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Swami's Café La Mesa

4.0 (1.2k reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Swami's Café La Mesa Photos

SWAMI'S CAFÉ LA MESA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Classy
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Swami's Café La Mesa

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Bread
Valerie V.

My Tropical salad was good but the bread was burnt. Not edible at all. Very disappointing.

Pitaya Bowl
Wendy S.

Got a to go order of the Pitaya Bowl, and added PB!! If you've never had their açaí bowl or this one..... it's a MUST try!!! Portion is great, so well made. Our daily loves it!!

California Scramble

The food was delicious and the serving size was plentiful. The service was attentive and we were greeted with a smile. The coffee bar was nice with lots of options.

Ham And Ham Omelette
Cara H.

Our family favorite breakfast spot in LaMesa. Great location in quaint La Mesa Village with an outside patio and large inside dining area. The menu is extensive with numerous vegetarian options for breakfast lunch and dinner. The staff is always so friendly, ordering is made easy at the counter and our food always comes out quickly. Portions sizes are huge so be ready!

Crystal M.

This is one of my go-to local spots for breakfast. I always order the same thing, Swami Combo, but my sister orders something different almost every time and it is consistently good no matter what she orders. It's a place you order, then sit & they bring the food to you. Everyone is always so nice and the food is ready quickly because everyone is working hard. There is seating inside and outside. If you do choose to sit outside, you might get hit with the sun, but I love the option. My only downside is the parking. This area is always busy, so it might be difficult to find parking, and they're all paid parking.

Breakfast burrito
Hannah N.

We were meeting up with some family friends on a busy holiday weekend and decided to check out Swamis in La Mesa since we had been to other locations before. I am not sure if all locations are like this but I at this location you enter and order up at the counter and then pick your table and they bring out the food to you. The portions here are huge we honestly all should have shared a couple things compared to each ordering something. I went with the an omelette which came with their house potatoes and my fiancé got a breakfast burrito that also came with hashbrowns on the side. We ended up taking a ton of food home with us. Parking over there isn't too hard but it did take us a moment to find street parking.

California breakfast burrito with side of potato's
Sonia C.

Swamis is a classic for quick service for breakfast / lunch in San Diego. There's multiple locations and prices are decent with large portions. It's cafe style food so nothing too fancy but a solid place for good prices We ordered: -California Breakfast Burrito with Ham and a side of roasted potato's: in a city of Mexican food the bar is very high, so although this was a good burrito it wasn't the best ever. It was clean ingredients but felt like something you can make at home. Cheese wasn't melted enough. -Banana Chocolate Chip Pancake: Good not great. A bit underwhelming -Swamis salad: comes with a piece of toasted bread with garlic and butter that was amazing. Very large portion -Açaí Bowl: my family like this, I felt it was underwhelming 3.5/ 5 for food taste alone. 4/5 rating overall considering cost/ kind of restaurant it is/ speed/ diversity on their menu

Stuffed French Toast
April H.

Brought the family here for breakfast on the weekend. The chilaquiles were AMAZING. Good portions, quick service, and so many coffees to choose from. We were very happy overall. The building or decor isn't anything amazing but there's ample seating.

Churro waffle
Grace C.

The have a wide selection of menu items! So many options to choose from, if you are an indecisive person then you will have a hard time choosing. Prices are reasonable, open seating , order and pay before seating, The ABC OMELTE , Cheese Burger was great! The churro waffle wasn't that great, the waffle itself lacked flavor. The Chai Latte was great! Over all I will be back!

Jordan R.

Solid spot for lunch! The staff is friendly and food is consistently good. Smoothies / Juices are also a go to for me.

GUACAMOLE BACON BURGER
alondra a.

Today I visited Swami's in La Mesa and was greeted by Alan, who was incredibly friendly. He gave me his two favorite recommendations, and we ended up ordering both--great choices! I later saw him carrying five plates in his left hand and two in his right, which was seriously impressive. Yes, the sandwiches were delicious, but what truly makes this place stand out is the staff. The restaurant was spotless, the atmosphere relaxing, and every single person greeted us warmly. Honestly, everyone here deserves a $2 raise--and if they get it, I'll happily keep coming back!

