Scrimshaw Coffee

Drinks are amazing and well priced, the food is overpriced and not worth it. Don't get me wrong thre bagle tasted fine i was still a bit hungry when done, size of this thing was tiny and as of q3 2025 costed $13.5... like i understand lox are expensive... but come on $13.5? where on el cajon and 56th where supposed to be in the less expensive area! I love this place just wanted to give criticism. drinks are way better than any chain for almost price parody. so come here for drink and expect to pay a good bit for food

Awesome!!! Don’t let the outside look fool you. Be brave, walk in and order! You will be glad. This local small business is what a real humble coffee and kitchen is all about! They serve Delicious just right coffee drinks and baked goods. We tried the Club sandwich and bread was so soft. The banana chocolate loaf is out of this world. The Gibraltar drink and latte art is incredible. Family atmosphere and super loving staff! Highly recommend Scrimshaw Coffee :)

The best coffee shop I’ve been to so far! They have to the best coffee! If you’re looking for great coffee, this is the stop. They have several options, also if you like sweet/ flavored coffee they have options, but it’s not overly sweet where it’s overly sweet. Absolutely incredible service, the employees are kind, helpful and overall makes the experience better! The atmosphere is great, they have space where you can sit and enjoy your coffee, if you’re in town or live here you have to try it! Also such a great place to do some work!

I love this coffee shop. It's in a great spot where there aren't many coffee shops. They are warm and welcoming and have a great space. As a diabetic I do have to comment on the alt milk options. It's a bummer to me they only offer cows milk and oat milk, both carb heavy options. That just means this shop isn't for me, but you may love it.

Such a great little coffee shop. The staff is always so kind and helpful. (And makes great 90’s female rock playlists!) Plenty of seating. Great drinks. What more can you ask for?

Today I stopped by this coffee shop by chance. I couldn't find a matcha on the menu, so I had a classic latte. Let's start with the atmosphere of the place. Overall, it's good here, I can't say that I really liked it, but it's probably the style of the interior. There is enough space inside and outside. All the seats inside were taken, so I sat outside. In addition to coffee, there are various snacks and a selection of desserts. Although they didn't really appeal to me 😀 Additional accessories and clothing are available for sale. You can also buy coffee beans. The service is nice and your coffee will be brought to your table. Let's move on to the main thing, the coffee ☺️ it is really good here. I liked everything about it. The right temperature of the drink, the right whipped milk and even a nice drawing. The barista knows his job. I am satisfied with the coffee. I recommend coming here for a cup of delicious coffee😍

Lovely coffee shop! fantastic chocolate croissant. :) the worker lady was nice!!

Delicious Coffee and a lovely atmosphere! Love the friendly courteous staff. Tried the Banana Loaf mixed with chocolate it was yummy! Shop Small and Shop Local. Support a small business

First of all! I love how this is walkable to get to in MY neighborhood! When I moved here I would recall this shop every time I drive by and thinking I need to go. And inside and was greet by staff and a fully packed house full of students in their lap tops. I was also happy to see that they roast their own beans from a local place that the owners seem to run also? Someone fact check me. I just know it's roasted locally. I enjoy ordering their salmon bagel and on the weekends they have special brunch items and I've grabbed a couple burritos from there. Not the huge ones you'd expect but pairs well with my drink and gives me the entertainment to walk back home. I like coming here and really getting to know the neighborhood.

Overall: 3.5/5, imbalanced espresso but otherwise great Drink: 3.5/5, lowkey disappointed me I expected better. The espresso was super acidic and under sweetened and the latte tasted kinda watered down. Still 3.5 because it did taste good overall just not great. Espresso: 3/5, once again very very acidic. Food: 5/5, bagel was super good no complaints. Great bagel Ambiance: 4.5/5, would study here. Only not a 5 cause I didn't love the tables. Service: 4/5, kinda confused here actually. Don't know what to think. But my mom bothered them so they get 4/5.

Scrimshaw is a great spot to bring your laptop, get some work done, and sip on a refreshing Iced Chai. If you like a little background noise while you work, this café has the perfect lively-but-not-too-loud vibe. I also grabbed a croissant while I was there--it wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was a solid snack to keep me going through the day. They have WiFi available--you just need to ask one of the super friendly staff members for the password. Overall, a cozy and welcoming place to be productive.

I saw this place while driving down El Cajon and decided to grab some coffee on a whim. The place is cute with a patio outside if you wanted to bring your pup along. I love cafes with unique latte selections so I tried their seasonal Meyer Hawthorne which is supposed to taste like lemon pound cake in latte form. The lemon syrup was light and the latte tasted great.

