Reviews

We started our California vacation on July 5th. Today is the 8th and we finally had a fantastic meal. So much variety and fabulous ingredients. An adorable wee spot near Sunset Cliffs. We will be visiting again during our holiday. Thanks, ladies!!!

Love the food here! The attention to detail of the actual food is great. Everything is prepared extremely well and tastes wonderfully yummy! It's a small out of the way little simple shop with a lot of love for the food. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

Oh my goodness! Little Lion Cafe is this precious little treasure in Ocean Beach. I just ate there twice in the last three weeks and I love this place! It's almost guaranteed that you'll wait for a table because the word is getting out and it's a small place with seating for only 22. The food is organic and delicious and healthy and delicious. Oh, wait, I already said that! The chefs really respect the good things of the earth and know how to bring it all together in wonderful, beautiful meals. I heartily recommend this gem, even knowing it's going to make it harder for me to get a table next time I go!

I was looking for a place to eat near the coast as we wanted to do a coastal walk in the area. The cafe had a very European feel to it with a twist of having vegetarian and vegan options. It is a small cafe with some seating inside and out the front but not much room for large groups. The interior suits the theme of the cafe well. The avocado on toast was delicious and so was the side of potatoes we got to share. I also ordered a dairy free peanut butter smoothie and it was very tasty and filling. The service was quick and friendly. I would definitely come back again next time I'm in San Diego.

What a great surprise! We enjoyed a late lunch and each had a different salad! Fresh, tasty ingredients served with excellent service in a quaint, family run cafe! Finish with the flourless chocolate cake - its amazing!

Small Cute Quaint little eatery that has Belgium Under Tones to there Eats ...Straight to The Point and good solid Eats ...

When my girlfriend and I discovered this cafe, we were exhausted. Four days of crazy travel had left us beyond drained. This was our final stop before hopping the plane home, and I can tell you, it made our night! The fettuccini and French grilled cheese (I think that is the correct name) we're both to die for. The staff was friendly and attentive (I even saw a waitress run down a couple who had left something at their table...she ran a solid two blocks to catch them)! You are also only one block away from the water, making it a great place to eat before the sunset.

Chose this place as we heard good things and was an easy walk from where we were staying. Food, coffee and service was very good.

We had a fantastic dinner the week of July 4th. Sat at one of the two outdoor tables. All four diners loved their meals. The bruschetta with bacon, goat cheese, and strawberries was a highlight as were the Duck sausage and the lemon meringue pie.

Great breakfast, nice surrounds, friendly staff. If you are looking for a solid meal before you hit the beach go and get the Power breakfast. It was flavorful and gave us the energy for a fun day.

We loved Little Lion. The ingredients are top notch. The dishes were imaginative, healthy, and well executed. The staff was friendly and efficient. We went early for both breakfast and dinner multiple times during our stay and plan to return.

Delicious, friendly, very courteous staff! Perfect place for a light breakfast. Try the egg salad croissant ! Thinly sliced apple pears and strawerrries on the side it was just right.

This little cafe in Sunset Cliffs offers a great atmosphere, wonderful service and the food is healthly and mouth watering. The prices are reasonable for the location and they offer a great variety with a killer wine list. I highly recommend this place.

we ate breakfast here and are already planning a return visit to the Ocean Beach area which will include this cafe at least once! The service is good, but be patient when it's busy. It gets a bit crowded due to the quality of the food, and the friendliness of the owners and staff!

Sometimes you just accidentally jump into a place and are really positively surprised and this such a place. Wonderful staff where they dearly care and fantastic genuine food.

A small cafe. Excellent, healthy ingredients. Good service. I had breakfast here with a friend and also got take out for dinner.

Great little restaurant, very fresh food, small menu (prefer this anyway) and great service. If we come to visit again, we will definitely eat here again (we had breakfast and dinner, both meals were wonderful).

Small quirky pretty restaurant. We both had the organic egg salad in a croissant and the waitress advised us to have the Llittle Lion roast potatoes with aioli as well. . Absolutely delicious !

Refreshing menu / my boyfriend had the granola and I had the chia pudding with coconut cream. There was also a selection of eggs, salads and pastries. The decor is also lovely and staff were very attentive. My only fault is that my boyfriend wasn't full after his serving, however I loved it!

