We tried this place on a busy day. About noon for a late breakfast. The wait wasn't bad, about 10 min to sit anywhere, but we waited 20 min to sit in the patio, worth the wait! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was the day before 4th of July so they were packed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered a Tequila sunrise and my husband the fresh OJ. Both came fast and were excellent!! Food took about 35-40 min but the staff were all working hard and super courteous. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They were super busy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] That being said we were starving when the food came. I had the chorizo Benedict with avocado. My first time trying eggs Benedict and it was made to perfection! Cooked with the yoke a little runny middle. I had to try it when it had chorizo and egg. My husband had the Daddy Scram which he inhaled and said it was really good. Can't wait to eat here again someday.. Oh.. and don't park in the Safeway parking lot... we saw people getting tickets! read more

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Driving through San Rafael, I decided to get something from Garden Cafe to go. I ordered the Breakfast Burrito and thought I had ordered the Garden Scramble, but I guess accidentally ordered the Veggie Scramble instead...which didn't come with eggs. Oh well, it had good flavor and I haven't been eating many veggies these days, so it worked out. The breakfast burrito was very good! The hot sauce that was served with it had a good amount of heat, and I really enjoyed it. The variety of fruit served with the burrito also pleasantly surprised me. I ordered a juice with my meal as well. When I called to order, the employee said they had recently renamed their drinks, so she listed off ingredients for a few of them and I just picked based off what she said was inside. The juice was good, but so small! I think it was around a 6oz cup; I was expecting more than that for the price. I also went into use the restroom when I picked up the ordered and employee glared at me, which I thought was weird. I guess he assumed I wasn't a customer and was just wandering in? Overall, good quality and tasty food. However, I do think the price point is a slightly higher than it should be. read more

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We had such a lovely time at Garden Cafe with my favorite people--it made the whole experience even more special. We ordered a little bit of everything: the bacon scramble, cinnamon pancakes, burger, chorizo Benedict, and corned beef hash--and honestly, every single dish was delicious. Everything came out flavorful, well-prepared, and satisfying. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe was cozy and welcoming, perfect for a relaxed meal with people you love.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely a spot we'd come back to again! read more

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The restaurant is located downtown, they seated us quick. He food came out somewhat slow but it was somewhat busy. I ordered the taco salad, it had a taco shell bowl and the toppings were great, ground beef, avocado, tomatoes. The meat was flavored well. My husband ordered the lovers scramble which had chicken able sausage, cheese, avocado and he said it was delicious. I would recommend coming here, there was a lot to choose from from the menu. read more

Food was really good and fresh. The 5 Hour Robert's corned beef special was really good. I had it with eggs over easy. The dish comes with O'Brien potatoes. Definitely a hearty breakfast. The restaurant is in a sketchy area and parking can be a challenge. read more

Garden Cafe - 5 Hour Robert's Corned Beef with eggs over easy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

Amazing service. We ordered the chilaquiles and the omelette with chicken apple sausage and veggies. Fresh, flavorful, and the coffee was also great! Eric was our server and he was kind and courteous. We were passing through on our way to the redwoods and enjoyed our brunch thoroughly. read more

Absolutely loved our visit! We had a bomb breakfast here -- the crab cake Benedict was rich and perfectly cooked, and the breakfast tacos were packed with flavor. We washed it all down with Micheladas, which were on point, and the lemon water was incredibly fresh and refreshing. Portions were huge, so come hungry! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The real highlight, though besides the excellent service, was the garden seating -- super cute, cozy, and such a relaxing place to sit and enjoy a meal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Amazing food, great drinks, generous portions, and a beautiful atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Can't wait to come back! read more

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What a great place! Had the salmon sandwich. It was delicious and the portions were very generous. And the ambience is so cute! Service was wonderful as well. read more

This spot is an absolute must-visit. The breakfast alone is worth the trip--massive portions and incredible flavor. Do yourself a favor and order the cinnamon roll pancake. No syrup needed; it's perfectly sweet all on its own. The salmon burger is another standout. It's a real salmon fillet, grilled just right and served on a soft, delicious bun. Total yum. Don't skip the fish tacos, either. Honestly, this menu has it all--from hearty breakfasts to filling lunches. Great sandwiches, tasty omelettes, flavorful tacos... whatever you're craving, you'll find something you love here. You won't be disappointed. This place absolutely belongs on your San Rafael restaurant bucket list. read more

