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    Vagabond Blues

    4.2 (139 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Vagabond Blues Photos

    Business Info

    VAGABOND BLUES ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Vagabond Blues

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    Free Sunday concert at Vagabond Blues

    Because Noisy Goose always has about an hour-long wait on Sundays just to be seated, my fiancé and I decided to try someplace new for breakfast. We'd read good things online about Vagabond Blues, but honestly, this spot is nearly impossible to find unless you already know about it. There's no visible signage outside that we ever found. We ended up circling the block several times and walked in the rain until we finally asked a stranger at a random glass door--only then did we catch the smell of coffee and know we were close. Inside, the café is nestled in a walking mall with a strong "locals only" vibe. It wasn't too busy when we arrived, but to our surprise, a ten-piece bluegrass ensemble was playing live music that filled every corner of the café. The performance was talented, but far too loud for conversation, and there was no chance of relocating to a quieter table since many patrons seemed settled in for the full show. We came for a quiet breakfast and instead felt like we'd walked into a concert we didn't sign up for. Gret if that's what you're aware of in advance. As for the food, let me be clear: the portions are ABSOLUTELY NOT generous, despite what other reviews claim. My breakfast burrito was shockingly small compared to places like El Pastor in Eagle River, where you get enough to take half home. Here, we both stared at the empty space on our plates. I also follow a keto diet and had checked the menu in advance, planning to request no potatoes. Unfortunately, I was told they premake the burritos and couldn't accommodate any changes. I ended up eating around the potatoes and tossing most of the tortilla. That said, the sausage annd eggs were tasty. My fiancé's ham and cheese croissant was underwhelming--thin ham not grilled and cheese resembled kraft slices so average flavor. Coffee was fine, nothing remarkable. You order at the counter and seat yourself with a table number and they deliver it to your table, there's no real or friendly table service. When I mentioned, while ordering it was my first visit, the young woman behind the counter just blinked--no welcome, no warmth. Staff didn't seem particularly happy to be there. The best part? The fresh flowers on the table were a sweet touch. We're glad we tried something new, but it wasn't the relaxing breakfast we hoped for, and we likely won't return anytime soon. Food was average, service felt indifferent, and the noise level made it hard to enjoy. Vagabond Blues might be beloved by the local community, but it didn't make us feel very welcome or fed.

    Albert G.

    This is a great diner spot in Palmer. I'm usually in a rush when I visit and they're still great with their food times. They have fresh baked goods, smoothies, sandwiches, etc. The workers here are friendly and the ambiance is that of a southern diner.

    The Matanuska with a side poppy salad
    Marcella F.

    Never disappoints. This is my favorite place for a working lunch. Yummy food, fast service, quick internet. Cute spot and convenient. I love the paninis

    Ellen S.

    Wow!! What a cute small town cafe!! Pastries are incredible!!! They have daily standards and then daily special patties! The soup with a "slice" of bread is filling!! The bread is huge. Great variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. Great variety of coffee and tea! Does NOT disappoint. This is an absolute MUST!!! I'd drive from Anchorage to eat here. The vibe here is so Alaska!!! We have hit the pastry counter several days during our visit. Balancing it out with all the hiking. Service is awesome with a smile!!!

    Raspberry pastry
    Nathan B.

    It's places like this that make me love Palmer. It's a fresh little coffee house and bakery with simple, yet delicious food and delightful little environment. Super friendly staff. Hungarian Mushroom Soup is super tasty. Couldn't get enough of that delectable entree. The artichoke chicken sandwich was a little bit of a let down. The chicken was cold and chewy. Since it was large pieces, this meant you had that awkward sense where you bite into a small corner of the sandwich, but pull away half of the chicken. You don't know whether to put down the sandwich and pull the hanging half out or try to guzzle the whole thing down. Either way, there's a mess and sauce all over your face. And your general chagrin. It's just awkward. But the artichokes were delicious and the bread was super soft and flavorful. Just that awkward chicken.

    Breakfast Burrito
    Scott S.

    I came here with a group prior to our day trip out to the glacier. We wanted a quick place to stop and get breakfast before our drive. The restaurant is laid back and inviting, with exciting decor from Alaska throughout. There were all types of people dining from locals to tourists such as my group. Service was good and the staff was friendly. Ordering is done at a counter and they bring your food to your table and seat you when it is ready. The Breakfast Burrito was amazing and the perfect way to start the morning. They offer it in varying flavors/meats. If you haven't yet had Reindeer in Alaska, here's a great place to try it. The burrito was nicely pressed to give the shell a crispy texture. Overall, it was a great quick stop and a nice way to support a local place.

    Pesto Cheese Panini
    Armando Z.

    Tons of baked goods! Makes it very difficult to choose. The pesto cheese panini and breakfast burrito were on point. Staff was great. Would certainly come back here again.

    Andy E.

