Parakeet Cafe - Little Italy

I sought this place out during a short trip to San Diego because it’s seed-oil free, is committed to using organic and whole ingredients, and has lots of gluten-free options. Parakeet Café did not disappoint. I ordered their eggs and salmon w/ gluten free toast, and the acai bowl….they were both so good that I went I ordered the exact same thing at the Coronado location later that day. The staff were also nice.

Cool little cafe right next to the Little Italy Market. It is within walking distance from Downtown SD, the Midway Museum, and the Coastline. Parking is as you can expect, a bit difficult, but nothing too bad. The place is very nice, well kept, and organized. Staff were super friendly and helpful. We definitely felt welcomed here. The food was delicious, downtown prices hahaha, but it was really good. Wife had the chilaquiles verdes and I had a burrito. They were tasty and excellent salsa! They do have only 1 bathroom, for male and females. Very clean and well maintained. Good experience overall!

Cute cafe in little Italy, with a trendy vibe and slightly pricey but very tasty breakfast and brunch options. Smoothies are very tasty and bowls are healthy and filling. Expect to pay upwards of $20 for a bowl and smoothie. If you have a dog, there is a space outside to eat and staff don't mind ordering with your dog inside.

This place ROCKS! What an encounter … an experience! The garage attendant across the street recommended this place and we will return! Chlorophyll detox drink and jicama lemon chips were just the beginning … great coffee … food … and amazing staff who cared that we were pleased with it all! Thank you!!!! And thank you LAZ for the recommendation! XX

VERY cute little spot. Fast and attentive service. Loved the cappuccino and breakfast burrito. Wished I had ordered that delicious looking waffle on the plates next to me 😅

Amazing true organic food..not fake lie..currently this is real organic food with vegan options...awesome people too...note I am someone who is severely allergic to non organic foods. I ate here and beautiful no problem...nice great tasting organic..I got vegan options very easy..and they have very good coffee also.....nice ambiance also..and very responsive manager...had very good positive conversation manager Justin.. If you care about your health and into healthy good food be careful about of where you eat because many of the restaurants claiming organic here on Google is not..this one is..kudos to parakeet cafe..please support them so we can keep them open and feeding us.

Came upon the place while waiting for Salt & Straw to open. Got a latte with pistachio milk because I never been to any place except my own kitchen with pistachio milk,🤣. Man, it was good. I also had to try the amaranth wafers because I’ve never seen those before. It was hard to pick a flavor from the many they offer. They are so thin, light and crispy. I will definitely go back for more!

I recently heard of Parakeet Café from two podcasters that I listen to and happened to be in town so decided to try it on a Sunday morning. We arrived at 0830 before it was too busy. You order at the register and then find a seat. That was, initially, not understood because we grabbed a table and didn’t know that no one would take our order. I ordered a turmeric latte (that was a little too sweet for me) and the French Omelette Sandwich. That was tasty. It’s a nice spot that wasn’t too crowded for a Sunday morning.

Love this spot for an easy, no muss no fuss breakfast/brunch. Ate here a week ago with family that was visiting from out of town, and it was such an easy and relaxed meal. This was definitely in part because of the staff. They were friendly and noticeable happy. They seem to have a great rapport with one another and it was evident in the way they were interacting with each other and the customers. This isn't something that I often highlight in my reviews, but it's worth highlighting here! Food was yummy, coffee drinks were great, and the sparkling wine used for mimosas was solid! I'll be visiting again.

Great breakfast/brunch place if you're looking for something different with healthy options. We ordered the avocado toast, French omelette sandwich, and green scrambled eggs. Everything we ordered was super tasty! The avocado toast had shaved beets on top that surprisingly paired really well! They also have a vast drink menu with coffee/teas and smoothies/juices. The space itself is very cute/aesthetic and they have indoor and outdoor seating options. You order up front and they'll come bring your food to you wherever you decide to sit. Great service!

Banana bread is moist and has a great texture. Like the cinnamon topping. Blueberry scone was super dry, dense and yucky. Hard pass next time. Although it had yummy fresh blueberries in it. Matcha with a twist has wayyyyy too much ice, matter of fact that's all it is. Not worth $9 for a cup of ice with a touch of almond milk, matcha and blue sprulina.

