I tried this place out many years ago and never returned. Don't remember disliking it but was never top of mind. Got tired of the local diner and finally decided to see what they had going on. So far we've been back twice in two weeks! Tried for breakfast and got the croissant sandwich with bacon. Very tasty but a little overpriced in my opinion but I get it--inflation, blah, blah, blah. Next time we checked them out for brunch and were very pleased. They have a very cute patio in the back so I will definitely return in the summer time. Also, $5 mimosas during brunch and they were perfect ratio. Highly recommend. read more

Garden Cafe - Original Pancakes and Grilled Skirt Steak - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Yesterday, my fiancé and I visited what has always been one of my favorite establishments, and unfortunately, it turned into one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've ever had. When we arrived, we were greeted and seated by a lovely young lady named Nicole, who was extremely kind and welcoming throughout the situation. We placed our order: two Sprites, chicken tacos with fries on the side, and a penne alla vodka with breaded chicken instead of grilled chicken. I also requested a little extra cheese, fully understanding there may be an upcharge, which I have gladly paid in the past.   Shortly after ordering, a young lady named Naliska approached the table and stated, "The changes you want cannot be done. We can only make the order that is on the menu." I then followed with, "Me and my fiancé come here all of the time and I have never had an issue. I previously received an upcharge of $10." She then followed with, "We do not do changes to the menu and you will not be able to change anything."   My fiancé then asked, "Can I please speak with a manager or someone who is in charge?" She responded with, "There is no manager. I am the best you are going to get and I cannot approve your change."   I then explained, "I am pregnant and all I wanted is breaded chicken and a little cheese. This is honestly my favorite place and this is extremely disappointing. To think I wanted to have my baby shower here and I am being treated in such a manner is very disappointing. Your tone is very rude. If you are unable to fulfill my request, I would like to cancel the full order and me and my fiancé will just have to go." She then disclosed, "You can still have your baby shower here but I can't make the change."   My fiancé and I began to walk out when he approached the chef and asked if he was able to make the accommodation. The chef then disclosed, "Yes, it's just breaded chicken. I will speak to the young lady." My fiancé then told me to go back and sit because we could get my order. I walked back to my seat so happy because that dish was honestly all I was craving all day.   The sweet young lady Nicole came back to the table and asked, "Would you like for me to bring your Sprites?" I replied yes please with the biggest smile on my face. It was no longer than 30 seconds after we sat back down when Naliska began to shout while walking to the table, "AFTER A LOOOOONG TALK WITH THE CHEF I will put the order in but this will be the LAST time and we will be charging you $27."   I disclosed, "That's fine. I told you that the price did not matter and that previously before they gave me an upcharge of $10." Following that, she then asked, "What else is it that you wanted?"   I then paused in disbelief after processing everything and told her, "Please don't take this in any way, but I have been a manager in a restaurant for many years before my career and you are extremely rude. You did not have to reiterate what was already solved nor did you have to antagonize the situation after we already spoke with the chef. Your response, 'AFTER A LONG TALK WITH THE CHEF,' -- the correct way for you to relay the message should have been, 'Hey, the chef spoke with me and he said he can make the exception but for future orders I'm not sure if it will be accepted as our policy has recently changed.'"   I also disclosed to her that she needs to be retrained on how to handle specific situations if she is "the best I could get" when requesting a manager on site. My fiancé then followed with, "Your attitude and the way you are speaking is past a limit and I no longer want to have dinner here." He asked to cancel the order once more and as we walked out he disclosed to the chef that the young lady was extremely rude and that he was sorry but the order was no longer needed. He thanked the chef for his help.   The moral of the whole incident is that I have never experienced such mannerisms in an establishment before. Her tone of voice and the fact that no assistance was given even when we requested a manager or chef was extremely disappointing.   I think policies should be clearly placed on the menu if things have changed. Also, if that young lady is the one in charge when the manager is out, please make sure she is properly trained or at least having a decent day before handling customers in that manner.   The restaurant had no more than 3 tables occupied, making us the 4th table there. I would completely understand if the place was jam-packed and changes to orders would create confusion and chaos, but this was simply a chicken substitution (Chicken that is on the Menu). She did not even offer to check with the chef to see if the accommodation could happen. My fiancé had to take it upon himself just to simply ask.   Denying proper customer service and showing no willingness to assist loyal customers was extremely disappointing.   It is sad because this genuinely was my favorite quiet place to go to. read more

