Although teeny tiny, there is magic crammed into every crevice of this special place. Fresh flowers always adorn the place settings, and cozy indoor tables and vibrant outdoor seating make this feel like you're stepping into someone's home or patio. The food has that made-from-scratch feel to it, and is always fresh and high quality. I've had breakfast and lunch here and haven't left a crumb behind either time. I loved the waffle with berries for breakfast, and the veggie sandwich at lunch time. I also LOVED the drink menu-- had the best matcha latte with housemade syrup (passionfruit I think?) and a really delicious old fashioned caramel latte. Some people might consider the downside of a place like this to be the small kitchen, as it can impact wait times and the kitchen's ability to accommodate specific requests. However!! I think this just makes the experience more special-- having to slow down and savor a dining experience instead of rushing from place to place is truly a treat. Although not always speedy necessarily, I've had amazing service every time I've visited here. On one occasion we had longer wait times for our food and were treated with a delicious cake at the end of our meal. On another, we had a very minor snafu happen where a server was adjusting an umbrella and accidentally knocked something over on the table next to us-- the staff comped all of our meals out of consideration which was just so generous and understanding. Overall I can't recommend this place enough! They have so many fun menus and specials. I can't wait to try their Peasant night in a few weeks. Grateful to have this spot in the neighborhood! read more

I had a healthy brunch over at Little Lion Cafe recently, and it is a staple beach breakfast spot here in OB. It actually is a very small cafe, so expect a bit of waiting, especially for peak dining times and weekends. There is seating both indoors and outdoors, and I chose to sit indoors. I was interested in their coffee menu, since they seemed to take craft in some of their creations. I enjoyed their Strawberry Cold Brew. It was light and sweet from the foam on top and had a nice balance of brew and strawberry flavor. For food, we kept it all veggie with their Black Bean Tacos and a Superfood bowl. It wasn't our first choice, though, as all of our selections were sold out for the afternoon. The food was bright and colorful, but did take a little longer to prepare. My bowl had plenty of red bell peppers and onions, which I did eventually get tired of eating. I loved the crispy kale and wish they included more of it or some seeds on top for more crunch! That day they were out of stock on everything we wanted, so I will have to give it another go if I ever get the chance to revisit. Overall, the service was very kind from the ladies and the coffee is notable! read more

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Went a few times for coffee and once for breakfast as we were staying at the inn at sunset cliffs. Location was very convenient obviously and it's a cozy small cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Coffee and lemonade were delicious. Service was hit or miss - good when we got things to go but lacking when we ate in. Definitely on the slower side and honestly not very pleasant. Food was okay. We got a relish tray to go which was good (hard to mess up pickled veggies though) but seemed like a small portion for the cost. For breakfast I got the breakfast tacos - they're more like tostadas though since the tortilla is fried. It was good, not phenomenal. My friend got the avocado toast. It was toasted slices of baguette with avocado on them, rather than one or two larger pieces of toasted bread. Toppings looked good but the toast was about 20 seconds from being actually burnt - very hard without anything close to a soft inside (my friend said it cut up her mouth - she couldn't even finish the last piece). Maybe some of their other dishes are better or maybe dinner would have been a better choice. I'd probably go again for convenience sake, but I wouldn't recommend making a special trip out to try it if you're not already in the area. TLDR; coffee is good, food is okay, service hot or miss. Go if convenient, otherwise likely isn't worth a special trip. read more

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Such a cute hidden gem located right next to sunset cliffs. I highly suggest making a reservation because the seating is very limited, there was a lot of people waiting. Despite being busy the service was still so good, they were attentive and friendly. The food was great as well. The vegan tacos were sooo flavorful and very filling without leaving me feeling stuffed and groggy. The breakfast plate was delicious as well and came with your typical breakfast foods. The iced coconut latte was one of my favorites, it wasn't listed on the menu but they had a coconut matcha so i asked if they could make it with espresso and it was soo good! read more

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Very nice place. We went early on a week day and it really filled up. Good food. Okay black drip coffee. Pleasant and attentive service.