Mocha latte had FROTHED milk. So foamy and sweet, reminded me of a candy bar that melted in my mouth. Taste settled.down after I Iapped up all foamy milk. Would get again. Pastrami sandwich for my early lunch. The combination of salty pastrami, brown mustard, pickles, and cheese was a great midday snack.

Great spot for coffee and fast casual food. My favorite breakfast item is the Lox Deluxe; extra points to any place that serves all-day breakfast! Meanwhile, my overall favorite's the Tamago Sandwich from the lunch menu which starts being served from 10a 'til close. No private parking lot, but it's usually not too crazy finding street parking in the neighborhood, but I can imagine it getting busy if there was an event at the nearby church/school. There's something on the coffee menu for everyone, from deliciously decadent seasonal lattes to a solid drip coffee (completed in a cute café custom mug for the gram). The staff is always so nice and attentive, even on busy days. The shop would be even better with outdoor shade and more group seating, but overall this is a nice relaxed spot to enjoy a treat and small coffee chat.

Not understanding all the five star reviews for this place. Came in at 3pm on a Tuesday and was happy to see beer on their menu, aside from just coffee. They had four selections on tap, but only one available during the time I went which was a bummer. They also serve wine and have to go beers in the fridge. I typically like to try the in house coffee, but again, they ran out and stopped brewing the house brew coffee for the day. I opted for the cold brew which came out to $5.90 which is typical but it was only decent. The vibes are chill, but there are plenty other better coffee shops in the area. Service was good, store wasn't busy at all. Maybe they were having an off day, I'll give this place another try down the road, but nothing special.

I heard some good things about Scrimshaw Coffee, so I decided to pay them a visit. Unfortunately I found the beverages to be below average in quality. We ordered the chai latte and the vanilla latte. Both were a bit cold, and the chai latte was very watered down and flavorless. The ambiance wasn't up to par either, as the music was a bit too loud for a cafe that had half the people working on their laptop. The walls were plain white and a bit dirty, could use a fresh look or some decorations. However I must say the service was excellent as the baristas and the cashiers were very kind.

Parking can be a bit challenging due to the neighborhood, but this charming little coffee shop is worth it. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a relaxed, casual vibe. There are plenty of seating options, both indoors and outdoors, along with a small bar area for those looking to work or study. Their latte was excellent--I've already visited twice and will definitely be back!

Cute coffee shop with lots of indoor and outdoor seating! Seems like a popular place to study/work too. Latte was excellent and the staff were very friendly and quick to make my drink! The music inside was really good too, I might just have to come back and get some work done here!

Great neighborhood coffee shop with yummy drinks and breakfast bites. The decor is minimalist but cute and the service is fantastic. Definitely recommend trying this local gem.

There is a straightforward, simple menu with in a chill vibe that's perfect for studying or getting some work done. The drinks aren't particularly special, but the staff is friendly. I really like that the bathroom has a basket filled with quality feminine care products; it's a nice little extra that makes the experience better.

Great coffee spot located off El Cajon blvd! Been here a few times now and have enjoyed each experience. Nice coffee and breakfast items! The service has been friendly and patient. The inside is very spacious and is great for studying/working. There is some outdoor seating as well! My boyfriend and I like to visit this place when we're in the area!

What a cool coffee spot located on El Cajon Blvd near 54th St. This place had a hip vibe and all the baristas were very polite. I ended up ordering the Figgy Azaela Latte which is a seasonal latte. This was a fig forward latte and it was delicious, smooth and served at the right temperature. Definitely recommend trying Scrimshaw out if you're end this area and not all cool coffee places are located in North Park :)

Overall cafe is super bare bones and minimalistic with not much decor going on but seemed like a really good spot to work from with the mellow music and chill vibes as there were a lot of people on their laptops. I ordered the Figgy Izaela and it was so delicious! It's a fig cardamon drink that was supposed to have a fresh fig garnish which they stopped doing apparently. Overall, the latte was absolutely delicious - not too sweet with cardamon nicely dusted into the latte. I would totally come back just for this drink because of how well-balanced the flavors are!

Small cute spot, prices were good, and I ordered food and drinks both delicious ! A bagel and burrito with some coffee!

