One of our favorites. Always good food and service. The owner is friendly and it's a quaint place for a great meal. Highly recommended.

went here for my daughter's bday... it was yummy!! kids are asking to go back.... i had the scallops .. there were so many.. i was so full and everyone loved their food. read more

This restaurant has great service (if you still want to go here after reading this, ask for Lisa) and the food is very good - BUT we came here because a dear friend gave us a gift certificate and they declined to accept it they accused us of bringing in a certificate that was 15 years old (which it was not) and declined to give us any accommodation whatsoever. Please do not patronize this establishment as there are many, many other great restaurants in the area that deserve your business. read more

Beautiful afternoon and we sat outside! They allow dogs too, even better! We've been here many times and have mostly had a good experience. Today though we had a couple of minor issues. We enjoyed the pre fixe lunch. We got the chowder, brisket melt and "any of our desserts" for $18. Chowder was loose, sandwich was yummy, dessert was a choice of ONLY ice cream or sorbet. To me, that s not "any of our desserts". Wine was $8 on menu. We were charged $10.They fixed it to the correct price. Bottom line- great place, just ask for clarification. read more

Very nice New England Restaraunt. Nice atmosphere that reflects a upscale place with upscale patrons. Tables are a bit packed but it's a winner. read more

John's Cafe - New American Near Me - Woodbury, Connecticut

My wife and I got the Valentine's Day special menu. They had run out of the filet, so they offered to give us the hanger steak instead. We both got the salad with mandarin oranges and pomegranite dressing. I got the beet pasta and my wife got the steak. For dessert we had the doughnuts in caramel sauce. Everything was delicious. The staff was very accommodating and friendly even though it was obviously very busy. Also, we live 15 minutes away and got it to go and the fries and pasta were still cooked perfectly when we got him. This was our first meal here and won't be our last! read more

Great food, ambiance and waitstaff. I'm not sure what took us so long to go there but we'll definitely go back.

Where do I start? This is not a restaurant that's new to us. Last nights experience was just over the top!! I wish I could give it more than five stars. While the food is always excellent, what made last night a stand out was the service. Six of us walk into a busy restaurant during prime time on a BYOB night with our own wine AND a cake (we were celebrating our sons confirmation). Patricia took the most amazing care of us you would've thought we were the only customers in the entire restaurant. We were not the only larger party and there were plenty of other diners enjoying dinner. They never missed a beat. The food came out on time, it was perfectly cooked and everything was just perfect. Thank you for making a special night stress-free and magnificent! read more

Outstanding lunch! Perfectly cooked bucatini pasta with incredible homemade bolognese sauce, and a side order of excellent broccoli rabe. The bread was so-so, but otherwise an excellent meal. Wish I lived closer - I'd eat here all the time. read more

Great experience at John's Cafe. The food was excellent and the service was great. I would definitely make another trip here.

We recently moved to Roxbury and received two recommendations to try out John's Cafe. We have visited there several times and we are thrilled we took those recommendations! Consistently excellent food and high quality service. The ambience is lowkey, low-lighting, quiet, unobtrusive "hum" from other guests, even on a busy Valentine's Day evening. John's has become one of our "destination" restaurants in our new environs. We are making our way through the menu, but there are so many yummy choices, it's tough because we often want to return to that yummilicious meal we had last time, or the time before! hahaha Special kudos to Catherine and Julia for always providing excellent service with a smile and good humor! In short, you will be very happy if you choose to partake of a meal at John's Cafe. read more

Went for Woodbury Restaurant Week, ordered from the Price Fix menu Ordered the Clam Chowder for app.-Just ok-why don't chefs use Salt Pork in their chowders anymore?-bacon totally spoils the flavor of a good chowder! Clams Casino Pasta was very good! Bread pudding good, though very small portion My friend ordered the Hot Fudge Sundae-fudge not hot or warm... Over all John's is a great restaurant, just not impressed with the Price Fix menu for Woodbury's Restaurant Week. read more

Ate here with a group of people, most of whom had neutral feelings about the food. Everyone agreed that the pasta was remarkably bland; virtually no taste at all - how can you mess up a basic pasta dish?? Avoid there so called "pizza" at all costs - the cheese and sauce used were very bland and the pizza dough was in reality some sort of thin dried pita bread. The pizza was around 12 inches and ridiculously expensive. Windows were dirty and the atmosphere nothing special. The prices were offensively high, all things considered. Definitely a place to avoid. read more

