The French Door Café
"A cozy neighborhood "French-ish" eatery serving comfort food"
About
About The French Door Café
We are a new eatery near Carlsbad airport run by by a French mother and daughter team from Elfin Forest. We are currently only open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch, and for special events. We transformed an old deli in a business park into a cozy and warm café with French antiques and colors from Provence to create a welcoming spot to enjoy comfort food made from scratch. Chef Elissa is a French-trained pastry chef formerly at Park Hyatt Aviara and Four Seasons Palo Alto where she honed her cooking skills. She now creates eclectic food from her childhood favorites, from Moroccan tagines to French quiches. Come by for the opposite vibe to a chain coffee shop, for our freshly baked pastries and our coffee drinks crafted with beans from a local roaster. We also offer a curated selection of packaged goodies to take home, some imported from France, and some house-made like our granola and doggie treats. Don't forget to check out our Chocolate By E artisan chocolates - the perfect gift for you or a loved one!
Community Connection
Our Connection to San Elijo Hills
🏡 SEH Resident-Owned — Jacqueline Arsivaud
I have lived in Elfin Forest since 1992 when we built our home on what used to be a dirt road, and raised my kids there. I was the Chair of the Elfin Forest Town Council for many years, and helped launch the community 5k/10K Keepin It Rural Race at the Elfin Forest Reserve, now in its 10th year. I also ran (unsuccessfully:) for County Supervisor against Jim Desmond in 2018 to represent the area.
Gallery
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find you?
We are on Faraday Ave, between Priestly Dr and Rutherford Rd. Look for the yellow cafe signs!
What kind of food do you serve?
We call ourselves "French-ish" because while we do serve French classics like quiche, we also have all sorts of specials like Moroccan tagines, Kurdish meatballs, and Persian frittatas. We say we make food like we do at home - and variety is what makes it all fun anyway!
I am gluten free and/or vegan. Do you have anything I can eat?
Every day we have gluten free and vegan baked goods ranging from scones, cookies, or yogurt parfaits. We also always have gluten free bread in house so any sandwich can be made gluten free, though we do not have a dedicated toaster or panini press. We have many options we can make vegan on our menu! They are marked on our main board in store, and you can always ask for more clarification.
Can I bring my dog?
Absolutely! We have a dog-friendly patio and dog-enthusiast staff. We also make dog treats!
Are you a certified business?
YES! We are a certified green restaurant with the California Green Business Network, the City of Carlsbad, and a Surfrider restaurant. We use vintage plates and glassware, and our furniture in shop is thrifted antiques.