Parakeet Café

Restaurant · Carlsbad

Parakeet Café

Restaurant · Carlsbad

1

1935 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009

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Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
Parakeet Café by null
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Highlights

Superfood lattes, croissants, and gluten-free pastries served  

Featured in Eater
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1935 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 Get directions

parakeetcafe.com
@parakeetcafe

$10–20 · Menu

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1935 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 Get directions

+1 760 201 1002
parakeetcafe.com
@parakeetcafe

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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40 New Restaurants and Bars That Have Opened in San Diego - Eater San Diego

"The all-day Parakeet Cafe has planted its 13th location in Southern California. The new North County restaurant from owners Carol Roizen and Jonathan Goldwasser serves breakfast bites, waffles, and toasts along with soups, salads, and larger plates like grain bowls and sandwiches. Known for its superfood lattes made with the cafe’s own coffee blend, the counter-service spot offers an array of breads and pastries, including gluten-free options, from bakery director Quentin Collignon, formerly of Breadblok and Bottega Louie." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2024/2/14/24072856/san-diego-restaurants-bars-eateries-new-openings
View Postcard for Parakeet Café

Chas S

Google
The coffee was very strong and delicious. One of our party had a mango smoothie which they get every time in love. The chocolate cross song was one of the best I've ever eaten. They put a large amount of really good dark chocolate in the middle.

Nancy Mendes

Google
Parakeet Café is an absolute gem! The food and beverages are top-notch, with fresh, flavorful options that cater to every taste. Their homemade sourdough bread is a standout—perfectly baked with a delightful texture and flavor. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a great spot for a casual meal or coffee with friends. Whether you’re there for a hearty breakfast, a healthy lunch, or just a quick pick-me-up, Parakeet Café never disappoints. Highly recommend!

Becca S

Google
Just the best pastries in town! I love to come in to grab a box (or multiple) for my clients, and let me say these pastries are SHOW STOPPERS. Best croissants, and super delicious gluten free/vegan options too!! The staff is so wonderful and patient with my large orders. Especially the managers - they really are the sweetest. Honorable menu item mentions: coconut yogurt parfait and chicken caesar wrap. Highly recommend!!

Georgina Shepherd

Google
I’ve traveled the world searching for a breakfast cafe as good as Parakeet and been unsuccessful. The huge selection of delicious healthy food, coffee and drinks is second to none. Breakfast bowls, numerous savoury dishes, smoothies, gluten free pastries, juices - all prepared with immense care and with so many different ingredients that it leaves a lasting impression. Impossible to forget, Parakeet stuns patrons with its vibrant tropical atmosphere, neon lights and trendy bathrooms. The staff are always friendly, polite and warm. There’s no better way to start your day!

Erica W

Google
I love this place! They are one of the few places in North Country San Diego that doesn’t cook with seed oils. Their food is organic, healthy, gluten free and vegan options. It has fun vibe if you want to meet up for brunch/lunch/afternoon. They have alcoholic drinks (if you’re looking for that). They have indoor and outdoor seating. The burger is delicious!! It’s on the $$ side. Overall, a great place!

Mana Vaziri

Google
The waitstaff at Parakeet Café are exceptionally respectful, consistently going above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. They demonstrate a genuine understanding of individual needs, whether it’s accommodating dietary preferences, answering detailed menu questions, or ensuring every request is met with care. Their polite demeanor creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, making diners feel valued and appreciated throughout their visit.

Gerry Hazelton

Google
$15 for one slice of toast with slin (very slin layer) avocado spread with a mountain of pickled something on top. Wasn’t good. I had the salmon with eggs for $18. It was sliced smoked salmon, and scrambled eggs about the half size of my palm. Place is expensive and food is average.

Amber Hartnell

Google
We loved the ambience, high quality of ingredients utilized, really delicious flavors and creative combinations! The fact that no seed oils are used is a hugely compelling component that has us returning weekly!
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Nikos B.

