Shelby's is a great place to relax and have a good meal. The staff has always been nice, polite and accommodating. The outside seating is wonderful. read more

This restaurant is a gem in all of Lamorinda and hands down the best restaurant we have tried in the area. Elegant yet friendly atmosphere with attentive staff and a wonderful owner who has expertly fused European and California cuisines for a one of a kind experience with a wide range of items on the menus to appeal to the most discerning palates including vegetarian and vegan options. We've had the goulash which is quite authentic served with spaetzle and absolutely delicious both in presentation and taste (the real deal for a true goulash connoisseur such as my husband). Their house burger is the best burger I've had in quite a long time, fresh, satisfying and generously portioned and delicious, rib eye steak, and several of the kid's menu items. All the neighboring tables seemed to be enjoying their food as well. Their deserts are a wonderful conclusion to a satisfying meal. Chocolate mouse, bread pudding, lava cake and ice cream are as far as we've gotten so far but there's more to try. The have a good selection of wine and beer at very reasonable prices especially their beers on tap. We have been here twice and every aspect of visit was outstanding. I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu. read more

Shelby's - Beef goulash with house made spaetzle and cucumber salad. Yum! - New American Near Me - Orinda, California

My husband and I had breakfast outside, and it was excellent. We brought our dog, and the restaurant was very accommodating, and dog friendly. I had the eggs ben. and my husband had the french toast, both great choices! The service was quick & friendly, and would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat! Jewels :) read more

We go to Shelby's every year for the Mother's Day Brunch. My daughter is named Shelby so it's apropos! They really outdid themselves with their food this year. It's always been good but yesterday was just fantastic! The pork tenderloin was amazing! The staff is always friendly and makes us feel welcome. I'm making a commitment to eat at Shelby's more often :-) read more

We loved this restaurant. Excellent waiter helped us make great menu choice decisions. Husband loved beef stroganoff I adored my ox tail stew pot pie! Delicious! We will go back to try many more of their dishes. Cute ambiance. Loved it! read more

Shelby's is awesome. Without their delicious catered lunches, I would be eating cereal at my desk (again). Instead, am having seconds on pasta with creamy tomato sauce, chunks of chicken and bacon flavoring every bite. Spring mix salad with balsamic vinaigrette... read more

Great little restaurant in the East Bay in Orinda! Perfect outdoor patio, wonderful food - from elegant light California cuisine to some of chef Arno's authentic german specialty dishes. Best sangria ever and a well stocked wine and full bar selection. The staff is excellent and very friendly! I am voting: Best of the Bay! read more

Had a great dinner here before watching a movie at the Orinda Theater. We ordered the Greek Salad with Lamb and the Chinese Chicken Salad. They were both very good dishes. The atmosphere was classy with a casual, warm feel. The owner greeted several customers by name, so it appears to be a favorite with the locals. The only mark against them was that our initial order of drinks (iced tea and Arnold Palmer) did not get brought out until after we received our dinner; otherwise, the servers were very attentive and kept our drinks filled and dishes cleared away. We would recommend this place to anyone and we will come back someday. read more

Trying to cater to a wide range of clientele is the obstacle to this fine eatery set in Theater Square. Tortilla soup had no tortilla strips as required for eating & garnish. Pome frites is special french fries that it has to be called pome frites; french fries is just that. From Special of the Day menu: Spaghetti w/ spicy sausage & chicken was well prepared. Companion's salmon w/salsa was excellent. Wait staff was eager and helpful. Will return try other dishes to substantiate my rating. read more

