The Mudbar

1230 Columbia St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
$$$ Cafe
(36 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Nestled in the vibrant heart of downtown San Diego, The Mudbar offers a delightful café experience that stands out from the crowd. This charming coffee kiosk at 1230 Columbia St specializes in crafting a rich coffee experience, matched with a tempting selection of baked goods that are sure to please even the most discerning palette.

The Mudbar is known for its standout coffee, and for good reason. With menu highlights like the refreshing Iced Vietnamese Coffee and the velvety Iced Matcha with Lavender Cold Foam, each sip invites a sense of pure satisfaction. Coffee lover Michelle Tegardine raves about The Mudbar as "the absolute best coffee," emphasizing that it’s her go-to source for her caffeine fix, especially the well-loved Iced Situation and Iced Vietnamese.

But the offerings don't stop at coffee. Pair your favorite beverage with a flaky Pastry or a wholesome Oatmeal, both priced affordably at $3.50 and $4.00 respectively. Customers like Truc Luong have highlighted the delicious pastries, making The Mudbar a fantastic spot for a quick breakfast or afternoon treat. The friendly baristas, including Jen and her dad Rich, contribute immensely to the welcoming atmosphere, with patrons like Amy Frerich echoing their warmth and attentiveness in their reviews.

The café buzzes with life as locals and visitors alike gather for their daily caffeine fix. The ambiance is both inviting and filled with an energetic charm, perfect for a casual meetup or a quick respite from the day’s activities. Customers often mention how the baristas take the time to make them feel like regulars—a personal touch that transforms a simple coffee run into a memorable experience.

As you explore San Diego, make sure to stop by The Mudbar for a cup of happiness. Whether you're rushing during a busy workday or taking a leisurely stroll in the area, this charming café is here to serve up joy in every cup. Don't miss out on their seasonal drinks, like the creative Iced Mint Mocha with Coconut Cold Cream, or indulge in the rich flavors of their Tuxedo Iced Mocha for a delightful pick-me-up.

With reviews that speak to the quality of the coffee and the friendly service, it’s clear that The Mudbar is not just another café—it's a beloved community gem. Come for the coffee, stay for the incredible ambiance, and leave with a smile.

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

07:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Tuesday

07:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Friday

07:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

36 Reviews
Michelle Tegardine

21 Sep 2025

Great people! The absolute best coffee! I am a huge coffee lover and extremely picky. The caffeine fix 100%, the taste 100%.. I wish they were open on the weekends, i live in chula vista and i would definitely make the drive to downtown to get my hands on this coffee! My 2 favorites are the Situation and the Vietnamese! Mud Bar never fails me! Thanks guys, you're the BEST! Btw my whole office is hooked on them as well!

Amy Frerich

17 Sep 2025

Love love love this place!! Jen & her dad, Rich, are so friendly and helpful! The coffee is delicious, there are always fun seasonal options and the pastries are delicious as well! Could not recommend more highly!

Josh Brown

07 Sep 2025

My partner and I stayed a few blocks over during a short trip to San Diego and were intending to try multiple coffee places over the few days we stayed. We tried The Mudbar day one and then there was no need to get coffee from anywhere else. The coffee is great, the staff is kind and took the time to know me during my brief visit. It made me feel like a regular, which is a feeling I always long for. My new go-to coffee place when in town.

Roselyn O'Connell

02 Jul 2025

The absolute best coffee in San Diego! Jen knows coffee and her specialty drinks are perfectly crafted. I love coming to this coffee spot.

Truc Luong

28 Jun 2025

Amazing drink with friendly staff. I got the ice matcha with lavender cold foam, it was very delicious, my boyfriend got the vanilla latter and it was tasty as well. I had to come back the next day, and they were still amazing. Definitely, check them out when you are in town.

Amy Ward

19 Jun 2025

We were in the San Diego downtown business area for an appointment. It's a busy area with limited and pricy parking. Oh well. The Mud Bar is a convenient coffee kiosk located here. The coffee is good and the service is friendly. They also have a small selection of scones and pastries. I like the cold Vietnamese coffee. It's icy, sweet and refreshing, and perfect on a warm summer day. I have also tried their scones, which is a good pairing with the coffee drink. It was nice that we got an immediate discount when we checked in on Yelp. We have stopped here twice now when in the area. It's a good go to place for some good coffee drinks and a caffeine pick me up.

Kyle Dorausch

07 Jun 2025

Wish I could put 6 stars. I've tried nearly every coffee shop in Little Italy / Downtown SD & MUDBAR blows them all out of the water. Amazing coffee at an affordable price. Get the IV Therapy and you won't be disappointed

Matt

26 May 2025

Love this place! My go-to spot when I need a coffee during the week. Really friendly staff (I wish I could remember the barista's name) and it always feels good supporting small businesses that have amazing quality over big-name coffee shops that feed you factory coffee and cheap pastries with red40 (rhymes with bonut car)

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