Yelp
Went to Parakeet today for the first time, Marybel did an amazing job at making my drink and she was super cool! I will be back!
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Saoimanu S.

Yelp
My favorite thing to get from here is the chocolate sea salt cookie! The place is extremely cute and very "Instagrammable" should you find yourself in the area. It's on the expensive end so, I can't really speak to the food or the drinks. I've had a matcha from here and thought it was fine. Nothing special! The cookies and the cute photo you'll get while here are worth a stop, though.
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Mary K.

Yelp
Setting is so cute at the Forum but on a dismal morning all doors and windows were open and it was freezing even inside. Not cozy for breakfast. Really interesting and healthy sounding menu. Matcha latte decent. Coffee on the bitter end and no offers for refills You order at the counter and the women there were frankly inattentive and unwelcoming despite it being very quiet when we were there. Chilaquiles sounded great but the tortillas were hard and had no crisp. The ricotta topping was no replacement for cotija so this felt like a subpar "healthy" alternative to the real thing. Eggs nicely cooked and good salsa though. Eggs Benedict avo toast was more of the same. Healthy to the point of being heavy and bland. Oatmeal good and healthy but nothing over the top. All in all not impressive and not what I thought I'd enjoy. Pricey and not a cozy tasty spot so this is not going to be a breakfast stop for me in future.
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Carmen V.

Yelp
Parakeet cafes are always so cute and adorable. This one at the Forum needs a bit of friendlier customer service. My friend and I noticed that we were being ignored and her coffee (just black coffee) came after the food, which is pricey. The music is also a bit loud which can be annoying as there are many families that go there with children and want to talk not listen to music. Everything is very charming there and food is good but a bit of decor to not make the plate 'too brown' would be a nice touch.
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Nancy E.

Yelp
Cute cafe with plenty of seating inside and out. Service was great with a welcome smile and continuous checking in with us. Love the airy restaurant and decor. Food was good and plenty! The chilaquiles and potatoes was delicious!

Ted C.

Yelp
So many things to not like. Zero acknowledgement when we walked in. Music blasting. While we were sitting there they opened all the doors and roll up garage door windows when it is 52 degrees out. The food is pretty good, pricy but in-line with the area. You order at the counter. Almost zero interaction with staff. Glad I tried it, won't be back. If you want to eat good food in a freezing environment where you can't carry on a conversation because of the pulsing music, this is your place. Looking at reviews, loud music, inattentive staff, and opening all the doors when it is cold outside is standard here. The owner always replies that he appreciates the feedback but apparently doing something about it not a priority.

Sandra O.

Yelp
The food is amazing!!!! Clean and fast service. The lady who took our order was a little rude, but I guess she was not having a good day, the place was packed. I totally recommend this place. Everything we ordered was delicious, we will definitely be back.
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Vicki C.

Yelp
Rounding up to 4 stars. My girlfriend treated me to Sunday Brunch and we both ordered the eggs Benedict and lattes and we shared an almond croissant. The lattes were delicious and perfectly poured with a lovely heart. The almond croissant utterly disappointed me because there was no almond filling and the only almond in it was a couple of slices on the top. Do not order this. The beautiful location and decor make this a fun cafe to dine at and I love the parakeet artwork. We had a table with a barn door opening behind us and there were 2 little undersupervised children running circles through it while kicking me me several times. Their family eventually picked the table right next to us packed in tightly and knocking our table and us so we moved. Our benedicts arrived cold, the toast must have been premade, and the spinach pesto was cold to the touch. There was a thin sliver of avocado and 2 pieces of sun dried tomato under the eggs which were served straight out of the fridge. The tiny breakfast did not have any garnish or sides. To top it off we had a green pepper hollandaise that had not been heated up on top of perfectly poached eggs. I pulled the eggs to the side and ate most of them while leaving everything else on my plate. My girlfriend ate 2 bites and pushed hers to the side declaring them inedible. She went to purchase 2 more lattes and mentioned that the food was not what we expected to a server who claimed that the hollandaise was freshly made, but it clearly was not. The manager is the only reason that I am giving this restaurant 4 stars. He noticed that we were discussing our experience with a server and visited our table. He finally told us that the hollandaise is made in Little Italy and that the chef has a hard time getting it warmed up before 9 am. He sympathized, offered to refire the food (which we declined) and then voided the check. I truly believe that how a restaurant addresses a customer's feedback makes all of the difference in the world, if not for an authentic manager who cared this would be a one star review. I hope that they increase the portion sizes and if they intend to serve food at this price point. The 4 stars are for the manager, I will not return.
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Barb G.