Garden Cafe gets points for being in the right place at the right time, but beyond that, it was pretty mediocre. My top tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I came here for a strategic lunch/rest this past Saturday during the Great Saunter (an annual event I would heartily recommend to anyone physically and mentally able - five stars all around). After not finishing the Saunter last year, I decided at the very least it was important to get off our feet for a bit, and this location made a lot of sense, literally a few buildings away from the official route off Isham Street very close to the halfway point of our adventures. Given how we were feeling at the time, this was definitely within a quarter mile of where we needed it to be before people started getting VERY yowly. This area of Inwood is really pleasant; I've been over here now a few times and it's super underrated because most people never bother to wander up past the GW Bridge. But it's super chill and gives off some Brooklyn vibes. And optics-wise, Garden Cafe fits right in. True to its name, it has a great outdoor seating area in the back, which was the perfect antidote on a pleasant day with sore feet. The interior though is dimly lit and very claustrophobic; each time we went through (entering and exiting), we had to wait for other people to pass in the area by the restroom/awkward bar area. I'm not sure how you improve that situation without a full-on reno, but it's not the best. The outdoor space helps for sure in that regard. We needed carbs like the wolf with 16 miles to go on our trek. I went with the strawberry pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and a vanilla latte (mostly so my chum and I would remain on speaking terms after only having a fraction of my normal coffee intake at the beginning of the day). Everything was fine though nothing to write home about. The pancakes were a little dry and definitely needed the accompanying syrup, and the eggs conversely were wetter than I typically like. They also needed a bit of seasoning but they did what they were supposed to do. In hindsight, the latte might have actually been the best of the lot - it had a visually pleasing design from the milk pour and was tasty. Most of the patrons we saw nearby were on mimosa benders, which sounded fun but we had a job to do. Next time. This place got a lot of points off for the service. Our waitress was not particularly friendly - very monotone and never smiled, and once our food came? A ghost. We rarely even saw her in the patio area and we probably ended up staying an extra 15 minutes because we literally just couldn't find her to get the check. Really odd unforced error and it was actually close to the point where one of us was going to have to go inside to actively find her to ask for the bill. Not good at all. It wasn't a terrible meal by any stretch and I think ultimately you give it a thumbs up for providing a spot to rest and eat, but most people would probably consider that the bare minimum requirement of a restaurant. I'm sure you can find better around here. read more

Garden Cafe - Strawberry Pancakes. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Stopped by here to join a group of friends in the lovely outdoor backyard area, which was covered with greenery, with splashes of pink flowers. It was a great place with a relaxing atmosphere. It was tough to decide between Salmon or Pork Chop. The latter appealed to me because it came with loaded baked potato. I ended up ordering the Wild Pecan Crusted Salmon, which was served with vegetables and white rice. I asked for it to come with roasted potatoes instead. When I received it, there was still rice so I had to wait extra time to get the correct dish. The Salmon was cooked perfectly, tender, flaky, and I loved the crispy, irresistibly nutty pecan crust. The veggies included were green beans and carrots, which were wonderfully crunchy. The potatoes were well seasoned. Service was not the best. I had to order before my table because I needed to leave soon, but the order was not properly prepared, so had to wait longer to begin eating. The rest of the food came in at all different times. Prices were decent, as entrees were under $30. I would consider returning to try the French Cut Pork Chop and some of the desserts, but don't feel the need to anytime soon. read more

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I had a huevos rancheros and cappuccinos (no photos because I was hung over) - quite good food and coffee. I wasn't a fan of the service - had to wait a long time before being attended to, and ask multiple times for extra napkins and water refills. Nice, cosy spot. read more

Burger was really tasty! Coffee was not so good. The outside seating was really nice for warm weather where you're sitting sorta outside and inside under a terrace. The service was friendly. Very cute spot. read more

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Love this place. It's so cute and quaint bit the staff is always either shorthanded or slow. Great weekend brunch. Bellinis & Mimosas are good. The chicken sandwich really tasty. Avocado toast eggs nicely made. Always a great place to stop at. read more

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I came here after a run with some friends for something quick. It was my first time. The place is super cute with backyard seating. Our server was kind and attentive to our needs. I ordered the hot chocolate with the original pancakes with banana toppings and scrambled eggs. The food was so delicious! But that hot chocolate though .. LOVED it! read more

