Highlands Cafe — Restaurant in Wauwatosa

This was just a series of slights and our group will not be back. I had heard good things about the food here and it did not disappoint, but the service sure did. I called the week before to ask about seating availability for our Scrabble club, the Scrabble Hounds. I said we were planning on 4 pm on the following Saturday (6/29/13) and would there be any problems with seating. I was told 'no'. I arrived at 4 pm and walked into the cafe (which had the doors completely open ) and was told the cafe closed at 2, so we would have to sit in the outdoor restaurant area and ask to be seated by the restaurant. Ok, so I walk through the cafe and into the restaurant and see another Scrabbler there and ask the server about our group sitting outside. She was befuddled because no one had told her we were coming (I was not told to make an official reservation on the phone) and seemed quite put out about it. I told her we would like to sit outside and there were about 8-10 of us (there turned out to be 9). She didn't bother to escort us to the table or even treat us with a cordial nature and the place was empty. We literally were the ONLY people there until well after 6 when a few couples came in. So we go outside and I look around at the tables and go back in and ask if we can have some put together, she said sure, go ahead and didn't bother to help. One of our crowd has diabetes and the chairs were affecting the circulation in her legs. She took a chair from inside and switched it out, but the blond woman came out and said sharply, "You can't have this chair outside". She was asked what chair we could have instead and she directed us to the empty outdoor cafe area chairs and then walked away, leaving us to go over and manhandle the metal chair over the railing and switch it out - again, no offer of help whatsoever, rude and cold. As our numbers arrived, we all ordered drinks and appetizers and food and started playing. We all were treated poorly, until we confronted our server (not the rude blond woman at the beginning of the evening) and asked if there was a problem with us because she seemed to have a poor attitude. She said she didn't and was better after that, but not stellar. I will not go into every single slight, but each one of us was treated as a burden or ignored at different points throughout the evening until closing, when they just decided to turn off the lights on us, instead of...

I placed an order using a food service platform to pick up five sandwiches for my staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. We’d all agreed to try something new and the menu seemed to accommodate all of the different tastes we preferred. I arrived a little after the pickup window and was greeted very dryly after having to walk halfway through the crowded restaurant to reach the hostess. As I began to inform her that I was there for a pick up, she turned and hastily moved further back through the space. So I followed, because I thought maybe she could not hear me since she did not respond. In the rear of the restaurant there was another space that seemed to be for pick ups so I knew then I must be in the right space but I’d stepped too far left after going up the steps and ended up in their work area. To lighten the mood, I joked about having moved so fast that I landed in the wrong space as I walked around the counter. The woman (who did not wear a name tag and would not give me her name) mocked me. Wobbling her head around while mouthing my words followed by a whispered “ya think”. I supposed she didn’t think that I could see her or she just didn’t give a ——, so I asked “what was that”. She froze before saying “nothing, um here’s your food.”

I don’t know the reasoning behind her disposition and don’t care to know because she should have checked that at the door or stayed home. The only reason I will return is to find out her name, otherwise they can keep their unseasoned house chips and their crumbly veggie burger. The sandwich fell apart before I could even get into the first bite. The food was just as nasty as her service. So no, I don’t and won’t recommend...

Highlands Café: A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering

Tucked away off the beaten path, Highlands Café is a delightful discovery that my mom and I stumbled upon just a few weekends ago. Since then, it has become our go-to breakfast spot, and for good reason.

The food here is consistently great—flavorful, hearty, and perfect for starting your day. It’s a refreshing change to find a café where you’re not subjected to long waits or sticker shock when the bill arrives. Highlands Café strikes a rare balance between quality and affordability, making it a true hidden gem in the area.

That said, no place is without its quirks. While the welcoming, small-town charm of the staff is undeniable, the servers sometimes lean a bit too heavily into catching up with the regulars. It’s wonderful to see such strong community ties, but as a newcomer, I occasionally found myself wishing for a bit more attention from the waitstaff. After all, a full coffee cup is a happy customer!

Still, this minor hiccup doesn’t detract from what Highlander Café offers. If you’re looking for great food, a cozy atmosphere, and a place that feels like home (once you get in the groove of the service), this café is well worth the visit. Just bring a little patience—and maybe a book, in case the conversation at the next table gets too good to interrupt.

In summary: Highlands Café has won me over with its excellent food and welcoming vibe. A little more attentiveness to new faces would make it perfect, but even as it stands, it’s a spot I’m thrilled to call my new...