Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
Seafood · Morro Bay
About Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
En Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe, te damos la bienvenida a nuestra casa familiar junto a la bahía. Nos apasiona ofrecerte los sabores más frescos del mar, con especialidades en marisco local y ostras de la mejor calidad. Ven a disfrutar de una experiencia gastronómica auténtica y acogedora, donde la...
En Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe, te damos la bienvenida a nuestra casa familiar junto a la bahía. Nos apasiona ofrecerte los sabores más frescos del mar, con especialidades en marisco local y ostras de la mejor calidad. Ven a disfrutar de una experiencia gastronómica auténtica y acogedora, donde la tradición y el sabor se unen para crear momentos inolvidables.
What Customers Say About Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe is a local favorite known for its excellent seafood and breakfast options, friendly service, and clean environment. Many reviewers highlight the stunning views of Morro Rock and the bay. The sourdough bread is also a standout.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Request a table with a view of Morro Rock for an enhanced dining experience.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe is located in Morro Bay, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Museums
- Morro Bay Maritime Museum (A 539m) — Maritime museum in California
Parks & Gardens
- Dunes Street Park (A 142m) — park in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States of America
- Anchor Street Park (A 561m) — park in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States of America
- Tidelands Park (A 925m) — park in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States of America
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe
Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe Morro Bay Reviews
We had breakfast here and luckily arrived at a time when they were not so busy. The location and scenery is stunning overlooking Morro Bay and surrounding area. We found the food delicious and plentiful. Service and facility was great. We will definitely visit again on our next trip. Urban Cowgill
Wow! What a great place with an amazing Morro Bay view. The food was soo delicious and of great value for the price. Was feeling a bit adventurous so I tried the hangtown omlette, and I definitely did not regret it! The staff was also very friendly. I would definitely come again on another trip to the bay.
Beautiful view of the rock, great service, good food! A nice, quiet place to eat. We loved it!
My wife and I love dornes every time we go to Morro Bay we always stop by there because the food is delicious the service is absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere is A1 what else. I had a halibut with rice pilaf in grilled vegetables with bread, My wife had albondigas soup and she loved it.
The best breakfast in Morro bay! Their waffle is the perfect size and crunchiness. Their bacon is phenomenal, the fresh orange juice is my favorite but they have really good mimosas too. Their kids menu prices are incredible for the portion sizes and all the waitstaff is super on top of it. My husband loves the lox and bagel. There is usually a wait but it’s well worth the wait.
The service was excellent, the food was excellent, especially for the price, and the bartender was very attentive to our needs, as well as being warm and friendly ^^. I really recommend this place to evry travelers:3.
We had another lovely meal at Dorn's. It was definitely busy, and they do not take reservations, so plan to come and wait a bit. We had a lovely waitress who did a great job, shared the daily specials with us, and checked on us continuously. All of our dishes were prepared perfectly and tasted so good. I had the mushroom risotto, and my husband had the shrimp Louie salad. Both were excellent. It is such a great restaurant with a beautiful view of Morro Bay!
A great seafood place in Morro Bay (and I can't say that about a few other places along The Embarcadero). There was a 10--15 minute wait, but it passed quickly, with plenty of outdoor seating for those waiting to be seated. The atmosphere feels like what I want in a seafood restaurant: cool tile floors, small bar and dining room and a lovely outdoor patio with a fantastic view of the bay. Drinks, service, and food were all very good. Portions are large. Reasonable prices. Will definitely return.
Our favorite place in Morro Bay that was recommended by a local when we visited during the holidays, and we went back to celebrate our mom’s 70th birthday with a party of 10! They seated us right away! The dinner, drinks and dessert were amazing! This restaurant is a special part of Morro Bay!
The best Bacon & Cheddar omelet, it is stuffed with crunchy bacon, the best ever!. Side of pancakes instead of toast, delicious! Atmosphere and service are excellent. Can't wait to go back.
Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe established in 1942, and still going strong today. My guess as to why this well known and successful restaurant in Morro Bay, is still around is because of the good food, good service, and passion of the current owners. On my husband's and my first trip to Morro Bay we went to Dorn's and the food was delicious. Oysters on the half shell and make it a full dozen! Fresh and served on ice with a couple wedges of lemon and cocktail sauce and horseradish. We followed it with our main courses and then instead of a dessert we went to the outdoor patio area and enjoyed an after dinner drink while taking in the cool ocean breeze and wonderful scenic view. We recently returned to Morro Bay for my husband's birthday trip- a nice get-a-way from the higher temperatures of southern Arizona. We decided to frequent Dorn's, a couple of the nights for dinner, during our trip. Once again, the appetizers and main course were delicious. We were greeted with a smile and seated at a table near a window - both nights we sat at the the same table and we loved it. We started with a couple drinks with oysters on the half shell, yes a dozen and had decided on our main course meal, from the menu, until our waiter came by and told us the specials for the evening. We both chose the swordfish sauteed in butter and white wine with mushroom sauce. The sides were seasoned mashed potatoes and sautéed fresh zucchini and broccoli. Needless to say that when we had finished our meal, we were deliciously satisfied and knew that we would be back, anxious to try another dish. I know for a fact that my husband and I will be returning to Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe on our next trip to Morro Bay. Any establishment that is still serving great food with great service since 1942 definitely knows what they are doing!
