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    The Classic Cafe

    4.0 (616 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order The Classic Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    The Classic Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THE CLASSIC CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - The Classic Cafe

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    Great selection!
    Rich Y.

    Thank you Yelpers! I was in Providence and swung by this gem. Inside is very nice with great diner vibes. Staff was excellent. Had their deluxe grilled cheese with home-fries. It was amazing. A grilled cheese loaded with bacon and lots of tomato slices. It came out gooey and cheesy. Most important, it was delicious. Swing by and enjoy breakfast or lunch. Or be like me and have a combo of both.

    Cheese Burger and fries
    Jennifer H.

    Went there for breakfast and lunch. Took my breakfast Togo so I didn't get any pictures. All the food is cooked to order . I had the Porky on sourdough. Which is two eggs and sausage on you choice of bread . It was delicious, and it's not a messy sandwich to eat. Made no messes in my truck. I also got a large coffee with milk . Their coffee is strong but it doesn't taste like Starbucks burnt coffee strong. The portion size was big enough to split with two people. My total for the meal tax and all was under 10 bucks . The burger is made to order and to your liking. I absolutely love places I can order a burger medium or medium rare. Bun was super fresh and did not fall apart while eating the burger. Burger was cooked correctly, very juicy and tasted great. Service was also great and for being busy I did not have to wait long for my order. After tax my burger and fries was around $11:50 , which is cheap for a sit down restaurant. Fries were also very good, not greasy, nothing fancy, just your regular thicker cut fries. The place is very casual and slightly noisy when crowded. But it's great to be in a place that still has the classic decor of a old time deli .

    Corned Beef Hash
    Alexa C.

    As far as I know this place does not take reservations, though it probably should for a busy little diner. I came with a party of 6 at about 10AM - assumed we would have a wait and we did based on our larger group. It seems they only had one table ready to accommodate us. Once we were seated, our waitress seemed.... Stressed to say the least. Being sat with a 4 top and immediately a 6 top right after, she's overwhelmed. She asked our drinks fairly quickly and brought most of them out in a quick manner. Had to wait for a couple (iced coffee and orange juice?) I think she just didn't remember them as she didn't write it down. I don't blame her for any of this though, management should be prepared for a busy Saturday morning, let alone on a holiday weekend. The vibe is quick, greasy, comfort foods in an old school diner aesthetic. You've basically got a long building with mostly 2-4 top tables and plenty of bar seating where you can sit and watch the open kitchen prepare food. It's exactly what you'd imagine for a diner, lots of red wallpaper, cabinets and decor. The walls are lined with little knick knacks you can look at while you wait for your meal. Food: eggs - had ordered them poached - way overcooked Bacon - too crispy- burnt Pancakes - one complaint of too much butter(?) but I don't agree with this French toast - undercooked Scrambled eggs - unseasoned/bland I mean pretty basic diner with pretty basic diner food. Not bad. Not great.

    Exterior
    Andrew G.

    The Classic Cafe has an extensive menu. I would describe it as an actual greasy spoon, as you can see from the pictures. I ordered the Hashed Benedict with rye toast and a side of fruit for $24. The only edible portions were the poached eggs, which were a little too done, the corned beef hash, which was very good and definitely homemade with sizable chunks of corned beef, and the fruit, which was fresh. The "Hollandaise" sauce had no flavor at all. As you can see from the picture, it almost looks like melted butter. Both english muffins were both soaked in grease and were inedible, along with the cold rye toast. The home fries were cubed red potatoes, and wold have been good without the excess amount of salt. And, to add insult to injury, the cutlery packet was missing a fork, so I ate with a spoon. The place was almost deserted, so the cook was not rushed at all. There are lots of good reviews, so I suspect they had a different cook that day.

    Busy
    Don P.

    I'm a fan overall just a couple things they could have done better. The eggs were not fully incorporated and were nearly cold when they arrived, other than that it was a good tasting breakfast. Service was good, friendly with frequent follow-ups.

    Biscuits and Gravy Side
    Tess Z.

