A Must-Stop Gem in Truckee! If you are driving into North Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake Kitchen is the perfect pit stop. It's located right next to the lake, making it a super convenient and scenic spot to stretch your legs and grab a bite. The Experience We arrived on a Friday afternoon and, despite it being a busy time, we only had a 10-minute wait before being seated. It's a family-owned spot, and you can really feel that warmth in the service--the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We absolutely loved the relaxed, local vibe of the place. The Food The portions here are generous and the flavors are spot on. Here is what we tried: * The Turkey Melt: My wife ordered this and it was massive! It came on perfectly grilled sourdough with cheddar, grilled onions, turkey, bacon, and avocado. She paired it with a fresh side salad and said the sandwich was amazing. * The Tuna Melt (with a twist): I went for the tuna melt on grilled sourdough with jack cheese, tomatoes, and--the best part--jalapeños and grilled onions. It was a fantastic twist on a classic. I got the sweet potato fries on the side; they gave me a huge portion and they were delicious. * "San Julian Style" Chicken Tacos: My son got these and was really happy with his dish. You get three corn tortillas filled with chicken cooked in their homemade salsa, topped with lettuce, tomato, and avocado. They serve them with salsa and sour cream on the side--definitely a hit! Verdict We definitely recommend this place! Between the tasty food, the friendly atmosphere, and the prime location right by the water, it's easily one of our favorite finds in the area. We will definitely be back. Tip: If you're heading toward the slopes or the lake, don't just drive by--pull over and eat here! read more

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We've been coming out here for a couple of years ! This place is quaint & cozy , Mom & Pop restaurant. It is one of our favorite places to go to when we're heading back to the East Bay . They're always on a wait but seriously we don't mind the wait b/c the food & service is worth the wait . We usually order the country fried steak , single pancake & our friends usually order the mushroom & spinach omelette & eggs Benedict & of course Bloody Mary's. The huevos rancheros is another favorite ! The food is comforting & just simply homemade & fresh yumminess . The place runs like a very well oiled machine . You write your name on the dry erase board & boom you will eventually get sat but they do burn & churn . It's not a real big place but I love the coziness & warmth of servers & owners are just the BEST !!! We will continue to visit this restaurant . Y'all need to check out this Awesome breakfast place . One day we will try it for lunch . read more

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This is one of those spots that you should definitely bring potential real estate clients to. Eating here will make you want to own a cabin in Donner Pass. It's seriously that inspiring. These days it's a little chilly in the morning, but they have a place to hang your heavy coats by the door. The food is splendid, everything has a good presentation, the cook has been slinging hash here for 35 years. There's a master of culinary work painting frescos for a museum. I had the chicken fried steak with home fries. The hot chocolate warmed my soul. I had a wonderful server, and the staff overall was very attentive. So run, in big boots with sturdy tread, mind the ice. But get in here if you get a chance. read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Sugar cookies and half melted candy canes making your cocoa minty. Delicious!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

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This kitchen spot has been around for 50 yrs. Our waitress has worked there for 39 yrs. They do everything well and they know it. Great customer service, friendly knowledgeable staff makes you feel welcome immediately. Cute place and the layout is makes for a great ambiance. The breakfast was so good that we came twice during our Lake Tahoe stay. Highly recommend the stuffed French toast, skillets and add a bloody mary! read more

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Best place to have breakfast. I love the French toast and the potatoes. Friendly servers and I'll definitely comeback read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Best place to have breakfast !!!! Love the French toast and potatoes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Sunday morning, very busy, we had quite a wait of 45 mins to sit and 35 for the food to come after ordering, let me just tell you it is worth the wait ! Delicious! Best part is Big Portions so come hungry! Every plate was amazing and would love to come back again. I never thought I would like a savory sandwich that had Honey in it, (the sweet Porky sandwich) so delicious! It's a very busy diner and that's because the food is good! Service was great, they're very attentive, we ordered some toast & butter while we waited for our food, staff here js great ! Definitely recommend you stop by if you're looking for a good tasty meal ! read more