Stopped by for breakfast and it was amazing! Our daughter had the kids French toast, soooo good. I had the Mediterranean omelette and he had the linguisa omelette as well as one waffle with strawberries🍓. The bloody Mary’s and Mimosas were also pretty good. The servers were all very nice and attentive. One even chased away a bird that my daughter was eyeing and convinces was going to take her food straight from her little plate. Would definitely go back. Stopped in for a take out dinner on 8/29. I ordered the scampi, amazing! It was perfect...buttery, with a hint of lemon, just enough garlic, and the rice was delicious. Our family made a last min decision to have dinner here on Valentine’s Day and we were not disappointed. It was pretty last min and it was busy but the service was still top notch. Food was great. Glad we decided to go!
This was my first time dining at this restaurant. Recommended by a friend. I must say I was very pleased with the food and service. The bartender Elias was excellent and suggested to great cocktails for myself and my wife. Elizabeth our server was outstanding explaining the specials and the entire menu. She was a outstanding server. I definitely will return for dining again on my next trip to Morro Bay!!
The food was great, the waiters and waitresses were very nice and helpful l, and the view of the ocean and the rock was great! I would definitely come back for the zucchini sticks, and for the clam chowder as well. Excellent service and they don't have indoor seating yet. Only outdoor on the deck.
Dorn' is our all time favorite restaurant in Morro Bay. We have celebrated our Anniversary and Birthdays here. This review is for their dinner. The food is delicious. My husband ordered the filet mignon and it was cooked to his liking. This time he missed the potato gratin that usually comes with dinner and the boiled potatoes were just okay this time. I ordered the locally caught snapper with rice pilaf and veggies. I asked them to broil it and add a lemon caper sauce which was perfect. I enjoyed their French 75 as my pre dinner cocktail. For dessert I loved their creme brule! My husband really liked his chocolate mousse! The staff here are always friendly, polite and attentive. I will always return to Dorn's whenever we are in town.
This place is incredibly amazing! I've been coming here for several years. I know the menu intimately well. The quality and consistency of this establishment is practically incomprehensible given the random pop-ins I make. Andy is a multi-talented mixologist who's BRANDY Manhattan is thoughtfully paired with the delectable 'Filthy Cherry'. Melanie is an enthusiastic and incredibly attentive server with charisma and energy to raise even the lowest spirit. Now for the food... ... Lord have mercy did I eat well last night. Truly one of the best meals I've ever had the pleasure to gently weep as I ate... seriously. Fortunately the ambiance is dimmed and subdued to provide ridiculous views of the bay and the famous Rock, thus my damp eyes likely went without much notice. I began with the zesty and tangy house made Ceasar salad. Fresh grated parmesan cheese and ground pepper added lovely pallate notes that danced wonderfully with the light anchovy tone and bright lemon juice within the dressing. Second course was the rich and lightly battered deep fried artichoke hearts. Quartered, seasoned, and delicately battered fried slightly crisped preserving the tender petals within. The creamy house Dijon aioli provides a welcome texture and profile doesn't overpower. Main course: Seared ahi, quite rare. Now... this dish... damn... THIS DISH WAS OFF THE CHAIN SLAP YO' MAMA, HOW DO I EVER EAT AGAIN??!?? kinda good. Cherry red interior. Luscious and fork-tender THROUGHOUT. Exterior boldly flash- seared barely visually noticed save the exterior which was perfectly prepared. But then: Top that with a fresh mango salsa-chutney deal with bright floral pops of cilantro, thyme, pickled ginger, sesame, and soy... ...I just CAN'T!!! 🤪 Just remarkable. Sides of fresh squash and Brussel sprouts sautéed and garlic mashed potatoes were my choice. In closing, if you ever go to Morro Bay, you MUST try this place. The menu is very broad; moderately priced. Family atmosphere feel and pleasantly staffed throughout. Dine before Nine, and all is fine. Check out the photos of my incredible meal!
The food was tasty. The scallops were very good with the white wine, garlic, and butter sauce. Best if you use the sourdough bread to soak up the sauce. The skewered fish, scallop, and shrimp was awesome. The tarter sauce with the fish delivered a fresh flavor of tast to the dish. Great service for outside dinning. Remember if your eating outside please wear some warm cloths. My wife and I wore shorts and the fog rolled in and we were cold. Please check weather if you are going to dine outside. Went here again for dinner. I had the scampi with butter and wine sauce. The dish was like the scallops my wife had one day ago. Best sauce to dip your sourdough bread in at it was yummy to my tummy. My wife had a salad and clam chowder. The clam chowder had chunks of clams in it. Almost forgot we also had shrimp cocktail and it was scrumptious. We did not forget to bring jackets and wear long pants to keep warm. Plus the patio heaters helped too. The servers were very polite and helpful. Even though the place was busy they were checking up on us. Thank you to our servers that served us on those nights when we ate there.
Hands down one of the best pancakes we have ever had! We travel a lot and have had a lot of brunch and breakfasts, but the pancakes take the prizes!! We ordered the Pancakes with chocolate chips. Enjoyed it thoroughly! The seafood omelette was good, though not plated in an appealing manner. But was tasty. Overall good service and food. Usually 30 to 45 mins wait for seating. Will surely visit again when in the area!
