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“Great place”
Review of Cafe Aroma

Cafe Aroma
Ranked #1 of 30 Restaurants in Idyllwild
Price range: $30 - $60
Cuisines: American, Italian, Fusion
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Good for: Local cuisine, Special occasions, Romantic
Dining options: Dinner, Late Night, Breakfast, Lunch, Reservations, Takeout
Description: Once upon a time, high up a big mountain in the middle of a great forest there was a small cabin. This cabin was not your typical cabin. This cabin was somehow (against all probability) a fully functioning restaurant. How this cabin came to be a restaurant is unknown, perhaps sorcery or sheer, stubborn willpower made it so. Now small cabins don't typically hold restaurants, but that's what makes Cafe Aroma special, odd, and wonderful - it is that magic that surrounds the place. So while you gather over a meal, perhaps you remark that typically cabins do not become restaurants, and know that's why we do things a little bit differently, because truly we have limitations most restaurants do not. Gather friends & be welcome!
Reviewed February 8, 2013

The delicious lunch was served on a sunlite deck next to a mellow live singing duo by a great waiter,Russell, and the cost was reasonable I'd say we would go backin a heartbeat

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Thank thepikester
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (588)
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422 - 426 of 588 reviews

Reviewed February 3, 2013

My husband and I ate here during our second trip to Idyllwild. The service was wonderful, and the atmosphere was vibrant. Two local musicians were playing and even though the place was packed, we didn't feel neglected or cramped. The food was good, nothing overly spectacular, but tasty. Cafe Aroma pays a great deal of Homage to their local musical Hero, Idol finalist, Casey Abrams. They even have a plaque hanging over Abrams' favorite seat. It truly gives visitors a vision of the pride this little town takes in their own. Would definitely recommend Cafe Aroma :)

Date of visit: February 2013
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Thank afairywhisper09
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed February 3, 2013 via mobile

Cafe Aroma is a must if you are in Idyllwild! But this is no secret, so definitely call ahead for reservations. And allow time for parking (possibly a little walk away) as their parking lot is small and frequently overflowing.

The food is impeccable and the service was excellent. Chris helped immeasurably to navigate the menu with respect to some pesky food allergies.

We had the wedge salad - crisp, fresh. The warm bread was delightful. The coffee spice rubbed ribeye steak with GARLIC mashed potatoes and broccoli was fabulous and cooked to perfection. The rigatoni with portabello mushrooms was very tasty. We finished up with an exquisite slice of apple pie topped with an apple-cinnamon glaze/sauce that was divine.

We took advice from a previous review and asked for a warm inside table when we made our reservation and were seated in front of the fire with happy warm results (as it was quite chilly outside).

We have only eaten dinner here, but were told by one of the locals that breakfast is quite good here, too. (They also have a lunch menu.)

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Thank EGlencoe
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 7, 2013

Nice ambiance, good food.Try to get a table away from the door in winter. Often have musicians playing.

Date of visit: December 2012
Thank daveatglendora
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed January 3, 2013

I visited Cafe Aroma during the holidays, and was quite impressed with the food. Somehow Cafe Aroma pulls off sophisticated and rustic at the same time, it's popularity evident by a frequent lack of available tables. But the food is worth waiting for, and I highly recommend the salmon sandwich. Also, try the lavender soda, it's really fun!

Date of visit: December 2012
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Thank ilovecomfort
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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