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We came here right before heading back home. It's a very small and popular place. We waited for a while to be seated because we were a large group of 11. Let me tell you.......it was worth the wait! The food, portions were amazing with reasonable prices. We left our plates clean! The staff was very nice and our food came out quick even with the amount of people we had. Will definitely come here next time! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Frosty the snowman pancakes! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Enjoyed a very nice lunch this afternoon in Truckee-Donner area. Local style restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Very warm welcome followed by a delicious Frisco burger, and an All American cheeseburger. Service very accommodating in a casual atmosphere. Menu had a broad selection of items. Specials are available! I missed the teriyaki mushroom burger special. My quest loved his Frisco burger, I was in a simple mood today. Fries were delicious and gobbled up by all. Burger was also very good. I say this is a good stop for a satisfying casual breakfast/lunch Stop. Second time, will return. read more

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My friends and I stopped in for a late breakfast on our way home. The service was excellent but i dream about this sandwich all the time. 10/10 would recommend! The house salad was light and refreshing as well! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Breakfast B.L.A.S.T sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Donner Lake Kitchen is a cute little cafe with a very homestyle aesthetic. I came here for brunch with a few friends on a Friday. We all ordered breakfast items and they were very good. I had the cowboy breakfast, but asked for an extra biscuit instead of hash browns. The staff was very accommodating of this switch and the food was delicious. While we were happy with our food, the service was less than ideal. After being seated and having our order taken, it took about an hour for us to receive our food. By the time we did get our food, the restaurant was actually closed for the day. Furthermore, one person in our party ordered a soda, and it was not served to us until we asked about it again 45 minutes into waiting. Our table was not checked on once during the time we were waiting for our food. For this reason alone, I likely would not return unless I knew the restaurant was not busy. read more

Homestyle kitchen with huge portions and a dedicated customer base - the one downside is that the wait time can be 45 mins. read more

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A local gem with a friendly vibe and great food. The parking is limited and gets a little crowded during peak times but it is well worth the wait! read more

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It was a beautiful drive from Sparks, Nevada and came to Donner Lake Kitchen Saturday morning. It's a cute cabin-like restaurant that's close to Donner Lake Memorial State Park. We were one of the first guests at 7am when they opened. The place is well kept and clean. It looks spacious and has several seating. Kelly, the owner, welcomed us and took our order and it came out about 15 minutes later. The food was yummy! I had the filled toast with bacon and my hubby tried the biscuits and gravy. Food was sumptuous! We shall be back soon! It was about 8 or 8:30 when people started coming in. So if you want to avoid waiting, be there as soon as you can. It has outdoor seating outside as well right by the huge parking lot. It's a nice place to be when you visit Truckee. read more

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Food was excellent, but I'm not sure if our order got lost or what, but multiple tables after us received their orders before us. The server was very rude and confrontational about the issue. Based on other reviews, this seems like a one off. read more

Great spot near donner lake! Fire breakfast food, stuffed French toast was a hit. As was the hot cocoa. Huevos rancheros went crazy as well! read more

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Food took a long time to get on a takeout order (Saturday morning rush), but it was both plentiful and delicious. The restaurant has ample outdoor space for eating, but they wouldn't serve anyone outside (staffing issue, maybe). The woman who took my order and the other woman who handed it to me were so happy and polite - made my day better! The price for this meal was shocking at $28 before the tip. read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Biscuits and gravy, hash browns, bacon, two eggs over easy and an OJ - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Our favorite breakfast spot when visiting Tahoe! The food is delicious and the staff is always great!

A hidden gem of a restaurant! We had their Eggs Benedict with spinach and tomatoes with potatoes and over easy eggs and 'country fried chicken with potatoes and over easy eggs'. Both our late lunch @ 1:35 pm was very nice and good portions! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - A hidden gem of a nice 'need-to-try' of a restaurant! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

On our way to Reno we decided to make a pit stop for some breakfast. With no knowledge of what's in the area we decided to use yelp for recommendations and we got Donner Lake Kitchen. We were greeted outside and were told it would be a 45 minute wait for a table due to them being short a cook. They offered us drinks while we waited for our table. The Bloody Marys with bacon were amazing and had the correct amount of spice. Once we were seated and took in the ambiance was we knew this was going to be a great experience. We ordered two Cowboy's breakfast and a Traditional eggs Benedict. I don't think I can say anything that hasn't already been said in these posts. The food was amazing great flavor and great appearance. Gravy was thick and chunky full of flavor. The hollandaise sauce was great and the hash browns the correct amount of crisp to them. Everything was great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is like us, not from the area. Also props to the staff for being able to handle the Sunday's rush. Whoever is in charge should know that they have a solid team. read more

