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    Necessity Coffee

    4.6 (125 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Delicious Rooting For Ya on the left and a very interesting Ups and Downs on the right.  Very good coffee here.
    Craig W.

    This small coffee shop just off of PCH has the longest line of any business in Encinitas. But, honestly, but for the line, I would never have known about this spot. I saw the mass of people while walking along PCH and thought they must be giving out free cocaine or something down this side street. This is very high end coffee and they have a few baked goods, too. Seating inside and out. They have all your normal drinks but lots of interesting specials, too. The employees were very friendly. The Ups and Downs is a decaf Mexican coffee with a foamy head and a citrusy flavor. It was delicious. The Rooting For Ya had a hint of a root beer flavor. I'm not a root beer fan but the drink was delicious. Both drinks were iced and sparkling but not overly bubbly. This is very complex, sippable coffee. You should not guzzle these liquids. They are almost like coffee cocktails. If you come in the morning on a weekend, the line will be long. It was down to almost nothing around lunchtime when we were there. This is well worth checking out although I am obviously late to this party.

    Gina B.

    I love this new location in the wonderful neighborhood of Encinitas and have been here several times in the past two weeks! Their beet toast and pear espresso drink is beyond delicious. Beware, the pear espresso drink is truly tiny. The staff is very nice and helpful. I would love to give them five stars, however, closing the kitchen so early is a tad annoying. I arrived at 1:35 yesterday and couldn't order food. The only options were cookies and a scone. The tables are quite fragile and lightweight, if slightly bumped in their tight space, your coffee is spilled. The kitchen cut off time and tiny cups are the major issue. Enjoy! It's a wonderful addition to the Encinitas neighborhood. :)

    Moonlight Fog
    Danny W.

    The Moonlight Fog was amazing and a must try! The taste of Houjicha tea and sesame paired well. This drink reminded me when was in Japan and brought back great memories. The vibe was costal and cool while the barista were super hip and friendly. 5 stars!

    Menu
    Cassidy S.

    Cute small little coffee shop that was popping when I stopped by. The baristas were very nice and were working hard while I was there. I got the chai, the first 2 sips were amazing but the rest of the drink tasted rather watered down, will probably come back to try something else.

    Han L.

    Much better than average coffee shop. I liked their iced pour over thermal shock anaerobic. lot of flavor extracted but it was a bit much for a whole drink.

    Spiced pear latte
    Sim B.

    Came in on a Sunday afternoon to try out this new little coffee spot on the corner in Encinitas. It was very popular with a line out the door. I got a spiced pear latte (forgot the exact name) with excellent flavors, that was somehow less expensive than their regular iced latte. Luckily we snagged a seat outside as it was very crowded inside. They could do with a few less tables inside as it feels very cramped with too many tables that end up just uselessly shoved to the side in the order to fit the people around them. They had a selection of baked goods that looked scrumptious but I held myself back this time. Very nice baristas, and cute little place overall!

    Front, it's at the end of a cul de sac and is hard to see from the street but has a parking lot
    Toby P.

    I discovered this spot, not long after it opened. I did have a bit of a hard time finding it at first though as it's hidden in a small neighborhood cul-de-sac. It's definitely a hidden gem. The owner has been there every time I've been in which has been great because I can always ask lots of questions and I've been lucky enough to taste things as well I love the pink coffee machine. It really sets the vibe for the whole spot. As for the coffee, it's fantastic. Everything I've gotten has been very, very good and I'm picky about my coffee. I'd say the prices are a little bit higher than other spots, but it's a small business who's clearly dedicated to a love of coffee that I share so I don't mind paying a little more. I was pleasantly to surprised to run into them at the San Diego food and wine festival last weekend. It was the absolute perfect pick me up between sipping wine and cocktails and eating lots of bites. I chose the iced coffee which I hadn't had before, but I knew it would be great and it definitely was . Speaking to the owner, they are opening a new location that they will be transitioning into not too far away from their original Encinitas location. He's always very personable and I enjoy talking to him about his passion for coffee. I will keep coming back because I really like their coffee a lot and I can't wait to see what they do with the new location.

    Spice & Sap
    Michelle L.

