The Hidden Kitchen - Cambria

Absolutely loved the blue corn waffle—spectacular! Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any waffle here—they’re all so good. I also ordered two smoothies, and they were thick, creamy, and perfectly sweet. Such a delicious treat from start to finish!

We found this truly hidden gem from a Grok suggestion. It was a bit pricey, but a delight. Friendly staff, inviting patio seating with a welcoming feel of nature and art. The food was uniquely created with a balanced flavor that brought a smile. This was a pleasure to find.

Review of Hidden Kitchen: A Culinary Gem for Organic and Gluten-Free Dining Nestled in an unassuming yet charming location, Hidden Kitchen is a true gem for those seeking organic, gluten-free cuisine that prioritizes both health and flavor. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance and inviting atmosphere make it clear that this restaurant is more than just a place to eat—it’s an experience. One of the most remarkable aspects of Hidden Kitchen is its commitment to high-quality, farm-to-table ingredients. The philosophy of “from earth to belly” is evident in every dish, ensuring that each bite is fresh, nutrient-dense, and free from artificial additives. Unlike many gluten-free establishments that focus solely on dietary restrictions, Hidden Kitchen excels in crafting meals that feel indulgent and satisfying, proving that healthy eating does not mean compromising on taste. The menu offers a well-curated selection of dishes, each thoughtfully prepared to highlight natural flavors. Whether you’re a dedicated gluten-free eater or simply someone who appreciates wholesome food, there’s something for everyone. The textures and flavors are balanced to perfection, making each dish a delightful surprise. From beautifully plated entrees to decadent yet guilt-free desserts, the culinary team demonstrates a deep understanding of both nutrition and gastronomy. Service at Hidden Kitchen is equally impressive. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the food they serve. They are more than happy to offer recommendations and accommodate dietary preferences, making the dining experience feel personalized and welcoming. Overall, Hidden Kitchen stands out as a must-visit destination for those who value organic, gluten-free dining without sacrificing culinary excellence. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this restaurant is a testament to how delicious and satisfying clean eating can be. If you haven’t yet discovered this hidden treasure, now is the time.

Loved the vibe. Although it could use a little bit of dusting up. Pricer than expected. Ordered: the morro melt. Savory af Weirdo waffle. Great as a dessert meal. I like peanut butter but not too much of it. The problem I had was that the peanut butter took over the taste of the whole meal. The bacon was a nice touch. I love bananas too.

We love this place! We come everytime we visit Cayucos. The blue corn Monte Cristo waffle with a fried egg, harvati cheese, strawberry jam and maple syrup is the BEST! These flavors taste amazing together! The coffee is so delicious too! No Folger's here! Lol! I can't wait until next summer to have another waffle!!!

Had a lovely stop off here on our way to Big Sur. Staff were lovely and vibes are great. Ordered a smoothie and main dish; don’t remember what but it was really nice sorry I can’t rember oopsie :). My associate ordered a waffle thing which wasn’t to my taste but he enjoyed it so yeah each to their own. Great spot!

Just amazing. Delicious food. Super fresh ingredients. Nice sitting area. Good background music.

I've never had better waffles! Pretty patio seating with lots of vines. I watched Anna's hummingbirds flit around during the whole meal. It's the kind of place where you just walk up and order outside, like a food truck. Best for small groups.

*Visited around 10:30am on a Sunday :) I cannot reiterate how much I love the hidden kitchen. Even though this location is only open during the weekend, it's in the heart of downtown Cambria and honestly a perfect brunch spot. The seating is outside, and is very chill & quiet area. Ordering is fairly simple, you order with a staff member at the front of the shop and sit down with a number. Your order will be brought to your table by a very friendly staff member. Once done eating, it's pretty self serving when you'd toss your plate and put the utensils into a bin. OKAY THE FOOD: * you CANNOT go wrong with their smoothies here. Fair warning, they are pretty thick and SO filling but you're able to take it to go if you don't finish it! * Morro Melt Waffle: today was my first time having this dish and MY GOOOODNESS is it super tasty. It was very filling and not too heavy. 20/10 would recommend!

