Cafe X: By Any Beans Necessary

1835 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92102, United States
+1 619-537-6632
$$$ Cafe
(69 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Welcome to Cafe X: By Any Beans Necessary, a charming coffee haven nestled in the heart of San Diego at 1835 Imperial Ave. This delightful café, operated by a passionate mother-daughter duo, is not just a spot for your caffeine fix; it's a warm gathering place where community and quality coffee converge.

As you step inside, you're immediately enveloped by a cozy atmosphere, accentuated by lush house plants adorning the space and an inviting outdoor area perfect for soaking up the California sun. The café's interior is thoughtfully designed to foster connections—be it over a shared board game or while sinking into comfortable seating that welcomes you to linger a little longer.

The star of the show at Cafe X is undoubtedly its artisanal coffee. Customers rave about the unique blends, and for good reason. Consider trying the Coconut Thai, a delightful concoction that strikes a perfect balance between smooth and sweet—ideal for both hot and cold sipping. It pairs beautifully with their apple turnover, which customers have described as truly heavenly. The café also boasts an impressive chai, hailed as the best some have ever tasted, making it a must-try for chai aficionados.

Your experience at Cafe X is not just about the food and drink, though. The heartwarming reviews from patrons like Dale Huntington highlight the cafe's kind ownership and a genuine passion for showcasing good food and coffee. Blake C’s love for the place shines through as he admires the establishment's commitment to being a female black-owned business that prioritizes community engagement.

Others, like Dirk Gaines and LP, echo the sentiments of hospitality and warmth exuded by Ms. Cynthia, the owner. Her enthusiasm is contagious and adds a personal touch to your visit, making you feel like part of the family rather than just another customer. Neal Fedora's encounter reflects the cooperative spirit of Cafe X, where the community connects over great coffee served by friendly faces.

While parking may be a slight challenge given the street-only options, the experience within Cafe X makes every effort worthwhile. With board games and community events, this café transcends the typical coffee shop vibe, promoting a sense of belonging and camaraderie among locals and visitors alike.

Whether you're a San Diego local or just passing through, make it a point to drop by Cafe X: By Any Beans Necessary. Indulge in their delightful menu, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, and connect with not just the food, but the heart and soul of a community-driven café.

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
69 Reviews
Dale Huntington

13 Sep 2025

Kind ownership with a heart for good food and coffee. I loved talking with them and enjoyed the coffee and vibe of the whole place.

Blake C

13 Aug 2025

Amazing female black owned and operated coffee shop serving up their own delicious blend of coffee. I had the coconut thai (hot, but you can also get it cold) that was smooth and sweet, but not too sweet and an apple turnover that was to die for!

Larissa LaMaster

21 Jul 2025

Amazing!!! Not only the best chai I’ve ever had but such amazing staff. Mother/daughter owned and a beautiful atmosphere inside. Definitely come! When you’re done go climbing next door

Dirk Gaines

10 Jul 2025

My wife, son and I came in for an afternoon coffee with some friends. We absolutely loved the space, it was welcoming with plenty of space for our little one to run around. Ms Cynthia was extremely hospitable and served us some amazing coffee. Highly recommend, will definitely be back

Namwan Daniels

15 Jun 2025

This is a wonderful cafe! Parking is a little annoying since it's all street parking but it was worth it. The woman (owner maybe?) Was so sweet and her enthusiasm for the shop is contagious. They have board games, free produced in a mini fridge, and house plants for sale for $10. There's plenty of seating and a huge outside area. I only wish they would open later but they host community events so it's understandable.

Neal Fedora

12 Jun 2025

Back in June I was in San Diego for work. Looking for a nice coffee shop to get a coffee and something to eat for the drive back north to the bay area with my wife, I searched and found this highly rated location. We made the drive and glad we did! Service was really great, both of us loved our lattes (salted caramel was fab) and the co-op concept they are doing for the neighborhood is fantastic. A pleasant surprise. Glad we made the stop!

LP

06 Jun 2025

Today was my first time visiting here and the owner Miss Cynthia was very warm and welcoming. I appreciated that she took the time to show us around the café and get to know my husband and I. Pretty awesome experience for discovering the café by happy accident. Our drinks and food were delicious and refreshing, my taste buds were super happy and I can’t wait to come back! ^_^

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