I enjoyed how quaint Balboa Perk, Coffee & Tea was — how easy it was to get inside, had a short conversation with the staff, and even though the coffee wasn't as unique as I had imagined it would be, it was a worthwhile experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
arabica beans
Nice place to get coffee and croissant, self made!. Friendly owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dusan Galic
Milan the owner runs literally the most authentic European coffee house in all of San Diego. Not only does he serve authentic European coffee but has great food items from Serbia as well. A must try for locals and tourists! CCCC🇷🇸☕️👍🏼
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jacqueline Pradhan
Super cute shop and really nice owner. However their chai was literally tazo, so I asked about the matcha. He said it was a powder so I went for it, thinking regular, real matcha powder whisked. Nope. It was a pre-sweetened pouch that he cut and mixed with milk. Tasted awful. Immediately threw it away because it tasted like stevia. This is why I ask about what’s in tea because it’s outlandish to charge $7. Fooled me once, never again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Michael Beauregard
Question: Standard vs Barista’s preference?
This is always a roll of the dice, perhaps more for the devil may care. However, when one rates cappuccino’s, a degree of consistency is certainly preferred.
Today I find myself in the lovely neighborhood of Hillcrest San Diego at Balboa Perk coffee. I crossed the street from Dark Horse coffee based on the pictures posted. Regrettably, the pictures did not match reality. Balboa perk is a bit micro-mart with a single pull.
My cappuccino was only available to go. Okay, I can flow with that as this is also about the craft & taste. To guess, I’d say my cappuccino was 4 parts foamed milk to one part espresso. The “craft” was a dash of mocha powder on top. One can only assume this is how the barista enjoys his morning joe. I must say, if that is the case the impertinence was deafening. Perhaps he is the coffee equivalent of Seinfeld Soup Nazi, without the throngs of people hockey checking one another for a spot in line.
Balboa Perk is certainly neighborhood without the welcoming friendliness one might expect. As for a coffee, you may want to check out all the fabulousness Hillcrest has to offer. Enjoy.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Agata Guskaroska
Closed without any notice! Hours online showed it was open, so we took an uber to go there. When we arrived, the place was closed and messed up our entire plan. Not reliable and you cannot make plans around this place. Plus, it seemed super sketchy from the outside. Do NOT RECOMMEND.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Gp Gp
It is bad when you pay a Uber and find out that there are close. 05-29-2025 around 10 am. Fix your working hours it is silly and unprofessional
Luka Ilic
Best coffee shop in San Diego, and it's not even close!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carlson Vernon
Great Serbian coffee shop, very nice service. Try the Serbian Kafe if you want a kick, and the chocolate croissant, scone, and bagel are awesome.
First time having Serbian Kafe, and it was very good. Learned a lot about Serbian food too. Everything was good, will definitely return. Everything was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Boysan Kane
Our first time here. It’s a hole in the wall. 2-3,tables out front for customers. A small area inside to eat and chat as well. Wonderful service. Calm and friendly gentleman at the counter - maybe the owner? Loved my mocha and my wife loved her vanilla latte. We also enjoyed cranberry scone and a croissant. Gotta revisit this intimate place once again.
Stopped by with my kids while on a trip. Absolutely amazing. Super cute spot with alot of European snack options. I got a ln americano and it was amazing. 🤩 definitely recommend
Diego Eduardo
A very nice stepping-away from my day to day, very cozy even in open air :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zazzii J
I loved my Vanilla/Chocolate Gelato on a stick!😀It's a great neighborhood spot. I'm going there again next time my dog gets groomed next door!🐶👍🏾🌺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Denis Prostran
Great place to relax have a coffee and eat a croissant. Great atmosphere
I enjoyed how quaint Balboa Perk, Coffee & Tea was — how easy it was to get inside, had a short conversation with the staff, and even though the coffee wasn't as unique as I had imagined it would be, it was a worthwhile experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Nice place to get coffee and croissant, self made!. Friendly owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Milan the owner runs literally the most authentic European coffee house in all of San Diego. Not only does he serve authentic European coffee but has great food items from Serbia as well. A must try for locals and tourists! CCCC🇷🇸☕️👍🏼
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super cute shop and really nice owner. However their chai was literally tazo, so I asked about the matcha. He said it was a powder so I went for it, thinking regular, real matcha powder whisked. Nope. It was a pre-sweetened pouch that he cut and mixed with milk. Tasted awful. Immediately threw it away because it tasted like stevia. This is why I ask about what’s in tea because it’s outlandish to charge $7. Fooled me once, never again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Question: Standard vs Barista’s preference?
This is always a roll of the dice, perhaps more for the devil may care. However, when one rates cappuccino’s, a degree of consistency is certainly preferred.
Today I find myself in the lovely neighborhood of Hillcrest San Diego at Balboa Perk coffee. I crossed the street from Dark Horse coffee based on the pictures posted. Regrettably, the pictures did not match reality. Balboa perk is a bit micro-mart with a single pull.
My cappuccino was only available to go. Okay, I can flow with that as this is also about the craft & taste. To guess, I’d say my cappuccino was 4 parts foamed milk to one part espresso. The “craft” was a dash of mocha powder on top. One can only assume this is how the barista enjoys his morning joe. I must say, if that is the case the impertinence was deafening. Perhaps he is the coffee equivalent of Seinfeld Soup Nazi, without the throngs of people hockey checking one another for a spot in line.
Balboa Perk is certainly neighborhood without the welcoming friendliness one might expect. As for a coffee, you may want to check out all the fabulousness Hillcrest has to offer. Enjoy.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Closed without any notice! Hours online showed it was open, so we took an uber to go there. When we arrived, the place was closed and messed up our entire plan. Not reliable and you cannot make plans around this place. Plus, it seemed super sketchy from the outside. Do NOT RECOMMEND.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
It is bad when you pay a Uber and find out that there are close.
05-29-2025 around 10 am.
Fix your working hours it is silly and unprofessional
Best coffee shop in San Diego, and it's not even close!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Serbian coffee shop, very nice service. Try the Serbian Kafe if you want a kick, and the chocolate croissant, scone, and bagel are awesome.
First time having Serbian Kafe, and it was very good. Learned a lot about Serbian food too. Everything was good, will definitely return. Everything was nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our first time here. It’s a hole in the wall. 2-3,tables out front for customers. A small area inside to eat and chat as well. Wonderful service. Calm and friendly gentleman at the counter - maybe the owner? Loved my mocha and my wife loved her vanilla latte. We also enjoyed cranberry scone and a croissant. Gotta revisit this intimate place once again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Croissant
Restaurantji Recommends
Stopped by with my kids while on a trip. Absolutely amazing. Super cute spot with alot of European snack options. I got a ln americano and it was amazing. 🤩 definitely recommend
A very nice stepping-away from my day to day, very cozy even in open air :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I loved my Vanilla/Chocolate Gelato on a stick!😀It's a great neighborhood spot. I'm going there again next time my dog gets groomed next door!🐶👍🏾🌺
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place to relax have a coffee and eat a croissant. Great atmosphere
Loved it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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