It's been a couple years but I'm back! Living in San Diego makes it difficult to come back to such a wonderful place but well worth it. Extremely dog friendly with a large, accommodating, beautifully rustic patio complete with doggy water bowls. My new puppy had a lot of attention from both other guests and staff. The restaurant is a little further up from the main center of Idyllwild but this makes the restaurant more quiet and romantic if going on a date. Parking is limited but you can park along the road across the street. The vegetarian dishes are absolutely phenomenal tasting. Extremely fresh tasting ingredients. My guest had the 8 oz. steak which was also very well browned, tender, and juicy. The side of criss-cut fries were a healthy size. The side of vegetables were sautéed as opposed to steamed which is a personal preference, also seasoned very well. I will definitely be back in the future with other guests. read more

Tommy's Kitchen - Vegetarian dish and steak dish - Modern European Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Went to Idyllwild with the bf and Boss-dawg, and saw that this place had a 5 star rating for bfast and such! Definitely had to check it out. Just changed my rating from 3 stars to 4. The place is cute, quaint, and to get to the bathroom is quite the fun lol. Servers are super friendly and nice. Also really liked how it was dog friendly, so Boss chilled beside us as we ate. But the food to me didn't deliver. Bf and I split these 2 items to share: Texas Toast Sandwich: filled with an Omelet, Swiss cheese, Tomatoes, Onions, Bacon, Sausage and Jalapenos, served with Salsa and Rösti or Fruit Salad $12.99 -Meh. I thought it was okay. There wasn't a very impactful flavor to me, but my bf LOVED it. We got the Rosti, which is a Swiss version of hashbrowns..it was decent. French Toast covered with Cinnamon Sugar, served with Butter and Syrup (1 Slice $ 6.50) $8.00 -It was good, but nothing to rave about. I did like the crunchiness from the cinnamon, but the bread itself was kind of hard to cut through. When I think of french toast, I think of fluffy and eggy..soft..and this was none of it. It was flat, hard to cut through..but good flavors. It also wasn't very hot. The butter couldn't even spread over the french toast. Oh well. 4 stars for the hospitality..knocked one due to flavors from the food. read more

it was very good and the staff was super nice ! They even provided my puppy dogs ,Fern, with a water bowl ! Definitely gonna come back Thank you read more

The patio is dog-friendly​ so just be aware of that if you choose to sit there. I usually don't mind pets, but our seat neighbor had two large dogs, one which was calm and great and the other that whined loudly every time​ a child or other dog showed up. I think he just wanted to play with them, but in the context of breakfast was a little distracting. My denver omelet​ was tasty and the eggs were really fluffy. My wife's french toast tasted like a churro, which is kinda cool, but I think my she was expecting more of an egg-soaked taste. Overall the food was good, portion sizes were solid (I wasn't hungry again until a good 5 or 6 hours later) and the atmosphere (minus the whiny dog) was great. read more

i stayed up in idyllwild for a few days and came here for breakfast one morning. its a kinda small little breakfast/buffet restaurant. it had a very make-yourself-feel-at-home kind of vibe. that day they also had a singer, terry jo, who provided some live entertainment. the staff was all super friendly and also one of the few business owners i saw wearing masks in idyllwild. all the food was really good and not too burnt or oily. my family all went back for seconds. they also have a huge variety of desserts, most of which have a ton of cinnamon on it (not complaining though, but i rlly had to restrict myself a little ) if you're up in idyllwild, you got to go here for a breakfast or brunch. read more

We brought our kids here for a quick lunch. We ordered the Firemen's Special, which was delicious! While the service was friendly and quick, you can tell that they take pride in their food. I would recommend this place for families with kids! read more

Great food and great service!!! Very nice outside dining area. My food was excellent and so was everyone's at the table. Really nice Sunday brunch! read more

Just returned from a weekend in Idyllwild and Tommy's is the best for breakfast! Great food options, wonderful service staff and a great environment! We really enjoyed the Sunday brunch buffet!! This is a must stop place in Idyllwild...you won't be disappointed and like so many restaurants there it is "dog friendly"! read more

Great food. Great service. Great ambience. We were so happy we decided to give this place a try. Pancakes and the 0815 breakfast. Perfect. Service was on point. Tasty food. Mini scone and mini muffin with coffee to start was a nice treat. Thank you! Can't wait til out next trip up the hill!! read more

