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Came on a Sunday when parking is free as they opened. There was lots of street parking and a short line had already formed. I ordered a roasted black sesame latte. It only comes in one size. Many people ask. It's a 2 man process to make, one person makes the ice, sesame, and cream while the other makes the espresso shot. They took my name and called it out after it was made. It only took a few minutes. The cream is quite thick and sweetened, I didn't need any added sugar. At first I didn't taste any sesame flavor but then realized that it was all on the bottom so it needed to be mixed. So I suggest either a straw to mix it or a cover to shake it up. After mixing it up there was a nicely roasted sesame flavor. After drinking that I went back to order an orange latte. It comes with orange compote and chocolate ganache. It's a nice mixture of chocolate and orange and is topped with a dehydrated orange slice. It was very creamy and had a nice chocolate orange flavor. The place is small and located on Ketner blvd. across F45 and Bobboi Natural Gelato. Parking is all on the street but there is a parking lot in the building that is $2.50 every 20 minutes. The entrance is on Ivy street. I'd hope if you exit before 20 minutes it would be free. Be aware it's a flat $20 after 5 on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday (No 20minute grace period). So best to find street parking on the weekends. Service was very friendly, the place is small so only to go orders. I suggest going on Sunday morning when street parking is free and plentiful. Prices are a bit high for its size, but the cream is thick and lucious and which ever flavor you choose stands out. Pro tip: mix the lattes, all the flavor is on the bottom.
A cute little place with seating next door on the first floor of an office building. Fairly empty on a Thursday morning. I got the orange latte which was recommended but personally thought it was alright. The other drinks looked good though! I would come back to try their matcha or if I wanted to catch a vibe
My daughter was home this past weekend, and since we love trying new coffee spots, she found Immersion and we decided to check it out! It's a cozy, tiny spot with a small bar and a couple of stools by the window. Luckily, we scored those seats right after ordering! What we tried: Orange Latte (Iced): We were super curious about this one since it was featured in The New York Times. We were hesitant about pairing citrus with coffee, but it was delicious--it tasted just like those holiday chocolate orange balls! Matcha Black Sesame: Loved this! The black sesame flavor really shined through--nutty, rich, and creamy. Strawberry Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie: Served warm and soft. While I usually prefer a crispier texture, it was still enjoyable. The white chocolate was the dominant flavor here; the strawberry and matcha were a bit too subtle for us. Overall, the drinks were the absolute stars of the show. So glad we got to stop by!
I love this coffee shop. In the heart of Little Italy. I was invited to their Yelp Event a few months ago and loved it so much I had to come back. Their coffee is so good - my favorite Iced Black Sesame Latte that is so delicious. I love the location in Little Italy. Seems to be more parking but that could attribute to them only being open during the day. That's the drawback is that they don't open till 9:00am so when you get there, expect a line. They take their time to prepare your drink so it's delicious every time. I highly recommend. The friends I took there were also very impressed and loved their drinks. Also the baristas are super nice. This is on my rotation list.
I was not able to go in due to not finding parking but my wife ran in and the strawberry matcha was amazing. from what my wife told me the place is very small but we weren't there to stick around. Great for a grab and go drink!
Parking is limited on the street. Luckily my ride was able to idle somewhere while I picked up the Strawberry Matcha. The Strawberry Matcha ($7.50) was perfect. Satisfied my matcha need. The strawberry tasted fresh and was gelee'd well. Limited seating inside. There are 4 seats and two are seated together.
Gorgeous drinks, yes. Memorable flavors, not quite. If you're in a hurry, I would not recommend stopping here. There were only a few drinks ahead of ours, yet it still took roughly 20 minutes for our two drink order to be completed. The workflow behind the counter felt inefficient and poorly suited for handling multiple orders. While the drinks were undeniably beautiful, much of the preparation seemed focused on presentation rather than efficiency. Each employee appeared responsible for a single step, often leaving others standing by and watching. Ironically, despite all the care put into the visual layering, the flavors themselves felt surprisingly muted. *Matcha Cream On Top: not overly sweet, but the vanilla bean syrup barely made an impression. The cream topping was thick, rich, and luxurious, yet the drink lacked the earthy depth that makes matcha enjoyable. The vanilla was too subtle to stand up to the heavy milk base, and the matcha flavor itself was equally faint. *Strawberry Matcha: suffered from many of the same issues. The matcha was subdued and failed to provide much character. The strawberry purée, however, was fragrant, sweet, and pleasantly tart. It blended nicely with the milk and provided most of the drink's flavor. Even so, it was difficult to distinguish this from similar offerings at competing cafés. The employees were friendly and upbeat, though the pace of service left much to be desired. Ultimately, this felt like a café built around aesthetics first and beverages second. The drinks certainly looked impressive, but as a destination for matcha, there are stronger options elsewhere. Perhaps their coffee menu fares better than their tea offerings.
