The Carmel Coffee House

Ordered a lavender fields latte. Was a nice smooth and subtly sweet cup of Joe. They also have GF items.

I read with concern the unpleasant service comments. That can be quite a turn off. Serving us was a gentleman who exuded patience and kindness. The quality of the coffee was excellent! The best I’ve had in years. And the foaming on the lattes was far beyond what we usually get. The pastries, even at 3:30 in the afternoon, were by far the best we’ve had in Carmel. Haven’t had an almond croissant of that quality in a long time. I was very pleased and impressed.

I had a phenomenal mocha here. I will definitely return. Small, quaint, and tucked away in the heart of downtown Carmel, the wait staff was friendly and efficient. It's worth coming to Carmel just for the hot brew.

Chile verde breakfast burrito.. so good! Apricot croissant toasted.. SoooGOOD! My Mocha & hubbys latte also great, thx to good service! Very welcoming, thank you to the two young ladies holding it down.

Such a cute little spot with great pastries and selection of tea and coffee. ! Love the Patio. The owner was so welcoming.

Fantastic fresh roasted coffee. Best coffee in Carmel by the sea. Favorite was the medium roast: nice flavor, not over roasted. Cool little sitting area in the alley way. Decent, cheap breakfast sandwiches and burritos and pastries.

Nice little place, hidden intimately in an alley. We stopped for coffee and tea, good as expected. Thank you.

This I must say...always been a favorite location I would go in the past to just to get a hot / sometimes cold cup of coffee and walk over to the Plaza..and just sit.. Now that are slowly turning back to normal..I am talking the time out to go out my way to not mind the sometimes hard to find parking to enjoy the moments like the Carmel Coffee Shop..very fun place..

+1

Ordered a cortado from a warm, down to earth barista and did some writing in their beautiful courtyard. Their espresso is deep and balanced. A delicious afternoon experience 💕

The Carmel Coffee House in Carmel-by-the-Sea is such a cozy and charming spot! ☕🌿 It perfectly captures the vintage American vibe — from the warm décor to the friendly atmosphere. Every corner feels alive with history, surrounded by beautiful trees and artistic charm. It’s the ideal place to relax, sip coffee, and enjoy the peaceful culture of this lovely town. Don’t miss this spot when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea — it’s truly unforgettable! 🌸🇺🇸

They have a great selection of loose leaf tea options and a very tasty cardamom pistachio cake based on a 120 year old recipe with also a gluten free option.

Small coffee shop, the coffee and their pastries are D-eliciousssss! Overpriced but it was worth it since everything we ordered was yummy. My kid loved his Jasmine-Chamomile tea👌👌

Cozy little coffee shop hidden in one of the narrow lanes of Carmel. Coffee ☕️ was great. It is mostly crowded here. Did not get anything to eat, but pastries and baked goodies looked scrumptious and so many choices!!!! Must check out!! 😋😋

Got the depth charge and spring special chocolate truffle mocha. What was great that they had gluten free as well as vegan options for their famous pistachio cardamom tea cake.

We had a wonderful experience. I run a coffee shop in Chicago so I know quality when I see it and this was it. The beans are roasted in house. The lattes were incredible. The kind gentleman who took our orders and made our drinks was so welcoming and honestly wanted our feedback. The shop is hidden down a beautiful little alley. Then to top it off, we completely spilled a latte and he remade it for free. I will definitely be coming back on my next visit. Thank you for the amazing service. We had the lavender fields latte, crème brûlée latte, and an iced coffee ☕️

Absolutely loved this place! The coffee was delicious—smooth, rich, and perfectly brewed. The vibe is cozy and welcoming. A perfect spot to relax, catch up with a friend, or get some work done. Can’t wait to come back!

Such a cute place and the owner is so kind and welcoming. Definitely will come back

We totally love this quaint little coffeehouse. Tucktaway in an alley between a couple of buildings, it is easily overlooked by some of the tourists. This makes it easy to duck in and get an awesome coffee without having to wait behind 30 other people in line. The staff is friendly, the drinks are hot, the pastries are fresh. I especially love the patio seating which is surrounded by some seriously old school Spanish architecture that makes it absolutely picturesque. I grabbed some espresso beans to bring home and brew myself, and they are amazing. So often I am disappointed by beans from other roasteries, but these exceeded my expectations. So, go on in and enjoy yourself; you will be pleased!

