Welcome to Penguin Cafe
At Penguin Cafe, nestled in the heart of Laguna Beach, we celebrate the charm of traditional breakfast with a twist. Our story began as a humble diner, where locals and visitors alike savor hearty classics like the Breakfast Burger and Corned Beef Hash. Renowned for friendly service and a cozy atmosphere, we prioritize quality and comfort, making each meal special. Experience the joy of our signature dishes, from fluffy blueberry pancakes to customizable breakfast sandwiches. With outdoor seating just a block from the ocean, Penguin Cafe embodies that idyllic blend of nostalgia and community spirit, capturing the essence of laid-back coastal living.
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981 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States Hotline: +1 949-494-1353
Welcome to Penguin Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Laguna Beach, California. Located at 981 S Coast Hwy, this charming eatery captures the essence of old-school diner vibes with a modern twist, providing a cozy atmosphere where locals and visitors alike can savor fantastic breakfasts and heartwarming comfort food.
What sets Penguin Cafe apart is its commitment to quality and simplicity. Unlike trendy spots that often over-complicate their menus, this cafe embraces the joy of traditional breakfast classics. Customers rave about their signature dishes, which range from hearty breakfast sandwiches to scrumptious specialties that capture the palate. Choices like the Breakfast Burger—a mouth-watering combination of a 1/3 lb. patty, fried egg, crispy bacon, and gooey Swiss and American cheese—make for a fulfilling start to your day at $18.95. The Penguin O’Brian, featuring home-fried potatoes topped with sautéed vegetables and eggs, highlights the cafe's dedication to providing hearty, satisfying meals without the fuss.
- Breakfast Sandwiches:
- Breakfast Burger: $18.95
- Penguin Melt Sandwich: $16.75
- Sunrise Melt Sandwich: $14.95
- Breakfast Penguin Sandwich: $15.95
- Breakfast Specialties:
- Penguin O’Brian: $17.85
- Corned Beef Hash: $18.50
- Traditional Breakfasts:
- 2 Eggs with choice of meat: $17.95
- 2 Eggs Breakfast: $13.95
Feedback from patrons illuminates the friendly service and homey atmosphere that defines this café. As one customer, Erika, describes, “You can never go wrong with the French Toast and pancakes,” echoing the sentiment that the café is a go-to for comforting favorites. Whether you opt for the satisfying huevos rancheros or classic Eggs Benedict, the dishes promise to delight. Moreover, the option of outdoor seating allows for a lovely oceanview that pairs perfectly with your meal.
Despite some mentioning that the ocean isn’t visible from inside, the inviting ambiance and quick service more than make up for it. Regulars and newcomers alike appreciate the café’s ability to accommodate large parties while ensuring swift service, a testament to Penguin Cafe's well-managed operations.
For those seeking a slice of authentic, small-town dining within a bustling beach town, Penguin Cafe stands as a cherished locale. The combination of friendly service, hearty meals, and a stress-free atmosphere ensures that each visit feels like a warm embrace. As mentioned by Darryl, if you're looking for a proper breakfast without the frills, this is your spot. So come hungry, leave happy, and enjoy the heart of Laguna Beach at Penguin Cafe!
Always a great time with Sabrina at the Penguin. I stumbled on this great old school diner when I first moved to Laguna almost a decade ago. You can never go wrong with the French Toast, and who doesn’t love pancakes (especially blueberry pancakes). Omelettes are always my go to item (be it ham and cheese blend or the chili cheese), always get the tortillas and make my own little breakfast tacos (the BEST salsa). You’ve got booths and tables, outdoor seating, and my favorite spot, the counter. There’s a sign-in sheet at the door for when they are busier, but it’s not a long wait, friendly and efficient service. Large parties can be accommodated. It’s what small town dining is all about. A treasure in Laguna, a glimpse of the laid back, small town life most residents enjoy. There’s street parking in front and on side streets, and a small parking lot in back. If you’re looking for a little more space away from people while your eating, just place your order, grab a cup of coffee, and walk down to the sand to enjoy a calming oceanview...a little vitamin sea. Don’t let peeps fool you...if you choose to eat healthy there are plenty of great options, and always have great specials. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask
We sat at the bar and they were pretty busy. Service was quick and our food came out quick! Everything was perfect. Too bad the gorgeous view of the ocean is not visible from the restaurant.
Cute dinner with surprisingly good food! Highly recommend them huevos rancheros! Those hit the spot my dude. They be close to some good hiking spots so feel free to burn off calories there or surfing at the beach! Come hungry and leave with a belly. Really makes you happy to have eaten here. Tho I will say the French toast was kinda mid, so maybe try the flapjacks instead!
Coffee and Eggs Benedict were spot on. Had a table outside. Service was fine. My wife loved her breakfast and she’s hard to please with breakfasts. Saturday morning it was busy as expected.
A local Laguna Beach hole in the wall. As others have noted, extremely friendly and quick service. It looked like it is frequented by regulars, which is always a good sign. I loved the sunrise melt and blueberry pancakes, but not a huge fan of the potatoes. Overall, I would highly recommend the place.
An outside table here is my go to spot for breakfast every time I visit Laguna Beach. Reasonably priced yummy basic breakfast items with friendly service.
If you like a proper breakfast, it’s not some weird fancy convoluted breakfast and this is your place. The staff is super friendly. The food was great. I highly recommend the bacon in the atmosphere was chill. I highly recommend this place.
Very nice breakfast. I’m usually a very nutrition conscious person (I came up with the ServingScore app), but I like to go off-road sometimes and eat a good traditional breakfast. Here, you are 1 block from the beach, can sit outside, be offered extra coffee a lot, and get a great price meal that is tasty. Enjoy!