Cafeina Cafe

While passing by Cafeina Cafe, I decided to stop in and try their coffee. I got a latte. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and didn’t have time to fully check out the interior or menu, but I quickly looked around, took a few photos, and I liked what I saw. I really liked the graffiti on the walls, the interior design, and the service — the staff was very pleasant, and my coffee was prepared quite quickly. The latte itself was tasty and at just the right temperature. I definitely plan to come back when I have more time to explore the place, try more drinks, and maybe some desserts from the menu.

This place in great. First time here, had the cold brew thing with anise in it. Amazing. Also, I dumped the entire glass on my lap as soon as they sat it down and the staff treated me very kindly and made me a new one. I had to go to the car to change and came back to a fresh coffee. Wonderful shop and staff. Wife lived her vanilla matcha latte, too. Dog friendly, nice outdoor patio.

Such a lovely cafe with delicious drinks! They indoor interior is amazing and the outdoor back patio is so beautiful! I hosted a journal club on the patio and the vibes were immaculate! Such a lovely space with such kind people! Definitely check Cafeina Cafe out!

This little quaint coffee shop in the middle of busy City Heights. I love that I can walk here from my home, it’s a great environment to study and get some work done. The staff is friendly and I haven’t had one bad drink. First time there, I had the Horchata iced Latte and I love that the horchata was made in house. This time around I tried the Iced Matcha with strawberry cold foam, just what I needed to power through my work. The patio area is vibrant and perfect to bring my study buddy with me. Not once have they said anything about my dog, so very welcoming they even put out a bowl of water for your furry friends. I really like coming here and glad it’s so close to home. This place is gem.

This Mexican cafe has been here for six years. This is what I would call a hidden neighborhood gem. It’s located on 46th street on the side of the super market off University Ave. it’s all street parking. We ordered: Horchata latte- the horchata is premade with milk and they just add coffee. Keep this in mind if you can’t have diary. Mazapan latte - had tiny nutty bits of the mazapan. We loved both of our drinks. Espresso was bold, I used oat milk on the mazapan for the creaminess. We wanted to try their bakery items but none was available. They changed bakery vendor and in transition until further noticed. There’s a cozy small patio in the back. Much more quiet in the back than in the front. The menu prices reflect 12oz, add $0.50 if you want the 16oz.

Parked a block or so away, but as we walked closer there were some spots right in front of the cafe. They have lots of indoor and even back patio seating. The service was great as the owner was informative and helpful about the menu and drinks. He was patient as well. I ordered the 12 oz, Iced Honey Lavender Latte with Whole Milk, $6.50. The latte tasted very good with the perfect amount of milk and espresso. The honey was fragrant and the lavender wasn’t too strong. And my friend had a Honey Cinnamon Latte (Miel y Canela), $5.50. Located within the heart of City Heights is Cafeina Café! While the outside is dark, the interior is bright and vibrant. Since they were quite busy the day I went it took them a bit longer to make the drinks. But the quality of the drinks is what matters more than the wait time imo! I like that— the owner would come to the back patio to personally bring the drinks…if people didn’t hear them being called out at the bar (which was clean and organized!). I originally wanted to try a special they had displayed on Instagram, but since it’s March— they don’t have that anymore. If they have any future specials next time— I’ll most likely order that. Would recommend this spot for good coffee!

Their coffee is phenomenal, I got a drip and an iced matcha latte. Drip was tasty and the matcha latte was amazing and not too sweet at all. Nice seating options inside and out. Dog friendly. Staff was attentive, friendly, and fast.

A five star coffee shop! Interesting drinks menu, strawberry matcha is heavenly, matchata was also really good, and I'll report on the rest when I try more because I'll definitely be back. It's beautifully served in a nice well ventilated space. The outdoor patio looks great as well. Good people! They also have pastries. I wish you guys start serving more food in the future 🙏 I could definitely grab a breakfast sandwich here or something like that.

