Lofty Coffee
Lofty Coffee Photos
Business Info
Lofty Coffee Popular Dishes
LOFTY COFFEE ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - Lofty Coffee
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Packed on a Saturday morning at 8. I ordered a house iced chai --delicate and refreshingly delicious. My husband and I shared a blackberry scone -- Fantastic, fresh, fruity! The couple next to us was sharing an amazing looking breakfast. I'll have to try a meal here sometime! Counter seating faces the street where there's lots of fun people/creature watching--moms with strollers, joggers with dogs of all sizes, seagulls perched on rooftops calling to each other. Large umbrellas and a thick broad canopy over the patio provide plentiful shade while allowing the lovely breezes to pass through (we're only a few blocks from the ocean). If we lived closer, I would be here every week!
Stuck going to Pete's for years which I never really liked. Across from the train station so it was convenient before jumping on the Surf Liner. Pete's since closed and found this place only a few shops down. Try the sausage egg and cheese croissant, has some sweet sauce that goes well together. It's huge, two sandwiches really. $15. Nice vibe, patio is shaded and overlooks Cedros Ave.
Stopped by for breakfast with my bestie on a beautiful Sunday. Although a pretty full restaurant at 930am, we were able to find parking in their small parking lot, beat the line and find seats. It got busier as the morning went on. Ordered the Organic Açaí Bowl, about $17, an Iced Lofty Style Nola, $7+, Egg Quiche and donut, while my friend got one of their lattes, hot. I loved the Açaí bowl. It was filling, came with a lot of fresh and ripe fruit, and had a lot of yummy different textures from the granola, nibs, coconut and seeds. I really enjoyed the egg quiche but wish they offered to warm it up; it would've been perfect. My latte was okay in taste but did wake me up. The green donut was delicious and pretty looking but the whole thing would've been too sweet for me; I'm glad we shared it. Her hot latte had a cute design on top This place is perfect when the weather is nice, since it's mainly outside. No complaints about the service.
My friends and I came here for lunch and I had The American sandwich, which also comes with a deconstructed Caesar salad and it was ok. Service was good and the employees were friendly.
This was a cute little coffee shop with a nice ambiance. overall it was calm and pleasant, and it felt like an easy place to stop by for something light. The food was okay overall. We tried the acai bowl, and that was actually good. Nothing felt overly memorable, but it was still a nice option if you're looking for a quick bite or something refreshing with your coffee.
3-4 stars. It was busy on a Saturday afternoon! The line wasn't that long as it looked to be from outside as there were only maybe 3 people ahead of me. Although all the tables were taken up & even the seating that faced the road. They had heaters on as well that you could feel as you stood in line or waited for your name to be called out. I looked at the menu from above and I believe I read that the Iced Salted Caramel Latte was $7.50, but when I went to pay it was only $7! (I handed her $8 because I swore I saw $7.50 on the screen lol). It looked like the cup was 16 oz or larger, unsure because she didn't ask -- so maybe they only have one size. When I'm nervous or at a new spot, I forget to ask all these basic questions. I read that it's house made caramel with fleur de sel. I think they should add more fleur de sel because it was lacking the salty aspect, but the caramel was delicious. As a whole, I think the latte had too much milk because the espresso was very much lost. It just tasted like caramel milk. It wasn't balanced as my friend mentioned it was (he got the same drink, at their Little Italy location I believe?). However, price was nice for the size of the drink. Would I come back? Maybe on a cold day since they have those heaters! I'm a huge fan of salted caramel and this one missed the mark. I'd give them another try when they have new seasonal specials. Also, they do have a big menu for food choices which is nice. I did see people enjoying toasts and açaí bowls. Great place for bicyclists, families, people with doggos, solo, dates, etc! Come & check them out, they are just two lights away from the beach as well.
A solid café for a fresh, well-executed breakfast. Ingredients tasted high quality across the board, and the açaí bowl was a standout--beautifully balanced with generous, thoughtfully layered toppings. A spot that delivers and is definitely worth the stop.
Cute coffee shop on Cedros. It is a popular place so it's not great for large groups. Very nice servers and items get to you quickly. The acai bowl ($17) is perfection and definitely big enough to share with two people. Tons of fresh fruit, acai scoops and peanut butter underneath. A must on a hot day!
