Kona Coffee Co.

This is a hidden gem in San Diego!! After coming in and ordering my coffee, I had the chance of speaking to the wonderful lady at the register who’s name was sandy. Come to find out they’re family owned and she works there with her daughters. She was very sweet, attentive and even offered me a pastry on the house which was so kind. The coffee was divine and rich in flavor. Everything was made with love and you truly feel happy entering and leaving this place. Would highly recommend. Amazing staff, service and mostly, the best coffee!!

Cozy, warm, and friendly coffee shop with very cool flavors. I had the Hawaiian Mocha with notes of coconut, banana, cinnamon, chocolate & coffee that blend beautifully together.

This coffee shop is outstanding. Their coffee is delicious (even their brewed black coffee tastes great!) and their selection is wide. Their salmon bagel (I recommend the jalapeno bagel) is the best I've ever had. Super friendly staff and they even have some store items (protein bars, candy, chips, etc...) to boot! Favorite coffee shop in SD.

This was a very cute coffee shop to stop by. They have so many flavors and the coffee beans are sensational. The flavor is so rich and bold. We got the smoked Carmel macchiato and the house brewed coffee with vanilla nut flavor they both were amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend to any coffee lover! They price was also very affordable.

Friendly staff, a mom & her two daughters. I had the Hawaiian Mocha and chocolate banana bread.

White chocolate mocha was refreshing on this hot day. The coffee is calming, flavorful, and smooth. I thought the price for a small was high... Until I relished in the flavor. Every sip had high impact flavor. Ask about the special creation because the ingredients will be surprising. So interesting and intriguing to try. I'm a creature of habit but I would be willing.

A slice of Hawaii in San Diego. Prices are a little expensive, but good island beans. Went on a monday and it wasn't very busy. My friends and I got a few different drinks and all were good.

As local Guider, I found this #CoffeeShop#KONA#Such a great place to grab an organic coffee ☕ and what you would to request. Really they've a great customer service.

The girls working here are very nice. The honey toasted latte was so comforting on a rainy day. I also liked that my drink kept its temperature for a long time. It came out hot as expected, but was on the sweeter side so I would ask for it less sweet in the future. Limited seats indoor, it's more of a grab and go spot for those working nearby. It was quite cramped with energy drinks and other supplies towards the right of the store if you choose to sit there.

This is a small mom and pop coffee spot with a large variety of hawaiian coffee in Hillcrest. I got the White mocha toffee nut coffee and it was delicious! They also had a good amount of pastries in case you want a bite. Service was super friendly and very quick. The parking can be hard since it's only street parking but I went super early in the morning so it wasn't too bad.

So far, this is my favorite coffee in the neighborhood, solely based off of the coffee quality! The inside of the store is small, so there isn't much place to sit, but I do really love their coffee so far!

If I can't get Costa Rican honey process coffee beans, or beans from Oaxaca, my next choice - by no means a poorer one - are those from Kona. Kona's terroir ensures coffee that's smooth and balanced, slightly syrupy, nutty and sometimes floral or fruity. Depending on the grower/weather/year, a cup of Kona coffee might include notes of caramel, honey, milk chocolate, and brown sugar. The truth is that Kona's coffee is better than most of the Mexican and Central American brews I've tasted, but because it costs three to four times as much as those alternatives, I only drink it when I'm in Hawaii, or when someone sends me a bag of Kona beans. Why, you might well wonder, wouldn't I drink Kona coffee at Hillcrest's Kona Coffee Company? I did, twice, and here are some reasons that I decided never to do so again: - Parking was a nightmare. - The store was small and confusing, so stuffed with cluttered shelves of food and products for sale, like a tropic-themed version of a 7-Eleven, that coffee seemed an afterthought. - The things that make Kona coffee worth the money, that is, its aroma and flavor, were lost when the shop used industrial coffee machines to brew it and thermos jugs to hold it for service. - Although the company roasts several types of high-quality Kona beans for bulk sale, the shop only brewed one of them, and most of their coffee-based drinks were made using a blend of Kona and other, markedly unexceptional, beans. - Most of the shop's customers ordered "coffee drinks" that combined brewed coffee, or espresso, with milk, ice, sugar and/or syrups. If the coffee in their drinks was true Kona, its shining attributes were obscured. I don't know whether to blame the shop for promoting such nonsense, or the customers, for having terrible taste. Kona Coffee Company is a snack bar masquerading as a coffee shop. It offers what children think of when they watch grownups drink coffee. Pass.

