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As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
That is an absolute truth, especially up here in the mountains. Playing and enjoying the great outdoors in Lake Tahoe means that your body is working extra hard with the higher elevations, thinner air and more demanding activities. To give yourself the fuel to enjoy your day to the fullest, it is vital to take the time to eat a hearty breakfast in the morning.
To help you find a tasty breakfast, I put together my nine favorite places to go in South Lake Tahoe. Keep reading to learn more.
Photo: Fun and breakfast go together at Driftwood Cafe. Photo courtesy of Driftwood Cafe
Bert's Cafe
Bringing back nostalgia from the good ol' days, Bert's Cafe is a relic of the old-fashioned diner vibe complete with booths and walls filled with 1950s photography. Ranking high on the list of favorites for locals for years now, Bert's Cafe is known for hearty comfort food, like biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict with freshly made Hollandaise sauce and chicken-fried steak. Serving breakfast all day, they may be the best choice for nursing a well-enjoyed party night.
Ernie's Coffee Shop
Located just a skip and a jump from Bert's Cafe near the Y, Ernie's Coffee Shop is another favorite with a longstanding history of making locals happier in the mornings. Ernie's is known for amazing homemade biscuits and gravy, and they also offer a vegetarian and vegan menu. Serving breakfast from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ernie's will help you get ready for all that Tahoe has to offer.
The Getaway Cafe
Located just outside South Lake proper, in Meyers, Getaway Cafe has been serving delicious meals from scratch since 2006. Known for their well-sized dishes, Getaway is a locals' favorite, winning Best Overall Restaurant in 2013 and 2014 as well as Best Breakfast in 2018 and 2020. Owner Diane Guth always dreamt of owning a restaurant, "Where my friends and family would feel at home and where strangers would soon become friends." At this she has succeeded. The Getaway Cafe is a wonderful place to enjoy great food and great company. Be sure to check out their specialty French toast and their amazing huevos rancheros. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
French toast is a treasure at The Getaway Cafe. Photo credit The Getaway Cafe
The Red Hut Cafe
With three locations in South Lake Tahoe (and two others in Reno and Carson City), it's no secret that The Red Hut Cafe is a beloved part of the local breakfast scene. From its origins as a waffle shop in the late 1950s, the business has grown with the community into a cherished place to fuel up. The Tahoe-area Red Huts stay true to their roots and are known for their incredibly delicious pancakes, waffles and omelettes. Plus, when you eat here, you know that you are participating in true Tahoe history.
Creative Crepes
When it comes to breakfast favorites, for me crepes are pretty high on the list, and Creative Crepes offers the opportunity to enjoy the unique deliciousness of the European paper-thin pancakes. Each time I am near the Heavenly Resort, I have to stop in at this cute dessert shop that brings in a touch of Paris. They offer 25 different toppings for your crepes, from sweetness like angel food cake or strawberries to yumminess like ham, cheddar or chicken.
You can't go wrong with strawberries and crepes. Photo credit Creative Crepes
Driftwood Cafe
Another obvious favorite on the Tahoe breakfast scene is Driftwood Cafe. With humble beginnings dating back to 1960, Driftwood Cafe is a place of culinary creativity and unique choices. Their menu offers fun plays on traditional items, such as their Wacky Waffles or Outrageous Omelettes. A few other recommended dishes include their out-of-this-world potato pancakes and breakfast burrito.
Artemis Lakefront Cafe
If you are looking for a lakeside restaurant that serves an outstanding breakfast, then you must try Artemis Lakefront Cafe. Literally situated steps from the shores of Lake Tahoe, Artemis offers not only impressive views of the mountains and lake, but also unique plays on breakfast favorites. While still offering the usual American-style breakfast, they also offer enticing dishes like Baklava French toast, a Greek breakfast and build-your-own omelettes. To keep spirits high, they also have a full espresso bar.
Heidi's Pancake House
Open since 1964, Heidi's Pancake House has a reputation for serving up tasty flapjack after flapjack. It's housed in an adorable Swiss chalet, and their menu is filled with other early morning items that keep the tastebuds happy. From their four-egg omelettes that take up an entire page of the menu to their waffles, crepes and French toast, it's obvious that Heidi's Pancake House makes breakfast their business.
Pancakes are filled with love at A Cup of Cherries. Photo credit A Cup of Cherries
A Cup of Cherries
A Cup of Cherries is the quintessential cool place to get breakfast. Eclectic java fusion sprinkled with global flair, A Cup of Cherries gives priority to bringing fun to early morning cuisine. Their menu is filled with delightful plays on dishes that seem mundane elsewhere, such as their Singapore Delight — two sunny-side-up eggs topped with onions, cilantro, jalapeños and house-made Sriracha-soy-lemon sauce served with white rice and a petite salad prepared with cucumbers, carrots, daikon and bell peppers tossed in their signature lemon-sesame oil dressing. Or their Viet Hogi (the most popular dish on the menu), a version of a Vietnamese banh mi breakfast sandwich prepared with egg, sausage, bacon, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, cucumber, cabbage, Havarti and Sriracha aioli. A small piece of advice: Be sure to bring cash. No other forms of payment are accepted.
After enjoying breakfast in South Lake Tahoe, be sure to enjoy one of the amazing events happening around the basin. Learn more at our Daytime or Nightlife sections.
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
