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    Java Garden

    4.8 (115 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 2:00 pm

    Java Garden Photos

    Business Info

    JAVA GARDEN ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Java Garden

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    Reviews With Photos

    Egg & Cheese Croissant Panini
    Bruce L.

    Coffee: Honestly one of my favorite cafes in San Diego. Extremely unassuming, given its hole-in-the-wall location. David's Roasting is served here, and all their coffee is freshly brewed and delicious. Recommend the cafe au lait. Food: Egg & Cheese Croissant Panini was so good I actually went back the day after to get it again. Solid breakfast choice on the way to work. Service: Kari is the best! Goes out of her way to provide outstanding service. Also very friendly and gets to know regular customers by name (she remembered mine a week or so after only telling her once, despite the many regulars). Military discounts are honored. Parking: Small shared lot, but parking is always available. Vibe: Excellent place to chillax and/or study. Plant decor really lives us the garden part of the name, but very much a cozy cafe first. Outdoor patio is also available if you prefer.

    Menu (June 2025)
    Elisa L.

    What a cute cozy neighborhood cafe! I've passed by countless times but finally came to check it out. There are a few indoor tables and a cute outdoor patio with also a few tables. There was only one worker so we did a wait a bit to get our order taken but they were working so hard! I got an iced white chocolate mocha and my sister got an iced strawberry matcha. I enjoyed my white chocolate mocha as it was nicely sweet, strong and smooth. Prices were decent and service was nice and pretty quick. I would definitely come back!

    Iced white mocha ($6.20) and Strawberry matcha ($7.20)
    Allison L.

    A cute little neighborhood cafe! I got the seasonal strawberry matcha ($7.20 for 16oz) and I will say the matcha taste isn't too strong/the color isn't too green, it mostly tasted like strawberry. I would like to try their regular matcha latte or breakfast items next time! The one person working was diligent and friendly. A few tables to sit inside with an outdoor patio as well

    Cortado and Ciabatta Panini
    Jack M.

    I love this small business coffee shop. I recently returned and, for the first 6, their match latte. I usually have their terrific cortado. I had the match latte with and cranberry orange scone by "Live, Love, Laugh." The match latte was great. I had it hot with a warmed up scone. The matcha flavor was great. They use a quality, non sweetened ceremonial grade matcha. I had them add a touch of honey and make it with whole milk. The creaminess was just right, and the matcha was not bitter in any way. It's a well-balanced matcha latte. The scone was great, too. It offered that perfect density and flavor. It came with little bits of orange and dried cranberries, which were great. I can't wait to try the vanilla scone. You have to be impressed with a small family run business like this one. Everyone is always very friendly and very welcoming! They offer inside and outside seating, including a lovely patio.

    Latte
    siri g.

    Best latte in San Diego. Love this cute little cafe! Have been coming here since I found out about it.

    Chai tea latte
    monique a.

    Horrible customer service!! I went 10 minutes before closing to get a drink and a pastry. The Brista with "green hair" full filled my order and my drink was 1/3 full. I asked if she could fill a little more and she said "no, the drink is pre-measured". I didn't have time to argue with her, but I know she didn't want service me since she wanted to close. The latte was horrible, but the scone was good. Small coffee spot for the area and ambiance inside was overcrowded with "things".

    Baked Goods
    Courtney O.

    Java Garden is a neighborhood gem. Located just up the hill from the new Snapdragon Stadium in Serra Mesa, this cozy coffee shop offers great drinks and pastries too. I stopped by and got a delicious matcha latte. Their matcha powder is delicious and does not come pre filled with sugar but they do offer to add their homemade syrup to sweeten if you'd like. I really enjoyed a tasty scone to go with my baked goods. They had a bunch of yummy treats to choose from- all locally made. Highly recommend supporting Java Garden. Besides all that, parking is easy, staff is super friendly and you'll have a pleasant visit!

    Honey cinnamon latte
    Curt T.

    Excellent honey cinnamon latte. Average price. Their regular coffees are a good value for sure. Their specialty drinks are more, but I'm totally good with that as long as it's good and this is good. Service was great. Greeted upon entering and very friendly. The ambience is nice. Couple tables inside and one outside. Plenty of parking. Quiet residential street. I'll make this a regular stop on my morning walks for coffee. They also have a loyalty program which is always nice. Just punch in your phone number.

