9 Best Coffee Shops in San Diego

Photo: Instagram@cafe21sandiego

From painstakingly curated cocktails to breakfast, brunch, and dinner, Café 21 is easily one of the best coffee shops in San Diego. Located in the Gaslamp district, their philosophy is to change the way their customers think about or perceive food. Serving up dishes that are gluten-free and absolutely scrumptious, Café 21 also has live local music shows every day of the week. If you are feeling adventurous then go ahead and try their “Dirty Chai” which is a blend of tea and coffee. Another tea-coffee blend that features on their menu would be the “Cofftea”, made from cardamom, coffee, and English breakfast tea. Their house coffee comes in quite cheap at just over three dollars, so be sure to try that out. It’s mainly a Peruvian blend so the tastes and aromas are quite strong and striking. Coming to their espressos, there are quite a few which feature on their “Drinks” menu. From the Cappuccino to the Café Cubano, all their espressos are delicious. Surprise your taste buds with their Alexpresso which is made from cardamom, raw sugar, and espresso. Apart from coffee, they also have a nice selection of teas. Both decaf and caffeinated ones are available so you can take your pick. Their herbal tea is interesting as it’s made with Hawaiian berries and Rose Parade. If you want to make your drink healthier then you can go for their green tea which is made from mangoes and strawberries. Apart from this, they have a wide selection of cocktails and food as well, making it one of the best coffee shops in San Diego.

Let’s face it. Cat videos are something that we can’t resist looking at. With Cat Café in San Diego, you can watch these furry felines go about their day while you enjoy your hot brew. Opening its doors to customers around four years ago, Cat Café features in our list of the top 10 coffee shops in San Diego with good reason. Not only is it the fourth oldest cat café in the United States, but it is also an award-winning café with its unique blends and espressos. The menu is an absolute delight that features coffee from Café Virtuoso, baked goods from Bread & Cie, and soft crumbly cookies from The Cravory. Although you can bring your cat along, most of the animals there are from The Rescue House, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing homes to helpless and orphaned kittens. If ever in San Diego, and you find yourself near this café, then be sure to pop in to try their famed mochas and chai lattes. One of the few coffee shops in San Diego which uses slow-roasted beans, a visit would be a treat. If you want to click pictures, then there is a giant cat mural on the wall that serves as a brilliant prop to your selfies and groupfies. The café also provides you with the option of extra flavors, that come in as chocolate, hazelnut, caramel, and sugar-free vanilla. They cost less than a dollar so don’t be afraid to go all out as it’s not every day that you visit one of the best coffee shops in San Diego.

Providing customers with a taste of Spain since 1987, Café Sevilla is one of the best coffee shops in San Diego. With a prize location in downtown San Diego, this quaint little café has been winning the hearts of Gaslight residents since its opening. Sporting a tapas bar, nightclub, and restaurant, the Café Sevilla in San Diego is truly a must-visit. The ambiance is also very Spanish, so don’t forget to click a lot of pictures while there. Famous for its tapas dishes which are basically small plates, you can get your friends and family here to partake in a shared dining experience. The menu features favorites of the Spanish, mainly, ceviche, empanadas, calamari, dates stuffed with whatever you like, and Spanish meatballs. Dunked in homemade tomato sauce, the meatballs are absolutely a delight to gorge on. They even serve tortilla Espanola, and several meat-based dishes, including the famed paella. Coming to their coffees, the list is endless. The traditional Spanish coffee is made from Tia Maria, Torres 10 brandy, and is a tasty treat. If you are a lover of the fancier stuff, then go for the Nutty Spaniard, which has Frangelico, Licor 43, and coffee. Although most of their coffees can be a bit pricy at twelve dollars, some of their offerings like the Carajillo comes in at eight dollars and is equally delicious. Try pairing a few slices of cheese with your coffee, as the Café Sevilla has a huge plethora of it featuring on the menu. From Crottin to Mahon, you will find some of the best slices of cheese right here in the heart of the city. Be sure to give this café a visit as it’s one of these best coffee shops in San Diego.

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Using natural ingredients and supporting sustainable farming, Café Gratitude features in as one of the best coffee shops in San Diego. Known for the all-organic food, this café has deep roots in Italian culture and cuisine. If you are looking for some authentic Italian food and great coffee, then Café Gratitude in San Diego is the place to be. Try your taste buds at tempeh wraps, kelp noodles, and raw lasagne which will definitely be an experience. Their list of coffees and teas are also very extensive and reasonably priced. All of them have been tagged as either charmed, golden, immortal, or cozy which tell a unique story behind the beverage or food item. A few things which you absolutely must try are the turmeric latte, ayurvedic latte, immune-boosting tea, and iced berry-hibiscus tea. Don’t forget their coffees which are equally tasty as their teas. Probably one of the few places serving organic wines, be sure to investigate their Trad brut or the orange wine which is particularly exquisite. Grown by artisan producers, the practices which are taken up to produce it are organic, biodynamic, and regenerative. So if you find yourself in the city, be sure to give this quaint little café a visit as it’s one of the best coffee shops in San Diego.

