Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Julian Cafe

    3.7 (1k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Julian Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    JULIAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Casual
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Julian Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cold cider
    Kathryn S.

    Stopped by with my fiancé for bunch and we got the cinnamon roll French toast and country fried steak. It was great! The french toast was as sweet as we expected but even bigger than anticipated, lol. The country fried steak was perfectly crispy, gravy was flavorful, and the fresh cider hit the spot. Place was packed too but the food came out pretty quick maybe a 20-30 min wait. Always a fan of great service too so I'll add our server was super nice and welcoming. It's a small spot inside but the oversized food portions make this place bigger. If I'm in Julian and want more than just pie, this is definitely one of my go to spots.

    Chicken pie Turnover! Amazing flavor! Make sure to get the gravy on the side to truly enjoy the flaky, delicious pie crust!
    Jonathan M.

    Originally known for being the "Home of the famous Julian Apple Pie" this cozy kitchen to table cafe has so much more to offer, paying homage to its early roots in Julian, which is noticeable as soon as you step through those doors! Make sure you bring your appetite, as these portions will leave you craving for a midday nap if you come unprepared! The service was as sweet as the pie. Do yourself a favor and make sure you add this place on your to-do list when you get into town!

    French dip with French fries Delicious !!!
    Nicolle V.

    While visiting Julien , We always Stop by Julian Cafe Love to Support a Family Owned Great Business It's a Cozy place . They serve up some Delicious food , Great Portions . This time around we had the French dip it was Excellent & Julia's Hot Chicks sandwich Spicy Nashville Chicken topped with Coleslaw & Pickles Delicious. The Chicken was Juicy & Crispy had it with French fries & ordered side of Onion rings . Honorable mention last time we tried the Cinnamon Roll & Pie with Ice Cream . Cara was our server . She is Attentive, Kind & has a Great Smile , She makes the dinning Experience Wonderful . Makes you feel Welcomed We'll definitely visit again !

    Our large group , they were accommodating to fit us all !
    Mster M.

    If you're ever in Julian, you've gotta check out this place. I got here late after breakfast, but I still was able to get cranberry white chocolate, Belgian waffle. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's baked inside ,not on the outside not too sweet. They also are known for their pies. We got an apple one very good. Cara was our waitress. She was very friendly and patient with our large group.

    Cinnamon roll - not bad but the butter on top and the frosting was excessive
    Phamhong G.

    We were a little nervous about the reviews but came with no expectations a little before 10 am on a Saturday and really enjoyed our experience. Our wait was 20-30 mins. Customer service was good, our server and the bussers were friendly and attentive. The bacon was thick and cooked perfectly, the scrambled eggs were fluffy, and the French toast had the perfect flavor and texture. The boysenberry/apple pie crumble was amazing and the best way to end my meal. The cinnamon roll was huge and wasn't too bad, wouldn't order it again but got it for the experience. The butter on top was unnecessary and the frosting was excessive. We sat at a table near the front and could hear the wait times and the later you came, the longer your wait. The average wait became 1 hr 20 mins, then 1.5 hours. This restaurant is good but not amazing to wait that long... The one thing I noticed was that the path to the restroom is the same path where the food sits when it's finished and is waiting to be dropped off to tables. Customers walking by can easily breathe/sneeze/cough on or near the food but I just tried not to think about it. It's a small restaurant. Would dine here again.

    10/14/25 Classic mom n pops place!
    Jennifer W.

