Caffe Italia Reviews

Great little place to take a chair curbside enjoy a nice creamy cappuccino or hot chocolate with some very good small little desserts good little place to relax in India Street highly recommend

We all stopped here for a good Italian snack and loved the place the coffee is the best we had in town

Steve, the owner is a great! Decor, modern, artful, fun, classy! BEST gelato in town, BEST bagels in town, GREAT coffee drinks and make sure you hit them up for WAFFLE SUNDAY, breakfast of freshly made to order waffles with your choice of toppings! YUM!! Caffe Italia has tons of local customers from near and far! I used to live a few blocks up the street so it was my hang out in the evenings and in the mornings on the weekends! The Good Life every day at Cafe Italia! One of the funnest places to hang out in San Diego.. Plenty of tables inside to sit at, and also outdoor seating on the sidewalk, as well. Lots of characters who come here for coffee.. Great place to PEOPLE WATCH! Dogs are welcome! You can even sit down at the side bar and read a magazine, lots on the racks against the wall.. for sale, but I always like to read them when I was having my coffee!

Great local spot, with friendly people (many of whom seemed to be locals). Right in La Pensione hotel - it shares the courtyard with the hotel. I had stayed at the hotel so it was very convenient. Great spot, would return.

Enjoyed our lunch at an outdoor cafe from this restaurant. The staff were friendly and very helpful. The salads were fresh and delicious. We liked the carrot cake, the lemon bar was good but too much dough/pastry and not enough filling (in my opinion). The panninni sandwich bread was very good. We liked their ice tea. It's not too expensive for lunch which is nice, it is what one would expect of a great cafe. Their pastries and desserts are more expensive. It's located right in little italy by the square. They had hand sanitizer available which we appreciated and they wore masks.

What a cute caffe! We enjoyed their coffee drinks. Their menu looked yummy and I wish we had more time in San Diego to try more from their menu. Their gelato looked delicious. There seemed to be a lot of local people coming in and out for their coffee, so that's a good thing! I would go back to try more things from their menu! The scones were a little doughy, but, everything else looked fabulous!

Very good coffee in a very nice location. Italian feel. Croissant was also very good. Came back several times while in san diego

I had the espresso and it came in a tiny cup just like in Italy. Very authentic Italian style, coffee, atmosphere, people, neighborhood.

good espresso and sandwiches, this places seems busy late into the evening every day. terrific baristas and great sidewalk patio made this a daily breakfast spot.

Stopped in for carrot cake and coffee to finish the night. Cake was very good as was the coffee. I really appreciated the staff. Very friendly and wanted to make sure we were happy, which we were. I got a refill to go and he asked if it was ok, if not he'd make another batch of fresh. And he did! Solid service and real good coffee.

We ordered Spumoni Gelato and it was delicious and creamy. The flavor of the month was mint chip... a bit too minty fir me but my husband liked it. The Spumoni was the best though! Lattes and a bit of people watching. Service was friendly and quick.

the lattes are excellent, and we bought 3 lbs of the whole bean coffee to take home. The staff are friendly, service quick and prices very reasonable.

Very good pastries and coffee, friendly staff, sidewalk tables encourage you chat with fellow travelers.

real Italian place. coffee was the best in San Diego. Right in the heart of Little Italy. Nice staff and outdoor seating.

All the coffee and tea drinks, pastries, newspapers and magazines, sandwiches, wifi. Sit at a table for a view of the LIttle Italy scene. Open evenings also.

The cafe is located right at the middle of Little Italy, great location to see all the traffic and people walk by. Service and food was average.

Great coffee. Cash only. We got our lattes and sat on the street. Great place for people watching. We will go back here for sure.

Five Stars. My favourite bistro in San Diego. Always premier service. Fun and hip place. The owner, Steve, and his staff always deliver. Great for hanging out, lunch, ice cream, impressing your dates and friends, .... My go to and happy place to take tourists.

Café tables outside, good cappuccinos, and friendly people inside. No one was pushy, and the cappuccinos were well made.

Cafe Italia is a little coffee shop by our hotel and we popped in on an unusually chilly morning for a drink to warm us up. I wasn’t expecting an excellent mocha but I want to rave about this one! I completed the barista and found out they use Mexican chocolate. This is now my must have morning drink in San Diego! I also had a blueberry muffin which was very good:)

Very cool and convenient place to have a latte or gelato while people watching in Little Italy. Right below The Penzionne Hotel where you were staying

Best coffee and panini breakfast sandwiches, as well as the friendly staff kept us coming back. Could sit inside or patio. Either was good to watch the interesting street life of Little Italy.