Wow, this is truly a hidden kitchen, hidden gem here in Cambria. The waffles are really, really good! They're huge too & easily shareable between two people! I loved the texture and flavor, we got a savory one with egg, some kind of like chipotle, mayo sauce, which was their house sauce, bacon and oooohheeeee, it was all very delicious. I kind of wish that they were a little bit smaller because I would be able to get one sweet and one savory, but maybe if you go when you're really, really hungry that's an option! We also got a protein smoothie, which was overflowing - thick and yummy. Again, it was way too much food, but they don't skimp on quality - how often can you say that you were served TOO MUCH of anything these days!!! The location is tucked away behind the main street, and there is plenty of seating. Albeit, most of it in the blazing sun. That was a little tough, otherwise a great place and I cannot wait to go back next time I'm in Cambria.

Hidden Kitchen in Cambria, CA, is a Hidden litte treasure!! I had the cambria classic waffle, and it was perfect. The "upgraded coffee" was a little pricey at $8, and I almost didn't try it, but wow...get it! Slurge. Spend the extra few dollars. It's mild tasting (to me) and a great treat!

I loved this cute spot. They had delicious food, an adorable sunny patio, and friendly staff. I recommend for brunch if you're visiting Cambria. Check out their cool swag too!

Good Lord, the Avila Avo and San Luis Sunrise were some of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. My partner was skeptical of the menu as it appeared like health food. The quantity of bacon that came atop the San Luis changed his mind. I wish I had room for a drink or smoothie. We didn't finish our respective waffles and we're still full. Definitely go out of your way to eat here.

Party of three hungry people liked our waffles and coffee, enjoyed the little patio, too. I would go back, but the guys were wanting potatoes, so were disappointed they're not on the menu. Everything was lovely and fresh, and coffee is tasty. I didn't have room for a smoothee. Next time! Thanks, HK!

Our first time in Cambria and the The Hidden Kitchen pops up on Yelp's restaurant search. Seeing 5 stars on a page just teases us to check it out. We were in the area the night before dining at nearby Robins and saw a sign pointing to this patio resto. I thought it was just a back alley for Slabtown Mercantile's parking. So we decided to return to this area after a morning's walk around San Simeon and Moonstone Beach. I was anticipating this tiny kitchen to be packed after taking some time to park, but no, it had a few tables available on the 3rd of July, Monday at 12 noon. What I liked about this "earth to belly" eatery was its one page menu which kept choices easy. The dishes were relevantly named after locales of the SLO. Ordered on the counter/kitchen and picked a shaded table by the corner next to the curio shop and waited. First came our drinks which were the Upgraded Coffee $8 (think bullet proof coffee w/ dates as sweetener) and and Islay Immunity $11 (turmeric ginger fruit smoothie w/ bee pollen). Next came our blue corn waffle plates. San Luis Sunrise $18 (eggs and avocado w/ savory bacon ends), Avila Avo $16 (free range eggs, avocado, tajin & "everything bagel" seasoning) and the Fiscalini Fruit $17 (strawberries, bananas & grass fed butter). The chipotle flavor of the HK sauce made quiet a bang to our taste buds. Food and drink were not bad for organic and gluten free fare. It was however pricey for the size of the portions (waffles excluded). Staff were amiable and answered questions with a smile. What I didn't get was that the cutlery was reusable but the plates & cups were one-use though they were bio-degradable. Having tried both the sweet and savory blue corn cakes, we probably could call this our first and last visit. Hidden Kitchen should be on one's brunch option when in Cambria.

This is the only non-overpriced, quality food spots in Cambria. If you are disappointed by all the food in Cambria, this spot will revive your taste buds. Absolutely enjoyed the ambiance here in a hidden little garden, and left us content for our drive back home.

