Priest Station Café

What a pleasant surprise! My husband and I were on a roadtrip and stumbled across this cute spot. We were pleasantly surprised with how tasty everything was and the friendliness of the staff and owner Steve. With a beautiful view of the rolling hills and birds chirping we could have asked for a better atmosphere. We ordered the brisket sandwich, Priest Burger, and deviled eggs. Everything was delicious and seasoned thoughtfully. The potato chips and onion rings are super fresh! I would totally recommend this as a great lunch stop.

I recently visited the Priest Station Cafe ☕ and wanted to share my experience. The cafe's ambiance was incredibly inviting, providing a perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon 😌. I found the coffee ☕ to be rich and flavorful, definitely worth savoring with each sip. The pastries 🥐 were equally delightful, complementing the coffee perfectly and satisfying my sweet tooth. The staff were friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even more enjoyable 😊. Overall, I highly recommend Priest Station Cafe for anyone looking for a great cafe experience close to Yosemite National Park! #CafeReview #CoffeeLover #Pastries #GoodVibes #Foodie

Cute and quaint, Priest Station Cafe is a welcome site after a drive from the Bay. We both had burgers, their specialty. The neighboring table ordered the salad and I was envious. Enough salad to easily be shared, looked fresh and delicious. Generous mug of coffee with refills. Friendly staff.

Talk about service with a smile! This spot is a true gem! The staff was friendly and kind. The food was amazing. The portions were great. Everything tasted homemade. I had the biscuits and gravy, which were delicious. My husband had the country scramble which was amazing. I believe my mom had the two egg breakfast while my dad enjoyed one of the omelets. My dad would have liked the hash browns to be a little crispier, but we were all impressed with the Cafe overall. I enjoyed reading about the history of the establishment and looking at the beautiful murals. We would absolutely come back next time we're in the area.

On our way out of Yosemite National Park we came by for the second time, and since the time was fitting and they had enough space for our RV, we stopped in for a late breakfast. Oh boy it was delicious. the service was fast and friendly, and the coffee, wow, the best we had in the past weeks. Thank you so much for this memorable end of our Yosemite visit. This establishment is, according to their menu, family owned in the 6th generation. We wish them to keep it successful in the family for the future. I feel they are on a good way to achieve this. Btw. we really liked the paintings on the walls and it was clean. Full recommendation from me.

Iconic locale with fresh toppings for brisket, burgers, portobello etc. loved the peppercorn sauce and the Peace Roses. Perfect pit stop and lovely weather for the outdoor seating. Inside seating is a very limited small space. Bathrooms are in adjacent building clean and basic.

The food here was amazing and came out quick! The patio view is gorgeous! Laurie was our server, she was so sweet and kind! Definitely a great dining experience and hope we can visit again soon!

Our server, Whitney, did an excellent job. She was readily available and very pleasant. She even checked back after a few bites. Unfortunately it's rare to find such good server these days. The food was also excellent. My two friends had cheeseburgers, and I had a burger with brie cheese, spinach, and peppercorn sauce. Everyone really enjoyed their food. My only feedback would be that when you put a peppercorn sauce on a burger, it needs to be more robust and plentiful in order to be enjoyed beyond the flavor of the meat. Tasted alone it was excellent, but I could barely taste it on my burger. Besides that the Quality of the ingredients was exceptional. We sat on the patio. It was a beautiful day and there's a gorgeous view looking down Old Priest Grade. I would recommend this restaurant and I can't wait to return for breakfast!

This is my go to place in Groveland. Burgers here delishious and the fries are small and crispy. I always order the avocado burger but I've tried about 5 of them and can't complain as all are good. Ive eaten here at least 50 times overthe years and never had a bad experience.

What a great little spot for breakfast! We were staying nearby and one day we decided to have a late breakfast here. We sat outside and enjoyed the scenery while we enjoyed each other's company and the food. Super friendly and fast service this place is a definite "must try"!