Great ambience excellent service and drink was amazing... would highly recommend and will be going back

I like the vibe of this place. Definitely seems like a more neighborhood-y kind of place. A decent amt of both indoor and outdoor seating and it was packed on a Saturday around 2. They focus on mostly coffee but do offer wine (and even a wine club!). I got an Americano since I wanted something that wasn't too heavy. Americano was decent. Pretty smooth albeit nothing standout in terms of flavor. They seem to have some pretty cool house seasonal drinks with housemade ingredients. Would probably try one of those the next time.

Usually I love their coffee. But recently it's been missing the taste. I look forward to their seasonal drinks. I also want to note that they have mostly great customer service apart from a couple off experiences i have had

I am obsessed with their seasonal Lates, every few months I get visit and experience and new drink. My favorite has been the iced butter late ( tastes like a cozy hug in mug). I am still curious about their food as I have only tried their bagels! Additionally, I appreciate how dog friendly the shop is. The staff are always friendly and willing to explain their seasonal drinks!

Its been a long time since i should have posted this. Scrimshaw is my favorite coffee shop, by far, in San Diego. Constantly hitting all the marks i look for in a coffee shop. Yummy coffee. Good Vibes. Good food. Good people. This shop makes me feel beyond welcomed every time i stop by, shout out to Scrimshaw for staying true and consistent.

Just found this spot and loved it! I had the seasonal "California Dreamin'", which is essentially a Calamansi Espresso Tonic. I'm a sucker for citrusy fizzy iced coffee, like Imperial Coffee Tonics, so this drink was right up my alley. It was perfectly balanced for this nice Spring San Diego weather. Great service too! Definitely coming back for that Iced Vietnamese!

I've always wanted to come here since living around the area. It's a very modern coffee shop with a seasonal menu. What I got: -Mama, it's surely a Dream. 11/10 I usually do not like orange-y drinks but this one changed my mind! It's subtle and not TOO citrus-y Pros: - Service: All the workers were very knowledgable and friendly especially when asking for recommendations - Drinks: The seasonal drinks are very good! I would highly recommendation trying them before they change! Cons: - Consistency: The first time I got my drink it was great, the 2nd time ... it tasted more like a vanilla latte. - Parking: (not taking off a start for this) There is limited parking so beware! The first time I went I had to park in the neighborhood

Very cool space to work and study with a delicious cup of coffee. I had an iced americano, and it was so good!!! Their coffee is so flavorful. I loved it. The space is open and nice, seat is comfortable. Service is very good and friendly.

The vegetarian breakfast bagel is always consistently great here. I wish the menu was bigger because i would love to try more food items or speciality drinks. But this is a good local staple that's been around and will stick around.

I came here for the first time this week and received wonderful customer service. The staff was very friendly. The shop has indoor and outdoor seating. I went on a Friday morning and it was pretty busy. The ambiance wasn't loud though. The table I sat at was clean and the shop appeared clean as well. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and thought it could have been sweeter, I wasn't a fan. I also ordered a lox sandwich. The sandwich was yummy but I felt that there wasn't enough lox in it. I would come back though, the ambiance and staff were great, and I would want to try another drink out.

Cute, almost industrial looking, coffee shop with some seating inside and outside. The music is a little loud but not unbearable. The barista that took my order was extremely helpful and gave me options based on what I told him I liked. He didn't make me feel like I was inconveniencing him by asking questions. I took his suggestion of Vietnamese coffee that's made with cold brew and the soyrizo burrito which he had said he really liked. I highly recommend both. The coffee isn't overly sweet and the burrito was so flavorful. I will definitely be back to try other things! Keep in mind, they only do brunch on weekends. Coming in on a Sunday morning at 8am was not nearly as packed as I expected it to be. There was plenty of seating open for me to sit and enjoy my coffee and breakfast!

Just tried Scrimshaw and ordered the Figgy Azalea latte. Overall a 10/10 latte, my wife ordered a chai latte and we also had a plain latte. All the drinks were perfectly done! We'll be back for sure.

The latte I ordered here tasted like a full cup of oat milk with a drop of coffee.... In other words... The coffee did not smack (It was not good) I was pretty sad about it

I ordered an iced vanilla latte with oat milk and a bacon bagel and wow.... The vanilla latte was so smooth and not overly sweet, perfectly balanced. The bagel? Oh my god if I could eat that bagel every morning I so would because it was so tasty and refreshing to eat. The service was really smooth and the workers were very friendly and sociable. The vibe of this shop is very homely and the music they were playing was very enjoyable. 10/10 all around!!

Nice space to work and socialize with people! Free wifi with a few seats with power outlets. I ordered the London Fog, which tasted as it should, but it felt pretty watered down. It still tasted good, but I wish there was more milk or tea to avoid the watered down taste. My boyfriend got the seasonal drink Coconut Head, which I thought tasted pretty good. Very much a bright summer drink with undertones of dark cold brew.

