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San Diego Buzz: Lavender Thyme Iced Lattes & Idyllic Neighborhood Vibes at Hawthorn Coffee in Normal Heights
Inventive lattes and inclusive vibes make Hawthorn an Adams Ave essential
If San Diego neighborhoods were family members, Normal Heights would be our cool, artsy aunt who loves her margaritas as much as her morning Pilates class.
Adams Avenue, the area’s main drag, radiates a quiet chicness sprinkled with creative energy that feels as inviting to families as it does to college students. It’s inclusive, unpretentious, and low-key, all while maintaining a sense of elegance.
Basically, it’s the perfect transition between North Park and Kensington.
No neighborhood is truly complete without at least one solid local coffee shop, and Normal Heights has its fair share.
“I believe we have the best espresso, and espresso drinks, in town,” says Kevin Redmond, the owner of Hawthorn Coffee, where his goal is to roast, make, and serve the best coffee in San Diego.
His shop has been a part of the local scene since 2015 and has been instrumental in putting third-wave San Diego coffee on the map.
Walking into the fern-dotted space with soft gray walls and rich wood paneling along the low-slung bar is a promising start to the visit. The zen vibe feels very intentional.
“What we are about is creating an atmosphere for all to be welcomed into a relaxing, friendly, supportive environment,” says Redmond. “We deeply love coffee but, we love people more.”
Hawthorn’s menu is a classic third-wave mix of the usual lattes, pour overs, and cortados with proprietary twists like the Shake and Boogie (four shots of espresso, vanilla ice cream, chocolate-covered honeycomb, and honey in a chocolate-walled glass) and seasonal items like the campfire latte, made with rosemary and brown sugar.
All the drinks are made with organic milk and house-made syrups and sauces.
For as unbelievably decadent as the Shake & Boogie sounds (and I love an over-the-top coffee drink), and despite the barista’s recommendation, I couldn’t quite bring myself to indulge in a buzzy dessert at 8:30 AM.
“Everyone has a vanilla latte,” said the barista, who encouraged me to try the lavender thyme latte iced with whole milk. I hungrily eyed the salted maple latte for a moment before agreeing to his suggestion.
It’s a refreshingly floral drink—ideal for spring and summer—best suited to those who want a caffeine fix without a prominent “coffee” flavor.
The lavender is unexpectedly subtle at first, with the thyme presenting itself much more aromatically in the forefront.
As time goes on, the lavender slowly emerges, but the usual bite of espresso remains subdued throughout.
As I sipped from my mason jar, I glanced around the shop at patrons typing away on their laptops and sipping pour overs served in ceramic mugs glazed in shades of speckled gray and slashed with peach. A six-month old caramel-colored American Staffordshire Terrier plodded over in hopes of some crumbs from my table. (I unfortunately had none, but was happy to give a scratch behind his ears.)
“We welcome and love everyone,” promised Redmond. “Because of that, and this is the real point, all kinds and ages of people feel comfortable here.”
The coffee is good at Hawthorn, but the real draw is the vibe. Looking around at the diverse group of people peacefully enjoying some seriously good coffee, I knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.
Hawthorn Coffee
Open daily, 6am - 8pm
3019 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights
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