I read a lot of reviews before reviewing. Amongst the complaints are things I don't really care about like tipping and parking..: you should tip people in the service industry and if you have a good reason as not to, then you should ask for a manager... which brings me to the start of my observations of lofty over the last year. There isn't a manager to speak with most of the time concerning complaints or how much things have changed because they're most likely on their way out soon as well. Amongst some noticeable changes are: no more homemade pressed juices, no more homemade milks, no more cinnamon rolls on the weekends, flat whites are served in massive goblets, no more cream cheese, and no one left who really cares what the "lofty" standard is anyway. The people who used to be employed pre-COVID, for whatever reason-- be it training or the need to survive--cared a bit more. They made hot coffee that looked the same every day, and if something was off, there was someone to express that concern to about it. I have heard amongst my friends that the eggs look hardboiled instead of soft poached and why am I paying $7 with tip for store bought almond milk lattes? I don't want to leave this review that training is poor but there is no one to talk to about it. I used to order gluten free toast there every day. But the quality has dropped. It would be hot and smelling romantic. But it's not anymore. Nor are the butter croissants gooey, melting, fresh out the oven. They taste a day old. And as for my flat white this morning, it was all foam. The foam you used to see in coffee shops in the 90's. Please lofty, step up the training on all fronts--coffee and food-- and stop trying to nickel and dime your clientele. We're some of the only few you have left. read more

Delicious coffee and great, friendly service! Almond milks and coconut milks made in house... read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

Expensive coffee but good. The problem is it cost more to order via their own Lofty mobile application then walking in and placing your order. Ok so maybe it costs the business more but at their high prices, this should not be this way. read more

By far my favorite coffee shop in the southwestern states. The lattes and homemade syrups, the wholesome and health conscious pastries are fresh and delicious. Highly recommend! read more

I love lofty! Highly recommend their toast, crosswinds, açaí bowl, and homemade almond milk in any coffee drink! The staff is always friendly too. read more

I'm glad I finally got around to checking this joint out! I came in to get a non fat latte and to be honest, wasn't really expecting much. Boy, was I wrong - It was delicious! Getting non-fat milk can sometimes make coffee taste watered down but my small latte still had a very bold flavor and great body. It was so tasty, I kind of wished I had another. I love my Peet's coffee but Lofty Coffee was a fantastic substitute....it's a little out of my way to come regularly but if I'm in the neighborhood, I'd definitely come back again. All the people working were very welcoming and friendly. They recommended I try the salted carmel latte and their iced kyoto-style coffee next time. They swore by it so I'm looking forward to stopping in again soon and perhaps straying me from my usual order. Great find! read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Nothing lifts your afternoon up like some locally roasted coffee and Lofty Coffee located right off the Coast Highway is a great place to go if you're looking for some. Lofty roasts all their beans directly across the road at their warehouse. Their café is located on the corner of Coast Highway and A street in a neighborhood with limited parking options. If you're looking for a good place to park, you might have to walk some ways to grab your caffeine fix. This café serves espresso, drip coffee, pour overs, cold brew, selection of fresh pastries and a small menu of food. They don't have the biggest variety of pastries here but the ones they have do look good. This place has a very small dining area inside with most of their seating outside. It can get quite busy and loud inside so if that's not your thing you might be better outdoors. Their filtered coffee menu (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lofty-coffee-co-encinitas-2?select=zBHyySukf7fBOEbGBCATVg ) had a nice selection to choose from, although like most coffee places you're going to pay for the good stuff. My coffee came out on a wood board (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lofty-coffee-co-encinitas-2?select=bA207-u5avuaB_E9OGVQqg ) with a small cup so you can sip your delicious brew. I went with the Guatemala and it was worth the money in my opinion, great sweet flavor to it. They brewed it perfectly as there was hardly any bitterness to it. The temperature was spot on (hate getting boiling hot coffee). Even though it was quite busy and nosy inside I managed to savor the taste of my coffee, relax and get my caffeine fix for the afternoon. Local coffee in San Diego county is great thing and Lofty upholds the standards. read more

