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    Public Square

    4.5 (1.2k reviews)

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    PUBLIC SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
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    Recommended Reviews - Public Square

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    Latte
    siri g.

    This is one of my favorite spots in the La Mesa area. The staff is always warm and welcoming, and the entire café has such a cozy, inviting vibe. It's also very kid-friendly and a great place to read or study, with dedicated stools and seating designed for that purpose. I really appreciate their no-WiFi table concept, which encourages community, conversation, and being present rather than glued to a screen. One thing to keep in mind is parking, it's mostly paid street parking and can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. That said, it's still worth the effort. Their scones always look incredible, though this time I kept it simple with a latte, and it was absolutely delicious. I love the cute little "thank you" card they give out!

    Housemade Sugar Scone
    Vivian

    It is hard not to give this place another five star review. I usually do not review a shop more than once, but during my second visit to Public Square I was transported right back to happy little coffee shop heaven. It almost felt like experiencing it for the first time again. I will not go into too much detail since my first review already covers a lot... This time we arrived about an hour before closing. They offer an afternoon happy hour from 1pm to close (4pm). Scones are $2, some lunch items like the tomato soup and carnitas sandwich are $2 off, and certain lattes are only $4. Last time I ordered a matcha latte with pandan syrup which was great, but this visit I wanted to try their signature pandan latte. My partner ordered the dark chocolate mocha latte. We also grabbed two scones with fig and honey butter and maple cayenne butter. You can check my first review for more details about the butter. The space was extremely clean and cozy. The interior has lots of greenery and warm lighting. I like that they rely on natural light mixed with softer yellow lighting. It makes the space comfortable whether you are studying, getting work done, or just winding down after a long day like we were. The barista at the register was incredibly kind. She was handling both drink making and the register while a steady line of customers kept forming. I was not able to catch her name but she maintained a great attitude the whole time. The person clearing tables and running food was also very friendly. We were given a number for our scones and they arrived in less than five minutes. They smelled amazing and tasted even better. Warm and fluffy with a slightly crisp exterior. Our drinks came out about ten minutes after ordering. The dark chocolate mocha latte was crafted really well. You could taste that slight bitterness from the dark chocolate but it blended nicely with the espresso. My pandan latte was refreshing in a caffeinated, comforting kind of way. I was curious whether it was more of a pandan milk drink or if there was espresso in it. I could definitely taste espresso but the drink still kept its bright green color which made me wonder if it might be a lighter roast. The pandan flavor adds this nutty, almost macadamia-like flavor that makes the drink creamy and really enjoyable. Overall this place continues to impress me. Great service, consistently delicious drinks and food, and a cozy atmosphere. I cannot wait to come back and try the carnitas sandwich next.

    Not-So Old Fashioned Biscuits & Gravy
    Jemiah J.

    Portions here are huge, so definitely come hungry. I had the chia pudding, and my sisters and husband enjoyed their meals. I did find the Not-So-Old-Fashioned Biscuits and Gravy to have an overpowering rosemary flavor. If you like rosemary, you might enjoy them. The breakfast sandwich was tasty, and I loved the Black Sesame Latte. They provide non-dairy milk, which I appreciate. Service was great, and the restaurant setting was warm and inviting.

    Tracy M.

    It's our first time here at public Square. We are each having a sandwich and tea and it is really very good. They serve breakfast all day

    Cesar P.

    Hands down the best coffee in town. Consistently excellent, thoughtfully made, and never misses. The food is just as good--fresh, well-executed, and clearly made with care. Great vibe, friendly staff, and the kind of place that reminds you why supporting small businesses matters. Support local--especially when it's this good..

    Sesame Lattes, iced and hot
    Annabel H.

    4.5/5! Lively, homey coffee shop in the center of La Mesa. Coffee: 5/5 The sesame latte was wonderfully umami. 1/2 sweet was the perfect sweetness for me so I'd imagine 100% sweet would err on the sweeter side. Both the hot and iced versions were smooth and delicious. The baristas are clearly talented. Food: 4.5/5 The breakfast sandwich was solid, the focaccia bread tasted fresh and was certainly the highlight of the dish. Service: 4/5 Service was decent! I got the impression that the service lady taking orders was a bit overwhelmed. Ambiance: - Very lively - definitely on the louder end of coffee shops. The interior is nicely decorated and they have various merch/bottled drinks for sale. Parking: - Metered La Mesa downtown parking. Can be difficult on the weekends but you can dally snag a spot along the street.

    Inside coffee bar
    Hannah N.

    I have been making my own coffee at home lately so I have not been discovering new coffee shops but wow I will be back at this one again soon. I have really loved exploring the La Mesa area and it really has some great spots so it has turned into one of our favorites areas to walk around and discover something new. I was not super hungry when I was here but I could not say no to a scone with a flight of butter. You got to pick which flavors you wanted on the flight and the scone was perfection. I got a classic vanilla latte with oat milk and would definitely order it again. The staff here are truly awesome, so friendly and helpful which really sells it on the fact that I want to come back here again soon!

    Scone with guava butter
    Jessica S.

