Very nice and quaint, we had a party of 8 for lunch and brunch with ages from 6-70 and everyone found something they loved. Crabcake was legit lump! Brunch French toast was drool worthy. Nice place read more

The noise level inside is quite high. I did a few decibel readings while sitting and wow! The food drink and service? Was top notch! I recommend sitting in the outdoor shaded area. We ate chili and French toast which was also delicious!!!! The servers were attentive and as accommodating as possible! read more

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First time at the Secret Garden. We picked this location because it is between Frederick, MD and Richmond. Cute little spot in old town Occoquan with the Occoquan River nearby. So lucky that we had a table because it was busy. We were seated in the garden patio next to the mini waterfall which was lovely. Menu has good options. I had the Pomerita and Danny had the Garden Party drinks. They were tasty and refreshing for a hot day. We had the traditional French toast and Breakfast Salmon. Both tasted good, however, I added hot sauce on the breakfast salmon because I thought it needed it. Server is good and attentive. Next time, I will try the shrimp and grits. read more

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This place is awesome! It's nicely located in the small town of Occocuan. So, afterwards you can stroll the mom and pop shops or walk along the river. It can get busy so reservations are recommended. The service is fantastic! They have a great team covering for each other and my coffee cup and water glass never went empty. Highly recommend the Monte Cristo. This is my favorite. The last one I had was so cheesy and delicious. read more

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Tucked away in the Hollows of Historic Occoquan is this cute cottage restaurant. Make your way up the narrow stairway and proceed through the courtyard to the check in desk inside. Friendly hosts greeted us and find us a seat on a late Sunday afternoon. Nice day gave us the option of courtyard seating or indoor cottage seating. Pleasant service team, great food and a wonderful cottage atmosphere makes this place a great place to stop for brunch. Korean BBQ Short Rib sandwich is a newer menu item. Flavorful, lots of rib meat filling and bread grilled nice and crunchy. It's delicious. Berry Almond French Toast is very good. If you have a sweet tooth for brunch, then do not miss this dish. Steak & cheese melt is a staple on this menu. Filled with nicely seasoned steak, grilled onions and a blend of cheese makes this dish a hearty brunch meal. From the host to the service team, everyone is very efficient and friendly. Pro Tip: use the Yelp waitlist feature on busy days. read more

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Father's Day Experience: Quaint ambiance both inside and on the 2 outside patio areas. Service was excellent The food was served in generous portions that were all very, very good. Each dish had much different presentations from other restaurants, and they were winners. . . mostly. Three of us chose the Breakfast Fajita Pita and one chose the Shrimp & Grits. We would've preferred creamy grits vs the large square cut from a cookie sheet, but the sauce was killer. The menu had choices for everyone and was succinct enough to make sure the chef could focus on excellence over variety. A definite winner to return to regularly. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Shrimp & Grits and Breakfast Fajita Pitas accompanied by classic mimosas - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

After all the wonderful reviews, I wanted to love Secret Garden. I really did. But there are a few rough edges to give this a great review based on the first visit. But first let me say the setting is nice, the staff is wonderful, and the menu is intriguing. The fireplace was cozy and the room between tables made for a nice intimate meal. But the kitchen needs to tighten up on some of the dishes. We ordered the warm goat cheese and spiced pecan salad, the tapenade flat bread, the greek chicken, and the monte cristo sandwich. The salad was very good. The warm goat cheese had a lemony note that matched very well with the salad dressing. Great mix of salad ingredients, although the out of season tomatoes added little except color. The flatbread was very not good. I love olives and enjoy tapenade but this version was very extra salty, as in someone may have added tablespoons of salt to it, and it approached inedible. I did not send it back, so I am not dropping to three stars, but someone really should have tasted this offering before putting it on the service line as it should never have be served like this. The greek chicken was just great! Perfectly cooked rice (although if it had the advertised lemon in it it was lost on me), perfectly seasoned chicken, great portion size. The cucumber yogurt sauce was also perfect and my dining partner kept dipping her chips in it. The accompanying mix of feta and tomatoes and olives (which themselves were not salty!) fought for room on my fork with every bite. Would order again or recommend. The monte cristo was a nice version, and my dining partner enjoyed it, although the kitchen should have removed the tough outer rind from the ham as it made biting it difficult. Still, the turkey was excellent (not deli turkey but real breast it seemed) and the chips on the kettle chips on the side were a nice add (and kept being used as a scoop for my yogurt sauce.) So we left full (and with half a monte cristo in tow) and reasonably happy. Will try again, as there are items like black and blue hanger steak I want to try. read more

