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    Tower Cafe

    4.1 (5.6k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Tower Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    TOWER CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Tower Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    El Marichi
    Anthony R.

    08/22/2026 at 08:00 Server: Crystal T FOOD & DRINKS Coffee first, house (medium toast). I always request heavy cream with my coffee. I was told they have heavy cream, but not for me. I can have any of their other creamers, just not heavy cream. Having the French Connection this morning. Eggs over medium w/apple wood smoked bacon. It comes with 3 slices of bacon and I want extra with my breakfast. A side of three pieces of bacon, $6 listed in my menu. I ask for the side of bacon and told it's $7 instead. I ask to have the listed price in the menu. The manager tells my server NO. SERVICE Mixed bag considering my experience today. Crystal was great! The management not so much. DECOR Always cool. Indoors or out. Indoors is eclectically decorated with lots of items to see. Outdoors is an oasis of a dining area. Peaceful, picturesque, and able to transport you out of the hustle and bustle of city life. CLEANLINESS In all my years of coming here, I've never spotted an issue with cleanliness. LOCATION Great location next to the iconic Tower Theater. Lots of parking! PRICE Reasonable for the quality of the food. It seems high for breakfast, $50.41, which includes tax and 20% tip. The reason is because I added two sides, Tower Potatoes at $6, and Applewood Smoked Bacon at $7. Otherwise, without the sides it would have been $33.48 which would include tax and 20% tip. OVERALL EXPERIENCE Usually, awesome! Today much less than awesome.

    French toast
    Clarissa P.

    Honestly there wasn't anything that stood out enough to make us want to come back. The French toast especially was not what I was expecting. Overall, the food wasn't necessarily terrible, but it was nothing special, especially considering how busy the place was. I will say the service was good, and we had no issues with the staff. I just don't think the food itself was worth returning for.

    Gabrielle L.

    Came in Summer on a Saturday this time and forgot how huge the entrees were! Delicious nonetheless with plenty of leftovers to take out after a little food coma *Photos are from the past too

    Eggs Tower
    Victoria E.

    Good amazing service amazing and ambiance amazing. A great place for breakfast lunch or dinner! Family friendly parking galore. Their breakfasts are top notch!

    French toast, huevos rancheros, and Thai steak and eggs
    Shannon C.

    Finally got back to Tower Cafe to try out brunch. A few years ago I came for dinner and enjoyed the Thai steak but of course I got the Thai steak and eggs. It was so so good. The French toast was incredible. The heuvo rancheros were also very tasty. The strawberry matcha had yummy chunks of strawberries. The service was great and the vibes outside were immaculate. Brunch at Tower is a must!

    J B.

    Stopped in two times and the hamburger patty was burnt and under cooked. The service was good And the place is nice.

    Chorizo Con Huevos and Churro French Toast
    Angie L.

    Always have a great time at tower!! We went around 10:30am and were able to get a table outside. We ordered some La Frida mimosas which were really good. For food we ordered chorizo con huevos and churro French toast. The chorizo dish was so delicious and I like how the refried beans are a little bit spicy. The churro French toast was flavorful and moist on the inside. We were interested in some pastries to go, and our server was so kind to go inside to take a picture of the pastry case and let us know what they had available. We ended up picking out a blackberry cream scone (which was so moist and cakey) and a chocolate financier due to the glowing recommendation of the sweet lady sitting next to us (and it was perfectly crispy on the outside and like a gooey brownie on the inside!). Can't wait to come back!!

    My Sister 3/6/26
    Marcia R.

    We really like this Resturant Tower Cafe We all gather after JABA was done. A big Bowling Tournament Japanese American Bowling Assocation it always in March always some State this time Sacramento. Our family in big in bowling To celebrate seeing family at this beautiful cool Resturant we enjoy the cool vibe here is so cute Inside and the patio too is very full of plants and Inviting We met for brunch and the service was great To drinks and food with the French Toast & breakfast dishes & Pozole we were happy the enjoy a good meal together Inside is a very large bar and bakery counter With amazing desserts I love the artwork

    Zillan H.

    This is one of the best places for brunch in Sacramento! My family and friends have been coming here very often over the years, both when I visited Sacramento and since I moved to NorCal. They have the perfect Thai-style steak salad, French toast, and Eggs Benedict. Those are the three dishes we always order every time we visit. The food is very reasonably priced considering the generous portions you get. The atmosphere and ambiance are also very nice. The outdoor area is a relaxing place to wait when the weather is good. They even have outdoor heaters in the winter and water sprinklers in the summer, which I think is very thoughtful. The only downside is the wait. It can take around an hour to get seated, but honestly, I can understand why. The food and service are amazing, and I would always be happy to wait and continue supporting this restaurant.

