Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Stepping Stone Cafe

    3.8 (997 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Stepping Stone Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    STEPPING STONE CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Stepping Stone Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Stepping Stone 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

    Rachel E.

    Great spot! Don't miss the huevos rancheros, the sauce is made in house. Gluten free toast! Fresh coffee, good Bloody Mary. We went on a Tuesday, not busy but could see it being busy on the weekend. Love the neighborhood!

    Empty glasses throughout the whole meal.
    John C.

    Today was, unfortunately, a disappointing experience. I truly hope what I felt wasn't the case, but I left wondering if my family was being treated differently and that's a very uncomfortable thought. If that was the reason, I really hope management takes a serious look at how guests are being treated. To start with the positive: the greeter (dark hair, mustache) was fantastic! Friendly, welcoming, and exactly the kind of person you hope to meet when you walk into a restaurant. Our server, however (portly man with brown hair, scruffy beard and mustache), was a completely different story. His attitude from the start felt dismissive, almost like a "what do you want?" tone. When I asked about adding something to my dish, he told me, "You need to look at the menu." I told him I was looking and didn't see it, and only then did he check his pricing, without any apology for the rudeness or for not knowing the menu himself. While waiting for our food, my wife and I noticed that his interactions with other patrons "most of whom appeared Caucasian" were entirely different. He was upbeat, cheerful, joking around... almost like we were watching two different people, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When he served our food, the polite attitude never carried over to us. It felt strange that I, the customer, was being more courteous than the person serving us. I know this place has a reputation for a little sass, but there's a difference between playful sass and selectively treating people poorly. If that energy is part of the brand, it should be consistent and not directed differently toward an Asian family. I've been coming here since the '90s, and I've always enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. But today's experience left my family feeling unwelcome, and that's something I can't ignore. If this is the direction things are going, I'll have to choose to support a business that treats "ALL" customers with the same respect. Also, he never checked on us at any point or refilled our waters, even though I left the glasses at the edge of the table to make it clear they needed refilling. Normally, this is the kind of service that would make me leave no tip, but I didn't want to stoop to that level."

    Corned beef hash, cinnamon roll and Eggs Oliver
    Rachel H.

    I hate how many reviews ding them for having a long wait line. It's a small space, and very popular. That's just the name of the game. You walk in, and it absolutely has the 90's vibe in a good way, down to the music and random figurines. We went around 9:30a in a Saturday, and there was a short line but it moved quickly. Not a good spot for larger groups. Again, a small space. Service and quick and friendly without being too over the top giddy. Food came out quick, and was delicious. Again, it's an American brunch not a Michelin 5 star restaurant. They nail it, and that's it. Absolutely get the cinnamon roll.

    Smothered badass
    Joshua L.

    Always looking for a great diner spot, and this one has been on my list for forever. Finally had the chance and it was certainly worth the wait. We did go on a Sunday Morning, which is prime brunch time. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait in line for a little bit. The vibes in there are perfect if you're looking for the classic diner aesthetic. Hightop coutners, red bar stools, checkered flooring. They even play Sunday Morning Cartoons. Food was good. My wife had their Chicken fried steak. Really can't go wrong there. And I had the smothered badass. An interesting idea to have 2 classic breakfast items, chicken fried steak and hashbrowns inside an omellete; but I'm not entirely convinced that it pulls through. Both the steak and hashbrown ends up feeling pretty heavy in the omellete and it takes away from the crunch. Still worth a try and I'll definitely be back to try some of the more traditional options.

    French toast
    Alyssa H.

    Service was amazing, all the staff were so friendly and personable. The building is cute, quaint and cozy. The orange juice was really tasty and I thought it might have been fresh squeezed. I tried both the waffle and the French toast and I did not find that either were exceptionally out of this world- but they hit the spot after a long nightshift.

    Biscuits and gravy and absolute omelet
    Tierra H.

    Small place but really good food. Most people complain about the wait but we must of came on a good day. The service was cool. Nothing to write home about and I wish they had flavor coffee creamer but other than that the food was really good. Will definitely be back again

    Banana bread
    Keith F.

