I noticed they had a cute little elephant that has smoke that would come out from the trunk. I had…read morenoted this location to check them out on my way to downtown Sacramento. Unlucky for me they didn't have dry ice for the effect I wanted to see of smoke from the trunk. They had more designs of figures for the smoke effect. I bought 4 to try it at home. I asked where to get dry ice and the lady had said I could get it at any grocery store. I looked up online before and it said the same thing but Safeway didn't have it when I tried looking for dry ice the next day. So I'm still on a mission to find dry ice to experience the smoke effect. The lady here said I could come back the next day to see it and I tried to but unfortunately I didn't have time the next day to stop by. She let her employees know but sadly I didn't make it back. They have dry ice usually on the weekends now since summer is over when they had more customers wanting to get these but now during slower days they opt to have dry ice on the busier days. I do want to try their Ube drinks so there will be a next time. I got an iced white chocolate to be simple. Delicious. The service and drinks is definitely a reason I will come back.

Instagram sent me for the tiramisu, but the drink menu gave me a reason to return…read more I stopped at Cafe La Vies in Sacramento after seeing their tiramisu flights advertised on Instagram. I chose the matcha and Oreo tiramisu. Both looked creamy and indulgent, with generous portions that appeared large enough to share. Service was great, and the drink selection was almost overwhelming--in the best way. There were so many milk teas, fruit teas, espresso drinks, matcha creations, frappes, and specialty coffees that I gave up trying to choose and got water this time. One of the coolest options is the ability to order two different drinks in one divided cup. It's perfect for anyone who can never decide on just one flavor. I'll definitely return to try more tiramisu flavors and work my way through the drink menu. The Kid loves everything matcha, coffee, and specialty-drink related, so she'll be joining me next time.

The best matcha in town. I loved the twice matcha. It was very nice, rich and creamy. The matcha…read morehad the perfect balance and was not too sweet. The cream top was excellent! The first time I came was in the afternoon over the weekend and there was a line out the door. The second time I came early around 8:30am and there wasn't a line. So be prepared.

The Twice Matcha is worth the line!!!…read more Despite the name Offbeat Coffee, I think most people come here for the high-quality matcha and hojicha drinks rather than coffee. I got the Twice Matcha and it did not disappoint. I've tried matcha at many other places, and this one definitely takes first place for the cream layer. The matcha is rich and unsweetened, topped with a sweet homemade cream that makes a really good combination. I also like the simple Asian-inspired design with wooden furniture, concrete floors, and earthy ceramics. The snail logo represents the founders' idea of slow, intentional brewing and attention to detail. They also have some Vietnamese-inspired drinks like the Saigon Cinnamon Latte. Parking is free but limited in the complex. Expect a long line, but it moves fairly quickly.

We wanted breakfast for our group and Filipino breakfast was what everyone was craving. We came on…read morea Sunday late morning and it was busy. It's been a long time since we last been to 18 grams. It wasn't that busy then so it was nice to see them doing well. The staff were cool, definitely working hard to keep up with the business. There was a lot of seating both inside and out. We ordered on the kiosk but you can also order from the cashier. We didn't realize how much food items they now offered. There's different Filipino/Hawaiian dishes like a katsu, loco moco, and longanisa. They had baked goodies like ube muffins and pandan cookies. For drinks they were plenty of coffees, lattes, and teas. It was pretty busy so it took a while for our food to come out. It wasn't the best we had, but all the food was enough to satisfy our cravings. It was definitely a modern take on things that was enjoyable.

Day Visited: Saturday @ 1 PM Price Range: $$…read moreParking: Free parking lot Ordered: Iced Mocha with vanilla cold foam and Iced Americano with vanilla cold foam Overall, solid 8.5/10. Any time we visit Sac, it is one of our go-to spots! They do an excellent job of sourcing their coffee beans along with roasting them. They've gotten exceptionally good at standardizing their drinks across the board as well. We have also tried many of their drinks outside of what we ordered today, including the 1987, 18 to the Brain, Thai Coffee, and Mexican Mocha. They have a food menu as well, which ranges from rice bowls to breakfast sandwiches. It's a great place to go to meet with friends, studying, or working on a project. They also have a good amount of seating inside, but it does fill up quickly! They do have WiFi (and outlets) and one single bathroom. Given we have been coming here for years, it is a must whenever you're in the Arden area!

