Deetjen’s Restaurant

This is the perfect California Big Sur coast restaurant to enjoy a breakfast.
We got there for a late breakfast, which was perfect. It was crowded on a Thursday, and I can only imagine it would be extremely busy on the weekend. By the time our food was served the place had quieted down.
The setting is magical.
The stuffed French toast and REAL maple syrup option is to die for.
The service was great and friendly; though our server kept making mistakes. We rolled with the punches and all laughed at the circumstances.
I have been here many times. It’s a tradition when visiting big sur.
Enjoy

California Historic Charm. This is the best breakfast in all of California — if not the states. This historic treasure is one of my favorite things about Big Sur. You have a relaxed vibe that allows you to feel the energy of Big Sur as it used to be, kind people, locals, and delicious food. The coffee is good. It’s perfectly cozy — especially if you are lucky enough to sit by the fire. I have enjoyed meals with friends or my wife… and have equally enjoyed eating alone over a delicious home cooked feeling meal & a book. It’s a place to relax. Slow down. Enjoy. It feels like a welcoming home of a grandparent that loves to collect antiques and fill your body with love in the form of food.

We never even got a chance to go in! We tried to park and we were directed by an employee that it was OK to park on the far corner of the parking area parallel to Hwy 1. My wife gets out of our truck and instantly gets verbally abused by some old hippy and starts insulting the worker that told us it was ok to park in that spot. We were going to move our truck but then we got another old hippy lady told us to move and park down the side road next to Hwy 1.
That was enough for us so we decide to vote with our dollars and went to another restaurant. We were hard for our dollar and seems like these people have more business than they can handle!!! Never will go back!!!

We had breakfast there and it was perfect. They had a high chair for our daughter and they sat us next to the fireplace. The food was perfect — huevos vegetarian and eggs Benedict with turkey and avocado. Tip: the restaurant is in the building where they have the office, just as you enter.

Big Sur —
NO CELL PHONE SERVICE
— Located just south of Nepenthe. Driving South — will be on left hand side. So, Will have to make left and cross lane to access parking.
We first saw and passed it… had to make a u turn and drive Northbound to ease into limited lot.
Breakfast:
½ order Eggs Benedict w ham, House Potatoes, fruit.
* 85 Percent of the full order price. Difference 1 vs. 2 Benedict.
* I wanted to be classic as possible hence ham and egg as it should be done.
* Hollandaise sauce — next to the perfectly cooked egg that popped like a zit when I poked it spewing it’s beautiful yolk, the Hollandaise sauce…
Tasted like it had a mystery ingredient, maybe sour cream… very light, flavorful with no «tang» which I find to be common with other places I’ve tried.
It could be a nice dipping sauce. I’m on the fence to call it hollandaise sauce vs. calling it the best I’ve had.
* Ham, average. English muffin, average.
* Feedback — a slice of toast on the side is imparitive but not provided to soak up the yolk and hollandaise.
* House Potatoes — AMAZING — Perfect, I mean perfectly seasoned. Perfectly cooked. Cooked below a slight crunch. Where you’re eating the potatoes not some soft, potential mash or fried borderline hash.
* Single Blueberry pancake — Big but nothing special.
* Coffee — tasty, cream and nice rock sugar provided.
* Fresh apple juice — Delicious.
Next Item: 2 eggs (scrambled), house potatoes, chose apple chicken sausage (medium size) link and two slices of toast.
* I’d pass on the scramble eggs — they were dry and nothing special.
* Chicken Apple Sausage, not bad. Probably better than the other carnivorous options.
* Toast — tasted better once it came out because it was warm. I pirated a slice to help with my yolk and hollandaise: D
Service: Female server and young lady refilling coffee were top shelf, excellent staff!
Interior: Electic, homely, something for everyone and should be experienced at least once in person.
Tip: Arrived Saturday morning at 8:30 and was given choice of where to seat as many tables were open.
We sat next to fireplace! Perfect on a foggy morning.
By 9:00 they were slammed, all tables taken, same wait list for guests and non-​guests.
* NO Wifi so NO Check In’s
* Quite modern and very clean restroom.
* Parking limited — we passed by and had to make a U-​turn.

