Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - La Jolla

Coffee actually worthy of the wait. The coffee here is actually extraordinary. Fine coffee bars in France and Italy are the only comparisons that seems appropriate. I know it's been quite some time since Bird Rock Coffee won Coffee Roaster of the year (2012), however, if you truly want to experience an elevated cup of coffee, Bird Rock Coffee should be on your must visit destination list. A great cup of coffee can change how you see the world. I would have rated the service and atmosphere higher, but even though I said the coffee at Bird Rock Coffee is worthy of the wait, the long weekend lines seems very contrived just to create a spectacle. This is why Service and Atmosphere scored so low. Go for the coffee, and understand the patience needed to get that delicious cup of perfection made you a better version of yourself. Patience is a virtue.

Great location, staff, and coffee. I enjoy stopping here on longer bike rides for an energy boost and I’m always greeted warmly with a lovely place to take a rest. There is ample outdoor seating which seamlessly blends into the café, such a great atmosphere. I love the coffee here. I recently sampled a matcha donut and it was delicious. I look forward to trying more pastries.

Awesome open spot in La Jolla. Really great quality coffee

Got the interesting seating and feel of breezy La Jolla! Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in La Jolla is known for its specialty coffee and commitment to quality sourcing. They prioritize direct relationships with coffee producers and offer a variety of single-origin coffees. The cozy atmosphere and skilled baristas make it a popular spot for coffee enthusiasts.

Best coffee in San Diego in my opinion. From the entrance to the decorations, adding the aroma of coffee coming from the bar, you could immediately feel the vibe they’re trying to bring you. We ordered hot vanilla latte and iced original latte. They tasted so good that we decided to buy two bags of their coffee beans. The crew were really friendly and patiently explained to us the beans they had. Felt really welcomed.

This is my favorite coffee spot in La Jolla / PB beach area. I really like the taste of the oat milk latte and the relaxed atmosphere in the coffeeshop. I love grabbing a coffee there after surfing in Tourmaline. It’s also a great place to work remotely, just the WiFi is not very stable sometimes 🙈 My highlight beside the coffee is the small jar with little notes you can take and leave. Such a great idea. Maybe you grab my note next time 😉 Have fun with it.

Barista on staff served me a cold monkey bite espresso, supposedly their signature espresso. Not very satisfying. If your version of coffee culture is defined by sitting alone with your laptop and headphones. Welcome home.

We liked our coffee here a lot, but the food really didn't do it for us. Nothing tasted particularly fresh, and the sandwich was a bit soggy and flavorless. If I were to come back I'd definitely just get coffee!

I used to study there and they are one of the few cafe spots with charging outlets. Their coffee is great and i like their espresso and bakery. Ambiance: Plenty of seating and larg tables available as well. Be prepared to find parking especially on the weekend. Service: Their staff are friendly and it walkable to nice shops around it.

Bird Rock Coffee Roastera is a "must visit" for coffee lovers. Their microroasted coffees are excellent. Not the harsh bitter roasts of popular national chains. I partcularly enjoy the espresso and Americano. The shop itself is very inviting. I like seeing works of local artists decorating the interior. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is friendly and helpful.

This coffee shop was super cute and had wonderful coffee!! The customer service was excellent and there was plenty of space to find seating. The coffee shop also had other drinks besides coffee, and delicious pastries!! I would definitely visit again in my next trip to La Jolla!

I come here weekly and it is always amazing! Great staff, delicious coffee and relaxing vibe. Their bags of beans are always fresh and soo good for at home.

VIBES: 4/5 COFFEE: 5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 VALUE: 4/5 I love this spot! It's great coffee, and I don't say that lightly. I got the single origin drip my first visit and it was very unique and flavorful. I had a cappuccino another visit and it was perfect. The milk was very tasty - I need to find out what kind of milk they use. It's a great spot to post up and work. They offer free WiFi and there are a good amount of tables, plus a couple of outlets. I love the large open windows.

I really enjoyed coming here on a Sunday with my laptop and doing work while feeling the La Jolla beach breeze. A variety of customers coming this branch. Their chocolate mocha is outstanding and right on point. I definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a REAL mocha.

