Penguin Cafe

This was a great little spot to stumble upon! I'd love to visit again on my next trip and try a different menu option or risk trying another benedict. I’m SUCH a benedict girly, but the California Benedict had overly frothy hollandaise with not much flavor which was a huge bummer. Maybe I just came on an off day. Overall, great service and quick delivery of food.

Brunch is delicious here. Looks like coffee is complementary. Began stacks was amazing, and the vegan toast. French toast is delicious as well. Service was good. Just beside the restaurant you can walk straight down to Anita beach.

Very nice breakfast. I’m usually a very nutrition conscious person (I came up with the ServingScore app), but I like to go off-road sometimes and eat a good traditional breakfast. Here, you are 1 block from the beach, can sit outside, be offered extra coffee a lot, and get a great price meal that is tasty. Enjoy!

If you like a proper breakfast, it’s not some weird fancy convoluted breakfast and this is your place. The staff is super friendly. The food was great. I highly recommend the bacon in the atmosphere was chill. I highly recommend this place.

We sat at the bar and they were pretty busy. Service was quick and our food came out quick! Everything was perfect. Too bad the gorgeous view of the ocean is not visible from the restaurant.

Always a great time with Sabrina at the Penguin. I stumbled on this great old school diner when I first moved to Laguna almost a decade ago. You can never go wrong with the French Toast, and who doesn’t love pancakes (especially blueberry pancakes). Omelettes are always my go to item (be it ham and cheese blend or the chili cheese), always get the tortillas and make my own little breakfast tacos (the BEST salsa). You’ve got booths and tables, outdoor seating, and my favorite spot, the counter. There’s a sign-in sheet at the door for when they are busier, but it’s not a long wait, friendly and efficient service. Large parties can be accommodated. It’s what small town dining is all about. A treasure in Laguna, a glimpse of the laid back, small town life most residents enjoy. There’s street parking in front and on side streets, and a small parking lot in back. If you’re looking for a little more space away from people while your eating, just place your order, grab a cup of coffee, and walk down to the sand to enjoy a calming oceanview...a little vitamin sea. Don’t let peeps fool you...if you choose to eat healthy there are plenty of great options, and always have great specials. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask 🙂

Coffee and Eggs Benedict were spot on. Had a table outside. Service was fine. My wife loved her breakfast and she’s hard to please with breakfasts. Saturday morning it was busy as expected.

A local Laguna Beach hole in the wall. As others have noted, extremely friendly and quick service. It looked like it is frequented by regulars, which is always a good sign. I loved the sunrise melt and blueberry pancakes, but not a huge fan of the potatoes. Overall, I would highly recommend the place.

Great food, great price, friendly service. Try the French toast--it's awesome!--and bacon is actually crispy when you ask for it crispy. Cute little location right on PCH, too. You might get to see a few car clubs cruising by while you eat.

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

Location is great but food was tasteless and service was just ok. Eggs Benedict was terrible and potatoes were bland and not good.

Ordered the omelette and Penguin club sandwich. Omelette was okay, nothing great, club sandwich was good. Ambiance is nice for a home town cafe. Service was less desirable. When raking for ketchup, water or more ice tea you'd think we were bothering the server. Two times we had to ask twice, and if looks could kill. We were here years ago and service was much better.

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

A classic diner smack in the middle of Laguna I had Bri's bowl (a vegan burrito bowl) it was really good & pretty healthy. My boyfriend got the chili cheese omelette & devoured every last morsel. Their coffee is strong, bold & hot & the service was very friendly. We'll absolutely be back

Went here for breakfast today with family and everyone loved it. The staff were attentive and polite, ensuring we got the best service. The local ambiance of the building proved that it was going to be a great meal, and it certainly was. Me and my missus got penguin melts that were filling and delicious, while the rest of our family ordered various things, all with rave reviews. A must go if you're visiting Laguna.

I have eaten at the Penguin for many years and never had a problem. Today was might just be an off day. I had the green chile tamale omelet. It just wasn't good. When the waitress asked me how I enjoyed the meal I told her it wasn't good. To which she replied I am glad you enjoyed the meal. My daughter had the scrambled eggs, sausage and hash brown that were good.

15 bucks for this... I thought I could trust the reviews but this is insane. Do not come here if you want to overpay for portions that they give to kids

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

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

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

Just okay. Service was really slow!!! And, so have never been to a place where they literally forgot to bring everything we asked for. We had to get up to get it ourselves.

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

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

My family and I really enjoyed our breakfast! It was delicious and everything was cooked just the way we liked it My kiddos wanted to go back the next day because Of how much they liked it and the prices were reasonable considering you are in Laguna Beach. The service was also great will for sure be back when in the area.