This is genuinely the hugest latte I've ever gotten. It was 20 oz (the only size) for $6. They have a cute outdoor space with shade. It was a very serviceable latte but also not particularly memorable. Some of their other drinks are on the pricier side, but this is an otherwise fine spot to pick up a coffee before hitting the beach!
Great coffee ! Very open and airy setting. Not far from the beach / ocean U order at the counter and u can eat outside or take to go The server is busy but nice and efficient !
I wish I would have tried Lofty sooner. I've seen it in Little Italy for a long time and it had a good look, and yeah it's pretty bomb. Good portions. Everything is fresh and well prepared. Quick friendly service. Great indoor outdoor spaces. Decent enough parking. Not too loud. Enough space. Heck, you might even be able to work if you need to. Various options. A little spendy but worth it.
As a coffee junkie, I can appreciate good coffee and this is not shy from being fantastic coffee. There's so much about Lofty coffee that I appreciate. It's a quaint coffee spot in downtown Solana Beach and has very great design element with such a great feel. Their coffee smells and tastes amazing. I will definitely be purchasing some of their coffee beans to try at home in my espresso machine. Our first time there, we tried their pumpkin cold brew which is pictured and it was amazing! It's topped with crumbled graham cracker and compliments the drink well. We also tried their iced salted caramel latte which was good but I liked the pumpkin cold brew much more. If you're in the Solana Beach area and live coffee, you HAVE to try Lofty coffee. You won't be disappointed!! read more
4 years ago
Lofty is a great place to study, catch up on work, and hangout with friends. I love how close to the beach it is. The drinks are delicious and so refreshing. I also love the variety of sweets especially the gluten free options. The baristas are also very friendly. Would definitely recommend this place! read more
7 years ago
Feelin lifted, almost in the clouds, after a Nola cold brew coffee and what felt like fire-side chats with the local Lofty lads! Make this part of your life. -The Third Musketeer read more
Lofty is still my favorite coffee shop in the San Diego area and the Solana Beach location is a cute shop. They have a dedicated parking lot as well as street parking. Service is impeccable (not a surprise) and the coffee is exceptional. This trip consisted of an Iced New Orleans topped with a mint sprig. The drink was strong, a hint of sweetness and creamy. Their iced teas might also be my new favorite as well. Their Moroccan mint and also the hibiscus is soooooo delicious. Love love Love Lofty! read more
4 years ago
This place is absolutely delicious. It's in a cute spot in Solana beach around shops and other restaurants. It's a bit expensive, but the quality of ingredients and food is everything! I really love the lofty-style nola coffee! Everything was so fresh and satisfying. Awesome spot. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
This is my first time trying Lofty and I was so excited after reading all the reviews and seeing the nice ambience. I ordered a salted caramel latte and a cloudy with a chance. The drinks looked great when I got them. However, I tried the salted caramel latte and I did not taste any flavor as it was really watered down. No salted caramel notes and the coffee wasn't as strong as many of the other cafes I've tried. The foam for cloudy with a chance was good but as I got down to the cold brew itself, it had such an acidic and rancid flavor. I love getting cold foam cold brews at coffeeshops but this one disappointed me the most. I don't know if this is an off-day for the cafe or if I just tried the wrong drinks, but I probably won't come back again. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
Business owner information
Lofty C.
Hi Jeff, we just want to sincerely say thank you so much for the…
5 years ago
Came here with some friends on a Saturday morning after a nearby hike. The location and ambiance was really nice - great colors, pretty shaded outdoor seating (which was full), and located right on the design district strip. The menu looked very impressive and there was a long line to order, so we went in with some expectations. Overall, the line went by quickly and our drinks came out fast, but for the price paid for the coffee ($6) it was a bit watered down with more sugar/milk flavor than coffee. I think it is a cute place to visit if you are in the area, but if you like a strong cup of joe, may not be for you. read more
2 years ago
6 years ago
I love the atmosphere here, good outdoor coffee shop vibes. Service is quick and you can order from your phone. I'm giving their coffee a 4 star because I just didn't think it was very flavorful. However, their açaí bowl was amazing-best I've ever tried and I've tried a lot. read more
3 years ago
tried the "cloudy with a chance" drink and realized the "chance" was buying $9 coffee and thinking it would be good. It reminded me of water with a splash of coffee and had to prepare ourselves every time we took a sip. had nice staff tho lol. read more
Business owner information
Lofty C.
