I came to Better Buzz since it's right in my neighborhood, and I'm so glad I finally tried it. I downloaded the app beforehand, and it was super user-friendly. You can easily place your order through the app or order in person. I ordered the: *Cinnamon Pistachio Best Drink Ever: it was absolutely delicious and refreshing. It's an iced coffee, and you could immediately taste the cinnamon on the first sip. They also added pistachios on top, which made it even better. I usually don't like overly sweet drinks, so I ordered it half sweet. Honestly, I probably could've even done a quarter sweet, but the flavor itself was amazing. The service was incredible, the place was super cute and clean, and it only took a couple of minutes to get my order. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Cinnamon Pistachio Best Drink Ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a great space. The decor is amazing & theres so much space for people to spread out & have coffee while they work. We ordered a matcha drink, cold brew coffee & some egg bites. They put my matcha in my reusable yeti mug. They were friendly, helpful w my boyfriend allergies. read more

See all

My daughter heard about this place from a coworker so since we were in the area, we had to go try it out. Parking was a challenge. I HATE looking for parking. Once inside, I really liked what I saw. I did some exploring while waiting for my coffee. I ordered the best coffee ever, and I really liked it!! I definitely want to order it again next time I'm in the area. Price? A little pricey, but it was kind of worth it. The ambiance was nice and interesting. Quite a few places to sit. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Came for the coffee, stayed for the vibes This spot is so spacious--plenty of room to relax, work, or catch up with a friend. The staff? Absolute gems. Super friendly and welcoming from the moment I walked in. I ordered the honey lavender coffee and WOW--perfectly balanced. Not too sweet, not too floral... just right Only downside? Street parking can be a bit of a challenge, so plan ahead. But honestly, totally worth it once you get inside! Will definitely be back read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Honey lavender - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I needed a place to work and happy that I found this spot! The ambiance was super nice. There's seating & tables downstairs and upstairs (couch vibes with pillows AND regular tables and chairs). I ordered the 3 Seed Avocado Toast & a small matcha tea latte, then grabbed a spot upstairs. There was only one outlet charger upstairs FYI. The 3 Seed Avocado Toast was good but I thought it tasted better with the lemon. The toast was a bit soft. The Matcha Tea Latte was very good. The items came out quick and they'll call your name. You'll need to ask for WiFi and the restroom has a code on it. Street parking only. Good spot to work, hang out/catch up, date spot, etc. read more

See all

This place was fantastic. Such a nice cafe right in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego's gayest neighborhood. I loved the rainbow flags hanging from the ceiling, and making it feel like such a welcoming space. There are multiple floors of seating options. My partner and I grabbed a spot at the front of the cafe, and could watch all the Hillcrest action pass by. I got a standard drip coffee, which was great and enjoyed the flavor. My partner got his standard London Fog and thought it also came out perfectly. The wifi was fast, and we loved just how bright the spot was with all the windows. Service was friendly with some gay sass, which we personally loved. The shop is part of a socal coffee chain. We now want to check out the other spots, based on this great experience here. read more

See all

I love this place and thanks for the service and friendly service and good food service God bless all the people in this area.

I ordered the Macadamia Coconut Matcha, and it was so good. I usually stick to my go-to drinks and rarely venture outside my comfort zone, but I decided to try something new and I'm glad I did. The café has a great vibe with plenty of seating, including a second-story area to relax or get some work done. The ambiance was chill, the music was on point, and the customer service was excellent. The employee who helped me was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave some great recommendations. My only complaint? There isn't a BB Coffee location in the Coachella Valley where I live. Hopefully that changes someday! Overall: Great drinks, great atmosphere, and great service. Definitely worth a visit if you're near one. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Chill Spot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I love Better Buzz. I know it's one of those 'splurge' places for coffee, but their coffee really is worth it. This location has beautiful spacious indoor and outdoor areas to sit. I got the banana pudding best drink ever and it really was the best drink ever. You can tell they put care into their drinks. I also love their pastries - they had a rainbow pound cake once that I still think about. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Banana pudding best drink ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Amazing staff. Very kind and helpful. A couple of weeks ago, I had a mishap in one of the drinks I got from them (the drink rolled over in my car), when I told the staff they made the same drink immediately, with a smile and didn't charge me for it either. The drinks are amazing. I love the staff there. I should've noted their names, I believe they are all equally friendly. Of course the store looks amazing, very modern and cozying. Parking kinda sucks. read more

