I loved that place in the La Mesa Boulevard and close to the trolley station. It is handy to take the trolley to the La Mesa Boulevard for the La Mesa Oktoberfest in the beginning of the month of October for beers and brats. read more

Love this place! Such a cute little coffee shop. I ordered an Americano. Coffee was great. Service was awesome. I love the ambiance of this place too. It's super cozy and inviting. I am definitely a returning customer! I love supporting a small coffee shop instead of the franchise monopolies around. Come get your coffee here! You won't be disappointed. read more

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Love the atmosphere and the various flavors of coffee!! We drive from Point Loma to La Mesa to enjoy, totally worth it! read more

I ordered the Mexican Spice Coffee because they were unfortunately out of the Nitro Cold brew:( but it tasted great! Amazing hints of gingerbread, cinnamon and some chocolate! The service was alright and there was basically no lines to wait in. The ambience of the restaurant is a little confusing with the Lightbulb theme and Farmhouse vibes. Too many Horse pictures for my liking and almost all of them were crooked haha but felt very Homey! I wish all the drinks would come in the Light bulb cup to add to the experience but thats my final piece. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Baja Mexican Spice Lavender Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

I've never been here before and I'm so glad that I came in. The staff is very friendly. Place is super clean. The business is under a new owner and I love supporting small businesses. They have ample seating. The ambience is great. Plenty of free parking and their hours are longer than most of the other coffee shops in the area, in which I looooooove. I also like that the building has private security so that you don't have to worry about transients bothering you. Lots of selections to choose from and my panini was on point. Has WiFi as well. I will for sure come back here! read more

Slow and disinterested employees. I have years of restaurant business behind me and I can say that I've never seen employees move this slowly. And they got the order wrong on top of it, so there's that. Dont think I'll be back. My wife likes the place but I'm not impressed. The shake was fine but was so thick that I couldn't use the straw- popped the lid to be able to drink it. read more

This quaint coffee shop is such a cute spot. I love the decor, I mean who doesn't like horses. I've been here several times as I work just around the corner and the staff is always fast and efficient. But I must say that the clientele that sometimes frequents this spot can go somewhere with their negativity. I have had the food on multiple occasions and their almond croissant is bomb, I think the owner makes the pastries. I don't have any pics bcuz I either eat or drink it too fast before I can take a pic. My go to drink is always the iced mocha with oat milk and my new fav syrup flavor is cherry. I encourage you to try it out. Tell them Mo sent you! read more

Coffee was alright the panini was delicious the staff was not friendly very quiet but the place is nice

So cute! Love the ambiance and big menu. I got an iced tea- I can't remember which but it was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try their coffee. read more

I used to love this place. Now, not so much. I think there must be new owners because it is not the same. The milkshakes are watery and the sandwiches are thrown together. All the prices went up as well. I won't be back. read more

OK SERIOUSLY - just had one of the BEST paninis EVER!!! Their menu was endless soooo much to choose from but I'm beyond happy with my choices. The coffee was nice and chocolatey and smooth I would take small sips just to enjoy every moment. It's one of these places you have to keep coming back to try their entire menu. The place is spacious and nice couches and coffee tables to sit at whether your studying or meeting up with a friend to chat or just going somewhere to sit to enjoy a good coffee and sandwich. The staff is really friendly which is a plus at any location and our orders were ready quickly. I'm definitely going back to try more items on their endless menu - give them a try!! read more

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They had us at WOMEN OWNED. Coffee was bomb! I had a Carmel Macchiato with almond milk and my girlfriends had the lavender latte. Both were so delicious and the coffee was smooth and creamy and just perfectly strong! Definitely recommend! read more

I tried the Turkish latte after the cashier recommended it, and it was delicious! He was super nice and answered all my questions, I'm super indecisive so I appreciated the help! I also ordered a Vietnamese coffee on a separate occasion and it was superb! read more

