Coronado is a coffee-lovers paradise! Here we share 20+ ways to get caffeinated in style, from chic Parisienne patisseries to cutting edge cold brews.
Check out the vibe, signature coffee and yummiest treats at each venue from the Bay to the Cays to decide which one is the perfect match(a) for you!
Parfait Paris
STYLE: Pull up a chic navy and white wicker chair and enjoy a striking view of the San Diego skyline, as modeled by French husband & wife owners Guillaume and Ludi.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Creme Brûlée Coffee with torched topping, just like the famous dessert!
COFFEE + : Pretty, dainty macarons or the amazing, flaky, pistachio-dipped New York (pictured).
Coronado Coffee Company
STYLE: Join dog-walkers, cycling enthusiasts and locals at this popular coffee kiosk owned by Coronado’s Luis Madrid (pictured).
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Locally roasted coffee with imaginative, indulgent flavors from Banana Nutella to Vanilla Rose.
COFFEE +: Fruity-fresh Acai bowls pair perfectly with a milky coffee.
Tartine
STYLE: One of Coronado’s most beloved cafes, Tartine offers an ever-shady terrace and a bountiful range of beautifully-presented sweet and savoury treats…
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Tartine serve Moto Coffee from a solar-powered roastery located just over the bridge, offering Kosher and Fair Trade organic coffee since 1990!
COFFEE +: Isaac & Savannah showcase the sublime Chocolate Mousse and Lemon Meringue Pie which top Tartine’s lip-smacking list.
Feast & Fareway
STYLE: Airy, spacious indoor/outdoor seating areas with expansive views of Coronado’s golf course and iconic bridge.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Rise & Shine Hospitality Group is an apt name for the company behind Feast & Fareway – their coffee is known for its “wake me up before you go-go” strength! Melina’s favorite is the Iced Oat Milk Latte.
COFFEE +: Yummy brunch options include Croque Madame and Brioche Bananas Foster, but if you want something small and virtuous, their seasonal fruit plate is especially good. Available from 7am-3pm.
Night & Day Cafe
STYLE: A Coronado staple since 1927 (originally as the D & D Cafe) – hop on a stool at the classic diner countertop or sit beneath a lemon yellow parasol on Orange Ave. Popular with our local service women and men, Night & Day offers 15% discount on Military Monday.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Dark roast diner drip coffee. As you can see from the pic, Brooke and Cassandra are fans!
COFFEE PLUS: Known for hearty portions of American and Mexican fare, (including hub wheel size pancakes), the two most popular items are the Coronado Burrito (bacon plus breakfast goodies) and Hector’s Omelet with shrimp and jalapeño white sauce.
Clayton’s Bakery & Bistro
STYLE: A petite slice of Paris, created by Coronado legend Mary Frese. Enjoy your coffee at the chic black, white and gold Bistro, or new Bakery.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Embrace the French theme with a Cafe Au Lait, served in a generous Le Creuset Stoneware mug. Cerise also recommends Mary’s Sweet Matcha Latte.
COFFEE +: Temptations galore! Favorites include Monkey Bread, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Seasonal Gluten-Friendly Muffins and (pictured) Strawberry Rose Champagne mini cupcakes.
Trident Coffee
STYLE: Black mural walls give an edgy vibe for the nutrition/caffeine-savvy customers looking to elevate their coffee game!
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Experiment with a flight of any 4 nitro cold brew flavors including Son Of A Son Of A Sailor (Mexico Chiapas) and Damn The Torpedoes (Perus Cajamarca). Or go for a specialty option like the yummy Blackberry Cobbler Latte – dark roast cold brew with blackberry syrup and vanilla cold foam.
COFFEE +: Trident is famous for their keto donuts in flavors like churro, coffee cake and lemon lavender.
Villa Nueva Bakery & Cafe
STYLE: Hearty portions all round at this cozy cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Roberto says that their coffee beans are so fresh and flavorful your brew is best served black.
COFFEE +: Villa Nueva is famous for its giant muffins – All Bran is the most popular with health-conscious locals but Roberto recommends the Apple and Maple flavors.
Clayton’s Coffee Shop & Window
STYLE: The coffee shop feels like you are stepping into a scene from Grease, complete with classic diner coffee mugs and tabletop jukeboxes. The Window is ideal for early-risers, opening at 5am, and you’ll often see local military in line sporting their Top Gun style flight suits.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Brenna recommends both the Cinnamon Mexican and Cinnamon Honey Lattes.
COFFEE +: Colorful donuts are the staple addition to your to-go Joe, with the star-spangled sprinkles being the ultimate draw!
Garage Buona Forchetta
STYLE: Authentic Italian accents add to the charm of this vintage garage setting. Sip a speedy espresso at the bar, or take a seat at one of the al fresco tables and enjoy a mini Roman Holiday.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Caffe Vergnano 1882 – Italy’s oldest coffee roasting company comes to Coronado.
COFFEE +: Sinfully delicious Nutella or Custard Bombolone. Like a crispier, denser donut, oozing flavor – once bitten, forever smitten!
Bay Books Cafe
STYLE: People watch on Orange Avenue or read a newspaper, magazine or book from the wide selection inside.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Hip Intelligentsia coffee plus a wild range of sweet-tooth custom drinks including Shay’s favorite Strawberry Matcha.