Rude girl at the counter, I've lived in City Heights my whole life. To see new spots I Love to try. This coffee shop I kept driving by morning and evening and wanting to try. Today was the morning to do so, I parked was in a good mood and excited to try. The Girl at the counter rude, didn't acknowledge me. When I did order my coffee just blank stare like if I a bumb from the hood. Never coming back and don't recommend , coffee was not good. I ordered two Iced Mochas and no wow to the coffee. I was ready to just hurry up and get the heck outta there annoyed that I paid. I should have just left from the get go. No line and not packed I must say so no reason for her blank stare

What a delight. Seriously. Staff is amazing drinks and nibbles are amazing. This is the place you go when you want to chill, talk to friends and just quiet your mind. It is 100% worth tour time.

I must be living under a rock!!! Scrimshaw has been here for five years and I work down the street! LOL! A friend of mine invited me here and they have wine and beer! So when another friend of mine was in town for 24 hours, I suggested we meet here since her mom lives in the area. It's a cute unassuming place and great to meet up with friends and chat. I had a cappuccino that was too pretty to drink and an almond croissant. They get their baked goods from Bread & Cie, so yes, score on the baked goods!!! I will definitely be back, especially when I want to run away and hide from work!

Was in town for a day and decided to stop in Saturday morning with some friends who recommended the drip coffee and burritos here. Surprisingly it wasn't very busy at the time and we were able to get our order in quickly. Food: Got the breakfast burrito, bagel with cream cheese, and black drip coffee. Love the coffee, it doesn't take much to impress me in terms of coffee and I'm certainly not any expert but I can taste the freshness in the drink. Breakfast burrito was average at most. Solid eggs and bacon within but I didn't feel like anything stood out. Their bagel was delicious though! I got cream cheese on the side but didn't need it because the way the bagel was toasted was tasty enough. Parking: Seemed like most people had to park on the street so I can see if parking can be annoying at times since it's on a busy street. We didn't have an issue parking immediately in front though. Ambiance: I was told it was unusually empty the morning I came but is usually packed normally on a weekend morning. The inside was clean and open with lots of room. I can imagine a really great vibe in there when it's lively. Service was great and friendly, seemed like they build a rapport with the regulars who come in. Great small town feel coffee shop with good tasting coffee! Excited to come here in the future to try more menu items on their brunch menu but as of now I can say the grub is satisfactory.

I've been a loyal customer of scrimshaw for about 6 years and a local of the neighborhood my whole life. When scrimshaw opened up, I was so excited to see a cool coffee shop open up in a place like city heights/college because most of the good coffee shops tend to be opened up in a more gentrified area like hillcrest and north park. When my husband and I moved away, we were devastated to leave it behind as it became the most beloved part of our weekend routine. I was shocked when I visited a year later to find how much it has changed. What was once a place that embraced and catered to the diversity of the neighborhood has quickly changed into a poster board for gentrification. I used to walk in and hear Spanish music blasting and be greeted by a diverse crowd. I was shocked when I was dismissed by the server and seemed to be the only POC in the place. What used to be a 30 dollar order turned into a $45 order in just one year. I understand that inflation is unstoppable and gentrification is bound to happen. However, it is VERY clear what type of customer base scrimshaw is trying to cater to by their change in prices and overall vibe. It's a shame (and gross) when places like this sellout and no longer welcome the locals that built it up in the first place .

Scrimshaw coffee had one of the best vanilla lattes I've had in a long time. The oat milk they use is super creamy and the vanilla flavor was definitely there. Great place to work from, but can get a little crowded in the later AM. Barista was super helpful and it was cool to visit a coffee shop outside of the usual North Park favorites and branch out to try something else and visit a different neighborhood. I'll definitely be visiting this coffee shop again soon!

Scrimshaw is one of my fav coffee shops in my neighborhood. They cover all the basics well and there's always plenty of space! I love sitting outside and getting some work done. There's normally plenty of street parking and the WiFi is reliably. They're also very dog friendly so a lot of times my dog will just sunbathe in the corner while I'm working. I've only tried the lox bagel and it was good! Vanilla late was good as well. Nothing mindblowing or out of this world but it's a cute place and everything is done well. I normally pop by when I want to change up my work scenery a bit, as I work from home and Scrimshaw has everything I need

I got the specialty which was a version of a lavender latte at the time I was there It was great! They don't have the biggest selection but love the seasonal aspect especially when what they put out is well done. But the menus in yelp are not up to date. Would love more milk options like soy for more protein but I am likely the minority here trying to be macro friendly without losing the creamy aspect of the coffee. The server was very nice even when we were a larger and louder group. Overall quaint spot for a quick cup with some seating if you are a smaller group and wanted to stick around.

