Good spot. Corner spot. Coffee handed to you in pottery. Outdoor seating with windows open to the indoors. Follow me for more on BayBitesNSips on Tiktok I'm also a bay area artist (grew up in SD) and I've just started selling online on Etsy: MLEcolorshop ; if you visit me or tell a friend who likes jewelry, I would appreciate it so much Everything I make is handmade with Polymer Clay and there is no single piece alike. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MLEcolorshop read more

Coffee shop North county Encinitas Coffee tea and matcha House made Pastries and small bites Quaint shop Restroom inside Street parking Friendly atmosphere Fast service Pet friendly Amex accepted read more

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Rad little coffee shop. Came late morning and they were still relatively busy...not in a bad way...more like this place is good, busy. Service was awesome and the cold brew was delightful. I'd definitely come back. read more

Friendly staff but not good matcha :/ too milky and not enough matcha for me. Cute little spot though read more

Necessity Coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

This small coffee shop just off of PCH has the longest line of any business in Encinitas. But, honestly, but for the line, I would never have known about this spot. I saw the mass of people while walking along PCH and thought they must be giving out free cocaine or something down this side street. This is very high end coffee and they have a few baked goods, too. Seating inside and out. They have all your normal drinks but lots of interesting specials, too. The employees were very friendly. The Ups and Downs is a decaf Mexican coffee with a foamy head and a citrusy flavor. It was delicious. The Rooting For Ya had a hint of a root beer flavor. I'm not a root beer fan but the drink was delicious. Both drinks were iced and sparkling but not overly bubbly. This is very complex, sippable coffee. You should not guzzle these liquids. They are almost like coffee cocktails. If you come in the morning on a weekend, the line will be long. It was down to almost nothing around lunchtime when we were there. This is well worth checking out although I am obviously late to this party. read more

Necessity Coffee - Delicious Rooting For Ya on the left and a very interesting Ups and Downs on the right. Very good coffee here. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Cute cafe serving coffees & teas. & a delicious pastry section, I recommend trying the Pop Tart. Their drinks are on the lighter, not too sweet end, which many people love, but I like more flavor & sweetness. They opened another location in San Marcos. read more

I love this new location in the wonderful neighborhood of Encinitas and have been here several times in the past two weeks! Their beet toast and pear espresso drink is beyond delicious. Beware, the pear espresso drink is truly tiny. The staff is very nice and helpful. I would love to give them five stars, however, closing the kitchen so early is a tad annoying. I arrived at 1:35 yesterday and couldn't order food. The only options were cookies and a scone. The tables are quite fragile and lightweight, if slightly bumped in their tight space, your coffee is spilled. The kitchen cut off time and tiny cups are the major issue. Enjoy! It's a wonderful addition to the Encinitas neighborhood. :) read more

Necessity Coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

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The Moonlight Fog was amazing and a must try! The taste of Houjicha tea and sesame paired well. This drink reminded me when was in Japan and brought back great memories. The vibe was costal and cool while the barista were super hip and friendly. 5 stars! read more

Necessity Coffee - Moonlight Fog - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Cute small little coffee shop that was popping when I stopped by. The baristas were very nice and were working hard while I was there. I got the chai, the first 2 sips were amazing but the rest of the drink tasted rather watered down, will probably come back to try something else. read more

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Cute hipster cafe with legit third wave beans and innovative drinks! (I'm a huge coffee snob. It's hard to find LA or big city quality serious coffee around the beach cities.) I wish I lived closer to try more drinks. They have interesting-sounding tea drinks as well. I bought a box of beans. The bean roasting is crazy complex with anaerobic and co-ferment kinds. They are not for pourover n00bz. Come to South OC please! read more

I discovered this spot, not long after it opened. I did have a bit of a hard time finding it at first though as it's hidden in a small neighborhood cul-de-sac. It's definitely a hidden gem. The owner has been there every time I've been in which has been great because I can always ask lots of questions and I've been lucky enough to taste things as well I love the pink coffee machine. It really sets the vibe for the whole spot. As for the coffee, it's fantastic. Everything I've gotten has been very, very good and I'm picky about my coffee. I'd say the prices are a little bit higher than other spots, but it's a small business who's clearly dedicated to a love of coffee that I share so I don't mind paying a little more. I was pleasantly to surprised to run into them at the San Diego food and wine festival last weekend. It was the absolute perfect pick me up between sipping wine and cocktails and eating lots of bites. I chose the iced coffee which I hadn't had before, but I knew it would be great and it definitely was . Speaking to the owner, they are opening a new location that they will be transitioning into not too far away from their original Encinitas location. He's always very personable and I enjoy talking to him about his passion for coffee. I will keep coming back because I really like their coffee a lot and I can't wait to see what they do with the new location. read more

