Cafe Moto

San Diego’s Best Coffee Roasters and Cafes

"This longstanding motorcycle-themed roastery brews up standout coffee in Barrio Logan. In addition to take-home bags, it offers cold-immersion coffee in a gallon jug that looks like it could hold engine oil. The cafe, which has a drive-thru, even runs its 1931 Jabez Burns American Jubilee Batch Roaster on solar power. Try the Cubano cortado brown sugar or V12 custom sweetie with hazelnut and caramel." - Helen I. Hwang, Candice Woo, Eater Staff

"A bastion of San Diego coffee roasting, Cafe Moto has been caffeinating San Diego since 1990. Beyond the delicious coffee and gorgeous Italian motor bike inspired branding, they have a cozy, hip interior that displays the small batch roasting operation, with a wholesale store in the back to boot." - Product Etc.

On the Grid : Cafe Moto

"Cafe Moto, Barrio Logan by Product Etc.. A bastion of San Diego coffee roasting, Cafe Moto has been caffeinating San Diego since 1990. Beyond the delicious coffee and gorgeous Italian motor bike inspired branding, they have a cozy, hip interior that displays the small batch roasting operation, with a wholesale store in the back to boot."

San Diego

Where to Eat in Barrio Logan - Eater San Diego

"As one of the most storied suppliers of artisanal coffee in San Diego, this roastery and cafe has been a favorite among local caffeine enthusiasts for many years. Cafe Moto’s drip and espresso-based drinks, all made from the shop’s house-roasted beans, are sure to please even the most discerning coffee drinker. The warehouse store behind the shop carries fresh single origin beans and all the coffee equipment you could ever ask for." - Mario A. Cortez

Stephany Rosales

Google

I’ve been here a couple of times. Coffee has always been good. After multiple visits I decided to try one of their pastries. Very disappointed. We tried their cheese danish. The pastry itself was not fresh and was very stale. The cheese filling was dry and chunky. I could not finish it. We had to throw it away instead.

Gary Giffin

Google

I was hoping to go in the shot and pick out my own bag of fresh roasted coffee but they are closed. You can go up to the window or go through the drive through. I like flavored roasted coffees like Cinnamon roasted or coconut flavors. I got there last bag of Vanilla roast but didn't get the vanilla flavor when I brewed in my MocaMaster. Still good coffee but I think I will stick to smaller roasters in North County San Diego where I can watch them roast the coffees and pick out more flavors onsite.

Matthew Garcia

Google

Popular and busy for a reason! A local institution with a unique drive thru setup. Clearly passionate about what they sell and always fresh. Everyone comes here…locals, police, military, everybody loves Cafe Moto!

Jaime Cavazos

Google

I was in town for a quick weekend trip, and this was my go to place for coffee early in the mornings to catch up on work before exploring the city. The coffee and lattes were great, and the staff was fast even when they were busy.

Cynthia Lam

Google

Fantastic Coffee! I really enjoyed the Lil Pump Coffee it was like pumpkin pie in a cup! Expertly crafted highly recommend! I bought some beans to bring home with me because we were visiting the area. If I lived in California I would be a regular here! Decor is artful mod totally hip!

Ermira Rudha

Google

This is the best coffee in town. We have been going there for long time a enjoying the coffee there, and the atmosphere is great. The best way to start the day for us is with a Cafe Moto. Everybody that works there is so friendly and kind. Their attitude makes the difference all the time. They know us by our names and prepare the coffee always just how we like it. Never disappoint. Especially Lily. We love her smile and the nice welcome that we feel all the time. Hope it stays like this forever.

Warren Ross

Google

Such a unique Barrio Logan treat! A real jewel of San Diego. Many of the places to get coffee around San Diego get their beans from Cafe Moto. So skip the middle man and go straight to the source! They also have the best bulk tea selection I've found in the US.

Namiko Delgado

Google

Great suggestion of coffees, excellent customer service, coffee 10 at a 10 I recommend vanilla chai tea latte hot or cold Dulce latte with Agave And any of the single origin espresso shot Cubano cortado Mexican mocha and many more

Olivia B.

Yelp

Café Moto has the best cappuccino in San Diego! The staff is always friendly, but I want to give a special shout out to Lexi and Iliana! Lexi is especially amazing! Lexi is always supportive, friendly, and full of good vibes! Even my dog insists on seeing Lexi at every visit!! Iliana has great energy too and makes every visit feel like a treat! Thank you cafe moto for amazing, consistently delicious coffee and even better staff.