Customer service was excellent and the staff were very nice. Ordered corned beef hash and it was as flat and crisp as a pancake, almost unrecognizable. Waitress should at least explain that's how they serve it prior to the customer ordering

The cutest little diner I have ever been to! My husband and I were walking around Laguna Beach on a rainy day and decided to pop into this location. It's a tiny diner I'm talking about 4 booths a 2/3 tables and the seating at the counter. Staff was incredibly friendly and food was amazing as well. Will be coming back again!

Great little breakfast spot! We sat outside and had a delicious breakfast and our waitress was great.

Amazing service, excellence staff really wonderful food as well. Definitely would recommend this place to a friend. I would probably also recommend it to my enemy in hopes that they will love the food so much we could one day be friends.

I'm not from this area and just looked up places to eat near me and this place popped up so my partner and I decided to give it a try and it was really good! It's a bit different to restaurants in the Central Valley but it's a nice cool spot with walking distance to the beach. The service was fast and the waitress was nice! We got breakfast and it was delicious we both finished our plates!

Food is DEEEEEELICIOUS !!!! We got a bit of everything and oh my wow. Just wow. The staff is so nice and sweet! It's the cutest little restaurant that is so cozy! We forgot to take the before pictures from how great everything looked and smelled!

No ambiance at all, but the food is really great! We hadn't been there in years, but decided to go a couple weeks ago for a late breakfast. The cheese omelette and breakfast potatoes were delicious, and my husband had pancakes that were perfection with crispy bacon. Coffee is just how I like it... served piping hot. Servers are on top of it, checking on you without being annoying. This is an awesome little place!

Like the pleasant service by Sabrina and friendly customers. Great location a block from Oak Street overlook. Free refills of coffee were nice. Had huevos rancheros pancakes scrambled eggs sausages. All tasty. Inside & outside seating. Historic - in operation since 1942. Easy parking on street at 7:10 am on a Monday. Can see ocean out of back window. Sorry to say the breakfast places not near the ocean have a hard time keeping up, assuming the diners have time to hang out at Oak Street overlook for 20 minutes or so after breakfast.

My family and I enjoyed our simple and satisfying meal at Penguin Cafe. We initially sent an order for takeout but received a cancellation via GrubHub. Just happen to find a parking spot right up front, so it wasn't long until we were seated indoors. Still not at full capacity, there are 4 tables indoor and 4 outdoor. If there is something on the menu you prefer to substitute, it doesn't hurt to ask and see if they can accommodate. Some people like their bacon extra crispy, others don't mind a not so crispy hash. Toasted bread? No problem. Hold the butter? Sure, why not! If you are looking for white tablecloth & white glove service, Penguin Cafe is a diner. Good old' fashioned no frills they'll fill your coffee cup kind of deal. Servers were all very pleasant, even through their masks you knew they served and spoke with a smile :) We'll be back again for sure! Thank you Penguin Cafe for wonderful service and delicious breakfast.

Delicious breakfast! Coffee was decent! Bacon cooked perfect! Potatoes could use some season salt but will be back!

It was a great menu option, but the family owned business, is run with kindness and integrity. Rebecca was polite with not making us feel rushed, as they were getting ready to close. The chicken I added to the veggie sandwich was delicious, as well as my jalapeños. She cares about her staff when you could here plates shatter, she said "as everyone is safe, that's all that matters." Truly a fun family restaurant and delicious breakfast and lunch options.

Great location with friendly service. Food was "ok". I only say that because there was no love put into the breakfast potatoes. Little or now seasoning, May have been frozen. Once again the service was good and the food arrived in a speedy manner.

It's basically a small diner, nothing fancy. The staff is friendly and on top of it, even when it's busy. I've never had a bad meal here.

I had a hamburger with onion rings and it was delicious. Fun little diner. Sabrina took great care of us, looking forward to going back.

Sabrina is not only an incredible human but also full of wisdom. I recommend that everyone support this restaurants for years she has supported so many non profits and continues to do so. And of course her food is amazing! Like going home for a home cooked meal with the essence of Love from family bc she treats everyone who walks through her door as family.

Solid diner. I had the vegan bowl but added egg. It was delicious. My friend has corned beef hash that was tasty also.

Great service, fair price for the location, friendly staff, large portions and a solid menu selection for a classic diner. We ate there twice in 4 days. Nothing exceptional, but very good. Would recommend for breakfast and lunch.

I was not impressed with this place at all. I ordered the vegetarian sandwich and the bread was dried out and everything was just thrown in there. Onion rings were very oily and it was not even the whole onion it was like onion straws. We ordered the quesadilla and they were okay, but avacado was brown, and beans just had an odor. Overall I would never come to this place. I did a togo order.