We went because it was rated top breakfast spot in San Diego Magazine and we like to try new places. Personally, this place was not my favorite. The coffee was cold, both drip coffee and the latte and it was bitter. I wouldn't say I'm super picky about coffee when I get breakfast, but this was the worst coffee I have had at a breakfast place, I couldn't finish it. The waffle was extremely good, but the breakfast sandwich and the eggs Benedict were nothing special. They were very light, extremely small portion of potatoes on the side. This place was not somewhere I would go out of my way to eat at again, but if someone asked me to go there I also wouldn't say no. We did go to another coffee place afterward. Also, we ate outside and were literally in a driveway with a dumpster next to us, and you have to go through the actual kitchen to use the bathroom, which I didn't think sounded like it mattered, but felt extremely strange in the moment to do so like I was somewhere I wasn't supposed to be. Anyway if you want to try this place you might really like it but I wouldn't say to be prepared to be wowed. read more

The service was pretty amazing. My server was Mitchell and he was very friendly and he gave me a birthday potato. And they're absolutely delicious. read more

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European charm and fresh local ingredients with rich espresso and attentive service! Still the best cafe hidden gem in OB by the ocean! read more

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Well after getting off a cruise and going to our Airbnb near Sunset Cliffs, we were hungry. Our Airbnb hostess recommended Little Lion Cafe and she was spot on. Great location just a couple blocks from the Sunset Cliffs. We were lucky and got a seat right away (about 11AM on a Saturday). When we left, it was very busy. Grace our server was EXTREMELY nice and very efficient. We asked for her recommendations and took her up on it. I had the Egg Salad Croissants and it was FABULOUS! It had just the right mix of ingredients. My wife had the Green Onion biscuit and loved it. Never once had to ask for a coffee or water refill. read more

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Little Lion was okay. Was recommended this place w a friend and it is very small. I got the waffle and it was pretty good. Nothing much to write about as it was average with about 20 dollars per person, which is about the norm now. read more

Visited for brunch on a Monday. I had a turkey and bacon sandwich, sun-dried tomato frittata, coffee cake, and a golden latte. The food took about 40 minutes to come out but I think the kitchen staff was actually quite busy. As I was leaving I realized there was a bunch of outdoor seating which was almost full. Regardless of the reason for the wait it was well worth it. The main dishes seemed made fresh to order, and quality ingredients were used. There was nothing particularly remarkable about the coffee cake but I was pleased with the sandwich and latte and would highly recommend the frittata. The music was also on point IMO. Would definitely visit again. read more

This place is just unbelievably charming in every way. The food is wonderful and the service personable. The setting is charming. You cant go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

Little Lion Cafe - Little Lion Cafe and Bar, Saturday morning - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

So my daughter & I decided to catch one of those beautiful San Diego sunsets! Because that is what you do on a random Thursday in San Diego. She decides she is hungry. Well daddy's little girl shall eat! Then as if a spotlight shone down from the heavens on this magical spot while looking for parking. The sun setting behind it probably helped. We notice a quaint little French inspired café. Inviting. Relaxing. Even the background music was soothing. Ok, onto the eats! Apologies for the long windiness. That could be the edible kicking in. I must hurry. The drinks: nothing fancy. A cold brew & latte. Basic caffeine boost! The Appetizers: Melon & Prosciutto with some zesty greens! Delectable!! And Syd isn't typically fond of greens. As for the Mushroom Bourguignon with mashed potatoes, I can write a paper on its delicious reduction sauce with just the right zing to make those mushrooms magical (no, not that kind). The mashed potatoes were fluffy & worked perfectly as a sauce sponge (say that 5x fast!). The dinner: I wasn't too hungry, but Syd got the Spanish fried chicken & spicy aioli. Maybe I did have one...and a half. So good it has demoted Colonel Sanders to Private! The aioli was creamy & added a perfect pinch to the crispy chicken strips! And obviously, dessert: Ice cream cookie. Need I say more? Have it! Enjoy it! Do it! YOLO Oh and last, but certainly not least, our server & hostess. Both of you, fantastic service. From recommendations to additional plates! Always on top of providing you a comfortable dining experience. TL:DR Quiet little bistro with delicious food & excellent service! Blink & you'll miss it! read more

