As I’ve shared here on the FresYes blog, I always get excited to see a new breakfast or brunch spot open in the Fresno/Clovis area. It feels like there aren’t as many as there could be, and my husband loves a good breakfast out. During my ongoing search for new local businesses, I was thrilled to discover Rustika Café and Bakery, which entered its soft opening phase just in time for the holiday season.
My husband and I decided to take a midweek lunch break to check it out, hoping they served brunch foods all day—and we lucked out. Rustika offers an all-day menu featuring breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes, along with pastry cases filled with stunning breads, cakes, croissants, and more, available any time of the day.
Rustika is a Texas-based chain, but Fresno is home to its first California location. This locally franchised café is situated in the former Brunch Bar restaurant on the northeast corner of Herndon and Willow. Much of the beautiful décor from the previous ownership remains, including French-inspired wall art, plush seating, and glittering crystal chandeliers. However, the interior now feels brighter and more inviting. Instead of full table service, Rustika has self-serve pastry cases, and you order food and beverages at the counter. Your food is then delivered to your table.
When we visited, it was just their third day open, so things were on the quieter side. Even so, the service was incredibly friendly and attentive. The pastry cases were filled with tempting baked goods, and they had an abundance of cake samples in condiment cups for guests to try. The food we ordered was plentiful, fresh, and arrived quickly.
We wanted to sample as much as we could to get a feel for the menu, which showcases influences from multiple global cuisines, including Mexican, French, American, Italian, Jewish, and Spanish. We filled a to-go pastry box with an almond butter cookie, an oatmeal raisin cookie, a cinnamon scone, and a lemon thumbprint butter cookie. For drinks, we ordered a Vanilla Latte (made with Mexican vanilla and perfectly balanced—not overly sweet, which I loved) and a Cinnamon Chai Latte (which my husband declared so good he’d return just for that).
For our meals, we had French Toast topped with fresh berries and a side of extra crispy bacon (my favorite) and Huevos Ahogados—three poached eggs with cheese, ham, black beans, and red salsa, served with pillowy honey wheat toast. Our total for two full meals, four baked items, and two drinks was $64.
The portion sizes were generous, and the quality of the food was excellent. I’m excited to return and try their lunch offerings. As someone who loves a good soup, sandwich, salad combo, their menu promises plenty of options. We were also told that Rustika will serve cocktails, including a signature house espresso martini—adding even more variety to an already impressive menu.
Rustika Café and Bakery is a welcome addition to the local dining scene, and I can’t wait to see how it grows in popularity. Whether you’re looking for a hearty brunch, a quick pastry and coffee, or a cozy lunch with a cocktail, Rustika has something for everyone.
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