Food was spectacular! Service was outstanding! Our new favorite breakfast spot. Easy to find parking.

Fantastic staff, good, solid breakfast food, pleasurable experience all around. We've been here before and will return again on our next visit to Laguna Beach.

I've passed by the Penguin Cafe numerous times and yesterday when I was running an errand in Laguna Beach decided to give it a try. I ordered an avocado toast and it was delicious! Tons of mashed avocado and greens piled on a lightly toasted piece of bread. Healthy, simple, perfectly done. I sat outside on the street and the environment was pleasant (and socially distanced and Covid safe.) The waitress was very warm and pleasant. The price was reasonable. I will definitely coming back to try their other dishes!

I really like this little diner. Friendly staff and great comfort food. They have a great burger, but I really like the breakfast. Their fried potatoes with breakfast is the closest thing to my southern grandmother's fried potatoes I've ever had...and that's saying something bc that woman made the best!

A little hole in the wall place right on PCH. Decided to come here early Sunday morning after a quick walk on the beach. It's a beautiful area you must come to Laguna beach to enjoy the view at least. Parking was Easy to find in the metered street parking .This place was not to busy a counter, a few tables, and a few booths. It's nothing fancy very homey in my opinion, looks like it's been here awhile. The service was good, friendly waitress and good came out quickly. We had coffee which was ok, we also ordered a breakfast sandwich and French toast. The sandwich was tasty nothing special and the French toast was huge! Unfortunately the French toast was dry and just didn't hit the spot. I spent about $30 which I thought was fair. Overall it was just ok.

Great breakfast and great people! The Penguin is an iconic stop for us. We come to Laguna twice a year and this place is a must!

This cute little diner right on the CPH has been a local institution since the 1940s. It's been over 70 years since and not much has changed at Penguin Cafe! Great option for breakfast. Is the food outstanding? No, but it will get the job done and the owners are super friendly. The menu is simple and straight-forward with modest prices. Eggs, bacon, omelets, breakfast burritos, you know the drill. Seating is available out front on the sidewalk as well as at the diner counter where you can shoot the sh*t with the locals over a cup of joe. Support a local business and enjoy the history here!

Great, little breakfast/lunch place just a block from the beach, on the shady side of PCH! Seat yourself (indoors or outside} for fast and friendly service, and great food. I had the corned beef hash and eggs. Very good and generous portions. Would definitely recommend!

I am a no pants no frills kind of gal. I really like this place for three reasons #1) the burger was exquisite. However they get the meat so juicy without being greasy is a stellar craft. #2) the joint is very fun and inviting and comfortable and you get an ocean view if you look out the back door! #3) the cook is a lady who looks like she can cook really well and looks like my mother with her hair all pulled back and glasses. I like the cook! Prices are good and only open for lunch and breakfast.

Come here all the time! IDK what happened here but how hahah. Got my toast torched on one side, but completely fine on the other?! Still gonna go back, great diner food.

Love love this place! We always make it a point to stop every time we are in town. The best breakfast in Laguna Beach. Price is very reasonable and the staff is really sweet and friendly. They make sure they take good care of their customers! Thank you! Very rare you will find a place that has a good ambiance, good food and good service all in one.

Just had a great burger & fries at Penguin Cafe. Done exactly as ordered. Swiss cheese on top of the grilled onions. Perfect. Friendly waitress & good service. Clean and comfortable with this. Reasonably priced. Definitely another stop in order.

The Penguin has the best breakfast in town. Trust me. No pretense, no foofy decor, just real food. I'm eating a breakfast burrito today. On my top 10 best breakfast burritos on OC!

Great service, everyone was friendly and made us feel welcome. Loved the atmosphere of this diner, very laid back and enjoyable. The food was good nothing spectacular, definitely would go back.

We enjoyed breakfast here at this charming and comfortable cafe on 7/1. We sat outside and enjoyed fresh squeezed OJ to start. Yum! I was so excited to see that they had Corned Beef Hash on the ample menu. I had it with scrambled eggs and a side of spinach. It also came wide a side of tortillas or toast, and I had the tortillas. It was so delicious and I cleaned my plate! It reminded me of the Corned Beef Hash I used to have as a kid in Ohio and I haven't been able to have anything like it at any of the other places I've tried in SoCal. My gf had a veggie omelet and she added Turkey sausage and mushrooms to it. Overall, the breakfast was wonderful, and so comforting. It really hit the spot. The service was attentive and courteous, too! We totally understand why this place has been open since 1942. It is a Laguna institution and I highly recommend it! Thank you all for being so wonderful to us and for the great start to our day!

Great spot! Had the French toast, eggs, and potatoes! Ask for Janet, she's a great waitress! Definitely would recommend eating here!