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    Higher Grounds

    4.5 (35 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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    HIGHER GROUNDS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Reviews With Photos - Higher Grounds

    Dary P.

    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.

    Vietnamese Coffee 2-9-24 for the Wifey
    Marcia R.

    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!

    Acai bowl
    Katrinna J.

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

    Pumpkin Chai Dirty
    Jose S.

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

    Christina L.

    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!

    Customized ice latte with sugar free vanilla, cinnamon and almond milk

    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!

    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!!

    Bacon breakfast sandwich + Vanilla Iced Latte

    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

    Outside view and a tropical smoothie with a cheese danish
    Kedra K.

    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!

    Mango pineapple

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    29 days ago

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    28 days ago

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

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    4 years ago

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

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    6 years ago

    great burger best in town on a pretzel bun sooo good

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    Ask the Community - Higher Grounds

    Review Highlights - Higher Grounds

    Norma and Daniel make the most amazing coffee and food everything is always fresh and delicious.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

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    Easy Does It

    Easy Does It

    4.4
    (311 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    I don't usually get matcha but I was super curious to try this place and it was so good!!!…read more Matcha is creamy, nutty, and slightly sweet and the cold foam made it taste like a little dessert! Truly the perfect matcha for me. The inside is also huge and they also have a giant back room with more seating. It's a great place to study, get work done, or go with a group.

    Did some co-working with a colleague, and she recommended this spot. Safe to say, she didn't steer…read moreme wrong. Here's how it went. AMBIANCE Parking: Plaza parking. I didn't have any issues finding a spot, so parking should be fairly easy regardless of the day. Seating: One of the biggest surprises. There are essentially two areas--the front café, which feels more social, and the back area, which is quieter and better suited for studying or remote work. Room for maybe 50-60 people. Vibes: Located just outside the busier, flashier part of Convoy, this café offers a refreshing change of pace while still being surrounded by great restaurants. The space is bright, modern, and thoughtfully designed without feeling overdone. It strikes a nice balance between trendy aesthetics and genuine community. I especially appreciated the music selection--from Norah Jones to light alternative J-pop--which created a relaxed atmosphere without being distracting. This is the kind of place where people don't just grab a drink and leave--they stay. Students studying, remote workers typing away, friends catching up, and families gathering. Looking at their community events (like Matcha Mamas), it's clear they're intentionally creating a welcoming space for everyone. FOOD / DRINKS Mia Mor Matcha (Recommend) This immediately caught my eye from the signature menu. The ceremonial-grade matcha provided a smooth, earthy base while the honey softened the bitterness without making the drink overly sweet. The Earl Grey added delicate floral and citrus notes that elevated the matcha rather than overpowering it. Creative, balanced, and something worth ordering again. CUSTOMER SERVICE AJ was awesome. Friendly, welcoming, and patient--even during the rush. The entire staff carried the same relaxed energy that makes the café so enjoyable. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Great drinks, plenty of seating, and an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and stay awhile. Easy Does It isn't just another coffee shop--it's an intentionally designed community space where good drinks become the backdrop for conversations, studying, and connection. Best wishes to Nancy Chi, Grace Chi, Eugenia Bahng, and the entire Easy Does It team. Looking forward to coming back! #RepresentAZN TIPS * Check out their seasonal menu and community events.

    Photos
    Matcha Cloud
    Matcha Cloud
    Matcha Cloud & Hojicha Cloud
    Matcha Cloud & Hojicha Cloud
    Matcha latte

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    Matcha latte
    Forum Coffee

    Forum Coffee

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    First time here and I wanna go back! Their coffee menu has some unique drinks that I haven't tried…read morebefore. This time I tried the BB Code which is a Cold Brew with Banana Milk + Brown Sugar. It's $6.75. This was quite tasty and like nothing I tried before. It was quite busy, that just means how popular they are. The cashier and the staff were nice. This coffee shop has indoor and outdoor seating. It's a cute coffee that I regret not taking pics of the shop itself. A good reason to go back to try another tasty drink and snap some photos!

