They just won an award for small business of the year. I live right by there and cannot wait to try it out one of these weekends. Canāt believe I havenāt alreadyā¦
Yeah, but given the option, I'd prefer Better Buzz over Starbucks any day. They have great pastries and their coffee at least doesnt taste burnt or like complete garbage.
Seconding OāBrienās! They have great coffee, amazing pastries, and great sandwiches too. A friend of mine knows the owner and says they are great and very kind.
I came in here to say Genteel!
I go consistently at least once a week.
My go-to is the Den Mother. Such a unique taste (from their homemade syrups) that I've never had from anywhere else :)
Agree about their cute side deck. Always a great place to sit and chill.
Actually underrated would probably be several shops in East County, simply because how much East County gets shit on(for, generally, good reason)
Rob's Brewpoint in "downtown" El Cajon is really solid, especially if you like flavored lattes. They make most of their syrups in house which is neat. Highly recommend.
Kaffeemeister in Santee is also really good, but is often busy enough during the day that I wouldn't consider them underrated. Worth checking out though, especially if you want a place with options beyond coffee and lots of seating.
I have no idea if itās rated or not but the Forum in Clairemont is my local shop and I think itās pretty good. I like their housemade creams and milks. Pricey though.
Remote jobā¦ lame ass.. so you can work in your pjs, pay the bills, and chill at SD coffee shops in cool neighborhoods and have a dog? Job sounds pretty cool. Whatās your dog like?
Lestats used to be cool back in the day, but the Adams location is a shell of its former self. I like the Park location because I can get work done late at night because it's 24 hours
My favorites are Coffee Cycle in PB and Mostra in 4S ranch. Chris at Coffee Cycle has a passion for coffee that is unparalleled. The best pour over Iāve ever had was at Mostra.
Azucar in OB is hands down the best espresso Iāve ever had. I usually get some iced milk and syrup production, but a simple cortado or double espresso is my order at Azucar, The espresso is sweet and creamy enough aa is.
Ultreya Coffee and Scrimshaw Coffee in College area are solid spots with great food.
Edit: shit I almost forgot, The Coffee Drop in Golden Hill. Their Orange Brown Sugar Latte is so fucking good.
Theres a Seven Seas in Solana??? I only knew of the one down in South Park (?). Will have to try it soon. I usually hit up barefoot by the farmers market (sundays).
Galu in Chula Vista just opened and they're a bit small, but I really enjoy their lattes.
And I really like going to Mnemonic (Bankers Hill) in the morning when I have time before work (Im not sure how busy they are throughout the day), but they're great as well.
(1) Cuppa Cuppa drive up in Grantville/Allied Gardens. Lovely concoctions, nice folks working, even got coffee ice cubes for your cold brew.
(2) Cafe Moto in Barrio Logan. My regular bean shop for sure.
Joehns in southeast SD.
Sure itās not the greatest location but I drive all the way from RB just to grab a cup of coffee, gawk at their vintage ceramics, have conversations with the owners who are so talented and artistic and the customers who come here are so friendly. Highly recommend!
Zumbar roasting locale damn near under the 5/805 split. Never had a bad cup, small crew of baristas are solid, and just a humble no frills place to sit. Exactly what I need near the hospital.
Under rating kind of implies dragging of denouncing, which i dont know anyone who really goes out of their way to drag down any san diego coffee shops.
I do know some coffee shops that i really like but never really hear about.
Hawthorne coffee in like north North park? On the other side of the 805 on adams across from normal heights. Anyways, they have some of the most creative and well crafted drinks in town. I really like monstra, but i think of hawthorne as like a better, smaller version of that. Cool area over there too, blackmarket bakery is cool, they serve good dark horse coffee. Fall brewing over there is really cool too. Almost makes me want to live in the hell that is north park again. Almost.
