Art of Espresso

What people go for here

The Spun Monkey, Vietnamese iced coffee, hazelnut latte, chai, and matcha are the safest orders. It works best for a weekday break or outdoor catch up, while the campus calendar, weather, and prebrewed drip coffee are the main tradeoffs.

• Spun Monkey
• Vietnamese iced coffee
• Hazelnut single shot latte

Worth knowing: Campus feedback favors the espresso, chai, and specialty drinks while noting that the regular coffee is prebrewed and can be less compelling.

The coffee

Independent outdoor campus coffeehouse using locally roasted beans and Japanese ceremonial matcha.

The official site confirms locally roasted beans. The draw is an approachable espresso-and-flavored-drink program, especially the banana-mocha Spun Monkey, alongside Japanese ceremonial matcha.

The room

A modest open-air stand behind Mandeville, ringed by green-umbrella tables and the flow of students, faculty and theater traffic.

A long-running independent outdoor stand behind Mandeville Auditorium with umbrella tables and a between-classes crowd

The space

Moderate

Outside

Tables beneath large umbrellas surround the stand.

When it fills up

The campus newspaper describes a steady student, faculty and social crowd.

Noise

Open-air and social rather than library quiet.

Parking

UCSD permit or paid visitor parking; expect a walk from many structures.