Caffe Italia

Very nice small coffee place with some breakfast/lunch options. White mocha was good, I feel like it would be better sweeter but that’s my preference. Sadly it was crowded and hot inside, (got crowded right after the picture was taken) it’d be nice if the outdoor seating were available even in the rain.

Carrot cake for breakfast? Yes, please! It was delicious!! The drinks and parfait were good. My son got the Espresso Mousse, I believe it was called. Very rich and tasty as well. They had a cute little back patio with artsy wall paintings of nature. We enjoyed our stop here.

I forgot to take a pic before starting to eat my ice cream, so I took it after a couple bites. Ice cream was great but I wish they have half option since regular has 2 scoops and I thought that was a little too much. 1 scoop and half price feels much better option!

My wife was wanting a cup of coffee and I wanted some gelato, the first time we went by the place they gave me a small gelato and my wife got her coffee, had to go back a second time we liked it so much, wasn’t disappointed, same friendly barista working the counter, really enjoyed it, look forward to returning.

This place was delicious. Tried an Expresso based on their recommendation. 👍 The tiramisu and creme brulee were the best I've ever had (but I haven't had many)... ok they were among the best desserts I've ever had in my life ever!

Good coffee. Very laid back vibes. Food takes sometime to come out but overall really good!

Came here just to get a coffee fixed before heading to the Farmers market and it was really a hidden gem! Husband and friends all ended up getting the Iced Vietnamese Latte because it was that good! We ordered just one to try and it was so good that 2 others just ordered the same thing after that. Definitely recommend!

I stopped by this cafe today and it was a bit of a mixed bag. The food was def good, but the service was just so-so. One thing that kinda threw me off was that everything's to-go. That was a bit of a bummer. But the backyard is honestly really beautiful, and the whole vibe of the place is nice. If you're looking for a spot with a great outdoor space, this might be worth checking out.

Came here just to get a coffee fixed before heading to the Farmers market and it was really a hidden gem! Husband and friends all ended up getting the Iced Vietnamese Latte because it was that good! We ordered just one to try and it was so good that 2 others just ordered the same thing after that. Definitely recommend!

How is it possible or make sense to run a busy cafe with one chef? And the front cashier is kinda rude about it. Why are they not crossed trained? We were hungry and didn't want to wait a 2 hour wait across the street and came to this cafe. Long and behold their chef is on break and not back for 30 mins. I understand people take breaks but why don't they have another kitchen help? How do you even run a business and a cafe that serves food with one chef? Hoping they make up with good drinks? Mehhhh, the Vietnamese coffee didn't taste right. Guess they should just stick with Italian coffee if they don't know how to make Vietnamese coffee.

I go to Cafe Italia for the salad and the gelato. So, I feel good about myself and guilty at the same time. I love the Fragola Salad, adding chicken. The salad has strawberries, avocado, almonds and goat cheese, among other items. The flavors go together very well, but the chicken is the highlight for me. It is so much better than the typical chopped chicken breast you get at most restaurants. The problem (and the reason for only 4 stars) is that they are too often out of chicken. It is very frustrating to order this salad only to find out there is no chicken. I have tried to substitute turkey, but that doesn't even come close. On to the gelato. I can only say it's the best I have had in San Diego. It comes from Gelato Vero Caffe and is so rich and creamy. The Spumoni is absolutely amazing, and I am not a huge Spumoni fan normally. It is just so much better than any Spumoni I have ever had. I abandon the Spumoni, though, when they have the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup gelato. And, who can blame me? It's the kind of dessert you dream about for days before and after. Unfortunately, they don't often have that flavor available. But, when the chicken is available and I enjoy one of their great gelatos, a lunch at Cafe Italia is truly fantastic!!

Caffè Italia offers great espresso based beverages and very good bites. The service is always friendly. They offer inside and outside seating.

Was excited to see rugelach in the case and had to grab one with my coffee. It was delicious. Coffee decent. Service good. Great place to relax for a few minutes and people watch

Thanks to owner for replying! Happy to help review the business. Update: I started parking for free on State Street. Its free and a nice 5-10 minute walk to Little Italy. Thanks for telling me about the coffee beans from Sicily! Makes it even more worth it. Always friendly baristas that give me exactly what I ask for. I like a lot of whip cream and caramel drizzle on top lately. Must visit place! Tourist and locals alike must visit! Sit on the sidewalk and enjoy outdoor cafe experience or sit inside.