    Enjoying the shaded patio and relaxing waterfountian.
    Melanie G.

    What a special place!! We sat outside under the shade of mature trees near the water fountain. The menu had so many great options and we loved the Moroccan granola and greek yogurt, French toast and omelette that we ordered. Service was perfect.

    Menu and food
    Ophelia G.

    Definitely I am not recommending this place for dinner. Went their on Saturday 8/22 my daughter picked the place to celebrate her 20th bday never again food was horrible greeter was the best person on this day

    Madame Cristo
    Rich T.

    Overall pretty good brunch. I got the madam cristo with eggs over medium. They turned out over hard but still good. The wait can be pretty long on the weekends as well but worth an extra 20 minutes if you have time to spare.

    Madame Cristo
    Jacob M.

    Tower Cafe is one of the pillars of Sacramento, a longtime fixture in the city's zeitgeist. People understandably love it. It's been years since I've been, mainly because of the long wait times and no reservations on weekends. As a planner, I gravitate toward places where I can make a reservation. However, it was a special occasion, so we committed to it on a holiday weekend. The wait was estimated at 1.5 hours for a party of 7, but it ended up being closer to 40 minutes, which honestly wasn't bad at all. The patio and waiting area are gorgeous and make the wait worth it on a beautiful day. Great shade from the trees, solid service, and a really nice ambiance overall. The menu is massive with a little bit of everything and huge portions, so it's quite hard to decide. I settled on the Madame Cristo because it sounded decadent and somewhere between lunch and breakfast, which felt perfect for brunch. And decadent it was. The cheesy ham and béchamel blended into this super rich, fatty bite balanced by the French toast it was sandwiched between. The eggs on top were almost overkill, but still a welcome addition for some protein. The chipotle raspberry jam was surprisingly good too, almost like a smoky raspberry salsa that added sweetness and helped cut through some of the richness. The potatoes were standard and nothing to write home about. It was definitely a lot, but pretty good and exactly what you expect from a brunch spot like this. I'm not going to say the food is mind-blowing, but it's solid and they have unique dishes, great vibes, and something for everyone to enjoy. Nice to see that Tower Cafe is still doing well after all these years and remains a great place to celebrate special occasions.

    bloody mary and mestizo tamarindo

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    26 days ago

    Was there a few years ago....Like the place the service was great and the food was also great.

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    Tower Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tower Cafe

    Is it kid friendly?

    Yes, it's very kid friendly. They are also pet friendly with outside dining.

    Do they have misters on the patio?

    I didn't see any

    Do they allow dogs at patio seating?

    No. We tried to bring our dog there for outdoor seating last year and they said no dogs.

    Do they take reservations?

    Not on weekends. They consider Friday a weekend day also, so essentially, no reservations on Fri, Sat or Sun.

    How do you make a reservation?

    They don't take reservations.

    Do they offer bottomless mimosas with brunch?

    No they don't

    Do they take reservations?

    No advance reservations. You show up and, if a table's not available immediately, they take your name and phone number and text you when they're ready.

    I've called numerous times too and you cannot leave a message either . It says mailbox full?

    That's the only downside for this amazing place - it's super busy! You have to head over there and put your party on the list. Trust me, it's worth the wait!

    Do they ever answer the phone? I've tried to place to-go order and all I get is a continuous busy signal. For weeks. Curious is anyone ever gets their call answered.

    When we went there a couple of weeks ago I heard the hostess say they were having quite some difficulty with their phone line for a while now. Not sure if it's been repaired since then. They also seem super busy during brunch hours, especially on… 

    Are dogs allowed?

    I called last month and was told me dogs were not allowed inside or outside.

    Is this place allergy friendly?

    They have the presence (or not) of many major allergens listed on their menu for each food item (but I'm pretty sure they weren't all there, just some). Wheat and milk are definitely on there, I can't remember which of the others are.

    Do they stop serving their famous French toast after a certain time?

    Weekdays until 11am and weekends until 3pm

    Is this establishment wheelchair accessible?

    Yes

    Is breakfast served all day?

    no, its not

    Do they have there regular desserts back?

    Yes, they have all of the classics: Napoleon, whole cakes, etc in the glass display case next to the bar!

    Are they open?

    They moved the opening date to June 2021

    When will Tower cafe reopen?

    July 12, 2021!!!

    Is it true this place is permanently closing?

    No On their website they say temporarily closing with that it's been open for 30 years in fact I was there the day it opened and I was doing massage on People💗

    Is the restaurant closed permanently?

    No...just temporary because of the COVID19

    What's the average wait on a Sunday at noon for 2?