The line was kind of crazy. Came on a Sunday morning. The orange latte was super interesting. Not super impressed by the matcha. It's a cute vibe but so busy that we had to take it to go.
Okay, to start, the customer service here is not very personable at all. The guy at the counter took my order, told me to tap or insert, and walked away. When my latte came, the girl sat it on the counter, I said thank you and she didn't even acknowledge me. I got the Roasted Sesame latte which was okay, I didn't realize it was iced. I wanted a hot one, but he didn't ask me so maybe it's only iced. I also got the chocolate noir cookie. Flavor wise it was great, but it was super dry. I shared it with my friend and she agreed. The flavor was good, but it was incredibly dry. She got the vanilla bean flat white which was actually really good. The only thing I'd probably come back here for if I came back. I would not go out of my way to come back that is for sure. Poor customer service and an incredibly dry cookie aren't worth the trip.
The drinks here were incredibly mid, not worth the long wait or the price. I tried the cream on top coffee which was watery and bitter, and the strawberry matcha which was ok but they reallyyyy skimp on the cream top, it's more like a cream drop. Not to mention they gave away a free matcha to the people in front of me who didn't even drink it and were obnoxious, while I had to pay for the same exact drink....
Tony store front with only one worker when we went..poor girl had to take orders and make all the drinks herself! Coffee was alright. We got the black sesame latte and the orange latte- personally preferred the orange latte more as it was somewhat refreshing. Might be a bit too sweet for some folks though. The black sesame latte was meh, wouldn't come back just for that. Black sesame snickerdoodle was a decent size, moist, and had a good chew. Not too sweet! But probably won't be craving it any time soon.
Last time I was here I tried their vanilla latte as they told me they make all their syrups inhouse. This time around I saw the seasonal items and ordered a black sesame latte. Tell me why I barely found out that they also make their own oat and almond milk(s)?! Love that they do this! Loved these black sesame (syrup? Paste?). A little too sweet for me, but still tasted delicious. Anyone doubting if this place is worth the parking hassle I highly recommend it and yes it worth the parking hassle in Little Italy.
This place ticks a lot of boxes! Prime location. Beautiful and delicious seasonal and classic drinks. Little bites to complement your drink. Great interior vibe/design. Good friendly service (when I went to visit). Only drawback here is the size of the establishment and the chance you may not get parking near by. But if you do decide to come grab a drink you won't be disappointed! I got the seasonal roasted black sesame seed latte with oat milk. It's was beautiful and tasty! Not overwhelming in the flavor but the right balance of sweet and nutty sesame. I'm pleased and plan to come back for their strawberry matcha, as it seems to be a fan favorite. It may be small but there is an indoor area right next to it that you can go sit at and enjoy your goodies. I think they're doing the best with the space they're given. Will come back when I'm in the area for sure!
