KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) There can never be enough good breakfast and brunch spots in Keene, so when I heard about the Yellow Bell Café opening downtown (at 45 Main St., in the former Yahso Jamaican Grille location) this month, I was thrilled – not to mention I was already a fan of owner Adam Berube’s other two downtown Keene eateries, Fireworks Restaurant and Muse Bistro. A new place to indulge in morning favorites? Count me in.

I got my first taste of Yellow Bell during their soft opening on Monday, two days before their official launch, which was today. Walking in, I was instantly charmed. The café is bright and cheerful, yet somehow manages to feel cozy and familiar. Rustic wooden accents behind the bar and some of the furniture add a warmth that makes it feel like a place you could linger in for hours, catching up with friends over coffee and pastries.

Naturally, I had to put their menu to the test. I ordered the breakfast tacos, which were listed under “handhelds,” though I approached them with a knife and fork—no shame in keeping it classy. The dish featured two grilled corn tortillas topped with cotija cheese, fried eggs, pico de gallo, and avocado. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and I appreciated being able to dial up the heat with a drizzle of habanero sauce. To round out my meal, I got an iced mocha, rich and chocolatey, and couldn’t resist a piece of chocolate babka from the bakery case.

My dining companion opted for the farmer’s breakfast—two eggs any style, sausage, home fries, and toast. Of course, I stole a bite of her home fries, and let me tell you, they were perfectly crispy, well-seasoned, and incredibly satisfying.

Beyond our orders, the menu offers a well-thought-out mix of breakfast classics and inventive creations. From smoked salmon scrambles and huevos rancheros to banana bread French toast and breakfast poutine (yes, poutine for breakfast!), it’s clear Yellow Bell is aiming to be more than just another brunch spot—it’s a place that celebrates morning indulgence. A selection of sourdough toasts with gourmet toppings, like whipped ricotta with roasted beetroot and hot honey drizzle, or classic avocado toast with pickled red onion and cotija cheese, and a selection of gourmet donuts add to the list of unique menu twists.

Diners around us were just as enthusiastic. Fellow patron Randyn Markelon put it perfectly: “Yellow Bell feels both brand new and like it’s been here forever.” She raved about the huevos rancheros, appreciating the homemade refried beans and the use of real corn tortillas—an all-too-rare detail in many places. Her friend Shelby Byrnes praised the cozy, homey ambiance, noting how it made her want to linger. And linger we did.

The magic of Yellow Bell isn’t just in its food—it’s in the entire experience. The service was fantastic, and the little surprises, as Markelon said, “a molasses donut with the perfect chew,” elevated it beyond expectations.

Yellow Bell Café is a love letter to breakfast, inspired by owner Adam Berube’s childhood memories of waking up to the smell of homemade breakfast at his grandmother’s house. That warmth, that sense of comfort, is baked into every part of the café. With its welcoming atmosphere, stellar menu, and thoughtful touches, I have no doubt it’ll become a beloved staple in Keene’s brunch scene. I, for one, am already planning my next visit—and maybe this time, I’ll go for the bottomless mimosa.