Montebello Cafe

187

300

255

2 years ago

A true gem tucked away that is a must visit! I stumbled upon this place because I was looking for some good coffee to pair with my K Sandwich and it was just across the street so thought I would give it a try. Immediately I felt welcomed by the friendly owner/barista who seemed like he took pride in his craft as he explained subtle adjustments he wanted to make long term to his recipe. I ordered the iced caramel latte with vanilla cold foam. I asked if he could make it just a little less sweet despite the ordering the sweetest sounding drink on the menu, he accommodated my request perfectly!! It was perfectly adjusted to still be moderately sweet but not overwhelming sweet with the coffee flavor still being the prominent flavor. There were other delicious winter seasonal drinks on the menu which I'm sure is also delicious and on rotation. I highly recommend this spot! Not to mention the free parking which is awesome. Support your local mom and pop shops! read more

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Gaby K.

1 year ago

I'm always looking for a good Mexican mocha coffee and saw that this place had one. I got a 16oz Mex-mocha with an add shot and it tasted delicious! Will definitely be coming back. read more

Montebello Cafe - Mex-mocha 16oz with add shot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Leah G.

8 months ago

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Seth I.

116

1 year ago

The shop is tiny but the energy is great! I forgot the name of the man who helped me but I'm almost positive he's the owner. He's super friendly, talkative, and seems to love interacting with customers. This business is veteran friendly too with who I presume the owner to be a veteran as well. My wife came here multiple times and we both love the coffee. It's great quality, they seem to have deep knowledge about coffee, and every drink tastes amazing. We will definitely be buying from here frequently and I recommend this place to anyone who wants good quality coffee. read more

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Katherine C.

369

263

215

1 year ago

Giving 5 stars for the owner who was very sweet and talkative to try to get to know everyone in the little shop. The coffee was delicious, and it was a bit tough to find, but it was worth it. It's a simple quick stop and go coffee joint. It's allllll the way end of the parking lot away from the medical offices read more

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Angie M.

8 months ago

Loved Leo's energy. Very welcoming and talkative. My I got the coconut blush it tasted delicious. He genuinely remembers his return customers. It's nice to see business owners who care. My family and I will continue to return. read more

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Jackie R.

1 year ago

Great coffee, tried both the brown sugar espresso drink and the chocolate abuelita 10/10 read more

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Melissa R.

1 year ago

Stopped by this coffee spot randomly and it did not disappoint! The vibe was great, the guy working had such good energy, and my white chocolate mocha blended was amazing. Definitely coming back! read more

Montebello Cafe - Blended white mocha frapp - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Elizabeth J.

107

102

1 year ago

Super cute hole-in-the-wall coffee shop! The owner is really friendly and the coffee was perfect to my taste! I didn't need him to but he also offered to remake or change my coffee if there was anything I didn't like(for example if it was too sweet or not strong enough)! Customer service here gets an A+! I will definitely be returning read more

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Kandi R.

111

1 year ago

Worth the five stars for sure! It's a cute small little coffee shop. Don't let it fool you. Coffee is bomb. Service is outstanding. The owner is very kind, professional, and approachable. Veteran owned :) read more

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Justine A.

206

646

2 years ago

Lived in SD 3years ago due to my husband being in the military. We're back in the area, so that means coffee every week! 4th coffee shop we've tried since being here for almost 3 weeks and have to say, really appreciate and can easily love this little cafe! Took a chance after my doctors appointment at Westcoast OBGYN down the road-ish to try this place and glad we did! My husband got a caramel frappe and I got a matcha, both drinks very good! Got a few pastries as well. Leo is a cool guy! We joked around a bit, I said it showed I was a bit older since the morning crowd at the time seemed like college kids . I had to ask him what his ethnicity was. Sometimes you just know you're in the presence of another Asian haha. Leo was so nice, He offered a discount if I got it right- of course I was wrong the 4times I guessed haha. I did say no to a discount, I wanna support the small business. Anywhere I can support anything smaller than a big company, I will. Hard work and dedication always wins! All in all great coffee, good vibes. Would definitely comeback to try other things! read more

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Sarah A.

3 months ago

Delicious coffee and the owner/barista was so friendly and welcoming. Great tucked away spot!

