Dirty chai and an almond croissant, baby. Dip the almond croissant, in the dirty chai--gah amazing. The almond croissant is lined with almond slivers on the outside and delicious frangipane inside. Just so good. Nice atmosphere, quick service. Sat outside, sunny and gorgeous. Great little place for a day in Little Italy. read more

Prendi E Vai - Dirty chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Needed a quick lunch so I stopped by Prendi E Vai on my stroll. Their shop has garnered my attention numerous times, but it wasn't until two weeks ago I peeked in and decided to order something. There's a two-page menu back-to-back listed with regular deli sandwiches, or their Schiacciata sandwiches which is a different type of crafted Italian bread they use. I went for their Italian sandwich, and the big sub was able to last me two meals. A generous portion of pepperoncini, salami, capocollo pepperoni made this a heavy sandwich. I'd probably order less oil next time as the sandwich paper was soaked from everything. I'd also order the Torpedo next time if I wanted the same fillings, but different type of bread for a cheaper option. I enjoyed Prendi E Vai for their sub so far, and I'd consider trying more bolder options on the menu. The service was standard and I took my food to go. read more

Prendi E Vai - Sign - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Parking -located in little Italy, metered street parking available nearby Service -When we walked in, we were the first in line to order with other customers already dining inside. Server was very nice and efficient taking our order and let us know to expect our free water soon from the beverage side of the store front. Sandwiches came out almost immediately after order! Food -Truffle Parma $19, bread was soft with a slight crisp exterior, you can tell it was made in house. This is the sandwich you want for a hot summer day that feels refreshing and not too heavy. The bed of arugula compliments the saltiness of the prosciutto while the burrata gives it just the right fluff, last but not least the truffle cream gives it just the right push of umami and makes you want to keep coming back for more bites. -II Siciliano $17, same quality bread as truffle parma. This is a sandwich with heavier flavor and packs a more savory punch, can't get enough of the mortadella! The pepperoncini and muffuletta also gave it such a nice pickled profile that I think would be so nice if paired with a sparkling Italian soda. Ambiance -It's a nice airy cafe with door opened but also air conditioning flowing inside. They also have little tables and chairs set up outside that's perfect for people watching the intersection. Seems like a hot spot a lot of people like to visit for lunch. read more

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Food 10/10 Service 10/10 Ambiance 10/10 I've seen this on my feed a few times and been wanting to try out their sandwiches. Today was the day. The Schiacciata Sandwiches we got are Il Siciliano & Truffle Parma and they're so freaking good. Going to go back again and try other sandwiches soon. The experience 10/10 read more

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Omggggg I usually prefer my sandwhiches savory (see Siciliano) but I actually liked the Salato better. Both were delicious and I recommend going with a friend so you can get one of each. The siciliano is a classic sandwhich, but the Solano stood out. Creamy goat cheese and guacamole jam??? And balsamic??, 10/10 Also they have a good selection of drinks and sides that I want to come back to try. read more

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First thing first, Camila is such a sweet barista. She takes your order with her beautiful smile and she recommends the best so, you should trust her. My favorite sandwich is , Di Santa Cecilia ( I add turkey and light straciatella) sooooooooo goooood Love this place read more

Prendi E Vai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I been going to @grabngosubs for over 2 decades and how am8'g they opened this beautiful cafe in @visitlittleitaly Prendie Vai means Grab and go in Italian Prendie Vai Café bringing Italy to Little Italy We said "pane-don me" while ordering two schiacciatas ‍ Di Carlo -- pistachio pesto, mortadella di pistachio, creamy stracciatella & crushed pistachio Il Siciliano -- mortadella di pistachio, capocollo, Genova salami, provolone, muffelatta & pepperoncini with tomato oil & vinegar From bold Sicilian flavors to bagels, buttery croissants, cannolis, and creamy lattes--this spot is pan-believable. Come check out @prendievai.sd @littleitalysd 801 W. Hawthorn St | San Diego read more

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This is such a cute and wonderful little cafe!! I was so happy when it came, replacing the generic corporate blah of the Starbucks that preceded it. Great atmosphere and selection. I only had time for a cup of coffee when I was there (3/19/26), but the lady behind the counter was wonderful and made me want to return. She was personable, knowledgeable, friendly and fast . The sandwiches look particularly good and I will be trying one next time. I'll leave an updated review ! read more

