Torque Coffee

Today I stopped by this coffee shop on my friend’s recommendation. We decided to try the coffee, and I had an iced latte. Honestly, I really enjoyed it — the coffee was great. They also have a large selection of coffee beans available for purchase — different kinds and sizes of Arabica beans you can brew at home. There are also lots of accessories and various drinks for sale. I liked the atmosphere. The only downside is that there aren’t many seats — just five small tables inside and a couple more outside. But overall, space was enough. The coffee truly stood out — high quality and delicious. One of the best I’ve had in the city. I’m happy to recommend this place to everyone. The service was quick and pleasant, and my overall experience was nothing but positive. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again.

Great lil vegan cafe! Everything is sourced intentionally or made in-house. Their seasonal spring drink has a plum and strawberry reduction and is best iced. Coffee beans and honey for lattes is sourced from a Guatemalan farm, and 20% of each cup goes back to the farmers. No extra cost for alt milk. Plus ft. local artists’ merch! My latte was a tad too sweet for me but prob what everyone else would like. A great buttermilk biscuit (housemade is so much better) and delicious tomato jam on my Brik brekkie biscuit. Breakfast food options on the smaller side. Love the staff and the music taste 🤘🌿

Torque Coffee is amazing! They have a great selection of well roasted beans, make amazing drinks, and their service is unlike any other coffee shop I’ve ever been to. Such a lovely little spot 😊

The atmosphere is relaxed, with soul music in the background, and the staff are super friendly. I had the perfect creamy steamed milk cappuccino 👌🏼 Also the takeout cups are bamboo, bonus points!

Torque is awesome! And the people that run it are even better! If you value creative and quality coffee/tea bevvies and absolutely delicious vegan bites, this place is for you!

The coffee is one of the best I've ever had in San Diego, well done guys. Thanks to the barista and roaster. I'll be back

I love Torque! The owners and everyone who works here are so friendly and informative! They are in my neighborhood and I walk here regularly for my beans because they have the best selection and are experts in their craft! I worked in the third wave coffee industry for a long time and they know what they’re doing! 10/10 would recommend!

Phenomenal coffee, great staff. You can tell they really like working there. Met the owner and he introduced himself. I ordered the iced Palo Santo Honey. Refreshing and really good coffee. Definitely will be back.

Best latte of my life, hands down. I've always liked a more tangy latte, really hard to find a well done light roast coffee. The vibes we up, music was fire, staff was intimidatingly cool. Flavor profiles and creativity with the drinks was amazing!

This is the most intentionally ran coffee shop! The quality and creativity of their drinks is unparalleled in all San Diego!!!

The real deal. Love this little shop on El Cajun Blvd. Excellent balanced espresso. The barista who served us was knowledgeable and helpfull.

This is my favorite local spot, I walk here in the mornings several times a week for a drink & brief chats w/ the baristas. The staff is awesome, & the atmosphere is very well curated. I've lived on this block long enough to remember this building as a dilapidated eye-sore, so to say I'm grateful for Torque being here is an understatement. They've played a large role in cleaning up the neighborhood, & having great coffee & veg food within walking distance is a blessing. Also, the Americano being recently changed to the Mexicano is hilarious. To the owner - please don't ever capitulate to those who wanna gripe about a harmless joke! They can always drink BRC instead :)

Excelent service & coffee The vegan breakfast sandwich was too sweet for my liking, would not order again scenery was super cute and thought out

I have driven by this place over a hundred times since it's on my way to work. It's a real gem...not a hidden gem...because it's right there on El Cajon! There are some parking spaces in front and I just happened to score one! Friendly staff! Nice warm inviting space! I took my time looking over their menu and settle on the Palo Santo....sooooooo effing delicious!!! I also grabbed two of the southern biscuits, and if they have them, GET THEM! Have them warmed up too! I also got a chocolate mini loaf, so good! This was a great way to start my morning! They also have some tables on the sidewalk which is nice! Definitely worth coming to!

Love the idea to offer a build your own adventure coffee! With your choice of matcha or espresso and the amount of milk I thought was an amazing idea. Especially on days you want to change up your ratio. I tried the smoked Lucas, half sweet and it was quite tasty. Not too sweet and a little bit of a spicy kick which was very different for a coffee. The staff was super friendly and I loved the aesthetic inside, funky but welcoming, with some tables to sit and work as well as coffee bags and matcha for sale. Will definitely be back!

