Organic all-vegan cafe offering savories like burritos, tacos, and sandwiches plus kombucha on tap, smoothie bowls and juices. Est. in the mid-2000s inside Sunshine Health Foods store and moved to its own spot in 2013 switching to all-vegan. Has a small indoor seating area, but mostly take away or outdoor seating. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-4:00pm.
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427 Morro Bay Blvd (at Monterey Ave), Morro Bay, California, USA, 93442
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Last update on 19 Sep 2021 by herbivore_fresno
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88 Reviews
First Review by fjzjr
alexidea222@gmail.com
Points +38
Decent Place Friendly Service - Edit
Good to have a plant based option near Pismo
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-11-14
Pros: friendly service
Guest
babidi
Points +2880
Weekend Breakfast - Edit
100% vegan cafe in a nice area. Good place for a weekend breakfast. My tofu scramble was more of a potato scramble and could have used more tofu.
Read moreGuest
madmadgrrl
Points +262
Delicious healthy lunch - Edit
Such a great spot for vegans! Black bean chalupa salad was filling & delicious. Asian slaw was simple but the ginger made it pop. BLT has glazed tempeh & the hummus/avocado bagel was small & fresh.
Read moreGuest
Schatzfi1
Points +44
Very delish food - Edit
Ate the first time there on the weekend (actually twice because we loved it so much) and everything we ate was fantastic.
Read moreGuest
Babyfreud
Points +266
Delish breakfast options - Edit
Super cozy cafe in cute downtown Morro Bay with og vegan sunshine vibes. We split the rancheros and buckwheat pancake and both were scrumptious.
Read moreGuest
meefamily
Points +366
Delicious fresh food! - Edit
Hubby and I are vegan and brought non vegan adults and kids (ages 2, 4, 7, and 9) and everyone really liked their meal. The 9 year old raved about his shine sandwich! I had a salad with homemade tempeh and it was terrific. Will definitely return. Small seating area inside and outside!
Read moreGuest
yetimtn67
Points +60
Gem in Morro Bay - Edit
Had the TLT and butternut squash soup and loved it. One sour point- our order was just over $80 and we were told after ordering that they auto add a 20% “gratuity” on orders over $80. This is a counter order small cafe and that was unearned and unwelcome.
Read morePros: Large portion sizes, Butternut squash soup
Cons: Auto gratuity added
Guest
Wølfi
Points +25
Lots of lettuce - Edit
We had the tempeh reuben and the black been taco.
Read moreThe reuben was an okay sandwich, but not especially tasty. For my taste too much lettuce, very little tempeh “bacon” that only had a slight smoky flavour and definitely not enough sauerkraut.
The taco was buried under lots of lettuce, shredded carrots and cabbage with too little dressing for that amount of greens. When you finally dig down to the taco it’s actually pretty good.
For the amount of lettuce you get with/as your meal the prices are a bit steep even though it’s all local and organic.
Pros: Friendly staff, Nice vibe
Cons: Way too much lettuce
Guest
CarolineVegstar
Points +218
Tempeh Reubens - Edit
Delicious sandwich, 🥪, berry blast blueberry smoothie and soup of the day hit the spot!
Read morePros: Fresh local ingredients , Healthy , Next to health food store
Guest
MelissaHorsefeathers
Points +1565
A new favorite! - Edit
Love, love, love this cafe! All vegan, fresh, colorful, beautiful, flavorful, healthful food. The vibe is bright and happy, the location is good. The staff were all very nice, and they provide complimentary dog cookies and water to dogs outside 🐾 🥰 The tempeh IS as good as people say! The only issue we encountered was not enough seating outside when they are busy. 10/10 overall - highly recommend!
Read morePros: Everything!
Cons: Not enough outdoor seating or space
Guest
jeffsheldon
Points +1356
Mediocre Vegan Delights at Shine Cafe in Morro Bay - Edit
Lunch Time: August 22, 2023
Read moreToday, my culinary journey led me to the charming town of Morro Bay, where Happy Cow showed me where to go for vegan cuisine led me to the doors of Shine Cafe. Situated in the heart of downtown, this quaint little eatery beckoned with promises of delectable plant-based delights. Eager to indulge, I stepped in with high hopes and an empty stomach.
The location itself was a gem, surrounded by a myriad of charming stores that were perfect for pre- or post-lunch exploration. The ambiance inside the cafe was warm and inviting, creating an inviting space to unwind and enjoy a meal. The service was notable, with the staff being attentive and friendly right from the moment I walked in.
My dining partner and I decided to try two of Shine Cafe's signature offerings: the T.L.T. and the Tempeh Reuben. The T.L.T., their rendition of the classic B.L.T., consisted of toasted sprouted grain bread loaded with thinly sliced "bacon"-flavored tempeh, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and vegenaise. The Tempeh Reuben featured seared strips of seasoned tempeh served on sprouted grain bread, embellished with cilantro dressing, mustard, sauerkraut, tomato, and lettuce.
Upon presentation, both sandwiches bore a striking resemblance in appearance and flavor profile, making it difficult to differentiate between them. While the tempeh was skillfully prepared and boasted an appetizing flavor, my enthusiasm waned as I discovered that the main components of both sandwiches were predominantly lettuce and bread. The promise of a satisfying bite was overshadowed by the lack of substantial fillings. Although the tempeh provided a satisfying texture, it ultimately struggled to carry the weight of the sandwiches.
As I pondered over my experience at Shine Cafe, I found myself grappling with a sense of disappointment. The ambiance was charming, the service was commendable, yet the food fell short of my expectations. I was left wanting for more substance, something that would justify the price and leave a lasting impression on my taste buds.
