ESSNTL Coffee Photos
Business Info
ESSNTL COFFEE ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
More like ESSNTL Coffee
Recommended Reviews - ESSNTL Coffee
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
I just moved closer to this area and have been wanting to try Essntl for quite some time now. After my first visit, I've been coming on my days off (since they open at 8) since. The coffee and matcha here are so delicious! The staff is very friendly and accommodations are possible here incase you need less cream tops to make your drinks less sweeter, etc. The shop itself has a very beautiful aesthetic and plenty of space for all coffee dates, catch ups, and just enjoying the vibe. Parking is limited. This photo is their fall series Brown Sugar Miso which was bomb. My other favorites are the banana cream and their salted cream viet lattes.
Stopped in right before closing and asked for the least sweet drink on the menu. I was told the Salted Cream Coffee was the way to go. It was good and definitely not overly sweet, but whew... way too much ice! Heads up: When you walk in and see a barbershop, don't turn around. You're in the right place! The coffee shop is connected to the barbershop. There's a small parking lot, and street parking is also available.
ESSENTL Coffee space is connected to ESSENTL barber shop. Parking lot small but people leave quickly. This place has coffee, Hojicha, and matcha. I got Einspanner Hojicha and he got salted cream coffee. We both enjoyed our drink. The coffee was a deep robusta chocolate roasted flavor. Strong. Hojicha is made from roasted green tea giving off less caffeine and had a toasty nutty flavor. So good! The velvety cream adds to the sweetness. The seating space is huge with chairs and table along the walls like a U shape with the middle empty. Almost felt like they could host a Dj night or a pop space for another vender. No outdoor seating.
This coffee place was SO good! It's located inside of a barbershop, which was definitely unexpected but it's actually separated into two completely different areas, so it works really well. The coffee shop itself is a little on the smaller side, but the quality of everything was amazing. The staff was super friendly and patient with us, especially because I had no idea what I wanted at first. I ended up getting the Cookies & Cream iced latte with oat milk and OMG... it was so good. Definitely one of the better iced lattes I've had! My friends got iced matchas with oat milk, and they loved theirs as well. Everything tasted really fresh and high quality, and I thought the prices were definitely fair for the quality of the drinks. Overall, I really enjoyed this place and would 100% come back the next time I'm in the San Diego area. Definitely a cute little hidden gem!
I was looking for a coffee shop to work from in this area and came across this place. I'm not sure if it's a chain or a local shop, but after reading the reviews, I decided to give it a try. It's located in the same little plaza as the famous Alforon Lebanese restaurant. As others have mentioned, parking can be challenging since there are only a handful of spaces in the lot. You'll most likely need to park on the street. I came on a weekday morning, though, and had no trouble finding street parking. The shop itself is interesting. It's attached to a barbershop but separated by a wall, so the coffee shop has its own space. It's a decent size and doesn't feel cramped, but the overall atmosphere is a bit of a mix. The furniture gives off a cozy coffee shop vibe, but the bright overhead lighting reminded me more of an office or even the DMV than a café. They did add some warmer wall lighting, which helps, but I think softer overhead lighting would make the space feel much more inviting. When I first arrived, there were only a couple of customers, so it was nice and quiet. As the morning went on, though, it got much busier, mostly with what looked like college students. The music also got noticeably louder, and I kept hearing loud bass from a car parked outside, which made it harder to focus. It may have just been bad timing, but it wasn't the ideal atmosphere for getting work done. They seem to specialize in iced and Vietnamese-style coffee. I ordered the Coconut Cream Vietnamese Coffee with no ice. I don't usually like overly sweet coffee drinks, so this seemed like the best choice. It was rich, creamy, and the coconut cream added just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. Overall, I thought the coffee was good. I'd definitely come back if I were in the area and wanted to grab a Vietnamese iced coffee to go, but I probably wouldn't choose it as a place to work. The atmosphere just wasn't quite my vibe for spending a few hours on my laptop.
Food: The matcha drinks here are really good! They have a great selection and they're super generous with the toppings. The banana cream matcha was great especially with the large amounts of toffee they put on it! The hojicha there was also super good! It wasn't grainy and the cream top complements the drinks well. Location: There is plenty of parking at the parking lot and nearby street parking! Not only that, there is plenty of indoor seating! Service: The service there was great! The employees were super nice and were very helpful in answering my questions about what drinks I should get and what they would recommend! Overall: I would come back to this location again if I needed to get a matcha/hojicha or if I wanted to introduce it to someone new!