    First time visiting and it certainly will not be the last. I got the fresh scone with the honey and fig butter and my friend got the guava butter. They were but so good! I love that you can buy jars of the butter and they discount to refill the jars. I got a vanilla bean iced latte and she got the brow suga latte. Bother we're definitely delicious. The instead is so cute and I love the you matter mural. They are very inclusive of everyone. The baristas were very friendly and welcoming to call. Can't wait to go back and try other items

    Audrey L.

    What a cute coffee shop! You can tell it's a spot people love to work or study. The menu includes great coffee and non-caffeinated drinks, but also a breakfast and lunch menu. This time I went, I was super tempted for the grilled cheese and tomato soup, but wasn't super hungry. I decided to order a scone with three different types of butter. I'm obsessed with the butters! The scone was delicious but the butters were the real stars. We got the maple cayenne, fig and honey, and cranberry orange. I liked them all, but the fig and honey was hands down my favorite. My iced brown sugar latte was perfection. Definitely a place I'll continue to come back to whenever I happen to be in the area!

    Eric S.

    I Stopped by Public Square Coffee on a Friday afternoon while checking out the farmers market. I ordered an agua fresca for my son and treated myself to a Buko Pandan both were delicious! It did take a bit of time for them to prepare, but honestly, totally worth the wait. You can tell this place has its community lots of regulars hanging out, folks working remotely and using the café as their unofficial office. While I was sipping my drink, one guy was trying to speak Tagalog to the barista (props for the effort!) and then launched into a full-on history and political convo only at a neighborhood coffee spot like this, lol. I'll be back for sure

    latte
    Regis K.

    I've been hitting up all the trendy spots lately with my son, and Public Square in La Mesa is definitely a winner. This place is super hip and attracts a young, lively crowd. We went on a Saturday morning and it was packed, it seems like everyone had the same idea to grab coffee and scones here! Here is what we ordered: * The Scone: This was amazing. It has that perfect texture, crusty on the outside but incredibly soft and moist on the inside. Pro tip: You have to try it with their honey butter. It is so good. * Avocado Toast: Another hit. It comes on crunchy toasted sourdough with fresh arugula on top. Simple and delicious. * Hot Chocolate: Heavenly! It was creamy and rich, exactly the way we like it. * Matcha: This was on another level. Very cool and rich in flavor. Even though it was busy, the service was super efficient. You just order at the counter first and they deliver the food right to your table. Highly recommend if you are looking for a great brunch spot in the area!

    Drench toast
    Matt C.

    A lovely spot. Outdoor seating available and many tables with charging ports. Fantastic and beautiful food done quickly. Recommending the drench toast and the Changa latte. Well worth the trip.

    Sugar scones with flight of flavored butters
    Kristin M.

    We came to try the coffee drinks, but would come back again for the food. The upside: Very Friendly Service Excellent Food Cool atmosphere Great prices Lots of outdoor seating Nice downtown location in La Mesa The downside: The wait to get coffee was like none I've ever experienced. We were told up front that the wait for our iced lattes would be 20 minutes. We wanted to order food too, so we're fine with that. However, our food was long gone before we ever received our coffees. At 30 min. I went in to check on our order (food had arrived by then) because we were sitting outside and thought maybe we hadn't heard our name get called at 20-ish minutes. Was told politely and apologetically that our order was up next & it would just be a couple minutes...15 more minutes (45 total now) and our coffees were finally received. The coffee was very good but honestly no coffee is amazing enough to wait 45 min. for, especially considering late morning on a Thursday. The place was busy but not too packed to find seating and there were maybe only 5 people in line to order when we arrived. So, while I would not come back for coffee unless the place looked fairly empty, I would definitely come back for the food. The sugar scone that was highly recommended and the butter flight of all 6 flavored butters was as fun to try as it was delicious. My daughter had the signature breakfast sandwich and it was really good as well. We would definitely come back for either of these 2 food items any time...just might need to get the coffee elsewhere on the way. Giving 4 stars overall because of the wait on coffee, otherwise I'd give it a 4.5.

    Pandan Latte

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    6 months ago

    I love this place. Always a great vibe. Always great food. When I'm in the area, this is where I hang.

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    8 months ago

    Love this place! You MUST try the scones with butter flights! Instead of 85 cents for one butter, just the flight (they are all delicious!)

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    3 months ago

    big portions, good scones, great coffee, super nice workers. nice spot to stop at. its a nice stop when in town

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    Page 3 of 31

    Public Square Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Public Square

    Can I bring my dog?

    There is outdoor seating and I saw a water dish for dogs

    Is this a good location for a group meetup and discussion on a Sunday morning?

    It could be if you get there before 9!

    Do they have gift cards?

    Yes

    Do they accept cash?

    Yes!

    Can I go here to study?

    Absolutely. It's a popular place for laptops. There are even charger/USB ports installed in the seating on the bench wall.

    What are the hours right now? Yelp, website, and google have conflicting info

    WED-FRI : 7am-NOON SAT-SUN : 8am-3pm

    Is there wifi there?

