We found ourselves with some time to kill in between meetings on a trip to Monterey. This place looks cute and my husband and I are both readers so we decided it would be a no-brainer to stop by. The bookstore section is kind of small, but it is nicely decorated and organized. There's a large children's section that I appreciated and the plethora of plush puppets was something I had never seen before. They had several items that were gift varieties like candles and stationary and crayons, etc. It's attached to a coffee shop so if you wanted to grab a book pay for it and then grab a coffee, you could actually sit and read for a bit. read more

I love the vibe here at Bookworks, but the Wifi is very poor here. Every time I come to get coffee and work, I end up finishing my drink as fast as I can, and heading down the street to other places with Wifi. There are folks living here who simply need 21st century pipes. For example, if you're doing university work with Stanford and want to get away from Hopkins. But the Wifi here is from the 1990s. If you don't need reliable wifi, Bookworks is amazing. The food, the service, the bookstore, everything. Unfortunately, living in a "connected" world, I can only give it 3 stars, as cafes are workplaces now. read more

Came here during a girls trip and it was seriously the perfect stop. Such a cute, cozy little bookstore with the best vibes. We grabbed coffee (so good!) and ended up sitting down to journal for a bit, and it was honestly such a relaxing moment. The food and coffee was all amazing! Great service, great coffee, and just an overall feel-good place. Definitely coming back next time I'm in Pacific Grove! read more

Cute place. Line out the door but it moved fast. The chocolate almond croissant was really good and fresh! Husband really enjoyed the blueberry muffin as well. The staff was really friendly and helpful. I got the spicy iced chai and husband got the horchata cold brew. Both were delicious! They come out layered but I recommend stirring them to get the flavors mixed in. read more

Bookworks - Iced spicy chai and horchata cold brew - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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My favorite coffee spot because the coffee is really good and has enough espresso without needing to order additional shots. If there's a line it does move pretty quickly. It is often crowded but you can get a seat inside or outside. There is a bookstore in the back. Seems a little chaotic but people are nice. I love that they have gluten free cakes, breads, and muffins (just depends on what's left). The Honey Lavender Latte is my favorite. read more

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Cozy Coffee Spot with an Amazing Blueberry Muffin I stumbled upon this charming coffee shop in downtown Pacific Grove. It has such a warm, inviting vibe. I arrived right at 7a.m., when they open, but didn't have a chance to check out the attached bookstore. They offer a nice selection of espresso drinks and baked goods. I started with an almond croissant, which was decent but not as memorable as Captain + Stoker's. As I was leaving, I overheard someone asking about the blueberry muffins, which are baked daily by a French baker. They'd just arrived but hadn't been put out yet, so I hopped back in line to grab one. I'm so glad I did! It was one of the best blueberry muffins I've ever had; perfectly moist, flavorful, and fresh. I'll be coming back tomorrow morning just to have another. I also love that their coffee is organic and sourced from a roastery in Santa Cruz. My Americano was smooth and pleasant, though not quite as bold as some I've had while traveling. Still, overall this place is a gem. Friendly atmosphere, quality coffee, and that unforgettable blueberry muffin. read more

Bookworks - Exterior - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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This place is such a gem. My wife and I make a point to come here every time we visit Monterey or Pacific Grove - it's become a special tradition for us. There's just something magical about BookWorks. The coffee is always spot on, the pastries are fresh and comforting, and the attached bookstore? Absolutely charming. It's the kind of spot where you can slow down, sip your drink, and browse through books while the morning fog rolls in. Cozy, welcoming, and full of good energy. Whether you're a local or just passing through, don't miss this place. It really does have everything we love - good vibes, good coffee, and great books. read more

Bookworks - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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We love to try different coffee shops when we travel, and Bookworks was our favorite find in Pacific Grove. This coffee shop was incredible. Delicious coffee, lively atmosphere, and tasty treats. Always love when a coffee house has some fun seasonal drinks. Their Very Cherry Mocha is decadent, rich, and delicious. Definitely not a refreshing choice to start to your morning as it's so sweet, but a great treat to compliment your day. Delicious croissants. Attached to a cute little bookshop as well. They open a bit later than the coffee house and don't allow the coffee inside the book portion, but super cute. You should check it out while you're there. It was get PACKED here. Line was about 15 minutes long, and it took over 20 minutes for them to make our drinks. Had to wait a beat to find a table. But seeing how many people there were, understandable. And the great drinks more than made up for it. Great choice to fill your caffeine fix. read more