In conclusion, Shine Cafe in Morro Bay offers a welcoming atmosphere and attentive service that is bound to make patrons feel at ease. However, the culinary offerings, while not without merit, failed to deliver the fulfilling experience that discerning diners seek. A bit more attention to the composition of the sandwiches could elevate the dining experience from mediocre to truly remarkable. For now,
Pros: Location, Location, Location, Good Service
Cons: Expensive for what you get , Sandwiches where more bread and lettuce. Tempuh
Guest
LanceW
Points +131
Inaccurate descriptions - Edit
I ordered a tofu scramble. Nowhere on the menu does it say that it is 80 to 90% potatoes. It is. A tofu scramble should be tofu, emulating eggs.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-08-20
MelissaHorsefeathers
Ok, but what you got still looks yummy! 😆
Read moreGuest
LB_IEVegan
Points +97
Delicious tempeh! - Edit
On the last day of our visit to Morro Bay, we decided to finally check out Shine Café. We both wanted to try the tempeh reuben. It was amazing. Delicious tempeh with sauerkraut loads of veggies and a side salad. Our non-vegan friends had avocado toast, and the soup of the day that they really enjoyed as well. We will definitely be back next time we visit. We also swung into the little grocery next door for local produce, cashew yogurt, and vegan chocolate.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-08-07
Pros: All vegan! , Tempeh!!
Guest
SakshiKulkarni
Points +67
Best tempeh I’ve ever had! - Edit
So I’m someone who usually doesn’t like tempeh and prefers soy meat or tofu but I tried the tempeh BLT sandwich and it was really good! My partner tried it and he liked it as well. Would recommend! Was a reasonable $13 and came with a side salad.
Read moreGuest
AmandaSakiye
Points +3272
Amazing - Edit
Love this place. Everything is so good. You must come to enjoy this restaurant 🥰
Read moreGuest
ReginaReynoso
Points +204
Amazing and so fresh - Edit
Love the food here! Everything tasted so fresh and the staff was very welcoming. If I lived in the area I’d be a regular here. #Veganuary
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Location, Great pricing
Guest
CassidyThomas
Points +76
Ordered a Taco, got a Salad with a Salad with one tortilla - Edit
Mixed feelings about this place. The smoothie and tempeh were delicious. They clearly know how to make great food. I was super excited when they brought the plates out with seemingly massive portions. I was quickly disappointed though when I discovered the tacos dish I ordered consisted of one tortilla with tempeh underneath a mountain of leafy greens. The menu indicated tacos… plural… as in, more than one. It felt like false advertising and terrible value.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-13
Pros: Tasty Tempeh, Good Smoothie
Cons: Not good value, False advertising
Guest
ArkansasVegan
Points +165
Great! - Edit
I’ve never had anything at Shine that wasn’t delicious. My current favorite is the tempeh tacos but the veggie spring rolls are great too! Love the store next door as well!
Read morePros: Amazing All vegan menu!
Guest
grace_face
Points +300
Delicious Smoothies - Edit
Really delicious place and great spot. The food was delightful and the smoothies/juices were delicious. Would definitely go back.
Read morePros: Great location, Yummy
Cons: Only open 10-4pm, Breakfast only Sat and Sun
Guest
whawthorne
Points +73
Simply vegan - Edit
Friendly, nice environment, simple vegan food for lunch.
Read morePros: All vegan, Friendly staff, Yummy sandwiches
Guest
Cedric_Trp
Points +206
Best Variety Café (yet; Sep 22) - Edit
Great Location; Huge Variety; Local Drinks; Vegan Personnel
Read morePros: Vegan Menu, Chill Staff, Great Drinks
Cons: Limited Business Hours
Guest
TreeHugger44
Points +111
All vegan oasis - Edit
Great all vegan menu with lots of options for everone. Most can be made gluten free too, like build your own burritos/bowls ,tacos, sandwiches, salads, spring rolls, smoothies, and really good buckwheat pancakes on the weekends.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-08-20
Pros: All vegan, Lots of gluten free options
Cons: Prices going up, portions down, New menu items would be great
Guest
KarinaLynch
Points +534
Soooo Good!!! - Edit
One of the best breakfast in California so far…
Read moreWe had pancakes and Tofu Scramble Breakfast… so delicious!!
Updated from previous review on 2022-07-25
Guest
lten
Points +26
Amazing - Edit
Everything here is vegan and the best. Reasonably priced too! Absolutely love Shine.
Read moreGuest
Katlynnb
Points +21
Delicious! - Edit
I love this place, it’s a classic in Morro Bay! Their pancakes are amazing, and I love the scramble as well!
Read moreGuest
Milkur0ats
Points +64
Bad Employees - Edit
Food was really good and i was excited. Me and my bf took my siblings here since it’s one of the 3(?) fully vegan places near our house there. My bf wanted hummus and a sandwich so we asked to replace the side salad with a side of hummus. they were confused and laughed at him. we opted to just got it on the side and they never gave it to us. the cashier was rude to me the whole time afterwards. you have to bus your own table (not a huge deal) but i didn’t know so i asked an employee and he scoffed and said yeah . i asked where and he walked away. i think they assume everyone that isn’t a regular is a tourist so they can just be rude without consequences. really good food though.
Read morePros: Good food, Good amount
Cons: A little pricy, Rude service
Guest
Laurenbdoeslife
Points +910
Healthy and tasty - Edit
I got a tempeh salad, which was very good and had me feeling full but light. I do wish the tempeh was like in my dad’s TLT, which was sliced and sauced. Mine was tasty but it didn’t even look like tempeh. I thought they gave me the wrong order! It was more quinoa, sweet potato, and broccoli mushed together than anything 🤔. I still enjoyed it and the service was fast.
Read morePros: Healthy
Guest
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