Lofty Coffee Co.

We tried a mix of drinks and food, and overall it was a good experience. The Kyoto-style cold brew, salted caramel latte, and Turkish latte were all enjoyable but didn’t quite stand out — I’d give each a 3.5/5. On the food side, things really picked up. The chipotle chicken wrap was flavorful and satisfying (4/5), and the organic açaí bowl was the highlight of the visit, fresh, well-balanced, and easily a 4.5/5. Definitely visit this place, especially if you’re in the mood for something fresh to eat.

Stopped here for a cortado while waiting for a table at Morning Glory nearby. The cortado wasn’t like the usual I have, but the barista came over to serve and check if it wasn’t ok she can remake it. Sweet gesture on her part but I had the drink. Trendy setting and lovely courtyard.

Enjoying simple food and drink made with excellence. I had the decaf Turkish coffee with cardamom and sugar, my honey had a decaf iced coffee and we shared the egg, veggie and chipotle breakfast sandwich on a fluffy brioche bun and fluffy eggs. Very tasty!! Excellent service and clean place with lots of seating and hood views.

Lofty Coffee Shop nails the atmosphere—the patio and seating areas are a solid 10/10, and it's dog-friendly too. I had the poached egg croissant with heirloom tomatoes and arugula, which was fresh and delicious. The latte was pretty good as well. Highly recommend for a relaxed coffee break or casual meal

I dropped in for brunch downtown and to get a little work done. I’d heard a lot about the Matcha, Mint & Milk, so I decided to try it. WOW! I only reach for matcha 20% of the time (espresso drinks are my go to) but this drink very well may change things up. Was perfectly creamy, sweet and the Matcha taste was clean. The gluten free matcha rose petal donut was another first try and another absolute new favorite!

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!

First time here was just for coffee but their menu generated another visit. The breakfast selection is fantastic and well prepared. Coffees again were great. This is our favorite morning spot in San Diego.

Cute little coffee shop in the heart of Little Italy. Super cute patio with great tasting coffee. Kind service. We didn’t get any food but every thing we saw looked mouth watering!

The wife and I met up with her friends here for breakfast and coffee. It was a nice overcast rainy morning, but we had an umbrella for cover and seating on the sidewalk. CROISSANT SAUSAGE EGG AND CHEDDAR SANDWICH w/TOMTO JAM: -- the sweet tomato jam was delectable but there could have been more -- loved the use of greens, and good balance of all pieces -- super buttery flaky croissant RATING = A "CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE of COLD BREW": -- I wanted to get a hot coffee given the weather, but I can never turn down this beverage (see my prior reviews for specific details on this delicious bev) -- it is a slow sipper and DO NOT use a straw or stir it or you will ruin it RATING = A

Fantastic spot to come get some work done. I like the open air feel with all the sliding glass doors. You can sit inside but still feel like you are enjoying the "outdoors". Coffee was delicious - a little pricey but most coffee spots are these days. Staff were very friendly and it was nice to be able to bring my dog inside. They even had a little jar of treats for him.

Needed a quick treat to calm the sweet tooth. The coffee also smelled amazing but I had my coffee fix for the day. The cinnamon roll was made from a croissant, which I was not expecting. Not too sweet, but sweet enough. Worth a visit if you're near gate 108

Avoid this place if you respect your sanity. The woman who took my order was great, good vibes for sure, however the wait - OMG! They were telling people 30 min at least for food, so I went for coffee only and it was still a solid 40 min wait for an iced mocha. It completely derailed my day and plans as it was intended to be a quick pick up before picking up a few items nearby and heading back to LA. I've never regretted stopping for coffee so badly

Cute coffee shop with lots of outdoor seating. I ordered a turkey and avocado croissant and a cloudy cold brew. The sandwich was so tasty with tons of avocado and the most flaky croissant. Delish. The coffee was very big with cold foam on top, not too sweet, perfect way to start the day. The staff were friendly and very approachable, very kind team. Fast service too!!

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!

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!

Really tasty cortado and incredible orange cranberry scone. Been here a few times and I enjoy the patio. Service is 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.

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

Currently hold the prize for best coffee in Little Italy, 10/10. Nice outdoor/indoor ambiance and service is nice and consistent. Recommend!

Delicious Turkish latte! Recently discovered this special latte and the way they prepared this drink is well balanced and not overly sweet at all! Highly recommend if you enjoy chai lattes.

The lattes are always smooth and pleasantly sweet. Service is fast, and the seating is one of the coziest spots downtown, perfect for gloomy weather.

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!

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.

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.

I've been here twice now. The first time I just got the croissant and it was decent. Nothing to write home about. The second time I got the croissant sandwich with the chicken sausage and it was super salty and the croissant was way overcooked so it was a cardboard. They were kind enough to remake it, but it still wasn't good. The atmosphere is nice and the servers are friendly.

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.

This is the perfect spot for a Saturday morning before walking the farmer's market. The cold brew is bold and bright and the cold foam is creamy and the perfect level of sweet. The barista was super helpful in guiding us to the perfect drink and the whole place is beautiful. Seating inside and out and plenty of room for service animals!

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

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!

Cute little coffee shop, ambiance is cute, coffee was meh, pastry was delicious. Overall I would go back again to try something different than the coffee I got. Also really liked how bathroom had A/C especially in summer.

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.

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!!!

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.

Really great coffee, and surprisingly had really awesome breakfast menu items. Other places in the area were really noisy, but this was a chill vibe in a nice patio area. We didn't have to wait long considering how busy it was.

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.

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.

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

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!

Very nice ambiance. Friendly and attentive staff. We especially love their Acai bowl and matcha latte. Safe neighborhood.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.