If you've grabbed breakfast or lunch in coastal North County, you probably know the Naked Cafe. What you might not know is how much this local favorite does behind the scenes to protect the coastline we all love.
The Wheeler family opened the first Naked Cafe in Solana Beach in September 2002, and their love of simple, natural living still shows up on the menu every day. The dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options, are always fresh and organic, with global influences.
In 2019, Naked Cafe became a certified Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant. The OFR program recognizes restaurants that commit to reducing plastic pollution and protecting our oceans, waves and beaches.
They didn't stop at certification. The Naked Cafe partnered with Surfrider San Diego on a beach cleanup at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas and thanked volunteers with 10% off food and drinks afterward.
Since 2018, the Naked Cafe has been using paper straws, and in 2025, they switched to Holy City Straw Company, a vendor Surfrider Foundation recommends. Their straws are biodegradable and contain zero plastic. As an Ocean Friendly Restaurant, Naked Cafe also gets a vendor discount, which shows that sustainable choices can make good business sense too.
A straw can seem like a small thing. But simple swaps, made again and again by businesses and customers, add up to real change for our coastline.
Holy City Straw Co. straws
Every Ocean Friendly meal is a small vote for a cleaner coastline, and Naked Cafe makes that choice delicious. 🌊