There’s something about a good cup of coffee that changes us. Whether it’s transforming from the morning grump monster to an enlightened worker-bee, or converting from an afternoon slump to social butterfly, coffee shops are nothing less than vital for our San Diego lifestyle.
From Italian presses to mochas and double-skinny lattes, we locals love to get our coffee on. Coffee shops offer a recluse to take a break from the day, a place to socialize with friends, grab a quick bite or occasionally a meal, pull up an overstuffed chair, sip that mocha, and ahh…relax. The caffeine buzz generated refreshes minds and the comforting sounds of music, recorded or live, relaxes to the fullest. Some come to study, others come to unwind, but the brilliance of coffee shops across San Diego is their undying ability to soothe the soul.
Cafés are abundant, but some stand out from the caffeinated crowd. From the county-wide Living Room chain, to the trendy Influx and homey Café 976, discover our favorite San Diego coffee shops.
Caffe Calabria - North Park
Offering dark roasts, blends, decaf, singles and more, Caffe Calabria brings the luxury of coffee into the heart of the café. Intensive training provides the café baristas with experience and knowledge to help customers make smart decisions and produce artistic drinks. Accentuating the many styles of sips are pastries from Bread & Cie, with a menu that includes Prosciutto served with garlic butter, fresh mozzarella, tomato, onion, and fresh basil or Caprese, made with tomato, fresh buffalo mozzarella, pesto, and fresh basil on baguette. After tasting coffee from around the country, Caffe Calabria's founder Arne Holt became committed to bringing the finest quality of coffee to San Diego. Holt and his company continue to offer exceptional coffee and fine foods, and also visit coffee farms throughout the world to help match dollars to build schools, buy supplies, and sustain coffee-producing communities. For more information, visit caffecalabria.com.
Influx - Golden Hill
This modern coffee house inspired by European culinary traditions takes fine coffee and espresso and adds classic handmade danishes and croissants for a simple and exquisite experience. As fitting within its location in Golden Hill, many local musicians and artists frequent the coffee bar of Influx. Start your day with the assorted fresh baked croissants, or the croissant scramble, with two eggs and choice of Swiss or jack cheese. Influx offers an array of bagels, bowls (granola, yogurt, and oatmeal), sandwiches, salads, and baked goods to consume throughout the day. The coffee served is above the ordinary, with espresso poured for customers at constant rates. The teas, tea lattes and chai lattes are also recommended choices. Two locations now serve San Diego, one in Golden Hill and another in Little Italy. For more information, visit influxcafe.com.
Café 976- Pacific Beach
Café 976 is its own safe haven in the midst of the Pacific Beach frenzy. The café provides a cozy getaway of sorts, converted from a 1920’s beach house to seat café drinkers, serous diners, and diligent students alike. The café’s European-style wooden deck and patio is surrounded by a large garden where surfers, students, soccer moms and professionals all come to hang out in a casual, relaxed environment. Aside from their coffee (I highly recommend their Chai Lattes), Café 976 offers a wide menu scrawled in chalk including early-morning Breakfast Platters, Breakfast Burritos, and French Toast, or later-day pizza and pastas. The café is also open late into the evenings, with food and drinks specials every night from 5-7pm. For more information visit cafe976.com.
Living Room Café and Bistro - Point Loma
Although the Living Room is a coffee house chain, it still holds on to its roots of down-to-earth, comforting coffee house literally made to feel as if you were sitting in your own home. Located in La Jolla, Old Town, SDSU, National City and Point Loma, the multiple locations each consist of plush antique- style chairs, perfect for sinking in for late nights and early mornings, study breaks and pit stops on non-stop days. The Point Loma location is nestled in a white Victorian house with a quaint ambiance, as well as an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that features addictive coffee choices and delectable sweets. From savory sandwiches to sweet treats, all of the Living Room locations offer grade-A food and an extensive coffee menu. The mellow atmosphere, plush couches, welcoming staff, and edgy European vibe make for a great coffee-date combo. For more information, visit livingroomcafe.com.
Claire de Lune - North Park
The Claire De Lune experience is one of quality coffee, deliciously fine-crafted desserts, and a seating area that rivals the comfiest of home interiors. Located on the corner of University and Kansas Street in the heart of North Park, the two-story antique coffee lounge embellishes itself with wall-to-wall artwork and a hip place to relax, work, listen to live music, and drink up that delicious caffeine. Established in 1997, Claire de Lune creates a strong sense of community with a great cup of coffee, and a focus on the community’s growth and development. The array of wholesome foods includes vegetarian options, from salads to cakes. Throughout each week, live performers fill the ambiance of the Claire de Lune. For more information, visit clairedelune.com.
