I love quirky roadside attractions. The more grimy the better! Bagdad cafe is open 7 days a week from 7am-7pm and per Michael the one man shop they never close not even on Christmas! Business has been real slow since the bus loads of tourist from Europe have been at a halt. Most waiters were let go and now only Michael works. This little gem name after the movie doesn't look like much but it's full of character on the inside. My bf who said "pass" on the food because the place look suspect ended up getting a burger and enjoying it. Btw, their freshly brewed tea was better than Starbucks LOL. They do accept card but their machine wasn't working so cash is king. We went on a Sunday around 5:30pm and the cafe looked closed but Michael rushed out the door and greeted us with "you guys hungry". They only had burgers and breakfast since deliveries are at a minimal because of Covid. (Damn you covid!) Please make a pit stop to Bagdad Cafe on your way to Vegas or Laughlin! I guarantee you will enjoy the meal, history and conversation with Michael! read more

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The lady behind the counter delighted us by asking us to go behind the counter and she took our photo. She then gave us the photo to keep. This made the day for my husband. We chatted for ages having a coffee and buying some bits. A very lovely visit. read more

It's a Route 66 landmark out in the middle of nowhere, until you get to Barstow (westbound). I don't even know if its open. Back in March (or a few months back), the place looked abandoned and there were people sleeping in blankets in front of it. Basically it looked like unfriendly territory - I thought the place had seen the end. But I went by there recently and its back in business. I do not know if they are serving food or not, but they welcome any visitors. According to the longtime owner, she gets more French visitors than any nationality due to the place's pop culture reference in European film history. It's a great stop to take photos and chat with the two workers. They don't really have any souvenirs to buy but they have lots of T-shirts with Route 66 and their name on it. Support them all you can. read more

Bagdad Cafe - Selfie time - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

The Bagdad Cafe is a must-see attraction for anyone who likes the movie "Bagdad Cafe." They have T-shirts, boomerangs, soft drinks, beer, and a friendly staff. They hope to get the kitchen functioning again. Let's hope it's ready in time for the May 2, 2026 Newberry Springs celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66. But even if it's not, know that you will have find and are bound to meet people visiting from France, where the film has a dedicated group of fans. read more

Eat here for a really fun treat! Just expect to spend some time as it takes a long time to look at all the memorabilia! Great place to take pics too! Well worth the stop! read more

This movie site is a must see... just a quick stop off of I-40, right on Route 66. Add this stop to your Route 66 Centennial trip.

We stopped by on our way home from Las Vegas yesterday at about 11:00 am. Yelp said that they were open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The sign in front of their building confirmed the hours and the front door had a large OPEN sign on it. They were closed with nary another soul in sight. Disappointing to say the least. read more

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Cute joint, with souvenirs and a friendly staff that welcomes you! It's close to the Route 66 sign! read more

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I went there today. I spoke with the owner. She's there. She has a great attitude. Her cafe is currently closed but she's says she trying to get it back to its former glory. I hope she does. I love all things Route 66. I know she has fallen on hard times. With the hardships she's suffered with the pandemic and her business she's still so positive. This is really about her and how generous she was. She's accepting donations. If you get the chance to stop by and say hi I hope you do whether you can contribute to her or not. And you get to pet doggies too!! read more

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They don't answer the phone The cafe may be closed after vandalism during the pandemic read more

I've stopped here 4 times over the years on my travels across the country. It's turned into quite the attraction for tourist and typically has a charter bus stopped there. My last run out to Cali though it was closed due to Covid so we didn't get to go in this time. read more

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If you love visiting movie locations then this is must see and should be on your bucket list. The restaurant is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the owner allowed us to browse inside. The place is cluttered with every momento from fans from all over the world. This place isn't for everyone but a movie fan will accept the cluttered interior. read more

Bagdad Cafe - 1988 Cult film location - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

