Zumbar Coffee & Tea

Coffee done right! I was also super tempted to buy beans but I am leaving town. This place is so popular that it needs more tables. We were already halfway done before we got a table for the 4 of us.

The Latte was perfect, the espresso they make is of great quality, I will stop by for my next visit!

Seriously THE BEST coffee I’ve had in all of San Diego. I had a honey cinnamon latte and it did not disappoint. It wasn’t bitter or sweet. Zumbar is such an unassuming spot but they do coffee THE RIGHT WAY. I cannot rave enough about this place. Their pastries are also lovely ! I wish they had more locations because the drive from Chula Vista is a lot but it’s worth the trip it’s that good. Please open a location near meee !!

Went past this coffee shop a million times when I were in school but oddly never tried to come in. The smell of coffee beans is overwhelming cause you can see them being roasted in the back. The ice oat milk latte is highly recommended for its creaminess and not sweet at all.

Pros -nice place -ample of seating -coffee is delicious -delicious blueberry muffin Cons -mocha coffee was meh. They used chocolate syrup and you can taste the mediorce syrup. -parking lot is small.

I searched “espresso near me” and found this proposal a short drive away from UCSD campus (1 exit off I-5) and it was worthy it. Delicious macchiato, cappuccino. Pretty generous baked good offerings for a small coffee shop. But the rating is for the coffee products only. [Revisit 6/2022, bought some beans]

Nice traditional coffee shop w limited seating in small strip mall. Coffee taste/quality: Good. NOTES - Only 1 espresso variety available. Decaf espresso also available. - Zumbar Cafe does NOT take cash. - Alternative milks (soy & almond available) are $1.00 upcharge and upcharge is not advertised on their menu. OVERALL Expensive, but cute shop for the neighborhood. Good place for meeting dates or colleagues.

Oh, where do I begin with Zumbar Coffee & Tea? The staff and atmosphere are absolutely top-notch, earning a solid five-star rating without a doubt. The moment you step in, you're embraced with warm hospitality that feels like a friendly coffee hug. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy your favorite brew. Now, about the latte... *sigh* Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the rest of the experience. I must be honest; I was left disappointed with the latte, as it tasted more like 90% milk than the rich, robust coffee goodness I was hoping for. It lacked that strong espresso kick that makes a latte truly memorable. A latte with too much milk can feel like drowning your coffee dreams, and that's what happened here. However, despite the latte hiccup, I would still encourage you to visit Zumbar Coffee & Tea for the exceptional staff and inviting atmosphere. Their dedication to service and creating a welcoming space deserves all the stars. Who knows, maybe they can work some magic on the latte front in the future. But for now, stick to their other offerings and bask in the positive vibes they effortlessly deliver. Here's to hoping for a better latte experience next time!

No frills, just a small high-end coffee hub. Reviewing the coffee beans, the ambiance and the service: all are good. I picked up a bag of single origin beans from Ethiopia to prepare espresso with. The beans were roasted the same day that I picked them up, and I learned after preparing them that they should be rested a few days for optimal flavor. I wish they had told me this in the store! I am not sure how I feel about the beans I got - so I will update this later once I have a review of that. I can say that while I was at Zumbar, I tried their hummingbird espresso blend which was complex and unique. Update: great beans.

As a self professed coffee snob...going through a period of coffee detox because of heartburn...I ordered the decaf latte with whole milk. I was very impressed for a decaf coffee to have robust flavor, notes of caramel and chocolate. Topped with amazing foam.

zumbar coffee is great quality coffee and sweets, like their carrot cake muffin and scones! great flavor and full bodied coffee. great local spot!

This place is kind of a hidden gem. Placed in a tiny strip of shops right before the 5 north exit. The name on the building only says coffee. Ordered a honey latte with oat milk. So delicious. The coffee is very smooth. Very busy in the mornings before work. However, staff is extremely nice.

Great coffee and yummy muffins. Kind of a hole in the wall but busy as I waited a while for my Americano- ....seemed a little short staffed. Pricing is ok and always great supporting a small business owner. Will def return...