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Little Lion Café is one of those hidden gems that make you fall in love with San Diego all over again. It's a small, cozy spot with a welcoming vibe and genuinely kind staff who always make you feel at home. Sarah was awesome! The food is absolutely delicious--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast or lunch, everything tastes carefully made and thoughtfully served. My only wish is that they would reopen for dinner service instead of just takeout, because their meals would make for the perfect evening out. Highly recommend this place for anyone who appreciates great food, friendly people, and a relaxed local atmosphere. thank you for welcoming Bruno too! read more

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It's been maybe a year since I've been to Little Lion and the last time I was there, I also thought that the quality had slipped. This used to be one of my go to breakfast places. Atmosphere is still there, but the food quality and pricing is no longer a match. Shakshuka is supposed to be a very flavorful dish and this was incredibly bland. My eggs were cooked so hard they were like rubber and it came with two little pieces of stale toast. No potatoes, no fruit. $20 for that is a crime. I get that rent and food prices are high, but if you're gonna charge that for a small dish you've got to nail it. I also had a latte which was I don't remember exactly how much but more than five dollars. So after that, tax and tip I'm looking at over $30 for a really underwhelming breakfast and I was still hungry after. Service was OK but kind of aloof. The little bar that we sat at by the window needed to be wiped down. read more

Little Lion Cafe - Shakahuka - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

I've heard so many great things about this little cafe and I am happy to say that it lived up to the hype. The food here was delicious and my sandwich was absolutely massive. It's location is perfect for a quick pop over to sunset cliffs afterwards as well. read more

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Little lion is a little gem on sunset cliffs in Point Loma. We came for breakfast on a Sunday. We were lucky to get seated pretty quickly! The food was good, the service was very slow and the portion sizes were a little small on some of the dishes. I wasa little surprised the only option for eggs was poached, ok, but not even like poached eggs! Overall we really liked it and will come back again. (We didn't get the waffles but they looked fabulous) read more

Little Lion Cafe - Delicious blueberry scone - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here with a friend for breakfast recently and ordered the crab cake benedict. Pros: - the menu looks good, solid options - the crab cakes were 90% crab - generous portion - nice presentation - service was great and friendly! Cons: - eggs were overcooked, barely runny - the potatos tasted old and reheated - not crispy, fresh or warm - the bread under the Benedict was hard to cut into even with a proper knife, had to pull it apart which wrecked the dish - the crab cakes and/or hollandaise sauce needed seasoning - the ketchup also needed seasoning, or something to give it flavor Would return if in the direct area and give another try given positive reviews, maybe it was an off day. read more

Little Lion Cafe - Crab cake benedict - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

Not my vibe.. Food was ok nothing special. Inside is small. Outdoor seating available. Slow service, it is OB. Good for locals of you're within walking distance. I would consider going elsewhere otherwise. Bathroom available through the busy and small kitchen. Pretty odd all in all. read more

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The food is good but the service and cleanliness needed improvement. The food was tasty, and we all cleared our plates. The chia bowl and Belgian lion potatoes (like Belgian French fries) are highlights. The homemade ketchup is odd, however, tasting more like marinara. The location is right near Sunset Cliffs, so street parking can be tough but the area is picturesque. However, you must wait outside the restaurant, as they do not take down your phone number for the waitlist. The service was slow. Although the staff was friendly, the busy restaurant and small kitchen took over half an hour to make our entrees. I am also concerned about their dishwashing process. My glass, despite having ice water inside, tasted of coffee, and the rim had a grimy residue. The water carafes were also cloudy, despite only holding water. I am not against returning, as the food was very tasty. However, I caution you to pay attention to your dishware and expect a wait - even after being seated. read more

