Neighborhood Joe: Lofty Coffee Little Italy
Lofty Coffee, Little Italy
At the busy corner of Cedar and Colombia Street in Little Italy, a cira 1953 block and redwood building has been transformed into a modern, airy cafe serving a small, locally-sourced menu and coffee drinks made from their sustainably-sourced, locally-roasted beans. Lofty Coffee was started in 2011 on Coastal Highway 101 in Encinitas, and they opened the Little Italy shop a few years later. Everything comes from their own production facility where they roast their own coffee, bake all the pastries from scratch, and bring in organic ingredients from local producers.
The Space
The wall of windows and seemless flow from the interior to the covered patio seating make this space feel decidedly modern. Natural wood decor and minature plants on the tables warm up an otherwise industrial look for a space that feels open and comfortable. The views of Little Italy are the main focal point, and they really make you feel like you are in the middle of a vibrant city center, in a way not often found in the sprawling collection of neighborhoods that make up San Diego.
The Vibe
The cafe blends seemlessly with the urban energy of Little Italy and upon entering, the baristas offer a cheerful welcome and seem genuinely interested in providing suggestions, should you want them. Indoor and outdooor seating abounds and the window-lined walls offer a great view of the Cedar Street foot traffic. Free wifi ensures that at good number of the tables are occupied by people working on their laptops, though the majority are filled with guests chatting with friends or small groups having business meetings. Despite that, the lively space isn't particularly loud, the background music mingling gently with the hum of chatter. It is a cheerful, bright destination to meet a friend or client, and the kind of place you would want to arrive early so as to enjoy a few minutes of solitary work in the energetic, positive space. The patio areas are dog friendly, in case you want to bring your furry assistant along.
The Nibbles
Hand-rolled croissants, muffins, and cookies are baked daily, along with gluten-free offerings, and even homemade almond milk. The breakfast menu features a rotating selection of baked goods, along with heartier fare like artisan bread with poached eggs, an ancient grain farro bowl, and plant-based sausagel Lunch offerings are simple, with a local arugula salad topped with figs and goat cheese and paninis pressed on their fresh-baked bread.
The Drinks
Lofty sources its beans from farms, co-ops, and importers from around the world that grow and transport in a sustainable way. They then roast their beans in-house for use in classic espresso drinks, Kyoto-style cold brew, and really outstanding latte creations like the Aztec mocha with dark cacao, cinnamon, and cayanne pepper, and our favorite, the Turkish latte, which is infused with cardamom and raw sugar. These drinks are made with either their homemade almond milk, or milk from the local Strauss Dairy. For non-coffee drinkers, they have whole leaf greatn and black teas, house-brewed chai latte with milk, honey, and spices, and iced mint and rooboos teas.
Plan a Visit
444 W. Cedar Street, Little Italy, San Diego
Hours: Monday to Friday, 6am-6pm; Saturday to Sunday, 7am-6pm (food menu available until 3:30pm)
