After seeing many comments that this is the best coffee in SD, I was super excited to try it out. Goldchild is in the heart of downtown SD, so I'd recommend going on a weekday when there might be more parking. The store is super cute and tiny, but there's a few spots to sit and work. It's true what the other reviews say, this place is overwhelmed with the smell of cinnamon desserts! So tempting and delicious. I opted for a regular latte with oat milk. It was very smooth, lightly roasted, and balanced. It is exactly how i like my coffee! A person who prefers darker roast may not like it as much. I would definitely return and try some of their flavored lattes as well! read more

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I came here on a Sunday and arrived in the line about 10:16 am and let's just say be patient and prepare to wait a while (10:47am is when I reached the front and ordered). I like that Goldchild Coffee Roasters has their own character and way of operating compared to the newer shops that have been appearing. This coffee spot is known to put more care and create an experience for the people that come in and with the quality that came to me-- I'm really grateful because it felt like I was getting my moneys worth! I didn't see any specialty drink (you know like lattes with delicious syrups). So, I decided to get an Iced Latte. They mentioned that their iced drinks don't come with ice-- it's shaken! I really liked this aspect because I could walk for hours and my drink wouldn't get watered down at all! The to go cup actually felt really heavy when I compared it to my friend's matcha. It was interesting as it was just a cold plain latte-- something in the way they extracted the drink must have made it really full bodied! The latte was smooth, well balanced (ratio of milk), and the flavor of the espresso really came through. It was beautiful, really delicious! My friend ordered a Matcha with a little bit of vanilla and he really really enjoyed it. My other friend had the Japan Cold Brew and was mind blown with the flavor as he thought he was just getting a plain ol' cold brew. The owner swung by to check on how things were and told us a little bit about the place and what she recommends we try next time based off our ordering choice. It was very sweet of her and I can't wait to come by next time! I really wanted to order "for here," but time didn't let me, so that's def for next visit as well. Next time, I'll try "Numbers" Latte or their most popular, "Morning in Stockholm," these two were recommended by the owner! She mentioned these flavors are also good with the matcha. I heard great things about their pastries as well, which I will be ordering next (: highly recommend Goldchild Coffee Roasters! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Iced Latte !! So good!! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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With only one morning in San Diego during a work trip to enjoy the incredible coffee shops, the stakes could not be higher to find an enjoyable a fine espresso beverage. Choose wrong and the opportunity would be wasted. Goldchild takes the medal (yes the gold one). I considered playing my odds with the dealer's choice, where they craft a customized drink to your preferences, but I love a macchiato too much to stray. The barista confirmed that I was asking for a traditional macchiato; we slyly laughed together knowing that is the only real macchiato. The macchiato was perfect. The espresso and the milk foam clearly divided. The roast perfectly smooth while still having a perfect punch to it. I sat in front of the La Marzocco custom painted with rap artists from the 90s and early 2000s. She'd asked my name for the order, but she was really asking my name for my entire experience. As I bused my table and returned my ceramic mug, I thanked her for the great drink. She said, "thank you Josh, I'm glad you enjoyed it." There must have been a dozen drinks served between my order and leaving. Do I change my flight the next day just so I can come back for a cortado next? Tempting. read more

Very long line that doesn't move too quick. Think of it as premium and friendly service helping you get the coffee you want. I liked the espresso-based coffees more. They were easy to drink, and exactly what I need for a calm and relaxing morning. Probably wouldn't choose it for a workday. The competition coffees were interesting and fancy that comes in a wine glass and decanter. Worth a try. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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A small coffee shop nearby a lot of hotels. The ambiance is nice but I think most people take coffee away instead. The line was long in the morning which seems expected around here but I enjoyed the Morning in Stockholm even as someone who doesn't usually drink coffee I think the bitterness balanced well with the rose and cardamom flavors. I took a cardamom bun away to try later on! Would recommend if you have time and can do a takeaway since seating is limited. Edit: Unfortunately there was a mixup and my cardamom bun was gone and was given a saffron chocolate bun instead. Still good but was really waiting for the cardamom bun my friends raved about! ;) They were quite apologetic about it so I'll keep my rating since the coffee still hit the spot, the saffron bun was nice, and I like supporting a local community shop. Hopefully they find a system that works to keep up with the business when it comes to the cardamom buns though! read more