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Food tasted great, place was packed but very quaint. Service was excellent! Highly recommend this place if you are in and or around Truckee! read more

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A great breakfast! Served by the owner! Wait was minimal. Food was fresh, hot, and tasty! So glad we stopped!

I've been here multiple times! As a lover of breakfast and diners, this place is awesome. Cute interior, great service, reliable food. The views of Donner is the cherry on top! read more

Recently, we spent a couple of relaxing days at Northstar and a friend recommended a spot on the west side of Donner Lake. They didn't give us a name, just a general location, so we set out on a little adventure. Luckily, it didn't take long before we found Donner Lake Kitchen. We arrived early and were warmly greeted by Ann, our server, who was friendly and attentive. The restaurant itself has a cozy, rustic feel but was clean and inviting. After settling in, we were served hot coffee and a Pepsi (since they don't carry Coke) with plenty of fresh citrus slices. Donner Lake Kitchen only serves breakfast and lunch, but the menu had a wide variety of options. On Ann's recommendation, I ordered the Benny's: crispy potato skins loaded with sautéed bacon, onions, mushrooms, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. My husband went with two fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon. As the restaurant started filling up, I noticed how the servers worked together seamlessly, ensuring everyone was taken care of. Our breakfast arrived after a short wait, and it was well worth it. My potato skins were perfectly crisp and topped with a savory mix of mushrooms, bacon, and onions, all enhanced by the hollandaise. While I prefer a bit more lemon in my hollandaise, the dish still exceeded my expectations. Next time, though, I might ask for fruit on the side instead of more potatoes. My husband's pancakes were massive, light, and fluffy, with bacon that was just the right level of crispiness. As I write this review, I'm not sure I should even post it. Donner Lake Kitchen is a real gem tucked away by the lake, and part of me thinks it's better left off the radar. But it's too good not to share, so if you decide to go, promise not to tell too many people! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Potato Skin Benny's. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Wonderful, cozy,friendly, and food is excellent. The owner is a very personable lady who is doing whatever needs to be done. I have been going here sine our family cabin is down the road. read more

Pros: Interior space is nice and clean Staff was patient and helpful Food delivered on expectations Lots of "side order" options Cons: Price was slightly higher than anticipated 20 minute wait outside AND Parking lot and outdoor waiting area is dumpster-adjacent and smelly Repeat order: M&M pancake for the kid 2x Scrambled egg side for my picky eater (2x) bacon side for the table Eggs Benedict (fabulous) Side of 2x eggs for the spouse Hot chocolate + sprinkles option was great! read more

This is a place of love. A classic mountain atmosphere, with fantastic food. The service is great. Everything we've tried pancakes, cowboy breakfast, French toast, bacon, and chicken fried steak was delicious. Servings are large, and the kitchen is efficient. What's not to like? It's perfect. read more

The BLT was amazing, and the meat lover's scramble was just as good. The service was the highlight, we had a short wait, we enjoyed drinks outside, and once we went in, everyone was incredibly friendly. Definitely a must! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - BLT - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

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I have mixed emotions about this spot. My friends and I were in the area after hitting the slopes at Northstar. We needed some lunch, and arrived at 11 am on a Saturday. The queue was very long and we waited just a little over an hour to be seated. After we ordered, we waited another 45 minutes for our food to hit the table... This wait was BRUTAL. Many tables that were seated after us were getting served food, so we were getting confused... Did they forget our orders? Sierra Eggs Benedict (5/5): REALLY GOOD! Great portions. Perfectly runny poached egg and fresh avocado. A sufficient amount of hollandaise sauce, and the hashbrowns were satisfying! I like that they come unsalted and you add it yourself. I definitely recommend ordering this! Pancakes (1/5): These came out completely BURNT! I was shocked that it looked like this since other tables had fluffy golden brown stacks... Disappointed by this :( Overall, the eggs benedict was fantastic! The pancakes were not great... but the customer service was nice. However - I would NOT come back here to wait 1 hour and 45 minutes for food though. read more

