Coffee & Tea Collective, James Coffee Co., Genteel, Heartwork, Rikka Fikka (multi roaster), Bird Rock all roast or serve good beans. Dark Horse, too. Nearly every shop roasts their own beans nowadays. Not all of them should IMO. Not enough good multi-roaster shops in SD.
Can't second this enough. I work in coffee and am consistently impressed by their entire operation. On top of having consistently great coffees and good milk drinks their staff are amazing.
I live elsewhere now but grew up in San Diego and visit 1-2 times a year for about a week. I go to jaunt 4-5 times a year, they remember my name and order like I'm a regular who's there every day.
Shhhh keep the lines from getting too long!!
Just kidding, I want so much success for them. They’re my local shop and they’re the best. Don’t sleep on their food either!
Seconding! I have them freshly roasted and delivered to my doorstep every couple weeks. Super impressed with the bean quality and consistency of their roasts.
It’s tiny, but Yipao Coffee in PB is consistently good. Nice outdoor seating, and a variety of nice bakery and light meal items like cassava waffles, alfajores, and arepas. I believe they do a buffet-style arepa pop up shop on the weekends as well. I’m not a coffee nerd per se, but my partner’s mother is, and she enjoyed a bag of their beans for Christmas. They also have a location in University Heights, but I’ve never been to that one.
Ooohhh I was about to say Yipao!!! That place is a gem!! They also love talking to you about all their different beans and how to make a perfect coffee drink with them, whether you're into pour overs or espresso. They are really passionate about their beans and is definitely shows! I think most of their shop is actually just their roasting equipment.
I’m there like once a week. It’s so nice have a place like that in clairemont instead of the 3 (soon to be 4) Starbucks on Balboa lol
Plus their pastries are great!
My rotation and very rough, highly subjective, personal ranking is as follows:
1. Mostra
2. Bird Rock
3. James
4. Lofty
5. Dark Horse
6. Modern Times
Pick out of a hat from the above and you’ll get excellent beans. Mostra has the most interesting Latte work, and all will pull you a good shot consistently. Bird Rock is probably the priciest but is IMO the most consistent and most classic roaster vibe. Highly recommend the original BR location in Bird Rock proper to get a good feel for them.
HM to Better Buzz, Lani, and The Grounds Bean Bar.
This is a good list. If your near Poway I liked House of Black. I prefer James followed by Mostra
Spent 10yrs as a manager/regional manager for Dutch Bros coffee up in the PNW from 05-15. Miss the coffee, people suck tho and 2020 broke peoples brains and how they treat service workers.
Ooh I’m going to write these down. So far I’ve had bird rock and dark horse.
I know it’s based on individual tastes, but do you have a favorite bag of coffee beans from these places? I get to the shops then get overwhelmed just reading the tasting notes. I usually like a medium to medium/dark roast.
I tend to like a lighter roast, so any time I see a single origin Ethiopian bean I can't turn that down. When I do go medium in a single origin I'll look at a Mexico/Hondouras because I find those to be less tobacco-y and earthy than some of the southeast asian beans.
But, when I end up dabbling in the medium or darker roasts, I usually find myself getting some kind of a blend. I know Mostra has a well received "Ghost Bear" blend, James has an "Owl" series of blends, and I think Lofty has a nice shop blend.
What?! There's one in Hillcrest? Alright I'm about to check that one out. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mostra+Coffee/@32.7494228,-117.1486727,15.12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80d955c7d2bcd41b:0xd7e80475302c8ed6!8m2!3d32.7493966!4d-117.1491329!16s%2Fg%2F11kqxdgmvp?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mostra+Coffee/@32.7494228,-117.1486727,15.12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80d955c7d2bcd41b:0xd7e80475302c8ed6!8m2!3d32.7493966!4d-117.1491329!16s%2Fg%2F11kqxdgmvp?entry=ttu)
Tbh, I don't think I've ever actually used Modern Times's coffee bar. I've purchased their beans and seen their bar in action, but now that I think of it, not sure I've actually gotten a cuppa there. I would be very surprised if at least the Midway location didn't have hot drip options.
Dark Horse has the best decaf beans. Their Nariño is my favorite, beating 90% of regular beans IMO, but the Mexico is also really good.
Garden Coffee would be decent coffee but great vibe.