Yelp
Parakeet Cafe is a lovely place to meet with friends. Seating is plentiful outside and in for a small cafe. My friend and I arrived on a Saturday at about 9:15 am and were greeted by a very kind and helpful staff member. She offered a few brunch suggestions and we both chose the Brekkie Croissant Sandwich, which comes with Soft scrambled eggs, organic cheddar, roasted tomatoes, asparagus, fresh herbs & morita nut cream. An absolute delicious choice with a side of turkey bacon. There was asparagus on sandwich, too. Delightful surprise and very filling. I had the mocha, hot on a cool morning and it was decadent and comforting. I highly recommend Parakeet Cafe in Carlsbad.
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Mai W.

Yelp
It's finally open! This long awaited cafe is a great addition to the forum in Carlsbad! Pros: -cute cafe -nice selection of drinks/pastries/food -booze Cons: -not a lot of tables with shade/umbrella if you're sitting outside -tables are crammed so close to each other inside -service is... still working on it. (I'm still butt hurt it took over 20 mins for a matcha latte and iced latte while I saw others getting food/drinks before me) I think they're still working things out. I'll most likely be back as it's a good spot to come meetup with a friend for coffee (if there's a table available indoors) summer is around the corner and it's just wayyyyy too hot to sit outside on the multiple two top tables they had outside with NO sun protection.

KC P.

Yelp
Parakeet is a gem in the forum shops. I go for coffee almost everyday. That says a lot, as we have many really great coffee shops to pick from. It's the team here and the quality of the product that keeps me coming back. Avery, Alexis, Bree and Lily are so kind and welcoming. They greet me by name - and that goes a long way in terms of customer experience and it certainly makes a place stand out above its peers . Keep it up everyone!
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Ron Q.

Yelp
Parakeet Cafe is now open as of 3/9/24! They serve a wide array of beverages, snacks and bites with brunch served all day! Super happy about that. The space was previously Coffee Bean, which was a favorite. Parakeet offers so many options from coffees and teas to pastries, hot sandwiches and more. Staff are all friendly and personable. They have both indoor and patio seating available. Will definitely be back as they're right in my backyard! Keep on Yelp'n!

Chelsie B.

Yelp
A++++!! I doordashed the brekkie croissant sandwich and a latte with the house made almond milk. Both so amazing I ordered again the next morning. Food tasted fresh and healthy. I will definitely order again when I am back in town.
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Linda K.

Yelp
Nice staff, bad salad. The Crunchy Chinese Salad wasn't very good at all- the "crispy brown rice" throughout was not crispy, but hard, and it was in small bits, so it was hard to avoid eating it. The roasted bell pepper was not good. The chicken was ok. I could only find a few tiny bits of cashew (like one cashew worth cut into bits, at best). My meal was a 2.5 but the staff was really helpful and nice (a solid 5) and other diners seemed to be enjoying their meals, so I am rounding up to a 4 rating.
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Romina T.

Yelp
Obsessed with this cute cafe! Coffee drinks are delicious as well as the food and pastries. The servers were so friendly and helpful!
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Mayra G.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick drink this morning and the staff were so friendly and on their A-game! Ordered a Flat White and London Fog. When they delivered them to me outside the gal called it a flat black and my sister and I were confused. Unsure if they misheard the order or what but she was super quick to apologize and correct it within minutes. Kudos for how graceful the gal fixed it and her great attitude. It's wonderful service like this that makes me look forward to coming back. The inside is so cute here and they have tons of outdoor seating. The food menu looked awesome and the cute/delicious drinks were on point!
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Geoff N.

