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The Park Side Café

4.0 (88 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

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THE PARK SIDE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Menu is posted on the glass near the register.
Crystal F.

Five stars for the full experience. The Victorian-era styled building in West Olympia, The Park Side Café offers plant-based dishes in style. The cafe offers small tapas-like plates of assorted vegan-friendly offerings. I ordered the visually stunning, with loads of texture and taste, Moroccan Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad no dressing. Saving room for dessert, I could not resist sharing one of their giant chocolate chip cookies and a few bites of their German Chocolate cream pie with my kids. Like a typical cafe, you order at the register. We were greeted by friendly and attentive servers. My husband ordered the German potato salad, my daughter enjoyed the Seitan & Rice Burrito, and my son was meh on the Seitan Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pie. I myself, am not a huge fan of Seitan, so I wasn't really surprised they didn't like it either. Once you are finished eating, you can wander upstairs where there is a cute kitchen supply shop and another friendly face to greet you. It was fun checking out the unique building and walking by a gorgeous bed and breakfast owned by the same woman who opened this restaurant. If you have time, I recommend walking around the grounds of the bed and breakfast next door, it is beautiful!

Samosa with mint chutney
Ayla B.

The staff? Incredible! Everyone is so friendly, they answered all of my questions, and even apologized for the wait times. They're such a happy face for this lovely, little space! Did I enjoy my time? Yes. I opted for an oak milk cinnamon bun coffee and my wait for the coffee was easily 20 mins just from this spot being popular! I cannot say it was worth the wait for the coffee... it was beyond cinnamon bun sweet for me. I did like the flavor profile, but I think the sugar content may have been too high for me to enjoy this one. I also ordered the samosa hand pie and it was tasty, but a little bit dry. Now, let me talk about the mint chutney sauce, friends!! THE BEST I've had... ever. If I could drink this sauce like the food gremlin I am without getting worried looks shot my way... I 100% would. It was beautiful. Packed with the fresh mint flavor, but creamy enough to where the mint doesn't become abrasive. I drowned my hand pie in it and I have no regrets. It was spectacular.

Giant hot chocolate
Chris C.

The front of house staff was so warm and welcoming and food was ready quickly- we are a large family of vegans (who have lived and eaten coast to coast for 40 years) and ordered a bunch- cabbage soup, apple handpie, pizza handpie, biscuits and gravy, apple cinnamon cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate pie, breakfast sandwich, apple strawberry cider, a tea , chocolate chip cookie and a hot chocolate. We read reviews before coming here and after eating here find any comparison to Wayside laughable- and we LOVE wayside (it's the west coasts closest version of the Chicago Diner or SoulVeg) but the food here is completely different . The flavors are understated but still there-- meaning your hand pizza has more delicate flavors that start with crust and end with the pepperoni - I'd guess most things are made in house or locally due to the lack of heaviness and saltiness you get with premade foods like beyond (typically used in every PDX vegan eatery). The breakfast sando was small and again not heavy its flavors were light and a bit overpowered by the wheat-yness of the English muffin but still delicious. The desserts were on the sweeter side and really smooth- the strawberry apple cider was too sweet for the adults, but very tasty and loved by the kids. We left feeling full, not heavy and pleasantly pleased. The whole feel is more upscale vegan brunch and while the place isn't "not for kids"- I'd enjoy it more if I didn't bring mine and could savor the food instead of playing fork wars with my offspring :)

Our quesadillas and hand pies.
Jessica H.

We stopped here yesterday during a long, rainy road trip from Oregon. We were tired and cranky thanks to the hours spent in the car and the terrible weather...but this place cheered us right up! It has a bright, warm vibe and tasty food. We each got quesadillas and a hand pie. I got the enchilada hand pie and while it tasted nothing like an authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex enchilada, the flavours were delicious and I would happily order it again. The kale made it seem healthy too, ha. My friend got the creamy veggie hand pie and also loved it. The quesadillas again did not taste like authentic Mexican quesadillas but they were perfectly adequate. They came with salsa and a cashew cream dip that really hit the spot. I also got the PB&J cheesecake. It was decadant, but I would've like a little more of the jelly flavor. I'd like to try their other desserts in the future. This place has lots of little dishes that you can add together to form a "mixed plate," so it's fun to try a variety of things. Service was super friendly and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a great find in the Olympia area and I'll be back

Alex N Gigi S.

If I could give 6 stars I would!!! I cannot say enough about the service I received from the Parkside Café! I wanted to express my extreme satisfaction with Parkside. I do not live in Washington State, but our daughter, does and I wanted to send her a birthday surprise. I was looking through Yelp for any vegan pastry's and thank goodness we Parkside ! I called and placed an order with help from a young lady who's name escapes my mind. But I would be remiss if I did not point out how extremely helpful and patient this young lady was with me. I told her about us not living in the state and that to make matters worse my daughters' car (Kia) had been stolen the previous night just before her birthday. I explained what I wanted and she was extremely helpful in helping us (my husband & I) make our selection. In addition, I also asked this kind young lady if she could PLEASE write a HBD to our daughter directly on the box. She was kind enough to say yes. Needless, to say we could not be HAPPIER with our purchase. WOWWWW what a beautiful vegan pie and the amazing detail on the box was truly unexpected. From a pair of parents who miss their daughter and are over 3,300 miles away, THANK YOU for making my daughters day extra special!

