50 Best Coffee Shops 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!“

“Happy Hour at Artifact is the highlight of my week! I always look forward to those afternoons when I can wrap up an early day at work and walk over to unwind.

Kendra and Kelly are the best—they always greet me warmly and, knowing sparkling rosé is my go-to, pour a glass right after saying hello. The ambience is light and relaxing, and the conversation is consistently pleasant and entertaining—it’s the perfect way to transition from work mode to relaxation.

All of the food here is absolutely delicious, but the ahi crudo and beet salad are my favorites. They’re fresh, flavorful, and never disappoint.

Artifact has mastered the art of creating a welcoming, delicious, and enjoyable happy hour experience. Highly recommend!“

“Vietnamese coffee is very good. I love egg coffee at this place.

Parking: It takes 5-10 minutes to find free street parking. Otherwise paid parking garage just a walking distance to coffee shop and only $6/day.
There's a restaurant name Shank & Bone Vietnamese Restaurant on University Avenue it's a Vietnamese Pho restaurant just block away from Saigon Coffee.

Kid-friendliness: Yes kids like to take a walk around the area. Environment looks like a downtown“

“Excellence service, relaxed, lots of parking and THE BEST COFFEE IVE HAD in SD!!! Be here! Great options too! I got Orange Coffee-yum-that’s love!

This place has a calm vibe and good Middle Eastern music.

Baklava! Wow! Great not overly sweet stuff here! Grab that! Really one of the best ever!

I love this place and see why it’s so highly rated. Clairemont area, but not on the strip. Close to Convoy!“

“I ordered the Oaxaca (washed) and Puebla roasts for espresso. Both are out of this world! Hands down some of the best coffee I’ve ever enjoyed. I can’t wait to order more! (Photo taken before opening the second bag)“

“Visiting from Michigan! I loved my hot lavender oatmilk latte and poached eggs were amazing! I went 2 days in a row! Lol“

“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.“

“I get the pleasure of coming here frequently for meetings and absolutely love the staff! Highest quality coffee I’ve seen locally and my body appreciates that 🫶“

“This place is a real treat for anyone who loves quality sound and a relaxed atmosphere. The sound system is incredible.

The Japanese beer, which pairs nicely with the overall menu. Even with just one choice, it’s a great fit for the vibe.

Everything feels carefully curated, from the sound to the food and drinks. It’s the perfect spot to relax, listen to some quality music, and enjoy a great meal. Definitely worth checking out!“

“Delicious unique coffee options....and amazing! Almond croissants!!!!! Those are rare and difficult to find! So so delicious!! Breakfast bagel sandwiches were good but needed more flavor. Wish they had more hot sauce options or had tomatoes and greens in the sandwiches.
Neat little place with nice patio seating.“

“My favorite cafe in San Diego. I had an Iced Mexican chocolate mocha is out of this world. My boyfriend had an Iced horchata matcha dirty latte, he absolutely love it. The atmosphere is truly familia and festive. Don't miss this hidden gem.“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“I stopped by this cozy café on a Saturday morning in San Diego, feeling nostalgic about my trips to Kyoto and Tokyo, and ordered both the Kyoto Matcha Latte and the Strawberry Matcha Latte. The Kyoto Matcha Latte was a standout—it immediately took me back to sipping matcha in Kyoto. It had that same deep, umami bitterness that you only get with truly high-quality matcha. The only thing that could make it better would be a creamier milk, though the foam was perfectly done. It tops my previous favorite matcha latte in san diego which was previously done by PARU in La Jolla before they got their cafe section shut down ?.

The Strawberry Matcha Latte, while still good, didn’t quite match the intensity I was expecting. I anticipated the strong matcha flavor, but it seemed a bit subdued in comparison to the Kyoto Matcha Latte which was weird since shouldn’t it be the same?
still a solid 4.5/5.

The lines were long, but once inside, I couldn’t help but appreciate the café’s aesthetic. It felt like a blend of modern Japanese design with its clean lines and subtle elegance, perfect for a San Diego morning. I also enjoyed browsing through the design-oriented magazines, which added an extra touch of inspiration to my visit. Definitely worth the wait!“

“When we visit San Diego, we eat here at least 3 times. We absolutely LOVE their bagels (they are heavenly and actually give you a good amount of cream cheese!)I love the look of their merch, my only complaint is that we visit yearly, every single year I try to get merch and they are always “sold out” 😔 I dunno how everything is always sold out every-time I ask the last 8 years. Online they tend to be sold out as well the few times I have looked. It is such a dang bummer. I’d love to support with wearing merch. Still hoping one trip I’ll get lucky and they will have something in stock 😅. Also, their lemonade is super super tart. So if you like it sweet like I do, dont get it. The sugar did not help it at all and I added a ton 😂 The other drinks are good!“

“Best Coffe shop in San Diego Is really good quality Coffe and their baristas are very good“

“This coffee shop is wonderful! Not only is the coffee top of the line with flavor but the staff are incredibly kind. I had a work trip that took me to San Diego recently and I would walk a few miles to this shop every morning just for the beautiful experience this place gives. It was the perfect way to start the day! When I came back I actually ordered bags of coffee as gifts for family for the holidays and a few for myself as well (it's that good yall!) but somehow mine never came so I wrote the staff and they sent me two bags just to make up for my lost package. These are the sweetest people. Thank you for being such a great coffee shop!“

