Best of San Diego: Drinks!
Written by Lindsey Chronert
We all have that friend. The one who knows exactly where to go for the best oat milk latte if you’re in North County. You know, the place that roasts their own beans and has a pistachio morning bun that melts like sugary butter in your mouth. Or where to grab the perfect bottle of natty rose on your way to a summer dinner party. Or the little tasting room you should take your coworker who just got back from Oaxaca. Or the little neighborhood joint that makes you feel like you’re in a small town in Italy. You know that friend. You trust that friend completely.
I am that friend. And I am surrounded by that kind. The people who just know what good feels like; what it tastes like. A blessing and a curse because dammit my standards are high. Even when it comes to a dive bar. I need dark, musty vibes, hints of cigarette smoke, good music, and a questionably attractive bartender. You gotta appreciate it all. That’s a rule in this friendship.
At MIHO, we’re a family, a group of friends, sharing what we love about this city and the wildly talented people who pour their love into their craft. We are beyond grateful for this community. If you find yourself in any of these neighborhood establishments, ask your bartender/server where you should go next. Because they’re one of us. Your day might unfold into this incredible experience of deliciousness and adventure.
So, let’s get our day started! Cause I’m the up-at-7am-type, stoked on the mushroom powder and extra spinach added to my morning smoothie kinda gal. And we have a lot to share with you, friend…
BEST PLACES TO DRINK IN SAN DIEGO
FOR THE HEALTH BENEFITS:
Rad Habits Juice Bar (South Park) - Nuthin But a Bee Thing or Notorious Kale - pack in those micro nutrients + superfoods! -Lindsey
Choice Juicery - (Carlsbad, Encinitas, Little Italy, Solana Beach and Del Sur) - They have cold pressed juices, plant-based craft milks, teas and lemonades including an espresso lemonade. SUPER BLUE and BEAUTY MELON are my favorite pressed juices after a hot beach day. -Amy M.
Northside Shack - Acai bowls and amazing smoothies! The Sexy Aphrodisiac is heavenly. -Lauren
FOR THE EARLY RISERS
WestBean Coffee Roasters is my go to for cold brew on a hot day. I always order the Kryptonite (cold brew plus fresh mint). -John
Camp Coffee (Oceanside). It's owned by my old District Mg. from back in my Starbucks days of the aughts and his level of coffee knowledge and skills are by far the best in SD. The black drip is amazing, the beans are exclusively from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. If you have a sweet tooth, definitely get the Camp Mocha. It's infused with toasted marshmallow syrup and a s'mores topping. -Juan
Revolution Roasters (Oceanside) - I love their seasonal offerings, but their house-made almond milk latte is my fav. Also, their pastry chef is crazy-talented! -Lindsey
James Coffee Co. (Little Italy) I love their cinnamon honey oat milk latte and the cute shops inside selling goodies from local vendors! -Stephanie
Cafe Moto (Barrio Logan) Fuels the MIHO fam daily! -Jess
If I'm looking for flavorful cold brew, I'm either stopping at Dos Palmas Cafe (Normal Heights) for their Horchata Cold Brew, or at Holsem (North Park) for their Banana Bread Cold Brew; both are a must-have! - Joshua
Zumbar (Cardiff) has some of the best coffee in San Diego! - Lindsey
Holy Matcha!! One of the girliest, cutsie spots in SD. Everything is pink and it’s freakin' adorable. -Sarah
BOOCH + BREWS
Nova Easy Kombucha (Ocean Beach)- Delicious and unique hard kombucha flavors and inside is very vibrant and colorful for all the beachy vibes! -Stephanie
Kilowatt (Ocean Beach) It's a really funky tasting room. -John
TapRoom (North Park + Pacific Beach) the Citra Starburst is the cleanest double IPA you'll taste in town and it goes down very smooth so be careful. The bonus here is that the food is quite tasty. I always get the their Wings, crack-style (S&P) and the key is to ask them for double-fried. They're perfect inside and out. If you love Cardiff Crack, get that sandwich! -Juan
Live Wire (North Park) is a great rock/metal bar, super divey, with a surprisingly well curated beer selection. -Spencer
Regal Beagle (Leucadia + Middletown) Solid draft beer list, killer tater tots and your food orders are linked to someone in 80's pop culture. I always want to get Kelly Kapowski IYKYK. -Sam
Mujeres Brew House (Barrio Logan) A bunch of talented women brewing beer? About time. - Amy A.
