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Whale Watchers Cafe

HC 67 Box 1811, Big Sur, CA 93920-9657
(805) 927-1590
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Ranked #22 of 22 restaurants in Big Sur
Dining options: Lunch
8 visitor photos
Restaurant details
Dining options: Lunch
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93 reviews from our community

9% Recommend
    3
    6
    14
    10
    60
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Boston, Massachusetts
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2013 NEW via mobile

The only waitress gave us rude looks for 20 minutes in this empty restaurant. After waiting almost half an hour for her to take our drink orders, we got fed up and left. The prices were horrendous, and the food didn't even look good. Eat some pretzels instead, you'll be better off.

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Encinitas, CA
Top Contributor
68 reviews 68 reviews
21 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 38 cities Reviews in 38 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2013

We pulled in after camping to the south in San Simeon needing some breakfast. One look at the menu curbed my appetite. Even my little kids balked at the prices and adjusted their thoughts of what they would order. The (expensive) cup of coffee was poor...and milk rather than some half n' half was weak. My son ordered the french... More

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Storrington
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
8 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 6, 2013 via mobile

My wife and I needed a coffee / tea stop over looking the ocean having just driven The Big Sur. This location was ideal but we had the worst female attendant that we have ever come any where in our travels across the world. She is destroying this business in a location & facility that should have given us real... More

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London, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed April 10, 2013

We stopped off on our road trip to get some lunch and unfortunately the waitress was rude and not at all welcoming. If there had been more options along the way I would have gladly walked out. As a rule - if you want to keep customers don't look at them like they have just inconvenienced you by walking through... More

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Riverside, ca
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
15 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed April 6, 2013

Years ago this was a small diner managed by an old hippie, expensive, but tasty and fun...not so much fun anymore! Walked in to look at a menu because it wasn't posted outside...The woman who was waiting tables ordered us rudely to get out of the way...did not say hello or greet us in any way. When we responded that... More

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Wollongong, Australia
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 15, 2013

We came upon this late in the evening after a long and windy drive along this lovely part of the coast.Accommodation here was very limited,.not much for miles..some very expensive and a lot closed in winter. Had rooms upstairs plus a few cabins.We stayed in one of the rooms upstairs.Great view,very clean and comfortable. Had internet free wi fi which... More

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London
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 7, 2013 via mobile

Limited for places to eat along this stretch. Stopped for lunch - 3 salads and 3 cokes - $79!! Felt thoroughly ripped off. salad was fine but no better than the Denny's salad we had the day before which was a lot cheaper.also prices on menu were a bit misleading. We were offered prawns or chicken on our salad but... More

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california
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed March 3, 2013

Very expensive, and lousy food. Unfortunately there is no internet service so we were unable to read any reviews before we entered the place.

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Cayucos, California
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 18, 2013

I go to Big Sur often and usually stop at the Whale Watchers - going before dark is best because it has a nice vantage point overlooking the ocean. Usually, when I arrive in the late afternoon, I am greeted by the hispanic waitress, Sara. It's always a good feeling walking in the door because she always has a warm... More

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Sacramento, California
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 10, 2013

On the second day of our week long vacation we happened upon the Whale Watchers Cafe and decided to stop for lunch and inquire about their rooms. Upon entering the store we were greeted by the friendly clerk, Kiara, who promptly showed us their charming rooms above the store. We then proceded to the restaurant. The service was timely and... More

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