I absolutely love coffee and I've never tried Peet's until this week. I had an iced non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte and it was so good. I couldn't even tell it was sugarless, unlike other coffee chains out there. I liked it so much I went back the next day to try a carmel latte. I have to say Peet's has the best vanilla and carmel lattes I've ever had. There is always a line but I haven't had to wait very long. There are always a lot of people hanging out inside and outside the store. The prices are average, but the quality is outstanding. read more

I sometimes dream of a world where Peet's won the race for global coffee domination. It is a wonderful world indeed. Unfortunately, in Southern California, Peet's are few and far between while the 'Bucks can somehow get away with four locations at a single intersection. Don't believe me? Go check out Mira Mesa Blvd and Westview Pkwy. I can't help but get excited when Southwest routes my flight through Houston because, yes, Hobby is one of the few airports with Pete's rather than Starbucks. And a trip to the Bay? Forget about it! How do all of those Starbucks even stay in business up there? Yes, this is one turf war that the Bay Area got right. And while Peet's is still a large chain, it is the best damn large chain around. I still try to visit the local shops when I have time, but Pete's is far from a bad pick in a pinch and is one that I would pick it over Starbucks seven days a week and twice on Sundays. read more

Peet's still brews some of the best coffee in San Diego, and is easily the best large chain coffee shop in the US in my opinion, but they seem to have succumbed to the pratfalls that are associated with being a publicly traded company of late. Service has become less of a focus and a steady rotation of employees at this location has led to a deterioration of the experience of going to the store. Serving the bottom of burnt urns of coffee is now more a norm than an anomaly. Overall, the beans are still the best you can get from a large retailer, which is good, but I am brewing them at home because the experience in the store is suffering. read more

Mmmmmm....for as long as I can remember, I wanted to try Peete's.....Never got anyone to take me -_- and I'm horrible with directions and parking and couldn't find it myself. Pathetic. Enough with the sob story. Had a test and needed to be wide awake. Finally maned up and found the little sucker and parked in one of the super tiny parking spots. SWEATBALLS. Ok...So once in there I asked the cashier for a recommendation. Got the caramel latte. Drool. I was shaking during my test from the caffeine rush (way better than falling asleep.) It was absolutely delish. If parking weren't such a giant pain in the behind (seriously!) I'd be there all the time. read more

Peet's is not bad, but I didn't see any sugar-free vanilla or carmel syrup available here. I know I can get these things at Starbucks. I also know that there are alternatives to Starbucks, but this chain coffee shop doesn't have a decor that's cooler so it should at least have the similar options on the menu, if it wants to compete with good ol' Stabrucks. I had a latte here and it was pretty strong, which I like, but it is a little too bitter, even with vanilla soy milk. That being said, I've had worst at Starbucks, so in that case, Peet's ain't so bad. read more

Alfred Peet, bless your soul. Thank you for bringing us such great quality coffees and teas. You have significantly improved the quality of both me and my boyfriend's lives. Yes. Especially my boyfriend. He cannot live without his fucking coffee. I love coffee but it makes me anxious sometimes, so I am more of a tea person. Peet's tea is top notch quality and I always have a box on my desk at work. If only my whiny co-workers would stop begging me for 'one more bag'. Rrrrr. One of my favorite drinks is their blended Masala Chai freddo if I'm feeling like a fatass. Otherwise I will get a peppermint tea with some honey like a good girl. We are regulars and are always treated as such by the staff. It's really a great environment and we love to sit and hang out. It gets pretty busy sometimes but going in at around 7 or 8 pm is your best bet. Quite relaxing at that time of day. read more

Some of my favorite people working in Hillcrest can be found here. ;) I frequent this place: often daily, sometimes twice daily. Everyone is so sweet, and hilarious once you get comfortable with them. I work just across the street, so when I was working open to close two days in a row, I used Peet's just to stay awake. Sometimes I'll catch myself considering a cup at Starbucks/Coffee Bean/It's A Grind, but then I realize Peet's is also an option, and that there's just no point in going elsewhere. Good for a strong cup of coffee anytime (I typically take mine iced and with soy). Some of the best tea I have -ever- had anywhere. And now they have wi-fi! Seriously, just go already. read more

