The Lively Cafe at St. John's

211 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301, United States
+1 850-222-2636
$$$ Cafe
(62 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Welcome to The Lively Cafe at St. John's, a delightful hidden gem nestled in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Located conveniently at 211 N Monroe St, this cozy cafe stands out not only for its inviting atmosphere but also for its delectable offerings that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences.

The Lively Cafe exudes a warm, friendly vibe that feels like a home away from home. Patrons often find themselves enjoying their meals in a charming garden space, making it an ideal spot for both casual lunches and communal gatherings. This cafe is perfect for enjoying a quiet meal alone or celebrating with friends and family, as highlighted by Nancy VanWilder, who praises the ambiance as "perfect" for her lively lunch gatherings.

At The Lively Cafe, the menu is a wonderful reflection of freshness and creativity, with a rotating selection that keeps the dining experience exciting. Indulge in their popular Grilled Salmon Nicoise for just $10.00, or opt for the flavor-packed Buffalo chicken sandwich, celebrated by customers like Raychel G for its quality. The menu also features a range of comforting soups — try the Bowl of Soup for $6.25 or pair it with a Half Sandwich for a fulfilling combo. Each dish promises generous portions and remarkable freshness, making your meal at The Lively Cafe both satisfying and delightful.

Fans rave about the unique twists in their weekly specials, featuring vegan and vegetarian options that cater to diverse dietary preferences. Nydia N shares that the cafe is a "best kept secret," highlighting the delightful Lively Bean Salad as a must-try side dish. Meanwhile, Mary Margaret Niezgoda echoes this sentiment as one of her all-time favorite lunch spots, mentioning the efficient service and rotating weekly menus, including tempting desserts.

The Lively Cafe seamlessly blends quality food with welcoming service. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or picking up a delicious homemade dinner to go, you’re in for a treat. As noted by Dr. Michael Sue Jenefsky, the portions are hearty enough to enjoy as leftovers, and the flavor combinations are simply irresistible.

Visit The Lively Cafe at St. John's for a refreshing dining experience that promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave you looking forward to your next visit. Call +1 850-222-2636 to learn more or to place an order. Come and discover why this cafe has become a cherished part of the Tallahassee community!

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great tea selection
Popular for
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Historic
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 01:30 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

62 Reviews
Nancy VanWilder

24 Aug 2025

I met for lunch with a club group of women. Yes we are lively and loud. The accommodations were perfect! Food was great and not only did I have a wonderful lunch, I decided to get dinner to go! Yes! They make up delicious homemade dinners for 2 or 4 people! All you do is heat them up! Lunch, dinner, was a real treat! Especially when it was my night to cook!!

gordon devoss

23 Aug 2025

Listen....how have y'all been keeping this place a secret!? Went today for the 1st time in 20+ years. It was super hot and muggy and the air conditioning was heavenly. Super nice ladies answered our questions and took our orders. Then you take your order card to the pay window (no cash i think) and square up. The food was deli quality. Very fresh and good portion size. Great for lunch. The room is open seating at big tables. The vibe of the room kinda reminded me of the Wakulla Springs Lodge. They also have crazy take-and-bake meals (see my pics) but you need to order ahead from what I understand. Right downtown, great experience!

Sean Stephens

11 Aug 2025

What a nice find! Working downtown there 2 options both are delis. A friend filled me in with this extra option a block away, since I didn't know it was there. One look at the online menu and I was off. They have 4 rotating weekly menus and I ordered from the green menu. Pork Bahn mi sandwich with a side of red grapes. The side is included with the ridiculously low price and there are multiple options. With fresh cucumber, cilantro, daikon radish and pickled carrots this sandwich was legit. They make fresh soups and desserts of the day which I will explore on my next visits. The all volunteer staff was so friendly and the place was buzzing. It is on church grounds with stunning outdoor seating. I treated a friend and got two sandwich and side meals for the same price as one singular sandwich from the deli across the street! Do leave a nice cash tip as it goes to charity. I will continue to leave reviews for each visit. Bravo Lively Cafe, Bravo!

Raychel G

15 Jul 2025

I didn’t even know about this cafe until my family ordered take out. I ordered the Buffalo chicken sandwich and it was great! Quality sandwich! I look forward to trying this place out again in the future.

Mary Margaret Niezgoda

26 Jun 2025

One of my all-time favorite lunch spots! The menu rotates weekly, there are weekly specials (including delicious desserts), everything is made fresh, service is quick and friendly, prices are amazing, and you can order online! I've literally never had a bad meal there. It's a local Tallahassee gem, so you're guaranteed to see someone you know there. If you decide to eat there, go eat in the garden! I can't believe such a treasure is hidden in downtown Tallahassee!

Nydia N

24 Jun 2025

I feel like this place is a best kept secret! Cool little cafe-like spot inside the fellowship hall of St. John's church. They have a weekly, rotating menu and specials with the most delicious & unique selections. They always have a tasty vegetarian option too (even when I'm not trying to eat vegetarian). Their lively bean salad is my favorite side!

Dr. MIchael Sue Jenefsky

05 Jun 2025

I ordered a black bean burger with cheese, bacon, avocado, arugula, and tomato. My side was the Lively Bean Salad. There was too much for me to eat, so I brought half of each home. The food was delicious. I will be going back. I highly recommend it.

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