An unexpected place in an unexpected neighborhood. Yes, sometimes finding a gem where trends start is exciting. I think this is one. In an unassuming neighborhood, tucked in the corner of a small strip mall. Once you walk inside, you are transported to a different place. Kafe-Lum is giving Tulum vibes. Tropical, simple, welcoming...a place just to enjoy your drink and hang out with good friends. I grew up in this neighborhood when it was new and after many many years I see there is a revitalization of the neighborhood - I call it the @castlepark area so you @Trojans in the neighborhood please visit. Okay, now for the food...we went Sunday morning. We ordered drinks and a small pastry. Our drinks were well made, good flavor, balanced and not too sweet. The pastry I had was a biscoff concha and my daughter had a chia seed mango pudding. Both were wonderful. Service was pleasant. You order at the register and they call your name to pick up. There was plenty of seating and parking. One thing to note is, it also is a wine and beer lounge so the next time I go I'll share the after hour vibes. read more

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Wow, this place is making a name in Chula Vista! We went at around 10am, there's already a long line. The good thing is, parking is not an issue. Space is not an issue. As you get inside, there's a big patio garden on the left and cozy table/chairs on the right side. They have a lot of pastries especially "pan de dulce." They have also gluten free pastries like chocolate croissant or chocolate brownies or cheese danish and more. I ordered their hot "Abuela's favorite" (mocha) it's good, not sweet not bitter just right! My husband also approved their hot chai tea! Here's more... customer service is great! I accidentally spilled (just a little) my coffee while getting it from the counter. The barista was so nice to say, don't bother she'll cleani. read more

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More like 3.5 stars! This place is in a pretty unassuming plaza next to a Grocery Outlet. From the outside, it looks pretty rundown but don't let the outside fool you! It is soooo cute inside. There's several different options for sitting both indoor and outdoor and the whole place is decorated so cute. The service was friendly, too! The woman that helped me at the register was genuinely friendly, welcoming, and warm. However--the coffee was a pricy in my opinion. I got a banana cold foam based "specialty latte" with a lactose milk. And it was only one size that ran me i think slightly over $9, $9.32 if im remembering correctly. And the flavor was sooo mild. I could barely taste any banana. And honestly for $9, i was expecting a bit of a bigger size and better taste. I WOULD come back for like a plain coffee drink with friends for the ambiance. read more

Kafe-Lum - Banana specialty drink - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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I was very satisfied with my first visit to Káfe-Lüm. I had an iced latte made with oat-milk and a touch of cinnamon and a pastry with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. The iced latte was great. They use Solano Coffee, a San Diego based roaster that offers a great product. The latte was silky smooth and rich in coffee flavor. The pastry was super. The pastry itself had a good texture and tasted very good. The pesto sauce was very nice and coupled with the dried tomatoes was very good, and you can never go wrong with a savory pastry topped with a heap of Parmesan cheese. It is just a good thing. The hospitality was first rate. The ladies at the counter all were in great spirits and were super friendly and welcoming. The place offers very good comfortable inside and outside seating. In fact, the outside patio is quite impressive. I look forward to returning soon. read more

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Came through to Kafe Lum today. Lowkey, I was kinda sad because this used to be one of my favorite Filipino spots, so walking in had me feeling a little nostalgic. But ay... Kafe Lum held it down. I got the Coco Cafe, and sheeesh... that drink was hella good. They almost forgot the coco ball on top, but the girl at the counter caught it herself, brought it over, and I'm glad she did because that thang was chewy, coconutty, and lowkey the cherry on top of the drink. My nephew got the refresher lemonade and said it was good it had chimoy on the rim. The ambiance is clean, cozy, and aesthetic without trying too hard. Definitely one of those spots you can just kick it for a bit. Sad to see my old favorite restaurant gone, but I'm happy something this solid took its place. I'll definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the drink menu. good people, and a drink that had me scraping the cup for that last sip. read more

