John Street Cafe Reviews

We arrived just as they were transitioning from breakfast to lunch, so had our choice of both menus. There were so many great options it was hard to decide, but we all eventually enjoyed our meals -- tacos, pancakes, and salad. It's a nice, cozy place with good service and great food. It was a Saturday, so we could also enjoy the large Farmer's Market nearby.

O.K. here's the scoop. We were actually looking for a different breakfast spot in St. John's but got confused as one would have a tendency to do when sleeping on a floor in your son's new house which you spent to entire day cleaning so he could move in and start summer school at University of Portland. ANYWAY....I am so happy because in our sleep deprived state we landed in omelette heaven at John Street Cafe! The atmosphere is sparse and cool, the breakfast devine.

Breakfast expertly prepared. Tender scrambled eggs, thick bacon, hearty toast, flavorful roasted potatoes. Be sure to check the specials. Lots of omelets to choose from. There was a line, but it moved quickly. Good veggie options too.

Good food always. Open for breakfast and lunch. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Outdoor dining in the summer.

Truly enjoyed this quaint spot for breakfast from the fresh squeezed orange juice to a perfect quiche with red roasted potatoes. Red raspberry jam was the perfect touch to whole wheat toast. reasonable value, good service Pleasant atmosphere just right.

The decor and atmosphere at this place was terribly depressing. Sparse. Dark. Service was very impersonal (strange for such a small place) and just didn't reflect any pride in the place. And service was very very very very very slow. Food came out lukewarm- was it sitting there forever? But, I will say the food seemed like it would be really tasty if it were hot. All the dishes were far above average. The cooks here are onto something but need better servers and a total redesign to the place.

John Street has a great breakfast menu and food, and friendly service. The back garden is fabulous; we love to sit among the plants on weekend mornings for breakfast. It's a little pricey, but we usually end up taking some home for later which feels like a "two-fer". Good coffee and good home fries, and the egg dishes are great.

What a wonderful place to enjoy a breakfast, brunch or lunch -- thoughtful, patient and friendly service and fresh and perfectly cooked food. Be sure to check their numerous daily specials on the board as you are perusing the menu. We've eaten here several times and no matter what we order, it's delicious. One of our favorite places to eat!

We had Sunday morning breakfast here. If you have not been before, there is a small notepad just inside the door that you need to write down your name and the number in your party. When we were waiting for our table a group who didn't know that found out when another group arrived and signed in ahead of them. (Bit of a jerk move on the second group's part in my opinion). Service was not fast but the food was good. I had the Bacavo omelette which was good. Another in our party had a corned beef hash that they really liked. Another ordered the pancake special which was huge and could have easily been split with another person. Atmosphere is laid back and the place is kid friendly. Just don't expect to be in and out quickly on a weekend morning.

We had a very delicious lunch here. The waitress was super nice and the Mozart music was the nicest little detail here. Thank you!

We were off to a bad start when the menus were coffee stained and creased sheets of paper. The food was not awful, just not worthy of the prices. My vegetarian burger was just ordinary and bland.. Mom's clam chowder and our friend's potato leek soup were bland and of very strange texture. Not soup-like, but like lumps of food in a thick gravy. Like so many modern restaurants, the decor is completely hardscape and it is a small space, so the noise level made conversation difficult. We won't return.

I have been looking for a groovy breakfast house in St John's and here it is. The omelets are simply amazing. Both my son and I got one, he the marinated chicken omelet and I had the special of the day which was a Cajun rock shrimp omelet. They were both delicious! Mine was just the right spicy and plenty of shrimp was swimming in there. His was savory and full of chicken, they were both fluffy and generous. As the French do, if you can judge a chef by his omelet then the John Street cafe passes with flying colors. Both my son and I don't eat potato or bread so we were able to get the omelets ala cart, which saved us some money. We both had a fruit bowl with our omelet and they were beautiful and delicious. We sat in the back in their garden, and it was lush with carefully tended plants and private. It was downright enchanting, I highly recommend sitting back there. The service was perfect. Another bonus is we didn't have to wait for a table on Sunday at noon. WOOT! Two thumbs up, way up for the John's street cafe.