Absolutely no service. Not just horrible, but insulting, complete lack of service. at all. I showed up there was only two other customers at another table. The waitress said sit where you like. I sat down and waited for 10 - 15 minutes and another couple sat down and she gave them water and menus. Then came back and took their order. Still she did not acknowledge my existence. It was not busy at all. Then another group came in sat down and was given menus and water. By then I had enough and left. Some of the worst service anywhere. And I have been to restaurants all over the country and world..... And Priest Station was the worst. I just read other reviews about a horrible dark haired waitress. If this is the same person please get another job. You were terrible.

I arrived in here just about 11:30 am as they were transitioning from breakfast to lunch, and was told I could not order off the breakfast menu at that time. It was pretty crowded at that time, but quickly became empty as all the breakfast people finished and left. So I ordered a Chicken Club Sandwich which goes for $18.00. It was a nice sandwich and it came with a generous portion of french fries. The service was friendly and courteous, and it's nice inside. They have indoor as well as outdoor seating. I thought this was a nice place to stop for a meal along the road.

Finding this here is like spotting a unicorn on the highway ! I am pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere and also grateful that places like these preserve their charm whilst also serving good food. Enroute from San Jose to YNP we wanted to get lunch and found them . The setting is just gorgeous and despite it being a tad bit too hot to sit out we still did and loved it . The staff was sweet and kind and served some old school warm hospitality with a side of beers and food .Indoors is very small so if you have a bigger group prepare to sit out . They have a variety of sandwiches, salads and burgers and beers to go with it . Everyone in our party seemed to love what they got. Generous portions and very reasonable priced.

*hidden gem alert* This little cafe off the side of the road just outside Yosemite's North entrance was our favorite meal in Yosemite. Situated with a beautiful outdoor space and friendly staff, the grilled items on the menu belie a hidden grill master working in their kitchen. I had the bratwurst plate, which had two beautifully cooked bratwursts paired with fresh sauerkraut. The husband had the pulled pork sandwich, which he said it was one of the best grilled porks he has had, filled with smoky flavor. The prices are also extremely reasonable. Honestly worth checking this place out to get away from the crazy prices within the park and to eat some actually excellent food.

Stopped by this spot after a family vacation, and it was so worth it! The scenery outside is spectacular, with charming little shops inside offering good coffee and more. The food here is simply delicious! We ordered the ribeye steak, which was tender and well-seasoned, and the bean soup was tasty. The salmon sandwich was amazing, and the falafel sandwich was also delicious. The servers are very friendly and helpful, making the experience even better. This place is a must-see, and we will definitely come back!

Located just outside Yosemite National Park, Priest Station Cafe is a convenient stop for hungry visitors. While the view from the outdoor patio isn't exactly breathtaking (it overlooks some hills and the highway), it offers both indoor and outdoor seating, which is a plus. The place was buzzing (no pun intended) when we visited - the outdoor patio was packed! This historic restaurant, named after a Yosemite pioneer, seems like a popular choice. My friend and I opted for breakfast skillets - my friend had the veggie skillet with sauteed spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, and I had the country skillet with sausage, bacon, and country gravy. Both skillets came with a side of salsa, sour cream, and a biscuit. The portions were generous, and the country skillet, in particular, was a decent, hearty breakfast. However, the highlight wasn't exactly the food. The biscuit was unfortunately very dry, and the potatoes in both skillets were a bit undercooked and starchy. The biggest issue, though, were the bees. The outdoor patio is apparently quite bee-friendly, and they were relentless in their pursuit of our food. It made enjoying a peaceful meal a challenge. On the bright side, the service was fast and friendly. Our server was attentive and helpful. Just be aware that the restroom is located in a separate building and requires a code to get in, which you need to request from the staff. Overall, Priest Station Cafe is a 3-star experience. The food is decent, the portions are good, and the service is friendly. However, the dry biscuit, undercooked potatoes, and persistent bees definitely take away from the experience.