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Came in on a Sunday afternoon to try out this new little coffee spot on the corner in Encinitas. It was very popular with a line out the door. I got a spiced pear latte (forgot the exact name) with excellent flavors, that was somehow less expensive than their regular iced latte. Luckily we snagged a seat outside as it was very crowded inside. They could do with a few less tables inside as it feels very cramped with too many tables that end up just uselessly shoved to the side in the order to fit the people around them. They had a selection of baked goods that looked scrumptious but I held myself back this time. Very nice baristas, and cute little place overall! read more

Necessity Coffee - Spiced pear latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Much better than average coffee shop. I liked their iced pour over thermal shock anaerobic. lot of flavor extracted but it was a bit much for a whole drink. read more

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This is definitely the best coffee in North County. I have worked in the coffee industry and am very particular about coffee. When I go out to buy coffee I like it to be better than something I can make myself and this is it! They have seasonal drinks unique to their cafe and they are always so delicious. The staple coffee they offer is always good as well. Coffee is never under or over extracted. They also have yummy pastries that sometimes sell out quickly! They baristas are generally nice and I've never had an issue. My least favorite part about coming here is that sometimes I can't find seating but I know they're moving to a new (larger) location soon! read more

Necessity Coffee - Spice & Sap - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Love their coffee!! Came by accident actually as I was supposed to be going to another coffee shop but I'm so glad I came!! Got "A perfect pear" and a moonlight hojicha. Let me put it this way, we came back immediately the next day and got 2x "A perfect pear" coffee! It was THAT good!! I do wish the size of their hot drinks could be a little bigger, I felt like I would need to order 2 cuz it ran out too fast. Come by and walk around the cute neighborhood! read more

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I've been supporter of this coffee shop and was so excited to see their second location open. I've shared their journey on my social media many times because I truly believed in them. ​However, my experience this Saturday at 8:15 AM was very disappointing. I'm a local cyclist, and since there's no safe bike parking nearby, I tried to quickly order a coffee while keeping my bike inside with me(just order,not stay there). The shop was nearly empty at that hour, yet the staff member was quite dismissive and she told me I couldn't be there with my bike.I tried to explain to her that I only wanted to place a quick order and would immediately step outside. The shop was nearly empty, and I wasn't in anyone's way. You can see the picture huw it's been inside. Despite my explanation the barista completely ignored my point and refused to accommodate me. ​ It's a bummer to feel unwelcome at a place you've loved and supported, especially when there's plenty of space and no crowd. I hope the management considers being more accommodating to the San Diego cycling community. read more

Necessity Coffee - No one in the line - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

Literally tucked away in a corner of a neighborhood in Encinitas but DANG this coffee is good. They roast their coffee themselves and they have all the info of bean sourcing. We got a shot of espresso of their Aji bourbon beans. The complexity of the shot was just wow and the fruit forwardness is so good. The staff are so friendly and so knowledgeable. We definitely love this spot read more

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We stood in line on grand opening day. Drinks were free for first 50 customers. We got the pear latte, but we didn't taste the pear. Lower than standard price for the coffee and the cup is smaller. Beautiful, clean, and spacious interior and exterior. Lots of tables. Great study location. Definitely dog friendly. Parking structure is 2 hours free. read more

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Necessity Coffee is hidden away in a neighborhood off of the main drag in Encinitas and it is definitely worth stopping by. They have a really unique selection of beverages that you can't find anywhere else. I got the Orchard & Onyx which was on tap so it came out super fast. My friend got a drink that took a bit longer, but while we were waiting I was pulled in by their box of prints for sale! One of the baristas sells their photography for $25 and they're all great shots. Came in expecting a fun drink and walked out with that and a new piece of art for my wall. read more

