Pine House Cafe & Tavern

Nice stop and quaint cozy spot. Decorated nicely, friend staff. Food was pretty good and plentiful . Some may argue that so it depends on each person's idea of what's is a "full plate" . Wouldn't mind stopping by again. This weekend had a nice mint pasta that was tasty. We had fast service. Food was fresh and made to order.

The food is delicious and the service was great! They brought it out quickly and the atmosphere was relaxed. Update: these guys are way too nice. My kids went over with bags of "gold" from the living history event and were given candy. Kids are always trying to sneak over there because they love the atmosphere.

Pine House Cafe and Tavern was a great change in plans for my wife and I. We were on a motorcycle ride and made it up to Mt. Laguna by 9, and were ready for breakfast. The atmosphere was rustic, and pretty quiet (please see pictures). I had the Hash special, which was a vegetarian hash. I am certainly not a vegetarian, so I added a side of bacon and shared a side of biscuits and gravy with my wife (she had the two egg breakfast as well). My hash was amazing! I loved it. It is not a usual on the menu though, so you might want to call ahead if you are looking for veggie hash. They also have espresso drinks, which I had the carmel and chocolate latte. The only downside of the meal was we were too full to stop in Julian for pie. I highly recommend the ride up to this restaurant. The scenery is beautiful, the food and atmosphere is great, and you can even go on a hike after your meal. Price was a tad on the high side, but we're certainly reasonable. Please take the trip up to enjoy this establishment and stay for a bit to enjoy the area. You will not be disappointed. As always, I rate stars as follows: 1- not good all around, 2- some good good value, but pretty common and nothing stood out, 3- a solid choice all around, 4- one of my favorites, 5- a great experience all around and very unique for the area.

+4

A classy, rustic Inn with wonderful food and great staff! Every weekend with the added treat of live music; with no cover charge. Can't go there often enough or bring enough friends. A success story, considering the venue has been in existence for 5 ½ years with the same owners! Altogether, visiting this restaurant you'll benefit from the endeavors by one brilliant and hardworking businesswoman who is nothing but a genius in creating hospitality! Plus, you'll enjoy the utmost nutritious and healthy food from an ever changing menu, composed by her son who is the head chef.

First of all, know that there was a recent owner change in the last three years, so the previous reviews from before 2020 are no longer valid. Now, this cafe in Mt. Laguna are owned by a French couple of whom the main owner is a renowned pastry chef in France. He moved here to start his own restaurant and it is delicious. I would describe it as an American French fusion. You won't be out of your comfort zone eating here and you will be well fed whether you are coming from a hike in the mountains or a nearby campground or the city. You will have a good meal in an ideal setting. The outdoor patio is dog friendly. The inside has a beautiful wood log cabin finish and chimney. They do events, karaoke nights, holidays and more. Having come here multiple times, I know the food is good and the company is just as. Enjoy.

Got there as they opened, fresh croissant right out of the oven was heavenly. Plate of French toast was quite awesome as well.

I had a great experience eating at the pine House Cafe. The owners/staff were friendly and very helpful. It was my first time in the area and they answered all of my questions with a smile. The place has great music, good food, lovely atmosphere and even some french delicacies. We will definitely be back

+6

Stopped in for lunch while out on a Sunday motorcycle ride. The restaurant is very nice and was once a historic log cabin. We sat on the outside patio and it was so nice. The mountain air was fresh and so quiet. The waitstaff was very efficient and the food was delicious. You really need to check out this place when up on Mt Laguna!

Gr8 place for Asian PCT people with pretty nice burger

I had a wonderful meal at the Pine House Cafe. A small Caesar Salad (which was rather big) and a Croque Monsieur sandwich with fries. Enjoyed all very much. Highly recommend!

Unbelievable food served in a beautiful setting. Owners show real care and attention to service. It’s such a treat to find such a quality restaurant in this more remote location.

Lovely cafe in a structure built in the 1940s in a log-cabin style. Apparently, it was a store when it opened but it was nicely renovated to suit the needs of a tavern. The foyer was filled with PCT hikers. Next to the entryway is a serene dining hall with lots of light and windows and a big screen TV showing sports. Fast and friendly service—one of the servers brought my dog water without asking. Homey decor and wood finishing all around. The burger I ordered was substantial and hit the spot and the fries were excellent. Yes, it's a little pricey, but that's Southern California and I expected to pay what I did. I would recommend Pine House Cafe & Tavern to hikers and travelers in the area and I would come back in the evening to enjoy dinner and a beer. The Tiny House Block adjacent to the tavern sounds interesting.

