Cesar and all the baristas are amazing! Great customer service. The cortados are my fave! and the homemade almond milk is so good.

What a wonderful experience to finally be able to get in as each time I am nearby the lines are quite long. Today I brought my little ball of fluff with me and he is a rescue and very timid and shy. Amanda welcomed us in and gave my dog a treat. He was so happy to see a friendly smiley face. Amanda then asked what I was in the mood for? I said something savory and she recommended the ham Gruyere croissant that had onion jam in it. It was so delicious with a flaky crust. She said everything was made in house from scratch, including all syrups. The staff all work quickly and keep the place so clean and making sure there is a seat for the busy crowd. I saw them wiping down tables and throwing trash away as quickly as the guests were leaving. Was so hungry forgot to take a picture of my order. Can't wait to come back and try other delectable items. Especially Tatar tots read more

Lovely coffee spot. To be fair, we arrived almost an hour before closing. They have a great selection of coffee, and some pastries. Ambiance was really nice, although, it was missing some music. Service was good as well and seating areas were spotless. You can tell that this is a very busy cafe. By the way, busy or not, cleanliness is a must for us, it says a lot about the owner/workers' attention to detail. We want to go back to Lofty Cafe at a much earlier time, next time! We think it will be a great space. I will give you an update at a later day. For now, if you are in the area or want a place with great coffee selection, don't hesitate to stop by, and share your experience as well. Happy Coffee time! read more

My friend and I stopped by on a late Saturday morning! It seemed pretty busy, but we were quickly helped & easily found a table. There were plenty seating options outside! No outlets from what I had seen, if that's something you need. I got the Lofty-Style Nola. It was tasty, not too milky! I do wish it were stronger in coffee flavor. The Flower Child toast was also good! There were a couple of overripe pieces of banana (left side) but apart from that, good! I enjoyed the subtle coconut taste + the peanut butter. The staff were friendly and attentive! The space was clean, but that didn't stop a few birds from flying into the patio area. read more

Lofty Coffee - Flower Child - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Love San Diego, may move there soon, in meantime any visit includes a stop at Lofty Coffee in Little Italy Aztec Mocha, Lofty Nola, Mocha, Latte all good and made with care. Team here has always been great, and great service! For eats the french toast is tasty, avocado toast delicious, and my personal favorite the Cedros hits the spot everytime. Chill relaxed vibe, only consideration is spot gets busy and space can be limited. People who come here seem to match the vibe and have met some great people sharing a table at times. Love this spot!!! read more

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Came on a Saturday morning and it was busy! Folks were flowing in and out of the establishment - and with good reason. I had an iced Turkish latte, a drink that is infused with cardamom & raw sugar. The cardamom flavor did overpower the drink just slightly since it is such a distinct spice, but I really enjoyed it. Given how popular this place is, you may be hard-pressed to find seating (indoor seating is limited, but there's several outdoor options). The tables were clean, our drinks were made quickly, and my coffee was good. No complaints from me! read more

Lofty Coffee - Cloudy with a Chance Cold Brew, Croffin, Turkish Latte (Iced) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is definitely popular. Visited on a Saturday morning during prime time. Waited in line and ordered a mocha (that I thought was going to be iced but neither I or the barista asked...so my bad for not asking or requesting) and a Kyoto style nitro cold brew. I did not drink my coffee as I don't typically drink hot drinks and didn't have the heart to ask for ice since they were busy--my sweet boyfriend ended up drinking both lol. He said the coffee was decent. The place is cute. read more

Lofty Coffee - Kyoto style Nitro Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Just needed some caffeine on our Sunday walk around Little Italy and came across Lofty Coffee. There were a decent amount of people here so we stopped in to see what they had. - PARKING - Parking in Little Italy will always be tough, but once you find a spot, everything is pretty walkable! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Nice open air patio, decent amount of seating options. They have a menu of all their offerings outside so you can take a look as you're passing by instead of needed to go in. They have a display case of available pastries and bites! - FOOD/DRINK - Salted Caramel Latte ($6.60): I'm a sucker for Salted Caramel anything, especially in my coffee! I opted for Oat Milk and light ice, which ended making my drink a bit lower than full. Nice Salted Caramel flavor, coffee was nicely made. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie ($4.00): Pretty pricey for a cookie although this was a decent size. Nice and soft, good amount of chocolate chips. - OVERALL- If I ever need a quick pick-me-up and am nearby, I might stop in here again! read more

