So I had an okay experience. I came here for the coffee and I got a 12 oz vanilla latte and 12 oz cold brew. The cups were different and very ergonomic. As for the coffee, it was honestly alright. My drink had the right amount of sweetness and the vanilla wasn't overpowering. But overall it wasn't mind blowing, and rather average....my husband who got the cold brew only took 3 sips from his drink and said it was less than average for him. He didn't finish it. Customer service was eh. We got neutral/whatever kind of vibes and they were like "hey, what do you want?" "okay, here ya go, thanks bye" kinda thing. So, service was eh in that sense. And the coffee shop is kind of weird to navigate to. It's in a healthcare building but just situated outside the building. If you're coming from the garage, it's on the lobby floor. There isn't a directory to get to it either. Wish they put up signs or something. Traffic was bad getting out of there as well because there's 2 way traffic that won't stop. I probably most likely won't come here again unless I'm doing business in the area honestly. read more

Higher Grounds - vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great coffee, fantastic tuna melt, the Serrano Aioli hits! Bagels with schmear & mango smoothie rock! Fun stop in between dr appts!

Needed something quick and convenient during my doctor's office. Ordered a peanut butter toast with bananas and a green machine smoothie. Both were really good. read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Always a great little gem here At Higher Ground! We are enjoying our coffee and chai Their so friendly and working hard on lunches and treats and drinks here I supporting the smaller business here Enjoy, and supporting today! read more

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Açaí Bowl was too little and not worth $10.00 with little toppings. Wasn't even that good. read more

Higher Grounds - Acai bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

If you don't mind loud rock music being blasted at you from the speakers placed everywhere, inside and out - really, there's no escape from it - then you might enjoy this place. The coffee is fine and the food items offered will do for a break or light lunch. Lots of seating, with a large front patio and tables with umbrellas. read more

Delicious food ! I love the service here with Norma and Daniel. Ya gotta try their Turkey Avocado panini, a must. read more

Higher Grounds - Pumpkin Chai Dirty - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Coffee is mid, management sucks . They don't make their own house syrups everything is torin syrups for their drinks. Care more there food then caring about their coffee and food. The Matcha is mid as well. read more

I actually have to say that I think individuals are sleeping on this coffee spot! The food here is actually really good. The drinks are very good. I really like the Matcha here, it's all natural. Definitely a great little hidden gem. The few staff that work here are great! Alex is really nice. I feel like when I come here I'm going to get the best of what they have to offer. Prices are honestly very reasonable. I feel like I get my monies worth. It is small so not really any seating and the little bit that is there sometimes is taken but a good spot to just pick up a quick coffee or lunch especially if you work in the building or around the area. Even if you are not coming into the hospital because it is right by the entrance you could always park on the street you wouldn't have to come into the parking structure. Just park on the street and take the stairs right up to the front of the hospital where it's located. I promise you won't be disappointed! read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The food here was delicious, the salad , and croissants are amazing; their costumer service here was amazing, the person serving me named Norma, she was so sweet and her amazing attitude and presence made my day. read more

High Grounds Coffee is the best! Norma and Daniel make the most amazing coffee and food everything is always fresh and delicious. They work so fast and efficiently, even when it's busy, and always greet everyone with a smile. They even customize my own coffee to how I like it. You can tell they really care about what they do. Highly recommend stopping by! read more

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Norma and Daniel are Fantastic!!! Norma always remembers my name and my order before I come up to the cart. Always very friendly and greets me with a smile:):): Food I receive is fresh and prepared quickly even when there is a line. read more

I love this place, especially because of the staff. Norma is so welcoming and friendly, she always treats me nice and provides excellent service. The food is always appealing and delicious thanks to the cook Daniel. Thank you!! read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Norma is amazing! she always provides an excellent customer service. the drinks and the food are the best. thank you Norma and Daniel. :) read more

Have to stop by and check this spot out. Norma whips up the best Horchata latte. Make it dirty with an extra shot for an added boost to your morning. Daniel and team serve up some tasty specials as well. Highly recommend. Great service with a smile and super friendly! read more

By far my favorite cafe around the hospital area. They have daily specials posted. The best grilled chicken Cesar salad with homemade dressing. Fresh ingredients the people that work there are super nice great customer service. Able to order online and have ready for pick up. read more

Most food stands outside of medical buildings is usually quick and not the best. This place though is a GEM. Order the higher ground burger add bacon DELICIOUS Green machine smoothie Grilled cheese Tacos I mean just everything is delishhhhh read more

Had the turkey and avocado melt and it was delicious. This place never fails every time I have my quick lunch. Service is always great, just wish there was seating close by, but the food makes up for it! read more

I'd just left a doctor's appointment where I'd gotten some less-than-stellar news, and all I wanted was a Mexican Mocha (the perfect drink in which to drown one's sorrows!) So of course, I went straight out the door to the Higher Grounds coffee (& so much more!) cart. But when I got there, the barista told me they were closed! "Oh my god, PLEASE," I implored! She told me she'd already closed out her cash drawer and credit card machine, and had put almost all of her supplies away. I even agreed to pay cash, but then, feeling at first defeated but then selfish and entitled, I apologized. The next thing I knew, she was making my Mexican Mocha! I'm not sure, but I think I may have apologized profusely to her throughout the entire process. But enough about me. The Mocha - - nearly indescribable. Rich and luscious. The perfect blend of some of my favorite spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne, with, of course, chocolate, espresso (an extra shot, please), milk, and, surprise! - honey. True perfection in a paper cup. The headiness, the sweet, splendiferous sensation when that first warm, spicy sip glides down your throat! But truthfully, I must say that even had my Mexican Mocha turned out to be a hot mess, it'd been worth the price, at any cost, because of the warmth and humanity that barista showed when she took out her supplies again and made it for me. And THAT is the true meaning of Higher Ground(s)! read more

honey lavender latte tasted like diabetes. you can tell just by looking at the darkness of the drink. It was more watery than creamy- so the milk - syrup - espresso - ice ratio was off. I could barely taste the espresso bc it was so sugary. Bleehhh Why is it so hard to find coffee shops with house made syrups in San Diego? Everything here seems to be outsourced and so sugary. read more

