I went here yesterday and not sure who it was didn't get his name but he was super nice and told us to leave a review~ I told him I had heard this was the best place in town and was excited to try it as a first timer....safe to say it was worth it ! Definitely recommend coming here. :) read more

Labora - SCARLET 3 BANANA 53 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This is one of the best matches I've had in a while! I like how you can choose how much sweetness you want in your tea. The best one so far is the Vienna matcha which is ceremonial matcha with vanilla cream foam on top. It does get pretty busy but my wait time was about 10 minutes for ordering and 5 minutes for waiting for the drink. Definitely going back soon! I don't recommend studying there if you don't like super busy cafes with loud music. read more

Labora - Vienna Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Labora is my favorite matcha in San Diego hands-down! I recommend to everyone. I order it in-person and on DoorDash--that's how much I love it. You can't really go wrong with any other their beverages. The team works pretty efficiently considering how bustling and packed the space is (be prepared to wait of you choose not to order ahead). 10/10 read more

If driving over, note that the parking lot is indeed tiny. For quickest pick up, I recommend using the app to preorder. Labora allows for espresso or matcha to be paired with a flavored foam topping or specialty milk, which is likely why it's popular with the masses. Pulled up on a Sunday around 10:45am, and the line was already 15 people deep. I placed my app order 10 minutes before arriving, and my drink was ready for pick up once I got here. I tried a small sip of the strawberry foam drink, the foam itself was delicious and tasted like strawberry shortcake. The recipient of said drink enjoyed the crunchy sprinkle bits. I had a small sip of the mixed drink and could still taste the matcha. 5/5 Pandan Matcha: Note that the Pandan coconut mixture already has a set sweetness and is quite sweet by itself. I usually order 50% sweet, and would say this drink was closer to 60%. The pandan flavor was balanced with the matcha once mixed, and it was more prominent than other pandan drinks I've tried. I could taste the matcha and it wasn't too grainy, definitely no sad bitter clumps. It was a solid matcha. I'd consider visiting again next time I'm in the area. read more

I'm glad I gave Labora more chances - third times a charm! My second visit was again disappointing but seemingly better than my first time. I decided to go back once more and now I understand why so many people like it. The matcha wasn't gritty at all, and all of the foam toppings were so delicious! My favorites are the Pandan Matcha, Pistachio Matcha, and Banana Coffee. The Scarlet is still really good, but these other flavors definitely had me impressed. I only hope they can keep a consistent base for their matchas and that the next time I go back, it won't be gritty like my first and second visits! read more

Visited San Diego this weekend and so glad I stopped by this spot! The matcha drinks were so good that my friends and I came back 2 days in a row! My favorites were the Blueberry Matcha and the Banana Matcha! A great balance of fruity flavors and strong matcha! Definitely the best blueberry matcha I've ever had! The Vienna Matcha was good and creamy as well, but a little bit too sweet for me. The Double Matcha had very strong notes of matcha (a little bit bitter) and was not overly sweet as well! It reminded me of the matcha I had in Japan! They do have long lines, but I love that they offer online orders! Hence, our drinks were ready within 5-10 minutes of us ordering! Lots of seating inside, and it's a pretty packed and energetic environment! Free parking lot as well! Can't wait to stop by again the next time I'm in SD!! read more

Labora - banana matcha & double MATCHA X2 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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We needed a pick me up for our long drive back home, thus we decided to stop by Labora for a coffee fix. The parking lot is quite tight and you'll have to pay if you park for longer than an hour. On a Saturday night, Labora had a line out the door! In fact, the line was specifically for their kiosk to self order. They were not taking orders at the front near the cashier. It didn't take us too long to submit an order. I opted for their banana Vietnamese coffee for about $7.50. After ordering, we took a seat to check out the shop's aesthetic. It was very bright and clean. They have a shared restroom with the boba shop next door. While sitting and waiting, there were lots of gnats or fruit flies flying around. We found the source of it to be the two flower vases sitting on the big oval table. It was filled with bugs because the water hasn't been changed. Bit bothersome while hanging out. We sat near the window and ended up hanging out there with our drinks. Their banana was subtle but their Vietnamese coffee was very strong. It was wonderful to feel the caffeine! Not bad but I wouldn't wait in line for it again! I'd rather come when there isn't. read more