We wanted a little treat to top off our meal. The local outside our restaurant told us to go here. The cannoli was ok, but I would try a different place if we go again.

Everyone needs good coffee in the morning. All the better when you can get it and sit in the sun outside. Breakfast egg paninis and yogurt with granola and berries are also sure to please. Prices are relatively reasonable, and the people watching can't be beat!

Have been on a family vacation and could not find a great place for breakfast. Found it! Great coffee, waffles and panini.

The hotel we stayed at gave us vouchers for breakfast here. The coffee is great tasting and the danishes are light, full of flavour and have the extra added bonus of being bigger than hockey pucks. They play when you go down in the morning old school late 70's tunes which are perfect to wake you up.

Excellent quality excellent service there is a reason why this business has been in place for a long time

Great place in Little Italy for espresso, gelato, sorbet, deserts, etc. Side walk seating is perfect for people watching, romantic, entertaining, pet-friendly and a class act.

Caffee Italia is unassuming and simple yet the intense flavor and "crema" from the espresso is what you come to expect from a European coffee shop. Whether you order an espresso, latte, or a cappuccino you will indulge in a great intense flavor. Typically at our local coffee shops including chain stores in the U.S., the coffee is bitter and/or you taste the cream/froth milk more than you taste the coffee.

This is a corner joint that has outstanding coffee. It is staffed by nice people and great service. The latte's are smooth and creamy. A great stop

Me and my bf had a little tour around the Little Italy. Am a Coffee Lover (bf is not a fans) so we bumped into Caffe Italia. I ordered a hot Caramel Latte and a Ice Mocha for bf. The moment i took my first sip it was like Heaven!! It has a rich texture and they really make a good coffee. As for my bf you won't believe it he was asking me to go the next day!! LOL so we went 2 days in a row with same ordered and delicious Paninis. Thanks.

We came here after the other store that we found gelato at had a line down the sidewalk. We ended up getting vanilla after trying the chocolate and not caring for it. We also picked up a cannoli. They were decent and not something that we can get at home.

This is my favorite place in Little Italy. The staff is great and coffee drinks are the very best. The atmosphere is welcoming & the videos of Italy are wonderful. I'm a big fan of their cappuccino and their avocado toast. It's a happy place. I love it.

This is an excellent coffee shop that was next to our hotel. The staff were friendly staff and the coffee piping hot. Good selection of danish, muffins, etc.

Little Italy, San Diego on India St. great little number to have a cuppa, quick bite to eat. Pretty extensive menu for a cafe. Restaurant not very big roughly 10 tables/chairs with outside seating [about 4 table w/chairs] Free internet, ask for password! Clean, quick, friendly workers never felt rushed to leave. If looking for breakfast/lunch/a bite to eat certainly recommend here. Check out their website to view their menu. Have ordered most on their menu, there's nothing I wouldn't recommend. End of story!! All fresh & delicious. Centrally located in the Little Italy neighborhood, San Diego

great lattes and yummy treats. Sit outside and watch the world go by. Always a good place to stop for a coffee, snack or light meal.

They have the best Italian style ice cream nice cafe behind it got a little square with a feeling that is like Rome with a fountain and Italian looking wall, the service was great.

Coming from Melbourne, Australia, I was incredibly grateful to find this place. I was just so over the watery coffee. And the guy at the counter knew exactly what I meant by a short macchiato and how to make it.

The wait in line is well worth it ! Morning baked treats are world class ! Must try is the Cafe Emmelie, a Gelato-Espresso treat of a lifetime ! C&H

We were staying next door at La Pensione and used the hotel voucher. After the first day, we came back because it was excellent value and quality!

This place was within a block from our hotel, and we fell in love with this place. I had the avocado toast, and it is several notches above anything I’ve had. Excellent! The staff is amazing, too!

The fact this cafe (Sorry..."Caffe") only takes cash is really backwards and annoying. I mean, who doesn't wanna just slide their debit card and be done? Are they on a tax dodge? Do they think it's 1985? How do they compete when there's a well known branded coffee place (with a green logo) just down the street where you can whip out your smart phone and pay. I really don't have patience for 'cash only' establishments in this day and age. Anyway, besides that, there is a nice Euro ambiance, fancy coffee drinks, Italian sodas, cakes, gelato etc. with either indoor or outdoor seating. Slightly pricey. Give it a whirl, but make sure you bring your greenbacks.

