We had not been to Culp's Cafe since they reopened in the current space six years ago so when we were invited to go to their Christmas food and wine pairing, we jumped at the chance! We signed up for dessert and a wine flight and had a relaxing evening listening to live music and learning a little bit about the wine they served. The staff was very friendly and kept things moving along quite nicely. I look forward to coming back for brunch sometime soon. The menu looks really good! read more

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Cute themed museum restaurant. We ate inside the train. The potato leek soup and 1/2 chicken salad sandwich was very tasty. My son gave his pancakes two thumbs up as well. We were a little confused when we came in because the server at the podium didn't really communicate with us and we thought based on a few grunted words we were to follow him. But then the hostess showed up and said "I can help you". Aside from that weird interaction, everything here was solid. Our food came fast and my hangry son's mood shifted after he got some food in his stomach. I also had the seasonal raspberry/peach Bellini. It was good too. It had raspberry liquor, sparkling wine, and peach puree. Cheers! read more

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The food was cooked to perfection. This is the first time I've had over medium eggs that were over medium. The potatoes were crispy outside and pillowy inside. Delish! It was a neat step back into the past too with the decor and the uniforms. Our waitress was great also! read more

Culp's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

We'd eaten at the brewery here before and enjoyed it, but wanted something a bit lighter today, and met our friends here. Right at noon on a Saturday, of course, so they were pretty slammed. Service was a little slow, but understandably so considering the rush, and the staff were hustling. They were very pleasant and answered any question quickly. Menu is large and interesting. My friends both ended up getting the turkey brie sandwich and really liked them. Kid K got the kid menu French toast sticks and polished them off though it was a big portion, and a bunch of the included fruit cup. The whipped butter stymied and disappointed her; she had hoped it was whipped cream. I got the bacon fig breakfast sandwich. Perfect bread, perfect bacon, scrambled eggs, great fig jam, brie, greens, and more. Very tasty. And plenty of food. I was hungry but barely finished. Held together well. Comes with chips or breakfast potatoes (home fries); I got potatoes and they were pretty good. Prices are slightly high, but appropriate for the quality and quantity. Setting is bright and cheery, comfy seats, a trolley car you can sit in, etc. Pretty big place, wraps around the corner. We'll be back next time we're here. read more

Fun evening for a wine pairing dinner. The atmosphere was festive with live music and the staff were busy bring out each round of food and the wine pairings were spot on. We were just their for the wine and desert and I think that was a mistake, next time I'm ordering the dinner as well. The live music was very good as well read more

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First of all, just let me say that the ambience as soon as you walk in to the point of where you sit down, it's just a beautiful bright café. The customer service was wonderful! It is a family-owned family-ran business and I loved seeing the family work together. You could feel their closeness. I love that! My husband and I were celebrating our 19th anniversary and the owner was so nice. She gave us a milkshake on the house. The food came out and it looked simply amazing. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked and smelled so good! My husband got the All-American breakfast and I got the chicken and waffles and tried the fried green tomatoes. Everything looked great and tasted as good as it looked. It was fresh and you could tell it was all made from good quality ingredients. Best dining experience in a long time. And right here in our hometown of Dayton, Ohio! Where have I been?! Carol was a fountain of information about the area & was sooo personable! She even asked if she could hug me on the way out. She is just a warm person and I am so glad that we had this experience and that this was our first step on our anniversary day! Culp's Café definitely set the standard & tone for OUR day. read more

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Restaurant closes 45 minutes before actual closing time. Came here on Mother's Day to get ice cream for my toddlers after the train ride, and the doors were closed and locked by 2:15, when all signs say they close at 3. People were still eating, and the hostesses acted like they didn't see us. Pretty lame to ignore a pregnant woman, two toddlers, and a husband on Mother's Day! read more

If I could give 50 stars I would! First of all, food was great - I had the salmon burger which was tasty and my toddler had the grilled cheese and more ended up in her mouth than the ground which is a testament to how good it was. Service was great and the cafe is so cute, it's connected to the museum! We sat outside, our server was Maggie and she was attentive, personable and kind! But most of all, when l parked, I accidentally dropped my keys in a sewer pit as I was getting my daughter out of the car. Sweet angel employee Carol rigged a device using like a long duster and a hook and fished out my keys which were probably at least 6 feet down. Seriously, these people are the kindest and the food is great, please support them! read more

