Infusion Lab, a new specialty coffee and dessert spot, is gearing up to debut this summer on Mission Boulevard in Pacific Beach, with plans for espresso-forward drinks, matcha, signature ube creations and a spread of house cookies and European-style pastries. The team is building out a photo-ready interior with deep seating and a dedicated social media corner, hoping to draw creators, remote workers and neighborhood regulars along with the heavy summer foot traffic that moves through PB.
According to San Diego Magazine, co-founders Baran Aydin, who serves as finance director, and coffee director Aselin Bay are targeting a late June or early July opening at 4638 Mission Boulevard. The opening menu is set to feature classic espresso beverages, matcha, ube-driven specialties, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and in-house cookies. The pair also want Infusion Lab to evolve into a lifestyle label with streetwear-inspired merch, not just a coffee stop. The buildout leans into a stripped-back, elemental color scheme with artist-focused details intended to separate the shop from standard grab-and-go counters.
“The goal is to create a space where people can work, socialize, create content, and become part of a growing community,” Aydin told San Diego Magazine. Seating is expected to include Chesterfield-style sofas and distinct zones mapped out for shooting photos and videos. The owners describe the concept as part hospitality venue, part brand studio, a mashup they hope will click with Pacific Beach's young, image-conscious crowd.
Design and menu
Photos on the brand's Instagram tease an interior built around white and maroon tones, minimal line-drawing artwork and a compact social media nook that seems as ready for content creation as it is for casual lounging. Early menu teases spotlight ube lattes and European-style desserts that skew sweeter than a typical beach coffee lineup. The team has been sharing progress shots of the buildout along with menu previews on Infusion Lab's Instagram.
How it fits in PB's coffee scene
Pacific Beach already has a busy independent coffee ecosystem, with a neighborhood directory listing about 20 local shops, so Infusion Lab is stepping into a lively, crowded arena. Mission Boulevard brings together surf retail, casual eateries and nightlife, which should mean a base of weekday regulars plus a seasonal swell of visitors. By pairing distinctive drinks and desserts with a content-friendly room, the owners are betting they can appeal to morning commuters as well as the midday and evening crowd.
For a rundown of other independent coffee options nearby, check the Pacific Beach section on San Diego Coffee Shops.
The Infusion Lab team plans to share soft-opening details on its social channels as construction wraps up, followed by a larger launch once staffing and menus are dialed in. The shop aims to cover early-morning coffee runs, midday sandwich breaks and content-heavy afternoons for both locals and visitors. It is one more sign that San Diego operators are leaning into design and merch as parallel revenue streams alongside what is in the cup and on the plate. Keep an eye on the brand's Instagram for the official opening date and more detailed menu previews.
