- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Alana's Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Event Planning & Services Caterers Breakfast & Brunch, Caterers [Edit]
1408 Burlingame AveBurlingame, CA 94010
(650) 348-0417
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 3 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 8:30 pm
Fri 5 pm - 9 pm
Sat 8 am - 3 pm
Sun 8 am - 2 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
244 reviews for Alana's Cafe
Review Highlights
-
"oatmeal pancakes are always amazing." In 80 reviews -
"and i love how coffee cake is a bread choice." In 39 reviews -
"...hearts, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil and provolone cheese." In 3 reviews
Loading...
- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
244 reviews in English
-
Review from Jane S.
San Diego, CA
This place is HEAVENLY. any place that provides you with watermelon, grapefruit, and blackberries as their side of fruit wins in my books. I hate when I get melon and grapes, but this place had top notch fresh fruit to top off the amazingly delicious California scramble I got. Plus, I gave them ridiculously hard instructions, added crazy stuff to my order, and asked for it in a very specific way, and they succeeded. Also a plus that I got 10% off by checking in on Yelp.
All around heaven.Listed in: i hate breakfast, BUT
-
Review from Julia K.
4/18/2012
LOVE the swedish oatmeal pancakes!
One order came with a stack of 3 flapjacks with a side of lingonberry sauce (there were other choices, but of course I would choose the most unique one). The pancakes themselves were SO filling and had a lot of oatmeal in them which was much appreciated.
The waitress was very attentive, which was something I was worried about since we sat outside, but service was excellent.
They offer outdoor seating (two small tables) which was nice because I was allowed to have my dog sit outside with me and bask in the sun while I munched my way into another food coma.
I'd come back if I were in the area :)
Parking is easy and plentiful. -
Review from Jon F.
San Mateo County, CA
4/5/2012 9 Check-ins Here
I frequent Alana's pretty often, and these have been my favorites...
Breakfast / Brunch / Lunch: Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes with all condiment options (lingonberry, banana, 100% maple, etc.)
Dinner: great fish tacos (non-breaded)!
They also make some pretty nice espresso concoctions =)
The staff at Alana's is Incredibly friendly, and they'll have you feeling like a regular in no time. -
Review from Lovi H.
Burlingame, CA
3/26/2012
Big wast of time. Twice.
I don't really get the big deal about this place. Maybe Burlingame just doesn't have very good restaurants, but I found this brunch spot to be quite a disappointment. I have paid my dues in waits at other restaurants and have always been thrilled, but it is not worth it for Alana's. The orange ceylon iced tea is amazing. The scones are cold, dense, and average. The coffee is mass produced. The recipes are decent for the egg dishes but what you could do in your own kitchen would come out better.
I just don't get it. It seems to be just a hair above an average diner quality breakfast food selection and execution.
I would skip it. -
Review from Ingrid C.
2/28/2012 7 Check-ins Here
This place is the original Alana's Cafe - the Redwood City location is a second location, and they get their delicious pancake batters made here, anyways!
This place is a classic coffee shop, complete with dining counter. I like the dining counter, and the view of the grill. Charmingly smallish.
I love Lupe, who encourages the additional indulgences of their oh-so-yummy oatmeal pancakes with lingonberry sauce, chicken apple sausage, and coffee cake.
Quintessential neighborhood breakfast stop.Listed in: Brunchy Munchies
-
Review from Sjw-rx W.
San Mateo, CA
4/26/2012
This place is simply delicious. I love how cozy it feels and the staff are so respectful and professional. The menu is perfect. I love the swedish oatmeal pancakes, eggs, and more...only down side is it's slightly on the pricey side like 10-25% too high, maybe?
-
Review from Stefanie S.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2012
Brunch is always more delicious when you have great company! So bf, 2 friends, and I went to Alana's for brunch this past Sunday. It is really cute in there! I think we were there around 10:30 and sat maybe no more than 10 minutes later.
