Stopped by for a caffeine fix. Line was backed up as there's only the owner preparing orders and a pretty big order was placed. Owner is friendly. He apologized for the wait. Placed an order for a sugar free vanilla latte and beef empanada. Latte - yum! He had to heat up some beef empanada so waited a few minutes. Good aroma and good flavor. Love the chimmichurri. However, it was still cold on the inside. Know it would've been perfect if it was hot. read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Empanada Beef - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

Our favorite coffee place. We continue to come here at least 2-4 times a week, sometimes more. Tasty rich coffee, lovely and calm place to enjoy coffee and have an empanada or their tasty pan de queso! They provide such a great service, the owners are the ones working and serving, they're so nice and welcoming. We love coming here ! read more

See all

I stopped by for an almond milk mocha and it was mediocre but definitely overpriced. I always tip because it is the right thing to do, however, paying almost $8.00, makes it not worth going back again. read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - A little pricey for me. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

See all

Cute shop, lovely staff, and ecstatic to enjoy their Peaberry coffee!! I love getting a fresh brew or buying their beans. They also have various pastries and treats. Street parking is readily available. We are loyal customers! read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Outdoor seating along Old County Road - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

See all

Caffeine buzz lasted all day until bed! So if you need a boost this is it. Impressed! Park and to go coffee and Argentinian Empanadas are yum! Owner /family runned! I have attended educational coffee tastings and i love the medium roasts here smooth warm low acid easy roast without the bitter edge so often associated with over roasting to hide poor quality beans sustainably farmed beans excellent roasted locally in San Carlos beans here!!!!!! read more

See all

I was free on a weekday, so I finally got the chance to check out Papachay Peruvian Coffee. The coffee beans are grown on their farms in Peru and shipped to San Carlos. Service is friendly and they had our order ready quickly. They're located in a rather industrial area and seating is limited, so to-go is the ideal option. They're only open on weekdays, so unfortunately I won't have many chances to visit since I don't live nearby. However, if you do live nearby or have a free day on the weekdays, you should give them a try! read more

See all

Only open on weekdays and it's just a walk up window but they have great options for pastries, authentic empanadas and coffee that they grow and roast themselves! This place is worth a visit! The man who helped us was friendly and kept the line moving, the outside is eclectic and fun. I highly recommend you buy a bag of whole beans from them to support local businesses instead of greedy chain coffee places. These roasters have a great love for the art of coffee and it shows! read more

See all

Cute little coffee stand on Old County Road! I got an empanada and a sweetened cold brew mocha. The empanada was so flaky, and the chimichurri sauce paired well with it. I really enjoyed the cold brew mocha (it also came in an unexpectedly huge cup); the coffee and chocolate combination was lovely. The owner was friendly and took the time to answer some questions we had about the menu (learned what a coffee peaberry was!). Recommend arriving within around half an hour of opening time to avoid the pre-work line :)) read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

Peru estate roaster with counter service and small bites. Coffee is lovely. Service is great. Seating very limited and only outside. If I lived nearby this would be my go to take away and bean. read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

See all

I first learned about Papachay around 2019 when as the local coffee shop I frequented served their espresso and it had quickly become my favorite. I was bummed when that other coffee shop closed down, but so excited to learn that this location existed. I appreciate so much about this coffee. Their decaf Swiss water process, which is excellent. All their coffee is organic from their farm in Peru. The menu at this coffee stand is pretty straightforward. Don't come here, looking for fancy drinks (no judgment, I love all kinds of flavored coffees and teas). Sometimes they even have coffee plants for sale. Usually, the owner is at the window whenever I visit. he's always cheerful, friendly, and willing to answer questions I'm happy to continue supporting this small business and I'm glad that they exist. Somewhat of a hidden gem for good quality coffee. read more

Excellent empanadas (Fugazetta and vegan) and French roast coffee. Not open on the weekends so when we were free on a Monday holiday, we came to try this place and we're not disappointed. We'll be back to try the other empanadas and have more coffee! read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Fugazetta empanada and chimichurri sauce - delicious!!! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

