Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cafe Topes

    4.4 (2.7k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Cafe Topes Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE TOPES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Classy
    Casual

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Topes

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Breakfast Sandwich Veggie Scramble Classic Benedict
    Izzy Y.

    The service was great!! Everyone was very accommodating and friendly. We went the savory route, however I think we would've enjoyed it more if we ordered their sweet breakfasts instead. They had limited but solid vegetarian options. Their cinnamon rolls looked delicious! There is limited seating with most seating options outside. The tables are very close together so it gets very tight. It gets really busy, so arrive early!

    Rumway
    Steven H.

    Cafe Topes in Carlsbad serves some seriously delicious food, but the overall environment and service could use some tuning. Heads up: you wait in a line to order at the counter, get a number, then seat yourself and wait for food and drinks. If you're expecting table service, this isn't that type of spot. The line was long and moved slowly, though clearly they're not short on customers. There's plenty of seating both inside and outside, which is nice. I ordered the Breakfast Burrito with chorizo and swapped the chips for well-done hashbrowns for an extra charge--great choice, and they nailed it. My partner ordered the Soy Chorizo Scramble, but it came with seasoned potatoes instead of hashbrowns. They fixed it fairly quickly, but the food runner removed our table number while taking the plate back. So when a different runner brought out the corrected dish, she wandered around inside and outside trying to figure out who it belonged to. Just a small example of how the system could be more organized. Drinks were a mixed bag: the iced vanilla latte was average, and the Rumway was so strong my partner could barely taste the pineapple. All that said, the food itself was outstanding. If they tightened up the ordering process and service flow, this place would easily be a top-tier breakfast stop.

    Toby P.

    I wish I could up my rating because I really do like this place. Unfortunately, the day we came we had a series of misfortunes. My friend loves cinnamon rolls and they are known for theirs, so I thought she'd enjoy it. I had tried one years ago and remembered liking it. We arrived and ordered a cinnamon roll and 2 drip coffees. The girl at the counter asked if we wanted cream & sugar. My friend said she did not want cream, just plain milk because she does not like the thickness of cream. She gave us our coffee, number, one napkin and silverware (forks & knives) and we sat. After a while she brought my friend oat milk. I thought I'd missed that my friend had ordered oat milk (I ended up using it), but after the girl walked away, my friend said she had not. Plus, she didn't bring sugar or spoons and we had to ask for another napkin. The coffee was lukewarm (before adding any cold oat milk) so my friend went in to see if we could get hot coffee. The girl said they would have to brew more. She brought us the cinnamon roll which was huge, warm and flavorful, but $8.50 for a cinnamon roll seems a bit high. Eventually, she brought out our coffees and milk for my friend and they were warmer, but far from hot. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they were having an off day, but it was definitely frustrating. Since both of my issues have been with the coffee I think I will just stick to food if I return.

    Brunch
    Ashli V.

    Cafe Topes in Carlsbad is an absolute brunch gem. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, lively, and welcoming--perfect for a relaxed brunch with friends or family. The menu is creative and packed with delicious options, and everything we ordered was amazing. One of the standout features was their creative mimosa selection. It's such a fun twist on the classic brunch drink and makes the whole experience feel a little more special. Between the great vibe, attentive service, and incredible food, brunch at Cafe Topes was a total win. If you're in Carlsbad and looking for a spot with fantastic brunch and a great atmosphere, this place should definitely be on your list.

    Biscuits and gravy & the rustic Sandwich
    Nevin A.

    Cafe Topes is my favorite spot for brunch. It has this beach, relaxing and pleasant vibes especially in a sunny day. The line was long but it moved very fast. We ordered: - The salad 5/5 It had mixed green, green apple, candied walnuts, strawberries, and blue cheese - Fish Tacos 4.5 / 5 I chose grilled fish. It was topped with pico de gallo, spicy aoli, and cabbage.It was very tasty. - Fish and chips 5/5 Beer buttered fish was so good and it came with a choice of salad or French fries. The amount was very reasonable. - Crab scramble with biscuit 5/5 The crab scramble was very savory and the biscuit was very buttery For drinks we got : - 2 Hawaiian express 5/5 - Hot chocolate with whipped cream 5/5 The service was fast. The staff were very friendly and energetic. It is a great spot for breakfast, brunch or to grab some refreshing drinks.

    Luz O.