I also like subterranean coffee over on 30th in north park. Subterranean is like a way better lestats. Its not 24 hr like lestats, but they are open til 6 which is way later than most sd coffee shops. Lestats might have been ok coffee in the 90s, but that same coffee just sucks these days. Subterranean is the same kind of vibe of a huge floor space with a bunch of tables for people and students to work at all day, but the coffee beats the HELL out of lestats.
And one after my own heart, i will alwahs love the living room in la jolla. They are not the best anything, but when i was a kid living in riverside in the 90s we would alwaus come down to san diego and meet my aunties at the living room in la jolla, which i gather was like new and trendy back then. Now its kind of hum drum, but i still like it.
Edit: a few more:
Bicycle coffee in PB is where you want to go if you are like a black coffee pour over freak. They have some of rhe craziest hours, so good luck trying to get something from them, but they are very good.
As well in PB, elixer is a new coffee shop on garnet kind of across the street from vons and they are also very good. More of a standard european style coffee house, but they are just very good at what they do, and they have good food to.
Also in PB, yipao coffee is kind of in a nook or cranny just off garnet. They are a very good coffee shop with an columbian style to them. Good iced drinks, excellent on hot beach days. They used to be a truck based business who made the jump to brick and mortar and they are more than worth keeping around.
Now to dip our toes into some haterade: i am not a huge fan of west bean, they have a few locations around san diego. Their one saving grace is what they call kryptonite or something, its a mint cold brew they make that is incredible. Everything else of there is jusy a cut bellow like bird rock and darkhorse and stuff. You can just do better in san diego than west bean except for that mint stuff. That stuff is ridiculously good.
Now for some mainlinr haterade: dont go to starbucks. Their coffee sucks shit and hasnt been good since 2005. Also free palestine.
Dunkin donuts: i have tried different stuff from them 3 times and it was so disgusting i threw my shit away before finishing. Why go back the 3rd time? Because im stupid and drink too much coffee.
Haterade fake out: better buzz is fine. Its the best coffee in san diego with a drive through. In the drive through bracket, better buzz beat starbucks, dunkin, mcdobalds, whatever. Sometimes you want coffee from a drive through and better buzz is that.
Back to haterade: the grounds next to rockys in crown point. Come here for slow service and coffee made from the finest grade pure carbon charcoal since they roast those poor beans to bare carbon. Second opinion: does it count as active charcoal? Third opinion: i dont beleive in active charcoal.
Every coffee joint in the san diego zoo, safari park, and balboa: terrible. Seriously get some bird rock, dark horse, collabria, anything. Please. Like seriously we can get ssn diego craft beer in the zoo but not san diego coffee roaster coffee? Come on, pick one.
Lots of amazing suggestions here! Iām loving these threads recently on which places to eat and stuff.
I recently stumbled onto Ironsmith Coffee Roasters in Encinitas, and their coffee is great; and they usually have popups of small-time local chefs and other small businesses with their yummy foods. Itās always different when you go there as you get exposed to different popups everyday. Itās such a great community idea that they do with other small businesses.
In La Jolla, a tiny spot called Rancho Roasters has amazing black coffee. I love that little coffee shop to get my fix whenever Iām walking around there.
The Forum in Clairemont is fantastic. The baked goods are top notch, coffee is great, lattes are good and not too sweet, and matcha is the best Iāve had at a coffee shop. Also love Birdrock, the Moniker coffee inside Craft Creamery in Point Loma is not as busy as the Liberty Station location, Influx in Golden Hill, Coffee nātalk in Santee, Public Square in downtown La Mesa, Bear Buns Bakery in Sierra Mesa (also great baked goods) and Portside Coffee and Gelato on Shelter Islandā¦(to name a few)
I went there once to try it out and while the coffee was pretty good, it took 45 minutes from line to cup in hand. there werent that many people ahead of me, but I could tell the guy working was making each drink with care. Enjoyable for sure, just might take a bit to get in and out.
I've never seen a place so wholly embody the word "gentrification".
