Carpe Diem

What a gem! The owner is so sweet, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the food is delicious. Also, super specific, but I love that they use real cafe drinkware, it makes the experience even better.

We hosted a surprise 50th brunch for my best friend (Jimmy Buffett/tropical theme) and used the private room. Everything was wonderful- food, service, atmosphere... Gus, our attendant was fantastic as well as the owner, Nino who welcomed us like family. We were beyond pleased and would definitely book again or just go for a good meal!

Went there for lunch. Potato pita was amazing. The owner is very friendly and the atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing. Will definitely come back to try the cheese pita and lamb chops!

Visited this hidden gem during a business trip to PA after reading some positive reviews. The attention from Nino was warm and personable. The cleanliness and atmosphere was impeccable. Great relaxing and inviting music in the background made me want to stay while enjoying my steak omelet with coffee. I loved it so much so that we returned the next morning before our flight back to Florida. My biggest regret is not living nearby so that I can visit him frequently. Congratulations Nino.

This is a treasure we’re glad we found! What a lovely, peaceful, relaxing, and clean atmosphere. Breakfast is served til 11 and we enjoyed brunch - don’t miss the specials board! We had the veal omelette, the home fries, and the chipped beef gravy over toast. It was made to order, hot, and fresh. We got a gift certificate to give to a friend, because it was such a great experience that we consider it a gift.

🅄🄿🄳🄰🅃🄴: Late March 2023
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Still a 💎 gem of a restaurant. It's been 6 months since I was here and I was here today and Nino remembered me from before. He is an impressive gentleman and the restaurant is too!

The Carpe Diem breakfast was wonderful. This time I had it with French Toast and beef links. Very delicious!

I told Nino I would do a review, mention this review to him and tell him I sent you!

I'll be here again on my next visit for sure!

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Early September 2022
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I was just introduced to this place on my recent trip to Harrisburg. It definitely was a great experience. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious, it also was just like visiting your parents house and they were cooking for you on your visit.

The owner Nino greeted our party and didn't just treat us like just another customer. He joked with us and gave us suggestions. Another customer spoke to me and my wife about how he misses quality food and service like this, so this is a rare find in Harrisburg

Being from the Philadelphia area we definitely have a lot of choices for restaurants. However coming here I find there aren't as many top notch (mom and pop) restaurants with better meals and basically on par with a chain restaurant like IHOP for the cost. It can include fresh bread too!

Breakfast here is about $10-$12 per special. However naturally the filet mignon special is a bit more. The luncheon specials are about $14-16 on average. There are a few that cost a bit more, but very reasonable imo

The veal bacon was very amazing. I myself enjoy a meaty bacon and this definitely got the bill! Next time I plan on asking for my potatoes to be cooked longer, only because I like mine crispy. But you can get it whatever you like. I forgot to ask, so next time I will.

The only thing I'd suggest you understand is, the coffee is his special blend. We did find very few grounds at the bottom of the cup (but it isn't a big deal). They definitely serve it fresh. One guest at our table had an eggshell in their omelette. But again not an issue if you consider this means they are cracking eggs fresh and cooking it to order. I put it this way, if you're at your parents place would you really care if a bit of shell or few coffee grounds are there? Nope... Because the food was unbelievable and the ambiance was amazing (and 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝)

You will not regret going here. Believe you me, if you want a big city experience and charm then this is the best place we've been to in a while here in Harrisburg. I am definitely coming back. Not just for the food or service but for the atmosphere and the fact the owner gives this place a personal touch.

I wholeheartedly support more local businesses then chain or national ones. I definitely want to support someone who supports and gives back to their community. Looking forward to coming back soon!

I’m a military guy from Cincinnati who got stationed here for 45 days. The best thing about the assignment was I got to try everything on the menu. Every meal was amazing-the service, atmosphere, and owner are incredible. If you’re ever in the area, it’s worth the trip to dine here. The owner is Nino and he’s awesome!

Enter to relaxed Café chantant music, and have a delightful brunch. Service was great and attentive. I had their Crab Cake Benedict which was made with perfectly poached eggs. The meal was satisfying and flavorful. Their French toast was fluffy thick and perfectly sweet with the vanilla and cinnamon notes that are sometimes forgotten in restaurants that serve french toast. We will be back again for lunch and dinner and write more.

It was my first time dining here, and I will absolutely be returning! I feel like I have to try all the other good things ordered by my friends!

The Chicken Goulash was delightful. The obviously homemade sauce was fantastic, the mashed potatoes were an excellent bed for the sauce, and the chicken was first-rate!

I don't think I have ever been in a friendlier establishment! When we asked Nino, the owner, some questions and he could see we were into chatting with with him, he even sat with us for a while to give us some great answers.

Bottom line, I'm going back to keep trying more menu items!!!

First time here and have to say wow, what a great place. The staff there was super friendly and the ambience of the place was wonderful, just like an Italian cafe. The food was excellent and priced very reasonably. They are now open for dinner most weekends (see picture of menu). Since they are off Bridge St in New Cumberland, street parking was very easy. We will be back for sure.

Clean, bright, reasonable, delicious for breakfast and lunch! Smooth coffee and excellent baklava! Well worth the trip!
Update: came in for my birthday dinner (2023) ... amazing chicken saltimboca and eggplant parmesan, but the tiramisu? OUTSTANDING!! Breakfast/brunch, lunch or dinner. This is the place to go!

This is a hidden gem ! Good menu and the food is tasty and well made. We stopped in for Sunday brunch and loved it. We'll be back !

This was highly recommended by a friend and we are both extremely pleased we listened. Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning around opening. The menu isn't large but is supplemented by the chalked specials which feature some novel non-pork breakfast options. We ordered veal bacon omelet and mignon benedict. The meal and service were without a doubt one of the better experiences I have had and a real credit to the Harrisburg food scene. I'm sorry we didn't find it sooner because it feels like we wasted time at other locations. The ambience works well together with all the thoughtful touches like polished silverware and gently playing music. We did return two more times for lunch (Burek and Goulash) and another breakfast. At all times the service from the Nino the owner and staff were top notch. There are many other meals we want to try so it goes without saying that we are sure to return.

Such a sweet little place. Owner is very personable. The food is very good and priced reasonably. Atmosphere is lovely. Enjoy Sunday brunch there often.

Oh my gosh! Thought it was just a coffee shop, but nooooooo! It is an amazing restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, terrific food, reasonable prices considering the quality, and a lovely, slightly eccentric chef named Nino. Everything is home-made by Nino including the bread every morning. I had the home-made Chipped Beef, and it was the real deal - best I've ever had.

Stopped in for a late breakfast on a Thursday morning and the food and service was excellent. It was an odd time of day and it was a little quiet in the restaurant, but that also gave us a few moments to chat with the owner. What a pleasant morning!

Amazing atmosphere. Amazing food. I enjoyed sitting and listening to the music. I will be returning!

The owner is so funny!! I love it here and can't wait to take my family! The food is SUPERB and the homemade bread is out of this world. Love love love!!

GO THERE! Nice place to share a meal. Family owned and operated. Great remodeling creates a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a great meal with your person. Grab a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy the background music, or you may choose to dine in the lovely enclosed outdoor seating area, complete with fountain. Welcoming staff and prompt service. I will go there many more times to explore the fine menu entree's available. Our first entree's were the lobster ravioli and eggs Benedict which were fabulous. I have included a few photos to make your decision process more informed. Street side parking available, even a short walk would not be wasted time to enjoy this place.

You feel like family here. Staff is engaging and the food is top notch. The owner is on site and checks in to make sure everything is well with the table.