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    The Story Caffe

    4.3 (129 reviews)
    InexpensiveCafes
    Open • 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Story Caffe Photos

    THE STORY CAFFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Story Caffe

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    Indoor space and seating. They also have seating around the corner.
    Jessica S.

    I just discovered this place and obsessed! If you like or need to work at a cafe, this is a prime spot in Carlsbad! I came up for a doctors appointment and working here to avoid the traffic. I was looking for a warm, indoor, cozy experience given its winter right now. The Story has lots of windows and doors so very bright inside! All wood leather and steel furniture, really beautifully put together! Couches and comfortable seating everywhere. Plenty of space and seating options if you're meeting as group of people. I will be back. The coffee is good (I'm a coffee snob but it's decent. I got a cappuccino). I'm also gluten free and they have a couple of options; I got the overnight oats which are delicious! Sweet but not too sweet. The staff is friendly and wonderful! Can't wait to come back!

    Hugh A.

    Great experience here today. Was staying at the Hyatt nearby. Wonderful to be able to get a basic breakfast on a budget. Luke was super friendly. The oats, coffee and muffins were awesome. My wife enjoyed her chicken pesto sandwich as well. Great location to relax.

    a fireplace in a living room
    Jerica M.

    Cutest "little" coffee shop with a ton of remote working / study / relax stations. Came across this place leaving Carlsbad and I'm glad I stopped by. I ordered a spinach quiche and the spiced latte. The latte tasted amazing! Scott the barista had amazing energy and gave off Santa Claus vibes. I learned more about the shop (a part of the church) and the church itself. Such a beautiful lounge area and I will definitely be back when I can.

    Vanilla chai oatmilk and GF cookie
    Jamie O.

    Cute coffee place we visited while in San diego for the weekend. Loved the vanilla oat chai and GF cookie. Relaxing ambiance to hang or study. Great customer service. Do not recommend hiking from Home2suites....just Uber it.

    Chill Friday morning

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    1 month ago

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    8 months ago

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    5 months ago

    It's a church coffee shop not open during the week. Very misleading!! I tried to meet up with my niece there and it's a church school.

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Great place to walk to, and get a fresh drink for cheap! Also comfortable to sit while you wait!

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    6 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Nice vibe, great food. Would definitely recommend. Visited twice during my stay.

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    3 years ago

    A well hidden gem of a cafe!! Excellent, simple and reasonably priced food. Don't blink or you will miss the turn.

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    3 years ago

    This is a little church cafe with pastries from Costco. I would not return. You're better off going to Starbucks down the street.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Story Caffe

    Review Highlights - The Story Caffe

    “I don't go to this church (or any other) and was worried about being pressured to start by staff or patrons.”

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Goods - Vegan donuts

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    4.5(1.5k reviews)
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    I travel all over the world and one of my favorite things to do wherever I go is find the local…read morecoffee shops. I've had a lot of coffee in a lot of places, and The Goods is one of those little gems that genuinely stands out. Natalie, the manager, is incredible. She has that rare kind of warmth that makes you feel welcome the second you walk in, and you can tell there's real care behind what they're doing here. I ordered the honey lavender latte and it was beautiful. The lavender was subtle, the honey added just enough sweetness, and most importantly, you could still taste the coffee. My friend ordered an Americano and I stole a sip of that too. To me, black coffee is the real test. There's nowhere for mediocre beans or a bad roast to hide, and this Americano was smooth, rich and genuinely delicious. Then there was the donut. I don't even like donuts, which makes what I'm about to say slightly ridiculous, but it was honestly one of the best things I've ever tasted. I would come back for that alone. There are plenty of places that can make a pretty latte. The Goods has something more. Really good coffee, ridiculously good donuts and people who make you want to come back. If you appreciate finding special local coffee shops when you travel, put this one on your list. The Goods is an absolute must try in Carlsbad.

