The service was good and the restaurant was nice. I ordered the below entree and the noodles were wide noodles three and four of them stuck together throughout the whole dish, I was trying to overlook it but I couldn't eat the noodles at all. I brought it to the waitresses attention and they only gave me a 10% discount and I did not eat the meal. She said that was their policy! Was totally upset after spending $125. Côte Courte Braisée $32.00 Braised short ribs, wild mushrooms, baby spinach tossed with pappardelle pasta read more

Wow- what a gem! The scallops are legit. Octopus is perfectly nestled in roasted tomatoes. And being a NOLA gal, I'm snobbish on my gumbo- but, again, WOW! Please try by if you're lucky enough to get the chance. Oh & ps: wine selections are fabulous for even the most discerning wino read more

Madeline's - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

Our server Gio was super sweet and patient. Gave us great recommendations on dishes, and it was Amazing! Everything was delicious! Definitely need to make the trip back soon! read more

Madeline's - Scallop Appetizer - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

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Really nice place at the north end of Cambria. Pleasant ambience with attentive service and a good menu. I usually order the filet which is always excellent, not surprising given the number of cattle in the pastures in the area. Decent selection of wines by the glass or bottle. And they take bookings, unlike the higher end restaurants in Morro Bay down the road. read more

My wife and I had a great table by the window. We ordered the fresh fish. The food and service was outstanding. We'll be back for sure!

The only reason we gave this resturant 5 stars is there is not a choice for 6 stars. What a fantastic little gem in this nice little town. We were greeted at led to our table outside as we have a little dog. Our server was wonderful and very attentive during our lunch. The Owner/Chef checked on us during our meal to make sure everything was OK. Believe me it was. Homemade mushroom soup was probably the best we ever had. The Croque-Monsieur and Shrimp sandwiches were outstanding. We will be back!!! Thank you all. read more

We were in Cambria for a night. Madeline's is always our go to for a fantastic dinner. Great wine list and amazing steaks. My guy was a little bummed they still don't have a ribeye on the menu and they were out of the short ribs but he enjoyed the filet almost as much as I did. We ordered the filet with the scalloped potatoes and steamed spinach instead of the mashed potatoes and veggies. Everything was delicious. read more

Fantastic birthday dinner! Came with friends and we had the duck and filet mignon, both cooked to perfection. I was surprised the potato gratin paired so well with the duck but it was phenomenal! Nice selection of wine that pair perfectly with your dinner and the desserts were also tasty. Wonderful staff, quiet and intimate atmosphere. Big gem in a small town. Thank you! read more

The place was humming with activity as we arrived. Glad we made reservations. We were seated quickly. It was warm and cozy inside, with a lovely wine bar off to the side. Our waiter was friendly, but not overly friendly, and they seem to use a team approach, so we received some service from the host and even one of the other servers, when we had a question. I was between the crab cakes and the octopus for my starter, and chose the former based on our server's recommendation. Crab And Lobster Cakes - over wilted leeks with lemon thyme aioli $16.00. 3 stars: I was a little disappointed in these, since they're a signature dish. Flavor was pleasant, but I couldn't really detect any lobster at all, and the texture was sort of gummy. T got the Baby Spinach - Tossed with a warm bacon vinaigrette, fresh mozzarella, red onion, toasted pecans, dried cranberries $10.00. 4 stars: It was tasty, especially good spinach, itself. To me the cheese seemed misplaced with these other ingredients. Our Entrees: Stuffed Breast Of Chicken - candied walnuts, brie, spinach with a sage brown butter sauce, scalloped potatoes and vegetables $26.00. 4 stars: Very tasty, if a bit too rich with butter sauce, brie and scalloped potatoes on one plate. I could have eaten a whole plate of the potatoes, though, yum. Lapin Marsala - Braised rabbit tossed with wild mushrooms, penne pasta in a Marsala sauce $29.00. 3.5 stars. I'm a little torn on this one, mostly because the description made it seem like rabbit with penne on the side, when in fact it was a pasta dish. My expectation of sizable pieces of wabbit was not met, but the sauce was delicious. We skipped dessert. Shortly after we'd ordered the table across from us ordered the chef's tasting menu, which was not listed on the menu we got. I asked about it, and they said they were too booked up to do the tasting menu that night, but that table had requested it when they reserved. I was a little annoyed, because when I'd read the menu online, I'd planned to order it and didn't know I had to put in a special request. Oh well, I would go back to try that sometime, if I were close by, which, let's face probably won't happen for awhile. Food: 32/40 Service: 18/20 Atmos/intangibles: 18/20 Value: 17/20 Overall: 85/100 read more