    Came to kickoff the new year with my sister! We finished a busy morning at the movies and then did a little shopping. We came very hungry! And this place did not disappoint. They have dining inside and outside. I ordered a burrito and my sister ordered yogurt with fruit and both were absolutely delicious! You can choose what kind of meat or sides that you want with the burrito. Side options are potatoes, chips, or fruit Meats for the burrito are ham, chorizo, sausage, for bacon I got the side of chips and it comes with salsa. Anything additional like avocado is an extra charge. The hibiscus lemonade was absolutely delicious. Very refreshing. We came during the holiday weekend so it was busy a lot of children. Service was great! Our server was checking up on us very frequently. She made sure our glasses of water were filled. Great location in Carlsbad. Beach is a walk-in distance along with many small stores. I give this spot a 10/10 Thank you so much for your service, and food! We will be seeing you in the future

    Bananas foster French toast
    Nicole Erin B.

    Love the unique menu items at Cafe Tropes that includes Cardiff Crack eggs Benedict and signature coffee/matcha drinks. Gluten free bread is available for the sandwiches and scrambles. All the pancakes except the protein pancake can be modified GF. The texture of the GF pancake was light and fluffy but the ricotta was lacking the lemon flavor and overall was a bit bland. My husband enjoyed the bananas foster French toast which definitely didn't require syrup from the sweet toppings. The line took us about 25 minutes to get through on a Sunday morning and a majority of the seating is for smaller groups of 2-4 outdoors on the patio.

    Chorizo Benedict
    Vanessa D.

    My favorite breakfast spot in North County. Got the chorizo Benedict and their chorizo is so authentic and fresh! Pro tip: get the potatoes extra crispy-- it is sooo good! Will def be coming back for more! :)

    Alyssa N.

    In my opinion a very mid brunch option!! My boyfriend and I visited for the second time on a Saturday around noon. Plenty of street parking. The line was out the door and it took 20 minutes to order and another 15 for our food to come out. It's a good space for both indoor and outdoor dining, but a lot of the tables were dirty. Service was average. We ordered the breakfast burrito and chicken sandwich. Apparently they have special menus on the wall but you completely walk past them. The food was pretty mid. Not enough meat in the breakfast burrito but lots of egg. My chicken sandwich was dry. I wouldn't recommend this spot, sorry!

    Madi D.

    What a lovely spot to add to your list, whether just driving through or in town for a few days, you have to make it over to this spot. This place gets packed but don't let that scare you off from how quick and efficient the food comes out and how well this place works. The workers are all so sweet and friendly and the fact that they go above and beyond for their furry friends is even sweeter. The food for starters since I'm Gluten Free, is a huge hit. From GF pancakes to bread options and sometimes pastries, It's a hit for me everytime. The coffees and the occasional mimosa are also a great compliment for the food. And if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a cinnamon roll, don't hesitate. Cafe Topes is my go to place at the moment!!

    Menu as of May 2026
    MacKenzie T.

    Favorite brunch spot in North county! Great food, nice staff, great atmosphere. All good!

    Crack Burrito
    Evan M.

    Fantastic find in downtown Carlsbad. Parking streetside is pretty easy. Order and then sit down with the provided number card. They have both indoor and outdoor patio options Heard great things about this place and was excited to try on a rare weekday brunch. They had a fantastic Crack Burrito (Tri tip steak with eggs and cheese) which was fantastic! The red salsa on the side was great with the chips and the burrito. Definitely one of my favorites I've had. Also got their Lavender mocha, which I've never had as a mocha (usually latte) which worked well. Their homemade cinnamon roll was good, but interestingly using more of a bread base than pastry base, which I wasn't expecting. I'm still unsure if I love or disliked it but was a good try for sure. Definitely will be back when nearby.

    Coffee
    Jim S.

    Service was awesome as was most of food, just wouldnt get anything bbq/ smoked meats again. Might just been off day, i would come back.

    Chai Tea and Iced Tea

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 3
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Izzy Y.
    0
    18
    36

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 44
    Thanks 12
    Love this 38
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Madi D.
    1
    11
    30

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex L.
    4361
    2473
    6757

    5 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim S.
    0
    54
    10

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 68

    Cafe Topes Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Topes

    Is this an order at the counter restaurant?

    Do they serve, gluten-free pancakes, waffles, or GF French toast?

    I saw this question asked twice before but it wasn't properly answered. Does anyone know if they have Gluten Free bread, pancakes, or pastries?

    I had gluten free toast with my breakfast

    Does this place accept reservations?

    No reservations. You order then find table yourself. It gets filled pretty quickly on weekends by 10am

    Does anyone know if they closed down completely?

    Hello Rachel, We reopened in September We’ll be here for you 😊… 

    I called and there's no answer (8:30am) and when trying to order online, it states that the business is currently closed--it it opened, today (November15th)?

    they have very limited hours of operation I believe they are only open from 8am to 2pm

    Have you reopened?

    Hello there and thank you for your question we reopened Labor Day weekend. Sorry if we didn’t have it posted on social media or this forum if it was possible? After Friday we will be limited to outdoor dining only but the weather looks great thanks… 

    Does this place allow dogs?