4. California Scrambler
Lin J.

Such a cute hidden gem. I was so surprised at how big it was once we got inside. They had a good coffee bar which was self serve but had a wide variety of options. Seating was open. Good was great. Pricing was totally reasonable.

Chai latte
Saliha M.

Great service and good food. Glad to be coming here with my family for years and knowing we are in the best hands

Garden SWAMIS SCRAMBLE THE LITE SCRAMBLE

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Churro Waffle was amazing. Outdoor seating was nice, staff was attentive without being interruptive.

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4 months ago

Everytime I come here food is always good! Best steak and eggs! They have good burgers too!

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6 months ago

We got the breakfast sandwich, and it was so good! Would recommend and we will be back!

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Swami's Café La Mesa Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Swami's Café La Mesa

Is there parking?

Yes, there is. There's a bunch of street parking. I don't recall the rate.

Do they sell breakfast all day?

I want to say when I was there it is provided at anytime

View All 3 Questions

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Toasted La Mesa

Toasted La Mesa

4.0(616 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

We have been to Toasted probably 5 or so times since moving to La Mesa and love it! We definitely…read morerecommend it. AMBIANCE: The ambiance is very nice. The restaurant is cute and not too noisy. There is an indoor and outdoor area. SERVICE: We have never had a bad service experience at Toasted. Our waitress today in particular was great. My niece wanted a mimosa without alcohol, and she happily accommodated and even suggested adding some soda water to make it more like a mimosa. FOOD & DRINKS: In the many times we have been there, we have had the following; DRINKS: -Mimosa Flight: Too be honest, I did not love the flight. The Prickly Pear was my favorite, but I tend to prefer sweeter drinks, and I would say overall, the cocktails are not super sweet there, which for many people is a plus (just not me). -Lavender Cocktail - Good but also not super sweet -Chai Latte - I have had it hot and iced and liked it both ways FOOD: -Santa Fe Scramble - My favorite dish I have tried to date. Our waitress compared it to tortilla soup in an egg dish, and I would say that's a new perfect description except I think this is way better than tortilla soup -Denver Scramble - Very good and would order again -Breakfast Sammy - Good. A typical breakfast sandwich, so if that's what you're in the mood for, get this. That being said, I wouldn't say there is anything that sets this breakfast sandwich apart from others. -Stuffed French Toast - Good but not my favorite. Would not order again. -Fried Chicken Benny - Good but not a standout that I would order again -Breakfast Quesadilla - Just okay. Nothing was wrong with it, but I would not get it again and would do the Santa Fe Scramble over this. -Sliders - My favorite lunch item. They are the same as the old Sammy's sliders (this location used to be a Sammy's) -Red Velvet Pancakes - Good but very rich -Chocolate Chip Pancakes - Great and very fluffy with excellent texture Overall, even though not every food item or drink is a hit for me personally, that's the case at pretty much any restaurant, and there are some great items and the food, service, and ambiance are great

Great bottomless service, our waitress filled up my glass as I drank which was amazing lol. I…read moreordered the chicken and pancakes which all together I rate a 6.5/10. - Comes with 3 THICK pancakes and three southern fried chicken tender with "hot" syrup. - Syrup tasted like regular syrup mixed with hot sauce which I wasn't really feelin. I think it would've been better with hot honey and syrup on the side? - Again these pancakes are THICK and flavor was "meh" so you prolly won't even finish them all and you might need to ask for extra syrup (like myself) I honestly think the chicken and French toast would've been a better option and I might ask for that accommodation next time if I order the same thing (I prolly won't, I like to try new tings hehe). Overall pretty restaurant with great natural Lighting but it still needs to prove itself in the flavor department.

Photos
Toasted La Mesa
Toasted La Mesa
Toasted La Mesa

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Curbside Eatery & Drinkery - Mimosa & breakfast sandwich on their patio

Curbside Eatery & Drinkery

3.9(474 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

Great place to stop by for an early weekend lunch. Since it was early, I decided to go with the…read moreAngus sliders, which were better than your average sliders. The caramelized onions and bacon jam make a huge difference and make it worth getting sliders. Heads up - if you have tots, they do have high chairs for both high top and regular tables but they don't have a kids menu.

