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Spot an LDK FavoriteLook for the coral compass. It marks a place or item we would happily choose again.
A PSL in a real pumpkin beside a pumpkin bagel at S3 Coffee BarCoffee · San Diego

Mission Gorge Road, San Diego

We came for the pumpkin PSL. The bagel won.

Our festive pumpkin PSL, the pumpkin bagel with cream cheese that stole the show and Kyle’s cold brew.

LDK VERDICTGo for the bagel.
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Matcha poured at Rikka FikaCoffee · San Diego

East Village, San Diego

I love the cream top. The soda water? I had questions.

My favorite espresso with cream top, our coffee table and the sparkling water ritual I finally looked up.

LDK VERDICTA Lana favorite.
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A bright Philz Coffee interior with a coastal mural and warm wood seatingCoffee · San Diego

La Jolla + RaDD, San Diego

The Mint Mojito still wins at Philz Coffee La Jolla.

Our La Jolla stop for Lana’s Mint Mojito, Kyle’s seasonal Peanut Butter Latte and what we saw at the upcoming RaDD shop.

LDK VERDICTMint Mojito still wins.
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Mud Bar Coffee and Tea sidewalk kiosk with outdoor seatingCoffee · San Diego

Columbia Street, San Diego

His regular spot. Now one of ours.

Kyle’s regular coffee stop became one of ours, with The Goat Vietnamese coffee and Jen and her dad Rich behind the counter.

LDK VERDICTWe keep coming back.
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A Mango Matcha beneath the Infusion Lab sign and record wallCoffee · San Diego

Pacific Beach, San Diego

Would you trust a coffee scientist with your order?

The Mango Matcha we shared, the record lined room and Aydin’s story behind Pacific Beach’s experimental new café.

LDK VERDICTOne to watch.
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The colorful Kampu entrance with blue doors and bougainvilleaFood · Peru

Urubamba, Sacred Valley

A meal I didn’t expect. A place I remember.

My eggplant and ravioli standouts, our six dish order and the owner’s personal introduction to the menu.

LDK VERDICTWorth the detour.
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Warm wood dart stations at Flight ClubExperiences · Las Vegas

Grand Canal Shoppes, Las Vegas

Our competitive Vegas date at Flight Club.

Our competitive Vegas date with Social Darts, fall happy hour bites, cocktails and fantastic service.

LDK VERDICTAn LDK favorite.
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Sourdough loaves on blue shelves at Swells Sourdough BakeryFood · San Diego

Little Italy, San Diego

Our bread run just got better.

The sourdough we bring home, the bagels and cookies we love, and what we want to try at Swells’ new Little Italy café.

LDK VERDICTAn LDK favorite.
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An iced latte and a hot latte on a marble table with a pink Café Lola napkinCoffee · Las Vegas

Forum Shops, Las Vegas

A pink coffee break at Café Lola.

Lana’s Vanilla Lavender Latte, Kyle’s Salted Caramel Cloud Latte and Saint Honoré doughnuts to look for at the Forum Shops.

LDK VERDICTA playful coffee break.
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Two matcha drinks on a table beneath the glowing Phinology signCoffee · California

Convoy, San Diego

Could Phinology be one of our top three coffee shops?

Strawberry Shortcake Matcha, Mango Matcha, Biscoff Vietnamese Coffee and Lana’s favorite salty cold foam.

LDK VERDICTAn LDK Favorite.
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Outdoor couches, cactus planters and the Treehouse sign overlooking Sorrento MesaCoffee · California

Sorrento Mesa, San Diego

Did we find San Diego’s best café for getting work done?

Comfortable couches, indoor and outdoor work space, seasonal drinks and a view that makes staying awhile easy.

LDK VERDICTCome early and claim a couch.
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An atmospheric interior with lanterns, trees and a waterfallFood · California

North Park, San Diego

Is Leila a date night worth the wait?

A date night worth the wait, with a shared kubideh platter, roses and service that felt like spending the evening with a friend.

LDK VERDICTWorth the wait.
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Fluorescent alebrijes and skeleton figures inside Colors of MexicoExperiences · Las Vegas

Las Vegas Strip

What is behind the next door at Colors of Mexico?

Seven immersive rooms, Día de Muertos, interactive art and drinks during our hosted visit.

LDK VERDICTWe loved the room by room surprises.
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Colorful Pop-Tarts on a wooden boardFood · California

Palm Springs

Could the bacon be the best part of brunch?

Our turkey swap, standout bacon and the bakery we want to try next.

