Mel’s Gathering Spot — Restaurant in Alma

Made our day!!! The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere especially welcoming and relaxing. We stopped for lunch which is currently served between 11am-1pm and per a menu of 'daily specials'. The chef sets and posts the weekly menu of specials in advance. The day we visited, the special was Vietnamese Fried Rice...prepared perfectly from obviously carefully selected ingredients of the highest quality. We cleaned our plate! Our meal was topped off with perfectly brewed latte coffee and a raisin scone. That scone was absolutely the best scone I have ever eaten...perfectly baked. Every bite provided a mouthful of soft, moist, and tender textured crumb full of flavor...could not stop until every bite was eaten...no crumbs left over. The chef and pastry baker are two of the most welcoming, skilled restaurant owners we've met during our travels. Definitely worth a specially planned food adventure for all...

Omg, you don't want to miss this lovely cafe! We were looking to experience a small town on our cross-country trip, and found Mel's in Alma, KS to be a precious little treasure! We stopped just for a latte and tea, and discovered delicious home-baked goods by the owner... We had two amazing scones - tart cherry and ginger. Because they looked so good, we also bought some coffee cake, a chocolate muffin, and homemade biscotti. We also had a delicious mulled cider, perfect for a chilly morning. The atmosphere was wonderful, very cozy and comfortable with a lot of interesting artwork throughout the cafe: be sure to ask the owner about the artists and other sources. All in all, Mel's is a wonderful place to stop en route from Topeka to Salina, in the pretty little town of Alma, just 5 minutes south...

A quaint "Coffee shop" in downtown Alma. I put that in quotes as it is more than your average coffee shop. A converted home with a charming atmosphere and welcoming, loving personalities.

They serve a unique and specific lunch option most days from 11-1, with a weekly menu that shuffles according to fresh and abundant ingredients they have access to.

As long as you don't have many dietary restrictions, or a picky pallet, I highly recommend just stopping in and getting whatever is on the menu today.

I can't speak much to the coffee side of things, but their tea and Italian sodas are always high quality and thirst quenching.

Overall, I highly recommend Mel's. I'd suggest stopping in, even if Alma is a little out of your way. It's the essence of a small town quality...