    This is definitely the best coffee in North County. I have worked in the coffee industry and am very particular about coffee. When I go out to buy coffee I like it to be better than something I can make myself and this is it! They have seasonal drinks unique to their cafe and they are always so delicious. The staple coffee they offer is always good as well. Coffee is never under or over extracted. They also have yummy pastries that sometimes sell out quickly! They baristas are generally nice and I've never had an issue. My least favorite part about coming here is that sometimes I can't find seating but I know they're moving to a new (larger) location soon!

    Hot moonlight hojicha - pretty small
    Jaclyn C.

    Love their coffee!! Came by accident actually as I was supposed to be going to another coffee shop but I'm so glad I came!! Got "A perfect pear" and a moonlight hojicha. Let me put it this way, we came back immediately the next day and got 2x "A perfect pear" coffee! It was THAT good!! I do wish the size of their hot drinks could be a little bigger, I felt like I would need to order 2 cuz it ran out too fast. Come by and walk around the cute neighborhood!

    No one in the line
    Mila C.

    I've been supporter of this coffee shop and was so excited to see their second location open. I've shared their journey on my social media many times because I truly believed in them. ​However, my experience this Saturday at 8:15 AM was very disappointing. I'm a local cyclist, and since there's no safe bike parking nearby, I tried to quickly order a coffee while keeping my bike inside with me(just order,not stay there). The shop was nearly empty at that hour, yet the staff member was quite dismissive and she told me I couldn't be there with my bike.I tried to explain to her that I only wanted to place a quick order and would immediately step outside. The shop was nearly empty, and I wasn't in anyone's way. You can see the picture huw it's been inside. Despite my explanation the barista completely ignored my point and refused to accommodate me. ​ It's a bummer to feel unwelcome at a place you've loved and supported, especially when there's plenty of space and no crowd. I hope the management considers being more accommodating to the San Diego cycling community.

    Interior seating area
    Jennifer V.

    We stood in line on grand opening day. Drinks were free for first 50 customers. We got the pear latte, but we didn't taste the pear. Lower than standard price for the coffee and the cup is smaller. Beautiful, clean, and spacious interior and exterior. Lots of tables. Great study location. Definitely dog friendly. Parking structure is 2 hours free.

    Inside bar
    Sydni S.

    Necessity Coffee is hidden away in a neighborhood off of the main drag in Encinitas and it is definitely worth stopping by. They have a really unique selection of beverages that you can't find anywhere else. I got the Orchard & Onyx which was on tap so it came out super fast. My friend got a drink that took a bit longer, but while we were waiting I was pulled in by their box of prints for sale! One of the baristas sells their photography for $25 and they're all great shots. Came in expecting a fun drink and walked out with that and a new piece of art for my wall.

    Cappuccino
    Amanda N.

    Literally tucked away in a corner of a neighborhood in Encinitas but DANG this coffee is good. They roast their coffee themselves and they have all the info of bean sourcing. We got a shot of espresso of their Aji bourbon beans. The complexity of the shot was just wow and the fruit forwardness is so good. The staff are so friendly and so knowledgeable. We definitely love this spot

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    Food was AMAZING, the service was great, and the place was so cute. Definitely coming back to try the pastries!

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    The day I went the espresso roast didn't scratch my itch, too bright. The view is either enchanting or grimy depending on your perspective.

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    2 years ago

    Fantastic little hidden coffee spot a little off the beaten path. But great lattes and excellent, dedicated service. Absolutely recommend!

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    2 years ago

    Amazing quality and intentionally crafted drinks. Love to support this small and local business!

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    2 years ago

    This is a stand out, unique place with serious coffee. Delicious pour over, very tasty, and a charming spot. Love it.

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    Seven Seas Roasting - Iced Thin Mint Latte! seasonal special!

    Seven Seas Roasting

    4.7(91 reviews)
    4.0 mi
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    Veteran-owned & operated
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    To address the entitled review that gave Seven Seas a 2 Star, I find it super difficult to give…read morethis place anything but 5 Stars. The people behind the counter we eloquent and efficient along with being kind and patient. My wife was pretty indecisive and they worked with us till she finally knew what she wanted. The food was delicious, we got the Lox Bagel and the Dirty Avocado toast. I'll admit it's very difficult to mess those two meals up, they elevated both of them. The whole reason we went though was for coffee and we were FAR from disappointed. We got the Blood Orange Basil Latte and the Blackberry Vanilla Latte and both tasted perfect, each sip of the Blood Orange Basil had a nice scent of basil with the leaf in there. You really can't go wrong here, the tables outside gave you a nice area to sit relax and enjoy the ocean breeze. A+ 10/10 no notes, excepts for the positive ones above. Not saying anyone's review is wrong but the 2 Star review definitely was incorrect

