Village Inn Café

Charlotte Moon

2024-04

Orinda is so lucky to have this comfortable breakfast and lunch Cafe. We have loved it since Kathy owned it, then Peter and now Grace from the former Rossmoor Diner. Their menu is simple. They serve the best bacon and waffles, great burgers and fries, chili, salads etc for lunch and of course their chocolate milkshake is so big we have to share it and it puts us in a coma for the rest of the afternoon. They have a few tables for outside dining. No frills cafe, always wonderful service, safe location.

April U

2023-05

Really love their Spicy Tofu Scramble. It's only mildly spicy and completely vegan. I requested no potatoes and no toast and added avocado and spinach which made it even healthier! If you're extra hungry, add a veggie burger patty on the side.

David Stariha

2024-02

When I arrived I was in a surly mood due to my girlfriend ushering me out of the house in my dirty work clothes, telling me I had a long day ahead of me. Suddenly we detoured to get some breakfast. I was a little unprepared. No shower, work clothes, etc…well I decided to forget my embarrassment, and I asked for a coffee milk shake. They knew what I was craving. It was the best shake I’ve had in my life and I kept thinking about it all day. I live in Pescadero, a good hour and a half away maybe two, but….I can’t forget how perfectly creamy, ice cold, and served with all of it there, not skipping….the long spoon,..you know what I mean. The rest of my breakfast was excellent except they don’t serve the bacon crispy so be sure to ask for it if that’s how to take it. Service was spot on. Thank you to the staff they made my day a lot better.

mehrnoush soroush

2020-05

Super nice people, not so nice food. I got super scrambled egg with hash browns. I could only eat the hash browns. Scrambled eggs were kind of dry and tasteless.

Keri Clements

2023-12

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Erik H

2023-05

6/19/22The Super Scramble with the Belgian Waffle hit the spot this morning.3/26/22I tried the Eggs Benedict again, why don't they use Canadian Bacon? Instead , it still comes with Black Forest Ham deli meat. Oh well...2/20/22I had the Huevos Con Chorizo this morning. Is it me or is the portion getting smaller or, the plates getting bigger? The taste is okay but, it doesn't come close Kurt and Kathy's!8/1/21The Super Scramble with chorizo, onions, mushrooms, spinach and cheese was great! The pancakes were pretty good too!They were following the health dept. recommendations for distancing indoors and masks which made us feel a little more comfortable eating indoors since the increased outdoor seating was full!6/11/21Nice to see them busy again with a wait list out the door on Sunday morning!I tried the Corned Beef Hash again today after 3 years. It came with 2 eggs and a short stack of pancakes. I was expecting a traditional style corned beef hash with diced potatoes, onions and bell peppers and evenly cooked, instead I was disappointed by the soggy center, over cooked on the outside hash brown shingle with varying sized bits of corned beef locked inside. Changing a time tested breakfast classic works if it is better, this was not!5/13/18Again, no waiting to be seated. I had the Corned Beef Hash, (about like the former half order) and it's not as moist and tasty as the previous owner's Corned Beef...4/15/18New owners, similar menu, similar open and close times.Some new items on the menu; Eggs Benedict-Ham really (Black Forest sandwich meat) or Bacon (should be called Canadian Bacon on the menu). Does not include fruit so, if you don't want the potatoes, kind of skimpy portion...Huevos Rancheros with chorizo; different than before, no tortillas with cheese! Instead, scrambled eggs with chorizo, 3 wimpy tortillas, cold and runny black beans. Food seems to sit on the pick up counter awhile and aren't always delivered at the same time to the table as before... Growing pains?No waiting Saturday morning at 10, good for us but, not a good sign for the restaurant?Vegetarian options: There is a Veggie Burger Patty and a Vegan Scramble.Parking: Parking is usually pretty easy, 5 steps or 5 spaces away.Wheelchair accessibility: No fixed seating, so it seems to be available anywhere inside or outside.

Karenand3

2022-05

I've been a resident in Lamorinda area for over 30 years. My 3 kids grew up here. One thing we enjoyed the most was a traditionalbreakfast on weekends, weekdays, and anyday in the summer. Unfortunately, the only two remained is this one and Millie's Kitchen in Lafayette.After changing hands a few times. I' m surprised that the menu remains the same, the famous corn beef hash and waffle taste just like 20 years ago. The new staff is equally upbeat and friendly. Thank goodness for family diners that stay around and keep serving no nonsense American food among all the diet fads. I still visit weekly.

sonia sandhu

2023-07

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Dan O'Connor

2023-05

If you're looking for a FAST FOOD hybrid dining experience, this is the place for you. I would rate the food very plain and very good. I would rate the service a 2. From the time we arrived at 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday until we left at 11:30 a.m. We were heckled to keep on moving and to not let the grass grow under our feet, so to speak. First, the waitress hounded us about coffee, whether we wanted any or not. then she asked us three times in less than 10 minutes if we were ready to order. As it was my first trip there, perhaps last, and I hadn't seen my companion in months, we weren't ready to order, even on the we finally acquiesced and said we were, when I wasn't. To top it off, the manager got into the act by asking me if I was done, about a minute before we left. When I said, "No," she seemed in a state of shock, even though there was still a fair amount of food on my plate. We got the hint and left after she seemed perturbed. Funny thing is, there were always empty tables. I would guess that you could get in and out of this fast-food place in 25 minutes tops, maybe even 15 or 20. Be sure to stop in when you're rushing down Hwy 24 with a load pork bellies that are late to market. Food: very good. Cleanliness: very clean. Service: abrupt and far less than friendly. Ambiance: as plain as the Mohave Desert, but with tasteful blue and white checkered curtains.