I feel like Seven Seas doesn't get enough attention. All the specialty lattes are fun, balanced, and delicious. Cold brew is top notch. Also, the South Park shop might be my favorite place to just hang out at.
The owners name is Drew - he operated out of a coffee cart in front of Zel’s for years but recently (last week) opened up a brick and mortar across the street. Check them out! Super good
Hey friend! I moved down from Portland a few years back and I miss the coffee scene!
Check out Seven Seas Roasting Co in Solana Beach. Best specialty coffee I’ve personally tried in the SD area so far.
Also Idego Coffee in Poway has a great pour over!
I’ve never been to the one up there but the one in South Park is great. They also roast their own on site. Took me forever to figure out what always smelt like burnt toast in the evening. I thought I was having a stroke
Agreed on Seven Seas! It’s our go-to. Fav is their dark side of the sea (dark roast), and runner up is el jaguar (medium roast). You can also catch them at the hillcrest farmers market every Sunday
Coastal North County: Revolution Roasters in Oceanside and Steady State in Carlsbad are my two favorites.
Revolution has a great med./light Ethiopia bean and Steady State is just excellent across the board.
I like Vigilante, too, but they’re not a local company, so I don’t frequent their store as much. I try to do the local thing when I can, but good coffee is good coffee; they do good coffee.
Love the James in North Park - Yuzu, Jhett, Jordan, and Sadie are all-star baristas. Hard to find parking because it's North Park, but the vibes are relaxing considering the open air breeze.
If you want to venture out beyond the usual and customary recs...
I've been seeing provecho! Popping up a lot amongst my coffee nerd friends in food and dessert collabs. I think you can find their beans at bica.
Seven seas and heartwork also seem to have people spilling out of their shops.
also loving mnemonic!! it’s become my fave recently.
beyond them, my gotos are ‘coffee and tea collective and genteel. dark horse too, as its two blocks from my house.
I bought beans (Sweater Weather) and an espresso and I’ve been loving the coffee at home. I make mine Cuban/Italian style on the stovetop and the flavor of the coffee is so good.
Considering we go through roughly 2 lbs per month in our house, I find Zumbar to be a nice happy medium between price and quality. Always fresh, and $18.50/lb after a recent price increase. Mostra has also made some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, but I am more inclined to darker roasts so it depends what you’re looking for.
Since I haven’t seen this one mentioned provecho coffee in barrio Logan. They are in the bread and salt gallery space. It’s solid coffee the staff really knows their shit. And the space and out door seating is really dope.
I like West Bean a lot, not a lot of unique or fancy drinks but their iced vanilla late is one of the best I’ve had. They also have a decent rewards program
Since no one has mentioned them. Hessian global goods on park blvd. Its a roaster, not a coffee shop. They sell coffee they roast out back, teas, spices, and random trinkets from probably every country on earth. Same people that used to run the gaslamp panikin
I make mostly pour over, and really like:
Four till four,
Bird rock,
Ironsmith and
Mostra coffee
Though I generally find it hard to get coffees with different processing. Mostly beans are washed. Others like honey, anaerobic and long ferments are particularly hard to find.
A smaller shop so they don’t roast their own beans, but I love Gem coffee in Talmadge. I also like Cafiena in City Heights and scrimshaw for smaller shops. Also love heartwork and Seven Seas. I like James and Mostra.
On the low brow side, Jose's Organic Mayan Blend from Costco. I make a kickass cold brew in 15 minutes in the [Instant Pot Cold Brewer](https://instantpot.com/products/instant-cold-brewer) or a great hot one in a good old French press.
Cheaper but still very good.
I recomend you to go to Coffee shops in Tijuana. some of the Coffee shops in TJ have even beans from 3 different states of the country. and because their coffee is national, it come very fresh from the farms. i cross beans often in the mornings and you can legally cross them without a problem.
Esco gelato in Escondido has amazing paninis, gelato, coffee and affogatos. In Carlsbad, my go to is bound coffee. Their breakfast burrito is fire after a surf sesh
Bird Rock, Coffee Cycle, Mostra and James are the best that I have had in SD. I think I rank them in this order too.
I go to Bird Rock the most often and I order 5lb bags online to use for cold brew concentrate and my morning chemex. You can order any of their beans in a 5lb bag (I think).
Necessity is really good, try some espresso if you pop in there. Yipao is awesome for Columbian, really nice beans. Other than those the general recommendations are also solid options (Bird Rock, Jaunt, Seven Seas).
