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    S3 Coffee Bar

    4.2 (107 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Special Hours 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Recommended Reviews - S3 Coffee Bar

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    Blue-salt maple latte
    Nicole R.

    I was in the area and looked for the closest coffee shop around me. From the outside I could see a good amount of people in there which is a good sign. The store was very, very clean. The staff was fine. I ordered a blue-salt maple latte. It was good but I didn't taste the salt. It was around 7.25 which is normal for coffee nowadays, sadly, what with the tariffs and coffee bean prices inflating. My only two gripes were the air conditioning was on blast and it was so cold I had to leave before finishing my drink. It was a kinda chilly morning, too so I am not sure why it was so cold in there. Also, oat milk is an extra 1.00 coconut milk is 0.75 Almond milk is 1.25 Oat milk, coconut and almond aren't some rare exceptions that take grueling effort to acquire like it was 10 years ago. It's standard now. Charging people who are lactose intolerant a whole dollar extra isn't cool.

    Pumpkin bagel
    Izel V.

    Came for the pumpkin bagel and it was a solid 3.5/5 but there are no half stars on yelp. The bagel itself was a very dense and the cream cheese was an odd flavor on its own, but together they work. The cafe itself is clean and the wait was short. Staff worked quickly and street parking was easy

    Britt R.

    I have to say that this is probably one of my favorite coffee shops! We went because we wanted to try the pumpkin spice latte and the actual pumpkin and this is the only place in San Diego that did it. So we went the last weekend that they were doing it and their drinks were amazing. We also got a golden chai and honestly, I like that one better than the pumpkin spice latte it had turmeric in it, and the flavors were perfect. We ended up going super early in the morning because their pumpkin bagel sold out very quickly, and it also came with a pumpkin spice cream cheese. The top of the bagel was actually a white chocolate covered pretzel that they died green and that was fun to eat! Then we also got a bacon and egg empanada and honestly, that was my favorite thing out of all the stuff we tried, including the drinks. The drinks were amazing, the bagel was good, but that empanada was delicious. When I tell you, it was like a buttery flaky biscuit and it came with us like chimichurri sauce. Literally loved it! If you debating coming to this coffee shop, just go. Literally just go. I felt like I was in the scene of One Tree Hill or like Gilmore Girls. The vibes were new and fresh, but it had like this nostalgic warmness to the atmosphere, so

    Stephanie O.

    A staple coffee shop since they opened their doors, S3 provides a lovely cafe aesthetic and even more beautiful and delicious drinks to compliment the space! Stopped in because I heard about their Not Your Basic Pumpkin Spice Latte so I had to come try it. Presentation was top notch (I mean, who doesn't want to enjoy a PSL in a mini pumpkin?!) and the drink was delicious! If their fall presentation is like this, I hope they have something exciting for the winter!

    Pineapple mango tea Rate a 5/10 not so great
    Jazmine P.

    The coffee shop look is there but the customer service not so much. We came in about 3PM I looked at their menu on the website and decided on a drink I then go inside and it looks like they have their fall menu up? None of the fall drinks caught my attention. When I looked up from looking at the counter menu I found a blonde guy standing there I said hi and he took our order. He wasn't the most welcoming. My friend ended up getting a drink but I did not. My friends drink was made and the drink wasn't announced so by the time we looked back we saw the drink was already on the counter for who knows how long. Pros Lots of seating Cons Dirty tables Not so exciting menu Customer Service needs improvement Customer service is major to keep customers wanting to keep coming and feel welcomed and continue to support your business.

    Vietnamese cold brew
    Jonny U.

    I found this place because they had received a 100% from the health department. Silly reason to try them, but I can respect when a rare 100% is handed out. It's now my go-to spot. The place is always spotless, the baristas are ALWAYS so friendly, and I really love their cold brew ... and the Vietnamese cold brew as a special treat. The location is easy to miss but I suggest not missing it next time you're close.

    Pumpkin bagel for the fall vibes
    Christine Q.

    Such a cute cafe to grab and drink and yap with friends! I had their pumpkin bagel which comes toasted with a pumpkin cream cheese. The bagel itself was a plain bagel but it paired nicely with the slightly sweet cream cheese. I also had a pineapple mango iced tea that was refreshing and not too sweet :)

    Marie S.

    I was super sad when Koffee left us but this is a great replacement. The vibes are cute, the small food menu is rather tasty and the coffee is yummy. If I had to make any comments to the con side I was say their specialty drinks lean sweet but the baristas are aware and the ones that I have encountered make suggestions on how to tone that down while still making the drinks super yummy

    Strawberry matcha
    Rachel L.

