Haven't been in the area in 15 years however when we came to a Zach Williams concert tonight in Franklin, we had to start the evening out with a fabulous dinner at Cafe Rel. Still the best food value in North Carolina read more

Bacon wrapped scallops on bowtie pasta with opal basil marinara sauce, and a bowl of Blue Crab Bisque, absolutely delicious, I've eaten at four star restaurants that weren't as good. read more

I don't know how I haven't made a review of this place yet, but let me say it is the best restaurant!!! The food and prices are absolutely unreal. The mussels, the clams, the bread, the steak, pasta etc and of course the cakes for dessert. Such a great experience!! read more

Cute French bistro in the heart of Franklin...uh...next to the gas station? Who would of thought? Yummy french bread with garlic marinara and olive oil while u read through the menu. Highly recommend: Mac and cheese. So rich and savory. You will need a nap later. Toasted Buffalo mozzarella over bow tie pasta: Bold garlic zing. Bring some mints for after. Great freindly staff. read more

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Don't be discouraged by the location, this place is a gem! Everything cooked to perfection, service outstanding, and reasonable prices. On my fave list... read more

Caffe Rel - Pan seared scallops, in a light fresh garlic tomato sauce. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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Pretty good food. Very diverse menu. Desserts look fantastic. Crowded locals spot. Many tourist, too. It used to be a bus depot, I think. It looks like a truck stop, kinda. You know what they say about truck stops: Good food. read more

If I could give this place 6 stars, I absolutely would! The food was amazing, easily some if the best food I've ever had in a Southern restaurant. The service was fantastic and it wasn't a long wait at all (about 15 minutes on a Friday night). The place only takes cash or check, no credit cards. Started with with the house bruschetta and I had the special of Roasted Pork Tenderloin over European mushroom risotto and a side of the Caffé vegetables. It was the best risotto I've had in the states. My fiance had the mahi mahi special and it was so flavorful and delicious. We ended with the tiramisu and a slice of the Italian cream wedding cake. We ended up taking half of each dessert home, the portions are generous. It was a delicious experience that I definitely will return for again! read more

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Interesting restaurant. When you're seated on the inside, you don't get the feeling that the restaurant is attached to a gas station. And it stays plenty busy, even for a Saturday afternoon at 3 (there was a 20 minute wait). The food served is primarily Italian with some other cultural dishes on the menu. The portions are large enough to split with two people. For me, the food was okay. My husband and I shared the buffalo mozzarella appetizer, he had the gyro, and I had the eggplant marinara. They were a bit salty and greasy for us. I do want to add that the service was really good. read more

Try something new each time. Their crab bisque is so yummy. A must have, if you can pick one is their dessert bar. More choices than you can handle. Eat one there and take one home. But bring cash or a check because this rare gem doesn't take credit cards. read more

As reported Resturant is attached to the gas station. Only thing in common is shared but clean restrooms. Very nicely decorated. Been in business over 21 yrs. Service was very good & friendly. Not large so there can be a wait but well worth it. French food at it's best. Wife had salmon I had shrimp. Both wonderful. Hardest part was choosing. Everything sounded so good. read more

Oh my! When we saw the location, we were not sure, but once we entered the door, we were transported to a fine dining experience. Our waiter (Gio) and others were dressed in black and white formal service attire. Gio was super helpful in his suggestions. My husband enjoyed the Pork Osso Bucco and my shrimp and grits were devine. read more

It is amazing that a restaurant of this caliber is located in the same building as a gas station/convenience store. This fine bistro is the best restaurant in Franklin and probably the best restaurant in all of western North Carolina. Their menu is lengthy - from soups and salads to appetizers and sandwiches and a great selection of entrees. The selection of desserts is extensive and very tempting. There must be at least eight cakes on display and the slices are huge. We were here for lunch and had about a fifteen minute wait. I chose a delicious Mac and Cheese appetizer, which was a special this day, and a Hot Pastrami on Rye, Double Stacked Sandwich - thinly sliced pastrami with red onion, swiss cheese and a delicious stone ground mustard and then pressed to be lightly toasted. DELICIOUS. Could only eat half - took the other half home. Finished my lunch with a cup of Cappuccino. This cup had to be at least 10 ounces, the largest cup of Cappuccino I've ever had. I guess everything is oversized at Café Rel. This a great restaurant, even considering the gas station location, and I hope to return for dinner one night soon. read more

