Cafe Farina — Restaurant in Michigan City

Cafe Farina has excellent vibes— coming from Chicago I’m always looking for a tasty bite and an added bonus is aesthetics. The aesthetic of this place is super cute. The food is good. I think it could be better. We had a meatball appetizer and the meatballs were delicious, but they were not very hot and the ricotta topping was very small and not enough to go around. We ordered the pork chop calabrese - great review there other than the potatoes being a bit underdone. Two of us had the chicken alla limone. WOW. This dish is so tasty. The sauce is truly incredible, however, it’s $23 for two chicken breasts in sauce. I feel like for this price they should add potato wedges similar to chicken Vesuvio that soak in the sauce or a small addition of angel hair. Both of those are affordable options for the restaurant that just make a meal more complete and the dining experience better as a consumer. The espresso martini was GREAT. Lastly, we had the chicken parm sandwich at our table with truffle parm fri s—-the fries were excellent! While the sandwich was delicious, the sauce on the sandwich was nearly nonexistent.

When our food was delivered, nobody came to check on us for a while and they were not that busy for the amount of staff they had in the restaurant. We wanted an extra side of sauce but the others at the table were nearly finished dining by the time we could make eye contact with someone to bring a sauce over. We asked one server, and he was not our server, which we understand, but ours we could not get ahold of. She was tending to her other tables but never came to check on us so eventually we were able to flag her down while she was helping another table…which felt rude on our part…but nobody would come to us otherwise. The man refilling water glasses was ON TOP of it, our water never went below half of a glass.

This is not a negative review and I would not discourage you from going, I definitely think this place is worth a try. The food is delicious, the restaurant just needs a little more attention to detail and small adjustments. I think Cafe Farina is an excellent spot to have in Michigan City and will remain a favorite, for the price, it just needs a few tweaks. I would go back and look forward to going back and trying other dishes.

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Cafe Farina, nestled in the heart of downtown Michigan City, is a charming Italian-American establishment that's breaking the mold by offering a rare Saturday brunch—a delightful surprise for weekend brunch enthusiasts like us.

This cozy spot, with its quirky yet elegant decor inspired by horse racing memorabilia, exudes a modern charm. When the weather permits, a quaint patio out front offers an enchanting alfresco dining experience, adding a touch of outdoor magic to your meal. While the interior may seem small, potentially feeling a bit crowded during peak hours, the brunch crowd was quite sparse during our visit, allowing us to choose our preferred table. A reservation, however, would be a wise choice for those planning a visit during busier times.

Once comfortably seated in our chosen alcove by the front window, our brunch adventure began. Our enthusiastic waiter promptly welcomed us with some exceptional beverages—an indulgent cappuccino and a customizable espresso martini, courtesy of a thoughtful and attentive bartender.

The food, however, stole the spotlight. We started with a vibrant Caprese Salad, bursting with fresh flavors. The star dishes were the Benedicts—one with ham and the other with salmon. Each element, from the crispy potatoes to the flawlessly executed hollandaise, was immaculate. The poached eggs, described on the menu as done "the right way," truly lived up to the promise.

Cafe Farina has crafted a delightful and unique Saturday brunch experience, skillfully combining exceptional food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. We wholeheartedly recommend this place for anyone in search of a memorable brunch in Michigan City. With Cafe Farina, we've certainly found our new favorite...

My friend and I shared the most incredible dining experience recently. We both were in agreement on one thing. It was the best dinner either one of us had consumed in a very long time. It was at Cafe Farina in Michigan City IN.

My friend started out with some ridiculously fresh Delaware Bay Oysters. I never saw such a smile come across his face as he literally inhaled the oysters, it seemed. I, on the other hand, dove into the house salad with both hands. I have never experienced such a flavor profile coming from two simple ingredients - Olive oil and Parmesan Cheese. The night was off to a spectacular beginning.

It was quite difficult to select a main course as there were definitely a few contenders from which to choose. However, one of the the nights "Special Features" rose to the top that neither one of us could resist - the Chilean Sea Bass in a lemon butter sauce. And oh, was it fine!

The Chilean Sea Bass was cooked to perfection with a palette engaging texture that was almost undefinable, it was so good. The deliciously balanced flavors of the lemon butter sauce took the dish to the next level. It was absolutely delicious!

How do you end a fabulous dinner? With the Strawberry Cream Cake, of course. It's appearance was one of beauty and the creamy, silky character of it was accented with a multitude of luscious flavors. Ascend to heaven!

Kudos to the Chef and the kitchen staff for a job done exceedingly well. Our server, Kendra, was outstanding throughout the night. It was truly a wonderful dining experience all around. I highly recommend...