We really like this Restaurant. Great for breakfast. We are coming back tomorrow with friends. Howard was amazing. Chicano Bee Master of the North The Wizard of the Zapata Legions of the North.... recommend read more

They have a dog friendly porch with warm, attentive service. We shared the breakfast burrito with home fries and hash with two eggs and biscuit. The food was well prepared and nice, but not OHMYGODTHISISAMAZING. To our taste the hash was a bit sweet and biscuit was OK. The potatoes were really good though. This was my second visit here and I recall being amazed by it the first time. Maybe it didn't live up to my own hype. read more

Just there this morning, what a great spot!! Everything was great. Food, service and ambiance I had the veggie omelette and my wife had the Belgian waffle. They were both outstanding!! Will definitely be back, perhaps for lunch. read more

Howard Station Cafe - Howard's Station - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

My husband and I spent a weekend in neighboring Cazadero recently, and ended up at Howard Station Cafe for lunch one day. We enjoyed it so much we went back the next day for brunch! It's a cute, centrally located spot in a historic train station -- love the info on the walls about the Pacific coast railroad that sparked the nearby towns and relates to the cafe's name. It's a cozy spot with plenty of space and super friendly staff. During lunch on a Sunday afternoon, it was bustling, but we were still able to find a table on the front porch with our dog. The next day -- a Monday -- we were one of three parties there for a late breakfast, and sat inside. Here's what we had over both meals: -Howard's Club with waffle fries (great!!) -Some kind of bacon vegetable soup (AMAZING! Hit the spot on a cool day). -Chai latte (wonderful!) -Cold Brew (just fine -- kind of tasted like hot coffee refrigerated) -Huevos Rancheros (super good -- very filling and tangy) -Smoked Salmon Omelette (also great, but the biscuit it came with was NEXT LEVEL good) Thanks Howard Station, hope we can visit again someday! read more

Seating is tight, but the food options & quality make up for it. Their breakfast & brunch options are terrific. Lots of flavor & plenty of creative options. I had a bowl of beans, kale, and poached eggs, which was surprisingly yummy. A little heavy on the garlic, but for me it was perfect. A lot of attention clearly goes into their meals, which was reflected by every plate at our table. Additionally, you get plenty of food for the price. This place is definitely worth the stop. BUT, they are cash only, so come prepared. Provecho!! read more

See all

My honey and I and my fur baby stayed at Occidental Lodge for the weekend and ate breakfast at Howard's Cafe it was so good and clean and the staff was very nice they even allowed my service dog that I had in her little buggy accompany us for breakfast I definitely recommend this great Cafe to anyone that stays in the area near Occidental California oh and they're farmers market is every Friday from May - October lots of crafts and veggies and fruits and of course Mushrooms read more

service concept has changed. Pre-pandemic, the service was superior, the waitstaff treated us like royalty, and we looked forward to comming back... now not so. They are 1 step away from not having any need for waiters. Customer seats themself, places orders at the coffee counter, serves their own water and coffee, gets their own refills, goes to the counter too get anything additional, like jelly, etc. The only thing they do is ask if we had a good meal and gave us the bill, ecpecting a tip... for what? read more

Loved Howard Station. I had the Cajun omelette and it was SOOOO good. Maybe one of my favorite omelettes I've ordered anywhere. It had this spicy sausage, cheese, I forget what else honestly, and jalapeños, and was extremely flavorful without being overpowering. I like my food spicy but not so hot that all I taste is spicy, and they did a good job of that where I could still taste other flavors besides "hot." Had one of their green juices as well. The service was very friendly with a waitress that seemed to really know the menu and was attentive when we needed her. Highly recommend as a breakfast joint - I believe they serve dinner too so I'd have to go back to check it out if I'm ever in the area again! read more

Great classic Occidental place that I've enjoyed for (over 20?!) years. I admit that I miss the table service but most times they're friendly and helpful, despite. During Covid, there were challenging moments, especially when I waited in a long line to order then the kid working there stated they decided to stop serving breakfast early because of staffing (they could've let everyone in line know that or put up a sign?). Most people drive to eat here so disappointments like that are extra disappointing. If they served breakfast later on weekends (ie benedicts and such), I'd go more often. read more