Great coffee here.. strong and bold. The cafe is busy with breakfast and lunch items. There is a variety of coffee and tea drinks (hot & cold). A nice atrium like patio in the rear to enjoy your meal and drink. We grabbed a small table on the front sidewalk.. perfect for a short sip and nibble. I had a small cinnamon- walnut sweet tart with my coffee. This is a very good cafe.

Very busy in the morning hours and it's no surprise. I love the sunny vibe that they have outside by the sidewalk or if you want a cooler area they do have outside seating behind. That is pretty much shaded. Food really excellent for small bites. You can get really full. It's gotta be the cheese! Ordered the cheese egg Panini and could barely finish! Add that to the morning latte you'll be set to continue walking little Italy. The restroom is quite horrific, though I must say it's very dirty and unkept. But if you don't plan to use it, everything about this place is a high star.

Got the jalapeño bagel and the egg nog coffee. Bagel is decent, but overpriced. Coffee is not strong enough and flavor is bland. Service is fine and the seating in nice.

Great find on a Saturday morning!! Needed caffeine after landing in SD with no sleep. This was a site for sore eyes! Service was great, those who took our order repeated the order back to us to be sure they got it right, were pleased and held great conversations. The overall vibe was chill, coffee house aesthetic. The location was super convenient and right next to the farmers market happening at the same time. I ordered a medium iced vanilla lattes with almond milk. A fairly easy drink to make and hard to mess up. The drink was a 7/10. Wasn't a big fan of the coffee, drank more milk than actual coffee - probably should've asked for an extra shot. Overall a great find, looking forward to stopping by a few more times while I'm in SD.

This establishment is easy to find - only a few steps North of Date St, and before the Little Italy sign. I HIGHLY recommend getting their Vietnamese iced coffee: a strong, bold flavor with just the right amount of sweetness. My friend and I drank our coffee slowly while sitting on a few chairs outside the establishment and it was very relaxing to enjoy our caffeine in a slow but steady manner. 10/10 would come back!

Good variety for the menu. I got a blended gelato drink and it was super good! I would come here again to get a latte and try one of the baked goods. Everything was quick and easy

Ordered a 16oz vietnamese iced coffee with 4 shots. Serina crushed it. Def coming back!

Was here for the weekend and needed some coffee one morning, checked the reviews and was glad I trusted them! I had the Caramel Latte and my boyfriend had a Vietnamese coffee. Both were delicious and weren't overly sweet but not too bitter. We also split an Italian panini and could have cried with how good it tasted. It was the perfect lunch idea since we had dinner plans later and wanted something light but filling.

Cute little cafe that's great for people watching in busy Little Italy. I wasn't even super hungry but ended up devouring the prosciutto and fig panini. Also love that they can make a real cappuccino the proper way with the right amount of foam.

Do not like the coffee here and they have very limited flavors of gelato. Service was poor too.

Great coffee spot, very pleasant staff. My caramel latte was excellent, truly one of the best coffees i've had.

Decent coffee Got the hammerhead , very strung but good if you need a nice wake up drink lol Outback has a birds theme with a large birds nest

Server/counter staff didn't greet us for a couple of minutes. They finished making a drink and their conversation. I ordered a slice of cheesecake, the one on display was not the one they served. They said the slice was the same, just different decoration. The case one had jam and this one barely had drizzle. This one has a great cheesecake taste and texture. Though the crust tasted like old fridge. Coffee was tasty and refreshing on a hot morning. Great interior courtyard to get away from the bustling street.

Delicious coffee and breakfast sandwiches/toasts! Menu has a big variety, servings are generous, ingredients are fresh. A great place to grab a coffee and a bite, with lots of outdoor seating

Little Italy is one of my favorite spots in San Diego to hang out when I am visiting. I have visited Caffe Italia a few times in the past. I mostly come here to get a coffee drink and a dessert. Caffe Italia is Little Italy's first espresso bar and opened in 1992. This is a great place to chill out on the patio over a quick lunch or a snack. For food, they have salads, panini sandwiches and breakfast on their menu. I personally love the variety of desserts that they have here. I like to grab a gelato or one of their mini cakes and a latte and hang out at a table outside and do some people watching.

The baristas here are so charismatic and the coffee is amazing. The Brazilian barista in particular is amazing and brings a smile to everyone's face every morning. They are so sweet and give all the customers dogs treats

Great cup of coffee. The staff were really pleasant. Offers gelato and drinks with gelato in them. There's a food menu too. Cozy ambiance.

