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Little While x Summer Fridays x Sephora - Pink Guava Matcha - Vanilla Creme Nitro - Pistachio Butter Croissant with Raspberry (, ) !! I recommend lining up by 5 AM if you want the goody bag. They start putting wristbands on people around 7 AM for the first 500 people. BUT do not worry because you will still receive some samples (while supplies last) for the rest of the afternoon if you didn't make it to the first 500. To qualify getting a bag you have to buy at least one, of the three, collab items (Pink Guava Matcha, Vanilla Creme Nitro, and Pistachio Butter Croissant with Raspberry) My favorite was the Pink Guava Matcha, and the guava was not too strong. I was not really a fan of the Vanilla Creme Nitro, it was not very sweet, so if you are not a fan of super sweet drinks this is for you! The store itself was super cute and the drinks came out really quick. Little While 3019 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92116 $$ (~$10-20) street parking meters (very limited and hard to find, recommend setting aside 15-20 minutes to find parking)
I came to little while for the collaboration with summer fridays. I ordered the guava matcha... WOW! It was delicious!!!!! I also met the manager and owner I believe and they both were amazing and very welcoming. The staff taking our orders were fantastic and very very friendly and sweet. However, the lady calling the drinks was very rude and honestly made me feel really bad when I asked her a question. I think this place is worth a visit and maybe you'll have a better experience.
What a great spot for a cup of coffee. I'm told that this spot gets busy and although the wait to order wasn't too long when we were there, It did start to get long. The workers are so nice. They offer sit down service too. We didn't need refills or ordered anything else but if we did, he would have helped us. Side note: I asked if regular coffee comes with free refill and it doesn't. :( Stand in line and order your drink or pastry of your choice. I ordered a cup of coffee and butter crissoant. My friends ordered a cappucino, matcha latte, kaya kouign amann and chocolate almond croissant. We sat outside on the patio. The tables were small but we made do. The coffee was nice and refreshing and my friends enjoyed their drink and pastry. The pastries were a bit oily. I believe the kaya kouign amann was overly buttery and sweet. It was still good but not something I would order in the future. Overall, I'd return again.
I'd been wanting to try Little While and finally stopped by on Saturday. The long line proved it was a popular choice! I waited around 15 minutes in the line until I was able to order, and the coffees come out quick! I went with the Pandan Earl Grey Latte since the coffee flavors caught my eye more than the matcha. Before ordering, I asked about the sweetness level and was told no adjustments were needed. Luckily, the coffee still came through nicely, which is important in a flavored latte. To that, I added a guava cream cheese pastry. The guava filling was strong and went great with the coffee! The price point is definitely a little more for the size, though. I loved the café's minimalist design and warm, neutral palette. Although tiny, the space felt cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot to relax for a short while! I'd come here again, despite the wait times, I think their coffee is impressive.
Formerly Hawthorn coffee, this place got an upgrade! VERY polished and sophisticated drinks/pastries with an Asian twist. I got the Calamansi iced latte and it was incredible! Seating is limited so I could tell they were trying to get us to leave fairly quickly after getting our drinks. The servers came over twice to check if we wanted anything else (which is nice but we just sat down). Then he came back to clear our plates pretty quickly. I loved the reusable dish-ware. So spoiled with amazing coffee shops in SD.
