Restaurant Review: Blue Whale

Elsa Goodman and Ellie Koff • March 28, 2025

Stationed in a breezy white cottage off the coast in La Jolla, Blue Whale Cafe is the perfect place for locals and tourists to get a taste of sunny California. The cafe adapted boho-surfer aesthetic for their West Coast visitors when they opened in Oct. 2023. Photo courtesy of La Jolla.

TikTok’s new favorite cafe in San Diego is nestled in the heart of La Jolla. Blue Whale feels like a comforting escape — outside our bubble but still close to home, this cafe is perfect for those seeking a relaxed weekend or spring lunch. Their bubbly establishment is just a few minutes walk from the beach, the perfect place as we exit winter and welcome a sunny spring.

Blue Whale perfectly captures the laid-back coastal feel of La Jolla. The cafe looks like a cozy house from the outside, and upon entering the cafe, we immediately notice the inviting atmosphere, which is just as friendly as the staff. The employees greet customers with intentional smiles while efficiently keeping the cafe moving, even with a line out the door.

Blue Whale Cafe has a very diverse menu, ranging from classic California breakfast entrees to complex and unique smoothies. During the visit, Director of Social Media, Elsa Goodman and Asst. Editor-in-Chief, Outreach Ellie Koff ordered the Kyoto Matcha Latte, an easy 10/10. (Elsa Goodman)

The menu is truly one of our favorite cafe menus in San Diego. It is thoughtful and perfectly encapsulates California cuisine, using fresh, delicious ingredients. From beautifully poured cappuccinos to innovative twists on breakfast classics and healthy lunches, there is something for everyone.

We got an Open Face Tuna Melt ($16), a Blue Whale Bowl ($13), an Iced Lavender Latte ($6) and a Kyoto Matcha Latte ($6).

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The Open Face Tuna Melt featured wild albacore tuna, dill, capers, cheddar, red onions, heirloom tomato and herb oil. The sourdough bread was toasted to perfection and the flavor of the tuna with the other ingredients all complemented each other well. However, we did find the toast to be a bit tuna-heavy, so we took some off.

The Blue Whale Bowl was everything and more that we look for in an acai bowl. It is served with acai as the base and topped with strawberry, banana, blueberries, almonds, cacao nibs, goji berries, hemp seeds, honey and a peanut butter drizzle. Each ingredient feels intentional and nourishing, an ideal meal as summer nears. Nothing more can be said besides that it is the best acai bowl we have ever had in San Diego.

The iced latte had the perfect ratio of milk to espresso, which was of course apparent by the color of the latte, an ideal shade of brown for a coffee. The beautiful, vibrant green Kyoto Matcha Latte was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of matcha. It was an outstanding item in our order, a great everyday beverage for matcha lovers.

Again, the staff at Blue Whale Café are top-notch. They are attentive and knowledgeable in the cafe. Whether you are visiting for a quick coffee or a leisurely lunch, the service maintains a relaxed yet professional vibe: the California way.

Blue Whale is a must-visit for everyone, offering delicious food, great service and a charming atmosphere — a true taste of the California coast.

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About the Contributors

Elsa Goodman, Director of Social Media

As Elsa Goodman enters her third year on the Falconer, she is excited to carry on her journalism career as the Director of Social Media on staff this year. Last year, Goodman had the pleasure of serving as a Co-Entertainment Editor, an experience that she thoroughly enjoyed as it exposed her to new opportunities. Goodman is passionate about journalism and everyday happenings in the world, as she believes that staying informed fuels a drive to bring fresh, engaging content to the Falconer. Beyond the realm of journalism, Goodman loves traveling the world to experience different cultures and discover new aspects. Whether Goodman is at the beach with friends, practicing yoga, sewing an outfit or on an airplane to her next destination, she finds joy in life’s simple pleasures. With a passion for storytelling and a zeal for creating engaging content, Goodman is excited to dive into the dynamic world of social media. With a strong goal to build a vibrant online community that connects people, Goodman is eagerly looking forward to this next school year’s exciting changes ahead as the Falconer embarks on a new chapter.

Ellie Koff, Asst. Editor-in-Chief, Outreach

Ellie Koff has been a dedicated member of the Falconer staff since her sophomore year of high school, and has served as a Staff Writer, Entertainment Editor, and is now an Assistant Editor-in-Chief. Koff consistently brings passion and enthusiasm to the newsroom. This year, Koff is looking forward to spending another year on staff as she explores new opportunities in her role as the Assistant Editor in Chief of outreach and looks forward to engaging with the community with the goal of increasing readership of the Falconer. Outside the newsroom, Koff enjoys spending time with friends at the beach, traveling with her family, reading murder mystery novels, updating her Pinterest board with fresh inspiration, and practicing yoga. Her passion for storytelling and eye for detail shine through in her work and her worldly view offers a fresh perspective to the paper. When she’s not in the newsroom, Koff can often be found at a café, latte in hand, brainstorming the paper’s next big story.