I saw these cafes all over San Diego while I was visiting and it turned out to be the perfect place for me to grab breakfast after working out! They have a huge menu from traditional breakfast items to smoothies, acai bowls, adaptogenic/functional beverages, and so much more. It's super light and bright inside, and you order at the front before choosing a table. I got the brekkie croissant sandwich, and I loved it. At first I thought the asparagus was kind of weird, but I actually really enjoyed it! The sauce was great, there was a solid amount of egg on there, and the croissant was soooo soft and buttery. Wish I could have tried more on the menu!

My daughter was in need of tea/coffee so we stopped here. It wasn't very busy, the cafe was clean and welcoming and the employees were friendly. Great atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating! They have a good menu offering a nice food selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2024(8)

5 stars for positive vibe and attitude at the entrance. Lady at the counter was very nice. I had Eggs Benedict. Eggs come on an open face slice of bread. Now, to be accurate, the bread came toasted and slice was bid hard at the edges. Yes, I understand, it could be the nature of the bread. So no complaint. Again, staff great, food very well presented (I took two pictures of the same item just to show both sides). Will return.

Absolutely the best lattes in town. Not only do they have an incredible variety of beverages, service is so great and you can't beat the adorable ambiance and to go cups! They have homemade almond milk that is unsweetened and tastes so good, love how fresh the ingredients are and the drinks are very customizable. I got the Mayan moca with added mushrooms and house made almond milk which tasted like a healthy hot chocolate it was delicious. I've also tried the vanilla latte with house made sugar free syrup and added mushroom powder and cinnamon, very good! Will continue to try their drinks and aiming to try the matcha soon!

Great little cafe with pastries, food, and drinks located in Little Italy. It's actually not little but large for a cafe. Came here for breakfast and I ordered the salmon toast, which was quite tasty. The beet-cured smoked salmon had a deep, vibrant red color and the cucumber relish gave it a sweet tang. I was feeling a little daring so I tried the blue mint magic latte, which had blue spirulina, dok anchan, mint tea, raw honey, and milk. Very delicious as well. Both items were beautifully presented. I'll have to come back for their other items.

Located in the heart of Little Italy, Parakeet Cafe offers a serene escape for matcha enthusiasts and studious souls alike. As you step inside, you're greeted by an ambiance that exudes tranquility and charm. The interior decor seamlessly blends modern flair with rustic charm, creating an inviting space perfect for unwinding or hitting the books. Cozy seating arrangements and soft, ambient lighting set the stage for a relaxing and productive experience. Now, let's talk about their matcha - it's absolutely delightful. Whether you're a matcha aficionado or a newcomer, Parakeet Cafe's matcha offerings are sure to impress. From classic matcha lattes to inventive matcha-infused treats, each sip is a symphony of flavor and quality. But what truly elevates the experience at Parakeet Cafe is the impeccable service. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every customer feels welcome and cared for. With their friendly smiles and attentive demeanor, they create a warm and inviting atmosphere that keeps patrons coming back for more. In conclusion, if you're in search of a cozy spot to enjoy premium matcha while soaking in a serene ambiance, look no further than Parakeet Cafe. Whether you're studying solo or catching up with friends, this hidden gem in Little Italy promises an experience that's nothing short of delightful.

After going somewhere else for tea, I offered to buy another drink for us. Stepping into Parakeet offered calm and happiness with its pastel pink and green throughout the space. Staff was welcoming and directed the line politely. Matcha for me and coffee for them, partially because everyone else had donuts which I generally do not care for. Parakeet had low sugar, vegan and gluten free options in their rotation. All looked good and it was hard for me to make a selection. I got F the vegan Valrhona chocolate chip cookie. She loved that it was big and chocolaty. In my opinion the French brand Valhrona is an excellent choice for baked goods. Consistently has good quality. I got the chocolate hazelnut muffin- I was tempted to go back for another for my drive home but refrained.

