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Great Food in a Gas Station!! SEE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DAYS & HOURS OF OPERATION A Classic French Neighborhood Cafe. Caffe REL is named after Chef Richard E. Long. Sauté, Pasta & Sandwiches offerings are found on his menu in a casual setting. Our mission is It’s about the Food, we have been a teaching kitchen since inception in 2003. Due to the small size, no reservations are accepted, so join us early for dinner especially in the summer, leaf season & holidays. Now accepting credit card payments, as of June 1, 2023. Serving beer, wine and cocktails. We offer pet friendly, outside seating. Now open for Sunday brunch, from 11am-2:30pm. Please like us on Facebook, to get our weekly specials & updates.
Quaint cafe with chalkboards & a tin ceiling serving sandwiches, pasta & European-inspired entrees.
Hours
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 459 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: (828) 369-9446
Website: https://cafferel.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Caffé REL French Bistro Franklin NC 28734
For over 20 years, Caffé Rel has defied the ordinary with French- and Italian-inspired cuisine in an unexpected location — no reservations, no waiting area, …
Caffé REL Franklin, NC – Facebook
Caffé REL Franklin, NC, Franklin. 11393 likes · 83 talking about this · 11088 were here. Franklin, NC Great Food in a Gas Station…. Caffé REL IS…
Caffé REL in Franklin – Atlas Obscura
Step past the gas pumps and into a fine French bistro. Franklin, North Carolina. Added By. Sam O’Brien.
Reviews
Jodi Bailey
Caffé Rel was a delightful surprise tucked in an unusual location in little Franklin NC. We started off with snails and tails which was so good in a flavorful mushroom sauce. Also ordered by our group was the blue crab bisque soup and the French roast with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The shrimp and grits stole the show with the most savory sauce atop the creamy grits. Highly recommend!
… moreNelson Mesa
After six years of living here, I’m going to have to say this is the best place to eat in town, not only the quality of the food that impeccable the environment comfortable. The factor that they will keep your mind guessing with their weekly specials, which are delicious! Make this is my favorite choice
… moreSteve Sherron
We heard this place was good so we decided to try. It was good. It’s a little strange that it’s attached to a convenience store but once you walk in, you’d never know. Very nice decor and smells wonderful. It’s not huge inside. We got there at 7 and had to wait about 15 minutes on a weeknight. My wife had the trout dinner and she loved it. I had the French Pot Roast and it was delicious. Surprisingly the broccoli that was served with both dishes was excellent and I’m not a huge fan. They actually cook the broccoli with honey and it’s quite good. They have mixed drinks as well. Family friendly. I highly recommend.
… moreJeff Lavallee
This French style restaurant is very good. I had the Pork Osso Bucco Shank was outstanding. My wife) had French style pot roast and it was amazing as well. We shared a cup of blue crab bisque with a Sherry, and it was perfect. The only complaint was the broccoli as the vegetable was sweet and weirdly cooked.
… moreDavid Ray
The food was delicious. We didn’t have to wait to get in but the service was lacking. I hate getting an appetizer with the food and that’s exactly what happened. The portion was a good size and it was flavorable. The restaurant is quaint but the bathrooms are in hotspot which was fine just funny. If you’re running through and looking for a god meal then I would stop in.
… moreRhona Reagen
I have been trying to get to Cafe Rel since Covid. On this trip to Franklin it was open and had a fantastic lunch! I was quickly greeted at the door by the hostess and shown to a table. Cafe Rel is inside a gas station and I wasn’t sure how it would look inside – the decor is boho chic – much nicer than expected. As I am celiac I was provided with a gluten free menu which contained many more items than most restaurants. I was presented with a plate of grilled gf bread with delicious salsa on top. I ordered the salmon which came bathed in a mango sauce so good I almost asked for a to go container. The plate included broccoli and rice. In general, the menu contains several sandwiches and entrees. The food at nearby tables also looked appetizing – no one left any food on their plates which is always a good indication. The only negative is that the interior is very dark. Will definitely return when I am in the area.
… moremark yaun
My wife and I ate dinner at this restaurant in Franklin North Carolina during a 2-day trip in western North Carolina to visit Kuwohi (clingmans Dome) and see the leaves fall colors around Franklin and Cherokee North Carolina. My wife had pan seared Carolina trout she said was very delicious I had crawfish tails in bow tie pasta with heavy cream butter and probably some old Bay seasoning, it was also very delicious. Our server was a very pleasant young lady she was very patient and answered all our questions and brought our meals promptly she also checked in with us regularly but was not overbearing . The restaurant and menu l have a French influence. Restaurant is somewhat small but has very interesting decor would definitely suggest trying this restaurant if you’re in Franklin North Carolina for dinner
… moreCindy S Carter
This is an amazing place with fabulous service. The owners are great chefs and the food is magical. We have eaten there twice and been blown away both times. We had the chicken Florentino and the second visit I had French pot roast. Both were equally delicious and big portions. We did the share a plate option and had more than we could finish.
… moreYolanda Flores
If you live or if you’re passing by Franklin, NC, this is a MUST! The restaurant is literally attached to a gas station. They share the restrooms w the gas station, but don’t worry, they are clean! The food is delicious, hot and very tasty. The margaritas and Moscow mules were also great. Esteban, our waiter, recommended the daily specials and he was not wrong! Wow! Great ingredient combinations. We finished off w a bourbon Pecan pie. Only complaint there, and trust me, it’s not really a complaint, but more of a preference, is the pie could have been warm, but it wasn’t. However, we still devoured it! Love that we stumbled upon this! Our waiter was attentive and friendly. Thank you, Esteban for taking care of us!
… moreCharlie Bibb
Omg what an incredible surprise!! We had a phenomenal lunch at Caffe Rel today. The appetizer special was fried green tomatoes on top of cheese grits. One of the best combos we’ve ever tasted. Grouper tacos were fantastic along with the french dip. When my wife asked for rare, the manager came to our table to double check and they delivered a really nice, rare sandwich. The service from Katie could not have been better. This is a must-eat when in Franklin, NC!
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