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J'adore! This place does coffee like a CHAMP. Winning all the way. * One million points for the generous amounts of secret outlets for my laptop. Don't see them when you come in? They're UNDER the tables, and can hold up my hefty mac plug no problemo. Free wi-fi too? tech-MO-logic! *One million points for the coffee passion and extra mile customer service displayed by the entire staff and manager (owner?) during my two hour stay there. Each customer was treated delightfully, any question was answered, the manager even warned guests about the parking situation ( there is a bike cop that loves giving tickets if you park toooo near the corner) *One million points for having gluten free items baked off site from a dedicated gluten free baker. The rest of the menu was simple, hearty, and delicious as well. I had two poached eggs and ham, and the best cappuccino I've had since moving here. and I've had ALOT of cappuccinos. That's like a gazillion points! Lots of happy customers and a corner location with sunlight and a little outdoor seating too. YES. read more

I needed a cup of coffee and a wifi connection. Found this place in Yelp. One size coffee and that is small - 12oz. Refills I ask? $1.50. OK so they are considerate in their sources and quality but sorry, that's over the top - more expensive for a small cup of coffee than a 16oz cup anywhere else. If it were a 16oz cup I would understand. 12oz doesn't cut it for me. Won't be back. read more

A must stop. The quality of every drink and edible at this upstart rivals, if not overtakes, the more established craft coffee houses from north cal and the northwest. Lofty Affagato: two scoops of house-made vanilla gelato over a delicate chocolate brownie then two shots of freshly pulled espresso from house-roasted freshly ground coffee beans. Insane. Great to see this place and other great new eateries emerging out of the Encinitas scene. I just wish Lofty was open late for people to get coffee and a great dessert with a cool patio top view after a dinner out. read more

Lofty Coffee - Affagato: gelato on top of soft brownies with an espresso pour over... - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

We Tried the salted caramel latte as it was mostly the rave on yelp reviews. Would give it three stars for the service was average the staff look like they had a long day already and I came in already at 2 PM. Gave it four stars because the coffee is truly good. The you could taste the roast was just right, and was concocted nicely. Parking is a pain! but I guess it was a good sign that the place was a full house. Will try their roasters across the street, looks nice from the outside. Hopefully the staff won't look so tired and bombarded. All in all it was OK. read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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This place is at the end of a commercial complex and you could miss it if you don't slow down and check it out. It's on the incline just north of Encinitas Blvd. Parking is usually available right on the street in front, except at really busy times. Everyone in there, goth and all, is super friendly and the best thing going in my mind is the cardamom latte. Yum. A delicious latte with a strong hint of cardamom, gives it an exotic flavor that reminds me of strolling through the street markets of Marrakech. They add the sugar and it's a little sweet for me so maybe next time I'll ask to put my own. Some cute little metal tables in front on the street, a few tables inside. Cool place. read more

I came here after our CMYE beach clean up...since i had my kiddos with me Trish and I opted for coffee and cocoa instead of Bloody Mary's. So glad that Trish introduced me to this coffee shop! kids loved their cocoa, they also had a pastry that was like a homemade, flakey delicious chocolate pop tart... i had an iced coffee that had house made caramel sauce in it...OMG!!! i need to come back and have another...like real soon. I rarely make my way North of Del Mar, but now i have a darn good reason to. read more

This place is great for people who love to overpay for coffee and sandwiches just so they can satisfy their snooty organic tastebuds. 35% more expensive than a Starbucks coffee, and their $5 credit card minimum either leaves you scrambling for cash or forces you into buying a pastry you never actually wanted. Free wifi is a nice gesture, but their never open in the evenings, so this really only benefits those of us without an 8-5 job. Objectively speaking, the coffee is good. No better than what you could brew yourself at home, but a little stronger and tastier than Starbucks, which I like. The staff seems friendly. Perfect for the same Leucadians who are super pumped about a Whole Foods going in down the street. For those of us who just want a humble, unpretentious cup of coffee, head to Honey's or just make your own. read more

