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    Kuma cafe

    4.6 (322 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Kuma cafe Photos

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    KUMA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Kuma cafe

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    Exterior
    Robert R.

    It was ok. Normally would give 3 stars but the white mocha i ordered was very tasty and well made. The pastry and acai bowl i ordered though were just ok. Not bad but just ok, and at the charged prices, i expected better. The location is convenient though. I probably would only come here for the coffee and look elsewhere for food options.

    Açaí bowl
    Michael C.

    Simple, well prepared food and great coffee! Friendly service and a great option for a quick morning bite if you are in a hotel nearby. They have a good amount of seating inside and outside.

    Absolutely delicious breakfast! 5 stars!!
    Colby D.

    I was recently fulfilling my civic duty and came here one morning beforehand for breakfast and a drink. I needed something heftier than a plain croissant, but not a full breakfast, so I opted for the croissant breakfast sandwich. I had been having a lot of breakfast sandwiches lately, and honestly, I wasn't super stoked to be ordering another one. I then scanned their menu for an espresso tonic and was sad to see that they didn't offer those, but I did notice a seasonal Strawberry Matcha Tonic drink. I asked for them to throw two shots of espresso in, and again, I wasn't super excited for this item either. When they both came out, they were unassuming. The sandwich didn't appear to be anything special, and the matcha and espresso had mixed into an unappealing green-brown color, but I dug in. Can I just say, holy croissant sandwiches Batman?! This was probably one of the best croissant sandwiches I'd had in a long time. The pastry was thick enough to get the satisfaction of cronchin' on a croissant, while not being so thick as to make up half the calories in the sandwich. It was kinda flat, but in a good, meat & egg vessel way. The avocado spread kept it fresh, and the aioli was a nice touch that really elevated the sandwich and made it stand out from others I've had lately. 10/10 would order again. And despite the color of my drink, it was freaking AWESOME. I actually realized while drinking it that I appreciated that they mixed the matcha and espresso together before pouring it into the cup, because an espresso-matcha-strawberry macchiato doesn't sound super great. The matcha helped balance the espresso, and the tonic water and strawberry syrup gave the drink a pop of personality. I would also order this drink again in a heartbeat, but alas, 'tis seasonal. It is a pretty tiny shop, with some bar seating and a few small tables inside and outside. Service from the person at the cash register wasn't super friendly, but I saw someone who had the confidence of a manager/owner greet someone who seemed to be a regular in a very friendly way. It was cool to see this old dude who came up wearing an expensive suit (who was probably an attorney) hold a pleasant conversation with and seem genuinely interested in talking to this young dude with a dad hat and chain necklace working at a coffee shop. It was cool to see these worlds coexist with mutual respect. Anyway....I'm not over in this part of downtown often, but I hope a future move to Little Italy will change that. Otherwise I will only be back whenever showing people around.

    Salted Maple Cream Topped Cold Brew
    Cassi S.

    Cutie coffee shop. Quaint and comfy with the quality. I ordered the salt flavor, salted maple cream foam. If you are looking for a sweet treat, this is definitely the winner. I would've asked for just a fourth of the amount because I just wanted a touch of sweetness but it was still top notch just a little too sweet for my preference. I also ordered a breakfast croissant with ham and cheese. I'm obsessed with croissants lately so this is the spot! Flaky, buttery, delicious and honestly perfectly pressed and toasted. They also cut it in half which I appreciate

    Vanilla lavender cold brew with half and half  Kale smoothie with ginger added
    Heather R.

    Awesome spot for coffee and smoothies! There's outdoor seating as well, but no outlets outside so come fully charged! Loved this spot and highly recommend for potential coffee and nutritious smoothies. Smoothie size was pretty large too which was a plus.

    Breakfast Smoothie (Bananas, Protein, Granola, Cold Brew, Almond Milk).
    Randy B.

