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Hours
Sun
7:00 - 15:00
Mon
7:00 - 15:00
Tue
7:00 - 15:00
Wed
7:00 - 15:00
Thu
7:00 - 15:00
Fri
7:00 - 15:00
Sat
7:00 - 15:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
American, Bar, Cafe, Grill, Pub, Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
features
Menu
Salads
Served With Garlic Sourdough Toast
Add Sliced Chicken Breast To Any Salad For $ 1.50
Fresh Green Salad
fresh romaine lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese & mushrooms
US$4.25
Driftwood Spinach Salad
tossed with bacon, mushrooms & our own hot dressing
US$6.95
Tropical Spinach Salad
fresh spinach leaves tossed with fresh fruit, green onions, almonds & creamy dijon vinaigerette
US$6.95
Caesar Salad
fresh romaine lettuce, parmesan & croutons. served with a traditional caesar dressing
US$6.95
Tuna Salad Salad
fresh romaine lettuce tossed with tomato, swiss cheese, green onions, almonds, raisins, topped with a scoop of allacore tuna salad
US$8.95
Cobb Salad
freshly chopped icebergs & romaine lettuce with crispy bacon grilled chicken breast , greens onions, avocado, carrots , tomatoes, hard -boiled egg & blue cheese
US$9.95
Does this restaurant primarily serve Healthy cuisine?
Details
CUISINES
American, Bar, Cafe, Grill, Pub, Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,426 reviews
Excellent
854
Very good
428
Average
105
Poor
22
Terrible
17
sosoeddie
Reno75 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
We visited South Lake Tahoe during the last week of April, 2021. Every day there, we had either lunch or breakfast at the Driftwood Cafe. Although the location is at busiest intersection of a busy tourist destination, menu prices were very reasonable. Moreover, service was fast and staff was very attentive . In fact, we were there so often that several of the staff became friends by the end of the week. But, that is only half of the my 5-Star rating. We ordered from both breakfast and lunch menus, getting a different entree each day, and every selection was delicious. The long breakfast and lunch menus have something for everyone. I strongly recommend this restaurant when you are in South Lake Tahoe.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha K
Apopka15 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Tucked away behind the glamour of the Heavenly Complex is a lovely breakfast/lunch cafe where we had our last Lake Tahoe visit breakfast. You must try the CAROLINA CONNECTION with the best ever Potato Pancakes ever, eggs, grilled ham and a biscuit with country gravy. Ohhh, I wished I could have some again now that I am back home!!! My husband had ham and eggs that he enjoyed very much as well.
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JC6
28 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Due to COVID we ordered breakfast online to go. The ordering app was easy to use and helps get your order right. Food was ready in only 20 mins, even though outdoor dining was jam packed. Curbside pick-up was easy and convenient. Food was hot and delicious. Three had breakfast burritos- with variety of choices of what goes into burrito, and the others had pancakes and steak and eggs. Plus the price was very reasonable. Recommend stop for quick, easy and delicious breakfast in Tahoe.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert N
Sparks377 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Reputation can be a drawback when expectation exceeds reality. This cafe is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe and is extremely busy. But busy doesn't account for poor service since busy is the normal for this cafe. After an hour wait to be seated, a 20 minute wait to place our order and another 30 minute wait for breakfast items to be served, three of seven order were incorrect. Another 20 minutes and the last item (vegetarian quiche) was served only partially reheated. Then the kicker was that the credit card was charged incorrectly. The quality of the food was OK. The service definitely not OK. At least an offer of some compensation for the errors in the orders would have been a good gesture. Too many other choices at Lake Tahoe for breakfast to consider returning again.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dewitt2
Los Angeles77 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
8 am on Thursday morning. Coffee served and then waited 20+ minutes for our food. EVERYTHING was served cold. Steak and eggs was ordered medium, served WELL done. The special of the day was cream cheese stuffed strawberry French toast. The strawberries were frozen/canned, not fresh. Nothing special about the French toast; chicken sausage was tough. The breakfast burrito was NOT special, served with wilted lettuce and 4 chips. At least it wasn’t 3. Idek how this was top breakfast in south Tahoe.
Til;dr College cafeterias have better breakfast. Steak was a solid workout for the mandibles.
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelSanFrancisco
San Francisco71 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
South Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite getaway places, but I have yet to find a good breakfast place. I have been wanting to try Driftwood Cafe, but there is always a long waitlist. This last time I was able to get my name on the list early. I can see why it is so popular. They have a really good breakfast menu and the food is delicious. Service was good. Unfortunately with the current outdoor only service, they have had to set up a limited number of tables on the sidewalk right outside the restaurant. This sidewalk is very busy with lot of people walking through, many of them without masks. One couple even had their meal with another group that was waiting for their table, standing very close to them while talking among themselves without masks! Not the restaurant's fault but something you have to consider if you want to eat here during the pandemic.
