This was my first time visiting Pyrenees Cafe and it's my sister's favorite restaurant so I was excited to be able to try it! We were able to find ample parking in the lot on a Saturday around 2pm. We walked into the bar and it took me a while for my eyes to adjust from it being so bright outside and dark inside, but you walk right into the middle of the bar with a large bar top and booths around the room. We walked to the restaurant side, which was super cute, but we went to the patio. The patio was super cute as well, with plants all over and there were giant fans for when it gets really hot outside. Our server was awesome too, and I mean awesome because when she came to take our orders I had seen a very tiny very pregnant little black and white cat and I asked about her. Our server was AMAZING in telling me that the local cats are pretty taken care of because she could tell I was concerned and distracted LOL We put in our orders: sister's favorite is the NY Steak French Fry Salad, husband got the Bacon Avocado Pepperjack burger, and I couldn't decide so I got the Basque lunch setup. All the food was awesome. My different dishes were delivered as they were ready and there was so much! The basque lunch is a good value as well in my opinion:) Everyone was very happy with their food and drinks. The restroom was small but worked just fine and pretty clean. I will definitely be back to try more things from the Pyrenees Cafe huge menu and awesome staff (and cute kittens). read more

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Had lunch with a few coworkers, we came right at noon and were sat down very quickly. Our server was very nice and attentive. This restaurant is a Bakersfield staple and the ambiance is a true reflection of that. The food was fantastic, had the tritip sandwich, probably in my top 3 pastrami sandwiches in town. read more

Sad to say, I've been coming here for many years and never had a bad meal until yesterday. But it wasn't one item that was bad, it was almost everything except the homemade flan! The lamb chops were tiny, the beans were cold and all the sides from the soup on were pretty much tepid and flavorless. To add insult to injury, prices were way up! My picon punch was weak and seemingly missing an ingredient. I don't know if they were just having a bad day or if that was the new regime. That being said, service was very good and the place still had the old style decor and a convivial atmosphere. What happened to the food? Note: that Basque cheesecake is not homemade, it's Sysco. 10 bucks for a slice of factory made cake? read more

Basque resto in East Bakersfield that's been around for centuries apparently! Nice big bar w happy hour and friendly staff, indoor diner, and another bar outdoors with patio and stage for live music on weekends. Entrees are pricey but it's bc of the many sides a complete meal comes with. read more

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Such a cool spot that we stopped by on our road trip serving up basque style food. Everyone there seemed to be locals and knew each other, so loved that small town feel. We ordered the ribeye lunch special served basque style and was not ready for the amount of food that was coming! Besides the steak and fries, we got a full bowl (not cup!) of basque style cabbage soup, baked beans, cottage cheese, salad, side of salsa, bread. We also ordered the small side of beef tongue which was delicious! Attentive service as well, and I had to get the basque cheesecake to go. Would 100% come back (and maybe just share the basque meal next time) if we do pass by Bakersfield again! read more

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Old-school charm at its finest. This historic landmark delivers the kind of warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel like family the moment you walk in. You can tell the recipes have been passed down through the years -- every bite has that 100% authentic, homemade taste, look, and feel. I had the pastrami, and it was clear there was a lot of tender love and care put into that sandwich. Absolutely beautiful. Paired it with the hand-cut French fries and the homemade onion rings -- both were outstanding. Amazing experience all around. A definite must-try. read more

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Ambience is fun and spunky and also loud. Because it was spring break it was busy. The weight staff is always good and attentive however, on Friday, they seemed hurried. Overall, the food is good. I haven't had a dish that is outstanding, but I also haven't tried everything on the menu. This last time I had the full lunch spread, which included a salad, soup, bread, and butter, beans, salsa, and the cottage cheese salad. My entrée was the garlic shrimp, and that came with a side of french fries. The garlic shrimp was very tasty and it was a good portion. My son ordered the burger with the breaded patty, marinara sauce, cheese, and a bunch of other toppings. The burger was delicious. This time we tried the Basque cheesecake and that was delicious also. It did not come with the chocolate sauce like the menu said, however it was good with just a caramel sauce. I think next time I will ask for it without the whipped cream. Enjoy! No photos... We were too hungry. We devoured everything quickly! read more

