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    Penguin Cafe

    3.8 (492 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 1:30 pm

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    Business Info

    PENGUIN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Penguin Cafe

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    Corn Tortillas
    Kelly R.

    Cute cafe for breakfast! Great huevos rancheros and some of the best corn tortillas I've ever had! The other breakfast food looked great too. Service was fantastic and would definitely come back!

    interior
    Mia G.

    cuuute lil place! they don't give you waters atuomatically, you got to ask for waters which is okay!! just know that. huevos rancheros is good, so is the brek burrito. the hot sauce that comes on the side/ automatically is good. the decor is super silly too!! penguin themed, they went the whole nine yards

    The Griddle Combo w/ French Toast/pancakes
    Lucy S.

    Very small place but very good. Everything tastes very homey. The servers brought me someone elses order twice but it wasn't a big deal. My friend didn't like that they never offered a coffee refill. I would come again.

    Ophelia W.

    Service was great, food was delicious. The eggs were a bit dry but the French toast and pancakes were great. Warm hot chocolate on a rainy day

    Corned Beef Hash
    Caloy C.

    Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Im glad we cam accross this as we wanted to have choices off good breakfast food and not limited to sandwiches. It was nice to able to find a quiet place and just enjoy the morning. This place has everything. Sandwiches, omelets, french toast, pancakes and corned beef hash. We ordered the Penguin Breakfast and Corned beef hash. Nothing like a good breakfast to start the day! Hats off to our server and the folks who prepared our meal.

    the counter and seating area
    Lori T.

    straight up good vegan breakfast bowl! clean nostalgic inside seating is welcome on a chilly day.

    Breakfast sandwich with fruit!
    Doc F.

    Penguin cafe was great! Perfect location walking distance from my hotel. I'm sure if you had to find parking though...you might have to drive around a bit depending on when you were there. Anyways, I want to say thanks to Sabrina the server because she was friendly and efficient. Great service here, the other staff were also friendly. I sat up at the bar and got a little ocean view looking through the back door by the bathrooms haha I had a breakfast sandwich with fruit and it was really tasty. This place is also super affordable for the area so that is a big plus. I shall be back soon :)

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    28 days ago

    Great restaurant great food and service it's small but definitely worth trying it's a go to for me

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Always a great spot! Friendly staff, great food, quick and easy!! I don't go as often as I would like but always look forward to going back

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    New owners. Coffe spots on wall. Floor was dirty New worker came in with supplies with a grumpy face. Just not the same

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    The food is marginal, The service was good, I just wouldn't recommend this place. I will never go back.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food and great service! Perfect for a quick breakfast before the beach! Small inside but it's cozy:)

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great little place, can eat inside or outside. Service outstanding, food delicious. Prices excellent.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great local spot in Laguna! Great food and even better service! Very close to the beach.

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Penguin Cafe

    Has the Penguin changed ownership? Something is very different.

    Sorry I don’t know the answer, but I too felt it was different last time we visited. Staff wasn’t as friendly and food seemed to be mediocre.

    Does it take long to get a seat for breakfast on Saturday during the summer?

    Depends upon the time you visit. 9am to 11am is usually busiest for breakfast. But with both counter space and tables, for parties of 4 or less, it moves pretty well. TIP: Be sure to use the "honor system" sign-in sheet by the front door to stay in… Read more

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    Nick's Laguna Beach - Warm Butter Cake

    Nick's Laguna Beach

    4.5(4.3k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    I can't believe it took me this long to experience Nick's, especially as someone who's deeply…read morefamiliar with the Laguna dining scene. To put it simply: this is the kind of place Laguna has been missing. From the moment we walked in, the energy felt dialed-in in a way that immediately reminded me of a Hillstone experience -- polished but not pretentious, lively but still intimate. That balance is incredibly hard to execute, and Nix nails it. For context, I'm part owner of 230 Forest Avenue, so I don't say this lightly: Nix easily lands in my top five in Laguna Beach. We started with Aperol spritzes (perfectly balanced, not overly sweet), along with a couple of appetizers -- including a fried asparagus dish that was addictive in the best way. Crisp, flavorful, and gone way too quickly. For mains, I ordered the veggie burger, which was genuinely one of the best I've had -- hearty, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully constructed (not an afterthought, which vegetarian options so often are). My boyfriend had the noodle salad, which was fresh, vibrant, and layered with flavor. But beyond the food, what really stood out was the overall experience. The atmosphere feels intentional , great music, beautiful crowd, and a buzz that makes you want to linger. It's the kind of place where dinner effortlessly turns into drinks, and drinks turn into "should we just stay a little longer?" Laguna Beach doesn't have a ton of restaurants that hit this level across the board -- food, service, ambiance, and energy, but Nix absolutely does. We'll be back, and soon.

