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    Communal

    3.9 (59 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Order Communal Takeout or Delivery

    Communal Photos

    COMMUNAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Communal

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    Reviews With Photos

    Peter T.

    I'm not a picky coffee gentleman. Black tea, iced or hot, that's my vibe. I used to be an aeropress / pour over guy though. The food here, that's what crushes all. It beats Izola imo. While Izola leans towards the sweeter side Communal has some of the best savory breakfast item's i've had at a smaller coffee shop. Avacado toast - incredible quality. Bread is not overly toasted, not flimsy and mid. It's perfect. The avacado is not all brown and poopy, its bright and perfectly ripe. The crushed red peppers on top make it. My sausage sandwich was the best I've had. We all like McDonalds sausage mcmuffin things. Imo that's an 8.5 out of 10. This is a 15 our of 10. Similarly sized, 3x flavor + there is some maple butter club sauce or something. It's not necessary but it adds a nice touch. The bonus here is the playground. It's primarily for little ones. 3 and under. My nearly 7 year old son lost attention quickly, my almost 4 year old daughter was entertained for a bit. Lots of little 2 year olds though doing their thing. One downside are the tables right outside the cafe and no organized line system. Super small downsides though, but noticble.

    Spicy turkey bagel sanwhich
    Amanda S.

    Woah- the audacity to charge $7 for cold brew from a carton is mind blowing. I ordered the mint cold brew and was kind of floored to see them use store bought coffee. Their "house made" mint syrup has a very "artificially sweet" taste. I also ordered the spicy turkey bagel sanwhich which was basically just sliced deli turkey, avocado, melted cheese and a bland sauce. There was a slight spice, but the avocado wasn't seasoned and that's my number one pet peeve. Both things could have easily been made at home and definitely didn't justify a $25 price tag.

    Canary H.

    What a lovely space to do work or catch up with an old friend over coffee with. There is plenty of street parking, but be sure to get here early to secure a spot. The coffee shop is right across the kid's park and athletic work out area. It's a half outside, half inside place. The menu is simple and the coffee is made to order. My fiancé got the Gold Coast and I had the honey lavender latte. The Gold Coast wasn't bad and was a tad bit sweet. The lavender latte was perfect. The cashier also gave us little passes that we had to keep on our table in order to work at the beautiful hall that's connected to the apartments. It was quiet in there and the music wasn't overbearing. We got a lot of work done. WiFi was also provided. The food itself was also good and very filling. The portions were big and generous. Overall, the coffee shop and the study area itself was magnificent. Highly recommended for anyone who needs some work space.

    Sweet Mint Cold Brew and Golden Coast
    Taylor C.

    My Instagram feed has been funneling this place into my brain, so I finally went out to try it. Parking is limited, so I recommend getting here early or getting lucky finding a spot. Once you order your drink, there is a nice area next door to chat, drink, or work. There is free WiFi and plenty of outlets as well as tables to sit at. I was first drawn to this place because of how aesthetic their working space was, which did live up to the hype. The design and decor of the interior made me feel cozy especially with their nice selection of plants. The baristas are friendly and helped us choose our drinks. My friend and I got the golden coast and the sweet mint cold brew. The golden coast was light on the sweetness and had subtle hints of honey and sea salt. I felt that it lacked flavors and could be stronger. The mint cold brew impressed me however, as the mint stood out providing a refreshing taste in the sweet drink. Although I did not enjoy the drinks, this place is an amazing spot to work if you're in the downtown area.

    Erika C.

    Ordered a strawberry matcha and a vanilla matcha, worst $17 dollars spent. Absolutely zero matcha taste, definitely needs 1 or 2 more grams of matcha. The foams were good though. Cute place just not for matcha.

    Adriana A.

    Gold Coast is one of my favorite espresso based drinks I've had in San Diego. It's espresso with honey and sea salt and topped with oat milk! Perfectly sweet and salty I've also had their ceremonial matcha and brown sugar latte, both delicious Communal shares seating with the apartment complex next door named Kaya. On the weekends there can be a wait to get seating but I think it's worth the wait if you want a beautiful space to get some work done or enjoy some reading.

    Sign Post
    Emmett T.

