Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Urbane Cafe – San Diego
Urbane Cafe - San Diego
Photo from Urbane Cafe
Urbane Cafe at a glance
San Diego Sorrento Valley
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 101 of the guests
#156 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#8 Sandwich Shop out of 39 in San Diego
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
480
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Good service
- Clean space
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Slow pickup
- Food quality
The sandwich shop Urbane Cafe in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley neighborhood offers a refreshing take on quick, healthy meals. You’ll find a menu brimming with delicious options, including a strong emphasis on healthy choices and vegetarian fare.
This casual yet trendy spot is perfect for a quick bite during your lunch break or a relaxed meal with friends. With its convenient location at Sorento Shopping Center, it’s an ideal stop for those seeking quality food without the fuss.
Overview: Introducting Urbane Cafe
Urbane Cafe offers a generally pleasant experience, with many appreciating its clean and cozy setting. The focus here is on quick, healthy options, and for many, it hits the mark with its fresh preparations.
However, some visits reveal challenges, particularly with the perception of value and occasional inconsistencies in service. While the food often shines, there are instances where the overall experience could be smoother.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
480
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
66
negative
8
neutral
406
positive
Urbane Cafe earns a solid 8.2 overall score, reflecting a generally positive reception. Customer satisfaction stands at a good 84.6%, indicating most diners leave content.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 480 customer remarks, with 406 positive observations outweighing 66 negative ones. Digging deeper, Ambience (8.5), Food (8.3), and Service (8.1) all perform well, contributing significantly to the positive sentiment.
However, Value (5) registers as an average point, suggesting that while quality is present, some find the pricing less compelling.
What people like
- Fresh, quality food
- Friendly, quick service
- Clean, quiet ambiance
What people don't like
- Perceived high cost
- Inconsistent pickup service
- Occasional food issues
Urbane Cafe is a solid choice if you’re seeking fresh, well-prepared food and efficient service in a pleasant setting. With a 8.2 recommendation score, it generally delivers a satisfying experience for a quick and healthy meal.
However, be mindful of potential wait times for pickup and the pricing, which some find a bit steep for certain items. If these factors align with your expectations, it’s certainly worth considering for a reliable lunch option.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Urbane Cafe
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.3 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 88.1%, it's clear most diners are leaving happy. Out of 260 opinions, 229 rave about the freshly made sandwiches, bowls, and salads, praising the delicious options and healthy choices, especially the cookies and fresh bread.
However, not every bite is perfect. A smaller number of opinions, 28 to be exact, pointed out some areas for improvement. Some found sandwiches and bowls to be bland, noted small portion sizes, or encountered issues like old bread.
There were also mentions of inconsistent quality, suggesting a few dishes might not always live up to expectations.
Food
260
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
28
negative
3
neutral
229
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious food
- Wide menu variety
- Amazing cookies & bread
What people don't like
- Inconsistent portions
- Bland or cold dishes
- Quality control issues
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was consistently good. The food was great, and the service was always on time. It's a cozy place to grab a bite.
- saladsTotally unacceptable and unorganized. They have pretty good salads, but sandwiches and bowls are pretty bland. Even if the food tastes okay, sadly, it just doesn't make sense to eat or order from here unless you have PLENTY of time.
- cookiesmade it such a pleasure for me to experience their cookies
- sandwichesall sandwiches are served with a side salad
- breadthe bread is fresh and has some consistency to it
- saladVery fresh salad and a variety of ingredients
- sandwichWe ordered a sandwich, salad, and two kids meals. The salad and sandwich were great, and their fruits were really fresh. The restaurant has a kids menu and plenty of free parking.
- Foodfood also received a 5 out of 5
- ahi saladrecommend the ahi salad for a healthy option
- focaccia breadMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I am obsessed with their salads, and they all come with delicious focaccia bread. The staff is incredible friendly as well!
Frequently criticized
- foodThe only option they would give me is to get the Ahi salad and substitute in the salmon, but the salad is not nearly the same. My food score was 2, service 2, and atmosphere 3.
- breadthe bread was burn and hard
- sandwichessandwiches that have no meat
- Mediterranean bowlUnfortunately, these last few times have been a bit of a disappointment. The bowl is never as full as it used to be, with frequently one ingredient being incredibly scarce (hello 2 cucumber slices) or incorrect (red onion instead of pickled). I really would love to come back to eat here if there were less issues.
- bread and side salad portionsreduced the bread and side salad portions
- cilantro TortaMy cilantro Torta was spilled the sauce around the plate
- cucumber slicesUnfortunately, these last few times have been a bit of a disappointment. The bowl is never as full as it used to be, with frequently one ingredient being incredibly scarce (hello 2 cucumber slices) or incorrect (red onion instead of pickled). I really would love to come back to eat here if there were less issues.
- dressingthe dressing was overly sweet
- grass in saladPaying $27 for two sandwiches with no meat is absolutely absurd. To make matters worse, there was grass in the salad, which is concerning as I am allergic to grass. I suggest doing yourself a favor and going somewhere like Firehouse Subs.
