I've driven past this coffee shop for years and finally decided to try it. The inside was decorated…read morecute with a rustic, desert vibe. There's indoor seating with chairs & tables as well as comfy chairs. The outdoor seating is covered under umbrellas. I got a matcha with almond milk and added lavender. It was an average matcha, nothing too special. Maybe I should have chosen a different add-in flavor. They made my drink within minutes so service was great! I'll definitely give this place another shot. Gotta support our local coffee shops!

Stopped by on a Sunday morning around 9:30 and the place was already bustling. We ordered two…read morebreakfast dishes and a couple of coffees. The staff was genuinely friendly, and we were able to find a seat inside without too much trouble. We expected a bit of a wait given how busy it was, but the timing ended up being a bit off. Our food arrived first--we had the avocado toast and the mini green chilaquiles. Both dishes were delicious, though the chilaquiles verdes leaned a little heavy on the garlic. (Seriously--hours later, even after brushing, lunch, and multiple rounds of mouthwash, that garlic flavor was still going strong.) We took our time eating, hoping the drinks would arrive, but they didn't come out until much later. We ordered a cappuccino and an iced churro latte. The cappuccino finally came out right as we finished eating--it tasted good, just a bit lukewarm. About five minutes later, the iced churro latte was ready, so we ended up taking it to go. That one was actually really good. Overall, the food and drinks were solid, and the staff made a great impression. I'd definitely like to come back and give it another shot. I love supporting small, locally owned businesses, and with a little adjustment to the flow--like pausing mobile orders during peak times or dedicating a team specifically to them--this place could really elevate the experience.

We saw the Cafe 86 LA location in a news clip, and it reminded me that there's one closer to us…read more I've been to the Mira Mesa location before, but this was my first time at this one. My husband and I both love ube, and Cafe 86 is known for its variety of ube desserts. It was fairly quiet when we visited on a Saturday afternoon. Since we had already eaten lunch, we decided to stop by for dessert. The inside was pretty nice -- I especially liked the lighting, which gave the place an industrial vibe. There were couches and tables for seating, making it feel comfortable overall. We were greeted by a younger employee who could've been a bit more energetic and welcoming. The dessert case also looked a little sparse and underwhelming. My husband ordered the Ube Monster shake, and I got the ube cheesecake. The shake was pretty good, though not as creamy as I expected, and I wished the ube flavor was stronger. The ube cheesecake, on the other hand, was fluffy and not overly sweet, which I really liked. It also had a thick cookie crust that was delicious. Still, I would've loved a more pronounced ube flavor in that as well. I'm a huge ube fan, and when I make ube desserts at home, I usually add extra flavoring to really make it stand out. Overall, I'd come back again. Next time, I definitely want to try the flan!

Had a craving for halo halo and wanted to check this place out since they had different varieties…read more I was in between the upside down halo-halo but chose the mais con yelo since I really enjoy sweet corn desserts but rarely see them. Overall, it tasted okay, but I wished that you were able to customize it somehow (i.e add jellies, change slush flavor, etc). Maybe I could have asked but what made it challenging was that the menu did not clearly show everything they had to offer or it was hard to decipher which price went with what item. The cooler was pretty good and it was part of their $3 drink specials. Keep in mind though, it was not advertised, I just happened to know because I almost did an online order and saw it. I plan to go back and try some more things but there really needs to be more transparency about the menu and the prices clearly displayed.

Some special cafecito to start our day. Hawaiian style!!…read more You know it's good when you sip your drink and it takes you back to Hawaii.... * Hawaiian Host (Level 3) * Dirty Taro Latte (Level 2) This place has been here since 2016. I cant believe we just heard about them now..... We're most definitely coming back. They also have a location in Mira Mesa that we want to try (larger menu). ALOHA!! #DiningWithTheAndersons #HawaiianStyle #IslandVibes

A weird experience but the effort is appreciated…read more Came in one weekend out of convenience, we were driving around the area and my gf highly recommended it. We parked and noticed nearly all the lights were off. The pastry cabinet was empty, the tables were taped off. But people were inside and customers were in line. Emotions and energy were low, it was quiet and dim vibes all around. We walk in and see just one man working the cashier and making the drinks. He looked puzzled, a bit lost. We get in line behind someone ordering 4+ drinks and see that this guy didn't really know how to make the drinks. He was misplacing the ingredients and wasn't fully confident operating the payment system. The back counter was cluttered with miscellaneous gadgets, appliances, and syrups. It took nearly 20 minutes for the customer in front of us to get from ordering to receiving their drinks and we just watched in slight awe. The guy was apologetic and upfront, he was trying his best in a bad situation. They made some small talk and hinted that they were closing due to supply chain disruptions in Hawaii. I feel for them and wish them well. The coffee itself was ok. Flavor was decent but somewhat unremarkable. They offer different caffeine levels, up to I think 400mg in a drink. I just got the 200mg coffee. Don't know if I just built a tolerance but I fell asleep right after. We did want a pastry but with the baked goods cabinet empty, we weren't sure what they had left to offer. There was a long sign listing everything sold out between the pastries and coffee flavors. Overall the experience was odd and left a slightly bitter emotional taste in my mouth. They've acknowledged that they weren't in the best condition at that point and I do feel unfair to judge them at their worst. If they turn it around, I'm opening to revisiting. But for now, I don't feel compelled to go out of my way for it.