Kade R.

Seitan Burrito was really good. Couldn't even tell it was meatless! The coconut cream pie was also delicious. Was a filling meal but I didn't feel heavy afterwards.

Outside of the building from the outdoor seating area

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11 months ago

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Victoria K.

Won A.! Thank you for the awesome review. We love our customers!

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Victoria K.

Erica! Thanks for this awesome review! We work hard for our customers!

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Thanks for the nice review Carla!

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2 years ago

Super friendly staff and yummy vegan food. The vibe inside is mellow, a nice spot to catch up with a friend or get some work done.

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Bits Cafe

Bits Cafe

4.5
(141 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

Wow. Cool little menu for a cool little place. Hole in the wall is an understatement, however, we…read morewent fully specials menu today. If I could give this place 10 stars, I would do it. We started with some amazing coffee, but when the most amazing biscuits and gravy came out, I was astounded by the rich mushroom gravy that was more of a stroganoff than a country gravy. The sausage set this dish off and topped with two eggs made every tastebud swoon with delight. Saving the best for last, these evil sorcerers decided to make French toast out of a dense, thick slice of bread pudding. Topped with a berry compote and vanilla drizzle, each bite had me squealing in ecstasy. I can't do regular French toast ever again!

I'm updating my review because I've tried this place under different circumstances. Crappy day when…read morethe weather makes everything depressing? Happy tummy. Solo? Happy tummy. Rumbly tummy? Happy tummy. Literally, every single time I come here, I leave with a happy and slightly over full stomach. The wait is getting a little longer these days because I think people are catching on that this is the place to make your tummy happy, but if you want a retro boho style atmosphere with some of the best breakfast/brunch/lunch you've EVER tasted, you NEED TO COME HERE AT LEAAT ONCE IN YOUR LIFE. And if the French bread is on the specials, get one piece to share with your dining companion. If you aren't fighting over the crumbs and syrup, you just aren't doing it right.

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Bits Cafe
Stopped by on our way home from lake for bagels and beers! Totally love the vibe of this place. Very relaxed and welcoming. Will be back!!
Stopped by on our way home from lake for bagels and beers! Totally love the vibe of this place. Very relaxed and welcoming. Will be back!!
Mixed Berry Smoothies!

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Mixed Berry Smoothies!
Octapas Cafe

Octapas Cafe

4.3
(275 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Octapas Café was an outstanding dining experience and one of those places where every dish seemed…read moreto hit the mark. We started with the patatas bravas, gambas pil pil (butter garlic shrimp), oysters (both raw and cooked), and a hummus platter, and everything was excellent. The true standout, however, was the smoked salmon Alfredo--an absolutely incredible dish and one of the best pastas I've had in a long time. We added some chopped jalapeños for extra heat, but honestly, it was fantastic even on its own. The dessert was equally impressive, with a cake that was incredibly moist and the perfect way to end the meal. The wine selection deserves special mention as well. They offer a great variety of Spanish wines that pair beautifully with the menu. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive throughout our visit. The atmosphere is one of Octapas Café's biggest strengths. The restaurant features a beautiful, spacious dining room, plenty of outdoor seating, and even a private event space for larger gatherings and celebrations. Whether you're stopping by for tapas, seafood, pasta, or wine, Octapas Café delivers a memorable experience from start to finish.

Sat 11:30 am - no reservations. Restaurant not too busy. The…read moreolder female hostess was not welcoming to us or the party of 2 that walked in behind us. I've encountered her before -- she isn't rude, just not at all welcoming. She asked us to wait for a moment for'something' which turned out to be stocking water bottles and napkins. We felt like an intrusion to tasks she could've worked on after seating us. We asked to sit on the patio in the sun - she seemed annoyed by this but acquiesced. The patio was quaint and the weather helped make it enjoyable. We were greeted by our server (wish I had her name - older lady in tie-dye shirt) she was welcoming, helpful with the menu, and very friendly! We ordered cocktails and brunch and enjoyed both! Dishes (Smoked Salmon Lox & Goats do Roam Tart) & Drinks were all good - see photos for more info. So go -- get past the hostess and you'll enjoy the rest!!! PS - I do remember from a past visit, the Beignets were good!

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Haunting octopus ......
Haunting octopus ......
Salmon salad
Salmon salad
Wings

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Wings
COVE

COVE

4.1
(195 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

Loved the food! We had a group of six and everyone was happy with their meal. I loved the clam…read morechowder! It wasn't what I think of when ordering clam chowder but it was delicious! The fries are some of the best fries we have a in a long time. My smash burger was delicious. The person with the classic burger was very happy. Two in our party got the raspberry rhubarb spritz (no alcohol) and loved them. They were surprised the drink came with a free refill. Great service! And OH! The Happy Hour! Great food at wonderful prices. I would love to see the HH later in the afternoon so we could better justify a drink! I did have issues with the menu. It is not well laid out. Difficult to read with all the items lined up in paragraphs, squished together. I kept thinking it was information to read about the restaurant. The Happy Hour menu was a lot easier to read and order from.