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The schiacciata sandwiches here are SO GOOD! Their bread is freshly housemade so when I came around 10am the person at the counter actually had to ask to make sure there was bread ready to be used for my order and luckily there was! All of the ingredients also looked super fresh/high quality and some of the meats were actually fresh deli cuts done to order right in front on the counter! The price ranges from $17-19 for the schiacciata sandwiches and they also offer sub sandwiches, bagels, coffee, etc! Il Siciliano: I love a good Italian sandwich so I just had to try the "il siciliano" (mortadella di pistachio, capocollo, salami di Genova, muffuletta, peoperoncini, tomato, oil, vinegar). To me sicilian sandwiches are the most classic/well known and this one did not disappoint, it satisfied my craving for an Italian sandwich 100%. Perfectly savory and salty with that touch of acidity and freshness from the tomato. Dolce e Salato: I was recommended the "dolce e salato" (prosciutto di parma, goat cheese guava spread, balsamic, toasted pistachio) for another sandwich to try and it's a delicious completely different flavor profile. The salty prosciutto combined with the creamy goats cheese with the sweet guava spread and the added texture of the toasted pistachios are a perfect combo! The flavors are all present with none being too overwhelming, this is definitely a delicious sandwich if you are looking for something on the sweeter and less savory side! Service was super fast there was no line when I went on a Friday around 10am! The person at the counter also gave me a great recommendation for which sandwich to try as its his personal favorite. Street parking only which is typical for little Italy. There's ample seating with both indoor and outdoor options which makes it dog friendly too and their little water bowl booth for dogs out front is adorable! Very clean and spacious interior, can be a little noisy given that it's near the flight path for the airport but not too bad! Overall, I would come here again! The sandwiches are delicious I do wish the price point was a little better but given the location in little Italy I understand why. Would be a nice spot to stop by on a farmers market day for lunch! They even have an order ahead option according to the sign posted out front. read more

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Got the Di Carlo and it was amazing! Crisp bread. Thinly sliced Mortadella. Fresh and nutty pesto spread. Overall sandwich was on the pricier end, but I felt like the ingredients were high quality. The sandwich at Prendi is unlike anything else you'd find in San Diego and I definitely plan to be back. read more

Prendi E Vai - Di Carlo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Food is actually really good. The reason I cannot recommend this place is that the employee(s) are ridiculously rude. Came in at 2:15 in the afternoon and was verbally accosted trying to get a seat to eat. Hear worked stacking chairs accost other patrons about only ordering to go at the same time. This is worrisome behavior from a place that has potential. read more

This is the Italian version of Grab and Go which makes sense given its Little Italy location as well as the translation of its business name. Others have noted that a Starbucks used to occupy this corner suite. The best bet for street parking in this area is to go north of Hawthorn St as the density of eateries is less so there are fewer vehicles. Some small round tables were placed outside on the sidewalk. The inside had a row of tables to the right when you entered. The menu screens hung behind the service counter. From left to right, you had coffees, breakfast offerings, submarine sandwiches, and schiacciata sandwiches. The last category used an Italian flatbread with a crispy crust and an airy inside. Interestingly, each of the 13 varieties cost either $17 or $19. I picked the II Siciliano that contained mortadella with pistachio, capocollo, Genova salami, provolone, muffaletta, pepperoncini, tomato, oil, and vinegar. The sandwich was large as there was no disputing that. My issue was that it was unwieldy because the item was not sliced in half. Perhaps that was done intentionally to maintain the integrity of the schiacciata. I found it difficult to consume as I had to pull apart the bread and eventually used a fork to eat the different meats. The muffaletta was an olive spread with a prominent flavor. There were no other customers during my visit so I thought the cashier would have been more welcoming when I arrived. The service from the worker who assembled my order was decent as he didn't take long. Overall, my takeout experience at Prendi E Vai was between three and four stars. read more

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Prendi E Vai has recently opened in Little Italy in the old Starbucks location, and let me tell you, it's a great addition to the community of Little Italy, San Diego and beyond. I really like places like this: a blend of many. It's a coffee shop, baker, and sandwich shop. It's a take and go concept, but also a sit down cafe where you can sit down to enjoy a meal and a nice conversation. They gave a lot to offer, including great espresso based beverages, breakfast items, freshly baked pizzas, and amazing schiacciata which is similar to a focaccia bread, but a little softer inside and a great crisp exterior with a touch of salt. You can get a warm schiacciata sandwich made to order. I had a cortado and a breakfast sandwich on ciabatta with porchetta and egg. The sandwich was delicious. I loved the crunchy nature of the bread. The sandwich came with a house made pistachio pesto, which was delicious, thinly sliced savory porchetta, and a medium fried egg. It was simple and delicious. I would order it again. The cortado was very smooth and rich. Customer service was super friendly and welcoming. They offer very good inside seating a few tables right out in front. If you are visiting Little Italy, I would definitely check out Prendi E Vai. read more