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Olives on huevos rancheros should be a crime. Server is rude and entitled. Oh and they illegally add a percentage for using a card. Follow up on the law on credit card surcharges. Prices charged dont match menu. These people take advantage of their customers that are just passing by in hopes that they won't notice as they most likely will not return. read more

I like this place and the setup so that gets 4 stars. The food was okay, didn't blow me out of the water. What I liked is that it's a family run business and in the waiting area, there's such awesome seats with a view of the lake. Go next door to the market and get some cards to play. Order a bloody at the outside bar, and enjoy your time. Bloody is great here! I asked for soft scrambled eggs, and it wasn't made like that. For the purposes of a nice ambiance, it did the job. Service was good too. Enjoy yourself here for brunch! read more

A great way to welcome the day! Breakfast servings are generous and 100% delicious. I ordered a special for the day: chicken fried steak and wow was it special! The gravy on top was perfect -- not too fatty but had richness to give the food coma you are looking for in a big breakfast. We will remember this place next time we are in North Lake Tahoe! read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Plate of food - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

We spent one night in Truckee and decided to grab breakfast on our way out. Party of 10, they were swamped with the rush of people after a major sporting event over the weekend around the lake. We decided to split our tables so that we could get seating faster. This is a family owned business and they run it well, even under all the pressure. We all ordered different items and were able to get a good sampling of the menu. YES, all items were delicious and true farm to fork. I ordered the Classic Eggs Benedict- yum yum. I can't wait to go back and have it again. Hollandaise sauce was flavorful and made the dish. Eggs were not runny but the kitchen was backed up and it was fine. Pancakes - fluffy and cute My husband had biscuits and gravy also delicious and we try them everywhere. There are tables and chairs outside for waiting. Small but mighty, don't skip it if you're in town. read more

This place is so good! Our go to spot when coming through Truckee. The staff is amazing, family owned! Perfect place to enjoy food and a nice drink. This place gives off family vibes all around, it's cozy. We love it here. read more

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This is a hidden spot away from the Truckee hustle and bustle, but not too far away. I'm glad Donner Lake Kitchen was recommended, or otherwise, I might not have found it. Yummy, fresh, hot food. I can't ask for more than that! The service was friendly and helpful. The place only had two people when I arrived around 8 AM, but by 8:45, the restaurant was filled up; every table was taken. I ordered the Mexican breakfast and an OJ. The food was made to order, and the ingredients were very fresh. The great-aunt was clean and bustling. The friendly staff, fresh food, and pleasant atmosphere were all on point. They also have outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. The only downfall is it is a little pricey....tourist prices. read more

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Arrived around 10am on a Sunday and it was packed! Parking is a bit tight but we luckily found a spot. We added our party of 2 to the whiteboard waitlist. There were 3 parties in front of us and we only had to wait no more than 10minutes. All the waiters and are so kind and welcoming. They're really efficient. We ordered 2 cups of coffee, a scrambled omelette, eggs Benedict, and bowl of fruit. Our total came out to $66! The energy is very cozy and familial. You can tell plenty of locals come here. Would totally recommend this place for anyone staying or passing through the area! read more

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Great family atmosphere. Large portions and tasty food. Will be back. On next visit to Truckee.

Good service friendly and decent food would definitely go back again..if you are very hungry get the full portion of Huevos Rancheros. They are traditional but they are delicious. read more

Great service in a cozy diner setting but please, can you heat the gravy for the biscuits! It's always luke warm at best and that bums me out. Such a simple fix. I even asked the waitress today if they could make it hot but sadly, no. Luke warm read more

Friendly and quick service. Enjoyed some reading time at the bar while I enjoyed my veggie-egg-feta scramble. My mimosa was a generous pour. read more

Donner Lake Kitchen - Veggie feta scramble - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Truckee, California

Has a great cheeseburger! The other food people ordered look great ! Will have to order a Bloody Mary next time I'm here