Super breakfast...awesome service. Def worth checking out. We learned what Swiss potatoes were! Give it an easy 5 stars

What a great spot! Mom & Dad took hubby and I to brunch today to Tommy's Kitchen. I loved the outdoor atmosphere. So relaxing and breezy. There were all the great staples a brunch would require! Really enjoyed our time there today. My dad has a serious sweet tooth and he was well cared for with all the desserts, goodies, pancakes & waffles! I loved the salad bar as well. Great place! We shall return often! read more

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Like this place for Sunday brunch, lunch, and dinners! Great food. Last time we went, my husband ordered their rösti. It was great. We were in Switzerland this summer, and we tried rösti at almost every restaurant; he said this was JUST like the authentic Swiss food and I agree. Had split pea soup last week which tasted delicious. Still favor their wonderful risotto. Brunch is AMAZING! We'll be back again and again! read more

First off: EAT THE FRENCH TOAST. You must come here at least once just to eat the French toast. Tommy's is hands-down the best restaurant in Idyllwild. I'm so glad it opened. Its owner and head chef, also a formally-trained pastry chef, is a delightful Swiss fellow from Zurich named Thomas. More importantly, he's a culinary genius. Much of the menu is directly rooted in Swiss tradition, such as the outstanding "rösti"- breakfast hash potatoes seasoned to perfection. At breakfast, they serve little pastries when they seat you which are to die for. At lunch, the highlight was the salad bar. The variety and creativity, from swiss carrot salad to curried slaw, was an adventure in yum. But again, the most amazing thing on the breakfast menu is the French toast. EAT THE FRENCH TOAST. It is the best French toast anyone has ever conjured. It is magical. It will transport you. It is better than all the drugs you're too afraid to try. The staff is delightful and friendly and attentive. Please come here often and help this place thrive. It's too good. We must never let it go!!! read more

We decided to venture around for a new breakfast place. I looked on Yelp and found Tommy's Kitchen. What a surprise! This food was amazing. We made two trips this week, once for breakfast and once for lunch. The food and service was perfect. I had the Sennen Rösti, which was the best breakfast I've had in a while! We ate on the patio both times as we brought our dog out. I highly recommend for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Such a cozy place with a cute patio. The inside is full of character as well. Be ready to climb stairs if needing to use the restroom. read more

This restaurant was formerly "Little Chef in the Forest" and the fondue place, but now it's Tommy's Kitchen. We went for the Sunday Brunch and was amazed by the variety and quality of the food. A mix of standards (eggs, bacon, fruit) and European buffet. The service was fast and friendly, and the was great (even though it was a February morning). I'd go back again!! read more

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Fantastic! Found this gem completely by luck while searching for a Thanksgiving dinner. We were leery at first by the interior furnishings and the lack of presentation and descriptions at the salad bar and buffet. But come to find, once it was plated and we were seated on the outdoor patio, it was beautiful. And delicious! Every dish had its own unique character of taste and texture, each of the salads offered different spices and colors, and the traditional turkey and ham plate was anything but ordinary. The standout surprises for me were the pineapple-chipotle glaze (offered on the side), Brie to go with fresh crusty bread and a light Italian Prosecco. The owners and staff were awesome and welcoming! I wish this place every luck for success as they are only on their second week of operation. read more

Tommy's Kitchen - The tasty salads, champagne and mountain views - Modern European Near Me - Idyllwild, California

Came here for breakfast and was so happy we did! I forgot the name of the dishes we got but it was the breakfast with the hash browns and eggs and veggies on top. It was sooooo delicious. The service was excellent and the entire place was adorable. Will be coming back! read more

Amazing place, super clean, warm and they have great taste in music. Service was top notch and food was deliciously prepared. This is a great spot and a must do in Idyllwild. read more

Good. Small town feel restaurant. Food was liked by all in the party. Bennies, pancakes, burrito. Morning atmosphere outside and view was great. Outside patio is "compact" and seems to attract lots of people with dogs (which are allowed) so make sure you like dogs. Seating was quick. Staff is local older folks who were attentive and nice. I feel bad for the staff who has to explain to everybody what Rosti is. Just put "Swiss hash browns" on the menu. Recommended. read more

