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Drift Cafe

4.7 (277 reviews)
Closed • 6:30 am - 2:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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DRIFT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Drift Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Acai Bowl
Jacquelyn M.

Visited Drift Cafe in the morning last week with my sister and had a nice time. I ordered an acai bowl and an iced honey lavender latte which were both delicious. There was plenty of seating in the morning and they offer wifi. This cafe would be a nice study spot and the ambiance was very chill, it felt very representative of San Diego.

Anita M.

Great location right in PB next to Duck Dive. Good variety of standard brunch options and coffee drinks. I ordered the breakfast burrito with bacon. It came out in decent time, had good flavor and was a big portion size. I might come again to order this item though felt the bacon was lacking. Price was $16 since I added bacon. I liked the flavor of the peppers in it. It's a cute spot & more casual. Parking will be challenging as it's in PB. Service was decent too - pretty standard for a casual spot. You'll order at the counter and seat yourself. I do feel the girl at the counter could have been friendlier. Mostly indoor seating, there's a couple tables on the sidewalk though. It's maybe not as cute as other cafes like Palmy's, but still ok!

Michael B.

This probably ranks in the bottom third of coffee shops I've been too. The shop itself is cute. It has a handful of tables that can fit maybe 20 people inside. There's a small counter where you can order. Great floral design on the wall. But that's where the nice things I have to say ends. We were just walking by and saw it and decided to give it a shot. We were met by the barista who mumbled what you want and when we asked for a moment, just blankly stared at us. We ordered the Cherry Almond Latte which on first taste wasn't bad. But started to taste less like fruit and nuts and more like cough syrup. While the colors are beautiful, there was a lot of dishes left on the tables along the right wall. Perhaps those people just got up and finished and they had time to bus it. The bathroom was also pretty bad as well and desperately needed to be serviced. All in all. Probably wouldn't come back. It is locally owned so that is a plus.

Mushroom and Spinach Scramble
Kayley C.

This is a great casual breakfast/brunch cafe. The place has plenty of seating and is less busy than other spots in PB. The service is quick, but the food wasn't anything special. They have tons of vegan/veg options which is great.

Mexican mocha!
John W.

Mexican mocha! Courteous staff, quick service, clean space! If you're looking for a cool space to chill close to the beach or to get some remote work done, this is your place in Pacific Beach!

Tomato Toasty
Raquel D.

Tomato Toasty with bacon. OH MY GOD. So delicious, cashew cheese is on point, AND they cut it into the shape of a heart.

Lox & jalapeño bagel, mocha latte, breakfast bowl
Jennifer T.

First time coming here and won't be the last. Java Earth is my jam but this is really good stuff. Look at the coffee art ! The food was amazing.

Vegan Burrito
Sandra T.

Delicious vegan burrito! It is probably one of the best I've ever had. The portion was good size to share.

Blackberry matcha and Hawaiian latte
Nancy G.

Small, cute café that's great for a quick bite. I tried a few items and overall had a good experience. The breakfast bowl was fresh and refreshing, and the French toast was made perfectly. The avocado toast was a bit mediocre, but the tomato toast was actually really good. I also had the matcha blackberry drink (seasonal, I think), and it was so good--definitely a standout. I didn't try my friend's Hawaiian latte, but she really enjoyed it. Nice spot for a casual breakfast or coffee stop.

Marcus C.

enjoyed honey lavender latte! cute little spot very convenient to where we were staying!

Kaloni S.

It's a super cute coffee shop! Parking on the street or residential area. The decor inside is super cute and there's plenty of seating. My picture didn't save of the inside :( but it's definitely a cute cozy vibe. Service was quick and efficient. Food and drink review: Chocolate croissant: (4/5) It wasn't as soft as I hoped for, but simple and hit the spot. Iced matcha chai: (5/5) Deep matcha flavor but well balanced with the chai! Iced chai latte: (5/5) Sooo delicious! Perfect blend of flavors and not too strong. Roo bru? (Not sure the name. It's not coffee but some sort of coffee alternative). (2/5) it's definitely an earthy/dirt-like flavor even with some sweetener. We wanted to try it, but def wouldn't order again!

Daron C.

there are many coffee shops in Pacific Beach and what they serve for food varies I go to different ones for different things but if you're looking for the best a size You can't beat it I always have peanut butter... it's really big too...Acai Bowl

Bacon cheddar quiche
Emily K.

This was a solid breakfast spot in Pacific Beach! I went around 9 on a Friday and it wasn't super packed, could be a good place to work remote as it's pretty lowkey and quiet! Good ambiance. I ordered the bacon cheddar quiche which was good. It has a puff pastry crust which I thought was kind of an interesting change from a typical quiche crust! It came with a side of arugula and strawberries which was a little funky - could have maybe used some dressing. Service was awesome!

