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    Lava Java

    3.8 (24 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Lava Java Photos

    LAVA JAVA ATMOSPHERE

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    a variety of sodas and beverages
    Kandy F.

    We were on vacation staying at the Catamaran Resort. The Lava Java is located on the first floor of the main building where you check in. The last time we were here, they were doing construction. Now that the Lava Java are open, we decided to check it out. They sell coffees, lattes, juices, waters, muffins, pasteries, salads, and more! Yep, it's a little pricey. However, this is a vacation resort.... The people working here are awesome! We were greeted with a smile! The ladies were very patient and helpful. We ordered a couple of lattes and muffins. All were delicious. It can get busy at times, but these ladies handled everything with grace!!!

    Latte to go
    jenny t.

    So flavorful. Enjoyed the almond latte with almond milk, unsweetened. My partner got a regular latte and it was just as yummy. There was only 2 staff working and though the guy kept asking the order taker what she wrote, wait was not too bad. Very convenient as it's located in our hotel. Even more surprised that it was pretty good!

    The Greene smoothie
    Caitlin H.

    Decent cafe inside of the Catamaran resort. I had a green smoothie which was delicious and healthy. It opens at 7am and closes at 7pm. They serve all sorts of drinks, snacks, and treats. Very convenient to have when you are staying at the resort.

    E ..

    Lava Java may be in a hotel lobby but it's definitely not "mediocre hotel coffee". No right minded person would ever scowl at this cup of joe because it's by far the best coffee I've ever had and I've had it all over the world! Even the iced coffee is top notch and it doesn't come in a 'child size' cup like many inferior places serve. The employees are highly efficient coffee professionals and are very pleasant to speak with on a wide range of topics, from nihilism to applied physics. Anyone who wants to know what truly great coffee is will never walk three blocks just to embarrass themselves by returning with a hot cup of disappointment, they will arrive at 6:54AM to line up for the best coffee on the planet, nay, to begin the most positive transformative human experience on the planet, Lava Java.

    Alex F.

    Nice little coffee bar inside the Catamaran Hotel. Open 6am to 8pm. Great selection of coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. Also has outdoor seating.

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    1 month ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 4
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    8 months ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 4
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    3 months ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 1
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    1 year ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 5
    Love this 10
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    5 years ago

    Helpful 13
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    2 years ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 1
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    1 year ago

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 0
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    Photo of Mia P.
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    2 years ago

    Stopped by here to try and get some work done, but unfortunately they do not offer free wifi to you unless you're staying at the hotel.

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    Ryan W.

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    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    6 years ago

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    Photo of Jennie E.
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    3 years ago

    Decent coffee spot inside Catamaran Hotel - good for quick coffee or latte or a bagel, DO NOT order the breakfast burrito, it was awful.

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    Ryan W.

    Helpful 2
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    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    5 years ago

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    Ryan W.

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    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Ryan W.

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    8 years ago

    Quick coffee place in the Catamaran, perfectly adequate and quick service. Prepared sandwiches and foods as well.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Lava Java

    Review Highlights - Lava Java

    This coffee shop is located inside the catamaran resort right off the lobby.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    The American Acai Cafe

    The American Acai Cafe

    4.8
    (152 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Don't let the name fool you - this place is super authentic and Brazilian run…read more Also, one of the only places where you can get cupuacu in addition to Açaí. Very cool! Definitely recommend.

    I only came here a handful of times before my last experience completely turned me off from ever…read morecoming back. I placed an order ahead of time and showed up about 25 minutes later thinking it would be ready. When I checked in, a younger employee told me it would be another 10 minutes. Annoying, but okay. The parking situation around here is already a nightmare, so I really wasn't thrilled about having to stand around waiting even longer. Well, those 10 minutes turned into 25. During that time, I watched multiple people walk in, place orders after I had already checked in, and receive their food before me. The crazy part? It wasn't even busy. There was no line out the door, no rush, no obvious reason for such a ridiculous delay. After waiting long enough, I finally went up to an older gentleman working there (I'm assuming the owner) and politely explained that I had been waiting a very long time and was confused why people ordering after me were getting their food first. Instead of apologizing or even acknowledging the mistake, he was rude, dismissive, and acted like I was inconveniencing him for asking about an order that should have been ready ages ago. Then, after another 10 minutes, my bowls were finally ready. In total, I waited about 35 minutes after checking in for pickup. To top it all off, the older gentleman practically shoved the bowls at me without so much as a "sorry for the wait." Look, delays happen. Mistakes happen. What bothered me was the complete lack of communication, accountability, and basic customer service. If you're running behind, just be honest about it. Don't tell someone 10 minutes when it's really going to be over half an hour. The açaí is good, but not nearly good enough to make up for being treated like an annoyance. There are plenty of other places in San Diego serving great bowls without the attitude.

    Photos
    Build your own & Brazilian classic
    Build your own & Brazilian classic
    Clean and inviting front counter with coffee station.
    Clean and inviting front counter with coffee station.
    The American Acai Cafe

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    Lava Java - coffee - Updated August 2026

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