50 Best Cafes near Santee

“We go to Donutopolis a couple times a month and they are always so friendly and the donuts are delicious! ❤❤“

“Cozy little Cafe. Very clean. Friendly staff. Great coffee drinks. Delicious pastries. Love this place!❤“

“The most excellent fruit, quality of Açaí bowls, excellent smoothies! So beyond amazing that I eat here everyday-best in the world and I’ve lived in metropolitan cities outside of California. I will be a patron for ever! Love the owner!“

“Any customer who comes to the Santee location knows that Jeresy is the best Employee at this cafe!! She's friendly, hard working, can multi-task. Jeresey goes above and beyond her job responsibilities and ensures customer satisfaction is exceeded. whether she's re-filling fresh brewed coffee, sweeping floors, cleaning tables, or bathrooms; she takes pride in herself and in her job. 5 star rating for Jeresey who makes this establishment a 4.5 star rating“

“Highly recommend- tell them it's your first and you get the tour of the menu and art. Great prices, food, drinks and outstanding service. See you there.“

“This place makes pretty good coffees and matchas. They also offer very good pasteries and baked goods.

They offer inside and outside seating. The place gets very packed during peek hours, so either come early or later in the day.

They also offer a small market offering snacks and beverages.“

“Loved Saturday, and Sunday breakfast at Gillespie Field. A great staff of folks, and a must visit if your only on vacation.“

“This is now my favorite coffee shop. Everything about this spot was perfect. The breakfast panini was delicious and the mexican mocha with oat milk was amazing. Their outside patio reminds me of a time with my family in Mexico . 10/10 would recommend.“

“I mean when they say the proof is in the pudding...I purchased some for my very picky Pops for Father's Day and he loved it!! We will definitely be back for more.“

“Cool patio with misters. Chef inspired twists on the classics. Looking forward to the next visit.“

“Best corned beef hash ever!!“

“Best coffee in The Village, no contest.

I really appreciate the complexity of their signature drinks like the Black Sesame and brown sugar cinnamon. Lots of places just load up on sweet and syrup, not here!

Still kicking myself for ignoring this place for 4 years. I guess that's what I get for thinking "I'll get there eventually.". Now it's my go to spot when I want a great cup of something special.“

“The workers are always so kind and ready to greet you with a smile. The restaurant is always clean and has a welcoming feeling as soon as u enter. The dishes are always clean in the mornings, not like other restaurants where you see dirty spots on the cups. It's just amazing service especially on Sundays the busy days. Props to everyone working there. The owner really knows how to manage a restaurant. I will recommend many friends and family to eat here knowing they'll leave satisfied. The young looking guy that's always wearing an apron on Sundays and sweeping, working nonstop is always saying hi to everyone and very kind. He looks like a hardworker.

Vegetarian options: They have plenty of yummy vegetarian options. Just let them know what your craving and they will accommodate.

Parking: They have plenty of parking. And extra parking.

Kid-friendliness: The workers are always very sweet and patient with the kids. My daughter loves going to give them hugs.“

“Exelente servicio y todo de primera calidad súper recomendado“

“We stop here on our way to Jamul. Breakfast sandwiches are HUGE. Filled with fresh sliced meats a-plenty! So yummy. Love supporting a small business too. Smoothie are delicious too!“

“Todo riquisimo muy amables y atentos“

“Cozy and friendly best coffee ☕️“

“Me encanto el lugar que es muy familiar♥️“

“I was here yesterday to grab some coffee and breakfast while I did some work. The staff was very kind and helpful. Made me feel like I was at home. My waitress was so sweet, she reminded me of a Disney princess haha. I got a cafe mocha and it was soooo good, I had to get it twice. If I’m ever back in town, this is the spot.“

“The best place to eat sandwiches cold salad and pasta... and the owner has an amazing good customer services and very friendly indeed love to go their due to u feel like home as well and very excellent prices and well especially fresh too... Vicky thank u for the great services ???? ♥️?“

“Great vibe and crowd! Kava is excellent!“

“El mejor restaurante de comida casera ❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“I love La Mesa Bistro team working is very nice, friendly and efficient. It’s clean and you can eat indoor or outside The food is all very good and ready quickly! My favorites açaí be wil and grilled Cheese on sourdough with artichokes and avocado. It’s fabulous- sorry I can’t remember the benefits of it. ?“

“This place is cozy, inviting, clean. Plenty of parking. Friendly staff, but didn't interact much. The music was low which I personally like. I love the booth seating. Fast service.

