Little Lion Cafe

Service and food was amazing, I got the crab egg Benedict and a regular matcha latte. This has to be the best matcha I’ve had and the atmosphere was so nice and cozy def a must visit And after you can walk up the street and enjoy the nice coast view!

Delicious food and very friendly service. They were very busy and we had to wait for a bit but it was definitely worth it. Will be back when we are in San Diego again!

Been a regular for years now! The California Belgium cuisine is STILL working! Space is charming and sweet. Wait staff is attentive and chill. Oh…the BEST PLAYLIST done by one of the Coulon sisters! From espresso to dessert and everything in between your palate will be pleased! There’s usually a wait but well worth it! Put your name down and take a short walk to Sunset Cliffs to watch the waves! Chef Sara blows us away every time with her food! Her Belgian potatoes are craveable!

+1

Vanilla bean latte with oat milk and a salmon Benedict. It was absolutely amazing; that was the best coffee I’ve had in a while, we even ordered a second cup to go. Kiddo had waffles and they were so light. The flavor was so buttery and light. Saw someone get a croissant, and I’d definitely get that next time. It just looked so appetizing. The staff was friendly. It was such a quaint spot.

This is amazing little restaurant. It has a soul, staff is smiling and helpful, food tastes amazing. 10/10 :)

Delicious breakfast with incredible coffee and an amazing blueberry scone with lemon curd! Love love love.

We arrived in a large group (9 adults, 6 children), we waited a bit and it was worth it. The foods were delicious, and the service was top notch! The Egg Benedict w Crabs, Glow Bowl, and Sausage Bowl did not disappoint, fantastic flavor.

A great neighborhood Cafe serving Breakfast and lunch only. The menu offers many choices; organic ingredients! The drinks offered are eclectic and unusual but very delicious. I had the Turkey/Bacon/Avocado Sandwich with Belgian Potatoes; to drink, I had the Belgian Chocolate Mocha. The sandwich was delicious, the potatoes were done perfectly...crispy edges very soft inside. Be ready to wait; if you can, make a reservation. They offer inside and sidewalk seating. Waitstaff is very friendly!

+6

This is the most lovely place- food is so delicious and well prepared, fresh. Their staff is so patient, kind and friendly. I love coming here. If you’re in a big hurry or not in the mood to just chill and wait to have things prepared for you and to get the same attention they focus on giving to everyone, you might want to pick a bigger or chain type spot. You will not be disappointed. Special spot for sure. NOTE- Photo was after I was halfway through. Big portion, avocado toast, lots of greens which I loved and crispy chickpeas too- really yummy!

What an above and beyond experience. I strongly suggest to book a table to cut the waiting time. Food quality is fantastic. Servers are all attentive, very friendly and extremely hard working. We will be back, even the drive is about 40 min. Finished with a stroll alongside sunset cliffs.

+1

We had a lovely Sunday brunch there after hiking to Cowless Mountain. It's a charming European-style coffee shop with a delightful breakfast and lunch menu. Both of us really appreciated the relaxing and soothing atmosphere at the place. It's a cozy restaurant with most of the seating outside the shop. We did wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, but the waitress was cool and friendly. While the service was a bit slow, we assumed it might be due to the number of staff, but we weren't in a rush, so it didn't bother us too much. The highlight was the incredibly fresh food, and we enjoyed both the coffee and our meal Coffee: Belgium Chocolate Mocha & Turmeric Coffee. Breakfast: salmon toast with belgian potatoes as side

We found this place during a gastrointestinal emergency well after hours and the only place that would let us use their bathroom. we struck up a conversation with Josh and the rest of the staff who were incredibly kind, genuine and down to earth. We came back the next day for brunch and the food DID NOT DISAPPOINT. great vibes super fresh and delicious. Do not miss if you’re in ocean beach whatever you do!

San Diego has many great breakfast and brunch places, but the Little Lion Cafe is one of my favorites. The Belgian Waffles are the best I've ever had - light, fluffy and crispy. The texture and flavors are perfection. We also had the Eggs Benedict with Crab Cakes and that was flavorful with large chunks of crab meat. The Belgian potatoes were nice and crispy. Everything we had was delicious. Be prepared to wait if you arrive at peak times 10-11AM, but you can always take a walk around Sunset Cliffs to pass some time.

