Cafe Espresso of Dover

So delightful when your food comes out and it is SO obvious that the kitchen staff takes pride in what they do. I almost took a tacky food selfie of the plates because they were beautiful. Had a tuna sandwitch on marbled rye, fries were awesome. She had a scramble that was exceptional. Décor is a little dark and could use updating but was very clean. You will not be disappointed.

First time at Café Espresso and I will be sure to return. I went around 1:30 on a Monday and I was one of the only patrons there. I ordered Pancakes and Eggs which came with 3 pancakes, two eggs any style, bacon (you could also get ham or sausage), and home fries. All this for $ 7.99, I didn’t even finish it all! Pancakes were warm and fluffy. Eggs were fresh and hot, and bacon was crisp. Home fries were more of diced potatoes. They needed a little more seasoning but nothing salt and ketchup couldn’t fix. I also ordered a standard cup of coffee and it was delicious. Better than Dunkin’ (oops did I say that?). Café Espresso will be my place for breakfast anytime for a great price!

We visited for breakfast & while we found the server & hot coffee very nice, I swore I drank a whole bottle of cooking oil eating the food. I ordered 2 eggwhites, sausage, home fries & homemade cinnamon toast. The three sausage links were thin, soaked through with oil and shriveled black/​brown. Even the server agreed they looked awful. I’m quite sure they were cooked last night. The home fries «looked good» but lacked any seasoning. They too must have been cooked hours before & were SOAKED in oil. The cinnamon toast was thick & really good. Thankfully, I was filled with ½ because the other half of the toast soaked up the puddle of oil on my plate. My husband ordered the benedict — it was «meh» at best. No salt, pepper… Just lacked major taste & was bland. I hope they take their time cooking — the cooks need to not serve stuff they wouldn’t eat themselves. The side of bacon was overcooked & also super oily. Taste the food before it’s sent out. I had hoped they’d be different than the other sloppy diners in Dover but so far, not so good. There are a million ways to serve great bacon & sausage at a good cost. I’d give it 1 star but the server was very kind & they took out the ugly cruise mirror from the prior Fish Shanty. Somehow our bill came to $ 27. I bet they buy more oil to cook with atleast $ 20 of it. Sonny’s for Breakfast is a much better choice!

For the price you pay, breakfast is good at café espresso. Portion size is good but also tasty! Lots of specials all the time. Different variety of French toasts and pancakes usually my favorite but they’ve had some pretty tempting looking benedicts!
I had lunch one day, and it was awful. I got a panini, actually was a squished/​flattened sub roll. The chips, advertised as home made were the bottom of some bag of standard issue Sysco chips. The next time I was in having breakfast, I saw the actual homemade chips on another diner’s plate, so they do exist. It’s tacky to call them homemade and charge me as such if you didn’t make any that day. Stick with breakfast.
Had waitstaff seat us as forget about us, seen it happen to other patrons as well.
Frequently have sent silverware or cups back because they’ve been dirty.
Mixed bag but I keep going back. Lots of tables and usually no wait, even on the weekends.

Firstly, I love breakfast. I like to find a nice place where I can wake up and start my day. I recently moved to dover and the café is around the corner from my apartment. I have been here several times by myself and with friends or family. There are many things that are done well. The food is cooked quickly and is given in ample serving (great for kids/​after kid activities). The menu is straight forward easy to read and there is a supplemented specials menu that changes seasonally.
However, what’s keeping the café from true skyline success is the atmosphere of the dining room. Because really that’s what people come out to eat for. The first issue is the smell. Scent instantly triggers memories for people (olfactory) and the retirement home scent reminds me of my dying grandmother and collection of weird dolls that she gives me.
The second is the carpet and wallpaper. The first time I walked in I thought I accidentally went in to the days Inn continental breakfast next door.
I do love coming here but something needs to be done about the smell.

Doesn’t really live up to its namesake. Diner food basically with a luke warm latte smothered in cinon without asking if we wanted at all. Very friendly staff though.

I wanted eggs and home fries only because I am a vegetarian. The home fries when I asked were deep fried. I dio not want my potatoes cooked in a fryolater. I asked the waitress if they would cook them on the grill for me with onions. If they wouldn’t then I would take the beans if they were meatless. The waitress said she would check. We never saw that waitress till she returned much later with our check. Another waitress brought my meal to the table: eggs cold toast and fryolated potatoes with no onions. The original waitress said the cook was going to grill my home fries. She never came back to tell me that: in fact she never came back to refill coffee: I had to request another waitress who was walking by for that. I think it is appaling that a restaurant does not cook a customers meal the way It is requested. If I want french fries I’ll go to McD’s I don’t expect them for breakfast. I don’t appreciate the extra clogging oil in my diet. The whole experience was poor and undeserving of a return visit.

This was my second visit to the new Café Espresso in Dover. During my first visit, the food was good and the service was friendly though painfully slow.
Being a vegetarian, I liked that there were a few interesting options for me so I suggested going there today with my husband and toddler. From top to bottom, it was a huge disappointment. We were greeted by an unfriendly hostess («Three?» No hello or welcome) and a rather bathroomy smell. Our uninterested server arrived after over 5 minutes and took our drink order.
At this point I acquired my own high chair as none was coming.
Eventually my husband and I got our food but nothing arrived for our daughter. We inquired and the server pretended it was on the way when it clearly hadn’t been ordered. Mistakes happen– no problem but don’t fib about it. My husband’s BLT wrap was weirdly dressed in both Italian seasoning and guacamole. The chips of the side of my sandwich were pulverized to the point of being best eaten with a spoon.
There were at least six servers working (mostly hanging out) but the only friendly and motivated person was the bus boy (promote that guy!)
Overall a total bummer.

Lovely spot for breakfast in Dover. Attentive, quirky staff, fantastic coffee/​espresso and the food was top shelf; fresh, perfectly cooked. The menu is diverse and unique along side the breakfast staples. The veggie omelette was just what i needed. Add a side of bacon and fruit means I have a food baby, twin sized, right meow. Absolutely swing in if you find yourself in Dover. We’ll be back for sure.