Great food. Service is always a bit on the strange side, but well worth the delicious food and drink. We have catered from them, as well, and our guests went crazy over their crab cakes. Highly recommend the sweet potato gnocchi and the butternut squash cheesecake. read more

Came for restaurant week with a bunch of friends and am now a HUGE fan of this gem! The pork belly was delicious. I personally had the salmon which could have used a bit more crisp but my friends' lamb shank and the duck was very delicious. To top it off, I had the creme brulee which was a tad over burnt but my friend's tres leche cake was heaven in very bit. My tummy was very happy. Cafe Navare is now my favorite restaurant in South Bend! read more

We had the most amazing evening and delicious meal at Cafe Navarre! We went to celebrate my moms 80th birthday and we couldn't have asked for a better dining experience and celebration. We were given a great table in a nice, quiet location and our server, Zach, was amazing! The French onion soup was one of the best I have had in a very long time, and I make it a point to try French onion soup whenever I see it on a menu! Thr lamb chops were very tasty and the chicken entree was extremely moist and delicious. We will definitely make a return visit here next time we're in town! read more

Absolutely one of the best restaurants in South Bend! The atmosphere is intimate and classy. The use of an historic building (a former bank) was a brilliant choice. The food is top notch. The mushroom soup is to die for! The servers are always excellent and attentive. This is one of my favorite places to go for a special occasion. Certain areas are brightly lit while others have more subdued lighting, making it an ideal place for both business/friendly dinners or for date nights. We once had a visitor from New Caledonia and we took him there. He was quite impressed! In fact, I would say that if your goal is to impress someone, whether a business associate, a friend, or a date, you can't go wrong with Café Navarre. read more

This is a solid restaurant with good food. This evening was the second time I've dined here in two days and the lovely hostess remembered me from yesterday and offered me the same great table, even though I was in Army uniform tonight. The vegetarian dish I ordered was no match for the steak dinner I ordered yesterday and the service was slightly less attentive, but not bad. The server didn't offer me any bread and then either didn't hear me when I asked for it or just forgot, but the hostess brought me some as soon as I asked. The dish was decent but not something I'd order again. Overall, a good experience with excellent bread; just not as impressive as yesterday. read more

Forward my mail -- I'm home, and I refuse to leave. I first came here as part of the South Bend wine walk in August. This was not the last stop on the walk. Keeping in mind free wine and food was waiting for us elsewhere. But once we arrived, I refused to leave. We stayed for more drinks and dinner, and it was awesome. I can't wait to return. read more

Food was excellent. Great New York strip and great oysters and mussels. We had reservations but they were a little delayed so we ate at bar. Great bartender Kilian took care of us. Highly Recommend this place read more

Terribly Inconsistent - First time I went to Cafe Navarre I was impressed. The following two times were very average to the point I swore it off. A friend who's taste I trust told me that they changed chefs (which they had) so we went back and it was really impressive. Having won me back I decided to take my Mom to Cafe Navarre for her birthday. The cocktail she ordered (Flying Figs) literally (and I mean that in the most non-hyperbolic manner) tasted like vinegar. The bartender never should have let it leave the bar. Now I'm going to give a big benefit of the doubt that the brown sugar shrub (an ingredient I am unfamiliar w/) could have been a contributing factor, but the drink was far from balanced, and was more reminiscent of home remedy for a sore throat than a cocktail meant to be casually enjoyed. They had already comped us the drinks though on account of not having the ingredients to make my wife's drink and it taking so long so there was no point in making a bigger fuss about it. On to the mains, we all went for seafood. My mom and I went w/ the sea bass and my wife the Salmon. For entree's that are $35+ they were mediocre at best. The Sea Bass combination was boring and hardly flavorful, and the salmon while much more flavorful than the sea bass was a bit of a phone in. It was a touch above being simply cooked in a Hoisin sauce, laid on a bed of farrow, w/ sautéed vegetables. Really disappointed and had it not been a dinner to take my Mom out I would have made a bigger deal about it. Needless to say I am firmly back to swearing it off and wish any one else who eats there a better role of the dice than I've had w/ it. read more