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Landyn S.

7 months ago

Such a sweet shop owner and yummy coffee! Lavendar latter was delicious and so was the hot chocolate!! read more

Montebello Cafe - Lavender Latte!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Zaira R.

121

146

3 years ago

Keep coming back. This time I got the mexi-mocha and it is sooo yummy. Also, best days to get pastries are Mondays and Tuesdays! read more

Montebello Cafe - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Montebello Cafe - Pastries fully stocked. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tracy I.

118

3 years ago

This little cafe made my day! I was tagging along with my boyfriend to his physical therapy appointment in case he needed my help, and upon seeing the cafe sign, I knew I was in for a treat...but after the appointment. I love me an iced mocha and I love trying new coffee places. The owner was super nice and super cool to chat with. Great personality. My boyfriend and I enjoyed our coffee drinks very much (he had a caramel macchiato), and we each had a yummy chocolate almond croissant. The place was neat and clean with a great vibe along with limited indoor counter seating looking out the window. We took our order home, but I'm sure we'll get to stay and enjoy our coffee and snacks there another time. read more

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Rina C.

9 months ago

When looking for a coffee shop, I go for local businesses. This one is in a medical building, a lil spot . Was greeted with a smile and very personable. Ordered two drinks a hot and an iced latte. Both were perfect! We will for sure come back when in the area. read more

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Victor T.

10 months ago

This place nails it with a bright, cozy, and professional vibe. And the caramel vanilla coffee? Absolutely amazing a must try!

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Solomon P.

171

1 year ago

Great coffee with some unique creative drinks. Super nice staff. Tons of parking. Would recommend wholeheartedly.

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Danielle F.

1 year ago

Stumbled upon this place on my way to the office and so glad I did. Everything looked good so it took me awhile to decide what I wanted. Decided on the iced white white mocha half sweet. Leo made it perfectly! Will def be back! read more

Montebello Cafe - Iced white mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Maria B.

1 year ago

This small are shop is hidden across mesa high School and I must say this place was amazing. The owner Leo is super friendly and very Welcoming to new customers. Slot of high schooler hang out before school. I always order my favorite drink ice biscoff and my daughter's favorite drink Mexican coffee. Been going here for quite a while since I've discovered this place. Great customer service and always very accommodating. read more

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WanderingDreamweaver ..

1 year ago

Out of sight but not out of mind after enjoying the coffees Leo makes. Totally recommend.

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Apoorva B.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

293

4 years ago

We stumbled upon this place on our trip to San Diego and we are extremely glad to have gone to this place. The owner of this place is extremely sweet and strikes a great conversation. We had Mocha and it was a good coffee. The place is small and cute and definitely worth a visit. If the owner is reading this, Hi! :) read more

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Melissa D.

Elite 25

551

128

2 years ago

5 stars for the customer service alone! I just got a simple latte with oat milk and a jalepeno bagel with cream cheese which were all good. However, I just wanted to point out the guy running the cafe is extremely friendly and seems to have amazing rapport with all the customers which doesn't go unnoticed. read more

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Angelle D.

1 year ago

got the caramel vanilla latte with cold foam and the mazapan latte and dude they're sooo good! the worker there was really nice and energetic! definitely go there!! ‍ read more

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Stephanie N.

2 years ago

Stumbled across this quaint coffee shop after an appointment. Leo was absolutely amazing; such a bright welcoming personality! He was super informative and helped me pick out exactly what he'd thought I'd like based on his my likings. I got a brown shaken espresso and it was amazing, not too sweet, coffee forward. Love supporting small family owed businesses. Absolutely will be back. Thanks LEO! read more

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Kat G.

4 years ago

I love this cafe!! It's new and well worth stopping in. I've had the chai latte, Mexican hot chocolate, and watermelon mint refresher. All three were delicious! Would get any of them again. There's pastries and snacks too. Prices are affordable. The shop is small but welcoming with festive decor, big windows, and a friendly atmosphere. It's a family-owned business and the teas and coffees are fair trade, lots of organic offerings, and the cups are eco friendly. What's not to love? Blink and you may miss it from the street; look for the signs on the sidewalk and in the lot. It's a tiny neighborhood place, the drinks are great, and the owner is so friendly! read more

Montebello Cafe - Seating and counter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Montebello Cafe - Signage in lot, door, open sign in the window - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Kev C.