All I can say is this was the best coffee ever. Biscoff coffee. Small place conjoined with a barber shop
Essential Coffee in El Cajon is such a cute spot! This was my first time visiting and I was pleasantly surprised by how adorable the inside is. The decor is so cute, the seating is super aesthetic, and the whole vibe makes it such a fun place to stop by. Their matchas were SO good! We tried the Banana Cream and Cookies N' Cream matchas, and both were delicious. The matcha flavor wasn't overpowering, and the cream wasn't overly sweet, it was the perfect balance. The staff was super friendly, and our order came out quickly. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're a matcha lover!
ESSNTL Coffee is a hidden gem and needs more attention! Immediately. Interesting layout, because it shares a spaces with ESSNTL Barbershop, separated by a wall but with complete access. You have the option between a matcha or Vietnamese coffee base, then pick your foam flavoring. Vietnamese coffee is always on my radar, so when I saw they offered different flavors, I jumped on board. Biscoff and Banana are the top selling items. I was feeling biscoff and I chose correctly. It was strong and sweet with all the biscoff goodness crumbled on top. For my second visit, I tried a a banana Matcha. Very good with the same consistent creamy texture. I can't even think of the price point right now because I'm busy sipping on my drink. Haha. Excited to go back and try their other offerings.
ESSNTL coffee is one of my favorite coffee places for Vietnamese coffee. Their banana cream coffee with Vietnamese coffee and I think no milk tasted fantastic. It is a very modern style and attached to their barbershop so it will be a little noisy. The workers do a good job of warning for allergies as many drinks have some nuts on it. If I'm in the area, this is my coffee spot.
I ordered the biscoff cream Vietnamese coffee. I think I was expecting a little more of the Biscoff in there but not the case. This place is shared with next door barber shop. Felt a little iffy as its a barber hairs on the floor. Overall, the side where the coffee is, seems a little more aesthetic. Parking can be tough for sure, street parking & plaza parking FULL and tight! Workers were helpful and polite. Would like to come back and try just the regular latte.
Absolutely delicious. I will be coming back here for sure! It is definitely strong coffee and matcha but so flavorful nonetheless
Um WOW! This is for sure my favorite matcha spot in SD. When you pull up, you might be a bit confused since it's connected to a barber shop. Never fear, they're two distinct businesses and the cafe has its own space with tables and couches to lounge on. I have tried their Salted Cream and Biscoff Cream Matchas. Of the two, the Salted Cream is my fav! I'm very picky about my salted creams. I love a thicker consistency and a forward flavor. Essntl delivered on both fronts! If you're a fan of Biscoff cookies, this cream was a dream! It tasted just like the cookie with notes of caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon. Ok, onto the actual matcha. Another WOW is needed. It's strong, creamy, and has a lot of depth in its flavor profile! A bit on the earthier, nuttier side for sure. No notes!
