Cafe Bassam

Cafe Bassam is a lovely spot tucked away in a quiet area of North Park, perfect if you’re looking for a calm and relaxing café. They have a great variety of tea selections as well as pastries to choose from. I ordered the lemon cake and Earl Grey tea, and both were excellent. The lemon cake was moist, flavorful, and not overly sweet, and the tea was fragrant and well brewed. It’s a nice place to slow down, enjoy a good drink, and have a quality dessert. I’d definitely come back to try more of their tea and pastries.

Beautiful space and great coffee, but this is not a student- or work-friendly café. Indoor seating is limited to 75 minutes, and most of the outlets are blocked or unusable, which makes it very difficult to study or work on a laptop. While the space looks like a place you could settle in and get work done, the actual setup and policies suggest otherwise. If you’re coming just for coffee and a short stay, it’s fine. If you’re a student or remote worker looking for a place to study, it’s probably not the right fit. I wish this was clearer upfront.

That place truly felt like a hidden gem, and everything about the experience was incredible from start to finish. The atmosphere had such a unique artistic vibe, with beautiful wooden details that made it warm and inviting. I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing the tea tasted—it was far better than I expected. The sweets and coffee were equally delicious and perfectly prepared, adding to the overall enjoyment. On top of that, the barista was extremely polite and welcoming, which made the visit even more special. It’s definitely a spot worth returning to and recommending to others.

I really like this café. The place looks great with a nice classic style, and the music is relaxing and tasteful. It feels calm and cozy inside. They have coffee, tea, and even some wine, which is a nice touch. I tried the Frappuccino — it was super good! Smooth, not too sweet, and really enjoyable. It’s a great spot to chill alone or hang out with friends. I had a great time and would definitely come back.

This is the coolest spot! We stumbled on this on accident, but so glad we found it. The barista is stunning. Highly recommend the Mexican mocha (iced w oatmilk) and the cortado. We will definitely be back to explore!

I went for an iced latte and ended up buying some cake too. All were delicious! The owner is an older gentleman and the cafe is a mish- mash of vintage pictures, antique guns, jars of tea, cigars, etc. I went back the following day for another delicious latte.

If you’re looking for a cozy cafe, I’d say this could be the place for you! Wooden tables, hanging clocks, and vintage silver and crystal kitchenware line the walls and glass casings making for a unique antique-shop vibe. When you enter, you’re greeted with the center display table, showcasing a wide variety of delicious teas to choose from! Kind service and a decent amount of wall plugs (at least on the window side of the cafe) so definitely a great spot to get a little work done. But it looks like they may have an indoor seating time limit of 75min (not sure how strictly that is enforced). I had the cinnamon black tea and it was delicious! They had a berry croissant that looked stunning too. I’ll definitely be back to try that! If you’re looking for something to do on a chill Sunday morning, I highly recommend stopping by here for a tea-to-go, and then walk across Sixth Ave to take the free yoga class that happens every week at 11am, right by El Prado St.

Upon entering you can feel the soul in Cafe Bassam; truly. A beautiful wondrous gem serving up gourmet cafes, varietal teas, wine! Out of this world baked deliciousness!!!

If Sherlock Holmes ever swapped his pipe for a cappuccino, Café Bassam in Banker's Hill this would be his haunt. Walking in feels like stumbling onto a Victorian detective's living room--eclectic antiques, and walls lined with curiosities. The vibe wants you to stay awhile and most do. Depending on the time that you arrive you may not even get a seat but you definitely can enjoy your drink and go. If coffee is not your thing, enjoy the delightful treasure trove--teas for days. The staff? As chill as the jazz softly playing in the background. Seriously, come for the caffeine, stay for the charm. Café Bassam isn't just a coffee shop--it's a whole vintage vibe. Parking: One hot parking meter mess Accessibility: It's tight inside but you can receive proper service

Step into Café Bassam, where the décor alone feels like it could write a novel about your life while you sip your coffee. Nestled in a prime spot, it's the perfect launch pad for a leisurely stroll afterward--if the caffeine doesn't have you power-walking like you're late for a meeting. Now, let's talk coffee: strong, unapologetically bold, and likely to wake you up before your alarm does. If you like your coffee to have a personality, this is the spot. Service is consistently good, even though the staff sometimes looks like they're playing a caffeine-fueled game of musical chairs due to being short-staffed. Mistakes happen (they're human, not coffee robots), but they always make it right. You'll leave with your caffeine fix and your faith in humanity intact. Don't miss it--this café is a vibe.