Peet's Hillcrest customers are cool, especially people who bring their dogs! Bring your dogs to Peets, we"ll call them Peets' Pets. I want to gush over them! If you have a cute dog, that loves to be petted, bring it to Peets Hillcrest. I had a medium hot chocolate once that lacked chocolate and was not hot, so it was actually a med warm milk. I was too shy to tell them of the lack of chocolate and heat in my hot chocolate. I figure that's what I get for ordering hot chocolate at a coffee place. Stupid me. Another time I had a mocha latte, it was good, just sweet enough to compliment the coffee but not overpower it. Peets coffee is premium, no sugar needed. The iced lattes are excellent. I bought a pastry and it was a croissant style thing with raspberry. The butter used to bake the thing was rancid. Yuck. Again, I didn't complain. I didn't want spit in my next mocha. Yes, I am crazy neurotic. I've been here many many of times and I like it very much. Just those two times when the product was bad . I know I gave it only two stars, but, I spent a lot of money for warm milk and rancid butter! I know a lot of people use the restroom at Peets' Hillcrest, but clean it frequently. I rememeber seeing the same poop stain for at least three days. Not that I make it a habit of observing poop stain patterns but those visuals usually stay with you maybe so that humans stay clean and healthy. read more

The staff are incredible and the coffee is delicious. I'm ordinary and enjoy a medium iced caramel macchiato with an extra shot each time.

Oh Peets, how I do love thee. Your coffee frappes are refreshing. Blended to perfection so that it does not taste like syrup was dumped into the blender beforehand. Amazing that when I order a coffee, I can actually taste it. The mochas are beautifully made, with just a hint of chocolate. A great balance of coffee and chocolate. And when summer comes, I cry out in excitement for the jasmine lime iced tea. The perfect drink for any hot day. Mmmm... The people are always so nice and smiley. I'll keep coming back. You can count on that! read more

Peets coffee is the BEST. Great service at this location, people bring their pets to the patio, there is even a jar of dog treats at this store and I discovered the GODIVA RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE FREDO - Delishhh! I WIN!! starbucks- you lose! read more

The best drip coffee. anywhere. period. yeah, it's like rocket fuel, but the shakes will pass, I swear. also: Vegan Cookies! heck yeah! I love Peets forever. read more

I put this Peet's in the midst of my San Diego Peet's reviews. On the plus side, it has LOTS of interior seating, decent exterior seating, several spots for plugging in laptops. The downside of this particular location is that finding parking can be difficult; the attached, shared lot allows for 1 hour of free parking but finding a space is hit-or-miss. Outside seating is adjacent to a sometimes noisy street. Uptown location is very convenient, and staff has been consistently friendly and fast on my half-dozen visits in 2010-2011. Rock on, Peet's fans! read more

Everyone says this, but I am very picky about my coffee! Not "2 extra pumps" or "extra foam" picky - but "it better taste like damn good coffee" picky. I love the the taste of flavorful, rich, strong coffee or espresso (not syrups and whipped cream - great for a treat, but anyone can make those!) That being said I have to give Peets 5 stars because it is hands-down the best coffee & espresso around. The location next to Bread and Cie is perfect ~ the parking, on the other hand, is not. It can often be difficult to park in the lot in the AM. But I still go all the time and love the staff (friendly and knowledgeable). I usually get my coffee to go or sit outside for leisure - I rarely go there to work. (Although they now have free WIFI, seating is limited and when available, not that comfortable for long periods.) But what matters most is the quality of the beans! I brew my coffee at home most mornings and always buy my beans from Peets. I couldn't start my day without it. read more

I have been drinking coffee for years. And when I say years, I mean decades. So, it should come as no surprise that I often find myself wandering into Peet's after physical therapy, seeing as its right down the street. Okay, well, 9 blocks down the street, but it's a quick walk. Peet's is a place for coffee lovers. It is not one of those places with big overstuffed chairs where people who like pretend coffee (i.e. a single ounce of coffee and 12 ounces of overly sweetened milk) tend to hang out reading novels. Its comfortable without being too comfortable, because the focus is not on comfort, its on the coffee...which is exactly as it should be. The good folks at Peet's has also mastered something not one other coffee house I've been to does nearly as well. The iced latte. Sure, you can get some espresso and milk over ice at just about any coffee place. But Peet's iced lattes surpass your wildest expectations. The proportions are done right: when you sip, your mouth is flooded with the rich, smoothness of the coffee. This is no sweet-milk fakery. And let's talk about the freddo's. Go to Starbucks and order a frappuccino, and you will receive a ridiculously sweet, viscous, somewhat slimy beverage. Even with an add shot, the sweetness overwhelms any coffee flavor. And that mouthfeel...ugh. Its never consistent, either slimy or icy. Now, go to Peet's and order a freddo. Sweet, without being too sweet. Icy cold, but smooth with no ice chunks to clog the straw. And best of all: NO SLIME. I guess it is safe to say I am a fan. The staff is helpful and not the least bit snobby and always willing to give you a sample so you can try new things. None of that stereotypical coffee house air of doing you a massive favor by allowing you to be in their presence. Sure, parking can suck...but its par for the course in this neighborhood, and the people watching is unbeatable. read more

