My friend told me about this cute coffeehouse and Israeli kitchen in the forest and said I had to try! It's right off of bohemian hwy, with easy parking and great views. There's a cool skatepark behind it as well. The owners were so friendly and humorous as well. I went on a Sunday morning and it wasn't incredibly busy around 11:30am. Enjoyed my hot vanilla latte in a coffee mug which are all different designs. I had the barekas. The babka roll was not very fresh so that was my only negative. I'll definitely go back. read more

I mean this as such a compliment but I've always wondered what happened to that hippie culture that was created in SF and seems to have been long forgotten in the city. You will find that amazing vibe in this area and Lightwave Coffee exemplifies a movement that was so much about optimism and love. Interior and exterior are amazing with much of the decoration being made from found objects. I loved all the old electronic and mechanical devices inside and loved the mishmash cups and plates that made it feel like you were eating in a friends kitchen. The food and coffee we got were abnormally high quality and we recommend the cookies and the basil ice lemonade. So good after a long day outdoors. Right next to it is a community farm that felt so welcoming and chill. Volunteers were weeding and cleaning on the weekend and it reminded me the very best of the game Stardew Valley. Right next to it is a concrete skatepark and a guy was shredding it when we went. So worth a stop for all these bonus quests! They also had a "pay what you want" little section of potted plants you can take away such as chilis, tomatoes, etc... read more

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One of the few places offering breakfast in the area. Quirky spot with covered outdoor seating overlooking a farm. The seating area is definitely the highlight of the place, especially when the weather is nice. You order at the counter and get a number. Daughter's iced coffee was very weak and on the pricey side with no refills. She loves her bagels, so she ordered the bagel with lox ($16), she said it was good, not overly toasted or dry. I was excited to see shakshuka on the menu described as "cooked veggies with egg, tahini, salad with pita" ($22). Tbh for the price I was hoping for a tad bit more food. Walking out, we spotted a stand selling heirloom tomato seedlings. I bought one called Berkeley Tie Dye Green, we nicknamed it "Tie Die" and despite being neglected for a week, it's now happily growing in our yard. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Shakshuka - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Lightwave Coffee is unique little cafe nestled within the redwoods at Monte Rio. Food: The Bureka plate is a must have. It comes with two savory pastries (served perfectly crisp) ,eggs, and a dressed salad. The eggplant pita was also delicious. Serve ware was beautiful. Drink: The cappuccino was tasty. Seating: Outdoor seating available. Dog friendly. Service was excellent. I would return. read more

Love the community vibe at this spot. Stopped in for a large latte and would love to return to try their yummy pies and breakfast next time. Great location with the skate park and garden next door. So much charm here and really friendly service! They were bringing out the food and drinks pretty quickly as well. read more

Great food, very friendly stuff and amazing atmosphere. We would love to come back here again and again. So good!! read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Outdoor - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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Lovely! Beautiful outdoor and shaded seating, fun decor and shop, friendly service, and delicious food. We ordered the avo+egg bagel and ham+cheese bagel to share, in addition to iced coffee with oat milk. I'm sure we'll come back another time to try the rest of the menu. We came here after a hike in Monte Rio and enjoyed the scenic views after we ate. There's a beautiful garden and small skateboarding park nearby that's publicly accessible, if you feel like walking around too! read more

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This place is worth a stop just for the decor! Friendly staff, dog friendly, plenty of outdoor seating, and great food! We loved the French O, Lox bagel, and the special of the day which was a bowl of veggies, poached eggs, and all kinds of goodness. Servings were large, fresh, and beautifully presented. And the coffee was excellent with all the usual options and some fun surprises. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area. read more

A hidden gem of a cafe nestled amongst the trees in the small town of Monte Rio, south of Guerneville. Located right by the roadside, Lightwave is inconspicuous, cozy, and quirky. There is plenty of seating both outside on the porch and under the tent in the back patio. Lightwave offers a variety of flavorful and strong coffees and teas. Food is amazing as well. The shakshuka was rich in flavor and comforting to have on a cold day. The burekas were phenomenal, so flaky and buttery. One of the best burekas I have ever had. Only a ten minute drive from Guerneville, this is a great lunch option if you want to avoid the crowds in Guerneville and want to explore a new area. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Burekas plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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Beautiful spot with tons of character. Excellent food, drinks, and decor. Truly great experience. Garden in the back next to a skateboard park was an added bonus. read more