I made a reservation on Wed. 2/6/08 for Fri. 2/8/08 for 7 p.m.. I arrived right on time. My friend came in 5 minutes later. Our wait staff had us sit and wait at the bar. After about 15 or 20 minutes we reminded him we were still waiting. We did not get seated until 7:30 p.m. The wait person said he would make it up to us by having one dessert "on the house." We ordered right away since we had 30 minutes of waiting time to study the menu. Five minutes after ordering another wait person comes to our table and says he can take our order. We told him we already ordered. Oh...he said, and walked away. The food was good. My salmon dish was a overly salty, but, cooked well (not over cooked). My friend's crab salad was reportedly good as well. Half way through our meal my friend's friend happened by and he joined us. He had come to hear the jazz trio and so had we. We were all there to see our mutual friend who was playing that night. This third diner at our table waited and sat there then had to flag a waiter to have his order taken. He ordered steak and he also said the food was good. We then ordered dessert. The chocolate cake and the banana split. Yummy. When the check came everything was on one bill, and, the promised "on the house dessert" was listed on the bill. We had to call the wait person and point this out. It was eventually corrected and took it off the bill. Then another wait person came to our table and placed a banana split dessert on the table. We said we didn't order a second banana split...we already had the one and had finished it. He took it way and went back to the kitchen only to return to the dining area and we saw him deliver the dessert to the correct table. The best thing about the dining experience was the jazz trio. Great musicians! The food, although it was good, wasn't enough to make up for the disjointed, disorganized service. Oh, I forgot to mention, I had to ask to have my water glass filled when it was near empty. I won't be going back. There are other places with good food AND good service. read more

Shelby's is a good lunch spot and not bad for dinner either. They have a very wide range on their menu, so there is a lot to choose from. My favorites are the warm ham and brie sandwich (with hot mustard and grilled onions on a baguette) and the chicken quesadillas. Their salads are good too, and they have chili and soup and good club sandwiches. I know a lot of people have bad-mouthed the service, but I have not had a problem with it, and I've eaten here a lot. They also do a nice job of catering, according to friends who've used them repeatedly. read more

On the spur of the moment, having no plan for our "date night," my wife and I enjoyed a great quiet dinner here last night. Dinner service has a nice romantic ambience without being stuffing or pretentious. Service was attentive and helpful with the menu choices. My wife enjoyed the warm brie appetizer, and my grilled caesar salad (romaine grilled with a balsamic vinaigrette) was a hit with both of us. Her entree was a flat-iron steak quesadilla that she also enjoyed, and my beef bourguignon was tender and flavorful. We had a tough time with our menu choices because so many things sounded great. We're sure to go back for dinner, and based on other reviews, we'll try breakfast and lunch too. read more

I had gone here for dinner with my husband a while back and remember thinking that it was a pleasant surprise, as the food was good and we had decent service. However, I recently went back here for lunch by myself (as my daughter was at a nearby class) and was EXTREMELY disappointed! I walked in and was completely ignored by the host. Maybe they don't welcome single diners, but I really got the feeling that the staff could care less about me. I was finally shown to a table, but never given a menu. Finally, I walked over and picked one up myself. My order was taken, but I had to ask first as I continued to be ignored by the staff. I gave the man my order, but I was not told of any specials (I overheard them being presented to another table after I had already ordered). My salad was very nondescript and nothing special. Nobody ever asked if I wanted refills on my iced tea and I had to ask again for the check. I left a 7% tip, which was actually generous given the horrible service I received. I am giving this restaurant two stars because of my positive experience the first time. However, I will never go back here again, even with my husband. I strongly recommend that single diners (particularly women) stay away from this place, as they don't seem to be welcomed here. read more

i highly recommend Shelby's!!! I have been to this restaurant a few times and every time i go i get the chicken stuffed with goat cheese and pine nuts wrapped in prosciutto with a side of tender vegetables. It is one of the best tasting things i have ever eaten. It is so delicious, it is the perfect portion and the chicken in so tender with the wonderful goat cheese inside. I am craving it all the time now its so wonderful. Also, for dessert i had bread pudding and my mom had california strawberries with ice cream, both of these were outrageous! read more

