I waited a couple weeks to write this review so I could be fair about my experience. The bottom line is that I would rate their food as a six, and my service a one after being blown off by not one, but two employees. The whole experience just was a major turn off. Had a rough start. Walked in to the side of the restaurant where you can't see that it's an order first, then sit down place. A staff member, who we later learned was the chef, waved his arm in the general direction of the restaurant and said "We'll get you a......" and then trailed off as he saw a friend, made a beeline over to him, gave the guy a big hug, and then proceeded to completely forget that we exist and have a lengthy conversation. So now we're standing partly in the restaurant with no idea as to where we should be. So awkward. I almost turned around and left, but finally a waiter directed us to a seat and said he'd bring menus by so we sat awkwardly until we realized we would have to go up and order. He never did return with those menus. Although the food was delicious, the whole experience left me with a terrible taste in my mouth. To be treated like an inconvenience by the chef himself is beyond insulting. He sat for the entirety of our meal at his special table, entertaining people and greeting those that came by to grace him. The whole thing just was elitist, awkward, and frankly, rude. The quality of the food is still not enough to bring me back based on that kind of experience. read more

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I attended a special event here with a guest chef and a prefix menu. It was my first time visiting and I will definitely be going back. The space itself is on the smaller side. It was comfortable with low lighting and the space didn't feel loud or crowded. The service was fantastic with several people visiting our table throughout the experience for various reasons, all incredibly friendly. The food itself for this particular event was Korean fried chicken, caviar, truffle fries and bubbles. Everything was great but the fried chicken was some of the best if not the best I've ever had. It came with the caviar and 3 other sauces (I'm a sauce guy!) which were all fantastic. We also ordered bread pudding for dessert which was not a part of the prefix and all agreed it was insanely yum! I want to go back for brunch and I will definitely keep an eye on their special events to go to more knowing how great they are! Only note is they are in a small strip mall and have a very small parking lot, so prepare for street parking nearby. read more

Cafe Rowan - Bread pudding - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Breakfast here was phenomenal! Driving in the area when in town found this place and was pleasantly surprised. You walk in get seated and then you'll order at the counter and they will drop it off. I had the breakfast burrito with Chorizo. So good! Service was good considering I placed my order myself. hehe Honey loved his breakfast sammie too! Loved it! read more

Cafe Rowan - Honeys Breakfast Sammie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Food was amazing! The Benedict's were very flavorful, I only wish they added a little bit more crab cause I felt like it wasn't enough but non the less it was really good. Banana French toast, probably one of the best French toasts I've tasted, it was very flavorful and well balanced. Service was great, I thought it was a little odd that you wait to be seated but you have to get up to order. Cafe was cute, very open and airy, lots of windows! Definitely will be going back to try their seafood trio rolls lol read more

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The food is amazing. They definitely do a great job with variety and the flavors. The service was great granted - you have to order at the counter and tip before you even get your food and or service which I am not a fan of. If you need anything, you have to get up and go ask for it at the counter. Smaller location, but they do have parking which is great and we were seated quickly . read more

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Oh this is absolutely the new go to brunch spot!!! When I first walked in one of the staff joked with me as he witnessed something that took place outside and again, always a sucker for a fun environment. The place was kinda packed but we were able to find seating and don't have to wait which was nice. I got the crab Benedict and WOW!!!! I have had no luck honestly with a good crab benny and this is the first place that they finally make it right! First off it wasn't cold which was a plus lol but all the flavors just worked so well and I was a bit annoyed when my girlfriend wanted some because I never wanted to stop eating it haha. Overall I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

I was looking for a good breakfast spot while visiting Portland and Cafe Rowan came up. I got the Lobster Benedict ($27), Chatham Burrito ($16), and a drip coffee ($3.50). The burrito was pretty good. It was filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and potatoes and came with two small sauces on the side. I like that it was toasted. It was very large; I took half for leftovers. The Lobster Benedict I did not like. It had a single large piece of toast (brioche?) on the bottom, not English muffins. It came with two poached eggs, shaved asparagus, watermelon radish, avocado, hollandaise, old bay seasoning, and lots of greens on top. It had way too many ingredients, flavors, and sauces. It had some nice pieces of lobster, but they were lost among everything else. The toast was a little difficult to cut with my knife. They need to completely rethink this dish. The space is rather basic and spare, without much decoration. Service is non-existent; you order at a counter, get your own water, drip coffee is self-serve, and you bus your table. read more