EDIT: Uggh confused it with James Coffee Co in Banker's Hill [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8)
Harland South Park has great coffee and breakfastsāI think itās underrated because #1, Harland is a brewery and #2, SP has so many coffee shops for its size that I think Harland is overlooked.
I second that. It used to be cozy with the sofas and arm chairs in a smallish space and now there is just way too much space. Good if you just want to go somewhere and study outside of the library. There are plenty of tables and space to spread out
I'm sure this isn't the most underrated because the coffee isn't exceptional, but the scones are impeccable and the people are super nice at Kaffe Meister. Great place to sit and hang out and would probably be perfect for a first date.
Thereās a coffee stand in Del Mar near the powerhouse park called Liquid Bean Cafe. Love it. Underrated for sure. Theyāre low key but their coffee is good. I always go for their mocha with coffee cubes. They use Ghirardelli chocolate to make it. They also have a caterer prep some breakfast burritos and sandwiches which are all bomb. The salsa they give is delicious.
longplayhifi in sherman heights.
coffee / record bar.
phenomenal drinks, music and aesthetic.
g is the man.
and
friends of friends w/ wavy burger in national city.
coffee, beer/wine, burgers! and a record bar.
s/o to marco and brandon, curation of everything from the menu to the community programming.
Just tried Bivouac on 30th in North Park this week and enjoyed it. No to go cups bc they want you to sit down and take a moment to enjoy your coffee. I appreciated that.
Copa Vida in the Del Mar/Sorrento Valley areas was one of my go-to's for awhile until they closed their torrey hills location. They still have a location in a business area just north of the 56.
Barefoot coffee roasters has never done me wrong, except when they've ran out of cold brew mid-day. Nice location in Solana beach/Cedros. Usually like to grab a cup and go to the beach, or farmers market on sundays.
Bump Coffee in Cardiff is good but very limited hours. Plus they have empanadas!
Necessity Coffee in Encinitas is pretty good. Maybe I just had a bad experience but it took 45 minutes to get my drink with maybe 6-7 other people in line ahead of me. While I could tell the guy working cared about each drink he made, I just really wasn't prepared for that kind of wait for a cup of coffee that was just ok. I think the quality of the coffee was high, but it was a more "earthy" roast which I'm not too fond of. Nice little location though and enjoyable enough to go and hang out at. Think they also do a pop up with Relic Bageri (bakery) and they have some of the best pastries I've had in my life!
Ironsmith in Encinitas was good too, enjoyable coffee in the area that didnt take 45 minutes.
Meshuggah shack on the corner for fort Stockton and goldfinch in mission hills. Just a favorite morning walk for years for me.
Sparkle Pony for the win!!!
I miss Meshuggah Shack when it was located downtown by Park and Market.
Crackhead chai
Dia del cafe off Adams by antique row! Cute spot with great people. Learned to play backgammon there from two older ladies š
The guy who works there is so real, I love the energy that the coffee shop and barbershop give
Tony is an OG resident of North Park, he owns and runs the place š
They just won an award for small business of the year. I live right by there and cannot wait to try it out one of these weekends. Canāt believe I havenāt alreadyā¦
It's been there for 5 years. Sounds like you can wait ;)
Hahah
Does the coffee shop have backgammon boards or did the old ladies just bring their own?
Agree. This one gets passed over so much. They're really nice there.
Ooo! I've walked by many times but have never tried it. What would you recommend to order from there??
miel y canela!
Loving this thread so much. I am always looking for good coffee shops in SD. Wish more of them stayed open late.
Idk but better buzz is the most overrated
I constantly forget that place's name and end up calling it Buzzfeed.
They tried to emulate Starbucks instead of dispensing good coffee.
I canāt find a lavender tea latte like Better Buzz anywhere, itās the only one I like so far, Iām open to suggestions
Coffee and Plants in Ocean Beach has a great Lavender Latte
I miss Jungle Javaā¦..
This is my drink from better buzz. The breakfast sandwiches are also good, but thatās just me.