Yelp
Please note that this review covers the coffee only. I can't comment on the food or other drinks; they may be fine. If you like cute and inviting, then Parakeet Cafe might be for you. It certainly fits in with the vibe of the Forum, which caters to an upmarket customer base. Kudos for an inviting space. In almost every other respect, however, I would characterize PC as a definite pass. I don't give one star reviews often, but this place really fell flat on its face. Let us begin with the indifferent service. Generally, I give most places a fair degree of leeway in this regard, especially if it is only one employee and/or it is busy. Everyone here was indifferent. That included the young woman at the counter, obliviously looking at her iPad before she realized I wanted to order. That included the barista, who made and served my espresso drink without so much looking at me, let alone speaking to me (I was the only customer being served). That included the manager with whom the barista was engaged in rapt conversation. It would have been nice to have at least been acknowledged. I haven't begrudged giving a tip in a long time, but I did as I walked out. OK, so perhaps their strength is in their product. I can also forgive a lot if the coffee is good. Alas, no. Terrible beans and poor preparation resulted in a poorly crafted cortado. The very stylish hot pink La Marzocco espresso machine (I didn't know they came in this color) is being wasted here. Management needs to source better beans and find a barista who isn't going through the motions. Lastly, all this came at prices that are higher than the average. I understand the Forum is costly real estate, but plenty of cafes on the coast are shelling out a lot for rent. If you are going to be charging top dollar for your product, you better make a product worth paying for. In terms of the coffee--the thing they advertise first!--it is unfortunately not. Most places I give a couple of tries before I write a review. But judging from many of the other reviews here, these problems appear more normal than not. I rarely say this, but the owners of this and their other dozen cafes need to get their house in order.
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Sam S.

Yelp
Very cute and trendy brunch addition to the Forum! Everything we had was delicious, including lots of gluten free options! Staff was very attentive and friendly and knowledgeable regarding allergy questions. We will definitely be back soon!
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Grace T.

Yelp
This place was bustling on a late Saturday afternoon. It shares the parking lots in forum carlsbad. Cafe style restaurant. You queue up to order, then just grab whatever table you like. Their is seating inside and around the restaurant outdoors. They have a good variety of drinks. I ordered a lavender matcha iced latte, and hubby ordered an orange mimosa. For food, I ordered the breakfast croissant sandwich and added a homemade chicken sausage. My hubby ordered a waffle, an egg, and a homemade chicken sausage. They were so busy that the drinks took approximately 10 minutes to come. The food came approximately 20 minutes to arrive. My lavender matcha latte tasted very little of lavender. But that said, I like a strong lavender smell. My hubby's orange mimosa was good. Yes, I stole a drink of his. ;) This place has a good brunch place vibe. Very chill. They have parakeets painted as murals. They have a corner for Drink merchandise. They also have a pink coffee machine!!!! Yes, it's very irrelevant, but it looks very cool!!! My croissant sandwich was warm and delicious. The croissant could be dressed less because the bottom was a little soggy. But overall, good. My chicken sausage has a tad dry and a strong taste of oregano. But it had good taste overall. My hubby's waffles were delicious, but he found something in it. It was hard and black, and when we feedback about it, they said it was a cluster of flour. I'm not sure how that is black, though. They did, however, compensate us with a gift card. We are not sure how much there was in that gift card. I'm just going to assume it's the cost of the waffles. I want to point out, however, that my husband's chicken sausage patty tasted very bland, whereas mine had a strong taste of oregano. So, the chicken sausage is not consistent. I'd suggest that they mix it more next time and cook it lesser. We will give it some time to stabilise and come back again. Good first visit!
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Todd J.

