30+ minutes for TOAST. I live in Little Italy and every time I go to Lofty (in person or order ahead online) the wait time is ridiculous. I haven't been here in over 6 months, because I was so fed up the last several times at how long you have to wait to get anything. I finally figured I'd try it again (and I do enjoy the food) and ordered a latte and avocado toast online. The suggested pickup time for my order was 7:59 AM. I arrived around 8:00 AM. My food didn't come out of the kitchen until 8:31 AM. Not only did I have to wait 30+ minutes for my food, but the avocado toast was missing the pickled onion. There are only 4 ingredients (tomato, avocado, hummus, and pickled onion) and they still couldn't even get it right. To Management: you can do better. $20+ for latte and toast missing a key ingredient .... shouldn't be this long of a wait and certainly shouldn't be prepared incorrectly. Sadly, it's actually a known grievance in the neighborhood that Lofty Coffee takes FOREVER regardless how "busy" they are. Doesn't matter if there are 0 customers, or a house full of customers, you can expect to wait - every...single...time. I regret coming back. Disappointing. Failed business processes. Consistently long wait times. Will never come here again. Time is money. PLEASE DO BETTER. read more

Waited for hour and a half for our orders, and nobody came to check in on us as to why we were still waiting. Seems like they forgot our order, we had like 4 orders and they forgot them all... By the time they were bale to give us our food, orders were missing and they had already ran out of products, and everything was cold ... Very very disappointing read more

Amazing experience for my first time here. Mathew helped me and was very personable and had great vibes. He helped me navigate through the menu and recommended me their Quickie Avo Toast and the Lofty Style Nola and it hit me the spot. Definitely came here for the caffeinated beverages but for sure returning for the wonderful a1 service. Thank you Mathew! read more

Lofty Coffee - Lofty Style Nola - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

On a rainy day this isn't the best place to sit down to eat, it was crowded and the not completely covered so the tables and chairs towards the edge were wet and had water falling onto them. We got the flower child and it was delicious and refreshing and not too sweet. We also got the turkey and avocado croissant which was very good, the glaze perfectly tied all of the flavors together and it was warm. Unfortunately my friend and I weren't big fans of our lattes, we thought the mint matcha latte was a bit too thick and not very sweet and the flavors didn't mix great together in our opinion (I usually love matchas but couldn't finish this one) and her Turkish latte was a bit too heavy on the cardamom. My friend got a london fog and liked it though! The staff was really nice and everything came out quickly. read more

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I've been coming to this place for months now and I always order the avocado toast (which is vegan) with a cup of coffee. The place is very relaxing in the morning, and there are plenty of seats although it can get very busy mid-breakfast time. I only wish they marked which options in their menu are vegan so I could better know what I can order without holding up the line when I ask the staff. But I really recommend their avocado toast! read more

Lofty Coffee - Avocado Hummus Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The sandwiches are really good, when they get it right. I am local and kept going back but for every 5 times I would go, 3 times my order was wrong. I was always understanding and polite but I am not sure why they mess up so much, most of the times I order a croissant sandwich. It's either they forget to add the protein, or add a different sauce or bread or mix of things. Just different to what's on the menu. I have mentioned this and they'll fix it but it especially sucks when you get home and realize it is wrong again. I even started to take in consideration the time I would have to spend there to get my order fixed. Again, sandwiches were really good when prepared correctly which is why I kept being patient, and kept going back lol but today once again they gave me sandwiches with nothing but cheese and arugula (missed all the other ingredients). As I mentioned I was always polite and understanding but I guess after so many times it just becomes annoying. Hopefully they work on this, take this as feedback so future customers have a better experience than what I had all these years. read more

