Drift Cafe
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I had a pretty complicated coffee order and the barista here made it perfectly. Good spot for coffee in SD. The interior is very cute.
I adore Drift. Their basic beach latte is my favorite, and the yogurt bowl is tasty and filling. The baristas are always helpful and patient. Parking is not easy on the main road, but you can find parking on the perpendicular streets and walk over. If you are working from home just note there are no power outlets. Definitely recommend Drift for a relaxed get together with friends.
Fresh, real food done right. Everything tastes wholesome and homemade--but somehow even better. The yogurt bowl with peanut butter and granola was one of the best I've ever had, and the California omelet was just as delicious. Relaxed beach vibe, genuinely friendly staff, and the perfect start to any San Diego morning.
Cute locally owned cafe offering quality brews and tasty bites. Friendly service. It's bright, clean , and spacious interior make it a winner for catching up with a friend, getting some work done, or just chilling solo. Good merch too.
The food here is delicious and nutritious, beautifully presented. The young woman taking the orders at the register had a great attitude and energy. The cafe it self has lots of natural light and a comfortable setting to enjoy. We took our food to go this time, but look forward to coming back and spending some time in the space.
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!
Visited Drift Cafe in the morning last week with my sister and had a nice time. I ordered an acai bowl and an iced honey lavender latte which were both delicious. There was plenty of seating in the morning and they offer wifi. This cafe would be a nice study spot and the ambiance was very chill, it felt very representative of San Diego.
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.
Just came to Drift for the first time after it was recommended to me by a friend - and WOW was it good! I got a strawberry matcha and it was so refreshing. Breakfast burrito was amazing too, I loved the salsa it came with! 10/10 will be back - thank you, Alex, Spencer and crew for the great service too!
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!
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.
Tomato Toasty with bacon. OH MY GOD. So delicious, cashew cheese is on point, AND they cut it into the shape of a heart.
Stopped here for breakfast with mom. She had the Avocado Toast and I had the Breakfast Burrito with Bacon. Can you say YUM! Great service. Loved the beachy boho decor. Good spot for remote work too. Definitely will be back! read more
2 years ago
10/10! You could wait in line at Kono's - good too - or you could come here and get a great chai and breakfast sandwich. Nice people, quick service, and great food! read more
2 years ago
Stopped by this cute coffeeshop to get some work done and absolutely loved it. Tried the Hawaiian latte which has some coconut and macadamia flavors 10/10!! Baristas are super friendly too. Will definitely be back when I am in the pacific beach area! Only thing is I didn't see any outlets but there are plenty of tables. read more
2 years ago
Made a stop at this cafe in PB for a quick brunch and coffee! The cafe was very aesthetically pleasing with all of the decorum and wicker furniture. The staff was pretty friendly while we ordered and made some solid recommendations. I ended up ordering the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato, and got an iced drift latte. Our food was delivered to our table shortly after ordering. The grilled cheese was crispy and gooey, and the quinoa salad was very refreshing. The latte left a bit to be desired. The espresso was not very strong and was easily overpowered by the milk; and the cinnamon to panella ratio was off as there was way too much cinnamon despite me asking if they could put a minimal amount in. I would stop by again to try out more items on the menu. read more
First time here. Visiting San Diego for a few days. Small place with tables inside and two small tables on the sidewalk in front. Breakfast has easily been my favorite meal of the day because of places like this. On my first day here, I had the breakfast sandwich. It was the highlight of my two mornings here. It had some typical breakfast sandwich ingredients such eggs and cheese. It was a notch above because of atypical things such as arugula and the sweet aioli chili sauce and ciabatta bread. I heard that this was a new item. It's a keeper. I also heard that they are paring down their menu to have less labor intensive offerings. I'm glad I was able to stop by before they change their format. On my 2nd morning here, I had the quiche with bacon and cheese. This was a notch above because of the crust. Many quiche crusts have pie like texture. This crust was flaky more like phyllo dough. My espresso was decent but not up to what I'd expect if I were to go to Peet's or something similar. I will definitely return if I'm ever back in the area. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Fantastic local coffee shop that offers so much more then just drinks. I loved the welcoming and updated décor, it feels very warm and inviting. The food menu is extensive, lots of breakfast options including acai bowls. I got a quiche with a side of sweet potatoes and loved my dish. Its a certainly one of local favorite spots. When we went there around 11 am in the morning, every single spot was taking inside with people on their laptops, so this was the only downside. Not sure if we came at the peak time, we had to take our food and drinks and sit next door over. Food and service were great! I'll be back read more