We came here for breakfast and there was a line out of the door however the wait wasn’t too bad. I would definitely recommend making reservations here on their website though. We ordered the Sausage Bowl and the Belgian Waffles. The Kale & Sausage bowl was great. The buttermilk biscuit was nice and flaky and the gravy was savory. The real winner here though was the Belgian Waffles. The waffles were heavenly and definitely the best I’ve ever had. If you get anything here get the waffles. This cafe is definitely a gem and I plan on returning here very soon.

I walk the sunset cliffs regularly with my dog and always go by this cafe. Decided to stop in this time and was glad I finally did. Had the Shakshuka which was amazing and their aperol spritz. Great spot for some brunch with my dog.

Stopped at Little Lion Café in Sunset Cliffs for a celebration lunch and it did not disappoint. The avocado toast was absolute chef’s kiss perfection, and they even brought out bacon for my pup—major bonus points! The outdoor atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Definitely a hidden gem I’d recommend to anyone looking for good food and good vibes.

This was our first stop for food while visiting San Diego. Everything was delicious and fresh! The garlic herb burger was unforgettable. The place is charming and unique, and everything tasted very clean. Highly recommended.

Incredible breakfast spot. I had heard about little lion cafe for years but now I understand the hype. Every ingredient shined and made everything even more delicious. My 10 year old daughter loves the breakfast platter so much and even asked for seconds of the greens!

Little Lion is hands down our favorite local spot in Point Loma. It feels like Wolf in the Woods in Mission Hills, but somehow even more quaint, cozy, and full of personality. We sat outside last Friday and had an incredible experience. Our server, whose name I wish I remembered, was genuinely wonderful and made the night feel special from start to finish. The food was unreal. The gnocchi was impossibly pillowy and soft, and for total contrast we also ordered the fried chicken. Both were perfection. The cauliflower appetizer deserves a special shoutout. I usually hate cauliflower, but this completely changed my mind. The kale salad was fresh and beautifully balanced. See photos! Dessert sealed the deal. The pear shortcake was insane, and was pure nostalgia. It instantly reminded me of my dad. We will absolutely be back often. I truly cannot say enough good things, especially knowing this spot is entirely female owned and operated. You can feel the love, intention, and positive energy from every single person on the team. Thank you so much. See you very soon. 💛

Don’t let the name fool you, or the lack of other restaurants in the area. This place is charming, cute and they have a great little menu and wine list. Small inside with several tables outside. And yes, it’s steps away from incredible views and sunsets.

Delicious food! We ordered the eggs Benedict and the turkey sandwich. Every ingredient on each plate felt super fresh and paired perfectly together. Would highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Food & Drinks: The lattes were outstanding. My boyfriend had the matcha latte with rose-cardamom syrup, which turned out to be one of the best flavor combinations we've ever tried. The golden milk turmeric latte was equally delicious. For food, we tried the jalapeño duck & bacon sausage, crab cakes Benedict, ricotta toast, and shakshuka. Unfortunately, the gravy was unavailable, so we couldn't try the sausage bowl, but that's just another reason to return. The standout dish was definitely the jalapeño duck & bacon sausage -- flavorful and a real winner. The crab cakes were also impressive; you could really taste the freshness of the crab meat. The ricotta toast was a unique breakfast item, but it was surprisingly delicious. The shakshuka, while good, wasn't quite as memorable as the other dishes. Service: Excellent and attentive service. The food did take a little while to arrive, but it's understandable given the small kitchen, and the wait was definitely worth it. Ambiance: A charming, cozy spot right next to Sunset Cliffs. Parking is limited unless you're willing to pay, but the location is worth it. Dogs are welcome outside, which is a nice touch.

This is such a lovely low key spot. Great location and wonderful staff with truly delicious food! This is a the perfect spot for lunch!

We tried the sausage bowl, lox croissant, and ricotta toast, and each one was a hit. The sausage bowl was hearty and flavorful, with perfectly balanced ingredients that left us wanting more. The lox croissant was beautifully flaky and packed with fresh, quality salmon, just the right amount of indulgence. The ricotta toast was light yet satisfying, with creamy ricotta that paired beautifully with its toppings. Highly recommend this gem for anyone seeking delicious and thoughtfully crafted breakfast options.

