Carlsbad Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California

Carlsbad's beachy vibes make it an ideal spot to sip on a comforting cuppa coffee - or an Earl Grey tea with a  glug of oat milk. From Carlsbad breakfast joints to buzzing coffee spots, I'll break down some of the best coffee shops in Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of local joints to choose from. There are vegan and gluten-free options too.

If you are searching for operating Carlsbad coffee shops near me, you've come to the right place! 

*Updated as of September 2022.

Best Coffee Shops Near Me in Carlsbad

As a precaution, search online or call ahead to check if these coffee shops in Carlsbad are open or closed. You never know these days. I've done the work & put the address, phone number, & website all in one place for you. No need to do an extensive search, it's right here. Dine in or takeout. You'll have a flavorful experience. California. Coffee? Tea? What'll it be? There are quite a lot of things to do in North County San Diego, California. These are the best coffee shops in Carlsbad, so take a sip and enjoy.

Baba Coffee

I've used Baba Coffee as my office away from office multiple times. They have it all. They have solid Wi-Fi, ample seating, & a full menu of goodies. They actually have one of the most impressive food & drink menus out of the Carlsbad coffee shops. Dine in or takeout. With options like avocado toast, breakfast sandwich, açai bowl, lox bagel sandwich, smoothies, & salads, you won't go hungry here. Don't worry though their beverage menu is even more extensive with a slew of coffees, cold brews, lattes, cold brew tea, hot black teas, herbal teas. Secret menu item: Order the whipped latte or whipped espresso. Ask about it the next time you're there!

Address: 2727 State St #100, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0666

Website: Baba Coffee

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Carlsbad

You might've heard of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters as they have 6 locations: La Jolla, Bressi Ranch, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, Morena, & Pacific Beach. They're committed to direct trade & sustainability. You can buy their roasted coffee online or head to a brick & mortar location for a different experience. Their menu includes cold brews, pour overs, iced espresso drinks, & hot drinks. Find their Bressi Ranch location near Trader Joe's, Sprouts, & popular grocery stores. Their shop inside the Square at Bressi Ranch has outdoor seating. You'll always find people chatting, sipping coffee, & occasionally someone working on their laptop. 

Address: 2656 Gateway Rd #150, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone: (619) 272-0203

Website: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop

This cute cafe in Carlsbad serves breakfast, lunch, & coffee with open patio dining so you can spread out & get out of the house. Dine in or takeout. They have a full menu of breakfast plates, omelets, eggs Benedict, even burgers. Cafe Elysa spreads out tables & staggers line to encourage social distancing. They even have Wi-Fi. Cool space, nice place.

Address: 3076 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 

Phone: (760) 434-4100

Website: Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop

Cafe Ground Up

The owner is Gaetano Cicciotti, also the owner of the Italian Restaurant, Cicciotti’s right across the street (they also have a location in Cardiff-by-the-Sea). This coffee shop has a menu which includes cafe caldo (hot coffees) such as espresso, hazelnut mocha, & event an affogato al caffe (espresso, vanilla gelato, & cocoa powder). They have frappes, smoothies, & a food menu with a range of sandwiches, fresh pastries, muffins, & more. Inside you'll spot bold green pops of color & an Italian-inspired collage wall with a young Sophia Loren & Italian news headline clippings.

Address: 550 Grand Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 637-5077

Website: Cafe Ground Up

Cafe Topes

Fun fact: Cafe Topes & The Goods are family-owned & operated. One brother & his wife runs Cafe Topes while another brother & his wife runs The Goods. Their top items include the dirty cinnamon roll (house made cinnamon roll with extra frosting) or their “double header” Benedict where you can choose twp types of Benedicts on the same plate. As for drinks, the Hawaiian Express is the star of the show with its coconut milk latte, hazelnut syrup, & Ghirardelli chocolate. If you order all three items, you pretty much hit their top-seller list.

Address: 3091 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 434-8673

Website: Cafe Topes

INVITA

INVITA is another family-owned coffee shop in Carlsbad. Once COVID-19 hit & San Diego faced its lockdown, INVITA was afraid of losing the shop. Ten of the women cousins banded together & saved the cafe by working as a team to keep the business afloat. Customers love their lattes & quality Italian ingredients. INVITA imports its coffee beans straight from Italy. Try their crema cafe, a signature drink that's kind of like a whipped creamy coffee. The outdoor space is open & airy, so you don't have to search for a place to sit.

Address: 6806 Embarcadero Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Phone: (760) 685-0411

Website: INVITA Cafe

La Costa Coffee Roasting

The no fuss, no muss ambiance at La Costa Coffee Roasting feels comforting. You can tell by the diverse influx of people that this place is popular amongst locals. The casual coffee shop smells like you're floating in a coffee cloud. The roasting coffee radiates through the air & into your hair similar to the lingering scent of smoke from after a campfire. La Costa Coffee Roasting ethically sources its international array of coffee beans.

Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0458

Website: La Costa Coffee Roasting

Leap Coffee Roasters - Temporarily Closed

I've been to Leap more times than I can count. I spent hours at the communal table with the other laptoppers, typing away & working remotely. My go-to is a pot of tea, but they have so many delicious options. Although unintentional, Leap is staffed by all women-owned, managed, roasted, you name it. Men have certainly been a part of the team, but none ever stuck around, so that's how Leap became accidentally fully-female run. Top orders include the Vanilla Bean Latte, Caramel Latte, & the Bee Sting (cortado, half & half, & a drippy drop of honey). Their syrups are housemade. Vegetarian, vegan options are available too.

