Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Bird Rock's Little Italy waterfront cafe sits at 1420 Kettner, a few blocks from the airport approach and the Saturday farmers market. The roaster was the first in San Diego to do direct trade and still sources small lots from farms it has worked with for years. The brick storefront opens through garage windows, and bar-ledge seating runs along the glass for typing and reading. Espresso lands clean, dialed for clarity over weight. Pour-overs change with the harvest. Order the house espresso as a cortado if you want the version of San Diego specialty coffee that built the city's reputation. Order the rotating single-origin pour-over if you came because someone told you Bird Rock was where to go.