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ESSNTL Coffee

4.3 (178 reviews)
ModerateCoffee & Tea
Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

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ESSNTL COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

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Dog friendly!
MaRinajh J.

The drinks were good! The ube and strawberry crème were smooth and flavorful. Definitely on the sweeter/dessert side. Their coffee base was decently strong (they have a vietnamese coffee option) as well as their matcha. It took about 10-15 minutes to ring up two drinks. I like how their matcha is hand whisked. They did forget the strawberry cream top to my strawberry matcha, but the baristas were nice and added it. The inside is lovely and a decently sized, but only a few tables are available (they have a comfy couch in the corner). For parking, the lot directly in front is small and is often full, so park nearby!

Banana Matcha
Cayla Marie H.

ESSNTL Coffee is a hidden gem and needs more attention! Immediately. Interesting layout, because it shares a spaces with ESSNTL Barbershop, separated by a wall but with complete access. You have the option between a matcha or Vietnamese coffee base, then pick your foam flavoring. Vietnamese coffee is always on my radar, so when I saw they offered different flavors, I jumped on board. Biscoff and Banana are the top selling items. I was feeling biscoff and I chose correctly. It was strong and sweet with all the biscoff goodness crumbled on top. For my second visit, I tried a a banana Matcha. Very good with the same consistent creamy texture. I can't even think of the price point right now because I'm busy sipping on my drink. Haha. Excited to go back and try their other offerings.

Vietnamese latte Ube foam
Ana G.

A little funny, sort of looks like I'm about to go in for a haircut, but honestly it's a smart business decision :) The drinks are so delicious and may seem a little pricey for coffee but it's mainly if you're upgrading or add-ons. Fast too but there was no one in line when I arrived. I got a Vietnamese latte with Ube soft top yummyyyyy

Salted Cream & Biscoff Cream Matchas
Allison P.

Um WOW! This is for sure my favorite matcha spot in SD. When you pull up, you might be a bit confused since it's connected to a barber shop. Never fear, they're two distinct businesses and the cafe has its own space with tables and couches to lounge on. I have tried their Salted Cream and Biscoff Cream Matchas. Of the two, the Salted Cream is my fav! I'm very picky about my salted creams. I love a thicker consistency and a forward flavor. Essntl delivered on both fronts! If you're a fan of Biscoff cookies, this cream was a dream! It tasted just like the cookie with notes of caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon. Ok, onto the actual matcha. Another WOW is needed. It's strong, creamy, and has a lot of depth in its flavor profile! A bit on the earthier, nuttier side for sure. No notes!

$9 EARL GREY MATCHA WITH OAT MILK & $7 COOKIES + CREAM COFFEE
Caitlin D.

I came here to celebrate my birthday (without telling them haha!) & when we first walked in there were maybe only 2 tables occupied. One of the workers saw me and said "welcome back!" I was still surprised that she remembered me!! It's been a while! I was hoping that they still had the coconut cream on the menu because I love COCONUT Vietnamese coffee. But sadly, I think I came a few days too late. I decided to just get my usual! Iced Banana Cream Vietnamese Coffee! The cream foam was smooth and fresh, delicious. The coffee was strong, remember if you want it to be even more bold-- request no milk added. My mom had the Iced Ube Cream Vietnamese Coffee with Whole Milk. She enjoyed the flavor and the boldness of the coffee. The Ube flavor was very prominent and had a delicious taste which complimented the coffee. Later on, my brother requested an Iced Lychee Lemonade with Matcha, Less Sweet. The matcha color was there but the flavor of the lychee lemonade was so strong, you couldn't taste the matcha. I think, the lychee lemonade on its own is quite delicious!! But a little too sweet still. I liked that they gave actual pieces of lychee in the drink, and they topped the drink with a dehydrated lemon slice. It was very cute. They also expanded the space from the last time I came. It looks very modern and bright. The chairs are wood, but very comfortable. And now, after you order, they give you little pagers that vibrate and beep when your drink is ready. Overall, a very lovely space to come and sit to enjoy coffee! Take your time when drinking Vietnamese coffee, it has a lot of caffeine! Prices range from $7-9!