Stopped here on a motorcycle ride to find a quick drink. Stayed for salad and bread… and Italian Soda. Fabulous!

Amazing service and Epic food! Dog friendly and they even sell a "Pup Patty" which our Dani loved! Coffee after noon and it was good and fresh (rare). Would highly recommend you try it!! The carne asada fries are sooo good!

This place is a mountain gem! Stopped for lunch while on a motorcycle ride. The French Onion soup is absolutely fabulous and the owners/staff are always welcoming and friendly!

Delicious food, great service, and a wonderful atmosphere in the woods as we watched the snow fall enjoying the football game. We also got some super yummy French treats to bring home! Thank you for the outstanding experience! You gained customers for life!

"A European Gem in the Mountains" This American French restaurant is an absolute treasure tucked into the mountains. Having lived in Germany for part of my life, I immediately felt at home with the European-style service. Unlike typical American restaurants, where the service can be rushed or overly attentive, here it’s refreshingly laid back. The owners have mastered that calm, respectful approach where you’re free to enjoy your meal without constant interruptions or pressure—just like in Europe. It creates a truly relaxing and authentic dining experience where the server is not consistently hovering over you. One of the biggest highlights is their raclette and fondue offerings—absolutely incredible! If you’ve never tried it, raclette is a traditional alpine dish where melted cheese is scraped over potatoes, charcuterie, and vegetables. It’s rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The fondue is equally amazing, with perfectly melted cheese you dip bread and other goodies into—perfect for sharing and lingering over good conversation. It's rare to find this done so well outside of Europe, and they’ve absolutely nailed it. Add in the cozy mountain ambiance, their pet-friendly policy (our pup is always welcome!), and the little shop full of imported European treats, and every visit feels like a mini vacation. This place is truly one of a kind—heartfelt, delicious, and worth the trip every time. The husband and wife owners have always made us feel welcome.

We had Christmas day dinner here and our meals were delicious (the special Christmas dinner that they offered). The decorations and atmosphere were full of Christmas spirit and the fireplace made it so cozy. The food was amazing, especially the profiteroles with the best chou pastry we have ever had. One of the best Christmas dinners/experiences ever. Thank you for such a special evening.

Great restaurant with amazing chefs and friendly hard working wait staff.

Omg! This little cafe makes you feel like you are in the French Alps. Great atmosphere with French music playing. The food is surprisingly excellent. The food is fresh and delicious. I can't give enough justice to this place on this little commentary. You should definitely stop by and find out for yourselves if you are up there. You'll think me later.

A nice place to have lunch after the hike. We ordered French Style Beef Stew, Escargots de Bourgogne & Roasted Beef marrow.. the food was delicious. They have a cozy area to play the piano and comfy couches to relax. Staff are great!

Amazing French/American restaurant! Very cozy. Get there before noon, it gets packed for late lunch. We had the biggest portion of a homemade soup like Mac and cheese ever with a buttery baguette, beef stew was full of flavor and the chocolate mousse is to die for. Excellent chai latte. You need a code to use the restroom. They also sell French delicacies.

I went on December 17, 2022 with my father and friends visiting from Washington DC. I hadn't been since the new ownership so had expectations of a nice meal and cozy atmosphere. It was all decked out for Christmas with the most beautiful and expansive miniature village I had ever seen including a working ski lift! I was almost giddy when I saw the menu. I knew right away that they must be French and that it was going to be much, much more than a nice meal. I got the French Beef Stew with Steamed Potatoes. It was both gorgeous and delicious! I bought some items from the French gift shelves in the lobby to send to my mother in Florida which she loved. I can't wait to go back and try more items and have told all my friends about the experience. Merci beaucoup!!!

A combination of two of my favorite things… a feeling of the Northwoods, and a splash of French culture. We brought our kids here for breakfast on a Friday morning. They loved the pancakes, croissants, and I thoroughly enjoyed my omelette. The French owners are very kinds and keep a classic-cozy environment. I want to come back soon!

Black Bear Hiker

Amazing service and Epic food! Dog friendly and they even sell a "Pup Patty" which our Dani loved! Coffee after noon and it was good and fresh (rare). Would highly recommend you try it!! The carne asada fries are sooo good!

Jaimie P Anderson

This place is a mountain gem! Stopped for lunch while on a motorcycle ride. The French Onion soup is absolutely fabulous and the owners/staff are always welcoming and friendly!

