- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Cafe Lumiere
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
60 reviews for Cafe Lumiere
Review Highlights
-
"The best part of Lumiere is the relationship with the Osio." In 10 reviews -
"The free wi-fi and the delicious coffee are added bonuses..." In 4 reviews -
"specialty peanut butter cups, vegan cookies as we pass." In 2 reviews
Loading...
60 reviews in English
-
Review from Tammy W.
Monterey, CA
5/10/2012
Cafe Lumiere is a popular study spot for the local graduate students. There's always something of a lunch crowd, as they have quality food options and local character. If you're looking for coffee that's less like a dessert, this is a good place to go. I'm vegetarian, and since I go here so often, I'm getting a little tired of the same sandwich options, but I still pop in every now and then when I want dessert and a coffee.
There's limited seating downstairs, a few tables outside, and some upstairs seating if you're looking to hang around for a while.
It's worth noting that this cafe is actually connected to a small theater, so the smell of popcorn can permeate the cafe from time to time. I don't find it a problem, but some people might.
I'd recommend this place to my friends, and that's really what it comes down to. Stop on by if you're in town! -
Review from Lillie L.
Monterey, CA
4/10/2012
Pros - great coffee, plenty of seating, interesting location, free wifi
Cons - Like most of Monterey, everything is very expensive; smells like popcorn; lots of hipsters
This little cafe is located inside the Osio Cinemas. It's one of my favorite places to grab a coffee and get some work done.
The usual crowd here during the day are students or young professionals. At night, you might spot a couple on a date chatting before seeing a movie at the Osio. It's quite laid back and relaxed, never loud or crazy.
You can choose to sit downstairs and watch people go by outside, or you can sit up in the balcony where it's toasty and work or sip your coffee.
They have decent lunches, but probably more than I would regularly choose to spend on sandwiches and salads and the like. If you're feeling like paying $2 or more for a single cookie, the ones here aren't bad at all, and everything is homemade, so it's usually worth the price if you can afford it.
I truly appreciate this little cafe for its location and free wifi - so much so that I quickly get used to the popcorn smell from the Cinema.
Be aware that there's a $5 minimum on credit cards. -
Review from J V.
Alameda, CA
4/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in for a late lunch. Several sandwiches were already made up in the case, including a turkey club and a turkey Reuben. The club was very tasty (good bacon!), but ohmygod the Reuben. Sauerkraut is made in-house with cranberries that do not make it sweet, but add a lovely, subtle savory fruit flavor to the mix. The turkey in both was fresh and flavorful--none of that chopped/pressed turkey like at that "footlong" sandwich shop. Finished our meal with a lovely, cinnamony oatmeal cookie with dried cranberries, and a perfect latte--the kind that makes you quietly sigh and maybe moan a little.
Fast service, terrific food... We'll definitely be back. (Parking wasn't bad, either!) -
Review from Pedro Q.
Seattle, WA
5/23/2012
Man, people are rude here, I tried to carry conversation and it seemed impossible to get anything back and the place was empty so, hmm? Coming from Seattle I am not impressed with their coffee or else sorry.
-
Review from Raha G.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I tried to give this place a fighting chance, believe me, I tried. But no matter how good their coffee is or how spicy their vegan pho tastes, I can't get past the sheer RUDENESS of their baristas, particularly the older woman who normally works in the early afternoon.
I mean MY GAWD what does a person have to do to get decent service around here. Do I need to cut my wrists? wear hipster glasses? be tattooed all over? piercings? what?! I'm scared to even ask for skimmed milk because I'm worried you'll skin me.
This place is NOT worth it. The ambiance SUCKS especially because it's attached to an even more dingy movie theatre. The smell of old popcorn combined with the nasty energy of the aforementioned barista putrefies the air.
Go to East Village Coffee Lounge instead. -
Review from diane q.