Wooo!!!
Leland S.

I've heard about this spot for a while. I was in the area and finally had a chance to check it out -- here was my experience. AMBIANCE Parking: Small lot + street parking--might take a minute, especially during peak hours. Seating: Decent amount of seating for a coffee spot. Good for studying, catching up, or just vibing for a bit. Vibes: Welcome to Mid-City! Not the most flashiest place of San Diego but an essential local gem. The spot itself is welcoming with the busy sounds of a coffee place and hip hop music. Lowkey, modern, and very much a college-area crowd (near SDSU). It's connected to a barbershop, which gives it a unique feel--kind of like a community hub. Not super aesthetic-heavy, but it's got personality. FOOD / DRINKS Cinnamon Crunch Matcha (Recommend) This was the move. You get that real matcha flavor--earthy, slightly umami--but balanced out with sweetness and texture from the cinnamon crunch. It's creamy, layered, and honestly feels more elevated than your typical matcha latte. SERVICE Angeline was great -- friendly and attentive without being overbearing. TL;DR OVERALL 4 Stars. Good flavors, good choices, and a pleasant experience. It's a solid matcha spot! A little on the pricier side, but the quality shows. If you're into creative matcha drinks or want something different from your usual coffee run, this is definitely worth checking out. #RepresentAZN TIPS * If you're a matcha person, this spot should be on your list.

Cookies & cream matcha, salted Vietnamese coffee
Eugene C.

I had seen this place a few times while searching up places to eat around the area but I never had the chance to try it out until recently. The parking lot in this area is pretty small and Alforon, a pretty popular middle eastern restaurant, is also located here which doesn't help. I'm sure if I came during the week that it would be packed since it's near SDSU but luckily when I came on a Sunday afternoon it was pretty empty. The interior of the place is shared with a barbershop but it is still open and modern. There are definitely some seats available for you to work and study if need be. For drinks I went with a salted Vietnamese coffee and my partner went with the cookies and cream matcha. I was pleasantly surprised at how good both drinks tasted. The salted cream Vietnamese coffee was very strong but still had a complex flavor that wasn't overly sweet or salty. It was comparable to other Vietnamese coffee places I've tried in LA/OC. The matcha drink also had a prevalent earthy flavor and I could actually taste the matcha which I can't say for many other places I've been to in San Diego. Unfortunately the matcha here isn't affordable( around $9) but at least the quality matches the price. Many other places that do sell matcha might be cheaper but oftentimes you can barely taste the matcha. As for the coffee, it was more in line with other coffee prices. For a place that I came to on a whim, I was really happy I visited and would definitely recommend their drinks!

Salted cream and banana cream coffees
Dary P.

If you love strong Vietnamese coffee, this is your spot. We tried the banana cream and salted cream last week, and came back again for the ube (plus another salted cream because I'm obsessed now ). The coffee is strong in the best way, and the cream smooths it out perfectly. The salted cream is THAT drink. I can't stop ordering it. Already planning my next visit. It is located in a small shopping strip. Parking is limited but there are street parking.

Sammy B.

I wish I had enjoyed my experience at ESSNTL Coffee more ): The shop is very interesting as it is partially inside a barber shop. We waited about 45 minutes between waiting in line to order and then waiting for our drinks. They were pretty pricey and just did not have a lot of flavor. I got the banana cream matcha and it did not taste like much.

Coconut cloud matcha
Teresa S.

Second time back to try out another drink option...And maaan was I glad I did. I ordered the coconut matcha cloud. I love matcha and this drink was on a next level it was sooo refreshing, light yet smooth and creamy but with no dairy. At first sip, my mind was blown. I had to go and mention to the baristas how satisfied I was with the drink. This is going to be my go to drink every time. Also, the baristas were very pleasant and accommodating. I was told to let them know if I needed adjustments.....I had no complaints...I was a satisfied customer :)

Vietnamese coffee with salt cream & Double matcha latte (super grainy/clumpy)
Joycee K.