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Before going to Breakfast in Little Italy, we saw this PRENDI E VAI CAFE CLASSICO, so we decided to just go here . It's their first opening day today Sept . 29, 2025 here in Little Italy. We ordered from their SEASONAL COFFEE, the Honey Cinnamon Latte and Tiramisu Latte, and their Pastry Spinach and Artichoke. I like the fresh aroma of our Coffee, our coffee is smooth and satisfying, i enjoyed our cups of coffee. My Pastry is good, it's nice and fresh and delicious, good combination of the Spinach and Artichoke . Nice and clean and bright inside, staff are nice and welcoming. It's also nice that the moment you enter their place you can really smell the aroma of their fresh-brewed coffee. Parking is on side streets . read more

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I've been dying for this place to open, ever since I walked by and saw my favorite Italian dessert listed on their window. Sorry to report, it was a huge let down. Sfogliatella is supposed to be delicately crisp with yummy fluffy cream inside, like the picture on their menu. Compare that with my picture of what I received -looks more like old custard. Didn't taste good, so I threw out everything you see in the picture. After one bite, I decided it wasn't worth the calories. Really hope this changes soon and gets better, or I'll have to make another trip to Bologna to get my fix. Macadamia cookie was okay, nothing special but edible. Latte was beyond terrible. I often frequent La Colombe at UTC Mall so I know they have great beans and lattes come out perfect there. Since these are the beans being used, I can only speculate it's the person operating the machine. See my latte photo, she's still working on how to make the foam leaf so perhaps she just needs more time in learning how to make espressos. Mine tasted bitter, as if old grounds weren't cleaned out. Bottom line, doesn't look aesthetically pleasing & didn't taste right. Was also told that utensils were in the corner, where straws are kept, yet turned out to be behind the counter. I really dislike leaving this review. As I said, I had high hopes but nothing came close to our expectations. Crossing my fingers that they pull it together soon. I'll come back in a month and try again. ps, This would've been a 1 star review if not for the employees' friendliness. read more

Prendi E Vai - Sfogliatella (disappointing) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stumbled across this quaint, little Italian-inspired cafe as I was walking around Little Italy. Located on the corner of India St. & W. Hawthorne (directly across the street from Mona Lisa's), sits this adorable European-style coffee & sandwich shop/bakery. I was warmly greeted when I entered the cafe and the enthusiasm of the gentleman who was making sandwiches made me eager to try one of his masterpieces. While the dining area inside is limited, they do offer a couple of small tables outside -- nice for people watching and enjoying our perfect SD weather. But the highlight of this gem is their selection of sandwiches, specifically those on their fresh baked schiacciata (similar to a focaccia bread, but much better IMO). This heavenly bread is pure perfection - soft, yet with a perfect light crispness when you take a bite. With so many tempting choices, I finally settled on the caprese schiacciata (I added prosciutto), and let me say that it did not disappoint! This is a sandwich I would drive across town and battle the parking wars of Little Italy to satisfy a craving. The burrata was perfectly smooth and creamy, pistachio pesto was pure heaven, prosciutto was thin, salty & tasty and the schiacciata elevated the entire sandwich into a realm all its own! I'm salivating just reminiscing about that first bite. Seriously. If you happen to be in the area, or even within walking distance, I highly recommend stopping in for one of their schiacciata sandwiches -- you will not be disappointed! While you're there, grab a cannoli to go, I highly recommend the pistachio -- perfectly balanced, with a lightly crisp shell filled with creamy goodness (not too sweet) and generously sprinkled with pistachios. You're welcome. read more

Prendi E Vai - Caprese Schiacciata sandwich (added prosciutto). Perfection. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Too expensive. This place is priced for tourists. Not getting return business. AND they don't care. Good luck with the locals. read more

Prendi E Vai - Convo with business. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Cute bakery/ sandwich shop. They replaced the Starbucks that used to be on this corner. We tried their almond fear claw and it was pretty good. Clean shop, love the decor. read more

Prendi E Vai - Baked goods - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I tried the Il Siciliano schiacciata sandwich whichwith mortadela di pistachio, capocollo, salami di Genova, mufelatta (olive tepanade), pepperocini, tomato, oil and vinegar. I subbed the olive with Calabrian chile instead since I'm not a fan of olives which was the right move! The heat and spice from the calabrian chile paired so well with the rest of the toppings. It's a bit on the steeper price for a sandwich but typical for freshly sliced deli meat made to order and the portions were generous. read more