Address: 5611 Palmer Way Suite D, Carlsbad, CA 92010

Phone Number: (760) 448-6167

Website: Leap Coffee Roasters

Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town (Solana Beach is nearby)

Lofty Coffee La Costa

Lofty Coffee is an Encinitas staple. I included it in my Things to Do in Encinitas, California guide. They also have Little Italy & Solana Beach cafes, so it's no surprise their La Costa location in Carlsbad launched without a hitch. Lofty Coffee allows fans throughout San Diego County to have access to their fine coffees. The Aztec Mocha with dark cacao, cinnamon, & cayenne tastes like a hot chocolate with a spicy kick in the palate. They also have a collection of loose leaf teas available for purchase on their website (along with coffee beans) such as black lavender or hibiscus lemongrass.

Address: 7740 El Camino Real Unit A, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone Number: (760) 230-6747

Website: Lofty Coffee La Costa

Peet's Coffee Carlsbad

Although not on the same level as Starbucks, Peet's is a relatively popular chain of coffee with about 200 locations total. Peet's Coffee has a range of espresso drinks, brewed coffees, cold brews, as well as teas. The Espresso Forte stands as the foundation for their signature espresso beverages. All espresso drinks can be made hot or iced. Peet's Coffee has a breakfast menu with offerings such as breakfast burritos or roasted tomato & kale quiche.

Address: 2641 Gateway Rd #103, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone Number: (760) 448-1835

Website: Peet's Coffee Carlsbad

Sleeping Tiger Coffees

Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, Sleeping Tiger Coffees offers a large space to enjoy your drinks. Beverages range from espressos, macchiatos, & cortados to their local favorites such as the vanilla bean latte or hibiscus lemonade. They include plant-based milk on the menu: almond, coconut, soy, macadamia, oat. This is one of the best places to work on your laptop with open seating. Stay long enough & it shifts to a winery, Witch Creek Winery that is. Take pictures of the cute, cool, colorful mural of sleeping tigers. 

Address: 2906 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone Number: (760) 720-7499

Website: Sleeping Tiger Coffees

Steady State Roasting Co.

Sip the world of coffee right at Steady State Roasting Co, tucked in an unassuming corner of Carlsbad. They have more than 12 kinds of coffee from around the globe. The Indian Summer, a chai latte, is of their fan-favorite beverages. In addition to the chai, customers love the pour over coffees. Their shopfront includes a black accent wall with a minimalist mural of an astronaut driving a van along with indoor seating. Things are different with COVID, so you can now you can get caffeinated under an umbrella in their outdoor seating.

Address: 2562 State St Suite G, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone Number: (760) 994-0001

Website: Steady State Roasting Co.

The Goods Doughnuts

Breakfast in Carlsbad is a remarkable experience with a couple outdoor seating options so you can people watch & social distance. Head over to the Visit Carlsbad website for all about the city. The interior feels minimal, modern, with an eye toward design. Munch on delectable donuts that'll make your tastebuds explode at The Goods Doughnuts. Vegan & gluten-free options are available too. There is always the chance they'll sell out, so grab a couple donuts while you can. They have monthly flavors that come & go, like the Banana Almond Cream, a doughnut in a banana almond glaze filled with a banana dulce cream topped with a French macaron. What good is an artisanal donut without coffee? They have house drip, flat white, & all the essentials.

Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 994-0458

Website: The Goods Doughnuts

Succulent Cafe

The Succulent Cafe feels like a plant oasis amongst coffee shop Carlsbad options. Breakfast Carlsbad choices just got better. Succulent Cafe has coffee, tea, bagels, & other items to nosh on as you're surrounded by a potpourri of succulents & plants. It feels like you're in a garden or a corner of the a gardening store rather than a cafe. 

Address: 505 Oak Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Website: Succulent Cafe

Vinaka Cafe

Carlsbad Village has a thumping life of its own. There are so many food & drink options but Vinaka Cafe remains a staple. It's one of those places in town where you might run into an old neighbor or schoolmate. They have organic coffee, tea, espresso, pastries, sandwiches, & the golden ticket: outdoor seating. Their vegan sandwich tastes scrumptious & fills you up. Vinaka Cafe is not a new trendy place with funky merch & fun designs, it's a Carlsbad staple with hundreds of online reviews dating back to 2014.

Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #211, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: (760) 720-7890

Website: Vinaka Cafe

Related reading: The San Diego County Fair Tradition

Carlsbad Village

If you're in downtown Carlsbad Village area, you'll find Vinaka Cafe & Sleeping Tiger Coffees very close to each other. Succulent Cafe, Cafe Ground Up, Baba Coffee, & Steady State Roasting around Carlsbad Village as well. Drink in the Carlsbad Village coffee shops, restaurants, fresh seafood, Pacific Ocean air, & sunny days.

Unless something new opened up (or one of these is closed), these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops!

Coffee, tea, blended frappes, & every type of delicious caffeine awaits you in the city of Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of coffee, tea, & other drinks, whether you're in Oceanside or Escondido. 

Search coffee near me online or order ahead to check if a coffee shop is open or closed before heading over directly. There's nothing more disappointing for remote workers than packing up your laptop & everything you need for the afternoon, heading to the coffee shop only to find that it's closed or completely packed. If that happens, now you have pretty much all coffee shops in Carlsbad area right here in this blog post at your fingertips. Visit the downtown Carlsbad Village website for more insight. What's your favorite coffee shop in North County San Diego? Please leave a comment!

What do you think? From cold brew, coffee, tea, and more, these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops.

Related reading: Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See