It's okay. The interior is beautiful and the tea containers are really cool (you can open them to smell the teas). The coffee drinks that we got were mediocre (white mocha and vanilla lattes). I got the vanilla latte and a slice of cake which totaled $18, which meant the slice was $11-12. The only thing worse than not having cake is spending a lot on cake that is meh. Service was great and it is a great place to sit and admire the design of the shop.

This was a spot on my San Diego cafe passport and was excited to try it out since I love Vietnamese iced coffee and that was the recommended beverage!! The vibe inside gives old book store but in the best way, I can see it getting busy with people doing work and just sitting and chatting on the weekends The initial color threw me off but this is definitely one of the best Vietnamese iced coffees i have ever had!! I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely be returning

The croissant is quite good even cold but I ordered an iced mocha and he forgot to add coffee. I asked my husband to taste it too and he agreed so we asked the guy to make another one. This one did have coffee but still not much.

The thing I love most about this place is its true individuality. Step inside, it's like a vintage Victorian museum, super unique and artsy. There's a huge selection of tea with tasty and yummy desserts. Coffee and drink options are unique and delicious. Nice and friendly environment where you can take a book and enjoy a beautiful afternoon.

Overpriced products at mediocre quality in a nice neighborhood. You're apparently paying for their vintage furniture lease, which is admittedly pretty. Bitter espresso with thin milk, $10 for a small slice of decent carrot cake, and no hot food available on a summer Sunday afternoon. Counter service. They do have a large tea selection as a center piece, which seems to be the move.

Love the decor here! One of my favorite cafes in San Diego. I appreciate it being open later than others! The barista recommended their chai, it's amazing! The best I've had(:

Love love this hidden gem. The desserts are great. The staff is always really nice. She has such a calm and welcoming ambience.

European Ambiance nostalgic music - art facts Th best fresh croissants in town - cigar collection . The only remaining cafe - Atelier in town where you enjoy the cafe, fine wines And international Atmosphere!

I went to this cafe on 01/07/25 with my boyfriend to grab a drink and study, had a delightful time. We BOTH purchased a drink. We went again today and he bought me a drink, he didn't buy one for himself this time. We're sitting at a table doing our own thing, I'm doing homework and he's on his phone. This man who I'm assuming is the owner tells my boyfriend that he cannot stay inside without purchasing anything and he stated, " This is a place of business, not a Starbucks, you cannot stay inside without purchasing anything ". How rude is that? We ended up leaving shortly after. Nice to know this business keeps headcount of who purchased what. Money grubbers.

The ambiance is really cool, feels like being inside an antique store. Whats not cool is the price of the cake slices. For the size and dry sponge $10 seems too steep for me. The tea was pretty average, nothing out of the ordinary. Service was quick and friendly. I also like that this place is open late. Ultimately I would not return because for the same price point of this place I can better quality somewhere else.

Is being RUDE a requirement for working here? I've been a regular client of Cafe Bassam, there coffee shop is big and offers a lot of seating options, the drinks are some of the best I've had, they are on the pricier side but it's worth it because of everything else they offer. However, the service is HORRIBLE. I will no longer go to Bassam. The brunette girl in the mornings is RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL. I will say though the blonde girl in the afternoon's is nice. But because of the treatment of the brunette I refuse to support this business. Do yourself a favor and walk a few streets down, there you will find mnemonic coffee, a place that treats you as an actual human being.

Beautiful cafe with a vintage, romantic feel. Somewhere between grandma's china cabinet and a tea room out of Pride and Prejudice. I had the rose black tea with a spot of soy milk, which was lovely.

It pains me to leave such a subpar review for Cafe Bassam. This is clearly an establishment with tons of history and potential. Walk in and you're greeted by coffee shop meets antique store. It's a cozy vibe but one that isn't very conducive to conversation or seating. There's not a ton of places to sit but there are at least a decent number of outdoor seats. The coffee is very, very average. The few lattes I've tried here weren't well crafted. The milk was somewhat flat and the espresso never shines through. The iced coffee genuinely seemed like it had zero espresso in it -- just milk and syrup. Two normal sized coffees also cost me $15. The service from one individual who works here isn't very friendly either. She's been mentioned in other reviews so I'll spare calling her out but she's very unfriendly and makes it seem like you're not wanted here. That alone is reason not to return. Perhaps it was a nicer place in a past life, but in the present it is not.

This place is so meticulously designed to give its vibe. Bassam did an amazing job maintaining this cafe since the 90s. I kept staring at every detail in this shop for like one hour to comprehend the art and beauty. Every tea you can think of, you can find here. Definitely worth a visit.

I hadn't been to Bassam in a while. I used to go there more often several years ago. I can't say the drinks are anything more than okay, but the ambiance is quite unique. The location is great and the antiques inside give it a unique character.

