Delta of Venus Cafe & Pub
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
31 reviews
Napa, CA
"my entire family went on this wine train a day after thanksgiving like two years ago. and the food is GRRREAT!!! the wine was soo good too.…" read more »
49 Reviews for Delta of Venus Cafe & Pub
Food here is pretty good - the only thing this place is missing from its ambiance is somebody reading poetry on a faux stage. (You'll know what I mean after you visit this Delta).
Though delta has it's own funky scent reminscent of dirty socks found at a thrift store, and while there seems to be a thin film of goo and dust over everything and while there is a good chance you will not actually get anything that you ordered- I can't think of a better place in Davis to get a cheap breakfast or just hang out and wile away an afternoon. In the balance of things, getting a tuna sandwich instead of the turkey sandwich that you ordered isn't that big of a deal.
Also, the bathroom has gotten way cleaner than it was. Excellent.
This funky place attracts the anti-establishment college crowd of already-anti-establishment Davis. Expect tattoos, flowing skirts, and Birkenstocks. The chef in the kitchen wears his hair in dreads topped with a Rasta knit cap. Reggae music often drifts happily from the speakers. This is an excellent spot for carnivores and omnivores traveling together, as the menu boards are filled with a wide variety of fare--plenty of tofu and vegan options, as well as meaty meat. They have sandwiches, salads, omelets, and Caribbean cuisine. They have a rep for great brunches, though I've never been there that early myself.
Last night, I was there for happy hour and a book club gathering. It was $16 for a pitcher of Boont amber ale--the only beer they offer on tap. You can also order bottles of Sierra Nevada and other brews. They also make yummy ice tea and other coffee-style drinks. The big bummer was that they offer no appetizers. They have spicy samosas for $3.25 a piece! I've eaten them before, but they aren't all that I expect a samosa to be--they're made with a fried tortilla shell rather than the usual flaky samosa pastry, and they're on the greasy side (even compared to other samosas). Plus, you can't really split a samosa 4 ways. This definitely doesn't count as an appetizer. They also serve Johnny cakes, which the clerk described as "yummy fried dough balls." This place scores low for their high-fat, low-choice side dishes. They offer vegan cookies and a few other sweets, but nothing that would have paired well with beer.
And if you're paying with plastic, you'll pay a 40 cent fee.
So, we just stuck to beer last night. But they had a live DJ playing good music, and their outdoor seating--plenty of it--can't be beat. And frankly, folks probably don't come here for the food. They come for the vibe and the care-free nature of the place. If I were basing my review on the food alone, I would give them three stars, but they get an extra one for the funk!
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This place rocks. It is like my own personal portal to my days living in Montana. The first time that I frequented the Delta, they had a wood fire burning in the fireplace. It was so healing to experience that after moving to this valley that doesn't experience snow or cold weather in the winter.
I absolutely love going to live music shows at this venue. It is so personal and the musical genres represented are diverse. I often feel like I am meeting new generation of up and up musicians when I am at a Delta music show. The crowd is full of neo-hippies, college students, sustainable oriented folks and regular joe smoes.
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The food is greasy. The service is typically slow and somewhat standoffish. The interior is kind of gross. So why do I go to the Delta? Basically, there isn't a chiller hang out in town. Honestly, nothing was better than rolling out of bed, smoking a bowl (back when I did that sort of thing), skipping class and heading over to the DoV for some coffee and a food coma inducing breakfast burrito.
But serious props to Lee for creating a community space for the non baby boomers of Davis.
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This is where I used to go when I was a teenager in Woodland, and was desperate to do something cool on a Saturday night. Delta of Venus was the first place I ever had a Mexican Mocha. They are one of the original hipster coffee houses in the area. Live music, feminist poetry, a million "roommate wanted" posters tacked up on the bulletin board. Ya gotta love Davis.
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Fuck yeah. The Delta is like a second home to me.
As other reviewers have noted, it is also a second home to many colorful inhabitants of Davis, including ganja-smoking hippies, chain-smoking (gasp!) poets (gasp!), graduate students, socialites and drifters.
The beady sequined arch, taped up broken window, rotating paintings and sculptures and art nouveau mural on the interior only add to the deadly charm of the Delta which so warms the cockles of my heart.
Food is hit or miss. Breakfast bagel with the guac and eggs is real good. Cheese pesto sandwich is quite tasty, as are the Rasta samosas, and the curry stew ain't bad. Sometimes the service is really slow, if there are only a couple of folks working the counter and kitchen. Other times they run out of basic ingredients which can be irritating. They're an indie bizness, why not forgive them? I do. On a rainy day it's nice to get a chai and sit inside. On a summer day a Fat Tire outside in the shade is good times.