This place is located in a plaza next to their barber shop. They have parking but can be hard to find since it's shared by other businesses. First walked in and the place was pretty spacious, clean and minimalist decorated. I ordered the double matcha latte unsweetened and my boyfriend ordered the Vietnamese coffee with salt cream top. The wait was around 10 mins and when we pick up our drinks I knew my drink wasn't gonna be my liking. The matcha drink was super super grainy, you can literally see balls of matcha clumps. The taste of the matcha latte wasn't strong and earthy, to me it tastes very watery even though the color was a deep green which was weird. My boyfriend's drink on the other hand was very good. Loved the strong coffee taste with a hint of saltness/ sweetness of the cream top. Overall definitely their coffee is way better than the matcha. I think their matcha drinks aren't mix well and they water it down too much. And for the matcha latte was $10 which in my opinion way overpriced and was not worth it at all. Only the coffee saved this place if we ever come back. I think we ended up paying total $19 for two drinks.

Jadelyn M.

The cookies and cream coffee is my go to! Definitely more of a dessert but I love a sugary coffee. It is a little pricey especially for myself since I get oat milk, but it really is that good!! Rating 4 stars bc the last couple of times I went the staff barely acknowledged me and gave me the Gen Z stare when waiting to order at the register lol

Suite front
Emmett T.

ESSNTL is a combination business across two suites in a small plaza of the Rolando neighborhood. The left side was the coffee shop, and the right side was a barber shop. There were limited parking spaces out front so I parked on a side street and walked over to buy a drink. The lounge area had about six tables and a sofa where customers could hang out and enjoy their order. A small line was ahead of me, however after I placed my order, the queue stretched nearly to the entrance. Cream coffees, matcha, and lattes were the main categories. Some baked goods were on display in a case at the service counter, but the selection was limited by the time of my afternoon visit. I selected an Iced Hojicha Latte with Banana Cream. The roasted green tea with milk had a nuttier flavor with less caffeine. The banana cream added sweetness that wasn't overpowering. Judging from the time I was there, they could have used more seating. No one was getting their hair cut despite the fairly large barber setup. Perhaps management may consider reconfiguring the space allocation to allow for a larger coffee shop and a smaller barber area. There was also no public restroom available which I found puzzling because if you want customers to stay on-site, then access to a restroom is important. My experience at ESSNTL Coffee was between a three and a four star level.

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Ask the Community - ESSNTL Coffee

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This was my second time at this coffee establishment, I remember really liking it my first visit so…read moredecided to try something new! I unfortunately chose the wrong line and got stuck behind this cop who was ordering but also decided to get out and help capture a lost dog which made 3 other cars cut in line ahead of me... the workers were very sweet and noticed I had been waiting and came out right away to help and make sure I got my order taken! The la mesa latte was super yummy and while I'm not the biggest fan of cold foam on lattes this one was pleasantly good! I had also gotten a bagel with cream cheese which I don't believe was toasted and would say that was the only downside but the delicious amount of cream cheese definitely helped.

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Brew Coffee Spot

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Their logo
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The Vinam Cafe

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The workers are so sweet and kind. The coffee is strong and…read moretasty. There are plenty of seats inside and a few tables outside. There are a few parking spots next to it. They're small so park wisely. When we go on the weekends, it is always packed. Normally a line with people ordering food and drinks. What I really like about this is that people come to get coffee and sit down to enjoy it. It's different than your typical grab and go and you can see the community that supports the business. Everything is brewed fresh so there is a wait when you order your drink. Plan accordingly. I think they could improve their system with brewing to cut down on the wait which is why I gave 4 stars. However, this has become my go to coffee spot on the weekend despite the wait because they are very consistent with their service and beverages. I need to try their food because the last time I went, almost every table had something to eat!