Norman R.

Yelp

The coffee is above and beyond all others in the area! Great customer service provided by Lili Really wish the sit-in experience would return to this establishment.

vanessa c.

Yelp

I had seen moto coffee being served in other establishments but this was my first time trying it straight from the source! I love that they have a drive thru and the red cones they put for your order really keeps the atmosphere in theme to the car shop vibes, I tried a season white mocha with cranberry and almond milk I didn't really taste much cranberry but the drink was delicious, I love the flavor of the coffee and how it mixed well with the white mocha and didn't overpower it

Lynn O.

Yelp

If you can drink their coffee black, and it's delicious, you'll want to share the location with friends. Cafe Moto's coffee is that delicious. To be fair, this roaster/importer/coffee shop is off my beaten path. My cousin (from LA) has been raving about this place for the last couple of months though, so since the holidays are here, I figured I should go get him some coffee. One of the best things about Cafe Moto is how knowledgeable their baristas are. When I looked online I realized they have a full range of single origin coffees and roasts. They also have their Blue Sky blend. So much happy coffee beans it could make your head spin. Here's where the baristas come in - they can tell you all about the different flavor notes, how deeply the coffee's been roasted, etc. so that you come away with a couple of bags of beans that are bound to please. Be prepared for the teeny tiny parking lot in back, adjacent to the drive through, or the on street parking up front. The coffee is worth the effort!

Simeko O.

Yelp

Cafe Moto, a city coffee shop in Barrio Logan, launched Cafe Moto in 1990 but has been roasting coffee in San Diego since the 1960s . However, I first recently tried Moto Coffee while dining at a local eatery in San Diego. From my first sip to the end of the cup, I enjoyed the rich flavors and high-quality taste. The next weekend, wanting more Moto Coffee, I drove down the freeway to Barrio Logan to purchase a bag for home brewing. Cafe Moto offers a wide variety of coffees and prepares each cup to perfection. Beyond their excellent coffee, their culture, vision, and values are impressive, and I was happy to support this local San Diego business. If you want delicious coffee, give Cafe Moto a try, or order from them online if you can't visit in person. It's that good. https://cafemoto.com/about/culture/

Allyn P.

Yelp

Best coffee shop in San Diego in my opinion. Love the coffee. Love the staff. Super custom sweetie is my go too and you can't beat the price. Not to mention their pastries

Eva G.

Yelp

Omggggg! I love this particular brand of coffee. I've noticed it being served at other coffee/ pastry shops and finally know where the original store exists!! The coffee is so flavorful and delicious!!! My fave is the Mexican coffee!!! I look forward to getting some coffee when I'm in the area again!!!

Jennifer V.

Yelp

I used their drive-thru. Cafe Moto ranks top on my favorite coffee list. It is the coffee shop that introduced me to third wave coffee. I truly love the drinks here. Someday I'll be able to finish their whole menu. The staff are straight to the point. Easy peasy.

Manami S.

Yelp

We come here weekly and LOVE the coffee! Undoubtedly the best coffee in San Diego. I've gotten their flat white, macchiato, iced vanilla latte with oat milk (my go-to) and most recently their seasonal drink Berrykin which is white chocolate and cranberry. Today I stopped by their pop-up shop and met a quality control staff Michelle who was so friendly and an absolute delight. She recommended the Moto espresso beans so I ended up buying one for home. She's very knowledgeable and we appreciated her friendliness and enthusiasm. Also my pup recommends their pup cup. She says it's the best! Highly recommend, from a forever customer

Abby ..

Yelp

Stopped by a little after 2 pm to pick up some beans and to try their holiday drinks. The berrykins has a nice subtle cranberry taste and the butter not cry drink is sooo good! It's not too sweet. As always, our drinks came out within 10 minutes of ordering. Chill vibes and chill staff.

Roman D.

Yelp

I had a recomended latte by the barista and it was really good. The vibe at the place was nice and relaxing. The drive thru concept they have is really cool and the service was good as well!

Daniel A.

Yelp

Been coming here years , for the most part everyone is professional and courteous. The last few trips have been anything but , it's like they're doing you a favor with they're passive aggressive attitudes. (Especially the one with the Taco Bell shirt) It might be that I don't drive a Porsche or a BMW. Hire more humble staff.

Angelina S.

