The Getaway Cafe is a cottage-style breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant located at 3140 US-50 in the Meyers neighborhood just south of the main South Lake Tahoe city limits. Known by its tagline as a home for alpine comfort cuisine, this mountain diner blends classic American morning staples with traditional Mexican breakfast dishes and creative daily specials. Positioned directly along Highway 50 near the base of Echo Summit, the cafe draws skiers heading toward Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe in winter, hikers tackling the Desolation Wilderness in summer, and local residents looking for scratch-made meals cooked to order.
What to Expect at The Getaway Cafe
Housed in a cozy, wood-accented roadside cottage, The Getaway Cafe operates out of a compact kitchen where every plate is cooked fresh to order. Because of the intimate interior dining room and the deliberate pace of scratch cooking, the atmosphere is casual, warm, and unhurried. During the warmer months from late spring through early autumn, the outdoor patio opens under the towering Jeffrey pines, offering shaded tables and dog-friendly seating where guests can enjoy mountain air alongside morning coffee or brunch cocktails.
The menu spans hearty egg scrambles, stuffed French toast, Eggs Benedict variations, and house-made Mexican specialties like huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and chorizo burritos. Lunch shifts toward gourmet half-pound burgers, grilled paninis, crisp salads, and hot sandwiches served with seasoned fries or homemade soup. A chalkboard inside the entrance highlights rotating seasonal creations, which often feature locally sourced produce, decadent pancake batters, and savory seafood or steak Benedicts. A dedicated brunch beverage menu complements the kitchen with bloody marys, mimosas, Irish coffee, espresso drinks, and regional craft beers.
- Mexican Breakfast Specialties: House-made huevos rancheros, spicy machaca and chorizo scrambles, and smothered breakfast burritos topped with house salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Eggs Benedict & Chalkboard Specials: Classic and California Benedicts alongside rotating chef specials such as crab cake Benedicts,chile relleno plates, and seasonal berry stuffed French toast.
- Hearty Alpine Lunches: Charbroiled burgers, turkey bacon avocado melts, Reuben sandwiches, and crispy fish tacos served continuously through the afternoon.
- Brunch Beverages & Coffee Bar: Signature bloody marys, fruity mimosa flights, spiked hot chocolates, and locally roasted coffee drinks.
- Pine-Shaded Outdoor Patio: Seasonal open-air dining deck surrounded by Sierra conifers with umbrella-shaded tables that welcome leashed dogs in fair weather.
The Getaway Cafe at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3140 US-50, Meyers / South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Meyers (Highway 50 Corridor, south of the Y intersection) |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Most breakfast and lunch plates range from $14 to $22) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 75 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site gravel and paved parking lot; Tahoe Transportation District Route 55 stop in Meyers |
| Official Website & Phone | tahoegetawaycafe.com | +1 530-577-5132 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
The Getaway Cafe operates on a first-come, first-served basis for daily breakfast and lunch, and the small kitchen prepares plates sequentially. On Saturday and Sunday mornings—especially during winter powder days or peak July and August weekends—arriving between 7:00 AM and 8:15 AM is the best strategy to secure a table without a 30-to-45-minute wait. If a wait list forms, guests can grab a hot coffee or mimosa while relaxing on the front porch. Drivers will find free off-street parking directly in front of and beside the building along US-50, though spaces fill quickly around 10:00 AM. The ground-level patio and main cottage entrance have minimal steps, making the outdoor tables easily accessible for strollers and visitors with mobility aids, while the indoor dining room is compact with closely spaced tables.
Because the cafe sits in the heart of Meyers near the junction of US-50 and State Route 89 (Luther Pass Road), it pairs naturally with outdoor recreation in the southern Tahoe Basin. Less than two miles away, Tahoe Paradise Park offers paved walking paths around Lake Baron and peaceful picnic spots along the Upper Truckee River. Golfers can tee off directly across the highway at the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, while cyclists and cross-country skiers can access the Meyers Bike Path and Washoe Meadows State Park within a five-minute drive. During winter, the cafe is located roughly 15 minutes east of Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and 25 minutes north of Kirkwood Mountain Resort via Highway 89 and Highway 88.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of operation at The Getaway Cafe, and when is the least crowded time to eat?
The Getaway Cafe is open seven days a week from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Weekday mornings and early weekend arrivals before 8:30 AM offer the shortest wait times, whereas Sunday brunch between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM is the busiest window of the week.
How much does a meal cost at The Getaway Cafe, and do they take reservations?
The restaurant falls into the moderate $$ price tier, with most breakfast entrees, Benedicts, and lunch sandwiches priced between $14 and $22 before drinks. Seating is walk-in only without advance reservations, so large groups should arrive early to be seated together.
How much time should travelers budget for breakfast or lunch here?
Plan to spend 45 to 75 minutes for a meal once seated. Because all dishes are cooked to order in a compact cottage kitchen, food preparation takes slightly longer during full-house rushes than at standard fast-casual diners.
Is The Getaway Cafe family-friendly and dog-friendly?
Yes, the casual mountain-cabin vibe welcomes families with children, and the kitchen offers kid-friendly pancake, egg, and burger options. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the outdoor patio tables during the warmer months when snow has cleared.
When planning your South Lake Tahoe travel guide or browsing verified brunch restaurant in South Lake Tahoe, pair this stop with standout local spots including Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach, Driftwood Cafe, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe, and The Divided Sky (0.2 km away).
