Genteel Coffee Co.

Friendly people and fantastic coffee bundled up into an industrial-style cafe. Things you should know: I. PARKING You'll have to rely on good ol' street parking for this place. Can be difficult depending on the time of day. II. SERVICE Sociable and masters at their craft. Shout out to Eric for getting to know my name ~ it wasn't even needed for my order and just simply personalized the experience. On a side note, I noticed they also have merchandise here and a self-serve water station. III. QUALITY Their cortado is pretty spot on ~ you should give it a try..! IV. CAPACITY Fair amount of available indoor and outdoor seating for the late afternoon on a weekend.

This place is dreamy. Aesthetically pleasing, beautifully set up for individual work time or meeting someone up for coffee. Justin, the owner, has put his life into Genteel. First starting with a basic coffee cart, then his warehouse location, and now this beautiful shop. Justin also has been diligently learning how to source beans and roast to continue developing the perfect cup. He is creative and will provide you with a good time and a great cup.

It's a cute coffee shop with limited indoor seating but ample outdoor space. I had the oat milk latte, which was delicious, and the croissant was fresh.

Visiting my daughter in this area and she recommended this place for breakfast. I LOVED IT. The staff was super friendly, and both the indoor and outdoor spaces were really clean. The outdoor seating area was narrow but surprisingly really beautiful, serene, and peaceful. The Den Mother Latte, hot green tea (can't remember the exact name), and almond croissant were delicious. The wooden trays, tea pot and cup were so beautiful. I enjoyed my visit so much and can't wait to visit this place in the future!

Cute coffee shop! I got the cold brew, and my friend got the cappuccino. There's a couple spots to sit inside, but otherwise there's a little bit outside too. This is great for a quick drop in.

Anastasia Flionis

The best of the best!!! A perfect drip coffee. Wonderfully roasted beans and perfectly steamed milk. The staff is super cool & friendly and the seating is plentiful with a unique side hallway outside for seating

Micah Hamilton

Really good coffee and atmosphere. We got one of the seasonal drinks and a cortado, everything was amazing. Baristas were really kind! We bought some merch because all of the branding is really cool. Will absolutely be coming here consistently. 10/10

Madison Sokolov

We enjoyed this wonderful and unique space -coffee shop. Baristas are very nice too.

Berenice Weber

Delicious & unique Vixen latte, coffee, oat milk, activated charcoal, slightly sweetened with agave. Love all the cactus and quiet alley. Don't miss Genteel in North Park, San Diego.

Annelise Jolley

Genteel serves of the best coffee in San Diego! Plus the staff is warm and friendly; they’ve created a truly communal and welcoming space. We love this place!

Anna P

Delightful coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. Menu is a mix of classic and creative items. Staff is very helpful and friendly. Great, peaceful shop with good vibes. Parking is street parking and not particularly great. I had a matcha alternative -- the blue matcha, as well as a scone.

Iryna Yaresko-Linska

I finally found a place where they cook matcha in compliance with all the requirements for its preparation. The matcha is delicious and most importantly cooked at the right temperature. Maybe this place will be my favorite. The atmosphere here is really cool. Very friendly and positive baristas. I especially liked the tables outside, cozy and comfortable. The coffee tour is also very tasty. I highly recommend everyone to visit this place🔥

Christopher Gorrie

Genteel is a beautiful coffee shop with delicious drinks! The owner, Justin, is a really nice guy who‘s done a great job with his business. The store is spotless and gorgeously set up. They serve an array of creative drinks and have some interesting snacks/nibbles. There is an outdoor seating area that runs along the side of the building, and there is also a bit of bar seating inside. I highly recommend this spot!

James Manning

A wonderful gem in north park. It’s worth the small walk out of the center to come and try Genteel! Phenomenal espresso- a Mexican blend. When tried the aroma isn’t how it smelt, which was quite acidic. The flavor was delightful, fruity, nutty, a real treat. When served as a cappuccino, it became a chocolate masterpiece. The milk was silky smooth and was incredibly delicious. The cups are super cute and offer great presentation. The baristas are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The space is a little tight but nothing to be put of by, as they have plenty of seating inside and outside. Nothing bad to say, only positive. Can’t wait to come back and try again!