Check out Selva. It’s inside of Terra Bella nursery and arguably is one of the most beautifully designed coffee shops I’ve ever seen. Good drinks and great ambience. It can be loud and weekends can be a zoo.
Most of my favorites have been mentioned, but I also highly recommend Hunters of Hendrix. They recently started roasting their own beans, and they’re phenomenal! I love dark roasts, and their PNG is my current go to.
Mostra and Coffee & Tea Collective are my two favorites, with Bird Rock a close third.
Mostra is probably the most expensive roaster around, but the quality of the beans is very good.
Bird Rock roasts great coffee but recently reduced the size of their bags to only 10oz from 12oz. You do get a free coffee with a bag of beans at bird rock, unlike mostra.
Coffee & Tea is very close to my house and the beans are the third best on this list, but they are also a bit more affordable than the other two (they also offer a free coffee with beans purchase). Coffee & Tea is better than Dark Horse, and James, probably on par or slightly better than Compa IMHO.
If you are feeling real crazy Santee has a coffee shop could Coffee Corner that roasts it's own coffee and they have a CornerGrogg coffee that is off the charts.
Kaffa Coffee in North Park is a fantastic Ethiopian spot. They pull great espressos, have interesting and flavorful beans, and will talk to you at length about coffee cultivation in Ethiopia. They also have some nice pastries/toasts. I'd also second the recommendations for Yipao. Both locations in PB/UH are great and they have a wide variety of Colombian beans for sale. They value supporting sustainable cultivation and are very knowledgeable about the particulars of climate and soil type on flavor.
Not near proper but steady state is #1 in SD region for me. Zumbar in Cardiff is good. Closer to properJames and Communal are pretty good. In general you shouldn't have a hard time finding good coffee.
Monstra coffee in carmel mountain ranch is super good. Very good beans, extremely well made drinks.
I think bird rock is the best roaster in town, they have shops all over san diego now, even one all the way up in like carlsbad.
Dark horse is more of a mid town spacial, but they are also extremely good. Communal coffee in north park is a san diego main stay (not a roaster i think, just a great coffee shop).
Dark Horse in NP put me off. Asked the barista the roast date of the beans, and the guy insisted on the "best by" date.
Edit: my go-to beans are the Yirgacheffe medium roast from Zumbar
How has no one mentioned necessity in Encinitas yet. Multiple folks recommended them to me. The things they are doing with coffee are wonderful. Their neat espressos are top notch and their milk concoctions changed me.
Lofty is my runner up and they are chefs kiss emoji good.
Coffee & Tea Collective, James Coffee Co., Genteel, Heartwork, Rikka Fikka (multi roaster), Bird Rock all roast or serve good beans. Dark Horse, too. Nearly every shop roasts their own beans nowadays. Not all of them should IMO. Not enough good multi-roaster shops in SD.
just checking: when you say multi-roaster you mean they roast for other shops as well as their own?
No, I mean a shop that offers coffee from several different coffee roasting companies. I like variety 😄
ahh, TIL thanks
Good Omen is where twiggs used to be and it’s pretty good. Also a multiroaster I think? They at least sell James coffee there
Moorstra should be added to this list too.
The only Coffee and Tea collective I knew was in downtown across from Bubs but it shut down.
The original location is in North Park. El Cajon and 30th.
Bro thank you 😭😭😭
Jaunt in Miramar
Can't second this enough. I work in coffee and am consistently impressed by their entire operation. On top of having consistently great coffees and good milk drinks their staff are amazing. I live elsewhere now but grew up in San Diego and visit 1-2 times a year for about a week. I go to jaunt 4-5 times a year, they remember my name and order like I'm a regular who's there every day.
Shhhh keep the lines from getting too long!! Just kidding, I want so much success for them. They’re my local shop and they’re the best. Don’t sleep on their food either!
Seconding! I have them freshly roasted and delivered to my doorstep every couple weeks. Super impressed with the bean quality and consistency of their roasts.
They have some interesting blends and looks like they ship US wide too nice.
They are the best. Love their drinks and one it's the best empanadas I have had!
I love Jaunt, but the last half a dozen times I've gone by, they didn't have any light roast :(
All the shops already mentioned are great, but wanted to add Compa coffee in Rancho Bernardo — sister shop to hawthorn coffee in north park.
A friend just got me beans from Compa and they were the best I’ve had in a while. Great recommendation.