What a gem this restaurant is tucked on the top of the mountain! After reading the great Yelp Reviews I was happy to have the restaurant exceed my expectations in terms of delicious food, great service and a convenient location (it's by far the best restaurant around in this area!). They offer a wide variety of delicious food both for dine in (inside or outside to enjoy the mountaintop view) as well as take-out. A lot of people got food to go to take back to their hotels or into Yosemite National Park. I was also impressed that they offer Vegetarian and Vegan options. I (while personally not a Vegan) ordered the Farm Fresh Vegan Sandwich which had delicious sautéed crimini mushrooms,spinach, caramelized grilled onions, grilled tomato and avocado all on top a tasty Ciabatta bread - the best part was the sauce: a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. I actually have a large 'collection' of balsamic vinegars and I like to make my own balsamic salad dressings so I can be hard to please with balsamic vinaigrettes but I can honestly say this one was outstanding! I highly recommend it! I also was happy that in addition to regular French fries they also have sweet potato fries which I got with a side of ranch = yum! My Dad ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a milkshake - can't go wrong there! He thought it was delicious! Also of note was their fresh squeezed lemonade! This was truly fresh squeezed and tasted so natural and delicious! They also serve breakfast and dinner but we were there for lunch. Even though they were busy we hardly had to wait long at all for our food (under 10 minutes - cooked fresh to order!) and the service was very nice and attentive. Some people complain in their reviews that the restrooms are for restaurant customers only but I don't think that's outrageous at all - it seems perfectly reasonable to me and probably why the restrooms here are clean and in good condition -unlike roadside rest stops. I can't see why people complain about this! Why let busloads of random tourists use the restaurants' bathroom? - it seems to me like those are the ridiculous people, not the restaurant. I highly recommend Priest Station Cafe and will for sure return the next time I'm in the area - or even not - it is worth a slight detour since there aren't many food options in this area and Priest Station Cafe is clearly the best in the area!

An unexpected find on the way to Yosemite! Got the bratwurst plate which was a few bucks more than everything else on the menu, but worth it. Two grilled house-made bratwurst, house-made sauerkraut, red cabbage and a cup of cream of potato soup. Everything really good - even the red cabbage. I'm usually not a fan of red cabbage because everyone makes it way too sweet. This had just a hint of sweetness and I really enjoyed it. Definitely go for the bratwurst plate. I'll be stopping here every time I go to Yosemite.

Great service! Great food! Great price!! Staff is very friendly and down to earth! My hubby had the Blue burger with the house made potato chips...I had the BLAT with fries...both were delicious!! And the house made potato chips were AWESOME!!! We sat out on the patio...the weather was good and with the view of the mountain we made the right choice of sitting outside! I would definitely recommend this place and I would come back again!

I have eaten at this hidden gem multiple times while on a work assignment in Groveland, CA. Tried their "Priest au Poivre" and "Cowboy" burgers, also "Sassy Brisket" and the signature plate of "German Bratwurst". It's hard to say which one was better to be honest. The staff is super friendly and welcoming, the patio gives you a wonderful view. It's highly recommended, do not miss it if you are around.

I absolutely love this cafe. I can confidently say it's consistently open with delicious food options. I almost always grab a mimosa with the fresh squeezed orange juice. The service staff is always friendly and helpful with suggestions and water and treats for the dogs. The view is also really nice if you sit outside. This ambiance is to die for.

Great locations with clean restrooms, excellent service and very good food. Only downside? Flies. Being that it is literally out in the middle of nowhere on Highway 120, flies gotta eat too. Unfortunately, instead of dining al fresco, they managed to get into the dining room. I think that every time that the entry door was opened for guests to enter or leave, a couple of flies flew in. Short of an extremely powerful fly fan, I'm not sure what else they can do. We had stopped here the day before to use the restroom and get some orange juice. Our guest from Japan thoroughly enjoyed his freshly squeezed juice so we decided to stop by for lunch on leaving Yosemite. It was about 1pm when we arrived and there were three tables in use outside and three more inside. We were told to sit wherever we liked and menus were presented and drink orders taken. Of course, our guest requested Orange Juice again. I wasn't particularly hungry because I was tired so wanted to eat light. He wanted a smaller portion as well, so we split a BLAT with Onion Rings. My partner ordered a Sassy Brisket Sandwich, also with Onion Rings with a Diet Pepsi. I stuck with Ice Water. When our sandwiches arrived, our BLAT was served on two plates with Onion Rings on each. While $16 plus $3 for the Rings may seem a bit high in price, it's not. It was well worth it. Lots of crispy bacon, sweet tomato slices, creamy ripe avocado and lettuce on nicely toasted bread. She said that her Brisket Sandwich was delicious and while some of the Onion Rings looked over-fried, everything was on point. When they figure out the fly issue, easy 5 stars from us! And yes, we'll be back on our next trip to Yosemite!