    Cortado

    Hands down the best coffee in the area. Miss Elena is so kind and her store is so beautiful. I love walking in and seeing the flowers on the wall and of course the best part THE COFFEE!! I'm addicted and can't stop showing up haha

    Large iced matcha

    Best matcha I've ever had. I've been searching for good-tasting matcha in San Diego, and this is it. 10/10! The place is also so cute. Great service as well! The lady who helped my boyfriend was so sweet and recommended different flavor combinations of matcha, wish i got her name!

    Cheese and bacon panini croissant with English breakfast tea
    Anya A.

    This is my second time at Java Garden. Today I tried cheese and bacon panini croissant with English breakfast tea. So good! Just a perfect combo - salty & sweet. Their coffee is great too, and you can add an egg to your breakfast sandwich if you prefer.

    Katherine T.

    Friendly service and cozy seating! I really liked their outdoor deck. The Irish cream was better than Dutch bros!

    Jenna V.

    I really enjoyed this spot. I got an order for to-go...iced dirty chai and the croissant/egg/havarti breakfast sandwich. It was great and didn't take too long for the barista to make. It's very cute inside and I would consider coming back to enjoy a drink inside or on their patio.

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I love Java Garden. Adorable little place with yummy drinks and a cute outside deck.

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    2 years ago

    Ive gotten both the white chocolate latte and hazelnut latte and both were delicious. The shop itself is small but adorable

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    4 years ago

    Really great neighborhood coffee shop! Friendly, quick service, nice ambiance, and really good espresso drinks!

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    Alena L.

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    4 years ago

    I was in and out like lightning. Open on Sunday morning, great coffee at a great price. Convenient location.

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    4 years ago

    Such a cute coffee shop by my house and my iced Americano was fantastic! I'll for sure be coming back!

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Java Garden

    Can you make reservations for seating on the patio?

    It's a small coffee shop; so seating is first come, first serve. The owner doesn't normally reserve a whole area, to avoid alienating regular customers during busy cafe hours. However, the cafe space can be reserved after hours for a fee. You… Read more

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    Books & Records - Table setting

    Books & Records

    4.3(403 reviews)
    5.1 miBanker's Hill
    $$

    beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice…read more the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

    My fiancé and I stopped by Books & Records last night. It's a cute Asian fusion spot with a…read morerelatively small, curated menu--split into warm dishes, cold dishes, and a few appetizers. The inside was nearly fully booked, but we were able to grab a table on the patio, which worked out great. There was also open seating at the bar. We started with the Brussels sprouts and fries. The Brussels sprouts were good--my fiancé enjoyed them more than I did, but I found them a bit underwhelming. The fries were your standard skinny fries, decent overall but slightly over-salted. For a cold dish, we shared the Wagyu tartare, which unfortunately was the biggest letdown of the night. It was overwhelmingly heavy on ginger, shallots, and vinaigrette--so much so that you could barely taste the beef. The flavors were intensely salty, acidic, and overpowering. It also came with crispy fried chips, which only added to the heaviness. We're not the type to send food back, but it was honestly difficult to get through--we ended up drinking multiple bottles of water just to balance it out. On the drinks side, though, they really delivered. I ordered the Wild Honey and my fiancé had the Old Fashioned--both were excellent. The portions were solid (not overly diluted with ice), and the flavors were well-balanced and enjoyable. Overall, I'd consider coming back for drinks, especially given the ambiance and quality of cocktails. As for the food, based on this experience, it's not something I'd return for. Still, it's a nice spot if you're looking for a casual drink in a good atmosphere

    Photos
    Books & Records - Interior

    Interior

    Books & Records - Bao buns

    Bao buns

    Books & Records - Blueberry Beret ($14)

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    Blueberry Beret ($14)

    Cocina 35

    Cocina 35

    4.2(2.3k reviews)
    5.5 miDowntown
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    5 years in business

    We came to Cocina 35 at Liberty Station for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and…read morehad such a lovely experience. Dennise seated us and was so kind, she even shared a few of her favorite menu items since it was our first visit. Our server Anelle was great as well. She was friendly, attentive, and helped us pick some really good dishes. We tried the Tacos Dorados de Papa, El Sampler de la Abuela, and La Bomba, and for appetizers the Burrito de Machaca con Frijoles Puercos and the sweet corn tamal (which ended up being my favorite). The food and ambiance were great, but the service from Dennise and Anelle really stood out. They made our birthday brunch feel special.