2 years ago

I can't say enough good things about montebello cafe. Service is amazing and owner is a military veteran. Hadn't been able to come in for over a year because I was away at college and he recognized me. Great quality coffee both espresso and drip as well as yummy smoothies and baked goods. read more

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Alexandra H.

2 years ago

My boyfriend and I stopped by Montebello Cafe after a drive down from LA to SD. We just wanted to try some small coffee shops and was pleasantly surprised by Montebello Cafe. The person behind the bar was very kind and made the experience very personable, given good recommendations on what to order. read more

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Olivia G.

2 years ago

Montebello café makes it EASY and DELICIOUS to boycott Starbucks. Their brown sugar shaken espresso is better than those you can get at chains, plus the service is exceptionally friendly. If you live in the Kearny Mesa area by Rady Children's hospital you've gotta try Montebello. read more

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Stephanie V.

2 years ago

We love supporting local and Leo was a great barista/therapist for the 5 minutes I was there. Very fast and friendly service. Their sugar free syrup selection for your coffee is amazing! Very delicious read more

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Tyler N.

1 year ago

This place is amazing! Great coffee, great drinks, and the star is definitely the owner/barista Leo. The guys just a gem of a person. If you want to support great people and a great local business and get a good drink in the process this is the place to do it. read more

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Sean S.

2 years ago

I was smell coffee on the way out from physical therapist. So I decided to check it out and unbelievable coffee test is so amazing, small spot but great coffee. It will be my favorite place when I come by from now on. Love it read more

Montebello Cafe - Great coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jechel S.

2 years ago

This was a cute and small hole in a wall coffee shop. Coffee was delicious and pastries were tasty as well. Leo, the owner, was so sweet and friendly it totally made my morning! He loves what he does and makes the day brighter ! read more

Montebello Cafe - Caramel vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Megan B.

3 years ago

First time visit. Tried the vanilla carmel foam latte. It was delicious. Great customer service. Highly recommend. read more

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Tiffany J.

3 years ago

Very friendly owner, always positive and happy. He makes you smile as you walk out with your great cup of coffee.

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Mari S.

131

2 years ago

I found this cafe based on yelp. Wanted to get out of the office but wanted something without caffeine. Leo hooked me up with a iced Mexican mocha with oat milk. It was delicious. I'm definitely heading back again soon! read more

Montebello Cafe - Iced mexican mocha. Yum! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Debbie L.

2 years ago

My family and I were vacationing in the area, on our way to the zoo, when I had a craving for a good iced coffee. We looked up nearby coffee shops on Mapquest and stopped here since it had 5 star reviews. Best decision of the day! I think I ordered the caramel vanilla latte, whatever it was, it was the best coffee drink I've had in a long time! And I frequent coffee shops more than I care to admit. It was our first full day in San Diego, and the owner was the first local we came across. He was so friendly and nice to my kids, gave us a great first impression of San Diego locals. Do yourself a favor, and make this a pit stop in your day! read more

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Madison G.

2 years ago

They have great tasting coffee! Owner/Barista was very friendly and kind and made an excellent latte! Highly recommend checking this place out if you want good coffee. Tucked away in a medical office building. read more

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Jennifer L.

201

3 years ago

Great service, great customized drink, hidden gem. Support your local community and try this place out. The owner goes above and beyond to make his customers feel seen and appreciated. Coming back! read more

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More info about Montebello Cafe

7625A Mesa College Dr
San Diego, CA 92111
Clairemont
Directions
(760) 504-6954
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.montebellocafe.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Montebello Cafe open?

Montebello Cafe opens at 8:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Montebello Cafe close?

Montebello Cafe closes at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Montebello Cafe is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 12:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Montebello Cafe take Bitcoin?

Yes, Montebello Cafe takes Bitcoin.

Does Montebello Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, Montebello Cafe takes credit cards.

Indoor Amenities

Does Montebello Cafe allow dogs?

Yes, Montebello Cafe allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Montebello Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, Montebello Cafe has bike parking.

