Kaffa is a small cafe tucked away off El Cajon, and has a less fancy vibe than some of the other places close to it. Kaffa has a more relaxed and less pretentious feel, which I appreciated. There were a lot of customers coming in and out, it's easy to see why it's a popular local spot. The barista was very sweet and she made some recommendations for me. I ordered the Ethiopiano and the Kaffa toast. My husband ordered a cappuccino and an açaí bowl. I like how they serve you in ceramic cups and plates when you are dining in. It feels much more homey and relaxed, not to mention reducing our plastic assumption. The Ethiopiano was their signature coffee, and the staff warned me that it could be quite strong. When drinking it black, it tasted like a very sharp dark chocolate, but when I added cream, the sharpness reduced and some sourness surfaced. The Kaffa toast was delicious. Everything was prepared to perfection and I surprisingly enjoyed the combo of the balsamic glaze, sriracha and chili flakes. I might just have to copy it when I get home. My husband enjoyed his cappuccino and açaí bowl as well. He liked the cocoa powder on the cappuccino as it added a bit of richness. Overall, it's my favorite coffee shop in this neighborhood yet and I'd recommend it. read more

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What a wonderful surprise this place was. It has a cozy, family-style feel that makes the atmosphere warm and relaxing, almost like being at home. I asked for an extra-hot latte, and they not only made it exactly how I wanted but also checked in later to make sure the temperature was just right. I can't wait to come back again. read more

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My new favorite coffee spot! They have amazing espresso, avocado toast, smoothies and vibes! Service was so warm and welcoming. Was visiting from out of town and had to go in twice before I left. read more

Kaffa Coffee - Kaffa Toast with Rosemary Olive Oil Toast and Dirty Chai Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This another great community family owned coffee shop. I tried their avocado toast and cortado during my visit. The toast came on a quality multigrain toast. I came with a good amount of freshly smashed avocado, salt & pepper, and chile flakes. It was simple yet delicious. I really liked the quality of the toast. The cortado was well made and properly served in a Gibraltar glass. The cortado was super smooth and very robust in coffee flavors. I would certainly order it again. The coffee shop offers plenty of inside and outside seating. They offer free Wi-Fi and is a great place for meetings and study groups. The owners are very polite and friendly. read more

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Lovely spot to sit outside or do some work at. Very kind service and delicious drinks. I had a latte and then a perfect matcha, unsweetened and so smooth. There were friends that came in while I was there that had brought a friend and were raving about all the drinks and then stepped outside and said 'they are so nice! They make my day' That's the vibe here- good caffeine fix and days made better read more

Kaffa Coffee - Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped by Kaffa after a recommendation from a friend! Went on a Saturday around noon, easy street parking right in front of the shop. A cozy shop and the staff were so friendly! I ordered the Blueberry Cobbler Latte (seasonal), iced with oat milk. Service was super fast, and the drink was not too sweet! Really great blueberry flavor without being overpowering, and they even included 3 blueberries in the drink itself! I read they specialize in Ethiopian drip coffee! Excited to come back and try more of their menu! read more

Kaffa Coffee - Blueberry Cobbler Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Good coffee but a bit more pricey than the other coffee shops in the area. But the quality is very good - just be prepared. It's understandable - rents are high in the area. Staff is extremely friendly and quick with the recommendations. This is the more traditional coffee shop where you grab your coffee and go. There is some inside and outside seating, but it's not hipster coffee shop where folks are posting all the time. read more

Was originally on my way to another coffee shop and saw this place (with a better street parking situation). Kaffa Coffee is located on a residential street next to the intersection of El Cajon Blvd. Service was fast and pricing seems around the same as other shops. The shop has some nice decor that takes advantage of the space. We requested half sweet. Blackberry Pie Latte and Pumpkin Pie Latte managed to give us a quick pick up. read more

Kaffa Coffee - Blackberry Pie Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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The Raspberry Pie latte was good. As well as the Chai latte. Both iced and with almond milk. The staff was friendly and wonderful. The parking outside the coffee shop was pentiful. Check this place out! read more