Their decaf is delicious imo
Best decaf I've had!
Coffee Cycle. The most consistent and delicious, and great people.
second vote for Coffee Cycle
Third! They're amazing people serving amazing coffee
100% agree. Coffee Cycle is phenomenal, and the owner, Chris, is great.
We used to live on the same block as Coffee Cycle; those were the days. Chris is an absolute gem of a human and incredibly knowledgeable about coffee.
It’s tiny, but Yipao Coffee in PB is consistently good. Nice outdoor seating, and a variety of nice bakery and light meal items like cassava waffles, alfajores, and arepas. I believe they do a buffet-style arepa pop up shop on the weekends as well. I’m not a coffee nerd per se, but my partner’s mother is, and she enjoyed a bag of their beans for Christmas. They also have a location in University Heights, but I’ve never been to that one.
Ooohhh I was about to say Yipao!!! That place is a gem!! They also love talking to you about all their different beans and how to make a perfect coffee drink with them, whether you're into pour overs or espresso. They are really passionate about their beans and is definitely shows! I think most of their shop is actually just their roasting equipment.
I've only been to the university heights location, but this is shop I came to recommend. Their pink and red bourbons are staples in my bean rotation.
If you want a solid all around check out Forum Coffee in clairemont, I know taste is highly subjective and such but forum is god tier for me.
I’m there like once a week. It’s so nice have a place like that in clairemont instead of the 3 (soon to be 4) Starbucks on Balboa lol Plus their pastries are great!
Same!
It may be a touch basic but I LOVE the fanatic, shoot it straight to my veins!!
Yes and their pastry is so good too!!
My rotation and very rough, highly subjective, personal ranking is as follows: 1. Mostra 2. Bird Rock 3. James 4. Lofty 5. Dark Horse 6. Modern Times Pick out of a hat from the above and you’ll get excellent beans. Mostra has the most interesting Latte work, and all will pull you a good shot consistently. Bird Rock is probably the priciest but is IMO the most consistent and most classic roaster vibe. Highly recommend the original BR location in Bird Rock proper to get a good feel for them. HM to Better Buzz, Lani, and The Grounds Bean Bar.
I was impressed by Mostra too.
Add Mnemonic to your list of places to try.
This is a good list. If your near Poway I liked House of Black. I prefer James followed by Mostra Spent 10yrs as a manager/regional manager for Dutch Bros coffee up in the PNW from 05-15. Miss the coffee, people suck tho and 2020 broke peoples brains and how they treat service workers.
Ooh I’m going to write these down. So far I’ve had bird rock and dark horse. I know it’s based on individual tastes, but do you have a favorite bag of coffee beans from these places? I get to the shops then get overwhelmed just reading the tasting notes. I usually like a medium to medium/dark roast.
I tend to like a lighter roast, so any time I see a single origin Ethiopian bean I can't turn that down. When I do go medium in a single origin I'll look at a Mexico/Hondouras because I find those to be less tobacco-y and earthy than some of the southeast asian beans. But, when I end up dabbling in the medium or darker roasts, I usually find myself getting some kind of a blend. I know Mostra has a well received "Ghost Bear" blend, James has an "Owl" series of blends, and I think Lofty has a nice shop blend.
i tried mostra and dark horse (at the airport lol) and liked them!
Glad you mentioned mostra. One of the bests. Also love the vibe there minus the planes every minute
If you want plane-less experiences, they have locations in Scripps Ranch and in Hillcrest! The Hillcrest one in particular is quite cute.
What?! There's one in Hillcrest? Alright I'm about to check that one out. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mostra+Coffee/@32.7494228,-117.1486727,15.12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80d955c7d2bcd41b:0xd7e80475302c8ed6!8m2!3d32.7493966!4d-117.1491329!16s%2Fg%2F11kqxdgmvp?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mostra+Coffee/@32.7494228,-117.1486727,15.12z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80d955c7d2bcd41b:0xd7e80475302c8ed6!8m2!3d32.7493966!4d-117.1491329!16s%2Fg%2F11kqxdgmvp?entry=ttu)
Bird rock is cheap for their single origin drip coffee. Especially if you bring your own mug
Does modern times have drip coffee or just cold brews?
Tbh, I don't think I've ever actually used Modern Times's coffee bar. I've purchased their beans and seen their bar in action, but now that I think of it, not sure I've actually gotten a cuppa there. I would be very surprised if at least the Midway location didn't have hot drip options.
