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The Lookout

4.2 (35 reviews)
Open 6:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Lookout Photos

THE LOOKOUT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

Recommended Reviews - The Lookout

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Daniella M.

What a cool little spot at Poway lake .. It was my first time visiting the lake with my toddler and I have to say that I absolutely loved it here we were able to buy some duck feed for a whole dollar a bag, which was such a steal. I had coffee here we had burgers, a corn dog and a soft serve, which was so delicious and the coffee was really good as well! I loved that they literally grilled the burgers outside. I didn't expect that and the burgers come with homemade chips . This whole place is really cool. I did go on a weekday and it was pretty chill. Definitely a cool spot for the Littles and they do have some playgrounds there as well. Check it out. Service was really good. I forgot the girls name who helped me. She was super sweet.

Lattes and waffles
Priscella P.

Came here on a Friday late morning, it was quite busy. There is plenty of seating in the cafe area which was our first and main stop. Coffee was flavorful and just right. The waffles were also very tasty and filling. Would return just for the cafe, we also enjoyed the trail after our breakfast. Lots of people here fishing and relaxing. My best friend and I both brought our large dogs and had no issues with the cafe area and trail. The trail was almost 3miles "lake poway loop trail", definitely bring proper shoes and water if you plan to walk it. Staff in the cafe are very friendly and attentive to you, they brought out water and treats for our pups, very sweet. Looking forward to coming back.

Tasty garden bagel!
Kate W.

Loved this hidden gem, quality food and beautiful view. The staff were so great getting us what we needed and even assisted a mom with a hurt child from the playground. The playground here is amazing and now that I know of the coffee and brunch options I'll be back soon!

Sallie R.

Came across this cafe through social media. I didn't knew this existed in Lake Poway Park. The incredible view of the lake while having brunch or sipping on coffee caught my attention. Had to make it out there one day. So I decided to take a trip to Ramona and lucky for me it was on the way going back home. Made a stop here with my kids and they enjoyed their bag of chips while I ordered a pesto egg sandwich for brunch. It was a little dry, but some mayonnaise made it better. My daughter tried matcha latte for the first time and she didn't like it. She mentioned it tasted like fish. I was laughing, but when I took a sip she was absolutely correct. One of the weirdest tastes of matcha I've tried. Won't be ordering that again. This cafe did have some good options on their menu with reasonably prices. Think I might just had ordered the wrong items. When I saw the server bring out other customers' orders, my mouth was salivating because it looked yummy. I was also excited about having an alcoholic drink relaxing while intaking the lake view. We did visited at brunch rush hour, but we were able to snag a table for three. It was first come first served based. Service was good and anything we needed they were kind to bring it to us. I forgot to mention, there is a $10 park entry fee for non Poway resident. Absolutely will return in the future because I really enjoyed it that much. Thanks to social media for sharing this spot, otherwise I would miss out on this hidden gem.

Burgers, salted caramel ice latte
Izabela S.

We love bringing our dogs to lake poway. Grass areas all over along with trails. We decided to get coffee before leaving. We got a salted Carmel latte with oat milk and a vanilla affagotto both were delicious while waiting for my drinks someone's burgers came out and they look delicious! Definitely have to come back and order something to eat and enjoy the view. Great service here as well.

siri g.

What a cute cafe amongst the trailheads of multiple hiking trails!!! Plenty of tables available, both indoor and outdoor. While we didn't try any food, my latte tasted delicious and we had such a lovely time at our outdoor table with a beautiful view of the lake. We saw a lot of hikers grab food and coffee before and after they hiked. The only drawback of the place was the $10 parking fees which is valid for the entire day. We avoided this by parking on the street less than a mile away since we weren't going to hike. Will definitely recommend and come back to enjoy the view

Menu

What's not to enjoy. Nice place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon. Elevated shaded patio with lake views. Got a Carmel macchiato. Not in the menu, but the experienced barista made me one. Good selection of canned beers and the food we saw served looked great.