    10/14/25 My kind of place, a classic mom & pop cafe with rustic ambiance & appeal- warm & attentive service. After picking up a few pies at Julian Pie Co in Santa Ysabel, found our way back here in neighboring city of Julian. The Farmhouse was sadly closed on a Tuesday, otherwise that's where we would have dined instead. I'm so glad this was right in front of Mom's Pie across the street. Rebecca was our wonderful server who checked on us many times to ensure our experience was nothing but impeccable. At first glance, the fried chicken caught my eye & Hubby ordered a bowl of chili with the onions, sour cream & cheese on the side, with corn bread, of course. I counted about 13 table in this cafe that could seat two to four each, some free standing, some booths- which could easily accommodate 6 small adults. Our food arrived shortly & it was hot & fresh. After the customary photo ops, we dug in. It took all of my courage to NOT ravage it coz I was hangry! It's 4 pm & it would've been our first meal of the day. My fried chicken was scrumptious--oh so crunchy & full of seasoned flavor, the meat inside was tender & moist. The mashed potatoes with gravy were the perfect partner to offset the richness of the fried chicken-- Hubby loved it, too! Hubby's chili was pretty good, good amount of spices but we've had better. It was so good, though to be thick & hearty on a cold, rainy, fall day. The cornbread was a bit dry, nothing to write home about. The best part of this meal? When Rebecca dropped by & we were about to settle the bill, she said that it had already been taken care of.... What!? She said one of the customers had already paid for it. Instantly I knew sho it was because I happened to notice a kindly gentleman eating solo in one corner, and I guessed correctly that he was the one who did!!! I am beyond in awe. Wow! Rebecca said that gentleman comes from out of town regularly & he randomly pays for other customers' meals & chooses to remain unknown. It was already a 5 star experience but Mr. Kind & Generous made it so much special. I am truly Blessed, Hubby & I are very fortunate. Thanks, Julian Cafe!

    Their house specialty. So delicious!
    M D.

    We loved our time at Julian Cafe. It is such a cute spot. We visit Julian a lot but it's usually impossible to get a seat here without a long wait on the weekends. We ended up coming here on Sunday afternoon and the place was very quiet. We enjoyed the food a lot - everything was delicious and exactly what we expected. It has a warm home-cooked & cozy vibe. Our server was wonderful. The only negative is some of the employees aren't very nice, but that was minor compared to the rest of the experience. Don't eat too much so you have room for pie! We will be back here next time we're in town, even if there's a wait.

    Site history
    Margaret A.

    We stopped in for lunch mid-week. The weather was nice plus it was not crowded. A plus in my book. Upon entering the nice waitress seated us immediately. I decided to try the Julian apple burger and a blackberry lemonade. Plus we shared some zucchini. Whoa, was my first thought biting into my burger. The combination of apples, grilled onions, bleu cheese and the maple mustard sauce was just phenomenal. No wonder it's a house favorite! I just wish I had enough of the maple mustard sauce to dip my zucchini into. But no worries they had ranch sauce. I enjoyed my blackberry lemonade. More so after I watered it down as it was a bit too sweet for me. If I order it again I'd get half water half of the lemonade in a glass. The zucchini was tasty and I suspect the yummy ranch sauce was homemade. I really enjoy this cafe as I know the food will always be fresh, delicious and scratch made. Plus the wait staff are always friendly, helpful and speedy.

    Bacon cheeseburger with fries
    Julia G.

    Spent a beautiful, sunny day in Julian and had a late lunch at this quaint cafe. My friend ordered a bacon cheeseburger with fries and I ordered the most popular dish - chicken pot pie with mashed potatoes and gravy. The portions were very generous. My friend said her burger was delicious. Unfortunately my meal was too bland for my taste. The servers were really nice and attentive for such a busy place. Many places close at 5pm but cafe stays open until 8pm.

    Apple crumble pie with ice cream
    Alex G.

    Such a cute place!! Its located on the main road in Julian. My bf and I came on a winter night to star gaze. We stopped by here because its the few places open and only one that served dessert. The pie was super tasty and comforting. I looooooved the warm apple cider. It was the PERFECT dessert for a winter night. Service was excellent, fast and friendly. I would love to come back for a meal next time!

    Ranch breakfast
    Wendy B.

    Service was great, tip call ahead to put yourself on the wait. It is very small inside. As far as breakfast, if you want a lot of food, go here. The servings are huge. As far as flavor, I thought my biscuit was dry, the pancakes were ok, and the bacon was over cooked. We had a latte and it was small in comparison to food servings.

    Bbq bacon burger
    Yaneisy V.

    First time in Julian, glad we stopped here for lunch. I think we had the Julian salad that had apples, candied walnuts, blue cheese and poppy seed dressing. It was delicious! We also ate the burger and fries and that was amazing! Service was friendly and would recommend this establishment. Definitely make a stop here.