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The food & service was excellent. We had the baked artichoke dip with fresh sliced bread as an appetizer and Rosa linguini as an entree. We shared the food together and were impressed by how amazing it was. There were many items I wanted to try that I never had like the warm goat cheese pecan salad, the bourbon bread pudding, and the turkey jelly sandwich. The ambience was clean & spacious despite how small the area was inside and the tiny bathrooms. The only thing I was not able to have was second filling of coffee. It was still brewing when it came to our time to leave. read more

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Very charming and cozy spot!! I loved the ambiance here during my visit. We sat outside in the little garden area - quiet and beautiful setting for a weekend lunch. I had one of their lemonades with the Mediterranean chicken wrap and it was a perfectly balanced and refreshing meal. It's a little hard to find the restaurant but once you see the signs you'll know it's tucked in behind the buildings. There are steps to access it, I don't know if they have a wheelchair accessible entrance. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wrap Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

This is a popular spot in Occoquan so do yourself a favor and put yourself on the waitlist (available on the Yelp app) before you jump in the car. I learned this the hard way! This spot is not super exciting, but it's cute location and historic house makes it the perfect spot for girly pop meetups or brunch with the grandparents. I always get the crab cake sandwich and I have never been disappointed. read more

The fajitas were the best thing I have ever had at Secret Garden. This place is always great and has the best atmosphere, too!

Please listen! Came here for Father's Day. The exterior is nice, but the interior is worn down. The water came without straws. As for the food, I tried two different French toast dishes, a sandwich, eggs, and bacon. Everything was bad. The coffee was watered down. The bacon was undercooked. The sandwich had a terrible sauce on it. The artichoke dip was greasy, had too much cheese, and not enough artichoke. The top wasn't crusted, and it was served with sliced baguette that wasn't even toasted. Customer service was a 4/5. The waiters were good, but the waiting process was unorganized. We spent $78 for two people. Please just go to First Watch nearby--much better food and drinks for about the same price, just with a longer wait. I'm not picky. Honestly, I would have rather eaten at Denny's or IHOP. read more

Delicious and scenic cafe & restaurant that is tucked away up an nondescript staircase between 2 buildings As the name entails, the outside portion of the restaurant is scenic and feels like you are eating in a "secret garden". There is some inside seating as well I came here with a bunch of friends and we were very impressed by the quality of the food but even more-so by the prices! A french toast here is only $7! All of the people who we interacted with here were very friendly as well read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

Decided to venture out solo today and visited Secret Garden Café--so glad I did! The food and service were both 10/10. Yohana was my server and she was amazing--super friendly and helpful. I was torn between the shrimp & grits or the salmon burger, and she recommended the burger (great call!). She even offered to swap the chips for another side, which I appreciated. I sat outside, and the patio was beautiful--shaded, full of greenery, and super peaceful. The salmon burger was full of flavor and served on a soft brioche bun. I'll definitely be back to try more! Located in Old Town Occoquan. Parking can be tricky if there's an event, but it's a walkable area if you park a little farther out. read more

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Love this place every time. Menu is on point. Location on point. Food on point. Go here and you will not be disappointed.

there has been no consistency with any of my visits at this resturant leading me to have very mixed feelings. first visit, i had gone during the warmer months and was sat outside. portions for the linguine rosa were decent and the dish itself was delicious. greek chicken was enjoyable as well. however, service was horrible. besides ordering and the check, servers never swung by our table and had a nasty attitude the entire visit. our second experience was amazing with no complaints. linguine and hanger steak was delicous. view from outside seating was nice and we had a great time. now, our most recent experience was interesting. linguine portions were so small the whole dish could be finished in probably three bites. i dont remember the plates being so comically large in comparison. the black & blue hanger was decent. however, the potato cake was cold and the meat was overcooked from what we had asked. service was minimal though there were not many customers there. on a ~$40 bill we were charged $100 on our credit card. we have never had issues with servers misinterpreting our tip/totals on checks. given the subpar service, this should not even have been an assumption. the spot itself is cute and is a nice resturant to enjoy some food while exploring the town. the dishes are not inherently bad and are priced very reasonably. though, taking chances on the service and quality of food should not even be a thing. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

