We heard it was chicken pot pie day at the Guild House. We couldn't think of a better way to enjoy lunch. The Guild House is run by volunteers with all proceeds going to a children's charity. All their food is homemade. You need reservations to eat. We checked, and there was plenty of room for us. The atmosphere is almost like you're eating at a bed-and-breakfast. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. I can't say enough about the atmosphere. As for the food, it's delicious. Everything is prepared that day . The rolls are amazing. The chicken pot pie was homemade and the serving was more than ample. Lunch is a flat $25 and that doesn't include tip. If you've got a special friend, this is a great place to share a relaxing lunch with. read more

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My gal pal was lucky enough to snag a canceled reservation for 2 today. I wanted to enjoy a lovely holiday lunch with her just in time for Christmas Eve eve. As per usual, the ladies here were lovely and kind. They made us feel welcome from the second we walked in which makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Today's lunch menu included: fresh rolls with butter, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Side Salad with French dressing, Cranberry Chicken, Rice Pilaf and Chocolate Coffee Torte. Today's dishes, delicious. The ladies, darling. The ambiance, festive. 10/10. read more

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Lunch was amazing. Beautiful setting. Great service. All the food was delicious. The garlic soup was perfection. read more

Guild House Restaurant - Zuppa D'Aglio Chicken Cordon Bleu French Potato Salad Fresh Vegetable Medley Lemon Double Layer Cake - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I'll say it's the best restaurant in Bakersfield. Cannot be duplicated but can be imitated. They close in summer unfortunately and I'm doomed. This is the only restaurant that has the best of the best! Best of all it's for a good cause! I can't get enough of the house of guild read more

My family and I just went there for my small birthday celebration and it was absolutely lovely! The vibe is wonderful! The staff are gems! Food was great! Everything is home cooked. The food was very good. LOVED this experience! Highly recommend! And, Highly recommend booking an event such as a bridal shower, funeral reception, rehearsal dinner, etc here. Thank you for the wonderful birthday meal and experience :) read more

Great food and service. Love to go there and have a comfy meal. Highly recommended. Good place for ladies lunch and others to enjoy as well.

Have not been to the Guild House in years. Decided to have a girls luncheon there last week. What a treat!! All of the staff are volunteers and they all seem to really enjoy what they do! Our waitress was wonderful! Friendly and so eager to help us. The food was delicious! We had a choice of Shrimp linguini or shrimp salad. We all chose the linguine. We started the meal with a delicious soup that was so good I drank the last drop out of the bowl. The rolls are fabulous!!! The shrimp linguini was great...not too creamy and big shrimps with great flavor. The dessert was a peach torte. So delicious!!! I need to request the recipe! During our luncheon there was a fashion show with Soma. So we're got to see lots of pajamas and leisure wear as we ate. The whole lunch was wonderful! I'll be sure to go back sooner this go around! read more

Our group goes every year & everything about the Guild is wonderful. The service is superb, the food out of this world & the ambiance warm & lovely. read more

Food was amazing. They are all volunteers who do a great job. And the house is beautiful.

Love the Guild House - solid meals with great service and wonderful people. Highly recommend.

The service and food is always perfection! It's so nice dining here knowing it goes to a good cause.

Very charming place and unique. Love is put into the dishes they serve and it shows. I've been here twice and had a lovely time.

I have been going to lunch with a couple of girlfriends for a few months now, to catch up with one another. It's always a special treat at the Guild House! We love it! Thank you, Guild House for helping make this our special place! read more

I went to the Guild House for a private birthday event over the weekend and I loved EVERYTHING! From the amazing food to the vintage house to the story/purpose of the business. Nestled in downtown Bakersfield, this is probably one of the oldest homes in Bakersfield turned in restaurant. It only serves lunch Tuesdays-Thursdays. The staff is completely volunteer and the proceeds get donated to the Henrietta Weill Memorial Guidance Clinics. How awesome is that!! The food is delicious. That bread...omg. read more

