We ordered the Elote Waffle and the Weirdos Waffle. The elote waffle was one of my favorite bites this year. With cheese, chilis, salsa on a blue corn waffle it was the perfectly indulgent and savory. I would definitely return just for this. The weirdos waffle was good, with bacon bits and a carmelized banana on top. It leaned a bit salty for something I expected to be sweet, but I think that just comes down to personal preference. Overall great place! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Elote waffle and Weirdos waffle - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

So yummy waffles! Out of the world! We ordered some savory waffles and they are all good. Crowded of people because it is the long weekend. Be prepared to wait to order and to get a table. They have indoor and outdoor seatings. Highly recommend! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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I ordered a blue waffle with fresh fruit to go and I was Not disappointed. Fresh coconut whipped cream, sliced strawberries and bananas and a side of maple syrup. Delicious! Customer service was quick and helpful. I did not eat inside. Maybe next time! read more

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Probably the best smoothie I have ever had. We were visiting cayucos for a few days and every time we walked by this place the line was down the street and around the corner. I decided to call in to order my smoothie so I didn't have to wait on the crazy long line which seemed to be pretty slow moving. The smoothie was ready in 10 mins and honestly was amazing. It is crazy thick, had to eat with a spoon!! So much flavor and sweet but not too sweet. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Big Sur blue smoothie, no ginger add protein - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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The Hidden Kitchen - Cayucos' Coastal Gem with Blue Corn Soul Tucked into the beachy heartbeat of Cayucos, The Hidden Kitchen isn't just a café--it's a vibe. A pulse. A gathering place where surf town charm meets organic soul. From the moment you spot the line spilling down the sidewalk, you know you've stumbled onto something locals have known all along: this is the place. There's nothing cookie-cutter about it. The setup is delightfully relaxed--walk up, place your order, grab a number, and find your spot among the weathered wood tables, either inside the boutique-modern interior or out on the cozy back patio. The staff, a friendly and youthful crew, keep things moving with a laid-back rhythm that somehow still hums with energy. It's casual, but intentional. Now, let's talk food--because that's where The Hidden Kitchen transforms from "cute spot" to must-return destination. The star? Blue corn waffles. Not your average breakfast fare, these things are deep, nutty, and beautifully textured--almost like someone milled the masa fresh out back just for you. But they don't stop at waffles. Imagine this: a golden fried organic egg, yolk as orange as a sunset, perched atop that waffle like a crown. A handful of freshly diced avocado, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a whisper of this magic chipotle aioli--somewhere between a smoky mayo and a secret sauce handed down from the gods of brunch. It's open-faced, savory, bold--and you'll think about it for days. Craving something hand-held? The blue corn tacos follow the same formula of excellence: same aioli, same rich egg, same avo goodness, wrapped in tortillas that feel like Grandma slapped them on a griddle just moments ago. Fresh, humble, unforgettable. Drinks? Oh yeah--they've got you covered. Self-serve local coffee, refillable stations, and smoothies that taste like someone bottled sunshine and chlorophyll. Whether you're rolling in after a morning surf, a hot summer hike, or a foggy coastal stroll, there's something to meet your moment. The Hidden Kitchen isn't loud or showy. It doesn't need to be. It draws you in with that line on the sidewalk, with the clink of mugs and the blend of salty air and sizzling skillets. It's where cyclists refuel, tourists linger, and locals keep returning, like waves to the shore. You come once for the waffles. You return for the way it makes you feel: connected, grounded, nourished. Cayucos has a heart, and this is where it beats. read more

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Here's all you need to know: My family and I drive down from San Francisco *specifically* to go to Hidden Kitchen. There can be long, sad months between visits, but we make sure to purchase enough of the blue corn waffle mix to satiate our needs. Absolutely everything we've tried - and it's been a lot on the menu - has won us over. Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent. Ambiance: Excellent. read more

