Never really had checked this place out even though I'm a pretty regular visitor to SLO. I finally noticed a takeout board that listed a lot of VGF (vegan gluten free) soups salads when walking in the area and now I consider myself a regular. This is your old school cafe that is worn a bit with its faded sign and worn wood exterior but I guess that's what makes this place kind of cool. They specialize in a bunch of teas but also make coffee drinks and chai, green tea drinks pour overs and cold brew. There is literally something for everyone here. One of my favorite teas they make here is called San Francisco Spice. It's literally Grandmas apple cinnamon pie in a cup. I get that with steamed almond milk and add cinnamon on top (never can make it too cinnamony lol). It has a nice sweetness to the tea but I'm told it has no sweetener so good for those Getting off sugar.. I've also tried out a lot of their food. They are all vegetarian and some are vegan too. They make their own muffins and the vegan ones are all fantastic. The carrot cake muffin is a must and their blueberry matcha one is so moist and the matcha frosting is so good. They also have a rotating supply of soups, only one is hot so if you are from out of town it may not be practical. I sometimes take them to go and have them on the road when I g home and they keep for a few days. I've tried the black bean, veggie coconut curry and a lentil one and they are all good. Salads are a bit small and pricey so haven't tried them but they look healthy. They are also known for their breakfast burritos which are vegetarian but not vegan. They have small tables in front and a cute patio in back to relax and enjoy your food. They also serve your food in actual plates and cups which is rare these days. So much waste is going on right now so I commend them for keeping things homie. They are a bit strict in the mask wearing department which doesn't sit well with me as I don't do photosynthesis;). But that said they are all friendly peeps and take and process your orders quickly:) Overall I'm a fan and will be a regular to getting that SF spice and hanging out in back when in town. Miss these college town type hangouts that are hard to find anymore. read more

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Came to visit DTSLO this morning and decided to go into Linnaea's Cafe for a quick bite. This cafe looked really inviting and wasn't busy at 9am on a Saturday so there were plenty of tables available. Their outside patio area was serene and overall a nice place to enjoy a cup of coffee and a small breakfast. I'm giving this place a 2 star for the ambiance and quick service. Now for the breakfast burrito I ordered...it was pretty disappointing. Definitely not worth $8 which was filled with dry and tasteless scrambled eggs, bland black beans, and nasty olives. Olives do NOT belong in a breakfast burrito. Also, the salsa on top just made the tortilla super soggy. Overall, just a really bland and unusual breakfast burrito. My only advice to this cafe is to re-think about serving breakfast burritos. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Breakfast Burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Really classy place; the garden is beautiful for outdoor dining. They don't have ice- blended coffee though quiche was delicious ! read more

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LATTE Rate: 6.5/10 Omg I fell in love with the outdoor garden seating! Perfect quiet place to study with a scenic view! Personally, this would be my ideal spot to study if I were a SLO student bc I get easily inspired by nature's surroundings. However, in terms of coffee...this is a different story. I suggest getting a hot drink as their ice drinks do taste a little watery. Also, their espresso wasn't that strong even though I asked them to pull a double. But I do recommend this place to do any type of work! I'll for sure be coming back to try out their food! Come to SLO down (no pun intended). read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

This is a cute coffee shop to stop in for a coffee to go. They also have an area in the back for customers who wish to drink their coffee on the premises. I ordered a mocha latte with soy milk & opted to add an extra shot. It was delicious & just the right amount of much needed caffeine! read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Mocha latte with soy milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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My girlfriend and I decided to check out this coffee shop so that she can study for her nursing classes. Right before we walked in I purchased a drink from another coffee shop that is right around the corner from this business. When we walked in I still had my coffee from another coffee shop. We found a table to study at but we did not purchase anything when we walked in. We were there for maybe 30-40 minutes before a gentlemen approached us in a very rude manner and asked us if we were going to be purchasing anything and pointed at my empty cup coffee that I had from the another coffee place. He told us it is disrespectful to have a coffee cup on the table from another business. Even though his demeanor seemed to be hot headed and very rude, I understood where he was coming from and told him I will be purchasing something and throw away my cup. About 5 minutes later while we were still studying at the table he approached us again and told us we have to leave because we were giving him supposedly no indication of buying something. At this point I had enough of this gentlemen's attitude and absolute BS I approached him at the front in front of the other customers and asked him what's his problem was and if I could speak to the manager to voice my concerns about him. He told me he was the manager but he honestly didn't seem confident when he told me that and it felt that he was maybe a shift lead or something. It makes me sad to say this but my family, friends and I will never be coming back to this place because of how this employee made us feel today. I don't know if it was last nights pizza or if he woke on the wrong side of the bed that day but that employee was extremely rude and should be fired. If I find out his name I'll update this post and put it on here. The guy was a jerk. read more