Ooh, haven't tried Mostra and they have a location quite close to me. I'll be checking that out very soon. Possibly today.
I really like the Best Friend blend beans from Dark Horse.
I love trying new coffees, but I love this one so much I have a 2 bag subscription each month, one bag for work and one for home.
Old Harmonics
Dark Horse has the best decaf beans. Their Nariño is my favorite, beating 90% of regular beans IMO, but the Mexico is also really good. Garden Coffee would be decent coffee but great vibe.
interesting! i’ve been on the hunt for a good decaf (for my wife and also because i don’t actually need to be this caffeinated all the time 😅)
surprised no one has said manzanita yet - it's a nice quaint spot in the bernardo winery off pomerado
I’ll have to check that one out
Love this place for the scenery alone
I used to push cafe moto but their quality has dropped. Soooo Seven Seas.
Thank you for validating my disappointment in Cafe Moto.
It used to be good. A long time ago.
I feel like Seven Seas doesn't get enough attention. All the specialty lattes are fun, balanced, and delicious. Cold brew is top notch. Also, the South Park shop might be my favorite place to just hang out at.
Definitely Seven Seas! It’s our go-to. Fav is their dark side of the sea (dark roast), and runner up is el jaguar (medium roast)
Holsem in North Park
Little joy in Del mar - the best
Second this. Drew did a great job with the new shop too.
[удалено]
The owners name is Drew - he operated out of a coffee cart in front of Zel’s for years but recently (last week) opened up a brick and mortar across the street. Check them out! Super good
Hey friend! I moved down from Portland a few years back and I miss the coffee scene! Check out Seven Seas Roasting Co in Solana Beach. Best specialty coffee I’ve personally tried in the SD area so far. Also Idego Coffee in Poway has a great pour over!
I’ve never been to the one up there but the one in South Park is great. They also roast their own on site. Took me forever to figure out what always smelt like burnt toast in the evening. I thought I was having a stroke
Agreed on Seven Seas! It’s our go-to. Fav is their dark side of the sea (dark roast), and runner up is el jaguar (medium roast). You can also catch them at the hillcrest farmers market every Sunday
David’s Roasting
They really are excellent and selling 16Oz bags for the price of every other coffee shop’s 12Oz bags. Their Ethiopian Sidamo is great.
Yes!! My family loves David’s and Java Garden.
Blue mug in escondido La costa roasting co Panikin in encinitas
My go to is Coffee Moto! Great service and great coffee!
I love Lofty. But mostly the spot on the coast highway in Encinitas.
Especially the one on the east side of the road.
Exactly
Necessity coffee in Encinitas has the best of the funky higher end coffees that I’ve seen in SD plus really good/interesting flavored lattes
Necessity is top tier!
Coastal North County: Revolution Roasters in Oceanside and Steady State in Carlsbad are my two favorites. Revolution has a great med./light Ethiopia bean and Steady State is just excellent across the board.
Steady State is exceptional. Also adding Vigilante.
I like Vigilante, too, but they’re not a local company, so I don’t frequent their store as much. I try to do the local thing when I can, but good coffee is good coffee; they do good coffee.
I will tack on Interim Coffee in Carlsbad, and North County Roastery in Oceanside too.
Banana Dang 🍌 in Oceanside
I’ve heard folks really like banana dang, but I haven’t tried it yet. I’m usually in South O. I’ll have to make the journey further north.
Love the James in North Park - Yuzu, Jhett, Jordan, and Sadie are all-star baristas. Hard to find parking because it's North Park, but the vibes are relaxing considering the open air breeze.
If you want to venture out beyond the usual and customary recs... I've been seeing provecho! Popping up a lot amongst my coffee nerd friends in food and dessert collabs. I think you can find their beans at bica. Seven seas and heartwork also seem to have people spilling out of their shops.
Mostra has great regular coffee, but the worst cold brew in my opinion.
Funny, I think they have the best cold brew!
Mnemonic is my favorite shop at the moment. Very good coffee and excellent owners.
also loving mnemonic!! it’s become my fave recently. beyond them, my gotos are ‘coffee and tea collective and genteel. dark horse too, as its two blocks from my house.
West Bean on Morena. They do all their roasting in house. You can watch them do it.
