I always love to bring visitors to Dorn's. I like how it is above the Embarcadero and you can get the ocean view as well as a view of the Embarcadero. I often order the chicken caesar salad or the chicken marsala. I absolutely LOVE the sourdough that is served with the meals, please don't ever stop. I was cleaning off my phone pics and found these pics taken a couple years ago on my birthday, boy did you make me feel special!! I haven't been for a while, I think it is time for another visit soon. read more

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Walt from Walt's Adventures and I am in a historical diner called Dorn's Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay, California. This eatery has some street parking, indoor and outdoor dining with covers and heating, and a full bar. The customer service was a well oiled machine where the bottom of our glasses were hardly seen. The pancakes ordered were fluffy masterpieces, the omelettes were very good, and the scrambles fills any appetite. Clearly there is a reason why this restaurant has served patrons since 1942. This gem is highly recommended and will forever now be one of my favorites. read more

We had a wonderful experience there -- truly a solid performance in every department, from service to food to atmosphere. We arrived around 7 pm without reservations and got lucky with a spacious window table -- the views alone made the evening special. The food was outstanding: Our daughter ordered the kids burger and declared it "the best burger of the trip" I had the filet mignon, cooked exactly to my preference, with delicious seasonal vegetables on the side. My husband ordered the halibut, and it was truly exceptional -- perfectly sautéed, crispy on the outside and moist inside (which is not easy to achieve with halibut!). One of the best we've had. Highly recommend it. And then dessert... We tried both the chocolate cake and the lemon cheesecake -- both were great, but the lemon cheesecake absolutely stole the show. And that's coming from a true chocolate lover! It was light, fresh, and unforgettable. The overall experience: Attentive, friendly service Romantic atmosphere with candlelight and a cozy, darker ambiance after sunset. And the location... perched above the bay with a stunning view of Morro Rock, especially at sunset Highly recommend it. Unfortunately my phone was at 1% so I couldn't take the pictures this time. read more

Went to Dorn's this time for breakfast. Lots of people, but we got a table right away on a Saturday, with a nice few of the bay. Justine was our server, nice and friendly. I believe she also had tables further away, as we didn't see much of her. For some reason, I decided to get the pancakes, they sounded good and they were. They give you enough syrup, as some places do not. I also ordered a side of bacon, 4 pcs and I ate 2 and they were pretty good. I have some nice leftovers. The coffee was OK, I hate small mugs. My husband had the Linguica omelette with pepper jack cheese. He thought there was too much bell pepper, not enough eggs and linguica. He got his choice of fruit, potatoes, pancakes, toast or muffin, he chose fruit. used the bathroom, it was cute and nice and clean. I also noticed a grab bar, that's good for individuals that need it. read more

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The restaurant is very cozy modern old feel. Great atmosphere and convenient to so many hotels. We didn't have reservations on a Thursday night and was seated rather quickly. Our server Deedee was bubbly and sweet. She was very personable. I will start this review by bullet pointing to show why I only gave it 3 stars: *The medium rare steak came out well... Even our server mentioned that she told the kitchen team the steak looked overcooked. They still brought it ou times overcooked. *The other two steaks still had some pink but not the medium rare that we are used to. They were salty but I was starving! *The lobster was a bit overcooked so it was rubbery. *They got our orders wrong on two dishes in addition to the dessert. *The chocolate cake was as dry as can be. *We asked for a creme brulee and they brought us a berry cobbler. The reason why we gave 3 stars and not two is because Deedee was just so darn sweet! Other dishes that tasted yum yums! *The scallops were yummy. The lemon caper sauce was really zesty and perfect for the scallops. *The Nancy Salad was extremely yummy. Crisp, fresh and balanced with bleu cheese, bacon, avocado and a creamy dressing. *The AHI was good but the sesame crust was just too much. It overpowered the delicate ahi taste. We want to try their breakfast, since they said their pancakes are supposed to be amazing. Let me see if I can convince the fam to give them another shot. read more

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Food is consistently well prepared and delicious. Service is quick even when slammed. Ambiance is comfortable classic. I stop here every time I visit the bay read more