Cold brew with cream & cold foam

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2 years ago

A coffee taste great. Good selection of foods and great location. I would recommend going to this place for good food and drinks.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Business owner information

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Marlee B.

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3 years ago

I'm not a vegan, but their vegan breakfast burrito is absolutely outstanding. Whole family got them three days in a row. Great coffee, too.

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

Such a cute spot, everything we had was delicious - we ordered avo toast, açaí bowl and croissants. Their coffee is also very good.

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5 years ago

Excellent cold brew to start the morning. The chocolate banana muffin with gold glitter glaze is worth a try too.

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Great food, service, and ambiance. Ate there 3 of our 4 days at the beach. The breakfast bowl is the best!

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3 years ago

Love! Way less busy than other places filled with bachelor and bachelorette parties. Food 10/10. Coffee 10/10.

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Excellent Food, portion size and balance. Friendly service and clean environment. Great coffee btw.

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

Excellent food and service!! Quiche is fireee. Staff was super nice. Going back for sure

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Drift Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Drift Cafe

Hi! I'm planning my sister's bachelorette party and trying to find coffee shops near the Air Bnb and this one popped up. She is allergic to gluten. Do you guys have yummy…

Hi Jillian, we have gluten free options on our menu. I could also make something special for you ladies if you wanted to pre order for the day. When are you all in town?… Read more

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Madi - Papas locos

Madi

4.2(63 reviews)
0.3 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

Had a work brunch at Madi in Pacific Beach today, and it was a hit with all six of us. It wasn't…read morebusy when we arrived, though I've heard it gets packed on weekends. Parking was straightforward with a small lot and plenty of paid street spots nearby. Dakotah took great care of us. She handled our group's quirky requests with total composure, checked in at all the right times, and even sent a couple of coworkers off with to-go refills. The food was outstanding. One of my coworkers ordered the Poke Bowl Surf Shack, and it looked as good as it tasted -- bright, fresh ingredients piled around a scoop of rice and a side of spicy mayo. Another went for the Surfer Breakfast Burrito, which came with black beans and a choice of salsas. I had the Oklahoma Onion Smash Burger with bacon, served with crispy fries and a cold Mexican Coke. Everything at the table landed well. Coffee was excellent, too. They also add a 5% hospitality fee to the bill, which seems to be a growing trend in San Diego. Overall, a great spot for brunch with friendly service, good vibes, and food that delivers. I'd happily come back.

Checked out this location for a Saturday brunch that did not disappoint…read more It was a packed house with an efficient staff and seating for parties of all sizes. Light, airy and full of colors. We ordered the French toast to split, also try the French sticks if you don't want the toast. The menu has something for every flavor. My friend had The G.O.A.T. and I had the Papas Locas. Both were good portions so come with an appetite.

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Madi
Madi - Egg Salad Sandwich

Egg Salad Sandwich

Madi - Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte

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Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte

Palmys Pacific Beach - Breakfast Burrito

Palmys Pacific Beach

3.9(378 reviews)
0.2 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

I was looking for a beach cafe, and Palmys fit the vibe I was going for. Not to mention, they offer…read morea variety of breakfast meals and lunch items. I went for a late productivity session at around 2PM, and there were plenty of seats on the patio, I even some patio couches and limited seating inside. Though it doesn't exactly face the beach, the layout is very nice and gives off a beachy vibe anyway! I enjoyed their Lavender Latte, hot. It had a nice balance of coffee and milk, with the lavender not too strong. The sweetness was balanced well. I also munched on a cheeseburger, which I could only eat a little of it since it was quite heavy. I did eat a lot of the tater tots that came on the side, as they were deliciously seasoned and needed to be eaten while it was crispy. The service was great; I was checked up on my order and staff were constantly going around to buss the tables. I felt productive here and look forward to coming another time when I can!

We had a great experience at Palmys! The restaurant was clean and well decorated inside and out…read more The food was REALLY good with perfect portions - we split the breakfast burrito (vg & the GF tortilla was great - not crumbly!) and the blue horizon acai bowl. The acai bowl was naturally sweet, not overpowering. They offer merch & local goods up front, and the cafe has plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. They also offer coffee/ tea, which I will try next time! :-)

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Palmys Pacific Beach - Cozy interior

Cozy interior

Palmys Pacific Beach - Delicious breakfast sandwich

Delicious breakfast sandwich

Palmys Pacific Beach - Lavender latte

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Lavender latte

Waterbar San Diego - Happy Hour Oysters

Waterbar San Diego

3.7(1.1k reviews)
0.3 mi•Pacific Beach
•$$

Came in for a drink. I had a glass of Kim Crawford SB and he had a Guinness! Thank you for having…read moreGuinness it's so hard to find. Greeted by hostess and immediately got a great seat facing the water and overlooking the boardwalk. Beautiful interior with a center bar and lots of tvs and some booths in the back. Food menu looked good. Clean restrooms Really nice by the bottle wine list. . Will definitely be back.