Came in for breakfast and this place was awesome. Beautiful decor, very clean and a beautiful view of the bay. We ordered the seafood omelette with country potatoes and home baked muffins. Wow! This food was amazing. Such great flavors in the omelette and those muffins (we got one bran and one blueberry) were so delicious. Highly recommend this place!
Great place! We came to Morro Bay to have lunch at another restaurant but they were closed. It so happened that a guy was making a delivery at that same place (that was closed)!!! We asked him for any suggestions and he quickly said Dorn's! There was a little wait for outdoor seating - well worth the wait :) We ordered the fish and chips and the blackened fish sandwich, both were very good! Our waitress along with the other patrons (most were locals) were very friendly. We will definitely return!!!
Lived in central coast 10 years and this was our first dining experience at Dorn’s. Recommended by a biking friend we had high expectations and were not disappointed. Celebrating a family birthday, we started out with drinks and appetizers. The raw oysters were excellent, fresh, good sized and properly chilled. Our server Kathy was prompt and friendly. The main courses were also excellent (one previous reviewer noted the Halibut was dry, but that was not the case with our Halibut orders - my brother had the lightly breaded Halibut special of the day and I had the traditional halibut broiled with spicy rub. The fish was fresh, tender, flaky with great flavor. Nicely sautéd string beans and mushrooms (I skipped the rice/potato carbs, but brother liked them). I opted for Caesar salad with anchovies which was crisp and perfectly balanced with homemade dressing. Wife had a seafood salad with large fresh avocado. She loved it and had leftovers for tomorrow. One desert worth mentioning is the Mixed fruit cobbler - blue berries, black berries & strawberries covered in a unique homemade crust that looks like crushed tater-tots. Unique and very tasty. A killer view of sunset over the water with the Morro Rock off to the side. Doesn’t get any better than this. Sure, a little pricey but worth every cent. Great service, nice “old school” ambiance and great seafood.
Excellent dinner and worth the wait for a table. We had the scallops, ahi tuna, and the salmon special. The meal started with very delicious, warm sourdough bread. Turns out they serve Brian's sourdough which we are hoping to pick up in a grocery store before leaving the area. We would be happy to eat here again.
Great food here last night! Started with a cup of chowder and we all enjoyed it. I had the steak which was super tender! The halibut was a little tough but ok. Scallops also great. Tried a couple of bottles of the local rose which was also fine! Sat at a window seat with a view of the water. Would not hesitate come back here again!
Amazing food. 10/10. We got the spinach omelette with no cheese & avocado, and they didn’t up charge for the avo. We also got the artichoke Benedict and it was creamy and delicious. Almost had a creamed spinach taste. we substituted the pancakes for potatoes and the pancakes have cornmeal in them that give the perfect lil crunch in your bite. Beautiful views. 10/10. Make sure to expect a 30-40 min wait on weekends, & know it’s well worth the wait!
The entire experience was fantastic from start to finish, even though we arrived during their last hour of the evening. The hostess and serving staff were warm and welcoming, and they take pride in a beautiful restaurant. The locally caught sand dabs were delicate and lovely. I finished my whole plate. My dining companion declared the clam chowder to be some of the best she's ever had, and we both thoroughly delighted in the piping hot sourdough served with our meal. Morro Bay has a plethora of tasty choices, but Dorn's is now my favorite thus far. Will definitely be back soon.
Slightly upscale dining experience. Waiters are in professional attire and the nautical decor is well done. Indoor and outside seating with a view of Morro Rock. Food is well prepared and has a full bar with bar seating.
The place boasts of excellent views of Morro Bay. Visited on a weekend for breakfast and the place was crowded. Took about an hour to be seated. The food was definitely worth the wait ! Soaked in the views of Morro Rock and the Bay while waiting. I tried the flutter's scramble with a side of country potatoes and it was amazing 😍 I am choosy when it comes to the way eggs are cooked and this dish hit all the right notes.
The omellete with Portuguese sausage was good, fresh veggies. Service was good. Fresh squeezed orange juice was good. By far the best thing I had was the buttermilk pancakes. Soft, buttery, delicious. Highly recommend. Views of the bay made the already great breakfast even better.
Great Cobb salad, great sautéed snapper. And not just very good quality, but very nice portion sizes too. Waitress was friendly, and the dining area pleasant. Can't beat the views of the wharf below and Morro Rock beyond either. I would recommend this restaurant to locals and visitors alike.
Dorn’s is one of the top five best breakfast’s in Morro Bay. Their food is excellent, server’s are top notch. Beautiful view from inside or on patio. We ordered Harry’s scrambled special, very similar to what other restaurants call San Francisco Joe scrambled. Eggs, cheese, mushrooms, onions and hamburger meat, it was top notch. I added their homemade salsa on top. Also had bacon and cheese omelette with pancakes, it was exceptional. Pancakes were fluffy and thick they were delicious. Coffee is a strong blend, very good. Dorn’s can always be recommended as a top restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
My mom was visiting from Colorado so we had a family brunch there. Every item we ordered was perfect, tasted delicious! We will definitely return soon.
