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Welcome to The Art of Espresso

Established in the heart of UCSD's campus, The Art of Espresso is a bustling coffee stand loved by students and locals alike. With a welcoming ambiance and exceptional customer service, this hidden gem offers a wide range of quality beverages at unbeatable prices. From their renowned Vietnamese coffee to decadent blended creations like the spun monkey, each sip is a delightful experience. The staff's dedication to providing fast, friendly service and delicious pastries makes this spot a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts. Fuel your day with a visit to The Art of Espresso and experience a taste of excellence in every cup.

The Art of Espresso: Reviews & Ratings

Anonymous P.
Anonymous P.

Amazing service! Today a customer stole my drink, and the barista with earrings not only remade my order but gave me a larger sized Latte than I ordered. Sending thanks to the staff!

Emma H.
Emma H.

Great service, first time there and I got their Vietnamese coffee half sweetened with an egg salad sandwich. (It will now be my go to) It was busy, but I received my drink and food quickly. Will be going there again! Lots of chairs and seating areas as well to sit at and perfect do some studying.

Anh H.
Anh H.

Customer service is beyond this world. Sometimes I go there because the guy who announces the coffee is the funniest and sweetest person ever - makes my day. The coffee price is unbeatable. It's the $4-$5 range which is almost impossible to find in the economy. But lord the matcha and lattes are so good. Their smoothies are amazing too. Nothing can go wrong with their drinks. The coffee stand locates in front of the Mandeville Auditorium, so it draws the art student crowds. Love love the people. Gorgeous ambiance.

Erik F.
Erik F.

Personal, courteous, prompt service! The triple espresso is worthy, as it the bakery. Support independent locally-owned business as this is an excellent alternative to the global chain!

Christine B.
Christine B.

My fave coffee place on campus!! I've tried so many different coffee shops as well as the ones on campus (Copa Vida, Starbucks, Audrey's) and this one is the best! My go-to order is a Vietnamese coffee with oat milk + extra espresso, and even though I replaced the milk, it is still very similar and delicious. The regular coffees are also good, much better than Starbucks. Their crossiants are also tasty. The wait can be a bit long in the morning but well worth it. I usually go here if I left to UCSD without drinking my coffee LOL. Relatively inexpensive compared to the other options and very convient as it is between Price Center and Revelle.

Johnny N.
Johnny N.

This spot located on UCSD's campus is the perfect place to take meetings, grab a cup of coffee before work or class, or to simply hang out with friends. There's nothing much to critique other than complements for the amazing and consistent coffee every time! I had a simple hot latte, and found that it came out really quick! The employees were also really kind and patient considering how busy the stand gets on a Tuesday morning! I really recommend this spot on campus, and appreciate the affordable price as other coffee places are getting more and more expensive.

Liz J.
Liz J.

One of my favorite spots on campus to grab coffee. It's super convenient and located near a ton of classrooms (Mandeville, Mandler, Ledden, etc) on campus. I've gotten a few different drinks from here and no matter how busy it is, they always have super quick service to get your drink out. Drinks I've gotten - Vietnamese coffee (4.5/5)- I love Vietnamese coffee but it is super strong for me. They offer 1,2, maybe 3 shots here and I got a 1 shot last time. I wish I had gotten it with whole milk because I think the almond milk watered down the flavor. Nonetheless, this is a good drink but I just ordered it wrong - Mint Mocha (5/5)- I rarely ever get mochas because they are too sweet. This drink definitely was on the sweet side but the mint flavor was so good. It tasted like an Andes mint to me - Salted Caramel Latte (2/5)- I might have gotten this drink but it did taste a bit watered down to me and was sort of bitter. I definitely want to come back to try their pastries and more of their coffee. The staff here is super nice and helpful when helping you decide on drinks. TLDR: fueling my undergrad career one coffee at a time and an incentive to wake up and go to class

Angela W.
Angela W.

Wow! I recently tried one of the ice blended espressos from Art of Espresso, and it might be my favorite blended drink ever?!!? I swung by the shop around noon on a weekday and there was almost no line. I ordered and received my order really quickly. I got the spun monkey, which is a blended mocha with a whole banana, and whipped cream on top. From the first sip I knew I would be thinking of this drink for a while. It completely blows Starbucks frapps out of the water! It's incredibly creamy and smooth, with no separation or ice chunks at ALL. I don't think they use ice. Possibly just frozen milk or frozen banana. It's thiccc but not too cold, so it doesn't hurt my teeth. The combination of the coffee, chocolate, and banana feels like a hug in liquid form. How can an ice drink feel so cozy?! I am absolutely flabbergasted by how tasty this drink is, and I will DEFINITELY be back to sample some of the other blended drinks on the menu!

Essam I.
Essam I.

Incredible coffee. Fast service. The owners and the rest of the staff are so welcoming and kind.

Ariel C.
Ariel C.

BEST. COFFEE. EVER. Summer hours: M-F 7-4 An amazing little cart next to Mandeville in UCSD. The staff members are friendly, efficient, and have really good memory. The owner is also friendly and animated. Their muffins and pastries are delicious and fresh and cheaper than other coffee carts on campus. Note: they do run out of pastries and bagels, depending on the day. Also, they do currently have two new workers who are still learning and adapting but even their drinks aren't too bad. Im giving them some time to catch up to the legacy their predecessors have created. I literally have NOTHING bad to say about this place. Way better than Starbucks in every way. They also have reward cards, buy ten get one free.

Location

Located at 9500 Gilman Dr Mandeville Center in San Diego, The Art of Espresso is a go-to spot for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike. This cozy food stand offers a range of breakfast and brunch options, perfect for starting your day off right.

With a casual yet classy ambiance, The Art of Espresso caters to a variety of preferences, from those looking for a quick takeaway to others wanting to sit and enjoy their meal with friends or colleagues. The stand accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, and Android Pay, making transactions seamless and convenient for customers.

One of the standout features of The Art of Espresso is their exceptional customer service, as noted by many patrons. Whether it's the generosity of the baristas, the promptness of their service, or the friendly and welcoming staff, visitors consistently praise the team for going above and beyond to create a pleasant experience.

In terms of the menu, customers rave about the quality and taste of the coffee and food offerings. From specialty lattes and matcha drinks to delicious smoothies and baked goods, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention, the affordability of their drinks, with prices ranging from $4 to $5, is a rare find in today's economy.

If you're a fan of Vietnamese coffee, The Art of Espresso has been hailed as a favorite spot to indulge in this unique and flavorful beverage. Pair it with one of their tasty egg salad sandwiches or croissants for a satisfying meal that will surely leave you coming back for more.

With free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating, and a prime location near the Mandeville Auditorium, The Art of Espresso is not just a place to grab a quick cup of coffee but a destination for students, locals, and visitors alike. Stop by, experience the warmth and charm of this establishment, and treat yourself to a memorable dining experience.