Good service and nice selection. Also,I especially like the location, its close to downtown and close enough to the trolley!

This cafe and Juice bar STOLE our hearts! A MUST when in San Diego and La Jolla. I mean, WOOOOWWW! We were able to sneak in a quick breakfast before our whale tour at the Little Italy location, and thank goodness we did! My only regret is not visiting every single day for their exceptional breakfast and high-quality juices! I ordered the All I Avo Wanted - Blue corn, waffle, smashed avocado, feta, shaved radish, over easy egg, chili flakes, hemp seeds, salsa macha. I mean, holy moly. The delivery was beautifully executed and built perfectly. The blue corn waffle was moist yet firm. My mother ordered the Shakshuka - another favorite dish of mine that WOWed. You can not go wrong with Parakeet. Thank you to the divine chefs and baristas - you made Parakeet the most beloved restaurant during our time in California!!!

Today I decided to have the breakfast sandwich with a side of potatoes. My food came out pretty quickly and I was a tad bit concerned and I know why . The sandwich was fine but my potatoes were cold not even close to warm. The reason I wanted to update my review is because the second time I've been to this place and my food has been extremely cold .

Coffee, açaí bowls, breakfast foods, pastries and some light drinks is the best way to describe Parakeet! This particular one is located in Little Italy and is always steady busy. Few times I have been here there was not too much wait. Ambience is fun. Bright colors, spacious and clean. Really great setting. Staff is really friendly and helpful. Food wise I had Parakeet Bowl which was superb. I could have it again and again. Avocado toast was not that good. I think tomatoes were not ripe and cut in marge chunks while the bread was not toasted well. Latte was amazing....

Great coffee. Cute atmosphere. The avo waffle wasn't my fave - there was too much dill and something about the corn waffle didn't work. Would try something else but it's quite pricey! They make all of their syrups in house which is nice. Would return for coffee.

The day finally arrived for me to stop into Parakeet Cafe and try not only their coffee but their food. They offer a large range of breakfast and lunch foods and their Little Italy location is one that's been on my radar a while. I saw that they were advertising the so-called "best burger ever" and I was fully intending to get breakfast but how could I not see if this statement was true or false. The inside is actually very big and there is a ton of seating towards the back where they're making the coffee, beautiful lighting from the windows. My coffee came out first and it took a second for the burger but it was well worth the wait. That burger was out of this world. It was seasoned perfectly, juicy, melted in your mouth. The aioli was the cherry on top and that patty was slathered in it, just how I like it. I dream about that burger still.

Service was quick and friendly. Went for brunch on New Year's Day and the line wasn't too long. It's a cute cafe with unique dishes that can't be found elsewhere. Definitely recommend if looking for a new place to eat! However, the chicken noodle soup was way too salty.

Overall, good spot for lunch/brunch and breakfast! Coffee was amazing and lots of food items, everything tasted great, just a little pricey. Food: everything is fresh and came out quickly. Lots of different dietary restrictions are covered on their menu, good options also if you are vegan, or vegetarian! Portions are small and they are very pricey. My eggs benedict was perfect and I also liked the omlette sandwich. Coffee was truly the star though, they have some fun lattes on their menu. I recommend the matcha latte, salted caramel latte, and even their cappuccino. Service: quick service, you order at the counter and the food does come to you. Everyone working here was very friendly and pretty efficient. Atmosphere: there is not much seating in this restaurant, i do not recommend for large groups. Very cute cafe and everything is bird theme! Parking is very hard around this area, street parking only or you need to find a garage

Best service and best smoothies. EVERY TIME! Also try their surfer burritos and their squash soup.

This place is absolutely gorgeous and the staff are just so kind, the only downfall was the food. It's a cute little cafe where people bring their laptops to work. Don't have outlets but they do have lots of space. I appreciate how they're focused on healthy foods but our two items were a miss. We got the Organic Eggs & Salmon and Shakshuka. The Organic Eggs & Salmon was beautiful but it smelled like a fish farm and it didn't settle in the stomach too well. The Shakshuka was all right but it was just tomato soup with a lot of garlic slices. Overall, not impressed and probably won't be back but I love the decor and service!

