For anyone visiting laguna beach, the penguin cafe is a must eat at to live like a local! this restaurant has been around since the 1940s and everyone loves it. make sure to come grab some breakfast or lunch next time you are in laguna beach and enjoy this amazing diner style place near the ocean then go for a walk along the beach after. highly recommend!
Mark Absher
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June 18, 2022
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!
Nick Elliott
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March 19, 2026
All around terrible experience eating here. The atmosphere is dingy and sad, which would have been fine if the food and service was good. However, the waitress consistently ignored the few people in the restaurant as she sat on her phone the entire time. I tried to order a hamburger, but they were out of hamburger patties at 11:00 in the morning. So I ordered the corned beef and hash instead. Despite the fact that it cost $18, they served me canned corned beef and hash. The audacity is unreal. There are so many better places to eat at Laguna Beach; skip this one.
Priyanka Bengaluru
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March 21, 2024
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.
Erika Terzani
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July 02, 2022
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 🙂
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981 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
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For anyone visiting laguna beach, the penguin cafe is a must eat at to live like a local! this restaurant has been around since the 1940s and everyone loves it. make sure to come grab some breakfast or lunch next time you are in laguna beach and enjoy this amazing diner style place near the ocean then go for a walk along the beach after. highly recommend!
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!
All around terrible experience eating here. The atmosphere is dingy and sad, which would have been fine if the food and service was good. However, the waitress consistently ignored the few people in the restaurant as she sat on her phone the entire time. I tried to order a hamburger, but they were out of hamburger patties at 11:00 in the morning. So I ordered the corned beef and hash instead. Despite the fact that it cost $18, they served me canned corned beef and hash. The audacity is unreal. There are so many better places to eat at Laguna Beach; skip this one.
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.
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 🙂