    We dined in on a Sunday afternoon and waited only about 10 minutes before being seated. The staff was all extremely kind and friendly and to me it's a great sign when a spot is busy on the weekend mornings/afternoons so we were happy to wait. It looks like a classic cafe/diner for that cozy feeling. I'll admit we were a little worse for wear from the night before but my meal here was delish and exactly what I needed. I preface with this because I ordered a side of biscuits and gravy and an order of loaded Philly fries. Next time I'm in providence, I'll have to try the true breakfast. It all looked great!

    Josie our server was amazing. Little café on the corner. Yummy food.. went right before lunch time had breakfast. As we were leaving it was full of diners we were just traveling through.

    The Veggie Omelet
    Jon B.

    Came to the Classic cafe for a late breakfast . The name really says it all. From the quaint diner like decor to the large portions and friendly service . I ordered an omelette with toast and grits . Speedy delivery of the food to my table and hot, fresh and tasty eats ! Will surely be back to try some lunch items !!

    Philly egg rolls
    Name Poetry Keepsakes I.

    Great service, love the ambiance. Food pretty decent could use a little more flavor. Potatoes over cooked but hash browns perfect. Sourdough really soft snd fresh not too sour tho. Cute and cozy

    Omelet, pancakes, Sausage & eggs, coffee
    Rose Q.

    Simply fantastic food and friendliest service! We skipped a nonsense French brunch place for this classic cafe and that was the best idea ever! The warm soft vegetarian omelet with cold fluffy sour cream on the side is a very sophisticated combination. The saltiness of the eggs, sweetness of the vegetables, and sour creaminess from the sour cream created multilevel flavors. Other things we tried are also delicious. Recommended!

    Dried and overdue home fries and Western breakfast sandwich
    Help Y.

    Guys!? STOP GIVING OVERDUE HOME FRIES!!!! I don't know why you think this is ok?! I work hard for my money and these cost me $2.99 to add to my breakfast sandwich. I hope the manager sees this post. It's May 07,2024 and I placed an order around 11am-ish.

    Delicious!
    Dennise K.

    This place is just around the corner from my place, and offers fantastic diner food. I enjoyed my classic breakfast dish and my friend's omelet looked delicious as well. Attentive and friendly service and the price is right. I recommend you go check them out for either breakfast or lunch.

    Inside
    Jando S.

    Breakfast is something I always have a healthy appetite for, especially the kind of breakfast that is prepared at The Classic Cafe. This Providence staple has done a classic rendition of American favorites that like this establishment, have stood the test of time. They do it all here, at least until 3pm. The place honestly looks like less of a cafe and more of a diner. Adorned on the walls are memorabilia-Americana and along the windows are a series of cushy booths for small groups. There is also the classic counter bar, reminiscent of the old railroad style restaurants that serve the very same kind of food. As previously stated, I'm a fan of all things breakfast. This place makes it well, especially their silky smooth omelettes, their extremely savory (and a tad salty) gravy, along with fluffy pancakes, and a mean crispy set of hashbrowns. Forget the breakfast potatoes (aka home fries), the hashbrowns are worth their weight in butter. The ultimate item though is their "hashita," their grilled hash "fajita" that comes complete with grilled hash, tomatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, poached eggs, and fajita sauce. It is then served with tortillas, sour cream, and salsa. Big appetites can rejoice with things like the "Sampler" which has 4 pieces of bacon, 4 sausages, 4 eggs, potato choices (hashbrowns will never fail you!), regular toast, french toast, and biscuits and gravy. That's basically the whole gamut of breakfast foods. I think the prices are probably not exactly cheap in Providence but it'd be a steal in my neck of the woods. Service is fairly standard, not the most friendly but they get the job done. In fact if I lived in the area, there'd be no question that I'd become a frequent customer.

    Hashita

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    The BEST potato pancakes (homemade) w lots of garlic. I come here just for that. Service is always outstanding

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    Page 1 of 16

    Ask the Community - The Classic Cafe

    Is there any pork derived products in the pancakes and french toast, like Lard for example? I'm a non-pork eater.

    No, there isn't. However, the pancakes and French toast are both made on the same flat top that they prepare their sausage and bacon.

    Do they accept debit cards?

    Yes

    Do they use nut products in their kitchen?

