{review} After a sad visit to @philzcoffee, I was in need of a cold brew - stat. Thank goodness right down the street was @loftycoffee, a place that's been on my radar forever. Many of my North County friends raved about their coffee, so I was excited to finally check this place out. ** Their cold brew is made by the Kyoto cold brew system. Instead of submerging the coffee grounds in water and letting it sit, the water instead "drips" through the grounds at a slow rate, about 12 hours. ** The beans used are a blend of Ethiopia and Brazil - a bit of the fruity and a bit of the chocolatey. What was really interesting though is that I didn't taste either! Instead I got a nice butterscotch flavor that came out even more with the nitro infusion. ** Their cold brew is offered on tap and on nitro. Both are great, but I give a slight edge to the nitro; the frothiness really compliments the butterscotch flavor. ** There are 4 locations - 3 in North County, and 1 in Little Italy, so no matter what part of San Diego you're in you can enjoy this fantastic brew. 4.25/5 for the regular, 4.5/5 for the nitro read more

Lofty Coffee - @coldbrewchick - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

Coffee was pretty good and like the environment for the most part, but it's a little nuts to me to not have any outlets at a coffee shop. They should invest in some extension cords maybe? They make cute ones now that would fit in with the vibe. A lot of people go to coffee shops specifically to do work. read more

Makes excellent coffee, and offers delicious pastries. Staff is friendly and outgoing. Although the exterior is unimpressive, and the interior small, it does have a lot of outdoor seating. Highly recommended. read more

I love the location of this coffee shop! The coffee I got, Turkish Latte, wasn't that great. I ended throwing away half of it. Too much cardamom made it bitter. read more

Great coffee and great vibes! If you like strong coffee, this place definitely has it. I love getting a latter that you can really taste the espresso in! read more

Lofty Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

Dove coffee was better than the Costa Rica pour over. Great place to hang out but busy! Takes Apple Pay.

Went here to order a simple chai latte and pastry. While the pastry was passable, the latte was disgusting. I went up to the counter to let them know the latte tasted off, and they just put more concentrated syrup in it, which only made it taste worse. I would never go here again, especially for a $5+ latte that tastes like watery syrup. read more

Love love love this spot! Best açaí bowl ever! Not to grainy and sweet and there's a dollop of peanut butter goodness. Obsessed! Also, the Carmel latte is delicious! Puts Starbucks to shame. read more

I've driven by this place many times over the years but never went in because the lines were long and parking is a challenge. However, on this trip to the coast I decided to meet a friend here for breakfast on a quiet Monday morning. The line wasn't very long and it moved quickly. The girls working the counter were super friendly and very knowledgeable about coffee. I ordered a single origin Costa Rican coffee pour over and the two egg and toast breakfast. The coffee was wonderful. It was full of flavor and not bitter. The eggs were poached perfectly and served with two nice slices of artisan toast with a spread of cream cheese. I'm glad that I was staying close enough that I could walk to this little gem! read more

As an avid lover of iced coffee's I had the Iced Nola while on vacation and it was the best I've had. Ever! My husband and I shared a cinnamon roll that was the perfect sweet treat. Wish I could visit more often! read more

Wonderful coffees from people who really know coffee and are helpful. They're happy to make recommendations to people who just like simple coffee or they'll go deep and discuss tasting notes and roasting method with is coffee nerds . They also hand make all of their milk alternatives (almond, coconut, and oat IIRC) and my wife loved, loved, loved her Turkish late with almond milk. read more

For some reason, everything seems to cost $5 -- cup of herbal tea, cappuccino, croissant. Service is friendly but slow; barista must be new; not organized and snarky. "The Loft" empire spreads across the street where beans are roasted? Husband said coffee was delicious and worth the price. No cash; only cards which was understandable under pandemic. Card-only also seemed like a way to force higher tips to counter staff ... read more

Love this spot! Just up the block from Moonlight and their cold brew is perfection. Nitro has a great foam to it; not bitter. My favorite is the NOLA cold brew - a little sweet and herby. Service is kind and prompt. Just the perfect place. read more