I love this coffee shop! They have amazing coffee & food. The atmosphere is always so nice when I walk in and the inside of the store is a must check out! The theme of the shop is such a cool, fun idea. :) I have ordered food and picked it up/delivered as well as gone in to order. My ordeal is always made exactly to my liking. The staff is very friendly even during some tough rushes. Parking is easy and free, and there are both inside and outside seating. They also have a cute bird named 'Mango', make sure to say hi to him! If you are in the college area and want a new study spot or place to grab a quick brunch... or just stopping by the La Mesa area and want a snack... Try Light Bulb Coffee! read more

Was excited to try this place but was super bummed by the customer service. Cute place, large menu but the barista was obviously overwhelmed. She asked to help us and then cut me off because she was too busy. I asked what a Turkish coffee was and she said they don't have it. Okay, fine- but it's on your menu- and I was just curious. Then I asked for a lox bagel and she refused to make it because she's alone and too busy. She said it would take 25'minutes and so she's not doing food because there are drink orders before mine. I'm used to waiting for food, no problem, but to refuse to make it is AWFUL customer service. Meanwhile she literally just served someone else their bagel. So? Why are you just now refusing to make food? Not impressed. read more

I've been coming to this place for years. It was my favorite place to come study. The quality of the coffee has gone down. The service is always met with attitude and feels uncomfortable to ask for water? If you had a problem the mood was "oh I'm sorry" to now "shut up and leave me alone I'm too busy" ... while they are on their phones. So if you wanna deal with people giving you attitude in the morning, sure this is the place for you. read more

This place is super cute!!! Its very large so it's good for college or high school kids who wants to eat, drink great coffee, and have a sandwich or snacks. They also have a bookcase where you can take and leave a book. They have a variety of gluten free foods and wide range of dairy free option. I order the lavender latte, gluten free lemon bar, and coffee bomb. They are all delicious and would definitely recommend this place. Oh and customer service is excellent!! They are very hospitable and the place is super relaxing. read more

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HUGE menu, delicious drinks and food, super adorable decor! Basically, the perfect little spot to run in for a quick drink or snack, or a great place to stay and chill a bit. Probably the best small coffee shop we've visited. PS..... The milkshakes are the bomb too! read more

Absolute worst service . Doesn't matter what staff is working. It will literally take you 45 minutes just to get your latte. They're never in a hurry. You'll even see the workers FaceTiming the corner instead of making orders. I live locally and try to go often to support local businesses in hopes that maybe it was just certain staff. It's not it's everyone. Cute place but I guess they attract workers who literally could care less .... read more

Came here to do some reading. Ordered a latte: delicious. Settled in with my book. Comfortable vibe. Will come back.

Lightbulb never disappoints, I have had the peanut butter latte a few times and it is great. Today I tried their chicken, muenster, mushroom panini and it was legit! I will be back to try more menu item! read more

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

I stopped in on a Saturday and they were so busy! Waiting a couple minutes was completely fine though, there's a lot of space and a lot of cute things to take a look at. The baristas and staff were very nice and were attentive to each customer who walked in. I had the Spanish latte w/oat milk, the alpine berry tea, and the AMAZING pitchcraft sandwich. I can't wait to go back! read more

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We came here based on the amazing Yelp reviews and we were in the area, wanted to try something new. So I had the pistachio latte and it was just ok. I didn't even drink a quarter of it. I brought it home and decided to make popsicles with it instead of just tossing it. I am glad that I came and tried it, but I will try some other place before returning here. I was also concerned that one of the employees handling food behind the counter was not wearing a face mask. read more

I ordered the Cali Pistachio to drink and the raspberry turkey panini to eat. The drink was creamy and the right amount of sweet. Perfect for the warm day I went. I deducted one star for 2 reasons: 1. I ordered my panini with no onions and when I went to eat it there was a pile of onions on it. I would've asked them to fix it, but I got my food to go and was in a hurry, so didn't check it right when I received it. The panini was good though, after I pulled all the onions off of it. 2. I got my drink within a couple minutes of ordering, but had to wait nearly 15 minutes for my panini to be done which is why I was in such a hurry. I'll be back in the future! read more

