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    Tower Cafe

    4.1 (5.5k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Tower Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    TOWER CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Tower Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Two eggs, Cajun sausage, and a petite slice of French toast.
    Shawna D.

    I love Tower Café, they have the best French toast ever!! With the French toast I ordered the delicious Cajun sausage and eggs over easy. Everything was so good. My BF ordered the Panko crusted cod, it was delicious and the portions were more than we could eat. Service was excellent outside under the beautiful tree cover. Make sure you sit outside when you come to Tower Café, it's so pretty!

    Lin L.

    A long standing local favorite brunch place!! Located near the Tower Theatre. This place gets crowded quick, come as early as 8am to avoid the long line!! Their famous French toast is to die for!! I totally recommended this! MUST TRY!! It is melted in your mouth! I have never have such a marshmallow-ish French toast in my life!! Life changing brunch!! The cafe is beautifully decorated inside with garden style patio with water fountain. The service was fast with unlimited coffee!! Price: decent Restrooms: several , clean Parking: free in their complex

    Jessica L.

    We loved our brunch here! This restaurant is an experience. Very eclectic and funky decor inside. You can't make a reservation so be prepared. We waited 45 min on a Saturday for brunch. We liked our Madame Cristo and Thai steak! 2 of us split it and we are petite girls that can definitely eat, but both dishes were too much for us, we probably could have split one. I'm not complaining tho! I also had the Mexican macchiato which was described as like a caramel latte. I asked for it to be less sweet and it came perfect. I recommend this place!

    Bobbi A.

    Historic spot alert! The Tower Theatre has stood in this location for decades, and it's always nice to see historic spaces thoughtfully reimagined--this portion now houses a truly lovely restaurant. The decor is absolutely stunning. We opted for outdoor seating and were surrounded by waterfalls and lush greenery, creating a peaceful, garden-like atmosphere that felt both quiet and intimate. If you have allergies, indoor seating may be the better choice, but the outdoor ambience is undeniably beautiful. Service was warm and welcoming, adding to the relaxed vibe. I also appreciate that they offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it an easy choice no matter the time of day. As for the food, the All-American burger was decent but lacked the bold flavor I was hoping for. That said, the fried portobello mushrooms, guacamole, beverages, and puff pastry were definite highlights and well worth ordering. Prices lean a bit on the higher side, but the generous portions and standout ambience help justify the cost. Overall, a memorable dining experience set within a historic landmark--perfect for those who enjoy great atmosphere with their meal.

    Huevos Rancheros Cod Sandwich
    Nemrah A.

    I've lived in Sacramento almost all my life and I've been to the Tower Cafe only a handful of times. The last time I went was over a decade ago. I decided to re-visit it when some friends came to visit me as I feel like this restaurant is so iconically Sacramento! The restaurant itself is amazing from nice greenery outside to multicultural decorations in every inch inside the restaurant. You can spend a while here just looking at the decorations and never be bored. It's honestly one of my favorite things about this restaurant. The waitress we had this time was attentive and would check up on us frequently. I also love they have so many options for vegetarian and vegans. We ordered the huevos rancheros and the cod sandwich. Both were good but I would say the cod sandwich was the best out of the two. Definitely would come back for that. If you are around the Sacramento area for just a small time I would recommend coming here!

    Tower theaters
    Scott M.

    What a great experience / meal... walk in from the parking lot, to see beautiful water fountains, and lots of plats, as well beautiful flowers. I guess it depends what season you go for the blooms. a really cool theater , a cigar shop, and then Tower Cafe. Totally recommend to get reservations, but there not always needed. I went the other day and waiting just a few mins. The Atmosphere is amazing, well sitting outside that is. I dont think iver ever sat inside, its just amazeballs outside with all the life, and sounds of water. MY meal was excellent and worth the price. Prices are not terrible, but they are not cheap either, I guess right in the middle, I think the wedge salad was $17 ish, the burgers run around $18 to $21 if I remember right... But all in all, For the Atmosphere and food, its well worth it.

