Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    S3 Coffee Bar

    4.2 (114 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order S3 Coffee Bar Takeout or Delivery

    S3 Coffee Bar Photos

    Business Info

    S3 COFFEE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - S3 Coffee Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kim C.

    I've been to this coffee spot a few times in the morning for a quick coffee drink in date. The coffee shop has a nice clean ambiance. They also have a good selection of pastry desserts. Have been trying to get their pumpkin bagel, hopefully I will catch it this fall.

    Blue-salt maple latte
    Nicole R.

    I was in the area and looked for the closest coffee shop around me. From the outside I could see a good amount of people in there which is a good sign. The store was very, very clean. The staff was fine. I ordered a blue-salt maple latte. It was good but I didn't taste the salt. It was around 7.25 which is normal for coffee nowadays, sadly, what with the tariffs and coffee bean prices inflating. My only two gripes were the air conditioning was on blast and it was so cold I had to leave before finishing my drink. It was a kinda chilly morning, too so I am not sure why it was so cold in there. Also, oat milk is an extra 1.00 coconut milk is 0.75 Almond milk is 1.25 Oat milk, coconut and almond aren't some rare exceptions that take grueling effort to acquire like it was 10 years ago. It's standard now. Charging people who are lactose intolerant a whole dollar extra isn't cool.

    Pumpkin bagel
    Izel V.

    Came for the pumpkin bagel and it was a solid 3.5/5 but there are no half stars on yelp. The bagel itself was a very dense and the cream cheese was an odd flavor on its own, but together they work. The cafe itself is clean and the wait was short. Staff worked quickly and street parking was easy

    Jordane A.

    The drinks were decent, i think I'd rate them an 8.3/10. The service was great, no complaints, but I think they could do something about the decor as it could be so much cuter, but that's just my opinion

    Britt R.

    I have to say that this is probably one of my favorite coffee shops! We went because we wanted to try the pumpkin spice latte and the actual pumpkin and this is the only place in San Diego that did it. So we went the last weekend that they were doing it and their drinks were amazing. We also got a golden chai and honestly, I like that one better than the pumpkin spice latte it had turmeric in it, and the flavors were perfect. We ended up going super early in the morning because their pumpkin bagel sold out very quickly, and it also came with a pumpkin spice cream cheese. The top of the bagel was actually a white chocolate covered pretzel that they died green and that was fun to eat! Then we also got a bacon and egg empanada and honestly, that was my favorite thing out of all the stuff we tried, including the drinks. The drinks were amazing, the bagel was good, but that empanada was delicious. When I tell you, it was like a buttery flaky biscuit and it came with us like chimichurri sauce. Literally loved it! If you debating coming to this coffee shop, just go. Literally just go. I felt like I was in the scene of One Tree Hill or like Gilmore Girls. The vibes were new and fresh, but it had like this nostalgic warmness to the atmosphere, so

    Stephanie O.

    A staple coffee shop since they opened their doors, S3 provides a lovely cafe aesthetic and even more beautiful and delicious drinks to compliment the space! Stopped in because I heard about their Not Your Basic Pumpkin Spice Latte so I had to come try it. Presentation was top notch (I mean, who doesn't want to enjoy a PSL in a mini pumpkin?!) and the drink was delicious! If their fall presentation is like this, I hope they have something exciting for the winter!

    Pineapple mango tea Rate a 5/10 not so great
    Jazmine P.

    The coffee shop look is there but the customer service not so much. We came in about 3PM I looked at their menu on the website and decided on a drink I then go inside and it looks like they have their fall menu up? None of the fall drinks caught my attention. When I looked up from looking at the counter menu I found a blonde guy standing there I said hi and he took our order. He wasn't the most welcoming. My friend ended up getting a drink but I did not. My friends drink was made and the drink wasn't announced so by the time we looked back we saw the drink was already on the counter for who knows how long. Pros Lots of seating Cons Dirty tables Not so exciting menu Customer Service needs improvement Customer service is major to keep customers wanting to keep coming and feel welcomed and continue to support your business.

    Banana matcha

    This is why positive yelp reviews are so helpful! I looked up a couple of different coffee shops because I wanted more than a Starbucks. I wanted a good local spot while I was visiting. This place was FANTASTIC! i got the Vietnamese cold brew and it was so good along with the empanadas. I went back the next day to give their banana match a try, and it is hands down the best!

    Banana matcha

    The place is cute and bright! Loved the service! Matcha tasted a bit chalky I rate it 3 out 5. But Everything was good!

    Pumpkin bagel for the fall vibes
    Christine Q.

    Such a cute cafe to grab and drink and yap with friends! I had their pumpkin bagel which comes toasted with a pumpkin cream cheese. The bagel itself was a plain bagel but it paired nicely with the slightly sweet cream cheese. I also had a pineapple mango iced tea that was refreshing and not too sweet :)

    Vietnamese cold brew
    Jonny U.

    I found this place because they had received a 100% from the health department. Silly reason to try them, but I can respect when a rare 100% is handed out. It's now my go-to spot. The place is always spotless, the baristas are ALWAYS so friendly, and I really love their cold brew ... and the Vietnamese cold brew as a special treat. The location is easy to miss but I suggest not missing it next time you're close.

    Strawberry matcha
    Rachel L.

