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    Puffs

    5.0 (91 reviews)
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    Jackfruit, lychee raspberry, and black sesame salted caramel puffs
    Anna N.

    These puffs are what my dessert dreams were made of! They taste as gorgeous as they look! After finding this on a random Google search for the best cream puffs in San Diego, I bought this to share with a group of people and it was well worth the wait! Kathy is very responsive, helpful, friendly, and am amazing baker! I can't wait to have these again! Here are some food notes: I really loved the crust on each of the puffs because it added a wonderful texture that contrasted the creamy inside. The puffs were perfection baked and had the perfect amount of sweetness. Here are the puffs we got: Black sesame and salted caramel: Wonderful black sesame flavor and the salted caramel was the perfect addition to the savory flavor making it an amazing dessert. I really loved the balance of flavors! Jackfruit: That crust was so amazing to have in every bite. The nice fruit cream had an amazing amount of chunks of jackfruit that was absolutely fantastic to get that punch of flavor and added additionally wonderful textures: creamy, crunchy, fruity! Yum! Lychee raspberry: That wonderful crust was here too. I really loved the light lychee cream with the chunks of chopped lychee and fresh raspberries. I am so in love with these puffs. They are definitely an amazing treat! I can see why they don't last long.

    Half a dozen order ($25)
    Emmett T.

    I had been in contact with the owner (Kathy) when she debuted the Tea Series of her cream puffs in February. After much back and forth and the release of a new set of flavors (i.e. guava, passionfruit, and strawberries 'n cream), I finally was able to arrange a pick-up date and time. Orders were previously available only on Saturday and Sunday, but Friday was recently added. That worked out well with my schedule earlier today. I was completing another errand in the East Village neighborhood which is where you need to go to receive a hand-off from Kathy. She makes and bakes each batch fresh and recommends that you consume the puffs within two hours of receiving them. They can be refrigerated overnight for future consumption, but the crunchy exterior (craquelin) disappears if you do that. I selected two of each of the above three varieties. The half dozen total cost $25. Before heading home, I dropped off 50% of the goodies to one of my friends so he could indulge too. These puffs were very delicate and of high quality. They could easily be sold as top-end choux pastries at a French patisserie. What I appreciated the most about these fluffy desserts was the slight tartness from the guava and passionfruit respectively to contrast the sweetness of the cream filling. The puffs were photogenic which made them attractive to drool over on IG and Yelp when I was researching this business. Kathy was quite responsive to private messages on either platform. After you confirm the type and quantity for an order, payment can be made via Venmo. She will then send the address of where to meet at the pick-up time. Keep up these great creations and good luck when you ultimately decide to open a standalone brick-and-mortar location!

    How big they are relative to your hands.
    Myphuong L.

    Kathy was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. I contacted her via text on Weds 4/14/2021 for Sat 4/19/2921 pick up for half a dozen. Her texts were thorough with pricing, flavors, and even photos! Pick up times start at 11 and I wanted 11 but someone took that spot so the next one would be 11:15. But to secure that spot, I had to make sure I Venmo her the amount before the next person to guarantee my time slot because someone wanted that same time. In the Venmo description, she wanted me to include name, email, phone number, quantity and flavors. Kathy pipes the toppings fresh when you pull up so it's important to go by your exact time slot. She gave clear instructions on where to park curbside, text her that you have arrived, then she'll pipe each one and bring them down to you. I waited a few minutes at the corner and then there she was holding a cardboard box with a clear top box where you can see 6 beautiful round puffs. The flavors for that week was cheesecake edition. I got two of each. We shared among six adults so we used a serrated knife to cut each in 4s so that everyone could try the flavors. (I wouldn't recommend that because it's so good that I wanted my own!) - keylime - Original w/ berry compote - turtle (salted caramel, homemade dark chocolate ganache and roasted pecans) Usually I'm into key lime for other desserts but for this one I would rank my favorite would be original, turtle, then key lime. They all tasted good in their own way. Light, not too sweet, outside had a slight flaky crisp. Recommend to consume within 1-2 hours.

    a dozen creampuffs!! would've been prettier but moved around a bit in the car
    Jennifer F.