COFFEE +: A big draw for the young crowd, Bay Books has a Sprinkles “Cupcake ATM” – Red Velvet and the rainbow-hued signature Sprinkle are the most popular flavors.
The Henry
STYLE: Step up to the walk-up window if you’re on the go, or take a seat on the idyllic, Instagrammable, white marble terrace and watch the world go by.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Camille is presenting a flawless latte but The Henry also offer Gibraltars, Cortados and 5 signature coffee drinks, including Wildflower comprising espresso, vanilla, a splash of chai and steamed milk.
COFFEE +: Berry pastries make a delicious accessory for your latte art.
Nado Gelato
STYLE: Perch on a window stool while barista Victoria does her thing or opt for one of the lime neon tables on the sunny sidewalk.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Nado Gelato is known for its mouthwatering natural gelatos and quality coffees. Combine the two in an Affogato – gelato with an espresso poured over the top. The original way is with classic vanilla (as shown by Sarah) but you can choose any flavor you like!
COFFEE + : Other tasty add-ons include a wide range of Chuao chocolate, including “ravishing rocky road”!
Heave Ho Coffee at Urt
STYLE: Steampunk-style converted horse box coffee cart and rustic cabin-style display of locally roasted beans at Urt’s flagship store.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Founder and Coronado local Patrick Erskine is a former chef who knows a thing or two about flavor! He recommends Heave Ho’s Flag Ship medium roast coffee beans from Guatemala. (If you’re an Islander you can have fresh beans roasted to order and delivered to your doorstep the same day!)
COFFEE +: You can also purchase Heave Ho ceramic mugs and t-shirts.
The Islander
STYLE: Coffee is served from 7am at the walk up window of this colorful, vacation vibe restaurant.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: You can’t beat the Cafe Moto Drip Coffee – just $1 with food purchase. Natalie is a fan of the Dirty Dirty Chai, while Brendan opts for the Ube Latte. (Ube is the trendy new antioxidant – a purple yam!)
COFFEE +: By far the most popular item on the Dawn Patrol Breakfast Menu is the egg, cheese and bacon bun.
Parakeet Cafe
STYLE: Colorful, airy and upbeat, Parakeet Cafe attracts happy, health-conscious customers.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Beyond classic coffee options with beans roasted “by the ocean”, Parakeet offer Wellness Lattes including the Flat Black with activated charcoal and homemade lavender honey, and Moon Milk with ashwagandha, reishi, turmeric and more!
COFFEE +: Many vegan and gluten free options with the Lavender Chai Loaf looking extra pretty with its purple icing and sprinkle of lavender seeds.
Little Frenchie
STYLE: Praised in the Michelin Guide, Little Frenchie offers upscale elegance with chic indoor and outdoor seating.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Locally roasted Cafe Moto – but the coffee plays a supporting role to the star attractions you see pictured above!
COFFEE +: Every month a new pair of Cronut and Cruffin flavors is announced! Rachel serves the new flavors for August: Peaches & Cream Cronut and Hazelnut Mocha Cream Cruffin. Heaven!
Better Buzz
STYLE: Buzzy atmosphere, loud music and lots of sockets to charge your phone or laptop.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: So many inventive coffee concoctions, from Horchata Latte blending espresso with housemade sweetened cinnamon rice milk, to Mint Infused Iced Coffee with heavy cream.
COFFEE +: Switch up your morning pastry for Buzz toasts including 3-Seed Avocado and Almond Butter + Jam.
Donut Beach
STYLE: Eye-popping, grab-and-go family fun with a shark motif and donut-themed knick-knacks!
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Paul Newman’s Organic Special Blend Keurig coffee, made with alkaline water.
COFFEE +: Marilyn (pictured) says the pink Strawberry Fields donuts are the most popular choice for the kids – boys and girls – while the adults favor the Boston Creme donut.
ENO
STYLE: Hotel Del Coronado’s luxe coffee counter – take your brew to the beach, or an adjacent terrace table and listen to the happy squeals and splashes from the pool.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Juan (pictured) recommends the popular Salted Caramel Latte.
COFFEE +: The fruit tart is the most requested pastry from the oceanview display!
Silver Strand Exchange
STYLE: Set in the airy lobby of the glamorous Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Silver Strand Exchange offers coffee with expansive water views. Non-residents can validate their parking ticket reducing the rate to $10 – well worth it when you have the time to sit back and enjoy the sun-kissed terrace, or simply want to kick off a special day in style.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: New York’s For Five Coffee Roasters supply flavorful beans to create all your favorite espresso drinks plus The Five – drip coffee, chocolate ganache, espresso, half + half, orange peel – a suitably luxurious indulgence!
COFFEE +: The chocolate croissants will transport you to the French Riviera and kids will love the fun M&M-topped cookies and Rice Krispie treats, as displayed by barista Olivia.
Calypso Cafe
STYLE: Casual, canal-side cafe in the Coronado Cays – a great location to catch a breeze on a hot day.
SIGNATURE COFFEE: Owner Hanan Martha recommends the Calypso cappuccino.
COFFEE +: Favorites include the shortcrust berry or apple pastries and mini chocolate Bundt cakes.
Wherever you go on Coronado, enjoy your cup of Joe!