Pacific Grove, CA
Updated - 8/12/2011
Confessions of a Pacific Grove hipster:
Café Lumiere, you do not know
How I need your crappy witch's brew so.
You are the café I sought for solace in the
Mainstream that is the world of Monterey Bay.
I feel so shunned because
Nobody understands how deep I am
I've got so much so soul and
I am like so different, Cafe Lumiere
I yearn for your non-conformity
My home, Pacific Grove is filled with The Olds.
My patronage to your café instead of one in PG
Proves my loyalty to all that is hip with vegan goodness.
I am hostile when anyone disagrees with me
I am a douche bag, thus, I speak the language of
Douche bag fluently with baristas of Café Lumiere as
You are the only ones that understand this language
This entity of all that is cool before it was, ya know, cool
Anytime anyone who is not effing awesome asks me
"Where are you from?"
I tell them "San Francisco. But I don't think you've heard of it."
I lower my black plastic frame glasses in SHAME
Of how mainstream and like ignorant someone must be
I buy your expensive wretched coffee to
Show off how strong I am
To handle the repulsive taste
I smell the popcorn and the un-showered and I know
Café Lumiere, I AM HOME.
:) You know I couldn't resist to write about the typical customer of Cafe Lumiere.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/7/2011
This place has the most offensive customer service I've ever had to endure. The hipster snobbery ( I… Read more »
-
-
Review from Ross B.
Monterey, CA
3/2/2012
Great cafe. Their coffee is fantastic--best Americano in town. Desserts are very good as well, and I tried the Sunday brunch for the first time a couple weeks ago. Had a truly delicious egg sandwich with roasted potatoes. The eggs were fluffy, and the english muffin was great.
-
Review from daxle c.
Oakland, CA
1/19/2012
I bookmarked this place to try on our visit to Monterey because it had good reviews. I was pleased to find it was across the street from our hotel. We only went there once, though, because the coffee and food were so awful.
-
Review from Yamona S.
Pacific Grove, CA
7/7/2011
I have been to Cafe Lumiere a handful of times.
Why do they have a sign up saying something to the effect of "if you're rude leave'? I always say "Please" and "Thank you" and guess what? Not one of the surly and sullen staff there ever make eye contact or even say "hello". I truly despise this place and am on a giant damper when I leave. Who the heck do these stupid baristas think they are? They need to get some manners - after all they are charging a pretty penny for average/small coffee drinks and stale pastries. -
Review from Annabel F.
Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2011
Cafe Lumiere! you do not know
How longingly I look upon you,
You must be the perfect cafe I was seeking,
Or the ideal lunch spot I was seeking
(It comes to me as a dream)
I have sometime surely
Sipped a cup of chai with you,
All is recall'd as we flit by each other,
Fluid, affectionate, vegan-friendly, conveniently located,
You grew up next to my favorite theater,
Were a chef with me or a barista with me,
I ate with you and slept with you (thanks for not kicking me out), your wi-fi has become
not yours only nor left my homework time mine only,
You give me the pleasure of your expertly sauteed kale,
specialty peanut butter cups, vegan cookies as we pass,
You take of my change, dollars, allegiance,
in return,
I am not to speak to you (if I am a douchebag), I am to drink with you
when I sit alone or wake on your comfy couches, alone
I am to wait, I do not doubt I am to meet you again
I am to see to it that I do not lose you. -
Review from Victoria B.
Turlock, CA
1/15/2012
This place was alright. I was dying for some Wi-fi and if you buy something you can have access to it here. I had a biscotti and a tea. it was good. I'd go back if the girl at the counter didn't look so lost or out of sorts.
-
Review from RJ A.
San Diego, CA
8/26/2011
I went here for free wi-fi... the code is on the receipt... so I bought a mocha... there is a $5 minimum charge for debit card transactions... so I bought a biscotti... dipped in chocolate...
the dude behind the counter was nice enough
the mocha was nasty
the biscotti got laid right next to the cup and it melted... small mess... biscotti and coffee cup
there are a lot more wi-fi choices in the immediate vicinity
I did like the atmosphere around 3 pm - very quiet - but so is the library. -
Review from Elizabeth F.