If your ever in Little Italy you must stop at Caffe Italia to have the best caffeine fix in town. The barista's at Caffe Italia make the best Lattes, Mochas, or whatever coffee drink of your choice may be. It doesn't matter what time or day of the week you go, your guaranteed your drink will taste exactly like the last time you were there. The barista's at Caffe Italia are consistent with how they make their drinks, it doesn't matter which one makes your drink, it'll taste like the last time, and you won't be crossing your fingers hoping this barista make your mocha good, unlike other chain coffee places that over charge you and have you hoping your drink will be good or hoping that your favorite barista is working. Kudos to the owner for doing an awesome job in selecting awesome employees who make great coffee drinks and have great personalities, and giving great skills in making coffee. Not sure how the training is, but I'll drive 15-miles whenever I get a coffee craving, cause I know my mocha will be good and will taste like the one I had the week before, and don't have to feel like I'm playing Russian Roulette with coffee. So stop by and enjoy a good mocha at Caffe Italia.

This place has a delicious cappuccino and outdoor seating. We spent our last hour in Little Italy enjoying a coffee and watching the people go by.

Cafe Italia had a genuine Italian feel to it and provided good quality coffee. The pastries were not that great but overall pretty good place for coffee.

Love this little place. Workers are very friendly, coffee is good and there pastries are very good. Must stop place for a coffee.

Better that coffee chain from the northwest. Staff very professional/friendly and gluten free deserts available. I came back three consecutive nights for their coffee. I also brought my friend and family.

Great idea to sell morning pastries at a discount. I, of course, felt compelled to buy an expensive latte. Great marketing eh? Little Italy sidewalk tables perfect. Service great..heated my pastry. Staff very kind. Parking a premium.

We had a cafe latte and iced tea and both were excellent! Great place to sit outside and super close to the Farmers Market. I am pretty picky about everything I order. The staff were very kind and accommodating which I totally appreciated! Thank you for a great experience!

We had lunch at this cafe on a weekday. Our sandwich and salad were very good. The gelato was good too. We sat outside, and it was a little too close to the street, which made it a little noisy.

Cute spot, came because it was pet friendly. Nice ambiance. Lively. The espresso drinks are weak. I asked for an extra shot because my original drink was watered down. The biscotti was unfortunately stale. The affogado was tasty.

Great coffee with nice coffee art. Yummy gelato, and my favorite—rugulach! Friendly service. We will definitely be back.

Been in California for 2 weeks, and the coffee here was the best by far I’ve have tasted. Pastries also delicious. It helped also the weather was fantastic to enjoy it outside in a beautiful morning in San Diego. Fully recommended.

We went here twice. Once for lattes and pain au chocolate and the next time for a roasted red pepper and smoked gouda panini, almond croissant and lattes. The food was good, but the coffee was too milky and the decaf latte was served cool. They did male this right, but perhaps we should have ordered an extra shot in our lattes. Still, great service and people watching.

Met here for a business meeting mid-morning. I had the house coffee black, which was excellent. The other parties really enjoyed the Cappuccino's. Small and not very intimate to discuss business, but we were able to manage inside. A couple of sidewalk tables in Little Italy.

The walk from my hotel was a bit long considering I was staying next to Padres stadium but it was very much worth it. The coffee was great & the cannoli's were even better. They also have a nice selection of Italian sandwiches. Extremely laid back & a super place to grab lunch.

Perfect location, great selection, frequented by locals, friendly knowledgable staff. Cash only! Our favorite place for coffee.

Stayed in Little Italy for a few days recently and loved this cozy coffee establishment. Serves wonderful coffee and has a nice ambiance. The gelato is hard to beat too. Just wish they had room for more tables outside, but you can go into the courtyard just behind the shop.

great small neighborhood coffee shop, huge delicious cup of coffeeunder $3.00, yummy waffles, breakfast sandwichs etc.

It's very good coffee but I find the service slow. The location in trhe Italian section is very good.

No nonsense but friendly, no-frills but comfy, and the espresso drinks are delicious and strong. Also, the neighborhood is a great change from the stupid Gas Lamp district, a formerly quant area that has turned basically into Buckhead (in Atlanta, GA).

We sat ourselves on the tables outside facing the 'Little Italy' sign. That was the highlight! The coffee we order arrived in thin paper mugs (to hot to handle), and was not the best. And the tiramisu was very dry.

We walked over from our hotel, which had horrible coffee. I ordered a coffee latte and a sweet treat. The coffee was exactly what I needed. Very good. My daughter enjoyed a mimosa.

