Cypress Grill

We stopped here for lunch after walking around Lake Merced. We had our dog and sat at the outdoor seating. The waitress seemed ambivalent about serving us so we just ordered from the grab and go window. Prepackaged sandwiches and wraps were fine. Nice lake views and we came while they were doing dragon boat racing, a nice bonus.

Cypress Grill is tucked inside Harding Park’s golf course, overlooking the serene Lake Merced. The views are stunning—majestic cypress trees and the calm shimmer of the lake make for a peaceful dining experience. Breakfast portions are generous, pricing is fair, and the staff? Exceptionally friendly and efficient. It’s rare to find a quiet spot like this where you can truly unwind while enjoying good food and great service. Afterward, I took a leisurely stroll along the nearby path, passing vibrant yellow night primrose, lush gardens, and spotting plenty of birds along the way. It was truly relaxing—magical, even. This place has quickly become one of my new favorite hidden gems.

I went here on a weekday morning and it wasn't too crowded. I was greeted promptly and told to sit wherever I wanted. Of course, I chose a table by the window overlooking the lake. Right away, a friendly server came over and took my order. I got the presidential breakfast. It was delicious and a lot of food. I still had pancake and bacon left over for days! This is a great place to go for a relaxing breakfast with good service and great views. Plenty of parking in the large parking lot and the price was reasonable too.