Our experience was not good. First of all, they say on the menu to let them know about nut allergies. Many menus say this, so they can make sure there won't be any cross contamination, so I wasn't surprised, after all, a peanut allergy is very common. After I ordered for me and my partner, I let them know about my peanut allergy. The cashier said she needed to talk to the manager. She brought the manager over who informed me that they have a peanut butter waffle on the menu, and that peanut butter gets everywhere because of it. I was confused because their menu didn't say, they couldn't accommodate allergies, it just said to inform them. I then said if you can't accommodate allergies then please cancel the bowl I had ordered. They didn't want to do that and we went back and forth a bit. Finally they said that they would put notes everywhere and inform the kitchen about it. It seemed like a big hullabaloo and like they had never encountered anyone with a nut allergy before. When it came to the eating the food, I was a little let down by the lack of flavors in my vegetarian bowl, but it was fine. That was until I took a bite of my egg, and there was egg shell in it. That was a bummer but I decided to keep eating because the food was expensive, and egg shell happens sometimes. However, when I continued to eat, I found bacon in my "vegetarian" bowl. I was shocked and disappointed. This kitchen is obviously just throwing food around (by their own admission) and not concerned with what is going where. I feel lucky that I didn't experience an allergic reaction that day. After this experience, I don't trust the kitchen is paying any attention to how food is prepared or probably how clean (or dirty) the kitchen is. I DO NOT recommend this place at all. If the prices aren't enough to turn you off, I hope this review helps. read more

I tried the Santa Lucia breakfast tacos, and wow, these were hands down the best breakfast tacos I've ever had! The homemade blue corn tortillas were incredible, and everything tasted so fresh. We went on a Saturday morning, and while there was a long line, it moved quickly. You order at the counter and then find a seat either inside or outside. The staff was so kind and attentive, and we sat inside, which was adorable! The decor is charming with lots of unique little tchotchkes from local businesses. I can't wait to come back. Bonus: The entire restaurant is gluten-free, which is a huge plus! read more

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Believe the hype--this place is worth the wait! Yes, there's always a line--and for good reason. Everything about this spot is stunning! The food? Out. Of. Control. If I had the room, I'd honestly order one of everything on the menu. The waffles are unreal--so many fun options to choose from, and every bite is better than the last. That grilled peach waffle? A personal fave. The churro waffle? Fire. But the real plot twist? The tacos. GET THREE. Just trust me. The salsa hits, the flavors are bold, and you'll be dreaming about them later. The bacon ends are crispy perfection, the eggs are always cooked just right, and the aroma of grilled mushrooms while you wait in line? Genius. Appetite = activated. The staff is super friendly, the view is gorgeous, and the whole experience just flows--even the table situation. It might feel a little weird to hover at first, but it works like magic. A table always opens up right on time. This spot is a whole vibe--and totally worth the wait! read more

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Wow! What a find! Food is amazing! Location is amazing! Hidden Kitchen IS AMAZING!!! The hidden kitchen is clearly not that hidden as demonstrated by the line in front to order. But good news is the line moves relatively quick and there is lots of seating inside and outside in the back. Their blue corn waffles are fantastic. Loved the one with peanut butter and bacon, and it paired amazing. Everyone said the tacos are also so good and we'll have to try on my next visit. read more

Genuinely the best breakfast place in Cayucos. Me and my family had to line up early, bc the locals all LOVE the place as well. Good seating, pretty close to the ocean. I got the mango cheesecake waffle, and it was AMAZING. A bit sweet, but that was good. The service was also REALLY fast, and it was outside so it was nice. Amazing. read more

These might have been the best carnitas taco's I have had. Normally I am not a fan of blue corn tortillas, but they nailed it with whatever it is that they are doing. Everything we ate was great. Will stop here anytime we are headed up the 1. Just make sure to get there before 3 or you will be sad. read more

Hmm mixed feelings about this place. I loved their blue corn tortillas and waffle, just super delicious. However the macha taco I had lacked flavor. The ranchero taco was ok but again just needed salt/more flavor. My wife's waffle was great but the bacon had bits that were just fatty. The resteraunt had a great view of the beach and the resteraunt itself is super cute. After ordering our food, our order was out in about 10 minutes so it was pretty quick. Overall, the menu here is unique and extensive and worth checking out. Stay safe out there folks, happy holidays. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Machaca taco and ranchero taco - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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Love their tacos and smoothies! My husband usually orders two tacos and I order just one so we can split a smoothie. The smoothies are huge and could easily be a meal in themselves. I haven't tried anything I didn't like. We bring company here because the food is always so great. Highly recommend!! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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This could have been a bad review, but the manager turned it around. We have been here a couple of times over two years and enjoyed it. This time we ordered and sat down. We waited about 40 minutes before I went in to check on it. We were told they were just busy and it would be another 10-15 minutes. We saw people who had come in after us get their food, so I knew it wasn't just that they were busy. Our food arrived an hour after we ordered and the manager let us know there had been a mishap in the kitchen and we shouldn't have waited an hour. He graciously offered a refund and turned around what could have been a negative experience. Things can happen and it's great that it was acknowledged and a gesture made. We will be back. read more

very friendly staff, the elote big falls bowl was plentiful in portion. everything tasted great

