Lofty Coffee Little Italy Cafe and Bakery

We live near the Little Italy location and decided to stop in for lunch—normally we just grab a coffee, but we had been wanting to try the food. It didn’t disappoint! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and really tasty. We’ll definitely be adding Lofty to our regular list for lunches out. Excited to come back and try more!

Wow, the Flower Child toast changed my life. I'm so sad we don't have Lofty Coffee back home. May have to move here for more. The iced Americano was also wonderful!

If you’re in Little Italy and want a breakfast spot that won’t leave you feeling like you need a nap afterward Lofty Coffee is the move. Their “coffee libations” are not just drinks they’re little works of art. I had one from a finca in Honduras that tasted like sunshine in a cup. The menu is full of fresh, quality ingredients that keep you satisfied without feeling heavy: perfectly poached eggs, silky hummus, and French toast that’s indulgent but somehow still feels…clean? The vibe is charming, airy, and perfect for starting your day on a high note. It’s the kind of place you pop into “just for coffee” and end up ordering breakfast too because why not?

I visited this cafe while on vacation with my girlfriend & I wish I could take it home with me! The menu was creative. The london fog is finished with charcoal. They offered a lot of gluten free items. I had the most delicious gluten free pastries here. The coffee was great & the cafe itself is very chic. The patrons were fun to listen to & mesh with. There were a lot of regulars. We ordered the flower child & the encinitas on gluten free bread. The bread was dense & dry, but overall okay for gf bread. I would like to try more of their menu next time. We will definitely visit when we come back to San Diego!

Lofty Coffee in Little Italy is hands down one of the best coffee spots in San Diego! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of cozy and modern vibes. The coffee is exceptional—smooth, rich, and expertly crafted. You can really taste the quality in every sip. I had a Mocha and a turkey avocado croissant!! Super!! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to help with recommendations. Their pastries and breakfast options are just as impressive—fresh, flavorful, and made with high-quality ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick espresso or settling in for a relaxing morning, Lofty Coffee never disappoints. Highly recommend!

Cute, open air cafe that’s dog friendly. The sausage egg cheddar croissant, salted caramel latte, and pastry with egg baked in the middle were all delicious. I heard and saw they make their own almond milk which is nice!

Fabulous little coffee shop and bakery! We stopped here for breakfast. Despite there being quite a few people eating and having a drink, the service was very fast. Everything was delicious. I had the Hummus and Avocado toast. I loved everything about it. Good portion, great flavor, and fresh. I also had the cold brew coffee and it was delicious - smooth and perfectly balanced. I would be back. Nice seating outside on the patio or inside the cafe.

This is the kind of place you’ll remember if you ever visit SD again, very nice atmosphere, nice terrace, very friendly people working there and un-American like good coffee to enjoy, along with well served dishes. The portions are good, the taste is marvellous. When in SD and looking for a nice cup of coffee, visit Lofty Coffee!

Love San Diego, may move there soon, in meantime any visit includes a stop at Lofty Coffee in Little Italy Aztec Mocha, Lofty Nola, Mocha, Latte all good and made with care. Team here has always been great, and great service! For eats the french toast is tasty, avocado toast delicious, and my personal favorite the Cedros hits the spot everytime. Chill relaxed vibe, only consideration is spot gets busy and space can be limited. People who come here seem to match the vibe and have met some great people sharing a table at times. Love this spot!!!

Yes..."Lofty Coffee" gets 5 stars!!! Their coffee is very smooth and tasty! They have plenty of gluten free options!!! It's not acidic or burned! I came here twice during my visit in San Diego...they were consistently good! I had the Mocha, gluten free lemon cake, and the sausage croissant sandwich, it was all amazing! The service is quick and very friendly. Seating is open and most of the time we had to wait for someone to finish their meal! That's the only gripe, aside from that come in and enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee in beautiful San Diego!