So when you hear Kona coffee you think of hawaii and how the coffee is the best, well let me tell you it did not disappoint, I didn't walk out with purchasing a $80 dollar 100% percent Kona beans because I don't have deep pockets like that but, I did purchase two cups. My wife tried the smoked caramel macchiato and let me say male sure you blend the milk with coffee before you say it's not good, wife made that mistake and after was like ohh yeah it's food. lol I tried the Hawaiian Mocha and man ohh man it was really good. The barista was really nice and our coffees were ready fast, the place is small in side but very nice and chill. They have lots of snacks and merch etc. over all good spot to come and try out.

Service was pretty good, got the cold brew which was really good. I'd mainly recommend this place for their cold brew as it's one of the few I've had that is actually decent quality without any milk or sweetener.

A small coffee shop located in Hillcrest next to the theater, this place serves coffee and pastries for convenience and enjoyment. For a quick review, I would say that the service is good, but I would just go to Better Buzz a block away for better coffee. Reasons being is that no matter how many times I've visited, the coffee is a hit-or-miss and also very on the sweet side, just like other reviews written here. If you don't like it on the sweet side and ask for half-sweet, go even lower. Cold brew is fine, but other ones are watered down at times, so that's why I say a hit-or-miss. For the customer service, they're nice and service is good. Nothing else to say. Overall, come here to support the local business, but I would prefer other coffee shops.

Their coffee is delicious and great quality. The baristas are always nice and welcoming. You know it's good when they always have recurring customers. There are a couple high chairs at the window to sit at & outdoor tables. Super cute inside, but small. Definitely more of a to-go place.

We were in the area and saw that this coffee shop was just down the street where we just had brunch. We were all looking forward to have Hawaiian coffee again since we went to Hawaii last summer. The employees were a mother and daughter who was very friendly and helped us select our order. We ordered the iced white chocolate macadamia nut and our teens had the iced dirty chai. Personally, I have a sweet tooth and thoroughly enjoyed mine, but my hubby didn't quite like it as much because it was too sweet for him. Our teens enjoyed their drinks as well while we sat at the window, drinking our beverage of choice and watching people walk by with their dogs. It was another beautiful day here with my family.

Cute little coffee shop. Just wanted a nice cup of Kona. Menu has a lot of options but simplicity is all I needed. The cold brew was flavorful and roasted beautifully.

HONEY LAVENDER MATCHA!!! It's soooo good. The people there are always kind too. The drinks I have are on the sweet side but I like them that way. Maybe let them know your preferred sweetness level if you're particular :)

This coffee shop is one of the best! The quality is great and the service is even better. Sandy and Kristie are always hooking it up. Highly recommend the vanilla latte and the bagels are great

Went in to get an early afternoon cup but the barista said they were out of brewed coffee. She didn't offer to make another pot simply offered a macadamia nut flavoured coffee instead that was sitting out and shrugged about the lack of normal coffee. Unfortunately I had to leave without getting anything from the coffee shop that doesn't serve coffee.

Really friendly and quaint cafe, but the coffee is well below average - watered down and flavorless. Pretty pricey for what it's worth.