2 years ago
Love this place! Great coffee and tea and food! I had the yogurt bowl and my daughter had the açaí bowl. Both were fabulous! I wish they sold their GF granola...it was soooo good! We wish we found this place sooner! read more
2 years ago
I love this place. The food is amazing, and I can honestly say it's my favorite coffee in San Diego. Definitely try the Bircher bowl. It changes depending on the time of year, because it's made with seasonal ingredients. I also love their strawberry matcha, their berry smoothie, their vegan burrito (I add egg), and their breakfast sandwich but I get it on the everything bagel. My wife says they have the best cold brew in SD, which is what she gets. We go there literally 5 days a week. We have an addiction. The baristas are super nice too. Alex and Spencer (the twins) remember pretty much everyone, and they leave funny messages on my cup each time. Something to note is there are no outlets in the café. This is because there is an hour and a half time limit per table. I get it because there's a lot of people coming in and out of this café, and they need to make room for everybody. I also think their Instagram is really good. Especially recently. The sense of humor of the baristas really comes through. All in all, I would give it five stars. More if I could. I definitely recommend getting some coffee and a pastry to go, and taking it to the beach next time you're in the neighborhood, which is only one block away. Love this place! read more
8 months ago
I am so glad I returned to this cafe. I had the "Gone Bananas Toast" and it was fantastic. The Levain toast was well toasted, just the way I like it, and the house made almond butter rocks! In addition, the hot honey was delicious and I loved that they did not hold back on the banana slices, hence the name. I had the toast with a house drip coffee which was great. It was smooth and rich in flavor. The staff members were super nice. Next, I need to try one of their breakfast burritos. The cafe offers offers comfortable seating inside and some outside seating as well. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
This is the best place in every respect. The drinks are amazing and the food is outstanding as well. Great service, cute ambiance. We were only visiting but if I lived in this town, I'd start every morning at this cafe. A very thoughtful selection of items. Not only pastries, you can get a full breakfast that is so tasty. Only a few blocks from the beach so you can get your coffee and go watch the waves. I highly recommend it. I had a latte, a London fog and a breakfast bowl over the course of our stay and each item was perfect. read more
10 months ago
Great ambiance and aesthetics when you first walk in. I really liked the lavender latte I ordered since you can really taste the lavender and coffee really well. We also opted for some brunch options but I thought they were decent (wouldn't really recommend though). Definitely come here for the coffee and a great study spot as well! read more
We were looking for a close place to our hotel to eat at for breakfast and stumbled upon Drift Cafe. I immediately loved the look inside, very modern & cute! I ordered an iced coffee with caramel and the French toast. My husband ordered the breakfast plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. The guys working were incredibly nice and brought you your food as it was ready. There was a constant flow of people coming in to grab a coffee or do some work on their computers. Overall, a great place to go to for breakfast! read more
2 years ago
Awesome little light breakfast... good croissant nice muffin's...quiche and breakfast bowl... great little neighborhood spot. Good food great service... another go to spot in SD read more
1 year ago
I Absolutely love Drift, been coming here since they opened years ago. Their vegan breakfast burrito is BOMB as well as all of their lattes. Great place for a coffee date or working. It's like Pinterest and Pigment made a coffee shop. Adorable boho vibes with great food and coffee ! Amazing staff too always friendly. read more
3 years ago
The cutest coffee shop with lovely ambiance! Truly a SoCal vibe with optimal lighting, cozy aesthetic, mellow playlists, and friendly service! It's a perfect spot to leisurely read or get some work done. Just note that outlets are limited, so charge your devices before coming. The Hawaiian latte was delicious, and the tropical interior design transported me to vacay-mode. You can also take your order to-go, and take a short walk to the beach to enjoy PB weather. Though I'm no longer an SD local, I'll definitely visit when I'm back! read more
1 year ago
I am a PB local and cannot get enough of Drift! Every drink is amazing and Spencer always has great suggestions for drinks when idk what to order. The food is also unreal! The grilled cheese with pear is my person fav! I love getting my order to-go and eating on the beach or working from inside Drift on my laptop. read more
3 years ago