Great food in a nice setting among the redwoods of Occidental. The Greek omelette was perfect as was the corned beef hash! Reasonable prices considering the quality of the food. read more

Sunday July 14, 2024. This is the date when this happened. Such disappointment as we come here often with our friends and family. As our dining experiences have always been PHENOMENAL in past this I can't fathom how much disappointment and disrespect we received from Howard's Stations so called "Manager". So we go to Howard Station Cafe because they promote a "Dog friendly cafe " I even asked one of the food runners before entering if it's okay to bring in our pet ( teacup chihuahua) . So we ordered and payed and got our food. Here comes the manager approaching us in an unprofessional way saying that we can't eat inside with our pet because it's a "health code violation " and was being so rude about it not even being polite about the situation. Then she asked "Who told you this??" I replied and pointed out to the specific food runner. Couple of seconds later she comes backs saying this "Oh she didn't know because she doesn't speak English" when I clearly spoke to her in ENGLISH. Not even realizing she just stereotyped her own employee how sad. After that she got very impatient grabbed our food and said "Im taking your food outside!" as if she's dictating us to get out. We asked for a refund because nobody would EVER feel comfortable after that awkward situation.. But then she became very upset and hesitant on issuing a refund kept giving so on why she couldn't. We kept asking her at least 2 times to give us a refund in a polite manner then after a moment of back and forth arguing she said *annoyed sigh* "OKAY! I'll give you back!" Won't be coming back again. read more

I don't know what I love more, the beautiful drive, the historic background or the food at this cozy breakfast haven. I first discovered this little gem in 2003 and have been a faithful fan ever since. There is something for literally everyone on the menu, traditional fare as well as gluten free waffles that are actually pretty tasty. You can count on the basics ( eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, scrambles) but they take them to the next level by offering seasonal specials. When you make a trip, come prepared with an appetite, cash( they don't accept cards) and a little patience as they are always packed on the weekend but well worth the wait. read more

Nestled in a corner of town might be my new favorite breakfast joint., the Irish Benedict made with corned beef hash is so good that I almost ordered another plate..The pancakes were light and fluffy as well The highlight though was the apple juice... yes apple juice.. it's fresh pressed to order and they had 2 different types of apples... order both!!!! read more

See all

Sooo good, we will definitely be back. I had the corned beef Benedict and it was the best Benedict I've ever had! Every part of this dish was delicious. I was sad I couldn't finish it but my boyfriend sure wasn't. He finished mine after he finished his eggs and sausage plate. He liked his but would order my dish next time. The kids had pancakes and French toast and they were very happy campers. Definitely worth the drive from Santa Rosa. Good service too. It is cash only but they do have an ATM in house. read more

Howard Station Cafe - Corned beef benedict. Soooooo good. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

See all

This was one of the BEST breakfasts I've ever had...EVER! The best way to explore any new town is to experience the FOOD there. Am I wrong? This is the type of restaurant you'd find in Portland or even in Los Angeles. Why? It's all about errrthang organic, healthy and modern! I ordered one of their specials: Organic Quinoa Kale Bowl. Comes with organic quinoa, kale, roasted zucchini, your choice of eggs any style, avocado and tahini sauce. It's basically a bowl of healthy-heavenly goodness!! They also have a juice bar here and apparently some of the best ice cream in the area. The bf decides to order me one of their crazy cleansing health shots which was like carrot juice, garlic, cayenne pepper and lemon. I sure felt "cleansed" after that guy went down my throat for sure. Of course we left with a goody in a paper bag too because they also have an amazing selection of pastries, cake and cookies at the front counter. I'd drive all the way back to Occidental just to eat here again. That's how BOMB it was. p.s. It's CASH ONLY. read more

Howard Station Cafe - Organic Quinoa Kale Bowl - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

