Palmys, the beach inspired all day cafe and restaurant at 976 Felspar Street, was ordered closed following a routine inspection on Friday, October 2. County records available online list three violations classified as "Major," along with numerous additional violations that inspectors found out of compliance.
Among the major violations cited were "Food in Good Condition, Safe and Unadulterated," "Food Contact Surfaces" and "Vermin." Inspectors also cited minor violations involving proper handwashing facilities, food holding temperatures and consumer advisories.
Additional categories listed as out of compliance included personal cleanliness, food storage, maintenance of warewashing facilities, equipment and utensil storage and use, storage and use of equipment, utensils and linens, and the condition of floors, walls and ceilings.
The county's online inspection history lists the October 2 inspection result as "Ordered Closed" and does not show a numerical score or letter grade for that inspection. An ordered closure generally means the facility cannot resume food operations until the conditions requiring closure have been corrected and the county authorizes it to reopen after a follow up inspection.
The shutdown represents a significant setback for a restaurant that has become one of Pacific Beach's more recognizable daytime gathering spots since opening in 2021. Palmys debuted in August 2021 inside a restored Craftsman cottage at the corner of Cass and Felspar streets, just a few blocks from the ocean. The property previously housed Brick & Bell and, before that, longtime neighborhood coffeehouse Cafe 976. Early reports described the cottage as one of the oldest surviving buildings in Pacific Beach.
SanDiegoVille first reported on the project in May 2021, when restaurateur Dillon Berkabile signed a 10 year lease for the approximately 1,396 square foot former residence and its roughly 2,100 square feet of outdoor patio space. Berkabile envisioned Palmys as an all day espresso bar, bistro, market and neighborhood hangout influenced by the beach cultures of California, Mexico, Australia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
When the restaurant opened later that summer, the ownership group also included Sabrina and Australian native Dave Harper, who were behind Blueys Cafe & Market in Santa Monica, as well as professional skateboarder Danny Way. The historic cottage was restored and surrounded by a garden patio, with Palmys positioning itself as a casual stop for surfers, beachgoers and neighborhood residents.
The business has evolved considerably since then. California corporate records currently identify Carlos Becerra as manager of Palmys 1 LLC, the company associated with the Felspar Street restaurant. Those records show Berkabile was previously associated with the company before Becerra became its listed manager in 2022.
Carlos and Dannielle Becerra have since expanded their Pacific Beach restaurant footprint literally next door to Palmys. The couple and partner Zachary Cohen backed Cherryfish, an upscale Japanese inspired restaurant that opened in November 2025 right next door to Palmys at 966 Felspar Street, with Palmys chef Marcus Twilegar leading the kitchen. Cherryfish itself describes Carlos and Dannielle Becerra as partners who also help lead Palmys.
Twilegar had already helped broaden Palmys beyond its original cafe identity. In 2023, Palmys collaborated with Las Vegas based Hello Hibachi Island Grill to introduce an evening food operation at the property, while Twilegar's ancho braised beef taco later won both the judges' and People's Choice awards at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival's 2023 Taco TKO competition.
Original Palmys founder Berkabile has also continued expanding his local restaurant portfolio. He later partnered with Palmys opening general manager and executive chef Michael Harrison on Blue Whale, an all day coastal cafe that opened in La Jolla Village in 2023. Berkabile and Harrison are now also developing Neptune Sushi in the former Tajima space on Adams Avenue in North Park with partner Justice Horden.
Before Friday's closure, Palmys' county inspection history was generally marked by passing "A" grades, although inspectors had repeatedly identified food safety and sanitation issues. A March 2023 routine inspection resulted in a score of 94 and an A grade, with violations involving food handler training, food protection, warewashing facilities, equipment storage and premises maintenance. In March 2024, the restaurant received a 91 and an A despite a major violation involving food holding temperatures, along with other violations. A same day reinspection reported no violations.
The restaurant received another A grade with a score of 94 during a March 2025 routine inspection. That inspection cited holding temperatures, hot and cold water, nonfood contact surface cleanliness and warewashing issues, but a reinspection later that day found no violations.
During its November 5, 2025 routine inspection, Palmys received a score of 93 and another A grade. Inspectors cited a major violation for improper cooling as well as minor holding temperature and equipment storage issues. County records show a November 12 reinspection found no violations.
The October 2, 2026 inspection is therefore markedly different from the restaurant's previous inspection history because it resulted in an outright closure rather than an A grade followed by corrective action.
The specific county listing does not detail the type of vermin allegedly observed, the particular food deemed unsafe or adulterated, or the exact condition of the food contact surfaces. Those distinctions are important, and SanDiegoVille is not characterizing the violations beyond the categories published by the county.
As of publication, the county inspection history does not show that Palmys has been cleared to reopen following the October 2 closure. The restaurant may resume operations once the violations requiring closure are corrected and county health officials approve reopening.
Palmys is located at 976 Felspar Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. For more information, visit atpalmys.com.
Originally published on October 4, 2026.
Palmys is located at 976 Felspar Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. For more information, visit atpalmys.com.
Originally published on October 4, 2026.