We have tried many places in Idyllwild, and it can get pretty crowded on the weekend so when our favorite place was packed we decided to give Tommys a try. We had to wait for a table, and it was at the end of their lunch hours, but they were very courteous. We waited on the patio, where they brought us a blanket for our granddaughter who was cold. We were seated at a picnic style table inside, which was comfortable enough, though not glamourous, and ordered from their very short lunch menu. Our party did a pretty fair job of sampling a good portion of their lunch menu, so we can report on most of it. I had the Brisket burger, which makes my mouth water just thinking about it now. It was a perfect burger with carmelized onions and tender, slow-coooked barbecue brisket piled on top--served with fresh waffle fries. The whole thing was delicious. My husband had a cold ham and cheese on ciabatta and as dull as that sounds to me, he said its the best he has ever had. He ordered the fruit instead of the fries, and the large bowl of blackberries, bananas, melon and grapes was in itself impressive and tasty. The other burgers in our order were also perfectly prepared. Our server, John, was very attentive, and informative about the fresh, local ingredients and the love and care that goes into the menu. You can tell he loves his job. We checked out the salad bar, but didn't order it. It looked fresh and had all the regular staples, but it is modestly sized. I also scanned the Sunday Brunch menu, which includes a number of popular brunch items, such as smoked salmon, etc. and it looked pretty interesting. Brunch is priced at $15 which is reasonable. We tend to prefer places with comfortable booths and a bit more ambience, but this place was charming, the seating was adequate, and the food was especially delicious and satisfying. It is a little pricey for a burger menu--not bad, but around $11.50 for the brisket burger and around $10 for most of the other sandwiches. However after sampling their fare, I would say its definitely worth it. John, and Kristen, the owner, also explained that they are starting out with an abbreviated menu and shorter hours, but they will expand on them both as the business grows in the coming months. They currently are only open for breakfast and lunch, and for limited hours, so be sure to check their schedule before making your plans. We will definitely be back, and I will order the exact same thing! Can't wait....(Probably shouldnt have written this when I was hungry!!) read more

I was born and raised in Germany but have lived in the US for almost 20 years. To me, the brunch buffet at Tommy's Kitchen combines the best of those two worlds-- with a wonderful view of the mountains as an added bonus. There are lovely American breakfast items to get you started with, and then there's a whole big dessert table full of baked goods -- American and European, super yummy and flavorful while not being overly sweet. Many of the desserts have a little twist that makes them unique... for example, I had a strawberry tart that had a bottom layer of ground almond and a middle layer of apricot jam... such an amazing flavor combination! I have not had dinner there yet but am super eager to try. Unfortunately I live a good bit away from Idyllwild, and so far I haven't come up yet JUST to get a meal at Tommy's... but I have definitely thought about it! The place just makes me super happy! I'm glad they're around! read more

Loved this place! I called ahead before to see if they had air conditioning so we could escape the heat and they welcomed us in! They reserved a table in their inside room where there was an air conditioner and we all had their delicious brunch buffet. The staff was so accommodating and sweet, playing with our kids and being so attentive refilling our iced coffees. Their pastries and french toast was amazing. And there was an electric guitarist and violin player out in the front! Whaaat. Very sweet and adorable place, would definitely come back! read more

Stopped by after a hike. Great Sunday brunch, and patio! Kid and dog friendly. Delicious food.

Wonderful food with a European influence that will make your tastebuds stand up and shout "hurrah!" Have a traditional breakfast with generous, beautifully prepared fare; or try the original Swiss Birchermuesli for a new adventure in flavors. The salad bar is full of fresh colorful choices. Some have a twist in seasonings that I found delightful. The interior is bright and spotless with a recent remodel that was obviously carefully thought out and a real success. Outside is a deck with mature trees growing up through the floor. A couple of the trees are home to bird nests that somehow coexist with the bustling diners right below. These impressions came from two visits I made over a short Idyllwild vacation in late April, 2015. I was quite happy to follow the advice of a friend when she heard I was visiting Idyllwild. She'll get a big hug next time I see her! read more

Our family came into town for a mini-vacation. Today we ate here after playing in some little patches of snow. We were hungry and found this place on Yelp. The staff were super friendly and we were sat right away. We ordered the burger, soup/salad bar, and pastrami sandwich with waffle fries. All of our meals were delicious and hearty. Service was on point and fast. Definitely a gem in this quaint town. We highly recommend this restaurant!! read more