Yummy little coffee shop! If you're waiting for a brunch table, stop in here and grab a bevy! Solid iced latte. They also had a fun seasonal menu! And lots of darling pastries need to come back and taste!

Such a fun & cute cafe! Love the decor. The food was delicious, too. I got the yogurt bowl and an almond croissant. The croissant was insanely good. I was very impressed

Underwhelming To begin this place is adorable!! I came in because it was where my partner and I had our first date, so why not try it out again. The bowl was alright. It has a ginger dressing which was so overpowering. It tasted like a ginger shot was poured and that's all you taste. The surfer burrito was okay. Nothing stood out and it was bland. The juices were good but we got them when we were done with our food. The whole experience was underwhelming and basic for the price you pay. It's unfortunate, this place has potential.

Brunch is a 5 -Star extravaganza! Parakeet Cafe in "Little Italy" Visited SDSU in MARCH 2024, popular local eats 1680 India St, San Diego, CA 92101 Place your order at the walk-up counter Then locate a table with seating for your party Servers happily bring your order to your table Order included : * Salmon, Scrabbled eggs, and Avocado * The Grilled Chicken sandwich Photos are similar to the actual meal, see menu Presentation extraordinary Tastes, all were delicious Portions satisfying One, two, three, four, FIVE Stars! I approve this rating, Jay M.

I initially went for the amazing vegan options, including the zucchini bread! I went back for the fantastic location (sitting alfresco in Little Italy) and the warm, friendly staff!!

Latte was amazing and they have a ton of gluten free options. Came back second day because it was so good!

Place is only good for drinks, 2 drinks one waffle and fruit tart 50 dollars. Waffle was served cold and fruit was old.

Randomly dropped by this spot with my health conscious protein loving brother and wowow, not only did our meal feel healthy -- it was also DELICIOUS AF. You order at the counter, get a number, then grab a table. There were spots on both the inside and the outside and we were able to easily get an inside table when we dropped (around noon on a weekend). I will say the crowd got a lot bigger afterwards and there may have been a little bit more of a wait for a table. I grabbed the All I Avo Want because I couldn't resist the combo of things -- blue corn waffle, avocado, cheese, salsa, and a perfect little egg on top? Sign me uuup. My brother grabbed the avocado toast piled high with beets and added a couple of scrambled eggs on top. He also opted for the fit for life smoothie~ I will say that my food was DELICIOUS. The dish itself was solid on its own but gosh that salsa was incredible and I drizzled it all over and dipped some waffle pieces in it as well :P My brother's avocado toast was good as well though I will say mine was just more of a flavor punch which I really liked. My brother's smoothie was also good - light, flavorful, and not too overwhelming. They do have a variety of smoothies, juices, acai bowls, coffees, and matcha. I got my basic vanilla latte which was tasty but I'm more than tempted to try the rest of these options later! Prices were reasonable for the area and the food quality was also on par. Parking can be an issue in this area but there are a couple parking garages you can try if street parking isn't being forgiving. All in all, great spot and I will definitely swinging by again!

The line at the other BF place was ridiculous, turned around and saw this cute cafe, it had good Yelp ratings and it did not disappoint. The charcoal waffle ($18) was good, love all the fruits on top. The date coconut cream and Nutella were prob a bit too sweet for me. For drink I got the activated charcoal flat black latte ($7), it tasted just like a good quality latte: foamy, smooth and delish. The decor was very upbeat and cool, price was a little steep.

Organic, locally sourced ingredients, eggs, coffee and pastries. Upbeat ambiance, versatile menu and seating available. Great quick pitstop on the way to tourism spots, stay eatin!

I love the clean eats from this place! Consistently great food at a reasonable price. I love their salads and breakfast menu. It's a nice place to go if in Little Italy.

