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Name: Swami’s Cafe
Address: 1163 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Telephone: (760) 944-0612
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.53

Swami’s Cafe

1163 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

(760) 944-0612
Store is closed

Swami’s Cafe Menu

Soups And Salads

Garden Salad

Swami's Salad

Tropical Salad

Caesar Salad

Fresh Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad

Fresh Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad

Tropical Salmon Salad

Tropical Shrimp Salad

Soup Of The Day
Butter Milk Pancakes

One Pancake

Full Order Pancakes

Blueberry

Strawberry Banana

Banana Walnut

Pancake Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon
Waffles

Plain Belgian Waffle

Belgian Waffle W/fresh Strawberries

Swami's Granola Belgian Waffles

Waffle Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon
Organic Multigrain Pancakes

One Pancake

Full Order Pancakes

Blueberry

Strawberry Banana

Banana Walnut

Organic Pancake Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon
French Toast

French Toast

French Toast W/ Fresh Strawberries

French Toast Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon
Wraps

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Spicy Ginger Wrap

Tuna Wrap

Protein Veggie Wrap

Spicy Turkey Wrap

Tropical Shrimp Wrap
Sandwiches

B.l.t.a

Croissant Sandwich

California Delight

The Drop In

Ultimate Veggie

Ana's Sandwich

Chicken Swiss Melt

Turkey Sandwich

Tuna Sandwich

Garden Burger

Falafel Pita

Swami's Club
Swami's Favorites

Black Bean Burrito

Spinach Tofu

Veggie Quesadilla

Mole Enchiladas

Tofu Stir Fry

Indian Curry With Tofu

Fish Taco Combination

Chicken Quesadilla

Black Bean Burrito With Chicken
Wheat Grass

Wheat Grass (per Oz.)

Wheat Grasshopper
For The Kids

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Cheese Quesadilla

Garden Burger W/chips

Fruit Cup

One Egg And Toast

Kid Size Pancake

Black Bean & Cheese Burrito

Turkey Sandwich
One The Side

Two Eggs

Toast

Bacon

Mock Bacon

Hollandaise Sauce

Mole Sauce

Guacamole

Fish Taco

Potatoes

Cheese

Avocado

Chips And Salsa

Tortillas

English Muffin

Tofu

Chicken Breast
Acai

Acai Bowl - Swami's Style
20 Oz. Smoothies

Nirvana Nectar

Very Berry

Old Faithful

Tropical Storm

Gone Grapefruit

Lina Spiralina

Swami's Surprise

Piping Papaya

Mango Madness

Acai Smoothie

Just Peachie
Yogurt Smoothies

O'boy Boysenberry

All That Razz
Ice Cream Smoothies

Watermelon

Strawberry

Carrot Smoothie

Date Nut

Peanut Butter

Blue Berry Blues

P.b. Coffee Smoothie

O.j. Frosty
Fresh Juices

Garlic Go

Apple Hop

Popeye's Punch

Iron Horse

Swami's Veggie Mix

Busy Bee

Sea Horse

Healthy Meal suggestions for Swami’s Cafe

Soups And Salads

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swami's Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Salmon Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Butter Milk Pancakes

One Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Full Order Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blueberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Banana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Walnut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pancake Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Waffles

Plain Belgian Waffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Belgian Waffle W/fresh Strawberries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swami's Granola Belgian Waffles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Waffle Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Organic Multigrain Pancakes

One Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Full Order Pancakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blueberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry Banana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Walnut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Pancake Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
French Toast

French Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Toast W/ Fresh Strawberries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Toast Combo W/ 2 Eggs And Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Wraps

Chicken Caesar Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Ginger Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Protein Veggie Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Turkey Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Shrimp Wrap [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

B.l.t.a [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Croissant Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Drop In [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ultimate Veggie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ana's Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Swiss Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Falafel Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swami's Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Swami's Favorites

Black Bean Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole Enchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Stir Fry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Curry With Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Taco Combination [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean Burrito With Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Wheat Grass

Wheat Grass (per Oz.) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wheat Grasshopper [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
For The Kids

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Burger W/chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Cup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

One Egg And Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kid Size Pancake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean & Cheese Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turkey Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
One The Side

Two Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mock Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hollandaise Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mole Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish Taco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips And Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

English Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Acai

Acai Bowl - Swami's Style [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
20 Oz. Smoothies

Nirvana Nectar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Very Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Old Faithful [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tropical Storm [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gone Grapefruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lina Spiralina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swami's Surprise [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piping Papaya [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Madness [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Acai Smoothie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Just Peachie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Yogurt Smoothies

O'boy Boysenberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

All That Razz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ice Cream Smoothies

Watermelon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Strawberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Smoothie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Date Nut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peanut Butter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blue Berry Blues [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

P.b. Coffee Smoothie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

O.j. Frosty [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh Juices

Garlic Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Apple Hop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Popeye's Punch [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Iron Horse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Swami's Veggie Mix [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Busy Bee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Horse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Visit below restaurant in Encinitas for healthy meals suggestion.

Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 1004 N El Camino Real )

Buffalo Wild Wings ( 1068 N El Camino Real )

Write An Anonymous Review

Flor D.

Hippie Chic 100%. Cafe Brazil in Santa Cruz serves up one of the best ACAI bowls i've ever had. Swami's does it well in San Diego. Here's why I like Swami's: +Family and surfer friendly +Outdoor seating (watch out for the pesky birds-they swoop in for leftovers with people still at the table. BALLSY BIRDS) +Attentive staff +Healthy alternatives including smoothies, fruit bowls, and the famed Acai Bowls. +hearty substantial entrees AAAAAND the most legit mexican mocha i've ever had. Parking can get a little tricky, but be dilligent. If you go during peak season, plan to wait. There's a line for a reason.
(3)
Milan M.

if your about a conservative agenda pummeling your psyche whilst you wait in line for less than average fare, you've hit pay dirt! Mundane disoriented service is on par; A tuna melt ordered and tuna salad on limp bread received. this spot will do for quick, nothing to brag about eats N a most bitchin location. Will not return. this was the 3d go around.
(2)
Chris K.

What a wonderful place. Great ambiance, delicious healthy food, and cool staff. Their food is quite interesting, a mixture of vegetarian and Mexican dishes. They also serve yummy freshly made juices. Definitely a place worth checking out.
(5)
Karen G.

Waited about 35 minutes for the ultimate veggie sandwich. It did not look like the one in the picture. im vegan so it had no cheese, but wasnt as packed with ingredients because they didnt chop everything fine enough so it all just fell out in large pieces. The tortilla chips taste are lack luster. and for 10$? seriously... I had been in the past just because people rave and i wanted to try it. I got an over priced smoothie that was whatevz and a long wait. They must have a small and lazy kitchen. Prices are preposterous. Never again.
(1)
Chetan A.

Steadily coming down in quality. Lately noticing rotten alfalfa sprouts, and blackened avocados in tuna wrap. Was a 4 star before in my opinion. Now it's a 2.5.
(2)
Conal G.

The food was great... but the aged hipster dude at the register didn't even take the time to look at us while taking our order and really looked like we were interrupting his conversation with a woman at the counter. Our experience here would have been top notch if it were not for him not a great first impression. The wait staff were really on their game and even found my daughter's choco milk that was undelivered after 20+ minutes thanks to aforementioned register clerk.
(4)
Raea T.

Heard about Swami's through multiple friends so I decided to give it a try with my aunt last week. They have a wide selection of tea and coffee, which was a definite plus. They also have a large menu (also a plus) but made it difficult to choose. Ended up getting the chilaquiles and croissant breakfast, both with potatoes. It only took about 5-10 min to receive after ordering. Overall, the food was good and service was fast. Not disappointing, but not impressive either. I'll definitely give it another shot and probably order the acai bowl in the future.
(4)
Victoria A.

My friend took me to this restaurant while I was in town, and at first, I was blown away by its cool vibe and decent food. Breakfast time is the best time to visit. I had a green juice, eggs Benedict, and my friend, a turkey avocado sandwich. Needless to say, we wiped our plates clean. Portion was big, especially for the eggs Benedict. Potatoes could have been seasoned more, however. They seemed a bit bland. I came into town a second time and took my mom here. She ordered an egg scramble while I ordered an acai berry bowl. Her scramble was good, however I have to admit that the fruit in my acai berry bowl was still frozen. When I tried to bite into the fruit, it was hard and icy. It made the whole acai berry bowl eating experience a bit unpleasant. Other than that, this place is decent. More than anything, the atmosphere is cool, fun, etc. A fun place to take your friends. My rating: 3.75.
(4)
Maritess C.

My husband wanted to check this place out so we arrived here at around 10:45 am. This was an early lunch, late breakfast for me. I decided to go with the breakfast burrito with fruit. The seating outside was full so on the other side, there was some tables inside. My daughter and I grabbed a table while we waited for my husband to finish ordering. It didn't take too long before our food came. Waited about 10 minutes before our food came out. My food looked good. I cut it in half and took a bite. It was filled with potatoes, eggs, cheese and sour cream. I was a little disappointed in the taste of my burrito. The eggs and potatoes were not seasoned and tasted very bland. I did enjoy my fruit. Maybe I ordered the wrong item?! The location was near the beach. The people clearing the tables were nice, but I was disappointed with what I ordered. I don't like bland tasting food. I did enjoy the people watching and the views driving up here. That saved them from getting two stars. Overall I give it three stars. I don't know if I would come here again. Maybe I should order something different.
(3)
Crystal B.

Went around 11 am still breakfast or brunch, depending on what I felt like. I saw the sign for the acai & wanted to try it. The one I usually get in Penaquitos is bomb dot com. There were a few people already sitting outside which was a good sign. I saw two people looking at the menu & figured you order first then seat yourself. Inside is tiny which gets tight on space when there is a line. I ordered an acai bowl which had granola at the bottom, sunflower seed, blueberries, blackberries, strawberry, banana & pollen. Of course coconut flakes which were devoured within seconds! I decided to sit inside and they have a bar counter near the register as well. On the other side is coffee options. The guy at the register was quick to take my order but not friendly friendly. Also when my acai bowl came the lady called me then kind of gave me a tude " I was calling your name". Sorry, didn't hear you. Customer service could use some improvement but food was decent
(3)
Ashlee P.

Swami's is an awesome spot to eat breakfast. However, I can't yet give them 5 stars and I'll tell you why. First of all, they don't really have any parking. My friend and I ended up buying flowers from next door so that we could park in front of the flower shop. Oh course it's not their fault that there's no parking, it is on the 101. So I could get over this. Second, it's a bit pricey for the quality of food. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, it's just not quite $10/person good in my book. For that kind of money, I would want at least fresh berries on my acai bowl rather than frozen. And as a barista, I have to rate their Mexican mocha as a little below average in quality. It was very cinnamon-y and the milk wasn't done quite right. Overall, swami's is good. I would definitely go again but it would only be a once in a while thing for me. To me, its just a little too expensive for what I'm getting and there are so many restaurants right down the street that charge less and have awesome food. So, not my favorite, but good.
(3)
Abby W.

Just a short update on my previous Swami's review. I recently stopped in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and the line was out the door. Unlike some people who may be deterred by a long line, I take it as a sign that I'm in the right place. If everyone else wants to eat there too, they must be doing something right! I'm a huge fan of acai bowls and I was excited to see one on the menu. While this wasn't my all-time favorite bowl, it was very good and a very large portion. The bottom of the bowl is layered with granola and then the acai blend is poured on top. The bowl is garnished with sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, banana, coconut and bee pollen (which I'm still not sure what the purpose of bee pollen is). I loved all the fresh fruit and my only slight complaint is that the granola seemed to have raisins or something similar mixed in and finding chewy bits in my bowl was kind of strange. My guy was pretty impressed with his Huevos Rancheros, which arrived at the table at least five minutes before my acai bowl. Not sure how the timing was so off but it was a little annoying. But the food is great and the atmosphere is so perfectly Southern Californian so four stars it is!
(4)
Steven G.

So we go to Yummy Cupcakes which is right next door frequently, and usually see this place packed, and it wasn't busy on Tuesday at about 2:00 pm, so we had a late lunch there. Ample parking in the lot, but barely and the spots are tight. Briefly, had the ABC burger with what was supposed to be jack cheese INSTEAD of cheddar, but they put both on. The burger was tasty and the bacon was excellent. I requested gluten free bread as a bun, because doing the lettuce thing is way messy, This was messier because the bread(had to be Udi's) was not toasted enough and fell apart halfway through the burger. Eating a big burger with all the trimmings requires a stout method of conveying it from plate to mouth to avoid wearing a large portion of it. The gf bread WOULD have been sufficient, had it been toasted properly. The sweet potato fries were exceptional, and the iced tea tasted fresh brewed. Had to go hunt our server down in the bar to pay the bill....likely not her fault, just a matter of timing and I think she was acting bartender. The food is pretty good, wish I could give them four stars, but the bread fiasco made it a frustrating eating experience. YMM and SV. Thank you, and good night!
(3)
Alex S.

Solid smoothie stop after a beach day- I had never tried dates or bee pollen in smoothies before, and both were excellent! This place is a cute little casual cafe right off the 101, with plenty of parking around the side. (I hear however, that they can be extremely busy- we must have gone during an off-hour). Swami's surprise was excellent- sweet, fruity, and (again) the dates and bee pollen were great! The Acai smoothie was more bland- I would probably skip that one if I went back.
(3)
James K.

A friend lives in the area and recommended I try it out so this is my first visit. They are located right off Hwy 101 so easy to find. There was actually parking right in front, but it was slow so I don't know what parking is like when it's busy but appears there is plenty of parking in and around the restaurant and it's free street parking. I must have been lucky because there was no line. The dining area was quite full so I was probably just at the end of the lunch rush. They have quite a big menu and as I browsed through, there was so much I wanted to try, but I was in the mood for a sandwich and ordered the club sandwich with a side of fruit. And although they have what appeared like amazing smoothies, I ordered the iced tea. You need to order up at the counter but they will bring out your food and drink. The seating is almost all outdoor and a good part of covered. It's actually quite a nice view of 101 watching other people and you can feel the ocean breeze. It was only a few minutes before my sandwich arrived. I would have thought it was prepared by the quickness but clearly it was freshly made. I had mine on sourdough and it also comes with a big piece of jack cheese and onions. The fruit came in a small bowl and it was assorted melon, grapes and pineapple. The amount of fruit for a side was perfect and the fruit was all fresh. They use only a light amount of mayo on the club sandwich which was nice. The sourdough bread was good but I would have preferred traditional white bread for a very traditional sandwich. Particularly being a triple-decker sandwich, the sourdough is somewhat thick and takes a little away from the flavor of the sandwich whereas white bread is generally thinner and works better. If I were to order this again, I would skip the cheese. The jack cheese was quick thick and again, takes away from the flavor of a club sandwich. Sadly, while there was a large slice of cheese which is not part of a typical club sandwich, there was next to nothing when it comes to the bacon. A club sandwich is cut into quarters and a couple of the quarter slices actually had no bacon on it. I didn't realize this until I got home because I took the sandwich home for later after eating a little of it, so I didn't have the opportunity to mention this to the management. The iced tea I have to say is well worth mentioning. I consider myself an aficionado of iced teas and this was one of the best I've ever had! I actually had to call back later and ask them what was in it. The flavors are amazing and it's black tea with chai, apricot and peach. WOW! It turns out it's a special blend they make and unfortunately, they don't sell it for you to make at home. Seriously some of the best iced tea I have ever had! I understand they are very popular for their Acai Bowls and unfortunately I did not try, but I have heard it from so many friends, see it in all the reviews and pictures that I will have to come back to try one myself. Very nice place and the food seems good. I just would like to try some of the other dishes. Note to owner: I noticed most of the trash cans were filled with recyclable plastic drink cups but there was no recyclable container. I hope you will get a recyclable container for all the plastic drink cups you give out. I'm sure others like me will use it.
(4)
Shayne C.

I was craving for Swami's and finally decided to get one of their breakfast bowls. Long overdue ! GREEN BOWL FTW !!!! It resembled an ACAI BOWL, but apparently there's a mixture of greens (i.e broccoli) in the acai blend. Could have fooled me though. Barely tasted any of the greens. It also contained blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, banana, homemade granola, local fresh bee pollen and coconut on top. For under $8 it was a decent size and filling. Wish the raspberries and blueberries were fresh and not frozen though. I loved the granola and it wasn't overly sweet. Overall, great way to start the day ! I accompanied this with the 16 oz Wheat Grasshopper - wheat grass, apple and lemon juice. If you love wheat grass this will knock your socks off ! So many benefits to wheatgrass so I was pleased to see another alternative other than a wheatgrass shot. Plus, it's visually appealing ! For $2.99 it's a great deal in my opinion. I'd love to have this everyday. As usual, it gets pretty busy during lunch time. Afterwards, take a walk along the beach to work off your meal. Service can be a little crazy and workers seemed frazzled since it gets packed at times. It took awhile to get my order out and my bf was halfway done with his meal. I guess it takes time to prepare a juice and green bowl ? Overall, it was worth the wait so I will cut them some slack. Place does need some tidying up (plants everywhere and bird poop too) EEW ! As long as it doesn't get into my food ! But a remodel is in order. Still got love for this place though.
(5)
Azaria E.

If you're a cyclist, this is a great place to stop and get a bite along the coast. Staff is friendly and they are always on the go, running orders and cleaning the tables. Service is quick! Pretty healthy portions. I had the smaller version of an Acai bowl and that was pretty filling. My husband had the Acai pancakes and they were DELICIOUS!!!!!
(4)
Ivan The T.

Super chill place that we just happened upon while driving up the coast. The food was really good and very fast. I had fish tacos and friend had the turkey sand, both good. We split the Acai bowl after, it was AMAZING! What a great way to get some killer fresh fruit and granola, it was cool for a warm day. Def recommend.
(4)
Loraine S.

The food is delicious. I have eaten at several Swamis locations and I had to visit the original. I ordered the croissant sandwich and a shot of wheatgrass. The staff was friendly and service superb. Inspire of being busy the food I ordered was ready quickly. I very much enjoyed my meal and would recommend trying this establishment. Note there is parking to the side of building if the parking is full out front.
(5)
Craig B.

I used to love this place, but the service has gone to hell. Hey, I get the whole low key beach vibe thing...but at least clean and wipe off the tables every now and again. After ordering, I walked around looking for someplace to sit but every open table was dirty with stacks of used cups and plates. I ordered the Acai bowl. Fruit on top was totally frozen as if they pulled a bag of berries out of the freezer and dumped some on a plate.
(2)
Daniel C.

Went here with my wife Monday morning. Used to come here a lot but have faded out for the following reasons: There were approximately 5, if that, table of people. So you can assume it was fairly slow. We went right up and ordered a Pitaya Bowl, and the Pancake Meal. Now we have been here enough to know that both Acai and Pitaya bowls come out within 5-10 minutes max. 15 minutes went by and my food came out so I asked the server where is my wife's Pitaya bowl? Let me check on that.... Meanwhile 2 families after us order Acai bowls and they had already come out by this time. 10 minutes later I was halfway done with my food and no bowl. So I walked up to the counter and the server said oh they are making it right now. Ok I thought 5-10 minutes and it should be here. Needless to say 15 more minutes and no pitaya bowl. I was done with my food and my wife just was over it didn't even want it anymore. So I went up to the counter got my money back and left disappointed. Not only did the bowl never come, but three times I reminded them and could have made it but still didn't. It is clear based on our past 2 visits that service is extremely poor here which is a disappointment because the food usually is good (hence two stars). We will not be returning.
(2)
Eunis H.

Acai bowl YUM!! Berries & fruits were frozen but that also made the bowl super cold & refreshing. Just big enough to share! Coffee was great! Self serve with great options to choose from. They had organic, columbia, flavored vanilla nut & decaf. Also ordered a side of potatoes, but came super late. Least 20 min later =(
(4)
Raven D.

Great food good staff. Well worth the visit. Can get busy to get there early. Loads of different coffees to chose from.
(4)
Catherine K.

It was my first time at Swami's and I was grateful for the shade and enjoyed the sea horse juice, which had orange, lemon, and grapefruit. Can't really go wrong with juice. My bf had the acai smoothie. However, I'm docking stars because I entered through the side patio and stood by the cashier asking for a menu. The cashier rudely didn't give eye contact and said they're out by the door. She was looking to the side sounding annoyed. It was my mistake to have made a bee line towards the cashier, but she could've been friendlier and nicer about it. She also did the same motion when I asked where the restroom was. For a split second I thought she maybe had a lazy eye because she kept looking to the side but that wasn't the case...The juices also take a long time to make. Swarmis has a cute outdoor patio that overlooks Coast Hwy though. The acai bowls looked awesome but I don't know if I'll make the trip out here again.
(2)
Alexis H.

I went here with my friend last week and we recieved our orders within five minutes- a delicious breakfast burrito and an acai bowl. The service was very quick, but it was probably because it was a Wednesday lunch and wasn't packed. The prices are pretty normal for CafÃ© prices, but the servings are quite large. I loved the atmosphere it had going with the cute plants, sage, and words of wisdom on the ceiling. It has a nice location right off the coast highway 101, only minutes from the beach.
(5)
Desiree M.

The one star is for its awesome location.. But the food is barely mediocre, and the service is awful! I stopped in there this past Friday to grab a quick smoothie since I was at swamis beach across the street. When I arrived, no one was in line... I stood at the counter for at least five minutes without anyone saying a word to me. Although at least 3 employees walked past, and saw I was there... With my two month old baby at that. The gentlemen with the beard and the bandana was especially unpleasant. Another customer came to the counter to ask for a fork. He looked at her, no smile or a acknowledgment, and walked away. I turned my stroller around, left, and walked a few more blocks to whole foods for a much better, and organic smoothie. Thanks for making my decision an easy one swamis! I'll never go back.
(1)
Becca T.

Such a FUN spot. My boyfriend took my here on my birthday. The staff was SUPER friendly; even game me a FREE LUNCH for my birthday. They also gave me a free smoothie. They have stickers and writing all over their walls making for a cool, 'dive-y' atmosphere, outdoor seating. I ordered the Californian Sandwich with added turkey and fruit--it was YUMMMYY. Had a cool conversation with John about gun-control, and amendment rights..it was hilarious and awesome, he's a cool dude. I really enjoyed this place...prices are reasonable! Lots of coffee options too. Definitely going back!
(5)
Rick E.

Nice quiet breakfast/brunch spot. It's nice because you can stumble in here in your boardshorts and flip flops. All the food is pretty good. Chicken and Artichoke scramble was really good. Pancakes are good. Def pick the side potatoes over the fruit. Was not a fan of their watermelon juice. It tasted like they grinded up some of the watermelon rind and used a warm watermelon. It wasnt the most refreshing thing to drink on a warm cali day.
(4)
B L.

The good: Prices and location. The bad: Food is mediocre and there are dogs everywhere. They're inside the restaurant, and on the patio. The ugly: Staff petting and catering to dogs, while serving food. The health department needs to visit this place.
(1)
Emily L.

I have always come for the smoothies - which are really really good (5 stars for sure) - but the last time I was there, yesterday, I was really kind of overwhelmed by the large amount of political dogma they have around the place. It's a weird juxtaposition of hippie-ish fresh food and beach culture and then seemingly hardcore libertarian-on-the-verge-of-tea-party dogma around the place. It's not about the views so much as the fact that it's all over the place and majorly interferes with eating. One of the last things I want to think about when I'm eating or having a smoothie is politics, regardless of the perspective. In addition, this last time I went, which was about 4 months from the time before, I think, is that it seemed more dirty and unkempt than usual. I know it's on the side of a busy road and by the beach and all that but it seemed to have a lot of crumbs and schmutz on surfaces and the floor. It just didn't seem like a clean place to eat.
(2)
Taylor C.

Swamis I am giving a 3 star review for a few different reasons. 1. I don't like the fact there is VERY little customer employee interaction. I feel when going to a restaurant as a customer you should feel welcomed and wanted. Felt neither at this place. 2. I ordered an acai bowl with homemade granola and fruit with local bee pollen! I was soo excited it looked sooo yummy and sounded great. However the only down fall was when I got it all the berries were frozen aside from the strawberries. Not exactly what I expected however it was very yummy and I did enjoy it. My boyfriend got a omelet with potatoes and that was super yummy!!! I would go back to swamis if I'm ever back in that area. Would I pick it out to bring people that has never been to that area probably not. Overall a pretty decent experience.
(3)
daniel o.

Showed up a little early but waited till 7am and ordered an acai bowl and a coffee. Also got an order of the chilaquiles for a friend. All of it was top notch. Definitely coming back more often. Service was friendly and outgoing. Nice spot by the beach. Great way to start my day
(5)
Eric M.

The only thing that could have been better would be if it had an ocean view. These guys made up for it with everything else. Tidbits of wise knowledge written on the walls over years, great seating, friendly service only overshadowed by the food. Makes me want to move to Encinitas. If you're traveling through, like we were, this is most certainly the place to stop. Cheers from our team! Vine Driven - Wine Tours Calistoga CA
(5)
Cheryl W.

This review is not so much about the food, which has been fine enough each time I've come here. This is mainly about the strange and alienating writing which is all over the inside of the beachy-spot-turned-radical-conservative-haven. It's an odd vibe-- a healthy hippie surfer cafe offering vegetarian-friendly dishes while making fun of vegetarianism and liberals. This place was obviously taken over by one extremist person. All of this was written on the walls and visible while I stood in line: 'Stand with Israel' 'Dems use side door' 'Republicans Welcome' 'Tea party power' 'Support your troops--buy a firearm." (?!?!) 'We reserve the right to deny service to ANYone' 'If we weren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?' Plus many more, and American flags and eagles covering up the surfer stickers that used to decorate the walls. Just be prepared for a very strange and conflicting ambiance--and if you're at all liberal, you might want just not read the writing. It could definitely offend you.
(3)
Jen E.

Uneven. That's the only way to sum it up. While I have had the most magnificent breakfasts here (the French Toast comes from some magical place where unicorn's frolic, I swear -- it's divinity!), I have dined here twice for happy hour/dinner and it's been really awful. The sliders tasted like something out of the freezer and the service was pretty bad. A decent house sparkling white for $5 could hardly even illicit happiness ---and that's saying something. That many plates were left hardly touched and the waiter never even thought to ask about it is also a huge red flag. Okay, to be totally fair, the first time we came for happy hour the food was okay. Not great, but okay. The highlight was the lobster mac & cheese that was adored by the kids, but considered too rich for more than a few bites by the adults. But this latest time there was no one at our table of 5 who enjoyed the ambience, service or food. This totally flies in the face of the greatness that is Swami's for breakfast. Perhaps they hire all their best people for the morning.
(3)
Horny G.

Love this place! Great local vibe, the food all tastes fresh and has all the colors of the rainbow! Swami's is a perfect representation of what north county SD would be in a restaurant. The staff is all very friendly, you are right on the beach and the 101. There's parking located behind the place, to the left of the flower shop and behind rip curl. The smoothies are all really good, they also have fresh juice. I got the nectar nirvana, it has bee pollen on top. I highly suggest the place for the good vibes and great food!
(5)
Anupama B.

Nothing like brunch at Swamis and walk on the beach. .. the food is super fresh and their juices/smoothies are to die for. . You can expect waits during weekends/summer mornings- the staff is nice and friendly. . Can never go wrong with their acai bowls! A sweet little gem in Encinitas
(4)
First D.

