We live near the Little Italy location and decided to stop in for lunch--normally we just grab a coffee, but we had been wanting to try the food. It didn't disappoint! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and really tasty. We'll definitely be adding Lofty to our list for casual lunches out. Excited to come back and try more! read more

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Cold coffee served luke warm (americano ordered, not difficult!) and a pastry ordered to eat-in, never arrived till prompted by then coffee cold. Staff shockingly arrogant and unapologetic for the errors. As an international visitor on a regular basis I have been to many coffee shops in San Diego, this one, in my humble opinion is by far the worst! read more

I've been here twice now. The first time I just got the croissant and it was decent. Nothing to write home about. The second time I got the croissant sandwich with the chicken sausage and it was super salty and the croissant was way overcooked so it was a cardboard. They were kind enough to remake it, but it still wasn't good. The atmosphere is nice and the servers are friendly. read more

This place is a diamond! I had the most amazing salted caramel latte I have ever tasted, and I'm a coffee nut! In addition, the avocado toast I had was out of this world, and I don't know that I will ever have anything as good as the two things I had when I was here. My companion had a croissant and she said it was magnificent as well. This place is a must do if you are visiting San Diego. read more

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The best acai bowl ever! It was so fresh and yummy. The matcha was also really good. I was in San Diego for 4 days and I revisited this spot 3/4 days read more

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

A hidden coffee shop in the Little Italy area of Downtown San Diego. This coffee shop is patio style half indoor half outdoor situation, perfect with the SD weather. They serve breakfast and pastries here as well. I ordered the iced lavender latte and it was on the milkier side but I sometimes prefer my lattes this way when I don't want the espresso tasting too strong. So if you prefer stronger espresso flavor in your lattes, this may not be for you. I liked how the lavender flavor was subtle and not overpowering. Overall a solid 7.5/10 drink. read more

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Cute little place down the street from my hotel. The food was simple but good just what I wanted and couple of eggs with toast the pluse was the super fresh avocado. The only negative is there is no signage telling g you where to wait in line, and seating sucks. There is not enough and business people camp out at tables for hours so people wanting to eat can't get a table. I was lucky a nice couple let me sit with them so I did not have to eat standing up! All in all a cute spot but they need a time limit for people who are actually eating there and not nursing a drink for 3 hours! read more

Lofty Coffee - People waiting in the wrong spot for the order line. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Coffee fact: While Brazil may grow the most coffee, Finland drinks the most coffee! A New Orleans Iced Coffee ($6.60, 2% Milk), an Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink ($4.00), two Lemon GF cookie ($4.50 ea.), and three Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($4.00 ea.) were order. I was going to see my niece later that evening and she was going to be given a salted chocolate cookie and one of the lemon cookies but I'm a terrible aunt and really liked the salted chocolate cookie so I kept all three for myself. ;) They have a window area to see into the kitchen if you're interested in watching them make their baked goods. I will admit that the drinks weren't it though. The New Orleans Iced Coffee tasted watery and the Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink wasn't balanced with it leaning more towards hibiscus than blood orange. Oh well. You can tell this is a well-loved spot in the neighborhood. There was even an adorable dollface Persian kitten sitting in the patio that looked as pleased as can be being outside Lofty Coffee Cafe and Bakery. Stop in, grab a cuppa, and enjoy a leisurely stroll down Little Italy. read more

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A little pick me up stop before continuing on our walk. The large open doors and patio create a sort of greenhouse cafe. Seats and tables surround the shop. When the line gets long it may dampen your view in some areas but nonetheless a nice little stop for some regular tea or coffee. We had some refreshing drinks here and the best part of the stop was seeing the town favorite mascot. So friendly she decided to have her own little sit by our feet time. Bringing bright smiles to our faces. Sipping the day away we enjoyed our visit. read more

Lofty Coffee - The Town mascot - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Lovely place with plenty of outdoor seating. Grabbing my usual decaf flat white with heavy cream (and an avocado toast with eggs breakfast. Fueling up before I hit the zoo!) The coffee is blazing hot and I don't mind that a bit. The coffee stands up well to the heavy whipping cream. I'll give you the heads up that I didn't get: it's a $2 up-charge for cream vs milk. I have to knock a star for the fact that my cup is chipped on the rim. I can drink around it, but it's a saftey hazard, sorry yall. Very dog friendly, plenty of locals hanging out. Lots of people watching if you grab a table facing the street. It's a great vibe. read more

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

service was below average, coffee was meh. seating and view was nice though. sandwiches were decent

