An amazing bday and 1st time experience here eating. Our waitress was amazing didn't get a name but she brought me a bday pancake to celebrate and it make my morning. Such a cool eclectic place and also got a souvenir shirt. Also found it to be a historic site. So neat and will be back to eat again- maybe even stay (: read more

Deetjens Big Sur Inn - Bday pancake - Hotels Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Loved this place! Food was amazing and atmosphere was so Quaint. Will definitely be visiting again read more

We came back here 3 years later and it does not disappoint. Serving sizes are big and service is friendly. You have to get over the odd table locations but that is easy once you dig in. read more

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The inn itself is adorable. We stayed in the Castro canyon and it's adorable and so peaceful. If you walk up the road behind the cabin you get a beautiful view of the water as well. The restaurant is also great. Kinda pricey but some of the best food I got in California so it's worth it. I got the chicken which was so soft and my gf got the steak which she also enjoyed. Expect dinner to take 2+ hrs though. Breakfast was okay. Dinner is better. read more

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I have always wanted to come here due to the rich history (did you know Jim Morrison stayed here ?!) so I was thrilled when I recently got the chance to try out the breakfast while on a road trip with my sister. We had so much fun walking around the property and playing with the cats that we arrived after they are officially closed (noon). But they not only graciously allowed us to still order food but stay a whole hour! It's not just a cool vibe, friendly service but genuinely great food with generous portions. This place is good for the soul! read more

Deetjens Big Sur Inn - Grandpa himself! - Hotels Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Needed to stop here while in Big Sur because of its history however food was so delicious and fresh. Server was very attentive and constantly filled up our coffees and ambience was an entire treat on its own :p read more

Deetjens Big Sur Inn - Hotels Near Me - Big Sur, California

This venue was perfect. Cozy, intimate, amazing food and service on a last minute dinner. We were so thankful they were able to seat us @ the bar w/o a reservation. We are going back for brunch today. read more

Time for an updated review. This is specifically for the restaurant. Always upon walking in I'm greeted immediately. The staff is always very helpful. Be aware that this place is very busy during breakfast. It's packed and highly recommended to always make reservations. A few of my favorite things from the breakfast menu are. Eggs Benedict French toast Huevos rancheros The eggs Benedict is by far the best here. Their house made hollandaise sauce has just the right amount of lemon juice and seasoning. Perfect consistency in thickness. Highly recommended. French toast. The bread is evenly battered. You can taste a hint of vanilla extract in the batter. It's SO delicious. Huevos rancheros. Salsa is fresh. Eggs are cooked perfectly. Everything is the way it should be. I don't need to keep going on here. But let's. The decor is impressive and makes sense for the location and atmosphere. The seating is warming and home feeling. This place is NOT FOR KIDS. Please don't bring loud children ruining peoples dining experience. A lot of places in Big Sur actually have a no kids policy. So would I recommend this place? Yes. Breakfast is great. I'll write a separate review of the dinner. Enjoy! read more

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This place is one for the books. The property is incredible and the history within the journals are irreplaceable . The private hike and restaurant are well worth the investment. read more

The restaurant here was the best food we had in big sur. Really odd atmosphere with the decor which makes it fun, kind of a mix of old victorian and haunted mansion (in a good way)... with beautiful landscaping. Breakfast is incredible, and the dinner was very very good. Eggs benedict and stuffed french toast were the favorites. read more

Located in the heart of Big Sur , this restaurant features many choices and daily specials. Making a reservation is recommended, I tried the lamb chops with a side of Italian beans. Both very delicious . Although the food is good I found the service a little lacking and the prices a bit steep. read more

Deetjens Big Sur Inn - Lamb Chops - Hotels Near Me - Big Sur, California

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We found this place on Yelp and am very glad we went! I had breakfast here with my wife and 4 year old Izzy. The place still had Halloween decor but gave us a very Big Sur vibe inside. It felt like we were visiting our grandmas house with many fun antiques inside. Along with enjoying the detailed decor we thought the service was fantastic. The server was very friendly and the food was tasty. I recommend the buttermilk pancakes or the Huevos Rancheros. read more