Iconic San Diego spot. You really can't beat stopping by Bird Rock on the weekend before going to the beach. I got an oat milk latte, was pretty decent. The line also wasn't too long (I've waited before between 5 and 20 minutes I would say). I love that it feels very locals-focused. I also like that they have posters near the pickup window. Will definitely be back to post my own flyer. One small thing though - is there any way to get more privacy in the bathroom? I know it's great to get air circulation in there, but someone could definitely peek in from the parking lot. I always recommend Bird Rock to tourists in the area, as I feel like it is a good representation of San Diego with the dogs, bicyclists, and surfers that visit.

We liked our coffee here a lot, but the food really didn't do it for us. Nothing tasted particularly fresh, and the sandwich was a bit soggy and flavorless. If I were to come back I'd definitely just get coffee!

Parking may be tough to find especially if it's a busy day. The inside has some seating, although it can get filled quickly. Thankfully when I came to work remote, the wifi was fast and I had no issues connecting. Got an iced vanilla latte which was pretty solid. Not overly sweet and had a slightly more acidic flavor but it's not overpowering in anyway. Would come back if I'm in the area!

During my visit to San Diego, I went around visiting multiple coffee shops every day. This is probably my favorite out of all the ones that I've tried due to a particular drink they serve. I came in one morning around 9am. Street parking was easy. While the whole neighborhood looked like it was still getting up (streets had the occasional walkers, but mainly appeared empty), this coffee shop was the exact opposite - bustling with people ready to get their day started and the baristas were busy churning out the orders from the morning rush of patrons. As I scanned their menu, the SANDPIPER caught my attention due to the fact that it was made from "house made roasted hazelnuts". I ordered an large iced Sandpiper and from the first sip... I was loved it! You tasted the hazelnut, but it didn't taste like it was some artificial hazelnut flavored syrup. It appeared like it was more deeply rooted than that. It had the perfect sweetness. Probably my one of my favorite coffee drinks by far! I was so tempted to buy a bottle of their Sandpiper syrup to fly back home with. It was that good! Highly recommend!

Love supporting this small business! Coffee is great. Their vanilla latte isn't my favorite but the service is good and the space would be great to study in.

love a local coffee bean roaster & cafe. love that this company demonstrates care about our environment!

Love the open indoor/outdoor feels! The shop can get really busy at times. I think I had to wait 10-15 mins in line. Vanilla bean latte - not too sweet and they add a nice little design on the foam. The worker recommended this drink over the caramel one and I'm glad I went with it. Espresso tonic - need to have an acquired taste for this one cause the tonic makes it a little off. I honestly thought it had a hint of throw up after a night of partying lol but that's just me. Sandpiper - also a great option. I think it's one of their more popular drinks. Iced Honey B - a honey cinnamon latte where you can definitely taste the cinnamon. But it was a little watered down. Had to add some syrup to make it sweeter. Overall, solid coffee shop in La Jolla and they allow dogs. Prices are a little high but I mean you are in La Jolla.

One of the best roasters in the country, never disappoints. I ran out of coffee on our trip (which was Bird Rock's fabulous Tres Dragones), so I went to the source for more. I got a bag of Ecuador Peña Herrera which they ground for me, and a free cup of coffee for my purchase. The bag is outstanding: super fragrant with fruit notes. The coffee itself is terrific, slightly tart to start with a sweet lingering finish. Another awesome offering from Bird Rock, and a great experience going in the store.

I have been wanting to check out bird rock coffee roaster for awhile. There is usually a line out the door whenever you pass by so wanted to check out what the vibe is about. I ordered Cortado and brioche sandwich. They both took some time but it was ok. There are a lot of seats because people usually grab and go. Staffs were very nice. I thought Cortado and sandwich was nothing spectacular but maybe it's popular because of location. It's not bad for tourist area though.

