Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty packed but this place offers several seats inside and a few tables outside as well. Ordered two coffees, the coconut coffee & the Turkish hazelnut coffee. The coconut coffee has real coconut flakes in it,which makes the overall taste come through much better. The Turkish coffee has so much depth in flavor and was nicely balanced. Tried the chocolate chip cookie here and it was big enough to share between two people. Looking forward to coming back to try other drinks. read more

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Update after the owner's response: I appreciate the response, but I stand by my experience. Whether the wait was 5 minutes or 20, we were standing at the pickup counter after receiving a notification that our order was ready, and no one acknowledged us until we spoke up. During a rush, communication still matters. I also want to clarify that I never claimed to have a dairy intolerance or allergy, because I do not. I simply stated that all of us became sick shortly after consuming the drinks and pastry we purchased there. I never claimed to know the exact cause -- only the timing of what occurred. What disappointed me most was not just the experience itself, but the defensive and dismissive tone of the response instead of a more professional acknowledgment of a customer concern. I genuinely wanted to enjoy this place because it is cute and came recommended to me, but unfortunately this was my experience. read more

Great coffee shop, with a variety of pastry selections, lunch items and of course coffee. I was pleased with the Turkish Hazelnut Coffee-- very smooth, very nutty, and not too sweet. This seems to be a great spot to have a small business gathering or just to catch up with an old friend. I don't think I would recommend this spot to those that are trying to get some work done on a computer or read a book-- this is a very loud coffee shop, just keep that in mind! It was a little too distracting for me to get any computer work done haha, but that shouldn't stop you on trying them out. There's plenty of seating indoor, and some outdoor seating. read more

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Like the 3rd time we've been here but this time I had to write a review. We walk in, and order, everything is cool. When we go to sit down there's literal crumbs of food on the benches, food all over the tables, waited 15 minutes for our order even after people got theirs. When we went up to get our order, we noticed like 5 workers just sitting there shooting the shit. It looks like it's run by people who care more about chilling out instead of actually working. I'm read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Crumbs of food just sitting here. Nobody cleaning this place. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Menu changed. My roasted red pepper panini is no longer on the menu and prices have gone up. I ordered the reuben sandwich for lunch instead. It was good but I would not pay $15.50 for it again. I think all sandwiches should come with house chips or a bag of chips. The strawberry vanilla smoothie is still good and a fave! Love it:) I like the decor near my table and love that the restaurant is consistently clean, kind service and quiet. I don't like the 2.5% credit card use fee. It's so annoying. I hope they start offering discounts for cash or debit transactions. read more

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I paid $50 for horrible coffee (undrinkable) and mid food. The barista who took my order made me very uncomfortable and wouldn't stop hitting on me to the point where my bf had to talk to the manager. NEVER will go back. My boyfriend also felt extremely ill after eating and drinking coffee here. I've also seen other reviews saying they got sick too. read more

Haven't been here in months because they stopped making the Turkish hazelnut coffee how they used to, but today I took a chance cuz it's actually a really great drink when made right, and I missed this drink. THANK YOU to which ever girl worked today closing shift! may your pillow always be cold, and you have an amazing day because it finally tasted good again lol I also recommend the Nutella pastry they have it's really good read more

Stumbled upon this coffee house on the Too Good to Go app when looking for a snack while in the area. Loved the chocolate chip muffin (semi-sweet chocolate, but more of a biscuit consistency, not sweet, just satisfying). And let's talk cookies...absolutely the BEST sugar cookie and oatmeal raisin cookie that I have ever had. Again, not too sweet, but full of satisfying flavor. If you haven't been, swing by and give them a try! read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Best cookies ever! Hunt up this La Mesa coffee shop in San Diego. Your belly will thank you! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

A fun little spot in La Mesa Village, with excellent coffee and very cool ambiance. If you come here at popular times, good luck getting a seat! It's often jam packed with students writing and friends vibing. The food is delicious but be prepared to pay more than you'd pay elsewhere for the same thing. Those fun vibes don't come cheap! read more