Might just be bohemian enough for Anais Nin. For Davis anyway.
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Why the hell not go to DOV?
Their coffee is good and cheap, and their breakfast burritos kick ass.
There are places to plug your laptop in, and there is free wifi. No pressure to leave; you can spend hours there. It's great for studying in the morning through the afternoon, but in the evening the place turns into a hipster place to hang out with your music-playing, beard-jocking, bike-riding friends.
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I'd love to give this place three stars or fewer...it's free-flowing, sometimes stuck-up hippie vibe contrasts my life of starch shirts and unpierced noses. It's food selection isn't to my liking, though the breakfast selection is decent enough. But it's a great place to chill out, I've had plenty of good conversations with total strangers here, and all the parties I've ever been to here were a blast.
I can't comment on the staff since one of my best friends used to work here.
usually good food. usually good coffee and always wifi. I just dont see why people sit there all day and dont eat or drink anything. OK so I like to check email but I dont expect to write a dissertation there while people look for seats. Come on now.
Happy hour is cool.
Hippies and hipsters alike: Please stop smoking on the patio.
I'm sure the food would taste better if it weren't tainted by tobacco smoke.
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$5 for eggs, potatoes, & toast with strawberry jelly!! Can't beat that on a Sunday morning.
This is another very Davis-y place to visit if you're bringing people from out of town.
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Ohhh, Delta you're such a typical Davis friend of mine-- off-kilter, edgy, kinda hippie, sometimes taking yourself a little too seriously. But you sure know good food. And beer. I can still taste that Belgian stout I had last week at the Old Time Relijun show. The Caribbean nights are delicious and one-of-a-kind in the Asian culinary expanse that is Davis. The breakfast burrito is good (for NorCal, I guess) the granola is delectably crunchy, oh, and the potatoes! And the curry tofu sandwich! Overall, Cafe Bernardo down the street has better b-fast, but you do your thang Delta.
I'll let it slide that your weekly Jolie Holland music nights got old faster than the quarter system. You meant well. I'll also let it slide that your strong ass Belgian beer never got a certain cute boy loose enough to make out with me. It's OK Delta, it's not your fault he's gay.
But I can't let it slide that you once gave my friend change in yen instead of quarters. For that I deduct a star. Also, you do need to work on that coffee. Last I heard, it wasn't organic, and didn't taste all that good either (maybe this has changed?)
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Don't depend on this joint . . . the two times I've been there, they were out of a key ingredient in whatever I ordered, (example: BREAD for my sandwich). Always have a back up in mind. . ..
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Food's pretty good, and the atmosphere's pretty unique and inviting. Breakfast is certainly one of the best in the area.
Several people have already talked about the live music that's featured here--virtually always organized by DJs at KDVS (disclaimer: I'm one of those KDViateS)--but I think it needs to further emphasized that some truly distinctive bands and artists from all over the world (headswirlin' psych bands from Japan, Italy, Poland, and then some)have played and continue to play at the Delta of Venus, bringing an extremely wide variety of styles to this very easily accessible all-ages space.
Where else can you wash down Jamaican food with a La Fin du Monde and see 60's psych/proto-electro legends Silver Apples play for $5? In the entire world even? I'm positive that the answer is NOWHERE ELSE!
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A little hippy, sometimes crowded, others completely vacant, oftena hang out, and the atmosphere is unique, but all in all it just encompasses Davis.
I would stay try it at least once while you are at davis, or else your just missing out.
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Very simple place--I wouldn't have thought it was a restaurant at all unless I was specifically looking for it. The prices here are unbelievably cheap esp for the amount/quality of the food. My sister and I went for brunch on a Friday 11am (crowded outside but tables open inside). We shared a Veggie Omelette with mushrooms, onions, spinach, tomatoes, garlic and cheese ($7.50) and an order of taters ($1.50) which are basically the potatoes in a big bowl--soft inside with a nice crisp and well-seasoned. $9 bucks for two people--definitely a steal and the food was cooked really well. Oh and they had realllly good multi-grain toast which they butter one side and grill it for you.
My god, the place is cheap, meaning price, went for breakfast at 10:30am on Friday, plenty of seating inside and out and the food is cheap compared to the Palo Alto, a university town near me. Got the potato et al dish with cheese, quac, salsa and sour cream, a hot tea and a friend got a salmon schmeared bagel, for $10. The salsa did taste like it came from a jar but what a deal! It was nice to sit outside, it was warm enough and sunny on a November morning.
You order at the counter, they bring your food and you bus your own table.
True, everything is within 15 minutes in this town. The University, eateries and shopping.
This cafe has been the backdrop to some of my best social experiences.
