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    Drift Cafe

    4.7 (276 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Business Info

    DRIFT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Drift Cafe

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    Anita M.

    Great location right in PB next to Duck Dive. Good variety of standard brunch options and coffee drinks. I ordered the breakfast burrito with bacon. It came out in decent time, had good flavor and was a big portion size. I might come again to order this item though felt the bacon was lacking. Price was $16 since I added bacon. I liked the flavor of the peppers in it. It's a cute spot & more casual. Parking will be challenging as it's in PB. Service was decent too - pretty standard for a casual spot. You'll order at the counter and seat yourself. I do feel the girl at the counter could have been friendlier. Mostly indoor seating, there's a couple tables on the sidewalk though. It's maybe not as cute as other cafes like Palmy's, but still ok!

    Michael B.

    This probably ranks in the bottom third of coffee shops I've been too. The shop itself is cute. It has a handful of tables that can fit maybe 20 people inside. There's a small counter where you can order. Great floral design on the wall. But that's where the nice things I have to say ends. We were just walking by and saw it and decided to give it a shot. We were met by the barista who mumbled what you want and when we asked for a moment, just blankly stared at us. We ordered the Cherry Almond Latte which on first taste wasn't bad. But started to taste less like fruit and nuts and more like cough syrup. While the colors are beautiful, there was a lot of dishes left on the tables along the right wall. Perhaps those people just got up and finished and they had time to bus it. The bathroom was also pretty bad as well and desperately needed to be serviced. All in all. Probably wouldn't come back. It is locally owned so that is a plus.

    Mexican mocha!
    John W.

    Mexican mocha! Courteous staff, quick service, clean space! If you're looking for a cool space to chill close to the beach or to get some remote work done, this is your place in Pacific Beach!

    Mushroom and Spinach Scramble
    Kayley C.

    This is a great casual breakfast/brunch cafe. The place has plenty of seating and is less busy than other spots in PB. The service is quick, but the food wasn't anything special. They have tons of vegan/veg options which is great.

    Tomato Toasty
    Raquel D.

    Tomato Toasty with bacon. OH MY GOD. So delicious, cashew cheese is on point, AND they cut it into the shape of a heart.

    Lox & jalapeño bagel, mocha latte, breakfast bowl
    Jennifer T.

    First time coming here and won't be the last. Java Earth is my jam but this is really good stuff. Look at the coffee art ! The food was amazing.

    Blackberry matcha and Hawaiian latte
    Nancy G.

    Small, cute café that's great for a quick bite. I tried a few items and overall had a good experience. The breakfast bowl was fresh and refreshing, and the French toast was made perfectly. The avocado toast was a bit mediocre, but the tomato toast was actually really good. I also had the matcha blackberry drink (seasonal, I think), and it was so good--definitely a standout. I didn't try my friend's Hawaiian latte, but she really enjoyed it. Nice spot for a casual breakfast or coffee stop.

    Vegan Burrito
    Sandra T.

    Delicious vegan burrito! It is probably one of the best I've ever had. The portion was good size to share.

    Daron C.

    there are many coffee shops in Pacific Beach and what they serve for food varies I go to different ones for different things but if you're looking for the best a size You can't beat it I always have peanut butter... it's really big too...Acai Bowl

    Marcus C.

    enjoyed honey lavender latte! cute little spot very convenient to where we were staying!

    Cold brew with cream & cold foam

    Coffee quality is incredible. I got a cold brew and the beans were very quality, and easily one of my favorite coffees i've ever tasted. Highly recommend.

    Kaloni S.

    It's a super cute coffee shop! Parking on the street or residential area. The decor inside is super cute and there's plenty of seating. My picture didn't save of the inside :( but it's definitely a cute cozy vibe. Service was quick and efficient. Food and drink review: Chocolate croissant: (4/5) It wasn't as soft as I hoped for, but simple and hit the spot. Iced matcha chai: (5/5) Deep matcha flavor but well balanced with the chai! Iced chai latte: (5/5) Sooo delicious! Perfect blend of flavors and not too strong. Roo bru? (Not sure the name. It's not coffee but some sort of coffee alternative). (2/5) it's definitely an earthy/dirt-like flavor even with some sweetener. We wanted to try it, but def wouldn't order again!