Kathleen Stavis

2023-05

Quick service and tasty food. We got the eggs Benedict with bacon and the chicken & waffles, and split each. My friend and I thought both dishes were delicious.They had outdoor seating which we appreciated

Rachel Beach

2022-05

Service was good and the place was clean, but the atmosphere was incredibly bland and most importantly, the food was incredibly bland. I got an omelette and pancakes. The pancakes were on but nothing to write home about. The omelette (ham and cheese) somehow had very little taste at all. It tasted as boring as it looked on its otherwise empty late.

S.

2022-05

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LJD

2023-05

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Rob Madahar

2023-05

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J M

2020-05

Huge portions! Delicious food. Came here for brunch. Had eggs and cornbeef hash. Well seasoned and flavorful. The staff is attentive and the setting is lively. We come here after a good run at the Lafayette trail (not sure what the name of the trail is).

Monica Minnie Barraza

2023-07

Honestly found this cute little place but it’s honestly so expensive. The food is good but not that good where they should be charging that much and for them not to even carry American cheese

Luke Oleary

2017-05

They have the freshest ingredients. Clean bathroom. The tastiest food. Never frozen. The staff always remember what I want when I go there. I get the same thing every time. 3 egg omelette with country taters and sour dough toast. It's my favorite but everything else I have tried is good too.

joanne houseman

2019-05

This long-time Orinda restaurant has new owners( within the last year). The food is consistently good and service is quick. It's down home cooking with lots of healthy choices in addition to their grilled cheese, Reuben sandwiches, amazing french fries. Their tuna fish salad is awesome and a great addition to a green salad for healthy, satisfying meal. Breakfast items are served until 11:30 a.m. check them out!

Mike Reaves

2020-05

Super expensive, mediocre food. I spent $20 out the door for two eggs, potatoes, ham, toast, coffee and a small tomato juice from a can. The food wasn't bad, but $20 for breakfast? The waitress kept trying to upsell things like peppers and onions with the potatoes or fresh-squeezed juice. Coffee was bitter french roast from a drip machine priced at $2.75 per diner cup. The service was good but in my opinion this place is way too expensive for a cafe.

L J

2021-05

The food was absolutely delicious, staff were very friendly, and we will definitely be back before our trip is over! A big thank you to our server!A must if you are in the area. They have outdoor seating as well. Thank you guys!!

Marty Nemko

2022-05

Delicious, fair-priced, fast service. My waiter was Anthony but I saw the others working as diligently. Extensive outdoor seating.I had an omelette with goat cheese, spinach, bacon with excellent pico de gallo on the side, with potatoes (with onions and peppers atop---(They shouldn't charge a buck extra for that), and a well-buttered lightly toasted english muffin. Coffee was strong, hot, and they eagerly refilled.It's in a sleepy shopping area in Orinda Village but it was packed on a Saturday morning--the locals know.

Simon Fiorucci

2019-05

Sunday all-day breakfast is great at this place. First time we went we had significant wait at the table, but the next two times were pretty quick. Generous portions so beware and don't order too much! e.g. cinnamon toast in the picture.

Tyler Barazoto

2023-05

Waitress was really nasty to my mother and i and it didn't seem like she was treating us like the other customers, she threw the check on the table while talkingto the table next to us, and i was a bit surprisedby that,the food itself was pretty good though, but overall experience pretty disappointed.

Dr Deviant

2019-05

Even with a recent ownership change, its still a great place for breakfast. The waffles are outstanding. Corned beef hash, still good. A little pricey and usually a small wait.

Tom Pitts

2019-05

As others have commented, the original long-term owners left some time ago and the ownership has changed more than once since. What was once a very popular neighborhood spot for breakfast and lunch has declined to the point that we will not return. A reduced menu, the distraction of waiters chattering noisily in Chinese behind the counter, bits of paper and debris on the floor, loss of the pleasant vibe from long-term repeat customers: it simply is not the same. Chow in Lafayette, always a good choice, now simply the best. Sad. And I'm sure that the great bookstore next door is suffering as a result too, another loss.

Roy Aguilera

2018-05

This is the best breakfast place in Orinda. The egg breakfast is fabulous, I typically split the bacon and sausage and love the home style potatoes. Orders take a bit to come out of the kitchen but it definitely worth the wait

Julian Chatneuff

2017-05

Five stars is high praise but I have never had a bad meal there and I have had plenty of good/great ones. The ingrediants always taste fresh and wonderful.The service is always good. I used to live in Orinda so I went quite often. Now I live in San Francisco and look forward to an excuse to go out there and have a meal.I make it about once a month now.

Patricia Schwartz

2014-05

Excellent food. which is well prepared and served, they use only the freshest ingredients. A terrific asset to our community and people travel in from the Oakland, Montlclair, Piedmont, and Berkeley to eat at this restaurant so our best kept secret has gotten out.Patti Schwartz, RN

Yoni Mayeri

2015-05

My favorite place to get Cafe food in town, it's tucked away in a shopping center. Classic diner type food, but you can get a good healthy salad or home made soup too. Kids love the milkshakes. Owners Snarky and Cathy are great, loyal staff is friendly.

Moises Aceves

2021-05

Friendly people and basic menu. Don’t expect fine dining and extra frills, but it’s a solid local diner. We had good service and I wish I could give it 4.5 but the rating system is limited.