    First found out about this place through Eater SD and I was so excited because I love cream puffs!! When I reached out to Kathy through instagram, she was extremely friendly and accommodating with my order. We kinda went back and forth with the time and who would be picking up but she was super patient and nice the entire time :) My boyfriend and I was super excited that the week's flavors were guava, passionfruit, and strawberry. And THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! They were beautiful and delicious. Guava was everybody's favorite - the flavor was apparent but not overwhelming. Passionfruit looked so visually intricate and eye-catching, and the taste was very strong and tart. Strawberry's flavor wasn't as unique, but it was very yummy and I loved how it was stuffed with a big strawberry in the center (I think I actually liked this more than passionfruit) The only thing I'd recommend is potentially an appointment booker to ease the process, since I did find it a bit confusing and not as smooth. However, I like how through IG I was able to interact with her to see how nice and passionate she is! Also, my friends and I were sad to find out that last week's flavor was tea themed because we're tea fanatics!! If you could rotate those flavors back, that would be awesome~

    Cheesecake Edition - Keylime, Original w. Berry Compote, & Turtle (3/28/2021)
    Tracy H.

    Details.. .. We took a day trip to San Diego & of course I went on Yelp to find all the good eats. .. Puffs came up, I sent Kathy a DM via IG, & the rest is delicious history. prOs.. .. Kathy is a sweetheart & super responsive. It was very easy to place my order, pay, & pick up. .. The puffs themselves were delicious; not too sweet or heavy. .. We pulled over to devour 2 of our puffs before getting on the freeway to go home. The rest were eaten once we got home (OC) & they were still just as good. no cOns.. yay!!

    Bay to SD series (left to right: passion fruit, strawberries n cream, guava)
    Nicole G.

    Cream puffs are probably my number 1 dessert, but it's hard finding places in SD that have the right texture and cream to puff ratio. KATHY (the owner) DOES IT RIGHT! I highly HIGHLY recommend checking out Puffs SD because no other cream puffs can compare. I tried out the Bay to SD edition which includes passion fruit, strawberries n cream, and guava. Passion fruit - such a unique flavor paired with the creaminess of the whipped cream and the slight crisp from the pastry, I loved the addition of the passion fruit curd if I needed an extra kick of passion fruit flavor Strawberries n cream - a commonly done flavor but in a class of it's own! Super huge fan of strawberry shortcake type desserts and often times, I see places put too much cream and not enough strawberry or vice versa. I initially thought it wouldn't have enough strawberry flavor but SURPRISE SHAWTY, there were strawberries on top and as a filling. Such a good mouth feel and a strong contender for my favorite Guava - I've never ever had a guava flavored cream puff and rarely see guava being used in desserts -- bakeries are sleeping on this flavor!! I grew up eating guava and sadly my guava tree is not in season, but this hit all the notes that I wanted in a guava cream puff. It was a nice delicate guava flavor which can be hard to do since guavas can get too tart if they're not ripe enough. Overall I had a wonderful experience with these cream puffs. They were so fresh and so yummy! This will be a business that I'll continue to support and I highly recommend that y'all try Puffs as well :)

    Red velvet, pistachio rose, and strawberries and cream.
    Stephanie H.

    These puffs are amazing! It's difficult to find a dessert like this in San Diego, but Kathy makes her delicious puffs so accessible! She's very responsive and she makes the pick up process as smooth as ever. The puffs themselves are phenomenal and she comes up with unique flavors. I'll definitely be back for more!

    John B.