Monterey, CA
11/20/2011
Man, I wish I had learned about this place sooner. Vegan Sunday Brunch? Oh yeah. The stuffed french toast is heaven melting in your mouth. The tofu scramble is also pretty good, although very simple.
I hear that the owner is vegan, which is why I thought this would be a great place to get vegan pastries and coffee. But, the several times I have been in to purchase said pastries, none have been vegan. Say what? Overall, the brunch is awesome, although I wish that they would make some veg options for pastries during the week. -
Review from E. B.
Monterey, CA
9/29/2011 1 photo
This place has the BEST BEER SELECTION AND PRICES IN THE MONTEREY PENINSULA, which is saying a lot considering they only have 6 taps. $6 for DELIRIUM. That's a great price!!! It is $10 at a beer place on Cannery Row. And $6 was the most expensive beer. They had other ones that were $5 and $4.
Also got the peanut butter brownie. It was good. DENSE!
Staff was friendly, especially the taller male who was able to answer some questions about the beer and gave us a small sample. Nothing worse than ordering a new beer to find out it taste bad or is way too hoppy.
We'll definitely be back. You can't beat a $6 DELIRIUM. -
Review from Christine M.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/31/2011
I seem to have angered the Gods by writing my last review, and I wish to atone. So I am upping my review to 2 stars because the wifi really was BLAZING fast. We're app developers and I was able to download the new Xcode in like 30 min. 3 GB download. Srsly. So hey, go use the wifi. Everyone happy?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/24/2011
Their ability to make coffee is only rivaled by their ability to make food. Which is to say, they… Read more »
-
-
Review from Alicia C.
Anaheim, CA
3/13/2011
Two bucks for 16 ounces of great coffee!
It was right down the street from where we were staying at (the Portola) and we visited Cafe Lumiere 3 times during our stay and each time was great!!
They also have great biscotti's! =) -
Review from Stefanie L.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2011
It's probably wrong of me to review coffee shops since I don't actually drink coffee (the horror!) but, fortunately, Cafe Lumiere has plenty of other stuff for non-java-heads like me. Every time I catch a movie at the Osio I sneak a peek at the pastries behind the glass and am TOO TEMPTED to get something and fatten myself up. And every time I indulge, it's always worth it. They've got bagels, brownies, biscotti, cookies, and most of it is made right there. Not sure how they pull that off, but whatever. I don't question the magic.
Oh, the drinks. Right. You're probably wondering about that. I had cider, and it was delicious. My friend had a mocha and the barista (so nice!) did that awesome swirly-decoration-thing on the top. Major brownie (ha!) points as far as I'm concerned. The space itself is shared with the Osio, as I implied before, so it's probably not as quiet for study-ers, but the upstairs is definitely more tranquil than the downstairs. Either way, though, you're bound to run into some headphone-wearing MIIS students. Intriguing, right? -
Review from Nicole C.
Alameda, CA
11/26/2011
I had to go to Monterey for business and stopped in here to grab some coffee. YUM! great latte people. Wish I was in Monterey more often!.
-
Review from Aaron A.
Monterey, CA
10/13/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The best cup of coffee you are gunna find downtown, not to mention a great mix of ambiance and location, this is Cafe Lumiere. They now serve cold tap beer, which only adds to the freshness. Sit down for a moment and take a look around- Slow down old world.
-
Review from Stephanie H.
Marina, CA
5/31/2011
Great place to study! Has outdoor as well as quiet upstairs seating with a good selection of food and drinks(even good beer!). The only reason I didn't give them full stars was because of the rude little hipster barista. Well what can you expect of customer service from a cafe/movie theater joint.
Cool place though! -
Review from Conor P.
