My girlfriend and I were looking for a caffeine boost to get us through Sunday when we stumbled upon Recreational Coffee in Downtown Long Beach. A very welcoming vibe upon entry, we were greeted by a friendly couple who answered our questions about popular drink flavors. We decided to go with a Hot Cinnamon Dulce Latte and an Iced Blueberry Lavender Latte. While waiting, there were plenty of chairs, tables, a comfy couch and even a bar area to sit and relax. Tons of board games, books and wonderfully mellow music helps make the experience feel comforting and inviting. Our drinks were prepared quickly and shouted at the coffee bar for pickup. The presentation was great, but the flavors, out of this world! The Cinnamon Dulce Latte was OUTSTANDING. So good, in fact, that my girlfriend stole it from me! Not to worry, her Blueberry Lavender Latte was also top-notch, with a smooth, not-to-sweet flavor combination. Friendly staff (which comes with occasional karaoke renditions from the Bluetooth speakers), a chill vibe and outstanding drinks make this a top spot in the area for hardcore coffee lovers. Check them out! read more

Recreational Coffee - Hot Cinnamon Dulce Latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Visited this place on a Saturday morning. I popped in and popped out with an okay drink. I previewed the menu and the Sonora town Horchata latte called my name. Ordered and it didn't take long at all to get it. Did they even add espresso? Who knows because the latte was weak. It barely had any hint of coffee. I asked if the latte was sweet and they said it wasn't. After the first sip I could just taste all sweetness no espresso. Recreational coffee do you guys add espresso to the lattes? Maybe I should have ordered something else not sure. read more

Long Beach this, Long Beach that! One thing about Long Beach, you'll find a coffee shop that you'll love! Coffee 10/10 We ordered the Honey Vanilla Latte and a quad Sonoratown Horchata Latte! Both were so delicious and very strong. We rarely come across coffee shops that incorporate extra shots well but recreational coffee did it! Both coffees were smooth and not sweet at all. The horchata flavor is very subtle but you can definitely taste the cinnamon flavor. The coffee doesn't get lost in the flavor/sweetness. Food 7.5/10 We ordered the bacon, egg sandwich and the sausage, egg muffin. Flavor wise, both options are good! The muffin has mustard on it, which in our opinion, gives it a great taste profile! Something different from your standard egg muffin. It is pricey though. For almost $10, we'd expect to have at least a side of fruit/potatoes but you're paying $10 for JUST the muffin. The food is solid though when it comes to flavor. We enjoyed it! We also ordered a sweet croissant and a churro donut for our toddler. Delicious! Vibes/Ambiance : 10/10 We came on a Tuesday morning around 10am and it wasn't too busy. There were people working and having meetings. It seems like a great peaceful place to sit and work. There are plenty of tables and they also have a couch to lounge. The staff is so friendly and welcoming too! The barista was kind and engaged with our toddler! The shop is on a Main Street so parking can be tough but, conveniently, they are right next to a public parking structure. It's $2.99 for every 20 min. We're happy we found this place on Yelp! And look forward to coming back! read more

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Such a cute little spot in Long Beach. Perfect for evening coffee with stroll. They even have board games !! read more

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Recreational Coffee has a great selection of drinks with one of the more unique menus I've seen. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you're into coffee, matcha, or something different. The shop is also really well decorated with a clean, inviting atmosphere that makes it a nice place to stop by. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking to try something new. read more

Recreational Coffee - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

We came into Recreational Coffee after a long trip and needed to catch up on work before our drive home. We ordered an Americano and a cappuccino and both were like seriously super great. Like such good coffee. The staff were so so nice and the seating was cool - all the decor was nostalgic, it just felt really homey and welcoming. We were able to catch up on our pressing issues and actually decompress a bit before a bit of a drive. Really thankful for this place! read more

I love this coffee shop. Vibes are always on point. Staff are all friendly. Great drinks and foods. I come here often to study or journal, or even to grab a matcha to go. I'll post more pictures as I continue visiting. Here's my visit in which i got the breakfast oats- delicious, filling, and simple. Not too sweet. They have some special drinks at the moment, I got the Golden Hour which is like an iced chamomile tea. It was so refreshing and tasty. read more

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I really like coming here to do work, especially if I have my dog with me. Love that it's dog friendly, the staff is nice & drinks are pretty good! read more