I ordered a dirty chai latte, and the server delivered the best version I've ever had. Perfectly balanced, smooth, and packed with flavor honestly exceeded my expectations.

Visiting Lovely San Diego and needed a quick bite to start my day. Unfortunately, front desk at my hotel couldn't recommend the name of one place so I just walked a block to Little Italy and found Caffe Italia. I had an iced latte and the nice young lady recommended the Prosciutto, Fontina cheese and egg panini- and the combo was delicious. Chill little spot ,and I got there at 8:20, beating the rush which started just minutes after. Don't think I'll have time to hit this little gem again, but glad I did. Thanks!

The service here was quick and to the point--no long wait, which was great. I ordered a sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. The bread was the perfect mix of soft and crunchy, and the meats and cheese were fresh and flavorful. The portion size was just right as well. I also appreciated the self-serve water station, which was a nice touch. The outdoor seating area added to the experience with its relaxing, zen-like vibe. Overall, a great spot for a tasty and enjoyable meal!

I love this place! The food, location, service, AUTHENTIC coffee-- no wonder there's always a line! But dont worry, the line moves quick. Lovely people, very accommodating. I was concerned with my son having a doughnut from somewhere else and they didn't mind at all--- in fact providing us with plates and napkins! Consistent authentic flavors, you can't go wrong. I highly recommend a double espresso and a plain croissant to dip it in. This is heaven for me

Caffe Italia was a much needed refuge from the summer rays coming in with a bang! Took a look over the menu.. orange juice! The perfect remedy. Service was wonderful and friendly. While regaining some strength we filled up with water and did a pit stop. It's a popular spot in little Italy to get in and out with ease. The back alley was a shaded haven with a little secret hideaway from the crowded street. Nice spot to recharge.

I'm back and I can't get enough! Drove over 90mil To have a Caffe Emmline, anytime I'm in SD or headed down to Baja California I have to stop by, they're always so sweet! The place is so cute and at a prime spot, you can walk around there's always so much to do!

Reasonable prices and good food and coffees. A lot of seating space outside and inside. Great service.

We only ordered a large nitro cold brew, so I can't speak on other items, but.... The staff and cold brew are perfect! Beautiful little place with amazing people and a great location, what more can you ask for!

Not bad at all for a quick pick-me-up! Little to no wait at all for both ordering and receiving my drink. I ordered an Iced Caramel Latte double shot and extra sweetened and it was fairly decent. The caramel flavor is derived from a sauce and no complaints on that end, just not anything particularly spectacular, but it surely does the job. The service was decent and the interior is intimate and cutely designed, a fair amount of chairs and tables available if you'd like to dine in. Would stop by again if I'm in the area!

Great spot to grab coffee while you walk around little Italy or wait for a reservation nearby! Coffee was great!

I went here almost everyday for 3 years (only stopped going because I moved away). Great neighborhood place where all the locals go. I miss getting my coffee everyday from the longtime baristas, Chandler and Ethan. The owner (can't recall his name right now) is a great, genuine guy too.

Visited Caffé Italia on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The ambiance was nice and mellow. The staff was welcoming and friendly. I ordered a Ice Blended Chai Latte and a Orange Baba, both were delicious.

[Drink] - Caffe Emmline ($7.75): Yummy drink! Tastes just like coffee ice cream while keeping you awake :) Not too sweet for those that don't like overly sweet drinks [Service] - Line up to order and wait for your order to be called - Staff were nice, helpful, and attentive [Ambiance] - Small little cafe that can still fit a few tables inside and out, and a bar for those that wants to sit for a chat or to get some work done.

I was hoping when I came here that they would have a speciality Italian coffee. The only thing they were able to offer me is an espresso. I ended up getting the pumpkin cake latte and I was kinda disappointed. It tasted pretty watered down.

Wow. Went for a double decaf flat white with heavy cream and not only is it lava hot, it is DELICIOUS. (And STRONG. Whoa the double!) With so many coffee shops here in Little Italy, it's going to be impossible to say this one is the best, but the ambience and the kind service and the SUPER HOT coffee are going to make this a unique highlight of the trip. The other shops have their patios on the street, but Caffe Italia has theirs nestled behind the shop, making a shady space that feels like a courtyard between the buildings. The running water and little birds flitting around truly make this little space magical. Lovely! You'll be glad you stopped by!