Discovered an absolute gem in City Heights. I love the space they designed. The coffee was delicious, and the cheese pastry was the best one I've ever eaten. I'm talking it was VERY good. I want to come again when they are serving breakfast. I would expect this to be the best place for the vibe and delicious Mexican cuisines

I've been to this place a few times throughout the years. I've had their Afogato and Cajeta latte. Recently I decided to try their honey lavender just to switch things up. I think I should've stuck to my usuals. I think the lavender was a bit too strong and I generally like lavender drinks. I think this one wasn't for me. The staff is always nice, customer service has never been an issue. The mural is very impressive, I do recommend the Cajeta latte. I've noticed there aren't too many coffee shops that offer this flavor so I'm always excited when I find one that does.

Fellow Yelper Yo G. told me about this place like years ago and I must've had my head under a rock! They've been here for five years!!! I work up the street! But seriously, this is a hidden gem and for all the right reasons. It's hip and cool, and I loved how the young girl played Depeche Mode's Violater, on vinyl, on the turntable! Love it! They have the most unique coffee drinks, and I decided on the horchata latte. This was sooooooooo good! I had it iced since it was a nice summer day! They also have some interesting baked goods. I ordered the purple concha, which turned out to be ube. He: Do you want me to heat it up? Hecks yeah! Normally I don't but warm, this was the way to enjoy it! The inside is pretty chill to relax and I didn't know they had a patio. The staff is really friendly and I'm glad they open early. Great place to come to! Again, it's a hidden gem and it's cool that the community is supporting them! Lots of workers coming in!

Cafeina is one of my favorite spots in the city heights neighborhood. It's very cute and has a beautiful outdoor patio for relaxing and working and drinking coffee. It can get pretty hot back there on warmer days so be warned. In terms of the drinks, I love the Cajeta latte with oat milk :) very delicious and just the right amount of sweet for me. My husband loves the Marzapan latte for the floral notes it hits. I have also tried their lime drink with the Topo Chico and it's very refreshing and not sweet at all which is what I like in those types of drinks. The owner and staff are so kind and friendly. It feels very much local and like a neighborhood space! Sometimes they also collaborate with local taqueros and trucks and have food they sell outside which is extra delicious I don't think it's affiliated with cafeina specifically but it's nice to see the collaboration. I've mostly seen this on Sunday mid mornings so try to check it out on those days. Also, they feature ice cream which I haven't tried but many friends have and they say it's delicious. Overall a cute spot in the local community with a lot to offer.

We were waiting for Trujillo Traco ship to open. Yelp said they opened at 10, but at 10:30 it still wasn't open. So we stopped by this coffee shop while waiting. It had 5 star reviews so we decided to try it. This place is a little hidden and not someplace you would normally go to. The owner is great. He gave suggestions on different drinks. He recommended the mazapan and his personal favorite is the Columbiano which has a brown sugar flavor to it. I tried the mazapan with oat milk which tasted pretty good. Oat milk always gives drinks a nutty flavor. We also went back to try another drink. My party wanted to try the horchata which I thought was just okay. The spicy kick didn't go well with the espresso. Outside, there's a beautiful garden area which has great seating and a great place to sit around. They ran out of pastries at around 11, is a bit early considering they are open until 3. All in all, it's a great place to try.

New coffee drinker here so I've been really enjoying finding new cafes to check out. I found this gem right in the neighborhood so I decided to check it out before going on my morning walk! They focus on Mexican flavor coffees here which was really unique. I ordered a iced decaf mazapan latte with oat milk and it was sooo good! I also tried out a vanilla concha. It was my first time ever trying a concha and what better way to pair it with some delicious coffee! They also have a ice cream bar if you're not looking to grab a drink! There is some indoor seatings but I took my treats to go. Parking can be a-little tough around here since it's street parking. Great staff and the drinks didn't take long at all to come out! I posted some pics of the menu so check out the photos to see what they offer and the prices! Can't wait to come back again to try out their horchata latte!

One of my fave spots for a dirty chai. Staff are always friendly and welcoming. They also have a really cute outdoor garden area in the back to sit and enjoy your coffee.

It's such a cute place. A small hole in the wall. I love this place and will be back to visit if I'm visiting again!

Stopped by here today with a colleague to catch up and hang out. We both got ice cream (although the caffeine looked amazing, I'd be up all night, so I didn't!) The ice cream I got was Mexican chocolate and it was divine! Creamy and delicious with every spoonful! The ambience was casual and cute. I wish had had pics of the interior--it was adorable with cute coasters with skulls, and a circular tile table next to us. They have a back area with tables that I didn't go to but I want to next time! Definitely check this place out!!