I had the chance to visit Kona Coffee Company in Hillcrest recently, and my experience was excellent. While I saw someone had mentioned parking issues, I managed to find a spot without much trouble. Plus, they validate parking for two hours at the parking structure beneath them, which made the visit even more convenient for me! The store felt like home and was filled with a variety of products! I brought my friend in with me and her son and he was even able to get a treat for himself on the house from the workers. Most importantly, the coffee was excellent. The Kona beans produced a rich and flavorful cup with distinct notes of caramel and brown sugar. The quality of the coffee definitely lived up to the reputation that it's known for. Being amazing!!!!! Overall, I found Kona Coffee Company to be a really amazing spot for coffee lovers. The quality of the coffee and the overall atmosphere is worth the 25 min drive I took! Will definitely be making this a weekly visit.

To start, The lovely ladies behind the counter are so sweet and very helpful. I wasn't very sure what to get and one of them recommended a Hawaiian mocha. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I LOVED THIS. Service is amazing, coffee is amazing, and the vibes there are just great. Will be coming back!

Finally got the chance to come here even though I've lived a few blocks away for the last year. I think they have been understaffed in the past and I'm sure they are still hiring. This place is perfect for a quick stop coffee and snack. The cappuccino I got was just fine, but the blended coffee my boyfriend got was so good! I was trying to finish his before he did. I love the set up in here because they make it so easy to take things to go, and even make coffee at home. Their hours have been weird so you pretty much have to get lucky walking by and seeing it is open. I am happy they have a fall menu, but I will definitely be going back for those blended ice coffees. They are dairy free so they are a good option for both myself and my boyfriend. (I'm trying to convince my boyfriend to buy me the blooming teas for Christmas because they are neat and a great price here)

I ordered the jalapeno croissant just as the Costco delivery guy showed up with them, mine was burned and even tho the lady realized she burned it she still served it to me. Way overpriced for items I can buy at costco

After a decade plus of visiting this shopping center I finally made my way over to check out this quaint Hillcrest cafe. The cafe doesn't have much for seating inside but they have tables outside for customers to take advantage of; but I imagine a fair amount of people like myself take to go and enjoy perusing the neighborhood as we did. The service was nice and I ordered the standard 100% Kona coffee and it did not disappoint; it was roasted just right and I enjoyed it black per my taste. They validate parking with a $6 purchase so it is worth checking out for that as an added bonus.

I love this small, cute coffee shop in the middle of Hillcrest! It's nice because it's walking distance from the nice neighborhoods and after lunch or when you're taking a stroll, you can pop right in! I got a simple iced oat latte and it was delicious. I love the flavor of their coffee! I always get nervous it will taste watered down, but it didn't at all. There was a little more ice than I would like; however, it hardly watered it down surprisingly! When I'm in this area again, I will definitely be back :)

I have been purchasing Kona Coffee from Hawaii for years. I now purchase my beans from this wonderful friendly excellent customer service coffee house!

Tl;Dr If you don't have a sweet tooth, don't come here. Great service, friendly and welcoming, but very mediocore coffee and pastry. I ordered the Kona mocha and regular latte. They made my latte vanilla instead, which was fine except the vanilla latte tasted too sweet (even at 1/2 sugar). I ordered the coffee cake and the almond croissant. The top layer of the coffee cake is basically sugar (sugar granules underneath a thick layer of frosting. Almond croissant is fine but also nothing to write home about.

Closed at 2:40 when it's supposed to be open til 3pm. So annoying when you make a special trip and they're locking up early.

Classic coffee shop. With unique charm. Got the carrot cake and a chai latte with pumpkin spice. Absolutely delicious tasted like fall. Prices aren't bad as well. I was pleasantly suprised since its hillcrest.

I would skip the pastries (I've tried most of them and they're not worth it in my opinion) but the iced lattes are good, the customer service is great, and it's nice they also have additional snacks and refrigerated items (juices, sandwiches, etc). It's a great place to stop in for a coffee, especially if you work nearby!