    I was pleasantly surprised there's an S3 located up in Escondido after loving the drinks at the Mission Valley location. Pros: -Parking was easy to find on a Saturday morning even though it's street parking. -The location has a lot of seating to get work done. -My order came out quickly (strawberry matcha latte with oat milk) and I noticed the service was quick for all of the drinks that came in after me. -The menu looks fun and my drink was solid. Nothing remarkable. -Looks like they have good options for pastries. Cons: -The upcharge for oat milk is $1. For a $7.50 drink plus another dollar, that's quite costly but that's most drinks nowadays. When I asked what kind of matcha they used because at that price, you would hope they used a high grade, they said ceremonial would cost even more. -There is no AC. It was hot in there and felt stuffy. -I don't know why there was glitter on my strawberries. Still happy S3 is here but only when I'm willing to spend more for an aesthetic drink in a hotter location.

    Inside w/Christmas tree
    Andrea R.

    Words can't describe how ecstatic I am that S3 is in Esco nearby me now. The vibes are always immaculate, their seasonal drinks are always heavenly (their year round standing menu is also iconic) and even the music is always on point. It's my fave place to work and have coffee meetups with friends. It's seriously such a wholesome place. The Iced Winter Tiramisu latte was a part of their Winter'24 menu and it was delectable. A friend of mine ordered the Winter brûlée latte which also was like sipping dessert--absolute bliss! Although I wish they could keep their Winter menu year round, I look forward to their upcoming seasonal drink changes. The baristas here are always such sweethearts and give the best recommendations.

    Christina C.

    came here on nye with my run club and thought the place was super cute! drinks came out readily quickly and the service was great, she answered all of my questions! i got the vietnamese coffee with no condensed milk and wished that it was the same price as the plain cold brew but it wasn't :( i did get a holiday matcha drink that was sweet and tasty but i wish the matcha quality was better and more present. i got some empanadas on the way out and they were very tasty! 5.5 per is a little steep but it came with chimichurri

    Iced vanilla lavender latte
    Heidi C.

    S3 COFFEE, ESCONDIDO. Came in on a Sunday around noon and it was poppin' and full of positive vibes. I love the half-moon service area and all the seating options. Obsessed with the holiday tree and festive decor, plus super cute seasonal menu offerings (gingerbread latte comes with little gingerbread person cookie on top)! I went with one of their regular menu items and am so glad I did because it hit the spot! Their beautiful and uplifting iced vanilla lavender latte was exactly what I needed to get me through my cheerful open house in Vista. It had just the right amount of sweetness and the flavor blend was even better than I expected. Plus, the bits of lavender sprinkled on top was so pretty and delightful. The service was welcoming and efficient and the price was fair. Parking is either on Grand or walk around the corner to the alley there are a few designated spots for S3. So grateful for S3 Coffee and I will be back!

    Vietnamese iced coffee
    Judy H.

    The cafe was cute and service was nice. The coffee was a total disappointment. I could not consume even 25% of it. It tasted like watered down coffee when it should have been very bold. The color alone had me doubting the taste and boy was I correct. My friend and I were so sad because we were really wanting so great tasting coffee to start our day. We don't try anything else so I can't say anything besides our coffee was not great.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - S3 Coffee Bar

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    James Coffee

    James Coffee

    3.9
    (196 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The staff is great. The manager is awesome. David Taylor always takes care of us whenever we go…read moremaking sure we get the best quality espresso. We can Definitely a cool coffee shop in San Diego. The pastries here are pretty good. I heard they just changed the bagels only made by their sister Co.. I need to give those a try I got the coffee soda basically like an espresso tonic pretty good the glass that it comes i in his super cool and different to most of the places you get coffee at the side of the building is small, but still kind of spacious in a way gives us pretty cool atmosphere. I heard they're gonna do some more upgrades to the inside, making it feel a little more home like that's cool cause I like cozy spots with a manly touch concrete leather metals. It's just a vibe.

    I wanted to give this place another shot, I know people love. I was in the area and popped in…read more I ordered a large hot non fat mocha. Which is my standard order. And picked up an almost croissant. They do not shelve non fat milk, but have oat and almond. So I went with oat. Two customers that came after me go thier drinks first. And when mine came up, it was lovely but not right. It was a cold mocha. They remade it. It was just a wee annoying, especially since I was coming here with the hopes of a mind blowing experience. The coffee was fine. The staff seem to know the local regulars and chat them up appropriately. The seating it still hard and uncomfortable. I'll try again one more time to see if hey flip my bippy. So far two stars for they way they interacted with other. One star for the pastry and the coffee mis up and late service was a - of stars. And my picky pastry folks (she knows who she is) would say it's not a true croissant, as there are cuts across the pastry... but it's buttery and flaky..

    Photos
    My first "coffee" experience with my kids. What a special experience! The hot chocolate gives them the vibe.
    My first "coffee" experience with my kids. What a special experience! The hot chocolate gives them the vibe.
    Seasonal special
    Seasonal special
    Roasting room

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    Roasting room
    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    4.4
    (301 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I visited the Escondido Matcha Cafe Maiko for the first time last week! I can officially say I've…read morevisited all three locations in San Diego! There was plenty of parking in the plaza. There were a few tables, and high top bar seating inside the location. I enjoyed a matcha latte with less sweetness, less ice, and with boba. The boba quality was great! I feel like the boba could be hit or miss at the Mira Mesa branch.