A quaint cafe near Balboa park. Grabbed a quick iced coffee on a slow Sunday and stayed to enjoy the eclectic decor. Iced coffee was very good. This would a great spot to catch up with some friends or get some reading done.

I was initially excited to try this place with the raving reviews, but was severely disappointed. The overall ambiance was uncomfortable, and I could sense that my partner and I were not welcomed here. The barista was extremely cold and unhelpful. I don't know how anyone could ever feel welcomed coming here. From reading the other reviews, it appears that this may have stemmed from their racism as the barista was more happy to serve the previous customer. It is a disappointment that this establishment exists in the San Diego community.

I live in La Costa but when I come to "town" I make an effort to enjoy this European old world charm with beautiful music that likely appeals more to Europeans, Latinos ( like myself) and def on the more mature end. Aside from the amazing array of teas and coffees their in house made brioche ( either with or without powered sugar) is truly unique and worth every Lucious carb calorie. The owner, aptly named Bassam is quite elegant and very sweet . He clearly has the respect and admiration of many loyal regulars. And wears the classiest hats and a warm smile.

I stopped by hear for an afternoon treat on a Saturday. I thought the iced coffee was a bit weak, but palatable. I also had a chocolate covered biscuit, which was delicious. I really loved the inside of the cafe and the ambiance. The owner was there and was very welcoming. I would definitely come back here and try something else on the menu!

Delicious chai and a fresh baked croissant. What could be better? Cafe Bassam has classic charm. Having opened in 1991, this place feels like a neighborhood relic. They have a wide variety of tea options that you can choose from in big jars to explore. Behind the counter, the offer coffee drinks but the chai is a must! It's delicious! While they don't currently have a lot of their regular food options, they had warm croissants and desserts to choose from! A great spot to meet friends with cozy furniture and great vibes.

Amazing ambience, latte, and almond pie :) Once walking in, it feels like you're in a whole new world. So many antique items and a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a latte or hot chocolate.

Interesting looking place--despite the second amendment remedies on the wall and the odd cases of old glass dishes and metal containers--and it's quiet. But the attitude is stronger than the coffee and the prices are high. If you want to feel like you're in France with all its temperaments, this is the place for you. (And if they get your order wrong--as they did ours today--don't expect an apology.)

A SPECIAL PLACE ! On Wednesday my wife and I had a date with our 2 young grand daughters to visit the San Diego Zoo. BUT FIRST ! We hadn't seen our friend Bassam the owner for quite some time so we dropped in with our young girls around 11.15pm. I had phoned ahead earlier and Kate said that Bassam was out running an errand but would be back before too long. FIRST UP ! Kate made our girls 2 delicious milkshakes 9 ( small ones so it didn't ruin lunch a bit later ). CAKE ! The girls spotted the yummy looking RAINBOW CAKE...2 slices to go please. We also bought a slice of CHOCOLATE CAKE and NEW YORK CHEESECAKE to go. LUNCH ! We had another stop to make for a proper lunch. These days Cafe Bassam doesn't do lunch sandwiches or anything like that. Of course there are still the great tasting cakes, cookies and more to enjoy with your coffee or tea. The girls loved their milkshakes and kept asking us where is Bassam ? I guess he got tied up a bit helping someone out. We stuck around til midday but then we had to go. EVERYONE LOVED THEIR CAKE ! NOTE - Of course with 20 million views of my Yelp reviews and pics world wide in 2023 I can tell you what is great !

Some of the rudest employees I've ever encountered in my life! The brunette and blonde haired girls hate their job and take it out on customers. I was in shock by their rudeness and lack of professionalism! The owner or manager employing them should be ashamed of themselves

Very unique little coffee shop. Staff was very friendly as well. I will say if your on a lunch break from work like I was I would definitely maybe call and place an order and walk over as they do take a some time to have your order ready but it's definitely worth the wait.

Very nice study spot to grab a coffee and enjoy the tranquil ambiance. Service was good, they also have a large variety of teas!

Had a real displeasure to witness the owner of the cafe mistreating one of his employees. What a turn off of a man. He treated his employee as a property; disrespectful, condescending and rude. I cannot possibly support a business where the owner treats his employees this way.