You want healthy but also delicious and aesthetically pleasing? Then mosey on over to Parakeet Cafe. Checked out the Little Italy location after a Wednesday Farmers Market, and got the goddess salad with chicken. I had to add a protein, otherwise I wouldn't have felt full. Hubs got an acai bowl and said it might be the best acai bowl he's ever had, even better than what we've tried in Hawaii and that's saying something! Since I'm preggo AND diabetic, I was happy to see non-sugar virgin drinks as an option so I can enjoy something while others get their buzz on. Didn't get to try it, but will be back soon with some girlfriends who want to have morning alcoholic beverages with their brunch meal before strolling the neighborhood. Definitely making this spot a part of my regular rotation.

Cute coffee shop! But the food was almost pre maid. My group ordered waffles and they were cold. The chilaquiles weee the best item we ordered. The coffee was yummy however.

FOOD - Eggs Benedict on Toast: toast with spinach pesto spread, topped with 2 poached eggs, avocados, roasted tomatoes, and Hollandaise. This was pretty good. The flavors meshed well together. 4/5 - Belgian Waffle: waffle topped with assorted fruits, whipped topping, Nutella and flower petals. This was very good. The waffle was perfect, the fruits were fresh. The petals were a little weird. I didn't eat them. 4.5/5 - Eggs & Salmon: scramble eggs, beet cured salmon, avocado slices, asparagus and toast. This was the only dish that had "meat". I don't know how I feel about the beet-cured salmon. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. Everything else on the plate was good. 3.5/5 SERVICE: The line was out the door so we expected to wait a long time for our food. The line went fast and so did the food. 4.5/5 FINAL THOUGHTS: I would come back if I wanted a non-meat breakfast or brunch.

I'm new to making yelp reviews and it's pretty interesting. It was my first time going to this Cafe and it was lovely. The options they have here are incredibly good. If you are looking for a healthy spot this is the one. My family loved the smoothies and bowls.

Beyond the Instagram girl aesthetic, Parakeet does actually have good food, a large menu, and lots of interesting functional coffee beverages and juices. AMBIANCE: their outdoor seating looked chaotic and dirty, with plastic tables and chairs strewn about in a pandemic style curbside arrangement - sit inside for better (but also sometimes noisy) seating. SERVICE: The counter service was slow! It seemed disorganized because they seemed to not have anybody solely working the register. But then the food came quickly after seating, so that was balanced out. FOOD: Eggs Benedict on toast- yummy!!! 5/5 eggs were done perfectly and plenty of sauces and avo to soak up with the bread. Breakfast burrito: was told it was surprisingly a lot of food - always nice to have potatoes in a brunch item. 5/5 Tumeric Latte: overpriced. This tasted great - comes with almond milk. Complaint is that it's $7 and yet they were going to charge $1 for oatmilk and another charge for a shot. The menu clearly says "your choice of milk on all drinks". I'm not paying $10 for a latte. So basically it was a golden milk, but still tasty! TLDR: cute spot in little Italy, a little chaotic at first but the perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a coffee break or afternoon smoothie!

Decided to come here for the second time to this place because my smoothie and toast was pretty good the first time I came on Labor Day Weekend This time, I got the chicken noodle soup while my boyfriend ordered the shakshuka. We came at around 8AM because we had to attend a graduation at USD. When we first arrived, there were only one party inside dining. It took awhile for the cashiers to notice that we wanted to order. While we were standing there patiently waiting, they were doing some tiktok dances..? I get it though, it's slow and they just opened, but I would've appreciated if they at least asked if we were ready or if we had any questions to acknowledge us. After we ordered, we chose our seats and the food came out on a timely manner- about 5-10mins ? My chicken noodles soup was SO BLAND. I had to add so much pepper and salt to even taste something... and why were there zucchini in it but not celery..?? I'm so confused.. Anyways, I think from this experience, I will just come here for smoothies.

Good service- helpful order at counter- it's a really cute cafe that's busy and buzzing located in little Italy San Diego, got some yummy coffees and açaí bowl

This is my first time going to a Parakeet Cafe; it's in the center of Little Italy and it's the perfect place to go to for healthy options. I loved how it was decorated with bright colors and there were a variety of parakeet, parrot, and scenic pictures throughout the cafe. The woman at the front answered any questions that I had about the menu and I was pleasantly surprised how fast the food came to my table. I ordered the French Omelette Sandwich with toasted potatoes and Iced Lavender Matcha Latte. I was shocked how delicious both the sandwich and potatoes tasted. Neither one of them were oily, both the eggs and potatoes were cooked to perfection, and the tomato dijon chutney brought out the flavor of the eggs. I really enjoyed the iced matcha latte and how the almond milk added a bit more creaminess. I couldn't quite taste as much of the lavender as I would have liked, but it was still delicious. Overall, I enjoyed everything I ordered and look forward to going back!