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This is always a favorite restaurant for my husband and I to come to when we come tomorrow Bay. Typically, we'll stop here and do brunch. We can sit outside with our little dog in spend our time walking around the shops. We came today because we just wanted to get away for a little while and enjoy ourselves. There is a line waiting. That's not unexpected. Doran's is a fan favorite. The good news is you can get a drink and wait right by the restaurant and not have any problems. So it makes the waiting go a lot faster. After about 30 minutes we were sat outside and our waitress came and we chatted and gave our order. I was bummed they forgot my puppies chicken breast. It finally came, but only after we had fed her most of our bacon because we figured her chicken wasn't coming. Bummer. That being said, our meals came out and they were just fine. My husband's bloody Mary's were fine. Matter fact you were back for a second. Everyone here was having a good time and enjoying ourselves. To the restaurant, please make sure your bacon is cooked. Halfway cooked bacon is not edible. Unfortunately, the Waitress is running so fast. It was hard to get a hold of her anyhow, will be back again. It wasn't our favorite experience. We've had wonderful enough experiences that we know this was just an off day. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Eating at Dorn's is like meeting up with an old friend! The other day. I was doing both, since I was meeting my friend and having a fun birthday lunch! We got a cute table with a good view of the bay and it was a beautiful sunny day so the door was open. We each have our favorites here! My friend got the Caesar salad with grilled salmon on top. I usually like the Caesar with blackened salmon, but I chose the shrimp tacos because I had not had them there before. We sipped our Diet Cokes and admired the view while I opened my presents and admired the beautiful roses she had brought for me. The food came out quickly. There was delicious warm sourdough bread to accompany the salad. The salmon on the Caesar was grilled to perfection. My shrimp tacos were a little spicy for me, even though I got the smoked chipotle sauce on the side, but the tortilla itself tamed the heat a bit. We enjoyed the beautiful day in this lovely location. It wasn't crowded for 1 o'clock lunch now that tourist season is over. Dorn's doesn't take reservations, so it's always a little iffy if you go right at peak times. We caught up on all our recent activities and when the waitress asked what the roses were for, I said it was my birthday! Before I could turn around, she brought back a beautiful chocolate mousse with whipped cream on a tray that said happy birthday! Dorn's is a wonderful festive place to have a special occasion meal! It will remain one of my favorite places in Morro Bay! read more

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Brought friends here from out of town. Sonya was amazing. The service and food were 5 stars. Thanks Sonya for a great dining experience. We will be back soon! read more

Dorn's Café has been a part of my life for over 30 years, and that kind of consistency is truly special. What I love most is that some things never change -- the pancakes taste exactly the same as they always have, and they're the must-order every single time. Comfort food at its best. The staff has always been friendly, welcoming, and genuinely kind, which keeps us coming back year after year. It's also one of the most kid-friendly spots in Morro Bay, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed meal with little ones. What makes Dorn's really meaningful to me, though, is the memories. I was so lucky to come here with my grandma for years, and now I get to sit with my own kids, keeping her memory alive while we eat pancakes and admire Morro Rock. That full-circle feeling is priceless. Dorn's isn't just a restaurant -- it's tradition, comfort, and memories that last a lifetime. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Los amigos scramble and pancakes. Best pancakes you can get! - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Breakfast spots that open early in the area are limited so came back. This time we tried The bagel and salmon French toast Seafood omelette (crab, shrimp, mushroom) and comes your choice of potatoes or pancakes. I got the pancakes and liked it - tasted that cornmeal. However the omelette could be fluffier and more substantial. The texture is more like crepe. Coffee is unlimited refills and we got to sit at the table facing the water with the tabletop fire which was nice. Staff friendly but we did have to ask for the fire pit to be lit and coffee to be refilled a few times. read more

Stopped by Dorn's for coffee and pancakes with my boyfriend. Probably the best pancakes I've ever had! Soooo fluffy and topped with whipped butter. We had a last minute surprise cocktail after one of our friends highly encouraged (wink wink!). Never day no to a morning cocktail. By the way, the new bar is gorgeous! I highly recommend you try the dirty martini . Can't wait to return. We had a great time and loved the service. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Pancakes are the best! - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Overall the food was OK but I don't believe worth the price. Ordered their seafood omelet, and was unimpressed. No cheese or creamy sauce, so was more a basic omelet with some shrimp and crab. May suggest the chef adding cheese or creamy sauce to punch some flavor. We decided to go for their pancakes instead, and by far the tastiest thing on the menu. The restaurant gets busy on Saturdays so recommend coming early to put your name down. read more

