For weeks, I had been craving a good soup — something comforting and warm that tastes homemade without me actually having to make it. There was a tomato soup-shaped hole in my heart, if you will, one that even Trader Joe’s could not fill. Remembering friends’ glowing reviews of Oakhurst Café’s grilled cheese and tomato soup combo, my friend and I decided to venture over to celebrate the start of the summer.
Located at 1616 Jefferson Park Avenue, attached to the Oakhurst Inn, the Oakhurst Café is a short walk from Grounds. About nine minutes from the Student Health and Wellness building, it is a convenient spot for students on Grounds looking for a wonderful summer brunch. Oakhurst Café is open from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.
While they encourage you to make reservations online, my friend and I took a gamble and visited without one. We wound up getting lucky — despite arriving on a late Sunday morning, we were seated fairly quickly.
Walking up to the Oakhurst Café felt like walking into a cottage tucked into the countryside. The building resembled a small Swiss chalet, with sharply sloped wooden roofs and white walls outlined by wooden beams. A large hanging sign reading “Oakhurst Inn Coffee + Café” stood beside the stone steps leading up to the yellow entrance door, while the surrounding trees, flowering bushes and greenery made the space feel peaceful and almost remote, despite being so close to Grounds.
Upon entry, the cafe branched into two open rooms — a coffee bar on one side and a dining area full of tables on the other. Walking into the dining area, the artwork on the walls immediately caught my eye.
The walls were lined with eclectic, expressive paintings — everything from Andy Warhol prints and fruit still lifes to playful doodles. Paired with the creaky wooden floorboards, terracotta walls and bright windows, the whole place felt more like sitting in someone's living room than sitting in a restaurant.
In addition to the main room, there is also a small sunroom and an outdoor seating area tucked into a garden-like patio, shaded by greenery.
The warmth of the cafe extended far beyond its atmosphere. The staff were incredibly kind, and somehow remembered us even though we briefly stopped by almost a semester ago. While chatting with us, our server mentioned they’d soon be changing the entire menu and told us we’d have to come back to try the new dishes. The new menu has been implemented since our visit, and I’m excited to stop by again once I’m back on Grounds and see their new offerings.
After perusing the menu, I ordered the soup and grilled cheese at $15 — their housemade tomato soup paired with an artisanal grilled cheese made with sourdough and local McClure cheese. To be truthful, having heard so many good things about it from others, I had my sights set on it before I even walked in.
The presentation was beautiful — a bright orange bowl of silky tomato bisque topped with a sprinkle of chopped chives, sitting beside a perfectly toasted grilled cheese sliced diagonally. As I dipped my grilled cheese into my soup for the first bite, I was transported back to my grandma's kitchen. The soup’s richness and slight tang cut through the cheesiness of the sandwich beautifully, balancing the flavors so the dish never felt heavy. Unlike some grocery-store tomato soups that can feel oily or overly processed, Oakhurst’s soup foregrounded the flavor of the tomatoes themselves, balanced by a creamy richness that still felt light and comforting rather than greasy.
The grilled cheese itself was simple, but incredibly well-executed. The sourdough was toasted nicely — crisp and golden on the outside while still soft on the inside. The local McClure cheese was soft and gooey, and the savory bite of the cheese paired well with the acidic tang of the tomato bisque.
I washed down my food with an iced chai latte that ran me $4.50. Served in a Mason jar, the drink fit in seamlessly with the cafe's rustic vibe. The latte itself was very milky, and carried both a subtle sweetness and a noticeable cinnamon flavor. In terms of spice, the chai leaned fairly mild, which made it easy to sip alongside the richness of the soup and sandwich.
My friend ordered the baked ricotta, one of the small brunch plates that is no longer featured on their revamped menu. The ricotta was beautifully plated, topped with strawberries and herbs, with triangular slices of toasted bread next to it.
She described her dish as weirdly addictive — at first, she said she felt confused by the flavor combination, but the more she ate it, the more she enjoyed it. I had to agree. When I tried it, I understood what she meant — the ricotta felt sweet, yet thick and creamy, and this subtle sweetness was intensified by the strawberries. It was uniquely satisfying.
Beyond the food itself, what stood out to me most about the Oakhurst Café was how personal the entire dining experience felt. Being recognized by a server even months after a brief visit was a small gesture, but a touching one that added to the café’s intimate charm. That personal touch truly carried through into the meal.
With its calm, cozy atmosphere, homestyle cooking and memorable service, the Oakhurst Café was the perfect start to our Sunday. With a new menu for the summer, it's definitely worth stopping by if you’re near Grounds. Whether you're grabbing a coffee from the bar, or stopping by for a delicious brunch, the Oakhurst Café offers comforting food and hospitality that makes it feel much more like someone’s home than just a restaurant.
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