I didn't realize Mnemonic Coffee was such a small place, I guess I should have taken a glance at the Yelp caption. I just remembered that it is a popular spot and it's been on my list to try for a while! I came here with friends around 9:30am and it was already packed with a line almost out the door. There were already people seated too, rightfully so, but there was no room to sit sadly. I guess next time I'll have to find a better time where they aren't so busy. It is also a dog friendly space as there were several dogs inside! As I came in one dog even stood up and gave me a hug! It was so cute and the dog was warm...ha ha, I guess for others that may not be the best experience though. I didn't mind. I didn't realize until we arrived but apparently all milk based coffee drinks are made with Oat Milk. And when we ordered, they didn't ask a preference so maybe it's the ONLY milk they serve. I decided to try their Seasonal Special, $7.50, Hot Cardi B: This has their housemade cardamom syrup, orange blossom aromatics, oat milk, espresso, and it was said to be topped with a fennel blossom. Sadly, it fell short of the mark especially for the price that it was (probably a little more expensive because of the automatic oat milk-- you know as some places charge + for non dairy milks). Usually cardamom is quite fragrant, but I didn't get any notes of it. Nor did I taste the orange blossom which totally sucks because orange blossom is sooo good in lattes! I'm not sure what fennel blossom is but I would have loved to see it in my cup. Overall, it was a nice latte. But it didn't have any of the flavors that it mentioned. Since we took it to go (no place to sit), and it's a hot drink --I needed to wait at least 15 min before sipping because it's way too hot. Usually when it's burning hot, you can't taste any of the notes. Also, we were already in Balboa Park when I realized it just tasted strongly of oat milk...latte. A bit of a bummer for me. My friend had the Hot Maple Street Latte saying that the oat milk did overpower the flavors, he had to focus past the oat milk to find that the maple flavor was subtle and the cinnamon tasted warming. We even passed by a street called Maple which was cool to see! His thoughts about Mnemonic Coffee: had cool art, merch, and it was a small place. I personally would have loved to sit down with a "for here" drink as I feel like they put more love and care into making it -- esp with pretty toppings and whatnot that elevates the drink. The workers were really sweet and had great vibes though! Overall, it was a cool and intimate interior space. I think if you can, order your drinks "for here" and definitely find a seat. To modify, I'd ask for less oat milk as the taste of the oat milk was really prominent. You know that slightly dry oat-y flavor? I'd like to come back and give Mnemonic Coffee another try...I would probably go for the Mint Condition next time...as my friend who ordered it in a cortado form said it was super delicious. read more

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Great cold brew and friendly service! We appreciated that they served it in a glass with a glass straw. I loved the atmosphere here, with quirky decorations and fun colors. The location was convenient for us. Other friends who are coffee lovers have recommended it as well. Definitely worth checking out! read more

AMAZING!! Coffee 10/5 It was amazing, I came to study with my boyfriend, and we had a mocha and vanilla latte per the baristas suggestion and oh my gosh it was DELISH the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee flavor. Service: Also super good!! The workers were very kind and gave recommendations based on my tastes Ambiance: 4.9/5 I would say accessibility is ok, it's a little tight and you have to go through multiple doors to go to the bathroom, to be fair some places don't even provide bathrooms and they tried to make it more accessible for me, idk if it would fit a wheelchair bigger then mine but over chill vibe inside, everyone was super friendly and talkative you can tell it's a community read more

The best coffee in San Diego, the absolute best I've tried so far, real coffee and milk, not some gimmicky cremebrulee latte bulls**t... esspresso, cappuccino, cortado... yes they have sweet drinks too made in house syrups but yeah the best -- the esspresso is the star ... the first sip makes me so happy it's an existential experience and [[HIGHLIGHT]]sitting at the bar is so cool ...[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I always wake up late on the weekend and go around noon when it slows down ...[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] anyways it's fire love this place read more

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Loved the coffee and the vibe! I ordered the iced mocha drink and it was great. Normally they are a bit to thick or too sweet, but this tasted so good and was strong too. Ordered the last 2 breakfast burritos and it hit the spot. The price was excellent... 2/$5. Branding and merch was a lot of fun, and when I looked at the shirt I realized the owners were the ones serving us. That is so rare to see these days, but you could tell they provided us with a quality product and experience read more

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this was my first time coming to this shop but what a pleasant surprise it was! this coffee shop is nestled in between apartments and a park and conveniently only 8 mins away from the airport if anyone like me needed some time to kill. their coffee and specialty drinks list so thoughtfully crafted with combinations of flavors i've never seen before. the coffee quality was high and the vibes were just nice and cozy. it romanticized my morning for sure. they have bar seating or 3, 2 top tables. it was pretty packed when i came in so i decided to hangout at the park near to drink my coffee. i ordered the cardi b latte and i loved it! read more

