We were planning to meet up with friends for a play date for our son over at Jackson Park so we wanted to grab a bite to eat and some coffee before it was time to meet up. Were so glad we found Light Bulb Coffee!They have a pretty extensive menu- coffees, teas, smoothies, acai bowls, breakfast, sandwiches and wraps as well as a nice selection of pastries. And the decor is just so cute! They even have a resident cockatiel named Mango ❤️We tried:Cali Pistachio Latte & Turkish Hazelnut Latte - these were both so good and we were able to adjust to half sweetness. They have variety of milks available too, so we got oat milk. We even got their signature Light Bulb cups because theyre just so cute!Seasonal Fall Sandwich- this has honey maple turkey, pumpkin pie hummus, cranberry sauce and pears on it. We would drive all the way back from Oceanside just for this. Its DELICIOUS! They will only have it for around another month so we need to get back there again ASAP.Pumpkin Muffin - this was really nice, not too sweet and full of rich pumpkin flavor.Pistachio Croissant- this was so unique we had to try it! Nice flaky, buttery croissant filled with pistachio cream. A little sweet but not overwhelmingly so. We loved this!There are still lots of menu items we want to try in addition to getting that fall sandwich again so definitely going back soon!
This business, from the outside patio is quite unassuming. Once inside it is a totally inviting atmosphere with beautiful decor, including soft sofas and chairs to lounge on while consuming your beverage or food you ordered. Wifi throughout. They have an extensive coffee menu,, with just about any combination you want,, plus a food menu that is mostly sandwiches and bagels.. Today we ordered one of their turkey sandwiches and and a hummus, avocado 🥑 on multigrain with arugula and tomato. The flavor blend in both of our sandwiches was excellent! Ample seating both inside and outside. A 2 minute walk from the LA Mesa trolley station. Highly recommended. Oh, BTW, not sure if this is all the time, but there is a sign where you order that states no cash, only debit and credit.
This place is usually great, but they really need to double-check that their blenders are washed properly before using them. I ordered a Strawberry Banana Smoothie and it ended up having coffee in it from the last thing they made. I’m very sensitive to caffeine and it kinda ruined my day dealing with the headaches.
Went to visit this spot in La Mesa and wow 😍. I’ve never seen such an extensive menu, with everything looking & sounding so good. They truly have something for everyone here! From coffee, tea & smoothies to sandwiches & pastries; they have it all. The staff is so friendly, food is tasty, drinks are delish & the interior decor is so aesthetically pleasing. I wish we lived closer so I could frequent here more, but will definitely stop here whenever we’re in the area!Items we tried and loved:- Matcha lavender latte w/ oatmilk- Spanish latte w/ oatmilk- Pitcraft Turkey sandwich- Caramel brownie
Fantastic! Great coffee but the bagel was superb! The best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had hands down. The bagel was so nice and soft. The arugula added a distinct freshness to it as well. Must try!
Twas my first time here I was looking for Turkish coffee. They got some excellent Turkish coffee and really tasty cookies. Although I was expecting the Turkish coffee to be served in its copper pour over.
As stated in other reviews, don’t let the outside fool you. I’m always searching for small coffee shops. Saw this on my way to work and decided to give it a try. So glad I did. The inside is beautifully decorated and definitely gives you comfort. Their menu was extensive, can’t wait to go back and try others. Staff was super friendly and super helpful. They have coffee, tea, kombucha, milkshakes and different food items. So even if you don’t like coffee I know you will find something you like.
Great coffee spot, cool vibes and amazing employees. Highly recommend the iced Vietnamese coffee. Also within walking distance of shops and stores so you can grab a coffee and take a walk. Parking in front of store can be hard to find sometimes but theres a parking structure not far from the back of the business
The coffee, the vibes, aesthetic, everything about this place is 10/10. I got the double fudge mocha. Myhusband got the mint chip milkshake. Both were amazing. Everyone was friendly as well. Cant wait to go back.
The place is super cute, and looks clean. BUT ATTENTION FOR ALLERGIES folks, I have problem with lactose and also going dairy - soy free because of my son. I ordered an almond joy and specifically ASKED the cashier about a non dairy drink (almond milk) and no soy. The cashier said alright! Drank the coffee wich was hard to distinguish the taste of milk. It actually tasted great.Unfortunately in less than 30 min I was getting cramps and I thought ok maybe is something else that evening my baby (who is EBF and has milk protein allergies) had diarrhea as well. So for sure we both had been exposed to cow milk . So I am definitely not coming back.PS: for the owner response: you should inform/educate your employee about the dairy ingredients besides milk itself. Since I did mention it to him. You can literally ruin someones day or even send someone to the hospital because of mistakes like that.
Gorgeous atmosphere the only thing that sucks is that because it is such an amazing place that it’s often busy. the wraps that they put their bakery items are super cute and coffee is great.
Ive been here lots of times and the main complaint is always the same, the wait and being organized. I came with my husband and a rush came after us, everyone after me received their drinks/food and my husband got his smoothie before mine was even starting to be made so by time i got mine he was already finished. After 30 minutes I had said I was still waiting for my smoothie and one girl went to look to get my labeled cup to make it...still 10 minutes later waiting for it. Need to be more organized with orders as another women was here before us and still was waiting for her smoothie
Great variety and the coffees we had were really good. First time having Turkish coffee, a little different than what Im used to but was good for the experience.
Love this coffee shop! Many different house favorites. The Baja Mexican spice was on point!
Walking into this place was such a surprise! It’s a huge space with lots of seating and a calming atmosphere. I only ordered a drip coffee but the staff was so friendly. And yes, the coffee was great!
The coffee is similar price range as Starbucks. I tried the Vietnamese coffee. Was good. The egg and cheese breakfast bagel was delicious! It said it came with Spinach but I think that was Arugula. Delicious nonetheless.Update 7/10/22 My new favorite is the German Coffee! A delicious treat any time of day! Chocolate drizzle, a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with coffee! Yummmm!!