Alisha Kent

Little Lion is hands down our favorite local spot in Point Loma. It feels like Wolf in the Woods in Mission Hills, but somehow even more quaint, cozy, and full of personality. We sat outside last Friday and had an incredible experience. Our server, whose name I wish I remembered, was genuinely wonderful and made the night feel special from start to finish. The food was unreal. The gnocchi was impossibly pillowy and soft, and for total contrast we also ordered the fried chicken. Both were perfection. The cauliflower appetizer deserves a special shoutout. I usually hate cauliflower, but this completely changed my mind. The kale salad was fresh and beautifully balanced. See photos! Dessert sealed the deal. The pear shortcake was insane, and was pure nostalgia. It instantly reminded me of my dad. We will absolutely be back often. I truly cannot say enough good things, especially knowing this spot is entirely female owned and operated. You can feel the love, intention, and positive energy from every single person on the team. Thank you so much. See you very soon. 💛

Shirin Kheshti

Incredible breakfast spot. I had heard about little lion cafe for years but now I understand the hype. Every ingredient shined and made everything even more delicious. My 10 year old daughter loves the breakfast platter so much and even asked for seconds of the greens!

Val Cubillos

Delicious food! We ordered the eggs Benedict and the turkey sandwich. Every ingredient on each plate felt super fresh and paired perfectly together. Would highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Tiffanie Grose

This is such a lovely low key spot. Great location and wonderful staff with truly delicious food! This is a the perfect spot for lunch!

Aaron Lutz

I walk the sunset cliffs regularly with my dog and always go by this cafe. Decided to stop in this time and was glad I finally did. Had the Shakshuka which was amazing and their aperol spritz. Great spot for some brunch with my dog.

Yuri Castillo

We tried the sausage bowl, lox croissant, and ricotta toast, and each one was a hit. The sausage bowl was hearty and flavorful, with perfectly balanced ingredients that left us wanting more. The lox croissant was beautifully flaky and packed with fresh, quality salmon, just the right amount of indulgence. The ricotta toast was light yet satisfying, with creamy ricotta that paired beautifully with its toppings. Highly recommend this gem for anyone seeking delicious and thoughtfully crafted breakfast options.

Jacquelyn Forrester

Food & Drinks: The lattes were outstanding. My boyfriend had the matcha latte with rose-cardamom syrup, which turned out to be one of the best flavor combinations we've ever tried. The golden milk turmeric latte was equally delicious. For food, we tried the jalapeño duck & bacon sausage, crab cakes Benedict, ricotta toast, and shakshuka. Unfortunately, the gravy was unavailable, so we couldn't try the sausage bowl, but that's just another reason to return. The standout dish was definitely the jalapeño duck & bacon sausage -- flavorful and a real winner. The crab cakes were also impressive; you could really taste the freshness of the crab meat. The ricotta toast was a unique breakfast item, but it was surprisingly delicious. The shakshuka, while good, wasn't quite as memorable as the other dishes. Service: Excellent and attentive service. The food did take a little while to arrive, but it's understandable given the small kitchen, and the wait was definitely worth it. Ambiance: A charming, cozy spot right next to Sunset Cliffs. Parking is limited unless you're willing to pay, but the location is worth it. Dogs are welcome outside, which is a nice touch.

Jelena Maletić Lasković

This is amazing little restaurant. It has a soul, staff is smiling and helpful, food tastes amazing. 10/10 :)

Hiep Le

San Diego has many great breakfast and brunch places, but the Little Lion Cafe is one of my favorites. The Belgian Waffles are the best I've ever had - light, fluffy and crispy. The texture and flavors are perfection. We also had the Eggs Benedict with Crab Cakes and that was flavorful with large chunks of crab meat. The Belgian potatoes were nice and crispy. Everything we had was delicious. Be prepared to wait if you arrive at peak times 10-11AM, but you can always take a walk around Sunset Cliffs to pass some time.

Nick K

We came here for breakfast and there was a line out of the door however the wait wasn’t too bad. I would definitely recommend making reservations here on their website though. We ordered the Sausage Bowl and the Belgian Waffles. The Kale & Sausage bowl was great. The buttermilk biscuit was nice and flaky and the gravy was savory. The real winner here though was the Belgian Waffles. The waffles were heavenly and definitely the best I’ve ever had. If you get anything here get the waffles. This cafe is definitely a gem and I plan on returning here very soon.

Victoria Starr

Stopped at Little Lion Café in Sunset Cliffs for a celebration lunch and it did not disappoint. The avocado toast was absolute chef’s kiss perfection, and they even brought out bacon for my pup—major bonus points! The outdoor atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Definitely a hidden gem I’d recommend to anyone looking for good food and good vibes.