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My friend & I stopped by for lunch today, and we had a pleasant experience. The place itself is very rustic and cafe like, we decided to sit inside. We ordered the chicken tacos, vodka pasta, and freshly squeezed lemonade. We were both very pleased with our food. The lemonade really did taste freshly squeezed. The grilled chicken that came with the pasta was perfectly grilled. The service was pretty good no real complaints but they were a bit slow to bring out our food and check. I was okay with it because my friend and I were too busy catching up. If you're in the area I recommend stopping by for lunch. Our check was about $50 including tip. I would definitely return. read more

Garden Cafe - Chicken Tacos (3) Fresh Squeezed Lemonade - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Everything was delicious ! Great for any size group. Excellent customer service! Jennifer and the team did a great job. The place was beautiful. The back yard is big for a party. Very intimate. Highly recommend read more

Garden Cafe - Brownie Affogato - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Had lunch with my coworker here today. I had not had their food in over 5 yrs! And i must say they are still as amazing as I remember! The burger was perfection! My coworker loved her tacos! The fries were sooo good! And the rustic decor is a whole vibe!! Love this place! Highly recommended! read more

Garden Cafe - Grass Fed Beef Burger/ Medium - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Great service and great food.. I order at least once a week. Definitely recommend you to try Tomato soup, grilled chicken sandwich.

Poor customer service. The food took so long to come to the table. we had a party of 8 adults and everyone got their food about 45 -60mins apart. waitstaff did nothing to acknowledge the long wait time. other tables were served faster. their drinks & entrees were timely. even a party with a dog received their food first, after we were sitting & waiting for our food for hours. read more

We had lunch here last Saturday. July 30th. We dined on the outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant ! It was very nice & quiet. However there are stairs to get up on the patio, a busboy was kind enough & helped us with our stroller ;) We really enjoyed the Anjou Pear salad, that was perfect to share! We had refreshing peach iced tea along with our lunches. Our server was excellent, she was fast & friendly! Overall it was a really nice atmosphere & we enjoyed our food! I'd recommend this place, but they do need to update the rest room with a changing table, so you don't have to change the baby in the dining area ; ) read more

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A hidden gem in the heart of Inwood, near Fort Tryon Park in Uptown New York City. I love this place! Ambiance is amazing with a lovely backyard patios laced with beautiful plants and an awesome photo awning laced with pink roses. I highly recommend the smoked salmon breakfast wrap - DELICIOUS!! Great spot for birthdays and dates ;-) read more

Garden Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Byron was an amazing server! He greeted us when we came in and was very polite and patient while we were debating on gluten free options for my friend. I had the huevos rancheros and a carafe of the white sangria! Both were perfect! My friend had their cilantro-marinated chicken over a bed of their salad as well as an iced coffee, and she was very happy with her gluten-free choices! We both had to have two scoops of ice cream with a side of Nutella! I would highly recommend this place for the service as well as the food! Oh and their garden in the back of the restaurant was so beautiful; we have to eat there next time! read more

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Came back and got the veggie burger and mixed greens again. I feel like it gets even better. The staff are sweet. read more

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Food is amazing, well plated, great flavors. Both chicken wings and Moscow Mule. Very respectful service and the right ambiance. Thank you!

I've gone here twice and the first time I came was a better experience overall (in terms of food quality and overall experience). Ordered the avocado toast which is what I ordered the first time and it was ok. It actually arrived quite cold as if it had been sitting out for a while (order comes with a poached egg so that's the part I didn't expect to be cold?). The service was a bit bland considering we were the only folks indoor. They do have an outdoor area but it was 35 degrees outside and honestly can't imagine who would've wanted to eat outside so I figured there weren't too many of us. We received one dirty cutlery set and had to ask for a few basic things after waiting around to see if they give it on their own (sugar for coffee, cutlery set itself) so I'm just not sure why the experience was just mediocre. read more

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I love their salads and lunch specials and their dessert menu and let's not forget they have great coffee too

This place has a wonderful ambiance and vibe. I did my baby shower at this location last year and it was simply a pleasure having the celebration here. The food was amazing and the place is beautifully decorated. I didn't need to add much decorations for my celebration. Doing business with the owner / manager Ines was straightforward and I had nothing to worry about from the beginning to the end. The prices were reasonable and the owner and staff were professional the whole time. I'm super glad I didn't have any extra stress during this special day! Thank you Garden Cafe! read more