Came for an event (Little while x sephora x summer fridays) and the staff did a wonderful job putting on this event. Staff members were giving out water to the line for free, answering questions and they even had a separate stand set up to help customers that weren't there for the collab. Really great customer service. The drink was good, overpriced but good. The shop was also very cute and well decorated with some places to sit. This event is 3 days long (friday saturday and sunday). if you are planning on coming for the event, they give out 500 free totes with purchase of collab menu item. This includes their guava matcha ($9), vanilla gesha nitro ($8) and pistachio raspberry croissant ($7.5). the tote bags were random, you did not get to choose. I arrived at 5:45am and ordered at 8:25am with approximately 100 people in line before me. They do not pre make the drinks. plan accordingly!! Inside the tote: full size butter lip balm jet lag eye mask (1) mini jet lag mask mini shade drops mini jet lag hydration serum gentle reset pad (1) scrunchie 60mL body butter balm stickers
I was honestly really disappointed with my experience at Little While Coffee. I ordered a matcha, and it barely even tasted like matcha. There was no real matcha flavor or earthy taste to it at all. The cold foam was also super puffy with a weird texture, and overall the drink just wasn't good. I understand paying around $8 for a good quality matcha, but come on $8 for a matcha that doesn't even come with sweetener? You have to pay extra just to sweeten it, which brought my drink to $10. For that price, I expected it to at least have a strong, authentic matcha taste. Unfortunately, it didn't. Definitely not worth $10 for me.
I stayed here for a little while longer to appreciate the space and enjoy the drinks. AMBIANCE Warm intimate space with a constant flux of visitors lined up for their drinks and pastries. There are several small tables and a few multi-person tables indoors and outdoors. SERVICE Staff checked up on patrons dining in, which I appreciated. DRINK 5/5 It's Clearly Ube - Clarified Milk Punch Cold brew concentrate, pineapple, orange, coconut, pandan, and ube over a large rock with a pandan leaf. Best enjoyed for here. (Distinctly purple and tart, fragrantly aromatic w pandan and ube - this drink is a labor of love) 4.5/5 Calamansi Cream Latte Espresso, calamansi, vanilla, Maldon sea salt, and milk. Available iced only. (Almost like an orange creamsicle) 4/5 POGsicle Cold brew concentrate, POG juice, and housemade vanilla syrup, shaken and served over ice, finished with a dried orange slice. FOOD 5/5 TOMATO & SEAWEED JAM PAIN SUISSE - umami-licious 5/5 EVERYTHING PULL-APART - buttery, seasoned, flavorful laminated pastry 5/5 ZA'ATAR EGGPLANT & HUMMUS CROISSANT - brimming w middle eastern flavors
Came here on at 8:30am Saturday morning, and there was already a line out the door. The line did move fairly fast. The inside is pretty small but clean. They do have seating outside as well. Their iced vanilla latte was good. Their honey butter toast was super tasty. No wonder people were leaving with boxes of their pastries.
A nice little coffee shop on Adams Avenue with a cozy, laid-back atmosphere that makes it a great place to relax. Parking is pretty limited. Their menu offers all the coffee shop classics, along with specialty lattes, matcha drinks, and pastries. I ordered the iced Honey Cinnamon Latte with oat milk, and it was delicious. It was simple, smooth, and had the perfect balance of honey and cinnamon without being overly sweet. What really stood out to me was the service. The staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, and they checked in on us throughout our visit to make sure everything was going well. That's not something you experience at most coffee shops, and I really appreciated the genuine hospitality. Overall, if you're looking for a cozy neighborhood café with great coffee and exceptional customer service, Little While is definitely worth checking out.
Coffee shop Located in South Park They serve a concise menu of espresso drinks, pour-overs, matcha, lattes and pastries Dog friendly Amex accepted Has AC Restroom inside Street parking Vegan and vegetarian options Small indoor and outdoor seating
Parking 2/5 -Limited available street parking in a busy area Service 5/5 -Staff was really friendly, shop was busy but they kept things moving pretty efficiently. I asked about the complimentary postcards they had on the counter, they were super nice and let me have one. Thank you! Drink 3/5 -Matcha with coconut water $7.5 Super hydrating and refreshing, like drinking iced water after chewing gum; strong matcha. However, I don't think I would repurchase due to its price for the portion. Ambiance 3/5 -Beautiful interior, every tasteful design detail seems to have been very intentional which I love. Space is limited but very cozy. I visited during a busy Sunday afternoon and with the upbeat music, it felt a little overwhelming.