I went here on a first date with a very adventurous girl who ordered a plate of pasta & butter with a side of fries. Fine, that's precisely what she wanted - no veggies, no meat, just a dinner of carbs with carbs. cool. I have no issues with that, what I do have a problem with is the fact they charged $20.00 (YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY) for a 50 cent plate of pasta. I was absolutely blown away. Besides that, I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad with grilled chicken, this salad was fine, but nothing spectacular, moreover the waitress got my order wrong and my grilled chicken (which was supposed to come with the salad) came out about 15 minutes later. If you want to spend 78 dollars for two salads, a plate of grilled chicken, a plate of pasta and a side of fries, by all means, go to John's cafe. If you believe that your money is worth more than it was during the great depression then go somewhere else. read more

This was a great find. Never had eaten here before and chanced a birthday celebration here for 7 people. Everyone raved about their meal. Everything is fresh, meals were generous and staff was very accommodating. Desserts were amazing. Try chocolate ice box cake! read more

My family and I went to celebrate a couple birthdays and were very satisfied. I opted for John's over Carole Peck's (Good News Cafe) for a change of scenery and was happy I'd chosen John's. It's a small, intimate environment void of pretension but still refined. The panels on the ceiling do a great job of insulating noise/loudness that others had mentioned. The staff was friendly, efficient, and highly competent. The menu was potato-laden which doesn't please my palate so I opted for a goat cheese strudel salad and mussels for my main dish. Those were excellent choices. The lasagna and salmon Mom and Sister ordered were good. The hangar steak Dad ordered was chewy (not recommended). The portions are generous. John's also has an EXTENSIVE wine selection and even a great beer menu. For dessert (it was a birthday celebration, after all), we ordered a cheesecake, creme brulee, chocolate chip bread pudding, and chocolate souffle cake. They served dessert with birthday candles to help us celebrate -- much appreciated! The chocolate souffle cake was to die for and Mom had a hard time finishing the generously portioned creme brulee (after her HUGE lasagna, which she did take as leftovers). read more

We went to John's Cafe on February 10th for our 30th anniversary dinner. I had never been and my husband had only been there for business lunches a couple of times. We made reservations, but there were plenty of tables available at 6:30pm on a Friday night. Comfortable, warm atmosphere and very friendly and attentive service. We shared the Clams Casino appetizer from the specials menu -- it was probably the highlight of the dinner - 4 large stuffed clams with plenty of clam pieces and bacon. For entree, I ordered the duck breast from the regular menu. The duck was very good (medium rare) and the red cabbage was tasty. Would have liked more than the two apple slices, especially because the sweet potatoes were under-cooked and needed seasoning. My husband ordered the steak special which was a gorgonzola-crusted filet mignon (a substitute for the strip steak, perhaps because they had already run out earlier in the week). He order the filet medium but it arrived very rare. I love rare steak, but it was under-cooked even for me, so he sent it back. As it turned out, the table behind him sent back their filet at about the same time. Even after the return for further cooking, the filet was still rare - definitely not medium - and he had been worried that the kitchen would over-cook a returned dish (!). We were served complementary house limoncello (perhaps to make up for the under-cooked steak?) which was very good. So, dinner was just okay and we won't return soon, but a happy anniversary nevertheless. read more

Had a wonderful dinner here with friends after visiting Edward Tufte's open house at Hogpen Hill Farm. They accommodated our last minute reservations for 5 people to sit outside so we got to bring our dog and enjoy the Indian summer night. They were very busy but we got served pretty quickly once we told the server that we had to leave by a certain time. Overall, friendly service, nice atmosphere and food. It's a bit on the pricey side so it should probably be a $$$ restaurant. read more

It's 8:30 and Woodbury has few choices. Carmen Anthony's is the epitome of what happens when a restaurant is stagnent, really , how many times can you listen to the same ten Charlie Brown piano songs and how many steaks do you need to send back before someone figures out the kitchen staff doesn't give a crap? Move on to John's, the last hope. Hope no more, unseasoned steak that , sliced, went from rare (as ordered) to jerky and the most uninspiring duck over bland accompanyment l have ever had. Then, God forbid, the 9:00 Woodbury death Nell rang and the fluffy of "get out of here" activities strated. We are done, so glad Marketplace is opening up in a few months as it will be the end of mediocrity.. read more

I cannot say enough about John's Cafe. We were a party of seven (without reservations) and they went out of their way to accommodate us on a busy Saturday evening. The staff was warm, welcoming & professional. The food was delicious! I will certainly tell my friends to check it out! A helpful hint, make reservations, this is one popular place! read more

