The Sunflower

Perfect spot for breakfast and bunch! You can either order at the counter and take a seat or get…read moreyour order taken after seated. We found it easier to order at the counter. All of the servers and workers were amazing. All super attentive and friendly. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The portions were generous. The breakfast burrito was massive and is what you picture when you think of a breakfast burrito. The chilequiles red sauce was good. When my bf and I go out for breakfast/brunch, we love to order something sweet to balance out our savory order. We ordered the tiramisu French toast and wow! It was a proper French toast and it had good flavor. It was a bit too sweet for my taste though. I'd recommend this spot to anyone visiting Idyllwild.

This was our second visit, and we'll definitely be back. We drive about an hour from La Quinta to…read moreget here, and it's absolutely worth the trip. The restaurant is always clean, organized, and welcoming, and the restrooms are spotless as well. I ordered the chilaquiles with steak and chose the red sauce. I can usually handle spicy food, but this dish definitely had a nice kick to it. Everything tasted fresh, especially the microgreens, onions, and black beans. I also added two eggs over medium, which were cooked perfectly. The steak had good flavor overall, but mine was cooked more well-done than I would have preferred. I wasn't asked for a preferred temperature, so I'm not sure if that's an option. The ribeye is also sliced very thin, which may contribute to it cooking through more quickly. If I could suggest one improvement, it would be serving this dish on a flat plate rather than in a bowl. The bowl made it a little challenging to cut the steak comfortably, whereas a flat plate would make it easier to enjoy. Overall, the food was delicious, the restaurant is consistently well-maintained, and the experience was excellent. Looking forward to our next visit

Interior corner seat

Chilaquiles with Ribeye Steak

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Breakfast burrito

Mile High Cafe

4.3(618 reviews)

0.7 mi

We really enjoyed this asian inspired fusionish brunch spot. They have good food and even have…read morekimchi making classes. We tried the kimchi Reuben and it was a hit. It was a surprising combination, but it worked well. Almost like a substitute for sauerkraut. Also came with fries which were the right amount of crispy. Delicious food here.

An unexpected breakfast treat. We arrived to Idlewild the evening before on a Tuesday. We found…read moreout that most of the downtown area is closed down and I was hungry. We found the MileHigh Cafe. What a culinary treat. My wife had the avocado toast with her fluffy eggs. They gave a ample serving of avocado, which is unusual. The eggs were prepared the way she likes them and the coffee was fresh great flavor and strong I had eggs Benedict wow the sauce for the eggs Benedict is made from scratch the Canadian bacon it was real, I did help my wife eat a good portion of her sourdough bread . the greatest treat was having homemade strawberry jam presented The whole meal was wonderful and the atmosphere open clean and inviting. unexpected experience and I look forward to going back there.

Inside

Spinach omelette

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Mocha iced coffee you can purchase to the left of the establishment but you order it at a different location then your food

Red Kettle

4.2(682 reviews)

I ordered the eggs Benedict with hash browns! My wife…read moreordered the Ruben on rye with side of potato salad! It's real busy but not like last weekend as it was a holiday weekend! The employees are great and you're up at over 5,000 ft. This cafe is like you being in your own cabin but with lots of people! We came up here about 3 yrs ago and love the food! Also the atmosphere of the mountains!

***** Five stars for the ambience. ***** Five stars for the…read moreservice. ** Two stars for the food. It's a very cute well run mountain town establishment with limited competition. It's a GOLD mine! The service and friendliness is second to none! Delightful. I was just gonna try a couple of à la carte breakfast items to save money, BUT I was quickly "flipped" to a full meal package (much to my chagrin) and with tax and tip over $21! Well, that's a little pricey for a senior on a budget. I hate to say this, but when I'm traveling on a highway (and there's almost no alternative) Denny's does this right with their "senior menu" offerings at half this price! And that's kind of a grand slam. I make the same mistake frequently and I'm not even a big fan of eggs, but I didn't have much choice other than the veggie burger. I decided on scrambled eggs with hashbrowns and the veggie sausage from MorningStar brand (which origin is rooted in the vegetarian friendly Seventh-day Adventist Church.) My side dish was a generous portion of sliced avocado, nicely plated. To me, this spot was kind of like a "SYSCO" food depot. (If you know what I mean). The standard fair for many cafés. But, the service is very warm, old school charm where everybody chats with you to make sure you're doing OK and comes by and taps your shoulder or gives you a little back rub in passing. Not Harvey Weinstein weird but rather kind, friendly, vibes. I was transported to the set of "Andy of Mayberry" just wondering when Aunt Bea was gonna bring out the apple pie! Next time I'll try a veggie burger because it's a comfortable spot and the people are so damn friendly! Wait a second, is that Floyd the Barber, Goober the Mechanic, Otis on a bender? Oh no, I have to run! I see Barney giving me a ticket! Shazam, Shazam!