We are from Columbus and every time we are in Dayton we try to stop at Culp's Cafe. It's such a nice experience! We always try to dine in the train car. We have always been greeted and seated promptly and service has always been wonderful. Food is delicious. My son always takes the opportunity to get a cherry phosphate too. Dayton is lucky to have such a wonderful historic park and such a great cafe too. We've created many memories just even visiting only the cafe. read more

Culp's Cafe - Train car dining! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

Very cute location right in the visitor's center for Carillon Historical Park! There is a restored interurban railcar in the back, which caught the kid's attention from the front desk where we purchased tickets. The Culp's staff was so friendly and gladly invited him into check it out and walk around. They had a little screen showing before and after pictures for the restoration, and you can sit inside it when you eat (which we did later, when we returned for lunch)! They also have a soda fountain with stools that you can sit at, as well as standard tables and chairs out on the floor. They serve breakfast and lunch, with a kid's menu, and you order and pay at the counter and then they bring it out to you. We opted for some burgers - the Kid's Burger came with a choice of drink and side (kid went with fries) and the standard menu offered the Culp's Smash Burger, which came with pickle spears and chips. They also had some goodies on display at the soda fountain, and we couldn't resist getting a slice of cake, which was rich and delicious (chocolate cake with vanilla frosting). They also had brownies and muffins at the time of our visit, which looked delicious, as well. You do not need to pay entrance fees if you just want to eat at the restaurant, and it is a good option if you are going to the park and want to eat onsite too. There is a good sized paved parking lot available outside of the visitor's center/restaurant area. read more

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we had a family birthday with 11 of us. wonderful service. sofie took such good care of us. and the food was delicious. the new management (Carol) has improved the service and food. it's quaint..in carrillon historical park. it's the place to visit in dayton! read more

Culp's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

The food is excellent, and I love the atmosphere and service. They have won themselves a regular customer.

This cafe is at Carillon Park. You can enter the cafe without paying for the park. I had the double cheeseburger with fries. It was delicious. I loved the ambiance. We were 4 so we couldn't sit in the train as tables are for 2. Next time. It was quiet and kind of exclusive in there. You order at the counter and they bring you your food. I'd prefer ordering at the table but oh well. The servers were great and offered refills on drinks. read more

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This was my second time to Culps Cafe. The first visit did not start out well because I sat for twenty minutes before anyone waited on me. A nice server actually picked our table up and turned what was a disappointment into a decent experience. I reached out to the manager, Carol, and shared with her my experience. Carol and I had a great exchange and she invited me back for a second visit. Today I returned for a second chance at a first impression and it did not go well at all. Once again, I was seated and it all went downhill from there. Six servers on staff and not one of them stopped by my table to take my order or anything. I waited twenty minutes and then I left. On my way out of the door, I stopped and asked to speak with a manager and when I told him what was happening, he just shrugged his shoulders and said , sorry. I asked for Carol and another employee went and got her. Carol and I spoke again and she was very nice and apologized again, and she offered to purchase my breakfast for today, but I declined because after two visits and the very same thing happening, I just wasn't in the mood. I'm sure Carol will reach out again and we'll speak again. If you're thinking of dining here, just be aware that the service is very lackluster and Culps should consider training their staff to better accommodate and serve their guests in a much more timely manner. read more

Culp's Cafe - Not busy at all, so I'm still wondering why there's an incredible lack of service. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

I was looking forward to breakfast but unfortunately they had an incident where they had no eggs available. So we opted to get sandwiches. My tuna melt was good. Service was extremely friendly and charming. It reminds me of a soda pop shop. read more

Culp's Cafe - Tuna melt - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

We sat outside on a Saturday late morning. We were seated immediately and a server brought water and menus. We did sit a while before another server came to answer questions about the specials and take our order. The chicken and waffles had two huge pieces of chicken. The chicken was delicious-crisp and moist. The waffle was good. The chicken salad sandwich was solid; could be better with more lettuce and tomatoes. The patio is very pleasant with umbrellas, plants, and a fountain. read more

