Darshan Bakery & Cafe

Vibe: nice vibe, the place is a little outdated a d can use some touch ups , but still lovely. Service (quality/ response): excellent customer service and fast service. Food: quite nice selection of pastries that are made in-house , the latte was amazing (Dark roast and well managed). Thank you Darshan Bakery & Cafe !

The lady with the long dark curly hair has a terrible spirit, a bad attitude and because she ran out of regular coffee, refuses to sell the Americano coffee. Just this is a terrible coffee shop. They never have anything it’s not organized very well it’s not worth your money.

Best chai around. Delicious sandwiches. Yummy quiche. Delectable pastries. Feels great here, everyone always happy and friendly. Hours have changed recently and they now accept credit cards.

Intelligencia coffee beans for the drip- rich and flavorful - so glad I stopped in here. Baked goods look incredible. This Palmier- is bigger than my face!

This was an old favorite, and previously had very good coffee and baked goods. Twice in a row my cortado used drip coffee rather than an espresso shot, and the last time I went my croissant was very hard and crunchy. They have good sandwiches still.

Best almond croissants in San Diego and Indian chai.

I have been all over the United States and never seen pastries so priced so high. Never. For the price of a gourmet steak dinner, you can have four pastries and four cups of water. Would I recommend it? No. The pastries were so so and not much better than Starbucks. Save yourself a ton of money and go to the Starbucks on the next street over. One star for the nice outdoor seating and one star for the nice man behind the counter.

The shop is cute and cozy. And the Bombay latte was delicious! (I had it with plant milk.) I don't usually like to drink coffee because it gives me the jitters. The Bombay latte didn't give me any jitters at all – just gave me a really good mood.

A nice bakery and good chai tea.. ambience... Hats off to the nice girl on Sunday that held down the ship amidst large crowds! I think she is an unsung heroine with the service she provided.. (if it was up to me, I'd give her a raise...!)

Permanently closed as of June 25, 2024. Very sad day. The original energy of the place fit in nicely with SRF, but since it was sold and the owners gave it a beach motif (indoor murals, etc.) it was never the same. RIP.

Very cute bakery located in the heart of Encinitas California, super cute and the young lady who works there is super sweet.

Walked in today and was instantly greeted with great customer service. I got the tastiest almond croissant and an iced coffee. Everything was so deliciousness.

I had not been to Darshan's in a few years due to declining quality of their almond croissants. I gave them another shot and was throughly disappointed. The almond croissant and the chocolate almond croissant were both over baked and lacked an adequate amount of filling.The croissants were lacking in flavor and it was early in the morning. Needless to say, I will not be back!

The woman with the currly dark hair is extremely rude and has terrible attitude and spirit. Not sure why'd they hired such a person for a cute little cafe. Will never return after two years of coming here

I went there again as a customer (in the recent past), and it was terrific. The staff was friendly; the pastries, sandwiches and chai lattes were all so yummy; the ambiance was quiet and gentle. I am grateful for Darshan bakery being back online, so to speak. YAY! It is a sweet spot, and I look forward to supporting it more w/ my business. Namaste & One Love, Kat

The food is the winner at thisEncinitas gem. All items are organic high quality delicious made on premise or at their Del Mar location. 10 stars for the Masala Chai. Other yummy choices are 3 choices of sandwiches, seasonal soup, quiches, and a wide array of French pastries. Courteous service as well as indoor/outdoor seating within the hours of 07:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. every day. It is situated right next to the Self Realization Fellowship Temple on Second Street in downtown Encinitas. Great place to meet friends and enjoy the ambiance. jill w.

The BEST and freshest croissant I've had in a long time! The man tried a cinnamon roll, of which he is a connoisseur, and said it was wonderful. Wish we lived closer to enjoy this gem!!

THE best pastries!! The mushroom quiche is my fav along with the pull apart french toast. Coffee is yummy too!