Different for a sweet breakfast treat, the blue corn makes it somewhat savory even if it has sweet toppings. Coffee and shakes are really good here too. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Special: Peaches and Cream Waffles (Greek yogurt is the cream) - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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Let's get down to it...the food is fantastic, portions are huge, and the price is decent for the area. I especially like being able to order at a counter and seating yourself with a view of the ocean. The seating (specifically the seats) isn't very comfortable. No complaints about the service; staff is friendly! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Asada and elote tacos - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

A little over half way through 10 day road trip w daughter. Favorite meal so far and I've been in the food business for 25+ years and own a bagel shop. Savory waffles, amazing location. Everything I'd want and expect in a coastal California experience. Peppers, corn, onion sautéed in something like a green chili sauce w melted havarti and half a nice ripe avocado. Blue corn waffle underneath. I added egg to mine. Delicious!! If you can stop there, it's a do not miss. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Edna Elote? Blue corn waffle underneath. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

Came here in a group of 4 for a late brunch around 2pm on a Saturday and were able to order and just barely manage to find an open table in the back patio. It was quite busy despite it being so late in the day. You order at the window at the front of the shop and take your number to a table of your choosing in the back. Its nice and beachy vibes, with wooden picnic table vibes and some good canopy shade cover from the sun. Bishops Buzz Smoothie ($11): my friend and I asked for this to be split between two cups, which was a good call because the smoothies are massive! This tasted mostly like banana, with a touch of dates and coffee, and was a nice cool treat. Elote waffle ($19): also split this between me and my friend; the waffle is fluffy and hearty, without any crispy and just a little sweet almost cornbready flavor from the blue corn. The elote topping was nice and cheesy, and exactly what we were expecting. Oceano Orange Smoothie ($11): this was another friends that I tried a taste of; this is really yummy and tropical, somewhat like a jamba juice carribean passion smoothie but less sweet. Overall, cute place for a relaxing brunch by the beach! Definitely recommend the ocean orange smoothie (to split probably if you're like me and the entire smoothie would be a meal in itself). read more

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The food was enjoyable (could be a little more flavorful) which is why I'm giving 3 stars. What threw us off was our interaction with the employee taking our order today. When we walked up, he was talking to a coworker and didn't greet us or ask what we'd like to order. We noticed he greeted several customers before us, so the difference in interaction felt a little odd and unwelcoming. The service experience definitely took away from an otherwise decent meal. read more

Just a heads up that this is an order then find seating establishment, which is totally fine. However, the staff is SUPER rude. We came and they were super packed and we are a larger party. Seeing as no tables were available we decided to order to go. After a bit of a wait (understandable due to the larger order) we were actually able to find a table. Seeing as we had so much it was going to be way more convenient to eat at a table. So we sat down and noticed the table was a bit sticky in the corner. Nicely asked if they wouldn't mind wiping the corner and the lady at the register was super rude about it. When she finally came over and saw us unpacking our food she said that if we ordered To Go we were not allowed to eat in the restaurant.... We literally spent over $100 and are being told we can't eat the food at a table.... So she rudely said she would go get her manager who came and asked if we ordered outside or on the phone. We let her know we did in fact order outside and at the time there didn't seem like there would be room which is why we had said to go. She said that was fine and we could stay. Just thought that whole situation was a bit weird and didn't appreciate the rude blonde at the register at all. Definitely wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Food was just okay but made worse by rude staff... read more