Culp's Cafe - Chicken and waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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This is a completely adorable brunch spot located in the middle of Carrolin Park. I was shocked to discover how large the interior was, there is even an entire train car located in the center of the restaurant. There is also a beautiful old fashioned soda counter with bar stool seating. We were seated without a wait at 9:30am on a Sunday. Both of our entrees were very good. He had a build your own breakfast wrap with turkey sausage and I enjoyed the quiche of the day (veggie quiche with peppers and onions). We also felt the pricing was reasonable. We will return. read more

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A great addition to the lovely town of Dayton. This place is so nice, inside and out! It has so much character. The menu is so simple and delicious, a perfect breakfast place. The blueberry pancake was so delicious! Crispy edges and fluffy, a wonderful meal. The biscuits and gravy were also great and very flavorful! I was also a huge fan of their breakfast potatoes, they had a nice seasoning and crunch to them. The quiche of the day was a broccoli cheddar quiche, it was alright, nothing too impressive The drinks were also great and at a great price! The mimosa and mango Bellini were delicious. The Bloody Mary had an awesome spice to it. I would love to try the milkshakes next time. This is a great Dayton find and is attached to a very cool museum and the Carillon Brewery! A great day for a family fun day. read more

Culp's Cafe - Bloody Mary & mimosa - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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Culp's has been around in one form or another since my childhood, and I've loved it in all it's forms. But now it's the "new kid" on the block at Carillon Park and it's beautiful. Right inside the front entrance with windows on the Bell Tower (which transforms into a beautiful lighted Christmas Tree this time of year) We had brunch, and it was oh so good. Chicken and Waffles with blueberry butter and syrup for me, and pancakes for Bob. There is even a bar now...I saw Bloody Mary's on the menu but didn't indulge. Usually only open until 4 PM, during the Christmas season they do serve dinner. And it's on my bucket list to sit at one of those windows and look at that lit tree. Hope to see you there...it would be so worth it! read more

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Their breakfast food was delicious, and we loved dining in the train car. Staff were super helpful and one guy even came out to notify us (while we were enthusiastically perusing the gift shop) that our food was ready, which he totally didn't have to do! Very chill place, and although we didn't have time to go in the actual museum and stuff we're glad we stopped here for food on our way out of town. read more

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We were greeted by friendly smiling faces:) Hadn't ever thought about breakfast here before-so glad we did today! We will definitely come again for breakfast as well as when touring the park:) Nostalgic ambiance of dining in The train car was fun:) read more

Best kept secret in Dayton! Such a CUTE place! Very bright and airy! The new building opened in October. They built the building AROUND a real antique street car that you can eat in! Old fashion soda bar is also a focal Point, serving shakes and malts and old fashion sodas. Breakfast and lunch are available all day 7-3. You can also browse the gift shop on your way in and out. They have some really cool Dayton items. Food is great and fresh tasting, good size portions, and everyone cleans their plate here. They have several original RIKES recipes (chicken salad and their amazing cake!) i had the Belgian waffle that was on point as well as eggs and sausage. Looking forward to sitting outside on the patio once the weather turns around! read more

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Really wanted to try a new breakfast place yesterday and, seeing as I've been subtly eyeing this place for a while because of their amazing photos on Yelp, decided to finally try it out. I ordered carry out and when I went to pick up the food, was blown away but how adorable the inside of the restaurant was. It was so cute and classy and even had an old train car sitting in the middle of the dining area! The staff was also extremely polite, which always makes the experience better. As for the food, I ordered a strawberry waffle, a side of breakfast potatoes, and a half size of oatmeal (add raisins and brown sugar). The first thing I noticed was how big the serving of oatmeal and potatoes were. The bowl of oatmeal was surprisingly big; I almost wondered if I had accidentally been given a full size but I guess they just have larger servings! The potatoes (which were only $2) came in the same large box that the waffle came in, so you really get a nice portion of potatoes for the price! When I opened the box of potatoes, the smell instantly smacked me in the face; it smelled delicious! They had almost a Cajun-like aroma and they tasted just as great. The oatmeal was pretty good too and the raisins and brown sugar were a great addition, although i got way too much food to finish it all. Now as for the waffle, the main course, it was good, but average. I'm glad I got the strawberries on top, but the Belgian waffle itself tasted like any waffle you would whip up in a hotel waffle maker at continental breakfast; there were no special ingredients or spices added. I was also slightly disappointed that I had no syrup or whipped cream thrown in for my waffle. That's my only complaint though, and I would still definitely recommend this place! I know I wanna go back sometime and try some more items myself. read more

