50 Best Cafes in San Diego

“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.“

“Very sweet employees and great atmosphere! The afghan chicken tacos were packed with flavor and the texture of the tortilla was perfect. Sambusas were crispy and had a great sauce with them. The drinks were also fantastic. Super cool spot for lunch!“

“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!“

“The best lemon berry tea ever!“

“Great space! Loved the food and the service and the whole ambiance of this shop💕“

“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 (:“

“Love the bakery and matcha latte!“

“My daughters and I had brunch here, and the staff was really friendly. The place had a nice atmosphere with great outdoor seating. While it's not a vegan restaurant, they were able to adjust my dish, the Mediterranean Breakfast, to make it vegan. Everything was good, but the salad was way too salty with too much dressing. I should have asked for the dressing on the side. My daughter got the churros. They were okay, but I thought they were too doughy, so I wouldn’t order them again.“

“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. “

“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!“

“6 stars for the croissant dough- buttery, flakey awesomeness! I also love that the pastries are not as sticky sweet. I'm Swiss and its the closest I found in Northpark to the french pastries I know from home. Everything I tried so far tasted very fresh & they seem to use high quality ingredients. The catch: there is very little filling, often concentrated in one small spot. While I don't mind that in the sweet versions as much I was disappointed with the savory... for 6$ there was only a tiny piece of ham & the cheese had either mostly leaked out during baking or there just wasnt as much to begin with.

Staff is always friendly & the place very airy and clean. Quite polished modern decor which feels a bit cold/sterile to me, could use a bit more color & warmth to feel more inviting.“

“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.“

“Super cute and charming. Like being on a movie in Paris. Delicious finger food appetizer options for happy hour and great pastries too. Felt their team is still a bit getting adjusted since we were waiting to order and no one even noticed us. Also coffee was ready but no one was bringing to our table. Other than that we will absolutely be back. Cute outdoor courtyard with heaters.“

“Juan Jasper’s Wine Bistro - A Golden Hill Treasure

Don’t let the simple “wine bar and restaurant” description fool you - Juan Jasper’s is the kind of place that turns first-time visitors into regulars before they’ve finished their first glass of wine. Tucked away in Golden Hill, this cozy spot has mastered what so many other places try to manufacture: genuine community.

Let’s talk about the food, because it deserves the spotlight. They serve what might just be the best fries in San Diego - no small claim in a city full of great food. Their burger? It’s a standout served with bordelais. The menu changes regularly, offering a thoughtful selection of global classics that pair perfectly with their wine selection.

Speaking of wine, Juan Jasper’s maintains an impressive and ever-rotating selection of wines from around the world. Whether you’re staying to enjoy a glass (or bottle) with your meal or picking something up to take home, their knowledgeable staff will help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

But what truly sets this place apart is the atmosphere. Walk in and you’ll likely be greeted with a hug rather than a formal hello. Regulars welcome newcomers like old friends, making introductions all around. It’s the kind of place where solo diners end up joining other tables, where conversations flow freely between strangers, and where everyone seems to be having a wonderful time together—even former strangers.

This isn’t a pretentious wine bar or an exclusive club - it’s a neighborhood gem where great food, excellent wine, and genuine hospitality come together to create something magical. If you’re looking for a new favorite spot in San Diego, Juan Jasper’s should be at the top of your list.“

“Wow! America would be such a better place if more restaurants were like this! LOVE that literally every breakfast option had some sort of vegetables or fruit included, yay nutrients! Healthy, filling, friendly people, good vibes. Highly recommend!!“

“Gorgeous location! For years I thought this was a church lol now that I figured out it's a super cute cafe that has great coffee and cocktails, it's literally my new favorite spot. I only wish they were more gluten and dairy-free friendly.“

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

“Best coffee in San Diego!“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“I love this place, i always get the Vietnamese coffee with ube, and its so good. The spam masubis and macarons are really good as well. Overall, a great place for drinks and dessert. The only thing I will say is that the bathrooms are ok to use but could be more cleaner“

“This place makes pretty good coffees and matchas. They also offer very good pasteries and baked goods.

They offer inside and outside seating. The place gets very packed during peek hours, so either come early or later in the day.

They also offer a small market offering snacks and beverages.“

“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.“

“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.“

“The vegan breakfast burrito was heavenly. Very filling and a great way to get into something healthy and energy-packed early into the day. I also got the seasonal blackberry matcha latte with oat milk, which was good. The only negatives are that they charge for plant-based milk, and they consider dishes with honey vegan. 👎🫤 Updated from previous review on 2025-04-09“

“The food here was so good. My son made me go here every day on our college drop off trip. Was worth it every time. The food was very tasty and the service was excellent. I had the bagel and spread but the family loaded up with lattes, coffees, muffin, bags KS, and more. Thanks again!“

“We rode our bikes to the Funky Lemon this morning for Americanos and avocado toast. It was perfect. We sat outside and enjoyed! I only gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because they do serve meat and Happy Cow usually only allows 4 stars for non-vegan establishments.“

“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. 👍👍👍👍👍😊“

“Grilled Shrimp bowl….delicious“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

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

“I have walked my dogs past this cute cafe more times than I can count and we finally made it over for breakfast this morning. So happy we did - wish we had done it sooner. It’s a small cafe with (as I counted) 7 tables and six counter seats inside and another 7 tables outside. We were fortunate there was no wait for a table inside. Atmosphere feels a bit crowded because you are right on top of the next table over but that’s more a space issue and trying to fit more tables in than anything else. If you don’t like others hearing your conversation this isn’t the place for you. That being said the service was fantastic and the food was scrumptious. We had the Biscuits and Gravy and it was probably the best I’ve had in San Diego. Tastefully peppery and plenty of gravy for the dish. It also comes with potatoes covered in gravy which I’ve never really experienced before but were good. I might ask them to skip the potatoes and give another biscuit or two next time as the potatoes seemed heavier than the fluffy biscuits. We also ordered the Breakfast Burrito covered in “Mexican Sauce” (read red Enchilada Sauce) and served with retried beans. My partner loved this dish and I had a taste and concurred it was tasty. It has green chiles inside which are mild. My partner is super picky about anything claiming to be Mexican so the fact it was a positive review on that is saying something. Couple other menu items we are interested in trying next time are the Waffle with Fresh Strawberries and the Stuffed Banana Peanut Butter French Toast. We saw both dishes coming out to other tables and they looked delicious.“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“The best mocha I have ever ordered“

“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!“

“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.“

“Amazing cultural events. Ongoing. Something for everybody: music, dance, celebration.“

“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“

“The space is small and cozy but if you preferred open air they do have a few chairs outside. The menu is short and concise for a quick breakfast and/or brunch. The interior design is minimalistic I would say (when I visited a few years ago & I don’t know if they have any major change).“

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