Hadn't visited this location in years. The restaurant is beautifully updated. The food was delicious. I had Nancy's Other Salad. It consists of hearts of iceberg lettuce with bleu cheese dressing and shrimp. avocado, & crumbled bleu cheese. If you love blue cheese, you will not be disappointed. I met 2 good friends for a birthday lunch. Dorn's offers a complimentary chocolate mousse dessert. (See photo) There were 2 of us celebrating, and the waitress was kind enough to acknowledge that. The views are beautiful. They offer seating on the patio. However, we chose inside seating.
Nice spot, friendly staff, our sever was excellent, the restaurant is elevated to the views of the Rock, port, and ocean are stunning!!!! We ate outside on the deck, the seagulls flying around, stole a snack from the gentleman at the table next to us, lol !!!! Little birds were also sitting on the rail. It definitely is a nice spot for food, drinks, and views!!!! They also have a full bar up front very nice. LUNCH, I had the sea food combination plate, blood orange ipa, x 2. My wife had a cheese burger on sourdough bun and fries, a 2 tequila margarita!!! It's was good , I hoped for a little larger portion for the price on my combination 2 more shimp, an additional piece of fish, because I enjoyed the calamari and oysters but it's not a meal when there are only a couple of each!!!! The drinks were 🔥 overall it's a great spot, very enjoyable, clean, dark wood booths and table seating. Njoy FolkZ 😁🤘🏼
Fantastic local seafood and breakfast spot - the calamari sandwich (a calamari steak!!) was delicious, the seafood sampler was wonderful, and the clam chowder is perfect. Loved the sourdough bread too, and great selection of hot sauces!
This place is just wonderful. It’s right on the harbor with beautiful views of the giant rock. Food was not only delicious but they also have huge serving sizes to feed my Midwest belly! The place has a lot of history too, with tons of old photos with celebrities like bob hope and huge Hackman. People were friendly and service was great. A++++
This place was great. Everyone was eccentric professional and had a great attitude. The food was amazing. We had the fish and chips and the BLTA (a is for avacado) they were great. You can count on friendly pours from the bartender. We will definitely go back on our next trip out to the bay!
Best restaurant in Morro Bay. Classy but not snooty. The prices are decent as well. For pet owners, they are dog friendly on the outdoor patio, which gives you an amazing view of Morro bay. The fresh bread and clam chowder are stellar. My wife got eggs Benedict and said it was one of the best brunches she’s ever had. If your in Morro you must try this place, it has earned it’s reputation.
One of the best experiences I've ever had in Morro Bay. We sat on the balcony, next to their fire pit, and it was beautiful. The food was so good I highly recommend this amazing establishment. And they're open early before most businesses in the area. Highly highly recommend
Dorns is a staple of Morro Bay. I've eaten there many times and have never had a bad meal. Had shrimp cocktail, seafood salad, and Crème brûlée for lunch. Highly recommend it. Great view of the Bay and nice atmosphere. My friend Gary had a piece of Carrot Cake and as you can see it can feed an army 😅
Went with friends, shared the fried zucchini appetizer, which was amazing. I had a lovely pasta dish, my husband enjoyed jambalaya which was very good. Our friends enjoyed crusted halibut and one had the red chowder with shrimp appetizer. Everything was very good and the bread was fresh out of oven. One of them had the mousse for dessert. Good food and good friends.
This restaurant was established in 1942 and there were a lot of pictures with famous people that visited (Bob Hope, presidents, etc). Also a great view of Morro Rock. Be prepared for omelettes overstuffed with your choice of filling, the fresh squeezed orange juice, perfect pancakes, lean corned beef hash, fresh squeezed OJ, and if you pick muffins as a side they give you TWO!!! Our beautiful waitress Elly gave us awesome service and the ambiance was very cozy and comfortable. So impressed with this place. Be sure to park on the upper level unless you don’t mind climbing stairs on the lower level. Our group of 6 loved all our meals but we definitely could’ve shared a dish. This will definitely be a place to return to. Highly recommend flurry scramble, omelettes, pancakes, and homemade muffins. All our dishes came with fresh homemade salsa.
We were fortunate that Dorns was visible from our hotel room and looked appealing. So without checking online etc we walked over and sat down for breakfast. The waitress was fantastic, friendly and explained some menu choices to us. Drinks were with us rapidly and when the food came we were not disappointed. Fresh, tasty and plentiful, the breakfast was superb. The view over the water to the rock in the sunshine also helped set us up for the day. The waitress continued to look after us, chatting about our trip and filling our coffees regularly. Highly recommend this great little spot!
It is quite pricey compared to other brunch places I have reviewed. But the view of the rock rocks! Pancake is superb Bacon is not quite consistent. Last week was crispy just like what I asked for, this time is not. But it comes in 4 pieces compared to just 2. The egg was great! $23 including coffee. Photos attached are taken a week apart.
Really enjoyed the food service and ambiance here. The chopino was excellent as were the oysters and halibut. Chowder could have been creamier though. Our server and the rest of the staff made the evening special, I would definitely return.