I enjoyed a nice iced matcha latte from this coffee shop in Little Italy. The matcha's flavor was very good, was not bitter, nor overly sweet. You have to stir your own matcha beverage. The young ladies working the place the day I visited were very upbeat and friendly. They offer only a few tables inside but there's a lot more available nearby outside on the patio. There's only street parking available at this location. Nice coffee shop. read more
1 year ago
I've been wanting to come to Immersion for a while and I hadn't had luck with the La Jolla location. Luckily, I had the chance to go today (Sunday) and give them a try. I went around 10:25am. It is a small space, with little amount of seating inside. There's plenty of outdoor seating and you could even just walk down to the waterfront park and enjoy your drink there. The menu is minimal, coffee, tea, matcha, and pastries. They really show precision in the craft of making drinks. Slow and calculated moves and pours. The price is a little more expensive than what I'm used to especially for a 12 oz specialty latte, but they are using quality ingredients and house made 'syrups'! I got a $7.50, 12 oz, Iced Orange Latte, with Whole Milk. It contains an orange compote base-- I say this because it's not thin like a syrup so you really got to give your drink a mix before tasting it. A squirt of a decadent dark chocolate, although not too much where it overwhelms & tastes like a mocha. I like this quantity choice! Ice, milk, espresso, and a lovely foam. I like that their foam is well blended and not overly sweetened like other places. I really love that they chose a 12 oz latte, I always think the balance of milk and espresso is perfect! In addition, they top the drink with a dehydrated orange slice. To persuade you to order this: The drink tastes like the Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Orange Sticks. It's SO good. My friends that got the Strawberry Matcha latte were raving about it and even wanted to come back to order it again the same day! The strawberry wasn't overly sweet and the matcha wasn't overpowered by milk. They really know how to make good drinks! 4-5 stars. I would recommend Immersion! The workers are so kind and you can tell they care about making the drink perfect for you. It was crazy busy and you'd think that the wait would be long-- but if I'm honest it wasn't that bad. The drinks came out in a timely manner from when you order it. read more
Stumbled upon this cafe in little Italy, the shop itself is very very small but cute and clean, also the staff were nice. My friend had ordered their sesame latte which she absolutely loved while I ordered the strawberry matcha. I would definitely say the flavor on the strawberry matcha could be a bit stronger as it did taste more of the strawberry puree and less of the matcha, but still good for maybe an individual who is new to trying matcha and wants to start off slowly! I probably wouldn't come back for the matcha since it's a bit too mellow for me, but the coffee sounded great from my friend's opinion. read more
3 months ago
Yelp is so silly. They delete my 5 star review because they assumed it was from a Yelp exclusive experience. No no no, I came here a week prior and paid and had a wonderful experience on my on time and money. Also including my picture with time stamp before said Yelp event. So just putting my rating here again because it was deleted. SMH. read more
8 months ago
Coffee was great but the seating was not ideal. They do not have free WiFi and limited seating. Would recommend grabbing a coffee and walking around little Italy rather than sitting as a place to work/study read more
8 months ago
I've stopped by a few times to get their strawberry matcha. The place is a bit small but the service is very quick. The matcha there is a perfect amount of sweet for me. I have had a chance to try their coffee yet but plan on doing that next. read more
Clean and cute little coffee shop with a welcoming vibe. Service was friendly and quick, which made the experience even better. I tried the strawberry matcha and absolutely loved it. The strawberry paired perfectly with the matcha, adding just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the flavor. I would definitely come back to order it again. read more
I give Immersion 2 stars and here's why they got the 2nd star ... service is great and so is the vibe. Both employees were pleasant to the point I regretted knowing I'd have to give a negative review. Here's the deal ... I'm a matcha connoisseur. I literally drink it daily, even starting off my day making it myself in a traditionally ceremonial way (hand whisking, proper water temp, golden ratio measurements etc). That said, I truly think Immersion *tries* to make a proper matcha and I give them credit. I was looking forward to it being exceptional especially because it was walking distance from my hotel and would have started my days with it but after that first attempt where I threw it away halfway through I knew I'd have to continue my search throughout SD. That was ok as it was going to be my intent anyway, but I'd have visited them first thing if it had been on point. I got the strawberry w/ oat milk which as you'll see from the photo was very pretty. The problem was it was mostly milk. Even my dude, who doesn't drink matcha often, said it as they were making it. As I didn't need a tummy full of milk, I gave up halfway. Anyway, I think they should study the golden ratio and I'm sure they could improve. I certainly hope so, because they seem like good people and have an awfully cute and convenient spot there. read more