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Hadn't been to Culp's since they reopened in the new space. It's really nice, open and airy! The service is vastly improved from my previous experiences, too. The menu has expanded and includes delicious breakfast items. My friend has the chicken and waffles with blueberry butter and Cajun syrup and it was delicious! I had eggs and potatoes, and while it didn't knock my socks off, it was good. The best part of the meal was definitely the Devil's food cake with caramel icing. Fantastic! We would definitely go back again -- can't wait to try more things on the menu! read more

Culp's Cafe - Culp's cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

Literally the worst customer service experience of my life. came here with my 90-year-old grandmother who can barely stand so I asked for a table for her when we got there - there were tons of open tables (more than people on the wait list). The manager, begrudgingly let us sit outside on the vastly empty patio. After 20-30 minutes of waiting and no server (not even a menu!) we followed up. The manager then came out and told we were getting kicked out ("for being aggressive"). I then inquired how that was even possible and fair and then the manager (I think Steve is his name... )threatened to call the police on me for trespassing. I then told him to do it and he didn't. He then said I was a threat to public safety and hid behind the counter -- I am a small 29-year-old woman with a broken arm -- I then really encouraged him to call the police because that did seem like a worthy cause to call in our boys in blue. he then still didn't and walked away... I guess leaving the patrons in danger (aka with me!) Dont go unless you want a terrible experience read more

This is a great pleasant dining experience. It's a little step back in time in Dayton, with hints of the 1930s. The soda fountain, globe lights and train car create a charming setting. The menu offers breakfast, lunch, milkshakes and some brunch drinks like mimosa and spiked coffee. The Eggs Benedict has been very good here. The roasted vegetable quinoa bowl was HUGE and very filling. The balsamic and feta made the bowl perfect. Attentive servers and friendly. I can't wait to bring visitors to Dayton here. read more

Culp's Cafe - Eggs Benedict is so amazing here. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

Will update when they are open. It's June 19th and they are still closed for "spring".

My husband and I went to the cafe today. We ordered their chicken fried steak. It was very tender with a light crispy coating on it. The gravy was creamy but light. My only complaint was the waiters should address women as Ma'am and not ms. Gentlemen as Sir. read more

July 29, 2021 they are still closed "with no reopening date." Sad. We all wish them well.

Great menu. Excellent food. Fantastic service. Nice, interesting atmosphere. Kid friendly. My family would definitely stop here again on our way through town. read more

Great ambiance, very good service and a good hearty breakfast at a decent price read more

Culp's Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

This is our new favorite Saturday brunch spot. There are so many great menu options, sometimes it's hard to decide. We've really enjoyed the Country Fried Steak and Eggs, Culp's Cafe Platter, and Club Sandwich. I love that they offer cocktails, as well as soft drinks and ice cream fountain drinks. We've yet to explore the fountain options yet, but they sound amazing. The first time we ate at Culp's, we sat inside and it was quite chilly. We've found that sitting outside on the patio, the umbrellas provide enough shade to make even 90 days feel okay. Service is friendly, but can sometimes be a little inattentive. The place is beautiful. I'll probably use this as my go-to meet up lunch spot for family. read more

This is a great place to go. It is fun and food is good. Only negative is the wait staff. I've been here 3 times and each time the wait staff forgets requests or is very slow to check on us. Go for the food and atmosphere but don't go to be impressed by the service. read more