My favorite coffee spot in SD hands down. There are alot of popular coffee spots around now, but this spot gets everything right all the way down to the beans. We always buy some beans for the house but have tried most of their drinks and they are all pretty good. Espresso drinks are my favorite, and this menu has it all. Left coast is the salted caramel, the sandpiper is hazelnut, honey B is cinnamon honey and surprisingly, not too sweet. All of these are a hit. The cappuccino is always a staple if you aren't looking for any extras. Depending on your mood this place has the drink for you, so treat yourself to some soon!

Some of my favorite coffee in San Diego! I've gone to the Liberty Station and Morena Blvd locations too but this one is by far the location I lean towards more because of how close it is to the beach. I got the Honey Cinnamon Latte (Honey B Latte) the last time I was here and it was SO GOOD. It's the type of coffee shop with an extensive menu so there's always something new to try. I would come here to read a book and hang out with a friend again! It's not remote friendly if you need outlets and a place quiet enough to take meetings. It's pretty open air so you can hear the cars and outside noise clearly. There are some outlets but only a few tables have close access. My only issue with this location is the bathroom doesn't smell the best. It smells like a sewage problem and it's not totally unbearable, but also not pleasant to go into.

Been coming here for years. Good to see there's many more locations now! I really enjoyed the sandpiper (hazelnut latte). The vanilla latte was not bad, but I liked the hazelnut better

Great service from the order process to the baristas. The expresso drinks are not too hot, so a sweet malty flavor and no bitterness when the expresso is too hot. Great location in downtown birdrock, close to Wayfarer Bakery, but that's another story.

Stopped here and had a very lovely iced Sandpiper while exploring the neighborhood. It was great as usual and had a light and delicious flavor that you only find at places that make their own syrups in-house. There was a small wait, but nothing terribly crazy for a Saturday afternoon. I also really like that they have art for sale in the seating area, and they have all kinds of seating whether you're just stopping by or setting up for an afternoon of caffeine-fueled work. I knocked a star however because their bathroom facilities could be a bit more clean and maintained, and they smelled a bit. But overall, cool to visit the OG location.

Feel good place with amazing coffee and matcha. Highly recommend their special syrups!

This is such a great local coffee spot. I'm an iced coffee girl through-and-through, rain or shine, and the iced sandpiper really warmed my soul this cold morning. The hazelnut flavor was so good, I had to buy one of their house made syrups to take home to LA with me. The coffee was lightly sweetened, letting the espresso flavors really shine through, while giving it that beautiful nutty taste.

Location is lovely! There is a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating and the baristas were super friendly. I usually get a standard latte to start and then will try other things. The latte consistency was great, creamy and had a great foam density on top. The coffee flavor itself was pretty strong and had a tad bit of burnt or acidic flavor to it.

Really solid coffee spot! I got the honey cinnamon latte with oatmilk which was around $7, pretty standard for most coffeeshops nowadays. At first, I didn't think it was anything too special, but as I kept drinking it, I started to really enjoy the coffee! I think the quality of the coffee is pretty good, and I liked that I can taste the hints of honey and cinnamon. It didn't knock my socks off (try Lovesong in North Park for a really good honey cinnamon latte), but it was a solid iced coffee. The location is also really good, close to the beach. I would come back again just to grab coffee before hitting the beach :)

Bird Rock Cafe offers a fantastic atmosphere with a laid-back vibe and welcoming staff. While the prices may lean towards the higher end, the vanilla bean latte stands out with its perfectly balanced sweetness, making it a delightful choice for a quick coffee fix. The outdoor seating is a real bonus - plenty of benches and fresh air vibes. And when I swung by, the place was crawling with cute dogs, just adding to the chill vibe. Definitely a spot to enjoy your drink and take in the scene, especially on a sunny day.

Best cold brew in La Jolla. They know their bussines. Amazing service and for sure, you will LOVE anything you get here.

