Kensington Cafe — Restaurant in San Diego

My wife and I have been going to Ken Café and their sister restaurant, The Haven Pizzeria, for years. Their delicious food, kind staff, and involvement in the Kensington community is what makes Ken Café our go-to brunch spot and Haven our favorite lunch or dinner date location. When we got engaged we wanted to have a low key legal ceremony with family and a small cocktail-style reception with family and friends. It was important to us that we stay in the neighborhood and that we choose a location for the reception that meant a lot to us as a couple.

When we reached out to Lauren and Lisa to see whether hosting the reception at Haven could be an option, we were met with the excitement of two close friends. At our first meeting, Lauren and Lisa closely listened to our vision, asked great questions, and walked us through the steps of hosting an event with them. We already had a good feeling going into the meeting, but by the end, we knew that this was exactly what we wanted. To accommodate the size of our group (that grew to 80 attendees!), we decided to hold the reception after hours at Ken Café and to cater food from Haven.

Lisa graciously offered to create an assortment of decorations, including crafting beautiful floral and light centerpieces. Lisa also patiently walked us through a thorough tasting of appetizers, salad, pizza, pasta, and dessert, ensuring we could work around the many food allergies found within our attending party.

Lauren, Lisa, and the Haven/Ken Café team absolutely went above and beyond! When we arrived on the evening of the reception, we were awestruck to see how all of the thoughtful ideas came together to create the perfect night. Every one of our guests raved about the food, drinks, decorations, and staff. Parker, Chelsea, Meg, and Rocky who worked the event are the textbook definition of “dream team.” The entire team somehow elevated an already perfect day. Everything was flawlessly set up. We had a mix of the café indoor and outdoor tables with chairs as well as high top tables. Lisa ensured that the sound system was ready for our reception playlist. Parker tracked down scotch tape to surreptitiously tape down a few outdoor signs to keep them from blowing away in the breeze. Chelsea and Meg even checked in with me and my wife throughout the night to see if we needed drink refills! And Meg did a spectacular job creating fresh flower arrangements.

We are so thrilled that we had Lauren and Lisa to work with in the lead up to the event and that we had Lisa, Meg, Chelsea, Parker, and Rocky to create a seamless party. We had heard that the wedding day can be a hectic, crazy blur of a day. But this was not the case at all. The Ken Café/Haven team made everything easy, affordable, and a TON of fun.

There are not enough stars in a review to accurately illustrate just how incredible this team is. They put so much care into coordinating and hosting our event. We cannot thank...

Kensington Café in San Diego is the epitome of a charming neighborhood spot, perfect for a relaxing breakfast, brunch, or casual lunch. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a cozy, welcoming vibe that feels like home. The café’s interior is warm and inviting, with plenty of natural light and a laid-back atmosphere that encourages you to linger. Whether you’re catching up with friends, working on your laptop, or simply enjoying a quiet moment, this café offers a perfect setting.

The menu at Kensington Café is impressive, catering to a wide range of tastes while emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients. The Avocado Toast is a standout, topped with perfectly ripe avocado, a touch of seasoning, and the option to add an egg for extra heartiness. Another favorite is the Kensington Scramble, loaded with fresh veggies and paired with their delicious house-made potatoes. Their coffee and tea selections are equally excellent, with a variety of options that pair perfectly with any meal. If you’re stopping by for brunch, don’t miss the mimosas—they’re refreshing and the perfect way to elevate your meal.

One of the best aspects of Kensington Café is its commitment to creating a community-focused environment. The staff are friendly, attentive, and clearly take pride in ensuring every guest has a great experience. It’s easy to see why this café has become such a beloved spot for locals. The outdoor seating area is another highlight, offering a charming space to enjoy your meal while soaking in the vibrant energy of the Kensington neighborhood.

While the café is undeniably popular, which can lead to some waits during peak times, it’s well worth it for the quality of food and atmosphere. Kensington Café is a gem that perfectly balances a cozy neighborhood feel with a menu that rivals the best brunch spots in San Diego. It’s the kind of place you’ll find yourself returning to time...

When I first moved to the area my best friend & I would enjoy going there. The food seemed ok, though I've heard it's more of a breakfast place and we've only been there for dinner. It seems that in the last couple months the quality of the food has not been up to pare. :( We ate there a few weeks ago and I didn't care for what I had even though my friend had a delicious flank streak. I didn't send back my dish and just ate it even though I didn't like it. So last week we drove by on our way home and decided to stop in for dinner and give it another shot. The server young sweet kid was great, the food however... Well I right then realized why we hadn't been back. I order the most expensive dish (steak w/veggies) in hope that it would be good, but unfortunately I had to send it back because it had no flavor and it was extremely hard to chew. I sent it back and ordered the second most expensive thing on the menu, which was two tiny pieces of roast in a incredibility sugarie broth with what appeared like tiny pieces of veggies that looked and tasted as if they were caned. I tried taking a couple bites but w/the meat so dry and the sweetness taking over the whole dish I couldn't do it and I ended up giving it to my friend. He would eat anything. The sauted spinach was the ONLY satisfactory thing I had. I filled out one of those customer surveys and the whole time the "manager" knew what was going on, she never once approached the table. Very disappointing! I left my phone number... nothing... Im not sure why they want to come across as if they care about their customers because clearly they dont! Needless to say I won't be going...