Cafe Rowan - Lobster Benedict ($27) - way too much going on, do not recommend - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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"Have you tried the lobster roll at Cafe Rowan?" is a question I was asked several times before I made it here. Luckily, I came on a Thursday where you can get a lobster roll and mimosa for $20! Great deal! Deal is Wednesday or Thursday - normally $35 or so. It was fresh, tender, briny, buttery lobster served in a warm, soft, yet crispy bun. I loved it! I only wished it was larger - it's small - but still delivers! The breakfast sandwich was good, but the eggs were a little overdone. My friend's eggs were runny - mine were not. The gochujang flavor was mild - sausage and bun both scrumptious! Latte and Mimosa were both delicious, too! It's counter service and casual vibes. I would definitely eat the lobster roll again! read more

Cafe Rowan - Lobster Roll - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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First time going here and it was good but was expecting more flavor. The food is plated beautifully but there's not much there for the price. I got their special the BLTA. It had flavor but just like any other BLTA. My husband got their crab eggs Benedict. It had lots of flavor but he said he was still hungry at the end. The service is good; they have you order at the counter which makes it easier to just leave when you're done. I do wish the waitress/ waiters would check up more often. The ambiance is great. read more

Cafe Rowan - Bloody Mary - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My first visit to Cafe Rowan for brunch turned out to be a real gem! This place embodies everything that's quintessentially Portland -- relaxed, local, and brimming with creative energy. The food was outstanding, with each dish prepared with such attention to detail that you can taste the care in every bite. I ordered something that felt like it was straight out of a Portland food lover's dream -- fresh, flavorful, and just a little quirky, in the best way. It's the kind of spot that makes you feel like a local, even if it's your first time there. A quick heads-up, though -- this place tends to get busy, especially on weekends for brunch, and they don't take reservations. So, it's worth planning ahead and being prepared to wait a bit if you arrive during peak hours. Still, it's completely worth it. The staff are super friendly, ensuring the vibe stays relaxed and welcoming, even with the place buzzing with energy. The atmosphere strikes that perfect Portland balance of cozy, minimalist design with a splash of playful charm. It feels like stumbling into a hidden spot that only the in-the-know locals know about. I can't wait to go back -- next time, I'll get here early to beat the crowd! If you're after that Portlandia vibe with a dash of practical tips for future visits, this place fits the bill. Happy to add anything else if needed. read more

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Brunch is best. Brunch here is lovely. Rarely is incredible presentation matched with equal flavor. This place got close. Really good food, but it was so pretty I almost didn't want to eat it. But honestly, it never stood a chance. A real simple yet diverse menu. The French toast was unique and tasty. Love the concept. Breakfast burrito was huge and very good. Honestly, the most incredible part of this meal was the salsa. They do an incredible job with the salsa. Idk if that gets talked about in regards to this place. Overall great brunch spot. No brainer. (4.4 Stars) read more

Cafe Rowan - Bananas Foster French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Pretty darn good! Very fast service. We were offered a table outside and didn't realize the seats were damp- wooden bench absorbed water oops! Wish they didn't offer that today or had sat and tested before offering it. The bowl had really nice eggs, wish it had more potatoes. I didn't eat the edamame it was too tough, the leaves of lettuce and kale were buried at the bottom with no flavor so just left them alone. My friend enjoyed her benny, she said good. Not WOW enough to return any time soon but glad we went once read more

Cafe Rowan - Greens bowl and crab Benedict! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food was delicious and so were the drinks, both the coffee and margaritas! Will be back! read more