    I'm a critic on a mission: To immerse myself into the full dining experience among the many fine restaurants, bistros, cafes, eateries, diners, holes in the wall, and just plain truck stops in this great country, and to review each from within its own context. Establishments get up to 5 stars, one each for: 1st Impression, Menu Selection, Food Quality, Value, and Service. Bon Apetit' So Vagabonds is a local haunt, very popular and well known in Palmer Alaska. Walk in and it's a classic coffee house atmosphere with hardwood tables & chairs, varnished stripwood floors and local artwork on the walls. First impression is great. They get a star. Menu Selection: Really quite extensive for a coffee house- lots of sweets, but also soups & salads, breads, sandwiches, wraps, and of course endless coffee & tea selections. And it's mostly prepared fresh! They get a star. Food Quality: Excellent, consistent, and much better than the competition. They get a star. Value: In this case, value is really the product of competition among peers in this area - because the menu is in a different league than Starbucks, Peetes, etc. To that end I would say a meal and coffee at Vagabonds is a solid value for the money. It's not the cheapest place around, but for what you get - quality, portion size, etc. it is a great value. They get a star. Service: Yeah, so the staff is very professional and friendly. They are also twenty- something s or less who are clearly in sync with the younger groups who comprise the regulars. For those of us in the geriatric crowd, there is a small tendency for the crew to 'speak up and more slowly' committing some 'assumicide' as to our cognitive abilities . One of the waitstaff was so senior-sensitive once, I jokingly asked if the place carried Ensure drinks, to which I was greeted with a confused stare . Nonetheless, the staff is always best foot forward and clearly gets a star. In all, Vagabond Blues is a 5-Star joint! If you're in the area, it is a must-visit establishment.

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Cool little place! Plenty of seating. Tasty breakfast and drink options. Good selection of baked goods also.

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    9 months ago

    Great coffee and food and friendly staff make this a go to place. Went Twice in a week while visiting in Palmer

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    2 years ago

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    5 months ago

    Usually busy but really amazing baked goods. Love getting snacks for my kiddos when there.

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    1 year ago

    Only grabbed a cookie & coffee but great vibe and friendly people. Will definitely be back!

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    2 years ago

    How have I missed this place? Their cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos, and coffee are legit. I'll definitely be back. Wow. Just wow.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing baked goods! The sandwiches we ordered were good but for the price I feel I should have gotten a bigger serving. Really busy!

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    4 years ago

    Always amazing pastries and coffee. The service is delightful and you can pick up some wonderful.lical pottery or art here as well.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    clean, good drinks, wait time is not bad, and nice atmosphere. I have not tried the food though so I can't say anything about that

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    Page 1 of 4

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    Valley Hotel Open Café

    Valley Hotel Open Café

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    It's a strange little cafe, part of a hotel (have never stayed at the Hotel though) Palmer is kind…read moreof quirky (to me, as an English person) and I love being able to see the water tower from the windows, which screams old town America, like I used to see in movies. Lots of booths and tables, quite a big dining room. It's not fancy. But it's always busy. It's very affordable. We often used to come for just a piece of pie, and they had a delicious blueberry pie, which unfortunately wasn't offered the other night when I was there. I don't care too much for banana cream this or chocolate chess that - they're just too sweet for me, I'm not that much of a dessert person. I was sort of hoping they might have pumpkin pie, as it's almost that time but they didn't have any. I try to have it at least once or twice in fall. I went for the least offensive option which in this case was apple pie. I went for a la mode, and as the server had trouble understanding my accent (happens a lot) I gave her my best American accent of a la mode, which made her laugh. I googled why having ice cream on your pie is called a la mode, because apparently, USA is the only country that uses this term anymore. A la mode, literally translates to in the fashion. A strange term to describe ice cream on your pie. Anyway, I don't know why I got it, as I don't really like solid ice cream, I like it when it gets melty, or to be honest, I would rather have had heavy cream, but rarely does a restaurant or cafe offer that as an option, like you'd get in England. The pie came, it was huge, and there was a half gallon of ice cream on it. I gave it to husband, and he put it on top of his cheesecake, after scraping off the whipped cream, and giving that to me. This was whipped cream from a can I believe, as it's very aerated. The pie was pretty good and nicely spiced with cinnamon, which husband objected to. He said it had a little too much in, but I liked it. One of the strangest things about the menu - which is pretty extensive by the way, are the prices. There are no round numbers, and the cents are never the same either. I assume this is because of the sales tax? Like one thing might be $4.33, then something else will be $7.59 so that when they ring it up and add the sales tax, it comes out at a nice round number? Is that right? Anyway, no complaints, you can always get a seat, service is prompt and friendly, and there's great views from the window seats.

    Love this place and I have been coming here since 1988, it's like eating at home!…read moreWe love this place and will always eat here!

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    Chocolate shake not bad $9  apple juice $5
    Chocolate shake not bad $9 apple juice $5
    Prime rib dinner

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    Prime rib dinner

    Vagabond Blues - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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