    Bacon cheddar quiche
    Emily K.

    This was a solid breakfast spot in Pacific Beach! I went around 9 on a Friday and it wasn't super packed, could be a good place to work remote as it's pretty lowkey and quiet! Good ambiance. I ordered the bacon cheddar quiche which was good. It has a puff pastry crust which I thought was kind of an interesting change from a typical quiche crust! It came with a side of arugula and strawberries which was a little funky - could have maybe used some dressing. Service was awesome!

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    Drift Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Drift Cafe

    Hi! I'm planning my sister's bachelorette party and trying to find coffee shops near the Air Bnb and this one popped up. She is allergic to gluten. Do you guys have yummy…

    Hi Jillian, we have gluten free options on our menu. I could also make something special for you ladies if you wanted to pre order for the day. When are you all in town?… Read more

    View All 2 Questions

    Madi - Orange Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

    Madi

    4.3(55 reviews)
    0.3 miPacific Beach
    $$

    Had a work brunch at Madi in Pacific Beach today, and it was a hit with all six of us. It wasn't…read morebusy when we arrived, though I've heard it gets packed on weekends. Parking was straightforward with a small lot and plenty of paid street spots nearby. Dakotah took great care of us. She handled our group's quirky requests with total composure, checked in at all the right times, and even sent a couple of coworkers off with to-go refills. The food was outstanding. One of my coworkers ordered the Poke Bowl Surf Shack, and it looked as good as it tasted -- bright, fresh ingredients piled around a scoop of rice and a side of spicy mayo. Another went for the Surfer Breakfast Burrito, which came with black beans and a choice of salsas. I had the Oklahoma Onion Smash Burger with bacon, served with crispy fries and a cold Mexican Coke. Everything at the table landed well. Coffee was excellent, too. They also add a 5% hospitality fee to the bill, which seems to be a growing trend in San Diego. Overall, a great spot for brunch with friendly service, good vibes, and food that delivers. I'd happily come back.

    Such a cute spot for a girls brunch! Service was great, estimated wait was an hour but we got in…read morewithin 20 minutes for a group of 8 on a Sunday. Everyone really enjoyed their meals; great portions, great variety on the menu. Two of our girls got the Lucky Duck and didn't enjoy it, the mimosa flavors were not strong, as 3 different mimosas were ordered and all tasted very similarly and light. The Ube Matcha was a hit though! Overall, the vibes here were so fun! We would absolutely come here again the next time we're in San Diego.

    Photos
    Madi
    Madi - Papas locos

    Papas locos

    Madi - Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte

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    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte

    Waterbar San Diego - Happy Hour Oysters

    Waterbar San Diego

    3.7(1.1k reviews)
    0.3 miPacific Beach
    $$

    Came in for a drink. I had a glass of Kim Crawford SB and he had a Guinness! Thank you for having…read moreGuinness it's so hard to find. Greeted by hostess and immediately got a great seat facing the water and overlooking the boardwalk. Beautiful interior with a center bar and lots of tvs and some booths in the back. Food menu looked good. Clean restrooms Really nice by the bottle wine list. . Will definitely be back.