Vlad Vedernikov

A Cozy Gem with Great Coffee and Stylish Merch This coffee shop is an absolute delight for anyone looking for a warm and welcoming space to enjoy their favorite brews. The interior combines a minimalist and cozy vibe, complete with hanging plants, wooden shelves, and thoughtfully displayed merchandise that blends seamlessly with the decor. Coffee Quality: The lattes here are exceptional, both in taste and presentation. The latte art speaks to the skill of the baristas—whether you opt for a classic coffee or a vibrant matcha latte, you're guaranteed a visually beautiful and flavorful cup. The creamy texture and rich notes make every sip satisfying. Atmosphere: The counter area has a clean, modern feel with neatly organized displays of pastries, coffee jars, and a sleek espresso setup. The thoughtful lighting and natural tones add to the relaxed atmosphere, making it a great spot to unwind, catch up on work, or chat with friends. Merchandise: What really sets this place apart is its selection of branded merchandise. From hoodies and hats to tumblers and tote bags, there's something stylish for coffee enthusiasts to take home. The setup is aesthetically pleasing, making the merch corner feel like an extension of the shop's personality. Overall: If you're a fan of great coffee, calming interiors, and thoughtful details, this spot will not disappoint. Whether you're stopping by for a quick pick-me-up or lingering a bit longer, it offers a wonderful experience that’s worth revisiting.

Chelsea Choe

Friendly people and fantastic coffee bundled up into an industrial-style cafe. Things you should know: I. PARKING You'll have to rely on good ol' street parking for this place. Can be difficult depending on the time of day. II. SERVICE Sociable and masters at their craft. Shout out to Eric for getting to know my name ~ it wasn't even needed for my order and just simply personalized the experience. On a side note, I noticed they also have merchandise here and a self-serve water station. III. QUALITY Their cortado is pretty spot on ~ you should give it a try..! IV. CAPACITY Fair amount of available indoor and outdoor seating for the late afternoon on a weekend.

Joshua Matranga

This place is dreamy. Aesthetically pleasing, beautifully set up for individual work time or meeting someone up for coffee. Justin, the owner, has put his life into Genteel. First starting with a basic coffee cart, then his warehouse location, and now this beautiful shop. Justin also has been diligently learning how to source beans and roast to continue developing the perfect cup. He is creative and will provide you with a good time and a great cup.

Nisha Kothari

It's a cute coffee shop with limited indoor seating but ample outdoor space. I had the oat milk latte, which was delicious, and the croissant was fresh.

Ryan Nunez

New, clean, modern coffee shop that has coffee beans for purchase. Outdoor area to sit and nice staff. I liked my drink and got beans to go. Stop here if you need a quick coffee on the run or wanna hangout and conversate.

Wonderful zen sanctuary with delicious custom roasted coffee beans, fantastic lattes both coffee and tea versions, delicious syrups including Orange which is hard to find. Fantastic cinnamon roll tastes like it came out of your grandmother's oven ( if your grandmother was using the recipe handed down from her grandmother and had been making them her entire life). Worth eating in small bites to savor the flavor and texture. The place is a whole vibe. If you need a little peace in your life stop here. Really nice outdoor Garden seating as well. Great place to work, read, meet with a friend or just take five. This place is a sleeper! It's much more interesting once you get inside. It's on the corner of a quiet street where you have a good shot at finding parking. Worth going out of your way for. ☕️🍵🥮🌞🌄🌿🍃🧘‍♀️

One of the best coffee shops in SD! The quality of the coffee is incredible, staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. Great area for working or for catching up with friends. Highly recommend!

Davis Jolley

One of the best coffee shops in SD! The quality of the coffee is incredible, staff are super friendly and knowledgeable. Great area for working or for catching up with friends. Highly recommend!