In the past I have written rave reviews for Darshan, it used to be my favorite bakery. The croissants, chai and pastries are still terrific, but since the ownership changed it has gone severely downhill. The server always seems to be highly stressed - whoever it is. Perhaps because they are doing the work that used to be done by three or more people. The trays of goods are often empty. And my questions about that have been met with plain rudeness. But the last couple of times the rudeness has become hostility. I really don't need that kind of atmosphere with my coffee. A tragic demise for a bakery where things used to be made with love. It must be a difficult job, but something is seriously wrong.

I was seriously tempted to keep this bakery a secret. Their pastries are absolutely delicious, with freshness obvious with every bite. The manager is helpful and accommodating. We go early and sit along the tree lined street to enjoy our selections. Chai is especially good. Enjoy!

i purchased a "buche de noel" from the del mar Darshan bakery on 16 december and was told i could pick it up on the 24th after 2:00pm. i paid $72.50 for this desert which was supposed to be central to our Christmas dinner. when i arrived at 3:00 the shop was closed. there was a sign taped to the window saying that the hours, daily, were 7:00 - 4:00. I embarked on a campaign to reach the owners/staff and was pleasantly surprised that they contacted me almost immediately. The back-story was complicated, but, this morning, the owner arrived with two compensatory deserts: A French Apple pie and a Carmel-Apple Cake. Plus two freshly-baked baguettes. Truly, a "wrong made right". They look scrumptious roger r.

Stopped in for some iced coffee. The quiches and desserts looked very delicious and are no doubt the star (there was a chocolate cake that would have busted my diet but looked SCRUMPTIOUS). Iced coffee is good - not the best I ever had, but just fine to drink. The regular is $3 and was smaller than I expected. There are lots of choices in this neighborhood; I would probably get a cappuccino here next time. If you're thinking of a pastry, though, this is your spot!

Wow! These new earl grey blueberry scones. What a combo! Cute coffee shop with beautiful murals inside. Definitely nice to check out a place off main street. Just need to get some wifi.

Grubby. The entire place needs a bath including the pastry case . The food is mediocre at best. No menus anywhere, you have to ask the price of everything. Staff was disengaged. It's such a shame, this place used to be so cute, clean with personable staff. It's never been the same since the original owners sold it.... I came in today and was shocked at how dirty it is, and how much it's changed. Won't be back.

Delicious! Great service! Fun! Highly recommended. Community feel. Beachy. Great chai!!

Darshan doesn't respect public health. Darshan is letting patrons in without masks and employees even don't wear masks during this phase of lockdown where city and state are asking businesses to comply with safe practices. The sign in their window reads "Local and state governments are attempting to override your constitutional rights by requiring you to wear a face covering when entering this business. We do not enforce this rule. Enter at your own risk." This is really a shame that they do not respect the severity of the pandemic and decide to "take the law into their own hands". Many of your patrons are elderly. I just don't see how your interpretation of "rights" is more important than the health of your community. I am really disappointed in this entitled attitude. I was a patron who loved their food, but this stupid sign leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I will no longer be recommending to friends which is how I found out, my friend excitedly entered after I recommended and missed this BS sign. Darshan you are putting people at risk. Your employees and your patrons. I will change my status of 1 star to 5 if and when the Bakery starts wearing masks to consider public health over their "constitutional rights".

The bakery - 5 stars: My daughter and I stopped in today for the first time for a little after school treat. She had the cinnamon roll, which she loved and I had a chocolate croissant, which was excellent. These just may be the best croissants in town. They have a variety of baked goods and desserts, and have a full coffee/tea menu. They also have a lunch menu with several delicious sounding quiches. Look for an update shortly after I go back for lunch :). The cafe has a casual neighborhood feel. It is a small space with both indoor and outdoor seating. They take credit cards with an additional 30cent processing fee. Prices are a bit high given the casual setting, but they use quality ingredients (for example, the croissant ingredients including the flour are from France ). The cafe - 3 stars I came back to try their lunch menu and wasn't as impressed. I had the Mushroom quiche, which was extremely rich in a non-satisfying way, and a cup of lentil soup (good, but too many potatoes). The focaccia bread that came with the soup was probably the best part of the lunch. I will definitely be back, but specifically for the bakery items.