I remember coming here as a child and loving this place and remembered the amazing views, so wanted to come back. Just like I remember it. Breathtaking views and fabulous food! Our server Candie was amazing too. Be sure to try the clam chowder and the mixed berry cobbler for dessert!! We also had the snapper and the calamari steak. Both were excellent. :)
Quiet Fabulous Dinner with my Brother in law, had the oysters, filet and the House Cab...just an overall amazing dining experience. We are lights eaters so they allowed us to split the filet, at no extra plate charge, I might add. All this was only made ore perfect by the Wonderful, Kind service by Alisia. Don't miss out on a wonderful and affordable experience by this amazing establishment!!! Tell um, Teddy Sentcha!
This is very good place to have breakfast with incredible view of mountain, staff were very friendly.
We had lunch at Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe and really enjoyed the experience. We sat outside on the terrace, which offers a beautiful view over the bay. With Morro Rock in sight and the ocean breeze, it’s hard to imagine a better setting for a relaxed lunch. I ordered a burger and it was absolutely delicious, well prepared and full of flavor. Sometimes that’s all you need: good food, generous portions and a fantastic coastal view. A great spot if you’re looking for a casual waterfront lunch in Morro Bay.
We were visiting Morro Bay before Thanksgiving and ate lunch here. It was highly recommended by a local. It has outdoor and indoor dining. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had outdoor seating. The view was awesome. We enjoyed our food and service. It is a popular restaurant and it was very busy. The ambiance inside the restaurant was very nice and there are walls full of photographs of famous people who I am assuming have dined here.
Had an amazing lunch experience during my visit at Morro Bay, thank you Dorn's! The host was friendly and welcome us as we entered the restaurant. He sat us at a booth with a beautiful view of the Morro Rock, Thank you! Also, our waitress Linda provided exceptional customer service! She was friendly, helpful, and attentive! You should request Linda when you visit the restaurant for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Linda is awesome! We had the snapper and the clams and they were delicious! Will definitely return next time we are in town!
Sonia was our server and was so sweet and helpful! We shared the calamari cocktail, clam chowder, and fish and chips. It was plenty of food for 2. Plus the bread they brought to the table was delicious and warm! The clam chowder was full of clams, I was very impressed. The calamari cocktail was unique and my favorite part of the meal. I really liked the oil and vinegar mixture. The fish and chips were fantastic, often I find breading to be too thick or doesn’t stick to the fish. These were excellent, crispy outside and moist/flakey fish on the inside. We were too full for dessert but all their desserts are made on site and sounded delicious. I would definitely go back!
1st experience at this restaurant and wow was it amazing. My wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary and we couldn’t have been more impressed. The food (blackened snapper & chicken piccata) was fantastic, as was the outstanding service. Shoutout to Taylor for making our evening extra special.
Definitely on the high end but well worth it. We stopped in for breakfast after a few nights at Morro Bay State Park. We had the seafood omelette and the fresh squeezed orange juice and let me say this. It was heaven. Really really good. I ordered mine with the pancakes. We will need to return and try their dinner menu. I'm pretty sure it will be awesome also.
This is one of my go to places for dinner in Morro Bay (I hear bfast is very good as well). The food, service, view and prices are all top notch for this casual restaurant. The outside heated patio has a great view of the rock, but indoor window front seating works as well. A nice bar up front is a great spot for a drink, etc as well as a large outdoor front area to wait for a table. Like most spots in morro bay, Dorns closes at 9pm, but I never feel rushed here.
We stopped by Dorns after a morning cruise through Morro Bay and I gotta say, it was such a good call. The whole place has that classic diner charm but elevated, with a clean and cozy vibe inside and a view of the water that really seals the deal. The fog was rolling in heavy that morning but it kind of made the experience feel even more relaxing and peaceful. We sat in a booth with big windows looking out toward the water which was perfect. I ended up ordering the eggs of your choice breakfast with scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage. Let me tell you the sausage was the standout. I still don’t know what kind it was but it had that perfect crisp on the outside and was juicy, salty, and packed with flavor. The hashbrowns were golden and had that nice crunch too. I also got a cup of clam chowder on the server’s recommendation and that stuff was legit. Super creamy and smooth with nice chunks of clam. It tasted really fresh like they had just made it that morning. My wife ordered what I think was a potato soup and even though we weren’t familiar with it it was actually really good. The bread and butter that came out was solid and the blueberry muffin was warm and fluffy and definitely homemade. Service was really sweet and laid back which made the whole experience that much better. Only downside was having to keep checking on our dog in the car since the marine layer kept things chilly but the staff was really kind and accommodating. Highly recommend Dorns if you’re in Morro Bay. The food hits, the view is great, and you can tell this spot has been doing things right for a long time.
I always look forward to having breakfast here when in Morro Bay. During our last visit, I ordered a bacon & cheddar cheese omelette with a side of buttermilk pancakes. The side of potatoes or homemade muffins are also delicious but I was craving the pancakes this time. The restaurant is dog friendly as long as you don't mind sitting on the patio. The service was fast and friendly.