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

Came here for breakfast as this was walking distance from our hotel. They have a large patio which plenty of outdoor seating. We didn't have to wait in any line partly because we got there around 730am. The coffee and the pastries were amazing here. Would definitely come back if I were in the area. read more

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

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My friend and I check out a new coffee place every Monday and we decided to come to Little Italy to check out lofty and I don't know if I would go back. I got the Cloudy with a Chance of cold brew and it was just kind of bland. Nothing stood out to me. I was basically a cold brew with a lot of foam if you like a sweet drink this is not it. I also got a lemon cookie which was good but not $5 good. It is in Little Italy so parking can be tricky. We parked two blocks away and found a free parking spot. Service was just okay. You ordered the counter they give you a number and they bring it to you. Ordering was quick enough but then it did take a while just to get a cold brew and a cookie that was already sitting there at the counter. My friend got the French toast and it came with a side of butter and she said it tasted weird. Just the butter tasted weird. So I tried it and I agree it was like a waxy fatty butter. It kind of tasted rubish and away too. We both did not like it. The French toast however was good though. Them every year it is kind of pricey..i think I paid with tip Eighteen dollars For my two items. read more

Lofty Coffee - Lemon cookie and cloudy with a chance of cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Never fails to impress! The turkey on croissant is my go to. Love the hibiscus tea and salted caramel latte. The gluten free donuts are a must read more

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I have tried so many times to like Lofty. But, the truth is that it's over priced (nothing new), the coffee is terribly bitter and service is consistently slow. I could make all of this work except for the staff. Terribly nonchalant and kind of like they are doing you a favor by taking your order. After 7 years of trying because it's in my neighborhood and I want to support independent shops, I've moved on. read more

Awful first experience here. I ordered a simple cold brew with cold foam and ended up waiting almost fifteen minutes for a drink they already had prepped and only had to pour into a cup. The baristas need a better prioritization system so as you're not waiting for 10 hot lattes to be made before you get a cold brew. They also need to assign a cashier to take orders because one of the two baristas was also taking orders. My drink was also expensive for what it was. Never again. read more

Lofty Coffee - Cloud with a chance of cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The lattes are always smooth and pleasantly sweet. Service is fast, and the seating is one of the coziest spots downtown, perfect for gloomy weather. read more

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Cute little coffee shop, ambiance is cute, coffee was meh, pastry was delicious. Overall I would go back again to try something different than the coffee I got. Also really liked how bathroom had A/C especially in summer. read more

Lofty Coffee - Coffee, pastry and friend got a tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been here a few times and absolutely love the experience each time. Food is good, lots of different kinds of coffee you can't find in every shop, and the customer service is always great. Also love the indoor/outdoor patio seating, although I usually just take things to go. Came here in Valentine's Day and they treated us to a yummy shortbread cookie with our drinks, which was one of their flavorful cold brews for this visit. I usually get an iced Turkish Coffee and it's delicious every time. Highly recommend this spot for great coffee, food, and great vibes. read more

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A hidden coffee shop in the Little Italy area of Downtown San Diego. This coffee shop is patio style half indoor half outdoor situation, perfect with the SD weather. They serve breakfast and pastries here as well. I ordered the iced lavender latte and it was on the milkier side but I sometimes prefer my lattes this way when I don't want the espresso tasting too strong. So if you prefer stronger espresso flavor in your lattes, this may not be for you. I liked how the lavender flavor was subtle and not overpowering. Overall a solid 7.5/10 drink. read more