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Ok so I had wanted to go to Delta since I started Davis and heard about the events that KDVS puts on.....probably should have waited for than instead of going there for breakfast.
My friends and I all ordered the $5 breakfast special which is eggs, toast and potatoes. I have no doubt I could have made a better-looking dish at home; the eggs were fine, and the potatoes were over done so that halfway through my meal, i was forcing myself to finish. My friends all had the same opinions. And we ate outside so there flies all over the place, which I've never experienced at other outdoor restaurants in Davis.
But I still want to go for an evening show or dance party because I can see it being a cool venue for that...just no more food.
Many of my best memories from my time in Davis are at the DOV. Excellent breakfasts. They have a fireplace that's great for warming up and drying off in the winter. Chef Iwaca's Caribbean dinners are amazing. They get really good music acts here - quite a range, everything from Celtic sessions to drum'n'bass. This is my favorite cafe anywhere, and please believe I've known a few.
Call me a hippy and I'll punch you in the face. I definitely did not fit in with the regular crowd here, what with my leather jacket and black leather boots, but you know what? I don't care, because this place serves up some of the most amazing Caribbean food I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Iwaca, the night chef, who hails from a far off Caribbean paradise whose name escapes me, makes his food the way his ancestors did: fresh, flavorful, and with plenty of spice. The plum chicken served with a brown rice pilaf and a side of collared greens is a dish I can still taste, two years after moving out of Davis. Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. FYI, the Caribbean food is served in the evenings only and the place gets pretty crowded.
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So this is where all the hippies go...
I have yet to check out the KDVS concerts. I'm sure they are bangin.
The place is hella cute, and cool, and interesting, and full of interesting people that are super laid back like the workers. They play cool music.
The food is cheap and good and perfect for vegans and veggie-terry-ans (shoutout to terry).
It's a unique place in Davis, basically....yay.........
Fabulous vegan breakfast fare and a really relaxing, comfortable/artsy atmosphere. Nice liberal/hippie/left-wing vibe without any of the exclusionary, pretentious corporate-liberal posturing. I couldn't think of a better place to go for a morning breakfast on the weekend. Their vegan scramble with a tall glass of hot tea is gold.
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Food is good, hippies smell bad. This place does not take credit cards and they hate corporations. If you don't mind the smell of Body Odor, then come here for a delicious breakfast burrito!
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When I was living in Davis and had a class by 'venus' , I think I ate and drank everything on the menu. It was my haven for early morning reading on the front patio, and it probably was what got me through my insane schedule back then.
I don't get back to Davis often, but if I did, my nostalgia (and their lattes) would harken me back fast.
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Caribbean food? Did I miss something? Mexican Scramble and Greek Omlette are two of my favorites. That's not in the Caribbean is it? But isn't it cool to be able to have a Guinness for breakfast? Sometimes I'm in the mood for a waffle too. I'll have to agree about the smoke on the patio. Isn't that against the law? I have so many questions and very few answers.
Here's a place that I like to go for brunch on Sundays after church. There doesn't seem to be any meat on the menu but I can live with that for one meal a day. If you want to be around soccer mom's, little kids, and sorority girls, go to Crepeville. If you want to be around hippies and... um.... other kinds of people, go here.
The atmosphere here is warm and homey. It def. has the co-op feel, along with the student hype. The bookshelves with books, games, and movies are a great addition and only welcome the cozy comfort so many people seek when away from home.
I love coming here for omelets: the Greek omelet is my favorite, but sometimes the wait can be long. Not a place to hop in and out of in-between classes if you are ordering something to eat. I also think the prices are a little high for a cafe so close to campus. If prices on their omelets were cheaper, I'd eat here once a week at least.
Night life here is great. The tiki torches add a nice touch to the music, food, and a pitcher of beer. Sometimes it can attract the younger high school crowd, and it can be tough to make your way inside. Otherwise good food, good beer (They have Guinness on draft), and A+ environment.
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where else can you find hippies, carribean food, davis yuppies, and bhangra dance nights in the same place?
great on a summer evening.
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I'll take my shitty, burned mocha without the side order of attitude, thanks.
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Maybe it was the gypsy music or the pint of Guinness that seduced me, but I think I kinda love Delta of Venus Cafe.
It has a funky, bohemian coffee shop vibe that I appreciate. And while it's a small space for a music venue, it seems like it would be a fun place to relax on non-show nights.
One star off because it was really insanely crowded at both of the shows I've been to.
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By far my favorite cafe in Davis! Great food, from omelets and bagels in the morning to amazing Carribbean food from Chef Iwaca at night, and good coffee/tea/etc. selection--I personally like their soy chai.