    Outside

    Food: French toast was a thick piece of bread with minimal flavor Potatoes were ok Corn bread was good Ambiance : lots of trees very surreal Nice picture spot Service. Ah ok Would I go back probably not

    Migas!
    Jon H.

    What an outstanding spot! This place defies categorization. Certainly a lot of Mexican cuisine influence, but so much more. This place typically has a line, so reservations are recommended. Excellent craft cocktails, very eclectic menu, and even more eclectic interior experience. We were here in the cold weather, such as it is for Sacramento, but they have a patio that I think would be a great dining experience at the right time of year. Our brunch was full of excellent food, outstanding, cocktails, very good service, and an overall great experience. I look forward to trying this place again.

    Santa Fe Salmon
    Melissa S.

    My husband had the: The Borracho Burger Our half pound burger topped with our Borracho BBQ sauce (mango, jalapeno and bourbon), jack cheese, crispy onions, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. He thought it was really good. It totally hit the spot. I tried it the next day and really enjoyed the quarter I had. It was still moist and juicy. It had great flavor and the crispy onions were no longer crispy, but they were still good. I had the: Chile Rellenos Two large Pasilla chilies filled with Monterey jack cheese, pine nuts, currants, and cilantro, rolled in panko and deep fried until crispy and golden. Served with house-made salsa, sour cream, red rice and pinto beans. My husband ordered this last week and I tried it and it was so good that I ordered it this time for myself. I loved the deep fried crispy shell on the Chilies. It was so tasty and inside it was so cheesy. I enjoyed the bite/crunch of the pine nuts. The green rice was really tasty, I'm not sure why it says red rice as it was green both times we got it and the pinto beans were good too. The dish had a tiny kick to it which was good and made it more flavorful. We also had dessert this time. We had the yin yang cake. It was really good. It's chocolate mousse on the bottom with a chocolate crust. On top is a white chocolate mousse. The whole thing is really well done. I love getting dessert, but it's hard as the meals are so filling. I end up over the top full like this time, but I wasn't going to forgo dessert. I wish they stayed open later so you could get a bit or dessert after the movie got out. We thankfully got out of work early so we could get to the 4:15 showing giving us time afterwards to get a bite. We don't usually get out of work till 5 so that was a stretch of us to ask for time off from work. Parking is great. The Tower twins have a shared private parking lot so there is plenty of parking.

    Inside Cafe
    Melia A.

    Servers were extremely attentive! Always checking up on our table and making sure we were good. Excellent service. My food was okay. It's really pretty here (they have outdoor seating but it was raining) and there was free parking! this place is always busy though. came here tuesday afternoon.

    Jerica M.

    We got there at 1230pm on a Monday morning and it was packed for brunch/lunch! Only a party of 2 so we were seated immediately at the patio. We ordered the Eggs Benedict and Jamaican Jerk chicken and our drinks. The Jalepeno Raspberry Lemon Drop + beer was super good. Glad I got the Drop drink instead of an espresso. Service was great - props to Peter for handling the entire patio like a pro because it was super busy! Food had such generous portions, I was very shocked. Prob one of the few places I've seen with that.

    Banana French Toast
    Caren F.

    Came here again. My friend has been craving it for a while so we decided to go. I thought that I tried something new. So I had the mole (forgot what the exact name) but it was amazing. I'm very picky when it comes to mole, but this was to my liking. Not too sweet, but sweet enough. And of course can go wrong with th French toast. A must have whenever I go. So what makes this visit different than others. It's the service. Our server was Danielle and she is amazing!! Very tentative, checked in often. It was also nice and toasty inside. I'll be back again!

    Chicken Apple Sausage
    Ziba F.

    First and for most do yourself a favor and order the churro French toast! This mouth watering sweet treat literally melts in your mouth! By far the best french toast I've ever had! The churro syrup is so delicious with the fresh fruit! The borracho burger was so savory and the meat was so tender and juicy. It came with fried onions crisp to give it a crunchy taste. The huevos ranchero had great blend of crunchy and savory taste. I've been here a few times and the food never disappoints. I came on Valentine's Day and it was very packed and we were told an hour wait but we got lucky and only waited 15 minutes! We sat outside at their beautiful patio that transformed you into a beautiful garden. Our waitress was very attentive and the staff was very nice!