Love the drinks, my favorite is the Turkish Hazelnut (very sweet very flavorful!!)I love ALL their fresh, housemade pastries and sandwiches as well. The turkey pesto panini is delicious.
Not usually a coffee person, but the lavender latte sounded so delicious I had to try, and it didnt disappoint! Coffee and food were absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is super nice and fresh, too.
Looks completely different inside and out. The inside is very green and has a nice coffee shop vibes. I got the dark chocolate chip iced latte and was wowed. The chocolate was so rich and tasted amazing. Ill be coming back soon!
Bagel was delicious. Coffee was horrible. Instead of latte I got regular coffee with boiled milk that burnt my mouth. Milk should be foamed and of a temperature that’s ready to drink (unlike americano)Giving 5 starts because I will definitely come back and hoping for the better experience next time.Great selection of drinks and food, mellow atmosphere.
I literally go out of my way to go to this place. The selection is massive and EVERYTHING is good. The coffee is unique and delicious.This literally is my new favorite coffee and sandwich place.
Stumbled across Light Bulb Coffee while my roommate and I were exploring downtown La Mesa and the experience was the best!From the food, prices, customer service and just the ambiance of the coffee shop was all great!We ordered:* Iced Turkish Hazelnut* Iced Cali Pistachio* a Lox Bagel* a Coffee CakeEverything was fairly priced and DELICIOUS!! There’s something on the menu for everyone!
Trip 1Really dig this place for1. Good coffee2. Great vibe, seating, space3. Clean bathroom4. Healthy stuff5. Worldly, unique treats and drinks6. Gluten free stuff7. Cool, local artTrip 21. Disappointed by the perpetuation of unnecessary waste .... Im staying for a cup of coffee and yet no inquiry of this and the automatic paper cup rather than a mug a paper bag rather than a plate, plastic bottles for house made juices with no loop in place to reclaim and reuse. Consumption consumption consumption, waste waste waste. Must change.2. Luke warm coffee, never fixed...3. uninspired, uninspiring service
Loved this place! Not only is the coffee and food really delicious, but the space is so cute and big! Having taken over a Starbucks, this spot sort of makes me wish I was back in college so I could come here and study all day and try all of their lattes! I was told the Peanut Butter Latte is the way to go - thats next on my list!For this visit, we tried the Charcoal Mocha, the Acai Greens smoothie and the Pitcraft Turkey sandwich. The Charcoal Mocha was made with super dark chocolate and creamy oat milk, making it not overly sweet - which was perfect for me! Dont be fooled by the black color of this drink, it was phenomenalllll!The Acai Greens smoothie was exactly what I expected - a good mixture of fruity and green-y tasting - you know what I mean! I felt like I was drinking my nutrients for the day, which I loved! Lastly, the Pitcraft Turkey Sandwich was definitely something I would get again and again! I think I would ask for less mayo next time (I just personally dont love mayo), but every other aspect was great! The richness of the cheese, the tang of the pickles and the slight spice from the chipotle sauce were a perfect mix!
Ordered 2 of the House Favorites. Cinnamon and PB. Solid flavors and smooth taste.
The coffee is really overpriced in my opinion, $5.50 for a small americano, and the internet connection is very bad so it was hard to get work done. It wouldn’t be my first choice to come back.
I come here all the time, and I used to love this place. Im not sure if theyre under new ownership, but I went in today, and the place isnt the same. I normally come in for a blueberry banana smoothie, and today I did the same, only now, the price is 40% higher and they no longer use blueberries, but blueberry syrup instead. Also, they dont serve food after 5 oclock anymore. Its a shame, because this place used to be very good. I wont be coming back again.
Good parking and available shaded parkingGood drinks and foodPlenty of seatingLots of outletsWifi kind of spotty so would not recommend taking meetings hereGood for studying
Tasty coffees (Turkish hazelnut), amazing sandwiches (beef sandwich, Turkey pesto), and very comfortable space (couches!!!). Excellent place to catch up with friends or study/work!
Absolutely mind blown. Me and my mom decided to go today because my school was having a late start and this was nearby. I cannot believe this place exist and will forever be grateful that it does. I got the matcha lavender latte, which I was super excited for because I’m both a matcha and lavender connoisseur, therefore having them mixed together was a dream come true to me and they executed it beautifully, it tasted magical. My mon got the Cali Pistachio latte and that one was just as beautiful. My mom told me she liked it too but wished it had more of a pistachio taste than peanut butter, but I loved it more than she did (maybe because I’m a peanut butter lover). We also split a danish and it was good i guess but doesn’t even nearly outshine the drinks, but I’m not too big on danishes anyways. I plan on trying a chocolate croissant next time instead. I loved Mango the bird he was so cute with such a personality! He even threw a bit of his seeds our way which my mom and I didn’t mind at all, it made us giggle and say “awww”. Light Bulb isn’t just a coffee shop, it is an experience.In conclusion, if Light Bulb Coffee has 200 fans, I’m one of them. If Light Bulb Coffee has 5 fans, I’m one of them. If they have only one fan, then it’s me. If they have zero fans then I’m long gone. I love this place so, so, so, so, so, so, so, super duper much.
The coffee and service us amazing. The 2 that helped me today were great. I believe the guys name was Seth. And I didnt get the womans name.but they were really nice 🙂
The coffee is very good, I love this place but, different baristas make your drink differently, some great some not so great.
Amazing strawberry milk shake and double espresso hot. Scones and muffins are also very fresh and good. All with great customer service.
Unfortunately prices have gone up here like everywhere else. $5.50 for a 16 ounce iced americano? Im pretty sure the cashier overcharged me cause ouch. She canceled the option for a receipt too...
This is a great and spacious cafe for studying, doing remote work, or hanging out with friends. I love their decor and space. It felt like a cozy cafe. It gives the typical coffee shop/cafe vibes.I recommend trying their Turkish Hazelnut drink. It’s was unique and good. You have the option of getting it in a light bulb shaped glass, which is unique. Their pastry was very good. The lox bagel was savory and delicious.This cafe is great for breakfast and maybe even brunch. Overall, I recommend this cafe!