The recipe is elementary. Add sun, clouds, sky, colors of light and you have a lovely sunset. Colors blend into one another. Clouds diffuse light from the sun. No sunset is ever the same. I never tire of these wonderful moments as the sun disappears from the sky. My visits to Darshan Bakery are much the same. You never know what treasure will be here. Sometimes they are out of my fav item. Sometimes I'll see something wonderful I didn't know they made. Butter croissant was crunchy on the outside while beneath were layers of fluffy buttery goodness. Best croissant I've ever had. Almond croissant is crunchier than the butter croissant and almond flavor intertwines with butter flavor. Almond paste fills the center of this croissant. Best almond croissant I've had. Apple turnover tasted like a croissant with apple filling. Rich buttery flavor contrasted with the sweet apple filling. Loved the flaky texture of the turnover. Cinnamon roll was full of cinnamon flavor and there was some sweetness from the icing. A little denser than what you get at local donut shops. The recipes are elementary. Add flour, water, milk, sugar, yeast, and salt. Amazing what the skilled baker can do with such basic ingredients. Each time I visit there is something beautiful and delicious here.

My family loves this neighborhood bakery! Very authentic patisseries! Definitely one of the best in North County. If you love croissants 10/10! Charming Lit'l business!

Amazing Bakery. Darshan herself is a true pastry chef. The most delicious flaky croissants. The flavors are so authentic you'll be loving coming back here every chance you get. Be sure to try a sandwich or the peach delight.

The Bombay Latte with an almond croissant is amazing! Also love the chocolate croissant, the tuna sandwich on focaccia and the homemade soups. This is a hidden gem on a side street in Encinitas.

Came here for a quick coffee and pastries. House coffee is good. Croissants were amazing!! Croissants were flaky yet buttery so they can be messy but oh so worth it. The only downside is that there isn't a lot of outdoor space, which is a really minor drawback. There are plenty of small tables inside but it can get a little tight on space. All in all, a really cute spot with good coffee and croissants. They have lots of other pastries but we didn't have a chance to try them.

I used to love this place, it used to be so warm and cozy and felt like a real french coffee shop. Unfortunately, the renovation now lets people see into the kitchen, and the noise from the cooking machines reverberates in the cafe. I was sad to see all the inspiring artwork taken off the walls and character eliminated. I hope the owners consider reverting back to the cozy and inviting atmosphere that lent itself to in-depth and inspiring conversation. The baked goods are still amazing but I hope the old style comes back.

There are many coffee and pastry shops in Encinitas, but this is my favorite that I continue to return to after my cousin first introduced it to me years ago. It is located west of Coast Highway, on quiet 2nd Street, so you can enjoy your coffee outside on the sidewalk. They have a small number of seats inside, and have added additional tables outside. The display is small, but filled with pastries, tarts, and quiche selections. The bakers are busy in the back keeping the shelves filled with fresh items. I highly recommend taking a detour from the shops on the Coast Highway to enjoy coffee and conversations at Darshan Bakery.

This charming little French pastry shop is a must visit when in Encinitas. I stumbled upon it a few years back after visiting the nearby meditation gardens and I make a point to come back whenever I'm in the area. They're known for their almond croissants and chai tea, but everything is wonderfully made with only the best ingredients. All of their pastries are made right there in the small kitchen by the owner and his small crew of patissiers. I love their quiche and seasonal fruit tarts, and any of the croissants. If you have time, grab a small table and enjoy the peaceful and positive energy that this cafe provides.