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What a cool spot! Hit it on our way out of SD and it was the perfect endnote to our trip. The guy working the register was super helpful when I was choosing my pour over and bun. I went with the chocolate saffron bun and the everyday pour over. Both were stellar! The vibes were awesome in this spot. Old school hip hop, beautiful atmosphere. It was 7:40ish on a Saturday morning and there was a short line. Totally get why. I wish we had a Goldchild in OC! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Vibes - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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Dear Yelp Community, I visited this shop for the first time this month. Nice ambiance with blue and gold colors. Classy bar seating, and record-themed. Service was good, but pastries were not ready (made fresh), so I ordered just a drink. Recommend. Well wishes. Sincerely, Anna read more

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Goldchild Coffee absolutely delivered. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was top notch clean, welcoming, and the kind of vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. The food was just as impressive. Everything tasted fresh, well thought out, and made with care. You can tell they don't cut corners. Service really sealed the deal. Friendly, attentive, and efficient without feeling rushed. It's rare to find a spot that nails food, service, and atmosphere all at once, but Goldchild Coffee does exactly that. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

I tried Goldchild on a trip to San Diego and felt like I found a local gem. The staff were all very kind and helpful. The Japanese style cold brew was phenomenal- first time I've tried that and really enjoyed it. It was like the flavors of a brewed coffee but the smooth texture of a cold brew - definitely recommend trying it. The espresso machine had a really fun collage of R&B artists. The counter had a good amount of seats plus there is a couch and outdoor seating area. They had a stocked retail shelf for the home coffee enthusiast and their bags of beans were on the counter for purchase. This is a great cafe for high quality coffee - definitely recommend checking it out. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Espresso machine - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

I've had this place bookmarked for a while and finally had a chance to stop by on Saturday. Parking is a bit tricky since it's right in the middle of downtown, but I managed to find a spot across the street early Saturday morning. The space itself is small and quaint. It was somewhat busy, but there were still seats available both inside and outside. I was on my way to another stop, so I ordered to go -- next time I'd love to sit and enjoy my coffee there. I ordered one of their signature drinks, Morning in Stockholm, since I love anything with cardamom. It was delicious -- not too sweet, subtly floral from the rose, and with a rich, aromatic coffee flavor. They also bake their own pastries. The cardamom pastry looked amazing, but since I was headed to another pastry shop, I didn't try it this time. I'll definitely be back to give it a try. Updated: came back to try their pastries this morning since I had an appt near by. Both their cardamom and cinnamon roll was 10/10! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Yummy - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

Specialty coffee roaster, Goldchild, deserves the praise it has for their pour overs, brews, espresso-based drinks, signature menu, pastries, and in-house crafted syrups. HIGHLIGHTS Cold brew coffee is collected through slow drip towers and origin beans in burlap sacks are roasted in a San Franciscan style commercial drum coffee roaster. AMBIANCE Exterior seating is street-side. Interior space feels modern, intimate and bustling. Gender neutral restroom pays homage to hip hop. SERVICE Patrons order at the counter. Staff delivers orders to seats. DRINK 5/5 MORNING IN STOCKHOLM After a morning in Stockholm, I fell captive with Goldchild - abducted by the refined rose and creamy whole milk and cardamom notes in this drink 4/5 EVERYDAY BATCH BREW| ELKIN DIOSA - COLOMBIA - WASHED PROCESSED CASTILLO, COLOMBIA, CATURRA Clean and approachable read more

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We found street parking a few blocks away (7 min walk) near A St and Second Ave and paid at the nearby machine. Goldchild is on a busy street with no parking directly in front. Goldchild has really friendly staff. It's a small space with bar seating and two person tables. There are a few tables outside as well. They have many pour over options. Our barista was knowledgeable. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