    Pie
    Joanne J.

    Darling place. They sell pies, candles and have a selection of lemonade/flavored tea. Great western vibe and super friendly s. The coleslaw is bomb, you know it is really hard to find good coleslaw. This place has it. I had the liver and onions with extra, extra onions. There was a lot of onions on top and a lot of bacon. The liver and onions was delicious, but needed a little salt. With the extra little bit of salt, it is some of the best liver and onions I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and gravy was delish too. My husband had the chicken pie turn over. He said it was effing good!!!! The stacks of fries coming out of the kitchen were hot and high and I wish a couple had fallen on my table. But, I had to finish my lunch fryless. I would absolutely come back here and order the same thing. Morgan was our server, she did a great job. She was very attentive and quick.

    Chicken Fried Steak with Fries & Chicken Pie with Mashed Potatoes

    See all

    Photo of William W.
    10
    101
    12

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cara T.

    Cara T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 6
    Love this 19
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M D.
    76
    78
    98

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cazine W.
    137
    93
    79

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ta D.
    0
    20
    1

    8 days ago

    The food was amazing , the potatoes tasted like heaven and the prime was basically mooing

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 3
    Love this 12
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cara T.

    Cara T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob T.
    5
    138
    7

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Food and service was amazing Depending on the time and day you go it can be a wait, but I would say it's worth it

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nafo F.
    25
    138
    37

    2 months ago

    The ribs and the pie are amazing. Veggies are also very good. Soup is delicious too, great service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Great food, great service, great atmosphere! Food made from scratch and love! Awesome gift items and simply just amazing!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rodney
    0
    6
    11

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 26

    Julian Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Julian Cafe

    You might also consider

    Julian Pie Company

    Julian Pie Company

    4.5
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Must visit! When you visit Julian, you definitely need to make this your first or last stop! Julian…read morePie Company has so many different things to offer, you will definitely find something you absolutely need! We already got our pie fix at Mom's, but made this our last stop before heading out. It was so cold out, a super chilly day, there's nothing more perfect than to grab a hot cup of steaming Apple Cider! It hit the spot! I couldn't stop just standing there sipping my hot cider while waiting for our to go items to be prepared. We got two apple cider donuts, one cinnamon sugar and one chocolate dipped. Long ago, I tried these tiny heart shaped pie crust cookies covered in cinnamon and sugar - Apple Memories! These are crisp tiny bites of love that you want to take home every single time! There are actually two buildings. One where you can grab a bite to eat, the other has all the merchandise, and both have whole frozen pies to grab to go! The building where you can dine has a small inside dining area, it can get cozy in there, but on a chilly day, that is exactly what you want! Just outside there is plenty of room outdoors to enjoy the scenery. In the merchandise building I couldn't help myself... we took home a whole gallon of apple cider, and also bought a jar of Cinnamon Apple Honey Spread and a jar of Apple butter... absolute yum! The hubs also decided to try the apple cinnamon chapstick! Yes, you can grab one of these famous pies at many different establishments throughout San Diego. To make name a few, Iowa Farms, Spring Valley Market, Siesel's and even at Vons! But if you're in Julian, don't forget to try a pie, grab some Apple Memories, and don't forget to bring a hot thermos to take that hot Apple cider to go! Enjoy!!! Simply the Best! Series: 14 2026: 25

    Place is rather very small inside. Probably at least 10-12 seats, very very small booth spaces…read more Tons of seating outdoors, which is great when it's not cold. Had the Dutch Apple pie, because I wanted something sweeter. It was very good, and served slightly warm. The crumbles on top added the bit of crunch with the soft gooeyness of the apple pie filling, The small scoop of ice cream covered it all, but I had to scoop the ice cream off to eat the pie.

    Photos
    Caramel Dutch apple pie with cinnamon ice cream
    Caramel Dutch apple pie with cinnamon ice cream
    Strawberry rhubarb pie
    Strawberry rhubarb pie
    Peach apple, caramel apple pie, topped with whipped cream! Vanilla and spice ice cream on the side!