Really enjoyed this coffee shop! It's definitely a little on the pricier side, but honestly, I can understand the price considering the aesthetics, the overall experience, and the amount of care they put into making the drinks. I tried the Nutella Iced Latte and it was SO good! If you have a sweet tooth, definitely give it a try. If you're not like me and don't usually go for super sweet drinks, I'd probably recommend trying something else on the menu because this one definitely leans sweet. The drinks feel very intentional and you can tell they take their time making them, which I appreciate. Parking can be a little challenging, but there is some street parking around the area. Overall, cute spot, good drinks, and definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more
2 days ago
Overall (4/5) Pretty solid matcha spot with a cool concept. The banana matcha was decent, but the drink itself was a little watery and the price was on the higher side. First Impressions (4/5) A unique setup connected to Essential Barbershop. Definitely a cool concept if you want to grab a matcha while getting a haircut. What We Got (3.5/5) * Banana Matcha: Light banana cream top with peanuts and oat milk. The portion was good, and the sweetness was fairly light. Taste and Quality (3.5/5) The banana cream top was very light, with only a subtle banana flavor. The peanuts were a nice touch and added some texture. The matcha itself was more watery than thick, with light sweetness. Pretty average overall, but still enjoyable. Service (N/A) Space and Atmosphere (4/5) The concept of having a matcha spot connected to a barbershop is pretty cool and gives it a unique vibe. Was It Worth It (3/5) The portion was good, but after substituting oat milk, my drink came out to over $9. A little expensive for a matcha that was fairly average. Final Thoughts A cool concept and worth trying if you are in the area, but the banana matcha itself was nothing too special. I would be more interested in trying their other drinks next time. read more
7 days ago
Terrible cafe experience. The ambiance is very chaotic. Super loud rap music controlled manually by a barista's personal phone. The selection of music was great, just too loud. Unsanitary food handling as well. I saw a barista turning the cafe music volume up and down on their cell phone while making drinks. Minimal to no handwashing. Baristas are yelling customer names several times over the loud music and cafe chatter. A positive is that the furniture and seating is spacious and comfy with several wall outlets. The music playing in the barber shop competes with the cafe music, which is probably why it's so loud. The noise made it difficult to enjoy sitting in the cafe. I paid ~$10 for a "plain matcha with oat milk" that was way too sweet and chalky. If you look at the photo you can see clumps of matcha. I asked to have it remade without sweetener and they were kind enough to remake it for free "just this once" instead of charging me for another drink. The baristas were very nice but some of the workers seemed like they didn't want to be here and were more interested to talking to each other rather than engaging with customers. I wouldn't recommend coming here for matcha or to hang out. It seems like more of a party than a coffee shop. I don't think I'll be coming back to this location. read more
21 days ago
I just moved closer to this area and have been wanting to try Essntl for quite some time now. After my first visit, I've been coming on my days off (since they open at 8) since. The coffee and matcha here are so delicious! The staff is very friendly and accommodations are possible here incase you need less cream tops to make your drinks less sweeter, etc. The shop itself has a very beautiful aesthetic and plenty of space for all coffee dates, catch ups, and just enjoying the vibe. Parking is limited. This photo is their fall series Brown Sugar Miso which was bomb. My other favorites are the banana cream and their salted cream viet lattes. read more
Stopped in right before closing and asked for the least sweet drink on the menu. I was told the Salted Cream Coffee was the way to go. It was good and definitely not overly sweet, but whew... way too much ice! Heads up: When you walk in and see a barbershop, don't turn around. You're in the right place! The coffee shop is connected to the barbershop. There's a small parking lot, and street parking is also available. read more
2 months ago
ESSENTL Coffee space is connected to ESSENTL barber shop. Parking lot small but people leave quickly. This place has coffee, Hojicha, and matcha. I got Einspanner Hojicha and he got salted cream coffee. We both enjoyed our drink. The coffee was a deep robusta chocolate roasted flavor. Strong. Hojicha is made from roasted green tea giving off less caffeine and had a toasty nutty flavor. So good! The velvety cream adds to the sweetness. The seating space is huge with chairs and table along the walls like a U shape with the middle empty. Almost felt like they could host a Dj night or a pop space for another vender. No outdoor seating. read more