    When it comes to cream puffs in San Diego, Kathy Tran is THE GOAT! I love that I can just dm my new cream puff peddler on social media during her ordering period, Venmo my payment, and then meet up on a street corner to pick up the goods during my designated time slot. What a time to be alive! Kathy, a home-based baker lauded for her tasty treats and whimsical flavors, has become increasingly popular among San Diego foodies. Perhaps you've found her through Yelp, read articles about her on other food-centric websites, or checked out her social (@puffs_sd). ___F O O D___ While there are only a few flavors available at a time (it's a small operation, y'all), her creativity and execution are second to none. She's been known to make cream puffs inspired by chamango, boba milk tea, and pumpkin spice lattes. But it's not just that she's creative. As someone who has actually attempted to make these things, Kathy produces some pretty phenomenal profiteroles! Light and airy pâte à choux are generously filled with some gloriously rich diplomat crème and topped with an impressive craquelin. My girlfriend Christina C. and I were thoroughly impressed with our order. Our order (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/puffs-san-diego-4?select=tI8LelFOsnTf5wAY1KXz-Q): Pandan up front. Turon in the middle. Ube in the back. -Turon: Roasted bananas mixed with whipped cream and topped with sugar rolled then fried eggroll wrapper. This one blew my mind. First of all, how you know bout that turon, Kathy?! Turon is a Filipino dessert that I haven't heard discussed outside of the Filipino community. Hence, I initially thought puffs_SD was a Filipino operation. Second, she pretty much nailed it! The flavors took me back to my childhood, hanging out with my lola and watching her fry up some turon. For me personally, it's only missing the langka/jackfruit since that's what I grew up with. No biggie tho. 10/10 -Ube cream puff: Ube diplomat creme with whipped cream cheese. It actually tasted like ube. It always irks me when I purchase something "ube flavored" only to be disappointed by complete lack of flavor. 9.5/10 -Pandan: Pandan diplomat creme with chunks of macapuno (young coconut). Basically the same notes as the ube. I appreciated the bits of macapuno! 9.5/10 ___E X T R A I N F O___ Parking around the pick-up location is somewhat difficult and I feel as though we were fortunate to find a spot. I'm still uncertain where she wants customers to park and if we're just supposed to stop at the intersection (not a parking spot) for a quick pick-up. Regardless, it's fun eagerly awaiting her posts announcing new flavors/specials. I know I'll be placing another order at some point so I can support a local businesses and fellow Bay Area native.

    Box top
    Irene Y.

    **Take-out: June 2021 Visit** I am definitely not a desert person, but WOW! these cream puffs are amazing and I would not hesitate to buy/eat them again! Process 1) check out Kathy's cream puff business on her IG page (@puffs_sd) 2) I think she does a monthly collection of flavors. For my order it was "Ode to Japan" meaning all flavors were inspired by that culture. She offered Matcha, Black Sesame with Salted Caramel, and Yuzu Passionfruit. 3) Patrons can choose to purchase in half dozen ($26) or dozen ($50). On this visit I decided to do a half dozen (with two of each flavor) 4) Payment is done through Venmo and pick up on Sat/Sun (11am - 3pm). She pipes the cream as soon as you're close to her places to keep it as fresh, light, and airy as possible. It's a home-business (which I really commend individuals taking their passions to the next level), but her's is located in a busy intersection in the more urban part of San Diego. I loitered in the red zone since there was no parking. 5) You communicate via text messages and she'll come down when you've arrived to drop off your goodies. The cream puffs are so beautiful and the box it comes in looks very official! I'm more of a savory girl, but these cream puffs were all so unique and different that my mom and I actually ate all six of them that day! My mom loved the Yuzu and the Black Sesame was my favorite, although honestly if you gave either of us any of these we would probably devour them. I can't wait to come back and try her other collections! Definitely two thumbs up if you want something artistic and delicious!

    Danny N.

    Pretty decent puffs in San Diego! You can order through their Instagram and set up a pick up day and time. Kathy was very responsive and the tea edition was great! I love the jasmine milk tea and Thai tea personally!

    Red velvet, rose pistachio and strawberries and cream
    Teresa P.

    I first tried Puffs last month and immediately became a repeat customer! I'm normally not a cream puffs fan, I tend to find them too sweet; Puffs is the exception. I ordered the Love and Luck edition (strawberries and cream, rose pistachio and red velvet) and ... YUM!!! Ended up eating two puffs in one sitting . The cream to ratio is a nice balance, the cream itself isn't too sweet, and the flavors? Kathy nailed it!!

    Jackfruit, lychee raspberry, sesame
    Josie T.

    Not too sweet, not too heavy, just perfectly balanced bites of heaven. Fun flavors with some reminding me of my Southeast heritage. You can tell she puts a lot of care and love into these puffs. Can't wait to try more!

