San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches and eclectic coffee culture, with lots of awesome cafes that serve high-quality, fair trade coffee and food.
Here’s a list of the top 10 fair trade cafes in San Diego, highlighting their popular menu items, and what makes them stand out.
1. Cafe Moto
- Address: 2619 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
- Popular Items: Espresso, Fair Trade Organic Coffee, Solar-Powered Roastery
- Fair Trade Focus: Cafe Moto is a solar-powered roastery offering Kosher, Fair Trade, Organic coffee, tea, and cocoa since 1990.
Cafe Moto has been a San Diego staple since 1990. Customers love the cafe’s sustainability, fair trade coffee, and solar-powered operations. The motorcycle-themed decor adds a distinctive, unique touch.
- The Nitro Cold Brew is a standout at Cafe Moto, beloved for its smooth texture and bold flavor.
- The Iced Vanilla Latte combines the rich house-roasted espresso with creamy vanilla, making it a top choice for those who enjoy sweet and indulgent coffee beverages.
- The Berrykin Seasonal Latte is a seasonal favorite, with white chocolate and cranberry for a unique flavor profile.
- The Cubano Cortado is a delightful espresso drink sweetened with brown sugar.
Does Cafe Moto offer kosher options?
Yes, Cafe Moto is certified kosher by Star-K, making it an excellent choice for those seeking kosher coffee and tea options. This certification complements its focus on ethical sourcing.
What are the operating hours of Cafe Moto?
Cafe Moto operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM. It offers drive-thru and walk-up services for convenience.
2. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
- Address: 5627 La Jolla Blvd, San Diego, CA 92037
- Hours: Vary by location; check their website for specifics
- Popular Items: Single-Origin Coffees, Pour-Overs
- Fair Trade Focus: While not strictly fair trade, Bird Rock engages in direct trade with farmers, ensuring high-quality beans and fair practices.
What are the most popular drinks at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters?
Popular drinks include the Honey B Latte, Coast Latte, Iced Matcha Latte, Dirty Chai, and Vanilla Latte.
Yes, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters offers a variety of food options, including sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The Bressi Ranch location is known for its Bird Rock Burritos, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and granola and yogurt parfaits.
Is Bird Rock Coffee Roasters involved in the local community?
Yes, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is actively involved in local community events and supports local artists by showcasing their work in the cafes. They also host live music and open mic nights.
3. Mostra Coffee
- Address: 12225 World Trade Dr, San Diego, CA 92128
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Popular Items: Unique Flavored Coffees, Espresso
- Fair Trade Focus: Mostra is recognized for its fair trade practices and unique coffee blends.
What are the most popular drinks at Mostra Coffee?
Mostra Coffee is known for its unique Filipino-inspired drinks. Popular beverages include the Ube Latte, Bibingka Creme Brûlée Latte, Blueberry Pancake Latte, Campfire Latte (espresso, milk, cinnamon, honey, topped with graham cracker crumbs), and the Choconana (cold brew with banana milk).
Does Mostra Coffee offer food options beyond pastries?
Yes, Mostra Coffee has some light food options, including grilled cheese sandwiches and traditional Filipino desserts like Bibingka and Turon. Pastries like the Guava Cheese Danish are also available.
What is the ambiance like at Mostra Coffee?
Mostra Coffee has a cozy and modern atmosphere with plenty of seating options, both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor seating is a great spot to relax or work. Free Wi-Fi is available, and the staff is known for being friendly and efficient.
Is Mostra Coffee committed to sustainability?
Yes, Mostra Coffee is committed to sustainability. They use compostable containers and plastic-free packaging, contributing to a more environmentally friendly coffee experience.
4. Holsem Coffee
- Address: 2911 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Popular Items: Specialty Lattes, Pour-Overs
- Fair Trade Focus: Holsem emphasizes fair trade and sustainable sourcing practices.
What are the most popular drinks at Holsem Coffee?
Popular drinks include the Banana Bread Cold Brew, Baklava Latte, L’orange Cappuccino, Nutella Cold Brew, and Mint Matcha Latte. The Banana Bread Cold Brew is noted for its authentic banana bread flavor.
