Darshan Bakery & Cafe

Best baguette on earth. Yummy chai and a cardamom in espresso called Bombay Latte. Yummy pastries – I especially liked the chocolate croissant. I didn’t really like the texture of the quiches. Pricey, and they only take cash, so prepare in advance.

I found this bakery after searching best bakeries in San Diego. It lived up to the review. The chocolate croissant and almond croissant were back hand spring delicious!! The flaky texture, buttery taste mmmm… This bakery is a little piece of heaven in Encinitas. So glad to have found it. We loved our experience and will definitely be back again. Be sure to bring cash. No credit or debit machine today.

Croissants are delicious like French pastry!!! Yummy!

Was once a loyal customer here because of the delicious fresh baked pastries (I love a good croissant) but after today I’m afraid these people will no longer have my business (or anyone else I would think to bring here).
Went to Lofty this morning and got coffee, meandered over to Darshan to get some pastries with our lattes (I am visiting my parents and trying to go to all my favorite places). I step past the owner as he is chatting with another guy, I ask if they are in line and they both respond with a quick and friendly «No! Go right ahead!». After paying for our pastries and sitting down, the owner comes over to our table (I am thinking to ask us how he likes the pastries or something cute like that) but amazingly he came over to tell us we can’t have coffee from somewhere else in his establishment. This was really awkward considering we had already started digging into our pastries and I had also bought a chai… I tried to make light of the moment with humor but was met with serious entitled attitude «what’s wrong with the coffee here?». We got up and left. «I mean I guess you can leave if you want to.» What else were we supposed to do? What was the intended outcome of the confrontation if not to make us leave?
To the owner, I just want to say, I have been coming here for 5 years. If you are worried about losing business to a competing café, maybe DON’T kick out loyal customers for supporting another local business AS WELL AS your own. Next time, consider voicing your concerns about outside food/​drinks BEFORE your customers make a purchase at your café. I know you saw us before when we were in line in front of you, that would have been a much better time to POLITELY tell us your concerns. It is pretty amazing that you would wait until after taking our business to make us leave.
All in all you pretty much crapped on our morning. Goodbye forever, Darshan.

I would love to have this bakery around my house!
The almond croissant was delicious. I think it’s one of the best i’ve had in recent years.
All the other pastries in the case also looked great, too.
Macchiato was intense — I love it when they make a real macchiato with dollop of foam.

This place is high on my coffee and pastry list in San diego. My husband and I drive from RB to encinitas at least once a week. I have tried literally everything on their menu and I must say nothing has ever disappointed me here. A few of my favorite items on the menu are:
Egg and asparagus sandwich
Lentil Soup
Almond Croissant
Chocolate and Raspberry Croissant
Cherry Danish
Apricot Tart
Pull Apart
The orange juice and almond is really really delicious too
If you are in the area, make sure to check em out. It wouldn’t disappoint you! also make sure you bring cash with you since they only accept cash or checks.

Please support locals!
Amazing authentic bread!!! Delightful pastries. Best coffee ever– try the Bombay one!
Customer service that makes you feel «right at home».
**CASH ONLY**

Word on the street is true! These pastries are delectable.
The cheese croissant was really good. A lot of reviewers mention the almond croissant, but I have yet to try it. I’m not big on nuts.
I’ve also had the lemon tartlet, which I recommend! It was a cute little thing and the perfect scrumptious treat.
I’ve had the mushroom quiche but wasn’t crazy about it. I might not be the best person to ask for an opinion on the quiche, since I’m not a huge fan of egg dishes in general. I just ordered it anyways, because other Unilocalers mentioned the quiche here.

A quaint bakery/​café off the beaten path in Encinitas. The Bombay latte and almond croissant was delicious. Will return!
Don’t arrive too late… Almond croissants sell out fast and seem to be a favorite.

Yeah, the reviews are correct… the almond croissant was really, really good. So says Jack M. (The Godfather… again! Your reviews are at EVERY place I go to! What do you do… eat out ²⁴⁄₇?!). Folks… he has over 2,500 reviews… check him out!
I also tried one of their macaroons with chocolate on the bottom and a dollop of jam in the middle… very delicious.
I’ll be back for more!

Some of the best bakery I’ve ever had. I crave this place. I could go on and on. Everything I’ve tried is of the highest quality and the staff is lovely. Go once and you’re hooked.

Based on the ratings, Darshan’s appears to be a hidden gem bakery. The location is wonderful, right near the beach in Encinitas. The pastries were disappointing to me though.
The almond croissant was far too sweet, borderline saccharine in areas covered with lots of sugar. This was not the style of an authentic French pastry. The dough was also not flaky enough to give that subtle crunch in your mouth sound. It was far too soft.
The best almond croissants I’ve had are those from Renaud’s in Santa Barbara. Now they have their French pastry recipes on point.
Good attempt but could be better.

This is my favorite bakery since I moved to North coastal county. I’m in love with their almond croissant and chocolate croissant, and Chai Latte. I think their Chai Latte is the best I have ever had.
It’s a very small place, kinda hidden behind the main street. The place is basic and casual but food they provide is superb.