I ordered a java chip with whip, there were 2 girls working just chatting. I'm really patient and understanding cause I have worked in food. But these girls were just holding my empty cup and chatting, I ignored it for a bit but 10 minutes pass and the cup is still empty and it's pretty calm in the store. There isn't a crazy rush, and finally the girl blends the drink and then it sits in the blender for a good 20 minutes. Then she serves me the most half-assed drink ever, it was completely melted and no whip. I mean for $5+ I was so disappointed I just threw away my drink... waste of 30 min for a small drink on a empty day. read more

If you've been following me long enough, you know my weakness is a good coffee shop. There's just an atmosphere that can't be beat. Light Bulb Coffee has everything you could possibly want in a coffee shop; a gigantic menu so you're guaranteed to find something you love, sandwiches and pastries so you can grab a quick bite, and just a cool aesthetic that makes you want to come back just to hang out! Head over to La Mesa and check them out! read more

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Literally the best iced coffee I've ever had! This is perfect if you're like me and enjoy your drink sweet and creamy. I was so surprised by how creamy it was since it used oatmilk. I was here on a Sunday morning and they had live jazz music which was a very nice touch to my breakfast. I also got a turkey Pesto panini which I didn't take a pic of because I devoured it lol. I got another Turkish hazelnut iced coffee to go because it was THAT GOOD. It was my first time here and I'll be back asap. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Turkish hazelnut with oatmilk and I asked for the lightbulb cup. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California

Probably going to be my go- to study spot while I'm in the area. Great atmosphere, good speed of service, and overall friendly staff. read more

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

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Worst service ever! A couple of young ladies were attending customers but when we approached the counter they both left. Eventually, the shorter/smaller lady approached us. I ordered my drink & was about to order my wife's drink when she rudely stopped me & curtly stated, "Stop! We don't do that here. We have a system. You have to tell me what kind of milk you want before I can continue. You can't just order!" She was not smiling & was very offensive & angry. My wife and my daughter were both very surprised & shocked with her demeanor. My wife politely walked away & my daughter kept staring at me. I ignored her & asked my daughter what she wanted. Though we were planning to have a special time here with pastries & whatnot, they only asked for drip black coffee. My family & I didn't discuss this very unpleasant experience because we were still trying to maintain our happiness at being together- having just spent $500+ in the village. The ambiance was very depressing with a couple laying on couches making out without any purchases. We decided to leave & drink our coffees elsewhere. I'll never return here & will not recommend this place to anyone. read more

Great cafe with lovely spacious ambience and good drinks. I tried their almond joy blended drink which was SO delicious! I will come back just for that drink alone. The music was nice and not too loud. The place is well lit and has lots of seating. The service is friendly. I recommend you try out this place. read more

It's my first time here but I already love this place and know I'll be coming back. Such an adorable place right in downtown La Mesa. The atmosphere is great. I was looking around for a dine in place and yes, this place is open! The capacity is limited and seating is very spaced out with some tables not available for use as well. It's very safe for health in terms of COVID. I got a pistachio latte which I've never tried before and it's delicious. The shop is so welcoming and I love to see regulars come in and out. I just love the community feel of it especially during these trying times. read more

If you're looking for a fun coffee shop with good service, diligent staff, and tasty drinks / pastries, look elsewhere. Out of the handful of times I've been here I've either had an incorrect order, a poorly executed drink, or they have forgotten to prepare something I purchased, resulting in a much longer wait time. At times, the staff have been curt to my husband and I when we came in 15 minutes before closing. My most recent visit entailed an extremely over-brewed tea, and they ended up selling the pastry I paid for to someone else. Thankfully, they offered me a refund or another pastry. Being hungry, I chose the latter. Honestly, I don't like writing bad reviews, but I hope the owner sees this and responds accordingly. Unfortunately, today was my last experience at Lightbulb Coffee. I hope that everyone reading this has a better experience than I have. read more