Right off the bat, the host just seemed blunt and monotone. Our waitress tried to vouch for her,…read moreabout busy morning.. We were seated outside, 5mins later I was trying to ask for a table change from 1 corner to the other due to the sun. I went to get back in line at the host stand, but the family before me asked for the corner table& I feel like because we were there first, my issue should've been addressed 1st, esp when the mother of the family was making faces and making a big deal. I mentioned to the host another table left in the same area, she said she'll clear it, problem solved. Just off to a horrible 1st impression on a little issue, and that was just at the face of the initial interaction. *The host did come over and apologize about whatever feelings she thought I had still though* I had the chilaquiles, it was good, it just wasn't AMAZING. I swear I read on the menu it said fresh tortilla strips.. unless I read that on another menu. Everything else seemed like basic breakfast/lunch. It was something new to try& we tried it.

Photos
Curbside Eatery & Drinkery - Super clean restroom

Super clean restroom

Curbside Eatery & Drinkery
Curbside Eatery & Drinkery

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Sunshine Pancake House

Sunshine Pancake House

4.2(857 reviews)
1.2 mi
•$$
Casual dining
Kid friendly

We just finished eating breakfast here, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. We…read morewere seated quickly, the food was outstanding, and the service was amazing. The ambience was family friendly and welcoming. They serve Farmers Brothers coffee. If you have not tasted this coffee, you must try it. There is no bitterness to it and it's very smooth. I love when restaurants serve this brand of coffee. I ordered the vegetarian omelette. It was baked, generously portioned, incredibly filling, and absolutely delicious. My nephew had the strawberry waffle which looked very delicious. I also want to commend the entire staff for their exceptional service and hard work. They were attentive, friendly, and kept everything running smoothly throughout our visit. It's clear they take pride in providing a great experience for their guests. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great breakfast!

Delicious pancakes, friendly staff, fresh OJ, and a great atmosphere. The staff are so attentive…read moreand there's a lot of seating. The patio is also dog friendly! (For dogs under 40 lbs). They even brought out a water bowl for her, so kind. My family visits once and month and it's a great time every time. I order the pigs in the blanket every time with a plethora of fresh syrup options. It's delicious. My wife always changes her crepe every time and they're all delightful. Fresh homemade whip cream does it every time for her.

Photos
Sunshine Pancake House
Sunshine Pancake House
Sunshine Pancake House - Sunshine omelet

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Sunshine omelet

La Mesa Bistro

La Mesa Bistro

4.1(1.1k reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

An interesting bistro in La Mesa, I've never knew it was here until my friend took me. It's…read moreactually super cute and homey, the station with the pump it yourself house coffee (many diff blends and flavors) was cool. I know it would be a hit with many dads and older folks. So for this place you order at the counter first (they have a LARGE menu!) and then they give you a table number stand and you find yourself a table. They will bring it out to you with some napkins and silverware. Their service is fast and kitchen was at max speed / great flow. The servers seem quite experienced as one guy was holding 4 massive plates in his arms lol! Since it was my first time, I went pretty simple and ordered Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes. This came as a stack of 3. It was super fulfilling, but deliciously made. The chocolate chip wasn't burnt like other places made it and the pancake was nice and fluffy. Beautifully cooked! They gave little packets of butter, but I don't think it was needed. They have some maple syrup (not warmed) on the table for you-- good consistency. My friend had the Big Breakfast Plate, I think it's called? He got a freshly squeezed orange juice, chicken sausage, scrambled eggs, English muffin & jam, and a bowl of fresh fruit. It was nicely portioned & he said he enjoyed the fresh jam a lot. On the table, they had ketchup and hot sauce-- if needed. I'll def try some other items and drinks on the menu next time. I saw some workers bringing out iced and hot lattes which looked so good! The presentation made my mouth water lol. There was a steady flow of guests coming in! They have outdoor seating, but it was raining so no one sat outside.