A truly unique spot here in the deserts of California. You'd only find this place if you're driving along Route 66 or was a fan of the original movie of the same name. Evidently, this cafe gets a lot of attention from European tourists who are diehard fans of the 1988 movie that come here to see what the cafe and abandoned motel next door are all about. Warning: There really are a lot of French bus tourists as folks have stressed. You may be overwhelmed but they don't stay to actually order anything. Myself on the other hand wanted to try some malts here at this old American diner. One comes in at around $5 which is normal and was a good refresher from the long drive. The real reason you come to Bagdad Cafe is to see the history and internationalization covering its very walls. You'll find flags, cards, currency all over the walls, and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere by the very owners of the cafe. I'd definitely recommend anyone on Route 66 to make a stop here before you dive into your final drive into Los Angeles. The cafe is a treasure best enjoyed over a malt or milkshake. read more

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Drove by here on 12-4-21. I called to see if they would be open but they said they had been vandalized and may take 3-4 months to make the necessary repairs so I was not able to go inside. So I just snapped a few pictures. Historic site and glad I got to see it. read more

Bagdad Cafe - Roadside Attraction sign - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

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BAGDAD CAFE: Quirky, roadside attraction in Newberry Springs, CA. Located on Route 66 in the Mojave Desert, 25 miles east of Barstow. Renamed (formerly Sidewinder Cafe 1975-1995), after the 1987 film and also in honor of the original cafe. That historical location, 50 miles east of the current Bagdad Cafe, suffered its demise due to the installation of I-40. Meanwhile, don't bring your appetite, as food isn't being served here nowadays. Nonetheless, this is a fun and amusing place to visit on the "Mother Road." read more

This is a great little basket of quirky American history along route 66. Say hello to my brother if you stop by.

The café that was featured in the 1987 movie is long gone, but the memory lingers on in this café. The nearby motel is boarded up and so is the gas station. This roadside stop captures the vast and desolate area that the movie portrayed so well. It's a must stop along route 66. I am not sure about the food, but it is 5 stars for the whole complex. read more

Bagdad Cafe - The hotel - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

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Way back when, we saw Huell Howser (RIP) visit here for his TV show - Huell liked it but, he liked everything. Unless you really have to - don't stop. we made the mistake of stopping for breakfast there. Place was dirty, dingy, dusty. The single employee. waiter / cook probably had three teeth and he was dirty, dingy, dusty too. Food and coffee were awful. My wife could not eat or drink it. She wouldn't even drink the ice water. I was used to my mom's bad cooking (was she in the kitchen helping?), so I could choke it down. Seriously, my wife gargled with our tequila when we got back to the car. To top it off, the German guys next to us had a 25% surcharge on their bill for not being American. It was on ours too til we made him remove it. So now we use the name of the joint as our name for any bad place we visit - like - It's the Bagdad Cafe of wineries. read more

When you're entertaining friends from out of the area, and you're in the vicinity of Newberry Springs, isn't a visit to the "World Famous" Bagdad Cafe a "must-do" stop on your travel itinerary? If you've ever seen the funky movie, Bagdad Cafe, and if you're visiting Newberry Springs, a visit to the Bagdad Cafe is a must. A visit to this fine restaurant is also in order if you're in the mood for a great meal, and you're a history buff, especially if you're a fan of historic Route 66... What kind of a menu does a world famous eatery like Bagdad Cafe feature? How about local, California, desert cuisine. Bagdad Cafe features good food, but their menu could not be considered fancy by any means, nor could their menu be considered exotic; basically, it's a reflection upon the taste of the locals. However, as a native of the southern San Joaquin Valley of California, I find the menu of the Bagdad Cafe right in line with my tastes. Order anything on their menu and you'll be happy, as the food is good, the price is reasonable and Andre and Tanen are gracious hosts. Not the mention the atmosphere of a 1950's roadhouse. Darn, I wish James Dean was still with us! If you're a local resident, Bagdad Cafe maintains a "bar tab" for locals, so you can charge your meals and pay them once a month, which is such a great thing for locals. When you're east of Newberry Springs, pull off the Interstate and take the old road, historic Route 66 and stop by the Bagdad Cafe for a great meal at a reasonable price. You'll come away satisfied and you'll experience a piece of history that you won't find on the Interstate. read more

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This place is wicked cool!! Such a great little roadside attraction, good friendly people, and lots of history!! Check it out for sure! read more