I headed into this spot after searching for 'free wifi' hoping to find a spot to post up and get some work done as well as some meetings. As soon as I entered this inconspicuous business, I was immediately impressed by the energy and friendliness of the gals behind the counter. They greeted everyone who walked in with a huge smile, chatted about all of their coffee and tea, and even broke into song once in a while! I ordered their coconut tea which they suggested I get iced instead of hot because they assured me that the flavor would be better. It was delish! I had like three glasses of them and had to go to the bathroom all day. Toward lunch time I got their 'monster' bagel, which is what they call a bagel with avocado and tomato and cream cheese... simple, but so tasty! Their coffee is organic and apparently delicious from the steady stream of folks walking in all day. They also have plenty of outlets available for those like me who like to set up shop in cafes. There's even plenty of parking in the back! While you might not stumble across this unless you happen to be in the area, I'd highly suggest you give it a shot. It's an unassuming but delightful coffee shop option! read more

We went there for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. There was a line but it moved quickly. I ordered a panini and my wife had a salad. We only drank water. Our food arrived quickly and was delicious. The staff was courteous and pleasant. All around a very cool place and highly recommended! Ps - we need to try the coffee next time. read more

Superb roaster, OK coffee brewer in Encinitas. This place is always a zoo, and the baristas seem to be under a lot of pressure to flip drinks very quickly. This results in Espresso shots that are BURNT more often than not. The majority of the time that I / friends / family get an espresso-based drink here, it is ALWAYS burnt. As far as coffee shops go, that is an absolute deal breaker - doesn't matter how great your beans are, how great your food, ambiance etc.. If you can't pull a consistently good shot of espresso without burning it, you're not a good third wave espresso maker. I highly recommend Ironsmith or Coffee Coffee (both are super close-by) for amazing third wave espresso drinks.. The one thing I do love here is their Cold Brew Nitro. Absolutely superb, best cold brew in the area hands down. Their single-origin roasted coffee beans are also fabulous for brewing at home. read more

I cannot remember going to a coffee shop that had a ruder staff than this one. The staff here was not at all eager to help us. The person who did end up helping was so rude that my wife and I were cringing with awkwardness. I heard this shop has a reputation of having rude workers but that fact became ever so true when my wife and I stopped at the ice cream store down the street after drinking our coffee and overheard a customer talking about how rude the people are who work at Lofty. If you are the manager and you're reading this you should seriously consider spending some time training your staff on customer service. read more

Coffee was average. The mocha I ordered had way too much sweetness despite my asking for less sweet. Service was good.

Attention foodies, specialty coffee lovers, Green Peace and all you tree hugg'n make'n sweet luv'n motha-lovers of the "O" in organic! I have a coffee experience for you. Put down your guitars, surf boards, your latest tech gadget and step outside of the drum circle, there's a revival in town and everyone is invited! Oh yeah, we're talking Let's-go-down-to-the-river-to-pray-Oh-Brother-Where-Art-Thou type of experience. Your coffee addiction is about to wax spiritual... Last Tuesday, I met up with Peter Giuliano of Counter Culture Coffee, one of the pioneers of direct trade specialty coffee. Peter wanted to discuss organizing a cupping event in San Diego that would bring exposure to local specialty roasters. He asked me to meet him at one of his favorite local hang outs, Lofty Bean Coffee Bar in Encinitas. Lofty Bean uses custom organic roasts by The West Bean Coffee Roasters out of El Cajon. In fact, anywhere owner, Eric Myers, can insert the love of green sustainable practices and organic into your cup of coffee or tasty pastry, he does. He uses organic chocolate and organic milk from a farm in Northern California and sources organic, local and natural foods for your menu. I'd say Lofty Bean puts the "O" in a truly organic experience. After ordering my almond milk caramel latte and a scone, I was given a cute little squirrel instead of a number. Myers says he doesn't want any of his customers to be a number. Okay, so I totally fell in love with this place, smitten, a gonner over fuzzy squirrels, but when I tasted the frothy goodness of my almond milk caramel latte, the clouds parted and the angels sang! I realized that I needed to live in the lofts above just so I could have this experience every morning like so many patrons sitting around me. Ultimately reality prevailed, I could not afford two homes in San Diego and my coffee addiction, but it is nice to dream... When I came down from my coffee high and finished my meeting with Peter Giuliano, I asked Myers why his latte tasted better than other almond milk lattes I had, and he said it is about temperature. You can ruin the almond milk if it is heated too hot, so temperature makes a big difference in texture and taste. Soy, its been fun, but I'm leaving you for almond milk. Thanks Lofty Bean for helping me see the light, and providing a perfect space for meeting up with Peter Giuliano, an extraordinary person also hoping for a specialty coffee revival in beautiful San Diego. I think if places like Lofty Bean keep making and sourcing quality coffee from local roasters like The West Bean, we just might get the revival we're looking for... Can I get an AMEN, San Diego?!? Okay, a "Hell-yeah!" will do. Disclosure: For those of you who expected psychedelics and snake handling, wrong revival. People of this revival get high on coffee and only have to worry about getting bit by an unusually hot cup. It can really sting, but nothing a little ice can't fix. read more