Quick Summary Great lunch, great value, and great service, all for a great cause. They provide a set meal of 3 courses (bread, entree, dessert) for less than $20. Their menu changes on the daily. So go online and check their menu for the day that interests you, book a reservation, and dig in Food- 4 stars Everything was delicious, starting with the bread, the daily soup, the chicken, and ending with the cheesecake. Everything was very light, not greasy, and still tasty. Service- 5 stars The staff are all volunteers, yet they were so attentive and pleasant. Would've fooled me that they were getting paid top dollar for their services Value- 5 stars 3 course meal with large portions for less than $20. Value can't be matched Parking and venue- 5 stars Plenty of parking in the side lot. Perfect setting for outdoor dining as they have plenty of tables on their lawn. Unfortunately, wasn't able to look inside the historic Guild House, but great lunch experience on the lawn. Bottom Line If you're looking for a more wholesome lunch with great value, great food/service for a great cause, would definitely recommend Guild House read more

Last night we enjoyed a delightful dinner at this Bakersfield classic. We booked for an early New Year's Eve dinner. We were seated promptly upstairs at a cozy table for 2. Our server was so sweet (Kelly I believe was her name). She started out by telling us how each of the items on the menu for the evening was carefully thought out by the chef to promote good luck in the new year- pork, greens, black eyed peas, etc. From the soup to the dessert our dinner came out hot and every item was delicious. Everything was included in one low price, including a glass of champagne and coffee with dessert. The setting in this beautiful old home is so cozy. Last night it still had the warm and inviting look they create at Christmas time. There were numerous volunteer staff members there, providing service from cooking every item from scratch to serving with a smile and wishing everyone a happy new year on our way out. Kudos to the entire staff at this wonderful institution which is run totally by volunteers and whose profits benefit the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic. read more

The Guild House is a such a gem in Kern County and I am always happy after enjoying a delicious meal here! As diners, we get to enjoy a delicious 3-course meal in a gorgeous setting, all the while helping the children of Kern County. (ALL proceeds are for the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic, having raised over $2 million to date!) When I say 3-course, I mean 3 delicious, all-in-house, scratch-made courses including a soup to start, an entree with sides (or salad of the week), and a mouthwatering dessert, plus bread, tea, and coffee if you'd like. (Soda, beer, and wine available for purchase as well.) Everything is cooked, prepped, served, even washed and stocked by a staff of volunteers. How awesome!!!! I have had these meals many times and have never had something I didn't like! Everything is delicious and I can't rave enough about the service as well. Like others have stated, I would definitely call a couple of days in advance to reserve whatever day you'd like as they do tend to sell out, especially around holidays!! Be sure to check the calendar for meal options as well as fashion show dates! Come in, enjoy the decor and have an incredible meal! Ask for the 'mocktail' of the month too! So fun! read more

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The Guild house is a wonderful establishment. very fancy and lovely especially for a lunch date with your mother or grandmother. All meals are delicious, filling and flavorful. What sets this establishment apart from other local restaurants is that all proceeds go to raise funds for Henrietta Weill Memorial Child guidance clinic, Even including the tip do you leave for the volunteer waiters and waitresses. It's open only seasonally, close during summer months. read more

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Wow! This was such a lovely experience and a wonderful cause. The volunteers were amiable and the meal was very pleasant. I can't wait to have another luncheon. The restaurant is in the beautiful Barlow home, built in 1909, Guild House serves lunches Monday through Friday from 11:30am through 1:30pm with excellent meals by some of Bakersfield's finest cooks. The guild house is a nonprofit run by volunteers and all of the funds raised go to the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic. read more

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This place is pretty good. They have a set menu every day so you just eat whatever they're serving but their rolls are freshly made and I had their rolls, broccoli soup, pasta with veggies & icecream with pie for $20. The serving sizes are actual serving sizes so it's not too much or too little in my opinion, especially for everything being $20. Service was great, especially since they're volunteers. It's just not a big space inside since it's in a house, but it was still nice and relaxing. read more