Yelp

We spent way too much money on coffee and pastries to be unhappy with both. Vanilla latte with oat milk taste like they forgot a few ingredients and burnt the coffee beans. Cold ham and cheese croissant unaware they DO NOT HEAT UP FOOD. Cold meat will lead to sick customers. So unhappy. Rude employees as well

Iris Y.

Yelp

We had wonderful service at Motos today. At first we only thought of getting a pour over and then saw the menu & had great drive thru service where the waiter walks up to your car. I had an earl grey with whole milk & lavender which was so refreshingly good. Perfectly made, not too sweet. We also saw people at the patio & swag stand so next time I hope to pop in the store. Great job folks!

Mary K.

Yelp

The drive thru is adorable and so sweet. I didn't expect to have everything delivered to me by hand -- quite a pleasant surprise. The menu was easy to read and the apparel/merch was super cute. I ended up getting a scone, brown sugar latte, and one of the Cafe Moto canvas hats. Delicious! Hat was adorable. Contrary to the cold and rainy weather, the service I received was so warm and nice. I can't wait to stop by here and head over to Libélula with my friends.

Porcha M.

Yelp

Milk and sugar ? Came here for years and lately the coffee quality and customer service has declined. Heartbreaking.

Charlotte W.

Yelp

They have the most awesome coffee. They even have a to go container that looks like a gas can. It's so cute. Their coffee is strong. Everyone that works there is very kind and it is very busy be prepared

Sarah A.

Yelp

We used Café Moto as a coffee vendor for our wedding in October 2024. Café Moto did such a great job and our guest loved the coffee. Also, the Café Moto team was very easy to work with, had a great set up, and was reasonably priced. We are so happy we chose Café Moto for our wedding and would highly recommend!

abraham d.

Yelp

Been standing here for over 15 MINUTES! Waiting for the coffee I'm the only here!!! Other people come and order and they get their coffee first. I don't understand? Is the staff just that incompetent l??? It always takes a while but not this long! Ridiculous!! Def won't be back again and I'll make sure to tell everyone I know that this place is a joke! Clowns must work here!

Lauren L.

Yelp

This has got to be the most confusing and frustrating drive thru line ever. But dang wasn't the coffee worth it! We ordered a Dutch espresso mocha and the dulce latte and they were both soooo good. I was skeptical but I can say they were two of the best coffee drinks I've ever had! Amazing.

Gail U.

Yelp

While we were deciding what to do today, coming here after taking grandpup to Del Mar was a good idea. It's a walk up or drive thru. We entered the drive through line and an employee came up to the car to take our order. He placed a red numbered marker on the hood. Doc ordered 3 Custom sweeties for us to drink and we each had a different snack; chocolate chip cookie(sugar over load), lemon ginger scone and cinnamon apple muffin. We pulled on the side of Chicano Park to admire the art work til we finished our pastries. Much faster than a competitor's drive through.

Jason W.

Yelp

Best coffee shop in America. When I want coffee in Southern California I go here. My double shot of espresso is always strong and delicious. The staff is great and keeps the line moving. Vanilla latte's are also fantastic.

Lovepreet A.

Yelp

If you know, you know. Cafe Moto is the place to go to for a solid bag of beans. They're the premier roaster in and around SD. A lot of other coffee shops actually source their brand from Moto..The staff at this location is super personable and always has spot-on recommendations for what beans to take home. If you don't like them, bring them back and they'll make it right!

Carly L.

Yelp

Drive through is constantly a mess, 18 min wait for 1 drink is ridiculous and nothing in order

Stephen P.

Yelp

If I I didn't know I was in San Diego, I would I consider that I had been teleported to Seattle. Moto has wide variety of unique and high quality and delicious roasts that have tripled my caffeine intake, decreased my ability to sleep but has completely and cured my ADHD. All that aside, Nicaragua, Las Hermanas Co-Op, Indo Noir, and Columbia Tolima Region, have made some absolutely terrific cappuccino and espresso shots!

Michelle F.

Yelp

Visited Café Moto on an early Saturday morning for coffee. Not realizing they were only serving coffee out of a window I tried to go inside. The service is slow. Be prepared to wait. They also service a drive thru- which appears to truly slow them down. They don't serve food. The coffee was good but likely not worth the wait. The vibe is whatevs. Sorry I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again. Definitely not the targeted demographic- and that is ok. Not everyone fits in everywhere- and that is ok.

Nancy G.