    I would say like 15-20 minutes if you just say you don't care if it's inside or outside

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    Adamo's - Octopus

    Adamo's

    4.3(1k reviews)
    0.9 miMidtown
    $$

    Delicious, classic Italian restaurant in downtown Sacramento. Lovely service. Overview: I would…read moreabsolutely come here again to eat. I recommend you do to. The Standouts: * Oh my goodness get that octopus dish back in my mouth. Wow, I can't describe adequately the unique texture they were able to get on it, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. There was a generous helping of garlic sauce which came with it and the potatoes that were on the side were also fantastic. Easily the best dish of the night. * The Ravioli was also delicious. It comes with a herby, earthy pesto on top and a delightful balance of cheese filling. * Lovely selection of Italian drinks including alcoholic and NA options * Interesting bruschetta flight - 4 pieces of toast each with a different type of topping. The onion Jam and pesto ones stood out to me. The Improvement Points: * The AC was not working very well when we were there. It got pretty toasty in the dining room given that it was a Sacramento summer day. I would love to see the AC back up and running next time. * The Carbonara, while nice, was not a standout in my opinion. They have a carbonara, they do it well enough, but nothing particularly special - light on the guanciale. * Location is certainly loud. Just the way the dining room is designed, no problem with the experience. Just be prepared to listen and speak up a little for dinner.

    The theme of today's meal was unfortunately S A L T…read more The Octopus appetizer was the best part of the meal. The yukon gold potatoes were amazingly crispy with a nice bite to the skin. The inside was pillow-y soft, and when mixed with the salsa verde was full of flavor with a fabulous punch of garlic. The salsa verde could be put over a nice flank steak and it would absolutely kill. That said, the octopus was a bit *too* crispy. I felt I had to really chew to get it down, and I just wanted a nice snappy skin for some textural juxtaposition. For my entree, I got the Bolognese which was definitely full of salt. The pasta was wonderfully thin and bouncy, but I feel the chef may have had an off-day. My friend and I had to down like multiple cups of water with our meal which made it hard to enjoy. Plus, the garlic bread felt like biting into a brick. The inside was quite fluffy and soft, but the crust was simply too crispy. I almost felt like my teeth were going to give way. Honestly, I can't in good faith recommend this place to my friends, so neither would I recommend it to you. (aside from the pasta classes)

    Photos
    Adamo's - Interior

    Interior

    Adamo's - Bolognese

    Bolognese

    Adamo's - Bruschetta Appetizer!

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    Bruschetta Appetizer!

    Ella Dining Room and Bar - Whole Chilled Lobster

    Ella Dining Room and Bar

    4.1(2.4k reviews)
    1.2 miDowntown
    $$$
    Available by appointment
    Romantic vibe

    BEST. DINNER. EVER…read more Picture This: We are one of those obnoxious couples who have the audacity to hold hands and sit on the same side during dinner. Maybe steal a kiss. Yep. That's us. We arrived at Ella just before our 9:15 reservation and were promptly sat at a beautiful table. And wow, this table was gorgeous! The beautiful design of the space keeps your eyes entertained on every level. Both beauty and intrigue. It is a feast for the eyes before you get to the actual feast. However, we were hoping for a more intimate date experience so we asked for somewhere a little more secluded. Without hesitation, we were moved to another, equally beautiful table. Enter Kelly and Hunter. These two help to make our evening even more spectacular. The ambience was perfect. We started with their signature cocktail, gin and tonic with their homemade tonic and a martini. Hey-ooo! Dang that was a good drink. And efficient ;) We moved onto the heirloom tomato starter. Here is where I realized it started to get a little difficult. I was trying to look polished and refined, and really, you could've licked the plate. My handsome man is a vegetarian so he got the Barada spaghetti. I'm assuming he liked it because he ate every last bite. That, and he told me it was delicious. I ordered the lobster risotto. I have a hard time with food that looks too pretty to eat. But, I stopped staring at the beauty of the plate once the delicious smell rose in the air. Best risotto I've ever had. Hands-down. Makes a second place look pretty sad. No dessert but that can be remedied the next time we visit. We ended up having one of those dates where we ordered the appetizer and an hour later we hadn't finished it because we were still talking. I realized we hadn't even finished our appetizer course and yet, the restaurant was almost empty. When Hunter came by to refill the waters, I apologized that we hadn't even started eating yet and asked what time they closed. Hunter proceeded to provide the most amazing interaction. Making eye contact with both of us, he very kindly explained how they wanted this dinner to be an utterly unique experience and not worry. That we are here to enjoy ourselves in this beautiful restaurant so drink in every moment. And so we did. Kelly was awesome. We chatted for a bit about the musical tattoos on her hands. Just kind and sincere. Incredibly diligent service. At no time was I in need of anything. Waters were kept full, table kept cleared, food served exactly on time. It's a well oiled machine underneath the vibrant atmosphere. The food was spectacular. The ambience was one of a kind. A feast at every level. PS - I'm positive the open kitchen in the back would've been fun to watch, if I could have peeled my eyes off of who was in front of me.