We stopped in for coffee and a pastry. We'd read on line that this place had the best cannoli in San Diego. we felt so lucky because we were staying at the hotel right next door. Excited we got in line and ordered a coffee latte, chai latte, cannoli, and lemon bar. The chai latte tasted like milky hot water with alittle cinnamon - bland as anything. The cannoli has to be the worst cannoli I've ever had in my entire life. Having grown up in another Little Italy on the East Coast - that is really saying something. This cannoli was bland, and like eating wall paper paste. It was far prettier than it tasted. The coffee latte wasn't any better. The lemon bar was so so. I have no idea who voted this place the best, but this was so disgusting we felt sick the rest of the day and had to skip dinner because our systems were so upset. I would not recommend this place, sorry.

Great location, friendly staff and delicious coffees. What more do you need? The iced mocha was awesome and the home made whipped cream out it over the top. Friendly staff made me feel like a local in my first visit. Great job!

While staying at La Pensione hotel we had coffee from here every morning! Excellent espresso and latte. The chocolate biscotti is AMAZING! Staff are friendly and personable. Great seating outside along the sidewalk.

Delicious pastries and coffee, the gelatto looked delicious but couldn't buy everything, next visit for sure. It was great that they sell magazines and books, and the staff was firendly

Caffe Italia has been in this spot for years. Frequented by regulars and tourists alike, the coffee and bakery items are good. The service is fast and efficient - but not all that friendly. It’s a tight space right in the heart of Little Italy and probably the quickest place to get a good cup of coffee.

Genuinelly, these guys make the best coffee I've had in the USA, since my arrival! Sure, I haven't tried all, but after I found this one, there's no need for looking any further if you're serious about good coffee. Friendly staff on top of it and the food is freshly made!

Stopped in for an espresso and a tiramisu with my husband. We waited for ever in line. Once it was our turn the guy was unfriendly. We then ordered/paid and were told to wait on other side for order. We waited even more. We finally got our espresso and they were awful. Left a sour taste in your mouth. We asked to get our tiramisu and they looked at us like they had no idea what a tiramisu was. We ended up getting it - worse $5.00 spent on soggy no cookie, super sugary, small tiramisu. I don't recommend this place.

Got dropped off in Little Italy and decide to have a quick breakfast to start off our day of exploring. Using trip advisor to find some recommendations, however a local couple came up on us obvious tourist and recommended this place.....said the coffee was amazing. Well we were not disappointed....the breakfast panini special was delicious! Great vibe and obviously a hit with the locals as it was steadily busy.

Pros: Great Breakfast and Lunch place, Very reasonable prices, Awesome Coffee Drinks, comfortable place to hang out, Did I mention great value/price! Cons: A bit on the small side (Cramped)

I love cafe Italia for its Lavassa espresso, baked goods, lunch eats and in the morning a number of older Italian men can be found enjoy their morning espresso and conversations. Great for people watching!

Really good coffee and awesome atmosphere. We visited on a Saturday when the local Little Italy farmers market was going on. Such a great time!

Love this place (super nice patio in the courtyard) and the coffee is really good here. Always busy!

This is the place everyone goes for their morning fix, when the owner is there it goes ok, but if not, be prepared to wait in line, and wait in line, and wait in line. There's a new dunkin donuts in town, I think they are going to be very busy

This place is popular so it may be simply a matter of taste. The breakfast goodies were good but went very fast so get there early.

I come here often, seating outside is great but can be tough to get. Good coffee, friendly service. They have an ample case of goodies too!

We've been to Caffe Italia quite a few times, usually for their gelato. We have always enjoyed their gelato but the last time I visited their gelato did not taste as delicious as it normally does. I ordered a small spumoni and the consistency was not as it should be. (I've had gelato throughout Italy and at two other places in Little Italy.) They use chocolate chips which seemed to be overly plentiful, but I like chocolate so that wasn't too much of an issue, but because there was so little pistachio it seemed as if I ordered a chocolate chip and cherry gelato instead. It's a great place to hang out, drink coffee, have a panini, and people watch, so I will visit again, but maybe not order the gelato the next time.

Great place for coffee or ice cream but not just any ice cream Italian ice cream. Coffee is strong and the location is perfect just to sit and relax.

If you go here you have to get the Caffe Emmline, truly DELICIOUS!!! Its two chots of espresso blended with espresso bean gelato! The best hands down! Service was great, the guys behind the counter are hilarious! Kept us laughing and entertained!

Breakfast here is more or less included when staying in La Pensione hotel. Great! Very good coffee, very good food and very good service. Great value for money! Also when you stay somewhere else.