LDK VERDICTWe would return.
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Chocolate and mochi xiao long bao opened above a bamboo basket with spicy chicken wontonsFood · California

UTC, San Diego

This place is DTF. Here is how we get in without a reservation.

Our favorite soup dumplings, spicy chicken wontons and two ways to skip the reservation wait at Westfield UTC.

LDK VERDICTAn LDK favorite.
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A glowing Halloween cocktail inside a black birdcage topped with a raven at Cutwater House of SpiritsFood · California

Miramar, San Diego

Did Cutwater build San Diego’s best Halloween bar?

Halloween cocktails, lemon pepper wings and the separate reservation only Cutwater Crypt inside the Miramar tasting room.

LDK VERDICTPut it on your Halloween list.
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The red velvet lounge and illuminated marble bar inside Beatons in Palm SpringsFood · California

Palm Springs

Bar Cecil for dinner. Beatons for one more.

The Bar Cecil bread rolls we loved, a dinner that missed the hype and the Beatons design that won us over next door.

LDK VERDICTMake it a two stop night.
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Tableside picanha beside grilled cheese and honey inside Galpão GauchoFood · California

Seaport, San Diego

Come for the picanha. Save room for the cheese with honey.

Tableside picanha, grilled cheese with honey and Lana’s favorite grilled cinnamon pineapple at The Headquarters.

LDK VERDICTMake it a hungry night.
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Two Hola drinks and an empanada with chimichurri in the bright pink caféCoffee · Minnesota

Northeast Minneapolis

Ten drinks for $17 a week? Hola had our attention.

Our hosted visit, an LDK favorite empanada with chimichurri, seasonal coffees and the Hola Locals membership.

LDK VERDICTGet the empanada.
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A matcha drink on a table beneath the Labora sign in a softly lit caféCoffee · California

Kearny Mesa + North Park, San Diego

Can salty cheese foam make matcha better?

Our salty cheese foam matcha, pistachio Vietnamese coffee and North Park opening visit.

LDK VERDICTGo for the Salty 46.
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A golden topped skillet dish in Queenstown’s warmly lit dining roomFood · California

Little Italy, San Diego

Is this Little Italy’s coziest double date spot?

Shared starters, chicken pot pie, hanger steak and wonderful service in a whimsical Little Italy cottage.

LDK VERDICTA cozy double date pick.
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A Cocoa Puff topped iced latte in front of the Coronado Coffee Company standCoffee · California

Coronado, California

The Coronado latte we went back for.

The Coconut Cabana, a bike friendly ferry stop and the viral Cocoa Puff latte that brought us back.

LDK VERDICTGo for the Cocoa Puff latte.
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An iced Saigon Coffee drink surrounded by autumn leaves, a sunflower and a pumpkinCoffee · California

North Park, San Diego

Is this North Park’s pumpkin spice upgrade?

Our seasonal Charlie Brown latte, Vegan Coconut and the matcha I wish I had ordered.

LDK VERDICTGo for the Charlie Brown.
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A bright coffee shop interior with wood seating, hanging plants and a cream VespaCoffee · California

Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles

Is Crema’s small coffee worth the splurge?

Bold coffee, velvety cold foam and a smaller cup than Kyle expected at Crema in Sherman Oaks.

LDK VERDICTKyle would order it again.
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An illuminated illusion tunnel, mirrored room and angled doorwayExperiences · Las Vegas

Las Vegas Strip

Can we trust our eyes at Museum of Illusions Las Vegas?

A floating head, a size changing room, a wild vortex and our favorite photo illusion from a hosted visit.

LDK VERDICTWorth the playful stop.
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Deli sandwich inside The HUB Mission BeachFood · California

Mission Beach, San Diego

Is your next beach lunch hiding inside a liquor store?

Two turkey sandwiches, Lana’s cold sandwich pick and the beach lunch tip from our hosted visit.

LDK VERDICTGrab lunch for the beach.
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The calm, plant filled studio at Valkyrie Yoga in Ocean BeachExperiences · California

Ocean Beach, San Diego

The Ocean Beach yoga studio we felt before class even began.

Our Hatha class, the living legacy behind the studio and the details that made us want to stay awhile.

LDK VERDICTA grounding Ocean Beach gem.
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Meat and vegetables cooking on the tabletop grill inside 356 Korean BBQ in Mission ValleyFood · California

Mission Valley, San Diego

How much Korean barbecue can we eat for $45?

The $45 premium menu, the bulgogi we loved and the sides that helped us make the most of every round.