Beautiful service and a great selection with nice custom-ability!! Apple Maps doesn't do this place justice! So I'm glad I spotted it. read more

Still the best community coffee shop in SLO. It's been around since 1984, so a lot of us have really great memories through the years. The espresso eggs are a great option. The garden in the back is a great spot to relax and unwind. read more

This is the cutest local coffee shop!! There's lots of franchises around but I wanted something I've never had before. I had a white chocolate mocha and it was great. My husband got an iced chai and it was super good! Not spicy but perfectly sweetened. The staff members were really busy at the time we went but they were super sweet and patient with everyone. read more

The local feel and ambiance have survived several owners over the years. There is a chill vibe that allows love to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee and tasty noshes. read more

Coziest spot in SLO to meet with friends or get some work done! And now with its new owners Alex and Rusty, I think some of the best coffee and food too! I've been coming to Linnea's for years. The back patio is my favorite spot downtown as it's the closest place Ive found to a European-style courtyard in SLO. Over the last few months however I feel I have been enjoying the space far more than the coffee and food being served. I'm so happy to say that in the last few weeks that has changed! The new owners are SO nice and SO invested in elevating the cafe. The coffee, breakfast burrito and waffle have all improved dramatically from just a few weeks ago. I'm told Rusty has extensive restaurant experience as a chef and I can't wait to try the rest of their menu as it expands. A beautiful place now with beautiful drinks, food and service to match! I'm thrilled! read more

I highly recommend Rusty of Linnea's for her vegan wedding cakes. My daughter and son-in-law met with her before the wedding for a tasting, and were so impressed with her vegan options and well as the delicious flavors of each cake they tasted. It was hard, but they managed to narrow their choices down to 3 cakes. Rusty's customer service and communication was consistently outstanding throughout the process. The day of the wedding, the cakes were packed for transport and ready for pickup at the designated time. The cakes were decorated beautifully, and in exactly the manner that my daughter had requested. The guests at the wedding all raved about the yummy flavors. We are completely impressed with Rusty and look forward to enjoying more of her baked goods in the future. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Vegan Wedding Cakes from Linnea's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Wonderful coffee shop, great patio and an extremely friendly and efficient staff. The new owners, one of who me is an excellent pastry chef have also brought in some really great food offerings. The place to go for great coffee! read more

The best outdoor patio ever. Seriously. Do yourself a favor and relax back there. There's a reason Linnea's has been a SLO staple for so long. read more

If you're a vegetarian, this is the place to go! The food was delicious! Very busy but plenty of seating! I came on a Sunday afternoon and they had indoor and outdoor seating. The inside was cozy and had good music playing but if you're looking for something quiet, the back patio is very peaceful with lot of plants, shade, and some light sun as well. read more

We visited earlier this week from out of town and had a very nice time at Linnaea's cafe. The employees were so kind, and let my kids feed the fish. They have tables inside, as well as garden seating in the back. We'll be moving to town soon for work, and this will definitely be a favorite spot :) read more

We ordered the expresso eggs, lavender latte and the banana bread latte. The lattes were just right-not too sweet. The food and beverages came out quick. Everything was good! read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Expresso eggs, lavender latte and banana bread latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

This is my number one favorite study spot. The pastries never fail to impress and the outdoor patio is so cozy. The workers are also so kind. No complaints whatsoever! read more

I have always loved this place. Felt like a living room only in the community where I could go and be sure to run into my friends. A real special third place. Love the patio- love the San Francisco spice tea. Beautiful vibe. read more

Love everything about this place. Burrito bowl was good, just add some salt and hot sauce. Love that they provide games and books. Very pleasant cafe to hangout at. read more

The service is always amazing. Their drinks are great and their food is delicious (a worker suggested the quiche and it was so good). The inside has a cozy feeling, and gets busy sometimes, but there's a lot of seating inside and outside. It's a great place to study because there are plenty of outlets on the right wall and in the front. The outside area is lovely on a nice day. One of my favorite coffee shops in SLO! read more

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Rusty, Alex, and the entire team have done a stellar job of providing a space that is inviting and cozy for all. I've been a fan of Linnaea's for almost 10 years now, but Rusty and Alex have taken it to another level. This place is a true community staple with amazing drinks, pastries, and meals. I highly encourage anyone to stop by and see the magic for yourself. They've got a customer for life with me. read more

They have the matcha I've had so far in slo and the space is so nice to study in. Plus it's great how late they are open!!