My fiancé and I came here after just finishing a 4-day backpacking trip in Yosemite. As we were driving out of the park, we couldn't stop thinking of a burger so we came here and they did not disappoint. I ordered the California Burger with a side salad and he ordered the cowboy burger with onion rings. We scarfed it down! The service was fast and there are great views from the deck. I think we just found our go to spot after hiking and backpacking in Yosemite.

Let's preface by remembering these folks are located right outside Yosemite wand it was a Sunday morning. Nonetheless, we waited atleast 15 mins before anyone even thought about sitting us at a table. Once seated, another 15 until we could put orders in. Lots of food was coming out of the kitchen but only 2 servers who both appeared aloof. Our meals took nearly 45 mins to come out. While my dish was decent, others at the table reported cold food. It's very average food for a price gauging but convenient cafe.

Stopped here instead of the another local place. They had a great amount of options, good food and pretty quick service. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to see a handful of vegetarian options. Had Dustbowl Brewing on tap, which we don't see often. Check their hours before coming in. Seating is limited but they do have an outdoor area as well.

9/5/22 Zach, Coco and I stopped here for lunch before finishing the drive home. It was super, super hot that day and we were so glad they have an outdoor patio so that we could have Coco sit outside with us. The staff here are super friendly overall and they also brought a water bowl out for Coco. Here's what we ordered: 1. Lamb and beef kafta kabob (mine) 2. German bratwurst plate (his) 3. Apple crisp a la mode (mine too) If you need to use the restroom, be sure to ask the friendly staff for the code. The restroom is very well maintained. All of the food is made to order and we waited around 15 minutes for the main plates to arrive. The restaurant is situated on top of a hill and there's a nice view, but the flies were everywhere! I felt bad that the flies were landing on Coco the entire time but rather that than trapped in the hot car. As for the food, the sauerkraut and sausage are juicy and delicious. Salad is refreshing. The lamb and beef kebab is so good; it was full of flavor and juicy. The Apple crisp was the perfect touch to end the meal but in the heat it was melting fast so I pretty much ate it within a few minutes after it came out from the kitchen. It's a little pricey, but the quality of the food and service is excellent.

Lunch today at Priest Station Cafe in Big Oak Flat, California. The food was really good. Very casual atmosphere which I really enjoy. There was nice indoor and outdoor seating. I rated a 3 because service was really slow. It took about 45 minutes to get our food and it wasn't busy. No one checked on us or refilled our drinks, we had to go inside to ask for a to-go box and to ask for our check. I would go back hoping it was just an off day for them but if it was a repeat of bad service I would cross it off for good.

Great food! Nice view & quick service! Wish there was a solution to the flies on the balcony, but that's what you get I suppose.

A great spot to stop for lunch or dinner on the road to Yosemite a tiny little restaurant with excellent food and coffee. They're even little cabins to stay overnight behind the restaurant. There's a large outdoor deck that's fun to sit and watch the view.

Beautiful setting - great food and kind staff! My 8 year old son HIGHLY recommends the Cowboy Burger. The milkshakes were also very delicious!

