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    Cafe 88

    4.9 (64 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Cafe 88 Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE 88 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe 88

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    Nicole M.

    Best coffee and açaí in sd We come here at least once a week and love talking to the owner.

    Strawberry Matcha.
    Sean H.

    Each drink is hand-crafted to order. The strawberry matcha was amazing! Service was very attentive, can't wait to come back soon!

    banana matcha, peanut butter latte, dubai chocolate covered strawberries
    Emily D.

    Cafe 88 has a wide selection of dessert and drinks to choose from. i tried their banana matcha, peanut butter latte, and dubai chocolate strawberries. the cashier was very patient and kind with us, and we got our order relatively quick. what i liked: the banana cold foam was suuper light and refreshing, with an authentic banana taste. the peanut butter latte had a lot of depth and nuttiness to it, and wasn't too sweet (just how i like it). i also liked that they let you pick your choice of milk with no extra charge. the dubai chocolate strawberries has a perfect ratio of strawberries to the chocolate and pistachios for my preference. what to improve: i really wanted to like the matcha, but i found it very bland tasting, with only very subtle hints of matcha flavor. overall, i enjoyed the duck theme they had. i would probably skip their matcha next time and stick with their desserts.

    Peanut butter latte
    Michelle W.

    - narrow parking lot directly in front of these stores, lots of available spots! - clean minimal spot with lots of seating, loved the duck decor! - 10% off for students! - loved the peanut butter latte! I've been searching for pb coffees ever since discovering this combo and this spot does it right - full pb flavor all throughout and that strong espresso still shines through

    Partial view of the suite front
    Emmett T.

    This duck-themed cafe and dessert shop has opened a new branch just down the road from the USD campus in Linda Vista. The OG location is in El Cajon. Cafe 88 is in the northern section of The Presidio Plaza which is notorious for limited, tight parking spaces. There were a few small tables inside the suite that could hold around a dozen customers. Desserts, drinks, and bowls were the menu categories with each one occupying one of the three screens hanging behind the service counter. The manager (owner?) who was running the place when I showed up was very enthusiastic and welcoming. He gave me a mini toy duck as a token for visiting during the soft opening. I picked two items for my order, a Matcha Strawberry Signature Latte (the current trendy drink) and a Hawaiian Signature Bowl. The first was one of four choices in the Signature Lattes section. Ceremonial grade matcha, strawberry, and milk were the ingredients. Compared to elsewhere, the strawberry component was not as prominent while the matcha flavor was strong. The second was one of seven varieties in the Signature Bowls section. It was made up of an acai base (my request), granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, and coconut flakes. The $10.99 price was fair for the serving size and quality of the ingredients. The shop was clean and well-organized which can't be said for similar new places in their soft opening phase. I gave a four star rating for my first visit to Cafe 88.

    The Peanut Butter Latte OMG so good
    Cheryl G.

    I am so excited that there is a new dessert shop in Linda Vista! We stopped by last night for a little sweet treat, and my expectations were exceeded. My man ordered a peanut butter latte, he's crazy but he can drink caffeine at night lol. I tasted it and let me tell you OMG I will be making a trip to the shop on the regular for this when I feel like I need a treat. It was unbelievably good. I would've never thought about peanut butter in coffee! The owner, I believe his name is Fadi, suggested we try the sushi roll. We wanted something a little bit lighter because we had just had dinner. This is another thing I would've never probably ordered without a suggestion, but I loved it. It's a freshly made crêpe rolled around a banana while still warm and then cut like sushi. In the box, it was drizzled with chocolate and each two pieces had a different topping. We took our treats to go since it was almost closing time. I appreciate them being willing to take care of us, even though we came in so close to then! The shop is bright and cheerful and very clean. I'm really hoping they do well, this is a nice addition to the neighborhood.

    Strawberry matcha.
    Sadie B.

    Really delicious matcha and coffee lattes. The banana is my FAV. Seriously hand crafted and worth the wait. Yum!!!

    Counter area
    Genie N.

    Fadi was amazing! Gave us the 411 on the menu items. They even have a secret menu! We tried the Kinder Nutella crepe paired with a brown sugar latte, BLISS!!!! Cute fun cheerful cafe vibes with a few small tables inside. They are located in a small strip mall on Linda Vista Rd and have been open for 3 months. This is the place to come visit to get a dessert and a yummy drink to go with it. You must try it! We can't wait to come back and experience more delectable desserts/drinks. Say hi to Fadi too!

    Samantha H.

    The matcha was not good at all and tasted like straight milk. But the Dubai chocolate strawberries were fire!! The place is tiny but nice and clean! But just don't get the matcha!

    banana matcha
    Alejandro E.