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I recently held an event here for my staff. My coworker and I had been in communication with the manager, Ines, for 2 months leading up to the event. They were attentive from the beginning answering all of our questions promptly and even making adjustments to their menu for us. We had 50-60 people show up on the day of and they made sure we were well taken care of. Our event was initially a three hour event with 2 hours of open bar. We had previously agreed on starting the open bar an hour in to the event but on the day of (which just happened to be the hottest day of the year) our guests wanted to start drinking sooner. The manager promptly opened the bar within a half hour of our start time. Our event ended up running later, going an hour longer than previously planned but, Ines provided us with a full extra hour of open bar going above and beyond what was expected or even paid for. As part of the menu they did provide us a buffet where all of the food was great. We had appetizers and main dishes we previously agreed upon and was served by some of their wait staff. All in all, I would say it was a very successful event. Everything leading up to it ran smoothly and they were flexible in working with us with anything that may have popped up read more

I came here for an event for my school's end of year party and had no idea what to expect. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Bartender was very nice as well. I immediately noticed the cleanliness of the place and the foods we were served were delicious. The atmosphere was nice and cozy. I'll definitely be visiting again. read more

Horrible service! 3 of us had brunch over the weekend in the beautiful back patio. Only 2 other tables were occupied. Ordered simple egg dishes and after 40 minutes with no food (we were served coffee), i spoke to a waiter who said he would check. Came back and told us the waiter who took the order never sent our order to the kitchen. He said we would have our food in 5-10 minutes. It took 25 minutes. Food was bland and, somehow, cold! No one seemed to care. The 2 stars are solely for the ambience. read more

I went to the Garden Cafe for an event. Unfortunately, many of us were not very happy about it. The event was planned weeks ahead, yet when we arrived, the place was not ready. Drinks were only available half an hour late. The beer was not cooled and the drinks - Margharita, Sangria, ..- were not freshly mixed but poured from a cheap premixed jug, and tasted mostly sugary and were undrinkable for me. chesp mixes with cheap tequila. If that's what is served on a day to day basis, I am surprised anyone would order a drink, and if that was substituted because it was an event with a 2 hour open bar and the place wanted to maximize their earnings - it's appalling! the food was mediocre at best. Some appetizers, guacamole came out late and was a rather small bowl for about 60 people and the main dishes were kind of salty but bland - boiled green beans, white rice, grilled chicken and half a burger in half a bun, fries,.... no dessert. So I paid $85 , had no drink because they were undrinkable and the three sips I tried already made my stomach queasy, and some food that would have been maybe $20 in all. If that is how events are run - just don't do it because I will certainly not recommend that place. And talking to my friends who were there.... they won't either. So you lost about 50-60 potential customers who will never come back and won't recommend you. That's a shame! read more

Below average food , nothing was good. How do you even mess up fries? Burger was gas station quality

As a loyal customer to a "what was " a hidden gem I would say I have became highly dissappointed with the manner in which the service had changed since the owners have changed. I started coming to Garden cafe 11 years ago. I celebrated birthdays including a memorial 30th birthday. Since returning to their establishment my experience has been meeting with staff who are not so welcoming. I decided to write a review given that today was not the first time I've encountered " unfriendly staff." I wanted to get lunch with my baby and sister; although I understand that the restaurant was not open ( we were onsite at 10:54 am) it appeared that the manager did not even want to acknowledge us or spoke to in a courteous and pleasant manner we were brushed off and told " it's closed and not open until 11:30 am. Part of a restaurants reputation is customer service which seems to be lacking. read more

After a disastrous lunch a few months ago we avoided the Garden; waited 40 minutes to not eat, with only one other table in the place! Staff never noticed. Previous visits were OK. Recently we tried again. Service was fine, but portions have shrunk a lot. We had coffee, when the check came they CHARGED us for half and half! WTF! BTW, sometimes the indoor music is too loud. read more

Came here for a meal today and had a wonderful experience. Lovely staff and server, who made me feel very welcome and unrushed whilst tending to all my needs at the same time. I had the avocado toast to start, which was really tasty and then the veggie burger as my main, was perfect. A lovely Monday spent here, nice relaxed vibes with cool outdoor seating also should that be your preference. Also on a side note they'd wifi and let me log on, had my laptop with me, so I was then able to sit and get a bit of work done also. Brilliant! Highly recommend this spot! read more