Came with a friend after seeing such great reviews and discovering it on social media. I liked how they were Asian fusion items. We both ordered the pandan Earl Grey latte, monkey bread, Kaya pastry. Although the items were unique, I was not extremely impressed with the latte. I thought it was too sweet and it overpowered the flavor of the pandan and Earl Grey. I felt similarly about the pastries as well. Additionally, I came on a Friday morning and parking was doable. I can imagine that weekend mornings may be quite challenging since there is no dedicated parking lot. The line was also long to order. However, I liked how the service was very friendly and quick after ordering. Overall, I may return eventually, although there are so many other great cafés in the area.
2 months ago
Matcha was strong and croissant had a great flakey texture. Overall the service was great and I will be back to try more of the pastries! read more
I had the Kaya kouign amman and the everything pull apart bread and both were delicious! The kouign amman (which I totally struggled to pronounce when I went up to order rip ) was sweet but not too sweet and the little jam in the middle wasn't too overwhelming. The pull apart bread is super savory and salty and comes with a little cream cheese too which balances the saltiness of the bread. Super cute location and nice staff!! read more
cute lil cafe in SD! the pastries were made very well. the crispy outside with a soft, fluffy inside of the everything pull apart pastry was super yummy. the kenya pourover took a bit to make but it was quite smooth and light. parking is a little tough especially on the weekends but would recommend if in the area! read more
6 months ago
Kaya Kouign AMANN- 4* buttery and sweet treat with a creamy green center made from coconut milk, eggs and pandan- which gives it a nutty vanilla like fragrance as well as its verdant shade. The texture was different from typical kouign amann- it ate more like a doughnut than the flaky layered crispy confections I've had. But the flavor was very rich- it's hard to go wrong with butter and sugar. I tried a couple of their other pastries- including their milk bread. All were delicious, with a perfect level of sweetness. The ambience is lovely and a bit bougie. Meant for couples and to go orders. The banquette seating on the wall had a row of the tiniest cafe tables the size of dinner plates that were not suited for more than 2 people. We were lucky to get their only window booth seat which seats 4. A tiny metal place holder states that they would appreciate it if clients occupy the table for no more than an hour to support their business and ensure turnover. Beware, the line will be very long if you go at noon and it lasted well after we left around 1:00pm. Also, parking on Adams Ave is now metered, except on Sundays and holidays. There is no dedicated lot of this cafe so if you can walk, I recommend it. Service was exceptionally good- staff was decked out in chic Hedley and Bennett custom embroidered aprons and spent a great deal of time ensuring we were happy with our orders and were able to place additional orders even once we were seated. The waitstaff was exceptionally knowledgeable about the source of the pastries- a commercial kitchen shared by Pot Pie Co in Mission Valley. One of the owners adds a touch of their native Filipino flavors to the menu including the Kaya cream I mentioned. Overall, we had a great time, and will be back for pastries and beverages but not with any more than 2 people. read more
Okay, first the vibe of this place is awesome. It's always busy but the staff is very friendly and the service is fast. The coffee is top tier. The nitro cold brew is so smooth and full of flavor. The pastries are divine. I had the banana cream concha and the Kaya Kouign Amman. The Kaya Kouign Amman could be one of the best pastries I've ever had in my life. The crunch of the coconut sugar on top of the laminated dough with the soft buttery inside and Kaya jam is out of this world. If you go there and don't try this, you are missing out. I can't wait to go back and try more of everything. read more
2 months ago
The cappuccino I had was wonderful. Seating can be hard to come by if you're coming in as a group, but the window seats are perfect and worth the wait if you have the time. Good, fast wifi. Chill and friendly staff, too. Parking is the only downside but we enjoyed our time. read more
Their drink were okay. Definitely not the best matcha I've had but I've had worse. I think the curry pan was really good but wished there was an option to warm it up. The interior was pretty though, good amount of places to sit but doesn't seem like a good place to study. The service was nothing special. read more
2 months ago