When we got here, there was a huge line but it moved fairly quickly. They have dogs on the patio (which I personally love) and it was definitely happening there. The patio was cute. I ordered the Turkish Latte and the Cedros for breakfast. My girlfriend ordered the Little Italy and shared half of her croissant with me. If she did not share, I definitely would had still been hungry. I left content but not full, so I wish there was a little something more that came with the Cedros. Though at first glance it might look a little sad the flavors were there! I loved the heirloom tomatoes, so tasty. Except for the sausage patty, I wish it had a little more umf of something for me. The latte was delightful, I personally wouldn't get it again though. Seemed kind of pricey for what I got, as do trendy places as such do.

I recently visited again and I love their avocado hummus toast!!! Like I'm obsessed with it. I visited on a Saturday morning for a quick bite. Short line and the cashier was very nice. I ordered the hummus avocado toast and an iced Turkish latte since the barista recommended it. Personally I did not like the Turkish latte, I realized that day I do not like cardamom lol. But that is personal preference! But I am obsessed with their hummus avocado toast-- filling, you basically get a full avocado, and the produce is so fresh. Perfectly balanced and beautiful. I will always order that when I stop by!

Cute little place down the street from my hotel. The food was simple but good just what I wanted and couple of eggs with toast the pluse was the super fresh avocado. The only negative is there is no signage telling g you where to wait in line, and seating sucks. There is not enough and business people camp out at tables for hours so people wanting to eat can't get a table. I was lucky a nice couple let me sit with them so I did not have to eat standing up! All in all a cute spot but they need a time limit for people who are actually eating there and not nursing a drink for 3 hours!

If you're in Little Italy and want a breakfast spot that won't leave you feeling like you need a nap afterward Lofty Coffee is the move. Their "coffee libations" are not just drinks they're little works of art. I had one from a finca in Honduras that tasted like sunshine in a cup. The menu is full of fresh, quality ingredients that keep you satisfied without feeling heavy: perfectly poached eggs, silky hummus, and French toast that's indulgent but somehow still feels...clean? The vibe is charming, airy, and perfect for starting your day on a high note. It's the kind of place you pop into "just for coffee" and end up ordering breakfast too because why not?

The best acai bowl ever! It was so fresh and yummy. The matcha was also really good. I was in San Diego for 4 days and I revisited this spot 3/4 days

Food was good, but the best part was the coffees. The spot was cute also and fast service. First come first serve basis, save ur own seats and order through the cashier

So good! My Triple Almond Latte was made to perfection. The staff here are super friendly. Even giving hugs to a patron who's celebrating her birthday. The pastry case looked delightfully. Definitely a favorite.

Delicious and fresh! We enjoyed tasty açaí bowls for brunch on their outdoor patio. Their outdoor space is lovely with a variety of seating in the covered area. I'd never had an açaí bowl quite like this - the açaí was almost like ice cream in texture, and instead of being stacked in layers, it's almost "deconstructed" and arranged like a salad on a plate. Very very good!

This coffee shop has a cool atmosphere located in Little Italy with nice outdoor seating. The barista was friendly and answered all my questions when I was ordering my coffee. I had the Salted Caramel Latte and it was decent. I didn't have as much caramel flavor as I would have liked, but overall it was good.

Came here the following morning after a IsoKnock concert and was pretty thrilled on the turkish latte. It's nice walking around on a cold ass day and stopping by for some hot coffee . The turkey sandwich was pretty filling as well! I thought it was going to be like your typical hipster sandwich with a mini slice of turkey but they packed it up pretty fat with avocado too. Service was quick and easy and the vibes are immaculate. I'd come back if I was around the area.

This place is a diamond! I had the most amazing salted caramel latte I have ever tasted, and I'm a coffee nut! In addition, the avocado toast I had was out of this world, and I don't know that I will ever have anything as good as the two things I had when I was here. My companion had a croissant and she said it was magnificent as well. This place is a must do if you are visiting San Diego.

Lovely coffee spot. To be fair, we arrived almost an hour before closing. They have a great selection of coffee, and some pastries. Ambiance was really nice, although, it was missing some music. Service was good as well and seating areas were spotless. You can tell that this is a very busy cafe. By the way, busy or not, cleanliness is a must for us, it says a lot about the owner/workers' attention to detail. We want to go back to Lofty Cafe at a much earlier time, next time! We think it will be a great space. I will give you an update at a later day. For now, if you are in the area or want a place with great coffee selection, don't hesitate to stop by, and share your experience as well. Happy Coffee time!