Monterey, CA
12/24/2010 12 Check-ins Here
The best part of Lumiere is the relationship with the Osio. No need to settle for popcorn and soda. You can have the fantastic kitchen whip up real food while you watch the latest Indie-flick.
The atmosphere is great for MIIS and CSU Monterey Bay students. WiFi is handed-out when you make even a small purchase.
Coffee lovers will be pleased to know that they grind ACME Coffee Roasting beans. This makes for wonderful lattes. The chocolate for mocha lattes is hand-ground in the kitchen.
They have a variety of loose-leaf teas and are eager to mix a concoction for the discerning tea palette. -
Review from X X.
Salinas, CA
8/2/2011
Sour espresso... no bueno.
A coffee shop that smells like buttered popcorn... no bueno.
When a coffee shop can't even pull a decent shot of espresso, that's where I usually part ways with them. It's typically just down hill from there in my experience, although milk can cover up a lot.
I found the customer service to be fine, but I can't say the same for the coffee. If you are a coffee geek, keep searching. Just the overwhelming smell of buttered popcorn is enough to kill the experience. And of course the extremely sour shot of espresso tells me that nobody behind the counter is exactly chasing the perfect shot at this place.
If it's amazing coffee you are seeking, this is probably not the place to drop by - unless you are also looking for popcorn, a hot dog & maybe a foreign film. -
Review from Ashley L.
Washington D.C., DC
11/30/2010
I went to Cafe Lumiere all the time when I lived in Monterey. Wish I still could. The atmosphere is great! And it usually isn't too hard to find a place to sit. They have nice selection of fresh tea. I recommend the Persian Cardamon.
The wifi is free for customers. Ask them for the password. The staff has in my experience always been really friendly.
The Sunday brunch is also great. Vegan options are pretty slim in Monterey, so it's appreciated. They also have non-vegan brunch items. -
Review from Shiho F.
Carmel by the Sea, CA
7/23/2008
My sister dragged me into this little cafe last night after we showed up to Farmers Market a bit late. We were dodging vendor's cars left and right in the cold so Miki said let's grab some tea at Cafe Noir. Hesitantly I followed her up the stairs from the Alvarado street entrance. This place didn't look very special but the once I looked into the shiny display case I knew that Miki was right again.
ALFAJORES!!!
For those of you who have never heard of this lovely cookie or tried one you are truly missing out. This particular one looked very different from the other's that I have tried in the past. But once an Alfajorge always an Alfajore so I ordered one immediately.
I took a bit a second after the kind barista handed it to me and stuffed some in Miki's face. She loved it but she didn't squeal like me. I'm definitely going, if not for the lovely looking food and beverages there then def. for another Alfajorge.
Pronounced Alfa-Whore-Hey - a cookie with roots in South America, especially Peru & widely distribuited by Argentina.
Freaking tastiest cookie ever and I'm definitely more of a salt girl so this is a big deal for me. -
Review from El W.
Monterey, CA
1/15/2011 7 Check-ins Here
The best coffee in Monterey, hands down. The baristas are friendly and the upstairs is great for studying. It's really hard to find a coffee shop in the Monterey area in which the baristas treat you like a regular. Lumiere has far surpassed my expectations in this regard.
They use Acme Coffee, a local roaster out of Seaside, which produces a perfect ristretto shot. An americano from Lumiere is arguably as rich and creamy as a latte. They also have amazing Pho on Wednesdays! -
Review from J R.
Pacific Grove, CA
6/13/2011
Overall experience was good. We wanted a quick pre-movie lunch, and the next door cafe delivered. GF's mozzerella, tomato & basil sandwich was a bit better than my portobello mushroom sandwich. The panini machine-heated bread had a nice crisp but got a bit too dry for my taste. And the artichoke hearts were a bit woody. Excellent salad to start. Service was good but a bit curt. Desserts looked excellent but no room to try them. )-;
-
Review from Al S.