Fall Brewing (North + South Park) I love the Plenty For All German style Pilsner. They also always have delicious rotating sours on draft. They had an incredible pomegranate sour on for a bit. The cucumber gose is great. The food trucks parked here are definitely worth trying too. -Patrick
OFF THE BEATEN PATH…
Raised by Wolves (La Jolla, UTC) for craft cocktails + home bar essentials. Reservation only! See if you can spot the secret entrance. -Spencer
Realm of 52 the Remedies: Located right on Convoy street; with an Asian vibe that differentiates it from other speakeasies. Being someone who leans more towards bourbon, Tears of the Dragon was the first thing I tried there. It's a sweeter take on the classic Old Fashion. -Gil
Lionfish Restaurant: Their Activated Charcoal Mezcal cocktail is everything!
WHERE THE COCKTAILS ARE AS GOOD AS THE FOOD.
Campfire (Carlsbad) is always a great option- 'THE" Aloe Black is a family fav among me and my cousins. -Sam
Trust (Hillcrest) Anything with gin! -Jess
Juniper & Ivy (Little Italy) Their La Primavera is such a vibe and perfect for a hot day - pueblo viejo tequila, creme de cacao, lime, raspberry -Rosemary
Craft + Commerce (Little Italy) I love the vibe of Little Italy! - Bernice
HIGHLY SPIRITED
Tahona - if you can make it down to Valle, go there first. Otherwise, enjoy this stateside mezcaleria with over 100 different mezcals. They do tastings and yummy Oaxacan food. -Lindsey
Aero Club is my go-to for whiskey shenanigans with their selection affording you a plethora of whiskies from all over the world; it also doubles as my dive bar pick as well. The overall vibe backed by their selection of brown juice always keeps me coming back. -Joshua
J & Tony's Discount Meat + Negroni Bar: (East Village) Perfect for an aperitif on a dinner night out or just to go get those yummy snacks. Sardines, olives, butter w/bread, cured meats and add a mini-tini. A decent wine list too in case you want to mix it up. For about 5 seconds in your mind, you'll feel like you're in a small Italian town. -Juan
Excalibur Cigar and Scotch Lounge (Clairemont) is always a good time if you like whisky and cigars and have money burning a hole in your pocket. I like to try something new every time but will usually pick out a big, full-bodied cigar in the $15-25 range and a glass of bourbon or Scotch in the $40-$60 range. Go big or go home right? -John
IYKYK
Fernside (South Park) - SUMMA TIME SLUSHEES! Perfect consistency, super boozy, + well balanced... the best afternoon buzz all in a kiddie cup! They have a solid spirit, beer and natural wine list, too. -Lindsey
False Idol (Downtown) - I love taking people here for the first time and seeing their reactions! I remember (well, kind of) my first time here and not only did I only need to buy two drinks to get seriously loaded, the surprise baby thunderstorm is still one of the coolest things ever. -Sarah
It’s just not a cocktail list without a nod to Kindred (South Park) + their amazing bartenders and bar program. Plus, the money you put into the beast’s mouth will be donated to CLAWS (Cat Lovers Against White Supremacy). My heart. -Lindsey
RETAIL
Clos Wine Bar (University Heights) - delightful patio space and delightful people. Retail for bottles to take home or wine by the glass while I work. You all know I work best with a glass of wine. -Sam
Vino Carta (Little Italy) - we’ve done pop up dinners and wine educations with Vino many times. Tell them MIHO sent ya!
Bottlecraft (North Park, Solana Beach, Liberty Station). Amazing beer and wines but they have a great amaro selection too. I found a really good spicy Mexican Fernet there. -Patrick
ICONIC DIVES
Cherry Bomb (Bankers Hill) My favorite dive bar! Heavy metal, the friendliest people, foosball, and there’s always at least 1 dog! -Stephanie
WHISTLESTOP!!!!! (South Park) The beer list is always solid. The cocktails are stiff and their Friday / Saturday dj sets are where Kevin and I spent many many nights at. Booty Bassment for hip hip/rap on Saturday's. Special place in my heart because we also served food right outside with the truck every Friday for HOMI HOUR for several years. Good times. -Juan
Nunu’s (Hillcrest) A classic dive bar with a specialty cocktail menu and tons of fried food. Everyone needs sampler platter with their third gimlet, no? -Lindsey
Lucy's Tavern in OB!- Definitely a dive but its ALWAYS a good time. I love changing up the music there with the TouchTunes app and either making people really mad or getting them dancing. -Sarah
Wouldn't be a bar list without Carriage House, the unofficial MIHO bar (it’s a block away). Karaoke every night after 9! -Spencer
Did we miss an iconic San Diego spot? Let us know in the comments below!
Stay thirsty, friends. And call us anytime.