Sharmin Sultana

We had a lovely Sunday brunch there after hiking to Cowless Mountain. It's a charming European-style coffee shop with a delightful breakfast and lunch menu. Both of us really appreciated the relaxing and soothing atmosphere at the place. It's a cozy restaurant with most of the seating outside the shop. We did wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, but the waitress was cool and friendly. While the service was a bit slow, we assumed it might be due to the number of staff, but we weren't in a rush, so it didn't bother us too much. The highlight was the incredibly fresh food, and we enjoyed both the coffee and our meal Coffee: Belgium Chocolate Mocha & Turmeric Coffee. Breakfast: salmon toast with belgian potatoes as side

C JO

What an above and beyond experience. I strongly suggest to book a table to cut the waiting time. Food quality is fantastic. Servers are all attentive, very friendly and extremely hard working. We will be back, even the drive is about 40 min. Finished with a stroll alongside sunset cliffs.

Have you ever been to Paris and experienced a wonderful small bistro that you must return to? So… look no further than the Cliffs of Pt Loma! The ladies at Little Lion have a marvelous menu and wonderful wine list (both by the glass and bottle). These ladies, descendents of the Coulon dynasty that ran The Belgian Lion for decades, have perfected the “small french bistro” vibe. Just like Paris, come her once, and repeat as often as needed for a wonderful experience. Don’t blink-it is small-but you will fall in love. Plan on making reservations, especially for weekend brunch. Because of the size- it is best suited for max parties of four. Trust me! Simply awesome-

We went on Friday 1/23/26 and sat outside. Great service and ambiance. We got the fried chicken and ricotta gnocchi and a couple of salads. Everything was great. So glad a new restaurant opened within walking distance of Sunset Cliffs. We're excited to return.

This is the cutest cafe I’ve been to in a while. It’s intimate, cozy and beautiful with the right ambiance and decor. It serves with great food and drinks. The service is absolutely wonderful. My phone was dead and the people here offered to help me out and also offered me a wonderful drink. They have great wine. I’d highly recommend this place. It’s also right by the sunset cliffs so great spot to have a drink or have dinner after sunset.

I'm so grateful that this quaint neighborhood gem is now open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. Everything on the menu is delicious and there are good options for gluten intolerance. My children loved the shrimp and roasted vegetables. The sea bass was delicious and my husband loved the Caesar salad and meatballs. Excellent wine options and do not skip dessert - my family loved the home made ice cream sandwiches.

My wife and stopped in for a late breakfast/early lunch and just loved the Frittata and Brunch Tacos. Very friendly wait staff and comfy outdoor seating. We'll be back and looking forward to trying their new dinner menu!!

We wandered by this place in the evening and it immediately drew us in! The café lights, fire outside, and adorable outdoor seating set the perfect atmosphere. The food was delicious and they had a great selection of wines. The cheesecake was also amazing and our service was friendly and attentive, even at rush hour. Thank you for a lovely evening!

Incredible meal with my nephew. Bruschetta appetizer yum. Main course of Filet Mignon and Halibut were delicious. Italian cookie crumble on vanilla pudding dessert. Great wine list. Our waitress Jade was fantastic. Great atmosphere in a beautiful cozy little space. Compliments to the chef.

Jerry Smith

My wife and stopped in for a late breakfast/early lunch and just loved the Frittata and Brunch Tacos. Very friendly wait staff and comfy outdoor seating. We'll be back and looking forward to trying their new dinner menu!!

S Jahnavi

This is the cutest cafe I’ve been to in a while. It’s intimate, cozy and beautiful with the right ambiance and decor. It serves with great food and drinks. The service is absolutely wonderful. My phone was dead and the people here offered to help me out and also offered me a wonderful drink. They have great wine. I’d highly recommend this place. It’s also right by the sunset cliffs so great spot to have a drink or have dinner after sunset.

Thomas Scott Stanton

Incredible meal with my nephew. Bruschetta appetizer yum. Main course of Filet Mignon and Halibut were delicious. Italian cookie crumble on vanilla pudding dessert. Great wine list. Our waitress Jade was fantastic. Great atmosphere in a beautiful cozy little space. Compliments to the chef.

Corinne Hoare

I'm so grateful that this quaint neighborhood gem is now open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. Everything on the menu is delicious and there are good options for gluten intolerance. My children loved the shrimp and roasted vegetables. The sea bass was delicious and my husband loved the Caesar salad and meatballs. Excellent wine options and do not skip dessert - my family loved the home made ice cream sandwiches.