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COOL VIBES (4 stars) Women owned! - FOOD/DRINK: good - SERVICE: excellent - PRICE: pricier - AMBIANCE: cool vibes Lots of foot traffic, there is a liking amongst the locals. It's small but has counter seats and very few tables. When you walk in it's very inviting. SWEET PASTRY ($6.50) - three layers, 2x. It was yummy. Had a thin layer of chocolate (top layer had hazelnut + gold flakes), followed by passion fruit, and cake, and then repeat. I love how all flavors were present and the cake broke up the sweetness. HIGHLY RECOMMEND MY CHERRY AMOUR ($8.50) - Luxado cherry syrup, nibble chocolate, espresso, milk, black salt, luxardo cherry on top. I tried a tiny sip of their espresso shot, sour but more tolerable than most. This drink all together was rich, decadent but not overly sweet - and you can request to lighten the sweetness. Presentation was gorgeous, served in a ceramic cup, beautiful foam art, and garnished like a cocktail with a cherry on top. It was the perfect of chocolate, semi-sweet/tart, and salty. Mouth was filled with chocolate sip and then the light taste of cherry and a salty finish of sipping the foam. I couldn't taste the bean profile with all this flavor. After drinking it 1/3 thru I wish I went with a simpler drink to sip on. Although this drink was good, it was a bit pricy and the priciest latte on the menu. RECOMMEND Can't wait to come back to try their teas and iced beverages! Until the next review.... read more

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Such a great spot in Bankers Hill! They have excellent coffee/espresso beverages, but also teas and other specialty (and seasonal) drinks made with homemade syrups for the non-coffee drinker. I have tried several different things, and all were good. The owners are super nice and make everyone feel welcome. They are always testing new things and coffee from many different roasters to bring customers the best options. They have some seating inside, and it's often full because they have a lot of regular customers. They do fun food pop ups and offer have pastries from other local spots. Mnemonic has been a great addition to Bankers Hill! read more

Mnemonic Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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The coffee here is AMAZING. It is so fresh and smooth. They do specials which are unique and delicious--combos that I would not think to make, but they pull it off. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is very small and hot, however[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Great spot for coffee! I came on a Thursday morning and it wasn't too packed with a couple seats still open at the bar. Ordered the cardi b and it was delicious - the cardamom flavor was distinct but not overpowering and the subtle orange flavor was a great touch. Service was very friendly and the environment is great to catch up with a friend or get some work done. read more

Mnemonic Coffee - The Cardi B - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Excellent coffee and service. Mnemonic has unique drinks that you can't find anywhere else. Sarah and Gia are great, they know what they are doing. They have a great selection of coffee beans for pour overs. Their drink "mint condition" is to die for. read more

Great vibes and coffee with friendly service. There is somewhat limited seating and it's a small space with artsy decor. I got "the basic" latte which is a very well made vanilla latte. The coffee flavor is deep and the sweetness and flavor of the vanilla syrup is just right. I ordered mine with light ice and it was made just the way I like. They also have a variety of teas and non-caffeinated options on the menu and a pretty big seasonal menu as well. I was really impressed with this cafe and will be back. Do keep in mind that most of the parking around is paid parking. read more

Mnemonic Coffee - Carrot cake bread and the basic latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is my favorite coffee shop in all of San Diego, it is my standard when comparing all other coffee shops I go to. The owners are lovely and super sweet and the coffee is also very good. So good I didn't know even realize I was drinking oat milk every time I ordered there, until about a year later. I moved and now I drive from Jamul to go to work in downtown and I'll leave extra early if it means I get to stop by mnemonic. Sometimes that means stopping in right at 7am when they open, which makes me feel bad for coming in right on the dot. They never make me feel bad and are always so welcoming too! Once I had to study for my journeyman's test and they chatted with me at the counter until closing, I hadn't realized they were closing and they were so polite and had waited for me to finish my notes. Even rooting for me to pass my test! I love the art on their walls, the material of the shirts they sell, the variety of coffee beans they offer, and small community events (pop-ups) they have! I love this coffee shop and I think it's the best in all of San Diego and I'm willing to die on this hill. read more