11/18/2008
If you're not a coffeegeek, this may sound a bit over the top, but trust me, it's an issue in the specialty coffee community.
Touted as an "Espresso Cafe" for those that are looking for coffee, my experience was consistent with others in the coffee community. Very inconsistent extractions. Either you get someone that can operate the La Marzocco with some level of skill, or you get a hack barista.
While there was a seemingly knowledgable barista there the Sunday evening I stopped by to take a look, my return trip on Monday morning was a huge disappointment. The older gal behind the counter stared at me with daggers when I asked for a traditional cappuccino, which is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk. And what must have really confused her was when I mentioned starting with a double shot. Based on industry standards, the most you'd want in volume in your cup would be 6 ounces. What I got was about 3 ounces of the bitterest shot I've had the misfortunate to be served. Lucky for me, I saw the blonding of the extraction early on, and sipped it. I threw it out and walked out.
They've got the right equipment, but evidently the owners haven't provided training for the entire staff. If they aren't interested in trained baristas, and can't serve consistent quality, they should get a super-auto espresso robot machine like a Franke or La Cimbali. Can't stand it when a shop touts "espresso" but don't know coffee and can't properly operate their gear. -
Review from Justin M.
Berkeley, CA
10/8/2011
I have never been let down with the breakfast specials on Sunday. Great options for vegetarians and can make a great omelet with or without eggs (that's right). Girl behind the counter with the short black hair and tattoos gives excellent service. And free internet!
-
Review from Richie F.
San Francisco, CA
This is a great local business. The kind that I love to give my money to.
The staff of this cafe have always been really great to me and it goes a long way with me. The place is very chill and always has alot of interesting people. I used to go to a coffee shop that is down the street but the people there were a little "too interesting" .. so i moved to Lumiere... and I am so glad that I did.
Everytime that I go in I am greeted with a smile. The coffee is great.. and Happy Hour always does it for me...
Located inside the same space as the Osio Theatre.. they have really great food options. and the baked goods are to die for..
For a great place to go in Downtown Monterey... look no further then Cafe Lumiere.Listed in: My Lovely Little Bay Area
-
Review from Kristen B.
Astoria, Queens, NY
1/15/2009
I stopped in here today on my lunch break only because Jamba Juice was overrun with people soliciting SOMETHING and I like to avoid confrontation, so I decided to try my luck here instead.
I had previously visited this cafe with my boyfriend, hoping to get some bubble tea. They told us that they couldn't make it because their blender was broken. This should have been my number one clue not to go back, because that probably means the bubble tea is pre-mixed. Sure enough, today I ordered a honeydew bubble tea. It was UBER sweet and the tapioca balls were not the correct texture or flavor at all; they were rather chalky and slightly coffee-flavored. Yuck. I got a cookie too, and it was dry and definitely not yummy enough to warrant the $2.50 I paid for it. I only bought it because there is a $5 minimum credit card charge and the bubble tea by itself only brought me to $3. Bummer.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I think the only good thing about this place is that you can take your purchases into the adjacent movie theater, which is kind of cool. -
Review from Kim S.
Monterey, CA
6/13/2008
Cafe Lumiere replaced Cafe Noir a couple months ago at the Osio Theater. I finally made it in to check it out tonight, and found it to be okay. They had some cool artwork up, but the of the cafe seemed stark and plain in comparison to its ambiance infused predecessor.
There didn't appear to be a coffee menu, but I noticed after I ordered that it was really small and way up above my head - basically you're gonna miss it unless you're standing a few feet back which is hard because that space is only a few feet to begin with! Anyway, they have the basics plus bubble tea and some fancy lemonaides, etc
They had some cakes and other goodies in their case, but it seemed a little sparse.
I ordered a latte - which was tasty - they use local (Acme) beans. Staff was friendly, and they still have a lot of seating plus free wi-fi.
I think the major draw is the fact you can bring your cafe purchases into the movies - most theaters don't have such good options! -
Review from Charlotte v.
