PENGUIN CAFE, Laguna Beach - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number

Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes

No

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Details

About

Traditional diner. Serving traditional American breakfast and some mexican specialties in a relaxed atomosphere. Please reference our menu at our website for most up to date.

CUISINES

American, Cafe, Diner

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Seating, Table Service

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4.0

164 reviews

Excellent

79

Very good

53

Average

24

Poor

6

Terrible

2

Patrick

Los Angeles7 contributions

Wonderful first time breakfast visit at this authentic cafe obviously enjoyed by the locals!

Jun 2020 • none

My wife and I enjoyed our first visit to Laguna Beach and found the Penguin Cafe online. Food was traditional breakfast fare for us and options for both hearty and healthy eating were available. Fruits were fresh and delicious, entree platter was hot and well seasoned and the homemade granola was a real treat. The restaurant was on the waterfront block and we walked down to the beach after breakfast for a pleasant stroll. The dining area is relatively small (we only waited 2 minutes to be seated but that may be the Covid-19 restrictions related) so recommend coming early. Service was personal and professional and food came quickly accompanied by hot, fresh coffee. A really nice morning spent with several guests who were obvious locals/regulars. The owner and the staff provided excellent service. Highly recommend this cafe.

Written June 29, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JS

Saratoga29 contributions

Penguin sauce considered harmful

Jul 2021 • none

Nice cafe, great service. We asked for Tabasco sauce and the waitress brought both the Tabasco sauce and their own "Penguin Sauce", also a hot sauce. Wife and I both tried a couple of dabs of the sauce and thought it was tasty. Unfortunately we both suffered stomach ache afterwards. :-(

Written July 9, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gary F

Midvale198 contributions

The Penguin Cafe lays an egg, then scrambles it!

Jan 2025 • couples

The Penguin Cafe is a cute little neighborhood cafe with a wide variety of different food. While they have a cute atmosphere and plenty of choices the food is average at best. Some places have a specialty the PenguinCafe is just okay at it all. The Penguin O’Brian was okay if you made it at home but nothing that shouts amazing. The eggs and potatoes are bland but the highlight is the orange juice. Not a bad option but should never be the first.

Written January 9, 2025

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bblomberg

Denver71 contributions

Good Home Cooked Breakfast

Mar 2021 • none

Food just like mom made. Large portions and everything is fresh. We've only been there for breakfast, a great way to start the day. The owner is on-site and makes sure everything is perfect.

Written March 24, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kaylaartt

Los Angeles736 contributions

Old Fashion Goodness

Aug 2021 • none

We came early to grab one of the few outdoor tables. So glad we did. The service was kind and good. The breakfast grub was old fashion goodness. This would be our go-to breakfast spot if we lived in Laguna or frequented it more. If only they had a latte machine...it would be even more goodness.

Written August 29, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brandon S

Kalamazoo11 contributions

Excellent food and service

Jun 2023 • couples

We were staying in the area and trying different restaurants. Found this place and went back a few times for breakfast and lunch. Everything we tried was excellent. Staff was very friendly too!

Written July 1, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Soca S

High Wycombe896 contributions

Amazing place with amazing food and cafe

Oct 2022 • business

Amazing food and 🍕 pizza, with amazing staff I really appreciate the service, good nice staff and testy food, they make my business easier and good place for meeting.

Written November 11, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DGBruce

1 contribution

Great friendly breakfast spot indoor or patio

Aug 2022 • solo

I challenge you to find a better breakfast/lunch spot in all of Laguna Beach. Ok, travelling from Toronto… I’ve not tried them all… but only because I’ve been coming back here each morning. Cheers!

Written August 6, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dana Los Angeles

Los Angeles1218 contributions

Basic diner with good food at comfy casual spot

Nov 2021 • friends

Basic good diner food that is a local favorite. Comfortable and casual. Good for breakfast or lunch, parking on highway.

Written November 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan K

5 contributions

Quaint Old School Breakfast Place with great food and great service./

Sep 2020 • none

Loved the breakfast here which was your standard American fair but has a long tradition from the 30s. Family owned and just great service.

Written September 18, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hummalong

24 contributions

Laguna locals!!! 🌺🌴

Nov 2019 • friends

Love this place been coming here for probably 10 to 11 years... consistently delicious. Sabrina and all her staff always so welcome so kind and the food is delicious one of the best café diner!! I have been bringing my favorite friends for years... one here from Nashville.

Written November 30, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob C

Costa Mesa2 contributions

A laguna gem!!

Nov 2019 • none

Amazing place, such a charmer, Sabrina the owner is amazing, this place has so much history in Laguna Beach. Club Sandwich is amazing!! sandwich

Written November 7, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrsGaPeach3

Green River67 contributions

Local Hot Spot for Breakfast

Sep 2019 • none

If you want a delicious, large breakfast this is the place. Be sure to get there early, there is a wait. The food was so great, staff friendly and fast service. The prices were AMAZING for the delicious homestyled breakfast. LOVED IT!

Written October 2, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Happyowl97

Los Angeles123 contributions

Cute and Simple

Dec 2018 • none

If you are looking for a cute, simple, very casual place to grab a sit-down breakfast in hyper trendy Laguna, then this is it. This is not a fancy brunch place, it is more like a tiny, hole in the wall diner. We loved that it was so casual as all the hub bub of Laguna can get to me after a day or so. We also brought the kids and this was a perfect breakfast place or them. Plenty of tasty items on the menu and decent prices for Laguna. Service was kind and attentive. Would go back in a heart beat.

Written August 19, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dupont2Traveler

Memphis236 contributions

Amazing Corned Beef and Hash

Jul 2019 • couples

Excellent choice for a good home style cooked breakfast. We ordered the Corned Beef and Hash Breakfast to go and it was amazing. This is a small Restutant that has a small town diner feel. The Restutant staff (while very busy) were helpful and smiling.

Written July 15, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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