    Yes!! 🙌🏼

    Do they have a direct e mail contact?

    Hi Rocky! Yes, it’s: info@publicsquare.coffee

    Are there outlets to charge a laptop?

    There are outlets along the walls☺️

    Do they serve a turmeric latte?

    They served a turmeric latte as a seasonal drink. I don't think it is currently on their menu. Hopefully they bring it back though, it's delicious!

    Is this place pretty dog friendly?

    We are definitely dog friendly : ) We even put out water bowls and have dog snacks. There’s an outdoor patio and as long as the dogs aren’t interrupting our other customer’s experience, indoor is ok too.

    View All 12 Questions

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    Pierre's Pizza Place

    Pierre's Pizza Place

    4.5
    (19 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Pierre's is a fantastic find in the heart of La Mesa Village! The brilliant chef, Zion, is not only…read moreimpressive in stature, but his recipes for pizza pies are so unique and take your senses on an unexpected thrill ride. First of all, I've not really been a huge deep dish fan. And these are hefty pies! But once you let your teeth sink into a slice, you are delighted by the crunch and crispness of the edges and yet the delicate lightness of the dough in the middle. How does he do that? It's not heavy. But it's thick on flavor. The classic is the pepperoni, with or without jalapeños (for those who like some heat). Those lil' meat discs are fired to perfection w/ a perfect toasty crunch. That's how I like it. So good. The marinara is just right for me. It's not overflowing and trying to cover up anything. But the spices and combo are well balanced. Ok now, you gotta try a specialty pie. They are orderable on certain days depending on what sources are available that week. Or whatever is cooked up in the chef's mind! I think my fave is the Best Spud (seasoned potatoes, 3 cheeses, black garlic miso ranch, gojugaru and chives...) and w/ a bacon option! We have ordered delivery (DoorDash or Localby Toast) and we've ordered online and picked up at the window, and since Hoffers Cigar Beer & Wine Bar opened a couple weeks ago, we've ordered online and they deliver it right to our table next door! It's such a convenient set up for a relaxing evening. Pierre's hours are 5pm to whenever they sell out. And only Wednesday to Sunday. Pierre's is a family business and right now is working inside of Public Square Coffeehouse which is also their family business. So, if you want to go there, go to Public Square and you'll be home! You can enjoy your pizza on site at a sidewalk table or a cozy table inside. It's seriously, worth every penny. For more pics and inspiration, check out their IG https://www.instagram.com/pierrespizzaplace?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== ...omgosh, I totally forgot about the sauces for dipping!! Off the chain flavor experiences! Not that the pizza even needs more flavor. But these options bring it all to a "ho nubba lebbo!"

    Love this spot, the pizza is PHENOMENAL…read more One weekly special we had with mushrooms is something I can't stop dreaming about. Go to pizza is the pepperoni (added the picture), the pepperonis get nice and curled and the pools of oil and cheese are so flavorful. The whole pie is more than enough pizza for two people to share. They have a weekly special that you can ask about too. Don't sleep on Pierre's! Inside Public Square coffee shop in downtown La Mesa which is crazy busy during the day but in the evening Pierre's is calm and a great spot for a pizza pick me up.

    Photos
    Friday night ambiance
    Friday night ambiance
    The best pepperoni pie around!
    The best pepperoni pie around!
    Special: Baked Potato Pie **special rotates weekly**

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    Special: Baked Potato Pie **special rotates weekly**
    The Pizza Standard

    The Pizza Standard

    4.8
    (473 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $

    I think my favorite overall pizza or at least one of my favorites. I ordered a whole pizza online,…read morepepperoni, mushrooms and guero peppers. It's the only place I know of that has guero peppers, they are mildly spicy maybe half as spicy as jalapeños they do add up as you eat it though. What I like most is the crust it's a bit more chewy than other NY style pizza. The pepperoni were flavorful and nicely charred. The guero peppers added a mild spice and good flavor. The pizza is somehow juicy and the tomato sauce has a nice intense, almost tomato paste flavor. Ordering online was easy and the pizza was ready in the estimated time. They are located to the right of Vons next to a sushi restaurant. They also have pizza by the slice if you walk in. But it's so good and I don't mind ordering a whole and reheating the next day. They do reheat well too the crust is both thin and crispy but still has that beautiful chew.

    Paid by card. Pizza Standard is located in a plaza and offers a lot of plaza parking. I had no…read moreissues ordering to go on a Friday night and was told 35 min wait. When I got there the line was out the door. I had to wait 45 minutes. It was worth the wait! I ordered a cheese, Margarita, and truffle. I would say the truffle was my favorite. The mushrooms were so good! I would recommend this place and would go back. Make sure you order well in advanced since this place is busy.

    Photos
    View of the kitchen
    View of the kitchen
    Deluxe White, Margherita, and Testarossa
    Deluxe White, Margherita, and Testarossa
    Testarossa, Margherita, and Pepperoni (no one wants to see pepperoni)

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    Testarossa, Margherita, and Pepperoni (no one wants to see pepperoni)

    Public Square - coffee - Updated August 2026

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