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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.
This place has serious Telum vibes. Very nice outdoor seating area with ample seating, shade, and fans to keep you cool. The lattes are on the sweeter side for sure so I went with the El Volcan which was pretty good. The presentation was nice and the espresso was bright and flavorful. The service for the lattes was a little bit slow, but they were presented beautifully.
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.
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.
I stumbled across Kafe Lum looking for coffee and was pleasantly surprised. Their outdoor seating is an absolute vibe. I went solo with my Kindle and really enjoyed having some time to myself. It gets busy, but I lucked out and found a spot to sit right away. The staff is friendly, the coffee is delicious, and parking is decent despite the crowds.
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.
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.
Great drink, I thought I had ordered a large chai latte but received a regular size so different options would be nice. The ambiance was enjoyable, downfall was how many mosquitos and bugs in the out door area. Friendly staff (:
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.
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.
Wow this place is awesome! Came here after a Pilates class and so glad I did. The environment was awesome and calm. They have a patio on the side that's beautiful and has a lot of spaces to sit. The service was excellent and the drinks and food were delicious! Totally recommend this spot if you're in the area.
Drinks are really good, but had ordered matcha drink with the same name as a coffee drink and got the coffee drink instead. I had asked the barista if my drink was matcha as it had no visible matcha and she said yes but once my sister drank it, she realized there was no matcha. It was very busy at the time I went so we did not make it a bigger deal cause the drinks were still good. The caffe de olla latte was very delicious They do need to work on the line flow and maybe getting a beeper system to know your order is ready instead of having the poor baristas yelling out your name
Found this coffee shop looking through Yelp and trying to find a new spot to try. We stopped by around noon on a Wednesday and it was poppin! Definetly did not expect it to be busy. Also, we were under dressed, looked like everyone was on vacation at a beach resort. We ended up ordering a iced strawberry matcha and a iced vanilla latte. They had some pasteries that did not look that fresh so we passed on it. The drinks tasted pretty good. There is plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. This is a great place to hangout.
2 months ago
27 days ago
This place was actually really cool and unique!! They had a large outdoor seating area and they also had a big seating area inside if you prefer to sit inside. I tried the banana matcha and it was so delicious and it tasted like real banana and wasn't artificial. So good! They had a great system where you can wait in their seating are and they would call out your name over the speaker when your drink was ready. Will definitely have to come back to try other drinks on their menu that I also really wanted to try. 10/10 read more
1 month ago
Such a lovely little coffee spot! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, and you can really tell they put care into everything they serve. The atmosphere is calm, peaceful, and so inviting, the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a good conversation. They also have a beautiful patio where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the surroundings. The decor is gorgeous and adds such a cozy, charming touch to the whole experience. Definitely a place I'd love to come back to! read more
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
This place has serious Telum vibes. Very nice outdoor seating area with ample seating, shade, and fans to keep you cool. The lattes are on the sweeter side for sure so I went with the El Volcan which was pretty good. The presentation was nice and the espresso was bright and flavorful. The service for the lattes was a little bit slow, but they were presented beautifully. read more
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
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
17 days ago
I stumbled across Kafe Lum looking for coffee and was pleasantly surprised. Their outdoor seating is an absolute vibe. I went solo with my Kindle and really enjoyed having some time to myself. It gets busy, but I lucked out and found a spot to sit right away. The staff is friendly, the coffee is delicious, and parking is decent despite the crowds. read more
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
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
2 days ago
Great drink, I thought I had ordered a large chai latte but received a regular size so different options would be nice. The ambiance was enjoyable, downfall was how many mosquitos and bugs in the out door area. Friendly staff (: read more
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
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
Wow this place is awesome! Came here after a Pilates class and so glad I did. The environment was awesome and calm. They have a patio on the side that's beautiful and has a lot of spaces to sit. The service was excellent and the drinks and food were delicious! Totally recommend this spot if you're in the area. read more
24 days ago
Drinks are really good, but had ordered matcha drink with the same name as a coffee drink and got the coffee drink instead. I had asked the barista if my drink was matcha as it had no visible matcha and she said yes but once my sister drank it, she realized there was no matcha. It was very busy at the time I went so we did not make it a bigger deal cause the drinks were still good. The caffe de olla latte was very delicious They do need to work on the line flow and maybe getting a beeper system to know your order is ready instead of having the poor baristas yelling out your name read more
Found this coffee shop looking through Yelp and trying to find a new spot to try. We stopped by around noon on a Wednesday and it was poppin! Definetly did not expect it to be busy. Also, we were under dressed, looked like everyone was on vacation at a beach resort. We ended up ordering a iced strawberry matcha and a iced vanilla latte. They had some pasteries that did not look that fresh so we passed on it. The drinks tasted pretty good. There is plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. This is a great place to hangout. read more
1 month ago
This is a really cute cafe! The tropical vibe is really neat, and they offer a matcha flight so you can try a variety. When we arrived, they weren't selling any food items. This was a bit disappointing because the sign out front didn't mention that. The banana matcha I had was good. A couple of tips: Make sure and mention your lunch hours so customers know, choose some relaxing music to match the tropical vibe, add a piece of banana on top of the banana matcha, and offer a point program for frequent customers. I would definitely return, and maybe bring a laptop to work or meet a friend for coffee. read more
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
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
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
14 days ago
Matcha strawberry and coffee were great! Good taste and fast! The only thing is that I forgot the coffees name but it was something banana latte read more
5 days ago
3 months ago
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
3 months ago
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
19 days ago
Today we tried the Sweater Weather iced latte (fall seasonal); Fresa Jardin iced latte and the Abuelita's Favorite iced latte (both with the seasonal vanilla bean cold cream). The vanilla bean cold cream elevated these drinks to the next level; it's very decadent but not overwhelming nor artificial tasting. read more
3 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
4 months ago
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
1 month ago
Best Banana coffee I've ever had. I wish I lived close to here, I'd get it every week. The inside & outdoor seating is such a nice relaxing vibe. Love this place read more
1 month ago
The Matcha is so good here and I love the outside seating. The inside is adorable as well. It isn't too big of an establishment so I would be mindful about the time of day you go and they're being seating available, but I absolutely adore this spot. The service is always on point. The girls are so sweet there. Highly recommend tracking this cafe out. read more
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
3 months ago
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
25 days ago
super cute cafe! they get very busy on weekends so be prepared for a wait but i think it's worth it. the cheese danish and horchata latte were both yummy :) read more
2 months ago
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
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More info about Kafe-Lum
1324 3rd Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Directions
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