    Enchiladas De Oaxaca

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    Tower Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tower Cafe

    Is it kid friendly?

    Yes, it's very kid friendly. They are also pet friendly with outside dining.

    Do they have misters on the patio?

    I didn't see any

    Do they allow dogs at patio seating?

    No. We tried to bring our dog there for outdoor seating last year and they said no dogs.

    Do they take reservations?

    They only take reservations Monday- Thursday from 6:00 - 4:00 for parties of 6 or more.

    How do you make a reservation?

    They don't take reservations.

    Do they offer bottomless mimosas with brunch?

    No they don't

    Do they take reservations?

    No advance reservations. You show up and, if a table's not available immediately, they take your name and phone number and text you when they're ready.

    I've called numerous times too and you cannot leave a message either . It says mailbox full?

    That's the only downside for this amazing place - it's super busy! You have to head over there and put your party on the list. Trust me, it's worth the wait!

    Do they ever answer the phone? I've tried to place to-go order and all I get is a continuous busy signal. For weeks. Curious is anyone ever gets their call answered.

    When we went there a couple of weeks ago I heard the hostess say they were having quite some difficulty with their phone line for a while now. Not sure if it's been repaired since then. They also seem super busy during brunch hours, especially on… Read more

    Are dogs allowed?

    I called last month and was told me dogs were not allowed inside or outside.

    Is this place allergy friendly?

    They have the presence (or not) of many major allergens listed on their menu for each food item (but I'm pretty sure they weren't all there, just some). Wheat and milk are definitely on there, I can't remember which of the others are.

    Do they stop serving their famous French toast after a certain time?

    Weekdays until 11am and weekends until 3pm

    Is this establishment wheelchair accessible?

    Yes

    Is breakfast served all day?

    no, its not

    Do they have there regular desserts back?

    Yes, they have all of the classics: Napoleon, whole cakes, etc in the glass display case next to the bar!

    Are they open?

    They moved the opening date to June 2021

    When will Tower cafe reopen?

    July 12, 2021!!!

    Is it true this place is permanently closing?

    No On their website they say temporarily closing with that it's been open for 30 years in fact I was there the day it opened and I was doing massage on People💗

    Is the restaurant closed permanently?

    No...just temporary because of the COVID19

    What's the average wait on a Sunday at noon for 2?

    I would say like 15-20 minutes if you just say you don't care if it's inside or outside

    View All 37 Questions

    The Porch - Bacon cheese roll

    The Porch

    3.7(2.1k reviews)
    1.2 miMidtown
    $$

    Went on a Saturday for brunch with three other people and when I asked the wait time, the host took…read moreawhile to seat us, even though I said we were ok with outside. At the end, we ended up seating outside and all the time wasted could have been to help other people. Our server was friendly, but since we were outside she would take awhile to come outside. The meatloaf was a big plate and my husband could not finish it. He did say it was a bit salty. The shrimp and grits were great (would recommend). My son's chicken tenders were great as well and looked homemade and not like it came from a frozen bag. There is paid parking around the area. It was a 60 degree day but with jackets on, the weather felt amazing. When we had stepped into the restaurant it had felt too stuffy, so I am glad we got to seat outside.

    Came down this week for the first after hearing good reviews about this place and was honestly…read morepretty disappointed on what we had and the experience as a whole. Do make sure to make reservations before coming in, luckily a table opened up and the host was able to get us seated promptly. The seats we were given were near the bar and it was only the one bartender taking care of his bar and the tables which lead to not having the best service. Again we get it was the bartenders area but you would think since it's the weekend you would have two bartenders working that area. When it comes to the food, my wife's brisket Benedict was pretty solid nothing crazy but my meal was probably the worst one.... When I hear the words " anything scramble" i think of a bunch of ingredients mixed together as a scramble. This was more of just scrambled eggs with some fried avocados on top. These breakfast "potatoes" were also dissatisfying and flavorless. I've worked in the restaurant business and can tell you that I hated when people sent plates back so I'm not one to send my plates back and make complaints, but this one was very close to me breaking that personal rule. Personally I don't think I'll ever come back at least not for their breakfast hours.