I'm planning to go back to that spot, just for the Turkey Avocado and whever else I choose to eat. That food, in that little place, is absolutely off the chain. CYA SOON! read more

Been waiting to try this coffeeshop everytime i come to my drs appt, let me tell you it was WORTH THE WAIT! Had the most delicious non greasy bacon breakfast sandwich on a bagel and a vanilla iced latte, the flavors were out of this world do yourself a favor and skip starbies when you are near this coffee shop read more

Higher Grounds - Bacon breakfast sandwich + Vanilla Iced Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great shop outside of Sharp hospital with great customer service and yummy smoothies! I ordered the tropical smoothie and my friend ordered the mango turmeric smoothie and a cheese danish both were great sizes for great prices, $5.50. Customer service was superb great conversation and fresh ingredients I will definitely be back! read more

Higher Grounds - Outside view and a tropical smoothie with a cheese danish - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Quick service, lots of great food options like paninis and bowls, salads, burgers etc as well as coffee and other drinks. Friendly staff! 2 gentlemen working there so you didn't have to wait long for your drink/food although they had a small line when I was there. It's a coffee cart next to Sharp. read more

Higher Grounds - Mango pineapple - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This is the second day in a row that I'm having the pork pozole for lunch. So good and tasty! I'm usually a wimp with heat, but it has a tolerable level of spicyness and lots of flavor. read more

First time here and it was really good!! I got a breakfast bagel sandwich with bacon, eggs and cheese with no sauce. I ordered ahead and when I picked up my sandwich I noticed the sauce on the side, which I didn't mind cuz it was on the side, but damm next time I'll keep the sauce cuz the sauce was really good, it was green and kinda spicy. Delicious!! read more

Incredibly good lunch spot. The food here is fine dining quality but with lunch. Something you wouldn't expect at all from a small coffee like stand in front of a medical building. I'll be going out of my way to come here often and can't recommend this place enough. read more

So what should you expect from a little coffee shop by the hospital? Generally speaking you're options are limited whenever you're stuck waiting at a hospital for whatever reason, so they may get away with substandard products or simple items that just give you calories and or caffeine. But higher grounds is much more....it's high quality, it's fast, and it's better than most higher end delis you might find downtown. It's reasonably priced for what it is, the food is good even a bit artsy, the drink menu adds a bit of depth and complexity as it has additional simple ingredients that add health benefit like cinnamon, honey, and even turmeric or lavender. The only thing stopping me to give it five stars is the fact that much of the food is premade at another location, so special orders are a no go and substitutions and add on's are limited to non existent, there's no available water container, the stand is a bit of a cosmetic nightmare, and the lack of warmth from the lady I asked for suggestions who took my order, She was fine but a little brash... but really do go here!!! I would drive up to 5 minutes out my way to eat here, but not ten, lol Soo if you're close by it's a great treat and being that it's in front of a medical facility it's great for what it is!! Thank you higher grounds, thank you. My Real rating is 4.6 if I had some ability to add half a star, I would! read more

I love coming here on my breaks. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The food is fresh and delicious. Try the tuna melt. It's to die for!! read more

I work in the building next door, and the staff usually just gets coffee. Lately though, they've been raving about the salads, burgers and sandwiches. I was skeptical at first, because he is located in just a tiny Kiosk in front of Sharp hospital. Well, I am so impressed! I ordered a smoked ham & cheese panini and it came with a jalapeño creamy dip on the side. Simple sandwich but it was heavenly, because it was served hot. Bread was crispy and soft inside, not too cheesy and ham was delish. I even called him to tell him he made the best sandwiI can't wait to try the burger next. I hear it's awesome! Update: tried the burger and it was amazing. The Serrano aioli dip that came with it, needs its own 5 stars. I literally just wanted to drink it. It's the perfect blend of spices. Burger was hot, the pretzel bun was soft and toasted in a panini press. Yum! read more

The strawberry-banana smoothie was so good and they even added a touch of ginger (no one else does this) the tuna melt was delish with a portion of dipping sauce I wasn't familiar with (spicy but good) read more

You need to come to this place, it's in a business location near Kaiser on COPLEY DRIVE. Everything that we tasted so far the speciality coffee, smoothies, the food, and the special of the day (food) has been delicious and we have not been disappointed. Plus an excellent staff as well. My compliments to the chef... read more

Delicious!! Flavorful I will return, the staff was very helpful with picking the food.Breakfast Bagel Sandwich yummy

I work in the building and have been here many times. I have yet to be disappointed. The aioli sauce is sooo delicious. Plenty of options and freshly made. I recommend the tuna melt and the burger but really it is all delicious. read more

great burger best in town on a pretzel bun sooo good

I love this place! Delicious paninis, snacks, and coffee drinks. I've been here several times while waiting for family members during their medical appointments. I've had the ham and cheese panini, artichoke panini, Italian cream soda, as well as some assorted snacks and coffee drinks. All of it has been amazing. My husband loves their cheese burger on a pretzel bun. Delicious food and friendly service in a convenient location outside the hospital building. Don't settle for vending machine food. Highly recommend! read more