Little Red Cafe

Cozy Modern Cafe with delicious food, nice portions, fair prices, fast friendly service, and crazy good homemade sauces and dressings.

A hidden gem. Been in IB for over a year before I found this place. Once you do you'll never miss it again. Looking forward to our next experience here.

+3

Aranda's was a cute and beautiful little sit down restaurant. It had amazingly fresh and delicious food. I ordered the pancakes and eggs breakfast. My husband got the breakfast sandwich on a croissant. He asked for his avacado on the side and was given literally a half of an avacado, sliced. Most places are so greedy with avacado but not this place. The coffee was so good too The service was fast and friendly. I'm obsessed with this place. We will be back next time in San Diego!

Came here after seeing a lot of good reviews and tried the Eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, the hollandaise sauce really missed the mark — it didn’t taste buttery at all. I asked about it, and the chef confirmed they don't use butter in the hollandaise. The staff was really understanding though and replaced my dish without any problem, which I appreciate. If you’re thinking about ordering the Eggs Benedict, I’d recommend picking something else — the hollandaise just doesn’t taste like a true hollandaise should. On the bright side, my latte was really good! Service overall felt a little rough, probably because they seem pretty understaffed (at least on weekends). We weren’t really checked on after getting our food, didn’t get water refills, and it took a while just to get seated because no one was at the host stand for a bit. They also accidentally dropped off a cinnamon latte and a hot chocolate we didn’t order — we asked about it, they said they’d check, and then didn’t come back for a while. We had to flag someone down, and they told us we could just keep the drinks, which was nice, but definitely added to the feeling that they’re stretched thin. Still leaving a positive rating because the staff was kind and tried to make things right — just really hope they can get some more help soon. This could be a great spot with a little more support.

Really enjoyed this little place. Great hibiscus tea, nice blt, fantastic chilaquiles! We'll be back.

Great morning experience. Poached egg was perfectly cooked on the Benedict; OJ was freshly squeezed; berry bliss french toast was heavenly with the plethora of fresh berries and cheese. We wiped our plates clean.

Today we received wonderful service and comforting food. I’ll be honest I didn’t come with the highest expectations due to some of the reviews but I’m so happy we gave it a chance. Kind service and friendly smiles. Our lattes were made perfectly, really meshed well with the outdoor vibe. We had the chilaquiles and hot chicken Benedict’s. Very good if I had to make a suggestion just a pinch of salt but nothing major. Overall very happy with everything. I would say if you come starving, then just be aware food is made to order and fresh so it does take a little bit which is normal. Also just 2 people serving perhaps because it wasn’t as busy but on a busy day they may have more help. Regardless I highly recommend it, you won’t regret it. Thank you for giving us a pleasant experience.

Great food cafe by the beach, delicious breakfast selection! Had the chicken and waffles👌

SOOOOO AMAZING!! Really great pastries, coffee and delicious breakfast. Gorgeous atmosphere, super clean, friendly people!

Awesome tucked away spot, where locals seem to go to. Florentine eggs Benedict were great and iced Mexican chocolate was great, wish I lived closer. ;-)

If you are in the San Diego/Imperial Beach area this is a must!! My girlfriend and I got the açaí bowl, the mixed fruit bowl, and a hibiscus tea and all of it was delicious! The atmosphere was stunning and the staff were so friendly and attentive! Also, very affordable!

Our favorite breakfast spot when we are in the Imperial Beach area. Nice quiet atmosphere with plenty of patio seating to enjoy the weather. Staff have always been pleasant. We have only ordered breakfast, but everything has been great. We will continue to make this one of our stops.

Most beautiful bathroom ever! The berry french toast was a masterpiece, and enough for two people!! The only feedback i have is the music could be more tasteful, like a jazzy or lo-fi vibe- to match the decor.

Fast friendly service. Great atmosphere and REALLY GREAT food. Delicious! Highly recommend.

Had breakfast and food was excellent. Ordered the vegetable omelette and chiliquiles with carne asada. Potatoes were really crispy and steak was seasoned perfectly.

Seriously amazing food and service. The freshest food and so delicious. I wanted to order the whole menu! I will absolutely be coming back.

We came for brunch around 1030 on a Sunday. They were a little busy, but we only waited about 5 minutes to be seated. We got 2 mocha lattes (1 hot, 1 iced). We ordered the eggs Benedict spicy chicken( the sauce was spicy, not the chicken itself) and the French toast. Later added a bowl of berries( the fruit is so fresh… raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries). Everything was good. We really enjoyed the coffee!

