5 of the best coffee shops and cafes in San Luis Obispo
1. Kreuzberg California
Located on lively Higuera Street, the vibrant and busy coffee shop has been a part of San Luis Obispo culture since 2010. According to Kruezberg’s website, the idea was “an experiment in combining the vibrant cafe scene of the Kreuzberg neighborhood of Berlin, with the chill breezy lifestyle of San Luis Obispo.”
Although their food menu has been limited due to the pandemic, Kreuzberg serves wonderful coffee and specialty drinks. Specifically, their flavored lattes are to die for, along with their flavorful breakfast burritos. Kreuzberg is a wonderful place for studying as well. They offer large indoor and outdoor seating areas, and outlets are plentiful.
Recommendation: Iced caramel latte, breakfast burrito
2. Scout Coffee
Scout is a San Luis Obispo classic. Founded in 2014 with two locations, the vibrant and hip coffee shop boasts craft roasted coffee and fresh baked goods. Scout’s coffee is also roasted at HoneyCo Coffee Roasters, their sister company located in San Francisco.
While both the Garden Street and Foothill Boulevard locations are now takeout only due to the pandemic, it is definitely worth a visit. Their craft lattes are to die for, and the shop itself has a cozy and welcoming interior.
Recommendation: Wilderness latte
3. Kin Coffee Bar
This is another shop housed on Higuera Street and is a small yet cozy coffee/ matcha bar run by San Luis Obispo locals. Yet unlike Kreuzberg California and Scout Coffee, Kin is new to San Luis Obispo, opening its doors in August 2019. However, it has quickly become a local favorite.
Kin also offers limited indoor seating as well as plentiful outdoor seating, making it an ideal morning coffee stop, or an afternoon study break. While, Kin offers some of the best craft coffee drinks in SLO, but if you are craving matcha, Kin is definitely the place to go. Although small and new to the area, Kin has quickly become a place of community and amazing coffee.
Recommendation: “Curious George”
4. Linnea’s Cafe
Established in 1984, Linnea’s is one of San Luis Obispo’s original cafes and is truly a classic. It is a small and welcoming neighborhood cafe that serves drinks, breakfast and lunch and sometimes it hosts musicians. Although their homey indoor seating area is small and limited, Linnea’s boasts a large garden seating area at the back of the cafe, making for another quality study spot. This lovelycafe is truly a hidden gem and a favorite among San Luis Obispo locals and Cal Poly students.
Recommendation: Spicy vanilla house chai
5. Libertine Coffee Bar
Located on the corner of Broad Street and Pacific Street, Libertine Coffee Bar is a modern coffee shop/cafe serving specialty coffee drinks, local baked goods and breakfast.
Originally founded as a pub, Libertine opened its Broad Street location as a coffee bar in February of 2017 (Libertine also owns two brew pubs). With a classy and modern interior, they offer limited indoor seating, but there is plenty of seating outside. Their wonderful speciality coffee drinks are sourced from Slake Coffee, a small-batch roastery, and their breakfast burrito is quite popular. Definitely worth a try as your morning coffee stop.
Recommendation: Latte, vegan burrito
