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Venues Cafe

3.4 (323 reviews)
ModerateNew American, Cafes
Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Venues Cafe Photos

Business Info

VENUES CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Venues Cafe

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Seafood enchiladas. Look great but NOT SO GOOD!
Liz D.

My husband had wonderful stuffed pork chops this evening and thoroughly enjoyed them. Me? I chose seafood enchiladas! What a disaster!! The menu described them as stuffed with shrimp , crab and mushroom and served with green enchilada sauce. Hmmmmmmm ! I was served something, stuffed with gritty spinach and a few tiny pieces of shrimp with a couple of pieces of mushroom. The entire thing was covered in melted cheese. No green enchilada sauce in sight! Along with it came risotto. Yes RISOTTO. ( usually delicious with their shrimp plate) but tonight crunchy uncooked rice and hardly the thing to serve with enchiladas. Next to that pico de gillo and a slice of avocado. What a strange and unlikely mixture. So hardly any shrimp,no crab, unwashed spinach and no green enchilada sauce. Definitely an extremely poor offering for $26.00 I have no idea what all that spinach was stuffed inside. So sad because we have had some really good food in this restaurant. Their French onion soup is the very best in town and I have enjoyed the bacon wrapped shrimp more than once. So this disappointing meal will have to be written off to a one time bad experience. You might want to avoid ordering the seafood enchiladas though!

Shrimp taco & short rib taco
Sherita E.

Truly enjoyed this quaint find. The food was great, had the chicken tortilla soup, the short rib & shrimp tacos. Also the salad was impeccable. The server was really nice and gave great recommendations. It's near a lot of cute shops, so afterwards we had a chance to look around. It was even live music across the street. Overall if you ever find yourself in Carefree, stop by and check out Venues it's a great place

Menu
HoyMay P.

We were hangry and needed a late lunch. There was also the Carefree Art and Wine Festival happening so we weren't sure if we would have to wait for a table. Luckily we went to lunch late enough where most diners had left. The guys had cheeseburgers and fries and we gals ordered the turkey panini with green salad. The burgers looked amazingly huge. The guys were happy and ate every last bite. The paninis were grilled, buttery and good. The salad was fresh and crisp. A good meal! Lots of patrons so a bit loud in here. There is also outdoor seating. Free street parking and WiFi.

Roxanne C.

I ordered the street tacos and they were delicious. The short rib taco was juicy, tender and personally my favorite. The carne asada was also tasty with its unique salsa. Great location in the middle of downtown. Local flutist was performing in the park across from the restaurant as we sat on the patio. I will go back again.

Dining area looking to the front door
Tim S.

This place is special to us as it is where I proposed to my now wife in 2013. So for Valentine's Day brunch we decided to drive 30 miles to Venues for brunch. Worth the drive up here. If you are staying in the are get over to this place. If you are down in Phoenix, the drive up will take you through some beautiful areas before you arrive here.

Turkey Panini with sweet potato fries

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5 months ago

Great efficient service, delicious burger, crispy, perfect fries. Amazing lunch spot!

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4 months ago

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9 months ago

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11 months ago

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Catherine M.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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6 months ago

Great food, friendly servers and warm atmosphere!! This is our go to restaurant in Care Free!!!

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Delicious apps, entrees were on point and the service was excellent! It was our first time in so we will surely be back.

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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Catherine M.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Great service. Shrimp tacos were awesome!! I would recommend Happy hour, as it is a bit cheaper and the food on the menu is great!

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5 years ago

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5 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Food was tasty and service was reasonable but overall this place is over priced. We would not eat here again.

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1 year ago

Wonderful meal there. Ate outside. Tuna melt and the so cal burrito. Two meals out of the burrito. Attentive staff. Highly recommended

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

It's got a great meatloaf sandwich and the ambience and location is fairly nice. The prices can be outrageous if you're not careful.

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Page 1 of 9

Ask the Community - Venues Cafe

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Black Mountain Café and lounge can be found in the Historic Spanish Village. You can chill with a…read morecup of coffee or tea and a snack or main meal here. Locals really love this place. There is inside seating and outdoor patio that is shaded. I got one of their muffins today. I think I like their muffins the best. Staff are nice. Street parking available

I genuinely hate to write bad reviews. But as I am sitting here paying a $400 hospital bill, I feel…read morethe review is necessary. My family and I were visiting from out of town. My son has a severe gluten allergy and we came here as I saw they had gluten free pancakes. I informed the waitress of my son's allergy when we placed our order, and confirmed that his pancakes were gluten free when they were brought to our table. Being a normal 5 year old who loves pancakes, my baby enjoyed his breakfast... only to begin coughing intensely and then breaking out into severe hives (and panicking) shortly thereafter. By God's grace, we had his epi Pen nearby. We still ended up in the ER as his breathing was impacted in addition to the hives (thankfully the epi pen helped but he still had to receive treatment and be monitored). All of this was due to pancakes that we were told were gluten free. While my husband and I rushed our son to the hospital, my father who is a local resident, spoke with management. They comped our meal, which was kind. But this truly could have been a life or death situation.