Seriously some of the best food I have had in a long time and we love to eat out at nice restaurants wherever we visit! The food looked amazing and it was! The coffee looked beautiful and it tasted even better! The orange juice was freshly squeezed and was so good we ordered more to go (but finished it before we left). The kids’ food was enormous and they devoured it! Even the little side fruit cups it came with were over the top - with berries, pineapple and watermelon and more like bowls than tiny fruit cups!! We were just visiting the area and stumbled upon this place, but I would make a special trip just to eat here again!!!

This is very clean and well kept. Looks very nice. Good place to take the family. The food was fast and tasted great. I recommend the bacon and pancakes. The coffee is very good but it looks like you don’t get refills. Service was great.

What a GEM of a place! The pictures will say it all ....but you need to go check it out for yourself. Fantastic ambiance, incredibly great food, warm service... This place has it all! Tucked away behind El Tapatio in Imperial Beach (same family runs Arandas). My expectations went up as soon as we walked in the door...SO MUCH ATTENTION TO DETAIL! From the overall ambience and decor (black and white, "bistro chic"), to the incidentals like menus, chairs and tables: everything represents "the brand". I was thinking "if it LOOKS this good-- the food must be great".... And we weren't disappointed. This is an owner / chef that cares about quality. We enjoyed the stuffed brioche French toast with cinnamon mascarpone, homemade applesauce and berries, with a side of crispy applewood smoked bacon. And the eggs florentine with a side of sausages. A perfect latte breve topped it all off for me. (Bill came to about $45. ) MINOR quibbles (almost too small to mention but since it feels like the owners are striving perfection, they would want to know.... Since It's already pretty darn close to perfect!) ---Our server came pretty quickly and she was very attentive without being intrusive (something I really appreciate)---however the food took a little while to come. We weren't in a rush so no big deal. But the place was fairly slow with only two other tables at the time. (One was a big party of 12 people.... Perhaps they walked in right before us and the kitchen was slammed?) Again. VERY minor complaint. However my friend who recommended this place warned me that the service might be slow... So I thought I should mention it. --Food came out HOT-- but the plates weren't pre warmed, so it cooled down fairly quickly. --the French toast was BEAUTIFULLY presented. Eggs benedict could have been dressed up a little bit? (Slice of orange and a strawberry maybe? With a sprinkle of chives or something on top? Just could have been a little bit better--especially compared to the French toast) --they might want to consider setting the tables with silverware. The food was delivered and then our waitress had to go back and get knives and forks..... While we sat there drooling, looking at our beautiful food 😏😁 Other than that... This comes close to being one of the VERY best dining out experiences I've had in a long time. Almost perfect. Can't wait to try it again... There's so many options on that menu that are calling my name! And... Let's hope they open for dinner service soon. Currently they are a breakfast through lunch spot. Can't wait to see what they might offer for dinner! One Last tip: they might want to consider getting a beer and wine license. Mimosas with brunch would be the crowning touch! I could also see them setting up a cute little bar on the patio for people who are waiting for a table? Sipping mimosas or champagne? Arandas is altogether lovely, the perfect neighborhood spot! May they prosper!

IB needed a good local sit down breakfast spot. Everything was delicious and presented well. The atmosphere was cute and elegant. They have heaters as most of the seating is under the patio. Orange juice is fresh squeezed and delicious. The Nutella French toast had plenty of fruit and the Benedict was excellent. We will definitely be visiting again. The lunch menu looks pretty good too, can’t wait to try it. The place is still very new so they just need a little patience while they get everything running to perfection. Overall everything was great.

Tanner Perkins

Our favorite breakfast spot when we are in the Imperial Beach area. Nice quiet atmosphere with plenty of patio seating to enjoy the weather. Staff have always been pleasant. We have only ordered breakfast, but everything has been great. We will continue to make this one of our stops.

Dylan

Had breakfast and food was excellent. Ordered the vegetable omelette and chiliquiles with carne asada. Potatoes were really crispy and steak was seasoned perfectly.

Jonathan Hillmer

Fast friendly service. Great atmosphere and REALLY GREAT food. Delicious! Highly recommend.

Laura Clark

Seriously amazing food and service. The freshest food and so delicious. I wanted to order the whole menu! I will absolutely be coming back.

Markesha

We came for brunch around 1030 on a Sunday. They were a little busy, but we only waited about 5 minutes to be seated. We got 2 mocha lattes (1 hot, 1 iced). We ordered the eggs Benedict spicy chicken( the sauce was spicy, not the chicken itself) and the French toast. Later added a bowl of berries( the fruit is so fresh… raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries). Everything was good. We really enjoyed the coffee!