Good atmosphere and coffee.Looking for something different? Get the Turkish Hazlenut
We tried vanilla caramel and a lavender iced latte! They were great, and so was the service. Our barista was helpful. They offer glass and ceramic cups for dine to cut down on plastic! And the setting was cozy, enjoyable and in the season. Will come again!
Undisclosed services charges will ruin your business. Just raise your prices. Not coming back. Good luck
Fantastic place! Would give it 6 stars if I could. Drinks are made really well and food is on amazing! Lets not forget the peaceful welcoming vibe the place radiates. Seriously recommend this place to everyone.
Good vanilla latté. Disappointed in the new smaller pastry selection. No Pistachio croissants! My almond croissant was over baked, but still tasted very good.
I want to like this place, and have been here a several times before, but I have to say, my experience today was disappointing.I walked in 2 minutes before opening today at 6:58am (the open sign was ON) to find one guy working with headphones in, all the patio chairs and tables inside still, the floors a mess (clearly not swept the night before), and the tables not wiped down. I was politely asked to wait a few minutes til they opened before ordering. No problem!I sat down with a friend to chat for about 15 minutes before I went to order my small black coffee and an almond croissant, only to be informed that they did not have any drip coffee ready (well passed opening by now), so he offered me an Americano instead. Okay, no big deal. I ordered a small but received a large 16oz cup (maybe the dont offer a small?) and a VERY stale croissant. As I went to pay I noticed the sign stating that they charge an extra 3.5% fee for credit card purchases... a bit steep, but okay. Final bill: $11.02... I know inflation is a real thing but really!? For a stale croissant, okay americano (because they did not have drip coffee), a dirty space and less than stellar service? If I am going to pay a premium, is it unreasonable to expect a premium service, good experience and a quality product? My money will be better spent elsewhere. I will not be coming back.
If you cant run giftcards through your system dont sell them!! I tried to use my giftcard and was told I couldnt use it. Thats not how you run a business 🤦♀️
This is a very trendy looking place. Came here with my friends who was visiting. We ordered our coffees and split an avocado bagel. That bagel sandwich was DELICIOUS. The coffee was also very good. The shop is spacious enough for a stroller, if you have one. Theres a parking garage, great to have on your summer days so your car doesnt have to be outside getting hotter than your coffee.Looking forward to coming here again.
Nice setting/good food. Not enough people working. Waited too long for my order only to find out it was wrong. Turkish coffee served in a paper cup!!! Took away from the experience! Tried it once, that’s enough.
Great spacious coffee shop with lots of available seating. Coffee was excellent. Also have a mini free library.
BAD WIFI! Please make wifi stronger!Overall Review:Wifi - 1 starDecorations - 2 star - pretty tacky with no clear direction. Lots of Live laugh love and pictures youd find at Ross. Fake plants and pallets rings cheap.Staff - 3 star - nice but not really engaged, there is clearly not stoked leadership.Price - 2 star (Expensive!)Seating - 3 star (could layout space better and have nicer tables/chairs)Atmosphere - 3 star (Its in a coffee shop in La Mesa, hard to miss but seems like it is just where you go when Public Square is full.)Coffee - 4 star - Good coffee, sweet options are VERY sweet.I dont understand what all the stellar reviews are about. This place feels like the owners are just trying to make a quick buck off you and threw this place together quickly without any care or thought other than their margins. I get it, its a business but for a coffee shop in downtown La Mesa, it could really be done better. But it would be passable and I would update my review if you just make the WIFI stronger.
I love Lightbulb. Great sandwiches, including 2 vegetarian options, and some awesome baked goods. I usually order a London Fog here, but they offer coffees, teas, smoothies, kombucha, and even shakes! Also, if youre lucky you can get a seat next to Mango, the friendly bird!
And I work for a living paying $12.50 for a mediocre wrap, seven dollars for a smoothie that I could’ve gone to sonic for a better food and a smoothie. This was like my second time here probably my last two paying almost $20 for two items for one person that’s highway robbery. Also, I think I got food poisoning from this place because let’s just say the toilet and I were best friends.
Love the iced coffee from here. I get vanilla caramel mix it’s so tasty if you like it sweet this is the place as they have so many flavor options . If you don’t they have those options too! The food is also amazing (lox bagel and egg& cheese are my favs) it just takes a while to come out but worth it. Check this place out for some coffee and food!
My favorite coffee shop ever!! I am an avid coffee drinker and this is the highest quality coffee I have tasted. The staff are amazing, helpful and sweet. I was recommended to try the Turkish hazelnut and I am now addicted. The vibe of the place is immaculate. I highly recommend coming here!
Great coffee and awesome atmosphere. Can get a bit busy, but great place to work on your laptop when it isn’t too crowded. Would recommend, especially the cookies and cream!
Awesome coffee shop. Pastries flakey and flavorful, drinks cold and refreshing. Definitely want to come back and try a lunch sandwich..
Wow ! Extraordinary staff, delicious food and coffee. Reasonably priced. Relaxed atmosphere. Gotta go !
Come to this unassuming cafe and dig into their menu. Youll learn what all the regulars already know - this is more than a coffee shop. I like the coconut iced late. The pastries are always gone because theyre so good. The sandwiches are delicious. The lemon detox smoothie tastes like sunshine. Ill probably never discover every gem on the menu but Im not just here for the food. Its just a really friendly neighborhood place and in spite of being a very good coffee shop isnt yet completely mobbed and on the weekdays you can still find somewhere to sit.
Occasionally one can find little gems of places, and this is one of those. The pastrys are made on site and are the best I have had. They have healthy food, rare to find in East County, and food I have had there is exceptional. The atmosphere is great, staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly. Food takes a minute to prepare but is well worth the wait. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a healthy meal, a cup of coffee or a pasty treat!
I was so pleasantly surprised by this little shop. They have lovely local artwork displayed, a great list of options for eating a drinking, and make a delicious latte. Definitely a new la Mesa favorite.
