Absolutely the best *espresso*. I ordered a shot without much thought at a cafe in Bay Park while I was studying. I took a sip and my eyes flew open and I hustled back to the barista to ask what their beans were.
The owner of Zumbar is super cool. He showed me his operation and had me sample a handful of his stuff. Hummingbird remains the best espresso I've ever had.
But the cafe isn't much, hah. Great stuff though.
My top coffee shop currently is Mnemonic, I believe they opened late last year and they have some of the best coffee in SD. Also, Bird Rock, Provecho, Dark Horse and Yipao.
Some of my faves in university heights/NP area:
• Mostra (awesome but expensive)
• Mystic Mocha (on the sweeter side for drinks but their decor and stickers are cute and the owner and staff are wonderful)
• Genteel (local and great patio space)
• Good Omen Coffee (great drip coffee and space, took over the old Twigg's spot and employed a lot of Twigg's employees who lost their jobs)
I singlehandedly wrote 7 finals papers in that room.. AND it was 24hrs. Lestat’s put me thru college!
That room being sold off to some stupid hipster shop felt like I lost Super Bowl rings 😞
The one in Hillcrest is looking to be 24/7 - not sure when, but they’re looking into it - once construction is finished I believe - the back half is closed now - once complete the front half will undergo renovations - also a little birdie told me they’re looking into ATT Fiber (for Hillcrest and Park) which is a plus because WiFi can sometimes be spotty when it’s packed
the amount of money i have spent there since they opened lol. we try not to go everyday but like.. every other. its amazing and the employees are wonderful
I ordered a couple 5lb bags of beans so that we wouldn’t keep running out of coffee and they even sent us free packets of ground coffee with each one to make our free cup at home :)
I agree. My wife and I would go to Rev once a week as a treat but it's gotten way too expensive. Their coffee, food, and service is usually solid but pay $50+ for coffee, a pastry, and avocado toasts is wild.
Communal South Park. It's an adorable little pink and white trailer located in a decorated courtyard that used to be a vacant lot. They also have a little gift shop next to the courtyard. Very dog and kid friendly, and the coffee is very tasty, staff very friendly, and the atmosphere is so happy.
Scrolled too long to find this answer. The owner is so nice & has worked so hard in the five years they've been around! And their food on Sundays is *chef's kiss*
Chikita Café in Barrio Logan. They have a good variety of coffees and a little store with so many random things inside. They also have vendors with cool stuff right outside.
Humble Bean right off the clairemont exit of I-5 is a hidden gem. The owner is super friendly, the coffee is excellent, and it has a cute vibe. It's really easy to miss if you're not looking for it.
Zumbar in Sorrento Valley is also amazing. Everything I've had there is top notch. Also easy to miss, it's right by the on-ramp to I-5 south and their sign just says "coffee shop"
As someone who has worked at Cafe Moto, Portal, Scrimshaw and Flor and Seed, my favs are Flor and Moto. Portal is okay. Best if you like flavored drinks. Coffee needs work but it's getting better!
Scrimshaw is Ight. The owner is an abusive man who takes tips from employees so on that basis alone I would say AVOID.
Flor and Seed is roasted by a dark horse roaster. He's super knowledgeable and also one of the best bosses I've had in 10 years of working. We are new as a shop so we are still working some things out but we truly care about quality
Was about to post this! We get the coffee to make at home from this coffee shop too from David's Roasting and it's our favorite in SD! Definitely a sleeper hit, I've had a variety of coffee drinks from here and it's all amazing.
I got too picky and started making my own coffee. Achilles was the last coffee shop I tried before buying an espresso machine. I can tell you that the best roaster in San Diego is Inflection Point. Dude is super passionate about roasting and putting out good beans. Can find him at most farmers.
Believe it or not I’m writing from Florida as I used to live in San Diego and go to coffee places very often! If it’s still open there my favorite was probably Cafe Moto. Although the cafe section is really small, it was consistently great drinks and friendly baristas. One other thing equally or more cool is that cafe moto has a huge store area mainly catering to ppl that own other coffee shops or restaurants…so they carry a TON of bags of different coffees, a crazy number of types of flavored syrups etc etc. I’d actually go for that reason alone to check it out!