Came in on a Sunday morning with two of my girlfriends after our walk at Lake Murray. Staff was friendly and welcoming and they have a great selection of coffees and breakfast foods along with pastries. I asked who made the pastries and they make them in house which is a great plus. The decor is very comfortable and interesting with Sparkly couches and it's interesting posts on the walls. You have to visit to see. read more

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Went today for a latte. It was just so so, more expensive than SB, but not nearly as good. My 1 Star is for the greed factor....I was going to buy a Perrier to go. Just a Perrier that comes in a small plastic bottle. They are charging $5. The place is just ordinary & charging five bucks for a small water you just grab out of a case is ridiculous. read more

I recently visited a charming coffee shop that left a lasting impression. The cozy ambiance, coupled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, created a welcoming atmosphere. The baristas showcased impressive expertise, crafting my cappuccino with precision. The menu offered a delightful variety of blends, and my choice exceeded expectations in both flavor and presentation. The staff's friendliness and attention to detail further enhanced my experience. Overall, this coffee shop is a gem for coffee enthusiasts seeking a delightful blend of taste and atmosphere. My friend got chai tea latte and i got latte with oat milk, ohh gosh they were so good. We'll definitely be back read more

WOW. No words to describe this place. So CLEAN. Lots of seating spaces. Different types of seating options (high stool table, comfy couches, low square tables). Their coffee is dangerously good. I drank my 20oz coffee in maybe 5min? And was back in line for more because it was SO good. After studying for so long I definitely got hungry and was thinking there's no way this place has AMAZING coffee and good food. I was wrong :) the Lox bagel is the BEST bagel I've ever had. So flavorful and made with only the freshest ingredients. I loveeeeeeee this place! read more

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Have been here on a multitude of occasions over a six month period and have always had a great experience. The staff is young, but engaging and kind, and seem to know their product offerings. I have never eaten here, so cannot comment on food quality, but they have an extensive menu and food orders seem to be as common as drink orders. There is always a decent amount of patrons there working and/or socializing. And many regular faces around the cafe. They have a seamless online ordering system to order ahead and drinks are always ready when you arrive (this sometimes beats the line that builds there during rushes). If you place an online order of something iced, they'll refrigerate your drink and even wait until you arrive to put the ice in it so it's not just sitting melting awaiting your arrival - I really appreciate that level of attention to detail. You can't beat a parking lot in downtown La Mesa, making accessibility and efficiency to get in and out quick and easy. They also do not charge a minimum drink purchase or have time limits on the use of their Wi-Fi like some other local shops in the area who I won't mention by name. I'm a huge fan of supporting local businesses and this is one of my go-to coffee shops. read more

I ordered the lox and bagel because everyone raves about it. When I tried to bite into the bagel I almost broke a tooth . The bagel was stale and rock hard . They had no arugula and the salmon was gross . Will never order this again And they have dogs roaming everywhere.People serving you are feeding dogs as they serve you - gross . Not a good experience read more

Was not super impressed with this place. Very average coffee. The aesthetic inside was a little mix matched and too varied for my taste. On one hand they had modern furniture and then they also had older furniture and horse pictures on the wall with a modern mural above the sugar and cream station. I just found it a little strange. Looked like a nice study spot, but had limited seating. There's a small parking lot out front. Probably won't be back unless I'm nearby. read more

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

I wish there was an option to give this place 3 1/2 stars. Coffee is absolutely amazing and very aesthetically pleasing from the inside. A decent amount of seating but not a ton. My main issue with this place is the food, I've tried getting sandwiches here twice, because I though that maybe I just got the wrong thing the first time. I tried again and still I was left disappointed. 1. Almost every sandwich has turkey in it.,,, why do y'all like turkey so much??? Also they put this peppery seasoning on top of the turkey that is so overpowering you can't taste anything else. Overall though, I really like this place, I would just never get their sandwiches or wraps ever again. read more

Lightbulb Coffee - Enjoying a VANILLA CARAMEL! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - La Mesa, California