Deetjens (inn and restaurant) is incomparably wonderful, yet it won't be for everyone. My wife and I loved our drizzly weekend stay in Upper Creek, which included so many highlights: the waterfall(ish) creek essentially in the backyard, the rustic room, the digital detox (this is the part many will see as either a positive or negative), the walk up the road behind to 'Helga's Bench' where a condor soared within just a few meters of us as we watched the coastline below, and more. We enjoyed an excellent breakfast and dinner (we had the paiai--it was more like a tasty bouillabaisse) in the quaint restaurant. Each time we walked the grounds a friendly kitty would accompany us for a bit. Can't recommend enough, for those seeking a bit of the past in the present. read more

This is such a bummer to write because the first time I stayed here was so awesome I wanted to come back! We booked the Van Gogh room and let me tell you if you plan on sleeping past 7:00 am this room is not for you. If you enjoy the revving of motorcycles, people hollering and car doors slamming for hours as well as hiking 1/2 a mile through the dark down a dirt road at night back to your room, definitely book this room. Our first surprise was the shared bathroom which if you read the fine print it says that but guess we missed that. There's no bath mat or sign that even says "please bring your bath mat" so the geniuses next to us flooded the bathroom with the shower every time leaving nice puddles for the middle of the night bathroom trips. Our next surprise was on our first morning motorcycles revving their engines at 7:00 am arriving to the restaurant with is directly across from the room. Another delightful amenity to the Van Gogh room is that for some unknown reason, they decided to create a parking spot RIGHT BENEATH your window. So we enjoyed the sounds of people yelling and slamming their doors beneath our window for a couple hours while we tried to sleep. Next perk was there are FOUR parking spots for all the rooms that are near the restaurant (including the one beneath our heads) . Am I crazy to think those four spots should be reserved for guests only? Nope. Anyone and everyone coming to the restaurant can park there. No special treatment for paying guests who have nowhere else to park. The restaurant literally has parking in front of it on the street (and in the far back) so there is really no reason it absolutely needs those 4 spots. Speaking of parking in the far back that's where we ended up parking when we came home later in the evening one night and the 4 parking spots were all taken by restaurant guests. So we enjoyed a lovely 1/4 mile walk with our phone flashlights down the dirt road carrying all of our stuff back to the room. Honestly the online communication was the best part of any of this. Whoever that was was friendly. Much friendlier than the girl server at the restaurant who couldn't spare ONE coffee mug for me when I asked since there are no mugs in the room. I was literally looking at the mugs lined up at the bar and she said they couldn't spare one. So when I found a dirty one outside I felt like a beggar who won the lottery and washed it myself so I could enjoy my coffee in a mug. It must have been different times back when I first visited. This was not the warm friendly place I remembered and I will stop raving about it to my friends now. read more

If you're lucky enough to visit the northern Cali coastline, Deetjens is a must! It has the rustic Big Sur charm combined with exceptional and creative dishes. It's a popular breakfast destination for eggs Benedict and French toast. But dinner is equally delicious. Best crab cakes ever! Definitely try the chef's specials. He has been the head chef for over a decade for a reason. So come hungry and cozy up to the fireplace and enjoy the quaint ambiance and gardens. read more

Amazing birthday breakfast, very romantic, quaint & special ~ the drive to Big Sur was so worth spending a couple of hours in the restaurant & their staff ~ thank you read more

The ambience was amazing. It felt like going to a warm house that's your friends house. It was amazing and great. The food was so good. I loved it. It's been a big hype up for a long time. I've been and I finally went definitely recommend! I am a local and just never took the time. I should have! read more

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Loved everything about this cozy little dinning place! We went for breakfast and had a sweet little table for two in the corner. Best romantic ambiance I've ever had for breakfast! We were greeted with a smile and the service just got better as the food was served. You must take a walk around the gardens! Very unique! read more

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Beautiful, quaint inn on the coast, with a restaurant and more. I like to take a drive and have a nice dinner with myself every once in awhile as a current singleton. Deetjens is just that kind of place that's a charming hidden gem in what is a long stretch of Pacific coastline. I didn't stay overnight, so I can't comment about the hotel other than it looks really nice to stay at, but the food at the restaurant was really good especially the crab cakes. read more

