sara and sophie were super sweet and attentive. they knew all the good recommendations, and overall had excellent customer service!

Great tasting coffee, we went with the baristas drink choice and loved it. It was my first time here, so I was asking Zeke if they offered cold foam and he recommended the new cold foam. Gabriel made my drink and he was super friendly as well. Definitely recommend read more

It's our first time trying better buzz and I'm a fan! We tried their best drink ever and honey lavender matcha. The best drink ever might really be the best drink ever. Unfortunately the honey lavender matcha was a bit too sweet, so next time will definitely need to alter the sugar. Glad these are popping up in more places and we'll be back! read more

See all

I was first introduced to Better Buzz in Hillcrest San Diego. When I heard about the new location in Carlsbad, I was excited to have one in my neighborhood. I couldn't wait to get my buzz on! I've been to this location a few times and tried to have a positive experience but I couldn't get pass the poor cleanliness I observed; needless to say, it put a damper on my buzz. I guess staff are too busy to clean up after customers when they leave. Since the staff are busy taking orders, I've come across pretty cool personalities when taking orders but when it comes to picking up your order they have to project their voices louder when saying the names especially when there's a lot of people. I didn't realize my order came out and was on the counter for awhile because I didn't hear my name on the other side of the room. BBC-Cbad you can do better!! read more

See all

Very slow service. Even though there were 3-5 people preparing drinks and only 1-2 customers in line, our order we placed online while walking to the cafe and it took a long time... The cafe wasn't busy at all, yet there didn't seem to be any sense of urgency. The atmosphere was very relaxed, but unfortunately, that came at the expense of efficiency. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

If you happen to be by the beach in Carlsbad, this is a great spot for coffee. They even have a banana pudding drink, which is the best ever. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

See all

It's been awhile since I have gone to this coffee shop as their drinks are a bit sweet for me. As this location was right next to my hotel in Carlsbad Village I decided to pop in for a drink. This location is in the heart of Carlsbad village on the main drag. You can order drinks inside or outside. Typically guest all pile inside so the line tends to be shorter at the outside counter. The coffee shop offers limited seating outside and some tables inside. The architecture of this shop is kinda retro which is a perfect fit for old Carlsbad. As always the staff were super friendly. The outside counter helped me find a drink that was not super sweet: I went with vanilla iced latte. Unfortunately the shop does not offer soy milk but they do offer oat and coconut as alternative milks. Parking available on the street. During high season and holidays parking can be challenging. read more

See all

I like getting coffee here when I am in town. Their coffee is good and has quality and flavor, but the price is a bit high. Definitely on the spot for rich flavor and consistency. I got their "best drink ever" which is an Americano and sweet creamy vanilla and it's good along with a cup of "honey latte". It was $6.79 for a large drink. I also got their "islander" Acai bowl and its smaller portion but still packed with flavor. This was $11.99. Overall good rest stop to get some goodies as I'm passing through Carlsbad and into SD. Friendly staff and good service. read more

Better buzz coffee never disappoints. The place was packed which isn't surprising because it's a popular location in downtown Carlsbad. We ordered ahead to pick up our order and unfortunately it wasn't ready when we got there. We had to wait longer past our pickup time, which wasn't a big deal because we weren't in a rush. I can see how this may be frustrating if you're in a time crunch, but I wasn't. We got some coffee and a few breakfast sandwiches. We ordered the better breakfast, bacon ciabatta and ham and cheese croissant. They all tasted great, the only complaint was that the ciabatta bread was too hard and didn't taste fresh. Overall a positive experience where the staff recognized and acknowledged the extra wait and was kind. Obviously things outside of their control, but the great customer service goes a long way these days and is appreciated. read more

Got my good buzz today, came in for a latte and açaí bowl. It was absolutely Delicious !!! Fast service! Great ambiance ;) read more

See all

Need more vegan plant-based options. Online ordered 2 cold drink monthly featured specials "banana pudding latte" - after cruising beach. Sat by pick up window waiting to hear our name, took awhile, it was busy on a Saturday mid-day with a line out the door. Finally asked if about order, they redirected me inside to a little pick up area, wooden rack, where our drinks were sitting- separated on two different shelves instead of together so all that was a bit confusing. Drinks were tasty and well made. No food ordered. Parking limited. Lucked out with grabbing last spot as someone pulled out. If not for that we would have been circling the block. Better for walk up. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Banana Pudding Iced Decaf latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Really cool staff and the ambiance isn't bad.....but the COFFEE?!?!? Best coffee I've had in 2026 by far. Definitely happy we stopped by!!