I have to agree with the other reviews that the Almond Croissant is a must try here, and now my favorite place to get one. I came here last weekend, but in the later part of the morning so they were sold out on the almond croissant. Ended up splitting a chocolate croissant and the closest thing to the almond croissant was a chocolate, raspberry, almond croissant. The chocolate croissant was ok, similar to one's I've had at other places, so nothing special about it. The inside was light and fluffy with chocolate inside. The chocolate, raspberry, almond croissant was surprisingly pretty good. It's in an interesting combination, but somehow works. The inside has almond paste, chocolate, and raspberries mixed in. The outside has almond slices and a powder sugar dust. The croissant was flaky and a bit crisp on the outside. Based on how good the chocolate, raspberry, almond was, I definitely had to try the almond croissant. Planned to get to Darshan early enough the following weekend that they still had almond croissants, and they did! They had quite a selection of pastries and coffees. The almond croissant was amazing. Similar to the chocolate, raspberry, almond- obviously with only almond. Very flaky croisssnt and crisp. The croissant is pretty filling for the size. Darshan is a small bakery that's cash only. They're pretty popular with the locals and they get busy on weekend mornings. Parking is street parking, but the two times I've come I've been able to quickly find a spot. I definitely recommend both the almond and chocolate, raspberry, almond croissant. They have many other pastries that look good as well, but I'll likely stick to the croissants.

"Enter at your own risk" That sums it up well and in the owners own words! Once a dedicated customer who, like many, LOVED the delicacies offered with kindness, compassion, and a loving smile, at Darshan. Yet "environment is stronger than will" (in the immortal words of my Gurudev Yogananda) and the environment now at Darshan has soured (like stale milk). And so we must avoid this place and recommend our friends and family do the same. Not only do they not respect public health by supporting a "facial covering not required" policy, they AGGRESSIVELY push a dark political agenda of conspiracy theories through postings on (what was once a community) bulletin board. Shame on you Tim & Heidi. You should stick to what made Darshan one of our regular stops... baking great, healthy delicacies and offered with an open, loving, kind heart, and smile. The world has enough Maya (duality of Light & Dark)... why turn off your "Light" and shed more darkness into our beloved community? NOW more than ever, the Light must shine into this world and serve a vibration of compassion, love, and kindness. Not divisiveness. Pannikin, Lofty, Nectarine (to name a few)... all wonderful alternatives.

I've come here before I came for the chai and croissants to go. They had a pretty poor selection for 11am. The european boy serving was friendly and helpful. I asked for an ice almond latte but he said they had no ice and tried to offer me "chilled coffee". Why does a cafe not have ice? But chai was super yummy. Also confused why a French bakery had a Q anon sign in the window? A little bit of a statement and I thought it was supposed to be a zen cafe.. but whatever it didn't ruin my experience

The pastries here are amazing! I stopped in to get some goodies for a friends birthday and ended up coming back the next day with my kids to stock up on more pastries for my family. Their quiche and scones are AMAZING and the staff was awesome and friendly. I'll definitely be back!

I am here now and the employee at the counter is wearing a mask and very professional. Not sure why the critics further down in the reviews were bashing this place. It's wonderful here.

Came here with my parents to try the croissants and was not disappointed. The croissants are great (I had the cheese one and my mom had an almond one and some plain ones to go). I had the chai which is delicious, and got some coffee eclairs to go. Those were ok. Almost $6 a pop for the standard size eclair and the filling had a grainy texture (not a smooth pastry cream) which wasn't what I had expected/hoped for. Overall the baked goods are excellent and the quality and craftsmanship is obvious. The price fully reflects this however and the cash only policy when it's easy to spend over $20 is kind of annoying. Also, the seating area wasn't abundant or particularly cute. A great place to get your stuff to go, but kind of a pain to sit and relax. Very nice to see such a good quality little bakery thriving though!