Pour-Over Excellence! Facts / Supporting Information:…read more-Attentive and Friendly Staff -Knowledgeable about their coffee beans -The Enlightenment signature drink is amazing with the following flavor notes: Jasmine and Honey with a milky essence -The Kenya Pourover is simply out of this world with the the dry kiwi, hibiscus and nutty flavor note. -Peaceful and relaxing ambience -Highly diverse patronage

This place is amazing! I absolutely love the interior design of the coffee shop. The large tables…read morein the middle create such a great atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to study, have a quick meeting, get some work done, or simply relax and enjoy a great cup of coffee. The coffee is delicious, beautifully presented, and definitely top-notch in quality. And don't even get me started on the pastries! They have a great selection, including plenty of vegan options. Everything I tried was absolutely delicious. I even ordered some pastries to take home, including a few vegan ones, and honestly, you couldn't even tell they were vegan. They were that good! If you're looking for high-quality coffee, amazing pastries, and a great atmosphere, I highly recommend checking this place out. Definitely worth a visit! Oh and amazing customer service!

Get close and listen up... Best. Coffee. in. Sacramento…read more Our favorite drink is the iced shaken espresso, which is made with oat milk and only slightly sweetened. You can still taste the espresso bitterness that's perfectly balanced with the oat milk and a hint of sweetness that leaves me thinking about when can i come back and get another cup of it. The owner is extremely nice and has made every experience coming here an absolute joy. Can't wait to see what they do with their new Natomas location opening soon! Until then, I'd say you should DEFINITELY make the drive out to grab a cup of coffee (and maybe a Turkish delight or two). You won't regret it.

Qisa Coffee has some really unique and delicious options, and there are definitely a few things…read morehere that keep me coming back. The cheesy layered pastry is the standout for me, it's so good that I'd honestly come back just for that! The one thing I wasn't a fan of was the traditional chai. I really wanted to love it, but I think the house chai recipe could use some reworking. A little more depth and balance in the spices would make a big difference. Currently it's more of a driver stand flavored chai rather than a traditional chai served Pakistani style. Overall, there's a lot to enjoy at Qisa, and I'm excited to see what they bring to their new Natomas location. I'll definitely be back for that cheesy pastry!

Pumpkin Spice Is In The Air!!…read more SITREP It's Halloween time and you need to stop by to see what the barista-witches are brewing up! "What's that you say? Pumpkin Spice?!? Oh Hell To The Yum! THE SETUP I was tooling around town with my friend Suzanne and we needed a caffeine fix like NOW. As it turns out, our GPS took us to Chloe and what do you know: The deLISH Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in season and they are awesome! We had to get a couple along with some delicious pastries: she got a chocolate croissant and I got my go-to, the Poblano Chili Croissant! Both were yummy as we shared a sort of *savory & sweet* taste-enjoyment along with our coffees. THE LOWDOWN You won't find a better stop for getting that shot of Autumn into your system!

I need to stop here more often! Chloé Cà Phê is a bit tucked away on Jazz Alley between J & K and…read more25th & 26th but it's an easy walk in Midtown and a perfect spot for a drink and snack. The space is wide open and bright with tables available, and their team is always friendly and welcoming. On my latest visit I ordered their special Rose Cream Latte and a cinnamon roll. I normally order the Earl Grey Latte, but I'm so glad I tried something new. The Rose Cream Latte was delicious and definitely something I'd try again whenever they have it on special. I like that they have indoor and outdoor seating, and if you follow them on social media they do post about special events, coffee roasting, and their story.

Nice local coffee shop located in old town Sacramento. Servers are so helpful and made great…read morerecommendations. Coffee is great. I highly recommend coming by.

I needed a bit of caffeine to keep me going after a busy morning in Old Sac. I got the Chai Latte,…read morewithout any syrup added. Upon taking a sip, I realized I should've asked if they could just use half the amount of normal syrup because I could've easily made this same drink at home; this was my mistake! Nonetheless, it was nice to know they don't infuse their chai with a bunch of premade syrup! Will come back to try more drink options in the future. It's a nice, open place. It doesn't feel crammed, unlike many coffee shops, and has plenty of walking room.