Overall an ok experience, but not sure I'll be back anytime soon. We were seated outside, which was clean, but there were a ton of fans blowing even though it wasn't hot. Two stray cats kept coming up to the table begging for food. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. There was literally nobody else on the patio and it took 30 minutes for our order of a hamburger and steak salad to arrive. The food itself was very good. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Pepper jack bacon cheeseburger - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I told my husband that having lived here in Bakersfield for about 8 years, I haven't tried Basque food yet. He brought me here, an unassuming spot in downtown with unbelievably amazing service and at the same time, good food. We had the whole set up as he called it, with garlic fried chicken as our main. We also got some onion rings and pickled tongue as extra sides. We were first served bread then the rest of the meal was served on and on. We usually share entrees so this was like a feast in our eyes. Loved everything, flavor was subtle yet reminds you of comfort. There was a bar as soon as you walk in which seemed to have such a fun atmosphere as well! Glad to have tried this Bakersfield's not-so-hidden gem. Just a tip: come hungry! read more

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I love that they have kept the original vintage look in this restaurant. Pyrenees is such a loved tradition here in Bakersfield. Natalie was our server today, she was friendly, helpful and prompt. I had questions about some of the vintage photos on the wall and she patiently answered them even though she was busy with lunch rush. The staff works well together as a team to be sure your experience is on point & enjoyable. During their lunch & dinner rush just be prepared to have a leisurely meal. This isn't a fast food joint. As always the food was delicious today. Our group ordered and shared the meals. We love trying everything. We had the Halibut with artichoke sauce which was creamy and flavorful. The Halibut was cooked perfectly. The Lobster Ravioli was scrumptious. Al dente pasta with a generous lobster filling and a delicious garlicky cream sauce. The cheesy garlic bread was not to my liking. The cheese crust was left on the grill a little too long and the bread was a bit dry. Other than that the meals were a treat. A while back I had another so good experience. I think it was right after it had changed hands. Well I'm glad to see they have it dialed in now. For good food & service I recommend Pyrenees! read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Halibut in artichoke cream sauce which - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Food is good, we always get great service, and prices are very reasonable can't go wrong.

We love coming to Pyrenees for breakfast and lunch. Service is great and very consistent. The ambiance is very lively. There's plenty of space for large parties and gatherings. My fiancé loves the bacon cheeseburger but I love their basque menu! My go to is the shrimp scampi and it's very light and flavorful. I'd really love to come here for happy hour in the near future. I've also been to an engagement party here where my friends made a large reservation and did basque food catering. Their fried chicken is delicious and i love their basque soup! I recommend this place to anyone trying basque food for the first time. There are so many great options which is why this is a Bakersfield classic! read more

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Came back for lunch! Unbelievable value on their garlic fried chicken. 3 big pieces of chicken with fries and onion rings. Even comes with some setup for $20+. Too much food for sure you'll be good until dinner. The crisp was superb but I'd say the fries need seasoning. I would also prefer to have more of the garlic they put on top of the chicken, would make more memorable bites. Albeit I forgot to ask if it was possible! read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Rack of Lamb, spaghetti and Fresh Cut French Fries, Vegetable soup - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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Pyrenees Café is absolutely worth the off-the-path adventure. I had heard good things, but the fried chicken completely exceeded expectations. Crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside -- the kind of fried chicken that makes you slow down and appreciate every bite. You can tell it's made with care and tradition. The service was warm and attentive, adding to the charm of the whole experience. It feels like one of those classic spots that locals cherish -- and now I understand why. And don't skip dessert. The crème brûlée was excellent -- perfectly set custard with that satisfying crack of caramelized sugar on top. A flawless way to end the meal. If you're debating whether it's worth the drive -- it absolutely is. I'll be back. read more

When you first get here there is a lot of parking available, ALOT of seating areas and different vibes the restaurant has tables, outside patio, bar, big party friendly. The service was quick you can tell they treat their regulars like family. Everyone was checking on us and they all were so friendly. The meats were high quality and cooked exactly how we asked. The lamb chops were so delicious. The drinks were good nothing special but I'll probably try a house cocktail next time. Other than the area this place is a must try for sure. read more

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Great food and better people. Show up, eat food, and have a good time. Nothing beats the local spot for drinks and great food served by an amazing staff. read more