BF and I shared the oatmeal pancakes (yum!!) and an omelette. The omelette wasn't too special, actually kind of small for the price. Oatmeal pancake was my favorite!! Anyway, portions are dinky for brunch style food and it didn't "wow" me very much.
The ladies working here are soooo sweet and welcoming! Even if you're not a morning person you would definitely be happy walking in and feel slightly sad by leaving.
I think I compare Alana's to Mamas in SF. Go to Alana's if you're hungry -- easier to find parking and line isn't as long. Table turnover is rather fast. -
Review from Gary K.
Gales Ferry, CT
Updated - 4/29/2012
The Oatmeal Pancakes are out of this world. The service was out standing
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
8/31/2011
Great oatmeal pancakes and the service was outstanding Read more »
-
-
Review from Juan M.
San Mateo, CA
3/13/2012
Just as the fragrance comes in small packages!
This little coffee shop restaurant area is very good, the food is excellent, the attention is great and very welcoming. Another thing, Tell the waitress that you searched for this place in Yelp and get 10% discount.
.... Delicious! -
Review from V B.
Burlingame, CA
Updated - 2/19/2012 10 Check-ins Here
I might regret this review later.
A long long time ago, in a Southern Californian neighborhood an awkward adventure took place.......
DUN DUNNN DUN DUN DUNN DUNNN...
I was 15 and my friends sister hooked my friend and I up to be invited to an adult party that would be filled with older HOT women.
Anaheim Hills, Ca. The original bastion of conservative thought and sex crazed teens are thrust in the middle of a party that we had no business being part of. We were in the area for a long weekend and playing in a baseball tournament. But baseball was the furthest thing from my mind. We were at a party filled with older women and drinking ALCOHOL. I am going to get so lucky.
My friend and I were not at the party for even 10 minutes when I met Brooke. An older "experienced" lady who knew the the ways of the world. She was 25 and way out of my league. But for some odd reason took a liking to me. We took a seat on a large sectional couch in a dark corner of the living room.
This is not only getting good, this is getting HOT.
Here I am, 15 and sitting down next to a hot "older" 25 year old. She then proceeds to tell me that she has her own studio apartment in Fullerton and asks if I would like to check it out.
Wha?
I remember it like it was yesterday. Brooke was wearing a purple satin(y) blouse and black pants. She had short dark hair and green eyes and I was going SCORE! She scoots closer to me and ummm well have you ever seen Forest Gump? You know that scene where when Forest is in his girlfriends dorm and he umm "gumped"? Ok, you now know where I am coming from....no pun attended.
My head is spinning a million miles an hour and can barely even concentrate on what she is saying.
OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!
Brooke leans in and places her hand on my knee and out of the blue says "Tell me something naughty that you have done and I will tell you something in return".
THINKABOUTBASEBALL THINKABOUTBASEBALL THINKABOUTBASEBALL !!
And what do I respond with?
"When I was in Jr High, I had to go really bad and I did it in the girls bathroom"
You could have heard a pin drop in my brain. Did that really just come out of my mouth?
I seriously felt like every single person in the room stopped talking and was starring at me.
My first attempt at "Hot Chat" didn't quite go to plan, and neither did my first breakfast at Alana's go so well. My dad (the crazy rock climber) and I came in yesterday and had an amazing perfectly cooked to order breakfast just yesterday morning. It takes practice I suppose, or maybe you just tell them what you want and leave the 7th grade bathroom details out of it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
12/16/2010
I am friends with a 50 year old virgin.
It's not what you think, he is 50 and a Virgin, but really… Read more »
-
-
Review from Alan C.
Burlingame, CA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
The service is always the best. They people that work there really strive to ensure I have a good experience.
During the weekend, expect to wait from 5 to 10 minutes. If you do not want to wait, this little restaurant has a counter where you can watch all the happenings of meals being prepared. It is amazing that they can keep everything together to get me a terrific tasting meal.
My favorite for breakfast is the the oatmeal pancakes and the scones. Try the pancakes without syrup first - you won't be sorry. For lunch the quiche is the way to go. They always have the special quiche of the day. -
Review from Josie C.
