Start your day off with a bang! For a lot of us, coffee is paramount to getting a good start on the daily grind. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your morning or just add some new favorites to your rotation, look no further! Here’s our list of 15 of the best coffee shops in San Diego:
1. Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
This local favorite coffee house has a total of eight locations across the San Diego area. And coffee isn’t the only thing people come for. Their flagship coffee shop in Hillcrest is worth a visit on its own, reminiscent of a Silicon Valley tech startup with its open industrial look. Some of the favorites in Hillcrest are their pumpkin foam cold brew and iced horchata latte.
Location: 801 University Ave. (various locations)
2. James Coffee Co.
In addition to a few locations of their own, their artisan roasted coffee can also be found at six other area cafés. One location, in particular, called the “Space,” is an industrial warehouse in Little Italy that accommodates their roastery, coffee shop, and – wait for it – a collection of boutique shops! Among them are shops for greeting cards and glasses and a barbershop. In addition to seasonal favorites, James Coffee Co. also offers tasty specialty espresso drinks like a honey cinnamon latte and their condensed milk and nutmeg latte.
Location: 2355 India Street (various locations)
3. Communal Coffee
With locations in both North Park and South Park, coffee-lovers come here to get their fix of Sightglass Coffee. Owner Jen Byard places a huge emphasis on collaborating with other local creatives, which included in-shop partnerships with Wyld Blooms, Wayfarer Bread & Clay & Craft. To help you get into the fall spirit, check out their seasonal drink selection.
Location: 2335 University Ave. (various locations)
4. The Dark Horse
Dark Horse started roasting & serving their delicious cold brew in San Diego in 2013. They now have 5 SoCal locations and a new Kaua’i HI shop. Try one of their signature Espresso drinks like the “The Champ” or their Cold Brew on Nitro with a splash of homemade vanilla bean syrup. This local hotspot offers so many quality coffee options to enjoy along with tasty pastries, including gluten-free options, all made from scratch.
Location: 3004 Juniper St. San Diego, CA 92104
5. Copa Vida
Copa Vida originally started in Pasadena but has since grown into eight coffee shops in San Diego, including its roastery. Here they pride themselves on curating warm and welcoming experiences, not just coffee. Copa Vida offers a great selection of drinks – you can even pick up a batch of iced lattes to take home!
Location: 905 J Street (various locations)
7. Coffee & Tea Collective
Coffee & Tea Collective debuted its flagship coffee shop in North Park and has since opened up a second location in East Village. Head here for beautiful minimalist spaces to accompany your morning cup of joe. You won’t be disappointed, as Coffee & Tea Collective is very selective of the beans they use in order to stay true to their craft. Try their single-origin pour-over, brewed by the cup, or the popular Kaffe Tonic.
Location: 2911 El Cajon Blvd (various locations)
8. Heartwork Coffee Bar
Heartwork Coffee Bar is a family-run business located in Mission Hills. The shop has been roasting its own beans in Chula Vista since 2018 and offers a variety of options with complex flavors. Try their organic Ethiopia Sidamo coffee with notes of blueberry, lavender, lemon, and milk chocolate. The Good Stuff, their medium-bodied blend with notes of berry sweetness and milk chocolate, is used in store for the daily batch and cold brew. Head to Heartwork for a friendly neighborhood smile while you sip on your morning pick-me-up.
Location: 3993 Goldfinch Street
9. Influx
Influx has three beautiful coffee shops in San Diego. They bake their delicious pastries fresh every day in Golden Hill and deliver them to their other locations. All of their treats are delicious, but our favorites are definitely their amazing muffin. It’s a great breakfast and lunch spot since they have a varied menu with salads, bowls, sandwiches, and more. Oh, and of course, their coffee selection is great, and they have every type of milk you can think of.
Location: 1948 Broadway San Diego (various locations)
10. The WestBeans Roasters
WestBean is located in Downtown San Diego, Banker’s Hill, Liberty Public Market as well as Bay Ho, which also houses their roastery. Their beans are sourced from a host of green coffee importers, and they offer delicious specialty drinks like their lavender and honey cinnamon lattes. Banker’s Hill, their newest (and largest) location to open, offers some extra space for working and has a pet-friendly outdoor patio.
Location: 2550 Fifth Ave, Suite #75 (various locations)
11. Lofty Coffee Co.
This community staple started in a small shop in 2011. You would never guess its humble beginnings though, as it has since grown into six locations in addition to its roasting house. Lofty Coffee Co. puts a heavy emphasis on organic and local ingredients and makes all of its pastries from scratch. The coffee house offers vegan and gluten-free options and freshly pressed organic juice, and they even make their own almond milk. Their Little Italy location is conveniently located close to the Little Italy Mercato farmers’ market, making it the perfect stop to fuel up before getting your local produce.
Location: 444 W Cedar Street (various locations)
12. Ironsmith Coffee Roasters
Ironsmith is a quaint and trendy coffee shop in Encinitas. The coffee house boasts a wide selection of coffee beans from Africa, Central, and South America as well as Asia. Purists through and through, these coffee experts travel directly to the source of their beans before bringing them back to roast themselves so that their customers leave happy after every visit.
Location: 458 S Coast Hwy 101
13. Cafe Moto
Cafe Moto emerged from a love for vintage motorcycle racing and the complexity of making the perfect cup of coffee. Although an unlikely combination, this coffee shop in San Diego has become a standard, providing fresh beans to some of the best cafes and restaurants in town. Cafe Moto has a shop in the back of their Barrio Logan cafe where they sell coffee, bags of tea, and a plethora of supplies. Fun fact: their roasters run on solar power!
Location: 2619 National Ave.
14. Portal Coffee
This lovely local coffee shop has an open and sleek yet friendly design, which is the ideal spot to sit back as you enjoy a refreshing cold brew as you soak up the San Diego sun. We highly recommend their almond croissant, which pairs perfectly with their Spiced Honey Latte!
Location: 1495 Pacific Highway
15. Lestat’s
Lestat’s has three cozy coffee shops in San Diego. These are in Adams, Park, and Hillcrest. They serve up delicious and comforting food items, we particularly love their breakfast sandwich! All locations have comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. They are open until midnight, so it’s the perfect place to grab a late-night coffee and snack. You have to try their Fruit Loops Rice Krispy Treats!
Location: 3343 Adams Ave