50 Best Coffee Shops in San Diego

“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“

“Well, I don't live anywhere near Finjan, but I do have to go very near there about once a month for appts. Today was the day I stopped in to try their coffee. It was such a wonderful experience. I didn't want to go to the "usual" coffee places. I ordered a Salted Pistachio Iced Latte. While I waited, I was able to watch them make the typical Turkish Coffees in the hot sand pit which was so fun and interesting! The employees were so nice and helpful. If you want a "fast" cup of coffee, go somewhere else. Here, you will get an EXCEPTIONAL cup of coffee and homey, fun experience. Take a few minutes, slow down and enjoy this amazing place. Oh, I tried the Pistachio Baklawa. I'm Greek and make Baklava (In Greek) all the time, and this was delicious. Sad that it's not near my home. Would I make a special trip to come back? ABSOLUTELY! I will also bring my friends!!!“

“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)“

“Kakawa provided Coffee and Hot Cocoa for my students and their families at our semi-annual Piano Recital in Point Loma.

It was so nice to have everything taken care of-cups, drinks, creamer, sugar, etc. The coffee and hot cocoa were excellent as was their service (as always). There was also more than enough for everyone.

Thank you Gladys for going above and beyond and making my event amazing! I look forward to our next recital!

Kid-friendliness: This is the place to take kids to for Hot Cocoa. Trust me!“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“Coffees and wedding cookies!“

“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!“

“Went here everyday while on vacation for a good latte and quick bite to eat! The location is very chill right outside a neighborhood and there’s seating inside and out. The coffee is made perfectly and the bagel sandwiches were really good. Also very reasonably priced“

“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!“

“Best bagels ever… combined with the best bay view“

“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“

“Such a great shop. Love the products.“

“Best coffee in San Diego!“

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

“Cute open space of a coffee shop. I honestly love their espresso. It's great as a simple latte. I was a little disappointed that I ordered a 16oz latte but didn't get the full amount, but it was a personal mug so they may have thought it was a larger cup than it actually is.
That being said.... It was still absolutely delicious and I still love this place.
Plenty of seating, parking not so much, or so it seems, but if you're in the area definitely check this place out.
Also, I previously purchased their decaf roast beans for an evening cup of coffee at home, and they're also really good. Definitely try their roasts!

Vegetarian options: They have plenty of vegetarian options, such as milk substitutions and meatless pastry.

Dietary restrictions: Customer service is helpful here, I'm sure if you mention what you need they'd be able to help find you something.“

“While waiting for a prescription at cvs in the am , walked across the street to find a colorful, peaceful place to have a cup of coffee ! Great colors and coffee ! And plants 🪴 perfect decision this morning ! Very accommodating barista !! Thank you 😊“

“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.“

“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,“

“I used to visit daily with my co-workers almost 20 years ago and stopped by during a visit for the holidays. It's great to see they are still doing well serving good food at great prices!
The wait is longer than it was back then but it is totally worth it.“

“Tastylife™️. Would buy treats again.“

“Food and service were top notch! My only small gripe is the flies for outdoor seating. There’s little cute fans restaurants can now have at tables to keep them at bay. It just takes away from the atmosphere when you’re swatting non stop.“

“This is my favorite boba spot in San Diego! I try to go to boba places that use authentic ingredients such as real tea and milk (no powdered milk or artificial flavoring). Camellia Rd uses honey to sweeten their boba and cane sugar syrup for their milk teas. Their tea selection is fantastic with great flavor so if you are a tea person this is the place for you. They also have boardgames available in shop so my husband and I love to come here for a quick date and bring our baby. it can get crowded and there are often lots of people studying. Coming in the evening or at an off time is recommended. When it’s not crowded it is a nice open space with room for strollers if you’re a mom out there! Board games too if you have older kids. They have alternative milk options and rotating seasonal flavors. They also dont accept cash. There is a free parking lot outside but again can get crowded and be difficult to find parking but it is a large lot so if you are persistent you’ll find a spot eventually. 10/10 would recommend as a great family spot, place to hangout, or study.“