I'm not too much of a coffee guy, but this place is so good, it doesn't matter if you're a coffee guy or not, because this place serves some good stuff. Location/Ambiance: Located in the heart of Little Italy, its a nice place to stop by and grab some coffee before strolling around the block. It also has some nice outdoor seating. Overall really chill atmosphere, so its fun to people watch and a good place to study. The workers there are super nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Food/Drink The iced coffee is a must try for people who enjoy sweeter coffee options. It's not too overly sweet but it's got a smooth texture that makes it awesome. Didn't get any food items so I don't have much of a say there, but it does look visually appealing. Tips/Suggestions Parking might be annoying on a busier Little Italy day. Go early in the morning and on Sundays to get free street parking Summary (tl;dr) For real coffee experts, take my review with a grain of salt; but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. Friendly staff, relaxing atmosphere, and good lattes makes this a solid place in my book. read more

Lofty Coffee - Putting the "good" in "baked goods" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Great coffee, solid space to work or hang. This place is unmatched if you like your coffee with a side of cute guys behind the counter.

Such a cute little modern spot! Coffee was STRONG! In a good way :) I got the espresso shot my first visit and I was wide awake for all of our adventures for the day! Boyfriend got the cold brew with almond milk both of our visits and enjoyed it (he's pretty knowledgeable with coffee too). If you like sweet coffee (caramel frap, iced coffee that looks like milk, etc.) get the salted caramel latte! It was delicious for the first couple sips, but I am not too much of a sweet tooth at all. Espresso shot got the job done for me the first time. You won't be disappointed with whatever you get, just ask the staff. They are very helpful and kind! Yes, the wait was say 10-15 min on a busy Sunday morning but cmon, their staff is working hard! Hats off to all of them for taking care of us in the middle of a pandemic. Only tip I would give to the owner or whom ever manages the spot is cleanliness. I never saw anyone wiping down the waiting area and tables had crumbs all over them both times I visited. I expected that they were probably very busy. Not a hard fix either, so with that 5/5 stars! read more

Favorite little breakfast spot. They make their own bread. Delicious tea and coffee. Acai Bowl is a must!

Very very very very good coffee. Tall Black on point. Macchiato was delicious. We even had a pastry, a chocolate croissant of sorts. Everything was delicious. Sooooo good. read more

Lofty Coffee - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I used to think this place was cool. I came here often. I ordered my regular breakfast, tipped as usual, especially now with no table ordering service. I asked the cashier if refills for coffee are free, he said yes. I went up to get my refill, and the female manager said $1.50. I said he told me they are free like they are when they pour in ceramic cups. An argument ensued and the manager would not back off on a lousy $1.50. They have lost a long time customer over $1.50, when the cashier said refills were free. I reminded them what my grocery store manager told me at age 16. The customer is always right, especially over a lousy cup of coffee. To think that during the hard times of COVID-19, that a business is willing to lose customers amazes me! The revenue that this establishment will lose in future sales far exceeds $1.50. I promptly went over to Starbucks and bought a $3 cup of coffee. Perhaps as the owner or general manager can educate the shift manager the value of retaining a long standing customer, and his referrals to fellow friends and colleagues. read more

Great place to be outside and work at the same time. I really like the Salted Caramel Latte. I had the Egg Sausage and Chee croissant and it was really good. I was hesitant with the Tomato Jam but it went great. read more

Lofty Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Best coffee and food, but terribly inefficient service. Cold brew and croissants are excellent. Açaí bowl took forever. Full review of their order to delivery process and rid themselves of unproductive employees. Stronger management would solve this quickly. read more

This is a great little place to stop and get coffee. I really like the atmosphere. It has a nice patio to sit out at and enjoy the lovely neighborhood. My friend was not crazy about her chai tea. She said it didn't taste strong enough. They were gracious enough to make it for her again. However, it must just be a difference in the way different places, make chai, and everyone has their own tastes. I enjoyed my latte. My friend really enjoyed her gluten-free pastry. She ate it all before the rest of us could try it! The barista's were super friendly. I would definitely go back. Give it a try! read more

This is a hipster, trendy, clean, open air cafe. It gets busy on weekends, there was a line to the cashier and the total wait wasn't too bad. They have drinks, pastries, and some other food items that are fairly priced for the most part. There wasn't much service besides ordering and delivery. I opted for the toast and eggs...two slices of toast with 2 poached eggs. You can add-on avocado or a few other things, but this brings the price to $10, a little high in my opinion. The quality of the food was high though. The almond croissant was fine. I tried the house coffee, which by the way doesn't have free refills, so enjoy your less-than-full cup while you can. read more

