We were pleasantly surprised to find they had some vegan options. Their apple pie was delicious,they also had birthday cake and some other vegan options on the menu.
NicoleParks
I am not one to leave negative reviews but this was a bad experience all around. my friends came around 11 am to grab a coffee and I saw the plethora of vegan options on the menu for lunch so we decided to come back for lunch. we came back around 1 pm and waited in a very long line only to get to the front and be told that they were sold out of coffee, tartines, mushrooms, vegan meat, and savory crepes. they said they could make me a “tartine” but sub the bread for savory crepe and it would come with a side of potatoes. i was confused as to how they can do that if they are out of savory crepes but they said they could do it. they said the crepe batter was egg and i pointed out that the menu said the crepes can be made vegan and they checked and told me they have vegan crepe batter. i asked for no cheese and they said they have vegan cheese so they added it to the order. after they rung me up and i paid they told me i only ordered the side veggies that come on the tartine with potatoes, no crepe and no bread. when i told them i thought i was getting a crepe they refunded me and then charged me for a crepe. except they kept the full tip when they refunded the first order so i ended up paying even more than without the refund. i told them this and they said they would figure it out. by the end of my very sad looking meal (that also came with olives even though i said no olives AND didn’t even come with the vegan cheese they offered to put on) my bf went up to talk to them about the tip refund issue and they were very rude and not apologetic at all, even insisted that i asked for olives when both my friends clearly heard me say no olives
Updated from previous review on 2025-11-04
OLIVIA
Nice little cafe.Food is good. Good choice for breakfast and close to the downtown area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kara Pratt
Had an ice latte of pure grit, felt like I had scoops of sand in it, when I ask for a remade they just tried to scoop the spices that didnt mix. When I came up for a refund they told me that its just how they make their iced lattes but they will take out the pumpkin and remake, the third one came out just ok kinda like baby food tasting
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Casey Rummel
The tartine (pictured) was the best breakfast I’ve had since I can remember. It’s so good. My son had the grilled cheese, which uses the same bread as the tartine (their homemade focaccia) and he said “this is the best bread I’ve had in my life!” So the food is, without question, 5 stars.
A couple of things about the service / atmosphere:
1. The service was very slow. I think this is due to two things, both of which are worth it IMO. First, they’re making everything fresh. Second, things move a little slower in Julian than in, say, San Diego. I like that.
2. They have a “service dog only” policy but it wasn’t enforced. A family brought in a dog and it whined loudly for a while.
3. This will sound weird / trivial, but I noticed it multiple times: the doors to the place, when allowed to close on their own, smash closed and make a very loud noise. Loud enough that I was jolted by it the first three or four times. It was the opposite of the calm vibe inside. Would be a relatively simple fix.
3. Lastly, they have a little kids area with toys and books and games. Loved that - very helpful while waiting for the amazing food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Helen Khanasyk
Great place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lj-ezee
Very few options in Julian for vegan food however Purple Owl Cafe are full supporters! The menu items with asterisks by them can all be made vegan. Although the establishment opens at 6am for coffee & pastries, for full Breakfast- kitchen opens at 9am. Smoothies, lates, etc. all have plant based mylk options. Some rotating deserts available that are vegan as well. Off Main St., the quaint restaurant is surrounded by beautiful trees, offers outdoor seating, and is dog friendly. Service dogs only indoors. Check it out, this place did not disappoint.
Jennifer
Drinks and food were delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Byrne
I have lived in France and have never had a savory crepe (somehow vegan?!) so good in my life. Full marks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samantha Daly
I love it here~! The food is amazing, excellent portions. The banana French toast is my favorite and the oat milk butterfly pea latte is delicious~! Even my boyfriend, who doesn’t drink coffee, likes it. The atmosphere is cute and cozy, there’s outdoor seating too. I want to come back here again.
This place is delicious and cute! We loved the focaccia and the purple owl decor. Great for vegetarians and vegans.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everlife191
Cute, convenient & delicious cafe! Hidden gem with really tasty brunch, fast service, will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vary Anomaly (Ethan)
My wife and I always stop here anytime we're in Julian! Great coffee and great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ayal Adamit
Great food and vibes. Kid friendly - they have a little corner with toys, books and a couch - perfect for the little ones to play while they wait! We had the banana bread french toast and the garden crepe - both were so delicious and very filling. We’ll be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Нариман Рахимов
Amazing place with delicious food and great atmosphere
We were pleasantly surprised to find they had some vegan options. Their apple pie was delicious,they also had birthday cake and some other vegan options on the menu.