Dorn’s: A Classy Coastal Brunch with a View to Match 🍳🌊 Perched above Morro Bay, Dorn’s delivers a dining experience that feels like being on the deck of a cruise ship—except this time, you're looking out to sea, with stunning views of Morro Rock and the iconic three stacks. The elevated location gives you a panoramic glimpse of the entire bay, and it sets the stage for a refined, coastal brunch experience. Well-Staffed & Well-Run 🚶♂️🍽️ We were seated almost immediately—just a 3-minute wait despite how full the restaurant was—and our food hit the table in under 15 minutes. With 12 to 15 staff members circulating throughout, the place ran like clockwork. It’s clear the owners have put thoughtful intention into creating a higher-end yet approachable atmosphere. Brunch, Cocktails & Coastal Comfort 🍸🥓 We came for brunch and cocktails, and I ordered my go-to: eggs Benedict. The hollandaise was flavorful and well-balanced, though the eggs were a touch more cooked than I prefer and the potatoes could have used a bit more warmth. That said, everything was still delicious, and the experience as a whole made up for those minor details. The Verdict? Classy Attempt Accomplished ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ From the scenic views to the well-orchestrated service, Dorn’s delivered on its promise of a coastal fine dining experience. If you're in Morro Bay and looking for a brunch spot that feels just a touch more special, this one sails ahead of the rest.
Came on Super Bowl Sunday from arroyo grande and wanted some good pancakes for breakfast. Dorn's was recommended. Got seated at a great spot outside. Very good server. She recommended banana chocol…
Came on Super Bowl Sunday from arroyo grande and wanted some good pancakes for breakfast. Dorn's was recommended. Got seated at a great spot outside. Very good server. She recommended banana choc…
Came on Super Bowl Sunday from arroyo grande and wanted some good pancakes for breakfast. Dorn's was recommended. Got seated at a great spot outside. Very good server. She recommended banana chocol…
This restaurant serves great breakfast options, not salty or oily but delicately balanced for the best experience. The view of Morro Rock and the sounds of the seals add to the excitement. There is a…
This restaurant serves great breakfast options, not salty or oily but delicately balanced for the best experience. The view of Morro Rock and the sounds of the seals add to the excitement. There is…
This restaurant serves great breakfast options, not salty or oily but delicately balanced for the best experience. The view of Morro Rock and the sounds of the seals add to the excitement. There is…
Delicious food, super great customer service provided by Hannah. Clean environment. Hannah has great service with smile. It took me 3 hours to drive to this location and I will never regret it. T…
Delicious food, super great customer service provided by Hannah. Clean environment. Hannah has great service with smile. It took me 3 hours to drive to this location and I will never regret it. THA…
Delicious food, super great customer service provided by Hannah. clean environment. Hannah has great service with smile. It took me 3 hours to drive to this location and I will never regret it. THA…
The Food was cooked just how we requested. Dog friendly, even offering dog bowls. Strong mimosa . view of the ocean and the rock. Couldn't get much better!
Dorn Dorn Dorn, you don't disappoint. We had a fantastic new year's meal and dreamed of the deliciousness and had to come back the next morning for breakfast, um um um fantastic. Keep up the good w…
Cioppino was packed with seafood and could easily serve a few people. It was definitely a generous portion. \nSole was delicately cooked and the vegetables were a perfect accompaniment. \nClam cho…
best seafood on the central Coast.\nAnd don't let anyone tell you differently . came here 50 years ago with my parents. It was good then and it's still good now quality of the food and the servic…
The food at Dorn's is always fresh and well prepared. My server this morning was pleasant quick and accommodating as was the host. The scenic iconic location is a calming ambiance.
Our go-to breakfast place. The omelettes are fantastic. Great variety, big and chock full. Great service, kind people, clean, classy ambiance. Cool bar. We've eaten indoors and out. Great views fro…
Very pleasant decor. Service is excllent. I like the standard menu items, but not the chef's specials which seem a bit weird. No need to jazz upfresh fish, stick to basics. For desert we loved the ic…
Very pleasant decor. service is excllent. I like the standard menu items, but not the chef's specials which seem a bit weird. No need to jazz upfresh fish, stick to basics. For desert we loved the …
Fabulous place. Ambience is special, including great views of the rock. Plenty of really competent servers. Comfortable seating; not noisy. We were there for breakfast and I had one of the best …
Fabulous place. ambience is special, including great views of the rock. Plenty of really competent servers. Comfortable seating; not noisy. We were there for breakfast and I had one of the best …
Fabulous place. Ambience is special, including great views of the rock. Plenty of really competent servers. Comfortable seating; not noisy. We were there for breakfast and I had one of the best …
Service superior Best sourdough bread Award winning clam chowder Halibut to die for, a view of the Rock Perfect Definitely well worth the price due to the quality Cocktails were delicious( I ha…
Great service and fantastic food, the staff were excellent and very accommodating. The food was great, the sole I recommend. Lovely views over the bay too
Great service and fantastic food, the staff were excellent and very accommodating. The food was great, the sole I recommend. Lovely views over the bay too
Great service and fantastic food, the staff were excellent and very accommodating. The food was great, the sole I recommend. Lovely views over the bay too
We had an excellent breakfast at Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay: the pancakes were delicious, and we especially liked the buckwheat pancakes with blueberries. The classic butterm…
We had an excellent breakfast at Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe in Morro Bay: the pancakes were delicious, and we especially liked the buckwheat pancakes with blueberries. The classic buttermilk pan…
We recently visited Morro Bay to attend my 40th high school reunion and enjoyed brunch at Dorn’s, a local favorite. The seafood omelette and pancakes were fresh and delicious. The service was promp…
A cut above the standard diner experience. Professional wait staff, crisply dressed. Nice interior and exterior facilities. Diverse breakfast options meant that everyone in our party was happy. Nic…
Fantastic dinner from martinis to fish to lemon cheesecake dessert. Fresh, well prepared food. Great atmosphere. I keep coming back and is always a great experience.