I love Swami's! Definitely captures a lot of the local flavor of the Cardiff/Encinitas area. Be prepared for a long line on the weekends, but totally worth it. Food is relatively inexpensive, healthy, comes fast, and in huge portions! After eating you can walk right across the road to the actual Swami's surf spot, a beautiful location.
(4)
Erin S.

Great food and vegetarian friendly which is always helpful! Love their smoothies too!
(4)
Karma S.

Good place to grab some healthy food. I highly recommend the Acai Bowl.
(3)
Renee F.

I love this place! I have been coming here for years!! I like that their menu is always consistent. Their food is simple, nothing fancy, but always good. And a lot of the menu is healthy! I usually get their veggie mix juice with what ever I order. Also, I like that I can bring my lil pup and sit outside with her! Sometimes, during their busy times it is hard to find a table. But usually if you wait 5-10 minutes something opens up.
(5)
HJ H.

My favorite is Salmon salad. They make this exactly the way I would make it for myself at home. High quality ingredients yet tasty. Love the outdoor set-up. They can do better job on coffee, though.
(4)
Timothy J.

Some of the best fish tacos I've ever had in my life!! Great vibes, laid back, fantastic staff and food that's to die for!
(5)
Christine R.

Very laid back place. Good food and good service!
(4)
Deb L.

We only grab the smoothies. Why one star - the bathroom was small and there were a lot of flies!
(4)
Priscilla D.

I wouldn't normally leave a review on these things but as an out-of-towner I was disappointed. I do agree that ordering at the cashier as soon as you walk in was a bit odd, but the wait wasn't too bad. I ordered soup and half a sandwich with bacon (which cost extra and I was totally okay paying for) and my fiancee got a wrap with a salad. Again, the wait wasn't that long for our food to come out. My soup was spilt over half of my sandwich and it was, as previous reviewer commented, barely lukewarm and it was not very pleasant. I then realized the bacon was not included in my sandwich and it was pretty hard to wave down a server to let them know. A few minutes later, however, I did get the bacon and my sandwich was just okay after being soaked in soup. My fiancee enjoyed his wrap and was happy about how large the servings were. As he began to eat his salad he finds a HAIR. We looked into the kitchen as we were sitting across from it, and the cooks are not wearing hair nets so I can't fathom how many other people have experienced this. I was pretty bummed because I have heard great things about Swami's, I just apparently will have to go to the original location if we do decide to eat here again.
(2)
Sarah C.

Swami's is a lovely and casual place to grab brunch. I like how you order and pay for your food at the beginning and seat yourself. It is all outdoor seating so you can bring your dog too :) I feel like the food here is healthier and more wholesome than other breakfast/brunch places. Taste is not compromised, thankfully.
(4)
Adeline C.

This is such a convenient place for breakfast/lunch after a surf session at Swami's, but the food really is only satisfying bc I'm generally starvingggg when I go. I think the food seems a bit healthier than at Honey's, but it's also more bland and simple. Not really anything that I couldn't easily (and quickly) make at home. Sorry, but I much prefer walking a little further (and waiting a little longer) to eat at Honey's.
(3)
Seth B.

Totally love Swamis. Just awesome ambiance. Highly highly recommend this! Great for lazy Sunday breakfast
(4)
Dave E.

I'm reviewing the food and dining only. The food, especially the breakfast options are very good. If you're a pancake or French toast lover...both are great with the pancakes being a better value for your dollar. The outdoor dining area isn't impeccably clean, but this is more of a post surfing or bike riding venue with a Leucadia feel...it is not La Jolla or Beverly Hills. The Acai smoothie...not bowl...is the best I've found in SD county.
(4)
Alisa M.

If I were to rate this place for food only it would get 5 stars. Everything I have tried here is fantastic. But........ and it's a big one.... I hate the seating situation. They do the order first and try and find a seat if you are extremely lucky method. By the time my food comes I have chewed off all my fingernails, jumped at every sign that someone is done with their food, knocked people out of the way who even thought of sitting where I had been hovering for the past 15 minutes and sighed myself into unconsciousness. You have to be aggressive and selfish. It's so anxiety inducing that I can't even relax and enjoy my food when thankfully I finally find a seat. So I would suggest coming to this place during the week where it's less busy and you can actually enjoy the wonderful food and smoothies that they serve here. That or take a Xanax before you order.
(3)
Rubin K.

I think this is one of those 1/2 star kind of places because it's really good. I would give it 4.5 stars because it's not one of those places that I go to religiously, but I love going there when I do. This is the epitome of a southern california beach cafe. It is in a small location across from this meditation center or something like that. What's amazing here is the Acai Berry Bowl. It is sooooo good! They have the berry base with all the coconut, nuts, fruit toppings. You feel so healthy and it almost inspires you to go vegetarian or starting eating the recommneded value of fruits/veggies. But I do say ALMOST because who can resist a nice carne asada fries or hodads bacon cheeseburger. I've been here 2 or three times and I got the berry bowl and one of their sandwiches that was also really good. I've also tried my friends' foods which were sandwiches and were also quite delicious. I don't remember which ones, but to be honest, it doesn't matter because it's one of those places that has just good everything. i don't think you can go wrong here. That is why I've given it 4 stars and not 5 stars because while everything seems good there isn't really anything that is holy crap I need to come back here on a weekly basis (besides the Acai berry bowl).
(4)
LuckieMaounds P.

I had a VERY good cheese sandwich with giant slices of fresh veggies on toasted rye. Came with a hefty-sized side salad. Very health-conscious and cozy beach spot for breakfast and lunch and moderately priced.
(4)
Marc K.

One of their employees wrote a political statement on my friend's coffee cup the other day--- Very weird. The last thing I want to do on a nice relaxing morning is think about politics. Their food is pretty good and the environment is great but their seating is cramped and their intrusive statements on coffee cups spoil the morning.
(2)
sarah h.

Took my mom here today for breakfast (a first time for both of us). We ordered the acai fruit bowl and the croissant breakfast sandwich. My only complaint is the acai bowl...all the fruit was frozen except for the bananas. Hard-as-rocks. Big frozen blackberries that we couldn't even bit into. Frozen raspberries, etc. Maybe they had run out of fresh fruit? I've never had an acai bowl with anything but fresh fruit on top. Needless to say, I will not be ordering the acai bowl there again. The croissant sandwich was good though. I was pleased they offered vegetarian bacon on it! Yum.
(3)
Tinie T.

The Acai bowl is pretty badass. Nutrients and vitamins and minerals galore. Swami's Cafe is a small place, so get ready to get familiar with your fellow Acai bowl lovers. I don't hate on that. We're all friends and neighbors in Encinitas! This popular local establishment strikes a chord with health buffs. You can be sure that you'll find something simultaneously tasty and super good for you.
(3)
Chris R.

I went for the Acai bowl. It was better than I had hoped. It's a fun place. It doesn't look like much from the street, but it really delivers
(5)
Heather D.

Always awesome good food and vibe!
(5)
Chris And Tara R.

I'm a fan of there acai bowl, not the service. The worst is the proud Obama hater that rants and raves about politics as you're trying to enjoy breakfast, it just doesn't stop. I pulled out my ear plugs and put them in, he still didn't get the point, LMAO! I like their food it's worth the wait so is the people watching. A HUGE improvement for this place would be a simple number system (it works at Panera) as opposed shouting, yelling, the name Bob, David, and Melissa so many times is not only annoying it just doesn't work I've laughed many times at the Brazilian chic running around the restaurant carrying food shouting names, one can easily tell she gets frustrated. Again, how about a number system? From here forward we just give names like Hung Lo, Ben Dover, and Kahonomoko, to add for quality entertainment! You too should try it, they might just get the point and switch to something that works better than an name auctioning system. The best way is to order take out and eat at the beach. Simple. Done.
(3)
Doug W.

Love the menu. It's on the healthy side of restaurant eating and always tastes great! Every time I go I gawk at all the dishes being delivered around me and wonder if I ordered the wrong thing, then I love what I ordered. Never had a meal I didn't like. *service could be a tad faster.
(5)
Paul R.

We've had good food at Swami's several times in the past few years, but something has changed -- maybe management. We went for breakfast twice this week. Food both times was no better than Denny's, maybe worse. Omelettes rubbery, nothing tasted fresh. Service was abysmal, especially yesterday, when they got orders wrong and totally forgot the espresso. Too bad, we ain't goin' back.
(2)
Lianna S.

Solid Encinitas breakfast spot with lots of healthy creations. We cruise down here about once a week, sometimes for lunch too. I love their acai bowl, it's ginormous but the green scramble is one of my faves. I love the self serve coffee and sitting out on the patio with the other surfers and yogis on a Sunday morning, it's so north county.
(4)
Craig W.

Based on a number of prior reviews--and the name of this joint--I was expecting to smell burning incense and see hippies firing up a J as I walked up to the entrance. It wasn't what I expected. Yes, the interior shack where you order is a graffiti-marred cubby, but the prices are right and the food is far more gourmet than you would ever expect The potato scramble burrito had a bit too much potato (yes, I realize the name of the item) but the breakfast quesadilla contained a bunch of delicious breakfast foods inside of two sides of a large whole wheat tortillas. Both items were accompanied by little cups of fresh (I think) salsas which were flavorful. We didn't try the fruit plates (this time) but they looked absolutely incredible. There were tons of different fruits on the plates and they looked ultra-fresh and were bursting with bright colors. I usually can't do breakfast absent some form of bacon, but I might have to go healthy next time. The fruit looked that good. Parking is tough, so fair warning. Service was friendly. To go or eat in.
(4)
Leslie M.

I see all the five star reviews are based on the acai bowl which I wish I would have ordered...but I didn't. I forgot to yelp this place before I headed to Encinitas. My rating is based on my lunch. I must add this was my first time at Swami's. I ordered the spinach, tomato, feta cheese omelette and the iron horse juice (carrot + beet). There's nothing worse than runny eggs. I couldn't finish my omelette, I was pretty grossed out half-way through. I could also taste a hint of celery on my juice which I dislike and I didn't order. I was also pretty annoyed by the food delivery system they have. You would think having numbers on your table would be easier than yelling people's names in the patio in order to deliver the food.
(2)
Erica M.

We went here for breakfast and although almost everything on the menu sounded good, my breakfast disappointed me :( We all ordered the pancakes and weren't thrilled with the taste. Mine had uncooked batter in the middle. The bacon was yucky and the eggs came out rubbery with a few onions mixed in.. as if they had made an omelet beforehand, then cooked my eggs in the same pan. The one thing I was VERY pleased with was my juice.. I think it was called the Busy Bee. It had bee pollen in it which I hadn't tried before, and it was truly amazing.
(3)
Jennifer L.

Amazing! I visited this place twice in one day!!! My first visit I was very happy with the service and my juicy bacon cheesburger and fries. The waiters didn't bug, but they filled my water everytime I was almost to the bottom and didn't interupt my conversation with my friend. We left and then brought the rest of our group for an early dinner and I had the Ahi and again fell in love. The rest of our large group all loved their meals and we can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
A H.

I took my daughter here for breakfast because we have been here for lunch and liked it. Our experience for breakfast was so bad we may never go back. First of all we ordered Omelets but what we got was a dried up thing that looked like they just whipped all the ingredients together, threw it in a pan and flipped it over. Mine had zero taste and in my opinion omelets should be fresh eggs with the ingredients placed inside. My daughters arrived with the potatoes and bread shoved on the plate. The potatoes were undercooked and the bread was soggy. The waitress spilled the salsa on her potatoes and when my daughter pointed that out she said "oh well I just spilled a little" instead of offering to bring her a fresh plate. I had a side of fruit that was so over ripe that it tasted fermented. I also asked for no bread so when it arrived, I told the waitress that I didn't order toast so she said "oh fine I will just give it to the birds" she grabbed the bread, touching my food with her bare hands and chucked the bread into the parking lot behind us. I was so shocked that I could barely speak. I tried to ask around for a manager but couldn't get any ones attention. The waitress needs some training and perhaps a new attitude. This was the worst breakfast and service we've had since moving to Carlsbad one year ago.
(2)
Ariella G.

Honestly, I have no clue how this place has 4 stars. The food was decent at best, and the service was downright Terrible. It was a slow wednesday time and the food was taking over 25 minutes to come out. They screwed up one of the orders in our party, barely apologized and put the new order in the end of the line. She got her food 50 MINUTES later after asking them several times for it. They barely said sorry and we had to ask them if they gave anything to people that had to wait for that long. Our dirty plates were sitting on our table for over 30 minutes. You know who was bussing the tables? A random good citizen. They are understaffed and unorganized. Some people get their food in 5 minutes, some wait over an hour. If you want to relax and not hvae to worry about getting your food, go down the street to Lotus cafe.
(1)
B M.

Highly recommend paying in cash although they do take credit cards. I've been coming here for a couple years and loved it BUT recently had a fraudulent $10 tip added to my $20 order....can you say shady lady behind the counter! And getting a hold of anyone that actually works there that will aid in getting an erroneous charge corrected is ridiculous. I go for the acai bowls, but I remember these being better in the past. It's usually crowded but has a chill vibe with an awesome location.
(2)
Ilene T.

Swami's has great food! Very vegetarian friendly, but wonderful turkey guac sandwiches as well. The curried tofu with ride and salad is flavorful and filling. They have great blended smoothies too! The only downside is the parking, or lack their of.
(4)
Ashwin M.

What part of Sex on the Beach don't you get? Huh? This is the closest you are going to get on a Saturday afternoon to having sex on the beach with respect to your tongue and company. Don't be fooled by the name. The SRF has nothing to do with this place, though the psychedelic Swami surfing inside the shack is a nice twist to the place. With an insane choice of aborted chicken egg dishes and pancakes, a handful of coffee varieties and a great juice and soup selection, you wished this was a vomitorium that the Romans invented. You know, eat, relish, puke, repeat. However, there are two flip sides to this slice of heaven that does not require you to slap bombs around your waist and explode yourself. One, the pretty retarded system of ordering your food, giving your name and watching the waitresses walk around aimlessly yelling your name like you are some lost puppy. Two, the dive bombing pigeons and sparrows who wait for the slightest opportunity to swoop down onto your table and make love to your awesome food. Oh and the retarded biker dudes revving up and down Encinitas Blvd acting all cool and macho while really appearing like a Transvestite Emperor with no clothes. Here is a secret. Try their Curry Soup. It is as authentic an avial (a south Indian stew) can get within 2000 miles from India.
(5)
Greg N.

I love this place. Where else can you go on the weekend to eat outside by the beach and have tasty food. One of my favorite item is the Acai Bowl. But you can't beat their prices. But there is a lot of self serve. But the place is clean and they get the food out pretty quick.
(5)
Meghan F.

I dream of Swami's Acai Bowel... it is the perfect Sunday brunch meal. Homemade granola with acai smoothie, banana, blackberry, blueberry, coconut, bee pollen, and strawberry on top. SO GOOOOOD!! They also have a wonderful selection of omelets and such made to order. I like the chicken sausage omelet that comes packed with veggies. It also comes with yummy breakfast potatoes and toast. The best scenario is going with somebody so you can get something sweet and something savory. Haven't tried their pancakes but I'm sure they are tasty. They have a nice selection of coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed juice as well. My only complains are the seating is super cramped and it can be hard to find a table, and sometimes it can take awhile to get your food. This is definitely a true surfer/California hippie style restaurant so don't expect the tables to be super clean or speedy service. If you don't have at least an hour to kill, this place won't be fast enough for you. I highly suggest checking out the Reflection Garden a few blocks away after eating to complete your laid back Encinitas experience :)
(4)
Tasty B.

I read the reviews up here and thought.. well they are republicans I am not.. we can all live in peace and eat. The food was ok. The coffees were cold. nothing special but I did not appreciate being there with my 8 year old boy having to explain derogatory stickers about Obama or why they may promote busting CA unions. Yeah .. I get it that the owner is republican but with the engraving on the door "welcoming all republicans" and the slogans on the wall .. the attitude meant "only republicans here" Not going back....
(1)
J M.

if you're up in encinitas and would like brunch this is the place. great selection of breakfast / brunch items. you go up and order and then sit down. sometimes its busy, sometimes its not. parking is a pain on in awhile. the service is bad but thats because its not a full service restaurant and its quite busy. it is what it is.
(4)
Darren R.

The food was amazing but the service sucked
(4)
Alyssa K.

So Encinitas Fresh, natural, delicious Try the Acai
(4)
Kam A.

I'm a huge fan of Swami's! I go whenever I get a chance, which is usually on the weekends when it can get busy. Parking is on the street and in the surrounding area. The seating is outdoors for the most part, but there are 3-4 stools inside at the front counter. The OJ is a MUST order for breakfast, it's so darn good! I enjoy the veggie breakfast burrito, huge pieces of veggies with just enough cheese, YUM. For a meatless breakfast, it really fills me up :) I've only been here once for lunch, but I can say the fish tacos were great. I would recommend bringing out-of-towners here or people who like to eat healthy food.
(5)
M D.

Decent breakfast / lunch place right on the main drag alongside 101 in Encinitas. It's an older place. Nothing fancy. Lot's of selections to choose from. Order inside and eat outside - lots of seating. There are also a few seats inside at the counter. Prices are reasonable. Wish I ordered their AÃ§ai Bowls. Next time. I'll repeat.
(4)
Avi G.

This place is always good for some healthy post Swami or Pipe's grub...the place can get crowded but on a sunny day, out on the Patio, with a friend you just surfed w/ your significant other...it does not get much better... - They recently changed management but the new guys still hold down and the food is as good as ever.
(4)
Michele S.

I love old school breakfast places and since Swami's apparently has been around for a long time I thought I would try it. First of all to order at the cashier does not make sense, and because there are no real servers it seems the guests were milling around trying to find things, like myself butter for toast! Everything appeared to be self service in the place. The vibe was not cool everyone looked miserable and lacked management direction. I will not be back to any of these locations as I'm guessing all of them are run the same. It's a shame because there is a missed opportunity to really make these really cool places and a potential cash cow! I work in Hospitality I understand customer service and this was not a good experience. They need a good consultant to come in and clean house..
(1)
Liz L.

OK, Swami's has some good food. But what sucks is that it ALWAYS takes forever, and half the time the food isn't even hot, or the food isn't cooked all the way through. Once we had to send pancakes that were dripping batter out of the center back to be re-cooked, and today we waited 25 minutes for eggs benedict and there was one order ahead of us. On another occasion I waited 20 minutes for yogurt and granola. To top it all off, today I overheard an employee (i think he is the manager?) say, "Obama shouldn't have even been allowed to run in the first place. I mean, he wasn't even born here!" WTF?! I can not support that kind of red neck hillbilly attitude AND poor service. No matter how good their eggs benedict are, I will not be going back. Screw you Swami's.
(1)
Package D.

Visited Swami's Cafe 4th of July weekend. Definitely a popular spot - expect a line. Moves pretty quickly though. Good service and friendly staff. Freshly squeezed OJ, yum. Swamis combo, 2 eggs, and house potatoes - NO seasoning : ( had to doctor it up A LOT. If you're in the area and looking for a delicious breakfast try Honey's Bakery and Bistro a few blocks North.
(2)
Nelson C.

Used to be my favorite place whenever I went to Cardiff. Acai bowls can't be beat. Pancakes are great (wheat options and fruit cooked within pancake) but one of the servers is a jerk. He spews utlra-right wing nonsense and puts up inappropriate posters. Look dude I just want to eat breakfast. Want the food but not the talk radio- go to the one in La Mesa. ( to be fair I haven't been to Swamis in awhile so he might not work there anymore.)
(2)
Kali M.

Myself and the family ate here for breakfast today. It was really good, I thought they had a nice selection of breakfasts options. We are outside and that was lovely. :) we did sub an item for another item and never actually received the sub item. Other than that all was good. !!
(4)
Ruggy J.

After a long night of partying in Encinitas, Del Mar and Leucadia... and after a stay in a cheapish hotel down the street, I was ready for some solid grub the next morning. Pipes was the OG destination, but since there were Eleventy-billion people waiting in line, we decided to hit up the less populated Swami's Cafe right down the street. When I say "less populated," it's not like it was empty or anything, but there was definitely more elbow room. That whole stretch of HWY 101 reminds me of old school San Diego... even Hawaii, kind-of. Swami's is no different. Everyone is generally laid back and enjoying themselves. Many of 'em are rockin' sandals and board shorts, just straight chillin' while taking in the beauty of a cloudless mid-morning in Southern California. Food here is definitely above average, and they totally cater to vegetarians or those who are health conscious. If you don't eat bacon, they'll throw a slab of veggie bacon your way. It resembles Beggin' Strips that you give to a German Shepard, but it's actually pretty tasty. They also have multi-grain waffles and excellent acai bowls. Ever since Oprah talked about acai, I think it's punishable offense NOT have the miracle berry on-hand. They do a pretty good job with it though and apparently, it's their biggest seller. Service lagged big time. Had to wait about 45 minutes for our food, but it didn't phase us, as we weren't in a big hurry to bail or anything. Take note if you're in a rush, however, as you might have to peace out before your breakfast arrives.
(4)
Saunders C.

Apparently acai bowls are all the rage these days in SD. Touted as the new superfood, acai supposedly cures what ails ya. So the version they serve here is a bed of granola topped with a frozen acai sorbet. That's topped off with sliced strawberries, frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries, shredded coconut, and bee pollen. $8. It was straight up one of the best things I've had for breakfast. Refreshing, filling, delicious. I split a bowl and was still satisfied. The other items on the menu also looked really good. I'm surprised this place isn't mobbed by more birds. People leave their half-eaten pancakes out there on the table on the patio and the birds swoop in and go to town. I saw a bird eating some scrambled eggs. Isn't that like cannibalism? Hope to come back someday, but I'll probably just order the acai bowl again.
(4)
Cady G.

This place is great for so many reasons. First, the food is awesome, consistent, generously portioned, and for the most part healthy. Second, this cafe is a haven for locals and you really get a sense of Encinitas at a place like this. Third, it's just a stone's throw away from downtown Encinitas (great boutiques and other shops) and across the PCH from the beach and the Self Realization Fellowship. The service, however, can be inconsistent and often slow. It's really irritating that they bring food out separately...timing is not their strong suit. Try to avoid going at peak brunch/lunch times on the weekends, because seating can often be a problem. It's not really a good place for large groups because of the layout of the restaurant. Must try: - Acai Bowl - Chicken Quesadilla - Croissant Breakfast - California Scramble - Huevos Rancheros - Vanilla Nut Coffee (add a dash of vanilla soymilk..it's AMAZING!)
(4)
Katie H.

LOL, in reading some of these comments, one would think that there is no such thing as a health conscious hippie who isn't a liberal. Oh no, the owner of Swami's must be an impostor! Funny how many Yelpers seem to think that politics and food choices go hand-in-hand... Anywayz... moving on... I finally had an opportunity to try this Encinitas staple. I think the weather really determines how good or bad the experience will be, and unfortunately for us, we picked an overcast freezing cold morning to give it a try. There is only one indoor table (we snagged it, since we had our young kids with us), but even that table still sort of feels like it's outside, since all the doors of the tiny building are open. I ordered the famous Acai Bowl and the hubby got a breakfast burrito. The Acai Bowl was really just a deconstructed smoothie... Acai sorbet, granola, coconut, frozen berries, bee pollen, fresh strawberries and bananas. It felt healthy, but in reality, it probably contained a ridiculous number of calories. Regardless, I liked it, and it was fun to try once. Next time I'd probably go for more traditional breakfast fare. The breakfast burrito was fine, nothing special. One cool feature of this joint is that there is a self service coffee station with several different varieties of freshly brewed java - I got the Vanilla Nut, and it was nice. I'd like to try Swami's again on a typical San Diego day (WARM) - I imagine it would make for a beautiful weekend brunch, but today it was just chilly, chilly, chilly.
(3)
Monica V.

Was here again recently to take a friend visiting from nearby Orange County. We weren't able to enjoy our yummy food there, but they were kind enough to pack everything up for us. This is definitely one of the go-to places to take out-of-towners to!
(5)
sherrie n.

Sweeeet acai bowl filled with granola, boysenberries, acai sorbet, strawberries, coconut, and banana. this is the surfers' ice cream treat. swami's cafe has cute decor. there's an outdoor patio with a fountain, and it's just got great local presence and a very homey feel. i went back for lunch and had the mahi mahi wrap and clam chowder. the wrap was amazing, sweet glaze on the fish and brown rice, super healthy. the clam chowder turned out to be some type of chicken cream soup, but i was too lazy to correct the order because it was a similar consistency and hard to tell until i had eaten a bit of it. it was water and not good.
(4)
Tiffany N.

I came here while on vacation and remembered this place serving super good healthy food several years back when I lived in Encinitas. Le sigh......no more. My waffle was DRY and eggs looked sad....not the same as back in the day :(
(2)
Capri S.

I like this place for their breakfast burritos. Overall, it is a decent place. It is on the healthy side. They use fresh avocados, real eggs, and fresh produce. It is a surfer's joint. I like the vibe. Outdoor seating only (except for a few seats inside which are exposed to the cold anyway). If you get cold, bring a jacket. The coffee is not my favorite.
(4)
Erin M.

My favorite place to go for breakfast in Encinitas. Highly recommend the acai bowl with no granola. Swami's Cafe introduced me to bee pollen so I will be forever grateful. Sit outdoors and wash down your breakfast with some earl grey tea as the sun washes over your face and you'll be in complete bliss.
(5)
Jason C.

A lot of people complain about the seating. Admittedly it can get crowded and is sometimes difficult to find a table, but it isn't that bad. I guess if you're the impatient sort it might be irritating, but seriously... just relax for a minute and enjoy the atmosphere. To me the atmosphere makes up for all that. It really is a perfect spot to be on a sunny day, with the salty ocean breeze blowing and the birds singing, which is why it pains me so much that the rest of this place annoys me so much. First, I am not a fan of the "healthy" hippy-food that a lot of people order here. I don't like tofu, I think that fake meat is an abomination, I like full-fat dairy, and I think that the wheat germ and bee pollen that get put on food tastes like sawdust. I could forgive that, since they have plenty of other stuff on the menu, but Swami's menu is like a collection of culinary "coulda been"'s. They have good ideas, but all of them are executed to the most mediocre standards possible. Items that contain turkey, for instance, use that Oscar Meyer-style sliced turkey loaf instead of actual turkey. Odd for a "health food" place. Their home fries are desperately underseasoned and bland. In fact, everything here is pretty much just "alright". I liked this place better the first 1 or 2 times I went there, but the sheen wore off really quickly. I don't know if this place changed management or if I was just blinded by the sunny summer days at first, but every time I went back it seemed like the the food got more bland and the walls became ever more peppered with extremely irritating and preachy Tea Party-Sarah Palin-Rush Limbaugh-type fliers, stickers, and political messages. Normally I wouldn't care about such things: I don't care if the owner is Republican or Libertarian or whatever. But being bombarded by overt political messages about touchy topics and controversial figures is the OPPOSITE of relaxing, which is frankly the only reason to come to this establishment. I'd be okay with spending $9 on a mediocre omelette and coffee to relax in the sun and breeze on a nice day, but if I'm going to get my hackles up from reading Pro-Prop8 messages just standing in line, I'd rather just go somewhere else. The food just isn't worth it.
(2)
Harmony R.

we came here for breakfast twice. it was tasty and the kids loved it. the only thing that would need to change for me to give it 5 stars is to have all organic options on the menu (like all organic juices, organic vege omelettes). soon people are going to catch onto the GMO-toxin track and they will not want to eat cheaper food that is toxic to their bodies. when that happens places like this (and honestly places everywhere) will need to revamp their menu. consciousness needs to extend to food!
(4)
Sandy H.