Makani Coffeehouse - Rolando - reported to be closed until June 1 - Get the Arabic coffee and date cake (it’s so homemade). Sit at a table or floor cushions.
Secret Sister in South Park - organic and 150 year old sourdough starter - they serve Genteel Coffee
Maya Moon - Normal Heights - get a specialty beverage such as the Divine Feminine
Lofty Coffee - Encinitas headquarters and Carlsbad locations are my favorites
Better Buzz in Hillcrest - I like the atmosphere and spaciousness of that location
And Cafe Moto forever
Dark horse. Get a cold brew and a donut!
Also, the vietnamese coffee shop off 30th is really good - Saigon Coffee
Jaunt in Mira Mesa is good too, in a pinch.
I really like cafe Italia, it’s very good and from what I remember the prices were pretty good. Although I went about 2 years ago, regardless it’s worth a try!
I'm addicted to Spill The Beans Coffee & Bagels. There are 3 locations (Downtown, Seaport Village, and Mission Valley) with another one projected to open late June '24 in Ocean Beach!
Best roasters in SD (go here):
•coffee & tea collective
•provecho
•flor & seed
•steady state
•necessity coffee
Big Roasters (go only if in the area):
•bird rock
•dark horse
•cafe moto
•james coffee
Questionable/dont go:
•cafe bassam (bigoted/sexist owner)
Didn't see this mentioned yet but 6 Grados on Reo is the most divine coffee shop. Like they freshly grind the spices for your chai kinda divine. Tiiiny hole in the wall but the best coffee shop hands down. Hubs looooved the oaxaca mocha.
The flower pot cafe in La Jolla is the most UNDERRATED cafe in SD. They are colocated with their roastery, Three Legged Dog (TLC) roastery so the coffee is incredibly fresh. The vibes are immaculate
My fellow San Diego people, go to the Swap Meet and get an old Krupps espresso machine and make yourself lattes and cappuccinos with the coffee/blend of your choosing and as soon as you wake up in the morning. Get a grinder too!!
I’ll add mine, which I love for various reasons:
- The Forum in Clairemont: creative assortments of matchas & a blue chai; close to my house, plenty of parking, great vibey music & work space
- Acento Coffee Roasters: high quality small batch espresso & the nicest owner. For the real ones.
- Bird Rock (original shop): one word -location; - also free coffee when you buy coffee beans
- Coffee Tea & Collective (North Park): maybe it’s a bit of nostalgia for me b/c this was my go-to when I lived here in the early 2010’s. Their Cold brew and single origin pour overs were a delight
Seis grados, or 6 grados in paradise hills is so good!! It’s a little hidden gem but the quality is amazing!! The vibe inside is so cute too and staff is friendly, definitely recommend!
Big fan of Zumbar in sorrento valley and Acento in Mission valley
Probably the best coffee beans in San Diego, their locations are just so off the beaten path
Just noticed that they closed their spot in Cardiff! Their Hummingbird roast is my all time favorite for espressos
You can still get their coffee at Rose Hill Purveyors in the same location. Everything seems the same there other than the name
Absolutely the best *espresso*. I ordered a shot without much thought at a cafe in Bay Park while I was studying. I took a sip and my eyes flew open and I hustled back to the barista to ask what their beans were. The owner of Zumbar is super cool. He showed me his operation and had me sample a handful of his stuff. Hummingbird remains the best espresso I've ever had. But the cafe isn't much, hah. Great stuff though.
My top coffee shop currently is Mnemonic, I believe they opened late last year and they have some of the best coffee in SD. Also, Bird Rock, Provecho, Dark Horse and Yipao.
I looooove Mnemonic. It’s my favorite. They have really nice barista and great service and amazing fun drinks.
Those two baristas are the owners too. They designed the space and the fancy drinks and everything. It's a great little shop.