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Pros: Relaxing/Resort vibe. Beautiful decor and an oasis garden. Outdoor and indoor seating. Unique affirmation cards with every drink. Pastries and food available. Cons: Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They open at 10am, later than typical coffee spots. Long line due to only having one cashier/person taking orders. Small parking lot and limited spots available. Came on a Wednesday about 20 minutes after they had opened. Already, all the indoor seating had been taken, and outdoor area was starting to fill up. (TIP: If you are planning to enjoy your coffee here, come early and/ or have someone hold your seats while you wait in line to order). If we didn't do this, there would have been no seating available. There was a long line out the door and approximately 12 people ahead of me. I waited in line for over 30 minutes. It took under two minutes to order and pay and about 10 minutes until we were called up for our drinks. There was one menu on the wall and that lacked many drinks/items they actually had available. There was a QR code to scan for the menu, but a hard copy affixed outside and/or somewhere to look at while you wait would have been helpful. The drinks had a lovely presentation and tasted good (Abuelita, coco, cafe de olla). The affirmation cards with every drink were a nice touch. The prices were above average, and the cashier was friendly and helpful. Overall, it was a nice place with good coffee. Maybe just wait till the hype dies down before you try it out. read more

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Don't judge a book by its cover--this place completely exceeded my expectations. I take my coffee very seriously, so I don't say this lightly. I was visiting from Los Angeles, and my girlfriend suggested we stop here. I'm so glad we did because Kade Lum truly impressed me. The staff was incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful from the moment we walked in. They offer a variety of breakfast options along with excellent coffee. I ordered the Mango Chia Pudding and the Latte de la Olla, and both were absolutely delicious. I also loved that they have both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area was spotless, and you could tell they take pride in keeping it clean, with staff regularly checking and maintaining the space. The free parking was another huge plus. Overall, it was such a great experience, and I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in town. read more

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Beautiful cafe in West Chula that makes you feel like you're in a resort or vacationing somewhere in Mexico. There is plenty of seating both indoor and out. Came on a Wednesday afternoon and it was a bit busy. It's in a small plaza but there is ample parking and enough room in the other lots right next to it for overflow. The only con to this place is that it doesn't open until 10am which is a bit late for a coffee shop. They also serve wine on the menu which is a nice plus. Service was quick and the workers are attentive and kind. Now for the best part which were the drinks. We ordered the Coco Cafe & the Cafe de la Olla which were presented beautifully & tasted delicious. There was a menu on the wall but it's very limited and the drinks we ordered were found on a paper menu near the register. We'll definitely be back to spend more time in the out door patio. read more

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Came here for the second time, and while the coffee is consistent as far as flavor and really good. I have to admit the service just isn't welcoming or friendly at all. The first time I visited, I figured it was because they were really busy. This time around I came on a Sunday it wasn't busy, and unfortunately the experience was the same. Good coffee can only go so far. I feel like friendly service makes a big difference, and that's something this place is lacking. read more

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Kafe Lum has become one of my favorite spots because of their Café Coco drink--it's absolutely delicious. I've tried a few of their other drinks, but none of them stood out the way the Café Coco does. It's the main reason I keep coming back. My only suggestion would be to offer a larger size. The current size just isn't enough, and I'd gladly pay more for a bigger option. The atmosphere is another highlight. I really enjoy the outdoor seating area--it's a great place to relax and enjoy a drink. The only thing I don't understand is why they're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It feels like a missed opportunity, as I'm sure many customers would love to stop by on those days as well. Overall, Kafe Lum is worth visiting, and if it's your first time, I highly recommend trying the Café Coco. read more

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Just had the best Latte Cafe de Olla here. I saw several other drinks come out that looked really good too. They have a gorgeous seating area out back that's nicely shaded. It's really hot today and it felt very cool back there. Service was excellent - friendly and efficient. Highly recommend and will be running back for more lattes :) read more

the cutest little shop with the sweetest baristas and the yummiest drinks!! you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. they even have coffee flights, and they serve alcohol too! it's super cozy inside, but i love soaking up some sun and relaxing on the outdoor patio. i'm here basically every other week, which you can probably tell from all the pictures :) read more

