I've been coming to Valhalla since I was a kid, back when they were located on Main Street. Now that I am an adult with my own family, we don't often dine out for breakfast, but when we do, Valhalla is my favorite spot. Lots of great places with great food, and friendly staff. But what makes Valhalla really stand out from the rest, is their in Äbelskivers (common spelling). They're basically little pancake balls, which you can get with a variety of jellies and powdered sugar. I like all the jellies and apple butter, with powdered sugar on top of the jellies. They're really outstanding. My two favorite dishes that I tend to switch between each time I visit are their Chicken Fried Steak and eggs, which is always delicious, and the Rande Omelette, named for the founding owner's husband. My family all have their favorites, like The Danish Breakfast, whilst some just simply order the (5) Äbelskivers, by themselves. The staff is always friendly, the restaurant and bathrooms are always clean, and the service is always fast. Valhalla also has a gift shop with lots of great items to peruse whilst you wait for a table (which usually doesn't take long), or after you've enjoyed your meal. They have a couple of different rooms for dining. One where you can have the room all to yourself if you have a large party, and another that used to be the (kids) "Train room". This room had a little Thomas the train and little toys and activities like felt boards and whatnot to keep kiddos entertained. My kiddos are grown, so I don't know if they still have that room set up for families with small kids or not, but it is a separate room off from the main dining area. There are two 1-seater bathrooms, off of the main dining area, and another bathroom closer to the entry/gift shop area. There is a small parking lot, but if that is full, you can usually find parking on the street out front, or there are a couple of free parking lots nearby. If you've never been to Valhalla Restaurant, in Visalia, you should absolutely check it out, for a unique and delicious breakfast experience. Oh, and they close at 2 PM, so breakfast and lunch only. read more

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Valhalla is one of those places you find on Yelp and think, Alright, the name alone deserves a visit. You expect Vikings, longships, maybe a horn of mead. Instead, you walk in and immediately wonder if you've stepped into the wrong business. Shelves of trinkets, cards, and knick‑knacks greet you first, a full gift shop, and for a moment you're standing there, confused, scanning for a hostess who never appears. Then you notice the sign‑in sheet. Write your name, your party size, and wait. It feels old‑school, almost nostalgic, like something from a diner that's been around long enough to earn the right to do things its own way. When they call your name, you're led through what feels like a maze, rooms inside rooms, hallways that twist, tables tucked into corners, and finally a dining room decorated with a Viking boat and family portraits that look like they date back to the mid‑20th century. It's quirky, unexpected, and strangely charming in a way only small‑town institutions can pull off. The staff is kind, the sort of people who've probably worked here long enough to know half the regulars by name. The placemats are printed with ads for local businesses, a reminder that this place is stitched into the fabric of Visalia. The menu is a long laminated sheet, the kind you flip over once or twice just to make sure you didn't miss anything. I ordered the keto plate, bacon, sausage, three eggs, and a small bowl of cottage cheese topped with avocado slices. Simple, straightforward, exactly what it says it is. The eggs were room temperature, which took a little of the comfort out of the dish, but everything else was fine. Not great, not bad, just breakfast. Valhalla is interesting. The name promises Vikings, but what you get is an American diner wrapped inside a gift shop, wrapped inside a labyrinth of rooms. It's the kind of place you try once because curiosity brought you there. Whether you come back depends on what you're looking for. For me, this was a last‑minute solo brunch, a little adventure, a new spot to check off the list. And in that sense, it delivered, an experience, a story, something worth writing about. read more

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Love this place! Great food and great service those danish rolled crepes with the lingonberry jam are excellent! I always enjoy myself here! read more