After a fantastic 3 mile hike along the bluffs we stopped by this cafe expecting a simple coffee shop. Their breakfast was awesome! Poached eggs over greens - fantastic (garlic alert!)! Waffles - tasted deep fried, but in a light, tasty way. Absolutely delicious, especially with the mixed berries and home made whip cream. Plate of berries was wonderful too. It also had the home made whip cream and a wonderful sauce. Coffee and orange juice were wonderful too! Indoor and outdoor seating (though this is a very small place)

After dining for many years at The Belgium Lion my family was saddened when it closed. Then recently we found out that the granddaughters had opened a little place near the beach. One lunch was all it took to hook us. WOW the food is simply spectacular. I live near Denver, however, will make this little place my go to whenever I head to San Diego. And I know both my mom and sister, who live in San Diego have already been back a number of times. Don't miss the special Belgium potatoes. And don't rush .. this is a meal to slowly enjoy!! Bon Apetite

It was a beautiful warm morning ! We had a great breakfast, we did have to wait a bit. While waiting we enjoyed a delightful cup of coffee. You could see the ocean just around the corner and hear the waves crashing. The service was excellent and our food was very good. Laid back and enjoyable

This tiny café was just what we needed after our walk along Sunset Cliffs. My two daughters--one of vegan and one a vegetarian--found sufficient options, as did my husband and I. Salads are large, but other dishes are reasonable. I tried the breakfast bruschetta since it was unique. It was a little heavy on the fresh ricotta and the honey for my taste, but I made it work by eating with the fruit. The only issue we came across was the seating. We preferred to sit outside since there were plenty of seats, but the waitress sat us inside, telling us the outside table was for other folks who had been waiting. They ended up sitting at a two-person table outside and our foursome was seated inside, leaving outside larger table empty. Not a big deal and still enjoyed ourselves.

If you're lucky enough to live in Point Loma or you're passing through, a meal at the Little Lion will quite likely become a much talked-about event. The place is tiny and it only adds to its charm. The service is exemplary and the food is worthy of five stars. Highly recommended.

Little Lion Cafe has the best breakfast. The ingredients are fresh and delicious. Every bite is simply perfect. Such a cute place in a great location by the ocean.

If you're into deathly eating I would defiantly look into this little restaurant. I kept missing it because its hard to find since its a small place but it feels almost like you're eating breakfast at home... with 20 other people. Great, unique food options!

Went here with a friend for brunch and really enjoyed our food and service. The sisters who own it are there to make sure everything you have is perfect. It's a tiny place and not near anything else. They are dog friendly too. We had eggs and potatoes and tea. Their baked goods looked yummy but we didn't try any. Everything came out fairly quickly. Over all I would come back here again.

love, love this small intimate cafe which takes me back to my European travel days minus the pedestrian way of people watching albeit cars now! Fresh flowers on the table. They take care in presentation/taste & specials. Have eaten on the late luncheon/early dinner time to miss the crowd but to allow for easy walk for sunset cliff viewing of the sunsets too. Our favorite go too while in the area. Bathroom thru the kitchen but nice to see kitchen tight but tidy. Also wheelchair accessible mainly with outdoor dining table easier than small indoor dining room/cottage.

Eat Breakfast here at little lion and it was great. Yoghurt with friut and à blt sandwich. Doesnt look so nice from the street but very nice inside

We stopped in expecting the little dive we visited last summer. We found that ownership had changed and at first look we weren't even sure they served food. Once we discovered that they did, we thought we would give it a shot. The staff was very nice and proud of this establishment. The restaurant looks very clean, including the kitchen that you must walk through part of to get to the restroom (a bit awkward). I had the Superfood Bowl, my wife had the Farmhouse Salad, and we shared a cup of the Butternut Squash Soup. All were "good" or better, and not oversized. But then there was the mention of dessert. We were quite satisfied, but YOLO (as the cool kids say). We decided to try the Chia Seed Pudding. It was FABULOUS! Perhaps it is because we had never tried a chia seed pudding and thus had no expectations whatsoever, but we fell in love with it! It was topped with some sliced berries and a bit of coconut whipped cream. We left with a smile on our faces and a block away to take a lovely walk along the Sunset Cliffs.

We stopped by after walking & biking. Great little cafe with delicious food & beautiful presentations. Vegan options.

Fabulous meal. Charming environment. Hot foods got, cold foods cold. Fresh ingredients. Artisan like menu. Would return for sure.

