Welcome back to my series of sharing wonderful local hidden gems with you! During Thanksgiving break I had the pleasure of visiting the Den Cafe in Santa Ana with my lovely friend Grace. We hadn’t talked much before and were meaning to hang out so I thought, ‘what better way than to take her to one of my absolute favorite places for brunch?’ We arrived, ordered our food, and talked for almost two hours of life and everything in between. Then, because the place is undeniably gorgeous, we felt the need to take some photos. Thus, an end to our spectacular time out. Don’t go just yet though, stay tuned for a special look into the ornate and idyllic Den Cafe.
Cafe History
This small chain restaurant was established in 1994. “We were one of the first cafes in Orange County to offer a robust mix of healthy vegetarian and vegan options mixed with an eclectic atmosphere heavily influenced by music culture,” according to their website. They offer food as well as entertainment by local and independent music during the evening. Another aspect of this multifaceted cafe is their availability to host private events, parties, catering, baked goods, and even more.
Menu Review
It came time to order and I got very conflicted. Their menu has so many appetizing dishes that it was incredibly difficult to choose. I ended up ordering the pesto aioli and chicken sandwich and a lavender latte. The chicken was tender and juicy especially with the creamy herb aioli. There was also arugula, havarti, and red onions between the chicken and brioche bun and let me just say I was not unhappy that I finished it. My coffee pairing though odd has such a floral taste and with the espresso and milk it goes together smoothly. I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars.
Grace’s order and review:
“For breakfast, I had the blueberry and honey butter waffle and a hot mocha to drink. The waffle was quite good and I really enjoyed the sweetness of it. Walnuts topped the dish and they added a nice crunch to the softer waffle. As for the mocha, it came out quite warm and it was also sweet, which is something I prefer. However, it wasn’t the standout and I’d probably try something different next time I would attend.”
Ambience
Paintings line the walls, changing faces and landscapes of the world around. I see couples talking, friends mingling, families gathering. A man reads in the cozy corner, sunk into the old chair. I think of good memories and feel at peace. I’ve found a place my soul can sing. The sounds of ceramic mugs clinking on the tables, chatter bustling, and the kitchen at work. It’s everything and all so simple at once and all I can do is smile and sit back with whomever to be in the present moment.
Interview with Grace Slawson
I asked my good friend, Grace Slawson who is a current freshman at Fullerton college, some questions about our outing to the Den Cafe. It was exciting to see this beloved cafe through fresh eyes.
What was your first impression walking through the doors?
“Once walking through the doors, I was pleasantly surprised with the decor. It’s probably something that stands out most about the cafe because there’s so many unique pieces that blend together so nicely. It creates a relaxing vibe, even though there’s a large number of items to take in.”
What was your favorite thing about going to the Den Cafe? This could be absolutely anything.
“My favorite part about my whole experience at the Den Cafe was definitely the interior design. It felt very homey and it sparks conversation.”
Would you come back and recommend it to others, if so why?
“I would definitely come back and bring friends! The service was excellent and the atmosphere of the restaurant provides a comfortable space to visit with other people.”
Den Cafe
Another successful visit to another fantastic place. Please let me know if you visit either here of the Night Owl and leave your thoughts in the comments! I must say that every time I have been here has been an absolute pleasure. One of my first times was to see a musical called, “Ghost Quartet”, starring one of my friends and the way they staged the production within the cafe and I got to just sit and eat and stare in awe was wonderful. My second time I was fortunate enough to go here was with my Grandma for brunch. We talked about my birthday party and exciting things in the future. We ended up deciding to have my birthday themed after the decorations in the Den and I have to say it was one of the most amazing birthdays I have ever had. To say I must come back is an understatement.
Store Hours
125 N Broadway D, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Hours: Sun – Th 9 am to 4 pm
Friday 9am to 10pm
Saturday 9am to 10pm