Cafeina Cafe is one of the best coffee shops in San Diego where their drinks are consistent and service is phenomenal. I've tried each drink and they are all good. Prices are great ($4/5 for a specialty latte). Hot or cold. I highly recommend the Canela y Miel (honey +cinnamon) w/ oat milk. * There are pastries + ice-cream available as well! Plenty of seating inside + a nice patio outside to enjoy the weather/sun. - Side note: Parking can be difficult at times.

It was a last minute decision to come here but I couldn't pass up coffee, especially their crafted specialties. I like cold brews so I got the Cold Brew De Olla, which has flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar. The cold brew was not too strong, but the only thing was that upon sticking my straw in and taking a sip I inhaled a bunch of syrup. Once mixed, the drink it definitely tasted better. I forgot what they ran out of that day, but the barista remembered to refund us the amount for our original order which I appreciated because most coffee places forget to do so. It's a nice place to study/ get work done as it is quiet. I like how the café is located on the side instead of the main street because it leaves some parking down the neighborhood. I would definitely return to try another one of their specialties! Not only do they serve coffee, but they offer a selection of pastries and Niederfrank's Ice Cream flavors, which is a staple down in National City.

We had an event to attend to the south and I found this spot on our way down the 15. Parking may be a little limited and it is street parking but we found a place not too far away. I ordered the horchata cold brew and I'm glad I did! They have a really cute patio area in the back for you to enjoy your coffee/bread. Glad I found this place and now on my list for great coffee spots to visit if you're in the area.

A little gem tucked in the heart of City Heights. Their Mexican inspired coffee drinks are AMAZING. The staff are very friendly and you can always ask them for suggestions on what drinks they recommend. I love the little hidden patio behind the cafe so you can sit outside and read a book. Parking may get a little bit tricky because it's street parking only.

What a sleeper hit in City Heights. Cafeina has lovely ambiance with indoor and patio seating, and damn good coffee. The Mexican mocha latte is fantastic. Great place to post up and do some work.

Tasty good quality coffee! I love all the Latino flavors, I wanted to try them all! They also have super yummy pastries that are culturally inspired that will be the best friend to any drink you get! The inside is so beautiful and all of the art makes me so happy to look at :) When I'm back in town, I'll definitely be back!

Still the best coffee spot after 2 years. Place is upgraded to accommodate for lots of seating indoors and outdoors. Wall outlets for those who need to hunker down. Outdoor seating for fresh air and to hang out. Great place for studying, doing work, hanging with friends and kicking it back. Had probably the best ham and cheese croissant ever and a delicious pumpkin spice foam cold brew. The barista was super sweet and friendly. The owner Andrew is still killing it. Support your local spots and don't mind the construction on the main street.

I usually drink black coffee at home or at work, but I love to try new spots when I want a "treat." I looked for a place that was not too far out of the way on the way to work (City Heights) and found this gem. It was pretty empty (8am on a Friday), has cute decor inside, and great service. I ordered the Mazapan Latte & it was yummy! Not too sweet. Also got two co-workers a Honey Rose Latte and a Miel y Canela (honey & cinnamon) Latte. (Haven't heard any complaints yet - haha) Try it out! Looks like they have different events & rotating flavors.

A great place in a great community! I visited to work on a project for class, and figured that our group should meet here. I've actually tried their coffee once before, but wanted another go. I went for the Canela y Miel latte, which was super flavorful and found that all the flavors went well together. The atmosphere is super lively, and I have to say that I felt really welcome there!

Coffee here is made with love. The staff is really friendly. The space is very cozy. I love the back patio. My favorite latte is the honey lavender with oatmilk.

Favorite coffee spot in San Diego and that's saying something because there are a ton of great ones in SD. Welcoming outdoor patio with a chill vibe and a staff that is always friendly. Drinks are not overly sweet which allows the flavors of the coffee to come through. All their drinks are great but the Colombiano is my go-to. Go try it out and thank me later.