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Came in this morning because we'd heard good things about this place, even saw it in this best places to eat blog. Cool location. However, service was slow and the food was mid at best. The little platter was a deconstructed Benedict and the sausage bowl was a huge sausage, hard biscuit, and unblanched oily kale. Also the food took so long to arrive like dafuq Will not be returning lmao read more

Little Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Little lion is a quaint spot in ocean beach with as much outdoor seating as indoor. Food and coffee are fresh and we had great service from a fellow Hoosier! Unfortunately they were out of multiple items at the time of our brunch visit: crab cake Benedict, breakfast potatoes, and ranch. The specialty lattes (Carmel and vanilla) were warm and cozy. The classic Benedict was delicious and is served on house sourdough. The hot chicken sandwich was good, but lacking without the ranch. Overall a nice spot to pop in for breakfast/lunch. read more

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I have been wanting to try this place for so long. I was in point Loma with my mom and decided today was the day. I will say the location is very cute but you are on a main road. We sat outside because it was a beautiful day and had breakfast. The coffees were fantastic. I will say the breakfast was pretty expensive, but I did enjoy all of the accoutrements. The Shishido pepper butter was something I'd never thought of, but was really good and the greens were so surprisingly palatable and a value add to my meal that I was not expecting. The service was fantastic. They even dealt with my mother who wanted to change chairs because she didn't like the chair. She was sad at all of it was fantastic. Would definitely come by again and then take a lovely stroll down on Sunset cliffs read more

Little Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

We tried the breakfast platter and the crab cakes with fresh organic fruit. The platter had some good flavors, but the bacon was a little burnt and portions were smaller for a "platter". The location near the beach and sunset cliffs was nice. Service was friendly. read more

Little Lion Cafe - Breakfast platter - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

My husband and I were looking for a brunch spot in San Diego and this place came with glowing recommendations. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. Staff were great at suggesting what to order, so I got the eggs benedict and my husband got the burger. My benedict was absolutely delicious! The sauce was creamy and tart, and the eggs had such a dark, rich yolk. Perfectly poached eggs on top of a sourdough batard. My husband's burger was spectacular as well, and very good sized. The patty was juicy and incorporated green onions for a more complex flavor. I ordered a mimosa as well, which was.... A mimosa haha. Very refreshing and fun to drink. So why 4/5 stars then? The restaurant is extremely quaint, only about 5 tables inside. And the tables, in my opinion, were too small for two people. There is a larger table inside but it is reserved for larger than two parties. The food is freshly made, and while I understand that it takes time to prepare a meal, it did take quite a bit of time. We ordered a coffee cake (very delicious) with our meal, half expecting to get it before our meal came, but it came with everything else. That took up the entire real estate of the table. Lastly was bathroom access. The bathroom is located in the very back of the building, so you must exit and go back through the kitchen to access it. Slightly awkward, but no big deal. Even with the nitpicking on small details, it was a great experience overall. We went on a Thursday morning so it was quiet, but expect to wait on the weekends. Overall, a great place for brunch and I highly recommend giving this place a try! We will be back. read more

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We really want to love this cute little place our friend chose for us. The parking was easy paid lot nearby. We sat outside in a shady spot next to the alley. They made it cute. My coffee was good, burger delicious and fries were fresh, crispy outside and fluffy inside. Service was slow but we weren't in a hurry. However 2 of us got flea bites from the experience...there were dogs being walked in the alley and there were some cute dogs sitting nearby. What a bummer... read more

After a very rainy day yesterday we took our friend's pup out for a long walk in OB this morning. As we passed through Sunset Cliffs, we spotted the Little Lion Cafe and decided that we should have breakfast there. The staff was super friendly and got us seated in the outdoor section of tables so the pup could sit and enjoy attention from othe patrons. We ordered the pastry special, a teacake with strawberry buttercream and fresh strawberries, which was wonderful, their croissant egg salad sandwich which was really tasty and served with a nice bit of fresh fruit, the cinnamon coffee cake was warm and just perfect, and a few pieces of thick cut bacon which was cooked jusr how I like it. My partner enjoyed her rose cardamom iced coffee and I had the house lemonade since they were out of OJ this morning, which was my only disappointment. This is a fantastic place! read more