    See all

    Peach apple, caramel apple pie, topped with whipped cream! Vanilla and spice ice cream on the side!
    Mom's Pie House

    Mom's Pie House

    4.2
    (1k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I can't tell you how pleased I was to find that Mom's has delicious, gluten free options! Who would…read morehave thought in the tiny town of Julian? I had the strawberry rhubarb and it was delightful! Even more options are available in their display case. Will definitely be returning. The next day I came back and we had the GF cinnamon apple muffin and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream (no -GF). My daughter said the pecan pie was to die for and the muffin was a delightful treat. Not overwhelmingly sweet, just right. Even better is their sustainable packaging which I VERY much appreciate. Well done Mom's!

    Mom's Pie House has my hubs heart! He wanted to try every single pie you have in here without…read morethinking twice! Sweet treats are the way to my guys heart! We came in here and he wanted a slice of everything! I'm not a super sweets fan, and definitely not a pie person. Something about baked fruit, I'm not a fan of. My eyes widened and limited him to two slices and some cookies! We got two slices of pie, Strawberry Rhubarb and Bumbleberry (Blackberry, Blueberry and Raspberry) the trifecta of berries! We also grabbed a couple of small cookie packages, Snickerdoodles and Ginger snaps. Pie slices are $6.50, add $2 if you want to add a scoop of ice cream (olds school Thrifty Ice Cream! Yum!) The cookies are $3 each. That evening after we got home, for dessert, we tried the pies... hubs gave me side eye. I just wanted to try a tiny bite of each. They weren't bad. I liked the flavor of the Bumbleberry. Most of all I liked the crumble topping of both! Just give me baked sugar crumble topping any day for dessert and I'll be happy lol! Hubs can have the actual pie (and filling). Walking in, a line forms immediately in front of where the pies are displayed to be served. Then you move up to the front as you choose your sweet treats. Staff was super nice. You can choose to dine in or take your items to go. Super warm homey feeling all around. 2026: 24

    Photos
    Fresh baked muffins
    Fresh baked muffins
    Our Apple Caramel Crumble Pie - SO GOOD! Look at all those delectable Apple pieces!
    Our Apple Caramel Crumble Pie - SO GOOD! Look at all those delectable Apple pieces!
    Their Apple Bread - heavenly!!

    See all

    Their Apple Bread - heavenly!!
    Dudley's Bakery

    Dudley's Bakery

    3.9
    (583 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Trays full of fresh bread of different varieties, whole pies, a case full of beautiful desserts and…read morebaked goods, plus an excellent lineup of sandwiches, the only problem is what to pick. This has become a go-to spot post-hike in the area and always is the treat I look forward to. On my most recent visit I had the BLT which had avocado, an egg, and chipotle mayo on brioche - hit the spot. Each sandwich comes on a different type of bread, which adds to the flavor profiles for each. Sometimes places just put it all on wheat or sourdough, but I like how the bread is paired to add to the sandwich. There's seating inside and out and always plenty of parking, though I can imagine on the weekend, it's more competitive. Although the spot has been around for a while, I just recently got introduced to it on enthusiastic recommendations from others, so I pass that enthusiastic recommendations onto you.

    I read that the owner of the French Gourmet bought Dudley's and promised not to make any changes to…read morethe baked goods.  That does not appear to be the case.  We showed up at 1pm on Wednesday and it was quiet.  In the past there was a big lunch crowd and the shelves were full of fresh baked breads and pies.   Supposedly, breads are baked every other day now.  I bought a loaf of Hawaiian sweet bread and it was at least a day old.  I suspect more like 2 days old.  The outside was starting to get hard while just the center was soft.  There was an aroma of bread sitting around for a while.  King's Hawaiian bread from Costco has a fresher aroma and has a fresher more vibrant flavor while you get twice as much bread for the price. Maggie misses the fresh baked fruit bars and were soft and full of sweet fruit flavor.  Cashier told us they are only baked on Saturday now.  We touched the fruit bars and they were all hard from sitting around half the week.  It's sad as we loved stopping here after a trip to Julian for fresh baked treats and Doc Brown's Root Beer.  Looks like we will have to buy all our baked treats at one of the Julian bakeries like Apple Alley that bakes their pies every morning.  https://www.hungryones.com/2021/10/apple-alley-bakery/ Staff was nice and efficient.