I really loved this place! The coffee was delicious and strong! I tried the Cold Brew Cafe De Olla -- 10/10 would recommend! There is plenty of seating available both inside and out. My friend and I spent 4 hours working out in the back patio and it was perfect! The employees were great as well! From what I can tell, there is only street parking. Despite this, I was able to find parking right out front fairly quickly.

My new favorite coffee shop. Dog friendly. Cute patio. Mexican. But best of all, lattes are the best I've tried in San Diego. My dad agrees. Looks like a good place to get some work done.

Love this spot! It's always a good place to pop into early morning. Their coffee is delicious.

10/10 coffee is always on point! A perfect blended melody of strong and sweet with a delicious pairing of pastry delights! Interior is such a chill place for a meeting, studying or just chillin and vibing by yourself/ company. Whether inside or step out to their beautiful outdoor environment. Where you're instantly transported to a lush private hideaway while reading one of many books from their free little library, sipping coffee on a warm day is such great vibes! Service is always on point owner is very knowledgeable in his trade! He's never too busy to answer questions while making drinks and serving his customers. They're always patient and friendly. We do not live close by anymore yet still worth the travel every time!

This coffee spot is to die for! Coffee is never a miss strong and sweet whenever I do want that combo! Will gladly go the extra 10 min out the way and come here instead of my nearby coffee chain that's 5 min from my house. Highly recommend!

Best canela y miel or cinnamon/honey coffee I've had in a loooong time! They have regular milk alternatives, which I love! I ended up getting oat milk. And they have a lot of variety on the menu to choose from including ice cream and pan dulce! The staff is super friendly, the shop is impeccably clean, and the vibe is *chef kiss* beautiful! Everything you want in a local coffee shop. They also had pop up small business vendors in the back-not sure if this is all the time or just today, but either way, very cool! I will definitely be back to try something different next time. (Or maybe not because the canela y miel was too darn good!)

One of my favorite coffee spots! I grab coffee every Wednesday for me and my co-workers here and they absolutely love it. My hands down favorite is the Cold Brew de Olla! Their favorites are the Buenos Dias for a mid week pick me up and Mazapan latte for something sweet and energizing. The staff are always so friendly and the ambiance of the shop has great vibes.

We are here at least once a week, and we are proud to be regulars! My wife's usual is an iced vanilla latte w/ soy extra vanilla. My usual is iced chai w/ soy, but lately been in love with an iced canela y miel w/soy - amazing! Always great service, very kind and friendly baristas!

Came here to get some work done and loved the atmosphere, cool hand painted murals on the wall and a lovely outdoor area. I ordered a honey lavender latte with oat milk that was so good! As I was on my way out I went to the bathroom and spilled about half of what was left in my cup I tried to pick up as much as I could but let the employee know either way so it wouldn't get sticky or anything. The employee was so kind and understanding and even offered to remake me the same or another drink :). He suggested I try the honey rose latte iced and loved that one too! I would definitely come back again and take advantage of the shady outdoor seating on sunnier days

A hidden gem in City Heights! The entrance is not on University, it is on 46th. Parking can be tough, there's some 30min-2 hour spots on University close by but the adjacent neighborhood was pretty full. Walking inside, the place was very clean and had a peaceful vibe to it. I love the murals! The staff was so nice and helpful. There's also an outside patio in the back with more seating. I tried their cold brew de olla, which had a perfect amount of brown sugar & cinnamon! I also had a spinach and cheese pastry that they toasted for me which was a perfect little snack. I was intrigued that they had an ice cream bar, which is definitely something I want to try next time. I also saw a taco truck in front of the shop that you can order from, and they'll bring your order to you inside the cafe. Such a surprising variety of offerings here, definitely need to come back and try those!

Hidden gem with a cute backyard and fantastic coffee. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. My new fav cafe in SD!

We were in San Diego for the weekend and wanted to grab some coffee from a local spot before heading back home. When we walked in the owner greeted us and was very helpful in answering any questions we had about their menu. Ultimately decided on trying out the mazapán latte with oat milk and it's delicious!!! Not overly sweet and you can taste the nuttiness from the mazapán, overall a well balanced coffee! Definitely coming back to try out their other drinks next time we're in town!

Delicious coffee and good service! They also have a cute patio in the back to sit and enjoy your coffee.

