Mary P
Visited with my friends November 21st. It is located in downtown Grass Valley.
This place is Always busy! I had to see the dentist in a bit so just had an egg and toast. It was good! Waitresses are hustling! My friends stayed longer as I had to get to my appointment and they were being entertained by their two kids!
It’s a very popular spot with a funky but cool atmosphere. Everyone seemed happy and enjoying their food!
Note: they get really busy and you need to sign in when you get there. Bring your patience when waiting for your food!
They have bar seating as well. I know they have beer and wine but don’t know if they have a full bar.
… moreSo Yee
During our winter family trip, we stopped by South Pine Cafe in Grass Valley, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole getaway!
Stepping inside from the chilly weather felt like entering a cozy haven—warm, inviting atmosphere with that perfect small-town charm that instantly puts everyone at ease. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, even during a busy rush, making our whole family feel welcomed and well taken care of.
The food? Absolutely outstanding! Their breakfast menu is creative and delicious, with fresh, high-quality ingredients shining through in every dish. We loved the hearty classics done right—perfectly cooked eggs, flavorful sides, and those standout specialties that go beyond the usual (think generous portions and spot-on seasoning). Even the picky eaters in our group cleaned their plates and immediately started planning our next visit!
In the middle of a cold winter day, finding a spot with such comforting vibes, exceptional service, and truly tasty, feel-good food was pure magic. If you’re in Grass Valley looking for a warm, satisfying breakfast or brunch, South Pine Cafe is an absolute must—highly, highly recommended!
5 enthusiastic stars!!!
… moreAmanda A
We visited with a group of friends and had such a great time. The restaurant had a great variety of options – mostly American and some Mexican, Asian, and vegetarian options. They offer fresh juices, coffee options, and other drinks as well. There was beautiful artwork on the walls for sale, a great mix of 80’s music playing in the background, and attentive staff.
… moreRachel Sierer Wooden
We came here on our way to Nevada City. The food was very good. I got the lobster eggs benedict, my kids got the pancakes and waffles, and my husband got an All-American type breakfast. The orange juice tasted fresh squeezed and the lattes were very tasty. The potatoes that come with the breakfasts weren’t that fantastic… It was like they were boiled and there was a half-hearted attempt to grill them possibly. However everything else was great. They even have homemade ketchup. Not sure if they do reservations, but we waited quite some time on a Saturday morning to get in, but we weren’t in a hurry so it was fine.
… moreJohna Kempton
Packed. Long wait. Staff were friendly and accommodating. My dish was a little disappointing as my toast was burnt….it was sourdough bread with avocado and tomato and eggs. Couldn’t cut through toast. But the rest was good. Great fresh squeezed grapefruit juice but price was $7.95 a glass
… moreTryston Thomas
Food was so so very good. We are on a road trip from ogden to ft bragg n this place is the first place my 5 yr old son ate all his food AND EGGS. We will definitely be back on our way home kids asked specifically for that place again today 3 days later hahaha
… moreTodd I
Great food and great service for my wife and I this morning! Our server Crista’s infectious smile, professionalism, and attention to detail only added to our delicious breakfast and overall experience. We are certain to return! Update- added some pictures from numerous return visits.
… moreAnonymous
I came here on the day after Thanksgiving with my family. I ordered a mocha and a half order of ollaliberry French toast, expecting a semisweet berry sauce on a moist and supple toast. Instead, the French toast was lukewarm, dry, and flavorless, more akin to cardboard rather than bread, and the berry sauce was so bitter I could barely eat it. I managed to eat one of the four slices, washing away the bitter flavor with sips of coffee, before my mom told me I should ask for something else if I couldn’t finish it.
The server was apologetic and incredibly kind, and even though it was almost closing time and the kitchen was shutting down, she let me order something else. I didn’t have much of an appetite left after the French toast experience, so I asked for a cup of soup. I was soon served a cup of delicious tomato & red pepper soup. It was creamy, warm, and flavorful, with just the right amount of red pepper kick. When we received the bill, I saw that they kindly had not charged us for the French toast.
TL;DR: good restaurant, except for the French toast.
… moreBill
The building is real easy to locate and it’s a pretty building. The lobby is a decent size with a little waiting area. The restaurant is bright and unfortunately very loud because the front door slams shut every time someone goes through. Our server was Pfeffie and she was quite pleasant to chat with and was singing and a little dancing to the music that was playing. The food was a little hit and miss. We both had one of the specials of the day, I had the Roast Beef and Gorgonzola sandwich which was great but I got a side of “Clam Chowder” that was clearly Manhattan style and I never tasted or felt a clam, just the bacon that was in there. It tasted fine, but not clam chowdery enough if I could only taste the bacon. My wife got the Tutti Fruity Pancakes, which she loved. We also got a side of home fries with cheese and they were alright but mostly bland.
… moreMike
The food here is genuinely good—some of the best I’ve had locally, with generous portions and fair prices that make it a great value for everyday dining. The servers are friendly and attentive too. However, the experience here was ruined by the new manager. The restaurant offers Wi-Fi with signs posted but has not worked for over six months. When I politely raised this issue as a fairly regular customer, suggesting they either fix it or remove the sign to avoid misleading people, the manager became defensive, repeated ‘we’re not an internet cafe,’ and refused to consider being transparent about why the Internet never seems to work. The conversation escalated unnecessarily, ending with me being asked to leave. It’s disappointing because the core offerings of food and value are strong, but deceptive amenities and poor complaint handling fail the basic honesty test. Transparency with customers would go a long way.
… more