The organic pancakes are great. The bacon tasted like it was old not the experience I've had in the past. The atmosphere is nice though.
(3)
Angie O.

Swami's is a southern California dining experience, brah. I had the Ultimate Veggie sandwich. Nothing spectacular. The outdoor seating is nice, just watch out for the birds! Not a bad place if you want a lunch for 2 people under $20 and they have decent veg options.
(3)
V K.

Overall I love Swami's! The acai bowl is so awesome. Great location. I have two issues with Swami's: one is the way they deliver food. They could just give you a number to put on your table or something like that, but instead the staff wander around the place yelling out people's names until they find your table. It doesn't seem super efficient to me. Secondly, they don't always bring out the entire table's food together. Last time my husband and I ate there, he got his breakfast and I was still waiting for my acai bowl. Since he'd ordered a hot egg dish, I told him to go ahead and start without me. When he was half-way finished with his meal, I went back inside to check on my acai bowl and was told it was "coming right out." I went back to my table. A while later my husband had completely finished his breakfast, and still no acai bowl for me. I went back inside and they said it was ready but I was irritated and just asked for it to go since my husband was done and frankly I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Getting two dishes to the same table at (or around) the same time doesn't seem like rocket science.
(4)
Maria R.

We totally enjoyed this place - the location is awesome, nice outdoor patio right along the main drag, as well as right across the street from the Self Realization Center. The staff is SUPER nice!! The food and coffee - fantastic. We really enjoyed being in Encinitas and we really enjoyed spending our afternoon here! Very lovely place to spend time outdoors with friends!
(5)
Michael S.

The Acai bowl for breakfast. YUM. This dish was a novelty for me, the Midwesterner, and I loved it. They are served in half or whole sizes. Either way, an Acai bowl at Swami's Cafe will make your day. Here is an Acai bowl (Photo courtesy of Heather W.) yelp.com/biz_photos/SDI7â€¦ The omelettes are good too, as are their muffins. Mostly outdoor seating and ample parking. A must if in Encinitas at breakfast times.
(5)
robert b.

Pretty good service but getting better. My favorite food there is the sweet potatoe pancakes. Coffee is good too. Its our new hang out for food now that our gym is directly across the street.
(3)
Patrick M.

As the previous reviewer mentioned, it's become another Swami's. In an effort to save money you don't have the servers you used to, at least for breakfast and lunch. Now you go to a table, look at a menu, walk up to the middle of the restaurant where they take orders and place your order and pay. The food is delivered and is OK. Reminds me more of a costly fast-food place than a restaurant. I've not been there at night but apparently they have live music, etc. No longer my cup of Joe.
(2)
Joe H.

You can't help but love this place. The food is good- but I wouldn't say great. The staff tries hard, and they are nice, but it isn't exactly spectacular service. For a fun place to go to breakfast, it can be very enjoyable. A big part of me wants to give it 5 stars but I'm trying not to be too biased because it's one of my personal favorites. It's a very relaxing, beachy atmosphere that makes it a local's favorite.
(4)
Jennifer F.

I heard about the new swami's in Escondido 2 days ago So I was very eager to dine there. the restaurant is beautiful nice ambiance I get this is a new location for them so I'm hoping they get it together. wait staff were very pleasant, unfortunately I ordered the ribeye the best cut of steaks in my opinion. they should immediately find a new source to buy their cuts of meat this was by far the worst ribeye I've had in years. the cut was thin and very very fatty I only had about 3 decent bites the rest was so fatty and a majority of it like chewing a wad of paper. I'm a huge foodie and enjoy dining out often. I'm going to give this place another shot and try a few different things on the menu. I would love for Escondido to have another decent to fine dining restaurant so I'mhoping these guys make it - I will give another review on my next visit. Jennifer F. foodie
(2)
Michelle C.

Very delicious enchiladas, great view and very fresh food. I just wish they had wifi. It was a nice cafe to come to being new to town.
(4)
Kathy K.

i've been here a few times now and with each visit, it loses more and more appeal. don't get me wrong- the food is MM MM goood (love the acai bowl and chicken sausage omellete w/ potatoes & (my fave) zuchinni! their drinks are good too- super fresh but realllyy sweet) the SERVICE on the other hand.. no one is ever friendly. like c'mon- you get to work by the beach, be outdoors, wear what you appeared to have worked out in this morning, and you can't gimme a smile? it really kills the encinitas i-surf-and-am-super-laid-back feel. but really tho.. 5 star potential with a 2 star attitude. womp. :(
(3)
Deborah D.

This place was recommended to us and we decided to try it for breakfast. It was a Sunday and it was pretty chaotic because it is obviously very popular. You order at the counter and they bring the food out to your table outside, which was nice on a sunny day...maybe not so much on a yucky day? The girl who took our order seemed overwhelmed (I would be!) and our bill seemed too high but we thought oh well! When our food arrived it turned out that she had keyed in an acai bowl with our order. We had never had one before but it was soooo good and we ended up eating all of it and leaving some of our other food behind! The menu was full of yummy healthy sounding dishes and everything we had was good. I would definitely go back to try some other dishes.
(4)
Michael R.

Character, great food
(4)
Melanie L.

I love this place! Amazing food and amazing vibe!.......across the street from the beach!
(5)
Timothy W.

This was my stop off after getting out of the water for many years, but it has really gone down hill from when I first started coming here. The birds that live in the surrounding bushes eating off of uncleared plates, the ridiculously long wait for even a smoothie, the tacky, borderline offensive graffiti covering the walls and ceiling... it's just not what it used to be. Not to mention their restroom must've been imported from Tijuana. They are remodeling and expanding next doors so we'll see how that works. Until then we've stopped coming here.
(2)
Anthony L.

I'm going to have to agree with Suzanne and the others - I used to like this place before the religious, conservative nuts took over. Now, having differing opinions on politics is completely understandable, but to shove your extreme right wing, offensive and downright ignorant ideals into the faces of your customers is like Wal-Mart sending out fliers about their new Green Line of products printed on old growth redwood trees to Sierra Club members; Its not the best idea and completely self damning. Although the food here is still pretty decent, there is no shortage of absolutely amazing food in the Coastal North County area to choose from - without the bullshit. There is no way that I'll recommend, support or visit Swamis Cafe in the future.
(1)
Blair A.

This place was the biggest disappointment EVER. I heard they had a lot of vegetarian items and mock meats so I decided to make the drive from Clairemont. It started off bad and got worse... First of all the redheaded girl at the cashier who took my order was standing there singing along to the music when we walked up. While we were giving her our order she started joking around with a coworker. This girl seemed like a total airhead so I repeated that I wanted my sandwich made with the MOCK meat, as I am vegetarian. While waiting for our food I had this gut feeling that something was going to get screwed up. When to food was brought out by the busboy/ food runner, I looked at my sandwich and asked him if it was mock meat or real meat. He looked at it for a minute and then told me that it wasn't mock meat so I asked him to take it back, he grabbed the plate without even an apology. By the time the correct food was brought out the person i was with had already finished his meal, so I asked if I could just have my money back. The busboy said he would go ask if they could give me my money back and I also requested that I speak to the manager. He just said "The manager isn't here." No manager on duty?? On a Saturday??? While at the counter getting my money back, the red haired girl who took the order was giving me dirty looks the entire time. Then as we're leaving she says "It wasn't my fault, the kitchen prepared it on the wrong side." Whatever that means. I can't believe I drove all the way for such a horrible experience. Never going back.
(1)
Paula N.

I'm surprised to see all the high reviews, but then I scrolled down a bit and saw some not-so-stellar reviews. Like another reviewer, we had to wait half an hour for our food. No food was coming out of the kitchen, and then all the shakes came out, and then after 20 minutes, all this food came out. Not sure whether they prepare the food in batches, but whatever it is, it's really inefficient. There are a lot of other places on the 101 to have brunch -- with just as good food and much much better service.
(2)
James M.

Great atmosphere and decent food that can be healthy if you choose carefully - but you won't be guilted if you go the bacon and cheese route, either. Like others have mentioned, the table situation sucks but constant turnover means you won't wait forever. Grab a menu WHILE you're in line (they're in front of the register inside) so you don't get to the register, stare at the gazillion items on the menu ("am I in the mood for breakfast or lunch?" - God, I hate that) and keep everyone else waiting. As for the food - I thought the omelet was a tad overcooked and the home fries were both on the dry side and in need of seasoning. The breakfast quesadilla was OK but the tortilla wasn't warmed, so it was more like a wrap. On the plus side, everything tastes pretty fresh and there's a lot to choose from. If you happen to be in the area, it's a decent choice, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)
Heather D.

I like Swami's a lot, but you have to wait a while to get your food. I think the food is average tasting, but it isn't necessarily the food you go there for. It is the scenery! Great place to take the family or someone from out of town, because you are so close to the beach. You can also bring along your dog if you like.
(4)
wendy b.

I use to live in Encinitas and LOVED swami's cafe, well on a recent venture to La Mesa I walked past it and probably actually did a little safety dance right there in delight. not really the type of place I would think you'd find in downtown La Mesa but I'm glad to have a fresher alternative to the normal breakfast spots around here. and obviously I was a happy prego lady! we went in for breakfast and it's just as good as the place in north county. not nearly as crowded and of course it lacks that sand on your feet vibe but hey I practically live in the desert now so it's something I'm learning to live with. The fruit and yogurt bowl was filled to the brim with amazing fresh and delicious fruits and the portion is HUGE, I was unable to finish it. Fresh squeezed OJ and a coffee selection that goes on and one (my fav is the organic Mexican) Hubs pancake breakfast was on par with what you would expect. We also split a bluberry muffin that was very yummy.
(5)
Ryan B.

I've been going here for a couple years now. Always a cool place to stop for lunch on PCH. Right across from the famous right hander. Be prepared cause it gets real busy weekends, lunch rushes, and in the summer months when Arizona invades San Diego. I recently split the Anna's Sandwich with mock turkey and melted cheese. Definitely recommend trying if veggie meats don't mess with your system. Also split the acai bowl. Not bad...but not great. I was bummed that the blackberries were frozen! Bee pollen on top is bonus. I have never seen it done elsewhere.
(2)
Ryan M.

This place fits Encinitas perfectly. A relaxed patio where you can enjoy a tasty and healthy breakfast or lunch. Everything looks great, yet i know I am missing out by not having tried the acai bowl yet (I'll get to it). What I have had was great, flavorful with perfectly sized portions. The buckwheat-banana-pecan pancakes were outstanding for a sweet breakfast treat and the guacamole-turkey-bacon sandwich is worth coming back for. I'll be back many more times....
(5)
Mike C.

A rare 5 stars. I've never had anything at all that is less than stellar. All fresh ingredients, made to order food at incredibly reasonable prices in very large portions. A perfect lunch, brunch or breakfast spot. Just avoid on rainy days as you'll be eating outdoors on their patio.
(5)
Jennifer B.

Still not sure what to make of this place. The food was good but the service sucked. And I definitely agree with a previous reviewer that the idea of giving your name and watching the wait staff wander around yelling your name to get you your food is totally asinine. Get some numbers for the tables. People don't pay attention to their name being called. The wait staff is rude, I didn't even know if the woman taking my order was paying attention to me or not. She wasn't even looking at me. The place was packed - it was lunchtime - and the girl making smoothies was complaining that she needed someone to help her. But, my date banana shake was awesome and my friend's iced tea was really good. It seemed like it had ginger in it. The atmosphere is neat, lots of plants and a waterfall. There seemed to be a lot of places to eat in the area, I would have definitely rather tried somewhere else.
(2)
Penny Lane S.

Swami's cafe has a pretty good selection of breakfast foods and sandwiches. I loved the pumpkin pancakes special a couple of months ago. This place is low key and tasty.
(4)
Connie N.

Nice outdoor setting on a sunny day. Was really crowded but standing in line was great for chatting with people. The acai bowl and the smoothie was great! And there's lots of vegan dishes on the menu too! I also like that it's right across the street for the Self-Realization Center; makes for a nice walk to work off those calories....
(3)
Rachel S.

I like Swami's because I like eating outside, generous portions for breakfast, and being within the dress code while wearing running shorts. I also used to think that Swami's was a fantastic deal! It still is for me to a degree, but there are some things that, let's say, haven't added to my eating experience on my last few visits. 1. Once you order and after you get your food, you are pretty much on your own. No one is going to check on you to see if you need ketchup or jam; this is fine, it isn't hard to ask around other tables or go up to the counter, just be aware. 2. Tables aren't always wiped down in between diners; this really bothers me, as I'm the type of person who clears off crumbs from my table at home if I notice them before I sit down to eat. 3. The food is actually kind of expensive for the ambiance (I think); an omelette, a scramble, and two coffees landed us in the upper $20's. For that, I'd at least like my table to be cleaned and more well stocked. 4. You would think that with the money they were making they'd be able to finally replace their mugs; I know, I'm a huge fan of reusing and everything, but when your mugs start looking like you clean them at the laundromat it's probably time to tell them bye-bye. Note that after all this, I still like Swami's enough for a few stars, so if a less-than-stellar eating environment is a-ok with you, I'd definitely check out this place (especially for breakfast)!
(3)
Scott P.

Their Acai bowl is phenomenal and the sandwiches are decent. Definitely will give you a brain freeze. Seems like the line is always a little too long and the wait also a tad long when I have been. I think they should invest in having numbers at the table instead of shouting peoples names while the servers tries to deliver the food.
(4)
Gretchen T.

Always go when I'm in town and used to go often when I lived in the environs, so I was surprised when I went last week and something was different--surf memorabilia gone, new paint, what gives? The guy working, who has been there 7 years, filled me in on the internal strife, but promised that the food was just as good as ever. And was it ever! I had a special green scramble with avocado and green bell peppers and spinach, and couldn't help but order a smoothie and coffee as well. Grandma stuck with fruit and toast, but we were both happy all around. A good run along the PCH, catching a few shots of surfer ass while they change in the Swami's parking lot, and breakfast at Swami's Cafe, these are the few things I miss about living in SoCal!
(5)
Leah P.

Okay so yes, I understand that Swamis Cafe is supposed to be very hippie and surfer and natural and healthy. All things that I very much love. The upfront-ordering and seat yourself process at this establishment definitely feeds into that feel. You know this experience will be out of the ordinary. But, what's with the 'tude? I politely told one of the servers that a portion of an order had not made it out to our table. I was sure it wouldn't come out, because she didn't even look at me when I was talking! How would she know what I look like, esp. among the sea of people hovering over people's tables? It did come out eventually. Maybe it was an off day. Or it was too crowded. I'll try it again when it is not noon on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
(2)
Meaghan C.

This place is a quick and easy spot for breakfast that makes stopping by on your way to or from the beach a perfect treat. The place was packed at 9am on Saturday morning and though table spotting was a real expertise, the food was worth the short wait. With a wide range of treats from acai bowls brimming with bee pollen, cocunut and fresh fruit along with signature specials like the pumpkin spice pancakes and apple sausage omelet, this is a must have for North County visitors. Though there isn't as cute of a vibe as other restaurants, with plastic dinning chairs, it is a great cheap meal that is worth a quick visit.
(4)
Jessica C.

Healthy, unique, fresh food...love sitting on the patio when it's nice out. Sometimes too busy and some dishes aren't very flavorful, but overall we love it and go reguarly.
(4)
Wendy T.

So Swami's was one of the vegetarian picks on AOL's Best-of City Guide. It has a really laid back, beach cafe atmosphere which was nice and most of the patrons were super friendly and smiled as you walked by their table. They also offfer complimentary coffee of all sorts, but be warned that the coffee is lukewarm at best at 2pm. I ordered the Green Omelette which sounded delicious with spinach, avocado, zuchinni, and feta cheese, as well as the calm chowder. Do NOT order clam chowder from Swami's. It was super watery and salty, not at all delicious. As for the omelette - I wasn't prepared for the barely cooked zuchinni. It made it rather difficult to cut through my omelette and there was really no taste except the slightly salty flavor of the feta cheese. My friend ordered the french toast topped with strawberries and it looked good, but I was just completely disappointed by my dining experience. Maybe next time.
(2)
Natalie V.

Delicious food! The acai bowl was so refreshing!
(5)
John B.

They warn you. There's a sign right above the register stating quite clearly that they are not a fast food establishment. This is true. If you're looking for a quick bite before work, this ain't the place. But for a leisurely, healthy meal on a slow morning, it's a great spot. Good omelets, good juices (I like their OJ with the "Garlic Go"), good coffee selection, good range of veggie options. All internal politics, questionable hiring habits and missing surf-themed memorabilia aside, the place is an institution. If passing through, it's a mandatory. If you live here, you already know.
(4)
A P.

Great place, the AÃ§ai bowls are amazing, and the location kicks ass.
(4)
Noel L.

By far my favorite cafe around here. They have the standard fare you'd expect in most places, plus lots of unique, really tasty dishes. Most of them with an emphasis on healthy food. They have great wraps and stir frys with tofus and great salads (get the basil dressing). Their acai bowl is to die for, but it's huge, so it's perfect to split betwee two (or three) people. Not the cheapest place around, but absolutely delicious. You really can't go wrong with any of their items.
(5)
Anna A.

Cute patio. Friendly ppl. Prolly pretty good food as well but my veggie sandwich was way so dry and bland that it makes me wonder. I'll give it an other shot.
(3)
Garima T.

This is my favoritest cafe in San Diego..so much so that I just made up a new word for it. I love their cute little outdoor seating deck. Dogs are welcome which is a huge relief for our little fluffy. I can eat there anytime of the day. This is the first place I take all my out station visitors to and Swami's has never disappointed anyone. My fav.. the acai berry bowl. Never eaten anything like this before..refreshing, nutritious and very fresh. Their whole grain waffles are mind blowing too.
(5)
Chris R.

always loved it. classic
(5)
Natalie W.

refreshing smoothies(my fav is the orange banana honey smoothie, tastes like an orange julius but BETTER!), super friendly staff and healthy fantastic food. Can you really hate any business in Encinitas, great chill beach vibe.
(5)
H C.

This is my favorite breakfast place in the world. It is in beautiful Encinitas, across from the Self Realizationn Temple and they have the best fresh plates! Get the multigrain waffle!
(5)
Michael W.

Great place to get a reasonably priced, healthy breakfast or lunch. I'm not generally hip to the practice of robbing bees of their pollen, stuff's pretty nasty, but it makes a fine addition to the acai bowl. Try one of those. I doubt you'd regret it. They also have decent fish tacos, and good salads. I'm coming back for a sandwich. They looked good!
(4)
Sara H.

My favorite Sunday treat is to get a smoothie and a half-order acai bowl to-go. Then I typically wander across the street to lounge on the grass, under the trees and warmed by California sun, at Swami's beach. It's the BEST way to avoid the crowds of dinning-in.
(4)
Kevin K.

Great breakfast/lunch spot and anything you eat is delicious!
(5)
L.E. H.

The second place you may see me grubbing in North County is here. I love Swami's Cafe. When I bring friends and family up the coast for the scenic drive, I almost always take them here for lunch. Love it! The omelets-yum. Potato scramble--oh God yes. Tuna wrap--please! California Delight--refreshingly tasty. Black Bean Burrito--big hit! Smoothies--cool satisfaction. It's always busy, but tables turn over quickly. It's outdoor seating, but very comfortable. Best part for me is that it's just a few blocks from the meditation gardens, and I can gaze at the ocean or check out the koi pond after filling my belly. This can be a full Sunday afternoon for me, and I will be pleased as punch that I made the trip. I'm a simple gal, it doesn't take much to make me happy :)
(4)
H K.

definitely a fan, always have a good meal and/or smoothie there. but i kinda have to say, i think they need to clean up the back area and the bathroom a bit. and put up a sign so on the door that leads to the bathroom so you know you're heading the right direction. also, if the wind picks up, watch out, as the umbrellas aren't the most stable.
(4)
Kate R.

I love the omelette's, veggie soup and sandwiches. The specials are always great. They have an awesome variety of vegetarian options but serve meat too. The service is mediocre, but the delicious food makes up for it.
(5)
Angie C.

Ok, so I took a friend here for the first time & was so sorry. We ordered 2 different wraps. She had the shrimp one. It contained 1 tiny piece of shrimp. I had the ginger chicken one. They were both very dry, hardly any flavor. We both used salt, which I don't normally do. It was so disappointing. We waited about 25 minutes for this bad meal. As we waited we noted that all the smoothies, & breakfast foods looked like the thing to get. However, lunch was so bad, I don't see coming back. I already know places for breakfast. If they can't do lunch good, maybe they should just stick to breakfast. I am not one to give bad reviews lightly. The man who cleaned the tables was very nice, as well as the cashier. I'm trying to cut them some slack as it was a holiday weekend, so maybe that explains the wait time, but nothing can help the bad wraps. Sorry.
(1)
grey h.

HOme Made Granola! Super tasty, super awesome! Lovely view of the waterfront. I went here 4+ years ago, but a friend had recently brought it up so i thought i'd give it some props for leaving such a good impression :)
(4)
Brian E.

one of my favorite breakfast spots in the world!!! and u cant go wrong with any of there smoothies or fresh juice
(5)
Danika N.

second time coming here and i was still more than pleased! i ordered the swami's acai bowl which was incredibely refreshing and satisfying and my friend ordered the greek omelet which was also very delicious! we chose the Guatemala blend house coffee and it was such a great and smooth blend! i highly recommend this place if your in the area, prices are great too!
(5)
Casey B.

Been there twice and both times were very disappointing. First time, I waited 40 minutes for a wrap that was...ok. Then I thought I'd give it another shot yesterday. What a mistake! The blond girl at the counter had the crappiest attitude. Not what you would expect from a laid back Encinitas eatery. When I asked for a refund, she laughed in my face and said, "fine with me". She refused to give me her name and heckled me as I left. I couldn't say much as I was absolutely SHOCKED at the behaivior she was displaying. I will never return to Swami's Cafe.
(1)
K W.

I had heard about this place for years but never stopped by. The food was fresh and good and the watermelon juice was delicious. I went close to sunset & it was a drizzly day in San Diego so I think that affected the overall feeling of the place for me. I am sure it is very weather dependent. A early breakfast on a sunny day would probably be much more enjoyable.
(3)
Renee S.

This place is way, way overrated in my opinion. It was my first time there, when we walked up obviously unsure of whether to sit first, whether we had to go order at the counter or what- here comes an employee that looks like a waitress, surely to guide us, right? Nope, just as we open our mouths to ask if we seat ourselves, she whips out her cell phone and proceeds to make a call and walks past us like we don't exist. Wow. Should have left at that point, but I persisted due to the decent reviews. There were plenty of tables available but all dirty- guess that makes sense considering the employees are busy catching up on phone calls. The little porch area is pretty run-down and dirty looking. The front seating is on a busy road- not exactly relaxing. Although this place is known for their wraps, I found their selection of wraps disappointing and ended up getting a sandwich instead which was okay. Tasted the BLTA and I make a better one at home myself. They forgot our smoothie- when we went to inquire as to where it was, they tried to say we never ordered one and demanded a receipt (when asked if we wanted a copy of the receipt we had declined... so fellow yelpers, make sure you get a receipt!!!). They eventually relented and produced a smoothie that tasted exactly like banana bread batter- not my cup of tea (supposed to be peach I think). I was really just taken aback by the attitude of all the employees. If I'm going to pay $8 for a sandwich, particularly a mediocre sandwich, I'm going to go somewhere where I'm at least acknowledged. With their rude behavior, they must not be hurting for business- good thing cause I won't be going back.
(2)
Julie G.

One of my favorite places to eat in Encinitas. It's a local surfer's favorite, as well as there is nothing like a home cooked meal after getting out of the water. They are known for their healty foods menu that consists of smoothies, meat substitutes such as mock bacon and turkey, awesome soups and healthy salads. Their Tahini dressing is awesome and if you've never heard of this before it's loaded with nutrients and a must try. The atmosphere is laid-back and you order at the counter. Sometimes the food takes a while but it's worth the wait. Most of the tables are outdoors on their make-shift veranda. Expect long lines on the weekends and when the weather is nice and bright.
(5)
Lexi P.

My new favorite thing to do is head up to Swami's Cafe on Sunday morning for a cup of Kona Blend Coffee and a giant Acai bowl. I take them to go and head just about a mile south on 101 to the picnic benches to watch the surfers at Swami's beach. It takes me right back to Hawaii and is the absolute BEST way to end the weekend. Love love LOVE this place.
(4)
Julia M.

One of the best spots for food in Encinitas! The menu has a huge selection so whatever you are in the mood for you'll find it there!
(4)
Clare C.

Love Swami's, best place by far for acai bowl and their pancakes are great too. One of my favorite breakfast spots, everything is super fresh, great tasting and healthy! Gets very crowded on weekend for breakfast, so go early.
(4)
Jessica S.

The Acai bowl is to die for! You must try it if you go. It's an amazing blend of acai smoothie atop really good granola, then topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, flax seed, coconut and more granola. The amount is perfect, usually can't finish it, the taste is great and your eating all fresh :) You can even get it togo, that way you can stick it in the freezer for a snack later! Really, I've been there three times and thats all I've ever eaten, but their menu does look good with a wide variety to choose from, anywhere from vegetarian breakfast to lunch. I would have given them 5 stars however, all three times I've been the waitstaff (I guess cashier) have ALWAYS been rude. My first time I was asking for her suggestion and she didn't give me the time of day. It was like she was too good for her job and clearly didn't want to be there, I got the "are you gonna order something or just stand there", look! The food is great though, so luckily its won me over :)
(4)
Kanola V.

Great place to go have great breakfast and relax. I love the setting, but if you are into fancy spots, you may not like it.
(5)
Lily S.

Popped in here for a quick lunch on my visit to SD. While not a fan of Mexican fare in general, I definitely enjoyed my mahi mahi burrito wrap thing. I would have enjoyed it more, though, had it come with more fish. The first half of the wrap had plenty but then I got to the second and realized that the ingredients were completely unevenly split. While most of the fish landed in the first half, the second was predominantly avocado. At $10 a pop, I am in no rush to come back here. Also, when I visited the bathroom I noticed that the inside of the restaurant had that cheap stench of floor cleaner. Yuck. There was also no toilet paper in sight. Come on!
(2)
Micah C.

I should have got a bowl of fruit. The California breakfast scrambler was a special. I got it thinking it may be good since it included asparagus, avo, squash,spinach, & mushroom. It was cold and flavorless. Toast wasn't toasted it was bread. Potatoes where boring. Coffee options where great however the water they use tastes weird so all their coffee is kinda weird tasting in my opinion. Maybe the smoothie should have been my choice. I won't eat a traditional breakfast here again.
(2)
Allyson G.

I finally came here for the first time on a weekday morning when they weren't so crowded. It was pretty good, but I don't really see the big deal. Maybe my expectations were high since I know they're super crowded on weekends and they even have a street called "Swami's Pedestrian Xing," but overall I don't really see what the big deal is. Plus their food is a little too lukewarm for a place with (as far as I know) outdoor only seating. The food gets cold faster. But their eggs Benedict was pretty good! If you just wanna try it once to see how it is try to go on a weekday morning.
(3)
Carrie W.

