Cafe Belle Epoque - Saint Joseph

We discovered Cafe Belle Époque on a Friday evening, and it turned out to be one of the best finds we've had in St. Joe for a while. We started with the hummus appetizer, then enjoyed Sid's roast beef and the three cheese mac and cheese, both paired with arugula side salads. For dessert, we indulged in the chocolate pecan pie topped with boozy whipped cream. Everything was simply amazing! The service was prompt and incredibly welcoming. We will definitely return!

The food was absolutely incredible! The iced tea was delightful, and the shepherd's pie was outstanding. At first, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it, but I was completely mistaken. If I ever find myself in Missouri again, I would definitely return!

Now, onto the less favorable aspects. Although the restaurant has a vegan menu, I found it odd when I asked for coffee and was told they don't offer any plant-based milk options. In 2022, it's quite common for even non-vegans to prefer plant milk in their coffee, making it surprising to find a place that only serves dairy. As for the food, we tried the vegan shepherd's pie and the vegan curry, alongside split pea soup and hummus with pita. Unfortunately, I had to send the shepherd's pie back because it was cold in the center. The split pea soup was enjoyable, and the curry was decent, but the rice served with it was dry, and the pita with the hummus was cold, which was a letdown. Overall, the food just didn't quite hit the mark for us. It might be because we come from an area with a wide variety of vegan options, but despite arriving hungry, we ended up finishing less than half of what we ordered. As someone who typically finishes their plate, I didn't even feel it was worth asking for a box to take leftovers back to our Airbnb. In summary: the staff and atmosphere were excellent, but the vegan food needs improvement, and it would be great if they could offer plant-based milk for coffee.

I discovered this cafe through a recommendation in a Chiefs Training Camp Facebook group about restaurants to try. WOW! This place is fantastic! The menu options, service, presentation, ambiance, and TASTE are all absolutely worth a visit!

We've been to this restaurant more than 10 times now, and each visit has reinforced my belief that they truly know what they're doing. The food is well-prepared, carefully crafted, and simply delicious. Be sure to try the tomato basil soup, eggs benedict, shepherd's pie, or even the salads—you won't leave disappointed. And for once, do indulge in dessert; you’ll leave feeling incredibly happy. The ambiance is ideal for a date or a fun evening with friends, providing a wonderful backdrop for enjoyable conversations.