Super friendly service! Had one of their Açaí Bowls, so good! Great quality ingredients and a generous portion. Outside seating made for a nice place to enjoy our bowls and view of Cowls Mountain. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew
San Diego mornings don’t get better than this.
Cowles Mountain Coffee has become my go-to before-work ritual — a peaceful, open-air coffee stop nestled just steps from the Cowles Mountain trailhead. It’s everything you want in a local coffee shop: small, friendly, and completely rooted in the rhythm of the day.
Today’s medium roast pour over was smooth and layered — a perfect caffeine boost before diving into a long drive and a creative day ahead. I work in furniture staging and interior design, and something about this place kicks my brain into gear — helping me think more clearly about layouts, mood, and space. It’s the kind of creative fuel I didn’t know I needed.
Whether you’re a hiker fueling up, a tourist chasing the best views, or a local creative looking for a reset, this independent coffee shop delivers. It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear your thoughts.
If coffee isn’t your thing, they’ve got blended fruit drinks, superfood blends, and fresh pastries — a full spread of morning options for every type of routine.
East San Diego folks — or anyone looking for the best coffee near Cowles Mountain — this is your spot. A place where the view matters as much as the brew.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Korman
The açaí bowl was really good and reasonably priced. Like that they had walnuts in the granola. Nice little spot next to Cowles mountain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Açai Bowl
Drisana De La Torre
Was so happy to find this place after hiking Cowles Mountain, I was in the mood for an açaí bowl! Great service, and I even ordered a smoothie too for some extra protein. Definitely the prettiest and most tasty açaí bowl I’ve ever had. I’m not looking to hike Cowles Mountain again anytime soon, but I’ll have to stop by here again. 🥰
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Açai Bowl
Katherine Porter
Cute little corner cafe! Excellent service.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Cynthia
Nice outdoor setting, great breeze, friendly atmosphere, great coffee and tea. Although my favorite drink here is actually their First Date smoothie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris T
Cowless Mountain Coffee is a charming find for hikers tackling the mountain or just of your in the area. I tried their açai bowl, and it was a delightful treat to savor while soaking in the scenic view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Thyagaraj
Cowless Mountain Coffee is a charming find for hikers tackling the mountain or just of your in the area. I tried their açai bowl, and it was a delightful treat to savor while soaking in the scenic view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam
Never paid for a $6 tea before and i think it’ll be my last. Also, I swear the staff who worked here said “sensei” to her boss when she needed something from a hard to reach area. Anyways, the tea i chose was called London fog and no it didn’t taste as good as the name but still interesting. I like the look of the place and it was small but still scenic and unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Justin Milley
I'm doing an update on this review you can read below I put in a week or 2 where I sang its praises. I've reduced it from a 5 to 3 stars. The reason is that today, I couldn't believe the music Cowles Mountain Coffee was playing over their system. A whole lot of explicit music with many f-bombs. I guess it's not quite as family-friendly as I thought it was.This little spot is really growing on me. It's perfect for a little pick me up before, for, and/or after, a Cowle's Mountain hike, or even on a day you're not hiking. I find the prices not too bad, too, compared to a lot of other coffee shop/juice places in this inflation-mad time we're in. There are a lot of little places to sit that are scattered around.
Great stop to get coffee before and after your hike!
Angel Torres
I love coming to this spot early in the morning after I hike Cowles for my Açai bowls. This was the first place I had my açai bowl cherry popped! I've tried some in other places over SD county, but my taste buds are in favor of here :)
Ryan M
Great place to grab a cuppa coffee or a smoothie some water after hiking Cowles Mountain!
Super friendly service! Had one of their Açaí Bowls, so good! Great quality ingredients and a generous portion. Outside seating made for a nice place to enjoy our bowls and view of Cowls Mountain. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
San Diego mornings don’t get better than this.
Cowles Mountain Coffee has become my go-to before-work ritual — a peaceful, open-air coffee stop nestled just steps from the Cowles Mountain trailhead. It’s everything you want in a local coffee shop: small, friendly, and completely rooted in the rhythm of the day.
Today’s medium roast pour over was smooth and layered — a perfect caffeine boost before diving into a long drive and a creative day ahead. I work in furniture staging and interior design, and something about this place kicks my brain into gear — helping me think more clearly about layouts, mood, and space. It’s the kind of creative fuel I didn’t know I needed.
Whether you’re a hiker fueling up, a tourist chasing the best views, or a local creative looking for a reset, this independent coffee shop delivers. It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear your thoughts.
If coffee isn’t your thing, they’ve got blended fruit drinks, superfood blends, and fresh pastries — a full spread of morning options for every type of routine.
East San Diego folks — or anyone looking for the best coffee near Cowles Mountain — this is your spot. A place where the view matters as much as the brew.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The açaí bowl was really good and reasonably priced. Like that they had walnuts in the granola. Nice little spot next to Cowles mountain.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Açai Bowl
Was so happy to find this place after hiking Cowles Mountain, I was in the mood for an açaí bowl! Great service, and I even ordered a smoothie too for some extra protein. Definitely the prettiest and most tasty açaí bowl I’ve ever had. I’m not looking to hike Cowles Mountain again anytime soon, but I’ll have to stop by here again. 🥰
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Açai Bowl
Cute little corner cafe! Excellent service.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Nice outdoor setting, great breeze, friendly atmosphere, great coffee and tea. Although my favorite drink here is actually their First Date smoothie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cowless Mountain Coffee is a charming find for hikers tackling the mountain or just of your in the area. I tried their açai bowl, and it was a delightful treat to savor while soaking in the scenic view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cowless Mountain Coffee is a charming find for hikers tackling the mountain or just of your in the area. I tried their açai bowl, and it was a delightful treat to savor while soaking in the scenic view.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never paid for a $6 tea before and i think it’ll be my last. Also, I swear the staff who worked here said “sensei” to her boss when she needed something from a hard to reach area. Anyways, the tea i chose was called London fog and no it didn’t taste as good as the name but still interesting. I like the look of the place and it was small but still scenic and unique.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I'm doing an update on this review you can read below I put in a week or 2 where I sang its praises. I've reduced it from a 5 to 3 stars. The reason is that today, I couldn't believe the music Cowles Mountain Coffee was playing over their system. A whole lot of explicit music with many f-bombs. I guess it's not quite as family-friendly as I thought it was.This little spot is really growing on me. It's perfect for a little pick me up before, for, and/or after, a Cowle's Mountain hike, or even on a day you're not hiking. I find the prices not too bad, too, compared to a lot of other coffee shop/juice places in this inflation-mad time we're in. There are a lot of little places to sit that are scattered around.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great stop to get coffee before and after your hike!
I love coming to this spot early in the morning after I hike Cowles for my Açai bowls. This was the first place I had my açai bowl cherry popped! I've tried some in other places over SD county, but my taste buds are in favor of here :)
Great place to grab a cuppa coffee or a smoothie some water after hiking Cowles Mountain!
The bannana ice coffee is impossible to enjoy
Coffee was good. Parking is terrible.
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