I had the black egg burrito & I added chicken to it. Wow it was amazing! My daughter had the kid's pancakes and boy was that thing huge. I was definitely impressed with the portion sizes, the dog friendliness, and the location. This is a must go spot if you are in Encinitas!
(4)
tara k.

Perfect for a vegetarian... Lots of options for faux turkey, garden burgers, falafel, etc. Some delish sandwiches and they have a great outdoor porch area that you can have your dog at. We got salads with our meals and the housemade dressing is refreshing and unique.
(4)
Lisa M.

The food was amazing and more than enough for one person. We thoroughly enjoyed the birds landing on the tables around us to steal food. The tables and chairs need to be thoroughly wiped down on a regular basis.
(4)
Anna M.

I love to get their Pitaya Bowl that is topped with seasonal fruit, homemade granola, coconut and bee pollen. They have some really good breakfast choices too.
(4)
Jeremy S.

Swamis is absolutely awesome and boasts delicious food along with a nice upbeat environment. I used to frequent this place quite often as they have one of the best acai bowls in the business. Lately, I have been ordering regular breakfast items and haven't had any complaints either. The ABC quesadilla is pretty legit and the homemade iced is solid. This place can get extremely crowded especially on a weekend so my recommendation would be to go early and/or keep an eye out for any available seats while waiting in line. Remember, this place requires you to wait in line to place your order rather then have servers come out to the table.... This may be a new concept to someone who hasn't been here before. Pros- Outdoor dog friendly seating Service Acai bowls Menu Location Price Taste Ice tea Cons- Really crowded Seating is tough Birds all over the place Not the cleanest outdoor area
(4)
Jake B.

Awesome spot! The location in downtown Encinitas is fantastic! I ordered the potato scramble breakfast burrito and it definitely lived up to the hype. Absolutely one of my favorite breakfast burritos I have had recently. The burrito was cheap as well! Only 6.95$ for a fairly good sized burrito. However, they charge 2 dollars for any add ins to the burrito. I asked for added bacon, and it was not 2 dollars worth of bacon. Very thin and small pieces. I would have liked more. The service was fine, customers order and pay before the meal so there isn't much of a waiter. But the employees were very kind. I also got to taste the acai bowl, that was delicious as well! Good experience at Swami's! I absolutely recommend this cafe!
(4)
Natalie D.

Overpriced- paid $9 for an acai bowl (which is basically a smoothie topped with fruit and nuts) Service- had to wait 25 minutes to get my simple order, and asked four times before I received it Not sure about hygiene either- behind the cashier and kitchen had trash all over the floor and surfaces not wiped down and kept clear of unnecessary clutter. It has great outside seating and location but everything else about this cafÃ© is terrible
(1)
natalie h.

Terrible! Very disappointing. I have never In my life seen a waitress deliver food to a table whist on her iPhone. I mean really Facebook can't wait?!?!
(2)
plume L.

This place seems to have sadly been overrun by some outspoken right winger (who works there!) who is pinning things about "michael brown having it coming" on the bulletin board. Also spotted: "impeach Obama" "Dems use side entrance" "1%ers welcome" "proudly non-union". All written by the same guy (recognizable by the typos) in black marker on top of the hippie/surfer stickers. Not really the spirit of the swami's I remember. Smoothies are fine.
(1)
Clint S.

Ive always loved this place but hated the drive from North Park to Swamis ! Now with the new location by my house I can enjoy them on a daily basis ! The food is always fresh and the staff are friendly ! The spring chicken salad,ABC burger and acia bowl are my favorites !
(5)
Yemaya R.

We love this place and have been coming here for years! Awesome yogi surfer vibe on the 101. Really good food & service.
(5)
J C.

This is a local favorite. The food is clean, fresh and tasty. The staff has all been here a long time. This is your go to after surf or just Sunday breakfast. Food is clean. Acai is the best. Super large serving. They also serve the best apricot blueberry muffins.
(4)
Danielle G.

Old, laid-back cafe with a hippy-surfer feel. Great food, breakfast burrito and pancakes are delicious, smoothies are yummy. Beautiful patio seating, good for dogs. Go up to the counter to place your order, they'll bring you the food, very casual atmosphere.
(5)
Joey L.

If you haven't been here I suggest you take a trip and put up with the wait because it is worth it the eggs Benedict and house potatoes is my always go to and the watermelon agua is good takes a while but it isn't made till you order it the only complaint I have is the lack of shade and the rude cashier who could use a cup coffee to cheer his attitude but the service is quick food was warm and it was gone quick haha
(4)
Patrick M.

Outside seating (bird poop added for authenticity). Had whole grain waffles, available bowl, pumpkin pancakes, eggs Benedict all good and tasty
(3)
Nicole O.

What a great spot! I have been to the cafe/bar on Coast Hwy 2 times! Visit #1: I had just gotten done w/ a 3 mile run on Coast Hwy and was craving a huge Acai Bowl! This was the perfect place to get them! The portion is huge and the fruit was so fresh! I got the bowl to-go and it was a little awkward carrying it back to the car and getting it home w/o spilling it, but I managed to do and devoured the whole thing as soon as I got into my apt! AÃ§ai or Pitaya Bowl (Dragon Fruit) - Swami's Style Served in a bowl with blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, bananas, strawberries, homemade granola, with local fresh bee pollen and coconut on top. 8.50 Add bee pollen for 75Â¢ Vist #2: The 2nd time I visited Swami's I came w/ my boyfriend after another 3 mile run on Coast Hwy - we opted to sit and dine on the patio to relax and cool off. We sat next to the water fountain and had a good view of the highway and passer-by's. This time around I ordered the Green Omelette which included Asparagus, Spinach, Avocado, Green Onions, Green Bell Peppers and Zucchini, in addition I got fruit as my side dish. The meals came out in a timely matter and the portions were huge! I ended up only being able to eat half the omelette which resulted in me taking home the other half and having it for breakfast the following morning. Not bad at all. The Green Omelette Asparagus, spinach, avocado, green onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and feta cheese. $8.95 The service is mediocre, nothing special. My server was friendly when I dined in, but not exceptional. As far the wait time goes for take-out and waiting for a table, the place is always busy and I waited almost 30 minutes for my Acai Bowl and almost 30 minutes to be seated. I will definitely come by again but have to remember to be patient!
(4)
Jenna B.

Love the patio seating. Food is pretty great. Good place to take guests, it is a really great local spot to check out. Ordered the acai bowl, it was HUGE, next time I'll get a half order. Grasshopper juice is amazing.
(4)
Felipe P.

This place has one of the best AÃ§aÃ bowl in town... People here complain about service and all that but I just love to grab a grub from there... I only can sit down once in a while so I don't deal w the staff that much ... But every time I Get there they are friendly and nice to me. I Think in life your mood determines The mood of others .... To An Extent, but that is a true statement. Grab the AÃ§aÃ bowl it's great and with lots of granola. Not just that tiny bit some other place give out.
(5)
Dr L.

Great food. Incredible ambiance. A classic surf joint bridging the 60s to present day.
(5)
Craig C.

We ordered an Acai bowl, which was a disappointment as nearly all ingredients were frozen, except the banana & the Acai was a watered down version. Also ordered a potato scrambler burrito & a black bean burrito. These were much better & recommended over the Acai. Best part about this location was it's proximity to the ocean. You can dine & then walk a couple blocks to the sea wall.
(3)
Bret L.

So I intend to come back to Swami's but my first experience was not a good one. I stopped by on a Sunday around 11am to get some black bean soup. I had my wisdom teeth out so soup is about as glamorous as it gets for the moment. It was quite crowded and so I ordered my soup to go. I'm thinking that this is a pretty simple equation: Soup + to go = out the door in 5 minutes. I was so very wrong. Just a shade over 45 minutes later my soup finally showed up on the counter, I grabbed it, and headed out. Price was fine, the restaurant itself is fine, but as I sat waiting forever for my soup I realized that I wasn't the only one stuck in food purgatory as several other people came up asking about their food. I've heard good things about Swami's, but this was a terrible first impression. I'll update this review when I eventually go back.
(1)
Rowan B.

The juices and smoothies here are awesome! My father and mother, who are vegan and vegetarian respectively, loved their meals. They had so many veggie options, which is always wonderful to see. I tried their "Mango Madness" smoothie, which was delightful. I would go back every week if I lived closer!
(5)
Angry Mo Pho S.

Soooo yeah its an enci landmark, yeah sitting outside is cool, yeah the smoothies are great, yeah its all about location bla bla bla. I had a smoothie today and also ordered the falafel pita plate. Well on a Monday afternoon there was really no one there and I thought great, its a beautiful day and I'm gonna have a great lunch... WRONG.... The place was a filthy mess and i mean shit nasty, nasty menus, shit all over the floors, shit left on the tables, it was disgusting. Then i get my food. Yup yup! Sooooo i order a falafel pita plate as mentioned and im so stoked for my dish and the hummos and tahini sauce.. I go for my first bite and im all droooling and shit.. Its fucking ranch dressing.. FUCKING RANCH.. On falafel.. Fucking Ranch... So i go to the front and ask hey where's the tahini sauce.. "Oh we dont have any..." So you give me fucking ranch bcuz im a stupid fuking american? What the fuk. WAKE UP Sorry had to share bcuz you know why.. It never fails, you can't complain because then YOU are the asshole and here's the kicker there is no manager around or owner who gives a shit anyway or they never would have givin me ranch in the first fucking place. And do you think the mexicans who run the kitchens up and down the coast give a shit... Fuck no. I'm sick of this shit. DOWN WITH RANCH ....ITS POISON.
(1)
Ralph G.

My wife and I are retired, snow birds, and enjoy the coastal San Diego County in winter for its ambience, weather and enjoyable restaurants. No sooner than we arrive at our Oceanside home, we head down to Encinitas to eat at Swami's Cafe. If there is a 12-step program for addiction to a restaurant, we'll have to sign up. The food, prices and ambience are terrific. John and Betty are attentive, gracious hosts and they also get an A+ for the music they play. The food consistently is enjoyable, healthy and very reasonably priced and their selection of self-serve coffees is wonderful. Today, I mentioned to John that we were tightening up our food choices and asked about their grilled salmon, certain it was farm raised. "Not so", John assured me. "We serve only wild caught salmon". That amazed me and pleased me as I went in thinking my favorite Swami's meal, Tropical Salad with Salmon, was about to be reduced to Tropical Salad without the customary large fillet of grilled salmon. Last week, we tried acai bowls, which are just wonderful. Something we never before had tried. For vegans, their tofu stir fry is an excellent choice. Going to Swamis is well worth the 30 mile round trip. Our winters in Southern California would be markedly less satisfying with regular visits to Swami's Cafe.
(5)
Walter M.

The Original Swami's, where the famous chain started. I have fond memories of the beach and the city and of course this restaurant. I remember years ago building drift wood forts every Friday, after getting breakfast here of course. Smalli's compared to Oceanside and Carlsbad this place is weather dependent and ergonomics and layout obviously were not a priority. Maybe they didn't have the foresight to see such growth? Anyhow, sit outside, bring your sunglasses and be prepared for the wait. Scrambles are my go to if a smoothie doesn't hit the spot. I love riding here and with the lack of parking and most people using the lumberyard laying my bike in the bushes is perfect. I highly recommend the Pitaya bowl over Acai due to low glycemic index. Plus the flavor and color are amazing, skip the coconut and granola as the bowl size is plenty for breakfast and the added calories and fats are unnecessary. Burrito's are large but not overly filling, much of their menuis vegetarian and high fiber so if you want the heavy stuff go to Potato shack or the fancy stuff go to Champagne French. This is quintessentially Encinitas. Service is pretty good, but not overly attentive, remember this is breakfast, healthy and not dining. Plenty of healthy options. I like their waffles and French toast more than the pancakes (except for the multigrain organic waffles which give great texture. Plenty of fresh fruit options for you and the kids. This is the perfect start to any Saturday or Sunday for those not looking to travel far or wait too long (HH, Snooze, and other buzzing breakfast spots).
(4)
dario s.

For breakfast, this place is absolutely fantastic. Their coffee selection is amazing in itself- all you can drink, many varieties to choose from, strong, fresh, and very tasty and aromatic. Food is really tasty, and the serving size is generous. Ambiance is unbeatable. Prices very fair. I can't believe that anyone could find anything to dislike about the place.
(5)
Nell C.

Swami's Encinitas is located in a high traffic area by the Meditation Garden. Whether you are in the mood for a sit down meal or a quick bite, it's a great location to meet friends and chill for an hour. Ordering and finding a seat can be unruly and but eventually you will get what you ordered. Folks are nice and crowd is very laid back. Food is mediocre and Acai bowl isn't the best.
(2)
Monica A.

The acai bowl that my friend got was fantastic! The pancakes were so fluffy and hit the spot. The hollandaise sauce for the eggs benedict were just the right flavor. I did not like the mock turkey on the benedict. The other thing I would suggest is using pure maple syrup for the pancakes/waffles. At a healthy restaurant like this, I was surprised to find they used regular syrup and couldn't tell me if there was high fructose syrup in it.
(3)
Tori W.

First time at this spot, I usually go to the North Park location but was nearby so thought id try it out. It's pretty chill but it's only outdoor seating so on a cold day I rather be indoors. Also it's not that big so the line can get pretty long and you may have to wait around a bit to get a table to sit at. Food was good but North Park has a better coffee selection by faaaaar.
(3)
Lalu B.

Of all the "hippie" style places in Encinitas this one has the biggest portions (enormous actually) and a more "American diner" plate style where they offer burgers, eggs, etc. At least that's how it seems if you looked casually at the menu. If you look closer then you see that there's a lot of interesting veggies and a twist to the standards that is uniquely SoCal & Encinitas. Everything we had was good -- enchiladas, salmon citrus salad, and tofu curry. The only problem is that they don't offer gluten free bread or buns and they really should. The tastes were a little blander than say Native Cafe or even Lotus Cafe but still tasty. I like the atmosphere here which reminds me a lot of the Pannikin in La Jolla where it's a little dilapidated but super cool, everyone sits outside and checks each other out a little, but it's friendly and laid-back. I'll have to try the 2nd Encinitas location too.
(5)
Grant V.

First of all, the food is not bad. The service is pretty bad - it took ages for my sandwich to come out. But... unless you're an extreme right wing conservative nut job who likes to hear bigotry, the need for an American revolution, or any other anti-Obama rubbish, I would avoid this place. There is writing on the door as you enter that reads "Republicans Welcome". The owner very openly spews forth the most ignorant, misinformed, Republican rubbish and he tends to attract other like-minded nut jobs. They sit at the counter as you place your order and go on and on with their ignorance.
(1)
Brian S.

The food is very good. The service is poor but most restaurants in California are like that. Next the the Self-Realization Fellowship gardens which is great.
(4)
Matthew M.

Well this place is Encinitas. Great heathy food option. Very casual and relaxed energy. I enjoy going here and they know my name. Give it a try if your in to relaxing heathy options
(5)
Laci N.

Acai bowl is a must!!! It's wonderful and light! Great patio and wonderful coffee! Typically a 15-25 minute wait but well worth it!
(5)
Joseph D.

Whether you are a local or just visiting San Diego, stopping by this place for breakfast is a MUST! It is located in one of my favorite areas of San Diego county and if you take the coastal drive to get there you will take in some of the best views in the area. Swami's has a great outdoor patio that is dog friendly. Since this is a popular spot, parking can sometimes be difficult but if you check the back area you should find something. The food here is amazing and the only thing that could make this place even better is if they added mimosas to the menu!
(4)
Steve W.

Some seemingly nutty white chick with glasses and a braid seems think she is too good to give decent service, answer questions or even really seem to be bothered from using her cell phone then to service people, the service sucks, and the food barley makes mediocre, the minority wait staff came in has much better attitude and service, but won't save the day last time for this local, the end.
(1)
Gil T.

Tourists trap!! Food took too long! Better breakfast burritos at a regular taco shop. Acai bowls are filled with granola & should be called granola bowls.o
(1)
Vicki C.

I would love to give this restaurant a 5 star review. This family owned restaurant has a loads of character and healthy menu options. I love the laid back hippie vibe that I get and cool people flock to this funky location across from the famous Swami's beach. My favorite breakfast is a traditional huevos rancheros if it is meatless and made properly. Swami's does not infuse their sauce, beans or rice with meat products, earning them two thumbs up. I always ask questions when I order, many restaurants have dishes that are just not right and the staff will usually give me some sort of a sign to steer clear of the mediocre items. The cashier was enthusiastic about the dish so I gave it a try. Yuk. they got it totally wrong. One of the eggs had Spanish rice between the tortillas and the egg and the other one had cold black beans. The grated cheese was just sprinkled on top of the eggs and not melted. I actually asked for a plate that I used to pull the rice out from underneath my egg. I was not successful dissecting my stack and the yolk broke into the rice. Why would anyone put the rice under the egg in the first place? The beans and rice go on the side of the plate and the cheese needs to be melted, please. They were skimpy on the ranchero sauce too. My friend's omelet looked fantastic, I was drooling for her plate. It was loaded with spinach and had heaps of fresh avocado over it. I only wish that the cashier had been less enthusiastic about the huevos rancheros, if I had ordered anything else this review would be dramatically different. I can not give them more than three stars for cold beans and a plate that had to be deconstructed.
(3)
Rachael M.

Good smoothies and lots of healthy breakfast options. Tons of coffee choices.
(4)
Steph L.

For a smoothie person, they have some of the best smoothies around, and a large variety of them. Their food is tasty (sandwiches are hearty) but the lines are usually long and there isn't a whole lot of seating or parking. It can take awhile to get your food -- 30 minutes if they're busy. Dog-friendly!
(4)
Oweness T.

I live a couple of blocks from Swami's and, without a doubt, they have the best Acai Bowl I have ever had anywhere--period. HOWEVER, over the years I have gone to the counter to order and subsequently LEFT. If you are the only person at the counter to order, it is not unusual to be flat-out ignored while John and the usual female help giggle and tell stories. This generally happens about every three months and I decided when it happened to me two weeks ago--NO MORE SWAMI'S for me! I totally agree with another reviewer--the SMUG factor is unbelievable. This is one of the more boring and overrated areas in So Cal--I visit LA twice a week to get away from it and places like Swami's. So, if it's crowded, order the Acai Bowl and you won't be disappointed. Everything else is "just OK".
(3)
Michelle T.

If I were just basing this review on the food it would easily be a five star place. However, the service? um... SUCKS BALLS. Sorry, it just does 90% of the time. The cashier girl is always a sweet 15 year old from SDA so you end up giving a pretty good tip on your card. Then you are seated... they forget your order, they accidentally put bacon on it... etc etc. There's nothing you can do though because you tip before you receive the actual service. The acai bowl here is ridiculous. It even comes with bee pollen... not sure what its for, but how cool is bee pollen? The granola that comes with it is intense granola... not the kind you find in the box at VONS... this is the REAL stuff. The eggs benedict is super delicious as well made with perfectly poached eggies and homemade (at least it tastes homemade) hollandaise. Cruise over to the meditation gardens afterward to relax and walk away the calories. I also think its cute how people write on the ceiling. They have pico pica hot sauce as well. Such good food, but seriously they did forget my whole meal once and didn't apologize for it. Remember? I already tipped them so it's not their problem.
(4)
Betsy B.

Just moved to SB a month ago and have eaten here every weekend. The food is excellent and the environment is chill. And Beth is right, the ACAI bowl is unbelievable.
(5)
Tim M.

I'll go ahead and reiterate what everyone else said. Slow service, good food. Basically EVERYTHING on their menu is healthy! I got a black bean burrito and it came in a whole wheat tortilla, that is very rare. They also have this fruit dish that is really good and very popular. A very important thing to mention are the VEGETARIAN options here. Basically all the sandwiches offer Tofurkey instead of turkey, which is awesome! When I go back to Encinitas, I hope to go here!
(5)
RJ A.

The attraction to Swami's is good coffee, cheap and pretty good food, outdoor dining, and proximity to the beach.
(4)
Jen K.

Best acai bowl I have ever had! Smoothies are amazing, too. Great location. We never have a hard time finding a parking spot, but if you go during a busy time getting a table can be challenging. One of our families favorite places.
(4)
Christine C.

This is a nice little refreshing whole in the wall beach cafe that i tried for the first time this past weekend. i came here to have a lil' romantic quick brunch and ended up having a great huevos rancheros meal. They have a wide selection of coffee. My boyfriend ordered the french toasts and I managed to have a few bites of it. It was delicious! They have a great selection of health conscious meals which is a plus. It was a great pick me up for the start of the day.
(4)
h p.

the food is fresh and a perfect cure for a gnarly hangover.
(4)
Bret B.

Stefka is right in regards to their smoothies: great variety and good tastes. The food is nice too but nothing to freak out about. The lines are usually very long on a sunny day and I have waited for almost an hour to get food once but usually it's about a half hour(which is still very long). Alright food, slow service. Cool Location
(2)
Margaret L.

Tried this place out on Sunday, late morning, for breakfast. It was packed and crowded but that is to be expected at the hour we arrived. We were lucky to find a table after just a minute of standing around. Service was slow (but again, that was likely do to the day/time) but the veggie breakfast burrito was delish! I loved the fresh ingredients and all the vegetarian options. My boyfriend had the granola and fruit bowl and was scraping his plate to get every last bit.
(4)
Kimberly P.

I like Swami's sooo much that I came here for breakfast on my birthday. I usually get the same thing; an acai smoothie and the breakfast croissant sandwich, avocado, egg, cheese and bacon, all in a buttery croissant, yum! Sometimes I'll add a whole grain pancake on the side, because I can. I like eating at Swami's because they use quality ingredients, make everything fresh, are locally owned and their basil dressing is killer!!! Swami's serves up healthy breakfast and lunch options, but nothing too inventive...and sometimes the dishes need a lil more seasoning/spice, for my taste. I just add more pepper and basil dressing. The service can rock, is generally good, but, can also really stink. It definitely gets busy in the summertime, and on weekends, the wait for food can be long, parking and seating can be limited, but you can always take your food across the street and eat it on the beach. One of my top spots for breakfast.
(4)
amy l.

Acai bowl. Don't need to say anymore.
(5)
Brenton W.

i've eaten here a lot, generally for breakfast, and swami's has changed over the years, and i wouldn't say for the better. the staff isn't like it used to be, and the food execution is more hit or miss than before. i won't stop eating at swami's, but i do eat here less often.
(2)
Francisco C.

A great place. The best in town.
(5)
Richard C.

the only thing not giving this place a 5 star is the wait for you're food. but the food is awesome, the drinks are killer, and its healthy and they have lots of non meat options. i love swamis! oh but i dont like the parking.
(4)
Tania J.

food's not that great, service is less than good, the north county beach-y vibe isn't really my scene, but i still manage to go pretty regularly. it's probably the outdoor seating that i keep coming back for.
(3)
L W.

One of my all time favorite places to grab breakfast or lunch! Fresh ingredients, friendly staff, and a great environment.
(5)
Chris R.

Me and the wife come to this location with our dog for breakfast and lunch on sunny days to enjoy the weather and good food. The manager sometimes comes out and gives the our dog cold cuts. Food is great, never been inside we always sit outside, its awesome and has alot of options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Try it out, its great stuff.
(4)
Dani S.

Breakfast served all day! Love it! After a really strenous and long surf/paddleboarding session at Swami's, we were exhausted and starving. On a particular day at 4pm in the afternoon, I was craving breakfast, so the boy picked this place. Yes, Miss Dani is difficult. I ordered a one of their breakfast combos and took a seat outside on the cute patio. The food was very good, and not pricey at all. You can get a large sandwich or a burrito for $7-9 which includes a choice of fries, chips, or fruits. I'm a fan!
(4)
Mindy C.

The best little find ever! The food here is so good and healthy. The Acai bowl is what I always get. This is located in a neat area with the Self Realization Center very close by. We will def return.
(5)
Miranda D.

Drove all the way from San Marcos to have one of the employees give us a plain "we're closed" at 4:30 even though it says they are open from 7 am to 9 pm daily. Some friendlier customer service would be appreciated next time.
(1)
Ryan C.

Swami's used to be small, humble, have fresh food and the people that worked there were adults that were pretty righteous. The vibe is changed and it is full of stuck up Cardiff rich yummy mummy's and little spoiled brat kids. Even the girls at the counter are young little brats that won't get of there precious cell phones long enough to bring your good before it gets cold. The food is sub par and not fresh compared to what it is and it's expanded so much that it's like going to a huge Denny's on a Sunday morning. The crowd has become exactly that "A CROWD". oh and that whole humble thing is way in the past and is all far from unique like it used to be.
(2)
Whitney B.

My mom lives not too far from here in Encinitas, and we went last time I was in town. It's a little overwhelming when you walk in and are trying to decipher the menu, and there's people pushing up behind you, or scavenging for a table outside before you can get one. I felt the menu was a little limited in terms of vegan options- I really thought there would be a larger selection. And who knows, maybe there was and I just missed it while being rushed to order. The vegan breakfast burrito I ordered was decent- but nothing to write home about. The same thing at Lotus Cafe is definitely more bang for your buck, and more tasty. Sitting outside was definitely nice, although pretty cramped on the little patio. Nice place to come for coffee or a light breakfast, but not the first place I'd choose.
(3)
Daniel P.

Great sandwiches and a unique atmosphere. Conservative Christian ownership catering to surfers and reefers?! You betcha. Also randomly saw former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia grabbing a bite to eat there with two college quarterbacks who are training at Garcia's quarterback skills camp. How do I know this? Because just an hour before, I saw them doing passing drills on Moonlight Beach; and I had a very nice five minute conversation with Garcia by the snack bar. Very down-to-earth. Still loves football. Pure coincidence seeing him again at Swami's. And no, I didn't ask him to do a selfie with me . . . I still maintain a sense of dignity. Anyway, back to Swami's. Fresh ingredients and a decent breakfast menu. We'll be back next time we're feeling gnarly.
(3)
Keely J.

Good food, fun and casual atmosphere. There are a few "staples" in the staff that I enjoy seeing when I eat at Swamis. My only issue is that every time I have been in, literally every time, something is forgotten from our order. But the waiter always corrects the mistake and offers a free smoothie, acai bowl or dessert, which is very kind. Keeps me coming back! It is also convenient for pick up orders.
(4)
Kirsten K.

I had the green omelette. It was cooked perfectly with a lot of vegetables. There was plenty of food to keep me full ALL day. I also ordered the Lina Spirulina Smoothie (I think that is what it is called). It was not a favorite. It was chalky tasting. My mom loved her berry smoothie and my sister loved her peach smoothie, though.
(4)
Link N.

Solid 3. OK food in an amazing spot. The Good: The food was tasty and fresh It was a good value The location is great and vibe was super chill The Bad: We had to clear our own table If you wanted water for your drink you got it yourself (no big deal), but it was served out of a big plastic tub that was siting in the sun. There wan't even an option for Ice . This was an ok place. I'd go back, but I wouldn't wait in any kind of line to go here.
(3)
Kate M.

Amazing breakfast spot- always packed with people. Ordered the ABC quesadilla and tried the California eggs, both were phenomenal. You order at the front and then find your own table to sit at- on a Sunday morning it is usually a bit harder to find seating, but get there by 9 and you should be good. Giving 4 stars because parking is such a pain, everything else is great!
(4)
Lea D.

