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    The Classic Cafe

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

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    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

    Ellie's

    4.3
    (614 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    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
    Little City Coffee & Kitchen

    Little City Coffee & Kitchen

    4.7
    (103 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    I used to visit Little City at least three times a week when I worked in Downtown Providence and I…read morealways had a magnificent experience. From the staff to the coffee to the food - Little City is one of the best, if not THE best coffee shop in Providence. Definitely in Downtown PVD. My Top 3 Faves when it comes to Little City: 1) The seasonal flavors. Every season they come out with innovative new syrups for their coffee menu and it's always exciting to see what's coming next. 2) Dave! My coworkers and I were some of the first customers when they opened and Dave took the time to remember our names. I hadn't been in over a year (closer to 2 years) and Dave still remembered me when I came by. We've even bonded over a shared birthday. 3) My first "unofficial" date with my partner was inside LC. We bonded over our love of plants and aesthetic on the shelves behind us. Make Little City your go-to when you're downtown. You won't regret it.

    Cute little city coffee shop located in downtown Providence. Easy to remember name too…read more My coworkers and I walked to get some coffee and bites and were were greeted by a nice cashier. There were so many different options - signature flavors include brown sugar vanilla and coconut caramel. My coworkers and I tried one of each. The were so many unique pastry and breakfast options. We both ordered the everything focaccia bun filled with cream cheese. We got a couple of pastries too - the gluten free cannoli Bundt cake and the vegan cherry cake. When it came time to pick up our coffees the barista was pretty rude. He was frustrated by our questions which were pretty basic "what's what?!" We ordered four coffees and nothing was labeled. Felt like that was a typical question. There was no one behind us too. I would go back for the coffee and treats, but definitely not the customer service.

    Photos
    Outdoor seating
    Outdoor seating
    Little City Coffee & Kitchen
    Matcha latte

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    Matcha latte
    Brown Bee Coffee

    Brown Bee Coffee

    4.3
    (92 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    I've only been once so far but I was very impressed by the quality of the pastries. I tried a cafe…read morelatte croissant and really enjoyed it! Super flaky and a lot of delicious flavor from the filling and garnishes. It was very busy when I stopped by midday. They were out of some items already (I missed out on trying the French onion croissant before they replaced it with another menu item). I did find a spot to sit outside but I can see it being even harder to find a seat during peak times. It's a bit off the beaten path yet it's known and popular for a reason. I'm looking forward to visiting again and trying more items and of course the coffee!

    It was a Wednesday afternoon, and I was craving a good latte. I had seen this place on social media…read moreand added it to my list of cafes to visit. There is a parking lot in the back, but I was not sure if it was for the café or apartments downstairs, so I just found street parking nearby. The inside gave me Spaniard vibes because of the cream, smooth walls and dark wooden accents. The following were the two things that instantly caught my attention when I walked in: They have merchandise on display for sale and it seems like high quality material and they had a vehicle made of croissants on display, maybe about 1.5 ft x 1 ft x 6 inches. They have their pastries on display which helps visualize what you're getting before buying it. They are unique and big in size. Their drink menu is good and includes a mix of teas (including matcha) and coffee. I went with the bee latte which was supposed to have honey, cardamom, and cayenne. I was interested in seeing how sweet, herbal/minty, and spicy would taste together. I was also [easily] self-convinced into getting a Za'atar croissant. After our order came out, we walked outside and sat at their patio area which has about 5-6 tables enough for two people each. The latte was good. I appreciated how it was not sweet, but I did think the cardamom was too subtle. It seemed like the cayenne was powder just sprinkled on top and I might've inhaled half of it on my first sip, so I was dying a bit. The Za'atar croissant was given to us in a brown paper box with the outside of their building drawn onto it. Since we asked for it toasted, it was warm and extra crispy/flaky on top. It was flat (about 1 inch thick) and about 6 inches in diameter, so big enough to share if you're just interested in a light snack. The inside of every swirl was packed with olive oil, middle eastern herbs, and lots of sesame seeds. Although it may take away from the traditional flavors and way of eating it, I wish it came with something to dip it into like whipped cream cheese or smashed olives. Nonetheless, it was delicious. On weekends, they have a laptop free policy which I think it good to allow for more people to enjoy, rather than people taking up tables for a while to do work.

    Photos
    Coffee area
    Coffee area
    Spanish latte
    Spanish latte
    Interior

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    Interior
    Seven Stars Bakery

    Seven Stars Bakery

    4.4
    (385 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    I don't normally go to this seven stars but I was in the area! The cafe was clean and had a nice…read moresetup for their line. They had the usual free samples out - bread sample was gone but a few pieces of the cinnamon roll were left to try. I came for my free birthday bread and ordered the country pan loaf sliced. I also ordered a chocolate chip cookie because it looked too good to resist!

    This was my second visit to Seven Stars Bakery. I stopped in on a mission to find a round loaf of…read morehard, crusty bread to serve with a steak dinner, and since I had just picked up a cake down the street, the location was super convenient. The snow made street parking a bit tricky, but thankfully there are a few parking spaces in the back of the building. Once inside, the bakery was lively and smelled absolutely delicious. There was a great selection of fresh artisan breads to choose from. I ended up with the durum loaf, which was perfect since I planned to make an olive oil dipping sauce. The bread was exactly what I hoped for crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, airy with a mix of large and small holes, and full of flavor. I also couldn't resist picking up two Valentine heart sugar cookies with jam because they were just too cute. The only minor downside was that the employee who helped me wasn't very smiley. Not rude at all, and my order was handled quickly, but it felt a bit different from the warm cafe vibe you might expect. Prices are higher than if you went to a mom and pop bakery but this was expected. Overall, a great stop for quality bread.

    Photos
    Delicious pastries and breads
    Delicious pastries and breads
    Lemon cake
    Lemon cake
    Inside

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    Inside

    The Classic Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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