Garden Cafe - Fish tacos they must try - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Delicious food, friendly staff, and beautiful environment! I ordered the Santana chilaquiles and the dish was AMAZING! I'm Mexican and most times when I order chilaquiles at other restaurants, they're just edible or okay. The ones here had fresh ingredients and the green tomatillo salsa was incredibly good. Would come here again for the chilaquiles!! read more

Like being in your own kitchen only we have servers. Staff is friendly, sweet kind and absolutely attentive. Love this place and you will fall in-love with it too. read more

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What a pleasent surprise meet a friend for breakfast and what a great place from the service to the food love it my new go to spot.

Excellent just excellent... I would recommend Garden Cafe to anyone who is hungry! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great service clean and vacation vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Had a delicious brunch on Saturday at 12:30. 17 minute wait but worth it. I had Wake-up Scram and GF had Chilliquilies. Amazing sauce and flavors. Strong coffee and amazing smoothie. Had to wait for sourdough toast but they were super-busy. Will be back to try other food options. Everything we saw looked fantastic. 5 star! read more

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The motto on the sandwich board says "Come Hungry and Leave Happy!" No lies detected. Came here for breakfast when I needed to break my fast after a medical procedure that required I abstain from food for over 24 hours. What a fortuitous find! The banana pancakes were fluffy and moist with a lovely whipped cream to top it off along with a decorative orchid. We also shared the garden omelette which is just a twist on the scramble. It was chock full of delicious asparagus, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and myriad other delights along with feta cheese. The service was friendly and fast, and the decor of the patio was sweet and homey. The only less than perfect menu item was the biscuit that was a bit dry. Also, a few more strategically placed heaters out on the patio would have been nice. Minor quibbles for such a great place -- my new go-to for breakfast in San Rafael! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Came here for a holiday work brunch and we were seated in their covered, heater filled, patio. The patio even had a water fountain. Super cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is huge and reasonably priced (about $15-$23 an entree) from several different types of Benedict's, pancakes, French toast, and lots of other specials. They had it all! The portions were also generous so I totally understand why this place is so popular. The service was friendly and efficient too. Parking can be a bit tough but you can snag a spot in the Safeway lot or do street parking (2 hour max on the meter tho). read more

Garden Cafe - Cinnamon Roll Pancakes - soooo fluffy and amazingly delicious. Comes with cinnamon roll frosting on top and maple syrup on the side - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Just had an xlnt salmon Caesar salad! My friend had the sun valley chicken sandwich. Both sooooo good. Love this place.

The food and service were amazing. The smoothies and juices are super refreshing. The fries were freshly made and super crispy but tender on the inside. The sandwich was well seasoned and the veggies were crisp and fresh. The potatoes were super tender and the chorizo was nice and crunchy. It's a brunch spot so lots of chatter but it's lively and the employees are all super helpful and attentive. We are from out of town and found this place and they offer indoor seating or outdoor or patio! They even have a furry friend menu. Super cute!!!! read more

Garden Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

Garden Cafe sits on the alleyway next to Safeway in San Rafael. We lucked out and found a parking spot in the alley. There is a small parking lot, but its has signs saying that the parking is for another restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]On a previous visit I was amazed at how roomy the place is, because from the outside it looks as if it might be tiny. There are tables outside under umbrellas, but there is also a large indoor dining area, in addition to the popular outdoor patio seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I remembered that I had enjoyed myself the first time so, I brought my husband. Service is warm and friendly. We were seated immediately, coffee and water came quickly, and there was not a long wait for the food to arrive. One of the dishes that everyone loves here are the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. But I ordered a bacon, spinach, mushroom, and cheese omelet. It was ok, but the eggs could have used a little more flavor. It seemed as though the bacon, cheese, mushrooms, and spinach were prepared separately from the eggs and then assembled. My rye toast was overdone with a blob of unspread butter on one half of the slices. My husband did say he liked the potatoes. All of that being said, my experience was not unpleasant it just didn't convince me to abandon my usual breakfast spot. I would still like to try the Crab Benedict and the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, so I'll probably go back ;-) read more