Was looking forward to a yummy healthful brunch after an early morning out and about. The chick at the cash register was 10x more interested in everything going on around her than the questions we had while trying to order. She was super rude and seemed annoyed to be there at all. The juice was the only partially acceptable thing about the experience, it is good for you so there's that. The food. Was. Dis. Gusting. Like, beyond gross. We left and didn't even complain because the staff was so indifferent they wouldn't have cared at all. I couldn't even eat the side of avocado 0_o just nasty!
(1)
Nikki S.

Truly awesome location right in the heart of downtown Encinitas! Both times I've been have been a wonderful experience. I love the hippie-style they have going on inside the restaurant as it makes for an appropriate SoCal beach theme. I always get their acai bowl, which i believe is the best one in San Diego. Not only is the bowl delicious but it is also HUGE. It is a great place to hit either before or after a beach day in North County.
(4)
Moira H.

I LOVE Swami's!!! Amazing breakfast! Amazing acai bowls! Amazing coffee! I especially love the vanilla nut blend. I also love the laid-back vibe here and the dog-friendly outdoor patio. This place is qunitessential Encinitas. We love coming here and walking to swami's beach afterwards.
(5)
Tovah T.

Awesomeness in a dish is what you'll get here! Sometimes the waiting is a little crazy to order and to get your food, but if you can go with a chill energy and embrace the patience, the acai bowl is a delight. They also have a full juice bar, wheatgrass, smoothies and a decent selection of S.A.D. items for the regular American eater. Two BIG Green Thumbs Up!
(4)
Robb R.

Yummie fish tacos! We stopped with some friends for a quick bite. Well worth the wait and waiding through the big crowd.
(4)
Katie L.

I really like this place - it has an awesome vibe, funky decor, and friendly people. I noticed that a lot of other reviewers claim that the food isn't that great, and that seems to be true in some cases, but not others. I love the egg/cheese croissant with sprouts and veggie bacon. Breakfast potatoes are mediocre but come with zucchini mixed in and I count that as a plus. The salsa they serve is a favorite of mine. Best food in town? Nope, but a solid meal, decent price, and a great laid back vibe.
(4)
Nicole C.

Swami's has the best breakfast in town, and it is set in a beautiful location. My only complaint is that there is never enough seating when I go there!
(4)
John A.

If you have been surfing across the street or driving up the coast in North County San Diego this place is worth the stop. Can get crowded so best to go week days or off hours. Has a fun surfer vibe and find a table under an umbrella to stay cool. The mahi wrap is a great choice.
(4)
Dawn O.

After eating 95% of what was on my plate I turned over some previously un-touched potatoes and found beneath them..... a dead fly. This was one of those chubby shiny-green flies, the kind you can easily hit with a swatter because it's almost too fat to fly so the thing had to be sitting on the plate when the cook dumped the potatoes on top of it. But let me back up: this is the kind of place where they make you pay before you eat (Good call, Swami, cuz I sure as hell wouldn't have paid had you brought me the check *after* dining) The 4 of us ordered food and then our drinks and that's when I discovered that not only are they unable to spell "Mocha" (they spell Mocka for some odd reason. Is it an inside joke or something? Maybe I'm just not local enough to get it) they also couldn't make one because they'd run out of milk. I probably should have taken that as an omen. Fast forward to us finally getting our food, but only after what seemed like an eternity, and being served by a waitress who seemed to have more important things to do and was clearly in a rush to go do them. We chat. We catch up. By the time the food actually arrived I was starving. I'd actually eaten almost everything on the plate before making the gruesome discovery of the dead fly, his life cut short by the untimely avalanche of potatoes upon his head. Had I not been with out-of-state guests who were quite obviously having a lovely time, and had the service been better, I would have said something but after standing in line forever and then waiting another eternity for our food, which was being served by someone who had never heard the words "customer service" in her young life, I knew there was no point in complaining. Aside from the lack of milk and my subsequent inability to get a cup of coffee at brunch on a Sunday, aside from the huge long wait, aside from the dead fly- the food itself was barely even "meh." The salad my guests ordered was a generous size and appeared to be very fresh and green but my dish, the Eggs Benedict, was a big disappointment. The ham and English muffin were both quite tough, forcing me to saw away at it with a butter knife. The alleged Hollandaise sauce was devoid of flavor and the texture, taste, and color was more like a flour-based gravy. My boyfriend ordered a garlic chicken "omelette" was was NOT an omelette at all, it was scrambled eggs. It was also way, way, way too garlic-y and we love garlic. He said it tasted like it had been marinated for days- it was just soaked in garlic. I truly don't understand all the amazing reviews for this place. I have quite honestly had better breakfasts at fast food joints, places like IHOP and Denny's, and roadside diners than I had at this place. It was hugely disappointing because it's so convenient to the meditation gardens and it would've been nice to have a place to grab a bite when I visit. We will not be back.
(1)
Michael B.

This place is a dose of happy. The vibe is friendly and eclectic with stickers on ceilings and walls and a mural of Paramahansa Yogananda surfing... but the food is the really amazing thing. Loved the chilaquiles with fresh salsa and organic Mexican coffee--refillable on your own from a buffet of java choices. We eat here every single time we visit Encinitas. Good and fresh and healthy... Even better now that they finished the new space with better restrooms and additional covered seating for the rare day you'd want to be inside.
(5)
Jim E.

This local eatery is a top choice of mine now. Located it one of the best coastal spots in San Diego county, they offer healthy meals that not only taste great but affordable. They also offer multiple types of coffee that you can try as you wish. Food is served fast & tasty. "That's how Swami's rolls".
(4)
Marisa M.

I love Swami's. It's the perfect stop after cruising down from OC on a sunny day. My favorite is the Ultimate Veggie Sandwich. Every fresh, yummy veggie you can imagine crammed between two slices of whole wheat, sourdough, rye bread or croissant. The basil dressing gives it that subtle zing. (See pic: tinyurl.com/b28ka5j .) The outside-only seating can get busy on the weekends, so maybe have someone snag a table while waiting in line. One note, you'll have to listen extra carefully when they call out your name to drop off your order. My hubby's easy name Mike has been butchered beyond recognition, causing us to almost miss getting our food.
(4)
Barbara T.

Laid back cafe with good breakfast food. Initially I thought this cafe would be a sit down and order kind of place but you order your food and then seat yourself. The Acai bowl was big and is as good as the pictures make it look! I also got the ABC omelette which was good and fulfilling. Outdoor seating right next to the beach. Chill atmosphere. Would come here more often if it was closer (its about a 30 minute drive for me but decided to stop by on the way to the Carlsbad outlet)
(4)
Ellie M.

This one of those San Diego Beach places I always want to take visitors to. Great smoothies and consistently good food. A great place for breakfast and to try your first acai bowl or Wheatgrass shot. Very laid back, ( it's named for the surfing spot across the street). Don't expect a view of the ocean, which is on the other side of some buildings and a cliff. Dog friendly. The reason it doesn't get five stars is the long line and haphazard service. Calling out names works if you're in an enclosed space, but this is a little too dispersed, and watching the guy wandering around with food, calling out for Jennifer, is frustrating for everyone. Anyway, I highly recommend Swami's if it's open when you're in the area.
(4)
Vagabond O.

Cheap food which lacks flavor/seasoning--- tastes like what you'd get at a local diner. Portions are big. Not organic veggies or fruits. Will only come back due to proximity to Swami's beach.....other than that, there's lots of better restaurants to chose from in Encinitas. The vibe is hippy & cool though which I really liked. Not a great place to come if the weather isn't nice since seating is mostly out-doors.
(3)
Caitlin C.

Worst Swamis ever!!!! They don't bring your food out all together when you order, we waited forever for our food and we even had to return/exchange and they were so rude to us. Don't go to this location. Carlsbad and Escondido are a million times better all around. Never going back.
(1)
Jackie K.

No, no no...We came here because my father had fond memories and those memories are either flawed or the restaurant was just too busy to serve quality food. The acai bowl is made with frozen fruit that has little flavor. The rest of the food was bland and unmemorable. Even my smoothie was sub par (bland). I would not come back ever.
(1)
Andrea P.

Healthy breakfast options right by the beach! All seating is outdoors which is great so you can people watch and enjoy the San Diego beachside feel. Order and pay at the register and grab a table! They have a huge menu of typical breakfast and lunch items but don't forget to check out their specials board by the register. I ordered the chilaquiles breakfast which is like breakfast nachos - scrambled eggs, black beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chicken and corn tortilla chips. It was really good, I would definitely order it again. I also like that they have organic multigrain pancakes. We shared their popular acai bowl ($8) with is basically an acai smoothie in a bowl with granola, raisins, dried cranberries, coconut shreds, fresh banana and frozen berries. It was pretty delicious - I was not a fan of acai but this bowl changed my mind! The acai bowl is big enough to share between 3-4 people and FYI there is a MINI acai bowl you can order for a smaller portion. Their fresh juice prices are very reasonable priced, I got a 16 oz carrot, spinach, apple and orange juice for only like $3. Such a GREAT DEAL! The only thing I didn't like was that we had to wait awhile for someone to clear a table so we could sit down. The servers run around with plates in their hands yelling names for orders and it just doesn't seem very organized. They should use a number system so they can just match food to order numbers and not have to yell all over the place. And there were A LOT of flies/bugs flying around the covered patio area by the bathroom... bleh but I guess that can't be completely helped. Bottom line: don't skip the ACAI BOWL and order a fresh juice :)
(3)
Richard L.

I thought it was terrible. Went for late breakfast. My wife and I both had omelets. Potatoes were cold and tasteless. Had iced tea and asked if it was plain. We don't like flavored. We were told yes, we make it ourselves. We'll it was terrible. It was a strong mint herbal. Yuck. We won't be going back.
(1)
Valerie C.

The customer service is pathetic here, if you are going to branch out and open multiple locations take the time to hire a competent staff. There is no manager on duty and the place is filled with dissatisfied customers who are waiting for any kind of customer service. Will NEVER come back.
(1)
Sara M.

A fun stop for lunch/brunch in Encinitas. It's a popular stop for surfers as well. I had a California omelette with avocado and enjoyed it. It is counter service only, but they will bring your food out to you. Lots of coffee choices as well. A great place to meet friends and enjoy the sun.
(4)
Cindy G.

We were happy with our meals, I enjoyed an amazing salad - very fresh. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. Good food at reasonable prices.
(4)
Olivia J.

I am a picky eater and a vegetarian but I thought Swamis was great. They have a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. I had the Swamis Club which included mock turkey and mock bacon with four stacked high sandwiches. I was not able to finish my meal because that is a lot of sandwiches! It was delicious though. It tasted like the usual vegetarian foods I eat. I will come again the next time I visit CA.
(4)
Sue O.

A wonderful outdoor, so casual beachy atmosphere with excellent food with high quality ingrediants!! Nice people too!
(5)
Jane S.

Okay, I NOW get what all the hype is about. I no longer have to scroll through my instagram feed in awe of the perfectly crafted Acai bowls. I've tried it, and it's totally worth instagramming. If you're into healthy food and looking for your acai fix, I'd suggest making the drive up here, because it really is great. Can't speak for the rest of their food, but from what I tasted, if you're not into acai bowls, the breakfast selection is also 5 star material.
(5)
Tracy C.

I'm visiting my friend from Encinitas and she told me to check out swamis, one of her and apparently a local favorite. After hearing all the hype I ordered an aÃ§ai bowl, and my friend got the chicken Caesar wrap. The aÃ§ai bowl was disappointing. Used frozen fruit which was upsetting and the ratio of granola to aÃ§ai was far less than I'm accustomed too. Maybe this is because I didn't like the bowl, but the portion was also too big. The only saving grace was that I tried my friends' wrap and it was delicious! It used Mexican rice which was unique and quite good. If I was rating it on my bowl alone I would give straight 0 but the few bites of the wrap bumped it up. I probably just chose the wrong item.
(3)
Jake B.

This is my favorite beach cafe by far. Acai bowl is the best in San Diego. Also have awesome breakfast foods, especially the omlettes. Pet friendly and you will find all the locals eating here. Food is fresh, doesn't get much better after a morning at the beach.
(5)
Ryan S.

Fun little local place that has the grass and great smoothies and the protein wrap is pretty sweet
(4)
Anna N.

Swami's is a nice, relaxed place with basic healthy grub! They have a vast menu with several combinations of similar things in different recipes, which as a previous restaurant manager, is a great use of food while offering a variety of flavor. They have stations where you get your own silverware, water, and sauces - very handy when you're in the mood for self-serve. I've enjoyed several leisurely lunches here, have had plenty of business smoothie meetings, and even the occasional tea and cupcake break! ...and it's perfect for all that, but not if you're looking for a farm-to-table dining experience, for that you'd have to go to a full-on restaurant, thus the word "cafe" in their name. So just don't show up with food snob expectations and you'll love the place! They have a beautiful, spiritual atmosphere (ie "Swami's) with several paintings and photos that embellish the vibe of OM-cinitas..which I love! Swami's offers a vegan cheese substitution and have "gf" & "v" coding on the side bar of the menu to help those with that preference make easy decisions. One thing that my guests have not been impressed with is that they don't have many gluten-free options for a "health-food place", GF bread would be nice. For the average person, Swami's will definitely qualify to meet your healthy-meal of the week quota! Many local parents, yoga practitioners, and casual business people frequent the cafe, so it's become quite the local gathering place...again another positive point of confirmation that they are consistently delivering good food and friendly service at a fair price. From what I hear, they've opened a couple more locations offering dinner and a bar, but have yet to try out their new gig..guess I'll have to give them a try and re-post when I do :-)
(3)
Annie L.

Love the acai bowl for breakfast. Always crowded with a long line but the ocean breeze and atmosphere makes it a relaxing wait.
(3)
P B.

I've been here many times, but I haven't had a chance to review. Today I went with my husband, brother and best friend. I got my usual- the berry granola waffle; my husband got the huevos rancheros, my brother got the California scramble and my best friend just watched ;). My waffle was as awesome as usual. My husband cleaned up his plate of huevos rancheros. My brother liked his eggs but isn't a fan of bell peppers so that threw him off a bit. I'll be coming back whenever I am craving the berry granola waffle! It's to die for.
(5)
Gio A.

The best sandwiches in San Diego and dont even get me started on the acai smoothie. Nothing is ever frozen and all the fruit and meats are all fresh and are the highest in quality. I definitely recommend this place to anyone In San Diego that is visiting here or lives here. Swamis is nothing like those other nasty sandwich places like subway.
(5)
Jill B.

Everything on the menu is delicious. My favs are Ultimate Veggie on wheat w/basil dressing, Chilaquilies (add jalepenos), Swami's Lobster Bennidict, Indian Curry tofu and the best Acai bowl EVER! Love the beach atmosphere, and divey surf stickers everywhere. This is the perfect place to stop after a swim, surf or jog to Cardiff and I always stop in Hansen's afterward. Snag a table before you order because this place is always packed.
(5)
April A.

This place has the most amazing acai bowl!!! I love the food. Their salads are large. All meals are a good size portion. The only thing I don't like about this place is that it's difficult to bring a large party since you have to find your own seating. It's doable but hard. Also their bathrooms should be remodeled. I like the laid back look, but please update the bathroom. I don't think the bathroom should be laid back too!!! Overall pretty amazing place. The day I went, the blonde women at the register seemed moody. Maybe she was just having a bad day but more smiles and paying attention to what we were ordering would have been pleasant :)
(4)
Darryl M.

I like to drive along the Coast Highway at least once every weekend. On every trip, I stop for breakfast at Swami's Cafe. Great location and solid menu for breakfast and lunch. I would say this is a perfect spot for a day date that may be complimented with a visit to local surf spot in Encinitas. My Plate: Acai Bowl My Other Plate: Belgian Waffle The Difference Maker: The Location
(5)
Matt F.

Always a favorite of mine when traveling up the coast. Went to LA last week and stopped by. I always get a acai bowl with extra protein. I have tried a few of the omelettes and scrambles and they are very tasty as well. Its a weird setup where you order your food, pay for it and they bring it to you at your table. Seating can be rough during busy times but nothing too crazy. The average wait is about 15 minutes. The food was pretty good, I loved the acai bowl. The prices were decent too. Would come back but not go out of the way for it.
(4)
Sherpa M.

Sunday afternoon (1:30), went for lunch, great menu and food was okay, but service was horrible and inside dining area needs to be cleaned. The tables were dirty, food was left on the floor, busing of tables was virtually nonexistent - I suggest investing in some table clothes to hide the nastiness. We had to have them check on the ETA of a smoothie twice... People really want to like this place, but they need to get their acts together.
(2)
Joe D.

Anytime someone visits me from out of town, I take them here. An awesome place to sit outside (on a nice day), and enjoy a meal. The food is plentiful and tasty. I've had a good selection of their breakfasty-type food, and it's all been good. The pancakes will make you emotional, they're so good. You may find yourself sitting in your car after your meal, softly weeping with joy after ordering them. My fave is the breakfast quesadilla, which is listed as a special, but pretty much always available. Good egg dishes, killer coffee, and the hash browns are hashy and brown and super good. Downside is that seating is not always plentiful and if you're there during a peak eating hour, you might have trouble getting a table if there are more than two of you. You order your food and then sit down and they bring it to you when it's ready. When you're done with breakfast, head across the street to the meditation gardens at the Self-Realization Fellowship for a post-meal walk. It's the perfect end to a great meal.
(4)
Kevin S.

2 small families went here to try something farther south than Leucadia restaurants. Place was medium busy on Monday afternoon, but the service was worse than slow, and confused as well. Somehow had the wrong name on one order. They also didn't enter the acai bowl which was impossible to know since they do not give you a receipt. After 40 minutes the food started coming out, in mis-matched order which upset the kids. I asked about the missing acai bowl three times at the counter only to finally get it, then a couple minutes after it arrived we were told to come back in and pay for it. I explained I ordered it but I wasn't given a receipt for proof, no manager onsite to ask for assistance. Shouldn't they have taken care of any mistake one of my three visits to track down my bowl. I decided to just leave the bowl on the table after a few bites because I wasn't about to pay for a meal that I waited almost an hour to receive. The food quality was fresh (much fresher than the staff, who were complaining about not getting their paycheck, etc) but not hot or really flavorful. I guess anything tastes good after surfing. We'll spend our money at one of the other 50 restaurants in town, so no worries.
(2)
Brian H.

This is probably the most notable breakfast spot in Encinitas. A lot of people say to try the Acai plate, but I'm not a huge fan of it. My girlfriend liked it a lot and my other friend also didn't like it. In my opinion it doesn't come close to Sambazon down the street. But different strokes for different folks right? This place is still 5 star. Good location, low cost, halfway descent service, outstanding coffees and smoothies, and a great menu. The food here is just good for the price. A sweet spot for a local Encinitas breakfast.
(5)
Alicia H.

The food here is great! Though the cost is on the higher side I'm more than willing to pay for "healthier" food. The food here is fresh and you get a good portion for the cost. My family of 5 got out of breakfast for about $55. Swami's serves breakfast all day and is packed!! packed is a good sign when you're looking for a new place to try out. As my dad would say "go where the locals go and if there is a line out the door then it's probably a safe bet that it's good!" My youngest brother ordered the watermelon juice and was unhappy that the drink wasn't sweeter. I tasted the drink and found it refreshing, light and tasty (one could tell that what you were drinking was freshly blended watermelon!! great for a hot summer day). This is a very laid back environment...get ready to order at the counter and then find your self a seat on the patio (partially covered) or in the adjacent room.
(4)
Maria M.

Swami's cafe has the best smoothie I have ever had! Seriously, the Swami's Surprise is my favorite smoothie of all time! It's loaded with strawberries and dates which make it super sweet (I'm usually not a date fan, but it mixes in real nice and you can't even tell dates are in it), it's also topped with bee pollen. So yummy! They have this tofu plate with spinach and potatoes that is delectable, not bland as some tofu dishes are. The location is convenient, right off the coast highway in Encinitas, and close to the beach. It's a perfect place for grabbing a bite after surfing or on your way to go surfing. Don't go when it's raining or you will get rained on; mostly outside seating. Most menu items are under $10. The portions are good sized, not too small, not too large.
(4)
Kanani B.

It used to be amazing but boy has it gone downhill. I don't know what happened. Last time I went, the staff was EXTREMELY RUDE, it took forever and the food was MEDIOCRE at best. I won't be returning to this place anytime soon. Sad. If you want healthy, delicious food in Encinitas try Roxy or the Lotus Cafe down the street :)
(1)
ERic C.

I went to the 101 location for mid week breakfast. The food was good, but the service was so horrible that I am recommending only one star. I was expecting some hippie-like peace, love and happiness to start the day off right. What I observed was bitter, whiny, nastiness. I sat at the one indoor table because they were too lazy to wipe the dew off the outdoor seating. Sitting there I got to hear thirty minutes of a guy behind the counter whining about another worker taking his phone charger. He even call her about it in front of me and the old guys sitting at the counter. Then a female cashier gets into the drama by saying the waitress steals lots of stuff. Really, in front of three customers. I am relatively certain this continued long after I left. I will not be back. If I owned the place I would keep the cook and fire everyone else.
(1)
Don G.

I lived in Encinitas for over 5 years and never went here. Of course, once I moved away then I finally go. The parking is a pain, but the location is ideal for hitting up the beach afterward. The food was so-so. Definitely large portions for lunch, but I can make a better club sandwich at home. My friend had a croissanwich, which was average too. It turns out I wasn't missing anything by not going here.
(3)
Cliff K.

Food is ok, service is so so. What's with the nutty right wing propaganda everywhere at this place. Obama is a socialist who needs to be impeached!?!?! I believe in free speech but i only see one side of the argument here on their bulletin board and it is extremely whack!
(2)
Mayer X.

Whenever I am in Encinitas, which is frequently, someone always suggests Swamis. What ensues next never fails: The wait in line is bad, the seating's uncomfortable (could be the furniture, or the plethora of birds at the adjacent table), the time to get our food is always horrendous, and it turns out I could have made that same sandwich at home and saved myself 8 bucks. You're better off bringing a sandwich and eating down at the beach. Or, if you keep going north on the 101, there are a ton of good places to eat (some, I've learned, are owned by the same people as Swamis, so beware). I much prefer St. Germains or St. Tropez (better seating, next to the fountain, sometimes with live music). One thing I will give Swamis - it has a great location, for which I give one star.
(1)
Lauren C.

Swami's... nom nom nom. Finally, a breakfast place along the 101 that is a) tasty, and b) affordable. If you didn't know, Swami's is a local Encinitas institution. Definitely have the burgers, breakfast burritos, scrambles, and sandwiches. Maybe a little too good...ouch overate!
(4)
Leigh T.

This branch of Swami's Cafe just recently opened in the Ralph's shopping center on Encinitas Blvd/El Camino Real. I was disappointed. My chicken tortilla soup came out not quite lukewarm. Not cold. Not lukewarm. It was gross. I can't fathom how soup would be served like this to a customer. How hard is it to make sure soup is served warm? hot even.... I had a wrap and it was just mediocre, honestly. Nothing special. I was disappointed because I live super close and was looking for a good place to pick up an easy dinner in a pinch... no such luck.... what is it with this area?!
(2)
Esther M.

Five stars for the ACAI BOWL ALONE!!!! I personally ask for a hold on the bee pollen because it gets a little too hard for my liking. I guess its a good thing I dont live closer or else I would be living at this place.
(5)
Clavdia C.

Food: The Acai Bowl is delicious. Location: Swami's Cafe is an Encinitas beach area--really cool and funky. A few miles inland you'll find comfortingly predictable establishments such as Jamba Juice if you prefer that sort of thing. Creepy reviews: I'm really troubled by the weird bigotry and suspicion exhibited by some reviewers here. Those of you who are making judgments on the food based on what you think the owner(s) believe politically--are you not aware that you're actually doing exactly what you assume your political opponents are doing about you? And that it might be totally baseless, which is why stereotyping is frowned upon? Wow. If your views are "progressive," then we are going in a very sad direction as a society. OK, enough of that. I'd just checked the reviews to see if there was something I should try, and I was kind of appalled at what I'd seen here.
(5)
Jonathan W.

Only been here twice, but both times the food was super bland and passionless. My friends food looked just as boring but they seemed happy.
(2)
Carlie C.

The best breakfast on the beach. Try to go earlier to avoid the long lines and to grab a seat. The beach is across the street so you can smell the sea and head over across after you're done. Everytime I come here, I order the Eggs Benedict with ham. It's absolutely delicious with a dash of seasonsed salt and tabasco. They make a version of their healthy potatoes with zuchinni which comes with a side of salsa as well. Everything is reasonably priced and they have a large range of specials hanging on the door. Lots of organic choices as well. The smoothies are delicious, but what's even better is the acai bowl. Everyone orders this smoothie in a bowl topped with fresh berries, bananas, coconut, granola, and bee pollen (not too crazy about the last item.) Definitely must check out when you're in SD /Encinitas.
(4)
Debrin S.

Dig this joint! Luv the "Acai bowl"- toasted granola, frozen slushy Acai berries, bee pollen, bananas, and raspberries mmmmmm! The tuna wrap w avocado & jalapenos was fresh & crunchy! Excellent unsweetened ice tea- made w/ 5 teas. Luv sitting outside, total bohemian young but mixed crowd, great service.
(4)
Rich R.

This tiny little place is easy to miss if you are not looking for it, so be looking for it because it's not the kind of place you want to miss, especially if you are into good smoothies, tasty omelettes and french toast. I've been to this restaurant several times now and I can say where the service lacks the food makes up for it. In regard to french toast, I recommend the cinnamon croissant french toast. I believe it's only on the "specials" menu every now and again so if you see it get it, it's delicious. Also, if you are into ice cream smooties try the OJ Frosty. I know this is a health food place and there are plenty of healthy things to order on the menu as well. Knock yourself out... I'm sticking with what I know tastes great. Enjoy!
(4)
Jessica R.

Swami's = GREAT food! GREAT food = lots 'o people! Lot's o people = busy bee workers! Busy bee workers = not always 100% guaranteed great service. Who cares! You're there to enjoy the food, the sun, and the friends you're dining with. So slow down and enjoy it all!
(4)
Ileana K.

An excellent neighborhood gem that clearly depicts the character of the city: laid back, casual, outdoorsy, good vibes. Their acai bowl is excellent, so are the huevos rancheros and just about every thing on the menu. If you live in the area, this is one place you will come to again and again, if you don't you will regret they don't have one like this where you live. Excellent choice for breakfast, lunch and brunch every day of the week.
(4)
Jordan H.

I love Swami's. Specifically, the one in La Mesa. Why do I dislike the Encinitas location? On multiple occasions (weeks apart, I might add) I have tried to order lunch to-go over the phone, and on each occasion, they have not answered the phone. I have the correct phone number, I am sure. I have even called the other locations to make sure the location I'm trying to contact is open, and they have confirmed that the restaurant is indeed open. This is beyond frustrating, and completely unprofessional. Fix this now.
(1)
Paul D.