    We have walnuts but keep them in a sealed container and only use them in pancakes in request. If you let us know of an allergy we can and will make sure that there would be… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Ellie's

    4.3
    (614 reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    I came here as part of Providence Coffee Crawls. I had been here before and loved my experience, so…read moreI was looking forward to visiting again. The first time I came, it was a rainy weekday and this time it was a sunny weekend, so I was expecting an even larger crowd; and my prediction was correct. The line was just out the door but because of their awesome staff, the line was moving very quickly. While we waited in line, we could watch them making pastries through the glass, a couple feet in front of us. I admired that level of transparency. When we were third in line, the kindest lady asked us whether we'd be eating in or taking out and she took down our name to help us find a table when it came time. She did the same for the rest of the people in line. She also gave us some recommendations, including the cinnamon bun - apparently they're so good kids cry when they sell out. I didn't intend to order anything with my drink, but I couldn't get the cinnamon bun out of my head so I ordered it along with my iced spiced chai latte. The hen (I think it's their logo) on the aprons of the employees are super cute. We did secure a table. The tables are close together to maximize the number of people who can sit down but I didn't mind. I love their art all around, mostly of birds which I am obsessed with. I love that they have a lot of natural lighting coming through their tall windows. I also like the navy blue and white theme they have going on. The chai latte was perfect. It was the right color (a dark tan), meaning the ratio of tea and milk was good and I could taste a lot of the spices. The cinnamon bun blew my expectations away. The second my teeth made. contact with the icing, it was a magical feeling. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it tasted like, but the closest I got was dulce de leche. It is truly unlike any other cinnamon bun I have ever had. The dough is soft and there is a good amount of cinnamon. It's also $4 which is not bad. I had a bite of their canelé, which apparently requires a lot of work to make. It was very moist, with a great caramelized finish. I am super excited to try their new weekend dinner menu, but also more of their all day menu items.

    I bought a cinnamon bun ($5) and it was basic. Once you bite it, you realize it is just a brioche…read moredonut with some frosting. There were no cinnamon-butter layers inside it. The frosting was incredible though. That stuff could go on anything. The cinnamon buns at Oak Bakeshop and Whole Foods are much better with those typical gooey layers inside. Also, it was not large in size, anyone can eat it in one sitting. The worker who took my order was very friendly and it is so nice/comfortable inside there.

    Photos
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Pastry display case with all the amazing house made pasties!
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Ellie's Signature Breakfast Sandwich
    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st

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    Entrance to Ellie's located on union st
    Troop PVD

    Troop PVD

    4.3
    (452 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    We love Troop for its energetic, fun atmosphere and genuinely friendly vibe. The service is…read moreconsistently great, the hamburgers and breakfast foods are excellent, and the decor feels more like a curated urban art gallery than a typical restaurant. Every detail feels intentional and creatively combined -- from the beautiful art screens on the windows to the barstools made with skateboard backs. The space has a unique artistic identity without feeling forced or pretentious. It's one of those places that feels lively and inspiring the moment you walk in.

    Impress your cool, city friends when they are in town by bringing them here for drinks, dinner or…read morebrunch. The space is a cavernous open space with colorful art and funky vibes. Favorites are the vegan bahn mi (with fried tofu and cashew pate, crunchy picked vegetables) the cardamom pancakes and the cheddar biscuits. Biscuits are huge and buttery with a moist interior and a crunchy outside. The pancakes are the biggest pancakes I've ever seen! They were bigger than our heads. We got three to share for the table but honestly one would have been enough. Cocktails are strong and the bloody mary was perfectly spicy. Service can be a little slow at times but was friendly and helpful. The music can also get loud and voices echo when it's busy. So don't bring your noise sensitive friends. Make sure you have a reservation as it can get crowded!

