Best Breakfast in Tahoe

Skiers and hikers love breakfast and brunch at the Log Cabin Cafe, claiming their generous portions of eggs, pancakes, and many other breakfast mainstays to be the ideal fuel for a day on the slopes. Cajun, Lobster or Crab Eggs Benedict, various waffles made with bacon or chocolate chips topped with the fruit of your choice, seafood scrambles, and whole wheat pancakes or Arizona French Toast are indicative of the indulgent, appetizing fare. Gluten free items and a children's menu are also available. Weekend brunch includes tempting dishes from the breakfast and lunch menus. Convenient call-ahead seating helps you avoid crowds that often gather in the a.m.

For over a quarter of a century, this cheery establishment has been serving three meals a day to crowds of tourists who leave full and happy. Rosie's breakfasts include items such as Eggs New Orleans, Bagels and Lox and Huevos Rancheros. You can create your own three-egg omelette and get a short stack or Swedish Oatmeal Pancakes on the side. Their lunches include hot and cold sandwiches like the Italian Deli, and the Hot Pastrami. They also serve Italian, Mexian and Cajun foods for lunch. Dinner includes hamburgers, salads and various appetizers including Pot Stickers, Nachos and Fondue. Main entrees include various pizzas, Fish and Chips, Chicken Fried Steak, Pasta, NY Steak and great desserts such as Bachelor Bait Chocolate Cake.

The spot for breakfast and lunch in Truckee, Squeeze In is renowned for its huge omelets � all 62 varieties. Featuring almost every ingredient conceivable (including shrimp, avocado, and pesto), as well as standbys like bacon, onions, and cheese, many of the omelets are named after local regulars who invented them. Toast and potatoes are served with each eggy behemoth as well as the restaurants homemade salsa and sauces. Lunchtime sees soups, salads, and sandwiches, and dinner is available too, but folks agree that morning is the time to go. This restaurant has also been featured on the Food Network's show, "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."

Heidi's is known in the South Lake Tahoe area for its delicious pancakes and Swiss-themed breakfast. Locals and skiers stop by this place to munch on some delicious sandwiches and burgers along with steaming hot coffee. For its regular guests, Heidi's is a common place to meet up and chat during the early morning hours. The restaurant is also open for lunch, but locals generally prefer to visit Heidi's for its breakfast. Their most popular items (all served in large portions) are the Country Fried Steak and Eggs, the French Revolution with with fresh fruit and sour cream, the breakfast crepes, four egg omelets and their skillet breakfasts and, of course the pancakes. Each stack can be ordered with your choice of fruit or topping and can include sausage, bacon, and hash browns.

With rave reviews from locals and visitors and lines often out the door on busy weekend mornings, Fire Sign Cafe is surely one of Tahoe's most popular breakfast spots. A quick glance at the menu shows why � a dill and artichoke omelet, veggie eggs Benedict, a Gouda scramble, and buckwheat pancakes topped with hot, freshly-made blueberry and raspberry sauce are representative of the ante meridiem treats that await. The coffee and teas are pretty good and don't forget the mimosas and Bloody Mary drinks. Lunch is served, but for late-risers, breakfast is available all day. An attractive deck is open seasonally.

The Old Post Office Cafe in Carnelian Bay has a casual, laid back atmosphere with good home-style breakfasts. Try the build-your-own egg-and-cheese scrambles, fluffy pancakes that are made from scratch and breakfast burritos with local eggs. Locals love this casual coffee shop and breakfast spot located in an old post office. Sit awhile and read the paper at the counter, or bring a couple of friends and have a leisurely meal in the dining room. Specials such as crab cakes Benedict are occasionally on offer, and you'll find standards like omelets and French toast on the menu. Expect a short wait on weekends and on snowy mornings.

The Keys Cafe is located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe in a tiny yellow house. This funky cafe serves up breakfast, lunch, beer wine and their famous smoothies. The atmosphere is fun with local art on the walls and fresh, local eggs served in their omelettes, breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos. Their smoothies include the typical fruit smoothies like the Go Mango with mango, raspberry, banana and orange juice and the Castaway with Coconut, mango and pineapple juice as well as granola smoothies that are great for breakfast. The Keys Cafe also has Chai Tea smoothes, Espresso smoothies and Super Smoothies like the 911 with Emergen-C, banana, mango and orange juice.

Zuri Coffee brings a bit of the Bay Area and Europe to Lake Tahoe. This Bohemian-style cafe owned by a Swiss couple serves not only great coffee, but also a variety of crepes and panini for both breakfast and lunch. Start off with a latte or cafe au lait made the classic European way. Add a piece of Organic Avocado Toast with tomatoes and greens ($8.25) or a bagel topped with eggs, lox or veggies ($3.75-$8.25). Build your own crepe with both sweet and savory options like Nutella, fruit, sausage, bacon, mushrooms or goat cheese (starting at $6.75). Zuri Coffee also serves a wide selection of European style pastries.

The Driftwood Cafe near the Heavenly ski area in South Lake Tahoe has a huge menu full of breakfast and lunch items. This cute little diner decorated with Tahoe driftwood serves items such as Huevos del Driftwood with tortilla chips and grilled potatoes topped with sour cream ($9.25), and Eggs Benedict with a cheesy herb sauce ($11.95). The cafe also specializes in omelets and breakfast burritos, pancakes and an assortment of waffles. Their endless cups of coffee are made with locally roasted beans. There is plenty of places to sit at the Driftwood Cafe (including the counter), but the proximity to Heavenly makes this a very popular place. Get here early for a good seat to people-watch.

The exceptional breakfast buffet at Cascades at the Resort at Squaw Creek is not only delicious, it comes with a stellar view. Located in Olympic Valley, this hotel restaurant pairs gourmet food with a casual atmosphere and views of the surrounding mountains. The buffet features homemade breads, deli meats and cheese, oatmeal, egg dishes, bacon and locally made sausages and jams. You can also request a special dish from the chef or make your own pancakes or waffles. Check out the huge Bloody Mary bar where you can also make your own mimosa and fresh juice drink. Cascades also has made-to-order coffee drinks.