Serving South Lake Tahoe since 1968, Ernie’s Coffee Shop is a family-owned breakfast and lunch diner known for classic American comfort food, fresh coffee, and friendly service. Popular with locals and visitors alike, Ernie’s offers a cozy, mountain-inspired dining room and a sunny outdoor patio in summer. Our menu features hearty breakfasts, omelets, pancakes, burgers, and seasonal specials made with quality ingredients. Conveniently located near Lake Tahoe and Heavenly, Ernie’s remains a South Lake Tahoe staple for over 50 years—proudly local, always welcoming, and committed to great food and hospitality.
With a cabinlike exterior & laid-back vibe this coffee shop welcomes diners for breakfast & lunch.
Syn Janet Montoya
This dish is pure brunch perfection. From the first bite, it delivers a rich, indulgent balance of flavors and textures that feels both comforting and elevated. The eggs are perfectly poached silky whites with a golden, velvety yolk that cascades beautifully over the dish. The hollandaise is luxuriously smooth, buttery, and seasoned just right, with a gentle kick of paprika that adds warmth without overpowering.
The avocado brings a fresh, creamy contrast, while the tomato adds a bright pop of acidity that cuts through the richness flawlessly. Beneath it all, the base is crisp on the outside yet tender inside, providing the perfect foundation for everything layered on top.
And let’s not ignore the crispy hash browns on the side golden, crunchy, and absolutely addictive. They round out the plate and make this a truly satisfying meal.
Every element feels intentional, well-executed, and comforting in the best way. This is the kind of dish you think about long after the plate is empty worthy of a repeat visit and a top-tier recommendation.
… moreJennifer Villarreal
We enjoyed our food and experience so much, we ate here twice! Besides them offering vegan options, the food is really really good. My husband was jealous of my tofu scramble the first day, so we decided needed to come back so he could get it for himself! Also, if you’re an orange juice person, do yourself a favor and order the freshly squeezed orange juice. It’s one of the best I’ve had.
… moreStu Pidasso
Manager guy possibly the owner was kind of a creep. Right when I saw my hashbrowns I knew something didn’t look right. They tasted like raw potatoes, no seasoning no oil no butter just cooked a raw potato. Worst hashbrowns I’ve ever had in my life. Asked for the eggs on the huevos rancheros to be medium, and they were super runny. Overpriced like most Tahoe restaurants. Other than that food was midgrade at best. Server did a good job. They also put a flyer on the table that says if you give them a 5 star review, you get a free sticker so half these 5 star reviews are just because people probably want a free sticker.
… moreElizabeth Hullinger
The diner is cute. They boast a special roasted coffee that is specially blended for them by a local coffee shop. It was OK. Nothing special. The same could be said for their food. It was basic and bland. Reminded me of food I can make at home. The Belgian waffle was probably the best thing I had but the syrup could have been better. As a visitor to the area I was looking for a memorable dining experience. This place missed the mark.
… moreV A
I was searching around for cafes and breakfast places in the Lake Tahoe area. I came here and tried the coffee and egg benedict. It was delicious and suited my taste. The restaurant had quick and friendly service. Thank you, I will recommend Ernies Cafe to everyone.
… moreTracy Turner
Fantastic Food! Fantastic service, by Maria! All the staff is amazing from the hostess to the bus staff. It was worth every minute we waited on a busy Saturday morning but they’re very efficient. We’ll absolutely be back!! The toast was buttery all the way to the ends just as I like it.
… moreJasmin Sosa
Stellar experience! We ordered burgers & split a French toast order with some coffee to end our meal. Incredible selections, delicious food, and really wonderful service. Everyone was so kind and attentive. The food was awesome & we overheard many regulars get greeted by staff. Awesome family friendly vibe, with a little bit of a wait (we came over NYE week and waited 25 min), so not a bad wait & worth every penny. Smoothies are great, coffee is fresh and delicious, and the burgers were perfecttttt. They have a convenient wait system through Yelp that lets you see your place in line, tracks how long you’ve waited, and lets you browse the menu while you wait. Would highly recommend this spot!
… moreElysia Paxton
I have been in the restaurant industry for 10 years and can’t tell you how impressive Ernie’s is. We sat at the bar and the kitchen and counter area were so clean. The stainless steel was spotless and everything had its place because every team member knew exactly what to do. Their team was amazing and worked so well together. I don’t think we ever saw them stop moving. The food was amazing as well. Classic breakfast options that were executed perfectly with quick service. If we visit Tahoe again, we will be back!
… moreDiane Lawton
Great service. Good food. Friendly folks. Just feedback for the owners- they just bought new ketchup bottles. Not a good choice. Couldn’t get the ketchup out because it was too full. Tried all types of tricks, touching the cap to close it made me think of how many hands did the same. This did not affect my review. Would definitely come back and recommend the Green Acre scramble and the coffee is good and strong!
… moreTanuj Maheshwari
This breakfast spot offers an impressive selection of options, but it tends to be quite crowded. If you’re planning a large party, be prepared for a wait of 15 to 30 minutes for a table. However, if you’re dining for two, you’ll likely be seated much faster. The service was prompt and friendly, making it a highly recommended choice.
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