Isaiah Maher

Delicious food, great service, and a wonderful atmosphere in the woods as we watched the snow fall enjoying the football game. We also got some super yummy French treats to bring home! Thank you for the outstanding experience! You gained customers for life!

Howard Polley

Great restaurant with amazing chefs and friendly hard working wait staff.

Monica Nicole

"A European Gem in the Mountains" This American French restaurant is an absolute treasure tucked into the mountains. Having lived in Germany for part of my life, I immediately felt at home with the European-style service. Unlike typical American restaurants, where the service can be rushed or overly attentive, here it’s refreshingly laid back. The owners have mastered that calm, respectful approach where you’re free to enjoy your meal without constant interruptions or pressure—just like in Europe. It creates a truly relaxing and authentic dining experience where the server is not consistently hovering over you. One of the biggest highlights is their raclette and fondue offerings—absolutely incredible! If you’ve never tried it, raclette is a traditional alpine dish where melted cheese is scraped over potatoes, charcuterie, and vegetables. It’s rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The fondue is equally amazing, with perfectly melted cheese you dip bread and other goodies into—perfect for sharing and lingering over good conversation. It's rare to find this done so well outside of Europe, and they’ve absolutely nailed it. Add in the cozy mountain ambiance, their pet-friendly policy (our pup is always welcome!), and the little shop full of imported European treats, and every visit feels like a mini vacation. This place is truly one of a kind—heartfelt, delicious, and worth the trip every time. The husband and wife owners have always made us feel welcome.

Gayle Marsh

We had Christmas day dinner here and our meals were delicious (the special Christmas dinner that they offered). The decorations and atmosphere were full of Christmas spirit and the fireplace made it so cozy. The food was amazing, especially the profiteroles with the best chou pastry we have ever had. One of the best Christmas dinners/experiences ever. Thank you for such a special evening.

Marcelino Zarate

Omg! This little cafe makes you feel like you are in the French Alps. Great atmosphere with French music playing. The food is surprisingly excellent. The food is fresh and delicious. I can't give enough justice to this place on this little commentary. You should definitely stop by and find out for yourselves if you are up there. You'll think me later.

Josh Kennedy

Got there as they opened, fresh croissant right out of the oven was heavenly. Plate of French toast was quite awesome as well.

Amie Sarte

A nice place to have lunch after the hike. We ordered French Style Beef Stew, Escargots de Bourgogne & Roasted Beef marrow.. the food was delicious. They have a cozy area to play the piano and comfy couches to relax. Staff are great!

JitkaKac

Amazing French/American restaurant! Very cozy. Get there before noon, it gets packed for late lunch. We had the biggest portion of a homemade soup like Mac and cheese ever with a buttery baguette, beef stew was full of flavor and the chocolate mousse is to die for. Excellent chai latte. You need a code to use the restroom. They also sell French delicacies.

Frederick Goodwin

I went on December 17, 2022 with my father and friends visiting from Washington DC. I hadn't been since the new ownership so had expectations of a nice meal and cozy atmosphere. It was all decked out for Christmas with the most beautiful and expansive miniature village I had ever seen including a working ski lift! I was almost giddy when I saw the menu. I knew right away that they must be French and that it was going to be much, much more than a nice meal. I got the French Beef Stew with Steamed Potatoes. It was both gorgeous and delicious! I bought some items from the French gift shelves in the lobby to send to my mother in Florida which she loved. I can't wait to go back and try more items and have told all my friends about the experience. Merci beaucoup!!!

James Racine

A combination of two of my favorite things… a feeling of the Northwoods, and a splash of French culture. We brought our kids here for breakfast on a Friday morning. They loved the pancakes, croissants, and I thoroughly enjoyed my omelette. The French owners are very kinds and keep a classic-cozy environment. I want to come back soon!

Clay Ashford

I had a wonderful meal at the Pine House Cafe. A small Caesar Salad (which was rather big) and a Croque Monsieur sandwich with fries. Enjoyed all very much. Highly recommend!

We walked in with a party of 10 on a Sunday morning at 9:30am and were seated right away. The food as absolutely delicious. Most of us ordered breakfast, my son ordered lunch and everything came out fairly quick considering by the time we put in our order the dining room was packed. We will be back!

Jenifer Eggert

We walked in with a party of 10 on a Sunday morning at 9:30am and were seated right away. The food as absolutely delicious. Most of us ordered breakfast, my son ordered lunch and everything came out fairly quick considering by the time we put in our order the dining room was packed. We will be back!