Newberry, California --- The "Bagdad Cafe" is a Route 66 destination for European travels, bikers, Route 66 travelers, and movie location hunters. The "Bagdad" is a supet "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite stop when traveling in the area ... A place where always leave with "More Smiles Than I Came In With!" ... owner Andree (aka Andrea), grill-master Gilbert, local "Jamaica" (aka Clarence), and grandson Carl all take turns giving me "More Smiles Than I Came In With!" ... The "Bagdad" is a tasty-riffic cafe, a Route 66 MUST stop, a movie set location, and a place to sit a have s beer ... "Run-A-Way Bill" was here! #RunAwayBill #DUSA2017 #WorldsLongestBarCrawl #666BarsUSA #Route66RunAwayBill #HistoricRoute66 #Route66 11.26.17 read more

Decided to just get out fir a ride to the desert and explore Route 66, on the National Highway. So before I left from LA I found this little Gem on the map. So why not stop by and visit. I'm glad I did. It was 113 degrees out and just wanted a break from a long drive. Oh and a milkshake and a beer ok so we went in and micheal was behind the counter with all kind of information about the area. The other workers there where very friendly and mad me laugh. I even got to take a pick with micheal behind the counter. There is a lot of history here. Don't expect a 4 star restaurant on a rarely traveled road in the desert but you can expect good hospitality. This will be my stop off place now, while running down Route 66 for desert photo shoots. Also to support local businesses. Oh don't forget to bring a patch or sticker for the wall. People from all over the world visit here. read more

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First off: I read through most of the reviews on this place and all I could think was what simple people a lot of you are. Way too catered, way too adapted to having a KFC and Taco Bell within arms reach. Bagdad Cafe wasn't anything close to being a super clean, super corporate, super "customer is always right" chain that a lot of city folk expect to eat at home. It was a cute, family ran (in fact most of the family was in the cafe when we stopped) restaurant that is no doubt the lifeline of the family's income. They actually live out back! I found the old cop dramas playing on the TV set a great mood of the place. Dark, cozy, and some old TV shows with someone sleeping in a booth next to us. I found the food to be quite alright, even if it was from frozen patties. The Buffalo burger was pretty good, as was the hamburgers. The prices were actually quite average, and $10 for a Buffalo burger isn't that outrageous. I had one in L.A. which was similar in quality, for $15.99. The service was pleasant, and people were super nice and willing to chat and get to know us. It was a true mom and pop venture, which is a dying breed. Everyone saying they were coming from or going to Vegas and "decided to stop" and then complained need to just stop. If these kind of cafes bother you, then DON'T STOP. Wait until you see the next Denny's up the road! Bagdad Cafe is on Historic Route 66, which is an incredible drive itself. Sad thing is, after some monsoons a long stretch of 66 is out about 5 miles past Bagdad Cafe. You are forced to get back on the 40. Not sure when it will be fixed - if ever. Without this vital route intact, I suspect this cafe may not survive because it will no longer be a cafe you drive past, but a place you will have to exit the 40 to get to. read more

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This is the most disgusting dirtiest place i have ever seen in my life (And this is coming from someone that has seen quite a bit of this world, and usually loves those "run down looking" places). My mom and me entered, and were greeted by 3 available dirty tables and a waitress that cared more for her phone than anything else, we should have ran away by then but oh well. We decided to have a coffee and some pie since it was afternoon. Sure they were out of pie, second chance to run buuuut, got lucky and got some instant coffee "Quite a steal 2.50 $ for 1 cup of instant coffee" :D served while touching the edges of our mugs with yellow thick dirty fingernails. The highlights -sink in restroom didn't work. you maybe are lucky to get a gallon out of that sink in a day. ( wondering if staff has their own restroom with a proper working sink). -Dust looked sticky like years old. -CAFE that serves instant coffee for 2.50 $ a cup -and lazy staff with yellow thick dirty fingernails. -surprised that this place has not been shut down yet I would have given 0 Stars read more

April 24 2010 Finally stopped by the famous Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs. Had the tuna melt, jack palance burger, grilled cheese. The food was adequate, however we did not stop here for the food. Rather to live the experience of the rustic 66 and it's home grown Americana feel. Andrea Pruett has been the owner for 15 years. She says the business is almost 75% European ! Come enjoy the high desert and the charms of the Bagdad Cafe! read more