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Honestly I would give this place a 3.5 star! Definitely authentic food and decor , that transforms you back to Amersterdam or any other Dutch colony/ country. I had to satisfy my curiosity on a real Dutch breakfast... I ordered the sampler, comes with eggs, Dutch sausage, Dutch pancake and Dutch pancake balls. Pancake balls remind me of a cross between cornbread and a biscuit.The boisenberry jelly to dip them in, is Devine. It's like eating a donut hole with fruit jelly. The sausage is thick( minced pork) ... definitely thicker and has an off taste compared to regular breakfast sausage. Ordered a side of home fries, they were good but very stingy portion. Honestly felt like I could have eaten them all in one or two spoonfuls. Ordered the orange juice, boy was it fresh, thick and pulpy. Great way to top off an authentic meal. They have great meeting rooms for larger parties and a quaint gift shoppe ( filled with ornaments, cards , shirts and trinkets). Prices at this restaurant are very reasonable ! Credit/ debit card usage charges a fee. read more

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We stopby this restaurant on our way to Yosemite or Sequoia. The food is really good, and the service is also good, which adds to the enjoyment of the meal. We had the Danish sampler and it was delicious. read more

Valhalla Restaurant - Danish sampler with a side of hash browns (to share). - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Visalia, California

The Hidden Gem of the Central Valley: A Taste of Denmark in Visalia If you find yourself cruising down Highway 99 or heading toward the majestic Sequoias, there is a culinary "X" on the map you cannot afford to miss. Nestled in Visalia, Valhalla isn't trying to be a Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy and that's exactly why it's a masterpiece. As a food critic, I look for soul. I look for efficiency. As amateur food photographer/stylist, I look for that "honest plate." Valhalla hits the trifecta with a warm, "hygge" (Danish coziness) atmosphere that makes locals feel like family and travelers feel like they've finally found home. The Aesthetic: Rustic Hygge The vibe is "Elevated Roadside Charm." It's clean, bright, and unpretentious. The wood accents and subtle Danish motifs pay homage to the heritage of the Solvang-style roots without being kitschy. * Stylist's Note: The food here doesn't need tweezers or edible gold. It's all about the texture of a golden-brown crust and the vibrant contrast of a red lingonberry jam against a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. It looks exactly how you want comfort food to look: generous and real. The Menu: Scandinavian Roots Meet California Fresh The menu is a masterclass in "less is more." It honors Danish history while remaining approachable for the hungry traveler. Signature Dish, What Makes it Special Aebleskiver Spherical Danish pancakes, light as air, served with jam. The gold standard. Fluffy interior with a delicate crisp. The Viking Omelet Packed with savory proteins and local veggies. A powerhouse breakfast that fuels a hike through the Kings Canyon. Danish Sausage & Eggs Authentic, snappy sausages with a unique spice profile. A savory trip to Copenhagen on a single plate. Swedish/Danish Pancakes, Paper-thin, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth. Better than your grandmother's (don't tell her). Why It Works (The Restaurateur's Perspective) Valhalla succeeds because it knows its identity. In a world of over-complicated fusion menus, they stick to strong roots. * Service: It's the kind of place where the coffee stays hot and the smiles are genuine. * Accessibility: The menu is easy to read, making it perfect for a quick stop-off for travelers or a Sunday tradition for families. * Quality: You can taste the heritage. They aren't cutting corners on the fats or the flours; they are honoring the recipes passed down through generations. The Verdict: Whether you're a local regular or a wanderer looking for a rest, Valhalla is a mandatory pit stop. It is a reminder that the best meals aren't always found in big cities, but in the small towns where history is still served on a plate. read more

Valhalla Restaurant - Danish Platter Special - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Visalia, California

Located downtown Visalia with street and lot parking . Labeled as restaurant and gift shop which was interesting. Plus the whole Viking thing as well. You walk into a gift shop and greeted at counter . Hostess and staff was friendly . It was interesting since you walk thru a huge gift shop then enter a complete restaurant. Reminds me of a dennys but Viking theme . I was excited to try the "Viking/danish" food . It was disappointing. Tasted bland. Nothing special . Pricing was affordable. read more