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Incredible customer service! Every employee treats their customers with respect and professionalism. The food is great, especially the filet mignon and the flourless chocolate cake. This is a wonderful restaurant for us adults to get away and have a romantic, delicious dinner in a great environment. read more

Fairly disappointing experience after hearing raves. My duck, considered a signature dish, was mostly tired and dry, as if it had been around for days. Scalloped potatoes were limp. It seemed like the meal was made without love and very little care. I considered sending it back and regret I didn't. Didn't order dessert because I had no confidence in it. That said, my standards are very high. There are not a lot of restaurants in SLO County that I really enjoy. But I have been several times to Robin's, also in Cambria, and that has always satisfied. Waitstaff however was lovely at Madeline's. read more

We were so happy they were open during Covid, their patio is small but if you go at the right time you'll get seating. We started off by the highly recommended Diver Scallops, Seared and served over a mushroom duxelle with lemon beurre blanc...fabulous! I ordered the Croque Monsieur Ham, Gruyere cheese with béchamel sauce. Rich and very filling packed with flavor! Hubby ordered Salade Lyonnaise crisp bacon, soft boiled egg, duck confit over frisee lettuce...super delish and filling surprisingly. We will be back in October foe the dinner menu!!! read more

Great service! The bartender was friendly and made some great recommendations while we waited for a table. Everything we ate was delicious, from salad to entrees (sorry, It was a while ago so I don't remember exactly what we ordered). It was a beautiful place for a lovely date! read more

Enjoyed a lovely lunch here with terrific wine and tasty dishes. Great service and our dog even got a water dish. We had the diver scallops, spanish octopus, shrimp roll and mushroom tartine as well as the soup du jour - potato leek. Everything tasted flavorful and portions were just right. There is a small outside patio that's dog-friendly :) read more

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The host was delightful, our server was kind and helpful, the atmosphere was uncomfortably close which is understandable in a tiny place, but most importantly the food was very disappointing. The potato leek soup tasted like leeks simmered in a bowl of cream, watery, bland, seemingly without potatoes. The peach buratta caprese salad was downright sad. Four little wedges of tomato, about half a small peach and two tablespoons of buratta over a little pile of butter leaf. It looked very unappetizing and unlike any of the dozens of caprese salads I've enjoyed before. The chicken breast was dry yet butter soaked, scalloped potatoes were under seasoned and under cooked. Polenta was similarly oily and under seasoned. We were here for an anniversary dinner, at no point in the reservation call, arrival, seating or service did anyone ask if we were celebrating anything special. I'd recommend staff make asking that simple question a part of the reservation call script. Guests can be greeted with "happy anniversary" etc. It's a nice touch. We won't be back. Moonstone bar and grill was heads above this place, wish we'd dined there. Next year I suppose! read more

Been coming here since 2002 ( 20 years ) and this is the 1st time I've eaten here .., It was the best in every category Service , ambience , food and hospitality and location in Cambria CA We are on our honeymoon and this was our last night... they happed to give us the best romantic corner booth to sit which definitely was a plus ! We concluded with the best restaurant in Cambria CA ... we are planning to move here in the next 6months and this place will definitely be on our go to FAvORItes .. Oh BTW Angel was an exceptional server ! read more

Such a cute little restaurant with food that is truly delicious. We sat outside and were able to take in downtown Cambria's quaint atmosphere. Our server, Cody, recommended some tasty wine and then we had the scallops appetizer (highly recommend) and the Beef Melt, which was melt in your mouth perfect (tenderloin, brie, on a soft bun). The Beef Melt came with a salad which was elevated by the flavorful beets and (I think) goat cheese. Service was quick and excellent. Cody was so polite and knowledgeable. We will definitely be back! read more