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Magic. Magical. Unreal. Amazing service. Even more amazing food. Get one of everything. It's all so good. Every bite was the best thing I've ever eaten. No kidding. Loved being there read more

Update: WTH?! Closed?! Noooooooo Came here way before COVID was a word everyone knew and are familiar with - this is totally a "#lategram". We were camping in the area and I deliberately didn't pack too much food so we could try out the eateries in the area that I've had bookmarked for years. We came here for the hot breakfast and we stayed for the beautiful creek and gorgeous flowers! The restaurant part looks like it used to be a house, and it felt just as homey. Walk ins were welcome. Also, we came early so there was no line -- although one side of the restaurant was already full so we were ushered through to another part of the building. Ordered tea and the pot of tea came with all the accoutrements: lemon, sugar cubes, honey, and milk. The Hollandaise sauce used on the eggs was great. The eggs were poached perfectly. The pancakes were yummy by itself, the butter was generous and the syrup was maple! Breakfast burrito was very good. The restroom is rustic and nice and is located out back. There is a very limited parking space at the front of the restaurant so we drove through the driveway and out to the back which was a blessed piece of serendipity! I can't explain how awesome the parking area is: you drive over a bridge over a creek to the dirt lot on the other side of the creek... surrounded by these giant trees. Whoa! While crossing the bridge, when we looked over towards the mountain the view took my breath away! Also on our walk to the restaurant, we were passing by the different rooms that are for rent at the inn. They looked like comfy wood cabins. If you're not into camping but still want to feel the rustic camping vive, Deetjen's is your place! read more

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Such a cute atmosphere, friendly service and amazing eggs benedict (I ordered the ham option)! Parking was a bit tight though.. snagged the last spot. read more

Summary (dinner): Food: 5 stars Service: 4.5 stars Ambience: 5 stars My wife and I have been visiting the Big Sur area at least once a year for 15 years and Deetjens was always high on our list of dinner spots, but timing and reservations hadn't quite worked out in the past. It's a smaller restaurant and weekends can be booked up. Also they only take phone reservations and you must talk to a host, not leave a message. No online reservations or confirmations. We booked a Saturday night on a holiday weekend (President's Day) way in advance and finally got there on a windy-rainy night. We were fortunate to be able to move up our reservations time by arriving just before opening and talking to the host. That was very helpful. We had planned to do dinner an hour after sunset, but that was not happening in the rain. We didn't want to wait 90 minutes. No menus online, so we didn't know quite what "simple, hearty cuisine" we'd get, or whether my wife's gluten free needs would be be met. (They were.). A cashier at Nepenthe's Phoenix gift shop highly recommended going with the nightly specials. We ordered a yummy poke-like raw tuna appetizer, an entree of paella (ands garlic bread to soak up juices) and an entree lamb shank (a special for that night). All the food was amazing, especially the lamb shank, which was super-tender and flavorful -- the best we've ever had. Our server was attentive and friendly. Food arrived in a good flow. The wood-burning fireplaces and vintage nick-knack decor in both dining rooms are warm and inviting -- a homey and romantic vibe that transports you back decades to a simpler time in Big Sur. During our visit, we noticed there were a few slight issues at tables around us. We weren't able to order the wine we wanted (a similar one was suggested and ordered at the same price). One table unexpectedly was served an appetizer with an allergy ingredient. Another table waited a long time for bread. But everything was corrected quickly. Can't wait to return, and to book a room, too, to be able to do breakfast. read more

Deetjen's is a must!!! Beautiful hotel grounds with the most charming restaurant. We came for breakfast and everything was delicious. read more

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Good food and cute cats. But hearing our neighbors having sex is a deal breaker. Walls are so thin we only got about two hours of sleep total. Parking is also extremely difficult. The guests from the restaurant take up most of it so that the guests staying at the inn have no parking. read more

The breakfast at this inn is truly UNMATCHED. I have not found another breakfast place like this (trust me, I've tried everything). It's definitely my favorite stop in Big Sur and I always try to make it in the morning. Everything is made in house and is delicious. Best quality, super buttery. Nothing like it anywhere else. The blueberry pancakes are fluffy heaven. read more