Went on a Wednesday morning around 10am and there was a line but it died down after 30-45 mins. Parking was also a lil tough but it was worth it. A little tough to find seats but again, worth it. The espresso was so delicious. The sweet iced lattes were also so yummy and the pastries were sooo fresh! Highly recommend this shop.. just give yourself enough time to park and wait in line. Ambiance was very relaxed once the line died down. read more
7 months ago
Little While has one of the best matcha lattes in SD. I always get mine unsweetened and it was perfect. The drinks come out quick but theres usually a long line and the street parking can be rough especially since it's right next to An's Dry Cleaning. read more
NEW FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP! This establishment is so adorable and has the best vibes. They also have an amazing selection of pastries and unique drinks! I love their Kaya kouign amann, honey toast , and their earl grey pandan latte. Everything was literal perfection, perfectly executed and amazing in flavors! High quality! I literally went back twice within a week because I was so impressed with their offerings! The interior is warm and inviting with small tables to have a little coffee date with your friends or loved ones. They also offer merch like ceramic cups, coffee beans, matcha, t shirts, etc. The baristas all seem to take their craft seriously and the customer service is amazing! They have metered street parking outside as well as some outdoor seating. You MUST come check this place out, you won't regret it! read more
7 months ago
Whoa I'm in love with this coffee shop. The vibes are immaculate. The interior design of the space is literally 10/10. The wooden features along with the framed pictures on the walls and the little pops of orange are so fun and beautiful. I got an iced honey cinnamon latte half sweet, and it was yummy. I would 100% go back and get it again. Great staff. This was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to visit again! read more
9 months ago
Updating my review with the latest treats I tried today -- POG skies is a unique coffee beverage with a slight hint of coffee, but well balanced with other flavors - and not at all overly sweet. The ham and cheese croissant was delish, and I thought the banana pepper on top was a nice twist! read more
7 months ago
Awesome addition to the neighborhood! Delicious pastries and coffee with lots of great, unique combinations of flavors. Line is still a bit long having recently opened, but they move quickly, and quite frankly, it's worth waiting for( and I'm not a big wait in line kinda gal). Staff was super friendly and the atmosphere is simple and bright, nice clean design. read more
I had to return to make a follow up/second opinion, and ladies and gentlemen, the hype is real and it lived up to it. The coffee is outstanding..... It is smooth, rich, balanced, you can taste the notes the beans bring and flavors the extraction process brings out. Probably the best designed coffee shop I've ever seen or been to(given the limited space), so to whoever did the interior design you deserve a raise, it gives the shop a warm vibe and aesthetic. The service was impeccable, so many smiles all throughout their store, and each smile felt genuine. Great merch and I hope the beans are delicious, thank you Little While, I will return read more
I met a friend for coffee last week, the place is very small inside, it doesn't seat very many people. The staff was helpful and friendly, I ordered an iced americano and added their salted maple syrup, the coffee was just okay, however the banana concha was one of the best pastries I've tasted in San Diego it was so soft and they didn't skimp on the filling every bite had enough filling. I would come back only for pastries read more
service is so bad the white lady taking orders had such a weird attitude with me and i was asking questions about the matcha latte and she was like it's on the menu - prompting me to read it but my question was if i can change the maple lattes to a matcha instead. she didn't see to understand i needed her help. whatever. won't be back to this location north park has lots of cafes anyways. otherwise this would be a cute cafe. matcha wasnt bad but i just had such a bad experience and ruined the start of my morning. the people working at the cafes make the vibe of the cafe way better so there's that. read more
6 months ago
What a gem of a coffee shop. Shout out to the barista who recommended the Pandan Earl Gray Latte (subbed matcha) + oat milk, it was of the best matcha lattes I've had. I'm the kind of girl who usually doesn't order matcha since I can make it at home, but this was a different level. The matcha was smooth and creamy, and not in the way that the creaminess came from the milk. It was slightly floral which I love, nutty from the pandan, and super refreshing. Super friendly staff, the cafe is filled with mementos of the owner's cafe inspiration and trips to Japan. Walking into the cafe felt like walking into a (super aesthetic) friend's home. We'll be back in a little while. ;) read more