    The newest branch of Communal Coffee is on the ground level of the Kaya Apartments in Bankers Hill. It's practically at a cul de sac with the suite facing north overlooking Olive Street Park in the distance. There was free parking on the opposite side of Third Ave where I was able to snag an open spot. A few small round tables were arranged in front of the suite, but the inside was only set up for ordering. There was a common area to the left (east) of the business where you could hang out, but I felt like it belonged to the apartment residents. See some of the other reviews for the details on the conditions to use this space. Three menu boards hung above the service counter. The left one featured coffee, espresso, and lattes. The middle one listed the matcha and non-coffee drinks. The right one contained the food offerings and was considered a seasonal menu. I picked a Lemonade from the middle board and the last item on the food menu which was a Harvest Bowl. The drink was available as plain, with lavender, or sparkling. I stuck with plain, but in hindsight I should have chosen lavender because my version was bland and not very tart either. The contents of the bowl were potatoes, sausage, broccolini, soft egg, sriracha mayo, and chives. The best parts were the broccolini and soft egg which was placed on top. For the $16 price tag, the serving size was small, and that was being generous. Communal is a convenient stop for those who live in or near these high-rise apartments. Based on the quality and cost of my order, I gave a three star rating.

    Cortado
    Jack M.

    I had a very nice cortado from this new Communal Coffee located in Banker's Hill. The cortado was smooth and rich and offered a very good coffee flavor. Customer service was friendly and welcoming. There's inside seating at this location, but I think there's a minimum purchase to sit inside the apartment lobby. There's an outside patio with several tables right outside and there's a small community park right next door. They offer some baked goods provided by a local bakery, and toasted bagels with toppings. Good cortado.

    Outside
    Zana K.

    Ample seating available, mainly indoors but some outdoors as well. Perfect for those WFH or studying. Park nearby gives this location a comforting vibe. They have all the same menu items as the other locations. I had the banana carmel latte and the maple sausage breakfast sandwich and both items were delicious. If youre in the area or live in the complex above, this place worth the stop by.

    07/2025 menus
    Henri V.

    Communal coffee has branched out into the Bankers Hill area and opened its forth shop. Parking was a bit of a challenge, only street parking. Sharing ground floor space with Kaya, a newish residential apartment building and collaborated to share the lobby for indoor space for Communal customers with conditions: you must purchase from Communal at least $7 and only stay a max 2 hours. And just like the other Communal locations, the indoor seatings were all occupied by lots of solo people on their laptop nursing one drink. It was a sunny morning and the outdoor seating with umbrellas for shade was great. A community mini park is conveniently next to this shop, for kids and pets to enjoy. From the menu, I ordered one of the signature drinks; a Golden Coast iced latte with oat milk and an avocado toast. I requested a couple dashes of cinnamon to my drink, which was prepared rather quickly by John. The golden coast iced latte tasted ok, nothing special and wasn't as strong as I prefer and was mostly ice. The avocado toast looked ok, nothing fancy but the taste of rosemary herb was overpowering and a turn off. The description of this item on the menu does not mention rosemary herb at all. Sadly, rosemary herb is NOT a flavor I want in my avo toast, which appeared to have been added to the butter, which was spread on the toast. :( I ate the avocado, sans toasts :( and not worth it. The menu should offer more information as to the contents in food. I'm glad Communal coffee shop opened in this side of Bankers Hill as most of the coffee shops and restaurants are on Fifth Street and don't offer nice seating next to a mini park. A welcome addition to the neighborhood and community.

    Kaya Seating
    Jessica D.

    What we ordered | blood orange mint chiller Taste | not the sweetest drink but fruity and refreshing Service | drinks were made quickly Parking | street Notes | they have shared seating with Kaya apartments. To sit inside, you need to spend $7 minimum and you can stay there for 2 hours. Variety of seating inside and dog friendly but they just can't be on the rugs. If it's busy you can sign up on a waitlist to get seated inside. Communal has outdoor seating as well with shade umbrellas.

    Marci T.