What can I say, my favorite coffee experience was at Lofty. I ordered the Ethiopian Sacred Origin pour over and it was close to life changing. It's rare that I drink a coffee black but with the blueberry flavor and fruity notes it was the perfect cup.

Lofty is such a Little Italy staple! I always enjoy my coffee and/or meal when I'm here. Today, my friend and I got Açaí bowls (absolutely delicious) for breakfast post Pilates, and I had an Aztec mocha (has a kick, so if you don't like spice, choose something else) and my friend got a honey latte. Loved both!

What a wonderful experience to finally be able to get in as each time I am nearby the lines are quite long. Today I brought my little ball of fluff with me and he is a rescue and very timid and shy. Amanda welcomed us in and gave my dog a treat. He was so happy to see a friendly smiley face. Amanda then asked what I was in the mood for? I said something savory and she recommended the ham Gruyere croissant that had onion jam in it. It was so delicious with a flaky crust. She said everything was made in house from scratch, including all syrups. The staff all work quickly and keep the place so clean and making sure there is a seat for the busy crowd. I saw them wiping down tables and throwing trash away as quickly as the guests were leaving. Was so hungry forgot to take a picture of my order. Can't wait to come back and try other delectable items. Especially Tatar tots

I tried a new spot today. Lofty in Little Italy. Had the Aztec Mocha coffee and a toasted Quickie Toasted to perfection. With avocado and balsamic glaze. Delicious! My coffee was spicy and delicious. Perfect start to the day finding parking in front of the restaurant in Little Italy. I loved this place. It was a great people watching spot and the ambiance was welcoming. The staff were pretty busy but made time to check in with the regulars. Which is always nice to see.

Great vibe and outdoor patio area, very open space. Some cool drinks on the menu including the Kyoto style cold brew with cold foam. I had the French toast with custom thick toast that had more of a cake or cookie consistency than a classic brioche bread. Overall, happy with my visit but nothing out of this world. It was a beautiful Sunday morning to sit outside, though. I wish it was cheaper but maybe I'm just broke.

My friend and I stopped by on a late Saturday morning! It seemed pretty busy, but we were quickly helped & easily found a table. There were plenty seating options outside! No outlets from what I had seen, if that's something you need. I got the Lofty-Style Nola. It was tasty, not too milky! I do wish it were stronger in coffee flavor. The Flower Child toast was also good! There were a couple of overripe pieces of banana (left side) but apart from that, good! I enjoyed the subtle coconut taste + the peanut butter. The staff were friendly and attentive! The space was clean, but that didn't stop a few birds from flying into the patio area.

Came on a Saturday morning and it was busy! Folks were flowing in and out of the establishment - and with good reason. I had an iced Turkish latte, a drink that is infused with cardamom & raw sugar. The cardamom flavor did overpower the drink just slightly since it is such a distinct spice, but I really enjoyed it. Given how popular this place is, you may be hard-pressed to find seating (indoor seating is limited, but there's several outdoor options). The tables were clean, our drinks were made quickly, and my coffee was good. No complaints from me!

This place is definitely popular. Visited on a Saturday morning during prime time. Waited in line and ordered a mocha (that I thought was going to be iced but neither I or the barista asked...so my bad for not asking or requesting) and a Kyoto style nitro cold brew. I did not drink my coffee as I don't typically drink hot drinks and didn't have the heart to ask for ice since they were busy--my sweet boyfriend ended up drinking both lol. He said the coffee was decent. The place is cute.

Just needed some caffeine on our Sunday walk around Little Italy and came across Lofty Coffee. There were a decent amount of people here so we stopped in to see what they had. - PARKING - Parking in Little Italy will always be tough, but once you find a spot, everything is pretty walkable! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Nice open air patio, decent amount of seating options. They have a menu of all their offerings outside so you can take a look as you're passing by instead of needed to go in. They have a display case of available pastries and bites! - FOOD/DRINK - Salted Caramel Latte ($6.60): I'm a sucker for Salted Caramel anything, especially in my coffee! I opted for Oat Milk and light ice, which ended making my drink a bit lower than full. Nice Salted Caramel flavor, coffee was nicely made. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie ($4.00): Pretty pricey for a cookie although this was a decent size. Nice and soft, good amount of chocolate chips. - OVERALL- If I ever need a quick pick-me-up and am nearby, I might stop in here again!

