Love this place in downtown La Mesa!!! Excellent semi-western modern atmosphere. However, the star here is the Light Bulb coconut latte, with real coconut. Hot or iced, nonfat, whole or oat milk...have tried all the variations and it is excellent! Have recommended and/or brought home to other coconut lovers, to rave reviews. Nothing like it! read more

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

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Food is delicious. Lots of seating. Large menu with breakfast and lunch items. Have been 3 times. Have had the lemon chicken wrap, a Reuben sandwich, and today for breakfast a bagel and egg sandwich. I will keep going back. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Iced Latte, Egg & Cheese Bagel - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

My niece took me to Light Bulb Coffee several times while I was visiting. I do not drink coffee but I love food. I never knew what an acai bowl was until my first trip here. My niece and her husband were obsessed with them lol! And honestly after I took a bite I was too. And it's pretty healthy. I couldn't eat a whole bowl. Bonus, drinks were served in a light bulb cup which I thought was a cute touch. I tasted my nieces breakfast sandwich and it was delicious but not as good as my chocolate croissant lol! They offered several pastries in addition to breakfast sandwiches. One complaint, the service was very slow. And on one of our trips they forgot to make one of the smoothies. We waited nearly 30 minutes for our order and they weren't busy. read more

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Excellent service, menu and pastries. Wide selection of coffees, smoothies and food, great atmosphere.

Ok this is one of my go to spots around SD. 5 stars everything here. I enjoy specifically their Turkish Hazelnut Latte iced or hot The Matcha Lavendar iced A hot London Fog Any of their pastries and their sandwiches are all delicious. The renovated space is also super cute and inviting. Its very bright now and welcoming. The staff have always been so helpful and kind. I love asking their recommendations they're always on point. They'll never steer you wrong! read more

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

the best coffee of sdsu campus! There matcha is so good too, everyone is so kind, and great place to get some work done:)

This coffee shop is a cute place and great to meet up with friends! The options are great too. The prices are very high now though so our family really doesn't frequent as much as for a drink and bagel it was close to $20! read more

The pastries and coffee drinks are amazing, but they need to do a better job keeping the place clean. I've been three times over the last couple of months and the bathroom was filthy in one visit, and the others had overflowing trash (and not just one, but three trash cans completely full). I'm not a huge review writer, but I'm hoping the managment will take note and do better. read more

Food is good. Pricey. Decor is fine but the place is dirty. Customer service needs working on. Person that took my order was rude. Workers just talk amongst themselves. Would I recommend it to tourists? No. Locals? Maybe but only if there's no other choice read more

Great cafe with funky decor in downtown La Mesa area! Pretty extensive menu with food and drink options. Lots of seating and a great space to study or get some work done. Friendly staff that turns out orders quickly. The German and Vietnamese lattes are personal favorites! read more

I decided to stop by this coffee shop near downtown La Mesa because I saw that they have lots of food options. I was pleasantly surprised! The inside of the shop has a cozy feel with lots of quirky, rustic decor. I'd say the volume level is medium, they have some nice music playing, and lots of people were there working on laptops, so it seems like a great spot for working or meeting up with friends! The plaza parking area is kinda tight, but there are always some 1 hour parking spots open, which is perfect if you are just stopping by. food ordered: - vietnamese ($5.50): ordered it half sweet and it was quite good! nice, roasty, and strong. - pitcraft turkey sandwich ($12.50): this was a super yummy and filling sandwich! I love the chipotle sauce, has a perfect amount of spice. The veggies were sliced thin, and the bread is a soft version of a baguette. I would definitely return to this shop! It's in a small-ish plaza so it could be easy to miss, but definitely try it! read more

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

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Lots of space and nicely decorated... Good ambience. Large selection of croissants. However, they are completely unable to make a lightly sweet coffee. The first coffee I received tasted like I was drinking straight up syrup with just a splash of milk. I asked them if I could just dump out half of it and top it with black coffee, but they said no, they had to remake it. I asked them to please remake it at 1/3 sweetness, but the 2nd cup was still probably 80% syrup. I didn't ask for a third. This place would be great if you love super sugary coffee, but it is not for me. read more