The guy working today was on molasses. I left after waiting over 10 minutes to place an order. They have great coffee but you can't have people waiting for 10 minutes just to place an order. I've been here before and the coffee is very strong. Might return when it's empty. read more

Small business with a farm to table experience. Mike grows the coffee in Peru and brings it here, roasts it and sells it as beans or grinds and will deliver by bicycle If desired! I've been getting the French roast for about ten years now. Mike also refills the bags which I like to help keep my solid waste down. The shop sells other essentials like honey, croissants, scones and empanadas functioning as a neighboring cafe. Recommended. read more

Stop by after seeing it driving by earlier in the week - always in the game for good coffee. Got the dark roast and a beef empanada. Empanada was tasty and the dark roast was spot on. read more

great food, great service, the coffee and employees make it an excellent experience. They serve coffee beans and the French roast is very good read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Outside - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

It's way out of nowhere. But they have the best coffee. If you ever want something different try them. You won't regret it.

The BEST coffee! My Breville espresso machine has never grind and produced such beautiful espresso as when I use these beans! It is perfection read more

Man what a cool lil spot if you're looking for fresh roasted beans grown on the owner's own plot in Peru that he ships and roasts here in RWC (if my memory serves me correctly). Got me a bag of light Peruvian roast and a beef empanada (which was most choice). I just recently finished the bag of beans which were great (in terms of notes and all that, I'm no coffee connoisseur guru aficionado, but who are you to judge me? Oh, but an AeroPress and hand-grinder made the beans come alive IMHO. But again: far be it from me to impose my tastes upon you). Also seems bike friendly if you're riding from town to the Bay trails. Swing by if you like local fresh roasted beans straight from the dude's own Peruvian farm. read more

Amazing coffee, amazing service! Locally owned, the drip coffee was delicious and the veggie roster empanada was amazing! It comes with a small cup of chimichuri that is also amazing! Give it a try! read more

Anytime that I pass through the peninsula, I need to get my Papachay fix. The most fresh, bold, smooth, balanced and satisfying cup of coffee you can find. Ask the owners about their farm in Peru, which is where they get their beans from. They're so passionate about growing and serving the best coffee. And it's clear that they're equally passionate about the experience they create for others at their shop. Such selfless, warm, happy and welcoming people! Papachay is my favorite place to get coffee. I wish I lived closer. I'd come here daily if I could! read more

See all

Welcoming, family-owned coffee shop in the Peninsula! The coffee is from their family farm in Peru and they have several varieties of beans for sale. They also offer food, including empanadas from Cocina Milonga in South San Francisco, as well as Brazilian de queijo. I tried a cup of peaberry which had a unique flavor and was very strong -- it kept me buzzed for the entire day! I will definitely be back for a cup of coffee from this local roaster. Thanks, Max and Juliana! read more

The coffee has a nice smooth taste. The veggie empanada I had was very delicious, I should've ordered two because that's how good it was.

Lovely little artsy spot. We popped in while in the area. The empanadas look amazing but we only got a cold brew. Super friendly owners! Next time empanada for sure!! read more

Coffee is treated as an art form rather than just a beverage at Papachay. "Sips from Peru" read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - a cup of coffee and a bag of coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

Definitely off the beaten path, but a delightful place to get some coffee. I unfortunately am not a coffee drinker, which helps explain why I had never come across Papachay despite having lived in San Carlos for 11 years. But my good friend and colleague drove all the way from Berkeley to hang out and I was about to take him to Starbucks to get an after-lunch coffee when he checked Yelp and found this shop just a few blocks from where we were. He liked the coffee and I got a cup of cold brew for my wife, who also really liked it. The owners clearly love the craft; they were excited to show us peaberries and explain why they take a lot of effort to pick out. We were curious about the chocolates so Juliana grabbed one of every bar they had to show us on the counter. She also told us that she started doing local San Carlos coffee deliveries during the pandemic, so we might take her up on that some time. All in all, a great experience at a place that is well-loved by its regulars. read more