Bookworks - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

I am a big fan of independent bookstores, and make a point to visit them wherever I go. When I went to Pacific Grove a few days ago, I checked out Bookworks. I was impressed with their selection of local nature and history books. I also loved their gift items such as t-shirts, magnets and coasters. I bought a few. The cafe/coffee shop is cozy with a delicious selection of pastries, muffins, quiche, etc. The people who work here are so helpful and sweet! I love to support small businesses like this one. I will be back next time I am in Pacific Grove. read more

This is a local bookstore and coffee shop in Pacific Grove. The staff was friendly and ready to help us. You enter and look over the board menu and the choice of pastries before you and place your order to for inside and that determines the cup you receive. I love this as it cuts down on landfill waste. My pumpkin spice was amazing and we sat in the corner in comfortable chairs looking out two glass windows as people passed by on the sidewalk. read more

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I'm a local and somehow had never come in here until today, and of course I picked marathon weekend to try it out, so it was super busy when I arrived. I ordered a matcha latte and was a little anxious about finding a seat, but everyone working up front was really patient and helpful. They checked me out quickly so I could grab a spot before the rush, and they walked me through the guest WiFi pass even though I had to interrupt them right in the middle of everything. They were genuinely kind about it. The matcha latte itself is not the best one I have ever had, but it is definitely one of the least sweet ones, which I actually prefer. I think they said they sweeten it with honey, so it has more of a mild, natural taste. They have a ton of baked goods, and it looks like they offer a good amount of gluten free options. I am pretty sure some of it might be vegan too, but I only saw gluten free labels when I was looking. I have not had a chance to explore the bookstore part because I needed to sit and study, but as far as vibes go, it is a solid place for chatting or working quietly. I do not think it is somewhere I would grab a coffee to go, but for hanging out and settling in for a bit, it definitely works. read more

Last month I visited this bookstore-coffee shop and I had possibly the best cold brew I've had in my entire lifetime. I ordered a cold brew with cinnamon cold foam and it was the perfect mix of sweet and bitter. Very few drinks have ever come close to being as good as that coffee. I will probably spend the rest of my life chasing that high. My only regret is that I did not buy a second coffee to go. The bookstore and the coffee shop both have a quaint cottage vibe with gorgeous decor. The staff were all so friendly and I am counting down the days until I can visit again! read more

Bookworks - Fruit tart - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Wonderful place for a latte!!! My hubby and I were planning on getting a couple of lattes to take with us to watch the sunset but there's not too many places open late. We looked up a new place we've never been... bookworm! This will now be our go-to when coming to this area. It's a wonderful little coffee shop offering different types of coffee and a few pastries. My hubby ordered a pumpkin spiced latte and I ordered a honey lavender latte. Both were made perfectly... not too sweet but you could taste the flavors, plenty of frothy foam, and hot! We also decided to try one of the cookies on the counter which was good. Definitely recommend coming for the perfectly made latte read more

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One thing about me is that I will always adore bookstore + coffee shop combos, and this shop delivered on that front! (: I also found the staff to be pleasant and relaxing to converse with. The food looked tasty, my friend got a chai latte and a lemon poppyseed slice, seeming to enjoy them! I would implore you to check out this double whammy store if you find yourself in the Pacific Grove area! read more

Unfortunately, I had a disappointing experience at this café. The order took a long time, and the coffee arrived cold. The staff didn't seem very attentive, and the tables were not very clean. I probably wouldn't come back. read more

I didn't enjoy my visit to this café. The service was unfriendly, and my order took too long to arrive. The coffee was lukewarm and didn't taste fresh. The place also didn't feel very clean. I wouldn't recommend it. read more

The café was okay overall. The food tasted decent, and the coffee was fine, but nothing really stood out. Service was a bit slow, especially during busy hours. It's not a bad place, but there's room for improvement. read more

Love the vibe here! Great place to plug in to work or chill on the couch and read a book. Great coffee and good bookstore. read more

Bookworks - Carmel Latte - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

Two of my favorite things combined... coffee and books. This coffee shop was absolutely PACKED the weekend that I visited and was not the comfy, cozy vibe I would be looking for to sit and enjoy a coffee and some reading. The line was out the door upon arriving and didn't let up the entire time we were there. This shop is clearly popular I just wish it had a quieter vibe to enjoy a book if you happened to pick one up before heading into the coffee shop. I ordered the Iced Pumpkin spice metolius chai which was really good but visually unappealing. It came out white and looked like it was just milk. I'd love to come back on a week day to see if that makes a difference, as I know this is in the heart of a touristy area. read more

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Wonderful bookshop in downtown Pacific Grove. Great selection of books--adults and children, plus lots of interesting items to peruse.