My favorite... get the Aztec if you want a little cayenne kick with your mocha! The food can add up in price, but it is fresh and worth it. I like the eggs a la carte. read more

Amazing coffee! Kind helpful staff! I appreciate great customer service so very much!

I really liked Lofty Bean! I ordered their Salted Caramel Latte and a Chocolate Scone and wow - totally worth it! I'm used to S'bucks as my coffee dealer but I really enjoyed the latte from Lofty Bean so much more. It was a few cents more expensive than S'bucks but I would pay it anytime. The flavor was spot on. And that chocolate scone, mmmm I wish I had one right now! Can't wait to go back. read more

Lofty Coffee - Salted Caramel Latte and Chocolate Torte! - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

My new favorite coffee bar in Encinitas. They have the best chai and I love that they have so many milk options(soy, almond, coconut). There pastries are delicious. Staff is always friendly. Great addition to the neighborhood. read more

For anyone who is lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, health conscious, Paleo, ingredient-conscious...this is the place for you! By far my favorite coffee shop in San Diego! My favorite summer drink is the ICE COLD Kyoto. Organic, slow-pressed iced coffee that is the most refreshing thing EVER. Plus, it's full of caffeine so I am bouncing off the walls when I'm done with one. I never put anything in mine to sweeten it, it's perfect plain. Though I'm sure it would be great with some honey, agave, or stevia, and they have PLENTY of healthy sweetener options. The best hot drink is the Spiced Chai with almond milk. I love that they offer the option of almond milk for us non-dairy people. I have also gotten some of the gluten-free, vegan treats that they offer. The gluten-free brownies are DELISH, but my favorite are the gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. They are so satisfying and I love that they aren't full of bad ingredients. The only downside is that it is slightly pricey, but it is TOTALLY worth it. The staff is really friendly and they make everyone feel like they see you in there everyday. read more

Coffees were delicious and displayed the baristas creative side with the foam art but the food was underwhelming. Salted caramel latte was a great balance of flavors described in the title while not going overboard on the sweet side. The Mocha had nice chocolate flavors throughout the drink while not being over sweet. Slices of strawberries and banana garnish the French toast but I'd recommend sticking with coffee only. For approx $10, I wish I didn't order it. read more

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Stopped by today for the first time! Great location on the corner with plenty of street parking and just a walk to the beach :) The staff was really friendly and our drinks were made fairly quickly! I got the salted caramel latte, which is pretty strong and yum! Liked it! My friend got just a regular iced coffee and we shared a grilled cheese sandwich outside on the patio before walking down to the ocean. There was plenty of space to sit and it seems popular for people with laptops - always a good thing for me ;) I would love to see their food menu grow. I thought the prices were reasonable. Large iced coffee $2.75 and my salted caramel latte was $4.95 Looking forward to visit again. read more

Really rude staff here. I'll take my business elsewhere. Walked in this afternoon with my twin 4 yos on my arms. I am walking towards the back to use the restroom but all the staff are looking at me funny. So I ask "Do you have a restroom?" A woman staff say "Its for customers only" (pretty presumptious on her part-- how do they know whether I intended to be a customer post potty break or not?) A male worker pipes up "that there is a public bathroom down at Moonlight Beach" (Mind you that is where my car was parked and where we had just come from when my kids suddenly decided they had to go potty... So you're expecting me to walk all the way back down there with 2 4yos who need to go potty now? So I reply back that my 4 yo needs to go potty, and he snippily gives me the bathroom code. Clearly these workers 1) don't have kids and 2) are severely lacking in customer service skills and compassion. I do not look forward to taking my kids in public bathrooms ever and I certainly don't make a habit of walking into businesses to use their bathrooms and not purchase anything but the way I was treated from the moment I walked in the door was pretty appalling. You can either let little kids use your potty or be prepared to clean up a mess they may make on your floor. Lofty you lost any future business from me. read more