I came here last year to use an online promo offered by "Swagbucks." I never got the full payout and Swagbucks has not addressed my concerns. In fact, they never responded to my original complaint. Shocking, I know. I could dispute the charge but it's not really worth it since I spent $5 and am owed $25. Doing business with unreputable companies cheapens your brand. I was gonna do coffee here as a Meetup but it's now on my blacklist thanks to this pleasant memory. read more

I wish Peet's was in east county we drive down to Hillcrest just for this treat. Awesome superior coffee, the barristas are super cool and great with my kids and really know what they are doing. The coffee and Tea's (my wife only drinks Tea) are superb. The service is fantastic. read more

I love the atmosphere of this coffee shop. Although it's located on a busy street, University ave, it still has small coffee shop feeling and plenty of space to sit and enjoy your coffee. After having the way to many cups of Starbucks coffee, Pete's coffee provides slightly different feeling to your typically coffee shop. However, it still has that chain style cookie cutter standard type coffee shop feeling. I had their latte which was so-so. The espresso was not impressive nor the latte itself. I was kinda disappointed since it has so many good reviews. Nonetheless, it is still a good place to stop by and get quick coffee around Hillcrest. read more

This location particularly is super busy, if you are looking for options to study don't bother coming here. Yes the latte, specially vanilla, are great. Staff is friendly and you always find a line that moves efficiently fast. There are two patio areas, one next to parking lot and one on the street side. Inside you will find a bench and a couple of tables. There plenty of retail item for sale which if you ask me just take space. read more

This is a great place for coffee and to just hang out chatting away with friends or to make use of their wireless internet. The drinks are always good, and the baristas know their stuff. One thing that turned me off a bit was that when I asked for a wireless connection password, the guy at the register printed it out for me and forgot it was there. I just stood there for a bit to see if he would catch on, but he did not and moved on to the next customer. They were busy so I decided to just ask the girl that handed me my drink. She printed it out for me and I was on my way. Good service, great coffee, and always a sure bet! read more

This is the first and only Peet's I've been to in San Diego so far, and it's just like any other Peet's in the greater Los Angeles area. Looked the same and the mocha tasted the same, which is good! The parking lot is a bit unusual here because it is in a "pay for parking" lot, but the first 60 minutes are free if you are going to Peet's or one of its immediate neighbors. The only difference with this Peet's compared to the others is that you need a key to go into the restroom. And it is only for one person. Aside from that, this is a typical good place to chill and goes to show that with the name Peet's, you can't go wrong! read more

I'm confused by all of the great reviews, but maybe I just ordered the wrong drink or went on a bad day? I ordered an iced chai with almond milk and it was undrinkable. :( The chai tasted fake and overly sweet, but it was really gross because it was half thick syrup that had settled at the bottom and wouldn't mix in. I told an employee I didn't really like it and he was very friendly and helpful. I got an iced almond milk latte instead. It was a tiny bit better, but the espresso tasted extremely bitter and it was weirdly thick like the chai. I didn't really like it either and only drank maybe half, but didn't want to be a pain in the bum. I gave 2 stars instead of 1 because the workers were so friendly and efficient, and because it's a cute spot with a great atmosphere. If I go back I'll probably just try the plain coffee. There's a reason this place is so highly rated I'm assuming! read more

I like how their coffee creations aren't overly sweet and most of the coffee are decent. I greatly enjoy how they hand-pull each espresso shot so you can actually get a short or long pull. Their espresso drinks are usually incredibly well made for a chain coffee store with perfectly smooth milk and they know to put a lot of foam into a cappuccino :) I definitely suggest getting an espresso drink here. For drip, I like the smoother coffees like Garuda, Arabian Mocca Java... but absolutely hate the Sumatras (tastes like wet cardboard) and usually hate the seasonal coffees too.. haha, and. I mean hate them, I would rather get gas station coffee when those are on tap. Overall, decent coffee chain. Much better than Starbucks :) read more