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Coffee fact: While Brazil may grow the most coffee, Finland drinks the most coffee! A New Orleans Iced Coffee ($6.60, 2% Milk), an Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink ($4.00), two Lemon GF cookie ($4.50 ea.), and three Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($4.00 ea.) were order. I was going to see my niece later that evening and she was going to be given a salted chocolate cookie and one of the lemon cookies but I'm a terrible aunt and really liked the salted chocolate cookie so I kept all three for myself. ;) They have a window area to see into the kitchen if you're interested in watching them make their baked goods. I will admit that the drinks weren't it though. The New Orleans Iced Coffee tasted watery and the Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink wasn't balanced with it leaning more towards hibiscus than blood orange. Oh well. You can tell this is a well-loved spot in the neighborhood. There was even an adorable dollface Persian kitten sitting in the patio that looked as pleased as can be being outside Lofty Coffee Cafe and Bakery. Stop in, grab a cuppa, and enjoy a leisurely stroll down Little Italy. read more

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We live near the Little Italy location and decided to stop in for lunch--normally we just grab a coffee, but we had been wanting to try the food. It didn't disappoint! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and really tasty. We'll definitely be adding Lofty to our list for casual lunches out. Excited to come back and try more! read more

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A little pick me up stop before continuing on our walk. The large open doors and patio create a sort of greenhouse cafe. Seats and tables surround the shop. When the line gets long it may dampen your view in some areas but nonetheless a nice little stop for some regular tea or coffee. We had some refreshing drinks here and the best part of the stop was seeing the town favorite mascot. So friendly she decided to have her own little sit by our feet time. Bringing bright smiles to our faces. Sipping the day away we enjoyed our visit. read more

Lofty Coffee - The Town mascot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Coffee was great, cute place, food was not good, avocado on my toast was not fresh, eggs cold. Not coming back.

Lovely place with plenty of outdoor seating. Grabbing my usual decaf flat white with heavy cream (and an avocado toast with eggs breakfast. Fueling up before I hit the zoo!) The coffee is blazing hot and I don't mind that a bit. The coffee stands up well to the heavy whipping cream. I'll give you the heads up that I didn't get: it's a $2 up-charge for cream vs milk. I have to knock a star for the fact that my cup is chipped on the rim. I can drink around it, but it's a saftey hazard, sorry yall. Very dog friendly, plenty of locals hanging out. Lots of people watching if you grab a table facing the street. It's a great vibe. read more

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

NOT MY FLAVOR I've been to Lofty a gazillion times and have never been disappointed with what I drink and eat but of course I always stayed on the same order. Today, I decided to switch it up and am very disappointed that I felt I've wasted my hard earned money. :: ORDER :: TURKISH LATTE ($6.50) - cardamom and raw sugar. I've had cardamom in hot beverages before such as hot cocoa and it blend well. But the cardamom was strong in this latte and it was not a flavor for me. Sadly I couldn't finish my latte and ended up wastefully tossing it in the garbage. I couldn't take it down, it was that awful to me. DO NOT RECOMMEND. EGG TART (~$7) - this was in a separate glass platter near the register and many people were curious and ordered it. Like myself. I thought the base would have a little crunch or texture of a bagel. Nope it was dense and flimsy. The toppings were an egg, hatch chili, red pepper flakes. Sounds good doesn't it... well let me tell you... I'm not sure where the sweet came from but the overall bite was encompassed by a sweetness that takes away from the savory. I prefer savory over sweet when I'm eating something with an egg. I didn't like the play on it. I again took a few bites and was very underwhelmed and will force self to eat it all to NOT be wasteful. Spending $~14 + couple dollar tips was not worth the $16 I spent this morning. I am not a Starbucks fan but I'd rather would have gotten a drink there and their egg tart and call it a morning. Sorry lofty I really like you but not this morning. read more

Lofty Coffee - Their "egg tart" or whatever its call. Overrated and over priced (~$7). More sweet than savory. Meh - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is a diamond! I had the most amazing salted caramel latte I have ever tasted, and I'm a coffee nut! In addition, the avocado toast I had was out of this world, and I don't know that I will ever have anything as good as the two things I had when I was here. My companion had a croissant and she said it was magnificent as well. This place is a must do if you are visiting San Diego. read more

