The Barista Botanist is the latest concept under the leadership of local restaurateur and chef Michael Harrison, whose growing footprint in San Diego’s culinary scene includes several ventures. Operating under The Barista Botanist 1 LLC, the café has already secured its permits and aims to blend elevated coffee offerings with a plant-forward atmosphere, though few official menu details have yet been released.
The café's arrival follows the recent closure of La Clochette, a French-inspired bakery and coffeehouse that had served the Pacific Beach community since 2019 before announcing its final service in January. That closure followed mounting financial and legal challenges surrounding its parent companies. La Clochette continues to operate a branch in Mission Valley and will soon open new concept called CTZN, a full-service restaurant and bar in Solana Beach set to feature Basque-California fusion cuisine.
At The Barista Botanist, expect a lengthy and fully organic menu featuring coffee drinks, non caffeinated elixirs, teas, kombucha on tap, and smoothies, as well as breakfast dishes, sandwiches, superfood bowls, salads, sourdough pizzas, and grain bowls. There will also be a selection of floral arrangements and other goods offered for sale through a florist partner.
Harrison, who has a long track record in restaurant development and operations, brings deep local knowledge and industry experience to the project. He served as the opening general manager and executive chef at nearby Palmy’s Café on Felspar Street and currently co-owns Blue Whale, an all-day beach café in La Jolla that emphasizes community and coastal California cuisine. He also operates Munch, a catering and private chef business, and most recently launched Killer Whale Creamery, an artisanal ice cream shop in La Jolla with plans to expand to Las Vegas in 2025.
The Barista Botanist is expected to open this spring at 4680 Cass Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information on sister ventures, visit bluewhalesd.com and killerwhalecreamery.com.
Harrison, who has a long track record in restaurant development and operations, brings deep local knowledge and industry experience to the project. He served as the opening general manager and executive chef at nearby Palmy’s Café on Felspar Street and currently co-owns Blue Whale, an all-day beach café in La Jolla that emphasizes community and coastal California cuisine. He also operates Munch, a catering and private chef business, and most recently launched Killer Whale Creamery, an artisanal ice cream shop in La Jolla with plans to expand to Las Vegas in 2025.
The Barista Botanist is expected to open this spring at 4680 Cass Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information on sister ventures, visit bluewhalesd.com and killerwhalecreamery.com.
Originally published on April 22, 2025.