Cafe Rowan - Grandma's grits w lobster special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Went to this place for brunch and I have mixed feelings about it. You have to order beforehand at front but they will bring the food to you. We got seat right next to the dirty dishes and it's kind close to it. So if someone accidentally dropped some dishes a little hard it would get those dirty stuff on us. They have WAY too many cilantro on my dish! I ordered lobster egg Benedict! It's a bit over seasoned! Tasted very salty but the veggies balanced it out a bit. I personally do not like cilantro and it didn't mention on the menu. When I got this dish I was so shocked how much cilantro in it! Thankfully the server was so nice!! He was able to help me fix it and took out a lot of cilantro. I also ordered espresso martini and wow it tasted pretty strong and it has a gingery taste! It's unique and amazing! Definitely give it a try!! My husband got the harvest burrito and it was sooo good! It was my first time trying squash! And wow the whole dish tasted amazing! Highly recommend that! Overall, I like this place but the lobster egg Benedict was a bit too salty! And way too much cilantro read more

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Haiku for Cafe Rowan Mom makes this place special Fambly of cooks and servers Meals to remember read more

So grateful for you Yelpers who wrote reviews. They helped me have a perfect experience at Cafe Rowan. Got there at 8:50am and was second in line to enter the door and first to put my order in. Oh mmmmmmyyyyyyyyy. The cardamom espresso martini was a beautiful balance of flavors. I hope the birria rancheros NEVER leaves the menu. Crisp tortilla, melt in your mouth beef birria, perfect eggs over easy, and a testy sauce to tie it all together. Was a bit gluttonous and also got a lobster roll and have no regrets! The roll was soft on the inside and perfectly toasted crisp on the outside, lobster was fresh and not skimped on. Could've done with a little less aioli personally but that may have just been because I was already stuffed. read more

Cafe Rowan - Menu - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. One of the best brunches I've eaten in Portland. You order and pay at a counter and self-seat. The service was stellar and the cashier was very thoughtful to ask about my spice tolerance when I asked for sauce on the side. I tried the green egg bowl, chatham burrito, matcha latte and house drip coffee. The food radiated warmth and freshness. I had happy tastebuds cheering with every bite. The drinks were readily drinkable and large in size. The cute, cozy, and chic atmosphere was inviting on a drizzly day. There's free street parking as well as a small lot. I wish I lived closer to this corner-spot gem. This will be the new place I take all my out-of-town friends! read more

Cafe Rowan - Interior - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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All I can say the food is so delish every time. I adore its busy, small and community vibe for weekend brunch. Somehow even its clientele resonates with the friendly vibe. read more

Dropped by and luckily found a spot in the parking lot. Sis got the lobster roll and that was freaking delicious. I got The Rowan bacon and egg sandwich with what I thought was odd to add blueberry jam. Turned out that jam was a great idea. Mom got the Jamon Benedict which I thought would be fiery from the Aleppo pepper, but that was just a light seasoning that added sweetness and wasn't spicy at all. Would love to come here when it's warmer to eat on the patio with the dogs. read more

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Friendly service and great food. I had the lobster roll and it was meaty. Buttery rolls and delicious all around. You pick out your dish on the menu and you have to go up to the register to pay in advance. They give you a number and bring your dish to your table. My mom had the jambon Benedict and she loved it. It was saucy and served with two poached eggs. I had a taste of it and was impressed with the flavors. read more

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Hands down the BEST brunch spot in Portland. While unassuming from the outside, Cafe Rowan has truly taken brunch to its culinary heights. Dishes are beautifully plated and incredibly flavorful. I cannot recommend this spot enough. From classic avocado toast and breakfast burritos to Gochujang Benedict and lobster grits, Cafe Rowan has dishes for every palate. Prices range from $17-35 per person. Great places for dates, brunch with the girls, or a casual Sunday treat. If you are new to Portland, this is the place to go. There is a small parking area available but it is a tight squeeze. Service is quick and friendly! read more

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Drove by it all the time and decided to finally go. We went on a Saturday mid-morning and it was not busy at all! They have seating indoors and a few tables outside. We had two dogs with us so we opted outside. You order inside and they hand you a number. Breakfast sandwiches came out pretty quick and were really good. The buns were airy and not super soggy. Tons a flavor and would definitely recommend! read more