See all

Maybe it was the day, but this has been my go-to coffee shop anytime I'm in the area the last few years. I'm sad to say that my experience was a miss all around - from my interactions with the barista who didn't seem like she wanted to really be there, my watered down matcha with a strong artificial banana flavor, and screamo music blaring from the speakers... i won't knock them entirely because I've enjoyed years of productive work sessions and good vibes here but today was just not it. read more

A must-stop for us while in San Diego on business. Coffee and service are consistent. The inside is large with seating upstairs as well. It's a neat place. Line moves quickly, so don't worry, it'll be worth it! I really enjoyed their twist on an Americano. "Best drink ever," so good! The avocado toast was pretty good as well. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - 3 Seed Avocado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

The hazelnut latte had the most reviews on Yelp, but it wasn't very impressive--they don't use real hazelnuts, just a flavored sweetener. If you have a nut allergy, this latte should be fine since it isn't made with actual nuts, though it's still best to confirm with the barista. The honey latte, on the other hand, was excellent and easily the best drink we tried. The service was great as well--they made a mistake on one of our drinks and gave it to us for free. The ambiance is really nice, making it a great spot to study, relax, or catch up with friends. read more

See all

I love this Better Buzz location. The people are always friendly and the space is great. And of course the drinks are delicious too. They have plenty of tables and couches if you want to get some work done and the wifi is reliable. It is a great spot for people watching, so... Don't get distracted! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Limited release. Toasted marshmallow cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

After a busy day, we needed a boost. My son suggested Better Buzz and I said let's go. This location also roasts beans. From their website i learned Better Buzz is certified by CCOF as an ORGANIC Coffee Roaster. Just an interesting fact if you prefer organic. The interior is gorgeous. A mix of textures, lots of geometry, kind of modern yet industrial surrounded by wood and glass and greenery. The lighting are glass pendants. This is a multilevel building with seating on the first and a mezzanine. Above the mezzanine there appear to be the level offices and glass paneled conference rooms. It just gives a vibe of spacious yet cozy. They have a really nice selection of coffee options I tried the best drink ever. It was delicious. It was creamy with a vanilla without being sweet. They also have a case with some amazing looking goodies however i did not try. They also have sandwiches and toast and wraps on the menu. The star, however, was the coffee. After a busy day, it was so refreshing and hit the spot. Smooth, flavorful and really just what I needed. I will definitely be back read more

See all

Definitely get the buzz about this place now! Such a cute little coffee spot. My friend and I stopped in for a quick snack and caffeine fix, and they had a solid selection of pastries, coffees, and milk alternatives. I ordered their signature drink - The Best Drink Ever - which is an Americano mixed with their coffee vanilla creamer. You can get it hot or iced, but heads up: there's no sugar-free option. As someone who usually drinks my coffee black, I was surprised by how good it was. Still flavorful, not overly sweet, and super smooth. I also grabbed a bear claw, which was decent but nothing standout. Overall, a great spot to study, hang out, or grab your daily caffeine boost! read more

See all

Beautiful location! Two stories (although some of the upstairs is blocked), comfy seating and plenty of tables. Music load and just a buzz of activity - lots of groups and good energy. Staff here was super friendly. Service was very speedy. Swing by on a Sunday around 10 am as my car was charging at the boa next door. Need a code to enter the restroom which the cashier happily provided. Pick up orders are near the back - head towards the right side past the counter and shelving is there. I'll certainly be back again when I am in the area. read more

See all

Came by early in the morning after working out. The staff were friendly, greeted and assisted me after I walked in. The restaurant is very clean, nicely decorated, and has plenty of areas to sit and chat or work. Their smoothie and drinks were good but I felt their chai was a tad too sweet. Their avocado toast was nicely presented and had plenty of chunky avocado. Parking was not good so my friend had to circle the block while I went inside. read more