We came from the Bay for a little weekend getaway, and although our Airbnb provided breakfast, I definitely wanted to hit up this cute spot for breakfast after seeing the Yelp photos and reviews. The Hidden Kitchen was conveniently located very close to our accommodation as well, so it was perfect. This place looks like a little cute beach house. Outdoor seating available only, but plenty to choose from. You'll have to place your order at the counter first, and they'll give you a table number to take your order to you when ready. Water and utensils are self served. Between my partner and I, we shared an Avila Avo. This is a bluecorn waffle that comes with avocado, fried egg, hk sauce, "everything bagel" seasoning, and tajin chili salt. We also got a Gorda Greens smoothie, Masala Chai and some organic orange juice. The Avila Avo is as good as it looks! The bluecorn waffle was fluffy, but also had density to it. The texture of the waffle was kinda similar to a cornbread. You can never go wrong with avocado and a runny egg. Those two ingredients only elevates the whole thing. As for the hk sauce though, I'm not sure what makes up this sauce, but it added a nice small kick to the waffle. As for the Gorda Greens smoothie - this was refreshing, earthy and literally tastes like health (in a good way, haha). My Masala Chai was interesting. I usually have Masala Chai with some sort of milk, but I think their Masala Chai would be better without the milk. I added some almond milk to mine (1/5th of the cup) and it didnt mix well. The almond milk just made my Chai cloudy. However, I would say their Chai has a lot of spice to it. It's just this time, I don't feel like I had it in the best way possible. If I'm ever back in Cambria, I would like to hit up Hidden Kitchen again. Maybe for their sweet waffles next time!

No reservations required. Walk in and order food and find a place to sit. We ordered the following: Islay Immunity smoothie - with pineapple turmeric ginger banana orange juice and bee pollen San Luis Sunrise waffle Avila Avo and Fiscalini fruit waffles Food is really good. First time trying the blue corn waffle and was scared it might have a different weird taste but surprisingly it was good. Service was perfect. The place has a casual feel and you just need to find a table and munch on their delectable food. Then clean up after yourself. Definitely highly recommended.

Waffles are gluten free and are the healthiest tasting waffle I've ever eaten, think blue corn tortillas with not a hint of much sweetness . Incredibly nonchalant service , not bad or good just indifferent. Outdoor seating ... only three or four spots with shade, music LOUD, blenders are also loud. Not a place to catch up with an old friend as you wouldn't be able to hear them over the EDM or blenders. Dog was allowed , serve yourself coffee, water and silverware. EDM music pumping throughout the dining area if that's your jam you'll love the ambiance.

I've been going to Cambria for years and I'd never heard of The Hidden Kitchen-- little did I know that it just opened in the last five years and located just off on a side street/alleyway from Robin's; we had to walk around a bit before we found the small entrance to The Hidden Kitchen. It was already busy when we arrived around 10am, but we got our order and settled outside on their patio. The Hidden Kitchen is known for blue corn waffles-- sweet and savory. My partner and I opted for the Cambria Classic (sweet) and Avila Avo (savory). Food took a while, as it was busy, but soon enough, we got our order and dug in. Cambria Classic was simply a plain, blue corn waffle with butter and syrup. The waffle was thick, crusty, and textured-- that blue corn was wonderfully gritty. My only gripe is that, for a plain waffle, a $12-13 price tag was steep. The Avila Avo, however, took the cake: that HK sauce really made it, as it was absolutely creamy and chipotle in flavor. The runny egg and avocado were lovely, and the "Everything bagel" seasoning made the waffle how it was. The Hidden Kitchen is a lovely little spot. Prices are steep for a waffle, but portions are big and worth a try!

Excellent service with the gentleman taking our order. He made suggestions and we went with it! Got our food and omg it was amazing! The sauce made it the right flavor and I added bacon to my meal. Such a nice vibe with the choice of music and the ambience.

The food is amazing and the service is great. Super friendly. We would recommend The Hidden Kitchen to everyone.

Always delicious and a great place for families. Must try the blue corn waffle and the carnitas tacos.

Their blue corn waffles remind me of cornbread - taste & texture. It's a dense waffle & I'm happy for it to be enjoyed by those who cannot have gluten. Went for the sweet side and it was perfect. It honestly didn't even need the syrup. Shared it with my bf and it was pretty filling. Unfortunately I'm not near the area, I am interested in recreating it. Smoothies are great. Unfortunately I'm not a green smoothie fan, but their peanut butter protein shake was tasty. It seriously is hidden, hence their name. Located in a small lil town. On the pricier side tbh, gives very LA vibes but in a good way.

