5: Terrible, would not recommend 2/5: Might be worth it depending on price and other factors. 3/5: Solid option. Average in this category for the area. 4/5: Above average and excels in this area. 5/5: Excellent, needs no improvement Pricing Criteria: Based on what we spent $: $0 - $50 per person $$: $50 - $100 per person $$$: $100 - $200 per person $$$$: $200 - $500 per person $$$$$: $500+ per person Please be mindful that reviews are based on personal experience which may differ from person to person based upon a multitude of factors (individual/specific workers, time of day, personal preferences, etc). Pricing may also differ and is reflected here based on what we paid for our meal. We typically enjoy multiple courses with our meals including appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and sometimes drinks or tasting menus when available. Please do your own research if concerned about potential pricing. read more

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A beautiful spot to eat! I absolutely adore the interior design & the aesthetic of this place. Modern but elegant. It's spacious & there's ample spots to sit. Came here on a Sunday at noon & it was packed!! I decided to order the Moroccan eggs & an Irish iced latte. The eggs were BOMB!! The garnishes that came with the eggs, along with the sourdough bread was the chefs kiss. It does come on an extremely hot skillet that I kept accidentally grazing so I would say a small adjustment could be to put it in a bowl to serve instead of a metal skillet. The Irish latte was good, had a lot of cinnamon but it definitely had a great amount of caffeine. The menu is simple & that's something I truly admire in an establishment. Their desserts looked SO GOOD. I'll have to come by another time to try it. The only downfall to this visit was the air was uncomfortably warm & stifling. It was in the lows 90's outside & it felt just like that inside. read more

Cafe Smitten on Buena Vista is always busy- so to see it has 3.8 stars is surprising. There's loads of seating, inside and outdoor seating- it fills up. There is also a full bar top. Their lattes are delicious- consistent. Don't need flavoring. Just the way I like them. Hands down one of the best places for lattes. The food has always been good, served hot, don't wait forever. Staff are always friendly, people always clearing plates, checking on you. If you want somewhere modern, good coffee, full bar option - this is the place. Oh and live music on Thursdays- it would be cool to see some acoustic music during the day somewhere in town. read more

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Smitten is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. They have a small, simple, yet delicious menu. They don't offer a whole lot of indoor seating, and they tend to get busy, so we opted for an outdoor bench, which wasn't very comfortable. On this visit, I enjoyed the tomato soup, which comes served with croutons and a slice of toast, and an iced matcha with oat milk. It was a cool afternoon, so the soup was very comforting. The matcha was lightly sweetened and very balanced. My friends also enjoyed their meal but were a little underwhelmed by their brown sugar latte. We tried both hot and iced, but it was lacking flavor. The latte art was cute though. It was a busy lunch rush, but the staff was nice and helpful throughout our visit. read more

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I really wanted a chill dinner so we stopped in. I ordered the burger, but wrapped, no gluten for me! They have some of the best drinks in town, alcoholic or not. The service is much better in the evening, because table service, instead of ordering at the counter. And the staff is always so kind and helpful. The lights are low and the mood is fantastic! I can't recommend this place enough! read more

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My first visit here was a few years ago and had no desire to return but a friend invited me back here a couple days ago and had the same experience "too expensive for such mediocre food" To start I would like to say that this cafe is beautiful and clean. The staff are friendly and go above and beyond for the customer. My order was a breakfast burrito which was good and wouldn't even mind what they charged for it! It was loaded with avocado. My wife ordered an Almond Banana Toast which was a disappointment in portion for being almost $10. Half a banana sliced over the tiniest pice of toast. My second order was a slice of coffee, and a slice of pecan pie with a side of eggs for nearly $30 which is absurd! The lattes were $6 each. They were ok. Will most definitely not be returning as this is not my type of café read more

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Came here for the first time last Saturday evening with family and friends after a long day. Atmosphere was casual and easy. We enjoyed the chocolate chips cookies, lavendar latte, mint lemonade and turmeric tea. Staff was friendly and attentive. We had such a great experience that we came back again this Saturday. Ordered the matcha green tea mint lemonade and coconut cake. So delicious! read more

Cafe Smitten - Latte, matcha mint lemonade. coconut cake. chocolate chip cookie, macadamia cookie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Went this past Friday. Was originally going to go somewhere else but very glad for the change of plans. The food was amazing, I switch from shrimp to salmon last minute and so glad I did! It was crispy on the outside and still soft and moist on the inside. The drinks were tasty and strong. The restaurant was quiet and very welcoming atmosphere. Exactly what my friend and I needed. Our server was very attentive and sweet. I didn't get his name unfortunately but hopefully next time I visit I can remember to do so! :) read more