My friend and I tried this for the first time, thanks to my Colleague Chris' recommendation. The food was fantastic and the skateboarding theme was charming, as well as the eclectic decor and skateboard park next to the cafe! My friend had the Ham and Brie Bagel, which she thought was "delicious". I had the Lox Bagel, which was my first experience of Lox, and it was SO delicious, with the savory salted salmon, cream cheese, capers, and tomatoes! I'll definitely be returning and ordering more of the Lox, here and at other restaurants! The server was very warm and friendly! read more

Went on a little road trip to get oysters in Bodega Bay and took a detour to stop here. We went on a weekday and thought it would be perfect for us to enjoy with our reactive pup since it's out of the way-it was exactly what we needed! We got a drip coffee, hot latte with oat, and an avo + egg bagel sandwich. The area is beautiful-it's attached to a community garden and a cool skatepark! Staff was warm and welcoming. Decor was very eccentric and whimsical. I loved it! Seating area was relatively clean but the outdoor area was understandably, slightly muddy from the earlier rains. It added character and felt like we were on vacation enjoying the backyard in a remote Airbnb! Individual, unisex bathrooms available on-site. Floors were wet and looked like they were just rinsed down. Experience was totally worth what we paid and the trip out. I'm so glad we made this detour and look forward to visiting again for some local whimsy. Guests (humans and dogs alike!) seemed to enjoy this hole in the wall spot in the forest-us included! I'd love to take friends and family here on future road trips to Bodega Bay or through northern California. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Skatepark nearby! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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Matcha tea was perfect. Not overly sweet. The chocolate pecan cookie was really good. Wish this place was closer. I'd be there too often

Obsessed with Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen! We visited on a Saturday (late) morning and were able to snag a parking spot right away. There was a line to order at the window, but it moved very quickly. The ordering area had green walls and antique trinkets as decor. I chose a Vanilla Latte, the Alaska Special, and the Chocolate Halva Roll. I also couldn't resist buying a few stickers, since the designs were so cute. After ordering, we sat down at a picnic table on the large (dog friendly) patio. Part of the outdoor seating area was completely covered, and most of the picnic tables had umbrellas for shade. The ambiance was phenomenal! The staff were comically loud when calling out orders, which was great because it was hard to miss your food/drinks being ready. My Vanilla Latte was pretty standard, but well made. The Alaska Special was so tasty - you really can't go wrong with smoked salmon and eggs on challah bread. The presentation was also so pretty, and I loved their mismatched plates and mugs. My Chocolate Halva Roll was also phenomenal! I was planning on taking it to-go, but it was too tasty not to eat immediately. My friends also loved their food, including the Avo & Egg Bagel, Shakshuka, and Cinnamon Roll. Afterwards, we got to wander through the community garden and skate park, which connect right to the patio area. Overall, the cutest spot for coffee/breakfast with such friendly staff - would happily return! read more

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Such an adorable little place. Everyone was super friendly and their garden was beautiful!

Friendly, quirky, delightful and delicious. Sounds of skating and nature together, surrounded by a beautiful sustainable garden. Idyllic. 10/10 read more

This is a wonderful little spot on the edge of the forest in Monte Rio. It's super peaceful with a funky vibe -- most of the seating is outdoors. It's a great jumping off point for nearby hikes like Monte Rio Redwoods. We had the loaded bagels, they were delicious! read more

After a hot & hilly hike nearby I was jonesing an iced coffee & remembered this cute spot from a bike ride several years ago. I love the extremely eclectic decor throughout as well as the staff dressing up in western wear (rodeo was happening close by). All the servers were super friendly and laid back. Nice to see the shaded tables outdoors. As I only had an iced latte to go I cannot speak for the food. Hopefully next time tho. My latte was excellent & hit the spot. read more

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Such a fun and funky place, full of quirky vintage vibes. Plenty of outdoor hang out space for light eats and drinks overlooking a garden/skate park. Enjoyed the ambiance with a lemon mint slushy, like a fancy icee for grownups. read more

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This is a cozy, comforting little spot with great coffee, great food, and wonderfully friendly service! The inside and back patio are decorated with a variety of unique, vintage knick knacks that give off a cozy, homey vibe. I got the French O, which is simple and croissant with ham, cheese, and egg, but they made it so much more delicious with their onion jam! The flavors all paired so well together with the fluffy croissant--it was the perfect brunch. I also got an iced latte with simple syrup and it was way better than I expected! The latte had the perfect amount of sweetness and the coffee did not taste watered down at all. 10/10 for food, coffee, service, and good vibes! read more