Guild House Restaurant - the front of the restaurant - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I hate to give a less than 5 star review, and I'm hoping this is constructive criticism. This review is for service only. I've been to the Guild House many times with reservations without any problems. I made reservations a week early for a special lunch to treat my 2 co workers to lunch. I specifically picked a fashion show day as I knew they would enjoy it. We arrived right on time for our 12:15 reservation, and we were not seated until a half hour later. The fashion show was done, which was a big disappointment and we had to rush through lunch as we only had a set amount of time for our lunch break. I don't understand why a table was not held for our reservation. It did not matter at all that I had a reservation. I hope the Guild House corrects this system. Food and waitress service was excellent as usual. read more

This place is an absolute treasure! It's a three course meal with delicious bread (I mean DELICIOUS) and choice of tea/coffee all for under $20. Plus all proceeds go towards funding a mental health agency that works with children and families. The staff at the restaurant is comprised of genuinely sweet volunteers who go the extra mile to make sure you are enjoying your meal. The menu changes day to day and is available for viewing online. They have a full months worth of daily menus available so you can plan in advance which day you want to go. I've had the macadamia crusted chicken with vegetables, vegetable soup, and New York style cheesecake. Each course was flavorful and I enjoyed every bite! I definitely recommend this place especially for lunch. It could also be a great spot to hold an event as the house itself was a craftsman style home filled with historic character. read more

Were it not for the tiny doll housed-size plates, cups and saucers, I'd give Guild House a 5-star rating. The place is a beautiful example of antiquity restored and maintained to the fullest. Built as a private, 3-story home in the early 1900's, all three floors have dining rooms to accommodate various size parties. The tiniest, cutest little old ladies from the local community prepare imaginative meals from their personal recipe collections. Everything is done by volunteers. The only problem with Guild House is their serving portions: a dinner roll is the size of a marshmallow. It comes alone, wrapped inside a tiny napkin inside a tiny basket. Main course portions are similarly short-changed. Ask for "a little more" of something, and they react as if you just burped. The word "or" runs throughout the meal descriptions. Expectedly, most of the clientele on any given weekday consists of those cute, darling little old ladies, who probably spend all morning knitting to work up such ravenous appetites. Guild House is open for lunch weekdays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The cost of lunch is $13 before tax. "Evening desert", served Tuesday- Thursday by reservation, costs $12 including tax and gratuity. Minimum number for Evening Desert is 16 patrons. Guild House is open from September though May and closes during the summer from June -through August. read more

Guild House Restaurant - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Doors open at 11am, food starts being served at 1130am. They recommend you do have a reservation. Especially in Dec, this month coming up as they fill up fast with Xmas gatherings. What a concept, to eat in an adorable, historical house with the restaurant being run all by older volunteers who love what they do and then every cent goes towards a children's charity! Even the tip you leave! Great dedication for a good cause! So, when a friend asked me to meet her there for lunch I was thrilled - somewhere new for me! Turns out that it was one of the best lunches out I had had in Bakersfield. The food was homemade and very good. Service 5 star. The menu changes daily! On this day served was chicken piccata, wild rice and peas with celery and peppers. Included for $16 was tea (hot or cold) baked potato soup, the entree that could be subbed for a huge salad as well... then coffee and dessert. I could only eat half my meal and took the other half home - I liked the portion size - oh and the cute little buns (coriander seed this date). I had to eat the cappuccino ice cream torte or it would have melted so no take-home there! (twist my arm!) Great for a meal for 2, a business lunch or for a large group (more private rooms upstairs). Impressed with the good will idea of this and see myself returning to support. Thanks ladies, for all your hard work! read more

Guild House Restaurant - A lovely lady will take your reservation and also seat you. - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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I discovered this little gem while on a work assignment in Bakersfield. The gorgeous facade of the 100 year old house drew me in; delicious food, friendly service, and a noble cause ensured that I would come back again and again!!! While their menu changes daily, what you get is a steal -- three course meal, including soup, main dish, dessert and coffee for $14.95. Tasty home-cooked meals are prepared and served daily by volunteer staff, and proceeds go to a children's charity. So you're doing good, while feeling great!!! Now to the food. Our lunch started with pureed carrot soup - a perfect starter on a crisp Autumn day -- served with a freshly baked biscuit that was out of this world. Orange marmalade glazed rotisserie chicken (1/2 chicken) was prepared to perfection complete with crispy herbed skin, and served over delicious mashed potatoes and baby spinach salad with pomegranate seeds and light lemon vinaigrette. For dessert we feasted on cinnamon bread pudding with a brown sugar butter sauce that was simply DIVINE. Coffee and tea were served with dessert. If you're interested to know more about the house itself, the friendly woman at reception will proudly share her knowledge. Ask her about the authentic Tiffany-signed silver chandeliers :) With plenty of space for large or small parties, the Guild House Restaurant is the great venue for entertaining business guests and can likely accommodate larger events. This is an absolute MUST to experience if you are local or just passing through the city of Bakersfield. They are only open for lunch and tend to draw a crowd, so make your reservations early. Enjoy!!! read more