The ambience was great, I was excited to try this place because it has been a staple in the community. This is where it all went wrong and I think some will continue to experience -- the brunette cashier was very rude and short with us when we asked a few questions about the menu. This was the first time so we just had some questions, but the way she responded made us feel uncomfortable. She didn't elaborate at all or answer our questions. In addition, she was REALLY cheery and outgoing talking to a guy in front of us (not sure if her friend or a customer as he didn't order anything). As soon as we came up to the register, her whole demeanor changed and my friend felt the drastic difference as well. We eventually didn't want to get anything because of her attitude, but wanted to try something anyways since this place is well liked. We got the cheesecake and it just happened to be one of the worst cheesecakes we have tried, not even because we were salty about the cashier. Maybe the drinks are better, maybe you should not bother walking in if it's the brunette working (see other reviews). We normally do not care about stellar customer service as long as we get our questions answered and what we needed, but this cashier made us so uncomfortable. Very unfortunate!

Wow. Rude owner and cold staff. Stay away. It was ok until I went in to complain that a customer lite up a cigar next to us in the outside provided tables. We moved to the other side. The owner came out and said it's allowed but I said it's against the law. No smoking within 25 feet of a public door. He said this is private. I said nope. He yelled at me and said leave. I refused because I should not be told to leave because someone else's is smoking and he is here along the law. He called the police which I welcomed to. The police this is civil and can't enforce. The owner kicked me out. Whatever. I am reporting this to the city of San Diego and will do what I can to enforce the extent of the law. More to come. I would stay away from this place.

Yesterday, I was on my way to work as a massage therapist. I always pass by this coffee place, and I always wanted to try it out. Until I finally did, my very first time. I obviously didn't like the young lady impression. She obviously looked annoyed. Then I was telling her what I wanted in my coffee, and she just was rushing me just by her demeanor. Then she didn't seem like she was paying attention, making my coffee. As soon as I left. I got to work and drinking it. Then, before I almost finished it. I peace of aluminum was in my coffee, and I almost choked on it! I spit it out, and I obviously was concerned for my safety and health. Next time, pay attention to how you prep coffee! Be alert of what you're doing. I am obviously never coming back again!

This is the WORST 'cafe' I've ever been to. WTF is this place? Antique furniture haphazardly placed everywhere as if its someones storgage unit that decided they were going to sell coffee and tea out of. The owner Bassam is quite possibly the rudest person I've ever seen. His employees just have no manners or pleasantness about them. Rude, careless and ignorant is a pretty good description. A bunch a tea containers block 30% of the store's floor space. What an idiot 'businessman' to block so much of your retail space for oversized tea containers which really serve no purpose? Why would you want to consume tea from containers which people open all day long and stick their nose in to smell? The place is dirty and the coffee is terrible. My goodness, why would anyone go here?? Find somewhere else this place is a mess!

This was my first time here, I was looking for a place that was open later past 8-9pm and this popped up. Parking situation isn't so great, but worth it if you find a spot. The ambiance is amazing, I'm a fan of cozy home settings that have a lot of antiques on display. There was only one girl as a barista at the time, and her service was great. Shoutout to her running the place during late hours. I got just a Thai tea to sip on while I did homework and it tasted amazing, I liked it more than when I would go to a normal boba shop. If I'm ever in the area again I will definitely stop by.

I was looking for one coffee shop in Hillcrest, but I passed this one on the way and decided to try it. Happy accident! I saw the iced Vietnamese coffee in other Yelp reviews and decided to try it. Let me tell you... it's smooth like velvet. You could easily chug the whole thing it's that good. I don't know what they put in it like condense milk or cream but it's fire. It had the right amount of caffeine and gave me energy for the whole day. My Yelp date had the caramel latte and that was exquisite as well. The barista was very friendly and made us feel welcomed, even in hipsterville Hillcrest. I totally like the vibe here. The interior feels like you're in an old European cafe and the music was reminiscent of the godfather movie soundtrack. I was fooled by the modern exterior and surrounding area. Was totally worth passing up the other coffee shop and having a true fika amongst the morning rush.

Coffee and tea while your polish grandma is cooking in the background kind of place. This is definitely a quirky and local spot but that makes it charming. Have you ever seen Ron's Gone Wrong on Disney+? There's a scene where the grandma is dancing around the kitchen with a goat and the robot is playing bouncy polish folk music. That's literally the exact vibe I got here. Coffee was good, got a latte. It was good, but also didn't blow me away. Would 100% come back for the polish grandma vibe. Interior decor is what I might call maximalist and more quirkiness with a case of knives and stacks of books and random items everywhere. It's not dirty, it's just like homey. Outlets: no Bathroom: no I don't think so?? Parking: free and paid street Seating: indoor and outdoor table Wifi: yes Payment: cashless preferred Dress code: casual Vibe: quirky cafe, not great for working but fun

This is my first time back there in nine years. It sad that they don't serve any more food because their Panini were awesome. Since I drove 71 miles to come down for a Panini, which I wasn't able to get I decided to try their hot white chocolate with whipped cream. Was that ever amazing!!! Next time I'm in San Diego. I definitely am going to have to stop by and get another hot white chocolate that hit the spot!!! I don't eat desserts but I can DEFINITELY make an exception for a piece of that chocolate cake that was in their display case!! See you soon!! I did call three separate times in one day to speak to Bassam about another matter but he wasn't available!!

