If you are anything like me, you also are a sucker for a cute cafe. I know that some people find them to be overly-hyped up, but for the most part I love visiting a photogenic foodie spot! The combination of getting to eat delicious food, snapping perfect pictures, and overall enjoying the aesthetically pleasing surroundings is a combination that makes my heart sing. If you happen to find yourself anywhere between San Diego and Los Angeles, there is sure to be a spot on this list for you. Here are the most Instagram-worthy restaurants in SoCal. If you want to check out a gorgeous beach before or after you stop at one of these restaurants, here are my recommendations.
The Pink Cabana, Palm Springs
Let me clear something up right now – I know that Palm Springs is not technically considered part of Southern California for most people. But considering that it is only a few hours away from San Diego and LA, I had to include the Pink Cabana on this list. The Pink Cabana is a restaurant inside the Sands Hotel and Spa, and it is without a doubt one of the most Instagram-worthy restaurants in SoCal. I actually think it might be the cutest restaurant I have ever set foot in, period.
The upscale pink aesthetic is like nothing I have ever seen before, and the food was incredible. This is probably the most expensive spot on this list, but if you are looking to do a girls trip or a chill bachelorette party, the Sands Hotel and Spa would be perfect. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can eat at the Pink Cabana! If you want to see more of my day trip to Palm Springs, you will find a video on it here.
Communal Coffee, San Diego (North Park)
I had to include Communal Coffee near the top of this list because out of all of the local SoCal coffee chains I have tried, Communal Coffee is THE BEST. Their drink menu changes seasonally, and I have yet to try a drink I didn’t like. They have delicious food options that range from healthy and vegan dishes to hearty bowls, sandwiches, and more. They also have some form of gift shop/boutique at all of their locations where they sell fresh flowers, clothing, cute home wares, and so much more. If you are looking to have a cute date with a girlfriend, any one of Communal Coffee’s locations is the perfect choice.
Obviously, every Communal Coffee location is adorable. Each location has a wide variety of cute murals and other backdrops to get the perfect shot in front of. I will be sure to update this list as I visit more locations!
Communal Coffee, San Diego (South Park)
Everything that I said about the North Park Communal Coffee location applies here as well. This location mostly has outdoor seating, so keep that in mind if you are planning on staying for a while! Also, how cute is this camper van that they make your order in?
Holy Matcha, San Diego
I would be remiss if I did not include Holy Matcha in this list of the most Instagram-worthy restaurants in SoCal. It is every matcha-lovers dream! If you are looking to add a pop of pink to your Instagram feed, this is the place to go. This location can get quite busy on weekends, so be sure to visit on a weekday if you want to get the perfect shot.
A quick note on the food and drinks – they are not the best. I feel a bit sad to say that because as a matcha lover, I love the concept of this cafe! But you can kind of tell that they rely more on their cute decor to bring in customers than their menu. I would rate the food and drinks here a solid 7/10. If i did not love matcha and avocado toast as much as I do, I would probably give it a 6/10. But the staff was lovely!
Café Topes, Carlsbad
This photo really does not do Café Topes justice. Out of all of the spots on this list, this is probably the one that is the least over-the-top and the least in-your-face “Instagram Worthy”. It is, however, an incredibly delicious brunch spot that is very aesthetically pleasing. If you are looking to grab a delicious brunch and relax in a cool industrial space that is covered in plants, give Café Topes a try!
Cauldron Ice Cream, Santa Ana
I know that this cheeky sign at Cauldron Ice Cream might not be too everyone’s taste. If you find it cute and fun, which I do, why not pose in front of it? I was on the hunt for the best ice cream places in SoCal over the Summer, and Cauldron Ice Cream was on every list I found. Now that I have been to one of their many locations, I completely understand why. It was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had! I got the Earl Grey Tea flavor in a hot waffle cone, and I was absolutely in heaven. If you need a sweet treat, check to see if they have any locations near you!
Dot’s Café and Bakery, Pasadena
Dot’s has to be the cutest bakery I have ever seen. When I visited Dot’s, LA’s restaurants were in the height of following COVID restriction guidelines while trying to stay in business. The entire cafe was turned inside out in order to accommodate for seating restrictions. I still did get to enjoy one of the best cupcakes I have ever had and I managed to snap a cute (very socially-distanced) picture in front of this wall. I can’t wait to go back and get the full experience.
Bluestone Lane, West Hollywood
I have had many an avocado toast in my life, but the one I had from Bluestone lane the day that I took this photo is in my top 5 of all time. I am sure that I have made it very clear how much I love a cute cafe at this point, but sometimes it can be really disappointing when you visit one and the food is expensive but very sub-par. Bluestone Lane is another example on this list where the food is just as good as the photo opportunities. If I lived in LA, I would absolutely be a regular at my closest Bluestone Lane location.
Carrera Cafe, West Hollywood
I have been seeing photos of designer logo-printed lattes coming from Carrera Cafe for years. The cute latte art alone makes it worthy of being called one of the most Instagram-worthy restaurants in SoCal. I was so excited to finally visit this year, and it was just as amazing as it looked in photos. I am pleased to say that the breakfast sandwich I tried was 1. actually worth the money and 2. delicious. Did I mention that you can get literally anything you want printed onto a latte? I can’t wait to visit again!
Mondo Coffee, Beverly Hills
Mondo Coffee, formerly known as Oro Caffe, is located right off of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The coffee and croissant were only ok, but I feel like they were pretty inexpensive compared to other places I have visited in LA. The LA coffee scene is no joke! If you like a more luxurious Instagram aesthetic, check out Mondo Coffee.
Cha Cha Matcha, Venice
Wow, another matcha-themed location? So crazy, I know! There is something about matcha and Instagram that goes so nicely together. Compared to Holy Matcha in San Diego, Cha Cha Matcha in Venice has much better food and drinks. However, their menu is a lot more expensive and the store is a lot more busy. I would say that both are worth a visit. It just depends on if you are closer to San Diego or LA