I came here with my brother around 12pm. It was busy, but not overly (nice flow of people coming and going). They had garage-type windows (kind of similar to Dark Horse La Mesa) that were open and allowed sunlight to shine in. There were benches below that-- creating more space for people to sit. which were nice and clean. The right side of the business had tables for people working on their laptops or groups chatting. And several people standing waiting for their coffee. On the left side, you had the line and people ordering. If you can't see the menu that well, you can pull up the menu on your phone. I looked at the menu ahead of time and ordered the iced left coast latte (iced caramel latte) with oat milk. And my brother had an iced dirty chai with almond milk. They call out your name when your drink is ready. The drink was warm as we sipped it even though there was ice in it. I swirled it around and it become nice and cold. But since the contents were warm, it made the lattes taste a bit watered down. I chose oat milk today to allow my brother to taste it (he's lactose int). I felt like oat milk would be a good mix because it usually adds a nice creaminess to lattes...although it didn't have that effect this time. I would say I have had better caramel lattes than this one. I'd give it a 5/10. It was ok, but maybe I'd go for their Honey B latte next time, instead. I did like the workers and appreciated that they were friendly and quick in service. They didn't leave the drinks on the bar sitting and called everyone's name out as soon as they finished with the drinks. The music wasn't insanely loud like it is at their Torrey Pines location. This spot in La Jolla is a good spot to go to with friends or family if you want to be able to sit and chat and enjoy the atmosphere of the coffee shop! (: Compared to the one on Morena Blvd-- which I feel is more of a stand-and-drink or a grab-and-go spot in my opinion. Parking on Sundays can be hit or miss. When we were walking up we saw two parking spots right in front of the shop. One in the green zone and another for parallel parking. You don't have to pay for parking at any of the spots though which is nice. We parked near Turquoise St and walked all the way to the area.

Looked up top coffee shops in San Diego and this came up on a Thrillist list. The article was pretty convincing so I had to check it out. AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking ranges from 15-minute pickups and is free during less busy times. They also have parking in the neighborhood as well. Seating: A good amount of seating mainly for pairs or individuals. There's also a creative large bench seating that connects the outside and the shop. There's also iconic Bird Rock mosaic benches as well. Room for about 30 people. Feels: The neighborhood of Bird Rock is beautiful as it's a pretty nice beach town with good activities and eateries around the area. The spot itself is neat. I dig the creative usage of space, the way it's used to get work done but also build community. The local art makes the place pleasing for your eyes to wander and the alternative music keeps you company. Great place to get your coffee fix, get work done, or catch up with a friend. FOOD Stroopwafel - Gingerbread Latte (Recommend) Clever! Simple but I never heard of a concoction like this! This drink was seasonal for the Winter season and I'm glad I ordered it. Think about a cinnamon/gingerbread drink with a nice hint of caramel. It was creamy and soothing with a nice caffeine kick. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Great! Friendly people that were quick with the service. TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. Awesome! Great selections, good drinks, and a pleasant vibe. When people think about San Diego, they think about a steady beach city that's laid back with friendly people, this spot captures all of that. This is my third time here for a reason. I'm glad there are other spots. I dig the drinks, their creativity, and their sustainability and commitment to the community. Kudos Bird Rock! TIPS: * Check out their seasonal specials!

Cute stop and definitely popular after being named best of La Jolla! The house made chai latte did not disappoint and was great with some oat milk. Very dog friendly outdoor benches and chill vibe.

My favorite place in all of San Diego area to grab a cup of coffee. I love their lattes because of the strong coffee bean flavor and beautiful latte art. Their coffee beans are also worth purchasing if you are into making coffee yourself at home.

So so good! I understand the hype now! We went on a Sunday morning and it was super packed but we didn't wait too long. I ended up ordering an oat cappuccino which was delicious! They had many other special drinks that I will definitely try when I visit again!

Sea Salt coffee is the best! They make the syrup in house and you can taste the quality. I love this shop to work in and they have cute merch!

I was going for a morning stroll in Windansea and saw the line at Bird Rock. Had to stop to get my caffeine fix. Friendly service. The cashier welcomed me as a new customer. Ambience is hipster. Totally my kind of cafe. Love the different mugs and swag. Ordered the Honey B latte which I found out was their most popular one. It's made with honey and cinnamon. Super creamy for using oat milk and lightly sweet. I loved it. Also ordered an avocado toast. It was delicious!