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The workers don't know the ingredients in the food we are eating. I asked if the French toast can be gluten free, she said I don't think so. She was wrong. I also asked her if it contains almond flour because I cannot eat nuts. She said I don't know, let me ask. Then the man next to her says rice flour. I get the French toast and start eating it, and I notice chopped almonds....... not only was it with almonds but it was disgusting.. What a disappointment, two major fails.. If I could give 0 stars I would. But 1 star only because the man that helped us with our concern was very nice. The company needs to hire smarter workers and not little kids that can cost them a lawsuit read more

You know what makes a spot a true gem in my eyes? When your pup pulls the leash every time you walk by because he just wants to go in, say hi to his friends, and hang out there. Ever since I moved to Little Italy in May, my pup and I have become accustomed to this awesome coffee shop for so many reasons. Besides having great lattes and coffee, they serve up some delicious breakfast sandwiches and food. It's obviously super dog-friendly and the baristas have always offered treats for my pup (not a surprise he loves going there). It's super clean so I am not worried about him picking up things from the floor or finding randomness to eat. I also love the open concept which can't be done better in Sunny San Diego! In the mornings, this coffee shop is filled with individuals working, having meetings, interviews, the works. The afternoons brings a nice crowd as well with a little more tourists, post-gym comers, and a mix of all. If you haven't yet, definitely check out this spot for a bite and great coffee. read more

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LOVE! I love the space. I love the service. I love that they make fresh croissants in house. I love love love their coffee (Turkish Latte, hello!) To me, this is a quintessential Sunday morning coffee spot. Sit and people watch. It's dog friendly, so bring your pooch. Or grab and go. Eco-friendly materials and local. Paper straws! LOVE! read more

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This gem is located in little Italy of San Diego. The building itself is very modern and cool looking and you can't miss it if you're walking around the area. The aroma of coffee might even indicate if you're close to it. They have WiFi for all the guests that are drinking at the store. They have options of coffee and tea and some snacks. I ordered the Aztec mocha which is mocha with cinnamon and spice. It definitely has a kick to it but in a good way. I also got to sample some of the salted Carmel coffee. It was subtle and tasted very good. Definitely became a fan of this place not just for their drinks but also how pretty the cafe was. You are seated right by the street and get to people watch and enjoy a nice coffee while seated outside. read more

Lofty Coffee - Aztec Mocha Cappuccino. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I would like to congratulate this place on one of the worst dining experiences myself and my girl have ever had. I ordered a black coffee and my girl had cappuccino and a blueberry muffin. I returned my coffee after the first sip..and actual first for me. It was bitter ...way, way bitter and had a citrus, tangy finish. How about a nice robust french roast? The muffin, also un-eatable, was sugary and tasted like dough...nary a blueberry taste or scent in sight. The cappuccino was made with the tangy, bad coffee. We actually left without really eating anything. Absolutely the worst ever. read more

Lofty Coffee - Equally as bad coffee.... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Picked up a coffee before work and was able to enjoy a morning in downtown before heading into my office! Super nice customer service, spacious, has bathrooms, and the COFFEE is Amazing! Would go back to buy their beans!! read more

Lofty Coffee - c - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Positives: Good coffee, good outdoor seating, happy staff! Negatives: Won't enforce the mask policy with incoming anti-masker customers... Not a safe establishment as long as this persists. read more

Knowledgeable staff, stacked menu. Trust the Ethiopian in a pour over if you know your flavors. Will be back for the rest of this menu soon. Gaston was very kind! read more

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The perfect spot for an afternoon coffee break. Today, it's Turkish Latte with homemade almond milk read more