LDK VERDICTCome hungry.
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The Rady Shell glowing beside San Diego Bay at sunsetExperiences · California

Downtown San Diego

The San Diego yoga night that felt almost unreal.

Free sunset yoga, a live symphony and the waterfront setting that made FIT Pride Yoga unforgettable.

LDK VERDICTA special San Diego night.
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Miso black cod, sushi and a cocktail inside the warmly lit Zuma San Diego dining roomFood · California

Downtown San Diego

Is San Diego’s newest luxury Japanese restaurant worth the hype?

A beautiful new restaurant inside The Guild Hotel where the setting impressed us more than the food.

LDK VERDICTGo for drinks and the atmosphere.
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Colorful Gnarly Girl Pizza storefront on El Cajon Boulevard in San DiegoFood · California

North Park, San Diego

Is garlic knot crust the gnarliest pizza move in San Diego?

The Princess Peach, Chicken Wonton and signature garlic knot crust that made this pizza stop anything but ordinary.

LDK VERDICTWorth the pizza bucket list.
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Equinox San Diego rooftop sauna and cold plunge tubs overlooking DowntownExperiences · California

Downtown San Diego

Is Equinox San Diego worth the luxury price?

See the training floors, classes, recovery amenities and what makes the premium experience different.

LDK VERDICTWorth it if you use the whole club.
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Little Italy Mercato tents lining Date Street on a sunny San Diego morningExperiences · California

Little Italy, San Diego

Our favorite finds at the Little Italy Mercato.

The local bread, burrata, nut butters, cookies and pantry finds that turned a market walk into a full weekend spread.

LDK VERDICTWorth the Saturday stroll.
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Minnesota Twins game at Target Field with the Minneapolis skyline at sunsetExperiences · Minnesota

Downtown Minneapolis

Target Field was full of weenies.

A $15 ticket, Bark at the Park, Dollar Dog Night and a 15 to 2 Twins win. The game was the highlight, not the food.

LDK VERDICTA weenie of a time.
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Tacos, guacamole, elotes and a margarita in the candlelit Masa and Agave barFood · Minnesota

Downtown Minneapolis

We stumbled into Minneapolis’ hidden Mexican speakeasy.

A moody cantina beneath Hotel Ivy with margaritas, chips and guacamole, quesabirria and elotes we would happily frequent back home.

LDK VERDICTWe wish it were in San Diego.
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Urban Matcha drinks and matcha soft serve displayed inside the caféCoffee · California

Convoy, San Diego

Convoy has a new matcha contender.

A double matcha with oat milk, a salted cheese cap and the spacious café that challenged Lana's usual favorites.

LDK VERDICTWorth making room for.
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Avocado toast, salmon grain bowl, pavlova and latte in the bright Two Hands Denver dining roomFood · Colorado

Tennyson Street, Denver

Is Two Hands worth adding to your Denver brunch list?

Perfectly cooked steak, an unreal hash brown, a chicken salad surprise and genuinely great service.

LDK VERDICTWorth adding to the list.
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Iced Biscoff latte topped with cold foam and a cookieCoffee · Mexico

Zona Río, Tijuana

Is Lumea’s Biscoff latte worth crossing the border for?

A tiny café, a balanced cookie topped latte and the warm welcome that made the stop memorable.

LDK VERDICTWorth crossing for.
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Pizza, pasta and fruit crepe on the Huacachina terrace at Wild OliveFood · Peru

Huacachina, Peru

The restaurant I visited three times in two days.

See why the La Campiña salad, fresh pasta, desserts and lagoon terrace kept bringing me back.

LDK VERDICTOne of my Huacachina favorites.
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Avocado toast, a Fit Bowl and latte at Jaku Coffee in HuacachinaCoffee · Peru

Huacachina, Peru

Why did I return to Jaku Coffee every morning?

See the breakfast I repeated, where to find quieter seating and the latte temperature tip worth knowing.

LDK VERDICTWorth repeating.
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Hot blueberry muffin latte and iced carrot cake latte at Home Away Coffee in DenverCoffee · Colorado

RiNo, Denver

The Denver lattes we kept thinking about.

See why the hot blueberry muffin latte and iced carrot cake latte with cream cheese cold foam made this stop memorable.

LDK VERDICTWorth it for the seasonal lattes.
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Coffee drinks and cardamom buns in Goldchild’s vinyl-lined Listening LabCoffee · California

Downtown San Diego

Can one drink miss and the coffee shop still be worth returning to?

See what we ordered and why the music, hospitality and fika spirit keep bringing us back.

