Big Sur Roadhouse

The joint has to be taken in the context of its location to be truly appreciated. The wifi is particularly useful as cell reception is weak or nonexistent in that area from all major carriers. The outside seating is trendy and offers good views, weather permitting. Food and service are rudimentary due to staffing issues, a common hurdle in the area.

Stylish yet relaxed — the perfect Big Sur dining experience. Big Sur Roadhouse blends local charm with a fresh, modern twist, offering California-inspired dishes that celebrate the region’s ingredients and laid-back vibe. The menu is creative without being pretentious, and the atmosphere — all wood, stone, and natural light — makes you feel instantly at home among the redwoods. Whether you’re stopping for brunch, a leisurely lunch, or a glass of wine by the fire, this is one of those places that captures the essence of Big Sur: warm, welcoming, and quietly unforgettable.

Gorgeous place to have breakfast or brunch with fresh, local ingredients! Great coffee and cozy outdoor area. Cell phone service is not great down Hwy 1, but it's located conveniently right off the main road so you won't miss it. Will come back again!

Outstanding!! Incredible outdoor seating over looking the creek. Gorgeous remodeled interior. Went for breakfast - delicious elevated California classics.

Hidden gem on Highway 1. Dining options include indoor and picnic/lounge areas in front and back. Oh man, the pulled pork was good (has coles slaw) and shoe string fries are excellent. Beer options include a couple of taps and bottles/cans.

Big Sur Roadhouse turned out to be an incredible hidden gem for lunch! While the drive along Highway 1 means losing cell service for a bit, the restaurant is easy to spot right off the main road—no GPS needed. I arrived around noon on a Saturday, and while other nearby spots were packed, there was still plenty of parking and open tables here. At first, the lack of a crowd made me hesitant, but wow, was I in for a treat! The food was out of this world. I ordered the Roadhouse burger with a side of fries, and both were absolutely phenomenal—easily some of the best I’ve ever had. The wait time was short, the setting was peaceful and surrounded by beautiful trees, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. Next time I’m in the area, there’s no question—I’ll be stopping by again. I seriously can’t recommend this place enough!

Food was great, pesto scramble was delicious 😋 The outside patio was beautiful ad well, and great watching the most amazing dark blue, blue jays.

Despite ordering three entrees, we were immediately scolded by our waitress the moment we brought out iron-fortified oatmeal for our toddler. It ruined our good mood. They take it very seriously: no outside food or drink

Great food and great ambiance. Definitely happy we stopped here. Staff was friendly and service was good.

I liked the ambiance at this place, the windows with views, the outdoor area  with shades, the fireplace, couches, and general cleanliness and vibe. We had just backpacked 9 miles from Sykes Camp and were so looking forward to a restaurant lunch.  Honestly, our bar was low and was easy to satisfy. I ordered a Roadhouse burger with side salad and a Kombucha drink.  The burger was standard, the salad had more than just leaves so that was welcomed.  Kombucha was also just par. Overall, I enjoyed my time there while the food was average.

Big Sur Roadhouse is one of my favorite gems I found during my stay in the area. It's located onsite the Glen Oaks Lodge, which is what brought me in the doors. Its mid-mod design and friendly staff brought me back. I came in initially for the complimentary coffee and donut that's included in the stay at Glen Oaks. I realized I probably needed more sustenance than that for a day of hiking, so I ordered the breakfast sandwich and a macchiato. The macchiato was perfect, and I love that they have the proper mugs for this drink. The breakfast sandwich took a while to come out but it was delicious and I was so glad I didn't miss it. The maple butter really elevates it to another level. I also had the glazed coconut donut, which was divine with the coffee. The ambiance here is cozy mountain meets mid century modern. Some of the furniture here had my collectors heart skipping a beat. They renovated 9 years ago and did an excellent job. The tables are original, and I love that they kept this piece of the past that fits so well in the new aesthetic. Come for the vibes. Stay for the most reasonable prices in the area, delicious food, and friendly staff.