I LOVE most of their drinks and am never disappointed! Employees are nice, the in house bird is a great little guy. My only complaint is that the sweet treats such as the coffee cake and the like, are very bland.
Extremally rude. Got coffee order wrong and refused to make it right. Just stated thats what the ordered said. Zero costumer service. Will not be visiting again.
Was hoping for a great experience but left with wanting more... came here for an early breakfast and coffee. I got a small turkish coffee and it was very bland, ridiculously strong and not worth the $5.00 for a small cup. I usually finish my coffees even if Im not 100% satisfied but this is the first coffee I tossed without even being halfway done.The chicken meunster sandwich was okay. However it hot in some areas, cold in others. Bun was soggy.The best point of contention was the PSL my girlfriend got but with the price of both drinks and sandwiches totaling to $40.00 before tip, the outcome was essentially not worth it. That isnt to say this isnt a place worth checking out, but I dont plan on coming anytime soon after this disappointing experience.
Went here a few months ago during vacation. I still think about the lightbulb coconut. I wish I knew what was in it. I went everyday just for that drink.
I absolutely loved the drinks here and the light bulb bottle is super cute. I really liked their lavender latte, the lavender flavor is strong but pleasant and not overwhelming. The coffee flavor also comes through and is quite strong. The drink overall is very creamy and rather thick and the flavors are well balanced. Their avocado smoothie is great as well, very thick and perfectly sweetened with great flavor. Definitely recommend!
Really cute coffee shop, lots of space and room to sit, good variety of smoothies. Food looks fresh from what Ive seen, but the treat/pastry case had bugs in it :( alot of them, just hanging around the food and on the window. And from what my last visit showed me, its not just for display. Aside from that, place is cool.
Great coffee. Got a white mocha with shot of espresso!
3 stars are for their products. Ordered online and after 30 minutes of getting there, drinks hadn’t even started to be made.
Excellent cafe with a lot of seating indoors. First time here and had a mango dragonfruit smoothie that was delicious and reasonably priced. You can also buy a reusable light bulb to get your drink served in and get a discount every time you use it. Cant wait to go back!
Best nitro cold brew in sd. I come here multiple times a week and they have my order memorized. Great place to work from as well. Cheers!
By far my favorite coffee shop! Everything is made with love from the coffee to the pastries. The vibe, the service, and the atmosphere is unmatched. I highly recommend it!!
First time visiting today. Ordered the Indian chai latte with oat milk. The atmosphere was great. After working a few hours, I bought a chocolate brownie and lemon square before leaving. Tasted the brownie, and it was delicious. Looking forward to the lemon bar for dessert.
So much better than what was there before (Starbucks). Went over with friends on Sunday morning. Had a cinnamon bun, AND a peanut butter late. They both tasted as advertised, and deserve two thumbs up. Was the peanut butter late a stretch? Yes- but they get full points for the attempt at marrying peanut butter and coffee. There was some good live music outside, and the inside is inviting. A great addition to downtown La Mesa.
Great service! They have an extensive menu but I almost always get an iced lavender chai latte, which is creamy and delicious with just the right amount of lavender and spice. Today I tried one of their sandwiches for the first time and can attest that the turkey pesto panini is delicious!
One of the only places Ive seen serving Turkish coffee, and they do so in beautiful ornate style true to its origins. The lox bagel was very good, perhaps better with an everything bagel than the plain bagel its served on. Tons of searing room with couches and benches to relax.
Great coffee shop in La Mesa. Parking was pretty easy and the coffee shop itself was spacious with a large menu. Iced coffee was delicious and fairly priced, as was a blueberry muffin. Will be back!
The barista was very nice. Had a dark chocolate mocha with hazelnut. It was REALLY great. The raspberry/chocolate bar was really yummy too! Place was clean and inviting and several people were working on their computers. Nice and relaxed. Def go there again.
Great atmosphere, had a business meeting here before work. Convenient location. Parking was easy enough.
Best lox bagel and the iced tea is very flavorful.
Overpriced, nothing special about the food or drinks. The seating was nice but music was too loud for a coffee shop that you would like to enjoy a conversation at. Don’t buy the plastic lightbulb glasses. Absolutely not worth the drive or the money
Oh how I wish this coffee shop was located in Clairemont for convenience. I had been wanting to try out this place for a long time and finally had the chance to go. I liked it so much the first time I went, that I went a second time less than a week later.Ive ordered the iced Turkish hazelnut coffee, iced cali pistachio, coffee cake, and chicken & munster panini.The coffee here is literally sooo creamy, I was taken aback by it. I always order non-dairy milk (typically oat) due to a dairy allergy and when I was drinking the iced lattes here it was creamy to the extent that i was worried I was drinking real milk at first LOL. So fear not my non-dairy folks, you wont be missing out on milk at all here in your coffee at all :)If youre ordering a Turkish Hazelnut, the drink itself is very sweet so if you arent big on sweet drinks, ask them to make it less sweet. They also have a really cute lightbulb coffee cup for an additional charge which I honestly think is worth it bcuz of how cute it is.The coffee cake here is also HUGE. I have never seen a slice of coffee cake so big before in my life?? And its only $3.50 which is even more shocking. The coffee cake tasted fresh, was super light, had the perfect amount of crumb topping, and wasnt too sweet. It complimented the Turkish hazelnut coffee veryyyy well! I even took some coffee cake home to do a taste test with my mom who is extremely picky with coffee cake and hates like 98% of coffee cakes she has ever tried, but this coffee cake changed her and she actually enjoyed it! So if my mama is approving of this coffee cake, you know that says A LOT!The chicken muenster mushroom panini here is also extremely delicious. I typically dont order chicken sandwiches but was told by the workers that its their most popular sandwich so I had to give it a try. I ordered mine without the muenster cheese and it was actually really delicious! A lot of the times when you omit cheese from a sandwich, its super dry, but the sandwich here wasnt dry at all. I felt like there was a good amount of the spicy sauce they put inside the sandwich. The sandwich had a variety of textures going on which is what you want in a sandwich, because who wants to eat a mushy sandwich.The decor here is very unique but its very cozy. I plan on coming here again in the future to just chill with some friends.Also for my Arab peeps, they have Turkish coffee here! For the non-Arabs reading this, Turkish coffee is basically espresso shots on crack LOL.There is plenty of parking here so no need to worry about whether you will find a spot or not.If you want creamy, smooth, and unique coffee flavors; delicious coffee cake; and yummy sandwiches this is the spot to check out. Youll thank me later.