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This coffee shop opened up about 2 months ago. I've been here twice. When it first opened lines were ridiculous. The esthetic is gorgeous so I can see why people go for the photo ops for their Instagram. Coffee is ok a little over price. They also sell beer and wine as well which is also over priced. A can of beer is $10. The affirmations you get with your coffee is a cute touch. But over all I don't consider this place to be a go to coffee shop. But if your like me and love hitting all the cute new coffee shop you definitely gotta come once. read more

Kafe-Lum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Kafe-Lum is a slice of paradise in the heart of Chula Vista. Stepping into the coffee shop you are immediately greeted with an aesthetic, clean, modern touch. Their outdoor space transports you to an oasis that makes you forget you are in the middle of the busy city of Chula Vista. It is truly a vibe! Now let's talk coffee. I ordered the Iced Cafe De Olla Latte and it did not disappoint. At first sip, you taste the most creamiest foam and the coffee itself was the perfect balance. It felt light and airy for a cafe de la olla with a good kick of caffeine. It was worth the $8 dollars. My daughter ordered the Iced Banana Matcha and it was equally as delicious...and I am not even a matcha girl. The service was quick and the space looked very clean, considering how busy they were on a Thursday morning. They also offer a variety of food options and they even have wine. I will definitely be returning. read more

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Came to see what the hype was about, definitely a cute coffee house lots of sitting everywhere it was packed so was not able to find a seat. However the coffee to me was just normal nothing out of this world, would only return for the vibes not the actual coffee. read more

Kafe-Lum - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Amazing, creative drinks! You can't find these anywhere. Staff was very friendly. The outdoor patio is beautiful and perfect for enjoying a drink in the morning. It doea get busy-- I usually get there 10-15 mins before opening to beat the crowd. A line will form! Highly recommend this place. read more

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Tried Kafe-Lum for the first time and got the Banana Matcha. I love seeing more cafes open in Chula Vista, and this is one of my options when I don't want to drive far for matcha. I paid about $10 with oat milk, and since they only have one size and the cup is pretty small, I do think it's a little pricey. Last picture was their old cup size when they first opened. Hope they kept that size! Overall, the vibe is nice, the staff are friendly, and it's a great place to study or just hang out read more

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Good service! The Lotus concha was delicious, and the coffee had a great flavor. The place is also very spacious, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. It's a great spot whether you want to study, get some work done, or simply enjoy your coffee. read more

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Love trying a new coffee spot !! Loved the iced abueilta coffee delish .. good vibes and atmosphere. Super cute spots for photo ops . It's a new place so drinks will take a while but worth the wait . read more

Kafe-Lum - Iced abueilta and outside decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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What a fantastic place they have created in the heart of beautiful CV. Came accross this new gem and let me tell you im not the only one who was impressed. The line out the front door 45 minutes after opening was impressive. The scenery is gorgeous, takes you all the way back to some tropical vacation. The coffee is so creamy and made with 100 percent attention to detail. I got the abuelita mexican mocha hot and cold. Both were the best I tried to date. The refresher was a mix of lemonade and Jamaica mixed with strawberry. Those combos made my mouth water. My bacon crossiant sandwich was to date the best. Many restraunts make a breakfast crossiant, but this one was buttery, flakey, crunchy bacon, and the creamy mayo inside just HIT. Today was one the best coffee dates ive had in awhile. We will be back. read more

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Most beautiful place in Chula Vista to enjoy your coffee in the morning. I bought a banana boat Coffee it was delicious Definitely would come back for it. Super friendly staff everybody was nice. read more