- ingredientUnfortunately, these last few times have been a bit of a disappointment. The bowl is never as full as it used to be, with frequently one ingredient being incredibly scarce (hello 2 cucumber slices) or incorrect (red onion instead of pickled). I really would love to come back to eat here if there were less issues.
If you're looking for fresh, delicious food with plenty of healthy options and amazing cookies, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that a few diners have experienced inconsistent portion sizes or occasional blandness, so manage your expectations for every single dish.
Service (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 80% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally shines! With a good score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction of 80.4%, its clear most diners have a positive experience. Out of 153 comments, 123 praise the friendly, helpful staff, quick service, and professionalism, often highlighting individuals like Brian or Kaila for their amazing service and recommendations.
However, not every visit is perfect. Around 28 comments point to frustrations, primarily concerning long waiting times for orders, especially for takeout and curbside pickup. Some also mentioned issues with management and occasional unhelpful staff, suggesting theres room for improvement in consistency and attention, particularly during busy periods.
Service
153
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
28
negative
2
neutral
123
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Great recommendations
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Curbside pickup issues
- Unresponsive management
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was consistently good. The food was great, and the service was always on time. It's a cozy place to grab a bite.
- staffMy experience at the restaurant was super quick and convenient. The staff was super nice, and I appreciated the lots of vegetarian options. It was a good price for good tasting healthy food.
- ServiceService was rated a 5 out of 5
- customer serviceMy experience at Urbane was wonderful, largely due to the best customer service. Carla was incredibly kind and helpful when I mistakenly placed my order for the wrong Urbane location.
- BrianThe freshly baked Focaccia bread and cookies are so good! The service was great especially with Brian who was extra friendly, took our order, made great recommendations, and even checked on how we were enjoying our meal. 5 stars!
- KailaKaila took care of me well, helped me decide
- crewThe whole crew was so welcoming and warm
- kindnessits guys like Brian that bring you in with kindness
- questionsKaila's attitude and demeanor immediately put me in a great mood. She was helpful suggesting certain menu items and answering my questions.
- quick serviceService was friendly and quick
Frequently criticized
- serviceI've used it a few times, and they never seem to be ready when I click "I'm here" on the order confirmation email. I always have to call them to get their attention, and even then, two times no one answered the phone. I had to walk in on a rainy day, and it took a while to find someone to help.
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was garbage. They are always making customers wait so long for orders. As an Uber Eats driver, I've stopped picking up from here because of the 15-30 minute waits to get the food.
- staffpeople working on the line was talking Spanish and laughing and watching us
- attentionIGNORED TOTALLY THIS PLACE
- curbside pickupcurbside pickup service is a total mess
- customer servicesThe customer services here was horrible and disgusting
- dasherI placed an order BEFORE they opened through DoorDash for lunch at my office and it took them over a hour to get me my food making our lunch meeting, well, without lunch. The poor dasher had to wait an extra over 30 minutes for my order. Totally unacceptable and unorganized.
- in-store pickup rackfound my order at the in-store pickup rack
- logicwhat is the logic behind that
- lunchit does get busy during lunch
Expect generally good service with friendly, efficient staff. While most experiences are positive, be aware of potential longer wait times for pickup or delivery during busy periods. Its worth trying, but plan accordingly if youre in a rush.
Ambience (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a good 8.5 with customer satisfaction soaring at 89.3%! Guests frequently rave about the fantastic atmosphere, ample seating options including a lovely outdoor patio, and the overall cleanliness. With 50 positive comments out of 56, it’s clear that the music, relaxing vibes, and convenient parking all contribute to a great experience.
While overwhelmingly positive, a few of the 56 comments did point out some minor hiccups. There were 4 negative comments, with some guests noting the lack of Wi-Fi and finding it hard to use as a study spot. One opinion also mentioned a concern about cleanliness, though this was an outlier compared to the many positive remarks.
Ambience
56
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spotless environment
- Ample seating
- Relaxing vibes
What people don't like
- No Wi-Fi
- Not for studying
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was marked by delicious food and fast service. While the location doesn't offer much opportunity for a strong atmosphere, they do well with what they have, considering the type of restaurant it is.
- Atmosphereatmosphere were both rated a 5 out of 5
- placeThe food was great, and the service was always on time. It's a cozy place to grab a bite. I'm thankful to the staff for their excellent work.
- ParkingThe food was rated a 5, and the service and atmosphere were also rated a perfect 5. Parking was usually easy to get a spot in the free parking lot. This was a great lunch experience.
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- spotMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a clean and friendly spot perfect for a quick and healthy lunch. I absolutely love their sandwiches, having tried many.
- Plenty of parkingPlenty of parking
- ambiancefabulous casual ambiance
- clean and well-keptrestaurant was also clean and well-kept
- clean insideit’s always clean inside
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- place cleanlinessMy experience at this sandwich cafe was disappointing. The place was not well maintained/clean, which is a significant concern. Furthermore, they did not have regular onions, which is quite surprising for a sandwich shop.