Cafe Smitten - Mushroom fettuccine with salmon & a cosmopolitan - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Cafe Smitten is a Bakersfield institution. Seriously. If you are not visiting this place, you are missing out. What coffee shop do you know as a cocktail menu? Very few, I'm sure. How many coffee shops with cocktail menus have amazing food? There's at least one that I know of. Cafe smitten. The vibe here is always comfortable and inclusive. Staff is always warm and welcoming, the food is probably the only thing better than the staff (most of the time). It's not that the staff is bad, it's just that the food is so good. Shakshouka? Yes! read more

Cafe Smitten - Bar area - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Food- my avocado smash on diff sourdough bread was delicious! I could have eaten two! There was an over easy egg on top that was just right. I only wish I had an extra slice of bread to sop up the yummy runny yolk. My coffee with whole milk and honey was yummy! I had to pay an extra &1.00 for a refill--hummm. I don't agree with this practice, but I wanted an extra cup of coffee. :/ Service- not much to it. Place your order at the counter, pay it and someone drops it off at your table. As noted in my food comment- there are no refills. I asked the person who brought food over for some extra mini super sour tart pickles, and he never came back with any. Ambiance- clean, nice, modern open space. Small event of with ladies celebrating something, so was a bit noisy ( which pretty much the norm for all restaurants due to all of the hard surface). read more

Cafe Smitten - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Came across this place while we drove by and the name Smitten and caught my attention. Their fries 10/10! They were warm, well spiced and the harissa mayo was delicious and I could have definitely home spicer. Hot vanilla latte 2/5 - I wasn't the biggest fan and will try an iced one next time or try their matcha Hot brown sugar cinnamon 3/5- maybe I'm not the biggest fan of their espresso being a Bay Area coffee snob but it was a little better than their vanilla. Fig and Brie melt but really it's Baked Brie- 3/5 a little rich and sweet for my taste I just need something more neutral or bitter to balance the dish better. Maybe something more acidic. I only could eat one piece and I wish they served it with a different bread. I thought the Brie melt would be more like a sandwich but the word baked Brie is a better name than Brie melt. This is my first time here the customer service is really good and the Ambiance is really nice. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying different things on the menu next time but will definitely give this place a second chance. read more

Cafe Smitten - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The food was incredible. They had a nice outside area to sit and get some work done or just relax. My only complaint is the prices are insane. We spend $48 on two sausage egg and cheese sandwich's, a mocha latte, almond+banana toast, and an orange juice. The portions weren't big enough to justify the prices. The music on the patio and inside is also pretty loud if you get overstimulated easily or are trying to work. We ate and ended up going somewhere else to work. I won't be back solely because of the price but it's a nice little bougie spot to try! The staff was also very kind. read more

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I love this place the only thing I would change is how the Moroccan Eggs come out. I would keep them 7 mins or so before bringing them out because the plate that they come out in did burn me. The service is amazing as always never changing that and food overall always good. Its never too loud never too busy always have seating and would go again. read more

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Smitten is my go to local cafe! The food usually comes out extremely fast even during busy periods. Customer service is always great, and the servers are very sweet! I love coming here on study sessions, Bible Studies, and even dinners. Also, free WIFI is a plus! This place is calm, yet lively but perfect if you're looking to try a new spot. read more

Cafe Smitten - Morocan Eggs and Fig Brie Dip with Carrot Juice - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I have been to the other location downtown, but hadn't made my way to this one yet and I'm glad that I did! The restaurant itself is super nice and the bathrooms are wonderfully clean. The service was phenomenal, especially Tabitha who took my order and gave me recommendations. I had the vegan breakfast burrito, which I did not take a picture of as well as the seasonal crumble. The food was great. I would definitely come back! read more

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Can't get enough of this bowl! The egg is perfectly cooked and compliments the quinoa and potatoes. read more

Cafe Smitten - The seasonal orange creamsicle cocktail perfectly compliments the quinoa bowl. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

How a different part if Bakersfield creates a different flavor of business even when they are the same. Finally made it to west side for Cafe Smitten. The vibes are different. Inside is loud with the concrete and music. But you can go outside if you want to meet with a friend (or an enemy) and talk. The patio stayed cool in the morning. This location seems to have more food options with a full bar. Don't worry they still have all the pies. Service was great and they were patient. They bring your food to you soyou can find a place and relax. read more

Cafe Smitten - Coffee and macadamia cookie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I was driving through the 5 and stopped here for lunch and I was very impressed!! The coffee and matcha were so good. The food was super fresh and healthy, absolutely loved it! Also such a cute place, and good prices!! read more

