Discover the BEST coffee shops in downtown San Diego! Whether you're looking for a spot to meet for business, work remotely, or chat with a friend, I've got the spot for you.
The city of endless sunshine does not disappoint when it comes to atmospheric coffee shops. Having visited San Diego seven times in the last few years, I've had plenty of time to scout the top spots.
These coffee shops not only serve quality products in a welcoming atmosphere but are located throughout downtown San Diego. So no matter where you are, you're never far from a quality coffee.
This map shows my favorite coffee shops in downtown San Diego. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.
- Blue - TOP 5 coffee shops in downtown San Diego
- Red - honorable mentions
Copa Vida East Village - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
Photos: Copa Vida
1. Copa Vida - East Village (Lower Downtown) and Gaslamp Quarter
One of the best coffee shops in downtown San Diego for a varied and delicious food menu
This San Diego Coffee shop is a place where you could linger for hours on end. Not only does Copa Vida offer some of the best coffee in San Diego, but it also serves a full menu of scrumptious food offerings.
Copa Vida goes beyond the usual muffin and croissant fare by offering more substantial menu items like hearty salads, breakfast burritos, bowls, toasts, and soups.
There are two locations in the heart of downtown San Diego. I prefer the J street location in the East Village district (right next to the Gaslamp Quarter). It has a better atmosphere than the location on Broadway.
Both coffee shops have large, open floor plans, plenty of tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The WiFi is reliable and the service is always friendly.
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Lofty Coffee Co. NOLA cold brew
Lofty Coffee Co. - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
2. Lofty Coffee Co. - Little Italy (Upper Downtown)
One of the best coffee shops in San Diego for an indoor/outdoor patio that's dog-friendly
The indoor/outdoor concept at Lofty Coffee Co. screams sunny San Diego. The pastries in this bright San Diego coffee shop are made in-house and include both vegan and gluten-free options.
I especially like the organic acai bowl, croissants, and made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls with a brown butter glaze frosting. The specialty salted caramel latte (1/2 sweet) and NOLA iced coffee are my favorite drinks.
Lofty Coffee Co. is a great option if you want to bring your furry friend since the patio is dog-friendly (ask for a doggie treat when you order).
This is one of my favorite coffee shops in downtown San Diego for when the weather is nice...which is almost always.
Lofty Coffee Co. is located in the charming Little Italy neighborhood. It's actually just one block from the farmers' market that takes place every Saturday...which I highly recommend visiting.
Photo: Brendan Cleak - Best Coffee Shops in San Diego
Photo: Brendan Cleak - Best Coffee Shops in San Diego
Portal Coffee - Flat white
Photo: Portal Coffee - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
3. Portal Coffee - Little Italy
One of the best coffee shops in Downtown San Deigo for a legit flat white paired with a chill atmosphere
Portal Coffee ticks all the boxes! The location couldn't be better at the base of Little Italy. The patio overlooks Waterfront Park from Pacific Hwy Street.
The atmosphere is great. You'll usually find a live DJ on Saturdays, creating a fun and lively vibe. Outside of that, it's very chill.
The servers really stand out here as they are always beyond friendly.
I also appreciate that Portal Coffee offers longer hours from 6:30 am (7:00 am on weekends) to 6:00 pm.
The pastries are a standout. Try and get there early for the best selection as it's not uncommon for them to sell out by 10:00 am.
Notable drinks are the Hojicha Matcha (kind of like a nutty version of Matcha), spiced honey latte, cardamom and orange latte, and the trusty flat white.
This is also one of downtown San Diego's better-priced coffee shops. A flat white costs $4.20 while most other coffee shops are charging $5+.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - 2295 Kettner Blvd. (Little Italy North)
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - Little Italy South
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - 1420 Kettner Blvd. (Little Italy South)
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - Little Italy South
4. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - Little Italy (Upper and Lower)
One of the best coffee shops in downtown San Diego for consistent Quality and award-winning beans
This shop roasts and sells its beans and seems to be a hit with the locals. Many say it's one of the best San Diego coffee roasters. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters practices direct trade sourcing with its beans joining the new “farm-to-cup” trend.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters now has two coffee shops in downtown San Diego. The new location, in lower Little Italy, is a stunner. I particularly appreciate the layout.
Instead of one big room with a bunch of tables, it feels a little more divided/intimate - two chairs in this corner, two chairs in another corner, bench seating along one wall, a big dining table along another wall. It's great for one-on-one meetings or working remotely.
Walk 13 minutes north and you'll arrive at Bird Rock's second downtown San Diego location. It's bright and airy with garage door windows, patio/sidewalk seating, and plenty of table space - an overall "California" coffee shop vibe.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters was awarded Roaster of the Year in 2012 and consistently pulls scores above 90 from Coffee Review. If you take your coffee beans seriously, Bird Rock is a must. It's no wonder they've acquired such a following and have now grown to 9 locations in Southern California.
Stay simple with an espresso, americano, or cortado to appreciate the quality. Those desiring a little more pizzaz should consider the Honey B Latte or the Left Coast Latte (homemade salted caramel).
James Coffee Co. - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
James Coffee Co. - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
5. James Coffee Co. - Little Italy
One of the best coffee shops in San Diego for a hipster vibe
You can’t help but feel hipster when visiting this downtown San Diego coffee shop and roasting facility. James Coffee Co. shares its space with several curated boutique shops in an open design and offers delicious brews from its own artisan roasted beans.
This hipster cafe is right around the corner from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in Little Italy.
Spill the Beans Coffee & Bagels (Seaport Village) - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
Honorable Mentions
Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels - Gaslamp District and Seaport Village
Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels is known for its made-from-scratch bagels with artisan butter and cream cheese spreads. Choose from over ten bagel flavors including lemon poppyseed, sun-dried tomato and cheese, onion and garlic, and honey oat. The white truffle parmesan, red chili garlic, and caramelized shallot with chive are popular spreads.
If you want to blow it out, opt for one of the breakfast bagel sandwiches.
The mocha and Basic Sitch (caramel macchiato) are really popular specialty drinks. Much too sweet for me, but I don't like sweet coffee drinks to begin with.
The One Trick Pony, cold brew with house-made cinnamon-infused simple syrup and oat milk, is delicious (I ask for 1/2 sweet). The nitro cold brew is a winner too.
Achilles Gaslamp Quarter - Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego
Achilles Coffee Roasters - Gaslamp Quarter
If you're in town for a convention, Achilles will quickly become your go to with not one, but two locations steps from the convention center.
Achilles Gaslamp will be the most convenient being a 5 to 7 minute walk from the convention center.
The other location is right by Petco Park.
Achilles Coffee Roasters offers a full food to pair with your coffee. Breakfast burritos, egg scrambles, pancakes, French toast, bowls, salads, smoothies...the menu is quite extensive.
Pour-over fans will love that there are over ten coffee bean options.
I usually order to-go at Achilles or eat and leave. The atmosphere feels a bit sterile.
Blue Bottle - Gaslamp Quarter
Coffee lovers will be familiar with this international brand. The quality is always excellent, which is surprising since it's such a large chain.
I do think Blue Bottle is overpriced, but if you're a fan and happen to be nearby, this is a great option.
In Summary
San Diego is a fantastic city for both work and fun. Downtown has some incredible hotel options and plenty to keep a visitor busy, making it a great area to base yourself.
There are plenty of coffee shops in downtown San Diego to choose from. Both good and bad. Stick to my recommendations and you'll be a happy (caffeinated) camper!
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Best Coffee Shops in Downtown San Diego | Atmosphere + Quality
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