We recently hosted my husband David's birthday celebration here, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place or its owner, Julie. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. Julie and her team went above and beyond to make the evening seamless, stress-free, and truly special. The staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and professional all night long. Every guest felt welcomed and cared for, and so many of our friends and family commented on how great the service and atmosphere were. The venue was perfect for our celebration, and everything flowed beautifully. Thanks to Julie and her amazing team, the night was unforgettable. We had the best time, and our guests did too. If you're looking for a place to host a special event or simply want outstanding hospitality this is it. Thank you, Julie, for helping make such an important milestone so memorable! read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Celebration photo - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This is a local gem, finally get to go there with a friend for a proper review. Three place to sit, the super fun old school bar, indoor restaurant, or outdoor patio. The patio is my favorite, a rustic courtyard with brick wall, string lights and red umbrellas. The wait staff was friendly and attentive. The food is the legendary Bakersfield basque food with modern presentation. The garlic fries and shrimp appetizers were amazing. My main course was ribeye, nicely marbled, perfectly prepared, nicely seasoned. Every dish had great attention to details. Very satisfied and I will always return here. read more

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With its neon sign beckoning through the fog, Pyrenees was the perfect spot on a freezing night. Old school ambiance and fast service . Drinks were good and strong. Cabbage soup was a miracle. Oxtail soup and the sides were tasty. Basque cheesecake had a subtle sweet cream flavor and though I was dubious about the bacon topping, I was a fool--it was great. read more

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Great service and great customer service, Isai was a very nice man giving us the rundown on the history of this place. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Cooling off - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Had the pleasure of having co-owners Rod and Julie Crawford be our greeters and servers for Sunday lunch. First time dining here, the atmosphere, food and vibes are all amazing! The location from the outside doesn't look like much but once inside you can choose from sitting at outdoors, the bar or indoor dining room. Rod and Julie are friendly, welcoming, and made our first time visiting memorable. Had the lamb shank, ox tail stew, lamp chops, lollipop lamb, French dip sandwich, starter lineup (vegetable soup, salad, and cottage cheese), crème brûlée and flan. All impeccable and packed with flavor. Every dish hit the mark and the service was the cherry on top making our experience that much more special. Thank you Rod and Julie for the wonderful hospitality and the awesome hat merch! read more

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Have been hearing good things about the food here so came to give them a try. First off was happy to see they had Mr. Pibb so grabbed one to go. Tried the French dip sandwich and fries. The sandwich was really delicious and will have it again. The fries were a bit soggy by the time o got home so can't fault them for that since I live a distance away but were tasty. Place has a chill atmosphere and staff was super friendly and helpful. I also hear good things about their chicken pot pies and will have to come try them. read more

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Hands down some of the best food I've had in a long time. I ordered the beef barley soup, and it was exactly what the doctor ordered--rich, flavorful, and comforting. My husband had the chili verde omelet and absolutely loved it. The coffee was so delicious that I actually drove to the company that roasts it just to buy a bag to take home to Phoenix! The staff was fabulous--friendly, welcoming, and attentive. What an amazing restaurant. I'm so glad a friend recommended it to us. We will definitely be back.. read more

Bakersfield has the largest collection of Basque restaurants in the United States, with the Pyrenees Cafe being a super old one. I think it was first opened around 1901 as a boarding house, mostly for men, and brothel house on the side that served people coming in from Spain and other areas--the food and the women. It was also quite busy during prohibition making their own booze. Whether it was good, who knows, this was years and years ago. There are not as many Basque places in Bakersfield as their once was and I wish they would all come back. They are just great. The food is wonderful. It is often served family style and you just feel welcome. The ladies of the night are long gone and it is kid friendly. These establishments like Pyrenees carry the traditions of their ancestors, offering a Basque food experience to everyone. It is on a long street and there are several Basque places to eat and we love them all. This one is a favorite. Customarily, meals at the Pyrenees Café are multicourse, served family style at long tables, but they also have smaller tables and a bar counter. We always get started with the 'set-up,' a generous spread of bread, soup, beans, salsa, pickled tongue, vegetables, French fries, and spaghetti. Now you don't have to do this and you can have just bread or whatever to start, but we love the 'set up." I don't like tongue, but I drive it back to my dog who loves me for it. I am sure it is great, just not for me. The entrees include lamb, chicken, pasta, ox tail and seafood, or the special entrée of the night, which is always great. So, go. It may be a new experience for you and the entire Downtown (near the tracks) Bakersfield area can really use the business. It is super safe and it is fun. Oh, and now they have Breakfast. Yummy. read more