The food was incredible, everyone was kind, vibes were amazing. A must stop every time in cayucos. Lots of love from this gluten free girl! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Elote Lovin (savory) and Weirdos Waffle (sweet). Both were soooo good! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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We went there on a Sunday noon and there was a good amount of people. You would order your food outside and then you find a table. There were still a lot of tables available when we arrived. They have both indoor and outdoor seating but indoor seating can be limited. The outdoor seating leads you to a beach view. I ordered the monterey mushroom waffle and it was so good. The waffle was a lot filling than I thought it would be. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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** Visited on Friday, October 18th 2024 around 9:30am An incredible & kind staff, DELICIOUS food, and right by the ocean? SOLD. My boyfriend and I have been coming to The Hidden Kitchen a handful of times in the past two years, and have been BIG fans here. Both the Cayucos and Cambria locations have amazing staff members, and their locations are pretty awesome though the Cayucos location is much larger in space. OKAY THE FOOD: * smoothies - three words; HEARTY and YUMMY. Their smoothies are thick yes, but VERY filling and honestly a great breakfast smoothie to start out your day. I absolutely love their Oceano Orange and my partner LOVES their Baywood Berry. * San Luis Sunrise Waffle - my all time favorite savory waffle. It's pretty filling and comes with the right amount of toppings that don't outweigh the actual blue corn waffle. If you're ever visiting Cayucos and waiting a GREAT breakfast/brunch spot, this is the place to go. Happy eating! :-) read more

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Don't be intimidated by the line, stand in it, it's totally worth it! This place is fantastic, it's not exactly hidden, but the name is cool, it's not a large place, but it does have a rear patio for seating, if you're lucky, you can get an inside seat, the weather is so Weird in Cayucos that you can be freezing one second in blazing hot the second so bring a sweatshirt and sit in the shade so if it gets cold, you can wear the sweatshirt and if it's warm, then just enjoy the weather. All of their food is great, I've never had anything here that is not fantastic, they are very creative with their dishes, which regularly change And again all of its great, they've got good booze and really great coffee drinks, and we always make it a point of coming here if we're anywhere near slo. read more

The food is DELICIOUS! So many great options to choose from with sweet and savory options + coffee and drinks. The staff and service was friendly and quick to clear tables which is helpful since people are standing waiting for tables to be available. The ambiance is chill vibes and welcomes all who love food and coffee. I have been to the Cambria location and the Cayucos location and both are truly hidden gems. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Waffle with egg, bacon and avocado - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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Cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Just thinking about the food makes me hungry. Breakfast tacos with pork are a must along with a waffle. I would eat this weekly if I was I in the area. The view of the ocean while having food delivered from the friendly staff is a win win. Will be back soon! read more

This place was highly recommended to us, & it was good to try! I don't think the blue corn waffles were our favorite. We got one savory & one sweet, & expected the waffles to be slightly different but they tasted the same. Reminded me of eating a tortilla which was kinda interesting with the sweet stuff on top. Definitely a unique meal, and the stuff on top was really great, good flavor. Just didn't love the waffles, but that's just me. Service was great, location is awesome. We ate outside with a nice view of the ocean and the pier. Cool spot for sure! read more

The Hidden Kitchen - San Luis Sunrise - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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This is the only place IMO to eat healthy breakfast or lunch in Cayucos. Everything is fresh and so delicious. I went twice while I was in town because all the food on the menu looked delicious and u had a & time choosing. I got the breakfast taco the first day & waffle the next day. Super pet friendly & the staff is awesome too! Its across from the beach so you can eat and hear the waves. Might even go back one more time before I leave. Smoothies look yummy! read more

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The food was amazing! Staff were friendly and helpful and the patio was perfect. Loved the store within the cafe was well, got some great goodies! Will have to come back next time I'm in town! read more

Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Came here at the recommendation of family members who live in the area! We got there soon after they opened and there was already a line, but it moves fast because you order and seat yourselves. The servers bring your food to you, but you do need to bus your own table and grab your own water/coffee. Servers are friendly and helpful with (free!) refills of iced coffee, and one of them cleaned up a high chair for our use since we had our toddler nephew with us. They are known for their blue corn waffles and tacos, so we ordered the Monte Cristo waffle and Plaskett Pork breakfast tacos, which both came out quickly and were delicious! Two tacos were plenty for me as the portions of egg and avocado are generous - and the sauce is so good with just a slight kick. We'll be back! read more