Labora - Banana with Vietnamese Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This is one cool coffee shop! Definitely a stylish shop and it has nice seating. It's for sure a spot for students or people who work from Home, but stopped there for coffee. You order at the self checkout and wait for your name to pop up on the screen or get called. We ordered the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso which was tasty. It was $7.25. The service was friendly and quick so you don't wait long for your coffee. It's always fun checking out different coffee shops so I recommend trying this spot out! read more

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Labora has been my favorite matcha spot in San Diego for quite a while, and the quality is consistently outstanding. While the line can get long, it moves surprisingly quickly. If you'd rather skip the wait, you can order ahead on their website. No matter how busy they are, the staff always remain cheerful, friendly, and efficient. My favorite drink is the Scarlet 3 with ceremonial matcha, which comes topped with a delicious strawberry foam. I've also tried the Banana 53 with matcha (banana foam), Pistachio 54 with matcha (pistachio foam), and the Vienna Latte with matcha (French vanilla foam). Every drink has lived up to my expectations. The quality of both the matcha and the flavored foams is excellent. Whenever family or friends come to visit, Labora is always one of my go to stops to bring them to check out. If you're a matcha lover, I highly recommend checking it out. Their consistency, quality, and service keep me coming back, and I've happily become a regular. read more

Labora - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Wow, they have such an amazing assortment of drinks that you are able to customize for yourself at their kiosk. Very simple ordering system, but their line does wrap outside the door. We ended up waiting 10 minutes in line, and maybe less than 5 minutes for our drinks. I know Labora is known for their matchas but this time I decided for their Vienna Latte (you can decide if you want the vienna topping over matcha or espresso! very cool) Very delicious drink, a bit decadent, with a strong espresso flavor. The milk to espresso ratio was amazing and the cream top added a touch of sweetness that was totally my style. If you like sweeter drinks maybe this is not the drink for you, but their matchas look amazing as well! read more

Labora - VIENNA LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I had a list of matcha spots to try while visiting San Diego but after trying this spot, we loved the matcha here so much we got it three days in a row! The pandan matcha was the best I've ever had! You can really taste the pandan flavor. I also liked their banana and blueberry matcha as well. The drinks here are so smooth and well blended. My least favorite was the earl grey matcha. I feel like it would have been better if it was just a little sweeter. Our drinks came out pretty fast even though there was a line and we ordered quite a few drinks. Definitely a must try spot if you're looking for some good matcha in San Diego! read more

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Labora is one of those spots you can easily drive past if you weren't specifically looking for it , tucked into a strip mall off Clairemont Mesa in Kearny Mesa. The inside has really nice décor that makes the space feel welcoming. I could post up there for a while and feel comfortable. The staff is friendly, but fair warning: ordering is 100% kiosk-based, and there's only one kiosk. That single bottleneck can cause the line to stack up pretty quickly, so if you're on a tight schedule, factor that into your visit. I happened to be the first customer of the day and was in and out in about 10 minutes . Peak hours could be a different story. Now, the coffee. I ordered the Vienna latte, and it honestly ranks among the best iced coffees I have had. Whatever magic they are throwing down, it works. Luckily, I work nearby, so I'll definitely make this a spot in the rotation. read more

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Yes. Just yes. Labora is getting all of the attention for a reason. They're the hot new matcha spot and they're doing it right! The space is gorgeous and elevated. It's always crowded- everyones either on a coffee date or being productive. It's definitely hard to snag a spot if you're planning to stay a while. Their menu is gorg! A good mixture of thoughtful coffee and matcha drinks. For a good amount of them, you can choose which of the bases you'd like. I went with their new SCARLET 3 drink which features strawberry foam layered between matcha or coffee- I chose matcha! This was not your ordinary strawberry matcha. It tasted just like a strawberry shortcake popsicle- super nostaglic! I was obsessed. Huge bonus points for the cutie freebie stickers to celebrate the new drink. They know their audience! read more