See all

The empanadas were second only to their service, and the coffee was good as well. I highly recommend. Note: As of March 2025, this is not a coffee shop to hang out with a group, as there are only a couple of chairs, a shelf, and a bench outside. read more

PERUVIAN COFFEE PARADISE. If you read the description "Organic, Single-origin coffee from Peru, grown in shade for maximum sustainability and flavor, sun dried in high-altitude fresh mountain air and shipped directly from Peru to San Carlos" it sounds like it would be on a menu for $25 a cup right next to Civet Kopi Luwak coffee at a fancy Michelin place. Found Max via yelp and what a find it was. You'll find Papachay in an industrial area with lot of partly worked on cars parked all through the streets. Amongst this is very well priced simple coffee made from Max's beans he grows on his farm in Peru and ships back to Cali. No frills: black, black with sugar, black with sugar and cream. I saw coca powder too but got 3 larges straight up and a bag of medium roast beans. Loved the coffee, hearty and natural tasting with a light bitter after taste that wakes you up. It was very good and better than franchise coffee though I wouldn't come here if you like lattes and frappucinos. Max himself is a charming guy and if he was more local I would come everyday just to banter. In the 5-10 minutes I was there he showed me the backroom with HUGE stacks of beans, his 2 roasters, his bike he used to do deliveries on, and an article in the paper about him getting stuck in Peru for 2 months. Local place, very unique, worth a side trip just to buy normally marked up fancy coffee for cheap and to banter with Max and family who can tell you a LOT about their beans because they grew them, roasted them, and grinded them. read more

See all

For those who need decaf, you are in good hands. Just had a delectable decaf latte there. So good.

I'm not usually a big coffee drinker, but Max made me one this morning and it was absolutely fantastic. The shop itself is such a gem--beautifully and uniquely decorated, with a warm, welcoming vibe. Love supporting a great local family business like this! read more

This place has good authentic coffee and tasty food!! The owners are very nice and friendly and know a lot about coffee, in fact their coffee is very rich and flavorful since it comes straight from Peru! I had the cold brew and I was wired for the entire day which is what I need in a coffee. I also had the chicken empanada and it was tasty!! I need to go back and try the latte one of these days. So if you're a coffee lover like myself this spot is amazing, def worth checking if in the area ! read more

The best coffee and service Money can buy. I would definitely be a regular is I lived in the area. read more

Hidden away in a low traffic part of San Carlos - this place is a hidden gem for coffee lovers. Got an espresso made with their house roast - which I would highly recommend. Service with a smile and some great food and snacks from local merchants available read more

Super friendly owners of this take away roastery and coffee purveyor. Their mild blends are fantastic. They also have delicious empanadas. We tried the chicken, beef and fugazzeta (cheese with roasted onion) - all of them are fantastic. We'll definitely order these again very soon. read more

Amazing service, delicious coffee, and wonderfully fresh empanadas! It's a cute little spot to stop at during a bike ride and has a nice outdoor area to relax. They have a vegan option for their empanadas also! Have been back a few times and always leave happy and satisfied. read more

Very friendly. Good latte with good foam. Served quickly. I like that there is a walk up window.

Amazing 'hole in the wall' coffee shop. The coffee is great and the empanadas are the best I've had. The veggie and beef are both delicious.

Wow! If you are a coffee lover/aficionado Papachay is a must try. They grow, import, roast and serve their own coffee. I personally absolutely love their cold brew mocha sweetened with oat milk. Absolutely delicious and cheaper than the other green logo coffee purveyor. Service is great owner operated as fas I can tell and they are super passionate about their products and people! Support local and give them a try. Walk up window only. read more

Great customer service, good coffee! Limited parking in front. Only outdoor seating available on a few benches. Great place to grab coffee to go. read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Logo - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

So happy to discover this hidden gem! Cute spot with good drinks. Super clean tables and countertops. I love the mocha cold brew. Seems like a small family business. read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - 5 Coffee bar! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California

Best iced mocha I've ever had! I will definitely be back for more. The service was amazing too, they are the nicest people! read more

Papachay Peruvian Coffee - Outside of business - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - San Carlos, California