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I was let down this morning before we even got our table. Stated that I needed a table for 5. 3 of us were present and ready to sit down and start ordering coffees for us and look through the menu with a little head start on the other two. He asked how far the other two were and I said probably at the stop sign right behind us or parking as. The man said, " it's Saturday We're gonna be busy, there was nobody in line. They were not busy and didn't want to seat us. It was 810 in the morning. He wanted to make us wait, this man that was checking us in made it feel like he was doing us a favor allowing us to eat there , as if somehow, we were inconveniencing him by seating us while waiting for the two other people at the table instead of in the lobby like I said nobody was in the lobby not a single person in the gift store that is. If that's the way it's gonna start that's a no go. We decide to go elsewhere nonetheless it was a shame as it was my first time returning to this restaurant a little while and was introducing a couple of first timers there and was looking forward to it and what I remember about the food, even good food doesn't taste good without good customer service. I wish I could've said the food was great, but the experience kept me from ordering food. read more

Such a cute place, Like walking into your Grandma's house for breakfast! We came for the first time today, The service was fantastic from the host to the waitresses. Seated right away, drink orders taken right away and our meal came out so fast. We had aebleskivvers, Danish sausage, pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee and the freshest orange juice I have ever tasted. Everything was delicious! We can hardly wait to come back and taste more of the menu. read more

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The food is good and the service is good. The location is nice. The only comment I have is about a surcharge that they didn't let me know on two checks and I wouldn't the split the check other than that good place to stop for food. Surcharge per check was $.59. read more

Valhalla Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Visalia, California

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Service was great. Food was delicious. I just thought the chicken breast could have been a bit better . read more

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Nice atmosphere very friendly service and wonderful food. My cousin and I will be bringing our cousin from Oklahoma for breakfast when she comes later in the year!! Yummy! read more

It's so nice to have a place right here in Visalia that has real traditional Swedish and Norwegian food. Everything is delicious, especially the pancakes! Service is old school, which to me means polite and quick. Love coming here for breakfast and looking through their cute gift shop. It's a Visalia treasure. read more

Killer breakfast/brunch! I've been here each time I've visited Visalia and I adore it. I've had the avocado toast, Greek omelette, and pancake balls (Aebleskiver). Here's what worked: -- really friendly and kind staff -- quick service -- cute gift shop that you can browse through while you wait for a table -- amazing prices!! Coming from the Bay Area, the prices here are incredible. Freshly squeezed orange juice was under $4 which is unheard of in many California breakfast spots -- Aebleskivers were tasty (but really dense and filling!) -- great variety on the menu, both for veggie and non veggie eaters -- right next to the rest of downtown so there's plenty of shopping and walking you can do nearby What didn't work: -- they close early in the day, so no breakfast for dinner! -- the gift shop has some weirdly conservative cards and items. Not a huge deal but a little odd -- there is a wait to get a table but it usually isn't too bad! read more

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I would give this place a strong 3 based on food alone, but my mom's enjoyment of the food, mixed with customer service, pushed it to a 4. The setting itself, such as the Danish atmosphere, is bonus points as well. Our server gave good advice, and our coffee was always refilled I ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs, with potatoes, toast, and an abbleskiever (sp?) to share. The eggs and potatoes were delicious, and the abbleskiever was a pancake/donut hole hybrid, with a tasty homemade jam. Hot and delicious. The chicken Fried steak, while good, had a gravy that tasted a little grainy...maybe mix it a little more. My mom's Avocado omelet was cooked perfectly (per her), so I think a four is deserving. Definitely recommend and would return, but maybe give the gravy an extra stir read more

Valhalla Restaurant - Abbleskiever - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Visalia, California

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Love this place. Staff is amazing, kind and upbeat. The restaurant has a great vibe, sometimes they even have live music which is awesome. When you first walk in there is a gift shop where they have cute little gifts. Food is amazing. You must try the ableskivers with the apple butter and raspberry jam. I always get the omelette meal and its great! read more

Valhalla Restaurant - Veggie omelette with hash browns and ableskivers - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Visalia, California

Wonderful place for breakfast and lunch. The staff are welcoming and attentive , The food is always good . The menu offers a good range of options including some unique Danish/Swedish options . The decor and ambiance is warm, with a Danish/Swedish emphasis. There is good seating for individuals and families and side rooms for groups . The shopping area at the entry always has interesting offerings. We have enjoyed Valhallas many, many times and will continue to go there. Parking is convenient. read more