This coffee shop is a hidden gem! Was staying in the area and saw this place pop up with rave reviews so being a huge coffee shop adventurer, had to give it a try. Totally didn't regret it. Decor is quirky and the fact that the owners themselves were working in the shop, loved it. Super friendly service and very fast! Little intimate shop where I felt at peace sitting in even with it being busy. Now the coffee choices here are interesting and just ideas I would have never thought of. My partner got this drink with a side of espresso and what seemed like a twist on an iced americano but the water was replaced with Topo Chico which made all the difference. Loved it and super refreshing! Definitely looking forward to coming back here and trying something else! read more

Came here visiting from out of town, and I think about their peppermint latte every single day. Hands down one of the best lattes i've ever had. The staff was super kind and the shop itself was super cute. I'll definitely be coming back when i'm in town. Loved their option to take it to go or enjoy it to stay. read more

Mnemonic Coffee - Iced peppermint latte (left) and iced vanilla latte (right) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a cute shop in Banker's Hill and a great addition to the neighborhood. Our go to spot serving drinks in jars is around the corner, but I have to give Mnemonic a shout out for producing quality drinks, tons of variety, and fun options from coffee, tea, and zero proof carbonated bevies. My husband ordered his usual from every shop, which is The Basic (vanilla latte) which he got iced. One thing I appreciate is that all milk based drinks are served with oat milk, so the alt milk is baked into the price. It's not the milk we normally choose, but we like the plant forward choice. I ordered the Zephyr which is a non caffeinated sparkling drink that tasted like an orange cream soda. It was tasty and the orange foam gave a nice touch. The service was amazing and the two people who helped us were friendly. The prices are in line with other shops are charging, albeit steep, and the drinks come in one size. read more

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Small but with an intimate feel. The Baristas were very polite! I ordered the Maple Street iced which was pleasant.  I could definitely see myself coming back for more coffee and to do some studying if possible. read more

Just tried this place for the first time today. LOVE it! I was very impressed with the three employees working this morning. Great first impression! I ordered, what now I believe is the best vanilla latte I've ever had. Definitely a top spot for coffee. Oh and they also have some breakfast burritos and a handful of pastries to choose from. Lastly, I loved walking in from the outside to be welcomed with a warm cozy ambiance inside. Perfect for an early morning start to a beautiful day. Enjoy! read more

One of the BEST vanilla oat milk lattes I have had in a veryyyyy long time. Simple yet unique menu and very friendly service! Only 3 tables and minimal bar seating so be prepared to wait for a seat or take your coffee togo! read more

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

I just want to say I live for these little local gems. Located right near Balboa Park, this is the perfect place to stop by for coffee before going on a walk along the park. The Basic (9/10): I was amazed by how strong the coffee flavor was. The sweetest of the vanilla they use counters the bitterness of the coffee perfectly. I love that they do not charge extra for alternative milk. The only downside I would say about this drink would be that it is not the cheapest. Although the shop is small there is some seating and it is connected with a barbershop where there is also some seating as well. Doesn't make much sense when I type it out but if you see it in person you would understand lol read more

Not clearly noted but the place is vegan. So unless you want soy and oat milk, then this is not the place for ya. The drinks were good, I'm just not into the artificial/processed stuff. read more

I'm an avid coffee drinker and this place was just a no for me. The location itself is very cute and the staff is absolutely lovely. But the coffee menu is extremely small and they don't have many options. We ordered three drinks ( 2 vanilla lattes & 1 chocolate mocha). All three had a strong earthy and chalky flavor. The more we drank the drier our mouths became. If you do come here maybe try their teas or signature drinks & avoid the lattes. read more

Mnemonic Coffee - Vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This place was so cute! Really feels like you're at your friend's house. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable about coffee. The scary spice latte was out of this world with incredible fall flavors. Very cute merch and dog friendly! read more

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Great coffee, super cute vibes! I got a vanilla latte and I loved the flavor of the vanilla playing with the coffee. It was not too overwhelmingly sweet and complimented the coffee very well. I also like how they don't charge extra for alternative milk! Nice touch :) There doesn't seem to be too much seating but I think there is seating next door at the barbershop? lol not sure. Love that this is also near Balboa Park so you can walk over there! read more

Mnemonic Coffee - vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I got the scary spice! I really enjoyed my drink, the coffee was strong and flavorful! I believe they only have oat milk as a dairy option just as a heads up. Other than that, the staff was super friendly and there was a good amount of tables as well as bar seating if you want to do work/talk with friends. Would definitely come back read more

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Such a gorgeous interior. I loved all the quirky decorations, beautiful colors, and the view of the barber shop next door behind the baristas. Everyone who helped us out was very kind and helpful! I ordered the basic, and loved the nice hints of vanilla throughout the sips. It was super tasty and I felt well caffeinated afterwards. This is located super close to Balboa Park so it's perfect for taking a stroll with coffee! Street parking wasn't too hard on a Sunday morning. read more