Local spot with a limited number of seats, but ample folks looking for good food. The menu is filled with options, locally sourced. We had the Eggs Benedict and drip coffee. Others items for our group was the Avocado Toast and the Fresh Vegetable Bowl. Would recommend

We were staying two streets away and ate here for breakfast and lunch. The food is genuinely lovely. The menus is an ideal size and means that the kitchen is able to concentrate on quality rather than quantity of choices. It's small so book if you are able to unless you want to queue or go outwith popular times. I'd say that's a positive rather than a negative though.

We loved dining at this adorable family run cafe... Excellent service and delicious healthy food. Fresh, local and mostly organic, we were super excited about their vegan options. Satisfying for all dining preferences, you will not be disappointed. Delicious!

Was nearby with my friends. Decided to visit for a lunch! Was amazed by menu and dishes. Really nice service and great food. A lot of healthy option! You should put it on your must visit list!

While on my way to see Sunset Cliffs and Cabrillo National Monument, a local recommended Little Lion Cafe for breakfast. It's unassuming on the outside, but you can tell someone is paying attention to detail when you go in. This bodes well for the food. Everything on the menu is creative and sounds delicious, but you can't eat everything. We chose the berry smoothie, cold-pressed Mexican Candy juice, baja bowl, chia seed pudding with coconut cream and the avocado toast and ate until we couldn't. Every detail from presentation to service was perfection and the flavors boundless The food is superior.

This was a great find. This is one of my favorite brunch place besides Cafe Chloe downtown. Definitely not your standard american fare of bacon, and pancakes. The owners are Belgian so not surprisingly the Belgian waffles are excellent. The whipped coconut cream made it extra interesting. The baked eggs with leeks and goat cheese was good but under-seasoned. It comes with sourdough baguette which was also good. I recommend the almond pastry as well as the kale salad.

Run by a fun, happy little family from kids to grandpa, I think the sisters actually run the day-to-day, it was our kind of establishment, good food, reasonable pricing and tasty dessert!

I’m so glad we found this place – gutted we didn’t find it two days earlier. It’s tiny and awesome. The menu is interesting, the atmosphere is great, the décor is great, the staff were great. It was great. Once we found it we made sure we went back the next day (our last breakfast in the US) before we got picked up for our flight home. The avo on toast (with an egg) was just delicious!

I hesitate to write a review because I know the wait for a table will be longer the next time we visit as more people discover this special eatery. We waited 30 minutes for a table when we visited last weekend. Of course, it is worth the wait. The menu is creative and healthy, and everything we have ordered has been delicious. I ordered the baked eggs and greens, and sopped up every last drop with the bread that was served on the side. The coffee, elixirs, and smoothies are fantastic, too. You have to go but don't tell anyone else about this sweet place. There is no air conditioning, so if you are sensitive to heat, don't go on a hot day. Our family always plans our trip to San Diego around a visit to the Little Lion Cafe, and we always leave a little more in love with the place.

I have only eaten breakfast here but their food is amazing! The coffee is great. The food is fresh, perfectly cook and presented well. The intimate setting is fun and great for people watching! Love love love!

The family came here for breakfast today. It’s a charming little place with approximately 10 tables inside and two outside. We had prompt and helpful service. The eggs Benedict was fabulous! The baked eggs shakshouka were good but needed more tomato sauce. The gluten-free Dutch baby was very tasty. The potatoes were so salted that they were inedible. We told the waitress and she replaced them within minutes. Fun place but pretty expensive.

What a fabulous surprise to stop by for an early dinner. We went out to the Sunset Cliffs to enjoy the sunset and decided to stop by for a bite on our way back to our generic convention hotel. This was completely the best meal of our trip. Their house Chardonnay was good, not too oaky. The sea bass was cooked to perfection. At the table next to us we’re two flight attendants who made the pilgrimage to the restaurant from SF. Apparently it has quite a wonderful reputation. Wish we had such a treasure like this up North in Washington state. We would be eating here once a week. Prices were very reasonable and the service was attentive. Our server gave us the history of the restaurant. Loved everything about this little place. I would come back to SD just to eat here again.

My wife found this place online and we decided to try it. It was terrific. The restaurant is very small with only a few tables. It had a Bohemian feel to it. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was fantastic. All three of us had dishes that we really liked: gnocchi, pulled pork, and grilled cheese. We started with the onion rings. For the quality of food that we received, the prices were not that much. All three of us ate for about $70. I would definitely eat here again!

