On the north side of Big Bear Lake, enjoy tasty meals in a comfortable, casual café setting. We borrow the term "café" from the French to suggest a local haunt in which the tradition of made-from-scratch food carries on. We do not serve pre-made or prepackaged food, and our meals are prepared with the highest quality produce, cheeses, seafood, meats, and herbs.
The café was established in 1994 by Chef Richard Ortiz and his wife, Barbara. Located on North Shore Drive, also known as highway 38, on the north side of Big Bear Lake in the California San Bernardino mountains, the café was once an old mining shack about the size and proximity of the current walk-in refrigerator. The building has expanded and morphed over the years finding it's true destiny as a restaurant, having housed a donut shop, breakfast diner, and pizzeria among other establishments during its history. In its current incarnation, the building houses the 40-seat café and owners' residence. An outdoor patio seats 20+ during seasonable weather. Dogs are welcome guests on the lower level and sometimes receive special treats from Chef Richard.
We are open for breakfast and lunch and also serve dinner specials on Friday and Saturday evenings. The North Shore Cafe is available for private dinner parties of 14 or more on evenings we are not open to the public.
