Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe — photo 2
Penguin Cafe — photo 3
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Penguin Cafe — photo 5

Penguin Cafe

981 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA

★★★★★4.5(474 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

This old-school Laguna Beach diner is a beloved local institution where the staff treats you like a regular even on your first visit, and the straightforward, craveable breakfast—think perfectly executed French toast and crispy bacon—never tries to be anything it's not. The coffee flows freely alongside hearty plates that satisfy without pretension, making it exactly the kind of place where you'll understand why people keep coming back for years.

What to expect

PastriesMeetingsLight foodSlow sitFull breakfastOutdoor seatingTraditional drinksFamily friendly

Google Reviews

Priyanka Bengaluru
★★★★2 years ago

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.

Darryl Silver
★★★★★2 years ago

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.

Erika Terzani
★★★★★3 years ago

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 🙂

Mark Absher
★★★★★3 years ago

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!

Nikhil Mhatre
★★★★★4 years ago

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.

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