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Necessity is hands down one of the best coffee shops in San Diego county. It is the definition of a hidden gem, you wouldn't expect to find a coffee shop next to an auto shop and a ceramics studio. It is a pretty small store and there were only two workers. They were pretty slammed, but still provided excellent service and the quality of the beverages was still amazing. I got the plumdrop and my wife got the bloomed fig. The flavors were fun unique offerings and well executed. read more

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I recently went on a walk with a friend in Encinitas and stumbled upon a Necessity Coffee sign that was posted. I thought I've seen all the local shops, until now. I quickly walked down the street with a smile on my face awaiting my next americano. I checked out the menu, already knowing my order, and was greeted by Curtis. He was really friendly and we chatted a bit about me being a neophyte when it comes to knowing about this shop. I asked some questions about the roasting process and if the coffee beans were made on the premises, which they are. I recently was in Portland and we talked about some of the coffee shops we equally enjoyed while in PDX. Through this convo we also talked with barista Austin. I noticed that they offer baked goods, pastries, and deserts. Not a coffee drinker? They have tea drinks too! There is a patio out front of their iconic pink shop with some tables. Inside it's decorated really cute with a bouquet flowers, pops of plants! The espresso machine rocks; my Americano was fabulous! While they offer whole milk, oat, and possibly almond milk, one little thing that I wish they had was half and half. read more

I didn't live the flat white but the green drinks look amazing. I will have to return to try their specialties.

Necessity Coffee is a cozy, minimalist coffee spot serving quality brews in a calm, laid-back setting, perfect for a slow morning or a quick reset. Loved spending an hour there with my morning caffeine on a weekend. Would definitely visit this happy place again and again. read more

A well-loved Encinitas coffee shop serving high quality coffee inside an iconic pink building! I found out about Necessity Coffee through a coffee festival hosted in the Broadway Pier venue in the SD Harbor. The event has so many coffee shops tabling with tasters and Necessity stood out to us! We enjoyed their fermented coffee with a strong but natural blueberry flavor. We stopped by on a Sunday to buy a bag of their beans and try their coffee drinks. I got a black iced americano. I really enjoyed it! It is slightly acidic but still very smooth. My partner got a latte with whole milk and was very happy. I also ordered a 'Nice Try Pies' - which is basically focaccia with toppings. We were recommended the Rosa, which had cheese, red onion, rosemary, and lemon. A very unique combo, and the flavors worked well! The focaccia was also much larger than I anticipated so the $13 price tag made sense. I do wish they had an option with more protein. The shop is pretty small with a few tables inside and more tables/benches outside. The parking lot is very small so we opted for street parking. Many patrons came by during my visit so seats filled up fast that morning. Overall, this is a great coffee place to stop by, I can tell they really care about the quality of their drinks! read more

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Worst matcha ever. It was so watery and tasted more like melted ice drink for $6. The matcha was pre-made. No, thank you.

Unique, delish, stylish, perfect! If you haven't been (this seems impossible) it's a must!

Was excited to try this new spot, while I would say the coffee was good The staff was rude, the space difficult to navigate. When I asked for a straw for an iced latte, no answer twice just a shaking of the head. The food choices were sparse and no cash accepted. Too many choices out there to return read more

Cool little secret spot, gooooood coffee, nice attitude Try it you'll like it It is never too busy read more

I visited this café for the first time today. I love small cafés like this. I tasted a matcha with pine and oat milk, and it was super good. The employees are very kind and know our drinks well. Also, the milk was already included in the price! It's really small, but just for chatting and relaxing, it's perfect. It was a quiet little café, and the music was interesting. The decor is a mix of bohemian and minimalist. I saw quite a few interesting drinks on the menu. The matcha was well balanced between sweetness and the classic matcha taste. The service was fast. Honestly, I would go back without hesitation. ---- J'ai visité ce café pour la première fois aujourd'hui. J'adore les petits cafés comme ça. J'ai goûté un matcha au pin et au lait d'avoine, et c'était super bon. Les employés sont très gentils et connaissent bien nos boissons. En plus, le lait était déjà inclus dans le prix ! C'est vraiment petit, mais pour juste parler et se détendre, c'est parfait. C'était un petit café tranquille, et la musique était intéressante. La déco est un mélange de bohème et de minimalisme. J'ai vu pas mal de boissons intéressantes sur le menu. Le matcha était bien équilibré entre le sucré et le goût classique du matcha. Le service était rapide. Franchement, j'y retournerai sans hésiter. ---- read more