High quality food, high quality service. We were missing one item from our to go order and the manager delivered it to our hotel himself, knowing we were just passing through. Could not recommend this place more for any occasion. read more

I got the potato pancake and pork belly hash. The latter was tasty and I would definitely get it again. The potato pancake was decent; it was closer to a fried hash brown patty. I would recommend the brunch. read more

Here before heading to the Morris Theatre for a show. The Navarre Salad would hit my top 5 salad list. I added grilled chicken which made a great entree salad along with soup for a delicious meal. Oh. And the mojito was a winner too! read more

Cafe Navarre is one of the nicest places to eat in Downtown South Bend. The menu is loaded with a variety of food choices, from salads, soups, seafood, burgers, and pasta. I have not had a bad meal here, ever. Everything is cooked perfectly, presentation is upscale, and price is very reasonable. Here, you definitely are getting what you pay for. The waiters/waitresses are top notch. If you haven't had a meal here you are missing out. Oh, and they have the best cream of mushroom soup I've ever eaten!!! read more

A big thanks to sous chef Austin Wilson for my delicious dinner tonight, 4/14/18!!! I have MCAD and have multiple food "allergies". It is such a pain we rarely dine out. But we had a gift certificate and an anniversary so I took a chance and called ahead. Austin was a delight to work with and the results were tasty and very satisfying for this frustrated foodie! He even managed a fab dessert with no dairy or eggs! This will definitely be on my go to list of restaurants. Delicious, great atmosphere, good service. read more

Cafe Navarre - Thanks to sous chef Austin at Cafe Navarre. I have MANY food allergies and he worked with me to make a delicious anniversary dinner - Italian Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Best mushroom soup I have ever eaten. Tasty Caesar salad with steak, done just right. Good service, beautiful building, and interesting history. Rolls were good too. Salmon was excellent, and the wild rice was the best. read more

Best of the best. Service is outstanding, staff is friendly, food is to die for! True gem!!!

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner this evening at Cafe Navarre. First time visitors and wondering why we had gone before. Easy location with on street parking. Prompt seating with our reservation-just a word of caution as they have seating upstairs, which is were our table was, so if stairs are an issue you might mention that when you make your reservation. Cesar was a wonderful waiter and we went off his recommendations; wild mushroom soup, Osso Bucco for me and the fillet for my wife. Excellent choices especially the wild mushroom soup. Finished the night with Coffee and "budino" for dessert. The only negative was the noise level--a little loud - probably due to the fact that the upstairs seating is above the bar. Other than that is was a wonderfully moderately priced meal. Will definitely return. read more

I can't say anything bad about this place. The food was excellent, we had a lovely waitress, and the wine was great as well. My wife and I went here before a show at the nearby theater down the street and came away very pleased. The arancini appetizer was amazing and we both got steaks that were excellent and cooked exactly as we ordered. read more

Went here for an Easter brunch last year. The fried chicken and french toast was great, and the interior was pretty.

Oh lordy. This place is delicious. I've gone several times. Favorites include their New York Strip and their French Onion soup. Great cocktails, too. Okay, gotta go. Getting hungry. read more

Spent last three weeks in South Bend for work. Came in tonight during Restaurant Week. Sat at bar and was served by friendly and efficient bartender. Drinks were fine but food was a disappointment- burnt steak and a rhubarb cobbler with nothing to counter the sour of the fruit. Aren't cobblers served ala mode!?! read more

We came for our anniversary and while the food was good, maybe even average given its price but I highly recommend for its service. I'm a wimp when it comes to alcohol and our server brought me bitters drink, and bread, and because he likely felt sorry for me because I was turning purple, he packed us dessert too on the house...because I couldn't finish my meal and needed to lie down so we cut our anniversary date short. The food: chicken--slightly over salted but it was obvious that all the ingredients were quality. The proscuitto like appetizer was good but the crabcake was definitely worth its price, all meat and I don't know where the breading went. In all, can't wait to try this place again without feeling like the world's spinning. read more

