Coffee Shops in San Diego

1. Ironsmith Coffee

Ironsmith Coffee is a hip Encinitas coffee company founded in 2014 by Alden Hozouri, Matt Delarosa, and Raul Macias, named in honor of its commitment to master craftsmanship and hands-on work.

The company oversees its roasting process from start to finish, sourcing beans for its brews from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Columbia. Its cafe, which opened to the public in the winter of 2015, is a collaborative operation with local bakers Wayfarer Bread, owned by Crystal White, a former baker at San Francisco's acclaimed Tartine Bakery. Espresso-based beverages pair with delicious baked goods and cafe fare from Wayfarer, including classic, expertly-prepared avocado toasts.

458 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, Phone: 760-230-2311

2. WestBean Coffee Roasters

WestBean Coffee Roasters are one of the newest entrants into San Diego's cafe scene, though the company are hardly strangers to roasting, as their Grantville roastery was originally founded in 2009.

Since 2014, the roaster has opened three cafe locations throughout the San Diego area, including locations in the city's downtown district, Bankers Hill neighborhood, and as the primary coffee tenant at Liberty Public Market. A wide array of unique coffees and espresso-based beverages are served up at each location, including lattes infused with flavors such as chai or lavender and the cafe's signature Kryptonite cold brew, which is flavored with mint and brown sugar. A selection of fresh fruit and pastries complements a savory cafe menu, including egg-based breakfast sandwiches and lunch selections such as chipotle turkey sandwiches.

2550 Fifth Ave #75, San Diego, CA 92103, Phone: 619-794-2052

3. Cafe Virtuoso

Cafe Virtuoso is an ethically-focused roasting company in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood, serving up only 100%-certified organic coffees.

The cafe, which was founded by Laurie Britton in 2008, is San Diego's only certified organic roaster, receiving scores of 90 or better for all of its coffees reviewed by the prestigious Coffee Review organization. At the company's newly-renovated cafe, visitors can enjoy signature light and medium roast coffees brewed via Chemex or Kalita pot at a built-in pourover bar or choose from several variants of the company's popular cold brew available on tap.

Kombucha from regional company Whalebird is also served, along with iced tea, kefir soda, and lattes infused with ingredients such as matcha and Mexican chocolate. Pastries from regional bakery Bread and Cie are available for purchase alongside beverages.

1616 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92113, Phone: 619-550-1830

4. Better Buzz Coffee Roasters

Better Buzz Coffee Roasters is a delightful cafe and roastery offering eight locations throughout the greater San Diego area, including a recently-opened coffee bar at Fashion Valley.

Rustic-chic decor permeates all of the shop's locations, including its flagship two-story location in Hillcrest, which is decorated in a honeycomb-style theme to reflect the company's commitment to sustainable practices.

An incredibly unique menu of coffees and espresso-based beverages is available at all locations, including the cafe's signature Best Drink Ever, a classic Americano infused with sweet and creamy vanilla flavor. Other favorite drinks include the cafe's mint mocha lattes, spicy mochas de Mexico, and unique iced Moroccan spice drinks, which blend exotic spices and cane sugar into espresso and cream. Smoothies are also available at some locations, along with creative multigrain toasts, grilled sandwiches, and acai bowls.

801 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, Phone: 619-269-2740

5. Bay Park Coffee

Bay Park Coffee is a laid-back cafe in Mission Bay that serves up delicious direct-trade brews sourced from local roasters Zumbar Coffee.

All of the roaster's beans are sourced via a farm-to-cup process, embracing fair-trade and sustainability practices in all its operations. Teas at the cafe are sourced from Q'Trade Teas and Herbs, all of which are organic, fair-trade, and kosher.

Classic and inventive coffees and espresso-based beverages range from simple cappuccinos to international fare such as matcha lattes and Vietnamese-style cà phê s?a. Until 1:00pm daily, the cafe also serves up a simple but elegant menu of breakfast and lunch fare, including acai bowls and lox toasts prepared with dill, capers, and salmon.

4130 Napier St, San Diego, CA 92110, Phone: 619-275-4000

6. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is one of San Diego's most nationally-acclaimed roasting companies, selected as the micro-roaster of the year in 2012 by Roast magazine.

The company has operated four cafes in the San Diego region since 2006, including popular locations in La Jolla, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, and Pacific Beach. A wide selection of high-quality beans are sourced from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Brazil, prepared in brews and blends that have won high-profile awards nationally.

Brews can be prepared in simple pourover form or in upscale espresso beverages, with a full pourover bar offered at the company's impressive La Jolla location. Delicious cafe menu options range from fresh-baked focaccias to pumpkin pies, with more extensive menu selections available at the Pacific Beach location. Cupping events, live music performances, and art exhibitions are presented throughout the month at the La Jolla location.

5627 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 619-272-0203