I'm always looking for a coffee shop that has Kona coffee and this came up in my search. I ordered an iced macadamia nut latte and it tasted super diluted. I'm wondering if it would've made a difference if I ordered it with light ice. There is outdoor seating which is nice! They have a lot of other drinks on their menu as well as baked goods and tons of gift type items. It is located in a complex and street parking is hectic so you can park in the garage. You can validate your ticket at the cafe and get at least the first hour (maybe two hours?) free!

My Friday treat. Amazing staff and amazing drinks 10/10 Fav go to is white chocolate mocha

Coffee is yummy. I've had this coffee before. It's right in Hillcrest and there is a lot of restaurants and shops in the area. I got the pumpkin cold brew. It was good but slightly bitter. The hot chocolate my bf got was really good! It had really great flavor.

If I could give this place a 10 star rating, I would!! This locally owned coffee shop is perfect from beginning to end. From their cleanliness, to the outstanding service and freshly tasting food and coffee, everything is perfect. The barista is always making me new and exciting drinks which is a huge plus when I can't decide on what I want to drink! The owners are super sweet and always have great attitude with myself and others. If you're in the San Diego area, I highly recommend trying this place out!

one of the best coffee shops & best service I've recieved. The girls at the counter are so kind. The coffee & bagels are a must! 10/10 recommend

Best cold brew in San Diego !!! Lovely staff and location with lots of cute gifts and drinks

Great ambiance & customer service, & great coffee! Right at the bright and colorful Hillcrest Village :)

If you want a great cup of coffee this is the spot. Thanks Tracy .... Customer service at it's finest

I LOVED this place! Their customer service was amazing! The coffee is delicious. Please do yourself a favor and try their carrot cake. Definitely a place I'd come back to the next time I'm in San Diego!

UPDATE: it's very funny to see the owners or employees of this establishment are now coming at me in the sense of my "poor tastebuds." As they said to me. It's obvious they can't handle criticism. I just said they lack flavor( read further down to read my original comment) Than Kristi Z goes to continue to tell me how " i dont have the right to voice my opinion " actually dear this is yelp, this is exactly where I have the right to critique establishments. Shot was a bad pull or was it quality lacking? Either way the shot was lacking so much potential. I enjoy Hawaiian coffee and there's a few I enjoy but favorite has to be Pavaraga coffee. To quote she said she didn't want a picture of herself and it's originally just of her back and was just taking photos of the nature state of the establishment. Due to request I put a new photo up. Kona Traci and Kristi, I repeat. I do not own any businesses in San Diego, I am a coffee lover. You my dear just lack coffee knowledge, that is okay! Just don't come at me for the mediocre experience you, Traci, gave me with a poor shot. Life is about taking criticism and using it to grow! Not to come back and fight back on a platform. Kona do better! Will share my experience of Kona owners or employees behaves online on all my social media platforms. Poor behavior from a location, so sad! ORIGINAL STATEMENT: "Honestly super disappointed. It was a such a cute shop to see, very unique details to the shop like coffee beans in the candle holder, beautiful espresso machine. Pastries looked good didn't try wasn't very hungry, but looked pleasant. But now to the coffee I got a mahalo latte. It was honestly tasted so watered down couldn't even taste the coffee. I also grabbed an espresso to taste the quality of beans and very let down. The crème wasn't too bad but the shot lacked so much body and had no complexity to the taste. Not sure if it was just a bad pull or just bad quality of beans. I just wouldn't recommend in anyway. Service was eh, she was nice to greet but definitely not much interaction, i like going to coffee shops for the interaction and the quality. Won't get much here unfortunately. Just seems like a Starbucks vibe. If you're looking for local fun vibes I'll just go to cafeina cafe on the other part of town. "

The Cold brew is one of the best ones I've tried in a while. The staff is very nice and helpful. Also have a few bakery options on the menu. Ordered some almond croissants and glad I did because they were tasty and crispy. Check this place out if you're in SD

Such delicious food and drinks. Very impressed with this establishment. I was very happy to visit this establishment recently, and I was not disappointed. They have excellent customer service. The employees are super friendly and help me decide on what items to get. The atmosphere was very cool, modern, and very clean. I was very impressed with the large selection of delicious food items. The food and drinks that we ordered, we're very delicious and highly recommended. Definitely will be coming back soon with my family and friends. Do not miss out on this awesome business in town. A++++ service all the way. Five stars all the way! Highly, highly recommended! Support a local business!