“We loved this place so much we already have made plans to go back. The food was delicious and portion size is great. Friendly crew, helpful and great service. You can also purchase frozen pies to take home which we will be doing“

“Best coffee in San Diego!“

“I love James in North Park and Bankers Hill. One is by my home, and the other my work! I have made lovely connections with the staff at both locations and they always provide a chill atmosphere to meet friends, work on your computer, read, and simply enjoy the neighborhood fresh air! Daily and satisfied customer! Great espresso and pastries. 🥐 ☕️ 😃“

“This cafe is a lifesaver for anyone wanting a reliable work environment with WiFi after hours. I find my best focus at cafes but most close mid-afternoon. Lestats is the exception and provides a dependable spot for burning the midnight oil. They also serve real food, not just coffee so you can be properly fueled. Wish there was a Lestats in every city!“

“My 15 year old daughter said it was the yummiest sugar donut she had ever had. The dough is so soft and delicious. Also, the gal at the counter was very nice and patient with us while we were making our choices. I highly recommend this donut shop!“

“Orange Cardamom Iced Latte is my favorite coffee in the entire WORLD!!! Sooooo addicting!“

“Good coffee. Cute shop. Barista's were friendly.“

“The Dojo provides a sense of community and acceptance to all, coffee is delicious, it’s a great addition to the neighborhood, love Tootie her kindness is immeasurable.“

“This was my first time having rolled ice cream. It was really flavorful. I got the strawberry with cheesecake bites.“

“Big menu, great service, food presentation awesome and very testy,“

“Food was amazing ambiance was great! Only thing is server was rude! When we called him over to take our order he left in 10 seconds as we were debating on what appetizers to get last minute he was honestly very rude the whole time and was honestly the only unpleasant thing.“

“Tastylife™️. Would buy treats again.“

“I absolutely love this tea spot. The atmosphere here is full of life and inviting and the customers service here is amazing. Now let’s talk about the matcha — WOWWW!! It’s seriously amazing! Rich, smooth, perfectly balanced… you can tell they use high-quality matcha and take real care in preparing it. It’s easily one of the best I’ve ever had, and I find myself craving it constantly.

One of the coolest things about this place is that they switch out their tea flavors every month, which keeps things exciting and fresh. It’s always a treat to come in and see what new seasonal or creative blends they’ve come up with. I love that they’re always experimenting and keeping their menu dynamic.

If you’re a tea lover (or even just tea-curious), do yourself a favor and check this place out. You won’t regret it! ☺️🧋💖🍵“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“I’ve been to Hatsuzakura four times now and each one has been a unique and rewarding experience. From the service, to the atmosphere, and the food. Especially the food! Each meal has been a welcoming reminder of wonderful times living in Japan. An absolute must when in San Diego! Don’t forget, they close briefly from 3-4:30 pm.“

“awesome mexican mocha! love ya’lls coffee and gluten free options.“

“they always have great food“

“The very best. Best customer service and music. Most importantly coffee and beverages.❤️⚡️❤️🦉“

“Best service I've ever received. The staff that was working yesterday (8/2/25) at 2:20 pm gave the best customer service I've received in a long time! I just want to give you all a big thank you for being so welcoming, warm and caring. It's refreshing!“

“The best matcha I’ve ever had is right here! Omomo Matcha is out of this world—no matter how many times I go, I always order it! Their signature drink is truly the best. Back when they were only in Irvine, I’d always bring three cups back to SD to enjoy slowly. Now that they’ve opened a shop right by my place, I can go on weekdays when the line is shorter. Too bad online ordering isn’t available yet, so you usually have to wait in line. Sweetness level at 30%-50% is perfect! Fellow matcha lovers, don’t miss this!“

“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!!“

“hands down best salted caramel latte ever“

“Great place for a sweet treat. Gorgeous decor as well.“

“This place was really amazing. The weight staff was all great. They helped me out with a small issue. I had with my diabetes by providing me with some orange juice because my blood sugar had gotten low. I truly appreciate him doing that for me. Thank you so much and I will come back again next time I’m in San Diego.“

“Everything is good! Sandwiches soups desserts even custom order cakes online“

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

“I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had to after today’s visit. I came in during lunch so it wasn’t too busy, and it looked like they were training new staff. Lacy, our server-in-training with orangeblonde hair, was the first person to ever introduce herself at this store. She introduced herself at the beginning and let us know at the end that if we had a good experience, a review on the establishment would be appreciated so here I am.

She was doing amazing. Super sweet, confident, and honestly just adorable. She had a great sense of humor and kept a smile on whether she was helping guests or talking with her trainer. She even took time to play with the kids at tables and made the whole dining experience feel easy and welcoming.

Beyond that, the whole team worked really well together yesterday. Servers were cleaning, bussing, and setting up tables together. Waters were always filled, sodas refilled without needing to ask, and the food came out promptly. Even with staff in training, things ran smoothly. The food was good. Came out in under ten minutes and it was actually mild this time. The Thai tea is also good here, it’s a bit sweet but nothing out of the ordinary.

I’ve had a few so-so experiences at this location before, but earlier in the day felt like a huge step up. If they keep this kind of service going, the rating here will definitely go up. Coco is known to be busy but service is usually mid.“

“Extraordinary Desserts indeed! Love this place and their people 🥰“

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

“This place is sooo good! You have to try it!“

“Great product and incredible customer service.“

“Love the bakery and matcha latte!“