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

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

“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!“

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

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

“they always have great food“

“Hatsazukara is a very intimate restaurant located in a quiet neighborhood in University Heights. When driving to the place, at first I thought I had the wrong address but it’s just a little hidden. Once you enter, you’ll see how amazing the decor and ambiance is inside. Our party of 2 ate here for lunch on Thursday and there were still many seats available, though I can see how a long wait can form during dinner/busier times. There were a few 4-person seats, a few 2-person seats, bar seats, and 1 bigger table on the patio that can maybe seat around 6 people.

Our server was very attentive and our food came out fairly quickly.
There’s a separate tea menu that featured milk teas (all iced) and loose leaf tea (hot or iced). I opted for the Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea ($8.50) and it was delicious! My friend ordered hot Matcha Latte which also tasted great. We ordered the Full Set + $7.50 for 1 entree, soup, salad/rice, and 1 small dessert.
-Guratan ($17): creamy baked macaroni casserole that was bigger than what we had seen in the pictures. It was so creamy and delicious and was pretty filling
-Yakisoba ($15) + sub shrimp ($3): it was filling and had a generous amount of little shrimps in the dish though I think it could used just a tad bit more flavor
-For the small desserts as part of the full set, you get an option for either regular mochi or mochi ice cream. We opted for Matcha Mochi Ice Cream which had 1 piece cut in half. It was pretty delicious!

Absolutely loved the vibe inside this restaurant and would come back again for their teas and to try out more things on their dessert menu!“

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

“Cute tea shop in Del Mar strip mall. It was busy when I arrived (good sign). I got a black jade milk tea omomo style with tiramisu foam and brown sugar boba. It was $8 and delicious. There's no place to sit inside or out but I found tables just down the sidewalk.“

“Best coffee in San Diego!!!! ☕️✨“

“This place has good coffee and a beautiful location. Unfortunately the service is fairly slow. The line gets long and they only have one barista. Also rather expensive. $8 for a coffee. Parking signs were unclear if you are allowed to park in the lot or have to walk over from a different lot. Seems many people parked and walked to get coffee. It says it’s for beach club members, but super bloom is open to the public.“

“Better Buzz Coffee is where coffee dreams come true, especially if you’re lucky enough to try the Signature Vanilla Buzz Mix powder. I swear, this drink is basically the liquid version of "I woke up like this" smooth, sweet, and with just the right amount of “I’m ready to tackle the world, but also maybe take a nap later.” One sip of this vanilla masterpiece and suddenly you’re not just awake, you’re superhuman. You’ll feel like you could run a marathon, have a deep philosophical conversation, and still make it home in time for your 3 p.m. nap. It’s like someone took vanilla ice cream, dunked it in espresso, and said, “Let’s make this the most productive moment of your day.” Seriously, after drinking this, I’m pretty sure I could do my taxes and reorganize my entire life, all before my next coffee refill. This is not just a drink; it’s a life upgrade in a cup. 10/10 would recommend, but proceed with caution you might start believing you’re too productive.“

“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.“

“hands down best salted caramel latte ever“

“We picked this place randomly and we were not disappointed! The curry was delicious and prices reasonable. You can pick your own spice level. This place was also kid friendly! The kids meal came with a small toy. I love a restaurant that keeps the children in mind! The service was also good, kind and friendly. I will definitely be back for more delicious curry!“

“Great product and incredible customer service.“

“The best mocha I have ever ordered“

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

“The best lemon berry tea ever!“

“Love the bakery and matcha latte!“

“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. 👍👍👍👍👍😊“

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

“Cold brew coffee has a great aroma and taste. The donuts that you can eat as a side are not too sweet and are mild, so they go well with coffee. It is a great place to fully enjoy the leisurely San Diego ocean with a cup of coffee through the large windows that let in the sunlight.“

“Best sourdough rosemary bread ever. Always buy extra loads when I’m in town.“