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Missin' this place horribly. Before going back home, I stopped by Labora to catch up with a friend. Parking here is limited so just a heads up if you plan to stay a while. You order at the screen by the front door and the workers run a tight ship with their assembly line. Their matcha is smooth and semi sweet! So many options if you want to spice up your matcha order. I also tried their Viet coffee which wasn't as strong and bitter as other places. Tons of people come in and out and it's a cool spot to people watch too! read more

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

So glad San Diego is finally getting some decent matcha spots! I really enjoyed the pistachio and pandan matchas here. For the pandan matcha, the pandan flavor was strong without overwhelming the matcha taste. I'll need to come back to try their other menu items such as coffees though. Their seating is pretty limited, although they are connected to Urban Bubble and you can supposedly sit there too. Biggest downside that I think would keep me from coming more often is that their shared parking lot is tiny. I lucked out as someone was leaving right when I showed up, but otherwise the lot is packed, and I saw with multiple people parked in the middle with their haz lights on while they stepped away. read more

The matcha craze has invaded San Diego and Labora is one of those matcha specialty latte shops that mirrors many of the matcha specialty latte shops in Los Angeles and Orange County. The shop specializes in ceremonial matcha and slow-drip Vietnamese phin coffee. The shop was opened by recent SDSU finance and accounting graduates Lauren and Bao and it opened in September 2025. They plan to open a second location in North Park next to The Observatory (targeting Fall 2026). [Parking]: Our party came here just minutes after the shop opened at 8 AM and had no issue finding an available parking spot in the strip mall. [Atmosphere & ordering]: The shop is connected to the neighboring bubble tea shop Urban Bubble. The interior decor is modern and sleek which really reminds me of many similar shops I have visited in Los Angeles and Orange County. Our party ordered via the touchscreen kiosk. [Menu]: Yelp's top highlighted drinks include the Vienna Matcha, Double Matcha, Matcha Latte (Labora 1), Banana Matcha, and Pandan Matcha. For Labora Creations (flavored drinks), customers can choose either Viet Drip, espresso, or matcha. For sweetness adjustments, customers can choose Balanced (100%), Lifted (50%), Forward (0%), or Extra Sweet. *** Vienna Matcha (Ceremonial grade matcha latte beautifully layered with french vanilla foam, Lifted aka 50% sweet, $8.00): The drink probably would taste better at full sweetness. I could taste the matcha, but it was a bit watery at 50% sweetness. *** Overall, I thought the matcha drink tasted alright and this is perhaps one of the few premium matcha shops in the area for now. Personally, I still prefer matcha drinks from shops like Ayer Coffee in Tustin or Archives Of Us in Los Angeles Chinatown. read more

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Yummy drinks. We got so many to try. The pistachio was very prominent which I enjoyed but it did overpower the matcha. Banana foam tasted like real bananas rather than the artificial flavoring read more

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

Hands down the best matcha I've ever had in California. I wanted more!!! The matcha wasn't too bitter or anything. The flavor was really good and smooth. The ube cream top I got with it wouldn't blend when I stirred with the straw and stayed ontop. It made the drink have a nice yummy sweet taste when you put your lips on the edge of the cup. Super busy inside, so I recommend hanging out elsewhere or drinking on the go!!! I used their app for rewards points and I recommend ordering ahead since you have to order at a kiosk anyways!!! I'm already craving for more, but I'll have to wait until I'm back in the area. read more

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Finally a matcha spot in SD that I can actually approve of!! As someone who lives in OC but grew up in SD, I've been struggling to find a decent matcha spot here. OC is seriously spoiled with the matcha scene, so nothing in SD fully satisfied my tastebuds until now. Labora is definitely going to be my new go-to whenever I visit :-) All of us ended up loving our drinks! Both the pistachio matcha and banana matcha had lighter flavors with a stronger matcha base. My parents aren't huge matcha enthusiasts but they were obsessed with the pandan matcha. The drinks were well balanced without needing to adjust the sweetness or ice. Overall, it was around a 30-minute wait to order and get our drinks. Very limited parking & indoor seating, alsp packed on the weekends. I'd recommend grabbing your drinks to-go. 10/10 worth the wait! read more