I visited Cafe Smitten today (Thursday), it was a total miss. This spot has some chill vibes, great outdoor seating and the inside has an open seating. I ordered the iced matcha, the Schnitzel, and the Strawberry rhubarb pie. The matcha did not taste good, the Schnitzel was really dry, and the pie had too much rhubarb with no taste of strawberries. The service was great though. read more

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Love this place Amazing breakfast menu, great coffee and sweets Wonderful staff Beautiful space with outdoor seating Highly recommend!! My go to place read more

One of my favorite things about this place is the cozy and natural decor. I really like that it's open and spacious with lots of windows. The staff is always friendly and helpful, giving great suggestions and explaining how you can refill your water container over on the side. The food is good. I do think it was better when this location first opened. Each time I've come back for breakfast and lunch since, the food has gotten a little less good. I really didn't enjoy my breakfast burrito this last time as it was bland and I had to add hot sauce just to give it any flavor. It also had way too much spinach that overpowered everything else. I ended up leaving a big portion of it. But my latte was decent and my friend said her fig and cheese dish was good. Not sure when I will be back though since there are other places in town that I enjoy more. Not sure read more

Cafe Smitten - Breakfast burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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The vibes here were immaculate. The design of the space is super clean and modern -- definitely an Instagram-able spot. The music was at the perfect volume and had a good cadence, adding to the overall ambiance without being distracting. We ordered two lattes (vanilla and brown sugar cinnamon), the fig & Brie plate, and the house fries. The lattes were a bit underwhelming (3/5), but still better than what I've had at a lot of other places. The fig & Brie plate was tasty and rich, though I found myself wishing for something acidic or tart to balance it out (4/5). The house fries were amazing -- crispy, flavorful, and easily the best part of our meal (5/5). The staff was incredibly friendly and even brought out their harissa mayo (usually only on the dinner menu), which paired perfectly with the fries. Overall, great atmosphere and great service. I'd definitely come back, especially to try the dinner menu! read more

Always nice service and amazing food 10/10!!! Love the outside area it is really relaxing

Coffee Shop No. 455 Smitten Bakersfield, CA November 25, 2024 Wow! I think Smitten might have one of the most attractive cafes I've seen in Bakersfield. There is a lot of natural light, soaring ceilings that draw your gaze upward, their light fixtures were gorgeous, and they tastefully used a wide range of textures, colors, and materials. I took a few minutes to enjoy the aesthetics of the cafe. I am huge fan of Counter Culture Coffee beans so I was very happy to see it on their shelves and behind the counters. The cortado came served on a seaform green plate; it complimented the color of the cortado well. I sat outside sipping on my cortado reminiscing about my childhood in California. Enjoying life one cortado at a time! read more

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This is a very busy place on the weekends and they don't do reservations. Also, the parking lot is not big enough. Otherwise, the place is cute and comfortable. You order at the counter, they give you a number, then bring your food and drinks outcl to your table. I ordered the quinoa bowl which includes quinoa, sweet potato, kale, tomato, feta and an egg, along with a matcha latte. Both the food and drnk were very tasty. I'll come here again. read more

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Food: always pleasing Service: felt a little rushed today Ambiance: hipster bistro We always love our experiences at Cafe Smitten. read more

Cafe Smitten - The mushroom omelette is one of my favorite. Only a few bites left. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

We lunched at Cafe Smitten today. The interior is fresh and interesting with beautiful lighting, lovely tile work, wallpaper and touches of macrame that are pleasing to the eye. You order at the counter, the food & drinks are brought to your table or you can sit at the bar. The prices are reasonable in my opinion. They had 80's & 90's rock playing in the background. They do have a full bar with live music some evenings. I found most of our food to be just okay. We ordered their Brie with fig jam which was delicious. The tomato basil soup was excellent. My mushroom omelette was in the flat French style and very dry. The flavor of the Mediterranean eggs was delicious but the whites of the eggs were still very runny. The schnitzel chicken strips breading needed some salt and chicken breast was quite dry. I was just hoping that it might be better. The restaurant is clean, light & airy. read more

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The coffee was okay. It is served in a glass with no handle and it's very hard to drink it until it becomes lukewarm. They have no cozies or anything for the glasses. The pastry selection was very limited. And it is very crowded and noisy in there. We went to the one on Ming Avenue. I don't think I would go again. read more

Order at the counter and they bring it to you. Appears to be ample seating, but there was some jockeying for the tables. Simple menu with a good vegan breakfast burrito. Meat eating companions enjoyed the food also. The rose oatmilk latte was divine. read more

Cafe Smitten - Rose oatmilk latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

