50 Best Cafes near Santee

“We go to Donutopolis a couple times a month and they are always so friendly and the donuts are delicious! ❤❤“

“Cozy little Cafe. Very clean. Friendly staff. Great coffee drinks. Delicious pastries. Love this place!❤“

“Their avocado toast is bomb!!!“

“The sandwich was good“

“The ambience is terrific and the service was spot on and friendly. I really enjoyed the thoughtful update of the old building! The food was good but my scrambled eggs were a tad over cooked. The biscuit and gravy was good, I just wished for a bit more gravy. Gravy has to be about the cheapest thing on the menu to make so why scrimp? The potatoes were excellent as was the bacon and the sausage. I look forward to coming back for the pancakes!“

“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.“

“
Normally, one of the better quiet café spots in San Diego, and so the 4.9 rating.

The Xtra thick breakfast sandwich is fantastic...one of the best I've had in over a decade..had it made by the middle aged fellow on Sunday at noon for $11. No meat, no extras. Don't need it. Vegetables on it were very fresh and thick as was egg. You will need patience in preparation. If you have a smaller toddler, ask for a second egg on the side, it's perfect size.

House, Americano, and Expresso are excellent for the reasonable price.

Order at counter, take paging coaster, rings when ready, you have to pick it up yourself. But usually drinks are taken to you first. It's not full service. But food makes up for that.

Improvement? Keep the small backpatio clean and foilage manicured, add some more flowers or plants. Add one-person coffee tables outside to free up larger tables, smaller umbrellas in vacant tables. and stay true to modern and folk Portuguese music (owner) to complement the relaxing vibe, or keep other music quieter as you shouldn't have to prevent people from enjoying conversation or reading.

Cafés in San Diego are overpriced and noisy. Nice to find a gem. Keep up the good work“

“Very community-friendly safe space cafe with never-miss menu options. I come here for the 6 butter scone flight. The French toast is spongey, custardy, & crispy to perfection. Try the Pandan Latte, my other favorite is the black sesame latte“

“The best! The food is always spectacular and monstrous portions. The nicest family you will ever meet run the place and the service is excellent. Don’t pass it up.❣️👍🏻👍🏻“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“Loved Saturday, and Sunday breakfast at Gillespie Field. A great staff of folks, and a must visit if your only on vacation.“

“Best corned beef hash ever!!“

“I would’ve loved to give this place 5/5, but the heat in the store is miserable. I feel extremely bad for the girls working efficiently in the heat. Coffee is good, matcha looks good but not my thing.

I recommend the owner look into getting a real AC instead of dingy fans. I understand it’s a store-front coffee shop, but the heat was circulating in the shop from those fans. It felt unclean, sticky, and muggy inside.“

“I absolutely love this restaurant. I discovered this place about a year ago, and ever since that day I have enjoyed every single moment spent there. The retro 50s style with oldie legendary music just fills the atmosphere with a touch of comfort, sophistication, and happiness. The food was extremely good especially the burgers, with affordable prices. The waiters are also kind and caring.“

“Me encanto el lugar que es muy familiar♥️“

“Met Toran at our work event and he shared his story… What an amazing business! Everyone needs to go and try this pudding!!! I will always support a business that supports the community and will always show up when asked! Thanks for the amazing pudding, and for showing up!“

“Exelente servicio y todo de primera calidad súper recomendado“

“Quaint . Great service and food“

“This place has a lot of potential but a few things need to be addressed. The food variety and taste were both excellent—everything we ordered was delicious. Our waiter was friendly, and the location right off the main road is super convenient.

However, the dining experience had some major downsides. Despite there being open tables, none were clean, so we had to sit down at a dirty table and wait while a table was bussed. The old plates and cups were removed but there was still sticky honey all over the surface that we just avoided during our time. Also, the staff seemed under-resourced, and the restaurant felt expensive for what we got. I was also disappointed by the $4 upcharge for a fruit side with my breakfast sandwich since the fruit was mostly overripe watermelon and some off-tasting cantaloupe. The number of flies inside and out was also a big turn-off, and parking was a real hassle.

