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Hours
Sun
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mon
4:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue
4:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Wed
4:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Thu
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
4:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Sat
4:00 pm - 10:30 pm
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Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Steakhouse, Seafood, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Does this restaurant have a full bar?
Details
About
A warm, inviting atmosphere best defines Cafe Navarre. Clearly one of downtown South Bend's most attractive buildings from the exterior, and the view from inside Cafe Navarre is nothing short of breathtaking. The fusion of Old World style architecture with natural light and the finest interior furnishings, the ambiance of Cafe Navarre is truly one of a kind.The style of food offered by Cafe Navarre includes French, Italian and Spanish. Cuisine distinguished by simplicity, full flavor, and healthiness describes the overall style. Cafe Navarre's menu also offers more fresh fish options than what other local restaurants typically offer.Dishes created with farm to table sources are unmistakable in flavor and quality. These are regularly featured at Cafe Navarre, along with an array of top shelf wines at prices that our customers return frequently to enjoy.Private Rooms: For your special event or business meeting, Cafe Navarre can seat up to 20 guests in each of three private meeting rooms.
PRICE RANGE
$33.00 – $63.00
CUISINES
Steakhouse, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
509 reviews
Excellent
343
Very good
115
Average
34
Poor
10
Terrible
7
justpraisin
Holland44 contributions
Jun 2020 • couples
We enjoyed a wonderful meal and impeccable service from our waiter, Zach. We chose this restaurant for a belated 47th wedding anniversary celebration dinner and were greeted with an anniversary card and a special anniversary menu printed for us. The restaurant also provided complementary champagne. Our dinner was delicious (half chicken for my husband and a steak for me). We splurged on dessert and I had to try the lavender cheesecake, which was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Written 18 June 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
Thank you for celebrating such a special day with us! We are so glad that you enjoyed your evening. We love the lavender cheesecake, too! We hope to see you again soon!
Written 24 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacquelyn C
South Haven346 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
We had a wonderful, well prepared meal. They greeted us with a special table as it was my birthday, There was a birthday card on the table and I got a free delicious Lavender cheesecake. The scallop appetizer was outstanding, my wedge salad was good and our Surf and Turf was outstanding. Their special Red Pepper Bread was wonderful. Will definitely go back, it is an hour drive for us but worth the trip.
Written 25 July 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
Thank you for making the hour trip to our restaurant to celebrate your birthday! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your meal with us. Our lavender cheesecake is our favorite dessert! We are glad you liked it, too. We look forward to your next visit! Happy Birthday!
Written 27 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeff R
Appleton4 contributions
Feb 2020 • business
This restaurant was recommended and I was told the mushroom soup was “to die for” . I wasn’t disappointed. The Mushroom soup was better than advertised and the service was top notch. We had the Branzino and the Fjord Sea Trout. Both were excellent. The service was top notch. From he hostess to the waiter/ waitress they were all very helpful and there when you needed them. Well done by all.
Written 12 February 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
Thank you for your review! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. We hope to see you next time you are in town!
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie P
1 contribution
Dec 2019 • none
We absolutely love the food at Cafe Navarre. We had a wonderful waiter on our very first visit a few years ago who knew the specials and answered every question that we had. That is what kept us coming back - excellent food and knowledgeable, attentive staff.
Recently, the waitstaff has become a bit unpredictable. When my husband and I visited in October, the waitress didn't know much about the menu and seemed a bit frazzled. My husband ordered two glasses of wine and size of the pour on the first was fine, but the second was very light when compared to the first as well as those around us. The waitress didn't ask if we wanted dessert and just handed us our check. We felt that we were being pushed out of the restaurant to make room for other diners. We were there barely 45 minutes. For $150 dinner, we expected better service.
On another dinner in December, our waitress went into great flair relaying the night's specials to the table of 4 a few tables away, but just asked "are you ready to order?" when she got to our table. We had to ask her what the specials were. She did ask if we wanted to order dessert though.
