Ernie's Coffee Shop

Went for breakfast with family. There was a 10 minute wait. I got the chicken fried steak which was pretty good. The house potatoes lacked salt for my taste. I got the biscuit instead of bread and its texture was like a cake than the flaky. We also got a single pancake which was nice. My wife got the Tahoe scramble which was cheesy and nice. Overall a nice place with fast service and ample parking right outside.

The food was delicious! The menu has something to offer for just about any taste. We stopped in on for breakfast on our way home. We were so happy that we did. Everyone enjoyed their selection. From my vegan burrito to the cornbeef and hash. Our service from Juan was excellent. The restaurant was very busy but the service was so good that you didn't notice. We will definitely return. Recommend trying if you want great food and service!

Was recommended this place by a local when I asked for the best cafe for breakfast with gluten free options. I was so stoked to be able to FINALLY have French toast again because they have the gluten free option. Their menu was very diverse with an amazing selection. Bathroom was clean and all of the staff were exceptionally welcoming. I 10 out of 10 recommend this place. Especially if you have a gluten intolerance. They even had vegan options as well. Can’t wait to come back!

We are visiting Tahoe and came across this diner. We walked through the doors and were immediately sat. The service was excellent, always refilling the water and coffee and checking in too. The food was phenomenal - the Mexican breakfast with avocado is definitely a staple and beyond delicious. Would definitely eat here again!

Great diner, tasty food, great service, convenient location right off the main thoroughfare. Probably the best blueberry pancake I've ever had, LOADED with the berries. The gluten-free Mushroom Swiss Burger was also very good. Mocha was solid. We will stop there again.

With plenty of breakfast places on offer nearby it’s a tough choice deciding which one to go into. This restaurant would be my recommendation. We were seated quickly, received great service and ate some very tasty food. The menu is plentiful with options available for everyone and comes reasonably quickly considering how popular it is. We would definitely visit again!

From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome. Our server, Leanna, was incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and made the entire experience special. The food was great, but Leanna’s exceptional service is what truly stood out. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a warm and memorable dining experience.

Ernie’s Coffee Shop – South Lake Tahoe If you’re into old-school diners that feel like a warm hug from your mountain grandpa, Ernie’s is the spot. Cozy cabin vibes, lightning-fast service, and plates that hit like a hearty Tahoe bear hug. It’s been feeding locals since forever, and it shows. Here’s your first tell-tale sign it’s legit: people waiting outside in the cold, willingly. That, and the fact you can buy a $10 Ernie’s screen print tee to rep the joint like you just joined a Tahoe breakfast cult (which you basically did). We opted to dine in, but you’ll usually hit a 20–30 minute wait—totally worth it if you’re people-watching and absorbing the chaos like a true diner enthusiast. Or skip the crowd and grab takeout—just as reliable and way faster if your stomach’s louder than your ski boots. My go-to? The breakfast burrito—massive, cheesy, and built like it’s ready for a trail hike. Which is exactly what we did. Picked it up, walked over to South E Bike next door, and hit the trail. Ideal trail fuel. We cruised through Lake Tahoe paths, stopped beachside, and soaked in snowcapped views amidst a cool 60 degree weather. Pro tip: While you’re waiting, check out Snowshoe Thompson Ski Rental next door—where there are life-size sculptures of a bear and Bigfoot. Nothing like staring into Sasquatch’s cold, judgmental eyes while pondering whether you’ll upgrade to a mimosa. Menu highlight? The Montana Turkey Sandwich—grilled Ortega chile, mushrooms, Swiss, and sliced turkey on sourdough. Big flavors. No notes. And shoutout to the manager (or guy who looked extremely managerial) who kindly explained the difference between rye with seeds vs. seedless. He didn’t flinch once when my partner asked about the seed/bread ratio like a full-on bread nerd. All in all, Ernie’s is Tahoe breakfast royalty. Come hungry, stay cozy, and grab a tee on the way out—you earned it

Love yelp wait Get name on list from home! Best breakfast home fries No nasty bell peppers!!! Best white bread fir toast or tuna sandwich Best iced tea Love the patty melt Add mushrooms!!! Great chicken fried steak, brunch burger and scrams Super clean Friendly staff Well run diner!!!