Dinner was fair. $ 42 Filet Mignon left quite a bit to be desired. I was anticipating a farm to table Big Sur experience, it really just was not great. However, the ambiance is exactly what you’d expect. Charming, old Big Sur a roaring fireplace, dimly lit with bohemian eclectic décor. The hostess and server were warm and accommodating. The wine selection was great.
I would definitely try it again for breakfast, the reviews of breakfast seem to be glowing, that may be their better Meal. I might do drinks fireside also but would probably pass on dinner.

Wow! The breakfasts are wonderful. We loved this place. The food was excellent, well-​prepared, and delicious. The portions are generous and the service is terrific.
The best part is the bulding itself. It’s a charming nod to the history of Big Sur. The place is candle lit. There’s a real, wood fireplace. The walls and ceiling are beautiful redwood. The decorations only enhance the comfy feeling.
We enjoyed it so much, we were back again the next morning. It’s a beautiful place inside and out. It’s truly a treasure that should not be missed.

There really aren’t enough great things to say about Deetjen’s. We’ve come here time after time, and every time the food is absolutely perfect. From the appetizers to the dessert, from the wine to the seasoning, everything is absolutely unforgettable. It’s not often in life one can enjoy the perfect meal, and it’s even more rare to have that experience repeated, but as far as food goes, Deetjen’s has yet to disappoint. I would wholeheartedly recommend it, especially for couples!

Delicious food and lovely candle lit atmosphere.
However the hostess bizarrely told my partner (who is black) and I that she couldn’t seat us at a table last Monday night even though the place was half empty because all the empty tables were reserved. At first we felt ok about eating at the bar, but then watched three white couples without reservations get tables after us (including one couple who just came for dessert).
Usually I’m pretty comfortable sitting at a bar but at Deetjen’s the height difference between the bar and the stools was rather uncomfortable. The hostess also wouldn’t let us sit in the middle of the small bar, and made us pick either end because she said she had more people coming, which also never happened.
The rest of the restaurant is lovely and quiet and intimate but the bar also functions as the work station for the servers, where they grind and make coffee, bring food in and out of the kitchen through a swinging door, and where the hostess answers the phone and checks in guests for the inn as well as the restaurant. So we (the only people of color in the restaurant that night) were forced to eat in this hectic uncomfortable bar corner of the restaurant, while half the restaurant remained empty. I’m also seven months pregnant, which makes her decision even to put us in this uncomfortable seating even more bizarre.
The hostess actually came over at the end of our meal and said that she realized she could have given us a table, but we were almost finished and there was no point in asking for a switch. She did have plenty of time to come over earlier during our multi-​course meal to offer us a table but didn’t…
My partner is a very sweet and positive person and made sure we spent our dinner focused on each other, so we still had a good time, but I’m posting this in hopes that they won’t do this again to other people.

Will never go here again.
Service was incredibly rude. We made a reservation well over two months in advance for our anniversary dinner. In attendance was myself, husband and our 1 ½ old son. Upon making reservations we indicated that we would have our son in attendance with us, and we were told it was alight. Kids are welcome– that’s not the case.
About halfway into our dinner the manager came to our table to tell us that we needed to bring our son into the parking lot because other guests were complaining about the noises he was making. Really? It was embarrassing and plain rude. My husband and I both work at restaurants in Chicago and came to Deetjens for tradition, because we loved it there so much. That said, as a waitress I would NEVER go up to a table and rudely ask them to take their child to the parking lot because other tables are complaining.
As a waitress, when said situation arises this is what I would I do:
I buy the table complaining a round of drinks. I apologize for the noise of the nearby table. I smile nicely and say «I’m sorry for the noise. I’m sure you remember what it’s like to be a kid. Furthermore, I’m sure you remember what it’s like to be a parent just trying to eat dinner too. They will be gone soon. Let them enjoy their meal. «
Not only did this establish discriminate against my family and myself, they lost a loyal customer.