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    Inside
    Inside
    Troop PVD
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    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar

    CRU PVD Kitchen & Bar

    4.4
    (73 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    Free parking
    Large group friendly

    Really nice vibe inside - I love the see-through cookbook/bookcase space that creates both an open…read morekitchen and some privacy for the chefs. Service was friendly & helpful, and the menu offers many delicious sounding options. Food is fast casual style (order at the counter, get a card - here all were west side street signs, not the usual numbered placards, food will be delivered to your table. I had the avocado shakshuka, my husband had the lox omelet (see the photo). Despite the large menu of fancy coffee options, we each had a basic iced. It was served in a glass, which was a nice touch. Self serve milk was at a station in the dining room area. Coffee was good, cold but I would have traded some coffee for a bit more ice to stay that way as I drank it slowly. Both of us were surprised when our meals were delivered: the plates were beaut! In particular his omelet was absolutely gorgeous! Now for the flavors: the omelet had a generous helping of perfect cooked eggs (not sitting in a pile of grease, as restaurant omelets frequently are). It was so fluffy that we both thought "that's way more than the advertised 3 eggs," and the lox was thickly layered whole slices nestled inside the fold. Most places chop the lox like vegetables, add it to the eggs, & make it like a veggie omelet - meh. This iteration was perfect; the lox tasted like smoked salty fish, losing none of that flavor to the omelet itself. The potatoes? Fabulous! Great spice mix, cooked until they were crispy. That was a tasty bit of marble rye toast too. My shakshuka was very good, but a bit less successful. The elements were all excellent; the avocado was actually guacamole since it was mashed & there were tomatoes and spices in the dish. The combination worked, except for the bread element. The dish as presented was really more of an avocado toast with shakshuka on top. It might have been more successful to add the avocado/guacamole as a unique base on the plate, with the tomato sauce and eggs on top with toast on the side (as is the way shakshuka is traditionally served) because halfway through the bread got really soggy & less appetizing. Still, the first few bites, while everything was still warm? So good!

    One thing I really loved here? They offer a free coffee with any food purchase for first…read moreresponders, which is especially fitting since they're right next door to a police and fire complex. For the RI food fights challenge, they were serving a CRU Cookie Blazer--an iced dirty chai latte with hazelnut and vanilla syrup, vanilla cold foam, Oreos, and CRU mocha sauce. It's not normally on their menu, but they'll happily make it if you ask! This one was definitely more of a sweet treat than the bold coffee flavor I usually gravitate toward, but if you love dessert-inspired coffee drinks, this is right up your alley. I'll definitely be back because that lobster avocado toast has my name written all over it.

    Photos
    Seating
    Seating
    Raspberry pop tart - special of the day
    Raspberry pop tart - special of the day
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    Gracie's

    Gracie's

    4.4
    (825 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    I had dinner at Gracie's with my mother last Saturday, and the experience was nothing short of…read moreexceptional. The rib-eye steak was flawlessly executed, cooked precisely to the requested temperature, and showcased the kitchen's remarkable attention to detail. We arrived without a reservation after the restaurant caught my eye from the street. Although we were told the dining room was fully booked, I asked if we could dine at the bar. The hostess kindly checked with Sarita, the bartender, who immediately welcomed us and took wonderful care of us throughout the evening. Her knowledge of wine was truly impressive, and her recommendations elevated the entire experience. Between courses, we were served a refreshing raspberry sorbet that was both elegant and delicious. The Baby Greens Salad was impeccably fresh, and we concluded with one of the finest crème brûlées I've had in a long time. I would also be remiss not to mention the outstanding wine selection, which is curated with remarkable taste. Gracie's is certainly not inexpensive, but every dollar is justified by the impeccable service, refined culinary artistry, and the flawless pacing of each course. This is a restaurant that understands hospitality at the highest level. I will most definitely be returning.

    Finally made it to Gracie's after living in the city for over a decade, and I'm glad I did. The…read moreatmosphere is elegant and definitely has that upscale fine dining feel without being stuffy. I started with the espresso martini, which was really good. For appetizers, we had the beet salad. It was fresh, light, and well balanced. For the main course, we ordered the steak and the sea bass. The steak was the highlight of the meal: cooked perfectly, a good portion, and absolutely delicious. The sea bass was also very good, but the steak was better. Loved the little touches throughout the meal, like the palate cleanser between courses and the cookie waiting in the car after valet. The service was attentive and friendly. Overall, it was a great meal and well worth the wait.

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    Gracie's
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    The Classic Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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