This coffee place was SO good! It's located inside of a barbershop, which was definitely unexpected but it's actually separated into two completely different areas, so it works really well. The coffee shop itself is a little on the smaller side, but the quality of everything was amazing. The staff was super friendly and patient with us, especially because I had no idea what I wanted at first. I ended up getting the Cookies & Cream iced latte with oat milk and OMG... it was so good. Definitely one of the better iced lattes I've had! My friends got iced matchas with oat milk, and they loved theirs as well. Everything tasted really fresh and high quality, and I thought the prices were definitely fair for the quality of the drinks. Overall, I really enjoyed this place and would 100% come back the next time I'm in the San Diego area. Definitely a cute little hidden gem! read more
I was looking for a coffee shop to work from in this area and came across this place. I'm not sure if it's a chain or a local shop, but after reading the reviews, I decided to give it a try. It's located in the same little plaza as the famous Alforon Lebanese restaurant. As others have mentioned, parking can be challenging since there are only a handful of spaces in the lot. You'll most likely need to park on the street. I came on a weekday morning, though, and had no trouble finding street parking. The shop itself is interesting. It's attached to a barbershop but separated by a wall, so the coffee shop has its own space. It's a decent size and doesn't feel cramped, but the overall atmosphere is a bit of a mix. The furniture gives off a cozy coffee shop vibe, but the bright overhead lighting reminded me more of an office or even the DMV than a café. They did add some warmer wall lighting, which helps, but I think softer overhead lighting would make the space feel much more inviting. When I first arrived, there were only a couple of customers, so it was nice and quiet. As the morning went on, though, it got much busier, mostly with what looked like college students. The music also got noticeably louder, and I kept hearing loud bass from a car parked outside, which made it harder to focus. It may have just been bad timing, but it wasn't the ideal atmosphere for getting work done. They seem to specialize in iced and Vietnamese-style coffee. I ordered the Coconut Cream Vietnamese Coffee with no ice. I don't usually like overly sweet coffee drinks, so this seemed like the best choice. It was rich, creamy, and the coconut cream added just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. Overall, I thought the coffee was good. I'd definitely come back if I were in the area and wanted to grab a Vietnamese iced coffee to go, but I probably wouldn't choose it as a place to work. The atmosphere just wasn't quite my vibe for spending a few hours on my laptop. read more
Food: The matcha drinks here are really good! They have a great selection and they're super generous with the toppings. The banana cream matcha was great especially with the large amounts of toffee they put on it! The hojicha there was also super good! It wasn't grainy and the cream top complements the drinks well. Location: There is plenty of parking at the parking lot and nearby street parking! Not only that, there is plenty of indoor seating! Service: The service there was great! The employees were super nice and were very helpful in answering my questions about what drinks I should get and what they would recommend! Overall: I would come back to this location again if I needed to get a matcha/hojicha or if I wanted to introduce it to someone new! read more
Essential Coffee in El Cajon is such a cute spot! This was my first time visiting and I was pleasantly surprised by how adorable the inside is. The decor is so cute, the seating is super aesthetic, and the whole vibe makes it such a fun place to stop by. Their matchas were SO good! We tried the Banana Cream and Cookies N' Cream matchas, and both were delicious. The matcha flavor wasn't overpowering, and the cream wasn't overly sweet, it was the perfect balance. The staff was super friendly, and our order came out quickly. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're a matcha lover! read more
4 months ago
ESSNTL Coffee is a hidden gem and needs more attention! Immediately. Interesting layout, because it shares a spaces with ESSNTL Barbershop, separated by a wall but with complete access. You have the option between a matcha or Vietnamese coffee base, then pick your foam flavoring. Vietnamese coffee is always on my radar, so when I saw they offered different flavors, I jumped on board. Biscoff and Banana are the top selling items. I was feeling biscoff and I chose correctly. It was strong and sweet with all the biscoff goodness crumbled on top. For my second visit, I tried a a banana Matcha. Very good with the same consistent creamy texture. I can't even think of the price point right now because I'm busy sipping on my drink. Haha. Excited to go back and try their other offerings. read more
ESSNTL coffee is one of my favorite coffee places for Vietnamese coffee. Their banana cream coffee with Vietnamese coffee and I think no milk tasted fantastic. It is a very modern style and attached to their barbershop so it will be a little noisy. The workers do a good job of warning for allergies as many drinks have some nuts on it. If I'm in the area, this is my coffee spot. read more
2 months ago
I ordered the biscoff cream Vietnamese coffee. I think I was expecting a little more of the Biscoff in there but not the case. This place is shared with next door barber shop. Felt a little iffy as its a barber hairs on the floor. Overall, the side where the coffee is, seems a little more aesthetic. Parking can be tough for sure, street parking & plaza parking FULL and tight! Workers were helpful and polite. Would like to come back and try just the regular latte. read more