The service here was really good. The coffee was to die for, there is a Middle Eastern spin off of this place and I'm not sure what type of Middle Eastern it is, but it brings a unique ambience to the environment and the flavors are very good and unique. It's a decent size café and there's good seating and it would be a great place to do homework. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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I'm not sure if ownership has changed but it was definitely a different visit/ experience and quality of drink than I've had before. I frequently visit as I go to Pilates nearby and usually come here for an after class drink. I have gotten the strawberry banana smoothie add pineapple before and it was great. Very flavorful. Today I got it and it was not enjoyable at all. I didn't get anywhere near close to drinking even a third of it. It tasted so watered down and had no flavor at all. It also took 20 mins to get the smoothie. It wasn't that busy and they had a lot of workers behind the counter so not sure why the long wait. The barista who made my drink wasn't super friendly either. Just tossed drink on counter. I'm sad because I loved to visit but I think I may have to find another after class treat now. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Strawberry, banana, pineapple smoothie. Was a struggle to even drink this much. Ended up tossing it. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

LIGHTBULB COFFEE This place was highly recommend by my friend's mentor, and this place is a hit! The place itself is so wide, spacious, and very welcoming. The pastries at the front are mouthwatering, and I had to get the pistachio crossiant and almond which were a must! Coming to a total at about $7 each, it isn't super bad. I love the strawberry matcha, it was so delicious, however was a bit too sweet but i'd adjust it next time. The flavor was there and it came to be about $7. Service is welcoming, the owner, Naba is extremely kind and nice! She's always there and is happy to help you. Overall, the place was amazing, parking states it is an hour however usually no one checks. Pretty simple and at a plaza. read more

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First time going and the atmosphere is amazing. Very tastefully decorated and a great place to sit down and get work done for a few hours. I got an iced chai tea latte, pistachio croissant, and almond croissant. I would highly recommend it all - especially if you have a sweet tooth. Their menu is also very extensive with a variety of foods in addition to their pastries, which are baked fresh everyday. Parking was easy for a Tuesday afternoon but the lot can get filled easily on busy days. It's located in downtown La Mesa, so there's many small shops and businesses in the area which is great to check out. Overall, the quality of the foods, atmosphere, and service were exceptional and I would highly recommend checking it out read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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I decided upon this cafe on a whim and ordered their Baja Mexican spice iced late and a pistachio croissant. I was seriously impressed! The coffee was good but the pistachio croissant was amazing! I'm not usually a frosting girl but whatever it is they put on top of the croissant I could eat by the spoonful. It wasn't too sweet and the croissant was flakey and buttery, with a pistachio cream filling. Over all I had a great experience and will definitely be visiting again. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Pistachio Croissant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Ordered a sandwich, bread was super hard. my gums have been swollen/irritated for a week now. Also drinks are mid. Nothin special. read more

Unique coffee flavors and yummy pastries lined up on the shelves provided the perfect vibes for a Sunday morning! I like Light Bulb Coffee because they serve more than just the classics and they have food options for a hungry gal like me! They have smoothies and even milkshakes in addition to their menu so if you are not a coffee person, they have many options! I was interested in the Cali Pistachio and my friend ordered a Chai latte. My Cali Pistachio was light and creamy, with a hint of pistachio flavoring. For a bite, I went for their Egg and Cheese Bagel. It could use some sauce of some sort as it was really simple, but overall a filling sandwich bagel. I'm considering coming back soon to try some more food and coffee options + study and lounge for a bit! read more

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PRE GAME SPOT!!! Vibes vibes vibes! Says it all you know how every business is trying to make there establishments feel like a place you want to keep going to. But have you ever went to a place that looked so nice... but then order food or drinks and now they look like your X..... Well that's not Lightbulb coffee.... Light bulb coffee not only looks good she is smart and likes to read books oh yeah and she can cook.... She's Marriage Material.... Don't believe me Try her for yourself We Love Lightbulb Coffee!!! read more

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Stopped here before the bookstore because we saw they had gluten free options! I was able to eat a meal that met my many dietary restrictions and the gluten free bread was pretty good. I was sad the drink didn't come in a lightbulb like all the other pics. The dragon fruit smoothie we had was so refreshing and paired perfectly with the sandwich. Limited seating so not a great spot for a big group. Parking is only 1 hour long in front of the shop read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Giving three stars here because the quality of their drinks is not the most reliable. The last time I visited, I got a Cinnamon bun iced latte. Their latte flavors are powder based, and they don't always mix the powder base into the hot espresso well, so you end up with chunky, dry clumps of powder coming up your straw when you're drinking your beverage. The baristas also are not friendly. However, this is a good place for reliably good pastries (savory or sweet) and chia pudding. They have a cheesecake chia pudding with raspberries that I still have been craving since the last time I visited. read more