Little Lion is a fantastic little restaurant right next to the Inn at Sunset Cliffs. We ate their twice while staying at the hotel because we were so impressed during our first visit. The food was fantastic - really delicious and high quality. The staff was also very friendly, and the environment was also kid-friendly, which was much appreciated.

Stopped for lunch after visiting Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. The restaurant is small, as in 'Little' Lion, but we received a big, warm, friendly welcome. My husband's seafood salad was beautiful, delicious, and more than enough for him. My BLT with avocado--made on focaccia bread with delicious bacon, heirloom tomatoes, and aioli--was the best I've ever had! Service was friendly and efficient, and we enjoyed chatting briefly with some of the staff. It's the sort of unique local restaurant that can make a trip really special. Wish I lived near enough to be a regular-- definitely will recommend to anyone visiting the area!

Little Lion is located on the Sunset Cliffs and looks like a welcoming harbour for everybody who can drop in: locals, jogging lovers and hippie style travellers. Staff (all are pretty ladies) offer meal to meet every need: healthy breakfast, square dinner or just to have a bit. Cuisine is a fancy combination of American traditional food and something from European/Mediterranean. There is a simple as well as stylish design inside with quotes (of Cesar Chavez etc.) about meal, love and family on the walls. Their philosophy meaning helps to understand the minor sense of small worries of life while having some coffee there. (By the way espresso is delicious!). And to forget for a little while where you go and about Pacific nearby. Little Lion is a key sight of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard for sure.

This tiny place is right near Sunset Cliffs, but you won't have a view. It only seats maybe 20 at a time, but the food is original and good. We went for breakfast and I had the ricotta toast, which came with a variety of fresh fruits and berries...not to mention good coffee.

Little Lion recently started serving dinner, and this was absolutely the best that could happen to the folks living close by. I don't live here and that's a shame considering that you now can eat really good food that's not the usual sandwich and steak menu. We want here twice during our vacation and maybe we should have gone once or twice more! Thank you guys for really good food and best of luck in the future! From the the two swedes.

Tucked away on the side of the road on Sunset Cliffs Blvd, is a little white building with a few tables outside and a few more than that inside. What is produced from inside the tiny kitchen is a pleasant assortment of meals that is both comfort food and trendy. We stopped for a late lunch on the way to the cliffs. We had the Buffalo Mozzarella Sandwich, Superfood Bowl, a Belgian Waffle and Egg Salad on a Croissant. The vanilla bean lattes were great as were the Alkaline Lemonade with Charcoal. It is a great spot off the beaten path that one can still be a people watcher with the outside seating.

Little Lion has one of the most interesting breakfast menus we have ever seen, natural foods, healthy choices, and wonderful meats and eggs too. If you go for breakfast, you will want to go back. Sunset Cliffs is adjacent for you to walk along before and after breakfast.

This tiny bistro serves all three meals, including vegetarian options. The waitress was polite, the menu small for dinner. Everything was a la carte which made it fairly pricey. My travel companion and I had shrimp which were presented in a tiny casserole dish set upon a bread board along with three slices of sour dough bread. I had a cup of hot tea, and we also had one flourless chocolate dessert that featured a few berries and whipped cream. What we ate was well prepared and tasty. Price was $48.00.

Little Lion consistently serves luscious, fresh, and healthy meals. Ambiance is perfect, reminds me of Paris-very relaxed and inviting. Never have I felt rushed. Have been there for both breakfast and lunch. Would give it 10/10, can't imagine it being a disappointment!

Went to this little cafe for lunch, after a nice walk along sunset cliffs. Tiny, adorably decorated cafe with a fantastic vibe. All the servers were mellow, smiling and helpful. I had a chai latte and the pomegranate kale salad with an added poached egg. My mate had the tuna salad plate. Honestly, I was a bit concerned about eating a whole salad based on Kale. If not prepared properly, kale can taste very chewy and un appetizing. Hands down, this was the best kale salad I've had! The tuna plate was light and delicious. Very nice menu with a variety of salads, egg dishes, and sandwiches. If you go, plan on waiting, as the seating is limited, and it can get busy...because the food is so delicious!!

If you visited the Belgian Lion restaurant years ago you know the pedigree of the Little Lion-- fine food prepared in the French tradition with charming presentation. But this is not your father's cafe. The location is funky beach in a cottage setting. It's an interesting combination of the old and the new.