We used to live up in Tahoe years ago and we used to go there on a regular basis. Now we just go there once in a while since we live in Reno. This place is still great as ever! Today my eggs Benedict were cooked perfectly and tasted super delicious! Our waitdress was friendly and professional. Keep up the good work. Thank you!

loco moco was a 3/5, the gravy is good but the meat is bland and dry. i wouldn't order this again. vegan french toast was okay but the texture is slightly off-putting, it was soggy and soft. i don't think i'd order this again, i'd rate it a 1/5. bloody mary was a 5/5, it's only $9 and it's huge. perfect flavor! my friends had the denver omelette and said that they enjoyed it, so that might be the safest choice here. service was very friendly but they do get very busy here so expect to wait if you show up 9am or later on weekends.

We wanted to try something new & found Ernie's on YELP. The restaurant is cute, cabin like. Service was fast & friendly. Food was just okay. I had the chorizo & I liked it. Hubby had eggs, sausage & pancake. Didn't care for sausage. Hot chocolate looked delicious but was too strong.

Ernie is another alternative and equally great breakfast/diner place compared to Bert across the street. We came around peak time at 11am and it only took 15 minutes of waiting till we were seated down. Plenty of free parkings around. Service was quick and attentive. It's super spacious inside and even the counter's space is wide and has plenty of room for you to move around. Their freshly squeezed Orange juice is to die for and I highly recommend you get it while you're there. We ordered the breakfast burrito, pancakes, and vegan banana French toast. All was HUGE portion and reasonably priced compared to what we usually get here in the Bay Area. We couldn't finish and had to pack our food to-go. They tasted equally delicious if not even better warmed up as early linner option. Overall, Ernie is a great breakfast choice if you don't want to wait and look for parking frantically at Bert. Highly recommend :)

Ernie's is an awesome place to have breakfast. The service was great, the food was clean and delicious, and has a menu with everything you can possibly think of for breakfast. We had the huevos rancheros and the green acres scram. The best thing was the green acres because it had tons of veggies which is what I was looking for. It was clean and not greasy at all. The huevos rancheros was great. Even better the next day as leftovers. Portions are on the bigger side so bring your appetite. I would highly recommend this place. Put yourself on the Yelp Waitlist to save time. Parking is a bit challenging in the front but there are spaces on the side and back of the restaurant.

Waited to order and get water. We ended up walking out. The waitress was young and proceeded to serve her boyfriends table instead of us. She got us coffee and we waited 10 minutes for her to come back. I ordered decaf and my boyfriend regular, she switched our coffees and we weren't sure which was what. Coffee didn't taste too great, I would've got coffee before coming here. The menu looked good, but we left before we could order. Maybe if we had a different waiter/waitress the service would've been better.

The food is consistently yummy and is not the reason for the 3 star rating. There's no doubt the food is GOOD. I'm a frequent visitor to Tahoe and have been here enough times (4) to observe that they only have 2 servers and 6+ staff for making drinks, refilling water, bussing tables, seating folks, basically anything else but take orders. 1 time we were seated relatively quickly, under 10 minutes only to wait another 20-30 minutes just for a waiter to take our order. Coming here during 10AM-noon will inevitably have a wait time that results in extreme hanger, even for a party of 2 and joining the Waitlist like we always do. So be warned, if you have a party greater than 3, be prepared for 40+ minutes of wait time during those hours. I have to say it's a deterrent for me to return as every time we've been it's been my experience. There's Red Hut Cafe + Bert's which I am more inclined towards due to the wait time/service here.

Nice atmosphere but food is just average at best. Bland/lacked flavor. This was our least fav breakfast spot we tried in the south Tahoe area. Heidi's was our fav.

Cutest spot to grab breakfast, lunch or a latte! Fill up before hitting the mountain or to soak up a hangover. The food is always fresh and delicious. Every time we have been here the service has been excellent, super friendly and fast! It is a must visit when in South Lake Tahoe!

The best place for breakfast in Tahoe, 100% recommended and of course we will return.

My kids got French toast, it was good. I got a biscuit and gravy. I only ate a few bites because it had no flavor, I was so disappointedThe waitress helping me out was friendly and helpful.