Came here on a whim because I was in the area and let me say, the place is really neat. I love the…read moretraditional painted art that is displayed throughout the coffee shop of the Middle East. What I found really cool is the ground seating area they have! This is a very traditional style of seating in the Middle East, and to see it here makes me feel close and proud of my heritage. The coffee is great, I got a pistachio iced latte with almond milk and you can't even taste the almond milk. What I would love to see is how it would be with live pianist or other live music. And maybe the smoke detector so it stops chirping Overall service was great I will be back if I'm in the area

Good place to come and study especially during the week there are so many seats even indoors and…read moreoutdoor outdoors. All the employees are very kind and helpful. I've tried a new drink every time and they've all been good. I love sitting on their outdoor patio much more than the indoor seating Their Matcha drink (I'm not sure the exact name) was so so good. It was kind of a mix between a latte and a slushy. On the weekends, they have Shawarma and hookah with a live music. It's worth a try if you're in the area.

Ca Phe Phin is a cute Viet coffee spot that's to die for! My boyfriend and I came here to catch up…read morewith an old friend of mine, and we enjoyed our drinks. He got the egg cream coffee, I got the banana cream matcha, and she got the strawberry matcha. The banana cream had small bits of banana in it- not too large to mess with the texture, but still yummy and packing a bit of sweetness in each of them! The matcha itself was great, the taste was earthy and not bitter. I downed my drink faster than I'd care to admit. The egg cream coffee was unique and yummy, definitely strong! The inside is decorated so cutely and was showing the World Cup on TV for a few people to watch. I wish them much continued success with their business.

Looking to try another place that I have had bookmarked for quite some time, I'm made my way to Ca…read morePhe Phin to grab my morning coffee. Located in an inconspicuous strip mall, I was warmly greeted with a friendly "hello" and a bright smile. I decided to switch things up, and I actually ordered a strawberry iced Matcha latte. Hands-down, this was one of the best Matcha lattes I have had in a long time and the strawberry added a nice twist. The service was fast and extremely friendly and the prices were fair. There was ample parking and if you are a fan of Vietnamese coffee I would highly recommend checking this place out.

Tomo Tea House is my kids absolute favorite boba spot! They love coming here for the boba, but the…read moremochi donuts and Dubai strawberries are also a huge hit in our family. It's become our go-to place for a special reward treat when the kids are doing especially well in school and excelling academically. Nothing motivates them quite like knowing a Tomo treat might be waiting for them! Everything feels like such a fun little treat, and it's become a place we genuinely enjoy coming to as a family. Definitely a favorite in our household!

Bang average, with prices that suggest they're serving gold leaf…read more TOMO Tea House is one of those places where the presentation is doing considerably more heavy lifting than the food. The chilli wonton soup was genuinely good, probably the standout for me. I'd happily go back for that. The cinnamon rolls were alright. I tried the Biscoff Crunch, Dubai Pistachio with Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, and Banana Pudding flavours. They looked the part and were decent enough, but nothing that had me thinking, "Bloody hell, I need another one of these." The waffles, unfortunately, were a different story. They weren't cooked properly through the middle, chewy and gooey rather than crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. The Biscoff flavour was also barely noticeable. The drinks are very much geared towards the social-media crowd: lots of milk, lots of toppings, lots of visual appeal. If you enjoy taking a photo of your drink before taking a sip, you'll probably have a field day. And then there's the price. For what you're actually getting, it feels rather steep. The food is, at best, mediocre in several areas, yet the prices seem to suggest these ingredients were mined personally by King Charles. Ironically, I actually would have gone back for the chilli wontons, banana pudding and Biscoff pudding. But the experience around their influencer/collaboration side left a rather sour taste. If you're a collaborator or influencer, BE WARNED! No real communication or courtesy message. Perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but if you're going to deal with people, a simple response goes a long way. But then again, they perhaps cherry-pick whom to interact with based on their social media activity. And finally, watching someone at the counter struggle with some basic maths while taking an order was certainly an experience. I'm all for supporting people, but perhaps the calculator deserves a little more screen time than the Instagram account. Overall: some genuinely good items buried underneath a lot of hype, presentation and rather ambitious pricing. I'd happily return for a couple of the things I enjoyed, but I wouldn't be rushing back for the overall experience. Food: 3/10 Value: 2/10 Presentation: 8/10 Social-media appeal: 10/10 Would I return? For the chilli wontons and a couple of puddings, yes. For the rest... probably not.