    Photos
    The Porch - Inside

    Inside

    The Porch - Porch salad

    Porch salad

    The Porch - Grilled Brie

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    Grilled Brie

    Old Soul - Veggie quiche. The blandest quiche ever!!!! 0/10

    Old Soul

    4.1(1k reviews)
    1.0 miMidtown
    $$

    I stopped by Old Soul Co. on a weekday morning and tried their latte, which was simple, well-made,…read moreand really enjoyable! The drink was not too heavy, and the cozy atmosphere made it a great place to enjoy this cup of coffee. Service was friendly, and there were many people enjoying their morning here.

    So. . .I met a friend here to catch up and we had a decent experience. She ordered a mocha latte…read moreand I ordered a lavender latte. We also ordered the greens salad. We got our drinks fairly quickly, but it took 25 minutes for us to get our salad with no meat. That was a little disappointing given that it was just a salad and also, someone else ordered after us but received their food before we did. We ran out of time and ended up having to take our salads to go. My friend really liked her mocha latte, but my lavender latte did not really have the lavender flavor in it and the salads were just OK. I'm not sure if they were shortstaffed and things were rushed, but I can't say that I was impressed. It's a super cute spot, but the energy was different. The customer service was just OK. Not super friendly, but not rude either. It gave the energy of "tired". Our experience was pretty mediocre, but I do plan on checking it out again. We talk about first impressions being important but sometimes it takes a second visit to really get the true feel of a place so I will definitely try it again and make an overall decision at that time.

    Photos
    Old Soul - They roast their own beans.  Amazing coffee shop: a hidden gem.  Photo by Monterey Films LLC

    They roast their own beans. Amazing coffee shop: a hidden gem. Photo by Monterey Films LLC

    Old Soul - White cheddar bacon scone

    White cheddar bacon scone

    Old Soul - Pumpkin Spice Latte

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    Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Zebra Club - I've been known to get up early for Portugal

    Zebra Club

    3.5(357 reviews)
    0.8 miMidtown
    $

    I finally stopped into Zebra Club at 9:30am on a Saturday to catch up with a big group of people…read more The bar was already hopping, and it looked like there was a previous group hanging out after watching early morning sports on the TVs. I ordered a Guinness and we moved to the back area as our group grew too large to have at the small front tables. They have breakfast and lunch available and had an impressive menu for what I thought was just a bar. We asked our server what she recommended and she said the waffle fries and French toast are great. While we passed on the French Toast (this time- I'm more of a savory breakfast person) we did get waffle fries ($7) and their Zebra Special ($15.50) that comes with two eggs, meat (ham, bacon or sausage), hash browns, and choice of toast. We paid a little extra to get a biscuit with gravy instead of toast. We also ordered jello shots for the group and it was very fun having morning jello shots with breakfast. They have a lot of televisions here and seem to serve as a watch party destination for a lot of sports fans. They also have an outdoor area, which is great for groups, but we also noticed that the small of people smoking wafted into the inner dining area from outside which was a drawback for me. The staff here was so nice and attentive and we had so much fun with our group here. Would highly recommend checking them out.

    I had such a special experience at this iconic 916 bar. I called a week in advanced and asked if…read morethey would host a party of 14 for a 6AM birthday celebration in September, just wanted to show up with a big group for breakfast. They simply said yes but I did not expect for them to set up a giant table with place mats for us in the back! On top of that, the server was pro status and our food came out super quick. Super good classic quality breakfast too! Shout out to the kitchen staff. My heart was so full, I recommend it to all folks!

    Photos
    Zebra Club
    Zebra Club - Bar on a kings game night.

    Bar on a kings game night.

    Zebra Club - Bar with 7 or more tvs.

