The food at Simons Center Cafe is good. I've come here with groups a few times and made reservations ahead of time on the phone. Sometimes, they will please a "reserved" sign on the table, and sometimes not. There are usually a few options for salad, soup, entrees, etc. You can check their menu online for the week. There is coffee, water, cold drinks, iced tea of your choice and the dining options give Ikea vibes. Good option for dining on campus. And don't forget to show your receipt afterward for a cookie! read more

Simons Center Cafe - Modern European Near Me - Stony Brook, New York

I am a weekly visitor of the Cafe. It is definitely the best on campus. And perhaps the best on long island. Worth every penny! (Besides you have a chance to meet the smartest minds on the earth like Edward Witten.) read more

See all

Ok. Actually it was just ok. I mean the food. I have one more star for its great location. Every time the food is different. Prix fix for lunch is $18 now. You can have two courses. One was salad, the other was the entree. I had ribs today which was mediocre, tasteless. I'd rather pay a higher price for the taste in Manhattan. It depends, hope you are lucky you are eating there when provided with tasty food. read more

See all

Love this place. Great Food. Must point out that a worker Kayla, who answers the phone, is wonderful. Very nice, professional and upbeat.

This place is good, but leaves something to be desired. Having been here now twice in one week, I feel that I have a good feel for what SCGP Cafe is. Both times I dined here for lunch were paid for by different departments, because $20 for lunch is crazy. I think most of the clientele is from the Physics/Math departments and there were a bunch of tables reserved- so there are likely a good amount of lunch meetings happening here. I don't blame them! It's a nice, much quieter environment, in a secluded area of campus. There's even an outside patio where you can dine and see the herbs and different foods growing! As a current student, I wouldn't come here unless catching up with a professor or mentor...not sure of any other instance I would come and pay the $20 for the prix fixe deal. I wish they had a sign that gave you some instructions on how to order and what your order options are (not food options, just a pricing guide). First, you'll find yourself at the salad station. For the prix fixe, you get three salads of your choice. I had two (what a rebel)-- a red cabbage slaw, and a fennel and celery salad-- both very tasty. Next are entrees. I had cauliflower steak with pasta (which included saffron parsley & chili). I took a dinner roll with some butter, and was on my way. I also had a drink, which is included with the prix fixe deal. I mixed iced tea with lemonade and added some of the liquid sugar they had. They also have a very nice selection of teas (Harley & Son's for all my tea aficionados). Overall, it's a good alternative to the SAC cafeteria...but it's so expensive. I'd rather head over to the hospital cafeteria! read more

Let's face it, there isn't really any good place to eat on campus. Simons Center Cafe is one of the better places. However expect to pay a premium for mediocre food. The prefix lunch menu is ~$20, and there's a nice selection of bottled cream sodas, sparkling water, etc. But honestly this is wayyy out of a student's budget for a meal. read more

Simons Center Cafe - branzino - Modern European Near Me - Stony Brook, New York

See all

This cute little café is almost exclusively for Stony Brook University graduate students and professors. The food isn't that great for the price (they don't accept meal points to deter students from going there haha) and the employees are unnecessarily rude to loitering undergraduate students who want to sit outside on the balcony and do homework/socialize/drink their Starbucks drinks. I wouldn't recommend going for the food but the balcony is nice for sitting and getting work done on warm sunny days. But it's always packed with professors during lunchtime! read more

Simons Center Cafe - salmon + cauliflower - Modern European Near Me - Stony Brook, New York

See all

Food is different everytime I come here. It's quite expensive but I've actually never come here where I had to pay. Usually always here for some event, or meeting. The food is typically 1 main dish and 3 cold salad/side dishes and always seems to taste great. Portion size is just right for a meal, but again quite expensive (coming from a point of view of a student). Everything they serve is good and quite healthy. I really enjoy their salads; all made from healthy fruits and veggies and tastes Oo so fresh. I would recommend this to anyone especially if you have a guest from out of town and want to eat something healthy but still delicious. This would be the place to go. FYI this is like a cafeteria style dinner. But the casualness kind of makes the food that much more enjoyable. Especially with a nice view they have. read more

A great place on campus. I have been here enough to know it will be good the next time I visit. You can expect to get quality food. Not sure of how to categorize the cuisine. The employees treat you well and speak English very well, which when both combined is a luxury at stony brook. The dining room is peaceful and clean. read more

In addition to the aesthetic of the food, I rather admire the aesthetic of the place. Together, it makes for a pleasant dining experience.