Please support locals! Amazing authentic bread!!! Delightful pastries. Best coffee ever- try the Bombay one! Customer service that makes you feel "right at home". **CASH ONLY**

I give this place a 4.5 rating! If you are in the mood for a delicious chocolate croissant, this is the place to go! They are authentic croissants that taste like they were made in France! Their coffee is also very delicious. They have quiches and other sandwich options as well. My only complaint is that it is very pricy for the small amount you get...BUT you are paying for quality not quantity, it's the French way!!

One of the best bakeries in San Diego, and one of the best kept secrets. They have twice the mount of kitchen space as dining area, and at any point you will find more bakers than customers. If you had an amazing croissant anywhere in SD area, there is a good chance it is from them. They supply to a lot of top restaurants and coffee shops around town. Everything they make is exceptional, a lot of vegetarian options, everything is organic. I would recommend the following items, because making a decision can be difficult when you have too many amazing options. 1. Poblano quiche 2. Egg McDarshan sandwich 3. Almond croissant I would recommend swinging by in the morning ~10 ish that's when the baked goods are HOT!!! But honestly they cook so much that at any point you walk in there is something being baked fresh.

Great cinnamon rolls, croissants, and coffee. There are real cups if you are having it there. The place is small but delightful. Parking could be an issue and there can be a line when the group next door lets out. I expressed some worry this time about my supply of cash vs. how many croissants I wanted to take home, and learned that they now take cards. I look forward to making the long drive again soon to try their other offerings. There is a small lunch menu including quiche.

You don't have to come from a french family or be the world's biggest fan of Victor Hugo to tell the difference between a really good croissant and those frozen croissant creation kits. But the buttery goodness over at Darshan Bakery and Cafe puts even the closest imitation kits and competition to shame! One of Darshan's most popular croissants -"The Almond Croissant" - boasts a buttery moist almond paste center, a light golden brown outer layer and a sprinkle of sweet powdered sugar! Just the sound of this rich treat will make any croissant lover go into an instant food coma. Darshan has some serious croissants up-for-grabs my friends and that's just the tip of the iceberg! They also carry a variety of sandwiches and speciality coffee. Word of advice: Go early! They will run out of baguettes and croissants if you don't . Buon appetito, ye sweet toothed masses.

So good, pastries and sandwiches with espresso. The baker is wonderful! I just found my new lunch spot. Thank you four kindness and delicious croissants.

One of the best bakeries in SD area. I stopped by on the way to Carlsbad. I'm so glad that I found this little gem by the sea. We ordered blueberry scone and spanakopita. The scone is good, not sweet at all. Perfect pastry for a quick afternoon bite. The spanakopita is excellent. The crust is super flaky while the filling is full of flavor. Their pastries are so good that we ordered some other baked goods to go.

It's hard to find those treasured tiny places in a community but this is definitely one. With wonderful made from scratch pastries and the best tuna sandwiches I've ever had, this place is a secret treasure They have been here for quite a while but one unexpected note is that their head chef is a true French Chef, and world class if I might add. Give it a try, you won't regret it.

We walked here from the meditation garden after doing a search on Yelp for the best chai in the North County. I was excited because I keep making this San Diego vacation an excursion for the best chai lattes. Darshan's famous chai is not a latte but chai tea. It *is* tasty - milk is added but not frothed - but I do prefer the latte version. Darshan's version comes from a dispenser and is given to you when you order. I've had this style before but it's always been free at restaurants. It's weird paying for it, but on the other hand I didn't have to pay a lot. (Although it was a small cup :( ...) San Diego Chai Rankings Recommended: Cafe Bassam, Bankers Hill Chi Chocolate/Banyan Kitchen & Cafe, Point Loma (chocolate chai) DARSHAN BAKERY, ENCINITAS Naked Cafe, Point Loma (golden fairy dust) ----- Would Not Order Again: 5) Cardamom Cafe, North Park 6) Brew, La Mesa 7) Coffee S3, Grantville

I have been coming to Darshan since they opened and their quality never fails. It is tucked in a quiet street next to a yoga place I used to frequent. Get here early in the mornings to get the freshest pastries and don't be surprised that the popular items are sold out. Small, quality batches is their mantra I think. The cheese and chocolate croissants are my fave! Both are super flaky so try to use your willpower if you not eating at the restaurant-- don't eat in your car. I like the way the chocolate croissant has certain "hidden " spots that I find the chocolate. Some chocolate croissants lack that rich chocolate one craves when biting into the flaky pastry. The coffee is nice too. Nothing with a nice roasted flavor like nearby Lofty Coffee, not Philz coffee, but good enough. Everyone is friendly here.