Nice coffee shop. Provides usual coffee selections, but they have some nice desert options like cannoli. They have breakfast options like sandwiches and Belgium waffles. The seating is a little cramp inside, but they have tables on the sidewalk which provides for some nice people watching. Overall nice experience.

The servers here surely sample their own wares. Super enthusiastic about what they do. Great espresso.

I had been here for many times. I always invite my friends, who come to san diego for travel come here for enjoy the coffee. Love capuchino! Love cafe.

Local, visiting - no matter... stop by Caffe Italia to savor a bit of time. First of all the coffee is just plain excellent no matter how you take it (and...no names..isn't is nice to give a non-corporate entity a bit of sugar?? Huh??) Espresso - super! Every cup of coffee is served with care - but wait! It gets better. How about a waffle while you are there - MADE TO ORDER.. I had a lemon poppyseed cake with my coffee was amazing. If you happen to be gluten free... they have treats for you too! The small shop has seating inside and also in a lovely courtyard with quiet fountain and nice ambiance. This is right next to the Pension so if you are visiting and need a good cup of "Joe" then give Caffe Italia a try... then you can go walk through Little Italy!

We were here early on a saturday morning and it was a perfect place to sit outside and enjoy all the locals walking their dogs and enjoying their coffee. My 16 year old daughter LOVED her iced carmel latte and I loved my cappuchino. Great little spot in little Italy!

I visited numerous times during my recent stay in Little Italy. Outstanding quality coffee and lattes and great service too. I had no issues with wait times or any other issues. Don't steal their tip jar though, they don't take kindly to that!

Amazingly awesome brewed coffee; the lemon bundt cakes are outstanding; the sidewalk cafe tables are great for people watching

Stopeed here after lunch and got an espresso con pana, the shot was drawn perfect, and the espresso had a very rich Italian flavor. I must return before the end of our visit.

Borders small but lovely brick patio area of Napizza and boutique hotel tucked away in Little Italy. Coffee and cannoli were a great combo at both restaurants. Parking is always a challenge in Little Italy so we parked in nearby neighborhood free without time limits and walked on a beautiful summer San Diego day.

We had the breakfast paninis and they were delicious and great value. We are definitely going back tomorrow for another breakfast.

As european it isn't easy to find good coffee! Caffe Italia has it! Nice location and very friendly staff!

Every time we went into this busy little cafe there was a line that moved VERY slowly. Once I got to the front of the line I could see why...the whole operation seemed very disorganized. One person on the register and one person making the drinks with other people behind the counter doing gosh knows what... This happened on at least 3 different occasions. Once I was getting a small coffee (no frills, no latte, etc.) just plain old coffee. It took more than 5 minutes to get it and they weren't even brewing or doing a pour offer. I don't know what they did to get distracted, but damn that was a long time. They were convenient to the hotel I was staying in, otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered with them after the 2nd time.

Superb gelato in luscious flavors. Since small dish includes 2 scoops, I had 1 scoop of chocolate /hazelnut and 1 of expresso. I'll come back to try coffee options.

We would start our bicycle riding day here for the best cappuccinos and breakfast paninis- delicious and recommended! Very friendly staff and wonderful tasty food ~

My wife and I visited twice while in San Diego. Best coffee and service in Little Italy, hands down. There are tables on the sidewalk to relax while you enjoy you coffee (or other tasty beverage). Highly recommend

We stopped here a couple of times for a light breakfast. Bagels and cream cheese juice and coffee. It was busy clean and lots of seating. It has an outside courtyard that you can sit in which was nice. Service at the counter was good.

I liked the courtyard in the back with several tables. The coffee was very good as well as the service. The owner was very personable. The inside of the café was very small with a few tables.

I have visited this place for 15 years and it has always been consistent. Coffee is good. Pastries are average. Nice location and atmosphere.

I loved the people at caffee italia. They were so friendly and made our stay more enjoyable. I liked how they served coffee in a mug and on actual plates when you get your food to stay. It has a very European feel.

We were staying in the hotel above the café. We were given coupons by the hotel to use at the café. My wife had coffee and a pastry every day, while I used my coupon for a discount on the Prosciutto, Egg And Cheese Panini. Great start to the day. The staff was very nice and the café provided cold water ( I don't drink coffee ). Shared our breakfast with a family of birds every day, which was also fun. Great little place!

After strolling through Little Italy, we stopped for Cappuccinos at Caffee Italia. They have added a few more outdoor tables.

