Morro Bay boba shop moves from ‘hidden’ spot into popular coffee space. Take a look inside

Morro Bay’s only boba and taiyaki shop was hidden away under a restaurant for three years. Now, it has moved to the popular Boatyard area overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

“We called it the cave because it was just tucked away and dark,” owner April Bodine told The Tribune during a recent interview. “Now we’re out in the light — so much daylight. We just feel like it’s more visible for our customers.”

She added: “My staff are so much happier.”

Sweet Reef Boba and Taiyaki’s new location is at 845 Embarcadero, Suite I, where Daisy’s Organic Coffee & Tea was before it closed in December.

Bodine said it felt like the spot was a “perfect fit for a new Sweet Reef location.”

“I’ve loved that location for years,” Bodine said. “One of my best friends owned the original Daisy’s before it sold to Tony, and that was like a second home for me down there. And so although we were sad to see Daisy’s go, as soon as I saw that they were closing, I emailed the landlords.”

Sweet Reef opened April 2022, under original owner Jared Squire before Bodine, a Morro Bay local, bought the shop in October. She also owns The Dough Connection, one block away from Sweet Reef’s new place.

“It just seemed like a good fit and extension for what we were already doing at The Dough Connection for like a sister shop,” she said. “They’re the only ones doing taiyaki, and so it was definitely filling a niche.”

What’s on the menu at boba and taiyaki spot?

The shop serves house brewed teas and coffee, milk teas, fresh cooked boba and lemonades. Bakery items include taiyaki, a traditional Japanese fish-shaped cake, with batter from Squire’s grandmother’s recipe, and bubble waffles made from the same mix.

There may have been a change in ownership, but Bodine said there will only be additions to the menu, not removals.

“We’ve been trying to keep the locals their favorites,” Bodine said. “We haven’t taken anything really off the menu, because we want to keep all our local customers happy.”

Sweet Reef also expanded its retail section in store, with Asian potato chips and candies like matcha Kit Kats and different flavored Oreos, as well as local products, according to Bodine.

Monthly special menu items expanded the current menu, such as a cereal milk matcha with Lucky Charms cereal and an Irish cream cold brew.

“Just trying to get a fun place where everybody in the family or group can find something unique and right for them,” Bodine said.

The shop’s next venture is its grand opening party on March 29 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with food and drink specials, live music and pop ups of local businesses.

“Anyone who knows me knows I love grand openings,” Bodine said. “They’re my favorite, so I tend to go big and fun, and we really want it to be a celebration, showcasing what we do, but just being able to invite that community. It’s such a fun day.”

For more information

Sweet Reef Boba and Taiyaki is located at 845 Embarcadero Suite I.

It is open Monday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m, Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bodine said the business will expand its hours later in April for the breakfast crowd.

For more information, visit its Instagram.