Lofty Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

UPDATE: all good things come to an end sadly, I'm knocking my 5 stars to 4 because I feel like one persons mistake shouldn't affect everyone but today I went in Nov. 30th @ 10:53am and the person at the register was great super nice. But the barista gave me my drink with grids floating at the top, it's a simple iced oatmilk latte I get it here every weekend. I told him (the one with the beard) it was wrong and he looked at it showed the other person and then put it down, a couple minutes later he called my name and it looked like the exact same drink and it was watery so he literally just gave me the same drink back or somehow made another one wrong the exact same way. It was a really bad drink and honestly ruined this place for me. I come here for the consistency and it was ruined by my experience today unfortunately. I was going to order two more drinks which is what I usually do I get two lattes and a cortado but I didn't trust that the barista would make it properly. Food had a giant lemon seed in it so I accidentally ate it and it was so gross and my lemon cookie tasted old. I feel like I just wasted my money I didn't finish anything I got and it's sad to get my favorite coffee shop taken from me, I was very excited to bring my family here but I'll stick to making my coffee at home. They were also all watching videos behind the counter I think since management maybe wasn't there they didn't really care. Original Review: 100+/10 omg this place is absolutely amazing and a must stop for coffee lovers, baked good lovers, amazing breakfast lovers. Jordan is an absolute ray of sunshine. If at the least come into get your entire day made read more

Lofty Coffee - Avocado/hummus toast and quickie toast in the back - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

If you want to start your day in an open and airy space, where the coffee and lattes are all good, and where there is a plant based ancient grain farrow bowl - a delicious vegan option.. you'll love this place as much as I do! But the plant based sausage? Eh, probably would not order that again. read more

Lofty Coffee - Latte with almond milk (so good), ancient grain farrow bowl (yum), plant based sausage (eh) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

The coffee was good but the food was unacceptable. My wife ordered the superfood bowl and there was nothing super about it. It had some spinach and cauliflower and that was it. They were out of avocado and we had to make more food when we got home just to fill our stomachs. For the cost of this place, we won't be going back. read more

Lofty Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Horrible coffee with good service too bad they can't make a good cup of coffee in a coffee shop... Every drink was milky...didnt like this place in the first time and after giving it a fair chance it a no go. read more

Came here with the hubs to do some work and enjoy coffee together. He always raves about their pour over coffee. I like how it looks with the cute cup and all. I enjoyed a matcha and milk, which is delish! Not too sweet like a lot of places' matcha lattes. I also love that it is made with almond milk! The only downside is that there are no outlets to charge your laptop. If you don't have long battery life or forgot to charge it, don't plan on being able to use your computer for long since you can't charge it here. Otherwise, good coffee/tea and good vibe. read more

Lofty Coffee - Matcha and milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This coffee shop/café is so cute and trendy. Everything from the décor to the open-air ambiance to the coffee can easily make this location magnetic to consumers. We came here one weekday morning and parked in the front where all the metered parking spots are. There's some construction nearby so I can see the parking getting difficult on the weekends. The employees were friendly and courteous. They weren't overly busy but there was a line of about 5-6 people when we arrived. The coffee and food took a while to come out - about 15-20 minutes - but long enough for us to notice and talk about how long it was taking. I got the Turkish Latte and a specialty sandwich with black forest ham (I also added an egg to it to make it "breakfasty"). The Turkish Latte was unique, and you could definitely smell the cardamom but I wish it came out hot - when it came out it was lukewarm :(. The sandwich on the other hand was flavorful and light. My boyfriend got the Organic French Toast which came out cold. I don't know if it was sitting in the kitchen for a while or if it was meant to be cold (and I mean almost refrigerator cold). I noticed a few other reviews mentioning the same issue with the French Toast. All in all, the coffee shop is trendy and they have some interesting drinks. Next time though, I will request for the latte to be piping hot and probably won't order the French Toast. read more

On a corner in Little Italy sits this café. There are plenty of places to sit outdoors. We were there in the late afternoon. One disappointment was that they only have regular coffee until noon. So, I bought my husband a cappuccino which he really liked. I had a cup of herbal tea which was very good. Next time we will go back to try some of the pastries. If we get there early enough, we can eat lunch there. Now that we know what is available, I would like to try more of their offerings. read more