See all

My sister and I visited on a Saturday morning around 8:30AM before heading to Balboa Park. The coffee shop is conveniently located on the corner of University and 8th. It was busy when we arrived as there was a group of people waiting to place their order and a group of people waiting to pick up their order. I ordered a Regular Iced Snickerdoodle Latte ($6.59) and a Better Breakfast Sandwich ($9.99) and my sister ordered a Regular Iced Vanilla Bean Latte ($6.50) and also the Better Breakfast Sandwich ($9.99). Note, my sister originally wanted the Bacon Ciabatta, but there must've been some miscommunication when placing the order. It came with a fried egg, bacon, and arugula on a pretzel bun. The sandwich was fine, but the assembly is inconsistent. My sister's egg was friend perfectly, but my egg was extremely runny and not fully cooked. I'm only giving this coffee shop 3-stars because I found a long strand of blond hair half-way through finishing my sandwich. GROSS! The people preparing the food in the back need to wear hair nets. This is food safety 101. The snickerdoodle latte was sweet and cinnamon-y. The vanilla bean latte was terrible. It tasted like watered down sweetened milk. Both drinks lacked coffee flavor. There is plenty of seating on the ground floor and upstairs. I am glad I tried this place and checked it off my list, but sadly, I will not be returning. read more

See all

Vibe is hitting. Proudly queer friendly. Food was good. Chai tea latte was great. I'm a snob with these drinks and theirs has this unexpected spice but it's still sweet how I like it. Very pleased! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Chai Tea Latte with nonfat milk + crombonne - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This Better Buzz location has always given me 5-star service whenever I order through the app or in store. Great service, beautiful location and great ambiance. read more

On my walk back to my car I stopped by for an afternoon pick me upper. Had to try the seasonal banana pudding best drink ever and it was delicious! What made it special is the banana pudding cold foam and a vanilla wafer cookie. Service at this location is top tier. The barista is so kind and took her time to tell me what's in this drink. Typical cafe vibes except I think this is their flagship location so it's very spacious with a second floor. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Banana pudding best drink ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Alyssa truly went above and beyond in a way that deserves to be recognized. I placed an order through Uber Eats, and unfortunately there was an issue with my order. When I contacted Uber Eats for help, the situation was dismissed and no effort was made to fix the problem, which was incredibly frustrating and stressful. I decided to contact the store directly, and Alyssa answered the phone. From the very beginning, Alyssa was extremely kind, patient, understanding, and genuinely apologetic. Instead of brushing the issue off, Alyssa listened carefully and immediately worked to make things right. What made this experience truly exceptional is the level of care Alyssa showed regarding my specific needs. I am disabled and have many food allergies, which makes ordering food safely very challenging. Alyssa took the time to ensure my meal was not only corrected, but made accessible and safer for me. That level of compassion, awareness, and attention to detail is rare and deeply appreciated. A situation that started out frustrating was completely turned around because of Alyssa's amazingness and kindness. Customer service like this makes a huge difference, especially for people with disabilities and dietary restrictions. I am incredibly grateful and thankful for Alyssa's help, and this experience has left a lasting positive impression. Thank you, Alyssa, for truly caring and for going above and beyond. This is what 5-star service feels like! read more

We were greeted with a smile and our food was ready quickly. The music was way loud for Sunday at 7am. The lady who gave us our drinks didn't acknowledge us at all. No thank you. No nothing. Like she didn't care a wit. The croissant was tasty. The zucchini bread was a bit sweat for our tastes but was good. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Once again Hillcrest team is the best. Great service and everyone was full of energy. Can't wait to go back. Thank you Alyssa and team

Janet was amazing. She is always so sweet. I come to the Hillcrest location, because I love how big and open it is and there is always a place to work:) Best of all is the Vanilla Bean Latte!! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Real estate with a buzz!:) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Trendy place recommended by my son. Busy on a Saturday. Find street parking here. Gal at the counter seemed coo when she took our order. Maybe the rest of the workers were not in the mood that day or just tired bec it was a busy day. Plenty of tables to sit at, but unfortunately we didn't get to sit inside. Sat outside (even though it was a tad chilly) Bec it was packed inside w/ everyone on their laptops. Even the 2nd floor had limited seats. Looks like the spot to do work/homework. Drinks were good. Food was good too. Just took longer than anticipated for the Adult Grilled Cheese to come out. They have many pastries in the cases to choose from too. Overall, I would come back. There are several Better Buzz Shops in SD. read more