Kafe-Lum - Banana boat - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

The coffee was good, and the pastries were very good. Unfortunately, our experience wasn't as pleasant because I was there with my 3 year old son. He was corrected twice by the staff, first for playing with the water in the fountain and then for playing with the rocks on the ground. I completely understand that businesses have rules and want to keep their space in good condition. However, these were normal, harmless behaviors for a young child, and the interactions made us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. read more

Kafe-Lum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

I was excited to try Kafe Lum because the outdoor seating and overall vibe are really cute. We were greeted when we walked in, which was a nice start but unfortunately, the customer service completely changed the experience. The girl at the register with red hair and braces was very rude while taking our order. She was chewing gum like a cow, talking to her coworkers while taking our order keep in mind, and made us feel like we were bothering her just by ordering drinks. It came across as super unprofessional and unwelcoming. A good atmosphere can only make up for so much. Between the poor customer service and average drinks which btw also is a small cup with only one size available. It is not even a size grande/medium from Starbucks and it's $8 per drink, I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Que rica!! Wow, I am so in love with this new cafe in Chula Vista. Everyone sent me the reels about their guava matcha latte and that was the first thing I ordered! It's probably the best one I've ever had with guava cold foam, puree AND a little guava jelly on top. Even the matcha was good and just grassy enough (if you know what I mean). My cousin had the fresa Jardin and had a really good strawberry flavor too. The food was delicious--the sandwich reminded me of the ham and cheese sandwiches she used to make with good mayo and veggies and the French toast melts in your mouth. Lastly, there is wayyy more space to sit and sip inside and outside the cafe than I've seen on the videos. Lots of outside seating in the shade and good tulum music vibes. Even though it was pretty busy ok a Wednesday afternoon we got our drinks and food quickly. I'm so happy to have a cafe like this finally in chula! read more

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I am a coffee snob and this place is worth the hype. I found it on IG and decided to give it a try. I had one of their signature drinks (some kind of coconut latte) and it was soooo good. The coffee is rich and bold but still smooth. The ambiance is amazing. Feels like you are in Tulum or Bali. Love that it is Latina owned too. Plenty of space to work or hang out- with both indoor and outdoor options. Family friendly too. It's definitely a little out of the way but it's worth checking out especially if you are near the South Bay. read more

Kafe-Lum - Matcha & coconut latte with oat milk! Sooo good - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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i would 100% recommend this place, i got the media luna matcha which was amazing, it had the perfect balance of sweetness and matcha taste and was overall so good, they did have a bit of a wait, which wasn't unexpected since they are also pretty new and popular but it was definitely worth it and i will be going back. They also had the cutest outdoor seating area, and the best vibes with very nice staff:) read more

Kafe-Lum - media luna matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Pros: the cafe is very trendy/cute and parking is easy. The two girls (the one who took my order and the one who gave my drinks) weren't very helpful but they were friendly enough. I got the El volcan and the iced media Luna (banana matcha drink). Cons: Just gonna put it out there--El Volcan needs to be taken off the menu. The menu said it was $6, but I was charged $7 for it. It was a plate with a shot of espresso, a lime wedge, some salt, and a cup of tonic water. The girl who gave my order assumed I knew what to do with it. After asking, I was told to rub the lime to the bottom of the espresso shot glass, then rub the bottom of the shot glass on the salt, then drop the whole thing in the large cup of tonic water (like an Irish car bomb). It already sounded gross, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I took three sips and was done with it. I really wanted to stop at one sip, but I was already overcharged for this (just trying to not completely waste my money). On the bright side, the iced Media Luna was good. I don't know if I'd come back for it though. It was $8 and they put a lot of ice so it really wasn't much. read more

Kafe-Lum - El volcan - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

The place is very pretty and coffee is good, but the service is not great and it's definitely not kid friendly, even though we were there on a Thursday morning and there were not many people there. read more