Necessity Coffee - Matcha! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

I came for the 2 year anniversary and the staff were friendly and so knowledgeable. I got great recs for coffee and beans and the shop is cute and cozy. The barista made my drink perfectly. I got the date capp which was a drink they brought back and it was balanced and delicious. Street parking in the neighborhood, the shop is in the back corner of the street in the lot. read more

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Pricey but good flavors and a nice vibe. This place is a few blocks off the main street. They have a really tiny parking lot that is very narrow so street parking would be recommended. They have a small amount of indoor seating and some larger tables outside as well. We came on a Sun around 10:30 and it was busy and consistently so until we left around 11:30. They have a mix of coffee, specialty coffee drinks and tea based drinks. I got the currant capp and my partner got the midnight fog. I love the cups they provide for drinking drinks at the shop. More rustic. I loved my currant capp. Definitely a different flavor with the hibiscus and the dried currant on sprinkled on top adding some good flavor. My partner really liked his midnight fog. Couldn't really taste the green tea but you could taste the black sesame and lemon they were in a good balance. They had whole or oat as the milk options with no upcharge to switch to oat. My only gripe about this place is the price. The drink sizes are small. Maybe 8oz. But the prices at around $6-7 make this more of a special outing type of coffee place. read more

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A-MA-ZING Th Sweetest Little Coffee Shop Run by the greatest team Will definitely be back to try the pizza pie that sells out quick each morning read more

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damn this place started out so strong, seemed like the type of spot that focuses on quality and would preach the importance of roast dates. not sure if it coincided with the location change, but no longer dating their beans, which in 2026 is inexcusable read more

Necessity Coffee is the cutest little hidden gem. Tucked away, the vibe here is super chill and unpretentious, making it the perfect spot to start your day or take a mid-morning break. The coffee is consistently great, with well-balanced flavors and thoughtful options. It's not a huge space inside, so if you're planning to post up for a remote work session, you might want to look elsewhere. But it's perfect for catching up with a friend in the outdoor area or grabbing a cup to go before heading out for a walk or beach day. I love that it's a bit off the beaten path. No crowds, no chaos, just good coffee and good energy. read more

Nice place with good drinks! Stopped by on our day off and had coffee to go. Busy place and happy to see a new spot open here. read more

Necessity Coffee - Menu as of 01/19/2026 - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Nope. I am afraid on four separate occasions, the coffee has been consistently "meh." I even asked them to remake a cortado, to see if there was a bad pull or something similar. No; the end product is less than impressive. Again, I appreciate the slightly industrial quality of Necessity and its surroundings; the staff are professional and knowledgable. But they seem incapable of pulling off a decent espresso drink. As I love the vibe of this place, I will ponder that question for a while. But I will be doing it an another cafe. Disappointing. read more

The vibe of the shop and atmosphere is really special! It's next to a ceramics shop as well which seems nice. The coffee itself was just okay...I think it's not my style. I prefer a more nutty coffee and this was more sour and acidic. I prefer Provecho The staff was very nice but clearly passionate and because of this pretentious about coffee. read more

I was so excited to try this new coffee shop! I'm a matcha lover and had high expectations..this place looks so cute and high quality. It was basically just frothed milk with a touch of green. I couldn't taste the matcha at all :( The service was great, but disappointed in the drink. read more

Spiced Piloncillo Cap WHITE WHALE Vanilla Latte Drinks were excellent :) Friendly baristas Cute interior Highly recommend! What a GEM in Encinitas read more

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This review is overdue. I've enjoyed Necessity Coffee plenty of times and look forward to every visit, which always includes a warm greeting from the barista (hi, Curtis!) and a superb drink. I've tried much of the menu but my favorite thing to get is their seasonal cappuccino. The rotating menu is inventive and thoughtful, never gimmicky as I've found is often the case at other coffee shops around town. I'm so glad this place exists. If that isn't enough to compel a visit, parking is easy and free, there's both indoor and outdoor seating, and it's dog and kid friendly! Plus, you can pre-order from the also excellent Relic Bageri for pickup on Wednesday mornings, a personal dream come true for me. read more