The Forum

The Forum is located in Kearny Mesa off of Genesee and Balboa St. A popular destination for UCSD students, this cafe tends to be filled with students looking to get some study time in with classmates. As a result, it’s usually crowded and finding a spot to sit can be challenging pretty much at all hours of the day.

Coffee options are unique here with “cold brew creations” being the headliner of their drink menu. Espresso, lattes, and hot cocoa are available as well as loose leaf teas and Matcha drinks. It’s a vegan friendly cafe, so a lot of the cold brew creations leverage alternative milks.

Wi-Fi is spotty here, dropping out at random moments but when the connection is actually working the internet runs at standard cafe speeds. If the work you’re doing is dependent on quality internet, I’d say you’re better off looking to another cafe or come equipped with a phone hotspot as a fallback.

The seating and table arrangements vary, the majority being small tables with two seats a piece. There are couches and comfortable chairs available as well, allowing for a more comfortable cafe experience. There are also tables up against the window with bar stools perfect for setting up a laptop without feeling like you’re taking up any space.

Air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and an abundance of natural light are other nice additions to the cafe.