I stopped by lightbulb coffee on a Saturday morning before an appointment. They have a cool vibe and a unique menu. The pros: ample parking, great location and plenty of inside seating. Cons: I had to wait a little bit, but I attribute that typical Saturday morning traffic. I ordered their lightbulb coffee and a lemon detox smoothie. The coffee was amazing and my smoothie was tasty & fresh. I recommend stopping by the next time you are in La Mesa. read more

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

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I'm so happy I found a new favorite coffee spot in SD! Lightbulb Cafe has a beautiful, very spacious interior with lots of outlets (and good parking too!). I absolutely love the decor, music, and warm ambiance; making it the absolute perfect study or work spot. One of the employees, Sky, was so kind and pleasant, making my first visit here absolutely lovely. The menu did not disappoint. We ordered a Lox Bagel, Cinnamon Latte w Oat Milk, and Turkish Espresso. The drinks were both so delicious and had such rich, deep coffee flavor. The Lox Bagel had a wonderful texture and was exploding with flavor. I'm not a huge mustard fan but the light drizzle of mustard really complemented the rest of the bagel. I am looking forward to trying the rest of their menu! Will definitely be back soon. read more

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This cute and spacious coffee shop offers the right space to be able to work on your laptop, read a book or catch up with a friend over coffee or tea. They have an interesting menu with a wide variety of coffee and non-coffee based drinks. I had the iced Turkish coffee as recommended by most of the Yelpers here. I wasn't crazy about the sweetness of this drink. It may have been more enjoyable if I ordered it with less sweetness. Another big plus about this coffee shop is that it has its own parking lot so parking is easy. read more

I've been here a few times now and my opinions are pretty consistent: good pastries but flavorless and overpriced food, solid espresso drinks, but the preparation isn't anything special. This is a cute community cafe, the interior is really nice and it's a good place to study/work. However, the quality just isn't there to justify going back when there are places nearby that have better tasting food and drinks for near the same price if not less. read more

Perfect place to come study/work or read a book. Staff is friendly and the place is super cute. Would highly recommend this place!

This was a fun place to meet up with my girlfriends. I love the different seating options available. My favorite is the black couch with "embellishments" on it. The coffee was good, and the service was good. I was really surprised and disappointed that they didn't have any baked goods available for sale. I was also surprised that all 3 employees couldn't tell me why the coffee shop was called Light Bulb . One of them even said, "that's a good question". We sat inside, but there was also seating available outside. A few people were enjoying their coffee at the outside tables with their dogs. I'd come back here to meet up with friends again. read more

I'll be coming back to try more items. Came here for pick up. Upon entering, the cafe is very cute and a nice spot to do work or read. I ordered the Turkey Pesto Panini, I give it about 3/5. It would be better if the sandwich was warm and if the peppers had more taste. Cute place, would visit again to try more read more

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

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This review is based on very minimal experience so I hope it is taken with a grain of salt. Do NOT order the matcha latte here unless you are looking for dessert. I asked if the matcha powder had sugar in it and I was told "no" so I ordered one and drove away. Once I took a first sip, it tasted like cotton candy it was so sweet. I could even smell the sugar/sweetness in it when I brought the cup up to take a sip. I returned a half hour later and let them know this was undrinkable for me. They said they could not make it unsweetened which was contradictory to what they said when I ordered it. Unfortunate for sure. Now that we have gotten that part over with, the service was good. the staff was friendly and they offered me something else or a refund in place of the matcha. Great customer service! The interior is cute, I love the decor. I was here on a Saturday morning around 9am and it was NOT busy. There is plenty of seating and some comfy couches. The cafe is located in a strip mall so I am not sure if it is just easy to miss or what. It is across the street from the Farmers Table and has plenty of parking. read more