We always come here on our Cambria trips because the food is great and it is dog friendly. The fruit waffle is my favorite. But all the smoothies and waffles are good. It's a cozy place, but can get crowded. The service is all over the place. Sometimes we get our food in under 10 minutes other times I've waited 20 minutes for just a smoothie. Also sucks they are only open on the weekend.

had breakfast here both days of our stay.... what a treat! Great for gluten free and glutenois people alike!

Absolutely hands down best waffle experience ever. This truly is a hidden gem, we've taken a handful of road trips to this little place of heaven and always a perfect spot for breakfast. The service is amazing with kind and polite locals and ambiance is so fitting for quick vacay energy. Looking forward to our next trip soon.

This was our second time visiting. The first time we only had a smoothie because we discovered it was open and we had already had breakfast somewhere else so I was determined to come back. The menu sounded so delicious. We had the blue waffle, corn Laurel melt topped with avocado bacon Turkey & secret sauce and grilled onionsit is hidden for sure the service was pretty quick but they sure do get busy while we were there. Nice music playing just a real peaceful vibe. I didn't want to leave.I want to eat more and just hang out so I could wait for my next meal. We definitely will be back hopefully by the end of this month for our anniversary.

omg these waffles are so good... and they're blue which is fun! i enjoy the sweet waffles, but my favorite is this one with avocado and fried egg. i just wish there were more locations because i'm usually not too close to this area. smoothies are also really good, staff is friendly and accommodating, and outdoor setting is welcoming. please open more locations everywhere

A hidden gem! Everything from the food quality to the customer service was 10/10. The texture and flavor from the blue corn waffles were so unique and delicious. Also extra points for their compostable packaging. I would highly recommend this place!

To look at the small menu and the location being out of the main strip, it's easy to think to go elsewhere. DO NOT think that because this tiny place with its tiny menu is packed with flavor and personality! These blue corn waffles are the best I've had and the combo of flavors in the Morro Melt! I'm not sure how to top this during our 2 week vacation trip since this was our first morning! The waffle is crisp yet so fluffy with such a unique taste... it was so delicious! My husband got the Weirdo Waffle which was delicious, but I liked mine better! The syrup was super good though and the bacon was thick and nicely cooked. This place is not pretentious so don't be intimidated! The owner and staff are very nice and again, the food is amazing!!! Support this small business!!!

Quaint little spot. Got a waffle and smoothie and both were delicious and very filling. I would only argue the waffles are a bit pricey for being waffles but at least they don't skimp on quantity or quality. Was able to sit and read while I ate, and the staff was pleasant as well.

The location is slightly hidden, but the seating garden is beautiful. I ordered the San Luis Sunrise and Upgraded coffee. This is definitely a fatty meal. The oil on the eggs, bacon, avocado and HK sauce had me full very fast. The coffee also has butter and MCT oil. The meal was missing some acidity for me, i made due with the large bottle of Cholula that they have on hand. Anyone trying the savory waffles, id suggest getting 1 per 2 people. If I came back I would probably try the sweet waffles or the tacos instead of the savory waffles.

Blue corn waffles, iced coffees, and smoothies! They know how to do it here! Very friendly service - they even gave my hubby free refills on his iced coffee. We shared a savory and a sweet waffle, and both were delicious. I loved the relaxing vibe on the patio!

Loved this place. My family and I really wanted clean, healthier food while traveling and this place delivered. The vibe was really cute, the community they built was so nice and the service was great! We also tried a few other smoothies the second time we visited. When we come back to cambria, we will definitely try more of the menu. Definitely worth the revisits.

If you're lucky enough to be in Cambria over the weekend, this is the breakfast spot you don't want to miss. Hidden Kitchen is behind Robin's. With limited hours, no trip is complete without diving head first into a San Luis Sunrise waffle. It's perfect for families with delicious smoothies, Yak Coffee (keto breakfast for those that don't want a blood sugar spike) and of course a bevy of sweet or savory waffles. We've been going here since they opened and it is still solid.