So good. So friendly. Had flat white and morning in Stockholm, both of which tasted good. Parking is on the street so find a meter or there's a 15 min loading zone across the way. Lines are an inevitable fact here but worth it. They just won the 2025 US aeropress championship in SF! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - US aeropress champion 2025 - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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Dropped in on a short weekend trip to San Diego. Reviews were raving for this spot, so I made it a huge effort to drop in as soon as I got in. I walked over from our hotel which was a short 8min walk. Once I arrived I was immediately greeted upon entry. I asked the cashier what she recommended and got a cappuccino. I ended up with a pastry because the person next to me accidentally spilled their drink and scared me lol. The cardamom bun was extremely tasty. I wasn't expecting all of that flavor. It was balanced perfectly. My coffee was great, but for a first time visit I just wanted something with a-little more flavor. I wondered maybe why I wasn't asked if I wanted to add a syrup to the cappuccino. But it's ok I will definitely be back for a round 2 soon! read more

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Needed coffee in downtown and found this local gem! It's a small space but they make great coffee. They have a small amount of outdoor seating and a bit more inside. It's more of a casual space you can chill at individually or with a friend vs. a large group. I got a standard latte with whole milk. It was very well made. Milk was silky smooth and you could still taste the coffee notes. I saw they had cardamom buns which I love so I'll have to try that next time! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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A 2 minute walk from Blue Bottle is GoldChild Coffee Roasters. Small & quaint inside with a ton of character. Unique menu-- coffee & pastries. They have some of the most unique coffee drinks I have ever seen. We got Numbers, notes of peach & citrus-- since Ash & I are both fans of citrus in our coffee. The Barista did say it wouldn't be sweet and the flavor described was very subtle and that held true! I fear I just prefer something sweeter and those flavors more vibrant. Would absolutely visit again & try another drink! We also got a Chocolate Saffron Bun that was so good. read more

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This place is super cool! I love the decor it's very hip. There is a music theme as well, honoring African American artists. The music playing was fun too. Service was A+. They serve your coffee on a cute little wooden tray with a napkin. I love coffee shops that serve in glassware to help reduce plastic usage. I ordered a dirty chai latte iced and it was perfection. So delicious but not too sweet. The pastries looked great too but I wasn't hungry, I'll try them next time! Highly recommend this spot. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Dirty chai latte iced - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

This gem I'm still thinking about my amazing coffee 2 weeks later. This place is in a very unassuming place on the edges of the gaslamp. Sorta looks like an old 90's bank building. Its across from Horton Plaza that's under construction. Main cross streets ate Broadway and 3rd Ave. Its a tiny intimate shop inside selling coffee to stay, go and custom roasted beans in combos Ive never seen before. Arrived around 830am on a sat. It's always a good sign when there are folks waiting outside to get it. Line moved fast. Once in you are hit with all the amazing smells of coffees you've never had before. Tons of pour overs and other unique coffee ways. 10/10 super friendly service 11/10 the vibes. People were just chillin. Cool music playing. All the staff were super nice. I sat at the bar while waiting. It reminded me of a coffee shop in spain or france where people come to gather, say hi, get inspired work done. 11/10 my amazing hot coffee Morning in Stockholm with almond milk. Cardamom, with ever so slight hint of rose.. it was like a dreamy pillow of silky smoothness in every sip. Really a coffee experience I've never had ever. After that cup seriously starbucks custom lattes tastes like 7-11 coffee. So weird but awesome. Their coffee roasts were super interesting... some had lychee, other mixed essence that I'd love to come back and try. I was only in SD for 24hrs for a wedding. Next time.. this will for sure be on my must stop and grab some unique whole bean coffee blends. Come try a cup.. you're in for an amazing surprise! read more

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Best coffee in San Diego. I had an awesome cortado. And to top it off, they have incredible pastries too (one of the owners is Swedish, so the cardamom buns are excellent). It's packed for a good reason. read more

Was in need of a pick me up in the afternoon coming from the east coast. Was initially going to go to another coffee spot but decided to give this place a try - omg, super cute and cozy decor. Such a hip vibe and right when you walk in the door, someone was roasting and bagging fresh beans I wished I could have gotten several different types of coffee to try but alas, it was already late afternoon and I probably couldn't drink sever cups. If I return to the area, would definitely hit this place up again. read more

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I absolutely loved loved loved these cute 4oz cortado shots!! The service was so fast, the espresso was rich and satisfying! It was super delicious it was my husbands and I first time trying a cortado and we absolutely loved it! read more

