3430 East Lake Road Business
Palm Harbor, FL 34685
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
In the sea of chains flooding Palm Harbor and surrounding Tampa Bay areas, East Lake Cafe stands out as a worthy local breakfast choice. Skip the bland popular chain breakfast offerings in favor of a nice hometown cafe which offers excellent fresh food, great service, as well as a nice relaxing setting.
Since opening in 2003, East Lake Cafe has become a local favorite. East Lake serves breakfast and lunch dishes every day from 7:00am-3:00pm. I tried this place out a few since living in Palm Harbor and enjoyed the food and alfresco patio dining. As the only downside, smoking is allowed which is a bit of a bummer for those like me who hate the smell.
The menu at East Lake includes traditional breakfast and lunch favorites along with a few specialties offered throughout the week. All allergies can be accommodated and substitutions are not a problem. The servings at are very hearty and prices are moderate.
You will find all your favorite breakfast dishes on the menu: Eggs Benedict, a variety of omelet combinations, skillets, pancakes, French toast, crepes, and breakfast sandwiches. I like the garden omelet. This omelet is stuffed with a great mixtures of asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and red onions. I really enjoyed this unique pairing of veggies. Omelets are served with potatoes and toast. The home fries were the highlight: what a delicious treat! So crispy and nicely seasoned! I opted to skip the toast, although you have your choice of white or wheat.
If you are craving something sweet, the crepes are pretty delicious. Try the light and lean crepe featuring fresh berries and low fat vanilla greek yogurt.
Locally roasted Kahwa Coffee is offered in addition to Barnie's Coffee. Smoothies, juiced, Bloody Mary's, and other alcoholic drinks are also available.
The lunch menu includes an assortment of cafe favorites such as sandwiches, wraps, burgers, soups, entree sized salads, and a selection of entrees (Country Fried Steak, Chicken Tenders, Fish and Chips, and Today's Catch to name a few). I haven't tried anything out yet but the menu looks pretty decent.
Desserts are not your standard freezer fare, but rather come from a local bakery. East Lake has partnered with Cakes by Nomeda to provide a variety of delicious, fresh dessert options such as: New York Style Cheesecake, Big Apple Pie, and Nomeda's Signature Cake.
The service at East Lake Cafe is very friendly and relaxed, which is typically what separates a great local restaurant from a rushed chain. Our server was able to accommodate our dietary preferences, and even double checked certain ingredients with the chef. We did not feel at all rushed during our breakfast.
East Lake offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Although they are located in a strip mall plaza, the outdoor patio is surprisingly nice. Surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, it feels like a nice oasis away from the congestion of US Hwy 19. On one negative note, they do allow smoking which is a disappointment for those sensitive to (and also those who simply do not like the smell!) of cigarette smoke.
I recommend arriving for an early weekend morning breakfast in order to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. The restaurant was not overly crowded and we enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. That being said, we did not appreciate the lax smoking laws.
Overall, East Lake Cafe is a great pick in the area for a relaxed breakfast or lunch dining experience. Don't go here expecting to get in an out in ten minutes. Enjoy the quiet outdoor setting along with a fantastic omelet and a great cup of coffee. It's the perfect way to start your weekend! Hopefully in the future they will ban smoking for the comfort of all guests!