    This place was solid! Parking was one of the biggest issues with this place. After finding and paying for a spot we were seated near the front window. Our server who looked like Freddy Mercury, was fast and efficient. He kept our coffee mugs full which was greatly appreciated. The menu has all of the classics and a few out of the ordinary. I went with the banana bread hold the powdered sugar. It was still plenty sweet. The fresh walnuts provided a great crunch (see picture). I would definitely recommend and come back to this location.

    Interior
    Amy L.

    The line is literally wrapping around the building... really popular spot but we got 2 seats at the counter. I felt like we were going to fall off the entire time. I enjoyed my veggie omelette but the wait was really long especially since I was hungry. I appreciate the range of hot sauces they have. Don't trust the water cups though because I literally watched the waitress use the previous water cups left behind without washing them. Gross.

    Biscuits and gravy, chicken scramble and club sandwich.
    Paul E.

    I've driven by this place many times, and often seen a line outside for breakfast. Finally went today and I understand why people wait in line to get in. The food was delicious and hearty and served in big portions. In our trio, the biscuits and gravy order was the hero, but the scramble and club sandwich were also excellent. And if you like REALLY big pancakes, this is your place. They were huuuge and delicious. Service was no nonsense and fast. The inside is your run-of-the-mill neighborhood diner chic. Probably best to keep your party to 4 or less, as most tables weren't spacious, but perhaps they figure out a way to make larger parties work.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ella G.
    0
    11
    18

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rachel E.
    157
    14
    37

    30 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Larry R.
    0
    171
    113

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    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 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Food was amazing. Matt was our server and he was exceptional. Great way to start the day.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Paul E.
    32
    61
    24

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 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

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    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

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The service is good. The food is overpriced and low quality. Great ambiance. Long lines on weekends.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of L L.
    1
    43
    1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 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

    Good food, good staff, good location, good coffee, good vibe, good decoration, good chairs, good tables

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 25

    Ask the Community - Stepping Stone Cafe

    You might also consider

    Screen Door Eastside

    Screen Door Eastside

    4.4
    (9k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Food~It was absolutely short of amazing and, I haven't eaten here since 2016. I order the fried…read moreoysters/catfish it which very well seasoned, piping hot also fried hard (the way I liked it), with the homemade tater and remoulade sauce. The chicken (was tender) biscuits and gravy were so good. Biscuits were fluffy, the sausage gravy had a taste I couldn't put my finger on be was so tasty. The potatoes were crispy on the outside and, soft in the middle with a smoky flavored seasoning that made me want even more. Service~Our server and customer service was top notch. We chose to sit on the patio and, he was managing 6 times at once. He greeted the both of us promptly with water. Took our orders and, while we wait he continued to check on us while refilling his our drinks. Ambiance~Very clean restaurant and restroom. It was a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. Only street parking and, it's in a residential neighborhood. We chatted another 30 minutes after our meal and, didn't feel rushed to leave. I would highly recommend this restaurant it's a family owned and, they are from Louisiana.

    Waited about 30 min to be seated. Took a little long for the food to come out…read more Large portion, pretty sweet. I would plan to share since they give so much. It's a good French toast but doesn't have that much banana flavor outside of the caramelized bananas. It was good with the sauce and whipped cream though! Also got some sides (egg, potatoes, coleslaw not shown) which were average.

    Photos
    Inside - Dining Room
    Inside - Dining Room
    Fried Oysters
    Fried Oysters
    Seafood Jambalaya

    See all

    Seafood Jambalaya
    Screen Door Pearl District

    Screen Door Pearl District

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Took a short walk here from the Royal Sonesta hotel to have dinner after a long adventurous day out…read moreand about in Portland. We decided on outdoor patio seating since the weather was nice & it was generally quieter outside. We were people watching for a bit and noticed that our fellow restaurant goers were waiting for quite a bit, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was fine. When our waiter eventually tended to us, he was incredibly friendly & apologetic, owning up to the delay being on him, but we were cool with it -poor guy was working a double shift. We started off with deep-fried okra, I ordered the fried chicken meal, & hubby ordered the burger. I got to pick the chicken pieces I wanted, so I went with 2 thighs, thinking they'd be smaller pieces, so I could maybe finish my meal. I opted for collard greens as well. The food came relatively quickly and was super-fresh. The fried okra bits were piping hot down to the last bite. They went well with the spicy aioli. We hung onto the aioli so hubby could dip his fries. My meal was so good. The chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. The batter was just perfect and crisp. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy. Gravy was rich and well-seasoned. Collard greens were so tasty. The balance of textures was just perfection. I ended up having to pack up a piece of chicken because it was so much food, but I enjoyed every bite I was able to take of my meal. I appreciated their welcoming vibe & the beautiful pride balloon arch inside the restaurant. I appreciated the friendly service. I appreciated the thoughtfully and expertly made food. It was a perfect way to end my culinary experience for this Portland visit.

