Marvel Bay Cafe

What a gem! Authentic Eastern European cuisine with a modern touch. The food was delicious and the drinks (hot & cold) were flavourful. For tea time, we enjoyed the service and ambiance. Food: Salmon & Cream Cheese Crepe; Scones; Almond Cookie Drinks: Brown Sugar Latte; Lavender Cream Soda; Coconut Water Cheers

The food here is incredible. The drinks were delicious. The service was warm and welcoming, and they were kind and patient as they walked my wife and I through all of their offerings. Fairly priced, laid-back atmosphere, nice decor. We’ll definitely be back!

After another round of PT, it was off to find breakfast. Unable to locate parking at 3 different downtown Tacoma restaurants, we gave up, began heading south towards home and the rest of our errands. We had driven past the Marvel Bay Market recently but did not realize there was a cafe inside until today. There is an Eastern European grocery store with bakery and restaurant. Ray and I decided to explore Russian food for this week’s food adventure, so we stayed for a meal. We had come in through the grocery store side, so we missed going through the actual front entrance of the restaurant. While it is a sit down restaurant, you choose your meal at the counter, where it is plated and carried to the cash register. Then you pay, pick up flatware, paper napkins and water, opposite the meal counter. Then you find an open table. You have your choice of several entrees, plus a side. Meals are priced with your choice of 1, 2, or 3 entrees, plus 1 side. There were several salad choices, which are priced separately from the main meal. There was a huge selection of hand made desserts. They also serve espresso, coffee, and a refrigerator with juices and pop available for purchase. Not recognizing most of the food items, I asked a long time customer who was meeting a friend for lunch. She described a few accurately, but told me the staff would gladly explain everything which they did, taking her time to explain each one. I chose chicken wing pieces, beef sausages, and chicken meatballs, with creamy potatoes with potato chunks. Ray chose the beef sausages, beef and vegetables, chicken and cheese pastry, and rice with some kind of flavorful gravy over the top. He also ordered a grilled folded tortilla with a mixture of well seasoned chicken, onion and cheese. We had no trouble finding a table. Everything was very good. Ray’s beef and vegetables were delicately seasoned and the beef was fork tender. The chicken wing pieces had a dry rub on them with just the slightest kick of heat. They were flavorful without being overbearing. The chicken meatballs were quite large with a unique flavor. The beef sausages also had a unique flavor, and were very good. The potatoes were good, but a little on the bland side. A little bit of salt remedied that. We decided to have coffee and dessert. Talk about burning up brain cells while making a decision. After agonizing over what to choose, I decided on the 7 layer cookie bar which had been made this morning by the person who waited on us when we went up there to order dessert. Ray had the last piece of their multi-layer honey cake. We both ordered 12 oz. Mocha espressos. They were the best we have had in quite some time. The coffee had great flavor and wasn’t burned tasting at all. Best of all, the coffee was hot! I HATE ordering an espresso and getting it lukewarm even when I ask for it hot. Ray likes his scalding hot so lukewarm to him is cold. He agreed our espressos were hot and flavorful. After ordering and paying for our dessert and coffee, we took our desserts and waited for our coffee. Our coffee was forgotten. I had to go to the counter and request them. Had they been busy I would have understood them not being made right away. No customers were at the counter, the order slip was sitting all by itself at the espresso area, and all of the employees were in the back. I waited until someone saw me and asked if I wanted to place an order. I pointed out the slip and requested our coffees. That employee had to find the employee who took our order, and verify with her, before our order was prepared. We did get an apology when our coffee was delivered. It isn’t a hill to die on but I felt as though I had to prove we had not gotten our coffee before they would make them. It is why I gave service a 4. There is no set menu because the food and dessert offerings change. The restaurant is clean, nicely decorated and well lit. The staff is friendly and willing to explain every food item. We will go back.

Stopped by here because another reviewer’s review peaked my interest. I’m happy to say they were absolutely right. This place is a gem! Believe it or not I spent the 1st 8 years of my life in Germany. Im not sure if this place is German or a mix of other European countries but this place reminds me being there so much. The ladies behind the counter were so friendly and sweet. I got my food to go! Large plate 3 entrees and 1 side. The place was busy. It was a line behind me out the door. The seating area was nice but it’s lunchtime so it was full. But looking around everything was neat and tidy. If I had more time and there was seats available I would have no problem sitting and eating. Prices were good 11.95 + tax for large lunch plate cant beat that anywhere. Now for the food. Stuffed cabbage, chicken meatballs, beef & veggies, beef & rice. Mannnnnn listen it was all delicious. Nothing let me down in the slightest bit. I’m already planning on what I’m going to get when I go back next time. If you are hungry for some good comfort food. Check this place out.

What a gem! The people that work here were so inviting and informative, and the food was AMAZING. I was so pleasantly surprised and have found my new comfort food/cafe spot! Plus it’s connected to a charming grocery store that I’d love to peruse on my next day off. Will be back!

Good is basic as a cafe, but still very tasty and fresh. Very charming atmosphere right next to the store. I recommend getting the desserts from within the store and taking them to the cafe when you go to get a meal or snacks. The desserts are very, very good here. There weren't hearty servings for food, so keep that in mind. Think more like a catering menu. Still, this place is great and I will be back to try their other items.

This place is incredible and the food is so yummy!! Alice is so sweet. I think she makes the food and her potatoes are a game-changer!! ***Update May 2024. They did it again. You get points when you purchase food and I got a free dessert with my points…..oMg I can’t even begin to describe how bomb this Honey cake was. If you haven’t had something make you giggle when you eat it, you haven’t lived. This cake did just that, it was just incredible. As always their food was incredible. I love this place so much.

I was under the weather when I ordered their large borscht for delivery. I can tell I'm going to feel leaps and bounds better after this borscht. SO SO SO glad they're here because their borscht is is hearty and flavorful, their large comes in a quart container filled to the brim. You also receive two sauce cups of sourcream(if you're a sourcream person, you may want to order extra or use what you have in the fridge if getting delivery.) They also included two individual pastry envelopes filled with their inhouse bread, sliced and great for sopping up soup.