We had a lovely dinner in a great atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmesan
Dan Couture
The service was great but for the price we paid the food was extremely subpar. We had half a dozen mussels in our appetizer still closed and the short rib was dry. The mussels were tasty but we never have that many duds at other establishments. When you pay these prices you expect top quality food and we got anything but that. Also, for such a nice restaurant there shouldn’t be TVs at the bar. It makes it very distracting and ruins the vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Geena Becker, REALTOR
Nestled in the heart of downtown Manchester, Connecticut, Cafe Aura offers an exquisite dining experience perfect for celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries. Nestled in a renovated building, Cafe Aura impresses patrons right from the moment they step through the door.The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant yet cozy, with a touch of sophistication in its decor. The renovation of the building is indeed noteworthy, as it seamlessly blends modern elements with classic charm. It's evident that attention to detail was a priority, and it certainly pays off.A highlight of Cafe Aura is undoubtedly the bar. With a fantastic selection of drinks and a welcoming atmosphere, it sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. The Blood Orange Martini, in particular, stands out as a delightful choice, perfectly balanced and refreshing.As for the food, Cafe Aura truly shines with its authentic Italian cuisine. We indulged in a variety of dishes, each one exceeding expectations. The Risotto was creamy and flavorful, while the Lobster was cooked to perfection, showcasing the chef's skill and expertise. The Beet Salad provided a refreshing contrast, and the Calamari, sourced fresh, was a true delight for the senses.Furthermore, the wine list at Cafe Aura is extensive and well-curated, offering something for every palate. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a glass with your meal, you won't be disappointed.Overall, our experience at Cafe Aura was nothing short of exceptional. From the impressive renovation of the building to the impeccable service and delectable cuisine, every aspect exceeded our expectations. Hats off to the team at Cafe Aura for creating such a remarkable establishment. We look forward to returning for many more memorable celebrations in the future.Parking: Loads of parking in the back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto of the Day, Caesar Salad, Beet Salad, Calamari, Salad, Risotto
Alexander Konovalov
Really nice place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lajos patrissi
First time there and I was really disappointed. The grilled octopus was bland at best and seemed overcooked. I had better at the Market Grille. The old fashions we ordered couldn't even been finished because it was like drinking straight out of the bottle. The bartender needs to be taught how to properly make one. Worst old fashion I have ever had. I have obviously been spoiled by the other place we go when it comes to the old fashion. Their version is perfection at it's best and quite delicious!The atmosphere was not great at all seemed a bit disorganized and like they were doing us a favor for being there. Never mind the loud and slightly obnoxious lady that sat next to us. I was trying to have a nice relaxing night with my girlfriend and that wasn't going to be the case at all. Was not worth the money!! I asked for the check with two basically full drinks left on the bar and we didn't even finished the bread given to us even though we had both been starving. Bartender didn't even ask if everything was alright.The only person who asked how we liked are drinks was the loud lady next to us. I am pretty sure the other bartender heard me say that they aren't good at all. I was told this place was hit or miss and it was definitely a miss. We didn't even want to take a chance on the entrees.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
AliciaW
From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were immediately welcomed by the staff. The restaurant decor is very inviting. The food including appetizers and entrees was excellent. The staff was very professional, friendly and helpful. It was a wonderful dining experience.
Judy Singer
Two college friends from the 1960's meet for brunch in a stunning restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and sophisticated vibe. My first visit.Our attentive waitress, Lauren, is friendly and prompt. The Eggs Benedict are arranged nicely on our plate, but we need steak knives to cut through the dried up English muffins. The eggs are tiny, just perched on the top like a dollop of cream. This entree is $19!???My friend and I each come from different towns and meet in the middle for food, a glass of wine and to catch up. We will be lingering over coffee, Our waitress needs to leave. It is Sunday afternoon. She offers to ask another waitress to take care of us after she leaves. We pay our bill. No one comes by to offer a refill of our coffee.Maybe this is not the right choice for two friends who want to linger and chat. We were not the last to leave.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
RichS
The veal Marsala was very good, burrata with prosciutto and the caprese flatbread were also very good. But the highlight of the night was our waitress, Alex. Great sense of humor and very helpful. Overall, a very good experience.
MikeO
Cafe Aura is our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is fantastic. The service is always helpful and available without hovering. We shared the soup and a Caesar salad and had two great entrees. We always enjoy the Tiramisu and a Cappuccino for dessert. Seating is somewhat close but we rarely feel "squeezed in". This is a great restaurant for celebrating special occasions or a wonderful dinner out.