My Complaints: I ordered a tuna melt but the tuna was cold and the bread of toasted. Defeats the purpose of a melt. But everything else was great. They have on the menu Mr. Pibbs soda, but didn't have any, and offered a Dr Pepper instead.“

“Very good prices throughout the menu. I sat in the Cafe and was brought my order pretty quickly.
I changed out the croissant bread on my sandwich for squaw bread and I was disappointed that it wasn't toasted but all the other ingredients were good so I still liked it. It had lots of turkey, and the cranberry mayo on the sandwich was a nice touch. I also got Thai tea and it had a nice bold flavor the way I love it.
My receipt had wifi login information for easy access and I was able to stay and do some work on my phone after I finished my meal. The atmosphere was very slow and all the employees I spoke to were very kind.

Parking: The parking lot is a little small and therefore a bit tight to drive around but during the time I went, there was plenty of open spaces so it wasn't a problem.“

“We have been dining at Patty's for about 6 years.Well love the food. It has a homemade flavor that we appreciate.We have our favorite items such as the Carne Asada burrito served with rice and beans and the 1/2 lb Sirloin burger topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms, served with perfectly streamed veggies and mashed potatoes. It also comes with either salad or soup. Salads are good and I definitely recommend their Lemony chicken and rice soup. Also included is your choice of bread.The wait staff is always friendly and attentive.Patty's has a diner feel.“

“My daughters and I had brunch here, and the staff was really friendly. The place had a nice atmosphere with great outdoor seating. While it's not a vegan restaurant, they were able to adjust my dish, the Mediterranean Breakfast, to make it vegan. Everything was good, but the salad was way too salty with too much dressing. I should have asked for the dressing on the side. My daughter got the churros. They were okay, but I thought they were too doughy, so I wouldn’t order them again.“

“Bistro Cajon is a hidden gem! The cozy ambiance and friendly staff make it a perfect spot for a relaxed breakfast or brunch. Their omelettes are simply divine—fluffy, flavorful, and generously filled with fresh ingredients. Whether you're a meat lover or prefer veggies, they have options to satisfy every palate. Pair it with a freshly brewed coffee, and you're set for a delightful morning. Highly recommend stopping by Bistro Cajon for a culinary treat!“

“Great website! Excellent products, fast shipping, and top-notch service. Highly recommended! 5 stars!“

“Coffee is really good !! Owners are incredibly nice !“

“Such a cute place. The food was good, service was great, and the coffee yummy.“

“My baby girl loves Smoothies and we drive past everyday so figured today we should try it…& I’m so glad we did!! These smoothies are very yummy!! Baby girl drank all of hers and even wanted mine…. We will definitely be back for more soon!“

“1st time, won’t be the last....“

“Honestly, I’ve been looking for a good San Diego bagel since 2015 and I have finally found my place. Living in New York really spoiled me and unfortunately I am addicted to bagels. I have been thoroughly disappointed in my search for bagels until I stumbled upon Memo’s Cafe. Immediately upon entering, the aroma of a fresh baked bagel hits your nose. The staff is extremely friendly but I don’t care. I just want a good bagel. I started off with a classic bagel and cream cheese. I always start with the basics to gauge my bagel. The Bagel was toasted and savory plain cream cheese was smeared on. I didn’t have high expectations since all my previous San Diego bagel experiences have been trash. But once I took a bite, that was it. I was back in New York. Perfect balance of crunch and chewy. Just the right dose of cream cheese hit my veins. I was in heaven. I devoured the bagel. I politely thanked them and left. Now after I was off the cream cheese high, I decided to try Memos again a week later, to ensure it wasn’t a fluke.
My second visit, I had the pleasure of meeting Memo herself. She was very kind and knew her bagels. This time I had to go with the everything bagel. A real test. Most places can make the everything too salty. There is an art to the everything bagel. It needs to taste just like everything and nothing all at once. I ordered the everything bagel and it was phenomenal. I’ve been back several times and it’s consistently good. Thank you for the best bagels Memo! You guys are amazing!!!“