This restaurant is located in a sketchy neigborhood, it's surrounded by tents, people loittering and generally sleepy looking people. Not sure what's with that corner. Anyway, we still decided to give the restaurant a try. Firstly, the main door was a little hard to identify. Look for door with sign that says something about bathroom etc. That's the main door! Entering, we were greeted by loud guests happily drinking. It was like entering a whole new world, quickly we forgot about the sketchiness outside. We chose where we wanted to sit and were quickly given menus. We started with Coquilles St. Jacques. This is a seafood dish with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, & lobster, mushrooms, leeks and heavy cream. Topped with cheese and baked. This was quite good. I found it salty, my husband didn't. The seafood was generous portions. I ordered the Tempura Battered Fish & Chips plus a salad with it. I was disappointed that the tempura was thick batter and not light, unlike tempura that I was expecting. The fries that came with it was good. Did not taste store-bought. The salad that came was also refreshing. We also had the Basque Burger - caution - this serving is huge. Instead of fries, we added onion rings with it. My husband said it was good. The bill was about $95.00 for 2 people. That's quite steep. The only dish we felt was worth the price tag was the appetizer: Coquilles St. Jacques. The rest, not so much. We've been here once, not motivated to go back. Sorry. read more

The food was delicious and the waiter was so patient with all my questions and again the food was delicious

The food has always been top notch and today it's no different period. I love it all. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Had jury duty and was craving a french dip. With a longer than normal lunch period decided to give this place a try. Bar was full and all the booths in the bar were "reserved" so we were shoed off to the other dining room with booths along the walls and family style tables in the center. Ordered the french dip and my friend ordered the tri-tip sandwich. Both priced around $20 and came with fries, onion rings, or a lil of both. The plate of food was enough to warrant a $20 charge and the service was fast and friendly. But the meat on both our sandwiches was so bland and the au jus as well. I thought it may have been me as I have cut back on salt over the years, but my friend agreed it was bland. The fries and onion rings dipped in ketchup were ok. I really wanted to like this place. I will try something else in the future before I give up on it.. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Bland French dip with fries and onion rings. - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

First, I've got to Thank Chris. Our server. He was absolutely phenomenal. Not kidding THE BEST service I've ever witnessed w my own eyes. Amazing place hidden in old town kern. As with all restaurants/cafes etc we sat first, & gave Chris our order. His energy was SO on. So respectful but real. The kindest person I've not known and treated everyone at the table eagerly and was even happy to accommodate the picky eater we had in tow. It was the NICEST gesture I've seen in a very long time. The place is a bar, but also has regular seating- separated from that area. I can't remember exactly how many courses we had? (That just CAME w the food! It was delicious and delightful! The best time I've had in Bakersfield in a long time! We had soup, salad, bread, steamed veggies, pasta in bolognese, and I know I'm missing something... then our entrees came out. (Ribeye steaks) that was the best cut of meat I've eaten in Bakersfield in so long I can't give an accurate account of the last time. After our sides & entrees were finished, we decided to order beignets and HOLY SMOKES?! Just go for the dessert if nothing else. They were drizzled w caramel a dusting of powdered sugar and topped with bacon. Oh myyy it was the BEST meal. Served by someone we felt we knew?! It was a beautiful experience. I wish they ALL could be like this one- but would we appreciate as much if Everyone were able to do it? (Not sure) would most def recommend this place & can't wait to go back! read more

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Breakfast is always good here and a Bloody Mary is a nice way to start your day! Food is always hot and portions are large. Cant go wrong with anything on the menu. This a fun place to get together with friends. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Never know whose car may drive up. - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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This is my favorite basque restaurant in town. The location is weird, but it has a retro charm to it. The building itself is nice, the decor inside is neat. A large variety of menu items and everything is delicious. Good service and reasonable prices. I don't think I have any real negatives I can think of. read more

Yikes. $33 for breakfast, tip and a drink? Chicken fried steaks at our table were just not that good. The meat did not taste or feel fresh (frozen and not highest quality?)- but the ranch potatoes were pretty decent. Service was good and polite. Maybe I just caught them on a bad day? read more

We recently had my mother's celebration of life at Pyrenees Café. It was held in the back room and back patio area. Rod, Julie Chris and Jessy were fantastic. They worked so hard to make our event special. They went above and beyond and I can't tell them how much I appreciate it. My family has been eating a Pyrenees since the 60s so it meant so much to us to be able to have my mother celebration there. Not only was the venue perfect but the staff was beyond accommodating and accepting of last minute changes and issues. Thank you so much to all the staff there. The food was fantastic too! read more