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The is the most quaint restaurant in the Big Sur area. Not just for food, also an inn! Although very popular for breakfast we visited for dinner. We shared the corn soup and beet salad. I had the lamp shanks and he had the short rib. VERY delicious! read more

I love this place! You will not get the amenities offered by most hotels but, for me, I'll trade those luxuries any day for the unique, historical ambiance and beautiful garden setting. This Inn is a place frozen in time. If you are a light sleeper choose your room carefully because walls are quite thin and you will hear your neighbor. Take a break from mass communication, read a book and breathe air exhaled by redwoods and ferns. read more

I have never stayed anywhere quite like Deetjans. I can't speak highly enough of this little rustic oasis off of highway 1. Has a charming Ma and Pa resort vibe. I stayed in the Van Gogh Room with a friend and we were more than comfortable. The property is a snap shot of history and so beautiful. Amazing lupines lining the hills and flowers hanging from the walls. Everyone we encountered was super friendly. Additionally the breakfast was AMAZING! I got the eggs Benedict and I would get it again a million times. Everything on the menu looked awesome. I want to bring my mom back here one day. Nothing but good things to say about this place. read more

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I would be remiss to not mention that our night started off very rocky. Parking was a b. The waitstaff seemed unprepared and took almost 15 minutes to take our drink order. With a four and two year, that 15minutes is an eternity. But it was New Years Eve, and I guess everyone was a little anxious. Once the staff settled in and got us our drinks, the experience went to a new level. I had eaten here before, but only for breakfast. Man, I had no idea how good the dinner was! The rib eye was quite honestly the best cut of meat I've had since Bavettes in Chicago. My wife's vegetarian pasta was absolutely symphonic for taste buds. Even our kids pasta with butter sauce and parm was better than most places. The dessert was an unreal cheese cake that just melted in the tongue like a warm pad of butter. Soooo good, And the staff? Fantastic. Helpful. Attentive but not nagging. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back. read more

This place was highly recommended by a family friend so when I was driving through Big Sur I had to stop. When you walk into Deetjuns the lighting, art, and decor transport you to an enchanted cabin. I alerted the server that I had a dairy allergy and they had no problem making me shrimp pasta and the fish plate dairy free. The food was amazing even considering the chef changed the orders to be non-dairy! Everything was cooked so well and had so much flavor. I don't think there is anything on this menu that will disappoint. The food here is well worth the price, I will be back the next time I am in Big Sur. read more

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This was a very cute place. The parking situation is a bit tight but there are some spaces way in the back. The pancakes here are huuuuuuuge and the turkey avocado deetjens special was pretty good. read more

Deetjens Big Sur Inn - Hotels Near Me - Big Sur, California

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Best hidden gem in Big Sur! Staff was awesome and breakfast was out of this world delicious!