    The name of Forum Coffee is rather apt as many local college students meet here for study and…read morediscussion. Many of the drinks are themed around computer programming with names like "C++" and "Debugger". The whimsical nature of the naming is rather appealing and cute. The atmosphere here is casual and relaxed which is perfect for those needing a chill place to study or kick back. Service was quick and efficient. The staff members also were friendly and positive in mood. I ordered their batch brew coffee which was illustrated as using Guatemala beans that provided "chocolate, nutty, caramel, and citrusy" notes. I didn't quite taste the first three aforementioned notes, but the citrusy, sour note was there along with bitter notes. I've been here before and I much prefer their lattes such as the Troubleshooter and Debugger. Those are exceptionally enjoyable drinks to me. I would rate the batch brew a 3/5 but I'd rate the two aforementioned lattes around a 4.5/5. Overall, it's best to enjoy the specialty drinks here and inundate yourself with sweet caffeine to focus on studying for your upcoming test or completing your project that's about to be due.

    Photos
    Digital Detox
    Digital Detox
    The Double Post
    The Double Post
    Iced double post

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    Iced double post
    Finjan Coffee

    Finjan Coffee

    4.7
    (501 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $

    Finjan is such a beautiful Turkish coffee spot and easily one of my favorites…read more I love their drinks, they are incredibly flavorful, high quality, and always presented so beautifully. I'm honestly obsessed with their ceramic plates and cups, they add so much to the whole experience. They serve great coffee, and you can also try traditionally made Turkish coffee here, which makes it feel even more special and authentic. Their baklava is top notch, and the food is just as good. My favorite is the fava bean toast.. so delicious and unique. Overall, such a lovely spot with amazing drinks, great food, and a really thoughtful presentation.

    Finjan Coffee Shop is an absolute treat. Arab cuisine and café culture are incredibly rich, warm,…read moreand full of character -- and Finjan does a beautiful job bringing that experience to life. You can immediately tell this is a place built by people who genuinely love what they do. Wonderful staff, incredible hospitality, and a proud culture that deserves to be shared with the world. I absolutely love the fava bean open sandwich. I almost always go for the Arab cold brew, and their Karak is fantastic as well. The Turkish coffee is completely on point. I'm a huge fan. Places like this make many of us proud of our backgrounds, and I truly hope Finjan continues to grow into every corner of San Diego -- and eventually across the country.

    Photos
    The restroom is a vibe. Very aesthetically pleasing
    The restroom is a vibe. Very aesthetically pleasing
    Monkey Toast
    Monkey Toast
    Espresso, tonic lemonade

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    Espresso, tonic lemonade
    LONGPLAY HiFi

    LONGPLAY HiFi

    4.7
    (93 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    The best coffee in california! Hidden cafe but amazing!!!…read moreMust try it. All drinks are all good Service is good Vibes are good Everything is good

    Street parking only, very scarce. No obvious signage, look for writing in the window. They have a…read morering type camera door system. Wait outside on the sidewalk (no exterior seating) and someone will come to take you inside. Do not ring the door bell. The theme is to take it slow. Each customer typically waits 20-30 minutes to enter as part of how they do things, even if there is open seating inside. Not sure if they use a timer to space entries but it seems consistent. They take one group in at a time. Interior: A few tables around the wall and then bar seating. Would not recommend for parties greater than 2, there just isn't the space. They welcome service animals, babies/children and strollers from what I observed. The music was very, very loud. It was difficult to hold a conversation. I did not see a bathroom. Ordering process: After seating you wait for a little bit for them to bring small water cups and a QR menu with a table number and a set of rules. They do not have a physical menu, you must use your phone to order. Cell phone reception was dicey and took a long time to load. They have an interesting concept where you have a digital 'tab' open on their toast website. Unfortunately you must provide your full name, email and phone number. They have pour over drinks (note these can take 15-20 minutes), matcha, Hojicha and others. You may only order one drink per person at a time. They have a small snack menu with rotating foods. They use oat milk only. No substitutions allowed. After mobile ordering, drinks take 20-30 minutes as part of their take it slow vibe. Matcha $8 is from Paru tea and was very good. Hojicha $8 was too milky and didn't have a strong enough flavor. When you are done you walk to the register by the door and wait to be checked out. If they are making a drink you wait until they are finished. I wasn't really a fan. Staff were brusque. Music was too loud to converse.