Adorable little cafe with organic juices and my fav- avocado toast with organic eggs! Cute place to have a healthy, casual but chic breakfast in little Italy.

I would never come back to this place. The employees were nice. The food was okay. I found hair in my soup. They told me they would take it off my bill and even gave me a receipt that showed it removed, but my card was still charged the full amount. My whole family got their food and finished before one of my daughters even got her food. I had to ask multiple times where her food was. The prices were very high on all of their items. The inside had some seating but it was very hot.

This place was so cute! Super bright and fun. Croissant was delish. Also has a latte which was very flavorful.

Very cute coffee shop in little italy! The decorations are so cute and instagramable. Staff is very friendly too. Cappuccino was okay, the foam was very thin and the coffee felt diluted. The cookie was amazing!

Love this cafe. They were so kind and patient with my order when I presented the staff my allergy card. The food, service, and ambiance was the best. Thank you for being so considerate of my dietary needs. I enjoyed my time here!

First class bakery!! Biggest problem is choosing what to have ! Espressos- matcha -teas- mushroom drinks... and more. Pastries are all amazing. Settled on an espresso and almond croissant. Highly recommend this cafe for breakfast. Forgot to take pics but it's worth going here.

We only got the drinks here and they were amazing! I'm not a huge matcha fan but decided to try it out and it was delicious! The place is super cute and it's a cafe where you order then they bring out the food and drinks. We had just eaten so we didn't get the food but we got our drinks really quick and service was prompt

Parakeet Café chirp chirp. If you're 20 years old and you like to hang out in a café with your laptop, this is definitely one of your go to spots. If you're an"adult," looking for quality food at a fair price, I don't think you're going to find it here. I'm not one to complain about prices because as we know, everything is going up. That said, this place offers egregious pricing relative to the quality. Just ordered a gluten-free chocolate eclair, they only have gluten-free, and a blueberry scone. With one dollar tip, cost roughly $15.40. Had it been amazing, I probably would've left it at that, but it basically sucked. The scone tasted as if it were at least a day old and similar to the texture profile of a brick. This, is not a good recipe. I'm saving the gluten-free chocolate eclair for later. So I don't have a comment on that. The Farro salad with orange chicken, comes in at $27 before taxes or tip. Wait, did I read that correctly? Yes, $27! Imagine if I were to order a beverage with this? Of their 12 or $14 drinks? On the one hand, I applaud them for offering generally high-quality, and having the guts to charge for it, even if you consider it fair, but I don't know how the majority of people can afford it. I have relatively high income and even for me it seems a little stupid. Parakeet Café, chirp chirp.

This place is GORGEOUS! The coffee was great and the good was-different but good! They put their own little spin into their food. They're also connected to a juice bar. I got the immunity shot and it was spicyyyyyy It does get busy around brunch time but service was pretty quick!

We had the best experience here! We asked their staff for what to order for drinks since it was our first time here and she recommended getting their new drinks for fall. I order their Blue Mint Magic Latte and their Coconut Cream Iced Salted Maple Matcha Latte. I love the presentation of the drinks, totally 'gram worthy lol. But the taste of the drinks blew as away, especially the matcha one! I usually don't order matcha, but this one got me instantly hooked! Shoutout to their amazing staff for providing the best service!

Just recently learned something new about parakeet cafe and I wanted to update my review for other fellow college students! They do not have public wifi! I wasn't in school the prior times I visited so I never needed it! But I recently came last week and they do not have a public wifi. I'm not if it's always been this way or they recently changed! A little frustrating, but if you have your own personal hot spot.. it can still be a nice place to do homework!