Rooftop Bars have way of encapsulating you in the present moment. The sun is shining, there’s a warm summer breeze, and life is good. Time stops as you hover above the world enjoying innovative cocktails and indulging in delicious food.
This post is going to give you the complete run down on the best rooftop bar in Little Italy, San Diego.
This Sweet Spot is:
1660 India St, San Diego CA, 92101
Location
Coco Maya is located right in the heart of Little Italy, San Diego. Little Italy is full of restaurants, bars, fresh markets, and shops. Before or after you check out Coco Maya you can explore the streets of Little Italy and absorb the culture, live music, and gorgeous views of the harbor that sits only a few blocks down the road. This location is unbeatable!
From the ground level you are able to see a glimpse of the gorgeous skylight that sits over the bar in Coco Maya. The entrance is on the ground level to the left of Salt & Straw. You will climb two levels of stairs before you reach the hostess stand. There is also a elevator right inside the door on the ground level for wheelchair accessibility, strollers, etc.
The one and only downfall of being in the heart of Little Italy is the parking! I would recommend getting an Uber or a Lyft to this area or walking if you are able! All of the parking is paid and the paid parking lots tend to run a little pricey. The parking spots are also pretty SCARCE. I personally have been able to find parking here and there when I have driven down but it ALWAYS takes me around 30-45 minutes to find a spot.
If you do drive down make sure you’re mentally prepared for that and that your parallel parking skills are on POINT! I get to cheat a little with my rearview camera, but hey, it’s good practice!
Vibe
As soon as you ascend the neon stairs you enter into a new world. A giant skylight hugs the ceiling and reflects the sunlight on the white marble bar top that lays in a U shape beneath it. To the right of the bar the glass doors are pushed open leaving the rooftop balcony completely open and accessible.
You can sit at the large bar, on the outdoor patio, or at one of the inside tables. The vibe is so relaxed and you feel as if you just walked off the beach and into a local bar. The music is upbeat and sounds like a mixture of reggae and pop.
Coco Maya is a summer dream. I can see how people would be able to spend hours here with friends just enjoying the warm San Diego air and each others company! The whole bar has hints of light pink, beige, and light blue. The colors are relaxing and fun. At night the neon lights highlight these bright colors and give you the perfect summer night party vibe.
I always notice that when the vibe is this good at a bar, the people that are there subconsciously absorb it. I found everyone there to be in a good mood and extremely friendly! An atmosphere like that is what makes you want to return to an establishment over and over again!
I also have to mention how clean Coco Maya was! With so many light colors it would be hard to hide a mess but everything was tidy, clean, and smelled amazing. The bathrooms were well kept and beautiful as well!
Drinks
The real reason I am here! Haha just kidding, but seriously…. I hit brunch hour when I was at Coco Maya. They have a different list of cocktails for brunch and for dinner hours! The drink above was called the Bad Bunny. It was filled with delicious rum, lime, pomegranate, coconut, and ginger beer! I loved the strong coconut flavor, the balance of the citrus, and the sparkle from the ginger beer. Definitely a tasty cocktail that was not only refreshing but left me wanting more. I thought it was really cool they also offered this drink as a Non Alcoholic version!
At brunch they also had a range of cocktails from Micheladas, to Carajillos, to unique tequila coffee cocktail creations! Coco Maya also serves up a fresh full Thai Coconut with a straw and their logo imprinted on the side. It looks so cool and it’s definitely photo worthy!
Speaking of photo worthy this bar has drinks for a group that are presented in some really epic ways! They have a Tree of Daiquiris that comes out on a steel like structure that holds the Daiquiris like leaves on a tree! It is beautiful and such a fun way to share cocktails with your friends! I also noticed they have espresso martini flights, mimosa flights, punch bowls and more!!!
Beers are served such as Lagers, IPA’s, Non Alcoholic, and they even have Juneshine.
The dinner menu consists of cocktails that are full of fun infusions, rum, tequila, mezcal, and even whiskey! All of the cocktails are very unique and I haven’t seen versions that are similar before! They also carry frozen cocktails so it’s safe to say there’s something here everyone could enjoy!
Food
Coco Maya’s food is Caribbean inspired! They have endless options from Borika Bowls, to Coconut Shrimp, to Slow Cooked Pork Belly Tacos, Fresh Ceviche and more!!!
Pictured above I got my absolute favorite, the Chilaquiles with Jerk Shrimp. As you can see the presentation is absolutely stunning. From the pops of bright colors with the pickled red onion and the generously seasoned Jerk Shrimp this dish is in a league of its own! I’m not kidding when I say these are some of the best Chilaquiles I have ever had. The portion size is huge, the eggs are perfectly over easy, you get a choice of red or green salsa, the chips aren’t soggy, and the avocado was fresh and delicious!
I did go with the Jerk Shrimp, but you can also choose your protein to be Jerk Chicken, Skirt Steak, or Maine Lobster. I was pleasantly surprised with how well this dish went with my Bad Bunny cocktail. When the food sings on key with the drink your experience is automatically elevated.
I was definitely in my own little Caribbean Island dream world enjoying this food and drink menu on this rooftop bar. The setting combined with the food and drink was unreal. Cohesive is the word that comes to mind with Coco Maya and I think they killed it.
Service
Along with the vibe, the Service in a bar really can make or break your experience. Every time I have been to Coco Maya the service has been impeccable. Most recently I was there during a morning where they were a little understaffed and it was quite busy. The bartender made sure to acknowledge me, and get me a menu with water. I felt seen and definitely taken care of! This particular bartender also handled his stress with ease and although it was busy, I could not sense any negative energy or frustration in him. Every time he interacted with me he was so friendly and helpful!
As more staff trickled in during the shift they were all equally as lighthearted and welcoming. This provided a very safe environment that made you want to stay and hang out for hours.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Coco Maya is one of the most unique rooftop bars I have been too. Nestled in the fantastic location of Little Italy, San Diego, it is a must visit location! The food is fresh and beautifully presented. The drinks are innovative, inclusive, and endearing! The service is welcoming, friendly, and warm. The vibe is unmatched!!!
Summer in San Diego is truly magical, make it even better by visiting this Caribbean inspired rooftop bar and you won’t be disappointed! Coco Maya is truly a cohesive, modern, and beautifully constructed rooftop bar. Enjoy your experience!!