Delicious Creme Brulee Latte!! And they have lactose intolerance options (I got the almond milk). The line is long and you do have to squeeze in the alleyway. The employees are very friendly and there are a lot of great pastry options and gelato cups! I would come back if the line isn’t too long.

Love having my coffee in this nice and peaceful space. The staff is amazing and very sweet. Loved their banana pecan loaf and the almond croissant with Latte and Mocha!

One of my favorite coffee spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Somewhat hidden down an alleyway, the Carmel Coffee House has outdoor seating in a small courtyard. Tasty lattes and snacks, and they also have a few breakfast options.

the logo is so cute so I can’t control myself walking into this tiny lovely garden! Like it

The Carmel coffee house is little place tucked inside a beautiful alley with few tables latex outside to enjoy the beautiful weather of Carmel… we order coffee latte, and flat white … both were made to our satisfaction

Hari Kanna

The Carmel Coffee House in Carmel-by-the-Sea is such a cozy and charming spot! ☕🌿 It perfectly captures the vintage American vibe — from the warm décor to the friendly atmosphere. Every corner feels alive with history, surrounded by beautiful trees and artistic charm. It’s the ideal place to relax, sip coffee, and enjoy the peaceful culture of this lovely town. Don’t miss this spot when you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea — it’s truly unforgettable! 🌸🇺🇸

Niki Gitinabard

They have a greate selection of loose leaf tea options and a very tasty cardamom pistachio cake based on a 120 year old recipe with also a gluten free option.

Amanda Martins

Absolutely loved this place! The coffee was delicious—smooth, rich, and perfectly brewed. The vibe is cozy and welcoming. A perfect spot to relax, catch up with a friend, or get some work done. Can’t wait to come back!

Saira Covarrubias

Small coffee shop, the coffee and their pastries are D-eliciousssss! Overpriced but it was worth it since everything we ordered was yummy. My kid loved his Jasmine-Chamomile tea👌👌

Rexety

Cozy little coffee shop hidden in one of the narrow lanes of Carmel. Coffee ☕️ was great. It is mostly crowded here. Did not get anything to eat, but pastries and baked goodies looked scrumptious and so many choices!!!! Must check out!! 😋😋

Sudipta Deb

Got the depth charge and spring special chocolate truffle mocha. What was great that they had gluten free as well as vegan options for their famous pistachio cardamom tea cake.

marzieh masroori

Such a cute place and the owner is so kind and welcoming. Definitely will come back

Jessica Roe

We had a wonderful experience. I run a coffee shop in Chicago so I know quality when I see it and this was it. The beans are roasted in house. The lattes were incredible. The kind gentleman who took our orders and made our drinks was so welcoming and honestly wanted our feedback. The shop is hidden down a beautiful little alley. Then to top it off, we completely spilled a latte and he remade it for free. I will definitely be coming back on my next visit. Thank you for the amazing service. We had the lavender fields latte, crème brûlée latte, and an iced coffee ☕️

ZT W

the logo is so cute so I can’t control myself walking into this tiny lovely garden! Like it

Ryan Ozubko

We totally love this quaint little coffeehouse. Tucktaway in an alley between a couple of buildings, it is easily overlooked by some of the tourists. This makes it easy to duck in and get an awesome coffee without having to wait behind 30 other people in line. The staff is friendly, the drinks are hot, the pastries are fresh. I especially love the patio seating which is surrounded by some seriously old school Spanish architecture that makes it absolutely picturesque. I grabbed some espresso beans to bring home and brew myself, and they are amazing. So often I am disappointed by beans from other roasteries, but these exceeded my expectations. So, go on in and enjoy yourself; you will be pleased!

Jessica You

Delicious Creme Brulee Latte!! And they have lactose intolerance options (I got the almond milk). The line is long and you do have to squeeze in the alleyway. The employees are very friendly and there are a lot of great pastry options and gelato cups! I would come back if the line isn’t too long.