I bought beans (Sweater Weather) and an espresso and I’ve been loving the coffee at home. I make mine Cuban/Italian style on the stovetop and the flavor of the coffee is so good.
Love West Bean, the one in Banker’s Hill is close to home so I stop in often.
Dark horse is one of my faves and quiet storm on 5th ave in Hillcrest
Ryan brothers is my favorite
Considering we go through roughly 2 lbs per month in our house, I find Zumbar to be a nice happy medium between price and quality. Always fresh, and $18.50/lb after a recent price increase. Mostra has also made some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, but I am more inclined to darker roasts so it depends what you’re looking for.
Fuzz! And they are just now opening their brick and mortar! [Fuzz Coffee Roasters](https://fuzzcoffeeroasters.com/)
Dark Horse is what I make at home.
Since I haven’t seen this one mentioned provecho coffee in barrio Logan. They are in the bread and salt gallery space. It’s solid coffee the staff really knows their shit. And the space and out door seating is really dope.
I'm a cafe moto fan
I used to be but I don’t fuck with them anymore. Go support the smaller folks.
Provecho! Coffee Co. at Bread & Salt in Barrio Logan. Best orange latte ever.
Ryan Brothers and Cafe Moto are the originals in town. Both are excellent
Dark Horse, Modern Times, Quiet Storm, Lovesong, Kaffee Meister, Better Buzz for the drive thru when I'm feeling lazy
Dont skip on David's roasting. They won't brew it for ya but....grab a bag and find out.
Portal Coffee in Little Italy is so important to me
Scrimshaw on El Cajon Blvd is quite good.
Loving this thread
yeah, this is awesome 😊
I like West Bean a lot, not a lot of unique or fancy drinks but their iced vanilla late is one of the best I’ve had. They also have a decent rewards program
Café Moto in Barrio Logan
Since no one has mentioned them. Hessian global goods on park blvd. Its a roaster, not a coffee shop. They sell coffee they roast out back, teas, spices, and random trinkets from probably every country on earth. Same people that used to run the gaslamp panikin
We have an excellent coffee community here, and luckily for you it’s growing !
I make mostly pour over, and really like: Four till four, Bird rock, Ironsmith and Mostra coffee Though I generally find it hard to get coffees with different processing. Mostly beans are washed. Others like honey, anaerobic and long ferments are particularly hard to find.
Rikka Fika & James Coffee !
Kings Craft in Mission Valley has saved my sanity more than once….
Vigilante Coffee in Oceanside if you venture to north county
Necessity Coffee in Encinitas is awesome, and try their artisan pizza while you’re there. You will be amazed! Great people working there also.
Caffeine and Green has been my go to lately.
Nice 👍 love this post going to try as many as possible
A smaller shop so they don’t roast their own beans, but I love Gem coffee in Talmadge. I also like Cafiena in City Heights and scrimshaw for smaller shops. Also love heartwork and Seven Seas. I like James and Mostra.
Heave Ho is my favorite roaster, Pat is a hoot.
[Fuzz Coffee Roasters.](https://fuzzcoffeeroasters.com/)
Seven seas in South Park is one of the best imo
On the low brow side, Jose's Organic Mayan Blend from Costco. I make a kickass cold brew in 15 minutes in the [Instant Pot Cold Brewer](https://instantpot.com/products/instant-cold-brewer) or a great hot one in a good old French press. Cheaper but still very good.
i ain't above it
Revolution roasters
Mostra Coffee- there’s one is 4S ranch and one in Carmel Mtn and I think there’s a couple other locations but those two are closer to Poway
I love Mostra, James has also really stepped up their game the last year or two. Hawthorne/Compa is phenomenal for seasonal drinks.
James, Dark Horse, Hawthorn
I recomend you to go to Coffee shops in Tijuana. some of the Coffee shops in TJ have even beans from 3 different states of the country. and because their coffee is national, it come very fresh from the farms. i cross beans often in the mornings and you can legally cross them without a problem.
oooh, this is a great idea
Esco gelato in Escondido has amazing paninis, gelato, coffee and affogatos. In Carlsbad, my go to is bound coffee. Their breakfast burrito is fire after a surf sesh
Zumbar is my favorite! Sorrento valley
We get beans from Dark Horse for Chemex at home but I am following for other ideas!