CHM CHM

This is very clean and well kept. Looks very nice. Good place to take the family. The food was fast and tasted great. I recommend the bacon and pancakes. The coffee is very good but it looks like you don’t get refills. Service was great.

Amy Smith

Seriously some of the best food I have had in a long time and we love to eat out at nice restaurants wherever we visit! The food looked amazing and it was! The coffee looked beautiful and it tasted even better! The orange juice was freshly squeezed and was so good we ordered more to go (but finished it before we left). The kids’ food was enormous and they devoured it! Even the little side fruit cups it came with were over the top - with berries, pineapple and watermelon and more like bowls than tiny fruit cups!! We were just visiting the area and stumbled upon this place, but I would make a special trip just to eat here again!!!

Nina McDonald

What a GEM of a place! The pictures will say it all ....but you need to go check it out for yourself. Fantastic ambiance, incredibly great food, warm service... This place has it all! Tucked away behind El Tapatio in Imperial Beach (same family runs Arandas). My expectations went up as soon as we walked in the door...SO MUCH ATTENTION TO DETAIL! From the overall ambience and decor (black and white, "bistro chic"), to the incidentals like menus, chairs and tables: everything represents "the brand". I was thinking "if it LOOKS this good-- the food must be great".... And we weren't disappointed. This is an owner / chef that cares about quality. We enjoyed the stuffed brioche French toast with cinnamon mascarpone, homemade applesauce and berries, with a side of crispy applewood smoked bacon. And the eggs florentine with a side of sausages. A perfect latte breve topped it all off for me. (Bill came to about $45. ) MINOR quibbles (almost too small to mention but since it feels like the owners are striving perfection, they would want to know.... Since It's already pretty darn close to perfect!) ---Our server came pretty quickly and she was very attentive without being intrusive (something I really appreciate)---however the food took a little while to come. We weren't in a rush so no big deal. But the place was fairly slow with only two other tables at the time. (One was a big party of 12 people.... Perhaps they walked in right before us and the kitchen was slammed?) Again. VERY minor complaint. However my friend who recommended this place warned me that the service might be slow... So I thought I should mention it. --Food came out HOT-- but the plates weren't pre warmed, so it cooled down fairly quickly. --the French toast was BEAUTIFULLY presented. Eggs benedict could have been dressed up a little bit? (Slice of orange and a strawberry maybe? With a sprinkle of chives or something on top? Just could have been a little bit better--especially compared to the French toast) --they might want to consider setting the tables with silverware. The food was delivered and then our waitress had to go back and get knives and forks..... While we sat there drooling, looking at our beautiful food 😏😁 Other than that... This comes close to being one of the VERY best dining out experiences I've had in a long time. Almost perfect. Can't wait to try it again... There's so many options on that menu that are calling my name! And... Let's hope they open for dinner service soon. Currently they are a breakfast through lunch spot. Can't wait to see what they might offer for dinner! One Last tip: they might want to consider getting a beer and wine license. Mimosas with brunch would be the crowning touch! I could also see them setting up a cute little bar on the patio for people who are waiting for a table? Sipping mimosas or champagne? Arandas is altogether lovely, the perfect neighborhood spot! May they prosper!

Ashlee Mac

IB needed a good local sit down breakfast spot. Everything was delicious and presented well. The atmosphere was cute and elegant. They have heaters as most of the seating is under the patio. Orange juice is fresh squeezed and delicious. The Nutella French toast had plenty of fruit and the Benedict was excellent. We will definitely be visiting again. The lunch menu looks pretty good too, can’t wait to try it. The place is still very new so they just need a little patience while they get everything running to perfection. Overall everything was great.

I love stopping by Arandas Café whenever I’m in Imperial Beach. It’s such a cute little spot and it always feels cozy. This time I got a matcha, their freshly squeezed orange juice, the Monte Cristo, and a parfait — everything was so fresh and honestly so yummy. The vibe is calm, the people are sweet, and it’s just one of those places you’re happy you found. Definitely one of my little go-to gems.

Wow, what a hidden gem! My two friends took me there for breakfast today. All of our meals were delicious and the coffee was amazing! When I say it's hidden, it really is. It's right off Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach but if you weren't looking, you would miss it. It's directly behind El Tapatio. If you want breakfast or lunch at a quaint cafe with a wonderful outside patio and great service, this is the place to go! I can't wait to take MY friends there!

Gigi la exploradora

I love stopping by Arandas Café whenever I’m in Imperial Beach. It’s such a cute little spot and it always feels cozy. This time I got a matcha, their freshly squeezed orange juice, the Monte Cristo, and a parfait — everything was so fresh and honestly so yummy. The vibe is calm, the people are sweet, and it’s just one of those places you’re happy you found. Definitely one of my little go-to gems.