Caffe Italia, in the heart of Little Italy a great place not just for coffee & espresso drinks, but great for gelato and baked goods as well. In the mornings you can hear some of the old boy locals chattering away in Italian sipping their espressos and gesticulating with their hands in a passionate conversation that could be about the time of day, it hardly matters, they are always passionate regardless of the topic. Such details add color and charm to the caffe and remind you this really is a neighborhood spot in a real neighborhood, not a caricature of the real thing like a themed restaurant.

We LOVED the Sunday breakfast offerings. Everything was very wonderful and a great atmosphere. We would highly recommend this place

I stopped by this quaint little coffee shop after dinner for a tasty treat. There were a lot of baked items to choose from including gelato. I opted for the cannoli with a cup a coffee and boy it was good. I'm not a big fan of cannoli but this one was so good. It was worth ever bit of the $3.75 I paid for it. When I come to little italy again this spot will definitely be on my list to try again.

The soup was great. On Fridays they have 1/2 price off on wine. They were out of two of the items we wanted. Had to wait 20 minutes to get bread at the table and another 10 for them to take our order and another 10 to get drinks. Got served the wrong wine. Asked for angel hair, they said yes, and brought spaghetti. They really need more staff to make this place great.

Cutest little cafe with very hardworking staff in Little Italy. We came here every morning with our voucher for coffee and pastry from La Pensione and enjoyed it on the street. You have to stop here and try it for yourself. Seemed to be hotspot for locals so that tells you all you need to know!

I'm a coffee snob. This place is awesome. Best coffee in the area. Great coffee, nice atmosphere. Free wifi.

I've been coming here for almost 20 years, stopping for a cup in the morning on my way to work and coming back after lunch for an afternoon pep-me-up. Be prepared, it is "quaint" - less than 10 tables inside and half that outside it. But the minute you walk in you are greeted warmly by a great staff, ready to make your desired drink and provide you with any of many excellent baked goods. The owner, Steve, is a riot, Bostonian to the core, bring up Da Soxxx or the Patriots and immediately discover his passion for sports and customer service. Be prepared for potential abuse if you enter wearing any New York Yankees gear - but only if you start it ! Jamie is my favorite barrista - always cheerful and polite. Great to have the feel of old neighborhood in a big city and Caffe Italia does just that.

Really good coffee. The best in Little Italy. I like a good coffee in the morning and in the hotel they didn't have espresso machine. So every day we were in San Diego we drove over there to have breakfast. Excellent!

We were dying for a real expresso after sooo many American coffee experiments and a waiter from a restaurant in Little Italy said here expressos were good, food choice and service were not that good though.

CASH ONLY and the best selection of coffee drinks and Gelato drinks and Ice Cream. Intimate size always a line right in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy. Delightful Small meals that you can dine and see the local traffic on the street just like Florence ! C&H

Visited this afternoon (March 12, 2014) and the barista was awesome; really funny guy.. Very friendly.. Made my mom and I laugh hysterically... Made a great mocha and cleaned the entire time we were there. Tables were wooden and cute with yellow flowers on them.. A very nice experience!

Just like the ones I drank in France and Italy. They have almond biscottis too. I sat outside at a table with a view of the Little Italy sign. I could do this every morning. Gotta move to the neighborhood one day.

I liked this place. The workers were friendly and the vibe was relaxing. The coffee was good, though the pastries and food not so much. But come grab a cappuccino and a magazine and chill out in the middle of Little Italy.

The staff was very friendly. Just stopped by for an expresso and desert. The tiramisu was very good. The Caffe Emmline was unique and was very tasty.

The mochas were awesome mochas, good coffee, great pastries and amazing barista. This is a cute little coffee shop with really friendly people who work there.

My husband and I were waiting for our plane, and decided to kill some time in a cafe. We made a great choice! Fun, friendly staff. Places to charge phones, etc; great coffee. They did not rush us. A great place to kick back and relax. Tirimisu was good, not great, but coffee made up for it. Highly recommended,

When there is a line-up going out the door, you know it must be good. I ordered a caffe mocha, and while it is not the best I've ever had, it was quite delicious. The price was very reasonable, and I loved being able to watch them make it carefully from scratch.

Great staff, location and coffee and treats. Loved the pistachio gelato and the mochas and lattes. Doggie treats for the multitude of dogs in this area.

Great place to sit outside and and people watch while sipping a caffeinated beverage. Met very nice locals here.

We were staying at La Pensione hotel and in the morning we had a coupon for having breakfast at Caffè Italia. Cappuccino and latte macchiato were really good, but croassants tasted like nothing. I tried one time the gelato from there but I do not suggest you to try it!