I tried their Mint Matcha w/ oat milk and it was one of my favorite drinks. All their syrups are homemade and they have a range of unique lattes and I saw a seasonal pumpkin one too (definitely want to try that next time!). I liked their outdoor patio/cafe concept, which I think is nice during the fall time, but not sure how seating is when it rains, I'm sure they have covers. I brought my laptop to work, and they provide good Wi-Fi connect, but due to the outdoor concept I'd make sure any laptop people have their devices fully charged. Next time I want to try their baked goods and they share its freshly baked daily! read more

Lofty Coffee - Mint Matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

A lovely cafe to do work, meet with friends or have a nice lunch/pastry with your drink of choice. My group ordered a matcha latte, and iced London fog, the avocado toast and savory croissant (not pictured). The food and drink hit the spot and the service was A+. We got our food and caffeine drinks within 5 minutes and easily got a table. Check this place out if you're around the neighborhood and need a caffeine boost. read more

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This is a cute little corner coffee shop, with homemade pastries (you literally watch the baker baking them right in front of you through their open kitchen concept). Very impressed with their Covid precautions and procedures. This is a great place to grab a cup of coffee, sit outside, and people watch. My b/f got the Aztec Mocha (beware! It's spicy!!) I got the salted caramel latte with almond milk - To die for!! I will definitely be back soon to try some of the pastries. read more

Second time visiting Lofty. There is plenty of outdoor seating and it's perfect to watch the city life. I ordered the matcha mint & milk, which already comes with almond milk and does not have a minty taste to me but it is delicious About customer service: I noticed that the workers were asking everyone around me (literally in front of and behind me) how they were doing and if they needed anything, but I was completely ignored. My husband even noticed when he joined me later. It made me feel really uncomfortable such a bummer since I was hoping to regularly spend my time here while my husband gets his hair cut. My husband came on his own the other day and the same thing happened to him. The workers attended to everyone around him and ignored him, never picked up his plate. Now I'm thinking this is straight up racism, since everyone being helped was white. read more

Cute little cafe on a corner with outdoor seating. I had the chai latte with in-house made oat milk. You can actually taste the spice of the chai unlike other lattes I've had in the area. Barista was quick and friendly and had my drink made before I was able to put my card away. Cashier was very sweet. Will be coming back again. read more

The oat milk latte was absolutely not good. My husband is a big coffee person and he absolutely hated it. He drank half because he didn't eat t to waste his money, but he was Getting nauseous so he trashed it. What a waste. I tried some and it was super bitter and no flavor whatsoever. Didn't taste like coffee at all. I had a chai tea on ice. It was okay. First time there and sadly my last. I was so disappointed because I had heard great things about this place. I could mostly taste the cinnamon they packed and sprinkled on top. Sad. I gave it two stars because it's a clean place. read more

I was so incredibly impressed with this cafe. The cutest ambiance and the ability to sit outside while the birds chirped early in the morning, OMG. I'm located in Washington so sitting outside enjoying breakfast in February is unreal to me. The staff was super courteous and even though they were busy, they were attentive and quick. I tried the Turkish Latte with almond milk and it was so exquisite and delicious I can't stop thinking about it. Sipping coffee is amazing for my soul and I had never had a Turkish Latte so it is safe to say it's my favorite one I've ever had. The coffee was so memorable and refreshing. The breakfast though. I mean I chose the gluten free toast with the SLOE cooked egg with avacado and it was literally my favorite dish in my weekend of spending in SD. I'm so impressed with this café and if I ever come back I will head there again at 8am for sure. read more

Lofty Coffee - The Turkish Latte! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place was amazing! The breakfast sandwich was so fresh and a delicious! Good portion size! Place was also cute and had outdoor seating. Would highly recommend and would definitely go back!! Oh, and they don't serve ketchup which I found to be common in the area.. haha read more

Lofty Coffee - Mocha iced latte , sausage egg and cheese croissant, & potatoes. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California