Was seated by the lovely fireplace that really adds a nice touch to this quaint restaurant. The menu has your basic American Restaurant choices. I tried the burger with fries and it was really good. I also tried a Cali Squeeze beer recommend by the server and the beer choice/burger was spot on! The service is perfect here, the server consistently checked on me. This restaurant has a lovely outside patio to eat at well. With a nice river view. Both the inside and the outside is well suited for groups. Casual dining at its best in Big Sur!

Rude staff. Miserable experience. Legit go anywhere else. Big Sur is an awesome area with kind staff and incredible views. Won't find any of that here. Do yourself a favor avoid glen oaks lodge and this restaurant with terrible staff. Office manager on a power trip. The lady was enough to make sure I hopped on here and warned people to stay away. Try literally any other option. This place is all of the things that are bad about nice areas (stuck up) with literally none of the quality you'd expect

Stopped here and were ravenous! A cute place. We sat on the back patio which was very nice. Service was friendly and did their best to get around to all the tables. We had great chips (house made) and salsa (ok). The green salad was the surprise hit. Lots of fresh veggies and cheese with a simple dressing. The chicken tacos were good- grilled chicken very simple. The BBQ pizza was also decent. Other places on this road are overrated and LONG waits... here... good food in a beautiful setting.

Great little spot in Big Sur! Staff is friendly and accommodating. Outdoor patio is mesmerizing. We also thought the food was better than any of the places we ate in Monterey. Only open til 2.

This place is a decent choice considering the available dining options in the area. During our stay at the hotel across the street, my fiancé and I decided to give this roadhouse a try. We ordered a breakfast burrito, an egg and bacon dish, along with a couple of coffees. We were treated to complimentary donuts, a nice little bonus for guests from the hotel across the street. The food itself was good, and the service was what you'd expect. The cuisine they offer is American, just like all the other restaurants in the area. I particularly enjoyed the inviting ambiance of the interior, complete with a functional fireplace - a welcome feature, especially since Big Sur's weather can turn chilly. While I can't recall the exact cost of our meal, I do remember that it was on the pricier side, which is the norm in Big Sur so that what to be expected. All in all, this roadhouse offers a decent dining experience that fits well into the context of the area's offerings.

Food is good but definitely a difference since they changed the chef. I used to go here at least twice per month since. Lived in Big Sur for many years and now I go and take my kids to enjoy the wonders of Big Sur.

I really want to support local businesses. Unfortunately, twice I've arrived at this restaurant only to be told that they decided to close early. They let us stand in line looking at a menu, and when we got to the front of the line they said they'd decided to close early and the group in front of us was the last customer. It was 1:55. Wouldn't even serve coffee. Just a really bad experience.

First time here, but we've always stayed nearby. By the time we're back in our campsite, this place is closed. On our last day, we decided to go here for breakfast. Order at the counter, receive a number and they will bring your food out to you. They will serve your drinks at the counter. There's a condiment station inside next to the water station. The breakfast menu is small and we were hiking around and hungry, so we ordered a Roadhouse Scramble (eggs, bacon, potatoes, English muffin, fruit) with our lattes. There's indoor and outdoor seating available. We decided to go sit outside facing the river. When you're done, you can bus your plates and at the garbage can. It's worth checking out for drinks on our next visit. I can imagine how pretty it is with the lights on the deck. It's taking the trail back where I hope I don't trip and fall down the hill back to the campsite!

Love the food and ambiance. Yesterday's servers were delightful. This morning, the server said our kids had to put on their wet, sandy shoes to protect them from broken glass. If there is broken glass first thing in the morning, that seems like a problem they should work on. My kids were cross legged and snuggled on their couches in front of the fire. We left and went across the street to use the wifi at the library. No one chased away our kids.