I LOVE Howard Station! I am biased because they are gluten free friendly, so I can order a LOT here and not feel like a leper for having a food allergy. This little gem is no where near my home, it is about 1/2 hour away, but is worth every mile traveled to Occidental for some homemade goodness. The restaurant offers a fantastic menu of traditional items such as pancakes, waffles, eggs, omelettes, and huevos rancheros. They always have specials to choose from which only add to the bounty of options. My personal favorite and the reason I travel across county, their waffles! OMG, so incredibly delicious it is out of control. The batter for the gluten free waffle is light and fluffy just like the regular version. They have many fruits and flavors you can mix in or on top of the waffles to mix it up. Seasonal items are added as well such as peaches in the summer. There is a juice bar where you can order fresh squeezed health in a glass. Beautiful combinations of beets, carrots, celery, apples, etc. All healthy goodness that not only does a body good but tastes delicious! My reason for not giving 5 starts, their service can be spotty. It is not enough to deter me from traveling for the food, but it is a grain of salt that needs digesting each time. As we sat on our last trip waiting and waiting and waiting for coffee the decaf people next to us kept getting refill after refill. Finally we helped ourselves to the coffee for refills. This is not the first time we have had to serve ourselves either. It is a little frustrating when you are tipping and paying for the service experience. This place is well worth the beautiful drive out just remember to bring cash because cards are not accepted here. read more

See all

The theme is traditional railroad station with trains all throughout. It's a cozy little cafe that takes cash only but I was okay with it. I needed something in my stomach before I headed to a wedding down the street so I opted for their zucchini soup with a biscuit. I LOVED their zucchini soup and although I shouldn't of had their biscuit, it was sooooo good. The charm of this cafe sold me. It's a MUST do to come back on a little get-a-way to try their other items. read more

See all

Great food and drinks tasted like if everything was made from scratch my wife had egg Benedict and I had the chilaquiles with chorizo my kids had the waffles and chocolate chip pancakes and they loved them as well. Wasn't to busy when we arrived then out of no where people started coming in. Nice old school feel in a little town will definitely be back. read more

****CASH ONLY**** (Just a heads up) There is an ATM inside for you next to the bathroom. We had such a wonderful experience here at the Howard Station Cafe. A charming cafe with dynamite Yelp reviews. This place seemed to have it going on! On a beautiful Sunday morning, we took a drive west through the trees for our next breakfast adventure. Their menu is HUGE with endless options and a juicing menu. Our waitress was very charming with speedy and prompt service. The kitchen was incredibly fast. Like they had a magic wand and "Bippity....boppity...booo...." the food arrived. The muffins up in the case look devine. However, I did not order one. I wouldn't order the waffle again as it doesn't have that crunch and was on the softer side. The juice was very fresh. We enjoyed both of our omelets. There is indoor and outdoor seating. I would reccomend that you arrive early. We got here at 8am and seated righ away. By 9am there was a HUGE wait. Judging by how fast the kitchen cranks out food, you won't be waiting long. Over all, we are looking forward to out next adventure back. read more

See all

Such a cute place. Someone took me here after we decided to take a drive along the coast to take in some breeze before the storm came in and caused fire season to begin early. I ordered the salmon omelette and added cream cheese. The food was served 'to go' you order from the window along the side of the building. Restrooms are available to patrons, only one person in the building at a time. The patio is open for dining and mask is required when not eating your food. The food came out hot and was super tasty. The service was great. Coffee was strong, which is always a plus. read more

Went there for the first time in December. I love this place. The quality of the food, the homey ambiance, and the staff are great. There was a problem with our order and the server took it off the bill and got us a fresh plate. The hollandaise sauce tasted homemade and the pancakes were light and delicious. Definitely going back. read more

The food was expensive here and unfortunately, the taste wasn't worth the price. My husband and I each ordered a cheeseburger and smoothie. Our bill came out to about $50.00. The smoothies come in medium size cups and are about $8.00 a piece. The cheeseburgers were $13.00 or so. The flavor was pretty much non-existent especially with a sauce the restaurant put on it. The only thing that was actually excellent was the size of the burgers. The meal was quite filling and my husband and I took home leftovers. The other issue I had with this place was the inconsistencies. I was refused service at the ordering window because I didn't have a mask on (mind you, the employee had no idea if there was a medical reason because they were too busy being rude), yet I saw other customers chatting away with the employees, and those customers weren't denied service. Lastly, when my husband's name was called to pick up our order, we walked around to the front of the restaurant but didn't see an employee there. We looked around and shrugged our shoulders and walked back to our table. A few minutes later, an employee yells our name again. We walk over she points at two boxes on the table and says here. She then walks back inside the restaurant. My husband and I take our food and sit down. While seated, a couple next to us have their food brought to their table by the waitress. Ok. So, I don't know if it was my husband and I and if we look strange, or what the issue is. Maybe because we aren't from here or if there is just some confusion in the restaurant, but the lack of customer service is quite apparent. My husband and I won't be back, and we certainly didn't feel like we were welcome. read more