Friendly staff, lovely garden, delicious espresso drinks with all the milk and milk alternatives a reasonable person could ask for. A small selection of sandos and salads and a decent selection of cookies and pastries (standards and creative combos). I am sad that I got a paper to-go cup even though my coffee date got ceramic. The banana bread was tasty, (and thankfully no walnuts!) but perhaps not the freshest, however neither of those were enough to knock off a star because the atmosphere in the garden was serene and my coconut milk white mocha cappuchino was otherwise terrific. The coffee date speaks: my two-shot mocha was excellent, creamy and flavorful. Great atmosphere. read more

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What a fun cafe:) the vegan peanut butter cookie was insanely good and hit the spot. My iced latte was perfect. And keeping it super classy w the free sustainable straw. Happy read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Iced latte w classy straw - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Big problem with seating - a problem these days with most coffee shops. 95% of seats are taken by people who spend hours there on their computers. No place left to sit and visit or enjoy the items you've ordered for 'here'. Order your items to go! Friendly staff and good coffee though. read more

I love this place! The drinks are great, the service warm and friendly, and the atmosphere the best! The garden is one of the best spots downtown! The new owners are doing a great job keeping the old vibe going! Kudos! read more

Linnea's has been my favorite coffee spot since highschool! The owner change has only improved everything - the coffee, pastries, and food are better than ever and they preserved the original style and beautiful patio. My favorite breakfast there is the quiche! Staff is friendly and quick. It's the perfect spot for a first date or to hang solo! Drag shows there are also a riot and so creative read more

Great cozy location, staff was super nice, and the waffles and matcha lattes I've had are some of the best in town. Highly recommend! read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Great breakfast place with good coffee and delicious muffins Nice selection of other breakfast items. Beautiful and peaceful patio to enjoy breakfast with a small koi pond Friendly staff read more

Cutest indoor-outdoor cafe! They have a yummy matcha. The back area is beautiful and has lots of seating and plants. The baristas were super friendly. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Outdoor seating. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Charming spot in downtown SLO. Great coffee drinks delicious pastries. Really awesome croissants. Most importantly they give great customer service. Also plenty of outdoor seating...indoors too if you prefer. Highly recommended. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Front entrance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Laid back, relaxing place to grab breakfast. It seems like a.place where many college students go to study as well so it can be really quiet at times. The service was great. The students that work there didn't seem bothered or annoyed or anything. Smiles all around which is always good. The food was good as well. They also have a piano people cn play on. However, because it was so quiet i didn't want to play it Haha. Would i come back?sure if im inthe mood for a latte or something. I'm not a huge breakfast guy so‍. Anyway check them out but be sure to walk in to the correct café. There are many in the same block. Give us a follow in our travel insta @thehungrynomadz read more

Quintessential San Luis Obispo. Great coffee, great food, the best ambience for a cafe in San Luis Obispo. The garden is a space of beauty and tranquility. The new owners have truly brought this iconic cafe back to life. read more

Great Customer service and great pastries. I enjoyed my herbal tea with a carrot cake. Live music was a bonus.

Very good coffee & awesome food. The food and coffee is sourced locally but even better, it's also affordable. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Breakfast Burrito, Espresso Bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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The lattes and pastries are excellent! Staff are friendly here too. The atmosphere and ambiance are great a with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy a morning coffee with a pastry and people watch. Highly recommend. read more

This was my favorite coffee shop when I was in high school back in 1999 and it remains one the (if not THE) best coffee shop in SLO. I miss the live music and the waffle nights, but maybe they still do them and I just don't know about it. Still, the coffee is good every time I go (usually get a cappuccino) and I always appreciate "day old" pastries and love the "espresso eggs." We were able to sit with our dog in the garden area in the past, but recently were told that she could only be with us in the front. If this continues to be the case then that would be the only reason I might take away a star. If a dog is well behaved, I see no reason to keep them from being with you outside. (Nautical Bean on Orcutt even let's them inside!) Even still, I love Linnaea's and am hopeful that the new owners will keep it as the gem that is has always been. read more

A venerable old bohemian-style coffeehouse. Warm, cozy. Very 60s. Books, games, newspapers. Art on the walls. Piano! One of my favorite secret gardens anywhere, and I've discovered a bunch. A good place to come linger with a book or strike up a conversation with a stranger. We need more Linnea's and fewer Starbucks in the world. Bring out your neo-hippie at Linnea's. Oh! Another cool thing: an Italian conversation group meets here two Saturday afternoons each month -- what more appropriate way to enjoy a cappuccino? read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Back room. Art! Piano! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Food: Their almond croissant is to die for!! Probably one of the best I've had! It was crisp on the edges, filled with custard in the inside, & just the right amount of sweetness overall. They have lots of other vegan and gluten free pastries from the looks of it. (More variety than Scout & Kreuzberg Coffee!). This cafe is definitely a hidden gem! Parking: plenty of meter parking around the area. read more

Linnaea's Cafe - Their almond croissant is to die for! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California