Favorite, favorite, favorite place for breakfast and lunch! Appreciate the ability to join the wait list ahead of time for seating too.

Old school dinner situation here. Big menu with lots of options. I had the breakfast burrito and coffee with like 3 refills. Your boy was thirsty and tired. The service was fast and its great that they use the Yelp wait-list feature. Those are always super helpful.

Ernie's coffee shop is a must visit. We stumbled into here in the middle of a storm in Lake Tahoe. The servers were super friendly and welcomed us with some hot beverages. We ordered the Mollete and scramble. The mollette was the highlight meal of the day. I was super hesitant looking at what was inside but it reminded me of an elevated deconstructed chili cheese fries. Everything paired perfectly together. 1 portion was huge we ended up bringing half home and at it a few hours later and it was still delicious!

We had about a 25 minute wait on a fine, sunny Sunday morning. It felt far shorter as we got our name in and received the text/updated estimates. They are well organized! My friend who lives locally took me here and it is his favorite place for breakfast in the area. Vegan items like Tofu Scramble are

Nestled in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, Earnie's Coffee Shop is a true culinary haven for breakfast, brunch, and dinner enthusiasts. With its charming ambiance, diverse menu, and a commitment to offering vegan and vegetarian options, this eatery promises a delightful dining experience for everyone. My visit to Earnie's Coffee Shop was a journey through flavors and tastes that left me utterly satisfied. The breakfast spread was nothing short of extraordinary, with options that catered to a variety of preferences. Starting with the Mollete, the perfectly toasted bread topped with refried beans, cheese, and salsa was a fusion of textures and flavors that instantly energized my taste buds. The Biscuit with butter, their specialty, was indeed a standout. Flaky, buttery, and simply divine, it's no wonder it's a star on their menu. The care and craftsmanship that went into creating this simple delight were evident with each scrumptious bite. For a healthier option, I opted for the Oatmeal and Granola. The oats were cooked to perfection and combined with crunchy granola, creating a comforting and nourishing morning treat. The balance between textures and the sweetness from the granola made it a hearty choice. The Breakfast Quesadillas with Tofu were a revelation for anyone seeking a vegan delight. The tofu provided a satisfyingly hearty protein, perfectly complemented by the array of vegetables and spices. It's a dish that would impress even the most ardent carnivores. The Sprouts Salad with bread was a refreshing and light dish that packed a punch of flavor. The combination of fresh sprouts, vegetables, and a side of bread made it a well-rounded and satisfying choice, especially for those looking for a healthier option. The Two Eggs Omelette with Hash Browns was a classic done right. Fluffy eggs enveloped a medley of fillings, and the accompanying hash browns were crisp and golden - a quintessential breakfast comfort dish. To complete my meal, I indulged in a Mocha that was nothing short of divine. The perfect balance of rich chocolate and robust coffee was a match made in beverage heaven. One aspect that truly stood out was the attentive and friendly staff. Their willingness to accommodate dietary preferences and provide recommendations added an extra layer of warmth to the dining experience. Earnie's Coffee Shop in South Lake Tahoe is a culinary gem that masterfully weaves together a diverse menu with top-notch execution. Whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, or a devoted carnivore, this eatery caters to all palates. With its inviting ambiance and mouthwatering offerings, Earnie's Coffee Shop is more than just a dining spot - it's a destination that transforms a meal into an unforgettable experience.

Wide selection of breakfast foods, it all tasted soo great! My husband really enjoyed the loco moco. Price is great for the amount of food we ordered. Friendly and attentive staff. Open floor plan with plenty of seating! Come early and make your reservation on yelp to avoid long waits. Will always be back when we visit Tahome

We stopped there to pick up sandwiches on our way to a hike in lake tahoe area. They were very warm and welcoming. We had veggie burger, grilled veggie sandwiche and one Reuben. Everything turned out to be good. Although fries were not great but it might be because we had it after a while and they were cold by that time. Full points to staff for the services. Also very nice decoration.

Food was bland, service wasn't great. It was a long wait just for an overpriced meal. The host was very friendly but our server wasn't. This restaurant is fine but I definitely would not go out of my way to try it.