    Can you say delicious x10?! The food here is dangerously good…read more We kicked things off with drinks, an old fashioned and a skinny margarita, both doing exactly what they needed to do! Then came the artichoke appetizer and the soup of the day... and honestly, I could've stopped there and been happy. But we powered through like professionals and went for a late lunch entrée, the Chilean sea bass- and WOW. Worth every bite. And shoutout to our server and the entire staff, total pros. Super polished, attentive, and clearly know what they're doing without being over the top. If you're looking for amazing food with a cool, laid-back vibe, Nick's is your spot. Just come hungry... and maybe wear stretchy pants.

    Photos
    Nick's Laguna Beach - Inside

    Inside

    Nick's Laguna Beach - Chicken piccata

    Chicken piccata

    Nick's Laguna Beach - Boulevardier, top shelf

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    Boulevardier, top shelf

    Sapphire - Patio with ocean view

    Sapphire

    4.4(735 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Outdoor seating

    I've been wanting to try this place so we decided to give this one pace a try during OCRW! We made…read morereservations and got a seat on their generous size patio! The water guys were great! We never had an empty glass of water during our meal! That's impressive, haha. We both got the OCRW meal. We got 1 of each appetizer- gem salad & tomato bisque. It took a little bit for the food to come out when it wasn't that crowded but we enjoyed the view. Both were good. Then we waited a bit for our food but we got the lamb shanks which was huge!! The server said it was about 12oz! My friend said it was good! I got the seabass with veggies which I really enjoyed! Light fish and loved the veggies! We both got the crème brûlée which was a good way to end the deal! Everything was delicious! You also get an amazing view of the sunset which we didn't even plan. Definitely worth a try!! SYOY!

    Sapphire is such an amazing restaurant. Its located just a block from the beach so the dining…read moreexperience comes with a beautiful view. The patio area is very spacious so there is plenty of room for people to enjoy the ocean breeze. I dined here on a Friday evening and it was pretty busy. Despite how lively it was, our server was extremely attentive to all of our needs. The manager, Sal, was extremely friendly and I noticed him engaging with tables throughout the night. The food was all so delicious. For appetizers we ordered the White Mexican Shrimp & Chilean Sea Bass Ceviche, the Rosemary Focaccia Bread, and a cup of their Seafood Chowder. The Ceviche was fresh and packed with flavor. The Focaccia was so fluffy and was served with a delicious whipped honey butter. For my entree I ordered the Short Rib Pappardelle. The chunk of short rib was massive and the creme fraise really tied all the elements of the dish together. My friends ordered the Wild Caught Chilean Sea Bass and American Wagyu Beef Burger. Both were yummy. Overall the food, service, and ambiance were top notch. Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Sapphire - Sapphire's ocean view patio

    Sapphire's ocean view patio

    Sapphire - Wide shot.

    Wide shot.

    Sapphire - Wild Caught Alaskan Halibut ($38) 2/5: The halibut was too dry and the flavor was lacking. The same is to be said for the vegetables.

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    Wild Caught Alaskan Halibut ($38) 2/5: The halibut was too dry and the flavor was lacking. The same is to be said for the vegetables.

    The Cliff Restaurant - Surfin Cowboy

    The Cliff Restaurant

    3.9(4.4k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I'd rate this spot as a solid choice, mainly for the atmosphere and the scenery…read more The Highlights: The views here are absolutely amazing. If you can, timing your visit for sunset on the patio is a must--there's nothing quite like that ocean view as the sun goes down. The service is consistently good as well; the staff is attentive and handles the volume well, which is impressive because this place is a bustling, busy spot during dinner hours. The Food: The food is good, though I wouldn't necessarily call it great. It's reliable and tasty enough, but the view is definitely the primary draw here. The Cons: Be prepared for a wait. It is a very popular local hangout, and there are often a lot of regulars who take up the seating near the entertainment. If you're heading there for dinner, expect to wait at least an hour for a table. Overall, it's a pleasant experience if you aren't in a rush and want a front-row seat to the coast!

    We ordered the Surfin Cowboy…read more$26.00 A 1/2 lb wagyu patty topped with melty pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, onion rings, and tangy BBQ sauce on a brioche bun. And Macadamia Chicken $33.00 Succulent chicken breast crusted with macadamia, with a delicate champagne cream sauce and garnished with fresh mango and papaya. The views are great at this restaurant. It was super sunny which made it hot but, the server accommodated us and put up the umbrellas which made it comfortable. Another person in our party dinner was not satisfactory so the server took it off our bill. This was really appreciated and unexpected. Great place to enjoy if you want to eat outside.

    Photos
    The Cliff Restaurant - Sunset from the The Cliff.

    Sunset from the The Cliff.

