50 Best Cafes in San Diego

“Went for brunch with my wife, found parking right outside on the street. No wait when we showed up but the place was far from empty. Loved the plants everywhere and open design. Wife ordered a Greek breakfast with chicken I had the eggs and potatoes with chicken and a cold brew, I skipped the coconut foam, just not my thing. The portions were large and it was a filling meal. The chicken was done to perfection! The house hot sauce of was great and the potatoes were nice and crispy on the edges. Overall a great little spot!“

“We visit the “Little Lion” on every trip to San Diego. It’s the absolute best brunch spot on Point Loma!“

“Cannot wait to go back and enjoy the the food, excellent service and ambience of this restaurant. We often each brunch here and their chef events are amazing! I savor every bite 🤤“

“Tastylife™️. Would buy treats again.“

“The best food! The best steaks, drinks and deserts and popovers! The staff at every level is friendly, helpful and professional. The ambiance is amazing. The place feels classy, but not intimidating or unwelcoming. Chef Deborah knows what she is doing with this successful restaurant. I hope you are always here to come back to!“

“Audrey was the best! We came from Maine and short notice we were able to get a dozen cupcakes ordered for pickup with 2 days notice. They were fantastic and gone quickly!! Thank you again!!“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“Love the bakery and matcha latte!“

“Always a fun visit. Every location has been great.“

“highly recommend this place! AMAZING coffee, DELICIOUS acid bowls and incredible breakfast croissants. The owner is awesome and the staff is incredibly friendly. I will definitely be returning (:“

“I highly recommend ordering their Oat milk Draft Latte! Their seasonal flavors never cease to amaze! They've had some intriguing flavors that have blown me away. Never too sweet, always perfectly balanced to complement the coffees. The only negative opinion I have is of their chai tea latte, it could (and should) definitely be improved as it doesn't match their same level of craft and quality as their coffee and other teas. Their pastry selection is incredible! I'll drive out of the way to get an olive oil cake or almond croissant here. They do have gluten free pastries available too!“

“I genuinely enjoyed my first experience here. I got an almond and raspberry croissant that was absolute perfection. I got an iced americano that was pretty good but the shots seem slightly over extracted or the coffee is a little darker than I'm used to. This didn't take away from how lovely the experience was, however. I still enjoyed the drink and pastry. Im a long time home baker and a professional barista so I can't lie that I'm picky.

The service was lovely! Other people mentioned service can be rough here but I didn't have that experience. I also work in customer service so I know how people can take exhaustion as rudeness. I think it's a lovely place to visit! This place met expectations and I would return.“

“Good food and coffee, perfect set up for business professionals, meetings, laptop work etc. good vibes overall, staff is super friendly as well. I randomly found this place on Google and a year later it is still my favorite place to work from. “

“Found this sandwich spot on Google and originally went in for the turkey bacon, but ended up trying the BBQ chicken instead “The Rob”—absolutely amazing. Loved the music, the vibe, and most importantly, the food. Definitely coming back!“

“Adorable coffee shop with a whimsical, artsy vibe—perfect for studying or relaxing. Their ceremonial grade matcha is incredible (seriously the best I’ve had), and the pastries and food are creative and delicious. The patio is dog-friendly and a dreamy little escape. Can’t recommend it enough!“

“This charming spot serves exceptional coffee, delicious treats, and warm hospitality.

The coffee is delicious, with a perfect balance of flavors. From rich lattes to bold pour-overs, every sip is a delight. Their pastry selection is equally impressive.

What truly sets Bica apart is its cozy atmosphere. The inviting decor, complete with vintage touches and natural light, makes it the perfect spot to relax, work, or catch up with friends.

The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, always happy to recommend drinks.

Whether you're a coffee lover, foodie, or simply seeking a welcoming spot, Bica Cafe exceeds expectations.

Recommended for: Coffee lovers, brunch enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a cozy retreat.“

“Friendly quant restaurant a real deal neighborhood restaurant, chef comes out and talks to you real casual neighborhood vibes good food good wine what more can you want, there may be a wait for a table because it’s a pleasure to eat there :)“

“Molly’s is so cutie. Wonderful staff, and great vibes. The place itself is so cute and very inviting! I got a banana bread chai latte and it was heaven. Only thing I’d warn people who plan to come here: if you’re allergic to eggs and avocado (like me) eat elsewhere! Majority of menu items includes such. The waffle is delicious though, and would definitely come back again just for the coffee itself!“

“Best coffee in San Diego!“

“Very nice environment and outstanding food and entertainment 👌 😀“

“Good food, great coffee (pricey though), cocktails and beer available. The dog friendly patio is awesome. The only downside to this place is the service is pretty bad. There is also only one bathroom stall with a constant line. The kids working the counter seem really unhappy about being interrupted from their flirting so customers can place an order. Otherwise, the view is fantastic and parking is abundant.“

“Very nice place, friendly servers!! Delicious food. MelanI from Argentina was great!! THANK YOU MELANI !!“

“Absolute best donuts in the world. 100/10“

“Little nap cafe Toasted marshmallow soft serve. Had their chocotherapy ice cream with toasted marshmallows and chocolate straws all on sweet cream. Have to say some times less is more. The ice cream and sweet cream were awesome but everything else was just talking away from them.“

“Golden Hill Cafe is a nice, small diner. Seating is limited and the space is quite small. It is very much home style from the size, decor, and even staffing. The food is good and the prices are okay. The food is inline with current prices. $4.50 for drip coffee for perspective. You are getting enough food to get yourself to full without having to worry about overindulging.