Lots of little nooks and crannies to sequester yourself away in while studying, and a nice patio and front area for hanging out. Features live music many nights of the week, often organized by the host of 90.3 KDVS' "Cool As Folk" show.
The place definitely gets crowded on weekends and thursday/friday nights, but patrons are generally friendly and willing to make space.
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Fantastic food, when you can get it. ("Oh, we're out of potatoes. Come back tomorrow." "Sorry, the cook didn't show up. Come back tomorrow.") Great soy mochas. Free wireless internet access. Often has good live music. Huge downside: People often smoke near the doors and windows.
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WAFFLES WAFFLES WAFFLES. That's all I'm gonna say.
Oh, well, that and 1 star deduction for being way too tiny, but I guess the outside seating kinda makes up for it, but it gets cold in Davis!
Okay, now back to what I was dreaming about...THE WAFFLES! Oh and the mimosa's are made with fresh o.j. so they're GREAT for brunch!
Artsy, casual, it feels exactly like it did when I was in college. Lots of games and books/newspapers to read, and lots of local artists work on the walls. ...mostly creative folks, frequent the place. This place is full of personality. It's a great place to hang out, relax read the paper, play a board game or two with friends and grab a bite to eat.
Their menu has so many choices that it takes up most of the top of two walls. Their extensive and creatively decorated menus transcend the typical and become art. It makes it a little hard to read, but the overall effect works. Standing there staring at the menu brought back memories of my roommate picking up coffee for both of us before class. Remembering morning rush hour on campus where being half asleep on a bike could be dangerous. (For those of you who've ever witnessed a bike wreck on campus you'll understand.) I remembered how many times I rode my bike to class half asleep after pulling an all nighter. Quickly approaching one of the dreaded bike circles, a mass of bikes swirling around an asphalt circle at varying speeds, the sheer physics of trying to calculate the perfect approach on some mornings was mind boggling. I preferred the cross your fingers, and dive in method. Luckily I never wrecked on campus.
I glanced back at the menu, then I recalled once while exiting the bike circle, I heard a loud crash. A look over my shoulder confirmed the multiple bike wreck, people flying off in different directions. Not a pretty sight. Somehow, remembering those bike circles while pondering what to order from the menu, finally made me decide on a bagel with the works with coffee. Maybe it was the bike circle that made me think bagel, and my roommate catching me right before class and handing me coffee from Delta of Venus. Who knows but the decision was made. The bagel was great perfectly toasted, but there was so much pesto/sun dried tomatoes and cream cheese that I took some of it off, rather it slid off the bagel as I bit into it, messy and awesome. Just the way I like it.
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Last year I spent commuting to and from Davis nearly everyday to go to school, getting there as early as 730am, and staying until 10pm on some nights, and my home away from home was the Delta of Venus Cafe.
I started my day off with tea and eggs and bagels, had a salad for lunch coupled with a beer, and if I was in Davis for dinner, then I had a great fish soup for dinner.
the staff were sweet as hell, free wifi, great art, an awesome decoupage toilet seat, a sweet fireplace for those cold winter mornings, the crowd there was eclectic... lots of green revolutionaries... the music was fun, the beer was flowin, was close to campus... my list of why I loved this place is endless.
There's something great about going to class after a few pints o' Guinness.
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Nothing like waking up in a clean hotel room, awesome shower, having a little something-something. Checking out, no car to concern you, take your bike, gorgeous day. And Delta of Venus is right across the street! Paradise.
Delta of Venus kicks some serious ass! It reminds me very much of Berkeley-- hippy/punk crowd, punk chefs, all wood, nice little tucked away corners, different left anarchist and socialist and just plain old progressive stuff, the stop for great NorCal tours (from folk to punk to...just crazy), and of course, YUMMY food. Word has it that the Carribean food at night is awesome, but I've just had breakfast. Their breakfast burritos are the best I've had. Seriously, I didn't like breakfast burritos very much until I had one from here. The granola's on the dry side for me, but good, and the omlettes are pretty damned awesome. I like their mocha. It is both amazingly chocolately (nice, dark, rich chocolate...) and strong espresso. Nice for a relaxing breakfast. Good alcohol too, including Guinness on tap, and MAMOSAS.
Also, enjoy the board games by the fireplace!
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I love delta..... they drinks and food are yummy. when i left davis, this place is one of the places i missed most
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Very funky place, very vibey. Chef Iwaca's Caribbean food is off the hook. Full of flavor and zest. Lots of cool free shows on the patio. They used to have DJ nights were the place came alive as a night club. I'll admit to going and acting a fool on the dance floor. I wish they would bring it back. Not that I could savor... Great place.
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