Brunch this morning was HEAVEN! Buffet family style was fun. Seemed to Swiss influenced, delicious deserts and apple tarts, $3 for unlimited mimosas! Reminded me of Zermatt resort in Utah. Honestly, I've been to only one other place that had such a small personal feel to it that felt like you're eating with friends and family. Also the depth of flavor and serious attention to detail in the food, you could taste laters of love and care! Will recommend this place to all of our out of town visitors. read more

We tried Tommy's Kitchen for breakfast on a Friday morning and choose a table on the patio in front. We were greated by "John" who did an excellent job as our server. After ordering, John brought a selection of complimentary scones that were delicious. The meal that followed was just as good. Tommy's is a wonderful breakfast spot with beautiful patio seating if you so choose, and great food and service. We're looking forward to trying the Sunday Brunch in a couple days. Thanks for a great start to our stay here in Idyllwild. read more

We really enjoyed breakfast here. My daughter's a picky eater, but really liked her kid's meal of eggs, bacon and sausage. Notably, the bacon was lean, but not dry. She also had the waffles on the side. It was a beautiful waffle, with it browned enough to look inviting, but not burnt, and an attractive dusting of powdered sugar. I ordered the spinach, cheddar cheese, and mushroom omelet. They gave me the wrong order, which was the spinach, bacon, and feta cheese omelet. I didn't complain because the latter was tasty. We will come here again, for sure. read more

We went tonight for dinner with my parents and my husband. Tommy's Kitchen only started serving dinner a few weeks ago. Our server David was very friendly and funny. We had the beef Stogganof, the shrimp risotto and the schnitzel. All of the dishes were delicious and the portions very large so that we were able to take some home. We'll definitely return next time we'll be in town. I would recommend to reserve because the place is small. read more

WHAT A FIND AND DEFINITELY A KEEPER . How exciting to walk into a new restaurant and leave so satisfied. The menu is amazingly different and makes you feel as if you just arrived in Switzerland. Everything made the palate work overtime. The homemade spaetzlie and the couscous are the best we have had. In the past week we have had lunch and the Sunday Buffet and we will return often in fear that we might miss something. For everyone visiting Idyllwild and for the locals this is a MUST. The pricing is reasonable, the staff friendly and the food is OUTSTANDING. WELCOME TO IDYLLWILD read more

Have been eating here for a few years. The service is remarkably good.! You will feel like family eating here the first time. Nice outdoor seating. I always enjoy the daily lunch special. Mon-Fri for lunch. read more

Fantastic, always consistent, fresh and worth every penny! Support small local business!

Very friendly wait staff with very warm greeting and service. If you're ever in Idyllwild, you know it's hard to find vegan food. Cafe Aroma will whip you up some pasta, but it's a bit expensive. Had Tommy's Kitchen make me an awesome and reasonably-priced curry plate during brunch. Chef came out and gave me a number of options, personally, and then created a tailored dish. Good stuff. Great service. read more

Tommy's Kitchen - Specially-created vegan curry dish with sundried tomatoes, onion, zucchini, potato. - Modern European Near Me - Idyllwild, California

I don't get how it has such a high rating. We had lunch here and it was just mediocre at best. Maybe people just like the patio seating options? read more

This place is a gem in so many ways! The staff are fantastic, helpful, friendly and just the right amount of attentiveness. Food was great! The restaurant is a nice mix of modern and traditional. Definitely put this place on your list to visit for breakfast or lunch. read more

Came here for Sunday brunch and it was delicious! You have to try the biscuits (cheddar cheese) and gravy. Like no other gravy you have ever tasted. Tommy does a great job!! The staff is super friendly, large dessert table and the iced tea and coffee are fresh and delightful. Highly recommend this place!! read more

We had breakfast here today and it was delicious. Eggs were tasty and service was great. Actually all the food was good and actually had a really good flavor. read more

Amazing food! Buffet bfast is only Sunday! It's great to take a nice hike and come for bfast here!! Great people and good food!

Let me start by saying "this is a repeat for us"! Really enjoyed our breakfast and service! Had the 815 Breakfast and Buttermilk Pancakes. Mine was very good (especially the sausage and bacon); heard that the pancakes were a repeat, so that should say enough! Just need to update their website so the prices match -- in our case only the 815 Breakfast needs updating (online = $8.50; reality = $9.50). read more

Wonderful service and food. I had the fireman skillet and my husband had the Angus burger with a salad. The salad had great sides. You could tell that the chef takes great pride in preparing food. The presentation and taste were spit on!! Sooo glad we came here. read more