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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Easygoing, venerable cafe offering American breakfast & lunch staples plus patio seating.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 4405 El Mar Dr, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 769-1764
Website: http://www.elmarcafe.com/
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Located in the charming beachside town of Laurderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, El Mar Cafe is a restaurant owned by a former server that worked 25 years in the …
El Mar Cafe | Lauderdale By The Sea
4405 El Mar Drive, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL. Directions to this Restaurant. Open for breakfast and lunch – breakfast served all day!
Reviews
Evelyn Faye Smith
Curb appeal is just ok compared to the other trendy looking spots but it is actually a solid spot. Food is good. The biscuit is nothing special though and doesnt look big and fluffy. The eggs, ham and potatoes were prepared well and can hold a candle any other breakfast spot. Compliments to the chef! I loved the background music! Feels intimate and cozy. Less touristy feeling and more small town diner. The restaurant is clean but feels a little small. Bathroom is clean. Customer service was good. Prices are good! Overall, no frills. We would definitely return though!
… moreTony Montesano
Good spot for breakfast or lunch. Many options all of which we had were plentiful and tasty.
… moreJay Brown
We moved to this area three years ago and El Mar Cafe is our go to breakfast restaurant. We walk there from our condo most days during the weeks we are in town. Their breakfasts are fresh, top quality, and delicious. Their serving stuff are the most friendly we have encountered in Fort Lauderdale. This is a very special place and my wife and I strongly recommend it!
… moreZab Eton
This is a great place for a nice breakfast.
The people working here are very nice. The service is good. But I gave four stars because it was too noisy.
All condiments (salt, pepper, hot sauce, sugar, etc.) are right there on the table, so you don’t have to wait.
The breakfast burrito was very good. I was impressed.
Good coffee and nice mimosas.
Recommend. I will be visiting again.
Saluté
… moreThe people working here are very nice. The service is good. But I gave four stars because it was too noisy.
All condiments (salt, pepper, hot sauce, sugar, etc.) are right there on the table, so you don’t have to wait.
The breakfast burrito was very good. I was impressed.
Good coffee and nice mimosas.
Recommend. I will be visiting again.
Saluté
Sreeni Sharma
My wife and I stopped here for a brunch on the last day of our trip.
I ordered the 3 French toast, topped with bananas and whipped cream, side of berries, and a toasted biscuit ( no gravy)..can keep eating that whole day long.
One of the best brunches i have ever had.
Great staff and very attentive staff.
My wife ordered the omelet with Jalapeños in it…..yummy!!!
… moreI ordered the 3 French toast, topped with bananas and whipped cream, side of berries, and a toasted biscuit ( no gravy)..can keep eating that whole day long.
One of the best brunches i have ever had.
Great staff and very attentive staff.
My wife ordered the omelet with Jalapeños in it…..yummy!!!
Blake Vura
Unfortunately, this experience fell far short of expectations. My wife and I, along with friends visiting from out of town, were genuinely looking forward to dining at your restaurant based on the positive reviews we had read. Regrettably, those reviews did not reflect the service we received.
Upon arrival, we were informed of an estimated 15-minute wait. While we understood the restaurant was busy, the actual wait time was closer to 40 minutes. When we were finally seated, we encountered our first disappointment: despite requesting a table, we were placed in a booth clearly designed for two people. To avoid further delay, we accepted the seating and attempted to make the best of the situation.
The service issues continued immediately thereafter. We waited approximately 15 minutes before being acknowledged by a member of the wait staff. When our server finally arrived, we were prepared to place at least our drink order and our two year old’s meal to minimize his wait time. However, midway through ordering, we were told to “hold on,” and the server then disappeared for an additional 20 minutes.
Once we were finally able to place our full order, we specifically requested that our child’s meal be expedited. This request was not honored. During this prolonged wait, several tables that were seated after us many with larger parties were able to order, receive their meals, dine, and leave before our food was ever served. While we recognize the restaurant was busy, basic service standards dictate that priority be given to guests seated earlier.
Due to the lack of communication and excessive delay, I approached the hostess to ask if she had any insight into the situation, particularly since she was frequently moving between the front of the restaurant and the kitchen. Her response was shockingly rude and unprofessional. She dismissively stated, “Have patience, look it’s busy and you’re not the only table.” At all times prior to this interaction, I remained respectful toward every staff member.
The overall experience reflected not only significant understaffing but also a troubling lack of professionalism and customer service especially given the premium pricing along with added service fees for sub-par food. This establishment appears to be operating at full capacity financially while failing to adequately staff or manage guest expectations. Until meaningful improvements are made in staffing, service management, food, and employee conduct, we will not be returning. DO BETTER!!!
… moreUpon arrival, we were informed of an estimated 15-minute wait. While we understood the restaurant was busy, the actual wait time was closer to 40 minutes. When we were finally seated, we encountered our first disappointment: despite requesting a table, we were placed in a booth clearly designed for two people. To avoid further delay, we accepted the seating and attempted to make the best of the situation.
The service issues continued immediately thereafter. We waited approximately 15 minutes before being acknowledged by a member of the wait staff. When our server finally arrived, we were prepared to place at least our drink order and our two year old’s meal to minimize his wait time. However, midway through ordering, we were told to “hold on,” and the server then disappeared for an additional 20 minutes.