Does Montebello Cafe have outdoor seating?

No, Montebello Cafe does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Montebello Cafe have parking?

Yes, Montebello Cafe has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does Montebello Cafe have free WiFi?

Yes, Montebello Cafe has free WiFi.

More Info

Special Hours, Health Score

Ask the Community - Montebello Cafe

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The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Roma A.

2 years ago

I'm always on the lookout for great local coffee spots, and I stopped by after a doctor's appointment. The coffee here was absolutely delicious, smooth and flavorful! The customer service was also fantastic; the staff was welcoming and attentive, making my experience even better. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending this spot to friends. A true gem in the neighborhood read more

Lucia N.

153

4 years ago

Stopped in between my doctors appointments and had the pleasure of meeting the owner. He made me my usual coffee order, Vanilla Latte w/ Oat Milk. Coffee tasted amazing plus he used high quality oat milk (I'm kinda snobby with my oat milk). Next time I will definitely try their smoothies and pastries, everything look delicious. Support your local coffee shops! read more

Marie D.

261

2 years ago

The owner is incredibly nice. I was there with both my kids after spending the morning at Radys Children's around the corner. The kids were grumpy and needed a snack. The owner went above and beyond to take care of us. Found them on google and so glad I stopped by. Great coffee and food. Highly recommend! read more

A K.

5 months ago

One of the best hot lattes I've tried (2 pumps of pistachio). Excellent service, cheerful atmosphere

Montebello Cafe - coffee - Updated October 2026

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Industrial Grind Coffee

4.5

(227 reviews)

Always a delight to get Açai Bowl and it's delicious. Service is always good there. Being somewhat…read moreregular customer, great local neighborhood in Tierrasanta. Definitely will return again.

I'm not sure where the 4.5 stars is coming from. I was excited to explore a new coffee shop that…read moresaid it had lots of fresh baked goods. That fell short. It was only 9am. The atmosphere inside was more of the problem. The gentlemen that was helping us at first was nice but then this lady started helping us and she wasn't very pleasant. I'm all for supporting small businesses and know that sometimes that comes with your kids having to come into the shop. But yelling and threatening about 5 times as we sat there and tried to enjoy our drinks and pastries of what they had left was uncomfortable. Unfortunately when you have to discipline in a place of business maybe soften your tone or ask another worker to assist instead. Overall we just didn't like the atmosphere or the set up. Was not very welcoming. The lady did try to be polite to the next few customers that walked in but her tone was just not to my liking and made rhetorical experience uncomfortable. It's a hard pass for me. And if customers asked everytime where the napkins were..., maybe don't place them below the trash can by the exit. Kind of weird. Bagel was good Coffee was okay.

Clairemont Coffee

4.5

(502 reviews)

Was in the area a little before noon on Friday and I wanted to get some REALLY good coffee so Yelp…read moreled me to this place. And my goodness! This quaint and unassuming coffee shop delivered spectacularly. Located in a really small strip mall, we were happy to get a parking space in the parking lot. Walking in, it had a tropical safari theme. It's not a big place but just enough for a few small tables and displays. I ordered at the register and the girl that helped us was super nice. She made great suggestions on the coffees. We tried their Latte with oat milk and the Maple nut latte. We also tried their pistachio-apricot scone. The lattes were excellent! Great, strong coffee flavor but with no bitterness. It was really smooth. And the scone? Loved it! Great taste and texture. Perfect crumb. Oh how I wish this place was in North County. I'll definitely be back!

Very small parking lot. Be careful as people speed in and around the lot. Might be better to street…read morepark if you can find it. Really busy lot. Cute little cafe with seating inside. Tried: Blueberry cobbler latte - I wasn't a fan of this drink as the syrup was a little odd but friend liked it. Banana cream pie latte - I thought it came with the banana cold foam but it does not. The taste was okay on this.

Coastal Coffee

4.6

(22 reviews)

This little coffee cart outside of Scripps is a lifesaver if you're in urgent need of some…read morebreakfast or caffeine before a procedure. The guy behind the counter was super sweet. All of their drink options looked appetizing, but unfortunately it was a no-caffeine morning for me so I tried a blackberry banana nut muffin, which was exactly what it sounded like. It was super moist and sweet with a surprisingly awesome texture. I never would have thought to adorn a banana nut muffin with blackberries and sugar crystals but it works. Definitely worth checking this spot out if you're looking for a little dopamine while having to spend your day at Scripps.