    Photos
    Dudley's Bakery
    Tuna melt
    Tuna melt
    From Left to right - APPLE PEACH PIE , then APPLE MIX BERRY , then APPLE MANGO PIE .... all 3 were so Delicious !

    See all

    From Left to right - APPLE PEACH PIE , then APPLE MIX BERRY , then APPLE MANGO PIE .... all 3 were so Delicious !
    Mom's Pie House

    Mom's Pie House

    4.1
    (216 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    We stopped by Mom's Pie House after a weekend of camping nearby since it was on the way home, and…read moreof course we couldn't leave Julian without grabbing some pie. We settled on this location since we had a large group, and they had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The shop itself is super cute and I think their outdoor seating is where they really shine! Plenty of benches and tables outside for a picnic type vibe, and they have a small garden that you can stroll through. There was even a friendly resident cat when we came! I got a slice of bumbleberry pie but also tried my friend's apple pie and strawberry rhubarb pie, all with crumble crusts, and they were all good with the perfect crust texture. I also got a taste of my friend's cinnamon ice cream which was good and went well with the apple pie! Lastly, I ordered a pint of their apple cider which was refreshing and just the perfect amount of sweetness, although it was a bit on the pricier side. They also had other things for sale like dog bones, honey, and seeds. The place gave cozy rustic vibes for sure. Overall, a great option if you're looking to enjoy some pie and relax in their garden seating area.

    I didn't realize that Mom's Pie House had multiple locations but if you're not interested in…read moreexploring Julian, this stop might be the better option! As far as I can tell, they have the same menu and the pies taste the same. We arrived pretty early in the morning and were the only group up until the end. Order at the front and pick-up towards the side when they call out your number. Dogs aren't allowed inside but there's a huge outdoor area in the back with a beautiful garden and tons of shade. They have a cat wandering around so make sure to keep dogs on leash! I ordered the Apple Crumb a'la mode, which comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pie was crumbly and the apple filling was sweet and warm. Pairs perfectly with the cold vanilla ice cream! If ice cream isn't your go-to pie accompaniment, you can also get whipped cream. I also got to try the strawberry rhubarb and bumbleberry but those were a bit too tart for my liking. Great snack to start the day! Make sure to stop by if you're in the area and try the apple pies that make Julian so famous.

    Photos
    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA
    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA
    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA
    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA
    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA

    See all

    Mom's Pie House in Julian, CA
    Miner's Diner

    Miner's Diner

    3.4
    (888 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    We passed by Julian to an apple pie, however, the actual apple piece stores were already closed by…read morethe time we got there. We stumbled upon this restaurant and ask them if they had an apple pie and they did. This review is based on just their apple pie. I was so happy when I ate their apple pie because it was so good and we immediately ordered their whole apple pie to go as a gift for someone. Their stuff all friendly and the place is very cozy. I will go back again when I visit Julian

    Old school diner vibes, pretty simple - in a good way!…read more Our waitress was super friendly. It's tight in there so the place fills up fast. It was easier to seat a party of two than a larger group. But people aren't there to lounge so tables seemed to turn over timely. Not gonna lie, it was hard seeing people who ordered after get their food first. But again, it was packed on a weekend. Nothing fancy going on here, burgers, sandwiches - the usual. I did enjoy the phosphate sodas that you can choose the flavor of. Orange and vanilla was pretty tasty! The California BLT comes with avocado and cream cheese. Putting the cream cheese on the side worked, I tried it and ate it with most of my sandwich. Don't think I needed it it every bite though. Coleslaw was really good! Loved the old toys they have displayed, even picked up some jax for my mom. That's her childhood claim to fame. The train that goes around up-top is fun too! Lots of historical items and pictures. It's an old place that's holding it down. Glad I checked it out.

    Photos
    Miner's Diner
    Huge Banana Split
    Huge Banana Split
    Handmade Cola

    See all

    Handmade Cola

    Julian Cafe - bakeries - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...