Stumbled across this nice coffee joint while walking around stores here. It was definitely special…read morewith interesting coffee drinks to try! Ended up settling with the Oaxacan Mocha, it had a nice chocolate & espresso warm flavor. Great service and people too! I'd definitely recommend checking it out!

They say they're organic but having just delivered half&half... yes, it's made by Clover but not…read moreorganic... OVERALL: Kind of reminds me of the local Suju's in Fremont (where I'm from), as their local go to coffee in Salinas that's more concentrated in espresso complexity. CUBANITO: Their specialty! Only 8oz with 3 shots of espresso, turbinado sugar, and milk...can modify level of sweetness. However person for which this drink was for states it's still overly sweet. CARAMEL Macchiato: Made me sad that it wasn't authentic as milk should be first then the shots of espresso so there's two layers (that's why I secretly wanted this drink). Then a drizzle of caramel. Tastes like a caramel macchiato, nonetheless. ***overall, their coffee is good with a smooth flavor profile and no bitter undertones or after taste, equating to high quality beans*** SERVICE: They are so sweet, kind, and patient, willing to answer any and all questions. Very splendid seeing a group of Spanish speaking ladies going strong at it! AMBIANCE: Casual, local coffee joint that's mainly enjoyed by the Hispanic community. Bathroom available. WiFi available. Very clean. Very modern decor. Two outdoor tables. Multiple indoor seating options. Located in the Safeway plaza with a multitude of establishments, stores, Jamba Juice, services, etc. Very large private parking lot. In the suburbs. Would I come back? Probably not.

We love this place bc of its excellent service and small but wonderful selection of beers of…read morevarious alcohol levels. Like the casual ambiance, too.

Whenever I want coffee, I choose this place. I'm not sad to say that today's visit will be my last…read more I've been coming here since they opened and over the years I've seen a noticeable decline in the overall existence of this place. I came in today, Sunday, June 28, 2026 at approximately 2:30 pm. Came in with my son. We placed our order: 1 Mexican mocha and 1 caramel macchiato, both medium. Paid and left a tip. The bill was almost $20. My son's drink was made first. I noticed that his was iced so I looked to see how the girl was making mine. She had a clear cup so I knew she was going to make an iced one for me, which I didn't want. The only thing that was in the cup when I stopped her was the caramel. I politely asked her for a hot one. She looked at me with an annoyed look, then she looked at her coworker, a male with black fingernails, and said "she wanted it hot". She proceeded to make my drink. She made it as if she was slamming the ingredients in the cup. When she gave me my drink she said with major attitude, "next time you need to tell them that you want a hot drink when you order". So I replied, " well usually the person who takes my order asks if I want it hot or cold". There will NOT be a next time because I will NEVER step foot in this place again! With the exception of 3 people sitting at different locations, we were the only ones in there. The customer service here is nonexistent! Perhaps if the workers were a little more pleasant and didn't make the customer feel like they're a burden, maybe they'd have more business. When we were walking out, my son even noticed the ugly attitude and told me that's why he stopped coming here. He said that every time he came in, one of the workers had an attitude. He now chooses Brewjee coffee just a block away. I will follow suit and start patronizing BREWJEE coffee from now on.

Hands down best coffee in town. Every time I visit my family in Salinas I stop here for my fix…read more Their espresso is legit!!

Last reviewed over 8 years ago maybe time for a short update…read more The Cherrybean is one of many coffee shops within walking distance from my house to Old Town Salinas. And over the years my friends and I have visited all of them. The Cherrybean is respectable and relaxed. It's a full service shop with some food treats that go well with your choice of drink. A couple of tables and chairs outside in front and parking both front and back. If you're drinking your coffee black (me) it's pay and self serve. If you're fancy, you're waiting. Last words... good enough for me.

I have no idea how this place ever got a bad review. We were greeted with a smile and taken to a…read morewindow booth. The staff were fast and the service was excellent. But the best part was the food. Generous portions, fresh and everything was tasty. I was raveling but if I was ever back in town, this would s must stop. The decor was excellent, it was very clean and again the service and food were great.