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We were celebrating my husbands birthday and I booked a table at Madeline's. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND making reservations. There were several people who did not have reservations who were turned away at the door because of the wait time. We started the meal with wine and appetizers. We ordered the Green Lipped Muscles and the Duck Terrine. The muscles were perfection, lying in a savory broth of butter and garlic. These muscles are addictive. I only wish we had placed two orders of the them as they were that good. The duck terrine was always delicious. The terrine is wrapped in bacon. The dish was savory, with notes of sweetness. Absolutely delicious and the perfect accompaniment against the brightness and acidity of the muscles. I ordered the Louisiana Seafood Gumbo. The seafood was perfectly cooked and the seasoning is on the spicy side. I've had better in New Orleans, but this was very, very good. I would have preferred more rice in the dish. Other than the water and wine on the table, there was really nothing to neutralize my palate during this meal. It wasn't slap your mama spicy, but it was spicy. My husband ordered the lamb sirloin which was perfectly cooked at medium well. Many restaurants in America don't know how to cook lamb and it's always overcooked and to tough. The chef at Madeline's knows how to cook lamb. Perfectly seasoned, PERFECTLY cooked on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes with a side of carrots and squash. My husband loved everything and there was nothing left on the plate at the end of the meal, which is rare for him. They have a very large wine list and the ambiance is wonderful for a romantic dinner, or just a relaxing dinner with friends or family. The service was impeccable. We loved it here and will definitely be back. read more

Our first time a Madeline's but definitely won't be the last. Found this gem when I was searching for a restaurant in Yelp in Cambria. Cody was our waiter and he was very good. We brought our own wine for $15.00 corking fee. I had the Bone in Veal and my husband got Louisiana style Gumbo. Both absolutely delicious. We would definitely get these again. Very quaint little place. You can also sit outside with your dog. Next time we are going to do their wine pairing with the dinner. Will be another adventure. read more

Madeline's - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

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Madeline's brings together a fantastic atmosphere, delightful service, and delicious food. From the appetizers to the dessert, we felt comfortably attended to by our fantastic server (Cody). The Spanish Octopus and Diver Scallops were top tier. The mushroom soup of the day was amongst the best we have had. The duck was great, the halibut (catch of the day) was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the bone in veal chop was splendid. The dessert was also amazing. The chocolate mousse cake and bananas foster were great, but the vanilla creme brûlée was unbelievable - easily in the top 3 of past creme brûlée experiences. Overall, pay this fine establishment a visit. You will be glad you did. read more

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Madeline's on Main St is great but Madeline's on moonstone beach not the same. Waitress kept running over to her truck to check on her dog then finally brought the dog into the patio where staff play with the dog while serving customers and on top of that the dog was off leash running in and out of the kitchen while the cook was on a bbq outside by where they keep the trash. Very concerning. If these are the same owners you would never know as Madeline's on Main St is exquisite and amazing food and service. read more

Very nice restaurant. Nice window seat. Romantic ambiance. Food and service were competent, but not as great as I had expected from the reviews. My wife and I thought it was a bit of an off night (it was a Sunday night and I don't think the owner was there). The mushroom tart to start was fair - it tasted ok (not special). It was a little underseasoned and could have used some more flavor (more flavorful mushrooms? carmelized onion or shallots? some type of cheese or herb?). Also, it felt like that dish had been prepared a long time earlier and microwaved before serving because the temperature was uneven across the slice, extremely hot on one side, and the crust had no taste or texture. Sauce dotted on top did add some pleasant flavor. The pappardelle pasta with rosemary sauce was tasty - again a little underseasoned, but I added salt and it was better. The sea bass special was very good. Fish prepared well. The sauce was very rich. The "famous" chocolate cake was more like a tall chocolate silk pie - there was no "cake" in it. It looked like it had 2 layers of chocolate - one dark, one lighter. Crust was a little soft, like the savory tart earlier. Because the filling is so soft, I think it would have been better if the crust were a little firmer or crisper. (It seemed like it was an older piece of pie from the day before, and the crust got soft from the time and refrigeration.) Service was good. But we were served by at least 4 different people (kind of a team service). They were all pleasant, did the job well, but the lack of a single point of contact made for a less personal and personable experience (I don't remember hearing anyone's name!). It was a pricey meal (our most expensive in Cambria). We thought we had a better experience at Sow's Ear (food and service, cozy but not as romantic). But again, it could have just been an off night for execution at Madeline's because the elements are there. read more