Kafe-Lum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

I came here when they first opened and it was great! The tulum sandwich and matcha mami were delicious. But now they only offer like three small "food" items. Don't think it was a good decision for them to remove all their food. We ended up getting just a matcha and leaving to get food somewhere else. Probably wouldnt come to this place too much anymore considering they have nothing to eat. read more

Kafe-Lum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Came Saturday and tried the guava matcha & the cafe olla and it was sooo good. We got there at 9:59 and the line was already pretty crazy. We got our drinks by 10:34 which was fast considering the line. Came back today with the kids & tried the berry good refresher & the media Luna (banana matcha) both were sooo good! We also got the tulum sandwich and it was 100/10. We got there around 1 and there was no line. Despite there being no line the cashier was rushing us to order. She said "anything else" like 5x. Who I'm assuming is the owner was there both times & very friendly always smiling. And then of course every single detail here is beautiful. I'm glad Chula Vista finally got a coffee shop that checks off everything. Great drinks great food very cutesy and spacious AND there's parking. read more

Kafe-Lum - Guava matcha , media Luna, latte de la olla - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Super cute place. Loved the ambiance and set up. Only downfall is they don't carry decaf. I'm super sensitive to caffeine but love coffee. Wish they would offer that option. Did have the strawberry matcha. Was pretty good. read more

Loved the decor and ambiance. They have an outdoor beach tulum vibe and also inside. I ordered the cafe de la olla latte really good. Service its average you order and pick up. read more

This is the second time at Kafe-Lum. My first time was on opening weekend. I loved the patio and all the ambiance. I noticed dogs on the patio. So I assumed that they are dog friendly. I was wrong! Even though it says dog friendly online... we were asked to leave after we ordered and received all of our food. We were seated outside on the patio with my girlfriends and my dog. My dog is very well behaved and is in training to be a "therapy dog". We will NOT be returning even though the food and drinks are great! read more

The café has a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. We were sitting in the outdoor seating area, and the sun was directly on us, making it extremely hot. We simply moved the table and chairs a little to find some shade and be more comfortable, without blocking anyone or causing any issues. A staff member came outside and told us not to move the furniture again. I understand that they may have policies in place, but the way the situation was handled made us feel unwelcome. It would have been much more appreciated if they had offered an alternative or shown a little more consideration for their customers' comfort. To make matters worse, there was a hair stuck to the sticker on the side of my coffee cup. It was noticeable as soon as I picked up the drink, and it definitely raised concerns about cleanliness. Between that and the way we were treated, the overall experience was very disappointing. I hope they pay more attention to cleanliness and customer service, and also consider the comfort of guests using the outdoor seating area, especially on very hot days. read more

Ambiance, food, and drinks are great! One thing, it says pets welcome online. But, they need to be clear that ONLY service animals are allowed. It does say service animals ONLY, once you are there. read more

Kafe-Lum - Online: Pets Welcome - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Cool and huge interior with lots of seating, however not much tables - not great study spot. $9 for a tiny matcha, I requested for half sweet. The drink tastes like purely sugar, minimal to zero matcha taste. Service and parking were okay nothing phenomenal. read more

Kafe-Lum - small cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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nice atmosphere! i got the mango matcha with coconut cold foam and it was very good! the staff also checked to make sure that i liked my drink because im not the biggest coconut fan and offered to make a new drink if i didn't like it but it was very subtle. also the ham and cheese croissant was very good. would recommend!! read more

I ordered a matcha, and the experience was disappointing from start to finish. The staff gave customers side-eye instead of being friendly, and I watched what appeared to be dirty buckets of ice being carried back and forth from other businesses, which made me question the shop's cleanliness and food safety. I won't be coming back or recommending this place. read more

Amazing coffee and matcha, their service was quick for how busy it was, completely recommend. The inside and outside areas are both nice to sit down and chat or do study-work. read more

Don't ever come. They take way too long for their drinks and not even worth it. It's kids working and they serve their friends first before customers who were actually there!0/10 don't waste your time. read more