Yelp
Tried this relatively new place for a Saturday brunch. The dining room was nice but tables seemed a little close together giving it a congested feeling. We ordered at the counter and found a seat. We had the croissant sandwich and a waffle, fried egg, and chicken sausage. My wife had the lavender iced latte. My wife enjoyed the sandwich but the lavender latte lacked in flavor. I enjoyed my waffle and egg, until about half way through I bit down on something burnt and hard. As for the sausage. It was cold, bland and not good. I showed staff what I had found and was given a gift card. Presumably for the cost of the waffle.

Rocio M.

Yelp
Order this today, bread is so hard and can't be eaten. It looked terrible not like the pictures and it just tasted bad. I'm so disappointed! They also forgot my pie I ordered.
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Rika C.

Yelp
I've been waiting for Parakeet Cafe to open up here forever and it has been well worth the wait!! What a great addition to the Forum. Parakeet Cafe is a super cute pink and bird themed brunch cafe with tons of drink options and brunch foods. Their aesthetics are unmatched!! For my first visit I got an iced mocha and a raspberry shortbread pie (gluten free). They were both sooo good! The raspberry pie was amazing, not too sweet, and the raspberries were fresh. And the mocha was also not too sweet, used high quality cocoa, and had enough of a caffeine kick to start my day :) I super super appreciate that this cafe has tons of options for friends who have gluten free, dairy free, or vegetarian/vegan diets! I will say that I wish the pastries had prices on them! Maybe I missed it. I didn't expect my pie to be so expensive. Since my mocha was around $7 and my total was around $19, it means that the pie must've been around $12. Although I would love to eat it again someday, I probably won't be getting it again unless it's a super special treat. Would rather use that on one of their actual meals instead :) I'll be back tomorrow!
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Bill S.

Yelp
What a terrific addition to Encinitas/La Costa. My daughter and I have been coming here on most Sunday mornings. The food and drinks are fresh, healthy, and delicious. The space is light, airy, and clean. And the people there are super nice. I appreciate the range of food options at Parakeet.
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Gabi A.

Yelp
Avoided this place for a while because it's a little pricier and I had plenty of cheaper places to go to. But I have to admit it's worth the hype! The avocado toast was one of the best I've ever had and their coffee is on point!! Service is great and ambiance is upscale coffee shop. If you want to treat yourself or someone else, I highly recommend it!
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Ximena ..

Yelp
Nice breakfast-brunch spot. We had a wonderful experience at this location, my family and I were there on Sunday and Danny and staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed, friendly and fast service Drinks were great and food was not only healthy but delicious. Beautiful presentation and ambiance.
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Billy B.

Yelp
Second trip to the cafe. While it's good, I wouldn't go out of my way. Pros: location at the Forum is always nice, dog friendly Forum with cookies for them and water fountain (not the cafe). Pastries are made at their commissary I'm told. Food is good, staff is friendly. Cons: overpriced even for these days (July 2024). Automatically selecting 18% gratuity on a quick serve is outrageous considering you don't get a refill on a bitter cup of coffee for $4.50. As noted pastries are good but $6-$7 each is a bit much. $79- for 3 people without actual service, really.......... Probably won't go back, lots of options in the area.

Susie D.

Yelp
Gorgeous upscale setting. Great food and service, can't wait to come back! The smoked salmon was a treat.
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Alize R.

Yelp
Can't believe I haven't been here sooner! Stopped by today since I didn't want to deal with the line at Lofty and this place not only did it not disappoint but exceeded expectations. Great matcha latte and croissant. Will definitely be coming back! Also, I noticed they sold some alcohol (wine) and food which I'll be coming back for.

Marlene D.

Yelp
Chicken soup at $11 a bowl was tasteless, with very little chicken and vegetables. It did have a few tasty noodles.
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Dana D.