Cool atmosphere The decorations are beautiful I love the wall art Great drinks (Olla on nitro) Definitely try this place out

ESPRESSO, TEAS, ICE CREAM, CONCHA - staff, friendly - espresso, yum they hide James Coffee beans - service, quick - ambiance, chill cafe with Hispanic flavor It's not often you hear someone venturing out to City Heights neighborhood for good coffee, but I did! It is a nice hidden gem tucked around the corner from the busy streets. Cafe space was very very clean offering indoor and outdoor patio seating. Staff are masked, hand sanitizer available, and overall clean and safe place. Not overly crowded but studious locals or community locals come here to meet and engage. Good vibes! When I saw a postage attached to the side of their espresso beans of James Coffee beans I got so excited. James Coffee beans are one of my SoCal favorite beans being sold. Their decaf beans ARE Swiss Water Processed!!! No acidic or floral profiles... a very smooth chocolatey profile. Love the beans. So to have those beans in my Latte is a win-win. VANILLA LATTE - (decaf) I judge a place based on a simple make of a latte. They executed well. MAZAPAN LATTE - (decaf) okay.. HANDS DOWN DELICIOUS!!! Forgive me if I didn't know what is mazapan even though I've seen it visually at stores all my life - Mexican mazapan circular candy that crumbles super quickly and is basically Mexican version of a Filipino Polvaron. Flavor is a sweet peanut butter taste. They said this is one of their popular picks so I went for it. Now, I come here specifically for the Mazapan Latte. The way they make is as if a piece of mazapan has dissolved at the bottom of your cup and they add soft tiny pieces of peanuts, due expect texture while taking sips. Sip slowly or those pieces will be flinging at your tonsils. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. JAMAICA LEMON-LIME - it's basically Jamaica + (regular) topo Chico, with fresh lime juice. I thought the combo would be great because I love both but felt the Jamaica wasn't sweet and got even more diluted by the topo Chico. Had the Jamaica been sweet it would have shined more in the drink but with that said it was just ok. VANILLA CONCHA - concha reminds me of a stale donut (depending who makes them but mostly stale) but when paired with a nice hot latte, it goes hand-in-hand. At this coffee shop I've only seen two flavors and this one's my favorite of the two. It does not have an overkill vanilla iced sugar top, it's actually subtle. HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHOCOLATE CONCHA - good too but not my favorite. JABA APPROVED. Until the next review...

The baristas are super friendly, I asked for a recommendation and he suggested the colombiano coffee. It was delicious!! Great vibe, cute location, nice art on the walls. Definitely coming back.

Great, unique flavors, served by friendly baristas! Comfortable atmosphere, plenty of seating and great merch for sale. Nestled in a residential neighborhood, you have to find street parking, but worth the task.

Coffee and pastries are so good I had to come back. P.S. I drove from Menifee to try this place again. The Danish (not pictured) was devoured and dipped into a hot Mazapán Latte and that combo was incredible. Delicious and refreshing coffee.

This place is a City Heights gem! I found street parking just fine and walked around the corner to Cafeina Cafe. It's a little hidden but you can't miss it once you start walking. The aesthetic is vibrant and fun and they offer many different drink options. I went with a hot chai latte and a vanilla Concha. My drink actually tasted like fresh chai tea instead of sugar like many other coffee shops. I ordered my drink with almond milk which I would highly recommend. The Concha was seriously delicious and fluffy! I forgot to ask where they get them from so I'll have to remember to ask the next time I visit. I highly recommend sitting in their patio because there are many seating options and shaded areas. Overall, I had a great experience and will definitely recommend this place to friends and family!

One of the best cafes in all of San Diego. Perfect for families that want a cafecito and ice cream. The vibe is fun, open and welcoming. Service is always kind and quick. Love this local gem. Parking can be tough but there's usually street parking close by.

Yummy icecream and espresso AND free pupachino with doggy treat topper give it a try for sure! Super cute setting!

