Cafe Med Eugene — Restaurant in Eugene

Walking up is a narrow doorway to the outside seating, and then you walk up to reception. We made a 7pm reservation and arrived about 10 early, as I noted. She offered to sit us at the bar or outside. I politely declined and the host accepted my reply. Right on the dot of 7pm we were seated at a nice, small corner table.

Lighting is great, not too dim, but well lit. Lively atmosphere and lots of chatter, so if you prefer quieter atmospheres, this may mot be the place during peak dinner times (although the outside seating was quieter, well insulated and heated). The dining area got substantially quieter when the adjacent corner table left.

Our server was very descriptive and super friendly (good energy).

Warm bread, balsamic and oil promptly placed after ordering 👌 As soon as the last piece was eaten, it was very quickly replaced and the server communicated on food status. Bonus points right there. Never having to ask for water- another pet peeve I didn't have to experience, not even once.

We ordered the Mahi Mahi (was originally halibut, server made a correction. Usually these changes have to do with sourcing and freshness). I ordered the linguini with clams and white wine sauce, it's one of my favorite type of dishes. Phenomenal balance of flavors. Large portions of fillet, not shy on the clams. The food is amazing and Eugene definitely needed a seafood based Italian restaurant. ...

5:30 on Feb. 22, 2025.

I don't review often, but I had to in this case. The service was not great. We were first seated by the bar. That seems to be were the male servers congregate and socialize. They talked about their dates and the girls they dated. that would be fine for a local dive bar, but not at a place that charges $35 a plate and a total bill of $100 (no drinks) for 2 people. We asked politely to be moved (so that we would not have to hear their dating banter, though we said it was because it was a high traffic area). Once moved, the server was very slow. Case in point, we asked for a dessert menu. We sat there for 10 minutes waiting for him to return (he was, you guessed it, at the bar chatting with his buddies, avoiding eye contact). So, we passed on dessert.

I will say that the female server was totally on top of her tables, so if we had gotten her, we would probably have given a higher rating for service. We still tipped 15% because I don't believe in shorting a server who is just bad at their job, but I usually tip 20% or more.

Food was decent, but not worth the price. We had their specials: calamari appetizer and each had the lobster/crab ravioli. Each plate had 8 ravioli for $35, which costs out to over $4 per ravioli, and it was under-cooked. Not worth the price.

We will not...

An Absolute Gem in Eugene – Tagliatelle Heaven!

Cafe Med is hands down one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in Eugene—or anywhere, really. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere wraps you in warm, Mediterranean charm. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you feel relaxed, welcome, and like you just stumbled into a hidden gem in a Tuscan alleyway.

Now, let’s talk about the Tagliatelle Bolognese—because wow. This dish is pure magic. Perfectly cooked, silky tagliatelle coated in a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce that’s bursting with deep, layered flavor. You can taste the time and love that went into it. It’s comforting, elevated, and absolutely unforgettable. Honestly, it should be illegal for something to taste this good.

The service? Impeccable. Warm, attentive, and never overbearing. The staff truly care about your experience and are incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and wine pairings. They made us feel like we were regulars, even though it was our first time in.

Whether you’re on a date, catching up with friends, or just treating yourself to something special, Cafe Med nails it on every level—vibes, food, service, and soul. I can’t wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu.

If you’re in Eugene and don’t eat here, you’re missing...