    We decide to try this, base on recommendations and they didn't disappoint, they make my drink to my specifications, matcha is amazing, try them they r F good !! Service is great and be back soon !!

    Waffle with fresh strawberry and banana. Delicious!!!
    Sol G.

    Cute new little dessert spot! Owner is super friendly and makes sure to customize your order exactly to your liking. We've had a few things from here now but everything was super fresh and tasty! My favorite was the Belgian waffle with chocolate sauce, and perfectly ripe strawberries and bananas. It's a hidden gem but absolutely worth checking out!

    Fit bowl and wild bowl

    I am only swinging by San Diego for a conference and already tried this place twice because their acai bowls were so good. I brought a friend there my second time around. Very reasonably priced, generously portioned and deliciously healthy. Wish we had this place in New Haven, CT!

    Zack F.

    Cafe 88 is a hidden gem if you're looking for delicious smoothies and a welcoming spot to relax. Their smoothies are hands-down the smoothest I've ever had -- perfectly blended, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Whether you prefer fruit-packed options or something creamy and indulgent, they have something for everyone. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, always greeting you with a smile and ready to help with recommendations. Service is quick without feeling rushed, which makes it perfect whether you're stopping in for a quick drink or planning to hang out for a while. The cafe itself is clean, cozy, and has a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to enjoy your drink or chat with friends. I've tried a few of their smoothie combinations and each one has been consistently fresh and satisfying. Beyond smoothies, they also offer snacks and light bites that are just as good. Overall, Cafe 88 is a spot I keep coming back to -- it's reliable, tasty, and feels welcoming every time. Highly recommend to anyone in the area looking for quality smoothies and a friendly atmosphere.

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    22 days ago

    Delicious acai bowls! Lots of options. Kids love this place. Plus, rubber duckies. And desserts

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    6 months ago

    Got the banana pudding and oh my goodness, it is sooooo good ! Not too sweet which was a plus. Will be back to try other items :)

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Cafe 88

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

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0(9.3k reviews)
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    This place is properly named extraordinary dessert for a reason. They are known for their desserts…read moreboth in taste and in aesthetics. Desserts: 5/5 We got a blood orange scone and a strawberry danish. The scone was warm and delicious. The orange essence was well infused. The danish was crispy and creamy. Everything was so picturesque. Food: 3/5 Unfortunately, the food was not the best. We got the smoked salmon sandwich which was not very flavorful. The salmon was also slimy. The pesto spread was good though. It was creamy and the artisan bread it was served had great variety. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is such super cute. When you walk in, the desserts all look super appetizing. The seating areas are super cute and the floral decor are stunning. Service: 5/5 It is an order then sit down establishment. There is great attention to their dessert. I saw them heat up a knife just to cleanly cut the cake. The food service however did take some time to come out.

    The sugar bun was delicious! I might be a bigger fan of their pastries than their cake…read more The Shrang-la cake was decorated so beautifully! I loved the white chocolate shavings all around. Unfortunately the cake didn't hold well in my commute to Temecula (esp during the heat wave). The dairy ended up hurting our stomachs.

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    Pappalecco - Two Scoop Gelato Cone ($5)

    Pappalecco

    4.3(3.1k reviews)
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    A cute authentic Italian neighborhood cafe in Little Italy serving coffee, treats, gelato, and…read morepaninis. My friends and I were just looking to get a coffee in Little Italy, but when we walked in and saw all the delicious treats we had to try something else as well. I ordered a latte and neglected to tell them it was for here so I was given a paper cup, but they give real cups if you ask. The latte was good, and my friend bought a kitchen sink type cookie with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts. It was warm and gooey good! Another friend tried the gelato and said it was very good. There are a few tables inside and tables out in front outside. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather. The decor and tables definitely gives you an old school Italian neighborhood vibe with Italian markets right next door. If I am in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back here to try the gelato and/or a piece of an excellent looking lemon pie bar I spotted.

    If there is better gelato in San Diego, I have not tried it…read more They have more than gelato here but gelato is all we tried. It was later in the day so they were out of or running low on some flavors. Nevertheless, the two flavors we tried were incredibly rich and flavorful. A little goes a very long way. Parking is incredibly tough in Little Italy but it is worth it for gelato this good.

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    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    Solunto Ristorante & Bakery

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    3.5 miLittle Italy
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    This review is for their Bakery part. After dining nearby my wife and I decided to make a quick…read morevisit here in Solunto Bakery. My wife chose a Carrot cake and I had the Canoli. The Canoli was pretty good but my wife didn't like the Carrot cake , i tasted it and all I could taste was the icing and the Carrot part I could barely taste it. They have Plenty of selection for pastries and dessert, but a very small seating area for their Bakery, so this is mostly like good for a grab-and-go. The other half of this place is their actual Italian restaurant, with half indoor seating and outdoor seating . This spot is always a good spot to get Pastries, Ice cream and more desserts.