Quality has gone down since COVID No longer sell food but a FOOD MENU is still posted on a chalk board 1+ year (just erase the darn food menu) drinks served in PAPER CUPS when they used to use ceramic dish ware- really lowered my experience here They Don't sell antique goods anymore. No more house brew coffee - even tho they pride themselves in that history. Sad.

Horrible service, the white girl at the front working was super rude for no reason. Terrible environment to be in with an employee like that at a cafe

This is an awesome spot for coffee, tea, and a little bit of everything else. Very close to balboa Park and somewhere between bankers hill and Hillcrest. The vibe is very eclectic, a fun spot to sit and look around. They've got the standard espresso drinks, but what's really impressive is the tea selection. There are dozens to choose from, you can walk around and pick a bag out of the glass jar of your choice. There are some small food and alcohol options as well. The pastries and desserts look absolutely amazing. I got a pistachio baklava which was delicious. They also had carrot cake and some other things when I was there, it all looked great. What I really enjoy about this place is that it's open later. It's hard to find coffee shop vibes open past 3 or 4 pm. It's a nice spot to sit and wind down the night at.

The place has a nice ambiance, they sell cigars and has a unique decor and vibe. We got the Vietnamese coffee, but sadly it was not a traditional one. First, the drink was put in a blender, which was very strange. Second, the color was a very light cream, showing that it did not have enough coffee. The taste was just of milk and made my stomach hurt. As a Vietnamese, I'm offended by the drink and was upset to have paid for essentially just milk. I won't get that again, or any coffee drink unless it's a cup of regular coffee.

I went into Cafe Bassam because I had an appointment nearby and wanted something to eat. I walked in, and it has a very nice cozy ambience. There were people studying and working. I wanted to buy food, but I was told their kitchen is closed indefinitely unfortunately. Still wanting some sort of food, I got the chocolate cake, and honestly it was way too sweet. It looks a lot better than it tasted. I got the iced chai with oat milk too. For $7, It was very average. My total cost was about $16.

I've been looking for a spot like this for a while. Absolutely loved the selection of teas that they had. I got the chamomile sage and my sister got the chamomile lavender. I personally loved the sage one more, but both were so soothing. I'd love to come back and try other tea flavors, their pastries and coffee. The ambiance is very cozy and I could see myself coming back to study here when I'm back in San Diego. The service was great too. I love how late they stay open as well. Overall great experience.

Cafe Bassam is a San Diego Classic. Bassam himself is an old world gentleman, who goes out of his way to provide excellent customer service. His ways have informed all of his staff. I've never had a bad experience there. I always feel like I'm walking into a European cafe. The tea selection is the biggest I've seen. And they usually throw in a free biscuit or something. You can sit inside or outside and enjoy the fresh ocean breezes of San Diego. Definitely recommend.

Prob one of the cutest cafes in sd i've been to! So many pretty antiques and the ambiance was 10/10. Some of the best coffee I've tried tbh ! only downsides I would say are limited seating and that the drinks are a lil more on the expensive side but other than that I loved it (:

I had Chai coffee carrot cake and Tea and All were absolutely delicious Chai is just good amount of spice They have a lot of good options if you are looking to get just a regular cup of coffee a pour over or even a Vietnamese coffee and they also have hot chocolate Super cute place, not over crowded, good seating space in and out Decor was super interesting and entertaining They also have a good variety of Cuban Cigars Not your traditional boring little coffee spot (Starbucks) I super recommend And Will be back soon

Wow this little coffee shop was something out of an Italian movie! Such a cute aesthetic, chic, calming environment. They have everything from different waters to delicious pastries and coffee. We ended up getting the hot matcha green tea and iced Vietnamese coffee, both 10/10. Completely recommend to anyone to wants a nice little get away to study or answer emails

Best coffee shop in San Diego! This place is historic. Their iced mocha is one of the best mochas I have ever had. One of the few places in San Diego where you can get a coffee until midnight!

Right after a nice drink from north park brewery, an enjoyable coffee to enjoy the night. And let me tell you about the pistachio carrot cake, who knew it makes such a great taste. The decorations in this place kept my eyes wandering the whole time frankly, it was stepping into a different era. The barista who attended us was very polite and even gave us her best wine recommendation. It was a great way to end the night.