The first time I met one of my friends here for coffee, I thought their drinks were delicious and…read morethe atmosphere chill - the perfect spot to catch up with a friend or to do some quiet work/read. Now that I have gone back a couple of times, I also know their empanadas are delicious too! As far as drinks, I've had their iced matcha w/honey and their salted maple latte - both customizable and outstanding. Staff are nice and helpful with drink customizations. The space is clean, with ample of seats indoor and outdoor. This will become my go-to spot for a quiet, chill afternoon to read a book or catch up with a friend. So grateful to not have to drive too far out of the way for a nice coffee spot like this one!

Casa de Otay is one of the few truly artisanal coffee shops in the South Bay, and it stands out for…read moreboth quality and consistency. They offer all the classic coffee staples along with a thoughtful selection of non-coffee items pastries, solid vegan options, avocado toast, and occasionally more substantial offerings like vegan burritos. It's clear they've put effort into creating a menu that appeals to a wide range of tastes without sacrificing quality. That said, the real highlight here is the coffee. Each cup is smooth, well-balanced, and never overpowering. There's a subtle, natural sweetness that enhances the flavor rather than masking it, making it easy to enjoy whether you're a casual coffee drinker or more particular about your brew. It's the kind of coffee you can rely on to be consistently good, visit after visit. Casa de Otay has become my go-to coffee spot not just because it's convenient, but because of that dependable quality. In an area where standout coffee shops are still relatively limited, it's a place that continues to deliver and is well worth a stop if you're in the South Bay.

First time coming here this afternoon and was unsure what to get. The barista Nate was super…read morehelpful and knowledgeable about the menu. I ended up trying their Vietnamese coffee which was super good! I will definitely come back again!

Just dropping by my fav boba spot! Delicious as always. Quick service, beautiful design, delicious…read moredrinks what more could I ask for

In the heart of the downtown Chula Vista area, this coffee shop is right in the middle of various…read morewalkable shops and brunch places to explore. I was in the area so we thought we'd hang in the area for a bit. There's a parking garage just behind it. I ordered the salted maple and it was delicious. Slightly sweet from the maple but not too sweet. The latte is creamy and you can really taste the quality coffee. Staff were really friendly and helpful with recommending this option, as it was my first visit. The merch was really cool too, I could've spent all morning here!

I had been at the Dark Horse in North Park a few times so when I saw they opened one in Chula Vista…read moreit was a must go. Place is located in the heart of Downtown Chula Vista only with street parking although there is a parking structure in an alley behind. It is big inside with lots of tables to hang out. Servie needed a little bit of umph, baristas needed to be a littlw bit more enthusiastic. The decor was very original but it lacked of an energetic vibe. They offer a few pastries besides the coffee. We ordered the cortado and a latte. They were ok but not out of this world, maybe it was the coffee blend they used. I will be heading to the North Park one again this week to see what this one had missing.

Breakfast date with the hubby was AMAZING. Great service & food. We were sat right away…read more #MujjerDivinaBrunch #DiningWithTheAndersons

Love the bean and cheese burrito the most. Probably my favorite bean and cheese burrito and I eat a…read morelot of them. It pairs really well with the sauce. Had the birria bean and cheese as well, but preferred the bean and cheese more. The matcha was really good. Tried a bunch of matcha places in SD and I would put it up there with them. The shop is small so expect to eat your burrito to go. It's tablet ordering as well. Overall always great service and the vibes are always there.

Best tater tots in the entire universe truly hands down…read more Friends of friends is such a cool spot. The drinks and food alone is enough to bring you in but the vibes and music really seal the deal. I love their unique matcha and coffee lattes. I'm also annoying about their tater tots because they really truly are the absolute best I've ever had. It does seem to be always pretty busy, but finding somewhere to sit hasn't ever been a huge issue. The staff is really efficient and helpful.

The good: * Good amount of seating…read more* Jams are always bumping but never intrusive * Lots of interesting things to see inside * Coffee is great! Their espresso shows up really well in lattes and cortados. Their iced coffee is another go-to. They actually have * All their bites I've had have been tasty and great for a quick snack. The bad: * The people taking orders are inconsistent. One day you'll have a super friendly person who is ready to walk you through the menu, the next day up get someone who doesn't even greet you when you're in front of them. A manager would do well to watch the register and provide feedback to their employees. * Parking is mostly difficult. 30% of the time, you can find parking in front. The rest of the time, you're walking around blocks. Verdict: * Love this place! It's always a treat to be able to come here. It's one of my favorite shops to stop and read a book. Drinks are consistently good. Everything is so good except the inconsistent service. This was almost a three-star review, but the food, drink, and ambiance saved it.

The ambiance is my favorite part with natural lighting and so much seating! Great to get homework…read moredone or talk with a friend! I hated that it's hard to find parking is the only drawback. But overall I loved their salted maple latte!!

Came here over the weekend and really enjoyed it here! The drinks were good and not too sweet and…read moreit was a great place to sit down and relax. They had plenty of open seating and the service was pretty quick. I can't wait to try out more of their menu options, including their food!

Slowly becoming a regular here! Perfect spot to catch up with a friend or read a book. They have a…read morevariety of fun drinks on their menu and so far my favorite is their current special salted vanilla latte. Staff has always been really kind. Although there is a line usually, I think it is worth the wait!

Mind blown by everything I've tried so far. You can taste the quality of products they use. I'm a…read moreregular customer and I can tell you waits are worth it, you can tell their employees are doing their best to keep up with orders. Everyone is hustling so I struggle to understand how people had poor service, I've always had a positive experience. My favorites are the banana matcha latte and their grilled cheese with tomato soup. Love having Galu in Chula Vista.