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Great little place to have a small bite for lunch or breakfast. Great view. Nice walk around the orchard/garden. Awesome vibes and ambiance. read more

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Best coffee around, deep in the heart of the wild Russian River , some fabulous dogs and children usually , lots of diners come from elsewhere , the seating arrangements are funky, actually uncomfortable but I usually sit under a shade tree to smoke or a short walk to the creek bed if it's dry bring my own chair , lots of sunny days and rainy days out here , sweet baristas , lovely young couple own it , skate park scares me so does the unstable hillside and redwoods in bad weather but always a great coffee read more

I've used the hidden gem tag loosely for low key spots is fairly populated area. That changes with Lightwave. Located in Monte Rio close to the Russian River is truly a hidden gem that locals know well, and now others can enjoy if in the area Service - warm and welcoming. Parking - very limited roadside parking. Be careful if full since the road has a decent amount of traffic Food - beach Laffa and Shakshuka - outstanding and you cannot go wrong. Amazing flavors that are in point. Superb lattes and cappuccino to boot. Pro Tip #1 - dog friendly so bring your woofer. Like a doggie meet up with amazing food Pro tip #2 - you can add extra egg for that protein boost Bottom Line: Come experience what the locals already know - yummy food, super cute patio area to chill with your dog and meet others read more

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Avocado egg bagel was ight but worth 9 dollars MAX. 18 is way to much for somthing so mediocre. The coconut curry is fine but lacks spice and texture. It being 18 is way over as well I would pay 12 maybe even 15 for something like this. Hot coco was pretty mediocre but the chai lacked spices. Ts pmo The service was nice and very welcoming and the cups are cute but It doesn't out weight so horrendous prices. Ts pmo Sdiybt read more

Such a great experience. fresh food , a lot of vegetarian options, the service was great and the atmosphere and the place is wonderful. For sure I will keep coming! read more

Food, Service , Ambience - I wish I can give more than 5 Stars! Shakshuka makes me feel that I am eating it in Israel , Turkish Coffe is a Bum, Me and my husband enjoyed it here , and we will be back soon! Highly recommended! read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Resto - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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I am always disappointed when I go out for coffee, but not here! I happened to see a review for this establishment as I was checking out bakeries in Guerneville, and decided to give this place a try. The vintage vibe was an immediate hit with my crew as we pulled in out of the rain. The parking lot does come up suddenly, so stay alert so that you don't miss it! My kids ordered hot cocoa while my husband got a 16 oz chai and I got a 16 oz vanilla latte. The coffee was roasted so beautifully that I almost cried. I'm serious. Other coffee places can just shut their doors because this place is doing coffee right! The vanilla flavor was light but held its own with the flavor of the coffee and I have to say that it was the most enjoyable cup of coffee I have ever had! Can't wait to try the rest of the menu! read more

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We love this place. We've come twice now on trips to nearby Bodega Bay. One as a solo couple and this time with our two daughters. The food is fantastic. A bit spicy for some of the dishes but nothing crazy. My wife can't really do spice and she just "deals with it" because the food is that good. Our daughters both loved a lightly modified version of the avo + egg bagel. The place is very chill overall. Our girls loved exploring the neighboring garden and skate park while ordered and waited for our food. The staff is equally chill and nailed all our minor edits in our order. We'll be back again and again. read more

This place was even better than we expected! Amazing food/smoothies, great service and a cute spot. My 14 year old says, "it was the best smoothie I've had. The flavors were complex, but well balanced, creating a smooth and sweet profile. And the curry had an excellent combination of sweet and salty flavors that excited my tastebuds. The textures of the rice and vegetables created a uniquely satisfying experience." read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Beach Pita and Coconut Curry - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

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Fun, quirky spot with friendly staff and a simple menu alongside an community garden and adjacent to the Russian River in Monte Rio. This is a must stop if you are looking for coffee, baked goods or brunch/lunch in Monte Rio, a quiet Russian River town with limited food options. The setting really makes this place: it's full of classic Monte Rio originality, featuring a Israeli inspired lunch-focused menu with a hodgepodge of items like croissant sandwiches, and dishes like Shakshuka (Middle Easter baked eggs) and cookies baked with tahini. The hippie-inspired spot is decorated in rainbow flags, Thai monk colored drapery, features mid century modern vintage dishware, and plenty of quirk including atomic tvs and 30s-40s era radios lining the walls. The limited baked goods sell out early. Highly recommend the pie and you'll also enjoy their cinnamon rolls, cookies and scones. read more