    Photos
    Flowers on the table
    Flowers on the table
    Matcha and Hokkaido
    Matcha and Hokkaido
    Counter

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    Counter
    Asa Bakery & Cafe

    Asa Bakery & Cafe

    4.1
    (988 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Arrived here, a short walk from the Pendry Hotel where we're staying. Right on the corner with nice…read moreclean open space interior, AC & fans. They have baked goods as well as sandwiches u can order. Someone will ask u if u want baked goods first then u go down the counter to order drinks and sandos. Got the everything mochi bagel with cream cheese and the egg & chicken katsu sando. Everything mochi bagel 5/5: so fluffy and light yet still tastes like a bagel. Can be a lil salty on the top where the salt is but contrast with parts that dont have it. Egg sando 5/5: yummy and filling, has cucumber and the milk bread is thick and so fluffy! Chicken katsu sando 5/5: my favorite. I love the spicy mustardy sauce not sure if it's in the actual brown katsu sauce or separate mustard. My bf didnt like it but i loved it! Chicken also juicy and soft. The milk bread is so fluffy and lil sweet and perfect pairing. Interior has lots of tables and seating and they they also have an outdoor patio and they clean the tables frequently which is nice. Recommend!

    This place is really cool as it's both a cafe and has a speakeasy too at night!! We went for just…read morethe cafe part. Since we had done a cafe hopping day, we were not as hungry so we just got one item: Everything mochi bagel with cream cheese- 3.5/5 Really good warmed up which they offered to do but goes back to cold fast Great texture that was crispy with a bit of chew to it too. Great flavor!

    Photos
    Asa Bakery & Cafe
    Asa Bakery & Cafe
    Asa Bakery & Cafe

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    Na Tart

    Na Tart

    4.7
    (526 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Omg yaya a dessert place in San Diego specializing in egg tarts! I grew up eating egg tarts, so…read moreit's one of my comfort desserts. We tried 4 different flavors of their sunflower egg tarts, and all were solid. The crusts were sooo crispy and flakey and buttery. The corn cheese sunflower tart was probably my favorite flavor we tried. I'm a sucker for savory things and I think the salty flavors really worked with this tart. The original sunflower tart was my second favorite. It was classic, yummy, not too sweet. The matcha creme brulee one had a strong pleasant matcha flavor. It was a little bit too sweet for me though, definitely good for sharing. The tiramisu one was my least favorite because of how sweet it was. It was still decent tho! The slight bitterness of the cocoa powder did help balance out some of the sweetness tho. If you have a super big sweet tooth, I'd recommend this one! No seating inside unfortunately. Service was quick, they aren't very busy.

    I've always come to this spot whenever I'm craving egg tarts. Hands down, they have some of the…read morebest egg tarts in San Diego. Kristen the employee who always greeted and helped me out recommended a bunch of options and my absolute favorite is the Crème Brulee Egg Tart. Every time I visit, I make sure to get one fresh out of the oven. It's incredibly creamy, melts in your mouth, and has the perfect level of sweetness without being overly sweet. My second favorite is the Chocolate Boba Egg Tart. The chocolate and boba complement the egg tart really well. The crunchy little boba balls aren't too sticky, and the sweetness is nicely balanced. The Espresso Egg Tart comes in third. It has a smooth, mellow coffee flavor that's not overpowering and pairs well with the creamy custard. As for the Dubai Chocolate Egg Tart, it's very crunchy and not overly sweet. However, the chocolate layers were so chunky that I couldn't really taste much of the egg tart itself. The Ube Cheese Egg Tart was creamy, soft, and gooey with a strong ube (sweet potato-like) flavor. While it was enjoyable, I couldn't really taste much of the cheese. Overall, this is my go-to place for egg tarts, especially when they're fresh from the oven. It's mostly a pick-up and go location but the service is fast. It's spacious inside and has an area to take photos. If you're visiting, I highly recommend trying the Crème Brulee Egg Tart!

    Photos
    Chocolate Bobo Tart
    Chocolate Bobo Tart
    Chocolate Bobo Tart
    Chocolate Bobo Tart
    Na tart line

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    Na tart line

    Higher Grounds - coffee - Updated July 2026

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