I am a coffee snob. Let's start there. I'm a not rude coffee lady, but I appreciate quality strong coffee. This place was so good I went back two days in a row! Honestly, I stumbled across this location. I was driving around school (UC San Diego area) and I was on a 10% battery with no car charger. I found the closest coffee spot location to recharge and do homework. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this place is the epitome of the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover." I just got a simple double shot, oat milk latte. Michelle handed me the most beautiful latte art! I was so impressed and it made me so happy! When I was about to leave, I asked about the nitro they offered. Michelle was so kind to offer me a sample. I think her kindness and generosity made me want to come back the very next day. Customer service is a plus but the coffee alone is A+++ I am sad I am back in Hawaii with my Zumbar coffee. I will be back soon

This is by far my most favorite coffee shop in San Diego! They roast their beans right there in the shop to ensure freshness. I love the aroma from their coffee, which is very unique. I usually get an iced latte with oat milk. I think that's a perfect combination at this shop!

Crappy location, not very friendly staff when I visited, not so appetizing sweets, and the lid for the cup came off and spilled on me. I appreciate the eco friendliness but...

Hot or iced, they know how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Parking can be tough during rush hours though.

Discovered this coffee spot during my lunch break since it is about 5 mins by my work. Even though this place does not offer your typical syrups to add into your coffee (ex: vanilla, hazelnut, toffee, etc), I still enjoyed the coffee. I got the honey iced latte and that was able to fulfill my caffeine craving. The ambiance of this place is very warm and relaxing, with the staff being so friendly and welcoming, I will be back to get more when I am in need for more caffeine before or during work.

Zumbar espresso is so so good. I always get a short latte and it's always delicious!!

favorite coffee shop in all of San Diego. In store, to go, whole beans, and those muffins! Can't recommend ZUMBAR enough as an 8-year customer.

Had a rough day and needed a pick-me-up, so I grabbed a mocha and a blueberry cookie at Zumbar and headed to Torrey Pines. The blueberry cookies were a total win - bursting with flavor and super fresh. Can't say the same for the coffee, though; given the hype around the place, I expected more. Despite the so-so coffee, those cookies were so good that I'm definitely planning to swing by again just for them. It's funny how sometimes one part of a place can shine way brighter than the rest!

My daughter visited Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia for a short term missions trip recently. She couldn't stop talking about and shared effusive praise about the Ethiopian coffee she drank on the regular while visiting that African country. This is coming from my girl who recently gave up caffeine. The Ethiopian coffee she raved about was so delish that she was willing to pause her stoppage of caffeine. If Ethiopian coffee was that amazing, then I wanted to experience it myself. I found Zumbar Coffee & Tea where I experienced my first Ethiopian coffee. My Baby Girl was spot on about her affinity for Ethiopian coffee. Zumbar is located in the Sorrento Valley area west from Mira Mesa. If you're familiar with where Coast Volleyball Club or the VA Medical Clinic, it's in between these two locations. The coffee shop is located in a small outdoor strip mall where you can find Sorrento Deli Mart & Liquor, Cycle Quest, Lucky Bolt, and a Mexican Food joint. As you enter Zumbar, you'll find mounted pics of coffee influenced art. There is seating inside and there is seating outside. This place was bumping for a 10am visit. The customer service was outstanding from all of the staff I interacted with. The young gentleman barista was friendly and informative about the allure of Ethiopian coffee. When my daughter spoke so glowingly about her Ethiopian coffee experience, she never mentioned what type of Ethiopian coffee. She kept telling us that we would love that style of coffee. I was determined to try Ethiopian, so I was happy to find that Zumbar offered this type of coffee. When I asked the staff what Ethiopian coffee they recommended, they said Natural Ethiopia, so I placed an order for that flavor. They also asked if I wanted it to be a latte, mocha, or cappuccino. I decided on a latte and proceeded to ask if they could make it sweet. They said they could and recommended honey, which I agreed to. If you're interested in trying Ethiopian coffee, I highly recommend you order a Natural Ethiopia latte with honey. I now understand why my daughter couldn't stop talking about Ethiopian coffee. It was very flavorful, it's got a distinct taste, it was yummy, smooth, and I savored every sip. After my daughter heaped so much praise about Ethiopian coffee while visiting Ethiopia, I am now on a quest to experience Ethiopian coffee whenever I visit a coffee shop. If this review has intrigued you to do the same, your first stop needs to be Zumbar Coffee & Tea. Definitely order the Natural Ethiopa latte with honey.

