Est. downtown St. Joseph

Cafe Belle Epoque

An old world European cafe · Frederick Avenue

The dining room in low afternoon sun: exposed brick, an antique cast iron stove, bentwood cafe chairs and speckled stone bistro tables on ornate iron bases.

We combine the elegance of an old world European cafe with food we make properly. We're on Frederick Avenue downtown, and we're open from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon, every day of the week.

Open every day

9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Rated

4.6 from 289 Google reviews

Call (816) 301-1418 Directions

What people order

The dishes people name.

This isn't our whole menu, it's the list of things people write to us about afterwards. The menu changes, so call us or come in and see what's on today.

The fig and pear salad

Named more than anything else on the page, three separate times this year.

Eggs Benedict

Poached, hollandaise, thick cut ham.

French onion soup

Ordered alongside the roast beef BLT more than once.

The roast beef BLT

Traditional fare with a unique twist, in one reviewer's words.

Crustless quiche

With the tomato basil soup.

Lemon chicken artichoke lasagna

One of the dishes people came back for.

Mango Thai chicken

Color on every plate.

Salmon, au gratin potatoes, asparagus

In a room somebody called intimate.

The room

Brick, tin ceilings and a lot of afternoon light.

We're in a corner building with a domed turret on Frederick Avenue, and we've kept what was already here: the pressed tin, the brick, the tall windows. The rest is bistro chairs, stone tables and our name painted on the mirror.

Two plates of Eggs Benedict with hollandaise, arugula and thick cut ham, either side of a fig and pear salad with blueberries, pear slices, burrata and toasted almonds. — Benedict, and the fig and pear salad

The mirror, and the wordmark on it

A laid table with the fig and pear salad, crab cakes with lemon, Eggs Benedict on biscuits, a copper mug and water glasses on a speckled stone table. — A table laid for two

The corner of the building: a domed oriel turret painted slate and cream over red brick, with fan and shell ornament. — The turret on the corner

Two ramekins of a torched custard dessert topped with raspberries, blackberries and mint, on a white plate with lace doilies and silver spoons. — Something sweet, after

An iced coffee in a tall glass on a speckled stone table, beside a folded purple napkin. — Iced coffee, in the afternoon

What people say

4.6 from 289 reviews

on Google.

“I loved the little French cafe vibe. The food is AMAZING, very fresh and delicious. I had the crustless quiche and Tomato basil soup. The staff were so helpful and kind. For sure coming back!”
Regina DoyleJune 2026

“I love the atmosphere and the Alphonse Mucha posters. We have been to Paris and this restaurant really captures a European feel. The background music is quite pleasing also.”
Lurcio The DogMay 2026

“A quaint place in the downtown area to grab a meal. The menu has traditional fare with a unique twist. The French Onion soup and Roast Beef BLT sandwich was perfect.”
M PhillipsJanuary 2026

“The atmosphere is great. Open, clean, and music at just the right volume and mix. Now, food has flavor and is elegantly done.”
Jim EllisJanuary 2026

Visit

On Frederick Avenue, under the hanging sign.

1141 Frederick Ave

St. Joseph, MO 64501

(816) 301-1418

Hours: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, seven days a week
Parking: There's a free lot, and free parking on the street.
Step free: Our parking, entrance, restroom and seating are all wheelchair accessible.
Paying: We take cards and contactless.

Cafe Belle Epoque

1141 Frederick Ave, St Joseph, MO 64501

Open 9 to 2, every day.

Directions (816) 301-1418

We're between Provisions and the Bee & Thistle, in the corner building with the turret. Look up for the hanging sign.