Donner Lake Kitchen: Flavorful Breakfast & Brunch in Truckee, CA

We went on a Tuesday thinking it would be mellow. They were absolutely packed. I think there was two servers and one cook and every table seated and 10 people waiting to be seated. It took a while to seat and to get our food but you could read the room so it didnt bother us. All the staff was smiling friendly and the service was great. They did a great job.

We got four meals between us and each one was absolutely outstanding. It’s the best chicken fried steak I’ve had in my life. The owner and her son and granddaughter were all gems and so fun to chat with. This is a can’t miss stop in Truckee!!

My favorite breakfast place in the area. The servers and hosts are friendly and helpful. We got there at 9:30 and there was already a 20 minute wait. By 10AM the wait was almost an hour. You can ask to sit the bar, if they have space, and you can order drinks while you wait. The food was tasty and felt homemade. The Cowboy’s Breakfast was delicious! The biscuits were soft and fluffy, the gravy was not to thick and the sausage patty was so flavorful. The Pancake Breakfast (#6) was good, too. Large and fluffy pancakes.

Food wise, I the breakfast croissant and everything was in point. But the best was for sure the service and the atmosphere. Really recommend this place

A Must-Stop Gem in Truckee! If you are driving into North Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake Kitchen is the perfect pit stop. It's located right next to the lake, making it a super convenient and scenic spot to stretch your legs and grab a bite. The Experience We arrived on a Friday afternoon and, despite it being a busy time, we only had a 10-minute wait before being seated. It's a family-owned spot, and you can really feel that warmth in the service--the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We absolutely loved the relaxed, local vibe of the place. The Food The portions here are generous and the flavors are spot on. Here is what we tried: * The Turkey Melt: My wife ordered this and it was massive! It came on perfectly grilled sourdough with cheddar, grilled onions, turkey, bacon, and avocado. She paired it with a fresh side salad and said the sandwich was amazing. * The Tuna Melt (with a twist): I went for the tuna melt on grilled sourdough with jack cheese, tomatoes, and--the best part--jalapeños and grilled onions. It was a fantastic twist on a classic. I got the sweet potato fries on the side; they gave me a huge portion and they were delicious. * "San Julian Style" Chicken Tacos: My son got these and was really happy with his dish. You get three corn tortillas filled with chicken cooked in their homemade salsa, topped with lettuce, tomato, and avocado. They serve them with salsa and sour cream on the side--definitely a hit! Verdict We definitely recommend this place! Between the tasty food, the friendly atmosphere, and the prime location right by the water, it's easily one of our favorite finds in the area. We will definitely be back. Tip: If you're heading toward the slopes or the lake, don't just drive by--pull over and eat here!

Cozy restaurant located across the street from Donner Lake, serving delicious breakfast and lunch dishes. The Famous Huevos Rancheros was definitely the star, and the Country Breakfast Skillet was also perfectly seasoned and cooked. There are so many other items that we want to try, so we will definitely be back! Friendly and efficient service. Small parking lot, so it might be hard to find parking during the peak meal hours.

I got the chilaquiles which were amazing. My husband got the cowboy breakfast and the biscuits and gravy were great! Portions are generous. They only have drip coffee and it’s not that great, but it worked. My biggest complaint is that the service sucks. Everyone who helped us looked like they hated being there, and service was SO SLOW. like, I got bored just waiting for someone to come back. Our time here felt like it dragged cus we were ready to go. We had a party of 8, so they already added gratuity to the check but honestly, isn’t gratuity based on the quality of service provided? Seemed presumptuous of them to tip themselves so well when the service was so poor. So yes, great food, but cus of the crap service, I probably wouldn’t come back.

Ten stars! The juevos ranchers half portion with chorizo was probably the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. The owner and her son were so friendly. The cook has worked there for 30 years. You cannot pass this place up if you are in the area.