Swamis Cafe has left me in a rage! First of all I would like to mention that I myself work in the service industry and know that everywhere has bad days, but I have visited Swamis cafe twice this week and both encounters were disgraceful. Not only have both my orders been wrong, but the staff (especially today) were extremely rude and unhelpful. Today I was in a rush so called ahead of time to order a chicken wrap and bowl of soup for myself, and a different wrap for my girlfriend. The first element of poor service was over the phone, I placed my order and as I asked how long I should expect the food to take, the lady on the phone cut me off and put the phone down. So 10-15mins later I walk across to pick up my meal. I stand to the side of the cash register for a few minutes, no one recognizes me so I ask the lady at the till to check on my to-go order. She remembers my order and I pay there and then. So I stand for another 10minutes with no staff member acknowledging me, or ask could they check my order, so I ask the same lady could she check my order. "What did you order?" she asks.....so I repeat my order, 2 wraps and bowl of soup.....another 10mins or so go by and still nothing....then eventually a to-go order is brought out and handed to me...i go to turn and leave, but glance into the bag, 1 wrap and a salad. So I approach the same lady and ask her for rest of my order, "what did you order?" she asks me again. No Im really getting pissed off. My girlfriend already has to leave for work, and we are still short our food. So I ask the guy (possible manager who was behind the bar, who was chewing gum like it was going out of fashion, and who had walked by me at least 10times without asking or caring about my order) "can you check on rest of my order".......while he is gone, another server approaches me and tells me that my name will be called whenever my order is ready. Her tone made my blood boil and I wanted to leave there and then. We had been waiting at least 40mins by now, not including the 10-15 from when I called. Finally another to-go bag appears and we leave........only to open my wrap 5mins later to find the wrong order. I will never EVER go back to swamis cafe....food is average (if you get what you order) staff dont give a F**k about you, and will let you stand there all day.
(1)
Matt S.

Nice spot for breakfast. It's a small no frills place in Encinitas. You wait in line outside to place your order at the counter, then find a seat in the sun and wait for your food. Besides runners and bussers there's no table service, but as a result you can get a great lunch made from fresh ingredients for cheap.
(4)
Brinda J.

If you want healthy non greasy, vegetarian and vegan, (and meat too!) breakfast or lunch, this is your spot. The line is usually long the food is super fresh and you can get loose leaf tea. Get it to go and go across the street to Swami's beach. Yum!
(5)
Bill M.

Acai Bowl is delicious!
(5)
bryon n.

Bummed..I like this place but Grafittied with "Palin 2012" and "Tea Party Power" everywhere. Seriously never would've thought a place with such a great menu and cool vibe was run by "the others". No big deal I guess..Just cant eat here anymore in good conscience...
(1)
Suzie B.

The Acai Bowl (sub soy milk) is the best one I've ever tried and it is completely addictive! I constantly crave it! But since they hiked the price all the way up to $7.95, I just don't eat it very often. If it were only about a buck cheaper, I'd be at Swami's all the time! That extra buck adds up fast! The falafel is terrible...definitely skip it. Its the powdered-from-a-box kind. The smoothies are great and I def suggest the Tropical Storm. I won't ever order their hot food items again b/c the manager swore to me that the Spinich Tofu (a former fave of mine) was vegan. But when I got home and opened up the to-go box, I found several pieces of chicken in my "vegan" dish! YUCK! :( The patio would be nice on a pretty day, but the ridic crowd at Swami's makes going there during peak hours really unpleasant. Your best bet is to go around 3:30/4-ish on a cloudy day.
(2)
Gary H.

Cold eggs and pancakes like cardboard. Choose Naked Cafe next time.
(1)
Wes N.

Swami's was better today compared to my last visit, primarily due to the food. Ordered up the veggie quesadilla this time & it was good. 1 star upgrade for you Swami's. One thing to note is that the outdoor area is besieged by birds. but it's kinda fun defending your fort (food) against the invaders. Just don't leave your plate o food on the table to go get a drink or do anything else, as they'll be on the swoop & on your plate for sure.
(4)
shiela r.

This place is awesome for all the reasons others have mentioned - right by the beach, affordable, healthy, fresh food. I eat a lot of whole, raw food and the fresh juice bar was much appreciated. The acai bowl is good, but I suspect they added a bit of sugar (too much, in my opinion). The daily specials change all the time and my husband really enjoyed the turkey club. Salads are great! Fresh and local ingredients. I would have given them 5 stars if they had not used so much sugar and could have verified organic ingredients..the smoothies are also very good here! Probably the best in Encinitas, except no cocoa varieties?! We stayed and enjoyed the cool , laid back vibe some days and other days took our stuff up to the beach lookout just a couple blocks away. Great place!
(4)
Krista P.

Ah! I wish there was a Swami's closer to me!! It takes us about 35 minutes to drive to Swami's from our home in 4S Ranch. It's totally worth it! I've been Vegan for about a year and they have HANDS DOWN the best mock turkey I've tasted! The first time I went there I went with a meat eating friend, she order the club, and I order the same - only with Vegan meat/cheese substitutions. When we started to eat, I paused after my first bite, because I thought they may have given me REAL meat! I looked at my friends sandwich and realized I had mock meat because I could see the difference. I'm in sandwich heaven! The mock bacon is really good too! I'm seriously like Joey from friends... I LOVE LOVE LOVE sandwiches. So, finding a place that makes GREAT sandwiches VEGAN style is wonderful! I love that sandwich so much I ordered that the first several times I went there. Even though the breakfasts looked really good. So, last weekend I went early enough and ordered breakfast finally... I must say they don't do as good of a job with the vegan style breakfast - they sub tofu for egg (which is what I would expect) BUT - the tofu is hard cubes and lacks texture and flavor. I've had WAY better egg style tofu breakfasts. They can seriously improve here. It's probably the only reason they don't get all 5 stars from me. Also - side note: the veggie soup is wonderful as well! Oh, and the breakfast potatoes are GREAT! They put zucchini in them, YUM! The great thing about this place is that carnivores, omnivores, and veggies alike can find something to enjoy! Loving this place! : O) K
(4)
paige m.

WARNING THIS IS NOT THE HIPPIE MECCA THAT IT APPEARS TO BE AT ALL dudes come on. why did you have yes on 8 written on everything? i thought it might be an outsider doing it, but today i discovered it probably was you. because today, on your counter, right by where we order, in black marker it said: "Santa, Please Impeach Obama." And on your chalkboard over the restaurant entrance your staff wrote "God Bless America" and "Support Border Patrol." and then, there was more graffitti inside that said "Support our troops give war a chance." NO NO NO swami's. i'm all for views that are different from mine, i'm all for god's blessings, i respect that we don't all agree on politics, but don't pretend like you are some hippie down to earth enlightened vegetarian-friendly restaurant when you write things that go absolutely against those ideals. swami's, you are a poser and i'm so disappointed in you. i don't care how good your food is because it tastes like hypocrisy.
(1)
Elise B.

yum yum yum is all i can say. i have never had something bad at swami's. i am very excited that they are growing and opening up more locations. you order at the counter and your food is brought to you by a table number at some locations and other locations by yelling your name, i hear in carlsbad its table service. The staff has always been friendly. They have a large selection of coffee on a daily basis. the food does not always come out together if you are with a group of people. this is good because they bring it when it is done and still hot, or cold for that matter. I have moved away from this area but i always make it a priority to eat here when i go for a visit.
(5)
Ronald D.

When I need to eat after one of my marathon meditation revivals at the Self Realization Fellowship I get on my flying carpet and hover over to Swami's. This is one of the true gems of Encinitas. To be enlightened one must eat bowls of frozen sludge called Acai and I consider myself to be the king of Mt. Sludgemore. They top that frozen dish with coconut, bee pollen, strawberries, bananas, and frozen raspberries (I think that is what they are). I sometimes go with my life partner and we have a meteorically astrological experience when eating Swami's Croissant breakfast, with mock bacon. One can't be enlightened and eat da pig.....cuz da pig is da cop.
(5)
Brandon B.

This is one of many fun places to eat among the Encinitas beach strip with a lot of character and laid back outdoor setting. Pretty crowded but went at a little off hours and it wasn't so bad. Portions were huge of pretty healthy stuff. The Acai berry bowl was mind blowing: a meal for 2 in itself filled with multiple interesting California stuff (like bee pollen and all kinds of seeds) with an icy berry cold slush--perfect on a warm day. Had enough food for the next meal it was that much (ordered a sandwich each and the berry bowl, not knowing how big it was). By Illinois standards a veritible healthfest but it looks from the other reviews that the Californians have issues....it's all relative!
(5)
Vincent C.

So I went here not knowing when they close,so we walked in and the owner said they are about to close. I was like damn now what but he gave us to-go menus and wrote 50%off the next time we come. So that was great and I still have it. I read the menu and it had so much healthy stuff on there I couldn't believe it. It all seemed very tasty and I will go one day if I'm down in that area.
(4)
The Critic ..

Bottom line. If you looking for a light healthy and tasty lunch and your in the Encinitas area your going to want to head over to Swamis! Love the Mole here..... By the way they serve Gavina Brand Coffee which is a winner in my book. The Critic.
(4)
Karen H.

Swami's- Encinitas..Now Open! Wonderful spot..Candace (hostess/mgr.) is a wonderful asset to the new restaurant.....She is engaging and makes the dining experience fun. We'll be back and tell all our friends. Much better than the old Beach Grass. Try it you'll like it!
(5)
Cathleen T.

I really love Swami's Cafe for breakfast. It's the perfect place to roll into in the morning when the sun is still coming up. It has the total laid-back, beach shack vibe. The Acai bowls are good, I get mine without bee pollen because it has a weird, grainy texture and tends to freeze because of the cold temperature of the bowl. What I really love about this place is all the coffee options! When you get your mug you can take it over to the wall where they have rows of different coffee varieties. And it's unlimited refills so you can try as many as you want!
(4)
A A.

Waste of money, busy rude cashier, dirty bathroom, dogs in restaurant.
(1)
Eric H.

Funny I thought I already reviewed this place. A must try is the swamis club, which comes with either real or mock turkey and bacon. Also they have a multitude of healthy shakes and juices. Only outside seating though and the tables aren't as clean as they could be. But service is decent and it's a nice place to have a lunch if you're up in the area. Plus in the summer it's crawling with beach goers, so chicks in two piece bikinis isn't the worst dining entertainment, if you're into that sort of thing.
(3)
Roland F.

I had breakfast here and took home six different dishes to the hungry family excited to try this new place, and everything we had was great. We ordered the Ciliquiles, traditional breakfast burrito, spicy turkey omelette, juevos rancheros, and the special chorizo hash. Everything was hot, cooked perfectly and served with a great big smile. They even accidentally cooked an order of Pumpkin pecan pancakes and gave them to us for free. We will definitely be back for breakfast again!
(5)
Monique S.

Best vegetable soup EVER! The fresh squeezed juices are also amazing. I moved away to Portland and when I come home to visit, I always make sure to go to Swamis :)
(5)
Lucy B.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I have been going here for 10+ years and it never fails to satisfy me. So many great choices, both healthy and indulgent! It is slight chaos to order & find a table but its all part of swami's charm. Best bites: acai bowls (the BEST in encinitas), breakfast croissant, black bean burrito, ahi wrap, huevos rancheros..... swami's is a gem. go there for some feel good food then walk over to the SRF gardens. Guaranteed to brighten your day and make you a happy camper.
(5)
alex b.

Acai used to be great. But now they use frozen fruit instead of fresh!
(3)
Yuki B.

Their acai bowl is amazing and huge! too huge, really, and super filling. I loved it! there was a pigeon on the patio tho - and it was about to poop on my friend at any moment. yuck. the coffee was nice. I like the self serve aspect of it. it was handy. I'm a fan! very much a grubby place, but after a 30 mile bike ride - I was happy!
(4)
Diego V.

The French Toast rocks!
(4)
Julie C.

Came here a couple of weeks ago for brunch with a friend. Got the California Scramble with the Acai bowl for dessert. Both were delicious and service was pretty quick. Love the outdoor seating, but it's not a place that seems like it would get a lot of business on rainy/cold days because of the lack of indoor seating. Parking's kind of a nightmare, but we were able to find parking in the back!
(4)
Anthony S.

Swami's, you just couldn't do anything right last Saturday could you? What was it, fear of the impending rain storm? Battening down the hatches so your restaurant would float away in the torrent of water that EVERYONE was talking about? I don't know, but you really fucked up my order big time. I even wrote it down on a piece of paper and handed it to the moron behind the counter. She looked right at what I wrote and still input my order incorrectly. Even when I confirmed what I ordered. I know, I know... shhhh, don't mention it. She's a little off right? It's okay, that isn't even what I'm most chuffed about. Wanna know what it is Swami's? Wanna know? It's the fucking McCain for President graffiti all over your front counter and your order window. McCain? Are you serious? Do you think your namesake Paramahansa Yogananda would like to see you voting for this dumbass? I had you pegged wrong Swami's. I thought you were all about health food and easy living. I guess you're just a Neocon warmonger just like the rest of 'em. Yogananda would be ashamed. I demand you change your name to Old Republican Guy's Cafe.
(1)
Autumn O.

I took a drive up the 101 this weekend and decided on a whim to stop at Swami's Cafe....besides I wanted to hit up Hansen's because I saw a cute bathingsuit in the window. Anyhoo, it wasn't what I expected that's for sure. After I ordered I even thought perhaps I had made a mistake by choosing this place. But after receiving my food, I realized I made the right choice. A turkey burger with spinach and feta cheese. Mmmm! It's served with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a wheat bun. It also comes with tortilla chips and salsa. It was yummy and I didn't feel overly stuffed or like I had grease coming out of my pores after I ate it. My friend had the club sandwhich which was awesome. The chick at the table next to me ordered the tofu stir fry looked pretty darn good too. This place is small and the food is healthy and wholesome. The prices are cheap too. My only complaint was that my drink was luke warm and it was friggin' hot outside. I had to hit Starbucks for an iced green tea afterward. I will denfinitely make the drive up to Swami's again. Next time I'll try one of the smoothies.
(3)
Flea B.

This place is all about location. The food is largely mediocre. The salads are sort of plain and predictable. The breakfast egg dishes are all very similar and taste the same. The smoothies are great though. The only reason I come here is to sit outside near the coast and soak up some sun. The people watching is also fantastic. Beware of the birds that will try to eat off your plate while you're not looking. If you are in the area and want a really stellar breakfast, go to the Orange Blossom Cafe on Cedros. Thank me later.
(3)
wee j.

I love this cheap and cheerful healthy food restaurant. My favorite is the Vegie Curry.
(5)
Jorgen M.

I just love this place for lunch or breakfast. The food is always fresh and the value is high! The Grilled Mahi Wrap, The Granola with berries ( just $5.50), the salads, Fish Tacos, and smoothies are all fantastic 9 if you are a vegatarion, they have some great choices as well. The scene here is very beachy with local surfers, bicyclists, etc.The staff quite colorful as well The line moves fast, so don't let that keep you from trying.
(5)
Christine R.

Okay, I keep reading how good the acai bowl is and maybe one day I will try it. But I can chop up fruit and pour yogurt on it at home for free so I won't try it any time soon. When I go out for breakfast I want something I don't make at home. Eggs Benedict is one of those things. I have given Swami's 3 chances to make it and now they have forced me to come back and order something healthy instead. When you have Eggs Benedict on your menu you need to know how to properly poach eggs! It's that simple. I even orderd it once with my eggs fried over medium instead of poached. It still came out poached with the whites not cooked all the way. But I will come back and I will order something (semi) healthy. Because, it's a great location, good people watching, good breakfast potatoes (they actually have caramelized onions and zuchinni in them) good fresh squeezed juices and it's kid friendly. The birds are a little too friendly and the staff is not, but the prices and the huge menu selection make up for it. It's one place where you can go with a veggie friend and you will both find something you like. Just don't order the Eggs Benedict.
(3)
Hannah Z.

Healthy clean super food. I order the veggie sandwich. It's piled high with fresh veggies drizzled in their own home made cilantro dressing. Typically its too big to eat in one sitting so I take the other to go and snack on it later. Swami's is popular with us locals but I've never had a problem waiting. I typically go before or after the weekend lunch hour or brunch hour rush. And if I have waited, it's never been too long. Plus you're by the ocean with the sun shining and wind blowing. I've found the servers to be very fast and polite. Ok - so they're not chatting but they keep the food moving. The only tough thing is its so popular parking can be a little hairy sometimes. Awesome healthy food. One of my favorites.
(4)
Tabitha T.

I can't believe I lived in Encinitas for 8 years and never went here. SWAMIS IS AMAZING. I came for breakfast on a weekend. They won me over as soon as I saw the bottles of Braggs Liquid Aminos lined up on the back shelf... I grew up with that kind of food and have been using that stuff as long as I've been cooking - and it's like a secret weapon. Such a place after my own heart! I ordered the French toast with strawberries, with eggs and bacon on the side, and a coffee (they have several carafes of different kinds to choose from). The place is semi-self serve. You basically place your order at the counter, then pick a seat outside on the patio. When your food is ready they will bring it out and call your name, and bring it over to you. My French toast was amazing - light, crisp on the edges, perfectly cooked inside, with a dusting of powdered sugar and some fresh strawberries. The bacon was also thin and crisp and the eggs were delicious. My friend ordered the ABC omelette (avocado, bacon, and cheese) and it was also divine. I tried a sip of her orange juice, and I swear they must squeeze fresh oranges into a cup every time someone orders one - it was that delicious. It was a gorgeous day so we walked down to the beach afterward and watched the blue-green waves. San Diego, how I miss you. I would unhesitatingly recommend Swami's, and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Andrew F.

This place is a good as it gets for San Diego. I go here all the time and I have never had a problem. The smoothies are great and the food is always fresh and good. Swami's has really good food period.
(5)
Rebecca K.

The food is fresh and crisp and full of healthy goodness. I love fresh juices, and when I'm too lazy at home, I can pick one up at Swami's. It's right up my alley. It can get a bit crowded, so sometimes I pass it up during peak hours.
(5)
Skinny D.

I am new to veganism, and I heard this restaurant had some nice vegan dishes to try. In a rare moment alone, I went here for a late lunch. I asked the woman behind the counter, who barely spoke English, what she would suggest for me and she told me the tofu with curry. After a few minutes, I received my lunch to go. It was a busy day for me, so I ate in my car. The salad that came with the meal was delicious! A nice big salad with fresh veggies and the basil vinaigrette was so good. On to the main dish. The first few bites were fantastic- a nice generous portion. I was excited! I'm not a big tofu fan, so this surprised me. Then, there it was.... A HAIR!!! Oh no. I was not pleased. I pulled it out and tossed it aside. To further torment myself, I forked around the remainder of the dish. ANOTHER HAIR!!! It was as if the cook just had his haircut and decided to shake his head all over my lunch. Don't food service people have to wear something on their heads? I drove to the closest trash can and dumped it in. Luckily, the trash can was next to a wine merchant, where I promptly bought myself a bottle of petite syrah (and received excellent service). Bottom line: I will not be returning to Swami's Cafe, and I will tell all my friends my hairy story. UPDATE I spoke with a manager there, and he was very considerate of my situation. He offered me a refund and explained to me that they do practice safe and cleanly food service and even suggested I tour the kitchen. I'm not sure if I want to set foot in there again, but I could definitely use that 9 bucks somewhere else.
(1)
Naomi Julia S.

Tasty tasty. The Busy Bee juice was a little too sweet for my taste, but the Mole Enchiladas were uber tasty. I'd definitely go there again. Seating is outdoors so it might be hard once it gets chilly.
(4)
Jay S.

Swami's used to be a pleasant place to meet friends for a decent slow breakfast. Now it has turned into a clubhouse for hate, with scurrilous anti-Obama posters impossible to ignore. The "Welcome Republicans" banner at the entrance implies the rest of us are not welcome. I'm taking my breakfast business to one of the other great local spots, like Potato Shack, 101 Diner, or the classic Encinitas Cafe.
(2)
Michelle A.

Swami's is nice and quick, and seems healthy. No food here has blown my mind yet. Most of the dishes seem bland and under-flavored, especially compared to all the other the amazing choices nearby. If you need some health food before starting your day, this place is great.
(3)
Courtney M.

Heaven on Earth! Crowded but so worth it in the end :)
(5)
Paloma G.

Was vacationing in Encinitas and was doing a little shopping when we came upon this place and decided to give it a try. There was a lot of people there and a line, which always seems like a good sign to me. The menu looked great, specials were at the door. Ordered the waffle combo and also the enchiladas, and I must say all of it was delicious. First of all, it was inexpensive for the amount of food we received. The waffle was huge, came with eggs and bacon, also a lot. The enchiladas plate was huge as well, came with rice and beans. Although the place is small, it was welcoming and relaxing. This place is definitely a great place for breakfast or lunch and hopefully I will be returning to try some more stuff out soon.
(5)
Karim H.

Did i really live in Encinitas for 17 years and not ever happen across this place? I feel so ignorant!! Forget Potato Shack, this place is the shiz fosho. Decent prices, delish food, great combinations, amazing breakfast potatoes, innovative fresh juice combinations, amazingly refreshing fresh-brewed iced-tea, awesome basil dressing, fancy sandwiches, great yogurt fruit bowls, classic and well-executed club sandwich, super-friendly staff. They were also super-flexible with all of my random substitution requests. This is the quintessential Encinitas breakfast spot! Spend a Sunday morning lounging about, having an excellent brunch, strolling the meditation gardens across the street, and soaking in all the amazingness of my sweet lil' hometown! It would be five stars, but the tables were a bit on the sticky side, and we had to wait about 15 minutes for iced tea and a diet coke. I'm definitely heading back next time I'm home!!!
(4)
Heather W.

We stopped here while out and about in North County. They get a star because Pudgy was allowed to join, and he liked the strawberries and bananas from my Acai bowl. The tables were dirty. I had to get up and ask one of the employees to borrow a rag, then actually wiped it down myself, so minus a star for that. Service-eh...I wouldn't go for that. Cool to sit outside, and luckily for us it wasn't too crowded today.
(3)
Jan D.

My husband and I come to Encinitas several times a year and have always enjoyed Swami's. Yesterday we stopped and saw all sorts of signage that was anti-Obama. We left and we will not return. There are many good restaurants in the area and so Swami's will not get any of our dollars. People are passionate about their political beliefs, but no need to ram it down our throats over breakfast.
(1)
Lyn S.

Whenever I've ordered food here I've really enjoyed it. The location is also nice. However, there's really not much parking at all. There's not much indoor seating and outdoor seating is nice but I've seen those little birds hovering over the tables and pooping on them as we ate! Not cool! The pancakes are good.
(3)
David Z.

Swung by Swami's on a Thanksgiving weekend morning. Not knowing the local dining spots, the line out the door seemed like a good indicator that this would be a good bet. I lost. Very friendly staff at the counter took our order. Sat on the patio and felt like a local with the sun above and the sea across the street. A runner came out, barked my name and delivered our plates. The potatoes were cold and the bacon which I ordered "crispy" was more limp and UNDERCOOKED if anything. I flagged down a runner and pointed out that I ordered crispy bacon and asked for a re-order. She tersely said, "Give me the bacon!". My guest and I both looked at each other, I said to her, "Excuse me?" "Give me the bacon." Wow. I handed her the plate. She came back 5 minutes later with bacon that was crispy but tasted horrible. And not anything like bacon (what the hell are they serving?) Never did I get an "I'm sorry" or "No problem". I won't return. But if you like the cool beach Swami yoga surfer vibe w/ no focus on customer satisfaction, have at it!
(1)
Grace E.

This place has got it all! People watching opportunities galore, great atmosphere, and epic food. The prices are a little high, and there's no service at your table, but the food is super quality goodness and melts in your mouth. I love the blackbean and egg burritos, all the sandwiches, and all their berry styles smoothies. I don't really think there's anything on the menu not worth ordering! I've had great experiences there, and I've had so-so interactions while eating there. Food is GOOD, smoothis are GRAND, and getting to sit in the sunshine to enjoy it all is priceless.
(4)
Allen P.

Great health food restaurant, in a brilliant health nut location. Most of the stuff they make is vegetarian, which might make you groan and try to adjust your tastebuds to the taste of "nothing", but like a lot of SD health-nut cafes, this place is quite tasty. There's really nothing on the menu that isn't delicious, as I've tried their omelettes and sandwiches, and both have been completely satisfying. Their smoothies are quite good too, and actually seem to be real smoothies, not that slushy junk some restaurants have. It gets busy here often, which should tell you how good this place is. The service is topnotch, and while parking can be a pain, it doesn't hurt to park a couple blocks north or south and just walk. It's definitely worth the minuscule amount of exercise.
(4)
Anna G.

Encinitas has a plethera of amazing breakfast places. Swami's is amonst my favorites. Not only because of the sweet smell of the ocean and breathaking view, but because the menu is spectacular. So much to choose from. I have the hardest time choosing because I know that almost everything is good (besides the chiliquiles). The acai bowl is fantastic. Good thing I've got me a surfer boyfriend who scarfs what I don't finish cause I usually order some type of eggs and the acai. I happen to like the surfer crowded, breezy outdoor seating, low-key service and attitude that comes along with this hot spot. The one thing Im not such a fan of is the fact that the manger is so obnoxiously obvious about his political views. He likes to use magic marker on everything in sight. Im suprprised he hasn't written "impeach Obama" on the very plate my eggs were on.
(4)
Tera W.

I'm from out of town and have only eaten here once, but I have to say that I am still salivating over the veggie sandwich I had almost two months ago! SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD.
(5)
Kim W.

I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I am feeling generous today so I bumped it up to 4 stars. I am a vegetarian and I really enjoyed my BLT with fake bacon on toasted wheat bread. The side salad was OK. The food seems relatively healthy, but I hate that there is sometimes a huge line/wait.
(4)
Joel J.

Come on man. After a great session of surfing at Boneyards, Swami's or Traps -this is a must. The meals are super healthy and the place is always crowded. A meal combined with a smoothie feels like you've postponed your death date and pushed it back a week. I haven't found something that sticks with me yet but that's only cause I only surf down there about 2-3 times a year.
(3)
Mark H.

I've coming here for quite a few years. I make it a point to go for lunch every time I go to San Diego. The food is excellent and the service is wonderful. The parking is a little less to be desired. It's not well marked. I had to get out on a busy road to ask them where to park. Never the less It is a must go to!
(5)
Melanie T.

We used to go here every weekend, but it has just been going downhill in the last year or two. The manager, John, barely works there anymore, and when he took a leave of absence, all the great decorations on the wall and the ambiance just flew out the window. It's not their fault, but they no longer allow dogs anymore, either, which just changed the whole environment. The prices have also gone up, and they almost ALWAYS get my order wrong. I always get the swami's club sandwich (I take home half for dinner or the next day's lunch, so be prepared), which is delicious, but they always forget the mayo and deli mustard, and many times I receive real bacon instead of mock (which I never forget to order). For vegetarians, this place is great, though, in terms of selection. I love having tofurkey and mock bacon options, and it's rare, so enjoy that part of it. As for the calling of people's names... Yeah, it's annoying. They started doing numbers, which I thought was much more effective, but I'm not sure what happened to those. Also, there is a revolving door of waitresses, so you always get someone who doesn't know what she's doing, and since they're all very young, they kind of just sit there and gossip behind the counter instead of help costumers. Definitely try it, but it's just not what it used to be...
(3)
Gabby M.

I love this place! They have the best Acai bowls in town and a great atmosphere! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Michelle N.