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I've been coming down to the Guild House for years, with my grandparents, for special occasions etc. I always make reservations, some of their items sell out quickly so you have to "reserve" them in advance- as they only take a certain amount of reservations a day. Today I was served a Tomato Brisque soup, Salmon Salad, and a Raspberry cake. The staff is always so sweet for being volunteers. I'm always sure to tip well because I believe the tips go to the actual server as the meal money goes to a foundation for children. Amazing gourmet food, a great cause, and sweet people. I'll always be a customer here :) read more

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What a unique array of exceptional heartfelt gratitude it is to volunteer, and to do so with a cause. The Guild House offers gourmet luncheons for private and public affairs and serves to raise money for the Child Guidance Clinic serving our very own Kern County. This restored 1909 craftsman home has all the ambiance necessary to enjoy the view, appreciate the solid nature of its craft, and enjoy a yummy lunch! My experience was great. 3-course meal was filling, and the service was very quaint and homely. Almost as if you were at Grandma's home and she wanted to stuff you till you dropped! Restaurant hours are posted as 11:30-1:30pm, and you can call in a reservation for busy days, but just show up direct as the place does hold quite a few people. read more

Guild House Restaurant - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Such a cute and quaint place. There is street parking around the building as well as an attached parking lot. Guild House serves lunches on weekdays in a 2 story house. When we went, they were having a "fashion show" with the volunteers coming around and showing several different outfits from a store at the Marketplace on Ming Ave. Reservations are recommended but we found out they will accommodate for walk-ins. The service is cordial and polite. The servers are all volunteers as many have mentioned. Proceeds go to the Child Guidance Center which provides counseling services for the children of Kern County. On the day we went, we were given the option of the "Bountiful Bakersfield" salad with all local produce or the baked tilapia entree. The salad was enormous! See the picture....I'm not sure about the previous reviewer who was complaining about serving size. I thought there was ample food to go around. Anyway, we also had a delicious apricot cheesecake to end off the meal. Worth a visit for a bit of history, charity and quaintness! read more

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For years I wanted to go here but I thought it was "too fancy" for me. It is quite the opposite! Everything about the place Is beautiful, from the home to the place settings, to the outside landscaping. The wonderful volunteers make the most delicious food and are so warm and welcoming. After my first visit I went back quickly and brought along a friend who can't wait to go back again. This is a great place for quiet lunches and more. The weekly fashion show put on by the volunteers is a delight to watch! You definitely get your money worth while dining here. We have left there with full bellies and smiles on our faces! read more

I have frequented The Guild House many time since the 70's for a delicious luncheon dining experience. It is always a treat. Last Saturday I did book this beautiful venue for my 1st grandbabies baby shower. It was perfect! The staff was so nice and helpful. They helped with the decorations, gave me some good advice and were just so warm to all of the guests. The food was excellent! I choose to start with cesaer salad and homemade rolls that were divine! (The smell of these rolls baking permeated the building and hit you in the face when you first walked in). Then we had Tuscany Pollo, rice and Tillie's Green Beans. All were a taste delight! The lemon melba tart was unique and delicious. (We had cake also, but I brought to go containers as I knew the one dessert would fill everyone up.) The clean up after was done quickly and the staff were happy to help carry things out to cars. I tell you, it was a beautiful and stress free event! I recommend highly a special place is needed for a special occasion. read more

I give them 5 stars for service. Our server Robin was so nice and attentive. Never rushed us and gave us a little history about the Guild House. After knowing how noble this establishment is being run we will definitely go back and enjoy their lunch again. They have different set menus everyday so check their website. Everybody involved is on volunteer basis including the chef. What a noble thing to do. We will encourage our friends to go to Guild House. Set menu at very reasonable price. Well worth it!!! read more

Great service and well prepared food. Nice room for small group luncheon events dinner n the 2nd floor. Really enjoyed our lunch here.