Great choice for b/fast. Coffee and build your own omelette make an excellent meal. Sitting in the garden patio completes the picture. Service is really with a smile. Enjoy.

I have tried at least 5 different times, and each time the food was good, and even if we had to wait for a place to sit, it didn't take too long. I see this as an indicator that many others feel the same about their good food and good service.

John Street Cafe is still a solid bet for breakfast. While not quite as good as when under the prior ownership - almost 100% of the original wait staff, and their art, are gone - this is still a solid breakfast. Hopefully they'll continue to work out the ownership transfer kinks.

Just perfect. Food was delicious! Quick to be seated. Excellent service. Comfortable surroundings. Fast food from the kitchen. We will come back again.

The calzone is amazing! The shaved brussel sprout salad was on the he house courtesy of the lovely hostess Eliza A rainy afternoon was warmed by a great Syrah Cool, hip surroundings

We've been fans of John Street Cafe ever since it opened and before that the earlier restaurant ventureTabor Hill Cafe which was also immensely popular during the time it was operated by the current John Street owners. John Street Cafe produces world class omelets with a variety of traditional as well as inspired and different combinations. On weekends the Special Board often features Corned Beef Hash which is the best I've ever had: hands down, the best. Nothing out of a can here. Freshly shredded corned beef with potatoes, red peppers and topped with two perfectly poached eggs. The best. On weekends there can be a reasonably short wait, perhaps 15-20 minutes. But owner/host Jamie is quick to provide you with a steaming cup of coffee while you wait. And, its worth the wait. John Street is the perfect small, owner operated with pride and personality Portland restaurant. Its a bit off the beaten path in St Johns but worth the short trip to sample the delicious offerings. You will not be disappointed.

This is a very quaint restaurant tucked into the heart of St. John's. It has a great local vibe, friendly service and really good food. It's a great place to meet friends for breakfast!

We live a matter of blocks from the John St Cafe and it's wonderful to have it so close. In the colder and wetter seasons its a great place for a warming breakfast. On fine days it's a treat to spend an hour in the beautifully landscaped garden space. The servers are efficient, warm, and helpful and the food is consistently good and reasonably priced. All-round a great experience.

After three weeks of travel we had our best breakfast in this tiny corner of Portland, Oregon. The John Street Cafe in the St John's Neighborhood was a welcome surprise. My husband and I shared an omelette and a pancake (see photo) and it was more than enough. The food was delicious and the service polite. We have already returned for breakfast again and have found the food and service to be consistent.

Family breakfast began with a bedecked Bloody Mary served by the most accommodating Katie The flapjack apple pancake with filberts was the best I ever had All omelets sampled were outstanding Sunny and super vibe

First time at John's café Great Food service was Great nice family place Great menu selection can't wait to go back and the Bacon was a top 5 my grandkids and Family Loved it Thanks

We've been going to John Street for breakfast for 3 years and are always happy with the food. My only complaint has been when the seats fill up before we get there. The wait can be long as atmosphere is relaxed and the food is worth savoring. In good weather, grab a seat in the garden where even your dog is welcomed with a fresh bowl of water. Kids are treated to a new toy as they wait, which makes for more fun and laughs. The huge old fig tree offers shade and if possible, the food tastes even better outdoors. My favorite item is the fluffy bacavo omelette w/bleu cheese, ovenbaked potatoes and the best toast and homemade jam in town! Pancake and omlette specials are available every day. One recent special was cherry w/filbert, dinner plate sized , yet light, cakes with cherry halves and cracked nuts. Heavenly! Go early as seating is limited but you will be glad you did.

There's no better place in Portland for breakfast. They always have an irresistible omelet special, but the fallback is the Bacavo omelet (Bacon and Avocado.) Also love the Filbert pancakes. Lunch there is excellent, too.

