San Diego Buzz: The Classic Cappuccino at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters’ menu is simple. They offer classics like cortados, “signatures” like mochas, pour overs, cold and batch brews, teas, and a nitro option. Most prices land around the $4 - $5 range, with a few market price options for serious aficionados. Even their pastry program tends to be culled to the absolute minimum, with staples like croissants and cinnamon rolls dominating the shelves.
This streamlined approach to coffee relies on two major elements: the quality of beans and the expertise used to roast them. That’s where Bird Rock stands above run-of-the-mill coffee shops around town.
Their Morena roasting facility consistently churns out high-scoring coffee varieties prized by coffee connoisseurs around the world. Quality assurance doesn’t stop there; Bird Rock’s team of baristas are closer to professional artists, constantly working to finesse their craft with precision, delicacy, and respect for tradition.
That’s why — despite my love for gimmicky coffee concoctions — I never stray from the cappuccino at Bird Rock. It doesn’t matter which location I visit or which barista prepares it. It’s the best cappuccino in town, period.
Bird Rock’s classic cap keeps the frothy top layer restrained, which balances it against the smooth and light acid bite of the roast. There’s a hint of nuttiness, but overall, the complexity comes from the astonishing simplicity of it.
With each sip, my drink dwindles further and further, the foam clinging to the cup like the lace of a vintage gown. This transition never fails to delight me, and often inspires me to order a second cup.
Even with my commitment to this particular pick-me-up, I’m not married to any one particular Bird Rock outpost. There are five to choose from (La Jolla, Little Italy, Del Mar, San Diego, and Pacific Beach), and by virtue of geography and habit, I tend to favor La Jolla and Little Italy.
Every Bird Rock location blends San Diego’s signature design aesthetic, which incorporates indoor and outdoor elements while remaining laid-back, and there are generally plenty of beautiful people milling around sipping lattes and either people watching (if you’re in the original Bird Rock location) or plane watching (if you’re in Little Italy). The San Diego location on Morena has the olfactory benefit of the on-site roastery, but the pastry perfume permeating from the Pacific Beach spot might be the hardest to resist.
If there’s a better cappuccino-and-croissant combination anywhere in San Diego, I’d love to put it to the test. Until then, I’ll keeping sipping on this old reliable that never lets me down.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Hours vary by location
(619) 272-0203