I'm considered frugal in terms of buying coffee but this place is my daily goto! Love the noise and vibe in the morning, makes you feel alive

Oh, where do I begin with Zumbar Coffee & Tea? The staff and atmosphere are absolutely top-notch, earning a solid five-star rating without a doubt. The moment you step in, you're embraced with warm hospitality that feels like a friendly coffee hug. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy your favorite brew. Now, about the latte... *sigh* Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the rest of the experience. I must be honest; I was left disappointed with the latte, as it tasted more like 90% milk than the rich, robust coffee goodness I was hoping for. It lacked that strong espresso kick that makes a latte truly memorable. A latte with too much milk can feel like drowning your coffee dreams, and that's what happened here. However, despite the latte hiccup, I would still encourage you to visit Zumbar Coffee & Tea for the exceptional staff and inviting atmosphere. Their dedication to service and creating a welcoming space deserves all the stars. Who knows, maybe they can work some magic on the latte front in the future. But for now, stick to their other offerings and bask in the positive vibes they effortlessly deliver. Here's to hoping for a better latte experience next time!

This location is tucked away on the corner of Sorrento Valley/freeway. A no-frills coffee shop - they provide the coffee in mugs if you stay, as well as a self service station for all in house and to go needs (dirty dishes, lids/lid stickers, sugar, splenda, honey, syrup etc.). They even have low glasses and a water carafe for guests. There is limited parking and seating in the area, but it is great to have a quick chat or sit and enjoy. The french press is extremely fresh and does not need much of anything added. Excited to frequent this place

Not having vanilla at a coffee shop in 2023 is SO weird to me any time I run into it but the coffee was still enjoyable. Coffee: 4 Service: 5 Location: 2 Ambiance: 2 (Out of 5 )

Zumbar is a unique coffee shop and must visit if you are a coffee lover. They have a simple and small menu. The smell and the flavour of their coffee are very rich and smooth and does not taste bitter. I believe they roast beans at this location. It's pretty small and they have couple tables inside and outside. It's located in a small plaza but you can usually find a parking slot. It has a low-key vibe and the staff are friendly. Try out this coffeeshop if you enjoy a rich flavour of a coffee.

The coffee here is EXCELLENT!!! I had a beautiful, delicious Honey Latte, quad shot in tall cup. It was superb. They are roasting the beans in the back every day and it shows in the flavor! If my review was only about the coffee it would be five stars hands down! BUT the ambience is almost TOO low key... it feels borderline dirty... and the pastry offerings are slim (thankfully Hommage Bakery is fright next door! ;) ). The staff are 'over it', and more interested in their ongoing conversation with each other. But - the product is superb nonetheless! Oh - but their bathroom needs an exhaust fan, ewwwww!

This is certainly the neighborhood darling, and Sorrento Valley's little secret weapon. You can tell because they get crowded during weekday AND wknd mornings. Love the low key vibe, and certainly their Vanilla Latte with simple syrup, both iced and hot.

Hands down Zumbar Coffee is the best in the town!! I have not been disappointed once.. from the welcoming ambience to the silky smooth mochas, overall great experience! They also have great croissants, and that date nuts bar is to die for!!

This is my favorite coffee place, when I drop of my wife to work I always stop by to get me cup of mocha or a latte and a croissant or other pastry, my daughter loves their almond croissant while I like chocolate. Plus I know that their coffee is freshly roasted because you can see them roasting it at the back and the selection of roasted coffee is great. The service is quick and if you are in a hurry unless there's a lot of people you will be in and out fast and they always have at least two people in the counter but most of the time there's three of them to take care of other concerns while the barista is busy making coffee and the cashier is busy getting the order. It's a very simple set up just a few selections to choose from so it won't take you long to choose what you want same with the pastries. 2 table inside and more outside so it's not crowded even if you are waiting inside. You can watch the barista make your coffee or the roaster roasting coffee while waiting and read the bags of coffee in the shelves and read where the coffee beans came from and what flavor you will taste if you decides to get some roasted coffee beans.