1 month ago
We tried Little While on my husbands birthday. The coffee and baked goods were delicious! The staff was friendly and welcoming. The shop is small with a few tables inside and some outside. I can't wait to go back! read more
8 months ago
I came to Little While with a friend after hearing about it on socials. It was pretty busy on a Saturday morning (around 9:30) but the line went by quickly. Something that really set this place apart from the plethora of coffee shops in the area was the time the barista took just to say hi, ask us if we had been in and where we heard about the place. It went a long way and wasn't like the usual transactional interactions you might have in this area. We got a latte, americano, the apple pastry and the everything bagel pull apart. Everything was good - the latte was smooth and I have no complaints. The apple pastry wasn't our favorite but the everything pastry was pretty good. I'd return after the hype dies down! read more
3 months ago
One of the best earl gray lattes I've ever had. Also ordered a cortado, which they gave you the option of two different beans/notes to choose from, chocolate or fruity. I went with chocolate which paired well with the concha. Would definitely recommend. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
Loved this new local spot in north park! The staff is some of the most friendly and inviting that I've experienced at a cafe in a while and made it a super enjoyable experience. The inside is sleek and warm and a great spot for a quick drink with a friend. They don't encourage working from the cafe and ask you limit time to an hour, so definitely not the place to do work. High quality coffee and really enjoyed my classic cappuccino where I could taste the espresso! read more
I've been back a few more times since my first visit and tried the pandan Earl Grey coffee, which was delicious. The almond croissant was also very good filled with good amount of almond paste and I liked that they weren't so sweet. Despite how busy it usually is, the staff are consistently kind and welcoming read more
Came during soft opening I believe. Line out the door! wait time was about 10-15 minutes. Menu outside and inside so you can think about what you want :) I got the pandan earl grey latte. The pandan flavor is very subtle, I would give the latte a 7/10. Location has a few small coffee tables and a booth/benches. Not suitable for studying since it's so busy, foot traffic, and space is small. Will probably stop by if near the area. read more
6 months ago
As someone who's pretty deep into coffee, Little While stands out as one of the more dialed in shops in San Diego. Parking around Adams Ave can be tough, but it's worth it once you step inside. You're greeted by a merch wall with quality shirts, freshly roasted beans, and thoughtfully selected gear. It already gives you a sense that they care about the craft. I noticed a Weber EG-1 at the slow bar, which immediately set expectations, so I went with a pour over. The baristas here know what they're doing. Workflow looked clean, pours were consistent, and the latte art was sharp. The pour over was the highlight. Super clean cup with great clarity and balance. It really opened up as it cooled and showcased the full range of flavors and aromatics from the Colombia beans I selected. You can tell they're dialing in their brews and not just going through the motions. I also appreciated the card they provide with the pour over that shows who brewed it and what was used. It's a small detail but adds a level of transparency and intention that you don't always see. If you're into quality coffee and want a shop that takes it seriously (but not too seriously), this is a spot that delivers. read more
Welcome to the hood! Stopped in late on a Monday and this place was still booming! Playlist was on point and the energy was there along the baristas. I didn't get to introduce myself as there was a lot of motion going on however I'll definitely find myself coming back as the drink quality was on point. Solid cortado. Drawbacks are - Parking is a bit tough especially with popular joints around the spot attractive lots of guests but it's worth the wait. Cheers yall read more
A place you're a little hesitant to go to because of all the influencers who post about it... but definitely worth the hype. As you watch them make the coffee you can tell it's a "specialty coffee" shop. The guy at the register is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. The wait in line was a little long but once our order was taken, our drinks came out fairly quickly. Great coffee, and worth a try. Will be coming back again! read more
