Where the Coffee is Strong and the Community is Stronger: A Visit to Café Regis
Just two blocks off Broadway in Red Lodge, you’ll find a cozy café surrounded by gardens, greenhouses, and a whole lot of heart. Café Regis isn’t just a place to eat, it’s a community hub, a local legend, and the kind of spot where the coffee is strong, the food is fresh from the garden, and everyone feels like family.
Originally a grocery store built in 1941, the building sat abandoned until a group of Red Lodge residents bought it and transformed it into Café Regis in 2002. Nearly a decade ago, the current owners, beloved longtime locals and former owners of Bogart’s Restaurant took it over as their “retirement restaurant.” They lasted a full two weeks in retirement before deciding they weren’t quite ready to slow down. These days, they’re still showing up with big smiles, fast service, and a commitment to keeping the café a welcoming space for all.
What makes Café Regis so unique? For starters, it’s nestled on six city lots and features two greenhouses and a stunning garden that helps fill each plate with fresh, mostly organic ingredients. Their Blue Plate specials change daily, their soup is always delicious, and their crew is top-notch. They know your name, your usual order, and probably your dog’s name, too.
There’s something undeniably special about a place where regulars feel at home enough to stay for hours. Whether sipping coffee on the garden patio or laughing with the servers inside, it’s clear Café Regis is built on relationships. Just ask the customer who shows up four times a week, hair tousled from his winter hat, so beloved that the staff recently gifted him a comb just for fun. Or the guest who received a comically tiny biscuit on a giant plate as a joke (complete with a butter chip and a story about inflation). The laughter in the café is just as nourishing as the food.
This community-focused gem was recently placed on the National Historic Register, and for good reason, it’s part of Red Lodge’s soul. The owners have poured love into every corner of the café and give back in countless ways, often quietly, always generously.
They’re holding out for the right people to take over, someone who sees the beauty in the gardens and the joy in serving neighbors and strangers alike.
In the meantime, Café Regis continues to thrive with strong coffee, exceptional food, and a vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. So, whether you’re a local or just passing through, stop in, have a seat, and let the world go by for a while. You’ll be glad you did.