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We came here from a local recommendation and glad we listened! While walking in town you'll find the entry to this little cafe through an alley, so make sure you're checking everything out so you don't miss it. Up the stairs you'll find an indoor and outdoor area, we didn't check out the indoor because it was so nice outside! So much greenery and a fountain, just such a nice spot to go for brunch as we did. The staff were all super friendly and very attentive, absolutely no issues with their service! I went with the Vermont French toast as I wanted something sweet, but not SUPER SWEET, which I was told the berry almond crunch can be. It was delicious and enjoyed every bite! Overall happy with the brunch and would go again! read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - The entry way to the cafe from the street - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

Great atmosphere, but the food was a major disappointment. We visited based on the high ratings, the food was a completely different story. It seems like the great reviews might be driven more by the location and the aesthetic setup than the actual kitchen quality. My child's meal was honestly inedible. read more

This place is still great, many years later. Hard to find initially but love the outdoor seating. The constant flow of water is super relaxing. Servers are all friendly . Food is still, great. read more

Clean, bright, fast service, generous portions. Recommend the potato cake! (Subbed the kettle chips for it.) Would like to return and sit outside. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wrap Sandwich with Potato Cake - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

(+) local business, decent food, nice outdoor ambiance, free public parking available (-) closes early for dinner on Sunday (7pm), wait staff timing, slightly pricey for quantity/quality They don't take reservations but have a waitlist system on Yelp. How have I not left a review for Secret Garden yet?? I've been to brunch a handful of times and dinner for the first time this past Sunday, and my guests who went for the first time liked the ambiance of the outdoor seating area. First things first- would definitely return, it's been a hot second since I've last been...but if I want to show off occoquan to friends, I might suggest Secret Garden as one of the options! We told the waiter that we were gonna share all plates- and got 2 cheddar burgers, 1 warm goat cheese salad-which was good but we barely got any goat cheese- one person ended up eating the goat cheese, baked artichoke dip, and the stir fried noodles. For dessert, we got the borboun bread pudding. When we got our food- we had asked for extra plates and extra silverware (as serving) so we can share, but we got some push back on that. The time we ordered and the time we got our food was a bit of a long wait. It was also hard to get our waitresses attention- though I felt she was looking in our direction. Other times we've been for brunch, I was inside and I think service was a bit better. read more

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Such a cute place, tucked back through a narrow walkway with cozy outdoor seating, trees and a little pond to add to the ambience - just adorable! And the food was such a treat! I didn't really know what to expect since the menu is fairly varied but both of our dishes were DELISH (all caps for emphasis) - that cheesy grit cake with the cream and a bit of acid from the corn salsa - omg, simply sinful - I was so full but ate every last bite! My husband had the cheesesteak (he doesn't branch out much , if there's a cheesesteak or a Rueben on the menu I can practically guarantee he will order it) but he said this one was definitely top 1 or 2 outside of Philly... I wrote a review for some other place recently where he was praising the cheesesteak and he did say this one was even better. Not a cheesesteak fan myself, but this one strike the right notes of creamy cheese with marinated shaved steak and a crispy yet slightly soggy roll (if you like cheesesteaks, you know the balance )... Word of advice though, we sat outside for dinner but went back for coffee the following morning - it was a fairly mild day, but it was sweltering inside - I can't enjoy my food when I am too hot, so I would recommend outside seating if available. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Shrimp and Cheddar Grit Cake - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

The Secret Garden is a hidden gem that never disappoints. Takeout is fabulous and dining in is even better. Take in the wonderful patio and enjoy the atmosphere of this quaint part of town. read more

Always a 5 star experience! Shrimp & Grits and the Hangar Steak are our go to every time. Love the staff and service. If the weather is nice, sit outside! read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

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This is my second time eating here. I didn't want to write a bad review without giving them a second chance. I'm giving it 4 stars only because of the ambiance. As for the food, it's mediocre. Artichoke dip and Monte Cristo Sandwich were salty. We all took a sip of the mimosa to see if it was just OJ. Steak & Cheese was tough and lacked flavor. I asked for pickles to improve the taste, but they didn't have any. Shakshuka wasn't good at all. Tabbouleh and Mediterranean Chicken Pita Wrap were pretty good, though. If it weren't for the ambiance, I probably wouldn't have returned for the second time. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