What a cute spot! The hubby and I visited on a Sunday morning and sat on their back patio under the shade and took in the music while looking at all their plants and fruit trees. I ordered an iced mazapan latte with almond milk. It was good and all the almonds and sugar formed a crust at the bottom of the cup. I ended up getting a spoon to scoop it up and eat it. The hubby ordered an iced vanilla latte with almond milk which was very good. They had a case full of baked goods, so he ordered the cheesecake which I loved. It was very cakey, not overly sweet and firm enough to hold in your hands. I also took home a can of mango chili Tepache to enjoy for another day. This place is awesome with friendly service and a wide variety to eat and drink.

Delicious chai latte and vanilla concha is a great setting. Barista was very friendly and engaging.

Coffee is amazing every time! So addicted to this place, we would be here everyday if we lived closer. New favorite coffee spot!

Cafeina is my favorite coffee shop hands down! The drinks are made perfectly every time, service is top tier, and the atmosphere is comfortable. It's walking distance from me which is great, but dangerous because it's so addicting! The outdoor patio is perfect for hanging out and reading a book. The owner and staff are always so welcoming and kind. 10/10 all around :)

When visiting from out of town, I drag my husband to little local coffee shops. I'm so glad I found this place! It is beautiful and of course, the cajeta latte was absolutely delicious. It was so good I had to go back the next day! Their conchas were fresh and soft. The guy who helped us was super nice and helpful. We found parking across the street and it wasn't hard for us non-locals to find the place. This cafe definitely deserves a revisit once we come back into town. By the way, they sell super cool t-shirts, hoodies and glasses with their logo. I had to bring some of those glasses home which I keep on my desk.

Great little hidden coffee shop with plenty of sitting room and tables for remote working or socializing. Cute outdoor back patio area and always friendly employees. I like to support local businesses owned by people in the community and this one is recommeded.

Overall Impression: Like everyone else has already mentioned, this place is amazing. The only "critique" that I have is that parking is difficult to find. :) But everything was pretty top knotch. +1 stars Quality of Food: I ordered an Earl Grey Lavender Latte. It tasted creamy and none of the tastes overpowered one another. I love how all the flavors are rooted in the Mexican culture and I was excited to go back and try some flavors. +1 stars Price for Food: Normal coffee prices. About 4-5 dollars for a drink. I would rather support a small business than a big franchise like Starbucks, even if I could get "stars" than a deal from Starbucks Location/Ambience: When I first arrived, I wasn't impressed. There were no tables or chairs inside (probably due to COVID) and then I noticed that there was a doorway to the back go coffee shop and it was sooo cute! It has chairs, painted skulls, and a great cafe with vibrant colors that made it very relaxing to sit it. +2 stars Staff/Service: The day I went it was a one man show. The same guy took my order, made my drink, and handled other customers simultaneously. Through all of this, it never appeared that he was stressed out. +1 stars

I was looking for a new coffee shop that I had never been to, so when I ended up bringing my car to the mechanic which is a couple blocks away, I found this place. I thought the name was cute & I saw it had good reviews on yelp, I decided to try it out. I'm really glad I found this place, it's such a cool place to stop by. The inside is nicely decorated with a cool mural on the wall & the way the ice cream bar is painted. The menu has a lot of yummy options to pick from, they even offer coffee afogatos which was unique. The music they play is lovely & creates a nice atmosphere. & the patio is such a cool little chill spot to sit & enjoy your coffee. I also thought it was cool they were selling fresh flowers from Pixca farm. All in all it was a wonderful place to come too. I wish I lived closer so I could come more often. I'll have to look for another excuse to come out this way, since I won't be coming to the mechanic anytime soon. I most definitely reccomend.

We cannot say enough about this place! During our trip to San Diego, experiencing local coffee spots was high on the list of things to do, and an experience Cafeina Café was! Despite street parking only, it wasn't difficult to find a spot close to the café. Once we entered, we were immediately welcomed by the owner (Andrew, I believe his name was) as if we were regular costumers. He then happily answered any and all questions while making recommendations based on what we liked. We both ordered an iced horchata latte. We were floored at how delicious it was. You could taste the quality and passion/care for what they do. I was so impressed by the coffee, the café as a whole, and more importantly the people and the service that I purchased a t-shirt, as well. Cafeina Café ended up being our favorite coffee spot during our trip, and if our feet ever touch San Diego soil again, you can bet money that we will go out of our way to stop in, say hi, and grab another drink (maybe even some of their ice cream or pastries this time) from this incredible establishment!