Los Angeles, CA
9/19/2011
I moved here recently, and enjoy spending my days at Cafe Lumiere with a good book and a cup of fair trade, organic coffee or tea. I usually get their espresso, which is local and really good. The cookies and pastries are always fresh and homemade and really yummy. I'm also a huge fan of their Sunday brunch because they have a VEGAN French toast which is delish! Plus, the servers are really helpful and super nice! Love this place :)
-
Review from Meredith S.
Monterey, CA
10/13/2009
Cafe Lumiere is a great little spot in downtown Monterey to grab a cup of coffee, tea or espresso and take a breath. Most of their pastries are homemade (try the scones, the thumbprint cookies and the "to-die-for" homemade peanut butter cups and peppermint patties) and they usually have a wide variety of fresh, homemade deli salads to choose from for CHEAP!! Sometimes you can find homemade lentil and vegetable soup, chicken fajitas, pho, or teriyaki chicken for around $6 for a large serving. Great for someone like me who is HUNGRY but BROKE!! They almost always have a vegetarian (if not vegan) option as well. Try Sunday morning breakfast, too. You won't be disappointed!
Oh yeah. . . and the coffee? It's not too bad. In fact, it's the best you can find in town! :-) -
Review from Zac B.
Kansas City, MO
2/20/2010
This is the best cafe for studying in Monterey! The staff is super nice and have great music playing. The free wifi without a time limit is great. The only complaint I have is that outlets are sometimes hard to come by downstairs.
PS They require a $5 minimum on credit card purchases. -
Review from Barca F.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2010
Treasure of an espresso bar if ever there was one.
After having suffered through some excruciatingly awful coffee in the area (Carmel, as well, btw) we had the good fortune of trying a very unassuming looking cafe within a bijou style theater house...Wow
It has all the ingredients for what makes the best spot for fantastic espresso...Excellent machine, organic & locally roasted beans, well trained baristas, warm atmosphere & an ownership that prides itself on the most important aspect of a cafe - the coffee.
Now, it's the espresso that I'm referring to since the drip coffee might just be like any other...The espresso are on the 'Blue Bottle variety' in having a rich caramel crema without the bitter or burnt taste so often found at your local Starbucks...It's fantastic...And after having suffered through some terrible coffee over the weekend, this was a revelation.
Had the homemade scones they had too (Most of their offerings are all homemade)...Awesome, truly
Only one place to legitmately go for espresso in the entire Monterey peninsula, Cafe Lumiere
Keep up the great work -
Review from Raul N.
My friend and I decided to drop into Cafe Lumiere last Sunday to get down to serious work, free from the distractions in our respective apartments. Something about being out in public, where passer-by can see your computer screen increases my ability to focus on the work at hand and avoid distractions--I guess it's the fear of someone looking over my shoulder when I'm checking Facebook that motivates me?
We got a table pretty quickly, but the trick was finding one near an outlet to sustain our laptops. Don't forget to get the WiFi password when you pay--it apparently changes frequently. Just a word of warning--the chairs aren't the most comfortable if you're going to be sitting down to work for more than a couple of hours.
I always find my best work comes with the aide of espresso, so I ordered a cappuccino. Pretty tasty, but a little too "wet" for me--I prefer a dry cappuccino with lots of thick foam and little milk. I did appreciate the "art" drawn in my cup. When I took a sip, the espresso was nice, but not the best I've had around town.
It's one of the better cafes near downtown Monterey--much better than Plumes or Peet's in my opinion. And it's certainly convenient when you're coming from/going to a movie at the Osio. -
Review from Alycia P.