    Key lime, Berry compote, Turtle
    Ro N.

    Great experience Kathy was quick to message back with. I picked my time for pick up pulled up and she popped my puffs when I arrived waited 5-10 for fresh puffs you know I'm here for that. She was very sweet and boasted about her product so I have to keep it real. The puff flavors were key lime cheesecake, Turtle cheesecake( caramel,chocolate and pecans for those not in the know) last but not least the berry compote. They were all fire the turtle was my favorite my wife said be cause it had a coffee taste and I love coffee I didnt taste it but it was bomb. I'm picky about my sweets and this was more then worth can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

    Passionfruit, Strawberries & Cream, Guava cream puffs

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Puffs

    Do they have a website to order or do you need to call? How can we view a menu? Thanks.

    Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for asking. Currently, we don't have a website. However, I post current Flavors on Instagram @puffs_SD. You can message me there or contact us directly 415-937-8337. :)

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    Extraordinary Desserts - Road trip with the girls. Gorgeous stuff here.

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0(9.2k reviews)
    1.3 kmLittle Italy
    $$$

    Still my go to place when I'm craving something sweet and special. Their cakes may be pricey, but…read morein my opinion, for the amount of work, effort, and quality of ingredients, I think they continue to be fair. For example, some other specialty bakeries/shops are charging similar prices for cakes and cheesecakes that are much simpler. In comparison, Extraordinary Dessert cakes take 3-4 days to make, have 6-8 alternating layers, and are typically adorned with edible gold and/or flowers. The key is to find which items you like and which are okay to pass on next time. What we ried this time: -Match Misu Cake (7/10): ricotta cake layers soaked in matcha and layered with marscapone whipped cream. This one was pretty good and ranks in my middle to high range. I only wish there was more matcha flavor (maybe if you dine in and get the sauce, this would help) or the matcha was paired with another flavor ... either go fruity (maybe a raspberry sauce, strawberry pieces, white peach pieces, or like a peach oolong cream layer) or go chocolately/coffee (maybe had some crushed up chocolate covered espresso beans). My go to's: -Ivoire Royale (10/10) - my ultimate favorite still. If you like light desserts, white chocolate, berries, and moist vanilla cake, thus one is for you. Classy and unpretentious -Shangrila (10/10) - my other favorite and will make you feel like a princess with all the pink chocolate curls. A little bit adventurous and innocently elegant. Ones to skip: -Au Chocolate / La Bete Noire / Dame Chocolate - get the Viking instead. That's my favorite of all their chocolate cakes -Lemon ricotta - get the Passionfruit Ricotta instead -Torta misu - the matcha misu is better. The tortilla misuse made me want a regular piece of tirmaisu than a cake version -Coconut cream - not bad, not amazing though

    We normally come here weekly after dinner with family for dessert, but after this last experience…read morewe will not be returning. Also just so everyone is aware they're also liars just to mention & stupid.. she tells us her name is Karen thinking we don't know the owners name lol .. She was at the register at 7:20pm and was extremely rude and dismissive after we placed our order, especially regarding a child's dietary restrictions and health concerns. We politely asked if it would be possible to purchase a small cup of fruit , even just a couple strawberries cut up, because one child in our group cannot have sweets due to very strict dietary restrictions . Instead of simply saying they were unable to accommodate the request or offering another option, we were told to "go somewhere else," despite already spending the amount we did . The complete lack of professionalism and basic customer service was honestly shocking. It's disappointing to be treated that way at a place we have supported so consistently. This place has been going downhill , management for this place needs to step up .

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    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Extraordinary Desserts - One of our 'go to' desert places in San Diego.

    One of our 'go to' desert places in San Diego.

    Extraordinary Desserts - Chocolate lemon bon bon

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    Salt & Straw - Coffee and nuts ice cream Split with Snickerdoodle.

    Salt & Straw

    4.6(2.2k reviews)
    1.7 kmLittle Italy
    $$

    You have to try this ice cream ! At first you see the like and you don't know why ? But after you…read morehad it you understand why ! They have authentic flavors ! And a freshly made waffle cone . It smells amazing in here ! They let you taste the ice creams which I loved being our first time . The staff recommended every ice cream and I don't blame them all of it looks good and the samples I tried were all so good I couldn't pick ! Save space for this treat You won't regret it . Be patient the line does get long but they are pretty quick.