This charming corner Sicilian Cafe was a delightful discovery! The Tiramisu Latte is a liquid masterpiece! Your latte is topped with a present made up of mascarpone cream and a lady finger cookie to dip. You almost don't want to drink it, it's that pretty, but you will and be elated you did! The espresso they use is delicious and it wasn't too sweet. Dipping cookies into coffee is a classic Italian cultural experience. You must try! It won't be soggy at all. My friend and I also each ordered sandwiches from the schiacciata menu. This Tuscan flat bread is perfect for toasted sandwiches. You won't take a bite and get only bread like you do when thick bread is used. My sandwich was the Di Santa Cecilia and every bite has each element of the filling. My friend ordered one of the truffle ones and loved hers! So satisfying! The portions are generous. Bring your appetite. The cherry on top of this whole experience was that the employees must have noticed we were celebrating my birthday. We hadn't mentioned it and were truly just enjoying our meal when one brought us a plate of cannolis! This was the best cannoli I've ever had. I was so happy I thought I might cry. The cannoli cream was light, sweetened perfectly, and had just a hint of lemon to make the whole bite refreshing like lemonade on a hot day. I am so happy to have discovered this spot! Looking forward to my next visit! PS. If you love pistachios and think they are the king of nuts, pistachio is included in many of their recipes! Sandwich not pictured due to immediate consumption. read more

Prendi E Vai - Tiramisu Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Had a sandwich at Predni de Vie and wow -- best I've had in ages! Shared with my husband... instantly regretted it. Definitely going back for my own next time! read more

Got the banana cream latte -- 5/5. It didn't taste artificial and was smooth, well-balanced, and enjoyable. The pistachio cannoli was 4/5 -- the shell was fresh and crisp. The cream had lemon zest which was a nice touch. We didn't try a sandwich this time, but they looked great, so we'll definitely be back to try one next time. read more

Prendi E Vai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I loveee this place! they have strong, flavorful, coffee. The chairs outside get the perfect morning sun too! The barista who helps me often is so nice everytime and is patient with me when I cant decide on my order! They serve up a 10/10 pup cup! read more

Prendi E Vai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

My bestie and I came to grab an iced coffee and to walk around the area. The inside was very clean and welcoming. We ended up ordering a banana creme latte, and a tiramisu latte. I thought that my coffee was very yummy, it had a thicker cream consistency on top and had a lady finger cookie to go with it! I also loved how the barista gave us advice on the coffee orders which helped ordering much easier! read more

Prendi E Vai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped by here today before the farmers market. The inside is super cute... cozy but modern, with tons of charm and little details that make you want to stay awhile. I tried the tiramisu latte and it was fantastic. It wasn't overly sweet, just perfectly balanced with rich espresso and creamy mascarpone on top (and they even serve it with a ladyfinger!). Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area. I plan on going again to try the food menu. The sandwiches looked fantastic. read more

Prendi E Vai - Tiramisu latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Got the Di Carlos and it was legit. Mortadella sliced super thin, bread airy and crisp. Take me back to Italy! Wish it was a bit more meat to be more filling for the price. But still overall a good sando. read more

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You'll want to make this your next Little Italy destination. I hope it sticks around since it's both delicious and Little Italy is lacking in Italian and Italian-American places (compared to Little Italy in elsewhere, USA). We went for late breakfast ordered two coffee specials (pistachio tiramisu) and two sandwiches (caprese breakfast) that was good and a (il siciliano? not certain) and that one was so friggin good and I will get that one next time. THE condiments and dressings were mmmmmm ::licks lips emoji::. There was plenty of meats, more meat than some existing photos (hopefully thats the norm now dunno). The coffee was a treat, truly. Notably, it came topped with a lady fingers AND heavy cream... heavier than any cream I can think of...it was so heavy, dense and full fat that... come to think of it, it was probably some marscapone. It was almost like a coffee with a tiramisu was slapped on top. It was intensely rich, but good. Fabulous. I wondered why no ever recommended me to go to this place, and only its (meh)neighbor. Apparently this place recently-ish opened. Next time I will only entertain going here for said sandwiches. Cons: Since there are so few reviews, I'll just refurbish cons listed by others. A very popular 3 stars solely due to: the sandwich wasn't cut (I wish I was joking) and the parking was bad. My refurb: This is why SD can't have nice things!!!! Someone claimed 2 stars: They said it's priced for tourists. My refurb: Maybe their old mortgage didn't let them know how high rent is in Little Italy? The most price gouging restaurant groups in SD don't own this place, but are pre-real estate boom owners, are not subject to a 2025 priced lease, chase them, not tenants. Someone claimed 2 stars: The service was bad. My refurb: Yeah service is not ideal, 110% agree. Besides Sicily, its webpage listed the of this spot as NY, NY. The cultural differences may be perceived as rude, but let's just call it authentic and true to its roots. 5 stars. We were given an extra hard time about getting for here cups for no observable business reason (why have them then?). Salty. 5 stars. hahahaha. [Also joking, staff were fine, just unwarm] Tip: They do have a bathroom. Tip: Must request the code separate from asking if they have one and where it is (authentic style). Last tip: Food comes out reasonably fast even when crowded. This is a place was delicious. The flavors reminded me of some old sandwiches spots from back home yonder (northeast USA) but with some new school esthetics & flare. 5 stars. read more