11 days ago
Absolutely delicious. I will be coming back here for sure! It is definitely strong coffee and matcha but so flavorful nonetheless read more
6 months ago
Um WOW! This is for sure my favorite matcha spot in SD. When you pull up, you might be a bit confused since it's connected to a barber shop. Never fear, they're two distinct businesses and the cafe has its own space with tables and couches to lounge on. I have tried their Salted Cream and Biscoff Cream Matchas. Of the two, the Salted Cream is my fav! I'm very picky about my salted creams. I love a thicker consistency and a forward flavor. Essntl delivered on both fronts! If you're a fan of Biscoff cookies, this cream was a dream! It tasted just like the cookie with notes of caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon. Ok, onto the actual matcha. Another WOW is needed. It's strong, creamy, and has a lot of depth in its flavor profile! A bit on the earthier, nuttier side for sure. No notes! read more
5 months ago
I came here to celebrate my birthday (without telling them haha!) & when we first walked in there were maybe only 2 tables occupied. One of the workers saw me and said "welcome back!" I was still surprised that she remembered me!! It's been a while! I was hoping that they still had the coconut cream on the menu because I love COCONUT Vietnamese coffee. But sadly, I think I came a few days too late. I decided to just get my usual! Iced Banana Cream Vietnamese Coffee! The cream foam was smooth and fresh, delicious. The coffee was strong, remember if you want it to be even more bold-- request no milk added. My mom had the Iced Ube Cream Vietnamese Coffee with Whole Milk. She enjoyed the flavor and the boldness of the coffee. The Ube flavor was very prominent and had a delicious taste which complimented the coffee. Later on, my brother requested an Iced Lychee Lemonade with Matcha, Less Sweet. The matcha color was there but the flavor of the lychee lemonade was so strong, you couldn't taste the matcha. I think, the lychee lemonade on its own is quite delicious!! But a little too sweet still. I liked that they gave actual pieces of lychee in the drink, and they topped the drink with a dehydrated lemon slice. It was very cute. They also expanded the space from the last time I came. It looks very modern and bright. The chairs are wood, but very comfortable. And now, after you order, they give you little pagers that vibrate and beep when your drink is ready. Overall, a very lovely space to come and sit to enjoy coffee! Take your time when drinking Vietnamese coffee, it has a lot of caffeine! Prices range from $7-9! read more
Ordered a banana matcha and wow this was delicious! The banana cream was not too strong and the matcha itself was rich. My boyfriend ordered the cookies and cream latte which he thoroughly enjoyed. My sister was the one who picked up the coffee and mentioned the employees were very kind. Overall, if you are in the area, I would definitely recommend coming here to grab a quick drink! read more
I've heard about this spot for a while. I was in the area and finally had a chance to check it out -- here was my experience. AMBIANCE Parking: Small lot + street parking--might take a minute, especially during peak hours. Seating: Decent amount of seating for a coffee spot. Good for studying, catching up, or just vibing for a bit. Vibes: Welcome to Mid-City! Not the most flashiest place of San Diego but an essential local gem. The spot itself is welcoming with the busy sounds of a coffee place and hip hop music. Lowkey, modern, and very much a college-area crowd (near SDSU). It's connected to a barbershop, which gives it a unique feel--kind of like a community hub. Not super aesthetic-heavy, but it's got personality. FOOD / DRINKS Cinnamon Crunch Matcha (Recommend) This was the move. You get that real matcha flavor--earthy, slightly umami--but balanced out with sweetness and texture from the cinnamon crunch. It's creamy, layered, and honestly feels more elevated than your typical matcha latte. SERVICE Angeline was great -- friendly and attentive without being overbearing. TL;DR OVERALL 4 Stars. Good flavors, good choices, and a pleasant experience. It's a solid matcha spot! A little on the pricier side, but the quality shows. If you're into creative matcha drinks or want something different from your usual coffee run, this is definitely worth checking out. #RepresentAZN TIPS * If you're a matcha person, this spot should be on your list. read more
This place is located in a plaza next to their barber shop. They have parking but can be hard to find since it's shared by other businesses. First walked in and the place was pretty spacious, clean and minimalist decorated. I ordered the double matcha latte unsweetened and my boyfriend ordered the Vietnamese coffee with salt cream top. The wait was around 10 mins and when we pick up our drinks I knew my drink wasn't gonna be my liking. The matcha drink was super super grainy, you can literally see balls of matcha clumps. The taste of the matcha latte wasn't strong and earthy, to me it tastes very watery even though the color was a deep green which was weird. My boyfriend's drink on the other hand was very good. Loved the strong coffee taste with a hint of saltness/ sweetness of the cream top. Overall definitely their coffee is way better than the matcha. I think their matcha drinks aren't mix well and they water it down too much. And for the matcha latte was $10 which in my opinion way overpriced and was not worth it at all. Only the coffee saved this place if we ever come back. I think we ended up paying total $19 for two drinks. read more