My husband and I went into this Peet's today at about 3:00. It was nice and quiet, only like 3 other customers there. So I ordered a hot tea for myself, and a vanilla latte for my husband. The cashier gave me my tea and asked me my name for the coffee. I went and sat down. After about 10 minutes, my husband says, "did you order me a coffee?" I looked over to the counter and there was a cup sitting there. I went over and asked, "Did you call Janice for this?" and the girl says, "No, I finished making it right as you were paying so I set it here and saw you walk away." She said this with a shrug, as she turned away from me. I was a little taken aback, so just said, "Oh.." and took it. Really? If you saw me walk away and go sit down, did it not occur to you that maybe I didn't know the coffee was ready? And there were hardly any customers there, so maybe you could have even brought it over to me? read more

This rating is for cappucino only. There was too much milk so it diluted the coffee taste. Even a latte should have a stronger coffee taste. And there is no coffee art on the foam, never at Peet's. read more

A very nice and clean coffee shop. I work from home so I came here to work for the day and I'll be coming back tomorrow! They have an amazing chicken chorizo flatbread if your hungry. read more

Absolutely the nicest most thoughtful staff of any coffeehouse in Hillcrest. Also the strongest cup of caffeine on EARTH! I often joke that there must be a meth lab upstairs with a drip into the coffee machines! I can't make coffee that strong at home no matter what I do. They're MAGIC... Peet's is one of those chains that gets it right. This store attracts regulars who make it a second home. Always a warm smile and a very local feel Peet's Hillcrest is likely the best coffee house in the area. A dead tie with Pappalecco for customer service Peet's takes first place by virtue of the caffeine kick where as Pappalecco's house coffee can't be beaten for its flavor. Still, Peet's is no slouch. The flavorful brews are most excellent at Peet's and the friendly staff after a hard day's work is seriously appreciated by this reviewer. Properly trained for manners, character and technical perfection Peet's staff rocks out some of the best attitude and brew in the city... and that ain't bad... read more

Nice location within 10-15 min walk from Hillcrest Hospital. Nice for grabbing coffee right after a bite to eat from Bread and Cie. Drawbacks: not a whole lot of seating, given the space. Nor many electric ports to plug in. Restroom requires a key, which is kind of annoying. read more

I LOVE cappuccinos and mochas at Peets and so I'm a regular customer. My husband and I also enjoy making their special Peaberry coffee in our French press at home (though the coffee is pricey and only available once a year). Four stars for: location (next to Bread & Cie, yum), quality (much, much better than Starbucks and Coffee Bean), and consistency. Plus, their bottled and fresh teas are very tasty. Minus one star for the bathroom: Peet's, you absolutely have to get an air freshener! It really is not expensive and will make for a much, much better experience for your customers. Please, please buy an air freshener. Money-saving tip: order a shot of espresso poured over ice. Then, add your own milk (and sugar if you want). Voilà! You have an economical and tasty iced drink :-) read more

Among the chain store coffee shops, the Hillcrest Peet's Coffee is my favorite because they always have friendly workers, it's has a very social crowd, the coffee drinks a always well-made and delicious , and it is always clean. The large windows are a plus. The parking can be a bit of a challenge, but that's just how Hillcrest is. There is a regular crowd you'll see if you go there often enough, most all are very friendly. There are a few odd-ball regulars there like the dude dressed in black all the time. Grabbing an indoor seat can be a bit challenging in the morning. It seems like they've tried to resolve that in the past, but IMHO they should ask the regulars for input if they haven't already. read more

New fav! Chai is my go too, not too sugary! The new one in the UTC area has great staff.