I had the orange wine, it was good. The people who work there are great, the music left... well, you have to like punk rock. Great place to sit and study. It's small, but there are plenty of places to plug in. You have to be okay with cursing in music, but as long as that doesn't bother you, it's a cool little spot. read more

Grateful to see this spot on the list of local places open on Christmas day. We love supporting our community and no better day than today to re-visit this place and enjoy some wonderful food and beverages. A place you can see friends/couples hanging out, people working/rereading, many walking in with small dogs, and an overall great vibe. There is a table near the counter with a variety of games, and a clean restroom with a code to enter. We shared several food items, all of which we delicious. As for beverages, the flavors were a preset so I went with an interesting mix of 2 flavor profiles (blueberry lavender + honey vanilla) and it was a perfect blend and just the right light sweetness. With so many coffee shops in the area, I'm glad this visit reminded me how great this place is. read more

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Popped into this cool little coffee shop and it was well decorated and very cozy place, the order taker was knowledgeable of the drinks and he was helpful. The coffee was okay I got the horchata latte and it didn't feel/taste very caffeinated more milky and a hint of espresso. Probably won't be back to try anything else. read more

Recreational Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Wanted to try out a new coffee shop and this is in the DT long beach area. Nearby there's a public parking with 2 hours free by the way so I parked there. Now, this coffee shop had some good flavors, I got the brown butter miso chocolate cappuccino, and im a sucker for different flavors. The coffee itself tasted smooth and not bitter, the flavors all balanced together but it didnt wow me, so next time I'd try a different flavor. The main reason im dropping a star is because of the price to value ratio. I expected some phenomenal flavor or a decent size cup for the price, but the cup was quite tiny, reminded me of like a 10oz cup and for $7 its quite pricey. I'd try it again if im in the area, but not drive out just for this. Service was nice though and they had good seating read more

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Stopped by here to do some work before my dinner plans. It was quiet on a Friday evening. Parked for free (2 hr max) at a nearby structure only 3 minutes away. Baristas are friendly and welcoming! I always feel like the community is stronger in Long Beach. My Matcha Latte was decent, very mellow on the matcha flavor. Chocolate muffin was warm and moist 10/10. I would come here casually if I was in the area. read more

Recreational Coffee - Iced Matcha Latte, Chocolate Muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

First time here. Small, friendly, quiet little cafe. I had the Cinnamon Dolce Latte. It was delicious. I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time there, but will definitely stop by again. Oh, it's close to downtown LB and near the train. read more

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Have to update my review - their iced lattes are fire. Every time I've gone here, my coffee has been great. Their seasonal menu always hits. Shaken maple latte with oat is my fav so far. Friends loved the iced chai lattes as well. Space to spread out and work or study. Great supporter of our community too read more

Recreational Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Was taking our fur child on a long walk and came across Recreational Coffee and since my partner is a coffee snob, thought I would give them a try. I had never heard of this coffee shop but I'm not the biggest coffee drinker. Partner hadn't been here in years but thought highly of this spot. Iced Americano was good. Our barista was disappointed as he didn't have the normal glasses used, so he subbed for some cool glasses that looked out of a tiki bar. Loved how thoughtful he was. Coffee shop was clean and had the vibe of the coffee shops I frequented in college. Would definitely go back. read more

Recreational Coffee - Iced Americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Oreo Donut 10/10 - very sweet - fluffy dough - icing is delicious Chai Latte 8/10 - on the spicer side but still sweet - can taste the pumps of syrup a bit Coffee (not sure which one) 6/10 - paired good with donut - too strong for my friends liking - can barely taste the flavor it just tasted like straight coffee The service was really good and quick, we were provided our drinks within five minutes. The donut was really good and I highly recommend it, we were able to snag the last one. Their chai is pretty good so it's worth the try. Their coffee wasn't bad it just didn't taste like the flavor my friends wanted it in so maybe ask for extra sweetener if you try out their coffee. It's a really quiet coffee shop making it a great place to study or get some work done. They do have light music in the background but it isn't distracting. read more

