Five O Two Cafe -- Downtown Bakersfield…read more A coffee flight worth slowing down for Walking into Five O Two Cafe is a little deceiving at first. The dark entrance can almost feel intimidating, but once you step inside, the entire personality of the place changes. The space has incredibly high, roughly 30-foot unfinished ceilings, dim rustic lighting, and almost an Italian-inspired feel. The music is upbeat but not overpowering, and the shared seating area with My Spot gives you plenty of room to settle in. There are comfortable loveseat-style couches, books, magazines, and games scattered around, making this a place where you could easily stay awhile instead of simply grabbing coffee and leaving. But the reason I came was the coffee flight. The presentation immediately made it feel like an actual tasting experience rather than simply four small cups of coffee. The coffees arrived together on a wooden board, each with information about its origin, along with sparkling water to cleanse the palate between tastings. I really appreciated that touch because these coffees were different enough that you wanted to reset before moving on to the next one. Pacamara The Pacamara was exceptionally bold but smooth. It had plenty of presence and flavor without becoming harsh or difficult to drink. This was the kind of coffee that reminds you that bold does not have to mean bitter. San Marcos, Guatemala The San Marcos was completely different. The milk may have been a little too much for me, making it harder to identify every individual flavor note, but this coffee went down exceptionally smooth. There was definitely a sweetness to the flavor profile. I couldn't quite put my finger on exactly what that sweetness reminded me of, but it was extremely pleasant. This is the coffee I could easily see becoming a daily drinker--smooth, approachable, and very easy to enjoy. Huehuetenango, Guatemala The Huehuetenango had a completely different mouthfeel. This coffee felt thick, almost chewable, but without any hesitation to keep drinking it. There was a cocoa-like appeal to it that gave the coffee richness and substance. Of the flight, this was one of the coffees where the texture itself became part of the experience. Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala This was my fourth and final tasting, and maybe that influenced me a little, but the Santiago Atitlán was the coffee I found the most complex and satisfying. There seemed to be more going on with every sip, and it made me want to slow down and pay attention to it. More importantly, this was the coffee that immediately created a picture in my head: a weekend morning, sitting on my patio with a freshly made pour-over and nowhere I need to be. That's probably the best compliment I can give a coffee. More than just the coffee Five O Two also struck me as an exceptionally good place for a first date--or maybe even better, a second date. Grab one of the cozy little loveseat couches, order a coffee flight for each of you, and you immediately have something to talk about. You can compare the different beans, figure out which flavors you're picking up, and discover what the other person likes. Combine that with the dim lighting, slightly romantic atmosphere, comfortable seating, and good music, and this becomes a place where you can actually sit, relax, talk, and get to know someone without feeling rushed. The food selection appears more limited than what you'd find at a full café, so I wouldn't necessarily come expecting a large breakfast or lunch menu. But that's also not really the point here. Coffee is the experience. And the flight makes that experience even better. Five O Two isn't the kind of coffee shop I'd want to rush through. It's the kind of place where I'd order something interesting, find a comfortable seat, and stay awhile. And after tasting all four coffees, that Santiago Atitlán would be the bag I'd be most tempted to take home for my weekend pour-overs.

502 Cafe -- A New Favorite Find!…read more Took a friend to check out 502 Cafe inside the Haberfelde Building, and I'm so glad we did! This little spot is such a great find. We ordered the Filthy Chai, a strawberry puff pastry, and the Cascara Latte, which was completely new to me. The barista recommended it, and I fell in love with the flavors on the very first sip! It had this subtle honey floral flavor that wasn't overly sweet and paired beautifully with the oat milk. Such a unique and delicious latte! The strawberry puff pastry tasted like an elevated Pop-Tart minus the frosting, tapping into those nostalgic flavors we all grew up loving, but with a more sophisticated twist. And the Dirty Chai? A classic that never disappoints. I especially love that they make their own syrups. You can really taste the care that goes into their drinks. Another bonus is that they have a presence at the farmers market at Haggin Oaks, which is even closer to home for me. It's so convenient to grab a cup while I'm there picking up fresh produce for the week. I love having the option to visit the cafe or catch them at the market.