Nimisha Bhati

Love having my coffee in this nice and peaceful space. The staff is amazing and very sweet. Loved their banana pecan loaf and the almond croissant with Latte and Mocha!

Takeshi Young

One of my favorite coffee spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Somewhat hidden down an alleyway, the Carmel Coffee House has outdoor seating in a small courtyard. Tasty lattes and snacks, and they also have a few breakfast options.

Laurie Duffy

My favorite cup of coffee in Carmel! Also the service is always awesome! Love sitting outside in the cozy courtyard. You MUST try the Cardomom cake. It's to die for!

Mihir Phadke

Great little coffee shop tucked away in an alley. Their coffee was quite rich, smooth, and freshly brewed. It has a nice cozy atmosphere, and the staff are friendly. Definitely worth checking out.

I like this place because it gives u feel like European countries

This is a small cozy coffee shop. We ordered an iced latte which tasted good. The lemon cake is just okay.

Very cute coffee shop tucked down an alley. The outside seating is really tranquil. They have the usual tea/coffee drinks, some pastries, and some savory options including premade breakfast burritos and wraps. We tried the London fog, thai wrap, and quiche - everything was pretty tasty and they were really quick despite having a rush of customers at the time.

A perfect execution of a California coffee house. Everything is perfect. My only recommendation would be to have less potatoes in the breakfast burrito and more eggs.

Rustic ambiance in a quaint little alley in Carmel-By-The-Sea. Loved the cappuccino. The seating inside was closed due to the pandemic. However they have placed a couple of tables and a few chairs outside to soak in the charm and unwind after enjoying the bustling Ocean Ave.

I was looking for a beautiful spot to have a simple coffee and enjoy the sky blue day on an unexpected stop in Carmel. Perusing the cafes in Carmel, I was attracted to the beautiful courtyard vibe at Carmel Coffee House. The aesthetics don’t disappoint. Upon walking through a breezeway from Ocean Street, I noted one of the last tables in the courtyard and then I popped my head in to the cafe (which does not have indoor seating). The staff were funny and jovial with me, though I’ve read that staffing and ownership have been a problem in the past. The staff recommended their favourite coffees and I ended up opting for an iced latte with just a hint of lavender. I’m enjoying my iced latte and loving that they listened to my request for only the smallest hint of lavender. Would return for the vibes. Gorgeous place to get caffeinated and do a little work. You feel removed from the cars and foot traffic of Ocean Avenue but you’re only steps away. Coffee is a good dark roast. Working? I’m using full bars of 5G so I can’t speak to the wifi.

A quaint, little place a bit tucked away from the busy Ocean Ave which gives a feel of somewhat private or isolated. A few alfresco dining set up and a rustic ambiance inside the cafe make it very appealing. I give 5⭐ for those and also 5⭐ for the friendly, accommodating staff. They roast their own coffee beans which I love because I wanted to try the local products. I'm a dark-roast-coffee person, very much enjoying the bitterness of it. Apparently, their dark roast was not strong enough for me and tasted watered down. With that, I give 3⭐ for the coffee. They also offer pastries and bakery products usual with coffeehouses but didn't try so can't say much about those.

Tried coconut mocha and honey mocha. Both are on the sweet side but honey one is even more obvious. Portion of pistachios tea cake is fair. Had a good time in the patio area. Cozy and chill outdoor space.

coffee is really good however today i asked for an iced honey latte and the honey was literally left on the bottom and not mixed in with the hot espresso to properly dissolve. the baristas should be properly trained.

Kaili Kinnon

I was looking for a beautiful spot to have a simple coffee and enjoy the sky blue day on an unexpected stop in Carmel. Perusing the cafes in Carmel, I was attracted to the beautiful courtyard vibe at Carmel Coffee House. The aesthetics don’t disappoint. Upon walking through a breezeway from Ocean Street, I noted one of the last tables in the courtyard and then I popped my head in to the cafe (which does not have indoor seating). The staff were funny and jovial with me, though I’ve read that staffing and ownership have been a problem in the past. The staff recommended their favourite coffees and I ended up opting for an iced latte with just a hint of lavender. I’m enjoying my iced latte and loving that they listened to my request for only the smallest hint of lavender. Would return for the vibes. Gorgeous place to get caffeinated and do a little work. You feel removed from the cars and foot traffic of Ocean Avenue but you’re only steps away. Coffee is a good dark roast. Working? I’m using full bars of 5G so I can’t speak to the wifi.

rhea b.