This is a great place for hearty breakfasts and great luncheon choices. I am gluten free and they are very sensitive and helpful. I had crab omelette and it was excellent. Can make sandwiches with excellent Gluten free bread. Simple place but friendly service and relaxed, non rush ambiance.

We had a good experience here, having found the cafe a couple of hundred metres back from the beach area. Great home cooked slices & cakes, just perfect for coffee, snacks or lunch.

This little hidden gem is wonderful. The coffee was hot, rich and flavorful. Staff were attentive. Teens LOVED the breakfast burritos. Their bravacado omelet was a great new pairing of flavors. The roasted potatoes were perfectly done and the wheat toast was a delight as was the jam. I only wish I lived closer, but will remember to plan future trips to the area around meal times because I was full and delighted all day!

Our daughter suggested this cafe for breakfast outdoors in the back yard which had no ambience at all. The food was delicious but the servings were huge and too much for someone who does not not eat breakfast very often. It was expensive for 4 adults - about US$85 or A$120 and it wasn't The Hilton Hotel ! The service was great but the food was not value for money and for those on a budget it's probably one to avoid.

Want a hearty breakfast or brunch? This is the place to come. Special omelette and fresh squeezed orange juice. Bring a good appetite as portions are generous. Staff is friendly.

My favorite place for breakfast or lunch in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. An expansion about a year ago has greatly reduced wait times during peak periods. There is also an attractive outdoor seating area during good weather. On-street parking is usually available within a short distance. I have been eating here for many years and have never had an unsatisfactory meal. The food is very good and the portions are large. I usually ask them to use 2 eggs for the omelets instead of 3. The menu rarely changes, which some people might like and others might not, but it's ok with me because I think all of the items are consistently well-prepared. But there are always some specials of the day. The menu items are not cheap, but they are commensurate with the quality of the food. The owner, Jamie, is always on hand and enjoys talking with customers, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I really can't think of anything about this restaurant to criticize.

My wife and I have been regulars of John Street ever since we lived in N Portland. Even when we moved to the east coast, one weekend when we came back to Portland for a wedding, we made a point of having breakfast here. Now that we've moved back, it's the perfect breakfast date restaurant with my wife. My personal breakfast favorite is the spinach and bacon omelette. The fruit cup (with summer seasonal fruit) is pretty amazing too. The food quality in the kitchen is absolutely top-notch.

We stopped in on our way out to Sauvie Island. The breakfast was delicious, from the creative menu, to the fresh ingredients. The ambiance was quiet and pleasant, the service was attentive . . . we will be back!

It was an amazing experience when I first went there. I cannot stop thinking about how delicious everything is that I've tried so far. I cannot wait to go back and try something else.

Breakfasts are wonderful and the eclectic mix of diners is refreshing. My girls are now 16 and nearly 18, but we have been going since they were little and would receive a hot-washed Gumby to play with while waiting for the food.

Great place in st. John's area of North Portland. Tried the bacon spinach mushroom omelet which was terrific and large. Comes with toast and roasted potatoes. They have a split plate allowance for those with smaller appetites. Coffee was also great. Service was great.

Great neighborhood hangout in St Johns! Yummy food , friendly service, fair prices. Will be back for sure!

Nestled away in a strip of unassuming stores and shops is John Street Cafe in Portland OR. This hidden Gem restaurant is a local hot spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch in the St. John’s area. On this visit in which I was joined by colleagues from the local EVRAZ I decided on a homemade soup to try and the Blackened Red Snapper Salad which was a fantastic dish for a lunch. Filled with fresh veggies and thinly shaved cheese and a very light dressing and of course a perfect portion of red snapper, not enough to give you a food coma but just enough to know you had something to eat. All in all a great lunch and affordably priced. The St.Johns area in Portland is known for its eclectic food scene with many little Ma-and-Pa places serving all kinds of different cuisines, definitely worth checking out if you’re exploring the local food scene in Portland.

Had Sunday brunch here with friends. Wait was quite long even to order our food. My hot chocolate arrived luke warm, as was our egg dishes. However, the food was excellent!! Green chile omelet was delicious.