1/20/2011
When I lived in Monterey one of my mainstays was the Osio and Cafe Lumiere. I freakin' love this place. It just has a great atmosphere outside and in. It's actually really hard for me to talk about this place without combining it with the Osio; they are like two peas in a pod. If I'm going out to the Osio to see a critically-acclaimed independent film, then I am also going to Cafe Lumiere to munch on some fresh, tasty food. If I'm going to Cafe Lumiere to study in the upstairs lounge with some classmates, then I might just end up seeing a new indie flick afterward. The setup of these two places into one is just fantastic. I had never experienced anything like it before I came to Moneterey, and I haven't seen anything like it since. Hopefully there are some awesome cafe-indie theaters somewhere else in the world but, I digress.
So here are a few of my favorite things! (that I like about Cafe Lumiere)
1. Healthy food options including panini sandwiches, fresh salads, bagel & lox, yogurt parfait, turkey & ham sandwiches, spring rolls, etc.
2. Unhealthy food options including all their delicious cakes, cookies, brownies, baklava, and other pastries.
2. Their drinks (including coffee). I don't even like coffee that much, but their coffee is something special. Probably because they use a La Marzocco espresso machine custom-made for them in Italy and they use locally ground beans from Acme Coffee in Seaside.
4. Their upstairs lounge with free wi-fi (as long as you buy anything from the cafe) that is perfect for studying, browsing the web, or just shooting the breeze w/some friends while enjoying a nice cup o' joe.
5. Their employees. There is one in particular that I see there almost every time I go. I don't know her name, but I know that she is of Korean descent and that she has a really cool looking ocean wave tattoo on her arm. She's always helpful and it's fun to watch her make the coffee. She's so fast at using the machine, yet the coffee still tastes and looks like someone labored over it just for you.
6. The art on the walls. I just love it. There's something new on the walls almost every time I go here. I think they are by local artists and that you can buy them if you so desire, but I'm not entirely sure about that. All I know is that the photos, paintings, etc always have something that draws me into them. Some are just plain weird and I have to look at them more closely to fully understand what I'm looking at, and others are so beautiful that I wish I could own them.
Cafe Lumiere is a must if you are ever in or around the Monterey Bay area, need some food and/or coffee, and want to revel in the awesomeness that is the Cafe Lumiere-Osio Theater combo. -
Review from Chris C.
Henderson, NV
4/10/2011
Okay...stopped in this morning for a mocha latte and was disappointed. The cafe is located next to the Osio theater lobby; therefore, it smells like popcorn. You can not escape this smell by sitting upstairs so I was forced to sit outside. While the mocha was good, I would never return due to the popcorn smell. I mean when I go to a independent coffee shop; I expect a coffee bean aroma!
-
Review from Frank C.
Monterey, CA
9/10/2009
Cafe Lumiere is my default spot when I need a place to catch up on some work. The coffee and tea are good, the food choices are interesting, and the staff is usually friendly.
The whole design and layout of the place are really useful for studying or working. The tables don't wobble (pointing at you, East Village) and the chairs support your back.
It's logically and sensibly laid out without being cold: small tables, a couple big tables, and a counter with stools on the upper floor. There are a couple couches up there too. All in all, the arrangement works well for socializing with friends or when you need to hunker down and do some work.
They serve their loose-leaf teas in a little silver pot that keeps it warm longer. The cups are kept warming on top of the espresso machine, which is another nice touch. I've had some good espresso drinks here and I like how they do the little pattern on top of the lattes. Yes, I eat that sorta stuff up.
The food selection ranges from what you'd expect all the way to fairly unique. Everything has a homemade feel about it. The apple "crimpie" is fun and tastes like something your mom might bake from a recipe off of a Bisquick box. It's really tasty when they warm it up. The dressings that accompany the salads taste like they were made in the back. They also seem to change their food up a bit, which is nice.
The place could use some new paint. Maybe some design consulting to help to pull it all together. I don't want to cut too much though because this is a nice little place to spend some time at. I'm a fan.
Random detail: I left my hat there once and the barista tucked it away and returned it to me the next time I went in. -
Review from Mike S.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2011
If you LOVE the smell of popcorn this place will be great for you