    I was pleasantly surprised there's an S3 located up in Escondido after loving the drinks at the Mission Valley location. Pros: -Parking was easy to find on a Saturday morning even though it's street parking. -The location has a lot of seating to get work done. -My order came out quickly (strawberry matcha latte with oat milk) and I noticed the service was quick for all of the drinks that came in after me. -The menu looks fun and my drink was solid. Nothing remarkable. -Looks like they have good options for pastries. Cons: -The upcharge for oat milk is $1. For a $7.50 drink plus another dollar, that's quite costly but that's most drinks nowadays. When I asked what kind of matcha they used because at that price, you would hope they used a high grade, they said ceremonial would cost even more. -There is no AC. It was hot in there and felt stuffy. -I don't know why there was glitter on my strawberries. Still happy S3 is here but only when I'm willing to spend more for an aesthetic drink in a hotter location.

    Marie S.

    I was super sad when Koffee left us but this is a great replacement. The vibes are cute, the small food menu is rather tasty and the coffee is yummy. If I had to make any comments to the con side I was say their specialty drinks lean sweet but the baristas are aware and the ones that I have encountered make suggestions on how to tone that down while still making the drinks super yummy

    Inside w/Christmas tree

    See all

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz R.
    0
    14
    4

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex D.
    268
    1713
    14824

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of BriAnn S.
    140
    46
    65

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vida D.
    0
    51
    17

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chevelle R.
    239
    20
    140

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Cool little cozy place, customer service was ok. Don't know how the food is but the coffee is great just a bit pricey.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Dianne H.
    67
    127
    21

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Everyone was so nice and the vibes are great! The view of Grand Ave is cool too and the environment is perfect for studying.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    9 months ago

    Rachel was amazing and she might as well be an artist with that latte art. Coffee was great and atmosphere was cute and cozy.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - S3 Coffee Bar

    You might also consider

    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    Matcha Cafe Maiko

    4.4(310 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I visited the Escondido Matcha Cafe Maiko for the first time last week! I can officially say I've…read morevisited all three locations in San Diego! There was plenty of parking in the plaza. There were a few tables, and high top bar seating inside the location. I enjoyed a matcha latte with less sweetness, less ice, and with boba. The boba quality was great! I feel like the boba could be hit or miss at the Mira Mesa branch.

    I was visiting San Diego and came across Matcha Maiko, so l decided to stop by because I'd been…read morewanting to try their matcha. When I walked in, the kiosks weren't working, so ! waited at the front for someone to take my order. Instead, all I could hear was an older lady loudly screaming at one of the employees. It was loud enough that I could hear everything from the front counter, and it honestly gave me secondhand embarrassment. The employee was being embarrassed in front of everyone in the store, which made for a really uncomfortable atmosphere. Because of the confusion, I ended up ordering through their website instead. Unfortunately, the drink was disappointing. They added a huge scoop of strawberry syrup that completely overpowered the drink. I went there to try Matcha Maiko's matcha, not a cup full of strawberry syrup. On top of that, the syrup wasn't even mixed in properly, so l kept getting mouthfuls of syrup at the bottom I was really looking forward to trying this place, but between the uncomfortable experience in the store and the poorly made drink, it wasn't the experience I had hoped for.

    Photos
    Matcha Cafe Maiko
    Matcha Cafe Maiko
    Matcha Cafe Maiko - Matcha & vanilla swirl with banana pudding

    See all

    Matcha & vanilla swirl with banana pudding

    Kettle On Grand

    Kettle On Grand

    4.1(631 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Great restaurant, food, refined and tasty . The service very adequate to the style of the place…read more The ambiance mainly on Friday and Saturday is amazing, however, I prefer to go during the week when it's relatively calmer

    Hiya my fellow, Yelpers!…read more It's been quite a while since my last review--I was injured and spent some time in recovery, but I'm back and so excited to share my local finds with you again. Recently, I dropped by Kettle on Grand in downtown Escondido. When I walked in, it felt wonderfully peaceful and quiet for a coffee shop, making it a super relaxing, family-friendly spot to settle in and enjoy a bite. My Order: Horchata Latte: Delicious! Usually when I order these at other spots, they tend to oversweeten the drink, but Kettle on Grand hit the perfect balance. Margherita Panini (without tomatoes): Served hot, tasted incredibly fresh, and had a fantastic, satisfying crisp. Side Salad (no feta): Don't let the photos fool you--the bowl was surprisingly generous and packed with fresh greens. The only minor tweak for my personal preference would be a few extra nuts for crunch, but it was delicious nonetheless. Tips: Self-Serve Water Station: They have a convenient self-serve water setup, which is always a huge plus when visiting with kids or settling in for a while. Free Wi-Fi & Great Service: The server behind the counter was warm, attentive, and completely on point. Plus, the free Wi-Fi makes it a cozy spot to catch up on work or browse while relaxing. Help me out, Yelpers! Have you tried Kettle on Grand yet? What is your favorite specialty latte or panini on their menu? Drop your recommendations in the comments below, hit that button if this review helped you, and give my profile a follow for more local family-friendly spots!

    Photos
    Kettle On Grand - The space is spacious and well lit.

    The space is spacious and well lit.

    Kettle On Grand - California Club

    California Club

    Kettle On Grand - Sauvignon Blanc

    See all

    Sauvignon Blanc

    S3 Coffee Bar - coffee - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...