This is a fantastic restaurant. Every experience I've had has been wonderful. Only had one thing to say about the braised rib ravioli tonight I didn't think it had the flavor that it should or what I would've expected.  This is a worthy restaurant that everyone should go to.
One of my favorite places to go!The Sunday brunch is delicious!Held a real estate networking event here and Darlene, the event coordinator was phenomenal!!!I highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susanna Fisher
Great place for a birthday party!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Slice
BarbaraG
We always go out to dinner at 8:00 so that the crowd is thinning out. The place is quietly elegant, the food and service excellent. it was my birthday (as well as several other patrons, we all got a candle with dessert). We will make the trip again.
Jeff Stever
Went on Valentines Day. Total disappointment. We have eaten there previously. Was always good. But with the number of reservations they had on Valentine’s Day, which means they were sold out, it was like the food was completed in an assembly line fashion. My wife ordered the shrimp risotto. We never send food back. The risotto was way over cooked and sticky, you would think there would be some chunks of shrimp or maybe some full shrimp on top , no. The shrimp was like minced and worked into the risotto. It had no flavor. It was like eating some thing out of a cardboard box. They asked what her other choice was, my wife said the lobster ravioli. When that came out, you would’ve thought chunks of lobster in the raviolis.. nope the lobster seemed to be puréed and worked in , the center was like a paste. And the cost was $38. I had a choice of either a 6 ounce fillet or 14 ounce strip steak same price at $49. I saw two strip steaks go past, and they were huge obviously being almost a full pound of steak. My steak came in it was 3 inches wide by maybe 7 inches long, obviously the end of the loin when it was cut. My sides were carrots and roasted potatoes that were dried out and wrinkled and barely warm, obviously precooked and then just spooned on to the plate to try to speed up the process. Totally overpriced, poor quality food and a totally disappointed evening for my wife. Obviously, they could not handle the number of reservations they made.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Our server was having a bad night, probably a bad week, maybe even a bad month. Service was unusually slow, server seem less than interested in answering questions, or making recommendations, took forever and a day to get our post dinner coffee. But she did have time to have some sort of elbow or wrist adjustment done by who I can only assume was a chiropractor off the corner near the coat room in plain sight Odd.
We had a lovely dinner in a great atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmesan
The service was great but for the price we paid the food was extremely subpar. We had half a dozen mussels in our appetizer still closed and the short rib was dry. The mussels were tasty but we never have that many duds at other establishments. When you pay these prices you expect top quality food and we got anything but that. Also, for such a nice restaurant there shouldn’t be TVs at the bar. It makes it very distracting and ruins the vibe.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Nestled in the heart of downtown Manchester, Connecticut, Cafe Aura offers an exquisite dining experience perfect for celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries. Nestled in a renovated building, Cafe Aura impresses patrons right from the moment they step through the door.The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant yet cozy, with a touch of sophistication in its decor. The renovation of the building is indeed noteworthy, as it seamlessly blends modern elements with classic charm. It's evident that attention to detail was a priority, and it certainly pays off.A highlight of Cafe Aura is undoubtedly the bar. With a fantastic selection of drinks and a welcoming atmosphere, it sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. The Blood Orange Martini, in particular, stands out as a delightful choice, perfectly balanced and refreshing.As for the food, Cafe Aura truly shines with its authentic Italian cuisine. We indulged in a variety of dishes, each one exceeding expectations. The Risotto was creamy and flavorful, while the Lobster was cooked to perfection, showcasing the chef's skill and expertise. The Beet Salad provided a refreshing contrast, and the Calamari, sourced fresh, was a true delight for the senses.Furthermore, the wine list at Cafe Aura is extensive and well-curated, offering something for every palate. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a glass with your meal, you won't be disappointed.Overall, our experience at Cafe Aura was nothing short of exceptional. From the impressive renovation of the building to the impeccable service and delectable cuisine, every aspect exceeded our expectations. Hats off to the team at Cafe Aura for creating such a remarkable establishment. We look forward to returning for many more memorable celebrations in the future.Parking: Loads of parking in the back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Risotto of the Day, Caesar Salad, Beet Salad, Calamari, Salad, Risotto
Really nice place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time there and I was really disappointed. The grilled octopus was bland at best and seemed overcooked. I had better at the Market Grille. The old fashions we ordered couldn't even been finished because it was like drinking straight out of the bottle. The bartender needs to be taught how to properly make one. Worst old fashion I have ever had. I have obviously been spoiled by the other place we go when it comes to the old fashion. Their version is perfection at it's best and quite delicious!The atmosphere was not great at all seemed a bit disorganized and like they were doing us a favor for being there. Never mind the loud and slightly obnoxious lady that sat next to us. I was trying to have a nice relaxing night with my girlfriend and that wasn't going to be the case at all. Was not worth the money!! I asked for the check with two basically full drinks left on the bar and we didn't even finished the bread given to us even though we had both been starving. Bartender didn't even ask if everything was alright.The only person who asked how we liked are drinks was the loud lady next to us. I am pretty sure the other bartender heard me say that they aren't good at all. I was told this place was hit or miss and it was definitely a miss. We didn't even want to take a chance on the entrees.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were immediately welcomed by the staff. The restaurant decor is very inviting. The food including appetizers and entrees was excellent. The staff was very professional, friendly and helpful. It was a wonderful dining experience.