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My wife and I stumbled upon Goldchild Coffee Roasters during a morning stroll before breakfast. As serious coffee lovers, we're always hunting for something truly special and this place absolutely delivers. What sets them apart is that they roast their own beans in-house, and the quality absolutely shows in the cup. We're big pour over and AeroPress fans, and their pour overs are some of the best we've had. You can taste the care and intentionality behind every roast. If you're a coffee purist looking for a fantastic, thoughtfully crafted cup of joe, this is the spot! read more

As other folks have mentioned, Goldchild is truly a gem of a spot in San Diego! After perusing their menu, I decided to leave it up to change and went with the Dealer's Choice. The lovely barista who took my order asked me a handful of questions, including my temperature preference (hot or cold), milk preference, sweetness preference, and any flavors/ingredients to avoid. I loved the thoroughness of questions and knew I was well on my way to having a delicious cup of curiosity. While waiting for my mystery beveraginno, I took a seat on one of the comfy sogas took in the ambience of the shop; chill, delightful, warm, and peaceful. I appreciated the aesthetic of the space; modern chic, with a splash of bold flare. The merch wall was cool, with an assortment of tee shirts, sweaters, and hats. Also, all the coffee merch on the wall (which I presume was for sale) was fun to look at. The owner was roasting coffee beans and playing a fantastic playlist of classic and chill rap music. WHAT A VIBE. After a handful of minutes, my mystery beverage was ready and hand-delivered. It was love at first sip and the flavor profile was fine-tuned to my taste! A dash of cinnamon, subtly sweet, and cold. Absolutely DELICIOUS! Next time, I definitely want to try out one of the pastries as well as the Morning in Stockholm, as I LOVE cardamom. I can't wait to visit again! Stellar service, impeccable vibes, delicious coffee, and a heck of a good time. I highly recommend this coffee spot to all folks who are in the area! Enjoy! :) read more

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and found this "hidden" gem. I say hidden because if you're not paying attention, you might miss where it is amongst the coffee shops in downtown. I love how this place is always packed and they really take their time in making your orders. No wonder there's always a line! Even the merch for this coffee shop is off the hook. Can't wait to go here and try more drinks! I only hope they make more locations throughout San Diego! read more

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Parking was a little tricky, but nothing new for a downtown city. Once we got there, everyone working was very welcoming and friendly. My friend got a barista choice latte, I think it was lavender it was very good. I got a cappuccino with oat milk and it was very yummy. The shop is very artsy and vibrant. Good coffee shop to walk to if staying downtown. I don't think I would come here if I wasn't staying downtown just due to traffic and parking issues read more

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Cappuccino was very yummy and is located in a very cute area of town! Also had some adorable coffee retail items for sale read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

Place is a vibe, has proper right coffee and solid choice for espresso, and plays decent music. You can read the many novel length reviews here, or get the point, GoldChild is right. It's now a meet point, way point, base of operations, refueling spot, respite and general happy spot when down town. There's often a line, for a reason, just get over it, or come back. How good is it? I should bump all previous 5 star coffee spots to 4. Any future coffee spots have a significantly higher bar to go over. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

Goldchild Coffee Roaster was conveniently located just a few steps away from my hotel. They are busy and they do try to move as quickly as possible, but some drinks tend to take longer than usual. I was there for a convention and at times it could take up to 30 minutes. They have a variety of drinks and I loved how they shake/chill cold lattes and strain the ice. I thought it was a unique way of serving the drink without diluting it over time. The baristas were super nice and didn't rush you. They explained their signature drinks in detail, and I got to try a different drink everyday. All of them were hits. Honestly, you can't go wrong. Their cold brews are also very unique and I'm so glad I got to try it. Overall, great shop, great vibes, and amazing drinks. I wouldn't recommend if you're short on time though. read more

Service: 5 Mics Ambiance: 5 Mics + Coffee: 5 Mics Service: Super dope, super friendly. Knowledgeable in coffee products. This place has phenomenal customer service! Ambiance: vibes x vibes x vibes. Music, products, bar, couch. Super clean. When you walk in, it's immediately a coffee vibe. Coffee: Legit. Again, knowledgeable on every product. Classy service. Not your average coffee joint. read more