If you're in Little Italy and want a breakfast spot that won't leave you feeling like you need a nap afterward Lofty Coffee is the move. Their "coffee libations" are not just drinks they're little works of art. I had one from a finca in Honduras that tasted like sunshine in a cup. The menu is full of fresh, quality ingredients that keep you satisfied without feeling heavy: perfectly poached eggs, silky hummus, and French toast that's indulgent but somehow still feels...clean? The vibe is charming, airy, and perfect for starting your day on a high note. It's the kind of place you pop into "just for coffee" and end up ordering breakfast too because why not? read more

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NOT MY FLAVOR I've been to Lofty a gazillion times and have never been disappointed with what I drink and eat but of course I always stayed on the same order. Today, I decided to switch it up and am very disappointed that I felt I've wasted my hard earned money. :: ORDER :: TURKISH LATTE ($6.50) - cardamom and raw sugar. I've had cardamom in hot beverages before such as hot cocoa and it blend well. But the cardamom was strong in this latte and it was not a flavor for me. Sadly I couldn't finish my latte and ended up wastefully tossing it in the garbage. I couldn't take it down, it was that awful to me. DO NOT RECOMMEND. EGG TART (~$7) - this was in a separate glass platter near the register and many people were curious and ordered it. Like myself. I thought the base would have a little crunch or texture of a bagel. Nope it was dense and flimsy. The toppings were an egg, hatch chili, red pepper flakes. Sounds good doesn't it... well let me tell you... I'm not sure where the sweet came from but the overall bite was encompassed by a sweetness that takes away from the savory. I prefer savory over sweet when I'm eating something with an egg. I didn't like the play on it. I again took a few bites and was very underwhelmed and will force self to eat it all to NOT be wasteful. Spending $~14 + couple dollar tips was not worth the $16 I spent this morning. I am not a Starbucks fan but I'd rather would have gotten a drink there and their egg tart and call it a morning. Sorry lofty I really like you but not this morning. read more

Lofty Coffee - Their "egg tart" or whatever its call. Overrated and over priced (~$7). More sweet than savory. Meh - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Really great coffee, and surprisingly had really awesome breakfast menu items. Other places in the area were really noisy, but this was a chill vibe in a nice patio area. We didn't have to wait long considering how busy it was. read more

This place is very cute and always has people. The service is good, the people are friendly. There is outdoor seating and indoor seating so it is dog friendly outside. I have tried a couple drinks and it was okay. The coffee didn't leave too much of an impression and last time I ordered the matcha drink which was a little disappointing. With the mint freshness with matcha I felt like it tasted like lemonade and the matcha was grainy. I'm not sure what made the matcha grainy but maybe there were other ingredients. I am used to matcha being smooth. My honest review is that I might not choose to come back here but I can totally see why some people might. read more

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Yes, is there a coffee shop around every corner in SD? Sure is, but this Lofty Coffee is in my rotation for good reason. Excellent coffee. Delightful pastries, soft yet crispy and flaky, just how I like 'em! My only gripe is that I seem to always get in the mood for them when visiting on a busy Saturday morning when the market is going on. The lines can be long but as long as I'm not in a rush and chatting away with a friend then it's okay and the baristas are pretty quick without sacrificing taste and presentation. Plenty of seats in the outdoor open concept layout. Though still hard to snag on a Saturday unless you're lucky! Great if you're in the neighborhood as parking is street only and we all know how annoying that can be around here. read more

My favorite coffee place!!! Delicious, dog friendly, great food (avocado toast is so good!). Nice barista's, cute cafe culture

Great vibe and outdoor patio area, very open space. Some cool drinks on the menu including the Kyoto style cold brew with cold foam. I had the French toast with custom thick toast that had more of a cake or cookie consistency than a classic brioche bread. Overall, happy with my visit but nothing out of this world. It was a beautiful Sunday morning to sit outside, though. I wish it was cheaper but maybe I'm just broke. read more

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

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Very nice ambiance. Friendly and attentive staff. We especially love their Acai bowl and matcha latte. Safe neighborhood. read more

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

I randomly found Lofty as I was walking through streets of Little Italy. I decided to stop by for a nice, warm drink on a rainy day. The staff was very friendly. Service was great! It was fairly quiet as most people were there either having in-person meetings or remote video meetings. I originally just wanted a drink which I chose the London Fog. It was so smooth and creamy and not very sweet. As I was ordering it, I couldn't help but notice their scrumptious looking pastries and decided to order a giant chocolate croissant. It was so flaky! I also just found out they have locations in North County so I'll definitely be checking them out again since that's closer to me. read more