Dagny's is probably my favorite coffeeshop in Bakersfield. I love the actual space and the…read moreatmosphere there. It's a large and open shop with a variety of seating options; cafe tables, old couches, random chairs. They also have a very long patio with tons of outdoor seating. There is an eclectic and vaguely punk sort of vibe. It's clean and welcoming, but not overly polished. It's comfortable and inviting. Feels like an old-school coffeeshop from the 90s. The people who work there are also super friendly and happy to answer questions. There coffee is great and I love both the hot and cold options. The most recent time I was there I had an iced coffee and a pretty decent breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese, and bacon on an everything bagel. It was tasty and came out quickly. The bacon was chopped up into the egg, which I liked. They also recently started selling these incredible cinnamon rolls from a local bakery called Just Cinnamon. It happened to be a Friday the last time I was there so I brought a caramel pecan roll home to share with my wife. We loved it! Dagny's has great coffee, good breakfast options, and an awesome space for hanging out. I really enjoy sitting there to read or work remotely.

This place is a local legend. It is a rustic coffee shop on a downtown corner. It is the…read moreunofficial creator's meet up spot. They backroom has been used by many photography groups for meet ups. I saw my photo on a magazine cover for the first time in my life here, of course I stole that magazine and I still have it. The barista is cool and sweet. She got my order quickly and it was so well made. I got a oat milk latte. It was bitter, it was sweet, comes in an unassuming cup with a wild texture. I wind up talking to an interesting lady who turned out to be a fellow photographer. Always a fun time at Dagny's.

I had PD (professional development) at nearby Cato MS and I was really needing coffee. So I…read moresearched up nearby places that were eclectic and Summit popped up. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the young lady at the main counter. She was very efficient and knowledgeable as the barista. I ordered a small French Vanilla Iced Latte and a Chocolate Muffin. My bill came out to a reasonable $7.50 not counting tip. The interior is ideal for a bookworm or something seeking solace in a quiet and large setting. The ladies' restroom was clean and spacious. One can seat themselves outside as well but in Bakersfield, that may not be an option until October! There is plenty of parking available. I did not see a drive-through and that is ok with me. The latte was delicious and the muffin is large enough to share but I doubt anyone would because it is really good.

Summit Coffee has quickly become my go-to spot, and I'm absolutely hooked! The staff is always warm…read moreand welcoming, which makes every visit feel inviting. On my first trip, I was a little overwhelmed since they don't offer the typical "specialty" drink menu. I asked the barista for a recommendation, and wow--she did not disappoint! She suggested an iced latte with toasted marshmallow and white mocha. I went for a large with an extra shot (needed that caffeine boost for studying), and it was incredible. Ever since, it's been my go-to order. Today's visit was an even bigger treat. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods. I learned they make all of their pastries in-house! I was recommended the cinnamon muffin, which had just come out of the oven--and let me tell you, it was ooey-gooey perfection. Moist, sweet, generously sized, and only $2.75! My 16 oz iced latte was $5.75, which is super reasonable. To top it off, they source their beans from a local roaster who's deeply passionate about the craft. I love knowing I'm supporting a local coffee shop that, in turn, supports other small local businesses. Couldn't recommend this place more

Genuinely the best EVERYTHING BAGEL I have ever had ! I…read morebought 3 the first time I tired them ! Couldn't get enough so I bought some more today . Haha I don't ever remember being so hooked to a yummy bread like this before .... Not even for Panera bread ... trust me ! Try the bagels here , you won't regret it .. you shall be hooked too ! This mom and pop coffee shop really knows how to spoil us with the new items they came up with for lunch and breakfast too. The service is always a 10/10

This coffee shop has such a cozy/homey feel. There's a warmth to the space that is enhanced by the…read moresmell of the coffee. The layout is sort of odd, because you have to walk to the back to order, but once you're there you can take a look at their board which has a bunch of menus and daily specials! They've got drinks for not only coffee lovers, but matcha lovers, and even fun drinks for the kids (which even I was wanting to try). When I got to the counter, I had a couple questions about the drinks they offered and the barista was able to help me figure out what would be best to get. I ordered a banana mocha and a café de olla latte and both were equally delicious! They are on the sweeter side, so more dessert coffees. But I love my dessert coffees, or drinks with "sugar and food coloring." I also love books, and this is the perfect setting to cozy up on a couch and dig into a good read. I'm so happy that Jittery Geeks has expanded to include this location. Definitely will be back!