    What a fun little donut & coffee stop! Delicious fresh and not heavy donuts. Service is also…read morerefreshing and friendly! Cute decor! Love seeing people succeed in singles ownership. We'll be back for sure! Brown sugar sea salt was my fave! Oh and the coffee! yummm!

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    Beach Break Cafe - Banana Crunch French Toast

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    4.5(3.9k reviews)
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    Talk about coming full circle. The last time I was here was 5 or 6 years ago, so I decided it was…read moretime to stop back in. I'm glad I did. Beach Break Café totally nails the Oceanside beach vibe. Laid-back, minutes from the water, with genuinely great service. Then there's the food. I was hanging 10 on a fluffy omelette stuffed with tender shrimp, scallops, creamy avocado, and melted cheese. Every bite was rich, fresh, and ridiculously good. Not to mention the side potato pancake, a meal in itself! And the pancakes? Big, pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth fluffy. The French toast was golden on the outside, soft and almost custardy in the middle. Basically, breakfast had no business being this good. After 5/6 years between visits, I think I waited long enough. This is definitely a wave I'd ride again!

    As many of you have probably noticed, I absolutely love starting my morning with a great breakfast…read moreat a welcoming spot--and Beach Break Cafe in Oceanside definitely delivered! It's such a fantastic, family-friendly location with a lively atmosphere and great local energy. The service was wonderfully attentive and made us feel right at home. For my main meal, I went with a veggie omelet and added hot links. I initially thought adding the hot links might be a bit too much, but it turned out to be the perfect combination! Next time, I'll just make a mental note to ask for no mushrooms, and the tomatoes were a bit heavy for my preference, but overall it was delicious. I also grabbed a side of bacon, which was cooked just right. Now for the highlight of the meal: the omelet usually comes with a side of toast, and I was torn between that and their famous coffee cake. I originally ordered the toast, but as soon as our server stepped away, I had a change of heart and asked to swap it for the coffee cake. I am so glad I did! It came out with an amazing warm crust, wonderful texture, and delicious frosting. If you aren't a big fan of heavy sweets, the frosting might be a little rich, but for a treat, it was incredible! Tips: When you pull up and park, keep in mind that the main entrance isn't right where you park--it's actually located on the other side near the street light corner. If you're debating between toast or the coffee cake, go for the coffee cake! You can always ask for the frosting on the side if you prefer it a bit less sweet. What's your ultimate go-to breakfast dish when dining out with the family? Are you team savory or team sweet? Drop a comment below with your favorite Oceanside breakfast spot! Don't forget to Like, Follow, and Save this post for more local family travel and dining recommendations!

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    Windmill Food Hall - Salmon burrito from Rolled Up

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    This Food Hall is a Food Lover's Dream…read more It has everything imaginable and more. There's plenty of food options to try or mix & match. Always great service wherever we go inside the Windmill. This place is for everyone, small section for kids to play, have drinks with friends, lots of photo ops opportunities and the decor is very eye catching. It's definitely a place to check out while in Carlsbad.

    My bf remembers when this spot was Pea Soup Andersen's, while this is before my time in San Diego,…read morethe iconic Windmill still graces the venue and gives the new food hall its name. Nearby to the outlets in Carlsbad, Legoland, the Flower Fields and Costco it is a great casual place to grab a bite. I have been here twice so far and both times on weekend afternoons. While it is busy, I find it a little bit more manageable than Liberty Public market down in Point Loma (which is much larger and an absolute cluster on weekends.). The windmill food hall, as of Aug/Sept 2026, has about 12 or 13 vendors to choose from. We like to grab a drink at the bar and then choose from the different offerings where we can mix and match from all different cuisines. My BF really enjoys the tacos from El Puerto Street Tacos (which the lady grumpily told us is not the same one that used to be in 10th Ave in downtown San Diego. Thai Style has a decent Pad Thai and the Asado Gaucho has good Argentinian sandwiches. I have my sights set on the Secret Sauce Wok and Cosmos burgers next.

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    The Story Caffe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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