Silicon Valley, CA
Thanks to Yelp I found this breakfast place near SFO last minute and got 10% off for using the Yelp Check-In!
You can't go wrong with the Martha's Famous Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes. For the choice of fruit, I picked the lingonberries instead of bananas or cinnamon apples. The pancakes were simple and delicious and I could really taste the oats in the pancakes.
I also got the Mediterranean Scramble with prosciutto, artichoke, sun dried tomatoes, basil and cheese. For the choice of bread I picked the coffee cake over regular toast or scone. The scramble was flavorful and moist. I liked the artichoke. But two problems: (1) they gave us regular ham instead of prosciutto and (2) the coffee cake was really dry! This is why I am giving this place 3 stars instead of 4. I think I will get the scone next time.
The service was friendly and prompt. I will definitely come back when I am in need for a good breakfast in the area. -
Review from Jaime C.
11/30/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Fun Fact: I was staff at Alana's wedding a few years ago. Fun, huh? It was a beautiful affair in Oakland, and I had a lot of fun. Seeing the food that was being passed around (Alana's, of course, catered), I knew I had to go try out their food.
It took me about a year, but I finally made my way over to the Burlingame location and tried it out. I went with SAM Y. back in 2008, but truthfully I don't remember anything except how amazing the company was back that far...so here's a new review!
I went with the husband last Friday - yes, we went to Burlingame Ave. on Black Friday - what were we thinking! Food, for one. Alana's it is! I ordered the Swedish Oatmeal pancakes with lingonberries, and he ordered the Country scramble. I didn't enjoy the texture of his scramble very much, but I DID love the pancakes. In fact, I loved them so much I bought the mix and a jar of lingonberries right in the cafe!
The prices were good, the service was nice, it's a little cramped so if you have claustrophobia this is not your place. Otherwise, get the pancakes and take some home with you to make on a special Sunday morning. Hint: They get their pancakes soft because they make the batter the night before to allow the oatmeal to soften. I can't wait for this weekend!
By the way, my parents love their Redwood City location - parking is a beeeaaaacchhh but worth it. -
Review from esra o.
San Mateo, CA
4/3/2012
Best pancakes in town! I love the oatmeal pancakes more than anything. Aside the staff, the food is remarkable! The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting as well.
Every time I have visitors my partner and I are sure to take them to Alana's for breakfast. You must have the oatmeal pancakes! -
Review from Marc K.
Burlingame, CA
1/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Food is good a d if you become a regular staff really warms up..
Can be crazy crowded on weekends at brunch time...
Like it hot? Ask for the hot sauce which is home made.. Warning it can be mild one day and roaring hot the next.. -
Review from Ashley T.
San Francisco, CA
4/29/2012
Alana's cafe was packed on a Saturday afternoon, and it's no wonder why. Attentive service, great food, and a cute space right on Burlingame Ave-what's not to like? I had the quiche and fresh fruit, both of which were very tasty, and enjoyed a decent cup of black coffee to boot.
-
Review from Bill A.
Redwood City, CA
1/16/2012
On this past Sunday, I had breakfast with a friend at Alana's Cafe, Burlingame. Alana's is a real winner. Fantastic food and great service!
The building is old with high ceilings. It is more of a diner than a cafe. My friend had Martha's Famous Oatmeal Pancakes with lingonberries. They were superb!! I had the Southern Pecan Pancakes. They were good, but not as good as the oatmeal pancakes. We also had a side of eggs and the chicken apple sausage. Superb!
I drank hot tea with lemon. The tea at Alana's Cafe is loose, which I loved.
I highly recommend Alana's. I look forward to many more visits. -
Review from Elizabeth H.
Burlingame, CA
3/13/2012
Best bet for breakfast in Burlingame without a doubt. Nice staff and great food. Easy to miss but a nice little place. My favorite place to eat on the ave! Please give them a try you won't be disappointed : )
-
Review from Belem R.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
There are times when I like to have lunch by myself...I find it peaceful...Alana's is a lunch I very much enjoyed by myself!