This is a wonderful seafood restaurant. The food is excellent and there is much to choose from. They also include delicious sourdough bread like the old days. Restaurants that don't provide brea…
This is a wonderful seafood restaurant. The food is excellent and there is much to choose from. They also include delicious sourdough bread like the old days. Restaurants that don't provide b…
The restaurant was recommended by the locals as great seafood. The menu provides a good selection of appetizers, soups and salads and seafood entrees. The servers are helpful and friendly. T…
Had a lovely lunch on their outside terrace. Great setting above the main front in an elevated position. Began with warm sourdough bread and whipped butter which was so good. Had a blackened fish…
Yeah well ok, honest review.... Was recommended this place by locals and others. Good service nice upscale ambience. Food was good not great. Had the dry aged New York steak and wife had the lobster. The veggie (broccolini) and carrot was undercooked the steak was cooked nicely but lacked flavor and was dry. The lobster was pretty good. All in not bad but not great, kinda wished we'd gone elsewhere? I'm no chef but do better at home.
A favorite and perhaps best breakfast in Morro Bay. Atmosphere is unmatched. Best views from your table in entire county. Staff always friendly and attentive. Menu remains the same and reliably standard but I have found that the quality of certain elements varies noticeably with each visit. Hash browns seem to often be cooked ahead and rebrowned to almost dried out. Anyway, been a regular here for 40 years and likely to continue as such.
Came for an early dinner and enjoyed the spectacular sunset. Snapper with veggies and potatoes tasty but a little under seasoned. Clam chowder was great - very thick and flavorful. Would come again.
Location;Good, Parking; Okay, Service; Good, Seating; Indoor and Outdoor, Price for food received; decent , Overall; First time try, was very happy with my breakfast meal. Coffee was good, Mediterranean Omelette was very good (ask for mushrooms as they added to the mix) as well as their fresh muffins. I will go back again...
We visited Dorn's Café for breakfast and had a mixed experience, though overall it was positive! First Visit: We were seated right away, which was a great start. The service stood out as exceptional—every employee, from bussers to servers to runners, was incredibly attentive. Dirty plates, empty glasses, or unattended tables simply didn’t exist. Everyone worked together seamlessly, which created a welcoming and efficient atmosphere. The food itself was good, with massive portions. However, the pancakes didn’t live up to the hype. They were advertised as an “80-year-old recipe,” but they had a grainy texture and weren’t sweet or enjoyable. Everything else we ordered, though, was satisfying. Second Visit: We loved the service so much on our first visit that we came back the next morning. The food was again decent, but unfortunately, the service wasn’t as stellar this time, likely due to having a different server. As for the food, the Denver omelet my partner ordered was disappointing—the green bell peppers were undercooked and still raw, which threw off the dish. I stuck to a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, country potatoes, and sourdough toast. While the bacon was fantastic—thick, flavorful, and generously portioned—the country potatoes weren’t as great as I’d hoped. I wish I had tried the hashbrowns instead. Final Thoughts: Despite some inconsistencies, we’d still recommend Dorn’s Café for a visit to Morro Bay. The service (on the first visit) was top-notch, and most of the food was enjoyable. Just be mindful of specific dishes like the pancakes or the Denver omelet, and if you’re in the mood for potatoes, maybe go for the hashbrowns!
Wonderful service and most of the food was delicious, however the scallops weren't cooked all of the way through, I have never had scallops cooked only on one side in 60 years! Let the lovely server know and they refired them exactly the same way and it was obvious the chef had given the poor girl a hard time about it, real let down to an other wise perfect meal!
Experience was great! Seating was full so we sat at the bar. Which I prefer. The conversations with people are part of that great experience. Bar tender very good and some strong drinks, we like very much. We had the oyster on the half and the swordfish. Best swordfish I have ever had. Definitely a must go to place.
Updated 2025-12-12 after a new visit: The service was excellent and the location cannot be beat. The seafood brochette was just as good as the last time. The sand dabs were noticably undercooked. There were a lot of flies and gnats, probably due to the open window right above our table. All in all, disappointing after how much we liked our last visit a year ago =========== Our prior review: This is a wonderful restaurant! The food was excellent and tasty and served piping hot, as it should be. The service was amazing, and we were very comfortable and satisfied. My wife had the crab Louis salad and I had the seafood brochette. Both were amazing! We also shared a copy of the clam chowder and it was excellent. Don’t miss this one!
Love this place. Service!! Food. 👍🏽 View!!! However, if you’re in the front near the “2-top” tables you can’t miss the the industrial jarring slam of the bar refrigeration doors. Unacceptable!!!! Easily fixed… please do it.
We had a great breakfast at Dorn's Breakers Cafe! The view of Morro Rock from the restaurant is absolutely amazing a perfect start to the day. The portions were huge and everything we ordered was delicious. I had the huevos rancheros, which were full of flavor, and my husband enjoyed the eggs Benedict. We also shared the special French toast, and it was delicious too. Overall, a great breakfast spot with good food and beautiful views. Highly recommend!