A cute and relaxing coffee shop located in a lovely street. Coffee is seriously good. My latte was finished nicely and served warm. Rich, strong and smooth - I enjoyed it! I would recommend this coffee roaster for friends who are visiting the town for the first time.

Black coffee tasted like they used tap water for the brew. Sour acidic taste. I expected a strong and smooth taste from a coffee roaster but not this time. I'm sure their other drinks and foods are great. This black coffee though was NOT it. Love the environment and nice service.

This location is struggling. It took 30 minutes to get my coffee. The barristers were struggling with the equipment and getting drinks hit enough. They seemed very inexperienced. I love their coffee but they will lose business if they can't get this location humming. Morning coffee needs to be quick and hot!

Really delicious coffee. I think I had some type of salted caramel latte. Good wifi. Friendly worker. Good service. Music was super loud (for me) but I wore my earplugs to drown some out and was super comfortable there. Would go back!

Great customer service as the staff is super friendly and the soy latte I received was very good! I will be back!

We came here for an early Sunday morning coffee and quick breakfast around 7:45am, and were very pleased. It wasn't too crowded. There were a handful of people with their dogs and their kids, which our daughter loved. We both ordered double macchiatos and the coffee was great. It was just right in terms of flavor - not too bold, not too bitter, not too acidic. I love the open-air vibe of the coffee shop as well. They have these huge windows open to the street which makes you feel like you're outside and inside at the same time - perfect for a sunny morning.

Solid best coffee roaster in San Diego. Bird Rock is where they started so I refer this shop as the best one if you want to try them out.

Had never heard of the bird rock coffee house, but they are opening a new one down the block from the VA medical center where i work. I can't wait to try those mini breakfast burritos and coffee on the menu

Wow!! Vanilla bean late- 5+ Cafe Lattes- 5 Toast with butter (or hummus or jam)- 5 (very crusty and delicious bread) Banana nut muffin-5 Croissant- 4 Service and atmosphere- 5++ This place is generally packed in the mornings with runners, yogis, hikers, etc. Expect some wait, but a wait well worthwhile! I've become a morning regular.

Love this location!! There's a ton of street parking up and down the street. The barista's are quick and always so fun & friendly! It's also a good spot to sit and work/study or grab your coffee and walk around. I love the Honey B Latte!! It's so good and strong, it's also sweeter iced!

Nothing but simply delicious food and coffee with sensational service and amazing ambiance. Very welcome atmosphere as well.

Great coffee (enjoyed my iced Americano). Quick service. Friendly staff. Will be back!

Although $7 for a flavored latte is egregious, I have to admit that their coffee was very refreshing and tasty. Got the iced vanilla bean latte, which was perfect for the warm San Diego weather. The coffee was smooth and the vanilla bean flavor made the coffee taste naturally sweet. The branding on the coffee cup was also quite appealing. Lots of space to sit down and hang out in the coffee shop if needed and the clean bathroom was a plus!

It wasn't bad nor great, it was fine. I feel like the patrons were rude. I had the honey latte that was very overpowered by the cinnamon. The location is kind of a pain if you're not already in La Jolla. I was across the street for a massage date with my husband and opted to try their coffee instead of the Starbucks across the street. I think it's fine. Again, not sure how to describe it other then fine. Maybe another drink would have been better ‍ If you're already around there, stop by (and tell me what you got and how you liked it), but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it.

I was introduced to this through roadshow at Costco and it's absolutely a hidden gem in the area! Absolutely delicious authentic coffee and their food is perfect

Looked up Coffee Shops in San Diego/La Jolla and Bird Rock was listed as a must visit. I'm not a coffee drinker by any means but I had folks who were so I included it in the itinerary. Now, the one exception I have for coffee is nitro brewed coffee. I had enough of a positive experience with that particular drink that I have a carve out for it. Unfortunately, that was out-I think it must have been a nitro issue because their taps were not working. Instead, I got one of their iced teas, the gunpowder green which was tasty, slightly sweet and actually lasted a little longer than I thought. I appreciated that they steeped the tea first, then removed the bag then added ice instead of just smashing the process together all at once.