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    Cafe Monarch

    4.6 (1.3k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, Wine Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Cafe Monarch Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE MONARCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Monarch

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lamb Rack
    Mikaeli B.

    Amazing experience as always! Incredible quality, atmosphere, and service. Get the wine pairing with dinner and ask for Alexisus (I think that's how you spell his name). He is a level two Sommelier and is a wealth of knowledge!

    1.11.26 Cars & Caviar event. My friend's STO
    Lien S.

    1.11.26 - who cancels a dental appt the day before simply because it's too cold to get out bed to get ready but will wake at 7am to get ready for this event? Me lol This review is based solely on the Cars & Caviar event hosted by Cafe Monarch and Highline Autos this past Sunday! Event was from 9-11am and there was a large turn out! I got there around 15-20 mins after and it was packed already. Luckily found parking right around there and then met up with friends. The show cars were parked in front and all around Cafe Monarch. There were 2 men who worked there standing out in front dressed in fancy suits. They were nice and friendly. Walked inside to use the restroom and it was nice and clean. The restaurant looked cute. Upscale and classy. To the right side of the restaurant, they had the door that opens to their patio open with a table set up there so people can order caviar or champagne. If it wasn't so cold, windy and early that morning, I would have purchased a glass and a bilini. Caffio Espresso Bar set up right in front of the restaurant and offered some delicious coffee! White Chocolate Mocha Latte, Onyx Delight Latte and Pistachio D'oro Latte were all really good. Hot coffee definitely helped. Great event! I haven't tried the lunch or dinner Cafe Monarch just yet, but I plan to eventually

    Christina H.

    We came here for my best friend's birthday and now I understand why this place is constantly ranked in the top 3 most romantic restaurants in the country. From the moment you pull up to the complimentary valet, you are treated like royalty. The Ambiance: We sat in the outdoor courtyard, and it truly feels like you've been transported to a private villa in Europe. Bubbling fountains, flickering candles, and lush vines everywhere. If you are looking to impress someone or celebrate a major milestone, this is the place. It is quiet enough for conversation but has a wonderful, sophisticated energy.

    Tuna
    Alyson W.

    Loved my experience here. Pros: * Absolutely gorgeous place. Such a vibe to be there. They had our large group in a private room in the back which was stunning. * Service: everyone who works there is a Somm level 1 at least. They enjoyed talking to us about wine. The presentation of the food was like a script. The servers clearly take pride in what they do. * Food was fantastic. It's more of a culinary journey of taste than of sustenance. Portions are very small but there are so many of them in the tasting menu that it adds up. Everything was exquisite from the taste, to the presentation, to the thought behind it. Cons: None! Would come back here in a second.

    Jill C.

    We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary at Cafe Monarch. I don't think we're food snobs, but we are a hard couple to impress with dining out. Cafe Monarch did not disappoint. From the moment we stepped foot inside to the moment we left - everything was PERFECT!! Be advised, Cafe Monarch has a strict dress code. You're spending quite a bit of money on this experience so dress to impress. We sat in the dining room and man was it gorgeous. Intimate setting inside soft lit by chandlers and candlelight. The attention to detail is impeccable. Example - My Hubby only has functional use of one of his arms so i usually cut meat up for him. But he did not want me sliding the plates back and forth across the table. When the second course of Pork Belly came out, he was trying to cut it himself with his fork. The server was standing off to the side observing this and immediately stepped in and asked how everything was. And if he could assist. The server cut my hubby's pork belly up and then EVERY course selection of my hubby's that would require a knife, it came out precut. While this won't be a frequent dinner destination, it will be one we will go when when we are really wanting to celebrate special occasions.

    Extremely excited to dig in!
    Jazmine I.

    We went to Cafe Monarch to celebrate my birthday and wow--what a memorable experience!! From the courteous complimentary valet to the very last bite of our meal, I was absolutely enchanted. The restaurant is stunning inside and out, and the romantic candlelit ambiance set the perfect mood. Every staff member was attentive and genuinely friendly, which made me fall in love with this place even more--I half expected a bit of snootiness from such a fancy spot, but there was none of that here. The attention to detail was incredible--from the décor and lighting to the elegant uniforms and dishware. They even printed a special menu with "Happy Birthday!" at the top, and every staff member made sure to wish me one. Such thoughtful customer service! We chose the four-course prix fixe menu with the oyster & caviar add-on (possibly my new obsession). Each dish was truly delicious and so perfectly paced that we were comfortably full by the fourth course. We ended with a dreamy white chocolate passion fruit mousse cake topped with a pretty butterfly biscuit, sparkler, and a cup of coffee. Overall, it was a beautiful experience from start to finish. I felt so well taken care of. It may not be a place for casual dining since it is on the pricier side, but it's absolutely worth it for special occasions!

    Sparking water
    Heather G.