Photos
Live music and bar
Live music and bar
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Outside

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Grotto Cafe

Grotto Cafe

4.6
(655 reviews)
1.2 mi
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Sunday at The Grotto which can be found in the Red Truck Plaza. I had been thinking about their…read moremuffins and decided to stop. As I entered the café, I saw a regular who hangs out there all the time. After I ordered, I joined him. I ordered a blueberry smoothie and a blueberry muffin. I do enjoy the taste of blueberries. Both orders were very good. Their homemade muffins have a strudel top. Yum! They also make a nice moist scone. Very relaxing to sit in there. They have regular tables and chairs or high tops. There is also a couch if you prefer that. Of course they have their outdoor seating and many people were doing that as well. Even for a Sunday it was fairly crowded. Free refills on their regular drinks. Shared parking lot.

Just moved to Arizona on Valentine's Day and already found a little gem I know I'll keep coming…read moreback to I've been to Grotto Cafe twice now. The first time I stopped in for a glass of wine just to check it out -- they were about to close, but the staff was so kind and welcoming. I even saw a roadrunner on the patio, which honestly felt like the perfect Arizona welcome moment I went back yesterday after a 4-mile hike at Jewel of Cave Creek and had a turkey, avocado, and bacon sandwich with chips -- simple but absolutely delicious. Fresh, satisfying, and exactly what I needed after being out on the trails. Prices are very reasonable too. The vibe here is what makes it special. It's busy but relaxed, cozy but open, and you order at the counter which keeps everything easy and casual. They offer coffee, wine, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and more -- perfect for a quick bite or a chill afternoon. I especially love the setting surrounded by the little Cave Creek shops. It has such a peaceful, welcoming energy and is a great spot to sit outside, enjoy lunch, and soak in the Arizona sunshine. Whether you're hiking nearby or just exploring the area, this is a wonderful place to stop. I'll definitely be back

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Mixed Berry Scone!
Mixed Berry Scone!
Cinnamon Chip Muffin!
Cinnamon Chip Muffin!
Grotto Bloody Mary!

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Grotto Bloody Mary!
Janey's Coffee Co. & Bodega

Janey's Coffee Co. & Bodega

4.3
(317 reviews)
1.1 mi
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Cute place, yummy drinks. Clean and unique bathrooms. But, umbrellas were broken and the cushions…read moreon chairs were gross and stained. I can actually live with that. However, what' will keep us from going back is the no-personality service. Been there twice in the afternoon and both times the service was stoic. For us friendly service tops everything. Nobody wants to feel like you're inconveniencing the employees.

Janey's Coffee Co & Bodega is truly a treasure. Set back from the main road (Cave Creek), I was…read moremildly surprised at how busy it was on a late Sunday Afternoon. I say "mildly suprised" because once we walked up to the actual coffee house we heard the live music on the large back patio. One of our absolutely favorite local artist, Aaron Howard was performing, and he definitely brings in a crowd. It was busy, as I mentioned, but not too crowded, and we found a good table towards the back. As it was the begging of the hot weather this spring, we were very grateful for the generous-sized table umbrellas. But first, we went inside the Bodega to order a Beer and a snack. They have a great selection of Beer and wine! And since we were still 2 hours or so away from dinner, we decided to grab a veggie & cheese board, which had a nice variety of cruditè and humas. It was very satisfying for 2 adults. We spent.a total of about 2 hours there and left there knowing we would be coming back to Janey's. Side note: For those of you who need accessibility, I myself am on an electric scooter for ambulating. The parking lot is dirt and only has a couple of handicap parking spots. But no space is more than approximately 150 ft from the entrance to Janey's. Once you get to the building, it is very easy to get in and out of the main bodega, with wide, level doorways. The doors were propped open when we visited. I did not utilize the restroom on this visit.