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This place is just "off the chart " delicious. Never come To Franklin without a meal here. Bring cash, because they do not accept cards. read more

So disappointed in my trip today. I have been going to Cafe Real for years, taking family and friends that visit there and bragging about the "gourmet cafe in the Hot Spot gas station." In a nutshell, the salmon in my wife's salad was mediocre - she does better than that at our Longhorns. My house special crawfish with cognac cream was was not creamy and the crawfish was fishy tasting. The scratch pasta I fix at home with leftovers is much better. To top it all off, the caramel cake which I used to love was just plain bad. The layers were horribly dry and the icing was almost non-existent - and for $9 a slice!!!! I brought some home but threw it away - just not worth eating. Interesting that the restaurant was only half full on a Friday at lunch - have others had similar experiences?? I hope my experience was an anomaly, but I don't see any quality control there now. read more

Excellent service. Unbelievable food.. I have eaten shrimp and grits all over the east coast this ranks top 3 of them all and of all places in a small mountain town in Nc... read more

Caffe Rel - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Always delicious food! The shrimp curry is fabulous. Come early to get a seat - they open at 11am W-SAT read more

Cede Rel has 5 star food at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is completely intriguing. The service is spot on. My favorite spot in the mountains. Try it. You won't be disappointed read more

Great food. Not so good location...,,,the restaurant is adjacent to a convenient store and you have to go to bathroom in there. Only outdoor seating was available. Very friendly waitresses. read more

The most amazing food and service. We had the blue crab soup and it was exceptional. The marinara sauce on the fettuccine was perfect. Highly recommend read more

The town of Franklin, North Carolina is quaint. The gas station and intersection where Caffe' Rel is located in Franklin is not. But one taste of one of their exquisite entrees, served by their engaging and charming wait staff, and you'll forgive them for their location, and perhaps even for not taking credit cards. Come eat here and marvel at how food this sophisticated could show up in this unique location. read more

Caffe REL, what has happened? I had the most unappetizing looking plate of food last night. Steak and shrimp scampi. I asked for no pasta, maybe the chef could do something else. I used to get spinach, sautéed or raw instead of pasta. My plate had the steak surrounded on one side with the shrimp and garlicky sauce. Nothing else. Brown and beige. No color. My companion had pot roast. Same thing. Pot roast on one side, potatoes on the other. No garnish, no color. I didn't realize how important presentation was until I saw these plates. The food was very good, but ugly. Plates used to be beautiful with edible flowers and great care. Please fix this. read more

A bit of a wait, because there is only one table for 6 people, but it was worth it. I had the linguini carbonara. It was delicious. Very unique place with a wide variety of dishes. Never had such delicious food at a restaurant attached to a gas station. The servers were nice as well. Their cakes looked delicious but we were too full to try any! read more

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Visiting The Franklin area & this restaurant came highly recommended. There was a long wait & they are a cash only operation. Well worth it! Staff was super friendly & the food was delicious! I will definitely be back & bring the family on the next visit. read more

Caffe Rel - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

We visit this little café twice a year. This is located and attached inside a gas station so it might be a little weird but food is amazing. We come here with a bunch of petrol head that shares the passion for cars. They are super accommodating and speedy service. Nice little spot to have cappuccino and sweets. Thumbs up and highly recommend. read more

Shrimp and grits changed my life. This is the real deal. Sooooo delicious. Service was amazing and fast. A+

We stopped here for lunch on the recommendation of people we were doing business with in Franklin. We were so pleasantly surprised at the food and service in an unassuming gas station location. What a hidden gem! read more

Yes, it really is attached to a busy gas station, but Caffe' REL is fabulous! The Shrimp & Grits dish was the best version I've ever had anywhere. It was served with a delicious French Cognac sauce over the shrimp, and less grits compared to other places. Everyone at our table loved the freshly baked bread. It was a lovely discovery in western NC. read more

Located in the Hot Spot Gas Station, but don't let that fool you. Some of the best food around. Highly recommend!!