This coffee cart is outside Scripps Memorial Hospital they have awesome service very friendly…read moreemployees. Great drinks and the best treats. Fast and friendly service . It's outdoors so seating is all over around the hospital. Stop by grab a drink and a muffin.

Kaffa Coffee

4.9

(73 reviews)

Cozy sweet vibe and delicioussss coffee came by proximity and I'm glad I found it. Big recommend!read more

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

Yohed Coffee

4.7

(57 reviews)

I am posting this to help out my fellow vegans and vegetarians. Yohed offers two non-dairy milk…read moreoptions: Oat and Almond. I was planning to get a plain old cold brew, but I thought I would get a cappuccino since it was only 8:00 am on a Sunday, and I wanted to see if they had non-dairy milk, since Yelp's AI told me to call ahead. I really enjoyed my cappuccino; the place smelled like heavenly spices, and I loved that so many Arsenal fans were crammed inside to watch the game today. If Arsenal plays Everton, I am going to wander up there so that I can catch the game and enjoy a fabulous cup of just plain black coffee or cold brew. Simple place, decorated well, and it has a warm atmosphere. I will be back since it's only a quarter of a mile from where I am living temporarily here.

Cute local Ethiopian coffee shop; we got an iced coffee (5/5 on flavor, good size 14 or 16oz) a…read morecappuccino (not recommended; 3/5 super milky no foam) and a chornake puff bread pastry which was a delicious treat to share. The person behind the counter was really friendly and the walls had lots of cute art, there was plenty of seating inside and a soccer match on TV. Also nice is a 15 minute parking spot outside for grab and go.

Cuppa Cuppa Drive Thru

4.6

(561 reviews)

What a gem of a shack Cuppa Cuppa is!!!…read more I've lived by it for 8 years but didn't really start getting into drinking espresso until this past year so I hadn't stopped by here ever but man, I guess I've been missing out. I've tried A LOT of coffee shops in SD (and get americanos) and confidently say they have really solid espresso here. They also have such fun seasonal menu items for those who like sweeter drinks and their banana breads are bomb. One of these days I will make it there early enough to try a breakfast burrito. Such lovely staff they have too! Also I will never forget when Better Buzz was opening up across the street and they got the billboard above their store promoting their business...was gold lolol Will support Cuppa Cuppa over Better Buzz any day for sure.

Was in the area and finally gave Cuppa Cuppa a try!…read more Cute drive-thru coffee shack located in a parking lot. Tons of options on the menu that was a bit overwhelming, but the staff was very friendly and patient while we asked a couple questions to help us narrow down our options. Went with an iced smokey jo latte with oat and an iced maca mocha with oat. Drinks were out in a couple of minutes and we were on our way. The smokey jo had a great salty and sweet balance, and the maca mocha had a distinguishable macadamia flavor, which I can appreciate! Just wish there was a tad more ice in each of the drinks because they were lukewarm, but other than that, no complaints over the taste of the drinks! Look forward to stopping by again!

Gold Soul Coffee

4.8

(39 reviews)

Gold soul is a small drive up coffee hut. Located near the freeway and close to Mission bay. They…read moreknow how to make a good latte. My favorite is the white choco mocha. Stop by and give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

Adorable drive-up/walk-up coffee shop in Bay Park…read more My friends and I rented an Airbnb nearby for the July 4th weekend and made multiple trips to Gold Soul Coffee for a hit of morning caffeine. I love a well balanced latte of milk, add-ons, and heavy espresso. Extra points of the milk and syrups are made in house. Gold Soul didn't quite hit the mark for me. Their lattes really lean into the sweetness. I even added in additional milk and espresso once we got home. The girl working the booth was an absolute pleasure and I love their cutesy branding. I wouldn't seek this place out on a return trip to SD, but I truly enjoyed the overall vibes!

Subterranean Coffee Boutique

4.2

(729 reviews)