Yelp
Having had very good dining experiences at the Parakeet Cafe in Carmel Valley, I was really looking forward to the opening of the Carlsbad location which, for me, is much closer to home. I've been to this new location twice and was disappointed both times. The good: Love the stylish decor and the vibe. The menu is breakfast/brunch-only, but it's extensive and includes many vegetarian/vegan options. Friendly/courteous staff. Plenty of outdoor seating and dog-friendly. The not good: The food. The prices. On my first visit, I ordered the Thai Vegan Bowl which features cubed butternut squash and quinoa. I don't know why they call it a bowl. What I received was a salad, and it was about 98 percent greens. The butternut squash was so hard that I could not stick my fork into it. I don't enjoy eating raw butternut squash, so after scooping up one piece and biting it into it, I pushed the rest aside. I then focused on turning over leaves to try and find the quinoa, which was the only complete protein in the meal. It must have been measured in with a thimble. There were a few strips of what I think was the roasted baby carrots and a few pieces of cucumber. The only good thing I can say about this dish is that it was flavorful. My friend ordered the Parakeet Bowl and loved it. The server checked in with us very shortly after we first tried our meals. I told him the squash was raw, he went and checked with the cook and came back and said, "He said that's how he learned to prepare it." The server offered to bring me a different meal, but my friend had already started eating and I was hungry, so I declined the offer and told him I wouldn't order it again. The Thai Vegan Bowl cost $16. Had I added a protein, which I didn't think would be necessary since quinoa was already an ingredient, I would have had to fork over about another $7 or $8. On my second visit, I ordered the Breakfast Burrito. It's made with scrambled eggs, so I knew it would have sufficient protein. The eggs were wet. Blech. My friend ordered the same meal he had the first time we were there, but this time he did not enjoy it. He said it didn't taste the same. I would've rated this place one star but I like the decor. I won't eat here again.
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Julie K.

Yelp
i loved the Del Mar Parakeet Cafe so looked forward to trying this location closer to my house i had the avacado toast and Mocha coffee both were amazing! it was very very loud like an echo inside the restaurant so it was difficult to hear . The food and service were good ! love it

Jennifer A.

Yelp
Parakeet is always delicious, with kind staff, and relaxing atmosphere. A yes every time someone asks to go.

Karen B.

Yelp
I went to Parakeet for the first time today with my two daughters. I had a breakfast burrito which was quite good. I would say the portions were small but we each enjoyed our meal. The prices are high and there are not enough tables for more than two so grab a table before ordering.
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Araylid S.

Yelp
I am giving it 5 stars since this restaurant/cafe has many Gluten Free food options and the food was delicious. The chilaquiles tasted a little lemony but the raspberry dessert and the protein smoothie was 10/10. Not pictured is the blue corn waffle but was very tasty. It has a nice outside patio which was very relaxing. Inside the very beautiful and pink. I do recommend this place. Service was kind and friendly and were very attentive with our accommodation.
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Cori G.

Yelp
Their mushroom drink is amazing, tastes like a healthy hot chocolate! I also love their almond butter or avocado toast, it is so good. I alsoike their overnight oats. I also enjoy their ceremonial matcha. I've gotten their salad to go before and was disappointed. Maybe it is better to eat there? At most locations you are able to order their housemade almond milk - so good!!
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Stephanie G.

Yelp
Cute place! Go early to beat the rush, and get good seating. Would definitely go back :)
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Lauren F.

Yelp
I am completely obsessed with this place!! The ambiance, the food, and the service!! I'll be back. All the time! Try the lemon lavender mimosa and the cacao chai latte. Look at their adorable to go cups too! The kids chicken and rice is so good my kids ate it up. The chicken noodle soup is gluten free and the bomb. The Belgian waffles are huge with fruit and whipped cream. Their pastry counter is to die for, so many delicious treats to try. This is a MUST go to place!
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Rob M.