Labora - PISTACHIO 54, PANDAN 32, BANANA 53 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been meaning to try this place for a while now and it was sooo good! I ended up getting the Scarlet 3 with matcha, but you can also sub the matcha for coffee or espresso which is cheaper. I got 100% sweetness to try it out and i'd say i'd probably go for less next time. I can't wait to come again to try their banana 53! One thing to note: there was a line formed outside and it seems like the only way to order was through the kiosk they had by the door. read more

Labora - SCARLET 3 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came Sunday morning and there was a line out the door to the next shop over. We waited for about 25 minutes which went by fast. It was my first time so I didn't realize how convenient it is to order online and pick up, many people were seen doing so. I'd recommend especially since the parking is very busy due to many local business in the shopping plaza. The ambiance inside was beautiful but due to the traffic it would be too noisy for me to get anything done. Long story short, this is the yummiest matcha I've ever had! When I'm back in San Diego this will be my go-to matcha spot. read more

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I'm obsessed with their Pistachio Iced Matcha, I've been coming here about 3 times a week for the past month. I also tried the Banana Iced Matcha and it was really good too, but I keep going back to the pistachio flavor because it's that good. I usually order it iced at 50% sweetness. Sometimes I'll get it with oat milk, but I'm more of an almond milk person. If I don't feel like paying extra for alternative milk, I'll just stick with regular milk. If I want to skip the wait, I order directly from their website and pick it up. Parking can be a little difficult on weekends, so I'd recommend street parking if you can find it. The shop itself is small and cute, and I love how simple the decor is it really gives the place its own character. read more

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I'M OBSESSED ! I'm not a matcha drinker whatsoever, but I've really been wanting to try it & WOW, I will def be back! My experience was a little mid only because I had zero interaction with the workers. No greeting, no direction and the kiosk menu felt a bit overwhelming since I don't know matcha. I walked in and missed the order here sign completely my fault, so I was waiting at the counter for a while for a cashier to come before realizing you order at the kiosk. The place was busy and they were making a ton of drinks, but a quick hey, you can order at the kiosk would've been helpful! I won't let that rob my experience, but customer service could be more on point. I would've given this 5 stars because the drink was amazing, but service I'd give a 2.5 I ordered the Banana 53 w/ oat milk and now I must try more! Parking lot is limited, but I got lucky to find a spot! They have 2 restrooms which is nice and it does get busy. Cute little study spot or a catch up session. read more

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labora is always so good 3rd time here n im def one of the regulars here its loud but nice to work here theres decent amount of seats and all the different cream tops and matchas hve been good. will try the whole menu for before work! read more

Labora - BLUEBERRY 30 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Labora was such a cute little stop on Clairemont Mesa. You walk in and order from a kiosk, which makes everything super easy and smooth. The drink menu is small, but every option feels thoughtfully crafted. I had the Banana 33 and Pistachio, and both tasted exactly like what they were supposed to rich, flavorful, and balanced perfectly without being overpowering. The place does get busy, but they keep things moving efficiently. We didn't wait long at all and still had time to just hang out and enjoy the space. Definitely coming back to try the matcha next time read more

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I liked Labora and finally got to try out a matcha here when I was in the area. Parking is so limited, though, and busy lines formed when I came around lunch time on a weekday. I highly suggest ordering through their app if you're on a time crunch, as my drink was ready on the counter when I arrived. As for my drink, I enjoyed their Banana Matcha Pudding Latte. It was delicious and not overwhelming with banana flavor. The matcha itself is brought out more when the sweetness is lower, and the banana pudding was tasty! read more