We were finally able to have brunch at Little Lion Cafe near Sunset Cliffs. We’ve tried without a reservation before, but there is always a long wait and at a certain point, the restaurant stops taking reservations. I recommend going online and making a reservation in advance. They are not on Open Table. The food was very good. Mix between farmhouse fresh and southern cooking. We had a goat cheese strata and the sausage bowl (highly recommend). The service is excellent, but keep in mind they’re very busy so things don’t happen quickly. Only negative comment I have is with the table closest to the door (we sat here). The amount of people coming back and forth to get a reservation was very distracting and at times you’re eating while people stand right next to you. You start to feel a little claustrophobic. Space is limited at this restaurant so I’m sure people don’t mind sitting here in general.

Very small, but sweet brunch spot. Small kitchen so expect a wait for food. Sadly they had ran out of a few of the things we tried to order and had to wait 30 mins for food, but otherwise service was great and the food was really good!

A cute little place located high on the hill. Busy place. Probably going to have a wait on the weekends. Service was good. Food was good probably even above average a side of bacon cost $12 breakfast for 2 was $75 included tip.

I’ve heard such great things and always drive by Little Lion Cafe so finally got the chance to try it out! It’s such a cute cafe right around the corner from Sunset Cliffs. I highly recommend making reservations, it is very small with not a lot of seating so you could be waiting a bit if you try and walk in Service was great, I thought the food was okay overall. A little on the pricier side in my opinion for what you get We got the California Croissant sandwich with a side of the duck/bacon sausage, turkey and bacon sandwich, coffee cake and two coffees Overall it was a cute place to check out. I’d come back again to try out some of the other food options Highly recommend going for a walk along the cliffs after your meal it’s so beautiful out there

Td Trains

I’ve heard such great things and always drive by Little Lion Cafe so finally got the chance to try it out! It’s such a cute cafe right around the corner from Sunset Cliffs. I highly recommend making reservations, it is very small with not a lot of seating so you could be waiting a bit if you try and walk in Service was great, I thought the food was okay overall. A little on the pricier side in my opinion for what you get We got the California Croissant sandwich with a side of the duck/bacon sausage, turkey and bacon sandwich, coffee cake and two coffees Overall it was a cute place to check out. I’d come back again to try out some of the other food options Highly recommend going for a walk along the cliffs after your meal it’s so beautiful out there

I'm Nuts

A cute little place located high on the hill. Busy place. Probably going to have a wait on the weekends. Service was good. Food was good probably even above average a side of bacon cost $12 breakfast for 2 was $75 included tip.

This is a nice little restaurant near the ocean drive, I loved the ambience of this place. To the downside, there is long waiting to get table, the staff is nice but they are not able to manage tables. I literally waited fifteen minutes to get a table that was already empty and saw a family walk away as they were not seated to a table that just needed a cleaning. There is a long wait to get your order as well. On top of this, the meal is little over the price. Overall, ok but not the best.

The food was good and our waitress was very nice but the hostess was very rude. No greeting, no smile, no thank you, no how can I help you. She made the ugliest faces at me when I simply asked for creamer. I hope she was just having a bad day and doesn't treat everyone this way.

Marie Wales

The food was good and our waitress was very nice but the hostess was very rude. No greeting, no smile, no thank you, no how can I help you. She made the ugliest faces at me when I simply asked for creamer. I hope she was just having a bad day and doesn't treat everyone this way.

The wait was long and the staff doesn't seem to want to turn tables quickly. Tables were left dirty for long periods instead of cleaning them and seating the next customer. Food also took a long time to come out. Food was mediocre at best. Bathroom was through the kitchen, which upon seeing the kitchen I could have done without. (If you've worked food service iykyk.) Burger was good, Nashville sandwich was bland.

The staff was nice, waited awhile for our food. But the burger was raw from the inside, and the waffles were not great. Was excited to try this place. Paid $50 dollars for bland food. Would not come back, nor recommend.

We wanted to try this place for a while and the day we finally decided to give it a try it was a complete disappointment. Waited 45 minutes to be seated and once sat down we waited another 20 minutes for the server to even acknowledge us and he comes and say the wait time for food is 1 hr!! Servers were very demotivated and cold and they seemed like they didn’t really care so they took their time to do everything. I can’t believe people come to this place to eat. What a joke