Dinner at Shelby's was excellent. Food was good. Desserts were awesome. On a whim I chose the 'bread pudding'. Not something I'd normally choose, but I was sure glad it did. It was phenomenally good. Its a shame Shelby's in located in the otherwise depressing Theatre Square. There are few businesses remaining, so sitting outside is not as nice as it once was. Still. If you are a local its a good place to support. And if nothing else, go sample the bread pudding - you won't regret it! read more

We're conservative about awarding five stars to anyone because there is too much hyping at work these days in all the do-it-yourself reviewer websites. However, tonight is the time for a 5-star for Shelby's (where we have been going for years). They did a knockout job with three dishes: the flat-iron steak with melted onions and broiled heirloom tomatoes; the wild salmon that had no hint of fishiness - just the aroma of ultra-fresh broiled salmon; and the dessert tart, made with French plums, which are not often seen in desserts. Each dish was right on the money, cooked as requested/expected, and the meal was managed by a very attentive staff that is friendly but not unctuous or arrogant - what a treat these days, right? read more

We just returned home from a wonderful dinner at Shelby's in Orinda. They are consistently good whenever we manage to get there. The Penne Pasta Al Arrabiata was just the right amount of spice and sauce with grilled chicken pieces and fresh parmesan - delicious. My husband had the Niman Ranch Pork Chop with roasted fennel. the fennel was perfectly cooked and a compliment to the mashed potatoes and pork, along with the the Malbec from Mendoza, Argentia. we were too full for dessert but their ginger herbal tea was a perfect ending to our meal. H&D read more

Great food, fast & pleasant service, and amazingly reasonable prices. Easy parking too. I rarely stray from my favorite "Bistro Salmon," but my wife raves about the "Chinese Chicken Salad" and the "Mango Chicken Salad." Very attractive presentations, especially the fancy desserts. Don't miss their Sat & Sun brunch; the "Salmon Eggs Benedict" is the best. Small, but very good selection of wines & beers. Especially the beers. Some kid friendly fare too: pizzas, mac & cheese, etc. read more

Six of us ordered on Saturday a different yet delicious item on the menu: Caesar Salad with Prawns, Grilled Caesar Salad with Salmon, Grilled Peaches Caprese, Roast Beef Wrap, Wiener Schnitzel, and Grilled Chicken Quesadilla. Then my family went back on Tuesday for Jambalaya, Chicken Mozzarella Raviolis, and Niman Ranch Shelby Burger. Fresh ingredients. Attractive presentation. Very attentive service, without being pushing or neglectful. Extensive wine list and non-alcoholic drinks. Menu changes daily. Low noise level. Comfortable seats, though the tables were too high for one senior member; a pillow fixed that. Very clean. Good music - not too loud. Inviting atmosphere. Nice for families. Quiet kids lets all diners enjoy a night out. Indoor/outdoor seating with heaters for cooler temperatures. Reservations are recommended -- and was needed Tuesday. In the Orinda Theater complex. $$. Strongly recommended. ***** 5/5-stars. Let's eat, at Shelby's Tonight! read more

Run, don't walk. The food has consistently been good, but their service is TERRIBLE! This evening, it was clear that our waitress had no clue how to write an order. We waited 50 minutes for a salad and only received it after we asked the manager to check our order. We had to ask for bread sticks a couple of times. About 10 minutes later, the waitress brought over the bill - before we even had received our main dishes!!! She did not have a clue. We asked for the bill and 10 minutes later my husband's hamburger arrived but my sea bass dish had not even been started. Clearly, quite annoyed. We asked for our bill again. Not once did anyone apologize - the manager said nothing and acted annoyed, rude and dismissive - never offered to comp even our drinks. We will never go back. read more

Last night I had the Steak Frites. The quality of the ribeye steak was mediocre; it was tough and did not have a great flavor.