I have been here two times and everytime I come to Encinitas I will try to come here. I love the atmosphere.. I love the outdoor dinning even during a drizzle. I have had the Tofu Curry the first time there, and it was delicious. My daughter and I both had the Acai bowls the last time. YUM!!! I know a few people who have had the salads, smoothies and wraps and all had rave reviews. The other thing I really liked is the loose leaf tea selection. You serve yourself, a cup of tea. I love loose leaf tea, so I was stoked see that ,and a bit of variety.The service is good and they are friendly. Everything seems to move at a fast pace, but that is probably because there is usually a line and they need to keep things moving. I love the art and the Surfing Swami.. the Political statements seem to not go with the theme of the Cafe..But I think that makes for interesting conversation... Although, they are not necessarily my political points of view.. =).. BUT hey this is America and he is entitled to his freedom of speech. I was not impressed with the bathroom.. it was a bit dirty for a restaurant.... but just try to go before or after you leave and you wont have to use thiers.. HA!
(4)
luis p.

there is nothing that I need more from the world after my yoga class than a swami's veggie mix, and this place has it. it's awesome and never too crowded and across the street from the meditation gardens. perfection! sometimes they even have yerba mate brewed and waiting!!
(5)
Gary E.

Recall Obama ?? Republicans welcome ! And the signs out front go downhill from there. Had we not already ordered and paid we would have left immediately. We are locals and try very hard to support local restaurants...but I can't condone nor support the signs and graffitti outside this restaurant. And I'm hoping there are those of you out there who will do the same. And.....I'm a thoughtful independent without a political party affiliation..........Peace out..........
(1)
E J.

Great food but pricey and the seating is dodgy.
(4)
Jenny K.

my favorite way to spend a morning/early afternoon is in the sunshine at swami's eating one of the following three choices, depending on my mood: 1) the acai bowl: acai, coconut, bee pollen, strawberries, bananas, granola, raisins, blueberries, amazing. 2) ahi fish tacos: they come with corn tortillas, cabbage, guacamole, and this amazing green sauce. 3) salmon salad: greens, oranges, grilled salmon, this excellent dressing, wheat toast, and all kinds of other vegetables. seriously, so good.
(5)
Natalie M.

Good healthy food, outdoor seating, and inexpensive prices for the amount of food you actually get. Downsides are that it's usually always packed on a nice day no matter what the meal time is and the staff is a bit impersonal. I'd rather head down the road a few minutes to Mozy's and have a better experience overall.
(3)
Andrew G.

worst bacon in the world, undercooked everytime. ask for it cooked and they burn it to a crisp. never go there
(1)
Erica T.

I've enjoyed lunch here only once, and my experience was pleasant. I liked the lunch menu options, and the food was healthy and fresh. Nice patio dining on a warm day. Great location on the 101 - I recommend following your lunch with a stroll over to Swami's Beach to get a glimpse of the surfers and beautiful coastal view. :)
(4)
Kristy H.

1.5 Stars. I second most of the comments below. The food COULD be good if it wasn't undercooked. I've been here 3 or 4 times now and the only thing I'd eat again is the acai bowl. Though I will NOT be going there ever again after my last experience. My friend's food came before my acai bowl, which is fine. However, his eggs were completely raw...not runny...raw... the whites were barely cooked. It was disgusting. The bacon also tasted very strange. By the time he finished his french toast my acai bowl still hadn't arrived. Finally I got a hold of one of the servers and showed her the raw egg whites, to which her response was "what do you want me to do with this?" (umm throw it away and not serve raw egg whites?) then she told me they had lost my acai bowl order and she had to put it back in. So people that came after me got their bowls/food before me! Jeez! Oh also the time I went there previously my pancakes were raw. If you are into risky dining (read: getting food poisoning) eat here!! Yeah, the acai bowl's good but it isn't worth the wait, horrible service, and other undercooked food options.
(1)
Toby O.

good healthy food that you dont feel guilty about eating later. Great service from good down to earth people. atmosphere is great, right across the street from my favorite wave to surf. prices are fair, what more do you want?
(5)
Pumpkin K.

I really liked the food, but I'm easy to please at breakfast. The smoothies are thick, delicious and very fruity. The menu had many choices for different appetites and veggie/vegan/lacto-ovo/fruitarian When the weather is good (and it ALWAYS is, you San Diegans, I hope you appreciate it as I sit here at 10am and it's still NorCal freezing fog) sitting outdoors is really enjoyable. There is a long wait to sit down, and then a long wait for food. Also, I am someone who likes rules and someone to enforce them. The seating here is a do-it-yourself, but with a long line and incents cheating. I was wary of having to throw down with someone jumping the line to get a table. OK, so everyone behaved and waited patiently, but the prospect of fisticuffs before my coffee is unnerving. I think it's nice that the servers bring the- "PAUL?" food out and then call your name but it can "PAUL!?!" be a little disconcerting to be enjoying coffee and the paper "WHERE IS PAUL!?!" and have someone yelling right "FRENCH TOAST FOR PAUL!?!" next to you. When we had breakfast there last time, some people had brought their cats and some cats came to the table (uhh...) but one cat was left in the car that was parking, in the sun, right next to the table where we were sitting. The cat was totally freaking out and panting really heavily. So we were a little uncomfortable: "Are we going to be sitting her calmly eating breakfast while the cat dies inf ront of us?" My friend approached the cat's owner and expressed concern about the cat. She was really nice and non-judgmental and she offered to get the cat some water. The cat owners were also very nice and pretty much told her to mind her own business. What does that have to do with Swami's? Mmm... nothing, it's just what happened last time I was there.
(3)
Amanda S.

I have been to swami's a number of times and always loved the food. Today I got take out and it was not what I ordered but now I can't complain because I already took the food away. This is what I ordered, copied from their website: Protein Veggie Wrap - $5.95 Fresh broccoli, bell pepper, onions, lettuce, tomato, avocado, feta cheese, tofu and our famous mole sauce. First of all, it was $7.95, not $5.95. Secondly, there was no bell pepper, no broccoli, no tofu and barely any feta. It was like an onion and tomato wrap with mole sauce. It was ok, but I picked out the onions so I basically had nothing to eat and am still hungry. Also, the girl at the front counter was not friendly and looked mad when I went to get my order. I don't know that I will be back. There are so many other good counter order places like this in Solana Beach, Cardiff, and Encinitas. I also noticed a bunch of religious signage and conservative stuff written all around. Ummm....this place used to be like a little hippy dive with good food and friendly help.
(2)
Robert K.

give me a break 3.5 stars...this is 4 stars at least! We have been here 2x in the same week. they offer health choices for breakfast from oatmeal, acai, egg white omelette's to Belgian Waffles and breakfast burritos. We learned about this place from a family relative, thanks Celeste!
(4)
Ryan S.

I love this place. Delicious healthy foods located right across from the ocean. Very earthy, wholesome atmosphere. I recommend the "Black Egg Burrito" for breakfast. Yum! Here is a synopsis from their site: Swami's Caf is located along the coast in Encinitas, in Northern San Diego County. We offer a casual atmosphere only a few steps from the beach. Our neighbors know us by our healthy and delicious food. On the menu you will find our famous omelettes, burritos, smoothies, fresh juices and a variety of wraps, sandwiches, and tofu dishes. We invite you to come for lunch or dinner; you will be delighted. Check out their site and menu here: swamis.signonsandiego.com
(5)
Amber F.

Quaint neighborhood place for breakfast and lunch. Right by the wave named Swami as well... they have a sign that says something to the effect of "be patient, it's worth the wait" and it is!! It's not fast food, it's gourmet, organic, friendly, earthy, beachy, yummy all rolled into one. Great bread, smoothie's, lot's to choose from on the menu! The garden patio is great to eat in and the people work hard for you! This place is popular for breakfast/brunch on the weekends, so be prepared to search for parking and wait in line. It's worth every bite though!
(4)
Marisa F.

I have to give this place four stars because of the amount of options that they offer. You've got to love a menu that's got so much variety. Though they're been a lot of not-so-hot reviews, I have to say that this place seems pretty popular and well loved by many people. It is definitely not the best food I've ever eaten, we did wait about 30 minutes for our food and it is a bit dirty but for some crazy reason I hit up this spot every time I'm in Encinitas. I would totally visit Swami's again.
(4)
Mel M.

I love coming here for breakfast. My favorite thing on the menu is their acai bowl... and there are many other healthy menu options that are YUMMY. Great outdoor patio, too! If you overindulge, you can always take a nice walk over to the beach which is minutes away. Can't beat that!
(5)
Dawn S.

My burrito was pretty good, but the huevos rancheros was bland although both were large enough to have leftovers for second breakfast. I have to give a two instead of a three Bc the coffee was not good. I tried three different types and they all tasted like a flavored large brand coffee company. The fruit bowl things I see going out look delicious and I could maybe return for that but since I'm guessing it's not all organic I'll just make that at home. There was a comment about vegetarians going crazy about this place. We want more than just food without meat in it. I'd skip this place.
(2)
Mitch K.

This is a complete surf spot cafe. The ladies that were working were super friendly and helpful, we actually spent the entire hour we were there talking to them. It wasn't the cleanest place out there, but it fits the environment. Like everyone else recomended get the Acai bowl it's wonderful! 1oz wheat grass = 1 dollar This is a great place and can't wait to come back.
(5)
Rebecca M.

I hate to completely do a 360 on this place, but i just had the worst experience ever here. I got here at 10:30am this morning, there was a long wait which is expectable because their food is so outstanding, however, the service is absolutely appalling. By 11:20am my boyfriend had completely finished his food, and mine was still MIA. In short, the incompetent food runners asked me what i ordered, no exaggeration, four whole times. Since my food still was MIA i angrily got up and told them toput it in a to go box so i could leave. This was at 12:10pm!! I was most frustrated by the fact that no one apologized except for this very tired, exasperated looking woman who while she handed me my Acai bowl said, 'so sorry'. Never going back again, especially with no many other outstanding places in the surrounding area.
(1)
Heatherly H.

From the looks of the place, I wasn't expecting much. It had a diner feel to it, after all. But I have definitely experienced better service...at Denny's. There was grime or grease on the booth seat. The four of us had an 8 o'clock reservation. We were the only table on the dining side, you would think that they would make sure the place was clean before seating their one and only reservation, but no. I had to ask one of the attendants to help with cleaning up our seats, which was done. They failed to dry it, so we had to sit on a wet bench. Thanks. There were four of us dining, three of us were served our entrees. The waitress forgot to give us our condiments beforehand, so she said she would be back with them. She gave us the condiments, and then took another five whole minutes getting the other entree out, so we had to wait until the last person (my husband) was served. I let her know that it was unacceptable for us to have waited five minutes and she tried to say it was due to the fries being "fresher"--which didn't make a whole lot of sense. My husband and I ordered the same sweet potato fries--you think they'd come from the same batch? But I was told we had to wait for his, because his serving of fries were "fresher." I explained again, that it didn't have anything to do with the fries, but that we were four people, one person shouldn't have to wait five minutes. Our food had gotten cold. She never apologized. So, I guess my husband had to wait for fresher fries, and the ones that I were served were not as fresh? I guess not. They were cold and soggy. The server only came by once to ask how we were doing and fill up our water glasses, and she never took the bill from us, we had to go up to the cash register and ask them to run it! She was very inattentive an neglectful. We were there for two hours and she only came by once for water. We had to ask her at the end, after we paid, since she had been gone that long. She had two tables! She came back with our bill and said she took off 5%. That's $3 whole dollars worth of savings! Uh, thanks? That didn't change the fact that she was incompetent, made excuses and never apologized for anything. Also, the music was horrible. Screeching sound checks and loud reverb all throughout our meal. I don't know what they were doing with the lights, but they kept turning them on and off.... Point is, go somewhere else.
(2)
Sydney B.

I found this place when searching for vegan/vegetarian options. I was extremely disappointed by almost everything. There is writing all over the ceiling with things like "I like animals...medium rare" "god bless the border patrol" and "give war a chance" and other offensive and even racist comments. I paid $14 for my sandwhich and smoothie. The smoothie was yummy! The sandwhich wasn't bad but there was nothing special about it, nothing someone couldn't make with bread and some veggies/fake meat. They forgot to add the dijon so it was brutally dry. I asked for it twice but they kept forgetting it and by the time she brought it out I was completely done eating it. I was bummed I spent 8 bucks on it. The 2 girls working the register were CLUELESS, I had to tell her my order 2 times cuz she wasn't listening, then they got it wrong and I had to remind them 3 times that I was waiting for something. One girl was walking around texting on her cel phone right behind the counter! The horrible, horrible service and offensive decor wasn't even suppressed by decent food. I will not return.
(1)
Tundrah T.

this place makes my "OCD-cleanliness-radar" go off everytime. Its better since they built the wood decking and you aren't just sitting literally -in- the parking lot, but its still kinda grimy. i also am a gardener, so their hammered and listless boxes of plants always bum me out . i especially love ordering at the counter and having the pissed-off employee make me feel like the most annoying person on earth for ordering food from her... unfortunately this is one of my boyfriends favorite places to eat, so i get dragged here a lot. food is "eh." not bad, not great either. I'd rather go to St. Tropez, or Naked or even perennially pathetically wait-staffed St Germaines...
(2)
Carris R.

imitation health food, the tofu stir fry is greasy, eggs crusty etc...also don't eat acai it is ruining the amazonian culture and the stuff we get here in the USA is really low quality. The food at swami's is so bad now, it is all low quality. My mother's friend started the place around 1995 and it was fabulous. The owner now has a slew of low quality food joints in north county such as Honeys and Beachgrass cafe...they all used to be great and now that he owns them the quality has severely declined...the food comes off of truck from Los Angeles and is old and wilty...too bad.
(1)
jeremy c.

I love this place!! The atmosphere is great and relaxed, the people are really friendly and helpful, and the food is unbelievable! I've only ever been there for breakfast, but I have to say that this is far and away one of my favorite breakfast spots in the country. I always leave feeling full but never weighed down. The ingredients are always fresh and the coffee is absolutely the best. Considering what you're getting for the money, it's not a bad value either. For first timers I recommend the Acai Bowl. It's a safe bet, with a lot of different ingredients that work really well together and leave you very satisfied. As a note the berries are frozen, so if you have sensitive teeth it may not necessary be the best option. I do, but it's so tasty that I usually go for it anyway. It's sort of my go to dish when I'm there, but I've also had the spinach tofu which is really extraordinary. Based upon the description within the menu, it seems a bit boring, but believe me it is not. It's really tasty and really filing. I would recommend Swami's to anyone. It's the jam.
(4)
Animal Lover X.

great location, average food, seems dirty (especially kitchen which is in view when going to bathroom)
(2)
Brenda M.

Swami's would be four stars for the food alone. Everything on the menu is healthy, organic comfort food. Problem is the service and the attitude. My friend and I each ordered wheat grass juice. I ordered the black bean breakfast burrito; my friend ordered a scramble and a pancake. Every single item we ordered arrived not only separately, but a good five to ten minutes apart. The wheat grass juice was "chunky,: and when I asked for extra jalapenos was told by the server that they were already in my burrito and she would have ask the chef for an additional side, and it would likely be an extra charge. I said that was no problem. Never happened and by the time my friend's food finally arrived, it was cold and so were we. C'mon guys, I can make my own eggs the way I want them at home. The reason I am paying for you to cook my food is that I want the experience and to share the experience. Very disappointed. I was the one who suggested the place.
(2)
E C.

This place is a mixed bag. I first tried this place with my best, and it is just a shack of a place by the road. The food was average, cafe fare and did not stand out. I believe most people come here just for the scene- which is more LA trash than laid back San Diego. Douche bags and wannabe yuppies ordering Acai smoothies pissed me off. Try The Potato Shack up the street and make sure to get the fries with garlic, cheddar cheese and sour cream...yum.
(3)
Joe C.

Great Food, but the absolute worst service on the planet. Be prepared to wait a long time, and for the staff to treat you like you like dirt. My last visit there, I phoned in an order and was told my order would be ready in about 10 to 15 minutes for pickup. I arrived in 20 minutes knowing that they would take longer than they told me. I paid for my lunch and then had to wait an additional 30 minutes to get my food. As I stood there I was subjected to some aggro bald employees ultra conservative political banter. When I go out to pick up my lunch, I don't care to listen to misinformed statements from someone that was calling customers "liberal jerks" behind their backs. The lack of customer service from the other employees and this employee in particular absolutely ruin the great potential that could be Swami's Cafe.
(1)
The Secret Critic C.

I love this place! Great food and friendly staff. The acai bowl is great!
(5)
Zedar B.

With Pipe's and T's in the area, Swami's is A-OK, but there is some stiff competition.
(3)
Wes Y.

The only complaint I have about this place is that they don't have one down in San Diego. Fantastic place if your in the area it's a must.
(5)
Dawn T.

It's goood, but I wasn't amazed. The prices are ok (I think I paid $8 for my omlette). Garlic chicken omlette was supposed to me chicken in garlic sauce all wrapped up with cheese and of course eggs. I love garlic and all, but they just threw big chopped up garlic, chicken slices, and cheese in there. I ate all of it though, so it that makes it A-ok than that's what it was.
(3)
Elizabeth C.

I haven't tried the breakfast but it looks great. I did have lunch there and was very happy with it. I went with one of my friends and we shared one of the special BLT's on a crossiant and it was reasonably priced too. We both really enjoyed it. I will be trying this again.
(4)
Ric B.

I've heard of this cafe many times, but never went there before this last Sunday. We went after the Mud Run at Camp Pendleton, so we had a good muddy appetite. Many people were ordering the Acai bowl. This place has tons of vegetarian choices, but they also serve meat too, so if you are a mixed group of eaters, Swamis is a great choice. There is outside seating too. I had the French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. The French toast was pretty good with a nice touch of cinnamon. The eggs were cooked well too. At Konos I've had kind of runny scrambled eggs before, but these scrambled eggs were just right. I also had a yogurt smoothie called Just Peachie. Man that smoothie was good. I will definitely go back to Swamis.
(4)
G J J.

Food is mediocre, and service is abysmal. It took over a half hour to get a couple sandwiches, on an empty day. Outdoor seating is great though!
(2)
Bryan W.

THE GOODS : Location is great as its right by the beach area which is nice if you can find a seat outdoor and watch the view of the ocean. The service isn't bad either since all they do is serve you your food when you call your number. Most of everything is self-serve, so bad service shouldn't be an issue. Any food you get , it will be a large portion. Everything from their menu is more like a breakfast/ brunch menu. Stuff like egg, omelet, burrito, potatoes. but you will not regret ordering anything you get. It will be fresh, and the portions are beyond generous THE BAD: this place is TINY! as there's always a line if you tend to come around at the wrong time, you can find yourself waiting in line until people are done eating. Well worth the wait but still, they need to find some way to expand lol. Overall : This restaurant is good to go if you are an early bird to go in the morning. Refrained myself from giving it a 5 star since the only bad thing i can think of from this place is the small size shack-like place it runs on.
(4)
Diana F.

Love, love,love it! The place is a little pricy but the food is a rare combination of delicious and healthy. The acai bowl and the granola waffles are my favorites. The cafe also has a wide selection of juices including ginger mixes, which are hard to find.
(5)
Jared S.

Pros: Great fresh food Excellent selection Cons: Some items can be expensive You must go on a day with good weather. All outside Dining
(4)
Younix L.

I've been to Swami's twice now, and the 2nd time was supposed to be a 2nd chance... This time I had the Turkey wrap, which turned out to be a tortilla full of beans, canned jalapenos, chunky sour cream, and pressed turkey lunchmeat. That's right, pressed. As in, not even real sliced meat... This came with 17 tortilla chips, and (upon request) 1.2 oz of salsa. That's roughly the size of a shot of vodka for Christ's sake... This place serves over-priced "I got stoned and made something from a refrigerator full of leftovers, and it tasted pretty good!" type food. It's original, I'll grant you that. But it's overpriced, the service is hit-and-miss, they've screwed up my order both times (the 2nd time, they forgot to put in the order, and I had to wait until my friends were all done eating before I could even get it to-go...), and there's basically no place to sit except outside, with no outdoor heaters, right next to coast highway traffic, and freezing cold any time of year except Summer... I highly recommend a number of better restaurants just a couple blocks further up coast highway. Try Beachside, Flavio's, D-Street, or any number of other places on the same street, and you'll get a much better experience for about the same price. I really don't know how this place got a single '$' rating...
(1)
Jonny J.

A cool little outdoor spot right off the coast, tucked away next to a flower shop. This place has legit breakfast. I had the Green Omelet with bacon and it was excellent. The prices are friendly and the service was quick. A definite hot spot, but I had no complaints. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Steve L.

The food is FANTASTIC - especially the Pataya Bowl which is basically Acai frozen yogurt over homemade granola with TONS of fruit - delicious! We have been there 3 days in a row and enjoy the ambience outside on the deck. I would rate it a 5, but the service really sucks. Grumpy servers, very slow, coffee cold -and bad anyway- and meals for your party never come together at the same time.
(3)
Beth V.

Swami's is the only place to get a geniune hearty ACAI BOWL. The bowl comes with healthy fruit-and-nut granola, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bee pollen, coconut, and banana slices. For a whole bowl, it costs $8, and for a half bowl, it costs $6. Sidenote: don't take the acai bowl to-go because it will leak out of the to-go container.
(5)
Ren L.

Whole wheat pancakes "with everything" are so so so good even though I can only eat half of one.. I don't know what people are expecting as far as the service here goes, there a bunch of air-head girls who can take an order and when you're food is ready they walk around and let the food get cold while they call you something like isn't your name (it would help if at least one of these girls could read). But, besides the cold food and confused blonde girls, I'm into it.
(4)
Michelle M.

I was excited about eating here until I saw "we stand with Israel" written on your wall behind your cash register. My friend and I turned around and walked out. For such an open minded and peace loving city like Encinitas, it's sad to see a cafe putting offensive comments that are in support of hundreds of innocent children being killed. The only reason I'm even giving 1 star is because yelp won't let me post without posting at least a star, even though you don't deserve it. Very disgusted by your place.
(1)
Emily P.

This place was alright. Wasn't impressed by anything. I like the serve your self coffee. And there food was good. I like the oceanside location better.
(4)
Frankie M.

yum i love this place! Everyone talks about the acai bowl but really everything they've got is tasty!!
(4)
Isaiah J.

Food was outstanding! Great coffee.selection if your into that. Cute patio. First timer really enjoyed it. Had the Greek omelette and.my lady had eggs Benedict 5 $tars
(5)
Dinah L.

This was a nice lil surprise. The garden is across the street when your done and you need to chill out and relax and look over the ocean. It was after 1 p and the line took a good 20-25 min to just place the order. That was jacked up if your on your lunch break. The fun thing was I could write on the walls and they encourage it.............
(4)
Chad R.

Food is terrific...but getting your food might fast or could be slow. The outdoor patio seating probably will make you forget the slow service though.
(4)
Chris B.

I'm really hoping to change this rating to a 5 stars. We go to Swami's almost every week. Here is what we love about Swami's: -Food is very good, especially breakfast food. Nice selections (although it never seems to change very much, some specials or additions would be great). -Gluten Free choices, lots of healthy GF Options, BEST GF Pancakes we've found. -Servers are super friendly and very good. Seems like everyone has their favorite. -Love their self serve Coffee bar. I really look forward to that at breakfast. What could really use improvement: I think it comes down to management: Once you get your food, no one checks back to make sure you got everything from the kitchen. Usually you don't, especially side dishes. So your usually left trying to get someone's attention while someone in your party doesn't have their food. Then it takes a really long time to get the missing food so now everyone is going to be mostly done with their meal by the time it comes out. This happens all the time and is a really a bummer. It looks like there is a lot of overlap between kitchen guys who sometimes bring out the food, different servers and even the hostess...so a lot falls in the gaps. If they could management could get their act together I'd gladly give it 5 stars!
(3)
John C.

Really great food! I take my wife he all the time. Healthy options and great smoothies I will be going here many more times!
(4)
Cathy C.

I used to like Swami's, but went there the other day and they served up the Acai bowl with frozen berries...I mean straight out of the freezer bag white, frosty FROZEN berries. When I and another customer both complained to the manager he offered up an excuse about having to serve them that way because they don't know how many they will need on any given day...HUH? Sorry, there's no excuse for serving frozen food.
(2)
Andy H.

Usually I'm a huge fan of their Acai bowls ($8) but this situation wasn't so hot. I ordered my Acai bowl and I said I didn't want any coconut and wanted it to go. After a brief wait, I got my food, it looked like half the berries were frozen and speckled throughout the top... White shreds of coconut throughout the top. I was agast because I don't tolerate coconut too well... Borderline allergic. I immediately brought it back and a staff member asks if I wanted it remade, well of course I do if I'm bringing it to your attention... Then he comes back out and asks if i want a fresh one because he says its gonna be 20 minute wait due to other orders... Normally I tolerate these things because I like to keep a semblance of composure but seriously? Shouldn't you put my order first cuz you messed up my order??? After all, I ordered before all these other orders... What irritated me the most was his inquiry of whether I was allergic or not. I don't need to explain myself to you. It's insulting that you would even ask. Again, Id like to reiterate that mine is an isolated incident and your experience could be completely different. I'm just disappointed on the level of service. Oh n btw, I found coconut mixed with my frozen raspberries. No bueno.
(2)
Diana R.

Being new to the area, my friend took me here and now it's my regular breakfast spot. They have great coffee and the Acai Bowl is delicious! I bring my dog and for me, its THE perfect way to start my day!
(5)
Torrey S.

I live right down the street and USED to love coming here every single Sunday for breakfast. They have all the great things a breakfast place could ask for and a pretty good atmosphere right on PCH. However, every single time I go to Swami's I feel that the quality of the food and the service regresses! I now go every Sunday to a place right down the street called Honey's that offers similar yet better food (even the Acai bowl!) but I feel is cooked fresh and made to order. And what is even better is the customer service at Honey's! Because Swami's is so crowded now, all the employee's really care about doing are delivering the food as quickly as possible. This means room for error and a poor experience. And for a Sunday morning, that is just not my cup of tea. I want to make sure that where I spend my money goes to a business that deserves it. And unfortunately, I think that Swami's lost a loyal customer.
(2)
Yogi S.

Liked the cafe for the first 3 times I went there. But last Sunday I took my parents there, and the food was terrible. Tasteless, and not fresh. I am not going back again.
(1)
John J.

Love it. Encinitas at its best. Long wait times aside, this place is great. Try a power bowl (acai w/peanut butter) and the fish tacos. Enjoy sitting outside with some yummy post surf food and your pup! I am a frequent flier here, will miss it when I move!!
(5)
Alicia C.

Love this place! Everything here is good! I've tried the acai bowl, omelets, French toast, breakfast burrito, sandwiches, and various smoothies... never been disappointed. It's always been a little hard to find a table on the weekends, but I went last weekend and they recently acquired the place next door for more seating.
(4)
Olivia R.

Love it! The acai bowls are to die for. The freshness doesn't compare to anywhere else. The atmosphere is very beachy, hipster etc. only issue I have with it is that it's located right on the street. so you hear zooming cars and see traffic. But that's just a minor issue. Want beach food? Go to Swamis.
(4)
Elaine F.

I really do enjoy this place, I've been here twice and the second time was more memorable because I got breakfast which is a personal favorite for me (maybe that's their strong suit looking @ the rest of the reviews) Any how, I got their wheat pancake and their Acai bowl... YUM! Their pancake was filling enough and the best part about it is that it melted in my mouth. It wasn't too sweet or thick and it didn't fall apart it was perfect! As for the bowl they add so many toppings it's great, filling too! I couldn't finish both by myself so only go for one plate at a time! As for savory I tasted my mom's omelet and maybe they have to spice up their life with more seasoning or salt in general but over all I'm definitely going back!
(4)
Shawn S.