Really great food. It's the best restaurant in the Groveland area. The pancakes are worth the trip alone. The service is great. Marina, Melissa, and Astrid are so kind and attentive. The setting is very special as it is perched on the precipice of a timber covered mountain. It reminds me of Bavaria. Contrary to what so called professional yelpers have stated, it is not just outside Yosemite. It's about an hour from the park. It's close to Groveland. It's the first spot on top of the hill after you ascend from below near Don Pedro reservoir. Also as erroneously stated there are no Bees. These are wasps that come around infrequently smelling out the food. They are harmless and if you can't deal with them they have a nice indoor seating area with big windows that display natures grandeur. In the heat of the summer the flys can be annoying, but that's why we choose to eat inside at that time. We love this charming little place that tries it's best to provide excellent food and attentive kind service. In my opinion they deliver on all counts. PLEASE TRY THE BLUEBERRY PANCAKES!!! You won't regret it.

We did a quick walk-in brunch here on our way back from Yosemite Valley. This place was recommended to us by a work colleague, and I am glad for that! The set-up of this place was really awesome. Amazing view, and I definitely recommend outdoor seating, even on a warm day! Very basic setup in terms of tables and chairs, but you are here really for the view, good service, and a well priced menu which translates into really good food as well! I got the Greek Salad ($15), and while the Pita was not warm as the menu suggested, the salad itself was well seasoned with their house made Vinaigrette. Service is quick, friendly and welcoming staff, and again - amazing view with plenty of parking! If we are in the valley area again, will definitely visit again!

The fruits are not fresh. I had a piece of sour watermelon. They charge for extra plates without letting us know. Not worth going to unless you have no food.

7/29/23 Excellent food and service. The options are a bit limited for vegetarians but the falafel salad that was served was very good! The ambiance is alright inside, but outside seemed nicer. If not for the 110 F weather, we'd chosen that. Good spot on your way to or back from Yosemite

Delicious food with great vegan options. Fantastic service and incredible ambiance. We are outside overlooking beautiful mountains. Gorgeous!

Busy. French fries dry and bland. Food was good though, just not hot. We had a cheeseburger and country skillet. Always wanted to try this place. Super busy on a Sunday!!

Good food , fast and attentive service, affordable. All bases covered if you coming from Yosemite.

We had their veggie and vegan burgers. They are open burgers and well done. Ingredients are fresh and it shows in the taste. We had it early in the evening and so helped us enjoy the meal by the setting sun. Service is good and the outdoor is clean. Price is on the higher side but it is a remote location and so one can expect hight rates. Do stop by when you are there next or while driving to Yosemite.

There is history, location and view but the foodwas not as good as I was hoping. The grilled ribeye dinner tasted ok. However it was a thin cut steak which came out more done than ordered. The black bean burger was ordinary. The freshly made seasoned fries were excellent and the best part of the meal. Server was very friendly and efficient. Kitchen fume was very noticeable in the inside seating area.

If you are in a rush this is not the place. Space is limited inside so had to wait at least 30 min. But plenty of outside seating. Staff was very friendly. And the food was great! Will return when in the area. We went in for breakfast and will try lunch next time.

We were passing through Big Oak Flat on our way to Yosemite. The Priest Station Café is a perfect pit stop for a casual, delicious meal. We sat out on the deck and shared a burger that was juicy, flavorful, and well-cooked. The crispy onion rings made for a great side, adding a satisfying crunch to the meal. To our surprise, the café generously threw in extra fries, which were golden and perfectly seasoned. The service was friendly and quick, making it a great spot to grab a bite before heading into Yosemite. Simple, satisfying food with a cozy, welcoming vibe!

OMG, what gracious hosts are hidden on the road to Yosemite National Park! After generations in this location, you'd think these owners would be sick of tourists. No way! They've still got that old-fashioned warm service attitude. This is your chance to enjoy delicious, individually prepared meals with a sweet view from their patio before you hit the mob scene in the National Park. And let's just admit that Yosemite is gorgeous but the food stinks. Eat at Priest Station Cafe, and get an extra to-go meal for later. Oh, and they can rent you a cute cabin so you can enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal and get into Yosemite before the tour buses.