    We stopped by Waterbar on Christmas Eve for a drink before dinner. We stay down in PB for the…read moreholidays every year, and have seen this place since it first opened. Last year around this time we peeked our head in to see the space, but didn't stay. Located upstairs, the venue is large and well-lit, with windows overlooking Pacific Beach and the boardwalk. When we arrived, we were greeted by a local patron at the bar. He noticed my 49ers hat and made a joke about keeping me and the owner away from each other, because he is also a Niners fan. Immediately loved the vibes. There were a decent amount of people there for it being Christmas Eve, but it was still pretty open. We were seated at a long high-top table for our group of 7, with one kid. The restaurant was all decorated for the holidays, and they had a pop-up situation with some fun themed drinks and even a giant inflatable igloo for people to play in! We ordered a variety of beverages, many from the "Tinsel & Tides" menu, including the Candied Cranberry Punch, Maple Smoked Old Fashioned, and Spiced Peartini. All of which were fun, and received positive feedback on taste. In addition to the holiday drinks, they have quite an extensive list of around 14 cocktails, and 2 mocktails. The cocktail prices range from $15 - $18, and even have fun little photos on the menu next to the description. They have a section of 6 specialty margaritas, over a dozen canned beverage options, and over 2 dozen beverages on draft. You can find an entire page of wine options. From bubbles, to rosé, to whites and reds. You can buy it by the glass or the bottle. Beyond drinks, there's a nice looking food menu. Mostly seafood and Asian inspired, the menu featured items such as crispy calamari, crab Rangoon dip, ahi tuna poke, ceviche, sashimi, and various sushi rolls. There are several soup and salad options, as well as a dozen or so entree options, and a half dozen side dishes such as fries, coleslaw, veggies, and mac & cheese. There's also a brunch menu, which is available Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 2pm, and includes some boozy drink options like a Bloody Mary and bottomless mimosas. There are around 8 entree options, and another 8 or so brunch themed sides. While we didn't get to try the food this time around, the menu looked good enough that we are planning to come back for a legit meal. There is an "Oyster and Martini Wednesday" from 3pm to close, where oysters are 50% off, and martinis are $10. We happened to be there on a Wednesday, however the deal wasn't applicable due to the holiday. Our server, Destiny, was friendly and helpful with info and drink recommendations. The vibes were great here, and everybody was very welcoming. This is definitely a place we'll be adding to the regular rotation during our trips to PB! IG: @bbnem.eats

    Photos
    Waterbar San Diego - The bar which is big

    The bar which is big

    Waterbar San Diego - Shrimp Cocktail

    Shrimp Cocktail

    Waterbar San Diego - Chasing sunsets

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    Chasing sunsets

    Spill The Beans

    Spill The Beans

    3.9(51 reviews)
    0.3 miPacific Beach

    Literally, the best bagel sandwich I've ever head. The jalapeño and habanero bagel with the spicy…read moresauce that comes on the San Dieggo is actually spicy and so freakin delicious. I hope this place does well and sticks around. I plan on eating here regularly. On an additional note, the mclovin with a French toast bagel and extra maple butter is basically a better version of a McDonald's McGriddle and is also worth trying. 5 stars. I love this place!!!

    A local chain coffee shop is now the primary tenant in the historic Dunaway building on this PB…read morestreet corner. Spill The Beans has aggressively expanded after their OG location debuted several years ago in the Gaslamp Quarter. Parking was metered curbside, or you could use a paid surface lot next to the building. Indoor seating was limited to countertops and a few small tables. The better choice was to use the outside tables on the sidewalk. A menu sheet was posted on a stand just inside the entrance. Coffee, tea, bagels, sandos, and bowls were the categories. Some baked goods and prepackaged beverages were in a display case to the left of the service counter. The Thighmaster Sando was my selection. Egg whites, arugula, tomato, red chili, and garlic cream cheese were the ingredients on a bagel of choice (Sundried Tomato & Cheese was my pick) or a brioche bun. The order was placed inside a takeout bag within 10 minutes. In hindsight, I should have picked a brioche bun or a plain bagel. There was zestiness from the garlic cream cheese and spiciness from the red chili. The sundried tomato and cheese made the sando an overload of flavor. I'm not sure why it cost $12 without a protein included as egg whites don't cost that much. If I did want a protein, another four dollars would have been charged. I gave a 3.5 star rating for my visit to Spill The Beans.

    Photos
    Spill The Beans
    Spill The Beans - You Are My Everything Bagel sold February 13 & 14 while supplies lasts

    You Are My Everything Bagel sold February 13 & 14 while supplies lasts

    Spill The Beans

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    Drift Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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