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    Java Garden

    4.8 (115 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 2:00 pm

    Java Garden Photos

    Business Info

    JAVA GARDEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Java Garden

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    Reviews With Photos

    Egg & Cheese Croissant Panini
    Bruce L.

    Coffee: Honestly one of my favorite cafes in San Diego. Extremely unassuming, given its hole-in-the-wall location. David's Roasting is served here, and all their coffee is freshly brewed and delicious. Recommend the cafe au lait. Food: Egg & Cheese Croissant Panini was so good I actually went back the day after to get it again. Solid breakfast choice on the way to work. Service: Kari is the best! Goes out of her way to provide outstanding service. Also very friendly and gets to know regular customers by name (she remembered mine a week or so after only telling her once, despite the many regulars). Military discounts are honored. Parking: Small shared lot, but parking is always available. Vibe: Excellent place to chillax and/or study. Plant decor really lives us the garden part of the name, but very much a cozy cafe first. Outdoor patio is also available if you prefer.

    Menu (June 2025)
    Elisa L.

    What a cute cozy neighborhood cafe! I've passed by countless times but finally came to check it out. There are a few indoor tables and a cute outdoor patio with also a few tables. There was only one worker so we did a wait a bit to get our order taken but they were working so hard! I got an iced white chocolate mocha and my sister got an iced strawberry matcha. I enjoyed my white chocolate mocha as it was nicely sweet, strong and smooth. Prices were decent and service was nice and pretty quick. I would definitely come back!

    Iced white mocha ($6.20) and Strawberry matcha ($7.20)
    Allison L.

    A cute little neighborhood cafe! I got the seasonal strawberry matcha ($7.20 for 16oz) and I will say the matcha taste isn't too strong/the color isn't too green, it mostly tasted like strawberry. I would like to try their regular matcha latte or breakfast items next time! The one person working was diligent and friendly. A few tables to sit inside with an outdoor patio as well

    Cortado and Ciabatta Panini
    Jack M.

    I love this small business coffee shop. I recently returned and, for the first 6, their match latte. I usually have their terrific cortado. I had the match latte with and cranberry orange scone by "Live, Love, Laugh." The match latte was great. I had it hot with a warmed up scone. The matcha flavor was great. They use a quality, non sweetened ceremonial grade matcha. I had them add a touch of honey and make it with whole milk. The creaminess was just right, and the matcha was not bitter in any way. It's a well-balanced matcha latte. The scone was great, too. It offered that perfect density and flavor. It came with little bits of orange and dried cranberries, which were great. I can't wait to try the vanilla scone. You have to be impressed with a small family run business like this one. Everyone is always very friendly and very welcoming! They offer inside and outside seating, including a lovely patio.

    Latte
    siri g.

    Best latte in San Diego. Love this cute little cafe! Have been coming here since I found out about it.

    Chai tea latte
    monique a.

    Horrible customer service!! I went 10 minutes before closing to get a drink and a pastry. The Brista with "green hair" full filled my order and my drink was 1/3 full. I asked if she could fill a little more and she said "no, the drink is pre-measured". I didn't have time to argue with her, but I know she didn't want service me since she wanted to close. The latte was horrible, but the scone was good. Small coffee spot for the area and ambiance inside was overcrowded with "things".

    Honey cinnamon latte
    Curt T.

    Excellent honey cinnamon latte. Average price. Their regular coffees are a good value for sure. Their specialty drinks are more, but I'm totally good with that as long as it's good and this is good. Service was great. Greeted upon entering and very friendly. The ambience is nice. Couple tables inside and one outside. Plenty of parking. Quiet residential street. I'll make this a regular stop on my morning walks for coffee. They also have a loyalty program which is always nice. Just punch in your phone number.

    Baked Goods
    Courtney O.

    Java Garden is a neighborhood gem. Located just up the hill from the new Snapdragon Stadium in Serra Mesa, this cozy coffee shop offers great drinks and pastries too. I stopped by and got a delicious matcha latte. Their matcha powder is delicious and does not come pre filled with sugar but they do offer to add their homemade syrup to sweeten if you'd like. I really enjoyed a tasty scone to go with my baked goods. They had a bunch of yummy treats to choose from- all locally made. Highly recommend supporting Java Garden. Besides all that, parking is easy, staff is super friendly and you'll have a pleasant visit!

    Large iced matcha

    Best matcha I've ever had. I've been searching for good-tasting matcha in San Diego, and this is it. 10/10! The place is also so cute. Great service as well! The lady who helped my boyfriend was so sweet and recommended different flavor combinations of matcha, wish i got her name!

    Cortado

    Hands down the best coffee in the area. Miss Elena is so kind and her store is so beautiful. I love walking in and seeing the flowers on the wall and of course the best part THE COFFEE!! I'm addicted and can't stop showing up haha

    Cheese and bacon panini croissant with English breakfast tea
    Anya A.

    This is my second time at Java Garden. Today I tried cheese and bacon panini croissant with English breakfast tea. So good! Just a perfect combo - salty & sweet. Their coffee is great too, and you can add an egg to your breakfast sandwich if you prefer.

    Katherine T.

    Friendly service and cozy seating! I really liked their outdoor deck. The Irish cream was better than Dutch bros!

    Jenna V.

    I really enjoyed this spot. I got an order for to-go...iced dirty chai and the croissant/egg/havarti breakfast sandwich. It was great and didn't take too long for the barista to make. It's very cute inside and I would consider coming back to enjoy a drink inside or on their patio.

    Inside the business

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    5 years ago

    Great staff and very tasty treats and beverages. Beautiful ambiance inside and outside on the patio!

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    5 years ago

    What a wonderful find in Serra Mesa! Love the ambiance and the coffee is amazing!! Definitely making this my new coffee stop

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    i just bought a starwberry banana smoothie and havent put it down yet!!! delicious and fast! thank you for the screaming taste buds!

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    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Java Garden

    Can you make reservations for seating on the patio?

    It's a small coffee shop; so seating is first come, first serve. The owner doesn't normally reserve a whole area, to avoid alienating regular customers during busy cafe hours. However, the cafe space can be reserved after hours for a fee. You… Read more

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    Easy Does It

    Easy Does It

    4.4
    (311 reviews)
    2.7 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)
    4.0 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)
    2.6 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)
    6.2 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)
    5.9 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)
    3.9 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

    Java Garden - coffee - Updated July 2026

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