Great Pine Lodge, Restaurant, Cafe, and Tavern [aka Mtn Sports Bar]. Limited parking, but pool makes up for @TinyHouseBlock behind! Excellent for #7footApartHikes @twitter @FreedomPleaseOr or @visit SanDiego San Diego Day Hikers @MeetUp .com monthly Adventures.

+6

Stopped by while riding through, haven't been here to eat in over 10--15 years. Love the charm of the restaurant and the food & service was good. Smaller menu... I had the pulled chicken sandwich and my husband had the cheeseburger with fries. I imagine it would be very cozy to stop in on a snowy day ☺️

My first time there. Had Sunday breakfast with Mimosa and enjoyed both. I sat outside which was pleasant. Servers were very friendly and attentive. Very relaxing I plan on returning real soon.

Stopped in for a coffee and a croissant. Neither were extraordinary but hit the spot. I liked the ambiance and the Christmas decor.

I love this place. It’s an old cabin and has tremendous charm. The food is good. Service is a tad slow but if you know that and except it, it’s part of the vibe. Mountain town restaurant. Take it easy, relax and enjoy being up in the mountains. I will go back for sure!

A mixed menu of American and French cuisine in an Alpine forest setting. Attentive service and indoor / outdoor seating makes this a unique venue in the region. We discovered this place, open on Christmas day, when we had nowhere else to go. Since then we have visited once or twice a year to enjoy memorable food at a memorable price point (for California). Rustic feel, it is worth the drive.

Great place to grab a sandwich or a burger after the hike in Cleveland National Forest. While the burger wasn't amazing, it tasted great with mango wheat beer that was on tap. The restaurant has a lot of french fare as well, which I did not try. The owner and the servers speak french :) While the service was very slow, it was not a big issue as I enjoyed sitting at the table outside, among the pines. This place is dog friendly and a lot of hikers with their dogs dine here.

Stopped by here for lunch while spending the weekend in Julian. It was a little out of the way but decided to drive up to Laguna Mountain. The food was good and portions were filling. I was disappointed that they didn't have the special listed in the menu. Who wouldn't want to try pulled pork macaroni and cheese balls. 🫤 I decided to get the mountain burger. It was decent but the onion rings were incredible. My wife had the goat cheese salad. Nice rustic design inside and out.

This was essentially one of the two places that was near our campsite. They have outdoor and indoor seating. Dogs allowed. Food pictures as below. The Burgers are LARGE and just as juicy (easily sharable). The meat loaf looked amazing but tasted alright. The steak was too thin to differentiate much between the medium and medium well but overall meat was tender. The salad was also large (also sharable). We customized the salad to add some protein to it and they happily obliged. Overall we were thankful they could accommodate our large group (13 people) in a short notice and the bathrooms were nice to freshen up after a long hike. Service: 9.5/10 Food: 8/10 Cleanliness and bathroom: 9/10

Coach Lao An

A mixed menu of American and French cuisine in an Alpine forest setting. Attentive service and indoor / outdoor seating makes this a unique venue in the region. We discovered this place, open on Christmas day, when we had nowhere else to go. Since then we have visited once or twice a year to enjoy memorable food at a memorable price point (for California). Rustic feel, it is worth the drive.

Volodymyr Korsun

Great place to grab a sandwich or a burger after the hike in Cleveland National Forest. While the burger wasn't amazing, it tasted great with mango wheat beer that was on tap. The restaurant has a lot of french fare as well, which I did not try. The owner and the servers speak french :) While the service was very slow, it was not a big issue as I enjoyed sitting at the table outside, among the pines. This place is dog friendly and a lot of hikers with their dogs dine here.

Rick Howrey

Stopped by here for lunch while spending the weekend in Julian. It was a little out of the way but decided to drive up to Laguna Mountain. The food was good and portions were filling. I was disappointed that they didn't have the special listed in the menu. Who wouldn't want to try pulled pork macaroni and cheese balls. 🫤 I decided to get the mountain burger. It was decent but the onion rings were incredible. My wife had the goat cheese salad. Nice rustic design inside and out.