See all

When I first arrived, it took a while to find some street parking due to construction work outside the building. I just parked a block away near the Whole Foods. Once I was inside, I straight away knew this was a great environment to work, study, catch up with friends, etc. The store has so much seating and gathers lots of natural light. I ordered the Moroccan Spice Iced Coffee and Vanilla Latte. The spices from the coffee were delicious and refreshing. For anyone who loves spice or wants to be adventurous and try multiple spices, I couldn't recommend this enough. As for the vanilla latte, it was delicious and the espresso was very smooth. The staff were all friendly and helpful with suggestions. I can't wait to try the other drinks next time. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I love the idea of their drinks and menu but honestly their drinks fall flat, every single time. They always taste extremely flat and watery with no flavor. You have to add so many things to the drink to make it taste slightly better. Not to mention there is no parking around this location and an average drinks costs about $8+. I wish their coffee was better. read more

Such a difficult location to visit with limited paid parking along its perimeter and on other streets but still with the wait. If you happened to see an overweight man running over the bridge in Hillcrest, it was me lol. This location is beautifully decorated and has lots of seating areas for patrons to enjoy their drinks and meals. Bring a quarter to give yourself time to grab your items and make it back to your car. I never have enough time to enjoy it though. Staff are friendly and welcoming. I'll be back again when in the area. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Sometimes my Jaguar gets thirsty for some Better Buzz - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Excellent coffee and service every time. A must-visit spot for coffee lovers. Great coffee, upbeat vibe, and friendly staff -- Better Buzz always hits the spot read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great place! Spacious and great coffee and service. Parking is a problem and music a bit loud if you're looking for a place to work and make calls. Lots of construction around the neighborhood. Better buzz products always good read more

See all

Soon as I walked in, I was greeted by friendly staff. Everyone is very kind and genuine and the atmosphere feels very comfortable and safe. I ordered a banana pudding drink, rich in flavor but can still taste my coffee! Also ordered a banana bread, it was soft, moist, and melted in my mouth. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Banana pudding drink and a pastry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Sweet and savory breakfast croissant sandwich! the sugar sprinkled on top is a little much but the syrup and sandwich was good! This location is very clean and has friendly service. The downside of this location is my least favorite though. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - sausage breakfast croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I stand by my belief that Better Buzz is mid. The prices do not match the quality of drinks or service. It has that same frantic energy of Starbucks, just in a different font. Instead of trying to upsell people on sizes, alt milk, avocado, and more why don't you actually make suggestions on what is good here? Oh wait - nothing! The only reason I come here is because the high ceilings and cute wood seating areas are nice to work from. The food is always served in to go containers and my sandwich was disheveled and lacking much of anything, too much bread bun! When I asked for the bathroom code they shouted it at me. Gurl, I just paid over $15 for breakfast I think I am entitled to the facilities! read more

See all

OG açaí bowl was sooo good. all the fruit was so fresh and the granola was amazing. it was a perfect serving too read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Acai Bowl- OG - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Righteous drinks, great tasting hot and cold foodstuffs, friendly staff, quick service, spacious setting. What more can one ask for? Orange Matcha? Surprisingly, yes! Ube Cookie? Yes! Nice! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Cinnamon Cream Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

Yummy Americano with a maple foam on top! It was a little sweet though so make sure you mix thoroughly. Our drinks came out so fast and there's a lot of seating inside! Very cute vibes and a great study or hangout spot. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

I was so excited to finally get a chance to try this spot out ... let cashier know this was 1st time here & he was nice & suggested peppermint white mocha.. so I decided to go with it... I seen a cup on counter & I asked if it was mine & she didn't even try to make sure it was mine .. she looked like she was irritated she had to stop to answer my question even tho they all was standing around taking to each other ... not happy with my coffee nor the customer services.. my drink look like black coffee & taste nasty. What a waste of money read more

Better Buzz Coffee Hillcrest - Suppose to be peppermint white mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Very delicious my girl always begs me for the banana best drink ever . The cold foam Just the cherry on top