Came here for breakfast as this was walking distance from our hotel. They have a large patio which plenty of outdoor seating. We didn't have to wait in any line partly because we got there around 730am. The coffee and the pastries were amazing here. Would definitely come back if I were in the area.

We live near the Little Italy location and decided to stop in for lunch--normally we just grab a coffee, but we had been wanting to try the food. It didn't disappoint! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and really tasty. We'll definitely be adding Lofty to our list for casual lunches out. Excited to come back and try more!

Awful first experience here. I ordered a simple cold brew with cold foam and ended up waiting almost fifteen minutes for a drink they already had prepped and only had to pour into a cup. The baristas need a better prioritization system so as you're not waiting for 10 hot lattes to be made before you get a cold brew. They also need to assign a cashier to take orders because one of the two baristas was also taking orders. My drink was also expensive for what it was. Never again.

My friend and I check out a new coffee place every Monday and we decided to come to Little Italy to check out lofty and I don't know if I would go back. I got the Cloudy with a Chance of cold brew and it was just kind of bland. Nothing stood out to me. I was basically a cold brew with a lot of foam if you like a sweet drink this is not it. I also got a lemon cookie which was good but not $5 good. It is in Little Italy so parking can be tricky. We parked two blocks away and found a free parking spot. Service was just okay. You ordered the counter they give you a number and they bring it to you. Ordering was quick enough but then it did take a while just to get a cold brew and a cookie that was already sitting there at the counter. My friend got the French toast and it came with a side of butter and she said it tasted weird. Just the butter tasted weird. So I tried it and I agree it was like a waxy fatty butter. It kind of tasted rubish and away too. We both did not like it. The French toast however was good though. Them every year it is kind of pricey..i think I paid with tip Eighteen dollars For my two items.

Never fails to impress! The turkey on croissant is my go to. Love the hibiscus tea and salted caramel latte. The gluten free donuts are a must

I've been here a few times and absolutely love the experience each time. Food is good, lots of different kinds of coffee you can't find in every shop, and the customer service is always great. Also love the indoor/outdoor patio seating, although I usually just take things to go. Came here in Valentine's Day and they treated us to a yummy shortbread cookie with our drinks, which was one of their flavorful cold brews for this visit. I usually get an iced Turkish Coffee and it's delicious every time. Highly recommend this spot for great coffee, food, and great vibes.

A hidden coffee shop in the Little Italy area of Downtown San Diego. This coffee shop is patio style half indoor half outdoor situation, perfect with the SD weather. They serve breakfast and pastries here as well. I ordered the iced lavender latte and it was on the milkier side but I sometimes prefer my lattes this way when I don't want the espresso tasting too strong. So if you prefer stronger espresso flavor in your lattes, this may not be for you. I liked how the lavender flavor was subtle and not overpowering. Overall a solid 7.5/10 drink.

I loved the avocado toast, but we were really packing in the number of guests. They really should have had a waiting area because there was nowhere to sit. It was loud and crowded and expensive. This may have been just a general impression of San Diego, but this place seemed excessively so.

My favorite coffee place!!! Delicious, dog friendly, great food (avocado toast is so good!). Nice barista's, cute cafe culture

saluted caramel latte was delicious. not to salty. defs on the sweeter side and i typically like my coffee darker but this was delicious. very quick service

Lovely place with plenty of outdoor seating. Grabbing my usual decaf flat white with heavy cream (and an avocado toast with eggs breakfast. Fueling up before I hit the zoo!) The coffee is blazing hot and I don't mind that a bit. The coffee stands up well to the heavy whipping cream. I'll give you the heads up that I didn't get: it's a $2 up-charge for cream vs milk. I have to knock a star for the fact that my cup is chipped on the rim. I can drink around it, but it's a saftey hazard, sorry yall. Very dog friendly, plenty of locals hanging out. Lots of people watching if you grab a table facing the street. It's a great vibe.

