Whether you're looking for a local roaster or a specially curated blend; searching for espresso, lattes or even coffee cocktails, here are the best 10 coffee shops in San Diego.
Better Buzz Coffee
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Certified by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) as an organic coffee roaster, Better Buzz Coffee is committed to its mission to source fair trade and Rainforest Alliance coffees. With 12 shops across San Diego, its popular creations include both the hot and iced versions of its Best Drink Ever (espresso, water and creamy vanilla powder) and its new vegan lavender matcha and coconut cream cold brew. Order a bacon ciabatta sandwich stacked with spicy chipotle aioli, eggs, bacon and Muenster cheese to complete your morning delight. Encinitas, Escondido, Fashion Valley, Hillcrest, La Jolla, Miramar, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, San Marcos, betterbuzzcoffee.com
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
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Named Roaster of the Year by Roaster mag, this is where yummy mummies pull up strollers to sip organic skim lattes and people-watch. The San Diego company is also known for its sustainable and ethical sourcing. For something sweet, try The Gold Digger, a honey cinnamon latte. Carlsbad, La Jolla, Little Italy, Morena, Pacific Beach, Torrey Pines, birdrockcoffee.com
Cafe Virtuoso
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San Diego’s fair trade coffee culture continues thanks to Cafe Virtuoso, where purists sip the award-winning light roast. “The beans are pampered from plant to cup,” says regular Sean Kelley, a San Diego-based artist and designer. “I’m a big enough coffee nerd that I can safely say Virtuoso is superb.” Brewheads love the award-winning shop for everything from its exquisite espresso drinks to its perfect cold-brewed cuppa. Downtown San Diego, cafevirtuoso.com
Coava Coffee Roasters
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This fan favorite opened its first San Diego brew bar in late 2017. Try a pour-over featuring its proprietary metal filter or a smooth honey latte. Downtown San Diego, coavacoffee.com
Coffee & Tea Collective
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This chic, minimalist hang redefines slow roasting. Don’t miss the pour-over coffees and cold brews—they’re worth the wait. East Village and North Park, coffeeandteacollective.com
Communal Coffee
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This darling coffee shop delights with cups filled with Sightglass Coffee, an independent coffee company based in San Francisco. Owner Jen Byard charms her customers with a cafe concept that’s also part flower shop and part retail store featuring thoughtfully curated artisans. North Park and South Park, communalcoffee.com
Copa Vida
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Copa Vida aims to make ordering coffee a true experience, from the ambiance of its shops to the service of its team members. Try a nitro cold brew (a signature Copa cold brew poured through nitrogen) or an iced Shakerato (two double shots of espresso sweetened with agave and shaken with iced milk). Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, Downtown San Diego, East Village, San Marcos, Sorrento Valley, copa-vida.com
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
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Since 2013, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters has been satiating coffee cravings with its signature espresso drinks like The Champ (espresso, steamed milk, honey and cinnamon) or its Cold Brew on Nitro featuring a splash of its homemade vanilla bean syrup. Golden Hill, La Mesa, Normal Heights, North Park, darkhorsecoffeeroasters.com
Holsem Coffee
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This North Park favorite describes its brand as “coffee evolved, where the quality of coffee and the purity of ingredients converge with high design for a wholesome mix of excitement and energy.” That translates to fair trade coffee that is ethically sourced from rotating seasonal coffee origins; no preservatives, colors or additives and third wave brew methods. “Holsem is about the next generation of coffee brewing and preparation,” says co-founder and roaster Salpi Sleiman. “Now that customers have experienced quality, the question is ‘now what?’ Holsem answers this question in one of the most exciting ways I’ve seen.” North Park, holsemcoffee.com
Lofty Coffee Co.
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Crafted coffee is teamed with fresh, house-made goods such as nut milks, juices, breads and pastries at Lofty Coffee Co. Sign up for its coffee subscription (with your choice of coffee, quantity and frequency) to bring Lofty Coffee straight from the farm to your doorstep. Encinitas, La Costa, Little Italy, Solana Beach, loftycoffee.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF NATHAN DUMLAO