I have visited First Awakenings several times over the years, mostly for breakfast, but today my…read moreson and I decided to try lunch instead. I ordered the tuna melt and he got the chicken Caesar salad. The tuna melt was honestly really good. The sourdough bread was toasted nicely and I loved that crispy layer of cheese on the outside because that is a special tray and my favorite part of any melt sandwich. The tuna salad itself was flavorful. It came with potatoes that unfortunately were probably the only miss for me. They seemed like they were not reheated all the way, so they had that slightly cold, rubbery texture. They also serve this little cucumber and tomato salad on the side that was absolutely delicious and honestly such a nice fresh side to my sandwich. My son wasn't too impressed with the Caesar salad because he said the dressing tasted watery, but other than that everything else he liked - the chicken was flavorful and nicely cooked, the salad was fresh and crunchy. Service and atmosphere were nice. Overall, I would definitely come back for lunch again. Breakfast is also great here, so I would recommend both.

Tropical Vibes, you guys are more than just "tropical vibes"- the aura you guys bring radiates…read morekindness with your customers. The worker said "so sorry for the wait! i'll bring your order to you." However, in my mind the wait was not long at all! This really shows how much they value customer service. If i could give them 10+ stars i would! Their matcha/ ube dole whip soft serve I got was super flavorful as well! I can taste the ube and matcha despite them being swirled in together! I love this place for desserts! Thank you for blessing Salinas with your more than just "Tropical Vibes" Aura!

Our drinks made us sick afterwards :/ ambience and interior is fun and nice. Def giving tropical…read morevibes. The customer service was good, the staff were friendly. The match soft serve ice cream was good with a nice matcha flavor and big portion size. We were not fans of the Gigi's taro and the everything matcha slush. Both drinks had way too much going on. I wish they had a menu on the wall and listed what comes in their drinks so many of them had a bunch of inclusions. The drinks weren't disgusting, just not what we're used to. It's more like halo halo vs boba tea. Tip: I saw another persons order and asked if I could order that but the staff told me it was a customized drink and they require you to order custom drinks 15-20 min in advance. It looked good though! Next time, we'll try this option and see how it goes.

Is there always a line? Yes. Is it worth the wait? Yes…read more Staff are always friendly, and they're flexible if you have adjustments or requests not on the menu, they definitely know their coffee. Cold brew with cold foam is my go to. I'm not a fan of the matcha since it comes sweetened, but the drinks that are flavored here tend to be on the sweeter side. If I want to throw a few extra miles on my gym runs I will have the Mexican mocha frappe, but I don't even want to know the calories on that one. Good local spot you have to try.

I recently started coming here and have had such a great experience every time. The service is…read morealways friendly and welcoming. I usually ask for a "surprise me" drink because I never know what to order and don't want to hold up the line deciding. Every drink has turned out amazing! I really appreciate the creativity and care the baristas put into making something unique each time. Definitely becoming one of my favorite coffee spots.

I wish I had more photos to share all the delicious treats and drinks I've ordered from this place…read morebut of course they are always too tasty that I forget to capture. Anyways, im so glad my coworkers told Me about this place because it's been a nice addition to my frequent-places-to-visit-on-the-regular list. Honestly there is nothing I've had from this place that isn't good. From their lemonades, coffee, smoothies to their avocado toast, wraps, sandwiches, and cookies. They really nailed down their menu options! Not to mention the biggest thing, their staff is super friendly, welcoming and patient when you're trying to decide what to order. They may be located by the courthouse in Salinas but don't let that stop you for visiting. You won't be disappointed! & if you happen to need to serve jury duty, this is a nice spot to go hangout and enjoy a little break from doing your service. Or on any day, with some indoor outdoor seating!

This place is amazing. I ordered catering for 55 sandwiches, salads and chips for a work event it…read morewas a HIT! Everyone loved the sandwiches as the ingredients were fresh and they use Otto's sourdough! I wanted to make sure to leave a review for those that are looking to cater a luncheon, send them an email at villariveracafe@gmail.com. Their phone is weird because it is through the govt building and goes straight to voicemail. I also sent them messages on their social channels before finding the email and they responded there too lol... email is way better. When you are trying to find them, they are tucked away under what looks like a bridge of a building in the center of the campus behind two pillars. Sorry I didn't get a photo of the outside so I hope this description helps. Racquel the owner is the sweetest and I hope you all support this cafe!