Encinitas Cafe
531 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA
Crema's Take
“Nestled in downtown Encinitas just steps from the beach, this beloved independent cafe has earned a loyal following with genuinely warm service and a vibrant community atmosphere that keeps locals coming back for years. The real draw here is the experience—whether you're grabbing breakfast, brunch, or snacks with a view from their outdoor seating, you're getting consistent quality and that rare cafe charm that feels like coming home. Sunday crowds prove it's the kind of place where the energy and hospitality matter just as much as the food on your plate.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
This place offers great service, the food is dangerously delicious I was almost tempted to eat all of it in one sitting. The place has indoor and outdoor seating for your convenience and they have a cool trendy crowd. Parking is just street parking but it's all nearby. Plus it's in the heat of downtown Encinitas right between Moonlight Beach and Swami's so you even go for a nice walk, local shopping, or both. Com'n you know you want to burn that dough 💰
The food was nothing to rave about, not even the steak however the portions were huge and well priced. Sunday at noon is still a very packed day. I would imagine it's hard to find a table (which you find yourself rather than be given a table) but the counter seating is just fine too. The staff is very welcoming. Despite running around with a whole list of tasks one of them, a blond lady, stopped to randomly chat with me. She had a very sweet personality. It's a place to stop by.
The Encinitas Cafe absolutely did not disappoint. I love a good café/diner been to many throughout the country and this one is right at the top. The service was great sadly i didn't get my waitress name but she was awesome, the food was as well. The atmosphere is easy, gentle and comfortable. The staff is attentive and friendly. I overall thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast. I rarely comment on places, but this place deserved it. Well done Encinitas Cafe.
I have been coming to this café since high school and every time that I visit it’s always consistently really good. I would say that the selling point is the location and the service, the food is not the best in San Diego, but still it will be a really satisfying breakfast. Parking is very easy because you can find a street space or a free lot space in the park-and-ride parking lot in the rear, however this may be difficult on weekend mornings. All the servers and staff have always been consistently really polite and honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts of coming here. Inside is very large compared to the other diner across the street and it can host many different sized groups. For this most recent visit, I chose the Avocado Benedict and thought it was OK. The eggs were a little bit overdone and the hollandaise was almost peppery, but I still enjoyed it. I also ordered a Cinnamon Roll and thought it was a great sweet treat for breakfast. It’s not as light and fluffy as some other versions but more dense. I would definitely recommend this place and I will be back again.
It's a great restaurant to eat breakfast, brunch and snacks. Right in the heart of downtown Encinitas and few blocks from the beach. We enjoyed our delicious food with outside seating. Their chicken fried steak has a perfect crunch outside and tender inside. The gravy was really flavorful too. Staff was really friendly too an added bonus.
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Lofty Coffee Co.
★ 4.6 (357)
Perched on its own private hill in Encinitas, Lofty Coffee Co. offers a…
Coffee Coffee
★ 4.5 (487)
Coffee Coffee in Encinitas has built a loyal following with its vibrant…
French Corner
★ 4.5 (449)
French Corner transports you straight to a sun-drenched Parisian café, complete…
Healthy Creations Cafe
★ 4.7 (373)
Healthy Creations Cafe brings a light, European-style charm to Encinitas with a…