Went in and had an amazing lunch. The sour dough bread arrived to the table super hot and full of flavor. The butter was also extra special. If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life this would make the top ten list of things for me to contemplate. I had the swordfish blackened and with fries. It was good but nothing spectacular. Don't get me wrong when I only say good. I felt the blackened season could have used a little more kick in spice. Reverting back to my opening of the sourdough bread nothing else matters. My wife had the clam chowder that I would say was better than good, it was great. Her side salad was crisp and the dressing was spectacular. Their ranch hits a little different and different in a good way. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Blackened swordfish and fries - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

I ordered the corned beef has with a Sunnyside up egg. There wasn't much to eat but it certainly was tasty. I just wish it was more of cane with more on the plate. My cousins girlfriend ordered the Waffles with apples on top and hers was REALLY GOOD. I'd go back but I wouldn't order the corned beef hash. read more

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This restaurant was the perfect place to celebrate our friend's 7th wedding anniversary on a warm clear evening with an amazing sunset view of Morro Rock. Street parking was available, so we walked through the well stocked bar to indoor and outdoor tables overlooking the waterfront. We all enjoyed our meals. You can choose whether you want your fish blackened, grilled, or sauteed. My blackened salmon spinach salad was perfectly prepared. Service was over the top friendly and professional. Our friends were impressed with their complementary dessert, with 'happy anniversary' wriiten in chocolate. The restaurant made it a memorable celebration. read more

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Decided to try Dorn's since it was near our hotel. The decor was really nice, especially all the decorative details, including the penny tiling floors & wood trim. We went on a Sunday, so my husband got the eggs Benedict. He really liked the thick cut of ham & chose the country potatoes, which he said were crispy on the outside with a good seasoning. I got the linguiça omelette but asked for it to be scrambled. So glad I did! It had a lot of ingredients so I'm glad it was all mixed together. I got the hash browns & rye toast. The hash browns were nice & crispy & their rye bread was outstanding. We had to box up a good amount because the portions were big. We both also got coffees which tasted really good. My husband drinks his coffee black & he says it's a really smooth and not bitter coffee. In all, we paid about $60. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - From the weekend menu: Eggs Benedict with a side of country potatoes & fruit - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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Great spot for breakfast with amazing views! This place has one of the best views of the rock, which really sets the vibe. There is street parking right in front of the restaurant, which is convenient. From the moment we arrived, the service was top-notch. My family and I went around 8:30 AM, and it wasn't too crowded, which made for a relaxed experience. We ordered the Mediterranean omelette with pancakes, a waffle with strawberries, coffee, and the sourdough French toast. The food was okay overall, not amazing, but decent. I do wish the omelette portion was a bit bigger, though the pancakes were huge. The French toast stood out the most and was really good, especially with the warm syrup. Overall, it is a great place for the view and service. Service: 5 Ambiance: 5 Food: 3.5 read more

I'm giving one star for the friendly staff, and one star for the Mimosa, (even though it took 20 min. to get it after seated). We were really hyped after carefully selecting an "awesome" breakfast spot, and loved the story behind the restaurant. However, breakfast played a big part. We both ate most of our breakfast, as we were starving. I ordered the corned beef hash; my country potatoes were bland, no flavor, and not cooked consistently, the hash itself was plain, lacking flavor and texture, and my eggs were over hard, when I ordered sunny side up. Disappointing at best. My daughter ordered a scramble; her scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly, the bacon was great, but the hash browns were bland and not close to cooked enough. The sourdough toast was good. A first and probably last for us. The view from where we sat outside was outstanding. read more

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Cioppino was packed with seafood and could easily serve a few people. It was definitely a generous portion. Sole was delicately cooked and the vegetables were a perfect accompaniment. Clam chowder is one of the best we had in MB. Server Ashley was wonderful and attentive. We sat on the patio with our dogs and the views and ambiance of the patio were lovely. read more

All I heard was this place has 80 year old clam chowder and I headed on over! It's the cutest little restaurant at the top of the stairs with amazing views! As a family all together we tried the Bloody Mary and mimosa, shrimp cocktail, sourdough and butter, clam chowder, oysters, corned beef hash with scrambled eggs and potatoes, and finally buckwheat pancakes(gluten free)! Boy oh boy that fresh HOT homemade baked sourdough and butter was the best thing I've had all dang week! IM MISSING IT AS I TYPE THIS! The clam chowder was delicious but it didn't taste too unique which is what I was expecting but nonetheless wonderful! The corned beef was cooked to perfection and the pancakes were sweet and had a perfect texture! I wish the Bloody Mary came in a tall glass though! We waited about 30 minutes and got seated, there's an antique store 1 block up that you can visit while you wait! I would check this place out if you're in town! read more