You cant see much through the windows when you first arrive: but dont let that stop you, you cuz once you walk inside, youll be saying O... M... G. In terms of comfort, I would rather begin coming here to get work related or other school work done, because the atmosphere feels so much better than your local Starbucks or other coffee shop.
First off, the decorations are super fresh and cozy. I ordered a latte and the chicken and mushroom panini. I was super surprised at how yummy the panini was! It was warm and melty and delicious. The staff were very sweet and friendly. Go here for your next coffee adventure!
I purchased their specialty peanut butter coffee hot, it was great. They have a great range of options to make coffee how you like. The had a nice clean restroom. Unique artwork was spread throughout the entire store. The music playing gave it peaceful and relaxing vibe.
Great coffee usually get the Vietnamese coffee incredible strong and taste also like getting there sandwiches and a dragon fruit drink, staff are friendly and polite, Abram the owner Naba, Juda and Sarah. On top Of that they offer a rewards program if you buy a certain amount of time you get any drink for free. Great job guys keep it up!!!!
Yum!!! Cute little coffee shop with some bomb coffee and seriously delish acai. Had a latte with oat milk and the Small acai bowl. I capitalize small because it is actually not small, it is a perfect size. Definitely enjoyed the aesthetic here as well, and very nice employees!
Had the caramel latte and my fiancé had Lemon Pepper Chicken and Tzatziki. My coffee was amazing and he practically inhaled his wrap. Everything was tasty and surprisingly healthier than I expected from a coffee shop. Shop and staff were phenomenal! We will be back!
Great place for coffee. Low keyed, great environment. Good snacks and sandwiches. Also, they have a Vietnam vet working there cleaning tables. He has obviously fallen on hard times and good for them for giving him some work.
All three drinks we got were amazing! The cafe itself is beautiful. The service was great, too! The whip cream was made fresh and tasted like fluffed heaven! Well definitely be back!
Insanely great coffee, has tons of repeat customers. The sandwiches are made with quality boars head meat which anyone from central or East coast knows how great it is. If you have never had it, you have to try.I would suggest the valley toffee iced, its addicting.
My husband and I were just there a less than a couple hours ago and we had such a good time:) the coffee was great, the cafe was extremely clean, and it was decorated so cool! It takes alot to impress my husband with service and cleanliness and he was very happy! Will definitely be coming back soon!♡
Cool little spot, decided to stop and check it out. Got the German Iced Coffee, pretty good. The kiddo got a Strawberry/Vanilla smoothie was also good. A bit pricey, but it was good overall. Will stop by again if Im in the area.
I come here when I’m in La Mesa and I have a minute to stop. Nice setting, spacious and clean, and the people are friendly. Everything I have ordered here is very good, and by everything I mean coffee drinks, bagel sandwiches and desserts... I’ve tried them all. But yesterday I had their matcha green tea latte made with almond milk. Fantastic!!
If youve been following me long enough, you know my weakness is a good coffee shop. Theres just an atmosphere that cant be beat. Light Bulb Coffee has everything you could possibly want in a coffee shop; a gigantic menu so youre guaranteed to find something you love, sandwiches and pastries so you can grab a quick bite, and just a cool aesthetic that makes you want to come back just to hang out! Head over to La Mesa and check them out!
I really cant recommend this place enough. Food is food, atmosphere is lovely. Theme is nice. The barista was so friendly and helpful, she really made it a lovely experience. My mother wished me happy birthday and she overheard, so the barista went out of her way to make me a cupcake with decorations. Food and drinks were great. 10/10.
Nice shop, good coffee, girls super helpful and sweet.. Thanks Ladies 👍😁
Pretty cool spot, identify as Palestinian, arab, muslem ownedIced pistachio latte was good but a bit warm, apparently they sue hot water to mix the powder. Pro tip ask for Med size in large cup with extra ice 😊
Excellent pastries! I highly recommend the cinnamon roll. It was layer upon layer of flaky pastry and much better than your traditional cinnamon roll. The coffe drinks are good, too. As a tourist to the area, I encourage you to support this great local business.
Great coffee and good vibes! This is a great establishment that makes a great cup of coffee. Its completely worth the time to go there and enjoy the caffeinated beverages. The only downside is that it is a very busy location of la Mesa to drive out of your way just to get the cup of coffee. This is absolutely worth stopping at if youre on your way to work or to grab one from lunch. You definitely cannot go wrong with a cup of coffee from here!
I’ve been here a few times and I just have to keep coming back. The coffee is great and the food is AMAZING. I come here literally for the bagels and paninis because the quality is top notch. The staff is friendly and inviting. Thank you !
I like the place. No stirring sticks leaves me confused everytime though.
While driving around downtown La Mesa, my husband and I wondered what became of the Starbucks that used to occupy this space. What a pleasant surprise to find it was replaced by a local coffee shop! Im not sure how long Light Bulb Coffee has been here, but I know its relatively new.It was a pleasant experience! Id highly recommend the lemon loaf everyone. I also got the white mocha, and it was lovely. Since its relatively close and the prices are similar to other coffee shop prices, Ill certainly be going back.
Cute coffee place in a cool area of La Mesa. They serve iced coffee drinks, blended coffee drinks, etc and an assortment of pastries and cookies to choose from. I had been here once before and got the coffee cake. Although good, it was a bit stale. But I have gotten stale items at Starbucks too, so it does happen 😊 Young lady behind the counter was very friendly. Will stop by here again.