Yelp

I initially had a great experience at cafe moto as discovered they had a drive thru. However the second time I visited staff was absolutely not friendly or welcoming. Service was slow and my drinks were made cold instead of hot. I wanted to give it a third try because the first time I loved it. This time not only did they forget completely what I had ordered but they took 30 minutes to bring out my drink and I was holding up a vehicle waiting behind me. They asked me to pull out of the parking lot and wait there for my drink. A kind barista gave us two sleeves and wrote "free drink" "sorry about that". Today I came to redeem them. The young woman who took our order was not friendly and kept cutting me off as I tried speaking . I ordered a LARGE iced love bug with added regular mocha & a MEDIUM hot mocha. They took 40 minutes to bring out our drinks. It's important to mention there was two lines and one was moving very fast and the one we were in didn't move at all and 6 vehicles cut infront of us. We finally got our drinks. Wrong size incorrect drinks and tasted terrible. By the time I was ready to leave, the overall experience didn't feel quite as pleasant. It's a shame, because I really enjoyed the beginning of my visit, but the lack of attention and slower service toward the end made me rethink whether I'd return.

Cari A.

Yelp

I tried Cafe Moto for the first time today at Sand Diego's 2023 Brunch Bash and it was so good. I was able to try a new drink that isn't currently on the menu, and it did not disappoint. It was so satisfying (smooth and creamy) and it was my favorite item to try at Brunch Bash. Pros: -quality beverages -friendly staff Cons: -n/a I definitely want to try their other menu options. Overall, excellent place for coffee.

Christina M.

Yelp

Don't use the derive thru they lo skip your car and make you wait 20 minutes while they take care of other cars on the right lane Im not the first to notice, my friends who come here notice the same problems and the NEW STAFF ARE RUDE! So disappointed.

Musashi S.

Yelp

I ordered Dulce Latte with caramel. It was perfect taste! Can't compare the franchise coffee shop! Must try!!!

Sade B.

Yelp

They're coffee is on point! Love the outside patio area as well. Their specialty drinks are incredible but I would also recommend buying a bag of beans for home - so good!! Service is quick and friendly!

Lizbeth F.

Yelp

My family and I are big fans of this coffee shop. After covid things have been better in customer service. They are back to their usual friendly way and polite way. We love getting our coffees and drink then there. My mom always order her usual cubano cortado and i usually change my coffee. I get a seasonal one or my iced latte with almond milk. Their pastries are so delicious. Especially the chocolate croissant and the scones. I love how they always have pretty flowers in every table. It does make the experience better. Enjoying our coffee with a nice view is the best feeling ever! I highly recommend this place if you're by the area. They also have drive thru!

Elizabeth C.

Yelp

I can't rate atmosphere since we had to sit on the street and not in a cafe. The croissant was decent but if I'm paying 5+ I would expect my ham to not just be a small roll in 1/4 of the croissant. Coffee was good and that's why it gets 4* bc the croissant brings down the rating. Now for the reason they get 3* is purely service related. I stood there ignored for several mins and then he didn't even greet me. I gave my order and asked about pastries he acted like he was inconvenienced by my asking what there was in the case. The next person in line got a huge welcome from him and he was very nice to her. They brought 4 other ppl coffee out before mine and my order was taken first, my coffee wasn't hot like a hot coffee should be. Probably won't return sadly.

Pedro A.

Yelp

I asked for a couple minutes to decide what I was going to get. The lady left and never came back. The other barristas just kept walking by me not caring weather I was helped or not. Get a better system. Or teach your employees to work as a team and if they see a number that is flipped, HELP THEM!!

Sarah Z.

Yelp

A long wait is to be expected for the BEST drive thru coffee in this area. Love this place, always consistent and good coffee w friendly service.

Cristina A.

Yelp

Favorite coffee shop. Cheap, organic, supports local businesses & has tables to enjoy your drink in the shade. The wait is quite long, so if you're in a rush I wouldn't come but it is so worth it! They have a drive through set up as well.

Latasha H.

Yelp

Great coffee located in barrio Logan. They offer a drive thru or a walk up window. No dine in. We ordered the iced vanilla latte and hot dulce de leche latte. I wished they offered bigger drink sizes but they don't. Customer service associates are nice and friendly but slooooow service but drive thru and walk up window. Average priced menu. Great quality roasted beans. Delicious pastries. The zucchini bread, zucchini loaf, banana blackberries muffin and orange cranberry muffin are delicious. Bagged coffee is available for grinding.

