Café Galleria: An Enchanting Experience for All

In the heart of Midway is a charming Alpine restaurant called Café Galleria. Yanked straight from a fairy tale, the rustic building is surrounded by a stone patio where the acclaimed Alpenglobe private dining shelters await guests. There is no shortage of comfort, whether dining in a climate-controlled globe or in the quaint dining room. While being carefully restored in 2020, the owners kept all of the magic of the original 1898 building. Nearly every space of the cabin-esque interior is covered with photographs of celebrities, vintage cars or black-and-white adventure shots. Coupled with the agrestic design, it gave me the companionable sense of visiting a close friend rather than stepping into a busy restaurant.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Café Galleria has a little bit of everything to make almost everyone happy. My date and I started our meal with their visually stunning Bruschetta ($11) served on a wooden board. The bread was toasted just enough to keep its shape while supporting a smear of pesto, fresh tomato, tender mozzarella, thin slices of prosciutto and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. The appetizer was just the right size for two, although it could very easily serve more. It’s not often that you see house-made Meatballs ($9) on a menu as they are often too time-consuming for kitchen staff. I ordered it with high hopes and was not disappointed. They arrived on a bed of sweet marinara that paired beautifully with the spicy, well-seasoned meatballs. Each was soft, moist and packed full of flavor.

“Coupled with the agrestic design, it gave me the companionable sense of visiting a close friend rather than stepping into a busy restaurant.”

As my date and I were sharing dishes and Café Galleria is known for their pizzas, it would have been a sin not to try one. We chose a small Buffalo ($13) Pizza with San Marzano sauce, three types of cheese (fontina, mozzarella and Parmigiano), fresh oregano, roasted bell peppers and red onions. While the quantity of cheese was slightly overwhelming, the flavors were not. The crust was exactly what I want from a wood-fired pizza—it was crisp, not overly yeasty in flavor and had a slight char to the edge that added great texture to each piece. The buffalo sausage was piquant and the roasted peppers and onions were sweet, but not too much. Just like the bruschetta, the small pizza was a decent size that could have served one or two more diners.

Along with our steaming and delicious coffee ($3) roasted by Pink Elephant, we enjoyed a single Crepe ($8, +$2 for the extra topping) with fresh blueberries, peaches and whipped cream. They have nine different toppings to choose from—including pineapple, various berries, Nutella and ice cream. The crepe was paper-thin, cooked just right and folded into a triangle. The French pancake was light and delicate—it was the best way to wrap up our meal (no pun intended).

Surrounded by breathtaking mountains in the adorable town of Midway, you can’t go wrong dining inside (or outside in a globe) any time of year. During the warmer seasons, they have live shows with talented musicians out on their patio. Café Galleria is not just a relaxed and cozy eatery but also a delightful experience. The location, bucolic atmosphere and friendly staff ensure that each and every visit will be memorable. Call to make reservations or go online at thecafegalleria.com/reservations to book a private Alpenglobe ($30 for an hour and a half). You can also reserve their Veranda Room ($200 for two hours) for special occasions and events. Their full menu can be seen at thecafegalleria.com/menus. Follow them on Instagram and take a look at their gallery of artistic photos @cafegalleriamidway.