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My brother and I were walking back to our hotel after a day of exploring downtown when we stumbled upon Goldchild. We were both in the mood for some plural peps, and thought this was the perfect fit - needless to say we headed inside. Goldchild isn't large, but the vibes were definitely on. The interior is beautifully decorated with several tables along the perimeter and stool seating along the coffee bar that houses production. The dark color scheme and plush seating give it a high-end feel but the windows in the front keep it bright. The music softly playing completes the aesthetic. I was feeling a latte - they have several available in addition to other coffee beverages. It was great - smooth with a good amount of flavor without being too overpowering. Service was also excellent - we arrived ~15 minutes before closing and they were more than accommodating; they even served our to-go drinks to us as we sat and waited for them to be made. They were really friendly and made our visit memorable. Overall, Goldchild is a yes - they seem to be relatively new and I wish them all the best. Definitely worth a stop in if you're in the downtown area. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - interior - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

Yelp led us here! And I'm genuinely glad it did. Goldenchild has that effortless charm with a relaxed but elevated vibe. I ordered the Good Morning Stockholm and a Long Black for my husband, both of which were done incredibly well. The Good Morning Stockholm was smooth, with just the right touch of cardamom. The flavor was present but not overpowering, and the sweetness was spot on, no tweaks needed. The Long Black was beautifully made. Normally two raw sugars packets would be needed, but this one needed nothing. Bold, clean, and just... right. We also shared the cardamom bun, it was sticky and flavorful, and not too sweet. It paired perfectly with the Stockholm and was honestly delicious. There's a real attention to detail here, from the drinks to the service. You can tell the team genuinely cares about the craft. Ordering was a breeze. I did not feel any anxiety, and everything was explained clearly and suggestions were made, which I always love. Part of me wants to gatekeep this spot... but it deserves the love. Definitely coming back and next time, I'm trying every single bun. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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Went here on a whim looking for good coffee. Have to say the coffee is excellent, they make a flat white that is almost perfect. The service was great they were very friendly, and their pastries are on point. No notes. read more

I was staying at the Grant hotel next door so I decided to look up a coffee place nearby and I landed here. It's a small place with chill mellow vibes, the Barista with the piercing (did not catch his name) was welcoming, hand-delivered our drinks, and even recognized me when I went the next day, which is super remarkable considering it tends to get busy. They roast their own beans, so the latte I got was mellow tasting and complemented the flavors very well. If I'm ever back in SD I'll for sure visit again! read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Morning in Stockholm - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's no surprise that the line is usually out the door during busy mornings. The service is fantastic and knowledgeable. Their dine and coffee service is beautiful and makes your poor cup feel extra special. It is so smooth and low acid that you can taste all the flavor notes that come from the specific region that the beans were grown in. It's a wonderful place to take a meeting for business or with a friend! read more

Fantastic coffee, amazing matcha, the pastries are phenomenal and the staff are awesome. Seriously, this place is where it's at in SD.

I love the ambiance and energy once you walk in. I was feeling risky and ordered the Dealer's Choice where they ask you questions to customize a drink for you. I told them I liked cinnamon and honey. The drink I received tasted like bourbon and was thick like a watered down milkshake. I really like the concept but next time I won't order the Dealer's Choice. My fiance ordered an iced americano but it didn't come with ice. read more

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This shop was downstairs from our hotel. We saw the crowd and figured it must be amazing -- so the next day, we decided to give it a try. FOMO! But after waiting 40 minutes in line, being greeted by an unfriendly face, and getting a watered-down Americano and dry, overpriced cinnamon rolls... I remembered JOMO. I genuinely don't understand the hype. I'm all about supporting small businesses but I should've just gone to Starbucks down the street. It's cheaper, faster, and honestly, probably better. Never again. read more

Ever since I went to Denmark a few years ago, I always make it a point to try out a cafe that has cardamom buns. I am glad I did because they were delicious. Not dry at all. I also ordered an iced morning in Sweden. It was smooth and creamy, espresso was strong. I would definitely come back to try their other pastries next time I'm on SD. read more

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Music alone 5 stars. I'm visiting and just wanted a good cup of coffee from a non chain and how can you go wrong with a name like Goldchild. Quality beans, interesting flavor pairings, simple decor and great service. read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Morning in Stockholm - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

Coffee here was great and employees were friendly and attentive, despite how busy they were. It did take 20+ minutes to get our coffee order but otherwise everything else was fine hoping to try their barrel coffee drink thing that sold out read more

Goldchild Coffee Roasters - Outside - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Diego, California

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