At full price it is a bit too expensive for what you get. (I have a discount...). However, the quality and care of the preparations are outstanding compared to most restaurants in the area. The food style is mostly European/Mediterranean with a large dose of tasteful creativity. The olive chickpea tapenade, the quinoa salads, sesame seaweed are a must-try. Much less fortunate outcomes have the vegetarian entrees and the very rare occurrences of pasta or rice main dishes. That paella three years ago was terrible!! ;) read more

Located in the second floor of the Simons Institute on the SUNY SB campus, but open to the general public (lunch only), the SCGP cafe serves the best food I've had on Long Island, and the best food for the price I've had anywhere. The menu consists of roughly six salads, five entrees and two or three sides changes daily, representing a cross section of modern American / European cuisine. Chef Paolo can usually be found walking around, checking if patrons are enjoying the food (they always seem to be). The prix fixe menu -- salad, entree and drink -- is roughly $15. A bit pricey for lunch, but you'd pay twice as much in the City for comparable quality. read more

Ate here yesterday and definitely contracted a case of FOOD POISONING. There was NO SOAP in the women's restrooms- I had to use my own puréll, I assume the workers were unable to wash. I hope the manager looks into this. Or the FDA. read more

A big surprise to find this place in the remote confines of a large commuter campus, but also a pleasant surprise. Located in a beautiful new building, the setting is that of a nice small cafeteria (a bit noisy when busy). The food is meant to be very sophisticated and usually succeeds. Though it is not exclusive, it is not so much for daily meals, but more for special occasions or a treat (15 bucks for food at lunch). Open for lunch and occasionally special evening dinner events. I work on campus and would definately return for special occasions. A nice break from the typical campus dining environments, and I would say worth a trip from the public at large. (15 bucks is for a full lunch with main course and sides, you can eat for less if you just want a la carte dishes). read more

SCGP Cafe is a hidden gem on the Campus of Stony Brook University. This bijou attractive restaurant, situated in the splendidly modern Simons Center for Geometry and Physics building, primarily offers lunch and a simple breakfast menu for graduate students, professors and visiting academics. It is also open to the general public. What makes this a place to put on your 'must eat there' list is that the kitchen is staffed by three outstanding Chefs from some of the top Long Island and New York restaurants. Paolo Fontana, previously at Union Square Cafe and Mirabelle is Executive Chef. Bill Rhame from Mirabelle, La Plage and Kitchen a Bistro and Arielle Ferrara from The Riverhead Project and American Beech in Greenport are the Chefs de Cuisine Add this array of talent to a policy of using the freshest and where possible, local, ingredients, is a recipe for a daily changing menu of lunch dishes that emphasize taste, nutrition and visual appeal. Recently they decided to offer a wine dinner, again open to the public, where they showcased their talents in a more sophisticated mode. Duck & polenta stuffed pasta in a root vegetable broth with braised fennel, and some delectable home made sausage; pan roasted black cod with chicory, potato, persimmon and lemon poppy sour cream were followed by a Painted Hills Farm NY strip steak, hen of the woods mushrooms and horseradish celery root remoulade. To call the dessert simply 'chocolate cake with espresso remoulade', was the understatement of the night, as this was a chocolate cake for the ages! The wines were expertly chosen and plentiful. This was a meal that would delight lovers of good food anywhere. It was almost surreal at times to remember that this was being enjoyed on the Campus of a major University.They cater to outside clients and also are now promoting a series of cooking demonstrations featuring food from around the world and the details of these and future wine dinners can be found on their website read more

Pretty good. Lunch was actually not as expensive as I thought it would be (about $20). Tried the duck sandwich which was alright but kind of dry. Three sides were good (quinoa, green beans, salmon orzo). I wouldn't come here all the time but happy I did try it before graduating. Rooftop seating was cool read more

This place has really good food but now that it's closed, there's no food at all!!! How can you enjoy a nice lunch when there's no one there to serve you lunch. Total ripoff. read more