Despite that, I would try it again, but maybe I'd do take out.“

“1st time, won’t be the last....“

“Avocado boba is 💣 - grat service“

“This is the closest restaurant to the Chevrolet dealership where I was having some service performed. Odd setup on the 4th floor of a nice commercial building. Expected cafeteria food and ended up with an absolute bomb of a sandwich. This place is seriously a diamond in the rough. Will be back“

“Delicious breakfasts 😋 and good service“

“I love La Mesa Bistro team working is very nice, friendly and efficient. It’s clean and you can eat indoor or outside The food is all very good and ready quickly! My favorites açaí be wil and grilled Cheese on sourdough with artichokes and avocado. It’s fabulous- sorry I can’t remember the benefits of it. ?“

“Cozy and friendly best coffee ☕️“

“El mejor restaurante de comida casera ❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“I was in this restaurant for the very first time recently, and I left just completely impressed. I was in town doing business with the great folks at El Cajon Guitars and Music. Getting new strings on my guitar, and Frank and Maria suggested this diner—and I’m so glad I listened to them!
The whole spot is comfortable, but the service is what stood out, as much as my roast beef sandwich.From the minute I walked in the door, Vicky—the owner—was wonderful. She was the only one working there, but she didn’t seem rushed at all. She greeted me with a big, bite, genuine smile right away, and we had a pleasant little conversation. Right off the bat, I didn't feel like just a number; I felt like a true friend, and that warmth made me feel immediately at ease.
I got the roast beef and cheddar sandwich, and I decided to take it to go. I drove over to Lindo Lake to sit and enjoy it, and I must say, the sandwich itself was truly wonderful. The beef had a great flavor, and what made it perfect was the freshness of the fixings, the tomato and lettuce were crisp and bright, which really balanced the meat out. It was so good, in fact, it was almost as good as the ones my Mom used to make, and that’s the highest praise I can give!
In fact, that sandwich was so good, I had a little trouble keeping it all to myself! While I was sitting there, a goose waddled right up and was looking at my sandwich like it wanted a piece of it. I had to laugh; even the local wildlife knows good food when it sees it!
If you're looking for a fantastic sandwich, you absolutely ought to stop in here. I was a first-timer, but It certainly won't be the last visit. My dad always taught me to support the businesses of my friends, and Vicky truly made me feel like a friend. I’ll certainly be back to support her business and try other sandwiches. I highly recommended this diner for a truly great experience.Thank you, Vicky for making me feel so welcome at your place.“

“We have been dining at Patty's for about 6 years.Well love the food. It has a homemade flavor that we appreciate.We have our favorite items such as the Carne Asada burrito served with rice and beans and the 1/2 lb Sirloin burger topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms, served with perfectly streamed veggies and mashed potatoes. It also comes with either salad or soup. Salads are good and I definitely recommend their Lemony chicken and rice soup. Also included is your choice of bread.The wait staff is always friendly and attentive.Patty's has a diner feel.“

“Great vibe and crowd! Kava is excellent!“

“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!“

“First time at this hidden gem! Loved the mixed menu, food was great, out hot and fast, and at that price... can not be beat! Stop by if you are in the area, very worth it. I got the tacos, a side of fries, and a Vietnamese coffee. It was tasty AND filling. I took home my leftovers. Additionally, they had tasty bakery items. The cookies were so soft!

Ample parking when we arrived and more than enough indoor seating. GREAT customer service. :)“

“Absolutely LOVE Ultreya! Both locations are top notch. We love it so much that we get coffee beans sent to us in Illinois. Great staff, great coffee, great tea, delicious food and pastries, and amazing owners. If you haven’t been here, you will be in love after you go!“

“Love, love, love El Cajon Bistro! It really is the best breakfast in town. Almost as if the North Park brunch scene found its way to east county, and I'm so happy it did. I always get a Benedict, the poached eggs are always perfect and the hollandaise is satisfying. The salsa that came with the breakfast potatoes was SO GOOD. I will be dreaming about it until I can have it again. My grandma and I always come here whenever I am in town. Highly recommend.“

“My baby girl loves Smoothies and we drive past everyday so figured today we should try it…& I’m so glad we did!! These smoothies are very yummy!! Baby girl drank all of hers and even wanted mine…. We will definitely be back for more soon!“

“Wow, such great food and awesome service! Had the lobster roll and it was quality lobster and overflowing with actual meat. Everything was delicious.“