What a great spot to get a coffee, breakfast, and do some work. I came here to do some work and get out of the house and loved it! I ordered a mango smoothie and my friend ordered a classic vanilla latte (if I remember correctly). I saw other people eating some breakfast and it looked very good and I will be going back to try it sometime. Only downside was that they didn't have outlets and close at 2pm. Otherwise I loved it! read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
The Breakfast Sandwich is delicious. Ambiance is chill. Music is upbeat but not overpowering. Service was quick. My daughter loved the French Toast. We also got the Yogurt which we enjoyed. Salted Butterscotch Latte is also a great choice. read more
What a cute little cafe! It was perfect for me to grab my laptop and work in a great environment with some really good dang lattes. I ordered French toast here to go and it was very delicious. Also tried the açaí bowl and it was very good as well. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed their vanilla hazelnut lattes. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
What a lovely place to visit to start your day! The interior is bright and airy with live plants and wicker furniture that invites you to relax and stay a while. Based on other reviews, I ordered the signature Drift latte with oat milk. It was deliciously creamy with hints of spice. I enjoyed it while walking along the boardwalk. I would definitely stop in again and try their other specialties and their seasonal offerings. read more
8 months ago
4 years ago
What a gem of a place! Coffee and food are artfully crafted. Quality of ingredients are superb and you can taste the difference. My family got a variety of coffees and their breakfast sandwich. All coffees were amazing, and their breakfast sandwich was unassumingly delicious with their unique house-made aioli (ask for extra - you won't regret it). Definitely a great place swing by for a quick drink and/or quality food. read more
2 years ago
Nice small coffee shop. Latte Art is wonderful. Coffee is great. Many options. Breakfast Place with eggs and bacon is excellent. The croissants are fresh. This is one of my favorite coffee shops. Great. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Drift Latte. "That's the best latte I've ever had" - the husband. Stopped in early one morning to a friendly greeting and stellar coffees. We both tried the signature Drift, iced for me, hot for the hubby. My husband drinks hot lattes everywhere so the quote above was high, honest praise, indeed. For all you latte lovers, this should be on your PB list. The weekly special Honey Cardamon latte was great as well. Back again the next day and another Drift latte for each of us. Baja Burrito, add bacon $11.50. Huge and stuffed full, it's enough for both breakfast and the other half for lunch later. Served with a jalapeño green dipping sauce. My only disappointment has been the Not Your Average BLT, $12. Toasted sourdough, walnut pesto, applewood smoked bacon, arugula, & heirloom tomato. Served with fresh fruit. This has all of the ingredients to be a spectacular sandwich and the $12 price implied it would be. However, the slim sandwich unfortunately was as anemic as it looked. Two thin, tasteless slices of heirloom tomato, hearty arugula, minimal bacon and overpowering walnut pesto added up to a sandwich that was more piquant than smokey and meaty as a good BLT should be. The walnut pesto needed to be offset by center stage, generously piled on bacon and a thicker cut tomato. If they were allowed to shine, then the arugula and walnut pesto would have been able to truly elevate this to above average, it definitely has the bones to be one. Rainbow side fruit was lovely, a couple of blueberries would have made it perfect! Drift latte - Espresso, Panella & Cinnamon with milk $5.25/$6. Up charge for almond or oat milk. read more
2 years ago
I recently started working down the street and on my first day I came across Drift cafe! I was having a really rough morning and Alex totally made my day! He is super sweet, caring and his latte art is amazing! He not only provides great customer service to me; but TO EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER I SEE WHO WALKS IN! A genuinely kind heart! He has a twin brother Spencer who works here as well, very tricky before coffee! Both are amazing as the other employees I've also met here! I genuinely love coming here! The ambiance is amazing, the customers who come in, and the coffee! Now that I've mentioned how great the cafe and employees are, you should know the vegan burrito is my favorite as I love sweet potatoes and burritos!!! Definitely have to try it! I try to come once a week as it's my favorite treat, but definitely leave with my spirit uplifted Happy 3rd Birthday Drift! Definitely have to come back for the horchata latte!!! read more
More info about Drift Cafe
4652 Mission Blvd
Pacific Beach, CA 92109
Pacific Beach
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(858) 263-4298
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http://Driftcafesd.com
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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?…
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Drift Cafe - coffee - Updated August 2026
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