I had never been here before and decided to try it as my daughters and I were enjoying the shops in the area. The Lavender Latté was delicious. My daughter that does not like coffee tried a taste and enjoyed it. They also have smoothies and tea.
This is the cutest little coffee shop i’ve been to!i went for the first time the other day and they went all out with the halloween decorations, it was the best!my friend and i had no idea what to order because there were so many choices, so we asked the barista to make us 3 random drinks (two cold and one hot). we ended up liking all 3 of them!wonderful service with friendly employees. i’ll be back for more coffee!
The baristas were very friendly.The gentleman was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the coffee. The display case was nicely arranged, and the desserts looked scrumptious! The cold brew i got was bright, fruity, floral, with just the right amount of bitter (i drink mine black, no sugar).
The location is nice enough and the staff is very kind, but the food and drinks are subpar. I got the Baja Spice coffee and there was *no* spice (like Im super pale and Tajin makes me cry and IM saying no spice). We got the massive slices of coffee cake and its just vanilla cake with flour like crumble on top, not the good brulee type topping a proper coffee cake has. The kind that are almost...caramelized? It was like they rolled flour and enough cinnamon to give it color in just enough butter to make it clumpy. Not worth going back.
This place has great food and drinks if you aren’t in a hurry. I come here about 1x/month and try to give them the benefit of the doubt but they are almost always short staffed (often with only one person running the register and making food/drinks). Today I waited over 25 minutes for an açaí bowl. Unfortunately, if you want to come here be prepared to wait a while.
The first time I came here there were more employees than customers. Unfortunately I was unable to place an order because as I was standing at the counter they all decided to have a personal conversation amongst one another. I even said hello and was disregarded. I like coffee and the reviews said this was a good spot so I returned. Again, more employees than customers and this time they were all out front smoking cigarettes. I couldn’t make it past the smell. I can’t tell you if the coffee is good but I can tell you they don’t run this business as professionals. I’d rather go to Starbucks where they have customer service standards.
Really cute and cozy family Cafe with lots of coffee selections and lite lunch options. My only complaints is they have forgotten to make my bagel that I ordered twice in a row of going there and the wifi doesnt really work at least for me. Otherwise, everyone is really kind have loved everything I got.
Forhot about our order... when i finely got it, they didnt even toast the bagel and there was Hair on it. I can slap cream cheese on a cold bagel at home.
My favorite place to get coffee when Im in town. Im addicted getting their Turkish Hazelnut. Try it iced! Nice place to sit down and enjoy your coffee and food. Their acai bowl is also delicious.
Stopped by Light Bulb Coffee for the first time in two years (Im visiting from Tucson, AZ). Barista Carla was extremely nice and made me an awesome Avocado Shake which made my tastebuds dance with glee! The place looks even nicer than it did two years ago when I last visited La Mesa (under new management since then apparently). Ill be visiting Light Bulb Coffee more frequently the next time Im in town!
Get the light bulb coffee, its coffee with added espresso (always nice) and the chocolate cinnamon coffee is to die for. There are free refills if you drink in, great pastries, nice setting and wonderful service! My new fave coffee spot!
I work just a few blocks away and most of the time I order food to be delivered. 5 times in a row Ive ordered from Lightbulb coffee because its been so reliable and its arrived no longer than 20 minutes later. The Lemon Chicken & Tzatziki sandwich is my ALL TIME FAV! All the desserts are wonderful (pecan bar is delicious) and I try a different coffee each time and I have yet to be disappointed! Keep up the good work guys! Fab-u-lous!
Beautiful art, nice atmosphere and decentcustomer. Willing to offer suggestions and answer questions. Extensive menu but the coffee tastes watered down, if there is any coffee flavor at all, at least in the three types I tried.
Ive driven by Lightbulb so many times and today was the first time I stopped in. I didnt realize what a cute shop it is! Theres lots of drink and food options. I got the cali pistachio iced latte and it hit the spot on a hot day. Ill be back soon to try some other items!
Love the mom and pop store their great sometimes they have just about anything you need for old repairs wiring lamps and so forth cool store. Stan and Sylvia have been the owners for like 28 years. Theyre real nice peopleIm so sorry I was trying to review the light bulb center oh my gosh I mixed it up with light bulb coffee !
Love the coffee and the staff, HOWEVER, the last 2 Sundays they were short staffed. They really need more people on Sundays. I hope the owner reads this and knows that I say this only to be helpful as I want to continue to come here with my family. But waiting 20 minutes for your items is not ideal.
Raspberry Turkey Panini. That is my go to, and Im kind if obsessed! I also love their spiced Chai. Sometimes I taste what Im assuming is cleaning supplies on the coffee lids or pastries. Perhaps a spray bottle malfunction, or something. Havent tried a pastry recently. But tasted it my water cup.
The place is nice. But understaffed.The average waiting time for coffee or drink is 20-30 minutes.Owners please hire more staff!
Had a great latte and chocolate croissant here. Great selection of yummy looking foods.Theres also wifi and I found an outlet to plug in my laptop so I was able to have a nice study session!
Goodbye corporate, hello Light Bulb Coffee! This little coffee shop is a fairly new addition to the downtown La Mesa area. The staff were friendly, the coffee delicious, and they also have a few food, dessert, and non-coffee options. Cheesecake, anyone?The space is open and well-lit, perfect for bringing your laptop and getting some work done with a tasty beverage on hand. Theres even some local art featured on the walls! Take advantage of the free parking lot and skip the hassle of searching for a metered spot on the street.
Great service! My iced dirty chai was amazing!!
I went in to purchase a Java chip blended coffee and was so impressed with the tasts and consistency that I had to go back in and THANK the gentleman who made my coffee, letting him know that after going several other estiblashments over the years that was hands down the BEST I have had. 💯🥰🥰🥰
Made an attempt to make a quick stop on our way out, for our long trip home. Took them 30 minutes to make 2 lattes ( it was empty inside) and EVERYTHING is made from a powder. Yuck! It tasted like it... not impressed at all, get coffee somewhere else.
