+1 541-653-9507
Located in the heart of Eugene, Cafe Med Eugene offers an authentic Italian dining experience that beautifully captures the essence of Italy’s rich culinary traditions. This Italian restaurant masterfully combines classic recipes with a contemporary twist, serving up dishes that delight every sense. From the moment you step inside, the inviting atmosphere – whether indoors with its cozy charm or outside on the lovely patio – sets the perfect scene for a memorable meal.
The menu at Cafe Med Eugene reads like a love letter to Italy’s diverse regions. Highlighted by dishes such as the luscious Pappardelle Funghi Misti and the decadently creamy Gnocchi Gorgonzola, each bite bursts with layered flavors and textures that transport you straight to an Italian trattoria. Starters like the Beef Carpaccio and Fritto Misto are delicate yet bold, offering fresh, vibrant flavors that awaken the palate. For seafood lovers, the Tuna Tartare and Linguine Alle Vongole provide perfectly balanced, luscious options, while meat aficionados will appreciate the perfectly seared T-Bone and the savory Bistecca.
Desserts here are simply irresistible — the classic Tiramisu delivers a creamy, coffee-kissed finish, while the rich Chocolate Mousse Tart and the subtly nutty Pistachio Ice Cream Dessert round out any meal with a sweet, indulgent flourish. A perfect pairing can be found in the thoughtfully curated wine list, featuring sparkling delights like the Ronco Calino Franciacorta Brut that rivals champagne, elegant whites such as the Piccolo Ernesto Gavi di Gavi, and robust reds like the Barone Cornacchia Montepulciano, each enhancing the intricate flavors of the food.
What truly sets Cafe Med Eugene apart is the impeccable service and genuine care that customers consistently praise. Guests highlight the attentiveness and warmth of the staff, who strike just the right balance between professionalism and friendliness. The owner’s personal visits to tables underscore a commitment to creating not just a meal, but an experience where every detail matters. This level of care is palpable and elevates dining from a simple outing to something truly special.
Customers rave about the restaurant’s standout bread — unique in texture, reminiscent of cornbread yet undeniably Italian, served with olive oil and aged balsamic, it’s a sensory treat they can’t get enough of. Several reviews mention the seasonally inspired dishes and the remarkable gluten-free options, such as gluten-free calamari, making the menu inclusive without sacrificing flavor or creativity.
Whether you're craving richly flavored pastas, expertly cooked meats, or refined seafood, Cafe Med Eugene delivers with passion and precision. It’s no surprise that many patrons call it their new favorite spot, eager to return again and again to indulge in what they describe as some of the best pizza, bread, and overall Italian cuisine in Eugene. For anyone seeking an authentic taste of Italy paired with attentive service and a charming ambiance, Cafe Med Eugene is a must-visit destination.
A traditional Italian restaurant. Appetizer to desert, the flavors, textures and mouth appeal, simply amazing. The meal service impeccable including a table visit by the owner. All servers were aware and attentive without being overbearing.
Wonderfully delicious food and attentive, prompt service. Don’t know why it took me so long to visit but now have a new favorite spot. Highly recommend and can’t wait to return
Everything was on point. The service (Crystal) was the best combination attentive, friendly, comfortable and sincere. When I saw the bread I wasn’t sure I would like it because it had a different texture than I was expecting, biting into it reminded me a little of cornbread (in texture) and OMG it is SO DELICIOUS. I could have made a meal out of the bread/olive oil/balsamic. Our crudo appetizer was yummy. My entree was the special mushroom and truffle cream sauce ravioli and it was perfection. Perfectly al dente pasta with the most flavorful and balanced filling and sauce, so satisfying! My husband raved about his hangar steak. When we walked out the host (manager? owner?) checked in with us to see how our experience was. It felt like everyone really did care. Cafe Med -please don’t change a thing! We will absolutely be back and we’re bringing friends
They have: The best bread I’ve ever tasted in my life! The best pizza that I’ve ever tasted in my life! I gobbled up the bread and pizza so fast that I didn’t get a chance to take pictures! We tried it for the first time 7/21/24 and that’s the day it became my new favorite place to eat in Eugene. Can’t wait to go back on Tuesday! Definitely visit this place!! Update: The bolognese is immaculate! I don’t know what the chef has going on back there, but I daydream about eating this dish when I’m at home! I absolutely love this place!!