Impala S.

Yelp

I absolutely love their coffee. Unfortunately throughout the years Cafe Moto has gotten too comfortable and lazy with their customer service. They have careless employees who lack attention, and quality service. Not only is their service bad, but their drive through is a total joke. I'm ok with waiting for a good product but their drive through orders take forever. This last time several cars on the second lane got their drinks and move on. I waited and waited and waited, until I had to go and ask. They very non carelessly said "oh sorry we forgot your drink". Didn't offer anything to make up for it or anything. Ruined my morning coffee experience. Lost 15 mins plus, and when I got my coffee it was not the order I had placed. Horrible service.

Rocio G.

Yelp

I love the drinks and it's best to go early if you want more pastry options. It's local and they make their drinks soooo delicious. I love that they do seasonal drinks too!super cute spot:)

Rebecca V.

Yelp

I have been going to Cafe Moto for a few years now, and can't recommend them enough. Their drinks are delicious, and the prices are unmatched. What's more, anytime I get my order taken by Lili, she takes the time to ask how my day is going and put a smile on my face. I'm thankful for good coffee and kind people like Lili that take their time to show that not everything is a rush. I definitely recommend giving Cafe Moto a visit and shout out to Lili for making it extra special.

Mike L.

Yelp

No matter how many other coffee purveyors I visit in the SD area, Cafe Moto seems to always outshine them all. Great coffee at decent prices, wonderful service & consistency... Did I mention consistency? Always locked on in their drinks & pastries. If this review persuades just one person to opt for Cafe Moto instead of the mermaid coffee joint down the street... I'll have done my job.

Jeff H.

Yelp

Great tasting coffee! But this establishment is totally AnTi-TrUmP! I will never shop here again until they change their policies to include all parties.

Megan P.

Yelp

We had Cafe Moto's mobile coffee cart at our wedding brunch and it was such a hit! It truly stole the show. The coffee was AMAZING as always and the baristas were so kind and great with our guests. A couple guests even inquired about using them for future events. Everyone we interacted with from Cafe Moto was incredibly kind and communicative. The guy who came to set up the cart even offered to help my parents set up the tables for the event that morning. Thank you for making what could have been a stressful day seamless and well caffeinated!

Zachary D.

Yelp

Great drink. I had a seasonal Moto Loco. Super delicious. They were pretty busy so must be good right. Super trendy place.

Brenda B.

Yelp

Here are my observations: The main entrance or so it seems to be (where the restrooms are) is locked. So if you need to go someone opens the door for you. I parked outside to go inside but then realized that there was a side cashier to the right so I ordered there. I got two paradise bars and a mint mocha iced. I got the bars right off the bat however no one told me that my drink would be served on the little window to the left of the register. So when I came back from checking the restroom(which I didn't use because there was a line) I was standing there for quite some time until someone said if they can help me and I said I was waiting on my drink and they pointed at the left side of the register window and said it was there. I also seen that you can stay in you car as a drive through thing and they put numbers on top of your car. The menu is at the bottom of the register but also there's a menu that switches every so often on top of the register. I would have liked some guidance from the employees on menu options etc instead of figuring it out myself after I had paid.

Austin T.

Yelp

Love to try different coffee shops, this one pleasantly suprised me. I got the medium roast and it's delicious. Service was very friendly, good atmosphere. Will be coming back forsure!

Virginia L.

Yelp

I love this coffee shop! Sitting here on a Sunday morning makes me feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. Relaxing, urban, great coffee, friendly service and people. Motorcycle parking right in front. For some reason they are keeping in the cafe inside closed (as of July '23) so only outdoor seating.

Lani M.

Yelp

I only tried their Mexican mocha and it was delicious! Their main cafe was closed but their outside was open. I parked and got out to order and the staff was friendly and fast. I will be back to try other flavors.

Betsy L.

Yelp

Cafe Moto was a great afternoon stop in Barrio Logan to perk up for an afternoon toodling around San Diego! I was a little confused by the menu at first, since it names things according to the car/garage theme, but I got an iced coffee with hazelnut (called a V12 Custom Sweetie on the menu). The coffee was delicious; a super strong and bold blend that was complemented, not overpowered, by the hazelnut. The service at the walk-up window was a touch on the slow side, but the drink was worth the wait!

San Diego’s Best Coffee Roasters and Cafes

On the Grid : Cafe Moto

San Diego

Where to Eat in Barrio Logan - Eater San Diego