I got the big Mountain breakfast. It wasn't the most special but it was pretty good. If you want something that's good value. It has a lot of food. I would order that. I recommend it. I felt like the biscuit and gravy was a necessary, but I didn't even touch. It's good enough

Busy breakfast diner. They have a great process for checking in parties and sending a text when the table Is ready. On a Sunday morning at 9am we waited about 20 minutes for a table for 3. Not bad at all. Love the vegan options. I got the tofu scramble and added mushrooms. My husband got the vegan French toast. Very good food! The service was fast and friendly. This place has several vegan items and they are clearly marked on the menu in green. Enthusiastically will recommend to friends.

This place makes Tahoe feel like home every time we visit. Year after year seeing the same people, working well together to get everyone well fed and fueled for adventure. It's always so busy and you can check yourself in when you're on your way which is a great feature. You can even watch your place in line in real time as people are seated. Portions are big, food is amazing!

Had a pleasant dining experience here this morning while visiting for the 4th of July. We had a large group of 7. Note: They take reservations! The food was good. Portion sizes were decent. Ambiance was nice. They have a cute outdoor patio with a good amount of shade. Our waitress Lucy was awesome. We had a few changes to our order and she was extremely accommodating. Service was top notch! We will definitely be back! If you are a coffee snob, get your coffee elsewhere before you arrive.

Wonderful hospitable owners and staff. Great local food eatery! Strongly recommend You won't be disappointed

A good place to stop on the way out of town for a classic breakfast. Employees are friendly. Wait times are usually loooong.....

Only good things to say about this place. Nate runs the place and he is the man, for a lot of reason. I won't name all the reasons because then my fingers will get tired and my thumbs don't have great stamina, although they are usually pretty good. Nate remembered my name which was cool because I never even told him. Food, yeah that was good and it made me ready to take on the day and work hard and have a good time. I took my first bite and kept eating it that's how good it was. I am not in South Lake Tahoe anymore but I wish I was because I would come back here if I was. I came here with my two buddies and then about 6 other people we all talked and laughed. No one cried but I wouldn't be surprised if someone did because they were sad to leave.

Our first time here. Arrived and was not greeted when we entered. Our waitress was nice and friendly. I ordered the chicken fried steak and eggs. Also a side of biscuits. Steak was ok. Didn't have much flavor. I've had better biscuits. Upon paying. I inquired about Apple Pay and was told that they didn't use it but only if they needed to. As not to be a bother I pulled out my American Express to pay. She came back and asked if I had another card as she didn't realize it was an American Express. I didn't have another card so I let her know that I would need to pay by Apple Pay. It's advertised that they take contactless payments so not sure what the big deal was. Food and service... OK.

Walking up to the front door at Ernie's when we are met with a smile not only the host, but the owner -Kent. Although there was a slight power outage in the area the service was 1000% excellent. With hot coffee and gravy and biscuits it definitely hit the spot. The ambiance was warm t on the touch.

Fair breakfast for lunch today. I had bacon and scrambled eggs with hash browns and sourdough toast. Nothing particularly noteworthy or special about the food today. It's been better on previous visits. Service was adequate.

Skip the chilaquiles. Nothing good about that dish. As soon as I saw the nasty round corn tortilla chips I knew this dish wasn't gonna be good. Come on tou need fresh chips for this dish. Round ones remind me of cheep nachos. This was their spin on the usually authentic and delicious dish. It was not good. A tortilla on the bottom then refried beans and all the ither toppings. Why the tortilla? Salsa was bland. The dish wasn't even served hot. I took treated NY family out. Everyone else was happy with their food. It looked appetizing, came hot, mine just was a disappointing. I advise to improve this dish or remove it from the menu. Terrible.

This restaurant was completely full when we walked in and had many parties waiting outside, but luckily we were able to be put on the waitlist ahead of time through Yelp. All of the workers were friendly and walked by several times filling our coffee. I got the Breakfast Special with sausage and French toast while my partner got the Ernie 's Special Burrito. The Breakfast Special didn't have anything special to it, just your basic eggs and sausages; but the French toast had some good flavor to it. It came with butter which tasted different and was really good with the syrup. On the other hand, the burrito was much better and tastes good with the salsa and hot sauce. More salsa could be provided though. Overall this is a cozy popular restaurant for breakfast with good food and great service.