We arrived for an early dinner at about 5:30 on a Sunday evening, and were seated at one of the two indoor window seats. It was a cozy seat with a warm ambience. Fresh roses and lit candles adorned every table. I had the Spinach Salad, without the red onions, and my wife had the Winter Salad, also without red onions. The salads were plated decoratively and were both tasty. My salad had generous portions of bacon and mozzarella. We split an order of the Polenta Madeline. Gluten-free items are clearly marked on the menu (thank you so much!). We were not charged for the split meal. And it was plenty of of food for us. The polenta had a firm bottom texture and was cooked perfectly. The veggie sauce on top of the polenta was delicious! I had to slow down because I wanted to eat it too quickly. The hostess, bus and table servers were friendly and prompt. But we were not rushed out of the restaurant. Great service, nice atmosphere, and good food! read more

Great food and great service. Pies are also very delicious for dessert. I love that this is one of the few restaurants that is open later than most. read more

Have been to Madeline's 2 years ago and had a great time. My husband wanted to try their White Chocolate Bread Pudding which they didn't have but their customerservice was delightful, we ended up eating and drinking and purchasing wine to take home. Last July we tried again, no Bread Pudding. This past Sunday we finally got to taste it and it was worth the wait. Once again, the amazing customer service helped my husband to find a substitute dessert wine, and all was so perfect that we went back on Monday for more of both. Highly recommend for either a full course meal or desserts only. You won't regret. read more

Very great service and food. Only wish they served liquor. This place is very cozy. I will go again my next time in town.

This was our 2nd visit to Madeline's and I really did a disservice to them by not reviewing them the first time. David, the chef and owner is always welcoming and warm. He takes his business personally and it really comes through in the quality of the service and of the food. Our server this time was Oscar and we hit it off from the start. We love fine dining but sometimes find the service to be cold when it's overtly "professional". Oscar was warm and struck the perfect balance of being personable while being exceptionally knowledgeable about the details of the offerings and their preparation. He even convinced us to 'color outside the lines' with our wine selection and he hit the nail in the head. Really really perfect. This time we had the crab cakes and scallops to start. The crab cakes were very nice and the scallops were exceptional. Scallops are a dicey bet at times but these were perfect. No grit and cooked just long enough. Absolutely none of that toughness that can result from cooking for literally seconds too long. Our main courses were the sole (fresh catch special) and the pork chop. Both were exceptional and we finished every bite despite the generous portions. Although we nearly never have dessert, we couldn't pass up the chance to have the bananas foster. Although we nearly needed a crowbar, we finished every last bite. Madeline's has definitely earned its spot at the top of Cambria's restaurant ranking and I expect that will continue for the foreseeable future. read more

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Caveat that we got the food to go, so it was not the perfect dine in experience (from what little we saw of the interior, it looked very nice). The food was just ok. The eggplant (aubergine gratin) was our favorite dish. The lamb porterhouse was ok, but frustratingly small. We also got the Spanish octopus, which was very salty, but did indeed have a heavy saffron taste. read more

Came to Cambria for the long weekend and been here for lunch and dinner! That definitely shows how much we liked this place. First off, the staff here are wonderful - everyone's very friendly & attentive. The service was great too. In terms of food here's what I've tried: - Soup of the day (mushroom soup) (5/5): Light and very flavorful. I love mushrooms so this was even more of a delight. - Scallops (3.5/5): Scallops itself was made well, but the overall dish was a little underwhelming. - Spanish Octopus (3.5/5): The risotto cake is a nice combination with the sauce & octopus. It felt like it was missing a little more kick to it and the octopus was a bit overcooked, but still enjoyed it. - Filet Mignon (4/5): The filet was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and was tender & delicious. The mashed potatoes were good as well. Veggies were okay, a little on the mushy side. Overall I enjoyed it a lot as the star of the dish was well executed! Overall, my experiences have been great here & highly recommend this restaurant if you're in town! read more

We came here for our anniversary dinner on 9/30/22. The atmosphere was lovely and our table was great for a romantic evening. The service was good. I wish I could say more about the food but it was just okay. The desert was good. I doubt we'll try them again. read more

Madeline's - Desert was good but how can you go wrong with chocolate? - New American Near Me - Cambria, California

We were visiting Cambria for our 20th wedding anniversary and were treated to dinner here. It was really good. The salads were very fresh, my salmon was extraordinary and the crème Brule was the best I've ever had. We would come back here again. read more