Music was BOOMING, clean smells nice and the workers are kind and up beat. Got a bacon ciabatta on gluten free bread, and a large mint infused coffee iced Love the vibe, and the take out window, with our door seating is cute. Even though there is no drive thru here it is easy parking and quick in and out vibe. Will come back to this location again read more

See all

This place is cute and conveniently located in the heart of Carlsbad. There's parking available. It's dog friendly. There's indoor and outdoor seating. I love to just get a simple fresh croissant and a orange Matcha latte. read more

See all

They say it's the "Best Drink Ever," and they're not wrong. I really liked the banana cold foam. I bought a large, thinking I would never finish it, but it was gone within 10 minutes. The location was also beautiful. The interior was nicely themed and it's right near the beach in Carlsbad. The menu is a bit expensive but at least you get quality. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Banana Pudding on Best Drink Ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

"How would you like to be? a little buzzing bee And instead of a tree You could buzz around me" (Elvis Presley) One of the things we noticed during our stay in Carlsbad was the sheer number of coffee shops in town. It seemed as though they were everywhere. During our regular walks between the hotel and Carlsbad Village, we passed Better Buzz up to four times a day, and guess what? They were always busy, always had people at the ordering counter, always had crowds inside the store, and always had people hanging out and chilling outside on their tables and chairs. I had never seen a Better Buzz shop before, and there's a good reason for that. There aren't any out East in my neck of the woods. Better Buzz is a regional chain with 34 locations across California, Arizona, and Nevada. They have a very nice menu of hot, cold, and blended coffees and lattes, espressos, smoothies, bowls, teas, toasts, sandwiches, and wraps. We stopped by one evening on our way back to the hotel, and as expected, the place was buzzing with activity. We ordered a medium-sized regular brewed coffee ($3.49) and a 12-ounce cold brew served over ice. Our coffees were great, the staff was pleasant to deal with, and the whole experience was fun. read more

See all

Great and decent price (~$6) for a large mango strawberry refresher! The drink comes perfectly sweetened and refreshing, which I was surprised about since I tend to not enjoy coffee shop refreshers as much as their other menu options. Definitely would recommend for a refreshing drink on a hot day and would return for this again! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Mango strawberry buzzinger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Nice coffee shop a couple blocks from our hotel. I ordered the ham and cheese croissant and a pink dragon smoothie. You order at the counter then you stand nearby until your order is ready. This isn't a good process because you're stuck standing there until your food is ready. The sitting area is in a separate room and you would not hear your name called. Plus it was busy and it seemed they were also trying to fulfill online orders so I stood there 11 minutes. Please change this process. Please tell your dining in customers to take a seat and you will call their name loudly or bring their order to them. The ham and cheese croissant was good. I like it when cheese does not ooze everywhere when you are trying to eat the sandwich. The pink dragon smoothie was ok. It was missing a definitive flavor. They have street parking and a small parking lot. The staff was extremely busy and i felt like a number versus a customer. Excellent location. read more

See all

I love the coffee here at Better Buzz in Carlsbad! Nicole made my iced vanilla coffee and she was super sweet and helpful. She made sure my coffee tasted just right. Even though it's a smaller better buzz, the area is in a good surrounding area located next to the beach. I definitely recommend this place! 10/10! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Not sure who loves Better Buzz more! This is one of our go to spots for morning coffee and pup cups. The staff is always great and service is always quick even with long lines. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Cold brew w/ vanilla cold foam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

The good: I got the blueberry cold foam drink, a miso salted latte, a pop tart, crunchy breakfast wrap, an açaí bowl, pistachio croissant and a blueberry steamer. I loved that tbe blueberry flavor was from a purée rather than a premade syrup. I loved the variety of interesting drinks they had. They have indoor and outdoor seating. It's very Instagram-worthy inside. The prices were really fair. The food and drinks were made in a timely manner. The bad: It seems like the açaí bowls were all made in advance (with fruit and granola on top) because everything was kind of stuck together and there was no banana on top. I loved the added and interesting flavors of the coffee drinks but the underlying coffee flavor tasted off to me. It wasn't my favorite. The main ordering area gets crowded so the door between the ordering space and the main eating area gets blocked. The pop tart was more like a toaster streusel with a flaky pastry rathe than a pie tart type of dough. The interesting: They have multiple SoCal locations! read more

See all

Better Buzz is another chain that is expanding too fast to provide a quality product. The coffees are good but extremely expensive. The baked goods look good but there are other local places that are better. The Açaí bowls are over priced. The regular is fine when you can get it, but the deluxe has way too much stuff in it. The manager is keeping an eye on quality and helping the staff to make them consistent. Overall, I'm disappointed that the place that was once my go to coffee place in San Diego is just not what it used to be. read more

Tried both types of mochas and definately recommend the mexican chocolate mocha though both were great!

OMG. You guys need to keep the coconut best drink ever on the menu 365! That's my new fav drink from here, its a subtle coconut that just adds more flavor, without being too sweet! I love love it! Please keep it! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Coconut best drink ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

IGNACIO !! Helped me with my order (indecisive) had an Horchata Latte Iced, pistachio croissant and chocolate chip cookie.. SOOO ! Good !! the caffeine and the sugar rush is was I needed to go a second round in the ocean.. Going back later for an espresso shot ... this coffee spot is a must ,, pretty cool set up inside , I might consider a sit down. read more

Thank you Sophie and Gabby for the wonderful recommendation to turn the best drink from vanilla powder to coconut powder. I told them I missed the coconut best drink and this was a yummy alternative read more