    Went to Communal Coffee on a Saturday -- kind of busy but not exactly what you see on Instagram or TikTok. It's a small spot connected to an apartment building, and if you order a coffee you can hang out in their lobby. Not quite what I expected from online pics, but it worked out fine. I had my baby with me, so we got a couple of looks, but I get it -- a lot of people are there to chill or get work done. Overall, it's a nice little place and I'd come back, especially to try one of their breakfast sandwiches. The menu actually looks pretty good.

    Golden coast
    Roxanne H.

    The service was great and the coffee was delicious! The inside seating that you see in pics isn't technically for the coffee place (I think it's for the apartment complex) and the front desk told us we needed permission from the coffee shop to sit in there, so we just opted for outdoor seating to make it less complicated. My friend and I both got the golden coast coffee. Mine came out to a little over 9 dollars with tip which is very pricey. I'm not sure if i'll be back but if I happen to be in the area and in need of coffee I may.

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    10 months ago

    Great coffee and even better service. Sydney is super nice and helped me find the perfect coffee!

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    The coffee was good and the location - next to the Olive Street park -- was excellent!

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Fantastic people, coffee and food. Really enjoyed our visit. Accommodated my gluten and egg allergies with ease and a smile.

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    1 year ago

    Lovely location, friendly staff and good selection of delicious food and drinks. Would return next time I am in the area.

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

    coffee was really good , and the service even better . shout out to my barista Aeris . would come again .

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    Ask the Community - Communal

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    LONGPLAY HiFi

    LONGPLAY HiFi

    4.7
    (94 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Came on a Sunday afternoon with no wait, just stood outside without ringing the doorbell and…read moresomeone let us in after less than 5 min. (Dw, from the inside, you can see outside well) Drinks were really good and carefully made, song selections were unique! We ended up chatting with one of the customers there too. Chill atmosphere 10/10 recommend. There's also free wifi here, signal isn't very good. :) Parked in free street parking about a min walk away.

    Street parking only, very scarce. No obvious signage, look for writing in the window. They have a…read morering type camera door system. Wait outside on the sidewalk (no exterior seating) and someone will come to take you inside. Do not ring the door bell. The theme is to take it slow. Each customer typically waits 20-30 minutes to enter as part of how they do things, even if there is open seating inside. Not sure if they use a timer to space entries but it seems consistent. They take one group in at a time. Interior: A few tables around the wall and then bar seating. Would not recommend for parties greater than 2, there just isn't the space. They welcome service animals, babies/children and strollers from what I observed. The music was very, very loud. It was difficult to hold a conversation. I did not see a bathroom. Ordering process: After seating you wait for a little bit for them to bring small water cups and a QR menu with a table number and a set of rules. They do not have a physical menu, you must use your phone to order. Cell phone reception was dicey and took a long time to load. They have an interesting concept where you have a digital 'tab' open on their toast website. Unfortunately you must provide your full name, email and phone number. They have pour over drinks (note these can take 15-20 minutes), matcha, Hojicha and others. You may only order one drink per person at a time. They have a small snack menu with rotating foods. They use oat milk only. No substitutions allowed. After mobile ordering, drinks take 20-30 minutes as part of their take it slow vibe. Matcha $8 is from Paru tea and was very good. Hojicha $8 was too milky and didn't have a strong enough flavor. When you are done you walk to the register by the door and wait to be checked out. If they are making a drink you wait until they are finished. I wasn't really a fan. Staff were brusque. Music was too loud to converse.

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    Flowers on the table
    Flowers on the table
    Matcha and Hokkaido
    Matcha and Hokkaido
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    Selva Coffee House

    Selva Coffee House

    4.2
    (881 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Wow this spot is really incredible, unique and has delicious coffee. Also shoutout to the barista…read morewho helped us with our order when there was a menu confusion issue and made it right - thank you so much! Inside is filled with plants since they are inside Terra Bella Nursery with a wide selection of plants trees and more. Spacious and good vibes for the tables and seating in various spots. They have an extensive menu with matcha or espresso and even non coffee options. Pastries in the display case and the real winner was the breakfast burritos from the food truck outside. You order at the register then go outside to grab them. Loved the giant disco ball too inside the nursery. 5/5 would come back.