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The best acai bowl ever! It was so fresh and yummy. The matcha was also really good. I was in San Diego for 4 days and I revisited this spot 3/4 days read more

Lofty Coffee - Acai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Coffee was absolutely divine. We came to San Diego on vacation and came to this spot all 3 days. The hot caramel latte is all you need. But the kids loved the pasties, too. Service was pretty quick. read more

Avoid this place if you respect your sanity. The woman who took my order was great, good vibes for sure, however the wait - OMG! They were telling people 30 min at least for food, so I went for coffee only and it was still a solid 40 min wait for an iced mocha. It completely derailed my day and plans as it was intended to be a quick pick up before picking up a few items nearby and heading back to LA. I've never regretted stopping for coffee so badly read more

Cute little place down the street from my hotel. The food was simple but good just what I wanted and couple of eggs with toast the pluse was the super fresh avocado. The only negative is there is no signage telling g you where to wait in line, and seating sucks. There is not enough and business people camp out at tables for hours so people wanting to eat can't get a table. I was lucky a nice couple let me sit with them so I did not have to eat standing up! All in all a cute spot but they need a time limit for people who are actually eating there and not nursing a drink for 3 hours! read more

Lofty Coffee - People waiting in the wrong spot for the order line. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been here twice now. The first time I just got the croissant and it was decent. Nothing to write home about. The second time I got the croissant sandwich with the chicken sausage and it was super salty and the croissant was way overcooked so it was a cardboard. They were kind enough to remake it, but it still wasn't good. The atmosphere is nice and the servers are friendly. read more

I randomly found Lofty as I was walking through streets of Little Italy. I decided to stop by for a nice, warm drink on a rainy day. The staff was very friendly. Service was great! It was fairly quiet as most people were there either having in-person meetings or remote video meetings. I originally just wanted a drink which I chose the London Fog. It was so smooth and creamy and not very sweet. As I was ordering it, I couldn't help but notice their scrumptious looking pastries and decided to order a giant chocolate croissant. It was so flaky! I also just found out they have locations in North County so I'll definitely be checking them out again since that's closer to me. read more

Lofty Coffee - London Fog - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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If you're in Little Italy and want a breakfast spot that won't leave you feeling like you need a nap afterward Lofty Coffee is the move. Their "coffee libations" are not just drinks they're little works of art. I had one from a finca in Honduras that tasted like sunshine in a cup. The menu is full of fresh, quality ingredients that keep you satisfied without feeling heavy: perfectly poached eggs, silky hummus, and French toast that's indulgent but somehow still feels...clean? The vibe is charming, airy, and perfect for starting your day on a high note. It's the kind of place you pop into "just for coffee" and end up ordering breakfast too because why not? read more

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I came here for the coffee but I ended up getting a cup of Hot Organic Golden Milk made with oat milk. I enjoyed my drink, it was creamy, subtly sweet, and gingery. This spot has a relaxing atmosphere, clean, they have huge tables and I noticed that most of the customers are on their computers, reading a book, or are students. My drink came quickly and served to my table and they had people cleaning up the tables. I love that they are dog-friendly and serve all-day breakfast and lunch, they have a hearty selection. Since I already had lunch and just came here for coffee, I would love to come here again and try their coffee and food, and maybe bring a book with me to unwind. read more

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

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Yes, is there a coffee shop around every corner in SD? Sure is, but this Lofty Coffee is in my rotation for good reason. Excellent coffee. Delightful pastries, soft yet crispy and flaky, just how I like 'em! My only gripe is that I seem to always get in the mood for them when visiting on a busy Saturday morning when the market is going on. The lines can be long but as long as I'm not in a rush and chatting away with a friend then it's okay and the baristas are pretty quick without sacrificing taste and presentation. Plenty of seats in the outdoor open concept layout. Though still hard to snag on a Saturday unless you're lucky! Great if you're in the neighborhood as parking is street only and we all know how annoying that can be around here. read more