Loved coming here. Came here with a group of ladies for my mom's birthday (we made a reservation because of our size). The service was wonderful and the ladies were very nice. They even let us have some extra rolls. Started with mushroom soup and it was quite good. I ate around the mushrooms and enjoyed the soup part (I like mushroom flavor but not the texture). Herbed bed with butter was SO good, we needed more. Fish with wild rice and broccolini with a mango salsa topping. It was VERY good. I enjoyed every bite. SUPER YUMMY dessert! Coconut cake! I ate it ALL and I want to go back to just get some more. A must place to eat for lunch and I need to go back. read more

Had lunch today and ordered the Asian BBQ salmon with fried rice and broccoli slaw. The meal presentation was beautiful and the salmon cooked to perfection! The atmosphere is cozy and you're greeted by the hostess and the wait staff were very friendly. I highly recommend having lunch in this beautiful historical house. read more

Guild House Restaurant - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

The food, the house, the volunteers - this is the whole package, ladies and gentlemen. Make sure you have an hour to spare, check the calendar to be sure it's a weekday in September - June, and GO! It's so worth it! The food is made fresh everyday, and the menu is different everyday (except for the entree salad, which stays the same for a week). You get soup, delicious dinner rolls, a hot entree with sides or the entree salad, and a heavenly dessert. The only choice you get is your beverage, and whether you want the hot or cold entree, so make sure you review their menu online ahead of time. Also, they tend to run out of entree salads, so I would suggest letting them know that's what you want as soon as you sit down, or if you call and make a reservation, let the hostess know then. The only entree I wasn't comfortable with in my years of eating there was the game hens, but I probably sacrificed for a delicious dessert they were serving that day. The setting is beautiful inside the turn-of-the-century Barlow home, and it is completely restored. While you are waiting for your food you can marvel at the thick dark wood, painted ceilings, or Tiffany light fixtures. It might seem a bit odd being seated in a room in the house that was clearly a bedroom, but how often does one step foot in a beautifully restored home like this anyway? All staff you will see are volunteers and all proceeds go to a local charity. The hostesses and servers are always pleasant too. It's a just a win/win. Basically, if you are looking for a healthy and hearty meal - something different from other lunch spots in downtown Bakersfield - you must have lunch at the Guild House. Support a local charity, and support the preservation of a beautiful building in the heart of downtown! read more

My absolute favorite lunch spot. Cant wait for summer to be over so they can reopen. Only place in town you can get gourmet level food for a "fast food" price, plus the house is super cute and allegedly haunted which were all perks for me lol read more

Guild House Restaurant - Chicken cannoleni and strawberry pie - New American Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I love their food here and it's always good. I have gone in and off over the years and the wait staff is so nice. I love the rolls and desserts are good also. They now sell a cookbook for $20 too. During the pandemic they had to get creative and do takeout when closed or eat outside when allowed. Or sell takeout for holiday pickups. I hope they can stay solvent during this pandemic. The nice old building is so pretty and elegant. read more

I love the atmosphere here, the house is beautifully decorated and has a nice ambiance. Their menu is posted on their website and changes monthly, their soups are amazing and servings are generous. For $15.95 you get salad, entree and dessert! read more

Great food! I was actually really surprised by the quality of the food, start to finish. I was invited there by some coworkers. I thought it would be an overpriced tea house, but I am happy to be wrong. It's a cute place inside with older volunteers; it's like going to a friend's house and your friend's grandma is spoiling you. It's really cute. We had a terrific squash soup and one of the best quiches I've ever had, followed by a chocolate and walnut cake. A real gem. I can't wait to go back. read more

Super good home cooked food! eating well for a good cause :) all proceeds go to helping kids at risk. eat here. it's incredible. btw, incredibly reasonable prices. lunch was about $20 person. packed house. amazing. read more