Photos
Two small booths inside and a few other inside choices
Two small booths inside and a few other inside choices
Janey's Coffee Co. & Bodega
View from entrance

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View from entrance
Tox Bar

Tox Bar

4.0
(33 reviews)
0.1 mi

I truly left this spot with mixed feelings…read more On the one hand, our servers were fabulous! They were dealing with a very large party (with a lot of confusion) behind us, so it was clear both the servers and kitchen staff were stretched thin. I'm not sure if it's a newer addition based on the reviews, but the spot is decorated beautifully. With decor, games, a solid color scheme and a variety of menu options, it's truly an inviting standout in Carefree! Our food was just fine (I think they're aiming for elevated bar food), and our drinks were alright. I'm not sure my smoked old fashioned was prepared correctly but it happens. However, for the experience I left feeling I'd severely overpaid. Additionally, the company was questionable. A gentleman walked around the venue with a dog and a frown, a man came in barefoot to pick up an order, and I witnessed a non employee (or off shift employee?) sneak behind the bar several times. There seems to be a speakeasy medspa behind a painting, but we didn't get the details. This spot has the potential to be a total standout! A mixologist with a solid craft cocktail menu and execution, a menu rethink, and maybe some event programming and this spot could certainly be a home run! If I revisit, I'd be beyond delighted to see they've grown into their potential! Best of luck to these folks!

A Shoutout to Cindy & a New Neighborhood Favorite!…read more We just got back from lunch at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger in Carefree, and what a treat it was! To our delight, Cindy--yes, the Cindy many of us have known and loved for years--was there bartending and serving with the same warm smile and stellar service she's always been known for. This time, though, she's doing it at a place that offers great food, a fun and cozy ambience, and a dog-friendly patio--a rare combo that's hard to beat. Let's face it: dining out isn't as affordable as it once was. But as I told Cindy, I don't mind paying for quality food and excellent service--and that's exactly what you'll get at Tox Bar/Speedy Burger. For years, we were loyal regulars at Brisam's, visiting twice a week. But over time, prices soared, food quality declined, and the atmosphere never improved. The space started to feel tired and neglected. Sadly, the lack of connection from ownership didn't help--unless you were a former mayor or someone "important," you likely didn't get a second glance. Let's be honest: Cindy carried Brisam's for 18 years. Her genuine care for customers was the reason many of us kept going back. Now that she's moved on, it's no surprise to see the shift. So here's my suggestion: support a place that supports its people and customers. Tox Bar/Speedy Burger is that place. Stop by on Sundays or Tuesdays this summer to see Cindy in action. Come fall, I predict it'll be wall-to-wall locals enjoying everything this gem has to offer. Let's spread the word and give our support where it's truly deserved.

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Bar area
Bar area
Chicken Salad !
Chicken Salad !
Smoked old fashioned

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Smoked old fashioned
Confluence

Confluence

4.2
(140 reviews)
0.3 mi

My husband and I decided to take a chance on a new restaurant while vacationing in Arizona…read more Normally, we stick with restaurants we've visited before or well-known brands, but this time we stumbled upon a charming husband-and-wife-owned restaurant called Confluence, located in the Sundial Plaza in Carefree, Arizona. We're certainly glad we did. Confluence offers a beautiful outdoor patio for dining, while the interior is intimate, with only six to eight tables and a small bar. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with warmth and character--you can definitely tell there's a thoughtful touch behind every detail. We were greeted by our bartender and server, Victoria, who also happens to be the co-owner. She was absolutely wonderful. Even though the restaurant was busy, she made us feel like we were her only guests. As we talked with her, we learned how she and her husband, Chef Brandon, are the entire operation and work seamlessly together to create an exceptional dining experience. The menu is intentionally small, but that's because every dish is prepared fresh to order. Chef Brandon's attention to detail is evident in every plate. The presentation is beautiful, and the complex, well-balanced flavor profiles showcase his culinary talent. We highly recommend the Gazpacho--it was outstanding. As former restaurant owners ourselves, we were especially impressed by how this husband-and-wife team consistently delivers such an exceptional level of food quality, hospitality, atmosphere, and overall uniqueness with such a small operation. Their teamwork and dedication are truly something to admire. If you're visiting the Carefree or Cave Creek area, make it a point to dine at Confluence. We don't think you'll be disappointed. One final tip: To ensure they can maintain the highest standards of food and service, they intentionally limit the number of guests they serve each evening. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the busy season.

this is my go to. It's the most enjoyable meals ever fresh delicious not complicated just amazing…read morebetween husband and wife. They are the best of the best I live in the neighborhood. It's my go to.

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Confluence
Venison loin
Venison loin
Halibut - great northern beans, leek, spinach, sweet pepper, olive, Calabrian chili

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Halibut - great northern beans, leek, spinach, sweet pepper, olive, Calabrian chili

Venues Cafe - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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