Specialty Coffee in San Diego
San Diego Coffee Culture
In a place like San Diego with constant sunshine that is one of the top tourist destinations in the US, you would be forgiven if your mind doesn’t first think of it as a paradise for hot specialty coffee, but I assure you it is. With plenty of coffee shops in San Diego across neighborhoods that are as varied as can be, this city can serve you up a delicious cup of coffee just about anywhere you plan to visit. While the locals all have their favorites and neighborhoods like North Park and University Heights are certainly more dense with options, the stops on our tour are a bit more spread out to give you a diverse taste of SD’s coffee scene and culture. To learn more about the city and what to do after you’ve had your coffee in San Diego, visit the blog for a look behind the scenes.
Best Pour Over Coffee Shops in San Diego
Yipao Coffee
Yipao Coffee is named after the “Yipao” Jeep cousins that have long been used in Colombia to shuttle coffee from the fincas in the mountains to the cities. Yipao Coffee in San Diego therefore provides a direct link to Colombia by roasting and serving only single origin Colombian coffee beans, just like The Boy and the Bear in LA. And they are all the better for the focus. Owners Jairo and María roast and grade their coffees, respectively, and their passion shines through in every cup of pour over coffee, as well as the deep conversations about the state of the coffee industry if you ask for more detail. Once you’re done, head on over to Pacific Beach and dip your toes in the sand.
Address: 4480 Haines St, San Diego, CA 92109
Rikka Fika
Rikka Fika is unique in the San Diego coffee scene, in that it’s a true specialty coffee shop that sources from roasters around the world. Thinking back, while many of the local coffee roasters do a great job, the variety available at a place like Rikka Fika is so common in a place like Los Angeles, but not at all in SD. Rikka Fika makes a stellar pour over and the long lines out the door stamp the seal of quality right when you arrive.
Address: 810 13th St, San Diego, CA 92101
Necessity Coffee
Encinitas in North County San Diego has become an essential stop whenever driving between San Diego and Los Angeles, all because of the specialty coffee expertise on display at Necessity Coffee. Sharing a space with a ceramics studio in a tucked-away cul de sac near Moonlight State Beach, this is absolutely the best place to grab a coffee before or after hitting the waves or strolling through the sand (or to break up a long drive). They source and roast a variety of my favorite types of coffess from funky fruity anaerobic beans to washed process floral gems. Make the stop. It’s worth your while.
What to order: Pour over (and a homemade pop tart)
Address: 102 2nd St, Encinitas, CA 92024
James Coffee Co.
James Coffee’s location inside a building with many other shops selling various products, as well as a tattoo parlor and barber shop, is a great place to spend an afternoon or take a break from a walk through SD’s well-known Little Italy neighborhood. The fact they serve tasty specialty coffee with plenty of seating means you can enjoy your drink at your own pace without anyone rushing to move you along. Take your time at this coffee shop in San Diego before reemerging into the sun.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
I was living in San Diego when I started home roasting coffee beans and discovered the endless possibility in the world of specialty coffee. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters was the first specialty coffee shop I ever visited and is always a must visit whenever I’m in SD. You really can’t go wrong here as they travel extensively to find the best beans. At their Morena location on select Fridays, if you’re lucky enough you can try a Panama Gesha cold brew made with a Kyoto that is to die for. It literally tastes like blueberries!
What to order: Pour over, but ask for them to hand brew it for the best cup!
Address: 5627 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mostra Coffee
I am so happy to see all of Mostra’s success and expansion into many locations across various coffee shops in San Diego. Ever since I stepped into their original warehouse location off the beaten San Diego coffee path, I was excited by what they would do on the coffee scene. They are certainly now known for their Very creative espresso drink recipes and absolutely deserve that praise for things like the Creme Brûlée Latte, the Campfire Latte, and the Blueberry Pancake Latte, while I obviously visit for the pour over coffee in San Diego and love it every time.
Address: 2001 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
What to Experience with Coffee in San Diego
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