I LOVE the vibe and design here. If I were local I would be here on cool overcast days as often as I could afford to be here. My go-to is still... "CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF COLD BREW": -- I did not go back to the menu description but the top layer seems to be a heavy cream sweet cream that slowly drips like condensation in the sky down to the darker cold brew layer -- it is mandatory to SIP it like you would a nitro cold brew coffee so you get sweet cream topper with each sip of bold cold brew and do not run out of either too soon -- one of my favorite iced coffee beverages of all time -- I grabbed a sack of whole bean "Keeping it Klassy Espresso" and will update the review soon with tasting notes The STAFF are friendly and hip. NOTE: this beverage can take up to 15-20 minutes when they are busy on a weekend so bear that in mind

This place is very cute and always has people. The service is good, the people are friendly. There is outdoor seating and indoor seating so it is dog friendly outside. I have tried a couple drinks and it was okay. The coffee didn't leave too much of an impression and last time I ordered the matcha drink which was a little disappointing. With the mint freshness with matcha I felt like it tasted like lemonade and the matcha was grainy. I'm not sure what made the matcha grainy but maybe there were other ingredients. I am used to matcha being smooth. My honest review is that I might not choose to come back here but I can totally see why some people might.

Yes, is there a coffee shop around every corner in SD? Sure is, but this Lofty Coffee is in my rotation for good reason. Excellent coffee. Delightful pastries, soft yet crispy and flaky, just how I like 'em! My only gripe is that I seem to always get in the mood for them when visiting on a busy Saturday morning when the market is going on. The lines can be long but as long as I'm not in a rush and chatting away with a friend then it's okay and the baristas are pretty quick without sacrificing taste and presentation. Plenty of seats in the outdoor open concept layout. Though still hard to snag on a Saturday unless you're lucky! Great if you're in the neighborhood as parking is street only and we all know how annoying that can be around here.

Lofty Coffee serves coffee so good it should be illegal! Then the pastrie I had (Some kind of croissant, cinnamon pull apart thing) was ridiculously good--and the staff treats you like you're already famous. Big shout-out to Amy, the manager, who somehow made me feel like both a VIP and her long-lost cousin. If you leave here grumpy, that's on you

Coffee fact: While Brazil may grow the most coffee, Finland drinks the most coffee! A New Orleans Iced Coffee ($6.60, 2% Milk), an Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink ($4.00), two Lemon GF cookie ($4.50 ea.), and three Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($4.00 ea.) were order. I was going to see my niece later that evening and she was going to be given a salted chocolate cookie and one of the lemon cookies but I'm a terrible aunt and really liked the salted chocolate cookie so I kept all three for myself. ;) They have a window area to see into the kitchen if you're interested in watching them make their baked goods. I will admit that the drinks weren't it though. The New Orleans Iced Coffee tasted watery and the Iced Hibiscus Blood Orange drink wasn't balanced with it leaning more towards hibiscus than blood orange. Oh well. You can tell this is a well-loved spot in the neighborhood. There was even an adorable dollface Persian kitten sitting in the patio that looked as pleased as can be being outside Lofty Coffee Cafe and Bakery. Stop in, grab a cuppa, and enjoy a leisurely stroll down Little Italy.

A little pick me up stop before continuing on our walk. The large open doors and patio create a sort of greenhouse cafe. Seats and tables surround the shop. When the line gets long it may dampen your view in some areas but nonetheless a nice little stop for some regular tea or coffee. We had some refreshing drinks here and the best part of the stop was seeing the town favorite mascot. So friendly she decided to have her own little sit by our feet time. Bringing bright smiles to our faces. Sipping the day away we enjoyed our visit.

Currently traveling with a quick night in San Diego. Woke up to catch our train, and in desperate need of coffee. We literally smelled the beans and walked right to Lofty - our first time here. A very charming cafe with an enchanting staff, and the food and coffee exquisite. The bread on this sandwich is fantastic. A+ Lofty. A++.