Bagdad Cafe - Bagdad Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

If you love the famous cult movie that was filmed here, this is definitely a must! You must see the movie to really appreciate this place. It was an American movie that the French turned into a cult movie. So every few hours a bus gets out full of French tourists taking millions of photos and running around in Glee! read more

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DO NOT STOP HERE FOR FOOD! The place is so run down- holes in ceiling, ac not working, flies buzzing around inside in the 110° summer heat. The owner and staff were so nice. She actually admitted that food isn't their thing. Its all about the movie merchandise they sell. read more

walked in and holy shit, what a wild ride. It was my parents in law, my fiancé, and myself. We approached the lady at the register and requested a table for 4. the lady asks "to eat?" Well...yeah? That should have been our first notice to leave but no, decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. The sitting area was dirty and dusty, definitely has not been cleaned in quite some time. Menus are stapled together. She came to take our drink order and then we overheard her asking someone to call (like phone call) the cook. Anyway we politely told her we could no longer stayed. Paid for our drinks ($6 for a coke and a coffee) and left before we would experience any more madness. Now look, this is clearly someone's livelihood and I am no one to judge how people make their money, but the least the owners could do is revamp the place a little and be a bit more welcoming. read more

I wanted to like this place as a Huell Howser and Route 66 fan, and a lover of the desert. It wouldn't have taken much, but the place was complete filth. I don't think anything has been cleaned in there since the movie was filmed. There is dust and grease film on everything. There were dirty tables with food on them, and spills on the floor. The waitress wiped the dripping sweat on her shirt. I ate a grilled cheese. I could taste the dirty filter from the soda machine in my diet coke. These people who run it, have no care in the world for cleanliness, and are dismissive at most. The service took a longtime, and as I ate, I had to watch two meth heads that knew someone that worked there, sit at a table picking their scabs. An occasional smile revealed a near toothless grin shared by the waitress and cook. I lost my appetite. This place may be iconic, but it is a complete dump. I don't know why the health inspector hasn't shut it down. Nasty! read more

Great to see where my favorite movie was filmed. Had a burger very good. Beware of the parking lot around the motel, I had two flat tires from the nail Overall a very nice experience indeed.s read more

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Brilliant place, but, if you are not the adventurous type, ONLY ONLY ONLY go there IF you have seen the movie and LIKED IT very much. (That will be easy, it's one of the kind of movies you either hate or love.) If you are worried about the food, stick to the buffalo burgers, they are excellent. Avoid the chicken, you'll need a steak knife to cut it, then again: they provide that. IF you liked the movie you most likely will also love the people here and maybe even make a new friend or two. If you were hoping for a latte with soy-milk and free wifi to do some "office work" this is not going to be your place, not at all. Don't go. Stay at Starbucks in town. All others: come, you gonna have a blast! read more

Old run down and decrepit cafe. Employees​ are slow and excentric. Just like the movie. It was perfect. And the Bagdad Omelette was excellent. Must stop if you are driving route 66, just be sure to watch the movie first to appreciate it. read more

Not open for business but the nice lady let us in and gave us the lowdown. She also suggested another place to eat which I thought was noble. read more

WARNING! French tourists love this place, and there's a photo of Celine Dion on the wall. If you're OK with that, and you find yourself in the Newberry Springs area, might as well stop in here for a bite. It's a somewhat typical dusty desert diner just off I-40, about 15 minutes south of I-15 (Harvard Rd. exit). The food is pretty much what you'd expect: burgers, cheeseburgers, and bacon cheeseburgers. They also serve breakfast stuff. What makes this place noteworthy is that it was the subject of a shitty '90s French/German movie. Because of this, the place is a bona fide tourist attraction among the Euro crowd. The walls are covered in stickers, postcards and signed headshots (including the aforementioned Celine Dion pic). But it's also a popular pit stop for bikers cruising the Mother Road (it's on Route 66). I've eaten here a few times and found the food solid but unremarkable...but the ambiance was great and the service was friendly. Recommended if in the area! read more