Great coffee place that I've been frequenting and recommending for a while... but today, while on another visit, found that I had not yet reviewed this place! This place does some great coffee techniques, which is a rare find in north county. They have some Kyoto drip towers for some good cold brew, some pour over stations, and the espresso machine was screeching with activity. This make me happy, and makes it worth it to drive down to Encinitas from Oceanside. To top it off, their food is fresh and great! okay okay, it's overpriced, but the quality shines through. The eggs are nicely poached- nice and runny :). The toast is wonderful, and the tomatoes you can order are really fresh and beautiful slices of heirloom tomatoes. I was also wondering why the arugula cost so much... but in the end I couldn't resist. I found on my plate a huge mound of arugula with just the right touch of olive oil, salt and pepper. Wonderful. Overall great coffee place! read more

Coffee: Excellent, if you like full-body strong coffee which is roasted dark. Having lived in Europe for 3 years, this is on par with a typical dark Italian or French roast. Their brews are all organic and their line up is pretty unique. The real zinger (pun intended) with their brew... however,,, is that it provides a surreal long-lasting caffeine high. Did you see the movie Limitless with Bradley Cooper, where he takes a drug and the cloud lifts? He begins to see things with pronounced clarity and reaches into the untapped portion of his mind? Sounds bizarre, I know, but that happens for me after a triple shot beverage at Lofty Bean. [Awesome] Location: It's a block from Moonlight Beach. Got you java & roll down the hill to watch waves for a few. Life is good. Crew: Half the time I walk in, the barista's are singing and/or dancing... often to AWOLNATION. [Double Awesome.] How cool is that? When's the last time you went to Starbucks and got serenaded? The ladies make a good cup, have a good time, and make you feel super welcome. [Triple Awesome]. Speed/Convenience: Look, I've been here when they're slammed and got my brew in good quick order. If you order something weird, you might to wait for it. Even at Starbucks. Recognize: this shop is close to one of the most popular beaches in North County, of course the parking can get tight on a summer weekend. BUT YOU CAN WALK TO THE BEACH... All around: [You guessed it] Awesome. read more

Super friendly people when I was there, fun atmosphere, and I could drink the cardamom coffee by the bucketful. It is SOOOOO delicious. The lady singing while taking my money recommended the banana muffin and it was just as delicious as she said... sang... it would be. I wish they had a little more parking since I am pretty terrible at parallel parking, but definitely worth a trip. read more

Yes! Yes! Yes! Finally a place I can go to off the 5 freeway for coffee! This place has all the things I like. Rustic vibe, cold brew iced coffee (two kinds!), herbal iced tea (hard to find!), brownies, cookies and, of course, amazing beans. It's beyond perfect. read more

Holy moly. Turkish coffee latte WITH macadamia nut milk. SO unique and delicious! Great atmosphere, friendly staff. Will definitely be back here on our next trip! read more

Great coffee, friendly staff, and perfect location. What more can you ask for? They are opening a roastery across the street so everything will be done in house. Can't wait! Tip: Be careful parking on the corner of Coast Hwy and A st next to Lofty. There is one motorcycle cop who loves to give people tickets. read more

So good! I agree with Alexa P. and Jessica R. that it is the place to go when you have food sensitivities, aware of what you want to put into your body, and enjoy the process of a fine cup of coffee. Their chai is delicious and their pastries are decadent! So happy to have Lofty Coffee in Encinitas. read more

Lines can be rough on weekend mornings as can parking as many of the reviews out but it's definitely worth it. Listen to the reviews and get the salted Carmel latte. It is just as good as the reviews say. Creamy, Sweet with a touch of the salty from the sea salt in the Carmel. It's the perfect amount of sea salt and really quenches both the savory and sweet cravings one can have in the morning. The regular lattes are also quite good. If you get the muffins ask them to toast it for you. The muffins not toasted are like a two star with the toasting amps up to like four. Worth the wait! read more