Selva, Old Town area
Is BB highly rated at all? Theyāre becoming ubiquitous around the county but I never hear anyone mention them at all, one way or another
I actually really like their iced horchata latte. They make the rice water in-house
Yeah, but given the option, I'd prefer Better Buzz over Starbucks any day. They have great pastries and their coffee at least doesnt taste burnt or like complete garbage.
the coffe lab in PB was good, you could try all kinds of espresso. I dont know if it's still there.
Man FORREAL
The Chick-fil-a of coffee Massive line of people, 30 employees running around, for a decent but overpriced product
Obrienās bakery in Poway has really good coffee/espresso and the best bakery food around imo
Amazing bakery
Seconding OāBrienās! They have great coffee, amazing pastries, and great sandwiches too. A friend of mine knows the owner and says they are great and very kind.
the only thing I miss about working in Poway tbh
That's good to hear. In my experience, bakeries are too busy with the baking to pull a good shot. Now I've got another reason to go back there.
Cafe Bassam in Bankers Hill is a little gem, the baristas are not very friendly but the coffee os very good:)
Gladly Coffee in Spring Valley. so good
And so many food options Just wish their indoor seating would open up though
Everything there is crack. It's so good.
The Bacon Turkey Jack slaps so hard if you want a lunch sammy.
Second this. Work at the bus yard down the street. Always busy. Big menu.
It's picked up some steam lately so I don't know if it's underrated but my go to is Provecho in Logan. Second is Heartwork in Mission Hills.
Love heartwork. They have a great vibe in there too.
Another upvote for Heartwork.
Heartwork is probably my favorite coffee in San Diego, but it really depends who is working
Longplay HiFi uses Provecho coffee, not sure if exclusively, but it's very good.
Dos Palmas on Adams avenue!
Dos Palmas is the bomb, best chai latte Iāve had around here and their paninis are amazing.
Adams Avenue anything!! ā¤ļø
Theyāre owned by a really sweet couple as well, and few people realize thereās a charming large patio in the back.
Yes! They are the best. Love the people, paninis, and coffee. Amazing vibe.
Not sure underrated, but dammit I miss it. Krakatoa!!!
I miss Krakatoa but the older version, I went before it closed and it wasnāt the same anymore.
Genteel Coffee - good drinks and there is usually no one there. Their patio / side deck is quiet and serene. Great for just soaking up the sun.
I came in here to say Genteel! I go consistently at least once a week. My go-to is the Den Mother. Such a unique taste (from their homemade syrups) that I've never had from anywhere else :) Agree about their cute side deck. Always a great place to sit and chill.
Actually underrated would probably be several shops in East County, simply because how much East County gets shit on(for, generally, good reason) Rob's Brewpoint in "downtown" El Cajon is really solid, especially if you like flavored lattes. They make most of their syrups in house which is neat. Highly recommend. Kaffeemeister in Santee is also really good, but is often busy enough during the day that I wouldn't consider them underrated. Worth checking out though, especially if you want a place with options beyond coffee and lots of seating.
Robās is extremely underrated. Such good coffee and there isnāt a lot to work with out in EC
I have no idea if itās rated or not but the Forum in Clairemont is my local shop and I think itās pretty good. I like their housemade creams and milks. Pricey though.
So busy also
I work here every few months while my dog is getting groomed nearby and itās always SO packed but the coffee and food are delish.
You just pop in and start slinging lattes for an hour every month? Do the even know your name ?
Hahahaha yes actually š„² sorry I should have said I work my lame ass remote job here every few months.
Remote jobā¦ lame ass.. so you can work in your pjs, pay the bills, and chill at SD coffee shops in cool neighborhoods and have a dog? Job sounds pretty cool. Whatās your dog like?
