San Diego/ Food & Drinks
Published on December 12, 2019
The 5 best cafes in San DiegoHolsem Coffee | Photo: Robby Y./Yelp

Looking to try the best cafes in town?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top such spots in San Diego, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best places to chillax.

San Diego-area shoppers usually spend more in December at food and beverage shops than any other month of the year, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a provider of customer relationship management software and business insights for small businesses. Daily spending at San Diego-area food and beverage shops grew to $869 per business in December of last year, 11% higher than the average for the rest of the year.

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1. Holsem Coffee

Photo: jaymee w./Yelp

First on the list is Holsem Coffee. Located at 2911 University Ave. (between 30th and 29th streets) in North Park, it's the highest-rated cafe in San Diego, boasting 4.5 stars out of 872 reviews on Yelp.

2. Pappalecco

Photo: mia minyan z./Yelp

Next up is Little Italy's Pappalecco, at 1602 State St. (between Date and Cedar streets). With 4.5 stars out of 2,449 reviews on Yelp, the cafe and Italian spot, serving gelato and more, has proven to be a local favorite.

3. Kono's Cafe

Photo: guillaume D./Yelp

Pacific Beach's Kono's Cafe, at 704 Garnet Ave. (between Mission and Ocean boulevards), is another top choice. Yelpers give the cafe and breakfast/brunch spot 4.5 stars out of 1,617 reviews.

4. Atypical Waffle

Photo: sarah t./Yelp

Atypical Waffle, a cafe and breakfast/brunch spot that offers waffles and more in North Park, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 1,078 Yelp reviews. Head over to 3519 30th St. (between Myrtle Avenue and Capps Street) to see for yourself.

5. Pete's Seafood and Sandwich

Photo: bethany d./Yelp

Last but not least, and also in North Park, isĀ Pete's Seafood and Sandwich, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 935 reviews on Yelp. You can find the cafe, which offers seafood, sandwiches and more, at 3382 30th St. (between Thorn and Upas streets).


This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.