Almond croissant is delicious! Coffee is also really good. I love walking into a coffee shop and getting hit by the smell of coffee beans. Nice place to try!

This place has some absolutely fantastic coffee. The only thing that sucks is the location. It's a bit hard to find but it isn't really around much. The service here was just ok they weren't very helpful when it came to ordering. However the coffee was amazing, they roast their own beans and have a sweet latte machine. However their tea/ chai selection is kinda lacking, there's no matcha and the chai my friend ordered was very watered down. The pastries were very generic and there weren't many options to choose from. However the coffee is slammin!!

Love the lattes at Zumbar! It's not a fancy coffee shop, but the coffee here are ! There are a few tables outside to enjoy your drinks. Staff here are very friendly and they are very talented with their latte art . One of my favorite spots to go to on my day off. Highly recommend !

Zumbar has ruined all other coffee shops for me! The oat milk latte with honey is seriously amazing. And the service is friendly and quick. Love this place!!! My perfect Saturday morning is getting my latte from Zumbar and then grabbing a breakfast sandwich and pastry from the bakery next door.

Great coffee at very reasonable prices. They do French press and always warn of an approximate 5 minute wait time. They have very limited breakfast items, mostly muffins and croissants. The blueberry muffin ($4) is fantastic. No indoor seating. Limited outdoor seating (maybe 2 tables).

Always a great cup of coffee whether this location or the one in BayHo. The flavored drinks in BayHo are an expression of the talents of the Baristas. Keep at it.

I love all the coffee here and the scones are so yummy. You do have to come early to grab yourself the more popular pastry items. The parking lot can get a little crammed during the morning, but with cars coming and going you will get a spot no problem. Their drip coffee is seriously strong, and never too bitter. I think it's a great location if your office is near, and it's a great spot to meet for a catch up with friends as well.

I've been going here since they opened, always loved and recommended the hummingbird ristretto. It's been a while. I went back around Thanksgiving, and it wasn't the same. The staff was less attentive, the good croissants from Opera are gone since they closed. I got my double and walked out. Took a sip as I sat in my car on a call, and it wasn't the same buttery cup of joy I'm familiar with. I wrote it off and went about my day. 2 weeks ago I went back and had the same experience. Not sure if the person pulling shots knows what he's doing, but same bitter taste. Over extraction usually causes this. I wonder if the original staff all relocated to Encinitas or sold their share and left or this guy is on a caffeine and nicotine diet and has no taste buds. The mocha that was ordered was also not the same. Please fix this.

Man, I tend to go out of my way to find great coffee anywhere I travel to gor work. Coffee aside, (which was solid), the second you walk into this place, seems like the employees are walking on eggshells, or just hate their job. There's an instant negative vibe and the least amount of customer engagement possible. I hope I walked in during a super busy part of their morning and things will be different next time.

Zumbar is probably one of favorite coffee spots in San Diego. The espresso based drinks here is top notch and the baristas here really know what they are doing. I usually order a latte with an extra espresso shot in order to taste more of their coffee beans. Since they also roast the beans themselves, you really can't go wrong and I frequently buy a bag to bring back home in the bay area. The seating here is very limited so I suggest you come here to go.

They make a FANTASTIC mocha! It's a bit on the expensive side, but considering the craft, it's worth it. Speaking of the craft of coffee-making, this place is all about making the purest, most exacting quality cup of coffee that would cause even the hippest of hipsters to be pleased. While they are super into the craft of coffee, I appreciate that they don't look down on those of us who like a good mocha, so whether it's the perfect French press or a picture perfect espresso drink, Zumbar is there for you.

The best coffee in the area. Simple menu. Solid coffee. The honey oat milk latte was perfectly made. It's hard to find solid coffee in La Jolla that's not a chain. This place is amazing.