A quaint, little place a bit tucked away from the busy Ocean Ave which gives a feel of somewhat private or isolated. A few alfresco dining set up and a rustic ambiance inside the cafe make it very appealing. I give 5⭐ for those and also 5⭐ for the friendly, accommodating staff. They roast their own coffee beans which I love because I wanted to try the local products. I'm a dark-roast-coffee person, very much enjoying the bitterness of it. Apparently, their dark roast was not strong enough for me and tasted watered down. With that, I give 3⭐ for the coffee. They also offer pastries and bakery products usual with coffeehouses but didn't try so can't say much about those.

Grace Lee

Tried coconut mocha and honey mocha. Both are on the sweet side but honey one is even more obvious. Portion of pistachios tea cake is fair. Had a good time in the patio area. Cozy and chill outdoor space.

Tabitha Popescu

coffee is really good however today i asked for an iced honey latte and the honey was literally left on the bottom and not mixed in with the hot espresso to properly dissolve. the baristas should be properly trained.

This coffee spot is tucked away in a charming little alley. The atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. While the coffee itself is decent, perhaps not the most exceptional I’ve had, it pairs nicely with the cozy and quiet surroundings.

G K

This coffee spot is tucked away in a charming little alley. The atmosphere is wonderfully peaceful, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. While the coffee itself is decent, perhaps not the most exceptional I’ve had, it pairs nicely with the cozy and quiet surroundings.

The best thing about this place is the location and the environment. It is overpriced, staff is not very friendly and the drinks are nothing to write home about. We ordered a cappuccino and a smoothie. The latter was good and tasty, but the coffee was given in a cup that was bent, and the lid couldn't be properly placed. in addition, half of the cup was only foam! The terrace outside is nice, but to be honest, for the excessive price and the quality of the drinks I would go to any of the other coffee places around.

The matcha is just okay, I don’t think it’s ceremonial grade. The atmosphere is great and the food looks good.

Two stars for the atmosphere, the ambience and the staff. 0 stars for the coffee. I ordered the Cortado and either the beans were super dark or the coffee was over-extracted. It was extremely bitter. It’s sad, because given how amazing the ambience and the staff were, I would’ve loved to come here often! But if all you’re ordering is a latte or some of the flavored drinks like Mocha, I would definitely recommend this place!

Not sure what happened to this place - the girls working had terrible attitudes and didn't even smile or speak, coffee was 7/10 but service was 1/10. Very sad, also, get some signs that explain which line you need to be in, lots of people not from here get very confused. Needs work on restocking lids and basic coffee sides. Management needs to look into hiring better employees who look happy to work here.

We used to love this taco shop in downtown Carmel; it is very cute down an alley, off of Ocean Avenue. We found the team was always so kind and helpful. During this recent trip (August 2023), we found the overall service to be slow, inattentive, the drinks (especially for the price paid) to be subpar. They also use to have gluten-free options but they no longer offer GF options except for an oat bite which were dry and tasteless. All in all, disappointing turn for a neighborhood staple coffee house — hopefully someone can bring some life back in to this worn down looking coffeehouse.

Oh my lord almighty this place is FILTHY. You can't see it super great from the photo but there were coffee grounds and gunk ALL OVER the floor behind the counter. The garbage can bins were disgusting, the back counters covered in coffee grind mess. Boxes and random stuff stacked in corners. Someone was working on the plumbing in the back room and it was also...extremely gross behind the sink areas. The coffee here was decent and thank god the wraps we ordered were hot enough to have nuked all the bacteria, and looked to be made offsite.... This place needs to be scrubbed from top to bottom. Puke.

Beans are burnt, extremely dark and coffee has burnt smell. There’s no flavor to the coffee :/