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Great spot for breakfast or brunch. I had the shakshuka and it was very good. Tastes homemade, well seasoned, and a little spicy. Loved the quirky decor and the local garden growing outside. read more

The coffee here is so-so. Definitely in the acidic side. The shakshuka was delicious! Definitely the star of the show! The ham and cheese bagel was much less exciting. and BOY, was it expensive! We got two food items, a coffee, and a souvenir t-shirt for $82! Sheeshhh. read more

If you have time to be in love with the world, you have time to stop. Located next to the community garden and skate park with plenty of roadside parking, welcome to peace. Honestly, we just stopped for a quick pee stop (3 amply-sized bathrooms) and coffee and ended up lingering in the garden and creek area for nearly an hour. Next time, we'll come hungrier because the food looked and smelled divine. read more

What an absolutely darling little place! Situated in a veritable paradise - a blossoming community garden, with eclectic decor and an inviting yard. We had to taste everything so we each got something else. The Bagels were amazing and so were the Bourekas but the beach lafa was the standout. Packed a punch of flavor in the pillowy pita. Heaven! The coffee was great too. We got to meet one of the owners and he was a sheer delight. Love supporting young locals. Go check it out when you're in Sonoma! read more

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Very good service and great food. Grant was our server and he is the nicest. We had the Jambalaya, calamari, burger, chicken marsala and it was all yummy. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

A lightwave coffee and kitchen review, in haiku form: Lightwave coffee rocks! The ambiance is unmatched! Service with a smile! read more

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Delicious food. Exceptionally friendly and welcoming owners, warm staff, comfortable and vibey ambiance. No question if I'll return when in the area again. Two thumbs up. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

Perfect Blend of Charm and Flavor! This adorable outdoor coffee house and cafe is an absolute gem! The staff is super friendly, the food is amazing, and the cozy atmosphere is truly unique with lots of vintage Bric-à-brac and plenty of outdoor, shaded seating. Plus, it's dog-friendly! Located adjacent to a skate park on the edge of Monte Rio among the redwoods, it's the ideal spot to relax and enjoy delicious coffee and tasty food prepared with finesse and care. Still craving their Weekend Special with homemade lox. Highly recommend this charming place. read more

Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen - Weekend Special! Doggie approved. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Monte Rio, California

I really love Lightwave, it's the one place I make sure to visit when drifting around the Russian River. Set in a stunningly beautiful redwood canyon, half a mile from a forthcoming regional park and open space preserve, Lightwave is really tranquil with loads of outside seating and a punky sort of vibe inside. Every time I go I'm checking who the music is and overhear fascinating tales from the locals. Warning: many San Franciscan tech expats take up the space, and wifi. The menu is, I'd say, limited but utterly flavoursome and delicious. They have bagels and salads and the shakshuka is meant to be amazing. I always get the burekas plate because the pastry they're made from tastes incredible and they come with a green sauce that I fantasise about after! What is it? I want to make it at home! The only thing I'd love to see here are vegan options. Any at all that match the quality of the other foods would make this my favourite café ever, no hyperbole. Also the owner has a cute Brooklyn-sounding accent that takes me back to living in Bushwick before it was hideous. read more

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If you have driven Main Street to/from Monte Rio you have seen the Lightwave next to the skate park. And if you've thought "that's possibly the coolest place ever for a cafe" but you haven't stopped...it's time. This is in fact the coolest place for a breakfast, lunch, snack or coffee. And the food and service is why you'll keep coming back: get the "Skater Smoothie". This is how it goes down at the Lightwave: Easy to park (I walked yesterday but I usually drive). You see a compact menu but one with a bunch of different options. It's a little hard to make a decision because every looks good. Don't panic I know everything looks good. And get yourself something "extra" like the pie. The staff promptly takes your order. These guys are friendly but quick. You decide: full shade, partial shade, full sun. In minutes the staff has your order ready. You never wait long. Enjoy. You may catch yourself lingering after you eat and the staff and owners don't mind. Check out the skate park. Bring your friends, kids and dog to the Lightwave. read more