Came by light bulb while I was in the area for some shoppingWent to pink rose across the street as wellLight bulbs coffee and customer service was exponentially better and I which I didn’t waste my money at pink rose but my daughter wanted to go because of the decorAnyway back to light bulbI got a pistachio latte which was really good and not too sweetNaba was very patient and helpful in helping me decide what I wantedThe lox on bagel was amazing, fresh and flavorful
This place is awesome love the coffee! It’s is soo good!♥️ I Recommend this in anytime ! Keeps you awake ! 😂 make sure to visit their sometime ! Great customer service. Very clean. They always make sure your tables are clean😌.
I frequent this place a lot with my coworker. The shop is adorable, and they offer a variety of drinks, pastries, food and snacks. The staff are always very pleasant. I definitely recommend it.
Really pleasant surprise. I was just looking for a non-chain coffee place. This place is excellent. Good food and coffee and very pleasant atmosphere. I would go back in a second.
Really nice atmosphere, great place to chill and do work. My only complaint is that the drinks are too sweet.
Nice atmosphere and selection. There was a live jazz band when I stopped in which was really great. Some places think theyre too small to have such entertainment yet Light Bulb pulls it off.
We visited from Nebraska In June 2019..we were treated like family...service was fantastic and the boxed Baklava is unlike anything we have ever had...its a 10+. If you live in or visit La Mesa...don’t miss out on it...its a special one of a kind treat 👍🏾👍🏻
I LOVE their coffee. I also love the environment very welcoming and friendly staff. I definitely recommend stopping by to pick up a tasty cup of coffee
Great coffee - not such great internet. Has lots of places to comfortably sit and work, but the Internet goes in and out.
Cool little spot. They really stepped up their game from its first opening. Delicious drinks. Lots of options. Super friendly staff, pretty efficent and good vibes. Its nice an quiet for working/reading & meeting with a friend.
I loved the atmosphere. The owner welcomes you good location trolley is right there. Decorated beautifully. This is my honeycomb hide out for sure. ☮️ ful to go hangout and collect your thoughts
I wanted a croissant - they didn’t have plain ones, the hunt for parisian croissants in la mesa continues. mexican mocha was really sweet
Great Vietnamese coffee and chicken panini! The sandwich was quite big as well and very filling. Cute decor too!
Fantastic coffee! I got the peanut butter latte and it was delicious
Cozy, trendy coffee shop with youthful vibe. Open mic night was fun. Had a green tea and a lemon bar. They have fresh cold-pressed juices available, too.
I went here today for the first time. Much more relaxing then the more popular coffee shops. Very comfortable and relaxing. My new favorite place! Check it out!
Light Bulb Coffee is an independently owned small business neighborhood coffee shop, not a chain of high overhead trendy shops. They have a full range of custom coffees, nitro brew, cold drinks, boxed candies, and light snacks. Best of all are the baristas and the owner. Nice people produce a nice place. SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES. They create jobs and a great atmosphere to meet, conduct business, hang out, and check the internet. (Tried to attach photos, but dumb phone wont let me ...)
Great local place with many options. They even have gluten-free snacks.
Nice decorations, needs background music. The fifth star is missing, because I asked to wipe down our table. Which they did, but it was done with raunchy one, which ended up leaving our table with a trashy smell.
I just ate turkey, muenster cheese, arugula and tomato bagel sandwich. It was delicious.
Very spacious and comfortable. WiFi is very fast! Drinks are good though a bit on the sweet side (easily fixed if you ask for less sugar/syrup).
First time here today, and this is a hidden jem in La Mesa. Coffee and sandwiches were delicious. The atmosphere was very inviting. My wife and I will be back tomorrow.
They had one of the best coffee drinks I have ever had in my life. Reccomend lightbulb coconut. Inviting atmosphere and great staff. I will be back
Ive had mostly good experiences here over the years but last time I parked in the lot the security guard outside motioned me to walk 20 feet to him. I did and he questioned me about where I was going and left a bad taste in my mouth. Once I got inside the wifi password I was told didnt even work so I left.
Great internet Cafe & Coffee shop.
Love the decorations, my smoothie was wonderful and there are plenty of places to sit. Also very clean and great sandwiches!
LOVE LOVE light bulb coffee it’s always so good & always consistent! The cafe is so nice & always great service The owner is so friendly and knows me as a regular I see him every time I go in and it’s always a great experience!
The caramel machiatto was just ok, but a little pricey for the value. Probably wont go back. The middle eastern music was loud and drowned out the conversation
Found a cute coffee shop in La Mesa and it’s a place where I see friends and family gather to get coffee, tea, smoothies, baked goods, Sandwhiches and more, for me I had the mango, dragonfruit tumeric smoothie and Chicken a s pear sandwhich and my husband had the horchata piñata with Turkey wrap, the place has such a great atmosphere and the staff is really nice, will definitely come back
Coffee was so watered down, I had to throw it out after two sips. And they claimed it was dark roast. Cinnamon Walnut muffin tasted like hospital food.
Always an outstanding experience with excellent customer service when I finally make it to that neighborhood! Just love this place. Passed by 6 Starbucks and other places to eat to get to Lightbulb!
I really miss the old version of this place before there was STUFF everywhere.Word of advice to the owners: less is more.I dont know if you guys want to be Disney Land, A Hookah Bar or a coffeeshop.
Hip coffeehouse; good coffee selection; great food, decent prices. Would recommend going here instead of the mermaid place.
Try the Turkish coffee. Its great
Great coffee and service. The vibe of the dining area is peaceful and the choice of music is calming. Love this place.
Great coffee, good price, nice atmosphere, friendly staff!If I could give 6 stars I would!]
Meh...coffee is okay, price is okay, workers are good but the internet doesnt work well, and they dont fix it or seem to care to fix it. The decor is good but that tables are way too small.
Excellent coffee, friendly atmosphere.
Coffee was good but I had to wait 20 minutes for my daughters panini. The panini was more like a hot sub instead of a panini.