I've been here a few times. Dining in, the service can vary depending if there's a lot of people or not. For the most part, it's been pretty good every time. I've come solo or for work meetings and make sure to try something new each time. My favorite is there turkish hazelnut coffee with an almond crossaint. The ambience is chill for the most part and quiet. read more

Super cute little shop. The music was good. The staff was friendly. Good wraps & cookies. The smoothies were good. There's plenty of seating inside and a few tables outside. Plenty of parking. read more

Went back to this coffee shop since a while and it has changed a lot. It is very expensive now. My breakfast (sandwich and plain coffee) was over $20. They add a big surcharge if you pay with credit card. Good was good and coffee too. Ambiance is not what it used to be. Floor is dirty, bathroom too. This surprised me a lot. Service was just okay. Other than that, no more charm. Let me know if your experience is better than mine. For now, I won't be returning here any time soon. Happy coffee break! read more

Love coming here. Only thing is I expected the panini to be "grilled" vs served on cold fresh rolls. It was delish! The raspberry Turkey panini. I'd really have enjoyed it grilled. I'll be careful in assuming panini sandwiches do not automatically mean grilled panini sandwiches. read more

I didn't like the coffee but that's definitely not their fault. I would probably go back and try something different. The problem I had was that there were two men behind the counter and they were more interested in their conversation than helping us out. I was so excited to try this and now I don't even want to go back. read more

This lovely, relaxing space is about the coffee and so much more. I started with a 16 oz cup of Turkish Hazelnut, which was perfect for a cool fall day - sweet (but not painfully sweet) and creamy. They use Monin syrups, not Torani, if you have a preference. The barista was very patient and answered my questions about the types of coffee they use; he described ingredients for a couple of different drinks so I could make a better decision. The best part of their craft is allowing the little hints of Middle Eastern cuisine to shine through: a bit of cardamom to top off a drink, pistachios in multiple menu items, Turkish coffee. Chef's kiss! Their menu is extensive, and I didn't get food this time, but I'm sure I'll be back for their fall lineup of coffee drinks. Additionally, they have delicious-looking pastries, paninis and acai bowls - something for every season! The space is really quiet and inviting with a little fountain. It's beautifully decorated, and includes lots of mixed seating for different-sized groups. read more

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I ordered a Lavender Latte and it was probably one of the worst ones I've had. Did not taste like coffee, instead just like flavored milk with a hint of coffee. Maybe it needed an extra shot of espresso. The other drinks that were ordered were alright. read more

We tried the ube taro latte and the iced vanilla latte--and it was great ! The ube taro latte is very sweet and reminded us of cereal milk, and the vanilla latte had real vanilla beans in it. Although the cafe was packed our order came out pretty quick. There is a lot of open seating, and the establishment has an overall great vibe. We hope to come back soon ! read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Ube Taro Vanilla Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Atmosphere was very welcoming. Lots of seating. Service was professional. Coffee flavors have variety and baked goods are very good. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Baja Mexican Spice Coffee, Turkish Hazelnut Coffee, Cream Cheese Danish, Butter Cookie Braid - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Pleasant surprise. The place has ample parking, which is very unusual for La Mesa. It's a nice place to have a conversation without being rushed. I tried the Cali Pistachio Coffee and, although I liked the pistachio flavor, the syrup was too sweet for me. (Last time I had an excellent drip coffee. read more

Really good coffee. The Turkish espresso is amazing in any coffee you choose. It can get packed but they do have seating outside. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Spanish Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

This place is quite amazing, from the vibes to the drinks I would recommend it to anyone who wants coffee and keep in mind I do NOT live near this place, I've tried a handful of iced coffees and a few food items and I've had good luck everytime my only complaint would possibly be that they put a little to much milk in the coffees but you can just tell them to go light, amazing place! read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

I had a disappointing experience today. I ordered a roast beef sandwich, but after we left and I opened the sandwich box, I realized it was actually a turkey sandwich. Unfortunately I didn't have time to go back and get it fixed because I had somewhere I needed to be, which made it even more frustrating. On a positive note, we also ordered smoothies and those were really good. I just wish the food order had been correct so the experience would've matched how good the drinks were. Hopefully they can double-check orders a bit more carefully in the future. read more