We are regulars. We love their food. They have delicious coffee options to choose from. They also…read morehave a huge menu and good sized portions. We tend to get the same things. Our favorites are: Big breakfast- comes with coffee or OJ, bacon eggs, potatoes, choice of toast. Club sandwich with fruit - my kid said this is the best club sandwich she's ever had. Chocolate chip pancakes for my other kid. Line goes fast. Nice area to eat inside or outside. Outside is dog friendly seating too! Quick service. Kind efficient staff.

Photos
La Mesa Bistro - Main area

Main area

La Mesa Bistro
La Mesa Bistro - Shrimp sandwich on hoagie

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Shrimp sandwich on hoagie

Casa Gabriela - Como Una Flor Cocktail

Casa Gabriela

4.2(877 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

This was our second time here, this time for brunch! We got the burrito and the queso fundido…read more OMG!! The queso fundido was sooooo amazing! I definitely want to get it again in the future. The burrito was so good as well. I was not too fond of the agave syrup drizzle as I don't like mixing sweet and savory, but if that's your thing, go for it! Eventually I only had room for the filling, so that was nice and savory. The cafe de olla was delicious as well. I REALLY commend this restaurant for not using AI graphics. The signs and menu looked like they were designed by a real designer. Great job! My only complaint was that the table next to us had an iPad kid with loud volume. I feel that restaurants should impose policies of not letting personal devices be so loud as to not bother other patrons.

We've been here twice for dinner and definitely ambiance is good:…read more 1st try: We tried the La Jefa asado molcajete for two and its definitely worth it for the price. It's huge and we really liked the combination of steak, chicken, shrimp, sausage and chorizo. I really liked how they separated the beans in a cup, the rice and the tortillas. Very neat and clean. 2nd try: My husband tried the Mar Y Tierra Burrito and its very very spicy. We couldnt finish it so we put it to go. I ordered the Enchiladas Sirloin Ranchero and definitely a huge serving. It was my first time to try enchiladas and honestly I struggled to understand what I'm eating. Was it supposed to be super soggy and everything in one plate? I dont understand why they had to put beans within the plate and the plate seems overflowing. I dont know where the Sirloin is. The spicyness was tolerable for the enchiladas but I believe I regret ordering it. I cant finish it so also asked for to go.

Photos
Casa Gabriela - Chicken Tinga Empanadas

Chicken Tinga Empanadas

Casa Gabriela - Main dining room

Main dining room

Casa Gabriela - Lobster & Black bean Chipotle Flautas

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Lobster & Black bean Chipotle Flautas

Public Square - Coffee + scones = LOVE

Public Square

4.5(1.2k reviews)
0.0 mi
•$$

My new favorite coffee spot! I'm currently in my pandan obsession era and this place does it RIGHT…read more I've already been back more times than I can count. So far, I've tried the pandan, the brown sugar, and the sesame latte all iced w/ oat milk and they've all been a hit. The pandan is easily my fave, but if you're trying the brown sugar and don't love super sweet drinks I'd recommend adding an extra shot to balance it out. The drinks are consistently good and you can tell they really care about the quality. It's one of those spots you keep thinking about and end up going back to without even planning it. Customer service was solid and there's plenty of seating, which makes it a nice place to hang out or get some work done. Parking was also easy, which is always a win. Highly recommend checking this place out especially if you're a pandan lover like me!

Public Square has been closed since April after staff walked out and eventually quit due to unpaid…read morewages. Unfortunately, this place was on the decline leading up to these events. It would usually take a half hour to get a simple drink order. Food that was previously wow turned into meh (I'm looking at you, shashuka). I don't blame the baristas. I don't think the business owners ever properly streamlined their ordering process / menu to get items out effectively. I hope we get something nice to replace this space.

Photos
Public Square - Their logo

Their logo

Public Square - This wall

This wall

Public Square - It's so beautiful inside!

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It's so beautiful inside!

Swami's Café La Mesa - cafes - Updated October 2026

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