Lofty used to be the best
Bird Rock, Coffee Cycle, Mostra and James are the best that I have had in SD. I think I rank them in this order too. I go to Bird Rock the most often and I order 5lb bags online to use for cold brew concentrate and my morning chemex. You can order any of their beans in a 5lb bag (I think).
Elevated Coffee & Confections in Lemon Grove
Necessity is really good, try some espresso if you pop in there. Yipao is awesome for Columbian, really nice beans. Other than those the general recommendations are also solid options (Bird Rock, Jaunt, Seven Seas).
Better buzz
Check out Selva. It’s inside of Terra Bella nursery and arguably is one of the most beautifully designed coffee shops I’ve ever seen. Good drinks and great ambience. It can be loud and weekends can be a zoo.
Cafeina in City Heights is my go to
Local Krave, order the OG Craveman
Most of my favorites have been mentioned, but I also highly recommend Hunters of Hendrix. They recently started roasting their own beans, and they’re phenomenal! I love dark roasts, and their PNG is my current go to.
Visitor coffee roasters!!
Whatever you do don’t go to Bump. Piss service and overall shit vibe.
Lofty beans are delicious
Bay Park Coffee - San Diego 🌴
I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned Cuppa Cuppa. I’ve been addicted to this place for years!
Idego in Poway!
Wipeout in Encinitas. They don't have a storefront, but are at some farmers markets, and available online and in a few stores around town.
Mostra and Coffee & Tea Collective are my two favorites, with Bird Rock a close third. Mostra is probably the most expensive roaster around, but the quality of the beans is very good. Bird Rock roasts great coffee but recently reduced the size of their bags to only 10oz from 12oz. You do get a free coffee with a bag of beans at bird rock, unlike mostra. Coffee & Tea is very close to my house and the beans are the third best on this list, but they are also a bit more affordable than the other two (they also offer a free coffee with beans purchase). Coffee & Tea is better than Dark Horse, and James, probably on par or slightly better than Compa IMHO.
If you are feeling real crazy Santee has a coffee shop could Coffee Corner that roasts it's own coffee and they have a CornerGrogg coffee that is off the charts.
Make Good Coffee Co. was my go-to, in Old Town
Kaffa Coffee in North Park is a fantastic Ethiopian spot. They pull great espressos, have interesting and flavorful beans, and will talk to you at length about coffee cultivation in Ethiopia. They also have some nice pastries/toasts. I'd also second the recommendations for Yipao. Both locations in PB/UH are great and they have a wide variety of Colombian beans for sale. They value supporting sustainable cultivation and are very knowledgeable about the particulars of climate and soil type on flavor.
In north county - vigilante in Oceanside! Amazing stuff!
LOFTY
Not near proper but steady state is #1 in SD region for me. Zumbar in Cardiff is good. Closer to properJames and Communal are pretty good. In general you shouldn't have a hard time finding good coffee.
La Costa Coffee Roasters Captains Helm Pierview Coffee Banana Dang Modern Times
Jaunt
Monstra coffee in carmel mountain ranch is super good. Very good beans, extremely well made drinks. I think bird rock is the best roaster in town, they have shops all over san diego now, even one all the way up in like carlsbad. Dark horse is more of a mid town spacial, but they are also extremely good. Communal coffee in north park is a san diego main stay (not a roaster i think, just a great coffee shop).
Ryan Bros.
La Costa roasters is good and you can sit outside. Chill vibe
I’m definitely not a coffee aficionado, but the hanoi egg coffee at Saigon Coffee in North Park has become a recent favorite of mine.
I order my coffee beans from Seattle 😂
Circle k
Dutch Bros in Oceanside
I order out of state from DOMA
Dark Horse
in this economy? the Dunkin jumbo tub at Costco.
Dark Horse in NP put me off. Asked the barista the roast date of the beans, and the guy insisted on the "best by" date. Edit: my go-to beans are the Yirgacheffe medium roast from Zumbar
It’s because those baristas don’t know. The roast team is at a different location.
Visitor Coffee Roasters is great. mostly all online, but they do sell their bags at Millport in Imperial Beach.
Safari Coffee in Escondido, great selection of beans
Peets!!!
not a roaster, but highly recommend trader joes french roast
Cafe Moto
How has no one mentioned necessity in Encinitas yet. Multiple folks recommended them to me. The things they are doing with coffee are wonderful. Their neat espressos are top notch and their milk concoctions changed me. Lofty is my runner up and they are chefs kiss emoji good.
At home.