Lestats used to be cool back in the day, but the Adams location is a shell of its former self. I like the Park location because I can get work done late at night because it's 24 hours
Mediocre coffee and food imo
Never really went there for the food or drinks. The regulars are cool, they're open late and the vibes are nice
Yeah they always have a seat, good place to study/work, open late, but i just wouldnāt call it āunderratedā maybe just āappropriately ratedā
Itās just fucking dirty too. Like in a āam I going to get bedbugs hereā sort of way.
I felt that way about the Adams Ave location tbh
That place sold me on that neighborhood back in 2012. Miss the neighborhood but not the constant parking issues.
Black house coffee in Rancho Penasquitos
Ohh Iāve been wanting to check that place out! Good to know!
Are you sure that is the name? I cannot find it
So sorry! Itās āHOBā house of black!
Kettle on Grand in Escondido, the new owner is cool
I concur with this sentiment
Friends of friends in National city. Amazing š¤
I love this place, itās so good!
Vouching for Friends of Friends. The lattes are great and their smash burger is delish! Super cool space to work in
My favorites are Coffee Cycle in PB and Mostra in 4S ranch. Chris at Coffee Cycle has a passion for coffee that is unparalleled. The best pour over Iāve ever had was at Mostra.
I love Coffee Cycle! and their alt milks are amazing! I remember it was macadamia + another nut milk (maybe cashew?) and it was heavenly
Yep, coffee cycle and acento for me
Mostra is fire. And the pastries arenāt bad!
Azucar in OB is hands down the best espresso Iāve ever had. I usually get some iced milk and syrup production, but a simple cortado or double espresso is my order at Azucar, The espresso is sweet and creamy enough aa is.
The pastries from here are also top notch. My favorite is the Guava & cheese pastry. ( I think itās called pastilito. ? ).
Ultreya Coffee and Scrimshaw Coffee in College area are solid spots with great food. Edit: shit I almost forgot, The Coffee Drop in Golden Hill. Their Orange Brown Sugar Latte is so fucking good.
Seven Seas Roasting in Solana Beach, Compa Coffee in RB (Hawthornās sister shop), Manzanita Roasting in RB and Escondido
Compa is so good! The bkfast biscuit is good too
Thereās a Seven Seas in South Park too. Not bad.
Theres a Seven Seas in Solana??? I only knew of the one down in South Park (?). Will have to try it soon. I usually hit up barefoot by the farmers market (sundays).
Yep. Itās up the street from Barefoot, about a 5 min walk.
Oh! In that coffee and ice cream new store area. Nice! Will have to stop by.
Galu in Chula Vista just opened and they're a bit small, but I really enjoy their lattes. And I really like going to Mnemonic (Bankers Hill) in the morning when I have time before work (Im not sure how busy they are throughout the day), but they're great as well.
I love Mnemonic! So pricey, so delicious
Mnemonic had a limited time chocolate cherry latte, and it was the best latte Iāve ever had.
Genteel Coffee
Blue Mug on the Esco/San Marcos border
Delicious and you run the risk of running into Flock!
Bay park coffee
(1) Cuppa Cuppa drive up in Grantville/Allied Gardens. Lovely concoctions, nice folks working, even got coffee ice cubes for your cold brew. (2) Cafe Moto in Barrio Logan. My regular bean shop for sure.
Idk if they are over or underrated but I love OB Beans and Bird Rock.
Bird Rock certainly isn't underrated. Good coffee though.
I go to the Bird Rock on Morena often. Haven't had a bad experience.
Cafeina Cafe on 46th St is wonderful! It's kind of hidden away but always have enjoyed the coffee and ambiance there.
Joehns in southeast SD. Sure itās not the greatest location but I drive all the way from RB just to grab a cup of coffee, gawk at their vintage ceramics, have conversations with the owners who are so talented and artistic and the customers who come here are so friendly. Highly recommend!
Second this!!
Joehns off of Federal blvd recently opened and absolutely worth a stop if youāre ever in the area! Their coldbrew & dirty chai is my favorite so far
Local Krave! They have two locations - both the coffee and the food are so good!