Kathryn Widdoss

Wonderful zen sanctuary with delicious custom roasted coffee beans, fantastic lattes both coffee and tea versions, delicious syrups including Orange which is hard to find. Fantastic cinnamon roll tastes like it came out of your grandmother's oven ( if your grandmother was using the recipe handed down from her grandmother and had been making them her entire life). Worth eating in small bites to savor the flavor and texture. The place is a whole vibe. If you need a little peace in your life stop here. Really nice outdoor Garden seating as well. Great place to work, read, meet with a friend or just take five. This place is a sleeper! It's much more interesting once you get inside. It's on the corner of a quiet street where you have a good shot at finding parking. Worth going out of your way for. ☕️🍵🥮🌞🌄🌿🍃🧘‍♀️

I ordered a decaf foxtrot latte (iirc hazelnut flavor?) and it was rich and creamy but otherwise tasted mostly like milk; I could smell but could barely taste coffee. I also couldn't taste whatever extra flavor was supposed to be in it at all. I've had amazing decaf at other places so this was disappointing. As for vibe, the indoor space is small but cute; only window stool seats and a small couch. Though there are quite a few outdoor seats. They have fast wi-fi, but since there's few indoor seats, it's not the best place for a laptop.

Jelly Yee

I ordered a decaf foxtrot latte (iirc hazelnut flavor?) and it was rich and creamy but otherwise tasted mostly like milk; I could smell but could barely taste coffee. I also couldn't taste whatever extra flavor was supposed to be in it at all. I've had amazing decaf at other places so this was disappointing. As for vibe, the indoor space is small but cute; only window stool seats and a small couch. Though there are quite a few outdoor seats. They have fast wi-fi, but since there's few indoor seats, it's not the best place for a laptop.

Thomas

Genteel Coffee Roasters serves coffee with good flavor, though the overall experience has its ups and downs. Their soda coffee drinks are unique, and whether you enjoy them will depend on your individual taste. Parking is limited and stressful, and street noise can disrupt what should be a quiet, relaxing atmosphere. The staff were average in service and appeared somewhat unprofessional, with visible piercings and less-than-polished grooming, though they were not rude. The café could use more attention to cleanliness—dirty vents raise major concerns about air quality and maintenance—though the bathroom was clean and well-maintained. Outside, the plants attract a noticeable number of flies. The view isn’t very good, and the café is located in a somewhat run-down area, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the coffee itself is enjoyable, but the parking, noise, outdoor flies, staff impressions, and location make it a visit to weigh carefully.

Not too many spots in SD use homemade syrups! I was so excited to try out their house-made cinnamon & clove syrup but was told I couldn’t add into a latte instead of getting the cold brew drink (just not a fan of cold brews). I was bummed out and there weren’t any alternatives recommended to me so I just opted for the den mother instead. Not usually what I order flavor-wise but it was a perfect balance, not too sweet, not too strong.

Emily Martinez

Not too many spots in SD use homemade syrups! I was so excited to try out their house-made cinnamon & clove syrup but was told I couldn’t add into a latte instead of getting the cold brew drink (just not a fan of cold brews). I was bummed out and there weren’t any alternatives recommended to me so I just opted for the den mother instead. Not usually what I order flavor-wise but it was a perfect balance, not too sweet, not too strong.

I stopped by for a simple iced drink, but several issues added up. They were out of whole milk, yet still charged an extra $1 for almond milk — even though the only available option was an upcharge. Most cafés treat milk alternatives as a choice, not a mandatory upgrade, so this felt unfair. I also clearly ordered a small, but was given and charged a large without being asked or informed. When customers specify a size, it shouldn’t turn into a negotiation — accuracy is part of basic service.

Elif Turan

I stopped by for a simple iced drink, but several issues added up. They were out of whole milk, yet still charged an extra $1 for almond milk — even though the only available option was an upcharge. Most cafés treat milk alternatives as a choice, not a mandatory upgrade, so this felt unfair. I also clearly ordered a small, but was given and charged a large without being asked or informed. When customers specify a size, it shouldn’t turn into a negotiation — accuracy is part of basic service.