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We loved this place so much that we came back again and brought the family. They were super accommodating and set up a two tables for our large group. Once again the service was phenomenal. We were greeted with a big welcome back, hugs, and smiles. The staff were extremely nice. Everyone loved the food and the service. One family member even said it's the best breakfast he's had in a really long time. We even got a nice plate of churros to share with the table. Delicious. Again, if you want great food and excellent service then check this place out. When we visit the area again I'll be sure to come back here. Many thanks to the owner and the team here at Garden Cafe. Top notch! read more

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For those of you who are in town, probably already know this amazing restaurant. For anyone visiting San Rafael it is a must stop by. The service, the food choices and the chef's seasoning is always on point. The level of coordination from the receptionist, waitress, and the kitchen is stunning to observe their dedication and care to deliver the food you order is outstanding. The entries are plentiful and good portions. I visited during lunch (their busiest time snd to see the chefs crank plate after plate and not heard a single complaint about an order is just pure perfection on their coordination and level of dedication. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I highly recommend this restaurant specially for their garden setting.![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If run into any issues (I haven't) Miguel is there to make it right for you. 10 out of 10. Come get some.!!!! read more

best breakfast in all of marin. just get no jalapeños in anything they're canned still the best tho read more

Came here with a group of three and we were promptly seated. The food came out very quickly and in large portions, definitely worth the money. I ordered a smoothie and they used fresh fruit in it, so the texture was a bit different from what I initially anticipated since I expected them to use frozen fruit (gummier and not as sorbet-like). It was really good though, I downed the entire thing. As for my order, I chose a club sandwich with sweet potato waffle fries. It was BIG. I could barely fit the entire thing in my hand. We ended up taking a lot of it as leftovers. The bread was well toasted and the veggies were super fresh. They use real turkey in this, not sliced deli meat!! Such a great order, a classic but a goodie. My friends ordered the salmon benedict with fresh fruit (at an additional charge) and the blackstone eggs benedict with breakfast potatoes. They both were very happy with their orders! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful atmosphere, nice vibe and great service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food and drinks were average. We had orange juice and the mango smoothie. Both were missing sweetness, for a fresh squeezed juice I expected better quality. We had the milanesa plate...I expected a nice chicken breast but instead it was chicken tenders with rice and beans. The rice and beans were good but the chicken was dry and unsatisfactory. My MIL had the chilaquiles which everyone had raved about..they were not spicy although portion wise it was a nice plate. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Maybe we came on an off day for the chef's..they are dog friendly and have indoor/outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

i eat here atleast 2xs a week the blackstone benedict is my fav, the reat r all great but their eggs benedicts r the best i've ever had, & their coffees & oj r really good also !!!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]the week-ends it's packed, weekdays plenty of room !!!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Spectacular service. Family owned, small business that welcomes you like regulars. The food was simple but delicious. Bustling business with tables filled both indoors and out. Food came quickly and the servers were professional, friendly, and kind. We must have been greeted by every single staff member and also told goodbye by a few more. read more

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Exploring San Rafael, my Mom and I discovered this cafe and so glad we did! Before ordering, our waiter was friendly and helpful in answering our questions about a few things on the quite extensive menu. I had the best breakfast tacos for lunch, fresh ingredients and large portions of them! Breakfast tacos: Chorizo cooked in with scrambled eggs, avocado slices, and feta. I also had a delish cappuccino. Mom ordered a super burrito that she said left her stuffed in the best possible way. And we enjoyed all of this in the coolest outdoor patio area. This is a great spot to discover. read more

Garden Cafe - Breakfast Tacos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

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They have delicious food, especially breakfast! All of the staff are very friendly and attentive. I was looking around to find the bathroom. One of the waitstaff saw me looking around and came to my aide. They really go above and beyond. Eating here is a lovely experience. read more

Regular customers here, The service is great, the food is wonderful and the atmosphere is very nice. There is a wide selection of items to choose from all reasonably priced. read more

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The food was decent, I've had better. The service not so great. We only got service to get our food and when they brought it out. They didn't check on us to refill our water or drinks and didn't bring us condiments to us until almost our food was done. They only came back to us to give us the bill. I understand it was busy but to start off with asking for a 20 percent tip when you never checked on us is outrageous. 15 percent is what I thought was reasonable. Nice that they offer food for dogs tho. read more