Yelp
I've been back and forth on writing a review for the past couple months. I've eaten here many, many times and it's always hit or miss. Sometimes the experience and the food is perfect. Sometimes it's really lacking. It's always expensive so for the price there shouldn't be a lack of consistency. To start with the food. The parakeet bowl is good. Probably the best thing I've gotten. The Thai bowl I couldn't eat, I only ordered it once but was so salty or maybe they messed up in the preparation, but either way every bite sent alarms off in my mouth that it wasn't good to eat. The surfer burrito. The amount of times they've messed up my order making it... with zero customer service or attempt to make up for it. Today for example. Ordered the vegan surfer and added tofu to it. Which is a ridiculous order to begin with because the burrito is $16 and adding tofu to any dish is $8. That makes this a $24 burrito. The first time they brought it out it had egg. The server recognized me since I've been here so many times and said you're vegan right, I had a feeling this was wrong and brought it back. After 15 minutes they come back with my new burrito, and this is what I got. They forgot to put guacamole/avocado in it which is what they do when you order it vegan. I told the worker and she want to bring my burrito back again. Since it took so long the first time I stopped her and asked if she could just bring me a side of guacamole instead which she did. Either way I won't be ordering this anymore or probably coming back for a while. For $38 bucks it just is a really sad meal. The service is hit or miss too. Some people are really nice and sweet. Some are cold and standoffish even have a sense of arrogance to them. Again for the prices of their stuff the service and food should be higher. Unfortunate because the location is good for me and I would have continued to come here everyday if I didn't have so many of these experiences.
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Steve B.

Yelp
I've been stalking them on Instagram ever since I heard they are opening a Carlsbad location. Finally, the wait is over! Love their new setup in The Forum. Lots of outdoor seating and a great overall vibe. Love their Golden Goddess Salad with salmon, fresh baked items and lattes (turmeric, matcha, etc.).
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Jennifer R.

Yelp
This place is amazing! The coffee is always delicious and fresh, the food is delicious, which comes in various healthy options, and the service is outstanding. The pastries are my favorite. They have so many different ones that just pair perfectly with your favorite coffee. I've been to this place a handful of time since they opened in Carlsbad. The place looks clean, it's beautiful, and there are plenty of choices for seating both inside and out. The staff is super friendly and everyone greets you with a smile. I would recommend this place 100% to all my friends and family.

Sara R.

Yelp
Came here and wasn't very impressed. Prices are too high for what you get. Got the eggs benedict and it was ok, but not worth going back for. Someone else got the Lavender lemonade and it tasted like soap- flavors did not go together at all. Service was severely lacking a personality/courtesy . Pastry case had too many fruit flies for my comfort. The space itself is has nice decor, but they blast the music and the noise level/acoustics inside is absolutely terrible. Couldn't hear a word someone was saying right across from me. We had to go outside to get away from it.
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Amelia W.

Yelp
We really liked it. I'm definitely a fan of the iced flat black latte with almond milk (Activated charcoal, homemade lavender honey, milk). I would drink this every day if I could. Their oat milk latte they made for my boyfriend was actually one of the best lattes he's ever ordered. I don't love their drip coffee, it's ok but I think Peets is better. Croissants are very good. I like the breakfast burrito a lot too. Everything is good, and the location is convenient and it's very pretty inside. And that said yes, it is expensive. If you are being selective about how you spend your money eating out that is something to consider.
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Sabrina L.

Yelp
Veg sandwich-- tomato dijon chutney, eggs & caramelized onions, avocado, seasonal radishes, greens, roasted potatoes or house salad-- yum
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Natalie N.

Yelp
Love Parakeet! Great food, quality ingredients and something for everyone. I love that you have vegan options as well. The coffee is delish and the menu has items like Shahshuka and Tofu Bowls unlike anything else!
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Lisa-anne F.