Randomly stopped here while i was looking to see if there was a downtown for Big Sur, which is not really:) I wish I didn't drive that much:)) However came a cross this beautiful spot! Grabbed a beer and some snacks, great people working here, i just love the how beautiful the restaurant was! Great job

We went here for lunch . We ordered chicken strips, veggie burger, soda and a beer. Food:- the restaurant has standard menu so if you are looking for variety then go somewhere else. In chicken they had only 2 dishes :- salad wrap and chicken strips. Quantity :- Chicken strips were good but we only got 3-4 small strips in 1 plate. Veggie burger was below average. Nothing great in particular.. Customer service :- The person who took our order was very sweet. He even suggested me which beer to buy. Ambience:- the place is beautiful. It's quiet and gives a cozy feel. We sat near the fireplace outside on the patio and it was great. 3 stars for ambience and good customer service and average food. Remember :- they close around 3pm. By the time we were done they had closed the place and were not taking new customers. So check the closing time before coming. I wish they keep more items and increase the quantity. Instead of just adding fries ; it's good to get more good food in our order.

We stopped in for a late lunch and they closed soon after, so make sure you look at the hours before driving there. We saw someone pull up and then have to leave because they were closed. You order at the counter and then they bring you your food. We started off outside which is really nice, but there were also birds hanging out by our table and we weren't sure if they would try to get our food, so we came inside! We ordered the pulled pork sandwich and fries and it was good, but nothing that really stood out.

My family loves this place. We take roadtrips just to come here. Great food and service.

Love the ambiance of the place, the outdoor sofa seating with gas fireplace is pretty nice. Had the roadhouse burger with side of fries, the fries were super crispy, the burger was good too. Food came out super fast, not waiting for a table or for the order to be ready like at other places. Also they have wifi if you want to stay connected during lunch, sync up with friends, etc.

We stopped in after a great hike and we were hungry! I ordered the BLT and my husband ordered tuna salad sandwich. Everything was fresh and very tasty. We also enjoyed a wonderful hummus plate and glass of wine. Highly recommend this cozy roadside delight!

Stale donuts and over priced "motel" breakfast. So many other delicious places in Big Sur, don't bother with this place. Glen Oaks is beautiful and comfortable - it's a shame they don't offer a restaurant of more quality.

Great food, drinks, and ambiance! Fireplaces and heaters throughout. Not very crowded but we went on a Monday. The burger was delicious. Blt was also very good.

Simple food but it's a great vibe. Got the turkey sandwich which was simple and my partner got the hurger an she liked it. Fries were really good!

We were driving north, leaving Cambria on a Friday morning, and enjoying the scenery, and then it was lunch time in the Big Sur area. We kept passing other restaurants that had totally full parking lots and then happened upon the Big Sur Roadhouse. Seeing available parking, we stopped for lunch. It was a good choice as the restaurant has outdoor seating on both the front and back patios. The back patio has a great view of beautiful trees. The menu seemed limited, but what they had was good. My wife had the Pulled Pork Sandwich ($16) which includes fries. She always likes very well done fries and ordered them that way; they made them perfectly. She really enjoyed the pulled pork. I was only looking for something light and they had a fruit bowl ($8) that was perfect. The fruit was fresh and tasty with several varieties. We enjoyed our lunch here on the back patio with the beautiful trees. The bathrooms were clean (which is important on a long road trip). We will likely again stop here the next time we pass by around lunch time.

Stopped by for a quick lunch and ordered a Roadhouse burger and Caesar salad The Roadhouse burger was so juicy that when so touched the bun, it was sopped up with the burger juice. Perfectly cooked at medium. The fried were crispy and thin with the fixins' onions and parsley. A filling meal for sure! The Caesar salad was good and a safe choice, not overly salty, but with fresh and crisp greens and plenty of croutons. Also, there's free wifi!!! Thanks for the great meal!

Fair prices and above standard on American cuisine bar cooking food items like a burger, chicken strips and salads. Burger basic and juicy with chicken strips nicely fried and to a point that it's dry. Shoestring fries was atypical and a good change. They had this hot sauce that was adored and a bit like salsa! WiFi available and parking ample. Self-serve utensils and water. Roadhouse indeed.

This place was excellent! Great breakfast burrito and even better service. Staff was super friendly and created a great environment to hang out amidst the trees and have a nice hearty breakfast. If you're looking for well priced food and a good menu, this is your spot!

Excellent place to relax from the road. Super friendly, clean and a very nice little roadhouse.

There are much better options nearby, pick one. The food was meh. The patio seating was great, comfortable, but i don't plan on returning. Self-service, including when they bring your food they tell you where you can get your silverware.