Written 22 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damon S
Reno5 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
Extreme wait times are never fun, especially when the food is average. Have eaten here multiple times, and have remembered better experiences than this last one. Not sure if Covid has anything to do with it but it was average at best. My son and I ordered the exact same meal. Chicken fried steak with a potato pancake, eggs over medium and a biscuit. First, my son's plate had a apple sauce spread along with a side of sour cream. Neither of which was on my plate. The chicken fried steak was good, however the amount of gravy was about half the steak, the potato pancake, won't be having that again, and the biscuit, cold and hard, not edible. Service was good, however because of the wait times, they are in a hurry to get you out.
Written 22 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4SoaringEagle
Napa Valley260 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
The Driftwood Cafe is located in the heart of tourism Heavenly Resort Lake Tahoe. It was everything expected it to be and more. I've been in search of the perfect omelette I got the High Sierra Omelette with potatoes and sourdough bread it was awesome. My husband got the breakfast sandwich with sausage and sourdough toast he loved it as well. The service was exceptional the ambiance was nice. I was extremely happy.
Written 3 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cmurrell23
Peoria188 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Great location at the Marriott Grand Residences at the entrance to the valet area. We had breakfast here twice during our stay. Only open 7a - 3pm daily.
Omelet's come with choice of potato pancake, hash browns or home fries. Hash browns were dry, so I would suggest the home fries (rectangular-diced potatoes about 2in long). Choice of toast also included.
We ordered takeout each time and ate in our rooms. The place gets busy towards 9am and for the rest of the day. There is indoor & outdoor seating.
They have a wide variety on their menu. The clam chowder is also very good.
Written 5 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
95MeC542
Tracy58 contributions
Dec 2020 • couples
Always a great choice for breakfast, brunch or lunch. We’ve only had brunch here but service was great and food always fresh and delicious. So many choices... baked goods the best! Always busy but definitely worth the wait. :)
Written 5 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lawrence C
San Diego985 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
It is with pleasure that I write this 5-star review for the Driftwood Cafe!!
We were warmly welcomed and received excellent service throughout our breakfast.
My poached eggs were perfect, and my wife enjoyed her dry scrambled eggs, prepared exactly as she ordered.
Coffee was freely offered. 10% discount to visitors from the Marriott Grand Residence.
Worth a repeat visit!!
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimRiesterer
Edina6018 contributions
Jul 2022 • couples
A bustling cafe just off the Main Street in Heavenly serving breakfast and lunch throughout the day. We stopped in around 8 am on a Friday and were just ahead of the forming of a waitlist so we got a cozy booth right away.
The menu is massive with probably a hundred choices from eggs pancakes and waffles to burritos omelettes and more plus an entire slate of lunch items as well. In our group of three we had fluffy blueberry pancakes (2) and sausage, Belgian waffle with strawberries and bananas and a side of bacon and a half-order of sausage biscuits and gravy with a poached egg and two fresh squeezed OJs. All was fresh and tasty. While it took a bit of time for the food to arrive which is unusual for breakfast places, the wait wasn’t too bad.
Service was friendly and no one left hungry.
Note: if you’re not an early riser, consider getting on the virtual waitlist (via their website)
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SharlaHill
Woodside18 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Wonderful staff, great breakfast and coffee. After horrible coffee and rude staff at two other breakfast cafes nearby, we really appreciated the friendly staff and food. They were COVID conscious and arranged outdoor seating or inside with high-back booths and door open. We’ll be back.
Written 16 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MJ W
Pittsburgh44 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
The Driftwood Cafe is a great small restaurant. Very welcoming atmosphere and great service. The menu is varied with great selections. We chose a club sandwich and a tuna melt both were very tasty and a sizeble portion. Great place for lunch.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingrid J
Newnan108 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We arrived right before noon, and had a significant wait. When we entered the restaurant, we saw many folks who seemed to be enjoying a nice breakfast. We were looking for some lunch, so ordered off the lunch menu. Our food was so terrible, we didn't even finish it. The chicken on my sandwich was so over-cooked that I couldn't even stick a fork in it. I don't know if we just had bad timing because they were transitioning from a breakfast crowd to lunch, but we were disappointed that we waited so long for such bad food. On a positive note, the service was very friendly and attentive.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle H
Hi,
So sorry to hear you had issues with your lunch. I have spoken with our kitchen manager regarding the chicken. Hopefully, you were able to speak with your server or the manager so we could correct the issues.
Michelle
Written 15 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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