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AMAZING BLUE CORN WAFFLES! You order at the front of the establishment and take your number to sit down. There is an outdoor patio with the ocean view which was refreshing and cute! My boyfriend and I shared the San Luis Sunrise waffle and it was so savory, hearty, and filling! The blue corn waffle is robust and non-grainy, and paired so well with the toppings. Their smoothies looked so thick and creamy we will definitely try those next. I was just a bit bummed that they don't have any lattes or coffee besides drip, but there are multiple coffee shops near by. Can't stop thinking about the waffles! read more

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Great employees and delicious food! Great place to eat if you are in town. Had the morro melt and the cayucos cowboy. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Morro melt! - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

After seeing the endless posts about this place I knew I had to try it. But honestly, save your money at least for what I ordered. The overfilling of the smoothies leads to an anxiety inducing form of psychological warfare where you have to eat it quickly lest you risk spilling all over the table. This includes eating whatever topping is placed on the smoothie at an unkind ratio that does the smoothies flavor no favors. Additionally, I ordered the weirdo waffle and the almond butter used both looked excessively wet while simultaneously sucking all of the moisture out of every part of my mouth. My friends liked their food, and the service was fine but I cannot say I would spend money here again. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Weirdos waffle - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

Loved it!!! 10! Ordered the breakfast tacos, classic waffle and a protein smoothie. The waffles were blue grain and fluffy. Would love to go back and try the savory ones. Breakfast tacos were my fave. Tortillas are homemade and the eggs/bacon were the best quality. Nice to go to a place that does breakfast a bit different-healthy, tasty AND innovative. Protein shake was a bit too thick for me, BUT tasted very good! Highly recommend! read more

The outside view of this place is breathtaking, very scenic and gorgeous to look at while enjoying your meal. The waffle was ok, it was very heavy and filling. The breakfast taco was better and actually really good. The items on this menu are more expensive in my opinion, my singular taco was $7 and the waffle was $18...yikes. The smoothies do look amazing and kind of like an ice cream/sorbet. ig: @cravingswithcat read more

The Hidden Kitchen - Fiscalini Fruit Waffle & Plaskett Pork Taco (ig: @cravingswithcat) - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

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Delicious tacos and waffles, cayucos was craving this place. Yummy and rich smoothies. Mimosas. Lines at the door. Sweet little thrift stop inside and games for the littles. read more

We checked out this highly rated and popular gluten free brunch restaurant featuring blue corn waffles and tacos. The food was sumptuous. The blue colored waffle was not the prettiest , but if you imagine it like a blueberry it should be ok. The texture and taste were both pretty good. The place is super busy, lines before it opens at 9am, though they move fairly steadily. We were there at 9:45 on a Friday, we didn't have much problem finding a spot in the outdoor area with our puppy. The restaurant and the town is very dog-friendly. Tip: The restaurant is next to the beach so it's very nice to take a walk afterwards. read more

The Hidden Kitchen - San Luis Sunrise Savory Waffle - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Cayucos, California

This eatery is along the main street of Cayucos and is very non-descript. We waited a few minutes in line to order from the outside window. The staff was friendly and helpful. We decided on our meals, ordered and then stepped inside to find a table. Most of the outside tables on the patio were full. We found a table near the window and could see the beach. Our food came out quickly, and OMG, this place is a treasure. Mr. B ordered the Santa Lucia taco and the Reef Ranchero taco. Starting with the Santa Lucia taco it was a hand pressed blue corn tortilla and filled with scrambled eggs, sauteed bell pepper, onion, mushroom, havarti cheese, avocado and two Hidden Kitchen special sauces. The Reef Ranchero tack was served on the same blue corn tortilla, filled with black beans, avocado and topped with a sunny side up egg and cilantro. Both were amazing! I chose the Elote Taco. It was served on the same hand pressed tender blue corn tortilla and was filled with Anaheim chile, bell peppers, corn, onion, garlic, melted Havarti cheese, a crunchy cabbage slaw, avocado, cotija, tajin, cilantro and two Hidden Kitchen special sauces. I can't begin to explain the quality of the food, it was fresh, and filled with passion. Every bite filled us with blasts of flavor. What a true gem! Wish we had a Hidden Kitchen near us, I would be there daily. read more

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