    For the outside sitting yes 🐶🐶

    It looks amazing ...Do they offer gf toast or pancakes?

    I saw a plate of pancakes

    Any Gluten free options?

    Eggs and bacon

    Are Dogs allowed inside?

    No but they have an outside patio

    Do they have high chairs for our little ones?

    yes, it's stacked on the left side of the wall when you first walk in.

    Do they have a parking lot?

    No

    Are there alcoholic drinks?

    No they don't serve alcohol....but they have some amazing coffee!

    Are there vegan options?

    Yeah they do. You'd end up having to get toast, oatmeal, parafait or something. But there is definitely something you could get. Most of the menu has eggs in it though.

    View All 23 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Coffee & Tea 5,693 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Revolution Roasters

    Revolution Roasters

    4.3
    (787 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    First and foremost, I reside in San Diego, and the drive to this place is absolutely worth it. I…read moremust admit, I'm not a matcha enthusiast. However, my friends from North County highly recommended this establishment and kindly invited me to join them. The outdoor seating is spacious and inviting, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The friendly service adds to the overall experience. Initially, I was contemplating getting a coffee, but my friend insisted on trying the matcha. And let me tell you, you won't regret it. As I mentioned earlier, I'm not usually a fan of matcha, and I often end up regretting it and discarding it. But this time, I was pleasantly surprised. I was thoroughly satisfied and regained my trust in matcha. My friend opted for pastries, and she thoroughly enjoyed them, even devouring them.

    Revolution Roasters is one of my absolute favorite coffee spots in Oceanside. Is the parking a…read morechallenge? Absolutely. But it's 100% worth it. This place has such a loyal following that people will happily walk a few blocks just to get their Revo fix. One of my favorite things is their seasonal menu. I've learned to fully embrace each special while it's here because once it's gone, it's gone. Right now, I'm completely obsessed with the Coconut Mango Sticky Rice Matcha. I'm pretty sure the baristas recognize me as "the Sticky Rice Matcha lady" at this point! I'm soaking up every sip while it's in season, and although I'll be sad when it's gone, I know they'll surprise me with something amazing next season. Their food is just as impressive. The toast is delicious, they use Prager Brothers bread, organic avocado, and fresh tomatoes, and you can really taste the difference that quality ingredients make. It's refreshing to find a café that clearly cares about food integrity. Another huge bonus for me is that they offer almond milk. So many coffee shops default to oat milk, but I appreciate having another option that fits my preferences. The only downside is the parking. My strategy is simple: go early if you can. Once it gets busy, finding a spot can be an adventure. But even with that minor inconvenience, Revolution Roasters is absolutely worth the trip. Incredible coffee, thoughtful seasonal drinks, quality ingredients, and a team that clearly cares about what they serve. Easy five stars.

    Photos
    Avo + Pickled Onion

avocado | pickled onion | sesame seeds | lemon
    Avo + Pickled Onion avocado | pickled onion | sesame seeds | lemon
    Iced campfire latte
    Iced campfire latte
    Avo + Pickled Onion

avocado | pickled onion | sesame seeds | lemon

    See all

    Avo + Pickled Onion avocado | pickled onion | sesame seeds | lemon
    Dreamwave Coffee

    Dreamwave Coffee

    4.8
    (250 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    The sweetest people work here. The drinks and the chiamisu I got are an absolute 10/10! Mike was…read moreabsolutely fantastic with such amazing conversation. It's also just so beautiful inside! I will be coming back !

    This coffee shop is what dreams are made of - seriously. They've perfected the formula. Friendly…read morepeople, amazing vibes for people of all ages, and incredible coffee. Mike and the entire team at Dreamwave are doing such an incredible job of making the experience worth every penny. The quality of the coffee, the work they do, and the service they provide is truly top tier. While they do have a lot of fun flavors, this is not the kind of place that drowns the palate with sweetness. They expertly balance the ratio of syrup, milk, and espresso to provide the best outcome. The nuttiness of their roast really shines, and they're always happy to adjust the sweetness if you need them to. Personally, I love the lower sweetness level being the default. These guys know what they're doing! We've been visiting for the past week and have stopped through Dreamwave four times this week. While I'm always in the need of a coffee fix, we've gone out of our way to visit multiple times because the people have been so beyond kind. We've sampled most of the house flavors and I can confidently say they have all been delicious. This would definitely be my go-to shop if I lived nearby.

    Photos
    High Tide - Our coconut vanilla Latte made with our house-made coconut vanilla syrup.
    High Tide - Our coconut vanilla Latte made with our house-made coconut vanilla syrup.
    Dreamwave Coffee
    Dreamwave Coffee

    See all

    Cafe Topes - coffee - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...