Joanie's Cafe

Joanie’s is a staple on California Ave, having been around for more than two decades. After many years, I decided to revisit the place recently. Some things have changed but the place has mostly stayed the same as I remember it. With good service, decent food options, and lovely atmosphere, Joanie’s is a solid choice. In the past, service has been a mixed bag. When we went recently it was mostly solid. There were quite a few instances where it took a lot of effort on our part to get a hold of a waiter but when we did, they were friendly, efficient, and got the job done. The atmosphere, just like most of California Avenue, is more laid back, quiet, and communal. The lovely dining options outside, coupled with the beautiful weather, made the meal more pleasant. The food itself is solid but nothing exceptional or mind blowing. While many restaurants have evolved over the years, it seems like Joanie’s in many ways is stuck in the past. While their French toast was yummy, their potato options (both the hash brown and potatoes) were just ok and a bit flavorless. The eggs were cooked exactly as requested but the beef hash left a bit to be desired. It seems like while others are innovating, here time has stopped. Overall, Joanie’s is a classic that’s sticking to their roots while many places are evolving to better serve their customers. What may have been ok 20 years ago doesn’t necessarily make it good enough in today’s competitive landscape. The most I can rate Joanie’s Cafe is 4 stars.

A return visitor and always a good experience. The service is great and the portions are big. We sat outside this time and the enjoyed the music from the Sunday market in the background. A huge menu with something for most tastes. It's a popular spot, so be prepared to wait, especially on a weekend.

We live in San Leandro and came down to get away from the fireworks. It was our 1st time at this restaurant, had about a 20-25 minute wait. The restaurant is pet-friendly and we had our Pom, so it was understandable to wait for an outside table. The service was great and food even greater. I have no problem taking a 45-50 minute drive to eat at this establishment.

Joanie’s Café in Palo Alto has become my go-to breakfast spot, and for good reason. This cozy, family-owned café delivers the perfect balance of comfort, quality, and consistency, making it an essential part of my morning routine. Whether I’m looking for a quiet moment to start the day or a place to meet with friends or colleagues, Joanie’s never disappoints. Atmosphere & Service The atmosphere at Joanie’s is warm and welcoming, with a classic French café vibe mixed with the charm of a neighborhood diner. The space is cozy yet lively, and even when it’s packed (which it often is), the energy remains friendly and inviting. The staff is exceptional—always greeting me with a smile, remembering my usual order, and making sure everything is just right. They manage to strike that perfect balance between being attentive and giving you space to enjoy your meal. Despite its popularity, service is impressively efficient. Even on the busiest mornings, I rarely have to wait long for a table or my food. They have a great system in place to keep things moving, and I appreciate how smoothly they handle the morning rush. The Food – Quality & Variety Joanie’s breakfast menu is extensive, featuring both American and French-inspired dishes, all made with high-quality ingredients. I’ve worked my way through most of the menu, and I can confidently say that everything is consistently fresh and delicious.

Nice quiet place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The service was pleasant and prompt. The food was delicious and full of flavor with one suggestion. I ordered the smoked salmon crape with eggs, cream cheese, capers, and home fries. While it was delicious, the cool salmon started to cook while wrapped up in the crepe with the eggs. As the salmon cooked it changed the flavor and mouth feel of the crape. I would recommend keeping the scrambled eggs out of the crape and on the side. This would keep the salmon cool and more the traditional in flavor of smoked lox with cream cheese and capers.

The food was on the expensive side. Though the ingredients were fresh, the over all taste was average. The service was fast and good!

Breakfast at Joanie's Cafe was good. Pancakes were great but the Veggie scramble was a bit bland. Service was quick and friendly.