Where to start? The food is a hit or miss. It's either good/decent or bland and in need of tlc. Not sure why the kitchen thought it was okay to send out a burger with such a small beef patty that it looked like it belonged in a slider. On top of that, it came with none of the ingredients listed in the menu, no lettuce, no tomato. Sent that back real quick. Drinks also took about 15-20 minutes to be brought to us, non alcoholic too, so they clearly just forgot about them. The biggest issue though is the service. It's really bad. I've given this spot a few tries hoping it will get better because the back patio really is a cute place to have food and drinks. But, no more. The servers seem lost and whenever I speak to them they never say anything back, like no communication. It's very odd... Waiters take forever to come around and check in, which they rarely do because they just disappear. Even basic things like napkins, water refills aren't done at all. You have to constantly ask and when you do all you get are blank stares. I worked in the food industry for years so I'm always sympathetic but this has happened too many times here and doesn't seem to have any sign of improvement. Seriously, folks, it's cute decor wise and all, but save yourself a headache from this food and terrible service. Go elsewhere. Or you know, go, and see for yourself read more

This sweet little spot was a welcome oasis for us after moving my sister in to her apartment down the street. Although it was drizzly, we opted to sit out back on their covered patio. It was cooler & very pleasant. Our server Randy was accommodating & boasted a friendly, positive personality. To start, I ordered an IPA I hadn't heard of before. I believe happy hour runs until 6 & all beers, (most?) wines & even the sangrias are $5. This is a great deal, especially given that several of the beers are upwards of $8 or $9 outside of happy hour. I had such a taste for sushi grade tuna, so I ordered the Grilled Sashimi Tuna Wrap with baby spinach, wasabi dressing, tomato & caramelized onions. It came with French fries, but I swapped them out for a fresh mixed greens salad (an upcharge of $1.50.) The tuna was cooked just as I requested--very rare, barely a sear! The wrap was well-prepared, delicious and substantial enough for me to take one half home for another meal. This dish really hit the mark for me! I can't speak more highly of Garden Café & would happily return. read more

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Great casual Italian American restaurant. Affordable prices , mediocre service and a fabulous atmosphere. I would visit again just for the garden and wine. read more

Garden Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Awesome gem in the Inwood/Dyckman neighborhood. Diana is such a great sever and hostess. Th drinks and food are amazing! Will be coming back! read more

Garden Cafe - Gluten-free pasta with portobello, tomatoes and Karla rich heroic sauce. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

This is one of the few establishments in my neighborhood that I've been to. I came here for dinner a long time ago and thought it was average. Nothing special at all. Then last Sunday I came here with some friends for brunch after the 5K race and decided this is a good brunch place. It is because of that brunch-dinner quality gap that I give them only 3 stars. If you do come for brunch, the French toast is very good. I liked the taste of orange from the Grand Marnier. Any of their breakfast egg staples are very well done also. In the summer when it's warm and sunny ask to be seated at the garden in the back. Otherwise, stay inside where it's nice and cozy. read more

Garden Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Love this place and it's got wonderful brunch! I discovered this place after going to the Farmers Outdoor market. Quickly seated in a very clean and welcoming environment. Decor is pleasing as well as the staff. I have eaten here 4 times and realized I never wrote a review! So all I have experienced is brunch and I love it here. Quickly brought out, never over crowded: it's a gem of a find on Saturdays. One of the few places that gets a plain ole cup of coffee right. It's got the comfort you might want in a dinner but hipper, cleaner and the food is clean tasting and fresh. I saw some laptops and they may have WiFi but I would come for the Eggs Benedict! If your in the area I highly recommend this place! read more

Garden Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

This is their lunch time cheese tortellini. This is 17$ worth of pasta. This is very shocking to me. I'm at a lost for words. read more

Garden Cafe - Lunch Cheese Tortellini with Fresh Basil in Alfredo Sauce - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Very cute place! Nice outdoor seating area in the back. I enjoyed my breakfast. The waiters are all very friendly.

Great food, drinks and the place is really nice and romantic. One thing I liked is that they have Gluten Free Pasta read more

Garden Cafe - 1 Glass of Red Wine - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Aesthetically beautiful, the food presentation and the outdoor ambiance. Service was great. The food however was so bad, it's almost laughable because of how beautiful it looked on the plate. It was just bland, and for overpriced food my wallet was crying real tears. Each plate was $15. The sangria was also good, I preferred the white. read more

Garden Cafe - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Excellent food and a large back patio with service. Parking easier west of broadway. Easy access by train or bus. In the heart of Inwood, a slower more relaxed place in Manhattan..I highly recommended the chicken in lime tequila sauce over thin spaghetti. read more