Yelp
I have been here twice now. I liked the food I had but the menu is not extensive and there isn't lot on the menu that I was interested in. I had a different salad each time and my friend had the beet Salmon toast both times. The salads were very good but not very big or filling (without adding extra protein for $9-11 (!!!!!). The beet salmon toast is super tasty but just one small piece of bread - very expensive for what you get. I found the food prices on the high side for the size of the items we ordered. They have a delicious looking dessert/sweets case which enticed us to try a cookie. The cookie was very tasty but not soft and chewy as one might have expected or wanted so it was a disappointment. We also got a hibiscus tea and a decaf latte. The latte was a good size for the price and was delicious and presented beautifully. The order taker/cashier was not very well versed in the menu and could not answer some questions. and seemed very uninterested in her job. The barista never looked up and my friend had to ask multiple times if the tea on the counter was hers. There is quite a bit of seating available inside and out. I would return but not often as there is not enough variety and the prices are high.
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May L.

Yelp
I tried this place for the first time today, even though I had intended to have lunch somewhere else. I love a good chicken Caesar wrap, so the caveat is that this is the only thing I tried. First, the good- the dressing was tasty, and the chicken was seasoned and cooked well. But for $19 I was a little taken aback that the wrap was small (think pre-made airport wrap), and didn't come with a side. My favorite wrap at my local local brewery is a lot bigger, $16 with a hot side PLUS full service. I am used to prices being higher everywhere these days but this wrap was a bit insulting.

Sloane R.

Yelp
I love the huge variety of delicious allergen-friendly foods. Everything I've had has been really fresh and flavorful and they don't skimp on healthy ingredients! It's my dream breakfast/lunch spot and everyone I've brought here has loved it. Service is always friendly and prompt.
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Emmett S.

Yelp
I stopped at the newly opened Parakeet Cafe and tried to order a chai today. I asked if they could do a mixed spice and vanilla, and was told that they don't have spice. Odd, but OK. I asked, specifically, if that meant that they only had vanilla chai. I was told yes, so I ordered one. When they set it on the counter, the bill was $9.60 for a small cup. I was surprised, and asked why it was so expensive. I was told that they charged me extra for vanilla (the cost was still too high, but...). I explained that I tried to order a basic chai, and they begrudgingly agreed to do it again. But one of the baristas kept asking me if I wanted it spicy - he kept using the term 'Mayan', which I wasn't familiar with. I am allergic to all kinds of peppers, and it sounded like it might have them, so I declined. When he brought it, he smiled broadly and said, "Here you go. It's very spicy - would you like more Mayan?" I asked what Mayan was, and another barista told me, "It's cayenne pepper!". The other barista kept asking if I wanted more, and I told him that I had already declined and didn't want it in my drink. He glared at me and said, 'No you didn't! You said you wanted it spicy!" His voice kept rising. I remained calm and I tried to explain why I wouldn't have done so. He became increasingly abusive. The manager intervened, although he did nothing to calm the man down, and he told me that they'd be glad to make me another chai. The abusive barista then exclaimed, "I won't make another chai for that guy!" Another barista made it. Unsurprisingly, there was no talk of comping or discounting. It was $7 plus tax for a small - the only size they carry. I had also seen a gluten free chocolate eclair - small, but tasty looking, and bought it for my partner, who requires a gluten free diet. The cost of it, it turned out, was $9.60 - no price was listed on the display case, and it was very small. There's a pattern here. All in all, it took 3 tries to get a small chai. It was not bad, and not great; Sort of 'meh'. Two people I dealt with couldn't communicate, one became abusive, the fare was wildly overpriced and the manager did nothing about it but told me, "I'm sorry. We're just opening. Some people aren't trained yet." I refrained from saying that it's customary to train people before you open a store, but I didn't. The barista kept glaring at me. The manager had been standing next to the offensive barista when the man loudly refused to make me another chai, and did nothing. He seemed completely over his head. I'll give it a 1 star because the overpriced eclair was tasty, and the chai was innocuous. The service was terrible and the prices were way too high. I won't be coming back. I recommend that you save your money.

T G.

Yelp
Great Service! Nicole helped me at the register. Very sweet. Daniel helped me decide on a drink to try! Very fun atmosphere, good music. Nice cool spot to sit and have an "iced" drink on a hot summer day! Will come back for Lunch & Mimosas w/ friends soon!