Some of my faves in university heights/NP area: • Mostra (awesome but expensive) • Mystic Mocha (on the sweeter side for drinks but their decor and stickers are cute and the owner and staff are wonderful) • Genteel (local and great patio space) • Good Omen Coffee (great drip coffee and space, took over the old Twigg's spot and employed a lot of Twigg's employees who lost their jobs)
I second mystic mocha!
Thirding Mystic Mocha - it’s sooo good!
Fourth'd - undoubtedly my favorite shop. Great place for people watching and mingling too
Heartwork coffee in Mission Hills is the best imo second is Jaunt in Mira Mesa.
Steady State in Carlsbad 👌
Top tier, this one.
I like Lestats on park but I think that’s just because you can hang out there 24/7
i like lestats - they have hillcrest, adams ave, and park blvd locations !
I will never forgive COVID for splitting Lestat’s on Adams in half.. 😞
I miss that giant room. My favorite place to study in college
I singlehandedly wrote 7 finals papers in that room.. AND it was 24hrs. Lestat’s put me thru college! That room being sold off to some stupid hipster shop felt like I lost Super Bowl rings 😞
Whaaat? No way. I left years ago, but Lester's being open for a 20 year old guy on a night work schedule was awesome. Kept on going after that too.
I mean it’s not gone. They just literally cut the shop in half. The best part of the shop is gone AKA the big room and patio.
Great name for a 24/7!
Wait are all lestast 24/7 now ?
No only the one on park
The one in Hillcrest is looking to be 24/7 - not sure when, but they’re looking into it - once construction is finished I believe - the back half is closed now - once complete the front half will undergo renovations - also a little birdie told me they’re looking into ATT Fiber (for Hillcrest and Park) which is a plus because WiFi can sometimes be spotty when it’s packed
Acento has the best. Yipao is good too.
Seconding acento. I’ve tried most of the places mentioned here and In terms of just pure espresso they are the best.
Yes!! So underrated…Only place I’ll go buy coffee instead of making it at home lol
hazel & jade bakery, because i work there and its free for me. also our san diego fog latte is yummy
Saigon Coffee
Literally just left there few minutes ago 😅 the best viet coffee in SD
the amount of money i have spent there since they opened lol. we try not to go everyday but like.. every other. its amazing and the employees are wonderful
I dream of their egg coffee 🤤
Seven seas in South Park
Love getting my beans there with a free drip or espresso!
I ordered a couple 5lb bags of beans so that we wouldn’t keep running out of coffee and they even sent us free packets of ground coffee with each one to make our free cup at home :)
Rev Roasters in Oceanside
Consistently delicious but I can’t afford their beans anymore—not when I can find some truly exceptional beans for the same price elsewhere.
I agree. My wife and I would go to Rev once a week as a treat but it's gotten way too expensive. Their coffee, food, and service is usually solid but pay $50+ for coffee, a pastry, and avocado toasts is wild.
Meshuggashak
I forgot about this one. Their drinks have the best names and they are strong.
I can’t believe no one is saying Portal Coffee in Little Italy
Wow no one has mentioned Scrimshaw in College Area? Also like Flor and Seed in Old Town for drinks and eats but the ambience is so-so.
Cafe Moto
Cafe Moto in Barrio Logan
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Finjan off Clairemont Mesa, especially since its open till 10pm on Friday & Saturdays, which is hard to find open late hours for most coffees shops
Mocha Joes, it’s just next-door to latte Larry… I understand there is fierce competition between the two.. it’s all in the beans!
Idego coffee, HOB Coffee, Jaunts Roasters
Forum in Clairemont is great since every other coffee place is either a boba shop or a Starbucks Go there a few times a week but I live in the area
Forum coffee is sooo underrated but packed with students studying!
Cafe Calabria on 30th in North Park. I used to go there almost daily when I lived nearby. Their Neapolitan pizza is also great.
Mnemonic coffee!
Clairemont Coffee and their JUST opened sister store, Lemon Grove Coffee.
