Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » Achilles Coffee Roasters – San Diego
Achilles Coffee Roasters - San Diego
Photo from Achilles Coffee Roasters
Achilles Coffee Roasters at a glance
San Diego Core-Columbia
- ☕ Café
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 49 of the guests
#187 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#16 Café out of 65 in San Diego
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
378
Reviews
84.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality offerings
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- Pricey items
- Slow service
The cafe Achilles Coffee Roasters @ The Rey in San Diego’s vibrant Core-Columbia neighborhood is a must-visit if you appreciate truly great coffee. You’ll find a cozy and casual spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxing break.
With its trendy vibe and excellent service options including outdoor seating, it’s an ideal destination to start your day or recharge.
Overview: Introducting Achilles Coffee Roasters
Achilles Coffee Roasters offers a welcoming spot where the `atmosphere` is often described as cozy and the `staff` are consistently praised for their excellent service. Many appreciate the `vibe` and the convenience, making it a pleasant stop for a coffee break.
However, some experiences are tempered by concerns over `prices` and occasional issues with `slow lines`. While the overall experience is largely positive, these points suggest areas where a visit might not always meet every expectation.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
378
Reviews
84.1%
Satisfaction
42
negative
18
neutral
318
positive
Achilles Coffee Roasters earns a solid 8.1 overall score, reflecting a generally positive experience for many patrons. This is further supported by a strong 84.1% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that most visitors leave content with their visit.
Looking closer, the Food (8.5) and Service (8.0) stand out as particularly strong, with 318 positive remarks against just 42 negative ones across 378 customer observations. The Ambience (7.7) also contributes positively, though Value (4.9) appears to be a more contentious point, suggesting some find the offerings a bit pricey.
What people like
- Excellent coffee and food
- Friendly, attentive service
- Cozy, welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- High prices for items
- Slow service, long lines
- External construction noise
If you’re seeking a spot with excellent coffee and food, coupled with genuinely friendly service and a pleasant atmosphere, Achilles Coffee Roasters is certainly worth considering. The strong `8.2` recommendation score suggests many find it a reliable choice for their daily brew or a light meal.
However, be mindful of potential wait times and the pricing, which some customers have noted. While the quality is often high, those on a strict budget or in a hurry might want to plan their visit accordingly.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Achilles Coffee Roasters
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to food and drinks, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 8.5 and a good customer satisfaction of 89.4%. With 178 positive remarks out of 199, guests rave about the amazing coffee, delicious coffee, and satisfying breakfast sandwiches. The bagels and pour overs also receive high praise for their quality and variety.
However, a few of the 11 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some found certain drinks watered down with barely any flavor, particularly when it came to oat milk options. There were also mentions of drip coffee being disappointing and old lox in sandwiches.
Food
199
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
11
negative
10
neutral
178
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing coffee variety
- Delicious breakfast items
- Build-your-own bagels
What people don't like
- Watered down drinks
- Bland oat milk
- Old lox served
Often praised
- coffeeInstead of opting for the overpriced hotel breakfast, we decided to check out this place, and I'm so glad we did. The coffee was amazing, and we enjoyed trying a different breakfast item on each of the three days we visited. The restaurant offers plenty of outside seating, is clean, and is also dog friendly.
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great coffee and food, and the staff were excellent. It was a bonus to be able to sit outside and savor it all.
- bagelsthe bagels and coffee are absolutely amazing
- FoodThe atmosphere was great, rated at 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The service was also excellent, rated at 5, and the food received a perfect score of 5. It was a great breakfast experience for our group of 3-4 people, with a price range of $10–20 per person.
- espressoMy experience at this restaurant was a great find! I enjoyed the tasty, smooth espresso and a variety of very good thoughtful sandwiches, toasts, etc. The attentive service also contributed to a positive experience.
- pour oversGreat pour overs with fun names
- Banker's Hill sandwichThe Banker's Hill sandwich was delicious
- breakfast burritoone of the best breakfast burritos I’ve had
- cortadoBest cortado downtown
- pour over coffeemoderately priced pour over coffee, I enjoyed
Frequently criticized
- CoveThe lox in both were old, tasteless and frayed
- almond milkIt tastes gross and it's wildly unhealthy
- bagelit wasn't even warm
- drip coffeedrip coffee was pretty bad
- flavorThey had barely any flavor
- food menulooked at the food menu and the manager said "we're out of everything on the menu with meat
- loxThe lox in both were old, tasteless and frayed
- matchaWe ordered two regular matchas with oatmilk and vanilla syrup. Unfortunately, both drinks were really disappointing. They had barely any flavor, tasted watered down, and the oatmilk was bland.
- oatmilkUnfortunately, both drinks were really disappointing. They had barely any flavor, tasted watered down, and the oatmilk was bland. For $15.
- unsweetened plant based milksPLEASE! OFFER UNSWEETENED PLANT BASED MILKS!
If you're looking for a place with fantastic coffee and a solid breakfast or lunch sandwich lineup, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful of certain specialty drinks or specific ingredients like lox, which might not always live up to expectations.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally shines! With a solid score of 8 and customer satisfaction at a strong 80.6%, guests frequently rave about the friendly service, quick service, and attentive service from the staff. Many experiences highlight amazing staff, helpful baristas, and excellent customer service skills, making mornings smooth and visits welcoming.