We ordered two hot vanilla lattes. One was skinny with almond milk and the second was regular. Both were the best coffees we have had in a very very long time. The coffee tasted fresh and without any bitterness. I later put mine (the skinny) in the frig and drank it later as a cold coffee. It tasted just a delicious. Highly recommend. BTW, go there hungry, they serve delicious cookies, pastries, açaí bowls and other goodies. read more

Stumbled upon this coffee shop, so cute and cozy atmosphere. They have a unique selection of coffees, teas, hot and cold and a varieties of lattes. They have sandwiches & pastries. Family owned. Highly recommend. read more

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Oh how I wish this coffee shop was located in Clairemont for convenience. I had been wanting to try out this place for a long time and finally had the chance to go. I liked it so much the first time I went, that I went a second time less than a week later. I've ordered the iced Turkish hazelnut coffee, iced cali pistachio, coffee cake, and chicken & munster panini. The coffee here is literally sooo creamy, I was taken aback by it. I always order non-dairy milk (typically oat) due to a dairy allergy and when I was drinking the iced lattes here it was creamy to the extent that i was worried I was drinking real milk at first LOL. So fear not my non-dairy folks, you won't be missing out on milk at all here in your coffee at all :') If you're ordering a Turkish Hazelnut, the drink itself is very sweet so if you aren't big on sweet drinks, ask them to make it less sweet. They also have a really cute lightbulb coffee cup for an additional charge which I honestly think is worth it bcuz of how cute it is. The coffee cake here is also HUGE. I have never seen a slice of coffee cake so big before in my life?? And it's only $3.50 which is even more shocking. The coffee cake tasted fresh, was super light, had the perfect amount of crumb topping, and wasn't too sweet. It complimented the Turkish hazelnut coffee veryyyy well! I even took some coffee cake home to do a taste test with my mom who is extremely picky with coffee cake and hates like 98% of coffee cakes she has ever tried, but this coffee cake changed her and she actually enjoyed it! So if my mama is approving of this coffee cake, you know that says A LOT! The chicken muenster mushroom panini here is also extremely delicious. I typically don't order chicken sandwiches but was told by the workers that it's their most popular sandwich so I had to give it a try. I ordered mine without the muenster cheese and it was actually really delicious! A lot of the times when you omit cheese from a sandwich, its super dry, but the sandwich here wasn't dry at all. I felt like there was a good amount of the spicy sauce they put inside the sandwich. The sandwich had a variety of textures going on which is what you want in a sandwich, because who wants to eat a mushy sandwich. The decor here is very unique but it's very cozy. I plan on coming here again in the future to just chill with some friends. Also for my Arab peeps, they have Turkish coffee here! For the non-Arabs reading this, Turkish coffee is basically espresso shots on crack LOL. There is plenty of parking here so no need to worry about whether you will find a spot or not. If you want creamy, smooth, and unique coffee flavors; delicious coffee cake; and yummy sandwiches this is the spot to check out. You'll thank me later. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Chicken Muenster panini, coffee cake, and Turkish hazelnut coffee :') all so delicious!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Really, their espresso is smooth and rich: neither bitter nor sour: right down the center line--A bullseye. A close to "God shot", If only the milk hadn't been steamed to near- boiling.: it was 20 minutes before I could enjoy it without burning the roof of my mouth. Next time, I'll just say something about it in advance read more

Such a quirky cafe in the charming La Mesa downtown area. The shop is filled with all kinds of trinkets and curios along with a mammoth selection of drinks (All kinds of Coffees and infusions, and same for tea plus so many more options like shakes, juices etc.). Also the owners are super sweet and very hospitable. Though the cafe is known for their drinks served in their signature light bulb containers (Optional), there's munching options too if you are hungry and wanna chill with a snack :) If you wanna see a small video of how the place looks, here you go: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYVbfV0Iv0f/ read more