Never fails.... Always amazingly fresh and delicious food. Fun ambiance on outside patio

I cannot tell you how yummy these waffles were. I never thought that blue corn waffles would taste good and boy was I wrong, haha. They had such a wonderful grain flavor that paired so well with all the toppings. The green smoothie along side them was perfect pairing. When my wife and I were at the restaurant it felt like we honestly were dining at a food truck in Hawaii. The coolest atmosphere and cutest setting. Nice that every member of the team had a smile on their face, made it very welcoming! Will definitely make an excuse to stop here on my next down south road trip or adventure!

wonderful breakfast experience. we opted for a sweet and savory waffle option. the weirdo waffle was a hit! free coffee refill was a major plus! cant wait to try a smoothie the next time we come.

We had breakfast here as a family of 4. The food is good we had an Avila avo, smoothies, tea, strawberry waffles; all the food and drinks were great. The staff was friendly and quick. The place was small but super cute and their playlist was nice, I really liked it. The only thing I wish they had was more shade and everything would have been perfect. We will still stop by again when we are in the area:)

Walk up to the booth/Kitchen where you place your order and they bring it out to your outdoor patio table. Great blue corn waffles in both savory and sweet preparations. I had the "Weirdo Waffle" which had a fried banana, peanut butter drizzle and bacon tips for a sweet and salty brekkie. Coffee is good, food is good, chill outdoor atmosphere good, all good. Why not 5 stars? Not the largest menu, more egg options would be great, and more utensils would help. I had to use a small dessert fork because they were out at that time. No big deal, but not 5 stars.

Weirdo waffles and seasonal pumpkin pie smoothie....OMG!!!! This please was amazing!!!

The food and ambiance were perfect. We enjoyed ordering at the window and walking around the store while waiting. My favorite was the savory option. It was so filling and unlike other waffles.

We were looking for a dog friendly place to eat and found The Hidden Kitchen with great reviews. The sitting area was very quaint and the staff were friendly. We were very hungry and ordered the Avila Avo and two of the Morro Melts. The only three good things about the waffles were the fried egg on the Avila Avo along with the avocado and arugula on both waffles. The waffles were too thick and the corn flavor overwhelmed all the other flavors of the dishes. Maybe if the waffles were cooked on a regular waffle iron and allowed to crisp up a bit they might taste better. Overall, a very bad gastronomic experience.

So glad we stumbled upon this place! We loved the food so much we retuned the next day. The hubby and I had both savory and sweet waffles, and their tacos. The blue corn is what makes the food here! The tortillas are hand made and give me all the tamale vibes. The waffle are dense and had just the right amount of sweetness. All of the flavors work together like a beautiful symphony. So incredibly delicious. They are also gluten free and organic if that's important to you! The ordering process is straightforward and convenient. They have menus outside where you order at the window, then seat yourself and the food is brought to you. Don't be fooled by the front, they have plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. We cannot wait to return and try more items off the menu. They also have a nice selection of local beers!

The waffles here are truly phenomenal! The sauce on the San Luis is amazing and the whole dish works so well as a savory waffle. The whipped cream that comes with the Fiscalini is superb and so so delicious! I'd highly recommend coming here for an amazing waffle experience!

Truly a gem in the area. I always get the loaded coffee. It has lots of healthy stuff added. We usually get two of the blue corn waffles. San Luis sunrise has loads of bacon ends on it. And the Fiscalini fruit is a perfect foil to the other Nicest staff around too

The Hidden Kitchen has a unique menu. The food is delicious and amazing. The service is great and there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere. We had the "Elote" blue corn waffle. It was absolutely fantastic. The sunrise waffle was also great. We traveled there from the San Francisco Bay Area. We highly recommend this place.