We came to visit from Las Vegas for our anniversary looking for something different for breakfast. We ran into this spot near our hotel and walked towards the place. Dowtown is accessible and fully lit even after the sun goes down so take a stroll if you can. What a quaint restaurant with tasty dishes. Try the pancakes bites and the original thin pancake, they're both so good. The chicken in waffles was outstanding, not my go to but my husband is a big fanatic, it was so good I still took a few bites. The gift shop has a varied selection of cute gifts and knick knacks, take the time to stop by while you wait to be seated. The staff here is used to a busy floor so their service is fast and efficient without forgetting the friendliness. read more

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We popped in here for breakfast, greeted with an IMMEDIATE, WARM & FRIENDLY welcome! The atmosphere was charged with 'kindness' that you could feel! The service was fast, accommodating, and they switched-out a sausage (for hashbrowns) on my Danish Breakfast plate. With a smile too! :) Ahhh . . . the Danish pancake. . . smeared with butter and red raspberry jam. Delicious. I want one right now. Theirs are thin with some 'zing' from either buttermilk or sour cream, possibly. They have been in business for 40 years and now you know WHY! read more

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We brunched here for the first time a couple days ago and I'm so glad we tried this Danish gem! This place has a store AND restaurant. The kid in the front desk was extremely nice and personable. He says the place has been family owned for 40+ years and is something to experience while you're in town. We browsed around their store first and they had cute stuff. From kitchen attire to baby toys, there's something here for everyone. Prices of the items are a bit pricey, but that's okay cuz some items are truly unique! Once we were called into the dining area, we skimmed the menu. We ordered the happy face pancakes for my 3 year old, the danish sampler, and the Greek Goddess along with an orange juice and coffee. While waiting, the waiter came in with a bag of toys for my daughter to pick out from (wow). The wait was probably 15 minutes. The place was busy! Finally the food came and omg! They were all delicious ! My daughter enjoyed her happy face pancakes because it was so cute ! Pancakes were also fluffy just the way she likes them! And the orange juice is YUMMMMY because it is all natural FRESH SQUEEZED. The Danish sampler came with a pancake, their homemade danish sausage, a pancake rolled into a ball, and 2 eggs for $11.99 (as of 5/2024). If you're in town and want to try Danish yummy food, don't forget to stop by this place! It's totally worth a try ! read more

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This place never fails great place for breakfast, the staff is friendly and attentive, ambiance is always great the food is always on point as well I highly recommend it read more

Scandinavia in the San Joaquin Valley! I am sure it's not a secret to locals, but most people outside aren't aware of the culinary gems in Visalia. Valhalla is included. They have classic items as well as some adventurous options for those unfamiliar with Scandinavian style or type dishes. I thoroughly enjoyed my ham and eggs with a great cup of black coffee. read more

This place is amazing! It's inside a little shop and there is plenty of seating. My family decided to try something new today and we found this spot. It's very cozy and homey feeling and the staff is great. We had orange juice which tasted like fresh orange juice, I'm not sure if it is. The food came quick and it was delicious. The poached eggs were cooked perfectly and the waffle was crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. Everything was cooked well and very flavorful. I am so excited to have found this spot, we will be coming regularly. read more

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We had a great breakfast at Valhalla. Since we were just passing through town, we only had the one meal there, but if we were staying longer we would have had more meals there! read more

This has been on our bucket list for years to come by and visit; finally the day came and it met our expectations and then some. This place is wonderful and a great alternative to the Denny's or IHOPS's of town; a gem in downtown Visalia. Immediately on entry you are greeted by a quaint little store, great for gifts, afterwards you are taken to the dining area. The dining area can easily accommodate small to medium sized groups; they serve delicious Peet's Coffee, and have dozens of pastries that appear to be made in-house. We enjoyed the atmosphere, great selection of food options, a nice fall menu selection with some pumpkin themed foods. We will make it a point to come back again, we love supporting local businesses where possible. Please make this your next stop while in downtown! You won't be disappointed! read more

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Good American European food, great service and reasonable price. I did like it for breakfast.