    It's such a vibe here. Perfect place for a date. If you have a green thumb or are artistic, you'd…read moreabsolutely love this stakeout. They have plants, coffee, snacks...what is there not to love? You're also met with lots of crafts, such as stickers, postcards, candles, etc. There was a line when I came. Not particularly long, it went by pretty quick because I got distracted from all the goodies while standing in line. I ended up getting a El Jefe latte (brown sugar espresso) to start, and it was pretty good! Above average and was easy to drink, not too acidic. The brown sugar syrup was okay, I'd get something else the next time. Wait times were pretty long, but the chance to walk around and see pretty flowers, rocks, and plants make it not such a bad thing at all. There are a few tables, but there weren't enough for my party when I went in the late afternoon (5pm-ish) Plenty of parking, and cafe employees are extremely sweet and cheerful. They say green vibrant plants bring your high cortisol levels down. Would def recommend if you're in search of a new cafe. If you're coming from the airport, it's not too far and you can squeeze in a coffee/souvenir run!

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    Beautiful coffee sleeve
    Beautiful coffee sleeve
    Strawberry matcha
    Strawberry matcha
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    Easy Does It

    Easy Does It

    4.4
    (318 reviews)
    6.9 mi
    $$

    This is such a cool spot…read more I love a good coffee shop, even more so when they have more than just coffee. Easy does it has simple but delicious beverage options including coffee, matcha, hojicha, pastries and open face bagels. All delicious. But in addition to that, they also sell plenty of packaged goods like a copious amount of high quality take home coffee beans from some really amazing roasters, matcha and hojicha powder, snacks (like shiso sour cream popcorn), spreads, and tin fish. The shop itself is huge with plenty of seating and tables, making this a great coffee date spot or remote work location. Their branding is really cute and unique which adds to the overall vibe. We even experienced a cool pop up on the weekend when we first went! The service is also really great. Everyone is kind and helpful and the wait it never too long.

    It is a TRAVESTY... that I haven't yet written about the…read morecoffee shop I've dedicated my life to over the past year, because... well, like I said, you will always find me here! OVERVIEW Come for the equally balanced, delicious coffee AND matcha drinks; the spacious work setting; the side entertainment (like a free bookshelf + camp chairs outside), and incredible ownership. Be prepared for hard parking during peak hours (lunchtime) and possible lack of seats (especially during schooltime). DRINKS It is RARE to find a shop whose matcha is on par with its coffee; normally, one is better than the other. Easy Does It, or EDI as we affectionately call it, is pro at BOTH. With coffee served from Provecho, matcha from Nami and hojicha from Paru??? You just hit a trifecta of GOOD good. Our Typical Order: 1) Iced Earl Grey Latte - omg, I LOVE the earthiness that the earl grey syrup brings to the matcha. Matcha, to me, is either too grassy or too sweet; the earl grey syrup makes it a perfectly earthy balance. 2) Honey Cinnamon Latte - how good could a standard coffee shop latte be, you ask? They have the HCL at almost every shop, and it's not usually standout. EDI, again, blew expectations wide open. Their HCL is balanced: sweet without being saccharine; and you can actually taste the cinnamon. 3) Hojicha Latte, Hot - omg, there was a time when I ordered almost one of these A DAY. Again, another sleeper - if you like the taste of coffee but can't take the caffeine (for a late night drink, perhaps), a hojicha is a good choice. It has that grounded taste that coffee gives, and the hot version of it is like a HUG for your mouth and stomach. They also have cool inventive flavors like the Matcha Cloud, the Coconut Cream Cloud (which is a coffee cloud on top of coconut water, I hear it's refreshing), so you'll never get tired of the drinks they have here. I also want to mention that they do serve wine and beer, too... so there's something for everyone! FOOD Spend any time in a coffee shop and know... you're gonna get hungry! Thankfully, EDI has open-faced bagel sandwiches AND pastries here, all of which look mighty tasty; all of which I cannot partake in, since I am gluten free. But ohhh, gluten warriors unite! Thanks to the partnership that is Jacob of Made for Mei Mei Mochi (aka the protein mochi) and Easy Does It, you'll have your PICK of 5 different flavors of homemade, chewy, ooey, DELICIOUS MOCHI -- SANS added sugars and preservatives you normally find in the store. I'm telling you, I don't normally like mochi (it tends to be so sweet) but I love the texture. And Made for Mei Mei hits it all! Flavors include: 1) chocolate hazelnut -- which tastes like Ferrer Rocher, yum 2) ube 3) green tea / red bean 4) black sesame 5) pb&j (yes, he's stocked peanut butter & jelly, a fan-demanded flavor) My favorites are #1 and #4; sometimes I go for #2 and #5 to mix it up. Either way, I spend WAY too much on these tiny li'l treats I might as well become an early investor. AMBIENCE This place is perfect for computer work as light doesn't directly fill the whole space. I like a li'l shade when I'm staring at a bright computer screen. There are two rooms: front and back; the back is a li'l darker and more chill vibes than the front. I also appreciate that they have a free bookshelf (just replenish it with your own!), plus a few magazines scattered around (for decoration, but I still browse). I miss when coffee shops had analog media, especially for when we don't want to be glued to our screens. EXTRA CREDIT Easy Does It also offers their shop as space for community events. From mahjong with No Ambition Tile Club to wine and jazz nights IN SUM THANK YOU Easy Does It ~ Grace, Nancy, the sister I haven't met, Eugenia, and the entire team ~ for creating a lovely third space where I can work, enjoy my snacks / drinks, meet friends and co-work, and have a great conversation. You make it so easy to feel welcomed, and I'll forever be grateful for you :)