Marcy Lacey

Wow, what a hidden gem! My two friends took me there for breakfast today. All of our meals were delicious and the coffee was amazing! When I say it's hidden, it really is. It's right off Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach but if you weren't looking, you would miss it. It's directly behind El Tapatio. If you want breakfast or lunch at a quaint cafe with a wonderful outside patio and great service, this is the place to go! I can't wait to take MY friends there!

Ryan Taylor

If you are in the San Diego/Imperial Beach area this is a must!! My girlfriend and I got the açaí bowl, the mixed fruit bowl, and a hibiscus tea and all of it was delicious! The atmosphere was stunning and the staff were so friendly and attentive! Also, very affordable!

Tucked away off the main drag Arandas Care is definitely worth seeking out. Whether you're looking for a full breakfast or just a cup of coffee, your guaranteed not to be disappointed. The decor is a perfect combination of boho, beach, and mid century modern, seating inside and out, and the service is quick and to the point. The food is delicious, the coffee is perfect, & the staff is friendly. Make sure you make Arandas your next stop

It was a fabulous dining experience once the food got to us! Food took a bit long but overall was SUPER yummy! Some of the best chicken and waffles ive had in awhile! Definitely recommend if you're not in too much of a hurry and looking for a chill cafe atmosphere to have a nice brunch/lunch. ☺️

Nice coffee & breakfast spot a few block from the ocean. They provide 1st responders and Mil discounts.

Close walk from our condo. 2 blocks off the beach. Good service and yummy food. I wish I had more time to explore the menu.

The breakfast items seem to be the highlight here. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast entrees. A few in the group ordered lunch items and they were decent. They were under seasoned, the fried chicken burger is very thick, so it's got to cook for awhile and dries out some. It would be great if they butterflied the chicken. I would return here for breakfast.

Cute brunch spot. Staff was outstanding and the food was good. Had the lavender latte and felt like there was too much lavender towards the end of the cup, but we will definitely be returning to try more items on the menu.

I am extremely disappointed, to say the least. Martha had served me a cappuccino that I normally get here, and it’s usually Fantastic. There was no love in my cup this time. No design. Nothing. When I had mentioned it to her as she served me, she stated that “it’s the other lady who does it, sorry.” No emotion. Just scoffed at the idea that presentation mattered. Other than that, everything was wonderful.

I was in search for breakfast place and drove around imperial and this place popped up in my Google so I decided to try it out. So delicious! So beautifully decorated. ! I would definitely come back and try more options. I will say though if you decide to dine outside be prepared to be bothered by numerous flies. They have a centerpiece in the middle of the tables to deter the flies. My child had the mini pancakes , bacon and scrambled eggs and a side of fruit. And I got the bacon and cheddar, egg croissant

Phillip Pirrip

The breakfast items seem to be the highlight here. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast entrees. A few in the group ordered lunch items and they were decent. They were under seasoned, the fried chicken burger is very thick, so it's got to cook for awhile and dries out some. It would be great if they butterflied the chicken. I would return here for breakfast.

Keep it Successful

I am extremely disappointed, to say the least. Martha had served me a cappuccino that I normally get here, and it’s usually Fantastic. There was no love in my cup this time. No design. Nothing. When I had mentioned it to her as she served me, she stated that “it’s the other lady who does it, sorry.” No emotion. Just scoffed at the idea that presentation mattered. Other than that, everything was wonderful.

Sydney Mazur

Cute brunch spot. Staff was outstanding and the food was good. Had the lavender latte and felt like there was too much lavender towards the end of the cup, but we will definitely be returning to try more items on the menu.

Ally C

I was in search for breakfast place and drove around imperial and this place popped up in my Google so I decided to try it out. So delicious! So beautifully decorated. ! I would definitely come back and try more options. I will say though if you decide to dine outside be prepared to be bothered by numerous flies. They have a centerpiece in the middle of the tables to deter the flies. My child had the mini pancakes , bacon and scrambled eggs and a side of fruit. And I got the bacon and cheddar, egg croissant

I ordered the Morning Portabella but they didn’t have it so I went with the Florentine Benedict. The eggs were cooked perfect however, the focaccia bread wasn’t toasted and was soft and mushy when I cut into it. The potatoes were not seasoned and also had a slight crunch to them, needed to be cooked longer. The Hollandaise sauce was very tangy, too much lemon juice. I also got a decaf Horchata latte which was overly sweet. The service and atmosphere were pleasant (except for the flies but I know that is something hard to control eating Al fresco). I would come back again to try something else on the menu, like maybe the avocado toast or pancakes…would like to give them another chance since it is a very cute restaurant.