Best Chicken Mango Salad of all time !! Big enough for a dinner. The Crab cocktail with Avocado is truly unique ! Service is friendly and the Chef is out and about talking to the patrons. I live in Orinda and didn't know of the changes made a few years ago at Shelby's. Fine Dining with an outdoor option in the patio that is quiet and charming. I vote the new Shelby's as best in Contra Costa County !! read more

Shelby's is a pretty decent place - I would give it a 3+ stars. There aren't too many great places to eat in Orinda, so Shelby's is a nice place to hit with your girlfriends or business lunch. I always order the mango chicken salad or the lunch combo with the chicken salad sandwich with a salad. The waiters are nice and most of the time, I don't have to wait too long to get a seat. read more

It's a pretty good place! Went for lunch with a group and the outside seating area was pretty. The puff pastry twists before the meal were pretty good, a little dry, but better than your average restaurant bread. Their water is orange infused, which is a nice touch. I ordered the beet salad and it was pretty good, the goat cheese was fried which was interesting. I wanted the eggplant salad, but they were out of eggplant. Next time, I would try the open face sandwich combo, because the sweet potato chips seemed really good. Other members of my party ordered that and they enjoyed it. read more

Not impressed at all. Went there on a Sunday around noon for brunch. Took 30 minutes for anyone to come to our table to ask if we want anything to drink. I was dying for a cup of coffee. They apologized twice for the slow service saying they had a brand new POS system and getting used to it. But I wasn't buying it; why would that stop them from acknowledging us sooner than 30 minutes? I asked for Florentine Benedict because I don't eat meat and got it with ham when I specifically told the waiter I do not want meat. Received two small muffins with two small eggs and barely enough hollandaise sauce to cover it. Side of fingerling potatoes consisted of two very small potatoes. Then they got our caffeine and decaf coffee mixed up when refilling our cups when we just told them who was drinking what. My friend's side of toast was one piece of toast with NO butter, not even on the side. She had to ask for it. On top of all this, other tables who sat down way after we did were getting their food before us. My impression is, they are shaving corners wherever they can. After reading other reviews of the same small portions, I believe I could be right about their skimping. Was hungry an hour later. Will not be going back. There are too many other restaurants in the Orinda Square that I will try before going back. read more

Love Shelby's! My favorite is the grilled Caesar salad. Delicious! And it's just nice to have a place that doesn't have a TV blaring in every corner (no TV at all, in fact). Calm in the storm of restaurant noise. read more

I have had both breakfast and lunch several times at this quiet little restaurant. It has always been very good food and the presentation quite nice. I'm always surprised that we never have to wait and service is very efficient and friendly. read more

I think this is one of the best restaurants in Orinda/Lafayette. Food is supurb. Service great and setting is in theater square. It is so much better than some of the popular places in Lafayette. Suggest you try it. read more

We came to Orinda Sq on Saturday and it was packed! There was some kind of event going on, so I understand that the restaurants were a bit overwhelmed. We just wanted to see how long the wait would be at Shelby's, so I walked in and stood near the front desk. Two severs just walked by me and ignored me, so I asked another server "how long would the wait be for 3 people?" She responded "oh, I don't know, you will have to ask that gentleman over there in the white coat, he has the list." I thought she would offer to get his attention for me, but she didn't. So I waited for the gentleman in the white coat to come over and help me. He saw me standing there, and he saw me staring at him trying to get his attention, but he kept ignoring me. He was busy talking to the other servers working in the restaurant. The rest of my party came in and finally I asked another server to get him to help us. She walked over and told him we were waiting, and he still ignored us!!! I couldn't believe it!!! I know they were busy, but don't they want people on their waiting list? I have worked in the restaurant business as a server, and if I had treated customers that way I would have been fired! Needless to say we took our business elsewhere, and after that experience I don't think I will be going back. read more

The food is good but the service is off. There is a very grumpy man who either owns it or is a manager. He is not very friendly and not very helpful when something on the menu is not right. I am not sure I will go back. read more

i'm giving just two stars because our table needed to be refinished. it had been cleaned but it was still sticky. only a bad manager or cheap owner would allow this. the food and service were good. read more