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Stopped here for lunch on my way from MD to VA because it had good reviews. I asked to try the tabouli and it was off- they put a seasoning that shouldn't be in tabouli. When I asked about it I was told it was red pepper flakes. My family is from Bulgaria, I have close friends from Jordan, Lebanon, and I've never witnessed anyone putting red pepper in tabouli. So I didn't order it. On to the what I did eat. The Monte Cristo, nothing special and was served with chips. There was ham, turkey, cheese, and the bread was soft. The jam was good, but again it was just average. I wouldn't eat here again. read more

This was my second time visiting for brunch and it definitely lived up to the first. From the outside it gives cozy cottage vibes but once again the food was the real surprise. I ordered the steak and eggs again. It sounds simple but it was anything but. The steak was tender and well seasoned the eggs were cooked just right and the sides complemented the dish perfectly. Everything on the plate felt intentional. My cousin ordered the shrimp and grits and really enjoyed it. It was creamy rich and full of flavor. The service stood out just as much as the food. The servers and host were friendly and worked together to assist one another making sure all patrons were taken care of and satisfied. Consistent food and attentive service on a second visit is always a good sign. This spot continues to prove it is a hidden gem and a solid brunch choice. read more

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We came here for brunch today for Valentine's Day, and we loved the whole ambiance and the inside. The only thing that was off was the inside smelled like moth balls, I don't know if they've ever been told that before. Waitress seemed pretty busy so we just ordered our food quickly. There was a girl walking around frequently refilling coffees which was nice. Everyone working there is very polite. They have the cutest little individual creamer cups they provide with the coffee. I'm kind of obsessed. I got the traditional French toast. It was delicious. They use Challah bread for it and it was soooo good! Their bacon tasted perfectly crispy with a little bit of chewy. Their potato cakes were ok, I prefer crispy on both sides and a little thinner than what they do. Overall good experience! read more

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Brunch Vibes Neighborhood Restaurant favorite located in the heart of historical Occoquan. It's quaint and boutique setting will keep you coming back. Support by gift in reels read more

It is a great little place. It's a "secret" because you step up off the street into a little back patio area. Its walkway is somewhat hidden. Pro tip- you can call ahead and get your name on the list about 15 minutes before seating. They don't do reservations normally. We were there mid week in the winter and seating wasn't an issue, although they were rather busy. I imagine they fill up their patio seating in the warmer weather. Food was great, I really liked the artichoke dip appetizer. Fresh squeezed lemonade was refreshing. My friend is doing keto do she was happy with her green salad with added shrimp. I ordered the crab cakes with a veggie side. The veggie side was Brussels sprouts and yam, mixed. Very fresh and yummy. The two crab cakes were a good size. Not a lot of filler. Seasoned well. Now- I'm a big crab cake person...and the crab was definitely good. Meaty. I enjoyed it. It was claw meat, as you can see in the photo...unless somehow the lump meat was super mixed up and broken up and made to resemble claw meat...Which- good lump crab meat should always be left as chunky lumps. So this was claw meat. There were also the tell tale shell and cartilage pieces to support this. I happen to love the claw meat, which is sweeter. The key lime pie was mild flavored and quite nice. The desserts are made in house, which I always appreciate. We were able to sit and talk for a long time as we got caught up...we did not feel pressured to go. The servers were all great. They were on top of drink refills and everything. We left a good tip for sure! read more

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I've been dying to eat here for a while now and it did not disappoint! Getting there was easy. There's free street parking for up to 4 hours during business hours. The inside is quaint and cozy, it even has a fireplace! It looked like they could accommodate parties of around 8 with putting tables together. There were lots of families with small children there, couples, girly brunch tables. This place is a good vibe for whatever the occasion. Their menu is pretty extensive and had many things I wanted to try. Everyone's plate was clean at the end of our time.. which means the food was delicious! I had the Breakfast Fajita Pita; the steak was perfectly marinated and cooked and the flavors were coming through! My friends and I had delicious peach Bellinis that kept the conversation and laughter going! The staff were super attentive the entire time and were very kind and accommodating. I will definitely be coming back here to try more menu options! read more