    Iced Honey Lavender Latte now costs $7.50 ;( The barista…read moredid accommodate me when I asked for half sweet, and it was made very well. The drink itself is delicious, but not sure if I would come every week for this price (personally). Maybe just once in a while! The interior space got revamped so that the workers have more wiggle room, that was cool to see. I didn't see much else that changed though-- oh besides that and the prices. The week before, I ordered the $7.25 Iced Blood Orange Basil Latte (seasonal special). I was eager to try it because I do enjoy citrus notes with my coffee. But this one lacked the flavors I was hoping to taste. It was all too subtle for me. I wouldn't order it again, but it was nice to try. 4-5 stars! Overall, I've enjoyed my many visits to 7 Seas Roasting & been here through many changes. I do think the coffee drinks are pretty solid and would recommend checking out their seasonal specials when they have them. My top favorites would be: dark mocha raspberry, banana split latte, and the thin mint latte. If you ever see these on the menu, I highly recommend trying them! They have ample seating, outdoors only. The baristas are alll very kind too. It's a great place to spend your time at.

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    Rancho Roasters - Iced white mocha

    Rancho Roasters

    4.9(38 reviews)
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    Tucked into the quiet charm of Rancho Santa Fe, this little coffee spot feels like it was made for…read moreslow mornings and easy afternoons. The setup is simple -- white tile, wood accents, a few outdoor tables under umbrellas -- but it's exactly the kind of vibe that makes you want to linger with a good cup in hand. I went with a caramel latte and a breakfast burrito, and honestly, the flavors delivered. The latte was smooth, balanced, and just sweet enough -- no sugar bomb here, just that nice caramel note that rounds it out. The burrito came out warm and hearty, filled generously and perfect alongside the coffee. My only pause? At $18 for both, it leans pricey, especially given the casual setting. But in a place like Rancho Santa Fe, you kind of expect that. What I loved most was the energy -- the barista was cool, service felt unhurried, and the outdoor patio let me just sit back and soak in the quiet. Sometimes that's worth the extra few bucks. Final take: for quality, setting, and the kind of morning reset I'd come back for. Rancho Roasters isn't about rushing in and out -- it's about slowing down, sipping good coffee, and enjoying the moment.

    Exactly what I needed! Small little pic me up…read more Quick, easy and wonderful coffee and smoothies! They also have great options for anyone who is vegan or gluten free And the girls behind the bar were so sweet and have great customer service! Thank you

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    Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - Bressi Ranch - Bird Rock Coffee Bressi Ranch

    Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - Bressi Ranch

    3.7(259 reviews)
    6.3 mi
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    Free WiFi
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    Went on Mother's Day a little after 1:00 pm and I did not expect it to be as busy as it was…read more Located in Bressi Ranch by Sprouts and other small businesses, parking wasn't difficult. Walking up there was a bit of a line but it was moving at a fair pace. It gave us the opportunity to really read the menu above the register well. There's both outdoor and indoor seating. And both areas were pretty full with a bustling vibe. There were specialty drinks so I wanted to try the Pistachio latte but they were out so we ended up trying the Left Coast latte, Vanilla Bean latte, a plain bagel and Lil Dippers. The lattes were wonderful. Smooth and tasty. The Lil Dippers (mini burritos) were pretty substantial and the plain bagel surprisingly was the best we've ever had at any coffee place. SO good! Great taste and perfect texture. It was unfortunate though that the cream cheese cup that comes with it didn't suffice. It wasn't at all enough for a good ratio. And to think that at one point my bagel was forgotten by the employees. I would've missed out! Overall, we're so glad we went, it was worth it!

    Definitely a fantastic place to grab a coffee. The staff is SUPER friendly. The vibe is so fun. The…read morecoffee is delicious, better than Starbucks, Black Rock & Better Buzz. This location has a lovely outside patio to chill on and the restrooms are clean. But again, the staff is the shining stars, just really friendly, like family.

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    Necessity Coffee - coffeeroasteries - Updated May 2026

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