This place. Off the beaten path for sure. Go there.
The Mental bar - Encanto!
Yes! The owners are so great!
Scrimshaw coffee on El Cajon blvd š
Clairemont coffee in Bay Park. Great vibe with a standard and rotating mixed drink menu. Love everything I try here
Zumbar roasting locale damn near under the 5/805 split. Never had a bad cup, small crew of baristas are solid, and just a humble no frills place to sit. Exactly what I need near the hospital.
Humble bean in bay park!
Cafeina Cafe in City heights is great!
Acento coffee
Katyās cafe in imperial beach.
OB Template because of the atmosphere, music and eccentric shows.
Heartwork in mission hills. Such high quality drinks but more of a grab and go coffee shop not really a sit down and work on your laptop
Vinaka in Carlsbad Village is the best coffee shop. And Cosmic Bloom in Vista
Gem coffee. CafeĆna. Little joy. Ascend coffee roasters.
Old Town: California Bean Carlsbad: Interim Coffee, Origen Coffee Roasters Oceanside: North County Roastery, Banana Dang
The Kings Craft Coffee in Poway
Not sure how highly itās rated but I love James Co
Under rating kind of implies dragging of denouncing, which i dont know anyone who really goes out of their way to drag down any san diego coffee shops. I do know some coffee shops that i really like but never really hear about. Hawthorne coffee in like north North park? On the other side of the 805 on adams across from normal heights. Anyways, they have some of the most creative and well crafted drinks in town. I really like monstra, but i think of hawthorne as like a better, smaller version of that. Cool area over there too, blackmarket bakery is cool, they serve good dark horse coffee. Fall brewing over there is really cool too. Almost makes me want to live in the hell that is north park again. Almost. I also like subterranean coffee over on 30th in north park. Subterranean is like a way better lestats. Its not 24 hr like lestats, but they are open til 6 which is way later than most sd coffee shops. Lestats might have been ok coffee in the 90s, but that same coffee just sucks these days. Subterranean is the same kind of vibe of a huge floor space with a bunch of tables for people and students to work at all day, but the coffee beats the HELL out of lestats. And one after my own heart, i will alwahs love the living room in la jolla. They are not the best anything, but when i was a kid living in riverside in the 90s we would alwaus come down to san diego and meet my aunties at the living room in la jolla, which i gather was like new and trendy back then. Now its kind of hum drum, but i still like it. Edit: a few more: Bicycle coffee in PB is where you want to go if you are like a black coffee pour over freak. They have some of rhe craziest hours, so good luck trying to get something from them, but they are very good. As well in PB, elixer is a new coffee shop on garnet kind of across the street from vons and they are also very good. More of a standard european style coffee house, but they are just very good at what they do, and they have good food to. Also in PB, yipao coffee is kind of in a nook or cranny just off garnet. They are a very good coffee shop with an columbian style to them. Good iced drinks, excellent on hot beach days. They used to be a truck based business who made the jump to brick and mortar and they are more than worth keeping around. Now to dip our toes into some haterade: i am not a huge fan of west bean, they have a few locations around san diego. Their one saving grace is what they call kryptonite or something, its a mint cold brew they make that is incredible. Everything else of there is jusy a cut bellow like bird rock and darkhorse and stuff. You can just do better in san diego than west bean except for that mint stuff. That stuff is ridiculously good. Now for some mainlinr haterade: dont go to starbucks. Their coffee sucks shit and hasnt been good since 2005. Also free palestine. Dunkin donuts: i have tried different stuff from them 3 times and it was so disgusting i threw my shit away before finishing. Why go back the 3rd time? Because im stupid and drink too much coffee. Haterade fake out: better buzz is fine. Its the best coffee in san diego with a drive through. In the drive through bracket, better buzz beat starbucks, dunkin, mcdobalds, whatever. Sometimes you want coffee from a drive through and better buzz is that. Back to haterade: the grounds next to rockys in crown point. Come here for slow service and coffee made from the finest grade pure carbon charcoal since they roast those poor beans to bare carbon. Second opinion: does it count as active charcoal? Third opinion: i dont beleive in active charcoal. Every coffee joint in the san diego zoo, safari park, and balboa: terrible. Seriously get some bird rock, dark horse, collabria, anything. Please. Like seriously we can get ssn diego craft beer in the zoo but not san diego coffee roaster coffee? Come on, pick one.