Wow...what the hell do you people expect? It's grease stop on a road that's barely travelled anymore except by tourists. I loved it and so did my girlfriend. We had watched Bagdad Cafe a week before and decided to trek out there from Santa Clara County. The drive was a bit much but when we got there after staying the night at some dive, it was worth it. The place was PACKED with European tourists but it brought back all the memories from seeing the movie and I could imagine that in it's day, it was probably something nice. The place overall is in pretty bad shape and it's understandable since not everyone has seen the movie. The "motel" is pretty much abandoned and seems to have been occupied by squatters. The food isn't a 5 star meal but they have great burgers and fries and I got to enjoy them right under some pictures of Jack Palance and the crew from the filming of Bagdad Cafe. After being at Calico Ghost town for most of the morning, this was a nice way to end the day. Loved it! Good luck to the folks at the Bagdad.... read more

The movie was quirky and interesting, but this place was disgusting. Dirty table, dirty menus and lots of flies. The "waitresses" were unpleasant and had some interesting phone conversations with very colorful language while we were waiting for our food. As I've read in other reviews, we shoulda taken our pictures and run. Don't eat here! Your stomach will be sorry. read more

I didn't expect too much, but I was still disappointed. I hit three coffee shops on California's stretch of Route 66 that morning and this was shockingly scary to visit. It was about 11AM and they seemed disinterested in cooking me breakfast so they recommended the pie. I agreed that pie would be great. The guy working there then used his filthy fingers with black under all his fingernails (I pray it was grease, I fear worse...) and then licked his fingers, and then finally handed me the plate. The coffee was Farmer Bros. brand which is fine for the location, but still bad coffee for California. It does make the scenes in the movie where the real coffee from the German tourists shock everyone come to life! Anyhow, back to my experience. I didn't want to get hurt, so I ate my pie, drank the coffee paid in cash so they didn't know my name and got the heck outta there. The two dudes working there looked like they treated themselves pretty rough if you know what I mean. Because of my passion for Route 66, the movie "Bagdad Cafe," and history, I will re-visit them within a year. If things improve, I will change my review. I sure hope they clean up their act a bit, they are sitting on what could be a treasure. A week after I got home I got a blood test for Hepatitis and was clean, but I was concerned because of the finger-licking and dirty flatware. read more

Bagdad Cafe - Bagdad Cafe (formerly Sidewinder Cafe, renamed after movie was filmed here.) - Cafes Near Me - Newberry Springs, California

I recently stopped here on my way to Arizona. I was here about 10 years ago and it was in decent shape at the time. This last visit was much different. The place is so run down. It smells bad inside. The dining area has clutter. We sat down and the gentlemen (I guess he was the waiter) got us our preferred drinks with much hesitation. No menus were offered. He then went to the TV to change the World Soccer Cup game to the Brady Bunch. Then he disappeared. After sitting there for 10 minutes ALONE in the restaurant , we saw him out front. He never returned back to help us. Another woman walked in. I asked her if I could pay for my two drinks so I could leave. Two sodas cost me $5. Rip off. It's to bad the place has been neglected since its a historic Route 66 spot. I won't waste my time here again. read more

French tourist love this place because there was a German movie made about it. In the movie the place was a dump, so naturally they do not disappointed. Most tour bus' show the movie on the drive between LA and Laughling/Lake Havasu because let's be honest what else are you going to do? It's a nice road stop, and a great place to stop and say you've been. Also, if you can take the heat there is a big "Route 66" painted in the road about 1/4 miles away and since the road is mostly empty it's a perfect place to take photos. read more

Fantastic!! Don't judge the often chemically-altered staff by their teeth or clothes. They tend to be decent friendly folk typical of rural U.S.A. Which is a good thing, unpolished, keeping it local. This ain't Disneyland, yet it is in a way....sometimes a caricature is the real deal. I read some reviews,and they mock the staff for being what they are, true characters, no corporate line to follow, no clue really about customer service, but they cook great and care about you and the cock-eyed experience is what you want here....just don't judge what it should be, once was, or will be. I've eaten at backwoods dives from Tennessee to here in CA and this is typical, down home cooking with true heart, friendly service not from a script but from human decency coming through folks who may have been through the mill, but hey, who hasn't in some way or another. I saw people, even from France! turn around and walk out after the greeting by the staff, but stay, be yourself and talk to them, and you will be rewarded by great honest food, value, and if you are lucky, a few good stories. read more