What can I say? I have been here quite a few times over the years, and have had some nice meals, and some so-so meals. On the positive side, the staff is always friendly and helpful. Service was good each time we were there, meaning we didn't have to wait forever for some one to take our order, and it didn't take an eternity for our food to arrive. On the negetive side, it can be noisy, crowded, and as I stated before, sometimes the food is just so-so. That being said, I prefer it to the Good News Cafe which is right across the road An update here: 3/11/16... Went here for lunch with another couple. It was during their 'Restaurant Week" , here in Woodbury. We didn't go because of that, we went because we hadn't been in awhile, and we just felt like getting lunch out.. Well...WTF??? We had to send back three of our utensils because they were dirty.... Considering it was "restaurant Week" I would have though a bit more effort would have gone into this for quality control alone.. I ordered a stand by.. grilled veggie sandwich, as did another member of our party.... The veggies which are usually pleasantly warm, were room temp... the bread, while allegedly grilled, was kind of mushy/soggy which made it difficult to eat. The other person found some 'stalks' in their sandwich, which I plucked away from them and put in a napkin to give to the waitress to ask the chef what it might be as I was concerned that it might be a piece of wooden skewer... she returned to inform us that it was part of a mushroom stem.... well, it might have been, but it was the hardest mushroom stem that I've ever come across... and I have prepped a lot of 'schrooms..... Based on this experience, I'm done here. If they can't get their shit together during a 'special week' then I can't imagine how it will be the next time. I will add that while we were there, they were not packed to capacity, not overburdened, and not short of staff, so in my opinion, I don't believe they had much of an excuse for not-so-clean utensils, and soggy bread with cold veggies. read more

One of the best restaurants in the area - delicious menu, though it hasn't changed much in the years I've been there. Regardless of that, it's always been consistently delicious and creative. The food quality is impressive, the staff attentive, and the atmosphere comfortable and friendly. read more

This is the best place. The pasta is homemade, the service is great and the prices are reasonable. Plus...as an added bonus, you can bring your pooch and sit out on the patio. Are you kidding? Awesome! read more

Not sure if I have posted here before or not, but its worth a repost if I have! John's Cafe has it going on! From incredible staff, to delicious foods every.single.time to innovative and seasonal cocktails. It is our go to place for a late Saturday lunch after a nice day of shopping, to a special event with the whole family! Chef/Owner Dennis clearly takes pride in ownership and customer satisfaction. I live 40 min away and its a ride worth taking every.single.time! Don't delay - take you and your discerning appetite to John's Cafe today! Bon Appetite! Marie, Beacon Falls, CT read more

Went for Mother's Day with my wife and adult daughter. $45/price fix 3 course menu. I've enjoyed John's Cafe in the past and expected a similar experience. We were disappointed. The service was extremely slow despite the fact that the restaurant seemed only half full. Once the food came it was not hot and worse, was poorly prepared. My wife had the slow roasted lamb, which was extremely dry and flavorless. I had the smoked pork chops which were also dry and served with only a small amount of the maple mustard sauce. My daughter had the shrimp puttanesca over pasta. It was the best of the 3 but hardly worth the price. We waited endlessly for our deserts, which were decent but by then we were anxious to get up. All in all a disappointment. read more

Great welcoming and service full of attention! Fresh and tasty food. Nice atmosphere.

What a great place, the food and service is the best. I had the duck this time it was unbelievable, and the pork chop wow. The chef here make everything himself. Try his pasta dishes he makes all his own pasta and sauce. So if you want great service and a great meal John's Cafe is the place you want to try. YOU WILL BE BACK. read more

We chose John's Cafe for my mother's 60th surprise birthday party. From the start, the staff was wonderful and accomodating. They let me decorate the private room to my liking and were super flexible with menu and drink choices. I cannot say enough about Dennis the chef...he took the time to answer my many emails and provided my guests with a wonderful meal, everything was cooked beautifully, from the appetizers to the carrot cake and my mother had a celebration she will forever cherish! Thank you! read more

Not thrilled. Went for a burger which I had heard was "the best in Woodbury". I would have to disagree as I believe both Carlitos and Woodbury Diner have better burgers. We sat at the bar and had a disinterested bartender who was not at all friendly. She must have been very busy as service was slow. She probably could have sold us another round of drinks but didn't seem to have time. I probably would go back if either the food or service had been better. Cute place but expensive for what they are serving. read more

My wife and I have been going to John's for a few years now and always have a great meal! Homemade pastas are great, lots of gluten-free options and service is spot on. read more

My girlfriend and I went here to celebrate our birthdays on 2/6 (hers is 2/7, mine 2/14), which was actually our 2nd time here. We were promptly seated at our previously requested reservation time (7:30). The wait staff is very charming, as is the decor of the place. The food was very good, and the beer selection is very good as well. They don't have a huge selection of beers, but they do have several beers that you can't get in other restaurants in CT. It CAN get a little pricey, and is very tiny (the only reasons this isn't a 5) - but all in all, I would definitely recommend John's. read more

I've been here 3 or 4 times and John's Cafe never disappoints. It's a small place and is pretty cozy, with great, friendly service, a good wine/beer list and fantastic food. The crowd is generally older, but it doesn't matter because it's about the food, not the scene. Have tried the gnocchi (incredibly light), the filet (good, although not my favorite), scallops (excellent) and the duck breast (perfectly cooked and really, really good). The menu isn't too lengthy, but better to do a few things really well, and they usually have some interesting specials. Great desserts as well. It is on the pricey side, but if you can swing it, it's well worth the money. read more