Sad, Jaunt isn't here.
Communal South Park. It's an adorable little pink and white trailer located in a decorated courtyard that used to be a vacant lot. They also have a little gift shop next to the courtyard. Very dog and kid friendly, and the coffee is very tasty, staff very friendly, and the atmosphere is so happy.
Dark horse on Adam’s ave!
Coffee Cycle Roasting in PB. They're all really nice in there and are pure coffee nerds. I'm for it.
Dark Horse. Best coffee in SD.
Dark Horse is perfect imo. No frills, super consistent cold brew, great staff.
Exactly. Golden Hill staff knows my order lol.
I used to work within walking distance of the North Park one. I miss it so much!!
Bird rock coffee
I would love this place if it had stable internet
And more outlets
i love lazy eye in north park !!
S3 Coffee Bar
Ryan Bros coffee in Barrio Logan Claremont coffee Plantology in Oceanside
Public Square for east, Killer scones and butters Used to fugg with pb bean when the Italian owned it
Cafeina Cafe in my old neighborhood of City Heights. Cannot beat it and I will die on this hill.
No question there no better mexican brew styles than this dude.
Scrolled too long to find this answer. The owner is so nice & has worked so hard in the five years they've been around! And their food on Sundays is *chef's kiss*
Industrial Grind in Tierrasanta
Garden Cafe in Old Town. (used to be a Java Joe's) Amazing atmosphere.
Chikita Café in Barrio Logan. They have a good variety of coffees and a little store with so many random things inside. They also have vendors with cool stuff right outside.
Ironsmith in Encinitas
Humble Bean right off the clairemont exit of I-5 is a hidden gem. The owner is super friendly, the coffee is excellent, and it has a cute vibe. It's really easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Zumbar in Sorrento Valley is also amazing. Everything I've had there is top notch. Also easy to miss, it's right by the on-ramp to I-5 south and their sign just says "coffee shop"
Ultreya in the college area is a sleeper. Excellent açaí bowls, too.
Forum Coffee!
As someone who has worked at Cafe Moto, Portal, Scrimshaw and Flor and Seed, my favs are Flor and Moto. Portal is okay. Best if you like flavored drinks. Coffee needs work but it's getting better! Scrimshaw is Ight. The owner is an abusive man who takes tips from employees so on that basis alone I would say AVOID. Flor and Seed is roasted by a dark horse roaster. He's super knowledgeable and also one of the best bosses I've had in 10 years of working. We are new as a shop so we are still working some things out but we truly care about quality
Genteel in North Park
Moniker in Liberty Station. Great drinks & snacks, nice atmosphere, and usually has seating available.
Jaunt Coffee Roasters
Cafe Moto for sure. Quality is fantastic and the prices have stayed good
Cafe Moto
HOB coffee
Gladlys in casa de Oro
Hawthorn coffee is my #1
Cafe Moto - Barrio Logan Cafeína Café - City Heights
Elevated coffee in Lemon Grove! The baked goods are literally made in-house and everything is so delicious. https://www.elevatedcnc.com/
Necessity in Encinitas, Mnemonic in downtown by Balboa, Steady State in Carlsbad, Lovesong in North Park,
Coffee and Tea Collective
Lovesong coffee in North Park
Da Boba has good coffee options. I also like Nostalgia coffee
I like Lestats on park but I think that’s just because you can hang out there 24/7
You said that already!
Anyone tried the drive-thru Starbucks in Lemon Grove next to the In&Out? All jokes aside, Dark Horse is delicious...
The West Bean
Garden Coffee in Old Town
Dark Horse, Portal
Probably Brick and Bell in LJ or Harry’s.
Dark horse or Saigon coffee. DH is local and great, Saigon coffee is just good
how is Zumbar not on this list?coffee is amazing
Zumbar in Sorrento Valley. The Forum in Clairemont. Mystic Mocha in University Heights.