NOT MY FLAVOR I've been to Lofty a gazillion times and have never been disappointed with what I drink and eat but of course I always stayed on the same order. Today, I decided to switch it up and am very disappointed that I felt I've wasted my hard earned money. :: ORDER :: TURKISH LATTE ($6.50) - cardamom and raw sugar. I've had cardamom in hot beverages before such as hot cocoa and it blend well. But the cardamom was strong in this latte and it was not a flavor for me. Sadly I couldn't finish my latte and ended up wastefully tossing it in the garbage. I couldn't take it down, it was that awful to me. DO NOT RECOMMEND. EGG TART (~$7) - this was in a separate glass platter near the register and many people were curious and ordered it. Like myself. I thought the base would have a little crunch or texture of a bagel. Nope it was dense and flimsy. The toppings were an egg, hatch chili, red pepper flakes. Sounds good doesn't it... well let me tell you... I'm not sure where the sweet came from but the overall bite was encompassed by a sweetness that takes away from the savory. I prefer savory over sweet when I'm eating something with an egg. I didn't like the play on it. I again took a few bites and was very underwhelmed and will force self to eat it all to NOT be wasteful. Spending $~14 + couple dollar tips was not worth the $16 I spent this morning. I am not a Starbucks fan but I'd rather would have gotten a drink there and their egg tart and call it a morning. Sorry lofty I really like you but not this morning.

We were looking for a coffee shop close to the farmers market and it was a quick walk off of the main road for the market. It's a cute tiny place but I loved the open concept, very modern, aesthetic vibe. My coffee was super delicious, I would definitely come again when I'm in little Italy!

We enjoyed delicious Açaí bowls along with our fresh roasted coffee. The service was great, and the bowls were packed with plenty of ingredients that tasted fresh and flavorful. Plus, it's the best spot to watch the neighborhood dogs come and go. We were really pleased with the experience!

Ambiance was chill, menu was confusing and the item I got was explained to me completely differently. Wish I had looked up photos before I ordered tbh. I'm sure some people don't mind assembling their breakfast for $20 but I prefer mine differently, that's neither here nor there. What was weird was the attitude and snarky comments I heard after I asked to get my food replaced with something else. This review wouldn't have even been a thing if not for that. Made me switch my order to, to-go cause I just didn't feel comfortable there anymore. I get every business that has a staff that knows each other makes comments about customers here and there but maybe don't let them notice?

Amazing coffee, great service, nice place to sit and enjoy life and a latte! The staff is super nice, the flavor of their coffee is unique and really good. Highly recommend.

I randomly found Lofty as I was walking through streets of Little Italy. I decided to stop by for a nice, warm drink on a rainy day. The staff was very friendly. Service was great! It was fairly quiet as most people were there either having in-person meetings or remote video meetings. I originally just wanted a drink which I chose the London Fog. It was so smooth and creamy and not very sweet. As I was ordering it, I couldn't help but notice their scrumptious looking pastries and decided to order a giant chocolate croissant. It was so flaky! I also just found out they have locations in North County so I'll definitely be checking them out again since that's closer to me.

This is honestly one of my favorite places. First off, the coffee? Actually legit. The food? You can tell they care about what they're doing, and everything tastes super fresh. Whether I'm in the mood for a classic drip, a fancy pour over, or something with a little flavor (shoutout to their vanilla oat milk latte), they always get it right. The environment is just good vibes all around. It's got a warm, welcoming feel, the kind of place where you can hang solo or get some work done without it feeling too stiff. They've got great music going and just the right amount of cozy. The staff here is amazing. Everyone is always super kind and helpful. Like, when I come in and I'm not totally sure what I'm craving, they're always down to talk through options and help me land on something I'll love. Big shoutout to Anevey and her daily latte art magic. If you're anywhere near this place and haven't checked it out yet, you're seriously missing out.

Love it !! Got the turkey with avocado and mozzarella sandwich with the mint matcha. The mint matcha was not my fav but dang was that sandwich loaded up and delicious. 100% coming back