Immersion is an amazing coffee shop in the heart of Little Italy. Their homemade vanilla bean syrup is outrageously delicious - I highly recommend their vanilla lattes. Their baked goods are also great, especially their orange chocolate cookies. The staff is very friendly, and there are about 8 seats to enjoy your food and drinks. read more
This was a Yelp Elite experience and I had to try the Orange Latte with House made orange compote and chocolate ganache with signature cream - iced. It was meticulously crafted by friendly, welcoming staff. The shop is small, modern and clean. There are benches located outside the shop to sit and relax and watch the people of Little Italy pass by. This is an urban walking area, so it may be difficult to find parking, but it isn't far from the Little Italy trolley stop. I'm not a big matcha fan, but loved watching the barista make drinks for other customers. Nice treat! read more
This is a wonderful coffee shop in Little Italy. Friendly staff who were very friendly and helpful. I had the strawberry matcha which was beautifully presented and made with extra care. Freeze dried strawberries were a nice touch. It was delicious! Cookies were also very tasty. I had the black sesame. It's a tiny shop but had seating in intimate setting. I'll be going there again! read more
So I actually stopped by two days ago for the Yelp elite event. I previously had their strawberry Matcha. Well today I went in because I wanted to try their orange latte which did not disappoint. It is so delicious and tasted that strong bold orange flavor. I mean, I don't really know how to explain it, but I really like it. And yes, I got myself a chocolate chip walnut cookie because why not. However, I don't think I can do this daily because that's basically $11.40 for both items. I guess I can just not go to work to avoid this place lmao. But yes, come check this place out. The staff was pretty nice. You basically just walk in and order it and they are super quick. read more
This is a cute little coffee shop in little Italy! I liked the big speakers as decore. The baristas were energetic and friendly. What I found unique was they made the drinks on a scale. They said it's because they measured everything out to the recipe. It's great to know your drink is going to come out consistent and delicious every time you go! read more
5 months ago
Tried Immersion recently and overall thought it was just okay. I ordered the Orange Latte and a cream top drink. The Orange Latte was actually pretty memorable. The citrus and coffee flavors were well balanced and layered nicely, which I liked. Definitely the highlight of the visit. The cream top drink, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing. The cream felt too watery and didn't have the richness I was expecting. The coffee itself was decent, but overall it didn't really stand out. If you've had a lot of specialty coffee this spot probably won't feel particularly unique. read more
8 months ago
Dropped in at this cute coffee stall on a Saturday morning for a latte on my walk. The space is quite small but there are a few seats if you'd like to sit and wait or sip on your beverage. I was in between the matcha and orange latte, but went with their popular beverage and was so glad I did. The orange syrup is SO fresh and not overly sweet, which is perfect for me as I usually prefer little to no sweetness. I tried the iced latte with almond milk and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was made very quickly which was impressive for a latte. Definitely recommend dropping by for a beverage or one of their unique cookies the next time you're in little Italy. read more
This small but mighty espresso bar serves an excellent drink! Best macchiato in Little Italy and a fine cortado as well. Service is very friendly and cordial. It's a chic modern space and I like to sit and enjoy my cup.. Definitely worth the drive and bonus; free street parking! read more
8 months ago
Decent iced vanilla latte, but way too small of a cup to be $7. Also very limited seating with no wifi, so not a great study/work cafe, but nice scenery nearby for a Little Italy/Waterfront walk. read more
Good quality ceremonial grade matcha (pretty low amount of strawberry compared to other places I've had matcha at) and the strawberry chunks were really good. The cortado was also high quality. Friendly staff, but very limited seating (only two small tables inside) but overall good experience. read more
6 months ago
Fantastic coffee in this small shop on Kettner. This is my cycling groups half way stop and it never disappoints. Delicious espresso perfectly extracted every time! I've had their lattes as well as matchas and both excel. Just wish their pastry selection was a bit larger. Currently they offer four different types of cookies, all of which are fantastic, unique flavors, soft and crumbly though on the sweeter side. Wish they had croissants, scones etc. read more
4 months ago
Lots of inspirational seating throughout the courtyard outside of immersion. Street parking available but didn't see a bathroom. Love the creativity for coffee flavors and concepts. Have gone twice and both times purchased two drinks and they don't have drink carriers. What if you were buying drinks for your team like more than two. The flavor options are creative and tasty. Love the foam made of heavy cream and blended black sesame which has a nutty flavor... I could eat it my itself. They layer their coffee with the in house syrups, puree and flavoring. So picture worthy for online platforms and social media sharing. read more