DeeeeLish with a long sigh of appreciation was had with this perfectly put together bit of goodness. I never thought to have or make waffles with blue corn meal but damn it totally works. There are 2 locations so If you happen to drive by Cambria or Cayucos I highly suggest making a pit stop to the Hidden. You wont be disappointed. They have a standard menu but also have specials. Sadly the day we went there wasn't any special offering so we went with their 2 popular items the Fiscalini and San Luis Sunrise https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select_video=Si4Hl8gXg950GfSbJKIA3g&userid=3H2VbXZ8upvCFncbi5xTcg The Fiscalini was topped with strawberries, blueberries, banana, sprinkle of cacao powder and a dollop of whip cream and served with maple syrup. This was so really good, the blue corn just added a hint on savoriness to the bite https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=U-FP24nk2EXdb5No8P1Xdw&userid=3H2VbXZ8upvCFncbi5xTcg The San Luis Sunrise had bacon, sunny side up eggs and avocados served with their kitchen sauce. Well I do love the sweet/savory combo so I drizzled mine with some of the maple syrup and whoa was it to bomb.com https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=X683ap3bc60lOFg8pw6wOQ&userid=3H2VbXZ8upvCFncbi5xTcg Eye - It's literally hidden in the back of some other businesses Ear - This location is outdoors so you heard people chatting. Nose - No much smell going on but the bacon. Mouth - Holy Moly every bit was delish. Stomach - Very satisfied.

Good food, but limited options. I wish they have options for kids (either smaller serving).

Really enjoy my visit here. We yelped this place. My daughter was looking for a gluten free breakfast place and we came across this place. What we got was the fiscalini fruit blue corn waffle. It was something different and great. I never had a corn waffle before. It had a great favor. I really recommend this place. It took our sweet Craving away. The coffee had a great flavor. They have cream a cane sugar for you to prepare it. I've got the upgrade it one. With CBD Infusion. I really enjoyed it. Next time we already said we will try the salty one. Service was very friendly the ladies are so helpful and nice. Really loved this place. Coming back again for sure. Thank you hidden kitchen.

Best waffles! And gluten free! Go with the sweet options as the savory are not as good.

My favorite breakfast (had at lunchtime) EVER. I love savory breakfasts. The blue cornmeal waffles topped with a magic sauce, bacon, perfectly fried eggs and avocado was magic combo I'd been dreaming of. Their green smoothie was also outstanding, topped with toasted coconut. Only downside is no restrooms, you have to walk to the parking lot and use a very janky public restroom.

Very delicious food but they were out of avocados when we came here and almost everything on the menu has avocado in it. I don't understand why you can't just go to a grocery store and pick some up rather than be out of avocados for a whole day.

The planets finally aligned, and we were able to pop in here for breakfast a couple of days ago. It's a real treat! Yes, it's kind of hidden... You have to walk around the back of a shop to get there, and all seating is outdoors. You order at a little counter, and they will bring your breakfast to you. they are known for their blue corn waffles, and for good reason! Amazing! My wife got the basic one, just the waffle with butter and syrup. But I had to, you know, be more adventurous. I think mine was called the San Luis Sunrise or something like that. It's that same blue corn, waffle, with a mildly spicy sauce on it, topped with two perfectly cooked fried eggs, then an amazingly generous amount of chopped thick cut bacon, and sliced avocado. It was one of the best breakfast entrées I've ever had. I couldn't even finish it! They really put a lot of heart and soul and attention into the food. Everything else is pretty no-frills... Grab your silverware and napkins at the counter where you order, bus your own table when you're done. And absolutely worth it! Double check the days and hours to make sure they are open, and if there's any chance to include this spot on your next visit, you really should. There is also one in Cayucos, which I have not been to, but my wife has, and she says it's just as good. So there you have it!

Came for the weekend and so happy we choose to come here! It really was hidden because we totally missed the sign haha. Staff is friendly and so welcoming. When entering I loved the nature ambiance and music choice. The food was absolutely delicious and has options for sweet or savory tooth. Definitely will be back.

So happy we found this place, what a hidden Gem! We have been coming to Cambria for years and I am always looking for really great restaurants to eat at. We have tried the usual few places in town. When I read the other reviews and looked at the menu, I knows I had to find & try this place. 1st ', Amazing staff, everyone was so lovely,friendly & helpful. 2nd : very focus food menu, when we were here, only 3 select savory items. 3rd: the savory Blue corn waffles, go with it, it will surprise you. I never had it in my life and oh boy, sooo happy I know I can get this here now. We had the San Luis and Avila blue corn waffles, the combination of flavor profiles and that secret sauce ...wow! I ate everything on my plate. Will come back for the sweet waffles next time for sure! Love the entire vibe of this lovely restaurant. Go here, try it, you won't regret it.!