Kaffa Coffee - Raspberry Pie latte w/ oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped by after a run in the neighborhood. The cutest little cafe, great customer service, family owned because the baker is mother, and it seems like the barista was the father and daughter was taking orders. Very well organized, clean and super friendly environment. Initially i got late only, then looking at the delicious looking baked good( cakes- unique favors like pistachios cake, almond cake , apple cake etc. i only tried the pistachios cake, it is very delicious , can't believe vegan cake can be do soft, moist and delicious. Definitely recommend everyone to stop by, try the delicious baked goods and great coffee. The picture of the cakes doesn't do justice read more

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10000/5!!!! My favorite coffee shop EVER. Segi (I believe that's how you spell it) and her husband always make my day when I step into their shop. They are so friendly, personable and welcoming - making me feel like I am at my family's home enjoying a cup of coffee. The quality is consistent and they use the best beans, in my opinion. I do not buy coffee frequently but when I do I only go to Kaffa! PS - they adore animals and always give my pug a pup cup :) read more

Kaffa Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came in and was immediately greeted by happy friendly faces. The atmosphere was great. And the coffee was amazing. Everything was quick. I would recommend. read more

Kaffa from the place where coffee was born in Ethiopia! What a treat to experience their mocha hot this afternoon that has subtle flavor and not too sweet, which is what I prefer . The lady at the counter has been helpful to answer all of my questions and recommendations. Cannot wait to try the other items. They also have bites to offer and what a cool spot to relax and or meet with friends. read more

Kind people, great coffee! I needed a quick coffee and the taste exceeded my expectations and the staff was very considerate

Kaffa Coffee is a small, chill neighborhood coffee shop that serves up fantastic espresso made from high quality Ethiopian beans. We discovered this shop during our vacation, and we went back multiple times throughout our week in the area. The owners were super gracious and friendly at every visit, and there was never a long line or wait. Kaffa's espresso tastes great, with a robust flavor that stands up great in a latte or cappuccino. Most shops in the area seem to only serve 12 ounce drinks, so I definitely appreciated Kaffa's larger drink size options. For serious coffee in a no-frills, friendly neighborhood shop, Kaffa is a great alternative in the neighborhood. read more

Didn't see exactly what I wanted on the menu, asked for a custom drink and the young man obliged. The beautiful Ethiopian woman that took his place when he took his break was extremely kind and helpful. The whole space has a social and cultural ambiance / decor. I can see why they have a perfect 5 stars, they deserve it indefinitely. I live in the Bay Area and can't wait to return! read more

One of the best coffee spots I've ever been too. Ethiopian coffee which is strong and delicious without being bitter. The shop is run by a super nice husband and wife, definitely recommend stopping by for the late and baked goods read more

Wow! This place is amazing! Amazing coffee, great pastries, probably one of the best scones I've ever had in my life. The service is wonderful, and it's such a quiet, chill place. read more

I stumbled across Kaffa Coffee while in the area, which I'm glad I did. The owners were welcoming, friendly, and helpful. There is inside and outside seating. It's definitely a great place to study, work, or hangout. It's quiet and pleasant. I decided to try one of their more popular iced lattes, which was a 'Mocha' iced latte. I'm usually not a fan of Mocha because it can be overly sweet. But, their ratio was perfectly balanced. You could taste the hint of mocha while enjoying the coffee (espresso) taste. Next time I would like to try more of their simple drinks to appreciate their Ethiopian coffee beans. Please don't expect very sweet drinks at this location, but appreciate their quality beans and coffee. I also ordered the Pistachio cake and it was good. You get a hint of the pistachio while the bread was nice and moist. Many of their pastries were gone already, so they must be good! read more

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loved this place from the second i walked in! was greeted so warmly by the owners and even someone in line!! coffee tastes great, every sing food item i got was delicious!! i tried the kaffa toast, the ube cookie and the acai bowl and it was all 10/10 would definitely recommend!! great coffee shop! read more