Super small bakery but definitely worth checking out! We went on a Friday afternoon so our selection was limited in terms of pastry options. We got 2 croissants: almond and chocolate. The almond croissant was the best croissant I've ever had in my life. It is topped with almond slices and powdered sugar and super flaky on the inside. I think the inside also had an almond paste of some sort as well, which is what made it so good. The chocolate croissant was better than other chocolate croissants I've had, but nothing extremely spectacular. It was pretty much your basic croissant with chocolate filling on the inside. Overall, super good almond croissants but a little on the pricey side (about $5 for one croissant).

We shared a brie tomato dijon sandwich on this amazing light flaky buttery croissant!! We split the apple turner again with the luscious, yes I said luscious, flaky mouth watering croissant type bread encasing the just right apple filling!! Yum yum! So glad we stopped on our drive back home from UCSD getting our vaccine shot made it so worth it!

I went to Darshan Bakery Cafe and I got a Palmier. They are shaped like elephant ears And they are the crispiest thing in the world. They are a little bit sweet and very flaky. They are super delicious and taste kind of like a cookie and crossiant mixed together. If you come there I would recommend getting a palmier or a chocolate eclair. It is one of my favorite bakeries because they use organic ingredients and everything is super yummy.

The best French pastries I have ever tried! Better then pastries in Paris. Super fresh and flaky just like the best French chef would make them.

I usually come here to get the almond croissant when I'm at the J street view point. It may not be the easiest bakery to find but I think it's worth it. It's right next door to a yoga studio so if you see some people in their yoga attire you know you're in the right location. Ok so this bakery is very small but they do have some tables inside and about three tables on the sidewalk. My favorite is the almond croissant because it's buttery, flaky and not overly sweet. There is a nice selection but at the same it's not a huge selection which I like because making decisions on sweets is hard for me. There are a few drinks but I believe they are canned and bottled. I'm not sure if they have coffee or tea I usually get my baked goods and sit outside. The owner or who I think is the owner is real nice and willing to explain what's what. So this is a cash only business so keep that in mind because you don't want to have your mind set on something then can't get it because you don't have cash.

J'adorable! (Not a real French word, but fitting!) It's tucked back behind Hwy 101 on 2nd street and I am sad to say, I didn't even know they existed until a recent meeting prompted a visit. Tragic! This is the place for tea/coffee and a pastry. A treat and feast for the palate and eyes.... read on! The scene was out of this world and into a movie, the bakery case over flowing and looking like a piece of art itself, a clearly expert baker taking a gorgeous tart our of the oven and showing it off to a colleague, a few local characters intently reading...it was like a hush huddled over the small room. Perhaps in honor of their beloved Almond Croissants? Worth worshiping I tell you! Tis tiny, as I mentioned, and no wi-fi to be had. It's cash only so be forward, parking proved inconvenient on the weekends as you're left to fend in the bike ridden and busy streets. Another Yelper mentioned a lot? hummm.... Also I wouldn't recommend it for a meeting. You and your discussions of marketing or finance would be a disturbance to the vibe. However, if you wanna unplug, leave your laptop behind, grab an old fashion pen and paper, or gasp! A book! You'll fit right in.

Amazing baked goods. Amazing soups and sandwiches. Focaccia, croissants, apple turnovers, lemon-almond flour tarts, profiteroles, cinnamon rolls. Need I say more?