Zain N.

@lookoutlakepoway is the perfect stop to enjoy the beautiful view of Poway lake after a hike of one of the trails around, is located in a recreational area where you can enjoy other services and is very suitable for a fun family day.

Maple bacon breakfast sandwich

Great breakfast sandwiches. The best part is enjoying breakfast and coffee out on the patio overlooking the lake.

The view is nice

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

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2 months ago

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13 days ago

Such a great upgrade and having food for the family and beverages for everyone is awesome!

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1 year ago

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21 days ago

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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5 months ago

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4 months ago

This is such a rad hidden lil' spot. It's my favorite. Calming in nature or sit on the deck or even inside.

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Trinity B.

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1 year ago

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

Staff and service were great. There were a lot of people but there are plenty of space to enjoy. Coffee + walk is always awesome.

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9 months ago

Cute for causal breakfast/brunch... They have wine and beer too! Great view and outdoor seating

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5 months ago

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10 months ago

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9 months ago

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4 months ago

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5 months ago

Cozy place to come and hang out either solo to study or with a buddy to hang!! Tasty food and coffee too. Impeccable service!

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Trinity B.

Thank you so much Bek B.!!! Hope to see you back soon!

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

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Ask the Community - The Lookout

Where is this located if went into the main gate?

In the old bait shop, in front of the boat dock, by the mountain lion statue.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - The Lookout

The incredible view of the lake while having brunch or sipping on coffee caught my attention.

Mentioned in 12 reviews

Read more highlights

The Hop Stop - Birria quesadilla

The Hop Stop

(287 reviews)

$$

I really want to love this place. The location is awesome. They have great deals on food and drink…read more The staff is very friendly at POS. However, we ordered fish tacos that were just inedible. Way too much grease used in cooking. There was nobody available to make a note of it because the lone server was slammed. Bummed but maybe it's worth another shot.

I organized a birthday party here and it was a fantastic experience! I worked with Rebecca, the…read moreevents manager at The Hop Stop, for our party of around 16 people. They set aside a semi-private space on the beer-garden style patio on the side of the restaurant which seemed ideal at first. Unfortunately it was boiling hot that Saturday afternoon, so we ended up moving the party inside where it was much more bearable. The staff was extra helpful with moving my party and provided an extra 6-foot folding table so I could move my setup (my themed backdrop and balloons with a tablecloth I brought). Much appreciated! I loved the relaxed atmosphere and vibe and helpful staff. Food-wise, everything worked out great. I'm used to organizing events where I order a bunch of platters and end up with too many leftovers. The setup here was much better -- they don't do party platters here and encouraged me to order a bunch of appetizers, which I did. It worked out better to do it that way and also have my guests order their own entrees and drinks at the counter and put it all on my tab. The staff also provided drink tickets which were helpful. All the food was delicious and the menu had a wide selection of American pub fare -- burgers, tacos, even salads. And because everyone ordered stuff when they got there all the food was hot and fresh and I didn't have to deal with leftovers! Excellent selection of beers on tap and an overall chill vibe. Parking was great, as there is a private lot in the back of the restaurant in addition to the spaces in front. I was worried parking would be hard because of the Farmers Market ending right before my party but it worked out just fine and guests didn't have any issues with finding parking. We will definitely be back next time we want to organize a party in a restaurant, and also just for a relaxing lunch or dinner.