Cafe Rowan - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The food at Cafe Rowan was fabulous, I got a mortadella sandwich that was on special and it was amazing! Salt and Vinegar chips are the default with a sandwich which was a little surprising bc it did not say so on the menu, so keep that in mind. Seating is a little cramped, it's a line to order, you pick up drinks and food is brought out to you. Overall I would say order to go and enjoy somewhere more comfortable, bc the food itself is great but location isn't my fav! read more

Cafe Rowan - Morty Sandwich (special) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I think we waited to 30min for brunch. But it was worth it. Delicious food. And good ambience. Not just hype read more

Cafe Rowan - Trio - lobster, crab, shrimp - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Today was my first time in for brunch and we were greeted by friendly staff. I ordered the Jamon benedickt (this is my go-to when I try breakfast places). The eggs were perfectly poached and the flavor of the hollandaise was very good. I have a glucose sensitivity and asked if the benedickt came with a side, such as a salad. I was informed they did away with salads to reduce on food waste (I can get behind that). I noticed kale in several dishes and requested a side of kale. The kitchen managed to make me a salad, which was much appreciated! My only other complaint is the only sweetener options for the coffee were sugar and stevia in the raw (just as bad as sugar for glucose levels). The restaurant appeared nice, clean, and bright with large windows throughout. read more

It was a nice cute place to go have breakfast. Servers were pretty attentive & the delivery of our food was so quick! Food was amazing, so much flavor! It was my first time here and i didn't know what to expect but I deff will be back! Just be patient cus parking is very limited. Thank you so much!! read more

Cafe Rowan - Bananas Foster French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Food was absolutely amazing. I got a brown sugar miso latte with almond milk and it was flavorful and frothy. The service was pretty good, we got checked up on multiple times. The restaurant was an order at the counter style and food came out in around 15 minutes! Super cute and cozy in there. read more

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Such a popular brunch spot and the portions are HUGE! Each dish was so flavorful and we had to try all their popular items. Highly recommend sharing and getting the banana french toast. They don't take reservations so be early. We waited about 20-30 minutes before getting our table. The place is so lively and great for weekend brunch! read more

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The food is plated beautifully here, and the ambiance is very welcoming. Staff is very pleasant. The lobster roll deal they have with a mimosa is probably the best thing here, in my opinion. Buttery, toasted bread and good amount of lobster for $20. The sausage sandwich is very greasy, be warned. Oil was dripping out of the sandwich. However, the sausage patty itself was amazing and I haven't had sausage that tasted like that before. The most disappointing thing was crab Benedict. Why call it a crab benedict if It barely had any crab in it? I was searching through the sauce with my fork just to find any shreds of it. I found this plate rather bland and lacking flavor. I have to say the price is pretty steep for this plate. All I could taste was paprika and cream. Same goes for the salmon benedict, where the sauce lacked flavor. Overall, it's a cute place, but I wish some flavors and ingredients were executed better. read more

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Absolutely best crab or lobster Benedict in Portland. More of a modern twist and then an egg Benedict so if you're looking for the classic eggs Benedict, this is not for you. But an absolute great spin on a classic eggs Benedict. They do not skim at all on the crab and the lobster. Great service but the flow is kind of confusing. The atmosphere is as if it's a sitdown restaurant, but you order at the bar. Yet the servers will seat you and bring your food. Most the time you bust your own table. So that part can be kind of confusing. But the food is absolutely worth it. I've gone here several times and I have never been disappointed. read more

Cafe Rowan - Lobster and crab Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food and service were great. The lobster rolls are delicious! Will definitely be back for those and the lemongrass mimosas

Cafe Rowan has delicious food every single time that I stop by! Got there around 10am on a Saturday morning, and although it was busy - service was quick and attentive. They got our food to us 10 mins after ordering and we dove right in. It was so yummy that I'm already looking forward to coming back, quite possibly for the famous Lobster Benedict that I've heard is also quite delicious. read more