OH MY! The best eggs Benedict! I was truly amazed with each bite! My fiancé & I shared the eggs Benedict spinach, tomato & chicken sausage (recommend the sausage!) and blueberry pancakes! I loved the eggs Benedict more but he loved the pancakes more! We actually came because somebody recommended the blueberry pancakes.
Anyway, the ambiance makes it all! I was in love with just being in this place! Low ceilings make it feel so warm and cozy, every table is different and so many decorations truly makes it feel unique!
GO HERE!

I would recommend reservations. My husband and I didn’t make reservations, but luckily we had an early dinner so there were seats available.
Food was delicious. Got their prawns & Calamari salad… so fresh and tasty.
Rack of lamb was also very delicious… There were only 2 racks and I really wished there was more… so good. The sauce wasn’t as delicious, but I ate around it =P
Husband got their steak of some sort and it was cooked really well too.
Overall, very impressed with food. Staff was super friendly as well :)

Stayed her a couple nights in big sur for spring break. What a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle. No wifi. No tv. No phone. Just a nice tranquil spot on the coast. We had breakfast here our first night. The cute antique restaurant went right along with the cottage we stayed in. I ordered the 2 egg breakfast, coffee and a order of French toast. I enjoyed every bit of the French toast with REAL maple syrup. A very hearty breakfast to start the day.

This was my favorite spot to eat while staying in Big Sur. Came for the breakfast as soon as they opened and there was already a line at 8am. Service was still quick and and eggs Benedict was yummy. The atmosphere is so quaint and cozy, would definitely return.

Welcome to Deetjen’s, Big Sur, California.
Home of the World’s Greatest Eggs Benedict.
This is THE meal you want before a big day in Big Sur and not a single day has passed in the two weeks since I ate here that I haven’t thought about that spinach, mushroom, and veggie sausage benny. I would make the drive from SF to Big Sur every weekend if I had a driving partner to split the gas and pass the time with.
Truly one of the best meals I’ve had in YEARS… and I eat like, almost every day. Of course most of what I eat is hot garbage, but this was without a doubt the most exceptional breakfast I’ve ever had in my life. The hollandaise was unlike any i’ve ever had. It was tangy and I know I’m totally off base but I felt like there was the tiniest skosh of passionfruit or mango or something that sounds like it might not belong but by the power of the heavens above it does and you will know it at first bite.
The only minor neg would be that parking in front is minimal and backing out is not my favorite activity but the entire Deetjen’s property is precious as f*ck and the service here could not have been more on point if I were paying the server’s mortgage myself.
And those roasted potatoes… only roasted potatoes I’ve ever had that were A. not drier than California, and B. spiced to perfection.
I left my heard at Deetjen’s.

Staying at Deetjen’s Inn was the last night of our trip to Big Sur. I’ll keep the review of the restaurant and the Inn separate.
Long story short, I got food poisoning. The fresh fish special this last weekend was Ono (Wahoo) and being a fan of seafood I was eager to see what the highly Unilocal reviewed Deetjen’s could do.
I should have said something when my food came out or I REALLY should have stopped eating, but I didn’t do either, I finished the meal. The inside of the fish was not just rare, it was quite cold. I know the fish isn’t local and it’s frozen for transport and that seared tuna gets the same treatment and then I thought, «This place is reviewed so well, I’m probably wrong.» Unfortunately my hopes were incorrect and that night I started getting stomach pains which made it really hard to sleep. In the morning I was doing laps to the bathroom and by noon I had a fever, chills, the works. It rreeeaaaallllyyy sucked, I wanted to have the same blanket, awesome review for this place that everyone else had, but it wasn’t to be. So yeah, don’t get the fish.
The last bug about the food was the dessert, I ordered the Crème Brulee. Crème Brulee is another one of the things I order automatically if it’s on the menu, like mussels, or Eggs Benedict. I love it. Well, it was either mass produced or had been frozen just prior, but I think it’s the former. Anyway, Crème Brulee has a torched sugar top and the custard shouldn’t be refrigerator cold, it should be room temperature. The whole thing, sugar top to custard was really cold. So you could tell it wasn’t anything special and the taste confirmed that. That was a let down. For the price and reviews I certainly assumed they’d at least torch the top or run it through a broiler just before serving.
My partner enjoyed her meals and didn’t get sick, but my experience was a massive disappointment leaving me with a 6 hour, food poisoning accented drive home. I could’ve definitely done without that and I’d take all the other reviews with a grain of salt. I was ready to join the bandwagon, I really wanted to, but wow… food poisoning, uggghhh.

