Best Coffee Shops in San Diego
Here we guide coffee lovers to take a look at the top coffee shops in San Diego, California. To get the best coffee in San Diego, You need to visit the areas like downtown, La Messa Blvd, or even the Mission Hills neighborhood. In fact, the coffee culture and cafes are very prevalent here, making it part of the culture.
Pink Rose Cafe Opposite La Mesa Village Plaza
Perhaps the most beautiful of the coffee shops in San Diego is the Pink Rose Cafe. As the name implies, the entire interior of this café has been painted the color of pink, and the tables have lots of dried pink roses embedded inside them with a glass cover on top. Furthermore, the concept of this beautiful café came from Nadia Zamora, and it has become a good place to try amazing coffee and take pictures.
Also, it is suitable for couples’ Valentine’s dates. They are quite famous for their latte drinks, pastries& cakes as well as their avocado toasts. You can find Rose Pink Cafe on La Messa Blvd, opposite La Mesa Village Plaza. The “Orange Line” light rail has a stop here called “La Mesa Blvd Station’.
Storymakers Coffee Roasters on National Avenue
Storymakers Coffee Roasters is a small yet colorful drive-through coffee shop located on National Avenue. This tiny café sells some of the best coffee in San Diego. What sets them apart is their friendliness and immense knowledge of what type of coffee is most suitable for customers. In fact, you can ask them about brewing techniques or the origin of their coffee, and they are more than happy to answer such questions.
Also, they sell whole bean coffee bags, which are brought from various parts of Mexico and Ethiopia. These beans are freshly roasted before they are sent for delivery. The City College bus number 12 has a stop here.
The Invigatorium Concept Coffee Shop
The Invigatorium is one of the handfuls of concept coffee shops in San Diego that, because of its interior design, is also known as the Dinosaur café. This is a quirky spot where you can grab some nice coffee, a few alcoholic beverages, and some desserts like waffles, cinnamon rolls & toast. Their prices are also reasonable, and an outdoor sitting area is available. This café is on 9th Avenue, and you can use bus numbers 3, 12, 901, and 921 and get off at “the 10th Av & Market St” station, then walk your way to Ninth Avenue.
Better Buzz Coffee on Hillcrest
Better Buzz Coffee has a few locations throughout the prominent areas of the city, like Hillcrest (Flagship Store), Fashion Valley, and Mira Mesa Boulevard. The flagship store is the most beautiful one out of the coffee shops in San Diego and is definitely worth a visit. Both drinks and food are fresh and out of organic ingredients. They sell hand-crafted ice or hot coffee, tea latte, smoothies, sandwiches, and toast. Also, their Buzz (ice-blended coffee) and Bowls (mixture of fresh fruits, honey, or yogurt) offerings are quite popular with the locals.
Kettle & Stone in Mission Hills Neighborhood
Located in the Old Town San Diego, in the nice neighborhood of Mission Hills, you will come across Kettle & Stone café. It is one of the best coffee shops in San Diego for those who want to experience Zen-like calmness inside or sit outside and enjoy the magnificence of this neighborhood.
The staff here is always friendly, and prices are reasonable, having the location in mind. Their espresso and chai lattes are a must-try here. Take West Lewis Street, and after entering Randolph Street, continue all the way until you get to Pioneer Park from this café. This park is a great place to hang out, and there are sometimes music festivals here.
Seahorse Coffee in East Village
Seahorse Coffee is part of Quartyard urban park with an ocean view in East Village in Downtown San Diego. Similar to other coffee shops in San Diego, Seahorse Coffee is made out of repurposed shipping containers and is part of a vibrant outdoor community. Also, the prices here are very reasonable, perhaps bordering cheap.
One amazing thing about here is that they have specialized drinks with funky names like “Big in Japan” or “Snickle Pick.” These drinks are a mixture of multiple ingredients mixed with coffee. The customer care here is fantastic, and there are multiple seats for you to sit down and enjoy your drink or snacks there.
You can either take bus numbers 3 or 5 to get here or stop at “Park & Market Trolley Station” using a light rail and walk towards 13th Street from Market Street.
Santos Coffee House near Balboa Park
Santos Coffee House is a small and cozy place with some of the best coffee in San Diego made entirely from freshly in-house roasted beans. There is even an outdoor area with colorfully painted walls surrounding it. This is a perfect place for those who are seeking a laid-back and chill café where they can be stress-free when they bring their pets along.
In fact, they even give free treats for pets here. Make sure to try different coffee blends here since over 10 of them are available on display. The location of Santos Coffee House is at the North Park area on Thorn St between 32nd & Herman Streets. It is 10 minutes away by walking from Balboa Park.
Best Coffee in San Diego
Some of the best coffee in San Diego are found in unexpected places, especially near the university campuses or in unassuming parks. Make sure to pay closer attention while traveling throughout the city for smaller-sized coffee shops in San Diego.
California Bean a Small Drive-Thru Café
California Bean has some of the best coffee in San Diego if you prefer a much darker roasted coffee flavor. This is a place where you see local crowds gather to receive stellar coffee and genuinely awesome coffee. You will be surprised that such a small drive-through coffee shop sells top-quality beverages and snacks. They have a small selection of drinks; however, everything tastes great and is carefully prepared. They are located in the old town of San Diego on San Diego Avenue. The only way of reaching them seems to be by private vehicle.
Liquid Bean Cafe in The Heart of Del Mar
Found in the heart of Del Mar San Diego, is a happy place and another one of the good coffee shops in San Diego called Liquid Bean Cafe. In order to reach here, you need to find your way to Tradewinds Village business center, which is surrounded by beautiful greenery. They serve coffee, tea, non-caffeinated beverages, smoothies, and even Acai bowls to cover all tastes. Also, whatever they use here to make the food or drinks is organic and always fresh.
Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels in Downtown San Diego
Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels is located in downtown San Diego. It is where you can have some of the best coffee in San Diego with lots of smiles and positive energy. They are very famous for their bagel variations that come with egg or house-made cream cheese inside. They are very good to have with your coffee in the morning.
It has a very cool outdoor atmosphere attracting mostly younger crowds. The café is one of the handfuls of coffee shops in San Diego, which is very close to The Invigatorium. Therefore, similarly, you can get bus number 3, then get off at Market St & 6th Av bus stop. You will then see Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels at the corner of Sixth Avenue.