LDK VERDICTWorth the fika stop.
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Three lattes and a croissant inside the burgundy lounge at The Granger HotelCoffee · California

Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

We came for coffee. The hotel stole the show.

See why the coffee was forgettable but The Granger Hotel made this stop worth walking into.

LDK VERDICTWorth it for the hotel.
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Two iced specialty coffees and a churro outside Cafecito on ParkCoffee · California

Downtown San Diego

South Bay’s Cafecito comes Downtown

See what we ordered, why this expansion matters and what to know before visiting Cafecito on Park.

LDK VERDICTWorth it for the signature flavors.
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Fresh pasta dishes and red wine in an Italian dining roomFood · California

Little Italy, San Diego

Can pesto make cheese wheel pasta even better?

See why the burrata won and how Lana’s pesto request gave us a completely new pasta dish.

LDK VERDICTWorth the pasta date.
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Pumpkins, flowers and greenery filling the entrance to Baci Coffee HouseCoffee · California

Mission Valley, San Diego

Is this San Diego’s cutest fall café?

See the seasonal rooms, what we ordered and which fall flavors we would choose again.

LDK VERDICTWorth it for the fall atmosphere.
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Colorful drinks, a classic lowrider and The Shop Café in Barrio LoganCoffee · California

Barrio Logan, San Diego

Lowriders, lattes and a coffee shop with a story

See how community, veteran support and lowrider culture give this coffee stop its identity.

LDK VERDICTWorth visiting for the story.
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Fresh popcorn, chocolates and colorful candy inside an old fashioned candy shopFood · Minnesota

Downtown Minneapolis

Did Chicago Mix really start in Minnesota?

See the story behind Candyland, what makes the original mix different and what to know before stopping in.

LDK VERDICTWorth the snack stop.
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Colorful Great Big Game Show prize wheelExperiences · Minnesota

Mall of America, Bloomington

Does Great Big Game Show actually feel like being on TV?

See how the games work, who should go and why we already want a rematch.

LDK VERDICTOne of our best group experiences.
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The actual Hope Breakfast Bar Tower of Power pancakes with sauce, blueberries and walnutsFood · Minnesota

North Loop, Minneapolis

What does the Tower of Power actually look like?

See all nine pancakes, how the challenge works and what we would order again.

LDK VERDICTAbsolutely worth brunch.
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Bright modern Coffeeism café interior with desert plants and a light wood coffee barCoffee · California

Palm Springs, California

Can coffee be treated like a craft cocktail?

See what we ordered, why the flavor combinations stood out and whether we would return.

LDK VERDICTWorth experiencing.
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ARRIVE Palm Springs pool at sunset with mountain viewsStays · California

Palm Springs, California

Did we find the perfect Palm Springs birthday hotel?

See our Deluxe Studio, what stood out and why our only complaint was not having enough time.

LDK VERDICTWorth the weekend.
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The Gym San Diego bodybuilding floor and equipment in Pacific BeachExperiences · California

Pacific Beach, San Diego

Is this San Diego’s most nostalgic bodybuilding gym?

See why Lana trained here for a year, why Kyle switched and what to know before your workout.

LDK VERDICTWorth a workout.
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Brunch dishes in a cozy house style dining roomFood · California

University Heights, San Diego

Is this University Heights’ coziest date night?

See what we ordered, why the hospitality stood out and the chimichurri we would return for.

LDK VERDICTWorth the date night.
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Classic diner counter with pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee and pieCoffee · California

Coronado, California

Why Clayton’s still gave us a reason to return

The coffee window missed, but the historic diner changed how we would visit next time.

LDK VERDICTReturn for the diner.
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Colorful lineup of branded Vietnamese coffee drinks at Phê Coffee HouseCoffee · Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bánh not for me, but is Phê worth the stop?

See which drinks we loved, why the Biscoff Croffle won and what we would skip.

LDK VERDICTWorth visiting.
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Red indoor mini golf course with library walls and cocktail tablesExperiences · Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

We paid $5 for this?!

See what we played, how the virtual scoring works and whether Puttery is worth it.

LDK VERDICTWorth it.
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Egg Tuck storefront with a breakfast sandwich, iced coffee and tater totsFood · California

Little Italy, San Diego

Was Eggtuck worth the wait?

See what we ordered, what surprised us and what made the opening worth experiencing.

LDK VERDICTWorth trying.
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The LDK promise

Find a place. Make a memory. Let it become part of your story.

We share the story behind each business, what the experience added to our time together and the details that help you plan your own visit.

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