Once we were finally able to place our full order, we specifically requested that our child’s meal be expedited. This request was not honored. During this prolonged wait, several tables that were seated after us many with larger parties were able to order, receive their meals, dine, and leave before our food was ever served. While we recognize the restaurant was busy, basic service standards dictate that priority be given to guests seated earlier.
Due to the lack of communication and excessive delay, I approached the hostess to ask if she had any insight into the situation, particularly since she was frequently moving between the front of the restaurant and the kitchen. Her response was shockingly rude and unprofessional. She dismissively stated, “Have patience, look it’s busy and you’re not the only table.” At all times prior to this interaction, I remained respectful toward every staff member.
The overall experience reflected not only significant understaffing but also a troubling lack of professionalism and customer service especially given the premium pricing along with added service fees for sub-par food. This establishment appears to be operating at full capacity financially while failing to adequately staff or manage guest expectations. Until meaningful improvements are made in staffing, service management, food, and employee conduct, we will not be returning. DO BETTER!!!
Michael Jimenez
If you’re looking for beach vibes, outdoor seating and delicious breakfast? This is the place. It was so good! Everything was freshly made to order. The pancakes were thick and fluffy. I definitely recommend and will be back again on my next motorcycle ride!
… moreMaria C. Vidal
Unacceptable Hostess Conduct and Poor Service Experience
Unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing, primarily due to the hostess’s rude and dismissive attitude, combined with visibly poor service caused by understaffing.
While it was evident that the servers were overwhelmed and doing their best under difficult circumstances, the delays were excessive. We waited approximately 30 minutes to be seated and an additional 25 minutes before receiving drinks—one of which was forgotten entirely for our baby. After that, we experienced a prolonged wait just to place our food order, followed by continued delays with no communication or updates.
Throughout this time, we remained patient, respectful, and empathetic, fully acknowledging that it was a busy day and the restaurant was crowded. However, it became increasingly frustrating to observe at least two tables that were seated after us place their orders, receive their meals, and leave before we had even been served our food.
After being in the restaurant for over an hour, my husband calmly approached the hostess to ask for clarification regarding our order and to point out the situation. Her response was unprofessional and inappropriate. She replied with visible annoyance, told him they were busy and that he needed to be patient, and then walked away without any attempt to acknowledge our concerns or offer assistance.
At no point did we feel heard or respected. A more thoughtful response—one that demonstrated basic courtesy, acknowledgment, and grace—could have significantly changed the outcome of this experience. Unfortunately, her behavior overshadowed the efforts of the rest of the staff and ultimately ruined our breakfast and the time we had planned to spend there.
While the food itself was acceptable, it is not worth the poor service or having our day negatively impacted by a rude and disrespectful employee. Due to this experience, we will not be returning. This individual would benefit greatly from additional customer service training or reassignment to a role that does not directly impact guests or her fellow staff members.
… moreUnfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing, primarily due to the hostess’s rude and dismissive attitude, combined with visibly poor service caused by understaffing.
While it was evident that the servers were overwhelmed and doing their best under difficult circumstances, the delays were excessive. We waited approximately 30 minutes to be seated and an additional 25 minutes before receiving drinks—one of which was forgotten entirely for our baby. After that, we experienced a prolonged wait just to place our food order, followed by continued delays with no communication or updates.
Throughout this time, we remained patient, respectful, and empathetic, fully acknowledging that it was a busy day and the restaurant was crowded. However, it became increasingly frustrating to observe at least two tables that were seated after us place their orders, receive their meals, and leave before we had even been served our food.
After being in the restaurant for over an hour, my husband calmly approached the hostess to ask for clarification regarding our order and to point out the situation. Her response was unprofessional and inappropriate. She replied with visible annoyance, told him they were busy and that he needed to be patient, and then walked away without any attempt to acknowledge our concerns or offer assistance.
At no point did we feel heard or respected. A more thoughtful response—one that demonstrated basic courtesy, acknowledgment, and grace—could have significantly changed the outcome of this experience. Unfortunately, her behavior overshadowed the efforts of the rest of the staff and ultimately ruined our breakfast and the time we had planned to spend there.
While the food itself was acceptable, it is not worth the poor service or having our day negatively impacted by a rude and disrespectful employee. Due to this experience, we will not be returning. This individual would benefit greatly from additional customer service training or reassignment to a role that does not directly impact guests or her fellow staff members.
Gary Rodriguez
We truly enjoyed our visit to El Mar Cafe. The staff is very attentive and kind and we felt very much at home. The food was delicious and freshly made. The pricing was very reasonable. The restaurant was immaculate and organized, very clean. The warm nature of the staff was a welcome relief from the average eatery. They engaged in friendly conversations and ensured toy we’re comfortable. We highly recommend El Mar Cafe!
… moreJamie Wojciechowski
What a great spot in Lauderdale by the Sea for breakfast. Very cozy spot with amazing service and food.
I ordered 2 pancakes and totally loved my pancakes, so fluffy and tasty. My partner ordered the 2 French Toast and enjoyed the platter also.
Totally going back.
… moreI ordered 2 pancakes and totally loved my pancakes, so fluffy and tasty. My partner ordered the 2 French Toast and enjoyed the platter also.
Totally going back.