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Came here to do some work outside of the house with a coworker and it was pretty busy for later in the afternoon. Service was very quick though which was nice. By the time I was done ordering and paying my coffee was ready and super tasty. I just ordered a cold brew with vanilla and almond milk and I loved that it wasn't overly sweet and still had that coffee flavor. I also got a muffin to snack on which I felt was really dense and a little dry but the top with chocolate chips was great and full of chocolate chips. The Wi-Fi connection was pretty good as well I had no issues getting on but this is definitely a spot for people studying or working with lots of tables and lounge space I would just come early if you want to guarantee yourself a set somewhere. read more

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Honestly the worst Thai tea, Vietnamese coffee and Indian chai I've ever had. The place was packed and the vibe was cool. But the drinks were just like milk with minimal flavoring. I've never had to throw 3 drinks away after taking a sip of each before. read more

The almond latte was delicious and the ambiance was good. However, the coffee shop was not busy at the time and it took more time than expected to get or drinks. The visit was a business meet up so I felt a bit awkward since I had recommended the shop. read more

Very expensive now! $6.50 for pastry and no sign for cost. All drinks $6.50 and up. I like to support local business but don't like the increase. read more

Favorite coffee shop in La Mesa! This spot has been here for quite a while now and it's an unassuming charmer. The interior has a ton of seating and is a great space to work. There are a couple of tables outside as well. I also love that there is a Resident bird (don't worry he's in a cage) named Mango. Just adds to the character! I've found very few places in San Diego do Turkish coffee, which I love, and this place does. I love their Turkish hazelnut drink if I'm in the mood for something sweeter, but honestly you can't go wrong with any of their specialty lattes. TLDR; favorite La Mesa coffee shop! Tons of unique and delicious coffee drinks. read more

Coffee's good, ambiance is nice. Love the sandwiches here. I got the one with the turkey and cranberry and it was nice. 10/10

Too pricey for drinks and pastries. I can get more for way less at my local eateries. read more

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

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I come here fairly often (at least once every other week) to work remotely for a few hours, it's quickly become my favorite coffee shop in SD. The staff is casual & seems to always be having fun while working, and even when they're slammed they get drinks made quickly. It's usually fairly calm inside, with a few rushes throughout the day. It's well lit without being too bright, and it's SO cute inside. Love the plants & decor. I always get the Turkish espresso, it's strong & delicious but not bitter. Also highly recommend their chicken mushroom Muenster panini, a little pricey but it's huge & really, really good. read more

Absolutely LOVE this place. This place has become like a second home to us, and all the staff is friendly and always does more than they need to at times to help. The food here is amazing and you can never go wrong with anything you order. The pastries are always freshly made in house and the drinks are great. This place just feels so homey and welcoming. I love that I can drink at a local coffee shop vice Starbucks or any other mainstream corporation coffee shop. read more

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Vibe is very pleasant, offers things Starbucks can't. Reminds you of your own room to study in. Sweet Barista, dope plays list read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Taste of the design of the place. ‼ - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Coffee is really good. I got the iced honey cinnamon latte and the people at the cashier are super friendly!!

Food was good, a little on the pricy side and the coffee was worth stopping in for; very smooth and creamy! Glad I tried this place. I've never been served so fast in my life and the shop was extremely relaxing. Try it! read more

Super cute coffeeshop with good coffee and lots of seating! I ordered a hot Turkish Hazelnut latte, which the barista recommended, and it did not disappoint! The spices were strong, but the sweetness of the drink complimented the spices wonderfully. Although it was not overwhelmingly sweet as it is, I would recommend getting it a little less sweet. The staff was super cool, and service was quick. I will definitely be back soon! I'm looking forward to trying their food/pastries next time. read more

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It was a very cute shop but the coffee was overpriced and didn't really taste like the flavors it was listed as. It was quick to get it but overall I'd say it's a good study spot if u are there. read more

Unlike these incompetent idiots I actually have a brain and can tell you this is the best local coffee shop i've been to. The service is great unless you're so idiotic and unskillful and dense. I love the nutella crossiant and food overall. This shop is so cute and comfy and only people who have the mental capacity can understand this. read more