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Lake House Cafe (Sparta)

Cozy breakfast and brunch steps from the Lake Mohawk boardwalk.

Lake House Cafe (Sparta) — Sparta, NJ

At a glance

  • Breakfast served all day, including maple apple French toast and a short rib Benedict regulars order by name
  • Street-facing bistro tables on White Deer Plaza, the Tudor-style center of Lake Mohawk
  • Full espresso bar, house-baked breads and pastries, plus gluten free bread on request

Breakfast All Day at Lake House Cafe in Sparta NJ

Order pancakes at three in the afternoon and nobody here blinks. That is the simplest reason to know about Lake House Cafe, the breakfast and lunch spot in the stone storefronts at 8 White Deer Plaza in Sparta, a block off the Lake Mohawk boardwalk. The breakfast menu runs all day, which in a county full of kitchens that cut off eggs at eleven makes this a genuinely useful address. Coffee is the other half of the operation: a full espresso bar, a deep tea list, and a case of baked goods and fresh bread that tends to thin out by early afternoon.

What to Order

From the Griddle

Crepes are the house specialty, sweet and savory both, and the pancakes rotate with the season (pumpkin in fall, strawberry swirl when it warms up). Maple apple French toast turns up in more reviews than anything else on the menu. The short rib Benedict is what to get when you want the kitchen showing off, with the smoked salmon Benedict close behind.

Lunch and the Bakery Case

Lunch leans sandwiches and soup: a short rib French dip, Gruyère grilled cheese, quiche, and homemade soups that rotate, including a corn chowder people ask for by name. Gluten free bread is available. Kids get their own menu and high chairs, which counts for something on a busy Sunday. If you are working through the rest of the village, there are other Sparta restaurants within a two-minute walk.

Sitting Outside on White Deer Plaza

The street-facing bistro tables are the seats to angle for. White Deer Plaza is the Tudor-style heart of Lake Mohawk, ringed with gift shops and restaurants, and an hour at an outdoor table with a latte is most of the reason people drive over from elsewhere in Sussex County. Inside is small, warm and a little eclectic, with enough turnover that a weekend wait usually moves. Live music shows up on some weekends. Parking in the plaza is the one real hurdle: come early or plan to walk a block.

A Second Location in Andover

There is a sister Lake House Cafe at 5 Lenape Road in Andover, opened in the former Grist Mill Cafe space, with the same breakfast-and-lunch approach and a stone fireplace in the dining room.

More at Lake House Cafe (Sparta)

FAQ

What time does Lake House Cafe in Sparta open?

Lake House Cafe opens at 8:00 a.m. daily. Google lists closing at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with dinner service added Thursday through Saturday and a 5:00 p.m. close on Sunday. Hours shift seasonally, so check lh.cafe before a late visit.

Does Lake House Cafe serve breakfast all day?

Yes, Lake House Cafe Sparta NJ serves its breakfast menu all day. You can order pancakes, crepes, omelets, French toast or a Benedict in the afternoon alongside the lunch sandwiches and soups.

Does Lake House Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes, there are street-facing bistro tables on White Deer Plaza in Lake Mohawk. Outdoor seats fill fastest on weekend mornings and in fall, so arriving before 10 a.m. gives you the best shot at one.

Is Lake House Cafe good for kids?

Yes. The cafe has a children's menu and high chairs, and the all-day breakfast makes it an easy stop with kids who only want pancakes. The dining room is small, so a stroller is easier parked outside.

Does Lake House Cafe have gluten free options?

Yes, gluten free bread is available for sandwiches and toast, and reviewers regularly mention the kitchen accommodating gluten free requests. Ask your server about the day's soups and baked goods, which change.

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