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Service 45 minute wait on a Sunday try to get a drink at the bar and bartender said cash only no Apple Pay. I asked if I could use the gift card I had that had $100 on it. She said no cash only then I asked if we could put it on the tab since I was getting a table. She said no cash only I understand that it's a very popular place and everybody goes there and they don't worry about having no customers, but for the bartender to have that type of rudeness is beyond me because no restaurant around the area is like that. I will never go back there. read more

I ordered a half dozen oysters and a crab cocktail for lunch. The oysters were buttery, delicious, and HUGE! Probably the biggest oysters I've had in my entire life. Our server Justine was great, fast, and attentive. I would like to come back to try the chowder. P.s the bread and butter here is amazing. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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We've frequented Dorn's a bunch over the years, usually for weekend lunch or brunch. Expect to wait- they're busy, and if you don't get there early, you're hanging around. Especially in the summer. There isn't a lot of shade, but thankfully Morro tends to be fairly foggy. If you're seated outdoors, beware that you might be seated in Siberia, i.e., the edges of the patio, where there are no heaters, wind is a huge problem, and the staff will definitely forget about you. Is the food worth it? It wouldn't be in any other location- but overlooking the rock, it's "fine" enough. The breakfast items really are the star- I'm not super into omelets and don't generally order them, but my husband's are amazing when he orders them, as are his pancakes when he subs those for toast. I always go for seafood, which is done very well- their snapper is flavorful and cooked perfectly blackened or broiled. Their fries are overcooked and mediocre, so I'd recommend any other side. The "famous" chowder lacks salt and spice/seasoning, so don't spend the $9/cup. The service consistently has some kind of big problem- either our server is MIA for 20 minutes after we sit down, or they are MIA for our entire meal (see: the patio's Siberia section). This is perplexing considering the volume of staff constantly patrolling and walking through- last Sunday, my husband and I waited 40 minutes for a table, and another 20 at our table with no acknowledgment- despite a staff member walking by at least once or twice a minute. Their staff is super present, but are they engaged or doing anything? When our server arrived and apologized, we got it- but considering that they have such a large staff, couldn't there be more collaboration or teamwork to avoid poor customer experiences in her absence, no matter the reason? read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Lunch snapper, blackened - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

Ordered waffles this morning and was extremely disappointed! My wife also ordered same and they were doughy with a taste of uncooked dough. $11.50 each ! I wouldn't have minded if they were good. We have been to Morro Bay many times and the first and last time we eat at Dorn's. Terrible breakfast read more

Still coming back for the margaritas and view. The ambiance is just amazing. The sourdough is the best. Tried the clam chowder again and it's gotten better. Dunk it with the sourdough and it's perfect. I love the calamari with the tentacles. Lightly battered and crispy. I did add salt and I would eat it again. read more

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The view, definitely deserves 5 stars!! Overall it's a 3.5ish. Menu options are decent and a nice variety. Lots of great seafood options available. I'll say that the Fish and Chips are a no for me, but the Clam Chowder is one of the best in town! Service is decent. Friendly and attentive. Prices are within expectation. Not my favorite place in town, personally, but it sure is a favorite for many. read more

Super classy joint for breakfast. Beautifully maintained establishment; quick and friendly service. Our go-to for breakfast when visiting Morro Bay. We like to grab a low booth by the windows and watch the marine layer clear up around Morro Rock. Harry's Special Scramble $20 - scrambled eggs with ground beef, fresh spinach, white onion, mushrooms & Swiss cheese; served with potatoes and sourdough toast. Homemade Corned Beef Hash & Eggs $21 - two over easy eggs with corned beef, substituted with 3 buttermilk pancakes. Everything was super fresh! A few notes to self: potatoes were done, but not crispy, reminder to try the homemade muffins next time; the pancakes are cakier than preferred. read more

