The European Bakery Café — Restaurant in Owen Sound

Wow, what an incredible breakfast at The European Bakery Café at 806 16th St E in Owen Sound! 🍵🥐 I was absolutely famished when we arrived, and the irresistible scent of freshly baked goods and brewing coffee drew me right into this charming, cozy café. The vibe is so warm and inviting, with eclectic decor that feels like a cozy European kitchen. 😊 I ordered the vegetarian omelette, and it was a total game-changer! 🥚🌱 Packed with fresh, vibrant veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach, it was fluffy, perfectly seasoned, and served with their house-baked multigrain toast that was out-of-this-world delicious. The toast had this amazing crusty exterior and soft, flavorful center. For dessert, I indulged in their date cake—moist, subtly sweet, and bursting with rich, caramel-like flavor. 🍰 Paired with a cappuccino made from their organic, fair-trade coffee, it was pure bliss—frothy, bold, and the perfect balance of creamy and strong. ☕ I was so hungry I dove right in and forgot to take good photos—sorry for the blurry, half-eaten plate pics! 📸😅 The service was outstanding, with friendly staff who kept our table happy and our drinks topped up. 🌟 They even offer a separate gluten-free menu, which is awesome for dietary needs. The prices are so reasonable for the generous portions and top-notch quality. This place is a true gem in Owen Sound—kid-friendly, with a lovely patio for sunny days. I grabbed a loaf of their black and white rye to take home, and it’s honestly some of the best bread I’ve ever had! 🍞 The European Bakery Café is a must-visit for a hearty, flavorful vegetarian breakfast and divine baked goods. 💖 I’m already dreaming of my next visit! Highly recommend this spot for a meal that warms the heart...

I tried to like it...

Today I tried the second location in the Medical building, hoping that the experience would be better than my experience at the original location... it was not.

29 minutes to get takeout and $16 for a sandwich (which was the days special), half a cup of soup and espresso with water.

The people taking orders were very disorganized and not personable at all, that aside, the menu is behind the line so if you are at the register to order and there is anyone in line you cannot read it.

I ordered the lunch special - three cheese sandwich with ham and spinach and soup or salad 10.99. At theses prices let me tell you I am expecting a spectacular sandwich and BOWL of soup. After waiting for my take out order for 29 minutes - being watched by the people working, and seeing people who ordered after me get their food, I asked if they forgot about my order. Nope it was on the counter, getting cold. They apologized, gave me a fresh soup, and a cookie... not a fresh sandwich though. I got back to work, no lunch time left and was very disappointed with my meal. Soup was half full might have been a "cup" and not hot... sandwich was cold, cheese not melted, and it had goat cheese on it.... I have really tried hard to like this place but I value my hard earned money too much to try again. (if I were going to put goat cheese on a sandwich and sell it I would certainly make note of it on the menu)

Note on the beverage: I ordered the Americano not looking at the price first.. otherwise I wouldn't have ordered one, the Americano on the board is prices at $3.25 I was charged $3.55. I have never paid more for an Americano (hot water and coffee) in my life.... and to top it off it was...

Disappointing Experience – Overpriced and Low Quality

We were visiting family in the hospital and, tired of takeout, decided to stop at this European café for a comforting soup-and-sandwich meal. Unfortunately, the experience was far from what we had hoped for.

Between the three of us—my husband, my 7-year-old, and myself—we ordered a clubhouse sandwich with soup, a three-cheese grilled cheese with salad, and a chicken Caesar wrap. For the price, we expected fresh, well-made meals, but what we got was incredibly disappointing.

The grilled cheese was barely more than toast with unmelted cheese, and the "three cheeses" were unidentifiable—one was possibly cheddar, but another was the saltiest goat cheese I've ever tasted. My turkey club, advertised as in-house oven-roasted turkey, seemed more like pre-packaged deli meat. The bread was overly toasted and hard, making it difficult to eat. The soup lacked flavor, and my daughter’s chicken Caesar wrap had oddly formed chunks of chicken that didn’t seem fresh.

To top it all off, the bill came to an astonishing $70. For that price, we expected much higher quality. Sadly, this was one of the most disappointing meals we’ve had, and we won’t be returning.

Rating: ⭐ 1/5

Edit to add since I can't reply to the owner what an odd thing to ask someone leaving a review ....