I guess it's a "write a coffee review" type of week for me. The space: I visited Caffe Italia during the week on a Wednesday. The place was busy and bustling with lots of folks coming in and out. You're almost immediately transported to another city and or country. The atmosphere is that of a busy urban city. The vibe: There are people taking meetings, studying, standing at the counter drinking their expressos. Young dads coming in with a double stroller with their kiddos, young families with their kids. Basically, a little bit of everything. Lots of energy, lots of activity. I managed to find a table outside in the corner to enjoy a couple sips of my latte before taking off. Wouldn't recommend this place: to study (especially if you're sensitive to loudness), wouldn't rec this café if you're visiting with kids either. Little Italy is a bubble and Cafe Italia definitely fits the bubble. Caffe Italia is serving it's purpose.

Whenever we're in the area visiting,we always stop for a coffee. Whether it's a hot, iced or blended coffee,it's always a great cup! They also have desserts, pastries and sandwiches. Staff are always nice,even when it's busy and overwhelming. It can get busy, but that's a good sign right? There's some seating inside but outside in the back is the place to go. Super cute area with tables and cute for photos.

Walking to a diner from our hotel and we came upon this place. At my husband's urging, I agreed to go in. Thank you Jesus! The avocado toast was fantastic! Many versions to choose from, but you couldn't go wrong with any. The coffee was excellent as was the friendly staff. Will absolutely go back for the exact same thing. Avocado toast and coffee please and thank you.

A convenient spot for coffee located right in the middle of Little Italy. I visited during the afternoon and sat outside (they have both indoor and outdoor seating). I ordered a simple americano and it was good! Nothing out of the ordinary - it was what I was looking for! They also have a small food menu, some gelato, pastries and some alcoholic drinks. Good spot to check out if you're in the area!

This is a nice place to get coffee and goodies. While we were waiting for breakfast at Morning Glory we came here based on Yelp reviews. This is a lot more fun then a large boring coffee company that many of us visit. They packed a lot of character into the small space. The excellent little Jewish Rugelach pastries are similar to Baklava but pleasantly not as sweet. If you need a break stop by for a treat.

Convenient coffee shop in the heart of Little Italy, was able to walk to it after walking around farmers market on Saturday. Parking is busy around there but it's walking friendly and plenty of street parking all around. Has a coffee menu, pastries, gelato and a small food menu. I got a 12 oz caffe latte which was fine. There is seating inside, shared outside area with other businesses, and bathroom is shared with the hotel next door.

Came here looking for tiramisu and no line! I got the tiramisu cup which was a 5/5 and hit the craving. My boyfriend got the cannoli which we didn't love. But I recommend for a quick dessert pick up!

A small size gelato is a huge serving of gelato! They serve 2 generous scoops of gelato flavors. It's delicious. A great spot to hang out at.

Excellent place for coffee and breakfast. Both taste great. There are seats indoor and in the front and back. They allow dogs in. Parking can be difficult depending on the time of the day. You order in the front, wait for your drink on the side and get a number for the food which would be brought out to you from kitchen. I tried the Italian Panini and Chai Latte and they were both great.

Eggnog latte - visited Little Italy in November and this was one of their specialty holiday drink. ordered it as hot for dine in for the latte art but latte art is available as both togo and dine in! latte is topped with cinnamon powder. coffee was aromatic and strong but eggnog flavor is not so strong. honestly tasted like a regular vanilla latte to me. if you like sweeter coffee drinks, this is not for you as latte is very lightly sweetened. Service is quick and friendly :D Shop has a lot more seating than expected, there is a large room with multiple tables, chairs, and outlets in the back (very secluded from the front, perfect for studying). Interior gives off homey bar vibes.

Visiting San Diego for a few days and wanted a hot chocolate. Found reviews of Caffe Italia and decided to give it a try. I actually ended up ordering the cafe mocha. It was a bit on the sweet side, but satisfied my craving for the original idea of a hot chocolate. It was smooth, creamy and had a hint of cinnamon. I also picked up a drip coffee for my husband but upon tasting it (I took it to go) it was a bit cold and didn't taste freshly brewed, even though I asked specifically if it was. Even with cream and brown sugar it was disappointing. So I'm giving them 3 stars - a blended review and rating based on the combination of the order. Parking was also difficult to find. It looks like a cute area (Little Italy) with several restaurants and bars that I would come back to explore.