- study placehard to enjoy it as a study place
- wifithere is no wifi
If you're looking for a clean, inviting spot with great seating and a relaxing atmosphere, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that it might not be the best choice if you need Wi-Fi or a quiet study environment.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 8% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5 (which is average) and customer satisfaction at a rather poor 36.4%. Still, some diners found reasons to smile! Out of 11 remarks, 4 positive ones highlighted a good price for tasty, healthy food, and even an excellent price for high-quality meals.
Many were impressed by the value and found items reasonably priced. On the flip side, 6 negative comments out of 11 suggest that value can be a real sticking point. Many felt the price was too high, describing items as expensive or a bit pricey.
Some even mentioned an absurd charge for options, leading to feelings of pure capitalism' and disappointment over small portions for the cost.
Value
11
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good price, quality food
- Excellent value found
- Reasonably priced items
What people don't like
- Small portions, high price
- Absurdly expensive items
- High extra charges
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I had an excellent sandwich and salad for an excellent price. It cost less than many fast food places nowadays, yet was much higher quality.
- reasonable pricesreasonably priced
- valueimpressed by the value
Frequently criticized
- pricePaying $27 for 2 sandwiches that have no meat is absolutely absurd
- absurd chargethere is an absurd charge for ALL OTHER OPTIONS
- expensiveI tried to overlook it, but it's too much now. Additionally, it is way too expensive. For two years, I bought the sandwich I wanted, knowing I wouldn’t eat the salad, but every time I ask, they won't give me an option without it and don't plan to change it, which is a shame.
- pure capitalismPure capitalism and taking everyones money
If you're looking for a steal, this might not always be it, as many find the prices a bit steep for what you get. However, some do feel they get good quality for their money. Go in with realistic expectations, especially regarding portion sizes and potential extra charges, and you might find a decent meal.
How are the prices at Urbane Cafe?
On average, you’ll spend around $17 per person – from 101 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners (a whopping 87 out of 101!) are comfortably in that $11–$20 sweet spot, with just a few venturing higher or lower.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 101 reviews.
How this Sandwich Shop’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Sandwich Shop in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Its a solid mid-range option that wont break the bank for a good meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Urbane Cafe
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Quick Service!
My experience at the restaurant was great! The service was quick and the staff was friendly. The food was delicious!
We ordered a sandwich, salad, and two kids meals. The salad and sandwich were great, and their fruits were really fresh. The restaurant has a kids menu and plenty of free parking.
The atmosphere was rated a 5 out of 5, as was the service and food.
- service9
- friendly staff10
- food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Great Study Spot with Friendly Service!
This is a really nice place to study. My order was taken by Alex, who was incredibly friendly and helpful in answering my questions. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a good spot.
The food is great too!
- place to study9
- Alex10
- food9
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Consistently Great Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was consistently good. The food was great, and the service was always on time. It's a cozy place to grab a bite.
I'm thankful to the staff for their excellent work.
- food9
- service10
- place8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Fabulous Casual Dining Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was fabulous! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by Brian, who was incredibly nice and helpful. The food was delicious; we enjoyed the ahi salad, tomato bisque, and pastrami sandwich.
The cucumber chili limeade drink was also incredible. The atmosphere was great, with good music and plenty of seating, including a large outdoor patio. Our empty plates were cleared promptly, and Brian even provided a to-go box, which was super helpful.
We will definitely be back!
- food10
- staff10
- ambiance9
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Menu Changes
My experience at this restaurant has become disappointing. This used to be my go-to place once a week for a salmon salad, but they dropped it off the menu for no apparent reason. The only option they would give me is to get the Ahi salad and substitute in the salmon, but the salad is not nearly the same.
My food score was 2, service 2, and atmosphere 3.
- Ahi salad4
- atmosphere3
- salmon salad2
- food2
- service2
What Urbane Cafe offers
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Are there healthy and dietary-friendly options available at Urbane Cafe?
Yes, Urbane Cafe prides itself on offering a variety of choices to suit different dietary needs. You can easily find delicious vegan options, vegetarian options, and a wide selection of healthy options on the menu, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
What convenient service and dining options does Urbane Cafe provide?
Urbane Cafe offers a range of flexible service options for your convenience. You can choose from delivery, no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, or enjoy your meal with dine-in service. Outdoor seating is also available, making it easy to enjoy your food however you prefer.
How does Urbane Cafe generally perform?
Urbane Cafe holds a good overall score of 8.2. Its Ambience (8.5), Food (8.3), and Service (8.1) are well-regarded, though Value (5) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Urbane Cafe's food?
Customers frequently praise the fresh salads, quality sandwiches, and delicious focaccia bread, often highlighting the healthy options available.
Are there any common concerns regarding Urbane Cafe's service or pricing?
Some customers have noted issues with inconsistent pickup times and perceive certain menu items as expensive, particularly for options without meat or mandatory side salads.