Solid coffee spot. Little pricey, but they know what they're doing. I'd recommend the Aztec mocha--but get it half Aztec/half regular for the spice levels. I get mine non-dairy as well. Really good. read more

I enjoy this place. It is always packed. Parking can be a pain but they have great coffee, pastries and even egg dishes. Lots of seating out front as well as at the bar inside. A lot of people post up and work in there so they must have free wifi. The care they put into your coffee and the aesthetics of it are sweet. Mine came with a beautiful leaf on top! Nic e and foamy too. read more

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Service was great, very cheery, lots of positive vibes, very happy.* Ambience is also great. The place is very laid back and relaxing. It feels like it's been here for much longer than it has. I only had the iced coffee which was served in a mason jar. The cream, sugars, etc. are all organic. My drink was on the pricey side ($3.50) but it tasted smooth and had a good flavor and I had no complaints. Starbucks' basic coffee is also expensive but it tastes like crap to me. I heard lots of praise by other customers for the food so I'm going to give the grub a try the next time I'm in. For now, 5 stars. *Mark this day down. I only note vibes once a decade or so. read more

Delicious iced vanilla latté. Smooth and perfectly balance of espresso and vanilla. The cold brew "tree" is kinda of remarkable and cool! The cafe is in a great location so you can grab some caffeine as you make your way to the beach, which is what I'd always recommend! read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Yes it's expensive however it's literally the best coffee and Acai bowl I have ever had! Try the mocha with almond milk!

I love this place so much. Of course the coffee is delicious, but so is the cute and casual ambiance. Really though, the coffee, FIVE STARS! Any drink on their menu is out of this world.... read more

Good coffee and a nice environment. But the owner is one of the nastiest business owners I've ever encountered. Lofty is building a new shop in Solana Beach. I was walking by the construction site on Cedros and noticed that his trucks blocked a large parking lot serving the businesses behind the new Lofty. Some of the proprietors approached him and politely asked if he could move the trucks that were preventing their customers from entering the parking lot. The owner screamed at them and said no, he wouldn't and they should all be grateful that he was opening this new store. Now I'm a frequent customer of Lofty in Encinitas and buy their beans as well. But after seeing what a j--k the owner was I would never use them again. read more

Coffee so legit, you just can't quit I'm gonna be real here. I stopped yelping because I hadn't found anything awesome enough worth yelping. Lo and behold I found this neat little place. Flat whites are unbearably amazing and them cranberry scones dood. Them cranberry scones are undeniable in deliciousness. That being said, even now while I have this ripping headache and I hate everything, this place is still awesome. Great environment and atmosphere to just sit back and relax. Also the staff is really nice and cool. Note, this place has none of them gross syrups and made up latte mumbo jumbo THUMBS UP JONNY APPROVES THE JONNY HAS SPOKEN BOOOOM read more

Lofty Coffee - Lofty love :3 - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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By far the best coffee in North County, and everyone knows it. Lines are long during rush but the wait is worth it. Vegans can go nuts here with their options of soy, almond or cashew milk. The homemade vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookie is the most delicious treat. The staff are delightful, coffee experts and an upbeat way to start the day. And although I've heard the gluten free toast is to die for, it's not vegan. I'm a firm believer that the artisanal bread with hummus and heirloom tomato (avocado for an extra treat) is the best breakfast ever! Finally, the birth of a San Diego Coffee scene! Enjoy read more

Lofty Coffee - My favorite vegan breakfast. Americano with steamed soy, artisan toast with hummus and heirloom tomatoes :) - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

Lofty Bean SD: Encinitas 8:30am Saturday 23rd August 2015 Five Stars Every time I drive down to San Diego, I have to stop by and have a coffee at Lofty Bean. They now bottle their Kyoto Cold Brew in a 16 oz mini growler for $6. You get the same great taste but in a portable and resealable vessel. I also had a freshly made Chocolate Croissant $5 which was super buttery, flaky, and filled with dark bitter sweet chocolate. read more