Interesting, the cloudy is by far one of our most popular…
5 years ago
Super cute coffee, tea and brunch spot. All local and organic. Super fresh. Great outdoor seating area and amazing customer service. Love this little gem and can't wait to visit their other spots. I got the blood orange creamsicle hot and the chicken sausage croissant. Highly recommend read more
5 years ago
This is one of my favorite places for coffee. They have a nice open air setup with seating outside and nice coverage. They serve delicious crafted coffee. I low their mocha. Not too sweet, the right amount of chocolate, and nice design:) We ordered the egg with toast and advocado and arugula. Toast had choice of butter, jam or hummus. We had the hummus which was nicely spread on the toast. People also brought their dogs. Friendly spot :) read more
8 years ago
I came here to catch up with my friend (we grew up in San Diego and returned back for Christmas). This little shop was a nice place to relax, eat, and drink. Ironically, I didn't order a coffee. The server was patient with me, despite a huge line behind me. (I was asking her about the different food items.) I had the Ancient Grains Salad, which was as you'd expect...grains and salad. I wouldn't say it was a game-changer, but it was still healthy and tasted good. The open-air seating was refreshing, although I was inadequately prepared for the chilly morning. The sun hits certain tables, so it was nice to be warmed up. Parking was on the street--majority parallel parking (eep for me). But I found a spot pretty easily. Will come back here if I decide to catch up with people in SD! read more
I really like what Lofty is doing these days, not just because they have expanded a little bit, but they continue to provide great coffees, and simple yet effective quality eats. At this location, I ordered a drip coffee and some avocado toast made from their excellent multigrain bread. The coffee was bliss and had that strong and robust yet smooth flavor. They certainly know how to roast and brew coffee here. The Avocado toast was very nice. They serve the avocados sliced on the side and sprinkled with a freshly ground quality black pepper and sea salt. The avocado was at a creamy ripeness and easy to spread. Although the multigrain toast was unevenly toasted, it still was quite good, but I recommend they be careful with that, because a portion of the bread was crunchy and the rest soft. I usually ask for a re-toast, but they were so busy I decided to go with it. They do get very busy during peek hours and seating fills up fast. They are few concrete round picnic tables around back as well. Customer service was top notch at the counter and with the servers who brought out the food. Careful on that toasting! read more
3 years ago
A cute coffee shop walking distance from the beach! Parking is a bit tough but I was able to find street parking about 5 blocks away. I was there on a Thursday morning and it was packed! I love the variety of seating options, it's all outside so the breeze feels amazing, and there are good drink and food options. I got an iced salted caramel latte which was the perfect level of salted caramel, sweetness and coffee but there way way too much ice in the mason jar so it tasted like water the last half of my drink. It is a little pricier but that's probably expected for the area! read more
Business owner information
Berlin L.
Anna! Thank you so much for your feedback! Hopefully, parking isn’t…
5 stars all the way for this particular Lofty. Service is awesome, the product served is absolutely delicious and even the lunch dining options are fantastic. My go to with Lofty is the Iced Caramel Latte, it's delicious and I'm not really a coffee drinker. Pair the awesome drink with a delicious panini and it makes this outdoor eatery a little gem in Solana Beach. Overall, I love Lofty in Encinitas and absolutely love Lofty in Solana Beach. Pros- Location Coffee Sandwiches Menu Service Outdoor seating Pet friendly Decent parking for the area Cons- What happens if it rains? No seating... A bit pricey read more
5 years ago
Hands down one of the better coffee shops which explains the long lines. Well roasted, smooth and paired well. read more
My mom and I stopped by here some weeks ago after I picked her up from the train station. They have parking in the back. The outdoor seating was pretty full and there was a line out the door to order. I guess that must be a sign that they make good coffee here right. The prices aren't cheap but the quality & presentation is worthy. We ordered: French toast $8.50 - there are two thick slices of bread per order and it's topped with bananas/strawberries/maple syrup. We thought the bread tasted dry but the fresh fruit and thick syrup helped Service Earl Grey $2.50 - my mom ordered this because it was one of the cheaper drink items on the menu. The presentation was beautiful with a clear small tea pot and clear tea cup. She was even offered free hot water refills after she was finished drinking the tea. Latte $5.00 - ok so $5 bucks for a latte seems high. They charged me extra to make it breve. But gosh, this was a GOOD latte. And I'm a sucker for foam art on top of any latte. The latte was smoooooth and oh so creamy with the foamed half n half. It was richly caffeinated and I definitely felt the caffeine jitters while I was in the car. Service was fine but busy. There's a buzz about this place that's intriguing. The patio had a variety of customers : families with babies, couples with dogs, singles reading paper, etc. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area and try another coffee. read more