We stopped by Waterbar on Christmas Eve for a drink before dinner. We stay down in PB for the…read moreholidays every year, and have seen this place since it first opened. Last year around this time we peeked our head in to see the space, but didn't stay. Located upstairs, the venue is large and well-lit, with windows overlooking Pacific Beach and the boardwalk. When we arrived, we were greeted by a local patron at the bar. He noticed my 49ers hat and made a joke about keeping me and the owner away from each other, because he is also a Niners fan. Immediately loved the vibes. There were a decent amount of people there for it being Christmas Eve, but it was still pretty open. We were seated at a long high-top table for our group of 7, with one kid. The restaurant was all decorated for the holidays, and they had a pop-up situation with some fun themed drinks and even a giant inflatable igloo for people to play in! We ordered a variety of beverages, many from the "Tinsel & Tides" menu, including the Candied Cranberry Punch, Maple Smoked Old Fashioned, and Spiced Peartini. All of which were fun, and received positive feedback on taste. In addition to the holiday drinks, they have quite an extensive list of around 14 cocktails, and 2 mocktails. The cocktail prices range from $15 - $18, and even have fun little photos on the menu next to the description. They have a section of 6 specialty margaritas, over a dozen canned beverage options, and over 2 dozen beverages on draft. You can find an entire page of wine options. From bubbles, to rosé, to whites and reds. You can buy it by the glass or the bottle. Beyond drinks, there's a nice looking food menu. Mostly seafood and Asian inspired, the menu featured items such as crispy calamari, crab Rangoon dip, ahi tuna poke, ceviche, sashimi, and various sushi rolls. There are several soup and salad options, as well as a dozen or so entree options, and a half dozen side dishes such as fries, coleslaw, veggies, and mac & cheese. There's also a brunch menu, which is available Saturday & Sunday from 9am - 2pm, and includes some boozy drink options like a Bloody Mary and bottomless mimosas. There are around 8 entree options, and another 8 or so brunch themed sides. While we didn't get to try the food this time around, the menu looked good enough that we are planning to come back for a legit meal. There is an "Oyster and Martini Wednesday" from 3pm to close, where oysters are 50% off, and martinis are $10. We happened to be there on a Wednesday, however the deal wasn't applicable due to the holiday. Our server, Destiny, was friendly and helpful with info and drink recommendations. The vibes were great here, and everybody was very welcoming. This is definitely a place we'll be adding to the regular rotation during our trips to PB! IG: @bbnem.eats

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Waterbar San Diego - The bar which is big

The bar which is big

Waterbar San Diego - Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp Cocktail

Waterbar San Diego - Chasing sunsets

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Chasing sunsets

Spill The Beans

Spill The Beans

4.0(54 reviews)
0.3 mi•Pacific Beach

I love me some good coffee especially coffee that actually wakes up. I ordered an Iced Blondie…read moreMocha for $5.75 and a Pot Head Coffee Cold Brew Can for $4.20. The Iced Blondie Mocha was tasty. Wasn't too watered down and the coffee was filled up to the lid inside of mostly ice. It had a great balance. The Pot Head Coffee Cold Brew Can was really good too. One of the few Coffee Cans that doesn't have that weird coffee can aftertaste. It was surprisingly smooth to drink. Wasn't bitter or too bland which a lot of Nitro Cold Brews attend to be. I actually want to get more of this coffee for work. It was the great amount of pep I needed to finish out my day. The service was awesome and suggested some nice coffees to try.

Spill the Beans has completely ruined every other coffee shop for me…read more I'm here every single morning, and there's a reason. The bagels are larger, fluffier, and have this perfect subtle sweetness -- rumor has it they're boiled in agave syrup, and honestly, it shows. The Lox, Stock & Bagel hits different when the bagel itself is this good, and the McLovin is worth every bite too. The rotating selection keeps it fresh enough that I genuinely look forward to switching it up. Then there's the Basic Sitch -- don't let the name fool you. Best Caramel Macchiato I've had anywhere. Period. If you haven't been yet, you're missing out. And if you have, you already know.

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Spill The Beans
Spill The Beans - You Are My Everything Bagel sold February 13 & 14 while supplies lasts

You Are My Everything Bagel sold February 13 & 14 while supplies lasts

Spill The Beans - Patio

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Patio

Drift Cafe - coffee - Updated June 2026

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