Lofty Coffee - Chocolate Croissant and 16oz Kyoto - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

I've been on a mission to discover new coffee shops/cafés in San Diego to diversify my coffee experiences beyond the usual Starbucks americano. Lofty is def one of the best coffee shops I have tried so far!! (and let me practice channeling my inner hipster..lol jk) After reading the reviews I decided to go with the salted caramel latte. I'm trying to diet (but failing miserably) so I asked for nonfat milk and half the sweetener aka caramel but it was still delicious. They make the caramel themselves so it pairs so well with their coffee. It is such a cute cafe with the nicest and friendliest staff. I'll def be taking more of my lunch breaks here even if it means I'll be spending 60% of it driving there and back haha read more

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Really love this coffee roaster. They have several great blends and some single origin roasts. The Kyoto cold drop is a phenomenal coffee. They use all high quality organic local dairy for their lattes. The latte art presents your drink beautifully too. I usually drink my coffee black but occasionally I like a latte. Lofty makes theirs not too sweet so you can still enjoy the espresso flavor. They also have a great baker for some absolutely out of this world good cookies, muffins and croissants. All the food matches the high quality of the coffee drinks. read more

Lofty Coffee - An espresso with sparkling water - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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My new favorite spot for all things coffee. The first thing you'll notice is the urban style of the place, but the thing that stands out most are the friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable staff. These are some of the best baristas around. They're fun and you can tell they are here for you and love what they do. Not only that, but lofty serves several delicious breakfast options! The wifi here is typically speedy enough, the only downfall being the limited amount of outlets. Pro tip: there's a ceiling outlet somewhere in the store you can use, I'll let you figure out where! Overall, lofty is one of my favorite coffee shops hands down. read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

*Hands in the Air* Whoop Whoop! First time customer and I tried the Kyoto Iced Coffee, as well as their brownie. Their coffee tasted of quality, and their brownie--- I can't even explain it. All I can say is, decadent. They have a nice porch area to sit outside. Bummerr... They close at 6 pm. On a Friday afternoon, after battling traffic on the I-5 N, I wanted to chill out for a little bit. Totally worth going though because it was a good drink/treat and I walked to Moonlight to finish off my coffee and watch the sunset :) read more

Coffee bar? This place can legitimately hold that title. It is a bar when there are not one but TWO HUGE Hario Cold drips with siphon coffee machines on the side. I'm a straight black coffee drinker, so I have no idea what their lattees are about. I look for low acid (AKA not sour) rocket fuel prior to surfing and the cold drip hits the spot. If you have time and of course the money, get siphon coffee. Granted it is significantly more expensive, but if you drink for an experience, watching someone make siphon coffee definitely beats just inserting money in one place and watching coffee magically appear else where. After three visits, I've decided the coffee at the crack of dawn is much better. Nothing scientifically provable of course, but stop by and find out for yourself. read more

Lofty Coffee - The beautiful double hario drip - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Enter the line at 9.30am, sat down with my Americano at 10.27. Well-staffed, not too busy...why?? Where is a Starbucks for next time!

Superb Coffee... these guys make coffee as though it is an art form. They use the finest beans... they offer customers numerous preparation options (expresso, drip, press, siphon)... and they provide a comfortable modern setting. I ordered a Latte... it was the best I have had in a long time. Milk had a perfect consistency (nice creamy and not too frothy)... the expresso had a beautiful balance of carmel and hazelnut. The quality of their product leaves Starbucks in the dust. I like to support businesses where the owner is at the helm and interacts with his/her customers... we need more individual proprietors and less chains. If you're looking for cheap brewed coffee... this is not the place. read more

I hate american drip coffee, I don't even drink regular, only decaf, yet I LOVE coffee. Go figure. This place makes a long pull standard when you ask for decaf, sort of like an Americano but they start with the water vs coffee. Music to my heart I tell you. No caffeine but super strong and amazing. The baristas are also super patient. I watched this one customer bother the poor girl for 20 minutes over African coffee styles and bean grinding techniques. I wouldn't have been able to have been so nice for so long. I'm a fan. read more