I can not say enough about this spot. If you love quirky, fun, and fabulous this is the spot for you AND ME the bad ass baristas are wonderful humans, fast and efficient with flare. I'd share a pic of the food but sadly I wolfed it down already if that doesn't spell tasty I don't know what does! You won't be disappointed.

The Walkabout App brought me in and I'm so glad it did because I feel like I discovered a hidden gem. I tried the palo santo honey latte and it was delicious. I also really enjoyed the vibe and friendly customer service. Highly recommend!

Torque Coffee has one of the best coffee in San Diego. I found this place by chance while I was driving down El Cajon Blvd. This coffee shop has an incredible vibe and the staff were amazing. They treated you like a VIP and you could tell that they loved their coffee. I ordered the Palo Santo Honey latte and it was delicious. I'm definitely coming back and will make this one of my go to coffee shops going forward.

There was a total of three of us. We love the rotating menu because we get a chance to explore and try new flavor profiles. They have their cult classics too. Today I ordered: "Via Dell'Amore Espresso + milk, strawberry & plum compote, citrus zest. Named after the world's most romantic walkway in Italy, this drink will take you on a journey of coffee love." AND I'm in love...how can a compostable cup be filled with such happiness and sings magic in my mouth. Other drinks ordered: Lemon Shrub based drink & Kyoto Love. All in all, the coffee establishment is at an all time high vibes explosion!!! Great, engaging, and super friendly staff members & strong espresso drinks--no fluffiness; straight to the point.

I had a great experience here. The two employees who helped me gave excellent recommendations. The coffee I ordered, something not even on the menu, was unique, delicious, and beautifully presented. The interior is super cute with plenty of seating, and I was also able to bring my dog, which was a nice bonus.

What a coffee gem! I found this place due to ClassPass and am happy I did. I have tried their cortadito and their palo santo, both executed perfectly. Both balanced very well with milk and sweetness, and espresso was smooth. They have a wonderful and robust selection of interesting beans, and chill atmosphere. Best of all, they use biodegradable cups. Really cool spot, highly recommended for any coffee lovers. Staff and service are conventional, not unfriendly but also not necessarily friendly, and space is small, but cute and well decorated.

Came back and tried their cappuccino this time. The texture of the cappuccino was spot on but unfortunately the coffee tasted a bit bitter. Service was very friendly and I was able to sit inside and do some work for a bit as they have free Wi-Fi.

This was probably one of the more interesting spots I've been to in awhile. It's small, but they have some cute merchandise and decor, like their vending machine with the most interesting variety of items. Lol Their menu was very different so we had a lot of questions, and the baristas were super helpful and friendly. I got one of their signature items, the Paolo Santo Latte, which was really good! So good I ended up going back a few days later to get it again! We also tried some of their pastries, which were really good. On my second visit, I did try their street fighter, and cherry head, and all I'll have to say, is you must drink these with a very open mind. It's really hard to describe the experience except to say, do not be expecting coffee that tastes like coffee. Overall I really like this place for its great service, and unique selections, and will definitely be coming back.

Torque is a little coffee shop with a variety of coffee drinks, food, and daily specials pairing a drink and food item together. There were two customers seated when we stopped by but the two people behind the counter were distracted with whatever was going on back there. We had to repeat our order twice and weren't sure if we'd get what we ordered. Turns out we did. I ordered a hot figgy pudding latte which wasn't overly sweet but had hints of date, fig, and was cardamom forward. My husband ordered a large palo santo honey latte which he really liked (I wasn't a fan). I then ordered the souther biscuit warmed. The flavors were great, a bit chewy to be called a biscuit but a good roll. The vending machine with fun things to purchase is cute, they have a few tables to sit at, and sell beans and swag. They are eco friendly forward and I appreciated the cups and lids. Overall a pleasant visit and worth checking out.

Such a great experience! A cozy little shop with an amazing variety of freshly roasted beans. The roast dates are easily visible on the bottom of each bag and there were about 10-12 coffee variety's available! The barista was incredibly friendly and he prepared my drink very quickly - it tasted delicious! I would definitely stop back in for more fresh beans and a coffee! There's maybe 10 seats in there and they were all full so it might be tricky to grab a spot to work from the cafe, but other than that, it's an ideal spot!