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    Bar with 7 or more tvs.

    Casa East Sac - Maximino pepperoni pizza!!

    Casa East Sac

    4.3(273 reviews)
    3.2 miEast Sacramento
    $$

    I have dined at Casa East Sac many times for brunch, for lunch and for dinner. It's a hidden gem in…read moreEast Sac. Street parking only and limited. Arrive early to park on residential street. I recommend making reservation in advance. Weekend brunch can get busy. They have a small covered patio. I saw someone had a private bridal shower in the patio and thought that was such a cute idea. I love EVERYTHING here. My go-to is the deviled eggs. Can't go wrong with breakfast with eggs but you must try their pancakes and waffles. I think they rotate their menu periodically. For lunch/dinner, we like to order their pizzas and a salad. Simple but so good! They are a small local business. Go support them whenever you can.

    Decided to come here on a Sunday for brunch, and while my reservation was at 30 mins later than we…read morearrived, we were able to be seated early and before the rush. I wanted to like the restaurant a lot, and while food was good, our service unfortunately was not. We sat on the patio when there were 2 other tables half way through their meals. We ordered a cinnamon role to start, and it was fine but not my favorite. The main dishes were brought out together, and while the breakfast pizza (not pictured) was steaming hot, my potatoes came out slightly cold. I ordered a coffee and it wasnt until our meal was done that they asked if I wanted a refill as our waitress seemed to be missing from the patio service area most of our time there. When we paid, it showed that it was $5 for coffee, which seemed pricey compared to other restaurant similar in nature and a very late refill. The last bit is that it took 15 minutes for us to get our check and a box for the left over pizza. I understand that it gets busy, but we had arrived when the restaurant was 75% empty and service was very delayed.

    Photos
    Casa East Sac - Patio area. Pet friendly

    Patio area. Pet friendly

    Casa East Sac - Vics pizza

    Vics pizza

    Casa East Sac - Plate size pancakes with a side of blueberries.

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    Plate size pancakes with a side of blueberries.

    Iron Horse Tavern - Hawaiian Style Ribeye Steak

    Iron Horse Tavern

    3.9(3.6k reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$

    My wife and I came in on a rainy afternoon and thought we'd join the few people sitting outside. It…read morewas only slightly drizzly for the first few minutes, but when the torrential downpour came we finally bit the bullet and migrated inside. Despite the chaos, all of the staff handled it so well, everyone was so friendly and helpful. Our server Madison was fun, funny, and handled a stressful situation with so much grace, while also serving two tables of twenty-plus guests each. Not to mention, all of the food was f$cking fantastic and the pours were strong! Highly recommend the Korean friend chicken and poke nachos. All of this to say, we don't live in Sacramento but we will definitely be back when we're in town thanks to Madison and the wonderful staff.

    Wife and I walked over to refuel after donating platelets this morning…read more Place is great with a wide variety of options to choose from. I got adventurous today, and ordered the Korean Fried Chicken, which eas served on white rice, with KimChi, Sliced Jalapeños, pickled cucumbers and shredded carrot, with 2 sunny side eggs. The chicken had a nice saucyness to it, that had a very slight heat to it. The breading was not over fried, chicken tender and juicy. All the veggies were fresh and packed full of flavor. Overall, the dish was a nice change of pace and quite delicious. My wife had the Prime Rib sandwich which came with au jus to dip, and fries. Her sandwich was tasty, nice proportions , but the au jus could have been richer. Service and ambiance is on point, with a vibrant bar area that has a wide variety of options from beer to mixed drnks and wine. Parking is available street side at meters, or in several lots or garages within short walking distance.

    Photos
    Iron Horse Tavern - Rotating and permanent beers on tap!

    Rotating and permanent beers on tap!

    Iron Horse Tavern - Fried Chicken Burger

    Fried Chicken Burger

    Iron Horse Tavern - Trio of Macs Truffle, Lobster, Chicken Chorizo

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    Trio of Macs Truffle, Lobster, Chicken Chorizo

    Tower Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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