    Such an elevated experience ! And let me just get this over with, with the elevated experience comes elevated prices LOL. Either way, my friend and I had such a good time for their brunch. We were in awe from the moment we walked up. And once inside I felt transported outside of Arizona. Insert heart eyes! The only let down for me was I wanted more breakfast items for brunch but it was a few things plus mostly "heavy" dinner stuff. Just wasnt in the mood (both of us). We both decided on the steak/filet mignon and eggs. Really delicious. Oddly my salad was too salty for my taste, couldn't finish it. They cooked the meat to perfection. I usually get medium rare because it always gets overcooked but they cooked my friend's medium steak perfectly! The cappuccino was okay maybe needed a bit more roasted taste. Service was patient and friendly. Parking can be very limited so arrive at least 20 min before your reservation We arrived on a Thursday at opening and there was plenty of seating. Reservation is probably best. This is perfect for a special occasion. Anniversary, girly meet up, or even dining yourself. Definitely follow the dress code, you want to feel nice here. I will definitely be back to try more items on the menu.

    Cast Iron Seared Filet Mignon
    Ekta P.

    Great place to celebrate any special occasion - in our case a birthday. From entering, the entire staff was super attentive and courteous. The inside makes you feel like you're in a fairytale greenhouse space in candlelight. Each course was the perfect portion leading up to our final dishes. Every bite was flavorful and they did great pacing between courses and presentation. My favorite was the Argentinian shrimp. Seafood pasta was delicious. Left every plate clean. Looking forward to trying their brunch that they're starting in October. I want to sit in the courtyard when it's cooler out. I also will try one of their drinks, as the bar makes any request, so I got an espresso martini this time.

    Argentinian shrimp
    Mike L.

    Had reservations for 11:30am on a Thursday for brunch/lunch. We were the first patrons of the day and were promptly seated by the glass door that overlooks the fountain. Beautiful building inside and out. The place screams elegance. Daniel was our server and he was the epitome of servers. He explained the menu and made great recommendations. Started with the cauliflower soup, oysters with smoked onion mignonette, empanada di filet, and Argentinian shrimp. The cauliflower soup now holds a special place in our hearts! The chef treated us to a French onion cannoli that we wished we could have had 10 more of. Such a delicious treat! Our main course was the Mishima Wagyu Burger. Felt a bit strange ordering a burger at such a fine establishment, but after our first bite, there were no regrets! Darn good burger that was bursting with flavor! Fries were perfectly crisped with a nice fry sauce accompaniment. We were full at this point, but we were encouraged to glance at the dessert menu...we were easily sold. Wife chose the Marroc and I went with the Pistachio Flan. Both were excellent options. We were treated to nice house-made chocolates and biscuits as well. Amazing food and service made this a wonderful experience. Will definitely be returning for dinner service.

    Maine Diver Scallop
    Alexa M.

    Voilà! Exceptional attentive service from start to finish. Each course was thoughtfully curated, with dishes that complemented one another beautifully. The ambiance was just as impressive--elegant, & felt like a fairytale. A truly memorable dining experience. We will be back. Xx.

    Tammy E.

    From the valet service to the final bite, everything here was amazing. We celebrated my mom's 70th birthday dinner here and everyone had a wonderful time. The photos say everything - not only did it look beautiful, but it tasted incredible. No wonder reservations are needed here on any given night! Note that parking is across the street from the actual restaurant building. There are a few spots out front designated for VIP cars (think Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini types). Once inside it is a candlelit cavern with a beautiful garden patio. There isn't a bad seat in the house. Warmth emanates from the walls of the space and it is immediately inviting and comforting. Our server was very attentive and friendly. We enjoyed the entire tasting menu experience immensely and look forward to returning in the future.

    Blue Crab Roulade
    Rita J.

    My BFF took me to Cafe Monarch for a birthday brunch and it was an amazing experience! Alex and the staff were so professional and personable and went the extra mile to make my birthday special. We ordered and shared the Lobster Roll, Blue Crab Roulade and Orange Pancakes. Everything was delicious! My favorite of all three was the Blue Crab Roulade. It was like nothing I've ever had before. There's a reason Cafe Monarch is rated as one of the top 3 fine dining restaurants in the Nation and it starts with their 5 star service, a sophisticated menu and beautiful atmosphere. Alex was sure to say Happy Birthday every time he came by our table and next came birthday cake with a sparkler, and an Espresso Martini. It was the perfect brunch celebration, one I will never forget. Thank you to my BFF for spoiling me and thank you to Alex for making it such an amazing experience!

    Veal tenderloin
    Tracy Y.