    I've been a patron of this institution for many years, knowing well that every dollar I spent on…read moretheir delicious ice cream would be returned in generous scoops atop freshly made waffle cones. Much to my chagrin, my latest visit has now become my last. Excitedly, I brought my four-legged son to enjoy his first pup cup, but the service and portion sizes were fit for a hobbit at best. One would think that, in such dark times, one could still find even a glimpse of hope in an ice cream cone. I was proven wrong, and my outlook on the current state of affairs only dimmed further. I ate my ice cream in two bites. Twenty dollars for two cones, four bites total. I didn't even bother feeding my son the pup cup. He deserves better. The world deserves better. Bigger portions. Bigger smiles. Makes perfect sense, in my humble opinion. I suppose your employees do not agree.

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    Salt & Straw - Cinnamon snickerdoodle

    Cinnamon snickerdoodle

    Salt & Straw - Cinnamon Snickerdoodle

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    Salt & Straw - Pink Rosé & Watermelon Sorbet (v) Watermelon & rosé sorbet, rosé-raspberry jam

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    Pink Rosé & Watermelon Sorbet (v) Watermelon & rosé sorbet, rosé-raspberry jam

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    1.6 kmLittle Italy
    $$

    We got food nearby and were craving a sweet treat- and we came to the right spot!…read more There are a separate restaurant and bakery sections, with plenty of separate seating for each. I was amazed by the variety of Italian pastries and desserts available! I got the standard cannoli, which was perfectly crispy and sweet. Service was great- the bakery staff readily answered allergen questions, and played the cannoli cutely. Id love to come back and try more!

    Delicious food, but terrible service. Our waitress couldn't wait to leave our table, and rarely…read morechecked back. Instead she and other servers stood in the back of the restaurant chatting in huddle. We had to walk to the back and interrupt them just to ask for coffee. But the food is outstanding. I used to wait tables myself, so I know the Management -- train your servers to serve!! Update April 2026: still terrible service!! Waitress barely came to the table, we had to get up and ask her for things. I actually told the owner this time--the guy who sits outside near the entrance. Let's see if he does anything. Also, we had more than six people, and they included the tip in the bill, but they don't tell you that verbally and just hand you the machine to pay and it just shows the total and then asks you to fill in the tip amount.. So I asked to look at the bill and there's a charge near the bottom that says "charges and fees", I asked if that was the tip and she said yes. So this is one of those places that gets a lot of people to pay double the tip amount by not telling them it's included. Slimy if you ask me. We've tried several places in Little Italy, and honestly, this place has the best food at the best prices, but buyer beware.

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    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery - Cute restaurant in little Italy

    Cute restaurant in little Italy

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery - Coffee gelato

    Coffee gelato

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

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    Pop Pops Fabulous Paleta - Matcha with almonds and pistachios, Banatella  ( banana Nutella) with chocolate sauce. Yum!

    Pop Pops Fabulous Paleta

    4.7(330 reviews)
    1.8 kmLittle Italy
    $$

    I came to Little Italy for the vibes... and accidentally found myself in a popsicle wonderland…read more This place is basically Build-A-Bear, but for popsicles--and honestly, that's the energy I want in my life. You start with the base flavor (already impossible to choose because every option sounds like it was handcrafted by a happy fruit), then you get to customize it with toppings like you're a dessert scientist. Chocolate drizzle? Yes. Crunchy toppings? Obviously. Something unexpected that makes you feel bold and adventurous? Absolutely. The service deserves its own round of applause. The staff is genuinely excited about your popsicle journey and treats every order like it's the most important frozen masterpiece they've ever made. No rushing, no judgment for taking way too long to decide--just good vibes and friendly smiles. And the atmosphere?? Peak Little Italy charm. Colorful, lively, and buzzing with people who are clearly having the best dessert moment of their day. It's the kind of place where you take one bite and immediately start planning who you're bringing back with you next time. In conclusion: come hungry, leave sticky, happy, and emotionally attached to your popsicle. This spot is proof that joy can, in fact, be frozen on a stick.