Little While Coffee is such a lovely new spot in San Diego. The staff were incredibly kind even though we arrived about 15 minutes before closing. We ordered the Kadak Chai (with a free shot of espresso!) and a vanilla London Fog, and both were absolutely delicious. You can really taste the care they put into their drinks. We sadly missed out on the pastries since we came so close to closing time, but that just gives us another reason to come back. read more
Judging from the line that formed outside, it was an invite i can't refuse! Line went fast. Secured a sit right away. We ordered Honey Cinnamon Latte, Pandan Earl Gray Latte and Oatmilk Flat White. Eggnog Concha and Chocolate Croissant. Coffee was so good and it complemented with the pastries that we ordered. Soft music in the background. Seats to chill and chat. I love this place. It is worth trying! read more
8 months ago
Our experience at Little While was very pleasant. We wandered in after a quick stop at the gelato spot next door. This quant shop was in their soft opening when we decided to give them a shot. The baristas were super welcoming and informative with their menu. Nothing processed and using real ingredients for their some of their syrups and concentrates. They had a good variety of flavor options for their drinks along with a well curated seasonal menu. We got the same drink with different bases (matcha vs. espresso), the flavor we chose definitely stood out better in the espresso drink. We felt like the Earl Grey Pandan flavor could have been more prominent in both drinks and that they were a tad bit on the milkier side. They were on the pricier side but at least there was no additional charge for milk substitutes. There's enough seating for around 20ish people but is seams like a nice place to sit and chat. Parking is street parking, not too difficult to find but be prepared to walk a bit. The cafe itself was pretty cozy and a great addition to North Park. read more
4 months ago
Pastries are absolutely delicious!! The tomato and seaweed jam croissant has great umami flavor and the kaya kouign amann is the best. read more
2 months ago
This establishment DELIVERS the matcha that you want, the matcha that you NEED. High quality and well-sourced ingredients are used to craft exceptional and very innovative bevvies. The vibes in there are effortless, not trying too hard with being "cool". It's just cool. And everyone who works there is friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend coming here and ordering the LW matcha latte! read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
8 months ago
In San Diego it feels like a new coffee shop opens every other day, and Little While is no different. Right next to An's Dry Cleaning on Adams, parking is usually street parking, and there was a decent line in the shop. Customer service was great, albeit a little busy as the cashier was also helping in making drinks as well. Tables are small, and there are a few outside, although when waiting for your drink it does tend to get crowded inside with minimal space to stand without feeling in the way when the tables are all taken. They sell coffee beans here as well as Kinto glassware, which is a nice touch as this is one of my favorite glassware brands that I've purchased from in Japan. When we got there, there weren't any pastries left to try, so definitely come early if you want to try anything in their bakery case. We purchased the iced Pandan Earl Grey Latte and the iced Matcha Latte (different from the LW Matcha Latte). The pandan earl grey latte was decent, standard to nicer coffee shops, although I can't say I could taste the pandan notes. Southeast asian desserts are known to have pandan flavors to a higher degree, so I would say my expectations are higher when I expect pandan flavor in a drink or dessert. The earl grey notes are subtle, yet overtake any pandan flavor, and it was a nice nuanced flavor to go with their coffee. I wouldn't get the matcha latte here again, although it had good coloring for a matcha, it belied its actual taste, as was watery with no strong matcha flavor. I ended up taking the matcha home and adding my own matcha shot to the drink to make it stronger. I got both drinks with whole milk, but they don't charge extra here for alternative milks (oat milk and 2% lactose free milk) which is nice. Overall I wasn't amazed by the drinks I got, but they do have some other items on the menu that looked promising, so I may have to come back to try other drinks, as I saw others who purchased the LW Matcha Latte (made with coconut water and milk) had a darker green matcha coloring, and with less milk the matcha may be stronger. The slow bar pourovers also sounded interesting, as one of the two options on the menu was sold out when we got there. They also have seasonal specials that change, and the clarified milk punch (recommended dine-in only) looked interesting. read more
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6 months ago