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This was my first time visiting this restaurant. Our visit was for a company event 22 people I called and made reservations in advance. On the day I arrived for our reservation our table was ready the staff was very professional and polite they greeted me by my first name that is a major plus. Our server was made sure we were taken care of during our whole dining experience. The food is very delicious we started with 3 samples very fresh and tasty also the bar drinks were made very well and we didn't have to wait long for them. I ordered the rack of lamb with the Dinner set up everything was cooked perfectly and was fresh and so delicious. The dining area was very neat has a very great ambiance and it's relaxing they also have a full Bar area with music a place to relax and enjoy yourself they offer patio area seating as well. For dessert I got some ice cream and an after dinner drink very nice way to end a great meal the prices of all the menu items is not bad for the great quality of food and portions you receive. They offer Breakfast Lunch and dinner go and check them out and enjoy yourself you will not be disappointed. read more

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1st time here and everything was AMAZING! Fawn was the absolute BEST waitress! She was so sweet, she made some incredible suggestions, and gave us the best experience as first time guests! We started off with the setup -- soup, beans, cheese, bread and salsa, salad, and the Oh-My-God-Make-Me-Drool (not officially named on the menu, but that's what my taste buds called it) Basque Cottage Cheese. SO FREAKIN' GOOD!! Then we ordered the Lobster Ravioli and the Sriacha Blue Cheese burger w/ fries. We were so stuffed from just the setup that we only got in a couple of bites, but it was so delicious! My husband got two Bloody Marys that were topped off with a slice of salami, peppercini, a slice of cucumber, and an olive with a cute little dice toothpick to hold them altogether. We were so surprised we never knew about this place even though we lived in Bako 40+ years! We most certainly will be back to try them out again for breakfast and dinner because EVERYTHING on the menu looked so good!! I only wished I could've taken pics of the food, but it was soo good I only got pics of the menu. Maybe next time I'll remember. Thanks again, Fawn, for such a wonderful meal! read more

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So my first time eating there and we were a rather large group. It understandably took us a while to get drinks but the one waitress we had did a pretty good job trying to keep up. The hot pastrami looked great but once I bit into it, it was pretty salty In my opinion. The pastrami instead was a bit over cooked, almost bacon like texture. Fries were salty to . The NY steak sandwich was also a bit salty and wish the steak had been cut into slices vs just a whole steak slapped in a bun. Would have made it easier to eat. Firecracker shrimp was tasty. Had a good crunch and flavor reminiscent of some Panda Express type sauce. Wish it was spicier though. Had a few michelada modelos as well. They were served in a glass half full of mix with the bottle on the side for you to pour in. They weren't bad but I prefer mine with a bit more of a kick. What can I say. I like spicy food. read more

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Love that this is a staple with so much history but definitely needs a remodel on their service. I was party of a larger party and of course not one person is going to pay for 20 people so it would make sense to be prepared to separate the checks. Well that's not done here which is a huge inconvenience for the guests. The service was average, waters were refilled only if we asked all the food came out at different times which is uncomfortable for everyone. Over all the food was average. Probably would not come for breakfast lunch or dinner with so much competition surrounding it. read more

Pyrenees Cafe - Basque Near Me - Bakersfield, California

They need waaay better security for late night events smh

We have been meaning to come down to Pyrenees Cafe for quite sometime. We came around 11am on a Saturday. The bar was quite full but we were seated in the dining area quickly. The place has a lot of charm. Pictures of Bakersfield from back in the day. The staff was very friendly and did check on us frequently. The food though, WOW. So good! My eggs a la reyna were so good. The Chile verde was well seasoned. My husband order the breakfast sliders and he said they were the best biscuit sandwiches he ever had. The biscuits were amazing and the sausage patty was very tender. We look forward to coming back and trying some other items on the menu. My one note was, we did wait awhile for the food to arrive but we came after a party of 13 had been seated so it was to be expected. read more

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Where do I start. It's located in a sketchy part of downtown Bakersfield. You enter into the bar area. The dining area seemed unwelcoming. Booths along the sides and long tables down the middle. Not for handicapped patrons. We sat in a booth ordered water and tea. Looked at menu and decided not to order The Basque food because it was very expensive. Ordered 3 sandwiches. Pastrami, lamb french dip and BTLA. Was not good. Too salty. fries and onion rings were over fried. Typical bar food. Ugh! I will probably not go back. Service was slow and we went at 5:00 which was pretty empty in the dining area. Seemed like it was more of a bar party place. I was very disappointed. read more