    Was eating dinner across the street and saw this bright colorful spot and my toddler asked to stop…read moreby. We saw the big paleta statue out front and he wanted a picture with it. They have so many options of paletas and toppingss however it is a little pricier then mom/pop spots but also, its San Diego & in Little Italy nonetheless. The shop is super small but for what it is, I think its fine. We got the biscoff & cookies and cream. It was nice for the weather

    Photos
    Pop Pops Fabulous Paleta - Pistachio Power

    Pistachio Power

    Pop Pops Fabulous Paleta - Bana - Tella Paleta Banana with Nutella filling paleta

    Bana - Tella Paleta Banana with Nutella filling paleta

    Pop Pops Fabulous Paleta - Biscoff Cookie Butter Pop with chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbles

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    Biscoff Cookie Butter Pop with chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbles

    Nibble Chocolate - Chocolate Samples

    Nibble Chocolate

    4.6(74 reviews)
    1.5 kmLittle Italy
    $

    Stumbled upon Nibble Chocolate and I'm so glad I did. Ambience is sweet and cozy. It's a cute…read morelittle shop that feels like a hidden gem, especially if you're someone who appreciates good quality chocolate. They have a great variety to choose from, whether you're into milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even non dairy options. I also love that they offer chocolate drinks and coffee, so it's easy to turn a quick stop into a little treat moment. I tried the peanut butter dates and they were so good. Smooth, rich, and just the right size when you want something sweet without going overboard. I also had a dark chocolate truffle and that one was just as good. You can really taste the quality. Customer service was a highlight. The guy helping me was super personable, gave great suggestions for drinks, and was genuinely kind, which always makes the experience better. Honestly, I'm just happy I found a chocolate spot within walking distance. Definitely worth stopping by if you're craving something sweet but still want it to feel a little elevated.

    I don't usually seek out vegan products, but Nibble chocolate is a Bean to bar chocolate shop in…read morelittle Italy in San Diego with single origin chocolates. I sampled chocolate from Peru, Madagascar, and Kenya, and they all had unique fruity characteristics. Because they're vegan, so they use oat milk for their chocolate instead of dairy. My wife and I also wanted some drinks while we were here. I had a hot chocolate. My wife had hers with espresso shots. Good espresso in pure chocolate will never not be good. They are family owned and they only add chocolate, sugar, and oat milk to make their bars. Overall, this was a fun place to check out at Little Italy, and they also had a stall at the Farmer's Market.

    Photos
    Nibble Chocolate
    Nibble Chocolate
    Nibble Chocolate

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    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

    4.5(781 reviews)
    0.7 kmEast Village
    $$

    The employees are a mixture of a well oiled machine and great customer service. I was worried about…read moremy meter running out and was asking if i could run out real quick to add more but they coordinated on the spot and finishes my drink by the time i completed my payment. They were amazing!!! I got the biscoff matcha latte with the biscoff foam and a few slices of cake. It was soooo good. I'm going try to plan for some relaxing time next time. The inside was beautiful and peaceful. Looks like a great place to start my day.

    Hinar in downtown is such a beautiful and aesthetic spot. I love their earthy color palette (I want…read morethat paint color in my house lol) and the overall vibe of the cafe. The main seating area is almost always full, but there's more indoor seating in the back through the hallway (where the bathroom is), plus some outdoor seating to the side. The drinks are really good. I always get mine half sweet, and the flavors are consistently great. They also have a ton of cute, picturesque desserts. They're a bit too sweet for my taste, but you can tell a lot of care goes into making them and they're definitely tasty. Parking can be tricky downtown, and it can get busy with lines, but it's totally worth it for the drinks, desserts, and overall ambiance. FYI, they have a new location up north in Scrips Poway, it's cute but slightly different aesthetic (umm more industrial) and is in a strip mall, so, way more parking!

    Photos
    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe - Inside

    Inside

    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe - White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

    White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe - Spacious indoor seating

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    Spacious indoor seating

    Puffs - desserts - Updated May 2026

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