Genuinely such a good atmosphere (especially outside). The service was lovely. Our server was so kind. She was so on top of it even with all tables full. I’m assuming it was the owner or manager but he came up to me and my friend. He was also kind. You could tell he cares about the customer experience as well! Food was DELISH! An amazing GLUTEN FREE selection (they even have GF calamari). The drinks were cute. My friend got the limoncello martini, and I got a honey lavender mocktail. I liked this mocktail cuz it is actually a nice flavor. Not just a super sugary drink, as most mocktails tend to be in my opinion. I got a special that night which was a spaghetti pasta with a cream red sauce and spicy sausage ($30), to die for. My friend got some salmon pasta, I took a bite, sooo good.
A True Hidden Gem in South Eugene! Cafe Med is hands down one of the best-kept secrets in Eugene. Every visit feels like coming home to family where warmth, hospitality, and delicious flavors meet. The Italian cuisine is consistently outstanding, with every dish beautifully presented and bursting with complex flavors. From the perfectly cooked steak to the delicate fish dishes and the incredible tuna tartare, I’ve never had a plate that didn’t wow me. Their cocktails especially the espresso martinis are divine, and the wine list is impressively curated. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, the service will make you feel like a VIP. The cozy, elegant ambiance completes the experience, making it a perfect night out. Plus this is where my significant other and I had our first date and we keep coming back as it is almost as amazing as him. Pro tip: Reservations are a must, and trust me you’ll want to keep coming back.
This was a truly incredible dining expirence. We were hungry and it was 7pm. We were reading reviews about nearby restaurants and this little place we hadn't heard of sounded good. From the moment we walked in it felt like it was going to be special. We were greeted warmly and seated on the enclosed patio complete with heaters to make the space comfortable. They even had blankets at the tables to be sure it was warm enough. We found it to be a warm and cozy place even during a significant rain storm. Our waiter was so attentive, personable, and obviously excited about the food (always a good sign). We started with some really well made delicious cocktails. With the astute recommendations of our waiter we ordered a crudo di pesce appetizer that was delicious. The other appetizer, however, was by itself a reason to come back for sure. The Arancini was a symphony of delicious flavors perfectly prepared. The journey continued with a minestrone that the chef brought out himself to present. This deconstruction of the classic was mind blowing. The carrot had so much flavor and prepared perfectly the delicata squash was the best i've ever had. The potatoes were sliced and layered to perfection all in this beautifully simple soup. Then came the main course pasta, the gorgonzola gnocchi, what an exceptional preparation with delicious heavenly pillows. The other pasta dish was a Cacio e pepe... a spaghetti like noodle (chitarra which we learned means "guitar string") with peppercorns that was so simple but outstanding. This was by far the best meal I've had in Eugene. We ended with an authentic lemoncello paired with the creme brulee. The perfect ending to this amazing meal. I can not over sell how special this place is.
My wife and I went to Cafe Med for our anniversary dinner. In this era or lowered expectations, Cafe Med is a refreshing exception. It's small, intimate, and rustic. Both our meals were excellent. We didn't order wine, but the list looked good. The cocktails were perfect, The bread was amazing! Olive oil and balsamic were provided in carafes so you could make it the way you like. It's so good, you have to save room for dinner! We shared a Tartar appetizer. She had the special ravioli and I had the hanger steak. The portions were generous. We were both very happy with the delicious food. The atmosphere was warm and quiet, and the service was timed perfectly. Our server Crystal knew her stuff, was very friendly, and kept us happy. Everything was on point! Our thanks to the chef and staff for a special dining experience.