Garden Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

We have eaten here atleast 5 times. Its my favorite breakfast in our area for sure..The service is friendly, fast and efficient.. They like what they do and it shows..I really appreciate great service, also happy, friendly personalities.. The food is always excellent! Everytime I come i try something different.. ive never ever been disappointed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outside area is nice, clean, they have heaters to keep it at a nice temperature.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Today I had Abuelitas Chilequiles, with steak, and red sauce, my eggs were perfectly cooked, and I loved my breakfast. Our coffee was fresh and they came around several times to check on us..Best breakfast place around this area for sure. Try it, I cant imagine anyone not liking it here..Ive eaten omlets, Chilequiles, Tortilla soup, French toast and im always happy with my food..I can be picky so I can be easily disappointed in my food..Never here..I want to thank the entire staff here for giving excellent,friendly service, and making people feel seen. The cooks, great job man..Foods delicious here everytime we come. read more

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Our family celebrated an early Father's Day this week with a brunch at Garden Cafe. There were five of us including a four-year old and our dog as well. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat on the patio (great atmosphere)[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and our meal was delicious. Everyone was very happy with the food, including the chocolate chip pancakes for our grandson. They even had a menu for the dog and we got a kick out of that. Despite the restaurant being crowded, the service was attentive. Highly recommend! read more

Excellent food, authentic Mexican and good service. Hard to find. Go to Safeway parking lot and look north.

This place is still great. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Marin County. Miguel knows how to run a business. He really pays attention to every detail of running a restaurant. I like to order dishes that I wouldn't typically make for myself so I will usually get a benedict. This time, I ordered the Daddy Scram which is a scramble with ham, bacon, sausage, onions, peppers and cheddar. I try to stay away from carbs but I can't resist ordering on of the cinnamon roll pancakes. So good. I will be back. read more

Garden Cafe - Cinnamon roll pancake - incredible! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

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We loved this little gem. The patio is so cute. It feels like you're inside of a green house. They offer smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, and a great mix of Mexican and American cuisines. I had the chorizo breakfast tacos. They greeted us so kindly. Shaking our hands and making us laugh. The staff was super friendly and the food was delicious too. read more

Garden Cafe - Green juice and a latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Garden Cafe is a solid brunch oasis. Hungry? Thirsty for a carafe of Bellini? This place satisfies. My country fried steak was top notch, topped with good gravy and scallions, with a side of scrambled eggs - very fulfilling. The Bellini carafe is great for 2, and my partner's fish mahi mahi tacos were "very good". Service has always been great (been coming here/Garden Depot, for over 10 years), very dog friendly (they brought water for our retriever), and the courtyard dining always feels airy and uplifting. read more

Garden Cafe - Country fried steak and scrambled eggs, Bellini carafe, and mahi tacos. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

I've enjoyed my time here each visit. Food is always prepared well, and tons of options to choose from! [[HIGHLIGHT]]A great spot for lunch and I especially love the outdoor setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Garden Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Rafael, California

We were just here for Mother's Day brunch. The place was so unsuspecting. We parked right in front and then walked in to the covered patio. It felt like we were under the canopy of trees within a garden. It was so nice. Staff was excellent: fast and very attentive. Food was excellent. Loved everything. read more

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Garden Cafe has great juices and delicious breakfast options but what really sets it apart is the way above average service. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and it makes for a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend! read more

From the 1st step into this establishment Miguel who is the manager and his full staff gave us a warm welcome to their place!!! Again I can't thank you enough how my wife and I felt being at your establishment!!! Now for the food! I got the country fired steak and my wife got the bacon omelet! My country fried steak was just how I liked it . For some reason the flavors were on point and they do talk a lot about the country fired steak they served here. As for my wife she was happy she got what she wanted! Happy wife happy life so that's a big plus! We got our food in a timely matter and it's was hot and ready to drive in and eat! The way the staff kept coming back to make sure our food was great and made me and my wife feel very important. My wife cup of coffee was always full! The food we ate was amazing and can't talk about how wonderful the staff is even if the place was full! The place was clean and the staff got to it when customers make their way out the place and got that table set up fast and quick! I definitely will have to visit this place again if Im ever coming back to this side of town but I travel a lot and who knows maybe next time I get to see Miguel and his staff again because I know the service and food will be top tier!!! Thank you for the great hospitality you give to travels , locals and anyone else that comes this way. As I spoke to Miguel he said he wants to make everyone feel when people comes to his restaurant knowing all your problems go away as our life is to short to not be happy at a work place! I recommend this place with high YES to come visit Miguel and his staff and see for yourself how wonderful they make you feel! read more

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