California Cafe

If you’re looking for a local gem, this woman-owned café is it! Elissa, the owner, has created a French-inspired menu that’s both comforting and delicious. From fresh sandwiches and crisp salads to daily specials and baked goods, everything here is made with so much care and flavor. The empanadas are an absolute must-try (so good!). What I love most is the variety—whether you’re in the mood for a deli-style favorite or something with a French twist, Elissa always has something incredible on the menu. It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch, a casual meeting, or just treating yourself to something fresh and homemade. If you live or work in the area, you definitely need to stop by—you’ll leave already planning your next visit.

This was my first visit, and I tried the Spicy Pepper Jack Chicken. It tasted great, and the portion size was perfect for lunch. I’ll definitely return to explore more of their menu!

We attended the grand opening of this new French bakery and cafe, and I’m so glad we came! The service was excellent. Clearly the staff take pride in their work. With plenty of seating indoors and out, this is a great spot for one person or a group to meet for coffee, breakfast, or lunch. A variety of options means there is something for everyone here. I especially enjoyed the fresh squeezed orange juice!

Good food, I dislike they call chile verde what to me is salsa Verde, but the taste is the important thing and it was great.

I stopped by for a quick bite and was blown away by the quality and flavor of everything I ordered! The Parmesan bagel with bacon and cheese was absolutely incredible—crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, with just the right amount of savory sharpness from the Parmesan. The bacon was perfectly crispy, and the cheese melted beautifully, making every bite rich and satisfying. As if that wasn’t enough, I also tried the apple pastry with caramel sauce, and it was a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth. The pastry was flaky and buttery, while the apples were tender with a hint of cinnamon, all topped off with a luscious caramel drizzle that added the perfect touch of indulgence. The staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was welcoming—definitely a place I’ll be returning to! If you’re looking for a spot that serves high-quality, delicious treats, this is it. Highly recommend! - Terrell/ Solar Guy

Really delicious and delightful, we both loved it. I had the veggie panini was divine, so delicious on excellent GF bread. Pastries are incredible, my almond flour financier was the best I've ever had by far. Go out of your way to eat here!

Charming cafe with lots to choose from to get your French fix. Will be even better when the beer and wine arrives! cozy unrushed with a nice outdoor patio for seating. Looking forward to trying their many offerings. They have a bunch of daily specials like tagines and masalas! Just go!

Top 3 cafes on my list. California cafe hits the spot for a quintessential California cafe vibe. This girl must cook organic, cuz you’ll leave feeling satisfied and fulfilled without any guilt of getting your glucose shot up like with usually compared dishes or getting your immune rung up through the ringer from processed or “enriched” ingredients. You can tell she clearly paid attention in culinary school since she cares about quality. On my first visit I had the tomato soup with a grilled cheese +bacon($2 added charge). The tomato soup seemed to be freshly made and the sandwich had 3 large crispy bacon slices on 2 large sourdough slices. Its snuggled inside a business complex, you’ll have the quiet rumblings of cars and on occasion small planes landing and taking off from Carlsbad airport next door if you sit outside. Inside sitting available. Great job ladies keep up the good work. On my next visit I had the hot pastrimi and apple crisp. Whatever vanilla cream it comes with it’s absolutely delicious and a little goes a long way. The hot pastrami freshly pickled sauerkraut, hot mustard, white cheese on sourdough