Nice cafe, light interior, and calm ambience! However, take note that there is NO PUBLIC WIFI so unless you have a hotspot, you won't be able to do work from here. Great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a coffee or matcha. The canales are delightful with the crispy exterior and spongy center. The matcha cream too was light & surprisingly not too sweet, which allowed for the matcha flavor to shine. Though I will say, the matcha is a little pricey for the size ($7.25) so that was disappointing :/

The scones here are delicious! Never had a scone like this it's almost like a big airy cookie with a sweet center. I got the earl grey and the yuzu matcha, couldn't tell you which is my favorite, so try both. I also tried the strawberry latte which was good but a few things to note: - it wasn't as sweet as I imagined it would be, it's purely sweetened by the strawberry blend. The strawberry blend is made fresh every day and is delicious. - because it wasn't as sweet as i imagined, it mostly tasted like an iced latte to me with a few sweet strawberry bits. BUT that wasn't a bad thing because the coffee here is actually good- y'know sometimes you can taste that espresso is either bad or being pulled wrong? And sometimes places try to cover that with sweetener? Definitely not the case here- the espresso was perfect. Inside the shop had some nice natural lighting and a few places to sit, they were also playing calm music when I went in.

Cafe hopping in San Diego is an uncharted territory for me, but I know they have some cool cafes that are comparable to LA. One of the first cafe in SD I visited was Rikka Fika! The name "Rikka Fika" combines "Rikka," a Japanese term for the first day of summer, and "Fika," a Swedish concept representing a daily coffee break ritual. I am a sucker for cool cafe names, plus it's super catchy. Rikka Fika offers a curated menu consisting of specialty coffee and matcha, as well as fresh baked goods that pair well with their drink's menu. I tried the short matcha cream-top ($7.25). A little pricey for the size, but a solid, creamy matcha latte. However, the miso caramel canelé was THE star of the show! The crispy, caramelized shell with a soft custardy center and the nutty umami from the miso -- UGHHH SOOOOO GOOD! If you know where to get something similar in OC, drop a comment because I need it in my life! The cafe has a minimalist and modern aesthetic with a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian influences, which perfect reflects their name and concept!

Rikka Fika is an aesthetic Japanese-inspired speciality coffee shop and cafe located in the East Village area in SD. There is only street parking around the area, so be prepared to drive a bit until a spot opens up. Inside, they have a gorgeous and minimalistic interior with about 5-6 tables for seating. As for their menu, they have a solid selection of different coffee, matcha, tea, and their speciality honey cream top series. Wifey and I pulled up for our weekend matcha run and opted to try the Short Matcha Cream Top and the Hojicha Choco. Both drinks had a great depth of flavor and the quality of the matcha really shined through. Overall, we are glad we finally got the chance to check this spot out. We enjoyed the ambiance of the shop and lounging around. All of the staff are very friendly and welcoming. It is up for debate, but Rikka Fika may have the best matcha in all of SD!

Short matcha cream top - honey cream top is super sweet with a strong honey flavor that pairs perfectly with the matcha. The cup is small for $7.50, but I think it actually helps bring out the matcha more. Pretty solid matcha overall but would say cream top is a bit too sweet! Staff friendly and drink came out pretty quick! Paid street parking available nearby but spots are limited.

Very small coffee shop with street meter parking. However, the staff is very nice and it's cutely decorated inside. The matcha yuzu fizz was interesting. A matcha lemonade soda. Not too sweet but good yuzu flavor. The cold brewed eastern beauty tasted like a cold light oolong. Nothing to write home about. I actually don't recommend the scones. They were a little dry and the flavors sounded good but the flavor and texture execution wasn't there. More similar to soft cookies. We had earl grey and matcha yuzu. their coffee was very popular. My cousins enjoyed the espressos more than the pour overs.

the strawberry matcha latte was yummy. Employees were friendly and overall I had a good experience!

It's a decent place to get your matcha fix, but their drink size is comically small. You really have to remind yourself to take small sips and savor your drink, otherwise it'll be gone before you get home. With that being said, I do enjoy their "Short Matcha Cream-Top," and find myself going back to get one every now and then as a little treat. I think they've managed to let the matcha flavor shine in their drinks, unlike some places. Their honey cream-top also does a good job at complimenting the earthiness of the matcha, and is light and fluffy with a hint of sweetness. It's a solid drink, but I do wish they scaled it up and offered, at the very least, a regular-sized drink. I think their "Strawberry Matcha Latte" is just ok, and not something that I would repurchase as their strawberry purée lacks sweetness, which throws the drink off a bit. The store is small, with the front counter being close to the front, so the line builds outside and can get fairly crowded on weekends, especially since this place is currently trending. Service is nice and can be personable, hence why the wait may take a little while longer. Since they do close early, their more popular drinks, like the "Short Matcha Cream-Top," can sometimes sell out before closing. There's also water offered in a glass pitcher at the back. Overall, nice place to check out. I enjoy the open concept, and I'm sure guests enjoy the option to watch their drinks being made. There's parking out front, but if they're taken, street parking is your next best bet.