Whale Watchers Cafe

CA-1, Big Sur
(805) 927-1590

Recent Reviews

Sort by
Peter S

This has always been the go to spot for me on my way back from Laguna Seca and World Superbike/MotoGP races. I always got the BBQ Chicken, an endless cup coffee and of course the grand finale was a huge piece of delicious carrot cake. No rushing, no problem sitting there hanging out chatting with the help and guests. They recognized me when I would come in year after year on my motorcycle. Great place, can’t beat the view. The food was fantastic, the service impeccable. I would give more than five stars if I could.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Charles Hegi

Great views. But it’s the only place within like 20 miles that has food/gas/firewood/etc… so it comes with its faults as expected. $23 for a burger that was definitely frozen at some point. But it’s a burger on highway 1. The people were really nice, actually, but we walked around for about 10 minutes before we found anyone.

Rachel Gibson

Stopped by a few days ago while camping up the road. I was super excited at first because the cafe itself was really cute and had a great view of the coast, but it was difficult to find an employee who would acknowledge our existence, to the point that we were firmly convinced it was closed after wandering around for about ten minutes. The food was pricey, $26 for a hamburger that had notes of middle school cafeteria food, but the fries were good. The water glasses were cracked and dirty and a blatant health code violation but everything else, including the restroom, was very clean. It’s worth nothing that this is the only blip of human civilization within a reasonable distance on Highway 1, so while I was a bit dubious about the experience, I was grateful for its presence.

Devin Ramdutt

It’s disappointing when grumpy service takes away from the average, overpriced food.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

AJ C

My experience here was fantastic. My mom and I stopped for lunch while exploring the Big Sur area. We got the fish and chips with iced tea and it hit the spot. Very fresh, tasty, and reasonably priced for the portion size and location of the restaurant. We had unobstructed views of the ocean from the dining area and the service was great. Would definitely recommend stopping here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mary Milosevic Grizzle

Burger was good. $23. Waitress had tv game show on loud the whole time. Really annoying.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 2

Semih Coskan

medium size Togo Coffee $7

Paul Cohn

It’s not fancy, but the hamburger was delicious and the service was great.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

BPM

Said it was open, wasn't open

Theresa Thurm

Hi!Highly recommend for the views and the atmosphere. The man who owns the property is extremely sweet and polite. Unfortunately, business was slow due to the PCH being closed. The gas is expensive, but one of the only few in the deep of Big Sur, which is understandable. Stop in and get some beer and enjoy the view!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Emily M

Seriously, skip it! Awful, frozen, overpriced food, rude, bitter woman working the counter, and a weird creepy vibe in the restaurant. I wish I could take the time and money I spent here back. The only thing here worth your while is the bathrooms in the back.

Das58 (Das58)

Extremely over priced, 7 of us went in for dinner, all ordered fish and chips or the sea food combo , 2 people in our group had 1 beer everyone else had ice tea or a soda , when I got the check it was $426.00 with the 20 % added gratuity, I thought it was a mistake lol ....nope , that's some high dollar gas station fish and chips

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

Chr1sty M

Beautiful views

Atmosphere: 5

Christina Musch

Beautiful views

Atmosphere: 5

John Letkeman

Enjoyable quaint roadside bar and restaurant, admirably kept open even though the #1 Pacific Coast highway has been closed for years, with very little traffic.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Loading...