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Solid coffee, really enjoy a lot of their drinks including the Honey Vanilla Latte, iced coffees, pourovers, and more. They have an adequate amount of tables, but they are usually full when I visit on the weekends. You definitely want some headphones if you want to get some work done in peace, mix of modern, cozy, laid-back, but can get loud sometimes. I enjoy their Therapy blend beans which are their house espresso that has that cane sugar, milk chocolate body and toasted almond finish. The beans are great, but I only get the Therapy blend now because it's quite pricey ranging from $24 to $34. Nice coffee spot pretty close to downtown Long Beach area! read more

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This lil coffee joint is a total vibe! I was completely clueless on what I wanted so I went with my Chai latte (iced) w an extra pump of Chai and a bacon, egg and cheese (Gouda) sandwich on toasted brioche bun. I asked for extra bacon because it's my business and bacon is good for you! Guess what!!!!! FIRE & DESIRE the Chai was strong ( exactly how I like it) and that breakfast sandwich was delicious. And bonus points for the music. Thank you for my morning pick me up. I'd wish I would have asked for the barista's name. He has bleached hair and super chill. read more

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This place makes a stellar, hot honey vanilla latte with oat milk. I am impressed. The reason why 1-star was deducted though was because when I ordered a 2nd cup of the exact drink, the coffee was more bitter. My 1st cup was perfectly balanced with the espresso, milk, and frothy cream that comes from a freshly made latte. It's why I was sad the 2nd cup didn't taste the same. I had already left the store by then, so I didn't have the chance to let the barista know. However, our barista working on the evening of 07/25/24 was very kind and friendly. I feel the person was very patient with us. The store is cozy, clean, and had books! I love this about coffee shops. Parking is definitely a pain in the butt. My friends and I found street parking and paid $0.75 cents for 24 minutes. This is not against the coffee shop of course. I would definitely come back here still if I was in the area again. read more

Recreational Coffee - A hot, honey vanilla latte with oat milk. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

I had their Coconut Caramel Latte with Oatmilk and it was deliciously creamy and packed with flavor. Their service was good and the space was nice. My son played with their table games while I finished my coffee. Will return next time I'm in Long Beach. read more

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Very good solid coffee spot! My colleagues and I never made it here early enough in the morning to see their full display of pastries but they all looked pretty good. From plain espresso/coffee to matcha, everything has been solid. I also like just their simple latte, even decafs. I also like that the menu is not extensive, but the ones they do offer a solid and great. I like the interior atmosphere also and if it was allowed for us to work at a coffee shop, this would be one of the places I would love to work at. Highly recommend! read more

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An interestingly normal coffee spot Polite service, sparse decor, good music. A decent pour of an iced chai. Decent flavor, nice touch that they offered whole milk. read more

Recreational Coffee is conveniently next to a parking structure! For the downtown Long Beach area, that is such a big win. I was already in the area and had some time to kill, and this was the perfect spot. This coffee shop utilizes their space really well. Good amount of tables a the front and on the side of the shop. There were a lot of folks studying or getting some work done. I picked this nice counter seat cause I got to watch the staff make coffee. All great vibes. I ordered their Turkey Pesto sandwich ($11.75) and an iced Honey Vanilla Latte ($7.50). Vanessa who helped me was super sweet. She mentioned they were out of their thin bread so she made it with a thicker bread, so she threw in an extra slice of turkey to better balance it from a ratio aspect. That was so sweet and appreciated. The bread was really tasty. Carby guilty pleasures. I absolutely loveeeee that they served my coffee in an iced glass. Like wow... I don't remember the last time I was served coffee in a glass. It's a really nice feeling drinking out of a glass compared to another plastic cup, and better for the environment too. The coffee was delicious, perfect sweetness. I'm not often in Long Beach but if I ever need to kill some time in the area, this is front of mind for me as a spot to go. read more

Recreational Coffee - menu (feb 2025) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

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A quirky neighborhood coffee shop with great drinks and friendly vibes. I got the "Zoolander" which is an orange mocha latte and it truly put the boom boom into my heart. Service was friendly, patrons were really welcoming, and my kids LOVED their collection of slot and cat themed coffee books. Five stars, I would be a regular if I lived in the area. read more

Went to grab coffee after a day out. Really watered down coffee and tastes like someone just dropped the creamer into it. No taste of coffee very bad. Respectfully, try hard harder. read more

Walked into Recreational Coffee to pick up some drip, and their coffee did not disappoint. The staff were friendly, the shop was welcoming and I appreciated the ease of coming inside a chill coffee shop. The ambiance was quiet and comfortable. Highly recommend for students looking to catch some caffeine and get some work done. read more