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

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Breakfast sandwiches are really delicious! Cute vibes! The portion size was big and left me feeling full! read more

We were looking for a coffee shop close to the farmers market and it was a quick walk off of the main road for the market. It's a cute tiny place but I loved the open concept, very modern, aesthetic vibe. My coffee was super delicious, I would definitely come again when I'm in little Italy! read more

Lofty Coffee - Cloudy with a chance of cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I came here for the coffee but I ended up getting a cup of Hot Organic Golden Milk made with oat milk. I enjoyed my drink, it was creamy, subtly sweet, and gingery. This spot has a relaxing atmosphere, clean, they have huge tables and I noticed that most of the customers are on their computers, reading a book, or are students. My drink came quickly and served to my table and they had people cleaning up the tables. I love that they are dog-friendly and serve all-day breakfast and lunch, they have a hearty selection. Since I already had lunch and just came here for coffee, I would love to come here again and try their coffee and food, and maybe bring a book with me to unwind. read more

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

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The place is great! My flat white and french toast were spot on. The decor is nice and the service is friendly! Flat white - nice and simple though fee l may be a bit close to a latte French toast - excellent light brioche that does jot feel overwhelmingly buttery or eggy. read more

Lofty Coffee - Organic french toast. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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I moved to Little Italy in March of 2022. Sure, its a hip downtown area of San Diego with great restaurants (Vinarius is my fav), little haunts (Amici Park Amphitheater and Amici Park Bocce Ball Courts), the Piazza della Famiglia (a great people-watching spot and street entertainment) and the Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market (outside of Leon France, the best I have been to), But what I like about it best....dogs! There are more dogs per square foot than anywhere I have been. And for those of us that love dogs but are living lives not conducive to parenthood, Lofty is a great place to meet them. Oh sure, the drinks are great. I love the teas ... chilled Moroccan Mint Tea is my go to; for treats I go to the Turkish Latte, or my newest treat... Matcha Honey Oatmilk (think that's what it's called.... it is perfect if you don't want sweetness overkill and syrup residue). And its not just the drinks that they do well. I have had much of the menu over the years.... but the absolute best and my go to... Chipotle Chicken Wrap (CCW) is the bomb. There was a couple that was struggling with what to order yesterday.... the helpful guy that I am told them the facts. They both found me later to thank me for the intro to the CCW. They were so appreciative I think if I had asked them to help me move this weekend they would have gladly said yes. (Humm Note... ways to get people to help you move) But food and drink aside... and even beyond the dogs that roam by and introduce themselves... I love the relationship you get to build with the fellow customers, baristas, and staff: Seeing past staff around town and greeting each other like your old friends (Rachel is an OG); Watching Amanda use her Ballerina moves to avoid people and dogs while delivering orders; Checking in with Esa on those occasions she isn't surfing or tending to a broken/bruised limb; And not only does Brooklynn serve up a mean cup of coffee but when you need to collect and/or analyze data to identify patterns and trends, remove bias and inform decision-making via statistical analysis... she is the queen. She is also a wiz at quickly coming up with the correct change (no small feat in this age of new math... she is my hero). I am here most mornings I am in town. It is like a room in my house... the den, where the family comes together and good things happen; One of the best things, in my opinion, about Little Italy. PS... Who does their Social Media???? She is awesome!!!! read more

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Iced salted caramel latte! Just do it!!! I was debating between the vanilla cold brew and salted caramel latte and so glad I went for the salted caramel. It was not as sweet as it sounds, which was great imo! It was actually light, with a perfect amount of caramel flavor (there's no caramel sauce in there or anything). The service was super friendly and fairly quick. The ambiance is nice and airy, given its half outdoor ish. Even on a rainy day, it's worth sitting in / out and enjoying a cup of Joe, while people watching. I'd definitely come back when I'm in the area visiting again. Probably try some breakfast next time as well. read more

Lofty Coffee - Iced salted caramel latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Currently traveling with a quick night in San Diego. Woke up to catch our train, and in desperate need of coffee. We literally smelled the beans and walked right to Lofty - our first time here. A very charming cafe with an enchanting staff, and the food and coffee exquisite. The bread on this sandwich is fantastic. A+ Lofty. A++. read more

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

Currently hold the prize for best coffee in Little Italy, 10/10. Nice outdoor/indoor ambiance and service is nice and consistent. Recommend!