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Hosted a girls brunch and the Secret garden and it was filled with pure deliciousness! The atmosphere is delightful with seats both inside and outside. Outside seating includes a beautiful garden and picture ready scenes for the entire group! The inside seating continues the small quaint theme. For brunch they offer mimosas of multiple flavors! The staff was pleasant checking on our table throughout our stay ensuring our drinks were well filled! The shrimp and grits was out of the world and French toast a great treat enough to take some home for later! Highly recommend visiting this great cafe! read more

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Been to the Secret Garden cafe a few times. I've recently became a vegetarian and was able to have a phenomenal salad. I did their Garden Salad and added avocado. Their croutons are house made and they were delicious. The salad itself was light and refreshing but filling. Our server was great. She took care of us and continued to check in on us during our time. The space is a bit tight; however, that's to be said with Occoquan. Parking isn't too bad either. I love the location of this restaurant as it reminds you of the movie "The Secret Garden." Would go back again! read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - Garden Salad with avocado - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

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The atmosphere was great, food is well prepared and tastes extremely delicious, and the service was wonderful. It was our first time visiting and definitely not the last! read more

I had lunch here with a family member. Great location (Occoquan,VA). You have to walk up stairs to get to the restaurant. Nice lunch menu. Inside and outside eating options. read more

A very lovely spot tucked away in Occoquan. The food is delicious and the people are so kind. I would recommend this hidden little place to anyone who visits NoVA read more

The Secret Garden Restaurant located Occoquan, VA. Tucked away on a quiet street, this spot lives up to its name with beautiful outdoor garden vibes that make for a relaxing setting. The menu leans toward small plates, and I tried the GA Reuben. Unfortunately, it arrived cold and could've used more of their signature secret sauce. The Arnold Palmer was a great choice for a drink. Service was decent my waiter was attentive, but the atmosphere was disrupted by a tense exchange between another customer and a waitress over a personal question about mask-wearing. While I'd rate the experience around 3 stars, the place shows promise, especially with its reputed brunch offerings so I will go back one day. read more

The Secret Garden (Occoquan): Cozy, Scenic, and Brunch-Approved Tucked away off the water in the charming town of Occoquan, The Secret Garden really lives up to its name, it's cozy, it's cute, and it's giving hidden brunch sanctuary vibes. We rolled in on a Thursday afternoon (pro tip: perfect time to avoid crowds and catch the brunch menu ), and let me tell you, fre this spot is a little slice of nature with multiple outdoor seating areas to fit your mood. There's the main patio when you first walk up, a more elevated nook if you're feeling fancy, and even indoor seating inside a quaint little house. We chose to sit outside and soak up the water views, and it was so worth it, even with the slightly slippery brick and the bug squad arriving around 12:30 (early birds, you've been warned). Service? On point. Super sweet and attentive, like they were actually happy to be there (rare and appreciated ). The food? A certified 10/10. I had the Vermont French Toast (hello, maple dreams ), a potato cake, and crispy bacon, all for under $20, which felt like a delicious steal. We meant to try the artichoke dip, but it didn't make it to the table... guess that's a sign to go back! ‍ Now, the only thing I didn't love? The Arnold Palmer. And I am an Arnold Palmer girl, okay? But this one just had something funky going on,maybe the tea was feeling shady that day. All in all: amazing food, beautiful waterside atmosphere, great parking (yes, it exists ), and the kind of place you'll want to come back to, especially in the fall when the leaves start showing off. Go for the brunch, stay for the vibes, and maybe skip the Palmer. read more

The Secret Garden Cafe - The Vermont Toast - Cafes Near Me - Occoquan, Virginia

I wrote a review of this place when I got food poisoning from undercooked Beef Potstickers. I contacted the restaurant after they did not respond to my email and I was told since the inspector found no eviedence of a food borne illness, which my getting sick was the evidence of an undercooked item, it wasn't their fault. No apology, no accountability, no nothing. Stay away from places like this. All it takes is one time for you to get sick due to someone's negligence and fun fact you can die from food poisoning people, it happens. read more

Food is great here! We have been once on a Sunday for brunch and again on an afternoon for an early dinner. Food is freshly prepared and served. Wide variety of options. Servers are efficient and very nice. read more