Not to be missed café for breakfast, brunch or dinner. Rare combination of top rate, food and a "feel like you are a guest in someone's home". From the two sister/owners to the servers guests are made to feel like everyone is so happy you chose their restaurant for your dining experience!

Delicious fresh and healthy, cute place in a great location and friendly staff. What more can you ask for? I suggest a bowl for lunch, they all looked great.

We were staying at the hotel next door and my son was still sleeping so my husband got carry out. I had the avocado toast with shaved vegetables. He had the smoked salmon. We shared a fruit plate. The freshness was amazing. The produce! The bread! All top top quality. Portions on the small side (or reasonable for heathy eating) You pay for the quality, totally worth it.

We loved Little Lion Cafe! The service was excellent - fast and friendly. The food was amazing! We had the porridge and the eggs benedict. We found the prices to be very fair; it was great value for money. Would definitely visit again!

We were a little taken aback that they are only open for dinner on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, but that was before we discovered that they are well known for their brunch (everyone needs some down time right?). We shared the Bruschetta of the day and the Gem Lettuce Salad. I had the Poached Baja Shrimp and my husband had the Crab Cakes. Everything was perfect. They were very accomodating of our grandson, making him boiled spaghetti with a cheese cream sauce. The place was packed and there were only two servers, so things moved a little slow at times.

What a great local atmosphere on the beach. The food was great, and the service was terrific from start to finish. Eat, enjoy, and relax in this welcoming environment; you won't be disappointed! I will definitely visit again next time I'm in town.

We are here last year and loved it. Returned this year, and still pleased with fresh, delicious dishes. Small cafe but so worth the try! Not to miss.

Really delicious food and it is so nice to know it is healthy as well. Reasonably priced and organic, especially loved the breakfast sandwiches. We ordered ours as take out and when we picked up our food we noticed that the actual restaurant is very warm inside. Best to take a table outside or take your food home if it is a hot summer day. The portions were reasonable as were the prices.

Stopped by this cafe with two friends on a Sunday morning, and to our surprise we were able to be seated right away. The staff was super friendly and willing to give recommendations. I ordered the turmeric latte to start and it was DELICIOUS. Then I tried the mermaid bowl. There was not very much smoothie in the bowl but it did have a ton of fresh fruit which I loved. Overall I really enjoyed my meal here and would definitely go back.

A little gem that is newly opened but has a great heritage, Little Lion Cafe is owned by two San Diego sisters who grew up with food and hospitality in their bones. This, their first restaurant, offers fresh and creative cuisine made from only the best ingredients. The atmosphere is warm and neighborly and while the menu is small, there is a nice selection of wine, ciders, and bottled beer to choose from. Brunch here is nice but busy. Dinner is elegant, intimate, and delicious! Get off the beaten track, take a walk on the cliffs, and enjoy some nourishment from Little Lion Cafe!

I love farm to table and the conscious food movement,let’s be aware of where our food comes from.The little lion gives me that feeling when I come here to eat

The cafe was busy, as expected, for breakfast. The breakfast bowls were tasty and fresh. Service was quick enough for how busy it was and prices were decent for the quality of food.

We happened to walk past the Little Lion Cafe after watching the sun set and it was such a cute place so we immediately agreed on having a drink there to warm up. We were sat at the bar by the window and had a few of their special beers and the very very nice potato chips or whatever it was exactly. Staff is really nice, it's a super cute café and the bit of food we had was really good.

Stopped in becuase it looked funky from the outside and it was. Everyone was friendly. menue was a little hard to read.One of the items was egg salad for breakfast on a crusant

Small and cozy. Food is delicious, very fresh. Nice place to stop by when out walking in the Sunset Cliffs area. Average service.

We took a long walk along the cliffs early in the morning. Fortunately, this wonderful little place was open for breakfast. It is organic, which was not a real concern for me, but a plus for those for whom it is. Each dish had some really interesting item. Of course, the presentation was amazing. I had a quinoa, black bean veggie avocado salad with a lemon herb dressing topped with a poached egg. I cannot describe how good it was. My friend's dish was garnished with a watermelon radish, which I never knew existed. It was wonderfully sweet and mild and what a picture! The cappuccino was delicious. Wait staff friendly and efficient and beautiful!