Not much has changed since owner Barbara Blake arrived at Deetjen’s in 1939, and breakfast in the magnolia-shrouded courtyard remains a rite of passage for first-timers. (We’ve also heard good things about Chef Domingo Santamaria’s breakfast burrito, which was recently added to the morning line-up.) Dinner is downright magical, set in one of the four small dining rooms, where old photos line the walls, and the entire space is lit by candlelight. The warming menu is simple but thoughtful: a creamy saffron vegetable risotto, oven roasted rack of lamb, homemade soup, and Dungeness crab cakes.

Deetjen's charming, English-style vibes wouldn't be possible without the work of Barbara Blake, the widowed Englishwoman who transformed the barn into snug accommodation in 1939. Today, Deetjen's functions as a historic inn with a hearty restaurant attached to it. Stop by Deetjen's Restaurant before embarking on a long road trip across Big Sur to indulge in carb-loaded goodies like buttermilk pancakes, breakfast burritos, and other delicious fare!

An adorable rustic cottage packed with plates, harlequin figures, bric-a-brac, and fabric streamers, warmed by fireplaces and potbelly stoves, soothed by soft classical music, Deetjen's manages to be romantic even at breakfast, for Eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes, or impressively sized burritos. This beloved favorite opened in 1939 in a rustic lodge built by a Norwegian immigrant amid the redwoods.

Just down the road at Deetjen’s Restaurant, the eggs Benedict has 10 different customizations on the menu. Try yours with avocado or smoked salmon or vegetarian sausage. This cozy hideaway inside an Inn also makes delicious blueberry pancakes that can carb you up for a stunning jaunt in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Deetjen’s Restaurant has that cozy, vintage vibe that makes you feel like you’re at a family cabin. It’s tucked away in a vintage lodge and filled with quirky knickknacks. This charm is thanks to Barbara Blake, an Englishwoman who transformed the barn into snug accommodation in 1939.

I had high expectations for my second visit to this restaurant in Big Sur after an incredible first experience. The charming atmosphere, kind staff, and delicious food made me want to share this gem with my friends. Unfortunately, this visit didn’t live up to my previous one.

Nepenthe for Drinks with a View of the Ocean: Nepenthe is actually a restaurant, but truthfully, I didn’t think their food was “all that.” Do people still say that?. They do have this killer deck overlooking the water though, so I’d recommend a drink at sunset on the deck.

Everything about Deetjen’s feels timeless, and the restaurant is no exception. Candlelit, wood-paneled, with the kind of warmth that lingers long after you leave. Breakfast is hearty—eggs benedict, thick-cut toast, endless cups of hot coffee poured without needing to ask.

Deetjen’s Restaurant feels more like a charming English cottage than a restaurant, but that’s exactly why people love it. Serving breakfast and dinner, this establishment prides itself on organic and local ingredients. Both vegetarians and vegans can be accommodated.

Big Sur favorites have a habit of sticking around for awhile. Maybe it’s the setting, maybe it’s the home-style cooking paired with a carefully curated wine list. Candlelit dining rooms don’t hurt the mood.