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    Matcha Cloud
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    Karak House Coffee

    Karak House Coffee

    4.1
    (198 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    Karak House is always clean, welcoming, and has a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect whether you're…read moremeeting with clients, studying for school, or just enjoying a quiet coffee break. There's almost always a good mix of people working inside or out on the patio, giving the space a productive but comfortable energy without feeling overcrowded. The staff is consistently friendly, welcoming, and efficient, and the drinks are reasonably priced for the quality you receive. My go-to is the Iced Vanilla Latte, which is always smooth, well-balanced, and never overly sweet. I've also tried several other drinks over the years, and everything has been consistently well-crafted. So if you're looking for a coffee shop with quality drinks, a great atmosphere, and a place where you can actually settle in and get some work done, this is the café for you!

    I didn't know this place existed until I stopped by the area for dinner but due to how many people…read moreI saw inside I wanted to see what the excitement was for so I swung by here afterwards for dessert. Due to how late it was (around 10pm when I came) I didn't want any drinks/anything caffeinated but the milk cakes did catch my eye. Unfortunately the ras malai was out but I went with the gullible as jamun which I've never had. I was expecting it to be ridiculously sweet based off it looking like a tres leches but I was pleasantly surprised at how balanced the sugar was with the spices. Hopefully if I come back I'll get to try their coffee/other milk cakes!

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    Ras Malai Milk Cake
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    Oreo Cheesecake
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    Asa Bakery & Cafe

    Asa Bakery & Cafe

    4.1
    (998 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    Arrived here, a short walk from the Pendry Hotel where we're staying. Right on the corner with nice…read moreclean open space interior, AC & fans. They have baked goods as well as sandwiches u can order. Someone will ask u if u want baked goods first then u go down the counter to order drinks and sandos. Got the everything mochi bagel with cream cheese and the egg & chicken katsu sando. Everything mochi bagel 5/5: so fluffy and light yet still tastes like a bagel. Can be a lil salty on the top where the salt is but contrast with parts that dont have it. Egg sando 5/5: yummy and filling, has cucumber and the milk bread is thick and so fluffy! Chicken katsu sando 5/5: my favorite. I love the spicy mustardy sauce not sure if it's in the actual brown katsu sauce or separate mustard. My bf didnt like it but i loved it! Chicken also juicy and soft. The milk bread is so fluffy and lil sweet and perfect pairing. Interior has lots of tables and seating and they they also have an outdoor patio and they clean the tables frequently which is nice. Recommend!

    An Asa Bakery & Cafe review, in haiku form: A quick gaslamp…read morestroll; An unassuming venue, Hides delicious treats! Quick and modern is what they're going for from what I can see, and I don't think you can mess up ordering anything here. Im almost certain I'm adding this to my growing San Diego list, just so that I can try more savory pastries

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    Asa Bakery & Cafe
    Asa Bakery & Cafe
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    Communal - cafes - Updated July 2026

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