Cute little coffee shop and independent bookstore. Highly recommended if you're in the area! My friend ordered the Strawberry Matcha Latte- it has amazing strawberry puree which makes the drink so tasty! And I ordered a Butter Pecan latte and it was so sweet and tasty (loved it!). The bookstore was so intimate and cute. Loved getting to support local places. I purchased 2 paperback books. read more

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Really enjoyed the atmosphere of the coffee shop combined with a small indie bookstore ! The coffee is great. However if you like your less sweet make sure to ask to reduce sweetness as they like to make it sweat . read more

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Stopped here after a very stressful night staying at a subpar hotel in Marina! The staff is gracious and helpful and you have a wonderful mix of locals and tourists! They have great free internet and great chairs and couches to read and reflect! The coffee is excellent along with the choice of pastries! If I had a word to summarize this coffee house I would say it is hospitable. By the way there is a great little bookstore in the back that you can actually purchase a book! One last thing ... There is outdoor seating and it is a wonderful venue for this being it is located in downtown Pacific Grove that has a sense of charm! Another observation is that it is family friendly because there were many couples who came in with their little ones! read more

Bookworks - Wonderful atmosphere - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

I love this little bookstore. You want to walk into a bookstore and feel surrounded with thoughtful people with good hearts, and that's exactly how you feel walking into this one. Everything you want from a cute local bookstore is here: local reads, games and puzzles, stuffies for the kids, fun stickers, journals that make you want to write, and cool tote bags. Want to say hi to a smiling baby or pet a friendly dog? Your chances here are very, very high. Have coffee, hang out, and it will happen sooner or later. You can have a lovely chat with a random stranger where you connect briefly and feel better about the world afterwards. Isn't that what a good bookstore does for you? And you can even buy a book! To take home! And if that isn't an ideal little slice of life in an hour or two, I don't know what is. read more

Super cute ambiance for a bookstore - it's in the middle of Monterey and fairly busy. Good: - I liked the sofas as seating areas and how it was nice and warm on a cold winter morning! - The honey lavender latte was tasty - pretty strong in flavor but it was unique Bad: - Not super fancy, and is quite busy so takes a few minutes to get coffee Overall I enjoyed this place as a quick rest station and place to chill before heading over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium! read more

Bookworks - Honey lavender latte - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Lovely cafe with a lovely bookstore. Good location and friendly staffs. Their matcha and cappuccino were great. Not many bakery items to choose from. read more

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I spent a long holiday weekend in Monterey and went to Bookworks every morning--not even kidding. The ambiance is amazing, there is TONS of seating, even when it's busy. Got a lavender latte and their spinach quiche. I would drive 6 hours back to Pebble Beach just for this. The connected bookstore is so precious. I got some candles, some post cards, and a book from a local author. Amazing place. read more

Bookworks - Front Window - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Stumbled upon this place randomly, and what a fun surprise it turned out to be. The ambience is excellent, complete with a cute little bookstore and an incredibly charming, helpful staff. The butter pecan latte with whipped cream was a delight, and their pastry selection is spot on. Special shout-out to the steamed cider -- a perfect recommendation from the staff on a gloomy, overcast day. The overall vibe was terrific, and I'll definitely look forward to stopping by again the next time I'm in Pacific Grove. read more

This cafe is so cute & underrated! It's a coffee shop with drinks and pastries plus an attached bookstore. The bookstore has some cute Monterey themed items too if you're looking for souvenirs. There's lots of seating in the cafe too. I really like how they have seasonal specials- I usually get one of the seasonal drinks they have. I like how they offer a stamp card too. Another pro is that the location is very convenient if you want to walk down Lighthouse Ave to look in the shops or get breakfast- just walking around that neighborhood is a fun activity I'd recommend to do in PG. Also parking is super easy around here because there's tons of free parking. read more