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This is a 4 star review disguised as a 5 star review - I would typically drop a star for breakfasts that cost this much - $60+ for two people is absolutely outrageous; HOWEVER, this has got to the best breakfast I've ever had. It was so good the 1st morning we went, we went back the very next day to try something else. The waitress was super friendly and accommodating, and the views were wonderful. A few too many inside flies but oh well... The first day we had omlettes (ham/cheese and Mediterranean) w/ the potatoes and the homemade blueberry muffins that were piping hot! Such a welcome addition instead of toast! The second day we had waffles - plain and pecan, and we added on a fruit plate which was gigantic! We needed a to go box for all of it. And don't let me forget the fresh squeezed OJ that was pulp free - sooooo good! Hate the price, love the food! read more

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Shop owners down the street recommended Dorms for lunch. Up at 5:30am and I hadn't eaten at 3:00pm. I ordered fish and chips but substituted cup of clam chowder for fry's. Every table has a great view of Morro rock. They also have outside tables with fires. They greet you with a huge basket of fresh hot sour dough and a mountain of butter. Food was delish. I ordered their hot berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Gigantic portion. I will return and take people with me. Service was fast and friendly. 1:00 am update. I put my left over berry cobbler desert with the melted vanilla ice cream in the freezer after lunch. Just got the munchies and the cobbler fruit and crust frozen into the melted vanilla made a new ice cream creation that I'm going to try and repeat at home OMG. read more

Had a wonderful dinner overlooking Morro Rock, truly a stunning setting. We started with lamb chops paired with an incredible mint sauce, followed by fresh Washington oysters, and finished with a steak and lobster that was impressively sized. Service was attentive as well. read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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I drive up to Morro Bay once a year for a family gathering with my uncle, and Dorn's Breakers Café has become our go-to spot. The food is consistently great. I loved their pancakes, and my dad enjoyed his eggs and spinach. We also tried the French toast--everyone loved their meal. There can be a bit of a wait; we waited about 25 minutes for our party of five. Had a good conversation with people while we waited and staff was kind. The view of Morro Bay is Nice, and it's a great spot to spend time with family. read more

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This is a Morro Bay staple. The food is good and the service is excellent. We sat outside with a great view of Morro Rock. The only con is have is, the French fries could use some seasoning, they were plain and a little bland. So if you get the fries, be ready to add some salt. read more

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I came back with the family on a clear sunny day. We loved the clam chowder! The view was stunning! The server was a little distracted but we managed. My husband and I shared the turkey, avocado, and bacon sandwich. The bread was fresh! Bonus: the kids meals were very reasonable! read more

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I've been coming to Morro Bay for a few years now (boy is at SLO) and I guess I'm the last to know. Doran's has been providing hearty breakfast/lunch since 1942 with the best view in town. We ordered the scrapple (eggs, tortilla chips, jalapeño, cheese) and the open faced ribeye sandwich special. Of course I had to try a cup of their clam chowder. Everything was served hot and delicious. Service was fast and friendly too. read more

I consider myself a bit of a clam chowder connoisseur i was in morro bay for an over night trip i came here for brunch take out. This is my moms favorite restaurant in morro bay so i got food to go (to take back to l.a.) i got for me clam chowder / calamari sandwich and my mom the oyster omelet . Clam chowder was good not great . However there needs more seasoning like salt and pepper . I hate potatos to be filler in my chowder. The chowder had very few mostly clams yumm. The calamari sandwich the tomato was very mooshy and by the time i ate it the tomato had molded . The bread seemed to be rawish My mom loved her omelet that was great read more

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We enjoy Dorns. The dining room is cozy and nice for a candle lit dinner. We love the view. The rack of lamb was good but not cooked med rare like I asked. The vegetables were delicious. I enjoyed my dinner. My hubby had filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly and very tender and tasty. Had a nice green salad to start which was good. The fried zucchini is excellent! The service was good. We celebrated our 18 yr anniversary. We enjoyed our dinner. read more

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Fresh fish, classy feel, great view, and good sized portions. We had the bisque which rivals New England's.

They sat us quickly, our server was very attentive and the food was too notch. You will not be disappointed, but you'll leave wanting more! read more

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Excellent dining experience!! Everything was great, food, service, dining atmosphere. We had a group of five, no wait time and we were seated with beautiful ocean view. I decided on the special, the three fish taco combo with rice, good choice, the tacos were very good and the presentation was lovely. We decided on dessert, I shared the chocolate mousse with my husband, that was very tasty! Great dining experience!! read more

Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe - Fish Taco Combo and Rice - Seafood Near Me - Morro Bay, California

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