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This is a great small coffee shop in Banker's Hill. I had a cortado properly drawn in a glass vessel and a maple dough nut. The cortado was well made and very flavorful. The maple doughnut was tasty and well, it taste like maple! It was very soft too. It was perfect for taking it for little dips in the cortado. What I really liked about this place was the down to earth friendly demeanor of both of the owners of this shop. They are very welcoming and offer pleasant personalities. The coffee shop offers inside seating and Wi-Fi. read more

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The two baristas (i think owners?) were very kind and made me feel at easy even asking questions about the menu. Which is something I appreciate especially when trying new shops. The shop is like a small bar vibe and I absolutely loved it! It felt cozy. The coffee was very good. We got seasonal beverages and they were both delicious. I appreciated the subtle sweetness to really let the coffee shine through. read more

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

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Lovely, friendly, clean coffee shop. We just had the Maple Street specialty coffee and it was fantastic!

Super cute coffee shop with a lot of specialty coffee! The coffee quality was pretty high although it does reflect in the price too. Very satisfied with my choice of coffee and they also had a few tables you can do work on. read more

Wanted to check out a new coffee shop and YELP lead me here. Such a cute little joint and friendly baristas. I ordered "THE GATEWAY" which is a mocha hot. I loved it!!! read more

Mnemonic Coffee - "The Gateway" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

It was a nice find close to the Scripps cancer center. The drink was good. About 7-8 Seats around the bar and 3-4 small tables. It gets extremely hot around 9 am when the sun is beating through the front glass windows. Service was nice and quick. Coffee was good! read more

Super amazing staff!! Very friendly and always asking if everything is okay. Drinks were great, and Blueberry donut was also good (no photo as it was gone before the coffee haha) Prices are standard and love the decorations as they have that diner look to it. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to try this place out. Definitely will come back to try out the other special drinks they offer. read more

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Mnemonic may be the newest coffee shop in Bankers Hill, but the experience the owners have towards coffee is well versed. Their menu consists of classic coffees, specialty coffees, teas, ceremonial teas, and zero proof drinks. Also, for all the milk-based drinks, they will use oat milk! There were some out of the ordinary drinks that I'm curious about, but for a safe choice I did go for The Basic which is a vanilla latte. I could really spot the difference in the vanilla they use compared to a syrup and could even see some vanilla bean specks in the cup. I think the price is more than average for a latte, however, I do take into consideration that they use oat milk and admittedly agree it's very good and is listed under their specialties for a reason. They were also ready to answer any questions we might have and were very kind! read more

Mnemonic Coffee - Early Bird (left), The Basic (right) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

I have a new favorite coffee shop in San Diego. From the name, to the vibe inside...this is the coffee shop San Diego coffee enthusiasts have been waiting for. Signature coffee cocktails and the specials are one of a kind. Pour-overs are served with your own personal glass coffee pot to enjoy. I ordered a special latte called the chiaroscuro which which had hints of lemon and had a nice touch with the balsamic glaze. I only wish they had more seating room so I didn't have to get it to go. The baristas know their stuff as well and are super nice and can explain anything. Will definitely return during the week when it is not so busy! Hopefully they expand! Will also buy some of the specialty beans they offer from a good selection of roasters. Top notch! read more

Great coffee and tea, have been going everyday for the last couple weeks has yet to disappoint!

wow, I would give these gals a six star if I could. I've spent a lot of time in coffee shops and this place totally exceeded my expectations. Not only was the cappuccino that I had absolutely fantastic. They also had this very unusual cold brew with grapefruit juice that any normal person would think would taste awful but it didn't. It was delicious!!! These gals have elevated the experience of drinking coffee. read more

Mnemonic Coffee - A totally tasty cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Ambiance Friendly service Smooth coffee This spot is so cute and in a great location. It is very small and not for big groups. Looking forward to trying more drinks here! read more

Mnemonic Coffee - The Basic Iced - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

Rating strictly on the coffee: The coffee here isn't great. Just a block away is James Coffee which is a local San Diego roaster that actually roasts their own beans, and it shows in the quality. [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you're here for Instagram aesthetics, Mnemonic is the place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But if you care about genuinely good coffee, I'd recommend James Coffee. read more

First timer :) It's been on my list. I arrived at 8am in the morning and there were already regulars sitting at the tables and bar. While waiting in line i can tell it's not a typical coffee shop. They really go out their way to get to know their customers. I ordered a seasonal drink called the Overlook, Cider with maple cold foam and blueberry donut! It was good. If definitely come back read more

Mnemonic Coffee - The Overlook - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California