This casual bistro spot, with a patio to enjoy your food in the sunshine, steals the daily lunch scene. Come savor the variety of lunch-fare soup du jour, one-of-a-kind wraps, hand-crafted sandwiches and grilled paninis, all complemented with a luscious salad topped with Cafe Girasole’s signature vinaigrette dressing and strawberry slice. Abby Jo always uses locally sourced, organic and fresh ingredients whenever possible with each meal.
Fresh salad from Cafe Girasole. Photo credit Digiman Studio.
People love this small, tucked away eatery in Gardnerville. Once you get a glimpse of the yellow sunflower halo warmly greeting you, then you know you’ve found ‘The Place Where Friends Meet’. Step into this cozy cafe, and hear the official welcome “hi hun, take a seat anywhere. I’ll be right with you.” Just know, there isn’t a bad seat in the house when you’re dining among friends. Whether you’re connecting with old friends, or making new ones over an unforgettable meal.
Girasole, meaning “surrounded by the sun or sunflower”, adds a warmth to the charming combo of the sophisticated and quirky place Cafe Girasole is adored as.
Cafe Girasole signature sunflower and daily specials. Photo credit Digiman Studio.
At Cafe Girasole, the hardest question is where to begin? “Cheese Louise”! The menu is built with combination’s to fit everyone’s taste buds – meat lover, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free. Abby and her team can customize food and desserts to dietary restrictions and preferences. Their menu is the draw, but the unique flavors are what keep you happy, full, and coming back for more.
Nods to Carson Valley can be spotted in the Cafe Girasole menu. All you need to do is search the grilled panini names and you’ll see mentions of local businesses and town locations.
When someone loves what they do, it shows. Now in her 7th year as owner, Abby Jo said it was the flavor-filled menu, charming vibe, and family feel from employees and customers that sold her on the cafe. While Cafe Girasole, the place, precedes current owner Abby Jo, she first started out as an employee. Beginning in the kitchen she prepared meals, but mostly used her culinary background to serve up yummy cookies, cakes, lemon bars, specialty cheesecakes, and other pastries fresh from the oven.
Abby Jo, Cafe Girasole owner. Photo credit Digiman Studio.
Don’t worry, the pastry case is still plentiful with baked goods! (And lunch always requires dessert, right?)
Next time you find yourself driving through Downtown Gardnerville towards the mountains with your friends or family, stop by. Open afternoons Monday-Friday 11am-3pm (ish) the menu is full. Everything’s excellent. The atmosphere is friendly. One meal will make you a regular.
