Business & Tech

LuLu's Beach House Cafe Is Palm Harbor's Newest Downtown Dining Option

"I grew up in Palm Harbor, so it's part of my life. I like seeing the same people all the time, it's a nice small, town," says LuLu's Beach House Cafe owner Louise Goetz, age 30.

There's a new reason to visit Old Downtown Palm Harbor. LuLu's Beach House Cafe has just joined the lineup of dining options in Palm Harbor's charming historic district.

LuLu's is located across the street from the Reba Sutton White Chapel and Harbor Hall in a building formerly occupied by the architectural firm Raymond and Associates.

"I love the Reba Sutton White Chapel, and I thought that a nice family breakfast place would be perfect," says LuLu's owner Louise Goetz, 30, who is also the restaurant's namesake. "LuLu is my childhood nickname," she says.

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Breakfast and lunch are served at this cozy and inviting restaurant-coffee shop that's decorated with handcrafted items, giving it a homey and charming feel. 

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Business has been brisk since the restaurant opened a few weeks ago. Goetz says on some days, the restaurant was so busy the line of customers extended outside and LuLu's had to close early after selling out of many menu items.

Chef John Costa, formerly of Ohana Cafe and the Beachcomber, oversees LuLu's kitchen. He and Goetz created a breakfast menu that features wallet-friendly choices with prices ranging from $3.99 to $8.99. One of Goetz's favorites on the breakfast menu is the Breakfast Cuban Sandwich, which consists of two eggs, tavern ham and swiss cheese. The sandwich is made with Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery in Tampa and is served with a chipotle dipping sauce. The breakfast menu also includes a wide variety of omelets and biscuits and gravy.

Lunch prices range from $6.99 to $9.99. The menu includes an Organic Spinach Wrap, Chicken Salad Croissant, Buffalo Chicken Panini and more. A Sutherland Cuban Sandwich  is made with Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery and features mojo Cuban pork that's roasted at the restaurant, tavern ham, salami, swiss cheese, pickles, mayo and mustard. 

If some of the items on LuLu's menu look familiar to you, it's because Goetz brought them from the Old Town Cafe and Coffee, which she used to operate a few blocks away on Florida Avenue. Goetz also plans on expanding LuLu's menu by offering dinner service at the restaurant sometime after the new year.

Not hungry? No worries, LuLu's also serves a wide variety of coffee drinks made from coffee supplied by Kahwa Coffee Roasting Company in St. Petersburg.

"The quality is really good," said Goetz. "We're a true coffee shop, we take a lot of pride in our coffee."

LuLu's features a casual, outdoor dining area shaded by a large tree. There is also plenty of dining inside. Much of the furniture inside is handcrafted from reclaimed wood and is for sale. The restaurant is decorated with other handcrafted items that are also for sale including jewelry, scarves, Christmas ornaments and baby clothing.

Watch for an announcement about an upcoming "Breakfast with Santa" buffet hosted by LuLu's.

LuLu's Beach House Cafe is located at 917 11th St., (727) 831-7742.

Current Hours: 

  • Mon. through Sat.: 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
  • Sun. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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