Mohammad Abedin (Rafat)

This was essentially one of the two places that was near our campsite. They have outdoor and indoor seating. Dogs allowed. Food pictures as below. The Burgers are LARGE and just as juicy (easily sharable). The meat loaf looked amazing but tasted alright. The steak was too thin to differentiate much between the medium and medium well but overall meat was tender. The salad was also large (also sharable). We customized the salad to add some protein to it and they happily obliged. Overall we were thankful they could accommodate our large group (13 people) in a short notice and the bathrooms were nice to freshen up after a long hike. Service: 9.5/10 Food: 8/10 Cleanliness and bathroom: 9/10

“Pine House is my go-to spot for a burger after a hike at Mt. Laguna….” That was me, 5 years ago. However, the cafe is under new management and I can no longer recommend it. The food I’ve eaten there has been bland, or stale or the wrong temperature. In short, I’ve never eaten a thing there that I’ve enjoyed. Two stars though, because of location and the fact you can sit outside and enjoy the mountains.

I reviewed this place before it went under new french ownership. I had given 4 stars. Under the french ownership, just not the same. This place just sucks. We sat for 15min before anyone took a drink order. In that 15min, we heard the cook getting yelled at numerous times. The waitress looked scared. Sad cause it was a nice place. We left after some cold appetizers. As we left we saw all the order tickets hanging - we would have been there for at least two hours. Tourists who never see a mountain should eat here. They dont mind terrible food and getting scammed out of their money. Plenty of other places around to choose from. Will never come back here. Staff are rude to each other, tourists flood this place, food is worse than alien pizza planet at Disneyland. No stop for lunch is worth this.

First of all, the door had a sign that said closed so that was strange- it was clearly open in the middle of the day. The french man and woman working were RUDE. The service was bad. I ordered a cup of tomato soup that was served cold. It was SO SMALL and was 8 dollars. Absolutely ridiculous. Also, my boyfriend ordered a gluten free burger and was served a gluten bun. He has a medical condition and that could be serious. I mentioned it when we went to pay and the woman said “I know- that’s why I didn’t put it on the bill” So you KNOWINGLY served someone gluten when then wanted no gluten. That’s serious. She wasn’t apologetic at all. Very disappointing. Will not be coming back.

I spent $20 for biscuits and gravy with a side of sausages. When I received my order first it was missing one sausage, wouldn't have been a big deal except they charge $4 for a side of 2. After I got home and started eating my breakfast the gravy was made with hamburger instead of sausage, not a good combo, made it taste so bad my dog wouldn't even eat it. My suggestion to them would be use sausage with the gravy it would make the entree taste better and make it more worth the price they charge, and the baked potatoes pieces were bland and over cooked, I've never had breakfast potatoes that were hard and flavorless. My overall experience was unimpressive, and most likely won't be telling friends about it for 2 reasons 1-The food isn't worth the price. And 2nd- If they drove all the way up here to spend that kind of money, they'd be upset with me for wasting their gas for not so good overpriced food.

This place is not a good place to eat. I have a gluten allergy and ordered their gluten free bun. I was given regular bread and took one bite. Obviously not gluten free. When we went to pay they told us they knew they didn’t give a gluten free bun because she just forgot. Said nothing and let the food be served. Acting like it was not a big deal, I have never experienced this before. Horrible service prices and careless. I would never recommend eating here.

In response to the review I did Back in Nov. about the biscuits and burger gravy, with the missing sausage. You said I should've called and told you, I would have if I didn't live over an hour away from your restaurant. I had the meat tested it was hamburger not sausage. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my taste buds thank you very much. Wishing you and yours a great new year!!

Jennifer

In response to the review I did Back in Nov. about the biscuits and burger gravy, with the missing sausage. You said I should've called and told you, I would have if I didn't live over an hour away from your restaurant. I had the meat tested it was hamburger not sausage. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my taste buds thank you very much. Wishing you and yours a great new year!!

Jennifer Hensley

I spent $20 for biscuits and gravy with a side of sausages. When I received my order first it was missing one sausage, wouldn't have been a big deal except they charge $4 for a side of 2. After I got home and started eating my breakfast the gravy was made with hamburger instead of sausage, not a good combo, made it taste so bad my dog wouldn't even eat it. My suggestion to them would be use sausage with the gravy it would make the entree taste better and make it more worth the price they charge, and the baked potatoes pieces were bland and over cooked, I've never had breakfast potatoes that were hard and flavorless. My overall experience was unimpressive, and most likely won't be telling friends about it for 2 reasons 1-The food isn't worth the price. And 2nd- If they drove all the way up here to spend that kind of money, they'd be upset with me for wasting their gas for not so good overpriced food.