    Cocina 35 is a popular Mexican brunch spot in San Diego, with 3 locations in the area. I secured a…read morereservation online for Sunday, and I'd recommend that given it does get busy. Cramped and loud, but nicely decorated and serving solid authentic meals. Mexican Latte-9/10: Pretty straightforward. A solid, nostalgic spiced coffee. Mazapan Latte-10/10: A novelty menu item, both nostalgic and tasty. With a sweetened condensed milk rim and mazapan dust, this sweet coffee is a must order. Chilaquiles-10/10: Cocina 35 knows how to throw down the best Mexican breakfast item: the chilaquiles. The Verde was good but didn't pack much heat. The Salsa Secreta was our favorite; a creamy 3-chile salsa with an artichoke flavor, this one packs an enjoyable amount of heat. The Chipotle was another yummy and creamy option, making your nose run but still very enjoyable. Frijoles Puercos-7/10: They were pretty standard. I've definitely had better. They served their purpose as a good side. Concha Rellena-7.5/10: Another creative menu item. Whipped cream and whole strawberries sandwiched between two french toast-style concha halves and drenched in cajeta. It was sweet and warm, but would've been more enjoyable with fresher and/or sliced strawberries. Fun to order, but a regular concha is better suited for enjoying with your coffee. Service-6/10: Again, Cocina 35 gets packed, so service isn't as attentive. Our party had to order and wait for water, ask for refills, call the server over for more orders and again for the bill, and wouldn't speak to us in Spanish. I witnessed other tables be spoken to in Spanish, but upon ordering I'd only be responded to in English. I know I'm a white Mexican, but native tongue is nice when I make it clear I'd like to order in Spanish. Overall, a fun spot with solid menu items. The samplers are pricey but probably the best bang for your buck. They do the classics very well, and are very much worth your visit!

    Photos
    Cocina 35
    Cocina 35
    Cocina 35

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    Hash House A Go Go - HH Original Benedict

    Hash House A Go Go

    4.1(8.9k reviews)
    4.1 miHillcrest
    $$

    Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

    It's definitely a novelty breakfast/brunch spot with tons of options and massive, and I mean…read moremassive portions. Service is great and atmosphere is very nice as well. But, the food.... "Over medium" eggs came barely cooked, still had clear egg gel floating around. The table next to us had the same issue. The fried chicken, which is beautiful looking, was strangely flavorless. Another table was also talking about this issue. Bacon was way overcooked as well. I also really dislike when food timing for a table is way off. I rather it stay in the kitchen under a heat lamp and come together rather that spend 5 minutes staring at my food being polite. So, for a fun "wow that's a ton of food" experience this is it. But I much prefer quality ingredients and attention to detail and flavor over unfinishable portions at a premium price point ($100 after tip for 2 ppl).

    Photos
    Hash House A Go Go - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Hash House A Go Go - 1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado

    1. Smoked Bacon Fresh Avocado

    Hash House A Go Go - Iced coffee 10/10

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    Iced coffee 10/10

    Richard Walker's Pancake House - The pancake

    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    4.0(4.5k reviews)
    6.3 miDowntown
    $$

    Came here for Mother's Day brunch and, predictably, the place was absolutely buzzing with families!…read moreEven with the holiday crowd, the vibe was great and the energy was high. You can't come to Richard Walker's and not get the Dutch pancake. We went with the Apple Pancake (the fan favorite for a reason) and it was honestly out of this world. It's got that perfect contrast with super fluffy in the middle but with those amazing crispy edges. We also tried the Belgian waffle, which was exactly how it should be: crunchy on the outside and delicious throughout. What really blew me away, though, was the service. Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the staff was absolutely superb fast, friendly, and totally on top of it. If you're in Downtown San Diego, this is a must-visit for a solid, convenient breakfast. Highly recommend!

    You can't miss the sweet apple aroma when you walk by Richard Walkers Pancake House. It's simply…read moreambrosial! That's the delicious smell of their famous baked pancakes! An absolute must when dining here! Everything is made to order (just the way I like it). The baked pancake takes about 20 min, but totally worth it! Overall, service was on point- from start to finish! And the staff are friendly and pleasant! Very informative about the menu, making great recommendations for our table! The apple baked pancake was light and airy with an outer crisp! This house specialty is slow-baked to golden perfection with Granny Smith apples and a warm cinnamon glaze-chef's kiss! I will definitely be back for more!

    Photos
    Richard Walker's Pancake House
    Richard Walker's Pancake House - Regular PANCAKE

    Regular PANCAKE

    Richard Walker's Pancake House - FRESH STRAWBERRY PATCH WAFFLE

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    FRESH STRAWBERRY PATCH WAFFLE

    Java Garden - coffee - Updated June 2026

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