Giving this restaurant 3 stars purely based on the friendliness of the waiter and the ability to sit outside with dogs. Aside from that aspect the rest was very dissapointing. The food was extremely slow, almost 1 hour for Eggs Benedict and a grilled cheese to arrive. The eggs benedict is advertised as being served with home fried potatoes and came with 5 cubes, not exactly filling or well cooked. Grilled cheese was good, side of fries unfortunately very undercooked. Not sure how this is possible when it took an hour to prepare. Great diversity on the menu but sadly would not return to try anything else out. read more

Service is horribly slow; food is mediocre and overpriced. Went on a Saturday night and waited over an hour for our meal. The waiter kept on apologizing for the wait, saying that it was busy because of graduations but it didn't look like there were any graduation parties in the restaurant. It also looked like he was the only one waiting tables for the whole place. At least you can get a cupcake from Republic of Cake next door while you wait for your meal. read more

It was fine but the Chinese Chicken Salad was under-seasoned and the fries (which were really good) were cold

Best restaurant within miles, with talented and conscientious chef/owners and consistent emphasis on quality of ingredients and diversity of menu. They manage to cover a lot of bases in this sleepy little town: kid-friendly, yet elegant enough for special occasions. Only disadvantage is lack of street exposure, but once found, this will be a regular spot. read more

I agree with the poster who said the caesar salad was awful. I ordered a salmon caesar and got a dish with a head of uncut romaine with a speck of dressing on it. Ugh! I asked the waiter to have the chef add the salmon and chop the romaine and toss the salad. Upon hearing this the chef came out of the kitchen to glare at me! Long after the rest of my family had finished their meals they brought back a salad with the romaine lettuce itself had been grilled??? To avoid more unpleasantness from the chef we distributed some salad onto different plates to make it look like I had eaten some and left, having paid what amounted to full price for my meal. I later went elsewhere alone and had a real salmon caesar elsewhere. We will never return to Shelby's. I gave it one star because no worse rating was available. Service horrible, food even worse. read more

Shelby's is the most underrated restaurant in Orinda. It's so much better than surrounding restaurants. Such a good burger, absolutely delicious fries, and such a good salad selection. Fresh and light. Love the outdoor seating. Keep it up, can't wait to come back. read more

The worst service experience in a long time. When I ordered a cocktail the waiter told us that they don't serve cocktails but if we really wanted a cocktail we could always leave... Then he came back with our drinks, dropping the (paperwrapped) straw on the floor, He proceeded to pick it up and then handed it to my wife! The starters were served without plates, we had to ask for plates...The food was cosmopolitan, slightly overpriced but good. The chef came over and chatted with us which was nice. Then guests were placed right next to us, it was so tight that the lady bumped into my chair several times. Other tables were open that had more room... It was clear to us that the crew did not understand the meaning of service, which is regrettable if you charge over 9$ for a cheeseburger that came without fries (which too, the server failed to mention). We usually tip very generously but that night there was no reason to. read more

This review is for my happy hour visit, but I would gladly visit again for lunch or breakfast. I stopped in for a cocktail and bite on Friday, trying Shelby's for the first time. It was delicious. I was treated to the best mojito I've ever had, not sweet just a nice minty, rum refreshment. I couldn't resist trying the short rib sliders. These things are dangerous and I found myself tempted to revisit today to enjoy them all over again. The meat incredibly tender and the spicy slaw was amazing. Great break from Hwy 24 traffic or a treat for Orinda locals. read more

We live within walking distance to Shelbys and really enjoy going there. I agree with some of the reviews regarding weird service and awkward waiters, but overall, we've never had a bad experience at Shelbys and think their food is excellent and very consistent. Their salads are fantastic and if you ever see bread pudding being offered as a dessert option on the menu, you'll have to order it! Soooo good. read more