Our family of 6 went for Mother's Day Brunch. We were seated immediately and given drink menus…read more After ordering drinks, we went to the buffet. To begin with, the buffet was single sided which created a long line to get food. When we got to the buffet, they were out of plates and every pan was empty. Other tables around us were waiting for plates and food also. When the food finally came, it was underwhelming. Avocado toast wasn't toasted, just sliced avocado on bread. The chicken for chicken and waffles was dry and the waffles were empty every time we went to check for more. The eggs Benedict was bland and not warm. If you are going to do brunch, please plan ahead with enough servers and have a plan to keep food out. Having to continually wait for food and then to find it flavorless was disappointing. Our server didn't take our plates and it's a good thing because they were always out of plates. I guess we had hoped for a better experience. I'd recommend passing on brunch here. Maybe their other menu items are good but based on the limited options we tried, I doubt it. Save you money and even more so, your time. Go elsewhere. I'm sorry I had to apologize to my mother for this experience.

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Stage for live performances
Stage for live performances
Happy hour clams
Happy hour clams
Cucumber spritz with vodka and tropical ghost

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Cucumber spritz with vodka and tropical ghost
Medicine Creek Cafe

Medicine Creek Cafe

4.1
(216 reviews)
9.7 mi
•$$

I've been wanting to try this place every time I visit my daughter. Breakfast is my favorite meal…read moreand this place did not disappoint me. The food portions are good and you get what you pay for. The food is very good. I ordered my go-to, the Two egg breakfast with two sausage patties (big), hash brown, toast. I also got one buttermilk pancake to share with my wife. Everything was great. Serving size is worth the price, plus I won't be eating lunch today because I'll be full all day. My son-in-law got the Tacoma breakfast, it was huge and looked good. He said it was very good and he also will not be eating lunch today. The service was great. The waitress was friendly and came to our table often to check on us. I definitely highly recommend this place.

So glad I finally had the chance to try this little spot. It's tucked away right off the exit but…read moreit's got good parking. We were greeted promptly and the staff were genuinely friendly. Gave me that hospitable welcome , ya know. When you walk in, it's a small area but more on that ol' school cozy kinda joint where regulars come in. It's nice. Now for the food. My hubby got the Tahoma. Chicken fried steak on top of biscuits and hash browns and gravy on the side. Just because the portion is GINORMOUS!! our server suggested for us to get gravy on the side to eat later and keep from it getting soggy. Thanks Heather!! My Loco mock was okay. Just some plain burger patties on top of rice with eggs. The gravy was delish. If the patties were fat homemade patties and sticky calrose rose, it woulda been MWAH (chef's kiss)! Still, great experience. Great breakfast spot to try out!! Family friendly!!

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Look!  Toasted on the grill!
Look! Toasted on the grill!
Regular awesome burger and tots.
Regular awesome burger and tots.
Double kids menu chicken tenders and fries. Ranch side.

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Double kids menu chicken tenders and fries. Ranch side.
Martin Way Diner

Martin Way Diner

3.6
(342 reviews)
2.7 mi
•$$

Martin Way Diner did not disappoint! We popped in for…read morebreakfast, and although the diner was busy, we did not have to wait to be seated. This was our first time at Martin Way Diner. When we first walked in, it felt like a classic diner. And it is! In all the good ways. The diner is clean, the coffee is hot and flavorful, and the portions are generous. My husband had the Build Your Own omelet, topped with Jack Cheese. And they did not skimp on the ingredients. The cheese was nice and gooey, and the flavors melded perfectly. I had the French Toast. Again, generous portions, and the slices were thick and perfectly battered. Not soggy, slightly crisp. And the syrup was warmed! Sometimes it is the little things. The bacon was crisp, just how I had ordered it, not limp, and the eggs were cooked to perfection. Our server was Shawna, and she was personable and perfectly attentive. We were seated where we could observe the cooks, and they functioned like a well-oiled machine. All in all it was a good experience, and I would highly recommend. An added bonus: there are glass partitions between the booths. It really helps keep the noise level down. This was much appreciated and I wish more restaurants would do this. The next time we are at this end of town, we will be back.

Quintessential old school diner. Love this place, felt like I was back East. The food was…read moredelicious, service was fast and accurate, and the staff were friendly. Lots of options, plenty of seating, and reasonable prices.

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Breakfast menu "build your own omelette". This one had ham, Tillamook cheddar, American cheese, and avocado.
Breakfast menu "build your own omelette". This one had ham, Tillamook cheddar, American cheese, and avocado.
Martin Way Diner

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The Park Side Café - vegan - Updated June 2026

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