    Wrapping up a business trip to San Diego, I decided to stop in for a power breakfast at Kuma Cafe. The Yelp reviews were one deciding factor, along with the proximity to my hotel and the Santa Fe train station. I was immediately greeted by a very nice gentlemen, smiling and asking about my day. After looking over the menu for a few moments, I decided to go with the Breakfast Smoothie and Croissant Sandwich. I had a seat in one of the half dozen tables inside, next to a few counter seats. The place had a good, mellow energy vibe, abuzz with Friday morning customers grabbing their morning refreshments before making their way to the office or an early jump on the weekend. A few moments later, another extremely friendly gentleman brought out my order and served up my tasty looking items with a polite smile. The Breakfast Smoothie (Bananas, Protein, Granola, Cold Brew, Almond Milk) was up first. I was immediately blown away by the flavors as it wasn't like anything I have tasted before. A great balance of balance and brew, all with the power of protein in a very large cup. I really enjoyed it, not only for this flavor, but the perfectly blended ingredients. The Croissant Sandwich (Ham, Egg, Cheddar, Avocado, Garlic Aioli on an Artisan Croissant) was presented on a simple wood serving dish and was quite eye-catching. First impressions after the initial bite were immediately drawn to the wonderfully flaky croissant and delicious garlic aioli. Packed in with large amounts of smooshed avocado and hot egg, ham and melted cheese, and this medium sized breakfast was a home run. Kuma Cafe is a great family-owned artisan coffee house that also serves up delicious, homemade, customized small breakfast items. Stop by for a quick bite, stay for the friendly atmosphere and come back, again and again.

    Ham egg and cheese sandwich
    Chandler C.

    The food is delicious!!! You can tell it was made with love. The flavor was all there. I also got a dirty chai aka a chai with cinnamon and it was deli have no notes it's a quaint little shop friendly staff I will be returning tomorrow

    XL avo toast
    Rhett F.

    Cute little spot nestled amongst the skyscrapers. It's a grab and go style place but the seating area is inviting enough. We were really looking for a more sit down oriented place, but there's not many to be had in this area. We both had the XL Avo Toast, it was very well seasoned and delicious with generous chunks of artichoke, feta, and tomatoes. The garlic aioli was very fresh tasting and not at all overpowering, very good! That said the wood plate it came on has raised edges and makes it very difficult to cut. Luckily it's fairly rigid and doesn't get soggy so picking it up and eating it is a solid option. I got a drip coffee, and frankly I didn't like the blend at all, it tasted very cherry or chocolatey and I didn't finish it. We paid 40 dollars after a 5 dollar tip (the staff was very friendly) for both avocado toasts and two coffees. Making it a little on the spendy side but consider the location, and the times... Overall, would definitely recommend if you're in the area. :)

    Golden Açaí and Matcha Smoothie
    Nell C.

    Kuma Cafe has excellent Açaí and Smoothies! Prices are a little more expensive being located in the heart of downtown but it is very good. Service is very friendly and store is very clean. I got the Golden Açaí and Matcha Smoothie. Highly recommend. You will find almond butter, bananas and caco nibs, and tumeric mixed berry sorbet in the Golden Acai! Matcha smoothie has a good consistency and thick.

    Keto Smoothie, Acia Bowl and Garlic Avocado Toast
    Jon A.

    Located just across from the Westin Hotel we were at during our San Diego visit was an opportunity for a healthy breakfast. Ordered the : Golden Acai Bowl Keto Smoothie Avocado Toast. The Acia Bowl was yummy for the tummy, the Garlic Avocado Toast was just as delicious (recommended by another patron) and the Keto Smoothie was great (unsweetened) , so we added bit of liquid stevia. Purchased another Keto Smoothie next day and opted for no cacao nibs.

    Quick stop at Kuma Café  Loved their seasonal drinks and cozy vibes--definitely a hidden gem in the city.
    Jarrel T.

    Kuma Café is a true gem. The açaí bowls are fresh and delicious, and everything is made to order. The staff make you feel like family from the moment you walk in--special shoutout to the tall gentleman with the hat and glasses and Tiffany for their warm smiles. Great food, great service, and a cozy vibe that keeps me coming back.

    Kuma bowl
    Johnny L.

    Great place for a quick breakfast before heading out for the day! I got the Kuma bowl, which has great flavored chicken with brown rice and quinoa for a healthy energetic start to the day. This is also a great post workout meal for plenty of protein as well. My only nitpick is that the chicken is a bit on the dry side. The Croissant sandwich is very tasty and the skin is nice and crisp! I love that they put avocado in it as well. And finally for the drink, I got an Iced Lavender latte with oatmilk. It tastes smooth, silky with the lavender taste just right. This is not too sweet and the coffee tastes very good!. Service is quick. Pay at cashier. Self serve clean up. Good music and nice indoor / outdoor seating for people watching!