I had seen this place a few times while searching up places to eat around the area but I never had the chance to try it out until recently. The parking lot in this area is pretty small and Alforon, a pretty popular middle eastern restaurant, is also located here which doesn't help. I'm sure if I came during the week that it would be packed since it's near SDSU but luckily when I came on a Sunday afternoon it was pretty empty. The interior of the place is shared with a barbershop but it is still open and modern. There are definitely some seats available for you to work and study if need be. For drinks I went with a salted Vietnamese coffee and my partner went with the cookies and cream matcha. I was pleasantly surprised at how good both drinks tasted. The salted cream Vietnamese coffee was very strong but still had a complex flavor that wasn't overly sweet or salty. It was comparable to other Vietnamese coffee places I've tried in LA/OC. The matcha drink also had a prevalent earthy flavor and I could actually taste the matcha which I can't say for many other places I've been to in San Diego. Unfortunately the matcha here isn't affordable( around $9) but at least the quality matches the price. Many other places that do sell matcha might be cheaper but oftentimes you can barely taste the matcha. As for the coffee, it was more in line with other coffee prices. For a place that I came to on a whim, I was really happy I visited and would definitely recommend their drinks! read more
If you love strong Vietnamese coffee, this is your spot. We tried the banana cream and salted cream last week, and came back again for the ube (plus another salted cream because I'm obsessed now ). The coffee is strong in the best way, and the cream smooths it out perfectly. The salted cream is THAT drink. I can't stop ordering it. Already planning my next visit. It is located in a small shopping strip. Parking is limited but there are street parking. read more
ESSNTL is a combination business across two suites in a small plaza of the Rolando neighborhood. The left side was the coffee shop, and the right side was a barber shop. There were limited parking spaces out front so I parked on a side street and walked over to buy a drink. The lounge area had about six tables and a sofa where customers could hang out and enjoy their order. A small line was ahead of me, however after I placed my order, the queue stretched nearly to the entrance. Cream coffees, matcha, and lattes were the main categories. Some baked goods were on display in a case at the service counter, but the selection was limited by the time of my afternoon visit. I selected an Iced Hojicha Latte with Banana Cream. The roasted green tea with milk had a nuttier flavor with less caffeine. The banana cream added sweetness that wasn't overpowering. Judging from the time I was there, they could have used more seating. No one was getting their hair cut despite the fairly large barber setup. Perhaps management may consider reconfiguring the space allocation to allow for a larger coffee shop and a smaller barber area. There was also no public restroom available which I found puzzling because if you want customers to stay on-site, then access to a restroom is important. My experience at ESSNTL Coffee was between a three and a four star level. read more
3 months ago
A little funny, sort of looks like I'm about to go in for a haircut, but honestly it's a smart business decision :) The drinks are so delicious and may seem a little pricey for coffee but it's mainly if you're upgrading or add-ons. Fast too but there was no one in line when I arrived. I got a Vietnamese latte with Ube soft top yummyyyyy read more
26 days ago
If ESSNTL coffee ever has no fans know I have died. Their einspanner hojicha is so good and nutty! Strong coffee flavor and delicious salted foam read more
ESSNTL COFFEE @ EL CAJON Parking is available right out front, though it's very limited since it's shared with a small complex of other businesses. The location is super convenient extremely close to SDSU and right next to the Aztec smoke shop. I had only heard about this place because my roommate comes here every single day (and I'm not exaggerating). She's always coming home with one of their drinks and raving about how good they are, so I finally had to try it for myself. My friend and I came around 9 AM and luckily were able to find a parking spot. When you walk in, half of the space is actually a barbershop, which I thought was really cool and unique. I loved the aesthetic and overall vibe, it was clean, modern, and just a great environment to be in. The staff were extremely friendly and super patient while I asked a lot of questions about the drinks. I ended up trying the cookies and cream matcha, and it was honestly perfect. It was creamy, flavorful, and had a strong matcha taste that I really appreciated. I loved it. I would definitely come back to try their regular coffee with cookies and cream. Overall, the vibe, drinks, and service were great, and this is definitely a spot I'd stop by again. read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