    Parking on the street download ParkingKitty and pay through there…read more Came here to meet up with family. This place was packed on a Sunday morning and the inside was beautiful living up to the country vibes of the restaurant. Staff is super friendly and had really good recommendations. What we ordered: Cinnamon rolls(this reminded me of the old-school Entenmann's dessert had like a creamy custard in the inside of it, which was absolutely amazing. Came out nice and warm) Chicken waffles country, fried steak and eggs The country fried steak and eggs was 1 million out of 10 was the thickest piece of country fried steak I've ever had in my life and I'm not a big fan of country fried steak but this was a hit for me. She asked me if I wanted the white gravy or the brown gravy and asked her what was her recommendation. She said try both and I was glad that I listened to her. It was Rich. It was creamy. It was flavorful. Its homemade and it was huge. I would definitely recommend this place. If you wanna have breakfast I'm from California and I wish there were something like this.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Deep-Fried Okra
    Deep-Fried Okra
    Chicken & Waffles - 1 Piece

    See all

    Chicken & Waffles - 1 Piece
    Canard

    Canard

    4.4
    (556 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Canard has such a cozy but casual bistro feel, while the staff were all warm and welcoming,…read moreincluding the chefs themselves, whom we had the privilege of engaging with since we sat at the counter, and I absolutely loved the interactions we had with them. Everything we ordered was gorgeous and whimsical in presentation, but of course that would mean little without the flavors to back it all up, which it had in spades. The Thai steak tartare tostadas were incredibly balanced, with brightness and herbaceous notes from the vegetables, herbs, and sauce, great punch from the Thai spices, richness from the tartare, and a nice snap and slight nuttiness from the tapioca crisps cradling everything underneath. The foie gras dumplings were simply divine. I expected them to be rich and dense, but they were like little pillows, with a savory filling and a perfect balance of smoked leek broth, crispy fried leeks, and a caramelized shallot jam that ended up being the surprise star of the dish for me. Then came the main event, the Duck Stack, which I can only describe as a McGriddle on steroids (in the best possible way!). Somehow it all worked beautifully, with the rich duck gravy, fluffy pancakes drenched in syrup, spiced onions, and a fried duck egg tying everything together in perfect harmony. It was one of those dishes that sounds wild on paper but is totally brilliant on the plate and in your mouth. Really fantastic meal from start to finish, and I'm already excited to come back to try more of the menu (and the happy hour!) on a future visit.

    I'm going to be thinking about those Foie Gras Dumplings for quite a long time…read more All items I tried last night at Canard were creative, flavorful, well presented and reasonably priced. The garlic fries were spicy in the best way, perfectly crisp, and served steaming hot. The Duck Stack (pancakes covered with duck gravy, onions, and a duck egg) sounded a bit odd to me (and probably many others). When I asked the server if it was good, they told me that people travel to the restaurant specifically for that dish. I'm glad I tried it. Again, very unique with a well balanced spice profile paired with the delicious undertones of a hot pancake. I know I would have never thought of that, doesn't sound like it should work, but....it worked! Service was great, atmosphere was a bit loud with a band playing next door, it was a bit overwhelming, plus a random dude walked into the restaurant and a server lit his joint for him as a courtesy(?)...stunk the place up for a few minutes, but as I thought about it, I decided that was about the most "Portland" thing I had seen all week on my trip :) I'll be going back for sure, I would love to taste through that entire menu. Did I mention the Foie Gras Dumplings? I never had anything like them in my life. That's a dish I would definitely travel back to Portland for.