Okay, This is the must-​see (??) place if you visit San Diego north part and you are tired of franchised bakery in morning and always try something new at your vacation.
I believe there are not many bakeries in US have spiritual atmosphere. You will find a lot of Yogi people there. When you go there, you will immediately feel like you should have worn at least Yogi bear T-​shirt.
Taste is very very good. I bet you will be amazed at one bite. As many people recommend, almond croissant is pretty good. And I recommend you should have any kind of Quiche. You will feel that at least a few days of your life are extended by healthy food.
CONS: NO Credit CARD

I went back today and the croissant was not chewy like I remembered it. I also grabbed a FLOURLESS ORANGE CHOCOLATE CAKE and it was amazing! If you like orange flavored desserts, try this. It is moist and just the perfect amount so that you don’t feel guilty. Kinda pricy for a little thing though…$ 5.50.

This place earned 2-​stars for the cinnamon roll, which was delish, but unfortunately this was adversely overshadowed by the staff working there.
Just went in here for the first time ever this morning, and was off-​put by how long it took for the lady working the coffee machine to acknowledge my presence. Considering I was the only customer who walked through the door with the jingling bells, it shouldn’t have taken close to a minute.
When she finally did acknowledge me, she called upon the guy working in the kitchen, who did not seem like he even wanted to be there. I also got a very cold, «look down upon thee» vibe.
Maybe I’m just spoiled and white, but a little common courtesy would have gone a long way. Even something as simple as «I’ll be right with you» would have made this review a positive one.

I usually come here to get the almond croissant when I’m at the J street view point. It may not be the easiest bakery to find but I think it’s worth it. It’s right next door to a yoga studio so if you see some people in their yoga attire you know you’re in the right location. Ok so this bakery is very small but they do have some tables inside and about three tables on the sidewalk.
My favorite is the almond croissant because it’s buttery, flaky and not overly sweet. There is a nice selection but at the same it’s not a huge selection which I like because making decisions on sweets is hard for me. There are a few drinks but I believe they are canned and bottled. I’m not sure if they have coffee or tea I usually get my baked goods and sit outside.
The owner or who I think is the owner is real nice and willing to explain what’s what. So this is a cash only business so keep that in mind because you don’t want to have your mind set on something then can’t get it because you don’t have cash.

«Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you’ve got.»
Benjamin Hoff — The Tao of Pooh
Mike: How is it you don’t weigh 400lbs eating the way you do?
me: I bike to work everyday.
I also live pretty far from Darshan Bakery. Otherwise I’d be showing up at 7am for fresh croissants everyday. Close your eyes and relax as the scent of fresh baked croissant teases you. As the scent becomes stronger and you can no longer resist take a bite and listen to that crunch as you penetrate the flaky crust. Let your tongue swirl over the insides soft as a rose pedal. Taste the that perfect balance of flavors between butter and pastry. Best croissant ever.
If you like almond you are in luck. The almond croissant is even crunchier and it adds an almond flavor to the flavor profile with an almond paste center. Best almond croissant ever.
Chocolate chunk cookie. Took a bite. Taste like a chocolate chip cookie. No that’s wrong. Taste like one of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve had. Perfect balance between cookie dough and chocolate flavors. Wish I bought more than one. *sigh
I’ve sampled the bread before. Amazing crunchy crust with delicious soft insides. Delicious flavor. I’ve resisted buying it though. The dilemma is I’d be too full to eat the croissants…
Very friendly hard working staff here. Small, cute spot to hang out and have a snack. :-)

Wow. What a wonderful gem hidden off the beaten path in downtown Encinitas. The setting was charming, the selection was appetizing and I loved my sandwich. I had #3, described on the menu as «Asparagus/​Egg: Braised asparagus tips, hard-​cooked organic free-​range egg, manchego cheese, house remoulade, greens». Served on a wonderfully spongy herbed focaccia, the sandwich was Ka pow! So good.
I also had a chocolate chip cookie which was delicious as well.
I do sort of wish they’d make the sandwiches to order, especially for consumption on the premises. I like the presentation of the ready-​made sandwiches in the white butcher paper neatly organized in the display case, but sandwiches do seem fresher if they are assembled for each customer.
Unique, local, personal and delicious. Loved it. Will be back. See you there.

J’adorable! (Not a real French word, but fitting!) It’s tucked back behind Hwy 101 on 2^nd street and I am sad to say, I didn’t even know they existed until a recent meeting prompted a visit. Tragic! This is the place for tea/​coffee and a pastry. A treat and feast for the palate and eyes… read on!
The scene was out of this world and into a movie, the bakery case over flowing and looking like a piece of art itself, a clearly expert baker taking a gorgeous tart our of the oven and showing it off to a colleague, a few local characters intently reading… it was like a hush huddled over the small room. Perhaps in honor of their beloved Almond Croissants? Worth worshiping I tell you!
Tis tiny, as I mentioned, and no wi-​fi to be had. It’s cash only so be forward, parking proved inconvenient on the weekends as you’re left to fend in the bike ridden and busy streets. Another Unilocaler mentioned a lot? hummm… Also I wouldn’t recommend it for a meeting. You and your discussions of marketing or finance would be a disturbance to the vibe. However, if you wanna unplug, leave your laptop behind, grab an old fashion pen and paper, or gasp! A book! You’ll fit right in.