However, its not always a perfect run. Out of 93 total comments, 75 were positive, but 16 pointed to some bumps. Some folks have encountered big line issues, waiting time, and new employees who seemed unsure.
There were also mentions of slow service and even instances where staff seemed to refuse service, ' leading to frustration.
Service
93
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
16
negative
2
neutral
75
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Long lines
- Slow service
- Unsure new employees
Often praised
- serviceThe coffee quality is seriously great. I highly recommend coming here for the great coffee, great service, and good location.
- staffIt's Friday and I can't thank RC enough for making it a GOOD Friday during this rough time. The staff were Skilled, Respectful and Professional. You guys rock!
- ServiceThe atmosphere was great, rated at 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The service was also excellent, rated at 5, and the food received a perfect score of 5. It was a great breakfast experience for our group of 3-4 people, with a price range of $10–20 per person.
- baristaAlivia the barista knows more about frothing milk
- AliviaAlivia helped me and she was excellent, friendly and professional
- baristasthe baristas are always nice
- managerThe manager is a sweetheart who always make you feel welcome
- Alex (barista)Alex (barista) is super knowledgable about each of the different roasts
- AmyAmy was very helpful with going over the menu
- Apple PayApple Pay offerings
Frequently criticized
- best staffMy experience at the restaurant has unfortunately declined. They have raised the prices and fired the best staff. Now, there's always a big line with new employees who seem unsure of what to do.
- big lineThey have raised the prices and fired the best staff. Now, there's always a big line with new employees who seem unsure of what to do.
- customer serviceHe gave short responses when I asked questions about my sandwich. My advice is to find better shops with much better customer service.
- get the food18 minutes to get the food
- guy working the registerGuy working the register sucks has an attitude problem
- linethe line moves far too slowly
- managerthe manager said "we're out of everything on the menu with meat
- new employeesnew employees that are not sure
- orderForgot my order
- ordered after usPeople who ordered after us received their food first
Overall, if youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and efficient service, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While there might be occasional hiccups with lines or new staff, the overwhelmingly positive experiences suggest youll likely be well taken care of.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, with a 7.7 score indicating a good experience and a 79.7% customer satisfaction rate. Many of the 59 positive comments highlight the relaxing music, beautiful outdoor areas with water fountains, and the overall great vibe. Guests also appreciate the dog-friendly atmosphere and excellent location.
However, not everything is perfect, as noted in 9 opinions. Some visitors found the surrounding construction work noisy and hectic, while others struggled with nonexistent parking. There were also mentions of homeless individuals impacting the area and occasional flies near the counter.
Ambience
74
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
9
negative
6
neutral
59
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Relaxing outdoor area
- Great music and vibe
- Dog-friendly atmosphere
What people don't like
- Noisy construction nearby
- Difficult parking
- Homeless presence
Often praised
- atmospheregreat, cozy, clean, and welcoming atmosphere
- locationMy experience at this restaurant was great, primarily due to its awesome location and amazing coffee. I'm a big fan of their soy vanilla latte, the loyalty program, and the convenience of Apple Pay offerings.
- AtmosphereI was especially impressed with the espresso pull, and I highly recommend asking for Alivia for the best espresso pull ever 💯. The atmosphere was great, rated at 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The service was also excellent, rated at 5, and the food received a perfect score of 5.
- musicThis is a lovely spot for the sun, offering a great vibe and nice music. The food is lovely too.
- patio seatingThe coconut latte was also good, perfectly balanced and not too sweet. The place itself is cute, and I appreciated the patio seating option. Overall, a very positive experience.
- placeI absolutely love this place!
- vibeThis is a lovely spot for the sun, offering a great vibe and nice music. The food is lovely too.
- Dog friendlyDog friendly indeed !
- Noise levelI was especially impressed with the espresso pull, and I highly recommend asking for Alivia for the best espresso pull ever 💯. The atmosphere was great, rated at 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The service was also excellent, rated at 5, and the food received a perfect score of 5.
- beautiful surroundingsA great outdoors cafe with beautiful surroundings.
Frequently criticized
- atmospheremakes it noisy at times and a bit hectic
- constructionthere is a lot of construction around which makes it noisy at times
- construction workconstruction work on a high-rise over the street makes you want to stay as little as possible.
- dogslet their pups off leash and they jump all over other people
- flowerbedThe only downside is that people love taking their dogs here, which is great as I love dogs, but they are super irresponsible with them. There's a raised flowerbed you sit next to that people let their dogs potty in, which is gross because that is next to my face. Quite a few owners also let their pups off leash, and they jump all over other people and bother dogs while the owners think it's so cute.
- flythere was a fly around the drink counter
- homelessHomeless ruins the the area of wanting to make this a normal coffee spot
- inside areaNo actual inside area
- parkingParking is nonexistent
If you're seeking a vibrant outdoor spot with great music and a relaxed, dog-friendly vibe, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared for potential noise from nearby construction and parking challenges, which might detract from an otherwise lovely experience.
