Tucked inside a Lakewood shopping center, Moon Rise Cafe has been creating lasting memories with family and friends through scratch-made breakfast and brunch that earned it the Best Breakfast in South Sound title. 🌙
This locally-owned cafe transforms simple ingredients into four-star breakfast creations where elegant hollandaise graces Benedicts, pancakes arrive featherweight and fluffy, and the Monte Cristo achieves divine status.
What looks like a humble hole-in-the-wall from the outside reveals itself as a Lakewood breakfast gem once you taste its mouth-watering dishes.
How Moon Rise Cafe Won Lakewood’s Hearts
The story of Moon Rise Cafe’s reputation as one of Lakewood’s top-rated restaurants begins with an unwavering commitment to making everything from scratch daily.
When customers first discovered this small family-friendly cafe in the shopping center, the basic decor didn’t inspire confidence—but one bite of their food transformed skeptics into devoted regulars.
The secret lay in their dedication to homemade everything: raspberry jam made in-house, scratch biscuits baked fresh daily, hash browns shredded and cooked to golden brown perfection rather than bought pre-frozen.
The addition of a juice and smoothie bar gave health-conscious diners refreshing options to pair with their hearty breakfasts, expanding appeal beyond traditional diner fare.
Weekend waits became worth it as word spread about eggs Benedict with perfectly poached eggs and “piles of shaved ham” covered in wonderful hollandaise sauce—customers willingly arrived early, knowing quality required patience.
Their success stemmed from understanding that South Sound breakfast lovers craved authenticity over Instagram-worthy presentations—perfectly seasoned food on simple plates beat beautiful but mediocre meals every time.
Food Highlights
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Monte Cristo Sandwich: This grilled masterpiece features ham and cheese on French toast with homemade raspberry jam—customers call it the best they’ve had in 30 years and the star of the menu.
- Homemade Belgian Waffle Combo: These featherweight and fluffy waffles achieve perfection in texture, served with eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage for a complete breakfast.
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Meat Lovers with Cheddar Omelet: Packed with generous amounts of meat and cheddar cheese, this hearty omelet arrives basic but perfectly executed every single time.
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Sausage Patty and 2 Eggs: The burger-sized breakfast sausage patty comes with hash browns and scrambled eggs in portions so generous that customers take half home for later.
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Biscuits and Sausage Gravy: The giant scratch biscuits get smothered in rich sausage gravy in portions so large that two biscuits easily feed four people.
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Veggie Cheddar Omelet: Featuring fresh vegetables and melted cheddar, this lighter option comes with bacon, hash browns, and sourdough toast with homemade raspberry jam.
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Rise Breakfast Sandwich: This packed sandwich features fried egg, cheddar cheese, spinach, and tomato on an English muffin for a portable breakfast option.
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Eggs Benedict: The perfectly poached eggs sit atop piles of shaved ham covered in elegant hollandaise sauce that customers describe as “to die for,” with every element executed flawlessly.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Moon Rise Cafe prioritizes substance over style, where the quiet, small yet welcoming space focuses attention on exceptional food rather than flashy decor. 🍴
Inside the shopping center location with shared parking, the family-friendly setup accommodates everyone from solo military members grabbing breakfast to multi-generational families celebrating weekend brunch.
Bottom Line
Visit Moon Rise Cafe for award-winning Best Breakfast in South Sound, legendary Monte Cristo with homemade raspberry jam, scratch-made everything from biscuits to hash browns, and four-star quality at family-friendly prices. ⭐
Experience the Lakewood breakfast gem where generous portions regularly feed two people and genuine hospitality makes everyone feel welcome.
Address:
6020 Main Street SW, Suite L, Lakewood, WA 98499
📞 (253) 983-9999
🕔 Open Tue-Fri, 8 AM–2 PM; Sat, 8 AM–1 PM (closed Sun-Mon)