Two college friends from the 1960's meet for brunch in a stunning restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and sophisticated vibe. My first visit.Our attentive waitress, Lauren, is friendly and prompt. The Eggs Benedict are arranged nicely on our plate, but we need steak knives to cut through the dried up English muffins. The eggs are tiny, just perched on the top like a dollop of cream. This entree is $19!???My friend and I each come from different towns and meet in the middle for food, a glass of wine and to catch up. We will be lingering over coffee, Our waitress needs to leave. It is Sunday afternoon. She offers to ask another waitress to take care of us after she leaves. We pay our bill. No one comes by to offer a refill of our coffee.Maybe this is not the right choice for two friends who want to linger and chat. We were not the last to leave.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
The veal Marsala was very good, burrata with prosciutto and the caprese flatbread were also very good. But the highlight of the night was our waitress, Alex. Great sense of humor and very helpful. Overall, a very good experience.
Cafe Aura is our favorite restaurant in the area. The food is fantastic. The service is always helpful and available without hovering. We shared the soup and a Caesar salad and had two great entrees. We always enjoy the Tiramisu and a Cappuccino for dessert. Seating is somewhat close but we rarely feel "squeezed in". This is a great restaurant for celebrating special occasions or a wonderful dinner out.
This is a fantastic restaurant. Every experience I've had has been wonderful. Only had one thing to say about the braised rib ravioli tonight I didn't think it had the flavor that it should or what I would've expected.  This is a worthy restaurant that everyone should go to.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of my favorite places to go!The Sunday brunch is delicious!Held a real estate networking event here and Darlene, the event coordinator was phenomenal!!!I highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for a birthday party!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Slice
We always go out to dinner at 8:00 so that the crowd is thinning out. The place is quietly elegant, the food and service excellent. it was my birthday (as well as several other patrons, we all got a candle with dessert). We will make the trip again.
Went on Valentines Day. Total disappointment. We have eaten there previously. Was always good. But with the number of reservations they had on Valentine’s Day, which means they were sold out, it was like the food was completed in an assembly line fashion. My wife ordered the shrimp risotto. We never send food back. The risotto was way over cooked and sticky, you would think there would be some chunks of shrimp or maybe some full shrimp on top , no. The shrimp was like minced and worked into the risotto. It had no flavor. It was like eating some thing out of a cardboard box. They asked what her other choice was, my wife said the lobster ravioli. When that came out, you would’ve thought chunks of lobster in the raviolis.. nope the lobster seemed to be puréed and worked in , the center was like a paste. And the cost was $38. I had a choice of either a 6 ounce fillet or 14 ounce strip steak same price at $49. I saw two strip steaks go past, and they were huge obviously being almost a full pound of steak. My steak came in it was 3 inches wide by maybe 7 inches long, obviously the end of the loin when it was cut. My sides were carrots and roasted potatoes that were dried out and wrinkled and barely warm, obviously precooked and then just spooned on to the plate to try to speed up the process. Totally overpriced, poor quality food and a totally disappointed evening for my wife. Obviously, they could not handle the number of reservations they made.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Our server was having a bad night, probably a bad week, maybe even a bad month. Service was unusually slow, server seem less than interested in answering questions, or making recommendations, took forever and a day to get our post dinner coffee. But she did have time to have some sort of elbow or wrist adjustment done by who I can only assume was a chiropractor off the corner near the coat room in plain sight Odd.