What type of food does Holsem Coffee offer?
Holsem Coffee offers a variety of food, from savory porridge (topped with prosciutto, scallions, egg, Parmesan cheese shavings, and black pepper), sandwiches, and boards full of meats and cheeses. They also have local baked goods from Sugar & Scribe Bakery.
Does Holsem Coffee offer any unique coffee creations?
Yes, Holsem Coffee is known for its creative coffee drinks. They offer 17 different coffee creations, including unique cold brew flavors like Gingersnap Cold Brew and Lemon Meringue Cold Brew.
5. Coffee Cycle
- Address: 3335 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Popular Items: Cold Brew, Espresso
- Fair Trade Focus: Known for its commitment to fair trade and environmentally friendly practices.
What are the most popular drinks at Coffee Cycle?
Popular drinks include the Natty Ice (flash-chilled Ethiopian coffee), Vanilla Bean Latte, Honey Cinnamon Latte, and unique beverages like a Freddo made with espresso and local honey. They also offer house-made syrups and cashew-macadamia nut milk.
Does Coffee Cycle have food?
Yes, Coffee Cycle serves empanadas from Empanada Kitchen and offers a small panini selection, including vegetarian options. They plan to expand their menu with in-house sandwiches soon. Vegan options like soyrizo burritos are also available.
Is Coffee Cycle involved in the local community?
Yes, Coffee Cycle is deeply involved in the local community. They host events like educational workshops and meet-and-greets with coffee farmers. Their commitment to using locally sourced and fair-trade products supports local businesses and farmers.
6. Zumbar Coffee & Roasting
- Address: 6191 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92120
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Popular Items: Small-Batch Roasted Coffee, Coffee Beers
- Fair Trade Focus: Zumbar emphasizes quality and sustainability in its coffee sourcing.
What are the most popular drinks at Zumbar Coffee & Roasting?
Popular drinks include the French Press Coffee, Iced Latte, El Mundo (a freshly roasted coffee of the day), Honey Vanilla Latte, and Mexican Mocha. Their Hummingbird Espresso Blend is also highly praised for its unique flavor profile.
What kind of food does Zumbar Coffee & Roasting offer?
Zumbar primarily offers pastries like almond croissants, donuts, and bagels. They don’t have a full menu, and their focus is on high-quality fair trade coffee and baked goods.
Is Zumbar Coffee & Roasting involved in the local community?
Yes, Zumbar is involved in the local community through collaborations like their coffee beers with New English Brewing. They embrace sustainable practices and source beans from reputable brokers, contributing to the local coffee culture.
7. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
- Address: Multiple locations; check their website for specifics
- Hours: Vary by location
- Popular Items: Espresso, Signature Drinks
- Fair Trade Focus: While not exclusively fair trade, Dark Horse focuses on high-quality, sustainable coffee.
8. Seven Seas Roasting Company
- Address: 1510 Main St, San Diego, CA 92113
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Popular Items: Pour-Overs, Avocado Toast
- Fair Trade Focus: Seven Seas supports sustainable practices and fair trade sourcing.
9. Ultreya Coffee and Tea
- Address: 3301 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Popular Items: Organic Honduras Coffee, Espresso
- Fair Trade Focus: Ultreya emphasizes organic and fair trade practices, supporting Mexican women.
10. Tower Roasting Co. (via Lucky Duck Coffee Club)
- Address: Not a physical cafe; part of the Lucky Duck Coffee Club
- Hours: N/A
- Popular Items: 100% Organic Fair Trade Coffee
- Fair Trade Focus: Tower Roasting Co. provides 100% organic fair trade coffee, with 30% of sales supporting homelessness prevention in San Diego.
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Conclusion
San Diego’s vibrant coffee scene offers a variety of fair trade cafes that not only serve delicious coffee, but also support sustainable and equitable practices.
If you’re a local or just visiting, these cafes provide a unique blend of quality coffee and community engagement.
How to Choose the Right Fair Trade Cafe:
- Quality of Coffee: Look for cafes that source high-quality, fair trade beans.
- Community Engagement: Consider cafes involved in local initiatives or charitable causes.
- Sustainability: Opt for cafes with environmentally friendly practices.