I really wanted some coffee, so since we were in the area I decided to try it out. I think their coffee was decent if you just want coffee, but it's not something that I would go out of my way for.

Located at the corner of Washington and 5th. There is a parking lot nearby. They validate for parking too! Good spot to get coffee. They have bagels, breakfast sandwiches and desserts/ snacks. The pistachio baklava looks different but yummy. I was going to see a doctor so I couldn't try it-but next time I will.

I always have the best experience at Kona coffee! Today this wonderful woman was working with a big smile on her face lots of energy and super sweet! She made me a delicious mocha frappe with coconut shavings on top absolutely delicious!

What a great find. A treasure worth the hunt. Stopped in for a cup of coffee and left with even more. The baked goods all looked so ahmazing. Selected the almond macaroon and it was heavenly...even a few hours later at home. It was also huuuuge yet well priced at under $3. The portion so huge three of us shared it, over the course of 3 hours. Hahah. As far as the coffee. Prices were reasonable. Portions were generous. Found the Kona coffee option to be a little on the weaker side yet very smooth. Actually, it was, exactly what the very pleasant counter person described it as. Next time I will try the stronger french roast, am sure along with another delicious pastry! :) And, I will be back soon !

This is a small little coffee shop in the heart of the Hillcrest neighborhood. It's in a great location. The shop is very nicely designed and has a relaxing atmosphere. Outdoor seating where you can see the action in a nice courtyard is also available. Obviously, the main reason for coming here is that it's one of the rare places where you can get actual Kona coffee. Not knockoffs with hardly any actual Kona beans. I've tried both types of coffee and for me, there is no immitation. Actual Kona coffee has a rich taste and goes down smoothly. They also have a website where you can purchase whole bean coffees to make at home. The service is always friendly and efficient.

Love coming to Kona Coffee when I'm in this area. Gotta support local coffee spots. Run by a mother/daughter team. They are super nice and friendly. Coffee is delicious and have a really good variety. Milk alternatives are available as well. Today was a Macadamia Nut Mocha with Oat milk. Delicious. Or in Hawaii, "Ono".

Great service and great coffee. We came here waiting for our table at snooze, and the coffee tasted great :)

Ordered a white mocha and a lemon bar. Both items were delicious! And the lady was super sweet too which will always earn an extra star in my book

I came in here because I didn't want to wait in the office for my moms surgery across the street. From what I see, it's very friendly and intimate as far as remembering customers and their orders. The Barista is friendly and made my coffee pretty quickly. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for coffee or tea.

I ordered the Island coffee..perfect blend of hazelnut sweetness and very smooth! Too bad they're not in the Chicago area!

We tried this adorable shop a month ago. The staff was knowledgeable about their coffee and roasts available. We are coffee conissures and enjoy hearing and tasting different roasts! I had a latte with oat milk and it was delicious! We purchased a pound of the 100% beans to use in our Brevelle machine and it's oh so delicious!! We usually roast our own beans, but this Kona coffee is very yummy!! Let's go get more!!!

One of these two things is true, I'm not sure which 1) this place just has appreciably worse tasting coffee 2) after I ordered a whole milk latte I heard someone say "just make it with soy" so maybe they just disregarded our original arrangement for whole milk entirely? Either way I probably won't come back. Customer service was good though, assuming it was #1 that happened. UPDATE: it was #1 I guess the coffee was just bad.