    This matcha place is really all about matcha. I got the tiramisu hojicha latte and the tiramisu…read morematcha latte. Both drinks come with an actual slice of tiramisu on top, which surprised me, l thought it would be more like a tiramisu flavored drink with hojicha or matcha mixed in. The tiramisu itself is really good, but personally I don't think it goes well with the drink. The texture of the cake while sipping the latte feels a little off. I also tried the nitro Vietnamese coffee. It was unusual because when you hear "Vietnamese coffee" you expect something strong, but this one was light and you can really taste the milk. I really enjoyed the bubble waffle series-especially the Oreo one. It's really good. The honey toast series was okay, nothing special. I got the honey toast with ice cream, and I remember honey toast being crispy but still easy to eat. This one wasn't crispy at all and the bread was tough. Overall, this place is reall good for matcha drinks.

    Photos
    Matcha Cafe Maiko
    Matcha Cafe Maiko
    Matcha & vanilla swirl with banana pudding

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    Matcha & vanilla swirl with banana pudding
    Manzanita Roasting Company and Coffee House

    Manzanita Roasting Company and Coffee House

    4.4
    (191 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I love the ambience here, but always feel a little meh about the coffee, but let me explain: I'm a…read morebold coffee person. I love a rich roast. Their coffee tends towards a brighter, citric flavor that reminds me very much of cold brew. Which I don't care for. But others might! So if a brighter, lighter flavor is what you enjoy (what up tea people) then this might be the place you're looking for. And again, I adore the vibe here. Probably the chillest work/read spot in all of Escondido. Parking can be rough if downtown is busy, but only if you're adamant about needing to be very close for mobility reasons etc. Otherwise you can usually find something walkable. Beautiful, open cafe with a lovely view of the small park across the street and downtown Esco.

    I stopped by on a quiet Wednesday afternoon to get some work done. I was really hoping to love this…read morespot since it's so close to my house, but the experience was a bit of a letdown. The Service: The staff greeted me promptly and took my order without any issues. They were polite and efficient, although a little busy amongst themselves. The Coffee: Unfortunately, the latte was the biggest drawback--it tasted quite bitter and over-extracted. I'd love to make this my "regular" neighborhood spot, but the coffee quality needs to be more consistent for that to happen. The Atmosphere: It's a quiet environment, which was good for productivity. Great location and friendly service, but I'm hoping the espresso improves!

    Photos
    Avocado toast, with housemade pickled onions and local microgreens, on levain bread
    Avocado toast, with housemade pickled onions and local microgreens, on levain bread
    The front of the shop on Grand Ave., Escondido. MANZANITA is located in the Grand theater complex
    The front of the shop on Grand Ave., Escondido. MANZANITA is located in the Grand theater complex
    Brown Butter Latte.

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    Brown Butter Latte.
    EscoGelato

    EscoGelato

    4.7
    (1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Just went here today, it was amazing!! I got the s'mores…read moremocha and sweet cream caramel and my boyfriend got the blueberry lemon with sweet cream caramel. They had very cute outside seating and it was absolutely perfect!! It was very light weight compared to ice cream, and didn't hurt my stomach or make me feel sugared out. I would def come back!

    Reasonably priced with generous portions, but the flavors were ultimately underwhelming…read more There were 14 flavors available during my visit, including two sorbets. While the selection was respectable, there were not many particularly unique offerings. Most leaned heavily toward familiar vanilla or chocolate based profiles. The staff was generous with samples and allowed me to try as many flavors as I wanted, but unfortunately none of the three that caught my attention truly impressed me. The espresso was perhaps the weakest rendition I have encountered. It lacked both the boldness and aroma that make coffee flavored ice cream appealing. Whether the espresso itself was too diluted or simply not brewed strongly enough, the flavor struggled to make any impact. The stracciatella featured a straightforward milk base studded with chocolate shards. While this was a very traditional interpretation without unnecessary additions, the ice cream lacked the richness and depth needed to carry such a simple flavor profile. The chocolate provided texture, but the base itself felt flat. The sour cream and brown sugar ended up being my favorite of the three, largely because the brown sugar was actually distinguishable. The sour cream contributed an unusual tanginess that made the flavor more interesting, though the balance was inconsistent. Some bites highlighted the warm sweetness of the brown sugar, while others tasted predominantly of sour cream, creating a combination that occasionally felt at odds with itself. I appreciated that the small size included two flavors, and the employee serving me was generous with the scoops. Still, this ended up being a fairly forgettable stop. Those who enjoy gelato with bold, inventive, or highly concentrated flavors may find the offerings here a bit too restrained.

    Photos
    EscoGelato
    1 scoop pistachio, 1 scoop brown butter pecan with affogato.
    1 scoop pistachio, 1 scoop brown butter pecan with affogato.
    Matcha Strawberry Gelato and Candy Bar Gelato - size small

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    Matcha Strawberry Gelato and Candy Bar Gelato - size small

    S3 Coffee Bar - coffee - Updated July 2026

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