Service 5/5 Food & drinks 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Came on a Friday at ~10:30am and the cafe was busy but there were still available seats. Service was quick and friendly. Acai bowl - absolutely delicious and filling. Felt like I was eating dessert for breakfast (but healthy!) Egg, sausage, cheese croissant - Tasty. The breakfast sausage was the star of the show. read more

Lofty Coffee - Açaí bowl and Nola coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

We enjoyed delicious Açaí bowls along with our fresh roasted coffee. The service was great, and the bowls were packed with plenty of ingredients that tasted fresh and flavorful. Plus, it's the best spot to watch the neighborhood dogs come and go. We were really pleased with the experience! read more

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

Surprising parking wasn't to hard to find here. It was a weekday and the cafe was pretty busy. We were able to find a table pretty quickly, they kept the cafe very clean. We ordered at the front and our order took about 10-15 minutes to come out. I ordered a flat white and a sausage, egg and cheddar croissant. Both were good, I would get the croissant again. read more

Lofty Coffee - Sausage, egg & cheddar croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Ambiance was chill, menu was confusing and the item I got was explained to me completely differently. Wish I had looked up photos before I ordered tbh. I'm sure some people don't mind assembling their breakfast for $20 but I prefer mine differently, that's neither here nor there. What was weird was the attitude and snarky comments I heard after I asked to get my food replaced with something else. This review wouldn't have even been a thing if not for that. Made me switch my order to, to-go cause I just didn't feel comfortable there anymore. I get every business that has a staff that knows each other makes comments about customers here and there but maybe don't let them notice? read more

Solid spot to grab coffee while in Little Italy. While I probably would not come out of my way for it, it's a great spot to come when in the area and has a nice outdoor seating space. read more

Lofty Coffee - Almond milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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What can I say, my favorite coffee experience was at Lofty. I ordered the Ethiopian Sacred Origin pour over and it was close to life changing. It's rare that I drink a coffee black but with the blueberry flavor and fruity notes it was the perfect cup. read more

Would love if you brought back the complimentary drip with the purchase of a bag of coffee! Otherwise nice staff & yummy drinks.

Love it !! Got the turkey with avocado and mozzarella sandwich with the mint matcha. The mint matcha was not my fav but dang was that sandwich loaded up and delicious. 100% coming back read more

Lofty Coffee - Turkey Avocado Mozzarella Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I came for coffee this morning with a friend and it was a pretty good experience. I ordered a "cloudy with a chance of cold brew" which is a Kyoto style cold brew with vanilla sweet cream - it was the perfect balance of sweet and creamy with the boldness of the cold brew. It is on the pricier side at $8.75 a pop. I also ordered a savory breakfast scone ($6) which contained kale and cheddar - they offered to warm it up which is a nice touch! You seat yourself at one of the outdoor tables after ordering and then wait for them to bring your drink/food items to you based on the table number placard you're given at checkout. It can get crowded and parking is definitely difficult on Saturdays with the farmers market so plan accordingly! I will definitely be back to try a handcrafted latte and a sweet pastry! read more

Lofty Coffee - Cloudy with a chance of cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Croissant was delicious! My husband loved the Turkish latte . And the foam part was stunning . The lack of options for other coffees was disappointing . We ended up going to a different place for a more variety of coffees. read more

Lofty Coffee - Turkish coffee and turkey croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Really kind of a bummer. The staff was friendly and the restaurant looked really nice and clean, but we really disliked the drinks we got. The drinks sounded so inventive and interesting. We got the matcha, mint and milk and the London fog. The London fog with the charcoal dust just had a really weird flavor and aftertaste and the matcha was just really bitter. Not sure if we just had a bad batch but the drinks were really not drinkable and we only lasted a couple sips in. I would definitely say try something besides those two drinks. read more

Lofty Coffee - London fog and matcha, mint and milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Just okay. I expected more from a coffee shop in Little Italy. There's nice outdoor seating and it's a great vibe for those teleworking. However, it took an abnormally long amount of time (easily over 10 minutes) for a Turkish Latte. It wasn't even busy on a Wednesday at 10am. While I got the Turkish Latte, others with me got the Aztec Mocha and the Salted Caramel Latte. Mine didn't have much sugar compared to the other two which is fine, but it was a drastic difference. The Aztec Mocha was sweet but more so had that cayenne kick to it. The Salted Caramel of course was a good, safe option. I just am a little disappointed with the Turkish Latte as I always scout for coffee shops offering cardamom or Middle Eastern-Indian inspired flavors. I've had better from other shops, but it did the job of it being a coffee in the morning. Would I come back again? Most likely not. I believe there's better spots in the area. read more

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