New favorite Little Italy spot! Their sandwiches are delicious every single time, and their lattes are super fun and tasty. Obsessed with the schiacciata bread. I think I've had four of their sandwiches now and I want to try more! read more

I may actually have to revise this to five stars. I will have to go back in. Try some other items. Loved my sandwiches. Great place. I wish there was one in North County. read more

Two years ago I was in Rome and honestly the food was subpar but the one thing that blew me away was the sfogliatella and trying to find it in SoCal was so challenging until I moved to SD last month. I saw this noted on their window and bookmarked the place to visit during their hours and today I did and wow. The place itself is very chic and beautiful with indoor and small outdoor seating. You're greeted immediately upon walking in and the menu is plentiful. There's a grab and go selection but also freshly made sandwiches, and a decent selection of pastries including the sfogliatella! One reviewer said it was awful so I was worried but decided to give it a shot along with the tiramisu latte. Ummm WOW! The latte is rich and flavorful (definitely hearty so it's perfect for those who want a filling drink) and the sfogliatella was DIVINE! I should have bought a second one for later haha because I inhaled the first one. A few people came in and ordered hot sandwiches and they smelled amazing so I definitely will be returning to eat onsite. read more

Prendi E Vai - Tiramisu Latte + Sfogliatella - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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The staff was extremely nice and was willing to provide recommendations. The recommendations were perfect and the food was phenomenal! read more

Prendi E Vai - The Parma special! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stumbled upon this new Italian café in Little Italy and decided to try two croissants: one butter and one pistachio almond. Prices weren't displayed, so I was quite shocked when I was charged $14.50 for just two croissants. Unfortunately, the disappointment continued once we got home and tasted them. Despite appearances, they were definitely not freshly baked that day. Having lived in France for 25 years, I can easily tell when a croissant is a few days old...and these were. It's a shame because the café itself looks charming from the outside, but between the steep prices and the lack of freshness, I won't be returning. read more

Drinks and food are always Fresh and Delicious. Place is beautifully decorated and clean. Staff is friendly. A must try when in the area! read more

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Never heard of a breakfast place that doesn't sell hot tea. It's on their website but not on the menu, and when I went this morning, I was told by counter staff that they don't sell hot tea. So much for replacing Starbucks for something to drink. Such a waste of space. Also, they don't open until 7am, when many people, including me, are well on our way to work. I give them six months before they have to shut their doors. read more

Every time I find myself in SD and Downtown, I'm drawn to a Grab & Go for lunch. I visit Prendi E Vai for the first time, what a great experience, they have great fresh subs. You can buy your favorite meal to take home or order a meal and sit down to eat in the restaurant. There's table seating in large, bright, and clean table with plenty of sunlight from large window walls at entrance. I had really great service, ordering at the counter. Grab & Go has been my favorite local restaurant in SD to go and know Prendi E Vai will be in my top two choices. read more

The toasted Italian sub is soo good the pastries are a bit overpriced and hit or miss

My new favorite sandwich spot in San Diego! So glad this place opened! The best focaccia bread I've ever had. Cant wait to try more on the menu as today was my first day. I live down the street so I'll be here all the time! Please try this place and you can thank me later. read more

Service was a little slow but the croissant was amazing! Can't wait to try their cornetti alla Crema! read more

Great little coffee shop in Little Italy. The croissants were fantastic. Loved our coffees too. Will definitely come here the next time we are in town. read more

The cafe itself is very cute and the toasted Italian was delicious! The service was great, quick, and I appreciated the time the cashier took to explain some of the menu items I was unfamiliar with. I love that they have good grab and go options as well. I will definitely be coming back! read more