    Photos
    Canard
    Foie Gras dumplings..... the dish that kisses you back.
    Foie Gras dumplings..... the dish that kisses you back.
    Duck stack with froi grais on top

    See all

    Duck stack with froi grais on top
    Mother’s Bistro & Bar

    Mother’s Bistro & Bar

    4.3
    (5.3k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Ok, if you give this place any less than 5 stars you are broken inside! I read some of the less the…read morestars and honestly wonder how you could be so jaded or picky. Dude, I'm from NYC so I figured I was the biggest snob but stand back CA is in the house! lol I had the eggs Benedict which were perfectly cooked and had a Hollandaise sauce that came straight from heaven! My son had two breakfasts one sweet with a waffle and then eggs and sausages well. The staff was amazing , the food was perfect! And such a cute space! 10/10

    I thought the staff was nice. It was really busy as it was Mother's Day, so I don't think it's a…read morefair representation of timely and attentive service. But when our server was with us, they were very nice and patient with my questions and requests. It's a bit loud when the place is on the full side, making it difficult to have a conversation. I wouldn't bring my girlfriend who is hard of hearing, at least with a group. I'd be curious to try more of the menu. I was very much not wowed by the breakfast. The beverages were however very nice, and I recently had the cobbler dessert and it looked amazing and tasted better. We had the coffee (Extracto, love.), I had a really good hef and my mother a very well balanced Bellini that I was very pleasantly surprised with trying. From what I saw, the lunch sounds very good and I'd be more apt to recommend folks give that a shot if they happened to be going there too. I'm not sure if I'd recommend as a must go stop. Vibe wise, the ambience is overall really nice. I think having rolled flatware, even with just upgraded napkins, would better complete the aesthetic you initially see and feel. This would also connect with the price point of the food and quality of the beverages. As a fellow server, on that note I would expect more consistent stronger visual appearance standards with servers. (Sorry guys! But some of you looked great!) Overall, I'd definitely join a friend for coffee and lunch over there in the future. Just wouldn't be my top pick for a celebratory brunch or intimate dinner with a date or friends and fam.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Getting ready for Strawberry Shortcake Week!!!
    Getting ready for Strawberry Shortcake Week!!!
    Bar area

    See all

    Bar area
    Lardo

    Lardo

    4.2
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    This was an incredible introduction to the Portland food scene, delivering some of the best…read moresandwiches I've ever had. Between the genuinely friendly hospitality and the flavor combinations, this spot hits it out of the park and is a must for sandwich lovers. Griddled Mortadella (5/5): An incredibly delicious sandwich that perfectly balances rich, salty, and savory flavors. It comes loaded with a generous portion of grilled mortadella and melted provolone cheese, perfectly moistened with a tangy mustard aioli. The fresh lettuce and bell peppers added a satisfying crunch to every bite. Chefwich - K-Town Steak Sandwich (5/5): A limited-time creation packed into a banh mi roll. It had a generous portion of perfectly tender and sweet bulgogi steak that pairs with their melted jack cheese. The gochujang mayo sauce had a subtle and sweet heat, while the fresh kimchi added crunch and slight acidity to balance the rich meat. Elote Tater Tots (5/5): Definitely a creative side dish. The tots were perfectly fried and topped elote style with cotija cheese, pairing well with the smoky chipotle mayo on the side. Logistics Tip: Street parking is surprisingly easy to find in the surrounding area, even on a busy weekend evening. The restaurant has a spacious layout with plenty of seating options both inside and outside. If you're a first-timer, don't hesitate to ask the staff for suggestions, as they're exceptionally warm, welcoming, and passionate about the menu.

    I've only been to the Lardo in PDX (is it still there?), so I felt like I needed to give the brick…read moreand mortar a chance because, let's face it, the one in PDX is meh. We walked down here on a beautiful day after wedding deletes shopping, so spirits were high. Located on a busy corner, but with plenty of outdoor seating, Lardo is a good place to have lunch on a Saturday. I have nothing to say about the parking sitch. My daughter and I shared the Willamette Reuben and her friend ordered the Italian Flag. We shared the Lardo fries. Oh man, the Reuben was perfection! The flavor of the meat and everything on the sandwich, from texture to flavor--chef's kiss! We heard that the Italian Flag was excellent too. Definitely, you can share a sandwich especially if you're having fries. The fries were delicious--crispy and flavorful on the outside, perfectly hot and mushy on the inside. Yum!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Italian Flag
    Italian Flag
    Smash Burger

    See all

    Smash Burger

    Stepping Stone Cafe - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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