    Positive: food was great. For me, portions of the protein are small so that sucks but can't argue…read morewith the quality. We both liked our dishes a lot. The outdoor seating was nice. It was a warm day but we got there at 5:15pm and the sun was starting to go behind the downtown buildings. Negative: service. It seems if you are a regular, like the two tables near us, they chat it up and talk about how things are. If you aren't a regular, they just quickly come by and say "anything else?" the two times they came by. Im a huge water drinker so the carafe they brought only refilled our cups once. Never got another one until we were done and they came by asking about dessert. They weren't busy by any stretch on a Tuesday evening but apparently the frequent customers either tip really well or they prefer familiar faces. I assume the latter. So, I mean the food itself was great but service was not good. I mean we went when it was slow too and the host was talking it up with a frequent customer also asking about the changes recently to parking in their area nearby.... So, it puts this review as a 3/5.

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    Nonna + Zucchero - Fusilli Boscaiola

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    4.1(577 reviews)
    3.4 miLittle Italy
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    Our family dinner at Nonna's was great! Was trying to decide which place to go in Little Italy on a…read moreSaturday night with kids and no reservations without feeling under dressed. So we decided on Nonna's for their variety of pastas and pizza. The evening was packed with people up and down the streets. However, when we arrived at Nonna's we only had to wait no more than a couple of minutes before being seated. We thought most italian places would provide some sort of complimentary bread, but this place did not. We ended up ordering the Carbonara, Fusilli Alla Vodka, Pappardelle, and Salsiccia pizza. Each were fantastic, but the family really enjoyed the Fusilli and the Pappardelle the most! The short rib meat was extremely tender and flavorful. Portions were a little smaller than expected, but it was enough to feed each of us with a couple slices of pizza to spare. Ambiance was nice and the staff was great. A drink we ordered was forgotten, but it's understandable since it was quite busy. Overall, great experience and glad we ended up at Nonna's even though it wasn't part of the batch of recommendations provided online. (Sorry forgot to take photos as we were so hungry and didn't realize it until after we ate!)

    Food: - fungi pasta: 7.5/10, strong mushroom flavor…read more - carbonara: 5.7/10, too much sauce and noodles were overcooked - lemon meringue cheesecake + Sicilian cannoli: super authentic cannoli, cheesecake was good but nothing special Service: - hostess was not friendly - they ran out of white peach Italian soda but instead of asking what other flavor we would prefer, they just brought out a vanilla Italian soda - ordering took forever but once our food was in, it came out in less than 10 min Ambiance: - outdoor seating Skip Barbusa (sister restaurant) and come here instead, at least there is better dessert

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    Nibble Chocolate

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    4.6(74 reviews)
    3.5 miLittle Italy
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    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.

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    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

    Hinar Dessert Bar & Cafe

    4.5(844 reviews)
    4.6 miEast Village
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    Big fan of Hinar's desserts and matcha! I've tried their Biscoff matcha and their earl grey matcha,…read moreand they were both super yummy. They do pre-batch their matcha, but I enjoyed it despite being on the milkier and sweeter side. Their desserts don't disappoint either! Their Biscoff cheesecake and raspberry cheesecake were super delicious. The service was great, and you pick up your drinks at the counter. There's not much seating in the front, however, the back does offer more seating. The decor is aesthetically pleasing, and is perfect for pictures. Expected of downtown, there's a small amount of metered parking at the front of the store, but otherwise you'll have to find street parking. Heads up for those looking for a study spot, there weren't many outlets for charging. For those that are looking for easier parking options, I recommend that you visit their Scripps Ranch location!

    I went to Hinar specifically wanting to try their matcha. When we got there, the line was already…read moreout the door and past the stairs! The girls in front of us said it was their second time there that week and recommended the Biscoff matcha, so of course I had to try it. The shop itself is beautiful. While you're waiting in line, you can stare at all the delicious-looking cakes in the glass case, and the back room is gorgeous--open and bright with tons of plants and natural light. It almost feels like you're sitting in a greenhouse. I ordered the Biscoff matcha and my husband got the Biscoff latte. My matcha was good and I really liked how creamy it was without feeling too heavy. The matcha itself was a little boring and didn't have a ton of flavor, but the Biscoff was light and not overly sweet, which I appreciated. My husband enjoyed his latte but said afterward that he wished he had tried the pistachio instead. I'd definitely like to come back on a weekday when it's hopefully a little less busy and crowded. I would say the ambiance was the best thing out of our experience. Next time we're both going pistachio--matcha for me and latte for him!

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    Cafe 88 - desserts - Updated September 2026

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