The food as always is excellent, but an establishment of this caliber should have more attentive waitstaff.
5 stars on the food, 4 stars on the wine and 3 stars on the service.
Written 3 January 2020
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.
navarrehg
Hello Katie,
My name is Matthew Soutra and I am the Vice President of Navarre Hospitality Group. I want to personally apologize for the issues with your service on your past visits at Café Navarre and thank you for taking the time to write this review. Café Navarre’s reputation as a staple in South Bend is built on providing consistent experiences that exceed expectations, we have clearly failed to meet these expectations. I have discussed your comments with ownership as well as our entire service and management team at Café Navarre. I am hoping to speak with you, at your leisure, in more detail. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time; my email address is matt@navarrehospitalitygroup.com. Thank you again for taking the time to write this review, and my sincere apologies for the poor service you experienced.
Happy New Year, I Hope to speak with you soon,
Sincerely,
Matthew Soutra
Vice President NHG
Written 4 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
hungry in South Bend
Granger1 contribution
Jul 2021 • none
Two of us ate there on Friday, July 23 and were so disappointed. The service was terrible. We had a 7 pm reservation and the rude hostess tried to seat up upstairs. She told us that those were reserved for people who made a reaeration. We told her that we had a reservation. So she huffed and puffed and sat us downstairs at a table.
We sat and waited over 25 minutes for water. The bread came at 35 minutes. And, we were give our drink order at 30 minutes, and these too took to long to get.
We finally ordered the crab cakes for an appetizer. And, they had such a fishy taste we could not finish them. The Lamb Entree's then came out and they were fall off the bone, but had some soupy spinach on top. We had to ask for mashed potatoes. And, there was not jus. For dessert we order the key lime pie which was delicious and the peach cobbler that had unripe peaches, passion fruit ice cream and some burnt small pieces of crust. The best thing about that was the the strawberries (??) that were hidden in the bottom were the only ripe and sweet tasting thing in the dessert.
We walked away shaking our heads. The service was terrible, the hostess was downright rude and the food was not even passable. If you go, good luck!
Written 24 July 2021
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.
Brian_in_Reno
Reno215 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Nestled in a converted bank building the Café Navarre offers an excellent menu for fine dining. Choices include a variety of entrees including steaks, chops, fish, bouillabaisse, shellfish, roast chicken, pasta, and shrimp risotto. Or you can select from small plates such as quail, scallops, hummus, gnocchi, shrimp and crab cake among the choices. I had their fantastic Wild Mushroom soup garnished with crème fresh, chives and chopped hazelnuts. That was worth the visit by itself. Then the Caesar salad and the crab cake. I was curious about the crab cake. Would it be of sufficient size? Would it be primarily stuffing? No worries, it was lump crab and satisfied my appetite. Parking is on the street or in one of the nearby garages. They offer a full bar. Service was knowledgeable, welcoming, friendly and efficient. Nice place, wonderful food.
Written 18 July 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
Thank you so much for such a kind and detailed review! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed our mushroom soup, caesar salad, and crab cake. Those are some of our favorites! We hope to see you again soon! Cheers!
Written 27 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nevisisforme
Myrtle Beach113 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
My dinner was delicious, menu a bit limited and be prepared to pay high prices for dinner. Perhaps the limited menu is because of Covid. Dinning room was nice, we ate late and seating was spaced. Outdoor seating is available.
Written 10 April 2021
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.
Anastasia Spalding
Thank you for your review! We are glad you enjoyed your meal with us. We hope to see you again soon!
Written 23 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pioneer620464
Louisville42 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
A group of 8 from Louisville were in South Bend for the women's basketball vs Notre Dame. We called for reservations and were offered a semi private table upstairs. The service was simply outstanding as the server was an absolute professional. The food was splendid as everyone raved about their meals, there was a wine special that evening which was outstanding, and everything about the evening was delightful. If the Cards play the Irish next year in South Bend, we'll be back
Written 28 February 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us! We are honored to have had to opportunity to meet and serve you. Thank you for your review! We hope to see you next year!