My husband and I had an amazing dinner here celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary. The staff was friendly and on top of everything, the atmosphere was nice but nothing too stuffy or fancy. It’s overlooking the water and iconic Morro Bay Rock, with outdoor patio seating and an abundance of window views from inside. There’s also a full bar, and the cocktail and wine list has a nice variety. We had the calamari appetizer which was perfectly and lightly battered. It came with what seemed like house-made Cocktail sauce and tartar sauce. The freshness really makes a difference. For main courses, I had the scallops and my husband had the clam linguine. It’s hard to say which one I liked better! The portions were generous and everything was so delicious. I was shocked at how many clams were in the linguine dish! To finish, they gave us a celebratory Chocolate Mousse, also freshly made in house, and it was literally the perfect way to end the meal - so light and fluffy, but full of flavor! This is definitely our new favorite spot when we’re in town. The breakfast and lunch menus look great online too.
Great for special occasions. One star deducted for the fact that sometimes the steak is phenomenal and sometimes it's just ok. It's worth the risk, but it's a very pricy risk!
Great for special occasions. One star deducted for the fact that sometimes the steak is phenomenal and sometimes it's just ok. It's worth the risk, but it's a very pricy risk!
Dorn's has been a "go to eatery" here in Morro Bay for our family for over 30 years.\nThe food , service and location make in number one choice.\nDon't miss out !!
Been here once before and had an amazing view and experience. Decided to order take out and it was done within ten minutes, and for the calamari being $20 I expected a decent portion of food but wh…
Been here once before and had an amazing view and experience. Decided to order take out and it was done within ten minutes, and for the calamari being $20 I expected a decent portion of food but wh…
Still coming back for the margaritas and view. The ambiance is just amazing. The sourdough is the best. Tried the clam chowder again and it's gotten better. Dunk it with the sourdough and it's perf…
Super clean, great food, great service, wonderful view. I ordered a scramble that was YUM- spinach, ground beef, onions, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms. The English muffin was to die for. So buttery, …
Mixed feelings about Dorn's. Was seated promptly, outside by request. server Alicia was pleasant & could answer all my questions. Biggest issue was that there wasn't that much I could eat on the me…
Pros: The decor and atmosphere inside Dorns was very nice. A touch of class with the white cloth napkins. A great view of the rock and bay. Nice outside seating. Friendly staff. Our meal consist…
Pros: The decor and atmosphere inside Dorns was very nice. A touch of class with the white cloth napkins. A great view of the rock and bay. Nice outside seating. Friendly staff. Our meal consist…
The view, food and service was outstanding. The steamers are the best I’ve had. The broth is flavorful and the clams are well infused with flavor. Fresh sourdough bread is plentiful. Then there i…
It was a pleasant environment with seating outside with a wonderful view. I got the seafood omelette that had REAL crab! Our server Emily was really kind. My only feedback is that there were pieces of crab shell in the omelette as shown in the pics. Our server was wonderful and offered to bring me another omelette and take it off my check. I would still visit to eat at this place. I just hope they would be careful when dealing with real crab. Thank you for the food!
How can they charge $40. For a fish dinner and throw a whole potato on your plate? Husband had the rice..also we both had the potatoe crusted halibut.. what happened? Mine was white raw hash browns and his was crusted… think this place is going down hill😔I’d like to see them try to serve this meal to the Hollywood stars on the wall!
This restaurant looks nice and fancy. Of course pricey about close to 50 bucks for pancake and omelette and hot choco I would not mind paying high price if the food taste great and great service. But ordered a pancake and eggs. You cant go wrong with eggs but the pancake was undercook. Doesnt taste good at all. Theres only 1 server and 1 guy refills the coffee and 1 guy just watch and chat with the server . I have to get up to ask for catsup. My partner order an omelette I tried I dont like the taste either. So I will not be coming back to this restaurant.
I ordered the denver omlette with sourdough toast. Unfortunately, the omlette was too greasy for me and the bread wasn't toasted, so I tried to soak up some of the grease with it. The server did ask if I wanted more toast but my husband had finished eating at that point and I didn't want to wait. Overall, an expensive waste of food. The mimosa was good though
Slow and pretty bad service. Server served breads to everyone around us, some people even came in after us and he simply ignored us even though he told us he will serve us bread. Was told to wait for 20 mins for a seating, we only get seated around 40 mins. Food was medicore at best, we had much better seafood in other places and cheaper pricing. I think overall experience was ruined because of the bad services. This place will treat their regulars like royalty but other customers are non existence. Never want to come here again, I get better service from drive through than here.
Tried 3 times to eat here, Seafood platter, shrimp Louie, fish & chips, awful 😱 even the ranch, tartar sauce & cocktail sauce were nasty & what is that vinegar purple cabbage 🤨. Took forever to place order & get it. Order is always wrong, portion small, greasy. Ask for hot sauce, was told they don’t have any ( other tables have 3 kinds! )Waitstaff disappears, the only efficient staff was the “buser/drink” staff 🤘🏻. I’M DONE
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801 Market Ave, Morro Bay, CA 93442
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801 Market Ave, Morro Bay, CA 93442
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