Lestat’s Coffee House – Normal Heights
Coffee cravings don’t just arise early in the mornings; sometimes we all need a fix at odd hours of the day and night. Lestat’s Coffee House keeps the brews going 24 hours a day, with plenty to drink, eat, and be entertained by. Located on Adams Avenue, this coffee shop is a hot spot brewing especially for the late night crowds wandering by. With special live entertainment featured on the daily, Lestats makes for an ideal social coffee hour with added talents performing in the backdrop to your date night. Off of the drink menu, inhale the rich flavors of the Espresso Mocha de Mexico, Dulce Yerba Mate Leche, or the classic Tea Latte. House drink specials include the Snickers, made with hazelnut, caramel, and chocolate or the Caramel Apple, transforming lives with simply Apple juice and caramel ordered hot or cold. Frozen drinks include the Polar Mocha with blended mocha and vanilla, Polar Bear with Mocha and Vanilla, or the Arctic Squirrel with Ice Blended Hazelnut Mocha. For accompanying snacks, Lestats offers classic favorites in a variety of sandwiches, bagels, soups, and pasta. For more information, visit lestats.com.
Turquoise Café Bar Europa- Pacific Beach
The coffee house that also doubles as a wine bar and restaurant holds down Pacific Beach with this neighborhood joint that fuses all three elements into one stop. Turquoise café is reminiscent of local bars in Europe, where stopping through to dine or just to chat over a cup of something invigorating is commonplace. The late night happy hour after 10pm is the most suggestive of this southern Europe spirit, with house desserts including crème brule, chocolate fondat and European Liquer Coffee Drinks including Sicilian Kiss and Café Ole. The live music and dance lessons that join in the action make this a great place to find a full bar, exhilarating entertainment, and genuine southern European food. For more information, visit theturquoise.com.
Zanzibar Café- East Village
The Zanzibar Café has welcomed guests into their Pacific Beach premises for 17 years, and East Village for the past four. Conveniently divided into two sections, one side of the café serves the on-the-go coffee runners and the other accommodates patrons serious about their dining and relaxing. For those just passing through and picking up, Zanzibar offers many coffee favorites, as well as a wide selection of sweets and savories freshly made. At Zanzibar, many gourmet goods are available, with a menu that changes seasonally to feature homemade baked treats, coffees, teas, wines and more. Aside from immediate pick-up, the café offers sit-down selections that include breakfast choices of Yogurt Granola Parfaits and elaborate Omelets, and a lunch menu with the coveted savory Turkey & Avocado croissant, Three Cheese Panini, or a fresh Summer Salad. For more information, visit zanzibarcafe.com.
Village Coffee and Wine Bar at 631- Downtown
The Village @631 embraces a late-night coffee and wine scene above anything else. Between the furniture and the fireplace, the cups of Joe going around bring warm and fresh aromas to the loyal customers that this Coffee Shop has collected over time. As a wine bar, The Village doubles as an elegant lounge for many different groups of people to mingle in a thriving area, after-hours. The Village Coffee and Wine Bar also provides Wi-Fi service for those that seek a comfortable place to do some work while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere, great coffee, and food. Located on 9th Avenue, The Village Coffee and Wine Bar pours their customers a range of drinks from Espresso blends to Acai Smoothies, as well as breakfast and lunch foods. For more information, visit thevillageat631.com.
Brickyard Coffee & Tea - Downtown
Quaintly situated on the outskirts of Gaslamp, Brickyard Coffee & Tea on W G Street offers the coffee house feel with an outdoor patio accessory suitable for both those on the go and those who’d like to sit, sip and stay a while. Say hello to four-legged canines at this dog-friendly spot, where pooches can easily enjoy the scene and the company right next to their owners. Aside from the dependable coffee fix guaranteed here, locals rave about the Brickyard breakfast burritos, the cheese & eggs croissants and varied salads and sandwiches. Though the inside seating area isn’t extensive, the outdoor patio hosts an entertaining and spacious place to recharge mid-day. The location is prime for guzzling down hot or cold drinks in a peaceful and calm area of the San Diego scene.
What’s your favorite spot in San Diego to grab a cup of coffee on the go or maybe stay and sip a while?
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