My husband and I decided to spontaneously go out for dinner and decided on Smitten. We love going here and it didn't disappoint. We arrived and were seated promptly. Our server was friendly and helpful even providing some guidance on what to choose from the menu. We decided to start with the hummus plate. It was so good. The hummus was creamy and so tasteful. I was apprehensive about eating hummus with raisins as a topping but it provided a nice texture and added sweetness to the dish. For our entrees, my husband chose the plant based burger and I chose the chicken sandwich. We didn't wait long for our food. The plant based burger was delicious as usual. It is hard to discern this from a regular beef burger. Although it can get a bit messy, the plant based aioli they use is great. This was the first time I've tried the chicken sandwich. It was very good. The sauce added a nice tangy flavor to the sandwich, accentuating the grilled chicken patty. We both thoroughly enjoyed our sandwiches but my favorite part of the meal may be the fries. They have the perfect crunch while still holding some softness inside. And I love the seasoning they use. Another enjoyable meal at Smitten. read more

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Came here to support the band Rearview Mirror and to use a gift card I got for Xmas. This place is a vibe. A vibe that I like but sometimes feel like I don't fit in with...but each time I come, I leave happy. Today I brought the fam and we like to eat lol. My expensive kids got the cheese pizza and the mushroom linguine (just had to add the grilled shrimp for the most expensive meal of us all) respectively. The hubby decided on the Bone-In Lamb and I got the Tomato Basil Soup and Brussel Sprouts. Everything was delicious and we all ate everything on our plates! Their menu is small and they're a bit pricey but I will come back and try some more items on the menu eventually. read more

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Such a lovely spot! I loved how it was decorated, bright and airy. Service was good and coffee was good. This is a good place for afternoon tea or snack, not so much a breakfast spot- for me. I really liked the baked Brie, the jalapeño scone was just ok. read more

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A perfect spot for a girls' brunch or a quiet date night. Respectable coffee, delicious pie, and creative food options that never disappoint. read more

The food here is always delicious every time. I can go months without eating this, then come back, and the quality is still the same deliciousness I remembered it to be. The service is great. They always great with a smile and are very kind. I love that. It's a great place for brunch with some friends. I love that they have indoor and outdoor seating options. I especially love that the wait for food isn't long at all. read more

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Cafe Smitten does not miss! I absolutely loved their shrimp tacos and the drinks were perfectly made. The server was nice and attentive, but not overbearing and the restaurant itself had a very homey feel to it. read more

Cafe Smitten - Shrimp tacos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This place is poppin' and cute with a hipster vibe! We went on a Tuesday morning and it packed with lots of chatting and happy folks. We ordered right away because we love their vegan burrito with lots of flavors that give your tastebuds a total dance party. Our drink choice is always the dirty chai latter of course . The dirty chai has two shots of espresso and the right type of spicy chai that makes you smack your lips. This time we splurged a little and even ordered the pistachio bread loaf and Oh my goodness!!! The pistachio bread was so moist with the perfect pistachio flavor for a pistachio lovers everywhere! read more

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Burgers are excellent. Ordered the Smitten burger w/ fries. Meat is nice and thick. 5 stars. My wife ordered the chicken sandwich lettuce wrap with side salad... it was like a small piece of chicken with a head of lettuce... 1 star. Service was ok. Lady at the register seemed a little snooty when my wife made special requests/tweaks to her sandwich. 2 stars Ambiance inside is super nice and clean. 5 stars Value is a 0 star. Ordered two burgers and chicken wrap sandwich and drinks. Just under $70 on total. That was ridiculous and we were still hungry after we ate. Didn't get very many fries and my wife's lunch looked like a head of lettuce. Very disappointing... will not return. read more

Cafe Smitten - Lettuce chicken wrap - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Had the chocolate croissant of my dreams today!!! It was literally perfect- buttery, creamy chocolate, fluffy and yet somehow dense at the same time? The perfect temperature. Every bite was divine. In heaven they will serve this chocolate croissant. Paired it with a hot latte and sat with my family inside enjoying the cool wet morning. Chef's kiss* read more

Cafe Smitten - Latte & chocolate croissant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Love this cute little spot! The food is delicious and the drinks are really good, highly recommend the lavender daze for a lavender lemon drop type of drink. Though I do wish the weekends they actually had a host and waiters like they do on the weekdays. read more

Cafe Smitten - Mimosa flight - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I've never had a bad experience at any of the Smitten locations and I can't wait for the additional ice cream location, which I believe is opening at BuenaVista and White Lane. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this place has a little bit of everything. Try to get something new every time we visit. They have live music on Thursdays and I believe they have little events here and there, at each location. Definitely a great addition to Bakersfield. We need more innovative and creative ideas like Smitten. Well done! The restaurant is always clean and the service is spot on. The food is always delicious and even though the menu is small, everything is cooked to order and seems to always be packed full of flavor. We will be returning, just don't know if it'll be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. read more

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