Labora - BANANA 53 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I had low expectations after hearing some negative reviews but decided to give them a try. Labora is located in a tiny plaza with a tiny parking lot and they're connected to Urban Bubble. It seems like their focus is more on matcha and coffee while Urban Bubble is more for milk and fruit teas. There's a ton of seating since you can bring your drinks between the two boba shops but we saw more people studying/hanging out on Labora's side. Orders are done through the tablet, located right when you enter. Make sure you scroll through because we noticed some additional drinks that weren't on their physical menu. I ordered the Banana 53 with matcha and really liked it! I didn't notice any grittiness from the matcha and the drink was smooth and slightly creamy from the foam. The banana flavor didn't taste too artificial and it wasn't too subtle or overpowering so I could actually taste both banana and matcha. Highly recommend Labora for their matcha! The negative reviews that I heard complained about grittiness but maybe it was a bad batch or they've improved now. read more

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This is my cousin and I go to matcha and coffee shop place to go! The inside is so cute and honestly it's such a vibe. They only have seating inside and normally it's not that hard to find a spot. The drinks are delicious and addicting which if why we keep going back lol. They only have one size cup for their drinks. Depending on the day there might be a line but it goes by fast and so does the employees making the drinks. All of the employees that work there are incredibly nice, friendly and honestly just so welcoming! The parking lot is small and the first hour is free but there is street parking as well. Matcha and coffee shop there is a boba place (same owner) incase if you're in the mood for that or a snack and you can bring it on either side. If you haven't gone here yet you definitely need to! read more

Labora - BANANA 53 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Small coffee spot in Convoy with good matcha too. It's next to Urban Bubble. I really liked the matcha latte and the matcha with banana foam. (I think they tasted better than that of Phinology, but Labora charges more.) There are some tables for studying or working. Free WiFi. But the parking lot is so small and tight. It's quite annoying. Order on kiosk, no cash. They charge $1 to substitute with oat milk. I didn't see other milk alternatives on the kiosk. No outdoor seating. Bathroom in the back. read more

Labora - Entrance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I am obsessed with this place. My go to drink is banana 53 with viet coffee - lifted (50%). The coffee is bold yet not too sweet and the banana foam balances out the coffee. If I just need something in the afternoon but don't want to be up all night then I go for the pandan 32 (pandan coconut milk) with matcha. I like to do my orders online for a quick pick up or delivery. You can order at the kiosk. I wish it was located in a better area with parking. Half of the parking is owned by the restaurant across the way. But don't let that deteriorate you from trying this place out. read more

Labora - BANANA 53 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

With Labora being new to the SD Matcha scene, I stopped by and grabbed 3 of their drinks to try! The cafe is situated right next to the Urban bubble and that area is notorious for hard parking spots so I'd recommend to give yourself some time to find parking. The cafe itself is small with limited seating. It may look like a long line, but it's just because the ordering tablet is right at the entrance. I ordered the Banana Matcha, Matcha X2, and my friend ordered the Pandan Matcha. All were pretty good, but the Banana matcha was my favorite out of the three. It had a nice subtle banana cream top flavor, and it paired great with the matcha. If you're a fan of banana matcha, it's definitely one to check out if you're in San Diego. The Matcha X2 was a solid double matcha as well! And my friend tried their pandan matcha and said it was good but very pandan forward. Overall, one of the better matcha places in SD to try! read more

Labora - BANANA 53 Matcha, MATCHA X2, PANDAN 32 Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Third time js a charm. The first time I visited, it was closed due to now electricity. The second time, it was so packed with the line out the door. Parking isn't the best either. I finally stopped by on a weekday mid day and tried to order at the counter. The employee told me to order at the kiosk bc it was easier. I ordered the earl grey matcha and it was decent. Nothing to rave about. Their Vietnamese coffee on the other hand... was delicious. It's very cute inside and always busy with people working/studying. It wouldn't be my first choice for matcha or coffee though. Glad I got to try it at least once. read more