I sat at the bar, did not have to wait to be seated, and after a few min I got asked for my order. The lady taking my order was super nice and I got a salad with chicken. Man it was pretty huge!! And supper yummy of course!
I only ate about 2/3 of it and I was stuffed! When the waiter came to pick up my plate she asked if I wanted dessert! That was the first time I was asked during lunch, however, I did not mind at all! Probably would have ordered something if I wasn't so stuffed!
Will def go back! -
Review from Patrick Z.
San Mateo, CA
11/23/2011
We did brunch on a Sunday. Lucky for us, our friend arrived earlier than planned and put his name in. Table ready in 10 minutes, just when we arrived.
We all had the California Omelet with diced ham added. We enjoyed it. -
Review from Joseph B.
San Mateo, CA
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome. . Nice and light lunch. They have oatmeal pancakes
-
Review from Nicole S.
Belmont, CA
11/4/2011
When I first came here, it was Sunday around 10am, and it was pretty busy. It seemed like the wait for larger parties could sometimes be a while, but our party of two waited about 5 minutes or so. The place seems kind of cramped but it works, and the decor is cozy.
The menu for breakfast isn't overwhelming, but is a little different. I so far have tried a variety of the scrambles, all of which were awesome, and have been told by several people that the oatmeal pancakes are seriously worth it. Something to try next time.
Our waitress was super nice on our first visit and gave us a free side of lingonberry jam, which I highly recommend you try. :)
Overall - awesome food, good service, comfortable experience. -
Review from Eric S.
Antelope, CA
1/27/2012
My co-worker adores this place, so I finally joined her for breakfast one day and was not disappointed. I had Martha's Famous Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes (I'm a sucker for the "famous" tagline) with lingonberries. The pancakes were light and fluffy despite my expectation of possibly being heavy being made from rolled oats, and yes, the pancakes were delicious. Spend a little extra money and get REAL maple syrup, these aren't garbage pancakes, so eat them with the good stuff. Also, before you leave Alana's, you can purchase a packaged mix of Martha's Famous Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes to take home and enjoy, like at midnight when you want a snack.
-
Review from Gisela C.
Palo Alto, CA
2/11/2012
Awesome breakfast. Good service. Lame hostess!!
-
Review from Scott D.
Union City, CA
1/23/2012
My wife and I have been coming to Alana's for years and have never had a bad breakfast. The food is great, especially their Oatmeal Pancakes and Quiche, and the staff is super friendly with never any turnover, which probably means the owners take care of them. It is the kind of place where everyone knows your name. While the place is a bit small if you get there early enough on the weekend you won't have to wait, but the food is worth the wait. If you need a bit more space, head over to their Redwood City location.
-
Review from Meghann B.
Burlingame, CA
5/7/2011
So I went here last weekend because of the awesome yelp reviews this place got. WTF are people thinking? This place is terrible. Probably one of the worst brunch/breakfast places I've been to...
"Famous" oatmeal pancakes... gross, soggy, too sweet... I had to hold my breath to get them down. No bacon? Disappointing... Omelettes.. mehhhhh nothing special. Hot chocolate... more like cold chocolate (with no whip cream :( )
And to top it off... dirty tablecloth with a beetle trying to crawl towards my plate... gross!!
Come on people, this is NOT a great place. Service was terrible, place was very small, beetles on table.. no thanks, food was terrible, drinks were terrible....
I actually would have rather been at Dennys (that's saying something)... -
Review from Matt G.
2/21/2011 2 photos
Sunday was a beautiful day in the bay area. And everybody in the city of Burlingame and parts of the peninsula are out and enjoying the weather.
Well I got a little fact about Burlingame Avenue on a nice sunny day...Parking is indeed a nightmare on the weekends!
After parking my car on the side of the Cal Train tracks, I saw Crepe-vine had one-tenth of the city of Burlingame waiting to be seated.