It's ok food was average just not into them putting a $30 tip on the bill kinda outrageous waitress barely came by they give you a pitcher of water some plastic cups for you to serve yourself Definitely won't return

I’m not one to leave bad reviews but we did not have a good experience here. We were standing outside for 15 minutes before someone even acknowledged us. Then it took 40 minutes for our food to come out and it was nothing special. No one came out to check on us or refill our water, we had to find them every time we needed something. Would not recommend.

I’ve always loved coming here. New waiter maybe? He got my order wrong, said he misunderstood. I ended up paying $10 more for a meal I didn’t order. Then he misunderstood me again and instead of bringing a box so I could take the rest of the meal to go, he threw it away. I barely ate a third of it. He seemed to struggle with hearing or English but it definitely left a bad impression of a place I’ve always enjoyed. Now I don’t want to return

I very seldom report poor experiences but with all the great reviews we were excited to try Arandas. After experiencing a very disappointing breakfast I wanted to share with others in case they want to consider a different option. We were seated quickly but waited 20+ to order. The food came approximately 1 hour later. I had the Monte Cristo Crepe, it was OK. My son had a bagel sandwich which he said was good. Over all, the service was terrible. Never brought water nor checked in on us. I noticed others sending back coffee for being cold. Hard to understand the better reviews based on our experience. Zero reason to return.

Leana T

I’ve always loved coming here. New waiter maybe? He got my order wrong, said he misunderstood. I ended up paying $10 more for a meal I didn’t order. Then he misunderstood me again and instead of bringing a box so I could take the rest of the meal to go, he threw it away. I barely ate a third of it. He seemed to struggle with hearing or English but it definitely left a bad impression of a place I’ve always enjoyed. Now I don’t want to return

Randall Hannaway

I very seldom report poor experiences but with all the great reviews we were excited to try Arandas. After experiencing a very disappointing breakfast I wanted to share with others in case they want to consider a different option. We were seated quickly but waited 20+ to order. The food came approximately 1 hour later. I had the Monte Cristo Crepe, it was OK. My son had a bagel sandwich which he said was good. Over all, the service was terrible. Never brought water nor checked in on us. I noticed others sending back coffee for being cold. Hard to understand the better reviews based on our experience. Zero reason to return.

Sydney Chalpin

I’m not one to leave bad reviews but we did not have a good experience here. We were standing outside for 15 minutes before someone even acknowledged us. Then it took 40 minutes for our food to come out and it was nothing special. No one came out to check on us or refill our water, we had to find them every time we needed something. Would not recommend.

Came for breakfast. No one was there to sit us at first but the place was empty. We sat for almost 10mins and still hadn't even received water. She finally came out but by then, we were walking to the door. Just not a good way to get new patrons. Will never stop here again

My tias love this place and go very frequently. They like it so much that one of my tias decided to host her birthday there. Unfortunately, some of the staff was quite rude this time around. Despite having made a reservation, the staff seemed annoyed to be serving such a large party. Granted, we did ask if we could add a couple more seats to the original reservation, which we recognized is inconvenient last minute, but they agreed and we felt very grateful. We were mostly ignored throughout our time there. We didn’t take it personally at first since they were very busy and the younger server Camila was very nice and doing her best to deal with the rush. The other server (Carla I think) however, was very rude from the start. Constantly rolling her eyes or sighing whenever we asked for anything. Towards the end it seemed she stopped submitting our order altogether. One of our guests asked for coffee four times and we weren’t able to get anything until we asked a different person. It’s understandable that service can slow down when things get busy and we have no complaints against that. But the deliberate rudeness on that servers part really soured our experience.

I came here with my family and I waited an hour and 20 minutes for my pancakes. I asked the waitress if she knew what the status on my food and she said why don’t you go ask to cook and if you don’t like it go home and make your own food never come here again.

Twice I have been discriminated against. The first time I was next to be seated and a Mexican couple was seated right away. The second time a Asian couple was a head of us and again a Mexican family of three walked up and got on the list. As I sat I asked to confirm the wait time, and the greeter pointed to the Mexican family and said they are first and you are third. The Asian couple looked surprised that they were bumped. We left.

Joe Carrillo

Twice I have been discriminated against. The first time I was next to be seated and a Mexican couple was seated right away. The second time a Asian couple was a head of us and again a Mexican family of three walked up and got on the list. As I sat I asked to confirm the wait time, and the greeter pointed to the Mexican family and said they are first and you are third. The Asian couple looked surprised that they were bumped. We left.