I used to love Cafe Navarre but it's gone downhill in recent years. Last two times I've visited, the steak has been mediocre, tough and flavorless, then over sauced, with frites that look like they came from the freezer. Nice service, wonderful atmosphere still, but the food is frequently disappointing and not worth the prices. read more

My recommendation of Cafe Navarre for a nice dinner was embarrassing. My brother in law ,visiting from Australia ,wanted to treat us to dinner. Previously I've had good experiences, so I suggested Cafe Navarre. The service and the wine were good. Our meals were typical of an inexperienced cook trying to pass as a chef. Out of respect for my brother in law I didn't send my entree back. Then we tried the deserts. My brother in law requested a single scope of ice cream and I selected a torte with ice cream on the side. The server informed us that they were out of ice cream. The ice cream on my desert was a large tablespoon that appeared to be the bottom of the barrel. An apology and a substitute desert was offered by a person who appeared to be manager. This disappointing expensive experience occurred on an early Thursday evening. How busy were they? Medium at best! read more

Outstanding lunch here. Actually had the grilled cheese sandwich and fries which was unlike any grilled cheese I've made at home. Yet, it was really good since they used brie and smoked ham. I've tried to duplicate it and gave up so I'll have to return here for it! As far as the fois gras issue goes, some people simple need to grow up. read more

Excellent meal. We were seated upstairs by a beautiful arched window in the historic building. I had the sea bass, which was very good. The Navarre salad was also excellent and my husband raved about the wild mushroom soup. The staff were friendly and prompt, getting us out in plenty of time for our evening show. We will most certainly return. read more

This is my second time at Cafe Navarre and while it did not live up to the experience I had the first time around, it is still a solid dining experience for South Bend. I went as a party of 4 and ordered a bunch of small plates and 2 main entrees. Small plates: -escargot: delicious! -bbq quail: thumbs up! -arancini: good! -grilled baby octopus: very charred and dry -oysters: by far the most disappointing of the small plates, 12 oysters, all shriveled and no meat to them. Main entrees: -kurobuta pork chop: delicious! -ribeye: the most disappointing of the entire meal. we had ordered medium rare and the first time they sent it out, it was practically uncooked even on the first slice! when we sent it back, they heated the same piece of meat and was still not done. at this point, we sliced it in half and sent it back again. 3rd times a charm? it was finally cooked, but by now...a once great cut of meat now turned into two small pieces and a slice. hardly good presentation. Desserts: -souffle: had this the first time and loved it again the second time! -apple tart: pretty standard, very tasty We also had a bottle of wine which happened to be the pinot noir that is served by the glass. Very reasonably priced and tasty as well! I do suggest that when a dish is sent back a second time, recognize that you have messed up and don't keep sending out the same piece of meat. read more

The only problem with cafe Navarre is the mid 50s self absorbed condescending attitude you get from horrid over served old hags and their husbands after 10 at the bar. Navarre does too good a job at letting them run wild over the other customers. Bartenders are great and food is top notch. Just realize that if you sit at the bar late you might get hassled by the south bend "elites". read more

Due to the mostly positive reviews on Yelp, I took my mother to Cafe Navarre a few nights ago as part of her Christmas present. Thankfully, we were not disappointed. We arrived around 5:15 p.m. and were able to get seated right away. We were initially one of maybe 15-20 people in there, but more diners soon entered. The waitress was very pleasant and took our drink orders promptly. Seeing as though it was the first time we'd eaten there, we needed a few minutes to look over the menu. Honestly, nearly everything sounded great. My mother finally settled on the Two Way Duck and I ordered the Striped Bass. The duck breast was cooked medium rare and did not disappoint. The duck leg was even better. It came with a mushroom risotto, and although I'm not normally a fan of anything involving mushrooms, I wasn't shy about stealing a few extra bites from my mother's plate. Simply delicious. From the first bite of the striped bass, I was hooked. It was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of butter and spice added to add a nice flavor without burying the taste of the fish. It was served on a bed of cous cous and those flavors complimented the fish nicely. For dessert, I tried the creme brulee and it is my favorite in the area to date. I prefer a thin layer of creme brulee with a lot of the carmelized sugary goodness on top (as opposed to a deeper version with limited carmelized sugar on top, as is served at Legend's at Notre Dame). I wanted to lick the bowl clean. I don't know that this is the sort of restaurant that would be good for small children. I didn't see any children in the restaurant while we were there, and I don't recall seeing any child-specific menu items. If you have small children and want to give this restaurant a try, I recommend getting a sitter. read more