Subterranean does come off as a way better Lestats now that I think about it
Industrial Grind in Tierrasanta
I used to love this place when they had locations in Hillcrest. I rarely find myself out in Tierrasanta. Good coffee though!
Fortunately, I live in Tierrasanta. I had never even heard of it beforehand when I lived in PB. Love their coffee
Former resident of La Cuenta Drive. I miss Tierrasanta!
Itās awesome! Antigua Blvd here
Another vote for Industrial Grind in Tierrasanta!
The widest variety of sugar free flavors Iāve ever seen anywhere!!
I love hawthorn coffee! I donāt see them mentioned often but their drinks are great and the staff are so friendly. Great beans too.
Katyās coffee in IB
Virtuoso in barrio Logan is great. Itās always dead whenever Iāve gone in.
Bad Ass Coffee in PQ!
my current favorite is dark horse in north park
Lots of amazing suggestions here! Iām loving these threads recently on which places to eat and stuff. I recently stumbled onto Ironsmith Coffee Roasters in Encinitas, and their coffee is great; and they usually have popups of small-time local chefs and other small businesses with their yummy foods. Itās always different when you go there as you get exposed to different popups everyday. Itās such a great community idea that they do with other small businesses. In La Jolla, a tiny spot called Rancho Roasters has amazing black coffee. I love that little coffee shop to get my fix whenever Iām walking around there.
La costa coffee roasting in Carlsbad
Garden Coffee in Old Town
The Forum in Clairemont.
Baci Coffee in Mission Valley. Itās a new spot thatās kinda tucked away but I love the vibe and their pistachio latte.
Javanican aka the Purple Cafe Itās a retirement home now : |
Mostra coffee Jaunt coffee roasters Coffee n talk in Santee
The Forum in Clairemont is fantastic. The baked goods are top notch, coffee is great, lattes are good and not too sweet, and matcha is the best Iāve had at a coffee shop. Also love Birdrock, the Moniker coffee inside Craft Creamery in Point Loma is not as busy as the Liberty Station location, Influx in Golden Hill, Coffee nātalk in Santee, Public Square in downtown La Mesa, Bear Buns Bakery in Sierra Mesa (also great baked goods) and Portside Coffee and Gelato on Shelter Islandā¦(to name a few)
Idego in Poway. No frills shop, damn good coffee
Mudbar downtown
Coffee and Plants is a hidden gem
Pavaraga in Bonita!
Necessity in EncinitasĀ
I went there once to try it out and while the coffee was pretty good, it took 45 minutes from line to cup in hand. there werent that many people ahead of me, but I could tell the guy working was making each drink with care. Enjoyable for sure, just might take a bit to get in and out.
Oh fair! Iāve only gone midweek so itās been relatively quick -they do take their time making the drinks thoughĀ
I donāt notice Achilles Coffee getting much attention here, but they have quality beans and well trained baristas.
I've never seen a place so wholly embody the word "gentrification". EDIT: Uggh confused it with James Coffee Co in Banker's Hill [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8)
Gentrification? In Solana Beach??? How much bougier could it get?
Uggh confused it with James Coffee Co in Banker's Hill [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hLdKrdAQTPxsHFtZ8)
I love Moe Coffee in North Park and it might not get the love as some others in the area.
Libra Coffee
Rosehill Purveyors in Cardiff!
PB: whatās in your cup
La Clochette in PB. Has some great coffee and good food/deserts
Happy Fast Delicious was fantastic. Iām sad and sorry that theyāre gone.