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Just an update I wanted to add that the ingredients in the waffle and the tea and the croissant sandwich were all fresh you could tell. I wanted to find a similar sandwich in my area. Wish me luck aha read more

Little Lion Cafe - Lox croissant and waffle with side of poached eggs and coffee crumb cake - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Unremarkable Overpriced for what i received.. Frittata . I finished my food . My husband got his ten minutes later read more

Pretty good food! I wish the cold brew was sweet and had a stronger strawberry flavor, but not bad. The burger was really good, specifically the mat patty was delicious read more

Little Lion Cafe - Burger + strawberries & cream cold brew - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

An adorable little cafe close to the beach. The food and drinks were delicious and the staff were very friendly! A bit of a long wait for food but definitely manageable. read more

It may be fine if you are able bodied and young. But if you are older and have difficulty standing up waiting a half hour to be seated do not cone here: their wait list is walk up only. No daytime reservations during the week though they are mobbed. they won't acknowledge that you exist for 10 minutes at the doorway. The wait staff is over it. They are super slow. It is a place for young people. read more

What a delightful non-fussy spot on Sunset Cliffs. Start with the never ending drip coffee but add oat milk and that amazing rose cardamom syrup. Ask for the pink mugs. Then get the breakfast platter with that shishito butter and bacon. But don't miss out on the brunch tacos with Soyrizo, sweet potatoes and black beans. It's simple but the atmosphere seems delightful. I will be back! read more

Little Lion Cafe - Brunch tacos - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

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Quaint little coffee shop near the San Diego Cliffs. We stopped in for a quick cup of coffee. The vibe was busy, but laid back. The woman at the counter was kind and knowledgeable. The bathroom situation was a little strange, as you had to walk through the kitchen to get there. Overall, good experience. read more

Stopped by little lion with a friend for lunch the other day since we had heard their waffles and bacon strips are amazing. We were not disappointed! The restaurant is located a short walk from the ocean and has plenty of street and paid parking near it. The shop itself is small with a couple of tables inside and a few in the front and around the side of the building. We were seated quite quickly and ordered the Belgian waffles, egg salad croissant sandwich, hatch chile cheddar biscuit and Hobbs bacon strips. The food came out quite quickly and was on point. The waffles were airy and super crispy, served with a side of whipped cream and berries. It's a family recipe made with fermented yeast and is now on the top of my waffle shop list. Must have! The bacon strips were equally dry, crunchy and crispy. Yum! The egg salad croissant was also quite good. The croissant had been toasted, was flavorful and had a nice toasted crunch to it. The potatoes were ok while the hatch chile biscuit was yummy and went well with the side of chile butter they provided. All in all a spectacular meal. read more

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Not worth the wait! 50 minutes to get your food! Was excited to try the place but left disappointed! read more

We've been here several times, when visiting SD and have always had a wonderful meal. Very small, have some outside tables. Service is excellent & friendly, brunch drinks or lattes very good & food is delicious & beautifully presented. My son had the Lion Breakfast, husband had the prosciutto Benedict & I had a spinach, pea & goat cheese frittata--everything was wonderful! read more

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The Little Lion platter was yummy. Make sure they don't leave off the shishito butter. I also had the Rose Cardamon Cold Brew. read more

Little Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - San Diego, California

A hidden gem that was recommended by a journalist-we finally got to try it out when we were in the area and missed an event. The food was worth the wait--be patient. I tried the vanilla latte. I love the richness of the coffee beans--not muted by the milk. I had the frittata- it was around noon so they were running low; arguably was piled on and they offered a side to compensate for its smaller size. Husband had a hot chicken sandwich which was flavorful and crispy. Can't wait to go back. We had an indoor table; they have outdoor tables as well. read more

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I loved the egg salad croissant, such a unique but great marriage of the two items. Coffee cake and biscuit were also great and my girlfriend enjoyed the eggs benedict. The golden mik latte has a strong turmeric flavor which i enjoyed read more