Rustic charm meets shabby inconvenience. It is impossible to assess Deetjen's apart from greater Big Sur. Both enjoy reputations sprinkled with superlatives such as, "breathtaking," "unforgettable," and, "steeped in history." I've made only a single visit but one fact strikes me as obvious: both the area and the inn have suffered from an unrelenting onslaught of humanity whose collective appetite now far surpasses what either can offer in a meaningful way. Climate change pummels the trees, trails and hills with storms and fires, along with erosion and toxic CO2. Ready accessibility to the inn and the region by the masses, not possible a hundred years ago, presents challenges that the inn's infrastructure and staff can no longer gracefully accommodate. Demand is high, supply low, so the prices are through the roof. Travelers who, like us, are looking to encounter natural history in a meaningful way, will find most of those treasures off limits behind roped off trails. The only hiking is within the confines of state parks. A fellow doing construction at Deetjen's filled me in: much of Big Sur exists upon lands owned by five or so billionaires who are not about to allow the likes of me to go traipsing upon it. I can admire from a distance. Deetjen's strives to retain its rustic charm by offering drafty, dark, cramped rooms, furnished with worn out furniture, behind doors impossible to lock. Lack of locks bothers me very little, but the inn's refusal to provide internet is an inconvenience to the naive traveler who is trying to suss out available options. We arrived at the inn, delayed by a closure of the coastal road south of Big Sur, the result of recent , heavy rains. So, we were forced to travel a circuitous route to the east, leading north of Big Sur, then turning back south to get there. The night was dark, rainy, and foggy. As we came down serpentine Route 1. The woman who met us harbors a certain eccentricity that does not reflect welcoming warmth. She directed us to Al Fiasco, or some such name, which was our domicile for the next three days. As the saying goes regarding the weather, "It only rained twice, once for one day and once for two days. It immediately became obvious that parking at Deetjen's is a mess - not unlike the game where you try to arrange tiles in a square by sliding one, and then another, into the only open spot. Docey-dohing of automobiles was a three day square dance. We lugged our suitcases up wooden steps, ducking under a tree trunk en route, opened our door to enter, but were beaten out by a little black cat who scurried in ahead of us and took up residence for our entire stay. This, we were to learn, was Pewee. She soon invited her mother, a tortie named Chester, to join as well. Both were happy to be out of the rain. After our long journey we availed ourselves of the restaurant where we encountered a very friendly waitress and a scrumptious meal, to the tune of $200+. Bring your credit card to Deetjen's if you're going to avail yourself of the restaurant. We managed to get in a rain-soaked hike each day then retired to our drafty room, which could never be brought up to a temperature that one could describe as "comfortable." Jen paid a visit to the off-putting receceptionist, inquiring if any games were available to help pass a waterlogged afternoon. She hurriedly answered, "Of course!" In a tone that implied that any idiot should know there would be, then declared that she had to go "feed the kittens" and departed. Jen returned to our room toting a Scrabble game with a third of the letters missing, but which included a helpful piece of cardboard out of which replacements could be cut and labeled. And so we passed a cold, damp afternoon, draped in blankets, huddled over a Scrabble board, along with two, purring, lap-warming cats. Not entirely unpleasant, but slightly depressing to know that each day we were paying over $300 for the privilege. Make up your own mind. read more

Beautiful and cozy. The food was fantastic as well as the service. Perfect for a romantic dinner.

This place is not for everyone! I personally love it. The location is somewhat centrally located to many things on this side of Big Sur. The art galleries, the beaches and hiking. If I was going to hike in to the hot springs again I might stay here the night before so I am super close, just for the reason that it's difficult to drive all the way from the city that early. I actually would not recommend this place to some of my friends. Simply for the reason they would not appreciate it and they would complain about some of the things I am about to list. No locks on the doors. Rustic drafty rooms. Thin walls where you can hear other people. No television and no internet. This place could be called a lot of different things. Modern and updated is not the verbiage you would use to describe it. We stayed in the Grandpa room. It has a small record player with a ton of records to choose from. Very nice. The bed is comfortable and the room has plenty of space to spread out. The bathroom is a bit small but it's nice that you can hear the stream in the background. On this occasion it was nice to have that space to get organized for the photo shoot I took part in the next day. No locks on the doors but you can park right outside your room in most cases so if you do have valuables you can lock them in the car. The restaurant is great! read more

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Honestly, one of the best meals I've ever had. The space is just darling. The service was warm and friendly. We came in for our anniversary and had such a nice time. read more

From the adorable, cozy room to the delicious food, we had a lovely evening at Deetjen's and will definitely return! Starting with the bread and hummus spread was a great idea. We had an amazing salad and then I had the beet salad which was incredible. My husband had the catch of the day which was UNBELIEVABLY delicious and I will get it next time we dine there! The waiter was wonderfully attentive and knowledgeable. Everything about Deetjen's was exceptional. The restaurant is so cozy and inviting and the food was equally as warm and delicious. read more

Everything was so very good. Such a great, relaxed meal in a beautiful place. Very kind staff. My family had breakfast and dinner twice.

Such a cool spot! It's really easy to miss and drive right by it but when you're there it's so magical. Truly takes you back to simpler times and there is no cell service which is so fitting. We visited during the pandemic so the restaurant was not open but the staff was very friendly, everything super clean and cozy. Will be coming back! read more

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