- small plaza with few parking spots but on a Saturday afternoon we were able to get one! - huge space connected to a barber shop, lots of seating (1) biscoff cookie butter matcha ($8.62): 8/10 - this was yummy! Loved the combination of flavors especially since it wasn't as sweet as I thought - there's a cookie butter foam with crumbles and some cookie butter spread around the cup, those I think are the main sugars to sweeten the drink - matcha was slightly slightly grainy and not as strong as I would personally like but overall a delicious drink! I'd be back to try their other flavors! read more
I wish I had enjoyed my experience at ESSNTL Coffee more ): The shop is very interesting as it is partially inside a barber shop. We waited about 45 minutes between waiting in line to order and then waiting for our drinks. They were pretty pricey and just did not have a lot of flavor. I got the banana cream matcha and it did not taste like much. read more
2 months ago
The best matcha in town!! The vibes are always perfect. I sit here and work for a bit. The staff is super nice. I love it. It's my go to spot for matcha and remote working. read more
Second time back to try out another drink option...And maaan was I glad I did. I ordered the coconut matcha cloud. I love matcha and this drink was on a next level it was sooo refreshing, light yet smooth and creamy but with no dairy. At first sip, my mind was blown. I had to go and mention to the baristas how satisfied I was with the drink. This is going to be my go to drink every time. Also, the baristas were very pleasant and accommodating. I was told to let them know if I needed adjustments.....I had no complaints...I was a satisfied customer :) read more
9 months ago
Inside, the cafe is connected to the barber shop next door. There is quite a good amount of open space & some tables to enjoy your drink. The baristas were quick to take our order & get our drink out very timely. The drinks themselves were very pretty, but we would only come back for the coffee & not the matcha! * Earl Grey Matcha - 7/10 (it tasted like earl grey milk. the earl grey flavor came through but you don't taste the matcha at all. if we closed our eyes we would've thought it was an earl grey latte) * Banana Cream Coffee - 8.7/10 (i like how their coffee is quite strong, mixed with the banana cream is so delicious. the cream is definitely on the sweeter side, so i would ask for the drink to be less sweet. the banana flavor really shines through & the toffee bits add an addicting crunch. there is more cream then i would prefer, but the coffee here is really yummy) read more
Walking in is a bit confusing at first since you see a barbershop on the right before noticing the coffee counter, but it's actually a pretty cool shared space once you realize it. I ordered the Salted Cream (straight) Vietnamese Coffee and the Ube Cream Matcha. They give you a pager upon ordering. The wait was longer than expected, more than 15 minutes for the 2 drinks. They were busy though, so that's a good sign. Both drinks were pretty good. The coffee was strong and flavorful, and the matcha had a bold matcha taste (which is rare these days). It gave me a good caffeine boost compared to other spots. It's not a bad place to lounge, especially if you're waiting on someone getting a haircut, but parking is limited since the lot is small. Service at pickup was a bit strange. When my pager went off, I went up to the counter but none of the 4 employees acknowledged me. I stood there for awhile with the pager still going off and eventually had to ask if I should just grab the drinks myself, which would've meant reaching behind the counter. That part felt awkward. Still, their drinks alone make it worth the visit. read more
4 months ago
The drinks were good! The ube and strawberry crème were smooth and flavorful. Definitely on the sweeter/dessert side. Their coffee base was decently strong (they have a vietnamese coffee option) as well as their matcha. It took about 10-15 minutes to ring up two drinks. I like how their matcha is hand whisked. They did forget the strawberry cream top to my strawberry matcha, but the baristas were nice and added it. The inside is lovely and a decently sized, but only a few tables are available (they have a comfy couch in the corner). For parking, the lot directly in front is small and is often full, so park nearby! read more
10 months ago
I got the banana matcha latte and it was solid with high quality matcha! My bf got the cookies and cream viet coffee and couldn't finish it because of how thick and sweet it was. They did have a latte version, so that would probably be less intense. The spot was still a work in progress as we did come around their grand opening time. There was still construction going on inside to expand the space, but once it's finished, it seems like a nice spot to work at. Staff was very friendly as well! read more
2 months ago
1 month ago
Bombbbb got the coconut water one and my friend got the other on the left I think like a strawberry? So good ! read more
Page 1 of 6
More info about ESSNTL Coffee
5971 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115
Rolando
Directions
Hours
Payment methods
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Ask the Community - ESSNTL Coffee
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
1 review that is not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
11 months ago
