Cuisine Scene: Coffee Shops
There are lots of beloved coffee shops in Long Beach, as increasing interest in specialty coffee has led to a boom of roasters in the city. Just about anywhere you go in Long Beach you can find a better-than-average cup of Joe and more likely, an expertly crafted caffeinated beverage made from internationally sourced, locally roasted coffee beans. Yes, fall is home to International Coffee Day, but any time is a good time to visit some great local shops.
RECREATIONAL COFFEE
Recreational Coffee (237 Long Beach Blvd, Suite A) is a cozy Downtown space in a brick building where they make espresso drinks, pour overs, and other caffeinated beverages with fair trade coffees from around the world. The honey vanilla latte is a local favorite. A selection of breakfast pastries, vegan donuts, and sandwiches are also available. For a refreshing, delectable treat, try the sea salt affogato, an Italian concoction featuring espresso poured over ice cream.
COFFEE PARLOR
With their breakfast and lunch menu offering choices like the BLT of Your Dreams and Horchata French Toast, you will likely end up ordering a meal at Coffee Parlor (2944 Clark Ave) alongside your coffee. But their drinks menu lists several tantalizing coffee options that are reason enough to visit. You can get a more traditional espresso drink, cold brew, or pour over–or you can opt for the Quencher, an iced Mexican Coke with a double shot of espresso float.
THE MERCHANT
Located in Bixby Knolls, The Merchant (4121 Long Beach Blvd) is a bakery and coffee shop serving fair trade beans roasted with a zero-emissions coffee roaster. Twelve-ounce bags of whole beans are available for purchase in the shop. The Merchant’s coffee menu ranges from flat whites to a chocolate marshmallow cold brew. You can pair your drink with an apple bourbon croissant, bacon cheddar chive biscuit, or a cinnamon bomb pastry.
CARMEN’S COFFEE COMPANY
What about coffee that can come to you? Carmen’s Coffee Company operates out of a pale blue food truck that is stationed at Naples Island Car Wash (5790 Second St) seven days a week. It can also be booked for private and community events. Named after owner Elisa Heredia’s mother, Carmen’s specializes in espresso but also serves a large menu of coffee drinks, from nitro cold brew to a “polar” blended Bananas Foster-flavored latte.