Fantastic service even for a large group, great food, immaculate vibes and very fair pricing, unlike other brunch places in the Dayton area. I will definitely be coming back here and telling everyone I know about it. read more

Culp's Cafe - waffle and caramel macchiato - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

We had an excellent experience!! Our wait time was short, the staff was friendly, and the food/portions were good. I highly recommend the salted caramel milkshake is delicious and so is the broccoli cheddar soup. Highly recommend stopping in for a bite if you're local or if you're visiting the museum at Carrillon. read more

Good food with a much bigger menu now. Totally redone and looks great. Will definitely be back more often. Keep up the good work. Anxious to try the chicken and waffles! read more

Highly recommend you don't try and eat here while visiting Carillon Park. Our food took an absurdly long time to prepare by some folks who seem to be nice enough kids but have clearly never worked in food service before. They completed each separate order before starting on the next, rather than, say, cooking a bunch of hamburgers at once. I mean, our order of 2 burgers and 2 sandwiches took 40 minutes. And: the burgers tasted freezer burned! read more

Ever want to visit one of those old timey soda shops with red stools lining the counter and rich, thick milkshakes made on the spot? Then come here. Located on the grounds of the Carillon Historical Park, this cafe is open to the public without having to pay admission to the grounds and has a pleasant little patio on the outside. The boy and I stopped by during the Dayton Heritage Festival when the hungries started to take over. They had 2 choices for the day - a special take-away menu for $7 if you wanted to eat picnic style whilst listening to the bands play: -Mains: Bourbon Chicken, Pulled Pork, or Hot Dog -Sides: Rice, Chips, or Cole Slaw -Drink: Bottled water or Soda I thought that this was a pretty good price for a festival (usually bottled water itself is $4-7!) and the quality was delish! The boy got a hot dog and was immediately regretful that he didn't order my Bourbon Chicken which was flavorful without an overload of sauce. They also had a choice of the regular menu if you sat down at a table with water service. We were impressed by the take away menu so we can't wait to go back and try their sit down menu! read more

Simple concept diner. Prices are reasonable and portions are good. After a fun day at Carillon Park, it was nice to grab a bite to eat.

My husband and I like to experience different eateries around town and today he suggested Culps Café at Carillon Park. I love Carillon Park and we have been to the brewery several times. I looked at the menu on line and was looking forward to either the Philly Cheesesteak or one of the larger salads and raspberry ice tea. Turns out that was a menu on Tripadvisor. Don't know who monitors that. However, the menu on the actual website still shows way more options than are currently available. So, for those of you who visit the park, this would be a great stop for something cold to drink. It's hard to mess up a Coke, but I did not try it, so I might be wrong there. They now offer three sandwiches - ham, chicken salad. and turkey - a hot dog, and a hamburger. The woman behind the counter said she has asked for the website to be updated but it hasn't happened yet. Based on previous reviews, the ham sandwich and hotdog were eliminated. They were out of chicken salad (1 hour into Saturday service). My husband opted for the hamburger combo which took the better part of 30 minutes to arrive. We actually watched the young man at the grill take these poor premade ¼ inch patties and literally reduce them by half, flipping them every minute or so for about 15 to 20 minutes. You may assume that hamburgers are now eliminated from our options. I couldn't bring myself to try the turkey sandwich so went for a scoop of chocolate ice cream ($3) which was served immediately and finished 20 minutes before my husband's meal was served. Right before the hamburger was put up, I watched the counter people check our ticket, the manager sent the one helper to scoop ice cream - it had been so long she forgot she had given it to me. The helper brought the cup back to the manager, glanced at our table, gestured that I already had an empty ice cream cup in front of me. The manager looked up, straight at me watching her, and shoved it under the counter. I ran into an old friend with her grandchildren on the way out and she commented on how long it took to get a hotdog (which were in a pot on the stove) and a milkshake which ran for what seemed like 5 minutes. Why am I bothering with this? Because the premise has so much potential and the park is so fabulous. I can't believe that just my friend and I were disappointed. Experiences like that really can sour what is otherwise memorable. So, forewarned is forearmed. I hope whoever is running the Café can up their game to make it worthy of being at Carillon. read more