The Simple Coffee House
About
The Simple Coffee House is listed on FindALoco in San Diego, CA with address, phone, hours, and map location. Common services and related keywords include Coffee Shop.
The Simple Coffee House is a well-loved coffee shop in the College Area of San Diego, CA, located at 7407 Jackson Drive. With a strong 4.7-star rating built on nearly 280 reviews, this neighborhood café has earned a loyal following for its wide drink menu, fresh pastries, and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you are stopping in for your morning espresso or settling in with a laptop for the afternoon, it delivers a straightforward, satisfying experience that keeps regulars coming back week after week.
The drink selection goes well beyond a standard drip coffee. Customers consistently praise the strawberry matcha cream with oat milk, noting that the strawberry flavor and the matcha complement each other beautifully without one overpowering the other. Another standout is the dirty horchata, which you can customize to your liking — many guests appreciate the option to ask for half sweet. Of course, classic espresso drinks and a solid range of brewed coffees round out the menu, making it easy to find something whether you prefer traditional or more creative options.
Food-wise, The Simple Coffee House offers a nice selection of pastries alongside an acai bowl that reviewers call a great value for the price. The small acai bowl in particular has earned praise as a satisfying and affordable bite. These lighter food options pair nicely with the drinks and make the shop a practical spot for a quick breakfast or a midday snack without having to go elsewhere.
The atmosphere is comfortable and unpretentious, with plenty of seating and a spacious parking lot — a combination that is not always easy to find in San Diego. Most tables tend to fill up during busy hours, which speaks to the shop's popularity, but the space rarely feels overcrowded. Service is generally reasonably fast, and the staff handles a steady flow of orders with efficiency. It is worth noting that a small number of reviews mention occasional inconsistencies in staff friendliness, so the experience can vary slightly depending on when you visit.
The Simple Coffee House opens early on weekdays at 6:00 AM and at 7:00 AM on weekends, making it a convenient stop for commuters and early risers alike. It closes by 6:00 PM on weekdays and 5:00 PM on weekends. This is a great choice for anyone looking for quality coffee, customizable drinks, and affordable bites in a no-fuss setting — whether you are a local running your daily errands, a remote worker seeking a change of scenery, or simply someone who appreciates a good cup of coffee in the College Area of San Diego, CA.
Ratings & Reviews
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Sign in to reviewWe decided to stop by The Simple Coffee House for a quick coffee and a bite to eat. There weren’t too many people, but most of the tables were taken — a clear sign that this place is popular, as reflected in its high rating and strong reviews. The service was reasonably fast. I wouldn’t say the staff were especially friendly — they did their job well, but without much warmth. Honestly, I would have appreciated a bit more kindness and a welcoming attitude. As for the food, I can’t recall the name of the item we ordered, but it’s the one with salmon shown in the photo. It tasted fairly good — not amazing, but fine. The matcha was just okay. The coffee also wasn’t bad, but I didn’t really enjoy it — it had a noticeable bitterness, which made me think it might have been prepared incorrectly or made with beans that didn’t quite suit my taste. Overall, the atmosphere was nice. Nothing unpleasant, but nothing truly memorable either. It’s a decent place to grab a coffee and a snack. I would recommend it, but personally, the coffee and especially the level of service left me wanting a bit more.
I’m glad I decided to stop here for matcha—it was delicious! I ordered the strawberry matcha cream with oat milk. The cream is dairy, but that was fine since I had lactaid on hand. Flavor-wise, it was excellent: the strawberry wasn’t overpowering, and the oat milk didn’t mask the matcha. You could still taste both the matcha and the strawberry. The consistency was just right for a cream-style latte. It’s sweeter than traditional matcha, so if you prefer your matcha strong and slightly bitter, this might not be the drink for you. But if you like a lightly sweetened matcha where the flavor still comes through, this one is perfect. I’m curious to try their regular matcha next. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I mentioned my dietary restrictions (celiac), and they were accommodating, though there’s always a possibility of cross-contamination, so keep that in mind. The shop itself is a great place to catch up with friends, study, or just relax. They offer light snacks like pastries, bagels, toast, parfaits, and acai bowls—unfortunately, nothing gluten-free for me, but still great options for others. Even though they were busy, the line moved quickly. Overall, this is a great matcha spot, and I can’t wait to try more drinks next time I’m in town!
Great local coffee shop with a variety of coffees on the menu. They also have great selection on pastries. I got the dirty horchata. It was very good! I was able to customize it by asking for half sweet as well which is nice. Plenty of seating and lots of parking! Perfect place to go before or after a hike. Will come back again.
This is a great coffee house. I've been coming here for a few weeks now and we are never disappointed with our drinks or pastry. Tried the small acai bowl this time and no complaints here, especially for the price. Affordable coffee, great service from the employees and a nice atmosphere with plenty of tables inside and out. I highly recommend trying this coffee shop out if you're in the area
I came here because this place was recommended to me, and while the matcha was good, the customer service was terrible. I accidentally ordered the wrong drink and apologized immediately, but the blonde and brunette baristas gave me rude looks and acted like remaking it was a huge problem. Their attitude was unnecessary and completely unwelcoming. The only employee who showed any professionalism or basic kindness was the male worker, who stepped in and offered to remake the drink. He was the only reason this experience was not a complete waste. Good matcha, but the rude attitude from those employees ruined the visit.