Hands down THE BEST place to eat in this town... or in all of western N. Carolina for that matter. I've tried several dishes, appetizers, and desserts and I've never been disappointed. Incredible every single time. read more

Do not let the gas station freak you out. Best shrimp & grits we have ever eaten, anywhere. French Beef Stew was out of this world. Couldn't believe this was in Franklin, NC. CashOnly but worth a trip to ATM. read more

Called to ask for a current wait time. The person said "I don't have to tell you the wait time. Just come in and wait if you want to eat." That alone was rude enough, but when I asked for the manager he said "This is Richard and I am the owner"!!! My wife called back and asked how long the wait was incase I had dialed incorrectly. He said "F... you. Get your a.. down here if you want to eat." Confirmed online Richard Long is the owner, and the number dialed was the restaurant. You could hear people in the background eating, so wasn't an error on our part. read more

Got some yummy food to-go. On a Thursday evening. The place was packed with a 20 minute wait. After a look at the menu, I decided to get take out. The crab bisque was very tasty, not much crab though, but is there ever? The salad with salami and ham was basic and I had hoped for more veggies, I got one cucumber and a couple tomato wedges. In fact, I ordered a side of sautéed vegges for 2.00 which, I think, was the only fresh vegetable option in the whole town and within a 25 mile radius. A neat little place, in a gas station (yep) who shares the restroom with the gas station. (Gross) the staff was busy and it was hard to pull a smile out of the lady who took my order, but she finally caved and smiled. The food was good and I would definitely come back. No credit cards accepted and shared bathroom makes it a solid 3.5, I rounded up. read more

All I can say is the food is fantastic. Try something new and unique you won't be disappointed. Be prepared to wait but it is worth it. Service is excellent and food was quick. This is a must while in Franklin no disappointments here. Cash only restaurant. Enjoy! read more

A great little gem on the way from Atlanta to the Smoky Mountains. Friendliest service, menu that goes beyond what you'd expect in a small town, delicious food and unique atmosphere. Highly recommended. Be aware it's cash only. read more

Service was subpar. Food was mediocre at best. I can cook better at home and I don't burn my potato chips. Portion size for an $18 plate was insulting. In addition, it's 2018! Join the 21st century and get Square or something to allow customers to pay with CC's! read more

The town of Franklin isn't big but, this restaurant is as good as any place in a big city. The menu is extensive and we haven't ever had anything that was not amazing. Save room for dessert because the homemade cakes are incredible!!! read more

I love this place more and more. Right now the seating was limited, but the service was outstanding. I had been craving their wonderful shrimp and grits and the one night we came, it was not on the menu. The waitress promised that if I came back, she would make sure that I got my beloved deliciousness. Well, she amazed me. She saw us pull in, put the order in, and had them to my table immediately. This is an amazing place for delicious food, impeccable service and that hometown feel. read more

Love this place. Food and service is always great, its nice to have something different in town.

Service was top-notch. Food was excellent and even though it's the second half of a convenient store, it was very well decorated and a very fun atmosphere. The wait was a bit long but they gave us water, checked in on us, and kept us informed. This place is five stars for sure! read more

Stopped here on a trip to Asheville because the ratings were good. They aren't kidding when they say to not be put off that this place is connected to a gas station! The ambiance is comfortable and the decorations tasteful except for the random abandoned wasp nest on one of the shelves! There were three of us. One person had the lamb burger and said it was fantastic. My husband had the burger special of the day with horseradish sauce which added a unique kind of spice to it with a kick. I had the Chicken Cordon Blue without a bun. The chicken was nice and tender and the mustard sauce that went with it was the perfect accompaniment. Be sure to get the house made chips with your meal! read more