Stopped off for lunch after our hike this last July. Had a party of 12 and they seated us within 10 minutes. Great ambience and food. After lunch walked down to the creek and relaxed in an Adirondack chair while putting our feet in the water. Also, big grass area for kids to play. Will be back again.

Good food, good service, dog friendly..,all-in-all a very cool place. Excellent stop in Big Sur.

The atmosphere felt so peaceful, we were sitting in their garden patio. Our server made us feel very welcomed and recommended us some really good food choices (posted below). The food was very presentable and delicious! Great place for a date night or even a family dinner!

This restaurant was the cutest roadside retreat! Don't be deceived by the "Roadhouse" in the title- this place was very modern and well-maintained. I got the breakfast burrito which came with tortilla chips and orange slices. The burrito was pretty big, and the overall portion size was perfect- not too big. It was just enough to get full, but not so much that I felt sluggish. Note that dogs are only allowed on their outdoor patio.

Great! Atmosphere and food! Owner has great taste in music loved the Dead Head vibes. A must stop while visiting Big Sur!

Beautiful place to stop in Big Sur on the PCH. They have ample parking, gorgeous interiors and patio seating. As with most things on the PCH, it is priced higher than normal. Hubby and I stopped by for lunch on our way to Bixby Bridge from Cambria. He ordered chicken tacos and I ordered beef tacos. They didn't have ripe avocados that day so our tacos lacked the quacamole. An order of three tacos was priced at around $15.. which was quite high. The taco itself was a bit soggy and the filling lacked seasoning. We also got 2 donuts to go priced around 3.50 each. The hubby liked em, but I found the donuts too oily, dense and pricey. The gentleman at the counter was nice and friendly and bathroom was very clean. It is a nice stop in Big Sur to rest and relax for a few minutes.

On the way to LA from Carmel. We stopped by to use the restroom but ended up ordering some food and drink because it was very cozy little restaurant. Perfect spot for dating, breakfast and brunch. Beautiful little outdoor area in the front and back. All the food are ordered at the bar area and they are served to the table. All the condiments, water and utensils are self service. Restrooms are very clean. Food is good! We will definitely be back here to try some other dishes when we are around the area again. Definitely a hidden gem tucked in the trees at Big Sur.

Talk about a hidden gem! Wow this is the ultimate cozy cabin type of restaurant in the mountains. We were going to the restaurant before this one but that was packed and the food didn't appeal to us. Boy were we glad we waited. The interior was nicely decorated and dare I say chic. It was a lot more spacious than I thought. We had the option of sitting out back, dining in the front by the bonfires, or eating inside. The people taking our orders were really friendly. We ordered the pulled pork sandwich, roadhouse burger, and chicken strips. Everything tasted fresh and amazing. This was so different than all the other pitstops we made along our road trip. So refreshing!

OVERVIEW: Cabin of your dreams with pricey but good food. I got the Roadhouse burger which was honestly really really good and the fries were thin and crispy which I personally like the most. Only thing is the prices are a bit steep but considering there aren't many places around that are open (I got there at 2pm) it is a must, literally. The food and the cozy vibes are nice!

Great food and absolutely beautiful setting. I knew I was in an amazing restaurant when I walked in and John Prine's song "That's The Way That The World Goes Round" was playing. If you don't like this place, I'm sorry, there's something wrong with you, because it's as close to perfect as a place can get. Have a cold beer or a glass of wine, a salad and a sandwich, and just breathe in the beauty.

An incredible hidden gem on the road up the coast! Definitely recommend a stop in. Two words: pork tacos. Do it! This half-restaurant half-tree house is so cute! You can sit outside on the front patio, inside in the restaurant, or out back in the wooden overlook. You'll have to think quick because it comes up quite quick! It is family friendly and also run by a family (I think). Prices are decent and ambiance is laid back - perfect combo for CA. The parking is a little odd, and oddly shaped; however, you just have to make the best of it and squeeze in where you can to visit!

This is a really cute and cozy stop and the food is actually quite decent. There are many events and such held at the lot which is way too cramped to even hold but still worth a look. Pretty much all the amenities for a unqiue gas stop are here.