We had dinner at Café Navarre tonight. The space is open, a restored building with high ceilings and with a mezzanine and two private dinner rooms. The décor is pretty with snow white linens and fresh flowers on the tables. We started with gnocchi in a mushroom broth and a French onion soup gratinee. The soup was flavorful with a mixture of cheeses melted on top. For dinner we chose butternut squash risotto and the fresh fish of the day- a Scottish salmon, grilled with a wonderful asparagus beurre blanc. The food was beautifully prepared and flavorful. To top off dinner, we ordered the chocolate soufflé that is served with a crème anglais. It was light, chocolaty and truly the best dessert I have ever had. I know we have found a new favorite place for dinner here in town. read more

This is the second time I've been to Navarre and the experience was just as good as the first. What a great experience. The food was beautifully plated, well executed, and perfectly cooked. For the quality, the prices are certainly in line with what I'd expect. Service, as was last time, was just great. Corin did a great job at pacing the meal, was always great to deal with, and was spot on with her recommendations. The wine list is greatly improved from 6 months ago with a number of new selections broadening the scope of the list. Better, most of the new listings are moderately priced. All in all, a very fair deal...and they now have a wine steward who knows the list. If you are looking for a great dining experience at a fair price, give Navarre a try. I'll surely be back. read more

Had diner on Friday and clearly the standards have droped. They are clearly skimping on quality meats and seafood, and it shows. I think I could have got a better cut of lamb at wal mart. Sad to see this great restaurant go to money sucking owners. read more

Excellent decor, great bar and delicious food. I have been here dozens of times and I have never had a bad meal. The bartenders are superb. I can't wait for this place to open again! read more

I've eaten here several times, it's okay. The service is always great, but the food is stuck in the 80's, the entire place feels pretentious and dated. read more

Great business lunch - go there for great wait staff and food. I had lunch - salmon salad cooked and prepared very nicely.

One of our favored placed in South Bend. Creative food, good service, and a reasonable wine list where you can always find something in your price range. read more

Maybe the Bend's second best restaurant ! An historic building, beautifully renovated, high ceilings, stunningly clean, with natural light helping to build a warm ambiance. Service was very friendly and professional; wife and son shared the Fried Green Tomatoes, and Shrimp Dijon - both were outstanding. Entrees of Pork Tenderloin, Strip Steak, and Smoked Duck were equally memorable - steak was the highlight. High end dining, and a go to spot in South Bend - giving Lasalle Grill a run for it's money. Five stars read more

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. I had the beef medallions. Perfectly cooked. I had a great time with friends.

Wow is the best single word I can use to describe the facility, food and staff at Cafe Navarre. My wife and I dine out frequently and we typically stay away from the 'usual'. We don't like franchise joints and we don't like what most folks consider to be good food; greasy, pub fare and the like. In effort to find the best food, beer, wine, service, etc, we frequently travel to more populated cities within an hour or two of our home. When we stumbled upon Cafe Navarre, we found a gem and go there frequently. It is by far our favorite place to eat anywhere in the Michiana area and Southwest Michigan. read more

Had lunch at Cafe Navarre today with my co-workers and I really enjoyed myself. Walking into the restaurant is an impressive mix of old and new. The large arched windows as well as the ceiling detail paid respects to the original design while giving a big high five to modern style. I had the salmon with rice and haricots verts. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly. The service was friendly and attentive. A wonderful experience and I look forward to visiting again. read more

Came in for lunch today and our server Brandi was fantastic she was very friendly and had us in and out in our hour lunch! I had the Brussel sprout salad with salmon and it was AMAZING! I will definitely be back. read more