Since I moved to Hillcrest a few years ago I like to walk around the neighborhood to find great quality coffee and good vibes. This place since day 1 never disappointed me. It was love at first sight. Their coffee beans are very high quality and they are extremely knowledgeable, you can tell by the simple color, smell and taste of the shots, perfection! They became my every saturday/sunday morning blast. Always vibing with excellent music and good vibes, the couple who runs the shop are always there and you can tell by watching how much they care and add all the love to everything they do, it's just amazing if you really are an appreciator of these details like I am. My son always get the usual - 24oz Iced Chai Latte - It's unbeatable! Simply the best I've tried! I always get a 16oz Iced Latte which comes triple, yes! They know better! Today I decided to go warm so I asked for some cardamom on top (By the way that was my very first question on my first visit, if they had cardamom. And she said "of course we do!" Isn't that the loveliest?) We also got some yummy avo toasts today and I couldn't be more pleased with their authentic rosemary sourdough bread topped with fresh avocado, tomatoes, balsamic and sriracha. As you can see, I love them. And I would recommend their business to every single person trying to do their best decision on trying their coffee and food. Their service and energy are the cherry on top! Much love read more

Kaffa Coffee - Kaffa avo toast, classic avo toast, Iced Chai and Latte with some Cardamom, simply the best! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The espresso is good. If I lived in the neighborhood, I could be a regular. But when I drive 6 miles on Saturday mornings just for their coffee, being overcharged is disappointing. I am all for supporting small businesses but I am also not a millionaire. I would like to pay prices that are posted. Please respect that as much as I respect your hard work read more

Very nice proprietors. Coffee was great, flavorful and not scorched like a lot of places have.

The sweetest little new shop to North Park. I believe the shop is new to the area within the last ~1-2 years and it is an absolute great addition to the neighborhood. This is hands down the best chai I've found in San Diego. I got an iced chai with hazelnut syrup and cinnamon on top. It was super rich and milky (vs watery which is what I keep finding). I cannot wait to go back and try a hot chai. My boyfriend got the raspberry jam latte which had fresh raspberry purée in it. It was light and refreshing and was the perfect sweetness. The owners are so sweet and clearly care about making their customers happy. Offering those sitting and sipping if they needed more water, or anything else. They took the time to talk us through some of the menu options and made suggestions based on what we were in the mood for. We will absolutely be back to try their many different drink options, and I have a feeling we will become regulars at Kaffa! read more

Freaking iced coffee with coffee ice cubes!! Super customer service- dog friendly- great coffee read more

Kaffa Coffee - Iced coffee with coffee ice cubes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

One of the best Chai Lattes I've had in San Diego. If I remember correctly, they make their own Chai themselves, which makes sense that it tasted truly like Chai. Instead of some sugary subsitute mix that a lot of other cafes use. This place is definitely a gem. read more

Coffee without pretense. Ethiopian coffee from a wonderful family originally from Ethiopia (the original home of Coffee) Home baked goods are also delicious. Go here. Good people doing good work. read more

Kaffa Coffee - a cup of coffee on a saucer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is great! Orange cake is light and tasty, but not too sweet. The Ethiopiano aka Americano is very flavorful. The service is impeccable and if you ask for a pup cup, they will hook it up with your coffee, for your little one! read more

This is an amazing coffee spot. The espresso is consistently creamy and full of flavor. The açaí bowl is really good, fruit is always fresh, and it's large enough that sometimes I don't finish it in one sitting. The shop is very clean and the owners have good music playing, but it's never too loud. Aside from the great coffee, I think one of the best things about this shop is the service. The owners are friendly, warm and attentive. They also live in the community and take pride in their small business. They're pet friendly/have outside seating. I've also never had trouble finding parking. Overall, Kaffa has earned my business and my recommendation! read more

Cold brew was goooooood. My wife and I stoped in after a morning workout and grabbed a açaí bowl. Delicious indeed. We love supporting new local small businesses. The owners are great people, extremely nice and hard working. The Coffe is good quality and hand made with care. read more