Value (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems many folks appreciate that some items are quite moderately priced and reasonably priced. Youll find comments praising the decent prices and even specific mentions of coffee being a good deal. With a score of 4.9, its clear theres some positive sentiment, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50% based on 6 positive remarks.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy. There are just as many concerns, with 6 negative comments highlighting feelings of things being pricey or having a high price point. Some customers felt certain items were overpriced for what they received, and there are mentions of prices being raised, which has led to some disappointment.
Value
12
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
- Moderately priced
What people don't like
- Some items overpriced
- High price point
- Prices increased
Often praised
- pricesGreat location and prices
- Swami's pour over blend coffeeThe Swami's pour over blend coffee was reasonably priced
- moderately pricedMy experience was with a moderately priced pour over coffee. I particularly enjoyed the creative naming of each specific flavor, such as the San Ysidro pour over I had, which was representative of a southern city in San Diego.
- price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- reasonably pricedand reasonably priced as well
Frequently criticized
- pricesix bucks. I don't change the price for you
- full pricecharge me full price for bread and cheese
- hand squeezed OJI did pay $8 for a 10oz bottle of hand squeezed OJ I thought it was kinda pricey
- price pointthe high price point and slow line are problems
- pricesMy experience at the restaurant has unfortunately declined. They have raised the prices and fired the best staff. Now, there's always a big line with new employees who seem unsure of what to do.
Overall, the value here is a bit of a mixed bag. You might find some items to be quite reasonably priced, offering good bang for your buck. However, be prepared that certain selections could feel a bit steep, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
How are the prices at Achilles Coffee Roasters?
You’re looking at roughly 11 per person – reported by 49 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Cafe, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend between 1 – 20 $, showing prices cluster nicely around this accessible range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 49 reviews.
How this Cafe’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Cafe in San Diego. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Achilles Coffee Roasters
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Coffee and Service!
Visiting from out of town, I saw this place online and decided to check it out. Nico helped me pick out the Vanilla Cinnamon Latte, and it was sooo good! The coffee quality is seriously great.
I highly recommend coming here for the great coffee, great service, and good location.
- Vanilla Cinnamon Latte10
- coffee quality9
- coffee9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Lovely Food and Friendly, Attentive Staff
My experience at this restaurant was truly lovely. The food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Although there was a minor oversight with a second part of my order, they quickly rectified it by offering extra fruit and granola, along with a gift card for a future visit.
This gesture was very kind, even though I was leaving the same day. Overall, it's a really nice place to eat or simply enjoy coffee with wonderful people.
- food9
- staff10
- gift card9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
4
Pricey OJ, Pool Ace Unclear
I can't say much about the pool ace, good or bad. However, I did pay $8 for a 10oz bottle of hand squeezed OJ, which I thought was quite pricey. I can't say that hand squeezed tastes any different than the gallon of OJ you can get at Ralph's for $6 or $7, but I'm not an OJ fanatic, so take that for what it's worth.
- pool ace5
- hand squeezed OJ3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great Coffee and Oatmeal, Tough Parking
My experience at this coffee shop was largely positive, especially regarding the food. I thoroughly enjoyed their coffee and the oatmeal was also great. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5 out of 5.
However, the parking situation is nonexistent, which can be a significant drawback. Despite this, if you can manage to find a spot, the visit is well worth it.
- coffee9
- oatmeal9
- visit9
- parking2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte & Friendly Staff
A friend recommended this shop because it was close to my office, and it did not disappoint! I tried their pumpkin spice latte, which they mentioned was made in-house, and it was delicious! The staff was also super nice when helping me decide what to order, which I really appreciate.
- pumpkin spice latte10
- staff9
What Achilles Coffee Roasters offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Breakfast
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and service options can you expect at Achilles Coffee Roasters @ The Rey?
At Achilles Coffee Roasters @ The Rey, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any visit. You can enjoy your coffee with outdoor seating, dine-in, or simply grab your order for takeout. It’s designed for your comfort and convenience.
Are there accessible facilities and dining options available at Achilles Coffee Roasters @ The Rey?
Yes, Achilles Coffee Roasters @ The Rey is fully accessible, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dessert, with catering and vegetarian options also available for your needs.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Achilles Coffee Roasters?
Achilles Coffee Roasters holds an overall score of 8.1 out of 10, with a customer satisfaction rate of 84.1%. Customers particularly appreciate the Food (8.5), Service (8.0), and Ambience (7.7), though Value (4.9) receives a more mixed reception.
What do customers enjoy most about Achilles Coffee Roasters?
Customers frequently praise the quality of the coffee and food, highlighting items like the espresso, bagels, and breakfast burritos. The service is consistently noted as excellent, with staff described as skilled, respectful, and friendly. Many also enjoy the cozy, welcoming atmosphere and dog-friendly patio seating.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at Achilles Coffee Roasters?
Some customers express concerns about the pricing, finding certain items to be on the expensive side. There are also mentions of slow service, long lines, and occasional issues with new employees. External factors like nearby construction noise and limited parking have also been noted as drawbacks.