So I walked up the hill towards El Camino Real to Alana's Café and noticed a short wait. Despite the tiny café's size, I was seated immediately in the counter area and in front of the kitchen. "Yay. we're already off to a good start!"
From the menu, I ordered the Alaskan Salmon Scramble. For $11.95, I get chunks of Salmon, chunks of creamy Philly Cream and chopped spinach mixed with scramble eggs. I also get home fries and a choice of scone or coffee cake. And I chose Coffee Cake. The mixture with the fluffy scramble eggs had a smoky taste of the salmon blended with melted cream cheese. Indeed the scramble egg is a one of a kind item. And the warm coffee cake tasted fresh and yummy.
My meal: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I also had a glass of Mimosa with my meal. For $7.00, I get a small bottle of Segura Viudas Extra Dry Brut with a small 4 oz glass of freshly squeezed Orange Juice. The two combine was tangy and great with my meal, but I could use more OJ with my champagne. So I just guzzled the remaining champagne like drinking a bottle of beer. "I didn't know what the heck I was doing!"
My drink: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I'm happy I chose here, because the owner was really nice and treats her customer including me like a part of her family. Her staff were also helpful and did a great job in preparing all the dishes.
My Visa was accepted! -
Review from Catherine S.
San Mateo, CA
9/2/2011
This is such a cute place! We brought our dog and sat outside on the patio. It was such a cute place and really quaint. The food came out really fast and was so yummy. Definitely planning on going back!
The parking was a little tough - I saw the Stop sign and thought that it was the exit, but it was both exit and entrance. -
Review from Paola L.
San Mateo, CA
5/29/2011
Even though I moved out of the peninsula, I'll still make the trek back every couple of months to hang out at my favorite brunch place in the 650. The people always remember me, despite my sparse appearances, and are just so lovely and warm. By far the oatmeal and the oatmeal pancakes are the way to go, i bought the mix to make at home and it's just not the same.
The place is fairly small (smaller than the RWC one), couldn't really do more than a group of 4, and since it's far enough away from the other brunch spots on the ave- the wait isn't that bad. -
Review from Lucy Y.
Seattle, WA
5/3/2011
Cozy, intimate breakfast place in Burlingame. Easy to find parking right up front. Amazing how they cook everything in that open kitchen. The food is gourmet, and has an interesting touch. We liked the pancakes, french toast, and any egg dish. The salsa was yummy too. A bit pricey but the table cloth is a nice touch.
For Kids: Ok place but very crowded. We brought our own booster seat which helped. They give you little twisty pack to keep the little one happy. Food is kid friendly. -
Review from Sam P.
Pacifica, CA
3/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet! Alana's Cafe is hands-down our favorite brunch spot. We always share Company's Coming and Martha's Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes with a lingonberry compote. I'm salivating just thinking about it! The location's great, the price is right, service is awesome, and my only qualm is that it's teeny tiny. However, we are early risers so we avoid the late-morning weekend crowds.
If you haven't had brunch here, please do me a favor and try it! -
Review from Seong P.
2/28/2011
I had an early breakfast here with my sister before taking her to SFO a few years ago. I'm pretty sure we got the oatmeal pancakes but forgot how good they were.
I went back recently for brunch on a Sunday and my veggie scramble with egg whites was tasty. The potatoes were well seasoned and thoroughly cooked. I decided to try the coffee cake which was great because it had a lot of cinnamon and wasn't too sweet. I definitely got a lot of food for the price.
I got an order of the oatmeal pancakes to go for Tintin and when I tried them, I remembered that they are the best thing on the menu. They are incredibly dense so I could never finish an order myself but I could eat several bites. -
Review from Todd C.
Burlingame, CA
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice Hearty breakfast for cheap. Great wait staff
-
Review from Sophia C.
3/3/2011
My fiance has an obsession with eating pancakes. He makes 'em, but loves that at restaurant can make them better than himself.