First time here and we love everything! From food, price, ambiance and the friendly staffs. OMG!!! This would be our weekly breakfast date. Giving this place 5 STARS! read more

Howard Station Cafe - The Bulletin Board. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

There are two kinds of people out there: people who know that Howard's is THE PLACE for breakfast in West County and people who have not yet been to Howard's. We have been going for years and we would go more often except it is quite a hike for us (about 45 minutes from Santa Rosa) but if you are in West County for vacation and you do not go to Howard's you are missing out! Starting with the good's: You gotta love the local, folsky, kind of funky decor. Don't be surprised if the person who takes your name for the wait list has piercings or tattoos or both... and if you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait! It is not uncommon to see 20-60 minutes on a busy weekend. THE COFFEE IS OUTSTANDING. They use only Tailor Made, which is a local company (I think they have the same ownership) but it is really amazing coffee (and we LOVE coffee in our house). The bake their own goodies there. Calories be damned, you are on vacation, right? I usually get the vegan, tofu rancheros or the pancakes both of which are always a hit. On the downside: They pack this place in, so it can be loud and the servers are stretched pretty thin. We always get really amazing service but it takes a while. Hey... you are on vacation. What's your hurry? If you are in a hurry, grab a Starbucks. Besides, most winery tasting rooms do not open until 10 a.m.... Last, they are CASH ONLY. Bring some cash with you. You will not be disappointed! Gary read more

Because i visited on a random Monday morning in April, i was worried that I'd get the "b team" at Howard Station making my breakfast. But omg, the food was FANTASTIC. I ordered the Irish Benedict and a blueberry waffle and i stuffed myself like a pig. read more

Howard Station Cafe - Sitting on the porch waiting for my order. Very serene, but inside those boxes is exciting breakfast food! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

Happy Independence Day My fiancée and I along with our wonderful friends decided to hop in our truck, go for a coastal drive and grab some breakfast... As we enter into Bodega Bay, much to our surprise before 12 noon, not much was open. So we continued on 116w to Bohemian Highway where we ended up in the quaint city of Occidental, hence, *Howard Station Cafe* The cafe was hopping, to say the least! The menu was filled with homemade blueberry pancakes to make your own omelette, to homemade biscuits and gravy to their delectable eggs benedict. The coffee was delightfully rich, enough to wake up all of Sonoma County lol Even though the cafe was bustling with lots of friendly noise, the service was great, the company was fun and the food great tasting! We will be back!!! read more

Howard Station Cafe - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Occidental, California

I was pretty disappointed with the food, to be honest. I mean, with all those glowing reviews, I was expecting something amazing. But it was just... meh. The dishes were kind of cold and lacked flavor, and those hash browns seemed like they were straight out of a freezer bag. It would have been nice if they had mentioned that they were using frozen hash browns instead of ones made in house. And when I ordered huevo rancheros, they just threw some unmelted deli cheese on there. It was pretty obvious the food hadn't been kept warm. Overall, it was a bit of a letdown. The biscuits and gravy were not warm and the gravy was very gelatinous and the biscuits were dry and seemed old. The sausage was a nice. read more

Delicious breakfast in a very homey, cozy cafe! Luckily we got in before the big brunch rush. Friendly staff with indoor or outdoor seating options. read more

This place is a West county treasure. It's always packed and the hours are short, but if they're open and you can get a seat, you'll be happy that you did. read more