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Yessss the rack of lamb is a must !!!!! Was enjoying my ore retirement trip )lol) to Cambria. Schmikzing witj the locals (town population of like ..5) and. Killing at the beach and hearts castle. One thing I love about Cambria are the food options! This place gave me a Nappa vibe like no other: - Great food - personal touch from the chef/owner who seats you at your table - small cramped tables (lol) We enjoyed the following (order of preference): 1. Diver Scallops ($14 for an appetizer) 2. Long Island duck breast: (dinner $26) 3. Filet mignon: $32 4. Stuffed chicken breast:$26 The food was amazing and so tasty. I'd return but would definitely stick with the lamb :-) read more

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My husband made reservations for my birthday dinner, and we were excited to try it out as we frequent Cambria. Our table was fine, we were sat right away. The ambiance was good, it was warm on a cool night and not loud. The hostess that sat us filled us in on the specials. Two other tables were sat after us and placed their orders before we were even offered water. From there, it was a random collection of wait staff we had to flag down for things like salt, and the check. We were never offered so much as a refill on our waters, much less a second glass of wine/champagne. The other tables were finished with their meals before we got our food.. the filet was good, asparagus soup had zero flavor, and judging by the people around us, they ran out of sauce for the halibut, so it was dry as was the white rice it was paired with. Needless to say we were not offered desert and I asked for the check, when it was not collected I had to get up from the table and hand it to a random person on the staff in the kitchen. We don't believe in zero tipping, so we did, but it was not warranted. Super disappointed with Madeline's, will not be back. We ended up running over to Lynn's for a slice of pie, and had great service there. When paying top dollar for a meal, the service should be top notch. read more

An excellent fine dining experience along Main street! When we visited Madeline's on our trip to Cambria, we were impressed by the good food and great service at this small restaurant. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable of each dish. Be sure to make reservations because open spots tend to disappear quickly! BRUSCHETTA- More like an art work than an edible treat, the bruschetta is beautifully and colorfully adorned with orange roasted orange bell pepper, red tomato, white goat cheese over crispy purple eggplant with balsamic vinegar! SPANISH OCTOPUS- The Spanish octopus looks deceptively like a meat dish but is anything but! It is slow cooked with roasted tomatoes, saffron, paprika, garlic, lemon over crispy risotto cake. The octopus is chopped into bits and spread around like stew in a soup like base. The risotto cake hidden underneath is quite filling. FRESH FISH (SEA BASS)- The sea bass was a meaty white fish with asparagus, sliced carrots, rice and tomatoes. I particularly enjoyed its preparation as it wasn't overcooked or overly dry but very satisfying. WILD BOAR- One of those dishes that makes you want to dive right into rather than enjoy like a delicacy! The wild boar, cut into bite size pieces, tasted so delicious and was surrounded by mashed potatoes and sliced carrots. PER CASO ZINFANDEL- A red Zinfandel to top off our dining experience. Not too acidic and with a full bodied dryness, it was a good glass of wine to enjoy with the rest of our meal. Very good food at a very good restaurant to cap off a very good trip to Cambria! What more can you ask for? read more

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Perhaps the worst restaurant dinner I've ever had! Stuffed chicken was dried out, like it had been prepared earlier in the day and left in the oven until our 6:30 reservation. The halibut special was mushy and the sauce tasted strongly of chlorine. The vegetables lacked any crispness whatsoever. Service was OK. The room was very loud, we, we could barely hear the hostess or waiter speak. read more

Excellent dinner and service. First time visit and we definitely enjoyed our meals. Quaint restaurant and good wine list!

I would call it more of an experience than a meal. As local foodies and service workers, nothing thrilled us more than an opportunity to try Madeline's for the first time. Exquisitely prepared with love I could taste every single flavor in every single bite. We ordered the stuffed chicken and papardelle pasta and shared, although I garnered more control over the scalloped potatoes and the delicate creme sauce that made me happy I ordered togo...no one would see me polishing it all of with my bread! Big love to ya'll at Madeline's. Warm service as well, thank you! read more

This was the last restaurant where I ate with my mom before I lost her last year. I remember the food was so wonderful I couldn't wait for us to go back but I haven't been there since. I do plan on going back someday! read more

Fabulous dinner! The meal, service, ambiance were truly exceptional! Cannot wait to return! read more

Cute little wine bar and restaurant with solid food and service. Have been here a few times. Love the intimate atmosphere. Perfect fit for a romantic dinner in Cambria. read more