Went here for breakfast. Incredible views, great service, good food, horrible bee and fly problem. Had to grab our plates and go inside. They have to put up traps or something. Waving and swatting the entire meal. Finally went inside. Probably won't be back for a while. Too bad.

What an absolute gem of a place!!! While driving from lake Tahoe to Yosemite, I researched places to eat and found this beautiful place with a stunning view. We decided to check it out and it's honestly been a highlight of our trip. The staff is incredibly kind. The menu has a wide variety of meals to choose from that has something for everyone. My group greatly appreciated the grass fed burger options! The vegan sandwich was incredibly filling and my whole table couldn't stop raving about the sweet potato fries. We enjoyed our drinks in the golden hour sunshine and the good food in our bellies. We will 110% be back next time we drive through here. By the way, the drive is absolutely gorgeous to this location. I can't wait to come back someday

Service was so nice, food was so good and flavorful. I loved the crispy hash browns and buttery sourdough. The place was nice and clean and the view outside was really pretty too.

Food is decent with vegetarian options. Not the best, but good. I've never had to wait when I went there. View is nice and the patio is really great.

Never thought we would be so happy to randomly stop at a palace and in turn found a gem! Established since 1849, currently run by 6th generation in a nook right after don pedro reservoir was a respite from blazing heat with whopping 111° F. We shared portabella burger and vegan burger. Also had a lemonade. Portabella burger is apt for all who detest gluten.both were served piping hot and special mention to both regular French fries and sweet potato fries. Both were delish. FYI. The restrooms are only for customers and they have a very good reason for that. Maintaining it with in drought ridden area and in a remote location is not easy. So respect that and use it if you are going to purchase something or dine in. The location would be fantastic to sit out if it were not for hot afternoon. Great job by the team for running this fantastic place smoothly!

I'm not sure shot tire food since I didn't try it yet, but their coffee is not good at all, they need more selection, all they had is drip coffee :( Staff seemed really nice.

Got the brunch there while going to hike in yosemite. Got the omelette, french toast with fruits and veggie skillet and they were all tasty and yummy. My favorite was the omelette with the cheese and spinach inside. And the view is also amazing. Recommended!

Amazing food, wonderful people, nice view. Will definitely come back next time I'm in the area.

Such a cute spot on the way to and from Yosemite. A great view of the rolling hills and a really nice dining area inside and outside. The staff were so nice and attentive. The food was generous.

This place is amazing!! My boyfriend and I took our 13month old up for breakfast and arrived to a cute, quaint, building with the most amazing view from their outdoor seating option. We went inside and were greeted by the sweetest of servers. The inside is hand painted murals and they have a little gift shop inside! We were made to feel extremely comfortable, even with a crazy little one. The food TOP 3 out of any breakfast spots we've ever tried. The carnitas omelet is TO DIE FOR!! 10/10 recommend and will be making this a regular spot from now on!

Food was really good, but we waited an 1.5 hours for Our food to come out. They gave us a 10% discount, which didn't even cover the cost of 4 sodas. Server, was very nice, but communication was poor and it shouldn't take more than a half hour MAX for two chicken sandwiches and two burgers. All in all, $100 lunch, it wasn't worth it.

There's a nice view from the patio which was perfect after a long day of hiking. My husband and I both got burgers and they were okay but nothing to rave about. I think it's one of the better restaurants in the area, but overall it was just so-so.

Great food I had the mushroom sandwich it was excellent. Water was kind of not my favorite I figure mountain water would be good. Lol

The little cafe was a perfect spot for our family of six to stop for breakfast on our way to Yosemite National Park. The food was delicious and the portions and pricing was very reasonable. The outdoor seating had a nice view and the waitress was friendly and accommodating. would definitely recommend to stop before starting your day

THE FOOD WAS DELISH! The server was alo e and making it look easy, super nice guy..Was handling all of his customers. HE had a great suggestion on what to eat. I can't wait to try the Prine Rib next time! Also I love the comfortable feeling and the view..Stop here you won't regret it..ohh the home made chips were so yummy too..