2 months ago
Great service and the coffee was delicious! My fiance ordered the triple C half sweetened, and I ordered a cold brew with their homemade vanilla syrup and a cream/foam. The woman at the register and the barista were very kind as well. I will be going back read more
11 months ago
Super tiny coffee shop tucked away in Little Italy! The staff was really kind and helped me pick a drink too. I got the black sesame latte from their seasonal options and my friend got the orange latte. Both were super good! My only wish is that they had bigger size options. Parking in this neighborhood is always hard to find so be prepared to walk a few blocks. I recommend stopping by if you're looking for a really good coffee while exploring the area! read more
9 months ago
Employees are so so so sweet here. Gave great recommendations, specifically the espresso tonic and the amazing cookies. Vibes inside are chic yet cozy. Only downside is the Matcha latte had too much milk. Definitely coming back for their coffee and cookies read more
Immersion Coffee has elevated the San Diego coffee scene, and as a long time fan of the Manivela Coffee Truck, I'm super happy with the new store and the rebrand. The expanded menu is a revelation and I have a new go to drink- the vanilla bean flat white with oat milk. What truly sets this coffee shop apart is the dedication to quality evident in their new pourover menu, which proudly features competition-level specialty coffee for both pourover and espresso. They make pourover with the Kalita Wave and their espresso machine is the La Marzocco Strada (new machine and they have the only one in San Diego). The menu right now features famous coffee producers such as Nestor Lasso and Diego Bermudez, who are top of the game right now for high-intervention specialty coffee. It is rare that you find this selection anywhere in the country, and for sure the coffee you get here cannot be found anywhere else in all of San Diego. Regarding the seating here-there are lots of seats to be found around the shop but be weary that it gets very busy sometimes and can be difficult to find a place to sit. read more
Heard a few things about Immersion and was curious about their space. They occupy a small area in the lobby of the building looks a bit hidden, you would almost miss it if it was painted a different color. I was feeling a matcha that day, so out of their two options, I opted for the Cream Matcha Latte. It was a bitter but a nice blend of both matcha and milk. Nothing in particular left me immersed into the drink. This is a grab and go cafe considering the limited mount of space. It is great if you're en route to your destination by walking and parking could be hit or miss as it's on the quieter side of DT near Kettner. I would like to see some more specials or even try a coffee as I heard better things! read more
2 months ago
The best!! workers are very nice and gave me a free latte! this is my favorite latte from here i will definitely be back read more
9 months ago
7 months ago
love immersion! the black sesame and orange lattes are both so good. the service is also so kind. these are definitely quality lattes. worth the line- the wait is quick also read more
6 months ago
The freshly made chocolate chip cookie is hands down perfect, so soft and delicious! Also the Orange latte was a recommended one so I tried it and it was very good as well! Staff is very friendly service here! Also loved how aesthetic the ambiance was! Such a cute little coffee shop find! read more
7 months ago
so yummy! they let me do a black sesame matcha instead and it was super nutty. the place is a bit small but cute! read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
New kids on the block and I am loving it. The coffee shop is very small, which is totally not an issue because it's so beautiful and so aesthetically pleasing. It's really good for the eye they share the lobby which is perfect for sitting and sipping your Matcha, or your latte quickly You don't need a lot of space for that. The Matcha was really amazing. I had the strawberry I highly recommend ! staff was friendly and they even gave me water for my dog . I'll be back soon to try some espresso drinks. read more
I like their orange lattes, but that's the only drink I like from there. Both their strawberry matcha and regular matcha drinks taste watered downed to me. Other than that, I like the aesthetics of their shops. Service is okay. I've come across polite baristas and unpleasant baristas at both locations. read more
3 months ago
8 months ago
Went to this place for an afternoon coffee with my girls! This is cute lil cafe that serves pourovers, special coffees and matcha/tea as well as lil baked goods! I was mulling over the menu as the selection was more than I was expecting from such a small space! Both of our orders came out pretty fast despite there being a small line and 2 baristas. I decided on the orange latte mostly because I've never had one before and also I enjoy espresso-based drinks. My friend ordered the strawberry matcha that looked quite yummy! The drinks do need to be stirred for proper enjoyment, just so you know. Unless you enjoy the taste of separate elements bit by bit lol. If you find yourself in Little Italy, I would recommend coming here for a caffeine pick-me-up! read more