Chemex filters, aero press filters, baratza grinders, better water powder... everything I need for my fancy coffee habit. Thank you!

Feeling slow and Need a caffeine fix? Torque Coffee opened shop recently offering coffees, teas, drinks and goods. Located in an area that's a tad rough, as this side of El Cajon Bl has many auto repair shops but Torque is a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, which will slowly improve with new businesses. Limited street parking. Upon entry, I was greeted cordially by the staff; the owner Andy and his son, along with Taylor the barista were friendly and cool. A bench outside and limited indoor seating available. The space inside is smallish and the decor is basic not fancy, perhaps good for work/study session. Not much pastries offered; only their 'Torque' branded sugar cookie and muffins which looked burnt :( Wish there was more baked goods offered. A double espresso with Palo Santo infused honey caught my interest and that's what I ordered. The barista was nice and served it in a demitasse ceramic cup and saucer, which was a nice touch. This espresso tasted bold, smooth, not acidic and the Palo Santo was like a smokey vanilla note, gave me a caffeine perk. So if you're feeling sluggish slow, you're in the area and need more than a caffeine perk, this coffee shop has the coffee drink with force, Torque!

Yes! Torque Coffee is finally open. I stopped in and had a great cortado. The cortado was super rich and robust in flavor and with a smooth finish. I was a great roast, for sure. I especially liked that they served it on a solid vessel, as it should be. They offer inside and outside seating and plenty of coffee products for sale for home brewing. Torque Coffee supports farmer equity and is carbon positive, which is always a good thing these days. The service was super friendly. Only street parking is available at this location.

I got the southern biscuit and an iced latte with pal santo syrup and they were delicious! The service was great and they were patient and friendly! The inside is super cute and the music was nice!

Ok. Here I am in San Diego again posting another review. So much great food and coffee here which pleases my taste buds. Torque Coffee is where we ended up because we were close. Amazing pastry. Great taste without the extreme sweetness you find at other shops. Coffee is amazing and the folks there are extremely friendly. Quaint space which ties in nicely to the coffee scene. Go get you some and try to prove me wrong.

Torque is a great new shop with great coffee, a friendly staff, and a nice artistic vibe. It's one to try and may just be a new regular favorite.

Delicious coffee and kind people. Very welcoming place, love the art vending machine!

This place is fucking rad. Dope baristas, awesome local art, and super freshly roasted coffee. Get the palo santo latte- so unique and delicious. They use compostable coffee cups start to finish. It's our favorite!

Came here after seeing the reviews and buying a great Groupon bargain (still available last time I checked). Second visit and will be back again soon to finish up my credit. The family and I all enjoyed the drinks we got. Thanks, Torque!

I had a chance to check out this coffee spot. From the outside you don't think much. But when you go inside its a nice little spot. Does get busy, but the coffee is really good. Pretty strong which I love. Not too expensive. Also banana bread is really good but is on the sweet side. Recommend it if you like sweet stuff/banana bread. My favorite part about here was the interaction I had with Taylor. She knew the menu well, she was so delightful and helpful. Her customer service skills are top notch. She made my first experience here very memorable. I really appreciate that level of service even if it is just simply serving a cup of coffee. She's terrific. I would definitely come back. Parking here is not horrid. The coffee shop is on a busy street but parking is available.

I think this is my new favorite local coffee shop. Off El Cajon Blvd. By the Church's chicken, it's a hidden gem with some interesting concoctions. I've gotten the Palo Santo latte, dirty chai latte and the dark mocha so far. Pleasantly surprised by the dark mocha, you only taste the dark chocolate in the after taste so it was perfectly balanced. Pictured is the Gao Rosa Shrub mocktail. It's bubbly and herbal. My partner usually likes iced teas and not sodas so this is a great alternative. I love the little burritos (not pictured). It's a nice snack for the morning. The toast of the avocado toast was okay BUT that "bitchen" sauce was like a spicy sriracha. Very good. Not the same as Bitchin sauce in the stores. There is a fun vending machine from bizarre bazaar vending and I got some socks for $5. They have lots of fun things in there and change it out seasonally. Overall, super fun spot for a coffee date or a quick cup to go.

Torque has really excellent coffee. You can tell they put time and care into their drinks. Their coffee tastes of the highest quality and flavors really come through. They aren't just selling you a cup of milk with some coffee.