So we come to this spot from a recommendation of a friend... we officially think she's high for stating that this joint is amazing. It's anything but... typical SF Peninsula restaurant. This place is so overrated, that's an understatement.
I never understand the ridiculous wait for breakfast. It really comes down to coffee, toast, eggs and cooked batter. No, that's really it. So we waited about 20 mins for a seat...onlly for the guy taking seat orders to completely forget that he put our names down! There were other couples that whizzed by ahd was seatly promptly...versus we continued to wait for another 10 mins.
So we get seated...right by the cash register. Take note: don't get the counter seats unless you're under 5'5" like myself...or you'll be cramped like my fiance who's over 6 feet tall.
He orderd the oatmeal pancakes...than took an addtional 30+ minutes to arrive. I'm not sure how people crap their pants over oatmeal pancakes... it looked like smooshed barf and the taste was bland. JUST BLAND. My breakfast was simple eggs and toast. Mine came out cold, I sent it back, the cook was offended, I told him to taste it.
So with bland pancakes, cold eggs, no refill on the man's coffee...the bill was not worth the taste and service whatsoever. This place is as overrated as Stacks down the street.
I suggest for a hot breakfast, try another spot worth your time. -
Review from Curt O.
Columbia, MO
11/6/2010
Ate here for dinner. Service was just ok.
Ordered the Open face chicken tamale - Shredded chicken, Cilantro slaw, Avocados, tomatoes, Beans, and sour cream all served over a flat corn meal tamale with an enchilada-type sauce. Very flavorful. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Bread was served prior to the entres arriving. A crisp garlic bread and a sliced baquette with butter patties on the side.
The restaurant is a diner-type set up a with lunch counter and a few tables. The cooking was done behind the counter and seemed to be cooked to order. Additional prep was done elsewhere.
I am giving it a solid 3 based on the meal I had. Neither the ambiance or the service made it worth more. -
Review from Angela L.
9/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
You win some and then you lose some. In this case, my partner in crime (eating) and I......loss.
We saw an ad on TV about pancakes the nite before and said we gotta have some for breakfast. We yelped this place and thought we oughtta give it a try.
A small narrow diner-like with a good size bar to eat breakfast at. Nothing that stands out nonetheless, looks like a typical diner. I ordered the typical breakfast which is eggs, potato hash and wheat toast. All I can say is, I can make this at home and better without the $8.95 pricetag. My friend ordered the oatmeal pancake. That was descent but nothing special. I must admit, the portions here are very large. Can't say much after that. Their services are alright.
All in all, no gem of a place. After we left, both of us felt sick to our stomach. Whatever we ate was not good both our palate as well as a tummy. Don't think I will be back here any soon. -
Review from R Z.
Daly City, CA
Great place for breakfast & brunch!! The staff is friendly & nice. Quality of the food is good too. I can see how it can get crowded. Best time to come is on a weekday since it's a small place.
FYI try there homemade habanero sauce it's hot & yummy!!! -
Review from Shirley P.
San Francisco, CA
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand the hype. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if I had to eat it here- I pass.
The Martha's Famous Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes weren't what I expected. Every Swedish pancake I've tried are crepe-like. These pancakes were good, but really it's just pancakes with oatmeal. The staff was greedy with the packets of butter and the maple syrup was watered down.
The Alaska Scramble had salmon, cream cheese and spinach, but I wasn't getting the smokey flavor from the salmon. The home fries were the only thing I couldn't get enough of, or I was just hungry and it was the only thing I liked.
The whole time I was here I wished I was at Stacks! I ended up with leftovers and hit up the Farmers Market down the street to fill me up!Listed in: Breakfast of Champions
-
Review from Shel D.
Millbrae, CA
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Coffee cake is to die for. Totally accommodating to kids, infants and the family vibe. I really enjoy it here - good food, reasonable price, fast service. Best part is you can walk around burlingame ave after....too bad my wife suckered me into buying her an iPhone.
-
Review from Woosung A.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2012 3 Check-ins Here
just get the company's coming. amazing!