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Scrimshaw Coffee

Scrimshaw Coffee

4.5
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Had a group meeting in the area, I saw a coffee shop across and figured trying to get some work…read moredone. Here was my experience AMBIANCE Parking: Street parking and neighborhood parking. It can get pretty busy so come early to prep. Seating: Chill plenty of seating both inside and outside. Good for small groups with room for about 30 people. Vibes: Welcome to Normal Heights nothing too flashy, just plenty of local eateries and businesses. The spot itself is relatively clean, modern, pretentious. I dig the 90s house music in the background. This seems to be a trusted neighborly coffee shop with students are working, friends are catching up, and regulars seem to know the staff by name. It helps there's a pizza shop next door as well. FOOD / DRINKS Cherie Amour (Recommend) Delish. A latte with housemade cherry and almond syrup, and if you get it iced, it comes topped with a little cold foam. I dig the sweetness and the fruitiness of the cherry, it balanced out the bitterness of the coffee which was pretty cool. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly and welcoming. Sara helped contribute to the neighborhood feel of the place and made the experience easy and enjoyable. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Good coffee, reasonable prices, and a pleasant atmosphere. I know there are plenty of coffeeshops in SD but this is a cool neighborly one. It doesnt seem like a trendy place but a place more in community and steady service. Till next time, Scrimshaw! TIPS * Try the seasonal drinks--they get creative.

It's been over 8 years since I've last came to Scrimshaw Coffee & Wow! It seems like they extended…read morethe menu as well-- as they have lots more food options & from what it looks like natural wine and beer too...which is interesting for a coffee shop. They are connected with the business (Love Letters Pizza) next door with an arched wall. The interior has changed, they now have new seating and they painted the walls different color. The tables are a little wonky, but I appreciate the fake marble top they got on it. It looks classy from a far with the interior lighting. I sadly missed their May Special, Blueberry Malt Latte! I love anything malt, so sad it is already gone (it's June now lol). They dropped their summer specials on their Instagram and the first one looked incredible. This was their version of an Aussie classic, they call it "Mont Blanc." It consisted of cold brew with orange syrup, topped with a vanilla-orange cold foam, finished with grated orange zest and nutmeg. I would never order this again, personally. I usually love vanilla orange in my coffee/espresso drinks, however this one really missed the mark for me. The orange tasted too forward and slightly bitter. Even the first sip from the lid, I knew I wouldn't be able to drink this down (I don't like wasting drinks or money). I offered it to my mom, who usually enjoys this sort of flavor profile as well, and it was a huge miss. She couldn't drink it either (nor could my brother who also ordered the same one as me). Within 10 min of driving with it, it had separated and looked very unappealing. Next time, I would maybe request their tangerine cold foam on a regular iced latte. I finally love citrus with my drinks-- maybe this one would be more up my alley. Or wait another month for different specials. Since it's been a while, I would love to come in the day time-- we came around 5:33 pm ! They close at 6pm which is pretty cool since most coffee shops close at 2-3 pm. The workers were very kind and welcoming despite us coming near closing time & the music was very nice. They have a handful of interior seating and outside seating as well! Despite the one drink being terrible, I wouldn't write them off for that -- they have a large menu and lots more for us to try! Come swing by!

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The owner is super kind and friendly and my coffee was delicious. He's into marathon running and…read moreeverything about the place in ambiance honors that passion. If dropping kids off at the YAT camp in Grossmont, it's a great stop.

I had an appointment nearby and make it a point to try coffee shops in the areas I'm in…read more The mall is a mess right now with construction but I still found it (my review doesn't reflect that). It's a cute colorful little shop. The girl working was very friendly. I saw the board outside after she reminded me of the specials and decided to try the iced chocolate banana latte. This is not something I would normally try but it sounded good. I'm more of a coffee purist generally. The girl told me all about it and talked it up so I was looking forward to trying it. She said the banana was a strong flavor, which is OK cause I like banana. She made my drink and I paid and was on my way. As I was walking back to my car, I took a sip. I'm not sure what happened, but there was zero banana flavor. It was just chocolate. I don't know if she ran out of banana or what happened but had I known I would've ordered something different. Quite disappointing actually. Since I'm in the area every few months and it has a five star reputation I will come back and try something else on a different day but today was not my day for getting a good drink.

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Iced oatmilk matcha latte

ESSNTL Coffee - coffee - Updated July 2026

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