The worst burrito I have ever had. Uncooked rice and black beans wrapped in a dry wheat tortilla. Totally flavorless and unedible. For $8 I expect better. My friends food was over priced and bland as well. Two of us were done eating before my girlfriend even got her food. Avoid this place.
(2)
Reana K.

Every time I visit Encinitas I make it a point to go to Swamis (honestly, I go almost daily when I'm there). Near the beach with all outdoor seating, Swamis is an amazing way to start the day. I've never had anything bad there, my favorite might be the Acai bowl. Little known fact, you can get a "half Acai bowl" if the regular is too massive for you, its not on the menu but all the staff will know what you mean. The ingredients are top notch and the food is just delicious- the specials rotate daily and are always filled with wonderful surprises. I go there daily for the Kona coffee they serve, $2 but you get an unlimited cup, so I always have some with my meal and then take a cup to go. The staff are variable. Most of them are incredibly sweet and friendly, but there are one or two grouches. The clientele ranges from surfers to hobos to families. Watch out on weekends because tables will get full very early. Be kind and don't hog a larger table than you need, there are lots of people trying to enjoy Swamis! I'll be dreaming of the Acai bowl and Kona coffee until I return.
(5)
Heather M.

Ah, Swamis... been around forever in the ENC and has become quite the establishment for the very eclectic crowd that lives in and around the area. I've been here many times; however the last time I went here, the food was just okay. I ordered their breakfast quesadilla and my friend ordered eggs, bacon and toast. The place was packed, so I wasn't surprised it took a while to get our food. When our food finally arrived, I couldn't wait to dig in. The quesadilla was very ordinary. The eggs were overcooked, in my opinion, so they were really dry. The veggies in it were good, but there weren't enough of them. The cheese was very much absent, which was a disappointment. The salsa was good, but overall I've had better! The eggs my friend got were cooked perfectly... but really, how can you mess up sunny side up?! Considering all the places to grab breakfast in and around Encinitas, I probably won't be returning any time soon... but when I do, I'll probably grab a smoothie bowl. I would have ordered that instead of the quesadilla, but it was very overcast and cold when we were there so something freezing cold just wasn't that appealing. I should mention that the ambiance is very cool here, especially since all their seating is outdoors. Just be sure to watch out for the birds laying in wait for some unsuspecting diner to leave their plate unattended!
(3)
Thuy C.

I am not a breakfast or brunch kinda gal but I am a huge fan of swami's especially in the summer! They have fresh and healthy ingredients but their foods and drink has so much flavor and is always yummy! You can't go wrong with anything on the menu!!! Love love love!!!!! Perfect pit stop after a long scenic walk on the beach or visiting the self relaxation garden!!! A gem in Encinitas!
(4)
Rachel R.

Swami's has the bombest granola in their acai bowl of any I've had in San Diego. It's homemade and there are toasted sesame seeds in it, which add an interesting flavor to the whole thing. It might sound strange, but it's fantastic. I'd buy it in bulk and fill my bathtub with it if I was more eccentric. ...but FROZEN FRUIT? Whatafa, guys. I don't want sour, frozen blackberries atop my acai bowl. No one wants that over fresh berries and banana. Another thing no one wants? Melty, mushy berries 20 minutes later. In fact, that was such a bummer for me that I won't be back unless I can get some fresh fruit... no matter how alluring the siren call of the sesame granola might be.
(3)
Kent B.

Went here for breakfast on a beautiful Saturday. I ordered the Mexican burrito which consisted of scrambled eggs, peppers, and avocado. The order came stock with some fried potatoes and spicy salsa. My breakfast "partner in crime" got the acai bowl which is a cold mix of granola, bananas, strawberries, honey, yogurt and coconut shavings. Personally I'll take a pass on the Mexican burrito. The texture was a little off for me and the mix of flavors didn't do much either. However, I will admit the acai bowl bowl look VERY YUMMY. The service was attentive as usual. OK, the GOLD SERVICE STAR AWARD goes to the dedicated "service ninja" that was constantly filling up my coffee! Seriously, I would take like (2) sips of Joe and he'd be there filling my cup with freshly brewed awesomeness. It felt as if he was on shift to specifically hover over our table to ENSURE we always had fresh coffee. All the more awkward since I was the only person drinking coffee but whatever. I was able to actually finish (1) cup before a refill (I was shocked) but he made a point to fill my cup with the zeal ONLY a CARLSBAD COFFEE NINJA could possess. I kept saying "yes" to more coffee just for entertainment sake...how many refills could I possibly get? Am I close to breaking a record of some kind?? This place was ALMOST as great as the company at breakfast...but that's a tall order folks! I give this Swami of breakfast 8 "swift coffee filling service ninjas" out of 10.
(4)
Baxter C.

It's ok to park in the rear (in the Hansen's parking lot)
(4)
Tammie L.

I was in Encinitas visiting my brother for 3 days and I went here twice, just for the Acai bowl! The first day, I had also ordered an iced tea which they didn't bring with the bowl and then told me it wasn't on my order....Ummm I paid 12 bucks, I know I ordered it. Anyway, the bowl was delicious! Most of the berries (raspberry, black berry, blueberry) are frozen but the bananas and strawberries weren't. I don't have a problem with frozen berries but they are not hard as rocks as another reviewer said. The second time I went, I just got the bowl. Still delicious! Great little place near the ocean and the Meditation Gardens. Parking is limited but that seems to be a widespread issue in Cali, not just there.
(4)
Robin D.

They have been offering a special that I hope they will add to the regular menu. It's a Crab Stuffed Salmon with Caper Sauce, mashed potatoes, and roasted veggies. Simply amazing! BTW, they are moving across the street the end of this month to the former Sage Grill.
(5)
Leah C.

Swami's is a great 'local's vibe' place to know about, even if you're just visiting Encinitas. Or, if you surf up in that area of North County, a great place to grab either breakfast or lunch. Personally, I love their TROPICAL SALMON SALAD $9.95 organic greens, pepper tomatoes, carrots, walnuts, dried cranberries, cucumbers, orange slices, topped with fresh grilled salmon and basil vinaigrette dressing. Not to mention, they make their own Basil Vinaigrette dressing for the salad and it's delish :-) It's an outside restaurant, so it's nice because you get fresh air and sunshine while you dine :-)
(5)
Angela Z.

This is what home tastes like. And I guess feels like, right across from the SRF and close to the titular beach. Try anything. This time I had coconut granola french toast and bacon and eggs; really, though, have potatoes at some point in your meal, maybe try the acai bowl out, or a burrito, and have a smoothie. Their smoothies are the best.
(5)
Mike G.

Just went to this place for the first time after my gf kept talking about it, I'm not really a health freak so I was kind of skeptical. But they have a lot of choices and even though it's small I really liked it. It had a beachy vibe. And the food was delicious. Even our "be pollen" juice. I'll definitely be back again!
(5)
Melanie K.

Went here for brunch on a Sunday around 10:30am, unsurprisingly it was pretty busy. We tried the granola waffle and croissant breakfast sandwich, both were really good. Seating is first come first serve, which when I first got there and saw 1) the line to order and 2) the patio already completely packed I worried this would be an issue however people cleared out pretty quickly and I didn't see a single party that wasn't able to find a table before their food was served. Overall a totally reasonably priced, tasty breakfast option!
(4)
Lisa P.

Swami's Cafe is your typical beach town cafe. With yummy, healthy food and an eclectic, beachy vibe it's a great place to stop by for a casual breakfast or lunch. You won't get anything decadent or over the top, but it will be standard and familiar, and you'll leave feeling satisfied. Note of Recommendation: Best place in town for an acai bowl!
(4)
Sara B.

so awesome, love this local spot. crowded always but for good reason, prices are awesome and tons of outdoor seating to enjoy beautiful Encinitas.
(5)
Lori L.

Nice atmosphere, just like Honey's down the street it's first come, first serve when it comes to seating so it can be tricky on weekends. The food is good and the menu is a bitter smaller than honey's so it's more of a beachy place for smoothies and simple foods. It's across from Swam's beach and right on 101 so it's fun to sit outside and look across the street at the scenery. The prices are reasonable and the acai bowl is awesome!
(4)
Jil L.

My family and I enjoy healthy, fresh food and we eat here at least 3 times a week. The kids LOVE the acai bowl and getting various smoothies. Salmon salad, ABC Turkey Burgers, Green Omelette, Fish Tacos, Spinach Salmon Salad, Tropical Salad all delicious! We can never leave the place without ordering a pancake for everyone to share :) Eva who is almost always there is AWESOME! She always is cheerful and we get to chat when she isn't too busy with her customers. The food and the customer service is fantastic & I'm looking forward to having lunch there right now!!!!!!
(5)
Ellen E.

Had lunch there yesterday on the way home from the airport. Was VERY turned off by the many religious and political posters that were the opposite of what you would expect from a progressive place like this. Service was slow and it was unsettling me to stare at the archaic propaganda as I waited. BIG TURN-OFF!
(2)
Paul D.

Do not patronize this place...they over charge tremendously...Coffee + oatmeal + 2 pancakes = $18! Food quality did not impress either...eat elsewhere!
(1)
Wendy P.

I wish I'd read the reviews about the acai bowl before I ordered it! It took forever to arrive and yes, the berries were frozen. It was not refreshing; it was just difficult and annoying to eat. Very disappointing since previously I'd tried the fruit bowl with yogurt and it was very good. Time to move on!
(2)
Kendall M.

Love this northern San Diego local establishment. Located off the 101 as seaside village of Cardiff transitions to Encinitas, this great breakfast spot is constantly busy. Order at the counter here and the waitstaff bring the food to your table. My roommate loves the breakfast burritos and French toast, but I can never pass up their delicious smoothies, Acai is my favorite. Your palate will not be disappointed!
(4)
J C.

I've been here a few times and it's great! Perfect for a quick bite after a hike! The food is healthy and what I've tried is pretty good. I'm a fan of their smoothies but the tuna wrap was a bit fishy. Very laid back atmosphere. Like to sit outside and enjoy the sun.
(4)
Elena M.

We come here often for Sunday lunch. I have to admit that the food here is excellent. It is very laid back atmosphere. But lately we have been disappointed because the service has been getting slower and slower. If you want to order Akai bowl make sure you are not in a rush and be patient. It might take 30 minutes before you are served. Also they really need some simple really good clean up. The place looks dirty and junky. It has to be a very profitable venue with very low operating and maintenance cost. I just don't understand why the management won't spend money on little remodeling and cleaning up the place.
(3)
Juan S.

Every town should have a Swami's cafe. Funky, independent and retro all describe this place...much like the town of Encinitas itself. Emphasis on breakfasts...and they are good. Return trip already planned.
(4)
Sharon C.

Relaxed outdoor dining, Service was fast and friendly. I had the Indian curry with tofu and vegetables. The serving was large and delicious. A fun place to eat.
(4)
John Y.

Pretty much my favorite place to eat in California. The dirty chais are awesome. Everything I've ever gotten to eat there has been excellent.....though I rarely deviate from the power bowl. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed, and almost all the seating is outside. They have recently added an indoor area to eat. Excellent place to hang out on a Saturday or Sunday for brunch.
(5)
Beth G.

First visit so was not prepared to have to stand in line to order. Never seen a restaurant that operates that way. Waited almost an hour for food. There were a few children in the group and waiting that long made the experience awful. Waitress was rude on top of that. The table had leftover spilled food from the previous customers. Bathroom was very dirty. We won't be back!!
(1)
LOVEPEACE R.

Great service, great food, warm sunny seating area. Yes, this is a busy location but most places that have great food usually are :) I'll wait for my chicken sausage, artichoke, spinach, soy cheese omelette if I can soak up the sun and enjoy this beautiful location. Carlsbad Swami's sucks. Oceanside is great. This Encinitas location kicks butt!
(5)
Corina B.

I'm at Swamis probably about once a week. Their food is great. Absolutely love it. They have a different menu for lunch and dinner, for lunch I love the healthy burrito and the yam fries are awesome. At dinner the stuffed chicken is just amazing. Most delicious chicken ever. As far as the acai bowls here, they are good, but I've had better; and I really don't like the bee pollen they put on them. I think it's the granola they use that kills it for me as well. Over- all, I love this place.
(5)
Leonard V.

Decent food overall. Good acai bowl. Terrible service. Long line to order. My breakfast came out first. My wife's came out nearly 15 minutes later. Actually, I had to go and get it. I was essentially done eating before she started. The server looked at me blankly.... "You want me to box it up?"
(2)
Caitlin R.

Been going here for years. You sit by the busy road, but you don't even notice! Love this place. Service is fast and sweet. Not always a spot to sit (weekends) but be patient, it's worth it. Try a smoothie or fresh juice, the price is just right!
(5)
Erik G.

Looking for a San Diego-beach-style-laid-back breakfast joint? You know, the kinda place where you won't get tossed out for wearing slippas, shorts, sweats, t-shirt and baseball cap in the morning? AND, a place that will offer killa grinds, yummy entrees, and a healthy So. Cal. vibe to the food? LOOK NO FURTHER! This is the place. Been a San Diego resident for 20+ yrs, but lately moved closer to North County Coastal. So was looking for a local weekend breakfast joint relatively close to me...the kinda place where I can take the fam, get a good cup of coffee, read the paper, and just KICK BACK to the local beach scene. Yelped around and starting reading the reviews on this Encinitas joint. Been a recent fan of Acai (ah-sigh-eee) Bowls and realized Swami's Cafe got rave reviews for them. SO...the curiosity and craving got the best of me. Geared up and took my son on a Sunday morning about 10:30am. Read the reviews about the service and long waits so I was prepared for it. We arrived upon the area and the two restaurant parking spots in front and handful of spots in the back were all taken; made a circle around and easily found free parking on the streets within a block away. Hopped in line which ran out the door. It's an "order-at-cash-register-and-fend-for-yourself" type of place when searching for a table/seat. Although the line out the door seemed destined for a long wait; I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the cashier was immediately in front of the door (as opposed to the line winding deep into the restaurant). Our wait in the line was only 10 minutes on this overcast Sunday morning. Given; the place is small - shack type in all it's beauty. You know...the "hole in the wall" type of genre. Since it was just myself and my son, we immediately found a nice table on the white painted wooden patio-deck which was to the side of the shack which and is just slightly raised above the main patio deck in front. The front patio had approx. 15 tables with and appeared decently shaded. The rest of the restaurant-goers were dressed as I was - shorts, tees, baseball cap, and seemingly just chillin' like villains without a worry in the world. Within the cashier/ordering shack there are pre-made coffees which were serve-yourself type. Numerous flavors abound...Guatemala, Kona, and can't remember the others. I had the Kona and it was hot and just as expected from pre-made coffees - not bad, not good, but good enough for a java fix. My Acai Bowl came out first. WOW. Beautiful in presentation, color, and huge portion for this $7.95 item. Blueberries were crisp, boysenberries sweet, Acai was cold but not too frozen, bananas fresh, granola nice crunch, strawberries sliced sharp and was fresh/sweet/tart, coconut shavings nice touch, and the bee pollen was interesting (never had Bee Pollen before; was so-so on it, but it was just a small dashed amount, yellow in color. I'm sure it's health benefits don't fall short). This Acai Bowl is one of the best I've tasted. It's a decadent bowl of goodness, bite after bite. The Acai Bowl is a 4.5 star alone and is worth the trip to the place every day of the week ending in "y". My son is 7 yrs old. No surprise he ordered the simplest thing on the menu. A single buttermilk pancake. This pancake was noticeably thicker than your standard variety you would get at any local breakfast food-chain. It was fluffy and tasty. What "made" this place for my kid was the Smoothies that they had to offer. He had the Very Berry Smoothie (Apple juice, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries). Had a taste of his and, well, how can you really go wrong on a smoothie anyways. I also had the Mango Madness smoothie (Pineapple juice, bananas, mangoes). Again, how can you go wrong with a smoothie. Other restaurant goers food entrees looked delicious. Especially the omelettes. As for the timing and overall "restaurant operation" that this place has notoriously been down reviewed for. Yes, the dining scene/process seems a little "all over the place". Fend-for-yourself seating, waiters running around calling out names, table service to be desired. That can't be denied, but I can overlook these small things since the food is that good. I simply reminded myself that this is the beauty of this beach-proximity-vibe like Cafe. We're not at the Ritz Carlton, but we're also not at a road-side Roach Coach trailer either. It's a So.Cal laid-back style Cafe! Nothing more, nothing less. And at that, they offer good food, tons of variety, and I don't have to wear a button down shirt with Sunday shoes to go here! :) Go. You won't be disappointed.
(3)
Andy C.

If you are looking for a super delicious, cheap and filling meal, then this is the place to come to when in Encinitas. Just a hop and skip away from the lovely sandy beaches of Encinitas is Swami's Cafe. This place is located right across the street from the Swami's Self Realization Temple and right next door to Hansen's Surf Shop. This lovely restaurant has a great patio seating and a small little indoor seating area. My friend and I came here cause she was craving some healthy food, but when we arrived, I was SO NOT expecting the healthy kinds of food that they had here on their menu!! My friend and I ordered the Mahi Mahi Wrap, Guacamole BLT sandwich, and a Chicken Tortilla Soup. The Mahi Mahi wrap is so delicious and I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the slight subtle teriyaki sauce that they put inside of it. The Guacamole sandwich was delicious as well. I love anything with avocado on it, so this was the right choice. I was really disappointed with the fact that the soup was more watery than anything. This is a fun and cute little area and great for a nice and sunny day to enjoy breakfast. Make sure to come here if you want to start a diet or want to pretend to be a rabbit.
(5)
J S.

Awesome food and good outdoor place! ACAI bowl is the bomb!! Also the chicken mole' is super good! I usually dont even like Mole' but my wife gave me a bite and I was hooked!
(5)
Tyler Q.

This place is a great weekend brunch stop. It does get pretty busy and there can be a wait. But the food is worth it. Great scramblers, sandwiches and burritos. The acai bowl is fresh and their salsa is very flavorful.
(4)
Lupo C.

Pitaya Bowl, are you serious??? The last time I had this fruit I was on a surf trip in Nicaragua and I haven't seen it since. The owners of the company were handing out samples at the front door and it was delicious. I am a die-hard acai bowl fan, but I think I found my new obsession. I ordered the Pitaya Bowl Swami Style and it made my day. It isn't as sweet at acai bowls which I like, the consistency was frothier, and it felt like I was eating a real fruit and not a sugar filled bowl. I also liked hearing from the pitaya owners how they source their fruit. They operate out of a solar powered facility and only employ single mothers to help process the fruit. I was raised by a single mother, so that really hit home with me. Kudos to Swamis Cafe for serving amazing healthy fruits like this and supporting a company like Pitaya Plus. It was a beautiful sunny day, the Swami's staff is A++, I felt healthier leaving Swamis than I came in, so hands down they get 5 stars from me! Viva Pitaya! (I stole that line from the owners)
(5)
C K.

Rusty nail in my smoothie!! Fortunately, I bit on it and spit it out and took it back to show them. They acted like it wasn't a big deal and didn't even offer to make it right... Will not be returning again and wanted other consumers to beware
(1)
Julie P.

The best of all the swami's restaurants. Maybe I'm partial to it because I've been such a fan for the past 8 years, but you can't beat their acai bowls, omelettes, oatmeal pancakes, pumpkin seasonal breakfasts, etc. One of the best lunchtime wraps is the vegetable mole wrap. Highly recommend it, sauce on the side, with a tropical storm smoothie to finish up. Love love love Swamis Encinitas!
(5)
Alain G.

While there are crossover dishes, the vibe of the Swami's close to the El Camino/Encinitas Blvd. area is very different from the Highway 101 establishment. This review will primarily focus on the former location rather than the latter. While the coast highway location is frequently packed and has a distinct earthy quality, this location definitely took a few cues from Beachgrass (the restaurant that used to occupy that building before Swami's). In fact, the dinner menu is almost identical to what Beachgrass used to offer. Expect flat-ironed steak, stuffed chicken and ahi as your food options. The "Swami's" menu can be seen more during breakfast and lunch. Along with more traditional omelets and club sandwiches, you can also find a few tofu type of dishes. Plus, there's the selection of famous Swami's smoothies. While the view is somewhat lacking, I actually like this new Swami's better than the coast highway edition. It's closer to where I live and there's never a wait to get inside. The food is quite good. So regardless of what time of day you go, it's going to be a fast sit-down dining experience. My only complaint is the erratic nature in the quality of their service. This entire restaurant seems entirely dependent on the manager. If she's there, everything goes well. If she's not, it's anyone's game. Special food adjustments won't be made, you'll order sides and get the wrong ones, your smoothie never shows up, your standard entree will be missing ingredients, etc. So if you are laid back enough to be able to roll with these possibilites, I highly recommend Swami's. If you're the type of person where you would find this annoying, you should probably go elsewhere.
(3)
Elle C.

Totally surprised by this little hole. Came highly recommended by a friend who lives in the area but after being greeted by a dismissive, belching brute, I thought this was easily turning into one of those stories where it is revealed to you like a horror film that your friend has the worst taste in food and atmosphere. Wrong! Massive portions, fresh ingredients, great flavor and once you get beyond Popeye, it's all wheatgrass shots and kumbayah.
(4)
Steve R.

Update...I have been back a few times lately adn have to say I am amazed at the shitty service at this place. I called in on Saturday and tried to phone in an order for the Acai Bowl..the lady told me that they were too busy to make on fro me?? I asked her if they were out or something...she said no...we are too busy to make it for you? WTF?
(3)
Delaney M.

Delicious! Service can take a while, but the food is great and so is the atmosphere. Make sure you get the acai bowl!
(4)
Gabriel H.

I love the food and atmosphere here! Lots of options, from traditional to healthy! I have yet to try something here I didn't like. I'm going to sound like a broken record but the Acai bowl is awesome. My wife and I split the bowl and French toast. The French toast was simple yet delicious. You cannot go wrong going to Swamis for a nice delicious breakfast.
(5)
Janis E.

Hubby and I stopped at Swami's on a Saturday afternoon about 3pm. They weren't busy and we asked to sit outside in the back. After waiting about 10 minutes and seeing the waiter look very fed up by the other diners, we decided to go back inside and sit at the bar. The bartender immediately filled our drink order and we ordered the fish tacos to split. We were very happy to be served the fish taco dish split onto two plates. They were very tasty and even splitting the meal, they were quite filling. As a bonus we were chatted up by a local who gave us some tips regarding how to spend the rest of our weekend in the area. All in all a good experience and we would recommend the fish tacos!
(3)
Priscilla N.

I'm obsessed with their AÃ§ai Bowls & their coffee variety. Perfect for a quick stop if you are in the area & want something yummy or healthy & the friendliest staff. **AÃ§ai Bowl**
(5)
Barry M.

Been there, done that. Food was good. Place was a little long in the tooth. Place was really worn out looking. It was a busy Father's Day and Parking and traffic was dangerous. Nestalgic location. Born and raised in North County. Best surf spot in San Diego County along with a view that will knock your socks off. Time to rebuild the cafe.
(2)
The Baja M.

I know this is the sister restaurant of Honeys but this is much better. Never had a bad meal here. Acai bowls are great, coffee is perfect, and everything else is pretty good. Fun spot to have breaky.
(4)
David B.

I eat at Swamis Cafe about 3 times per week after I workout. They have all sorts of good stuff, but I'm particular to the Swami's Combo which is your basic 2 eggs, potatoes and toast. It includes a cup of coffee and you can switch out the potatoes for fruit if you like. The staff is really friendly and helpful. It takes a little while to get your food, but I think that's due to the size of the kitchen.
(4)
Julia R.

I used to love eating the chicken Cesar wrap at Swami's and I was happy to find myself right next to the place today. I went in to order and then remembered why I stopped eating there. The guy, I believe he is the owner, that was at the counter looked at me and literally gasped. Without actually acknowledging me he then got a woman to come and take my order seemingly because he did not want to serve me. The woman chuckled with him a little and then came to take my order. She was nice though I could tell she thought it was funny that he did not want to serve me. What was the problem you might ask? I'm a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf and apparently this guy either doesn't want to help me or is scared of me. This may not make sense until you step outside and see all of the graffiti they have plastered saying "republicans welcome" and "tea party pride". That's fine, I hardly care about politics, its just unfortunate that this establishment embodies exactly the kind of nutty extremism that has become associated with "being a Republican". I know that not all Republicans hate Muslims, but these people were having trouble hiding the bigotry they obviously think is part of their political identity. The whole time I waited for my food, the owner guy was still at the counter harassing, errr I guess, discussing with two of his customers about how President Obama should be impeached and that whole nonsense about the birth certificate. Then one of the guys says "you know I have been waiting for my tomatoes and cottage cheese for about an hour now and I just realized its been sitting behind you on the ticket window the whole time" Then the guy gives it to him, apologizes, then asks him if he wants a "fresh one" and explains how the girl helping him is incompetent. The customer doesn't really say anything back, so the guy starts off on his tirade again! Classic crazy. I probably could have forgiven the uncomfortable vibe except that the chicken Cesar wrap was way over dressed, they changed to flavor of the chicken, and it was not what I remembered.
(1)
N C.

Absolutely disgusting, they have postings everywhere advertising "we support the troops", although upon requesting info regarding how they support us, come to find out, there's no discount, no donations to organizations nor troops in general. They should be forced to remove the signs and advertising. Another business taking advantage of the struggles and suffering of our service members.
(1)
Rob R.

Super popular place - expect to wait and then be quick to snag a table. Without a doubt, they're known for the Acai Bowl. The mahi burrito was super tasty too (although a little heavy on rice and light on mahi). If you can, stop by on a weekday and avoid the crowds.
(3)
Mayra M.

I have been to two locations, but the one in Encinitas is my fav. Boyfriend always orders french toast and I the acai bowl. French toast is french toast, but the acai bowl is magnificent. The presentation and the flavor of this dish, WOW. This specific swami's is always busy, but so worth the wait. If you are active military you get a 25% discount, can't beat that.
(5)
Esther H.

I am both picky and obsessed with acai bowls, and have to say that Swami's has one of the most delicious acai bowl's I've had in San Diego. The bowl was topped with generous portions of granola, coconut, banana, strawberries, boysenberries and bee pollen! The acai had a perfect consistency of being not too watery, yet not overly thick. One bowl in itself was definitely more than enough to feed two hungry stomachs. I also ordered the mahi mahi wrap, which was healthy and surprisingly tasty with its sweet glazed sauce. Swami's has a surfer-hipster type feel, and a menu with a huge variety of brunch, lunch and smoothie options. Seating is limited to the front and back patios, but on a Friday afternoon at 1:30pm, there was no problem finding a seat. You must try the acai bowls here!!
(5)

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Address : 1163 S Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA, 92024
Phone (760) 944-0612
Website https://www.swamiscafesd.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No

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Swami’s Cafe

1163 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024

Swami’s Cafe Menu

Soups And Salads

Butter Milk Pancakes

Waffles

Organic Multigrain Pancakes

French Toast

Wraps

Sandwiches

Swami's Favorites

Wheat Grass

For The Kids

One The Side

Acai

20 Oz. Smoothies

Yogurt Smoothies

Ice Cream Smoothies

Fresh Juices

Healthy Meal suggestions for Swami’s Cafe

Soups And Salads

Butter Milk Pancakes

Waffles

Organic Multigrain Pancakes

French Toast

Wraps

Sandwiches

Swami's Favorites

Wheat Grass

For The Kids

One The Side

Acai

20 Oz. Smoothies

Yogurt Smoothies

Ice Cream Smoothies

Fresh Juices

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