“Coffee is really good !! Owners are incredibly nice !“

“My favorite place to go ... great tasting & friendly stafff :)“

“strawberry matcha is the best try one for sure“

“I’ve been going to lestats since I was just a child really. I haven’t been since 2018 maybe when we moved. But I can tell you I’ve known horrible humans in my life not by choice. But fate led me to John a sweet gay man who ran a 24/7 coffee house. And I’ve loved coffee since age 5. When times were hard a lonely girl could get a hot cup of coffee and use the wifi even and hang out. John took in many of us. I was one of the pre 98-2006 post crew that practically lived here. Idk why John never charged us rent he truly should’ve! Hell he probably could’ve for our cars even. I was pregnant here. They fed me when I was hungry. They kept us warm in the cold months. Lestats was always a shelter in the storm we call life. I was but a passenger for a while. John let me park my Honda accord out back for some time when an alternator wasn’t the only problem even. When I think of angels and I think of gods I think of folks like John. They gave us life without even knowing it. My daughters 20 this year and we’re both alive because of John’s goodness and kindness he has a huge heart most have no clue. He’s just the sweetest man. He was a woven interact part of my life. He’s one of those people who is why I am here today. Because when I needed a safe place in the storm we call life. I could lean on Lestats and John. Whom I knew well. To think my neighbor would lead me here he worked there eventually and was a lady’s man 😂 Travis was his name and I laugh cuz I knew that boy from just a little boy. To see him become a man and even a dad around when I was a mom. Seemed then something was surely in the water 😂 or so we’d all joked. Maybe it was just knowing we had a safe place to land for awhile that truly helped us all survive. But a huge part of that was John! So thank you John. Idk if you remember me or not. But I was that blonde girl with short hair and a damaged heart. 90s-2006 was my life there then I’d come when I was in town very rare then. But I always loved your veggie chili and your sandwiches. And the coffee ☕️ gosh if I miss anything from San Diego it’s Lestats and their amazing teas and coffee and food. Because when I had no home even I always had a safe place to go when the storm of life was crushing me. I met a boy in 2006 and disappeared really. But John was always like family for me. So I wanna thank him for being the light in the dark for a young street kid. Who didn’t have much but I always had enough for a cup of coffee and some safe space to enjoy it. I know it’s been 20 yrs because my baby is 20 now. But we wouldn’t be here without John. Thank you for being a safe place for us in life’s storms.“

“Important part of the La Mesa community“

“Best bagels in San Diego county.“

“Hit up the New Nutmeg on Danielson Street in Poway. I heard their Scripps location closed because the landlord raised the rent so high it was unaffordable for them to stay there. We were a large group so we were able to order a bunch of menu items. There was a line but its a very popular place so we were not surprised. We started with some espresso drinks, and agua frescas. We had the Hearty Bowl, Avocado Toast, and Amazing Burrito. Some in our group had the new Grandpa's Breakfast Bun with the egg and spam, and the Porky. They are very flexible with special orders including one in our group who is gluten sensitive. We finished, sharing their in-house baked pastries (they have gluten-free pastries); the warmed espresso scones and cinnamon buns (don't ever leave without having the "buns"). I work in the area so Nutmeg is now my go-to for breakfast before work, or lunch. Its also located nearby Costco and Home Depot, convenient for a weekend meal before or after my weekly Costco runs.“

“Such a cute place. The food was good, service was great, and the coffee yummy.“

“I came into Bica for a coffee and a sandwich, not expecting much. But the latte and veggie sandwich I got were both excellent. It’s a small place but has a nice side patio, shaded, good chill atmosphere. The servers were fantastic. I highly recommend it. I can’t wait to come back, earlier in the morning for a pastel de nata.
Addendum: I’ve since been to dinner at Bica, three times. Everything has been delicious, the seafood especially, but also the side dishes, such good flavors. They know how to season and know how to make sauces. This is one of my favorite dinner restaurants now.“

“Everything is delicious, and the place has a great atmosphere!“

“This coffee shop is right when you pull into the Salvation Army Kroc Center. Parking there is busy. There is one parking spot dedicated to the coffee shop - I think it has a 10 minute limit - but that means whoever gets there first can apparently stay there in their car for as long as they want. The coffee shop should look into another spot so people who want coffee don’t have to park across the entire parking lot. Good customer service, coffee is aight.“

“It's hit and miss here. Seems it really just depends on the time of day, and who your barista is. Some days they are really quick, and amazing service. Other days, they are down to one person and very slow, and the drinks are sub par. Overall it's descent, but they could work on staff coverage, and not burning coffee.“

“Customer service and knowledge/quality of their product is stellar! Oh, yeah...and the coffee is amazing, too! My first time experiencing horchata and I strongly recommend! If I lived in San Diego, this would be a regular!“

“Great tasting food wonderful service“