I've had this place twice and I can say it's pretty good. Service is quick and friendly. Lots of things to choose from on the menu whether it's food or coffee. You can also order from a little tablet if you don't want to wait in line. I never had Turkish coffee before so my second visit I tried it. Not exactly my cup of tea. I'm not exactly sure what goes into Turkish coffee but I know now that I don't like it. HOWEVER, their regular espresso is delicious. The latte was perfect. Not too sweet. I don't remember which bagel is pictured as that was my boyfriend's bagel but I ordered just a regular bagel with cream cheese. The bagel was great. LOTS of cream cheese though. lol I love cream cheese but it was a lot so be wary. My first visit we had gotten to the shop right at open two weeks ago on accident. We wake up really early so we just stumbled upon it trying to find coffee. So it was quiet and quick. Last week we went again on a Sunday maybe 30 minutes into them opening .. tons of people. The wait was quick. Definitely will keep coming. read more

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My first time coming here and I'm surprised that I haven't been here sooner! I ordered an iced matcha latte with oat milk and it was pretty tasty, but a bit on the sweet side. The stand out was the pistachio croissant. I would go back for that for sure. I ordered the blueberry muffin it was ok but slightly dry towards the bottom. The inside was so cute and cozy. They had games and books which makes this place a good spot to get together with some friends. The food was a bit pricey so we didn't get a sandwich. Tried to use the kiosk to check out but the card thing wasn't working. Overall a solid place! read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Iced matcha latte with oat milk - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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These were some of the best lattes I've ever had and the staff was so nice and accommodating for my first time there. Super clean bathrooms and space. They worked really hard to make my experience amazing. Thank you read more

Came here in 2020 for coffee and thought I'd try it out again. As beautiful as their pastries are and their unique coffee menu, the staff was rude and the place were very dirty. Every table needed to be wiped down. As most coffee shops are, it was a bit loud, which made it hard to hear the coffee orders. When i walked up, I asked the employee what she said, her response without even looking at me was "it's on the cup" in rudest manner possible. I tried telling her that I wanted an iced coffee not hot like how it was made and she rolled her eyes and said it was what the receipt said. The other costumer behind me also confirmed that when ordering said iced and not hot. She didn't offer to make me another coffee nor fix the situation. Just carried on wiping the counters. Also want to add that it was not busy a busy time that we were there (3:30pm). Sadly I won't be coming back here. Such a disappointment in service and I was pretty embarrassed for recommending to try this place to my family who was exploring SD. read more

On our way back home found this cute coffee shop on the way. Grabbed an iced Turkish Hazelnut Espresso & a vegan protein mango parfait! Wow! Absolutely love them both! Highly recommend stopping by if you're in need of a quick bite on the go! read more

C'mon - easily earned 5 stars. The location is fairly convenient, outside is okay but interior is green and fun. Should also complement the solid playlist during my visit. About the food: I ordered the Chicken Muenster on gluten free sourdough. This was next level! Perfect organization of ingredients - always a fan of well thought out ratios, seasoned well, and the serving size was perfect. Finding that balance of crunch versus softness with toasted gf bread is usually difficult for folks, but Lightbulb did it right. Balance struck with flying colors. Will absolutely be back. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Thanks Yelp for helping me find another great spot! I was in La Mesa early in the morning and found this gem! Lox bagel and Turkish coffee! The food and coffee PERFECT! Extremely friendly service! The decor was amazing. Lots of creative food and coffee offerings on the menu! read more

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The coffee itself is ok, which is why I've come back more than once. Unfortunately, the experience around pricing has made me feel uncomfortable each time. On one visit, I was charged a surcharge without being informed beforehand. On top of that, there was an additional " additional hcharge" added to the order. This was confusing and frustrating, especially since there's no table service or extra amenities that would explain added fees. The second time I visited, the prices charged didn't match the prices listed on the menu. When I asked about the difference, I was told the prices had changed and that the menu just hadn't been updated yet but there was no notice or heads up before ordering. I don't mind paying fair prices, but transparency matters. Unexpected surcharges and inconsistent menu pricing make the experience feel sneaky rather than welcoming. I hope they address this, because the coffee itself is solid, but the lack of clear communication makes it hard to enjoy coming back read more