I used to be a big fan of this place. In fact, today I took my wife here for the first time after telling her how much I loved it. Unfortunately after the way I was treated by the staff i feel the need to write a negative review. I came here today for brunch and to buy some books. As my wife waited in the long line, I asked the cashier if I could have the password to the WiFi. She responded by asking whether I was going to buy something. Certainly not the industry norm, but ok. I said yes, and explained that my wife was in line. She looked at me skeptically and then said "well once you buy something I'll give you the password". Dumbfounded, I asked the manager who was behind her. He also dismissed me rudely, telling me they would only give me the WiFi when I had made a purchase. When I said I guess I will take my business elsewhere they both smiled and shrugged. The reason I needed the WiFi is bc I was running late for a meeting and the line was out the door. I had no intention of skipping the line or using the WiFi without buying something. I travel a lot and have been to hundreds of coffee shops in the last few years. I always make sure I spend a lot of money and tip well, so I am not one of those people taking up space without supporting the business. And i exclusively patronize local coffee shops - if I wanted free WiFi I would go to Starbucks or Panera. I'm not going to make any assumptions about why I was treated the way I was. Suffice to say I probably don't look like I belong in the ultra rich suburb of pacific grove. But I don't believe that gives a business the right to treat me like a criminal. I was there to drop $60 on brunch and probably another $60 on books. Why are you assuming I am there to steal from you? (and steal what? Bandwidth?). They are free to make their own policy around WiFi. But there is no excuse for being rude to a customer asking an innocent question. There is no excuse for your staff going out of their way to make a customer feel unwelcome. As a business owner, you should want everyone who comes in to feel safe and valued, regardless of what they look like. And it's your responsibility to communicate that to your employees. And hey, business owner - maybe don't make your employees enforce a policy like this. It's pretty much inevitable you're going to end up with interactions like this sooner or later. It's a pretty terrible thing to ask of people making $15/hr. It might make you frustrated to see someone occasionally taking advantage of the WiFi, I get it. But you're creating bad experiences for both customers and employees. Is that worth it? I really love this place, but I will not be going back. There are plenty of establishments who will not treat me like a criminal. read more

Super fun spot to grab coffee, a pastry and a book! Friendly staff. Clean spot. Perfect ambiance to study, read, and drink coffee. Beautiful spot! read more

Nice cafe in pacific grove but the mocha was just ok- nothing special and it was $8. The macchiato was very tasty.

Although the bookstore and coffee shop are the same business, I verified, the bookstore doesn't open until 9:30. I guess it isn't possible for employees to sell books and coffee, or maybe they don't trust people to look at books without supervision? Either way, it's one of the very few bookstores in the area, and it's a real bummer to have braved the morning commute traffic 20 minutes out of my way this morning to buy a book only to be told it actually isn't a coffee and book store... until later. Nice concept... in theory. Terrible execution. My chai was good, and $8, but the experience was not. Extra thank you to the woman that suggested I "just take a walk instead." I could have done that without adding 40 minutes of driving to my day, but thank you. read more

Bookworks - Bookstore closed. - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

What a gem! Their drip coffee is delicious and their gluten free baked goods taste great (like homemade! Not generic). There's outdoor seating as well and the whole set up is quaint and cozy. It's fun to look through the bookstore and there are also gift items in there too. The staff were friendly and efficient. When I'm back in the area I will definitely stop in again. read more

We've been enjoying this coffee shop for many years and truly appreciate the hometown environment, great coffee, and generally friendly staff. Our only concern is that one staff member's attitude, time after time, feels less welcoming and we now limit our visits. We hope this can be addressed as you may know who this person is. Otherwise one of our favorite places to relax, read, and enjoy coffee. read more

My favorite place to study and sit with my dog outside! Dogs are allowed in the book store section and my dog always likes to say hi to the staff (the book check out desk sometimes has dog treats)! Dogs aren't allowed inside (totally fair) but you can tie up your dog outside to one of the trees and have a clear view of them while standing in line and ordering. The drinks are awesome! I always like to get the seasonal drinks around summer because they have strawberry puree! read more

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Such a cute atmosphere, quick service, beautiful building and view! Highly highly recommend!

Cappuccino was good, the wait was long, the vibe is fine. Nice bookstore to browse but the worker there kept following me while dusting and as in really wasn't in the mood for breathing dusty air, I left early. The foam art on the cappuccino was lost though read more

very cute spot! was looking for a place to just grab a drink and kill time while we waited to check in to our hotel and found this on the way. did some light reading with the books we brought and just enjoyed the ambience! they have a bookstore connected to the cafe as well which is very cute! read more

Bookworks - iced matcha latte and a white mocha - Bookstores Near Me - Pacific Grove, California

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Love this neighborhood bookstore and coffee shop. A great place to browse & shop for books and/or to relax with good coffee, tea or hot chocolate and snacks in a welcoming environment. Easy parking in the area. Delicious beverages & treats, friendly service. read more

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