The Cork and Craft - Tomato and beet salad

The Cork and Craft

(1.4k reviews)

$$

Rancho Bernardo

UPDATE: Jan 2026 (Surprise Sushi Menu!) We ran into a…read morepleasant surprise at The Cork and Craft during happy hour. They have expanded their offerings with a sushi and sashimi menu! NEW FOOD ITEMS * Yuzu Yellowtail Sashimi: Thick-cut slices arranged next to an eye-catching bed of shredded daikon, carrots, and greens. The plating was striking and matched the freshness of the fish. * Pinku Rolls: Yellowtail slices draped over spicy tuna rolls. The presentation was charming, with the pieces circling a heart-shaped cherry tomato in a nest of shredded veggies. * The Hot Night Roll: Generous slices of fresh yellowtail and salmon draped over a spicy tuna roll. * Curried Eggplant: Rich and flavorful chopped eggplant with harissa, tahini, and herbs. A great veggie option. SERVICE & VENUE * Special thanks to Anthony for the consistent and friendly service during this visit! * The bar area is darker and the volume rises as the crowd rolls in during the evenings. The dining area is brighter with the chandelier and open kitchen area. The patio is also available for fresh air and an open feel.

I arrived to pick up the order and waited 20 minutes, only to be told you don't have it. Turn off…read moredelivery if you're not handling it! Terrible place. I came for the second time--one employee says the order will be prepared, another says you don't have such an order. Why are you wasting people's time?! And you mark the order as ready when it's not. Awful place...

The Golf Bar - Taters were meh.

The Golf Bar

(57 reviews)

Rancho Bernardo

Staff was awesome , they have 5 gold sim bays and it's a lot of fun . Seems place gets the dads or…read moremarried man from the local neighborhoods that gather for some game time with peeps . It's literally a social man cave. It's fun though , sims work great and they have alcoholic drinks and food . Got it through Groupon and though it was a good deal ( about $30xhr)

4.5/5 Overview:…read morefirst time at a golf simulator bar, really cool experience, kinda pricey, food was okay, but we had a fun time ---- Pricing: - $35 for 30 minutes (walk-in only) - $65 for 60 minutes - $100 for 90 minutes - $135 for 120 minutes - $10 for club set rentals ---- The simulator areas are in an open area, not private rooms, and behind the hitting area is a couch and a table with some chairs for people in your party to sit and rest. Sometimes the golf ball isn't sensed so make sure you see that it says the ball is sensed on the screen. Otherwise if you hit it, it will not register it. There are different game modes available like driving range, trying to aim into a bucket, or playing an actual game of golf. They also have an instant replay of the hitting area so that you can review your stroke and where you hit the ball. I see the appeal in if you are wanting to try out or work on different areas of golf. Like you can play an entire game without having to be in the hot sun, or see from a top-down view of your club placement when you strike the ball. ---- Food was alright, minus half a star. We ordered the pepperoni pizza ($14) which was steaming hot when it came out and had a crispy bottom. Just a standard pepperoni pizza, nothing amazing. Ambiance wasn't "bar-like" which I liked bc while there was music playing you could still hear your own conversations. Service was great we somehow managed to hit 2 tees on top of the hitting area and they gave us another one each time. Lots of parking bc it shares it with other businesses in the plaza. ---- Overall: whether you are a golf fanatic or just want to try something out, this is a pretty great place to experience. Pricing is basically a dollar a minute you're here, but they have a wide variety of game modes available and the comfort of being indoors.

The Shop - Where's the meat deep dish pizza

The Shop

(569 reviews)

$$

Rancho Bernardo

WORTH THE HYPE! Our group of 7 came in on early Friday…read moreevening after our Friday evening yoga session at Be Yoga and Wellness (with Lili, instructor) down the street and we were so glad we ended the night at The Shop. One of our friends came here before, had Gavin as her server and SWORE the best pizza ever was a mushroom and roasted garlic pizza. We quickly got in but I don't recall if my friend made reservations. I'd suggest making them just in case because this place was booked and busy, justifiably. FOOD: We shared 2 salads and 3 pizzas. It was a perfect amount of food for us. We also got a charcuterie board that we devoured before I could snag photos DRINKS: Both co their mocktail options (passion fruit and cucumber) were amazing. A few in our group got beers as well as a gin & juice which they loved. We didn't feel rushed and Gavin, our server was incredibly attentive. I had asked for the bacon/meat on the side for the pizza and when we asked to get the best salad, he already knew to put the bacon bits on the side for the salad too. He even snagged us more roasted garlic when our group needed a clove for each bite. He was so great! We'll be back for mor! Ask for Gavin, he's one of the best!