I think the sizes of portions for the same price reduced noticeably since a year ago. Before you could have a soup, an antre and choice of salads for 20$ (14$ for Simons Center visitors and math department members). Now it is either salads or soup and the main dishes are very small. And the quality of the main dishes is not brilliant either. Some of the choices are pretty boring sandwiches, sometimes pizza slices. Though the soups and salads are still very tasty. read more

This is easily one of the best restaurants on Long Island. You can choose from usually six different beautiful salads (sometimes more!), three to four amazing entrees, and several side dishes. The menu changes every day, but you can see what they are serving on their facebook page. Some of my favorite entrees have been their panisse, green tomato and goat cheese sandwiches, and ravioli pasta. They also always have about three or four tempting dessert options. I highly recommend the gelato! read more

First off I would like to state that compared to the reviews I have read, the prices obviously went up because today the price fixed meal was offered for 18 compared to the 15 that is mentioned from previous reviewers. That being said I found my experience at this cafe to be extremely lacking overall. Me and a co-worker, who work at another food facility on campus, were quite excited to try this cafe. From what photos they show on their Facebook page, their food seemed to be very mouthwatering. (Seemed being the key word here.) However the food served did not meet our expectations at all. It being our first visit, walking in we were barely greeted and after mentioning it was our first visit still were left a little lost. I feel that when you have two new guests, it is important to make them feel welcome, and explain how everything is served and what not, but felt they slipped up right away. After taking our trays and silver ware, a woman suggested we go for the price fix meal because you can choose 1 entree, 3 sides, and 1 beverage. I was extremely disappointed that all the mouthwatering desserts I've seen photos of were not available, there was no choice for sides, just one, and only had an offering of 3 entrees. I chose the fish and my co-worker chose the beef. Both looked appetizing. For sides I chose the orzo with butternut squash, chickpeas with cauliflower, and the beets. My co-worker chose the orzo as well, a green salad, and tuna salad. There is a bread basket and we each took a different piece of bread. For beverages they offer coffee, tea, and a mixed variety of drinks I have never heard of, but seemed expensive. We payed the 19.55 for our meals and before I sat down I asked the cashier where were the desserts they have photos of, and if they had any for sale. She told me matter of factually that they don't serve them or sell them, you must order them in bulk only. How disappointing!!! We ate our sides first and I was pleasantly surprised with how delicious the orzo with butternut squash was, the chickpeas were alright, and the beets good. My co-worker enjoyed his salad, although they were a bit cheap with the toppings, the orzo was too sweet for him, and the tuna he left mostly on his plate, as it tasted like it belonged on a sandwich in a deli. For our entrees, my fish was terrible. It tasted like all the flavor was cooked out, and was barely warm even though the outside seemed to be overcooked as I had to use my knife to cut into it. It must have been made when they first opened at 12 and then left sitting out on the warmer the entire time. The side of spinach was good, but nothing more. My co-worker gave me a bite of his beef and I instantly wished I had ordered that instead. While not the best I have ever had, it was hands down 5 times better than the fish. His mashed potatoes, as he said, were just okay. The breads we got were two different pieces. His plain and soft, and mine hard with raisins and nuts, both good. All that being said, I am mystified how people are raving and saying its the best food on long island because I have had better fish from Ihop! I feel for the quality of food, and lack of options, the price was too high. All other buffet style lunches offers dessert and usually a bit larger portions. While the portions were not too small, for the price it wouldn't hurt to give a little more. As my co-worker agreed, while the food was not the worst we have ever had, you would have to pay us to go back there again and risk getting another sub-par dish. For what they advertise themselves to be, they are quite a disappointment. It especially upset me that after seeing photos upon photos of those french macrons, they didn't have any even to purchase separately and their Facebook never states that they are sold in bulk and need to be ordered. If I'm being honest, that was one of the main reasons I wanted to try this cafe in the first place. I am a baker myself and love trying new desserts so imagine my appointment's when I find a girl making macrons but not selling any to the public. Overall this experience was highly disappointing, I left quite unsatisfied, and will not be returning nor recommending them to any one I know, but instead telling everyone to save their money!!! I'm giving them a two simply for the orzo butternut squash salad and those beets, I'd love a bowl of them! read more

Food was ok. Came back to car and found a ticket for thirty dollars, poor signs. Won't be back.