If you have a deep love for Coffee and LOVE VINTAGE ! This my dear friends is the biggest gem in…read moreBakersfield. A true hidden treasure to say the least . I fall in love every time I walk in this place, but most importantly " COFFEE FIRST " . This amazing independent business stands out as soon as you walk in. This is the coolest coffee stop in my own opinion, truly a hipster experience over all for me. - Try the spring menu ! These fun flavors have me hooked . I tried the Mango Sticky Rice and an Iced Cafe De Olla . *** STUDENT DISCOUNTS ***

Love their coffee and the vibe!! Some of the best people, too! They have multiple locations, so you…read morecan get your Jittery Geeks fix wherever you are!

I had high hopes for this place or maybe I just ordered the wrong thing…read more This place is downtown Bakersfield so parking can be challenging during peak hours. Coffee shop is small and furniture looks very used, aesthetically not very appealing but I'm here for coffee, right? Several signature drink options and quite a few sugar-free options as well. I was undecided between the lavender latte and the Mexican mocha. Barista told me the Mexican mocha was her favorite, so I went with that. The coffee was extremely hot but honestly, nothing spectacular. It's was extremely basic and know I can make this at home. They used a powder mix but nothing to make it their own, just right out of can..so disappointing. They did have several baked good options. I probably wouldn't come back here. No restrooms are available for customers.

Within walking this distance from our office, Blue Oak is another small coffee shop in the downtown…read moredistrict. They have an array of pastries in the case. I tried the lemon scone, which I was told the lemons were sourced locally. The lady was super nice! I ordered an iced matcha latte. While it was okay, I felt it was a bit lacking in matcha flavor and the color reflects that, I'd much prefer Dagny's iced matcha latte. Nevertheless, it's nice to support small business owners in the community. Might come back another time.

Been meaning to go to this for a while now. Keep driving by when it's already closed…read more Came in and immediately love the space and decor. It's pretty big overall and I just love that for the area. Got a cold brew, a short bread cookie matcha latte and a brown butter chocolate chip cookie. All were pretty great. The cookie was the best. I haven't had such a soft cookie given to me at an establishment in a long while. It was a great surprise. The latte was well balanced. Wasn't too sweet and I could taste everything they said was in it. Liked it quite a bit. Fiancé liked his cold brew as well, he was glad he got a large. Service was great! Everyone was nice and answered all our questions. Will try and come here more often!

Made a visit to Bakersfield Roasting company for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised to find…read morea staff member roasting coffee! What?! That was exciting and the aromatic scent was so nice! We spent some time there working on a project and enjoyed our time there while we worked.

Always searching for the best espresso when I travel, Covenant Coffee landed on my list…read more I love that Covenant Coffee is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and employing current and former foster youth. With every purchase you are giving a youth a chance at a new future. How cool is that! Coffee for a good cause. I loved the space and the coffee and took home a bag of beans from Brazil. The Americano was hot and delicious, and the service was amazing. I loved they have foster youth working in the store. Go, and tip heavily. It's a great coffee spot.

I was there today (9/4/26) from 8:30-9:30am. There were two female baristas and one guy who seemed…read moreto be a manager working with the Covenant Coffee non-profit from his talking about working with foster youth and hiring decisions with the two employees. He had a tattoo near the corner of his eye and was wearing a jersey. It really disturbed me about how he seemed to be harassing the baristas. He told one of them "your tummy is sticking out again," when she said "it's because I just ate," he said "no it's always sticking out." He them proceeded to complain to them about another employee who "decided to get knocked up right when things were getting busy," and said some other things about maternity leave. The most apalling thing was he then asked the barista "if you're pregnant and found out your son was gonna be retarded, would you do the un-Catholic thing?" She tried to brush him off by saying "it would be too late," to which he made a joke about using a "coat hanger." Truly the most apalling thing I've ever witnessed at any establishment. I never leave reviews at all, but I had to report this because it seems like this guy involved with management is bullying and harassing the employees. And this non-profit works with foster youth?! Edit: Thanks Randy for the follow up message, I really appreciate it and agree everyone deserves a chance to learn and grow from mistakes. I'll still be grabbing coffee at Covenant whenever I'm in town. Thanks again for the follow up, I really appreciate it.