Back to Howard's last weekend for brunch with our nephews, who love this quaint, bustling restaurant. Portions are plentiful, service is prompt and friendly. The Belgian waffles look light and fluffy. They certainly disappeared! The Chipper with chocolate chips was especially popular. After Noon, only certain breakfast items are still served, as our server pointed out up front to avoid disappointment. Waffles - yes. Pancakes - no. We sat in the annex room to the right of the main dining room. There were historical tidbits on the walls about the area back in the 19th century. Bring cash, as they don't take plastic. There is an ATM on the premises. read more

See all

I used to come here a lot on my trips to Occidental. But whether or not you get seated or greeted by the host depends a whole lot on what you look like. I watched as people behind me were greeted before I was, and I even said something to the host. Then I watched as they got seated before me as well. They seemed as surprised as I was and they also mentioned this to the host. But it made no difference. I won't be coming back here anymore. It was an awful experience and I can take my money somewhere else. read more

Delicious lunch of Smash Burger and waffle fries for my husband. It was grass fed beef - excellent. I had the Asian salad with grilled chicken which was so fresh. The dressing was amazing. I recommend this establishment if you are in the area. Clean and good service too. read more

What happened here! This used to be a go-to spot! No table service? Bad. No settling in for a comfy, relaxing breakfast with friends. To top it off, the food is terrible...and expensive!! The corned beef hash looked like a plate of black dog food and tasted just about the same. It honestly didn't even look edible. The potatoes with the omelette were black lumps also. Nothing looked appetizing, probably because it wasn't. Used to go all the time. Will not go back. They've ruined it!l. I would actually give it no stars if I could! read more

What a sweet spot! Great salad, sandwich soup combo! The service was above and beyond, almost unreal in a way! Kind, efficient and so all encompassing. This spot just creates such a warm experiment, the staff is just that good! Super grateful this level of good vibes is happening! read more

I love a good breakfast and Howard Station Cafe has always been a favorite of mine. Yeah, It was a bit of a drive to Occidental, but I knew I would be greeted by a smiling, friendly waitperson with a hot pot of coffee. The menu selection was great, the portions filling with enough to take home leftovers, and the prices were reasonable. It was a meeting spot for locals so it was always packed and noisy. That place no longer exists. I met a friend there this morning and the first thing I noticed was how empty it was. Just a handful of folks. Next was no waitpersons. Pick up your menu ( very limited selection now) and order at the counter. The gal behind the counter was very nice (the reason for two starts instead of one) and gave me my first cup of coffee. After that I was on my own. Serve yourself. I ordered the Station Special, the cheapest thing on the menu with two eggs, two pieces of bacon, 3 (small) pieces of French toast. 17 bucks. Seriously. Never saw the waitress again until she took our plates. This place used to be great. I very much doubt I'll ever return. Really sad. read more

A very memorable breakfast spot. Rad historic building. Juices, pastries, and good coffee. I highly recommend the Chilaquilles and the Waffle Special (last special featured local peaches!) read more

Very disappointed in Howards the last three times I have been (during COVID and indoor dining). I used to love Howard's. Recently, the food quality has drastically declined. To the point where the dishes aren't even the same. The breakfast burrito used to have quality ingredients inside, now it's just eggs and beans. It also used to have toppings, no more. Also, I thought they came with a side of potatoes??? On top of it, things are more expensive. Also, the flies were out of control. The person who took our order made sure to let us know that they were very short staffed, which may explain it. But they said it to every customer. Almost as if apologizing before a mistake even happens. I'll try again in a year or so. read more

Service is horrible and the tables are sticky! My cup of latte tipped over as I tried to push it out the way when the server brought our food and spilled all over my kid. The service after the spill is what did it for me. It's normal to ask if the kid is okay and offer to being out another latte. But instead the rude older lady said to order another cup myself any they didn't even offer to help move us to another table. We will take our business elsewhere. With so many other breakfast spot to choose from we will NEVER return to a place of business who lacks customer service skills. read more

Great spot for breakfast & excellent coffee on past visits. One problem-google says they open at 7 but the hours on the door say 7:30. We missed eating there on this trip. read more

This is a must stop restaurant. Breakfast was sooooo good. The primo potatoes was amazing. French toast melts in your mouth. Recommend the pomegranate mimosa. Won't won't be disappointed with this place. Highly recommended!!!! read more