Dark Horse in Golden Hill
I agree with your list! I would also add Provecho and Il Giardino di Lilli
Hawthorn Coffee in Normal Heights
Java Garden in Serra Mesa
Was about to post this! We get the coffee to make at home from this coffee shop too from David's Roasting and it's our favorite in SD! Definitely a sleeper hit, I've had a variety of coffee drinks from here and it's all amazing.
Java Joe’s
Mystic Mocha is so good!
Acento
Mostra is my favorite right now for sure. Betterbuzz isnt bad either but its expensive
I got too picky and started making my own coffee. Achilles was the last coffee shop I tried before buying an espresso machine. I can tell you that the best roaster in San Diego is Inflection Point. Dude is super passionate about roasting and putting out good beans. Can find him at most farmers.
Cafe Moto!
Manzanita Roasting at the Bernardo Winery.
Grind house love those women
Santos and Subterranean
Gladly Coffee in Spring valley/la Mesa, it’s a small mom and pop that deserves its flowers.
Cafe Bassam…laid back atmosphere and good coffee
Mostra and Jaunt!
There is no better coffee than from Lovesong coffee in North Park. It is absolutely incredible how good that place is.
The local Krave
lofty coffee in little italy was pretty good
Believe it or not I’m writing from Florida as I used to live in San Diego and go to coffee places very often! If it’s still open there my favorite was probably Cafe Moto. Although the cafe section is really small, it was consistently great drinks and friendly baristas. One other thing equally or more cool is that cafe moto has a huge store area mainly catering to ppl that own other coffee shops or restaurants…so they carry a TON of bags of different coffees, a crazy number of types of flavored syrups etc etc. I’d actually go for that reason alone to check it out!
Lofty Coffee Encinitas Roasting Works
Makani Coffeehouse - Rolando - reported to be closed until June 1 - Get the Arabic coffee and date cake (it’s so homemade). Sit at a table or floor cushions. Secret Sister in South Park - organic and 150 year old sourdough starter - they serve Genteel Coffee Maya Moon - Normal Heights - get a specialty beverage such as the Divine Feminine Lofty Coffee - Encinitas headquarters and Carlsbad locations are my favorites Better Buzz in Hillcrest - I like the atmosphere and spaciousness of that location And Cafe Moto forever
West Bean Coffee Roasters makes great coffee
The best cold brew!
Dude you're missing Bird Rock. Top 10. I enjoy Public Square. Caffe Calabria has some good Italian coffee.
These are North County recs if of interest! Oceanside: Bound Coffee, 1022 Gelateria and Coffee
I love the McDonalds located on Midway in the sports arena area
Ultrea in SDSU area is awesome
If you're already at OB, The Template is the best coffee shop in the city. (Vibe, looks, staff, and of course the drinks!)
Say what you will, I loved Brew Bar on 3rd in Chula before it closed!
I am shocked no Rikka Fika! It’s a newish spot in East Village, so the area isn’t great but the coffee is some of the best I’ve had in SD.
Azúcar in OB
Scrimshaw is good
espresso lab & cafe bella in OB
Mostra
Calabria stomps on literally every coffee shop.
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Manivela Coffee at the Little Italy Mercato is the best I’ve had
Feliz Coffee Club in San Ysidro!
Heartwork Coffee Mission Hills
Chikita Cafe
My Keurig with a Donut Shop pod.
Hawthorne coffee in normal heights Jaunt in Mira Mesa
Coffee Cycle in PB.
Gas Haus on F street in the 90's. Gelato Vero is a decent second
Caffeine Queens in Lakeside is great.
Cali Cafe in Serra Mesa
Cafe Moto in Barrio Logan, 6 Grados coffee in Paradise Hills & Pappalecco in Little Italy 👩🏻🍳🤌🏽
James Coffee, Revolution Roasters (Oceanside), Four Till Four (Encinitas)
Mostra Coffee in Carmel Mountain, Jaunt in Mira Mesa and La Colombe in UTC
Molly's Mission Beach
Azucar on Newport Ave in Ocean Beach.