“This place is a hidden GEM! My husband and I stopped by for lunch today and was blown away with the amazing customer service and the sandwiches were amazing. I highly recommend checking it out, the chicken buffalo sandwich and the rod were delicious. We will be regulars.“

“This charming spot serves exceptional coffee, delicious treats, and warm hospitality.

The coffee is delicious, with a perfect balance of flavors. From rich lattes to bold pour-overs, every sip is a delight. Their pastry selection is equally impressive.

What truly sets Bica apart is its cozy atmosphere. The inviting decor, complete with vintage touches and natural light, makes it the perfect spot to relax, work, or catch up with friends.

The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, always happy to recommend drinks.

Whether you're a coffee lover, foodie, or simply seeking a welcoming spot, Bica Cafe exceeds expectations.

Recommended for: Coffee lovers, brunch enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a cozy retreat.“

“Wow, such great food and awesome service! Had the lobster roll and it was quality lobster and overflowing with actual meat. Everything was delicious.“

“My favorite place to go ... great tasting & friendly stafff :)“

“It's an awesome space! I highly recommend.“

“strawberry matcha is the best try one for sure“

“I like Vanitea. They are always dependable with their milk teas, and recently, they added popcorn chicken, which I love.

The popcorn chicken was spicier than what I anticipated. I asked for mild but definitely got served medium. Nevertheless, it was crispy and tasty. They use thigh meat for their chicken, not that there's anything wrong with that.

The coconut milk tea was very good and not overly sweet at 25% sugar. It had good coconut flavor.

The service was very friendly.“

“It's hit and miss here. Seems it really just depends on the time of day, and who your barista is. Some days they are really quick, and amazing service. Other days, they are down to one person and very slow, and the drinks are sub par. Overall it's descent, but they could work on staff coverage, and not burning coffee.“

“Friendly service! Dog friendly also! 🐶❤️“

“☕️🙂👍 Matt does a great job!“

“Hit up the New Nutmeg on Danielson Street in Poway. I heard their Scripps location closed because the landlord raised the rent so high it was unaffordable for them to stay there. We were a large group so we were able to order a bunch of menu items. There was a line but its a very popular place so we were not surprised. We started with some espresso drinks, and agua frescas. We had the Hearty Bowl, Avocado Toast, and Amazing Burrito. Some in our group had the new Grandpa's Breakfast Bun with the egg and spam, and the Porky. They are very flexible with special orders including one in our group who is gluten sensitive. We finished, sharing their in-house baked pastries (they have gluten-free pastries); the warmed espresso scones and cinnamon buns (don't ever leave without having the "buns"). I work in the area so Nutmeg is now my go-to for breakfast before work, or lunch. Its also located nearby Costco and Home Depot, convenient for a weekend meal before or after my weekly Costco runs.“

“This coffee shop is right when you pull into the Salvation Army Kroc Center. Parking there is busy. There is one parking spot dedicated to the coffee shop - I think it has a 10 minute limit - but that means whoever gets there first can apparently stay there in their car for as long as they want. The coffee shop should look into another spot so people who want coffee don’t have to park across the entire parking lot. Good customer service, coffee is aight.“

“The French toast and chai latte were delicious! 5/5 recommend this place. My husband got the chilaquiles and they were also delicious. You can tell they take pride in the details. Staff was super friendly and attentive. They even brought my 9mo old complimentary watermelon.“

“By far the best Eggs Benedicts in Lakeside!! Highly recommend food here. Service was great for Easter Sunday. Girls working their bottoms. Love to see a place so welcoming and efficient.“