Always great service! I love their Ruben. So moist, with kraut on rye! I like extra 1000 island dressing to dip in! So good!! Great steak fries too! Such a Tahoe staple.

Friendly service. Delicious food. Old diner feel. We came in right before the brunch rush around 1030a on Easter Sunday and sat at the counter, no wait. Server was patient and very friendly while we tried to decide what to order. Got the Huevos Rancheros and it was delicious. Salsa and avocado were fresh and just the right flavors to complement the dish. Portions are pretty large, but I was hungry and finished everything on my plate. I couldn't eat again until 7pm. Definitely a hearty meal. I'll be back the next time I visit Tahoe.

wait time was pretty long but the hostess was nice. very warm and local store. food was good. waiter service was alright could be better. overall, satisfied

The perfect little breakfast spot! This is the ideal spot if you're looking for a good spot in Lake Tahoe. The service was great, food was delicious. This is located about 10 minutes from the downtown/stateline area

Hubby & I have tried Bert's & absolutely love their breakfasts, so this time we decided to give Ernie's a try. The good: able to sit immediately at counter, large area for lots of seating, beautifully decorated inside & out. Not so good: our server was not as warm & friendly as those @ Berts, the biscuit & gravy came out cold, the bacon was salty, I ordered scrambled eggs & got egg over hard (not scrambled at all), and the prices seemed kinda high. Glad we gave this place a shot, now we know to stick w/Bert's from now on.

Good place to go if you have a big group of people. They have fresh squeezed orange juice.

Such a cute place! The service was great! The iced latte was amazing! The reason I can only give this place 3 stars is because I ordered the "Mexican breakfast" which is chorizo with beans (so good) unfortunately, while I was eating I saw a hair in my food which threw my appetite off. It looked like a beard hair... I did let the waiter know and she did try to fix the issue by making me something else but as I said earlier, it threw my appetite off. They didn't charge me for the plate which was nice! My boyfriend got the loco Moco and he loved it!

Great food and service. Super friendly and very fast. Clean restaurant. Would recommend you check out this place.

Good food with large portions. Got the corned beef hash and liked the large potatoes chunks. Would definitely go again next time I'm in the area.

This is a perfect spot for breakfast. We had a party of 30 people for which we came ahead for and was accommodated. Each of my party said it was the best service they've received! The coffee is really good and the breakfast was super tasty. Love this place!

Great food and quick service was greatly appreciated. Waffles were terrific. A lot of food.

Our waiter was Juan. He is fabulous!! The breakfast was cooked to perfection!! We joined the wait list and did not have a long wait for a table.

Great place! We enjoyed the food! We always eat here and find this to be a good spot for locals.

Lovely cafe in South Tahoe! Service is superb and their food is as as well! Clean, well-lit, wholesome place for the whole family. This is the place you wanna have breakfast at if you're in South Tahoe!

I had been here about 7 years ago and remembered it fondly until I went back today with my family. There were customers in the dining room but no wait. We were seated and someone came fairly promptly to get our drink order. From there we waited a long time and no one came to refill my coffee or take our order. We were there with our baby and his 2 older brothers so we value promptness. I finally flagged down an employee and someone came after while to take our order. As I waited I observed lots of staff standing around and chatting. There was no one coming to refill our drinks and the food finally came out and some of it cold. I ordered the Ernie's special burrito with bacon. What I received was a large burrito with no flavor. It was filled with undercooked potatoes with no seasoning. I could not finish it. My boys ordered the kids Mickey Mouse pancakes which the picture showed with whip cream and strawberries. Theirs were cold and had no whip cream or strawberries. My wife ordered eggs toast and bacon and again not cold. I waited a long time to close out and finally just went up to the front and paid. The entire experience was terrible and I will not come back. I do not recommend this place.

Service was joyful, and the food was fantastic. Dine in for a diner feel, or on the patio for a beautiful view.

Excellent food and amazing cistomer service. If crowded, they have an online waiting system via yelp, which is very helpful, youll get text message once your table is ready.