Loved the vibe here! Came to pick up a quick coffee. I ordered a latte and it was so good! I love when the coffee is perfectly balanced with the sweetness. I plan to come back here and work one day, it's a decent size cafe. read more

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A great place to stop and enjoy your coffee! I'm often in a hurry to grab some coffee on my way to work, but when I have the time to sit and enjoy it along with a breakfast sandwich, I'm always loving the vibe in here. Nice baristas, good coffee and pastries. I really love how much they are welcoming to the community and involved in different community led events. And they are happy to serve coffee in my reusable mug! Always a plus! read more

Such an amazing relaxing and vibe-y coffee shop. The food is amazing too! Service is amazing too and they provide free Wi-fi. Only downside is the location and finding parking if you're coming from another city or the other side of LB... I WISH there was a coffee shop like this on the Northside or close to the Lakewood border/Lakewood mall. But until then, I make the trek to recreation whenever I can because it sooo worth it. read more

Visited for the first time during Long Beach Food Scene Week because i was curious about their matchagato (affogato made with matcha instead of espresso). It was served with lemon zest and sea salt and was soooooo good. I kind of wish there had been a little more lemon zest and salt but it was still very tasty. It looks to be a part of their regular menu so I will definitely be back. There are a couple of small tables outside and I was able to snag one of those as it was a lovely day. There are plenty of tables inside as well. Staff were friendly. Nice downtown option for coffee, tea, or a treat. read more

Recreational Coffee - Matchagato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Tried their seasonal drinks this time around. The iced shaken maple expresso and Brown Butter Pumpkin latte. Both really good. Not busy on a Sunday afternoon. Playlist was with all the Marina songs since we had just seen her in concert at the Greek last month :) read more

Recreational Coffee - Maple latte and brown butter pumpkin latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

A great place if you want to do some work with plenty of indoor seating. A mix between modern and trying to be cozy vibes with couches in the back. The Matcha with a strawberry foam was pretty good. Not amazing but good enough to get again. *Lowkey pricey Customer Service -- they're hella nice. Give you honest advice on what to get. Seemed to get busy during middle of the day on a Tuesday. Parking -- free 2 hour structures nearby but limited street parking. Nearby hella good food spots too if you want lunch after! read more

Recreational Coffee - Matcha with strawberry milk foam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Strong coffee, plenty of seating and great vibes. I stumbled across this coffee shop and their music selection made my catch up on work emails less painful. The staff was chill. They even added more creamer because the coffee was too strong for me. Now I'm awake and ready to take on the day and fight off the ignorance from this US administration. read more

Recreational Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Great service, good coffee! The cafe is cozy inside with plenty of seating and good music on the speakers read more

Recreational Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Long Beach, California

Pineapple green tea super yummy! Super chill investment with friendly fun customer service. read more

This was my first visit here, and I came on a Friday morning around 7:30am. Parking was super convenient with a lot right next door. They start charging after 20 minutes, though I'm not sure of the exact rate--so if you're just popping in and out within that time, it's free. When I walked in, I was greeted by upbeat music and a really friendly barista who let me know he'd be right with me. The space itself has a great vibe--hanging plants by the window, cozy decor, and an overall inviting atmosphere. It seems like a fun spot to meet up with friends or even just hang out solo. I ordered an iced matcha latte with a shot and honey vanilla sweetener. Honestly, it wasn't my favorite--I could barely taste the sweetener, so the drink felt a bit too strong for me. read more

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Been coming here for years to meet up with friends to cowork! Great drinks, great vibe, and I love their mutual aid initiatives and community bulletin board. They're always very nice. Also I just had their oatmeal today and it was delicious. (Just know that sometimes in the afternoon they might be sold out of food so when I need to eat and work, I might go somewhere else but other than that, love this place!) read more

Music is a little odd but I brought headphones so it was fine. Very California vibes if you get my drift...

this is a cute coffee shop on the inside. Unfortunately I ordered a lavender blueberry Matcha tea latte with oat milk and pretty sure it didn't have any lavender blueberry in it because it tasted like oat milk with a little Matcha tea. There was absolutely no flavoring. Also,, by looking at it, it was solid green so whether they mixed it in or whatever, but there was no layers like most Macha teas I've ordered from other coffee shops. read more