Favorite piece of art in the restaurant. Figured I'd share. Featuring the back of gentleman's head

Bacon Cheeseburger with onion rings.

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Mimosa

Raven Hill Bagels

4.6(122 reviews)

Loved this place! You have the option to order half or full bagel sandwiches, and they have plenty…read moreof options for bagel flavors. I got the Lox with a Rosemary Sea Salt bagel for $16.50 and it was so good. All their seating is outdoors and pet-friendly, very cute patio with lots of greenery and trees.

Came up the mountain for a weekend getaway in March and stopped here for breakfast on our way out…read more It is in a small shopping center, and the parking is a bit chaotic. There is outdoor seating, as the actual place is tiny! But outdoor is why you come to Idyllwild! The outdoor space is dog-friendly, like all of the town, but be warned, your dog may find bagels and other treats on the ground, as mine did, so I spent most of my time keeping her from having her own breakfast. Once you get yourself situated, be prepared for an above excellent bagel sandwich. I have the turkey egg and cheese, and everything was cooked really well, was fresh, and flavorful. I had a basic latte, and it was okay. I was sad they didn't have any biscuits that day, as I really did want to try them. I went with friends, which worked out so someone could stay with the dog while I went in to order- because if I went by myself, I would not have been able to actually go it. Not sure if they have a workaround for this, but it could be helpful to have a sign or something.

Outside front seating area

Iced coffee

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Cafe Aroma

4.2(1k reviews)

0.5 mi

•$$$

I read a bunch of the 1-star reviews. I read some of the…read more4-star reviews. I have to go with 5-star tho. OVERVIEW of 5 : Seated without reservation (*make one! We got lucky*) Server was amazing Food expediter was super nice Food was delicious Elegant, fine dining experience Music was my mountain playlist (and not too loud) View of mountains for me. View of architecture for my wife. PARKING: Parking can be difficult in the small lot, but there's parking along the street too. INSIDE: It was perfect weather. 68ºF at 6pm after a warm day. They have "indoor/patio" style seating which may be difficult for some to access by multiple steps. We were seated at the top, a table away from the music, along the window side. They have heat lamps - but temps were perfect (lots of people and hot food warmed everyone up). I wanted to walk around the restaurant. The tiered architecture is interesting. FOOD: High End Vegan! Yes - I'm guilty of wanting to give them 5 stars just looking at their vegan menu. (And omnivore selection) Yes - I appreciate the care that it takes to prepare a plate. BUT This food was just delicious by itself. Even in a cardboard box, this food would've been amazing. VEGAN "cheese" appetizer (great for 2-3 people) Nut cheese was warm and tangy. This is NOT just cashews and nooch in a blender. It is spiced with something that brings a little heat. *you will want to lick the bowl. PRO TIP: The welcome bread with ... oh shit.... WELCOME BREAD / Garlic Olive Oil This crusty bread served with microplaned garlic + olive oil is fantastic. Garlic Fiend? You're gonna love this. Not a fan of garlic? What's wrong with you?! I mean... just serve from the oil side. Save some bread for your vegan cheese.... VEGAN CHEESE (cont.) Order the gluten free bread (a little more like Uti's toasted dinner roll) with your vegan cheese app. Omnivores at your table will be surprised how well this vegan cheese and wine pair with each other. TROUT I think my wife got the trout. She loved it. Light and delicate. VEGAN KIMCHI TOFU I've had kimchi. I've had tofu. We all have. This was prepared on a bed of roasty veg that was a great match to the salty kimchi. I don't know if there was a marinade preparation (sesame paste?) with the tofu, or it was made locally, or both, but this firm tofu was excellent. Sweet. Nutty. Salty. Fresh tasting and filling. The vegan menu here isn't just an "alternate version" of an omnivore dish. It is its own thing. DESSERT MISTAKE = not getting it. We thought there would be dessert in town, but we got out late. Town had closed. MUSIC Tonight's music was a pair of musicians playing CS&N, Neil Young, Bob Seger... acoustic session: Guitar, Violin, Mandolin. Quiet & sentimental performance was a perfect accompaniment to a long hike day. THERE ARE 1-STAR REVIEWS of this place. They have their reasons. I've only been here once. But I experienced NONE of the things they've mentioned. Moreover, we experienced even better than what other 5-star reviews suggested. This is an elegant spot, framed by a perfect day in Idyllwild. If I come back to the town, I will want to try other restaurants, but I'll definitely come back here. Not *just* because of their vegan options, but definitely *for* their vegan options.

This was my first time eating here I had a fettuccine dish…read morewith chicken It was good the pasta was a little to Al dente for me Music was nice students from the local arts school played very well

Inside

Creamy pesto penne

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Patio

Alpaca Coffee & Tea

4.4(287 reviews)

0.7 mi

Cute little coffee shop at the edge of Idyllwild next to the school…read more Yummy chaggachino as it's my first time trying it. They also have the super refreshing and really good sparkling Yuzuco soda in can which is an elevated sparkling lemonade since it's made from cold pressed yuzu with honey and salt. Bright, bubbly, and undeniably refreshing. Friendly staff. There's a nice seating area outside. Restroom is available at the Mile high cafe Nextdoor. Can be busy at the end of school day as it's a popular place for the kids.