The place is great! My flat white and french toast were spot on. The decor is nice and the service is friendly! Flat white - nice and simple though fee l may be a bit close to a latte French toast - excellent light brioche that does jot feel overwhelmingly buttery or eggy. read more

Lofty Coffee - Organic french toast. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is very cute and always has people. The service is good, the people are friendly. There is outdoor seating and indoor seating so it is dog friendly outside. I have tried a couple drinks and it was okay. The coffee didn't leave too much of an impression and last time I ordered the matcha drink which was a little disappointing. With the mint freshness with matcha I felt like it tasted like lemonade and the matcha was grainy. I'm not sure what made the matcha grainy but maybe there were other ingredients. I am used to matcha being smooth. My honest review is that I might not choose to come back here but I can totally see why some people might. read more

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I moved to Little Italy in March of 2022. Sure, its a hip downtown area of San Diego with great restaurants (Vinarius is my fav), little haunts (Amici Park Amphitheater and Amici Park Bocce Ball Courts), the Piazza della Famiglia (a great people-watching spot and street entertainment) and the Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market (outside of Leon France, the best I have been to), But what I like about it best....dogs! There are more dogs per square foot than anywhere I have been. And for those of us that love dogs but are living lives not conducive to parenthood, Lofty is a great place to meet them. Oh sure, the drinks are great. I love the teas ... chilled Moroccan Mint Tea is my go to; for treats I go to the Turkish Latte, or my newest treat... Matcha Honey Oatmilk (think that's what it's called.... it is perfect if you don't want sweetness overkill and syrup residue). And its not just the drinks that they do well. I have had much of the menu over the years.... but the absolute best and my go to... Chipotle Chicken Wrap (CCW) is the bomb. There was a couple that was struggling with what to order yesterday.... the helpful guy that I am told them the facts. They both found me later to thank me for the intro to the CCW. They were so appreciative I think if I had asked them to help me move this weekend they would have gladly said yes. (Humm Note... ways to get people to help you move) But food and drink aside... and even beyond the dogs that roam by and introduce themselves... I love the relationship you get to build with the fellow customers, baristas, and staff: Seeing past staff around town and greeting each other like your old friends (Rachel is an OG); Watching Amanda use her Ballerina moves to avoid people and dogs while delivering orders; Checking in with Esa on those occasions she isn't surfing or tending to a broken/bruised limb; And not only does Brooklynn serve up a mean cup of coffee but when you need to collect and/or analyze data to identify patterns and trends, remove bias and inform decision-making via statistical analysis... she is the queen. She is also a wiz at quickly coming up with the correct change (no small feat in this age of new math... she is my hero). I am here most mornings I am in town. It is like a room in my house... the den, where the family comes together and good things happen; One of the best things, in my opinion, about Little Italy. PS... Who does their Social Media???? She is awesome!!!! read more

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Iced salted caramel latte! Just do it!!! I was debating between the vanilla cold brew and salted caramel latte and so glad I went for the salted caramel. It was not as sweet as it sounds, which was great imo! It was actually light, with a perfect amount of caramel flavor (there's no caramel sauce in there or anything). The service was super friendly and fairly quick. The ambiance is nice and airy, given its half outdoor ish. Even on a rainy day, it's worth sitting in / out and enjoying a cup of Joe, while people watching. I'd definitely come back when I'm in the area visiting again. Probably try some breakfast next time as well. read more

Lofty Coffee - Iced salted caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great vibe and outdoor patio area, very open space. Some cool drinks on the menu including the Kyoto style cold brew with cold foam. I had the French toast with custom thick toast that had more of a cake or cookie consistency than a classic brioche bread. Overall, happy with my visit but nothing out of this world. It was a beautiful Sunday morning to sit outside, though. I wish it was cheaper but maybe I'm just broke. read more

Lofty Coffee - French Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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My favorite coffee place!!! Delicious, dog friendly, great food (avocado toast is so good!). Nice barista's, cute cafe culture

Really great coffee, and surprisingly had really awesome breakfast menu items. Other places in the area were really noisy, but this was a chill vibe in a nice patio area. We didn't have to wait long considering how busy it was. read more