Zumbar is in a sort of unassuming plaza, but is an oasis of hot coffee for early morning commuters on their way to work from Sorrento Valley. The almond latte I had was great and they have a great selection of coffee to choose from should you be more of a connoisseur then myself. PSA: Currently ordering is set up for outdoors only, so you can't sit inside!

A simple coffee shop with great coffee. This place was happening as we drove into the parking lot. There was a long line and no room to sit inside or outside. If you're a coffee lover you will love the lattes over here. Zumbar is a no frill coffee shop- they don't have breakfast items or breakfast sandwiches like a lot of coffee shops these days. But, they do have some quick pastries that you can take to go. We got the blueberry muffin which was delicious !

The cups are so small. I wanted to try something new rather than Starbucks or coffee bean. Wanted to see if their espresso has the kick but.... Was disappointed. Will try again. Maybe

Super cute place! I came here on a Saturday morning to get some coffee with a friend and it was super convenient because it's by the I-5 freeway and there was a lot of parking in the smaller lot. They accepted my reusable cup! I got the iced mocha and my friend got the hot dark chocolate latte. He said he was really good. Mine was good as well but I think it was more milky than I'd prefer and I wanted more of a mocha taste. I will try the iced dark chocolate latte next time! The servers were nice and the pricing was better than many other coffee places which I love

Despite only having simple syrup and honey as flavors Zumbar was amazing! The coffee is flavorful and more than satisfied my caffeine craving! The atmosphere was comforting and easy to get to. The service was friendly and efficient.

Excellent flat white! Wonderful flavor, creamy texture, latte art! A wonderful find for coffee lovers. Truly amazing...Recommended!!

Delicious coffee, very smooth and wonderful. The staff was kind and so welcoming. I had the mocha. It was incredible! I will definitely be back!

This cafe really is "no-nonsense" like one of the reviews I read before trying it out. When I got there, I learned they don't serve flavored lattes. We ordered the Latte and the Mocha. Mocha: tasted burnt Latte: was really underwhelming We came here, because Harry's Coffee Shop was closed. Next time, we'll be heading back to Harry's or trying a new place.

No frills, just good ole fashion coffee. Stopped in for a quick cup of coffee this morning. Walking inside you can see they built the barista bar around their giant coffee roaster!!! If you're into fresh coffee without all the extras, this is your place. Don't come with your fancy Starbucks order, cause you may be asked to leave lollll. Menu is simple and to the point. Overall pretty good.

First of all... where's the menu?!?! the main menu was nowhere to be found in the shop. I ended up ordering a hot latte and an everything bagel. The hot latte was alright, I do wish there was more coffee flavor and less milk. The person doing the latte art seemed to be pretty new, so I noticed the latte art came out pretty inconsistent. My other friend's latte (not pictured) was completely messed up so i felt a little bad for her LOL The everything bagel was pretty good and cheap. If you add cream cheese, it's additional cost but they give you 2 pods. I heard the almond croissant was good here but I saw so much powdered sugar on top of it that I was scared. Overall not impressed, but maybe I'll give this place another shot and update my review.

Hands down the absolute best coffee I've ever had. I love hummingbird espresso. It tras a sort of fruity bitter acidic taste that is hard to describe. I drive from santee here to purchase my monthly supply of coffee beans. If you want fresh and delicious coffee, head here.

Came to SD for school tour and heading back to the Bay Area after today's final meeting. Was drinking Starbucks the whole trip until my sis recommended this cafe to me. LOVE IT! Unlike many other coffee shops that serve watery coffee or espresso that you can't even taste in your latte. Zumbar serves Strong Bold Coffee! I ordered a Cafe Latte and you can really really taste the espresso. On the side, I also ordered a piece of raspberry biscuit, taste ok. If have chance, I may try their other pastries. Will come for coffee again when I come to visit SD!

I LOVE ZUMBAR Great service, freshly roasted beans and no frills. If you are a coffee lover like I am this is your spot-but don't expect all of those fancy sugary drinks other spots might provide! This place is a haven for the espresso and coffee beans and I would highly recommend!

Great coffee! Love that they roast their own beans and have their own label. I only wish I lived closer.