A completely charming restaurant to grab a hearty breakfast before a long day of hiking and exploring in Big Sur. I came here with my husband while visiting Big Sur for our honeymoon, and this was the perfect stop for breakfast! Thanks, Unilocal,for the suggestion!
The service here was pretty good, and the staff were friendly. A few locals came in to read the paper and have coffee at the coffee bar, so you know this place is more than just a tourist stop. I ordered the huevos con chorizo and the portion was HUGE. So delicious though, and I ate every bite of my eggs! The chorizo was a little spicy and extremely flavorful. The potatoes were a little under-​cooked and large, but they were still very good. My date ordered the eggs benedict with bacon, ham, and spinach (make your own so you get to choose your toppings!). Everything was cooked very well, but the hollandaise had a little too much lemon juice in it. Overall, the food was good, especially for the portion size and the price.
The décor in this restaurant feels like you’re in your grandma’s home. It was so cozy and very inviting. One thing I didn’t like though was that there were several flies buzzing around outside and a few of them were coming into the dining room. It was very distracting while we were trying to eat, so we moved further indoors and it was much better. Overall, I would come here again for breakfast!

This place is super cute. Go there for a countryside experience where every room is small and cozy (those people over six feet three, you may watch out for the ceiling when you walk in!)
shared two dishes with my friend:
Stuffed French toast with raspberry cream cheese and berries — pretty heavy dish. May want to go light on that whip cream. My stomach felt a bit upset afterwards, especially for us lactose intolerant Asian stomachs
Eggs Benedict with chicken sausage and avocado — very solid. Loved the chicken sausage and eggs are cooked just right.

Went for breakfast a couple of weeks ago with a huge crowd after our camping trip ended early due to rain.
The food was really good. Service was pretty good but it wasn’t always easy to flag down a waitress when we needed one.
Prices are fairly high, but the quantity and quality are both very good so it’s hard to complain.
I’d absolutely go back if I find myself back in the area.

Deetjen’s is a rustic and eclectic hidden gem with delicious food, great ambiance and super sweet staff. Right on highway 1 and nestled on the Big Sur Inn grounds, this place is a perfect stop for anyone camping, day tripping or passing through Big Sur.
We came for breakfast before a day trip in the area. What a way to start a beautiful day of sight seeing in Big Sur! Everything I ate was perfection. The huevos con chorizo were a huge plate with lots of goodies to make breakfast tacos-​highly recommended to share. They are famous for their chicken apple sausage, so we tried a side of that, and it was fantastic. We also had 1 blueberry pancake, because it was vacation! It was great, not undercooked and had some crispy edges. Between 2 people, all that was an excessive amount of food but a great sampling of their menu.
They are only open for breakfast and dinner, closing in the middle of the day.
Take a walk around the resort and check out the large redwoods that were miraculously saved from the fire, the cabins are available for rent but you have to book months out.
Final and most important tip: If you have a party of 6+ ask to be in the back room and ask for Laura to be your waitress, you will not be sorry.