Cafe Rowan - Crab Benedict and Salmon Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I highly recommend giving this place a try at least once! (5/5) Bananas Foster French Toast: Absolutely divine! The thick-cut brioche, bananas, coffee maple syrup, miso caramel sauce, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and walnut crumble combined to create a blissful experience in every bite. The smoky walnut crumble paired with the miso caramel sauce added a rich, deep flavor that I couldn't get enough of. Truly a must-try! (3.75/5) Cafe Rowan's Trio Roll: This dish features three half-rolls of lobster, crab, and shrimp, each smeared with roasted garlic and truffle aioli, along with their house spice blend. It also comes with salt + vinegar chips and a bottle of water. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the sauce was downright addictive. However, even though it was a trio, the rolls were quite small, so I'm not sure I'd recommend the $35 price tag for the trio. I think opting for a full-sized roll might have been a better choice, but it was nice to sample all three varieties. (4.5/5) Green Eggs Bowl: A wonderful vegetarian dish! It featured soft scrambled eggs, quinoa, toasted sesame-crusted avocado, salsa verde, baby kale, edamame, and crispy roasted garlic potatoes. The flavors and ingredients were incredibly fresh and hearty. My only wish is for a bit more crunch in the dish, but overall, it made for a satisfying and wholesome meal. Service (2.5/5) The service was fine, nothing bad but nothing great, so it's in the middle. Ambiance (5/5) Plenty of seating for 2 or for groups of 4+! There's also bar seating and the lighting is thoughtful for photos. read more

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What a pleasant surprise! Cafe Rowan serves up the flavor! Vibes are chill. The sweet lady who seated as was so helpful. She shared her favorites and must haves. We really enjoyed the banana French toast and the burrito. So much flavor and beautifully presented. Must try/visit. read more

If you live in Portland and you haven't been to the iconic Cafe Rowan, what are you doing?! Known for their brunch, Cafe Rowan provides beautifully plated and delicious dishes. They also do a dinner series by collaborating with other highly-rated chefs, and that's something you should check out if you're not much of a brunch person. I've been multiple times and every dish I've had has been amazing. The shrooms toast is to die for, with sautéed wild mushrooms, house made vegan cashew cheese, roasted red pepper puree, fried shallots, blossoms. I genuinely think Spencer (chef/owner) has this knack for coming up with unassuming, yet synergistic combinations. I would have neeeever thought of mushrooms and cashew cheese and red pepper puree together. I've also had their lobster roll, which of course, is also spot on delicious. Everything is intentionally thought-out, and this spot is not one to miss. read more

Was really impressed with everything from the service to the presentation of food, the creativity, the details! And seeing the chef action at the counter table was the best! So inspiring! Will come back again! read more

The very limited parking lot is barely suitable for tiny vehicles. Unless you come early at opening, there is only neighborhood street parking a block away. Not for groups ~ the outdoor picnic tables are perfect for brunch...limited seating. Inside is clean & quaint...limited seating. Food is fresh, locally sourced. Lobster Roll a bit pricey for what you get. Orders come out a bit slow, so prepare for some chill time. Order at the counter. Tasty spot for the neighborhood. read more

Cafe Rowan - Green a eggs Bowl $15 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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friendly and fast service. you sit down and then go to the counter to order. flavorful dishes. read more

Cafe Rowan - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I'm still obsessed with this place and can't believe this is what the gluten-free French toast looks like. Thank you for accommodating my special indulgence. The latte was perfect as well. read more

Cafe Rowan - Gluten free French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Lovely little brunch spot with a nice and bright upbeat atmosphere. Quick and easy ordering, food did not take long to come out. I ordered: Matcha latte Dungeness crab egg benedict- packed with crab meat, personally I thought the white truffle hollandaise tasted a bit too heavy which was why I couldn't finish my dish. French toast- look amazing and tasted even better I would definitely be getting this next time! Rowan breakfast sandwich - I was intrigued with their house-made blueberry jam in this sandwich so decided to give this a try and it did not disappoint everything in this sandwich work so well together. Their food presentation is so aesthetically pleasing even to the small little edible flower touches. Overall I look forward to coming back! Note: The parking lot is limited and tight. read more

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