This review is for this particular Peet's. Peet's is not my preferred cafe. They don't have that 'I am going to read Tolstoy for 5 hours' or 'I don't care how many cups of coffee I have to drink until I that cute hipster comes and talks to me" type of feeling. You come, order, receive and leave. Okay, so I have never read for a minute or met a straight man at this Peet's, but it is soooo lovely to sit on the terrace, stare at the svelte palm trees (just look at them in the pic!), be sunkissed, and perhaps have a cup of coffee, which is secondary to the scenery (oh my, I've never said that.) In the words of Kanye, why can't life always be so breezy? read more

Is there such a thing as a bad Peet's Coffee? I mean...really? I find that Peet's coffee is consistently bold and good no matter which coffeehouse I visit. So it would be pointless to Yelp about my usual poison (simple brewed coffee) but the location and customer service. So...here it goes: Location is on one of the busiest streets in San Diego and in a small strip mall. Parking lot is really small with limited tight spaces. Parking for the first hour is free and anything after that you'd have to pay $3 at the pay box. So keep track of your time there. Service was pretty good. The gal that took my order was super friendly and the one who told me about the parking situation since I was visiting SD. I ordered a iced blend sugar-free mocha which was okay at best. It was surprisingly watery and doesn't have much of a mocha taste. I should have stick to their signature jet fuel of hot brewed coffee but the weather outside was nearly in the mid 90's and very humid. The last thing I wanted was a hot cup of coffee. The coffeehouse itself is small with limited tables and chairs. The restroom has seating for one only so that can result in a long line. Overall it's a decent place to take a midday break. I would come back... read more

This is a great location. The best coffee around. Very friendly staff. I like the brioche sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese. If you work at this location and are reading this yelp review I'd like you to always keep one of these sandwiches in the freezer for me just in case I come in and want one. Thank you read more

Nice ambiance but I wish the seating was a little more comfy. The baristas were stoic, but I appreciated that. I don't like walking into coffee shops and having some tweaked/caffeined out person greeting me like their life depends on it. Wish they had gluten freen junk food, like a nice cheese danish or even a rice krispy treat. Perhaps a chocolate chip muffin. I think bananas are the only option. read more

This one of the best places to get coffee and it has been for a very long time. However, I had to update my review based on the costumer service that I have received lately. The employees used to be very friendly and always greeted their costumers with a smile but lately it feels kind of unwelcoming. I hope whoever manages their personnel will take that in consideration. Coffee still the best. read more

Came here because my bf and I were both tired out from touring Point Loma and Sunset Cliffs. We were greeted immediately by the barista. We ordered the dark and medium roast House coffee of the day -  House blend - Dark roast, A perennial customer favorite, this inviting Latin American blend is a perfect introduction to Peet's coffees.  bright, balanced, and medium-bodied. Pleasant hint of spice with a crisp finish. Cafe Solano - medium roast, A worldly medium-roast blend of vibrant and aromatic beans from Africa, the Americas, and the Indo-Pacific.  Lively yet perfectly rounded, with floral notes and a subtle berry brightness. Those are descriptions made by the company. I prefer medium roast while my bf prefers dark roast. We both enjoyed their house coffees of the day. But we still prefer their Major Dickinson coffee bean more, which unfortunately was not brewing that day. We stayed there for 1 hr+ and enjoyed relaxing there. There's the nice coffee shop music playing in the background. Some booth-like style seating as well as outdoor seating. Clean bathrooms too. There's a pitcher of cold water for anyone to drink from. read more

I heart Peet's... This location is extra special because it's where me and my buddy Jason stop sometimes on our way to work. It's like a special treat before work... I compare the feeling to when you were in grade school and you are told i't time for recess. You are just giddy and excited for no particular reason. As far as the location goes... The coffee is consistently exceptional. The service is very fast which is important in the morning before work AND the employees are friendly as if they genuinely want to be there! Definitely worth the business when you want a coffee! read more

Oh, Peet's how much I love thee (and missed thee when I lived in Las Vegas). I'm a faithful addict, I mean, fan of the Major Dickason's blend. They sell it at the major grocery stores but it's about $4 cheaper here, plus, it's a bigger bag (16 oz.) and freshly roasted. I don't know what I'd do without Major Dickason's in the morning . . . and I don't think my husband or co-workers want to find out. Yay, Peet's! read more

I'm a fan because I am nearly certain that they no longer serve Cafe Calabria coffee at Bread and Cie next door. It's really hard to stop by this location without grabbing a snack next door, but who wants subpar coffee to go along with artisan breads. Not me! So I jam right here and get a great cup of coffee. Peet's always does it right. No matter the time of day, they make a great cup of strong dark roast coffee. It can be a tad crowded here. So definitely not a place to find solace. Lots of hustle and bustle everywhere. Tough to grab a seat sometimes. read more