This is a classic breakfast diner. We went in a Saturday morning and it was busy, but they seated us quickly. The servers were attentive but also moving very fast, so this might not be the place for a long leisurely breakfast. It's a cute, quaint little restaurant with the perfect diner vibe. I had the Viking combo with over easy eggs, bacon, and danish pancakes, which I paid extra to add whipped cream and strawberries to. My husband also had the Viking combo, but with regular pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage. The Viking combo is plenty of food for the price. I had hot tea, but they only had caffeine-free green tea available, so I ended up getting an iced tea as well because I needed my caffeine. My husband had a coffee, and they offer plenty of refills. read more

Friendly service, a good breakfast and reasonable prices. The place was clean and well kept. It was our first visit and on our next trip thru Visalia we will be sure to visit again. A nice gift shop also where my wife bought a few items. read more

Very nice food server. Food was tasty Nice presentation. Valhalla has been a Visalia staple for many years. Its always fun to look at the merchandise and see the community come together at this iconic place read more

What can I say that hadn't been said? Breakfast staple in Visalia for many years. Consistent food and service. Only wish they were open longer and would love to stop in after church for brunch but alas they are not open on Sundays. read more

We went for Valentine's Day breakfast and arrived early because we know how popular this place is. ALL the Valhalla staffers were unfailingly polite and calm despite the increasing crowd. Our food was delicious as usual. Recommend 100%. read more

What an amazing breakfast location downtown Visalia. Must have Aebleskiver! Friendly staff enjoyed will return again and again!!!

The servings were small the food was bland. Qualify has gone down. If you are looking for breakfast:, Corner Cafe or Black Bear are some places where you can get a better meal. I met with an old friend and I surely was disappointed. Presentation, quality and servings can improve. Will mention the staff was great. read more

Wonderful food, homemade original food. A gem hidden in the Central Valley. 5/5 Aebleskiver- Homemade round pancakes - non fried, paired with a wonderful raspberry jam 5/5 Medisterpolse - The homemade sausage is mild wonderfully balanced sausage with cloves and allspice. 7/5 $2.49 fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is amazing and sweet, such a steal. They must lose money on this. It's amazing Sarah is a wonderful server - very nice and kind, thoughtful and listens well. What a gem. Completely recommended. read more

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I had a bacon and cheese omelette with hash browns and toast the omelette was big and made perfectly I like the bacon mixed with the eggs and cooked together so yummy hash browns crispy and plenty read more

FINALLY made it to Valhalla for breakfast. Haven't been in Visalia that long and browsed Yelp! for places I'd like to try and Valhalla was on the list. Great family owned place (40+years!) We met the owner Kim (she bussed our table!) Very nice person. At our servers recommendation I had the Banana Foster French Toast which came with two eggs and bacon or sausage (or both) I expected the French toast to be "My teeth ache" sweet, but no! I really enjoyed the dish. Not overly sweet as expected. My sweetie had an ABC omelet with red potatoes and bell peppers . The house Peet's coffee was great also. If you haven't tried Valhalla you're missing a great local institution . I can't wait to go back! read more

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I love this place. It's nondescript from the outside. Looks like an old drug store or something. When you get in the front doors it looks like a gift shop. But talk to the very friendly staff and ask for a table and get seated at a table like you were in your grandmothers kitchen. It's a great breakfast menu with Danish heritage. Danish, crepe style pancakes, abelskiver (pancake balls), danish sausage and more. Personal faves are the blueberry streusel French toast and the biscuits and gravy. Gravy is so smooth and creamy. read more

I've lived in Visalia for 5 years and did not know about this place. Well, now I do and I loved it! The food was delicious, the service very fast and friendly, and the atmosphere has a nice local feel. This place has been in business for over 40 years and it's easy to see why. I'll definitely be back! read more

I had some sort of breakfast bacon waffle special and it was insanely good! I'm excited to return!

If your looking for good food and amazing customer service. I would recommend coming here. They greet you with a smile and make sure you're taken care of. I got the Danish Sampler and my wife got the French toast. We both agree that we would come back again read more