Great coffee shop! It’s a really nice atmosphere to meet with someone and enjoy great food and drinks.
Black coffee warm not hot.Music safe jazz?Cool decor, but no great atmosphere.
1st time going. Turkish coffee was amazing...strong. Bagel was super filling. Will definitely be back
I love this place I had a vanilla Chai and it was so good! I love the environment and the friendly staff! Will definitely go again! 🥰
Tried the Turkish coffee. Pretty awesome experience. Suggest you try it if you are used to drinking your coffee black.
Great bagel sandwiches, that come with a free cup of coffee. Great atmosphere to hang out, usually not too busy to find a table
Great place nice and cozy. Great tasting coffee good place to read or study.
Ive been there twice, so far its been consistent!! A lil pricier than Starbucks, but well worth it!!!
Good coffee and even had honey, which I use instead of sugar! I look forward to trying their baked goods in my next visit!
Amazing place to sit down and unwind. The owner is really nice coffee is good. A must visit!
The best coffee I ever had and the food was just perfect! Thank you so much for the great service light bulb coffee.
I love their iced coffee, and iced Macha is the best I have ever had. Delicious bakery treats.
This place is prepared to defend against the aliens in, uh ... Signs? Crushed ice in a milkshake?!?!
Our weekend coffee treat never disappoints. Great service and excellent coffee!
Good coffee and usually space to sit. Quiet enough to read and do some work. Overall, a great coffee shop.
Sat outside and enjoyed a delicious cup of coffee. I will go back.
I love this place. it feels very homey. i always get the iced dirty chai and an avocado bagel
Atmosphere was soft and easy. Desserts.....simply Devine. Coffee turns out that large chain......I will definatly return
Great place to take a coffee break while shopping downtown La Mesa.
Delicious, eclectic and the service is amazing and friendly. Best coffee and macha, its amazing.
This place is super cute. I visit often and never disappointed with whatever I decide to try or my usual!!
Comfortable, friendly environment, the mexican spice coffee is tasty and the avocado bagel is fresh and appealing!
Great local shop with a nice and modern atmosphere. The breakfast sandwich and light bulb coffee drink were wonderful!
Great cup of coffee, and the bird is awesome too 😎
Awesome coffee and great decor. Cant wait until this pandemic is over to hang out inside again.
Great coffee very friendly staff cute decor great music. Very enjoyable on a Saturday morning!
People are so nice. They make great smoothies. Recommend to all.
Cute atmosphere, fun flavored lattes and yummy pastries.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Light Bulb Coffee 2024:
Review №1
2023-08-21 15:16:57Great spot with free parking by La Mesa Village with a fun menu of drinks and munchies. The decor is an adorbs horse theme and there are Instagram worthy nooks everywhere. Iced coffee packed a punch according to my coffee lover friend. Bathroom was clean and service was good.
Review №2
2023-10-04 04:13:12I love this place. I come to this spot at least 4 time a week. There Customer service, its amazing super friendly! and I take my own coffee mug and they dont charge me extra for it! Cant get enough of there ice coffee mocha!
Review №3
2023-07-09 22:23:25Good selection of coffees including speciality hot and cold drinks. Good selection of food menu items. Eclectic selection of furniture and decor. Parking available outside, and location is near MTS Trolley Station.
Review №4
2023-09-04 20:47:57My favorite independent coffee shop in San Diego. Their quality is top notch. I also love their pastries and sandwiches. The lox bagel is also heaven. Lately I have been getting the Matcha Latte but I have also had some of their sweet coffees.I also love the seating inside. Its a great place to go to do some work. Highly recommend.
Review №5
2023-10-18 16:17:30We came here twice only because it was convenient, and both times everything was terrible. The first time we got a muffin and coffee, and the muffin was stale and the coffee was bland and not how we ordered it. The second time we came we got a vanilla smoothie and a water, and they made a banana smoothie. I told them about this and they did make a new smoothie. One that tasted terribly. I drank like two sips and threw it out. 7 dollar smoothies aren’t cheap… I understand I got one but I would at least like to drink it. The waiters never did bring the water (whatever). The tables were also really shoddy. It just doesn’t live up to some of the other reviews on here.
Review №6
2022-03-21 20:03:25First time coming here and I must say WOW!! I absolutely love it. Excellent customer service, the food and coffee fresh and delicious. I got the turkey avocado wrap and I can’t wait to go back. The inside is very welcoming I can literally sit there for hours if it was up to me lol. I definitely would recommend this place for friends and family. Who ever the owners are keep up the amazing work. Your team is awesome.
Review №7
2023-05-23 19:43:36Extremely hot coffee no cream or settle foam for cappuccino, ordered dine-in but got to go, and couldn’t drink it (burnt out our tongues). we wanted to have our first coffee of the day better.
Review №8
2023-07-29 15:25:51Light Bulb coffee makes really good … coffee, but their food and hours have been lacking lately. I used to like their lox and bagels, it was the best in La Mesa (not saying much), but it was good and a fair value. Today I got lox and bagels with a bunch of extra ingredients, including mustard. It tasted like a mustard and cream cheese bagel, aka not great and definitely didn’t taste like what I wanted. I’d happily pay more for a simple, good quality meal. I’ll stick to just a bagel and cream cheese from now on (which are good). Also, 8am is a late opening time … for a coffee shop. Anyways, this place is good, interior is very well decorated, staff is friendly. Will continue being a regular.
Review №9
2023-02-19 19:08:30Theres a lot to love here, the staff is really friendly and the food is super good. My coffee was also really tasty, but what I like most about this place was the quiet ambiance that I look for in every coffee house.
Review №10
2022-01-18 00:02:50Ordered the lox bagel, it came with a honey mustard on it, I was skeptical and almost asked for no honey mustard but my wife said they might be on to something. It was really good. The bagel was toasted just right, the tomato was perfectly ripe and the greens made it refreshing. My wife had the Baja Mexican spiced latte which she really enjoyed. My coffee was good. Love the feel of this place and it is much bigger inside then it looks.