Cafe Farina

First time eating here and it was great! Our waitress was amazing! Very attentive and friendly and quick. Good was so good, hot, and fast! The Big mozz is huge!

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 weekend spot.

It was our first time and everything was great, we're going back! Our server was very kind & helpful with choosing the wine & food along with making sure our glasses were full. A MUST try is the Mama's meatballs which make sure you get the bread for, you know, plate clean up. Due to the occasion we spent more than normally but depending what you're looking for the, some dishes, can be slightly above average...still worth it. The atmosphere was very cozy, relaxing, and felt like your quintessential hometown Italian cafe for all occasions. This is the best Italian food in our area, outside of grandma's kitchen!

Cafe Farina provided such an AMAZING experience for my mother and I. Chandler was our server and He took such good care of us. The whole staff was very warm and welcoming. The food and atmosphere was fantastic! We shared the Caprese salad to start which was lovely. You can really tell they pay close attention to the quality of ingredients they use. For our entree I chose the Spaghetti and meatballs saying it was phenomenal would be an understatement! My mother had one of the specials the Eggplant Rotolo, it was like a nice warm hug at the end of a hard day. We finished with the Sea Salt Caramel Gelato that was delightful. Thank you Cafe Farina!

My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our dinner together last night. The food was outstanding, the wine, the atmosphere, the window seat, everything was just perfect. We will definitely be back, to try everything on the menu. If you haven’t been, you have to go to Cafe Farina.

I took my mom there for lunch. Her maiden name is Farina so I thought it would be neat. The food was EXCELLENT and our service was great as well! It's a 45 minute drive to get there but we'll worth it. Definitely will return.

From Chicago and some friends took us there. Very nice experience. Excellent food I had the braised beef tortellini and caprese salad. They were both excellen! Fun atmosphere and good service. Will definitely go back.

We stumbled across this cute restaurant. We had the best experience! The food was amazing and the server went above and beyond to make our night so enjoyable. Great vibe!

Different atmosphere than the original location, larger bar area, smaller tables. Our 2 entrees were delicious, attentive service from the time we sat down. We were there on a Friday PM, strongly suggest reservations

If I could give this wonderful establishment 6 STARS, I would. We go to 100 restaurants a year and are careful to support good ones. Cafe Farina may be the best restaurant we’ve visited in the past decade. The ambiance was lovely - old school Italian. The service was excellent and the food exceeded every expectation possible. We had plates of small items to share and at least 3 of the 5 selections were literally the best version I’ve ever had. We’re putting Cafe Farina on our Must Visit list and plan to dine there at least once a month. Find this place and love it like we do.

We stopped in late Saturday afternoon and the place was already bustling! Very fun evening! We had the Italian Sausage Giambotta and Chicken Parm Plate! Delicious! Our server, Ian was fantastic! Very attentive and charming! Thank you, Cafe Farina, for a wonderful experience!

We try to dine here at least once a week. It is excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere and typically it has good service as well. They have improved on their service immensely since they opened and we are just so happy to have such a wonderful restaurant with such delightful food.
We have been here for lunch a few times, dinner many times and periodically. We have done takeout. All of the experiences I've been wonderful and we are very grateful.

Cafe Farina is a hidden gem that encapsulates the essence of an authentic Italian dining experience. The ambiance is warm and inviting, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. The wine selection, priced just right, complements the entire dining experience, offering a perfect pairing for every dish.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the freshly baked bread, a testament to the artistry of their kitchen. The crust is perfection, giving way to a pillowy interior that's simply divine. The braised beef pasta is a symphony of flavors, each bite revealing the meticulous preparation and dedication to quality ingredients.

However, it's the tiramisu that steals the spotlight—a heavenly conclusion to an already remarkable meal. Each layer is a delicate balance of coffee-infused sponge and velvety mascarpone, creating a dessert that's both indulgent and nuanced. The attention to detail in every aspect, from the impeccable service to the thoughtfully curated menu, showcases Cafe Farina's commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience. If you're a connoisseur of fine Italian cuisine, this charming restaurant is a must-visit, promising a gastronomic journey that lingers in your memory long after the last sip of wine.

The food was great. I had sausage and Oreccheitte . Later, I had cannoli cake. It was fab!!!
All were a little more pricey, but we'll worth it. Bread cost extra.

Hi, recommended by my nephew Geno Aliasi from Melrose Pk. Says he knows the owner. Excellent sauce and meatballs. Wife had the eggplant.. excellent. Will go back.

This was our 4th visit to this place. It has quickly become one of our go to places for fine Italian food. Everything we have tried has been simply delicious and flawless. Although the place feels a bit cramped whe. It is full (which is all the time), the service moretha. Makes up for that. Owners are always aware of what's going on and willing to make things right if there were any issues.
Special mention has to be for Tonight's server Chelsea. She noticed from distance a minor issue we were having with assigned table and promptly approached to accommodate our need. She was pleasant. professional and courteous very much committed to making sure our dining experience was good and it was. Thank you Chelsea!

Another visit today was not as pleasant. They are clearly short staffed and it shows up in service. Our server seemed to have too many tables. Took a long time to show up. While professional and courteous, did not seem overly friendly. Could not even get refills of water until we were almost done with dining. I am sure this is a short term problem that will be fixed with hiring of more staff.

We decided to experience lunch at Cafe Farina since we were in Michigan City running errands. What a great new cozy restaurant on Franklin St with an amazing offering of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and entrées. They also have daily specials. We decided on clam chowder to start which was silky smooth with plenty of clams. We split an Italian hoagie accompanied by handcut fries which was a perfect choice for lunch.. The portions are huge and we ended up bringing half back to snack on later. Our server, Kendra, was friendly, efficient and timed our order perfectly without making us feel rushed. We cannot wait to return and try some dinner options. Congratulations Chef Joe on your new restaurant 👏 ***as an unexpected treat, we were able to view the St Patrick Day Parade from the warmth of the restaurant! ☘ 🍀

Everything was delicious! Had the calamari, artichoke piccatta, chicken Parmesan, caccio pepe pasta, brisket tortellini and chicken fettuccine. Mimosas, bloody Marys! So good. Highly recommend! Great service too!

Love it! Excellent food, beautiful drinks, good service and great lively atmosphere. We’ve had a lot of wonderful dishes here - lakefish, linguine with clams, seafood salad, fresh oysters, huge pork chop, and more. Prices are very fair. Bravo!

This place is amazing in every aspect. The food is all so good!! Didn’t expect the garlic bread to steal the show.