This is such a wonderful little cafe. Their food is incredible, everything I’ve tried so far has been amazing. The waterside ambience is wonderful, especially on a sunny day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sean murphy
Not a normal sit down cafe, you order at the register, get a number, then sit down and wait for your meal. If you order a coffee you get a good coffee but no refill. I ordered a house omelette and two empanadas that I would take to go when I was done. The house omelette was quite good but the potatoes that come with them were mostly bell peppers and the toast was one slice of what sure looked like regular grocery store bread cut diagonally, with a small pad of butter on each half. It was barely toasted. I paid for it all with a 30% tip so I ate it. Got the empanadas to go and they were really good. They were small, only four bites each, but they were delicious. I’d give this place four stars overall if they didn’t do me wrong on the toast
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sarika Bajaj
Delicious food, loved the empanadas and encebollado especially
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arnab Bhaduri
Superb food, great service, great location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew C
Best omelette I ever had in the bay area. Highly recommended. Definitely revisit next time. Their empanadas are really good. Recommended mushroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Jain
Small local restaurant next to a Foster City waterway with indoor and outdoor seating. The kids liked running around on the deck outside while we waited for food. The empanadas were great and the fish stew had nice flavors. My pickiest kids had the ham empanadas. Service was casual and friendly.
Ivette Garrido
The food is delicious and well made! The staff is friendly. The atmosphere inside is cozy, with an option for outdoor seating that overlooks the water. It is well priced for what you get. The empanadas are some of the best I've had in a long time!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lani X
I went with my family.
Food - all dishes were very under seasoned. The fish stew was bland and the lentils were mushy. Couldn't tell there was supposed to be fish in it.
Chimichurri steak sandwich barely had any chimichurri sauce on it and the steak itself was not seasoned. But it was very tender so bonus there. It came with plantain chips that were slightly stale.
Also tried the Cotopaxi breakfast. The chorizo was delicious and it came with egg and two vege patties (your choice of plantain, yuca, or potato). We had the plantain and yuca. The menu didn't say this but they were both full of cheese. These were also under seasoned , although better with the chorizo.
Omelette was average and decently sized and again under seasoned. the potatoes that came with them were more sauteed than fried and somewhat soggy.
Atmosphere - Narrow restaurant, but right on the water. Would have been lovely to sit outside but it was a bit too windy. Decor of the restaurant was nice and simple but a tight fit indoors.
Service was friendly but a bit odd at points. Maybe she was new ? I wasn't asked what type of bread for the sandwich or as a side for the omelet. Asked for waters for the table twice and when she finally brought it she didnt bring enough glasses for the whole table.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Christina
Beautiful place to eat. Great service. I loved the Quito empanada and the chichamorada drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brie Jones
Nina's is the perfect little community café. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is quaint and welcoming. I have only experienced the utmost professionalism and friendly energy. Nina and her staff are not here just to serve, but share their heart and culture through food. I'm proud to have them and their establishment as a part of our community!
Simply the best! Don’t think too much! Just get those empanadas and enjoy! Whole family loves them! Buy more for next days, easy to reheat in the oven, fix some small light salad with it and dinner is ready!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra Nusawardhana
Delicious empanadas and great place for breakfast right on the water!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric Yi
Nina’s Cafe makes some of the best empanadas I’ve ever had—perfectly baked and packed with flavor. The lamb leg is a must-try: juicy, tender, and deeply satisfying.
What really makes this place special, though, are the owners, Nina and Paula. They’re warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind—it’s clear they care about both the food and their guests.
A cozy spot with fantastic food and even better people. Highly recommend.
Maria Quinike
Brunch restaurant with Ecuadorian dishes. Friendly people, good service, great food, and wonderful waterfront seating.
Gypsy Love
Just discovered this gem and devoured their delicious empanadas. The chimichurri steak sandwich was also fantastic, and the staff is lovely. We will definitely be returning!
This is such a wonderful little cafe. Their food is incredible, everything I’ve tried so far has been amazing. The waterside ambience is wonderful, especially on a sunny day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not a normal sit down cafe, you order at the register, get a number, then sit down and wait for your meal. If you order a coffee you get a good coffee but no refill. I ordered a house omelette and two empanadas that I would take to go when I was done. The house omelette was quite good but the potatoes that come with them were mostly bell peppers and the toast was one slice of what sure looked like regular grocery store bread cut diagonally, with a small pad of butter on each half. It was barely toasted. I paid for it all with a 30% tip so I ate it. Got the empanadas to go and they were really good. They were small, only four bites each, but they were delicious. I’d give this place four stars overall if they didn’t do me wrong on the toast
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Delicious food, loved the empanadas and encebollado especially
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Superb food, great service, great location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best omelette I ever had in the bay area. Highly recommended. Definitely revisit next time. Their empanadas are really good. Recommended mushroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Small local restaurant next to a Foster City waterway with indoor and outdoor seating. The kids liked running around on the deck outside while we waited for food. The empanadas were great and the fish stew had nice flavors. My pickiest kids had the ham empanadas. Service was casual and friendly.
The food is delicious and well made! The staff is friendly. The atmosphere inside is cozy, with an option for outdoor seating that overlooks the water. It is well priced for what you get. The empanadas are some of the best I've had in a long time!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went with my family.
Food - all dishes were very under seasoned. The fish stew was bland and the lentils were mushy. Couldn't tell there was supposed to be fish in it.
Chimichurri steak sandwich barely had any chimichurri sauce on it and the steak itself was not seasoned. But it was very tender so bonus there. It came with plantain chips that were slightly stale.
Also tried the Cotopaxi breakfast. The chorizo was delicious and it came with egg and two vege patties (your choice of plantain, yuca, or potato). We had the plantain and yuca. The menu didn't say this but they were both full of cheese. These were also under seasoned , although better with the chorizo.
Omelette was average and decently sized and again under seasoned. the potatoes that came with them were more sauteed than fried and somewhat soggy.
Atmosphere - Narrow restaurant, but right on the water. Would have been lovely to sit outside but it was a bit too windy. Decor of the restaurant was nice and simple but a tight fit indoors.
Service was friendly but a bit odd at points. Maybe she was new ? I wasn't asked what type of bread for the sandwich or as a side for the omelet. Asked for waters for the table twice and when she finally brought it she didnt bring enough glasses for the whole table.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Beautiful place to eat. Great service. I loved the Quito empanada and the chichamorada drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nina's is the perfect little community café. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is quaint and welcoming. I have only experienced the utmost professionalism and friendly energy. Nina and her staff are not here just to serve, but share their heart and culture through food. I'm proud to have them and their establishment as a part of our community!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Simply the best! Don’t think too much! Just get those empanadas and enjoy! Whole family loves them! Buy more for next days, easy to reheat in the oven, fix some small light salad with it and dinner is ready!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious empanadas and great place for breakfast right on the water!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nina’s Cafe makes some of the best empanadas I’ve ever had—perfectly baked and packed with flavor. The lamb leg is a must-try: juicy, tender, and deeply satisfying.
What really makes this place special, though, are the owners, Nina and Paula. They’re warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind—it’s clear they care about both the food and their guests.
A cozy spot with fantastic food and even better people. Highly recommend.
Brunch restaurant with Ecuadorian dishes. Friendly people, good service, great food, and wonderful waterfront seating.
Just discovered this gem and devoured their delicious empanadas. The chimichurri steak sandwich was also fantastic, and the staff is lovely. We will definitely be returning!
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