Friendly vibe, especially for a place that feels more locals. Patio, and nice naturally lit interior. Delicious brewed coffee and clever crafted drinks with house made ingredients. And their bagged beans are awesome - Pound for Pound is only $10 for beans that taste like a $20 bag!!

Scrimshaw quickly became our go to coffee spot since it's conveniently located only a few minutes away from our apartment. We immediately liked the vibe here, the friendly staff, chill decorum, eclectic music, and good coffee. All of it keeps us coming back! Their menu has a lot of good options to offer, for drinks and food. We've tried quite a few different drinks, from their classics to their rotating/seasonal drinks. Our favorite would have to be the Vietnamese iced coffee, such a well-rounded drink that gives you that kick of caffeine with a balanced sweetness from the condense milk. The vanilla cold brew latte is another great drink! For food, you cannot go wrong with their breakfast burrito or the pink lady bagel. The burrito is packed full of eggs, cheese and bacon. And the bagel has just the right amount of cream cheese with fresh apple slices and a hint of honey and salt. Cannot recommend this spot more! Plenty of seating both inside the cafe and out on their patio, a clean bathroom, and there's plenty of street parking. Come by for great service and great coffee!

I came back and tried the Vietnamese coffee! I didn't really like it as I didn't taste like a Vietnamese coffee to me. My friend said he liked it though, and that it tasted more like a vanilla latte than their actual vanilla latte! I got the veg supreme for the third time because it's amazing and I love it every time! They also have pads and tampons in their restroom which I think it awesome

I wish I lived in San Diego so that I could go here more often. It is an adorable little coffee shop where we stopped for coffee in the morning on our trip. We got the winter special lattes. The orange pistachio was absolutely mind blowing. I also loved the fig and cardamom. Delish! We got a bagel with spread which hit the spot. They also have cold brew and alcohol options and lots of little tables. It's legit the perfect spot to go, get some work done, and get something delectable while you do it. The server was also kind, super helpful, and great.

I came to Scrimshaw on a Saturday afternoon. There is no parking lot, so I had to find parking in the nearby neighborhood. When I went, there were a lot of open tables. Although the space isn't huge, I was able to find seating quickly. There aren't many outlets here though! I ordered a vanilla latte. I tend to prefer sweetened coffee, and this was a little bitter for my liking; however, if you like a strong coffee flavor, this is a good drink to consider ordering! Overall, this is a great place to study and get some work done(:

Got a vanilla latte iced with cinnamon roll. Both were excellent. Little loud inside to have a conversation but overall fun vibe. Friendly service and nice glass jars to have coffee in. Would definitely recommend.

Scrimshaws have a cool kid vibe. I love the diversity here - both with the staff and patrons. They have indoor and outdoor seating, plus a small parking lot around back. I love their bagel sandwiches. The veggie is my favorite, and then the lox and the one with cream cheese with apples. I had to remove one star because we ordered two cappuccinos ($5.50/each), which came out in teeeeeeny tiny cups. I wish I had taken a photo. I've had coffee to stay here before, and they came out in normal-sized mugs. I'm not sure what was going on, but 4-5 sips later, and the coffee was gone. Also, while the sandwiches are delicious, they're hard to eat and messy. I think it's how they're assembled, and their napkins are super thin and small. Not well suited for cream cheese bagels. However, even if all they did was replace the napkins, it would be a win but overall, I dig this place!

I Found this place by accident, I was looking for a good coffee place close to SDSU, and I'm so glad I did! Love this place! The service plays a big part of continuing to go there, even though it's not on my way to get to school. I don't like ready made syrup, and they make their own syrup, which makes The vanilla latte taste so much better, not too sweet but perfect! I don't like bagels much, but had to try the one they had on menu with cream cheese and it's delicious, light, and not too heavy! Great place to study or meet friends!

Had the cappuccino - espresso is weak. Tasted very milky Iced mocha tasted watered down. The avo forever and veg supreme bagel sandwiches were good. The avocado bagel has lots of avocado.

Coffee was just ok. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. The bagel sandwiches were good. The avo forever had a good amount of avocado on it so that's great. The veg supreme also was pretty flavorful. The service was good.