Overall I liked Golden Hill Cafe but didn't think it was anything amazing. I would probably come again but that's because it is within such close proximity to me.“

“Best coffee ever had. So many delicious choices. Really recommend and it’s local in Southbay.“

“Great food, fun and quirky vibe.“

“Charming atmosphere and wonderful tasting as well as beautiful dessert s.“

“A place that makes you feel right at home!
The beer selection are their own brews and covers lagers to IPAs! The Japanese Lager is a personal favorite! They did bring back an old fave too of Mango Toasted Rice Lager!
Their burgers are full of flavor! A choice of 4/6/8 chicken strips that are a kid pleaser!
The swag and beer collection are a must to check out!
The place does get a little packed at end of school due to parents enjoying a pint while they wait for their little ones. I definitely did when my son went to Albert Einstein!
Come in and enjoy a pint or two! Oh yeah, they do have coffee til 3pm!“

“Highly recommend- tell them it's your first and you get the tour of the menu and art. Great prices, food, drinks and outstanding service. See you there.“

“This was my first time visiting this café, but it definitely won't be my last. It is a spacious and quiet space away from the liveliness of Pacific Beach, with bomb tunes, plus a friendly and efficient staff. They even had a nice restroom outside and a rooftop deck area that I'll have to explore on my next visit. And a drive-thru to boot. You've gotta check it out!“

“The Ube Cheesecake was absolutely delicious! First I thought maybe I was too hungry these morning so I ordered their Basque cheesecake for take away and it wasn`t mistake! It is so tasty with gentle texture and ideal cool temperature for serving! Highly recommended to try!“

“Very friendly staff. I got a monkey mocha and it was delicious. I saw the orange coconut cake and had to go back later to get some. It was amazing also.“

“Worth the wait!!!
Waited 20 minutes in line, but it moved quickly. You could tell the baristas were working hard. The customer service was great, and the coffee was delicious. Lots of variety when it comes to seating. The ice here cubed and it's amazing. Highly recommend!!“

“This is now my favorite coffee shop. Everything about this spot was perfect. The breakfast panini was delicious and the mexican mocha with oat milk was amazing. Their outside patio reminds me of a time with my family in Mexico . 10/10 would recommend.“

“Great fun to be had at Coffee Cycle. Fun people, great coffee and if you ride a bike to the shop you will receive praise!“

“Officially my favorite coffee shop in PB! I love their coffee, the boho vibes, the AMAZING food and the always friendly service. I love this place so much that I take all my out of town visitors here; yes, it's that good.

Highly recommend ordering the Drift Bowl and The Vegan Burrito! My go to coffee order is the Drift latte with oat milk - delish.

Major plus is that it's literally a block from the beach. Grab a coffee, hang for a bit, then take a lovely stroll by the ocean. DAY MADE!“

“I love the place, its very quiet but at the same time its beautiful and has beautiful spots. But without a doubt what I loved the most was the food, healthy but delicious. The staff is very friendly and makes you feel comfortable. I will come back whenever I can.“

“My daughters & I visited this area in March & found this cute little cafe. It was so good we ate there 3 mornings in a row. Andrea greeted me by name on only our 2nd visit there. If you want a friendly, quaint little breakfast place I would highly recommend The Cliffs Cafe!“

“Best breakfast burritos ANYWHERE! great service! Accommodating! Great new bowls! Fantastic, high quality coffee and tea! Clean! Safe! Can order there, online, or through phone! Can eat inside, outside, pick up, or get curbside pick up service! They follow ALL CDC guidelines! I've been going there since they first opened. 👍👍👍👍👍😊“

“la nieve muy deliciosa(Gelato) matcha late no esta muy concentrado como ami me gusta, el pan que venden muy rico, la chicas que atienden muy amables, pero sobre todo una vista maravillosa... P.D. precios accesibles.“

“Grilled Shrimp bowl….delicious“

“Best food i have had in my life. Nice people and good service. I have ate there so many times and order diffrent things every time. Best café in all of rb“

“Great food! The only thing negative for us are the seating. It’s always crowded every time and there’s no restroom😔.“

“We are visiting from England and wanted to check it out again. We were here six years ago. Our friends really enjoyed it. Loved sitting opposite the ocean. The food is still amazing.“

“I met Marcela and Amina at an industry event recently and they were AWESOME! They have the cutest cart, the most delicious drinks, and best of all - they are just incredibly fun to hang out with! Highly highly recommend for a holiday party, wedding, industry event... seriously anything. Love them!“

“Great drinks and food - with fantastic customer service!“

“Awesome little coffee shop! Kim's baked treats are to die for. She brightens everyone's day and makes you feel like family. The 1st Avenue neighborhood is lucky to have her.“

“Phenomenal service. Be warned this is cash only, but luckily I carry cash on me usually for these reasons. Cheap coffee and definitely good quality. Nice drive through makes it an easy stop before work as well. Would recommend if you're in the area“

“Nice place to relax and chill away from the house“