    Garlic avo toast to go

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    9 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Great little café with super friendly folks. I'd absolutely come back here. Delicious chocolate chip banana bread!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Croissant Sandwich was delicious! Great service and a short walk from our hotel along the water.

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    10 months ago

    Conveniently located near the hotel. Delicious panini lunch and iced matcha. Small spot with some seating in and outside. Great service.

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    Morning Glory - Japanese soufflé pancakes

    Morning Glory

    4.0(5k reviews)
    0.5 miLittle Italy
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    This restaurant was wild in the most wonderful way. The architecture and decor were over the top…read moreand fabulous. The food was to die for. The soufflé pancakes were delicious and the Turkish eggs were amazing. I've been trying to recreate both at home but with no success The staff was extremely friendly throughout the restaurant. Our server Lucky was knowledgeable about the menu and sweet. Jacob was also charismatic and engaging when running our food. If I lived in the area I would definitely be a regular here. The vibes are great and the food is even better

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    Photos
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    Croquettes from dim sum cart Strong

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    Books & Records - Table setting

    Books & Records

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    0.9 miBanker's Hill
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    My wife and I took a day trip down to San Diego to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and somehow we…read morestumbled onto one of the highlights of the whole trip. We had spent most of the day around Bankers Hill and decided to grab an early dinner at Books & Records. Getting reservations was easy, but from the moment we walked in, the ambiance alone already had us sold. The place was still pretty quiet when we arrived, and to our surprise it was happy hour, so naturally we ordered a bunch of items off the menu along with drinks. Everything was ridiculously good. Not one miss. What really stood out though was the attention to detail. The host brought us a complimentary glass of champagne after hearing we were celebrating our anniversary. Small gesture, big impact. Stuff like that matters. As the night went on, the restaurant filled up, live music started playing, and the whole atmosphere just came alive. Our waiter never rushed us once, which made the experience feel even more intentional and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the moment instead of feeling pushed through dinner service. Good food is one thing. Great hospitality is another. This place gave us both. Next time we're in San Diego, we're absolutely making it a point to come back. Lovely spot. Lovely experience.

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    Hash House A Go Go - HH Original Benedict

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    4.1(8.9k reviews)
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    It's definitely a novelty breakfast/brunch spot with tons of options and massive, and I mean…read moremassive portions. Service is great and atmosphere is very nice as well. But, the food.... "Over medium" eggs came barely cooked, still had clear egg gel floating around. The table next to us had the same issue. The fried chicken, which is beautiful looking, was strangely flavorless. Another table was also talking about this issue. Bacon was way overcooked as well. I also really dislike when food timing for a table is way off. I rather it stay in the kitchen under a heat lamp and come together rather that spend 5 minutes staring at my food being polite. So, for a fun "wow that's a ton of food" experience this is it. But I much prefer quality ingredients and attention to detail and flavor over unfinishable portions at a premium price point ($100 after tip for 2 ppl).

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    Hash House A Go Go - Dining Room

    Dining Room

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    Richard Walker's Pancake House - The pancake

    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    4.0(4.5k reviews)
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    Came here for Mother's Day brunch and, predictably, the place was absolutely buzzing with families!…read moreEven with the holiday crowd, the vibe was great and the energy was high. You can't come to Richard Walker's and not get the Dutch pancake. We went with the Apple Pancake (the fan favorite for a reason) and it was honestly out of this world. It's got that perfect contrast with super fluffy in the middle but with those amazing crispy edges. We also tried the Belgian waffle, which was exactly how it should be: crunchy on the outside and delicious throughout. What really blew me away, though, was the service. Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the staff was absolutely superb fast, friendly, and totally on top of it. If you're in Downtown San Diego, this is a must-visit for a solid, convenient breakfast. Highly recommend!

    You can't miss the sweet apple aroma when you walk by Richard Walkers Pancake House. It's simply…read moreambrosial! That's the delicious smell of their famous baked pancakes! An absolute must when dining here! Everything is made to order (just the way I like it). The baked pancake takes about 20 min, but totally worth it! Overall, service was on point- from start to finish! And the staff are friendly and pleasant! Very informative about the menu, making great recommendations for our table! The apple baked pancake was light and airy with an outer crisp! This house specialty is slow-baked to golden perfection with Granny Smith apples and a warm cinnamon glaze-chef's kiss! I will definitely be back for more!

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    Kuma cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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