Café Italia is used by La Pensione Hotel as a breakfast option with a voucher system. We upgraded our breakfast with small extra charges to skinny lattes and better pastries and bagels. It was always busy when we were there. The staff were great and we got to know a few of the characters there. The food was fresh and coffee not too strong. There’s a small outside space on the sidewalk in which to people watch. There was a white Bentley & SLK convertible Mercedes parked outside the week we were there. Testimony of how well-heeled Little Italy is. Locals outnumber tourists in this café which is a benchmark to how good it is.

Tastey treats with little to no wait. Great spot to grab a bottle of water or coffee. Cafe opens earlier than other businesses in Little Italy which is appreciated.

Delicious coffee , wonderful yogurt parfait, great environment. Little Italy is not far from most hotels and is a must see. Very cute.

Great little cafe serving well crafted coffee and a good selection of light bites. Nice relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Well worth a visit.

I've been here several times. Good menu with Cannoli! Good selection of drinks. Very clean, outdoor seating too. The staff is very friendly.

OUTSTANDING service and drinks. Always a line worth the wait the line moves fast ! GOTTA ORDER an "CAFFE EMMLINE" C&H

This coffee place opens early and stays late. I had the gelato one night and coffee the next day. The staff was friendly. The coffee is a little on the coffee snob side - a little lighter roast and cooler than my preferred style, but still very good (and nice coffee art). My fault for not thinking to order extra hot.The gelato was also great. Wish I'd had a chance to try the pastries. I'd go back.

This is a little cafe/coffee house specializing in espresso drinks... the guy waiting on us used to work for Starbucks, so when i asked for a triple TALL cappuccino, he pretended he didn't know what TALL meant saying "do you mean large or small", then he was going to make me a latte instead of cappuccino, so corrected it on the charge, and then when it came up, it was definitely a "latte".... so much for espresso snoberage! I drank it anyway.

Finally after spending 3 weeks on the road in California, I had a decent cup of coffee, together with a slice of carrot cake,it was perfect, highly recommended for a coffee.

Stopped by to check out what was new in Little Italy and found this great place. The coffee was good and one of the guys working was awesome!! He recommended a Cubano and it the spot.....plus it looked pretty with the leaf design. So, this is a pretty awesome place I plan on coming back to!!!

Visited Caffee Italia during a recent trip to Little Italy. A quick, fresh lunch was what I was looking for, and that is just what I found. The salads are huge, hearty and fresh. I enjoyed my Milano salad that contained grapes, oranges, apple, gorganzola cheese, almonds and lots of mixed greens. The salad was balanced in that the cheese, grapes, etc were found through out, not just as a topping. This salad had a fresh tasting raspberry vinegrette dressing. The coffee menu is huge with coffees being robust and freshly brewed. The caffe is quite informal and seems to attract locals. Prices are reasonable. Once you have placed your order at the counter, you can be comfortably seated inside or outside and let the people watching begin. Your order will be delivered by a pleasant staff member in a timely fashion. Staff members were attentive, especially for such an informal spot. Sunday brunch is available.

Small, unpretentious, with good coffee and good food. Friendly staff at all hours. A small but tasty range of gelato was a nice touch!

Situated next to the La Pensione hotel you'll find this convenient way to start the day. You can use the hotel vouchers here. There are both expresso and regular coffees, a good range of pastries and light meals. Sit up at the counter, use one of the few tables or head out into the courtyard. The coffee is excellent wherever you are.

They are always busy, which is a good thing. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing and the staff was very friendly. Highly suggest!

This is a nice little neighborhood coffee shop. The coffee is decent, but not the best I've had (and I love my coffee shops). They did have coconut or almond milk for the coffee, but nothing dairy free that was unsweetened. There was many pastries to choose from but they did not do anything with gluten free other than packaged oatmeal.

In the mornings I'd get coffee from here and start the day. Excellent coffee - you can take to go or sit outside and people watch. Friendly staff, efficient and the locals hang here. They also serve breakfast items.

Although the neighborhood was crowded because of the Christmas festival in Little Italy, the barista took the time to decorate my cafe latte! The gelato was delicious, and they even have gluten free brownies!

Cafe with excellent coffee (true espresso and cappuccino), desserts, sandwiches and perfect Gelato. (The Brownies and Caramel flavor is delicious) Sit at the sidewalk tables and people watch. Located in Little Italy District. Safe walking distance of only two short blocks from the Pier, USS Midway and the cruise terminal. Perfect stop if you are visiting any of these other places. Open great hours from 7-11 pm most days.