    Not our first time going to Ella, but this time I walked out feeling the need to leave a review…read more Ella is still one of the finer dining experiences in Sacramento, not doubt about it. However, when we let our server know that we were not pleased with the lobster risotto because it was under-seasoned, his solution was to bring us salt and pepper and explained that customers do find their food to be under-seasoned. Well that was not the case for the two other dishes we ordered. There was no remaking or comping. I had to season the dish on the table. On top of that, my daughter let the server know that she had peanut allergies. When one of the sides were served, there were peanuts on it. My daughter saw it and avoided it, but the server did not tell the kitchen to not put peanuts on it or warn us about it. He later on came to say oh I forgot to tell you that there's peanuts on this dish. There was no damage done. But there could be.

    Photos
    Ella Dining Room and Bar - Ella Caesar Salad

    Ella Caesar Salad

    Ella Dining Room and Bar - The Real Gin & Tonic

    The Real Gin & Tonic

    Ella Dining Room and Bar - Oysters on the Half Shell

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    Oysters on the Half Shell

    Historic Star Lounge - Hashbrowns Lyonnaise

    Historic Star Lounge

    4.4(299 reviews)
    1.5 miMidtown
    $$$

    Having not been here in over a year, there have been a lot of changes! 1. No more happy hour food…read more2. You cannot walk up the wooden stairs to the third floor 3. Definitely new management! As for the food: 1. The grilled shrimp were nice and firm and well grilled. Enjoyed them a lot 2. The hash brown fries were pretty unique and definitely a must get. It comes with a nice creamy sauce that you want to dip everything in. Only criticism is the prices. Didn't really order a lot of food with two appetizers, but I paid two main entree type prices for them. Were that great? Definitely! Just be aware up front if this is a factor.

    Great food great drinks and above and beyond service! The place is beautiful and sophisticated…read more For my first drink I ordered a martini. This is my first classic martini (unlike lychee martinis I've had before at other places). My server asked how I like it, with olive juice or with lemon twist or another option I don't remember. To be honest I don't know how I like it because it's is my first classic martini. So I was honest with him. I said I'll do whatever you recommend because I wanted to try a classic martini cuz I've been watching Gossip Girl. I felt silly admitting I wanted a martini because of a tv show. But my server actually did his research and found that Blair (a main character in the show) likes her martini with a lemon twist. And that is the martini I got. He brought frozen glass and poured the drink on the spot. It was such a vibe and a great drink. For food I got the grilled prawns. This dish is delicious and goes so well with my martini! For my second drink I got the shiso fresh. I was debating between two drinks and asked my server for suggestions. He is absolutely right with this recommendation. Shiso fresh is refreshing and sweet but not too sweet. I loved it. Service is wonder and drinks are tasty. I can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    Historic Star Lounge - Rich interior with high ceilings

    Rich interior with high ceilings

    Historic Star Lounge - Whole roasted game hen

    Whole roasted game hen

    Historic Star Lounge - Lovely interior

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    Lovely interior

    Citizen Capitol Craft House - Espresso martini

    Citizen Capitol Craft House

    4.4(104 reviews)
    1.3 miDowntown
    $$

    I have to say the food was good. The smash burger was a hit. The ribeye was a little lacking in…read moreflavor and thickness - lol. But the veggies were good. Their devil eggs were ok. The service was decent. They did forget to tell us about happy hour until we had ordered - but no worries. The space is well organized. Lots of dark woods and comfortable leather. There is a nice big bar in the middle of the space. Large selection of libations. My cocktail was very tasty - a rye and brandy mix.

    When I tell you these portions are huge, yall, I mean HUGE!…read more I ordered the fish and chips and it was honestly enough for 3 meals! I couldn't believe it. My dad got the jambalaya and couldn't finish his - which is insanely rare for him. We started with the crab cakes to share and our food came out almost immediately after the crab cakes were served - it was A LOT of food at once! But it was all delicious so no complaints here! The fish was perfectly battered and their fries were absolutely delectable - both the fries and fish were perfect GBD. I tried a happy hour margarita which was good, very standard happy hour marg. My dad ordered a specialty beer which is definitely the way to go at this craft house. Our waitress was lovely, incredibly friendly. The restaurant itself is very cool - black seats and tables for a more intimate ambiance. They have great happy hour options so I would definitely take advantage of those!

    Photos
    Citizen Capitol Craft House
    Citizen Capitol Craft House - Back few days later for this

    Back few days later for this

    Citizen Capitol Craft House - Espresso martini, house margarita

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    Espresso martini, house margarita

    Tower Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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