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Situated in the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, Hard Rock Café is the place to be. If you are looking for fish tacos or fall of the bone BBQ then this is one of the best coffee shops in San Diego where you will find everything you need. Part of The Hard Rock Café chain, the San Diego outlet has an extensive menu which does the chain justice. From a New York Strip steak to a grilled chicken marsala, the Hard Rock café has something for everyone. Be sure to try out the grilled white salmon which is an 8 oz. filet grilled with merlot-garlic butter, and served with confetti rice. Don’t forget their legendary burgers, the most famous of which is the SOB burger. Served with chipotle pepper puree and finished with a Monterey Jack cheese, this toasted sandwich is an absolute must-try. However, if it’s pulled pork you are after, then order the pulled pork sandwich which is hand-pulled making it juicy and tender. Topped with some slaw that has been marinated over 24 hours, anything on their smokehouse menu is something to be tried at least once.

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What do you think qualifies Café Coyote to feature in the best coffee shops in San Diego? It’s originality and unique nature of course. From the salsa to the tortilla, everything is made in-house which makes it a marvelous place to grab some grub. If you are ever near this café in the city, then ensure that you have all your meals for a day here. Begin with their signature breakfast margarita, Menudo, Chile Relleno Omelette, and the chilaquiles. Once you have worked that off head back there for lunch which features an even greater spread. You can either go for the famed taco salad, or have a full course meal and go through a bowl of tortilla soup, quesadilla, and the Chile Verde. If your appetite is even greater, then café coyote is not a place that will disappoint. Carnitas, Tamales, tequila-lime flavored shrimp, and enchiladas are what will greet you on the table. You can ditch all of that and instead try their juicy thick California burrito. Stuffed with cheese, carne asada, and french fries, the California burrito by café coyote is something which is a must-try. If you just want to relax in the evening, then the coffees and espressos they serve are delicious and will certainly whisk all your tiredness away. With pitchers of sangria, cerveza on the menu, there is no wonder that this café features in as one of the top 10 best coffee shops in San Diego.

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When it comes to enjoying the beautiful skyline of San Diego, places like the Pier Café come to mind. Located on a waterfront, this is a quaint little café that serves a plethora of seafood. From stuffed shrimp to parmesan encrusted salmon, this place has everything for a lover of seafood. The staff is quite attentive to your needs and will even help you order if you are confused about what’s best. The décor matches the place and surroundings perfectly while the small shaded outdoor seating arrangement is brilliant. If you don’t want to stuff yourself then order the fries as they are the best you will ever have on the coast. If you are lucky you might even get to try their pistachio bread pudding, which is a moist preparation and has a crunch with every bite. Good food and magnificent views are what make the Pier Café one of the best coffee shops in San Diego.

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Getting its name from its location, Café 222 is situated in the Marina District of San Diego at 222 Island Avenue. Opening its doors to the public nearly 25 years ago, the café has now evolved into one of the best breakfast places in town. Believe it or not, Bobby Flay also used to visit the shop everyday for its peanut butter and banana stuffed toast. He liked it so much that he featured it in his, “Best Things I Ever Ate” video. Doesn’t matter what you prefer, as the café will have it all. From waffles, biscuits, eggs benedict, to gravy, they will have you covered. If you are in the vicinity during lunchtime, then don’t worry as café 222 also offers some delectable lunches. Some of the things which feature on the menu and must not be ignored would be their southern-style chili, American cheese on white bread, and tuna melt. If you have a sweet tooth then don’t forget to go for their pumpkin waffles which are light, moist, and a delight to sink your teeth into. The buttermilk waffle is another must-try as they are topped with Nuttela and thinly sliced bananas. You can even try some of their freshly baked goods, of which cakes come in stacks of three. So if ever in the city be sure to give Café 222 a visit as it truly is, one of the most memorable coffee shops in San Diego.

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A charming French bistro located in East Village, Café Chloe opened its doors nearly fourteen years ago. A beloved place in town, it has a very quaint and simple style which is very attractive. Classic French foods like onion tarts, steak fries, and mussels are the highlights of this café which is a brilliant experience. If you are heading there over the weekend, then they also have their famous weekend brunches which you must try. Magnificent dishes made of egg, trout salad, and sandwiches are some of the offerings on their brunch menu that are spoken of quite highly by patrons. Their entire menu is inspired by traditional French cooking techniques and makes it one of the best coffee shops in San Diego. Try to take part in the urban tea service that features homemade champagne gravlax. Tucked away in the northwest corner of G street and 9^th avenue, the décor is modern and striking. With the entire establishment bathed in ivory and brown colors, the atmosphere is lively and very engaging. If you are lucky you might even be welcomed by the tropical sounds of Trova Cubana or the unmistakable and distinct voice of Aretha Franklin. This chic bistro even sports rooms which can be used by travelers who are making a quick stop in town. Partake the English tea experience which will feature hot fresh crumpets, egg salad on brown bread, mache, dill-champagne lox, saffron aioli, along with the soup of the day. A marvelous spread that will satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.

There you go! Our list of the top 9 best coffee shops in San Diego. If you are in the city and have some time on your hands this should help you make a delicious plan. Doesn’t matter if you are in a hotel or an airport, the public transport system in San Diego is robust enough for you to visit almost all of the aforementioned places. From Mussels Normand which has been steamed in a thick soupy broth flavored with apples, bacon, and cream, San Diego’s coffee shops are something extraordinary. Be sure to ask for the excellent Illy coffee in Café Chloe which most cafés will not have on their menu.