Better Buzz always hits, and the Carlsbad location is adorable and just steps from the sand. We got a dirty iced chai latte and a cold brew. We come here at least once every time we're in the area. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Left: iced chai (dirty of course) Right: cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This cute coffee shop is in Carlsbad, close to the Carlsbad street sign (perfect for photo ops). Just like all Better Buzz locations, the decor was on point and on theme, complete with hive shaped walls, and neon signage. It's perfectly quaint with some seating outside. It's a great place to pick up coffee from, then walk around the surrounding area, since it's near a few restaurants. The ice coffee was amazing, you can say it's the "best drink ever (it's the name of the drink and rightfully so, some days.) I mean, I have many fave coffee spots, and it just depends what I'm in the mood for. But Better Buzz is definitely up there. Service was quick and friendly. What more can you ask for from a coffee shop. read more

See all

First time visiting this location and I have to say I'll definitely be coming back! The baristas are so friendly! Shout out to Sophie who reminded me I had a free drink modifier (adding 2 espresso shots to my lavender black tea latte was PERFECTION) just what I needed to kickstart my productive evening! read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Vibe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Stopped in to grab a matcha latte and realized I had never been to this location. They have a parking lot that isn't very big but I found a spot right out front. The space isn't huge and I actually prefer it to the Encinitas location. It doesn't feel as overwhelming. The staff were super friendly and cheery for a slow cloudy morning. My iced matcha tea latte was great! read more

See all

Oh baby!!! Better Buzz SPEAKS and you LISTEN! Customer service starts the moment you step through the door, and that's the kind of vibe we love! No rushing, no pressure. At the register, it's not just an order, it's a consultation to make sure you walk out with exactly what you want (or even better). One of my go-to items wasn't available, but they didn't miss a beat. They offered a perfect substitute and threw in a sweet consolation gift. Now that's how you take care of people! I ordered the Blended Vanilla Buzz, the Better Breakfast, and my surprise treat was a dreamy Nutella Croissant. Chef's. Kiss. Better Buzz Carlsbad? Always hits. Never quits. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Better Buzz Carlsbad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Better Buzz delivered a clean and straightforward win. The coffee tasted great, the service was sharp, and every part of the visit felt easy. This was one of those stops where you finish your drink and immediately wish you had found the place earlier in the trip. Nothing flashy, just well executed coffee and a team that knows what they're doing. A simple standout. read more

Amazing staff ! Thanks to Sophie and Zeke! Coffee was great!!! Will definitely come back again read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I love coming here and chatting with Joe, Sophie, and the other employees who are always welcoming and friendly. The banana cold foam is my current go to with any of their handcrafted drinks! read more

An excellent alternative to Starbucks. With 32 locations and counting, Better Buzz brings customer service to the forefront, with friendly and courteous servers. I've been several times to this (and Oceanside) location, and their greeting is consistent (maybe scripted). Regardless, it's a welcomed change. The coffee is great (not burned) and they have some good snacks and merch. I love the branding too. Get a better buzz at Better Buzz. I'm all in! read more

See all

Sophie is not only a great barista but she's kind and welcoming. Definitely a reason we keep coming back.

Sophie gave the best customer service, so friendly and smiling! She made it more than just a coffee experience and she sold me on the Banana pudding best drink ever! So good. read more

Best customer service and vibe. Favorite local spot!! Especially Joe who runs the place.

So I was in Carlsbad this weekend for a wedding and we went to the beach early on Saturday like 9am and most of the shopping strip was abandoned except for people exercising BUT Better Buzz had a line, tables were full and I was like damn, I think I want something. At first I thought maybe they used honey as the main sweetener and then I thought do they put CBD or THC in the coffee because what does Better actually mean. Turns out they are a hyper local San Diego based specialty coffee roaster using ethically sourced FairTrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified beans. They are a certified organic roaster who prides themselves on quality and sustainability. But you'd never know unless you look them up because the menu is so cool and the vibe and decor is so lit, their standards aren't the first thing that comes through and I don't know if that's intentional or not. Even the website doesn't really talk about it. ANYWHO... I got a cloud matcha off their most popular drinks menu and I don't know what kind of coconut milk they are using but it was SO good. It was light in viscosity but strong fresh coconut flavor and occasionally you got a shred of coconut. The matcha was slightly sweetened which I appreciate not being overly sweet. Not grassy or bitter which honestly I don't mind but it was very smooth. I saw folks getting açaí bowls and hot breakfast type burrito looking things. It seemed to be a very popular location. Hopefully I can visit San Diego again and try more things but it's always nice getting a taste of what's loved by the locals. read more

See all

Cute and new coffee shop, right on the corner of the busy Carlsbad streets. You can either order inside or they have an outdoor/patio window to order from. My husband had one of their cold brews and I had their matcha. The matcha was very creamy and smooth. Hubs enjoyed his cold brew and said it was the perfect balance of sweetness. There's plenty of patio seating and they have a good amount of "indoor" seating too. Great spot to stop and grab your caffeine fix while walking around Carlsbad. read more

Better Buzz Coffee Carlsbad - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Carlsbad, California