Café Brio

VERY PRICEY Got a $17 salad. Less than a cup of lettuce, a quarter avocado, sliced strawberries and walnuts. Pretty disappointed.

Brunch for two cost over $50. They tried to charge me $3 for dipping sauce, and most of their food is eggs and potatoes. A 5oz burger is almost $20, and a $4 drink is 2oz.

I've been here many times over the last few years and it's not a terrible experience when they get your order right. After a few visits I would have rated this 4 or 5 stars easily. I seem to have more frustrating experiences than pleasant ones anymore. I've read many reviews of people waiting too long for their food and that has happened to me as well. I've seen people get angry and dump their plate of food in the garbage when trying to deal with the cashiers - who are already swamped with a line to the door.

Today was the tipping point for me where I don't think i'll even bother going back. I've had a few experiences when ordering their Ham and Cheese Croissants. I've been handed a bag with a cold croissant when it was requested to be heated up. I've ordered two croissants to go and received one in a bag, one on a plate to eat there (easy fix luckily). Today I ordered the croissant and a coffee. After 15 minutes I had finished my coffee and there was no croissant in sight. They were busy (as always) so I just wanted to check on the order. I talk to the cashier and she asks how long I've been waiting. She disappears into the back to go check. I sit back down and wait another 15 minutes before going back to the counter. This time I'm told that they lost the ticket with my order and asked if i wanted anything out of the case in addition to my croissant. At least they offered that. I was then handed a bag with a cold croissant in it. At this point my friends were ready to go and I didn't want to bother reminding them that it was ordered to be heated up. I ended up taking it home and cooking it in the oven, telling my friends that it was just a plate of disappointment. I wish this had been the first time I went through this at Cafe Brio.

Their coffee and food is good, their service is not. I understand being overwhelmingly busy but it doesn't make it ok to lose orders and forget about your customers on a seemingly regular basis. It bums me out that I won't be going back there because I do like the atmosphere and the food/coffee.

The food is average and the experience is disappointing. You have to order at the counter and pay right away INCLUDING the tip, before you receive any service at all. Our food took about an hour to come out. My daughter’s hamburger was about 3” in diameter for about $16. The “service” didn’t even check on us, didn’t offer water refills and didn’t bother to explain the delay. We were a captive audience otherwise we would have left. Not recommended

Great food, great service. The only downside is it's a bit too popular, and a bit pricey. That said it's worth ducking your head in to see if the line is too long there are lots of nearby options if you are in a hurry. They take forever to prepare food so go for the prepared stuff if you are in a hurry.

A savvy place to sip on some warm drinks and strike up conversation with friends. I had the quiche here, and I do admit it was a little burnt, but it was a generation slice for the amount paid. I think next time I'll have to try something from their dessert case!

Best coffee I have ever had in my life. Made individually, drip-style. Friendly staff. Do not expect your order quickly!

Every pastry is heavenly, but they never friggin have the meusli!

Best coffee in Arcata by far. The food is a bit pricey, but always good. My only complaint has always been their lack of ability to poach an egg properly for their poached egg dishes. Otherwise I love their coffee, bread, pastries and service.

Great iced coffee and friendly staff.
It was packed at lunchtime.

They have expanded and improved the cafe and it is quite charming. More table umbrellas would be nice as it was sunny and hot at the outdoor section.

I am a biased reviewer of this establishment, as my sister is the pastry chef here and has been working here for a decade. I love the concept of Brio, and from my most un-biased perspective, I think they have a great dedication to the locavore spirit.

As I have heard from behind the counter, many of the fruits and vegetables are purchased fresh and locally from small growers. I also happen to be a vegan, and (perhaps partially) thanks to my influence, they now have a seasonal vegan cupcake option. If it's "in season", the peanut butter cupcake is incredible. I do wish that there were a few more vegan breakfast options, but if the local consumers ask for it, I'm sure Brio will deliver.

Brio also has wonderful coffee. I'm the type of customer who typically won't bother ordering something if it isn't good, and I have had their soymilk lattes repeatedly (add the caramel -- it's coincidentally vegan and house made!)

Definitely a gem of a cafe with a great location and a wonderful spirit.