Awesome little spot to stop for coffee while tooling around the arty district. This is a good weather only stop - no indoor seating. Not a big deal here in Sunny San Diego. There is a little parking lot with Lofty coffee only spaces. Wanted to try the cold brew coffee but they were out... Boo. I got an Americano instead which was great but... (Here's why it's 4 stars not 5) I was charged the extra .50¢ for the espresso drink rather than just giving me the coffee price (like Starbucks does when they can't give me what I want) Their cold Americano was good & the baristas were great! read more

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Coffee is OK, staff are friendly. Feels very clean urban yuppie. Establishment is electronics Unfriendly. Don't ask to charge a phone or tablet, electrical plugs have padlocks. From the look of the average Patagonia clad patron their expectation may be for you to pedal an acoustic power generator to charge your devices read more

Great location! Large patio area with plenty of seating. Drinks and avocado toast are amazing!!!

Soooo disappointed! This was my favorite place to have breakfast and once again a new business that starts off with flying colors falls like Humpty Dumpty! Speaking of eggs... after waiting in line for a good while I placed my order for breakfast and my favorite coffee. My hot coffee drink was delivered to me luke warm(eww) and my "poached" egg was "hard boiled". It was so bad I couldn't eat it. I showed the waiter and he took my plate back to the kitchen where he removed the eggs and brought back the same toast (now very cold) and said "I'll send out some new eggs" Well, let me wait another 20 minutes for the eggs to pair with my now soggy (from the tomato's and avocado) cold, toast. I said no thank you. His reply was "let me give you a refund for your breakfast(not the cold coffee)thanks-goodbye" All the Kings Men won't put it back together again! read more

We decided to stop by this place and give it a try. I had the Cafe Americano and my wife had the regular latte. I must say, this is probably one of the best CA that I have had. It was brewed to perfection (I added a little half/half). My wife really enjoyed her latte. The only down side is parking which is very limited (gravel/dirt). However don't let that stop you, because you won't be disappointed. read more

Some of the best coffee I've ever had. Their morning dove blend is one of the very few coffees I enjoy black vs with milk. Their grounds are always perfect and never overcooked. I've made Morning Dove my coffee of choice at home. Oh and the ethically sourced stuff is an added bonus! read more

Lets talk coffee. I live off coffee and it takes a lot to give me the jitters and for some reason Lofty's always does. They have a kick in their coffee and I like. I grew up going to Moonlight Beach and I discovered this coffee shop a few years back. My go to drink is the Salted Caramel Latte. Have to....haaaaave toooooo! If it's your first time here...I recommend the SCL or the Toddy (New Orleans style)! If you are a leaf drinker try the....nevermind...never had tea here. If you are a tea drinker...live a lil bit. ;) I usually get a pastry with my coffee but lately it's been the Artisan Bread and Poached egg w/ tomatoes and avocado. It's so simple, satisfying and tasty. If you want more than a pastry....go for this and thank me later. Service time! The service is great. They welcome you, even when there's a long line. Some times you are welcomed with a "song" haha. I always end up having a conversation with the cashier or a barista. They are very friendly and I can see they take pride in their work, while having fun. I wouldn't say this is the best place to study/read. Definitely a great place to meet up with some friends and shoot the wind. Support your local coffee shop! If you drink good coffee, then you will never drink bad coffee...again. - @DmagicP read more

Lofty Coffee - Have to. - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

OMG 5 STARS FOR DAYS!!! All I can really say is holy crap Lofty Bean makes a damn good cup o' joe. The baristas have without a doubt mastered the art of coffee. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed, I could easily spend hours working on a project and sipping the best vanilla latte I have ever had. The staff are always very friendly and they randomly burst into song, which I love. My only complaint is that I don't live closer!!! read more