8 years ago
What an amazing find! I'm visiting from Boston-and man have I been missing out. The cashier was very friendly and helped me to order the best French toast I've had in a while. The café provided outdoor seating which allowed me to enjoy the ocean breeze, while I sipped my hot, freshly brewed lofty coffee. Thank you for the experience, Lofty ! read more
11 years ago
This new location of Lofty coffee co is all about outdoor space. The cafe has very large patio where you can enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee/espresso beverage, soak up the sun and do some people watching :) So far i've tried their regular latte and Aztec mocha, both drinks are totally different. Latte is strong and flavorful (they put 2 shots of espresso). Aztec mocha is packs a very robust punch with cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Lofty doesn't have different cup sizes. Just one, i think it runs as a medium size. They do have some breakfast items, but i would say its mostly snacks, like slice of bread with some boiled eggs and small sides. Check it out! read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Lofty C.
Hello Patrick, Thank you for visiting Lofty.…
3 years ago
Growing up around so many cafes; there are many that are great. Lofty is consistently just good coffee and food. Pricey, but good ingredients and people that actually know how to make coffee. I grew up studying at lofty coffee and still go there to do work stuff. Great surroundings and great servers. read more
Great experience. Nice energy, staff and clientele. Simple menu but done well. Very adorable spot! Thanks for a great respite ! Cappuccino tasty ( and pretty) eggs perfect, gluten free bread yummy, everyone enjoyed their various eats. read more
3 years ago
Business owner information
Lofty C.
Hi Kristen, our manager personally reached out to you. Do you feel…
6 years ago
3 years ago
dirty chai was absolutely disgusting . taste really sour like lemonade (made me pucker my lips). my friend even said it tasted like a spicy tuna roll and she was right on the money!!! would i come back here again?? HEAVENS, NO!!!! You know, i'm not religious but the price made me drop to my knees and beg for the lord!! 7.25, ohhh mahhh, im not aliveeee, for that 7.25. read more
Business owner information
Lofty C.
Go to blue bottle and order a dirty chai it will cost you $8.75.…
6 years ago
I love Lofty's and I wanted to leave a review on this location during Covid. They are very mindful and careful with saniter stations scattered and they had the tables 6 feet from each other. Normally, I have been mobile ordering for quick pick up but today I wanted to grab beans and went earlier in the morning to avoid potential crowds. I ordered a london fog and my favorite turkey and avocado crossiant sandwich to go. Since it was still quite relaxed, I sat down to quickly sip my tea and take a bite or three of my crossiant. So good! Please continue to support your local establishments! read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
Staff was super friendly. The iced salted caramel latte is the BEST - the perfect amount of sweet !! Very nice, clean, modern atmosphere. read more
I decided to venture further and check out this place that has been on my radar for a while. They had a seasonal menu at the counter that offered Kyoto cold brew or Lofty fall latte. In the spirit of the holiday season, I chose the fall latte. They didn't have soy; just almond and coconut milk. They brought out my drink with a beautiful latte art. The first sip had a very very strong taste of cayenne and cinnamon. I took another sip to reaffirm that I wasn't a fan. I brought it back to ask for a regular latte and they graciously remade it for me especially since the fall latte is more than a regular one. Overall, the ambiance is nice and there were lots of people coming and going. read more
Business owner information
Berlin L.
Ohhhh, yup, not everyone is a fan of the forward spices.…
More info about Lofty Coffee
132 S Cedros Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Directions
(760) 230-6747
Call Now
Visit Website
https://loftycoffee.com
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Ask the Community - Lofty Coffee
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
30 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
1 year ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
8 years ago
11 years ago
8 years ago
11 years ago
9 years ago
7 years ago
2 days ago
11 years ago
10 years ago
11 years ago
10 years ago
11 years ago
6 years ago
