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

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

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

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

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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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

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

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

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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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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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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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

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 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

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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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

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

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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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

Stumbled across this place on IG and had to give it a try. I couldn't resist the lightbulb cups! The place is so cute and the customer service was superb. Food and drinks were both delicious. I got the LAVENDER LATTE iced. The right about ice and liquid ratio was spot on. AND this Turkey Avocado Wrap pictured didn't stand a chance, So yummy! read more

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

The last two times I have been here I have left without ordering, or even being acknowledged. This morning I walked in at 7:51AM and stood near the counter to order. The girl looked at me- no smile, no "I'll be right with you", nothing. Just looked and kept doing her thing. It's now 8:06 and I left. Still no acknowledgment. There were 2 customers in the shop. I get being busy and I don't mind waiting, but over 10 minutes of not being acknowledged is ridiculous. This happened a couple of months ago, as well, but I can't remember the exact timing. This is good. They have good sandwiches and I like their tea, but the service doesn't match. They are on a strip with a few coffee shops that smile when you walk in. Plus I saw they add 3.5% surcharge on all credit card transactions- a little steep if you ask me. Anyways, maybe come a little later in the morning? Could work for some, but I have places to be. read more

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

I usually love lightbulb coffee! The sandwiches are delicious, the hot drinks are great, and many pastry's are tasty. However, I went in today with my friend to show her the place after hyping it up, and ended up having a rather poor time. I don't know if we came in on a bad day, but we ordered a cinnamon bun iced latte, a strawberry matcha, and two cookies. One drink + one cookie and a tip ran each of us $20, so $40 collectively. I should've just asked for a refund. My chocolate chip cookie was definitely a few days old and very hard so we had to pass on it, and my matcha was essentially milk. I also was definitely given 2% when I asked for almond (I'm sensitive to dairy) so I ended up having to dump my drink out. It didn't feel good to lose out on $20, especially when it's your last $20 for the day. There's a new lightbulb opening on the SDSU campus, so hopefully it'll improve there, but until then, I won't be returning to lightbulb any time soon :(. read more

My now second review of lightbulb. The coffee is awesome. They will make it any way you want- sweet, extra sweet, half sweet, not sweet, iced, cold but no ice , warm or hot. The staff are without exception sweet and caring. They genuinely want people to be happy with whatever they buy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, they will make it right. Sometimes it can be hard to hear customers when everyone is masked and staff are behind the counters. This is common in the age of COvid and while I have never had a problem being heard, because I tend to be pretty loud, I can see how a quieter customer may need to repeat themselves. That's just the world situation for now. Lightbulb has had very comfortable indoor seating for sometime. It is a wonderful, cozy place to enjoy a drink, dessert or yummy, fresh sandwich. Once our state of California opens up completely I'm sure there will be even more indoor tables available. I love Public square as well but for my everyday coffee and dessert this is definitely my go to spot! It was the staff at Public Square that told me about this place. They said that if public square is closed they would get their coffee at Lightbulb. High praise! Just had the chocolate brownie there. It was delish! Can't wait to try more of the tasty looking desserts. One final note, I have been to a ton of coffee shops in San Diego, New York, Portland, Seattle and San Francisco. This is hands down the smoothest coffee served by the nicest people ever! Try it!! read more

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I have always loved Lightbulb coffee. My favorite is the iced lavender coffee with oat milk. I stopped in today for the first time in about a year. I noticed an eye catching display case of ornate pastries. I decided to try a cheese danish. The nice young lady who took my order explained that they make their pastries fresh on location. Well, let me say, if you want a treat that will brighten your day, try one of their pastries. The cheese danish was light and buttery, crispy on the outside and soft and delicious inside where the cheese filling is. It wasn't too sweet either. What a perfect delight of texture and flavor . My coffee was also perfect as usual. I highly recommend Lightbulb coffee. read more

They have so many options on their menu, decided to try their Spanish Latte with Oatmilk and Turkish Espresso. It was a little bit on the sweeter side, but still okay. If you like earthy, floral flavors I definitely feel like the Turkish Espresso makes a difference. Nice shop to visit and maybe do some work. If you're in a rush maybe try to order ahead. I ordered ahead and my order was set to be ready in 25 min. read more

First time here and loved it. Came here for brunch and a matcha latte. Service was great! They're always busy and on their toes so if you're running late and wanted to grab something quick, this place isn't it for you! So worth the wait No complaints will come back! read more

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Really enjoyed their Pistachio hazelnut coffee and their pastries are very good. Service was excellent too

Great selection of pastries, prob the best I've seen in SD. The decor and feel of the place are great, but parking is sparse. The service was definitely off today, I literally waited 18 minutes for a drip coffee. The teamwork and urgency need improvement. A simple coffee should be served immediately in my opinion. I hope they dial it it. read more

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

They are located in the old Starbucks storefront, but it feels worlds apart from Starbucks inside. If you're a peanut butter lover, I recommend trying the peanut butter latte, it's so good. My kid loves the smoothies here, they are highly recommended by the dude. Service is great and they're helpful with recommendations if you need assistance deciding. They've got comfy seating and air conditioning and it's located near the trolley stop for downtown La Mesa if you need an energy jolt while out. read more

First time here to pick up a Too good to go order here and was unimpressed. Although the staff was friendly, they hadn't a clue about this app order. Normally at other businesses they give you a nice bag filled with goodies, I was only able to pick one item. Poor service and the manager should be up to date on things such as this. read more

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

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My favorite coffee shop in La Mesa! Lots of seating and always really calm energy inside. I usually get the Vietnamese coffee! Super strong and delicious :) sweet staff and my drink came out super quick! read more

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

We were planning to meet up with friends for a play date for our son over at Jackson Park so we wanted to grab a bite to eat and some coffee before it was time to meet up. We're so glad we found Light Bulb Coffee! They have a pretty extensive menu- coffees, teas, smoothies, acai bowls, breakfast, sandwiches and wraps as well as a nice selection of pastries. And the decor is just so cute! They even have a resident cockatiel named Mango We tried: Cali Pistachio Latte & Turkish Hazelnut Latte - these were both so good and we were able to adjust to half sweetness. They have variety of milks available too, so we got oat milk. We even got their signature Light Bulb cups because they're just so cute! Seasonal Fall Sandwich- this has honey maple turkey, pumpkin pie hummus, cranberry sauce and pears on it. We would drive all the way back from Oceanside just for this. It's DELICIOUS! They will only have it for around another month so we need to get back there again ASAP. Pumpkin Muffin - this was really nice, not too sweet and full of rich pumpkin flavor. Pistachio Croissant- this was so unique we had to try it! Nice flaky, buttery croissant filled with pistachio cream. A little sweet but not overwhelmingly so. We loved this! There are still lots of menu items we want to try in addition to getting that fall sandwich again so definitely going back soon! read more

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