I can't exactly remember how I found this place but I have never been more happy then the day I went. Thankfully it was a weekday because even on weekdays its hard to find a spot but a lot more manageable then weekends. The first time I went I got a Mexican Mocha which was delicious. Since then I've tried the Turkish and Salted Caramel Latte. I am in love with the Turkish Latte mostly because I love the smell and after note taste of cardamom! It's my all time favorite spice. As for food, I've had the french toast which is delicious! I wish I lived near Encinitas still, I would frequent this place all the time but unfortunately I don't! I plan to stop by anytime I'm near! Customer Service is awesome. Yes it can be loud, chaotic and packed but the coffee and the people more then make up for it! I would definitely recommend this place a million times over! read more

Lofty Coffee - The Turkish Love Of My Life! - Desserts Near Me - Encinitas, California

Good coffee but pricey people are really friendly, japanese cold brew is the best they have. So strong and cold brewed to perfection

Sorry Yelp, I lied in my last review. Here is a well-deserved update: Parking is actually provided underground and I believe in back as well? Don't take my word on that though. But there is ample parking in addition to street. Sorry for my lie in my last review! The first couple of times I came here, it was not very busy at all. I came again this morning (Saturday, 1030am) and there was a line the whole time I was there (until 1215). There is high table turnover, so if you plan on hanging out just give it some time and you'll find a spot :) They offer a decent variety of coffee, espresso drinks, specialty drinks, and food from baked goods to meals. I opted for the cappuccino, which was smooth and frothy and easy to drink. I wish I had paid more attention to the origin of the espresso, but I was too excited to drink it. They do offer Kyoto, syphon, and pourovers, which I am unable to comment on due to not having tried it yet. I appreciate their dedication to good quality product, organic food, and attention to well-crafted drinks. Lofty Coffee is bringing their game to North County with some coffee to shame the other shops, but with such grace and friendliness that you will be joyful to make this your coffee spot in the area. read more

Lofty Bean Coffee is the sole reason my long drive from SD to OC becomes a joyous ride filled with loud music accompanied by jacked-on-caffeine air drum solos on my steering wheel. A pour-over stand, imported syphons with halogen lamps, and twin kyoto drip towers was surely a glorious sight to see when I first walked into a seemingly low-key cafe. I was even further surprised by their ability to make a wide range of drinks regardless of who the customer was. You have these specialty gourmet coffee shops that sigh with disgust when you order a salted carmel macchiato. Not this place. This accessible coffee bar is located on the 101 with ample spaces for parking on the street. Don't expect to come here and find plenty of seatings, as it is called a coffee bar for a reason. Great spot for a quick drop in for a cup-to-go. Here's what separates Lofty Bean from your usual Starbucks: Single origin coffee on rotation with various brewing methods to optimize your coffee experience. If you want an iced carmel soy latte, this place will do a great job, but don't be afraid to try their other 'simpler' coffees on display. read more

I was in Encinitas and saw the reviews for this place and had to stop by. It's a small little place but it's SO cool! And SO clean. I am not kidding. There is nothing on the ground. No stray coffee grounds on the counter. Everything is in it's place. I mean, in all seriousness, this place makes Starbucks look like a dirty dump. I am still astounded at how clean it is. !! Everyone who works there is friendly. I can't imagine someone approaching the lady taking your order and being pissed off. I stood in a line 6 people deep and I was not even the bit annoyed when I got to the front. They were all so nice! I got the house iced coffee and a cranberry orange scone (Pretty huge; $6.95) The coffee was delicious. It had an after taste of bittersweet chocolate (I love super bitter chocolate) so I was in heaven. I drank the entire iced coffee. That's saying something because I'm usually a "drink half now, save the rest for tomorrow morning' type of gal. But, I couldn't stop myself. It may have been the time that I went, but I was surrounded in a crowd of lululemon wearing females carrying their yoga mats. So, I felt a little out of place like I had crashed a pow-wow. But that's not the businesses fault. Super cool place! read more