We've been to John's many times over the past couple of years and have really enjoyed their food. We've sampled most of their apps as well as main courses and specials, and have never been disappointed. My go to app is the long hot peppers with fresh provolone which is really killer. They offer a couple of very nice promos to make dining their even more pleasant and affordable. Sundays and Mondays they have a no "corkage fee", allowing you to bring your own wine with no charge, and on Thursdays they offer 50% off their wine list, which is a great way to try a wine that you might not try at their "normal" price point. The only complaint I have is that their service is spotty, in fact the last two times there, it has been downright slow and annoyingly so, despite the fact that the cafe (which is small) was only half full. That's why I give it 4, rather than 5 stars. The service though will not prevent us from returning and certainly doesn't affect the quality of the food, nor its consistently very good preparation. (They also have take out, which is how I avoided the service issue the last time we dined "there"). read more

I've been going to John's from when there were just a few wooden tables inside. I don't go that often but over the decades, going for those special occasions, it adds up. Unfortunately my recent visit was disappointing. I'm not sure what happened to the restaurant I looked forward to going to and would recommend to friends. I found the entrées just ok. Without harmony. I had the pan roasted duck (picture posted) and my wife the roasted salmon. We share. The duck meat was cooked just right but the skin was over cooked. Like it was hit with a torch or put under a broiler for too long. That burnt taste clashed with the sweetness of the duck meat. The duck was placed on a few asparagus stalks that were cool compared to the duck, potatoes, and duck confit strudel. I found the strudel pasty and without much flavor. Potatoes ok. The salmon was your basic piece of salmon. Could have been a little more generous. The crab with it was tasty but the roasted beets, which were tiny cubes, were a tease. There wasn't much horseradish in the accompanying horseradish creme fraiche. The dessert turned out to be the best part of the meal. That's not good for an entrée guy. read more

John's Cafe - Roast duck with potatoes and duck confit strudel. - New American Near Me - Woodbury, Connecticut

Love John's. Great price-fixe for lunch! They are a little pricey, but absolutely worth it!

Fourth annual company party to kick of the holiday season held last night at John's Cafe. First time in years our corporate officers joined us. EVERYONE was pleased. Lisa, Karie and of course Dennis are owed a huge thanks. Food and drink were top notch. Service was impeccable. Thank you again for a lovely evening. read more

I really like the decor, house-style New American look of most of the businesses in this part of town. Very classy, tasteful, and cozy. People are very friendly, helpful, respectful. John's is one of these establishments. I'm from out of town (new Yorker) and have bumped into a lot of other nyorkers around town. Johns cafe is respected by its patrons as an above average restaurant no matter where youre from. I've had better garlic broiled mussels, shoestring fries, fish &chips in other states, but I have to admit that their willingness and welcoming nature wins me over. I was allowed to come take out my food despite these types of higher class establishments not usually allowing things like that. Just for that, I have to give it three stars. Feel I would actually eat in if I ever have another opportunity. Cheers! read more

We enjoyed a special New Year's Eve dinner there last night - everything was spot on, food preparation, service, environment. They even had someone assisting with parking outside. They were very accommodating - honored their 1/2 price wine deal on Thursdays even though it was a party night and they were sold out. I had the mussels appetizer, a huge bowl of very clean mussels in a tomato broth - the waitress brought me a plate of crustini for dunking at my request. My wife and I both had salmon - mine on a caesar's salad, hers the entree. The salmon was a nice sized piece, and cooked perfectly. My wife got the chocolate soufflé for desert with homemade pistachio ice cream, a cookie and a brownie. All very good, and we even had complementary housemade limoncello after. Even though it was NY eve, we were there 2 hours and never felt rushed. We dined upstairs. We're local so we had been there 2 or 3 times before - I always thought the food was a little plain for the prices. I believe they have new ownership and a new menu - we were very happy with the changes. With Carol Pecks across the street and The Marketplace a block away, Woodbury has some excellent dining choices. read more

We went for mothers day for our second year, and found a delicious 3-course meal (prix fixe). Risotto is especially delicious read more

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My husband and I ordered take out online for Valentine's Day since we have a little one at home. Even though we ate at home, Johns cafe felt like an experience. We love all locally sourced restaurants. I had the lobster ravioli and he had the risotto. Both were so good but his was better. The key lime pie and the white chocolate cheesecake were also really good. My one complaint would be the dressing on the mesclun salad. It was way too tart for me. Not sure what the chef was trying to do there. But other that, it was a five star experience. I highly recommend this place! read more