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
love2travel068
32 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We celebrated our anniversary at Navarre, and it couldn't have been more wonderful. We had a reservation and were seated on arrival. The drinks were fabulous (try the "3 o'clock things," it's perfect!) as were all our meals. We shared plates of trout, branzino and scallops, all perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Cafe Navarre does it again!
Written 9 July 2021
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.
bbdn796
San Francisco54 contributions
May 2022 • family
11 of us had a separate room to celebrate the ND graduation of our daughter/granddaughter.
The service was slow. Dinner was to be at 7:30 and we had long waits. We arrived at 7:25. We were taken to the room at 7:55. The waiter took our orders at 8:15.
When the mushroom soup was brought at 8:40 it was only warm and had a skin forming on top of it. It would have been excellent if it had been served hot. The steak was ok - not excellent. The cod was nicely cooked but the miso sauce was extremely salty and was only mildly warm. It seemed like the food must have waited too long to get from the kitchen to our table.
The Amish chicken was excellent; it was served last.
The waiter took a very long time to resolve requests.
He did arrange for the 3 children to have off the menu dinners which they liked.
The price was too high for the quality of the service we received.
Written 18 May 2022
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.
Jane and John J
Williamsburg72 contributions
Jan 2022 • couples
The atmosphere was unique, this restaurant is built within an old bank and the architecture is fantastic. We did not have reservations on a busy Sunday night, but were seated at the bar and enjoyed full dinner service. In central Indiana, we both ordered seafood and our entrees were excellent. Cafe Navarre was a recommendation from our hotel staff at The Aloft - we will definitely return!
Written 16 January 2022
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.
Dustin S
Wauseon9 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Pork Belly appetizer was the highlight of the night. Caesar salad was poor. The stuffed pepper was tasteful, but unfulfilling. The beef medallions were decent, but definitely not worth the price tag. The service was great, wonderful atmosphere, but the food was just, OK.
Written 17 February 2020
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.
anastasiaspalding
Thank you for your review. We are glad that you enjoyed our pork belly appetizer. We are sorry that the rest of your meal was not up to par. We strive to have excellent food, and we clearly missed the mark. We appreciate your feedback. Our management team has been notified and is addressing the issues you have brought up. Our sincerest apologies. We hope to give you a more enjoyable experience next time you visit.
Written 19 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gretchen B
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • none
I had a wonderful time during my recent dining experience at Cafe Navarre. I had the hamachi appetizer and monk fish for my main course. Both were delicious. Our server, Josh, was delightful and descriptive of each item, including the new white chocolate berry verrine dessert not listed on the menu. I highly recommend the restaurant and server, Josh.
Written 30 April 2022
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.
Jocelyne R
Chicago31 contributions
Jun 2022 • couples
Visiting South Bend for the first time, my husband and I had the good fortune of choosing Cafe Navarre for dinner. Located in an old bank, the decor is classic and modern at the same time with a relaxed vibe. The food was great (try the mushroom soup) and we appreciated the perfect, compact menu offering something for everyone. Cesar, our waiter, was a delight and a wealth of information regarding local history. A highlight of the evening was when Matt Soutra (who we discovered is the V.P. of Navarre Hospitality Group) stopped by our table to see how we were enjoying our meal and within 30 seconds elicited a good laugh from my husband and me. Nice touch! We left sated and charmed and will definitely be back the next time we’re in South Bend.
Written 29 June 2022
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.
Emily R
Sturgis64 contributions
May 2022 • couples
From the ambience of the restaurant to the attention of our server Josh, I would rate this a five out of five stars. Have eaten wonderful meals in 24 countries and this one is in our top 7. Our server, Josh, knew the menu well, made wonderful recommendations and had the perfect serving mentality, available but not overly so. We came here for our anniversary and were given a card signed by the staff, champagne and many happy anniversary wishes. Definitely will be back here.
Written 16 May 2022
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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