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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Cafe, Diner, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
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meals, features
Reviews (312)
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304 results
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206
76
10
6
6
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
206
76
10
6
6
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All reviews hash fries bread great place for breakfast big portions hollandaise sauce busy place milkshakes retro loggers benny skillet avocado wrap
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Reviewed October 1, 2023

Doesn't look like much from outside, but so charming on the inside! I was warmly greeted and the service was fast and attentive. I had ordered takeout and it was ready. The buttermilk pancakes were huge, fluffy and delicious and the vegan hash was so...yummy. I'll be back!More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed September 27, 2023 via mobile

This is a classic dinner right out of the middle last century. Service was fast and friendly, food was, well, dinner food, probably not the healthiest thing I will eat this well, but very tasty. The ambiance was nice too.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed September 26, 2023 via mobile

Probably the worst presentation of a meal I’ve ever been served. I ordered the Avocado toast, on a slice of French bread. The presentation was 1/10 and tasted not much better. The ‘French bread’ honestly tasted like a toasted hotdog bun. I had to ask...for hot sauce to make this edible. Would not recommend.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed September 24, 2023

Exceptional beast eggs Benny. Traditional breakfast was also great. Said my husband who is not easily impressed. Service was also top notch.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed August 31, 2023

Ideal Cafe has a lot of attitude -- not so much in the lovely servers, but in the management as expressed by the signage. They warn you in advance to wear a sweater (it was a hot hot day) because the AC can't be moderated,...it was either on or off. Um, another option would be to fix the AC. More warning about long waits; hire more staff? The food, salmon benny, was fine but not worth the high-falutin price. I would give this one a miss next time.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed August 29, 2023

Awesome restaurant with amazing food and friendly staff. Highly recommend for families or a business event

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed August 6, 2023 via mobile

Visiting Campbell River for a quick getaway we searched on TripAdvisor for the number one restaurant and decided to give it a try. Ideal café did not disappoint. Server Leah went above and beyond - food was excellent. It’s a treat having piping hot french...fries with your lunch. It doesn’t happen often and she even brought a little side dish of hot fries for my partner to try. Cool retro atmosphere. Excellent & friendly service. Not in a part of town that I would’ve thought to look for a restaurant, but I’m really glad we stumbled on it and gave it a try. Would recommend and will be back on another trip up.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed July 22, 2023

Ideal is our new favorite breakfast/lunch place. The staff is always friendly and happy to provide excellent recommendations and the food is always hot and fresh. :). Leave your phone behind and have a conversation at this amazing breakfast place.

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed July 6, 2023

Great spot for casual lunch or brunch. We enjoyed the eggs Benny and chowder. The service was attentive and friendly. There is a retro diner vibe to the cafe. Really neat little stopover- thanks!

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed June 29, 2023

This place quite simply puts the best breakfast on a plate in Campbell River. It has an magic atmosphere, and is a throwback to the 1950's diner. I make the loggers breakfast my plate of choice and my wife opts for the benny breakfast. The...service is amazing, and coffee is topped all the time. That it is frequented by locals all of the time , is a testament to the quality of the Ideal Café, and its consistently excellent service and food. Its a regular go to, often spontaneously when the stomach starts to rumble.More

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 18, 2023

Great place for breakfast and fantastic service. A retro diner that sometimes has a line up outside and that's not surprising given the quality. Highly recommend to anyone in town and stand by to meet the locals who make this their diner of choice. Always...a treat.More

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 7, 2023 via mobile

It’s a very busy place and we lucked out by getting in before it filled up. Friendly staff and great food! Big portions so bring your appetite.

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed February 23, 2023

We have been eating here for over 30 years. The food and service has always been great! They close in the afternoon. I do wish they were open for supper.

Date of visit: January 2023
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed February 11, 2023

This is a Campbell River gem of a restaurant. Great food, great friendly 'n fast service. Highly recommend.

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed October 30, 2022

Great old style diner food, good portions, attentive service, some old time atmosphere ... prices are maybe a teensy bit high ... as an example $3.50 for a cup of coffee that is not worth more than $3.00 ... however I do see that it...is 'bottomless' so if you gulp lots of the stuff it would be a bargain ... based on the regular crowds it's a favourite.More

Date of visit: October 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Linda181792
April 19, 2019|
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Response from plantbasedgysy | Reviewed this property |
Yes. Not traditional round Belgium waffles small ones only.
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IDEAL CAFE, Campbell River - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Ideal Cafe

Yes, Ideal Cafe offers takeaway services.

Ideal Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4