    Cafe Monarch is an upscale restaurant offering a set-course menu, and it's clear that many guests come here for special occasions--I was no exception. We visited for my birthday, and they printed my name on the menu, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch. The menu is definitely on the expensive side, but the food was absolutely lovely, and the portions were generous--unlike some fine dining experiences where you leave still feeling hungry. For the first course, we both chose the tuna. If I'm being picky, the tuna itself wasn't seasoned much, so without the accompanying condiments, it was a bit plain. That said, it might have been intentional to keep it light and not overwhelm the palate right from the start. For the second course, I opted for the pork belly while my partner chose the shrimp. The pork belly was deliciously tender, though the portion was quite small and left me wanting more. Meanwhile, the shrimp was impressively large and tasted fresh, though slightly too salty for my taste. For the third course, we both went with the veal, which was cooked perfectly with a beautiful pink center. Surprisingly, the standout for me was the carrot served alongside it--it was incredibly flavorful, possibly the best carrot I've tasted in a long time. For the final course, I had the fritti di mare, a seafood pasta dish that I absolutely loved and still think about today. It was packed with seafood and had a creamy, slightly tangy tomato-based sauce. My partner ordered the lamb, which was also lovely, although like the shrimp, it leaned a bit too salty. The restaurant also offered a complimentary bubbly drink to start and a dessert with a small fireworks display to celebrate my birthday, which made the evening even more special. All in all, the service was excellent and the experience was memorable, though the bill--including a $90 tip--was definitely a reminder that special occasions come with a price!

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    2 months ago

    Exceptional service. Enjoyed the course tailoring and variety. Atmosphere and decor were very charming

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    Cafe Monarch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Monarch

    Does it have a happy hour?

    No, this is not a happy hour type of establishment. :-)

    Do they provide cake for birthday?

    They provide a birthday dessert and 🎁 gift 😉🥂

    Is it too cold to sit outside for an evening dinner in January/February?

    Hi, definitely not. It's an enclosed courtyard setting with heat lamps and a pérgula very comfortable in the winter. We've enjoyed it in December and had to take our sweaters off because it was toasty. Never an open seat all year round. The… Read more

    Do u have to get a 4 course meal?

    Yes but usually they cut you off or stop it and make you do the last courses because "it's busy"

    How long does a meal usually take? Going for our anniversary and I am curious for plans after dinner. Thanks.

    Our dinner took about 90 minutes

    Do they have heaters on their patio?

    Yes

    What is the average cost of a meal here?

    It is a four course meal - it will depend on your main course for the price. It could be anywhere from $95 -$150.

    How big are the portions of each course?

    All dishes are sized right for the amount of courses, with the entree course being larger. The courses are meant for one person and not large enough to share.

    Do they have misters outside?

    Yes

    What is the dress code for cafe monarch?

    I would not do casual, something dressy or semi formal.

    Is there a lot of parking nearby?

    There is not a lot of "off street" parking. But there is valet, and we have never (been a half dozen times) had a problem getting a parking spot within a couple hundred feet of the frond door -- on the street.

    Hello, is gratuity automatically included in the bill?

    No. It is in addition to the prices you see on the menu.

    I discover Cafe Monarch by searching Phoenix restaurants/BYOB, so I assume I'm allowed to being my own bottle of wine. Can anyone please confirm that Cafe Monarch in fact allows BYOB (wine)? If so the corkage fee?

    Hello Charlie. Unfortunately in state of Az you cannot have a BYOB license and a series 12 resturant license. It's one or the other, with that being said, we have an amazing wine and cocktail program with a full bar. All servers are trained through… Read more

    Is there a plate sharing fee?

    There was not when we went

    Are reservations required or can you just walk in?

    Make a reservation! Small seating area.

    View All 17 Questions

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    Postino has been a favorite restaurant for my wife and me for so long! From happy hours, brunches,…read morelate night snacks, and even our first date, we have been to every Position location in the Greater Phoenix area. The taste of food is great, the locations are convenient, and there are some great deals and promotions. We went this weekend to Postino Arcadia for a date night, and like usual, we were quite impressed! We made a reservation in advance on their website, and we were able to sit down without any wait. The host and serving staff were all very helpful and considerate. Being 6:30 PM on a Friday evening, we didn't know if we should expect it to be very busy or quite empty (as it was summertime). It turned out to be moderately busy, and we found a self-parking spot right away in the parking lot. There were more open spots when we arrived than when we left. There are valet options in addition to the self-parking though (but we didn't need them). We met one of the servers and asked for recommendations as we were craving a bruschetta board (four toasts each cut into four pieces) along with a grilled cheese with tomato soup. We knew three of the four bruschetta options we were going to choose but struggled choosing the last one, so the server offered to bring us the one we don't choose to try. We also didn't want bacon on the grilled cheese and asked about a meat substitute. While there was a charge for any additional substitute, we just decided we didn't need the meat in the first place with the bruschetta coming, too. The food was all delicious as usual and arrived rather quickly. We don't know how this location's food and service could be any better! We have signed up for the ePosse and have enjoyed receiving birthday promotions including a free dessert as well as something special for our Postino anniversary. Or instead of Postino, it can be used at other Upward Projects restaurants including Windsor, Federal Pizza, or Joyride Taco. Happy hours are also great daily until 5 PM with $6 wine by the glass or pitchers of beer. On Monday and Tuesday evenings after 8 PM, you can order a full bottle of wine and a bruschetta board for only $25. We love Postino and will be back!!

    Wine was great and bottles weren't too bad during happy hour, but the food was not my style. The…read morebruschetta can be very good though.

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    Cafe Monarch - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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