    The Cliff Restaurant - Crème brûlée dessert

    Crème brûlée dessert

    The Cliff Restaurant - Lemon drop, martini and Modelo from the patio

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    Lemon drop, martini and Modelo from the patio

    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Burrata salad

    The Deck On Laguna Beach

    4.0(2.3k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    The deck is a great place to have a meal and look out over the vast Pacific Ocean. The views from…read morethe outdoor seating area are absolutely stunning. The service is great and the food is really good. This is the second or third time we've been to the deck while visiting Laguna Beach and it does not disappoint. We shared several different items between the four of us and enjoyed delicious cocktails. Definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in Laguna Beach during the day & really take in those view!

    Fabulous experience recently when me and a few friends decided to hit this patio restaurant bar for…read morecocktails and a preshow dinner. First off the view of the shoreline and sunset were AWESOME, perfect backdrop to start a weekend of fun. Service was great, accommodating and welcoming. The first couple arrived at the bar, later joined by more of us and we squeezed in since it would be sometime before we could get a table (no reservations but no matter). The bar tender told us we could order food at the bar so that works since we didn't want to be late for the show. Well shortly after ordering drinks, a table miraculously opened up for our group so we moved. The food was great as I had a seafood Cobb salad which hit the spot. Others had fish tacos, hamburgers and said their food was delicious. No complaints at all from our group and only thanks to me for choosing this place to meet up at. A winner in my mind and I'll be sure to come back next time I am in the area!

    Photos
    The Deck On Laguna Beach
    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Tuna Tartare

    Tuna Tartare

    The Deck On Laguna Beach - Ice Water for the table

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    Ice Water for the table

    Splashes Restaurant

    Splashes Restaurant

    4.1(1.7k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    10/10 stars. Such a special birthday brunch I had here, we ran 15 minutes late to our reservation…read moreand they accommodated us so kindly. Everyone that works here is so lovely and they even hand wrote me a card?! Breathtaking views even from someone who lives here. Will definitely be coming back for future lunches

    I booked this restaurant for an early Mother's Day celebration, and my mother was very pleased…read more First, the views this restaurant sits right by the coast beachfront and has amazing views. Secondly, the service and wait staff is impeccable. We received great recommendations, attentiveness, professionalism, and hospitality. We never had to ask for anything because our needs were anticipated. Lastly, the food, we ordered several different things. The lobster bisque, Parkhouse rolls, octopus, the special of the day, which was tuna Hamachi. We also ordered the scallops, mushrooms, green beans, mashed potatoes and sea bass. The items that stood out the most were the lobster bisque. the Parkhouse rolls, the Seabass, the scallops and the Hamachi tuna. I was taken back that the octopus was fried and it was tough and had an interesting flavor. I'm used to octopus legs being grilled and tender, so I was quite disappointed with that. We also ordered a couple of cocktails that we weren't thrilled about. The flavors didn't work well together in the drink, but I did like how the glasses were ice cold I just wish the cocktails were more impressive. I feel like that's the gift and the curse. When you have a restaurant that is oceanfront. Typically oceanfront restaurants their food isn't that great because it doesn't have to be because of the ambience. The only place I've ever been where they had the oceanfront location and the food was amazing was Nobu Malibu specifically. I wouldn't mind coming back here for some light bites like I mentioned the lobster bisque and the rolls were tasty. Everything else was good, but not great for the price point.

    Photos
    Splashes Restaurant
    Splashes Restaurant
    Splashes Restaurant

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    Laguna Coffee Company - Avocado bagel

    Laguna Coffee Company

    4.1(552 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    If you're in Laguna Beach and love great coffee, Laguna Coffee Company is an absolute must-visit…read more This charming spot serves some of the best coffee in the area--rich, smooth, and perfectly brewed every time. It's the kind of coffee that makes you want to slow down, sit back, and truly enjoy the moment. Their bakery is always incredibly fresh, and every pastry tastes like it just came out of the oven. From flaky croissants to delicious baked treats, everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients. And the food? Simply out of this world. Every dish is flavorful, satisfying, and beautifully prepared. The ambience perfectly captures the relaxed spirit of Laguna Beach. It's warm, welcoming, and the perfect place to start your morning or take a peaceful break during the day. What makes the experience even better is the crew--they are always polite, friendly, and genuinely kind, making every visit feel special. Great coffee, amazing food, fresh bakery, and wonderful people--Laguna Coffee Company truly stands out as one of the best spots in Laguna Beach.

    We've been coming here for over 10 years, I haven't been in for about 2 years and OMG I AM SO…read moreIMPRESSED! All organic pastries, and raw milk for your beverage? Yes please! Excellent sourcing of ingredients, adorable decor, great grab and go stuff, friendly staff. This place has always had a great vibe but it just gets better and better!

    Photos
    Laguna Coffee Company - Morning bun was delish.

    Morning bun was delish.

    Laguna Coffee Company - Churros, Egg porch Bagel and Mexican Latte

    Churros, Egg porch Bagel and Mexican Latte

    Laguna Coffee Company - Coffee

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    Coffee

    Penguin Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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