I am not one to leave negative reviews but this was a bad experience all around. my friends came around 11 am to grab a coffee and I saw the plethora of vegan options on the menu for lunch so we decided to come back for lunch. we came back around 1 pm and waited in a very long line only to get to the front and be told that they were sold out of coffee, tartines, mushrooms, vegan meat, and savory crepes. they said they could make me a “tartine” but sub the bread for savory crepe and it would come with a side of potatoes. i was confused as to how they can do that if they are out of savory crepes but they said they could do it. they said the crepe batter was egg and i pointed out that the menu said the crepes can be made vegan and they checked and told me they have vegan crepe batter. i asked for no cheese and they said they have vegan cheese so they added it to the order. after they rung me up and i paid they told me i only ordered the side veggies that come on the tartine with potatoes, no crepe and no bread. when i told them i thought i was getting a crepe they refunded me and then charged me for a crepe. except they kept the full tip when they refunded the first order so i ended up paying even more than without the refund. i told them this and they said they would figure it out. by the end of my very sad looking meal (that also came with olives even though i said no olives AND didn’t even come with the vegan cheese they offered to put on) my bf went up to talk to them about the tip refund issue and they were very rude and not apologetic at all, even insisted that i asked for olives when both my friends clearly heard me say no olives Updated from previous review on 2025-11-04
Nice little cafe.Food is good. Good choice for breakfast and close to the downtown area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an ice latte of pure grit, felt like I had scoops of sand in it, when I ask for a remade they just tried to scoop the spices that didnt mix. When I came up for a refund they told me that its just how they make their iced lattes but they will take out the pumpkin and remake, the third one came out just ok kinda like baby food tasting
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
The tartine (pictured) was the best breakfast I’ve had since I can remember. It’s so good. My son had the grilled cheese, which uses the same bread as the tartine (their homemade focaccia) and he said “this is the best bread I’ve had in my life!” So the food is, without question, 5 stars.
A couple of things about the service / atmosphere:
1. The service was very slow. I think this is due to two things, both of which are worth it IMO. First, they’re making everything fresh. Second, things move a little slower in Julian than in, say, San Diego. I like that.
2. They have a “service dog only” policy but it wasn’t enforced. A family brought in a dog and it whined loudly for a while.
3. This will sound weird / trivial, but I noticed it multiple times: the doors to the place, when allowed to close on their own, smash closed and make a very loud noise. Loud enough that I was jolted by it the first three or four times. It was the opposite of the calm vibe inside. Would be a relatively simple fix.
3. Lastly, they have a little kids area with toys and books and games. Loved that - very helpful while waiting for the amazing food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very few options in Julian for vegan food however Purple Owl Cafe are full supporters! The menu items with asterisks by them can all be made vegan. Although the establishment opens at 6am for coffee & pastries, for full Breakfast- kitchen opens at 9am. Smoothies, lates, etc. all have plant based mylk options. Some rotating deserts available that are vegan as well. Off Main St., the quaint restaurant is surrounded by beautiful trees, offers outdoor seating, and is dog friendly. Service dogs only indoors. Check it out, this place did not disappoint.
Drinks and food were delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have lived in France and have never had a savory crepe (somehow vegan?!) so good in my life. Full marks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love it here~! The food is amazing, excellent portions. The banana French toast is my favorite and the oat milk butterfly pea latte is delicious~! Even my boyfriend, who doesn’t drink coffee, likes it. The atmosphere is cute and cozy, there’s outdoor seating too. I want to come back here again.
They should add more owls to the decor though.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banana Bread French Toast
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is delicious and cute! We loved the focaccia and the purple owl decor. Great for vegetarians and vegans.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cute, convenient & delicious cafe! Hidden gem with really tasty brunch, fast service, will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I always stop here anytime we're in Julian! Great coffee and great service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and vibes. Kid friendly - they have a little corner with toys, books and a couch - perfect for the little ones to play while they wait! We had the banana bread french toast and the garden crepe - both were so delicious and very filling. We’ll be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing place with delicious food and great atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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