Lake Highlands Cafe

Walk in on a Saturday around 10 and you will find regulars at the counter, families clustered around tables, and a host quietly working the wait list.

Set in Dallas, TX, Lake Highlands Cafe has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Lake Highlands Cafe. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
• Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
• Steel-cut oats with brown sugar, toasted nuts, and stewed fruit
• Huevos rancheros with corn tortillas, refried beans, and salsa verde
• Croque madame with béchamel, gruyère, and a fried egg
• Bottomless mimosa flight (90-minute limit, weekends only)
• Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
• Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin

Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.

Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.

Pro tip from the regulars: arrive before 9:30 on Saturdays or after 1 on Sundays to skip the worst of the wait.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Dallas, Lake Highlands Cafe is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Save room for one of the pastries on the way out — they bake everything in-house, and the morning buns are legendary among regulars.

Tips from the regulars

• Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Lake Highlands Cafe.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Lake Highlands Cafe open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:00; Sa-Su 07:00-15:00. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Lake Highlands Cafe take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Dallas are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Lake Highlands Cafe kid-friendly?

Yes — Lake Highlands Cafe welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Lake Highlands Cafe serve?

It's classified under breakfast, burger, sandwich — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Dallas.

Is there outdoor seating at Lake Highlands Cafe?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 6751 Abrams Road. Coordinates: 32.8672, -96.7436. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.