Friendly staff and good drinks! I went to Idyllwild for the first time and this place was on my…read morebucket list... long story short, it did not disappoint! I ordered their Spanish latte and it was super creamy and yummy! I'm a sucker for banana chocolate chip breads and they had that, so I had to try it too; it was not too sweet and sooo good! They didn't really have any indoor seating and it's connected to a restaurant, but there is outdoor seating, I just didn't get a chance to check it out

Exterior

Reishi Cacao

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Cool Place ! Only been here 3 months so far

Fork & Spoon

4.4(60 reviews)

2.9 mi

We had breakfast on a Saturday morning. Food was freshly made and delicious. Service is friendly…read more Food came out fast. Check them out next time you're up in Idyllwild.

Love this place. Third time here and it's SO RELAXING. I like that today wasn't super busy on the…read morepatio. I got biscuits & gravy as an app. Then I got the barbecue beef sandwich on the Hawaiian bun and french fries with a little bit of chili on top. Ridiculously good! The french fries are really good and the chili was OK. Nothing beats the deliciousness of the barbecue sauce! The barbecue beef sandwich was incredible! I usually don't even eat the bun but the bun was so good and there was enough meat that I was needing to separate the top and the bottom of the bun. So WE ARE STUFFED. Jerryanne is ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE WAIT ON US. She makes the experience feel down home. Thank you!!

Part 1 of the "Betty White" 100th Birthday Special..."White" bean & chicken chili

Mountain Center "Fork & Spoon" Cafe new logo!

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Turkey club

Manzanita Cantina and Grill

4.2(166 reviews)

0.4 mi

Such a good spot! There's plenty of indoor seating and their decor is nice. They provide…read morecomplimentary chips and salsa. I got their beef enchiladas combo which came with two enchilada, rice, and beans. It was so good that I cleaned the entire plate. Their carne asada tacos were stacked and delicious. They have salsa bar on the side with the pickled veggies as well. I loved their mild sauce and the creamy green one. I got the Jamaica to drink and it was refreshing. Jesus was our server and he was very attentive and food came out fast!

I can't believe this place doesn't have a full 5 star rating. The chips are fresh. The corn…read moretortillas in general taste homemade. I got the *new* enchilada trio with shrimp, lobster, and fresh REAL crab. (WORTH THE $$$). My bf got carne asada tacos and we both lovvvved our choices. The salsa bar is also an amazing perk - a bit spicy for this gringa but I knew that meant the food was going to be authentic... Then we had the pleasure of meeting the owner and turns out he is from Mexico City! We never expected to find such amazing and AUTHENTIC Mexican food in a tiny mountain town. I'll dream about that meal until I make it back to Mexico City (or I guess idyllwild?!?!) Oh and also - the bartender has a heavy pour ;) so I'd say this place is welllll worth your money. Props to the serving staff too, you can tell this is a working environment with positive energy. I don't like doing repeats on restaurant visits out of town because I love trying as many new places as I can, but next time we're in idyllwild best believe we will be back! #FOODIEFRIENDLY

Interior

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Dining room, about 6-7 tables. Two pool tables and an area to get salsa.

Restaurant Gastrognome

3.6(802 reviews)

My wonderful friends Wayne and Roger were married here so I knew off the bat that the ambiance was…read moregoing to be cozy and beautiful. The service was great, waiters and host William, were attentive. We had a great time enjoying the view from the window, the rain was falling outside and we were side of the fireplace. My boyfriend loved his steak, said it was prepared just the way he likes it. I ordered penne pasta with veggies vegan style it was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a date night or family gathering.

The Trout was fresh and very tasty and the mixed vegetables were very good. I had the chicken…read moreCordon Bleu absolutely the best I've had in a very long time. The flavor was delicious, the sauce fresh and you could tell it was not out of a Can The service was friendly, conversant and knew the menu. Very enjoyable. The ambience is awesome. The tables were placed far enough from each other that you could have a conversation and you didn't hear anyone else's. We have eaten here numerous times over the years. It has always been a joy and we look forward to coming back.

Dining area and windows

Special of the Day - Vegetable Curry in a Pineapple

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Mojito

Waffleton

4.0(41 reviews)

The owner Paula is very welcoming and the drinks are amazing. The passion fruit lemonade is so…read morerefreshing. Dog friendly place so Paula was able to give my doggy a pup cup Had to come back . Would recommend the grilled cheese and soup it's AMAZING and homemade.

Too expensive. Waffle was not bad, but also not that much special for the price…read more Definitely skip the milk tea, mostly water down milk tea.