Palo Santo Latte Excellent service Ginger shrub Drip selection was amazing Brunch deal on Saturday and Sunday :) Parking can be a challenge but definitely worth it! I'll be back soon :)

Im pleasantly surprised with their coffee here! The quality of their beans is so good with the right amount of acidity. The staff here was super nice. The girl that helped me out was very sweet. They even have a fun vending machine with fun mystical knick knacks and zoltar fortunes!

The coffee was delicious and the service was excellent. I asked for suggestions for both a drink and whole bean coffee and the barista was more than helpful and very thorough. To top it off, the fresh baked biscuits are incredible. I will be coming back!

A sweet experience filled with vegan friendly sweets and savories along with quality coffee including my personal favorite, the Espresso Tonic (by which I mean any espresso or cold brew with tonic or topo chico).

This coffee shop is for the adventurous soul. If you like experimenting with coffee drinks this is the place for you. They have unique flavors. I got the palo santo drink and for that they put palo santo into their honey to make the honey have a unique earthy/woody flavor. I've only every smelled palo santo so to taste it was an experience. I loved it. The drink itself was a little bit on the sweet side but I was amazed at the flavor. I got their waffles to go and it was a little on the burnt side (which I actually liked-- a little bit of the sweet and a little bit of the charred side). I would def come back again. The cafe is small with only a handful of seats if you're planning to do work here. I see it more as a grab and go kind of place. The crew here was really nice.

Amazing service, environment, and nice menu. Love that Oat & dairy milk are the same price. The iced latte is

Friendly staff Creative drink menu (I did not personally enjoy their signature Palo Santo, but my best friend loved it!) There are drink/food combos Difficult parking Limited indoor seating (4 sets of tables seating 2 each)

Decent coffee but grossly over priced for what you get. Service was mediocre. Strange but they are openly anti American. Edit: the barista said it is an americano but we call it a Mexicano because "American sucks" with two thumbs down.

This place is amazing!! Ive been coming weekly since they opened, I absolutely LOVE the vibe and that all of their products are ethically sourced all the way down to the equity for the farmers they get their beans from Drinks are delicious, I'm an oatmilk girly and appreciate that they don't charge extra for it. Also love that they have "potions" that kinda remind me of mocktails. The owners are super rad people and I love what they're doing and they're so passionate about it too. Torque customer for life!!

Delicious, creative coffee drinks, friendly service, good food, and great vibes! Definitely a great neighborhood spot.

Came here for a book swap, loved the vibe! I ordered the brioche breakfast and the iced coffee blossom. Despite the fact they were super busy, everyone's orders came quick + mine was super tasty :) 10/10 would come back

Great vibes and great coffee! Help and knowledgeable baristas! Highly recommended this spot!

Coffee is amazing, good vibes, super friendly, delicious food. Non alcoholic cocktails that have all sorts of feel good herbs and adaptogens in it. Good for having a meet up w a friend or posting up to answer emails. I will be back very soon!

After years of avoiding making a Yelp account I've gone out of my way to make one just to say that this may be a top contender for best coffee shop in San Diego. You can tell that a lot of thought went into the menu as well as care in making the espresso. The staff are super friendly and helpful and the artwork and decor make the vibes impeccable.

Excellent service, super friendly environment. The coffee and waffle are amazing. I don't mind driving all they way from chula vista

The people here are very helpful and know their coffee! The atmosphere is colorful, trendy, and relaxing. All packaging is eco conscious. Pastries are hand made, including vegan and gluten free. They also make vegan waffle sandwiches. The barista infuses honey with to create the smoothest most unique honey latte. From one coffee snob to another... try it! You will not be disappointed.

I'm so stoked this spot is finally open. The staff is super friendly and they really care about sourcing, roasting, and making great coffee. I really appreciate that they will fill bulk jars with fresh roasted beans to reduce waste from the bags.

The palo santo is one of the most unique and cozy lattes I've ever had! The team there is always so kind and helpful too Highly recommend this spot!

Just tried Torque today! I went in for a gift card but got swept up in the menu. The specialty drinks are amazing. I had the figgie pudding and it did not disappoint. I appreciate the earth friendly packaging and attention to detail. You have to see their vending machine, it's fun and unexpected! Service was great and North Park has a hidden gem here. I will be back to try all the things.

Super cute shop and great eco friendly items. Service was super friendly. Fun drink options as well