Cafe Jefferson

Some new friends recommended this to us. We first walked the gardens and then stopped in the cafe. The atmosphere is very cozy, especially if you get a window view, or even better would be to sit outside under the oak trees. The sandwiches were huge. The Bloody Mary was perfect. The bourbon pecan pie was delicious, as was the key lime pie. I was in a T-shirt and shorts, but I feel that a collared shirt would be more appropriate. Great place to take someone to make them feel special.

Came here for mothers day no reservations took just under an hour to be seated but was able to roam the gardens for our wait very tranquil. I had the seafood bisque the absolute best bisque I have ever had. Large shrimp crawfish and crab in it creamy velvety and wonderful. The rolls are perfectly baked to golden brown and melted in your mouth. Then I had a side salad with a very nice bleu cheese dressing. The gardens were lovely. I would absolutely suggest you try this place.

I had just toured the Rip Van Winkle gardens and I was feeling famished, and this is on the same property, so I stopped in. I was promptly seated and asked what I wanted to drink. I got the crab meat au gratin and it was amazing. And those warm rolls they served were pretty darn good. I would recommend this for anyone in the area or as a compliment to the garden tour. It was reasonably priced and everything was neat, clean and well organized.

Definitely a hot spot for lunch, I love dining here when I get the chance. Waterfront dining is splendid! If you have the option to dine outside, take it. Trees overhead provide the perfect shade, very pleasant even during the summer months. Indoor dining is just as nice, open style dining room with big huge windows overlooking the water and gardens.

The food is delicious and for an amazing price. The Jean Lafitte salad is very big and could feed 2. Sandwiches are tasty too. Service is excellent and food comes rather quickly. Also hot bread rolls are served! Mmm writing this just makes want to go back right away haha!

Can’t actually comment on the cafe itself because I didn’t enter, just flew over to get a few shots of the chimney.

So glad that I found this place - can't wait to go back in cooler weather and see the gardens! The Muffuletta is excellent, not exactly traditional, but delicious perfection (It's done in a panini press and served warm)... Everyone else in my party was happy with their various food selections as well. I got a bread pudding to-go and it was delicious the next day. Sorry, I forgot to take food photos.

We came to South Louisiana to experience Cajun cuisine, and this was certainly one of the highlights of our trip. The seafood gumbo and crawfish etouffee were amazing. The restaurant overlooks the gardens creating great atmosphere. The service was outstanding. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

You can eat inside, outside on the patio or under the trees. We choose under the trees. Love the views of the lake and the gardens. The food was delicious. Service was great, friendly and pretty quick. Now if you do not like peacocks do not eat under the trees. We were completely entertained while one table wasn't too happy. The entire experience was great. $55 for 3 of us to eat. We had complimentary rolls, delicious. Will definitely go back. Sorry I don't have any food pictures. We went on the tour and we were hungry so I forgot to snap a picture of the before lol. We had the crab, shrimp and crawfish bisque, turkey panini with pesto and mozzarella, and the chili along with a grilled chicken panini with gouda.

The food was superb. Extremely tasty with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere and views were captivating and serene. The experience was a retreat for the mind, body, soul, and tastebuds. Planning out next lunch.

Wonderful dining experience. You will find something delicious, whatever taste your taste might be. It was really hard to choose, but everything we had was fantastic. The 'Seafood Heaven' is appropriately named, the seafood bisque, and everything we had was unbelievably good. The service was excellent, the food hot & fresh. Definitely recommend!

Wonderful find! Food is outstanding! We had chef salad, 1/2 Muffeletta, seafood bisque and Seafood Heaven. Beautiful grounds. The service is excellent. We've been here twice now, and plan to come again while we're in the area. Definitely worth the drive from Palmetto State Park

We met family here for a holiday meal and it was a great experience. Macy was an excellent waitress. The food was good and the views were magnificent. This is a very nice place to meet and eat then walk the gardens and by the lake afterwards. Very nice, will go again. There is no open WiFi here

Best crab au gratin I’ve ever had (& I get it everywhere). Service was great even for a large party; they were accommodating. View from the dining area was enchanting & I loved all the peacocks outside. Highly recommend.

My husband and I both enjoyed a delicious meal surrounded by a stunning view. I will be back and plan to bring out of town visitors to enjoy this incredible place.

Very good sandwiches and gumbo! Nice atmosphere. Very nice to stroll the grounds afterwards or take the house tour. Be sure to shop in their gift shop! So many unique and locally made items!

Amazing lunch. You must get the crab au gratin. It is one of the best things I've ever eaten. The restaurant is charming and the grounds are lovely. Our waitress was fabulous too. Look for the white peacock.

The atmosphere was great with beautiful big windows and nature photography. The gumbo was a dark roux New Orleans style. We’ll definitely come again!

Our local DeLorean group had lunch here. A very busy little cafe with great food and reasonable prices. All of Jefferson Island and Rip Van Winkle house are beautiful and well-kept. The gift shop even has a display of mastodon bones reportedly dug up on the property.

Crab augratin is the best anywhere in Louisiana as is the seafood gumbo. We live close, are members of the gardens and visit frequently. We are always treated like family, the views are spectacular and any of the food ordered is authentic !!! No fake news here bros !!! Mike, Weezy and Michele have done an exceptional job with Cafe Jefferson and Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Anyone who does not like this place is blind with defective taste buds.

This restaurant has some very delicious food, and I would eat here EVERY DAY if I lived closer.
The scenic view is especially captivating, too! There is no growing weary of either.
I have enjoyed the mufalotto sandwich immensely!!! My boyfriend is from New Orleans and he raves about how the way Cafe Jefferson prepares it is THE BEST! The Cafe's version of the Italian sandwich gives a lot of the tasty olive salad and the sandwich is pressed (unlike how most are prepared). We ALWAYS GET THIS SANDWICH on every visit.

The chili is good. The sausage and shrimp gumbo is a favorite.

My new favorite is the Chicken and Tasso Sauce Picante. Yum-YUM!!!!!!!

I have only tried one of the desserts: pecan pie a la mode (ice cream of Borden's Golden Vanilla). The filling of the pecan pie is the best! I did not particularly like the huge pieces of pecan. It would have been better if they were chopped finely or used less of them.

You will love your food at this Cafe! Enjoy!!