Kaffa Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

It would've been a mistake going to Starbucks because the coffee here is so tasty. It doesn't taste burnt or anything - just quality. I definitely recommend their coffee and cookies. I will most certainly make another trip here when I am in the area. *side note* Parking I would say could probably be a slight inconvenience but it by far does not take away from the business nonetheless. Service is great and the vibe is chill. WiFi is available and you'll find it written on the wall to the left when you come in. Outdoor seating is available as well as indoor. *my order* 12oz vanilla iced latte with oat milk. Perfectly sweetened - enough to taste the coffee. Chocolate chip cookie. read more

Man what a fantastic cup of coffee! Rich, smooth, deep. And actually tastes like coffee, not milk, or water, or sugar. I come here just about every week. read more

This place! The vibe is so calm and inviting. The married couple that own it have the most genuine hearts full of kindness. The coffee is excellent. Try the more traditional Ethiopian coffee offers. Let's support this homegrown business. You won't be disappointed. read more

Beautiful Cafe! Great Ambiance! Great relaxing outdoor seating since the cafe is about 50-70 feet away from the busy el cajon blvd. The owners are very friendly & make you feel very welcome. The Cafe is extremely clean! Their Cappuccino & Avocado toast is to die for! Yummy! Must try.. read more

Kaffa Coffee - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The sweetest couple owns this spot! They are so kind and welcoming, I got an açaí bowl and it was so delicious and fresh! My husband got a cold brew and it was just right! The ambiance just makes you feel good, great music, positive messages of hope and encouragement in the chalk board wall! Highly recommend supporting this small business! You can just feel their heart in it all! read more

What a lovely little coffee shop!! My friend and I stopped by on whim and tried the 12 oz iced dirty chai with regular milk and one espresso shot...and it was SO GOOD. This was a random chance, and I had no previous introduction to this shop or looked it up prior to visiting... which makes the review more powerful imo. It's a small quaint shop, with a few indoor and outdoor tables/seating. They have a really unique vibe to the shop that is great for conversation or working; two tables are pretty spacious with access to outlets and Wi-Fi. The bathroom was sparkly clean and seemed very new...Gotta appreciate a cafe who keeps the bathroom clean and stocked. Family owned and run, the barista who took my order (I assume was the daughter) was so sweet and seemed genuinely happy to help us. And the other barista, who I believe was Mom, came out to assist. They took care in making our drinks, wanted to be certain about the espresso numbers we wanted, and best of all... the coffee/dirty chai was very very tasty! Super creamy. And even better, I appreciate that my order had a modest price I felt was fair! This shop is ~7months old, and although newer to the area compared to others nearby... it's a shop that definitely is a solid competitor when it comes to price, taste of the coffee, ambiance... and best of all... the service. I want to go back and try an iced latte next, maybe break out some work to do using one of the outlet tables, and see what's good for food. There is an awesome small business running store next door we frequent, a dog park if you wanna give your pup a break from sitting by your side as you do your work at Kaffa, and a very snazzy vintage store where all proceeds go to helping animals. Parking wasn't so bad either, you can park on the street or more in the neighborhood and walk over. Now go, my friends! Go show Kaffa some love and order an iced dirty chai, won't you? read more

Great service, the menu is affordable and they have wifi which is great. Coffee is strong - thanks yall!

Amazing food! Kindest most lovely couple. Everything is fresh and amazing! Will be coming back, I plan to be a regular! read more

Kaffa Coffee - Ethiopian avocado toast! With cherry tomatoes, chili flakes, balsamic. And cortado coffee and he could not put it down! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The owners are very welcoming and really put effort in bringing you the best coffee you will find. Ethiopian beans are the best. I even took a bag to go read more

Their espresso and lattes are great. The flavor of the beans really shines through the milk and the lattes are not too sweet. I've had communal, dark horse, and love song lattes and kaffa's is my favorite. read more