I totally understand we are living through unbelievable inflation. I do realize the Roadhouse is "in the middle of nowhere". The location is stunning, the food was excellent and for how often you will get the experience of being in a location as unique and gorgeous as it is located. When charging $145 for 3 cheese burgers, a cob salad, 3 cokes and one mimosa you should try to be courteous. The lady at the counter where you order was miserable! Either she was having a really bad day, or she HATES her job! The restaurant was not crowded, and she made us feel like she was doing us a favor the entire experience. Hard to believe you can be that unhappy in a location like that, but I guess she proved you can.

A nice little cafe restaurant good for a little breakfast or lunch (no dinner I think). There is not a lot of choices on the menu, which is good because you save time from having to choose. I got one of the egg dishes that was tasty. Portions were small. I did like the design a lot. Grateful Dead on the sound system is the greeting I got. Lovely staff too. However, it did not feel like a spot one would want to linger too long and I cannot identify the reason why. Maybe because only tourists go here and the locals go somewhere else. They did a great job with the outside seating around gas fueled fire pits. The sun sneaks into the outside seating, which is surrounded by a healthy small succulent forest. A very pleasant spot.

Absolutely loved this little gem. Very simple menu, so if your looking for variety, go elsewhere. If you're looking for simple and delicious with gorgeous ambiance, this is your place. Lots of outdoor seating, both front and back of the restaurant, in the trees. Loved the heaters everywhere outdoors, and the indoor fireplace. The food was delicious- I had the Roast Turkey BLT and the fries, so good! I would also like to point out that during my visit, there was a very rude customer ahead of me and line, and despite her rudeness, the woman at the register (who was also serving AND busing tables) was very poised and polite despite the rude behavior from the customer.

This place is a real find!! Beautifully tucked away in the trees, I almost ruled it out too early when visiting Big Sur as I was looking for a restaurant with the coastal view. But this place is gorgeous especially the seating area in the back, looking out into the woods and down onto the creek. Very peaceful. Multiple very cool fire pit sitting arrangements. The place itself is pristine with a lot of attention to detail all throughout. The service is great. The food is well above average. Don't miss it.

This restaurant might be cool, but the business practices for wedding venue are not good. Booked to this place a year ago, signed a contract and put down a big deposit, but had to cancel due to Covid complications and loss of employment. Even with 8 months of notice, and no incurred damages, I couldn't get them to reimburse even half of the deposit. I bet this last Sunday at 4 in the afternoon, when a customer asked to eat on the patio, they said sure it's completely open!! I expected more compassion and fair business practices from a place of this caliber.

Don't waste your time going here. Horrible service, rude staff and extremely average food. The items on the menu are about as boring as they come. Literally go anywhere else in Big Sur and it will be better than this place.

Stopped by here on the way to McWay Falls and it was definitely a good idea. I forgot what my husband had, but I had their beet salad and it was heavenly! They have a cute little patio where you can sit and eat outdoors which is perfect for a beautiful sunny day. Service was attentive and quick. You go in and order from the counter, grab a number, and they bring your food out to you.

Great ambiance and delicious food and drinks. You can't go wrong here. The music hits the spot too! Looking forward to coming back!

Set upstairs on the spacious deck where they had An abundant lunchtime menu complete with With adequate choices including sandwiches and etc. The view was amazing the weather the day we were there was perfect as I'm sure it is most days. Highly recommend especially if you're a little bit peckish as you drive through Big Sur. Worth the price worth to stop

After what seemed like a forever drive to nowhere with no phone service, we found Big Sur Roadhouse. It was actually on our itinerary, but since we had no service finding it was a bit difficult. Good thing it was just on highway 1 and we drove right along it. Stopped by here for a quick lunch and it was delicious. We had the three pork tacos and the pulled pork sandwich. Yum, yum, and yum! Service here was super friendly and thank goodness for their free wifi. We managed to use it to drink to our next location. Another plus is they have outdoor seating and it was super cool because if you sat at the bar like area, you would be overlooking what seems like a forest/creek while you ate. This place is very kid friendly and pretty big. Wonderful place for a halfway point.