Great pizza! We ordered sausage and mushroom large. Also ordered house and Caesar salad, everything…read morewas delicious It is a bit pricey. The total came to $73 which o think is high .... But who isn't it. Glad it was delicious would definitely go back

Karl Strauss Brewing Company - Smoke BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

(1.1k reviews)

$$

Hello again, Karl! We have been long time loyal Karl fans, and this place used to be our favorite…read morebrewery. They had the best servers who would stop by at the tables, give samples of their beers and chat a while about the beers and other things. Then, things got changed, and the vibe of the place became too corporate, the service became minimum, and we stopped going. Long story short, we went back last Friday night the first time in a long time. The vibe was back just like the old time with friendly severs and flowing beer samples. It was good to be back. They have a good selection of burgers. We had turkey burger and Ahi Tuna Sando. Ahi Tuna Sando was a gourmet burger with a good combination of flavors. Bitchin sauce was mild, not spicy, which I liked since everything these days became too spicy. The food was delicious. We were excited to see O.G. Amber Lagar on the beer menu as it seemed like an honest effort to re-visit Karl's lagar roots by re-making its original amber lager or Columbia Street Lagar which sadly was discontinued. Lagar is back these days, and Karl should bring Amber Lagar back as a regular beer. (Please!) More nuttiness, less hoppiness, and less carbonation.

Came here when I was in town for comic con! I've been to…read moremany other locations and I love Karl's So I knew I'd eat well and also drink very well I think this is the original location I think...? Either way Good times Great service And always. Good vibe!

Phil's BBQ - Full order beef ribs (5) meal with Mac salad and Cole slaw. 2 links on the side

Phil's BBQ

(2.2k reviews)

$$

Rancho Bernardo

Visited Phil's for a work lunch with colleagues after having ordered their catering trays for…read moremeetings many times before. This was my first dine-in experience at this location. Had the beef ribs tickler with sausage, coleslaw, and fries. The ribs were straight-up bomb! they were super meaty, tender, flavorful, and nicely charred. The sauce has a nice sweet, tangy, and spicy balance. The link was a good portion with a good smoky flavor, and the coleslaw and fries rounded out the meal nicely. Service was efficient despite a busy lunch rush and the staff were really nice and welcoming. The catering trays we've ordered have always been solid, and that same consistency carries over to the dine-in experience. It's a little pricier than your average lunch spot, but the food actually tastes good and consistent every time, which is why Phil's gets 5 stars.

What can I say about Phil's that hasn't already been said? Big prices, big portions, good service,…read moreand a party atmosphere. Pricewise, your best bet is to pick a platter of mixed meats that your party can share out. Trust me, you won't run short. A single sausage here is about triple the size of a hot dog, and this is the kind of place that will chop a head of lettuce in half and call it a side salad. While Phil's is its own cuisine, I'd call it closest to a St. Louis style of BBQ, with everything slathered in a sweet, tomato-based kind of sauce. I happen to like it, but if you're used to a drier, smoke and salt type of BBQ like in Texas, you'd better adjust your expectations. My personal favorites are on the plate below: the Beef Ribs, their sausage, all served on a bed of fries. Great flavors, good service, and decent parking (so long as you arrive before or after the rush hour). This place scores a 5 out of 5 on the 'CTJ Scale', as noted below. 5 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Jesus good. Would be OK passing away after finishing a plate here. 4 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Mary good. Would be OK having a nosh here with Mother Mary. 3 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Joseph good. Would be OK having a beer here with Jesus' Dad. 2 out of 5 stars: Come-to-the-Apostles good. Meh. Wouldn't have my last supper here. 1 out of 5 stars: Come-to-Nobody good. I wouldn't have my penultimate supper here, either.

The Lookout - coffee - Updated May 2026

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