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Everytime I am in SD, I always look for a new matcha spot to try out. Today, that brought us here! Upon arriving, we noticed that the parking lot was an absolute disaster. We were driving around waiting for parking for over 10-15 minutes when someone finally left there spot. This spot actually ended up not even being an eligible spot to park in, since it was labeled as parking for the specific restaurant only. We did not even want to deal with it anymore, so we ended up just parking there and making a quick run into the cafe. The line was out the door, but while we were in line, we scanned the QR code to allow us to order online. This was a much quicker option and our drinks came out in a timely manner. Here is what we ordered: Scarlet 3: This is pretty much their version of a strawberry matcha. I liked the idea of the drink, but I think the execution of it missed the mark. The shortcake crumbs on top were stale and and overall drink was just average. I think that it was not as strawberry flavored as I anticipated for it to be. Banana 53: The banana top was good and did not taste overly artificial. The coffee was decent and I would actually say better than the matcha. Nothing too crazy different about this drink compared to other banana coffees we have tried from other places. I think there are too many other spots in the area to really give this place another try. The seating space is huge but every table was taken up with students sitting there for long periods of time studying. There was even a long line just to use the bathroom. I honestly would not want to put up with mess of the parking lot again to try this place again. read more

Labora - Banana 53 and Scarlet 3 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

We tried the banana latte and pistachio latte. I always love supporting Vietnamese coffee spots, so I was really looking forward to this. The drinks themselves had good flavor, but the texture just wasn't for me. The cream on top was very heavy, and once it mixed into the coffee, it ended up tasting more like a smoothie than a latte. I was expecting something lighter and more balanced, which is usually what I enjoy about Vietnamese-style coffee drinks. read more

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

Busy but efficient cafe. Matcha drink was great. Matcha was strong and smooth. Really solid matcha. read more

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

Came on a Sunday around noon and there was a line but it moves really fast! I ordered the pistachio foam with matcha and it was sooo good. The foam is so yummy and even though I got 50% sweet on the matcha, the matcha flavor really came through without too much bitterness. With oat milk and tip my drink came out to $10 so I will say it's pretty steep but since it was really yummy I'll still give it a 4/5. There's seats inside and it's got a really cute vibe for a coffee date! read more

Labora - PISTACHIO 54 matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

i'm so proud to say that my boyfriend no longer has to hear me complain about the mid matcha scene in sd haha i love the menu and assortment of drinks, i truly want to try them all! scarlet 3 (strawberry matcha)... u were so divine. 10/10 no notes. the foam is sooo good, very reminiscent of the strawberry shortcake ice cream bars you get from the ice cream truck. their matcha has good flavor and isn't watered down like most places. i am typically a sipper bc of my low caffeine tolerance, but it was so addictive i could've chugged it. my best friend is picky with her matcha and she gave it her stamp of approval. she wants to come back to sd just for this drink. my bf thought the earl grey matcha was better than hinar. i have also tried the pandan matcha, but I prefer oat milk rather than the lactose free milk it comes with. (i'm a sucker for airoma's pandan matcha oops) order ahead online during the weekend and rush hours! they prepare them so quickly. read more

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

I've tried what feels like every matcha spot in San Diego, and honestly... most have been disappointing. Either not ceremonial grade, too milky, too sweet, too bland, or that light pale green color that is basically milk with a hint of matcha. So I'm super excited about Labora opening in San Diego. The matcha latte is solid, but the double matcha is my favorite. I get the double matcha latte at least 2/3x a week, it is so rich and bold. The flavor is strong in the best way, not watered down, and not overly sweet. You can tell they're using quality matcha. Only downside is that they are always busy. Unless you go early, there's a good chance you'll struggle to find parking or end up circling and giving up which I've definitely done more than once. read more

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Highly recommend order your drinks from their website to avoid long wait! Came to Labora for second time and the line was long but drink was made very quick. This time I tried their double matcha and it was strong and good. Will come back to try different matcha flavors! read more

Labora is a well-decorated and chic establishment offering a variety of matcha drinks and coffee. I ordered a Latte and my drink was expeditiously made within a few minutes. Without stirring my drink, I was presented with a bitterness that was front and center. After stirring, the bitterness faded into the background--a tame sweetness and milkiness followed. The final favors don't particularly stand out in anyway but it was a pleasant drink for a warm day nonetheless. Overall, I would rate the Latte a 3.5/5. Perhaps, the specialty drinks offer a more impressive array of flavors. I would be curious to try them in the future. read more

Labora - LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California