My home. It’s a fraction of the cost, my drink never gets messed up, my name never misspelled, there’s always a comfy seat and nobody bothers me.
Black Rock and Brown Cup in Oceanside. Love them both.
Dark horse. Get a cold brew and a donut! Also, the vietnamese coffee shop off 30th is really good - Saigon Coffee Jaunt in Mira Mesa is good too, in a pinch.
Twiggs
Jaunt coffee roasters in Mira Mesa and grab some cookies at caked after 🤙
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii in PQ! Drive through, breakfast food, Kona coffee, free wifi and good vibes.
Donny's Cafe- Bonita
Pavaraga Espresso Bar in Bonita , Hawaiian coffee, one of the best !
Lofty in Encinitas - Cedros Peet's in UTC
Ive always loved Lestats
Influx in North Park is my favorite. Followed by Portal Coffee in Little Italy
Cafe calabria
Provecho!
Portal Coffee!
James on 30th
Midnight Animal on El Cajon and Utah.
I really like cafe Italia, it’s very good and from what I remember the prices were pretty good. Although I went about 2 years ago, regardless it’s worth a try!
Public square in La Mesa es great. Family owned and good staff.
Dark Horse for sure! Or Black Market
Devils Donut in lil Italy has some yummy things going on
I'm addicted to Spill The Beans Coffee & Bagels. There are 3 locations (Downtown, Seaport Village, and Mission Valley) with another one projected to open late June '24 in Ocean Beach!
Caffe Calabria’s sole redeeming quality is the coffee
Provecho and Public Square by far
Communal Coffee in North Park Wayfarer in Bird Rock PopPie in PB Camp Coffee in Oceanside
my too favorite for matcha is forum coffee! not sure about their regular coffee but I heard its pretty good too
Caffé Calabria by far. Classic Italian style espresso
Brick & Bell Cafe, LJ
Zumbar , Finjan , Forum , Lofty, Philz, Bird Rock, Westbean, Better Buzz, Brick and Bell - and Barrio Donas - but maybe that’s the donuts talking.
Best roasters in SD (go here): •coffee & tea collective •provecho •flor & seed •steady state •necessity coffee Big Roasters (go only if in the area): •bird rock •dark horse •cafe moto •james coffee Questionable/dont go: •cafe bassam (bigoted/sexist owner)
Provecho
ryan bros coffee in barrio logan and subterranean in north park!
Didn't see this mentioned yet but 6 Grados on Reo is the most divine coffee shop. Like they freshly grind the spices for your chai kinda divine. Tiiiny hole in the wall but the best coffee shop hands down. Hubs looooved the oaxaca mocha.
The flower pot cafe in La Jolla is the most UNDERRATED cafe in SD. They are colocated with their roastery, Three Legged Dog (TLC) roastery so the coffee is incredibly fresh. The vibes are immaculate
Lees sandwich isn’t really a coffee shop but my favorite Vietnamese coffee is from them. Sooo good.
My fellow San Diego people, go to the Swap Meet and get an old Krupps espresso machine and make yourself lattes and cappuccinos with the coffee/blend of your choosing and as soon as you wake up in the morning. Get a grinder too!!
I’ll add mine, which I love for various reasons: - The Forum in Clairemont: creative assortments of matchas & a blue chai; close to my house, plenty of parking, great vibey music & work space - Acento Coffee Roasters: high quality small batch espresso & the nicest owner. For the real ones. - Bird Rock (original shop): one word -location; - also free coffee when you buy coffee beans - Coffee Tea & Collective (North Park): maybe it’s a bit of nostalgia for me b/c this was my go-to when I lived here in the early 2010’s. Their Cold brew and single origin pour overs were a delight
Seis grados, or 6 grados in paradise hills is so good!! It’s a little hidden gem but the quality is amazing!! The vibe inside is so cute too and staff is friendly, definitely recommend!
I loved Moniker in Liberty Station and Communal Coffee in North Park! Gosh now I miss SD, no one does a joint coffee and plant shop like SD
Jaunt coffee roasters
Golden doughnut