No need to order a double, fancy-schmancy something or other. Just a cup of coffee, one of the best I have ever had. I even bought beans so I can have it at home. Super friendly staff. Try the scones if you are hungry.

This is great little shop to sit and watch the world go by or even just to listen to the Italian local have a chat. they do waffles as a special on sundays only the lemon ricotta is worth the long haul flight

My husband and I came to San Diego for the Rock and Roll half marathon last year from Toronto and this place was close to our hotel and we went there every day for breakfast. The egg and prosciutto panini is soo good!! The banana bread and yogurt and berries and lattes are also delish! Can't wait to come back again to visit !

This whole place is like a crack shop...stop in for one thing and you'll find yourself coming back again and again for another sinful delight! Whether it's their silky spumoni, rich coffee, tasty oatmeal (with honey at the bottom!), or that decadent coffee cake, you can't go wrong with the food here! The staff is friendly and helpful too, so stop in next time you find yourself in Little Italy!

This is clearly a community hub. If you go in the mornings it is clear that the staff know the regulars and that they are regulars for a reason. The coffee is great. They also have real tea. The red pepper and egg breakfast panini is a good breakfast option. I would pass on the croissants. There is wifi. They have Sunday waffle brunch too.

We stopped at Cafe Italia every morning for a coffee and danish. The staff is very friendly and they provide great service and great food! We will go back every time we visit Little Italy!

We stayed at the hotel above the caffè, so we went there as a first place to get some coffee. We are Italian but we leave abroad and we are used to espressos that are not original, but this was really bad. Plus, I think this is the only caffè in all San Diego in which they don't accept credit or debit card - only cash. We were so negatively impressed that we didn't come back for the rest of our vacation.

Great place, delicious coffee and waffle. Super friendly staff, we’ll definitely come back again. Welcoming place with nice people, you can tell they enjoy doing what they’re doing.

Lots of coffee options and good muffins. If you are into tea, there are many options, as well. Great people watching.

They are located in the LaPensione Hotel area, and La Pensione gives you a free coffee and pastry for your breakfast. Great location.

Very decent espressos are to be had at "cash-only" Caffe Italia which are pulled long that most Americans seem to prefer. Pleasant setting with indoor, inner courtyard and sidewalk table seating.

Popped in with friends every morning for them to get their early morning fix of coffee while I just people browsed 😹😿. It's a nice little cafe with a lovely ambience & according to one of my mates who drank their chai latte' s on a daily basis " it was awesome" . They accept cash only so put away the credit cards when you stop in this little corner. They even have doggie biscuits available for doggie owners😸😸😸. I just found that to be so cool since in Aussie we don't get that LOL!

This place is great to grab a high quality coffee and sit and people watch. I tried the glitter cappuccino, loved it!!!

We stopped here for dessert after having dinner in Little Italy. I have the carrot cake and my wife had gelato which are both very good. We would suggest this place to people walking by the area.

I had coffee and breakfast here every morning we stayed in Little Italy. Great lattes, and I highly recommend the toasts. They were happy to customize ingredients and the workers seem justifiably proud of their store. Friendly atmosphere and a great place to watch the neighborhood wake up

I am an espresso guru and this place can make some excellent espresso. They have some good food for breakfast too.

Really Lovely place for morning coffee, friendly staff, good coffee and pastry, very popular. offer a wide range of food and drinks, nice place to watch the goings on in Little Italy.

This is our second time to San Diego, and I make it a point to stop at Caffee Italia to start my day off with a delicious latte. The staff is friendly and courteous, they specialize in coffees and coffee based drinks, plus have home made gelato and a few other Italian dessert delicacies. There is outside seating for the full European experience......will continue to visit Cafe Italia each time we are in San Diego. Thanks for the welcome!

After a very delicious vegan restaurant lunch we had to stop here and we are so glad we did . delicious,Italian, fresh coffee.

After a bit of walking around the heart of Little Italy, we stopped for a quick coffee. The inside of the cafe is clean and cute with subtle Italian accents on the walls and cute mugs to buy. I got a traditional single espresso, no sugar and he got a cappuccino. The drinks were very tasty and were not in any way watered down. He also got a cannoli, it was just ok. Normally I dislike the chocolate shells. Other than that, the cafe was very cute and great for people watching :) If you're in San Diego, I say check it out.

This is a popular little café in the middle of Little Italy. Good coffee and cakes. Check out the great Courtyard in the back. It's a great place to go especially when the farmers markets are in full swing on a Saturday.