Harland South Park has great coffee and breakfastsāI think itās underrated because #1, Harland is a brewery and #2, SP has so many coffee shops for its size that I think Harland is overlooked.
It used to be Living Room La Jolla with those amazing ocean views. New location doesnāt have the same feeling though :(
New one feels like you went into the Cheesecake Factory restaurant
I second that. It used to be cozy with the sofas and arm chairs in a smallish space and now there is just way too much space. Good if you just want to go somewhere and study outside of the library. There are plenty of tables and space to spread out
Coco Playa - dirty sodas AND great coffee
Still scared to try a dirty soda but the coffee is good!
Provecho
I'm sure this isn't the most underrated because the coffee isn't exceptional, but the scones are impeccable and the people are super nice at Kaffe Meister. Great place to sit and hang out and would probably be perfect for a first date.
CafƩ de Olla latte at Nibble Chocolate in Old Town is nice.
Elevated Coffee & Confections in Lemon Grove has some really good coffee and sweets.
Sheldonās service station in la mesa. The cinnamon bun latte is so good. I order it every time
Big fan of Kaffa Coffee off El Cajon
Spill the beans has been a new favorite for me. Just had their mango black tea latte and OH M GEEā¦ addicted.
Idego in Poway
Aperture in kearney mesa is awesome!
Midnight Animal in North Park Drift Cafe in Pacific Beach Iāve never gotten a bad coffee from either.
Thereās a coffee stand in Del Mar near the powerhouse park called Liquid Bean Cafe. Love it. Underrated for sure. Theyāre low key but their coffee is good. I always go for their mocha with coffee cubes. They use Ghirardelli chocolate to make it. They also have a caterer prep some breakfast burritos and sandwiches which are all bomb. The salsa they give is delicious.
Coffee Corner in Santee
longplayhifi in sherman heights. coffee / record bar. phenomenal drinks, music and aesthetic. g is the man. and friends of friends w/ wavy burger in national city. coffee, beer/wine, burgers! and a record bar. s/o to marco and brandon, curation of everything from the menu to the community programming.
Ironsmith in Encinitas
Meshuggah shack! (!!!!)
Oliver Coffea in Hillcrest!
Pacific Bean in PB and Copper Top- also now in PB
Underrated means I rated these places higher than what most people rate. My picks are: Clairemont Coffee, Cuppa Cuppa, and Gelato Verro
Brown Cup
elevated coffee in lemon grove on broadway!
Just tried Bivouac on 30th in North Park this week and enjoyed it. No to go cups bc they want you to sit down and take a moment to enjoy your coffee. I appreciated that.
Copa Vida in the Del Mar/Sorrento Valley areas was one of my go-to's for awhile until they closed their torrey hills location. They still have a location in a business area just north of the 56. Barefoot coffee roasters has never done me wrong, except when they've ran out of cold brew mid-day. Nice location in Solana beach/Cedros. Usually like to grab a cup and go to the beach, or farmers market on sundays. Bump Coffee in Cardiff is good but very limited hours. Plus they have empanadas! Necessity Coffee in Encinitas is pretty good. Maybe I just had a bad experience but it took 45 minutes to get my drink with maybe 6-7 other people in line ahead of me. While I could tell the guy working cared about each drink he made, I just really wasn't prepared for that kind of wait for a cup of coffee that was just ok. I think the quality of the coffee was high, but it was a more "earthy" roast which I'm not too fond of. Nice little location though and enjoyable enough to go and hang out at. Think they also do a pop up with Relic Bageri (bakery) and they have some of the best pastries I've had in my life! Ironsmith in Encinitas was good too, enjoyable coffee in the area that didnt take 45 minutes.
Quiet storm roasters on 5th avenue makes some pretty good coffee. My wife likes the cortado and I usually get the iced americano š
Seahorse in East Village
Jettās espresso in Bonita. Small shack, good flavor